XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Take 62: Avoiding the mess in the future

Category for this take: Romance / Angst (not bad Angst)

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"This is great."

"I told ya!"

"I can't believe we didn't do this years ago."

"Yes, well, let's not dwell."

"Didn't that tape say there were no fish in your pond?"

"Close enough."

XXXXX

"Jack, we sure made a mess."

"Yes we did."

"People got hurt."

"Some more than others."

"So what can we do about it? I thought my transfer would help, but..."

"I'm taking over Hammond's old job."

"Which means I'll in your chain of command forever!"

"Until I retire...again."

"Until they let you retire."

"Ah, yes."

"So what do we do, Jack?"

"You always have the great ideas, Sam."

"This all started because some concussion-induced hallucinations manifested by my subconscious gave me some misleading advice."

"Well shame on them. I guess you need to avoid concussions."

"I need more than that."

"Anything you want."

"Neither of us wants to quit."

"Speak for yourself. Two days in DC, and I'm sure I'll be ready."

"Deep down, neither of us really wants to quit. I guess that means we have to continue waiting."

"That's what caused this mess to begin with."

"I have a suggestion. We need regular reminders."

"Reminders of what?"

"Of what we told each other in the za'tarc test."

"But that's not true anymore."

"It's not?"

"No, I care about you a lot more than I did back then."

"Oh! I do too. Just please don't tease me like that."

"Ok. I need a little more. I need regular smiles. No, not that one...there...that'll do."

"And I need regular c'mere's and either a one armed or two armed hug."

"I can do that. In fact, I need that too. But what-"

"Nothing else."

"Really?"

"I'm a low maintenance girl. Regular reminders of what we are waiting for, private smiles, and comforting hugs. And don't buy me a house until we are ready to do it together."

"Noted."

"What about you? Is that going to be enough for you?"

"As long as you're happy, and we have a chance at the end of this, I'll take whatever else I can get. You know, Sam... When I said I cared more than I did back then, I really should have said-"

"Jack, I know. Me too. However we probably should avoid actually saying that for now."

"Ok. Just so you know."

"I do. And you should know too."

"I do."