Hello everyone! I hope ya'll like this chapter as much as the rest of the story. It's a bit angsty but don't worry. It gets better!
Blood rushed from Sam's fingers as she gripped the steering wheel. She had been sitting in Jack's driveway for ten minutes. Her earlier anticipation had faded during the drive to Jack's house. She was about to confess her long concealed love to her commanding officer!
Taking a deep breath, she got out of the car and began to walk to the front door. As she neared the door, she noticed one of the front windows was broken. Instantly, her military training kicked in. She quietly ran back to her car and retrieved her 9mm that she always kept in the glove box. She crept back to the window, being careful to stay hidden. Peeking around the corner, Sam saw no intruder, only Jack's head barely visible from the couch.
Sam went to the front door. Luckily, it was unlocked. She opened to door slowly, keeping her gun ready in case someone else was hiding in the house. She swiftly searched each room before going to the living room. The sight was shocking.
Half a dozen empty beer bottles littered the floor. Jack was sprawled out on the couch, another empty beer bottle in his hand. A painful look was plastered on his face. It broke Sam's heart to see him like that. She didn't know what had caused him to drink like this but she had a sinking feeling that it was her.
Kneeling down next to the couch, she watched Jack sleep. Bringing her hand up to his face, Sam hesitated for a moment, then softly stroked his face. His eyelids fluttered open.
Seeing someone was next to him but not being able to make out whom, Jack groggily asked. "Who—who's there?"
Sam pulled her hand back and leaned against the coffee table. "It's me, Colonel. It's Carter."
"Carter?" He blinked.
"Yes sir."
"What are you doing here?" Jack tried to sit up but grabbed his head in pain. "Oy, maybe not." He mumbled as he lay back down.
"I…ah…I came by to talk to you."
"Talk?"
"Are you ok sir?" She looked around the room at the empty bottles. "How much did you drink?"
"Ah, I don't remember."
"Hold on sir. Let me get you something for your head." She stood and went to the kitchen searching for some Advil. Finally finding some, she poured a cold glass of water and went back to Jack. He was now sitting up, rubbing his face with his hands. She handed him the glass and medicine and sat down next to him.
"Thanks Carter." Gulping down the medicine, he turned to look at Sam. "So…what did you want to talk about?"
"Me."
Jack raised an eyebrow.
"And you."
"Ok?"
Sam took a deep breath and continued. "We need to talk about Us. That is if you want there to be an Us."
Jack just stared at her, believing that he was having a hallucination. Sam held her hand up to reveal the beautiful engagement ring.
"Ah…"
"Jack this is yours."
"Jack?" He asked, taken aback by her usage of his first name.
Sam took a deep breath, deciding that she'd better just come out with it before she lost her nerve. "Jack, I love you."
Jack stood up and paced the floor. "I've got to be hallucinating."
Sam came up to him and took his face in her hands. "No, you're hallucinating. It's really me."
He pulled away. "How did you even get my ring?"
"I found it in your drawer. I'm sorry. I—"
"You went through my drawer?"
"I was getting staples and saw the jewelry box."
"Why did you put it on?"
"It's a beautiful ring and I—I wanted to feel what it would be like to be…married to you."
Jack shook his head, trying to clear his mind and concentrate on what Sam was telling him. "Wh—what about Pete?"
"He saw the ring and thought me and you were having an affair."
"An affair?"
"He didn't believe me when I said there was nothing going on."
Jack said nothing, just stared at her. Closing his eyes, he tried to focus. Sam was in his living room saying she loved him. This was what he had wanted for so many years. Why wasn't he happy?
The silence was killing Sam. What was he thinking? How was he going to react?
"Look, Sam, I…" Jack rubbed the back of his neck, trying to figure out the best way to say it. "I need some time."
Sam's heart dropped to the floor. She had finally confessed her love for Jack and he didn't want her. "I'm sorry for intruding." She began to leave but Jack called her back.
"Wait."
She turned around, hope beginning to creep back. "Yes?"
"I…ah…I need my ring back."
'Oh. I'm sorry. I forgot." She pulled off the ring and placed it in Jack's open hand. Tears began to form and she turned around. She didn't want him to see her cry.
Jack saw her wet eyes and wanted to cry himself. He couldn't stand that he had hurt her. He loved her so much but he needed some time to himself. He had to clear his mind of the alcohol. He couldn't think straight with it fogging up his mind.
"I'm sorry Sam. I—"Jack gave up. Nothing could make up for the pain he was causing her.
Sam looked back at him, her love for him evident in her moist eyes and sad smile. She looked deep into his soul before opening the door and walking out as Jack watched his life vanish before his eyes.
