Jack pressed the doorbell, anticipation building with each passing second. The lights were on, and shadows danced behind the curtains, but the door remained closed. After a second attempt, frustration led him to hold the button down, subjecting the entire neighborhood to the constant ringing. Finally, the door swung open, revealing her irritated face.

"What?" she snapped, hand firmly on the door, barring his entry.

Jack, laden with dinner and a pack of beer, stared at her in confusion.

"What the hell, Carter? I told you I was coming," he protested, attempting to step forward.

She countered by closing the door a bit more.

"You did. But I didn't say I was waiting for you, Sir. This is my house, and we're not working," she declared coldly.

Jack halted, bewildered.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" he demanded, advancing a foot to prevent her from closing the door further.

Sam met his gaze with icy determination.

"You're not welcome, Sir. Please leave," she clarified.

Now, Jack was seething.

"I'm not welcomed? Really?" he retorted, shouldering his way in forcefully, disregarding her attempts to shut him out.

Sam took a few steps back without other options, allowing him to barge in and slamming the door behind him.

Ignoring the precarious placement of dinner and beer, he confronted her.

"Not welcomed? So, let me get this straight. You come to my house practically begging me to sleep with you, claim it's just once, we have a shouting match in my living room, you vanish without a word, we revert to Colonel and Major, and end up stranded on that damn planet where YOU didn't mind snuggling up. NOW I'M NOT WELCOME IN YOUR HOUSE?" he bellowed, losing control.

At a significant cost, Sam maintained her composure.

"I'm not discussing things with you like this. Either calm down or leave," she commanded coldly.

Jack groaned, running his hands through his hair, then grabbed a beer from the pack and started drinking.

"What's wrong with you, Carter?" he asked between clenched teeth.

She crossed her arms defensively.

"First, I never begged you to sleep with me, and I never will. As for that planet, it was a mistake, an illusion caused by my wiped memories. I'm requesting a team change tomorrow; I've already scheduled a meeting with General Hammond," she stated matter-of-factly.

Jack stopped drinking abruptly.

"What?" he exclaimed.

"I'm leaving SG-1," she declared with determination.

Jack's heart raced, pounding in his ears.

"You're leaving?" he asked, desperately seeking something to steady himself. Finding a wall, he leaned against it.

"Yes", she said, not moving.

"Because of me?" he queried, blinking rapidly.

Sam bit her lip, then met his gaze.

"We can't continue like this. Whatever I thought existed between us no longer does. It's best for everyone," she asserted.

"Not for me. Not for us," he protested, taking two steps toward her.

"There is no us," she stated coldly. "There's never been," she added, lowering her eyes.

Jack released the wall for support and approached her.

"But there can be. You said so. Just once," he pleaded, echoing her words.

Sam kept her gaze down, shaking her head.

"That was a mistake," she whispered.

Jack gently grasped her shoulders.

"No, Sam, the mistake was mine when I didn't accept it immediately," he said softly.

A blush crept up her cheeks, but she remained silent.

"Please don't leave me," he implored.

She slowly lifted her head, meeting his gaze.

"The offer is no longer standing, Sir," she said coldly, her blue eyes like ice cubes.

Jack swallowed hard, sensing her deep hurt. He withdrew his hands, acknowledging defeat.

"OK, whatever then. Do you want to leave, Carter? Leave," he said with a defeated tone. There are plenty of geeks waiting to get on SG-1," he added, moving toward the front door.

Sam felt the sting of his words but stood her ground. She always knew their parting wouldn't be pretty.

"I hope you have a nice life, Major," he said, opening the door and exiting her house—and likely her life. She quickly closed the door, tears streaming down her face. That was it.

As promised, Sam was at General Hammond's office early the following day with an official request to transfer from SG-1. Hammond, peering at the papers in his hands, looked shocked. He hadn't anticipated this development.

"Are you sure, Major? Has anything happened?" he inquired, glancing between the documents and her face.

