Selkie Cove: Sunday, just after six am

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

The walk from dorms to cove had been quiet.

Jack was curiously reluctant to talk, and as they reached the cove, he set his packs down on the ground and gazed out over the ocean.

Not long now. "We're here."

[ooc: locked to Sam and Cedric, please. ETA: And Jack's gone from Fandom. *sniffles* I had a wonderful time while he was here, and thank you everyone who made him so much damn fun to play!]

Comments

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam glanced out over the water, then returned to looking at Jack, as she had been throughout most of the walk, trying to memorize his features. "Yeah, I guess we are."

Don't go.

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

Cedric let out a short, shaky breath and said, "Oh."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"They're not here yet." Not yet. I don't have to leave yet. He wasn't ready. "We've got some time."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam stepped up and took his hand, squeezing it gently. "Not nearly enough."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"No." But there never would be. He slipped his fingers through Sam's, holding on. Not sure he could ever let go.

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"Did you remember to pack clean underwear?" What? He got babbly when thinks sucked.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Despite herself, Sam giggled, "Did you remember to wear underwear?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He laughed quietly and slipped his other arm around Cedric's shoulders, pulling him in close. "I remembered."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"Don't get yourself killed, please," Cedric said into Jack's shoulders. "Even if you can't come back, don't get killed."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Another squeeze on Jack's hand, "And if you do get killed, figure out a way back."

What? Once upon a time, she was best friends with Daniel Jackson.

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"I agree with that," he said. What? He'd been dead before.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack dragged in a shaky breath and looked up into the sky. "I promise. No dying, not ever, and if something happens, and I can't keep it," he swallowed, "I will find a way to come back." A quick, flashing grin, and he looked between them. "You can't get rid of me that easily."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam couldn't speak. To her, at this moment, in the lightening dawn, it looked like it would be very easy to get rid of Jack.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack slid his hand from Sam's and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. "Don't forget me," he whispered against her hair.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam hugged him, and whispered back, "I couldn't if I tried. And if you forget, remember that symbol on your back will lead you home."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Sam--" He couldn't speak, all he could do was press his face against her hair and breathe deep, trying to etch the feel of her in his memory.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Shhhhh," she whispered, kissing the shell of his ear, "and say goodbye to Cedric."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He pulled her tighter, one fist clenching in her shirt, then let go, slowly pulling away and turning to Cedric.

"Cedric." He had no words, and he ran his fingers along the edge of his jaw, cupping his cheek.

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"I don't know what to say," he mumbled, "that would be adequate for what you did for me. So...I love you."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Funny," he said with a tiny smile, thumb brushing against his cheek. "I was just going to say the same thing. You know I love you. Promise me you won't forget."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"I won't forget," he promised shakily. "I don't want to forget. Ever. You're a good person, Jack. You deserve more than you give yourself credit for."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"For some people, it's easy to be good," he whispered, and kissed him, trying to tell him everything that he couldn't say.

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

Cedric returned the kiss, hands gripping Jack's shirt tightly. Clinging, almost.

He pulled back and said, "Don't forget us," very quietly.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Never." Jack let his hand fall and stepped away. "Sam?" he asked, head tilted, and held out his hand.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam was blinking rapidly and gripped his hand in hers. "I love you. And you're still the best surprise I ever got." She leaned in to kiss him goodbye.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Eyes closed, Jack kissed her back, feeling himself tremble slightly as he slid his fingers into her hair.

The air rippled, a wash of displaced air ruffling hair and clothes, and then there was a ship, gleaming and strange, hovering soundlessly above them.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam felt her hair and clothes in the wind and turned to glance over her shoulder, her first thought to stand protectively between it and Jack. Then she faced him, and laid her hand on his cheek.

"You will be great, Jack Harkness. I have faith in you."

Then she kissed his forehead, "You should go."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

Cedric stepped forward and managed a thin smile. "Thank you."

He touched his cheek once more, kissed his temple and stepped back.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

With a deep breath, Jack grabbed his packs and walked to stand directly underneath it. "I love you both, and I will never forget you." It was part vow and part defiance as he looked up at the ship.

I'm not ready.

Yes, came a voice from somewhere inside him. You are.

There was a flash of blue light, and Jack was gone.

Seconds later, the ship rippled out of existence.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam watched the horizon for a long time after the ship disappeared, then sighed and brushed her hair out of her eyes, "I should go pack."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

He dropped his head, staring at the ground. "I should go...I don't know."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"You can join me, if you don't want to be alone," she offered quietly.

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"I don't pack well," he said, rubbing the spot over his eye.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"You don't need to pack. Just...if you want company. There's an extra bed, if you want to sleep."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"Right, sorry," he said, apologizing without really thinking. "For a little while, yes. I'd like that."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Come on, then," she started walking back to campus, looking back over her shoulder one final time. No ship.

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

Cedric tucked his hands into his pocket and started walking after her.

He didn't look back.