Chapter 8

And I'm so sad

like a good book

I can't put this day back

a sorta fairytale with you

A Sorta Fairytale by Tori Amos

They went out of the house and searched the perimeter for Daniel and the Stargate. But they discovered that the house sat on its lonesome near the beach. There seemed to be no sign of other people or houses nearby as far as they could tell.

Disappointed, they decided to go back to the house for a thorough search.

Sam wasn't too in love with the alternate Jack and Sam's room. It felt like one of those spaces in a plush New York apartment. The terracotta walls were painted white, reminding her of the walls of Greek beach villas. Minimal furniture and a mix of art décor were painstakingly art directed. It seemed every tiny fixture was placed there for some aesthetic reason. The bed itself was piece of art, an off-white platform type, with a handbrush finish, and French-style carvings on the headboard. The splash of color came from a huge Warhol painting that hung at the far wall facing the bed.

"I'm guessing we are wine-sipping, art-worshipping bohemians," Jack said as he went through some books that were lined up against one side of the room, from floor to ceiling.

After turning a portion of the room inside out and finding nothing, Sam turned her attention towards a wall or perhaps a window, covered in thick drapes. She walked towards it and as she tugged the curtains back, light flooded the room instantly.

It was a clear glass door which gave the room an eyeful view of the beach. She slid the glass sideways, and stepped out into a terrace from which she could see a majestic scene of the sky and sea. She walked closer to the edge of the balcony, and closed her eyes, feeling the wind and tiny sprays of water on her face as the waves crashed languidly into some huge rocks on the shore.

Standing in midday light, her dress blowing in the wind, Sam had never looked so beautiful, Jack thought. He put back the book he was holding and joined her outside.

Sensing Jack's presence, she tensed up. "Not bad," he said as he fixed his eyes on the view.

Both resting idly against the rail, they looked out into the clear azure sky, a long stretch of white sand and rolling blue-green waters. Coupled with the sound of wind, waves and seagulls, the moment banished all thoughts of regulations, rankings, missions, aliens, saving the world, and - Pete.

He gave her a sidelong glance. Of course, she was wishing Pete was with her right now. Probably wondering about coming back here for their honeymoon, he thought.

Sam clasped her hands together, trying not to mind the goose bumps caused by the wind or his presence, she wasn't too sure.

"Any theories where we are?" He looked at her this time, as if he already found an excuse to stare at her after a safe question.

Sam unclasped her hands and leaned forward over the balcony. Then she looked at him after her brief pause.

"We have no clues so far," Sam said, and added, "Sir." She mustn't forget that even outside of his BDUs and despite the tight shirt, Jack was very much still her CO. And there was Earth and realities and Pete to go home to.

"Tomorrow we can try exploring with that SUV outside." Jack said putting an extra effort on sounding authoritative.

He turned his head away. Carter looking at him with that look in her cool blue eyes, wearing that dress, in the midst of a god-awful balmy and bright beachside was just too much to bear. He wondered how many days he can endure it.

"We'll survive, Sir," she said, more for herself than for him.

He gave her a brief smile. If I don't die first from wanting you so bad Sam.

"Of course, we've been through this before," he said, still sounding sombre and serious.

He shut his eyes briefly wishing they were stuck in Antarctica instead.

SJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJJSJSJSJS JSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJS JSJJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJ SJSJSJ

It had taken them almost an hour exploring the other room

beside theirs. There were no pictures or any other clue about

their alternate selves. Nothing of any alien origin either.

"Sir, this place is too sterile. It doesn't feel real." She said, trying to conceal her uneasiness.

"Looks as if it hasn't been lived-in, you mean," he agreed.

Jack noted her edginess. He too was becoming tense as the day wore on. They both didn't have any clue were they were. Daniel was missing. Their stuff was missing. Stargate was missing. And they were going to be alone in that house for the night.

What if this is a dream. A vivid dream," Sam continued, giving herself hope that they would wake up and be back at the SGC.

"Maybe we should start asking each other things," said Jack as he stepped out of the room. She moved out to join him.

"Like what Sir?" Sam was afraid to start, and assume about the things he had in mind.

"I don't know. Personal stuff?" he eyed her, and wondered for moment if she was the real Carter.

They reached the living room. There was a stone fireplace, above which were more books, and a life-size nude bronze sculpture of a woman - who looked a bit like Carter, he noted.

She sauntered into the other corners of the spacious living room. The walls were all glass. She could see the ocean and hear the waves thrashing outside. The living room opened up into several corners. A painting room, a reading room, a bar, and a small gallery where a huge picture caught her eye.

She stepped inside to get a closer look. Her jaw dropped as she saw what it was - a life-size black-and-white picture of her and Jack. Naked.

They were lying entangled on the bed, their white bed. Her head was tilted up as if in ecstasy while Jack's face was half buried in her neck. Her right breast spilled out under his solid chest which pinned her. He cradled her body in his strappy arms.

Sam dragged her eyes nervously to the right of the frame to look at his ass which jutted out like - a pair of succulent peaches, she thought. Her breathing quickened as her eyes swept past his toned legs entwined with her legs, or the alternate Sam's legs.

"Whoa!" her face turned bright red as she whirled round to see

Jack walk towards the picture. Even his wildest fantasies couldn't rival the image he was seeing.

"Sir, I don't think we should look at it." She felt self-conscious as if Jack was looking at her naked.

Indeed he was looking at her naked.

"Carter it's art-" he said unconvincingly, his mouth agape, his eyes never leaving the photo – Carter naked.

"I'm an art lover-," he continued feebly, his eyes widening as the image sank into him – Carter coming under me.

"—and I'm so loving this art," he said almost whispering to himself - Carter's breast.

His knees started to weaken.

He turned to her and saw her looking deathly pale in embarrassment.

"Well technically Carter, uh, that's not really you is it," he dropped his loss of restraint.

And yet his already heightened imagination spilled out into a suppressed grin and a perky voice.

Sam didn't answer though seeing Jack get excited by their highly suggestive picture was definitely something she'll tuck in her memory.

Not wanting to cause her any more discomfort, he fell into his usual good-natured banter.

"Well, it's definitely not me. There should be a scar there, and a deep gash right there. But I have to say, that's my ass. Exactly like that: tight, high, round," he rambled animatedly, pointing at the frame with his finger.

Sam relaxed, reminded that she too was seeing a naked Jack.

She began to wonder if indeed his ass looked anything like it.

"I'm thinking of bringing this back home," Jack said as he turned to face her.

Inadvertently his eyes fell to her breasts. He quickly averted his gaze as he saw her get vexed.

"Maybe we should stay out of this room," he said narrowing his eyes at the other pictures which hung at the wall.

Sam followed him out, fearing more things that they may discover.