And because I just couldn't stop writing... taadaaaa!


"Sir?"

"Jack."

"Really?"

"Really. I thought you knew my name..." He joked and she actually smiled.

"Jack."

"That's better. What was it?"

"Why did you really come?"

"I brought breakfast."

"Oh!" And she sounded thrilled. They both knew they couldn't talk serious right then so a little distraction was good.

"Yeah, hot chocolate, well cold chocolate now, some pastry and apple-almond pie..."

"Hmmm... that sounds good." She almost purred. She turned in his arms and so they were fully facing each other.

"Get dressed and I'll reheat the chocolate... or just go to buy another one."

"No, don't go. We can make new hot chocolate, there is plenty in the kitchen." She said and saw him smile that brilliant smile of his. She just let him into one of her womanly secrets.

And so they got up, Jack disappeared, Sam took a shower and changed into something comfortable. She still felt drained but she could also feel the healing process had just begun.

She walked into her living room just to find him sitting on the couch with breakfast served on the coffee table. He seemed to be nervous. When he noticed her he got up and looked at her sheepishly. She came closer and with a smile sat down.

And there it was. The awkward silent moment of not knowing what to do or what to say. Should she go back to his confession? Or not? Damn this! She was so tired of this all. She didn't like it one bit.

"Jack?" Yeah, that felt nice.

"Yeah?"

"I am glad you came for a visit."

"Me too, Sam, me too." He replied and with a smile handed her the cup with hot chocolate.

And so they enjoyed their breakfast.

Afterwards Jack insisted on taking dirty dishes and trash to the kitchen. Sam made herself comfortable on the couch and waited for him. And noticed him being nervous.

"Do you have any plans?" She asked him.

"No, not really. I..."

"Can you stay? We could watch a movie or something." She offered before he could come up with some excuse to leave. She didn't want him to leave.

Little she knew he was just trying to find a reasonable way how to tell her he wanted to stay there with her whole day. So her offer was just the thing he needed.

"That sounds great, Carter." He beamed at her. And she didn't even correct him calling her Carter – a long time ago she noticed he could say her name in several different ways and only some of them were military. This time it was his personal term of endearment and she enjoyed the warmth in his voice.

Sam showed him to her DVD collection and picked several movies, black and white movies, action movies, romance, there was a piece of everything. Actually he wasn't really paying attention to his choosing. And Sam didn't mind one bit. She doubted she'd be able to focus anyway. There was too much on her mind and with him being here she wasn't sure she could just keep on pretending. So maybe today she'd have her answers and solutions. Maybe today would be the day. THE day.

Jack was thinking and thinking and thinking and didn't know how to tell her what he really needed to tell her so he just inserted one of the DVD's and sat down next to Sam. She didn't hesitate and made herself comfortable against his side. And in a moment Jack moved his arm around her to press her even closer. She sighed and relaxed.

Oh so they were both on the same page here.

The only shock came when the movie on the screen started. It was pure classical romance. Troubles... It made him think. Okay so he told her he loved her. And she was not coming back to it. Well... oh damn he hated this!

Slowly Sam felt herself getting tired. She didn't get much sleep during the night and now, warm and comfortable in Jack's arms she could just close her eyes and fall asleep. She refused to think about anything.

"Sam..."

"Yes?"

"Just sleep..." He said and moved a bit on the couch so she would be even more comfortable lying partially on him. He took the afghan from the back of her couch and covered her with it.

"Don't go." She said before her eyes fell shut.

"Never." He said then, turned off the TV and spent the next hour enjoying the pure existence of the woman in his arms. He played with her hair, caressed her face, held her hand, he was just happy and content and not willing to break the spell of those moments.

He was going soft! He was too old...

Soon he felt her waking up but she wasn't eager to move.

"Sam..." He said.

"I can't." She replied, eyes wide open and yet not looking at him.

"You can't what?"

"I can't do this anymore." She confessed and looked up at him.

"By this you mean exactly what?" He asked, still trying to follow.

"I mean the job." She clarified. "A week ago I was sure I was about to die. And it's just too much."

"So you're worried you're going to die out there... It's just the traumatic experience you know..."

"No, I'm worried I'm losing myself. I'm worried I'm going to die without really knowing how it would be... "

"How would what be, Carter?" He asked, getting an idea where she was going with it but not trusting his instincts anymore.

She didn't answer. And he cupped her face and looked at her.

"Carter, the reason I came to visit this morning is that I missed like you hell. I wanted – and I needed to see you and to make sure you're okay. And you know why? Because a week ago you almost died in my arms and the only thing I could do was to kiss you goodbye. And let me tell you that I don't want to experience that ever again."

"Oh." She said. And he realized how it sounded.

"No! I mean – I don't want to be in that situation again, Carter. I came here to tell you I'm done with the SGC and saving the world."

He confessed. He knew what he needed and desperately wanted to do but he gave her time to turn away – which she didn't.

So he kissed her. And she kissed him back.

And in one moment it all came back to her. So when they parted she smiled at him.

"You did kiss me on the lips..."

"Yes. And I was scared to death it was the last time I could do so."

"And you told me you loved me back there on the planet." She whispered softly, looking in his warm chocolate eyes glistering with unshed tears.

"Yes. And I told you so again just few hours ago."

"Jack..."

"Look, I'm not asking you to..."

"Shhh... "

"Carter."

"No. I do too." She said and it took him a moment before it sank in. He smiled.

"I am really glad to hear that." He joked but couldn't even describe how his heart was about to burst out of his chest. Samantha Carter loved him and said so! "And I was about to say that I am not asking you to drop your career and the job at the SGC or anything. I can go and be happy as retired man. Well when it's you coming home to me."

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"How so?"

"Because as I said I am done. No more sacrifices. I've lost too much. I almost lost you and more than once. We lost Daniel... It's time to move on. I might be willing to help as a civilian should they want me to but that's about it."

"Sam..."

"You came here to tell me you want to leave, right?"

"Yes, that's right. I think I've done my service..."

"And you think it's different for me?"

"I think you can still have amazing career." He said softly.

"And I am grateful for that. But I made up my mind and I am sure it's the right thing to do. I want to quit and finally get the chance to have a life. With you hopefully." Jack was looking at her with something strange in his eyes.

"You think they won't let me go." She said matter-of-factly.

"I think they won't be happy and will try all in their powers to keep you. But they don't know how stubborn you are." He replied and smiled at her.

"So..."

"So..."

"Are we really going to do this?"

"I am in if you are, Carter." Jack said and gave her yet another chance to back away. Instead she moved closer and smiled like the cat that ate all the cream from the fridge.

"Good." She said and kissed him. Oh it was addictive all right.

They would figure out the plan later. This was just about the two of them. The last mission changed them and they were finally on the same page at the same time, willing to try to have a life. Together.