Sam's POV

'Is it me or is the room suddenly quiet?' Sam was trying to resist the urge to check the room to see if anyone was breathing, it certainly didn't seem so! The only noises see could hear was that of her racing heart and the President who was now speaking, although Sam didn't think she could understand the words coming out of his mouth even if she had been listening. Although she was trying very hard to hear him!

The President smiled at the stolen glance that Jack took before coming to attention, "Standing before you now are the two finest officers the Air Force has produced, to be completely honest they are the only two officers that I can safely say are the polar opposites of each other and still are able to keep their team together, that in itself speaks volumes of the two" The President was began before he was cut off by a comment from the audience.

"Yea that and they haven't tried to kill each other, well at least not without the aid of an alien virus!"

The comment was met with a round of soft chuckling between the ranks within the Gate room, even the President and General Hammond joined in, "Yes, I did hear about their first encounter when I came into office, I found a quite amusing the footnote that General Hammond had written at the end of his report, obviously it wasn't meant to be on it when the report was sent, but it was! 'Obvious tension between the Colonel and his new team member, would make great relationship but concerns are still held for the first week, tension too high to be alone in same room for too long' So as I gathered from that there was immense tension when Colonel Carter stepped into the room?" The President asked smirking.

The question was swiftly answered by another member of the audience, "Tension? Are you kidding? She offered to arm wrest the Colonel because of their joint ego in the briefing had been compromised!"

Sam began to redden as the comments begin made kept the attention of the entire room centred on her and Jack, thankfully the President noticed this and continued, "Tension or not they have, along with the remaining members of SG1 have managed to save the world on numerous occasions, risking life and limb for their success. It is now with great honour that I award these two with something I do believe the entire base has been waiting for?" the President asked General Hammond, who simply nodded; once again the entire base personnel took a collective intake of air, causing an eerie silence to fall upon the ceremony. "As I said I am here today to issue a change to the goings on in the SGC and ones that I hope will be met with acceptance and relief" the President chuckled slightly to himself as he noticed many of the personnel going slightly red with their lack of oxygen, "So it is without further a due that I present General O'Neill with the new changes for the SGC" Holding out the folder for Jack, " Could you please step forward General and read the summary of the changes to your base?"

Jack accepted the file, taking a deep breath he steeped forward to take the Presidents position behind the podium, "Ahem" Jack cleared his throat, "As we all know I'm not one for speeches and hopefully this time I wont get summonded to the above!"Jack laughed nervously with the other personnel, his eyes scanning the crowd looking for someone, anyone to calm his nerves; his eyes came to rest on his 2IC and the love of his life, who was staring intently on the folder in his hands, before she looked up meeting his gaze. The look between the them took his breath away, 'God, I pray for the words in that file are what I'm hoping they are, otherwise I am unsure if I can exist within the regulations for much longer' Everyone in the SGC was waiting for Jack to begin speaking but he had become lost in Sam's eyes and her in his, undeterred that everyone else was watching them; hiding smirks and tears at the moment. He didn't realise the President was next to him until his southern accent assaulted his ears, "Jack, you might want to read the file before you loose half the base due to lack of oxygen, they are getting redder" Taking his eyes away from Sam's he realised the President was right, everyone was staring intently at him, hiding their smirks at the moment Sam and him had just had while all becoming slightly redder by the second; "Thank you sir" Jack whispered before quickly opening the file and clearing his throat again. Jack quickly scanned the file before freezing up, 'Oh no, what's wrong? Jack's gone ram rod stiff! This can't be good' Sam was pulled from her revere when Jack's voice came out hoarse.

"Sorry folks, uh…well…within this folder holds the future of all of us, no matter what it says or does to this base, I want you to all know nothing changes. I am still in command…" Jack was interrupted by Siler's voice over the PA system.

"GENERAL O'NEILL TO THE CONTROL ROOM! GENERAL O'NEILL TO THE CONTROL ROOM!" Everyone's gaze drifted up to the lone figure standing in at the control room speaker, Sam thought for a second she could actually see the man gulp. The glares he was getting from the personnel that were in the Gate room were worse than being shot by a staff weapon at close range, in laments terms, they wanted him dead!

