Sam had been packing for the 2 hours, she didn't have much stuff at all she was just upset that she had caused Pete's death in a way, sure he was on drugs but sometimes the drugs make you live out how you are really feeling and apparently she had hurt Pete so bad his life was over with out her. With all her thoughts going through her head she sunk down against the wall and just cried what seemed like hours, wishing that Jack was there to console her just give one of his pep talks and the hugs that made everything feel like it was going to be okay. Just then there was a knock on the door, she didn't want to answer it and she had the do not disturb sign on the door. So she just sat there and waited for whoever it was to go away. Then she heard a familiar voice her mind must be playing tricks on her but then...
"Sam?" There came Jack her hero around the corner.
"Jack" she said as she got up wiping the tears from her eyes then she smiled so happy to see him.
"Sam..." he rushed over to her and took her in his arms, wanting to never let her go, but as he did they stared into each others eyes for what seemed to be an eternity. Then Jack brought her lips to his and kiss her with all the passion from all the years passed. When they finally had to break for air there was her smiling face looking at him and he knew everything was going to be ok.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah it's just some heavy news about Pete...did you hear about it?"
"Yes General Hammond briefed me on it before I came out here that is why I am here to bring you home."
"Okay I have been packing for the last 2 hours but I haven't got very far. You want to help?"
"Sure you know seeing you here alive just..."
"I know, so I was thinking that I would retire fr.."
"Oh no you are not going to give up your career for me.."
"Jack I want to, and I can stay on at the SGC as a civilian scientist, that will make it easier if we ever have... well you know it will just be easier and you won't have to give up what you have worked so hard for.." She did want children but she wasn't sure if he did after Charlie.
"Children is that what you were going to say?"
"Yeah I guess was, that is if you want to go that far or even...I'm sorry I'm jumping way to far in the future and moving to fast.." As Sam turned her head away from him ashamed of herself for jumping to a conclusion of their life, seeing that they haven't even dated or anything.
Jack reached over and took her chin to turn her face back toward him " Sam I want to spend the rest of my life with you and if you want jump right in or take things slow I'm willing to do what it takes for you to be happy ok?"
"Ok" she leaned in and kissed him "I want you as soon as I can have you, we have waited long enough for this, I can't hold my feelings in side forever you know" She said with a playful smirk.
"Ok but lets get you home and settled and the retirement papers filed first because as much as I want to take you right now, and show you how I feel, I'm still your commanding officer, alright?"
"Alright" So they quickly packed up her stuff and headed to the plane next stop was home.
The flight had been pretty much silent as Sam was thinking of Pete, but she knew it wasn't her fault in all conclusion he did it to himself, the stalking her had lead to her trying to find a way to get him to leave her alone forever, she couldn't help it had to be by faking her death to do it, he just wasn't suppose to take it that hard, to where he would end his life. Then not to mention he took those drugs it was really just an drug induce accident. Finally talking herself out of feeling guilty, she turned to Jack and smiled letting him know she was ok, and they were going to be ok.
When they reached the SGC there was banners and balloons everywhere they were throwing a party to celebrate her homecoming. As she passed everyone on the way to the General's office she got hugs and smiles from everyone, they were just happy to see her alive and well. They entered the office to see General Hammond awaiting a hug, knowing the trauma she had been through these last few years but lately the last few months. Then she turned to see Daniel and Teal'c smiling at her, she smiled back and the hugged them both, she had missed everyone, and now she was finally home, and will be able to have a life and be happy.
"It's good to have you home Major"
"It's good to be back sir"
"How about you all stand down for a few days head up to that cabin of yours Jack and just relax, I know Major you probably want to get back to work, you have been without it for almost a month, but your friends here went through the mill when they thought you to be dead, I think they need sometime to catch up. Just take the rest of the week off and report back on Monday."
"That's sounds good sir, care to join us one night for a cookout and a little fishing?" Jack asked the general with that "Jack O'Neill smirk"
"Call and let me know what night and time I'll see what I can do."
"Alright sir, well what do ya'll say we head out?"
