On a Saturday morning, Jack sat across from Sam at the breakfast table, nursing his coffee as he mulled over the thoughts weighing his mind. Whitaker's recent attack on the SGC's budget had shifted his perspective, making him think about what truly mattered—and none of it was work-related.

He watched her quietly, noting how the soft morning light played through her hair, her gentle smile lingered as she read her book, and how effortlessly she seemed at home. The transformation from the woman he'd first met in Washington, D.C., was striking, and it tugged at his heart in a way he couldn't ignore.

"Sam," he began, his tone warm but serious, "I've been thinking… about us."

She looked up, her expression curious but calm.

"Okay. What about us?"

"Well…" He set down his cup, gathering his thoughts. "We've been together for a while now, right? Living together… being together." He met her eyes, his heart pounding a little more than usual. "I was thinking maybe… we should consider making it official. You know, marriage."

Her smile faltered slightly, and a glimmer of hesitation passed through her eyes. She set her book down, her gaze searching his face.

"Jack, are you sure that's what you want?"

He chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair, trying to keep things light.

"I'm pretty sure, Sam. I love you. And, well, I've done enough waiting in my life. I'm not getting any younger here—I figured it's time to make things more… permanent. I've always imagined having a family if that's something you'd want too."

Sam's expression softened, and she reached across the table, taking his hand.

"Jack, I... I love you. I wouldn't be here if I didn't. I changed my whole life because of you—moved across states, left everything familiar behind…"

"But?" he asked gently, sensing the weight of what she wasn't saying.

She looked down, her thumb tracing circles on his hand as if searching for the right words.

"I think I just… I've never been very good at commitment, you know? And not because I don't love you—I do. I just… there's something about making it official that… I don't know, it's complicated."

He nodded slowly, a slight crease in his brow.

"Sam, we've been through more together than most people face in a lifetime. And yeah, I get that you've been hurt before—so have I. But… I don't want to wait for something already here, you know?" His voice softened, more vulnerable than he'd meant to let on. "I guess I thought we'd already done the hardest part."

Sam's eyes met his, a mix of love and guilt shining.

"It's not you, Jack. It's me. I'm terrified of what might happen if we make it official. This… part of me feels like I'm not meant for that kind of happiness."

"Sam," he whispered, squeezing her hand, "I don't need some grand wedding or anything complicated. I just… I want you by my side for the rest of this life, however long that might be."

She gave a small, sad smile.

"I already am, Jack. But marriage… it's hard for me to picture. I feel like I'd be setting myself up for heartbreak. That probably sounds ridiculous, but it's how I feel."

Jack let out a long breath, fighting his frustration. He understood her fears and wished he knew how to ease them. He was about to say something more but then stopped himself. After a long pause, he gently squeezed her hand, nodding slowly.

"Alright. I won't push," he said, his voice quiet but resigned. "Just… know that it matters to me, okay?"

She nodded, her hand lingering in his as they sat in silence, both grappling with the question of what came next. They knew they would stay by each other's side despite the tension. But as the quiet settled over them, Jack couldn't shake the feeling that a piece of his dream remained just out of reach.

As the weekend went on, the matter remained unspoken, but each felt the weight of what had been left unsaid. Even so, Jack remained at her side, knowing that, for now, loving her was more than enough.

In the middle of a busy week, Janet burst into Sam's office, her face glowing and her left hand extended with a radiant grin. The customarily composed Dr. Fraiser was nearly vibrating with excitement as she almost shouted, "LOOK! Just look!"

Sam glanced up from her files, adjusting her glasses. As she took them off, she saw it—a stunning gold ring featuring a detailed scarab beetle carved from deep blue lapis lazuli with inlaid turquoise wings.

Janet could barely contain herself as she announced, "He proposed, Sam. Daniel proposed!"

Sam's eyes widened with surprise and delight.

"Wow… that's beautiful," she said genuinely, admiring the unique ring. "Congratulations, Janet!"

Janet's joy overflowed as she practically danced around the office.

