"How is she?" Jack asked walking over to Daniel and nodding his head towards Sam.
"Well it's her husband's wake. How do you think she is?" Daniel said looking at Sam who was actually doing a good job pretending to be ok.
"This has got to be hard for her." Jack said feeling a little awkward.
"Hey guys." Cassie said walking over. She noticed them staring at Sam. "She barely eats. She barely does anything. I don't even think she sleeps. She just lies there…. all day." The guys realized they were staring and stopped looking at Sam and turned their attention to Cassie. "I've been over there every day, trying to help out the best I can. I make her meals and I bring them to her in bed and everything but she doesn't touch them. And I don't think she eats when I'm not there because there's never any dishes in the sink or lying around the house. I try to help her clean but she doesn't do anything so there's no mess."
"Well at least someone's there." Daniel said.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about, you know my college classes start next week and I don't think Sam should be alone. I only have class a couple times a week but maybe if you guys could stay with her a little or something while I'm-"
"I don't need a babysitter." Sam said walking over and surprising everyone.
"That's not what I was saying. I just think-" Cassie tried to explain.
"Cass, I'm fine." Sam smiled.
"It's nice to see you smile." Daniel said.
"Well you can only cry so much in one week right?" Sam said making everyone feel awkward. "Well I should go mingle or whatever the hell you're supposed to do in this situation. Thank you guys for coming"
After Sam was out of hearing range Daniel turned to Jack and asked, "Did she just thank us for coming…to a wake?"
"Yeah I know she said she was fine but I'm not buying it." Jack said.
"At least she's talking today." Cassie said. "But I still think she shouldn't be alone. Especially since after today it gets real, the funeral is done and the wake and this is when it really begins to set in that you've lost this person forever." Cassie said forgetting both Jack and Daniel have lost people close to them.
"Yeah I remember when I lost Charlie, I was ready to-" Jack started then changed his mind on what he was going to say, "I could have used a friend like you, Cass." After that no one knew what to say so they all stood there for a few seconds then all went their own ways. Cassie went for more food and Daniel went to talk to a friend and Jack went looking for Sam. When he finally found her realized he didn't know why he was looking in the first place. "Hey Carter, I-um"
"Yes?" She asked turning around and facing him.
"How are you doing?" He asked after a moment. He knew it was a stupid question but it was all he could think of.
"I'm fine." She said forcing a fake smile. She was actually so good at it that most people would have bought her fake smile but not Jack, he knew her too well. He was debating whether or not to call her on it when she asked, "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"I'm not." He said.
"No you definitely were."
"Sorry I was just thinking how hard this must be for you and I want you to know you don't have to lie to me."
"I'm not lying, I'm fine. I deal with a lot of death in my profession." She reminded him.
"I know that, but I'm pretty sure it's not every day that you have to deal with losing your husband." Jack almost choked on the word husband but did his best to hide it.
"Yeah it's not something I deal with everyday but I'm fine."
"Good." He said deciding to ignore the fact she was obviously not fine. "Well if you ever need to talk, I'm here." he looked straight into her eyes.
"Thank you…" she said staring back. "Sir" She decided to add reminding herself of their positions and why staring into each other's eyes is a bad idea.
Her little add-on also reminded him why he needs to be very careful, he's walking on a slippery slope. "Well I think it's time for me to get going. But if you need anything, you know, you can call or something." Sam nodded and Jack left awkwardly.
"What was that about?" Cassie asked walking over to Sam.
"What?" She asked.
"That little moment between you and Jack."
"We didn't have a moment." Sam said.
"Are you serious? I could feel that tension from across the room."
Sam gave her a weird look. "You know where we are right?" Sam asked. "My husband's wake… I don't think I'll be having moments with anyone for quite some time. Not to mention the fact that you are talking about my commanding officer. You need to get over this weird obsession you have with the General and me."
"But you two would be so-"
"Cassie!" Sam snapped. "Let it go. It's not going to happen now drop it."