#6. 4x12 Tangent (Additional Scene)

A big thanks to my beta for this one, too!

This gem of an episode is one of my favorites because I see it as a potential turning point in Sam and Jack's relationship. There are two versions of SG-1 in my head. The first is canon, where they do not get together until after season 8 (I'm basing this upon comments from Joseph Malozzi, Brad Wright, and Amanda Tapping). The second is not canon, where they could have began a relationship somewhere around the 4th or 5th season. I wrote this add-on with the second one in mind. I always wondered what happened on the cargo ship after Sam and Jacob rescued Jack and Teal'c.

It was over. Jack and Teal'c were safe.

Funny, Sam thought to herself, at some point she'd stopped referring to him as Colonel or Sir in her thoughts. Wonder when that happened?

Mentally shrugging, she turned back to the task at hand, warming Jack up. Teal'c's symbiote had already restored his body temperature to a balmy Jaffa temp, but Jack was having a bit harder time. Despite the emergency blankets covering him, he kept shivering uncontrollably.

"Sir, we need to get you warmed up," she told him seriously.

"R-r-reminds me of another time," he breathed harshly as his teeth chattered, "w-w-when I couldn't get warm."

"Antarctica," she said with a small smile. It wasn't exactly the best memory, but time had blocked out most of the bad parts. She remembered that mission almost fondly now. By the look on his face, so did he.

Crossing to the cargo bay door, she pressed the control panel to close it, then removed a small crystal from the panel. It wouldn't prevent her father or Teal'c from opening the door in an emergency, but it'd slow them down quite a bit.

She didn't say a word as she unsnapped her tac vest and pulled her shirt over her head. Next came her BDU pants.

"W-w-w-whatcha d-doing, Carter?" Jack asked, his eyes pinned to her semi-naked form.

Sam would have laughed at his expression if he wasn't shivering more intensely now.

"I'm sharing my body heat, sir," she answered, pulling back his emergency blankets and wiggling inside and lying down against him before he could protest.

Jacob had stripped Jack down to his boxers before wrapping him in the blankets in an attempt to warm him up faster. As Sam's warm skin touched Jack's frigid torso, they both reacted. Jack moaned at the beautiful warmth, while Sam gasped at the sudden cold. Their sounds mixed to form an erotic-like music, causing them both to still.

They were eye to eye, no more than a few inches apart. Their breath mingled with each exhale.

"Sorry," Jack said, trying not to wiggle closer into her heat.

"Don't be," she replied, sensing his need, she wrapped her arms around him, and threw one leg over both of his. "C'mere," she urged him forward, tilting her head up so he could snuggle in below her chin and absorb as much heat as possible.

"Sam," Jack's voice held a warning tone, but he didn't resist. His arms wrapped around her waist, as he relaxed into the welcoming warmth.

"Just for warmth, sir," she shushed him, closing her eyes and taking solace in the fact that he was alive. Despite almost losing him, she accepted this brief gift the universe had handed her.

After several moments, Jack shifted a bit restlessly.

"Are you alright, sir?" Sam asked, feeling his arms involuntarily tighten around her.

"Just don't want to explain to Dad what's going on if he barges in here," Jack mumbled against her neck, causing goosebumps.

"I locked the door," Sam grinned, knowing he couldn't see.

"Thank god," Jack said with exaggerated relief, causing Sam to giggle.

"No giggling, Carter," he grumbled against her neck, causing her to chuckle more.

"Sorry, sir," she said with mirth. But her laughter died at a telltale nudge on her lower abdomen. Desire swarmed her as she pulled back enough to look at him.

"Give me a second," Jack breathed out harshly, squeezing his eyes shut. "I'm sorry, just—"

"Is this why you always tell me to stop giggling?" She asked incredulously as understanding dawned. A sense of feminine pride filled her, bringing back the grin to her face.

"Why else?" Jack ground out, his breathing ragged as he regained control. "You didn't know?" It was his turn to look incredulous.

"No," Sam answered honestly, "I just assumed you thought it was unattractive for an officer to giggle."

"For cryin' out loud," he grumbled, "there is absolutely nothing about you I don't find attractive." He stilled as the words left his mouth. "Err, Carter, can you just forget I said that last part?"

"Oxygen deprivation, sir?" She gave him an out.

"More like a lack of blood to the brain," he murmured under his breath.

"What, sir?" Sam asked, unsure she'd heard him right.

"I said, yeah, oxygen deprivation," he quickly replied before wiggling back under her chin. Despite his body's reaction, he wasn't quite ready to let go of the warmth surrounding him. He knew he was taking advantage of her generosity, but if Sam wasn't offended by his rogue body, he wasn't going to waste this chance.

"Just rest, sir," she said, her lips brushing against his hair.

The sound of rustling movement penetrated the haze of sleep surrounding him. He was engulfed in soft warmth, the smell of Sam filled his senses. Cracking one eye open, he saw creamy white skin lit by the glow of artificial lighting.

"Do I need to ask for an explanation?" Jacob's harsh whisper woke Jack up the rest of the way. The last twelve hours coming into sharp focus. He'd almost died in a modified death glider. Sam had saved him, then warmed him up.

Warmed him up.

Shit.

"Relax," Jacob chuckled quietly at Jack's full body reaction to being caught in a compromising position.

"Jake," Jack started to move.

"At ease, Jack," Jacob said, his voice still a whisper. "Don't wake up Sam."

At the mention of the woman in his arms, Jack pulled back enough to see that Jacob was right. Sam was sound asleep.

"She's out cold," Jacob confirmed. "She didn't rest the entire time you were stranded in space. Let her rest now."

"I was cold," Jack said, still trying to protect Sam; absolve her from any wrongdoing.

"No, son," Jacob bit back a grin at Jack's panicked expression. It was very rare for him to see the younger man so unguarded. "You were, for all intents and purposes, frozen to death. Sam saved your life. You were both exhausted. You fell asleep."

Jack let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Jake."

"Just tell me one thing," Jacob asked, suddenly serious. At Jack's nod, he continued. "Do you love her?"

"Jacob," Jack warned.

"Cut the crap, Jack," Jacob pinned him with a look. "It's just you and me awake here. I'm not asking as a former General in the US Air Force, I'm asking as Sam's dad. Do you love my daughter?"

"More than my own life," Jack answered immediately.

Jacob gave Jack a sharp nod and rose. "Don't hurt her. I'd hate it if I had to kill you. You're starting to grow on me."

"Jacob, Sam and I," he swallowed, "it can't happen."

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Don't be a fool, Jack. It's already happening."

Jack stared at Jacob as he exited the cargo bay, closing the door behind him. The older man was right. Fighting against the idea of him and Sam was like trying to stop the tides. It was pointless. You either went with the flow or drowned. The question was, would he and Sam sink or swim?