Ok, I felt bad leaving you guys with such a little chapter last time ;) So here's another one ^^

Enjoy and review my dears!

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A little over an hour later, Jack O'Neill's car parked in front of Pete's house. Carrying the inanimate body inside with Teal'c help, they put him down on the couch more or less gently. His calm perfectly restored, Jack went to the kitchen where he filled up a glass of icy water. Back in the living room, he simply threw it to the cop's face. Obviously, the method was efficient! Pete's eyes shot open and as he was about to speak he rose a hand to his painful jaw – surprising hey?

P: (enunciating not so bad for a man with two teeth missing) What the…??

J: We walked you out of the base.

P: (looking around him) Where's Sam?

T: Major Carter didn't seem inclined to see you.

P: Why …?

It seemed to the two soldier that Pete suddenly remembered the last events.

P: (turning toward Jack) You punched me!!

J: Oh? … (with a slight move of the hand) Yeah, a bit.

P: (standing up) I have to see Sam. I need to explain her.

J: (gently pushing him back in the couch) Nothing's gonna happen cow-boy. If the Major say it's over, then you're not welcome to the SGC anymore.

P: You're happy, huh? You like it! Now she's free.

J: (perfectly calm) Last time I checked, Carter was walking around without chains… Did you noticed something Teal'c?

P: Stop your little games, O'Neill. You're just jealous because I succeeded where you failed during all those years!

J: (impressed) Really? You can walk more than ten minutes on your hands?! Wow… police forces nowadays…

P: (with a bitter smile) That's it… Be a smartass. But you can't keep me away from the SGC very long. I know a lot about you lot.

Ignoring the light of defiance in Pete's eyes, Jack took a step forward before sitting on the small table facing the couch.

J: (still very calm) Would you be trying to blackmail me by threatening to reveal Top Secret information?

A happy smile appeared on the Colonel's lips.

J: Because in that case you need to know that NOTHING would make me more happy than to make sure you keep quiet… for good.

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Five minutes later, in O'Neill's car:

T: I am not positive the general will order you to kill Pete Cannaghan, Colonel O'Neill.

J: Me neither.

"J: Too bad though."

T: Why tell him such thing then?

J: Two reasons… To keep him away from the SGC and from Major Carter. And also because he doesn't know that I can't put him down.

Jack couldn't help but smile as he remembered Pete's expression… Actually, that was totally worth it too!

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Jack's House / 11 PM:

After dropping Teal'c back at the SGC, the Colonel went straight home. He didn't feel like lifting up Sam's spirits when all he wanted to do was dance a jig in this big event's honor. Daniel was on base, he would make sure Sam was alright. Finally, Jack found himself alone and without the weight of not knowing if Carter would wake up off his chest. Not far from where he was sitting, his last report was still laying, unfinished. For the first time in years, O'Neill had decided to lie. His side of the story contained no tracks of his fight with Sam, of her insubordination… and Jack had made sure Teal'c and Daniel's versions would match his. The two men didn't seem to care about such a thing, but the Colonel knew this was a dangerous thing to do. This time there was no strange virus/entity/artifact to explain Sam's behavior. Yet, for his Carter… it was worth it.

Around midnight, the phone rang. Mumbling, Jack put his bottle of beer down on the table and went to pick up.

J: Better be important…

: I knew I'd disturb you, sorry Colonel. I'll see you tomorrow at the SGC.

J: (suddenly friendlier, but surprised) Sam?!!

She paused for a second, taken off guards when she heard him use her first name.

J: Still there Carter?

"S: Ah, that's more like it…"

S: Yes, yes, Sir. Sorry to call you so late.

J: You know I'm never asleep so early.

A silence went by.

J: Hmm… And so?

S: Sorry! I was lost in my thoughts.

J: You're calling me to think now? You do know it's not really my stuff though…

Sam's laugher made him smile for good. It was always so good to hear it.

S: It's just that I couldn't sleep.

J: Well, you did get time to stock up on sleep lately.

S: That's what I keep repeating to my dad!

J: You know Jacob...

Another silence.

