"How Do You Mend A Broken Heart" By Karen

Author: Karen

Spoilers: There But for the Grace of God and Point of View

Season: sometime during the 3rd Season

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Jack makes a decision after Sam almost marries someone else

Archive: SJA and Heliopolis

Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 is owned by Showtime, MGM, Gekko, et. al., not me. Please don't sue me. I'm poor.

Author's Notes: This is my first fanfic. Please be kind.

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Jack

They say there's no fool like an old fool. Well, I'm an old fool to the max. Talk about having your head in the sand. I didn't even know Sam was dating someone until Daniel told me she was engaged. That was not supposed to happen. she was supposed to wait for me. Huh! Wait for me to do what? Decide that I wanted her? Decide that I needed her? Decide that I loved her? Left it a little too late, Jack, didn't we?

I learned about Sam's engagement to Colonel David Haines from Daniel. Daniel! Why couldn't she tell me herself? why didn't she even tell me she was seeing him? Why didn't ANYBODY tell me she was seeing him? But most of all, why didn't she tell me?

I remember the morning Daniel told me. We were on stand-by for SG-7. SG-7 was HIS command, Haines. They'd left that morning for P3X-799, a standard recon mission. Nothing big. The indigenous people were friendly. The climate was perfect. Nothing that could possibly go wrong. Daniel came to my office and asked to speak to me. I should have known something was up when he ASKED to speak to me.

"Jack, there's something you need to know," he said, looking at everything in the room but me. "It's about Sam."

"What about Major Carter?" I asked. "She's not sick is she?"

"Uh, no, Jack, not anything like that." He started pacing. That's when I knew something was up.

"Come on, Danny-boy," I said, "spit it out."

"Jack," he paused and took a deep breath. "Jack, Sam's engaged to Colonel Haines."

"Engaged to Haines?" I kept a blank expression on my face. It wasn't to do. I was totally numb from the neck up. "This is a joke, right?"

"No, Jack." Daniel dared to sneak a look at me. "You all right about this, Jack?"

"Sure," I said, lying between my teeth. "I hope she's happy." I shot him a look that said 'get the hell out of here.'

"Well," he gulped (I swear to God, I could hear it across the room). "I'm glad you're taking this so well."

I stood up and took a step toward Daniel. He took a step back.

"Uh, Jack, I think I'll be going now."

"That might be a good idea," I growled at him.

He left. I shut the door and sat down. In shock.

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Daniel

The look on Jack's face when I told him about Sam's engagement scared me. His face was totally blank. No expression. Kind of like when someone tells you something you can't believe. He was in total shock. It shouldn't have been a shock. After all, she'd been seeing Colonel Haines for the last three months. Everyone on base knew about it. Everyone except Jack, obviously. How he never heard about it is a mystery to me. It's not like anyone tried to keep it from him. Hell, she hadn't been spending as much down time with us as she used to. Didn't he notice? Well, maybe, subconsciously, we all kind of avoided the subject whenever Jack was around. It's been pretty much an open secret how he feels about her. For a long time we thought she felt the same about him. Until she met David Haines. The odd thing about it, Haines is a lot like Jack. Not especially in looks or anything like that. It's mainly his attitude towards things. Sarcastic, irreverent, joking, but with a difference. Haines doesn't have Jack's dark side. Well, Haines hasn't had the tragedy in his past that Jack has, his time in an Iraqi prison camp, the death of his son, and his broken marriage. That's enough to darken anybody's soul.

So, Sam met Haines, dated him, fell in love with him, and got engaged to him. All in the space of three months, and Jack was totally clueless.

I headed back to my lab, worrying about Jack's eventual reaction to this bombshell that was no surprise to anyone but him. Once the shock wore off, I was sure there would be repercussions. Hopefully, it wouldn't sink in for another twenty-four hours when we'd be on stand-down. Passing the door to Sam's lab, I decided to stop in and let her know that I had told Jack.

"Sam," I tapped on her open door. "Can I come in just a minute?"

She turned and smiled at me. "Sure, Daniel. What's up?"

"Sam, I just told Jack about you and Colonel Haines."

