AN: This ficlet emerged from painful personal experience. Unfortunately, I failed in my mission, so I no longer buy pure wool sweaters. It's just not worth it -sigh-
Disclaimer: They belong to t-awesome-ptb, who are going to grant the request of MOP, because they love us so much. That or we'll send in the penguin army ;)
S/J Established, Spoiler-free, Rated: T
Laundry Wars
Jack lay relaxing in the bed, his fingers linked, his head resting on them, his lean frame long and straight, his ankles crossed; patiently waiting for his wife of 6 weeks to finish in the bathroom. While he waited, he amused himself with memories of their honeymoon at his cabin - fun, relaxation, sex; he allowed his memory to dwell and drifted off into very pleasurable daydreams...
Sam emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in her satin robe and towel in hand, her eyes immediately drawn to her husband's relaxed position. She took notice of his faint smile and the rather obvious proof of the nature of his daydreams, grinned knowingly and headed for the laundry room.
Happily humming, she sorted her way through the basket of clothes Jack had washed the day before. The humming stopped abruptly. As did Jack's pleasant daydream as Sam's wet towel landed on his face.
"Jack! You shrank my sweater - again!"
A quiet "Oops" was heard from under the towel. After a speedy threat assessment, Jack decided staying under the towel - soggy though it may be, was a pretty good idea.
"There's no point trying to hide Jack." Although Sam couldn't help but grin at his silliness, her voice was pure steel. She hadn't become a full bird Colonel with her own command without learning a thing or two about discipline.
D'oh! Jack slowly lowered the towel, keeping it just below his chin (he knew well enough by now it was essential to have some form of defense when facing an angry Carter, however paltry it may be). Sam was stood at the end of the bed. "I checked the label first and it didn't say not to put it in the dr..."
"Yes it does!" Sam cut him off mercilessly. "Right here!"
"What? Where?" Jack was genuinely confused.
Sam thrust her (now) very tiny sweater towards him, label first. "That little box with the circle in it and the cross through it!" She hoped the action would help her to keep her face straight. It wouldn't do to loose it now - she really had to train him how to wash her sweaters while she still had some left. But oh how she loved that confused look!
"Huh?" Jack cautiously raised himself on one elbow and tried to peer at the label. It was no use; his eyes couldn't focus on something that small from 6 feet away. He dropped the wet towel on the floor, got out of the bed and moved closer, careful to stay out of arm's reach.
Sam obligingly pointed out the minute symbol on the tiny label, resolutely ignoring his state of undress. "Here!"
"Huh...that's just...how's anyone supposed to understand those squiggles anyway!!" he groused.
That deserved a glare. The returning impudent and undaunted look required more stringent action. Sam took an intimidating step forward, waving the offending garment under Jack's nose. "You manage squiggles just fine when it's a battle plan! Why can't you understand them when it's laundry? I've told you often enough!"
Ahhh, battle plans - now she's talking! Time for a strategic retreat. "Why don't you show me them again now?" Jack moved slowly closer. "That robe you're wearing for instance..." Jack pulled on the belt, undoing it slowly then sliding it off her shoulders "show me that label..." His words trailed off as he started nuzzling at Sam's shoulder, pushing her robe down her arms with his palms.
Sam sighed; partly in annoyance but mostly with pleasure. This battle may have ended in defeat for her sweaters, but her newly-formed plans for the morning were definitely looking good. They'd return to the Laundry Wars later.
Another AN: If there are shippers out there, who like me, would like to see some confirmation on screen of the status of Sam and Jack's relationship, check out this site and join in the fun! www dot freewebs dot com slash blitzsquee. Or drop by the Sam/Jack Ship Family Discussion thread over at the Gateworld Forum :D