Feeling something tickle his nose, Jack slowly opened his eyes and a smirk appeared on his face when he realized Sam's hair was the culprit. Instead of rolling away, he nuzzled the long golden locks, enjoying the whiff of shampoo and pure Samantha Carter combined. He took a deep breath, careful not to wake her as he glanced at the alarm clock. It was almost 0600 hours and normally he would've been up already, but he hadn't set the alarm last night. No, he'd gone to the guestroom in the small apartment making sure not to make his amnesiac wife uncomfortable by crawling in bed with her. Sure, he'd held her in the infirmary while she was asleep a few times now, but that was different; he'd simply lain atop of the sheets while she'd been underneath them. Not to mention it was usually after a nightmare or she'd asked him to stay with her. This time she hadn't and he didn't want to rush her into anything and had opted to offer to take the guestroom, knowing she probably wouldn't decline.

He'd woken up in the middle of the night though, when she'd been having one of her nightmares and was tossing, turning, sobbing, mumbling and even screaming at times in their bed. Without hesitation, he'd darted into the room to wake and comfort her, and he'd even gotten a washcloth from the bathroom to clean her tear-streaked face as well as helped her change into a clean shirt, seeing as her own top was drenched in sweat. Jack had even offered to change the sheets, but she'd shaken her head and asked him to stay with her, hold her. Hating the reason that made her ask – the nightmares – he loved the fact that she had asked him and immediately slipped under the covers with her, wrapping his arms around her to pull her against his body.

Now, however, he was beginning to regret that he hadn't taken the time to put on some sweat pants or something as her silky legs were intertwined with his, one of her feet caressing his hairy calf. She was still sound asleep with her back against his chest and Jack knew he was enjoying her body pressed against his far too much considering her memory loss. Gently pushing her hair aside with his nose, he kissed the crook of her neck before scooting backwards slightly with his lower body. Having Sam in his bed again, arms wrapped around her soft body, wasn't something he could walk away from either, he mused. He'd been so freaking worried about what happened to her when she'd gone missing that he still had trouble realizing she was back for good. Now all they needed was for her memories to return…

"Jack?" Sam asked sleepily as she stretched like a cat, careful not to hit him in the face.

"Good morning," he mumbled after clearing his throat and tightening his grip on her hips as he scooted back once more, unable to keep his body from reacting to her presence especially when she was pressing her lovely six against his arousal.

"You stayed," she stated more than asked, rolling on her back to look at him, smiling shyly.

Leaning his head on his hand with his elbow resting between their pillows, Jack half-shrugged. "You asked me to."

Sam nodded as she bit her lip. "I know, I just wasn't sure if you'd stay the entire night…."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know," she said softly, her eyes drawn to his tanned chest before glancing at the white sheet covering the mattress. "I wasn't sure you wanted… I- I was confused," she frowned at her inability to say what was on her mind, "after last night."

Jack gently lifted her chin to look at her face, into her eyes and he immediately saw awkwardness, confusion and her insecurities there. "I wanted the choice to be yours, that's why I took the guestroom," he explained, his eyes softening, "if that is what you meant."

"Oh," she nodded slowly, a slow smile creeping onto her face. "Well, we are married, right?"

"Yeah sure you betcha," he grinned and winked at her.

Giggling, Sam ducked her head, her cheeks already burning. Part of her was confused and slightly awkward, not to mention insecure over their intimacy as they shared the bed, with her wearing nothing but her panties and a shirt and him only in boxers. However, another part felt comfortable and enjoyed his presence. Although she felt tense as well. In a way, it was because of his presence, his naked skin, his manly scent and those dark eyes and she realized it was sexual tension, nothing more. That only confused her more; she didn't have her memories, but her body obviously recognized him and even betrayed her one could say. "I don't want you to feel rejected," she started hesitantly, holding his gaze, "so I guess you don't have to sleep in the guestroom."

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable," Jack said in a serious tone, meaning every word of it even if he felt elated on the inside by her words.

