"Maybe we should wake them up...?" Janine questioned to no one in particular.
"Let them sleep." Gary replied, peering over the top of his newspaper.
"But it's ten o'clock!"
"So? Erin's still asleep. And so is everyone else, for that matter."
"They were up at seven yesterday."
"So?"
"Maybe we should... check up on them."
"They're not teenagers."
"You never know our Sam." she muttered.
Ryan walked into the kitchen, scratching his head. "'Ello." he yawned.
"Ryan, honey, would you please go see if Sam and Jack are up yet?"
"Do I have to?"
"Yes."
"Fine." he mumbled, staggering outside in his slippers and boxers, off to the guest house. He knocked on the door. "Sam? Jack?" no answer. "You guys up yet?" no answer still. He opened the door and crept in, heading towards Jack's room and knocking. "Jack?" he opened the door, but to no avail. The bed was untouched. Weird. He walked across the hall, rapping lightly on the door. "Sam?"
"Uhh...?"
"Can I come in?"
"I could care less."
Ryan opened the door quietly and peeked his head around the door to see Jack's arm around Sam, who was snuggling into him with her head on his chest. "Uh... am I interrupting something?"
"Naw." Jack shook his head. Ryan grinned.
"Well, Mum's getting worried, being the clingy lady she is. Wants to know why you two weren't up."
"What time is it?" Jack asked.
"Ten fifteen."
"Whoa..."
"Yeah. Uncle Gary said just to leave you two to sleep, but she insisted I come out here. Bloody woman."
"Meaning we should get up?"
"I think so, yeah."
"But I'm so comfy..." came Sam's muffled reply as she reached out and hugged Jack across the chest. He ruffled her hair.
"We really should get up."
"Fine. But I'm not letting go."
"I think I can live with that." the pair sat up, Sam still hugging Jack, and he tried slipping off the bed with Sam almost falling on the floor. Jack slipped an arm around her waist and Sam rested her head on his shoulder, as they braved their way to the door and slipped their shoes on.
"I didn't know you two were a pair."
"You do now." muttered Sam.
"You sure you want the others to see you like this?"
"Like what?"
Ryan stood back and pointed at them. "That."
"Gary and Warren know already." Jack pointed out.
"They'll never stop asking you questions."
"We'll live, won't we Sam?" he asked, smiling, and kissed her forehead.
"I sure hope so."
The trio, donned in pajamas, slippers, and shoes, made it to the master house, Ryan holding the door open for Sam and Jack. "Thanks, Ry." Sam said.
"No problem."
"So, what's for breakfast?" Sam asked, eyeing her uncle Gary. He grinned smugly and winked.
"Not made yet."
"Can I make it?" offered Jack.
Janine, not turning around shook her head. "You're a guest. You're not supposed to cook."
"But I want to."
"He makes great melted ice!" Sam added, grinning.
Jack chuckled. "I'll make pancakes. Is that alright?"
"Why not." Janine turned around with a smile and blinked, stopping dead in mid-step. She blinked again.
"Yes, Mom. They're together. No gawking please." Ryan muttered.
"I didn't know that."
"You do now."
"How cute!" she cooed and clapped her hands together.
"Thanks." Jack answered with a smile and made his way to a sofa, loosening his grip on Sam. "I'm putting you down now..."
"But I'm comfy."
"All good things must come to an end."
Sam moaned in protest.
"We can be warm and fuzzy later, hon."
Sam muttered 'fine' and let go of Jack, sitting cross-legged on the sofa with a pout on her face. Jack kissed the top of her head, pet her shoulder, and trooped off to the pantry in search on pancake mix. Grabbing it and pulling it out, he yelled an 'Ah-hah!' in victory.
"Where are your mixing bowls?" he asked no one in particular.
"Second drawer."
"Thanks." he muttered, rooting through the drawer. He pulled out a bowl, measuring cup, and wooden spoon, setting them beside the mix. He opened the fridge, pulled out the milk, and put it beside the other stuff.
"Jack?" Sam asked.
"Uh huh?"
"You need a frying pan."
"That could help. Where is it?"
"Beside the dishwasher."
He opened the pantry door and grabbed the pan, setting it on the counter and plugging it in. "Done and done."
Sam got up from her spot on the sofa and walked across to the kitchen, sitting on a stool facing Jack on the opposite side of the counter.
"Helloo."
"I get out the food, and you wake up. Is this how it works now?" Jack asked, grinning and poking her nose with a wooden spoon which she tried swatting at.
"Yeah, something like that." she grinned back.
Jack stuck the ingredients in the bowl and stirred vigorously, biting his tongue in concentration.
Sam giggled.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Whaat?"
"I've seen you blast people to hell with a P-90, but somehow, you look a lot more manly and threatening when you mix pancakes."
Jack rolled his eyes. "Thanks."
"Always glad to be of service." Sam grinned.
