A/N notes- This is my first attempt at a story. My husband helped so any mistakes as his. Hehe.

I probably can count on one hand how many ships I follow, and Sam and Jack is one of them. This is my take on how they could have gotten together. I tried to stay within the real regulations and Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) keeping in mind this is a TV show. My husband has been Air Force since the second season was on air, so we have an understanding of the military ways.

I have read a lot of the fan fic "Sam and Jack" stories, and I hope that my ideas here are mostly original thoughts, but some of us Shippers have very similar ideas on how they would have connected based off the show.

I do not own the concept of Stargate, nor do I profit from this story.

sg1sg1sg1sg1sg1sg1sg1sg1sg1sg1sgs1sg1

Plan's Change

SGC

I was finishing up my phone call with General Hammond when Daniel approached the door. I waved him in. "Yes, sir, I will see you next Sunday." Daniel was giving a look as I hung up the phone.

Sitting down in one of the chairs across my desk, Daniel gave one of his looks as he stated, "Next Sunday? Is there a change in plans?"

Flipping a pen in my fingers, I replied, "No, it's just that Carter and I will have to fly. I have to fly to DC instead of returning here." Giving Daniel a smile I finished, "That means you and Teal'c bring the cooler."

"Something I should," Daniel started to ask, his hands now waving in the air as he took a pregnant pause, "...know about?"

"Just the normal political...stuff," I replied, the pen still pulling summersaults around my fingers, "The reports they pick apart, fighting for money for the SGC, dealings with dense politicians."

"You know, pretty much everything I HATE," I finished, leaning forward on the desk to emphasizing the T.

"Why the cabin?"

"Because Carter asked."

His face became clownish as he tried to process my answer, "Sam? Sam asked to go to the cabin?"

"Yes, Daniel," a slightly smug look on my face as I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms over my chest, "she did."

"Why?"

I have to admit, his question was one I had pondered myself, and I had to admit I didn't really have an answer, "I don't know, why don't you ask her. Maybe she needs to go somewhere quiet. She's been through a lot."

"Yes, she has," Daniel replied as his entire body seemed to slump. I could almost see his mind running through the last few weeks and months.

Knowing this was more Daniel's area than mine, I attempted an upbeat response with, "It will be good for all of us. It's been awhile since we all just hung out. We all deserve a break. Relaxation..."

"Okay, Jack, I get it. Do you think maybe she is wanting to you know...?"

Cutting him off with a tone that was more warning than anything else, "Daniel…"

Ignoring my tone as always he kept running towards the dangerous subject we all knew to avoid, "Well, she did break off her engagement with Pete." He looked me square in the eye and added, "By the way, thank god! Did she tell you why?"

Keeping the warning tone I replied, "It's really none of my business."

"Jack…"

Knowing he would not drop it, I gave him a little hoping that it would be enough, "I really don't know." With that I turned away slightly, looking towards the corner of the room.

I mean I actually do, but I don't want to discuss it.

From the corner of my eye I give Daniel a glance. Oh crap, he's giving that 'I am going to pester you until you relent' look. This is a dance we have done countless times on countless subjects. Usually I could get him diverted or just shut him out, but this time it was about Sam, and he really did feel like her big brother at times so this one was personal to him.

Fine, I'll tell him. With a resigned sigh, I look back at Daniel and confessed, "She came to the house saying something about how she felt that everything was a big mistake. Then she wanted to tell me something."

Daniel leaned forward in his chair, his eyes shining, "What did she want to tell you?"

"She never got the chance," I said, starting to squirm uncomfortably, "We were...interrupted."

"Interrupted?" Daniel said, his voice raising in pitch.

"I had a lady friend over and she walked out of the house just as Carter was going to say whatever she was going to say."

"Hold on! Wait a minute! You had a lady friend? As in girlfriend?" Daniel stood up from his chair, then grabbed the arms and sat right back down, "Sam didn't know? Did this all happen when I was ascended?"

"No, she didn't. No one knew," I admitted, keeping my face as stone like as I could, "Why is it a surprise I had a 'girlfriend'?"

Daniel ignored me, "Poor Sam, she must have been upset."

