A/N
Thanks to everyone that has read and posted a review to the first chapter of this. I really appreciate the great feedback everyone has left. You guys are fantastic.
I've never had a story get as big a response as this one has had so far - I guess Sam isn't the only one to have unresolved issues with Jack on this one ;-D
Some may think this chapter is slightly OOC for Sam, but hey - she is pissed!
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When Sam turned into her street she was surprised to see the Colonels big truck parked there. So surprised that she almost pulled up to his window until she remembered why she was so angry with him. Slamming the joining door from the garage she stomped into her house flicking on lights as she went. "Jerk!" She ground out as the thought of him out there in his truck struck her again.
She placed her helmet on the kitchen counter and pulled off her jacket. Just as she pulled a half empty bottle of wine from her fridge the doorbell rang. Sam stilled, the refrigerator door swinging slowly closed in front of her. Deciding not to answer it she levered the cork from the neck of the bottle and raised it to her lips taking a large gulp of the chilled liquid. A shiver ran through her at the feel of it over her tongue. She heard the doorbell again and took another drink as she leant her hip against the counter.
Sam knew he wouldn't go away so she decided she may as well get this over with.
He'd ask her what was wrong. She'd tell him everything was fine. I'm just tired Sir... He'd feel like he'd done his duty as her CO and then he'd leave her alone to find that other bottle of wine she knew she had around here somewhere.
"Carter," Jack called as he banged on the door thinking that the damn bell obviously wasn't going to get her to open up. "Open the damn door," he yelled, looking instantly contrite when the door swung open. "Please..."
"Sir," Sam greeted, one hand still on the door handle.
"Hi," Jack replied looking at her expectantly. She's really going to make me work for this...
"Can I come in?"
Sam regarded him for a moment before she turned and walked back towards her kitchen.
"Okay," he mumbled as he closed her door behind him. As he followed her his eyes dropped to take in the bottle that swung by her side. And the way the burgundy leather pants hugged her six. Possibly not in that order...
She stopped abruptly and turned back to face him, leaning back against the counter. "Drink?" She asked as she lifted the bottle to her lips without waiting for his answer.
"No. Thanks. But you go ahead," he replied slightly transfixed by the arc of her throat as she swallowed. He noticed a bead of condensation from the neck of the bottle slide onto her bottom lip and he groaned softly.
Sam put the bottle down and pulled herself up to sit on the bench. Bending her right knee she dragged one heavy boot up, laying her right leg over. After she picked up the bottle and sat it in her lap she looked back up to him.
Jack sighed wondering how he was supposed to concentrate on what he'd come here to say when she was sitting there looking...so...
Concentrate...
"So, Carter..." Get on with it...
He cleared his throat, more nervous than he realised he could be under her intense scrutiny.
"I just thought I'd come by and see how you were doing," he said. Lame Jack!
She raised her eyebrows slightly. "I'm fine Sir."
"It just seemed like something might be bothering you," he tried again.
Sam shook her head.
"Well, okay I guess," he said taking a breath.
"Was there something else Sir?" She asked after a full minutes silence.
"Oh. No I guess not."
"Goodnight then Sir," she replied. "Thanks for stopping by."
Jack knew when he'd been dismissed. Although it traditionally was done by someone who outranked him. He nodded and turned for the door, his irritation with the situation rising the closer he got. By the time he reached Carters front door he'd had enough and turned back to her, slightly surprised to see that she hadn't moved from her spot on the counter. Taking a deep breath he walked back to stand in front of her.
"Sir?"
Jack didn't think she could pack anymore disdain into that one word if she'd tried.
"Okay," he said curtly. "Time to cut the crap Carter."
"I'm not sure I understand wha..."
"Ah!" He raised a hand cutting her off. "You've had a bug up your butt since I got back and I wanna know what the hell is going on!"
Sam put the bottle back down and went to push herself off the counter when she felt strong hands holding her in place.
"You're not going anywhere until I get some answers." He could see the barely concealed rage in her eyes and he briefly wondered if this was going to get physical.
"I'm requesting you let go of me Sir," she stated, really struggling now to maintain her calm exterior.
"You're requesting?"
"Yes Sir," she replied through clenched teeth. "I'm requesting...would you like me to spell it for you?"
Jacks eyebrows just about hit his hairline. "I don't think that will be necessary Major!" He replied emphasising her rank.
Sam stiffened under his grasp and he tightened his hold on her, instinct telling him despite him being her commanding officer she wasn't going to back down.
"If you've got something to say," he said shortly. "Then you need to come out and say it."
"Then let me up..." she replied in a low voice.
Jack studied her for a moment before slowly releasing his grip on her and taking a step backwards. He watched as she dropped back down off the counter, graceful as a cat.
"Permission to speak freely Sir?" She asked looking him in the eye.
He wasn't sure what was going to come out of her mouth but he sure as hell wasn't going to hide from her behind his rank. He nodded. "Go ahead."
Sam hesitated for less than a second before she took one step forward and punched him in the face.
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A/N
arrgghhh! Sorry to leave it hanging there...really ;-D
hope you enjoyed
