After being dismissed, from the debriefing, the team had regrouped in Sam's lab. Everyone was angry about Senator Kinsey's appearance. In the middle of their ranting, General Hammond walked in. "Well I hope you all enjoyed your little break. But it's time to get back to work. The debriefing will continue, but individually."

"Whose idea was that?" asked Jack.

General Hammond said nothing, but gave them a knowing look. "Kinsey," said Daniel.

"But sir, he has no authority here," exclaimed Sam.

"He may not, but the Pentagon does. I don't like this any more than you do, but Senator Kinsey believes that SG1 is a lose canon."

"Sir Senator Kinsey has made it his life's goal to bring down the SGC," said Jack.

"I know," sighed General Hammond. "But I have my orders, and Senator Kinsey is questioning our methods and motives. I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do. It's out of my hands now." SG1 looked at each other knowing that his meant trouble. "Daniel, Teal'c, if you'll follow me, you two will be the first."

Daniel and Teal'c exchanged small smiles and good-lucks with Jack and Sam, before following General Hammond.

Alone in the room, Sam let out a shaky breath and ran her fingers through her hair. "It'll be okay," said Jack softly.

"It's not okay sir. How can you be so calm when we have to go out there, and have our lives put under a microscope!"

"You think I have it any easier? Carter, I'm your CO, and I'm going to have to go in there and look into the eyes of Senator Kinsey and the others and tell them the world's biggest lie." Sam looked up at him, eyes wide. "That I don't have feelings for my second- in-command."

Emotions still running high over recent events, Jack's profession of love threatened to push her over the edge. With tears beginning to trickle down her cheeks, Sam sat down, and put her head in her hands. "What are we going to do?"

Jack spoke up, voice husky. "I can't turn around and walk out of here, pretending that I don't feel this way."

Silence fell between them, and Sam's eyes shone with unshed tears. "Years ago we said we'd never look back, and left everything in that room."

Jack paced back and forth for a few minutes running his hands over his face. "I can't believe I said I'd leave what we felt…. back in there….just throw it away like that."

"Jack……it's killing me, hiding it away for all of these years, pretending that it's not there," she said quietly. "I'm not that strong."

Feeling an overwhelming need to touch and comfort her, Jack went over to Sam and cupped her cheek in his hand. Sam leant into the mild embrace, closing her eyes at the warmth of his touch, trying not let more tears fall. "You are strong," he said gently.

Sam opened her eyes, and looked at him sadly. "It's too hard," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Removing his hand, he pulled her into a tight hug. "I know Sam. Some days it's near impossible," he whispered into her ear.

At that moment, General Hammond walked in. Seeing the two sharing an intimate moment tugged at the General's heart strings. These two were the epitome of life's unfairness. Bound by a proud code and honour, they were forced to endure the heartache of a forbidden love. General Hammond gave a slight cough, alerting them to his presence.

"Sir!" They said simultaneously, releasing each other.

"Colonel, it's your turn next."

Jack nodded, "I'll be right there." Reading the look in Jack's eye, General Hammond left the room, waiting for him outside, so as to give them a moment of privacy.

Sam looked at Jack scared and he picked up her hands in his. "Sam that room's getting smaller."

"But the regs, our careers," she whispered.

Jack smiled, "Don't worry Carter, it'll be okay." Then he brushed his lips over hers and left.

She stared after Jack, and then feelings something in her hand, she looked down. Laying in the palm of her hand was a crumpled piece of paper. Unfolding it she held it under the light.

I don't want to leave it in the room anymore either.

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