Chapter 2

About two months after Jack had returned from Colorado Springs, General Landry had called him at the Pentagon. Landry had informed his friend that after all the work Sam had been doing on the Pegasus Project and leading SG-1, he felt she was deserving of making her a Full Bird Colonel and asked Jack if he would like to attend a small ceremony. Of course Jack wasn't NOT going to be there so he got the date and times and told him he'd be there.

Jack had talked to Sam a few times on the phone since they last spent time together, but not enough to say they were in a relationship. That doesn't mean that Samantha Carter wasn't running through the General's mind fairly constantly, she did. He made the arrangements through Major Davis to follow his usual plan, Andrews AFB to Peterson AFB, then driven over to the SGC.

He had called Daniel and told him he was coming, it was only 2 weeks away and he was excited to see everyone again. Jack knew Sam was privy to the news so he called her that night and congratulated her for the pending promotion. He could tell she was smiling, she was almost giddy. They talked for an hour or so and finally she asked him if he wanted to stay at her place again. She was almost embarrassed to ask knowing what had happened the last time he stayed but he was quick to say yes and he filled her in on his arrival and departure times.

The day before the ceremony, Jack was having fun visiting everyone at the SGC. He liked to tease Colonel Mitchell about taking over SG-1 but he liked the guy, or truly, he would NEVER be there even co-commanding HIS team and overseeing HIS Carter. He trusted the man with his life and Mitchell knew it. They had talked at length about his responsibilities being with the flagship team.

Later, Jack and Sam stopped to get dinner to bring home as it was late and they were too tired to go out. They sat and ate their Chinese food in the kitchen before collapsing in their own beds. In the morning Jack beat her to the shower again but he was quick. She was finishing making breakfast when she saw his damp body wrapped in only a towel around his waist walk from the bathroom down the hall to the guest room. The sight of his bare skin again made her tingle in places she has missed feeling tingles.

She had gone in and taken her turn and they dressed in their uniforms and headed off to the base. The ceremony wasn't until 10:00 but they went in anyway. They dilly daddled around visiting more people and trying to stay away from Vala. Jack really couldn't stand her and was happy Daniel kept her away, it was one of Jack's comments when he had called Daniel two weeks ago and Daniel agreed to babysit.

During the ceremony, Jack was quite proud of Sam. He stood behind General Landry during the speech and assisted Landry change the leaf of the Lt Colonel on Carter lapel to a full bird pin. The two made eye contact that they always did and Carter stepped back and saluted the two Generals making them salute in return. Jack has a small grin, big enough for just Carter to notice and still kept eye contact. They could speak just through their eyes, which drove Daniel crazy sometimes.

Jack had done the same for the other promotions Landry had done during the ceremony and Jack couldn't be more proud of the young officers coming into the ranks. Some Jack had even had in training throughout the years. Watching the ceremony actually helped him realize that there are good soldiers following in his footsteps and hoped someday soon it would be time to retire and he could feel confident that the world would be safe but today is not that day.

The old team had met for dinner and caught up on some of the wacky things they had done and found. Jack was sad that Teal'c had announced again that he was going to be returning to Chulak to stay. He had learned that Bra'tac had been in very poor health lately and needed to be sure the rebel Jaffa would be ok. They all understood and he agreed he would stay in contact with the team.

After dinner, Jack and Sam returned to Sam's house and scanned through the channels. There was a Hockey game on; Canucks vs the Flames, so Sam agreed to let him watch and figured she would route for the opposite team that he wanted to win. They had a lot of fun but when it was over it was still early so they went for a walk in the crisp fall air and when they returned he agreed to let her find something she wanted to watch, it was only fair he figured.

She settled on a Hallmark movie and snuggled under the blanket against Jack's arm. He loved how she would always do that. It was kind of her invitation to hold her closer or comfort her depending on the scenario. By the end of the movie he was fast asleep and Sam had moved her head to his lap while his arm was out over her waist.

