The Heart's Refusal to Believe – Ch. 16
A/N: Thanks to TZMaverick and NG for all their help and guidance with this story! As I have said before you two have been a tremendous help throughout!
A/N: I deeply apologize for how long it took me to write and post this last chapter! I will not get into long explanations, but real life just kept getting in the way. I promise any story I post in the future will be completely finished before I start posting!
A/N: Thanks to everyone that has reviewed and kept up with the story, despite the length of time between posts!
Jack suddenly realized what, or rather who, was waiting for her at home. His smile disappeared. He had promised everyone that he would be the one to tell Sam about Pete.
Sam noticed Jack's good mood falter as they began to talk about going home. An uneasy feeling washed over her as they entered the Tel'tak.
Jack, Sam, Daniel, Teal'c, Jacob and Joe decided to return to Earth in the Tel'tak instead of using a Stargate on a safe planet nearby. Jack radioed the Prometheus once he was on the ship and gave them three gate addresses to planets on the other side of the galaxy. They didn't know which of the three planets Kinsey and his men were stranded on, but he knew the Prometheus would find them …eventually.
Sam was a little disappointed they weren't retuning home immediately. She wanted to get home and have a nice hot shower, a change of clothes, and to sleep in her own bed. However, on the bright side she did have a week to spend with her dad, the rest of SG-1, and of course Jack.
It was really going to be hard to call him 'Sir' when they returned to the SGC. She was hoping to talk to him about that while they had all this free time. However, his mood had changed so much since they started their trip home. It was as if he didn't want to go home.
She tried talking to him about it on the first day, but he just shrugged it off. The second day was spent filling Joe in on all the changes he would see to Earth, including a new President.
It was now the early hours on the third day. Sam was awake tossing and turning in her sleeping bag trying not to wake everyone else. Now that her life was no longer being threatened, Sam's mind began to replay the events over the last few weeks. She had so many unanswered questions; how did Jameson know that she would be leaving the base at such an early hour, when technically she wasn't supposed to be back "in town" at all? How would Pete react to Jameson's involvement? Despite the fact that Sam was going to break off her engagement with Pete when she returned to Earth, she felt bad for him. It took this mission for her to realize her heart didn't belong to Pete, it never did. Her heart had always belonged to one man, and if Jack O'Neill didn't reciprocate those feelings, then at least she would know and could get on with her life.
The other thing that had her mind racing was the nagging feeling that everyone on the ship was trying to hide something from her. Every time she brought up the subject of her kidnapping the subject was quickly changed. Hushed conversations ended as soon as she walked into the room. In a ship with only a cargo bay, an engine room and a control room she was getting paranoid about leaving one room to enter another.
Sam once again rolled over in her sleeping bag restless. Her mind just wouldn't shut off. She noticed Jack leaving the cargo bay and the overwhelming need to talk to him won out. Knowing her mind would not rest until she had some answers she decided now was the best time for her and Jack to talk.
Teal'c opened his eyes as a determined Sam left the room. His heart was heavy; because he was sure the answers she so adamantly wanted would cause her great distress. He just hoped that O'Neill was wise enough to help her through the endeavor.
Jack relieved Jacob from his watch and the two were speaking softly when Sam entered the room. Once again the conversation ended abruptly when Jacob saw her standing there. He walked over to her and kissed her on the forehead. "Night kiddo, if you need anything just wake me up. I'm always here for you, okay." Jacob turned and gave Jack a pointed look before leaving the room.
Sam looked at him strangely. There was something going on that she didn't know about. She just nodded her head, "Thanks, dad." Sam said cautiously watching as the door closed behind her dad and then turning her attention back to Jack.
Jack watched her through the reflection in the window. Jacob had warned him that if he didn't tell her today then he was going to do it. Jack knew he couldn't continue to stall, but he didn't know how to start the conversation. He also didn't want to tell her everything in front of an audience. They had come such a long way on the Aschen homeworld that he didn't want to destroy that now. He had regained some of the hope that he had lost the day she put Pete's ring on her finger.
Sam remained by the door preparing herself for whatever Jack was about to tell her. Her stomach was tied in knots and she was biting her lower lip in anticipation.
Jack could tell she was just as nervous as he was. "I won't bite, I promise." Jack said breaking the tension as he set the autopilot and stood to face her.
She laughed a little. "Are you going to tell me what is going on?"
Jack closed his eyes briefly and nodded his head, "Yeah, I'm going to tell you."