J: Say Carter… You know how much I love to hear you think usually but … I have pizza here. The oven's ready to heat up, if you feel like it…

S: No thanks, it's nice but no. It's late and I don't think they'll let me leave the infirmary that easily.

The infirmary! He'd totally forgotten!

J: Oh, yeah…

S: Sir? … (she hesitates) Was Pete alright?

J: "Alright" isn't the word I'd use. Let's say he'll need a good dentist and a big box of chocolates.

S: Chocolates, Sir?

J: I heard it's good for depression.

"J: Yeah, that's it! Make her feel guilty she dumped him now! Are you nuts or something?"

J: (speaking quickly) Don't worry about him, he's a big boy…

Seeing she wasn't answering, Jack threw a glance to his watch and took a decision.

J: Here's what we're gonna do. Give me half an hour and I'll bring you a nice piece of pizza!

S: (embarrassed) No, no, really… there's no need…

J: I was planning on going to the SGC early anyway. I'll just be there very early.

And without giving her the time to change his mind, Jack hang up.

"J: Game's up, mate."

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Next morning / 09 AM:

His hair still messed up with sleep, Daniel stepped in the infirmary, a well furnished tray in his hands. Taken by surprise, he froze on the doorstep.

D: Sam? … Jack?

The pair, awaking at the call of their name, mumbled.

S & J: What… What's going ok?

Daniel couldn't help but notice the tone they used was exactly the same one uses to addresses a child that came to wake you up in the middle of the night. The archeologist coughed gently, slightly embarrassed, hoping to wake them up totally.

D: So … you spent the night, Jack?

Suddenly wide awake, the Colonel O'Neill straightened up, almost falling from the chair he was sitting on.

J: Spent the…??

Jack threw a glance around him, his eyes meeting Sam's, an irrepressible smile spreading on his lips. Finally, he turned back to Daniel.

J: Looks like it, Daniel…

S: (slightly defensive) I called the Colonel yesterday and I couldn't sleep… so he offered to bring me some pizza and…

D: (lifting his hands up) Hey Sam… I'm not asking anything!

An embarrassed silence settled in the small room. Sam was playing the blanket between her fingers, Jack was looking around him, and Daniel… well, Daniel was trying to find something to say.

D: Hmm… So? The date?

S: (going slightly pink) It wasn't…

D: I'm teasing you Sam…

S: Oh. Yes. Of course.

And hop… another silence, a nice collection!! Jack broke it by standing up suddenly, his hands slapping against his tights.

J: Well, I have some work waiting for me! See you later S… Carter, (slight murderous glance to DannyBoy) … Daniel.

"J: Grrr… That one… Always with a bad timing!"

Sam laid back down after her superior's exit with a little sigh, she smiled at Daniel.

S: So… what about that breakfast?

D: Oh, if you're ready for it…

Taking the place occupied by Jack only moments ago, Daniel pushed the empty pizza box aside and put his tray down.

D: Since I didn't know what you'd like, I took a bit of everything…

S: (with little laugher when she sees the Super Tray) I see that… Anything as long as I get out of here fast!

Janet: (who just walked in) Then you better swallow that down and get ready, Sam. You're leaving the infirmary in an hour. No missions on the other hand.

Sam opened her mouth, probably to protest.

Janet: General's orders.

With a little groan that brought a smile on Daniel's lips, the young Major bit in a piece of bread.

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At the same time… :

With a perky walk – and hardly hiding his happy expression – O'Neill left the infirmary. One everning – or should it be called a night? – during which he had had Sam – oh yeah, her first name was becoming harder and harder to NOT pronounce – to himself. No Daniel, well almost none, no aliens, crooked politicians or end of the world predictions… no, no, not even Pete Cannaghan – rightfully nicknamed King of the Idiots… Nothing of that: just them.

"J: A little piece of cake would be welcome… (he runs a hand through his hair) Outch! And after that, a good shower, wouldn't be too bad!"

With a decided walk, the Colonel walked toward the Mess.

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Back to the Infirmary…:

Thanking Daniel and Janet – one for breakfast, the other to let her go before the hour after a quick shower– Sam was getting ready to FINALLY leave the infirmary.

