#

She woke to the feel of his breath against her neck, his body curled protectively around hers. It made her smile to know that even in his sleep, he was trying to protect her. It made her smile widen to realise she didn't mind it, either.

She wasn't usually what anyone would call a 'snuggler' when it came to sharing a bed. She liked her space and couldn't sleep well when someone else was in it. Usually, anyway. She nestled back against him, felt his arm tense over her waist, his fingers clench a little hers when their joined hands rested over her stomach and realised… she felt happy.

Safe.

Loved.

And that was… that was mind-blowing in an altogether different way.

He muttered something incomprehensible against her neck, body shifting behind hers as he slowly returned to wakefulness. She felt herself tense, wondering if he'd feel the same way about waking up with her as she did, and found herself holding her breath.

There was a moment of silence, and then he released a sigh, lips nuzzling her shoulder as he murmured a sleepy 'hey' against her skin.

That was all it took for her to relax in his arms once again, rolling in their circle to face him with a shy smile on her face. "Good morning."

His dark eyes studied her face, looking for visible signs of any regrets. He matched her smile with a slow grin when it became apparent there were none. "So that was…"

"Yeah," she interrupted, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks at the memory. "It was."

They gazed at one another, identical sappy grins on their faces until the sound of heavy footsteps belonging to one of the Goa'uld in the temple in the hallway outside of the room brought them back to reality with a start.

Sam sighed in obvious disappointment and got up from the bed. She grabbed the blue dress she'd reluctantly chosen for day two and headed for the bathing suite attached to the room for a quick wash and change. She wasn't surprised to find Jack waiting outside of the room for his turn when she was done, but a small squeak escaped her when he reached out to stop her from walking passed him instead of going inside.

Before she could ask what was wrong, he dipped her and kissed her thoroughly, leaving her brain struggling to remember what she'd been about to say. He smirked at the expression on her face, his eyes sparkling with mirth and mischief.

"Now it's a good morning," he told her, side-stepping her stunned form, whistling as he made his way into the room to wash and change.

#

"So, we need to watch out for Thmei, and now for Borral," Jack said aloud, musing on the update Jacob and Selmac had provided them with.

They had decided to meet in the servant's quarters, away from the prying eyes and eavesdroppers that could be among either of the Goa'uld's party. To'ran had invited himself to the update and sat quietly as he processed what Jacob had said.

"Won't the effects of the wine have worn off by now?" Sam countered. "I feel fine."

"I'm guessing you didn't drink as much as Borral," Jacob offered, giving her a small smile. His relief that his daughter had recovered with no ill effects was clear. "Besides, I'm not convinced it's just the wine at play here. I couldn't see what was going on but it's possible Thmei has some other way of asserting her control over people." He glanced at To'ran. "Have you noticed or heard anything, To'ran? Or have any of your people come to you with any concerns?"

It took a moment for To'ran to realise he was being addressed, sitting up straighter when he realised they were watching him, waiting for a response. "I have not noticed anything, nor has anyone raised any concerns with me. Perhaps," he began, his gaze flicking from Jacob to Sam and back again as his lips twitched, "it would be useful for me to assume the position of Ament's trusted Lo'taur. I can be present during the conversations with Samantha, leaving yourself free to look into the situation, Colonel O'Neill."

Jack's hands clenched at his sides, the nerve in his jaw ticking. "I don't think so," he started.

"Actually, Jack," Jacob interrupted, lifting an eyebrow when the younger man looked at him. "It might be an idea. You would be able to do some snooping, see if you can find out anything from the Goa'uld's attendants."

"Can't he do that?" Jack complained, glaring at To'ran, who grinned smugly back. "C'mon, Dad, we're talking about leaving Sam unprotected here."

If Jacob noticed Jack referred to his daughter by her first name and not her surname, he chose not to let it show. "She'll be protected, Jack. I'm still sticking to her like glue. Just think about it, most of our guests will be busy with the negotiations. You've – Jo'han – have already been established as a trusted companion of Ament. No one will bat an eyelid if you go wandering around the temple. If you're caught, you can say you're just checking everything's up to scratch. And, no offence to To'ran," Jacob continued when Jack looked ready to protest again. "You know the kind of thing you'd be looking for."

The two men were locked in a standoff, which made Sam sigh. She rolled her eyes and deliberately stood between the two of them, her back to her father as she raised her eyebrow at Jack.

"Sir, it makes sense," she told him quietly. "Dad's right, you will have more of an idea what you're looking for and Dad's going to be right there with me the whole time."

"Fine," Jack snapped, his jaw clenching and unclenching. "But if anything happens to Carter…" He added with a threatening stare at To'ran.

The other man merely smiled serenely, satisfied that he had gotten his own way. "I will make sure everything is set up for this morning's meeting." He bowed to Sam, smirked at Jack, and left them alone.

Jack turned to Jacob immediately, his brow furrowed. "I hope you've got a better reason for this than the line you just gave me."

"He bought it, didn't he?" Jacob grinned. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, Jack. We need To'ran where we can keep an eye on him. I'll look after Sam."

"I can look after myself, thank you," Sam interjected, crossing her arms over her chest indignantly.

"We know," Jacob assured her, "we just like to feel useful."

She shook her head, unconvinced, but didn't argue with him. Instead, she turned her attention to her CO. "Be careful, Sir. We don't know what tricks these Goa'uld might have up their sleeves."

Jack nodded, taking the warning for the genuine concern it was. "You, too, Carter."

#

Apologies for not replying individually to the comments/votes; I read them all, am being guided by them all, and appreciate them all. Time just gets away from me between work and home life. Next choice: Does Jack get caught snooping, or does he find something incriminating?