When Jack arrived at Sam's door, he didn't hesitate or knock. Hearing the sound of the door opening, Sam looked up from her desk. Her hair was standing up at awkward angles from constantly running her fingers through it, and her eyes were wide and worried.

Jack grinned, relieving some of the tension in the room, and causing Sam to smile. "Did General Hammond get the letters?"

"You should have seen the look on Kinsey's face! But how……."

"Sir…..while you were in a coma, I asked my dad if he could help."

"I know."

"He could see that I was stressed and worried and he was concerned. When he asked me what was wrong….sir I told him everything. About that day with the Zaytarks, about how I felt…..how we felt."

"Oh," he said softly.

"My dad said that come time to deal with….this….he said that with all of the work that we'd done, I'd be surprised at how many strings there were to pull. So….." she paused t catch her breath. "After you left, I called an old family friend, Senator Stiles, and explained everything. He said he'd do what he could, and that he would talk to some of his friends at the Pentagon."

"The secretary-of-defense?"

Sam smiled. "He was another string."

Silence fell between them, and Jack stared intently at Sam, and she blushed under his gaze.

At that moment, the door opened, and General Hammond walked in. "I'm sorry to interrupt," said General Hammond, seeing the two together. "But I have someone who wants to see you." As he said this, Senator Stiles walking in and greeted them.

"Samantha," he said warmly.

"Senator," she said as she hugged him. "Thank you so much," she added as she pulled back.

Stiles smiled. "I'm glad that I could help. I've been following the adventures of SG1 since day one."

"Sir," said Jack stepping forward.

"Colonel Jack O'Neill," said Stiles shaking Jack's hand. "I'm a big fan."

"Thanks sir."

"Like I said Jack, I'm glad that I could help." Bidding them goodbye, Stiles left the room, followed by General Hammond.

But just as General Hammond was walking out of the door, Jack stopped him. "Sir wait! Sir I'm sorry for not telling you about …..this…..before."

"Sir," Carter interrupted, "we tried to handle it ourselves." She took a deep breath. "A few years ago, when we realized that we shared the same feelings, we chose to put it behind us, and continue with a purely professional relationship –"

"-sir Carter and I have been nothing but professional –"

"- Sam. Jack." The sound of their names stopped their rambling. "Jack what you said earlier about SG1 being a family was true. You all work together and depend on each other, and special bonds form…..You can't help who you fall for." Jack and Sam looked down at their feet. "What kind of General would I be if I didn't notice things like this?"

"Thank you sir….I think," said Jack. General Hammond smiled at them, and then left.

Alone in the room, the awkwardness and relief between Sam and Jack was heavy. "What…..what just happened?"

"Someone opened the door to that room," said Sam softly.

Jack took a few steps closer to Sam, as they both looked at each other, their eyes clouded over with emotion. Sam took a shaky breath, as she suddenly noticed how close they were. Slowly and hesitantly they both leaned in.

The kiss was slow, soft and tender, just letting her emotions flow through each other. But the longer than they held each other, the more passionate the kiss became. As the kiss deepened, becoming more intense, hands began exploring; Sam's hands ran through Jack's hair and wrapped around his neck, while he wrapped his around her waist, pulling her closer.

Soon they broke apart for air, leaning their foreheads against each other. "This isn't staying in the room anymore," said Jack, his voice husky. Sam gave him a warm Carter-smile. "Come here," Jack mumbled. Sam smiled and let him pull her in for another kiss.

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