A/N: firstly thanks to all who read and reviewed.

just to clear up something, i did not create the device in the end of the chapter, i merely embellished a tiny bit on the capabilities of an already existing device used by Teal'c in an alternate timeline (stargate continuum)

chapter 10

The alpha site

They stepped through the gate on p3x-984, leaving the icy glacier behind and scouted the immediate area for a suitable campsite. Sam and Jack were both at the brink of exhaustion. The last few days had been a whirlwind of tumultuous events, taxing on both a physical and emotional level. They needed to rest before making any rash decisions.

Sam was painfully aware that anything they did from this point on could irreparably damage the future and she was not willing to gamble with the lives of everyone she loved. How could they get back home? She couldn't think of a way without exposing themselves to either the Asgaurd or the Tokra. That's if the Tokra even existed yet.

After setting up the tent and rechecking their meagre supplies, most of which was lost when they had been running from the creature, Sam and Jack started collecting firewood. They'd chosen their campsite well. 10 minutes hike from the gate, protected by a sharp cliff face at their backs and a small ravine close by for fresh water. Carrying piles of wood under their arms, they spotted an animal in the distance. It looked like a deer only much smaller. Jack slowly lowered his pile of wood to the ground, the animal turned and looked right at them. Sam knew from their survey of this planet that this was a docile creature with no natural predators. So it had no reason to fear them. She looked at Jack who was already pulling his weapon. With a grimace he pulled the trigger.

Jack started a fire while Sam freshened up down by the ravine. When she was sure he couldn't see her, she stripped down to her vest, leaving her pants on and splashed cold water over her face and neck. Taking handfuls of sand from between the rocks she rubbed it under her armpits, scrubbing away as much sweat and grime as she could. Lastly she ran her wet fingers through her hair, giving it a good finger comb. She wished she could take a proper bath but it was the best she could do for now and at least she felt better. When she returned to their camp, she saw that Jack had already skinned the animal and had strung it up over the fire. She took over turning the animal, while he took his turn to clean up.

Jack sat down on a rock next to the ravine. He pulled his t-shirt over his head letting his tags fall back onto his chest. By now his beard had grown into a scraggly mess. So he took the time to shave. Which was tricky without a mirror but he managed to do a decent job. It felt like his hands were tied. He was a man of action. There had to be something they could do to get back home. He didn't wanna let her down. Physically trying to change the direction his thoughts were heading into he dunked his head into the cold water. Splashing more over his arms and chest.

Feeling slightly more human, with the smell of roasted meat leading him back to camp, Jack saw that Sam had already sawed a few chunks of meat off and had set some aside for him.

When she caught sight of him she said "You shaved your beard off" a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Yeah"

"I kinda liked it," she said without thinking.

An awkward silence fell between them, both lost deep in thought.

The sun hung low in the sky; it steadily became darker as they finished their meal. Jack watched as the warmth of the fire dried her hair leaving the ends to curl slightly, making him wish he could wrap one of those curls around his fingers. His gaze travelled lower, moving down her slender neck, watching the firelight play with shadows across her skin. He groaned inwardly, this is gonna get complicated.

Sam stared into the fire, soaking up the heat it provided. She could feel her body relaxing.

"I think I'll turn in sir," she said.

"ok carter I'll take first watch"

"You know you really don't have to, the goa'uld doesn't know about this planet. It wasn't on the cartouche we found on Abydos. Besides no one knows we're here."

Her words rang in his ears no one knows we're here.

"Yeah Carter…. I know…. I'll be right there"

In the tent Sam took off her boots trying to get comfortable. She slipped into her sleeping bag and listened to the sound of Jack moving around probably putting more wood on the fire she thought, probably avoiding me. She turned on her side facing the tent and tucked her hands under her cheek. If he was gonna avoid her, she'd avoid him right back, yeah right, fat chance. Cursing her weakness for a certain stubborn CO, she squeezed her eyes shut, determined not to let it affect her. As usual that didn't help, all she could see was his face, the look in his eyes just before they'd found the gate. She could have sworn he was about to kiss her.

She was surprised to hear him enter the tent. He climbed into his sleeping bag then lay on his back with his hands casually tucked behind his head. His eyes tracing the ceiling, looking everywhere except at her.

"I don't wanna leave it in the room anymore," he said with practiced ease.

Her heart leapt into her throat. "Excuse me?"

"The answer to your question… about us… I don't wanna leave it in the room anymore…"

"why do I feel like you've had a lot of practice saying those words?"

"Cos I have… I've said them to you…more than a couple of times"

She rolled onto her front, propping herself up on her elbows then looked at him, confused, "I would have remembered that"

"Nope"

"yes" she said nodding.

"It was during the time loops"

"Did it work?"

"Yep"

"So, what did I do?"

"er... you smiled… allot"

"and?"

"We had a lot of fun together"

She took a moment to digest this new information. And she just had to know…

"Did we ever sleep together?"

"There wasn't a whole lotta sleeping going on" with that said, he finally looked at her.

She saw the truth in his eyes, "Well thank you for your honesty." she said letting out a deep breath.

"Are you pissed off?"

"No… I mean yes… I mean, I don't know! God Jack, you've got all these memories of us, being together. And I can't remember any of it"

"Technically it never happened for you cos the time loops erased everything"

"But it happened for you!"

"Are you pissed off that it happened or that you can't remember?"

She took a moment to think about it "I'm pissed because you left it there, even after what happened on P3R-118."

"What?"

"The ice planet"

"aww carter you're not gonna blame me for that are you?"

"How could I… Jack… we found each other… even when they tried to change who we are."

"I know… I'm sorry"

A moment of silence fell between them; it seemed to stretch into forever.

"Sam…?"

"Yes?"

"Come here"

"Is that an order?"

"No, do you want it to be?"

"No"

"Sam, come here?" he repeated this time opening his sleeping bag for her.

She crawled across the small space and nestled herself into his arms. It felt right.

This time when they kissed it was deliberately slow, purposeful. A measured exchange of love and devotion. Although neither had spoken the words they felt it. It was there, in the way his lips brushed against hers, the way her mouth opened for him, allowing his tongue to slip inside and playfully brush against hers. It was in their eyes when they finally pulled apart. Saying everything that words could not express.

"God Sam, you're gonna be the death of me! But" and it pained him to say it, "for now, I think we need to sleep."

She turned in his arms and rested her head next to his. Knowing that time was on their side because even though they were stuck in the past, their future looked a little brighter.