Teal'c and Daniel were ready the wanted some down time and they had missed Sam so much, but they were just happy that she was back. They could also tell there was a difference as in how her and Jack were acting toward each other, the looks were unmistakable they had talked about their love that they had been trying to avoid, things were fixing to change around the SGC. As they were all leaving the room Sam stopped..
"Ya'll go ahead I need to speak with General alone I'll catch up, meet you topside in about say 10?"
They all shook they heads in agreement. And headed off to get some stuff from Daniel's lab cause him just like Sam has a hard time staying away from the work. Sam shut the door to General Hammond's office.
"What can I do for you Major?"
"Sir while all this stuff was going on I have been doing a lot of thinking, and well my dad told me something too when he was dying that has been running through my head a lot during this too."
"What is that?"
"He told me 'Don't let rules stand in your way' and I can't anymore sir, that's why I want to resign from the Air Force.."
"You and Jack right?"
"Yes sir, but I still want to stay on SG-1 maybe as a civilian scientist if that's possible?"
"Sure that is possible but let me put in a few phone calls, you and SG-1 have done some much for this country, maybe there is away around the rules, ok give me a couple days and I will let you know."
"Alright thank you sir"
"Your welcome, and your father is right you and Jack have been dancing around this too long you deserve to be happy, so catch up with the others and I will keep you informed."
"Yes sir" And with that Sam headed out to her lab and to grab a few things, then to go catch up with the guys.
Meanwhile the guys were all waiting on Sam topside..
"So Jack how are things between you and Sam?"
"What do mean Daniel?"
"Oh come Jack you too were acting so different down there, you two finally opened up and told each other how you felt didn't you?"
"Indeed just in the little time we were around you both down there, the looks between you two was definitely the looks of two people in love."
Jack just smiled "I'm going to retire, and then ask her to marry me, when we get to the cabin and I can get moment I'm gonna give a call in to the General and request to have my retirement papers drawn up, then I'm going to give her this.." Then he pulled out a little blue box as he opened there inside was the most beautiful ring, " I even had it inscribed look.." Inside the band it read...'Together Forever In Every Reality'
"Wow Jack she'll love it, I'm glad you too are finally going for it."
"Yes O'Neill I am very happy for you as well"
"Uh Jack put it away here she comes"
They quickly put it away and acted as though they had been talking about sports and stuff. Sam came and they got in Jack's truck and they drove off, they went by each of their houses to pick up what they would need for the rest of the week, then they were finally on their way. When they finally reached the cabin it was dark so everyone went to bed, Jack planned on calling the General tomorrow to get everything set to motion, but he was going to have to get the guys to help him out and keep Sam busy, away from him.
The next morning Jack got up thinking he was the only one up and around but he went into the kitchen and Sam beat him there she sat, typing away on her laptop drinking her coffee.
"Morning Sunshine!!" Jack said as he walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Morning but you missed" She then kissed him back on the lips.
"Well I didn't really know how to play that, being that everything hasn't been worked out where there is no more rules ya know."
"Yeah I know it's ok maybe it won't be to long before I can call you mine."
Just then Daniel came around the corner followed by Teal'c
"Good morning" Daniel said smiling because he had accidentally over heard what was just previously said between Sam and Jack, he was so happy for them they deserved to this.
"Morning how did everyone sleep?" Teal'c said trying to take the attention off of Daniel's smirky look.
"Good Teal'c" Sam said softly then took another sip of coffee and continued typing.
Daniel came over and sat down next to her " whatcha doing?"
"Finally writing that book on Astrophysics I've been wanting to write for so long when I had all that time in Vegas I figured it was a good as time as any,
"I've got about 10 chapters done so far."
"Wow that's cool, can't wait to read it when you get it done."
"Ok so do ya'll want to do some kind of cookout for lunch, maybe hamburgers or hot dogs?" Jack asked thinking that he would get Sam and Daniel to head into town and pick up the stuff to cook and he and Teal'c would stay clean and set up the grill, but he would first call General Hammond.
"Sure that sounds good" Sam said
"Fine with me, how 'bout you Teal'c does that work for you?"
