The whole thing was nonsense. He was no longer a member of the Black Ops, and yet he was called on this mission. Everything was supposed to go smoothly, but this mission was far from that. In fact, he should have anticipated the complications. He didn't even want to leave in the first place. Leave Sam home alone with the baby on the way? He fought to stay, but the order was clear, and no one cared about his objections.

Gratitude that he has proven himself at such events in the past. He was supposed to be back after two months. Yes, the plan was perfect, but not one of the smart ass behind the desk has any idea what might happen. They couldn't assume that everything would go wrong and he and one of his team member would be captured. Which stretched their stay to six months.

They questioned them, they wanted to know what they were doing in their country. The captain couldn't stand it. He was killed when he tried to escape. Jack wanted to make him wait, but he was a novice. He wasn't ready for anything like this.

Jack thought about Sam, about their baby, and if they're both okay. Someone must have told her what happened to him. What if she miscarried? All these thoughts raced through his mind, but he could ignore them and concentrate on escape. He had a plan, it could have worked, but the captain couldn't wait.

Jack himself didn't know how he got to an American military base. All he knew was that his plan had worked and he was safe. After checkups and interviews with a psychiatrist that irritated him rather than helped him, he was sent home. He knew exactly what he needed to feel fine again. Get to Sam and find out they have a healthy baby. The guy couldn't help him at all. He wanted to discuss his feelings about what had happened, and Jack simply wanted to forget it all, as he had done so many times. To push unpleasant memories deep into the subconscious and go back to his family.

Jack shook his head, trying to banish another unpleasant experience. He was back. He looked around. He had managed to wriggle his way out of the crowd. Some looked at him curiously, it was not often that a man in a sand uniform and a cap pulled so low in his eyes appeared among the ordinary passengers. He ignored their glances. He wanted to get his things, walk out in front of the airport, catch a cab and get a ride home. He knew Sam wouldn't ask questions about where he'd been or what had happened. He couldn't even tell her before he left. That made the action even more difficult. He knew it was worring Sam, but as a soldier she understood it.

He shifted his cap and rubbed his eyes wearily. Finally he found his big, canvas backpack. He reached for it and slung its strap over one shoulder. He turned and began to weave his way to the exit. He had just gotten out of one particularly large group when he saw her. He paused in mid-stride. He wasn't expecting her. He didn't expect anyone to let her know he was all right and coming back. But no matter how much he blinked, she was standing right in front of him, and she wasn't alone. She cradled a bundle of pale blue blankets. A son? She stood there. His Sam with their baby.

Their eyes met. He found her more beautiful than ever. Her hair was longer again, almost shoulder-length, and motherhood looked absolutely amazing on her. They looked into each other's eyes. Jack saw tears of joy in hers, and when she smiled at him he almost ran to her. He wanted to hug her, but he also wanted to meet his son. He moved quickly toward her and really got to the point of running. He suppressed the urge to throw away his pack, which restricted his movement. She really is here. No matter how she found out, she was waiting for him. She came for him and took their son with her. As he ran, he dodged another large group of tourists and found himself in front of her.

"Sam" he gasped, smiling.
He tossed his bag to the floor, his cap flying right behind it, reached out and gave he a very long kiss. He missed her so much. It took a lot to pull away from her, but he wanted to meet their child. He smiled and looked down.
"Is he…." he stammered, keeping his eyes on the little miracle.
"It's Emma, Jack" Sam said with a smile „your daughter."
"Daughter," he said, his voice thick.
He was wrong, but he doesn't mind
"Can I?" he held out his hands to her.
"Of course," she nodded, and carefully handed him the sleeping girl.
„She's so tiny" he smiled as he held her head in one hand and her body in the other „and so beautiful" he added, tearing his eyes away from his daughter and looking back at Sam with a big smile.

Sam saw that tears were glistening in his eyes and fought her own. To see him after so many months, alive and well. When she didn't believe she would see him again. With their daughter in his arms… The moment was so powerful that tears could hardly be prevented.

Jack took one step closer, careful not to hurt Emma, he leaned toward Sam and kissed her again. "I love you, Sam."
„I love you, Jack."

At that moment Emma stirred, almost as if she could tell that things had changed. They both turned their attention to the little girl. Emma reached out, stretched, and then looked at Jack with big, blue eyes. She studied him carefully for a moment, and Jack knew this was the moment. Emma was evaluating him. She wondered if she liked Jack or not.
He smiled at her, "Hi, sweetie."
Sam stood beside him and got into her daughter's line of sight. Emma glanced at her mother, then back at the stranger.
„Don't worry," Sam smiled „that's your Daddy" she whispered.
Emma studied Jack closely for a moment longer, and he grew more nervous by the second. What if he scares her? She doesn't know him. He missed two months of her life because of the fucking mission. She'll cry at any moment and want to go back to Sam.

Emma, however, had a different opinion. She held out her hands to him, trying to touch his face. Jack lowered his head and felt her hands on his face. He won. Emma decided she liked him. He pressed a kiss against her forehead. He would never let anyone or anything tear him away from his family again.