Jack had decided to address the issue of his relationship with Samantha Carter, and he believed that a face-to-face meeting with General Hammond was a crucial step in the process. He arranged to meet Hammond in the Pentagon, ensuring they had an opportunity to discuss the matter. Before the meeting, Jack took a deep breath, fully aware of the weight of what he was about to discuss.
"Jack, good to see you again," General Hammond greeted as Jack entered his office.
Jack stepped inside, his heart pounding with anticipation.
"Good to see you too, Sir," he replied, trying to mask his nervousness as they both took their seats. The atmosphere in the room was charged with significance.
Hammond, ever astute, sensed the importance of the meeting and leaned forward, asking, "Okay, so a face-to-face meeting. What's up?"
Jack cleared his throat, steeling himself for the conversation.
"Well, Sir, it's about Carter. Again," he began, choosing his words carefully. "She's been offered a place in Area 51."
Hammond nodded, confirming his prior knowledge of the offer.
"I might have heard something about that," he acknowledged.
Jack took a deep breath and continued, "You see, Sir, the thing is, she doesn't want to move to Nevada because of the whole thing with the Russians, but at the same time, it's an opportunity..." Jack trailed off, struggling to express his thoughts.
General Hammond regarded him with an amused expression, sensing where Jack was heading. "An opportunity to what, Jack?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Jack's cheeks flushed, and he stammered, "I mean, she would be out of my chain of command."
Hammond comprehended the underlying sentiment behind Jack's words and considered the implications.
"I see," he said, his voice thoughtful, recognizing the personal nature of the conversation. Jack could only wait, uncertain of the response he would receive and hopeful for a positive outcome.
After a heavy pause, General Hammond finally asked the question that had hung in the air, "And does she want to be out of your chain of command?"
Jack nodded in response, the weight of the situation heavy on his shoulders.
Hammond let out a sigh, expressing his understanding.
"I understand your situation, I do, but I don't know if I'll be able to help you this time," he said, his tone tinged with regret.
Jack's heart sank at the thought of a potential obstacle. He quickly offered a solution, saying, "I can resign, Sir."
Hammond shook his head, his expression somber.
"They won't accept, Jack," he said, and Jack knew he was right. The bureaucracy had thwarted his attempts to resign in the past.
Changing the subject, Hammond revealed a surprising piece of news.
"You know that I'm going to retire?" he asked, catching Jack off guard.
Jack looked at him with surprise.
"You? No, Sir," he admitted.
Hammond nodded and continued, "Yes, in a couple of months. They've already picked my replacement."
Jack let out a disbelieving laugh.
"Big shoes to fill, Sir. I hope they've got that covered," he said, his tone light-hearted.
Hammond smiled and leaned forward.
"Oh, it's covered. I'm looking at him," he announced.
Jack paled, his disbelief turning to shock.
"What?" he asked, unable to process the revelation.
Hammond patted him on the shoulder.
"I was going to visit you, but you saved me the trip. Congratulations, Major General," he said, offering a genuine smile.
Jack remained stunned, struggling to comprehend the turn of events.
"What?" he repeated, his voice filled with surprise and shock. The unexpected promotion was a game-changer, not only for his career but potentially for his personal life.
The trip to Washington, D.C., had left Jack in a whirlwind of emotions, processing the shock of his promotion and grappling with how to share the news with Sam. His mind was a storm of questions and uncertainties as he entered his office at the SGC.
He felt a deep sense of urgency, urging him to want to lock the door and block out everything and everyone, including Sam. He didn't feel ready to face her just yet. Jack closed the door, but as he settled into his chair, there was a knock, and Sam's blonde hair appeared as she greeted him with a small smile.
Jack tried to smile back, though he knew it looked forced. She immediately noticed and inquired, "That bad?" She closed the door behind her.
Jack took a deep breath and hesitated, stalling for time.
"Maybe we should talk in a little while," he suggested, searching for the right words.
Sam, who had been about to sit, stopped in her tracks.
"Excuse me?" she responded, her confusion and concern evident.
Jack sighed, feeling the weight of the conversation.
"I'm sorry, that came out wrong. Please, sit," he corrected himself, wanting to make things as comfortable as possible.
Sam, however, remained standing.
"Please, Sam," Jack implored.
She finally took a seat, and her gaze was locked on him.
"So what happened, General?" she asked, slipping back into their formal ranks.
Jack sighed deeply once more and met her gaze.
