THIS CHAPTER IS RATED K

CHAPTER 20

"C'mon now Carter, don't make me get the hose." Jack warned the back of Sam's head – the front was thoroughly buried under one of the couch cushions. "You know better than anyone what I'm capable of. I'm sure you recall that time Daniel decided to push his luck? Okay, so technically that was a pot full of river water, but the end result will be the same."

Jack smiled at the memory of Daniel jumping out of his sleeping bag, hair drenched and glasses fogged, busily shooting him a look of contempt.

He'd been given ample warning.

Sam had watched the whole scene play out in front of her, doing her best to hide her amusement and failing miserably. From the moment he'd grabbed the pot from beside the campfire and traipsed off in the direction of the local stream she'd known exactly what his intent had been. She'd put up her token protest of course, but Jack knew her too well. One of the reasons he'd done it was to see her smile.

Plus Daniel wouldn't move his tomb-polishing behind.

Sam hadn't so much as twitched at Jack's half-hearted threat and he had a sneaking suspicion that she had fallen asleep again.

He was a little confused by her unfavourable reaction to being woken. Although he supposed it was understandable, she must have been exhausted both emotionally and physically.

She'd been worn out enough to fall asleep on his front step last night.

He was sure he'd be a little cranky too if someone woke him in the middle of a much needed snooze. Jack really didn't want to wake her, but he had thought she was in the middle of a nightmare - she'd been crying for quite a while. Sixteen minutes and thirty seven seconds to be exact. Every whimper was like twisting a vice tighter and tighter around his heart; he couldn't help but watch the clock.

She had earned every drop of sleep she was getting, and he wanted nothing more than to rest for as long as she needed, but he needed to know she was okay before leaving.

He wasn't sure whether or not he should attempt to wake her again. He would never hesitate showing Daniel a little tough love, but Carter… she was… scary.

Okay, so he knew she would never retaliate… but the looks she would give him if he ever tried something like that…

Not that he was contemplating dumping water on her, but he was having trouble deciding what to do, and the clock was ticking…

Jack glanced at the clock on the mantel and sighed.

He was due to leave for the base any moment, and he didn't want to leave her in the state she was in. She was quiet for the moment but he didn't like the idea of her waking up from a nightmare and him having left without word.

Jacob's funeral was tomorrow, and he was certain the next few days would be painful for her. Despite her claims about being just fine, Jack knew when it came time to say goodbye it would hurt like hell. He was intent on being there for her every step of the way and he would not have her waking up with tears in her eyes and no one there.

She was strong, she could do this on her own, but for once he wanted her to know she didn't have to.

Not anymore.

He didn't want to leave without saying goodbye. A part of him wished for reassurance that last night had actually happened and he hadn't dreamt the whole thing.

Although when he would have had time to dream such a thing he wasn't sure - he hadn't slept more than an hour. Missing out on watching Carter sleeping on his couch simply wasn't worth the much needed shut-eye.

That couch had never looked so comfortable.

He would have squeezed in beside her if there had been room, but the only way they both would fit would be if she was half on top of him - which he certainly had no qualms with.

No qualms whatsoever.

But he wasn't sure how she would feel about that, and he couldn't very well wake her to ask, so he placed a blanket over her and moved into the armchair.

Not that admiring her from the armchair as the fire crackled beside him was anything to complain about.

He was flooded with a rush of memories of sitting around the campfire, back in the days his weeks involved exploring uncharted corners of the galaxy.

Many nights he'd spent on watch he'd found himself battling with his eyes – struggling to keep them off of Carter. Sometimes he just didn't have the will.

Last night as he'd watched her sleep, he finally felt like he was back where he belonged… like he was home again.

Leading SG-1 through the gate… fighting self-aggrandized snake heads…

This past year he had felt like his life was done. He still was useful of course, and he would go on being useful as long as possible. But in terms of hopes for himself… he was done. He lived and breathed for the rush of adrenaline in his blood.. for those that needed his protection.. for SG-1.. for Carter… without any of that and nothing but an ever-replenishing stack of paperwork and reports to go through everyday… what was left for him really?

Jack gazed down at a still slumbering Sam. That his heart beat with the joy of hope and promise again was a gift he would have to thank her for later.

"Sam?" Jack decided to take the more gentle approach, leaning down to run his fingers through her hair.

The blinding energy and exuberance Sam emitted would probably give most people the impression that she was the type of woman that bounced out of bed the moment her alarm went off. Working with her out in the field so many years Jack could attest that that was one hundred percent incorrect. Once she was awake she was off and running - she had the discipline to pull herself to her feet no matter how exhausted she was - but actually pulling her out of her slumber was not always so easy.

