Back at the SGC, Jack and Sam went to their quarters despite the longing in both their eyes and bodies. The following day, they all gathered at the cafeteria, and once again, the heated glances between Sam and Jack caught Daniel's attention. This time, he decided not to stay quiet.

"Is there anything we need to know?" Daniel asked, first looking at Jack and then turning to Sam, who suddenly seemed interested in her cupcake. Jack continued to drink his coffee.

"Why, Daniel?" Jack replied, and Daniel gave him a warning glance.

"Come on, Jack. Neither I nor Teal'c are blind. You and Sam have been acting very strange," he pointed out.

Sam focused on her cupcake, clearly not eager to enter this conversation. Jack was on his own, so he slowly put his mug down.

"Well, I suppose I can tell you, although it's not official yet. But you have to keep your mouth shut..." Jack began, causing Sam to raise her head, looking surprised immediately. Jack ignored her and directed his attention to Teal'c and Daniel, eagerly awaiting the news.

"I've been promoted. Hammond is retiring, and I'm the new Head of Homeworld Security," he said with a slight smile. Even without looking, he could hear Sam's relieved sigh. She had thought he would reveal their secret marriage, but Jack would never do that to her.

Daniel patted him on the shoulder.

"Nice, Jack," he said, though without great enthusiasm.

Teal'c congratulated him, "Congratulations, O'Neill."

Jack leaned back in his chair.

"I'm glad you look so pleased," he said sarcastically. Sam discreetly kicked him under the table, and he gave her a questioning look.

Daniel grabbed his mug.

"So, when are you moving to Washington, D.C.?" he asked.

Jack hummed, realizing that was the issue that had concerned Sam.

"The transfer will take some time. My replacement arrives in two weeks, but I should move in about two or three months. I still have to find a place to live there," he explained.

Daniel looked at him.

"Your replacement? Who is he? Do we know him?" he asked.

Jack pursed his lips.

"He's a good guy, and no, you don't know him. I can't tell you who he is just yet. Maybe in a few days," he offered. Sam shot him another intense stare, and he silently apologized with his eyes.

"So, who gets to decide what happens to SG-1?" Daniel asked slowly.

The table fell silent. The last discussion about SG-1 hadn't ended well. Sam continued to stare at her plate, and Daniel was now looking at Jack, who, in turn, was quietly observing Sam. Teal'c patiently waited.

"That, Daniel, will probably be decided by the new CO of the base," Jack eventually replied. Sam felt her cheeks flush but refrained from saying a word.

"I see," Daniel said, also glancing at Sam.

"And now, if you all excuse me, I have work to do," Jack said, getting up and leaving the table.

When they were just the three of them, Daniel decided to approach Sam.

"Do you want to leave the SG-1 situation to a General we know nothing about, Sam? Isn't it better to resolve things with Jack?" he asked.

Sam looked at Daniel.

"Maybe a new perspective is what we need, Daniel," she said. She wanted to tell them about the marriage, but she couldn't. Not now. "I also have work to do. See you guys later," she said, leaving the table.

Daniel and Teal'c exchanged a silent look before heading off to attend to their duties.

After working almost all day in her lab, Sam decided to take a break and visit Jack. He had not stopped by her lab all day, which was unusual as he was known for frequent visits. She shut down her computer, grabbed her access card, and took the elevator to his level. To her surprise, she found his office empty. However, as she was leaving, she saw him in the briefing room, so she entered.

"Busy?" Sam asked from his office doorway.

Startled, Jack turned around, setting the paper he was reading down.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

Sam's eyes widened, and she began to step back.

"I can go away if you're busy..."

Jack got up from his chair, closing the distance between them.

"No, that's not it. What time is it?" He glanced at his wristwatch, realizing it was already dinner time. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was that late."

Sam stood awkwardly at the doorway, arms crossed.

"It's okay," she said.

Jack noticed the hurt look on her face.