"He loves me, Sam. I never thought I could feel like this!" She gave a little spin, staring at the ring, her voice softening. "He found it in Egypt during one of his digs, kept it all this time, and waited until now to give it to me."

Sam stood, wrapping her friend in a warm hug.

"I'm so happy for you, Janet. You both deserve this happiness."

Janet pulled back, tears in her eyes, dabbing at them with a tissue.

"I always thought you and Jack would be the first," she said with a playful nudge. But her words hung in the air, and Sam swallowed, looking down.

"Well," she replied, trying to keep it light, "you beat us to it."

Janet's smile faded slightly as she noticed the hesitation in Sam's voice. She sat in the cozy chair in Sam's serene, welcoming office and asked, "What's going on, Sam?"

Sam looked away, biting her lip.

"Jack… he did ask me, but I told him that marriage didn't really matter to me. Not… not in the way it does to most people."

A shadow of concern crossed Janet's face.

"You… you turned him down?" she asked gently.

Taking a deep breath, Sam shrugged.

"Marriage isn't a priority for me, Janet. We've been together for years, living together, sharing everything. It's just a piece of paper, right?"

Janet's expression softened, and she reached out to hold Sam's hand.

"Honey, marriage is more than just a piece of paper. It's a public declaration of love, a promise of a future together. For me, it's a symbol of commitment and partnership."

Sam crossed her arms, nodding slowly as Janet's words sank in. She wanted to brush them off, but a part of her couldn't ignore the truth.

"Maybe… maybe I'm afraid, Janet," she admitted. "I worry that if we take that step, everything could change. What if it doesn't work out?"

"Sam, there are no guarantees in life. But you and Jack have faced many things together and survived things that would tear most people apart." Janet squeezed her hand. "Marriage isn't about making everything perfect; it's about standing by each other through the imperfect parts, too."

The weight of Janet's words lingered as Sam nodded, a faint smile on her lips.

"When Jack hears about you two getting married, oh boy..." she trailed off, knowing that this topic between her and Jack was far from over.

As Janet left, Sam was left with her thoughts. She knew that, in time, she would have to confront the part of herself holding her back. For now, she watched her friend walk out, practically glowing with happiness and wondering if maybe she could let go of her fears and embrace the love that was already so profoundly a part of her life.

The moment felt right, and Daniel didn't want this news spreading around the base before he could share it with Jack personally. After a deep breath, he went to Jack's office, rehearsing how to break the news. Reaching the door, he knocked, clearing his throat as Jack's voice called him in.

"Daniel," Jack greeted, leaning back in his chair with a hint of curiosity as he saw his friend enter. "What's up? You've got that look—big discovery, hidden artifact?"

"Not exactly," Daniel replied with a smile, sitting across from Jack and looking down at his hands, his fingers anxiously tapping his knee.

Jack raised an eyebrow, sensing something significant.

"Spill it, Daniel. You're practically radiating suspense here."

With a nervous chuckle, Daniel glanced up.

"Jack… I wanted to tell you before anyone else hears it through the grapevine."

"Well, now you really have my attention," Jack replied, intrigued.

Daniel took a steadying breath, and a smile spread across his face as he finally said, "I asked Janet to marry me."

The news hung in the air, and for a moment, Jack simply stared, processing what he'd just heard. Then his face broke into a broad grin, a mixture of surprise and joy lighting up his eyes.

"Well, I'll be damned," he said, clapping his hands together. "Daniel, that's… that's fantastic!"

Daniel's grin widened. "Yeah, it is. She said yes."

"Of course she did," Jack replied, shaking his head with an affectionate chuckle. "Who could say no to you? Especially Janet. She's smart; she knows a good thing when she sees it." He leaned back, visibly delighted. "I'm happy for you, Daniel. Really, I am. This is great news."

"Thanks, Jack," Daniel said, his voice softening. Then, after a brief pause, he leaned forward slightly, his expression more serious. "There's… actually something else I wanted to ask you."

Jack cocked his head, curiosity sparking again. "Alright, shoot."

