She loved to run. There was something about placing one foot in front of another, watching the world pass by, feeling the breeze through her hair, and taking out her frustration on the road. She had not enjoyed running this much when it had been part of her daily training at the SGC. This was different. The fresh air, the chance she had to not think, and the great feeling she had after taking a shower. She tried to run a few miles everyday, but while she had been in D.C. for several meetings, she hadn't been able to go out. Today was her second last day and she had nothing planned for the rest of the day. A quick run, then back to the hotel for a shower, and then she wasn't sure. Perhaps she would go check out some of the sights. She'd been to most of them as a child with her father, then on official visits, had seen more. There was lots to see and she knew she wouldn't be bored. Tomorrow was the final meeting, then back home.

She ran past the Jefferson Memorial, towards the Washington Monument, taking in the vivid colours of the trees. It was the perfect day to run, in her opinion. A beautiful fall day, the leaves crunching under her feet, the crisp air making her skin a healthy rosy colour. She ran, mindful of the others using the pathway, and careful of those who didn't seem to be inclined to share. As she ran past the Washington Monument, and towards the White House, her mind wandered over the next task she and her team had been handed. A nuclear power company wanted them to create a more cost efficient chemical and a new process of cleaning up some of their hazardous materials. She sank deep into thought as she continued past the tourists surrounding the White House and made her way back the way she had come. She didn't notice the man sitting on a bench watching her from a distance.

He had been enjoying the afternoon. Well, enjoying it because he had nothing else to do right then and there. He was waiting for his ride to show up. Thankful he had taken the time to change into something more comfortable as the long wait in that outfit, in the sun, wouldn't have been too enjoyable. He fiddled with the Swiss Army Knife in his hand, watching the tourists wander by. A woman caught his eye. She was running, wearing dark sweatpants, a baggy t-shirt, her long blond hair bouncing in it's ponytail. She was still too far away for him to see her face, but he watched her, mesmerized. As her face became visible to him, his breath caught in his throat.
She ran, oblivious to the man staring at her. Unlike others, she preferred to run without music. It felt like a distraction and she didn't find it as calming. She ran past the benches and almost missed the voice.

"Carter?"

She turned around to see who had called her name. Not seeing anyone, she shrugged it off. She had either misheard or there was someone else with that name here. She almost laughed to herself. The likelihood of her seeing anyone she knew was slim to none, and everyone she knew called her by her title or her first name.

"CARTER!"

This time she stopped dead in her tracks. That voice, she would recognize it anywhere. But how? He was dead. Was she loosing it? Work hadn't been that bad and she'd handled more before. Slowly she turned around and scanned the immediate area for his face.

He watched as she ran closer to him. He wanted to be sure it was her, and he hadn't seen her for around 5 years. He called out her name, and watched as she turned briefly. It was her. He was positive. He got off the bench and called her name again, louder, and cursed at himself. She hadn't been Carter for years. He watched as she stopped abruptly and scanned the crowd of people. Before he could stop himself, his feet propelled him towards her. He knew when she saw him, as her expression of confusion turned to one of shock.

"Jack?"

AN: Sorry about the delay, but I wanted to finish the other story first. Let me know what you think...