A/N: Finally, it's done! Thank you all so much for your reviews! If I get enough input I might be persuaded to write an epilogue. ;) Enjoy!

Jack's resignation took about two weeks to process. Another brigadier general fresh out of the Pentagon took over on a temporary basis until a new CO could be officially appointed. Jack found it funny that Hammond was the one to process the request.

Sam's recovery took far longer. The day after she awoke, Brightman had her stretching her muscles on the walkway. It was a long, slow, painful process, especially since she still couldn't put any weight on her left shoulder. But, whenever she felt like quitting because it hurt too much, Jack would be there with encouragement. Daniel and Teal'c never lost sight of her, either.

Eating was a whole other challenge. The shortened colon made for easy abdominal upset, and so for two weeks Sam lived on rice, pudding, broth, and jello. It amused her to no end that Jack was always the one to bring her the blue jello. Often the two of them shared a dish. They would not kiss again until Jack's resignation was made official, but Jack still snuck in little pecks on the cheek. Neither of them could keep from smiling while around the other.

Having known each other for nine years, they were already comfortable around each other and knew one another so well they could practically read each other's minds. The question was how they'd go on seeing each other when Jack was gone and Sam was still working there. In the two weeks between the processing of his resignation and Sam's release, she nearly went crazy with loneliness.

Then the day had finally come. Sam was allowed to go home and continue recovering there. She was surprised and delighted when, upon reaching the parking lot in preparation for calling a cab- since she wasn't cleared to drive until her shoulder had healed -she saw Jack waiting for her with his black truck. She didn't even have time to call him name before he had reached her and given her a kiss.

"Jack, what are you doing here?" asked Sam when she could breathe again.

"Figured you'd need a ride," shrugged the former General. Like a perfect gentleman he took her bag from the surprised Airman who had carried it for Sam and led her slowly to the truck.

Sam smiled as she limped alongside him. "Thank you. That's really sweet." She continued smiling when Jack opened the door for her and helped her into the passenger seat.

Jack raised an eyebrow as he buckled and put the key in the ignition. "Sweet?" He'd never seen himself as sweet.

"I mean it's nice," Sam amended. "I've never seen you be such a gentleman."

"Well, you know as independent as you are, I thought you'd start complaining about it."

"Not this time."

Jack grinned and pulled out of the lot.

The route that Jack took was unfamiliar to Sam, but she wasn't worried. It wasn't until they'd gone some ten miles past the turn into her neighborhood before she realized he was not taking her home.

Sam was suddenly nervous. "Uh...Jack? Where are we going?"

Jack glanced at her. "You trust me?"

"Of course, but-"

"Then close your eyes."

Sam frowned.

Jack smiled. "Just...trust me."

Sam's stomach lurched. The last time a man had told her to 'close her eyes, it's a surprise', Pete had put a down payment on a house...which was the beginning of the end of their relationship. "Jack-"

"It's OK." He gave her a slight smile. "C'mon. For me."

Sam sighed, but managed a smile as she closed her eyes. For Jack, she would do anything. And for the next fifteen minutes, she had no idea where they were going.

When they pulled in to the mystery location, she caught a very distinctive smell. She had smelled it before...but it wasn't home. Still walking with a cane and keeping her arm close in a sling, she let Jack help her up a set of wooden stairs. "Jack, you know I don't like surprises," she sighed, still obediently closing her eyes.

"Humor me. Just once." Jack finally stopped. "OK. Go ahead."

Sam opened her eyes to see...Jack's back deck. On it was a card table, two chairs, and a setting of bread, cheese, and grapes in rustic dishes on a red checked tablecloth. Her eyebrows raised in surprise. "What is this?" she asked, laughing a little.

Jack smiled and pulled out her chair for her. "Lunch. I figured you'd be sick of that hospital food. Don't worry," he added. "It's all been cleared by the doc."

Sam smiled, but was still suspicious as Jack helped her sit down. "What's the occasion?"

Jack shrugged easily, though he looked a little nervous. "What, you finally being able to go home isn't enough reason?"

Sam looked down for a minute, then shook her head. Come on, Carter. He's not Pete. You can count on him. "Thanks. I am pretty hungry."

Jack's bright smile returned as he took his own seat and motioned to the table. "Please. Help yourself."

Sam smiled back as she surveyed the tasty lunch. It was just as good as it looked. Never one for formalities, Jack made a cheese sandwich. It looked so good that Sam made one, too. The conversation was mostly Jack making his usual deadpan remarks and Sam laughing without inhibition.

Then came the awkward silence after lunch. After a minute Jack cleared his throat. "Sam...you know, we've known each other for...what, nine years?"

Sam nodded, smiling. "Remember what I told you when we first met?"

Jack smiled back. "Yes, actually. You said I'd learn to like you...and of course being the witty fellow I am, I replied with something like 'Oh, I adore you already.'" He grinned. "I did, you know."

Sam's eyes widened. "Already? Even though you were going to be my CO and that kind of relationship was against the regs?"
"Well...you were definitely the prettiest Captain I'd ever seen."

"Jack!" Sam laughed, then exclaimed. "This is so ridiculous! I mean, all this time we were totally petrified of what would happen if we pursued a relationship, and now..."