Taking the measuring cup, Jack poured the mix on the frying pan, Sam leaning over to see what he was doing.
"Ooh! It looks like Mickey!"
"Yup."
"Un artiste!"
"I wish."
Sam grabbed the spoon he used to mix and licked it. "Yum..."
"Ugh, that's disgusting."
"No it isn't. It's good!" she said, cleaning the spoon of batter.
"I've never tried pancake batter, but it looks pretty nasty. Have you seen what's IN it?!"
"I've had worse... you've never tried it?"
"Nope."
"Time to."
"But there's none left."
"C'mere." Sam beckoned to Jack. He leaned over the counter and kissed her.
"Yum. I want more..." he kissed her again.
"Whoa! Underage! I'm leaving!" Warren called out from the doorway, previously unnoticed. Jack chuckled, Sam giggled.
"Oops. Forgot about the young 'uns."
"No making out in the kitchen. Save that for somewhere else." Gary pointed out, entertained.
"Fine." Sam muttered. "Ooh, turn the 'cakes!"
Jan took a spatula and flipped the Mickeys. "Thanks!"
"No problem."
The rest of the family filtered through to the kitchen eventually, anticipating the arrival of Mickey's many heads. Everyone was sitting on something, plates on the tables in front of them or their laps.
"Last ones done!" Jack called out, holding up a platter stacked with pancakes and set them down on the kitchen counter. Carters milled around it, slopping them on their plates. Sam stayed back on the stool, content with her batter.
Jack walked over to the stool behind her and sat down. "I take it your family like pancakes."
Sam slipped from her stool to Jack's lap and nodded. "Genetic thing."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and she wrapped her's around his neck so she wouldn't fall off. A few heads turned with a surprised look before smiling and turning back to their breakfasts.
"Who made these?" Charlotte asked, shoving half an ear in her mouth.
"Sam and Jack." somebody called out.
She nodded her thanks in their direction without really paying attention, then did a double-take and stopped with a fork half-way to her mouth, eye shooting daggers at Sam. Sam just raised an eyebrow in a 'What can ya do' fashion and set her chin down on Jack's shoulder, playing with his shirt collar and faced the window and muttering, "She's glaring at me."
"Who?" Jack muttered back.
"Ditz."
"Just ignore her."
"I can't."
"Just try."
"Fine." she withdrew from his shoulder and looked around at her family, half of them glancing at the pair, the other half occupied by their meals. She faced the window again. "They're all staring."
"So?" he rubbed her back
"It's not fun being stared at."
"They're not ALL staring... some are merely... glancing. And some not at all."
"They're all staring."
"Live with it."
"I can't!"
Jack glanced at Charlotte, who batted her eyelashes and stuck out her chest when he did so. "Save me."
"From what?"
"The clutches of estranged relatives."
"Toldjaso."
"Shuddap."
"I need to do something."
"Let's go do something."
"Yes, let's."
"Like what?"
"TV."
"We're in the middle of a freaking forest, and you want TV?!"
"Yeah."
"You're my hero." they stood up releasing each other and Jack slipped is hand in her's and they wandered off into the guesthouse, flopping on the futon and turning on the TV.
"Letsee..." Sam muttered, flipping through the guide. "Iron Chef... Bob Villa... Sesame Street..."
"SWEET! What channel?!"
"Eleven... No, Jack don't!" but she was too late. The room was already filled with the sounds of a Cookie Monster gobbling up the letter C, 'cause it was for 'cookie'! And we all know, Cookie Monster just LOVES cookies!
Sam looked at the TV, then Jack, then just shook her head and tried to grab the remote.
"No! Mine!" Jack grinned, holding it away from her.
"Can we pleeease watch something else?"
"Like what?" he flicked the channel and let a sarcastic 'ooo!' escape. "Judge Judy! My favorite!"
Sam rolled her eyes. "Uh... Will & Grace is on channel twenty-three."
"Amen." he punched in the two numbers, the TV changing from 'Elmo's World' to Will trying to explain something to Jack.
He yawned and stretched his arms out, wrapping one around Sam. "Nice try, sir." she giggled.
"I try. Oh, how I try."
A head peaked in from the front door. "Sam, Jack?" the two looked up at the same time.
"C'mon in Warren. We're just watching TV."
"Oh, 'kay. A bunch of us are going swimming. Wanna come?"
They looked at each other and back to Warren, nodding in unison. "Yeah, shure."
Warren gave them a weird look and nodded. "Well, get dressed, 'cause we're going down in five."
"Aye, captain!"
The kid left the two, Jack turning the TV off and getting up. "Swim!"
Sam looked up. "Do we have to?"
"Do you want to?"
"I donno."
"C'mon, it'll be fun!"
Sam didn't answer, so Jack shrugged and grabbed her wrists, yanking her off the futon. "You're coming swimming!"
