“It won’t work here of course—the tabletop is synthetic material, so it won’t activate the stone—“ he murmured. Sam leaned over, reached for his fingers, and Jay started violently at this, yanking his hand up. The stone flew up out of his grip and knocked Sam right in the hairline with stunning accuracy and power; she swayed, rocking back into Paul’s swift catch, completely unconscious.

“Oops,” Jay cringed.

***   ***  ***

Doctor Felger, May I speak frankly?” Paul began in a low and earnest tone. Miserably the other man nodded, trying not to shift in his chair too much. He and Paul were at a small table in the cafeteria, sharing coffee and donuts although neither of them seemed to have much of an appetite; the memory of Sam lying in an infirmary bed, concussed, saw to that.

“I want you to know that what happened this afternoon is, regrettably, one of the reasons why I’m here," Paul continued. Jay looked up, a hint of wary fear on his face. Paul sighed.

“Doctor Carter’s accident is clearly an indication of how far things have gotten out of hand, and I think you understand what I mean.”

Paul waited for this to sink in, and Jay looked at him, the trepidation in his expression clear. Paul nodded.

“The Pentagon is concerned, Doctor Felger.”

“Oh! But—I know my track record is a little shaky—“

“—Concerned that you may be too much of a personal distraction for Doctor Carter,” Paul continued. Jay stared at him.

“Excuse me?”

“Speaking man to man, Jay—may I call you Jay? It’s pretty obvious that Samantha Carter’s last few performance reviews have been—“ he let the statement trail off, grateful he didn’t have to actually lie. Part of the art of manipulation was letting the other guy fill in the blanks. Jay jumped in immediately, as Paul knew he would.

“---Oh no! Really? I can’t believe she’d have any—SUCH a good scientist, and of course, she’s got that whole wormhole physics thing down pat, and—me? Are you sure?”

“You. I’ve heard from Colonel O’Neill and the rest of SG1 that whenever you’re around, Doctor Carter just can’t seem to get it together. Frankly, the Pentagon can’t afford this sort of ongoing inefficiency. It’s clear that one of you will have to leave, and at this point, well—“

Once again Paul hesitated, letting Jay indulge in a moment of harmless daydreaming before breaking in.

“I know it’s personal, Jay, but you DO know how cruel it is to toy with the woman’s affections this way.”

Jay blushed to the roots of his unruly hair, embarrassed and slightly smug; Paul bit the insides of his lips to keep from smiling.

“I’m not—really? You think Major Carter is distracted because of me? I mean, not that I’m completely surprised, given everything she and I have been through together I guess it was sort of inevitable. We, she and I did manage to pack a lot of science in our time together.” Jay trailed away as he looked down at his half-eaten cruller.

“I’m sure you did. But you have to look beyond yourselves and think of the greater good, Jay,” Paul took a sip of coffee and continued. “Cheyenne Mountain needs Major Carter to be focused and using her brilliance to the betterment of our planet’s defense. Now isn’t the time to turn her head with sweet talk and marriage—“

“Marriage? Whoa! Did she say that? Ah, Whoa—“ wheezing slightly, the scientist paled, his eyes going wide. Paul put on his best concerned face.

“That would be the logical thinking wouldn’t it? A long engagement filled with thousands of wedding details, Jay. Meeting your mother, staying on the good side of Major Carter’s father the general, and smoothing things over with Colonel O’Neill of course. Neither man would appreciate you breaking her heart. Then the wedding, which will probably cost—well, you HAVE a good chunk of savings, right? Once you’ve managed that then hey, the two of you have got a real future together with crying babies and a mortgage—“

Jay looked like a chipmunk facing down a speeding Peterbilt, his mouth open, his eyes wide and glassy. For a moment Paul almost felt sorry for the man, but managed not to laugh or smirk.

This was serious business.

“This is all really, really—wow, I didn’t realize things, a lot of things, MAN, but—“

“—Oh I know, I know. Major Carter is an incredible woman. If both of you stayed here at Cheyenne I know I’d be getting a wedding invitation within a year, easily. But the fact remains that with both of you here, while the love grows, the efficiency and productivity goes down, Jay. Distractions, you know.”

“I’m not ready to get married. I’m only forty-two. My mother would kill me—“ Jay murmured, still stunned by Paul’s verbal imagery. He was trying not to hyperventilate as Paul reached over a consoling hand, patting his shoulder.

“My advice is to nip it in the bud, Jay. I really shouldn’t tell you this, but I’ve been in contact with a few of my sources at the Pentagon, and your name has come up more than once.”

