Upon their return to Colorado Springs, Sam promptly contacted General Hammond to arrange a meeting. Eager to settle matters swiftly and move forward, she expressed her readiness to meet with him the following day. He said he would also call Major Paul Davis and arrange to have him in the meeting. Jack, ever supportive, was ready to accompany her. When the call ended, she turned to face him.
"Do you want to know my decision?" she asked.
Jack casually put his hands in his pockets.
"Do you want to tell me?" he countered.
Sam bit her lip.
"Yes, I do," she admitted, sitting on the edge of his couch.
Jack opted to remain standing.
"Okay," he said, his gaze locked onto hers.
Sam declared in a clear and determined voice, "I will respectfully tell the Air Force to fuck off and shove their proposal where the sun doesn't shine. I'll never return to the military again in my life. The reason I signed the paperwork was to regain control of my life. While I prefer not to pursue legal avenues and prolong the process, I am firm in my decision and do not wish to engage further with the military. They can go fuck themselves."
Jack raised an eyebrow.
"Can I please be in the room when you tell Hammond and Davis those exact words?" he quipped.
Sam blushed.
"You can, and I probably won't use those exact words, obviously, but you get the gist of it," she replied.
Jack made a sound with his tongue.
"Damn, it was such a nice speech. You can put it in writing, though…I'd love to see their faces," he remarked.
Taking a deep breath, Sam continued, "Moving on, as for the Stargate..."
Jack cleared his throat, and Sam looked at her hands.
"As for the Stargate, I won't work on it. Eventually, I'm willing to consider working on it in the future as a consultant like Hammond proposed," she explained before meeting Jack's gaze.
His face remained unreadable, although his disappointment was profound.
"Come on, Jack, don't use that poker face with me," she urged when he continued in silence.
"Well, it isn't anything you haven't told me before. I was hoping you would reconsider the Stargate work, and I have to admit that I'm disappointed you won't work with us, but in the end, I'm fine with both of your decisions," he admitted sincerely.
She raised an eyebrow, studying his expression.
"Are you really? Because this is important, Jack. If we are to have a future together, this is very important," she emphasized slowly.
Jack took two steps, kneeling before her and grabbing her hands.
"You don't need to prove anything to anyone, Sam, not even me. If this is truly what you want, go for it. As I mentioned before, I'll support whatever choice you make. My love for you is unwavering. Working at SGC is just a job; it would be much better if you were with me, but I'll continue with Daniel and Teal'c. What matters most is that I envision a future with you, which truly matters," he expressed, tenderly kissing her hands.
Sam swallowed, reflecting on the profound changes in her life over the past months—from a fugitive living in solitude to finding love with a charming silver fox Colonel. Her only regret was that her father was no longer alive to witness it all. Pressing her forehead against his, she said, "I also have a crucial question to ask you."
Jack swallowed nervously.
"What?" he inquired with a rapidly beating heart.
"Will you go with me to pick a new bike?" she asked, smiling.
Jack closed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips. Damn, she could be evil.
"Yes, Doctor Carter, I'll go with you to pick a bike," he agreed.
"YES!" Sam exclaimed, literally jumping on him, dragging him to the floor, and kissing him passionately. Jack's back hit the floor, but the impact went unnoticed as he held her in his arms, reveling in the delightful sensations of her lips and tongue. He would buy her a bike weekly to have these moments with her if he could.
Upon returning to Colorado Springs, Sam opted for her trusty cargo pants and military boots for the meeting. There was no need for fancy suits anymore. Although a tinge of apprehension lingered, the trip to the base was the most relaxed so far. Sam felt more in control, a crucial factor for her. As they descended in the elevator, Jack continued to give her suggestive stares, strategically avoiding the surveillance cameras. She tried to ignore him; she didn't want to appear flustered next to Hammond and Paul Davis.
General Hammond and Major Davis were already expecting them when Sam and Jack arrived.
"Good morning, Doctor, Colonel," Hammond greeted, and Paul Davis nodded in acknowledgment as they all took their seats.
Without delay, Davis asked, "So, Doctor Carter, do you accept the Air Force proposal? Are you staying with us?"
His smile was tentative, while Sam maintained a neutral expression.
"Major Davis, my response is a firm no. I won't pursue legal action against the Air Force, as I voluntarily accepted the terms when I signed that document in D.C. I have no desire to invest more time in court battles with an entity that has already taken away many years of my freedom. However, I want to make it clear that I will never rejoin an organization that played a significant role in the detriment of my life and contributed to the loss of my father. The Air Force is a chapter closed for me," she declared with a steely resolve.
A long look passed between Hammond and Davis as the room fell silent. Hammond finally cleared his throat.
"What about the other proposal, Samantha? Working with the Stargate as a civil consultant? Independently." he inquired.
Sam glanced at Jack before responding and then looked back at the General.
"As for that, my answer is also no," she said.
Hammond and Paul Davis exchanged a disappointed glance. There will be a lot of angry people back at the Pentagon.
