Chapter 10
Sam hesitated one second before slowly making her way to the white limo. When she was close enough to touch it, a hand came out and dragged her in.
She struggled to get free for a few seconds before stopping abruptly when she realised her "kidnaper" was no less than her smirking Co.
"haya Sam! How are you doing on this nice evening?"
"Sir! You scared me!" She exclaimed, now slightly amused. Curiosity took the better out of her "what's this car? And I thought I was the one who was picking you up!"
He looked a little to proud of himself
"Well, I decided to change he rules. And to be quite honest, since you've been so patient to deal with him these last few days I wanted to give you a treat. The limo is part of it"
Sam wasn't sure how she was supposed to react. It wasn't what she had been expecting for this evening. She had imagined they would spend the evening in a little restaurant and that they would need time to adjust. So she expected both of them to be a little uneasy. Maybe she was, but Jack was completely at ease. He had pulled her to his side and thrown his arms around her shoulders. He was tracing small circles on her skin with his thumb while giving directions to the chauffeur and to be perfectly honest it was driving her crazy.
She liked the attention, the physical contact, the fact that he had obviously planning the evening and that it must have been quite a task. But she also liked being in control, knowing what was going on, and being able to take the matters in her own hands.
She had no idea where they headed and she wasn't thinking about the restaurant. She didn't know what he expected from the evening. Was he trying to seduce her? That was improbable considering what happened during the last mission and just after the said mission. Then what goal was he trying to reach? Because there was no doubt in her mind that the man was in a mission of his own.
O'Neill in the meantime was reviewing the last details of the evening to come. He had made slight adjustments to his plan following his unexpected meeting with Sam's dad and he was convicted he had done everything right.
Their musings were interrupted when the limo stopped and when the chauffeur came out to open the door on Jacks side. Sam was ready to exit on her own side but Jack stopped her.
"Wait a few seconds"
The chauffeur helped Jack to get out and to settle in his wheelchair. Then, Jack went on the other side and opened the door for Sam. He handed his hand to her, intending to help her to get out.
"Here we are milady"
She looked at him weirdly but said nothing and grabbed the offered hand. The chauffeur obviously knew what he had to do as he drove the car to the parking of the restaurant to wait for them to come back.
Sam looked at the place and gasped in surprise.
'The Cuisse de Canard! Sir, it's the most expensive place of the area!"
"Yes it is, but they say that French food's the best. Let's go"
Jack opened the door for Sam and led her inside. He gave his name to the maitre d' and they were installed at a nice table in a nice corner. Sam couldn't believe he had chosen this place. It was so…well not him!
The waiter came to give them the menus but Jack waved him off.
"I will take water and the lady will take a glass of chardonnay. I already ordered the rest of the meal when I called to make the reservation".
Sam was taken aback by his behaviour. What was he trying to prove? She could order her own meal or drink, thank you very much. Jack remained unfazed and grabbed her small hand in his big one.
"So, tell me about what you like to do when you're not in your lab?"
Sam looked at him, then at their hands and back at him again. She was surprised by his behaviour. He was tender, controlling, charming and did she need to say it again controlling!
The waiter came back with their drinks and asked Sam how she would like her meat. Jack was quicker than her.
"Rare, thank you"
That was it for Sam. She took her hand back to her side and snapped
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Well I was ordering for you because…" she stopped him.
"Because what? Do I look like a helpless woman? As far as I know you're neither my father, nor my boyfriend and even les my husband. If I remember correctly you're not even my Co anymore. What gives you the tight to speak like this on my behalf. You're really not the man I thought you were"
She didn't give him a chance to explain himself and stormed out. She was back two and a half minutes later
"Oh and I'm taking the limo to go back home, my home. You will just have to call a cab".
This time she left for good.
Jack was stuck into his chair, figuratively speaking. He didn't understand what had just happened. He truly believed he had done everything right but he had obviously missed something. He hadn't even had the chance to take out the ring he was safely keeping in his pocket. He should have been embarrassed about what had happened. Carter had just made a scene in front of forty customers of a well renowned French restaurant. But truth was, he wasn't embarrassed. He was rather proud of her. When she believed in something she was able to stand her case no matter what the consequences were or what people would think of her. She was magnificent when she was mad and he loved it.
He loved her and he had just lost her even though he didn't know why.