Jack's POV

'GREAT TIMING SILER! Oh this better be a matter of life and death otherwise Siler might be experiencing the latter soon!' Jack excused himself to the President and General Hammond, "SILER!" Jack yelled as he made his way up to the Control room, lowering his voice to a quiet menacing tone Jack continued, "For your own safety Siler, this better be good!" Jack's mind drifted to the document that held all their lives in the balance as he sneered at Siler, "Did I not mention no interruptions unless it was absolutely necessary?"

"Yes sir, well it is sir, not world saving important, but important to you! Sir it's your family" Siler reported

"What about my family Siler? They live in Ireland" Jack asked still sneering

"Your brothers' sir, they are…uh they are in town sir, actually they just called requesting you call them back immediately" Siler explained

Jack just stared at Siler, then looked out down at the crowd of people assembled in the Gate room, 'Crap something's wrong, they never leave Ireland, they hate flying!' "Did they give any indication what it was about?" Jack asked without taking his eyes off the crowd below

"None sir, they just gave me a number and asked you call them back ASAP, sir" Siler replied holding out a piece of folded paper

Jack took the paper in shaky hands, "Guess I should call them then" He muttered before walking down to the Gate room, "Sirs, I'm going to have to postpone this, something has happened with my family, I just got word" Jack sighed raking his free hand through his greying hair, "Unless offcourse it's alright if General Hammond gives the news while I make the call, I don't know how long I will be on the phone with them" Jack apologised

"I guess I can give it for you son, call your family, find out what's wrong" Hammond replied resting a reassuring hand on his shoulder

"Agreed, you go call your family" the President smiled and saluted Jack before Jack disappeared back up to the control room.

Sam approached the two, "What's wrong with the General, sirs?" Sam asked glancing at his retreating form

"Something's happened with his family Colonel, I'm going to have to finish his announcement" Hammond replied looking at the concerned Colonel, "Go up and see if he needs some help, or support" Hammond smiled

"Thank you sir, sorry sir" Sam saluted the President and General Hammond before going after her retreating CO

Inside the Control room, Siler had vacated it as to give Jack some privacy; Jack picked up the phone and dialled the number given to him, "Hey it's me, what's happened"

"Jack! Thank God you called back so promptly, it's Grandma, she's getting worse, they treatments aren't working anymore Jack!"

Jack sat stunned he didn't even realise when Sam entered the Control room, "Did they uh…did they say how much longer?" Jack held back the tears

"They give her a few months, Jack she's been asking for you, she wants you there when she goes" his brother responded, hearing the pain in his voice Jack's just fell

"Oh God!" Jack cried softly, "I'll be there, I'm getting permission to leave after I get off the phone and I'll meet you in an hour, then we can leave" Jack snapped back into military mode, "Actually scrap that, come here, I'll meet you at the entrance, we can drive to the flight school and catch a lift with the next long distance training team"

"Ok Jack, where are we coming too?" he brother asked

"Cheyenne Mountain, go to the nearest bar they can direct you, taxis aren't allowed within the base, you wont get past the first check point, so tell them you're my brother's and that I'm meeting you at the surface, they will let you in accompanied by some SF, I will meet you there in an hour" Jack explained before hanging up

Jack crumbled into the chair, the phone fell from his hands and dropped to the floor, it was the only noise the Control room heard until Sam broke the silence, "Sir?"