"Well, she didn't look happy," Then it hit me, "Why am I the bad guy, she was about to marry Pete." Daniel simply gave me his 'duh' look, so I continued with, "Can we just change the subject?"

"What happened with the girlfriend?"

That's not changing the subject.

Keeping my neutral tone and posture I answered his question with a question, "What makes you think anything...happened?" That should get him distracted.

"You said had."

Damn. "She dumped me, alright."

Unrelenting, Daniel leaned in closer, placing his hands on the edge of my desk as he continued with his interrogation, "Why?"

"She noticed things."

With a now very smug look on his face, Daniel leaned back in his chair and stated, "Oh, you mean the same thing that we all know about, but you refuse to recognize it."

"Daniel, you know full well, we can't. Can we really talk about anything else?"

Totally ignoring me, he continued on, "Don't you think it's time?"

"Daniel?" Taking a deep breath, trying to calm myself before I continued, "Would it make you happy if I told you I may be working on something?"

"Yes," Daniel replied, then with a quizzical look finished, "Are you?"

"Yes...Can we please now change the subject?"

Rolling his eyes, "Been busy?"

"Oh, lots...lots of paperwork," I said as I pointed to a new pile Walter had dropped on my desk just an hour ago, "A lot of things happening around here. New menu from the commissary, promotions within the command," Locking my eyes on him I added dryly, "People coming back from the dead."

"Well, I will try to not die next time."

"See that you do," I said grabbing the first paper off the stack and waving it as I spoke, "You have no idea how many times I had to chase Carter out of my office. Something about a memorial, but I knew you would show up, eventually."

"I will let you get back to the paperwork," Daniel said with a smile, "Going to be around at dinner?"

Looking at the pile of murdered trees that had taken a post on the side of my desk I stated, "I will be working late through Friday. Don't want to leave things left undone for Reynolds."

"So…1800 for dinner?" Daniel asked as he reached the door.

"Uh, yeah 1800 works," I replied, realizing I had no idea where the pen I had been messing with when Daniel entered had gone to.

"Okay, I will see you then and I'll grab Teal'c."

I watched Daniel exit the office. Taking a second to ensure he was gone, I realized I had one more thing to do before the dreaded paperwork. I had to call Carter, update her on the travel plans. Picking up the phone, I dialed her government cell.

By the end of the second ring I was greeted with, "Colonel Carter."

"Hey Carter!"

Her voice became more relaxed as she replied, "Hi, Sir."

Knowing she was likely still at her house but not hearing the background noises of kids or adults talking I asked, "How is your visit with Mark?"

"Going well, sir."

"Good." I replied. Needing to get to the point so she could get back to her family I jumped in with, "I just got a call from General Hammond. I have to go to DC at the end of our little vacation. Are you okay with flying out on Saturday?"

Her response was pure Carter, "Flying is fine. Do I need to set up the flights?"

Leaning back in my chair I realized the pen was again in my free hand, twirling around my fingers like a gymnast, "No, I can handle all that. You just enjoy your company. I will email you the flight itinerary."

"Sounds good, sir."

Smiling as I thought of my last reason for the call I added, "One more thing. Since I will be heading to DC, I won't be here for Reynolds to take his scheduled leave. It's looking like you will be in control of things around here until I get back. You good with that?"

I could hear the strained excitement in her voice, "Yes, sir. I would love to take over."

"Glad to hear it! I will have everything set up for that. Enjoy the rest of your visit. I will see you Saturday. Bye Carter."

"Bye, sir."

As I hung up the phone I leaned forward in my chair and yelled out, "Walter...!"

SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1

Saturday morning, Carter and I boarded our plane for Minnesota. Getting our carry-ons stored away.

"Sir, we're flying first class?"

Trying to be quiet, "I am a General, right?"

Giving me the 'I know generals don't fly first class' look, "Do Generals fly first class?"

"Well, this one does. Don't you think we deserve a little bit of...luxury. Besides, it's good for the knees and this is not official travel."

Grinning at me she said with a happy voice, "Thank you...it is nice, sir."

As we sat down in our seats, I leaned into Carter's space to say, "Carter, I think it's time to drop the 'Sirs' and what other honorific that you like to throw my way... constantly... without end." Hoping she hears the teasing tone. "We are on vacation."

