Sometime around the end of season 1; dedicated to djenie who helped me come up with a little more back story for Evelyn. Please keep in mind that I know nothing about the military besides what I see in TV shows.

Finally

It had taken him ages, but for once there was no emergency at the SGC, no immediate threat to the planet, no rescue mission to embark on. Therefore Colonel Jack O'Neill had finally taken some leave that was not for medical reasons. He was fine, no broken bones, no staff wounds, no alien diseases. Just plain simple time off. And he was planning on keeping a promise.

When his plane touched ground in Salt Lake City he actually felt like he was on vacation. He left the airport, and there she was, waiting for him.

"I can hardly believe you're really there", she said as she hugged him.

"Yeah, well, you know, good things come to those who wait", he quipped and pulled her closer. For a moment she simply enjoyed his embrace.

They stopped once on their way to Evelyn's house to get some groceries. Jack was eager to see the lake, but Evelyn told him the weather forecast for the next day had just been perfect for that. So they decided to spend a nice cozy evening catching up on the last few weeks.

~o0o~

"Oh, it's cold in here", Evelyn said as soon as they were through the door. "You think you could get a fire going while I put away the groceries?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She snickered and went to the kitchen. When she was done she returned to the living room, finding Jack squatted down in front of a crackling fire. He stood and turned to her, backlit by it's soft warm glow.

"Mission accomplished, ma'am."

"Jack, we're the same rank, you should really stop calling me ma'am."

"You've got more years in the service."

"I'm retired."

"Anyway." He turned serious. "I guess I'll always think of you as a superior officer."

"Oh don't worry, that will change as soon as they pin those stars on your shoulders."

He snorted at that.

"Yeah right, as if that would ever happen."

"General Jack O'Neill? Does have a ring to it, don't ya think?"

"Uh, I don't know. I guess when I'm no longer fit for active duty I'll just retire."

He looked around the room and back at her.

"Seems to suit you just fine."

She smiled.

"It does."

He looked a little unsure.

"You wanna tell me why you retired?"

"Yeah, sure. Why don't we get seated."

Evelyn sat down on the couch and Jack went for the armchair. She looked at him.

"Remember I told you I had an accident?"

"Yeah, sure. It was retirement or flying a desk I recall."

"I badly hurt my back that day, but there was a casualty, too. I lost a man under my command in that accident."

Jack looked down.

"Oh crap..."

Evelyn drew a deep breath.

"They said I shouldn't have been there."

She let out a bitter laugh.

"Those were my people risking their lives. Of course I had to be there!"

She stared at nothing, clearly reliving that day. Her voice was flat, but her pronunciation was crystal.

"There was a terror alarm. The bomb had been found and we were called in to dismantle it. When we got to the building it had been evacuated, everybody was standing back. My team stepped forward, all geared up. The team leader was Major David Hayne. He examined the bomb, and the team went to work. I just watched and held my breath. They were the best, Dave had a natural instinct and knew everything there was to know. It took some time, but they made it. The team fell back behind the secured line and I waited for Dave to signal the area was clear. When he did I stepped closer to check on him and tell him 'well done'. He looked exhausted, so we walked a few meters to the side. He sat down and started to take off his helmet. And that's when the second bomb went off behind him. I felt the heat and the blast wave, and then nothing. I woke up in hospital. Dave hadn't made it."

Evelyn had closed her eyes, she looked like she was in pain. Jack got up and sat next to her on the couch. She turned to him, and a moment later he engulfed her in a hug. She felt tense in his arms, but when he softly rubbed her back she started to relax.

"A year ago to the day my husband had died. I should have taken the day off. It was my fault."

"No it wasn't. It was an awful accident. There -"

"Oh cut the crap, Jack. Don't give me that. There was nothing I could have done? Yes there was. I should have made sure there was only that one bomb. That was what I had been told in advance, but I should have that checked before I sent my people in. I lost a good man because I didn't pay attention."

She could tell he wanted to object again, but there was simply nothing to say. He started rubbing circles on her back again.

"What happened to you?", he asked softly.

"I woke up and couldn't feel my legs. I'd been thrust backwards, hitting some edge with my back. My spine was damaged. There was a massive swelling, the spinal chord had been bruised. They kept draining liquid, and after 4 days it started to look better. Then an inflammation set in. They hooked me up on antibiotics, I wasn't allowed to move, and finally they got it under control. It took me months to regain control over my legs, and they're still weak. When stressed or exhausted they sometimes give way."

"You're telling me that only a year after losing your husband, you had to go through that? Was there anybody there for you?"

"My brother and his family. The came to see me while I was in rehab. We became even closer than we'd been before. After rehab I went to live with them for a while until they were convinced I'd survive on my own. They even wanted me to move in permanently, or to buy a house in Denver, but I just liked my house too much. After all, Greg had put so much effort in it. It felt like I came back to him when I moved back in."

There was a slight smile on her face. Jack's voice was low when he said:

"You never mentioned his name before."

She still smiled.

"I was happy with him, Jack. We had so little time, but what we had was wonderful. I loved what he did to the house. When we first met I showed him around, and the place was desolate. But he saw what it might become right away. He had all those ideas, and a solution to every problem. And he was so happy when he could build something, create something. I watched him work whenever I could, and I fell for him. Hard."

Her smile looked a little shaken, happy and sad at the same time.

"And then it was over, we didn't even have three years together."

Jack felt helpless and uncomfortable.

"I'm so sorry you had to lose him."

Evelyn moved into him again, and he held her for a while. Then he softly said:

"Why don't you give me a tour? I'd love to see all of it."

She pulled away from him and smiled.

"Lousy host, huh? No drink, no tour,..."

"Well I'll live", he grinned, happy that she was starting to look better. She got up and motioned for him to follow her.

"Come. I'll show you."