On missions, Carter had noticed, Jack kept Daniel in sight, partnering with him if the team had to split up. She knew Daniel thought O'Neill's actions were only because the soldier considered himself responsible not only for the team but especially for the civilian. Sam, however knew it was much more. Over time, she had watched as the colonel in his own brusque, pushy way not only looked out for the safety of their resident linguist, he was also quietly teaching his friend and sometimes, not so eager student, what it took to survive both off world and on the base. At the same time she had happily noted Daniel's self confidence seemed to grow each day he spent with Jack.

The strange friendship between the soldier and the scientist never ceased to amaze her. There was a quiet, self effacing manner about Daniel, that eventually managed to bring out the protective, mother hen in all of them but none more so than Jack. While she considered herself Daniel's friend, it was O'Neill who had fallen into the habit of constantly checking on the archeologist. She had seen days where the soldier had literally dragged him from the poorly lit, slightly larger than a closet, room Daniel claimed as an office, to the cafeteria, where he refused to budge from the table until Daniel had finished every bite of food on his plate. O'Neill had pulled rank, threatened to send him to the infirmary, or physically hauled the scientist to Daniel's base sleeping quarters or off base apartment. Everyone had been there for Daniel after Sha'uri's death, but Carter knew Jack had sat at the younger man's bedside, keeping the nightmares away, doing whatever was necessary to see Daniel through the agony of his loss.

Worried Daniel always spent too much time, alone, buried in his books or huddled over the artifacts in his office, Jack found unique ways of pulling the younger man out of his shell. Self defense lessons in the base gym, shooting lessons on the firing range, teaching him the intricacies of hockey, or just sharing a pizza and beer in Jack's living room. O'Neill was there, doing what he could, whatever he thought was needed. The food, sleep and exercise began to show a marked improvement in Daniel's physical appearance. He had put on weight and muscle and his usual pale complexion took on a light healthy tan.

Almost all of Daniel's previous life had been spent in academic pursuits, studying the ancient past and O'Neill seemed to have made it his personal goal to instruct his favorite archeologist in more modern pursuits. With the colonel's help, Daniel was emerging from his cocoon. His spirit began to expand, becoming even stronger, more confident and if possible even more beautiful.

"You drinking that beer or trying to get drunk by osmosis." Jack quipped. Lost in her thoughts, Sam hadn't noticed, the objects of her contemplations had joined her on the patio.

O'Neill grinned as his friend expounded the attributes of his newest acquisition to anyone willing to listen. Jack was enjoying this much more than Daniel's lectures on ancient civilizations.

"Told you I could shock you speechless." Jack whispered to her, his eyes twinkling as he hopped onto the rail, Carter was leaning against, tapping the top of the can before popping the tab. Jack could still see the stunned look on her face as Daniel removed the helmet. The moment had been priceless, a true Kodak moment and O'Neill wished he'd thought to have someone ready with a camera. He wasn't ashamed to admit it...he had set Carter up.

O'Neill knew it wasn't intentional, neither of them flaunted their intelligence but between the two of them, Carter and Daniel always made him feel like he'd been buying a hotdog when God passed out brains. He had tried so many times, but nothing seemed to phase the woman, so Daniel's purchase of the Harley had been a golden opportunity Jack just couldn't pass up. He had baited Sam into betting he could finally show her something so shocking she would be speechless for a good ninety seconds. Hell, she'd been dumbstruck twice that long!