Daniel cleared his throat, looking down momentarily as he carefully considered his words.

"Jack, I'd be honored if… if you'd be my best man."

The invitation hit Jack like a pleasant jolt. His eyebrows rose in surprise, and for a brief moment, he was speechless. Slowly, his surprise gave way to a warm smile, and he nodded, feeling the weight of the honor.

"Daniel… I'd be honored," Jack said sincerely. "Really. Thank you."

The two friends exchanged a quiet, knowing look, and Jack reached over and patted Daniel on the shoulder firmly and supportively.

"You're like a brother to me, Jack," Daniel said, his voice rough with emotion. "There's no one else I'd rather have standing with me."

Jack's face softened, and he gave a slight nod.

"Likewise, Daniel. I'll be there, standing right beside you. Just say the word, and I'll be there for anything you need."

They shared a companionable silence for a moment, feeling the gravity of the upcoming changes in their lives and grateful for each other's presence.

Then Jack, ever one to ease a serious moment, leaned back with a grin.

"So, what's the plan? You want me in one of those penguin suits, or are we going with some wild artifact-digging theme?"

Daniel laughed, the tension melting away.

"Penguin suit," he confirmed with a chuckle. "And yes, Janet already has some ideas. But don't worry, I'll make sure it's nothing too… fancy."

"Good man," Jack replied, smiling broadly. "And hey—don't tell Carter, but I've always kinda wanted to see you in a tux."

Daniel laughed again, rolling his eyes. "Well, I guess we're making dreams come true all around."

Jack chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder once more. "Congrats again, Daniel. Janet's one hell of a lucky woman… though I have to admit, you're pretty damn lucky yourself."

"I know," Daniel said, nodding with a smile. "And thanks, Jack. Really."

As Daniel left Jack's office, the air between them felt closer. Jack watched him go, a contented smile lingering on his face, knowing he'd get to witness one of the best days of his friend's life—and knowing that, for once, they were all finding a little piece of happiness amid their chaotic lives even if he had expected to be the first to experience that happiness, before Daniel and Janet.

The evening started with a warm, relaxed rhythm as Sam and Jack cooked dinner together. They worked in the kitchen, Sam chopping vegetables while Jack stirred the sauce simmering on the stove. They joked and teased, the atmosphere light as they moved around each other, the ease of their long relationship woven into every shared glance and laugh.

But as they settled into the meal, chatting about their day, Jack eventually brought up Daniel's news.

"So, I take it you've heard about Janet and Daniel?" he asked, raising an eyebrow with a grin.

Sam smiled, nodding as she took a sip of wine.

"Janet was practically dancing around my office with that ring today. She's so happy."

"Yeah, Daniel came to see me, too. Asked me to be his best man," Jack said, a hint of pride in his voice.

"That's wonderful, Jack," Sam said sincerely. "He couldn't have picked anyone better."

Jack chuckled, glancing down.

"Thanks. And I told him he's a lucky guy." He paused and then, in a lighter tone, added, "Gotta admit, it got me thinking."

Sam looked at him with a curious smile, though her gaze was slightly tense.

"Thinking about what?"

"Oh, just… marriage," Jack replied casually, though his eyes held a more profound question. "You know, we've been together a long time. And… I don't know. I guess seeing Daniel and Janet planning this next step just kind of makes you wonder."

Sam's smile faltered slightly, and she took another sip, a faint unease creeping into her expression.

"Jack, we've talked about this."

"Yeah, I know," he said, trying to keep his tone light, though his voice had an edge. "It's just… I guess I don't really understand why it's such a big deal to you. We're happy, right? Why not make it official?"

Sam set down her fork, taking a breath before answering.

"Because, Jack, I… I don't see it the way you do. Marriage isn't something that I need to feel committed to you. We're already together—living together, sharing our lives. What difference would a piece of paper make?"

"It's not just a piece of paper, Sam," he replied, his voice firmer now, frustration beginning to build. "It's a commitment. It's a promise. And yeah, maybe it's old-fashioned, but to me, it means something."

