The Reunion (Jack & Sara)
Mickey

STORY STATUS: Completed 4/14/06

SEASON: 1

SPOILERS: The Stargate movie, Cold Lazarus

PAIRINGS: None

WORD COUNT: 3,164

AUTHORS NOTE: This originally started as something completely different. Many thanks to my wonderful beta reader for this series, Cyn!

Although there are no pairings in this part, the series pairings will wind up being Jack/Sara, Sam/OC, and possibly Daniel/OC or Daniel/Janet. I haven't really decided about a Daniel pairing yet, or if there will even be one.

ARCHIVE PERMISSIONS: Ask first. I'll probably say yes.

DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and it's characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions and Gekko Productions. This story is for fun and I sure as hell didn't get paid for writin' it. No copyright infringement intended.

JACK

"Take care of yourself, Jack." Her whisper barely reaches my ears as I leave the hospital with energy Charlie.

I know she isn't really expecting to hear from me, but I'll be damned if I'll let her down again. She has a right to know what just happened. One way or another I am going to make sure she finds out.

FOUR DAYS LATER

God, I hate wearing this monkey suit. I straighten my tie and rub my hands down the coat of my dress blues. BDU's are so much more comfortable. Sara, however, has always loved me in them, which is part of the reason why I'm wearing them now. I take a deep breath and ring the door bell.

I feel more like a school boy on a first date then an almost forty-six year old man going to pick up his ex-wife to tell her about a top secret government program.

Sara opens the door and stares at me in obvious disbelief, a dishrag hanging limply in her hand.

My heart skips a beat as I stare at her. She still has a hold on me, much as I try to deny it. She looks beautiful, even in her favorite blue jeans, faded by years of wear and washing, and Alabama t-shirt.

"Can I come in?" I ask as I take off my ever-present shades.

Sara shakes herself from her shocked stance and answers. "Of course. Sorry, but I didn't really expect to see you again. At least not so soon." She's always been direct before, no point changing now.

I haven't been in this house since I came home from Abydos, but this isn't home anymore. She hasn't changed much. Pictures of Charlie and I are still up. The couch, though its position has changed, is the same one we picked out together a year before Charlie died. Charlie's roller blades, the one's Sara had yelled at him several times to put in his room, are still in the corner where the boy left them.

"Can I get you something to drink? Coffee or a soda maybe?" She knows me well enough to know not to offer me a beer.

"No, thanks." I manage to say as I mentally bring myself back to the present. "I came here to see if you're free for the day. There are some people I'd like you to meet."

"Is this about what happened at the hospital?" Pain flashes briefly through in my heart at her question. Fleeting as it was, anyone else would have missed it entirely, but I know she saw it in my eyes. She knows me to well.

"Yes." I state simply. No point in trying to deny it.

I fought hard to get Sara security clearance so I can tell her about the program. There's no turning back now. It had taken four days of almost constant badgering for the president to finally give his consent. It had also helped that General Hammond had called on my behalf. Honestly, I'm still a little shocked the president gave in. I knew I had been bordering on insubordination after my fifth call, but damn it, Sara has a right to know!

"Should I change?" She asks, breaking my revere as she speaks, looking down at what she's wearing.

"No." You look great. "What you're wearing is fine."

"Let me grab my keys." She takes them from the hook on the wall (still where it had been before) and her purse and follows me out to my truck.

SARA

Ever the gentleman, Jack opens the door and helps me into his truck.

Neither one of us say a word as he drives. I'm glad. It gives me time to think. That dead look is gone from his eyes. That haunted, soul shattered look that had been there from the moment the doctor said the dreaded words. 'He's gone.' There's still some sadness in his eyes, but some of that old sparkle has come back.

Fifteen minutes later, we pull into the parking facility of Cheyenne Mountain. I remain quiet as I follow Jack to the security check in. I can't help but wonder what he's thinking. What did he bring me here to tell me? Why is it such a big secret that he couldn't tell me at home? The guard looks at me as Jack signs in.

"She's with me." Jack says at the guard's questioning look. "Sara O'Neill."

The guard looks as if he is about to say something, but a look from Jack effectively keeps him quiet. Some things never change. I bend over and sign in, trying desperately to keep the smile off my face.

"Still have quite a way with people I see, Jack." I say as we enter the elevator and the doors slides close.

Jack merely smiles at me. God! I love that smile. It's a big part of what made me fall in love with him. That 'happy go lucky, I can do anything, endure anything, I'm the happiest man in the world', smile. Nothing could wipe that smile from his face for long, especially when he was with Charlie. Not any of his horrible injuries, and there were far too many of those. Not the horrible things that bastard West made him do. Not even Iraq. It would go away for a while, but it always came back. Nothing that is, except one solitary gun shoot that shattered a beautiful spring day, stealing our son from us and forever changing our lives.

I'm, glad to see it has finally returned.

The rest of the descent is made in silence.

We walk into a large room with a table in the center. Four people are standing by the table. I remember seeing three of them at the hospital. I follow Jack to the end of the table, stopping when he does.

