Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sam sighed as she sat down in the control room trying to fix the dialing problem. The first day off in three weeks and look how long that lasted.

She was home for exactly 8 hours as Walter called. Something was wrong with the dialing Computer that nobody was able to fix. They couldn't establish a stable wormhole and at least three SG teams were stranded offline as far as she knew.

General O'Neill walked in surprised to see Sam sitting at the control panel.

"Colonel! What are you doing here? I thought you had the next two days off!?"

"Good morning, Sir! That's what I thought, too. Walter called an hour ago, obviously we're not able to dial in or out. That leaves three SG teams stranded as well as Daniel, he's accompanying SG9 on their mission."

"Leave it to Daniel to get into trouble. Let me know how it's going and if you need anything. I'm in my office."

"Yes, Sir."

She turned around to get started, she had to bring Daniel home, soon.

A few hours later she smelled the coffee before she saw the cup that was placed in front of her by the General.

"Thank you, Sir. Just what I needed right now." 

"So Carter, no news yet?" 

"Not the results I wanted to have by now." she glanced towards her watch. 

"You got somewhere to be, Colonel?" Jack asked curiously. 

"Apparently not." 

"Huh?" 

"It's nothing, Sir. But while you're here we may as well try dialing out again. I've rewritten some codes, but haven't tested them yet. Maybe that's it. Let's have a look." 

"Fingers crossed, Carter."

And finally the gate spun around, chevron 1 to 6 engaged without problems. Everyone in the room was silently waiting for the last chevron. As Walter called "Chevron 7 locked." The room cheered for joy. 

They were able to establish a stable connection to the planet where currently SG9 and Daniel were hiding from the natives. 

"Major Benton, how's your situation?"

"Thank God, it's good to hear from you General. What was wrong with you? We tried to dial home for the last 10 hours. We need medical attention. We ran into an ambush and are hiding near the Gate. Dr. Jackson was shot, it's only a flesh wound, but I would feel better if he was looked after."

"Alright, dial in when it's safe for you, we'll have a medical team waiting here for you."

Jack noticed a silent sigh from Sam. He wondered what was going on, she behaved strangely today.

He was interrupted in his thoughts by the spinning gate. SG9 came through the event horizon supporting Daniel.

His pants were soaked with blood. They laid him onto the stretcher so that the medical team was able to get him to the infirmary as soon as possible.

"Good to have you back SG9, report to the infirmary and get checked out.'' The General greeted his team through the speaker. And then he turned to Walter "So we're able to get the other teams back as well?"

"Yes, Sir. Thanks to Colonel Carter."

"Then do it. Carter, you want to go and have a look at Daniel?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Go ahead, I'll just inform the president that we're back on track and then I'll come, too.

7 floors up in the infirmary Daniel lay on the hospital bed and got his leg checked out. A nurse was cleaning his wound so that Dr. Lam was able to stitch it.

"Hey Daniel, how are you doing?"

"Hi Sam, not too bad. We were lucky to hide just in time."

Sam sat down as the doctor entered the room.

"Hey, it's not as bad as it seems, however you won't be out of here until tomorrow. I want you to stay for at least 24 hours to make sure there's nothing infected. You have to put your leg up for the next couple of days."

"So spacemonkey, we leave you alone for one simple mission and you get yourself shot." Jack smirked.

"Thank you Doctor." he told her and turned to Jack "Yeah Jack, but don't start a discussion on who's fault that is. It wouldn't have happened if we were able to dial the gate in time."

A frustrated groan escaped Sam. Not unnoticed by the General and Daniel as well.

"Oh boy, Sam I'm sorry, it was today wasn't it?" Daniel looked down disappointed. 

"It doesn't matter Daniel, the main thing is that you are fine."

"What am I missing here?" Jack asked impatiently.

"Nothing, sir." Sam replied but Daniel wouldn't let this one go.

"It's Sam's high school reunion today and I promised her to accompany her, so that she didn't have to go alone. You know how it is to go alone to those things. It sucks. And now that I'm bound to the bed, that's not possible anymore."

Jack smirked "High school reunion, huh?"

"Yes, I really didn't want to go, but Daniel talked me into it. So it's ok, Daniel. You just try to heal. There will be other reunions I may be able to attend."

"You still have an hour to get ready, Sam. Maybe you'll find someone else. Hey Jack, what about you?"

"Me? What about me?"

"Why don't you go with Sam. In the field you always have her back, so why not now. Who knows, it might be fun." Daniel had a huge grin on his face.

Jack turned towards Sam "It's not too late, let's go."

"What?" she asked, a little stunned.

"You know, Daniel is right. It might be fun. After today you could do with some fun evening. At least there are free drinks, right?"

"Yeah, the drinks are free. But you don't have to do this."

"Come on Carter, I'm curious about the people who went to school with you. Go home, change your outfit, I'm picking you up in 45 minutes."

