A/N: I know this chapter is super short, but when I got to where I stopped
it just felt like that was where the chapter should end. Hopefully, I'll
finish the next chapter, and have it up and running in a couple of days.
*** Jack's POV
~ On his way to see Shani, after talking to Sam ~
Seeing Sam had helped me. I smiled slightly as her name entered my thoughts. Most of the time she was Carter. Even in my thoughts that was all she could ever be. But there are moments, even if they only happen once in awhile. Moments when Carter stops being the tough solider and I stop being the colonel, even if it is just for a few minutes. Moments where we are simply Sam and Jack; two people who understand each other completely, without even having to speak. Moments like the one just minutes ago. Somehow Sam had known and understood my pain without me even having to tell her. I don't even know how she can possibly understand. I used to think no one would ever be able to understand my pain. Who could possibly understand what it is like to lose your only child? Who could possibly know what it is like to have to live with the knowledge that, no matter what anyone else ever says, the death of your one and only, precious child was all your fault?
But somehow Sam managed to understand, even though she herself had never lost a child. So for a few minutes, I let myself think of her, not as my second-in-command, but as my best friend, the best I'd ever had.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Taking a deep breath I motioned for the Airman to let me into Shani's quarters where I had arrived just moments before. Seconds later I stood, with the door closing behind me and my daughter sitting in front of me on the bed, her back to me.
*** Jack's POV
~ On his way to see Shani, after talking to Sam ~
Seeing Sam had helped me. I smiled slightly as her name entered my thoughts. Most of the time she was Carter. Even in my thoughts that was all she could ever be. But there are moments, even if they only happen once in awhile. Moments when Carter stops being the tough solider and I stop being the colonel, even if it is just for a few minutes. Moments where we are simply Sam and Jack; two people who understand each other completely, without even having to speak. Moments like the one just minutes ago. Somehow Sam had known and understood my pain without me even having to tell her. I don't even know how she can possibly understand. I used to think no one would ever be able to understand my pain. Who could possibly understand what it is like to lose your only child? Who could possibly know what it is like to have to live with the knowledge that, no matter what anyone else ever says, the death of your one and only, precious child was all your fault?
But somehow Sam managed to understand, even though she herself had never lost a child. So for a few minutes, I let myself think of her, not as my second-in-command, but as my best friend, the best I'd ever had.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Taking a deep breath I motioned for the Airman to let me into Shani's quarters where I had arrived just moments before. Seconds later I stood, with the door closing behind me and my daughter sitting in front of me on the bed, her back to me.