"The Way Things Fall" By DustDevil

TITLE: The way things fall...

AUTHOR: DustDevil

RATING: PG

WARNINGS: S&J.

DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are not my property. They just came round to mine to play for a little while. I'll send them home soon though...promise...You know the drill....

ARCHIVE: S&J Archive and Heliopolis, Yes. Others...please ask.

SUMMARY: A certain person has a new love. Danny's point of view.

REQUIRED READING: "Only you can't be the one" "When I think of you"

FEEDBACK: Yes please! Feeeedbaaaaack...drool...

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I wonder if he ever gets any work done.

Every time I enter that office he's lounging in his chair with his feet up. I swear that some of those papers have been on his desk since he was promoted last year. I wonder what he thinks about all day? Scratch that, I've seen him looking at that photo, and I know exactly what photo that is. He's thinking about her. Well, probably about both of them and how it all turned out. I must say, things didn't go exactly how any of us had planned. Well, planned isn't really the right word. We just watched, observed, and always thought that eventually, things would fall a certain way. And they didn't. Jenny came along, and all that changed.

Still, even though he doesn't seem to do anything all day but yell at the teams, and the bureaucrats further up the line, he would still sit in that office all night unless I went in and reminded him to go home. But we're not going home tonight. We're going out. We haven't been out very much lately, well, not all of us. Things have changed I guess, and for all of us, these changes take a bit of getting used too. Still, as long as they are happy. Well, Jack's happy, Jack is very happy, and she's happy too. There is only one person who has come out the worst. I think she's come to terms with it now, and knows that it's all for the best, that they are meant to be together, but it still must be very hard for her. And tonight we're all going out.

Hmm. Sam's been so swamped as of late, well, so she tells us, that it's going to be difficult to drag her out. I think I may have to take Teal'c with me for back up. If she refuses he can just toss her over his shoulder and carry her to the bar. Yeah. That would work. She's been staying away from us all lately, and I guess that's pretty understandable. Jenny's one of her oldest friends, but things haven't been that easy within SG-1 lately. Hardly blame them, considering, but hopefully that will all be sorted soon. It's for the best, it really is. Though I feel sorry for her, she knows that this was just meant to be. They're in love, so in love, and I for one am so very happy for them. It's certainly improved both their dispositions! On well...now to embark on my plan to get Sam to come out with us.

"Teal'c! Hey Teal'c! You got a minute?"

"I have several free minutes Daniel Jackson, why do you require my assistance?"

"I need you to help me persuade Sam to come out tonight"

"That will not be a problem Daniel Jackson. If Captain Carter will not come out, I will simply carry her with us"

Heh. Thattaboy Teal'c! I knew I could rely on you! He misses her too. Yeah so we're together on SG-1, but it's not the same, it isn't. Sam's our CO then, and we want to see her tonight simply as a friend. Yes, so it might be hard for her, considering, but this is the way it is, and she is going to have to get used to coming out with all of us. We're here for you Sam, you don't have to go through this alone. Tonight we are going to have fun, I promise you. Tonight, tonight you're going to relax, and forget about everything else, including Jack and Jenny. Tonight it's SG-1, old and new. You got that Sam?

"Shall I bring my staff weapon Daniel Jackson?"

"Uh...I don't think it's going to be that hard to persuade her Teal'c. Let's just go try talking to her okay?"

With that, we head off down the corridor to Sam's office.

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Well. I must say that went easier than expected. She looked up at us when we entered, and knew at once what we were there for. Maybe our fake smiles gave it away. Anyway, she agreed to come out, so we dragged her off down the corridor and up to the surface.

I love this bar. It's a quiet little place on the edge of town, and over the years, it's become our local. The bar staff know us quite well, a few of us by name, and it's nice to have your favourite drink poured for you when you come in the door. Sam smiles at us as we enter, and I give her hand a little squeeze. It'll be okay. I press a bottle into her hand, and we settle in out chosen chairs in our usual corner booth. I watch out of the corner of my eye as she smiles a little hesitantly at Jack, and he gives her a tentative smile of his own. Okay. So far so good. The others look up at her entry, then go back to their own conversations. See Sam? Not so bad huh? These are your friends remember, they understand. I know we all thought things were going to be...different...but I guess it just goes to show you never can tell. Teal'c sits down beside me and nudges me with his glass.

"Why does this drink have worms in it Daniel Jackson?"

"Uh...it's Tequila Teal'c...that's just the way it is..."

