Two weeks later Jack received a call from Area 51. There was an experiment which required someone with the ancient gene to activate and as he was the one with the strongest gene they knew he was asked to come to Nevada for a few days of tests.

He would happily endure those tests if that meant he could leave his office and get to see Sam. He knew she wouldn't be involved because she was working on another important project right now, so there would be a possibility to surprise her.

While he made his way through the airport to board his flight Sam got a call from a teary Cassie.

"Cass, slow down, honey. I can't understand a single word you're saying. What's wrong, what happened?"

She could hardly make out what Cassandra was trying to tell her. But she could put the pieces together she actually did understand. Dominic broke up with her and the girl couldn't stop crying.

Sam remembered what it felt like losing her first love. The first love is always something special and when it ends it mostly is a terrible mess.

Trying to calm her down enough that she would listen, Sam told her to pack a bag and come over to stay with her.

"I'm going to leave work as soon as I can, but it won't be until a few hours. Let yourself in and make yourself comfortable on the couch. I'll stop by the grocery store and bring some ice cream and chocolate. Anything else you need?"

"No, I don't think so. I just need you to cuddle up with me on the couch."

"All right, drive safe and see you soon."

Jack arrived early in the afternoon and because he knew where Sam was hiding her spare key he let himself in. Strangely it wasn't as quiet as he expected. Sam wouldn't be home by now, would she?

He was aware that she was working overtime the last few weeks, she didn't even make it home on time some days for their phone calls.

He rounded the corner to the living room and saw Cassie curled up on the couch watching some chick flick.

"Cassie, what are you doing here?"

Startled, the teenager got up as she didn't expect someone home this early.

As soon as she recognized who was standing there she flew into his arms and immediately began to cry.

"Jack!"

"Hey hey, what's going on? Tell me what happened."

She was able to put a sentence together to let him know that Dominic broke up with her.

"Oh boy." he sighed, that wasn't something he was meant to do.

This would definitely be Sam's part. Supporting a heartbroken teenie, that's nothing he felt comfortable with.

But holding his sobbing girl in his arms, he felt so much love for her that he was willing to try to be the supportive parent she needed right now.

"Ok, let me take my bag in the bedroom and change my clothes, then I'm all yours. You can tell me what happened or only cry on my shoulder, whatever you need to."

She was waiting for him as he came to sit next to her, guiding her into his embrace.

She told him that Dominic didn't want a girlfriend who wasn't living in the same city as he did. He didn't want to make the effort of traveling a few hours over to her all the time just to see her for a day or two.

"And I think he found another girl. I can't prove it, but it feels like it."

"Sweety, I know this is hard. First love is something special and a breakup leaves you desperate, but it will get better eventually. I promise! And I'm sure you'll find the right guy when you least expect it. It might take some time and some more broken hearts along the way, but you'll find him."

"Thanks Jack, that's a very sweet thing for you to say and it helps a lot. But please tell me it won't take me as long to find him as it took you and Sam to figure things out."

He burst out laughing: "Sam and I, we're something special too, I'm sure you'll find the one to share your life with when the time is right for you."

That made her smile return for a little while.

"What are you actually doing here? I don't remember Sam telling me you're going to come. In fact I think she's counting the weeks until your arrival, 4 weeks precisely the last time I asked."

"Area 51 called and asked for my help regarding my ancient gene and I didn't bother with a hotel room and thought to surprise her. Sorry to interrupt your girls night, I can leave when she gets here if you want."

"Don't be silly Dad, I'm glad you're here. And I can imagine Sam will be at least as happy as I am."

From time to time she called him Dad, it started a few months after she came to earth and was living with Janet. He picked her up to spend time with her, or hiking and camping.

He was the closest to a father she has and it didn't bother him at all.

The first time she called him that he was stunned, he wasn't prepared for this and memories of Charlie popped up, but he got used to it and even liked it. A lot.

Sam was able to finish her work for the day early and after a short stop for groceries she opened her front door. It was quieter than she expected.

What she had expected was a sobbing Cassie flying into her arms as soon as she entered her apartment. But nothing.

She stepped into the kitchen to put the ice cream into the freezer and made her way through the rooms.

She checked Cassie's room. Nothing.

On her way to the living room she passed her bedroom, she was sure she closed that door in the morning. Still no Cassie, but a bag she didn't recognize was set beside her dresser.

As she reached the living room her heart stopped for a brief moment.

There on her couch were lying her two most important people. Jack's feet propped upon the coffee table, embracing Cassie, who had her head on his shoulders and was fast asleep.

She didn't want to disturb them and turned to leave the room, but being a soldier nearly his whole life Jack was well aware that they weren't alone anymore.

He turned his head to greet her.

"Hey!" he whispered not to wake Cassie.

"Hey!" she kneeled down beside him and kissed him gently "What are you doing here?"

"Right now I'm supporting our heartbroken girl, who fell asleep not long ago. But in general I'm here because Area 51 needs me."

Sam tilted her head to the side questioningly.

"They're doing some tests where they needed someone with a strong ancient gene to operate the device. I was very willing to help them."

"That I can imagine. Nice to see you!" she placed her hand gently on his cheek, guiding him to her lips to give him a passionate welcome kiss.

"Yeah, nice to see you too."

"I'll go and order us pizza. I brought tons of ice cream and chocolate, so I think we're good for this evening. Anything special?"

"Just the usual, thank you!"

Cassie woke up in time for the pizza, she cried a little more in Sam's arms before she retreated to her room.

"Thanks for everything guys! I'm turning in. Good night!"

"Night Cass!"

"Good night, honey!"

"Oh and guys, don't forget you're not alone tonight. So whatever you do, please be quiet."

