No angst, adventure, whump or anything negative. In fact - pure fluff - because right now we could ALL use some fluff.

Stay well and thank you SO much to my continued reviewers.

"Oh God," she said, as she flopped down on the ground, sweaty and breathing heavily. "I haven't run that far or that fast since we were last chased by Jaffa!"

Jack lowered himself to the ground beside her, and grinned. "Miss that, do you?"

She rolled her head to look at him. "Hey, why aren't you panting?"

He shrugged. "I'm in better shape than you are, I guess."

"You are not! You just have longer legs than I do."

He examined her legs carefully – much longer than he needed to – but then he grinned again. "Not by much. You're just a wuss, Sam."

She stuck her tongue out at him, but then laughed. "That actually felt good. I've been too desk bound for years."

"You and me both. I can't tell you how good it feels to – feel good. And my knees and back don't hurt!"

"We need to get one of those healing devices from the Furlings," she said, arms outstretched and her eyes focused on the fluffy white clouds overhead.

"Yeah, but if they're anything like most of our allies, they'll tell us we're "too young" or something. I get tired of our allies."

"Mmm," she murmured in agreement. "I kind of think the Furlings think we're crazy," she said a moment later. "They keep watching us swimming, jogging, hiking. Maybe they don't exercise."

"They're no fun. I wonder if they have sex?"

"Jack," she laughed. "You're terrible!"

"No I'm not. And don't tell me you haven't wondered what's under their robes! They don't seem like a particularly passionate people."

"I don't know – I think they feel things pretty deeply, at least that's the impression I've gotten. But I know one thing," she said.

"What's that?"

"I am not going to ask them about their sex lives!"

"Okay," he smirked, "then I guess I'll -"

"You will not," she told him. "You're obsessed!"

"About sex? Of course I am," he told her, his arms under his head, staring at the same clouds. "I went without for a lot of years and now that the old body is back in peak form ….!"

She laughed. "Okay, I get it." She rolled over on her side so that she was looking at him. "Does it bother you?" she asked gently.

"Not having sex with you?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes. I mean, I know we agreed to hold off for a bit, but, well -?"

He sighed and then he reached out and gently stroked her face with his fingers. "Sam – there's nothing I'd like more than to make love with you again – and yes, having that brief taste after all these years is making it very hard for me to be good – but we both agreed that we should wait and just spend time together again. And you've got to know that these last few days have been incredible. Anyway," he said, flopping back down, "the anticipation will just add spice to when we finally decide to go ahead."

"Mmm – there's that," she agreed with a smile. "But it is hard."

He smirked. After a second he spoke. "Do you think the Furlings will want to watch us do that too?"

She choked. "They damn well better not! I'm going to have to make some kind of lock for my door."

It had just been a few days since they had agreed to try again. Since that time they'd spent every minute of every day together. What they hadn't done was spend their nights together. They both realized that they had no issue with the passion they had together – it was dealing with their future and their relationship that was important. The other would just get in the way of sensible decision making.

Sam was loving the time they spent together. And she had noticed a difference from their time before. She knew it was because she had matured and grown into who she wanted to be. She no longer felt intimidated by Jack, or by the fact that he was a superior officer (although technically he still was). She had grown into a strong, mature woman who knew what she wanted in life – and what she wanted was a life with the incredible man by her side.

What that life would entail, exactly, she didn't know. She was absolutely sure that she didn't want to go back to the SGC. She'd miss it – it had been part of her life for a long time – but she was ready for a new adventure with Jack. It was rather exciting to think about something completely different. They had the opportunity for a whole new chance at life, something other people didn't have.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" he asked her.

"Just about the future," she said softly. "I'm excited about – whatever we decide to do."

He was silent for a moment, and she glanced at him, worried at his frown. "What is it?" she asked.

"Do you want to go back to the SGC?" he asked suddenly. "Because if you do, I'm fine with that. I'm going to retire – but I'll just find something to do in Colorado Springs."

"No," she said decisively. She turned and swung her arm and a leg over him, cuddling up to him. "I don't want to go back. I've had enough and I'm ready for a new adventure – with you. I feel like a kid again, with the whole world opening up in front of me. I don't know what the adventure will be – but I know it'll be amazing!"

"Not just world," he told her.

"What?"

"You said you had the whole world in front of you – I'd say you had the whole galaxy!"

She laughed. "Do you really think we could live off-world somewhere? Would we want to?"

