Disclaimer: Still not my characters.

Thanks everyone for your reviews. Of course everyone had an idea where the previous chapter was going (it HAD to, right?), so I'm glad you all enjoyed it and didn't feel like it was just a rehash of all the other "clone" stories.

This story has not been beta'd, so all mistakes are mine and mine alone. Reviews still appreciated!

Jack and Sam sat next to each other on a teak bench on the small balcony, trying not to look back at the younger versions of themselves. Jack finally took a small peek and saw them in an embrace. He quickly turned back around. "I feel like a creepy voyeur."

Sam chuckled. "I told you not to look."

They continued to sit quietly lost in their own thoughts, until Jack asked softly, "Are you sure this is what you wanted?"

"Yes," she said. "He, well, he needs her. He didn't have a choice in being brought into the world like he is, but I did, and this is what I wanted. For him." She knew he understood that she wanted it for herself too. She would take comfort in knowing that in a way, they would be together, even if it broke her heart. She gave him a sad smile.

Jack looked at her intensely. His heart was beating faster than normal. "Do you think I don't need you?"

"I-I don't know. I guess not. You seem to be doing fine, Sir." She looked away before she could disgrace herself again by crying in front of him. She'd cried so many tears over the last few weeks, she wondered how she had any left. It seemed she always had more tears to shed over him, though. Sam was startled when Jack's hand reached out to cover hers. She looked over at his long, slim fingers. Fingers that had wrapped around her own while she stood at her father's grave side, and fingers that had stroked her hair and wiped away her tears of grief. She tightened her own fingers around his and rested her head on his shoulder. This was a familiar and comfortable act to both of them. She couldn't count all the times they'd sat like that, as though is were the most natural thing in the world, any world.

"Carter, I'm never fine without you," he admitted. When she didn't say anything, he glanced down and the blond head on his shoulder, and screwed up his courage. Jack O'Neill had faced down system lords, Jaffa and Iraqi torturers; surely he could talk to one woman. "Do you think you could ever love me?"

Sam's bolted upright and turned to face him full on. Had he really just asked her that? After all this time? "Could love you? Could love you?" She let out a laugh that bordered on hysteria. "I've been in love with you for years." Her voice broke, causing her to swallow deeply before she continued. "Why do you think I did this? I wanted part of us to be together. Even after all this time, you don't know how I feel? " A tear slid down her cheek. It seemed she had plenty left after all.

Reaching out, he cupped her face and wiped it away. "You wanted to leave it in the room, remember? You almost married another man." Jack shrugged. "I dunno, I thought maybe it was all in my head."

"You are frequently even dumber than you want people to think you are, do you know that?" Sam turned into his hand and kissed the palm. "I never wanted to leave it in the room, but there was so much that needed to be done that I thought it might be best, so we could stay on the same team. I never imagined it would have to stay locked away for so long. I-I thought we'd be able to go back to it later, but later never came."

Jack blew out a breath. "The kid thinks I've been a fool."

"Well, you're not the only one who's been a fool," she told him honestly. "I'm the one who kept turning down all your invitations to the cabin. Maybe if I'd been brave enough to say yes, things might have been different."

He motioned behind him with his head. "Think they'll do any better?"

Sam turned and saw that their younger selves were now sitting together talking, hands firmly clasped in one another's. "God, I hope so. Things are different for them though."

"They could be different for us too, you know," Jack said, surprising her.

"How so?"

Jack didn't want to tell her the news of his transfer just yet. Not when she'd just given him one of the greatest gifts he'd ever received: a chance at having her. "We can figure it out while we're at the cabin. You are still planning to go with Daniel and Teal'c, aren't you?"

She nodded. "I can't wait." She suddenly wished Teal'c and Daniel suddenly had reasons to cancel. It was a bad thing to think, she knew, but she wanted Jack to herself.

As if reading her thoughts, Jack gave her a lopsided, and very sexy grin. "You know, you and I could go up a day or two early, if you like. You know, to…talk." The glimmer in his eyes left no doubt as to what he meant by talk.

