After what felt like hours for everyone but Daniel (who swore his presentation flew by) the meeting was over. General Hammond dismissed everybody and returned to his office to catch up on paper work for the day. Teal'c announced he would be in his quarters doing Kel-Nor-Em until he was needed. Sam, as usual, had work to do in her lab. That left Jack to follow and distract her. There must be some new doohickey he could play with while she toiled away.

"Colonel, don't break that. I'm going to need that piece soon," Sam scolded as Jack tapped together two long metal rods like drumsticks.

"What's it for?" Just as Carter was opening her mouth to explain, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" Sam called. A young girl of about 5'4" stepped into the office. Her bright pink tee shirt and blue jeans stood out next to the SF behind her.

"Hi Sam! Daddy! I figured you'd be here," Haley gave her father a hug and then gave Sam an even bigger one.

"How was school today sweetie?" Jack asked. Sam smiled; she enjoyed seeing the concerned father side of her colonel. It was rare, and very cute.

"Thrilling. Because, you know, I'm so going to need to understand how to get the value of X in the real world one day," Haley complained. She definitely has her father's sarcasm, Sam noted.

"Hey, I use mathematics on a daily basis!" Sam told her.

"Yes Hales, you can be a rocket scientist like Carter!" Jack laughed at the idea, but it would truly make him beyond proud if his daughter ended up anything like Sam.

"Well the way I'm doing in math, I highly doubt that dream coming true for you… oh never mind!" Haley's face went red when she realized what she had said.

"Oh no. I'm guessing you got your test back today?" Jack started to get worried.

"Daddy, I think, I need to talk to Sam right now, you know, about girl stuff-"

"Girl stuff?" Jack hated that term. Girls were far too complex for him sometimes, and he welcomed the chance to let Haley discuss it with a real female.

"Yes, girl stuff."

"Fine, you put me off this time, I'm going to get my stuff ready to go home. But when I get back we're talking about this test." Jack stood his ground. She was strong, but he was stronger.

"Okay, I promise!" Haley grinned as Jack left the room shaking his head. Sam couldn't help but chuckle at how easily this girl had him manipulated. She was very much like him, down to the mischievous glint in her (or should she say his) eyes and the easy smile.

"So what's really going on with you?" Sam wondered.

"Okay there is a slight possibility of me flunking pre-calc. It just doesn't make sense for me! And it doesn't help that my teacher totally sucks, and I think she hates me and it's like such a mess and-"

"Haley!" Sam cut in.

"Yes?"

"Do you want me to help you?"

"Oh that would be so wonderful Sam! You really wouldn't mind?"

"Of course not! I'd be more than happy to help. When would you like to get together?"

"Are you free tonight after work?" Sam opened her mouth to respond, but Haley started talking again. "It's just that I finished all my homework already so I'll have all this free time, it would be perfect. Well, that is if you're free."

"I am, but, Haley… are you sure your dad won't mind?" Sam didn't want to intrude on their pizza night.

Haley let out a giant laugh. "No! Okay then it's settled, you'll come over when you're done with work. Yes! This is so great, I'm so happy Sam. So happy! Thank you thank you thank you!" Haley squealed as she ran towards the door. As she opened it she jumped back when she saw her father reaching for the door at the same time on the other side. "Ooh, you startled me Daddy! Do we have time for me to run and see Daniel?"

"Oh you've got to be… oh fine, five minutes. You've got five minutes." Jack could barely finish before Haley was down the corridors. "So what kind of trouble is she up to now?" Jack asked.

"Well Colonel you'll have a guest tonight."

"Oh for crying out- she's inviting Daniel?" Jack rolled his eyes.

"No, me Sir. I'm helping Haley with her math," Sam corrected.

"Ahhh, good! You don't mind?"

"Of course not, calculus may as well be addition and subtraction for me."