Jay blinked. Paul nodded, grateful again at being able to spin better than a Washington DJ.

“Have you ever heard of the Institute for Alien Technologies Research?” receiving a shake of the head from the other man, Paul continued, his voice lower. “It’s a think tank and lab that the NID and the Pentagon run in an undisclosed location. They desperately need a scientist of your caliber to head up one of the three teams there.”

“Head a team? But my work here—“

“—Is exactly the reason why you’d be perfect for the job. You’ve got both field and lab experience which would make you one of the senior scientists there. Your own labs, offices, assistants—it’s an elite position. I wasn’t sure about mentioning it to you, in light of the Major Carter engagement—“

“We’re NOT engaged!” Jay yelped, tugging at his collar. Paul fought the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he stared deep into his coffee cup.

“Only a matter of time—but if you want to consider the Institute you’d have to pack your bathing suit.”

“Bathing suit?” Jay perked up a bit, cocking his head as Paul winced.

“I shouldn’t have said anything. You might not even LIKE Hawaii—“

“Hawaii?”

“Jay, you can’t repeat that! The location of the Institute is a secret and I could get into SERIOUS trouble if you repeat that to anyone, especially if you haven’t decided to accept it,” Paul pretended to grumble. By the gleam in Doctor Felger’s eye it was time to reel him in but good. Paul reached for his briefcase and opened it, fishing out a faxed photo. He handed it over to Jay and gave a tight smile.

“Should you accept the position, you’d be working with Doctors Thompson, Wu and Manchester. I wasn’t authorized to access their official dossiers of course, but this candid shot is enough for identification purposes.”

The black and white of the three smiling women on the beach was grainy and small, but it was enough. Jay Felger sucked in a breath and looked up at Paul, his eyes bright, his smile eager.

“Well, this would be a real change of pace for me. I’m used to the hustle and bustle of the Mountain you know, but if the Institute is where the Pentagon wants me, well—I have to assume that they have my best interests in mind. Of course, I’ll need my sunscreen and my noseclip and waterwings—“

***   ***   ***

Sam opened her eyes, her head throbbing. She looked up into two familiar faces, and their grave expressions made her stomach tighten in fear.

“Major Carter—“ Paul intoned softly. Next to him, Jay Felger fidgeted.

“Major Carter. Sam, I guess, now, since we won’t be seeing each other again.”

“W-what?” Blearily Sam tried to sit up, but Jay pressed a hand to her shoulder, his nervous grin flashing out at her.

“No, no, don’t speak, it’s okay. Sam, you’re too important to this facility, even with all the screw ups, and I just want to make things easier for both of us. I hate to break it to you like this, but I know you’re strong and you’ll get over me. It.”

Paul cleared his throat and spoke up.

“Doctor Felger has been—reassigned, Major. He’s accepted a post with the Institute of Alien Technology Research. He and I thought you might appreciate knowing that.”

Sam shot a suspicious look at Paul, who blithely ignored it and looked again at Jay.

“After reading his record and seeing him in action this afternoon, Major, I’m convinced that this career move is the right one for him.”

“Doctor Felger is going to an Institute?” Sam rasped, still trying to connect a series of highly suspicious dots. Jay nodded solemnly.

“The Institute of Alien Technology Research. In a highly secret location, Sam. Highly secret. That’s why this has to be goodbye. We’re both mature adults and we just can’t keep going on the way we have. I know it hurts, but it’s for the best, really.”

“Really,” echoed Paul.

“Really?” Sam repeated, still slightly dizzy. Jay patted her hand and looked at Paul.

“Take care of her, Paul. And thanks for everything.”

“She’s in good hands, Jay. Trust me,” Paul managed with a perfectly straight face. Sam struggled to sit up, but Jay squared his shoulders manfully.

“So—I guess this is goodbye.”

Awkwardly Jay began to back out of the infirmary, waving at Sam, who watched him go, her expression caught between annoyance and concern. Looming behind Jay was Colonel O’Neill; when the scientist thumped into him, both men paused a moment.

“Felger—“ the low tone of menace galvanized Jay, who bounced away like a speeding pinball, knocking over instrument trays and orderlies in his rush. O’Neill smirked in evil satisfaction, and then turned to Paul.

“Heard you were the man to thank for pulling that particular thorn outta my—paw, metaphorically speaking. Trust me Davis, I never forget a favor. Carter—“

“Sir.” Sam was scowling, her attention on Paul, who was starting to fidget. O’Neill gave a shrug.

