AN: Hey guys! Thanks for all the reviews! It really encourages me to post more...(hint, hint). So, without further ado, on with the story and the mystery caller...

Previously in Interruptions:

Sam tried to hide her smile. "Um, Jack, I think your cell phone is ringing."

"Crap. Sorry."

"Just answer it."

"O'Neill."

"Hello, Jack."

Continuation:

Chapter 11: The Call

"Oh, General, hi. What can I do for you?" Sam's eyes widened.

"How is everything going?"

"Just fine, sir."

"Are you and Major Carter talking things over?"

"Yes, sir, we are, sir."

"Good, good. Just making sure everything is going smoothly."

"Uh, yes, sir, it is, sir."

"Well, I guess I'll see you two in my office tomorrow morning."

"Yes, sir, have a good night, sir."

"You two behave yourselves."

This time Jack's eyes widened.

"Yes, sir."

"Goodbye, Jack."

"Goodbye, sir."

"What was that all about?"

"Um, he said he was checking up on us."

"He was what!"

"He said, and I quote, 'you two behave yourselves'."

"Is he okay?"

"He actually sounded a little drunk. I think it might have been the booze talking."

"Oh, God." Sam pictured a drunk Hammond and started giggling.

"Sam..." Jack looked at her and raised his finger. "What have I said about giggling?"

"Sorry. Um, I have a question for you."

"Shoot."

"Why do you have that as your ring tone?" Sam always thought of him as practical and that ring was definitely not typical Jack O'Neill.

"Um, I let Cassie play with my phone and I haven't been able to figure out how to change the ring."

"Oh," Sam tried, unsuccessfully to hide her smile.

"I see that smirk, Major. Stop it." Jack's voice was teasing but it brought him back to their earlier conversation. "So, where were we?"

Sam sobered. "I want to be with you."

Jack nodded. "Well, let's see if good ole Hammond can do anything for us...but if he can't, I'm ready to retire."

"Jack, you can't! The SGC needs you!"

"It needs you more, Sam. You're ready for your own command. I've retired once already. Your career actually has a future."

"But..."

"Ah! No buts. If one of us has to go, it'll be me. I won't let you throw your career away over this."

"It's my decision, Jack."

"I know it is, but I'm tired, Sam. I'm tired of fighting this war. I can't go through the Gate forever. This old body only has so much left in it. It won't be long before I can't pass the physicals anymore."

"What! You're in better shape than most of the men who go through the Gate."

"Yeah, but my knees aren't gonna last forever..." Jack trailed off. He didn't like to talk about his weaknesses.

"Jack..."

"Please, Sam. You're brilliant. Look at everything you've done for the SGC...for the world. You not only build and analyze all those important doohickeys, you save the world on a regular basis. Without you, we would all be dead...more than once...and permanently!" Jack was getting worked up. He was starting to flail his arms around.

"Jack!" Sam yelled to get his attention. Jack stopped mid-flail and looked at her. "I'm not ready to be without you out there. You may think I'm ready to lead a team, but I know I'm not. Some of the decisions you've made...that had to be made...I couldn't have made them."

Jack thought for a minute and then sighed. "Alright. Let's just see what Hammond has to say. The only thing I'm not willing to do is be without you."

"Me too."

AN2: I'm thinking one more chapter for tonight...