Dances
He flies in just to see her, but no one can know. As a General working with the Joint Chiefs in matters dealing with the Stargate Program, O'Neill can say he's come to look at the device that took an entire room out of phase, and no one will question it. (Daniel pushing his glasses up while clearing his throat does not count, nor does Teal'c's raised eyebrow. Teal'c always raises his eyebrow.)
Sam's recovery is going slow. Moving hurts, which at least means she won't turn her back at his bad jokes, but hey, all his jokes are good anyway. She smiles when he walks in. Their ranks prevent him from bringing her flowers, but he sets his hand down on the bed close enough to hers that she looks down and understands the gesture. Her smile deepens.
Their relationship has always been like this-subtlety, avoidance, and just enough acknowledgment to keep the hope alive. Things changed a bit when he left the base-now that they're not in the same command, regulations don't prevent them from being together anymore. Still, their slow dance around each other continues. He knows he must make the first move, because she never will, even if she wants to.
A bag of macaroons sits on the table beside the bed. O'Neill picks them up and gives them a whiff. Home baked. Delicious, though if he remembers correctly, Sam doesn't like coconut.
"Who brought these?" he asks.
"Colonel Mitchell. He was trying to cheer me up."
A stab of jealousy mingles with the gratitude he's felt since reading the reports on the mission where Sam was hurt and Mitchell kept her alive until she could receive medical attention. He wishes he could have been there for her, been the one whose strength alone saved her life. He wants to be in her life forever, to be important to her for the rest of her life.
There's no reason left to wait. With a quick decision, he squeezes her hand, enjoying the instant surprise on her face.
"Get well quickly, Carter. When you're out of here, I'll make you dinner."
"Dinner, sir?"
"It's time we stopped dancing around each other and start dancing with each other."
He can't believe he just said that. The words sound mushy and sentimental.
Until Carter squeezes his hand back. "I'd like that very much."