At about 2:00am, Jack had to pee really bad and when he woke, he found their current position. Damn it! I gotta get up! He tried to slip out from under her by holding her and placing her down but she woke up very sleepy. "Jack?" her eyes wouldn't open more than a crack. "Shhhh.. I just gotta pee. Go back to sleep."

When she realized she was no longer comfortable she went to bed. She changed into her satin night shirt and climbed into bed. When Jack entered the hallway he saw she had gone so he shut off the lights in the living room and the hallway before heading to the guest room. "Jack…. You can sleep in here if you want?"

His eyebrow jumped up; IF I WANT!? Of course I want! He calmed himself back down. "Ok, I will be right there. Uh, Sam I just remembered I didn't bring any sweat pants or anything for pajama's, I was ah, just planning on wearing my skivvies to bed." She smiled, "That's fine."

He stripped down to his boxer briefs and climbed into the bed. She scooched over to him and he held her to his chest. "I love you Jack." He froze, "I love you too Sam. What should be do about that?" The two just laid together thinking and enjoying each other's warmth until they fell asleep.

In the morning Jack woke up with Sam nearly on top of him. He was so comfortable with her on him that he was ready to make a decision. He wanted a relationship; there was no doubt about it. He figured he only has a couple years left and if they just didn't tell anyone and were careful they could get through until he retired and they could get married and start a family.

He moved a bit to adjust his back and try to make it so Sam's face wasn't so close to his morning wood, he chuckled to himself. Girl.. you've ben teasing Junior down there and don't even know it! He is awake and ready for action!

When Sam felt him shift she groaned and snuggled tighter before realizing what was happening and when she opened her eyes, "Junior" was the first things she saw so she started smiling and moved her head to look up at Jack's face. He met her face with a quick kiss so she scooched up higher to his chest.

"Morning Sunshine" she just blinked and rubbed his abdomen before hugging into him. "Morning. Jack… this just feels so right, us being together like this." He moved his arm to pull her into him closer. "I know. I've actually been doing a lot of thinking. I'm open for us having a relationship now, just between us, and when I retire in a couple years…" She met his lips with hers. "Shh… I'm all for it. Let's do it."

"Sam?" She looked up into his eyes. "If I asked you right now if you would marry me. What would you say?" Her hand was running over his chest, fingers tracing his nipples and the outline of scars he had from numerous injuries over the years. She looked away, "I would say yes." And the tears started coming to her eyes.

After an hour or so, they had gotten up, ate breakfast, showered and dressed before he asked if he could borrow her car. She was curious but told him he could. He went down to the storage unit he had rented when he sold his house. He went through all the boxes and found the ring that had been his mother's engagement ring. Then he went to the cemetery to visit Charlie's grave and talk to him a bit.

He had always felt it necessary to explain any life changes with Charlie. Whatever parallel universe Charlie is living in, he would be an adult now and Jack knew he would understand. He told Charlie that although he would always love Sara, it was time to move on to the woman who had kept him happy the last 10 years of his life. When he said all he thought he should, he got back in the car and headed back to Sam's house.

He only had about two hours before he had to be back to Peterson to catch his flight so he kept his courage in check and did what he wanted to do for the last ten years. He walked up behind Sam and put his arms around her waist while pulling her into him. He kissed her neck and collarbone before turning her to look at him. Their eyes met and the conversation began, tears started building in her eyes when Jack dropped to one knee in front of her.

"My pretty girl… let's build some dreams in a house on a piece of land. We'll plant some roots and some apple trees. Life's a long and winding ride; better have the right one by your side. Happiness don't drag its feet; and time moves faster than you think. My pretty girl… would you marry me?"

She about jumped him and he grabbed her into a hug. "Yes Jack!" the two dropped to sit on the kitchen floor and held each other, rocking for about a half hour. He wiped her tears off her cheek and kissed her. "Sam, I gotta get moving, don't want the General being late for his ride!"

They stood up and gathered his things so she could drive him back to Peterson. They couldn't kiss goodbye but their eyes told each other everything they needed to.