"Sleeping separately will do more harm than good," Sam mused aloud. "I mean, if we keep avoiding each other it could have a bad influence on my recovery."

"It could," he confirmed, nodding, but still not wanting to push her.

Not knowing what else to say to convince him that they should share the same bed, Sam decided to ask him the question that hadn't left her mind for days now that no one was around to interrupt them. "Jack?"

"Hm?"

"How long have we been married?"

"Ah," Jack grimaced, having expected her to ask him something like that while Doc Fraiser had told him he wasn't supposed to tell her. Ah, well, it's not like she's here, he mentally shrugged his shoulders. "Almost a year, now."

"Really?" Sam gasped, staring at him. That meant they'd spent more time apart than they had together!

"Yeah," he replied in a sad voice, "a week before Christmas."

"Oh."

Cocking his head to the side, he squinted at her. "You seem surprised."

"Well," she rolled to her side, imitating his pose. "It feels like I've known you much longer than that… I know," she held up her hand to stop him from interrupting her, "that doesn't really make any sense considering I don't remember anything, but somehow it just feels like that. The same way I feel like I can trust you and Daniel, Janet, Teal'c and Uncle George."

Taking a deep breath, Jack decided he might as well tell her what she apparently needed to hear. "We do. Know each other longer than that," he added seeing her frown.

"Oh, so we dated for a long time?"

He couldn't help but chuckle at her innocent question, recalling how he'd practically asked her to marry him the minute they were both awaiting reassignment making the regs non-existing. "Not exactly."

"A long engagement?"

Shaking his head, Jack sighed. "No, nothing like that Sam. You see, I was your CO for eight long years…."

"Oh," her eyes widened in shock. "Did we have an affair?" Somehow the idea of having an affair with her CO somewhere during those eight years scared her; it didn't sound like her, even if she wasn't completely sure of who she was.

"No!" He hastened to reassure her. "You're not like that and-"

"Neither are you?" Sam finished for him, giving him a small smile.

"Oh, I don't know," Jack scrubbed his face with his hand, thinking about it. "No, I've definitely been tempted and I'm not such a by-the-book officer like you, but I would never do anything to harm you or your career," he admitted honestly.

Sam nodded slowly, processing all this new information about him – and, more importantly, about her. "Then how did we…?" She asked, gesturing between the two of them.

"Some things happened," he grimaced at the memory of those damned bracelets and the Zatarc testing, "after which we learned from each other that we both had… inappropriate feelings for the other."

Rolling back to lie on her back, Sam stared at the ceiling, thinking about this. "I see… so, what? I transferred? I mean, I was the junior officer and-"

"No, nothing like that. We simply waited until the time was right."

"How long did that take us?" She asked, turning her head to look into those hypnotizing brown eyes.

"After we, er… both knew?" Jack retorted, raising his brows. "About four years."

"Wow, that's a long time."

He shrugged, not wanting to think about all the time they had wasted… well, not really wasted considering they rid the galaxy of the Goa'uld and he got to spend almost every day with her, working side by side. Then again, they had hurt each other a lot over the years as well, he pondered as images of Kerry and Shanahan crossed his mind. Better not tell her about that until she's ready or remembers on her own… "It was worth it," he mumbled, giving her a crooked smile.

"I guess I'll have to take your word for it," she whispered, once again cursing the circumstances they found themselves in. Why couldn't she simply remember?

"No need for that," Jack made a dismissive hand gesture when he saw her expression turn sad and could practically hear the wheels turning in her head. "We'll work this out, we always do. I'm sure we've faced worse things than this," he tried, sitting up to get out of bed. "Now we should get ready, because I still have to make a phone call to the President to talk about our little trip back to Washington."

Sam wanted to ask him what kind of things they had faced that would be worse than this, but she was scared she might not like the answer. It certainly looked like Jack didn't want to talk about it anymore, which didn't really surprise her. If she were honest, she'd been surprised he'd been willing to talk this much already! She'd overheard Janet, Daniel and Jack a few times and knew that Janet didn't want them to tell her too much about her missing memories… something to do with her medical point of view and that specialist that had examined her and in a way, Sam could understand that. It made some kind of sense, but she was glad Jack had told her a few things.