"Hammond is retiring in a couple of months," he began slowly, watching her closely.
Sam became unnaturally still, tension radiating from her. She remained in silence, her expression pensive.
"And I'm his replacement," Jack added quietly. Sam's lips parted briefly before she closed them, her surprise and apprehension evident.
"I see," she finally responded, her voice controlled.
Jack unbuttoned the top of his dress blues and continued, "I've told him about your situation with Area 51. He already knew."
Sam bit her lip, her emotions hidden beneath a mask of composure.
"Right," she managed to say. "It seems congratulations are in order," she added, though her tone was cold and impersonal.
Jack couldn't bear the distance and tension in the room any longer.
"Come on, Sam, don't be like that," he implored.
She crossed her arms defensively, protecting herself.
"I guess this ends before it ever began," she said, her voice trembling with frustration and disappointment.
Jack stood up, determined not to let this be the end.
"No! I refuse to let that happen. We aren't ending anything. Our story is still being written, and we both have a say in it," he declared, his voice unwavering.
Sam's lip was bleeding from where she'd bitten it, but she seemed unaware of the physical pain. "I'm not sure about that, General. It appears the Air Force has different plans," she said, her voice tinged with resignation.
Without waiting for his response, she left his office so quickly that Jack was left sitting there, unable to do or say anything as he watched her go. He knew their challenges were far from over, but he was determined not to let their story end so quickly.
For the second time since her tenure at SGC, Sam walked the corridors with tears unabashedly streaming down her face, oblivious to any prying eyes. The first occasion had been the heart-wrenching loss of her dear friend, Janet Frasier. Now, she was reliving this vulnerability.
She entered the elevator and rode it up to her quarters, swiftly securing her room behind locked doors. Collapsing onto her bed, Sam surrendered to her anguish, her tears a testament to her overwhelming desperation and sorrow.
Her emotions spiraled as Jack's imminent departure to Washington D.C. loomed over her. She held no illusions; this move signaled the death knell for any prospects of a romantic relationship. She was convinced of it, and it pained her deeply.
Sam grappled with the certainty that love had been elusive and perhaps never meant for her. She foresaw a future where she'd meet her end on some far-off alien world, felled by an extraterrestrial adversary. The notion of love and happiness seemed like a script fate had neglected to write for her. Samantha Carter resigned to the idea that she wasn't destined for love or happiness. She had become all too familiar with these feelings over the years and braced for a future devoid of romantic solace.
The cafeteria was filled with few people, and as Jack entered, he noticed only Daniel and Teal'c seated, engrossed in their dinners. The sight of their camaraderie didn't beckon him to join them. Instead, he turned on his heel, his heart heavy with concern, and set out to find Sam. In the quiet hallway, he made his way to her quarters.
Knocking on her door, Jack was met with silence. He tried the handle, but it remained locked. "Carter?" he called, his voice soft, almost lost in the quiet corridor. He swiped his card, but it yielded a different result. Frustration etched his features.
"Come on, Carter, open the door," he implored.
Again, the silence was his response, save for some incoherent muttering. Casting a worried glance down the deserted hallway, he allowed his impatience to surface. A forceful knock reverberated through the corridor, its echoes reaching several floors up and down, but Jack paid no heed. "Open this damn door," he ordered firmly.
But the door remained unyielding, and Jack's sigh was tinged with frustration. His voice softened, adopting a more compassionate tone.
"Please, Sam, we need to talk," he whispered, his lips grazing the door.
The door suddenly swung open when he was on the cusp of giving up. Jack wasted no time; he slipped inside, closing the door behind him. The room was shrouded in darkness, except for Sam's nightstand's faint glow. She lay on her bed, fully dressed, her red eyes bearing the telltale signs of recent tears. Jack swore silently under his breath.
"Are you okay?" he asked gently, his back still against the door.
"Peachy," came Sam's curt reply.
Taking a step closer to her, Jack asked, "Mind if I sit?" She responded with a nonchalant shrug, and he cautiously perched on the edge of her bed.
"Look, Sam, I know you're upset, but my promotion to Washington doesn't have to spell the end for us," he said carefully.
Sam met his words with a silent, searching gaze. Jack ventured a gentle touch, resting a hand on her leg. He could feel the tension coursing through her.
"We can work through this if you truly want to," he continued.
"That's utter bullshit, and you know it, Jack," she retorted bitterly. Jack swallowed, a weight heavy on his chest. He knew he had to convey his sincerity.