"But it doesn't have to mean something to me just because it does to you," Sam replied, her voice growing sharper, her hands clenched. "I don't need a ceremony or a ring to feel committed to you. What we have now works for me. Isn't that enough?"

Jack's jaw tightened, and he looked at her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.

"It was enough—until now. But seeing Daniel and Janet so happy, so certain… it makes me wonder why we can't have that too."

A chill crept into the room, and Sam felt a familiar defensiveness rise within her.

"Jack, this is my decision. Just because you want it doesn't mean I have to want it too."

"So that's it?" Jack said, his voice laced with irritation. "We just ignore something that could make us even happier because you don't want to deal with it?"

"Don't you dare make this about my feelings, Jack," she snapped, her voice rising. "Just because you've romanticized marriage doesn't mean I have to, too. I told you from the start it wasn't something I cared about, and you accepted that."

"Did I?" he replied, his tone hardening. "Or did I just hope that one day, maybe, you'd change your mind? That we'd both want the same future?"

Sam's eyes narrowed, and she felt the frustration bubble over.

"So now you're saying our future isn't enough? That all we've built together doesn't mean as much because it's not wrapped up in some traditional ceremony?"

Jack threw up his hands, exasperated.

"Sam, I'm just trying to understand why you're so against something that could make both of us happy."

Sam's face flushed, her breathing uneven.

"I'm not 'against' it, Jack. I just… I don't need it. And it hurts that you'd think I'm not committed just because I don't want to wear a ring."

Jack ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head in frustration.

"That's not what I'm saying, and you know it. But maybe it's easier to act like I'm being unreasonable instead of dealing with the fact that you're the one who's afraid to take that step."

Her eyes flashed with anger, and she pushed her chair back abruptly, the sound echoing through the tense silence.

"I'm afraid? You don't think I've thought about this a hundred times over? Marriage isn't some fairy tale to me, Jack. It's… it's something that could change everything, and I'm not willing to risk what we have just to make it official."

Jack opened his mouth to argue, but she cut him off, her voice shaking with frustration.

"Marriage is a personal decision. And to me, what matters most is our happiness, not some outdated label. If you're unhappy with what we have, you may ask yourself why you're still here."

The words hung in the air, raw and cutting, and without another word, she grabbed her keys from the counter, turned on her heel, and stormed out, leaving Jack stunned and speechless. The front door slammed, and he heard her car start and pull out of the driveway.

For a moment, he stood frozen in the empty kitchen, the argument replaying in his mind, each word sharper than the last. He sat at the table, running a hand over his face, still processing what had just happened. He never imagined the conversation could escalate this way. They'd discussed marriage before, yes, but never had it turned so painful, so personal.

As the hours slipped by, he grew more and more anxious. He tried calling her several times, each ring unanswered, each message going straight to voicemail. The silence only added to his worry, and by the time midnight came and went, he could barely think straight.

Finally, just after 0300, he heard her car pull up outside. He stood, relief and anger warring as the front door opened. Sam stepped inside, closing the door softly behind her, the faint tremor in her shoulders betraying her exhaustion. She dropped her keys on the table by the door, kicked off her sneakers, and paused, rubbing her arms for warmth.

He stepped forward, seeing her shivering. He realized she was wearing only her blazer against the now frigid night air. Her hair was slightly messy, and her eyes were shadowed with fatigue, the toll of too many hours without rest. His voice softened as he spoke.

"Sam…"

She didn't look at him; she simply nodded as she shrugged out of her jacket and set it aside.

"I just needed some air," she said, her voice quiet and distant.

"Air," he repeated, a mixture of relief and frustration edging his tone. "Sam, you were gone for hours. I was worried sick."

She met his eyes, her gaze holding a touch of defiance.

"I needed time to think."

They stood there in silence, the weight of unspoken words thick between them. Jack took a slow breath, trying to steady himself, to let go of the tension that had simmered all night.

"I get it," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "You don't want this. And maybe… maybe I pushed too hard. I just thought…"

"Jack," she interrupted softly, her tone softened though still weary. "I don't want you to think I don't love you. But right now, I am happy with how things are. I need you to understand that."