Jack figured it was because that superbrain of hers required an extensive recharge and wouldn't relinquish her to consciousness until it got it.

He was pretty darn eager to get her up to his cabin. There she could sleep all day, and he'd spend every minute of it enjoying the fact she was sleeping in his bed. Even if that meant he had to sleep on the couch… That'd still be pretty sweet.

He hoped she would let him lay in bed with her, but he wouldn't let himself get his hopes up.

She had just broken off her engagement, and she deserved a bit of time and space to work things out. He wouldn't expect anything from her, he'd just enjoy the fact that she was fishing…with him.

It was a good start anyway.

"Sam? Sam, wake up!" He was tempted to kneel down beside her, but his knee wasn't doing too well these days. "Sam?"

It worked. She flinched just slightly, and in seconds she began to stir.

"Jack?"

Oh how he loved it when she said that word.

She was yet to turn back over to face him, her voice was searching for him just as it had done the night on her bed.

"I'm here." Jack said, stroking her hair away from her face as she rolled towards him. Her eyes struggled to focus on him for a moment.

Oh how he loved that too.

That moment when she was between asleep and awake, when she looked sleepy and unguarded - not a sight he saw a lot on Carter, usually she had walls built around her like a fortress.

"I have to leave in a minute. Are you alright?" Jack said softly.

Sam blinked up at him for a few moments before her brain ticked into gear. She immediately shot up and went to climb to her feet.

"Yes. Oh, I'm sorry, I'll be out of your hair in…"

"Sam!" She froze in position. That was his 'listen up' tone, and years of military training meant she had little resistance to it. "You stay right there. I'm leaving; you're staying. You're still banned from the base for the next few days at least."

"About that…"

"Don't even try it Carter. You need to rest up. I just woke you because I didn't want you to think I ditched you." Cop out. Tell her the real reason. "I wanted…" Do it! "To make sure you were okay… You were crying."

Now was that so hard?

Sam stared up at him looking confused… and slightly…

Flustered? Was she blushing? Her dimples were doing that thing they did when she was embarrassed.

"I'm fine." She said hurriedly while nodding her head vigorously up and down.

Something was up.

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm positive."

Whatever it was she clearly didn't want to discuss it.

Jack decided not to pursue the matter – she'd tell him when she was ready.

"Good. I'm sorry I can't stay. I'd cook you breakfast if I could." Sam smiled and bit her lower lip – a girl could get used to this. "I'll make it up to you tonight… If we're still on for that barbecue?"

"Of course."

"Sweet." Jack grinned that impish grin of his.

Sam returned his smile, but she could tell he was as nervous as she was. This was the first morning she had woken up in his house as his… was she his girlfriend? The uncertainty of this unfamiliar territory was exciting but a little uncomfortable – a wonderful kind of uncomfortable if there was such a thing. She wasn't sure if she should expect a kiss goodbye anymore than he was sure he should kiss her goodbye.

Sam grabbed one of the couch cushions and pulled it onto her lap - perhaps as an unconscious way of protecting herself. Sam tried to think of something to say to break the silence that had hung in the air just a bit too long.

"Uhh, how long can I stay?"

"Well uh…" Jack was smiling and she could tell he was about to say something Jack-like. "I'm okay with… uhhh, forever."

Sam humoured him with a smile, but she hoped deep down he meant it.

"Seriously." It was more of a demand than a question.

"I'm sorry Carter, I don't to serious, you know this." Sam shot him an incredulous 'just answer the question' look. "I guess by five, since our barbecue is at six." Jack said finally.

"Thank you."

"While we're on the subject, I was wondering if there was something you might do for me, if it's not too much trouble?"

"Anything, sir." Jack really liked the sound of that 'anything', not such a big fan of the word 'sir'.

"Would you wear something for me?" Jack's long history of playing the class clown was the only thing that kept him laughing at the look of shock on Sam's face. He was purposely baiting her with that easily misinterpreted sentence.

"Uhhh…" Carter was lost for words. Jack supposed there was a first time for everything.

"Would you wear that outfit you had on the other day?"

"Which one?" Sam asked bewildered.

"The blue one you were wearing when…" Jack knew she could fill in the blanks. He didn't want to bring up that horrifically awkward moment on his back porch. Although it may have been a good thing that Kerry had interrupted - he might have blown Sam off because he was seriously lacking brain cells.

"Oh." Sam said surprised. "Uh, sure."

She'd have to go home and do a wash, but it could be done. She was a little confused by his request however, it wasn't like that was the most attractive outfit on the planet. Pete always liked her to wear revealing dresses, not cardigans.

"You look good in blue." Jack said, almost as if he'd been reading her mind.

