Jack's House - 1997

"Okay, I think you've clearly got something to tell me," Daniel mimicked air quotes with his fingers as he added, "Jonathan."

Jack set his beer down on the coffee table. "I don't know what you want me to say, Daniel?" He ran a hand over his face and sighed deeply. The conversation with Nan had shaken him more than he'd expected. His grandmother pointing out that she wouldn't be around forever tugged on a string that was a bit too sensitive for him, though he would never have admitted that out loud.

Meanwhile, the archaeologist rolled his eyes and picked up the box, studying the ring silently. "It's beautiful," he finally said.

Jack turned his head towards his friend and shrugged. "I doubt it would fit Teal'c though, size-wise."

The two of them looked at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing. Jack appreciated Daniel's ability to lighten his mood in the most tense situations.

He settled back comfortably on the couch and looked at the ring still held between Daniel's fingers.

"The family legend says this ring chooses the future Mrs. O'Neill," he explained, taking another sip of his beer.

Daniel frowned. "I never saw Sara wearing it?" he pointed out, surprised.

Jack shrugged. "I would've liked to see her wear it, but my grandmother always refused to let me have the ring when I talked about Sara," he explained. "And I guess..." He let the sentence trail off, unable to make the connection between a legend about a ring and his divorce following the loss of his son—he was far too pragmatic for that.

The archaeologist seemed to ponder the military man's explanation and gently placed the ring back in its box. "And now, Nan is willing to give it to you?"

"Yeah," Jack nodded.

"But for who?"

Jack grinned mischievously. "Why, for you, Daniel."

Rolling his eyes, Daniel threw a pillow at him. "Oh please, Jack, you're really not my type."

SGC - 1997

"Dr. Kleinhouse and his associate were brutally murdered," Daniel explained to the General, Sam, and Teal'c. "The Mexican authorities assumed it was by grave robbers looking to steal anything of value in the burial vault along with this." He gestured towards the sarcophagus standing before them.

A few days later, they were all gathered by the Stargate, where the imposing artifact rested—massive and covered in gold. Sam was listening distractedly, her thoughts focused on Jack, who had yet to arrive. She had realized too late that she had missed his birthday and wasn't sure how to handle it. In truth, she hadn't exactly forgotten—it was more that she didn't know what to say at the right time. Under other circumstances, she would have gladly wished him well, but the necessity of rebuilding all the barriers between them (and perhaps even constructing new ones) had prevented her from doing anything, including wishing him a happy birthday. Now, days had passed, and since that evening, he seemed to be avoiding her like the plague, as if even being in the same room as her took too much effort. Sam wasn't sure if that hurt her or was actually a relief.

Hammond, who had been listening to Daniel's explanations, raised his hands in surprise. "And who thought to send it here?" he asked, curious to know where this would lead.

"Dr. Kleinhouse's other associates, who were outside the pyramid. They recognized the significance of an Egyptian sarcophagus in a Mayan temple," Daniel explained as Jack finally arrived in the gate room and took his place beside Sam, standing in front of the sarcophagus. He exchanged a knowing glance with Daniel and avoided looking at Sam. Thanks to Nan, he'd been unable to meet Sam's gaze ever since the family ring had been sitting in its box on his coffee table. What was he supposed to say? "Hey, my sister and my grandmother think we should get married, what do you say?" Not exactly a great approach.

Returning to reality, Jack observed the sarcophagus, and a flood of memories came back to him. "I know this thing," he interrupted, running his fingers over the artifact.

"Yeah, I recognized it too," Daniel replied. The two exchanged a knowing look; they had encountered this type of sarcophagus before.

Jack seemed to think for a moment, continuing to ignore Sam's inquisitive gaze. "It's like that thing that was on Ra's ship that—"

"Brought Sha're and me back from the dead," the archaeologist finished, nodding.

They were interrupted by an Airman who requested the General's presence at the entrance to the complex, and Sam took the opportunity to slip away to her lab. Though she gave the impression of being completely detached, she felt hurt by Jack's behavior. Seeing him act as if nothing had happened, not even glancing at her, and ignoring her... She regretted giving him so much if this was the price she had to pay. Throwing herself into work seemed like the best way to move on. After all, what was the point of waiting for a man who had just turned 46 and clearly had other aspirations in life than falling for a woman who hadn't even turned 30 yet and was already too damaged by life?

Sometimes, Sam regretted not having any female friends to talk to about this. She could have called Liz, but she didn't particularly want to discuss it with the sister of the man in question.

No, indeed, at times, Samantha Carter regretted never being able to make a female friend.