A/N: let's continue with our little romantic saga! I couldn't get this out of my head so… here you are :o) And – if you are interested, this doesn't have to be the end ;o)) Lemme know!

Timeline: set into early spring after Fireworks (gap between season 8 and 9 if you want it like this...)

COLD FEET by Isobel

Sam was sitting in her lab, just about to finish her report about the strange candleholder that seemed to be creating EM pulses once in a while, when there was a knock on her door. She looked up and saw Cassandra stranding there, visitor's badge around her neck, smiling.

"Hey…"

"Hey, you're early!"

"Nope, you're late…"

"Huh?"

"But that doesn't matter. I just hope you still have the evening off. It's my last one here you know…"

"Of course I know, Cassie. And I am just about done here." She said, smiled, finished her paperwork and grabbed her things. She needed just to stop by her CO's office to give him her report and then visit the locker room to change.

Cassie was having a free week so she was staying over at Sam's place. They had things to catch up on and this was very good chance. They generally had more time for each other these weeks - months. Sam working here instead of in the SGC seemed like a good thing.

But Cassie was leaving early in the morning so they wanted to enjoy the last evening together. Besides Sam was hoping she would be able to catch Jack – chatting with the web-cam wasn't much but better than nothing. Especially when Cassie would be there to join them.

On their way out Cassie handed over her visitor's badge, smiled at the guard at the door and left with Sam. She couldn't resist the opportunity of course to tease her about flirting with the personnel.

"Nobody knows me here, it's nice, you know?"

"They know you…"

"No, they know about mom, they know you're like my aunt and they know I have a clearance. They don't know where I am from, they just can't connect all the dots…"

And that Sam could understand. In the SGC they all knew her and the behavior was different. She knew the situation. But of course it had to be different with Cassie – she was the small girl that they had saved, she was the precious miracle, the smart girl that had SG-1, Hammond and half of the personnel wrapped around her finger.

"Oh and in the SGC I had at least three chaperons." Cassie added and Sam could just grin at her. Jack, Teal'c and Daniel had always been doing everything in their powers and even beyond that to make sure she was safe and protected, loved and all.

"Maybe it would be different now… You're not a little girl anymore."

"Perhaps… but still – I'm the girl who has SG-1 as her family. Show me a guy that doesn't find that threatening…"

"Does it bother you?"

"No, of course not. I wouldn't want anybody else! You are my family…" Cassie assured her with a smile and quick hug before walking around to her side of the car.

Cassie was maybe young but she wasn't stupid. She knew that Sam had been worried all the time. After losing Janet their lives changed – a lot. It used to be a never-ending struggle. Sam had the tendencies to doubt herself and the role she was having in Cassie's life.

At home they had a leisure evening with movies, ice-cream and lots of chatting. Sam helped her pack and in the end they turned on the computer to see if Jack would be online.

Sam would never forget the first time they had this conference call – all of them. She called Jack and Cassie joined them and also Daniel. They were having fun, it was like sitting in one room again, all of them, enjoying the conversation. The only surprise was actually Siler – he came to Daniel's office to tell him something. Daniel just grinned at him and told him to come closer.

Sam had never seen Siler that happy. It really looked like he missed having SG-1 around. The conversation ended by unscheduled off-world activation of the Gate. Then Cassie's phone rang so she left as well. Jack was working on something, still in the office but he refused to turn off the online call. So Sam took a book to read. She stayed online as well. From time to time one of them would say something but it was like a twisted crazy version of domestic life they could be having.

Jack left the office but called Sam later that night. They kept on talking for hours.

"Sam, you're tired…"

"Nooo," she answered, barely suppressing a yawn.

"Go to sleep."

"Hmmm…"

Jack could just chuckle at her response. One of the things he had the chance to learn about Samantha Carter – the woman, not the soldier, not the scientist – was, that she could be quite cute in the morning and while being very reluctant about going to sleep.

"Good night, Sam."

"Night, Jack." She answered him. Then he could hear just her breathing. She felt asleep with the phone in her hand. It made him realized, more than anything, the he really missed her. It's been so long. And – not that he would ever admit it – he fell asleep listening to her breathing on the other end of the line.

Now they were waiting for him to get online and when he did, he was surprised to see them both there. And it seemed like it was a pleasant surprise indeed!

"Wow… two most beautiful women in several galaxies smiling at me… I could get used to this." He joked. Cassie replied something with a smirk but Sam managed just a smile – and slight blush on her neck. She would probably never get used to him calling her beautiful. She had butterflies in her stomach – just because he called her that – and because he could call her that.

"Carter, are you there somewhere?" Jack asked and that took Sam out of her reverie.

"Yeah, what?"

"Nothing." He teased her.

They chatted for about fifteen minutes before Cassie decided to call it a night. She gave Sam a goodnight kiss and sent one to Jack.