"I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
Jack grinned. "Nope!" and ran off to his room in search of something that could work as a bathing suit. Sam shrugged and went off to her room in search of something similar.
A couple minutes later, they emerged. Jack was wearing a pair of old baggy cargoes, they looked like the pants to his BDU's cut off below the knee, and Sam in a two-piece, seemingly unaware of Jack's gawking.
"And we're off!" Jack announced, the pair wandering happily down the path to the beach.
"Hey, you two!" Gary called from his lawn chair set in the sand.
"Hi, Uncle Gary!" they yelled out in unison, grinning. Gary smiled and shook his head.
"You two scare me, y'know that?"
"Yessir!" Jack threw his towel on the ground and ran over to the dock without a second thought, diving in.
Sam followed suit, turning to Jack once she resurfaced, as he'd called her name. "Yeah?"
"En guarde!" he slashed her with a grin. Sam laughed and splashed back to where there used to be a Jack, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Jack?"
No response. She spun around, looking for him.
"Jaaaack?"
Something from under the water grabbed her legs and yanked them down. She screamed and her head bobbed under the water. When she got up for air, Jack was in front of her.
"Meanie!" she grinned, splashing him.
"To the bone." he splashed back.
After fifteen minutes or so, they decided on a temporary truce and a rest, so they were lying on their towels atop the sand.
"I am SO getting you back... when we're not quite so lazy, that is." Jack muttered into his towel.
"Nuh uh."
"Uh huh."
"Nuh uh."
"Uh huh."
"Nuh uh."
"Uh huh."
"Oh, fuck."
"No, you were supposed to say 'nuh uh'."
"No, 'oh fuck'. As in, don't look up."
"Why not?"
"She's coming."
"Oh, fuck."
"Exactly."
Jack buried his face in his towel.
"Hi, Jack." Charlotte whispered from above him.
He waved a hand in unnoticed dismissal. "Hey Charlotte."
She spread her towel down on the opposite side of Jack from Sam, sitting down on it and lifting her sunglasses to her head. Jack turned his face to Sam and mouthed 'Save me, PLEASE' while rolling his eyes. Sam shrugged and sat up, grabbing Jack's wrist in haste.
"C'mon. Let's go for a swim."
"Yes, please." he answered, glad of the distraction from the female on his other side. Gary grabbed a football from his side, following the two into the water and chucked it at Jack.
"Hey, Colonel!" he yelled. Jack spun around to find a leather-like blob flying towards him. He let out what could be considered a 'squeak' as the football his him square in the chest. Sam collapsed in the water, laughing.
"What's so funny?!" he demanded, rubbing his chest where the ball collided.
"Sorry, Jack! You alright?" Gary called out, looking slightly concerned. Jack gave a mock salute.
"You squealed!" Sam managed through a classic case of the giggles.
"Did not!"
"Did too!" she wiped a tear away from her eye. Jack splashed over behind Sam and pinned her arms behind her back.
"Do you dare giggle at the all-mighty Jack?"
"Yeah, I think so!"
"Oh, c'mon!"
"You SQUEALED!" she laughed again, doubling over.
Jack wrapped his arms around her waist so she didn't laugh so much she fell face-first and drowned... or something. "Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"What do I have to do to get you to shut up?" he asked with a laugh.
"I can think of a couple things..."
"Really?" he rested his chin on her shoulder, his cheek resting against her neck. "Care to share?"
"Mayyyybeee."
"Oh, c'mon."
"Why?"
"'Cause I can always do this..." he clutched her sides, where he knew she was ticklish. She flinched and laughed, and after a couple more times, he convinced her she should be yelling 'mercy!' or 'uncle!' if she wanted to stay sane.
"I've got a better idea!" she squeaked.
"Oh, yeah?"
"Just stop tickling me!"
"Fine..." he took his hands off, crossing them in front of his chest. "What's your plan?"
"This." she wrapped her arms around his neck, tangling a hand in his wet hair.
"That's all?" he asked, wrapping his own arms around her waist and leaning in. "Isn't much of a peace offering."
"What if I did this?" she closed her eyes and kissed him passionately, with Jack kissing back. Sam gave a small moan, pressing in. Jack hugged her tighter, and they forgot that there were seven other people on the beach. That is, of course, until Erin stood on the dock and cleared her throat.
"Hello, children." she greeted, foot tapping the soggy wood. The pair broke away, Sam cursing lightly at her forgetfulness and Jack turning into the likeness of a tomato.
"Aunt Erin! ... Hey." Sam muttered, Jack giving a small wave.
"You two grab your towels, get dressed, and come with me."
"Yes, ma'am." they tromped out of the water, grabbed their towels, and without a second thought, followed the older woman up to the master house.
----
"What were you two intending on doing out there?" Erin asked the two on the couch in front of her, who were looking more like ashamed seven-year-olds than the adults they were supposed to be.
"Making a truce." Jack stated.
