A/N

I wrote the basics of this story the 1st of October with the intention of releasing it on October 20th in celebration of Jack O'Neill's birthday. Since then, we had friends visit and when I got back to the story, there were parts in the middle that I wanted to enhance and make better, but I couldn't get it out on "paper" the way I wanted. It's not a birthday story. It does take place in present time, so Jack just turned 69. That would make Sam almost 53. This is based off of the character birthdates.

Also, this story could correlate with a couple of my other stories, but it is a stand alone.

SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ

Getting Old Sucks

Jack finds Sam on the deck of their house. He walked up behind her, laid his hands on both shoulders and then ran them down her arms to her hands, intermingling their fingers and wrapped both of their arms around her. It was something he has done for years.

Quietly into her ear he whispered, "Your home early."

She took a long breath in, "I wanted to talk while the kids were at hockey practice."

Jack sighed, "I'm so sorry for yelling…no, screaming at you this morning."

She leaned back against his chest as she spoke, "I never told you this before, but I really love when you do this. It takes me back to the first time on the dock at the cabin."

"I remember." Although he appreciates the deflection, this needs to be hashed out. He sighed and continued, "You're changing the subject."

She took a big breath in, "I know you're sorry, and I know you were frustrated. I know you and I know how you think. I understand."

Worry was in his voice like he really didn't believe her, "So you forgive me?"

"Yeah."

Feeling heart heavy from guilt, "I don't think I deserve that."

There is silence for a few moments. Even though there is clear tension, they are both just enjoying the closeness. After a few minutes, Sam turns around in his arms and says, "I want to retire."

Jack's eyes widen and then he studies her, looking closer he sees sadness and regret in her eyes.

With softness and confusion, "Why?"

"They want me to go to DC."

"They are about to give you your third set of stars, huh?"

"That's not really important to me. I don't want to go to HWS. I saw what it did to you and I don't want that. The job hardened you. It took me a couple years to get my fun loving Jack back. Not to mention, You and the kids are happy here. This is home."

"Home is where we all are, we will adjust."

"I have done my time, Jack. I have served for over 30 years. Almost 27 of them in the Stargate program. I made my stars. I'm am satisfied with how my career progressed. I don't need to go to the Pentagon to prove my self worth."

"You proved your self worth a long time ago when you were a wee young Captain." They both let out a small chuckle. "Sam, what is this really about?"

"The truth is what happened this morning scared me. You were in pain and couldn't move. The kids and I wanted to help. You were so angry with us. When I got to work, I scanned my office. All the pictures over the years. SG1 in the beginning, you with brown hair. Then a later picture with you being a silver Fox." She gave him a small sultry smile, "Then us fishing at the cabin. Our wedding photo and then the picture of us with the twins. Looking at all those photos I realized that I may have been greedy. That maybe I took advantage of your support."

He would never tell her, he would take it to his grave, but there were times that he felt that she had chosen her career over him. It hurt, but deep down, he knew she loved him enough to come home to him. It got better when her job was more sedentary. Even with all this running through his mind, he simply stated, "I never felt that way."

She gave him a half grin, "My cheerleader."

Sam can see Jack's self depreciation beginning to surface behind his eyes. "No! Don't you dare go there, Jack!"

"I knew my age was going to come into play in our marriage eventually." Jack sat down in a chair leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. Sam pulled up a chair across from him and got close.

"I do not regret any of this!" Her hands going back and forth between them. "Yes! We knew our age differences were going to come into play. But, don't you dare regret this. We have a great marriage and we made beautiful children. I know damn well you don't regret them!" She huffed.

Jack thought back to the time when they had their children. April of 2009, the time between Sam's time at Atlantis and her commander position on the Hammond, Sam gave birth to their twins. With her being 40, it isn't uncommon for women to have twins. She gave Jack his second chance at fatherhood with the birth of Grace Janet and George Carter. They had originally wanted Daniel Carter, but with the death of General Hammond during the pregnancy, they changed it to George. Gracie is a cross between Jack and Sam with dirty blond hair and blue eyes. God that smile of hers is all Sam though. G-man is a carbon copy of himself. He has sandy brown hair with brown eyes. They both are lanky and tall like their parents. God, so damn smart. And to Jack's delight, lives and breathes hockey. Not just the game itself, but great at playing as well. The O'Neill twins have made their team champions the last couple of years. With their ages now, they are in basically the kid's version of the minor league. He couldn't be prouder. He smiled.

Jack snapped out of his revelry and responded, "No, I don't, but I do regret that they will eventually have to live without their father a lot earlier then they should…and you too."