“Just letting you know we’ve got one last meeting with Hammond at seventeen hundred if you’re up for it.”

After O’Neill sauntered away, Sam waited with chilly patience while Paul cleared his throat and tried to look innocent. He sat on the edge of her bed, profile to her, hands awkwardly laced together in front of him.

The pause stretched into a cold, yawning chasm. Gingerly Paul spoke up.

“He didn’t get fired, Sam.”

“So I figured. And just WHAT is the Institute for Alien Technology Research, Paul? I’ve never HEARD of it.”

“Yes, well it’s a think tank, one of the few joint enterprises with the NID that has the sanction of the Pentagon. The whole thing’s pretty new, and I figured Doctor Felger would be—“

“—Safely out of the way. Holed up somewhere out of the loop. Jeez Paul, that’s low even for YOU!” came Sam’s contemptuous tone.

“Low! The man’s getting a lab in HAWAII! Do you know how many people would give their right—ARM for a chance like that?”

“It might be the tropics, but it’s still Siberia, Paul. And putting Felger under a watchdog group like the NID will intimidate him so much he’ll lose whatever creative spontaneity he ever had!”

Paul lost his patience and turning, leaned closer to glare at Sam.

“The same AMAZING creativity that caused that lump on your head? Because if that’s his brand of science, this mountain is a damned sight better off without him!”

Sam’s temper had simmered far too long and now it blazed up.

“That was an accident! I’m talking about a matter of respect and dignity!” She snapped back. Her head hurt and her disappointment in his inability to grasp the fundamental issue made her push his hand away from her shoulder. Paul drew in a deep breath, his eyes narrowing.

“God if anyone needs respect it’s ME, Sam! I called in a few damned important markers to get this man a halfway decent posting instead of the dismissal anyone ELSE in their right mind would have insisted on. Felger might have his moments of genius but in a front line complex like this one he’s a liability, so forgive me if I OFFENDED you by saving his ASS!”

Ha! If all you can think about is that you WASTED a few favors to impress me rather than finding the right place for Doctor Felger then YOU’RE the ass! I’ll see you disco on the briefing room table before I forgive YOU, Paul Dominic Davis!” Sam yelled back. He flinched, pulled away and glared at the watching orderlies and nurses, who slunk away.

“Duly noted, Major,” he whispered dangerously. Sam glared at him, anger making her eyes an electric blue. Paul’s jaw tightened; he turned and stalked out.

Sam watched him go, the immense satisfaction of her victory already dying as cold realization set in. She hid her tremble until his stiff back had passed through the double doors, then she grabbed a pillow and buried her face in it, smothering her wail.

***   ***   ***

O’Neill was outside her lab, hands shoved deep in his pockets when seventeen hundred hours rolled around. Sam looked up from the reactor she was modifying, red-eyed and startled. He winced.

“Carter. You look—“

“—Like hell, sir, yes. I know.”

“Oh.” At a loss to offer comfort, O’Neill gave a shrug. “Taking the Felger departure hard?”

Sam gave a noisy sigh and tossed a tool down with more force than necessary.

“Yes sir! With all due respect, although not many people at this facility like Doctor Felger, he IS a brilliant scientist and he’s in a serious bind. I can’t seem to make anybody understand this!  Because of all his classified clearance he can NEVER leave the Air Force, so returning to civilian life is out, but on the other hand he’s not cut out for anything other than research and development.”

“Which is why the place Davis got him assigned to seems perfect. The institute thingie.”

“If it existed. We both know there IS no institute, sir. I checked it out and nobody knows anything about an Alien Technology lab on Molokai,” Sam gave a bitter smile.

O’Neill stepped closer and shot her a look. She met it, and slowly her expression changed. O’Neill nodded, very slightly and raised a warning finger, his voice almost a whisper.

“It’s there. Gotta trust me on this, Carter. Hammond and I have the clearance for info on it. You don’t. Davis stepped over the line to get Felger’s geeky butt transferred there.”

“But—“ confused, Sam cocked her head and O’Neill sighed, harshly.

“Felger is impulsive and rash, and around the military he’s rubbed a lot of us the wrong way, but he’s got his uses. Davis figured if the man went to a civilian facility he’d stop trying to get himself killed and buckle down to what he’s best at. It was a good call on Davis’s part.”

