What really happened after that trip to the cabin at end of S8? Let's take Sam and Jack out of their MGM box and play a bit. Of course, all things Stargate belong to MGM and its affiliates. No copyright infringement nor profit intended from this story which is solely mine, as are Karnak and Alayna. I really like them. Hope you do too. Enjoy.

Heat Chapter 1

It was too hot to sleep.

Air conditioner broken, Jack O'Neill dozed fitfully until the sweat and all-around discomfort led him to get up and tread softly to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, he was momentarily refreshed by a rush of cool air and poked his damp head in as far as he could while retrieving a cold Guinness.

Beer at 4:00 am? You're losing it, O'Neill! Jack couldn't help but smirk as he caught sight of himself in the corner mirror … unshaven, disheveled hair and clammy skin. He certainly didn't look like the professional commander of the SGC about to become director of homeworld security.

He walked into the living room and turned on another fan but the heat had already seeped into the house from a week's worth of record-high temperatures. The fan's meager rotation only served to sweep the stuffy and stagnant air around with little relief.

Next time, I'll leave a key under the mat for the repairman! Next time? Jack realized that it would probably be a cold day in hell before he would be settling back into his beloved house. The assignment to Washington D.C. was mandated and seen as a reward for his years of service under Cheyenne Mountain.

The timing seemed right for all of them - Daniel, Teal'c, and Sam. They had given eight years of their lives in the cause of the ultimate good: saving earth from interplanetary threats which were kept secret from most of earth's inhabitants. He had lost count of just how many times his team, SG1, had saved the planet from imminent destruction. First, Ra and Apophis, then a host of other system lords intent upon world domination, and, finally, the Replicators and Anubis. Good men and women had fallen, here and on other home worlds. In the end, with the rebel Jaffa as allies, the most serious threats had been eliminated. A new age was dawning, a time of rebuilding and peace among their staunch alien allies. The SGC was no longer under constant alert and off-world missions were now primarily diplomatic and scientific.

The old order was changing. Commendations were given and reassignments were begun. His own going-away party had already happened, catching him a bit off guard. For a man who showed little emotion, he was surprised at the lump in his throat when he rose that night to thank all who honored him and wished him well. Seeing SG1 sitting there before him and knowing that all of them were now moving in new directions was the hardest. He had not felt so bereft in many years; this was a loss of kinship with deep, deep connections.

Today would mark his final mission as Commander of the SGC. He had already done the house-cleaning and his office was stripped of all personal touches. His replacement was due and, in his heart, Jack was pleased that an old colleague, General Landry, was chosen. A good and capable man.

But, first, this final piece of business. The inhabitants of Aquila, a small planet in the Copernican galaxy, requested that he and his former 2IC, Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter, return for a formal ceremony of commendation and gratitude. He and Sam had saved the planet from the Goa'uld several years ago and then helped the people to rebuild.

This was a world that was fairly isolated and fairly unadvanced until SG1 showed up and became their allies. After the victory, Sam had been pivotal in setting up a library of research in quantum physics which allowed their scientists to move ahead rapidly with new inventions and explorations. They were an intelligent race of people, quick learners, and soon made up for their initial lack of knowledge. They had already managed to build new spaceships, traveling ever farther and faster. Sam actually served as a guest lecturer at their university too. He felt a bit less important, but the citizens admired military prowess as much as science and were eternally grateful to him for the valiant battle he waged at their side in defense of the planet. He sustained serious injuries in that war, but the tide was turned, the Goa'uld driven from Aquila when Jack killed their system lord in hand-to-hand combat.

The people knew he and Carter were no longer a team, that he was now becoming a different kind of leader, a diplomat, and would be using words rather than weapons to fight future adversaries. Jack smiled to himself. Paper pusher is really what I'm doing; words are cheap. He was actually looking forward to going through the Gate this one last time. These people were a fun-loving and curious society. They were wonderful storytellers and warm and friendly. He could remember introducing Karnak, the leader, to Guinness and the man developed quite a taste for the rich, dark brew. In fact, Jack always made a point to send a case or two when the opportunity arose.

