A/N Major FLUFF alert for most of this chapter. It wasn't the original plan but I managed to loose the first draft of this the other night. Ouch! Hope you like this one.

OoOoOo

Last time: "Then I suppose I'll have to be the first," she said. Before Jack could think of a come back, his wife had captured his lips with her own. And the kiss was all they'd imagined it would be … and more.

CHAPTER 53: SECOND HONEYMOON

The formal anniversary event lasted little over an hour. It was followed by a less formal reception offering base personnel the opportunity to mingle with each other and the visiting dignitaries. Sam had to admit, the celebration had been a good idea. Everyone liked to feel appreciated and her crew was no exception. This gathering went a long way toward expressing the sincere admiration of the President and the highest levels of the Air Force for the often superhuman efforts of those serving on Atlantis.

Sam found it difficult to attend to the speeches; her mind kept drifting to the man seated on her right. Fortunately, as commander of the base, she'd rated a seat on the dais with the VIP guests. Besides, she kept reminding herself, they were married; it wasn't a secret even if it were the first time her staff saw them together since the big event.

But old habits died hard. So used to camouflaging the looks, the touches, the special feelings she felt, even now when it was all completely above board, Sam found herself self conscious. Self conscious or not, it was hard to focus on the words spoken by the President of the United States. Yes she did hear words of praise and encouragement for the accomplishments of the base, but her brain kept wondering how long she'd have with Jack before he returned to Earth.

She needn't have worried.

By 1700 hours the senior staff had said goodbye to the President and most of her entourage, including Elizabeth Weir. Sam found herself in front of the disengaging Stargate, standing side by side with General Jack O'Neill. And he wasn't going anywhere.

"Nice of your boss to let you stay," Sam said, turning to face Jack.

"Yep, I'd say so," Jack answered. "She's cool, for a shrub. What do you say we go somewhere a little more private, Colonel?"

"I think that could be arranged," she answered.

OoOoOo

They were almost to the front door of the command tower complex before they realized they were still in their dress blues. Eager as they were to leave the confines of the Gate Room and the prying eyes therein, walking in the sand with dress shoes was no one's idea of a good time. What's more it was hard to enjoy a bracing ocean breeze when hemmed in by a formal uniform.

"It's only another five minutes to my quarters, Jack. We'd be much more comfortable walking if we changed," Sam suggested, wanting desperately to ditch her regulation heels for a pair of practical walking shoes.

"Not a problem."

"Did you bring a bag?"

"Yeahsureyabetcha," Jack said with a flourish.

"Really? You can stay for awhile?"

"You didn't think you were getting rid of me that easily, did you?"

Sam looked at him expectantly, waiting for more information.

"President Montoya needs an in-depth security inspection of the base. It's for her unofficial State of the Union report, you know, the one you won't see on network TV. As Head of Homeworld Security, I got the job. She figures it should take about a week."

"Holy Hannah!" Sam exclaimed.

"Too long?" Jack asked.

"Oh no, not by a long shot," Sam clarified. She smiled contentedly and continued to lead the way to her private quarters.

Before they knew it, they'd arrived at Sam's apartment. Jack couldn't help his next comments.

"Don't think they'll talk?" Jack asked teasingly as they stepped through the door of the Sam's suite.

"What?" Sam queried, not sure for a minute where he was going with this.

"You know, strange man, your room, all that stuff," he clarified.

"What do they have to talk about? We're legal, no frat regs to break anymore," Sam said. "If anyone's talking, it's because they're happy for us."

"Or jealous," Jack suggested. "And they'd have good reason to be jealous, wouldn't they?"

"Yes they would," Sam agreed, smiling softly.

"Okay, now that's settled, we can get on with things," Jack said.

The commander's quarters on Atlantis base weren't luxurious, but by SGC standards, they came close. The spacious suite consisted of a combined sitting area/office space, a small kitchenette, a bath with full shower and a large bedroom. Though Sam hadn't had or taken the time to decorate it to her liking, she had managed to place personal items throughout the area, giving Jack the sense that it was truly his wife's place.

This was Jack's first view of the area where Sam spent her private time. When Weir had been in charge, there'd been no call for him to come to these rooms. And when he'd come to bring Sam back for court martial, well the opportunity hadn't presented itself. Suffice it to say, he was duly impressed.

"Wow, some digs, Sam!" Jack exclaimed. "Wonder how the Ancients would have put up a General?"

"Well, General, we do have some fairly impressive VIP quarters if you want to give them a try," Sam offered.

'No, I'm going staying right here. Whatever's good enough for the woman in charge is good enough for me," he said. "The commander won't be getting rid of me anytime soon."

"Good," Sam said simply, continuing to walk towards her bedroom intent on getting into something more comfortable. Jack followed her into the bedroom. Without warning Sam turned to face him. He could swear she was glowing.

"Now why would the commander want to get rid of you when she's finally got you right where she wants you?" Sam quipped.

"And where would that be, Mrs. O'Neill?"

"In my bedroom, where else?' Sam answered, grinning widely and shutting the door behind them.

OoOoOo

The evening hadn't exactly gone as planned. Not that Jack minded, no he didn't mind at all. Ending up in bed with Sam, that was more than okay, whenever it happened. They'd just reversed the order of things a bit. He'd planned a romantic walk by the ocean first, but for Sam … well, he'd be flexible.

By the time they woke, the Atlantis suns had set. It was dark, at least as dark as it could get with the lights of the city and the three moons which regularly rose by midnight. And a few minutes past midnight, Jack and Sam found themselves outdoors. Dressed in loose fitting fatigues and sandals, they walked hand-in-hand along the all too perfect beach front surrounding the borders of this incredible Ancient city.

Ever since Sam had come to this place, only days after Atlantis found its new home, smack dab in the middle of yet another ocean on yet another planet, she'd marveled at the natural beauty outside the central core of buildings. At times she could almost forget she was living on a floating city. Instead she'd picture an island, preferably deserted except for her and Jack. And now here she was, living her fantasy.

"I can't believe we're doing this," Sam said.

"Nice though, huh" Jack replied, thinking himself the master of understatement.

"Very," Sam answered simply. "I'm surprised Rodney hasn't managed to page me yet, is all."

"See now, the mention of that man's name comes dangerously close to ruining the mood," Jack said sadly.

"Is it too late to take it back?" Sam asked with a giggle.

"Nope, caught it in the nick of time, I'd say."

"Good, cause I've got high hopes for tonight."

"Me too," Jack agreed, holding her hand and continuing to walk.

"It's so beautiful here," Sam said after a moment. "If you were with me like this all the time I think I could be happy in the Pegasus Galaxy forever."

"But since I'm not…"

"Since you're not, I've decided to come home when my tour is up, for good."

TBC


A/N: Hope you liked it. Please excuse any Atlantis inaccuracies. Other characters return in next chapters --- after a bit more Sam and Jack second honeymoon that is.