Disclaimer: Not mine…don't own anything…yadda…
Procrastination
Chapter 4: Observations
Jack woke suddenly, as he always did off world. His eyes sprang open, alertness immediately overcoming exhaustion. His back ached a little from remaining in a seated position for so long and for a fleeting moment he wondered how on earth Teal'c managed such long stints at Kel No Reem.
His neck was stiff, but that wasn't the only reason he was loathed to move it. Carter was still cuddled up tightly against him, her legs splayed in front of her, head turned cosily into his collarbone.
When Jack had fallen asleep his head had apparently lolled forward to rest comfortably against his 2IC's crown and his arms were still ensconced protectively around her waist.
The feint light that had previously forced it's way through the material of the tents into their little cocoon had long since dissipated, and darkness was now surrounding the team. O'Neill could just about make out the still slumbering form of Dr Jackson only three or four feet away.
Reluctantly, Jack gently detached his right arm from around his Major's body and used his left thumb to depress the button that illuminated his watch. 0400 hours. He groaned quietly to himself. SG1 was now overdue by six hours and in all likelihood, Hammond would be frantic.
Determinedly ignoring the dull ache low in his belly that was currently suggesting it may be a good idea to relieve his bladder sometime soon, Jack replaced his arms and took this unexpected opportunity to study the woman he now held like a lover.
Carter.
Sam? No, Carter. Jack had admitted to himself long time ago that his reasons behind using his 2IC's last name had a hell of a lot more to do with personal detachment than their being Military - which, when asked, seemed a much more plausible explanation, not to mention a safe zone far from offences warranting a Court Martial.
But still, in his dreams (some X-Rated - well, he *was* only human after all) she was always Sam. And what he wouldn't give to make some of those dreams a reality. Ever since the Tok'ra tests they had been forced to take, there had been an unspoken agreement between them that he fervently hoped no one else had picked up on.
No matter what happened, no matter how long it took. They would wait.
Until he retired? Maybe, but in their hearts they both knew retirement was a long way off for this old Fly Boy, it was more likely he would die in the field before admitting defeat through old age.
What about the end of the war? Lovely idea, but never gonna happen. Everyone who knew about the Goa'uld knew the truth. Hell, it had been pointed out to him by pretty much everyone on his team on more than one occasion. Every time they took out a System Lord, a new and more powerful Goa'uld would take his place. There were thousands of them, all over the Galaxy and it seemed an almost impossible task to even consider neutralising them all.
Promotion? When he made Colonel, Jack had known immediately that this was about as far up the chain of command as he was ever gonna get. He could never see himself pushing papers in Washington, and he had pissed off *way* too many people to ever be considered as Hammond's replacement when the General was finally forced to retire. But Carter, well, she was a perfect candidate for promotional prospects. From the moment they met he had known immediately that she was Military through and through, and even now, he would put money on the bet that she was going to go all the way. Eventually, she'd outrank him.
Jack stifled a giggle at that thought, the idea of saluting Carter not at all abhorrent, just…well…strange.
Sam stirred a little as his chest vibrated gently against her body. And, as Military minded as he was, she immediately came awake. He looked down at her and smiled slightly as her somewhat confused gaze met with his own. "Sir?" she muttered, alert but still slightly sleepy.
"Yeah. Go back to sleep Carter." Jack's arms instinctively tightened around her slim figure.
"Still here huh?"
Jack chuckled. "Yup, 'fraid so." He looked quickly over at Daniel and through the darkness tried to ascertain whether or not they had woken him too.
Apparently not. The archaeologist slept on undisturbed.
Sam nodded, making it more than apparent that she wasn't overly bothered. Her CO's body stiffened automatically as she shifted positions and relaxed once again as she surreptitiously wrapped her arms around his waist.
It took Jack less than two seconds to decide on his next tactical move. Using just a little pressure on her shoulders, he shunted her forward slightly and lay down on his side before pulling her prone body against him once again and covering them both with the blanket.
"Go to sleep." he murmured into her hair, suddenly feeling extremely tired. "It's too early to get up."
Sam nodded wearily and snuggled closer. "Night Sir." she muttered into his chest, stroking her cheek against his body in an attempt to reach a better level of comfort.
"Sweet Dreams." he replied and kissed her forehead instinctively before allowing sleep to claim him once again.
Sam smiled quietly as she felt the moist, but gentle pressure on her head. Sweet Dreams? She mused.
That was something she could almost guarantee right now.
Lying in his arms, feeling his even breath gently ruffling her hair as she slipped into unconscious bliss; Sweet Dreams - most definitely.
Outside, the storm ceased suddenly, and the high wind turned into a gentle breeze, quietly whistling over the sandy plains.
It was almost as if the Gods had taken pity on the sleeping trio.
But not quite.
A few miles away, the Sand that had previously been thrown around so strongly had succeeded in creating a whole new Dune.
One that managed to completely hide the Stargate from view.
