"She is so adorable, Jack. Thank you!"

Jack smiled, but didn't say anything as they walked back to Magnus' and Magda's house. Sam had stayed for dinner, and they'd all played with the new kitten and with Finn. The two animals had sniffed one another and, at first, were wary – but soon learned to tolerate, if not to like one another.

The boys had a wonderful time, but were finally told it was bedtime. After a few tears and a lot of begging, they were finally tucked in and soon had fallen asleep.

"Overexcited," Jack said, when he returned. "But Finn went and slept in their room, so they were happy."

"Kids and animals," Sam smiled.

"Well, it's time for me to head to bed as well," Ethan stood. He reached down his hand to help Magrit up out of the chair. "But first, I wouldn't mind a cup of tea. Do you want to join me in the kitchen?" he asked the housekeeper.

She sighed. "And you'll probably want me to make it," she said, although everyone knew she was kidding.

"No. This time it's on me." The two said their goodnights to Sam and were gone.

"Well, I should be getting home," Sam said. The kitten was curled up on her lap, sound asleep after all the excitement.

"I'll walk with you," Jack told her.

"You don't need -"

"Yes, I do," he told her. "And anyway, you take the kitten, and I'll bring the other stuff. You don't want to be without food and her litter box."

Sam agreed, without any more objections. The idea of Jack walking her home was – nice.

"She is so adorable, Jack. Thank you!"

"Yes, she is," Jack said, in response to her comment about the kitten – but this time he was looking at his human companion.

Sam paused, seeming to realize something was different about the way Jack was acting. The small kisses, the compliments – heck, even the kitten. She wondered what was going on.

Suddenly, he stopped. "Sam, I uh – wanted to talk to you."

"Okay," she halted and looked at him expectantly. "What is it?"

"You know what I told you about me – about me not being able to – well, have a relationship?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"Well, the good news is that I am getting better – physically," he told her. "I went to see the Doc and he said I'm almost 100% now."

"That's wonderful," she exclaimed, turning to him fully. "I'm so happy for you, Jack – although I must admit I'm not too surprised," she told him.

"You're not?" He looked at her with a puzzled look on his face but then wanted to grin when she got all embarrassed.

"No. I mean – you told me you were getting a bit better," she said in a rush, "but I didn't know that you were almost completely healed. It really is wonderful."

"Yes, it is," he nodded, thinking how strange it was to be talking to her, hell to anyone not his doctor, about his sexual health. He then grew serious.

"But like I said before, Sam, it wasn't just the physical part that stopped me from wanting to pursue anything."

"I know, Jack, and I understand. What you went through, well, that brings a lot of trauma and trauma takes time to heal."

"Time or Danny," he said softly, which brought a sudden sharp pain. "Hey, I'm sorry," he said, moving closer to Sam when her eyes filled with tears. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No, it's okay," she answered with a sniff. "It hurts, but it's better than forgetting him and the others. And you're right, he was wonderful dealing with the people he loved, especially if they were hurting."

"He saved my life," Jack said softly, looking off into the distance.

"Yes, and mine too," she nodded. "In fact, we all saved one another's lives, many times."

"I don't just mean while on missions, at least not during our time as Sg1. After Charlie, I – didn't want to live. It was Daniel, and I guess the Stargate, that gave me a reason to live. I'll always owe him for that."

Sam reached out and put her hand on Jack's arm. "I miss him, and Teal'c and my brother and – oh, so many. But I'm glad I have you," she told him.

He gave her a crooked smile and snapped out of his melancholy and homesickness. "And I'm beyond grateful I have you – as my friend." As her face fell slightly at his words, he took her hand and held it. "But I want more," he said.

"More?" she looked at him with a mixture of confusion and hope. "What are you saying, Jack?"

"Look, we know we love one another – I think that's pretty obvious," he told her with a small smile. "And I know I said I wasn't ready for a relationship and that for now we would just be friends. I was afraid that, because of my – trauma – I wouldn't ever have a, a romantic relationship. I'm still dealing with things, and I don't know if I'll be able to, but I think I'm ready to try, if you're able to deal with that."

"Colonel," she said softly, "I've been dealing with you for years, and it hasn't scared me off yet."

"What?" his eyebrows shot up, but then he saw her mischievous grin. He snorted. "Yes, well – I was your commanding officer, so I had to keep you on your toes."