"Oh... Ok, Sir. Get well soon Daniel."

"Thanks Sam. And have a nice evening."

As Sam left the infirmary Daniel turned to Jack "You owe me mister."

"What are you talking about Daniel?"

"I just got you a date with Sam, I had to got shot to do so, don't screw it."

"Daniel, you know damn well we're not supposed to do things like that."

"Yes, I know. And I still think you should ignore the regs. But anyway, go out and have fun, even if it is for just one evening."

"I think you're right. I owe you Daniel."

And with that he also left the infirmary, going to get changed and get ready to pick up the most beautiful woman he knew.

Chapter Text

Sam was at home, more precisely in her bedroom. She had already picked out an outfit yesterday, but that was while she still believed she was going with Daniel. Now it was the General accompanying her.  But honestly there was no time to search for another outfit so she put on the white, fitting jeans and the peridot colored silk top with these tiny straps.

As the doorbell rang she was just about to put on the second heel. At least with the General she didn't need to worry about wearing heels,  he'd still be taller as her.

One hand on her shoe and the other one opening the door she looked up to see the General in front of her.

"Sir!"

"Hey Carter, you're ready?"

"Give me just one more minute. I need to grab my purse and then I'm ready to go."

When she returned it was the first time Jack could admire her fully.

"Nice outfit, Carter."

"Thank you, Sir! You look really good yourself."

He wore light blue jeans and a white shirt.

"I think we need to set some rules for tonight if we're doing this."

"Huh?" She asked, confused.

"First of all you have to stop calling me Sir and start calling me Jack. It would look suspicious if you called your date 'Sir'... In more than one way."

"My 'Date', Sir?"

"You're still doing it. Stop it Carter."

"How can I call you Jack if you keep calling me Carter?"

"Good point, Sam! And yes I would say it's a date. Why else would you bring a man when you don't want to go alone? Surely you don't need to impress your classmates by being married or having children. You have all the reasons to be proud of yourself. Hell, what you've achieved in your life most of them don't even dream about. You don't need a man, the 2.5 kids and a white picket fence to define yourself."

Tears welled up in her eyes but didn't fall. He was proud of her, and not in a way a superior officer would be, more like a partner being proud of her achievements.

"Thank you Jack. That means a lot to me."

"You don't need the typical family to compete with them. They do because they're not nearly as successful as you are."

"Maybe, but what if I want that too? I know that nobody can have everything.."

"You will, Sam! One day, I promise you will. Because you deserve to get it all."

Her throat tightened as he spoke, she already knew with whom she would want that. And with exactly this person it wasn't possible.

"Promise?"

"Yes! I promise!"

A moment passed by, both of them staring at the other one, not recognizing that they should move until Jack spoke again.

"Come on, let's go. I'll drive if you say where to go."

"Alright, let's go."

"So, what do I need to know about Sam Carter to make this a little more believable?"

"Oh I would say you know more about me as most people do. Except my Dad and my brother perhaps."

"I know who you are now, but what have you been like in high school? Did you turn the boys' heads? Who were your friends at school? Stuff like this."

"I surely didn't turn the boys' heads." she laughed. "I may have skipped a grade or two, so I've been the nerdy little girl who didn't have much in common with their classmates. I've been in the physics club and in some advanced math's classes. We moved a lot when Dad got a new employment, so making friends was hard. It was easier to stick my head in books and calculations, because they were always the same, no matter where we went. This school however was where I was the longest and where I finished high school. Most of the people probably won't even recognize me. I was only going because Daniel talked me into this. I mean if it's boring we can leave anytime you want, you just have to say it."

"We will see. You owe me at least one dance for dragging me out here." He nudged her with his shoulder and smirked at her. 

"And you may have been the nerdy girl back then, but that you're definitely not anymore!"

She blushed, he smiled and they got out of the car, walking towards the entry. A large room with an adjacent terrace and garden in a hotel was rented for the reunion and in front of the room you had to pick up your name if you've been in the class. Jack had to write down his name on a blank sticker. When he turned a woman was eyeing him from head to toe and finally came up to him to start a conversation. 

"I honestly can't remember you being in highschool with us. I would definitely remember someone like you." she said in a seductive tone. 

Sam, still searching for her name sticker was amused and acted as if she was still searching even when she already found it, curious what the General would do about the obviously flirting woman. 

"I bet you would." He replied. "But after all I'm a bit too old to have been in your class. I'm just a companion tonight." 

"Oh well, how can a woman leave her companion alone like that, right at the entry?" 

"She didn't." He turned around to Sam, placing his hand on her back. Just where her top ended and the jeans began. "Sam, honey, did you find your name?" 

She smiled, this was his way to tell her 'please rescue me'. And she was all in for it if he wanted it this way tonight. Might as well make the best out of it. Even for just one night. 

