Previously…..

Sam moved in front of him, opening the door to reveal Walter standing there waiting. "Sorry Ma'am, but you're wanted in the briefing room, as well as the General." Sam smiled again, sending him on, saying they'd be there in a minute. She closed the door and chuckled slightly.

"What?" Jack asked.

"I'll never understand how he seems to know everything including where to find you."

And Now…………..

Jack and Sam hurried on to the briefing room, not wanting to keep so many high ranking officers waiting. They arrived to find everyone waiting around the table, Jacob with his back to them.

"Sirs', you wish to see us." Sam said, coming to a prefect military 'parade rest' stance and awaiting further orders. Even Jack pulled up short and gave the men before him their due as his superiors. Hayes waved away the formalities, indicating they should take a seat. Which they did, still tense awaiting a decision on both their futures.

"Yes we did. We've talked among ourselves. We decided we can't accept either of your resignation. But, we're also assuming neither of you is interested in returning to the way things were before. Are we correct in that assumption?"

With a shared look they said in unison… "No Sirs, we're not." Jack continued. "Sir, I'm more than willing to re-submit my resignation as head of StarGate Command. I'll resign effective immediately. Hayes was already prepared and cut him off before he could go any further. "Request denied General. You're too valuable, we need you here to run the SGC…and before you say anything, the same goes for you also Colonel.

Sam and Jack were confused. Jack's temper began to flare. "So, let me get this straight. You're not gonna accept our resignation. And you can't give us a waiver to pursue a relationship…so why even bother to ask us if we wanted to go back to the way things were if that's the only option you're giving us. 'Angry' was an understatement, Jack was beyond pissed and he didn't mind them seeing it.

Jacob finally spoke up, back still turned to them. "Which do you love more Jack…Sam or the Air Force? "

Before Jacob could finish the question Jack answered. "Sam." He answered as through it was a given. And for him it really was a given. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her. He finished for Jacob ear mostly. "That's a stupid question and you know it Jake. I would've retired the moment I met her, if I could've, hell I tried more than a few times over the years. He admitted.

Sam stared open mouth at him, in shock at his revelation. "You did?" She turned still in awe. Jack nodded in answer to all the unspoken questions he could see in her eyes.

Jake finally turned around. "Good, I was hoping you'd say that." As if that one answer explained all the mysteries of the universe.

"But what difference does it make if we still can't be together?" Jack asked already frustrated.

"Oh but you can." Jake teased him with a smirked on his face.

Jack stared from one man to the next as understanding dawn on him. "You'll allow me to retire from the Air Force and continue to command this base but as a civilian." He finally saw the light as he posed the question to President Hayes.

"Yes, if you'd be interested in the position." The President confirmed for him. "You already have the respect and loyalty of everyone here. Nothing would change in the way you run the base, only your title.

Jack turned to Sam to get her reaction to the proposal. "It's your decision." Sam conceded before he could ask the question.

Jack simplified his stances. "If I say no, there's no us…if I say yes…there is. You know how I feel Carter. How about you? How do you feel about all of this?" Jack needed to give Sam a chance to have some say in their future and not just presume to make decisions for her.

"You know full well what my answer will be." Understanding he was giving her an 'out' if she wanted one and loving him even more because of it. She loved Jack very much, but wasn't looking forward to saying so in front of the President, Joint Chiefs, General Hammond and her father, even though she was pretty sure they all already knew.

Jack sat thinking for all of a millisecond before answering. "I'll do it." Still trying to grasp what this would mean for his and Sam's future.

Two days later Jack went to work as the civilian commander of the SGC. Three month's after that Pete was put on trial for the rape and abuse of Sam. He lost. He was sentenced to 15-20 years for his crimes.

On 27th of January 2007 Jack was presented a beautiful baby girl. Laying one bed over in the infirmary was the most beautiful blonde he had ever seen in his life. She was exhausted and sleeping soundly. She had every right to be tired. Looking down in his arms he start a new set of blue eyes staring back at him. Smiling down at her and tickling his finger under her chin he greeted her from her nap. "Hello my little angel." When he looked back up he looked straight into another more familiar set of beautiful blue eyes. "And there's my other angle. Did I wake you?" Taking her hand.

"No, I was already awake." She answered. Jack leaned in and gently kissed her on the forehead. Brow furrow in confusion she ask. "What was that for?"

"For giving me a second chance. If anyone had told me a years ago that something like this could ever happen to me, I would've have laughed in their face. But you, Samantha Elizabeth Carter O'Neill have given me that chance, and you gave me a beautiful little girl as well. I thought your wedding with Pete was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. It turned out to be the best. I guess things are not always what they seem. Thanks you." He kissed her again. She smiled at him, not needing to say anything.

"So what have you decided to name for our little angle?" she teased.

Jack looked at her, "Grace Elizabeth Carter O'Neill, if that ok with you?" Sam smiled and nodded. "Happy anniversary." He leaned in and kissed her again.

The End !