A/N: Yup, this was supposed to be posted looooooong hours ago (actually yesterday)... sorry folks, my computer died and I really couldn't do a thing:o((

Thank you for all the alerts! :o)) You're all simply amazing... :o))


SENSUALITY IN THE CANDLELIGHT – CHAPTER 4

Sam wasn't sure if her CO would arrive or not. He sounded really tired. She almost felt sorry for teasing him like that. But she was really looking forward to seeing him, meeting him, talking to him, just being with him. She had missed him during those weeks, of course she had! At first she wanted to go and change into something more comfortable but in the ended she decided against it. She was feeling just okay and he wouldn't mind.

Before she could at least try to think about what they should be talking about or how was she supposed to act around him, he was knocking on her door.

He was nervous. What was going on? What was he doing there? Why ...? He was about to turn away and leave when she had opened the door.

Their gazes locked and involuntarily they both smiled. All the nervousness was gone suddenly, which was good. Carter stepped away and silently invited him in.

"Come on in, Sir."

He walked in and turned around just to see her close the door. She was limping a bit, favouring her uninjured leg but she seemed to be okay.

"How's your leg?"

"Fine, Sir, thank you. It will take some time but I think it's all gonna be fine."

"I have no doubts, Carter."

She just smiled at him. And then it happened. The embarrassing silence appeared among them. And so they kept on staring at each other, not moving, not knowing what to do. And the worst thing was that they couldn't understand it.

"Carter..."

"Yes?"

"Maybe I shouldn't have come..."

"Why?"

"It's not... right."

She didn't say anything. She just opened the door for him. She was trying not to show any emotions. He could see them anyway. He stepped closer to her, covered her hand on the doorknob with his own and closed the door. The moment grew a bit too serious for their liking then.

"Sir?"

"I'm not good at this, Sam."

She nodded in understanding. She didn't trust her voice enough to talk. He was being openly honest and she wasn't really used to that. It was actually a bit scary. What did it mean? She had no idea. But it was ... strange. It felt right, deep down she was grateful. But in the same time she felt suddenly very unsure.

"I don't want to spoil anything, okay?"

"We've done this before..."

"No, we haven't."

"We've spend enormous amounts of time together, Sir. Here, at your place, off world, on the base... it's not like we haven't been alone ever before."

She was speaking softly, knowing him way too well.

"I'm sorry... I had a really bad day. I warned ya."

"It's okay... so far you're not that bad."

"Geez, thanks, Carter."

"Coffee?"

She asked him in acceptance. He could read her like an open book. This was her way of telling him that things would be okay, or at least that she was willing to take the risk.

"Fraiser would kill me."

"How many today?"

"I lost count somewhere around fourth pot..."

"Well then, tea?"

"Just if you have the apple pie..."

"In the kitchen."

"You really baked a pie, Carter?"

He walked to the kitchen to make sure. And there it was, absolutely gorgeous, deliciously looking apple pie. But something about it didn't feel right. He opened one cabinet in which she had her recycling bins and waste. And there it was. The take-away pie box from the French place not so far away.

Carter just smiled at him. She could feel the heat creeping up to her cheeks. And of course, he noticed.

"That is called cheating, Carter."

"You don't have to eat it if you don't want to..."

"You kidding? Just go and sit in the living room, will ya?"

"Do you want to be alone with that pie, Sir?"

He just looked at her, shocked and amused, way beyond the point where he could have thought about something to reply. She smiled and walked away.

Sam didn't know what happened to her. She didn't know where those remarks were coming from. What was it? Seriously? She couldn't believe it.

She sat down in the living room. She had a blanket on the floor along with few books and pillows. She somehow began to like it down there. Sometimes it could be even better than the couch. She could hear her CO moving around in the kitchen, making the tea, cutting the pie, trying to locate some plates. Something warm was spreading through her because of that. She wasn't sure whether she liked it or not. But most probably she did like it.

Soon he appeared with two cups of tea. He was a bit puzzled from her sitting arrangements but he didn't say a thing. He came back to the kitchen for the pie. And then he sat down onto the floor next to her. She was leaning against the couch, looking really comfortable.

He wanted to say something but he couldn't figure out what exactly that something should be. But it seemed like she didn't mind being silent. The pie remained untouched on the table. Sam noticed how really tired her CO was. He just leaned his head against the couch and closed his eyes for a moment.

She reached over and took the cup away from his hands. He looked at her and apologized for being just an old man.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I shouldn't have insisted."

"I wanted to come, Carter. Didn't wanna think about the reasons but I really wanted to come."

"I'm glad you did. And I'm glad you stayed."

She sounded so unsure. This was a completely new ground for them to walk on. He took her hand in his. It was welcomed small contact.

"It's easier when you're around."

"Huh?"

"Earlier... you said that we had already been alone together."

"Yes. And...?"

"It's easier to handle it when you are around more often."

And then she understood. She smiled at him sweetly and he found himself smiling back after few seconds. She tugged on his hand. He raised his eyebrow in Teal'c-like manner. What was she trying to do? What was HE supposed to do?

"Just trust me and come closer, Sir."

She moved her legs apart and soon he found himself sitting there in that space, leaning with his head and partially with his back against her chest, her arm wrapped around him... it was close to heaven. She even put a pillow under his back so he wouldn't be too sore in an hour or two from this position. She was so warm and welcoming... Did he die? Was this heaven? Or yet better – was he alive and really there?

"Comfy, Sir?"

"I can literally feel your heart beating, Carter... drop the Sir."

"All right..."

She started to play with his hair softly, holding him close. There was nothing erotic in that, nothing inappropriate, well, more or less. It was just a moment of pure friendship support. He had a bad day and she wanted to ease his worries and stress at least a bit. He couldn't really believe it though. Was it really happening? Was he really resting in her arms, on the fluffy blanket on her living room floor? Really? Could this be truth?

Yes, it was. And it felt really amazing. He felt the tension leaving his body, he really was comfortable, right then, right there, with her, in her arms, with her heart beating steadily... he couldn't have asked for more given the circumstances.


A/N: I apologize if this chapter was a bit of OOC – but honestly – this story is somehow a bit OOC – because we are opening the possibilities to them – it couldn't have happened on the show... anyway, I hope you enjoyed it.

This chapter was supposed to be really longer but I didn't have time to write... I have to go now, I'm gonna visit my friend in hospital (she was injured week ago, she's got her pelvis broken at three places... and today she was finally moved from ICU to a normal ward so I can finally go and see her...), then there is some shopping on my to-do-list for today and lots of learning during the evening... but I will post the second part of this chapter along with one more chapter – either tonight or tomorrow during morning (It's 13:30 here now...) - I PROMISE :o))

Thanks for understanding! :o))

And it also gives you time to suggest what do you wanna to happen :o))