Jack has come up with a few coping strategies for working in the Pentagon. Sam disapproves of some of them. His ice cream habit comes to mind. He knows she's right, but the local place by his townhouse is so good.

This one though has gotten him through some of the rougher times. Well that and ice cream. When the weather is nice and the paperwork and politicians make him want to pull out his P-90, he heads to the National Academy of Sciences and sits next to Einstein.

The rough-edged bronze larger than life wild haired statue speaks to him. Never mind he spent years traveling through an Einstein-Rosen Bridge. He knows the star map at his feet and seeing some of the constellations make him smile.

Today the sun is out, which warms the stone benches. The wind is chilly, but the trees are blooming. His jacket is heavy enough so he can sit for a while.

Jack kicks out his booted feet and tilts his face up to the sun.

"All you need is your ball cap, sir," comes a voice to his left. A very familiar and beloved voice. He can hear the smile in her voice before he opens his eyes behind his sunglasses.

"Carter!" Jack grins at her. She's always hot but seeing her in full military dress including the shiny eagles of Colonel-hood, is extra special. He has a thing for this woman in uniform.

He stands up and crosses the star map. He hugs his wife and breathes in her scent. Coffee, the apple shampoo she loves, and something uniquely Carter. "Hi," he whispers in her ear.

Sam wraps her arms around his neck. "Hi, you." She kisses him lightly.

She breaks the kiss to greet Albert Einstein. "Hi Albert."

Jack grumbles under his breath. Sam smiles. She turns to look at Jack. "I always say hi to Einstein when I visit here."

"Come here often, do you?" he teases.

"You do." She grins at his wince.

"Ah crap. Who told?"

"Paul." She answers him. It takes him a minute to remember Lt. Col Davis' first name is Paul.

"Hmmm." Jack turns back the bench he was sitting on. He pulls Sam along with him.

Sam snuggles up to him on the warm stone bench. "You hate the Pentagon that much, Jack?" She's concerned.

"I miss home." He admits. "I miss our friends, the outdoors. I miss team nights and watching the sky with you."

Sam sighs. "I do too." She leans her head on his shoulder. "I have a week's leave." She tells him.

Jack sighs. "Just a week."

"I know it's too cold to go to the cabin." She's checked the weather in Minnesota. Snow and wind. "But we can be together here."

Jack wiggles his eyebrows. "Or.." he trails off suggestively.

"No." Sam says firmly.

"I'm a general, Carter. They aren't going to say no."

"Within reason, sir." She reminds him.

He mumbles something that sounds like spoilsport.

Sam drops her voice, "The beaming technology isn't for personal use, Jack." She hisses at him.

"Oh c'mon. They used it all the time, we know it works." He responds referring to the Asgard. Jack scowls remembering the time Loki kidnapped him. "Usually without permission, I might add. At least we'd ASK."

Sam levels a stern look at him.

"Fine." He slumps back on the seat.

Sam leans her head on his shoulder, "I know you miss Minnesota. We'll take time off in the summer. We can grill and fish and watch the stars." Sam promises him.

"I already have the leave request in," he tells her. "I hate DC summers."

Sam laughs. "Everyone does."

They sit for a while more until Sam shivers. Jack pulls her to her feet, "C'mere. Let's get you home."

Sam shudders again. "A hot bath would be nice." She admits.

Jack pulls out his phone and calls his driver. Even though he's in civilian clothes the Pentagon frowns on him calling or hailing a cab. They've dealt with too many moles and spies to trust the Head of Homeworld in a DC cab.

His driver appears within a suspiciously short time. But as the weather is getting colder and Sam's shivering, he's not complaining.

By the time they get to his place it's started to rain and the sky explodes with lightning. Jack shoves his wife in the door as the sky opens up and the rain pounds on the sidewalk.

Sam turns around and despite the cold she laughs. Jack got caught in the sudden downpour and is now dripping on the tile of the hallway.

"How 'bout that hot bath, Colonel?" he asks suggestively.

A slow smile spreads across her face. "Yes, sir."

"Oh, that did it. Race you." He takes off up the staircase to the master bath. Sam steps behind him. The head start Jack has allows him to reach the landing first. Sam shoves at him and they reach the bedroom door at the same time.

Sam giggles and flops on his bed. Jack makes a face at her and goes to fill the tub. In a minute she hears the water thundering into the tub. He comes out and tosses her an oversized terry robe. He dries his hair with a towel.

"Might as well get comfortable," he says. Jack strips off his jeans and shirt and dumps them in the hamper.

Sam takes her uniform off and wraps in the robe. "OH. It's warm."

Jack grins at her. "Towel warming rack."

"Told ya." She smiles back at him. Sam hangs her uniform up in the closet next to Jack's general togs.

Splashing tells her Jack's slid into the tub. "I'm lonely Carter." He calls out.

Sam drops the robe as she slowly strolls into the bathroom. She likes to see his eyes widen as he takes in her naked form.

"You insisted they rent this house for the tub." Sam slides into the 2 person tub on the opposite end.

"Hmm?" Jack wasn't paying attention to what she was saying.

She nudges his leg with her foot. "The tub. You only rented the house for the tub, didn't you?"

"Not ONLY for the tub," he admits. "The backyard is nice too." He has a deck and a small garden.

Sam sighs as she slides down lower into the warm water. Her muscles loosen and her tension eases. "This is nice," she murmurs.

Jack smiles. "Indeed."