A/N: Sorry about the wait. Thank you for all the reviews, I'm not sure if you expect a reply from them? Anyway, most of the time I'm using the APP, and I still haven't worked out how to use it, Other than read and review other peoples fantastic work.
I shouldn't have written the next few chapters, as I'm seriously swamped with real life. But, knowing my poor memory I'd forget about this and I couldn't do that, or get this story of my mind.
As promised they'd be two more chapters, and here they are.
Enjoy :)
Walking down the bottom of the ramp within the safe confines of the SGC, Colonel Reynolds awaited to greet the original SG-1 back home.
"Colonel anything happen while I was gone, I should know about?" Jack asked.
"No sir, all plain sailing here. You weren't gone long." Reynolds stated matter of fact.
"Well, no. We had Carter's brain to save the day."
"Yes sir. Here is the paperwork, to retake command sir." Reynolds' hand held out, ready for Jack to accept.
"Ah, actually about that, let's talk... My office." Jack led out his hand taking the papers and motioning Colonel Reynolds to lead the way.
As Jack followed, he looked back at Carter and winked. Daniel watching his two closest friend's intently, didn't miss that look one bit. He double backed on Teal'c to see if he caught it to. A brief bow, indicating he had.
Sam headed out first, leading her way to the infirmary for her post gate travel checks. She wanted to be out of this mountain quicker than she'd ever thought possible.
"So do you think..." Daniel said leaning towards Teal'c, making sure there was plenty of distance between Sam and them both.
"I Believe so." Teal'c said with a partly unsuppressed grin.
"Well it's about time?"
"Indeed Daniel Jackson, what about the time?" Teal'c asked coming to a stop.
"Agh, never mind Teal'c." Daniel, rubbed his eye's, he had enough of translating today.
"So sir, What's the low-down?" Colonel Reynolds asked. Taking a seat opposite Jack's desk.
"Well... Not much..." Jack started, placing his gun and cap on the table as he sat down in his chair. "I still need you to look over things here, I'm supposed to be on vacation, you know?" O'Neill said sarcastically.
"Yes sir." Reynolds, stared to relax a bit.
"Well, I thought you should be among the first that know. And keep it to yourself... But... I'm not coming back after my vacation."
"Sir?" Reynolds sat closer to the desk, pushing himself closer – in case he misheard.
"I've been reassigned to Home world security. George is Retiring you know?"
"No sir, I did not know that."
"Yes, well. Lucky for some!" Jack looked up and Reynolds and paused briefly before continuing. "Anyway, after my break, I'll be reporting to Washington; hence why your team is on downtime for the next week. During that time you are to assume command of the SGC."
"Yes sir, not a problem. Who is going to be replacing you sir?"
"Ah glad you asked that. Myself and George have personally vetted this person, so you all will be in very good, trusted hands. His name is General Henry 'Hank' Landry a top guy, not afraid to cross that fine line. if you know what I mean." Jack reiterated.
"Yes sir, sounds like he'll fit right in around here."
"Yes, and I'm hoping you will help with showing him the ropes, bring him up to speed and so forth."
"Yes sir, it would be my pleasure."
"Good that's settled then, Oh, before I forget. Colonel Carter will be reassigned to area 51, head of R and D. And Dr Jackson will eventually, if he still decides to will be heading to Atlantis to conduct research over there, and Teal'c he'll heading to Dakara." Jack said quickly, dropping that huge bombshell.
"Wait, what... Sir you cannot be serious! What is going to happen with SG-1?" Colonel Reynolds shouted. He looked as though he'd gone a few rounds at SGC's Boxing competition.
"Well, It's Colonel Cameron Mitchell's team now. So I need you to make sure it all runs smoothly, while everyone adjusts. I'll be back during the official hand over, and inform the rest of the personal."
"Yes sir you can count on me." Reynolds said after regaining his composure.
"Never doubted you for a second Colonel! Dismissed." Jack gave his final order.
Jack looked around his office for a while, the last year has certainly been one for the books. He's certainly going to miss his time here and being able to see Sam everyday- his Sam- that is going to be the toughest part of all.
He sat stoically lost in all train of thought, as he remembered the conversation that changed everything. Not long after confirming the president's letter, they decided to both part ways at the SGC. Something Jack didn't really want Carter to do, but after hearing her explanation, it seemed the best course of action. They were officially out of the chain of command, although all research and funding would eventually be passed through to Jack, in some form or another. It would be seen through the hands of many before reaching his own.
Sam had finished with her preliminaries medical tests. She walked to Jacks office, knowing that's where he would be. She passed Colonel Reynolds on the way to his office, she instantly could tell that Jack had briefed him in on the news. His face said it all.
