Samantha Carter had just been relieved of Command of Atlantis by Robert Woolsey. She wasn't too happy about it
considering who she was told was taking over the command. The man himself, Woolsey. 5 minutes had passed since she
was told the news and she was still stood in the same spot dumbfounded.
Shaking her head she began to pack her belongings from her office, occasionally reminiscing in her mind the memories
that some of the objects conjured up; pictures of SG1 with the late General Hammond, of her mother, and looked over
to the picture of her late father Jacob Carter and remembered something he had told her when he was on his death bed.
'Dont let rules stand in your way.' It took her a while to realise what he had meant, but she was dead certain that she
wasnt going to let anything else come between her and happiness. Or her and the man she loved more than life itself. It
was time to make the recurring vivid dreams she had about him a reality.
Woolsey stood in the doorway as she was packing, taking in the views of his new office. She knew he was looking at her,
but not once did she break focus and she continued to pack her belongings. She could feel his cold, scrutinizing stare
from behind her.
'Why do you insist on overseeing me packing my bags Woolsey? Just another way of gloating is it?! I mean, how many
times is it now that you've managed to screw us over?'
'Sam it's not like that let me assure you. It-'
'Oh really?! Well tell me how it is then 'Bob'. Do you really know what you're facing out there? These threats can't be
diffused by way of politics and and diplomacy! Have you any idea how much responsibility this is? Keeping these men
and women safe? Keeping The whole of Earth safe? Are you really ready to take on that responsibility without any real
knowledge? And don't give that bullshit about how you've read all the mission reports I've heard it all before. You'll
never know what its like until you've been out there yourself in the heat of the battle to fully understand the dangers
that we have to control. So I hope you're ready Woolsey, because this is a far cry from sitting a cosy office drinking
coffee and negotiating with the IOA and the NID.'
Woolsey was taken back by her comments. She didn't care anymore. She'd been screwed over so many times over the
years from various organizations and military leaders she had almost become bulletproof, so to speak. She pushed her
way past him and politely glanced at the passers by. Colonel Sheppard came around the corner, nearly bumping
shoulders with her. He could tell by the way she didn't even look up at him that something was wrong. He ran to catch
up with her, grabbing her arm to get her attention. John could definately tell there was something wrong, she had that
clenched jaw that only happened when someone had really pissed her off.
'What's up Sam?'
She looked up and sighed. 'I've just been relieved of command. I'm on my way to my quarters to pack up my things so I
can get back to Earth as soon as possible. I've got some business there anyway.' She mustered up a little smile. 'Dont
worry about me John, I'll be fine. I'll just grab my things and then I'll come and say my goodbyes to everyone.'. John
smiled and nodded. She continued through the corridors and headed to her quarters. She flopped on the bed and closed
her eyes. She was having mixed emotions about leaving Atlantis. She had loved having her own command, taking on
such a big responsibility. But she also missed having her friends and some familiarity was going to be a strange
transition but she knew she could adjust easily. She always did. She opened the door to her quarters and walked slowly
through towards her bed. Setting down the box she was carrying she flopped backwards onto the bed. The next thing to
do was to form a plan to get the man of her dreams. This is going to be a very, very long day Samantha.
The time had come for Lt Colonel Samantha Carter to depart from Atlantis and return to Earth to restart her life. And
maybe, she thought, just maybe she might be able to finally find the happiness and love she had been missing since her
relationship with Pete. She knew it would never had worked out. She knew this because the only reason she tolerated it
for so long was because she thought she could get over the one person she couldn't have. It tore her apart to know that
she was lusting for someting she knew was out of reach, hurting someone else in the process but still striving to get to
the goal. She decided that now she was going to go for it and tell him how she really felt, and had felt for so long.
She entered the gate room and looked up to find the whole of the base, civilian and staff lined up to wave her good bye.
As she said her goodbyes and smiled gently at the people she had just become to know as her third family; the second
obviously being Teal'c, Daniel and Jack O'Neill, she started to tear up. Tayla stepped in fornt of her and hugged her.'We
are all going to miss you Samantha.'
'Thanks Tayla I'm going to really miss all of you! It's been such a pleasure. I'm just sorry that I wont be here to see
Rodney fight with Zalenka anymore!' Tayla laughed and hugged her friend again. 'Goodbye, dont be a stranger ok?' Sam
nodded. She stepped forward, sighed and walked through the gate. As she looked up, she stood agasp. There he was.
Stood at the end of the ramp in his dress uniform waiting for her. For her. Her wide smile was hardly subtle and it was
blatantly obvious to everyone in the gate room that the chemistry between these two was still as strong as the metal the
gate was made from. She made her way down the ramp and stood directly infront of him. Her heart was beating so hard
she thought it might just burst out of her chest. She looked at him taking in every detail.
Samantha loved his eyes. They were the most beautiful dark brown eyes she had ever seen. They had seen so much. In
the reflection of them she could see memories of everything that they had accomplished and experienced in the 9 years
they had served together. They had been through so many things together, both good and bad that she was able to
predict everything that he was going to do by his body language alone. The things they had achieved; saving lives, the
Earth, the galaxy, saving each other. In a strange way she particularly loved when they were stranded in Antartica,
combining body heat just to survive. She shivered at the very thought of being able to sleep next to him in the comfort
of his soft embrace. Oh how she wanted to experience that again, just minus the freezing conditions they had found
themselves in on that particular mission.
'Sir, I didnt expect to see you...what are you doing here?'
He sniggered and smiled that mischievious grin she had always loved.'Drop the sir Sam. I've come here to do something
that I should have done a long time ago. Come here' he said opening his arms up for a hug. Sam grinned and put her
arms around his shoulders and snuggled her face against his neck. And with that, the whole of the gate room and control
room started an applause. They never stopped, he held her round the waist and swayed her side to side for what felt like
a lifetime. She hoped this moment would never end. As she breathed in she caught a whiff of that aftershave he tended
to wear for formal occasions, it always sent tingles through her body and made her go weak at the knees. 'Why did he
have to wear this aftershave?!' He must have noticed the effect it has on me by now!'. He pushed back and looked into
her soft blue eyes.
'Let's get out of here.'
He guided her by the small of her back the entire time they walked through the corridors to the lift. Not once did his
hand leave that spot. She was surprised how tender a touch he had when not brandishing a P90. She hadnt stop smiling
since she saw him in the gate room. So much so that her jaw was starting to ache. She'd dreamt about this so many
times she actually wondered if she was asleep. She also wondered where they were going from here. Sam knew that
Jack would want to take her somewhere quiet so they could be alone. She decided it was time to heed her fathers advice
for once in her life and she was going to see it through. She would be happy, even if she had to die trying.
'So where are going, Jack.' He pushed her chin up with his finger.
'Away. It's time we took a little vacation dont ya think?'
'The cabin?!' she said ecstatically. He laughed and nodded. 'Yep.' She flung herself around him. He picked her up and
swung her around.
'Lets go get your stuff and head out eh?' All she could muster up for a reply was a quaint squeal. They got in his SUV
and headed for Sams house to pick up some fresh clothes.