Sam didn't usually shop but she found that she wanted to spend more time with Jennifer so she agreed to meet for breakfast and a morning of shopping. It was nice to have a female friend away from work.

The two women became almost inseparable. They relaxed by the pool or did some sight seeing during the day and in the evenings they took to watching movies after dinner, each picking out their favourites. Tonight Sam had brought "Pretty Woman" starring Julia Roberts and Jennifer keyed up "The Gymnast" starring Dreya Weber.

They ate popcorn and laughed and cried throughout the movies thoroughly enjoying themselves. Jennifer had fallen asleep during the end of The Gymnast and missed Sam's reaction to the movie.

Sam had been surprised by the lesbian content of the movie but she found she was captivated by the strong performance of the female lead Weber. She was very impressed by the level of stunt work the woman had performed during the movie, conscious of the fact Weber was over 40 at the time of production. She couldn't help making some comparisons between Jennifer and Weber, both were in top physical shape but she felt Jennifer was much more beautiful as she looked down onto the sleeping face of her friend. Sam gently pushed aside a lock of her hair which brought Jennifer fully awake. "Aww did I miss then end?" she said stretching her long legs. "That's my favourite part" she pouted. "Did you like it?" Jennifer asked not making eye contact with Sam.

"Yes, very much so" Sam said. "That actress is in amazing shape!"

Jennifer didn't pry anymore, she had originally considered using the movie as a forum to open up a discussion about her sexual orientation and telling Sam she was a lesbian but decided that she only had a couple days of vacation left so why risk making Sam uncomfortable around her. They made plans for a last shopping trip in the morning, before their vacation time ran out and said good night.

"I don't know, what do you think?" Sam asked for the umpteenth time modeling a dress. "It seems a little daring for me?" she asked her friend seriously. They had spent the morning picking up odds and ends, when Sam remembered she had an important function to attend at the end of the month and wanted a new formal evening gown. Jennifer steered her into a very excusive dress shop causing Sam to giggle. "I feel like Julia Roberts," she snickered, referring to a scene in the movie they had watched the night before. "Well I guess that makes me Richard Gere", Jennifer smirked picking out some things in Sam's size. "Here try these," she said, thrusting a bunch of item's into Sam's arms.

Sam tried on each item Jennifer had chosen and modeled them. "Hmm", Jennifer said, "I like them all but none of them scream, SAM!" she said seriously going back out to look over the selection again. Sam fussed with the wasitline and trim, not sure about any of them, looking up when Jennifer came back triumphantly."This one!" Jennifer stated and turned Sam back into the change room.

Sam tried the black dress on that Jennifer had chosen and gasped at the result in the mirror, "I must have it on backwards" she said, hauling on the cleavage. She walked out of the room and turned towards the full length mirror, focussing on her image when Jennifer appeared behind her. She started to joke about the amount of cleavage showing when she saw the look of pure lust on her friends face and shook her head thinking she was mistaken.

Jennifer was stunned and for a moment she couldn't even catch her breath, Sam was absolutely gorgeous. She already knew that but this dress, made her look...Wow. She forgot to hide her emotions for a minute and then she caught Sam's eye in the mirror. "You look..fantastic" she whispered softly. "It is definitely the one" she finished.

Sam looked confused for a moment then smiled, "Okay, I'll take it".

After she paid for the dress and they stepped out on the boulevard

Sam impulsively hugged Jennifer. "What's this for?" Jennifer asked blushing slightly but hugging her back.

"For being so patient and helping me. I don't have a lot of time for friends outside work but these last two weeks have been just what I needed I hope we can..."

RINGGGGG, Both Sam and Jennifer's phones went off at the same time. Shrugging they each turned away to take the call. Hanging up slightly first, Jennifer was all business. "Sam! I've got to leave. My assignment has been moved up and they need me now," she said apologetically.

Sam too was grave, "Me too, a ... problem has come up and I have to get back." She said hailing them both a cab back to the resort. They both were silent on the ride back to their rooms as each had to make some mental plans to facilitate immediate departure. Since their rooms were on separate wings they said their hasty goodbyes in the lobby both promising to meet for another minute before they left so they could exchange contact information but in the rush to depart they both forgot....

Major Samantha Carter was escorted to a waiting helicopter which flew her immediately to a nearby US Airforce base, then she was forwarded to the Cheyenne Mountain research facility. She was met by her SG1 team and briefed quickly about a dire off-world rescue mission before she passed through the Stargate to travel thousands of light years away.

Captain Jennifer Kennard checked out of her hotel and was rushed into a waiting car which deposited her at the airport. From there she took a Private plane to Colorado Springs where she would begin her new position as squadron leader of SG12 out of Cheyenne mountain. She had been fully briefed about the Stargate program and the Airforce had been very impressed with her leadership qualities during her last tour of duty and offered her this commision. She was excited to begin her new adventure.

tbc