Sam was troubled. She had just admitted to the reasons why she had ripped out the heart of the man she loved, stomped all over it, and then attempted to unceremoniously thrust it back into his chest.

Her problem was that her argument sounded weak. She was sure her logic wasn't flawed, and during the silence that ensued once he took his hand back from hers she did what she always had.

Geek that she is, she tried to look at it symbolically—symbolic logic made sense to her, helped her reason.

She wanted children with Jack

She couldn't have Jack

Therefore she couldn't have children. FALSE

She wanted children

To have children you need a man

Therefore to have children she needed a man TRUE

The earlier premise said she couldn't have Jack—so she needed to find someone else.

It still worked in her head, but the more she thought about it the more she realized that no amount of logic would ever allow her to reason her way out of hurting the man in front of her.

He had already had so much pain in his life, and all she did was add to it. Looking back up at him she realized for the first time that she didn't deserve him.

The realization scared the hell out of her.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

She wanted children. He didn't know what to do with that information. His mind couldn't comprehend the idea that she had imagined their children. Their children.

He wasn't sure he could even handle having a child again. The thought of screwing up so badly, again, was enough to make him wary—but he couldn't pretend the idea of having children with Carter wasn't tempting.

"It's your turn Carter."

A perplexed, "huh?" came from the other side of the table.

"I've asked the questions I needed answers to. It's your turn. Now or never, Carter. You know I don't do 'open' well, so take it while you've got it."

"Ok, sir, I guess…are you still dating Kerry?"

A small smile graced his face before he answered, "She broke up with me. Said I had issues."

What he didn't expect was the sincere and heartfelt laugh that came after. It sounded like a toned down version of the one she'd let loose in the chapel, and he was pretty sure a lot of that had been relief.

Her next question was also one he was expecting.

"Why didn't you stop me?"

"You answered that yourself before. I wasn't allowed, and I didn't have the right." He took a deep breath and continued.

"I was also scared."

A small gasp came from her lips at that admission.

"You don't understand do you? You hurt me. Dating Pete, well, it hurt more than I think I can describe, and stopping you—If I had tried and it didn't work I wouldn't have been able to handle it. Plus, you're a big girl, Carter, and capable of making your own decisions. I wanted you to be happy, even if I wasn't."

She didn't seem to move after his speech. He wasn't even sure if she was breathing. With her face pointed at her lap he couldn't see any movement, and after awhile he started to worry. When she finally looked up he saw the tears streaming down her face. She made no move to cover them, and when remorseful blue eyes met his, she finally spoke.

"I'm sorry I hurt you."

A nod from him was all she received.

"Did you have any more questions, Carter?"

He watched her think for a minute.

"Only one. Did I screw up too much? Is this completely irreparable?"

He grabbed a french fry off his untouched plate of food, and munched on it as he considered her question.

"I really don't know, Carter."

Tears began streaming down her face again, and as much as he hated hurting her, he realized a part of him got satisfaction out of making her feel some of what he had gone through.

"I've been transferred."

Wide blue eyes shot to his as he stated this and her questions came out rapid fire after that. After explaining his new position, why he was leaving, and who was replacing him, he finally came to the point.

"I don't think we should talk for awhile."

She didn't move at his statement. Pulling out his wallet and laying enough bills down to pay for the food twice over, he stood up.

"Carter, I'm moving to DC in two days. We're not going to talk for a month because I need some time. I have to find out if I can forgive you, and you need to figure out what you want."

He walked over to her, and brushed his right hand on her cheek before tilting her head slightly, leaning down he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead.

"Goodbye, Carter."

His walk across the restaurant was long, and it took everything he had to not look back.

With gravel crunching under his feet he wondered if he was making the right decision. It wasn't making him hurt any less, but he needed time. He had to find out if he could actually live without her. Just before he reached his truck he heard his name shouted. Not sir, or General but,

--- -- -- -- -- -- --

"JACK!"

As she ran across the parking lot she began second guessing herself. Stopping three feet from him she took a second to make up her mind.

Closing the distance she grabbed his face in both hands and kissed him like she'd never see him again. Pouring every ounce of emotion into the kiss she persisted until he relented and began kissing her back. As the need for air became pressing the kiss came to a natural end and she held onto him, gripping his shirt in her hands and curling her head into his neck…breathing in Jack O'Neill for what could possibly be the last time.

Her mind protested this thought, and as she felt him start to pull away she whispered softly into his ear:

"I'll miss you, Jack O'Neill. See you in a month."

A/N that last part was for all you shippers. I was going to have him just walk out… but I felt that it needed a little romance. I hope this chapter addressed the concern brought up in reviews. I tried to fulfill the 'a little more angst in the conversation', 'her logic was weak', and the 'why didn't he stop her' questions. Let me know if there is something you'd like to see… Also, sorry about the whole logic part—at heart I am a geek.

As always, you're feedback is appreciated, but not demanded.