The ride had been long, but Sam didn't notice. She was too busy lost in her own thoughts, constantly replaying the events from the last few days. It wasn't until Jack opened her door, that she realized that they had stopped, and taking a look around her she realized she was at Jack's cabin. He could see the look of confusion on her face, and her eyebrows go up in a questioning manner. Jack shrugged his shoulders, "I didn't want you to be alone tonight," his voice strong and steady, eyes never leaving hers.

Despite her grief, Sam blushed under his gaze. "Thanks sir."

"Come on, let's get you inside," he said as he took her bag out of the truck, and led her up the steps to his cabin. Once inside, he placed her bag in the living room. "Just give me 5min to set up the guest room."

"Sir, you don't have to. I am perfectly ok with sleeping on the couch."

"Carter, I have a guest room for a reason. Plus what kind of gentleman would I be if I let a woman sleep on my couch, when there is a perfectly good bed in the spare room."

"Yes sir," she said, a small smile crossing her face. "I'll get some coffee brewing."

"Sounds like a plan, Carter." Ten minutes later, Jack walked back into the kitchen. "Taaadaa. One spare bedroom, perfectly ready for one Major Carter."

Sam handed him a cup of hot coffee. "Thanks sir." She ran her fingers through her hair. "Thanks for bringing me here. I just...I needed to get away...you know?"

Jack nodded, and leant against the counter along side her. "Yeah I know." Silence fell between them, as they quietly drank their coffee. Despite the somber circumstances, mixed emotions ran through both of their minds. The death of Daniel Jackson; a team member, a close friend, a family member, tore a hole right through Sam's heart, and yet having Jack at her side when she needed him, offering a strong and silent shoulder, being with him alone at his cabin... added fuel to an already slow burning, smouldering fire, which added guilt to all of the things that she was feeling. Guilt that she could possibly be feeling those kind of things, when she should be mourning.

Long after the steaming coffee was drunk, Sam continued to hold the mug, staring into the ceramic bottom, lost in thought. Images of the last five years with Daniel flashed through her mind, further ripping her heart into pieces. Jack looked over, but was unable to see the painful emotions flashing across her face, as her head bent low over her mug, her hair falling down in front of her face. He took a moment to take in the woman next to him, the way she leant against his counter top lost in her thoughts, the ways the last rays of sun streamed through the window and highlighted the golden flecks in her hair. All the years he had been inviting her up to his cabin, and unfortunately it took the death of one of their own, to bring her up here.

"Thinking again Carter?" he said jokingly.

She laughed bitterly, tucking her hair behind her ears, and that's when Jack saw the stray tear trickling slowly down her cheek. "Hey," he said softly, taking the mug away from her, and placing it next to his on the counter. He placed his hand on her forearm, "it'll be okay."

At the feeling of warm hand on her arm, she looked up at him, eyes brimming with unshed tears. "He was one of my best friends...and I..." she sniffed, and tried to wipe away some of the tears. "I can't believe he's gone."

"You don't have to do this alone." Sam locked eyes with him, baring her soul in their icy blue depths. Jack's eyes were warm and full of affection, as he let go of her arm, opening his arms widely, in a silent invitation. Without hesitation, she walked into embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck, and burying her head in the soft cotton of his t-shirt. Pulling her tightly against him, Jack's arms snaked around waist, one hand rubbing her back comfortingly. He could smell the scent of her shampoo, and her breath against his skin, and he allowed himself to continue holding onto her, probably tighter and closer than a CO should hold his 2IC, but right now he didn't care, and he inhaled the flowery scent of her, resting his head in the crook of her shoulder.

The sun had long since sunk below the horizon, by the time Sam leaned back in Jack's embrace. The had stopped crying a while ago, but her eyes were still red, and they had lost the sparkle that Jack loved so much. He let his hands slide from her back, and down her arms, where they took hold of her hands. "Maybe you should take an early night." Sam nodded. "Think you can sleep?" he asked, his voice full of concern, his thumbs slowly rubbing the back of her hands.

She squeezed his hands reassuringly. "Yeah I'll be fine," she said softly. She released his hands, and gave him one last smile before heading off to the spare bedroom.

"Carter," he called after her, causing her to stop right outside the bedroom door, and turn and look at him. He sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair. He wasn't really good at expressing his feelings, especially when it came to Sam. "I...Sam I..." he shook his head. "Good night Carter."

"Good night sir."