Jack spied Sam from across the room. She was standing in the back, watching everyone and everything. The one thing about military retirement parties, there was always something to watch. He took a deep breath.

Sam was striking; wearing a blue dress that matched her eyes perfectly. She looked the way she had so many times in his dreams. She was just simply… beautiful. He worked up his courage.

She was swaying slightly with the music, totally unaware that anyone was watching her. He couldn't believe is eyes. It seemed as if the light just reflected off of her. He walked over to her.

"Hey." Jack said casually, "Fun party eh?"

Sam smiled out of reflex. "Yes, Sir." Her voice was more relaxed than it had been recently with him.

They stood there, side by side, neither one saying anything. They both had tried to start a few times, but something always got in the way.

"Any idea what you want to do yet?" He said finally breaking the silence.

"Actually, I have been approached to take command of the SGC." She said, her gaze never breaking from the rest of the party.

"Well… that's good."

"I think so. General Landry has been promoted."

"I know."

"That was a very nice way of telling me that you were retiring." She started. "Getting an invitation in the mail."

"It's not exactly like we are on 'call each other' terms." He replied solemnly.

She turned and looked at him. "You could have called me for that."

"See, here's the thing. I don't understand that. I don't understand when it is okay to call you and when it's not. I just don't understand where we are."

"Sir?"

"Knock it off with that crap." He said.

"What?"

"The acting like you have no idea what I am talking about."

She took a deep breath and turned her attention back towards the party. "Did you do it for me?"

"What?"

"Now it's your turn to knock it off."

They stood there in silence. Another song started, and he turned to look at her.

"Dance with me."

"What?" She said, turning her face towards him.

"Dance with me." He said again, reaching out for her hand.

She took it hesitantly. He led her out onto the dance floor, holding her as close as he ever did. He felt her breath catch. She smelled as good as she always did. He closed his eyes and swayed with her to the beat of the music.

"Sam. I'm tired. That's why I am retiring. It's been a long time coming, and now is as good of a time as any."

She pulled away a touch, so she could look him in the eyes. "Jack, I wasn't implying…"

He cut her off. "Yes you were."

"And what if I said that it did have something to do with you?" He asked, as he pulled her into him again.

"I would be upset."

"How upset?"

"Very upset. I don't need a knight in shinning armor to rescue me."

"Who said you did?"

"Then why…"

"I told you. I'm tired."

When the song ended, she pulled away from his embrace. "Thank you for the dance." She said, just looking at him.

"You didn't answer my question."

"I… I really don't know." She said. "I just don't." She turned and walked away from him.

Daniel walked over to Jack and put his hand on his shoulder. "Jack. I swore I wasn't going to do this. But why the hell are you still standing here?"

"Maybe I should just let her go."

"Again? You should let her go again?"

"Daniel..." He started.

"Do you love her?"

"What?"

"Do you still love her?"

"Yeah." Jack sighed. "I do."

"Then why the hell are you still standing here? Go get her. Tell her."

The two friends stood there watching Sam as she made her way towards the door. It didn't take long before Jack was going after her, calling her name.

She was outside before he finally caught up with her. She was waiting for the valet to bring around her car. It had started to rain, nothing heavy, but a light drizzle just to make everything wet.

"Sam." He said, grabbing her arm.

She turned towards him, tears brimming in her eyes. "What?"

They stood there looking at each other; each of them searching for something, anything to make this all right, to make everything that had happened to disappear.

"C'mere" he said to her, and bought her into his arms and held her tight. She let go of the reigns that she had wrapped around her emotions and let the tears flow.

"Shh…" he whispered in her ear, "It's okay. It's okay." He mumbled over and over again to her.

"I can't do this Jack." She said to him, pulling away. "I'm sorry, I can't."

Sam wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. The valet was there and she walked down the steps of the mansion towards her car.

"Sam…" he started to follow her.

"Jack. Please!" her voice was husky and pleading. "Just… please."

He shoved his hands into his pockets, and watched her go… again.

TBC

Did I ever tell you guys that you are awesome?