Chapter 12: No Sad Goodbyes…

"Well…" Jack started. "Well…" Odessa repeated. There was silence for several minutes. "You're leaving now, aren't you?" Rhys finally broke the silence, a little sad. Odessa smiled sadly. "I'm afraid so."

"You don't have to, you know? You could stay here… with us…" Rhys shrugged, already knowing her answer. She smiled at him and gave him a tight squeeze. "Don't be silly, Rhys, she has to go," Gwen stated. They all turned to look at her. "I just meant that…" she started to explain. "I know what you meant," Odessa smiled reaching to hug her. Gwen started to stop her, then decided against it, letting the hug happen. She kissed the top of the baby's head, stroking her hair gently; the baby cooed happily back at her. Odessa then turned to face Jack.

Jack looked at her sadly, not wanting her to go. "I guess this means goodbye," Jack smiled sadly. Odessa shook her head. "I hate goodbyes, they sound so final," she shuddered quietly. "No goodbye, Captain, this is just the beginning."

"Say hello to your…well you know," Jack smiled, still finding this whole thing more than a little odd. "I will," she smiled back, her nose crinkling slightly.

Her eyes suddenly narrowed and she bit her lip nervously. Jack cocked his head, questioningly. "What the hell," she shrugged and squared her shoulders.

She took two steps toward Jack, grabbed his head and kissed him hard on his soft lips. Jack was surprised but did not fight her. Gwen and Rhys just stared in bewilderment, not saying a word. Odessa finally let Jack go. "I've been wanting to do that for as long as I've been here!" she gasped, a large smile on her face.

She reached around Jack's back and slammed her hand down on the Rift control panel. Electricity cut through the air and the Rift sliced open, roaring loudly. She turned to face the Rift. "Well, here goes nothing," she breathed in deeply. She looked back over her shoulder at the trio she was leaving behind. "Until next time!" she called and jumped into the Rift.

"Wait, did she just say next time? There's going to be a next time?" Gwen groaned her eyes wide. Rhys laughed at his wife, knowing she didn't really mean it. "You know you'll miss her," Rhys whispered to his wife. Gwen turned to her husband. "No, I will not," she shook her head. "Yes, you will. She grew on you," he sang, smiling. Gwen narrowed her eyes and then softened slightly, smiling. "Maybe just a little."

Jack stood next to the Rift console for several minutes, still listening to the residual crackling of the now switched off manipulator. "What a woman!" he grinned, several minutes after the Rift had closed. Gwen rolled her eyes and walked away. "Oh, please…" she huffed loudly. Jack shrugged his shoulders, a big smile on his face. "What?" he asked innocently.