Sam walked over to him, "What is everyone so afraid of?"
"We don't want to hurt you."
"That bad, huh?"
"You remember you had questions about your kidnapping and I promised I would answer all of them later?"
"So, now you're ready to answer them?" Sam wasn't so sure she wanted the answers now, if they caused this reaction.
"There is another person involved in your kidnapping." Jack said cautiously easing into the dreaded conversation.
"I know. I was finally able to put a face to my nightmares."
Jack was relieved. She had figured it out on her own. He had worried for nothing. She already knew about Pete.
"I still can't believe Jameson was involved." Sam said noticing Jack's entire body slouch forward as he sighed. She didn't know what that meant. 'Wasn't that the news he wanted to tell me? What could be worse then that?' Sam thought to herself.
"Yes, Jameson was involved and so was Captain Winters. They were both with the Trust. Captain Winters resigned from the NID years ago before any investigation began on the NID. They were all pretty surprised by his involvement."
"Wow. So, not only Pete's partner, but also his Captain was involved? Does Pete know?" Sam asked concerned.
"Yeah. He knows."
There was something in Jack's voice indicating he wasn't pleased about it. She wondered what Pete had done. Had he interfered with yet another investigation?
"What happened?" Sam asked urging him to continue.
Jack looked directly at her and hesitated trying to find the right words.
Now she knew the bad news was about Pete. 'Was he hurt? Had something happened to him?' Sam's plea was a mixture of fear and dread, "Jack?"
"Jameson knew you were going to see Pete, because …"
"Because …what he bugged Pete's phone or …" Sam stopped in mid sentence not wanting to finish the thought.
"He called him. Pete called Jameson to let him know you were on the way over to his house." Jack said watching as Sam paled. Her mouth remained opened.
"I'm sorry, Sam." Jack said placing his hand on her shoulder.
Sam stared at Jack with wide disbelieving eyes. "What?" Her voice was just above a whisper, "Are you telling me that Pete was involved with my kidnapping? Why?"
Sam's mind began to race for possible reasons for Pete to be involved. 'This has to be a misunderstanding … doesn't it?' Sam thought to herself. She felt numb, the world around her ceased to exist. She didn't feel Jack's hand on her shoulder or the tears forming in her eyes. Her mind was focused on the disturbing news Jack just told her. There had to be a logical explanation as to why Jack thought Pete was involved. There had to be, because otherwise … Pete was no better then Jonas Hanson, the man she had been engaged to years ago. She had allowed Jonas to manipulate her and use her feelings for him against her. She wasn't the same woman she was back then, and she would be damn if she let anyone manipulate her like that again.
Jack pulled her into a hug and began to rub her back offering her comfort.
The shell shocked eyes of despair quickly turned cold and angry as she pushed herself away from Jack. "No! Why? Why did he do this?" Sam said, venom dripping from each word.
Jack was stunned by the look in her eyes. "I don't know why, only Pete can answer that one. We do know that Kinsey got to him and fed him a song and dance about needing you to work for another organization with a Stargate. Their Stargate program was supposed to be safer and would allow Pete to be involved. Pete liked the idea that you wouldn't have to keep secrets anymore. So he agreed to convince you to work for Kinsey."
Sam gave a disgusted laugh as her eyes were still glazed with angry tears. "Do I know how to pick them or what?" Sam began to pace the room letting the latest news sink in. "What was he thinking? There is no way I would go to work for Kinsey!"
"Yeah I'm sure Kinsey knew that as well. I think that is where Jameson came in. Jameson and Captain Winters both knew Pete was upset that you couldn't share every detail of your life with him, especially after he tried to do a background check on you. I think they knew the right buttons to push to set him off."
"Are you saying it wasn't his fault?" Sam asked with wide eyes.
"Hell no! Yes Kinsey's hired goons pushed the buttons, but Pete is the one that put the plan into motion. He and Jameson came up with the idea to stage your accident causing minor injuries. There is nothing that can excuse that. Pete had some lame story about using the accident to get you away from the mountain and SG-1 for a while so he could convince you to work for Kinsey."
Sam's military training kicked in suppressing her temper just below the surface long enough to hear the whole story. "And Jameson double crossed him?"
"Yes, that's what we were told. There was an accident a couple of blocks from Pete's house."
"Wait, there really was an accident? I was stopped by Jameson about four miles from the base. I was never involved in an accident. Jameson used his blue lights and pulled me over. I was drugged and woke up in a small room sometime later."