He nodded slowly, though his heart ached at the realization that they still weren't seeing eye to eye.

"And if I want more?"

She swallowed, a shadow of pain crossing her face.

"Then… maybe you need to think about what you want. Because I can't keep pretending that this doesn't scare me. And I don't want you to feel trapped either."

Jack felt a pang of sadness as he looked at her, the quiet resignation in her words striking him harder than any argument they'd had. They both stood there, the distance between them feeling wider than ever, until finally, Sam took a slow step back, glancing down at the floor.

"Goodnight, Jack," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she turned and walked toward the bedroom, leaving him standing in the quiet, empty kitchen, wondering if this was the beginning or the start of something that might one day come undone.

The night settled over the house, heavy and oppressive. Sam lay on her side of the bed, as far to the edge as she could without falling off, her back turned to Jack. She stared at the faint outline of the window, the moonlight barely cutting through the curtains. Her mind churned with restless thoughts, a tangle of things unsaid, and emotions she couldn't quite name.

Beside her, Jack lay on his back, his arms crossed over his chest. The bed felt impossibly wide tonight, the space between them a silent barrier neither dared to cross. He stared at the ceiling, his jaw tight, the quiet hum of the house doing little to soothe the unease that had settled over him.

It had been ages since they'd slept like this—apart, yet together. Neither could remember when it had last happened. Maybe in the early days, when everything was still tentative when the walls between them hadn't fully come down. But now? After everything they'd shared, this distance felt alien, sharp-edged, and suffocating.

Sam shifted slightly, her movements almost imperceptible, and for a brief moment, Jack thought she might reach for him. He turned his head just a fraction, waiting, hoping—but nothing came. She stilled again, her breathing slow but uneven, and he closed his eyes against the ache in his chest.

The bed, once their sanctuary, felt like a chasm tonight. The sheets were heavy, the silence louder than any argument they could have had. They both lay awake for hours, their thoughts circling, their minds filled with memories of nights when they'd fallen asleep with her head on his chest, his arm wrapped around her, their bodies tangled in a way that made them feel whole.

But tonight, there was no comfort in the familiar. The space between them wasn't physical—it was emotional, a wall neither knew how to break down. Sleep came eventually, restless and shallow, but it brought no relief. The distance lingered, the echoes of what wasn't said stretching long into the night.

The following day, a thick, uncomfortable silence filled the kitchen as Sam and Jack sat across from each other. The usual morning banter was absent; neither dared to break the quiet, both weighed down by the lingering tension from the night before. Jack, in his crisp dress blues, sat with his coffee untouched, occasionally glancing at Sam as though searching for the right words, though he found none. Sam, meanwhile, sipped her coffee with a determined focus, her expression guarded, her eyes a little too fixed on the mug as if it held the answers she couldn't find in him.

They had shared so many mornings like this, yet today, everything felt fractured, each silence louder than words. Finally, Sam finished her coffee, stood, and gathered her things. Jack watched her, a sinking feeling in his chest as she prepared to leave without a word. Her movements were precise and mechanical as if she were keeping herself together by sheer will alone.

"Sam," he began, but the word hung in the air, his voice low and hesitant.

She paused, her back to him, but didn't turn around.

"I'll see you at work," she said, her tone controlled, giving nothing away.

With that, she walked out the door, leaving Jack alone in the kitchen's echoing silence, the emptiness pressing down on him. He leaned back in his chair, his mind circling endlessly around the events of the night before. What had begun as a lighthearted conversation—a happy topic, for crying out loud—had spiraled into something tense and fractured.

In the heat of their argument, it had felt like Sam was ready to walk away from everything they'd built together, as though she could just pack up and leave without a second thought. The idea of her returning to Washington, D.C., to the life she'd left behind clawed at him, filling him with a gnawing unease.

For a fleeting moment, his mind drifted to Whitaker. Could this be his doing too? Was that manipulative snake somehow pulling the strings again? Jack shook his head. No—this wasn't about Whitaker. This was between him and Sam, and its weight settled heavily in his chest.

