The day flies by with everyone rushing around working on the finishing touches for the late Mrs. O'Neill's funeral. By the time they make it back to the house that night Jack is exhausted. As he walks into the living room he sees Dave sitting on the couch drinking a beer and watching the sports channel.
"So now you drink alone?" Jack asks taking a seat in the reclining chair nearest the door.
"Things change big brother," he responds without looking away from the TV.
"So is this how the whole week is going to be?"
"You tell me."
Jack groans, "Should I have stayed away?"
Dave sets down his beer and looks at Jack, "Do you want my opinion or do you want me to tell you what you want to hear?"
"I'd like to hear your opinion."
"I think mom would like you being here but I don't. You haven't bothered to visit in years and you haven't cared in longer so why the hell show up now?"
"Who said I didn't care?"
"Where were you when dad died? Or when Abby's birthday came around every year since? So you brought your ex and your son up here once or twice but you never could get out of here fast enough. Heard the kid died after that last trip you made. Sorry we could make it to the funeral," Dave says flippantly.
Jacks vision blurs slightly as he stands out of the chair and strides over with his fist clenched only to be stopped by someone.
"Hey!" Sam's voice snaps him back to reality.
He looks at her for a moment and takes a deep breath.
"I'm going out for some air," he says to her before turning to leave.
As the front door closes behind him he flashes back to when he left at 18.
He looks at his father, Jo O'Neill. The man was proud. Sometimes that was a good thing and sometimes it was not.
"You don't need have to worry about anything dad, I already talked to a recruiter for the Air Force and he thinks I'm a perfect fit," Jack says.
"Then you're dumber than I thought. They say that to everyone they are trying to hook. Why you can't just work with me at the dealership is beyond me. I've already talked to my boss and he wants you to start Monday."
"I just want to do something more than just stay in this town…" Jack starts but his dad cuts him off.
"Why? Isn't this town good enough for you hotshot?"
"It's not that…"
"No, I suppose it's just because you're too good to be like your old man. Well that's fine. You can leave any time and don't worry about coming back."
Jack drops his head and stops walking. He vaguely hears something beside him.
"You wanna talk about it?" Sam's voice comes softly.
"Not really."
"Okay, Abby told me about a little diner just down the street that opened last year. Let's go sit for a while. She said they have a white cake with strawberry filling that is to die for."
"Thanks but I don't think cake is what I'm looking for right now."
"Which is why I also asked about good local bars."
Jack looks at Sam for a moment as he realizes how this night plays out will decide their future and he suddenly knows exactly what he wants.
"I know a place, it's not far from here," he says.
Sam smiles, "Well then lead the way."
Jack turns and takes a breath before grabbing Sam's hand gently and leading her down the street. After walking down the street and thru a park they finally arrive at a small bar and grill. Jack uses his free hand to open the door and leads Sam inside. He nods at the man behind the counter and heads to an empty booth in a dark corner. A young woman comes over and takes their order then leaves them in peace after dropping off two beers.
"So, what do you think of my family?" Jack asks.
Sam sips her beer and looks him in the eye.
"You held my hand the whole way here and now you're asking about my thoughts on your family? Is there something going on that I am unaware of?"
Jack clears his throat, "Let's say for the moment that I decided I need more out of this than what we have now, what would you say?"
"I'd ask what you have in mind."
Jack looks at the woman sitting across from him and wishes he could tell her exactly what he has in mind, but he can't.
"I was just thinking maybe we could head to my cabin after the funeral tomorrow. I don't know how much of my family I can handle right now."
"Your family or your brother?" Sam asks.
Jack takes a swig of his beer before answering, "Those happen to be one and the same."
Sam considers him for a moment, "I'd say, I've come this far with you, why not go all the way?"
As the words leave her lips Jack feels himself wishing with all his might that she hadn't just worded it that way as he wills himself to remain flaccid. He takes a deep breath to relax before speaking again.
"Alright, then I'll figure out a car and we can head out tomorrow afternoon."
Sam sends him a smile that puts him at ease as the waitress sets a platter of miscellaneous snacks. They make quick work of the food as well as several more beers before they decided to head back to the house for the night. As they walk thru the park in the dark Sam looks at the swings then to Jack.
"I haven't been on a swing in ages," she says.
Jack smiles as she sits down and start swinging. After a few moments she waves at him.
"Come on, don't leave me swinging alone," she says teasingly.
"I'm good," Jack replies.
Despite the number of beers he becomes instantly sober as she hops off the swing and walks up to him, her eyes sparkling in the light from the street lights. She stand up on her toes and kisses him. He wraps his arms around her pulling her closer and returns the kiss. She opens her mouth slightly allowing him to explore with his tongue. A warmth begins to spread thru his body despite the cool night air. After several minutes he pulls back slightly to catch a breath and looks at her.
"It's getting cold, we should probably get back," she says, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Yeah, sure thing."
AN: Alright we are coming to the part I have been waiting for since this idea popped into my head.