Chapter 9: Land of Sky-Blue Waters

Jack's Cabin, Minnesota

Sam lounged in an Adirondack chair, enjoying the warm sunshine and gentle breeze. What she would give to stay there forever. After the trial, she and Jack had spent three glorious days at his cabin in Minnesota. Not only did the time there aid in releasing the tension Sam had built up over the course of her arrest and trial, it provided a welcome opportunity for both of them to get to know each other and be themselves away from the Air Force and SGC.

Their first evening there, they had seriously discussed the events that had brought them to this point. Both Sam and Jack were still somewhat insecure about the other's true feelings. Although he knew Sam had agreed to the marriage, Jack still worried that she might have only done so because it was the lesser of two evils. For her part, Sam, although knowing Jack loved her, worried that he had been pressured into marriage before he was ready. She still agonized over the idea that he might have only agreed to the marriage in order to save her life.

As she sat outside, looking out over the pond, Sam contemplated their conversation of that first night. They had been sitting on the sofa by the fire, relaxing after the long flight to Minnesota and subsequent drive to the cabin. Jack had put his arm around her as she leaned further against him and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Sam?" Jack hestitantly whispered.

"Hmm," she lazily replied.

"Are you okay with how this all played out?"

"If this moment is anything to go by, then I am more than okay," she answered. She lifted her head to look at him questioningly. "Why do you ask?"

"It's just...you had to give up a lot in this scenario. You lost Pete..."

"Yes, I did," she stopped him and added, "But what I have gained more than makes up for what I lost, Jack. I did love Pete..."

Jack shook his head and interrupted, "You don't have to explain..."

"No...You need to hear this." Sam looked up at her husband with a serious expression before continuing, "I loved Pete and I loved having someone care about me in that way - freely, openly. And yes, I thought I wanted a future with him. But only because I lost hope of ever having a future with you. I never loved him the way I love you. You are the only one that can make me melt with just a glance, or make me smile with just a word. I can't even describe it...when I'm with you, I feel whole."

Jack smiled at this revelation and quipped, "Tell me how you really feel."

Sam lifted her lips to his and tenderly kissed him before replying, "I absolutely adore you, Jack O'Neill."

"That's good to know," he replied before once again placing his lips over hers.

After that conversation, both were now fully aware that they had been in love with each other for a very long time. However, this was truly the first time they had been able to be alone together without the restraints of regulations and duty oppressively hanging over them. In the isolation of Minnesota, they could truly be together and be themselves without fear or restraint.

And it was wonderful. The flirtatious banter and joking around were to be expected. What was so unexpected was that they actually had a lot in common outside of the SGC and truly enjoyed each other's company. They both enjoyed outdoor activities, had a mutual love of astronomy, had a similar sense of humor, and were surprisingly in agreement on most political and social issues. And Sam found quickly that she could tolerate the Simpson's and hockey if Jack could tolerate techno-babble and old romantic movies.

Their time at the cabin also served to release another form of tension that had been building up over the years – that of the sexual variety. When they first arrived at the cabin, Jack had been adamant about taking things slow and getting to know each other better on a personal level before taking things further. Sam also agreed at that time that the decision was the wisest. By the end of the second day, however, she had changed her mind.

It had started around dusk on the second day. Jack had been sitting in a chair at the end of his dock, lazily waiting for any non-existent fish to bite. Sam watched him from a window for several minutes and then quickly made up her mind to act. She had quietly approached the dock, careful not to disturb him. She sat directly on the edge of the dock and dangled her bare feet in the cold water. Leaning slightly against Jack's outstretched leg, she hesitantly placed one hand on his bare leg.

At her gentle touch, Jack lifted up his sunglasses and looked down at Sam questioningly. She returned his gaze, but filled her own with all of the longing and desire she currently was feeling. Undoubtedly, he understood her silent request, for he put down his fishing rod, got up out of his chair and joined her in sitting on the dock.

He laced his fingers through hers and playfully wrapped one of his bare feet around her leg in the water. Suddenly, he reached out with his other hand to tenderly caress her cheek. Sam quickly turned her head to meet his palm with a kiss. They drew closer together and embraced spontaneously, devouring each other's lips in a searing kiss.

Between kisses, Sam began to murmur, "Please... Jack...I don't want to wait anymore... I want to be with you."

At these mumbled words, Jack broke away from her and abruptly rose. At first, Sam was devastated, thinking he was rejecting her. Her dismay was soon erased, as Jack bent to offer his hand to his wife.

"I think we better go inside, Mrs. O'Neill. It's going to get a little chilly out here in a few minutes. Besides, I can think of a better place than this...for...you know." His eyebrows wiggled suggestively and Sam let out a small chuckle in response.

Sam took his proffered hand to stand up and retained her hold on it as they walked all the way to the cabin. As they entered the cabin together, Jack turned to Sam and looked at her adoringly – an uncharacteristic expression for him, but one she noted had become more common in the past few days.

