Author's Note- I realized that I have over 40 ficlets/drabbles sitting on my computer just waiting to be polished and posted. But instead of making a new story each time (Because they are so short and there's so many of them). I've decided to just post them into this story, with each story being a stand alone chapter (whence why this story is marked as "completed"). The stories will in no way be connected, aside from the fact that they will all be about Sam/Jack. (Of course!) I will give each chapter with a quick summary of it (what season it takes place, if it's angst/fluff/hurt comfort/etc., as well as a summarizing line for it) as well as any adjustments with the rating. (I don't see too many of them going to T, please assume all stories to be K+.) I believe that I'll be posting to this story quite often, so if you'd like updates, feel free to click the story alert button. Now onto what you're really here for…

The following story takes place during the SGU timeline (Sam and Jack established), and is hurt/comfort. "He is waiting…for when she comes home."

Waiting

He hasn't seen her in 5 months. Hasn't held her in his arms, touched her lips, tasted her skin in five months. Hasn't seen her smile her or heard her laugh in person in five months.

Oh he's seen her when they do the video conferences, as she's away on The Hammond. He thought it was bad having her away on Atlantis and he knows that he should be glad that at least he gets to see her this time...albeit through a computer monitor. But they never have personal talks...it's always professional. Even there he notices the bags under her eyes and the worry in her eyes and he knows that her mission isn't going as well as she claims it is. He knows, without her even having to say anything that this job is wearing her thin. He's been her friend too long not to notice her signs of being burnt out. So he gives her encouragement, as much encouragement as he can give her with dozens of people around on both their ends. Some of what he wants to tell her the "come back to him because he's not sure what he'd do without her"s and the "I love you", he doesn't get to say. But his "Stay safe, Carter"s, he hopes, does an adequate job of expressing his unspoken words.

She was safer on Atlantis. And out exploring space on her ship...with any number of possibilities that could happen to her...He tries his best not to think of those possibilities because they will only torture them and nothing good will come of thinking those thoughts. But when he dreams at night…those thoughts come back to them. Always. In one form or another.

He worries for her...and he worries for himself as well.

He knows that this is what would happen when they started their relationship. That they'd be apart, that their jobs would almost certainly always carry a high degree of danger. That even his desk job isn't the safest job that he could have.

But he doesn't regret it. He won't regret being in a relationship with her. As much as he wants her with him, he'd rather see her on that monitor than not be able to see her at all. He can put aside his worries and his pain because he knows that a day will come when she will be earthbound once more.

Because when she comes home...she'll be with him again. Those reunions are always worth the pain and the worry. He will hold her in his arms, touch her lips and taste her skin. And he will see her smile in person and hear her laugh again. It's just a matter of time.

Author's Note- This story was written for a challenge on livejournal called "With One Second on the clock". The challenge was to write for 10 minutes and then post what you have with little to no editing. My apologies if it does not make logical sense. Thanks for reading and if you liked it, let me know!