"Looked more like you were on your way to making babies to me." she turned her gaze to Sam. "If your father were here, I don't know what he'd do."
Sam bit her lip and looked up, almost glaring. "Well he isn't and I'm not a teenager anymore, Aunt Erin."
"It looked pretty damned much like you were out there."
"Will you stop criticizing me for two minutes and just LOOK?! I'm past thirty, have a PhD, and live on my own. I think I can handle the relationship prospect of my life without you people being at every turn!" Erin gasped and Jack just turned to Sam, looking shocked. "I don't need you to look after me any more! I can do this by myself!" she yelled, standing up in a huff and running off to the guesthouse.
Erin stared after her and Jack stood up to follow. "You did this to her."
"No, ma'am. I didn't do anything to her. I think she's just real stressed or something."
"How long've you known her?"
Jack glanced at her. "Five years."
"Oh..."
"Yes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a depressive Sam to look to." he said and ran out to the smaller house.
----
"Sam?" Jack called, opening the door.
"Go away."
"Sam, it's only me."
Sam muttered something to herself and then said "You can come in. You stay here, too, y'know."
Jack closed the door behind himself, looking in the two rooms for Sam. "Where are you?"
"Over here."
"Where?"
"Window seat."
"Ahh." Jack nodded, walking over to where Sam was sitting on the seat in front of the bigger window that looked into the forest, gazing idly. "Want some company?"
"Only if you want."
"I do."
"Then knock yourself out."
Jack slipped into the seat beside her, looking out the window. They were silent for a while before Sam muttered something.
"Pardon?"
"I'm sorry." she said, not taking her gaze off the forest.
"For what?"
"For her, for bringing you here. I knew I shouldn't have."
"I still don't see what you have to be sorry about."
"They treat me like a kid."
"Family's like that."
"Like I'm not good enough for them."
"You just said yourself, you've got a PhD, your own house, and you're a major in the USAF. How can you think that?"
"Because it's true."
"No it isn't."
"Yes, it is."
Jack stroked her hand, looking at her. "It's okay, Samantha."
She looked up at the full use of her name. He only used that when he really meant something.
"God, I AM acting like a kid, aren't I?"
"It's just stress."
"But look at me. I'm letting them get to me. That's not supposed to happen."
"Everyone slips sometimes."
"But not me!" she raised her voice, a tear sliding down her cheek.
"Shhh..." Jack soothed, wiping the tear with a finger. "It's alright."
Sam stayed quiet, looking into Jack's eyes.
"Sam, they're annoying. I'll hand you that. They're annoying and clingy. But that's no reason to beat yourself up about it, d'you hear me?"
"No."
"Sam, you're an amazing woman. You've made discoveries that would make Galileo himself grovel at your feet. You've saved people's lives, you've saved civilizations."
"But when you can't share it, it doesn't seem to matter."
Jack cupped her face in his hands. "Listen to me, and remember what I say, Sam. You're the most amazing woman I've ever known, alright? Do you know what it was like before the Stargate program? I spent my time sitting on my freaking roof, regretting what happened. I can never forgive myself for what happened to Charlie. When I joined the program, it changed my life. I've met the most wonderful people..."
"So?"
"That includes you. You've changed my life, Samantha. You made me care again. And You changed me, and I love you for it."
Sam stayed quiet.
"Say something for God's sake."
"I love you, too." she said quietly.
Jack withdrew his hands from her face and wrapped them around her, hugging her tightly. Sam hugged back and whispered 'Thank you' into his ear. Jack smiled and hugged tighter. "Um... Jack?"
"Mmhmm?"
"I kind of can't breathe."
"Sorry!" he apologized, letting go.
"That's okay." she murmured.
He took Sam's hands in his own and looked back into her eyes.
"Time to face the music." she said.
"You ready?"
"Hope so."
Jack kissed the top of her head and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, the two stepping off the seat. "Then let's go." he kissed her forehead once more.
----
Jack wrapped his arms around Sam's waist, chin resting on her shoulder. She adjusted her place in his lap, awaiting the response her aunt was to give.
"That's okay, Sam. I guess I shouldn't have yelled at you." Erin apologized, giving a small smile. "It's just a bit of a shock when you see your niece who was twelve yesterday, making out in a lake."
Sam chuckled. "Thanks, Aunt Erin."
She smiled. "That's alright. Now, you two run off now and do whatever you two do when you're alone. God knows I don't even want to *know*."
Jack grinned, nodded, and stood up, not letting go of Sam as they walked out the door and up one of the paths.
----
"Was that so bad?" Jack asked after a while of walking.
"I guess not. Thanks, Jack."
"Don't thank me. You did it."
"You helped me."
"But you did it." he stopped and cupped her face in his hands again, leaning in. "God, Sam. I love you. If anything happens to you, I don't know what I'd do."
"We'll make sure it won't happen then, won't we?" she smiled, looking up in invitation. They closed their eyes and picked up where they left off from in the water.