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Sam

Daniel was upset with me for not being the one to tell Colonel O'Neill about me and Dave. It's not my fault that Jack didn't know about us. I didn't try to hide it from him. Not much anyway. What business of his is it anyway? It's my private life.

David is a wonderful man, funny, sarcastic, joking, just like ... All right, Sam, let's not go there. I love Dave for himself, not because he reminds me of anyone. He makes me laugh. And I love him. So there, Jack O'Neill.

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Jack

I just sat there. I don't know how long I sat there. Just staring at the door. Then all hell broke loose.

SG-7 was under attack. Lieutenant Graves managed to make it back through the Stargate to let us know. He was badly wounded, so as he was being wheeled into surgery he told us what had happened.

It seems that the local population was friendly to us, but they had some en enemies. While SG-7 was negotiating with the village elders for some of their medicinal herbs, a neighboring village attacked over some disputed territory. SG-7 got caught in the crossfire. As far as Graves knew, they were alive when he left, but that had been almost an hour before. General Hammond ordered SG-1 to P3X-799 to recover SG-7.

Sam's face was white. Literally. When I saw her, saw how upset she was, I realized that I wanted her to be happy. And if Haines made her happy, so be it.

We geared up, and prepared to go through the wormhole. Just before we went through, I pulled her to the side.

"Don't worry, Major, we'll get him back. I promise," I said.

she looked back at me with those beautiful eyes. "I know we will." Then we stepped through the wormhole.

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Sam

It was so strange. I felt as if I were completely detached from everything that was happening. Oh, not the soldier in me. No, the soldier performed her duties exactly as she was supposed to. But the woman in me was far away in another place, watching what was going on.

We got them out. Dave was wounded, not badly though, just grazed, thank goodness. Captain Natalie, his 2IC, however, was severely wounded, and Lieutenant John Bowden had a broken arm. We got them all back and into the care of Janet Fraiser. It was touch and go for Captain Parker. When she got out of surgery, Dave never left her side. He sat there all night. I understand, Colonel O'Neill had sat up all night with me when I've been wounded. A good CO feels responsible for those under his command. At least that's what I thought it was. After Captain Parker was out of the woods, Dave came to me.

"Sam." He looked so sad when he said my name. I knew what was coming. "I'm sorry, Sam. I love her. I didn't realize it until I almost lost her forever. I hate hurting you like this, but better now than later, after we were married."

"It's all right, Dave," I lied. "I just want you to be happy. And you couldn't be happy with someone you don't love like her. Go on back to her." He left me in my office. I closed the door, locked it, and cried.

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Daniel

I swear Sam cried for hours. I heard what happened between her and Colonel Haines (man, the grapevine around this place is unbelievable), and I went to find her. She was locked in her office. I knocked until she let me in, and she poured the whole story out to me, and cried. We were on stand-down for the next 72 hours, so I took her home and stayed with her until she had calmed down.

When Jack found out about what happened, he wanted to beat the hell out of Haines for hurting Sam. Hell, I wanted to beat the hell out of Haines for hurting Sam. Even Teal'c wanted to beat the hell out of the guy. I managed to get Jack calmed down enough to listen to reason, reason being that Sam wasn't engaged to Haines anymore. That meant Sam was still free.

"I hate to see her hurting so bad," he said. "I think I'll recommend to General Hammond that Major Carter have some time off, maybe get out of town for a while."

So that's what he did.

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Jack

I went to see Major Carter at home the next day and told her that she was officially off duty for the next two weeks. Boy, was she pissed.

"Off duty. Why? I have a mountain of work to get done, besides we're supposed to go to P5J-287 in two days." She glared at me. "Is this because of what happened between me and Dave?"

"Partly. And partly because we've all been under the gun for a long time. SG-6 is taking our place on P5J-287. All of SG-1 are off duty for a while. Hammond's orders." I glared right back at her. "Take it up with him."

She stared at me, reminding of a spitting cat with its fur standing up on end and its back bowed. Then she just kind of wilted. Right there. In front of me.

"Okay, Colonel." She sort of gave me a little half smile. "A break might not be a bad idea."

