AN: One more for you guys...

Jack stepped out into the corridor and waved as the doors closed. What the hell is going on here! First Anise, then Laira. Then the General ordering Sam and me to talk...and Sam! She kissed me and she's breaking off her engagement! I must be dreaming...not that I'm complaining about that last part, but this is all too weird. Jack reached the recreation room where the General had sent Laira to wait. Thank God it wasn't someplace public where everyone would be staring at them.

"Sorry, Laira." Jack said as entered.

"Why did Major Carter lie to you?"

"Uh, she was just misinformed."

"What took you so long?"

Jack sighed again. "We had to talk to the General...really. Laira, why are you here?"

"I told you, Jack, I came to see you."

"Why?" Jack was slightly irritated. This was going nowhere. He was tired of surprise visitors interrupting his talks with Sam and now all he wanted to do was get off the base and home to her. Home to Sam... Now there's a thought I could get used to.

"You're thinking about her, aren't you?"

Crap. "Who?"

"Major Carter."

"Why do you think that?"

"You have a look on your face like you would rather be elsewhere."

"Why does that mean I was thinking about Carter?" He cringed at the intentional use of her last name, but he needed to seem indifferent towards her, at least for now.

"You also have the look of someone in love. It is the same look you had when you were longing for her when you were stranded on my planet. You should tell her how you feel, Jack."

Jack was even more irritated now. "Why are you here, Laira? Why did you come to see me?"

Laira looked up at him sadly. "I came to see if we still had a chance, but I see you have already chosen the woman you wish to have your heart...even though she is promised to another."

Jack narrowed his eyes. "How do you know that?" How the hell did she know that! She probably overheard some nosy SFs gossiping.

Laira ignored his question and asked one of her own. "How is it that you are in love with her, but she has given herself to another?"

"It's not that simple, Laira. We do things differently around here. There are rules we have to follow...we're not allowed to be together."

"Why not?"

"I'm her commanding officer. The Air Force forbids us from forming a relationship."

"Then why do you not seek companionship elsewhere?"

"Because, Laira, because." Jack was really fed up with all this talk. He wasn't used to opening his private life for so many people to see in one day, especially if it was none of their business.

"Does she feel the same way about you?"

"For crying out loud!" Jack scrubbed a hand over his face.

"I think it is time for me to depart, Jack. Tell General Hammond not to worry. This will not affect the relationship between our worlds."

Jack walked Laira back to the gate room in silence. He waited until she was through the gate and then he signed out for the night.