"Oh that's right, you're really smart. Well anyways, thank you. Man, she must be doing pretty badly if she's actually willing to ask for help. That girl is proud sometimes, no clue where she would get that from." Jack held his chin up, his hands clasped behind his back, and rocked back and forth on his heels.

"Oh I have no idea," Sam looked up from the device she was working on to give Jack a smile that he liked to think was reserved just for him.

"I better get Haley before she drools on one of Daniel's artifacts. I'll see you in a little bit." Jack picked up Haley's backpack and went off to save Daniel. As soon as he was out of sight Sam left her office to quickly head home and clean herself up a bit. She was counting on Haley to inadvertently stall Jack for her so she could sneak out.

xxxxx

"Daniel, that really is so neat. You should like speak at my school or something. That would be so cool!" Haley gushed.

"You think so? I would love to Hale. Unfortunately most of this stuff is classified; I probably shouldn't be telling you all of it. Well could be considered mythology, so I don't know…" Daniel pondered.

"I think those kids already nap too much during school." Jack stood in Daniel's doorway with his arms folded.

"Thanks for the overwhelming support Jack."

"No problemo Danny-boy. Haley, ready to get out of here?"

"Yup!" she turned towards Daniel, giving him a slight pout. "I feel like I never get to see you Daniel!"

"Well you can stop in again tomorrow after school," he suggested.

"Yeah, but I feel bad interrupting your work!"

"Hasn't stopped you in the past," Jack quipped.

"Daddy, shhh!" Haley sniped. "Why don't you come over Saturday? My dad's teaching Teal'c how to barbeque. It'll be a LOT of fun!"

"Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude," Daniel said.

"Nah, don't be silly. We'd love to have you," Jack told him.

"You sure?"

"Yeah sure, you betcha! Okay now we really have to go Hales. See you tomorrow Daniel."

"Bye!" Haley waved and grabbed her jacket. She was trying very hard to play it cool. She could freak out later. Now tonight needed to be perfectly executed, and that took the front burner right now.

Both Jack and Haley were very quiet in the car ride home. Jack broke the silence. "So tell me about the math test."

"Well, I really didn't do well at all, but I totally took the initiative and asked Sam for help, and so hopefully I'll do much better next time, right?" Haley managed to say all of that without taking a breath, a skill that always left Jack bewildered.

"Well you can't get a better tutor than Carter! God knows I can't help you."

"Why do you always do that?"

"What? Make myself seem not as smart as I am? I truly am not that great with math, hence your issues-"

"No, say Carter. She has a first name. It's Sam. You don't refer to Daniel as Jackson or Teal'c as… what is Teal'c's last name?"

"He's like Cher." Haley collapsed into giggles. When she calmed down she slapped the dashboard.

"You're changing the subject. Can't you just say Sam? I know I would get annoyed if people always called me O'Neill. I'm not a boy! She's not a boy!"

"Really? I hadn't noticed."

"Come on! I'm serious!" Haley whined.

"As her commanding officer it's unprofessional."

"Maybe while you're working, but it's not like you're always on duty."

The kid makes a good point, Jack noticed. "Fine, when I'm off duty I will make a conscious effort to use Car- Sam's name."

"Thank you!"

"I feel like I'm living with a general at home," Jack grumbled.

xxxxx

Jack was trying to straighten up the house when the doorbell rang. He stopped at the mirror quickly to examine himself. He had on a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt- his usual after work uniform. You look decent Jack, he thought. Jack took a breath and opened the door. Sam was in jeans and a light blue sweater. Jack's lips immediately formed a smile, "Sam." The word felt special when he said it. "Hi."

She seemed a little taken aback. "Uh, hi…Sir," Sam looked at her feet.

"Eh eh eh, apparently there's a different set of regulations here. It's Jack, and if we get caught, oh man are the consequences worse than a court martial. You DO NOT want to see this one mad!"

"Rules are rules. Jack," Sam smirked a little bit as she stepped in. "So where's my pupil?"