"Oh, you did, Sir, you did."

"Okay – no more "Sirs", Sam. This is a Jack and Sam conversation."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I shouldn't be flippant at a time like this. But I need you to know that of course I'm willing to give it a try. I know how awful a time you've had – are still having, but I believe with my whole heart that you will be able to deal with this and we will be good together."

"You have more faith in me than I do," he told her honestly. "I'm – scared."

Sam carefully rearranged the sleeping kitten so she wouldn't squash her and then moved and put her arm around Jack and gave him a hug. "I'm here, Jack, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm scared too – but never of you. I'm scared you'll think it's too much for me, when the reality is it's so much harder for me if we don't try. Look," she smiled, "we've saved the world more than once, we've saved one another many times – we're good at this stuff and I believe we can do this, together."

He leaned his head forward, until it was touching hers. "You really think so?" he said, his voice sounding tentative and frightened.

"With my whole heart. I'll be here for you, Jack. We can do this together, no matter how long it takes, or how hard it is. We have been teammates for a long time, and this will take teamwork. I'm up for it and I believe you are too."

"Thank you," he breathed softly, holding her as close as he could. "I love you so much."

"And I love you too," she told him. "Jack, there's only one thing I ask before we do this."

"What?" he pulled his head back and looked down at her.

"I know that sometimes things will be hard for you – and there may be times you feel uncomfortable or need time alone. I understand that and I won't resent it or push you. But I need you to be honest with him. Tell me if something bothers you – although you don't have to tell me what it is. Just – don't hide things from me. If you can't talk about something, I'll understand, just tell me you're dealing with things, and you need to be alone – or whatever else it is. Can you do that."

He thought for a moment, not wanting to give her a quick and insincere answer. "Yes," he said, hesitatingly. "I can't promise that I'll always be totally open – not because I don't want to be – but because it's hard for me. If you haven't noticed," he said with a shy grin, "I sometimes have trouble talking about things."

She giggled at that and leaned forward so her forehead rested on Jack's. "Really? I would never have guessed!"

"Samantha Carter! Are you mocking me?"

"Never – just laughing a bit with you. I know you – we – can do this. Let's just be honest with one another. And there's no timeline, no pressure. We'll go at whatever speed is good for you."

"For us," he corrected her. "And – thank you, Sam. Thank you for giving me, giving us a chance."

"Always," she said softly.

He looked her deep in the eyes for seconds, or minutes, or hours, he couldn't tell. All he knew was that he felt safe with her, and he loved her. He could do this. With a small smile he leaned forward and saw her eyes begin to close. His followed and a moment later their lips touched. It was a gentle kiss, a kiss of longing, of love, of hope and of promise. It was beautiful.

A small squeak, followed by a little mew startled them and they pulled apart. They both looked down at an indignant and sleepy-eyed little kitchen.

"Did we squash you, little one," Sam said softly. She gently stroked the kitten until it had calmed down.

"You know, if this works," Sam said, pointing between the two of them, "you're going to have to live with a cat."

Jack grinned. "I think I can handle that. She's rather cute and her mistress is even more cute – gorgeous, really. For that I can take the little booger."

"Booger? Jack O'Neill, you love her and don't try and tell me otherwise. Now, I think you'd better finish walking me home so I can give her something to eat and put her to bed."

"Trying to get rid of me already, are you?"

"Never!" They began to walk, slowly, towards Magnus' place, both enjoying the beautiful evening, and even more, enjoying being together.

"Jack, how are we going to do this?" Sam finally asked.

"Do? Oh, you mean us? Well, I thought we'd date. We can pretend we just met and we're getting to know one another. I'll take you out to dinner and dancing. We'll go on picnics and walks and spend time together. It'll be wonderful."

"Sounds perfect. What about our friends? They've been trying to matchmake for months."

"Yes, I know," Jack sighed. "I asked them to lay off, and they've been good. I think I'll just tell the ones closest to us that we are dating but ask them to continue to not bug us about it.

"I think that's a good idea. I'll speak to Magnus and Magda. And Jack, as I said before, there's no pressure. I'll follow your lead and go as slow as you need."

"Thank you." Jack stopped and looked at his companion. "I'm really the luckiest man in the world."

She smiled and tucked her arm in his and they continued to walk, their hearts both filled with love and hope.