A/N: I was very honored to have one of my stories nominated for the 2007 Stargate Fan Awards. Although I did not win and do not know who nominated me, I just wanted to say THANK YOU. I really appreciate it.
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are not my property. No copyright infringement is intended.
Sam put her purse under her arm and held a pen and grocery list in her hands as she waited for the elevator to stop. She looked over the things she needed to pick up at the store: toothpaste, coffee, bread, eggs, milk, fruit, paper towels, shampoo, Diet Coke, Jack's favorite ice cream and maybe something from the deli for dinner. No, on second thought, not the deli. She marked a line through that one. Once Jack arrived, she would call in an order at the new Chinese place that had opened not too far from their house. Jack loved their food.
Jack had hurriedly called her from Washington to let her know that he was catching a flight home tonight instead of tomorrow. A meeting had been canceled at the last moment so he would be home earlier than he thought.
Since he was so busy with his job in Washington and she had been going almost non-stop since her return from Area 51, they had not been together nearly as often as they would like.
As she rushed out of the Mountain and got into her car, she realized she was smiling as she anticipated his arrival in a few hours.
As she drove, she thought about their upcoming one year wedding anniversary in five days. They wouldn't be together on the actual date since it was during the middle of the week, so they would have to celebrate while he was home this weekend.
The last time Jack had been home, he arrived late at night and they were both exhausted so they had collapsed in bed together. She awoke the next morning and opened her eyes. She and Jack were facing each other with his face just inches from hers and his arm was wrapped snugly around her waist. From his rhythmic breathing, she could tell he was sleeping soundly so she took the opportunity to look at him. She studied the lines in his face, his long eyelashes, his high cheek bones and those lips that she loved to kiss. A giggle almost escaped as she looked at his gray hair, sticking up in every direction; he looked adorable yet so very handsome. She slowly raised her arm and gently ran her fingers through his hair. Jack shifted slightly to her touch and his arm gripped her waist even tighter. Tears came to her eyes as she realized once again how very much in love with him she really was.
She was brought out of the memory as she stopped in the parking lot of the grocery store. She pulled the grocery list from her purse and hurried inside.
She stopped in the produce section and spied some bright red strawberries so she picked up a carton and put it in the cart, thinking they could have strawberry waffles. Jack always liked to make a big breakfast whenever he was home. The last time he was here, they had enjoyed a long, leisurely breakfast as they caught up with what was going on in each other's life.
Coming around the corner, she came to an abrupt halt as she noticed a cart sitting in the middle of the aisle. She put her hand on it to move it over a little so she could push hers around it, and glanced at a woman looking for something on one of the shelves.
She went past her, then suddenly stopped as she realized who it was. She stood still for a moment, wondering if she should speak to her or just keep walking.
She slowly turned around and as she did, the woman happened to glance up and they looked at each other.
"Hello, Sara."
Sara frowned, then a look of recognition passed her face. "I remember you from somewhere."
Sam smiled. "We met several years ago at Colorado Springs Memorial. My name's Sam."
"Oh yes. I met you when . . . Jack was there . . . with . . . Charlie."
Sam nodded her head. "Yes, that's right."
"That was quite a night."
"Yes, it was."
The two women stared at each other for a moment, then Sara spoke.
"I always wondered about that night. It was quite upsetting to see someone . . . or something . . . that looked just like my son. Jack never got in touch with me to tell me what that was all about. He wouldn't have told me anyway since all of his work is classified" she said sadly as she looked away.
Sam wasn't sure how to respond so she clutched the grocery list as she watched Sara.
"So, you're still working with Jack?"
Sam shook her head. "He isn't my CO any more."
"I see Jack occasionally on the news since he got that big promotion."
"Yes, he's in Washington now."
Sara smiled. "I guess working with the President is very exciting."
"Well, to Jack, the President is just another man."
Sara frowned. "So, you still keep in touch?"
Sam glanced down at the floor, then looked into Sara's eyes. "Uh, yes. You see . . . Jack and I are . . . married."