"When that happens, they will know that their father gave everything he could to them and loved them so very much. I will be devastated, Jack. But…" she paused, looking deep into his eyes, "I will have a large part of you with those beautiful kids of ours. They are you. George, it's like you spit, and there he was. Grace may look more like me, but she is her father's daughter. Both have your wit, your charm, your ability to read people it's scary, and to my dismay, your love for hockey."

"They have your smarts, they will be graduating just after they turn 16."

"But.. I was a nerd. You made them well rounded." She stopped and grabbed both his hands. "We are getting slightly off topic here. Jack, you are healthy. It's just your body has been abused over the years." Not mentioning why. It doesn't need to be said that he was a POW, tortured and been injured so many times it was impossible to keep count.

"I don't need you to retire because my knees, back and hip lock up on me and I'm in so much pain at times. I don't need your pity." He knows that last part is just to rile her up, but sometimes he can't help it.

"You really think I pity you? Jack, I am proud of you. The AF abused you because of your skills. I want to retire as a general at the same age that you were leaving SG1. I left SG1 when I was 39. You were 45 when you started. You see the difference? As for George and Grace, well, they worship you, they don't see you any differently than their father that loves them. They know what you have sacrificed. We want to help. Let us help," she pleaded.

"I'm not…I never wanted to be a reason for choices in your career."

"Why not? Don't we both deserve to be retired together? I know you are a prideful man and you like to be the protector and supporter. That's just your nature. This is not just wanting to take care of you. Can you see that maybe I just want to drop the kids off at school, go have a quiet breakfast and stroll in the park with you? Come home and do projects together around the house. You know…like normal retired couples."

He grinned, "You'll be bored and I will drive you nuts."

"I will find things to do. Write a book, or go teach a class at the Academy to get out of the house. I spent eight years as your second, I can deal with your "charm". You're actually easier to get along with these days. Even with your grumpiness."

He huffed and then grinned when he remembered something. "G-man wants to get a pilot's license. You can teach him to fly."

"Really? He has five more years before he can legally get a pilot's license. When did this come up?"

"He mentioned it a couple days ago. Doesn't mean you can't teach him."

"See, I didn't know that and I should. I would love to teach him how to fly. Yet another reason, I want to be there for them too. Jack, please support me on this. You have never told me no, don't start now." She gave him a big grin because she knew she had him.

He smiled and rolled his eyes. "No, I never could tell you no. Okay, you have my support."

"Thank you. I will turn my paperwork in tomorrow." She stated, leaning in to give him a passionate kiss.

As their kiss deepened, they heard their 12 year olds voices coming through the house, but that didn't stop them.

It was George who said something, "Why are they always kissing?"

Grace replied, "They're soulmates George and they love each other." She came up to them and gave them a hug. "Hey Mom, hey Dad. What's going on?"

Sam replied as she sat up straighter to hug their daughter back, "I was just talking to your father about retiring,"

George asked, "Are you sure, Mom? You may get bored."

Sam looked at Jack and he just shrugged.

Jack asked his kids, "Sooo, how was practice?"

They both replied, "Great!"

Then George continued, "I think we will have another winning year."

A big grin came across Jack's face, "That's great to hear. You two go get cleaned up so we can go get some dinner."

Both kids went into the house and closed the door.

Sam and Jack looked at each other and at the same time, "Soulmates?"

Sam smiled, "Our daughter has a romantic old soul."

Jack shrugged his shoulders, "What's wrong with that?"

Sam looked over his shoulder seeming to be thinking about something.

Of course, he looked behind him to see what she may be looking at, then looked back at her, "What?"

She looked him in the eye, "Oh, I was thinking how you may have set the bar high with that one."

"Nah, she just will not settle for anything less than someone who will loves and respects all of her, and allow her to be who she is. Be her 'little cheerleader' as you stated earlier. I have also taught her that love, respect, and support goes both ways."

"What about George?"

"Oh, him too. He just doesn't appreciate the squishy lovey dovey stuff yet. I'm trying to instill what it means to love a woman. You know, you set the bar high too."

"I don't think so."

Standing and pulling her up and to him, "Really? His mother is Smart. Beautiful. Amazing. Did I mention beautiful and smart?" Giving her a peck on the lips.

Sam smiled at him. Then gave him a deep kiss. "I guess there is an advantage to being much older, you are able to be home, be there for them and teach them valuable life lessons."

They stood there awhile holding each other.

Jack started thinking back to earlier in the day, and how she quickly she forgave him for his behavior. The kids had also acted as if nothing happened when he picked them up from school.

"Why did you forgive me so quickly?"