"There was an accident killing an undercover NID agent matching your description in your car. Pete heard the dispatch and I'm sure he was surprised when he arrived to the scene of the accident to find the extent of the damage. He must have thought you really died until he went to identify the body. He knew then someone else had gotten to you. Jameson convinced him to keep quiet while they searched for you."
"Where is Pete now?" The anger began to seep back in as she processed the information, getting a clear picture of Pete Shanahan's involvement.
"General Hammond said he was going to keep him in the brig on base until we arrived home safely."
"I want to see him." Sam said through gritted teeth. Her anger was now back full force. "I want to know why he did this!"
"Jacob has mapped out a few safe planets that have Stargates. There is one nearby. We can be back on Earth within the hour." Jack offered the only help he could for the moment.
"Good." Sam said staring out the window preoccupied about her upcoming encounter with Pete. Small tremors of anger began to course through her body as she thought to herself, 'Not only was I kidnapped, but my friends and family were sent through an emotional roller coaster ride, and someone I didn't even know died in my car! Why Pete? Why would you do this!'
Jack watched Sam out of the corner of his eye. He desperately wanted give Pete his dues, but he knew it was Sam's fight. He would offer to help, but until she asked for it he was going to stay out of her way. He set the coordinates and went to the Cargo bay to inform everyone that they would be returning to Earth early.
They returned to Earth within the hour as Jack predicted.
As they stepped through the Stargate the joyful celebration in the Gateroom ceased as soon as the SGC personnel saw Lt. Colonel Carter's face. They all knew that her fiancé was in the brig because of his involvement in her kidnapping. It was now clear she knew he was there too.
Sam walked past the worried faces as she made her way to the infirmary for her post mission physical. She had one thing on her mind and that was to confront Pete Shanahan.
General Hammond informed Jack and Jacob that he just found out the military was offering Pete a plea-bargain. "The government wants him to testify against Kinsey and Captain Winters and in turn he will not have to serve anytime in prison. Pete doesn't know about the plea-bargain yet, but I'm sure he will accept it. Either way his career as a police officer is over."
"Well that's something I guess." Jack said sarcastically, "General Hammond, Colonel Carter would like to talk to Pete. Can you have him sent to one of the conference rooms, preferably one with security cameras?"
"I'll have the SF's escort him to Conference Room 20."
"Thank you, Sir. I'll go and inform Colonel Carter." Jack left for the infirmary.
Jack saw Sam sitting on an infirmary bed waiting for Dr. Brightman to return.
Sam saw him walking towards her. "Have you talked to General Hammond regarding my request?" Her expressive eyes were the only thing that alerted Jack to her fury.
"Yes, he is waiting in Conference Room 20. He doesn't know you are the one that requested the meeting. Are you sure you don't want one of us there with you?" Jack asked hopeful.
"This is something I have to do on my own, but thank you." Sam said as she tried to calm the raging storm inside. As a solider she was trained not to act on her anger, but to keep a clear and even head. However, as a woman all she wanted was revenge.
Sam was the last to complete her physical because of the circumstances that started the whole ordeal. Joe had left a few minutes ago to under go psych tests because of the years he lived under the influence of the Aschen. Once Sam was finally released and declared in good health she went to confront Pete.
A T.V. had been setup in the main Conference Room by the technicians for Jacob, General Hammond, Daniel and Teal'c to observe Sam and Pete's confrontation. Jack had been on the phone in his office with President Hayes since he finished his post mission physical. General Hammond had mercy on him and asked the techs to set up a small T.V. in Jack's office to allow him to watch as well. Jack had been trying to politely end his conversation with the President so he could assure Sam was safe. Therefore, he was relieved when the techs brought in a T.V. for him to watch. The President had spent the first fifteen minutes raking him over the coals for leaving the base and going after one single solitary person instead of sending another team to do the job. He had spent the last ten minutes expressing his gratitude that, although unorthodox, he had done well in bringing not only the top expert on the Stargate back home, but also bringing back one of Earth's Ambassadors that most had thought died years ago. The President was now discussing Jack's future with the SGC.
Jack and the others wanted to be sure that Sam was safe and that Pete wouldn't try to hurt her again. It was the only condition that Jack would allow her to confront Pete without them physically in the room. They didn't have audio only visual. So they all watched as Sam entered Conference Room 20.