Today, though, he wanted to travel light - dress blues and Sam at his side, two professional officers receiving the thanks of a grateful nation. No weapons and no backpacks and nowhere to store the beer! The only unfortunate part of the trip would be the weather. Aquila was mostly a sandy, arid planet with temperatures at the tropical level. Luckily, with the development of earth-based technologies to enhance their quality of life, the wonder of climate-controlled buildings had already been introduced. Another smile crossed Jack's lips. I have to travel millions of light years away to finally get into an air-conditioned room!

With that amusing thought, Jack O'Neill finished his beer and strolled down the hallway for a nice cold shower.


She rose slowly, and glanced at the thermostat in her bedroom as she wandered to the door. A sudden chill caused her to shiver. Sam reached for her long robe and drew it around her, reminding herself to check the climate-control in the air-conditioning unit when she had a chance. The air-conditioner was a central unit, long past warranty, but well maintained by Sam herself. Sure, it wasn't rocket science but she took pleasure in tinkering with the contraption just as much as she loved to keep her bikes running in tip-top shape. There would be more time for this kind of activity now that SG1 was disbanded and she was no longer assigned to off-world missions. R&D in her lab would be rewarding enough; she had her fill of battle scenes and fallen comrades. She still awoke in the middle of the night with all too vivid memories of the smell of staff wounds and the feel of heat burning into her forehead from a Goa'uld hand device.

Heat? This is crazy, we're in the middle of the hottest summer on record and I'm sleeping under a comforter, in my flannel pajamas! Damn air conditioner!

Sam Carter turned the hot water on full and soon the steamy heat enveloped her chilled body as she shed her robe and pajamas and stepped into its warm embrace.The soothing spray calmed her and, in a relaxed state, her mind soon drifted to the day ahead.

She would be returning to Aquila one last time on an official mission with her former commander, Jack O'Neill. This would probably be the last time the two of them would walk through the stargate together.

She vividly remembered the very first time, over eight years ago. Trying hard to prove herself, but shaking in her boots, she was in awe of the shimmering event horizon and paused long enough for her new commander to give her a gentle push through the singularity. The very first time was the most trying, almost losing her lunch as she came through the other end of the wormhole. Humiliation. One more thing for the men on the team to hold against her. She soon recovered and learned to hide her moments of weakness. They became fewer and fewer as she grew into her role of 2IC and became more self confident and skilled. She became a trusted and able member of the team and eventually had the privilege of leading SG1 herself when her CO was appointed General and new commander of the SGC. Both had been promoted. Professionally, the past year was good and productive. No regrets.

Well, just one … but military regulations forbade acting on feelings they both shared for each other, feelings that went beyond the camaraderie of being comrades, feelings that were still not resolved even though the ground had now shifted beneath their feet. Jack would be going to Washington D.C. and she would be traveling to Nevada, no longer under his direct chain of command. They could possibly begin to explore a long-distance relationship, but neither had moved beyond one memorable fishing trip after their last mission.

It was a wonderful weekend, Sam so sorry that she had not consented to the outing years before. Teal'c and Daniel came along but seemed to find a way to leave her and Jack alone for long stretches of time. The couple felt a bit awkward with their chaperones never far behind and soon returned to old, safe patterns of friendship - teasing and laughing and sharing war stories together. A slight touch on the arm and a telling look in the eyes were the only moments of contact. The weekend flew by. Words that needed to be said were left unspoken.

Soon they were all packing to return to SGC and prepare for their new assignments. Daniel was invited to lecture at a foreign university while continuing his research on ancient cultures. Teal'c was appointed to a position on the Jaffa Council on Dakarta and soon to be a proud grandfather! The Jaffa warrior was ready to settle nearer his son Ry'ac and take on a new role of respected elder. All of them kept busy with tying up their loose ends and moving on. Sadly, one loose end remained unraveled. Sam had broken her engagement with Pete and Jack had stopped seeing Kerry. And, yet, that was not enough to move the two of them into each other's arms.

Ouch! The hot water bit into her face, jolting her from her reverie. She quickly shut the faucets off and stepped from the tub, her skin aglow from the stimulation of the pulsating shower. She was mindful of the plush folds of the chenille bath towel as she slowly rubbed herself dry. The flush on her cheeks deepened as she suddenly thought how sweet it would be to have Jack here with her, touching her in forbidden places, drying her wet body.