"But let me explain," Sam quickly added. "I need time to sort everything regarding my father's estate and to get my life in order. As you can imagine, it's not easy to transition from ten years in hiding, living off the grid, to suddenly returning to a normal life. I need time to readjust. So, I don't want to work on the Stargate right now like you want. Eventually, if you still want, I can consider working on it as a consultant in the future," she offered. That was as far as she was willing to go, mainly because of Jack.
Hammond and Davis exchanged glances again. Maybe there was still some hope after all.
"Does that mean you are willing to work here, at SGC?" Hammond asked slowly.
Sam nodded.
"Yes, in the future," she confirmed. "The terms would have to be discussed then, of course," she added.
Paul Davis cleared his throat.
"Doctor Daniel Jackson is not military like you. We can provide a similar contract if you want," he suggested.
Sam shrugged her shoulders.
"Sure, you can write it down then, and I'll take a look. But, as I said, it won't be now," she reiterated.
Hammond leaned forward.
"Can you give us a more concrete estimate?" he pressed.
"No," Sam said immediately.
Hammond raised an eyebrow, and Jack held his breath. It was Paul Davis who saved the situation.
"I find that solution acceptable, Doctor Carter. Besides the contract, you'll have to sign additional NDAs, but I'll take care of the paperwork when the time comes. We are willing to wait for you. Where would you be staying in the meantime, if you don't mind me asking, so we can contact you?" he inquired.
Sam looked at Jack again; they had discussed this the previous night.
"Here in Colorado Springs. I'll be living in Colonel O'Neill's house," she revealed.
Hammond looked at Jack immediately. "Oh," he said.
Jack cleared his throat.
"Well, Sir, you both might as well be informed that Doctor Carter and I are in a relationship. That won't be a problem because she's not military and has been debriefed about the Stargate Program already," he stated matter-of-factly.
Hammond's eyebrows raised simultaneously.
"Relationship? You two?" he asked.
Jack nodded.
"Yes, Sir," he confirmed.
"Since when?" Hammond inquired slowly.
Sam decided to interrupt, putting a hand on the table. All three men looked at her.
"Excuse me, gentlemen, but we are entering private matters now, and I'm uncomfortable discussing them. My private life is private, and, like Colonel O'Neill pointed out, I'm not military, so I believe this matter ends here," she declared determinedly.
Hammond and Davis breathed almost simultaneous sighs and chose not to pursue the matter further. It was increasingly evident that collaborating with Doctor Samantha Carter would be no small challenge, to say the least. Hammond was well aware of the family's temperament, given her lineage as a Carter.
"So, if there isn't anything more to discuss, we'll talk again when I'm ready. Anything you need, you have Jack's address," Sam said with a provocative smile.
Jack held his breath; she was really pushing it, even not being military. But without further choice, Hammond got up, and so did Paul Davis.
"Thank you for coming, Doctor Carter. I believe we have clarified everything," Hammond said, leaving the room.
Sam gave Jack a wink, and Jack showed her a warning look. Major Paul Davis picked up his briefcase.
"I'll await your contact when you feel ready to start working with the Stargate, Doctor Carter. I'll take care of the necessary papers and clearances," he said, looking at Sam. She just nodded.
"Colonel," he said to Jack, leaving Sam and Jack alone in the briefing room.
He discreetly grabbed her arm.
"Are you trying to get me fired?" he asked in a low voice.
She looked at him with innocent blue eyes.
"Me? What did I do?" she asked.
"There were more polite ways to tell your godfather, who happens to be my CO and eventually your boss, that you were sleeping with me," he said, keeping his voice lower.
She wet her lips.
"There were, but this was more fun," she said with a smile. "Didn't you want me to tell them to send the Air Force to fuck off? Well, then you have it. I was extremely polite under the circumstances", she said, still smiling.
Jack rolled his eyes and started dragging her out of the briefing room. Her sense of humor had improved but also became a little hazardous and highly unpredictable.
"I don't even want to imagine what this will be when you start working here," he said as they moved towards the elevator.
She moved her body closer to his.
"Oh, Colonel, it might actually be interesting," she said slowly.
Jack swallowed hard and punched the button again. And again.
Returning to Hammond's office like a remorseful puppy, Jack began a stream of apologies that spanned almost every event in his life since working in SGC. Hammond, weary of the continuous apologies, interrupted him midway.
"What do you want, Colonel?" he inquired, suspecting there was a motive behind Jack's unusual behavior.
Jack, displaying a hint of embarrassment, cleared his throat before stating, "I would like to request a brief leave, Sir."
Anticipating this, Hammond questioned, "Why?" Aware that Colonel Jack O'Neill would need to make a compelling case, especially after the recent antics with his new girlfriend in the briefing room.
However, Jack had no qualms about pleading his case.
"Sam needs to go to D.C. to handle matters related to her father's house. She's selling it but feeling overwhelmed. I offered to help since she had no one else, and I genuinely wanted to be there for her. That's the reason, Sir," he explained sincerely.
