Chapter 2

Driving cross town Sam remembered when she was presented with these papers to sign, Daniel wasn't dead a month and she and the colonel had nearly drowned in a sinking mother ship. He told her that Daniel had signed the previous documents and he didn't want to impose on her but he didn't think Teal'c signature would be considered legal. And he trusted her.

She knocked on the door and heard his voice, loud and clear.

"Come on in."

Sam popped her head in the kitchen and said "You know, sir, it could have been anyone."

"Don't worry" he smirked "I have a gun.
Hungry? Breakfast is getting cold."

"Fruit Loops can't get cold."

"No, they get soggy. Want some eggs?"

She didn't have a chance to answer when he handed her a plate of eggs, sausage, hash browns and a mug of coffee. He turned back to the stove broke two more eggs in to the skillet. She could see the outline of the bandaged under his white t-shirt and his left elbow bruised black and purple.

"How are you sir?"

"Me? I'm fine.
Not that I mind the company but what brings you here this early on a fine Saturday morning?"

He slid the eggs into another plate with more potatoes and sausage and poured another mug of coffee. He handed her a fork and knife, grabbed some for himself and walked into the dining room.

They ate quietly and when he got up to refill the coffee cups he asked.
"You okay?"
He had been ignoring the papers on the table beside her.

She slid them over toward him.

"I don't think I can do this."

"It just me Carter, you can do it. It just doesn't matter much, it's just me. You know what I want."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Oh shit, don't cry."

She wouldn't let one more tear fall. She seemed angry.
"I don't want to ever have to do this.
I don't think I can do this any more."

He wasn't quite sure what she was talking about anymore, coping with death, coping with her feelings for him or just the whole damned war. He took the easy way out.
"We have no choice. You did get the stop-loss memo. Hell, I've tried to retire a few times."
His fears and pain made their entrance.
"Look dying with your boots on is preferably to some of us than rotting away in a bed. It's a goddamned shame about Janet but… it's just a goddamned shame."

He was afraid what little he had eaten was going to wind up on the kitchen floor. He went out the sliding doors to the deck to get some air and pull himself together. After a while Sam came out and stood by his side.

"When I came to in the infirmary I knew from the way they were talking that someone didn't make it. And I couldn't manage to… I couldn't ask them who it was. I was afraid…"
He squeezed her hand. He never looked at her. He just stared out to the trees.
Knowing that her life would be far simpler if he broke the link between them, if he could only release her from this burden they both carried. Dropping her hand he said brusquely.
"I'll get some one else to take care of those things Carter. You don't have to fuss with it."

"Yes sir."

Sam went back inside, gathered up the papers and held them tight to her chest. She drove home knowing she could and would do anything for that man.


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