Jeannie and Samantha brought the trays of food to the waiting men in the cabana. They were going to enjoy a final breakfast together before the two couples went their separate ways.

Tony and Jeannie were scheduled to fly out soon after Roger and Samantha, so after they ate they'd all go to the airport together.

"Did you get that real estate agent I suggested, Roj?" Tony asked as they tucked into the good Southern-style breakfast.

Roger nodded his head, his mouth full of biscuit. He washed it down with juice and said, "Yes, she and I already went over what I wanted. She's very good and very professional. I can leave my house in her hands, and she'll keep in touch with me."

He turned his attention back to his food, suddenly not in the mood to talk. So this was it. Finish breakfast, go to the airport, they're gone, we're gone. He found it difficult to swallow his food.

Tony was quiet also, digging back into his breakfast. Jeannie and Samantha looked at one another. They hadn't missed the abrupt mood change.

Jeannie felt sad for them both, remembering how their month-long separation years ago had hurt them so much. This was going to be even worse. Back then, they knew the separation was temporary and they'd be working together once more.

But now...Jeannie looked again at Samantha, her eyes showing the sadness.

Sam nodded her head in understanding. It was one of those ambivalent moments: Happiness over the marriage, sadness at the coming separation.

She needed to say something to lighten the mood.

"So, Tony, did you and Jeannie enjoy your little 'swim' last night?"

Roger laughed, his eyes sparkling. "Swim, yeah. We heard you two 'swimming!'"

Tony's mood changed as well, remembering. Jeannie blushed but didn't deny anything.

"Hey, what can I say? A prelude to our honeymoon, in our own very special spot!" he took Jeannie's hand and kissed it.

He said, "Looks like we're about ready." He stood up and began clearing dishes away, waving aside Roger's and Sam's protests.

"No, no, you two have done plenty for Jeannie and me. And you two lovely ladies fixed this perfect breakfast. Now let ME do some of the dirty work!" He walked to the cabin, each arm holding a tray with dishes and leftovers on them.

He shouted back, "Let me get the dishes done, the cabin straightened up, and we can start packing the cars!"

It was almost ten o'clock when they pulled into the airport's long-term parking lot. Roger had arranged to have his neighbor Robert come for his car and keep it at home until Robert could find a buyer for it. Roger was planning on getting a more rugged utilitarian vehicle, suitable for the climate of snowy Colorado.

They loaded their luggage on the carts and were ready to go. Roger looked at his little sportscar one more time, as if saying goodbye to it. He rubbed his hand along the side, patted it and turned to Sam.

"Aw, kiss it goodbye, Roger," she smiled.

He laughed, winking at her, "Hey, what can I say? I've had some good times in that old classic."

They lugged the carts behind them, Jeannie and Samantha pulling ahead, talking about the coming trip to Jamaica the newlyweds were taking.

Roger and Tony fell behind the two women. They walked shoulder to shoulder, not wanting to end that bond. Roger started humming to himself, and Tony bumped him, laughing.

"Leaving, on a jetplane?"

Roger laughed, pleased that Tony got it. "If I broke into 'Goodbye Again' the girls might think we were going to kiss goodbye!"

The women heard them laughing and looked behind them, happy to see they weren't being melancholy. The sense people get, though, was there, that feeling when you go to the airport to say goodbye, wondering, When am I going to see him again?

The four stopped at the security checkpoint. Tony and Jeannie needed to go to the international departures, and Sam and Roger had to go to Concourse B.

Jeannie got the goodbyes started. She hugged Roger to her, holding him tightly for a moment, and whispered, "I really love Samantha, I hope you two get married someday too."

He smiled into her blue eyes, as blue as Samantha's own, and kissed her on the cheek. "You take care of my best friend, now, and don't wear him out in Jamaica!"

"I certainly will not wear him out, I need him for later!"

She turned to Sam, gave her a quick hug, and let Tony move in.

"Samantha, I'm so glad Roger's found someone like you!" He kissed her on the cheek, gave her a brief hug as well.

Tony and Roger looked at each other, not saying anything, not sure how to begin.

They shook hands, and pulled together in a bear hug, thumping on one another's back. Tony whispered, "It can't be forever, Roj, it can't."

Roger whispered back, "I know."

He pulled back, hands on Tony's shoulders, green eyes misting over. I'm such a slushball, he thought.

"Keep in touch." "Email me." They both said simultaneously.

Tony looked at Jeannie, who was looking at her watch and beginning to walk off with the cart, giving the two men a little privacy. Sam had walked off to look at the arrivals and departures displays, checking the status of their flight.

Tony clapped Roger on the shoulder one final time and turned to join his wife, not looking back.

Sam went back to Roger, putting her head on his shoulder, her hand on his back.

Roger watched Tony walk off. It can't be forever. It just can't.

Fin.

The next portion of "The Endeavour Series" will be Major Healey's Personal Log, 24 AUG 2004 to 29 AUG 2004, as he finalizes his off-world training at Stargate Command.

As always, a review would be most welcomed. Thanks to all of you who've sent one on this series!