ONCE AGAIN A HUGE THANK YOU GOES OUT TO MY BETAS

Caroline O'Neill

&

Sci-Fi Girl

THE HERE AND NOW

CHAPTER 36

"LONE HEART"

There was always a thing about Jack that she hated, it was in his nature and she didn't know why he was like that; he was distant and dismissive. That was his way of dealing with pain and emotions, to simply retreat and hide from them; she disliked that about him but could understand why he did it.

"Hey Jack how was your night?"

"Shouldn't I be asking that?"

There was a smile on his lips and a wiggle of his eyebrows, as always he was hiding behind his child like behavior; hiding behind the mask of the normal guy who had no problems and was okay with everything. She didn't want their relationship to change but she knew it was inevitable he would be hurt, and he would feel as if they could no longer be as close as they once were. He was right but she still cared for him, however making him understand that was going to be difficult, if not impossible.

"We are going to give it a try"

"Congratulations, I told you he liked you"

"Yeah you did and remember about the talk you promised me?"

"There are a lot of talks that need to be done Janet"

"And you promised me to actually talk Jack"

He had done that, now it seems he was going to have to actually go through with it.

"Yeah I did didn't I"

--------------------------------------- (SAM) --------------------------------------------------

She was confused and Hailey could see that, she was not as focused on her job nor was she talking; Sam liked to talk when she worked especially when the other person understood what she was talking about, now it seem she was nothing but serious. She wasn't talking nor was she working right, walking towards her she decides to take the offending piece away and sits beside her.

"What's wrong?"

"Something happened yesterday"

"You mean with Cassie?"

Yeah that had been a big thing, but no, she was not referring to that, she had been ready for that one. She was not ready for Aron's morning talk and change of attitude.

"It was Aron"

"Your son? Is he all right?"

"Yeah, yeah nothing like that, it's just he spent the night with Jack and April"

"Ah, I see"

Yeah she was beginning to get the picture, leaning back on her chair she smiles and raises and eyebrow, to creepy Sam thinks she looks way to much like Jack when she does that.

"He was all happy and hyper this morning, you should have seen his face"

"I gather he had a nice time with Jack and April?"

"The best according to him"

"Well what did you expect you know how the general is"

Hailey smiles and moves to her side of the lab, as she begins to work Carter turns towards her and smiles, yeah she knows how Jack is and how much he loves kids. Hailey can see that this conversation is not over but she can work and talk at the same time, Sam however seems to be in her own world perhaps remembering Aron's words.

"I never thought; Aron was delighted with him you know"

"He has that effect on kids; my niece loves the man and is always asking when he can visit"

"Aron wondered why his dad didn't like him"

Yeah that was a big one, turning towards Sam. Hailey gazed at her and took a deep breath; this was a whole new topic of conversation.

"Wow that was"

"Un-expected and threw me through a loop he looked so sad when he said it"

"Maybe he can sense your husband is apprehension when it comes to Jack"

"You mean his dislikes"

"Your words not mine"

"This is becoming another problem and I don't know what to do Aron likes Jack and Pete doesn't"

That could be a problem, Pete's stubborn behavior and distrustful ways had gotten them in a whole world of trouble, hell it had cost them there marriage; Jack added to that didn't dampen the flames either it only made them burn stronger. She knew what Pete's attitude would be towards the man, he would be threatened, Jack was a very lovable man and won kids hearts all over the place, Pete was going to see this as a competition.

His parenthood was threatened and he was not going to stand by and let that happen, she knew as much, which meant another round for Aron. He was going to be in the middle of a competition his father had created, she just hoped Jack wouldn't lose his temper when he realized what was going on, Jack didn't like it when kids were hurt or used.

"Let your therapist deal with it"

"Yeah I guess your right"

"Sure I am you'll see"

Daniel Jackson looked at the two women and smiled as he entered the lab, he needed them to check something out that was the only reason he was here, honestly.

"Hello ladies am I interrupting something?"

(Deleted two words)They both jumped and glanced at him, the smile plastered on his face was a clear indication that he had heard something, he hadn't but assumptions were made and Sam had to turn away from him.

"So I'm here to deliver this, I'm done with the writing and things now you figure out what it does"

"Daniel don't tell me the writings didn't say any thing?"

