The next day Sam arrived at the gym to find Jack already changed and hitting one of the punching bags hanging from the ceiling.
"You're up early Jack," Sam said as she walked over to stand behind him.
"Actually, I do this every morning," Jack replied as he continued to hit the bag. "You ready, or do you need to change?"
"I just need to drop off my bag in the locker room. I'll be right back," Sam told him before she headed off to deposit her bag in a locker. After locking the locker, Sam headed back to the gym.
"Okay Sam, let's get started," Jack said as he led her to some nearby practice mats. Jack taught Sam boxing punches and hand to hand basics. By lunch time, she was able to counter him and land a few punches when the sparred slowly. Even Kawalsky, who had shown up mid-morning, was impressed at how well she did considering she had just learned the basics that morning.
"What do you want to do now Sam?" Jack asked as the got some water from a nearby cooler.
"How about a shower and lunch?" Sam suggested.
"Fine by me. I know the perfect place. Meet outside the door in, say, forty-five minutes?" Jack questioned.
"Great. See you in forty-five," Sam said as she headed off toward the locker rooms. Jack did the same.
When Jack headed outside after showering and changing, he found Sam already waiting for him.
"I thought for sure you would beat me out here Jack," Sam teased. She knew that military guys prided themselves on being in and out of the shower in record time.
"Kawalsky hid my clothes," Jack protested.
"Sure flyboy, so, where to?" Sam asked.
"You'll see. Come on, we'll take my car," Jack told her as he headed toward his jeep.
He drove to a small deli in town. After eating a quiet lunch talking about their respective pasts, Sam and Jack headed to the park. Jack had the day off, thanks to Colonel Carter, so they wandered through the park until they saw a pick up game of street hockey starting up. One team needed an extra player and recruited Jack. Sam watched as the group played. At one point, Jack offered to let Sam play, but she declined. After the game finished, Jack's team as the victor, they walked around the park for a while longer. Eventually Sam had to return home to pack. Jack drover her back to the base where her car was.
"Thank you Jack, I've had a wonderful day," Sam said as she got out of the car.
"You're welcome Sam, thank you for cheering me up. It's greatly appreciated. If you ever need someone to talk to, call. I can't guarantee I'll be there, but I'd like to hear from you," Jack also got out of the car.
"I will thank you. Next time I'm on base, I'll look you up," Sam replied. She opened the door of her car.
"See you later," Jack said as she got in and closed the door.