As always, thanks to everyone who has reviewed. Now, on with the show.

Chrissy

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"So Carter, ready to go?" Jack asked his Second In Command as he walked back into the Briefing Room.

"Sure" Sam told him as he took hold of the wheel chair and pushed her towards the elevator.

"So, the guys are gonna stop by at about six to see you and I thought I'd throw something on the BBQ, is that alright?" He asked as he pressed the button, calling the elevator to the floor they were on.

"Sounds great Sir" Sam told him, knowing it would be hard not calling the man that anymore.

"Uum, Sir, I need to tell you something…" Sam said hesitantly, unsure of how the man would react, as Jack pushed her into the elevator and pressed the button for the surface.

"What's that Carter?"

Sam took a deep breath wondering what would be the best way to say it. She just went with the Jack O'Neill way of breaking news to someone, "I'm retiring" There, she had done it.

"Retiring? Isn't it me who normally says that?" Jack jokes trying to cover his emotions. She couldn't leave SG-1; more importantly she couldn't leave him but he couldn't say could he?

"I know Sir but it seems pointless when we all know I won't be going off world for a long time and anyway, once I'm all healed , I can go off world as a civilian just like Daniel does." She told him as he tried to think this all through in his head.

"Why didn't you talk to me Sam?" He asked her as the elevator doors opened. Silently, he pushed the wheel chair out of the lift towards the sign out point.

"Sir, Maam" The airman nodded in their direction as they signed the sheet and made their way out to Jack's truck.

"I honestly don't know so. As soon as I made my mind up that was it. I just didn't think to talk to you about it" She told him honestly, "I'm sorry Sir."

"It's Jack now I guess" He told her and smiled slightly, "Just as long as your sure this is what you want Carter. You know how much you love to play your gizmos and gadgets off world". He told her as he carefully helped her into the passenger seat, before folding the wheel chair up and putting it in the back of the truck.

Sam waited for him to get into the drivers seat before she continued the conversation, "I know, but General Hammond has made it clear that my job as head scientist is still there for me, this time as a civilian, and like I said, just because I'm retiring doesn't mean I won't be going off-world ever again."

"We'll miss you, you know…" Jack said quietly.

"I'll still be on Base every day and hopefully I'll still be invited to team nights…" Sam said.

"Of course you will. I need someone to control Daniel when he's drunk you know that. Plus he's out for revenge after my episode in the infirmary. Jeez, you defend someone's honour and this is what happens. I hope you appreciate this Carter." Jack said and smiled at her before focusing his attention back on the road.

"You know I do Sir, uh, Jack. I appreciate everything you've done for me this past couple of weeks and the fact you're looking after me now. Thank you." Sam told him sincerely.

"Ahh shucks Carter". He said boyishly and Sam started to giggle. "What's the rule?" Jack asked her as she tried to regain her composure.

"No giggling Sir!" She replied to the question before falling into a fit of giggles again.

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Jack hopped out of the car and ran round to the passengers side to help Sam out.

"Me Lady" He said before tipping his cap to her. Sam laughed again and Jack smiled. He loved to hear this woman laugh, especially at him, well his jokes, not directly at him unless that was what he intended.

"Just let me get the wheel chair Sam." Jack told her before running to the back of the truck to retrieve it. He put it on the floor ready to open it, but struggled. He tried once more unsuccessfully before giving up.

"Okay, I've broken it so you've got the next best thing to a wheel chair, me." He said before leaning in the door frame to scoop her up in his arms.

"It's okay I'll walk" She protested as his arms wrapped around her waist. He gently slid her out of the car and kicked the door shut with his foot.

Sam started to giggle again as she wrapped her arms around his neck for safety. Jack headed towards his front door as they had decided it would be easier for Sam to stay at his as he had the bigger house of the pair.

"Uum, Sam…" Jack said as he struggled to find his keys in his pockets while holding on to Sam tightly, "I think I've left my keys in the car." He said and blushed. Sam fell about laughing again as Jack groaned and walked back to the car.

"Do me a favour and lean in and get them for me please Carter" Jack asked as he reached the car door.

"Sure" Sam replied as she recovered from her giggles. She retrieved the keys and Jack headed back to the door leaning forward slightly so Sam could unlock the door and let the pair in.

"Well, that was a job well done I think!" Jack joked as he carefully lay Sam down on the sofa.

"Thanks Jack" Sam said before Jack headed into the kitchen to fetch the pair of them a drink.

"I'll bring your stuff in later if that's alright" Jack told her as he sat on the other end of the sofa next to Sam's feet.

"Yeah that's great thank you" she replied taking a sip of her Diet Coke.

They sat there for five minutes, comfortable in each other's company as Jack thought things through in his head.

Just do it O'Neill! Ask her already! What if she doesn't feel the same anymore though? Then I've gotta spend time looking after her feeling like a fool.

"Uum Sam. I was thinking" He started slowly and she turned to look at him smiling, "Seeing as your retiring and won't be under my command anymore, maybe we could go out sometime…" He trailed off, trying to act casual in case of rejection.

"Like a date?" She asked as butterflies attacked her stomach.

"Uum, yeah, like a date. Only if you want to I don't want to pressure your or anything…" He said sure of refusal.

"I'd love to!" She beamed.

"Ok Carter, I'm sorry to bother you. I won't bring this up again…" Jack said before getting up off the sofa and heading towards the kitchen.

"Wait a minute. What did you say?" Jack said retreating back to his former position.

"I said I'd love to Jack" She told him smiling at his response. He could be so sweet sometimes.

"Really?" He beamed, taking his position back on the couch.

"Yes really!" She laughed as Jack O'Neill' courageous and smart arsed Air Force Colonel, sat at the end of the sofa and bundle of nerves staring at her.

"Jack? Jack? JACK?" She shouted, trying to get his attention.

"Sorry what?" He asked smiling bashfully.

"The doorbell just went" She informed him.

"Oh right sorry, I'll just go get it" He said smiling like a Cheshire car. Sam Carter was going on a date with him…