"Sure I did. Who's your friend here?" She said, facing him while placing her arm around his waist. 

"I'm not sure, after all she was in your class."

This made the woman inspect her closely. She can't remember this beautiful woman. Even when she'd have been a girl back then, she knew every popular girl, she'd been one of them. She had to swallow as she read the name tag. 

"Sam Carter? That can't be." 

"Well I am Sam Carter, and you are?" 

"Cindy....ahm...James... Cindy James. But you were.." 

"She was what?" Jack asked, enjoying this a little too much. 

"Not. That. Hot." just came out of Cindy's mouth. "Sorry, I... I didn't mean to say this... Oh there's Rob over there. I gotta go. Ahm...anyway,nice to see you again." 

Sam couldn't suppress a laughter. Jack leaned in and whispered "Told you so."

"What?"

"That you don't need a guy to impress these people. Even if they don't know what a brilliant mind and astrophysicists you are, you're intimidating. Carter, just accept that you are hot! Okay?" 

"Ooookay." 

Had her commanding officer called her hot just right now? Ok, she could work with that. Maybe it wasn't that bad that Daniel was lying in the infirmary right now. This would not have been so much fun with him she guessed. 

"Wanna go in and see if there are more people we can confuse tonight." 

"I'd like that." 

His hand still at the small of her back he was leading her into the room. 

Chapter Text

They entered the room to find exquisite round tables that fit 8 persons each, a spacious dance floor, a photo booth, and, thankfully, a well-stocked bar. Jack kindly led her towards the bar and ordered white wine for Sam and beer for him.

"Thank you, si.... ah... Jack!" She said as she took the glass from him.

They leaned their back against the bar, the perfect spot for observation.

"So, you recognize anyone from the past?" He asked and she took a look around.

"A few, but nobody worth mentioning. You see the group over there?" She pointed towards a group Cindy had joined and he nodded. "These girls were the most popular ones at the time. The one with the long blond hair, Kelly, was in a relationship with the basketball captain. She got pregnant the last year of school, but their relationship didn't last. I heard that she now has three kids from three different men. Then there's Cindy, she was the least clever one, also divorced as you can imagine. And the last one is Amber, the one with the brown hair. She's probably the most normal one out of the three. She's still married and has two kids."

"Okay, obviously not your group and I can see why." He smirked. "And you thought being alone would leave you the loser. If you ask me, that's what makes you the smart one. Not being divorced several times and having kids from different men... I'd say that makes you definitely quite the catch."

"Samantha?" A voice belonging to an older man asked curiously. Sam turned around to see her old physics teacher.

"Mr. Turner! Wow, it's good to see you."

"Likewise. Didn't think you were someone attending reunions, but I'm glad to see at least one friendly face." Turning towards Jack. "And you must be Samantha's husband. Oliver Turner, hello! I was Samantha's physics teacher. She was the smartest kid I ever had the honor to teach."

Jack reached out his hand to shake his. "Jack O'Neill, nice to meet you." He introduced himself, not correcting his assumption of him being Sam's husband. "And she still is! The smartest person in every room I mean. She has a Ph. D. in theoretical astrophysics, engineering and is a brilliant Air Force Colonel."

Her teacher looked stunned. "Well I knew you would go far, but that's impressive. You must be proud of your wife." Sam blushed and Jack hadn't corrected him again. "Yes! Yes, I am." And if it was even possible she blushed some more.

"And what are you doing for a living Mr. O'Neill?"

"Oh, I'm also in the Air Force. But not even close as brilliant as Sam."

"Don't let him fool you." Sam interrupted him. "He's a General!"

"You two make quite a pair. I'm glad how life turned out for you Samantha. I wish you two a wonderful evening. Excuse me, I'm needed over there. See you later!" He said his goodbye and walked to some of the other old teachers, who had waved him over.

As he was gone Sam leaned close to Jack, whispering. "And what exactly was that just now?"

"What do you mean? I did nothing." Jack shook his shoulders and made an innocent gesture. 

"Right, you did nothing. You certainly didn't correct him while he assumed that I am your wife." 

"Oh that! Yeah, well.... I thought he was old and would be confused by a long explanation of how I am your commanding officer and what I'm doing here." 

"Mhm... Yeah of course. Very reasonable." 

"Ah, come on Carter, you know pretty well if it weren't for the regs that's how it would be..." 

Both shocked about what he just said, they fell silent.

They didn't have time to recover or come up with something else to say because dinner was ready to be served and a man, who seems to have been their principal, stood at the microphone and told them to get seated.

Like on autopilot they took a seat at the table which was closest to them.

"Samantha Carter, is that you?" A nerdy man with big glasses, who was also sitting at their table, asked her. And just now she looked around and smiled at their table-mates.

