Hi, I'm speculating about what may happen to Sam and Jack in "my universe" following Threads and leading to Season 9.

In chapter 1, SG-1 and Jack are spending their downtime together at Jack's cabin. This can be a good thing!

In chapter 2, Jack shares some important news with his three friends. This could be an upsetting thing!

I welcome your feedback!

2

After a satisfying meal at Tooty's, SG-1 settled in at Jack's before turning in. They all had early morning plans to head for home. Teal'c and Daniel had a 0845 flight out of Minneapolis-St. Paul and Carter and Jack were staring down 15 hours on the highway.

Daniel and Teal'c were sitting on the sofa facing the glowing fireplace, feet propped up on the coffee table. To Teal'c's right sat Jack on an overstuffed easy chair nursing a beer. Occasionally, Jack snuck looks at Sam seated directly across from him while she was held in rapt attention by one of Daniel's archaeological-speak theories of Tauri-based mythological influences throughout the galaxy.

Jack was fidgeting. A lot. He hoped he was smiling or chuckling at the right places in the conversation. Why had he waited till the last night to share what Hammond had asked him just before they took off for his cabin?

"O'Neill," Teal'c said. Jack nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Are you not well? You seem troubled."

Leave it to Teal'c to not only notice Jack's discomfort but to say something about it. Got to love the guy, though, he was a true friend.

"Aw, just thinking about my phone conversation with Hammond last week is all." Jack was trying to sound nonchalant but thinking he was failing miserably.

Daniel and Sam stopped talking and immediately turned their attention to Jack. Something about hearing Hammond's name elicited a respectful curiosity from them.

"He's retiring."

"And…," said Daniel.

"Uh, he's recommending me to take his post at Homeworld Security is all."

"No!" said Daniel.

"No?" replied Jack.

"You told him no, right, Jack?" spewed Daniel.

"No."

"No, as in no you won't accept?"

Sam sat silently. She thought she stopped breathing. Her eyes were met by Jack's. His gaze didn't waver from hers as he replied to Daniel.

"No, Daniel, as in we have to talk." And Jack didn't mean talk to Hammond. But he didn't say that out loud.

"It is a great honor he is bestowing on you, O'Neill," offered Teal'c.

"Yeah, maybe." But, Jack wasn't sure that it felt like it.