A Step Forward
Lt Colonel Samantha Carter had just arrived in her office to begin what looked like being a busy day when her phone rang. Tempted not to answer but that whoever was phoning already knew she was there. So she picked up the phone with a scowl on her face.
"Yes."
"Col Carter, General O'Neill would like to see you in his office in five minutes."
"Okay, I'll be there. Thank you Sgt."
As she made her way up to his office Sam wondered what could be so important. SG1 weren't due to go off-world for another week. Teal'c was on Chu'lak and Daniel was where. She didn't really know where he was, but Daniel being Daniel, was probably off researching some artifact somewhere.
After knocking and entering his office, Jack tells her to take a seat. He looks very intensely at her as if he doesn't really know what to say but eventually he begins.
"Sam…"
Sam's head snaps up. "Sir?"
"Yes Sam, please let me finish. The reason I asked you in is because I wanted to tell you personally that I'm leaving the SGC."
"WHAT! B-but you love the SGC, why?' Sam asked in a shocked voice.
"Well, there are a few reasons." He said and started ticking them off on his fingers.
"One, I feel that I can do more for the SGC from the Pentagon. Two, I've stipulated that if I take this transfer I can choose who my replacement will be. The last reason is for selfish and personal reasons."
"Sir, no one could ever call you selfish."
"Thank you Sam."
There was her name again. What was going on? Oh God, what if he was ill?"
"So, do you want to hear my third reason?"
Sam nodded even as she voiced her answer.
"Well ever since Kerry and I went our separate ways, I've been re-evaluating my life and I came to a conclusion." Jack stopped talking, trying to figure out how best to continue. He lowered his eyes to his desk and continued.
"I've decided that at this time in my life I should be enjoying my life with a woman at my side. A strong, smart, beautiful woman with whom I've been in love with for years."
When he finished, Jack raised his eyes to look at a shocked Sam.
"You're doing this for me?"
"No Sam, I'm doing this for us. That is, if you want there to be an us?"
"Of course I do."
"Well then, do you have anything to say to me?"
"Wha…, oh yeah. I love you too Sir."
"Sam, you can call me Jack when you say that."
Sam blushed. "Yes Jack." It sounded weird to hear his name on her lips. Of course she'd been calling him Jack for years but only in her dreams.
"I love you Jack."
Jack looked into the briefing room to make sure that no-one was around. Standing up, he closed the corridor door and went to take Sam into his arms. Finally, he brought his lips to hers in a kiss that was years in the making. It started off soft and gentle but then his passion for this woman overtook him and he deepened the kiss. Sam fell in love with him all over again.
Finally, they broke apart.
"How about dinner tonight?"
"Oh yes, but Jack I don't know if I can wait that long."
"Oh, me neither, but until everything goes through with my transfer we still have regs. to follow."
"When?"
"Only about two weeks. I've already chosen my replacement. He's already going through the required security checks and briefings."
"Jack, I am so happy."
"Me too Sam, me too."
With another brief kiss Jack sent Sam back to her lab with both of them thinking of the night to come.