"Indeed it does Daniel Jackson"
"Okay then how about this Daniel, you and Sam want to go and get the food and drinks from the store while Teal'c and me stay here and get the grill ready it needs to be cleaned up first." Jack said hoping that would be ok with Sam
"Sure" Sam and Daniel said in unison
So Sam and Daniel climbed in Jack's truck and headed to the store, which now gave Jack his opportunity to call Hammond, and also invite him out for Friday night dinner, hopefully if everything went as planned he would ask Sam to marry him.
"Hammond"
"Hey sir it's Jack"
"Hello Jack how's the down time going?"
"Great sir, look I don't got much time to talk, but I wanted to get you to put my retirement in action, I want to get it done as soon as possible I want to ask Sam to marry me Friday night, you think it is possible?"
"Well Jack, Sam had come to me right before ya'll left and asked to resign and be left on SG-1 as a civilian..."
"Oh man she is quick look sir she can't do that she to valuable."
"I agree but you are as well that's why I made a few calls and the President has agreed to allow the rules to be broken in this situation to repay you two for everything you have done. So neither one of you have to give up anything and you could get married tomorrow if you want to."
"Really well thank you so much sir, and when you talk with the President tell him the same"
"Your welcome and I will, now I was suppose to call Major Carter and let her know what I found out.."
"Oh no sir you can't...I mean I was hoping to surprise her on Friday night, I already have the ring and everything, oh and you are coming right?"
"Are you kidding I wouldn't miss this for the world, what time do I need to be there?"
"Well anytime between now and say 15:00 hours Friday afternoon give us time to just relax and hang out."
"Okay that works I will see you then and Jack Congratulations"
"Thank you sir, see you then bye"
"Bye"
Jack hung up the phone and shouted as loud as he could "Yes" as he did Teal'c came in from working with the grill
"Are you alright O"Neill?"
"I couldn't be better Teal'c I just got off the phone with General Hammond, you know I was going to retire so that I could marry Sam?" Teal'c nodded in agreement.
"Well the General said he had talked with the President they are going to overlook the rule on mine and Sam case to repay us for what we have done, so we don't have to retire or resign we can just get married them return to work ain't that great?"
"Indeed O'Neill I'm happy both of you Congratulations!"
"Thanks Teal'c now don't mention this to Sam cause I will give her all the news on Friday night, General Hammond will be here also deal?"
"Deal"
"Alright let's get this grill fixed so when they get back they won't be suspicious as to why we didn't get anything done."
About 20 minutes later Sam and Daniel came in the house with the stuff they had picked up from the store. Sam thought that why Jack was on the back deck she would give General Hammond a call to check on what he had found out.
"Hammond"
"Hey sir it's Sam"
"Hey how's it going?"
"It's going good sir, I was calling to find out what you have heard about you know..."
"Oh yes I have talked with the President and I have news for you but I'm afraid you will have to wait until Friday night, I was planning on coming up there, Jack mentioned coming up there one night and that's going to be the best for me if that is ok?"
"Uh sure sir, but why can't you tell me what the decision is?"
"I want to explain them to both of you at the same time. ok?"
"Alright sir, I guess.. I will see you on Friday."
"Ok Sam see you then"
As Sam hung up the phone, Jack made his way back into the house to check on her..
"Hey you ok?"
"Yeah I just got off the phone with Hammond, he was letting us know he will be here on Friday night"
"Great, hey I've been meaning to ask you something"
"What's that?"
"The letter you wrote was any it of true...I mean I understand what you have been through it's just... I was wanted to let you know that if you needed to talk about any of it I'm here."
"I would never kill myself of over any of it, but it has been bothering, how all my friends are dying one by one, and I'm afraid that one of ya'll will be next, I know it's already been around 6 months since we lost Janet.." Sam started to tear up now as she talked about her best friend "...but that really hit home she had been the my closest friend and we were able to the girls, which was good for us trying to always be one of the guys, I'm going to miss her a whole lot.." The tears were coming down now and Jack took her into to his arms and just held her.
Then he whispered in her ear "I'm sorry"
She pulled out of his embrace and look into his eyes, they were so caring in those kinds of moments especially, then she leaned up and kissed him softly on his lips then whispered back to him "Thank you"
More to come...Need Feedback and ideas are welcome!!
