Author's Note: You guys are going to kill me! I know it's been a while since I updated, but my life has been realllyy busy lately. And you're going to seriously want to hurt me when you see how short this chapter is. But I promise that I have two more already written, I just need to write one chapter to fill the gap between those other two and voila! you'll have more to read in no time.

I sincerely apologize for the wait guys - the upcoming chapters will be worth it (I hope!)

-- d3vilish

Regretfully Yours...

She felt an overwhelming amount of guilt leaving him the way she was about to, but she also knew that she had to walk away now before she was in too deep. She was falling in love with him… not that she would admit it given how quickly it happened. She had the worst possible timing, but it was as good a time as any. Kerry tossed her red, curly hair to the side and continued down the cold concrete halls that lead to Jack's office. Her heart was racing contrary to her seemingly calm and cool exterior. She wasn't sure what to expect. They weren't "serious" but they had a lot of fun together and she would genuinely miss him. He was transferring up to Washington and they were supposed to be seeing a lot more of each other…they had even joked about "rooming" together. That was before Jack's feelings for a certain Colonel Carter became transparent earlier that day. She needed to break things off before he came to Washington, before things got messy and more emotional.

Knock knock.

Jack's pensive gaze broke and he looked up at her. Distracted, but still glad to see her.

"How's Colonel Carter's father?" Genuine concern in her voice as she entered his office.

"Doesn't look good." He offered truthfully. Jack's chest became heavy at the admission of his own words. He was a stubborn soldier – there was always a way out. Except this time, there wasn't. Jack had to stand by and helplessly watch one of his close friends die.

"Sorry to hear that." She knew what the SGC meant to him – more importantly she knew what his team members meant to him. "Really." She reinforced with a sympathetic half smile. Kerry stepped past the door, closing it behind her not missing Jack's eyebrow raise. This conversation was going to get a lot tougher.

"Closing the door…" he said – his words laced with suspicion.

Her heart began to race again. This wouldn't be a long drawn out break up since he was never hers to begin with. But it still didn't hurt any less. She let out a heavy breath. "Yeah. Deeply symbolic." She half-wittingly returned.

"Really?" In true Jack O'Neill style, he was able to make her smile with just a simple word delivered in his quirky manner not making it any easier to continue.

"I really like you." She admitted plainly. He would never know how close she was to saying love you. "We're good together."

He smirked, "Yes. We are." Maybe the phrase we were would have been more fitting. Although Jack liked to act daft, he was very observant and insightful. Standing up from his seat, he continued her sentence, "…but…"

Kerry loved the way he cut through the chase. She didn't want to make this a drawn out break up and clearly neither did he. "You have issues." It was a statement. An observation. "It's okay…we all do." She took a breath and a step closer. "There's just one big one in particular that I don't think I can love with."Her cheeks flushed as she fumbled to correct herself, "Live with." She traced over his features. He looked exhausted, emotionally and physically. But he still looked handsome. "Look, Jack – I need to get out before I get more involved."

He noticed her careful wording. She knew he would never be able to get deeply involved as long as he loved Carter. And Kerry also knew that she had no control over how quickly her emotions for him were developing.

"We can still work together, can't we?" She asked searching his eyes for some indication of anger or acceptance. "I'd hate to ask for reassignment. This is really important to me." She continued remembering their pact in the parking lot. "Besides, we agreed that this would never affect the job."

"We did."

"Good."

"Okay."

"Great."

"I'm going to miss you Jack. It's been fun." She smiled at him before turning to head for the door before quickly reconsidering. "You know, there's just one thing I don't understand!"

"Just one?"

She smiled at his adolescent sarcasm. "Is the Air Force the only thing keeping you two apart? Rules and regulations? 'cause if it is, you're making a very big mistake." Kerry went from being his ex girlfriend to someone giving him love advice. Jack was right – she was a sweet kid and definitely deserved much more than he could ever offer her.

"And you know what I should do?"

"Retire."

"Again." He stated flatly.

"Don't get me wrong – you are considered invaluable to the program by the Pentagon, but the President has appointed a civilian to run the SGC before."

Jack nodded seriously considering her suggestion.

"Just a thought." She smiled. "And Jack..."

He looked back up at her before she slipped through the door and out of his life.

"She loves you too."

to be continued (shortly!)...