----
"Let them sleep." Gary replied, peering over the top of his newspaper.
"But it's ten o'clock!"
"So? Erin's still asleep. And so is everyone else, for that matter."
"They were up at seven yesterday."
"So?"
"Maybe we should... check up on them."
"They're not teenagers."
"You never know our Sam." she muttered.
Ryan walked into the kitchen, scratching his head. "'Ello." he yawned.
"Ryan, honey, would you please go see if Sam and Jack are up yet?"
"Do I have to?"
"Yes."
"Fine." he mumbled, staggering outside in his slippers and boxers, off to the guest house. He knocked on the door. "Sam? Jack?" no answer. "You guys up yet?" no answer still. He opened the door and crept in, heading towards Jack's room and knocking. "Jack?" he opened the door, but to no avail. The bed was untouched. Weird. He walked across the hall, rapping lightly on the door. "Sam?"
"Uhh...?"
"Can I come in?"
"I could care less."
Ryan opened the door quietly and peeked his head around the door to see Jack's arm around Sam, who was snuggling into him with her head on his chest. "Uh... am I interrupting something?"
"Naw." Jack shook his head. Ryan grinned.
"Well, Mum's getting worried, being the clingy lady she is. Wants to know why you two weren't up."
"What time is it?" Jack asked.
"Ten fifteen."
"Whoa..."
"Yeah. Uncle Gary said just to leave you two to sleep, but she insisted I come out here. Bloody woman."
"Meaning we should get up?"
"I think so, yeah."
"But I'm so comfy..." came Sam's muffled reply as she reached out and hugged Jack across the chest. He ruffled her hair.
"We really should get up."
"Fine. But I'm not letting go."
"I think I can live with that." the pair sat up, Sam still hugging Jack, and he tried slipping off the bed with Sam almost falling on the floor. Jack slipped an arm around her waist and Sam rested her head on his shoulder, as they braved their way to the door and slipped their shoes on.
"I didn't know you two were a pair."
"You do now." muttered Sam.
"You sure you want the others to see you like this?"
"Like what?"
Ryan stood back and pointed at them. "That."
"Gary and Warren know already." Jack pointed out.
"They'll never stop asking you questions."
"We'll live, won't we Sam?" he asked, smiling, and kissed her forehead.
"I sure hope so."
The trio, donned in pajamas, slippers, and shoes, made it to the master house, Ryan holding the door open for Sam and Jack. "Thanks, Ry." Sam said.
"No problem."
"So, what's for breakfast?" Sam asked, eyeing her uncle Gary. He grinned smugly and winked.
"Not made yet."
"Can I make it?" offered Jack.
Janine, not turning around shook her head. "You're a guest. You're not supposed to cook."
"But I want to."
"He makes great melted ice!" Sam added, grinning.
Jack chuckled. "I'll make pancakes. Is that alright?"
"Why not." Janine turned around with a smile and blinked, stopping dead in mid-step. She blinked again.
"Yes, Mom. They're together. No gawking please." Ryan muttered.
"I didn't know that."
"You do now."
"How cute!" she cooed and clapped her hands together.
"Thanks." Jack answered with a smile and made his way to a sofa, loosening his grip on Sam. "I'm putting you down now..."
"But I'm comfy."
"All good things must come to an end."
Sam moaned in protest.
"We can be warm and fuzzy later, hon."
Sam muttered 'fine' and let go of Jack, sitting cross-legged on the sofa with a pout on her face. Jack kissed the top of her head, pet her shoulder, and trooped off to the pantry in search on pancake mix. Grabbing it and pulling it out, he yelled an 'Ah-hah!' in victory.
"Where are your mixing bowls?" he asked no one in particular.
"Second drawer."
"Thanks." he muttered, rooting through the drawer. He pulled out a bowl, measuring cup, and wooden spoon, setting them beside the mix. He opened the fridge, pulled out the milk, and put it beside the other stuff.
"Jack?" Sam asked.
"Uh huh?"
"You need a frying pan."
"That could help. Where is it?"
"Beside the dishwasher."
He opened the pantry door and grabbed the pan, setting it on the counter and plugging it in. "Done and done."
Sam got up from her spot on the sofa and walked across to the kitchen, sitting on a stool facing Jack on the opposite side of the counter.
"Helloo."
"I get out the food, and you wake up. Is this how it works now?" Jack asked, grinning and poking her nose with a wooden spoon which she tried swatting at.
"Yeah, something like that." she grinned back.
Jack stuck the ingredients in the bowl and stirred vigorously, biting his tongue in concentration.
Sam giggled.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Whaat?"
"I've seen you blast people to hell with a P-90, but somehow, you look a lot more manly and threatening when you mix pancakes."
Jack rolled his eyes. "Thanks."
"Always glad to be of service." Sam grinned.
Taking the measuring cup, Jack poured the mix on the frying pan, Sam leaning over to see what he was doing.