Jack shrugged. "Yes, well...let's not dwell." He played with a single grape left on his plate for a minute before clearing his throat. "You know, speaking of relationships..." and then his voice drifted off and he appeared deep in thought. "You are the only one I can see myself with," he said very matter-of-factly.

Sam nodded, reaching for his hand. "Same here."

Jack raised his brows. "Oh. Good. So...since we agree on this, what about making it permanent...ish."

Sam thought Jack was joking, so she laughed. "Permanent-ish?"

"Yes. As in a forever sense," said Jack, spreading his hands for emphasis.

"You're talking about a commitment?" Sam asked, her smile full of amusement.

"Ah...yes. That is the word I was looking for."

"OK." She certainly wouldn't mind. Jack was the only one she could see herself spending the rest of her life with. "Yeah."

Jack gave a brief smile, then grew serious. "Sam, I want to ask you a question. Would you be opposed to..." he cleared his throat. "...making that sort of a lifetime commitment...official?"

Sam's heart stopped. Oh, he is not...he can't be! Sam blinked, then flinched. "Wait...are you..." she coughed. "Proposing?"

Jack looked skyward, then shook his head. "No..." And then he dropped down on one knee, looking up at her. "Now I'm proposing."

Sam's jaw dropped. Oh my God! How can this be happening? He's not...but he is! She covered her mouth and unexpectedly felt tears coming to her eyes.

Jack sighed, as if gathering strength. "Samantha Carter...you are the most amazing, strong, intelligent, beautiful woman I know. I know, by comparison, I'm a bit of a dolt."

"Jack..." Sam shook her head and laughed. Only Jack could make a proposal simultaneously honest, romantic, and self-deprecating.

"OK. I'm an idiot."

"You're not-"

"No wait, just...hear me out. It might seem sudden, but hey. We've been putting this off long enough." He reached into his pocket to pull something out...and it was stuck. He pulled again...nothing. Jack groaned. "Aw, for cryin' out loud!"

"Jack," Sam was laughing and crying at the same time, loving the man every passing moment. "I get it. Yes."

Jack held up a finger, though he was grinning. "Wait, wait...just one second...I wanna do this right-"

"Jack!" cried Sam, taking his stubbled, loveable face in her hands. "Yes!"

"Wait- what?" Jack looked up, disoriented. His eyes widened. "Oh! Really?" he asked softly, taking her hand.

Sam's answer was to bring him close for a kiss. After a long while, they pulled back. "Is that clear enough?"

Jack was smiling. "As a tall friend of ours likes to say, indeed." And he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into another kiss. Somehow he managed to fish the box out of his pocket and put the ring on her finger. Instead of the traditional diamond, it was a blue sapphire set in gold. The deal was further sealed with a long, slow, passionate kiss.

"Sam?" Jack mumbled into her lips after a while.

"Mmm?"

"Can I get up now?" he pulled back and grimaced. "My knees are killin' me."

Sam pulled back, flinching. "Oh! I'm sorry," she said watching Jack shuffle to his seat, testing his knees with a wince. He pulled his chair next to hers and wrapped his arms around her..gently, so as not to bother shoulder or side. After a pause, she glanced awkwardly toward the house. "Jack...when you said 'home', whose home did you mean?"

Jack coughed at the awkward turn this conversation had taken, then looked innocent. "Yours...?"

Sam's smile was full of a blush. "You planning on staying?"

Jack looked for a moment like he was about to be tortured. "Hey!" he sighed and softened. "No. You're still healing. You need your rest." He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.

Sam sighed, but nodded. As eager as she was to start her relationship with Jack in all areas, he had a point. There was nothing romantic about being physical with a side and shoulder that hurt like blazes. "We better get going."

"Whenever you're ready," Jack smiled.

Cleaning up the picnic didn't take long, and soon Jack was driving Sam back to her place. He helped her carry the bag in, then stood awkwardly on the doorstep. "Need anything? Dinner? Laundry? Jigsaw puzzle?"

Sam chuckled. "I'm fine. Thank you for the ride."

Jack's smile was sweet. "Anytime." He brought her into another kiss.

The kiss left Sam aching for more. "You sure you don't want to come in for coffee or something?"

The man grimaced. "Don't tempt me. But no. You rest. Doctor's orders."

Sam found herself yawning. "I am tired. So...see you-" she stopped. With Jack it had always been 'see you tomorrow' or 'see you next week. Now...

Jack smiled. "I'll call you." He left her with another kiss.

Sam clung to him, as if she'd never let go. She drank in the smell of his cologne and the musky scent that was Jack. "I love you."

He held her so gently, as if she was made of glass. "Love you, too." He pulled back slowly and backed up. "Anytime you need something...just call."

Sam nodded. "I will. Bye, Jack."

Jack smiled the most contented smile a man could. "Bye, Sam." His heart full of happiness and his mind full of ideas about their future together, he turned around and walked back to his truck. He found himself reflecting on the past month as he got in and started the engine. Sometimes you couldn't have it all...sometimes you had to choose between what was most important.

He'd made his choice. He had no regrets. How could he, when the most beautiful, most intelligent woman in the galaxy had agreed to marry him? Jack sighed, glanced at Sam's front door, and wished Sam an easy afternoon before buckling his seatbelt and driving off. He did regret for a moment that he had not followed her inside as she had wished...but as he had said, she was still healing.

Besides, they had the rest of their lives for that.