Title: Seeking Favor

Author: Fulinn28

E-mail: fulinn28@ficwithfins.com

Website: www.ficwithfins.com (all of my stories can be found here)

CONTENT LEVEL: C

Archive: Jackfic yes, Fanfiction.net yes, and Gateworld.net yes, all others please ask.

Pairings: Sam and Pete / Sam and Jack

Category: Romance / Some fluff

Season: Everything up to the end of season seven

Content Warnings: Pete is dating Sam

Summary: Pete is dating Sam but Jack wants a chance to show her what she’s missing.

Spoilers: "Chimera" , "Lost City"

Status: Completed

Sequel / Series: Part 1 of "Courting the Lady"

Size:

Disclaimer: "All publicly recognizable 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 unrecognized 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 story is a romance and fluff. Some of the later chapters in the series will have more "meat" to them, I promise ! Feed back is welcome ! Thank you to Su Freund, the best beta I could ask for, this story is so much better for her efforts and suggestions. All remaining errors are mine and mine alone.

*** Daniel ***

I stand watching Jack as he moves about the room, playing the host. It had been Jack’s idea to hold the party off base and Cassie and I had helped him with the arrangements. Its hard to book a function hall, arrange for catering and music when you spend three weeks out of every four on the other side of the galaxy !

I see now that he has zeroed in on Sam’s current location, dancing with Pete looking for all the world the happy couple. I see her looking around every so often as if looking for someone and I know in my heart that she’s looking for Jack, worried whenever he is out of her sight. A grin crosses my face as I wonder how she survives with Jack currently stationed off world now. Yep, General Jack O’Neill Beta Site commander and finally no longer her commanding officer.

Finally I can take it no more, all this sulking around the edges of the room. I begin to move towards Jack catching up with him near the back exit.

"So, Jack whatcha doing ?" I ask with my most innocent look firmly in place.

"Nothing, Daniel, nothing at all." Jack replies, his eyes never leaving the dancing couple.

"Go," I urge him "talk to her !"

"I can’t you know that, she has him in her life now. She made her choice." Jack glumly whispers in reply.

"You never gave her the choice, Jack. You stood back and took no action." I point out to him. "One more truth for you and then I’ll go find someone else to annoy. They are not married; they are not living together …. And no one ever said that two men cannot express an interest in one woman. Jack go to her, give her a choice, a reason to chose someone other than Pete." With that parting bit of advice I wander away from my best friend, hoping that I have planted a little seed within him, that would bloom into some kind of action.

*** Jack ***

My heart aches as I watch her dancing with Pete. It should be me that is holding her close, making her smile. Although I’ll never admit it to Daniel I do listen to him when he hands out advice, I just don’t always follow it. However this time I know he’s right! I never gave Sam the chance to make a choice between Pete and I.

It’s time I did.

I stand a little straighter, adjusting my tie and taking a deep breath before I walk out onto the dance floor heading for guest of honor.

*** Jacob Carter ***

It’s a nice party all in all, a little strange to see all of these people outside of the mountain with their spouses or dates. I often forget that these fine officers and enlisted personnel have families and homes, dreams and desires outside of the mountain. I sigh as I watch my daughter dancing with her boyfriend.

I find him mildly annoying. I can’t talk about my work with him. Even with the information he’s been given, it was limited to explanations for what he’d already seen. He was not privileged to all of the knowledge that we’ve learned. To that end he is unaware that I carry a Tok’ra and therefore Sel’mak must remain silent during our visits to Sam if Pete is in the house.

Lord the man seems glued to her side, If he gets much closer he’ll be attached to her hip ! Besides if I’m honest with my self I had resigned my self to the likelihood of having Jack O’Neill as my son-in-law a long time ago and, strangely, I feel betrayed that it did not look promising any longer.

I jump as someone touches my shoulder and I look up to see my oldest and closest friend, General George Hammond standing beside me.

"George." I acknowledge my friend’s arrival at my side. "Nice party Jack threw in Sam’s honor."

"That it is, nice to see all the men with their families here tonight." He responded to me, then with a grin his attention seemed to wonder.

"What?" I asked "Why the grin?"

"Look." He replied nodding towards the dance floor, where I saw General Jack O’Neill heading for my daughter like a man with a mission.

A whisper sounds in my head "Oh Jacob, this should be good." Sel’mak declares with glee. Her support of my daughter in matters of O’Neill is well known to me.

"Yep," I spoke up "this should be good." With that George and I took our seats at the bar and settled in to follow the next chapter in what has turned out to be a seven year love story.

*** Jack ***

I am a man on a mission, and clearly everyone recognizes this fact as the dancers on the floor clear a path before me.

Finally I reached the couple who hold my unwavering attention. I reached forward and tapped Pete on the shoulder bringing the couple to a stand still.

"May I cut in?" I inquire politely, as I take up Sam’s hand and lead her out on to the dance floor away from the others.

The music pickes up and the other couples join us in the dance.

"Sam, you look lovely tonight." I say, looking into her eyes and taking a breath to steady my nerves for what I need to say next. " Sam, as far as I know there is no rule that says a wonderful women can’t date two men at the same time provided that each man is aware of the other. I’d like the chance to court you Sam, to give you another choice. May the best man win. Now if in your heart the best man has already won, I’ll bow out like a gentleman, no wild scenes, no hard feelings. However if there’s any doubt in your heart about who you love and who returns that devotion, then give me a chance. You won’t regret it, I promise" Finally, I pause for a breath as we continue to dance. Looking into each others eyes we are oblivious to anyone else in the room.

I hold my breath waiting for her answer knowing that I’ll have to follow through with my promise to bow out like a gentleman. If that happens I’ll be leaving with a broken heart.

"I would love to be courted General Jack O’Neill." With that answer whispering in my ears, a huge grin appeares on my face and I reply "It’ll be my honor Colonel Carter."

A tap on my shoulder interrupted our moment. Our dance comes to an end and I hand her off to her current boyfriend my grin firmly in place.

"You’ll be hearing from me soon" I promise

"I’ll be waiting." Sam replies softly, her eyes never wavering from mine.

<End>

< TBC >