"Amazing," Sam mumbled as they reintegrated in what looked like a house – which was probably their house in Washington DC, considering that was where they were supposed to go. She blinked her eyes a few times to readjust her eyesight.

"Don't worry about it," Jack reassured her, "those black spots will disappear in a few seconds."

She nodded as she watched him go to the kitchen and quietly followed him, not sure of what she should be doing or where she should go.

"Coffee?"

"Sure."

He looked at her from over his shoulder and realized she didn't know what to do. He'd hoped that this house would make her feel comfortable, even though he knew she hadn't nearly spent as much time here as they'd both wished. Still, she'd probably been here more often than at her Dad's old apartment, not to mention that this place held way more memories for the two of them. "Why don't you take a look around, reacquaint yourself with the place," he prompted her as he turned on the coffee machine and checked the fridge for food. There wasn't much and the things that were there had mostly passed their due date and he automatically started cleaning out the appliance. It had become a sort of habit for him – and her as well – with their lives at the SGC, on the front lines without knowing exactly how long they'd be gone and getting promoted to take over HWS hadn't changed that for him; he still made long hours and spent most of his time at the Pentagon or the White House for meetings and Sam had been no different. With her gone, he'd only thrown himself into work more, trying to keep his mind off her while at the same time making sure they were still searching for her – even if it was indirectly by focusing on the pursuit of Ba'al and his clones.

No wonder there was hardly anything edible in the fridge, he realized. He'd hardly been home during the months Sam had been missing and he hadn't been cooking wonderful meals for himself. Then Daniel called him with the news and he certainly hadn't stopped to clean out the fridge before getting to Colorado Springs! They'd have to get more groceries than the ones he'd brought with him, he mused. He could hear Sam walking around the living room, almost as if inspecting it he assumed and wasn't sure if she was up to going to the supermarket yet. Maybe it would be better if he'd go alone, to give her some time to readjust.

"Sam?"

She startled as he walked into the living room holding two cups of coffee and blushed. "Sorry, didn't hear you come in."

"Don't worry about it," he waved her excuse away and jerked his head towards the couch, waiting for her to take a seat. "I have to do some groceries and thought maybe you'd like to stay here to take a look around?"

"Er… okay," Sam shrugged and plopped on the couch, taking the cup from him. She had to admit she was curious and without him here she'd feel less like being caught with her hand in the cookie jar as she had just now every time he'd walk in. However, she didn't really like the idea of him leaving her behind, even if it was just for grocery shopping. God, since when am I this clingy? She frowned, wondering if she used to be a clingy person. She didn't think so, but how well did she know herself, really?

"I should probably head into the office as well," Jack grimaced as he stretched his legs out in front of him from his seat. "I can combine those two without having to go back to the Pentagon later today," he elaborated.

"Right," she nodded, "because of the President and the JCS."

"Indeed," he confirmed, taking a sip of his coffee. Of course, the President had wanted him to come back to DC immediately, not even leaving time for him or Sam to go back to the SGC as Prometheus had been ready to beam them over. It shouldn't take him that long, he was planning on working at home today as well as the rest of the week if he had a say in it. Although they had to attend that party the day after tomorrow, the President had insisted he and Sam would be there as he wanted to 'show off' Sam, to let everyone know she was alright considering he had to cancel her memorial service that had been planned for the same day. Oh crap, that reminded him of Mark. He was supposed to call his brother-in-law with an update about Sam… and to introduce himself as well. Great, just great!

"Jack?"

"What?"

"Never mind," Sam shook her head, giving him a small smile knowing he'd been lost in thought. "You should go do groceries and go to work and I'll just hang around here and I'll take a bath or something."

"Okay," he swallowed the last of his coffee before placing it in the dishwasher, all the while suppressing the images of Sam taking a bath. Of the two of them taking a bath together whenever she'd been here in DC. "I'll try to be back as quick as possible, but with the traffic and those damn politicians I probably won't be back for another two hours." He wrote his cell phone number on a piece of paper next to the phone in case she needed anything before going off.

