Jack considered lying to Maybourne - yes, he had retired. It made the most sense. Had there been a worry about home, this was what he'd probably go with. Considering where they were, he was more inclined for the truth. It wasn't that Jack was against lying to Maybourne - God knew he did it a lot and would do it again - it was more than Jack had to hide how he felt about Sam for so long that it seemed like a crime to dismiss any chance he got now to affirm it. He did take a second to glance at Sam to make sure she didn't look tense or like a deer in the headlights before he replied.
"I was promoted, actually. SGC, then Washington. So was Sam." He figured Maybourne could do the math from there. "I thought about writing you a letter, but the postage alone would have bankrupted me."