This scene came to me in a dream the other night as a confirmation scene from the film we never got. After some gentle prodding from CSIGurlie07, I decided to write it down. Here's the result. Oh and I know I'm supposed to be writing the next chapter for Cake. It's on the way. Enjoy this is in the meantime.
The greens and blues of the planet below the station entranced Sam. They pulled her away from the anxious thoughts of diplomacy and first contact. Daniel and Teal'c were somewhere down there and the waiting was killing her. Not something she'd ever been very good at, waiting, but at least she wasn't the only one anxious to hear news. Sam became aware of the half a dozen other personnel in the room all in various poses or states of impatience. Sam sighed and rolled her head slowly from side to side, trying to ease the aches in her back and neck. She glanced at her watch and realised she'd been sat on the table staring out of the window for over an hour. Impatience struck her again and she wondered what on earth could be taking so long.
The door to the room slid upon and Sam saw a ripple of tension flow through the other personnel as the familiar figure sloped in. He raised his arms in a plea for relaxation. He wasn't there as a general tonight. She locked eyes with him and gave him a tight smile. He tilted his head back in recognition and made his way over to join her on the table.
"No news yet then?" Sam asked.
"Should be any time now." Jack answered quietly. He turned and gave her a reassuring smile. The one that let her know it would be ok. She mumbled a reply while nodding her head slowly and went back to staring at the spinning planet below.
Moments or minutes passed (Sam couldn't tell which) in the quiet room. She watched the younger scientists and officers pacing back and forth or fidgeting in their chairs while the more experienced staff sat or stood still like her, seemingly stoic in their waiting but in reality just better at hiding their impatience. The tense atmosphere was palpable but Jack's presence gave strength to those around him, as it always had.
Jack checked his watch and jumped off the table, not quite as easily as he used to. He turned and rested his hand just above sam's knee. The familiar touch brought Sam back to the moment.
"Better go and check what's happening. Make sure Daniel hasn't got himself in any trouble." Jack said.
Sam lay her hand on his and squeezed. "Would we really expect anything less from him?" She replied with a smile.
"No. Teal'c will have to deal with it though because I am way too old to be chasing after him through some God awful forest."
Sam giggled and saw the satisfaction in Jack's eyes at her reaction. He leant in close, "I thought I'd told you before Samantha, no giggling." He kissed her gently before squeezing her leg once more and walking out of the room. Sam noticed the subtle smiles around the room but knew there was nothing malicious there.
It was common knowledge that Mr and Mrs O'Neill had followed the regs for far longer and given up far more than any normal officers would. It was rare for others to see these moments of intimacy between the couple, especially during operations, but Sam knew that no one thought ill of them. Even if they did, she didn't care now. Life was just too damn short.