I am so sorry I didn't update in so long! I have had an amazing amount of things going on in the last ten days or so, hopefully, no promises, it won't be as long between updates!
Chapter 9: News
After Sam was out of sight, Jack headed back toward the main parts of the base. On his way, he ran into Kawalsky.
"So, did Blondie leave?" he asked.
"Which on, Sam or Sara?" Jack growled.
"Sam."
"Yeah, she just left. So did Sara for that matter."
"Sorry, did she say when she'd be back or is she not coming back?" Charlie asked.
"She left and she doesn't have to come back, not that she wants to," Jack explained.
"You guys separate?" Charlie felt sorry for his friend.
"Nah, divorce. Signed the papers yesterday, she filed them on her way to work this morning."
"How's little Charlie?"
"I don't think he realizes what's happening; Sara was gone so much the past year, I think he got used to it. So did you ask Sam out?" Jack changed the subject.
"Yeah, she said no for tonight or any time in the future."
"Ouch, normally the ladies tell you that after the first date, not before," Jack enjoyed giving Charlie a hard time about his luck with women.
"Hey, I think she turned me down because she already has someone special," Charlie defended himself.
"Don't ask if I know anything, 'cause I don't. And don't start trying to play matchmaker, she doesn't know I'm divorced, I didn't tell her," Jack warned.
"You meet a beautiful woman and you don't tell her you're single? Have you completely lost it Jack?" Charlie was amazed. Before Jack had met and then married Sara, he had been a charmer. He could walk into a bar and women would gravitate towards him. Even if he didn't do anything remotely inviting.
"Charlie, I have at least ten years on her, if not more! Besides, I really don't want to deal with any kind of romantic relationship right now. Drop it Charlie, permanently," Jack glared at Charlie.
"Fine, see you around Jack," Charlie said as he headed off toward his quarters.
That afternoon, Jack picked up Charlie and headed home.
When Sam got to Dover, she opened the letter Jack had given her. In side was a note as well as several pictures.
S-
It was great seeing you during your visit. I had a good time with you and your dad at dinner, thanks for inviting me. In case I didn't say it before, congrats on the commission. I thought you might get a kick out of these pictures.
-Jack
Sam pulled the pictures out of the envelope, they were of Charlie. Sam laughed at some of them. She put them on her desk and got ready to begin her new project.
For three weeks, Sam headed up a project in hopes of improving the F-15E Strike Eagle's performance. By the time her team was ready for the second plane, Sam felt they may have found what they were looking for.
Jack spent the three weeks getting used to the idea of being a single parent. Jacob game him a lighter work load to help. However, that didn't allow Jack to avoid one piloting duty.
Jack arrived at Dover almost an hour early. He made sure the plane was safe before he changed in the locker room. After changing, he asked the first person he saw where Sam's office was.
"I'm sorry, but Dr. Carter doesn't want to be interrupted," the gunnery Sergeant told him.
"Gunny, tell me where her office is, and I'll take responsibility for any hostility she shows," Jack was getting frustrated.
"I can't do that."
"Gunny, what do these look like?" Jack pointed to his collar.
"Oak leaves, sir," The gunny acted as though he hadn't seen them before.
"Correct, where is Lt. Carter's office Gunny?"
"It's the second door on the left sir."
"Thank you," Jack turned and headed to the second door on the left. A name tag next to the door read 'S. Carter'. He knocked on the door.
"What? I thought I said no interruptions!" Sam called out.
"Sorry, but this is important Dr. Carter," Jack smiled as he purposely made his voice sound slightly timid.
"Fine, enter."
Jack carefully opened the door. He saw Sam sitting with her back to the door.
"What is so important you have to interrupt me?" Sam still hadn't turned around. He saw pictures of Charlie on her desk.
"Well, your second plane is here, but if you don't want the letter from your dad, I can just come back later," Jack turned to leave.
"Wait, just let me finish this," Sam finished whatever she had been working on and turned around. "Jack!"
"Hey Sam. How ya been?" Jack smiled at her. The look on her face was great.
"What are you doing here?" Sam was surprised her father had sent Jack with the plane.
"You're dad decided I could use some time away from Andrews, apparently Dover if the most popular vacation spot of the season," Jack explained.
"What about Charlie?" Sam knew there was no way to take a one-year-old in a Strike Eagle.
"Actually, Charlie is staying with your dad," Jack explained. He had been surprised when Jacob had offered to take care of Charlie and bring him to Dover for Memorial Day.
"My dad? Why didn't he stay with Sara?" Sam was confused, why would Charlie stay with her father instead of his mother.
"I haven't seen Sara in a while," Jack told her.
"Another long trip?" Sam asked quietly.
"You could call it that. We got divorced," Jack admitted.
"Oh Jack, I'm sorry. How's Charlie taking it?"
"I don't think he realizes what's happened," Jack replied quietly.
"She didn't think that we were," Sam couldn't complete her thought, worrying that her friendship with Jack had ruined his marriage.
"She did until I told her you were my CO's Daughter. Then she figured I wasn't quite dumb enough to even think about that. She didn't think she was ready for or wanted a family at this point in her life," Jack felt better after telling Sam.
"If you ever need to talk, just call," Sam offered.
"Thanks. Did you really tell Kawalsky off?" Jack had to hear Sam's side of the story.
"Yeah, why?"
"Just curious. Thought I'd tell you that normally the women Kawalsky goes out with tell him the same thing after the first date, not before. I gave him a hard time about it. As a matter of fact, thanks for lowering his ego for a short time at the least," Jack smiled at Sam.
"Glad I could be of assistance. You might want to find some quarters. I have to finish this report," Sam said, reluctant to cut their conversation short.
"All right, but only on one condition," Jack heard the hesitation in Sam's voice.
"What condition?"
"You join me for dinner tonight."
"I can try, but I have to finish this report like I said," Sam started.
"No, I'm not letting you get into the habit of working nonstop all the time. Workaholics are no fun!" Jack insisted.
"Okay, I'll go, and you're right, workaholics aren't any fun. Con on by here when you're ready and I'll finish as quickly as possible. Deal?" Sam gave in and agreed.
"Great, see ya," Jack left to go check in at the Admin building and get an assignment for his temporary quarters. When he got to his room, he called Kawalsky.
"Hey Jack! How's the blond?" Charlie asked him.
"Sam is fine, she's showing me around later," Jack bent the truth slightly, knowing Charlie would look too far into dinner.
"Nice work Jack!" Charlie teased.
"Kawalsky! We're just friends, got it?" Jack told his friend firmly.
"Sure Jack, give it a few years," Charlie replied. He had seen something in Jack change when he met Sam, for the better. His gut told him that Sam and Jack were good for each other.