He shrugged and put his arm around her. "I'm open – although I do have veto power. There are some places I never want to see again!"

"Netu," she said

"Uh – except it doesn't exist anymore," he reminded her. "Nem's planet," he added.

"The ice dome planet."

"Hey – I kind of liked that place – Thera!"

She smiled and nodded. "There were definitely one or two good things about that place."

"One or two? What was the second good thing?"

"Mmm – the food?"

He made a face but then grew serious. "Antarctica. I never want to go there again!"

"Technically that's not a planet," she pointed out, "but I get your point and I agree. We'll add it to the list."

"Any idea where you would like to go?"

"Anywhere, as long as it's with you," she told him.

That stopped any conversation for a while as the next few moments were filled with love and passion. The only thing that kept them from going too far, was the knowledge that they were being watched by the Furlings.

This time it was Jack who was panting. He groaned as he rolled off of Sam and lay on the ground, trying to catch his breath. "You really have to stop saying things like that," he told her. "Or at lease wait until we're inside!"

She moved and snuggled up against him again, her head on his chest. They rested like that for the next few minutes. Finally Sam took a breath. "What about you?" she asked.

"What?"

"Where would you like to go when we get out of here?"

"Uh," – he shook his head, trying to think. "Same as you – wherever you go, that's where I want to be." He paused. "As long as it's not cold."

She lifted her head. "But Minnesota is freezing, and you love it there," she reminded him.

"That's different," he told her. "My cabin has a fireplace and a really cozy rug. Perfect to curl up in front of and," he grinned, "enjoy the fire."

"Ok, that sounds wonderful. But do you want to live there full time?"

He lifted his head and looked at her. "Would you?"

"I told you – wherever you are, that's where I'll be."

"You wouldn't get bored?"

She shrugged. "I'm sure I'd find something to do. I could do experiments!"

"There goes the cabin," he sighed.

She hit him on the chest. "Oh ye of little faith. Since when have I blown something up?"

"Hmm – let me think. Oh I know – there was that sun …"

She shook her head. "I'll never live that down."

"No you won't – and you shouldn't. There's no one on Earth who's blown up a sun. You should be proud."

"I am," she grinned.

"I wouldn't ask you to live at the cabin," he said suddenly. "As much as I love it there, I wouldn't want to either. There's not enough to do around there. Now – one day, in the distant future, when we're really old, we can go there and sit on the porch and rock in our rocking chairs."

"Sounds good. But in the meantime?"

"I don't know. We could go back to Colorado Springs. It's a good place to live."

"Mmm – but if we're there we'll get sucked back into the SGC. I can't imagine them letting us alone if we lived close by."

"True," he nodded, "especially you, General Genius. How about San Diego? Doesn't your brother and his family live there."

"Yes they do. Would you want to live there? I've always liked it and I was thinking that's where I might retire."

"It's nice," he agreed, "and warm. So we'll think about San Diego."

"Okay – that sounds good. When we get back we can start looking for a house. I'd love a little garden. I've never had time to look after one."

"We'll have time to do all sorts of things," he agreed.

"Have you given anymore thought about what you'd like to do? As much as I look forward to having more time, I think both of us would get bored with just gardening."

"You're the one who's going to garden," he informed her. "I have a black thumb! But as for what I'd like to do – the more I think about it, the more I'd like to do something with kids – teenagers maybe. I could work with disadvantaged youth."

"That would be perfect. You'd be great at it." She grew quiet for a few seconds and then sighed. "I think I might like that too. I could tutor kids in math and science."

Jack regarded her closely, hearing something in her voice that he knew he had to pursue. He reached out and gently lifted her face, until she was looking directly at him. "That sounds perfect for you too," he said gently. When she didn't answer, but continued to look sad, he asked her, "what is it Sam?"

"Nothing," she replied quickly.

"Uh uh," he shook his head, "there's something. If you don't want to tell me, that's fine, I won't pry – but you're sad."

She leaned forward once more, until she was close to him and he couldn't see her face. "It's – one of my biggest regrets," she told him. "I always wanted kids – and thought I'd have time, but then -"

"Then we broke up and it never happened," he continued. "I'm sorry."

The fact was, they'd discussed having kids when they'd gotten engaged. They had known that Sam was near the end of her child-bearing years, and it might not happen, but they had hoped. They had also discussed trying to adopt, if she couldn't get pregnant. Of course, that had all come to an end when they'd broken up.

