The following morning, Sam awoke, her body nestled close to Jack's, her head resting on his chest. The gentle sounds of crickets and chirping birds filled the air outside, creating a soothing backdrop for the moment. She closed her eyes briefly, basking in the pure bliss of the previous night's events. Jack stirred beside her, his eyes slowly opening.
"Hey," he whispered, his hand tenderly caressing her back.
Sam raised her head to meet his gaze and beamed.
"Hey," she replied, her smile growing wider.
"Did you sleep well?" Jack inquired, his voice filled with warmth.
"Oh, yes," Sam answered with a broader smile, "better than I ever could have imagined."
He moved his legs, entangling with hers.
"Me too," he said, lowering his lips to take hers in a sweet, gentle kiss. That kiss quickly escalated to another kiss to the side of her neck, where her face was buried in his shoulder. Jack softly moaned her name, "Sam."
She kissed his chest, running her fingernails down his chest, eliciting another moan.
"Do you want to start the morning like this, or do you want to have some breakfast?" he asked.
Sam smiled, and her hands moved to his cheeks.
"I'm starving, so I want breakfast," she said, gently caressing his cheek.
Jack also smiled and grabbed her hand, kissing it. "Okay, so shower and then breakfast," he said, getting up.
After a rejuvenating shower, Sam and Jack found themselves in Jack's cabin's cozy, rustic kitchen. The soft morning light filtered through the small window, casting a warm and inviting glow over the worn wooden table. The smell of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, creating an atmosphere of comfort and contentment.
Sam leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Jack as he expertly flipped pancakes on a well-worn griddle. She couldn't help but smile as she took in the scene.
"This is perfect," she said with a satisfied sigh. "I can't believe we're starting our day like this."
Jack turned toward her, a charming grin on his face as he set a plate of pancakes in front of her. "I wanted to make it special," he replied. "Just like last night."
Sam reached across the table to take his hand, her eyes locking onto his.
"Last night was incredible," she admitted, her voice soft and filled with affection. "And this... this is the cherry on top."
Jack's smile deepened as he squeezed her hand.
"I'm so glad you feel that way," he said. "I hope we can have many more mornings like this."
Their connection deepened as they shared breakfast and conversation, leaving them with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the days ahead. The crackling of the fire in the cabin's stone fireplace added to the homely ambiance. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them and the memories of the unforgettable night they had shared.
The rest of the day was spent in the bedroom. They had much lost time to catch up and were both eager to do it. They only paused to grab something to eat and drink. Jack O'Neill and Samantha Carter had entered different life phases. A much waited and wanted stage of their lives. They intended to live it to the fullest. They had only one week, after all.
The days at the cabin seemed to slip through their fingers faster than anticipated. Before they knew it, it was time for Sam to depart. They found themselves curled up on the couch, Sam resting her head on Jack's chest, reluctant to pack and leave.
"I don't want to go, Jack," she confessed, her fingers gently tracing patterns on his thigh.
He planted a tender kiss on the top of her head.
"I know," he whispered, feeling the same sense of attachment and dread about their impending separation. "But we knew this day would come," he added, closing his eyes.
Sam's hand came to a halt.
"And are you really okay with that?" she asked, her voice steady.
Jack opened his eyes and shifted, turning to face her directly.
"Of course, I'm not okay with it, Sam. I'm headed to Washington, D.C., and you're returning to Colorado Springs. How could I be okay with that?" His eyes betrayed the pain he was feeling.
Sam gently cupped his face, her gaze unwavering.
"You need to assume the role of Head of Homeworld so we can get married, Jack. I want to marry you," she said, her tone resolute.
Jack met her seriousness with a kiss, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"I want to marry you too. Is there any doubt after everything we've shared this week?" he teased, the hint of a smile lingering.
She blushed and shook her head, her heart brimming with love and anticipation for the future they were building together.
"But we must maintain a low profile until I officially take the Head of Homeworld Security role. Once you're back at SGC, you can message your father. He's known for taking his sweet time in responding, so it should buy us some time," Jack said, running his fingers through Sam's hair.
Sam bit her lip, her gaze falling to the flickering flames in the fireplace.
"Yeah," she responded, her voice soft, "I just wish we could be together, Jack. I do."
Jack tried to lighten the mood, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Well, we can always have phone sex," he suggested with a playful grin.
Sam's eyes widened, her voice tinged with surprise, "Phone sex? Are you serious?"
Jack's smile broadened, and he nodded.
"Sure, why not?" he replied, an air of light-heartedness in his tone.