"In the kitchen," Jack motioned for her to follow. "Help yourself to a drink, but no filling up. I'm going to run out and pick up the pizzas now. You ladies try and stay out of trouble while I'm gone."

"We will," Sam and Haley said at once, which frightened him even more. Sam sat down next to Haley at the table.

"And don't let her trick you into doing her homework! She's a criminal mastermind!"

"Okay where should we begin?"

"Well I've been having trouble with sine and cosine…"

xxxxx

Jack returned a half hour later with the food. Quietly, he stood in the doorway of the kitchen watching Sam and Haley go over a worksheet. Sights like this he could get used to. It didn't take too long for the smell of the pizza to alert Haley, who jumped out of her seat. "YES, I'm starved!" She took a plate out and grabbed a slice of pizza.

"In case you haven't noticed, I only feed this monster once a week," Jack informed Sam. "Hey, we have a guest; you could serve everybody else, too."

"Shry" came out of Haley's stuffed mouth.

Jack served Sam and walked over to the fridge. "Beer?"

"Sure, thank you," Sam graciously took the drink from his hand.

"I'll have one too," Haley reached out her hand which Jack put a soda in.

"I don't think so kid. Few more years."

" Erin's parents let her drink with them because they say they'd rather have her do it in the safety of their own household," Haley argued.

"Well first of all you're not going there anymore. Secondly I don't need a drunken Haley running around the house. You're scary enough already!"

"Hey!"

"At the risk of sounding like Janet," Sam offered, "your liver isn't fully developed until you're about twenty."

"Yes, what she said," Jack motioned towards Carter with a Vanna White gesture. "Do you really want to screw that up now and ruin it for when you're old enough to legally drink?"

"True true. I was just pushing you though," Haley grinned. Sam studied her face, and then Jack's. It was as if Haley was a female copy of him. She would really love to have seen a picture of her mother to see if there were any qualities from that side. The colonel has really strong genes Sam mused. "What is it Sam?"

Sam looked a little startled that she had been caught staring at the pair. "Oh it's nothing; I was just thinking how much you and your father look alike."

"Aw, Carter don't say that, you're insulting my daughter!"

"No Sir, it was a compliment completely!"

"He's joking Sam. That sir thing is a little creepy at the dinner table, by the way."

"She does look like me, doesn't she?" Jack proudly beamed. He reached across the table and touched Haley's cheek. "It's the eyes, definitely in the eyes."

"I couldn't agree more," Sam replied, trying not to sound too gushy, as much as she would've loved to break down all the tiny characteristics she had for so long studied in his face. The three quietly ate for a few minutes.

"Oh, we're late!" Jack groaned.

"Late?" Sam asked. "For what?"

"Come on troops, move into the living room, you can bring your food." Jack put his food on the coffee table and bounced back onto the couch, grabbing the remote. "Ah, the opening credits are just ending." Sam and Haley sat down on either side of him. "When this is over you're getting back to work Hales," Jack reminded. The Simpsons was a daily ritual for Jack, when he was actually home in time to watch it. He had tried figuring out his VCR timer to tape it automatically when he was off-world, but it never worked properly. He was considering investing in a DVD player and just buying the boxed set of episodes. Tonight was one of Jack's favorite episodes, when Bart and Grandpa Simpson create an army to get even with Nelson, the bully. When it was over Haley and Sam headed back to the kitchen to do some more math problems, and Jack checked out the sports scores.

"I think we're done here," Jack overheard Sam tell Haley. He entered the kitchen to offer some dessert.

"I smell smoke," he said just as the detectors started to go off. Haley nearly jumped out of her seat. Jack followed the source of the smoke to the oven. In it, the box of pizza he had been keeping warm in there had caught on fire. Haley let out a scream, and grabbed onto Sam's arm. "Open the windows," Jack instructed as he threw the box into the sink. The room filled with smoke, but quickly aired out as Sam went around the room opening the windows. Haley was curled up in her chair, on the verge of tears. Sam enveloped her in a hug while Jack brought the charred box outside. When he returned, Haley had calmed down a little, but still had her head buried in Sam's shoulder. "Let's go in the other room so we can talk," Jack suggested as she coughed from the smoke. Haley and Jack sat down on the couch, and Sam stood next to them, Haley still holding onto her hand.