"Oh wow, hey guys! What a coincidence that we happened to choose your table. Yeah it's me. Jack, these are Peter, Jason and Bob. We've been in the physics club together and had a study group." Sam told him, glad that they ended up at this table. Maybe the evening wouldn't be that terrible after all. Despite being younger than them Sam had always felt welcome in this group. To them it didn't matter if she was younger, or a girl or a geek. They liked her for what she was, a very intelligent human being. They won a lot of physics and math competitions together. 

"Hello, Jack O'Neill." He introduced himself again. "And these beautiful Ladies must be your wives?!"

"Nice to meet you. Yes, this is my wife Linda." Peter introduced them. "And this is Paula, Jason's wife and last but not least Laura, she's married to Bob."

"Well it's nice to meet you all. I haven't heard a lot about Sam's highschool time. So I'm very curious."

"But we have heard a lot about the famous Sam Carter, it's really great to finally get to meet you." Linda told her honestly. 

"I can't imagine why she didn't tell you anything. I mean not everyone gets suspended for blowing up the teachers room." Bob told him with a mischievous smile while they got their dinner served. 

"Really? I know you've got an obsession with blowing up stuff but I thought of you as a sticker for the rules. Clearly blowing up the teacher's room doesn't fit into the impression."

"Oh boy, it was an accident, okay? It wasn't supposed to blow up. We built a volcano as a school project and we thought the explosion should be a bit more realistic before the lava was going to come out. We drew straws and I got the short one, so I was the one to sneak into the teacher's room the night before the presentation and pimp it up. As you can imagine it didn't go as planned and we got caught shortly after the explosion. But because it was me who actually did it I got suspended for a week."

"I would have loved to see Dad's face when they told them, Carter."

"I was grounded for a month and not allowed to touch anything that could be seen as scientific at all." She grinned at that memory. 

"You call her Carter?" Jason wondered.

Sam's eyes instantly searched for Jacks, unsure about his answer, but he didn't even flinch before he said: "Old habit! We used to work together on the same team for a long time. She was my 2IC, the best I ever had. So Carter became sort of my nickname for her and it sticks till this day."

"You're military? Thought you'd go into the scientific working field."

"I did as well. I'm a theoretical astrophysicist and a Colonel in the US Air Force. After school I went to the academy and was able to study next to my military training. I always wanted to fly planes." Sam explained.

"And she did. Logged over 100 hours in enemy airspace during the Gulf War. She's a kickass soldier." He told them proudly.

"And when did you two get married? That sounds like you worked together for a long time." It was one of the wife's who asked inquisitively.

Now, it was Jack who sought out Sam's gaze, their eyes locking with a mix of love and agreement.

"That was only recently!" Jack answered, his gaze never leaving Sam's while he grabbed her hand and intertwined it with his.

Chapter Text

The dinner was good and the company was too. Jack heard a lot of stories from Sam's friends. She won a lot of prizes and even graduated as the best of their class. But it seemed she missed all the fun parts that come with being in high school while she had her head buried in her books. She was much younger than her classmates and even smarter than most of them, he can see why that made her sort of an outsider. She always had and maybe still has the feeling she has to prove herself. Kids can be cruel, even more when you're not like them. And till this day she has no idea how smart and beautiful she really is. 

After dinner their principal announced that the dance floor is open now, and that they shouldn't forget to take a photo, and have a look at the photo wall at the back of the room where all their high school photos were pinned.

Peter and Linda headed straight to the dance floor followed by Bob and his wife. While Jason was still talking to Jack about their favorite hockey team Paula got up to get another wine. 

“Can I bring you something too, Sam?” She asked her. 

“No, I think I will come with you. These two look like this discussion might take a while. Can I get you another beer, Sir?” She asked Jack and immediately blushed as she recognized her slip. But Jack, always there to save her, ignores her slip completely by answering her.

“Why thank you, honey! That would be great!”

And only for her to see he rolled his eyes as if to say ‘don't ruin it, Carter’. 

“Great, we'll be back soon.”

When the women arrived at the bar and had ordered their drinks Paula turned to Sam with a questioning look. She really had to ask. 

“Sir?” And she raised an eyebrow. 

“Habit, I guess. We really worked together for a long time. Commanding officer, you know.”

“Yeah, I know. My father was a Colonel too. And Sam I know all about the frat regs. He's still your boss, right?”

Sam knew they were exposed and turned her head down. But Paula didn't stop talking. 

“Oh don't get me wrong, personally I think these regs are bullshit and I won't tell anyone your little secret. I was just wondering if I was right.”

“How did you know?” Now Sam was curious. “And for the record, there's nothing inappropriate going on between us. He only accompanied me because the friend who would have, got shot and is bound to the infirmary for a few days.” 

“But you would like to, right? I mean that there was something going on. How I knew, you keep calling him Sir and aren't fully relaxed, you would if you were really married and nothing was officially keeping you two apart. Obviously it's not too hard for him to play your husband though, he does a pretty good job by acting as your man. By the way, ‘shot’?”