He starts the introductions with the bald General at the opposite end. He isn't the only one in a dress uniform. "This is Major General George Hammond. He runs this facility. The other three are members of my team." Jack turns to face a blond haired woman and my gaze follows. "Captain Samantha Carter, my second-in-command." He points to the female who is also in dress blues. We nod to each other and smile. Then he turns to a man with hair that is definitely not military regulation. "Doctor Daniel Jackson." He has a boyish face that reminds me a little of Charlie. I have a feeling that he's older than he looks. Finally, Jack points to a tall black man with an odd gold tattoo on his forehead. "Last but not least, this is Teal'c."

Jack puts a hand on my shoulder and points to some papers on the table with his other hand. "These are nondisclosure papers. You have to sign them before we can tell you anything." I know he sees the skeptical look that must be in my eyes. "This is important, Sara. Trust me. Please."

I don't hesitate any longer because I'd never stopped trusting him. I read the papers and sign them.

Jack guides me around the table and pulls out a chair for me. Then he pulls out his own and sits. Right next to the general. I get the impression that's his usual seat. The others take their queue from Jack and sit.

Two hours later, I'm staring at them in stunned silence. It's defiantly going to take some time to process everything they've just told me. I'm sure I haven't even heard half of it. What I have heard is enough. Gate travel, aliens, bad guys with glowing eyes, energy beings that lived in crystals? What the hell have they gotten themselves into?

If I didn't know Jack so well, I'd swear this was some kind of practical joke. They'd answered my questions, and I had a lot, with patience. No one says a word. They stare at me in silence, no doubt trying to gauge my reaction. I know Jack had assured them before hand that I won't say anything, even without the agreement.

I think they are genuinely worried about me.

"Sara, are you ok?"

I look at Jack. He's looking at me with concern in his dark eyes. "I think so."

"Not really."

"No. No, I'm not."

Jack takes my arm and gently guides me out of the room.

JACK

I glance at the General, who nods, then stand. I then take Sara's arm into mine. "Come on. Let's get something to eat."

Sara nods mutely and stands. I guide her into the commissary, which much to my relief was almost empty. Immensely grateful that all but three teams, including my own, are off world at this time. We quietly pick out what we want. "Richards," I say in a grave tone, "the Jell-O case is suspiciously empty."

I steal a sideways glance at Sara and am happy to see her grinning at my antics. The young man has only recently transferred to the SGC and I take great pleasure in teasing him whenever I can. What can I say? He makes it so easy. I smile briefly then quickly steel my face and turn toward the Sergeant. "Uh, y-y yes, sir." The sergeant stutters. "I'll see if the cook has anymore ready, sir."

"You do that." I turn to Sara as the Sergeant walks briskly into the kitchen.

"You're incorrigible, Jack." Sara smacks me gently on the shoulder.

"I know. It's a gift."

I turn as I hear someone approaches from behind. "What's that, sir?" Carter asks. "Harassing the kitchen staff or being an all around smart-ass." Her smile falters slightly and she adds, "Sir," quickly.

I can't help but smile at the look on her face. Technically, she's bordering on insubordination with that remark. "Both, Carter. Something I can help you with or are you just here to sample the fine cuisine?"

"General Hammond asked me to inform you that as of 0700 tomorrow, SG-1 is no longer on stand down. Something's come up and he wants us on it." I feel a twinge of pride towards the Captain. She knows that, just because Sara now knows about the program, doesn't mean that anything other than what she's already been told can be discussed in front of her. Despite my initial reservations, she's proving herself to be a capable warrior.

Damn. It's always something. I nod to the Captain. "Thank you."

Sam salutes. I return it with usual half salute; she does a smart about face and leaves the commissary. I turn back to the food counter as the Sergeant returns with a tray of assorted colored Jell-O's. "Thank you, Sergeant." I smile at the other man then turn back to my ex.

"You're welcome, sir." Richards replies breathing a sigh of relief as he goes back to his duties.

"Some things never change." Sara says sadly, as I lead her to a table in the corner. God, I'm so tired. I know there are dark circles beginning to form under my eyes.

I can tell by the look on her face that Sara has something on her mind. I sit quietly, giving her time to collect her thoughts. After only a few moments, she voices what it was.

"It was a suicide mission wasn't it? That first mission to . . .," she pauses trying to remember the planet's name, and I wince. I knew she'd be asking me about that. "Abydos." The name comes to her as I'm about to tell her. "You weren't supposed to come back." It isn't a question. I'm silent as she studies my face a moment, than adds sadly. "You knew it. You didn't want to come back. That's why you took the mission. You wanted to die."

"Yes." There's no point in lying. She knows me to well.

She's waiting for me to say more. After a few moments, it became obvious to her that I won't so she breaks the silence. "What changed?"

A small smile finds its way to my face. "Daniel." I state, then pause. "And Skaara."

Certain she noticed the affection in my voice at the boys name, I wait for the question I know is coming.