She laid her head where her face nuzzled him in the crook of his neck and moved her arms to clasp him under his arms up to his shoulders while they continued to talk.

"I removed myself from the situation."

"Explain."

She paused and took in a breath, "I realized the way you behaved had nothing to do with us and everything to do with you being embarrassed of the situation. You know, manly pride." He could feel the slight smile on his neck. "I explained it to the kids. They seemed to understand."

Jack continued to stare out over the yard.

Sam continued, "Grace was upset that we were leaving you alone like that. I told her that I was coming back to check on you after I dropped them off.

"Did you?"

"I did, you were in the shower. I noticed you took the pills on the nightstand I gave you. Obviously, you were able to get up and take care of yourself. Everything was still raw, so I left." She paused for a beat, pulled him in a little tighter, "I didn't tell them that I saw the fear in your eyes. That really scared me Jack."

"It scared me too."

"Well, that's why I knew you acted that way, and that's why I was able to forgive so easily."

He squeezed her and he started to sway them just ever so slightly. He kissed her head. "Thank you."

He had no idea how long they swayed in silence but he started thinking again. "Sam, seriously, what do you still see in me? I have white hair, wrinkles and scars. I know I can't be that attractive anymore."

She lifted her head as she loosened her arms to look in his eyes. "Jack, there is more to you than your looks and body. You told me you married me because you loved everything about me, even my flaws. It's the same for me. We had such an advantage that we were able to know the more intricate parts of each other." They continued to stare into each other's eyes. "I don't know, maybe like our hopeful romantic daughter says, maybe we are soulmates." She gives him a wry smile. "Never believed in that sort of stuff, but I never thought I would ever have a career and a supporting husband either. I never thought I could have both."

"After you told me what your father told you on his death bed and we gave in to our…feelings, I was on a mission to prove that you could have everything you wanted."

"And you wonder what I see in you?" She smiled. He could tell she was reading his eyes, "I love your eyes. You have an ability just to show such warmth and love in them, among other things. When your mask is down, I don't need you to verbalize your feelings. Your eyes tell me everything."

After a moment Sam gave him her bright smile and she had this twinkle of mirth in her eyes before she stated, "You still have one big thing still going for ya."

Jack smiled back knowing her next statement is going be good. "What's that?"

"You still sure know how to make love to me."

Jack laughed looked up at the sky, "Ya, well…"

"And before you go where I think your going, don't! You know we will deal.."

"Hopefully that will never happen." He paused as contemplating something. Then continued, "If it does happen I could just take those little blue pills and you could just have your way with me."

She dropped her hands from behind his back. The shock on his wife's face was priceless. Then he could literally see the red flush creep up from the collar of her shirt, to the tips of her ears, to the top of her head as she buries her face in her hands. He hasn't made her this red in years. He could see her shoulders shaking with laughter. Jack was quite amused with his wife's embarrassment.

She shook her head as she responded sounding muffled, "Jack! I cannot believe you just said that!" She lifted her head and looked at him. She had tears in her eyes from laughter. "Strike that, I can, but, Jack, that was so wrong on so many levels. Why am I laughing?"

He chuckled as he grabbed her around the waist. "Yes, well, it may have been grossly inappropriate, but we are both laughing and feeling better. And, I just found out I can still make you blush bright red." He looked at her amusingly and pecked her on the nose.

Clearing her throat, clearly still embarrassed, "I guess that's a positive."

Still holding her, with a smug grin, "It sounds like the kids are ready. What would you like for dinner?"

She must have been really hungry because she spoke her decision quickly. Much quicker than usual. What is it with women and their indecision when it comes to food? Or, maybe, she wanted to quickly change the subject, "I'm thinking Mexican, Pedro's? I could go for their amazing shredded chicken chimichanga with the white cheese queso." She gave Jack a quick kiss and pinched his tush, a little too aggressively as she started to walk past him to enter the house.

Jack turned to follow with a huge grin on his face hoping she understands his undertone, "You may regret this decision later."

He could see from the side of her face that she was smiling. When she spoke, there was a hint of amusement, "Just don't eat any beans, Jack."
Yep, she heard it!

With mock whininess, "But that's my favorite."

He could hear a quiet chuckle coming from Sam on the way in the house.

SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/SJ/

A/N

I don't make light that men may need a little help. This was a discussion between a husband and wife in my story. We know Jack when he wants to deflect or self depreciate, he will say something inappropriate. In my opinion, this was something Jack would totally say. So please don't take offense.

Pedro's is a place our family dined at quite frequently while stationed in Pensacola, FL. They have the best shredded chicken I ever tasted.