"Hammond knows how I feel about you," he explained, hoping she would understand the risks he was willing to take.
A broken, humorless laugh escaped Sam's lips. Her voice carried the sting of pain.
"Oh, good. Now I have to worry about a court-martial, too. Terrific," she said, her gaze fixed on her hands.
Jack moved further onto the bed and grasped her hands, catching her off guard.
"There won't be any court-martial," he declared firmly. "And we'll find a way," he added, determined.
Sam merely shrugged, her response simple.
"Yeah," she said through her teeth.
"Unless you don't want to," Jack stated suddenly, his tone serious. "If you want to end things here and now, I won't insist," he offered, though his heart ached at the prospect.
Sam lifted her eyes, locking them onto his.
"Are you offering me a way out even before we start, General?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Jack nodded, determination in his eyes. "I want you to be happy," he affirmed.
Sam pulled her hands away.
"Well, apparently, that isn't in the cards for me," she said, her voice laced with bitterness.
Moved by her pain, Jack shifted closer, now seated beside her.
"I love you, Samantha Carter, and nothing can change that," he professed. "I can be stationed in Washington D.C., Timbuktu, or the North Pole. I'll continue to love you," he declared, kissing her deeply.
She put her hands on his chest, but she didn't push him away, and when he slid his tongue along her lower lip, she moaned softly and opened her mouth to him.
"I love you," he said again, placing soft, wet kisses along her jaw.
Sam closed her eyes as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his soft caress sending flames of desire back through her now restless body.
"And I want you," he admitted.
She did open her eyes then, looking at his dark eyes, full of passion.
"But when we do this, you'll have my ring on your finger," he promised.
"I want you too, and I don't care about the ring," Sam said, grabbing his shirt tighter.
Jack kissed her again.
"I do. I'm an old-fashioned guy", he said with a small smile.
"Okay", she said.
They continued to kiss until Jack had to stop, or things might get too complicated. She understood. They were both panting hard.
"I don't want to go to Nevada, Jack. I want to go D.C with you", she said, their emotions settling.
Jack tenderly brushed her cheek.
"That would be a dream come true," he replied with a dreamy look.
Sam cupped his face and planted a passionate kiss on his lips.
"All right, let's make that dream a reality," she declared, her determination shining through.
"For you, I'd do anything," Jack said, sealing their commitment with another kiss. With their destination in mind, their next step was to set their plan in motion.
Jack and Sam had made the life-altering plan to move to Washington D.C. together, embarking on a challenging journey to achieve this goal. Sam's recent experience with the Air Force added an extra layer of complexity, but their determination remained unwavering.
In a pivotal phone call, Jack verified with George Hammond that his next assignment would be as the Head of Homeworld Security. This decision would shape their future. Sam made it clear that she had no interest in the vacancy in Nevada; it was all or nothing for them. Nevada and Area 51 were discarded as potential options, and their focus shifted to the Pentagon, where Sam sought to be assigned.
Amidst several discussions in his office, Jack had a particular name in mind.
"My best option is General Maurice Vidrine," he stated slowly, contemplating the implications of his choice.
Sam glanced at him, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
"He's a four-star General. I don't even know how he feels about what I did," she replied cautiously.
Jack returned her gaze with a thoughtful expression. "I'll talk with Hammond first," he proposed. Sam couldn't help but voice her reservations. "Do you think it's wise?" she inquired, worried about the potential consequences.
Jack, however, remained resolute.
"Well, they wanted me at Homeworld; let's see if I have any bargaining power. If I have, I'll use it," he asserted.
Sam nodded in understanding but couldn't help but issue a warning.
"But, Jack, I don't want you to put your career at risk because of me. I've done enough already," she cautioned, recognizing her previous actions.
Jack's response was filled with deep affection and conviction. He smiled at her, recounting her incredible dedication.
"Yes, you did. You put your reputation on the line and risked being charged with dereliction of duty and even jail simply because you decided my life was worth it. So, no, Samantha Carter, I know exactly what I'm doing and why," he declared passionately.
Sam blushed, her gaze dropping to her hands on her lap, her emotions evident.
"Things were not so black and white," she murmured, trying to avoid his intense gaze.
Leaning forward on his desk, Jack expressed the depth of his feelings.
"They are to me. I love you, and that is all that matters," he said with simple yet profound sincerity, sealing their commitment to each other and audacious plan to build a life together in Washington, D.C.