"Ooh! It looks like Mickey!"
"Yup."
"Un artiste!"
"I wish."
Sam grabbed the spoon he used to mix and licked it. "Yum..."
"Ugh, that's disgusting."
"No it isn't. It's good!" she said, cleaning the spoon of batter.
"I've never tried pancake batter, but it looks pretty nasty. Have you seen what's IN it?!"
"I've had worse... you've never tried it?"
"Nope."
"Time to."
"But there's none left."
"C'mere." Sam beckoned to Jack. He leaned over the counter and kissed her.
"Yum. I want more..." he kissed her again.
"Whoa! Underage! I'm leaving!" Warren called out from the doorway, previously unnoticed. Jack chuckled, Sam giggled.
"Oops. Forgot about the young 'uns."
"No making out in the kitchen. Save that for somewhere else." Gary pointed out, entertained.
"Fine." Sam muttered. "Ooh, turn the 'cakes!"
Jan took a spatula and flipped the Mickeys. "Thanks!"
"No problem."
The rest of the family filtered through to the kitchen eventually, anticipating the arrival of Mickey's many heads. Everyone was sitting on something, plates on the tables in front of them or their laps.
"Last ones done!" Jack called out, holding up a platter stacked with pancakes and set them down on the kitchen counter. Carters milled around it, slopping them on their plates. Sam stayed back on the stool, content with her batter.
Jack walked over to the stool behind her and sat down. "I take it your family like pancakes."
Sam slipped from her stool to Jack's lap and nodded. "Genetic thing."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and she wrapped her's around his neck so she wouldn't fall off. A few heads turned with a surprised look before smiling and turning back to their breakfasts.
"Who made these?" Charlotte asked, shoving half an ear in her mouth.
"Sam and Jack." somebody called out.
She nodded her thanks in their direction without really paying attention, then did a double-take and stopped with a fork half-way to her mouth, eye shooting daggers at Sam. Sam just raised an eyebrow in a 'What can ya do' fashion and set her chin down on Jack's shoulder, playing with his shirt collar and faced the window and muttering, "She's glaring at me."
"Who?" Jack muttered back.
"Ditz."
"Just ignore her."
"I can't."
"Just try."
"Fine." she withdrew from his shoulder and looked around at her family, half of them glancing at the pair, the other half occupied by their meals. She faced the window again. "They're all staring."
"So?" he rubbed her back
"It's not fun being stared at."
"They're not ALL staring... some are merely... glancing. And some not at all."
"They're all staring."
"Live with it."
"I can't!"
Jack glanced at Charlotte, who batted her eyelashes and stuck out her chest when he did so. "Save me."
"From what?"
"The clutches of estranged relatives."
"Toldjaso."
"Shuddap."
"I need to do something."
"Let's go do something."
"Yes, let's."
"Like what?"
"TV."
"We're in the middle of a freaking forest, and you want TV?!"
"Yeah."
"You're my hero." they stood up releasing each other and Jack slipped is hand in her's and they wandered off into the guesthouse, flopping on the futon and turning on the TV.
"Letsee..." Sam muttered, flipping through the guide. "Iron Chef... Bob Villa... Sesame Street..."
"SWEET! What channel?!"
"Eleven... No, Jack don't!" but she was too late. The room was already filled with the sounds of a Cookie Monster gobbling up the letter C, 'cause it was for 'cookie'! And we all know, Cookie Monster just LOVES cookies!
Sam looked at the TV, then Jack, then just shook her head and tried to grab the remote.
"No! Mine!" Jack grinned, holding it away from her.
"Can we pleeease watch something else?"
"Like what?" he flicked the channel and let a sarcastic 'ooo!' escape. "Judge Judy! My favorite!"
Sam rolled her eyes. "Uh... Will & Grace is on channel twenty-three."
"Amen." he punched in the two numbers, the TV changing from 'Elmo's World' to Will trying to explain something to Jack.
He yawned and stretched his arms out, wrapping one around Sam. "Nice try, sir." she giggled.
"I try. Oh, how I try."
A head peaked in from the front door. "Sam, Jack?" the two looked up at the same time.
"C'mon in Warren. We're just watching TV."
"Oh, 'kay. A bunch of us are going swimming. Wanna come?"
They looked at each other and back to Warren, nodding in unison. "Yeah, shure."
Warren gave them a weird look and nodded. "Well, get dressed, 'cause we're going down in five."
"Aye, captain!"
The kid left the two, Jack turning the TV off and getting up. "Swim!"
Sam looked up. "Do we have to?"
"Do you want to?"
"I donno."
"C'mon, it'll be fun!"
Sam didn't answer, so Jack shrugged and grabbed her wrists, yanking her off the futon. "You're coming swimming!"
"I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
Jack grinned. "Nope!" and ran off to his room in search of something that could work as a bathing suit. Sam shrugged and went off to her room in search of something similar.