"Why don't you pack up and get out of town for a while? You could go visit your brother or something." I gave her a suggestion, hoping she would take me up on it. That way I'd know where she was and could keep tabs on her.

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Sam

I'm glad I came to my brother's. It's been great to see him and his family. When I first got here, Mark was really concerned about me. SOMEONE (read Jack O'Neill) had called him to 'inform' him of what had happened. So for about two days everyone tiptoed around me like I was sick or something. By the third day I had had enough. I put my foot down and let them all know in no uncertain terms that I was okay, and to stop acting as if I had only a couple of days left to live. They straightened out real quick and for the rest of my visit they treated me normally.

You know, the funny thing was, by the fourth day I WAS feeling better. In fact, it I didn't know better, I'd swear my heart wasn't broken at all, just bruised a little. After a lot of soul searching I realized that, even though I really cared a lot about Dave, maybe even loved him, I wasn't 'in love' with him. Oh, it still hurt that he chose someone else over me, but I knew that I would be okay. But I didn't know if I could work at the SGC everyday and possibly run into him. I knew that SG-7 would be on stand-down for a while because of their injuries, so maybe by the time they're back on duty, I'll have this thing worked out in my head. Or not.

Two days before I was due back on base, the Colonel called. I knew it was him from the one-sided conversation my brother was having with him, trying to keep me from knowing who it was. AS IF.

"Mark," I demanded, "give me the phone." I reached and snatched it out of his hand. "Hello, Colonel. I'm fine, completely recovered, and ready to to back on duty as soon as I arrive back in Colorado."

"Major, I'm glad to hear it." I could hear the amusement and, could it be relief, in his voice. "When are you coming back?"

"I'm catching a flight back tomorrow morning. I should be arriving at 1100."

"Well, in that case, I'll be there to pick you up," he told me.

"That's not necessary, Sir..." I started to say.

"Carter, I'll be there at 1100 sharp. See you then." He hung up.

"Everything okay, Sam?" Mark asked. "Jack's been really concerned about you."

Jack was it? Since when had my brother been calling my CO by his first name? And obviously, this call was not the first one. What is it about the man that had people doing what he wants them to do? Including me.

"Everything's okay, Mark. Everything is just fine." And I smiled.

The Colonel was waiting for me when my flight arrived the next day. There he was in jeans, a black sweatshirt, and a leather jacket, and it suddenly popped into my mind that he looked "tasty," a term my thirteen year-old niece had used in reference to some boy she had a mad crush on. Very tasty. Hmm, Carter, get a grip. That's your commanding officer there, not some guy to drool over. But he did look very "droolworthy" just then. Then I realized what my problem was. I was on the rebound from Dave, and I was projecting my feelings onto the first attractive man I saw. So I was projecting my feelings for Dave onto the Colonel.

I was relieved that I had explained my reaction to a man I had no business being attracted to. Knowing that I was on the rebound would keep me from being tempted to act on the attraction. I was safe. Yeah, right.

But, oh God, my heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest when he noticed me standing there and smiling that smile while walking toward me. Just on the rebound, Sam.

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Jack

Major Carter's plane landed right on time. I stood in the terminal watching the gate for her to disembark. When I saw her, I had to admit that the time off had done her a lot of good. She looked great. She was wearing black pants and a red sweater, and she looked like something off a Christmas tree. My heart started beating really fast when I saw her and went over to meet her. Man, it was beating so hard, I was afraid she could see it shaking my chest through my shirt.

'Get a grip,' I told myself sternly. 'You act like it's been a year since you've seen her. It's only been two weeks, for crying out loud!'

"Colonel O'Neill, it's good to see you sir," she said when I reached her side. "I just have to pick up my bags and we can go. I don't want to take up too much of your time."

"That's okay Major, I have the whole day free," I took her elbow and led her to the baggage claim area. "I thought we'd have some lunch, then we can drop your bags by your house."

"That's really not necessary, Sir," she said. She sure looked cute when she was flustered. "I can just go on home, I know you must have plans for your day off."

"I do have plans, and they include you. C'mon, Sam, let's go." I picked up her bags and headed off to the car with them. After about five seconds of hesitation, she followed me.

