For Disclamer and Authors note see chapter 1

Chapter 7

SG-1, SG-9, and Doctor Frasier had been with the Trinite people, and had been exploring the culture, for several hours. They had been shown through the schools, what resembled a public library, government areas, museums, et cetera etc. They had been shown around briefly, and were free to explore the planet in the afternoon, but first the two teams, and the doctor had been invited to retire for lunch.

They were given a private area in which to eat. The area was bright and yet slightly in the shade, and in this area was an arrangement of tables. Each table was made of a sort of material similar to pine. The tables were spread out quite far apart, with a view of the ocean.

The smell of the salt in the sea was noticeable but was not sickening, but instead, added to the noise of the waves moving in and out, created a relaxing atmosphere.

The doctor and the two teams were led toward the arrangement of tables that had been put out especially for them. Jack and Sam were at the end of the line, and by the time everyone had sat down, there was only one small table for two in the corner. They had no choice but to sit together. Both of them took a deep breath, and then, took a seat at the table.

Sam looked at Jack, and Jack looked at Sam. Both of them smiled slightly, each as nervous as the other. Luckily for them, a servant came to their table to give them their food that the teams and Doctor Fraiser had selected earlier in the day. The Trinites' efficiency was something, at that point, that both the colonel and the major were very grateful for as they began to tuck into their meal.

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A few minutes had passed and both Jack and Sam were digging away at their food. Sam paused and looked up at Jack in between bites. After Sam had looked at Jack a few times, he put down his eating utensil. "What?"

"This is stupid, sir."

"What is?"

"Us not talking. Sir… Jack, we can still be friends."

"Is that all you really want?" Jack said, gazing at Sam.

Sam blushed under the intensity of Jack's gaze. "Sir…"

"Carter, if you don't want me, then that will be that."

"I never said that."

"So, you do want me then?" Jack said, allowing a smug grin to form on his face.

"Sir, just because we can't be together at this moment in time, doesn't mean that we can't at some point."

"Yeah? And when will that be, Carter?" Jack said, with slight anger in the tone of his voice.

"All I am asking is that you never give up on there being an us."

"I never have and I never will, Car… Sam," Jack said matter-of-factly, then looked at Sam for a few more moments and went back to his meal. Jack took a couple of mouthfuls, but then something occurred to him.

"Sam, is it just me, or were we just set up?"

Sam paused and looked over in Janet's direction, and answered, "I think we were."

The two teams and Janet Frasier were walking through the market stalls, looking at everything the Trinite people sold. All kinds of fruit and vegtables were available, as were a whole variety of household items and articles of clothing. There was also some jewelry made out of semi-precious stones that Janet and Daniel were looking at. While Janet was looking carefully at a lilac-coloured necklace, Daniel looked around at the rest of the market and caught the sight of Sam and Jack together, talking and laughing.

"Janet."

"Yes Daniel?" Janet said absently, still looking at the necklace.

"Just look over there," Daniel said, and then discreetly pointed towards where the colonel and the major were walking. "It looks like they worked it out. Whatever 'it' was," Daniel said.

"It does," Janet said with a smile a mile wide.

The teams and the doctor had been with the Trinite people for a few days when they were getting ready to get packed up to go. SG-1 and the doctor were waiting by the gate for SG-9, so Janet thought it would be a perfect time to ask Jack, Daniel and Teal'C the party she and Sam were planning.

"Would you men like to come to Sam's and my barbeque, by any chance?"

"When is this barbeque, Janet Frasier?" Teal'C asked, obviously interested in the idea.

"We were thinking of on Saturday, if we're on Earth. You don't have to decide right now – just get back to me."