Chapter 3

Jack slowly moved Sam so he could stand. He didn't want to leave her, but Daniel and Teal'c were waiting in his living room. This thing was too new and Sam's grief was too raw to screw things up by giving in to his almost overwhelming desire slide under the covers and hold her through the night.

Jack walked into the living room and sat heavily in his chair. "Is she alright?" Daniel's concern vibrated in the low whisper. The night was quiet and normal tones seemed too loud to hold sorrow in the gloom.

"She's asleep. She wept for a long time Daniel. I've never seen Carter like that. It was good for her, I think, but she's going to need a lot of sleep." Jack didn't think Sam had ever allowed herself such a release. She was too much the good soldier. Most times that was a good thing, but when it came to grief, being a soldier was hell. Over the years, Sam had grown too handle her grief too much like him and Jack new that wasn't a good thing.

"Did she tell you she broke up with Pete?" Daniel was staring straight at Jack when he said it. He wanted to judge the man's reaction.

Jack looked thoughtful. He had known something was up when Pete hadn't been a the funeral. He hadn't asked Sam about it, but he had wondered. A glimmer of hope filled his heart. "Really?"

"Yeah. She said she should have broken it off a long time ago."

"Oh." It was all Jack could offer. He couldn't talk about this. Not now. Jack's emotions were on the raw edge of his control. He loved Sam and it was killing him to see her hurting so, but Jack also missed Jacob. Over the years, Jack had grown to admire the man. He wasn't just Carter's dad, Jacob was also like a father figure to Jack. Granted, Jack was closer to Jacob's age than to Carter's and more often than not their interaction had been adversarial, but the man had still been like a father to him. Jack didn't call Jacob "Dad" just to annoy him – that had just been a side benefit.

Jack had pushed his own grief over Jacob's death aside to stand strong for Sam, but now, in the quiet of the night, he needed to deal with is own pain.

"You guys going to stay the night?" Jack looked to Daniel and Teal'c. He wanted them to stay. Jack needed to be by himself, but he didn't want to be alone. SG-1 needed to be together.

Daniel glanced to Teal'c, who raised and eyebrow and nodded in agreement.

"Good. I'll get blankets." Jack got up and moved down the hall to the linen closet. Soon Daniel and Teal'c were set up in the living room. The couch pulled into a bed and another air bed had been set up. Once they were settled, Jack headed to his bedroom.

One the way, he checked on Sam. She was sleeping quietly. Jack left both bedroom doors open, so he would be able to hear if she had trouble during the night. Once he'd changed into sweats and a t-shirt, he settled himself down, but sleep was slow to coming.

Sam had broken her engagement to Pete. Kerri had dumped him. They were both free, but what did that mean? Jacob had made his feelings quite clear. Jack was an idiot and Sam was a stubborn fool. Jacob had told him he was dying and couldn't afford subtlety. Besides, subtlety was completely lost on the two.

Jack had been sitting with Jacob in the isolation room, shortly after Jacob had first collapsed.

"Jack, she needs you."

"Jacob, I'm her CO and besides, she has Pete."

"Jack, don't be an idiot." Jacob's retort was sharp, exasperation clear in his voice. "Look, I'm dying. I don't have time to dance around this with you. The two of you have loved each other for years."

Jack had looked stunned and had immediately glanced around the room. "Don't worry, the security cameras are off. I told them I didn't want my death recorded."

Jack made a small gesture with his eyebrow and bowed his head. "Jacob . . ."

"No Jack. You're going to listen to me. I knew there was more between you two when I first met you in Washington. Before I ever heard of the Stargate program. I didn't like it then. You worried me. You were her CO and a hell of a lot older than her. I didn't say anything then because, well, because all I had were suspicions. Sam would have killed me, and I was dying anyway." Jacob snorted to himself. Funny how it kept coming back to him dying.

"Now I'm really am dying and I've had years to watch the two of you. My first fears were unfounded. You never took advantage of her and you always supported her. If the regulations hadn't kept you two apart, I'd probably be a grandfather again by now."

Now Jack did look stunned. Children? Jacob had thought about him having children with Sam? Didn't Jacob know about Charlie? How badly he'd screwed up with Charlie?

Jacob must have guessed his thoughts, "Yes Jack, I know about your son. But I also know how much you love my daughter and how much you love kids. I've seen you with Cassie. There isn't anyone else on this planet or any other I would trust with my little girl. You're older than I would like, but you love her like I loved her mother. That's all I want for my little girl. And besides, she loves you, she's just too stubborn to admit it."

"Jacob . . ." Jack was floored. What did you say to a man who was telling him that he approved of the secret love Jack harbored for his daughter?

"Jack, don't let rules ruin the happiness the two of you could have. You both deserve to be happy and the only way it will happen is if you're together. Trust me on this one, Jack. I've had years to study the two of you and I've had the benefit of Selmak's 2,000 years, as well. It's so obvious and you're both so blind to it. Sam can never be happy with . . . what's his name? oh, yeah, Pete." Jack looked taken aback. Were they really that transparent?

"No, you're not." Question answered without being asked. He must really be pathetic. "It's easy for me to tell because I know you and I know my daughter. You both maintain your professionalism to the T. That's part of what makes it obvious to those who know you well, but to the outside observer, it's not likely to register, so take a breath."

Jack did. He was still stunned and tried again, "Jacob –"

"No, Jack. I don't want to hear any excuses. I'm dying and I want you to promise me." Jacob reached over and grasped Jack's hand. "Promise me that you will take care of my daughter." Jacob's grasp was strong and a light burned in his eyes as he stared Jack down.

"I promise, Jacob." Jack whispered his response to the chill night. He had no choice but to promise. He loved the man's daughter and would do anything to see her happy. Sam was across the hall sleeping peacefully. Tomorrow she would wake to still fresh grief and he would be there fore her. There was no Pete and no Kerri. Where they would go from here was anyone's guess, but he would make sure he was there to support her in whatever way she needed.