A/N: Fun Fact --The episode before their second Valentine's Day was Serpent's Song and the one after was One False Step. I couldn't come up with a directly related story, but know this one is set between those two episodes.

Valentine's Day #2– February 14, 1999

The following year, Jack decided to keep the tradition going by getting his team gifts for Valentine's Day. Teal'c had started hinting a month before the holiday that he'd been unable to find anything like the candy-filled heart Jack had given him last year. And Jack knew from their frequent overnight missions that Daniel's socks had holes in them, so he'd picked up both items in preparation for the holiday.

But that had left him without a gift for Carter. Jack knew he shouldn't do jewelry again, even though he'd caught glimpses of the simple heart pendant around her neck on multiple occasions. He needed something special but a gift that wouldn't raise any eyebrows.

He found the perfect gift one night while shopping at the grocery store. It was a stuffed pickle holding a sign that said:

"Emotional Support Pickle. Life isn't always all bread and butter, so this pickle is here to help you 'dill' with all that life throws your way!"

On Valentine's Day, he delivered Teal'c's candy heart and Daniel's socks before making his way to Sam's lab. Rapping on the door jamb, he stuck his head inside with a friendly, "Hey Carter."

"Hi, Sir," she looked up from her work.

"Happy Valentine's Day," he said, then presented her with the silly stuffed pickle.

"I love it," Sam giggled and gave him her megawatt smile.

Jack tried not to think about the warmth he felt each and every time he was a recipient of that smile. Before he could respond, Sam looked down at her desk.

"I've got something for you, too, Sir," she said. Pulling open a desk drawer, she presented him with a framed photo of the team.

Jack looked at the photo that had been taken off-world during one of their more recent missions. Sam stood next to him. They were flanked by Teal'c next to her and Daniel next to Jack.

"I had one made for each of us," Sam explained, then bit her bottom lip nervously.

"It's perfect," Jack smiled at her, his walls dropping slightly so she could see his sincerity.

For a moment they simply stared at each other as something Jack hadn't felt in a while passed through him.

"Cassie also made you a card," Sam said, breaking the silence. She pulled a handmade card out of the same desk drawer and handed it to him.

Cassie had drawn the same picture as last year, although her art skills had improved. Instead of stick figures, they had somewhat proportional bodies. Jack still wore the ballcap and Sam's hair was still yellow as they stood side-by-side.

"Tell her I love it," Jack said with a grin. He looked up, his heart full. "Happy Valentine's Day, Carter."

"Happy Valentine's Day, Sir."