A/N: Thank you all for your wonderful supportive reviews! To answer a few questions: yes, this is set after 'Divide and Conquer' but before 'Grace' but I haven't got a definite season in mind. Hadn't really thought too much about bring Jake in on this one but thanks for the suggestion, I do so much like writing Jake and Jack conversations.

Chapter 3

Hammond was concerned the instant the IDC was declared as being SG1's, they were at least an hour late. Though it wasn't by much, it was enough for a dull thud to begin pounding at the back of his skull. Seeing Sam's ankle strapped up and her resting heavily on Jack turned the thud into an insistent knocking. Glancing at Daniel he noticed he was holding a glowing jar which for some reason he found extremely disconcerting. Something deep in the pit of his stomach told him it was wrong to look at that jar and its shimmering contents.

At the Colonel's suggestion, he followed them down to the infirmary for a debrief. The group were uncharacteristically silent. He also found it a little strange that Jack seemed to be in some considerable pain from carrying his second in command, those old knees of his no doubt, but neither Teal'c or Daniel offered to help carry their team mate.

As they reached the infirmary, Janet bustled up to them entirely unhappy at the state of SG-1. She tried to draw Sam away from the group to see to her ankle but she held on tighter to her commanding officer.

'No.' Jack said sheltering a shivering Carter against his side. 'Janet is there somewhere kind of private we can all go and chat. Something happened on the last mission and it wasn't Carter's ankle.'

'Okay, let me just grab a blanket.'

'It won't help.' Jack and Sam said in unison.

Janet looked to Daniel and Teal'c for confirmation. Daniel grimaced. Teal'c inclined his head almost imperceptibly.

'Fine. Follow me.' She said leading them out of the infirmary and around to one of the isolation and observation rooms.

They filed in.

Jack and Sam rested against the gurney but still kept their arms around each other. Daniel set the jar on the instrument table beside the bed and edged away from it slightly. Teal'c stood beside Daniel.

Janet closed the door with the General at her side. It was clear to her as she turned and drew closer the group that SG1 was split distinctly in two; a cosy but cold looking Sam and Jack and a very uncomfortable Daniel and Teal'c.

Hammond could feel the pain behind his eyes increasing in intensity. The closeness of Jack and Sam didn't not escape his notice but he didn't want to jump to conclusions and yelling at them would only make his headache worse.

He sighed loudly. 'Okay, what happened?'

'D-daniel?' Jack grunted shuddering visibly. He needed more of Sam against but he was in no condition to argue his case.

Daniel sighed loudly before explaining the ceremony in detail, the consequences for his team mates and the information and ultimatum given to them by the shaman.

Forget a headache, this was a full blown migraine.

'Jesus Christ.' he sighed. He had no reason not to believe anything that Doctor Jackson had told him. His main concern was for the health and well being of his officers, trade with the planet could wait.

'S-sir.' Jack said shaking more violently. 'I want to assure you that nothing untoward has ever happened between Carter and myself. And I can only apologise for what I'm about to do but I hope you can understand why I need to.' he said drawing away from Sam.

Sam bent forward almost double and cried out in pain.

Jack groaned loudly and pulled off his shirt.

The motion caused Janet to frown, it was difficult to shake off the notion that he needed more layers not less.

With great care Jack placed his hand on Sam's lower back underneath her shirt. 'Carter.' he murmured. Her body straightened slowly and curled into his chest. But it still wasn't enough. He paused a moment before reaching for the hem of her shirt and lifting it slowly.

The room was silent and still but for their chattering teeth and shivering bodies.

She offered no resistance as he lifted her shirt clean off and wrapped his arms around her. He closed his eyes and sighed contentedly as her body melted perfectly against his, but was vaguely aware that it was taking more and more of her to feel normal.

'Jack...' the General began.

'Sir, I'll tend my resignation if I have to. But we're going to need to do something soon. This is getting worse.'

'That won't be necessary just yet, Colonel.' he sighed. 'Doctor Fraser I want you to carry out as many tests you can think of that might help with this situation. Teal'c, Daniel, as soon as you've had your post mission checks I want you in my office, we're going to go through every detail of this mission and see if there is anything we can do.' He waited until the other three had left before turning to the two half naked officers.

He sighed deeply.

'Do I need to have you two kept under observation?'

'I don't think it would make much of a difference when... if it came to...' Jack answered his voice trailing off. His stomach churned and his heart ached at the possibility.

'Fine.' he groaned. 'Dammit.'

'Sorry, sir.' Sam mumbled against Jack's chest speaking for the first time since the came through the gate.

'I suppose given everything that's come to light you have both shown remarkable restraint. I just wish you had come to me before.'

'Me too.' Jack said honestly. If he'd known how it would feel just to be this close to her and know she felt the same he would have resigned as soon as he knew he was in love with her.

'Doctor Fraser will be back soon to check on you.' Hammond said before leaving them alone.

'Carter... do you mind if we lie down... my knees...'

'Oh. Sure, Sir. Umm, how...'

'I figure spooning is probably a slightly less embarrassing position than you straddling me or me lying on top of you.' He could feel her body shaking as she tried to suppress a nervous giggle.

Gripping her hand to maintain contact he pulled himself onto the bed and lay down on his side, Sam quickly followed, a shiver trickling down her spine.

Jack wrapped his arm tight around her and pressed his face to her neck. He grunted softly as he breathed her in deeply. Sam couldn't stop her body from arching into his, couldn't stop the moan that escaped her lips every fibre of her body craved his, it was only the slightest throb in her mind that prevented her from rolling over and kissing him senseless. Her eyes rested on the jar on the table. She watched enthralled as the surface of the orbs shimmered and glowed. At the barest touch of his lips across her shoulder their combined light became brighter and redder.

'Sir.' she groaned hoping the word would draw them out of the dream they were quickly falling into.

'Sorry! I can't...' he grunted and pressed his forehead against her neck, anything to keep his mouth away from her tantalising skin.

'I know.' she whispered.

'I suppose now would probably be a good time to talk about... stuff.'

She smiled. 'I think so.'

Some moments passed.

'I'm not sure what to say.' Jack started.

'Me either. I've spent so much time not saying anything.'

'Samantha...' he murmured.

She moaned softly, her eyes fluttering closed as she watched one of the orbs flash red.

'Sam?'

'God, please stop.' she breathed, squirming against him.

'What? I can't very well tell you I'm in love with you and call you Carter in the same sentence!' he growled.

She stilled in his arms.

'You're in love with me?'

'Yes.' he whispered.

'Jack...' she murmured, enjoying the feel of his entire body stiffen against her back and the sight of red flashing across one of the lights in the jar. One particular piece of anatomy piqued her interest more than the rest of him. '...I'm in love with you too.'

He groaned loudly, the sound shaking through her ribcage sending pleasurable tingles southwards.

'Where the hell is the Doc?'

'Why?'

'Cause I don't know how long I can wait.' he said through gritted teeth.

'Just breathe.' she said as much to herself as to him. 'We're together now. Nothing is going to change that. We'll get there.'

He relaxed a little and smiled against her back.

'I like it when you say we.'

There was a sudden and surprising flicker of white from the jar. It caused them to shudder pleasurably but thankfully neither of them lost consciousness this time.

'Did you see that?' Sam exclaimed breathlessly.

'Yeah.' he murmured and pressed his lips softly to her shoulder.

There was another small flash of bright white light as they sighed contentedly and settled deeper into their embrace. Sam pulled at the sheets until their upper bodies were covered. They closed their eyes and dozed, dreaming about things that may soon come true.