A/N:
-- Spoilers up to the beginning of season 4 of Stargate Atlantis, and for the end of season 8 of Stargate SG-1.
-- Set after "The Ark Of Truth" movie, and just before season 4 of Stargate Atlantis.

Give Me a Reason to Stand in the Dark

"They couldn't have picked anyone more qualified," Jack said, flicking the cap of his beer bottle into the fireplace. She closed her eyes as it hit the grate with a painful ting.
"I'm sure Daniel would kill for the job," Sam offered with a small smile, trying to break the palpable tension between them.
"After what happened with Weir, I doubt the IOA is ever going to let anyone run the place with less than stars on their shoulders." He downed the last of his beer and sighed heavily; he hadn't looked at her once since she arrived at his house half an hour ago.
His house was dark, cold and stagnant. He hadn't bothered to turn any lights on and it was overcast outside - winter was setting in. He hadn't been home in months, dust had settled on photo frames and on shelves, and the only food that wasn't well past its Best Before date were the two boxes of six packs he bought yesterday, upon receiving the phone call: the Atlantis Expedition has a new leader – Colonel. Samantha Carter. His Sam.

They sat on his couch, in the fading light of the afternoon, in a sad silence.

She looked up at the ceiling, breathed, looked around at the photographs on the wall to her left and noticed one of SG-1. It had been taken the weekend after her father died. Sam's breath caught in her chest as she studied the photo, and remembered. It was spring in the photograph; they stood outside Jack's cabin, facing the water. Daniel was on the far right, holding a fishing rod and looked as though he was pushing his glasses on. Teal'c was beside him, holding another fishing rod, and sporting an extremely large and enthusiastic grin. And beside them were Sam and Jack. Sam studied herself in the photograph, noting the differences, the short hair, the fewer stress lines, and Jack's arm around her waist. She noticed how the Sam in the photo was turned slightly toward him; it was as though something private had occurred moments before the photo was taken.

She wanted, so badly, a reason to stay.

Sam looked over at Jack, he'd already cracked open another beer. "You should go," He said, suddenly looking directly into her eyes, "Go kick some wraith ass." She smiled sadly at his irreverent humour, and looked down at her own untouched beer.
"It could be for over a year," she said pointlessly, "What about all the work I still have to do here?"
"Carter," he said in that tone that tells her that she's panicking and he's about to make everything okay with the obvious, "It's Atlantis. You have to go."
She felt tears in her eyes, "What about you?"
He didn't say anything for a few moments; they just sat there, searching each other's eyes for the answer. "Sam." He said in defeat, and she knew what was coming and suddenly didn't want to hear it. Panic and hurt, unlike anything she'd ever felt before, suddenly surged inside her.

She stood, "Sir, this was a bad idea, I should just go," she rushed her words and he stood just as suddenly. She made her way to the door.
"Sam!" He went after her.
At the door, her hand on the handle, she opened it, "Carter!" He pushed the door shut. She turned; her back now flush against the door, tears unexpectedly streaming down her face. His left hand was still on the door, above her right shoulder, they were inches apart. He was angry, the first emotion that she'd actually seen from him in some time.
He searched her eyes, and when he saw fresh tears fall, his expression softened. He lowered his hand from the door, and cupped her face, using his thumb to wipe away the tears. She let her head relax into his hand, and he placed his other hand on her hip and closed the space between them. She looked up at him; he was suddenly very serious again, his eyes flickering between hers and her lips. She could feel adrenaline coursing through her body; her hands were shaking slightly as she slowly placed them on his chest.
"Jack, I..."
"You don't need a reason to stay," he said quietly, "But I want you to have a reason to come back." He moved forward, hesitating centimetres away from her lips, and he looked into her eyes. She snaked her left arm around his neck, settling her fingers at his nape, and pulled him closer. When he kissed her, they maintained eye contact for several moments until she could feel an immense amount of emotion start to emerge within her that she wasn't prepared for. She closed her eyes, as did he, when their tongues collided, the emotion within her exploded and there was a fiery need for more. He entwined his hand in her hair, pulling her deeper into the kiss, his other hand slid up under her shirt, caressing her delicate skin, she shivered at his touch. He gently pushed her back against the door, his body now flush against hers and any space that existed between them was now extinct, and worked on her neck. She leaned her head against his, breathing heavily, she could feel his erection against her hip and considered just doing it (god knows she wanted too), but common sense going the better of her, and after a moment brought his lips back to hers and kissed him deeply.

When she pulled back from him, his lips were red, wet, and swollen; she smiled, and used her thumb to wipe some saliva from his bottom lip. He caught her hand with his, kissed her thumb, and pulled her into a hug. He held her close, breathing her in, as if this moment might be their last together for years. One arm was around her waist, another around her shoulders, his face was turned into her neck. "Sam," he started, finding himself unexpectedly vulnerable. She could feel his heart start to race, his shoulders drop and sadness take over him, and she held him tighter, arms around his shoulders, one hand stroking the base of his hairline. She kissed his neck, pulling slowly out of the hug to look at him. "I'll be here when you get back," he said, a grin curling on the corner of his lips.
"Yes, Sir," she smiled.
"Carter?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Jack," she let out a small laugh, allowing her head to fall against his.
They let out a simultaneous breath of relief that they felt like they'd been holding on too for over a decade.

END.

A/N:
Thanks for reading! This is my first (completed) Jack/Sam fic. Reviews are greatly appreciated!