That night, as they lay together in bed, Sam could not stop her head from spinning.
"Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"I've been thinking, maybe this life we live is too risky now that we have Caden."
"The life we live?"
"Yeah, you know…fighting the bad guys, putting ourselves on the line to save the planet. I don't want to leave Caden an orphan..."
"There would never be a time where we would be off-world together. Not to mention that once you go back on active duty, I'm going to go back to my happy retirement."
"Yeah. I know, but what if something happens to me. You would be all alone with Caden. She would be without a mother. I mean, one instant took my father's life, and I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye. I don't know if I could do that to her."
"So what do you propose?"
"Well, I'm thinking maybe we both should retire."
She tried to read his face. He seemed more shocked than anything.
"Are you disappointed?
"Sam, I love you. I will support whatever decision you make. I would actually be quite relieved if you stayed on-world, knowing that your life would be less risky, but I know how much you love your job. I mean, you practically pioneered wormhole physics. You are one of this country's leading gate experts. You are way smarter than most. I don't want you to have to give that up if you don't want to."
"I never in a million years thought I would be saying this, but today made me realize that family life is more important to me than being a soldier. I'm hoping there is a way I can continue to be involved in wormhole physics because it's absolutely fascinating, but I just think the risk of going off world is too great."
"Ok. Well, we'll talk to Hammond in the morning."
"We?"
"Well, I'm certainly not going to let you waltz in there all alone. Now, you had better rest up. The General isn't exactly going to be pleased that we both are leaving.
The next morning brought Jack and Sam to General Hammond's office. They had just broken the news, and to their surprise, General Hammond didn't seem upset.
"Well, although I have to say that we are sad to see you two go, I had seen this coming."
They both starred at each other, very confused. As Sam remained speechless, Jack questioned.
"Really? No fight?"
"No fight. In all honesty, I am happy for the two of you, but if I may, I do have a proposition for the two of you."
"Proposition, sir?"
"Yes. Like I said, I had seen this coming. At first, I was a little worried about losing two of the best damn soldiers I have ever met, but then one day, an idea came to me. You both know that in this line of work, proper training is crucial."
"Yeah."
"Well, the SGC is constantly looking for people qualified enough to train the new recruits."
"And this is where we come in?"
"You bet. The SGC would love to contract you two to become a part of our teaching personnel. Major, we would love for you to teach the incoming scientists, to the best of your abilities, your theories on wormhole physics. Colonel, we would greatly appreciate it if you would help to train the new SG teams. Both jobs would be at our off-base facility, so you wouldn't even have to face the dangers of being quarantined here on base should something come through the gate, and of course, you would both be kept up-to-date with the new information going on at the SGC."
Jack glanced over at Sam who was smiling ear to ear. He knew this was exactly the opportunity Sam was looking for. He couldn't deny that he, himself, had secretly been hoping for a way to stay involved in the SGC.
"Now, I don't want you two to feel pressured into making a decision. You can take all the time you want to think about it…"
"I don't think that will be necessary, sir. I'll do it.."
"Major?"
"Oh, I agree, sir. This is the perfect solution to decreasing the risk but still being involved in the SGC. And, of course, I would like to just say that you would know where to find me should you need my expertise to find a solution to a problem."
"I'm glad to hear that. I would have hated to lose the both of you all together."
Sam still had a concern deep in her heart about retiring.
"General, if I might ask…"
"Yes?"
"What's going to happen to Daniel and Teal'c?"
"Well, I would like you to know that I had carefully thought that over as well. I had discreetly asked both what they would prefer for themselves if both of you walked away from the program. Both stated that they preferred going off-world. Daniel wanted the chance to continue learning about new cultures and finding new artifacts, and Teal'c felt his best contribution would be continuing to fight on the front line. Neither of them seemed upset with the idea of you two retiring nor did they seemed shocked that I was brining it up. I think that they, too, understand your commitment to your family."
"That's good, sir."
"Yes, it is. Now, you two are free to take the rest of the day off. Come back tomorrow and we'll discuss the teaching contract further.
"Yes, sir."
"And if I might say that although I'm glad that you two agreed to help train new recruits, I am sad to see two of the best combat fighters this country could ever ask for retire. I could not have asked for a better crew. It definitely has been an honor."
"Thank you, sir. It definitely has been an honor."
Jack and Sam saluted and turned to walk out of the office hand in hand. Both were sad knowing that they would probably never again walk through the stargate, but both were happy to know that their decision gave their family a better chance of surviving well into the future.