Sam closed her eyes for a moment, then shook her head. Jack burst into laughter, and Sam couldn't help but crack a small smile after a while. Jack's attempt at humor brought fun to the situation.
After a series of long, deep, and passionate kisses in the cabin, Sam had finally packed her suitcase and was ready to leave for the airport. Jack helped her load it into the truck, and they began the drive. The atmosphere inside the truck's cabin was heavy and tense despite their interlocked hands throughout the journey.
At the airport, the goodbye was even more heart-wrenching. Sam couldn't hold back her tears despite her best efforts.
"I love you," she whispered amidst their lingering kiss. The airport's speakers had already called for boarding, and she knew she needed to leave soon.
Jack returned her kiss, his voice nearly faltering as he said, "You have to go, Sam."
Summoning her strength, she took a deep breath and reluctantly let him go.
"I know. I'll call you as soon as I arrive. I love you, Jack," she managed to say before she turned and walked away, tears streaming down her face.
Jack watched her until she disappeared, his heart shattered into a million pieces. He wiped away a threatening tear, put on his sunglasses, and then walked out of the airport towards his truck. He, too, needed to pack and prepare for his new life in Washington, D.C., a life that now seemed dauntingly lonely without Sam by his side.
Sam returned to her Colorado Springs home with a heavy heart, her emotions still raw from the tearful flight. She placed her suitcase against the wall, grabbed her cell, and dialed Jack's number. He picked up on the first ring.
"Hey," he greeted.
"Hey," she replied, finding a spot on the floor. She needed to purchase some furniture soon.
"How was your flight?" he asked.
"The flight was...boring," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.
Jack noticed the tremor in her voice.
"Have you been crying?" he asked genuine concern in his tone.
Sam bit her lip, debating for a moment.
"Do you want me to lie or tell the truth?" she asked, running a hand through her hair.
Sitting on his couch and staring at the nearly fading fireplace flames, Jack responded, "The truth."
Sam sighed.
"Yes, I've been crying," she admitted.
Jack let out a sigh of his own, understanding that the upcoming times would be difficult for both of them, especially for Sam.
"We will be okay, Sam. It will be tough, but we'll be okay in the end," he reassured her.
She dropped her head, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I know, but it's still hard, Jack."
Jack glanced around the cabin.
"I'm packing as well. My flight is tomorrow," he shared.
Sam wiped her tears, her voice steadier.
"Yes, I know, you told me," she said.
Jack tried to lighten the mood with a playful tease.
"Are you sure you still want to marry me? Older and already senile?"
Sam's expression hardened.
"I've told you enough times that I don't care about your age, Jack, so stop bringing that up," she warned.
Jack sighed, understanding her mood.
"Okay, it was just a joke," he apologized.
"Well, I'm not in the mood for jokes," she stated firmly.
"Understood. I won't joke about it anymore," Jack agreed.
Sam felt her tears resurfacing.
"I love you, Jack," she whispered.
"I love you too, Sam," he replied softly. "Go take a shower and get some sleep. We'll talk later."
"Okay," she said, beginning to remove her sneakers.
"Call me whenever you need," Jack assured her.
"Bye," was her last word before she hung up. Jack stood momentarily, looking at his phone, before finally disconnecting it. The road ahead was undoubtedly going to be challenging.
Sam arrived at the SGC, determined to maintain her usual demeanor. To everyone else, she had just returned from a relaxing week with her brother and his family in San Diego. She couldn't afford to appear tearful and depressed on the base. So, she squared her shoulders and made her way to the cafeteria, where Daniel already had his usual breakfast, which consisted mainly of coffee. Sam followed suit, losing her appetite since returning from her emotional time in Minnesota.
"Hi, Sam. How was your brother?" Daniel asked as soon as she sat down.
Sam attempted a smile. "Fine, everything was fine," she replied, sipping the cafeteria coffee and pretending it was palatable.
Daniel set his mug down.
"Well, I'm glad you're back. General Landry said SG-1 would be returned to the mission rotation when you returned. So, we're going off-world again," he said enthusiastically.
Sam took another sip of her coffee.
"That's good," she managed to say. If they were headed off-world, she needed to regain her focus and maintain control of her emotions. There could be no room for mistakes; Teal'c and Daniel's lives depended on her.
"Where's Teal'c?" she asked, looking around.
Daniel scanned the room.
"Oh, he should be here in a few minutes," he said. "Today, they're serving chocolate cake, and he's developed an addiction. Must be from spending too much time with Jack," Daniel chuckled.