"Thank you." Sam said, trying not to look as pleased as she really was by that compliment.

Blue was her favourite colour.

"Well, I better mosey, boss will be pissed if I'm late again."

"What boss would that be?"

"Ya' know, the President or whatever." Jack gestured vaguely. Sam laughed and shook her head in that 'you're-ridiculous-but-I-love-it' way.

"Have a good day."

Well if that wasn't the most utterly domestic housewife-like thing she had ever said to him.

Jack seemed to notice that too as he was clearly attempting not to smile.

Sam rearranged the cushion on her lap - although it had been perfectly fine where it was. She fiddled with its buttons, trying to act like she was completely distracted, and not at all desperately hoping he would kiss her goodbye.

Jack wasn't buying it.

He leant down to her level, and curled his fingers around her ear as he placed a soft, tender kiss against her lips. He let his mouth linger on hers for a moment, savouring the wonderful newness of the experience. Jack pulled back just a few inches to look into her bright blue eyes.

They were shining at him

"Yes, dear." Jack whispered, smiling at her lovingly.

He didn't say anything more as he moved away, but the playful, almost smug smile he had on his face told Sam he was silently teasing her.

He made his way up the steps and walked over to one of the dining room chairs, reclaiming the coat Sam had been clinging to the past few days. He slid it on happily, breathing in deeply – it smelt heavily of vanilla and something. "You get some rest okay?" Jack called through the opening into the living room. "That's an order."

"Yes sir." Sam said, laying back down on the couch and pulling the cover up around her. It was an automatic response - she had barely registered what he'd said. She was too busy floating.

At least she felt like she floating, everything around her seemed warm and hazy… slightly intangible.

"Carter?"

Sam jumped as Jack suddenly appeared about a meter above her as he poked his head over the top of the opening above the couch.

"Yes?" Sam asked, pulling the blankets away from her face a little.

"You look good in blue."

Sam blushed as she clutched at the blue blanket covering her from head to toe.

He grinned at her before disappearing again.

Sam listened as he made his way to front door. She heard the wind rustle louder as he opened it and flinched slightly when she heard it close behind him.

She kept listening all the way up until she heard the hum of his truck engine fade – it wasn't until there was no trace left of him to absorb that she finally allowed herself to close her eyes and drift back to sleep.

THREADS

Sam woke up several hours later, still feeling a little drowsy, and more than a little disappointed that she hadn't returned to dreaming after she'd fallen asleep. Where these short trips to heaven were coming from she wasn't sure, but she'd gladly sleep forever as long as she'd always be with him. Sam had to pinch herself for a moment.

That wasn't the way she would usually think.

Then again this wasn't a way she had ever felt - so deeply in love that it enveloped every part of her.

Sam's eyes drifted over the mantel, scouring across the many commendations and achievements of the Brigadier General. She couldn't help but linger on the photograph of Jack with his wife and son.

She found herself wondering whether they'd be as happy as the family in that picture.

Would he ever want more children after what happened to Charlie?

Sam shook the thoughts off, telling herself it was ridiculously early to be thinking about that. She forced her attention to move elsewhere and her eyes inadvertently landed on the clock.

Crap! 3.15. How could she possibly have slept that long?!

Usually she slept no longer than 6 hours and never that long during daylight hours.

Sam jumped to her feet in a rush. She'd had so much planned for the day that there would no longer be time for.

She'd be lucky if she had time to shave her legs.

She had a sneaking suspicion she'd be wearing that blue outfit back here slightly damp.

She quickly slid on her shoes, which she realised Jack must have taken off during the night. A smile flittered across her face at the thought.

As she walked towards the steps ready to leave her eyes caught the dustpan on the floor. It was yet to be emptied and still the sight of it made her a little sad. She crouched down beside it and picked up one of the pieces. Flipping it over in her hand she caught sight of her name.

Sam.

Minus the 'antha' of course.

Ridiculous though she knew it was, she gently placed it into her pants pocket, hoping she wouldn't accidently cut her fingers as she did.

Sam bounded up the stairs and slipped through the front door, ready to head home and prepare for their barbecue dinner.

As she walked down the front path of the General's house, she smiled to herself, happy in knowing that she'd always have a small ceramic reminder of last night and everything Jack meant to her.

She wasn't even annoyed she wouldn't get any work done today.

Well… not very.

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Thanks to all my reviewers! You're awesome and very glad not too many were bother by the rating change. Personally the last chapter was my favourite. Strange because you can usually find me floating on a fluff cloud not splashing in the gutter. :)

Oh I am getting Sam*heart*Jack tattooed on my ankle soon. Ouch! Will upload a pic when I do. :)