"Oh they said a lot all in clues"

That is what Hailey hated about the devices with engravings on them, they always talked about every thing else but the device itself it annoyed the hell out of her. Taking the device she noticed Daniel glance at Sam and smiles, the man hasn't change a bit he always worries about others, walking towards her work area Hailey knows its time for her to go get some coffee.

"h-hey Sam"

"Daniel hello"

"S-so umhh, how is it going?"

Weird it shouldn't be this weird talking to one another but it was, like it our not there relationship had suffered.

"So ah how's your son?"

"He is doing okay"

"Good…umhh ahh how is Pete?"

"You haven't heard?"

No the look on his face told her he had not, that is some what surprising but then again Jack was never the one to talk nor was any one of them Janet, Hailey or Cassis gossip queens nor was Jack.

"Something wrong?"

"After the incident with Jack's friends, I…I left him asked for a divorce"

"Wow t-that's ah huge I ah… wow"

"He put Aron at risk Daniel, my son is more important to me than any thing else"

That was true; they said that the strongest force on earth was the love of a mother for her child.

"So how are…I guess I should ask how you are two dealing with it"

"It's hard, but it had to be done, I just didn't… its complicated"

"Okay well. Ah this is awkward isn't it?"

She nodded and for the first time they both laughed and smiled like old times, the situation was not funny but the fact that Daniel was still at a lose for words when something surprising fell on his laps was hilarious. Turning towards her friend, she decided to do something out of character and hug him, slowly he returns the hug and she smiled.

"I missed you guys so much"

"I-its okay Sam w-we missed you too"

They had and then they had shut her out of there lives, it seem both of them had a lot to think about and many things to put behind them. The embrace ended all too soon and she smiles up at him tears in her eyes.

"I talked to Cassie"

"You did?"

"A couple of nights ago, she didn't forgive me but she, I think she understood"

"I think we all understood Sam we just didn't like the way you handled the situation"

"I know I screwed up I know"

There was always that bond that comes when you fight for your life, when you trust the other with your life; and know that he will do his best to cover you, for them it was something similar, and no matter how much they had lost, when one was hurting the other would try to make it better. Daniel, Jack, and Teal'c they were like that, so was Sam a long time ago. Daniel wrapped his arms around her and smiles maybe this was finally breaching the gap they had.

"General O'Neill "

"What is it Walter?"

"There is an incoming worm transmission from the Nox"

"Patch it through"

He the leader of the SGA, Earth and many words asked for his help and why? All because of an alien database he had in his head, he dealt with alien matters day in and day out the war was going fairly well, and for now the Atlantis team was doing a good job of keeping the sucker vampires from attacking earth. He was responsible for interstellar relationships and he didn't like it, the universe had him as a universal mediator, he was good at resolving problems, saw the simple solutions when others didn't. He liked that but now here on earth was were the big challenge was he needed to keep his promised to Janet.

Doing that was one of the hardest things he was going to do, he had to talk about his feelings and talk to Daniel; that was something he didn't want to do, sure Daniel was a civil person but telling him about his and Janet's secret little romps was something he wasn't looking forwards to doing. He had to do it though he needed to get it out in the open so no surprises were laid out later; it was for his friends so they could move on with it and start making a relationship. He hated being noble.

He disliked always being the one who took the punches and never gave them in return, no that wasn't true and he knew it, he gave as good as he got but with Janet and Daniel he couldn't do that, they were his friend and he cared for them. The other thing was Sam and her little life drama, he didn't want to even be involve but it seem fate had a funny sense of humor. April had taken a liking to Carter's kid and as such, he was going to have to deal with the woman on many occasions, which was something he didn't look forward to doing; to be truth full it hurt to dam much, he was sick of hurting but it needed to be done.

"Sir the Nox"

"Ah sorry yeah they can come well brief tomorrow at 1200 hours"

"Ah General you okay you don't seem to be all that, well here"

"Don't worry old friend I'm okay"

One smiled and he turns to leave the room, and Walter wishes that he was telling the truth. But Jack was different; he said he was okay when he was not okay, the man had too much on his shoulders and some how he didn't know if his friends were being there for him as they should be.

Something told him that they weren't.

