Another chapter for you, I hope u like!

Chapter 9 - Home sweet home

Last day, Sam noted. An air of excitement hung around the ship, as if everyone was feeling the tug of home. Grinning as she scrubbed the deck, Sam hummed to herself.

"You're looking cheerful for someone who's on their first day back on the job," Daniel pointed his scrubber at her, foam dripping onto his knees as he did so.

"Yup," Sam agreed.

"Did he hurt you?" Daniel asked quietly, his baby blues searching her face for any sign of distress.

"No. Nearly, though." Sam smiled at him. "My hero came to the rescue." She nodded towards Jack who was standing at the wheel, compass in hand, hat on head and obviously whistling to himself.

"So I hear," Daniel's grin seemed to widen. Sam frowned at him, yet couldn't quite keep the smile from her face.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Mhm. You know, not leaving the cabin for three days was a bit of a giveaway. As was the fact that Jack kicked the naked Maybourne out himself. And that he's been getting meals for two delivered to the cabin for three days running."

"Perhaps I was inconsolable, and needed time alone."

"Jack is not the type of man who could bear three days in a cabin alone with a crying woman. He would have come to me fore help with that one."

Sam laughed and nodded in agreement. She saw Jack look down from his perch in enquiry and she gave him a broad smile which he returned.

"Well, I believe you've managed something that no other woman on the outer islands has ever managed. You've cracked Jack O'Neill. I take my hat off to you, I really, do."

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As the night set in on the sea around them, there was land in sight. Small and distant, it seemed extremely far away. Jack assured her however, that with Teal'c steering for the night, they'd be there before morning.

Does Teal'c ever sleep, Sam wondered as she dozed off, safe in Jack's arms. As her eyes closed, she awoke with a start as he began speaking.

"Hey, you know, when we get back, I hear you're staying with Danny." She nodded in confirmation. "You don't have to, ya know. I have room for ya."

In his own way, he was asking her to move in with him, she knew. And for the first time since she had met him she sensed nervousness emanating from him. Nodding, she answered:

"I'd like that." Her reply was a massive smirk and a scorching kiss.

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The next morning, they were indeed near land. As they anchored at a small harbour, the crew departed in small rowing boats to the shore. On the dock, people were gathering to greet their husbands, their sons and their friends. Awed by the greeting, Sam sat with hands clenched next to Jack as they set out in the last boat. A warm hand covered hers and she relaxed instantly. Giving her a knowing look and a sloped smile, Jack leaned close to her ear.

"Don't look so nervous."

"I just….it's so strange."

"Yeah, but it'll be over soon." Something in his tone made her think that he wasn't looking forwards to meeting the crowd either.

As they stepped ashore, dozens of women seemed to zero in on him. Two managed to grab an arm each, tugging him towards an inn by the shore.

"Now, now ladies, I'll need to be going home first," he seemed to dislike the attention, and Sam felt laughter bubbling to the surface as he tried to disentangle the women from his arms.

"Anise, Freya, you know I like you both, but I'll need a while to settle, yeah?" Giggling, the two women nodded, leading the crowd of appreciative ladies away. In her plain trousers, Sam felt dowdy as their coloured frocks disappeared into the crowd.

"Jack! It's good to see you home!" A woman in her late fifties, short and with white hair approached, grabbing Jack in a welcoming hug. Apparently he didn't mind the intrusion into his space this time because he hugged her back warmly.

"Catherine! Good to see you."

"And I see you've bought back a surprise for your aunt." Sam was surprised that the woman's piercing green eyes were settled onto her. "A woman on your ship. Quite a surprise."

As her hair was tied up, and her legs were ensconced in male trousers, she couldn't see how the stranger could have realised that she was a woman. As if reading her thoughts the woman smiled and took her arm in a friendly gesture.

"My dear, as crazy as my nephew is, he has never in his life looked at a man in the way he looks at you. A closer inspection proved my suspicions." She was waving a hand towards Sam's chest and in response, Sam blushed. Giving a small smile she answered:

"I see. And you're…..Catherine?" She glanced at Jack for confirmation.

"Hasn't told you about me has he? Well, I was always second best to the woman in his life, but that's how I'm used to it," she laughed at the astounded expression on Sam's face. "Ah, my dear, I look after the house and the dog, Thor, while he goes off and searches the seas. I see this time he's bought back something worthwhile. I'm Catherine Langford, his long-suffering Aunt."

Taking a liking to the woman, Sam widened her smile and replied:

"Samantha Carter, nice to meet you."

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The next few days were bliss. Jack's house was near the sea, and they spent the first few days fishing, making love and enjoying Catherine's amazing home-cooked food. Yet, at the back of her mind, Sam had a nagging feeling it couldn't last.

"Something wrong?" A few weeks and they knew each other better than they knew themselves.

"I was thinking about Dad," she replied honestly.

"Ah."

"Yeah. I miss him." Confiding in him was the only thing she could do, she realised, if she wanted to put her fears to rest.

"I figured as much." He looked serious, and more than a little sad. Stroking his face, she tried to relieve a little of his pain.

"I know that I've had the best time in my life here, that it would be the hardest thing I've ever done, to leave here."

"But?"

"But it's not right. Dad thinks I'm dead. You know what it's like to lose a child. He shouldn't have to go through that." He was nodding in agreement. Yet he wasn't looking at her.

"I love you." His head snapped up at that, brown eyes meeting blue in shock.

"I love you too." The answer brought tears to sting her eyelids, but it was no time to cry, it might be months before a ship left the harbour again, and she had to make the most of the time she had with him. Grabbing his hand, she tugged until he realised where she was headed and followed her to the bedroom.

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Should have another chapter up at the end of the week. Keep reviewing:OD