With a quizzical look she asks, "Skaara?"

She listens as I tell her the events of that almost fatal mission.

"He's a good kid. He reminded me a lot of Charlie." I finish a nostalgic smile on my face.

SARA

He finishes his story and I wait a moment before asking, "He's the boy, isn't he? The one who was taken as a host with Daniel's wife. . ." I try desperately to remember the woman's name but can't.

Jack's eyes harden as he says, "Sha're. Yes."

I've heard enough for now. I need time to process everything I've just been told. Jack's had enough for now too, I think. I know him pretty well, even after more than a year apart. He hasn't been sleeping much lately. Then again, neither have I. Not since that day at the hospital.

We sit quietly for a few minutes. Jack breaks the silence this time.

"What have you been up to?"

"I went back to school a little over a year ago to get my PhD. I'm going be a grief councilor." I got my Bachelors degree about a year before Charlie was born. I had just started towards my PhD when I found out I was pregnant with Charlie. I didn't want to quit, but by that time, Jack was gone about eight to nine months out of the year. I had fully intended to go back shortly after Charlie was born, but it never happened. When Jack left that night, I was so sure he wasn't coming back. I fell apart. It didn't last. I'm a lot stronger than I was in my younger days.

Jack taught me to be strong.

A few days later, I realized it was time to go back to school. That's another thing I learned from Jack, how to stand on my own two feet.

JACK

"So," Sara begins as she returns her now empty tray to the counter, "how about a tour?"

"I though you'd never ask."

I look at my watch. Just in time.

We walk back to the control room in silence. I can't help but wonder what she's thinking. I can't believe the way my heart still flutters when I get this close to her. On a whim, I place my hand in hers half expecting her to pull away immediately. To my surprise, she squeezes my hand and smiles at me.

The General smiles warmly as we enter the control room. "You're right on time, Jack." He says as I guide Sara to the to large window. "This," Hammond says as the blast door slides up, "is what started it all."

I grin at the wide-eyed wonder on her face as Sara stares at the Stargate. I see my little boy's face reflected in hers.

"Wow." She jumps back in awe as the circle began to spin, the chevrons lighting up as it goes. She jumps again when water seems to splash out towards them. I'm sure she is aware this will, most likely, be the last time she'll ever see it.

The General grabs the mike as four people come through the gate. "Welcome home SG-5" his voice booms through the mike. "Debriefing in one hour." He releases the mike and turns to Sara. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. O'Neill. Enjoy the rest of your tour."

"Thank you, sir." She says.

The general smiles warmly then leaves.

I show her around a little more, making brief stops at Sam and Daniel's offices, than take her home.

I turn off the engine, walk around to Sara's door, and help her out.

"How about a cup of coffee?" She asks. "I think I still have some chocolate cake." She adds quickly.

I raise an eyebrow and smile. "Did you say cake? Lead the way." Bowing deeply, I swing my arm in a grand gesture towards the door.

Sara cuts each of us a piece of cake while I make coffee. I notice that my piece is bigger. Then, we walk into the living room and sit on the couch.

We eat in silence. "Is that why you left?" I ask as I set my empty plate on the coffee table. "Because you knew I wasn't coming back?" I look into my cup, stick my finger in and flick something out of my coffee.

Sara smiles, amusement dancing in her eyes. "I left because there was nothing to stay for, Jack. You were here physically but that was it. I didn't know how to reach you. I guess some part of me knew you'd be back. That's why I filed for a divorce. I'm sorry, but I just couldn't do it anymore."

I smile sadly. God, I was such a fool. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shut you out. I just didn't know how to deal with what happened." It was my fault, not hers. She has to know that.

"It wasn't your fault, Jack. It was just a stupid, horrible accident."

God, how I still love her!

I can't look her in the face. I don't deserve sympathy, especially not from her.

SARA

I can't help the amused smile that crosses my face as Jack sticks his finger in his coffee again. It's an odd habit he has.

I remember what Jack had told me about Daniel and Skaara.

"You had changed when you came back?"

Another sad smile. "You could say that.

Daniel, Skaara, and the Abydonians made me realize that there are still things worth fighting for, even when you lose someone you love." He says.

"Why didn't you call me when you got back?"

"I knew you had moved on. I didn't want to hurt you again. I loved you too much. So, I figured the best thing to do would be to just let you go."

We drink the rest of our coffee in silence. A few minutes later Jack stands. "I should be going now. I'll call you soon."

I take a deep breath, hold it a second, than released it. "Jack you don't . . ."

He raises a hand cutting me off. "Just because we aren't married anymore doesn't mean I don't care about you. I just want to make sure you're OK. Besides, there's nothing saying we can't still be friends is there?" He waggles his eyebrows at me in the way that always made me laugh. Still does.

"OK. And yes, we are still friends." I relent. He hugs me once more then turns and leaves.

I stand in the door and watch him drive away, staring down the road several minutes after he's out of sight. I have no doubt he'll keep his word.

He always does.

The End