"Yes, Sir. I'm no longer suited to SG-1. I defer to your judgment in placing me on another team. I have no preference whatsoever," she replied, her voice devoid of emotion.

She couldn't care less about her new assignment if it kept her away from SG-1 and him. She intended to have a conversation with Daniel and Teal'c eventually, explaining her need to move on but offering little further details.

"Very well, Major. I must confess my surprise, but I know you went through a lot on that planet, so I will need some time to think about this. You are assigned to lab work until a decision is made," Hammond declared.

"Thank you, Sir," Sam acknowledged before leaving his office.

Jack, who had been waiting outside, entered as soon as she departed. She continued walking, contemplating her father's reaction when he learned of her departure from SG-1. Taking a deep breath, Sam headed toward the elevators.

"What the hell happened, Jack?" Hammond demanded as soon as his second-in-command entered his office, his voice a mix of frustration and anger.

Jack cleared his throat, choosing not to disclose the exact reasons behind the departure of the Stargate Program's genius from the flagship team. Instead, he opted for a more ordinary explanation.

"Communications problems, Sir. Major Carter and I haven't seen eye to eye lately, which could compromise the team's effectiveness. She decided it was best to leave. I tried to convince her we could work through it, but she was determined," he explained, careful to omit crucial details. It wasn't a complete lie, just a selective truth.

Hammond sighed heavily.

"Washington will hate this," he grumbled, tossing her papers over his desk.

"I believe they will. But she'll continue in the Program, Sir," Jack reassured him.

Hammond shook his head.

"Hardly the same thing, Colonel," he remarked. "SG-1 is the flag team, and she is our best scientist", he sighed.

Jack chose to remain silent, and Hammond leaned forward on his desk.

"Are you sure you don't want to tell me anything? Anything relevant to this change?" he pressed.

Jack cleared his throat, employing his black ops training.

"No, Sir," he asserted.

After a moment, Hammond leaned back in his chair.

"Very well, you know you must pick a replacement for her," he reminded Jack.

Jack nodded, painfully aware of the looming responsibility.

"Yes, Sir," he acknowledged.

"So, start doing that. SG-1 has to get back to work. Fast," Hammond ordered, dismissing him.

Jack left the office, feeling disheartened and furious and contemplating a renewed desire to retire. Needing a distraction, he decided to head to the cafeteria, hoping they still had some cake left.

The news of Major Samantha Carter's request for a transfer from SG-1 spread through the base like wildfire, fueling rumors and speculation. The prevailing gossip, centered around an alleged affair with her commanding officer, gained traction, leading to a surge in bets and severe money being thrown into the mix. Sam considered joining the betting pool herself, turning her misery into a potential source of side income. However, she ultimately decided against it, acknowledging that even she wasn't that masochistic.

Soon after the news broke, Sam was not alone in her lab for long. Daniel barged in, his expression a mix of confusion and resentment.

"What the hell, Sam?" he demanded, crossing his arms as he sat on a stool beside her bench. "You left us?"

"Hi, Daniel," she greeted, pausing to type. "I left SG-1," she corrected him.

"It's the same thing," Daniel sulked, uncrossing his arms.

"No, you continue to be my friend, as before. We're not on the same team. Just that," Sam explained, trying to diffuse the tension.

Daniel raised an eyebrow.

"So, who isn't your friend anymore? Jack?" he asked slowly.

Sam tensed at the mention of her former CO.

"Colonel O'Neill is my superior officer," she stated, her gaze fixed on the screen.

"But he's also your friend," Daniel insisted, probing more.

Sam continued to type, and the lab fell silent. Daniel took her silence as an answer.

"Right," he muttered. "So, do you already know which team you're getting?" he asked, changing the subject. He knew perfectly well that there was no point in trying when she didn't want to speak about something.

Sam shook her head.

"General Hammond told me he needed some time to decide. So, I'm on lab duty until then," she said, clarifying.