Sam nodded. “Yes, and yes. I'd like that. But neither of us is ready to retire or give up the military career. Not that the president would let us anyway. We have had these feelings for a long time now and I can honestly say that he's my best friend, even if we don't spend much time together outside of the base. And we know exactly why we don't. Yeah, Daniel got shot on his last mission, it's only a flesh wound, but he wasn't able to leave the base. I didn't want to come alone, you know how this works. I wasn't very popular in high school, and going to a reunion alone makes you feel like nothing has changed.”

“I know and I've done the same before I met Jason. Talked a friend into going with me, because I didn't want to go alone. Maybe this is your chance, Sam. He's obviously very interested in changing your status. He quickly adapted to his role as your husband. Maybe you should just enjoy this and play along. I mean, he's the hottest man in this room and he only has eyes for you, maybe you should rethink putting your career first.”

Watching him for a while, his tanned skin was only highlighted by the white shirt he wore. His salt and pepper hair complimented his attire perfectly and added to his look. She replied lost in thought. “Yeah, maybe I should!”

The bartender interrupted them by placing their drinks on the counter. They grabbed them and before they headed back Paula leaned in to her. “And he would make beautiful babies!”

“Yes, he does.” Sam immediately answered and it gave her a stab in the heart. Only she didn't know if it was because she had to think about Charlie, he was a very handsome boy, and knew the hurt Jack still felt about it or if it was her desire for a baby with him. She thought she had made peace with the fact that she might never become a mother, but when it came to Jack, and she knew deep down he was the only one she could imagine having a child with, these longings came back once in a while. 

Paula gave her a questioning look. 

“Long story.” Was Sam's answer, before they headed back to the table. 

Jason smiled at his wife and asked her to join the others on the dance floor. That left Sam and Jack alone at the table. She sat down next to him, handing him the beer. 

“So, you're enjoying yourself?”

“Jason has the right taste when it comes to ice hockey.” He stated. “What were you talking about with Paula? It seemed serious.”

“No, not really.”

But he wasn't about to let this go. He had seen the sad look that crossed her face for just a second, but he saw it anyway. 

“Sam?!” He encouraged her to talk. 

“She knows we're not married, she guessed it right, but she won't blow our cover.”

“But there's more to it, right?” He pushed. 

“No, not really.”

“You said this before, Sam. But I doubt it is the truth.”

She stayed silent for a long time because she honestly didn't know what to say. He couldn't stand the silence any longer so he whispered, scared about her answer. 

“Do you want to be?”

Sam was so startled that she couldn't make sense of what he was talking about. “What?”

He stood up and held his hand out for her. “Dance with me, Sam!”

She reluctantly took his hand and joined him on the dance floor. He thought maybe this was a better place to talk, he couldn't sit still any longer but didn't want to fidget while having this talk. Having Sam in his arms would hopefully make this a little easier. 

She put her right hand in his left and he put his right arm around her, placing his hand at the small of her back. Pulling her just a bit closer and began to sway to the soft sound of the music.

“So you didn't answer my question. Do you want to be?”

Still not knowing what he was talking about. “Do I want to be ‘what’?”

“Married!” 

Did her heart just stop for a few beats? 

“Jack?”

“Sam?”

“Jack?”

“Simple question, Sam!”

“Oh there is nothing simple about this question!”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Yes, why?”

“Because!”

He snorted, Samantha Carter, astrophysicist, genius, kickass soldier had no better answer than ‘because’? 

“I mean, what question is that anyway? Do I want to be married in general or are we actually talking about us right now?” 

“I hope it is the second part, but let's start with the first!”

“In general?” She asked and he simply nodded. “I mean, I wasn't really successful in the engagement department.” She reflected on her two failed engagements. 

“Maybe that was because it wasn't meant to be. Not the right man for you.” He tried while letting his fingers run over the silky fabric of her top. 

“And you are?” She blurted out, just to look at him scared about her blunt question. She didn't know why she asked it, she knew her answer to this. He is! But on the other hand he's not allowed to and only talking about it makes her feel sad and scared at the same time. She didn't expect his answer the way it came. 

“Yes, I am!” He said, fully convinced, before he leaned down a bit and kissed her. 

Stunned for just a moment, by his answer and his kiss, she kissed him back. Having already made the decision, on her way back to the table, to put her life before her career, resigning her commission if needed. 

He didn't expect her to kiss him back. He knew it was a risk and he would probably end up with her fist in his face, so he was very surprised about her reaction. 

“You.. You kissed me back!”

She had to smile at his surprise. “Why, yes I did.”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Okay, I'm not playing this game again. Full sentences, please.”

“Was that just a marriage proposal, Jack O’Neill?”

“Was your kiss the answer, Samantha?”

“What if it was?”

“Then I think we have a lot to talk about.” 

