Best friend. What did that really mean - was it different for everybody or was there some universal measuring stick sitting in invisible eternity? Best friend forever.

Samantha Carter looked over her shoulder, rubbing her arms to keep the cold at bay. This planet was seriously in need of a sun-sized ball of gas and plasma, but X-1305 was a rare ice paradise with human habitation. The "Paradise" part of the name came from the local name for the place. G'Uandia Flee'Gih. It meant Paradise of Heaven in the tongue - at least, that was the best translation Daniel Jackson could manage.

The Archaeologist had wandered off around the ruins of an ancient Goa'uld city several hundred yards away. He had said Carter was his best friend. Best friend. Sam worried her bottom lip between her teeth as she took ice samples and labeled them carefully. What did it mean?

Sam felt completely out of her depth. The Lt. Colonel had been in relationships before, but never had she possessed a best friend. High School had been cruel to her - the resident geek-girl. Four-eyes. They had actually called her that, even without the need of corrective lenses. Sam shook her head at the memory in bemusement. It had never made sense to her at the time or since. The Academy had been all about proving herself. The SGC - well, there had hardly been time for socializing.

Daniel Jackson. It was clear the man did not make friends easily. He had a ....special...way of looking at things. It took getting used to, but Sam could not imagine her life without him. A friend - good friend - but best friend? It would take studying. She had to know the quantity and measurement. Otherwise anyone could be considered a best friend. She wondered what it really meant.

"Sam, can you give me a hand?" Daniel's voice cut through her thoughts.

"Coming!" She called back, standing to her feet.

Then it hit her, like a sucker punch to the stomach. She would gladly die for him, she would do anything for him and yet...she was not in love with him. A best friend? Someone to share the dangers and the successes? Measurement had to equal Willing to Give Everything. Relief flooded through the SG-1 member as she made her way through the heavy snowfall. It made sense now.

For the first time since her father's death, Samantha Carter felt whole.

-THE END

dedicated to my best friend. Dreampainter.