“Oh,” Sam muttered stupidly. For two hours she’d mentally raged against Paul, alternating with feeling the sick dread of possibly never making love to him again. For another two hours she’d cried off and on, wondering where he was on the base and lecturing herself out of hunting him down.

O’Neill gave a nod and rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable.

“Look, off the record I wouldn’t say Davis is exactly jealous of Felger, but considering you’re still defending the geek even after he BRAINED you with a Tok’ra rock—“

“—Looks bad, huh sir?”

“A little—ungrateful, yeah—“ O’Neill conceded as he ushered her out of the lab.

They walked in silence to the briefing room only to find it already full. Sam spotted Paul at the far end of the table, studiously scanning reports. He looked—grim. She fought the urge to dart over to his side and throw her arms around him, particularly since he was flanked by Teal’c and Rose. The only empty seat was at Hammond’s left. Sam took it, looking down at the table.

Paul noticed her stiff entrance into the room and inwardly sighed. Just seeing her made his pulse jump, but a surge of resentment fought it down again. Most of his afternoon had been spent collecting reports from various SG teams and compiling them into one report. It was fairly brainless work, and he was grateful for that since his temper never cooled very quickly anyway.

The problem with loving Sam Carter as much as he did was that it included dealing with her blind spots. She simply wouldn’t believe that the Skins were the best football team, that Roger Moore made a great Bond, that sportsbras were damned sexy, and God help him, that Jay Felger needed a fresh start somewhere else. Paul knew he’d run into other foibles of Sam’s, but these four were more than enough right now, with the latter being the toughest to handle.

But the moment was at hand to nip this one in the bud, and Paul Davis wasn’t going to shirk his duty, even if it cost him the respect of every person in the room. He sighed, and a gentle nudge of Rose’s arm against his reassured him that there was at least ONE ally in the wings. Hammond spoke up.

“All right people, we have Diplomatic briefing from Major Kovachek first on the agenda, and after that a quick overview of mineral resource sites worth developing—“

And so the briefing ran. Sam periodically snuck glances down the table at Paul, always managing to miss catching his eye as he attentively took notes or typed up things on his palm pilot. Consequently she missed most of the pertinent data on the mineral report, the update on Tok’ra intelligence and the latest information on the new PX3 design. By the time the meeting began to wind down she despaired of ever looking into those green eyes again.

Most of the other teams had left the room, and only SG1 remained, scattered around the table. Hammond shot an avuncular look at Davis.

“Major, in lieu of our earlier personnel decision I think it wise to leave you to the final details regarding the placement of Doctor Felger.”

“Thank you sir—“ Paul sighed as Hammond rose and left the briefing room. Jack looked suspiciously at Paul. Daniel’s expression was politely puzzled. Joanna glanced around keenly.

“I thought the decision on the matter of Doctor Felger had been duly rendered,” Teal’c intoned, only the slightest hint of curiosity in his voice. On the other side of Paul, Rose nodded.

“Actually it was, to the satisfaction of almost all parties concerned. However, there was at least ONE other factor that needed closure—“

So saying, Rose picked up the remote from the tabletop and pressed a button. From the speakers blared out the rolling wall of sound, a rising crescendo opening unmistakable to anyone alive in the US in 1977.

Paul sucked in a deep breath and swiftly stood. Athletically, he leapt from the floor to the seat of the chair to the tabletop in two strides. Jack started back, wincing. Daniel’s mouth dropped open. As Disco Inferno rolled out, Paul Davis began to move. Never missing a beat, he raised his arms, gyrating his hips in a wicked roll and strutted down the length of the table.

Sam stared up. Paul was spinning, his lean form close enough to touch, dancing with more grace and power than she’d even imagined. Blue eyes wide, she shot to her feet, propelled by a sentiment in her chest so powerful it seemed to yank her up. Paul looked down at her as he swayed.

“The only damn reason I’m not being carted away for psychiatric evaluation is because I talked to Hammond. Felger isn’t going anywhere unless you—“

Sam was scrambling up on the table herself now, laughing. Around the sides, Jack, Daniel, Rose and Joanna watched with varying degrees of astonishment and amusement. Sam slid into Paul’s arms pulling him close, gyrating against him as the music reverberated against the walls. Paul wrapped his arms around her. Jack winced.

“Disco?”

Rose got up and herded him out with a gentle pat on the rump. Daniel followed, smiling, with Teal’c and Joanna behind. With a grin, she closed the door behind her then sighed up at the Jaffa beside her.

“You know, I wish we had MORE briefings that ended like that—“