Pete was casually standing against the wall waiting for anther round of questions from the military regarding his participation in Sam's disappearance. He had been answering questions after questions so he wasn't surprised to be back in this room. That was why he didn't look up as soon as he heard the door open. It wasn't until he heard fast approaching footsteps did he look up.
Sam stormed into the conference room. The side trip to the infirmary didn't do anything but fuel her anger towards the man in front of her. The man whose ring she no longer wore on her left hand but gripped tightly in her right hand. Now here he was standing casually against the back wall which triggered her outrage even further. 'How could he be so calm after all the turmoil he has caused?'
Pete finally looked up and the shock on his face didn't deter Sam in mid swing. She hit him as hard as she could with her clinched fist across his left cheek, the ring digging into her palm as she hit him.
The shock from the punch left Pete staggering and dazed, but still standing on his feet.
"How could you do this?" Sam yelled. The pain in her hand seemed fitting as she recalled how much damage he had done.
"What …" Pete asked still reeling from the shock rubbing his sore jaw. He swayed toward her and she shoved him away from her. He hit his head hard against the concrete wall and moaned in pain. He rubbed the sore spot now on his head. He was surprised when he removed his hand and saw a little blood due to the impact.
Sam glared at him as she continued to yell, "They told me everything! How could you be so callous? Besides planning the accident you allowed my family and friends to believe I was DEAD! Even if you thought so little of me you should have at least told them the truth!" Pete grabbed her wrist to stop her next assault.
"How?" Pete asked in desperation. "How was I supposed to tell them that it wasn't you lying in the morgue? They would not have believed anything I said. Their entire investigation would have revolved around the part that I played in the accident, despite the fact that I wasn't involved with your kidnapping. You were never supposed to get hurt. I thought I could find you?"
Sam's body trembled with disgust as he held her wrist. The desperate need to get away from him caused her military instincts to kick in; she grabbed his arm with her free hand and pulled him towards her, raising her knee to his mid section. Her movements were so swift that Pete couldn't protect himself from the blow. He dropped to his knees and then fell to floor on his side as he cried out in pain.
Sam ignored his cry as she stood over him. "You didn't find me, did you! If you had been honest and stopped to think about someone besides yourself for two minutes then they would have found me before they shipped me off to one of the more unfriendly races we have run across." Sam said sarcastically. She started to walk away knowing she needed to put some space between them before she really lost control.
Pete's tried to sit up and talk through the pain he was in. "Are … you … okay?" Each of his words were labored and laced with worry. "They didn't … hurt you … did they?" Beads of sweat broke out across his forehead.
The worry in his voice seemed to mock her. "Don't!" Sam said through gritted teeth as she continued to grip the ring in her fist. "You gave up your right to worry about me the minute you planned that accident and then decided to keep quiet about it."
"I never meant to hurt you. I love you and …"
"LOVE!" Sam looked at him astounded. "Do you even know what that word means?"
"I know that I love you." Pete's words were rushed as he tried to explain before she stopped him again. "I know there isn't anything that I could say to justify my actions. I know I screwed up. If I could go back and change it I would. I'm sorry."
"Like when you did the background check on me. You were just curious, right?" Sam said sarcastically. "Is that your meaning of love? To control and manipulate the relationship to go just like you want it too."
"I know I screwed up here, but I did it for us, don't you see that. I thought if you took this new job our relationship could be like it was in the beginning before your job got in the way." Pete flinched when he realized what he said.
"My job didn't get in the way of or relationship, you did that all on your own."
Sam turned her attention to the pain in her clenched fist. She opened her hand to reveal the ring she had forgotten she was holding. The diamond left an impression in her palm. She held up the ring for him to see, "This didn't give you the right to kidnap me or make my family suffer!" Sam threw the ring she detested so much, down to where he lay on the floor. "Nothing … gives you that right!"
Pete remained lying on the floor because of his inability to stand. He looked up at her defeated. His jaw was red and starting to bruise.
Sam knew she should feel remorse for her action and in time she knew she would, but now all she felt was relieved that he was no longer in her life.
"I'm …" Pete's words halted as Sam glared at him. He watched her walk out of his life with no one to blame, but himself. "… sorry" Pete mumbled to an empty room resting his head on the cold tile floor.
Sam made her way to the elevator blinking back the tears of anger. Her hand trembled as she reached out to push the button for the ground floor. She had to get away from this place for a while. She had to think. Most of her questions had been answered even if she didn't like the answers.
