Perfect 10

When did Sam and Jack actually fall in love? There really wasn't an exact moment. It's actually a gradual hodgepodge of moments, leading to the big one when they've realized that that they had fallen in love – hard. Here is one of those little moments.

Passing the time in P3X-8933, Daniel and Jack were having their mindless banter. The topic was brought about by the peculiar caste system of the planet, where one's social standing was based on one's sexual prowess. If one rated high, he or she became a leader of the community, was given better shelter, food, and so on and so forth.

"I don't know Jack. My relationships aren't based on just that," Daniel in his exasperated tone.

"Aw c'mon! Someone must've told you how you fare in bed," Jack urged him on, while waiting for his 2IC to finish her usual gate diagnostics. The planet had a complicated set of doohickeys in which the Captain found interest.

"Doesn't it also depend on who you're doing it with? It is after all a team effort," Daniel said with a snide, still refusing to give Jack a number.

"Yeah, but you must've wondered at least once in your life how you rate in that department," Jack said, persistent in proving that Daniel was also shallow but just didn't want to admit it.

"What about you Colonel, what's your rating," Sam intruded. She wasn't a stranger to all the locker room talk. Before being part of an all-male team, she had also readied herself for the worst. But seeing that these guys were harmless, she had actually taken part in some of their pissing contests.

"Oh sorry Carter, I didn't see you there.." Jack straightened up seeing his 2IC had rejoined them. They weren't expecting her to turn up so early.

"S'okay Sir, I'm one of the guys now right," she said while slumping in front of the campfire beside her CO whose attractiveness, charm, and oozing manliness she had to learn to quickly adjust to early on. Though she still had to look away when she noticed him looking at her in that way she couldn't yet describe- the effect of his gaze was something she hadn't quite mastered yet. But she knew she'd get there.

"Yeah, what about you Jack. Are you worthy to be this planet's supreme leader," Daniel didn't expect Sam to be that bold, specially with the obvious pull between the two. Sam was turning out to be the only person he knew who could easily rattle his friend. And Daniel liked it.

Jack's face turned red. He knew Daniel was enjoying the tables turning against him so quickly with the arrival of his 2IC. So he sucked it up, deciding he didn't want Daniel to win this one.

"Well, I'm a 10," he said proudly.

Daniel snorted while Jack noticed his Captain was giggling.

"What about you Captain?"

"Oh, me. I don't.. think about myself in that aspect really." It was her turn to turn beet red. She didn't expect to be asked.

"Realllly?" Jack shifted and turned his full attention on her.

"Ok, there was this guy who said I'm a 7.5," she blurted out fast for the conversation to be over. Yeah she was one of the guys, but she was still a girl, she reminded herself.

Physicist, Air Force, smart speed demon blonde. Jack began to imagine things which he definitely shouldn't. No no no. But before he could shut his mouth, the words were out.

"Nah, I'm pretty sure you're a 10."

Sam's eyes almost popped out of her head.

"Did I just.. say that out loud," Jack muttered in disbelief as he saw the look on his 2IC's face.

"Oh yeah," Daniel said relishing the newfound edge he had over his friend, thanks to Sam.

Jack got up abruptly and dusted himself, "We best head home."

After 5 minutes of walking to the gate, Jack managed to catch up to Sam.

"Carter, back there. I wasn't really-" he was new to dealing with having a female in his team. And as he got to know her, it became even harder. She was all kinds of different: a kick-ass 2IC and genius scientist in a soft and caring - can he say this— hot chick package. She confused him, a lot. And for the first time in his life, Jack found himself at a loss when it came to handling a member of his team.

"Everything's fine Sir," Sam was touched to know he was worried. Truth be told, these little reassuring gestures of the Colonel were refreshing for someone like her who had gotten used to the big unapologetic male egos in Pentagon. The misogynistic military CO she assumed him to be when they first met was turning out to be a genuinely warm leader who cared about his team's feelings. And did she mention he was sexy as hell.

"So we're good?" he threw her a grin.

"Exceptional Sir, we're a ten," Sam managed with a wicked smile before pacing ahead of him.

Watching her six, Jack had a terrible feeling his 2IC was right all along: as he was getting to know her, he was starting to like her.