By Annie Wheeler

No Spoilers. Sam/Jack Ship mention

General Hammond stood watching from the window in the Briefing Room. The room was dark, only the light from the gateroom illuminated him as he watched Jack O'Neill leave to lead the joint Tok'ra/Jaffa/Tau’ri movement.  As sad as Hammond was at losing O'Neill, he understood that this was something that Jack had to do. Perhaps when it was over he would come back.

O'Neill had promised not to be a stranger. Teal'c had gone with him on the first leg of the journey then he was continuing his own journey to help Bra'tac and support the freed Jaffa.

"He'll be all right. Jack has an uncanny way of surviving whatever life throws at him." A voice from the shadows said.

Hammond didn't turn around. He knew the voice. "When did you get in?"

Colonel Craig moved from the shadows to stand next to General Hammond. "Two hours ago. I wanted to see Jack before he left."

"Things are changing."

"They always do. Just sometimes it's easier to see," she said.

"Still want to marry me?" He asked.

"I've been waiting for you to bring that up again, George."

He didn't have to look to see she was smiling. He could hear it in her voice.

"Never could find the right time. Now I know that there is no right time."

They watched Major Carter staring at the gate. "She'll be OK George."

"Seems like she and O'Neill never get a break." He said acknowledging something he had chosen to ignore.

"They'll find a way. People that love each other always do."

He turned at looked at the woman standing beside him. "We almost didn't."

"But they're younger than us. We were muleheaded and stubborn in denying what we felt for a long time. Knowing Jack, I know that they didn't break the rules. He'd never endanger her career...just as you never endangered mine."

"I am now."

"Not really. I've done what I can do. I'm tired of tilting at windmills."

"You can still do a lot of good in Washington, Maggie."

"There comes a time when you have to walk away."

"Maybe it's my time."

"And who's going to replace you? We have been over this ground before George. The only man that could just went through that gate. In time there will be someone. I can think of a couple that, in time, could. Right now things are too splintered out there among our allies. I'm not even sure some of them are our allies. The only stability is the SGC and with Jack gone...that stability is you."

"There's going to be talk."

"So? I am eligible for retirement in 45 days. Let them talk. I can't imagine the President would replace you for marrying a retired Colonel. We've played by the rules for six years. We can manage another 45 days."

"I love you." Hammond knew he hadn't told her that often enough and had never told her that within the walls of the SGC. However tonight, watching O'Neill leaving to command the Alpha Site it was the right time.

He had watched Samantha Carter letting someone she loved be who he was even if it wasn't what she had hoped would happen after he stepped down as the CO of SG-1. Hammond knew like Maggie knew, like Sam knew, that love takes many forms. Yes, tonight it seemed like the right thing to say.

"And you know that I love you." Maggie added but not right away.  She knew when she had his attention and for a few moments she didn't.  If she was going to say it, she wanted to be sure he heard her.

General Hammond smiled. It wasn't going to be easy but somehow he was determined to have a life with this woman. A woman that stood at his side, covered his six when necessary and fought him tooth and nail when she thought he was wrong. 

Jonas Quinn was standing near the door to the gateroom. He debated on whether to go in or not. He knew that Major Carter hadn't come out.

He hadn't always understood or gotten along with Colonel O'Neill but he had respected him. Major Carter had made it easier by running interference on occasion when O'Neill got frustrated with him. Now he wanted to help her get through this. She'd helped him and he wanted to be there for her.

He breathed deeply and entered the gateroom. Sam was still looking at the gate. Jonas moved closer.

"Major?" She didn't move. He touched her shoulder. "Major?"

She shuddered and turned. "Oh, Jonas. Sorry. I guess I was having trouble realizing that he was really gone."

"He'll be back. He has the best reason in the world to come back."

She tilted her head like she always did when she didn't understand.

"He's got you to come back to."

She shook her head. "No. I don't think so." Then she looked up towards the Briefing Room and saw General Hammond talking with Colonel Craig. They were standing a bit closer than they normally did.

She smiled and looked at Jonas. "Then again, Jonas. You never know."