This is the continuation of the story Non Est Ei Similis.
Disclaimer: I own no part of the Stargate Universe.
Sam opened the sliding glass door to the deck, and could not feel more content. Several children were chasing each other around the back yard, Teal'c and a hose the cause of their shrieking. Daniel was deep in conversation with several of the SGC scientists, and Cam was talking to several of the members of various SG teams. Sam was happy with the turnout to her housewarming BBQ. She had invited many members of the SGC and their families for a potluck BBQ, and most had showed up. Daniel had suggested a potluck, so Sam wouldn't have to worry about preparing a huge amount of food, and it had turned out much better than she had expected. In fact, there was so much food, that Sam was worried that they wouldn't be able to eat most of it.
She passed a beer to Jack, who was manning the BBQ, and he gave her hand a slight squeeze in thanks.
"Are you planning on turning them into charcoal like the last batch?"
"Hey, I was distracted."
"By what?" Sam gave Jack the most sceptical look she could muster, given that she couldn't stop grinning.
"Well, you see, there's this woman around..." Sam blushed at Jack's comment, not quite used to the new direction in their relationship.
"Jack..."
"I know, couldn't help myself." He grinned mischievously at her, then turned his attention back to the burgers.
"Hey Sam, you wanna come help me here?" Daniel called to her across several heads.
"I'll be back, gotta go save Daniel's ass again." Sam grinned as she walked away, trying to dispel the redness that was probably still lingering in her face.
Several hours later, as the sun began to set, the remaining groups of people started to leave, thanking Sam for a great evening. Several of the SGC members with small children had left earlier, and the guests had started to disperse shortly after. By the time the starts were the only light in the sky, only the members of SG-1, and Jack remained. Teal'c and Jack had built a fire pit earlier that morning, and now that all the children were gone, Sam felt it safe enough to light the fire. As the flames started licking hungrily at the sticks of wood, Teal'c stood up abruptly, and walked to the front of the house. Jack went to get a few more beers, and as he returned, so did Teal'c, carrying a box.
"What'cha got there T?"
"I have the items you requested, O'Neill." Sam, Daniel, and Vala looked at Jack, curious.
"Requested? I don't remember..."
"It was earlier today when you discussed the purpose of having a fire in one's backyard." Teal'c placed the box next to where he was sitting, and Daniel stuck his hand in.
"Marshmallows?"
"T? You didn't!"
"What is going on here?" Vala leaned over Daniel, knocking his beer out of his hand, to see what the box contained. She pulled out a long metal stick, with a wooden handle on one end.
"Teal'c, where did you learn about roasting marshmallows over the fire?" Daniel took the roasting stick away from Vala, to avoid any unfortunate accidents.
"O'Neill explained this Tau'ri tradition of cooking these white candies over a fire."
"It was something that me 'n Charlie would do." In the flicker of the firelight, Sam could see a wave of sadness flash over Jack's face, and felt her heart go out to him. She stood up, walked over to the box, and rummaged around until she felt something familiar.
"Graham crackers! Is there chocolate in there?" Sam exclaimed as she recognized the box of crackers.
"Indeed."
"Teal'c, you got this idea from Jack?" Daniel was holding the chocolate away from Vala, who after relinquishing the roasting stick, had found the chocolate.
"Yes. I have never participated in such a ritual, and thought that Vala Mal Doran might also enjoy the experience."
"Thanks Teal'c." Teal'c nodded his head at Vala, as Daniel tossed the chocolate over to Jack.
"Daniel, how many sticks are in there?" Cam inquired.
"Uh, three. Here." Daniel passed one to Cam, and another to Jack, who hesitated before accepting.
"Is there any other strange traditions that go along with this?" Vala asked Daniel, while Cam snorted.
"Uh, not that I'm aware of."
"Jackson, you're forgetting the ghost stories." Cam accepted the open bag of marshmallows from Jack.
"Ohh, ghost stories?" Vala stopped trying to grab the roasting stick away from Daniel as her attention turned to Cam.
"Yeah, sit around a fire, make smores, tell ghost stories, and try to scare the crap out of each other."
"You forgot the pranks." Jack spoke again, any trace of his earlier sadness gone.
"Pranks?" Vala's attention switched to Jack, as the marshmallows passed to Daniel.
"Yeah. Silly things that kids do to each other, you know, the hand in a bowl of water, cow dung in the sleeping bag." Jack grinned as he spoke, looking directly at Daniel as he did.
"Cow dung?" Now it was Sam's turn to question Jack.
"Something I did during my youth." Jack turned to Sam, ignoring the glare that Daniel was sending his way.
"Any more beer in there?" Cam finished roasting his marshmallow, passed the roasting stick to Teal'c.
"There's plenty. Jack made sure of that." Sam grinned as she remembered trying to fit several bowls of jello,salads and other various deserts, in the fridge, cursing the beer that had taken it over.
"Sir, need another?" Jack nodded at Cam, who stood up and walked towards the house.
"I am also in need of refreshment."
"There's plenty of juice in the fridge, Teal'c."
"Sam, I need to use your bathroom." Vala leaned over Daniel to whisper at her.
"Uh, through the living room, on the right."
"Me too." Jack stood up, and followed Vala inside. Daniel sat back, and stared at Sam, his marshmallow forgotten.
"So, things good between you and Jack?" Daniel hadn't missed it when Jack had given Sam his first finished smore.
"Uh, yeah." Sam coughed out, her sip of beer going down the wrong pipe at Daniel's question.
"You guys get everything figured out?"
"Yup."
"Soooo." Daniel was trying to find out what exactly the two of them had figured out. He had his answer as he watched a small smile slowly form on Sam's face. "About time."
"Daniel!"
"What's he doing now?" Sam blushed as she heard Jack's voice from the deck.
"Nothing Jack. Just commenting to Sam on how well everything has gone with her move." Sam caught Daniel's double meaning, and felt her face continue to redden. Daniel winked at Sam as Jack returned to his seat, beer in hand.
It was late when Teal'c and Cam left, Cam grabbing a ride with Teal'c as his car was in the shop again for repair. Daniel and Vala stayed for a while longer until Vala couldn't stop yawning. Daniel helped Jack pack up the foldable chairs, forcing himself not to pry into Jack's current line of thinking regarding Sam. Vala and Sam emerged from the house, Vala carrying a bowl with some of the macaroni salad she had raved about earlier that afternoon. Once they had left, Sam and Jack returned to the fire, and took a seat on the grass. Sam placed her head on Jack's shoulder, his arm around her, and they stayed like that, no words required, as they watched the fire burn out.
AN: You like? Want more? Let me know...