Sam rapped her knuckles on Cam's open office door. "Hey!" he said when he looked up from his paperwork. "How's Sunshine doing?"
"He's . . . recovering." At a gesture from Mitchell, Sam sat down in the desk chair opposite his. "Dr. Lam was concerned when he came out of surgery yesterday, but it's starting to look like he'll be okay."
Cam nodded solemnly. "Good."
"How are things going with Loren's people?" Sam asked, glancing at the papers on Cam's desk.
"Surprisingly well, actually," Cam said. "It seems that Merrick's attempted murder really rubbed people the wrong way. No one else is calling for retribution against the Tau'ri. In fact, Loren is trying to pass a law against corporal punishment. He says it'll probably be several months before anything is changed officially, but he's hopeful."
"Good," Sam said with a small smile. She hated what Daniel had to go through, but was glad to heart that at least something good might come from it. "Listen, Cam. We need to talk."
"Uh oh." Mitchell winced. "This wouldn't have anything to do with our little spat back on the planet, would it?"
"Not exactly." Sam sighed heavily and continued. "I know you want to keep SG-1 together, but I don't think that's going to be possible."
"Sam, if Landry decides to split up Vala and Jackson that's his decision, but I will not-"
"I'm not talking about Daniel and Vala. I'm talking about you and me. Cam, this doesn't work. You and I should not be on a team together. We're both the same rank; we both have experience with command. The truth is, I've been avoiding leaving for a while now, and I think it's time for me to go."
Cam nodded slowly. "I can't say that I'm happy to hear that, but I get it. I told you before; I didn't think you'd come back after Atlantis."
"So, you're not upset?"
"Nah," he said. "How can I be? Getting your own command makes sense. I was selfish for trying to keep you here with us. When do you leave?"
"Well, I was supposed to be leaving tomorrow-"
"Tomorrow?" Cam sat bolt upright in his chair. "How long ago exactly did you make this decision?"
"Before our last mission. I'm sorry, Cam. I wanted to tell you sooner. I wanted to tell all of you, but I couldn't figure out how."
"So, you haven't told Teal'c? Or Daniel?"
"No." She looked down at her hands. She knew what he was thinking. If she left tomorrow, she likely wouldn't get a chance to say goodbye to Daniel. Dr. Lam had said it would be at least a day before they could take him out of his medically-induced coma. "That's why I've asked them for two more weeks," she told Cam quietly. "That way, I can be here while Daniel recovers. I can also finish any leftover reports, and I can help you interview candidates for the position. If you want my help, that is."
Cam eyed her, and for a minute, she wasn't sure if he was angry with her or not. "Of course I want your help, Sam," he said finally. "You know, we might not have always agreed on everything, but I always respected and admired you. You know that, right?"
Sam nodded and smiled. "Thanks, Cam. That means a lot."
"You'll be great," he told her, returning her smile. "We'll miss you around here."
"I'll miss you guys, too."