"Sam?" Jack called out as he walked through the door and closed it behind him, taking off his coat and shoes as he preferred walking barefooted or with socks on his feet on the wooden floor, despite the colder temperatures outside. Glancing into the living room he saw no sign of Sam and quickly started a fire in the hearth, before walking around the house. He finally found her in the bathroom, or at least, he suspected she was in there considering the light coming from underneath the door. He just wasn't sure if he should open the door, knowing what he would probably find…. "Sam?"

"In here," he heard her response coming through the door.

As if I didn't know that yet, he thought to himself, rolling his eyes. Taking a deep breath to fortify himself, Jack opened the door and peeked his head into the bathroom. "Sam?"

"Hi," she greeted him with a lazy smile from her position in the warm, bubble-filled tub her body completely submerged and only her neck and head sticking out above the water. "Did everything go okay?"

"Fine," he nodded, unable to keep his eyes from roaming over the bubbles, trying to catch a glimpse of her very naked and very wet body. "Didn't think it would take this long though."

"That's okay," she shrugged as she lifted her arm to grab the glass of wine standing on the ledge and took a quick sip. "I didn't mind."

"Did you, ah…," he cleared his throat and forced himself to look at her beautiful face, "enjoy yourself?"

Smiling, Sam bobbed her head. "Yeah, I walked around the house a bit, trying to remember…" she frowned over her disappointment not being able to, "read the paper, went through my closet and finally ended up in the tub."

"Yes, I can see that," Jack mumbled, uncomfortable and at the same time aroused, knowing what her body looked like underneath all those bubbles even if she hadn't gotten back to her old weight yet. "I'll just, ah… start dinner," he pointed over his shoulder.

Placing both her arms on the side of the tub, Sam looked at him. "Do you need help?"

Jack held up his hands and shook his head. "No, no," he hastened himself to say, trying to stop her from getting up out of the tub because he wasn't sure he could handle that at the moment. "Just take your time, I'll call when dinner is ready." With that, he darted off, taking the stairs several steps at once as he raced down to the kitchen. Once there, he stopped to get his breathing under control and groaned. "Crap," he muttered aloud, knowing he was in so much trouble with Sam so close and yet so unattainable at the moment.

Turning on the radio, Jack prepared dinner and set the table all the while ignoring the sounds he heard coming from upstairs until he was finished and heard Sam's soft footsteps padding down the stairs. "Dinner is done," he yelled over his shoulder.

"Hmm, smells delicious," Sam complimented him as she walked up behind him and peered over his shoulder.

"Just spaghetti," he mumbled, ignoring her warm breath on the back of his neck and the thrill it sent through his body. "I already set the table, do you want me to serve here or take the food to the table?"

Quickly walking over to the table Sam shrugged. "Either way is fine with me," the table wasn't very large but there was more than enough room. She rummaged around the kitchen to find the bottle of wine she'd opened earlier – Jack must have put it away while she was upstairs – as her husband took the food out to the table.

"Wine?" Jack asked, his eyebrow raising automatically. He wasn't sure if he really needed wine tonight… It would probably be better if I simply get rid of all the alcohol in the house.

"Yes," she beamed at him as she plopped down on the chair. "Oh, I forgot glasses. Could you get us some?"

Getting up, he mumbled a "Sure," unable to resist her anything, especially when she was smiling like that. Not seeing the glass she'd used in the bathroom – it still surprised him that she was such a neat freak with a tendency to OCD and yet he always found glasses in the bathroom or bedroom when she'd been around – he got out two clean ones from the cabinet, not feeling like walking back upstairs to get hers. When he got back he almost gasped. "Candles?"

"Hope you don't mind," Sam mumbled shyly, ducking her head, "but I found them this afternoon and thought it was a waste not to use them."