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Sam

We drove to the pizza place at the edge of town. I noticed a couple of familiar vehicles in the parking lot.

"Are we meeting someone here?" I asked.

"Yeah," he answered. "Daniel, Teal'c, Janet, and Cassie. I kinda thought you might like to see them after being gone for two weeks."

"Did you set this up?" That was a sweet thing to do. "Thank you, Sir."

"Geez, Carter, all I did was make a few phone calls. It's not like I parted the Red Sea or something." Boy, he really doesn't want anyone to know what a nice, sensitive, guy he is.

We walked into the restaurant and a crowd converged on us. Danny, Teal'c, Janet, and Cassie were all hugging me or patting me on the back. It felt really good to be back with my friends. Things were going to be okay, they really were.

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Jack

I was glad that I had thought to get everyone together for Carter's first day back. It was great to see her so happy. Not just smiling, but so happy that it showed in her eyes.

So, we ate pizza, drank beer, and Cassie and I played video games. I saw Daniel take Sam aside, and I knew he was telling her about Haines and Parker requesting and being granted transfers. They were going to Edwards to work on the shuttle program. She wouldn't even have to see either of them ever again if she didn't want to. Which, if it had been me, would have been my option. I don't know about Sam though, she might want "closure." In my book, avoidance beats closure any day of the week.

I can tell by the look on her face that she is both surprised and relieved. Maybe now things can go back to the way they were before. Before Sam decided that she was in love with Haines and wanted to marry him. When she was my Major Carter and no one else's.

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Sam

Daniel told me about Dave and Captain Parker being transferred to Edwards. It was a relief. I didn't have to face either of them. According to Daniel, they had already cleaned out their quarters and moved out to California. I had toyed with the idea of some sort of closure to the whole situation, but that had been taken out of my hands. I guess things will go back to the way they were before I met Dave. Maybe.

I looked over at the Colonel and Cassie playing video games in the corner of the restaurant. He was so happy around kids. Just looking at him with her was enough to convince even the most hardened cynic that he had been a good dad to his son, Charlie. He really was very sensitive under that sarcastic exterior. It was probably a defense against being hurt again. Never show anyone how you really feel, and they'll never hurt you. The only trouble with that is you miss out on a lot of life. But, he really had opened up a lot since we first met. The man we all caught flashes of was very attractive, and it was just a matter of time before some woman got him to open up to her. I sighed. Too bad it couldn't be me. Putthe clamps down on that kind of thinking, Major. Just then the Colonel looked up and smiled at me.

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Jack

Smiled back at me, then she turned to talk to Janet. My major. Mine. I wish. But, I'm her CO and there are regulations against it. But, I remind myself, since when have I ever let regulations stand in my way when I really wanted something? But, she needed time. Time to recover from the hurt of being dumped by her fiance for another woman, and time to get used to the idea that she was destined to be mine. Yep, destiny. After all, how could all those other alternate realities be wrong? Sam and Jack were meant to be together. And today was the start of the campaign.

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Sam

Colonel O'Neill took me home after lunch. While I unpacked my things, he turned on the television and found a hockey game. I don't know how he does that. He can ALWAYS find a hockey game.

"Hey, Carter," he called. "Got any beer?"

"Yes," I called back. "In the fridge. Help yourself."

Fifteen minutes later I went back into the living room to find him firmly ensconced on my sofa, beer in hand, shoeless feet propped up on my coffee table.

"Make yourself at home, Sir," I said somewhat sarcastically.

"Yeah, thanks, Carter," he replied, the whole sarcasm thing going right over his head.

I went into the kitchen and got myself a beer and returned to the living room. His eyes were still glued to the game. 'Typical man,' I thought, and grinned. At that moment he looked up at me.

"C'mon, Carter, take a load off," he invited. "Your team's getting clobbered." My team being any team that's playing his favorite team.

I sat down beside him, kicked off my own shoes, and propped my feet up beside his. We spent the next hour just like this, drinking beer, and watching the hockey game. "My team" started to come back, but it was too little, too late.

"All right!" he cheered when time ran out and his team won. He stood up and picked up his beer bottles and mine. "Want another beer, Carter?"

