Disclaimer: Still don't own…etc, etc, etc…
AN: Thanks to all for the reviews!!! I was overwhelmed at the response – thanks so much…it keeps me going.
And the curtain rises…
18:53 hrs.
Jack had been sitting in his truck in Sam's driveway for a full 10 minutes, nervously drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. He couldn't remember a time before when he had been this nervous – not even in high school when asking out Mary Jane Adams, the head cheerleader and the prettiest girl in school. "For crying out loud, Jack! It's not even a date! It's just two colleagues with a common interest in movies sharing an evening. Yeah, ok, " he argued with himself, "that's why you spent 45 minutes getting ready." Dressed in a casual dark gray pullover and well-washed blue jeans, he looked comfortable, even if his insides were a mess. He sat there for another few minutes, thinking. "Two co-workers. Two colleagues. Yeah, right. Forget about the za'tarc incident – she is with someone else now. You are just a replacement."
He got out of the truck and slowly made his way to the front door, continuing his inner monologue along the way. "Besides, it's not like she really was going to ask you. You did kind of force the issue by re-opening the elevator door. You embarrassed her into it. Keep telling yourself – she doesn't want to be with you. She chose someone else. And it's not like the regs would let you be together anyway. She has a career to think about. And you have…" - by this time, he had reached the door and the automatic porch light flipped on. "No going back, Jackie boy. Just ring the doorbell and get it over with. It will be…fun." He shook his head wryly. "Fun, like a root canal without Novocain is fun." He pressed the bell.
He heard someone yelling something from inside the house and a commotion next to the front door. The door swung open and Cassie stood on the threshold giving him the once over.
"Wow, Jack! You look really nice!" Cassie stood back to let him into the house. "Sam isn't quite ready. She should be out in a minute."
"Thanks, Cass. So how is school?" Jack asked as he followed her into the living room. "How's the boyfriend scene? Still dating Domino?"
"His name is Dominic. Yes, we are still going out. School's ok…easier than I thought it would be. Hate P.E. though, all that dressing out business."
Jack sat down on the sofa and rubbed his hands together.
"Would you like something to drink?" Cassie asked after a moment or two of silence.
"Uh, no, thanks." The silence stretched again as he sat there.
"Well, as fun as this is, I have to be going. I'll see you later, Jack." She turned and walked back to the front door. She picked up her backpack that was lying on the floor next to the door and said "Have fun on your date!" With that, she ran out of the front door and slammed it behind her, giggling.
"It's not a…date." Jack called out to the closed door. He sighed and ran one hand through his short hair. He stood up and walked over to the patio doors. The waning sunlight washed Sam's garden with pale light.
"I called it a "friendship evening"," a voice said, "but she wouldn't buy that either." He turned from the door to see…her. His jaw dropped at the sight and he could do nothing but gaze at her.
.
She was dressed in a cream colored off the shoulder peasant blouse paired with a pale blue skirt, and a deep blue cashmere sweater that matched her eyes draped over one arm. Cream-colored flats completed the look as Jack drank in the sight of her. Sam looked incredible.
"Sir? Sir, are you ok?" Concerned, Sam hurried across the room and laid one hand on his sleeve.
"Jack," he rasped, barely able to get the words past his suddenly dry throat. "No sir tonight. Just Jack and Sam."
"Ok…Jack," she replied, smiling shyly and removing her hand from his sleeve. "Are you sure you're ok? You look…um…pale."
"No, I'm ok. You look beaut…great. Really great." He smiled to show her that he was ok and cleared his throat. "Are you ready to go? The movie starts at 19:45."
"Just let me grab my purse and I'm ready to go." She walked over to the small desk on one side of the room and picked up her clutch bag and keys. "After you, sir..Jack."
He preceded her out of the room, opened the front door and held it open for her.
"Thanks," she said as she locked the door behind them. Jack then walked over to the passenger side of the truck and opened that door for her too. "Very gallant. What's the occasion?" She asked with some amusement as she settled herself on the leather seat and fastened her seat belt.
"Just being…friendly." He smiled at her and shut the door after checking that she was safely inside. He walked around the front side of his truck towards his door. "I am so playing with fire," he muttered. His inner voice began to murmur. "Oh, shut up," he told it. "We do this my way or not at all." He opened his door and climbed inside. After putting on his seatbelt, he started the engine and carefully backed out of the driveway.
They passed the time driving to the theater in pleasant small talk; discussing the recent weather and current sports news. By unspoken mutual agreement, they stayed away from discussing work, the military or anything relating to the Stargate.
As they pulled up to the theater, Jack noticed a long line forming at the ticket booth. "Why don't I get the tickets, while you park?" Sam offered.
"Good idea," Jack said as she hopped out. "I'll be back in a minute."
She nodded as he drove off to search the packed lot for a space. Surprisingly enough, he found one quickly and walked back to the theater to join her.
Sam had already purchased the tickets and was waiting for him by the entry door.
"Ready? Let's go." Sam said, as he joined her. They walked in through the open doors and into the lobby. The ticket taker took their tickets and indicated which theater the movie was to be shown in.
"Want some popcorn? Drink?" Jack asked, heading to the refreshment counter.
"Yes, a water, please, and not too much butter on the popcorn. I am going to run to the ladies room for a second – be right back." Jack nodded a response and Sam walked towards the restroom. Upon entering, she sank down upon the lounge and rested her head in her hands. "You can do this, Sam. It's not that hard. Remember Pete is the guy that you want to be with. Not Jack." She stood up and walked over to a mirror. She opened her clutch purse and took out a lip-gloss. As she applied some to her lips, she saw two well-dressed ladies enter the restroom. They were busy discussing someone that they had seen in the lobby.
"So adorable; I wouldn't mind cuddling him next to the fire," one of them said while the other laughed. "No kidding," the other said. "I may be married, but I'm not blind. Whoever is with him is one lucky girl. Who cares if there is a little snow on the top as long as the fire down below burns hot!" Both ladies erupted into laughter.
Sam smiled at the comment and made her way out of the restroom. She found Jack waiting for her on one of the nearby benches. "Ok?" he asked, handing her the water bottle.
"Sure, let's get some seats." Sam said.
They chose seats that were closer to the top of the theater and in the middle. After sitting down, Sam noticed the two ladies from the restroom enter the theater. They scanned the audience as if looking for someone. "Over here, Maureen," a man seated below them called out, waving his hand. The two ladies made their way up the aisle towards the man and one of them noticed Sam sitting next to Jack. She poked the other and gestured towards them. The second lady, Maureen, sent Sam a little wave as the other gave her big thumbs up. Sam smiled slightly as Jack looked at her questioningly. "Something I should know about?" he asked.
"Nothing, sir…Jack. Just a little ladies room chat I overheard."
"Do tell, Carter. What was so worthy of a thumbs up?"
"Shhh…. The movie is about to start." The lights dimmed and the previews began.
TBC…