The mention of Jack's name tightened Sam's chest. "Oh," she responded quietly.
Teal'c soon arrived and took his usual seat, holding a cup of coffee and the most significant slice of chocolate cake Sam had ever seen. She couldn't help but comment, "Quite the piece, Teal'c."
Teal'c acknowledged her with a nod.
"Welcome back, Colonel Carter," he greeted.
Sam managed a smile, grateful for the familiar faces and routines of the SGC, even though her heart still ached with the absence of one person in particular.
As Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c stepped out of the Stargate onto the planet P4R-998, Sam took a moment to survey their surroundings. The terrain was mostly level, with a gentle slope leading away from the gate. A few sturdy trees scattered around, their lush green leaves rustling softly in the breeze. No single soul was in sight, giving the area an isolated and tranquil feeling.
The sky overhead was clear and brilliant, and the air felt crisp and refreshing. The sun bathed the landscape in a warm, golden light, casting long shadows from the trees and creating a serene atmosphere. It seemed like a perfect day for a standard recon mission, and Sam couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope amid the quiet beauty of this newfound world.
After several minutes of exploring the seemingly deserted planet, they discovered a peaceful and serene spot near a creek. Sam conducted some water tests and confirmed that it was safe to drink. With their perimeter secured, they took a moment to rest.
"Boy, I missed this," Daniel said, placing his P-90 beside him.
Teal'c was perched on a higher rock, keeping a vigilant watch. "Indeed," he replied.
Sam looked down at her boots.
"Yeah, I guess we all missed this," she admitted. It was a relief that their first mission had begun peacefully, and she was grateful they didn't have to resort to shooting and killing immediately after returning to off-world exploration.
Daniel kicked a small rock and looked thoughtful.
"So, has anyone talked to Jack since he moved to Washington?" he inquired.
Sam tried to conceal the blush she knew should be creeping up on her cheeks. Teal'c remained silent.
"No," she answered, gazing at the trees and avoiding Daniel's eyes.
"I called the Pentagon while you were away, Sam, but they told me he hadn't reported in yet," Daniel revealed, still toying with his boots.
Sam felt her cheeks redden.
"Oh," she replied with a simple, slightly uneasy acknowledgment.
Daniel sighed and shrugged.
"Probably went to his cabin," he mused, as he too began to reflect on the absence of their former base CO and team leader.
"Probably," Sam mumbled, hoping Daniel wouldn't dwell on the subject. Unfortunately, her wish went ungranted.
"I guess I'll call him directly when we get back home," Daniel said, seemingly determined to discuss Jack's whereabouts.
Sam cleared her throat.
"You do that, Daniel. In the meantime, let's show General Landry why SG-1 is the best team in the Stargate Program," she declared as she got to her feet. Daniel followed suit, and the three of them continued their exploration of the planet.
After two and a half days of searching without encountering a person or any noteworthy technology or cultural artifacts, they returned to Earth and reported their findings. General Landry was waiting for them in the gate room.
"So, Colonel Carter, how did it go?" he inquired.
"Peaceful planet, sir. It was small and uninhabited, from what we could tell. Nothing particularly significant about it. It could serve as a haven in case of trouble," Sam reported before handing her P-90 to a nearby airman.
"Very well, we'll debrief in half an hour," General Landry replied. "First, go to the infirmary for a checkup," he ordered.
The three of them headed to the familiar infirmary, where they encountered the new Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Carolyn Lam.
Unbeknownst to the SG-1 team and the rest of the base, Carolyn Lam was the daughter of General Hank Landry, a fact she had kept concealed from everyone. Learning that her father was the base's commanding officer had caused her considerable resentment, and she had kept her relationship with him hidden from her colleagues.
"Colonel Carter?" she inquired as Sam sat on the first available bed, and a nurse approached to initiate the routine checkup.
"Yes," Sam confirmed.
"Hello, I'm Carolyn Lam, the new CMO of the base. So, you were on a mission off-world to..." Lam said as she read through Sam's medical file.
"P4R-998," Sam supplied.
"Right. Any complaints?" Lam asked, taking her penlight and examining Sam's eyes.
"No, it was a quiet mission. There was no one there," Sam replied.
"Very well. We'll check your blood results and do an MRI for safety," Lam stated before turning her attention to Daniel and repeating the same questions. Teal'c was the last to undergo the examination. Once cleared, they changed into regular clothes and headed to the briefing room.
Their report would soon be delivered to General Landry, still unaware of Dr. Lam's family connection, and they were eager to provide him with their findings from their most recent mission.