A couple of hours later and Jack was before the man who was testing the limits of his patience, here he was trying to be the nice guy and what did Daniel do ask stupid questions, the man should know when to just shut up accept the facts and move on. Oh, no Daniel was not that kind of man, he was the stupid questions asking man, and he hated him some times.

"I said no! Damn it Daniel"

Those words were spoken with anger, this was surprising; it was clear that Jack didn't want to talk about the subject but was going to any way. His loyalty to Janet was impressive to say the least, he was doing this for her after all and that showed just how much he cared for the woman is feelings.

"I know this is uncomfortable Jack but its weird you know"

"You're telling me? Daniel come on"

"Yeah I guess but, it's just why didn't you guys"

"Oh for crying out loud what part of she loved you don't you understand"

He still had a hard time believing those words, he was nothing special and Janet had been with Jack a lot longer than with him; the fact that they had slept together was a factor he didn't even want to think about, he didn't even want to start thinking of how he measured up to Jack.

"You do care for her right?"

"That I do Danny that I do and yeah you know if you hurt her you know what will happen to you right?"

"Yeah I kind of figured that, this is weird you know, you're my best friend and Janet is important to both of us"

"Yeah she is but she loves you, and I just want her to be happy we knew what this was when we started it Daniel don't worry you were always the one she loved"

That was something Daniel was not expecting his friend to say, Jack was stubborn and would never express his emotions, now by his words and the fact that he was actually trying to talk to him told Daniel he was being truth full, he cared for Janet enough to do this. Daniel smiled and nodded this has a start. He was sure now that in the near future no surprises were going to be laid out.

"That's a frightening thought"

"Yeah to have some one actually love you scary thought"

Both smiled and continued to talk, this needed to be done for the sake of there friendship and of Daniel and Janet is relationship. In another part of town Janet looked at April and smiled, the girl was still asking for her dad and where he was, if only she could tell her the truth in it place she had to tell her about Daniel and Jack having a nice time out. They were having any thing but that and frankly, she was worried hoping that things were going to turn out just fine.

The man sure as hell had taken a long time in talking to Daniel, now it seems it was she who wished that the thought had never entered her mind; oh, she knew that it needed to be done for the sake of her relationship. But that didn't mean she had to like it, this, was the hardest thing she had to face. She cared for Jack a hell of a lot and was not sure how this was going to affect him.

"So you and Janet going out tonight?"

"Yeah the ever important first official date"

"Oh that is a big one, well have fun and behave Danny"

The man smiles and walks off, this is new territory for him but he knows it's a good territory to explore. As Jack walks towards his office he smiles and sees his favorite major rushing towards him; the girl has a habit of running around all over the place. She smiled that all too familiar smile and he knows it is not something good, there is always something strange going on when she smiles at him that way.

"Ah sir I need your for a minute"

"You do?"

"Yes Sir, SG5 bought back an Ancient device but no one with the Gene Therapy can work it."

"Why not?"

"According to ah Lisa, only someone who is closely related to them can operate such devices."

He had heard the same crap from almost every one, it had become apparent that the Gene Therapy only worked for so long, now it seemed he had become the base's on switch, but as always he just smiles and makes her lead the way. The hyperactive girl is overly excited as always, he wonders what the device will do. he hates to admit it but he does like to tinker with the smart people's toys.

Reaching the lab he notices there is not carter in sight and smiles, this was good he didn't have to deal with her this time, it was getting tiresome.

"So this is the thing?"

"Yes sir just touch it, and it should work, and don't worry it's not a bomb"

"Sweet, well okay here goes"

His hand touched the round sphere and next thing he knew he was flying against the wall at a very high speed, slamming against it he can defiantly feel some bone breaking, cursing he glares at the girl who is currently trying to figure out what happened.

"S-sir you ok?"

"What do you think?"

"Right sorry"

Rushing towards the phone, she screams medical emergency, that is all it takes, within second the medical response unit, and its small army is beside him tending and trying to figure out what to do with him, Hailey smiles apologetically to him and shrugs.

"I'm sorry sir, it seem the sphere began to generate a"

"Its all right explain later, now I'm going to pass out"

In her new apartment, Samantha Carter looked at it and smiled, this was to be her new home, she and her son would live here from now on, and the promise of a new life was always a good way to finish a day. Looking at Aron a smiled spread over her face and sits down beside him, sure, the house is filled with unopened boxes and it's still somewhat of a clutter, but its home.

