Sam Carter stood on the veranda nursing a mug of coffee and staring out into the wilderness. She couldn't believe what she was about to say but … Jack O'Neill was right. This place was incredibly beautiful. Despite all she'd seen over the past eight years there was really no substitute for the view of the stars in the Milky Way from Earth. Sam heard the screen door creak as someone stepped through it but she didn't turn around.

"Nice view, eh?"

Sam stared out across the lake.

"Yeah, it's …really something." She wasn't stupid. She'd glanced at her watch every five minutes that night, not wanting to miss the deadline. She suddenly chuckled to herself at her present situation and finally turned around to face him. "So, Sir." She paused and then a grin spread across her face. "Did you find my glass slipper?"

Jack grinned back.

"Sorry, Carter, no such luck. Will your combat boot suffice?"

"I think we can make it work!"

…………………………………………………………………………….

Daniel was no idiot. Since he'd discovered that Sam was no longer engaged to Pete he'd kept a watchful eye on the two Air Force members of SG-1. It also helped that he'd managed to worm information out of a green admin cadet about Sam's transfer dates. As soon as Jack had left the room, Daniel checked his watch.; 23.58. He nudged Teal'c in the ribs.

"Hey, T, what do you think they're doing out there?"

Teal'c raised an eyebrow.

"I believe that General O'Neill is about to propose marriage to Colonel Carter, DanielJackson."

Daniel nearly choked on his beer.

"What! Teal'c, was that a joke?"

"Indeed it was not. I would not make light of such a matter."

Daniel's face lit up.

"Oh, this I have to see!" He said before not-so-casually seating himself closer to the door which was slightly ajar. Teal'c just raised an eyebrow. And then joined him.

…………………………………………………………………….

"So."

"Yes, indeed." Jack stood with his head bowed slightly and fidgeted. "Carter, I just wanted to say… no pressure, ok?"

Sam bit her bottom lip nervously and nodded.

"I know that, Sir."

"Oh, for cryin' out loud, Carter! I'm about to, ya know, and you're still calling me Sir! Lose it, ok?"

"Yes, S-" She stopped herself. "Sorry, force of habit. Go on… Jack." There, she'd said it. Now that it was out there Sam released a breath she didn't realise she was holding. It was easier than she'd imagined and it just sounded… right.

Jack exhaled loudly. Did she have any idea what the sound of his name coming from her mouth did to him? Probably not. He quickly pushed that thought to one side; he had a mission to complete. Gently he took the coffee mug that Sam had forgotten that she was holding and placed it to one side. Here goes, he thought to himself. Slowly he lowered himself onto one knee in front of her Thank God for the sarcophagus! He thought as he received no protest from his limbs, and he reached behind him to retrieve the small black velvet box from his pocket. He held it up to her and just as she went to open it he grabbed her hand.

"Samantha Carter, I.." He shook his head. You know what? I'm just gonna say it! "Sam, will you do me the trememdous honour of becoming my wife?"

Sam raised an eyebrow, waited for a beat and then grinned. General Jack O'Neill, United States Air Force looked like he was about to have a coronary.

"Yes." She whispered. "Yes, I shall." She repeated a little louder to make sure he'd heard her. Jack gave a huge sigh of relief as he stood and removed the ring from its box. He slowly slid it onto her finger and grinned. It was a perfect fit.

"So, what now?" Jack asked with a smirk. Sam stepped closer to him and slid her hands up his T-shirt-clad chest.

"Oh, I'm sure we can come up with something…" she said before he leaned towards her and brushed his lips against hers. Next thing Sam was aware of was that the deck had disappeared from beneath her feet as O'Neill suddenly dipped her and she reflexively tightened her grip around his shoulders and pulled him closer to her. When they finally came up for air they both had huge grins plastered across their faces. They were abruptly interrupted from saying anything further by the excited cheers of SG-1's resident anthropologist. They glanced around to see that they had an audience of two. Jack stood up straight, pulling Sam up with him and Sam buried her face in his neck as a furious blush threatened to creep up her face. Jack placed a hand gently on the back of her head and craned his neck to whisper in her ear.

"Remind me to slip a sedative into his beer next time!"

Sam giggled. Jack pulled back from her slightly and looked slightly shocked.

"Wow! Did I really just…" Sam nodded. "And did you really just…" She again nodded the affirmative.

"You know what they say, third time's a charm, Sir!"

Jack scowled but it then turned to a grin as he noticed Sam's smirk.

"Oh, yeah, very funny, Colonel!" He glanced over her shoulder for a second and then …

"Hey!" Yes, Colonel Samantha Carter actually squealed as Jack scooped her up and carried her inside the house.

Jack turned his head to face his friends.

"Sorry, guys, I'm afraid I've got a beautiful lady to attend to. Goodnight!"

…………………………………………………………………….

Daniel shook his head as he watched Jack carry Sam down the hallway and out of sight.

"I guess that means it's just you and me then, T. Want another beer?"

"Indeed."

…………………………………………………………………….

As soon as the bedroom door closed, Jack placed Sam on her feet and stepped away from her. Sam looked confused and she took a step towards him. When he stepped back, her expression turned to hurt.

"Jack?"

Suddenly he realised how it must seem to her and he stepped a little closer to her whilst still keeping his distance.

"Sam, I just want you to know that I don't expect… I know this is moving a little fast and I don't want us to have any regrets. There's not much I can do about the amount of time we have but this," he gestured towards the largest piece of furniture in the room, "can wait. If we're going to do this," he gestured between the two of them, "I want to do it properly. You deserve … so much more than I could ever give you but I'd like to take you out. Properly. With dinner and dancing and roses and you in a dress," He paused, "A dress, you know, one of those things with a skirt and a top attached at the waist…"

She grinned.

"So, I guess this is goodnight for now." Jack stated rather than asked and turned to leave. Sam immediately grabbed his arm.

"Stay. Please?"

"Sam, I don't – "

"I don't want… God, this is going to sound so stupid," Sam paused as she composed herself. "I don't want to be alone any more."

Jack just stared at her in disbelief. Then the enormity of her statement set in. Samantha Carter NEVER admitted to needing anyone or anything. At a loss for a comeback he silently wrapped his arms around her and held her.

"I'm not going anywhere." He firmly stated as he placed a small kiss on the top of her head.

………………………………………………………………….

A/N: There ya go, told you there'd be a proper proposal. I was just looking at the transcript of 'Affinity' and I noticed that Pete never actually said the words. Hmmm… interesting.

As always please review and I'll love you forever!