-------------------------------------------------
As ever, feedback would be gratefully received
Procrastination
Chapter 4: Observations
Jack woke suddenly, as he always did off world. His eyes sprang open, alertness immediately overcoming exhaustion. His back ached a little from remaining in a seated position for so long and for a fleeting moment he wondered how on earth Teal'c managed such long stints at Kel No Reem.
His neck was stiff, but that wasn't the only reason he was loathed to move it. Carter was still cuddled up tightly against him, her legs splayed in front of her, head turned cosily into his collarbone.
When Jack had fallen asleep his head had apparently lolled forward to rest comfortably against his 2IC's crown and his arms were still ensconced protectively around her waist.
The feint light that had previously forced it's way through the material of the tents into their little cocoon had long since dissipated, and darkness was now surrounding the team. O'Neill could just about make out the still slumbering form of Dr Jackson only three or four feet away.
Reluctantly, Jack gently detached his right arm from around his Major's body and used his left thumb to depress the button that illuminated his watch. 0400 hours. He groaned quietly to himself. SG1 was now overdue by six hours and in all likelihood, Hammond would be frantic.
Determinedly ignoring the dull ache low in his belly that was currently suggesting it may be a good idea to relieve his bladder sometime soon, Jack replaced his arms and took this unexpected opportunity to study the woman he now held like a lover.
Carter.
Sam? No, Carter. Jack had admitted to himself long time ago that his reasons behind using his 2IC's last name had a hell of a lot more to do with personal detachment than their being Military - which, when asked, seemed a much more plausible explanation, not to mention a safe zone far from offences warranting a Court Martial.
But still, in his dreams (some X-Rated - well, he *was* only human after all) she was always Sam. And what he wouldn't give to make some of those dreams a reality. Ever since the Tok'ra tests they had been forced to take, there had been an unspoken agreement between them that he fervently hoped no one else had picked up on.
No matter what happened, no matter how long it took. They would wait.
Until he retired? Maybe, but in their hearts they both knew retirement was a long way off for this old Fly Boy, it was more likely he would die in the field before admitting defeat through old age.
What about the end of the war? Lovely idea, but never gonna happen. Everyone who knew about the Goa'uld knew the truth. Hell, it had been pointed out to him by pretty much everyone on his team on more than one occasion. Every time they took out a System Lord, a new and more powerful Goa'uld would take his place. There were thousands of them, all over the Galaxy and it seemed an almost impossible task to even consider neutralising them all.
Promotion? When he made Colonel, Jack had known immediately that this was about as far up the chain of command as he was ever gonna get. He could never see himself pushing papers in Washington, and he had pissed off *way* too many people to ever be considered as Hammond's replacement when the General was finally forced to retire. But Carter, well, she was a perfect candidate for promotional prospects. From the moment they met he had known immediately that she was Military through and through, and even now, he would put money on the bet that she was going to go all the way. Eventually, she'd outrank him.
Jack stifled a giggle at that thought, the idea of saluting Carter not at all abhorrent, just…well…strange.
Sam stirred a little as his chest vibrated gently against her body. And, as Military minded as he was, she immediately came awake. He looked down at her and smiled slightly as her somewhat confused gaze met with his own. "Sir?" she muttered, alert but still slightly sleepy.
"Yeah. Go back to sleep Carter." Jack's arms instinctively tightened around her slim figure.
"Still here huh?"
Jack chuckled. "Yup, 'fraid so." He looked quickly over at Daniel and through the darkness tried to ascertain whether or not they had woken him too.
Apparently not. The archaeologist slept on undisturbed.
Sam nodded, making it more than apparent that she wasn't overly bothered. Her CO's body stiffened automatically as she shifted positions and relaxed once again as she surreptitiously wrapped her arms around his waist.
It took Jack less than two seconds to decide on his next tactical move. Using just a little pressure on her shoulders, he shunted her forward slightly and lay down on his side before pulling her prone body against him once again and covering them both with the blanket.
"Go to sleep." he murmured into her hair, suddenly feeling extremely tired. "It's too early to get up."
Sam nodded wearily and snuggled closer. "Night Sir." she muttered into his chest, stroking her cheek against his body in an attempt to reach a better level of comfort.
"Sweet Dreams." he replied and kissed her forehead instinctively before allowing sleep to claim him once again.
Sam smiled quietly as she felt the moist, but gentle pressure on her head. Sweet Dreams? She mused.
That was something she could almost guarantee right now.
Lying in his arms, feeling his even breath gently ruffling her hair as she slipped into unconscious bliss; Sweet Dreams - most definitely.
Outside, the storm ceased suddenly, and the high wind turned into a gentle breeze, quietly whistling over the sandy plains.
It was almost as if the Gods had taken pity on the sleeping trio.
But not quite.
A few miles away, the Sand that had previously been thrown around so strongly had succeeded in creating a whole new Dune.
One that managed to completely hide the Stargate from view.
-------------------------------------------------
As ever, feedback would be gratefully received