Washington DC
General Jack O'Neill walked into his apartment after another long and boring day in the Pentagon. What was he doing there? The question had been running across his mind quite frequently lately. He couldn't remember the last time he had gone out with his old SG1 team or even spent a quiet and relaxing weekend at his cabin.
He was tired; tired of the long days, the paperwork…the loneliness. Did he really want to be there? The answer was simple. No.
Walking over to the bookshelf in his living room, he took down an old photograph. It was one of his favourites of him and his old team. They were standing in front of the Stargate, just having come back from a very successful mission. Daniel was smiling, holding up one of the priceless artifacts that he had recovered, while Teal'c stood by, staff weapon in hand, a faint smile playing on his face. The next face Jack looked at was his own. He was looking very pleased with himself, one arm draped across Teal'c's shoulders and the other around Carter's waist.
He sighed. Carter looked radiant. She was grinning one of her heart melting Sam Carter smiles. Jack rubbed his finger over her glowing face as he put the picture back on the shelf.
Not only did his Pentagon job not allow him to go fishing as often as he liked, but he was rarely given the opportunity to stop by the mountain and visit his favourite Col. Jack walked over to his desk and sat down. Something had to be done about all of this.
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1 week later – SGC
Samantha Carter was leaving the gate room after returning from a mission when she saw General Hammond talking to someone in the briefing room. Slowing down, she caught a glimpse of the visitor and she froze. General O'Neill? Since his transfer to the Pentagon, his visits to the SGC had been very few, and the very sight of him after his absence for the past few months caused her legs to quiver ever so slightly and her heart to race. What was he doing here?
She hadn't realized that she was staring until one of the airmen guarding the doors spoke. "Are you okay?"
She shook her head, bringing herself back to reality, and smiled briefly at the guard. "I'm fine." Heading out the door she took one last look behind her to confirm what she had seen, but he was gone.
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It had taken a little while for her to change and debrief, but as she headed towards her lab, she couldn't help but think back to seeing the General in the gate room. Opening the door to her lab, her heart skipped a beat and a broad smile spread across her face.
Standing in her lab bent over a microscope and fiddling with various knobs and dials, was General Jack O'Neill. "Sir?"
Jack stood up and grinned. "Carter! I was hoping on finding you."
Sam smirked, "well this is my lab sir." Jack laughed softly. Sam walked over to him, and her smile faded slightly. "It's nice to see you again sir."
Jack took a step closer to her and was about to respond when he caught Sam's eye and followed her gaze to the security camera on the wall. He sighed and his smile turned into a more serious expression. "It's been too long Carter. How have you been?"
"Ok" she replied softly. Although their conversation was simple, their eyes never left each other, expressing their true emotions.
After a few minutes, Sam broke the contact. Walking over to her microscope, she readjusted the settings. "So….why the sudden visit?"
He walked over, and sat down on the stool next to her. "I wanted to talk to you."
Sam looked at him with a questioning glance. Jack took a deep breath, "I'm retiring."
"What?"
"I'm retiring Carter. I wasn't cut out for a desk job. I'm tired of days of long board meetings and endless paperwork. I want to fishing, go out with friends, spend the weekend at the cabin…and so many other things that I never get a chance to do anymore in DC."
The news still seemed to be sinking in, and all Sam could do was nod.
Jack scooted his stool a little closer to her, and placed his hand gently on top of hers. "It's not all bad news Carter." He said softly. "I'd be a civilian…no more regulations…"
"I thought we said that we'd never give up our careers over this sir. I couldn't let you give up your place in the airforce for me."
"Sam," he placed his other hand on top of hers. "It's time for me to retire. I can't keep working behind a desk for the rest of my life. Besides there are far better things I could be doing," he said as he squeezed her hand.
Sam looked down to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. When she looked up she was smiling again. "When's your last day?"
"They asked me to stay on for a couple months, to finish up various projects. I'll be in the Pentagon for another eight months before I officially retire."
"Eight months huh?"
"Thirty-two weeks" he added, causing Sam to laugh. Looking at his watch, Jack got up. "Sorry, but I gotta go. I have to head back to Washington tonight."
"So soon?"
"Sorry." He gave her hand one more squeeze and headed towards the door.
"Sir?"
"Yes Carter?"
"Are you sure this is what you want?"
Jack looked right into her beautiful blue eyes and smiled. "I wouldn't want anything else." With that, Jack left.
Sam sat back down in her chair, and ran her fingers through her hair. Retirement? Wow. She smiled as the reality of it all hit her. Jack's retirement meant that they could finally pursue a relationship together. Various images of her and Jack together started running through her mind, and she laughed to herself. Retirement.