A couple minutes later, they emerged. Jack was wearing a pair of old baggy cargoes, they looked like the pants to his BDU's cut off below the knee, and Sam in a two-piece, seemingly unaware of Jack's gawking.
"And we're off!" Jack announced, the pair wandering happily down the path to the beach.
"Hey, you two!" Gary called from his lawn chair set in the sand.
"Hi, Uncle Gary!" they yelled out in unison, grinning. Gary smiled and shook his head.
"You two scare me, y'know that?"
"Yessir!" Jack threw his towel on the ground and ran over to the dock without a second thought, diving in.
Sam followed suit, turning to Jack once she resurfaced, as he'd called her name. "Yeah?"
"En guarde!" he slashed her with a grin. Sam laughed and splashed back to where there used to be a Jack, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Jack?"
No response. She spun around, looking for him.
"Jaaaack?"
Something from under the water grabbed her legs and yanked them down. She screamed and her head bobbed under the water. When she got up for air, Jack was in front of her.
"Meanie!" she grinned, splashing him.
"To the bone." he splashed back.
After fifteen minutes or so, they decided on a temporary truce and a rest, so they were lying on their towels atop the sand.
"I am SO getting you back... when we're not quite so lazy, that is." Jack muttered into his towel.
"Nuh uh."
"Uh huh."
"Nuh uh."
"Uh huh."
"Nuh uh."
"Uh huh."
"Oh, fuck."
"No, you were supposed to say 'nuh uh'."
"No, 'oh fuck'. As in, don't look up."
"Why not?"
"She's coming."
"Oh, fuck."
"Exactly."
Jack buried his face in his towel.
"Hi, Jack." Charlotte whispered from above him.
He waved a hand in unnoticed dismissal. "Hey Charlotte."
She spread her towel down on the opposite side of Jack from Sam, sitting down on it and lifting her sunglasses to her head. Jack turned his face to Sam and mouthed 'Save me, PLEASE' while rolling his eyes. Sam shrugged and sat up, grabbing Jack's wrist in haste.
"C'mon. Let's go for a swim."
"Yes, please." he answered, glad of the distraction from the female on his other side. Gary grabbed a football from his side, following the two into the water and chucked it at Jack.
"Hey, Colonel!" he yelled. Jack spun around to find a leather-like blob flying towards him. He let out what could be considered a 'squeak' as the football his him square in the chest. Sam collapsed in the water, laughing.
"What's so funny?!" he demanded, rubbing his chest where the ball collided.
"Sorry, Jack! You alright?" Gary called out, looking slightly concerned. Jack gave a mock salute.
"You squealed!" Sam managed through a classic case of the giggles.
"Did not!"
"Did too!" she wiped a tear away from her eye. Jack splashed over behind Sam and pinned her arms behind her back.
"Do you dare giggle at the all-mighty Jack?"
"Yeah, I think so!"
"Oh, c'mon!"
"You SQUEALED!" she laughed again, doubling over.
Jack wrapped his arms around her waist so she didn't laugh so much she fell face-first and drowned... or something. "Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"What do I have to do to get you to shut up?" he asked with a laugh.
"I can think of a couple things..."
"Really?" he rested his chin on her shoulder, his cheek resting against her neck. "Care to share?"
"Mayyyybeee."
"Oh, c'mon."
"Why?"
"'Cause I can always do this..." he clutched her sides, where he knew she was ticklish. She flinched and laughed, and after a couple more times, he convinced her she should be yelling 'mercy!' or 'uncle!' if she wanted to stay sane.
"I've got a better idea!" she squeaked.
"Oh, yeah?"
"Just stop tickling me!"
"Fine..." he took his hands off, crossing them in front of his chest. "What's your plan?"
"This." she wrapped her arms around his neck, tangling a hand in his wet hair.
"That's all?" he asked, wrapping his own arms around her waist and leaning in. "Isn't much of a peace offering."
"What if I did this?" she closed her eyes and kissed him passionately, with Jack kissing back. Sam gave a small moan, pressing in. Jack hugged her tighter, and they forgot that there were seven other people on the beach. That is, of course, until Erin stood on the dock and cleared her throat.
"Hello, children." she greeted, foot tapping the soggy wood. The pair broke away, Sam cursing lightly at her forgetfulness and Jack turning into the likeness of a tomato.
"Aunt Erin! ... Hey." Sam muttered, Jack giving a small wave.
"You two grab your towels, get dressed, and come with me."
"Yes, ma'am." they tromped out of the water, grabbed their towels, and without a second thought, followed the older woman up to the master house.
----
"What were you two intending on doing out there?" Erin asked the two on the couch in front of her, who were looking more like ashamed seven-year-olds than the adults they were supposed to be.
"Making a truce." Jack stated.
"Looked more like you were on your way to making babies to me." she turned her gaze to Sam. "If your father were here, I don't know what he'd do."
