A/N: thanks to everyone who took the time to read and review, this chapter is a bit longer than the others hope you like.
Calmly efficient, like a dance that had never been practiced, but one that came naturally. Sam and Jack had gotten through the beginnings of the sandstorm, no need to for talking, they communicated without words. Able to anticipate what the other needed. But now that all they had to do was, wait, Sam found it unbearable, being in that tiny tent stuck with Mr. Sarcasm himself. She didn't like to admit that she found his sarcasm and bluster, endearing. That was because she knew that it was all a show. The walls he built for himself; sarcasm, bluster, Simpsons everything he used to hide behind.
She tried imputing the data she had collected before the storm hit. Mostly just for something to do. But it became annoyingly obvious that she wasn't going to make sense of these readings with just her laptop… she needed help or more time or more readings for comparison. These were just the excuses her brain was coming up with to avoid admitting to herself that the handsome colonel O'Neill was just too much of a distraction. She found herself sneaking a peek at him from above her laptop screen. Dark brown eyes, tan skin, greying hair, that instead of making him look older just enhanced his rugged sexiness…
It was the same back at the SGC, whenever Jack O'Neill stopped by her lab and innocently said "Watcha doing..?
Distraction, was definitely the word, her mind was wandering. An infinite number of "what ifs" circling inside her head or maybe her heart? His playful teasing, the way his eyes lingered when he thought no one would notice. The look on his face that just screams "I know something you don't." and then that smirk that follows immediately after. It played around the corners of his mouth, making it look so… tempting…. Not allowed!
He made it quite clear after the ice planet that as far as he was concerned, it had been a mistake, alien influence and all. But she knew better. He had known what her body wanted, every touch with purpose, every kiss igniting a fire within, as if he had had prior knowledge to her carnal needs and had fulfilled them entirely. She had not held back either. When they had been Jonah and Thera they didn't need to. It wasn't only their physical encounters that made her heart swell whenever she was hit with a memory of their time together. Sometimes she'd catch herself feeling jealous of Thera, and then she'd remind herself that she was Thera… Hollow comfort…. And he expected her to forget it all? Just like that?
Disgruntled, she gave up hiding behind her laptop and put the thing away. Just then he asked
"So Carter, remind me again why this tent doesn't just get ripped to shreds?"
….
Daniel had enlisted Teal'c to go over his translations one more time. The tent vibrated with the force of the winds and sand beating against it… they came in waves, reminding Daniel of the beach, except with waves of sand and dust. Not particularly recommending this place for off world vacations, he mused, then realised that he was starting to sound like Jack.
"Daniel Jackson, this text is written in an obscure dialect. I will attempt to translate it but it will take time… Teal'c said in his usual stoic manner.
"Go ahead, that's something we certainly have a lot of.
"Indeed" and with that he returned to the text he had been entrusted to.
Daniel fiddled with his spectacles. He'd been convinced that they would find a technologically advanced race that could help them fight the Goa'uld. Their last few encounters hadn't gone well. First with the Unas, who had kidnapped him, definitely not superior or advanced. Then with a terra forming "ship" bent on destroying the newly settled Enkaran population. Thankfully that had all ended well. And finally there was that damned ice planet, where their identities had been stripped and their free will stolen. He thought of his friends, he had a feeling something had happened between them, but he was unwilling to speculate as to what it could be. He hoped they would use this opportunity to talk.
"Daniel Jackson."
"That was quick!" Daniel looked over at Teal'c surprised.
"Indeed, your translations were correct. This is the planet to which the text refers, however Daniel Jackson it seems the people who once called this place home has left, perhaps the storm we are currently experiencing may serve to enlighten us in this manner?
Daniel frowned, then blinked, that had been a mouthful from his Jaffa friend "Wait, what…? What do you mean by that?"
"If the people who lived here were indeed a powerful race, mayhap they found this planet to be inhospitable, and abandoned it"
"Or they've destroyed their planet themselves and left?"
"Of that I am uncertain"
…..
Sam looked over at jack while she talked about the tent. She suspected he was bored, as if she wasn't already on edge, now he was expecting her to be his entertainment too. And clearly by the look on his face he wasn't even really listening to her. He was looking at her strangely; hunger was the word that came to mind. To hell with it!
"Are you okay sir?" He looked like a guilty schoolboy, about to be sent to detention. So she repeated the question "Are you okay Jack?"
"Yes fine, why wouldn't I be?" he was too busy covering the fact that he hadn't been paying attention that he didn't notice she'd used his first name
"You just look… I dunno" she sighed and looked away. Come on Samantha! Don't be a chicken! How many times have you run toward danger! What's so different now?
She looked at him again, then leaned over and kissed him. It was a quick kiss. Not particularly romantic, filled with apprehension and doubt. He did not respond. She felt her world crumble. Turning away, she moved across to her side of the tiny space wishing so badly that they had flat space technology integrated into these tents. Wishful thinking, but at least then she'd have somewhere to run.
"I'm sorry sir that won't happen again"
"Carter get your butt over here!" He sounded, she wasn't quite sure… but he was her commanding officer so she reluctantly managed a glance in his direction. Brown eyes met blue and that was all she needed. It was as if he had lifted the veil on his emotions and at that moment had given her a glimpse of what life could be. She launched herself at him. Tongues met in a searing kiss, passion unleashed. A blazing trail of heat swept through her body like a forest fire. She felt her entire body start to tingle. And then the tent moved. Hang on this can't be right? What the hell is going on?
The tent was moving. It started to shake. She was pretty sure they weren't on the ground anymore. Rolling, spinning, tipping in every direction, all at once. She felt a stinging sensation, all over her body, like a million spiders crawling across her skin, sinking their tiny teeth into her flesh.
And then, everything went black.
