SEASON/SPOILERS: Set just after Fair Game, so reference to that.
RATING: G
SUMMARY: Daniel and Jack talk.
DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognisable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognised characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
AUTHORS NOTES: This is the fruits of my insomnia. Bare this in mind when you read it :)
FEEDBACK: Yes please!
SG-1 were just finishing up their debriefing with the General. It had been a week since the Goa'uld had been there to sign the treaty to protect earth. "All right, SG-1," General Hammond began. "As of now you are on downtime for forty eight hours. Major Carter, I would like those samples analyzed first thing Monday morning."
"Yes, sir," Sam replied, relieved she wouldn't have to do them before she left. She hadn't had a break since before her promotion and she was exhausted.
"Have a good weekend. Dismissed," General Hammond said, as he left the room.
Jack and Sam rose to attention as their superior walked out the door. When he'd gone, Sam slumped back in the chair. "Thank god we're finally on downtime," she sighed.
"You're welcome, Major," Jack replied with a grin.
"Huh?" Sam asked, confused.
"Well, I told the General that if he didn't give us a break we probably wouldn't return from our next mission." He shrugged. "Guess he got the hint."
"Well than, thank you, Colonel," she said, with a classic Sam smile. She rose out of the chair. "I'm out of here. Teal'c do you wanna grab that book you wanted before I go?"
Teal'c got up from his seat. "Yes, thank you, Major Carter."
"No problems, Teal'c." She turned to Jack and Daniel. "I'll see you two later."
"Bye, Sam," Daniel replied.
"Yeah, have a good weekend, Major," Jack said.
Daniel turned to Jack after Sam and Teal'c had left the room. "You really love calling her that, don't you?"
"Calling her what?" Jack asked, eyebrow raised.
"Major. You always call her Major now instead of Carter."
Jack gave a small smile. "Well, she deserves it. She had to work a lot harder to get her promotion than I ever did. I mean she had to save the world on several occasions, all I did was go on a few black ops."
"You sound almost proud of her," Daniel observed, hiding the smile that was threatening to form.
Jack shrugged. "Yeah, I guess I am. She's a soldier and a scientist and she manages to excel at both. Why, aren't you?"
"Yeah of course, but that's different. Sam's like my sister. She's your 2IC."
"She's also my friend."
Daniel nodded, silent for a few moments. Finally he decided to take the chance. "So why don't you call her Sam?"
"What?" Jack asked, looking up quickly.
"Why is it always Major or Carter? I've only ever heard you call her Sam on a few occasions and I've never heard her call you Jack."
"We're military Daniel. I'm her superior officer."
"Yeah, but you said yourself that she's your friend. Besides, you and Charlie Kowalsky were on a first name basis," Daniel pushed.
"Yeah, but that's different," Jack said, getting wary of where Daniel's questions were heading.
"How so?"
Jack sighed. Should he tell Daniel the truth or make up a story? He was too tired to come up with a tangible excuse. "Well, Charlie's a guy and Carter's... well a woman," he said quietly.
"So... Oh, I see. You think that by calling her Sam, she stops being one of the guys and might become something else." 'Finally' he thought to himself.
"Daniel..." Jack started.
"No, it's all right, Jack, I get it. But let me give you some advice, life is too short. Especially in a job like this. Either of you could be gone tomorrow. Take it from someone who knows."
Jack was about to respond when Sam walked back into the room. "Hey, guys. Janet, Teal'c and I are going out for a drink. Wanna join us?"
Daniel gave Jack a pointed look before replying. "Sounds good, Sam. Count me in."
Sam turned to Jack. "How 'bout you, Colonel?"
Jack took a deep breath. "Yeah, sounds like fun. One condition though."
"What's that?" Sam asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You call me Jack when we're off duty. Colonel and Sir just sound so formal."
"Ah sure... Jack," Sam replied, giving him one of her trademark smiles.
"Well, let's go then, Sam." Jack guided her out the door.
They both missed the triumphant smile that crossed Daniel's face. Finally, someone had taken the first step. If it took that long for them to make the next move he was going to kill them. He chuckled to himself and followed after his friends.
THE END