A/N: Okay, after ... numerous reviewers who I shall NOT name (but you can look up of your own free will) rather rudely told me (only two did this politely) that the way I wrote the previous chapter was "wrong" I went back and changed the class. It is now Calculus 2. LIVE WITH IT!

"Sam, we need to talk," Jack said after dinner and dishes were done and leftovers were put away.

She looked up at her fiancé worriedly. He only said he needed to talk to her when something big was going on – otherwise he just talked to her. She sat down next to him on their sofa, "What's wrong, Jack?"

"I've got my first mission. I can't tell you much – it's classified, but I wanted you to know," his voice was soft, hesitant to tell her and yet needing to know her reaction.

The news hit Sam like a ton of bricks. She hadn't expected Jack to remained stationed at Peterson forever, but this seemed a bit sudden to her. "When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow."

"When did you find out?" she asked, growing concerned for his safety.

"Yesterday." It wasn't an exact lie, per ce, but he'd known this was coming ever since the General had called him into his office and asked (ordered) him to sign up for special ops training.

Sam stood up and took Jack's hand, "Come on," she held him to her bedroom before proceeding to undress.

"What are you doing, Sam?" Jack asked, perplexed by her actions. They'd decided to wait until their wedding to consummate their relationship … this was going directly against that plan.

Sam's eyes flashed dark with passion as she began unbuttoning Jack' shirt. She kissed him fully on the mouth before she whispered, "Seducing you."

"What? Why?" It wasn't that Jack didn't like the idea, or not enjoy what Sam was now doing with her tongue on his neck … but she had wanted to wait until their wedding night just as much as he had.

Sam looked at him like he was an idiot as she slid his shirt down his arms, "Because I want to." That was good enough for Jack.

When the couple's desire for each other was sated, Jack and Sam lay spooned together on the bed contentedly. He traced random swirls on her side as she played with the hair on his chest. Both were happy and just enjoying the other's company.

"I think I'm going to miss you," Sam said sleepily.

The statement amused Jack to no end, "You think?"

She smiled slightly, "I know I'm going to miss you. Just think of what your homecoming could be like."

Jack growled in desire, "Don't do that! I don't want to leave you as it is, but now you've got me thinking about homecomings!"

Sam grinned, pleased with herself as she looked up into his eyes, "Well, if you're going to leave me, I might as well make it worth while."

"Excellent idea, my dear," Jack said, pulling her up into another passionate kiss that soon got carried away.

Sam went to classes the next day with a mixed attitude: she was thrilled with the intimacy she had shared with Jack and how much closer they were as a couple; but at the same time she was so incredibly depressed that he was gone and she wouldn't see him again for almost a month – possibly more! It wasn't fair.

Janet saw her detached expression and knew immediately that something was wrong. "Hey, Sam!" she said, running to catch up with her after Calculus class.

"Hi, Janet," Sam said glumly.

"What's wrong?"

"Jack left on a mission this morning," Sam said, attempting a smile. "I guess I just miss him, that's all."

"Oh," suddenly an idea popped into Janet's head that would both cheer Sam up and help improve Janet's social circle. "Hey, I'm having a girl's night tonight with my roommates and a few friends. Wanna come?"

Sam was really touched by the invitation, but she'd only technically met Janet yesterday. She didn't want to intrude. "I don't know, Janet. I don't want to ruin your plans."

"Come on, Sam. You won't ruin our plans at all – in face since there's only three of us it would make them all the better. We're going to watch a whole bunch of old romances and bash guys all night long. Come on, you know you want to."

Well, how could you refute an argument like that? "Fine, what time?"

"18:00 hours."

"Want me to bring anything?"

"Nope, just yourself and a large appetite."

Sam nodded, pleased that she was making friends, "Okay, Janet, I'll see you then." She'd never had a really close female friend before, this could be good for her.

Sam arrived promptly at 18:00 hours, much to Janet's roommate, Claire's, amusement. "You must be Sam. Janet said you'd be joining us tonight for our weekly girl night."

Sam nodded, "Yep. I hope I'm not intruding or anything."

Claire shook her blonde head, "No, not at all. It's great, actually. Come on in. I'm Claire Tobias, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, Claire. What year are you in?" Sam asked conversationally as she was led into the main living room of the small quarters.

"This is my second year."

"Really? What are you getting your degree in?"

"Engineering. What about you?"

"Theoretical astrophysics. I'm hoping to get my Ph.D. after I graduate from here."

"Claire what did you do to my brown knit top?" a voice asked from the hallway as the woman walked out into the room. She looked up and Sam's heart stopped beating for a minute. The woman's eyes found Sam and went wide in shock, "Hello, Sam."

"Mare," Sam said neutrally. The old bullet wound by her heart started to tighten as she looked at Carrie's old friend from years before.

Mare smiled slightly, her brown locks cut short, causing her face to look slightly devious, "Well, this is a surprise."

A/N: DUN DUN DUN! HA! And you thought you were out of the woods when it came to nasty surprises! I'm not finished with you YET! MUHAHA!