Jack rubbed a hand over his face, feeling the weight of his uniform as he tried to pull himself together. He hadn't meant it to go so far or push her away. But now, the rift between them felt wider than he could bridge alone. He couldn't shake the feeling that, despite their years together, she was still holding back, keeping parts of herself out of reach. And for the first time, he wondered if those walls would ever come down.

Sam arrived at the SGC, moving through the halls with a familiar sense of purpose yet oddly distant from everything around her. Her mind drifted, clouded by the storm of emotions she'd kept at bay all morning. Reaching her office, she glanced at her schedule, noting she had the morning free. She hesitated, then made a decision. She quietly locked the door, flipped the "busy" sign on, and sat down at her desk, finally allowing herself a moment to breathe.

She closed her eyes, drawing a shaky breath as she leaned back in her chair. The past day's events came rushing back with an intensity she couldn't ignore. She had pushed Jack away, almost dared him to end things, yet now, sitting here alone, the ache in her chest was nearly unbearable. Why had she reacted so strongly? Why was the idea of marriage such a terrifying concept for her, especially when it came to Jack?

It was time to let Doctor Samantha Carter do her work—on herself. She needed to strip everything down and see the truth unfiltered, as raw and clinical as she approached any problem. She didn't enjoy this, dissecting her emotions with the same intensity she used for her research or patients. But they'd reached a point of no return, and now, she had no other choice. She had to confront herself, face her fears head-on, and stop hiding behind the walls she'd so carefully built.

Sam rested her elbows on the desk, rubbing her temples as she forced herself to face the truth she had been avoiding. She had always prided herself on her resilience and ability to compartmentalize and control her emotions. But last night had cracked something open, and she realized with painful clarity that her fear wasn't just about marriage. It was about loss, the idea of risking everything for love only to have it slip through her fingers.

Images of past heartaches and losses flickered through her mind—the sacrifices she'd made for her career, the relationships that had withered, the family she'd lost too soon. She'd been disappointed each time she dared to hope for something more. And that disappointment had a name that stood out above all others—Jonas Hanson.

Not Paul Whitaker, whom Jack already knew about, but Jonas Hanson.

He was the root of the problem.

It all came back to him.

Sam knew now that until she unraveled the impact of Jonas's presence in her life, she couldn't fully move forward, especially not with Jack. Not truly. She took a deep breath, allowing herself to revisit the tangled emotions Jonas still stirred in her—anger, hurt, embarrassment, resentment, fear, humiliation. She had left that relationship shaken, guarded, and vulnerable in ways she'd never fully healed from. That was the diagnosis.

And here was Jack, asking for a promise she wasn't sure she could keep, a future she couldn't guarantee.

Yet beneath all the fear, there was an undeniable truth—she loved him. She loved him in a way that made her feel vulnerable and exposed, like she was standing on the cliff's edge, uncertain if he would catch her if she fell. And that terrified her more than anything else. Because if she took that leap, and something went wrong… she wasn't sure she'd survive the fall.

In the silence of her office, Sam opened her eyes, feeling the weight of her thoughts settle over her. This fear, this reluctance—it was a part of her she'd never fully dealt with. She'd buried it under layers of work and logic, but now, in the aftermath of their argument, it was laid bare, undeniable.

She took a deep breath, a fresh determination rising within her. If she was ever going to move forward and give Jack the love he deserved, she had to confront these fears head-on. For too long, she'd let her past dictate her future, and now she was faced with a choice—either confront her fears and let herself trust in Jack or risk losing the one person who had stood by her.

As she sat there, the realization washed over her. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to let down her walls completely, to take that terrifying step forward. For the first time, she considered the possibility that marriage wasn't a trap or surrender of her independence—it could be a partnership that didn't have to threaten who she was but could strengthen it.

And that was the path, her work as a patient. One of the first things she would start by doing, as part of her treatment, was to tell Jack about Jonas Hanson.

Everything, no matter how it hurt.