"Talk. Yes, I think I'd enjoy having some time to…talk with you in private." She smiled at the thought of having Jack all to herself. She'd dreamed it a million times, but never really thought it could happen.

"I'll set it up." He leaned toward her and wrapped his arms around her. "We'll figure something out; some way to make this work. We've wasted far too much time. I think we deserve some sort of a break, don't you? In fact, I think we deserve much more than just a break." His mouth met hers in a kiss that said more than any words could.

Sam responded in kind. Her brain was suddenly scrambled by the feel of him against her, but she managed to have a fleeting thought that told her this was right. He was the right Jack.

Several minutes passed without them being aware of the world around them. A cough brought them back to reality. They broke apart and looked up to find a very smug looking John staring at them. "Something you kids want to tell me?"

"No," Jack said sternly. He had been thoroughly enjoying himself and was quite irritated to have been interrupted. And by his own clone. He's thought the boy would have better sense than that. Clearly he was not a perfect copy.

Sam blushed. She looked around him to see Samantha sitting on the sofa. "Everything okay?"

John looked back briefly and smiled warmly. "Peachy. Why don't you two come back in?"

They stood and followed him back into the room. John looked at Sam and she knew she'd done the right thing. "Thank you. So much. You don't know what this means to me." He hugged her hard and let go. "Jack, I get that this has all been a bit much for you, but really, um, thank you."

"Don't get mushy on me," Jack said.

"Never," John said, sounding happier than Jack had heard him before. Of course Jack knew there was a reason for the happiness. He was beginning to feel some himself. "Would it be alright if we used the cabin next week?"

Jack shrugged. "Don't see why not."

Samantha stepped closer and wrapped her arm around John's waist. He put his around her shoulder and kissed her temple. "We think it might be a good place for a honeymoon."

Jack whistled. "Bit fast don't you think?"

Samantha laughed. "I think eight years is long enough."

"When you put it that way," he said.

"And don't worry," John told him. "Sam, this Sam that is, told me you're headed up there with the team at the end of the month, so we'll be gone by then."

Sam looked at them. "Any ideas what you'll do now?"

"Not just yet, but we've got the rest of our lives to figure it out." John told her, while looking at Samantha.

"Forever," Samantha said quietly, looking into John's eyes.

Jack was starting to feel like a voyeur again. "Okay, kids, it's been, well, weird, real weird, but it's time for us to head out. Don't leave the cabin in a mess and, don't do anything I wouldn't do." At the look everyone gave him, he shrugged. "You know what I mean. You ready, Carter?"

Sam gave John one last hug. "Take care of yourself, and be happy."

"Oh, I will," he promised her. "You've managed to give me the only thing I need to be happy. I can never thank you enough."

Samantha walked Sam to the door. "I promise I'll take care of him," she said quietly. "You've given us a chance." She glanced back and John and Jack. "I hope you two get a chance."

Sam smiled. "I think we just might."

John put his hand out and Jack reluctantly shook it. "Jack. Don't waste any more time."

Jack lifted his eyebrows. "Words of wisdom?"

John looked over at Sam and smirked. "From what I saw outside though, it doesn't look like you plan to."

"Yes, well, I don't move quite as quickly as you, but I'm pretty sure I'll figure something out. Take care of her."

"Same to you."

Jack and Sam walked toward the elevator. "You think they'll be okay?" She asked, as they stepped inside.

"Yeah, they're both pretty smart. At least she is."

Sam considered it for a second. "I don't know, they've both been pretty slow for a long time." The doors opened and they stepped out into the tiled lobby.

"Yes, well, let's not hold that against them." He reached over and took her hand, holding all the way to the car, where he kissed her again before opening the door for her. He climbed in the driver's side and felt lighter than he had in years. He knew that the two of them still faced a long road, but he knew for certain that this time they would face it together.

Fin