"Sweet dreams, munchkin." He replied, his face soft, love shining in his eyes. It would never cease to amaze Sam – the change in him when Cassie was around. She loved every second of it. And he would always call her munchkin or sweetheart while saying good morning and good night – surprisingly it didn't bother the young woman. When Daniel did so, she just smiled at told him 'I'm not eleven anymore' but with Jack it was different. And again – Sam loved it.

When Sam heard the click of Cassie's door, she looked at Jack and smiled. Actually, she was grinning at him, something devilish in her eyes.

"Hey, what's with the grin?"

"Are you doing something from the 11th to 18th?"

"You mean March?"

"Yeah. It's in four weeks."

"Honestly? I have no idea. I don't really keep track of these things. Anne does that. God bless her." And Sam chuckled. Oh yeah, Anne, Jack's amazing secretary. She didn't have a chance to meet that woman yet but she should do so the next time she's in DC.

"Why? Is something going on?"

"Well, that depends."

"Carter…" And there was a slight warning in his voice. So she just looked at him and he noticed something in that look.

"You mean... you can... you will…"

"I mean, General O'Neill, that you should make sure you are free during at least some of those days because I can take vacation and I am definitely planning on spending it…" She had to swallow before being able to answer. What the hell was wrong with her?

"Where?"

"At home." She admitted finally and saw the emotions in his eyes. He obviously didn't see this coming.

Jack couldn't quite believe it. Not that just she would be finally coming over and not for a weekend but whole week, she just called his house in DC her home. Could he be asking for more?

"Sam…" And he was sure that all the emotions he felt in his heart could be heard in his voice.

"I know." She replied automatically – not really knowing what he was about to say exactly but that didn't really matter. They talked for a few more minutes before saying goodbye.

Sam was a bit nervous during the upcoming weeks. She hadn't really seen Jack since the New Year. They've been trying really hard to make their relationship work but so far it was more like just extended amazing friendship.

They got to know each other as Sam and Jack and not just as officers and team-mates, of course, but still – exchanging mails was one thing, real dating was another.

But truth to be told – she just couldn't wait to be in his arms. She would kill for a hug and for a kiss. And, surely, for more too. Oh – she used to be worried about that part of their relationship. And the first two or three tries were a bit awkward. But slowly they found their rhythm, as always, and she would make sure that it would just be getting better and better. They both had a lot to learn in this area – but it appeared that they were both fast learners – when they wanted to be.

Jack's secretary was an angel, he knew it. She was young but very good. She was smart, she was somehow emphatic, she could understand him, she learnt all she could about his moods and about the people he worked with, she was guarding the doors to his office and soon they found their rhythm. And he wouldn't want anybody else.

She had to promise him to be open with him, no matter the ranks, because she was used to this job and he wasn't. They agreed on small things and after some misunderstandings and rather difficult moments they found a common ground. And now she would tell when he needed to be alone, when he needed coffee, when he would be staying late – so she ordered him some food, and she knew that whenever she needed, she could come to him – when she needed to leave early, when she wasn't herself because her mother was in the hospital, when she overslept because her boyfriend, Air Force pilot, just got back from the overseas and they were catching up on the lost time…

She understood that General Jack O'Neill could so some pretty amazing things when it came to people he liked. And she had become one of his allies on this planet.

Besides she also understood another important thing. There were people in Jack's life that would always come first. His family. She knew them of course from the reports and briefings, she knew about his team. But there was more to it and once she had it figured out, life was much easier. Actually Jack had helped her with it – and he also gave her some tips how to handle him. He could appreciate good person – especially somebody working for him, and with him as well.

So when he told her about Sam's plan of visiting him, she did all she could to clear his schedule. He wouldn't be free the day of her arrival but then he would need to attend just two meetings and one on-line conference. Other than that he would be unavailable till the end of Colonel Carter's stay.

When she managed to organize that, he wasn't in the office – so she just sent him a message. She knew he would want to know as soon as possible. When he came back, he had her favorite coffee in his hand. He thanked her and about ten minutes later there was a delivery – he ordered her favorite Italian food. So they had lunch together. Then she knew she had done the right thing – both accepting this job and going through all the difficulties with this man. He was one of a kind.

Sam found it funny that she didn't have to pack many things… she actually had just her purse and laptop. She was going home and she loved every single second of it. While waiting at the airport, her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Colonel Carter?"

"Yes."

"Madam, hi, this is Anne Stevenson."

"Oh, hi. What can I do for you?"

"Well, Ma'am, I had this idea… you have a moment?" She asked and Sam, really curious, could only agree. Finally she was talking to Anne, Jack's secretary, his assistant, his angel. She liked her voice – she could imagine strong independent woman.

They talked for a few minutes and Sam was actually very glad that she had agreed to talk to her in the first place. She really had a marvelous idea.

"Thank you, Anne."

"You're welcome Ma'am."

Sam was happy – really happy. And she knew she would have to thank Anne later.

Not awfully long after that Sam found herself in Washington DC. She actually loved the city. She used to have very mixed feelings about it but lately… of course it had nothing to do with the fact that the man that she loved was currently living here, that they kissed under the mistletoe during their first Christmas spent together here or that… well, no, surely nothing to do with that.