Teal'c really has quite a reputation in this bar. He can't get drunk because of his symbiote, but that doesn't mean he doesn't like to see what these drinks taste like. So he's slowly working his way round the bar. Different drink every night. Daisy, one of bar maids thinks he's fascinating, and always sidles up to him when he comes in and drawls "So what'll it be tonight handsome?" He just blinks at her and picks a new bottle. Of course, this looks like he's a real hard drinker, well wouldn't you think so about a guy that has, say fifteen whiskey's and acts just the same as when he came in? Jack used to get him in contests for while, making bets with the other tough guys that come here that Teal'c could drink them under the table. Teal'c didn't really understand at first, and took part, looking confused. After a while though people began to get suspicious, and no-one would play. Jack was so disappointed, he really thought he was onto a good thing for a while.

I risk a look at him now, and he's listening raptly to tales of SG-1's recent exploits. He misses being out there with them, I know he does, and he's happy to hear every detail, lapping it up, playing it out in his head. He shakes his head at one particularly dangerous disaster averted by luck, and smiling at his partner, he slips an arm around her. She grins at the storyteller, and leans back against him. God they look so good together, they really do. Anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me!

"Would you like a game of pool Daniel Jackson?"

"Uh...yeah sure Teal'c, you set 'em up"

I gather my bottle and follow Teal'c to the table, giving Sam a last reassuring smile. She seems much better now, and acknowledges me with a little salute with her bottle. I told you it would be okay Sam, it's not so hard is it? She's one hell of a tough woman, and I'm sure she can deal with anything. I know Sam...you love Jack. I know you do. And I always thought Jack felt the same way as you, I always did. Anyway, I better go make sure Teal'c hasn't inadvertently insulted anyone. I mean, he's a polite guy, but with that massive frame of his and...uh...cheery expression, sometimes people just want trouble. But no, not today. The bar is still fairly empty right now, and since Teal'c knocked that one guy out with a single punch that other time, no-one gives us trouble anymore. I'm sure Jack was all up for setting up fights, but that would have been too much!

"My break Daniel Jackson"

"Sure"

The game goes well for me, for once. Everyone else can kick my ass, especially Sam, and that's why I now only play with Teal'c. He's getting better with every game though, and I think it's only matter of time until I have to start refusing him as well. Not today though, today I win in a spectacular fashion. Teal'c is looking at me funny, and that's probably because I've been standing still with my arms raised and spread over my head, cue in hand, for the last minute or so. When that black went down I just screamed yes and jumped for joy. Think I go a little carried away.

"Huh...sorry Teal'c, got a little carried away"

"You are the winner Daniel Jackson, it was a very good game. Next time however, I intend to win"

"I'm sure you do Teal'c, look, I'll get the next round, Tequila yeah?"

"Yes thank you, I intend to drink the whole bottle so I may get the worm"

With that, he walks back to the others. Yuck. He really does want to eat that worm. Nights out with Teal'c can be very expensive. I take our empties across to the bar, and the barmaid points towards the window behind me.

"Someone looking for you"

I turn and look behind me at the window. She's standing outside and looking in at me, beckoning me with a finger. Looks like she couldn't take the thought of being in here with them, and has decided to call it a night. I wish she hadn't. I wish she would stay.

I finish my order at the bar, and Daisy assures me she'll take it over to Teal'c. Yeah I bet she will. I take a last look at the two happy lovers in the corner, and pushing open the door I slip unnoticed into the cool night air. She's standing by the wall, hugging herself against the cold, soft blonde hair framing her face.

"Oh don't go, please don't go...the nights only just started!"

"Sorry Daniel...I just couldn't stay"

"Look...I know this is hard...I know...but I thought you were going to try?"

"I just think that's maybe it's for the best if I go Danny, we both know that"

"Maybe..."

"Come on. Things didn't work out the way I...thought they might...And it's best I go"

"I'm...I'm sorry"

"Don't be. They...they really belong together. Somehow...somehow I always knew, deep down, that it would never work between us. They are meant for each other Danny...we both know that"

"I suppose. You should see them in there, grinning at each other like a couple of fools"

"I know. I saw. I'm happy for them, I really am, they really love each other. I know that. I'm glad she's making him happy, and I'm glad he's found someone to love. I'm just...I wish it was me Danny...I wish it was me"

"I know..."

I take her in my arms then, and she gives me a big hug before pulling back. There are no tears in her eyes. She smiles broadly at me, and I know she's going to be okay. She really is happy for them, and maybe now, maybe now she can get on with her life, find someone who will really love her. She deserves that, she really does.

"You did the right thing"

She nods, and smiles again, and reaches up to muss my hair. Why do people always want to do that to me? Why do they always fall for Jack and not me? Sigh. Poor old me. I really shouldn't be feeling sorry for myself when she's got all this to deal with. I don't know how she can be so strong, so brave but she is. She always was. She walks away then, to get a taxi, and she turns and looks at me one last time and waves. I smile and give her a big wave of my own.