Her smile grew wider. 

“Let's finish this dance. We can go out to the terrace afterwards.”

His heart was beating like crazy. In his head he ran every possible scenario, every possibility to make this work if that's what she really wanted. Did she just imply that she wanted to marry him? They haven't even dated, but for him it didn't matter, he knew his heart was all in. It wouldn't beat for another woman again. 

Out in the dark night under a sky full of stars it was still warm. He leaned with his back at the railing, steadying himself with his hands at said railing. She leaned next to him, her hip at the railing facing him sideways. 

“So…” 

“Yeah…”

“Did you mean it?”

“That I want nothing more than to marry you? Yes, I mean it. You?”

“That my kiss was a ‘yes’? Yes Jack, I want nothing more than to be your wife. And I'm determined to make this work. We've waited too long for this. I'm not going to waste any more time. I'll resign if I have to. Let's face it, I can do my job as a civilian the same way I do it now. Nothing has to change.”

“No, Sam. You'll make General one day, of that I'm sure.”

“But it would leave me in your chain of command, for once I'm going to put my happiness over my career.”

“Maybe they let me retire, let's be honest. I'm not that great at flying a desk.”

“Are you nuts? We couldn't have asked for anyone better after General Hammond.”

“You know, he wanted me to take over his position when he retires at the end of the year.”

“What? Washington?”

“Yeah.” He scratched the back of his neck. “I turned him down.” 

Sam's eyes went wide. “Why? That would have meant a second star for you!”

“Yes, it would have. But I'm not ready to leave Colorado Springs. And I'm not cut out to live in DC. We agreed on a General who will replace him. Hank should have been my replacement, but he already lives in Washington and is much more diplomatic than I could ever be. Sam, I don't care about more stars, I never thought I would make General in the first place. But you! You could be the youngest female General in history some day and you do an amazing job leading SG1.”

“That won't bring us any further, will it? We still remain in the same chain of command.” 

“I asked for retirement, Sam. They wouldn't allow me to retire. They made it pretty clear that they wanted me within this program. I may be able to convince them to just resign from the air force. If they won't let me go they have to make me lead the SGC as a civilian. Nothing would have to change, only that we could be together and you don't have to give up your career. If we make this work one of us has to step back and it's the only logical decision that it's me. Let me try this, please.”

She hesitated for only a moment. 

“Okay, but you do realize that if we're going to have kids I'm not going to go through the gate on a regular basis, right? I won't do this to them. I lost my mother and I swore I would never ever risk my life if there were children at home waiting for me.”

“Kids?” He asked, astonished. And she interpreted his reaction totally wrong. 

“Yeah, I mean, we don't have to. Have kids, I mean. You know. I just assumed that when we're really going to be married we would try… But,...Gosh I didn't even think about how you could feel about it. Jack, I'm sorry. You probably don't want to… After Charlie….that's okay, we don't have to…”

“Sam! Stop it.” He interrupted her. “My question was ‘kids’ as in plural? I never questioned kids in general, I was just surprised you talked about more than one, you do realize I'm not that young anymore?”

She slapped him playfully. “Oh shut up! You're not that old either. So, this is not a ‘no’ on kids?”

“No, it's most definitely a ‘yes’! And I'll gladly be there for them when mommy is off to rescue earth. We can discuss this when the time comes. Let me take a quick phone call, I'll join you inside when I'm done, okay?”

“Okay!” She kissed him softly on his lips before she turned to leave him alone. 

“Sam?”

“Jack?”

“I love you!”

“I love you too.”

Chapter Text

When she stepped back inside she wasn't sure where to go. Her friends were still on the dance floor. Paula smiled brightly at her when they made eye contact and winked knowingly at her. Sam just nodded to let her know they finally got their act together. 

She headed over to the wall where all their old photos were pinned. She was on quite a few of them. Mostly with her science team, winning prices. She saw a young Cindy on one embraced by a football player, and she had to smile. Some things would never change.

But she stopped at the photos from their graduation, it was a rather big portrait of her while she spoke through a microphone. She was best of the year and as such she had to give the graduation speech. 

Outside Jack was nervously waiting for Hammond to pick up the phone. He knew he was in a meeting with the President, and in an earlier phone call with him Hammond complained that it probably would take all night because of the time difference to the other country they were talking to. 

Luckily Jack caught him right during a break. 

“Jack, what can I do for you at such an hour? I know I told you that I'll be up all night, but I didn't expect you to also be up that late. Nothing wrong at the base I hope?”

“No George, it has nothing to do with the SGC. Not really.”

“Son, you sound nervous. What can I do for you?”

“You do remember how we talked about that I don't want to replace you and would rather stay here?”

Hammond put him on speaker, as he and the President were the only ones in the oval office right now, and he signaled the President to be silent. 