Sara gripped the handle of the cart to steady herself and Sam could see the surprise on her face.
Sara cleared her throat. "How . . . how long?"
"Our one year anniversary is next week."
"Oh . . . I see. Well . . . congratulations."
"Thank you."
Sara took a deep breath. "How . . . how is Jack . . . really?"
"He's good, very good. Not crazy about Washington but the job has its perks."
"I can imagine. The money; getting to fly anywhere he wants to; gets to work with the President and all those powerful and important people."
"Well, powerful people don't really impress him very much."
Sara grinned. "That sounds like Jack, even though he's in a powerful position himself."
"Yes, but it hasn't gone to his head. He's the same down-to-earth Jack he's always been."
"Do you have children?" Sara suddenly asked.
"No. We'd like to but it hasn't happened yet."
"I see." Sara glanced away then back at Sam. "Jack loved being Charlie's father, even though he was gone a lot. He and Charlie always loved spending time together, when he could make it home that is."
Sara paused. "Jack was a terrific dad so I hope he gets another chance." Sara bit her lip as tears stung her eyes.
Sam knew she needed to change the subject. "How about you? Have you remarried?"
"Oh no" she said as she shook her head. "Haven't met anyone that I care that much about. I guess I'll always be in . . ." Sara stopped suddenly and her eyes darted away.
In that moment, Sam knew that Sara was about to say that she would always be in love with Jack and Sam could see that this conversation was getting uncomfortable for them both. "I'll tell Jack that I ran into you."
"Does he come home often?"
"No. He can't because his job keeps him so busy. Tonight will be the first time I've seen him in over a month."
Sara nodded her head. "Tell him 'hi' for me and also tell him 'congratulations.'"
Sam smiled. "I will. Take care."
Sam started to walk away but Sara took a step toward her. "Sam."
"Yes?"
Sara hesitated a moment, then tears pooled in her eyes. "I'm glad he has you. He needs someone to love him. I tried to . . . but after . . . after everything that happened . . . well, anyway . . . take good care of him."
"I will. I promise." Sam quickly walked away as she swallowed the lump in her throat. She glanced back and watched as Sara wiped her eyes, then stood very still as if lost in thought.
Sam hurried to finish gathering the things on her list and looked at her watch, eager to get home to straighten up the house a little before Jack arrived.
After paying for the groceries, she took them out to her car and put them in the back seat. Just as she got into the car and closed the door, she looked up to see Sara in the parking section next to hers, two cars down. Sam watched as she put the groceries in the trunk, then got into her car. Sara sat very still, looking out the windshield. Sam froze as Sara put her hands on the steering wheel, leaned her head on her hands and began to weep. Sam watched, almost holding her breath, as she watched Sara grieve for a man that she had once shared her life with, the man that Sam was quite certain, Sara still loved. She continued to watch for a few minutes until Sara set up and wiped her face. Sara put her hand over her mouth and closed her eyes for several moments, then took a deep breath and wiped her eyes once more as she stared out the window. In a few minutes, Sara started the car, backed out of the parking space and drove away.
Sam breathed a long sigh, then started her car and pulled out into the traffic.
After they had gotten engaged, Jack had told her about his marriage to Sara. Sara resented him being away so much and it had caused a lot of stress between them. Charlie's death had been the defining factor that ended their marriage.
She now wondered if they possibly could have worked out their problems had they given themselves more time to work on their marriage after Charlie died. But if that had happened, then she wouldn't now be married to Jack. He was the best thing to ever happen to her and she loved him so much. She had never realized how empty her life had been until they had finally gotten together. Her career had always been her main priority and she had been content. But being married to Jack made her happy, happier than she had ever been in her entire life. Just the thought of living without him was something she wouldn't even let herself think about. Life would be so empty and ordinary without him.
Should she tell Jack that she had run into Sara? Should she tell him that she thought Sara still loved him and how would he feel if he knew?
TBC