The man studied the building from his hidden spot. It had taken him three days of observation to decide the best place to perform his task. But, that was why he was the best. He took the time and effort to study all the variables and ensure he had a one hundred percent success rate. Of course, he charged a premium for his services, which meant he was employed only by the very wealthy or by governments that wanted no traceable ties.
As he watched the building from across the water, he glanced at his watch. The sun would be coming up behind him in two hours and forty minutes. He knew his prey would be coming out just shortly before that. He smiled. He had been warned that this particular person was extremely dangerous. He was a little disturbed how little he could actually dig up on his target. Whatever his target did, or had done, it obviously was well covered up. His prey was obviously involved in some sort of dark business. It made him very curious. Maybe his target was a kindred soul. Someone his government paid to clean up their messes, or some other dirty job they required. Who knows? In some other circumstances maybe they could have friends, if he himself was the type to actually have friends. Didn't matter. He was being paid handsomely to eliminate this particular target and in less than two hours and thirty minutes. Then he was going to take a vacation. He has another job lined up, but he had time. He looked through his scope at the door that would open soon. It was only a matter of time.
Jack O'Neill lay in bed after waking. He knew he needed to get up soon. It was almost sunrise and he tried to catch the sunrise as much as possible while at the cabin. He sighed. His physical wounds from the last mission had healed. The only remnants on that front were residual soreness. His mental strength was another matter.
He thought he had reached peace with his feelings for his former second in command. He realized now that she had moved on and gotten serious with her boyfriend, he had been fooling himself. He had begun to allow himself to think maybe he could be happy again, maybe get another chance to enjoy life and share it. Rules and regulations had gotten in the way, and…Well, he really could not blame her for wanting a life with someone younger, smarter, and available now.
He sighed again and moved to get up. He had slipped away from the SGC to contemplate his future. He had not told anyone he was coming up here. Of course Hammond probably knew, as he was covering for him, but Jack had not actually confirmed where he was going; only that he needed time off. He suspected Hammond knew the reason and where he was, but had not questioned him deeply on it. He doubted anyone else would miss him for a few days. Well, maybe Walter, who seemed determined to torture him daily with forms that needed signing.
He finished walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower and as it warmed up, went and started his coffee.
The man in the woods looked at his watch. It should be a matter of minutes now. He shifted slightly, ensuring that his profile never changed. To anyone observing the woods, it would have been impossible to detect. This man was the known as the best for a reason. He was thorough and patient. He looked through the scope again and slowly toggled the safety off.
Jack put on his jacket and grabbed his coffee. At least he could still enjoy the sunrise. He would watch the sunrise, then draft out his retirement paperwork so he would have it ready to turn in when he returned. He started to the door.
The man in the woods watched through the scope. He has seen the light in the cabin turn off. He knew his prey was coming. He slightly tensed his trigger finger, ensuring his grip on the trigger was what he wanted. The door opened and his target appeared. The man smiled and pulled the trigger. He watched through the scope as the bullet impacted O'Neill and he fell back into the cabin.
