Sam found out about the briefing that had brought Colonel O'Neill back from his trip that morning when an airman approached her in the mess hall.
"Sorry for the late notice ma'am," the young airman said apologetically. "I looked for you last night but couldn't find you."
Sam hoped her blush wasn't as noticeable as it felt. "That's okay," she replied. "Thanks."
He saluted and walked away just as Daniel and Teal'c arrived at her table.
"What happened to you last night?" Daniel asked as he sat down.
"I went to bed early," she told him. Not really a lie.
Daniel looked up from his tray. "I knocked on your door."
"I was dead to the world. What did you want anyway?" Sam asked quickly trying to change the subject.
"Oh, I wanted to see if you knew what this briefing was about this morning."
Sam shook her head as she swallowed her cereal. "I only just found out about it."
"Well I guess it can't be that earth shattering if Jack isn't here for it," Daniel reasoned as he shook salt over his hash browns.
"He got back late last night," Sam replied before she could stop herself.
Daniel looked back to her again a question on his face.
"I passed him in the hallway this morning..." Now that one was a lie.
"Oh," Daniel replied his brow creasing. "Well that changes everything if it was important enough to bring Jack back from a fishing trip."
They didn't see the Colonel at breakfast for which Sam was thankful. She wasn't looking forward to their next meeting, though she knew it was only putting off the inevitable. Their briefing was only thirty minutes away after all.
She heard his heavy boots on the steps before she saw him, but knowing he was about to appear still didn't make it any easier. How am I supposed to look at him after what happened last night?
Jack arrived at the top of the steps and looked around the briefing room. He could see the General on his phone in his office, Teal'c was seated at the table his hands crossed in front of him, Danny was late as usual, and Carter...
He smiled. Carter was at the coffee pot across the room looking for all the world like she was trying to avoid him. Well this won't do, he thought as he crossed the room towards her, nodding to Teal'c as he passed.
"Carter," he said as he stopped beside her.
Sam nearly dropped her coffee cup when he spoke not hearing him approach. Damn special forces training...
"Good morning Sir," she replied without looking at him.
Jack sighed loudly. "Carter..."
Sam turned to look at him and could feel the colour rising in her cheeks. The image of him in his Homer boxers from the night before came into her mind and without realising it her eyes flicked downwards. When she heard his low chuckle she quickly refocused her attention on his face.
Jack leaned close to her. "Don't worry Captain," he murmured. "I'm not a walking advertisement for 'Chunky Lurve' today."
Sam stared at him. "No Sir," she replied. "Chunky is one word I definitely have never associated with you."
Jack's smiled. "Why thank you Carter..."
"And boy was I right on that one," she continued quickly cutting him off, seemingly focusing on something just beyond his shoulder.
Was that a snort? He wondered as he looked at her.
"Not even all of my daydreams combined could live up to the real thing. And Holy Hannah have there been more than a few of those over the last few years!"
Sam finally focused her attention back on the Colonel. Why is he looking at me like that?
Jack cleared his throat and looked at his boots.
Sam paled. "I just said that out loud didn't I?" She whispered the question, hoping he'd be kind enough to at least lie to her.
Jack looked at her for a moment debating over what his reply should be. Aw what the hell...
He grinned widely before clapping her on the shoulder. "Oh yeah!" He replied as he walked past her to settle himself at the table.
Sam turned back to the coffee pot and closed her eyes. If there was ever going to be a good time for the Goa'uld to attack earth...this would be it.
"Hey," Daniel said as he reached past her for the coffee pot.
She looked at him and mumbled something incoherent. I think I'm going to be sick. Sam looked at her watch wondering how long she had before she'd be sitting in the brig waiting news of her court martial for breaking the fraternisation rules.
"Take your seats people," General Hammond ordered as he entered the room.
Sam moved to take her seat. She didn't want to sit next to the Colonel, but she thought that would be preferable than having to face him across the table.
"Captain Carter," came the Generals voice.
"Sir?"
"Are you feeling alright?"
Her gaze flicked to Jack before returning to the General. "Yes Sir I'm fine." She could feel Hammond's eyes on her as she took her seat near Jack.
"Are you sure you're okay Captain?" He asked, concern evident in his voice. "Perhaps you should report to the infirmary."
"Yeah Sam," Daniel agreed. "You don't look so hot."
"That's a matter of opinion..." Jack mumbled loud enough for only Carter to hear.
Sam nearly choked on her coffee.
"What was that Colonel?" The General asked.
"I said it's hot in my opinion. In here I mean." Jack gestured around the room. "Too hot in the briefing room. Maybe that's the Captains problem?"
General Hammond looked around considering his 2IC's suggestion. "Perhaps you're right Colonel," he replied. "I'll have maintenance check it out."
"There's no need for that General," Sam hurriedly cut in. "I'm fine really."
Hammond looked at her for a few moments longer before nodding and taking his seat at the top of table. "Very well Captain," he conceded. "We'll start the briefing, but if you feel unwell I want you to go straight to Doctor Fraiser."
"Yes Sir," Sam agreed risking a glance sideways at the Colonel.
"Are you sure you're feeling okay Carter?" Jack asked grinning so only she could see his face.
She didn't think it was possible, but she could feel herself blushing even more. "Yes Sir." Not going to the brig then...
"I'm just thinking about your health Carter," Jack continued. "One minute you're pale, the next you're flushed." He reached out and placed a hand on her forehead. "Haven't had anything out of the ordinary happen lately? No sudden shocks or surprises? No...oh I don't know...excitement?"
Sam glared at him. Yeah, my CO practically flashed me last night! "No Sir! Thank you for your concern though Sir!" she replied through gritted teeth.
Jack showed her one last knowing smile before turning back to the General with a straight face.
"If you're satisfied Colonel," the General started. "Could we please get on with this briefing?"
Judging from the Colonels attitude this morning Sam knew that he hadn't realised that she'd noticed his little "excitement" problem last night before he pulled his jeans back on. She bore holes into the back of the his head. Okay, she thought to herself. If that's the way you want to play this...two can definitely play this game buddy...
/
A/N
oh that Jack is such an incorrigible scamp! :D hope you enjoyed
