Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! And I hope everyone is staying safe and well during these trying times. Again - my 1000th apology for how long it's taking me to finish this story. Work is just insane right now and I barely have time to breathe! But I was able to get one chapter done! I hope you enjoy (and that you remember this story!).

Jack and Sam relaxed all afternoon, discussing the Furlings and speculating on what the Councilors were going to do. But after they'd covered that topic they turned to more personal matters. While much of their conversation was lighthearted, they did touch of some of the last few years.

"I hated it," Jack said, after a few seconds of silence. Sam had asked him about his work and life in D.C. Although she had heard from Daniel that he hadn't seemed to be doing well, she was surprised at how bleak he sounded.

"What did you hate?" she asked gently.

He sat for a few seconds, not saying anything, and then let out a deep sigh. "I was lonely," he admitted. "And with the Goa'uld gone and the Ori dealt with – it just didn't feel as I was really needed anymore. And -", he stopped.

"And?" she asked gently.

He turned and looked at her directly. "I didn't have anyone," he admitted. "No family left – or at least no one I'm close to. I started thinking about my cabin and the land – about the fact that I wouldn't even have anyone to leave it to. With Charlie gone – I felt like no one would even notice if I were gone."

"What," she asked, sounding incredulous? "Jack – you have to know how loved you are! Daniel, Teal'c, Cassie! She'd be devastated – she thinks of you as a father. And then there's me," she said softly. "I would have been heartbroken."

"I didn't know that," he answered, equally as softly. "I thought – you didn't care."

"I did – I do. I always have," she told him, reaching out and taking his hand. "And I'm not going to let you go this time!"

"Promise?"

She smiled, slowly, gently. "Oh yeah – you can bet on it, mister!"

He nodded. "I'll hold you to that – and backatcha Ms Carter!"

They looked at one another with love and affection for a few moments before Jack spoke once more. "What do you think our friends are going to say when they find out we're together?"

"Well, I expect squeals from Cassie -" Sam answered.

"She's never outgrown those, has she?"

"No," Sam laughed. "Eye rolls, then hugs from Daniel," she continued.

"And Teal'c?"

"A very dignified and somber, "It's about time, O'Neill, General Carter."

"Mmm – probably. We're never going to live it down."

"I suspect not," she agreed. "So what kind of house would you like?" she asked.

He laughed softly. "You want to plan our life out right now?"

"Mmm hmm," she told him. "As I said, you're not getting away again. I want it all settled before we go back to Earth."

"Okay – so we've decided on San Diego?" he asked.

She nodded. "It would be nice to be by my brother and it's a lovely city."

"Are you sure you're ready to retire?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," she told him.

"But Sam, you're much too young!"

"Jack, I'm 55 years old."

"You look 25 – and even if you didn't, 55 is young. Hell, I'm 70 and I'm just retiring now."

"Well, I want to retire!" she told him. "I've spent my whole life connected to the Air Force – first through my Dad, and then I joined up right after High School. I want to do something different. I want to spend time with you – maybe we can travel?"

"Travel? Sam – we've spent years travelling all over the damn galaxy!"

"I meant on Earth. Wouldn't you like to go to Greece or Rome – or maybe Australia? Wouldn't it be fun to go somewhere just to enjoy life?"

"Yeah, I guess it would," he nodded, "especially with you!" That earned him a swift kiss.

"But Sam – if you retire, you're gonna get bored. I know you said you could teach – but are you sure that'll be enough to keep your brain active?"

"I think I'd love teaching – I know I enjoyed it at the Academy," she pointed out. "But if not that I'm sure I could get a job in the private sector or I could be a consultant."

"And what would you consult? How to create a wormhole? How to blow up a sun? Or maybe how to fly a space ship?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "I could do trainings on how to deal with grumpy bosses," she told him.

"Grumpy?" he asked indignantly. "I'll have you know I was a model commander. "Why I let you and Daniel get away with murder! Teal'c was the only one who really listened to me."

"Mmm," she answered, biting her lip to hold back a grin.

His eyes narrowed. "What?" he asked. "Teal'c listened to me!"

"Of course he did," she answered, sounding completely insincere.

"You, Daniel and Teal'c – two geeks and an alien," he said, "No wonder my hair went gray so fast."

"But you looked so distinguished," she told him. "Now your hair is brown again – you look even younger than when I first met you."

"It's embarrassing," he admitted. "They're going to think I'm another clone!"

"I wonder how he's doing?" Sam asked suddenly.

"Him? You mean Jon?"

"Mmm hmm," she nodded. "I haven't heard anything about him in years."

"He became a teacher," Jack told her. "English and history."

"Really? Wow – it clearly runs in the family," she grinned, thinking back to his comment about maybe becoming a teacher. "I kind of thought he'd end up joining the Air Force like you."

"Nah – I think he'd had enough of that," he said "You know – when he was – uh – still me. And anyway – he couldn't have you so he decided to go a completely different direction."

"I'm just surprised at the subjects he picked – English and history?"

