Chapter Two

Author's Note: I just want to say thank you to all of you who took the time to read my little contribution to the world of Stargate SG1 Fan Fiction. Thanks go out to everyone who reviewed. I loved hearing from you and am flattered by the kind words. I hope this conclusion doesn't disappoint. Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing from you all again.

Previously:
"Stop thinking." Sam couldn't stop the blush that tainted her cheeks. "I know it's hard. But give it a try. You might find you like it." Jack teased and received a soft punch in the shoulder for his troubles. He feigned pain and rubbed his shoulder for emphasis. "Everything's going to be alright Sam, I promise." He turned serious and Sam knew for certain that Jack would always protect her, look after her and love her.

"I know." Sam leant in and kissed him softly but pulled away when the phone rang. The couple turned towards it and smiled reassuringly at each other. Now was the moment of truth. This phone call would change their lives, and Jack resound him self that no matter what he had to do, he would make sure it was for the better.

And Now:

Jack headed over to the phone and looked at it hesitantly. He watched his hand reach for it and bring it up to his ear.

"O'Neill." He barked the familiar greeting.

Sam waited with bated breath as Jack nodded his head and said a few 'yes sirs' before Jack eventually hung up the phone. He turned to her and she waited for a reaction of any kind to show on his face. When his lips started to form a slight smirk she released the breath she'd been holding.

"Well?" She asked as the smirk on Jack's face turned into a full smile.

o o o

"Jack, it's Hammond." Major General George Hammond said into the phone. "I've spoken to the President. There's a position opening up here in Washington. Now I know that's not ideal, but you'll still be apart of the Stargate program and you'll be out of the same chain of command as Colonel Carter. It's head of home world security Jack." To say that Jack was shocked at what Hammond had just said would be an understatement, and that in itself was a cliché.

"Sir?" Jack didn't know what else to say. The wheels in his mind were turning and he didn't like the outcome. They needed Hammond. And Jack felt, more than they needed him.

"It's time for me to retire Jack. It has been for a long time. You've done an excellent job at the mountain and you'll do an excellent job here. I couldn't imagine anyone else I'd want to hand the reigns over to. Your presence here is a necessity Jack. Anyone else will put the lives of the people in that mountain at risk. Anyone else wouldn't understand the importance of this program and would undoubtedly put the lives of the entire planet at risk. We need you here Jack." Hammond paused waiting for Jack's response, at his silence he continued. "I understand that being transferred to Washington isn't exactly what you hoped for. It will put considerable distant between you and Sam. But remember Jack, DC is only a plane trip away and you can go back to the mountain whenever you deem fit…. Don't decide right now. Think it over, talk it over with Sam and get back to us."

"Yes sir" Was all Jack was capable of saying. He was still trying to process the information. Although moving to Washington wasn't ideal, just as the General had said, it did open up certain possibilities Jack had been longing for. They could handle it.

"I assume that if you decide not to take the position and instead stay in Colorado Springs, that you will still pursue retirement?" Hammond knew all to well the answer before it ever left Jack's mouth.

"Yes sir." Hammond nodded on the other end with a slight smile.

"Then I should inform you that the President has decided to that your transfer or your retirement is effective immediately. I don't think I have to tell you what that means Jack." Jack could almost hear the smile in his voice. Hammond had, like many personnel on base, been rooting for Jack and Sam for a long, long time.

"Yes sir." Jack realised that since this conversation had begun, he'd been reduced to one or two word sentences. He shook his head at himself and his lack of verbal skills. The incredibly beautiful blonde behind him certainly wasn't lacking in that department. However he couldn't help but wonder, that if she were participating in this conversation, would she be capable of much more?

"I'll expect to hear from you by Monday Jack. Have a good weekend." Hammond knew he'd rendered the man speechless. The information was a lot to take in and process. He couldn't help but be a little thankful he wasn't at the cabin for the ensuing conversation that would take place as soon as the phones were hung up.

"Yes sir, thank you sir." Well that was better. A whole five words in that sentence. That was an improvement. Jack heard the click as Hammond hung up the phone and gently replaced the receiver. He turned toward Sam and saw the fear on her face. He could see she was holding her breath, waiting anxiously for him to relay the conversation. He couldn't help but smile at her. She had her arms crossed over her chest and her hair was slightly tousled from what he knew was the numerous times she'd run her finger through her hair while he'd had his back turned. And even looking as unkempt and as nervous as she did, he couldn't remember a time when she'd looked more beautiful.

"Well?" She asked, waiting for him to say something… anything.

o o o

"Hammond offered me a job that would take us out of the same chain of command and still keep me involved in the Stargate and the Air Force." Jack said casually, taking her hand and leading her over to the sofa. She was going to need to be sitting for this.

"Wow. That sounds too good to be true." Sam stated as she looked at him with scepticism. There had to be something else to it. They weren't that lucky.

"Well it is… It's Hammond's job as head of home world security." Jack stated allowing Sam to come to her own conclusion. He watched as she registered what that meant and saw her eyes gloss slightly as the tears filled her eyes.

"You have to move to Washington." It wasn't a question, she knew the answer. Jack nodded slightly as his hand came up to cup her cheek.

"I don't have to take it. I can stay. I'll just retire. That was the plan after all, right?" Sam shook her head at him.

"No. You have to take this. It's a great opportunity." Sam's voice wavered slightly as she blinked, trying to will the tears away.

"But you are more important." He said gently, wiping away the stray tear that had managed to fall regardless of her efforts. "It is possible to have everything Sam." Her head shot up to look into his eyes.

"How?"

"Well, it's only DC. A quick plane trip and I'm home or you're there. Plus, I can pretty much decide that I'm needed at the mountain whenever I want to… I won't let you go now Sam. There's no way in hell." Jack looked directly into her eyes and Sam saw the sincerity in his eyes. The hope that they could still have everything. The conviction with which he believed in them, and it made her believe too.

"Ok… We can do this. Right?" Sam smiled as she felt the tears subsiding and the hope springing within her. Jack gathered her in his arms. "I mean, we're worth giving it a try right?"

"Hell yes." He answered simply and in true Jack O'Neill fashion that it brought a smile to her face as she buried it in his shoulder.

"We'll be good, won't we?" Jack smiled then, turning to kiss her hair gently.

"We'll be better than great, cause we'll be us." Sam raised her head from his shoulder at his words. She looked into his eyes for a moment before leaning in to capture his lips in a kiss that echoed the promise of a future, a future together.

Whatever the universe threw at them, they'd always survived it. Alongside each other they'd fought some of the hardest battles of their life. If, now they had to fight to be together, they were finally willing to go into battle, and this was one fight they were determined not to lose.

The End.