“Yes Jack, I remember that you didn't want to come to Washington but stay as the commander at the SGC. What is this all about?” He only smirked knowingly at the President, who gave him a confused look. 

Jack paced nervously from one end of the terrace to the other. If he wouldn't be careful in what he said, this could bite them both, him and Sam, in the butt. 

“George, is there any chance I would be allowed to run this base as a civilian?”

Hammond had a hard time not to let his smirk be heard in his words and the President finally put together what this was all about

“Jack! Why in hell would you want to do something like that?” He teased him. “We let you stay there, you don't have to be worried to be called to Washington against your will. There's no need for you to leave the Air Force.”

“I trust you with this George, but there might be another reason I need to be a civilian.”

They heard the clinking of glasses, muffled voices and soft music in the background. 

“Where the hell are you Jack?” Now Hammond was curious, he could think about a reason why Jack called him, but why would he do this when it seemed like he was at a party. 

“Oh ah… at a high school reunion.”

“You didn't mention you had a high school reunion when we spoke earlier.”

“Yeah, well, it isn't mine, and at the time I didn't know I was going to one.”

“This is very confusing Jack.”

“I'm sort of a replacement for Daniel. He promised Carter to go with her, but when he was shot he had to stay in the infirmary. He asked me to go for him instead.”

“So you're at your 2ICs high school reunion? Accompanying her?”

“You know how these things work. If you go to this alone you're already the loser. And she's far away from being that.”

“That she is.” He agreed with him and the President had to suppress a chuckle. “What did you do, Jack?” Hammond asked a bit accusingly. 

“Nothing!” Came the firm response immediately. “It's more about what I would like to do, George, but I need to be a civilian to do so.”

“And why is that, General?” President Hayes couldn't hold himself back any further. 

“Mr. President?” Jack asked, visibly shocked.

“Yes General, why don't you tell us why you're so eager to leave the Air Force, and why it has to be in the middle of the night.”

“That was mean, George!” Jack said. 

“Oh come on, Jack. I've been waiting for this call for a long time now, let me have some fun with it. And with the President right beside me you could have your answer in a few seconds. You just have to be honest.”

He stopped pacing, closed his eyes and pinched his nose, unaware that he was watched by Sam before she turned back to the photographs. 

“You want honesty? Okay, I want to be a civilian so that I can finally ask the woman I love to marry me. I don't want to waste another day, I wasted way too many and you know this. We never did anything against the regs, but this is as much as I can take. And if you like to keep me in the program you'll have to do that with me as a civilian.” He told them in a way that left no room for interpretation. 

“Why you Jack? Why not let Colonel Carter quit? She could work as only a scientist as well?” Hayes asked, hoping Jack would give the answer he wanted to hear. 

“Yes she could, Mr. President. But I would never risk her career if it could be me who can make sacrifices. If I don't go to Washington, which I'm not eager to do, this is as far as my career will go. I'm pretty sure she will go way further than me.” 

“Jack, what time is it at yours right now?” President Hayes asked. 

“It's 2350, Sir. Why?”

“Because by midnight you can consider yourself a civilian, General O'Neill!” He told him. “I'll set up the papers immediately and mail them to the SGC, to your hands. Go on and marry that pretty Colonel of yours, Jack!” 

“Thank you Mr. President. I really appreciate what you're doing for us.”

“You know that I just lost 50 bucks to George here, right?” 

“I'm sorry, Sir!”

“No, you're not Jack and that's okay. Shame that you couldn't have waited just another month…” Hayes stood up to set up the papers and left Jack on the phone with Hammond.”

“Congratulations Jack! You very well deserve this.”

“Thank you, Sir. That means a lot to me and I'm sure to Sam too.”

“Sam, huh?” He teased him, had he never heard Jack call her anything but Carter. And when he heard Jack laugh he had to laugh himself. “Go to her and give her the great news. And Jack, be prepared to enter the base tomorrow. Even if that paper is sent to your desk, you wouldn't be so ignorant not to know that Walter will definitely read what he puts on your desk, right?”

“Argh….!” The last thing Hammond heard was Jack grumble before he said his goodbye. 

When he entered the room his eyes instantly found Sam. She still stood in front of all those photos. 

“Well that's a young Sam I would say.” He told her, pointing at the picture she was staring at. 

“Guilty!” She responded. 

“You were the one giving the graduation speech?” He asked her, trying to distract her. 

“Jack?” She wondered why he suddenly wanted to talk about unimportant stuff when he just got back from the phone with Hammond. 

He gazed at his watch, 2356. “Just tell me about it.”

“What's there to tell? I was the smartest of the year, with the best grades in every subject, so yes I got to do the speech.”

Again he eyed his watch, 2358.

“You make me nervous, Jack. Just tell me what he said.”

“Soon.”

“Soon?”

“Yes Sam. Soon. Now tell me, what did you talk about?”