Jack looked up at Sam, his tears just rolling down his cheeks, he looked so defenceless. Hammond's voice could be heard floating up form below and the erupting of cheers and whoops could be heard, but neither paid attention. Sam knelt in front of Jack and just took him into her arms, "I'm here Jack, I'll always be here" Jack tried desperately tried to stop his tears and form some kind of words but nothing would co-operate with him, he felt like a child who had just lost his parents 'Why her! Oh God, I'm going to have to leave straight away! I can't even tell Sam I love her now, DAMN IT! She doesn't even know she was here with me'

"Sam" Jack whispered

"Yes Jack?" Sam asked pulling away

"Don't…please don't" Jack cried pulling her back to him, he needed her now more than anything, her warmth, her smile, everything to do with her he needed at this moment, "She's dieing Sam, my Grandma is dieing, I have to leave" Jack sobbed

"Oh shit Jack, I'm sorry, is there anything I can do?" Sam asked once again trying to pull away to look at him

"Hold me?" Jack's strangled word came out so softly it broke Sam's heart

"Always" She whispered as he gripped to her tighter

Footsteps could be heard coming up to the Control room but neither did anything, Jack would face anything as long as Sam didn't let him go, "Hey Sam! Jack did you hear…" Daniel stopped in his tracks when he saw the couple in front of him. Sam was kneeling in front of what he could assume was Jack, but this Jack was crumbled into the chair he was sitting in, crying softly into the arms of the women he loved, "Jack?"

Sam looked up hearing Daniel's whisper, "Daniel can you get General Hammond please? Also keep people out of here, I think Jack would appreciate it" Sam asked before Daniel saw Jack pull her back to him, wrapping his arms around her like she was his only source of life

"Yea sure, he'll be up in a minute" Daniel headed back down, Sam could hear him yelling at some personnel for trying to come up the stairs before the family steps of Hammond could be heard.

"You wanted me…Oh my…Jack son what's the matter?" Hammond froze, he never expected the sight before him, he just presented the much awaited news on the frat regs and the reason for the change was currently in this position. One knew and was breaking apart clinging to the one that's clueless.

This time Sam made the distance between them known to Jack, she didn't know about the change in the frat regs and knew this was a compromising situation, "SAM!" Jack shot out

"The General is here sir, you need to tell him" Sam whispered in Jack's ear

Jack's tear stained face looked up at Hammond, "I need time off sir, can you run things here? My Grandma is dieing and she's asking for me, I really need to go to Ireland please?" Jack begged

"Of course I can run thing's here Jack, you go please, take Sam with you, you will need all the support you can get" Hammond replied stepping closer to the broken man, he hadn't bee this broken since Charlie died

"Sir, I don't think me going will help" Sam tried backing out without hurting Jack

"Nonsense, you're the only one apart from Doctor Jackson who can do anything with him when his like this, please Sam you need to, either that or I will order you to" Hammond began

"George don't, she doesn't know, don't force her please, she can stay if she wants" Jack spoke, finally getting out of the chair, "I have my brothers and sisters, she can stay if she wants to"

Sam looked at Jack, he was giving her a way out but what did he mean about she doesn't know, "Excuse me but what don't I know?" Sam asked

Hammond looked at Jack, "Tell her George, she missed it while she was in here"

"Sam, your left before you could hear the changes, the President has changed the regulations in regards to the fraternisation regulations, they are now laxer than before, relationships are ok within the SGC as long as they don't interrupt the normal routine of the SGC and doesn't place either person in a compromising situation on or off world" Hammond explained, "To be honest Sam, they were changed because of you two, I got them changed"

Sam stood there stunned, "You mean…I could…we could…" Sam pointed between Jack and Sam, gob smacked

"It doesn't have to stay in that room anymore no, but it's still your decision to come with me, no one will order you" Jack stared pointed at Hammond

"The thing is sir, do you think I should come? I mean the regs have protected us as well, without them…Jack?" Sam couldn't form a straight sentence

"I want you to come Sam, I need you to come" Jack whispered the last part sofly

"I think I will let you two discuss this further" Hammond smiled before turning and leaving the two alone.

