The door chime buzzed just as Sam was putting away the last of her uniform shirts into the wardrobe.

"Come in!" She yelled, closing the door of the wardrobe and walking into her living space. The door opened to reveal a rather sheepish-looking Jack O'Neill who quickly stepped inside the room. Sam sighed heavily.

"Hey, Sam," he greeted cautiously. She rolled her eyes at him.

"What happened? Don't tell me Rodney blew up the microwave again?"

He shook his head.

"Ah, no. Listen, I need to tell you something and I need you to hear me out before you kick me out, ok?"

Sam tilted her head and crossed her arms over her chest expectantly tapping her foot.

"They know. About us, I mean."

Sam frowned and pinched two fingers along the bridge of her nose.

"Who's 'they'?"

"Ah... Teyla, Ronon, Sheppard and Keller."

Sam about turned and threw herself into her office chair behind the desk.

"I'm going to kill Rodney," she sighed defeatedly. Jack held up a hand.

"He didn't say anything," He offered and Sam looked up at him confused. "They guessed."

"But how?"

Jack shrugged and took a seat on the opposite side of the desk.

"Teyla started asking me all of these questions about my retirement and where I live... I don't know."

Sam leant her elbows on the desk and ran her hands through her hair.

"Keller," she offered by way of explanation. "Remember I told you we got stranded together last week? Well, I started asking her about her personal life to pass the time and I figured turn-about was fair so I told her I was seeing someone in D.C. Someone who was almost retired."

Jack mouthed an 'ah' at Sam but let her continue.

"Well I guess we couldn't expect to keep this a secret forever, right?" She said with a shaky smile. "How did they take it?"

Jack smiled.

"Surprisingly well, actually," he offered, "I believe Teyla's exact words were 'We do not think any less of either of you for following your hearts.' Of course, Sheppard swore them all to secrecy." Jack chuckled. "Well at least now they don't think you're having an affair with the President anymore!"

Sam frowned.

"Excuse me?!"

"I walked in on them discussing potential candidates for your affection in Washington I think. Of course, Sheppard quickly dismissed that idea as a possibility." Jack rubbed his hands together awkwardly. "He's a good 2IC, I'm glad I picked him for the program."

Sam nodded in agreement.

"That he is. He's a good officer, he knows when to speak his mind and he's damn good at what he does."

Jack smiled.

"Reminds me of another 2IC I used to know." Sam blushed faintly at the compliment.

"We're a good team here," she confessed, "beyond the usual bravado they really look out for each other, ya know?"

Jack leant back in his chair, legs spread casually in his green BDUs.

"That's what makes the SG teams special," he supplied, "we've all been through so much shit together that it makes us that little bit closer than most military teams. I've never asked a single thing of my officers here and been disappointed." He chuckled, "Well, apart from that whole rogue thing with Makepeace but, you know, he's a Marine so..."

Sam chuckled at his lame attempt at humour.

"So, I guess I should go and speak to them sooner rather than later," she offered, standing up from her chair and heading for the door. "Where are they?"

"In the commissary. Eating pie," he said with a smile, swivelling his chair and leaning forward, elbows on his knees. "Need any backup?" He asked cautiously.

"No thanks, I think I can handle this one myself." She said, returning his smile and heading out of the door.

Jack smirked at her retreating form, glad that she was in such safe hands so far away from home.

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