He stopped suddenly, his words awkward and adorably shy. "Sam...I just...I need you to know something...before we go any further. I know it's sappy... and I'm not good with these kinds of things, so don't expect it to be a regular occurrence or anything...but I love you, so much. And I always will."

She placed a brief kiss on his lips and then clutched him tightly to her. "I know, Jack. And I think you know that I feel exactly the same...I love you too. More than I've ever loved anyone in my life." Her expression suddenly changed and her eyes reflected what only could be described as desperation, "Jack...Please don't ever leave me...I need you with me..."

"Always," he pledged.

And so they spent the second night and much of the third day in bed. They only emerged around noon on the third day to search for food. Currently, Jack was making sandwiches while Sam waited outside, soaking up the sunshine, sipping lemonade, and relaxing.

Jack sauntered out of the cabin, precariously balancing two paper plates filled with food in one hand and his beer in the other. He handed one plate to Sam who smiled brightly at him in appreciation. He then took the seat next to her. As they began eating their lunches, Jack brought up a subject that he knew was necessary, but which he had been dreading.

"You know we have to head back to Colorado tonight?" he inquired.

Sam merely nodded and continued eating her sandwich in silence. He continued, "The plane leaves at 1900. Daniel's going to pick us up at the airport in Denver."

Sam frowned slightly. "I know. I just didn't want to think about it yet. The past couple of days have been so...magical. I hate to think of what's going to happen next."

"Don't you worry about it, Sam. Whatever happens, we will both be alright because we will be together. Just remember that."

Sam sighed wearily. "That's the only thing that's getting me through this whole thing." She smiled at the thought and then paused as a cloud of worry washed over her face. "Jack...the reason I didn't want to marry you initially...it's still there. I don't want you to give up your career for me. The SGC still needs you..."

Jack frowned darkly. "Oh, no...you are not getting rid of me, Mrs. O'Neill. You married me, you're stuck with me. Besides, I don't think the Air Force is too happy with the little stunt we pulled. By now, I should be officially retired."

"Oh God, Jack...I'm so sorry," Sam apologized sincerely.

"No big deal. I've retired a couple times before, although this is the best reason I've had so far for doing it."

Jack took Sam's hand in his, making her relinquish the remainder of her sandwich. Once she had placed it on her plate, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "When you asked me last night to never leave you...I meant what I said, Sam. I will always be there with you. And it goes both ways. A long time ago I said that I would rather die than lose you. I know now that I would die if you ever left me. So... please... don't...don't try to leave me behind. I couldn't bear it."

"Never," she replied, giving Jack's hand a reassuring squeeze in return.

They continued to sit in the sun, eating their sandwiches and sipping their drinks for several minutes. Sam tentatively initiated the next subject.

"So..."

"So...?" Jack responded.

"So...we've determined that we're stuck with each other. The question is, I guess, what would you prefer to do? If I am exiled off world?"

"Well, we could go live with the rebel Jaffa or the Hak'tyl. That way we could both continue the fight against the Gould. And we would probably get to see Danny and T a lot," Jack suggested.

Sam shook her head warily. "I don't know, Jack. I would feel somewhat uncomfortable living amongst people that we don't know that well. I mean, we would always be outsiders...no matter if we are their allies and Teal'c's friends. Besides, what would I do? They really don't have much need for an astrophysicist slash wormhole technology expert."

"True," Jack nodded in agreement. "So...where were you going to suggest?"

"We could go live with the Tok'ra. We could be with Dad and I could make a real contribution. They deal more with science and technology than the Jaffa do."

Jack grimaced when he heard the word 'Tok'ra.' "I don't know, Sam. You know how I feel about the Tok'ra, with the exception of Dad...and he'll probably dismember me when he finds out we're married. Besides...living underground all the time, always on the run, going on undercover missions for months... it's just not a good environment. You know...for a family."

At the word 'family,' Sam's eyes grew large and her mouth gaped open. "Family? You want to have a family? With me?" she asked in disbelief.

Jack gazed at his wife longingly, "Personally, I can't think of anything I want more. But I want you to be happy...and if living with the Tok'ra will make you happy then..."

"No! No..." Sam countered.

Jack continued, "I don't want to rush you about this, either. You don't even need to think about it just now. Just keep it in the back of your mind and let me know if and when you are ready to talk about it more."

He had never seen such a look of tenderness grace Sam's face. "Oh, Jack," she sighed. Tenderness was soon replaced with resolve, as Sam announced, "I guess the Tok'ra are out then. But I don't think the current planets that the Hak'tyl and rebel Jaffa reside on are exactly the best places to raise children either. But one of them will have to do if necessary."

Jack grinned widely as he absorbed her meaning, "So...you want to have kids with me?"

She nodded firmly. "Most definitely."

As they both turned their attention back to their sandwiches, they each took a simultaneous bite and then turned to each other grinning widely - their minds filled with dreams of their future lives together.