The group watching through the security camera was amazed at the scene they just witnessed. They were all proud of Sam when she threw the first punch. It was something they all wanted to do since they found out about Pete's actions.
They also watched as Sam left the Conference Room several levels up and wondered if someone should go talk to her. They were worried about her and knew she would need some time to adjust to all the information she had learned recently.
Jacob was trying to decide if he should go talk to her. Every fatherly instinct inside of him wanted to go protect and comfort his daughter from the hurts and pains this world offered her. However, the symbiote inside of him was telling him that he should wait until a more appropriate time.
'There isn't a more appropriate time, Selmak.' Jacob told his symbiote.
'I know that she is hurting Jacob, but I am afraid you must wait.'
'She is my daughter!'
'That she is, but she has had her heart broken, her trust destroyed, and now she doubts her own judgment. I am afraid there is one that can be of more assistance then you can my friend.'
Jacob sighed as he realized who Selmak was talking about. Jacob was hoping the man in question was up to the task, because if he let her down he would make his life more miserable then ever.
Daniel started to go after his best friend since it didn't appear anyone else was going. He watched as Jacob was apparently having a rather colorful discussion with his symbiote. He realized that Selmak apparently won the argument, because Jacob wasn't leaving the room. Just as Daniel started to walk toward the door Teal'c put his hand out to stop him.
"What are you doing Teal'c?" Daniel asked confused.
"I do not believe now would be the best time to converse with Colonel Carter." Teal'c provided stoically.
"Well someone needs to go talk to her or at least see if she is okay."
"I think someone is on his way to talk to her now, son." General Hammond said gesturing towards Jack's empty office.
Teal'c just bowed his head in confirmation.
"Oh. Okay. Well I guess I'll just … uh, go to the commissary then, would anyone else like to join me?"
"I believe I will accompany you, Daniel Jackson." Teal'c said. The two generals shook their heads indicating they would be staying there.
Jacob waited until Teal'c and Daniel left before speaking to General Hammond, "Do you think he will find her?"
"He found her the first time; I'm sure he will again."
"I hope so." Jacob said looking at the vacant office.
"Were there any developments on the mission that I should be aware of, anything that might not show up in the mission reports?" General Hammond asked seriously.
Jacob looked at him skeptical. "Developments? I'm not sure I know what you are asking, George." Not willing to betray his daughters trust.
"Off the record … I had hoped this mission would have opened their eyes." General Hammond said.
"Really? But I thought …" Jacob was beyond surprised.
George held up his hand to stop Jacob. "I know what I said in the past, old friend. I didn't want to talk about a certain General and Colonel back then. However, the events over the last few weeks, when we thought Colonel Carter had died I felt guilty that I didn't try something that would allow them to be together if that's what they really wanted. You and I both know what it is like to love one woman with all of our hearts and spend good years with them. It was hard when we lost our wives, but at least we had the memories that would help us make it through the night. Jack never had that, because the military demanded that he put their needs above his own heart."
"Are you saying the military is willing to give them a chance?"
"It's up to Jack now. I'm sure the President laid out the options for him." General Hammond said not revealing anything else.
Sam walked out of the mountain to a beautiful spring day. Since she didn't have any means of transportation off the base so she settled for a swift walk through the woods that ended at a breath taking view of the mountains and valleys from the edge of a cliff. It offered the solitude she was seeking.
Once she found the spot she was looking for she sat down on a large rock. Her body was still shaking. She shut her eyes and tried to take deep breaths to calm the turmoil. She could feel the warmth of the sun on her face and also the tears that ran down her cheek.
She hated herself for getting involved with Pete and not noticing the signs that lead up to this. At least with Pete she realized she wasn't in love with him before she found out about his betrayal. 'Oh Jack, how could I have been so blind.' Sam thought to herself.
Sam was so absorbed in her own musing that she didn't hear someone walking up from behind her until he stood beside her and spoke. "Is this seat taken?"
Sam jumped and cursed herself for not being alert, especially after everything she just went through. She looked up to the warm brown eyes she had been thinking about causing her heart to skip.
When he realized she was not going to respond to him, he took a seat beside her, but remained quiet looking at the snow capped mountains.
"It's been rough, hasn't it?" Jack spoke.
Sam nodded her head in response.
"I thought I lost you."
She turned towards him and was surprised by the unguarded emotions in his eyes. "I know."
"Did you love him?" He asked quietly.