"So what's up sport?"

"I'm okay mom stop worrying"

"I'm not worried; I just wanted to know how your day was?"

"It was okay, April wanted to help us"

She knew a silent question when she got one, she had gotten enough of those from her commanding officer, and it would be good to have some one distract Aron while she cleaned up, yet she didn't know if April was speaking for herself or if the kid had some plans of her own. April was one smart cookie she had learned that after the whole haven thing with Aron, looking at her son she cursed herself and smiles.

"Yeah okay she is going to have to clear it with her dad though"

"Sweet!"

His word came out of his mouth, jack O'Neill is favorite word just came out of her son, and it send a wave of confusion over her, Aron was taking to O'Neill like gum sticks to hair. Pete was not going to like this at all, she know how defensive he was of her, how defensive he was of Aron.

"Jack says it"

She knew that much and if Pete were to ask him about it Aron was going to give him the same response, not good, her ex-husband had a bad habit of losing his temper at the mere mention of Jack is name.

"Better not mention him around your dad ok sweetie"

"Why not?"

"Ah well your dad might get jealous of Jack"

"Oh ok"

The kid was good and knew when the subject was close, even as a child he wondered just what was it about April's dad that made his dad lose his temper so easily.

In Jack's house, Janet Frasier groaned when she saw Daniel walk in with a very angry Jack, apparently the man had gotten himself injured.

"Dad?! What happened?"

"Nothing kid just flew straight into a wall"

"Does it hurt?"

"Nah its sore is all"

Janet looked at him and he knew he was going to get an inspection from her, he dislike that Janet was a creature of habit, if she had not checked the patient herself she was not happy. Pointing at the couch, he follows the order and sat down, April rushing to his side as always.

"Don't worry dad Janet will make it all better!"

"Oh? Ok then doc work you magic"

"So what happened?"

Daniel smiled and looked at Jack who nodded; he was too tired to explain it any way.

"Well I was called to the infirmary to get a very grumpy Jack; according to one of the nurses he just cracked his ribs"

"Yeah I can see that, I think the bandages are fine and don't worry April he is going to be fine"

April smiled and nodded cuddling next to jack she began to tell him about her day, Janet motioned for jack that she and Daniel were leaving and he waved them off, he remember that tonight was there first official first date. Such things didn't need to be postponed or interrupted.

"DADDY are you paying attention?"

"Sure I am I just waved good bye to Daniel and Janet"

"So it's okay?"

"Ah can you repeat that, what's ok?"

"Daddy!!"

"Sorrrrrry!!"

"I asked you if it was okay for me to go to Aron is new house and help him un-pack his stuff!"

Carter was still on down time, so yeah that meant that they were going to have to go to her apartment, not good he didn't want to face her or Pete right now, divorce was not a good thing, as he had experience before it was a bitch to have to trough it. Some how he knew that if he were to show up then it would only cause more problems for Sam, glancing at April he smiled and comes up with a plan.

"Tell you what, why don't you invite Uncle Teal'c?"

"Oh yeah that way Aron can get to know him better"

"Yeah!"

That was a dangerous game, if Cassie had been hard to talk to then Teal'c was going to be dam near impossible to break, oh he knew of the jaffa is grudge against Sam. The thing was while Teal'c was an honorable guy he was a big softy; he was hurting. Sam was like a sister to him she was the woman who had taught the jaffa all about the strength the female gender had. Teal'c had felt her betrayal to no end, even though he never showed many emotions about it Jack O'Neill knew how much it had really hurt.

The number one rule Teal'c had taken to heart was his own, never leave some one behind or next time it could be you. The thing was the sentiment was a good one and even though he tried his hardest to follow through , he knew that some times it did not always worked out like that. Yet that was in the battlefield, Sam had done it out side of it, she had left them while not in a battle, had betrayed the trust they had shared, for her to not even say good-bye to Teal'c was painful, and had hurt the jaffa through to the bone.

He just hoped that by doing this Teal'c would open up and at least talk to Sam and she would in turn talk to him, yeah there was a lot of talking that needed to be done, he just hoped his time never came.

Continued…