She is giving me that look that she wants to smile but holds it in.

Then with her wry grin, "Then you can call me Sam."

"I can't call you Carter?" I said with my whinny voice.

"Nope, it's Sam," she said ignoring my pleading eyes.

"Sam it is," I replied as I found myself fiddling with the airline magazine.

"Should we take a bet on who is going to slip up first?" she asked with a devious smile on her face. She knew I could never resist the SGC pools that would constantly pop up.

Feeling sure of myself I confidently stated, "I would bet that would be you, you can't say anything to me without a 'sir'. Sometimes, twice."

Smiling, "How much do you want to wager?"

Grinning back, here is the light teasing almost flirting banter that I have missed.

"How about...the loser makes dinner tonight."

She is laughing, "You would be the loser either way on that wager."

"I don't know about that. Your cooking can't be that bad. It couldn't be worse than MRE's."

With a slight grin, "Well..."

Settling into my seat to get comfortable, "I guess I will have to wait and see, huh."

She has a full on grin now. That is what I like to see.

The plane had finished taxiing and started to take off. She looked over at me.

"You look really tired."

"Yeah, I worked late into the morning finishing up on the paperwork and making a report for the items that we just 'received'. I ended up staying on base."

"I wish you would have let look at the 'new items'."

"Even though I do appreciate you coming in yesterday for a bit, you are still on leave and it is time to let other eggheads do their job."

She gave me a resigned smile.

I reclined my chair since we were now in the air and the captain made his announcements. She followed suit. We sat in companionable silence for a bit. She looked over at me. She had the look whether or not she wanted to broach whatever topic that was running in that brain of hers.

"Mark and I were talking the other night. He wanted me to let you know how much he appreciated all the help you gave us with the funeral arrangements in Arlington."

"That was no problem, glad I could help. Dad had most of it done already. Probably did it when he had cancer."

She nodded in agreement, "Even so, we appreciate it."

"You bet, Carter."

Her whole face lit up with a smile.

"Doh!"

"Yep, and your making dinner," she said teasingly.

After a moment she continued on with the conversation.

"I was surprised that you spoke. You even said some real meaningful things."

Looking over to her, and giving her a thoughtful look, "He was Dad."

She gave a sad smile and stated quietly, "You know he liked you."

"Nah, he just tolerated me."

Looking into my eyes she said, "No. He really did like you."

"Well, he saved my butt more than once. I always felt like he and even Bra..." Cutting off that last bit. We were on a civilian plane. Continuing again, "They were part of our team."

In a whisper of emotion, she replied, "Yes, they were."

Giving her a small smile of understanding, I turned my head back facing forward. After several minutes she again spoke, her voice full of emotion.

"You have no idea what it meant to me for you to hand me Dad's flag. I will never forget..."

I closed my eyes in this emotional moment. I helped because I wanted to make her father's death a little bit easier and meaningful for her. She means the world to me and it was a huge honor to serve with her father all those times in the last six years. I surprised her when I received the folded flag to bring to her. I locked eyes with her and could see the tears filling in her eyes as I walked up to her. I could feel my composure slipping when her tears fell. I went into the presentation of the flag; "On behalf of the President of the United States, United States Air Force and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service." When I saluted, a tear escaped my eye. I know she saw it. Our eyes had never lost that lock until I turned away. I put my sunglasses back on hoping that no one else did.

Neither one of us spoke after that. I kept my eyes closed in hoping to get a nap in on the flight. I felt her arm slowly make its way under mine, then grab my hand tangling our fingers together on my arm rest. I briefly opened my eyes and looked over to her with a small understanding smile. I turned my head back and closed my eyes. She then laid her head on my shoulder. As I started drifting off to sleep, I couldn't help think, 'yep, this is going to be an interesting trip.'

I awoke to the plane descending. I looked over to a sleeping Carter. Giving a quick squeeze of our still tangled fingers, "Sam, it's time to wake up."

After the plane landed, we picked up our rental vehicle and headed towards the cabin. While in town, we picked up enough groceries to last through Monday, after the guys show up. We made it to the cabin around mid afternoon. After putting luggage and groceries away, I watched as Sam made her way around the cabin.

"This is really nice."