Teal'c entered her lab, stopping behind Daniel.

"Major Carter," he greeted.

"Hi, Teal'c," Sam smiled.

"I was informed in the corridor by two passing airmen that you requested a transfer from SG-1. I am here to inquire if that information is accurate or just another ill gossip regarding your person," Teal'c asked with his usual gravity.

Sam fought back a laugh.

"It's true, Teal'c. I asked General Hammond for a transfer this morning. I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys first, but it needed to be done this way," she explained, keeping it brief.

Daniel and Teal'c exchanged a silent look.

"Who are your new teammates?" Teal'c asked, getting straight to the point.

"I don't know, Teal'c. I'm waiting to be assigned to a team," Sam clarified.

"Please inform me if you have any complaints regarding any of them. I will talk with them immediately and explain that pain will be inflicted upon them if any harm is done to you," Teal'c offered, his concern evident.

"Thanks, Teal'c, but I don't think that will be necessary," Sam said, appreciating his sincerity.

"Although you are no longer a member of SG-1, Major Carter, you remain a worthy warrior, and I will always be there to assist you in whatever you request," Teal'c declared solemnly, bowing his head.

Sam fought back tears.

"Thank you, Teal'c. That means a lot to me," she said sincerely.

Daniel placed a comforting hand over hers.

"We'll always be there for you, Sam," he said warmly.

"Thanks, Daniel," she replied, holding back her emotions.

"We will now leave you to work, Major," Teal'c said, guiding Daniel out of Sam's lab with a hand on his shoulder. As they exited, she sniffled, already missing them.

The first clear indication that Major Samantha Carter was no longer a part of SG-1 unfolded during lunchtime. Despite lacking an appetite, she decided to swing by the cafeteria to grab something to eat. As she entered, all eyes seemed to gravitate toward her. Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c, seated at their usual table, paused mid-meal, their gazes fixed on Sam. The atmosphere in the cafeteria shifted, and an uncomfortable silence settled in.

Feeling the weight of the stares, Sam hesitated momentarily before going to the serving area. The cafeteria seemed to hold its breath as she selected a sandwich and a bottle of water, her every move magnified by the hushed whispers that erupted around her. She paid quickly, acutely aware of the eyes still locked onto her, and then hastily departed, regretting her decision even to step foot in the cafeteria.

Walking away, she couldn't shake the sense that she had been transported back to high school, where she was once again the geeky, awkward girl drawing the scrutiny of everyone around her. The cruel irony was that she had once been part of the cool team—in stark contrast to her high school experience, where she had never belonged to such a group.

As she made her way to the elevator with a tear sliding down her cheek, Sam pressed the button to return to her lab. The unsettling feeling lingered, and she contemplated whether a team transfer was enough. Perhaps, she mused, it was time to leave the SGC altogether. The ache of isolation weighed heavily on her, and the need for a fresh start outside the familiar confines of the base grew more apparent with each passing moment.

"That was awkward," Daniel commented after Sam left.

Jack could not maintain his appetite, his heart sinking at the visible pain in her eyes when she realized everyone was staring. Jack wanted to shout at everyone to leave her alone and mind their business, but Sam had chosen this path. Now, she had to navigate it on her own. She was no longer part of SG-1.

"It was most distressful," Teal'c remarked, raising an eyebrow.

Jack swallowed hard but remained silent, his gaze fixed on Sam's now-empty chair.

"She's the one who wanted to leave," he finally said, his tone colder than intended.

Daniel and Teal'c exchanged glances, their expressions questioning.

"She's still our friend, Jack, and I care about her," Daniel warned, his tone hinting at threat. Despite the years since their romantic involvement, they remained close friends, and Daniel cherished that friendship tremendously. Sam knew him like few people.

Jack locked eyes with the archaeologist.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked slowly.

"Just because she left SG-1 doesn't mean I will pretend she's invisible now. She's my friend and will continue to be, whether you like it or not," Daniel declared firmly, his tone bordering on confrontation.