D: Hmm… Sam? You forgot your watch.

S: (she turns around to show him the one at her wrist) Hmm… Daniel? I don't think so no.

D: (shrugs) I guess it's Jack's then… (he takes the watch) Right, I guess I'll have to get it back to him. Dang!! My report on P2X653!!! Oh noooooooooooo (such and incredible actor!!)

S: (rolling her eyes) Alright, alright, I'll go.

Just as Sam was passing the door, Daniel called: Have a look in his quarters!

"S: As if that's where he'd go BEFORE breakfast…"

Step one, the Mess… strangely enough, no Colonel, but with two lieutenants talking about him.

L1: Once again he took the last piece of chocolate cake…

L2: Mind you he's quick for a … Major Carter!

Slightly embarrassed, the two men went in deep contemplation of their tray – apparently a vital mission for the human race's survival.

"S: Well… he's also pretty hot for … SAM!!"

Shaking her pretty blond head, the young woman left the Mess for the corridor her Colonel had stepped in not so long ago. Once in front of O'Neill's door, she knocked softly. Strangely, she was still intimidated by coming to his quarters. No answer. Second try, this time a little louder and followed by a "Colonel? It's Carter!". Still nothing. Sam had two solutions before her. Turn around, with the risk to hear later that he'd spent his morning searching for his watch – translation: thank you for offering me an alibi for my nap, Carter – or step in and simply give it to him.

In the room, Sam heard the familiar spattering of a running shower… and the one slightly less usual of an happily singing O'Neill.

J: I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky…

With eyebrows shooting to the ceiling –there's a fait reason to be surprised! - the Major was ready to get back to plan A and turn around when she noticed something familiar…

"S: Huh? My jacket?"

Indeed, close to the little table, right next to a plate where only crumbs were left, on the back of one of the chairs was her uniform jacket. The tag in the neck saying "Samantha Carter" she discovered when picking up the jacket finished to convince her.

"S: But what the… OUTCH!!"

Turning and returning the jacket in her hand, Sam had missed the needle that just bit her skin.

J: You should be careful Carter… Those little stuff hurts.

S: (surprised and embarrassed she turned around): Colo… nel…

No, it wasn't only the Colonel O'Neill… but a beautiful specimen of male sex, naked to the waist up, hair wet, a black towel wrapping his waist.

J: (waving his hand) Hmm… Sam?

"S: OH.......MY......SWEET..........GOD!!! He's SO hot!"

After a moment, Jack started to feel slightly uncomfortable under his 2CO's gaze.

"J: I can't believe it: she's checking me out! It's now or never…"

Taking advantage of Sam's "absence", he stepped forward.

"S: He's getting closer… Carter… Do something… MOVE!! – Hi, you are on Major Samantha Carter's voicemail. Right now I am about to throw myself at my Colonel and therefore I am not available. Thanks for leaving a message after…"

Sam jumped when she felt Jack's take hers. She was doomed.

J: (innocently) Let me see that Carter…

"J: Sweet move, mate! The old trick of the needle… always better than the car breaking down."

With conscientiousness, …

"J: What I'd give to feel that hand… Argh! Calm down…"

… Jack glanced down at the small sting where a little drop of blood was appearing.

S: Co…

"S: And one syllable, one! Bloody hell it's hot in here! Is the air-conditioning down or what?"

Sam cleaned her throat, her cheeks slightly red, but O'Neill didn't seem to want to let go…

"J: MINE!! … Jack, mate… you have issues, really…"

Throwing all notion of hierarchy, orders or even hygiene to the wind, Jack picked the drop of blood up in a single move of his (expert?) tongue. Sam forgot to breathe.

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How's that, it's another end shaped in a big question mark?? Really? ^^ (seriously, sometimes I'm almost sorry!)

Is Jack really that bad at sewing? Did he actually asked Daniel to do it for him? Or even better, Teal'c? Will Hammond finally give out the recipe for a scalp so shiny that it distracts pilots from all the way up there? You will (maybe) discover all this in the next chapter!