They settled on the couch to watch the movie. (Although Jack had trouble actually calling Annie a movie, since his version of a movie was one where people spoke to each other, and didn't break into singing every time they wanted to make a point to someone) Sam cuddled next to him on one side, and Gina took the other side, which was nice, but it also meant he couldn't even lie down and hopefully fall asleep during it.

"Have you ever seen this, Jack?" Gina asked him.

Hmmm... if he said yes, was she going to question him about it? Which meant that she'd pretty much instantly figure out that he hadn't actually seen it. Or be honest and say no? Would she keep checking to see what he thought of each part? Or worse, each singing thing? He decided on honesty, just because.

"No." He shook his head.

"Really?"

"Yup."

"I've seen it about a million times." She looked at Sam. "Have you seen it?"

"Oh, about a million times."

Jack scowled.

"You'll love it, Jack."

Oh. He was sure he would.

............

He didn't love it. He really didn't even like it. He didn't like the singing. He didn't think all that much of the dancing, and he didn't even think the story itself was all that great. Certainly not as good as Die Hard, or Under Siege. Or pretty much any other movie.

But he did enjoy watching her and Sam watch the movie. Gina knew the dance moves to the movie perfectly, and every now and then she'd hop up and dance along – in perfect step to whoever was dancing on the DVD. Sometimes, Sam and Gina would simply sing along to whoever was singing. Both of them sounded far better to him than the people on the DVD did, but he didn't say it. He didn't want either of them to know he didn't think as much of the show as they did. Because it was obvious to him that they both actually HAD seen the movie a gajillion times, and they both loved it. And he didn't want to rain on their parade.

Finally the last song was sung, and the last dance was danced and the words he'd been waiting to see since the opening credits came over the screen. 'The End'. Thank God. Gina smiled up at Jack, and Sam looked over at him. The little girl didn't notice it, but Jack's eyes were glazed over a bit, and Sam thought they'd better take a break from musicals before he went catatonic.

"I saw some ice cream," She said. "Why don't we get some?"

"Yes!"

Gina launched herself from the couch and was in the kitchen in a flash. Jack and Sam went a little more slowly.

"Big bowl or little bowl?" Jack asked Gina as he reached into the freezer.

"Big bowl!"

He grinned, ignored Sam's slightly disapproving look about giving the child so much ice cream so soon before bedtime, and dished her up a heaping bowl, thinking – belatedly, of course – that he should have gotten the stuff to make sundaes. She carried her bowl into the living room, and sat down on the sofa to eat it, humming one of the Annie songs as she did so.

"You're going to make her sick," Sam whispered to him, bumping her hip into his as he dished her up a bowl of ice cream.

"Nah, she'll be okay. You'll see."

"Oh, sure. I'll see in the middle of the night when she wakes up with a stomach ache..."

"She won't."

"She could."

"Not a chance. It's just ice cream... it's not like I'm feeding her a dozen candy bars or something. Ice cream is good for you."

Sam shook her head, knowing she wasn't going to win this one. Besides, it was a moot point. Gina already had her ice cream, and neither of the adults would have dreamed of taking it away from her now.

"Just for that we're watching Oklahoma, next."

Yeah, like it could be any worse than watching ole Daddy Warbucks dancing around her television for the last two hours? Jack shooed her away with a mile as he handed her a bowl of ice cream.

"Fine."

.................

This time he changed the seating arrangement a little. He sat on the end of the couch with Gina beside him and Carter next to her. The little girl was more than happy to be between the two of them, and she finished her ice cream and settled in easily, still leaning against Jack – who was leaning against a big cushion that he'd rested against the arm of the sofa – but she had pulled one of Carter's arms around her, too, so she was pretty much being cuddled from both sides at once. And she loved it.

It was fine with Jack and Sam, too. It was getting late, and they were ready to wind things down a little, and having her in between them like this would keep her from jumping up in the middle of the show and dancing along with the players. She could hum along, no problem, but her dancing was over for the night. Which was okay with her, too.

They hit play on the remote control, and the musical started. And Jack's eyes promptly glazed over once more. This time, he leaned against his cushion, had his arm around Gina, and closed his eyes.

He was asleep before the opening number was over. Oh blissful sleep that kept all evil musicals at bay.

................

"I think Jack's asleep, Sam," Gina whispered softly half way through the movie.

"We'll let him sleep, honey," Sam whispered back. "He's had a long day." His day was really no longer than hers was, but she was pretty sure the musicals had stretched his at least an extra forty hours.

"Okay."

They finished the movie, then Sam told the girl they'd better get to sleep.

"Is Jack going to sleep on the sofa?"

"Yes. He'll be okay there." Sam told her as they got up carefully to avoid waking him. "Go brush your teeth, and I'll get him covered up."

"Can I tuck him in?"

"Sure."

Gina went into the bathroom, and Sam went to the hall closet to get Jack a blanket. The rain was still coming down, and the occasional flash of light from outside was telling her that there was a thunderstorm somewhere off in the distance. It was going to smell wonderful outside in the morning, although it might be chilly, and she made sure the blanket she got was heavy enough to keep him warm if it got cold in the house.

He woke up when she was putting his feet up on the sofa to make him a little more comfortable, but he wasn't all that awake, she could tell by the unfocused look in his eyes.

"Morning?"

Sam smiled and looked to make sure Gina was still in the bathroom, and then kissed him softly.

"No, it's night time. The movie's over and you missed most of it."

"Darn."

Yeah, she believed that.

"We're going to bed."

"'Kay."

"Gina's going to come tuck you in."

"'Kay."

He closed his eyes again, but reached out and took her hand before he did.

"Thanks for letting me come over."

"Oh, I'm sure you had a wonder-" She was interrupted when Gina came out of the bathroom and down the hall.

"Is he awake?" She whispered, noticing that Jack had hold of Sam's hand.

"Only a little." Sam whispered back.

Jack opened his eyes, and looked over at the little girl, who smiled.

"Hi, Jack."

"Hi, Sweetheart."

"Sam says I can tuck you in... can I?"

"I can't think of anyone I'd rather have do it."

He let go of Carter's hand, and lay still as Gina pulled his blanket up to his chin, and carefully tucked the blanket all around him, tucking him in quite firmly. Then she hugged him, and pressed a kiss against his forehead.

"Good night, Jack. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite."

"I'm on the sofa..."

"Sofabugs then."

He smiled, and kissed her cheek softly.

"Good night, Sweetheart."

"Good night, Jack." Sam whispered, smiling to see him so securely tucked in that he couldn't move his arms to hug either one of them. Ah well.

"Night, Sam."

He closed his eyes, and the two left him alone and went down the hall. Sam tucked Gina into her bed, kissed her softly, assured her they could watch Grease the next day, and turned off the light.

"Good night, Gina."

"Night, Sam."