"No, it's okay," he swallowed hard as he quickly sat down, trying to ignore the romantic setting. As if this day couldn't be more trying with waking up with her in his arms, finding her in the tub and to have her walking around here in those low rider hip hugging jeans and that blue sweater that made her eyes look even bluer and bigger… no, he could handle candles too. Right? "Really, it's very… nice, a good idea. Makes you look, um," he stammered for a bit, he could hardly tell her she looked even hotter than usual with the soft glow of the flames dancing on her face. "Makes the room look… nicer," he finished lamely.

Sam looked at him from under her lashes, glad that he was okay with this even if he seemed a bit… what? Uncomfortable? No, it couldn't be. Must be a bit unexpected, she thought. "Food?"

Jack nodded as he held out his plate for her to dump some of the spaghetti on it. He'd been starving when he'd gotten home – for food, he kept telling himself – but he wasn't sure he could eat right now. It was all too much, such an attack on his senses and Sam being… well, Sam wasn't helping matters along either! "Thanks," he mumbled, setting the plate back and waiting for her to get herself some food before digging in, pretending he was hungry and stuffing the pasta down his throat.

He sure is hungry, Sam mused looking at him, must have been starved. She was feeling a bit nervous though, not sure why but the little butterflies in her stomach weren't helping her in any way. So she mostly moved the food around and took a bite every now and then, remembering what Janet had told her about eating enough. She'd already taken the dozen vitamin pills Janet had given her, saying her body needed them because apparently she hadn't been getting enough of those during her absence or maybe the sarcophagus – Sam still wasn't sure what that was, no one wanted to tell her about it when she asked – had depleted them from her body. Either way, she had enough vitamin pills to bring someone back from the dead and was required to take a bunch each day as well as eating enough fruits and vegetables.

She herself had been a bit wary, afraid she might 'overdose' considering too much of – for example – vitamin A and D could lead to certain side effects and she was so over the being nauseous and vomiting all the time. Janet, however, had assured her that she hardly had any stored vitamin A and considering she hadn't seen much sunlight lately she wasn't in any risk of overdosing on vitamin D either, not to mention that she knew what she was prescribing. Sam had thought the doctor sounded a bit offended when she'd added that last part.

"Tastes good," she told Jack.

"Not much to screw up when making spaghetti," he smirked at her. "You're not hungry?"

"Not really," she admitted, knowing she could hardly deny it with half her plate still full. "I'm trying though."

"Good, just don't eat too much, don't want you to get sick."

Shuddering at the thought, Sam grimaced at him. "Me neither."

"So… while you were hanging out here, I tried to convince the President that we really didn't need to go to his party, but the man insisted and even threatened to make it an order; for both of us," Jack rolled his eyes at the memory. "That means we have to be there the day after tomorrow. I'm sure he'll understand we can't stay very long."

"Why not?" Sam asked, surprised.

Jack frowned at her as he pushed his empty plate aside. "Well, Doc Fraiser insisted you wouldn't overdo it and she sure as hell is going to have my ass if I let you stay there all night, being talked to death by boring politicians that don't even know you."

"Oh, okay," she nodded.

Surprised that she gave in this easily, Jack stared at her for a few moments. Deciding he'd better not question her, he grabbed his glass of wine and took a small sip. He was still drinking his first glass, not that he didn't like wine at certain moments but he needed to stay sober, while Sam was already drinking her second – since they started dinner. He assumed she'd only had one glass while taking her bath, but he couldn't be sure. She usually only had one glass and he doubted she'd gone back downstairs to refill her glass but he wasn't stupid enough to ask her.

"Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"I was looking around the house this afternoon," Sam started fidgeting with the napkin next to her plate and focusing her attention on the spat of red sauce she'd spilled on the table. "I couldn't help but notice that picture," she said slowly, risking a glance at his face, "of the boy."

"Oh," Jack closed his eyes, having totally forgotten about Charlie's picture on the mantle.

"I'm sorry," she hastened herself to say as she saw his expression. "It's just that you said we didn't have children and he looks so much like you and… well, we haven't been married for even a year," she almost whispered.