Sam bit her lip and looked up, almost glaring. "Well he isn't and I'm not a teenager anymore, Aunt Erin."
"It looked pretty damned much like you were out there."
"Will you stop criticizing me for two minutes and just LOOK?! I'm past thirty, have a PhD, and live on my own. I think I can handle the relationship prospect of my life without you people being at every turn!" Erin gasped and Jack just turned to Sam, looking shocked. "I don't need you to look after me any more! I can do this by myself!" she yelled, standing up in a huff and running off to the guesthouse.
Erin stared after her and Jack stood up to follow. "You did this to her."
"No, ma'am. I didn't do anything to her. I think she's just real stressed or something."
"How long've you known her?"
Jack glanced at her. "Five years."
"Oh..."
"Yes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a depressive Sam to look to." he said and ran out to the smaller house.
----
"Sam?" Jack called, opening the door.
"Go away."
"Sam, it's only me."
Sam muttered something to herself and then said "You can come in. You stay here, too, y'know."
Jack closed the door behind himself, looking in the two rooms for Sam. "Where are you?"
"Over here."
"Where?"
"Window seat."
"Ahh." Jack nodded, walking over to where Sam was sitting on the seat in front of the bigger window that looked into the forest, gazing idly. "Want some company?"
"Only if you want."
"I do."
"Then knock yourself out."
Jack slipped into the seat beside her, looking out the window. They were silent for a while before Sam muttered something.
"Pardon?"
"I'm sorry." she said, not taking her gaze off the forest.
"For what?"
"For her, for bringing you here. I knew I shouldn't have."
"I still don't see what you have to be sorry about."
"They treat me like a kid."
"Family's like that."
"Like I'm not good enough for them."
"You just said yourself, you've got a PhD, your own house, and you're a major in the USAF. How can you think that?"
"Because it's true."
"No it isn't."
"Yes, it is."
Jack stroked her hand, looking at her. "It's okay, Samantha."
She looked up at the full use of her name. He only used that when he really meant something.
"God, I AM acting like a kid, aren't I?"
"It's just stress."
"But look at me. I'm letting them get to me. That's not supposed to happen."
"Everyone slips sometimes."
"But not me!" she raised her voice, a tear sliding down her cheek.
"Shhh..." Jack soothed, wiping the tear with a finger. "It's alright."
Sam stayed quiet, looking into Jack's eyes.
"Sam, they're annoying. I'll hand you that. They're annoying and clingy. But that's no reason to beat yourself up about it, d'you hear me?"
"No."
"Sam, you're an amazing woman. You've made discoveries that would make Galileo himself grovel at your feet. You've saved people's lives, you've saved civilizations."
"But when you can't share it, it doesn't seem to matter."
Jack cupped her face in his hands. "Listen to me, and remember what I say, Sam. You're the most amazing woman I've ever known, alright? Do you know what it was like before the Stargate program? I spent my time sitting on my freaking roof, regretting what happened. I can never forgive myself for what happened to Charlie. When I joined the program, it changed my life. I've met the most wonderful people..."
"So?"
"That includes you. You've changed my life, Samantha. You made me care again. And You changed me, and I love you for it."
Sam stayed quiet.
"Say something for God's sake."
"I love you, too." she said quietly.
Jack withdrew his hands from her face and wrapped them around her, hugging her tightly. Sam hugged back and whispered 'Thank you' into his ear. Jack smiled and hugged tighter. "Um... Jack?"
"Mmhmm?"
"I kind of can't breathe."
"Sorry!" he apologized, letting go.
"That's okay." she murmured.
He took Sam's hands in his own and looked back into her eyes.
"Time to face the music." she said.
"You ready?"
"Hope so."
Jack kissed the top of her head and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, the two stepping off the seat. "Then let's go." he kissed her forehead once more.
----
Jack wrapped his arms around Sam's waist, chin resting on her shoulder. She adjusted her place in his lap, awaiting the response her aunt was to give.
"That's okay, Sam. I guess I shouldn't have yelled at you." Erin apologized, giving a small smile. "It's just a bit of a shock when you see your niece who was twelve yesterday, making out in a lake."
Sam chuckled. "Thanks, Aunt Erin."
She smiled. "That's alright. Now, you two run off now and do whatever you two do when you're alone. God knows I don't even want to *know*."
Jack grinned, nodded, and stood up, not letting go of Sam as they walked out the door and up one of the paths.
----
"Was that so bad?" Jack asked after a while of walking.
"I guess not. Thanks, Jack."
"Don't thank me. You did it."
"You helped me."
"But you did it." he stopped and cupped her face in his hands again, leaning in. "God, Sam. I love you. If anything happens to you, I don't know what I'd do."
"We'll make sure it won't happen then, won't we?" she smiled, looking up in invitation. They closed their eyes and picked up where they left off from in the water.
----