"No, it's not. I've been reading through all these papers about Homeworld that Hammond sent me, and I completely forgot everything else. I'm sorry."

He was now inches from her.

"I just missed you," Sam admitted in a soft voice.

Jack discreetly brushed his fingers against hers.

"Do you want to grab something to eat? Outside?" he asked in a hushed tone.

"Only if I drive. You look beat, General."

Jack smiled.

"You've got yourself a deal, Colonel."

They agreed to meet topside in thirty minutes. This time, they took Sam's car, although they didn't venture far, as both were exhausted. Sam chose to take them to their favorite Chinese restaurant. They were co-workers having dinner, nothing more. Jack just had to behave. As they waited for their orders, Sam decided to broach the subject she had in mind.

"So, your replacement arrives in two weeks..." Sam started.

Jack took a sip of his beer and set it down.

"Yeah."

"Then what happens?" she asked.

Jack cleared his throat.

"I'm supposed to leave for Washington."

Sam bit her lip.

"Which you won't?" she asked in a low voice.

Jack shook his head.

"I've asked Hammond for some time off."

Sam blushed. "You what?"

Jack leaned forward, wanting to hold her hand but refraining due to their public setting.

"I told you I wanted to show you the cabin. I want to take you there."

Sam looked at him with intense longing, wishing they were alone and not at a crowded restaurant.

"And I want to go," Sam admitted.

Jack took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

"Why is this so damn difficult?" he asked between his teeth.

Sam smiled.

"You find this difficult? How about when you talk with my father?"

Jack's face paled. He had forgotten that critical and hazardous detail for his health that he had put back in some closed brain door since he had spoken with Hammond. That alone should show how scared he was about even thinking about Sam's father.

"What?" he mumbled.

Sam's smile grew.

"My father. You'll have to tell him."

Hearing those words, Jack started to sweat, realizing the magnitude of his task. Jacob Carter, retired General, now a Tok'ra. His future father-in-law.

"Oh God…" he growled. "Jacob is so gonna hurt me." He knew he was. He liked Jacob, and Jacob liked him. But that was before Jack wanted to marry his daughter.

Sam laughed.

"He won't."

Now, Jack couldn't avoid the thought of the impending conversation with Jacob, feeling like a dead man. A very dead man.

"Jack, are you feeling all right?" Sam asked, genuinely concerned.

Swallowing hard, Jack looked at her.

"No", he confessed.

Sam could no longer hold back her laughter.

"I can tell him if you like," Sam offered.

Still sweating, Jack shook his head.

"He'll kill me anyway."

Sam's laughter increased.

"No, I don't think he will, but I can't guarantee that," Sam teased him.

Jack drank another beer. He needed alcohol in his system and fast. Maybe he could get Jacob drunk first and then tell him. That was a good plan. But he was a Tok'ra, and Selmak wouldn't let him get drunk. Damn!

"I'll tell him, but only at the SGC, where armed airmen are at my disposal. He can't kill me there," he said, his brain thinking of another solution to keep him alive.

Sam chuckled.

"Okay."

"SGC. I only talk to him at SGC," Jack said again, his fingers playing with the beer bottle.

Sam nodded.

"Yes, Jack. Don't worry, I'll protect you."

Jack was about to protest when their order arrived, shifting their dinner's focus to their upcoming cabin trip and the necessary conversation with Jacob Carter. The two savored their meal, eager to embark on their new adventure. The replacement for Jack was due to arrive soon, and their wedding plans were finally approved. After many stolen glances at one another, they finally finished their meal.

As they left the restaurant, they were filled with hope, love, and a future brimming with the promise of happiness. Together, they embraced the uncertainty of the journey ahead, knowing that their love was strong enough to overcome any challenges that came their way. And so, under the moonlight, they returned to the base, ready to write the next beautiful chapter of their love story. Excitement and anticipation loomed large for both of them. The best part of their lives was around the corner, waiting for them even if Jack had to get past Jacob Carter first.