She took a cab and made her way into the building. Thankfully she wasn't wearing her uniform. She could enjoy her days much more when she wasn't attracting all the unnecessary looks… However it made things a bit more difficult at the entrance to the building but after telling the guard her full name – well it had its perks being THE Sam Carter from time to time.

She made her way up to Jack's office. And there, finally, she met Anne. She could be 26 or 27 years old, brunette, green eyes, she was beautiful actually. Obviously doing some exercise from time to time. Sam spend few moments watching her, trying to get to know more about her but there was nothing wrong with her appearance.

Then the woman looked up and noticed her. Immediately she stood up and smiled at her.

"Colonel Carter, welcome." She said and extended her hand. She was not military so she could as well do just that. Sam smiled back.

"Miss Stevenson."

"Please, call me Anne."

"So you should call me Samantha."

"Oh, no, I couldn't."

"As far as I know, you managed quite a few miracles here… so yes, you can. But I leave it up to you." And she smiled at her.

"So, General O'Neill is at a meeting now. They should be done in one hour but with these two particular senators it usually takes a bit longer."

"Okay."

"You can wait here on in his office, I'll leave that to you."

"He really doesn't suspect anything?"

"Not as far as I am aware of. I told him you would take the cab and get into his house and because he had been really busy these past few days I think he didn't really think about it."

"No, you're right; we haven't even talked about that part…"

"I'm sorry, he usually is not that busy but he asked me to clear his schedule as much as possible for your visit so I had to move few meetings and this is the result."

"Don't apologize, as I understood, thanks to you he has just few meetings during the week."

"That's right. And I made sure nobody would bother him."

"How?"

"His cell-phone will be temporarily unavailable." She said sheepishly. Sam just grinned back. She really liked the woman! As far as she knew, there were not many people that had his private number so … they might really have the week for themselves.

"Thank you, Anne. Really. I appreciate it."

"Ma'am, if I may…"

"Sure. What's going on?"

"General O'Neill is really a good man. And this job takes a lot from him. I haven't seen him happier than after the New Year, not till the moment he came and asked me to clear his schedule for this week. It's none of my business but I really do hope he will get some rest. He could surely use it."

"I'll make sure he does." And again, she felt herself liking the woman more and more. She seemed to be honest and straight, she could see more and more reasons why Jack had been so fond of her.

"Anne, can I ask you something?" And she wasn't actually sure she wanted to know the answer.

"Sure."

"What did you tell the people… I mean, the reason?"

"I told them that General O'Neill needs to change his schedule and that he will simply be unavailable."

"Nothing more?"

"Nothing more."

"And they actually agreed?" Sam was more than just surprised. Usually the politicians, as far as she knew, would be much more difficult to talk to.

"Yes." And she smiled at her. And there was something in her eyes that told Sam that this woman knew her ways around this area. So she nodded at her and smiled.

"If you want to freshen up after the trip, the bathrooms are down the corridor." Anne offered and Sam gladly accepted this opportunity.

Sam decided to wait in Jack's office in the end. She would surprise him.

When he got back, he was exhausted. He asked Anne to bring him coffee and told her to go home, that he would finish things. He also told her not to spend more time than necessary in the office the next week. She smiled, thanked him and went for the coffee.

Jack just sat down into his chair and closed his eyes. He hated these meetings! Absolutely hated them! And especially today… he knew Sam was waiting for him – at home. And he was so damn tired. It was unbelievable. He heard the knock on the door. But he had no strength left to open his eyes. He knew it would be Anne.

He was really grateful for this woman – without her he would have killed somebody already.

He thanked her and heard took a deep calming breath. He knew he shouldn't fall asleep but he needed a minute. He noticed few folders with post-it notes on his table earlier – he would have to take a look at those later. All right, he decided, he would drink the coffee, take the folders and go home.

Before he managed to open his eyes he felt Anne coming closer. It didn't seem weird to him – till the moment her hands touched his face and her lips kissed him. The first shock made him sit up straight and open his eyes. When he noticed two bright blue orbs shining at him with immeasurable love and adoration, he felt his heart stop for a beat.

"Sam…" He breathed out her name as a whisper before tugging her to his arms, making her sit across his lap. Without another word he found her lips again and kissed her.

Sam knew she had surprised him. And she knew he would just look up and try to decide if Anne had gone crazy or what… then she saw his chocolate eyes looking at her, warming her inside out and she could just feel blessed and happy.

The passionate welcoming kiss slowly turned into something else. It was slow and sensual and to both of them it felt like it lasted for hours. He was holding her in his arms, she was pressing herself to him, both tired but more than just happy to be together – finally again.

"Hey…"

"Hi." She answered and kissed his neck. She couldn't stop herself! They fell into a comfortable silence then, just allowing themselves to feel each other, occasional kisses and caresses, just the two of them and nothing else. Just a quiet private moment of love.

"Jack?"

"Yes?"

"Let's go home."