Chapter 2- Sam Returns

"Who is it?"

"It's SG-1, sir."

"Open the iris."

The iris did its usual spin and retracted into the gate, and Sam, Daniel, Teal'c, and Lt. Nichols stepped through. Lt. Nichols was severely injured.

"We need a medical team!" Sam yelled "Close the iris!"

The iris closed and a few bangs were heard before the gate disengaged. A couple medics put Nichols on a stretcher and pushed her away. General Hammond and Jacob entered the gate room.

"SG-1, what happened?"

"The planet was overtaken by Goa'ulds, sir. We were under fire almost immediately after we came through."

"That was 2 hours ago, Major."

"I'm aware of that sir, we ran into a bit of a snag, as you can see, but we managed to get back before any serious damage occurred."

"Debrief in one hour."

A half-hour later Sam and Jacob were walking down the halls of the SGC.

"Sorry I couldn't say hi to you before." Sam said

"Oh, don't worry, I understand, you're the new CO of SG-1 now, you've gotta give your report to General Hammond."

"I'm not sure I can fill Jack's shoes, after all, all I did was provide council and follow orders."

"But, you did save your asses quite a few times, along with everyone else's… Now, when were you going to tell me you were getting married to him?"

"I take it General Hammond told you." He nodded "Dad, please, I love him, I always have, don't be mad at me for not telling you."

"I'm not mad, honey, well maybe a little, but, why? Why Jack?"

"Why? Because I love him, and I would give anything to be with him."

"But what about him? Sure, I heard about the Zatarc situation-"

"Dad, why are you so worried? I'll be fine!"

"That's what you said when you started dating Jonas. You remember that?"

"Dad…" Sam said as she remembered how Jonas died. "He was there for me, and if he wasn't I don't know what the hell I would do."

She suddenly remembered the Zatarc situation and everything Jack had said.

"Sir, just go!"

"No!!"

--

"I didn't leave, because I'd have rather died myself than to have lost Carter."

"Why?"

"Because I care about her… A lot more than I'm supposed to."

"Please dad, I love him and he loves me."

"I just don't want to see you get hurt, Sam…"

"Neither does he! This is why I didn't tell you. Please don't argue, just accept my decision." She looked at her watch "I have a briefing to go to."

She walked off, leaving her dad standing there. Jacob walked off in the opposite direction, to Daniel's office.

"Oh, hey, Jacob, I was just going to go to the briefing. What's up?"

"Well, Sam's mad at me, I asked when she was going to tell me she was marrying Jack, then I kinda brought up Jonas Hanson, and well, things just escalated from there. I just wonder what going on in their minds."

"Well, I tried to talk Jack out of retiring, but he just brushed me off."

"Well think about it, no more kicking Goa'uld ass…"

"I know."

"No more blowing up replicators…"

"I know!"

"No more going through the Stargate…"

"I know!"

"But you love your job!"

"I know, but I love Sam more. That's why I'm leaving."

"He gave up his whole career for Sam, Jacob, he cares about her more than life itself. And he would never hurt her, if that's what you're worried about. He wants her to be happy, and he's done a good job. He's my best friend and I know he'd never let anyone take that away. You should be happy for her; she's finally found someone who loves her."

"You mean someone who hasn't died yet?" He stopped. "George told me how he proposed to her." He said smiling

"Sam, I've decided to retire."

"What?" She said tears streaming down her cheeks "No, you can't. Please."

"I have to."

"W-will I ever see you again?"

He cupped her cheek and swiped away her tears with his thumb "It depends."

"On what?"

"Sam, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever met. You've given me hope in places where I never though would recover since Charlie died. I don't know how you do it, but you do, and I've grown to love you since the day we met." He got down on his knee "Samantha Carter, will you marry me?"

Another tear escaped down her cheek. "Jack… I have no idea what to say."

"Just say what's in your heart."

She gripped his hand and he stood up and he gripped her other hand.

"Yes."

And they kissed.

"Yeah," Daniel said patting his back "I gotta run." He said picking up a folder and left for the briefing room. Jacob sat down. He had a think about.