"I think need to talk" Jack began

"Ya think Jack?" Sam paced the room

"Stop…stop please Sam stop" Jack said grabbing Sam by the shoulders, "We need to talk but what I need right now is to know if you will come? We will have to postpone the Halloween Party but it can't be helped, they said she could have months, but they aren't sure. I need to know now"

Sam looked into Jack's eyes, they were pleading with her, pleading with her that she would say yes, that she would come. She could see that he was slowly dieing inside, "Of course I'll come, I remember saying I'll always be there, so that means to be there I'd have to come right?" Sam answered, "Then we can talk"

Jack sighed in relief, the only way he had previously survived his family was because of his grandma and grandpa, "Thank you, my brothers will be here in forty-five minutes, I need to call the flight school and gather a few things together, sorry but there isn't anytime to pack" Jack rambled

"Ok, I'll just grab some stuff from my locker and meet you where?" Sam replied already mapping out her route to avoid happy faces

"The surface entrance, my brothers will be there soon" Jack replied making the same plans in his head

Sam left while Jack made the few arrangements that they needed before heading off and collecting his own things before meeting up with Sam at the surface. Sam was already there when he reached the top, "Hey"

"Hey, ready?" Jack asked

"Not really, I mean who is ever ready to face their dieing relative?" Sam asked, "She's not even mine"

"Thanks for coming Sam" Jack spoke before pulling her to him, "Thank you"

"JACK!"

Jack and Sam parted to see two men rushing towards them arguing with two SF, "Hey Shaz, hey Liam"

"See we told you we knew him!" Liam snapped at the SF

"Gently boys, don't damage the cargo!" Jack warned

"Sorry sir" both came to attention a saluted at Sam and Jack who both returned salutes

"Back to your stations boys, these two are with me" Jack smiled for the first time since the news at how quickly the two SF dispersed

"Jack, sorry we're late!" Liam apologised

"No problems, George has requested that Colonel Carter here come with me, something about being unbalanced" Jack introduced Sam

"Hey call me Sam" Sam waved nervously

"Sheridon and Liam, though call me Shaz" Sheridon introduced the two brothers, "I can understand him being labelled unbalanced!" Sheridon pointed at Jack

"Right enough fun on my expense lets go, we have matters to attend to" Jack stopped the jokes and lead the way to his truck, in which all four piled into it and drove to the flight base, "Ok Carter, be wary of this one" Jack punched Shaz in the shoulder, "His the second youngest and the lady's man of the family, and Liam is married to the lovely Sheena and have two kids Kelly and Galvin, Kelly's real name is Kerri but she prefers Kelly" Jack explained

"Is that all your family?" Sam asked cautiously

"Nope, wait until the boring flight for the rest, I need to remember!" Jack laughed

"Remember? You need to remember!" Liam laughed from behind Jack

"Shhh…don't get her too scared" Jack whispered

"Oh come on Jack, we aren't half as bad as Sara's was!" Shaz defended his family

"No but you were cutting it close don't forget" Jack's tone turned serious

"Alright boys, how about we leave the family until later hey? We're here" Sam settled the dispute before it turned ugly, suddenly her phone went off, "Pull over would you Jack it's Daniel"

"Hey Daniel" Sam answered her phone

"We're nearly there! He can wait!" Jack sulked

"Hang on Daniel, we're pulling over" Sam laughed

"Here we are campers, all out" Jack cheered, "Here I'll get your stuff you talk to Space Monkey!"

"I HEARD THAT JACK!" Daniel's voice came near clearly out of Sam's phone

"Daniel!" Sam warned, "Not while I'm on the receiving end"

"Sorry Sam, where are you guys?" Daniel asked

"On our way to Ireland, something has happened to Jack's family, he was a mess you saw that and now I've basically been ordered to go with him" Sam explained

"HEY! I gave you the choice!" Jack yelled from the other side of the truck, "Meet you at the plane"

"Ok sir, just a minute" Sam replied, "Is that all you needed Daniel, I really have to go"

"Yea basically, you know the regs have been changed right?" Daniel asked hopeful

"Yes, but that doesn't mean you should add any extra money to the pool either Daniel, it would be an unfair advantage on your behalf" Sam scolded

"You knew?" Daniel asked aghast

"Daniel when will you learn that I know everything, well as much as the drooling boys in the labs will spill" Sam laughed, "Look Jack's getting impatient I have to go ok? I'll call when were in Ireland and we don't know when we will be back, look after Teal'c, well put Teal'c on" Sam waited for the phone to swap, they were so predictable