"Oh God," she said, suddenly lifting her head. "I'm so sorry – I was so caught up in my own regret, I forgot how you must feel. I didn't mean to -"

"Hush," he told her, hugging her tightly. "It's okay. It's been a long time, Sam. I still miss Charlie every day, but it's no longer an open wound. And as for kids," he shrugged, "I guess I realized I was never going to have any more a long time ago. It's okay. I have you – and we're gonna be happy."

"Yes, we are," she told him, sniffing softly. She quickly wiped her eyes with her arm. "I think I've cried more in the last few weeks than I have in my entire life."

"I'm sorry," he said, kissing the top of her head.

"Not your fault, Jack," she told him. "And yes, we're going to be happy! We'll work with kids – maybe we can even look at taking in foster kids. Would you be okay with that."

"I think it's a great idea," he told her. "And we can get a dog!" he announced, sounding really excited. She knew it was partly to take her mind off of her sadness, so she giggled.

"A small one," she told him.

"Are you kidding? I don't want a little ankle biter! I was thinking a German Shepherd!"

"No way – they shed and they'll eat us out of house and home. Besides that, I'm not cleaning up after it! How about a beagle?"

"Golder Retriever?"

"Spaniel?"

"Black Lab?"

"Wiener dog?"

"Are you kidding me? I am a four star General Sam! I will not be seen with a wiener dog!"

"I think they're cute. Okay, how about a poodle?"

"Too frou frou," he turned up his nose.

"Poodles are wonderful dogs – smart, well-behaved, non-shedding. And we don't have to get a miniature one, or do the ridiculous haircut. I think you'd like a poodle."

"I don't know,' he said, looking skeptical.

"We could get a cross – how about a labradoodle or a golden doodle?"

"Now you're talkin!" he told her. "Okay, as soon as we get back we start looking for a dog!"

"And a cat."

"Aaargh – I knew you were going to say that. Okay – fine - just not a Siamese."

"Okay," she agreed. "But don't you think we need to get a house first?"

"Okay fine – house, then dog, then cat!"

"Deal!" she told him with a grin. The two of them laughed and then settled back, chatting.

"I'm hungry," he announced suddenly. "Let's go get a snack." He stood up, and then helped Sam up. They both looked over to see that the Furlings had gone.

"They probably got bored," she commented.

"I hope so. It's rather creepy having them watch us!"

"Have you talked any more with them?" she asked, as they started to head back to the buildings.

"Not really. I've been otherwise occupied," he told her.

"Yes, and it's been wonderful," she told him, taking his hand as she walked beside him. "Do you think we should ask about going home?"

"Do you want to?"

"Not really, although we've been here for quite a while and they certainly can't claim you aren't better. I wonder if the Air Force and our friends know where we are?"

"Did you just think about that now?" he asked, with raised eyebrows. "Wow - I must be distracting!"

She swatted him. "You are – very distracting! Now I feel guilty for not even thinking about it before. At least, I did think about it, but I didn't let it worry me, which is probably terrible."

"Of course it's not. You did have a few other things on your mind, and it wasn't as if we could ask the Furlings!"

"But now you can," she told him. "Maybe you should ask today?"

"I don't need to ask," he told her. "I'm pretty sure they do know. At least, I they know we're with the Furlings even though they don't know where this planet is."

"They told you that?" she asked, surprised.

"Yes – well, it's like I said – I just know things. I don't remember them telling me, and until you asked I hadn't even thought of it But now – I'm sure they do know. So you see, there's no rush to get home."

"A few days ago we were counting the days," Sam commented. "But now – I think I could stay forever."

"As much as this time with you is wonderful, I do think we'd get bored after a while."

"Yeah, I'm afraid so too," she agreed. "It's just – I worry about going home."

"Why?"

"I don't know. It just seems like there's always something that messes us up."

"I know what you mean," he nodded. "Well, this time we'll have to promise one another we won't let anything get in our way!"

She stopped and turned to him. "I promise, Jack. Nothing will get in the way of us – not now, not ever. You're stuck with me forever, General!"

"I'll hold you to that – General," he grinned and reached once more for her hand. "Now, let's go eat and talk about what kind of house we want!"

Sam smiled all the way to their rooms. Even though she would always feel regret for having broken up with Jack all those years ago, even though she would always feel sad for not having had the opportunity to have children – even though life was not perfect – she was happy with where they were now and she was absolutely not going to let anything or anyone futz with them.

Life was going to be good – she was absolutely determined on it!