A/N: thank you for all the reviews. This is the last chapter. Hope you like it.
Chapter 11: Happy endings
It had been two weeks since General Charleston died. Sam hadn't mentioned in her report of what happened that he confessed he loved her. She hadn't mentioned that at all. To no one, no even to Daniel. That was her little secret, something she was going to take to the grave with her. There was no need for that to ever come out. The simple fact that he admitted that he loved her was court-martial material (not that he could be court marshaled, he was dead but still…). She wouldn't let this be the last thing that would be put in his official record. He was a hero and that was what they were supposed to mention. Nothing more nothing less.
She did mention Lieutenant Thomason's betrayal had his power over the general.
Not that she wanted to because that would put a stain on the general's record. But she had to include that in the report. How else could she explain what had happen on level 16? She couldn't. So she did what she had to do.
Sam had spent those past few weeks at home. The government had decided that seeing her CO sacrificing himself to save hearth could be a stressful and scaring experience (go figure) so they gave her a month off. Which she declined. After a long and extenuation argument she accepted to take two weeks off.
So there she was: getting ready to go back to work. Jack was still asleep in her bed. He had moved in with her because he didn't want to leave her alone after what she had seen. At first she said no but after being nagged by Daniel, Teal'c and Jack she finally gave in.
- Are you sure you can handle this?
- Handle what?
- Going back to work.
- Sure I'm sure.
- You don't look so sure.
- Jack I have to go back to work eventually. And this wasn't the first time I saw someone die.
- I know. But this time was different. I don't know why. You won't tell me. – He said the last words in a way he knew she was going to understand that he was a bit upset that she wouldn't tell him what had happen. - Why don't you stay a while longer? Maybe we could go somewhere. Miami, Hawaii, Brazil…
She offered him a smile. – No thanks. – She moved to kiss him. A soft and tender kiss on the lips. Then looking deep inside his eyes she continued – I have to do this.
- Ok. But if, for any reason, you see that you can't handle that promise you'll call me.
- Why would I call you? What could you do?
- I would go running there to hold you and make it all right. – she gave him that look, the same one she had given him that day that she was trapped and he refuse to leave her. The day they realized what they felt for each other. That look that melted his hearth. – Just promise me.
- I promise.
--------
SGC
Sam arrived at the SGC and passed the usual security measures. Everyone was greeting her and telling her how happy they were that she was back. She was happy to be back. She was even happier when she noticed that she could handle it. She wasn't sure at first. Why? That was oblivious to her. It hadn't been the first time she saw someone die. Nor had it been the first time that one of her "boyfriends" would be killed (Martouf, Narim…) but this was different. The general had gotten to her. Mainly because he never tried to anything with her, because he suffered in silence just how she suffered with Jack. Because he cared enough to want to see her happy even if it was not with him. He was a good man. She was now at her lab.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Daniel's arrival at her lab.
- Hey.
- Hello Daniel.
- How are you?
- I'm fine. How are you?
- I'm ok. Do you want to talk?
- About…?
- I don't know. How about the weather?
- You're very sweet. But I'm fine.
- Fine. I won't insist.
- Good. – Daniel was hissing something. She could see that he was trying to figure out the best way to approach a sensible subject. – Just tell me what's on your mind.
- What?
- I'm not glass. I won't break. Stop acting that way around me.
- I'm sorry. It's just that we all saw the state you were when you left the briefing room that day. You're always so strong and that day… It scared everyone to see you so vulnerable. We all look at you for support. I guess that we had all forgotten that under the soldier Sam there's a human being that is just as vulnerable as anyone else.
Sam smiled. She appreciated her friend's honesty about the matter.
- So what is it?
- Today's the day that our new CO arrives.
- So we're back at that.
- Guess so.
- Where's Teal'c? Please don't tell me he's on a mission with SG-9. (Teal'c was with SG-9 last time that a new CO was introduced).
- No. I think he's in his quarters.
- That's good.
- Yes.
The two friends were now laughing so loud that people were starting to stare at them. It took them a while before they realized that there were at least a dozen soldiers standing at the door staring at them.
- We should go.
- Yeah.
They got up and headed to the commissary. That was the place that the new CO had chosen for the "presentation". Teal'c was already there.
- Hello colonel Carter, Daniel Jackson.
- Teal'c.
- Hey.
- Anyone know who is the new CO?
- The only thing I heard was that he was a civilian.
- Again? – Sam remembered Dr. Weir – I just hope He or she isn't connected to NID.
- I'm not.
Everyone turned around to face the door and the person that had just arrived.
- Jack…?
- Daniel.
- You're the new CO. Why didn't you tell me?
- Well I wasn't sure I was going to accept the position again. I couldn't say anything until I either decline or accept the position. And I only made my final decision this morning.
Sam looked at him with sad eyes. He was her CO again. Did that meant that it was over between them?
He caught her fear.
- I need to talk to you after my speech.
- Yes sir.
After his speech they met in his office.
- So what was it you wanted to tell me? – She was avoiding eye contact. She couldn't bear to look at him. She was almost sure that he was going to break up with her.
- Why don't you look at me?
- No reason.
- Then look at me.
She continued not looking.
- Sam. I love oyu.
She looked.
- But…?
- But nothing. I only accepted this job after the president assured me that we could still be together.
- We can?
- Sure. Well there is one condition.
- What?
Jack got down on one knee and took a box out of his pocked. He opened the box. Inside there was a beautiful ring with a perfect diamond in the middle.
- Will you marry me?
- What?
- That's the condition. Frankly I don't mind. I bought this ring a month ago. I was just trying to get the nerve to ask you.
- You really want to marry me?
- That's all I want.
Sam gave him one of those 1000 watts smile.
- Yes.
He got up and hugged her.
- Are you sure you don't want to think about it? Cos I tell right away that if your final answer is yes you will have to spend the rest of your life with me.
- I think I can live with that.
He placed the ring on her finger.
- This is beautiful.
- Not as beautiful as you.
A passionate kiss sealed the "deal".
The End.
A/N: That's it. It's finished. What did you think about it? Let me know.