Well I did it, I got married. It was better than I ever could have imagined.. I am glad it is over though because now I can get back to my story YAY!

Here is the next Chapter. Tell me what you think..

The conversation over diner was nothing particularly interesting or new for the team, revolving mainly around the Asgard reproduction process or as Jack pointed out, the lake thereof. After dinner Sam once again took it upon herself to clean up after her fellow team's mates while she encouraged them to grab some drinks and she would meet up with them outside once she had finished. About 15 minutes into her cleaning she finished, grabbed a beer and walked out the back door, only to find Jack standing alone on the dock. She looked around, and could not see any sign of Daniel or Teal'c assuming that they had gone for a walk, although she had no idea where they would go at this late hour in the dark, she stood at the back door and looked out over at the man who was seemingly entranced looking over the lake and towards the hundreds of low lying stars.

After staring at the man for what seemed like an eternity, and silently mustering up the courage to approach him, Sam walked slowly and joined him on the dock.

Jack didn't move, although Sam knew that he must have known she was approaching him, he was after all black op trained and she didn't exactly hide her approach. Neither of them spoke. Both stood side by side staring out over the water and occasionally taking a sip of their drinks.

"They've gone for a walk" Jack commented answering Sams unspoken question.

Grateful for the break in tension Sam replied. "At this hour, I hope they know what they are doing" She looked at him, but he continued to stare out into the distance.

"Carter, we have travelled to other planets, I'm sure Daniel and T will manage walking around Minnesota, and it's not like they can go very far anyway"

"Yes Sir"

Ensuring the conversation continued so they didn't lapse into another uncomfortable silence, Sam kept talking. "It really is beautiful here Sir, I guess last time I didn't really get the chance to appreciate it all that much, I mean I know I did, but just with Dad and everything I don't really think everything sunk in"

"Well Carter, of all the places we have been this still has to be my favourite, nothing even comes close" He looks over at her, and she matches his gaze.

"I agree with you Sir" Their eyes lock at that point and Jack realised how sincere she was being. It was then he stopped to look at her for the first time since they arrived. She looked amazing. Casually dressed in jeans, a light blue shirt and denim jacket, the colours really made her blue eyes sparkle.

"Carter, you know at the ball the other night when we were talking, well just before I found you I ran into Hammond and he asked me to pass on a message to you, I completely forgot until now" Still looking at her.

"Sir?"

"He told me to tell you that it's now or never" He looked at her questionably hoping she would explain what it meant.

Looking nervous Sam looked away quickly.

"Carter?"

"I um… I have.. ah… no idea what he means sir"

"Carter, is there something your not telling me, something that involves Hammond"

"No Sir of course not"

"Then why the cryptic message"

"I um", she looked at him and he could see it the moment she gave in.

"I um, went and seen General Hammond about leaving the SGC… but Sir before you get angry and tell me why I shouldn't, I really want you to hear my reasons"

He looked at her and then motioned for her to continue and he noticed at this point that she wasn't able to look at him while she was talking.

"Ever since my father died I have felt like I was trapped while working at the SGC. Don't get me wrong Sir, I mean I love my job and I can't imagine doing anything else but there are just so many things that I feel like I have missed out on." She looked at him and hoped he would see her meaning, seemingly not, she continued.

"I had a conversation with my Dad before he died and he told me that I could still have everything I wanted, that I shouldn't let rules and regulations get in the way" She looked at him again, nothing….

"It's just that when I met Pete I felt like I was finally leading a normal life, like I finally had everything I ever wanted, and would still be able to keep my job at the SGC"

"And now?" He spoke quietly

"And now, even though Pete and I are over I still want the things that went along with it"

"Aah," It was at this point that Jack realised what she was hinting at. She had worked so hard over the past 10 years, dedicating her entire life to her work at the SGC and she felt like she had now lost her ex-fiancée, with whom she felt like she could have a normal life.. Yeah, he understood alright, but he had no idea what to say to her.

"Look Carter, I um…"

"Its ok Sir", and she touched his arm gently sending a shiver down his spine. "You don't have to say anything"

"Is um, is that what you were upset about the other night at the party"

"Sort of"

"Do you want to talk about it", and he motioned for them to go inside.

"Are you sure you want to hear it Sir, I mean I just told you I am thinking about leaving the SGC"

"Come on Carter" and he placed a hand on her back "Let's go inside"

As they walked back up the dock, Jack's hand never leaving the small of her back Sam felt an unusual sense of security. This is it she told herself. I am going to tell him everything once and for all….