Sam tried to remember if she ever loved Pete. At first it had been fun. It was nice to be held and admired, but did she love him? "No. I don't think I ever did."
"You were engaged to him." Jack said without any anger or resentment.
"It was a mistake."
"We've made a few of those over the years." Jack said thinking back at all his short comings.
Sam wasn't sure if he meant personal decisions or professional ones.
Jack saw the confusion. "Some I deeply regret." Flashes of Laira entered his mind followed by his undercover operation shortly after, and every time he pushed her away thinking it was the best thing for her and her career.
"Like what?" Sam couldn't help her curiosity and then realized she had over stepped the bounds and tried to retreat. "No, I'm sorry you don't have to answer that."
"No, it's okay. When I got the phone call from the police saying you died in a car wreck. I thought it was a mistake, because after everything we had been through and every threat we had overcome to protect this planet you couldn't have died in accident. It was too … tragic. You don't put your life on the line everyday on other planets only to die here on Earth where you are supposed to be safe. When I found it was your car and someone had identified the body. I regretted every moment I hurt you and pushed you away. I regretted never telling you the truth." The words died on Jack's lips as he seemed lost in thought.
When Sam realized he wasn't going to continue, she pressed him more, "What truth?"
Jack looked deep into her eyes trying to find the right words to express what he was feeling now and what his biggest regret was as he stood at her grave a few weeks before.
"What truth, Jack?" Sam said as she reached for his hand.
"That I love you." Jack whispered as he cupped her face. He brushed one of her tears away with his thumb as it slid down her cheek. "I regret never telling you that I love you, Sam." Jack said stronger this time.
Tears of happiness continued to fall from Sam's eyes. The words she had waited so long to hear. "I love you too." She managed to whisper as her breathing became shallow the closer he leaned towards her.
The first kiss was gentle and unsure, Jack pulled away briefly to see if this was okay and giving her an out if she wanted it. The single selfless act made her love him even more, causing Sam to initiate the second kiss full of passion and desire. This time neither of them held back the love they had wanted to express for so long. They reluctantly pulled away when the kiss became too intense for two ranking officers in the U.S. Air Force currently on base.
Sam leaned her forehead on his not wanting to break contact completely. She could feel his ragged breath against her cheek. She closed her eyes remembering his kiss. One thing became very clear, there was no way she was going back to the way it was before. She pulled away to look at him. "Where do we go from here?"
"I resigned my commission and we continue to explore this." Jack said kissing her again before she could argue with him.
When she finally pulled away, "Are you sure you want to retire? What if this …" Sam said point between the two of them, "doesn't work out? I don't exactly have the best track record when it comes to relationships. I don't want you to regret it later."
He smiled at her with confidence. "Not a chance I will regret it. Besides I'm not retiring I'm just resigning my commission, the President has agreed to hire me as a civilian to run the SGC."
Sam couldn't stop the smile spreading across her face, "And you're okay with dating someone you work with?"
"Not really, but I don't mind working with my fiancée." Jack said quickly kissing her.
"Was that a proposal?" Sam's eyes went wide, although if she were honest with herself she was thrilled with the idea. "We haven't been on a real date yet."
"Sam, we have known each other for eight years. I know how you like your coffee, steak, and that you prefer blue jell-o over red. I also know your work yourself to death when you are both intrigued with some doohickey and when you are troubled about something. I know you are worried that every man you have dated has either died or gone off the deep end. I can't promise I won't die, because lets face it the line of work we are in isn't the safest. I have already gone off the deep end when I lost Charlie and you pulled me back. If you want to date for a while to test the waters, that's fine with me. I'm not going anywhere. I have waited eight years and I'll wait as long as you need me to. I can only promise that I will always love you and I'll never hurt you or try to control you. I want to share every day with you and be free to love you."
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes Jack, I'll marry you. Today, tomorrow, next week, I don't care when. I love you and I want to wake up every morning with my husband. I want to face every obstacle and celebrate every blessing with the man that I have loved for so long. I know you better then myself sometimes and I can't imagine another day without you." Sam said smiling as she kissed her future husband.
Sam couldn't help but wonder with a smile what she had just agreed to do. She knew there would be times when she would want to kill him or tell him to move out. She also knew he was more a man of action than words and so far she wasn't complaining. She knew the adventure she was about to embark on would be by far the greatest, scariest, most rewarding and the most fulfilling journey she would every travel. As she looked at Jack she couldn't imagine sharing that journey with anyone else but him.
The End-