Aactually I was always good at English – the history, I'm not sure quite where that came from. Must have been hangin' around Daniel that did it."

"Did Jon hang around Daniel?" she asked, puzzled.

"No – but I did – and Jon was me – uh, before he was cloned."

"Oh – yes of course. Well, I'm happy for him."

"He just got married last year," Jack told her.

"Any kids?"

"Not yet – at least not that I know of. I keep tabs on him, but we're not close – too weird I guess."

"That's kind of too bad," she said. "You said you don't have close family – but he is about as close as it gets," she reminded him.

"That's true," he nodded. "Maybe I should reach out to him when we're back. Now that so many years have passed, he's probably really become a different person. You know, I hadn't really thought of it – but if he has kids then there will be a continuation of my family. Maybe I should see about willing him the cabin and land. That way it will stay in the family."

"That sounds like a good idea – except now you're probably younger than he is – at least physically."

"God – you're right! Ha!" he laughed. "Now I can rub it in his face! He can't call me "old man" any longer."

She laughed and once again took his hand. "So – we'll live in San Diego – we still haven't decided what kind of house. And we'll both become teachers and we'll buy a dog and a cat. Sounds like a perfect life to me, Jack."

"To me too, Sam," he smiled. "Hey," suddenly he got a certain look in his eye. "Wonder what the bedrooms look like?" he asked.

"Interestingly I suddenly have an insatiable desire to see one," she answered

"Well then," he stood swiftly and reached down with his hand and pulled her up beside him. He then wrapped his arms around her and leaned forward. The kiss was long and sweet – a promise of a life together – delayed, but always desired.

Jack led Sam through the house and up the stairs to what was clearly the master bedroom. The rest of the afternoon was spent trying out the Furling equivalent of a queen-sized bed. They both discovered it worked every bit as well as an Earth model.

"Jack,"

"Mmm," he murmured, still mostly asleep.

"Jack!"

"Wha'?"

"There's someone downstairs!"

His eyes popped open at that – years of training helping him switch from sleeping to alert in a fraction of a second.

He quietly got out of bed, followed closely by Sam. He carefully threw on his robe and then headed to the door. "Wait here," he said softly – although a moment later realized that if there were someone in the house it would be a Furling – who couldn't hear them anyway.

Still – he didn't feel comfortable making lots of noise, so made his way stealthily to the hallway. Sam was still behind him – although she too had thrown on her clothes.

"I'm coming with you," she whispered.

He simply nodded, knowing that she was a capable soldier – although now that they were back together he wanted to be able to wrap her in bubble wrap and keep her safe. Still, he knew it was more than his life was worth to try and coddle her.

They made their way slowly to the top of the stairs and then descended them quietly. It was as they reached the bottom that a person came into view.

"Councilor Elpis!" Jack cried – but then remembered she couldn't hear him. He tried to slow his racing heart, and made himself calm down.

"Councilor," he "think-thought".

"Jack O'Neill," she bowed her head, although her eyebrow went up at the sight of his disheveled appearance. "And Samantha Carter," her expression barely changed, but it was clear she knew exactly what they'd been doing.

Jack glanced over at Sam and wanted to laugh. She absolutely looked like she'd just gotten out of bed – and her expression gave everything away.

"Uh – to what do we owe this honor?" he asked. "We were just – uh – resting."

"I am sorry to bother you," she said. "I did try and call out to you before entering – but when you didn't answer I grew worried. I am glad to see you are alright."

"Uh – yup – we're just fine. Just – tired. It's been a long day."

Elpis was clearly trying not to smile, but she did bow her head once in reply. "I have come to see if you would join us for dinner," she said. "A few of us would like to discuss a possible treaty with Earth."

"Oh – yes, of course. We'd be glad to. I – uh – need to clean up a bit," he replied, and then glanced at Sam, who nodded. "You said "a few" – that means not all the Council wants a treaty."

Elpis frowned. "Unfortunately there are those among us who would prefer us to remain isolated. But I believe our people are ready to regain the galaxy – and many are interested in doing so."

"Well, that's good to know. If you don't mind waiting a few minutes we'll get cleaned up and be right with you."

Elpis smiled graciously, and watched as the two Tauri made their way back upstairs. It was only after they were gone that she grinned.

"Well that was embarrassing," Sam said as she tried to comb her hair. "She obviously knew what we were doing."

Jack just grinned, looking very proud of himself. "So, what do you think about this evenings agenda?"

"You mean talking a treaty? It will be interesting to see what they say. I'm a little uncomfortable that it's only a few of the Councilors. I really don't want to get caught up in the middle of some kind of political fight."

"Me either," he agreed. "If it looks like that's happening, we'll ask to have them send us home. I'm getting a bit tired of having to deal with others' fights!"

Once they were both cleaned up they turned and headed towards the bedroom door. As they stepped through, Jack took Sam's hand and held it as they walked to meet Elpis.

He glanced down and smiled – and received a beautiful smile in return. At just that moment, Jack couldn't have cared less about the Furlings or their problems – or their desire for a treaty. He was too happy.