Tag to Solitudes

Cold. Snow. Warm. Jack. Need. More. Time. Sam drifts off to sleep. When the rescuers wake her up, her first thought is to her Commanding Officer's safety. Her heart stops then starts again as soon as she knows he is going to make it. She is so glad to wake up because she has left so much unsaid.

Jack was finally all healed up and ready for duty. He was suiting up to visit P3X-who knows, who cares when he knocked Sam's vest off the bench. As he picked it up to put it back, he saw a few letters fall out of the inner pocket. He picked up the first envelope and pulled out the paper inside.

I am writing this in the event that I die in the line of duty. Please ensure that the letters enclosed are received by the proper parties.

Next he picked up an envelope with Daniel written on the front. He read over the last paragraph.

I wasn't sure about you when we first met, I will admit, but you've turned out to be a wonderful friend and I will surely miss your company. I hope you'll miss mine too.

Next came a letter with General Hammond written on it. His eyes landed on one of the last paragraphs.

It's been a wonderful privilege serving with you. You are a wonderful commander and a warm human being and I'm so very lucky to have known you. Please make sure my father knows what happened to me.

Next came Teal'c.

I do regret not getting to show you more about Earth, although I am sure that Colonel O'Neill will do a wonderful job of showing you the ropes. I have no doubt that you will free your people and I am just sorry that I can't be there to see it.

Jack bit his lip while pulling out the next letter. Dad. He sped read through the letters until a certain passage caught his attention.

After everything we've been through, I just wish we had more time. I forgave you a long time ago, even if I didn't show it. I love you dad, I always have.

Even if they won't tell you how I died, just know I died doing my duty and protecting my country. I hope you realize that my wasn't for nothing. Just trust me on that one.

He picked up the last envelope. Jack. His fingers quivered as he opened the envelope.

In case you make it out and I don't, I just want you to know that I'm very sorry that I couldn't save you, sir. I hope you'll find another member for your team, surely better suited than I am.

I truly regret not getting to know you better before my life ended. I want you to know how much I admire you as a leader. After all the hardship in the past, you're still serving and for that you are so strong. Ever since we met I've aspired to be more like you, hoping that someday I could be half as strong as you.

It has been a pleasure and an honor serving with you, sir.

Sam

Jack slipped the letters back into her vest. He was more than a little shook up. He had no idea how much Sam paid attention to his habits. She wanted to be like him? He hoped she'd never be as scarred as he was. He felt a little guilty for reading the letters, but he was glad to have some new insight into his 2IC. And yes, he was very glad they had both made it out alive.

On the mission that night, he wrote out letters of his own. One very special letter he kept close to his heart on every mission after that. A letter with a name scrawled on the front. Sam.

fin.

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