"Colonel Carter, I just want to say... You will be sorely missed here at the SGC and it was a pleasure serving with, and learning from you. Thank you for saving our planet endless times." Colonel Reynolds' said with a croak in his voice, he held out his hand to shake hers before pulling her into a friendly hug.
"Likewise Colonel, General O'Neill has briefed you fully."
"He has SG-1 will be missed by all. Things won't ever be the same without you all."
"Thank you Colonel, we all will be back here from time to time, we are not leaving the programme entirely... Well I must get going. Look after it all here for us, you and your team are the next best thing." Sam said sincerely.
"Thank you Colonel, erm... Can I speak freely." He hesitated.
"Sure."
"Off the record and I'm not in the know or anything, so apologies if I'm wrong. On behalf of the SGC, I wish you both luck."
Reynolds nodded his head in and walked off down the corridor, leaving a stunned Colonel Carter standing alone in the corridor, collecting her thoughts.
A few moments later, she arrived at the base of his door. She watched him for a while, looking blankly into the air.
"So Regrets." Sam said breaking the silence.
"Huh..." Jack cleared his throat, pulling himself out of his dream-full state. "Nope, no regrets, not ever." He reiterated with a smile.
He wasn't lying, Jack truly didn't have any regrets.
"You?" he said after a while.
"None." She sharply replied. "Just going to miss this place, a bit I guess."
"Me too, well let's not dwell! all set?" Seeing Sam nod he got out of his chair grabbed his keys and headed out the door.
Walking alongside each other as they had plenty of times before, this time however, is different. They are now walking out together for the first time as a proper established couple. Sharing a ride, heading back to the cabin; where It all started for him.
They walked to meet Daniel and Teal'c they were within his lab, as usual head firmly, securely set in his books. He looks up when he sees them both standing there in his doorway with them all, Teal'c included staring at him.
"All packed ready to go?" Jack asked.
"Er, no I'm not coming, as much as I like to be there, I've just had a phone call, It's from Catherine Langford's daughter. She's passed away the early hours yesterday morning." Daniel said sadly.
"Oh Daniel, I'm sorry I know how close you were to her..." Carter said sympathetically.
"Yes it's very sad news, I've been invited to her funeral, and her daughter said Catherine left something to me in her will."
"Okay Daniel, are we allowed to come." Sam asked.
"Sure it's next week..." Daniel cleared his throat. "You guys go up to the cabin spend some time together you both deserve it. Before you both you know..." he waved his hands between the both of them. "I think Teal'c wants to see Ry'ac and Ish'tah."
"Indeed, it has been some time since I have spent any great time with them."
"Sure thing T, are you sure Daniel, you don't need any help with erm...This?" Jack asked sincerely.
"I'm sure. I'm just going to go over the translations for the ruins, and well get things sorted."
"Sure thing, call us if you need anything." Jack said seriously.
"Will do." Daniel headed back to his books.
"Colonel O'Neill, may I request..."
"Sure thing Teal'c I'll let Walter know and give him the go ahead. Just make sure we can get in contact with you, take a radio."
Teal'c lowered his head in agreement and thanks. Sam walked over to Daniel and gave him a hug. Something that still to this day, makes Jack seethe with jealousy. Not because Sam hugged Daniel, but because she and him were able to without repercussions. Even the president can only bend the rules so much.
A few hours later Jack and had Sam arrived back at his cabin, late at night after getting a take-out they sat around the open fire place raising a glass to Catherine's memory.
Over the course of the days Sam and Jack spent ample time together, strengthening their unrequited love and admiration for each other. They'd frolicked about on many hicks through the woodlands, laid on Jack's comfortable green deck chairs while they aimlessly fish in an fish-less lake, spending many evenings together watching the sun set. They laughed telling old stories about their pasts. Either about Jacks wayward ways in his youth, right down to the moment he lost Charlie and Sarah.
There was something he felt oddly at ease, talking to Carter about some of the most darkest parts of his life. Yet somewhat satisfying that he could. It was strange for him to open up so much about this, particular painful subject. Jack didn't even tell Daniel as this much. Sam formed Tears in her eyes as he spoke, some for feeling his sadness, some elation because of his trust in her to open up, to talk to her, share these most intimate, personal moments with her. Something he couldn't do for the past eight years.
The moments of easiness between them felt so natural so right, as if they had been a happily married couple for years.
Sam felt at home, somewhere she truly belonged, comfortable for once.
They were like love sick puppies, couldn't keep their hands of each other.