"Sure," I answered. He came back and handed me my beer, and sat down, opening his own.

"Carter," he began, then he stopped.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Nothing." Then, "Sam, everything's going to be okay, you know that don't you?" He looked at more seriously than he ever had before.

"Yes, Jack, I do." I smiled at him. He reached up and touched my cheek lightly and I leaned into his hand. His other hand came up and touched my other cheek, framing my face in his hands. Then he leaned over and kissed me lightly on the mouth.

"Good," he said, then he sat back drinking his beer and watching the after game wrap show. Looking over at him, I quickly made a decision, reached over, and removed the bottle from his hand and put it on the coffee table next to my own.

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Jack

"Sam," I said, but that was all that came out of my mouth, because about two seconds later her mouth was clamped to mine and she was sitting in my lap. So much for taking it slow. She kissed me long, hard, and hot, her tongue slipping into my mouth and caressing mine. Oh, God, it was better than I had ever imagined it to be. Her hands slipped around my waist and she slid her hands up under my shirt and started stroking my chest and stomach. I slid my hands up under her sweater and did a little stroking of my own, her flesh both soft and firm under my fingers.

She took her mouth from mine, slowly, reluctantly, and rested her forehead against mine. I looked deeply into her eyes and saw an echo of my own desire.

"I want you, Jack," she breathed. "I've always wanted you. Only you. Please, love me."

"I do, Sam, I want you, too." I pulled her closer and kissed her again, the kiss becoming slower and more erotic. Ending the kiss I stood up, pulling her up with me. Lifting her into my arms, I carried her into the bedroom, laying he gently on the bed before joining her there. And I loved her.

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Sam

I woke slowly, smiling, savoring the feeling of being held safe in the arms of the man that I loved. I shifted slightly, and his arms tightened around me. I felt his lips caress my ear and the side of my neck, and I turned in his arms to face him.

"Hi." His voice was husky with sleep. "How do you feel?"

I wrapped my arms around him. "I feel wonderful. And hungry." He rolled me over onto my back, his body pressing mine down into the bed, nuzzling my neck.

"What are you hungry for?" he questioned, his voice muffled against my neck. All thought of food flew out of my brain.

"You," I whispered. And we made love again.

Later, he lay on his back, his arms around me, my head on his shoulder. "I didn't intend for this to happen, Sam. At least not yet."

I raised up and looked at him. "If not now, when?" I questioned.

"Later, when you'd had more time to get over - things." He ran his finger down my cheek. "I didn't want to rush you."

"I don't think three years is rushing things," I said humorously.

"You know what I mean. I didn't want to get you on the rebound." He looked worried. "I just want you to be sure, you know?"

"I am sure," I hastened to assure him. "This feels right. With Dave it was as if something was missing. And I know what it was. It was you. I was using Dave as a replacement for you. If anything, my relationship with him was a rebound relationship. It was always you I wanted." I leaned over and kissed him softly. "It was always you I loved."

"I love you, too, Sam," he said. My heart felt as if it would burst. This was why I had been so glad to see him this morning. "We're going to have to be careful, you know.

"Yes, I know, the regs."

"I know how much your career means to you-" I placed my hand over his mouth and he kissed my fingers.

"We'll deal with any problems that may surface. For now, let's just enjoy what we have." I leaned over and kissed him again. Then I pulled away and reached for the robe I had laid over the end of the bed when I had unpacked my bags and put it on. "Let's get some dinner, then we can continue our discussion later." I paused by the side of the bed where he was now sitting up. I ran my finger down his chest, and he grabbed me, dragging me down across him.

"You can bet we will," he declared, kissing me, then he let me up. We got dressed and went out to dinner. When we got back, we "discussed" things well into the night.

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Daniel

Something's changed between Jack and Sam. It's not an obvious change, unless you're really familiar with the way things were between them before, you might not pick up on it. Oh, they still flirt and argue, but there's a definite change in the air. They're both happier and seem more at east with each other. I wonder. Well...whatever it is, it hasn't really changed the team dynamic, except maybe for the better. I hope it continues.

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The End

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