She didn't get what he was up to, but if he didn't want to tell her, okay. She told him about her speech and that her Dad and her brother were there, even if they didn't talk to each other at the time, they were there for her and…

Again a look from him towards his watch. 

Mid sentence he stopped her by grabbing her head between his hands and kissing her as if there's no tomorrow. 

Confused, she shoved him back as the kiss ended. “What the hell was that?”

“I had to wait till midnight. I promised the President?”

“The President? Wait, what has Hayes got to do with this?”

“Oh, good old George put me on speaker as he was in the oval office with him. He heard about everything I said and made me confess why I want to resign from the Air Force.”

She put her hand over her mouth, afraid to make a noise. 

“He wasn't amused that he lost 50 bucks to George, but told me he'd set up the papers so that from today…” he showed her his watch, 0001. “I'm leading the SGC as a civilian and am free to marry the woman I want. Oh, and he called you pretty!”

Trying to classify everything she had just heard and what that means for them she took a moment to answer. 

“So that means…”

He took her by the hand and led her back outside. 

“That means…” kneeling down but not letting go of her hand he looked up to her. “...Samantha Carter, would you make me the happiest man alive and become my wife? Do you want to marry me, Sam?”

The tears in her eyes were happy tears and they started to run down her cheeks as she nodded and told him “Yes!”

When he finally stood up he grabbed her and spun her around before he kissed her passionately. 

“Let's go home, okay?” His voice nothing more than a soft whisper. 

“Home?”

“Your home, my home, I don't care. You can decide where you want to be at home, we can buy a new one if you like, but we'll do this together.”

At that moment she felt that marrying this man was the right thing to do. For the first time it felt right to be engaged. And it didn't matter where they would live, as long as they did it together. 

“I like your house very much. Let's make this home.” 

He found himself smiling a lot tonight, but couldn't really stop. When they made their way inside they headed to the table to say goodbye. 

“Where have you been the whole time?” Bob asked. “I only saw you dancing once.”

“Trouble at the Base.” Jack lied, waving his phone. “We've got to go. Sorry guys. But I'm pretty sure we'll see each other at the next reunion.”

“Will we?” Paula asked whether she had comprehended everything accurately. 

“Yes, we will.” Was the response she got from Sam. 

“Wait!” She demanded, “You've got to at least take a picture to remind you of that evening.” 

Knowing what she was trying to do, Sam was thankful. As much as she wanted to head home with Jack. A picture that would remind them always about this evening was worth the quick detour. She took him towards the photo booth and as he wrapped his arms around her from behind they smiled happily into the camera. The couple made it through the exit and into Jack's car without any further interruptions. 

He held the door open for her to step into their home, only to close it at the first opportunity and pin her against it. His demanding kisses were reciprocated by her. She pushed away from the door and directed him further into the house. 

“Bedroom.” It was the only word spoken for a long time. 

They made love and cherished their bodies the whole night. They had to make up for all the times they weren't allowed to. 

And when Jack entered the infirmary the next day to check on Daniel he couldn't hide the cheeky smile on his face. 

“How are you feeling Dannyboy?”

“Actually a lot better than yesterday. How are you feeling, Jack? What are you smiling at?”

Sam chose this moment to enter the room as well. The entire morning had been an absolute ordeal. Clearly Walter had read the paper and the rumor mill was running wild. Seeing Sam and Jack arriving together in his car only added to the speculations.

“Have you told him yet?” She asked him joyfully. 

“Not yet. I just arrived shortly before you did.”

"Told me what?” Daniel always was a curious person, but now he literally exploded with tension. 

“I just wanted to thank you.” 

“Thank me? What for?”

“For getting shot?” 

“I can't keep up anymore. I never thought I would say this to you, but would you please explain it to me in simple words?”

“If you hadn't been shot, I would have never accompanied Sam to this thing yesterday.”

“Sam?” He asked, not sure if he had heard right. He hadn't heard his friend call her by her given name as long as he could remember. What just happened yesterday? 

“Yes, Sam. And if I hadn't gone with her I would have never called Hammond to ask him for a civilian posting.”

“You did what? What has this to do with anything?”

Sam giggled, enjoying his confusion a bit too much. 

“Come on, Jack. Just tell him. Otherwise he'll die before he gets the news.”

“Again?” Jack joked, but saw the look his fiancé gave him and he gave in. 

“Okay, okay. As of midnight I'm running the SGC as a civilian leader. That gives me the opportunity to do something I really wanted to do for a long time now.”

“And what would that be?” Daniel had to ask to confirm his suspicion. 

“To marry the most brilliant and most beautiful woman on earth!” 

They all smiled at each other and Sam took a step next to Jack, whose arm found its way around her waist to pull her closer into him. They agreed to be discreet on base, but telling his best friend he was finally going to marry Sam was reason enough to throw the intentions overboard and kiss her. 

“Finally! This was so worth it to get myself shot for!”