It had been only about a month since Lt General Jack O'Neill had retired from Homeworld Security at the Pentagon when his soul mate, Colonel Samantha Carter had returned from her deployment commanding the starship "The General Hammond". She was giving up space travel for an unknown reassignment which didn't make her very happy but being the good soldier, she complied without question. When she asked her General at Area 51 where she had been stationed, he simply told her it was to better her career and she would be happy. The truth was, she knew Jack was retiring; they had talked a bit during their last transmission so she wondered what could be happening.
Upon her arrival back at Area 51, she was handed the folder designating her next assignment. "You are to report to Stargate Command, Cheyenne Mountain, Peterson Air force Base, Colorado Springs, CO within 48 hours." Her heart sank, 'they are sending me back to the SGC? I wonder what's going on?' It had been a long time since she had anything to do directly with the SGC and knew Colonel Mitchell was still in command of SG-1 and Daniel still tagging along with him. Landry was still the General, but she sadly lost track of Teal'c when he returned to Chulak to be with Ry'ac and lead the rebel Jaffa now that Bra'tac had died.
The night Sam arrived at the SGC she was told to report to the General's Office. She was on her way up when she was intercepted by her friends who all welcomed her back with open arms. She had to admit, it was nice to feel like she was 'home'. She asked Cameron and Daniel what had been going on and why she was reassigned back to the SGC when Jack walked out of the General's Office with a huge smile. As soon as their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat and she smiled. Jack smiled back and walked over never losing eye contact. "Sir? I thought you retired? What are you doing back here?" He smiled and opened his arms to take her into a hug. "I did put my papers in but they are holding them up until they fill the Command here, Landry is already in Washington."
He released her and she stood back looking at him. "Do you know who they are going to be assigning?" She asked with a questioning look. All he could do was give her a smirk and put his arm around her shoulder. "Ya know, for a brainac you sure aren't very smart!" She had no idea what he was insinuating when everyone was just looking at her smiling. "What? What did I miss?"
Jack slapped her on the shoulder, "Well.. who was recently reassigned to the SGC?" She shrugged her shoulder, "me? But I am only a Colonel. Don't they want a General in that position?" Jack shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Yes! Now would you catch up for crying out loud?!" She pointed to herself, "you mean they want to promote me?" "DUH!" was Jack's immediate response. "Holy Hannah!" Sam could barely keep her excitement in check and she grabbed Jack around the neck so he gladly caught her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Congrats baby! I'm proud of you…you deserve it!"
Jack and Sam parted their embrace, "Hey, who wants to go to dinner? I'll pay." Everyone jumped from their chairs, "Sure!" came from Daniel and Cameron so fast it made Jack laugh.
After a good time at O'Malley's and everyone catching up on times lost while they were all separated, they all piled into Jack's new truck which was quite similar to his last truck just a much newer model and started back towards the SGC. When he pulled up to the door to drop everyone off and he asked Sam to stay back. They all agreed to hook up in the morning before the promotion ceremony and Jack & Sam drove off to the other end of the parking area away from the guards. Jack parked the car and turned to look at Sam not really know what to say, expressing his feelings was never really his 'thing'.
"Carter, I ah, I can't express how proud I am of you getting this promotion." She smiled "thank you sir." He was rehearsing things in his head before he said them but he still wasn't confident. "Carter… we have been good friends for what 12 years or so now and I know that the military regs have gotten in my way of ever letting you know my true feelings…." his cheeks were red from blushing and he was looking to the floor. "Carter… Sam, I was hoping that with my retirement and your new position, maybe we could…" he looked up just as Sam was leaning in to kiss him. The two held their kiss for a few moments before Sam looked him in the eyes, "there is nothing I would love more Jack."
The two fell into an embrace for a few minutes. The feel of having each other in their arms was true comfort, they had waited so long for this moment. When they parted Jack decided to ask, "where are you staying?" Sam looked around, "I was just going to stay at the SGC until I could get a place. I hadn't thought much of it cause I didn't know if my assignment was going to be permanent or not but I guess I will be staying a while."
Jack nodded, "I hope so. You know, you're welcome to stay at my place till you are all set up somewhere." Sam looked at him with a questioning look, "your place? Where have you been staying?" She figured he was only here a few weeks to oversee the SGC so didn't envision him having his own place. She figured he would be retiring up to the cabin, or at least he would be.
"I never did sell my house. I've been renting it out all these years; actually it's been empty about 6 months now. I just couldn't do it, too many memories of good times ya know?" Sam knew what he meant; Jack's house had always been where they had their team nights and SGC gatherings. Jack didn't have much after Charlie died and he left Sarah so his house and his cabin were where he built his friendships and good memories, so it didn't surprise her.
She looked him in the eye and grinned, "sure, if you have the room, just let me run down and grab my travel bag. Everything else is being shipped and should arrive later this week. "Great, I will drop you at the door and will be back in a half hour. I gotta pick up some things at the store, whatcha want for dinner?" Sam raised an eyebrow with a grin, "you're gonna cook dinner?" He nodded, "Carter, how do you think I have survived most of my life? I DO have to cook, I don't eat out every meal!" He responded with a chuckle.
"How about something simple like Spaghetti and Meatballs?" She responded. Jack smiled, "Sketti & Meatballs it is! I'll even make Gramma O'Neill's secret recipe." Sam looked at him with a questioning look, "and what is that?" "Carter, if I told you I'd have to shoot you. It's between me and Gramma O'Neill!" Sam jumped out of the truck laughing, "Ok sir, understood. Meet you back here in a half hour." Jack smiled, "Roger that!" and drove off to the local grocery.