Monday morning came all to quickly for Sam and Jack. And not just because it meant going back to work. Both of them, plus Daniel and Janet, had stayed at the dance hall well into the morning. It had only been three hours since Sam had climbed into bed when she had to drag herself back out. She remained in a half awake, half asleep state all the way to her lab. She was going to put her head down and take a nap as soon as she reached her lab, but Jack walking through the door not two minutes after her forced her to stay awake.
"Morning Sam." Jack mumbled, slouching against her table.
"Sir, don't you think we should keep it a little more professional on base?" Sam said, trying to sit up straight on her chair to stay as awake as possible. Jack eyed her for a moment before sighing.
"Why do you always have to be right?" he mumbled. Sam smiled. "Have you talked to the General yet?" he asked. She shook her head. General Hammond might not have been mad about them, but it still wasn't appropriate for them to be having a romantic relationship and the General would be obligated to do something about it.
"Maybe we should just go talk to him and get it over with." Jack suggested gloomily. Before Sam could comment her phone rang.
"One guess on who that might be." Jack said as Sam picked up the phone. But in spite of both of their exceptions, it was Janet, not Hammond.
"Good morning Sam." Janet greeted her.
"If it's a good morning or not has yet to be seen." Sam told Janet.
"Haven't talked to the General yet, huh?" Janet asked sympathetically. "He was in a good mood when I saw him earlier, but he told me that if I see either you or the Colonel to tell you that he wants to see you sometime today."
"Thanks Janet." Sam said. She hung up the phone and turned to Jack.
"That was Janet. She says General Hammond wants to see us, but he seems to be in a good mood."
"Maybe he's in a good mood because for some twisted reason he likes to see people sacked." Jack muttered.
"I don't think so sir." Sam said with a smile. "I think you were right about going to see him and getting it over with."
Hammond was already sitting at his desk when he called Sam and Jack in. He motioned for them to sit. Jack muttered 'twisted' to Sam as they sat down. There was a brief moment of uncomfortable silence while Sam and Jack focused on their laps and Hammond looked between the two. Hammond broke the silence by chuckling softly. Both Sam and Jack looked up in surprise.
"I think you both know why you're here. Up to now, it's been highly inappropriate for you two to be having a less than professional relationship." Hammond said.
"Up to now, sir?" Jack said in surprise.
"Yes, up to now. When you lost your memory Jack, I knew that something was bound to change between you two, so I called the president. We agreed that instead of forcing an excellent officer to retire, or for two officers to be court marshaled, we'd tweak the rules slightly for the members of the SGC." Hammond paused, and Sam and Jack looked at each other in surprise. "You have permission to have a romantic relationship as long as it doesn't affect the workings of the SGC. I hope you two make the best of this, and don't mess it up." Hammond finished.
"Don't worry sir, we'll make the best of this for sure." Jack said, grinning at Sam. She smiled back. Janet and Daniel were waiting for the two of them in the hall when they left Hammond's office.
"Good news, huh?" Daniel asked, smirking.
"You knew!" Jack said accusingly.
"Hammond told me this morning. He didn't want me to tell you though, wanted to tell you himself." Janet said.
"Why don't we go celebrate?" Daniel suggested. Sam and Jack glanced at each other. Now they could enjoy spending time out in public without having to worry about repercussions.
"Yeah, let's." Jack said.
"I was hoping you'd agree. We already set up a party at my house." Janet said.
"We?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, Daniel, Cassie, Teal'c, and me." Janet explained.
"Well, it's only nine. I don't think the General would like it if we leave in the middle of the morning." Sam pointed out.
"I already talked to him about this. He agreed to give you the day off. Plus, I let Cassie stay home from school." Janet explained.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Jack said.
Cassie greeted them at the front door when they arrived. Teal'c was there as well.
"Congratulations!" Cassie shrieked, giving Sam a tight squeeze.
"Hey, don't squish my girlfriend!" Jack said, pretending to pull Cassie away, but instead, giving both a big hug. The party went on for the rest of the day. It was about five in the afternoon when Sam and Jack found themselves alone outside on Janet's back porch.
"Having a good time?" Jack asked, putting his arms around Sam's waist.
"Yeah, but we haven't had nearly enough us time." Sam complained. Jack smiled. They stood there for a while; just enjoying each other's company.
"Sam, I have a question." Jack said. Sam pulled back, hearing the seriousness in his voice.
"What?" Jack grabbed her hands and looked into her eyes.
"Will you marry me?" he asked.
"Of course I will." Sam said, pulling Jack into a kiss.
The End