Time to Say Good-bye

Jack opened the door to his Washington apartment. Placing his keys in the ash tray by the door, he noticed it already contained a set. He began walking through the hallway, taking off his uniform jacket as he walked. Hearing a voice in the kitchen, he turned left. There she was, Sam. She had the phone to her ear and she was tooting around in the fridge. When she turned, Jack could see what she had been looking for. A bottle of beer. She looked at him and smiled. Then she said, "Ok Cass. Great to hear. Jack just got in, so I'll let you go… I will….Bye." She is standing in front of Jack by this time. Handing him the beer, she kissed his lips.

"Hey".

"Hey, back". Keeping up the commentary about work and Cassie, Jack and Sam made it to dinner. Half way through the Chinese take-out, Jack decided it was time.

"Ummm, Sam? Have you given any thought to going back to the SGC?"

"Why?" she asked wearily.

"Well, Cassie's settled and you and I are great. I was just wondering if ya know –you missed it.

"I guess. Yeah a little but I'm happy at Area 51."

"Umm…It's just that Hank keeps asking when you're going back and I know Mitchell still calls you."

"Jack. What's going on?"

"Well, they've got themselves a little problem. And I think that the only way to stop it…" he quickly laid out the plans for the Mach 9 to stop the prior on .

"So, you want me to go and access the situation and if I can't figure another way to stop the prior, I'm supposed to set off the Mach 9?"

"Yeah, something like that."

"Ah…and you're worried that I might want to stay once I'm back there?"

"Yeah. I mean, if it's what you want, then I'm ok with it. In face, I think you kinda miss the action."

"Well, I suppose. I won't really know what I'll want until I'm back there. But Jack, even if I do decide to stay, we'll still have this. We'll even be closer – distance wise."

"I know." He said with a pout. "I'm just concerned."

"Concerned?" she asked baffled.

"Yeah. Don't get me wrong, I know you're a great soldier and have saved my and Earth's

ass a number of times. But I'll worry about you. You know…as my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?' Sam asked laughingly. "Is that what I am?"

"Well yeah. I mean…" Jack looked so nervous trying to explain what they had, that Sam had to take pity on him.

"Jack. I understand what you're saying. And even thought it sounds kind of juvenile, I suppose it is what we are – boyfriend and girlfriend. And as for your worrying, there's nothing I can do about that. That's up to you, but know this. I will always do my best to come home to you. I will assess every mission and will be as cautious as I can be. That's all I can promise. And besides, I might go and complete this mission and be more than happy to return to Area 51."

"I know, it's just…I'll miss you." He looked at her with his puppy dog eyes.

Sam smiled and said" I'll miss you, too."

Their hands reached across the table and joined. Sam gave his hand a squeeze and said, "So, when do I leave?"

"Umm…"

"Jack!"

"Tomorrow. 1400 hours."

"What? You couldn't give me more notice?" She asked stunned.

"To be honest, I should've sent you tonight, but I didn't want to." Sam smiled, wagging her eyebrows, "Well Colonel, I like how you think."

Jack didn't reply as he followed her to the bedroom. He figured he'd wait until tomorrow to tell her he had already taken the morning off.

The End