"I guess I overreacted a little," Haley sniffed. "It's just that it brought back such strong memories of the fire."

"Hales It's okay, I understand. I'm just worried about you, that's all. I remember once we thought we had lost Daniel in a volcanic explosion. Every time I saw certain things, say for instance the bubbles in a beer, I would go a little nuts." Sam nodded, remembering how horrible that time was. "Luckily, that never actually happened, but the post traumatic stuff was still there. I think that's just what you're dealing with right now. It's completely reasonable."

The fire had been pretty bad. It was about two and a half months ago. Haley had fallen asleep with a candle burning, and it caught on her drapes. The entire room had gone up in flames; Jack had barely gotten Haley out. Her entire room was destroyed. Fortunately, the rest of the house had been left in pretty good shape because the fire didn't get a chance to spread past the bedroom. Jack and Haley had stayed on the base for two weeks while he had managed to find a contractor who was able to finish the room at record speed. They had been back to their normal routine for well over a month now. It was a good thing Jack was paid so well (saving the world repeatedly had some perks), he had to buy Haley new furniture and a brand new wardrobe. Basically everything that she ever had was destroyed. It was like she never existed.

"Thanks Daddy. I think I'm going to go outside and get some fresh air for a few minutes. I need to call Tommy quickly too."

"I guess I'd better get going-" Sam started to say.

"No!" Haley cried, "Please stay here a little longer Sam. Please stay with us." Sam looked questioningly towards Jack. He nodded.

"Alright, if your dad doesn't mind my company!"

"It should be the other way around Ca- Sam."

"Good! I'll be back in a few minutes." Haley gave Sam a hug and ran out of the room.

Jack stood up and headed towards the kitchen. "Would you like another beer?"

"No thanks, I still have to drive home."

"Who are you? Daniel?"

"Hey! I'm just being responsible; I assure you that I can drink with the best of them," Sam fought. Jack disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a beer and a bottle of water. Sam had taken a seat on the sofa.

"I'll hold you to that one day. Then we'll see about that," Jack took a swig of beer. "That reminds me, I'm teaching Teal'c how to barbeque on Saturday. Daniel's coming over, you should too. Are you free?"

Sam was about to immediately respond, but didn't want to look like she had no life. "Let's see, this Saturday?"

"Do you have plans?" Jack felt a pang of disappointment.

"No, this Saturday I believe I'm free," Sam said coolly.

"Good. Haley will be happy too." TOO Jack? Can you sound any more pathetic? "I really appreciate you helping Haley out- not just with the math. You've really been there for her, and I think sometimes she knows that I don't have a clue what I'm doing and needs somebody smart in her life."

Sam felt flushed and didn't know what to say. "You really don't have to thank me…"

"I haven't yet, but I do. Thank you Sam." Jack moved closer to Sam, and gave her a hug. Sam was taken entirely by surprise, and her heart sped up a little bit. Jack usually didn't do hugs. Maybe it was the slight buzz he had talking or he was just especially grateful, but his whole body had urged him into this. It felt so right, but Jack didn't want to scare off Sam. He pulled away, but remained seated up against Sam. He felt almost like a nervous teenager, which did not sit well with him at all. "I have last night's Simpsons on tape, want to watch it?"

"Sure!"

Jack grabbed the remote and started the show. He loved that Sam enjoyed this show too. A good sense of humor is very important. While fast forwarding through commercials Jack decided to tell Sam what was really on his mind. "I really wish I could be on an episode of this."

"Erm, it's animated Sir," Sam stifled a laugh.

"Jack." A voice from behind made the pair jump. How long had Haley been watching the two of them Jack and Sam both wondered.

