Chapter 13: Decisions
When they got back to the base, it was time to see Jacob and Charlie off. Sam was sad she hadn't gotten to see more of her father, but glad he had been able to come. They walked with Jacob and Charlie to the gate at the airport.
"Bye Dad, sorry we didn't get spend more time together," Sam apologized to her father.
"Don't worry about it Sam. I'll talk to you more the next time I see you," Jacob hugged his daughter. Sam smiled brightly.
"Okay Dad. Bye Charlie, be good for your uncle Jacob," Sam told the little boy. Charlie giggled at the attention.
After Jacob and Charlie had boarded the plane, Sam and Jack decided to see an early movie before eating dinner.
When the movie was over, Sam and Jack went to a local pizza joint to have dinner. As they were walking in, a man bumped into them. The contents of his bag fell onto the ground.
"Oh, sorry," he said, as he bent over to collect his book she had to push his longish hair out of his eyes and his glasses back up his nose. Sam and Jack both leaned down to help him.
"It was my fault, hope nothing go t lost," Jack said as the last book was placed in the man's bag.
"Thank you, that's all I had. Enjoy your dinner!" the stranger said as he walked off into the evening.
After being seated and placing their order, Sam and Jack started talking.
"Did you see those books? Half of 'em weren't even in English!" Jack exclaimed, referring to the contents of the spilled bag.
"I know, I recognized German, Spanish, something Middle Eastern, maybe Arabic, and some looked really old. He also had a lot about Egypt. I wonder if he's some kind of professor," Sam agreed.
"Or student," Jack added.
"Maybe, but we'll never know, will we?" Sam pointed out.
"True. How's the project coming along on your end of things?" Jacob asked.
"Pretty good. We're almost done with the final modifications. After they're done, a few test flights will go up and then we are finished," Sam replied.
"And everyone goes home," Jack finished.
"True, but we still have some time before then," Sam pointed out.
"Good point, let's not talk about it, too depressing," Jack conceded.
"I agree completely, lets just have fun tonight," Sam agreed.
"Right," throughout dinner, Sam and Jack talked about Sam's dream of NASA, and Jack's fatherly pride regarding some of Charlie's antics.
After dinner, when Jack walked Sam to her door, there was a tense moment.
"I had a good time Sam," Jack said quietly.
"Me too Jack," Sam replied.
"Good night," Jack said as he leaned down to kiss Sam's cheek. Sam surprised Jack and herself by turning her head to meet Jack's kiss. Both were again surprised when the other didn't pull away. Sam's arms wrapped around Jack's shoulders, and his found themselves wrapped around Sam's waist. When the kiss ended, both were out of breath. Though both were startled, neither one was willing to let go. Jack leaned forward and rested his forehead against Sam's.
"I wish you weren't leaving so soon," Sam whispered.
"I know, but I'm not leaving yet. So you're stuck with me for now," Jack teased.
"Oh, how will I ever survive?" Sam joked.
"I think you'll manage," Jack told her. "Want to have lunch tomorrow?"
"Sure, I'd like that. I think we have some things to talk about," Sam agreed. When Jack made a face, she continued, "I know, but the sooner the better."
"All right, I'll see you tomorrow," Jack pulled Sam close in a tight hug. When he released her, he kissed her lightly. "Night Sam."
"Night Jack," Sam watched him walk away for several moments before heading inside her quarters.
The next day, both Sam and Jack spent the morning looking forward to their lunch together.
When the time for lunch finally arrived, Sam and Jack were both getting nervous. Despite their nerves, both made it through lunch and were glad to have the chance to talk. By the time lunch was over, they had decided to move slowly at whatever pace they were both ready for, and that they would try to stay as close as possible when they were indifferent locations.