Hammond sighed, realizing he couldn't deny Jack leaving, particularly after the recent episode.
"Fine, one week, Colonel," he acquiesced, signing the paper.
Jack grinned, expressing gratitude.
"Thank you, Sir. And again, my apologies for everything," he said, taking the signed document and saluting his CO.
Hammond dismissed him, comforted by the knowledge that Samantha was in good hands.
With Jack's leave granted, they hastily packed their bags and secured two seats on the first flight to D.C. At the airport, Jack opted to rent an SUV, disliking taxis, foreseeing the need for mobility during their stay. Sam, appreciative of his assistance, struggled with the demands of daily life that were once unfamiliar to her. In her solitary existence at the cabin, occasional trips to the supermarket, her PO BOX, and infrequent visits to larger cities for items unattainable through the dark web sufficed.
For nearly ten years, she had kept her distance from people. Now, at the bustling airport rental facility, surrounded by a sea of strangers, she waited for Jack to navigate the seemingly simple task of renting a vehicle. Seated and attempting to calm her nerves, she finally spotted Jack approaching with keys and documents, wearing a concerned expression.
"What's wrong?" he asked, kneeling before her.
Sam managed a smile, "Nothing. There are just too many people and lots of noise. Not very used to it."
Jack took her hand and helped her, saying, "Come on, I already have everything. Let's go," his arm around her back, comforting support.
"Thank you," she expressed as they headed towards the parking lot.
As they searched for the SUV, Sam began to relax slowly.
"It's this one," Jack said as the lights blinked.
Sam opened the dark blue Ford Expedition door while Jack loaded their luggage. Once both were seated, he grabbed her hand and asked, "Are you okay?"
"I've got to get used to this, Jack, so I'm glad you are here with me," she said with a small smile.
He kissed her hand, reassuring her, "Always."
Starting the large SUV and entering their hotel address into the GPS, Jack navigated the bustling D.C. traffic. Opting to stay at a hotel for the first night because Sam was unfamiliar with the current state of her father's house, they agreed it was better to face that discovery after a good night's sleep rather than upon arrival from a stressful flight. Jack succeeded in keeping her distracted from the looming depressive thoughts throughout the night. However, he did find himself apologizing to the next-door guest for the 'disturbing noises' after several knocks on their door. Sam, red-faced, expressed her desire to leave immediately. Still, Jack silenced her with kisses, and the rest of the night proceeded in a much quieter fashion, even if involving strategically placed pillows at critical times.
"God, I miss Minnesota," Sam moaned, announcing she was calling it a night.
Jack rolled off her, laughing, and covered his eyes. Sweat glistened on his skin.
"I guess the pillows did their job. No more complaints," he said, trying to catch his breath.
She playfully smacked his shoulder, then quickly enveloped his damp body with her hands, embracing him.
"You did that on purpose. I was never that loud at your house or the cabin," she said, blushing intensely.
He turned his head and planted a kiss on the top of her head.
"Well, Doctor Carter, maybe we're uncovering some things we hadn't discovered yet..." he teased.
She buried her face, groaning, and he chuckled. The remainder of the night was dedicated to peaceful sleep.
The following morning, Jack and Sam found a quiet corner in the hotel's breakfast area, bathed in the soft glow of morning light. Sam wore her sunglasses to prevent any comments about the 'noise' from the previous night. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee surrounded them as they perused the menu, contemplating their choices for the day ahead. The ambient hum of conversation and clinking of cutlery provided a soothing backdrop.
"Any idea what you're in the mood for?" Jack asked.
Sam put the menu down.
"I think I'll go for the omelet. Need something substantial for the day we have ahead."
Jack nodded in agreement, signaling the server for coffee. As they waited, Jack offered a reassuring smile.
"We'll take it one step at a time. Whatever's in that house, we'll handle it together."
Their coffee arrived, and the warm cups were cradled in their hands as they shared a moment of quiet contemplation.
"I appreciate you being here, Jack. It means a lot."
"Always, Sam, I told you I'm in this for the long haul. Let's fuel up and face whatever's waiting for us."
They ordered breakfast, making hearty choices to fortify themselves for the challenges ahead. The conversation flowed between strategic planning and moments of light-hearted banter, Jack's humor serving as a welcome distraction.
After finishing their meal, Jack paid the bill, and they made their way to the hotel parking lot.
"Ready for this, Doctor Carter?" he asked playfully.
Sam took a deep breath, nodding.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
They entered the large SUV, the crisp D.C. air hitting them as they stepped outside. In the SUV, Jack continued to offer words of encouragement.
"We'll take it one room at a time, one memory at a time. We got this."
Arriving at Sam's father's house, they stood before it, anticipating and uncertain.
"Shall we see what's waiting for us inside?" Jack asked.
Hand in hand, they approached the door, ready to uncover the secrets within and fulfill the obligations outlined in Sam's father's will.