Jack's eyes darkened.

"Are you threatening me, Daniel? Because of Carter?" he asked, a note of suspicion in his voice.

"No, Jack. I'm just telling you where I stand regarding Sam. So, you know, and there are no doubts whatsoever," Daniel clarified, leaving no room for misinterpretation. With that, he got up and left the table, leaving Jack with an open mouth.

When Jack turned to Teal'c, the imposing Jaffa also wore a warning expression.

"What? You too?" Jack asked, his frustration evident.

Teal'c merely bowed and got up, silently leaving the table. Jack cursed under his breath, pushing his plate aside in frustration as he grappled with the sudden shift in dynamics among SG-1.

Daniel's invitation to dinner took Sam by surprise, but she accepted. During her life's chaos, Daniel was a comforting and reassuring presence. It had always been; she needed someone who knew and could talk with her. Sam and Daniel maintained an open line of communication, discussing everything, even topics considered off-limits. Daniel was the sole person Sam confided in about her conflicted emotions regarding Jack and her struggles to adhere strictly to military regulations. She trusted him even if her heart now belonged to another man. So, they were having dinner at a Nepalese restaurant that Daniel had found out and swore had the most delicious food.

The Nepalese restaurant was adorned with vibrant colors and intricate decorations that transported Sam and Daniel to a different world—the aroma of exotic spices filled the air, creating an atmosphere of warmth and anticipation. Soft traditional music played in the background as they settled into their cozy corner table.

The menu was an array of enticing options, and Daniel, with a twinkle in his eye, recommended some of his favorite dishes. They decided to share a variety, embracing the spirit of exploration. Sam couldn't help but appreciate Daniel's effort in choosing this place as the waiter brought plates with steaming, fragrant delicacies. When they were in D.C., he liked taking her to hidden restaurants with exotic food.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, catching up on each other's lives and delving into deeper topics.

"So, how's the dynamic with your new team?" Daniel inquired, finally addressing the elephant in the room.

Sam continued chewing, recently assigned to Colonel Albert Reynolds' SG-16 team.

"Well, my new CO studied physics at university, so at least now there's no excuse for him not understanding what I'm talking about," she remarked, taking a sip of the wine Daniel had selected.

Daniel swallowed, sensing there was more beneath the surface.

"You know, Jack used to say those things mostly to tease you," he mentioned, leaning back in his chair.

"He said a lot of things," Sam replied with a stony expression, making it clear she didn't want to delve into that territory.

"Anyway, we're still looking for a replacement for SG-1," Daniel sighed.

Sam was well aware of the ongoing struggle. Colonel O'Neill had vetoed every candidate, and those that General Hammond insisted on at least for a trial period never lasted more than a week.

"You'll find someone soon," she assured him, although her smile didn't reach her eyes.

She felt relief and frustration that Jack hadn't replaced her yet. However, she didn't want the entire dinner conversation to revolve around him. Opting for a change of topic, they discussed Daniel's recent readings, quickly getting engrossed in animated discussions about new translations and potential discoveries, like they had done so many times.

The clinking of cutlery and the distant hum of other diners provided a soothing backdrop to their words. Amid bites of flavorful curry and tender meats, they also reminisced about shared memories, laughed at inside jokes, and offered support for the challenges each faced.

The dim lighting cast a gentle glow on their faces, highlighting the sincerity in their expressions. The restaurant's ambiance enhanced their connection, creating a space where they could be themselves without judgment. As they savored the diverse flavors of Nepalese cuisine, the barriers that life had erected around Sam seemed to fade away, if only for a moment. She always relaxed around Daniel.

The evening unfolded, a refuge from the chaos of their daily lives. The honesty in their conversation allowed them to broach even the more sensitive subjects, and the comfortable silence between words spoke volumes. By the end of the dinner, they left the restaurant with not just satisfied stomachs but hearts a little lighter, grateful for the solace of a good meal and an even better friend.