Author's Note : I do not own stargate or any of the characters or content. Please read and review and chapter two will be posted soon. Thanks! K

Brigadier General Jack O'Neill was in his office at the heart of Cheyenne Mountain sat in his large comfy brown leather chair. He was just sitting there staring into space mulling over the conversation that had just taken place in his head. He had just been dumped to put it bluntly and had left with an interesting parting shot, one not of malice ( so perhaps parting shot isn't the best phrase to use), but one of care. Kerry's words kept circling his head.'Is the Air Force the only thing keeping you two apart? Rules and regulations? Cos if it is, you're making a very big mistake'. If you knew the General well you would know that Kerry was talking about him and his old second in command, Major Samantha Carter. She was also known as Dr Samantha Carter, known as Carter to O'Neill aka the love of his life for the past 8 years.

Yes, everyone knew how the General felt about Carter not that these feelings had been spoken out loud or confessed to anyone but everyone knew. They would have to be dumb, deaf and blind not to realise. And like everyone Kerry eventually noticed. 'You have issues. It's OK – we all do. There's just one big one in particular that I don't think I can love with. Live with.' He knew straight away what that issue was, as anyone would…Carter.

Just thinking about her made a small smile appear on his face but just as quickly as it would appear it would disappear. Thinking about her made him think about the harsh reality he had been faced with for the past month, she was getting married.

As he well knew he couldn't be with her as long as he commanded this base. He wanted her to be happy and would be happy for her no matter what she decides to do. He made that decision a long time ago knowing it would happen one day, that she would find someone to love outside this little world inside the SGC and ironically the majority of the galaxy. He promised himself if she got married she would be happy and respect the man she chose. The man who he believed was the luckiest of all men.

But no matter how hard he tried he could not respect him. Pete Shanahan. The biggest idiot he had ever had the misfortune to meet. Just the mere thought of him brought a frown of disgust to his face. Shanahan was a complete twat and had shoved himself into the little world of the SGC, into Jack's domain. Jack only wished he could do something about it but couldn't, he didn't have the heart to do that to Carter.

He remembered the day she told him that he proposed. She even asked about him. 'What about you? If things had been different'. If only he had had the courage then, it could have been his ring she had on her finger, it could be him that was helping pick out cakes and him who got to go home with her each night and wake up beside her each morning. But no as usual his pride stood in his way as well as military rank and position.

Jack put his hands gruffly through his hair in sheer frustration. A battle was being fought against Anubis and all he could think about was Carter. That is what gave him hope when things seemed bleak. Her, she would always find a way to make the impossible possible and ensured they all went home safely and got to wake up the next morning. He knew it wasn't just her, it was everyone, but she was what he thought of. When things got to their worst it brought comfort to him that she was there by his side. Just not in the way he had hoped and dreamed of for all these insane years. He had to accept that…. but he just couldn't.