She got a loud laugh from Jack and Sam turned into a few shades of pink as she blushed.

While she entered her room she heard Jack saying to Sam "I can be soundless, what about you?"

The giggle from Sam was proof enough to her that these people were truly happy. Maybe she should seek her ear plugs before she goes to sleep.

"Thanks Jack, you did a great job with Cassie today."

"I'm not so good at all this emotional stuff, but I'm trying. I'm sure you're the better one for the job." Jack stood up and took Sam's hand in his "Come on, let's go to bed, it was a long day."

"Too long to try how quiet we can be?"

"Never too tired for this." he said as he picked her up and carried her to their bedroom. Sam hadn't expected his move and squealed.

Jack rolled his eyes and kissed her "So much for being quiet."

He laid her on the bed and this night Sam proved that she could be very quiet. Multiple times.

When Cassie entered the kitchen the next morning she stopped in the entrance to watch Jack prepare pancakes and Sam making coffee for them.

It felt like being a real family and she wished it could always be like this.

"Good morning! I'm proud of you two," Cassie said and smirked "I didn't hear anything at all last night."

"Good morning to you, too." Jack greeted her and leaned in to whisper "We tried not to disturb your sleep, tried to be as quiet as we could be. Being in black ops helped for sure, but that was just me. Sam on the other hand..."

"Gosh, too much information already. Thank you." she replied, holding up her hands.

"So, you're going to your class today? Or are you planning on staying here?" Sam asked out of curiosity. She could understand if the girl needed a few days off and Cassie was good enough that it would do her no harm to miss some days.

"Yeah, I'm going. Yesterday was what I needed, thank you both for that. You were incredible, both of you. Your support means a lot to me but it won't be good for me to hide inside. So I'm going and I'll also sleep there. You should have the evening to yourself today."

"That sounds very wise. But don't stay there because of us. You know you're always welcome with us. You'll always come first."

"That's very sweet, thank you. But I do feel better today and I think my friends have something planned for tonight. So I won't be alone and you can enjoy being together. I know Jack has to leave tomorrow."

"Ok, but please don't hesitate to call if you need anything. No matter what."

"I'll do that. I'm going now, otherwise I'll be late. Love you two so much."

She gave each one a big hug before she left.

Arriving together at Area 51 in Sam's car wasn't a big deal. Nobody seems to wonder why the General was brought in by Colonel Carter.

They separated at the entrance, Sam heading for her lab and Jack checking in with the Leader of the facility.

They agreed not to meet up for lunch as they didn't want to arouse suspicion regarding their relationship.

Both were happy even without everyone knowing it.

Jack was really helpful and patient in terms of being used for multiple tests on the device.

He knew Sam had to work a little longer as she had left work earlier yesterday. It was a big time-consuming project she was responsible for and knowing Sam the way he did she was all into it and giving everything she could to further it.

When he finished with the scientists Jack took a detour to say goodbye to the General on duty before going to Sam's lab to pick her up.

"Hey Carter, you're ready?" he asked with his head popping through the door.

"Hi, yes. Nearly finished. Give me five more minutes and I'm ready to go. Any plans for tonight?"

"Nope, nothing so far. How about we stop for some food and take a bath afterwards?"

"Sounds pretty good."

Sam closed the laptop and grabbed her car keys out of the drawer. "Let's move out, there is this new Chinese restaurant that I always wanted to try."

Two hours later they were back at the apartment. Jack started the bath while Sam was undressing herself.

She slowly let herself slide into the warm water and instantly felt her muscles relax.

Jack quickly undressed himself too and climbed into the tub behind her.

His hands wandered up and down her back gently massaging her.

"Oh please, don't ever stop doing that. That's just too good."

"Hard day?"

"Yeah, it's ok. I really like what I'm doing now. But I'm not used to sitting in the lab most of the time, my body is missing the movement out in the field."

"You miss being out there, don't you?"

"A little."

Jack tensed because he was afraid of the answer.

He was afraid that sooner or later she was going to miss the action too much to stay away. And if she returned to the SGC it would put them both back in the same chain of command. He would have to give her up again, he was pretty sure this would destroy him.

"But Jack, being able to be with you makes it worth it all the while. I would never trade this for being out there again. Believe me, now that I've got you, you don't get rid of me anymore."

She felt him relax again and turned her head around to give him a reassuring kiss. Which quickly turned into something more and let them make good use of the fact that they were both naked.

The next morning Sam dropped Jack off at Nellis Air Force Base where he took a military flight back to Washington.

With this little get together the next four weeks didn't seem so long at all. They still would try to make time to call each other in the evenings and maybe it was time that Sam should finally explain this Skype thing to him. It would be nice to see her, even when it was only on screen.

While it didn't seem so long as Jack left it felt like an eternity just a few weeks later.

With this consuming project Sam was barely able to make it home on time for their calls. Jack being ahead of her time didn't help either.

When she finally made it home it was way past midnight at Jack's. She worked 14 hours a day most of the days. It was nerve wracking for both of them.

But at least they were able to write sweet emails for the other back and forth to keep in touch until they were able to see each other again.

Today she was home early. Cassie was going to come to stay with her for a few days, she didn't have to attend any classes and was looking forward to seeing Sam again.

This was not the main reason for her being home early, just a nice side effect.

She didn't feel well at all, stress related and with the lack of sleep Sam lost weight and felt terribly tired. For the reason of an incident in the cafeteria today where she got dizzy because she hadn't eaten until then, the base doctor had sent her home for a few days of leave.

She couldn't deny it, she was looking forward to the next days of chatting, relaxing and some good food with Cassie.