"Goodbye"

Oh well. She's gone. I turn then and go back to the pub, back to my friends. Teal'c is already at the bar getting another drink, and there are now two bottles waiting for me at my seat. I scoop the older one from the table, and take a gulp before settling down. Teal'c rejoins me, and I shake my head as he shows me the glass. It has a worm in it. He looks so pleased with himself I can't help but laugh. Trust him to cheer me up. Jack sees what's going on then, and laughs.

"Hey, now you got two of 'em Teal'c! Junior getting lonely?"

We all laugh at that, and I can feel myself starting having a good time. I look over at the two lovers, and when he sees my wide grin, Jack tightens his arm around Sam and pulls her possessively against him, brown eyes a little defensive. What is he like? Still jealous over me just even looking at Sam. I shake my head and raise an eyebrow at him, and he looks down with a small smile, a little embarrassed. I don't really blame him though. After all these two have gone through, I'm not surprised he feels a little...protective. He's finally got what he wants, and this time, this time he's not about to let it go.

Strange to think that the last time we were all here like this, it was Jenny sitting in his embrace, not in a taxi headed for home. And she's leaving the SGC as well. I don't blame her. It was only a few weeks ago when the SGC was held hostage by a race SG-1 encountered on PT35S1. I sound so blasé don't I? I suppose it's because these kind of things happen to us all the time. And I didn't even die this time! Anyway, they followed us through the gate and held us captive for 48 hours before SG-9 and 8 came back through the gate from another world and freed us. During this, Sam and Jack were trapped in the control room together. And...well...death looked pretty certain at the time, and from what I could tell, from what they told me, it all came out that day. Everything. She loved him, he loved her. The usual deathbed confessions. Only they didn't die...and they were still madly in love with each other. Small problem...Jacks' fiancée and Sam's best friend...Jenny.

She actually wasn't surprised....Jenny I mean. I think...I think she always knew that Sam had feelings for Jack, but Sam never mentioned it. And Jack?...she told me she could tell...could tell he never really loved her...not completely. She knew that maybe, given time...he would, but what he had with Sam...was different. They had loved each other for a long, long time, and all they waited for was the right opportunity. And Jenny gave them it. She stepped aside so they could be together. That took...must have taken so much courage, but she, and I suppose the rest of us, were convinced it was the right thing. She took Jack out one night, a few days after they admitted everything, and after Jack had told her about it, and went round to Sam's. When Sam opened the door she simply took Jack's hand and placed it in Sam's, and left. She's leaving now, and though the others don't know it, she'll be across the country by tomorrow. She got a promotion and transfer offer last week, back to where she came from, with a new position, and she took it, and the offer of a new life.

I'm sorry Jenny. We enjoyed having you here, and God you saved SG-1's necks more than once. I'm sorry it didn't work out with Jack, but from the moment Sam came here, he was hers. I only wish they had both realised, and admitted it earlier, then you wouldn't have been hurt. We'll all miss you Jenny, we will. I turn then, as someone touches my arm, and Sam looks at me with a nervous smile. I smile warmly in return, and reach out to squeeze her hand.

"Hey!"

That was Jack. Trying his best to look indignant that I would as smile at, much less touch his woman. Sam turns and belts him across the head for his trouble, and I watch with a huge smile as it turns into a full blown giggling wrestling match. He hauls her backward onto his lap and pins her arms by her sides. God they look so good together, I just wish it hadn't taken them so long! Teal'c pauses, worm hanging from his mouth to watch them, and I feel myself begin to laugh as I reach over and tickle Sam from behind. She squeals, and uses Jack's arm to smack me in the chest. From there things degenerate.

See? Everything is okay. Sam was worried that people wouldn't approve, take Jenny's side, that sort of thing, but since Jenny made it clear that it was her choice, everyone else was actually secretly happy to see these two stubborn fools finally in each others arms. I look around the room now, and everyone is laughing along with us. We're all so happy for them. Jenny was supposed to come in tonight and tell the General and the others she was leaving, but she didn't want to spoil their happiness. They'll find out tomorrow. They'll be sad, I am, but Jenny couldn't stay. Not now. I squeal myself then as Jack grabs me round the waist and pulls me into the fight, tickling me under the arms. Oh I'll get you Jack, I'll get you. I pile into the fray, and soon Jack, Sam, Teal'c and I are in a happy, panting pile on the floor. The others just laugh and shake their heads. One loudly claims to the rest of the bar that he's not with us. Heh. One of these days we'll get banned. But I don't care.

They're happy, I'm happy.

This...this is the way I always thought it would be.

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THE END
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Happy now?

Okay okay....so you expected me to do that twist thing by now....but....well...it was a happy ending wasn't it? Isn't that good? I'll have to think twice about doing a little angsty story in the future, I'll only get demands for a happy ending and that means more work and more parts! Still...there you go.

DustDevil

Feeeeeeeeeeedbaaaaaaaaaaaack!...drool...