Chapter 20

"Carter! Sit. Now." Sam paused in her pacing to pin him with an incredulous gaze. Jack shifted in his seat and sighed and he softened his voice. "Sam, wearing a hole in the floor isn't going to help. She'll be alright. I confirmed with Nicole that she got on the flight. I've checked the itinerary: the plane is on time. It should be on the ground in 10. We were early, remember?"

Sam considered for a moment and then flopped down next to him. He was right, but damn him, for a man who fidgeted through most hours of the day, his calm was almost grating. But her agitation wasn't his fault. Sam had been eagerly anticipating telling Cassie of their happy news, now she wasn't quite sure what, how or when they should disclose the change in their relationship. Sam was also wondering how to help the girl and her worry had translated into restless pacing, back and forth, in front of Jack. She supposed she couldn't blame him for wanting her to stop.

Jack looked at her and a small smile played across his lips. "C'mere." Jack held up his arm, so Sam could settle into his side. When Sam complied and rested her head on his shoulder, Jack leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "It'll be alright. Cassie will be alright. With all of us there to help her, she'll get through this. It's a rough spot in the road, Sam, but Cassie's a strong kid."

Jack was well aware, even if Sam wasn't, that more was behind Sam's anxiety that just Cassie's troubles. Sam was still dealing with Jacob's death and everything they'd been through in the past few days. The change in their relationship was a bit staggering. And wonderful as it was, eight years of longing and denial took more time to sort through than a couple of days of bliss at his cabin.

Things were moving very fast and this crisis with Cassie was a distraction. Possibly a good distraction, Jack reflected. It would give them a bit of time to step back and process the changes in the background. Not that Jack was worried. He was confident enough in both of them that even given time and space to reflect, they would only confirm what they already knew: he and Sam were meant to be together. Every other reality they'd encountered had corroborated it long before they'd been smart enough to do anything about it and now that they had, nothing and no one would come between them.

Jack gave Sam a light squeeze and kissed her head again. "Between the four of us, we'll sort this out, but Sam, I think its best if we let Cassie lead us where she needs us to go."

Sam lifted her head and gazed for a moment at Jack. The man was a wonder to her. He liked to pretend he was stupid, but if one took the time and the patience to see beyond the facade, he was amazingly astute. Of course, after all he'd been through and seen in his life, Jack had an honorary Ph.D in grief. He knew the emotion with an intimacy and depth that would have broken a lesser man. Sam knew he was right about Cassie and the approach they needed to take.

Sam took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she continued to stare at him. Finally, she blinked and a small smile graced her lips. "I love you." It came out in a whisper. An intimate acknowledgement of his constant and unwavering support. Sam leaned in and brushed a brief kiss across Jack's lips before she settled again into his shoulder to wait on Cassie's plane, far more relaxed than she'd been moments before.

From their vantage point at the Auntie Anne's across the concourse, Daniel and Teal'c watched as Sam stopped her pacing, settled into O'Neill's arms and kiss him before finally relaxing.

Daniel turned to Teal'c, the huge grin plastered across his face spoke volumes. Teal'c bowed his head in silent acknowledgment as Daniel took a bite of his pretzel and a swig of coffee.

After a moment, Daniel's features resolved into a look of concern. "I hope Cassie's okay."

Teal'c lifted his head and straightened his fedora before reaching out to accept the pretzel bag Daniel handed him. "Indeed, DanielJackson. I, too, am concerned for CassandraFrasier."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Flight 291 is on the ground and will be arriving at gate 2C in 5 minutes. Flight 291 will be arriving at gate 2C in 5 minutes."

Daniel glanced at Teal'c and with unvoiced agreement, they moved across the concourse toward Sam and Jack. Teal'c stopped before the couple and silently proffered the bag of pretzels to Jack, who took the bag, opened it and glanced inside. "Any cinnamon?" Teal'c raised a silent eyebrow and Jack continued, "no? I'll pass." Jack reached to hand off the bag, "Carter?"

Sam accepted the bag, murmmering, "Thank you, Sir."

Daniel cocked his head and borrowed one of Jack's expressions, "Oh, for crying out loud! Will you two just stop it?"

Jack looked up. "Daniel?"

"Jack."

Sam joined the fray. "Daniel?"

"Sam."

Jack and Sam looked at each other before they turned back and together said, "Daniel?"

Daniel almost smacked himself in the head. Two of them? Jack was bad enough, but two of them? He groaned, not sure if he could take it.

"You two have obviously gotten together, do you think for my and Teal'c's sanity, you could drop the military gig, at least while were away from the mountain?"

Teal'c clasped his hands behind his back and rumbled, "Indeed."

Sam flushed crimson to her hairline. "Sorry, guys. Habit, I guess. Look, we're not going to say anything to Cassie right away. We're going to let her lead the way on how she wants us to handle all this. Okay?"

Teal'c and Daniel glanced at each other before Daniel replied, "Okay, if that's what you want."

"I mean it, Daniel. Cassie's got enough to deal with right now." Jack's tone held just a hint of warning and Daniel held up his hands.

"I got it. Not a word."

Teal'c merely bowed his head in acknowledgment as the roar of jet engines overtook the clamor of the busy terminal. Cassie's flight had arrived.