Post 10x12 – Part 2

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Sam leant heavily on Daniel's shoulder and felt guilty as she knew she wasn't exactly light as such. She was still in too much pain to walk alone and Doctor Lam had been worried about letting her return home alone. She had reassured the Doctor she would not be alone, she had someone who would remain with her until she was strong enough to look after herself. She had managed to keep the 'who' out of the conversation and chose to ask Daniel to drive her home just to be on the safe side. He was the only one she trusted.

"It's Jack isn't it…?" Sam stopped her awkward struggle up her front path with a sort of hopping-stagger and clutched his arm tighter. She looked over at her friend in surprise. Jack had – as usual – parked his truck in her garage she assumed. So how did Daniel know?

"Uh," she stood awkwardly with Daniel's arm around her waist and hers on his shoulder trying to hold weight off her left side. "Yeah," she sighed. "I figured you were a safe bet to bring me home." Just as she finished speaking they both turned to the sound of her front door opening.

"Danny boy," Jack called out. She knew she had a ridiculous grin on her face – but she was just so pleased to see Jack standing on her front porch, he was definitely sight for sore eyes. She had insisted he avoid suspicion by keeping his visits brief once she was in a stable condition.

"You guys knew I wouldn't say anything," Daniel rolled his eyes and let Jack take her from his arms and she let herself melt into Jack's familiar arms. He took hold of her waist and all but lifted her off the ground as they began heading back up the path towards her front door.

"Yeah," Jack answered Daniel's question.

"You know it doesn't really matter right? That they wouldn't stop you being together now you are working in Washington D.C. and not in the SGC?" Daniel followed them - out of the corner of her eye she could see his I'm confused face.

"Yes, Daniel." She sighed aloud, pleased that it only caused a tiny twinge in her side this time. Breathing was definitely becoming less painful. "But it's not worth the risk. He's still technically my superior…" She trailed off. Did she really have to explain herself?

"Because you are both still military…" Daniel seemed to be figuring it out for himself as they made their way into her house. She could almost hear the wheels turning in his head.

"It's just easier this way." Jack told him. He lowered her onto the couch and stood to slap Daniel on the shoulder, hard.

"Ow," the younger man muttered holding up a hand in defence. "I already knew anyway, or had a very strong feeling." Daniel shrugged.

"How?" Sam asked curiously.

"You guys have this weird… thing. I mean… you were together in every alternative universe we know of. You have always had this strange connection." The younger man waved his hand between the two of them. "There are lots of reasons. Do you want me to go on?"

"Yes," she answered at the same time as Jack answered with a no.

"You need rest Sam," Jack told her. "I'm going to go make you a coffee." He turned to Daniel. "Want a beer?"

"How do you work it? Being so far away from each other?" Daniel seemed lost in his thoughts on their relationship, he didn't seem to hear Jack's question.

"We just make it work." Jack answered with a casual shrug. "Beer it is." Daniel sat beside her on the couch and took her hand in his.

"I'm glad Sam," he met her eyes and she smiled. Daniel, Teal'c and Jack meant everything to her. They had been more of a family than anyone else she had ever met. She admitted she enjoyed working alongside Colonel Mitchell and was beginning to like the rather strange woman - Vala. It was quite nice having another female on the team. But she would never have the same bond with them as she did with the original SG-1.

"Thanks Daniel," she whispered. "I know it would be hard for other people to understand." She bit her lip as she considered her next words. "I always knew I would never have a relationship in the traditional sense… get married, have children…" She trailed off, unsure how to explain herself. "What I have with Jack is so much more." She felt her eyes begin to fill with tears and embarrassed she ducked her head. "I might not see him for weeks, even months at a time." She lifted a fisted hand and pressed it against each eye in turn. Why was she feeling so damn emotional? "But he's mine, and I am his." She felt Jack's presence and turned to see him hovering in the doorway between the kitchen and lounge, drinks in hand.

"Am I interrupting something?" She gave him a smile in response, letting him know it was okay to enter.

"I'm happy for you both." Daniel looked up at Jack seriously. "I won't say anything until you are both ready." He took the beer from Jack's outstretched hand. "But…" Both Sam and Jack looked up at him, worried. But? But's were never good. "I'm fairly sure Teal'c already knows." Sam let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"We planned on telling him too." She gave his hand a squeeze and let go reaching with both hands for her mug. She inhaled the rich scent of coffee and closed her eyes.

"Mmm, thank you," she opened her eyes and found Jack had moved to sit on her other side.

"Well that was easy," Jack told Daniel. "Sam's been worrying about telling you for… ages."

"Jack!" Sam elbowed him in the ribs.

"Bugger, you must be feeling better." He winced and rubbed his side. Daniel laughed and raised his beer.

"Cheers," Daniel lifted his beer. Sam clinked her mug against it and then Jack stretched across her – being careful not to touch her tender side – and clinked his beer bottle against Daniel's. Sam was pleased to finally be able to spend time with her boys without any secrets.

The End.

Authors Note:So this started as a Hurt/Comfort – Jack looking after Sam after her near-death experience. Instead this came out? What the heck?