AN: During and after Learning Curve.

Even though Jack knew that Merrin had nanites in her brain, she still reminded him of Carter. She was choosing to go back to Orban and become a vegetable because someone needed it from her. She wouldn't choose what was best for herself. When Carter had first joined his team he had thought she was just the average workaholic, but that wasn't it at all. She was a compulsive giver. As long as anyone needed something from her, she wouldn't put herself first. She forgot to eat. She forgot to sleep. At least she remembered to shower regularly. Jack wondered where Carter had learned that what she needed wasn't important. He knew she lost her mom when she was young. He knew that Jacob wasn't the greatest dad during that time. It wasn't a stretch to think that Carter would have held everything together for her dad and her brother when her mom died.

"What's that?" Sam nodded toward the paper in his hands. He hadn't seen her sit down at his table. Jell-O—a sure sign that she wasn't really hungry. Hammond had probably sent her to handle him.

"It's, umm... it's Merrin's. She painted it in Mrs. Struble's art class, and told me I had to keep it. I'm thinking my guest room could use a spruce. It's a little big for the fridge."

"You took her to art class? Can I see it?" Carter asked excitedly.

"Sure," he answered, unfolding the easel paper.

"Wow, that's... who's that?" Carter asked pointing toward the stick figure.

"That's you, I'm told, and the flowers from your desk."

"No purple?" Jack smirked at this as Carter confirmed his feelings about the girl's resemblance to her. Merrin had the same complaint.

"No purple, but I like it better this way," he contradicted.

"I don't know, I kind of like the originals," she said giving him more eye contact than a guilty person should be able to endure. Colonel O'Neill had never said anything about the plant in her lab, but Sam was 96% certain with a 3% margin of error that it had come from him.

"They're all right," he said dismissively.

"Too bad she won't be able to continue her art career," she mused giving up her hope of eliciting a confession from him.

"Yes," he answered, "Too bad." Sam watched as he seemed to travel through the Stargate in his mind to a different world.

"Will you excuse me? I have an errand to run." Jack was just going to have to remind Merrin to have fun. Just like he reminded Carter to have lunch.

"Is that a horse?" Carter asked from over Jack's shoulder. He was coloring with Merrin who was promptly scribbling out everything he did. It was clear he was going to need to get this kid some more crayons.

"Obviously it's a dog, Carter. Are you trying to hurt my feelings, or does it just come naturally to you?" he answered.

"Maybe a little of both. It's really good." Jack just watched Merrin for a moment, soaking up the happiness on her face at being a kid. The pleasure of play and enjoyment.

"Yeah, it is." He grinned back at Carter.

"Yes, Sir," she answered softly, returning his smile as unspoken understanding passed between them.