"Sorry, didn't mean to break the rules!" Sam threw her hands up in an "I surrender" motion.

"I know it's animated. They can draw me in."

"It's not exactly like being an extra on any other show."

"Fans get walk-ons on their favorite shows all the time now. Why can't I get a… voice-on?"

"Daddy, you're insane," Haley giggled, plopping down next to Sam on the couch. "Can you move down a bit?" she asked, trying to make room for herself, forcing Jack and Sam closer.

"How are you feeling?" Jack asked, his brow slightly furrowed.

"I'm feeling a little better. Oooh!" Haley's face lit up. "Tomorrow Tommy's taking me to dinner and a movie." Jack's face twisted up.

"Don't you mean CAN Tommy take you to dinner and a movie?"

Haley sighed and groaned, and threw her head back dramatically. "Sam did you date when you were my age?"

Sam looked like a deer in the headlights. On one side sat Jack, his arms crossed, a tight frown on his face. On the other side was Haley, with really wide eyes, and a hopeful smile. "Well, I did have a boyfriend, but my father scared the- you know what out of him whenever he came to pick me up."

"Way to go Jacob!" Jack smiled mischievously getting ideas in his head.

"It was VERY embarrassing."

"Hales, new rule. You can go out to the movies with Tommy, but he has to come inside first so I can meet him."

Haley threw her face in her hands. "Don't worry Hale, if he really likes you having a lunatic for a father won't keep him away." Sam patted Haley's shoulder.

"Ladies, if you don't mind, can we please get back to the show?"

"Sorry," they both sheepishly answered.

After watching the week's worth of episodes, Jack yawned and looked at his watch. "Okay you, bedtime," he pointed to Haley.

"Fine fine fine. Goodnight Sam, maybe I'll see you after school tomorrow." Haley hugged Sam and stood up.

"You better tell me how your date went at the barbeque Saturday."

"You're coming!"

"Is that a problem?" Jack asked.

"No! I'm happy. Goodnight Daddy, I love you," Haley gave Jack a hug and skipped over to the steps.

"I love you too. Goodnight sweetheart."

Sam stood up and straightened out her pants. "I'd better get going."

"I'll walk you out to your car," Jack stood up and led Sam towards the door. When they opened the door the cold air hit them. "It's gotten kind of chilly out. Do you want to borrow a sweatshirt or something to drive home in? I know that little car of yours doesn't have the greatest heat."

Sam flushed up a little, but nodded. He handed her an air force sweatshirt, and she pulled it on. It smelled like him. "Thank you Jack."

They walked to her car, and he opened the door for her. "Thanks for coming tonight. Maybe we could make this a weekly date? You know the tutoring for free pizza?"

"I'd really like that."

"Sweet." Jack kicked his shoe into the ground, and looked everywhere but Sam. She gave him a quick but awkward smile.

"Goodnight."

"Night. Have a safe ride home." Jack tapped on the hood of Sam's car, and walked back towards his house. It was times like these he wished he could ask Sam to stay. As he was closing the door, he noticed Sam wasn't leaving so fast, and was on her cell phone. Jack walked back over to her car. "Is everything okay?" Carter shook her head and held up her finger, indicating she would tell him in a moment.

"Okay, I'll be right there. Bye." She hung up her phone. "There's an emergency on base, they need me there."

"Well, I'm going too then. I just need to tell Haley."

"I'll meet you there sir. I'll hold the elevator."

"Thanks."

xxxxx

"You can't leave me alone!" Haley cried. "Not after what happened tonight. Plus how will I get to school in the morning? It's closer to walk there from the base. Please Daddy, don't leave me," she pleaded.

"Fine, but I want you going right to sleep when we get there. You're not missing school tomorrow."

"Deal." Haley jumped out of bed and started searching for her clothes for school the next day.

"Fast."

"Okay, okay." Haley tossed a handful of clothes into her backpack and threw a sweatshirt on over her pajamas. "Let's go!"