The Whipping on Colonel Jonathan O'Neill

Almost seven years later he wishes he could say it was love at first sight. That as soon as she came strutting into the briefing room, guns-a-blazing, that he had been hooked. But he hadn't been.

He had been intrigued.

He had respected her for her combat experience during the Gulf War. He knew enough to be impressed with her work on the Stargate. Her little feminist kick had pissed him off though. In effect he hadn't expected her to last.

Part of him was surprised when she refused to lose her lunch (later he learned to add 'in front of him' to that) when she emerged from the Wormhole. But her instant transformation into Doctor-mode did leave him a bit irked that she restrained herself a little bit longer. He felt oddly justified at his chagrin to add a scientist on his team.

It took him a few missions to realize that she was indeed trying to make herself acceptable to him. That for some reason, behind her feminist façade, she respected him and wanted in turn to earn his.

He started watching her after that. Eyeing her behavior, attitude, and reactions. At first he was just sizing her up professionally, then he moved on to just being curious. He began to watch out for characteristics, idiosyncrasies, weaknesses, and cough that way she moved that made her so .. Carter.

After Senator Kinsey's attempt to shut down the 'gate he realized that SG1 was perfect just the way it was. He began reaching out.

Every morning they had breakfast together. Some days he would then go on to train with Teal'c as they exchanged moves and training techniques. Other he would actually try and get some work done or cough play Tetris. Lunch too was always a group affair whether it meant dragging Daniel and Carter out of their respective labs or bringing lunch to them. Afternoons were spent wandering between said labs and playing with anything that was not nailed down. Tuesday's and Thursday's became unofficial team-nights, usually spending one in and one out.

It was nice for a while.

Then things got rough.

Cold places, force fields, zar'tac's, alien viruses, time loops, Jolinar, Endora.

Things got rough.

He reached out again.

This time though he reached out to comfort the hurt he had caused her.

Monday mornings were spent with Carter. It started out as 'oh hey I was just walking by…' but gradually his chair moved closer, he began bringing coffee and paperwork, and their conversations became littered with fun stuff then personal stuff and by the end really sould searching stuff.

And it became better.

4 years, 8 months, 3 weeks, 9 days, 16 hours, 54 minutes, and 26 seconds after she walked into the briefing room he sat up in bed and realized he loved her.

He relaxed. Because it was okay. He loved Daniel too and Teal'c, well he cared deeply for the big guy too. SG1 was his life and family not just another military unit.

He had to talk to her.

Throwing off his covers he padded into his bathroom. Showering quickly he didn't forget to brush his teeth all the while trying to figure out what he was going to say. He jumped into his truck and began speaking to himself. 'Hello Sam. No, wait. Hey Carter. I uh need to uh talk to you …' 20 minutes later he swiped his card and was granted access to Cheyenne Mountain.