I do not own Stargate SG-1
General Hammond frowned down at the letter of resignation before him. He had always known it would probably come to this, but he still hadn't been ready. He shifted the letter and reached for his phone.
"Get me Major Carter at her home please, Thank you." He replaced the phone, staring off into space.
The phone rang, "Hammond." He said.
"General, it's me." Jack said, nervous.
"Jack, are you absolutely sure about this? Won't you reconsider?" The general asked, almost plaintively.
"George, my body is giving me the signs. My knees are messed up, and Janet said it would take awhile for this broken leg to completely be mission ready. I really need to do this now, before it is too late." Jack said quietly.
"Is Major Carter a factor in this decision?" Hammond asked.
"I don't think I am going to go there at this time General. My relationship with the members of my team, is of course very important to me, but beyond that I cannot say." Jack said carefully.
"I understand. You know I will have to go to the President with this? I will call you when I get more details Colonel." And with that General Hammond hung up the phone. He sat there, thinking hard, then reached for the red phone.
Jack sat for a second, then looked at a concerned Sam. "Well, what did he say?" she asked.
"He needs to contact the President." Jack got up, grabbed a crutch and hobbled over to Sam, kissing her quickly. "Let's go outside and sit on the porch. I feel like a little sun." Sam acknowledged the evasion with a wry smile, but followed him out onto the deck. They were still out there when an Air Force staff car pulled up to the curb. Major Davis got out of the drivers seat and started around but General Hammond got out by himself, waving off the Major.
Jack tried to struggle to his feet but the General waved him back down. Sam stayed standing, shaking the General's hand.
"Hello Sir." Sam said. General Hammond nodded back, "Can I talk to Jack for a minute, Majors?" Sam and Paul Davis looked at each other, and said "Yes Sir." In unison, then they went inside, Sam glancing at Jack. He nodded imperceptibly.
The General sat down with a sigh. Jack sat waiting quietly, then started to fidget. "George?" he asked. The General jumped. "Sorry Jack. I guess you are wondering why I'm here?" Hammond said, using a well known delaying tactic. Jack chuckled, shifting to look at his friend.
"Ok, what's up?" Jack asked.
"The President said ok to your retirement, but requested that you be retained as a civilian consultant." Jack sighed in relief.
"However," Hammond said. Jack jerked, "Damn it, I knew I heard the other shoe. However what?" Jack said in a resigned tone.
"However, he wants Major Carter to take over the team." Hammond said quietly. Jack started laughing. "Is that all? I was going to recommend her anyway." Relief was evident in his voice.
"What about children?" The General asked.
Jack stared. "I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Sam walked out to them, irritation in her face.
"Was someone going to ask me what I wanted? At anytime?" Sam asked tartly. Davis stood in the door uncomfortably.
Jack stood, limping over to Sam. He took her face in his hands, kissed her gently, "What do you want me to do Sam? If I get down on one knee I'll never get back up. I am old, battered, sarcastic and cynical and no great catch. I want to be with you, no one else. Forever."
"You're not supposed to be standing on your leg." Sam said, sniffing. She helped him back to the chair. She was intensely aware of her audience.
The General smiled at Sam, "Are you going to answer the man?" he joked gently. She looked over at Jack, "He knows what my answer is. There was never any doubt." And with that she stalked in the house.
Jack dropped his head into his hands. "Boy, did I blow that or what." Davis stepped out, "Oh, I think it will have to be spectacular." He said, shaking his head. General Hammond stood, laughing at Jack. "Well Son, when you get her foot out of your ass, we'll have a nice retirement ceremony for you. See you in about a month." Still laughing the General shook Jack's hand, waving for Davis to follow him. Paul clapped Jack on the shoulder. "She loves you, God knows why. Make it up to her." Davis waved at Sam in the kitchen and jogged down to the car to let the General in.
Jack watched the car pull away. "Sam? I'm an idiot. Will you forgive me?" he turned in his seat, trying to see through the windows to look at Sam.
There was silence from inside. Jack hung his head in defeat. The door opened quietly and Sam stepped out. "Did you really mean everything you said?" she asked quietly.
"Mean it? Are you kidding, I have felt this way forever! I panicked so many times, thinking you were going to pick Martouf or Narim. I didn't figure I measured up to either of them. I mean, you are so much smarter than me, what did you ever see in me?" Jack asked bewildered. Sam knelt by Jack's side, tears on her face.
"You are the smartest, bravest, most bullheaded, practical joking man that I have ever known, and I love you with all of my heart. I think I have since I met you." Sam let out a sob and Jack wrapped her in his arms, on the front porch for all of the world to see.
3 days later
The phone was ringing and ringing when Daniel answered, out of breath. "Dr. Jackson." He gasped, bent over trying to breath.
"Danny? Thank God, I need the worlds biggest favor." Jack said, knowing that Sam would be back from shopping pretty soon.
"Jack? What in the hell do you need. I was looking at some rocks," a wince, "artifacts."
"Hah! I heard that, but I'll rub it in later. I need you to ask around to see if anyone has kittens." Jack thought he heard a car, so he hopped on one leg over to the window. Nope, just the mailman.
"Gee, I don't know Jack, you're not here to cause any." Daniel laughed at his own joke, causing Jack to roll his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Don't quit your day job. I'm serious, I want to get Sam a cat." Jack said.
"That's really nice, but don't you think it will remind her of Schroedinger and Narim?" Daniel asked, watching his coffee machine slowly drip. He could hear Jack swear, "Shoot. What can I get her that will mean something to her?" He asked frustrated, rubbing his hand through his hair.
"Jack I haven't had any coffee yet. Let me call you back in a few minutes." Daniel hovered, willing the coffee to move faster. "Daniel!!" Jack yelled.
" Ok, my first suggestion would be a naqueda reactor, but as that is impossible, please, please, let me have some coffee first." Daniel begged. Jack calmed down, then got a great idea. "Daniel, get a hold of the Tok'ra and ask Jacob! No, have him come over! Yeah, do that for me Daniel and I will be forever in your debt." Jack said, "Gotta go, Sam's back." The phone banged down in Daniel's ear.
"Sheesh." Daniel rubbed his ear, then went to get his desperately needed cup of coffee.