There was a party at the end of the day to celebrate the retirement of Colonel Jack O'Neill. There was even cake…Jack's idea, of course. It was at Jack's house. Caden was invited, and she started to realize that time had, indeed, been altered. In past stories told by Jack, his retirement party had been on base. She had decided she was just going to sit back, enjoy the show, and hope for the best.
An hour into the party, Sam still had not showed. Caden was a little worried. I mean, Jack's stories had said that Sam didn't show up to his party in her reality, either, but Jack had left then to go get her. He was showing now signs of leaving. However, just as this thought began to cross her mind, the front door opened and Sam appeared…dressed to impress. Everyone stopped and starred just for a moment. Sam wasn't exactly known for her feminine qualities. She boldly approached Jack.
"Sir, can I talk to you for a second…in private."
"Uh…sure…yeah."
Caden watched as Jack and Sam walked down the hallway. She just smiled because in her heart, she knew what was going to happen. Maybe everything would turn out okay after all.
Jack led the way into the bedroom. No, he was not planning anything. That was just the only place in his small house that didn't have loads of people. Even the back yard had people streaming in and out.
"So, to what do I owe this private meeting?"
He stopped and took a good look at her. Never before had she looked so beautiful. I mean, to him, she was always beautiful, but tonight she looked extravagant. She wore a lacy black dress and strappy sandals that completely took his breathe away.
"Jack…can I call you Jack?"
He just nods quite willingly.
"Jack, I'm going to put myself out on a limb here. There has been this thing between us that needs a little clarifying. Well, let's just say that I didn't dress this way just because of the party…"
He holds out his hand to stop her.
"Sam, I think I know where you are going with this, and if I may, I have something I've really been wanting to say. I had a dream last night, Sam. You, Teal'c, and Daniel were all out on a mission of some sort to some strange planet. It was dark, but you seemed to be illuminated by a mysterious light. Some unknown enemy appears, shoots you with some kind of ray gun, and you evaporate into thin air. Because I wasn't there to protect you, you evaporated into thin air. At first I thought it meant that if I retired, bad things would happen to you three, but then it hit me…it wasn't the job I was afraid of losing. It was you. I was afraid of not being with you, protecting you."
He could see the sparkle of light in her eyes, and he knew he must continue.
"Sam, I know our job has kept us from showing any time of feelings with each other besides feelings of friendship and respect. I know you might not feel the same way that I do. I know we have never had the opportunity to go on a "date", but over the span of time that I've worked with you, since the first day I laid eyes on you…which I admit, was not friendly at first…I have gotten to know you better than any woman I had ever dated in the past. I know I don't always show interest in your work. I openly admit my lack of interest in the science of it all, but I have always, and I mean always, respected what you do and who you are. You are one of the most talented, amazing people I have ever met. Although I know you are fully capable of defending yourself, I die a little bit inside every time I think about not being there to protect you when you need protecting."
A tear started to flow down the side of her cheek. He leaned forward, took the edge of his thumb, and wiped the tear away…lingering for just a moment before leaning back.
"What I'm trying to say, very poorly probably, is that you are more than just a friend to me. Way more. Sam, I love you. I love you more than you could probably imagine, and I can't imagine spending a single day without looking, at least once, at your beautiful face. I know that I'm probably crazy, that I'm probably crossing some sort of etiquette line, but I'm not as young as I used to be. I've been through these dangerous missions. I've come very close to death countless times, and I know that you never know what lies around the next corner. You literally have to take life by the horns and never take one moment for granted. So, call me crazy, but I just had to be honest. Sam, what I'm very poorly trying to say is…well…"
Sam took a step towards him, interrupting his thoughts. She put her arms around his neck, and leans in so she was whispering in his ear.
"Marry me."
He was speechless for a moment. The breath was knocked out of him. He slowly begins to stutter something.
"My..my…thoughts…exactly."
"Jack. I've loved you since the first day I ever met you. I mean, come on, When inhibitions were taken away, and I was left with only primal instincts, you were the one I went after…only you."
His heart was beating loudly in his chest as she continues to whisper is his ear. After a brief second of being completely lost in the moment, he began to speak.
"Should we, you know, go tell people we are now, you know, engaged?"
She walks over and pushes the lock on the door.
"Not quite yet. Why rush? There's something I've been wanting to do for a very long time…"
She pulls him onto the bed. Without restraint, she pressed her lips to his and ran her fingers against his chest.
"Oh, going all primal on me again. Now see, this is what I like."
"Ah, except for this time, I won't get in trouble for what I'm about to do…"
"Oh, really, now?"
"Oh…yeah."
He felt her slip her hands under his shirt, forcing him to exhale the breath he had unknowingly been holding. He was nervous. Of course he had done this countless times…he liked women…but never with someone as special to him as Sam. As she lingered back in for a kiss, he let his fingers grace against the lace on her dress. She felt so good in his arms.
She enjoyed taking the lead for once. She lazily kissed the sides of his neck as her hands begun to slip off his shirt.
"Do you think you will be missed at your party?"
"Oh…I don't think that matters right now."
He slowly undoes the latch to her dress and undoes the zipper.
"Do you think they know what we're doing in here?"
"Probably, but oh well. It's my party. I can do whom I want to."
She laughed at his subtle joke, but is quickly silenced by a shiver running down her spine has he slips off her dress. She lingered above him for a moment, taking in the moment. She leans back in for a kiss as his arms enclose around her.
Through so many missions, so many near-death experiences, he had longed to touch her, to hold her this close. His heart ached inside every time he had to walk away because of the rules that held them apart. Now, the floodgates were opening, and all of his emotions were coming forth in his gentle touch. He flips her onto her back and slowly starts littering her body with kisses.
She reaches down and undoes his belt. Within minutes, the rest of the clothing is laying beside the bed. She looks up and meets his eyes. They had never appeared more humbled, more sincere.
"Sam, are you sure about this? I don't want to move too fast. I really do love you."
"I have never been surer of anything in my life."
It had been the moment they had been waiting for quite a long time. As they were finally joined together, two souls slowly melted into one.