As a postscript to their conversation, Jack added, "You know, we could always settle on Argos. Nice people there...lots of kids...miles of beaches..."

Sam interrupted his list of Argos's qualifications, "...way too many distractions of the female persuasion. And the answer is absolutely not. I don't trust their selection of desserts."

"Oh, come on, Sam. The cake was actually pretty good, minus the nasty aging side effect. We could completely retire there. Spend our days being beach bums and making love all day. Besides... no one can hold a candle to you."

"Stop with the clichés, Jack, and give me a kiss." Jack readily compiled with his wife's orders.

Monday, 0800, SGC Briefing Room

Jack and Sam sat next to each other, nervously holding hands under the briefing room table. Neither had any idea what was going to happen to them. They both knew that the United States government would most likely discharge Sam and make Jack retire again, but beyond that they had no idea as to what had been decided by the bigwigs in Washington.

A few minutes later General George Hammond, their former commanding officer, entered the room. He took a seat at the end of the table, the place where he always used to sit, and looked at the two officers sympathetically.

He began quietly, "Colonel, General...I just want to say that it has always been my honor to work with you both. You two were the finest officers I ever had the pleasure of having under my command."

Jack looked stoically at Hammond. "'Were' being the key word..." he noted.

"You're correct, Jack. You Jack, are being strongly 'encouraged' to retire. Sam is going to be honorably discharged from the Air Force. If you go quietly, the U.S. government is willing to let you keep your benefits and your records will not be tarnished in any way. The paperwork will be filed this afternoon."

"And?" Jack knew there was more by George's demeanor.

"The State Department, in consultation with the Joint Chiefs and President, has issued deportation orders, Sam." Hammond looked to directly address her, "You are hereby ordered to report back to the SGC within a week to go through the Stargate. You will gate to a planet of your own choosing, without the benefit of a GDO."

Sam sighed in desperation, "So I can't ever come back, can I sir?"

Hammond shook his head and frowned at her obvious distress. "I'm sorry Sam. I talked them into allowing you a week to visit your families and to get your things in order. Unfortunately, I could only get you a week. They were not happy with the way you got out of the trial. Felt as if they had been tricked or hoodwinked. While I know the President is secretly happy that you are free, Sam, even he knows that an example has to be set."

"I understand, sir. And thank you for your help," Sam acknowledged.

"I know this is hard for you both. Just let me know if there is anything I can do to make it easier on you. This country certainly owes you more than this after all you've done."

"Thank you, sir. I can truly say it was an honor serving with you too," Sam stated and Jack nodded in agreement.

Jack and Sam then stood to leave. They only had a few precious days to say their goodbyes to their friends and family and to get all of their affairs in order. They wanted to get started as soon as possible.

Before they turned towards the door, Hammond stopped them. "Jack...Sam...I do have something else I want to talk to you about." Jack and Sam once again sat down, looking slightly perplexed. "Have you two given any thought as to where you are going to go? I assume you are both going to go off world together?"

Jack looked at Sam with a raised eyebrow. They had discussed the subject at the cabin, but had not come to any definitive decisions. Jack explained, "Well, sir... Yes, we are going together. As to where...I think we need to discuss it more. Currently we are leaning toward living with the Hak'tyl or the rebel Jaffa."

George smiled at them kindly. "I might be able to offer you an alternative, if you would be interested?"

"Sure, George...we're still open to suggestions." Jack had no problem using the General's first name for once in his life. After all, he was no longer in the Air Force and George was no longer a superior officer, but a friend.

"How would you two like to go to the Alpha Site? You could live there on base, at least initially. There are plans in the works for establishing a more permanent settlement on the surface eventually as well."

"What would we do there, General?" Sam asked, trying to control her excitement.

Hammond smiled, happy that he could provide his two brightest officers with a new start. "Well, I have been authorized to offer Jack and Sam O'Neill positions working at the Alpha Site as civilians. Jack...you would be in charge of the training program there, as well as providing occasional consultation work. Sam...you would be working in the labs, continuing most of the research that you have been working on here. You would be working as resident aliens, and hence no paycheck or future benefits – but you would still receive compensation in the form of room, board, medical care, and other supplies that could be sent regularly from Earth. You will also be one of the first to receive housing if the budget for the residential area on the surface is approved. In addition, you would be able to regularly see and work with many of your friends like Dr. Jackson, Teal'c, maybe even Cassie."

"Why sir? Why would the Pentagon authorize this?" Sam questioned.

"The Joint Chiefs might be embarrassed by your little plan, but they are not stupid. They realize that it would be unwise to let two of our best resources slip through their fingers. This way...they get the vindication they desire while retaining two people that are essential to the Stargate Program."

"I have a feeling that you had something to do with this, General. It seems we are again in your debt," Sam stated softly, smiling sweetly at her former commanding officer. She rose and moved toward the General, wrapping her arms around the man who had done so much for them.

TBC