Disclaimer: not mine... I wish :(
A/note: So, apparently, this is my final chapter. I hope the ending does the story justice. It's my 19th Bday today (fully serious) and I want to knock off this and 'conversations', and post my next story 'sacrifices'. Thank you for the kind reviews also! This chapter is un-betaed and I hope my wonderful (and merciful) beta will forgive me, but I HAD to publish today and... "it's just so damn exciting!"

~SJ~

Monday morning

She sat in the commissary, a text book in one hand and a spoon full of yogurt and cereal in the other. She took a generous mouthful, which she nearly lost when Jonathan suddenly flung himself into the seat across from her.

"Hey Sandy." He greeted with an endearing grin.

She covered her mouth, turning away just slightly to hide a fake cough. Actually she was blushing but didn't want him to see.

"Hi Jon." She said after she had hopefully recovered. "How was your weekend?"

"Um... dramatic." He nodded thoughtfully. "But, it's a brand new day. How about you?"

"Oh, great. Hitting the studies, running in the rain... The usual."

"Running around in the rain, really?" he asked, a hint of teasing in his voice. She simply looked to one side and suppressed a smile. Yes, she had been out in the rain.

"Hey, I was wondering if you would like to swing by tonight and I'll read Persuasion to you..." he leant over and gave his most pathetic and cute pout. "...please?"

"Alright. If you're that anxious for my company." She relented, unable to say no. Even without the pout. He sat back, clearly pleased at his success.

"I am, and would not be persuaded otherwise." He joked. She was amused with his pun and rewarded him with an affectionate smile. She saw his features soften and wondered if something had changed between herself and Jon.

~SJ~

Sam was glad to have to be home. Suffice it to say, the events of the previous 72 hours had exhausted her, mentally and emotionally. It was late by the time she arrived home and the only thing she unpacked was her toothbrush and toothpaste. Within twenty minutes of walking through her front door, she was in bed.

It took her almost two hours to finally fall asleep. Whilst her thoughts were many, she couldn't get a grasp on a single issue. Mostly, she thought about her situation with Jack. Nothing had actually changed. Thanks to Jon, she knew where she stood with Jack... or at least, had a slightly better understanding. But unless she did something to break the cycle she and Jack were stuck in, she would continue to come home to an empty house and sleep alone. Eventually, Sam gave up and fell asleep.

Sam did not expect a familiar black truck to pull into her driveway as she locked her front door to go to work at eight o'clock the next morning. Wow, Jack's truck was like a tank next to her tiny silver Volvo. He climbed out and resolutely walked up to her.

"Sir? What are you doing here?" She did not hide her surprise at finding him on her doorstep.

"Not that kind of visit Sam. It's Jack." He corrected. She noted the confidence in his voice. Whatever he was here to talk about, he had put a reasonable level of thought into his half of the conversation.

"Okay." She gave a dismissive shrug. He took a moment before he spoke, as if to choose his words carefully.

"I know about you and Jonathan..." He stated dryly. Oh boy.

"Come to give me a serve?" she replied strongly. Sam was not thinking about her responses and followed her instincts to challenge him.

"Nope." He said simply. Wait, what?

"Why not?" she asked without thinking at all. He raised an eyebrow.

"Do you feel that I should?" he asked.

"What... no. I, I just... why are you here Jack?" she returned to defensive state of mind.

"We need to talk." His poise faltered and he rubbed the back of his neck. "More like I need to talk to you... about us."

"Us, as in..." she waved a pointed finger between herself and Jack.

"Yeah." He nodded.

"Oh..." she looked away and began to toy with the car keys in her hands.

"You see..." he cleared his throat. "I feel I need to apologise."

She returned her gaze to him. It took longer than she would have liked, but she was eventually able to look him in the eye. She waited for him to continue, lest she say something that would hinder his resolve.

"I'm sorry I didn't come after you. I was supposed to. It took me way too long to work that out." He said dejectedly.

No kidding.

"I wanted to follow you, I even asked for a transfer to Area 51 to oversee research and development. My request was denied and I since I didn't really hear from you, it was easier to think my problem would go away." Jack continued.

The inference that she was a problem in his eyes caused a swell of anger to rise in Sam. She suddenly grew impatient of the man in front of her.

"Jack, I'm going to be late for work." She went to walk past him and his hand snagged her elbow. She froze next to him, not looking at his face.

"You're not my problem Sam..." Jack said, the hurt now evident in his words. He let her go and her legs carried her to her car before she was able to process the new information. She stopped and turned back to him. He was watching her, defeat written across his features.

"Then what is?" she asked curiously.

"My fear. If something ever was to happen between us, I would have something to lose all over again. It's easier to live alone and not feel the loss. I was afraid to take the risk of loving you, because if I did, it would with all of my heart. If you weren't interested: no problem." He tried to state indifferently, looking to the ground. He looked up and gave a shrug, then turned to walk back to his truck, evidently believing that she no longer felt anything for him.

It was quite the opposite! He admitted to wanting to love her. How could she let him walk away now?

"Jack, wait!" Sam called as she followed him to his truck. He stopped at his door, not wanting to look at her. Ignoring the fact they were standing on the road, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned to face her. They shared a glance, trying to read one another.

"Come here." She pulled him down and embraced him. He held on tight, his face pressed into her neck, as if it was the last time he could ever have her in his arms.

"Do you trust me Jack?" she asked.

"With my life..." He replied, his emotions raw.

"Then don't be afraid." She soothed. She felt him frown in confusion against her shoulder. He pulled back to give her that 'please-elaborate-without-detail' look that she knew so well.

She smiled warmly at him. Jack soon caught on and grinned back. He searched her eyes carefully, trying to find any hint of doubt.

"You sure about this?" He asked seriously.

"Are you?" she asked back.

"You know, for someone so damn smart, that's a dumb question." He teased.

"I know." She smirked. She gave him her patented two-hundred megawatt smile as he leaned in to kiss her.

~SJ~

Done. Any comments are welcome with my inbox's open arms. Merry Xmas everyone! Stay safe!