Author's note: Okay! I've never done a songfic before – and certainly never have integrated one into a story before – but I think it's appropriate in this case, so bear with me. For the record, I didn't write the song and I don't own it. (but I do rather like it) The song is sung by Andy Griggs.
............
"You brought a CD with you?" Sam asked, watching as he walked over to the stereo system that was built into the wall next to the sliding door that led outside. Jaffer followed Jack, and stopped at the door. He wanted out.
O'Neill smiled, and opened the door, looking out and seeing that, yes, there was a small grassy garden-like area that did have a fence all the way around it. Jaffer would be fine outside. He let the dog out and then turned to Sam.
"I brought it from the reception. Since we didn't get a chance to dance together, I thought we might get a chance here."
She slipped off her sandals and shook her head. That was the kind of thing Jack would think of that no one would ever believe he was capable of thinking of. He was far more of a romantic – way down deep – than Sam had ever believed, much to her delight. She watched as he put the CD in, and as he walked over to her, she was half-surprised to hear a guitar start playing what was obviously a country song. Jack didn't listen to a lot of country music. Not that Sam knew, anyways.
He smiled, and put his arms around her, pulling her lightly up against his warm, strong body, and Sam rested her head on his shoulder. She didn't care what song it was, she just wanted to be with him. She'd have danced to Metallica if he'd hold her like that all night. Then the song started, and the words were far more clear and soft, and easy to understand than any Metallica song she'd ever heard.
She thinks I walk on water
She thinks I hung the moon
She tells me every morning,
"They just don't make men like you"
She smiled and turned her head.
"I think you walk on water?"
Jack smiled, and the hand that was around her waist came free for a moment and tapped her on the nose lightly.
"I didn't write it, but listen to the words, Sam. Besides those. The rest is the part that matters." He was quiet, then, because the singer was still singing, and he wanted her to hear the words. He put his arm back around her and the two swayed gently to the music as Sam listened to whatever message Jack was trying to get through to her with the song.
She thinks I've got it together
She swears I'm as tough as nails
But I don't have the heart to tell her
She don't know me that well
Well, that much was true; Sam decided. He was tough as nails. Look what he'd been through just that day. He'd been shot – and healed, thank God – and hadn't even mentioned it to anyone, because he didn't want it to ruin their day. Soft on the inside, hard on the outside.
She don't know how much I need her
She don't know I'd fall apart
Without her kiss, without her touch
Without her faithful, loving arms
She felt tears welling up in her eyes at those words, and she turned her head slightly and pressed a gentle kiss against his neck. She did know he needed her. Mostly because he told her that every day to make sure she knew it. Jack responded to her kiss by giving her a light squeeze, but he didn't say anything, obviously still listening to the music. Sam listened to, already deciding that this was her new favorite song.
She don't know that it's all about her
She don't know I can't live without her
She's my world, she's my everything
And she thinks she needs me
How many times had he risked his life to save her? How many times had she seen him struggling to get to her when he, himself, was so injured that she was surprised he was still on his feet? Of course it was the same when it came to her feelings for him, but Jack was so passionate that it was almost overwhelming sometimes – which was why he turned to sarcasm and wry humor when things were going bad to ease things up a little.
Sometimes she cries on my shoulder
When she's lying next to me
But she don't know that when I hold her
That she's really holding me, holding me
She smiled at that, thinking of all the times he'd come to her for comfort. The only one – besides Jaffer – that he'd ever cry with. Even tough guys cried, and it was so much better if they had someone to cry with. Crying alone never eased an ache like crying with the one you love does.
She don't know how much I need her
She don't know I'd fall apart
Without her kiss, without her touch
Without her faithful, loving arms
She don't know that it's all about her
She don't know I can't live without her
His arms tightened around her, holding her closer as Jack listened to the words as well. He'd picked this song for their wedding dance because of the trueness of the words. The guy who wrote it had it all so perfectly – except for that whole walking on water thing – that he could have been inside Jack's head for the past 7 years.
She's my world, she's my everything
And she thinks she needs me
Yeah, and the funny thing is
She thinks she's the lucky one
She don't know how much I need her
She don't know I'd fall apart
Without her kiss, without her touch
Without her faithful, loving arms
She don't know that it's all about her
She don't know I can't live without her
She's my world, she's my everything
And she thinks she needs me
She meant so much to him... more than she'd know – even with the singer telling her. He'd gladly sacrifice himself and everything he owned for her without hesitation. She had to understand that. Had to know. Jack wasn't as great at saying this kind of stuff – although he'd opened up a lot since his relationship with Sam had been formalized so long ago – so he was grateful that the singer could say it for him.
She thinks I walk on water
She thinks I hung the moon
They stood together as the final notes of the song faded away, and Jack ran his fingers through Sam's hair, turning his head and kissing her gently.
"That was beautiful, Jack," Sam whispered, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
He nodded.
"I thought so, too."
Her hands slid down his body, and she kissed him as she contemplated the words of the song – she already had most of them memorized, one of the advantages of being a genius, she supposed. She loved it. And loved him.
"Bring Jaffer in, and let's go to bed."