Her head shot up so fast he was sure she gave herself whiplash. With eyes wide she watched him, warily almost, trying to think of anything to say. He saved her the trouble.
"Hiya, Carter. Long time no see."
He was dressed in his blues, stars on each shoulder, with his hat off even though he was outside. The sun was setting behind him, and when she looked at him all she could really see was his silhouette. Silence hung in the air as he waited for her response. He still hadn't moved from the corner of the house.
"I…Sir, um…" Shaking her head, she cursed at herself and finally came up with a reply that would let her know what she needed.
"Hi, Jack."
She could hear his intake of breath even across the yard, and closed her eyes awaiting his reaction.
"Sam."
She suddenly felt like she could breathe again, and opening her eyes which were unnaturally watery she looked at him. As she watched, he crossed the yard to the small bench under the tree in the corner. Sitting down on it, and placing his hand in the seat next to him, he said, "C'mere."
It took everything in her power not to run to him. She looked down at the hole in her lawn, the scorched grass around it, and set the extinguisher on the ground next to the zippo. Slowly, she walked to him, and sat to his left, keeping her body in her own space.
She had watched the ground on her way over, and still didn't have the nerve to look at him, instead watching the rest of the setting sun off to her left. She almost jumped out of her skin when she felt his hand caress the bare skin of her right arm. Slowly lowering to her hand and entwining his fingers with hers.
Her attention shifted to their entwined hands. She heard him whisper, "Perfect." Softly into the air, and looking up at him and making eye contact she realized he was talking about her.
His right hand moved to caress her left cheek and the eye contact was maintained as they sat there staring at each other. His hand drifted down to rest on her neck, and his thumb began lightly stroking the skin of her cheek and neck.
His hand retreated to his pocket briefly as they stared at each other, and when it re-emerged he grabbed her left hand tightly. She felt something pinch the skin in her palm, but before she could pull away to look or retreat he whispered:
"Marry me, Carter."
She paused, pulled her left hand to herself to reveal his hand. In the center of his hand was the most perfect diamond engagement ring she could ever imagine. It wasn't gaudy like the one Pete had given her, but, elegant, unique, and,
"Perfect." She whispered as she stared in awe at the ring in his hand.
"Marry me, Carter." He reiterated his request, meeting her eyes once again, and waiting for her reply.
A whispered "Yes, always," reached his ears. They both stared intently at their hands as he placed the ring on her left hand. It was a perfect fit.
She stood up then, grabbed his hand, and began to lead him across the lawn, back to her house. Just as they reached the hole in the ground he pulled her to him and kissed her. This one was slow and gentle, containing more passion than either could comprehend.
As the kiss ended, he looked down at the ground, and asked her,
"What were you burning, Carter?"
She dipped her head down as if embarrassed as she replied, "The past…metaphorically speaking, of course."
Noticing a shred of what looked to be lace, Jack made a guess.
"It was that apron, wasn't it?"
He got no answer as she pulled him through the glass door and into her house.
A/N there will be one more chapter to wrap up stuff, and that will be that. The end of my first real story. I'm kinda sad. I hope the way this played out wasn't too much of an anti-climax for some. Let me know what you think, or what I left out that you want resolved in the next and final chapter!