"Colonel Carter?" Teal'c's voice came over the phone

"Look Teal'c Jack and I are going to Ireland, Jack's family is in crisis and Hammond sent me with him, look after Daniel please, make sure he places no more money on the pools but could you place some for Nerdy and Cuckoo? I'm sure there is some notes in me desk draw, oh and look after Major Mitchell; he will be there by now, ok take care" Sam explained rather fast

"I will do so immediately Colonel Carter, Daniel will be looked after and so will your notes" Teal'c replied cryptically so Daniel wouldn't understand

"Thank you Teal'c. Oh Jack says bye…well see you soon" Sam closed her phone and headed for the plane, entering to an impatient Jack

"Finally! What did you need to tell them; every millisecond of action?" Jack asked obviously upset now that they were finally leaving

"As a matter of fact I had Teal'c look after Daniel, and our bets, so would you stop being so impatient take some deep breaths and sit your ass down so we can leave!" Sam snapped, sitting down the other end of the plane

Sam and Jack stayed away from each other for the first hour of the flight, but Liam and Sheridon noticed the tension.

"Look would you two just kiss and make up already? The atmosphere can't take anymore of this!" Liam called out to both of them

"Sorry Liam, we can't kiss and make up it's a court marshalled offence" Sam answered without thinking

"Have you forgotten the last two hours already?" Jack yelled down

"What are you talking about, of course I haven't!" Sam snapped

"Ok you two that's it! Jack do you have any claim on Sam?" Shaz asked Jack softly

"Why Shaz? She's not your type, she can kick your ass" Jack laughed

"Oh I don't think I would mind as long as I end up with her on top" Shaz smiled looking at Sam

Since Sheridon had taken Jack, Liam decided to take on Sam, "Hey. Can I sit?"

"Sure" Sam replied

Sitting Liam tried to judge her reaction, "So, fight much?" he smiled

"Who? Me and Jack? I mean the General and me? Always, it's what we do best" Sam laughed sadly

"Is something going on between you two? I know Shaz is asking Jack so he can move in for the kill!" Liam laughed

Sam smiled, "Shaz? I would kick his ass within two minutes" Sam laughed avoiding the original question

"I could see that, what about Jack? Kick his ass?" Liam asked trying a different approach

"Probably, he has weaker knees" Sam smiled glancing at Jack, she watched as he got angrier with Shaz but she could tell he couldn't say anything.

'I wish Liam would jump out of the plane right now without a parachute! The way his badgering me about Sam is bordering territory where even I want to kill him swiftly!' Jack glanced in Sam's direction and caught her eyes, she looked tired, and well they had been flying for over two hours now. Ignoring Shaz Jack stood up and walked towards Sam.

Reaching her he reached out his hand, "Come on you look tired" Jack smiled at Sam, they had forgiven each other in a simple glance

Liam stood wide mouthed as he watched Sam accept Jack's hand and bid Liam goodnight, "Where am I sleeping?" Sam asked

"Hopefully as far away as Shaz as possible!" Jack sneered

"Come, come Jack, jealous already?" Sam laughed, "Somewhere soft please"

Jack spotted some abandoned parachute's already opened at the back of the plane, "Here, they smell but it's a bed and it's warm" Jack made a makeshift bed for Sam before she slipped into it's makeshift covers

Jack turned to leave, when Sam called softly for him, "Jack! You said you'd tell me the rest of your family" Sam smiled one of her mega-watt-only-for-Jack-smiles

Jack's heart stopped at her smile, "Right, you'll probably sleep till we are there and then I'll have no time to pre-warn you!" Jack chuckled, lying next to Sam but not under the same covers, "Well…"


A/N: Sorry, an editing has occurred, Sheridon is now Liam and Liam Sheridon, the meaning of the names means they need to be swapped…sorry for the inconvenience!

Muahsio,

fyre-anjel