A/N

So this chapter has some song lyrics in it but I wouldn't call it songfic - they are at a dance after all :-)

As always thanks to everyone that is following the story and for everyone that is taking the time to review :-)

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Donny managed to keep Sam out on the dance floor through two more songs and Jack did his best to ignore how the boy held her hand in his, his hand resting on her hip. He actually thought he may have even ground his teeth when he saw the boys hand slip down lower. Luckily Carter pulled it straight back up before Jack managed to get his feet under him. Yeah cause that'd look real good if you flattened the poor kid on the dance floor...

Every time Donny would turn them Sam would take the lead and turn them back so she could see Jack. When she felt Donny's hand move down to her backside she thought Jack was going to flip. Her heart leapt as she wondered if that meant he really did have feelings for her. After all, he wasn't dancing with that lady anymore, or anyone else for that matter. She thought briefly about leaving Donny's hand there to see what Jack would do, but she really didn't like the feel of it so she quickly moved it back up to more neutral territory.

The next song started and Donny pulled her a little closer as he tried to swing them around again. Quickly Sam managed to swing them back. Her heart sped up when Jack didn't look away this time.

When you get home babe, gonna light your fire
All day I been thinking about you, babe you're my one desire
Gonna wrap my arms around you, and hold you close to me
Oh babe I wanna taste your lips, I wanna be your fantasy yeah

Jack did look away then. Jesus Christ O'Neill what the hell are you thinking?! Jack listened to the rest of the words of the song and wretchedly admitted to himself that it was how he felt about Carter. He risked a glance in her direction to find her staring intently at him. I'm so screwed...

"Captain O'Neill? Jack?" A voice asked from beside him.

Jack turned to see the same girl that had spoken to him earlier standing there.

"I was just wondering if you'd like to dance?"

"Ah, thanks really," he said trying to say no as nicely as he knew how. "But I think I'm all danced out after Miss Stephens."

The girl knew when she was getting the brush off and as much as she would have loved to have made all her friends jealous by getting him to dance with her she wasn't going to beg no matter how gorgeous the guy was. "Well I hope you manage to have a nice evening anyway Jack," she said and smiled as she walked away.

Huh, Jack thought as he watched her go. What a nice girl.

The girls friends watched wide eyed as she returned to them.

"What did he say?" Asked one of them.

The girl huffed and crossed her arms looking over to their chaperones. "That he's all danced out after Miss Stephens!"

All the girls reacted as she had wanted them to.

"God! I can't believe her! This is supposed to be our dance!"

"I know!" Said another. "As if a guy like that would be interested in her!"

"I can't believe she's ruined the whole night for the rest of us!" Another complained.

The girl smiled as she kept her eyes on Jack. She held up a hand to silence her friends. "Well I'm not going to let her stop me from getting what I want."

"But he said no," said another of the girls uncertainly.

She rolled her eyes at the younger girl. "That's just because he doesn't know that he really meant yes," she said as a predatory smile came over her. "Oh, I'm gonna get him alright," she murmured to no one in particular.

Jack turned back to the room really wishing there was bourbon in his ginger ale as he witnessed Donny Clarks hand slide down to cover Carters six again. As it was he was at least wishing for plastic cups since he was in danger of smashing the one he was currently holding.

When Donny's hand slipped down to her butt again and then actually squeezed Sam had enough. She grabbed the wrist of the offending hand and pointedly held it away from her, then pushed him hard in the chest with her other hand. "You're such a jerk Donny!" she said as she turned away.

"Well I'm sorry I'm not your precious Captain O'Neill," Donny said. "I bet if it was him grabbing your ass you wouldn't be pushing his hand away!"

Jack couldn't help but smile when Carter pushed the kid away. He saw Donny say something to her making her still and turn slowly back to him. He didn't hear what it was but he was glad he wasn't on the receiving end of that look.

"Oh no," Jack mumbled. "Don't do it Carter. Whatever he said, just let it go." He watched as she battled with her anger, releasing a breath when he realised she had it under control. Sticking up for yourself was one thing, getting a reputation as a loose canon who can't keep your temper in check was another.

"You're not worth getting into trouble over Donny," Sam said finally as she turned and walked off to the restroom.

Jack got up and moved to the other side of the room giving Donny a glare as he passed. Glad to see the kid now looked slightly green around the gills Jack leaned against the wall so he was able to catch Carter when she exited. A few minutes later the door to the ladies room opened and Carter stepped out.

"Hey," Jack said catching her by surprise.

She walked over and leant against the wall near him.

He smiled at her. "I thought you were about to punch Donny a minute ago," he said.

"You saw that huh?"

Jack nodded. "You handled it well Carter."

She looked at him. "What happened to 'never be afraid to stick up for yourself'?" She asked.

"I think you got your point across," he replied. "The kid looked scared to death when you walked away and you didn't lay a finger on him."

Sam let a reluctant smile grace her lips. "You gotta know when to hold em and know when to fold em..."

Jack chuckled. "You know the darnedest things come out of your mouth sometimes..." And now you're thinking about her mouth, he chided himself as his eyes dropped briefly to take in the slight curve of her lips. He cleared his throat as he looked back to her eyes. "So you gonna tell me what he said to make you react like that?"

She considered him for a moment. "No I'm not."

"Really?"

"Nope."

"And there's nothing I can do to change your mind about that?" He asked.

Sam looked at him and smiled. "Dance with me..."

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A/N

Sam is one smart cookie :-)

btw for those who don't know the song I mention in this chapter is called 'Kiss You All Over' by Exile

i pictured Jack standing there in his dress uniform looking somewhat delicious and thought he'd be perfect fantasy material which brought that song to mind ;-D