2. SpaceNeedles

IN FRONT OF THE SPACE NEEDLE

Pouring rain harshly meeting with concrete floors.

Wind blowing through their jackets as if they were non-existent.

But still contempt smiles on their faces as that friendly stranger takes their picture.

After having said cheese they were ready to go up to see one of the touristic sights of the city they were visiting.

"Just think, after we finish this, we'll have the rest of the weekend, the whole weekend, free for fishing and ferryboat riding." Jack grinned.

"You do realize that ferryboats are a means of transportation. Sir. Not an activity on its own." Sam reminded with a smile.

"First of all drop the sir Carter, we're on vacation for crayon' out loud. And secondly ferryboat riding is very much an activity. It's fun and relaxing. And there's water all around." his grin grew wider if that was even possible.

Sam was smiling before she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her body. Her body faltered beneath her and she could barely stand up.

"Whoa." Jack's arms were immediately under hers to support her.

It lasted a second and then the wave was over. It was far gone only it's ripples giving a hint to its past existence.

Jack felt her body grow strong again under his grip. She was standing on her own again.

The three men were just staring at her, waiting for some explanation.

"It's nothing. I'm ok. I just felt lightheaded."

"Maybe we should call it a day. We can do this tomorrow."

"Jack's right. It's been a long day."

"I concur. We all need to rest."

"No. I'm fine."

When her eyes met their doubtful looks she repeated more convincingly while removing her hand from where it was massaging her stiff neck "I really am. We're going up this building to watch the city and tomorrow we're riding the ferry till we get seasick." she smiled faintly in Jack's direction. The word 'seasick' leaving her mouth caused a wave of nausea to wash over her but she managed to hide it from her friends.

They were hesitant but followed her as she was already at the entrance.

'Damn it! Get it together Carter. What the hell is going on with you? You're a seasoned Air Force Colonel and this is probably just a stupid cold. Get it together! They're already overly worried as is, no need to make a scene. You're not having another one of those dizzy spells for the rest of the week.' she ordered herself like she did so many times on various occasions, before.

….

OBSERVATION DECK

Ears popping from the sudden change in pressure.

Not theirs, but everyone else's.

They are used to this, the other tourists aren't! They can tell.

But what they can't tell is that it happened to Sam, too. Her ears popped.

While riding up that elevator she felt sick to her stomach.

She felt as if she was in a submarine that was diving way deeper than it should have been.

She was about to loose the content of her meal, when the elevator came to a stop and she managed to restrain herself.

She felt dizzy again so she held on to the handrails of the elevator.

Daniel noticed and looked at her questioningly, careful not to alert Jack or Teal'c cause he knew she'd not want that.

"Whew. That was an abrupt halt." she faked while smiling innocently.

She knew he hadn't bought it and he knew she knew he hadn't bought it but chose to let it go for now.

He'd keep a close eye on her.

The elevator door opens and they're on the deck of the space-needle overlooking the whole city of Seattle.

It's a vast light-filled scenery, like stars on the ground.

"Wow, what a view." Daniel exclaimed.

"Indeed."

"I remember when my dad used to take me and Mark up here." Sam's head was full of memories that added to the headache she was feeling but she didn't show it.

"You've been to Seattle before?" Jack was surprised.

"Yeah. We used to come here before... when I was younger."

Understanding that she meant before her mother died he continued casually to spare her the awkwardness "I've never been to Seattle. Too much rain for my taste."

"It's nice. I love it here." she was looking straight into his eyes.

"I'm starting to do too." Jack said it in a manner that made her feel he was no longer talking about the city and at this moment in time, he wasn't.

This has been happening a lot lately. In the infrequent occasions where they met after he'd moved to Washington, this has been happening a lot. They allowed themselves to remain lost in each others eyes for a moment longer than was previously permitted. They allowed themselves to steal a quick glance here and there without looking around to see who's watching. They allowed their skin to touch 'accidentally' more frequently than the previously did. They simple allowed themselves a little more than they had before. They were still in the closet concerning the world and concerning themselves, but the door was not completely closed as it had been before, it was ajar.

Maybe it was because they were no longer directly in the same chain of command. Maybe it was because they missed each other so much that they couldn't restrain themselves when they finally got to meet. And maybe they've just had enough. Maybe, just maybe their feelings were so overwhelming that they could no longer keep them bottled up.

He was lost inside her eyes and she was lost inside his.

Daniel and Teal'c noticed. They always did. Which was good 'cause that told them when they should give the two hearts -hidden inside soldier facades- some space.

…..

ENTRANCE OF THE SPACE NEEDLE

"Carter?" he called out for the hundredth time while rubbing her forehead and cheeks "Carter you hear me?"

His face was pale. So was Daniel's and probably Teal'cs not that you could tell from his complexion.

"Sam!"

Her eyes started to flutter open and she looked utterly confused.

"Hey, there sleepyhead." Jack was relieved.

"Wha… What's going on?" she asked hoarsely.

"You blacked out." Daniel explained.

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did." Jack argued causing her to face him instead of Daniel.

"Didn't."

"Did."

"I'm afraid O'Neill is right."

"He's not."

"I am!"

"No you're not."

"Yes I…." he stopped mid sentence "…usually I have this conversation with Daniel." he realized confusedly.

This left them all baffled.

"Well I'm fine now." Sam complained after sitting up.

"The hell you are. We're going home Carter."

"But…."

"No buts Carter. We're going home you're gonna rest and tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow there'll be ferryboats."

"He's right Sam. It's probably just fatigue. You need to rest. And if you're not feeling better by tomorrow we'll call Carol."

Defeated, Sam followed them outside to take a cab to the hotel.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Ferryboats.