Title: Exclamation series Part 7: Jack!
Author: Su Freund
Email:
Website: www ficwithfins com (insert . instead of spaces in the address)
Category: Romance, with a little fluff and angst.
Content Warnings: References to sex and use of mild language
Pairings: Jack & Sam
Season: Future
Spoilers: None
Rating: PG-13. An NC-17 version of this fic can be found on my Fic With Fins website
Summary: After their night of passion together, Jack discovers he needs to woo Sam
Sequel/Series Info: Sequel to The Exclamation Series Part 6: Oh God!
Status: Series
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. Copyright © 2004 Su Freund
File Size: 57 KB
Archive: My site, Jackfic yes, SJD yes, Gateworld, FanFiction Net
Author's Note: It's been a while since I posted a new part to this series. The rest can be found on my site if you are interested in reading it. This part is dedicated to Trish who has been a stalwart supporter and encouraged, if not begged, me to write a sequel to Part 6, particularly the NC-17 version. The fic title was inspired from her suggestions. I also want to thank Cjay for her continual encouragement of my NC-17 writings and fantasies. This is another part of the series which started with the NC-17 part and mushroomed from there. My eternal gratitude, of course, to Bonnie who patiently beta read this fic. I would never get these fics written without her constant support and guidance.
Jack!
Sam woke with a jolt at the realisation she was sleeping in her CO's bed. She could feel he was awake, watching her, and shivered delightfully at the feel of his hand brushing her arm. He bent down to kiss her shoulder and upper arm. Wow, how sweet was that? He thought she was asleep but still demonstrated his love for her with each touch. Then he lay down and snuggled up to her, his arm draped around her naked body.
Jack! Last night he had cried that he loved her as they made love. She had known he regretted the words. Not because he didn't love her, she believed that he did, but because of the circumstances. She had come to his place wanting to seduce him, have sex with him, believing that afterwards they would part and that would be that.
What on earth had made her think that? He wanted more than that, it was very clear. In all honesty, so did she. She had admired and longed for this man for so long she had forgotten there ever was a time when she hadn't. So she'd reciprocated his declaration of love, and meant it.
What now? This could land them in a whole heap of trouble. Damn it, why was everything so complicated? She realised that if she put on her Major Carter hat this morning and told him it could never happen again, left him here alone, he would accept that. He would be hurt and unhappy, but would never force her to do something she didn't want to do. She didn't want to either hurt him or make him unhappy, but what now?
She wanted him, very badly indeed. Even more now than before. She had fooled herself into thinking that sex with him might allow her to get it out of her system. You are kidding, right? Jack O'Neill didn't do just sex; he did something totally indescribable that she had never before encountered. He made love to her beautifully and lovingly, giving all of himself to that act. In her experience men were generally more selfish than that. Not that she'd had too many lovers to compare him with, but he inspired something in her that none of her previous experience had prepared her for.
Maybe she'd just been unlucky. Or maybe Jack truly was special. She'd always suspected it, but hadn't anticipated what had happened between them last night. Or maybe it was them; the pair of them fitting like a pair of gloves. She hoped that was the real truth of it. She'd like that idea very much. There was no way she was giving him up to duty and honor now. Screw you sensible Major Carter, bring on Samantha!
She tightened her hand around his and squeezed, letting him know that she, too, was awake. Turning to face him, she smiled and saw a slight look of relief in his eyes. He'd been worried that she would be the one to stop this. He was leaving it up to her. So be it!
"Morning." She said, kissing his lips lightly.
"Morning Sam." He grinned, responding to the kiss, and turning it into something more passionate. "Umm... this feels good."
"Yep." She agreed. "Look, Jack, I think I came on a bit strong last night. You must think..."
"No Sam, I know you better than that. I don't think..."
"Hey, you have no idea what I was gonna say!"
"Yes I do."
She smiled sweetly, fingering the hair at the nape of his neck. Sometimes they could read each other like a book and no words were needed. However, sometimes... well... sometimes they couldn't.
"Much as I hate to do this Jack, I have to get ready for work."
"And I thought you'd asked your CO for the day off." He smiled slyly and she giggled a response.
"You wanna go AWOL?"
"Now that's not such a great idea in the Air Force. Court martial, yadda..."
"And making love to your CO is fine of course."
"Sure it is. Well, if it's you and me that is. I'm not sure Hammond's my type." She laughed. "Of course I wasn't thinking AWOL. I'll give you a day off and I'll call the General. I'll tell him I met the most wonderful woman last night and I want to spend some quality time with her; get more intimate." Her responding smile was dazzling
"Can we get more intimate than we were last night?"
"Sure we can. I'll show you." He smiled suggestively but she didn't take the hint.
"Later. I need a shower. You call Hammond."
She kissed him sweetly again then threw the covers back and sashayed out of the room so quickly he hardly had time to acknowledge it. Did she say shower? Oh boy!
After he made the call he approached the bathroom door. Should he go in? He still had that damned fantasy to fulfil. Well, she needed a fresh towel, didn't she? Yeah, he should go in. He quietly opened the door, wanting to surprise her, and watched her through the glass for a while.
Approaching the cubicle he opened it. Sam's eyes widened with surprise, and a smile lit her face. She beckoned him in, and his shower fantasy got fulfilled in the most wonderful way possible. Soap and shampoo played a major role in their lovemaking, as he had always imagined, and the whole experience thrilled both of them.
Afterwards, they washed the vestiges of soap from each others bodies. Jack's hair was still full of shampoo and Sam rinsed it for him. It was a luxurious and sensuous feeling.
"Sam, if you have any more expectations, forget them right now. I'm wasted." She laughed.
"Me too. Come on; let's get out before we turn to prunes under here."
She took his hand and led him out of the shower, picking up the nearest towel and starting to dry him with it. The rough towel in her hands felt good.
"On the other hand..." He teased.
"Hey! No way Jack O'Neill. Maybe later."
"I might hold you to that." He grinned, "If this old and worn out body is up to it."
"You are neither old nor worn out, lover boy."
"Huh! Wish that was true."
"Come on Jack. What would I want with a worn out has-been? You, on the other hand, are quite something."
"Why thank you Doctor Carter."
He blushed, which amused Sam immensely. Jack O'Neill blushing? If only she could tell someone about that; they wouldn't believe her anyway.
"Your turn with the towel."
His shy smile in response gave her a warm feeling inside the pit of her stomach. God, this guy could be so cute! No one would believe that either. On second thoughts, maybe they would.
After they were dry, they got dressed, went into the kitchen, and Jack made coffee. Sam watched him admiringly. The man was one hell of a hunk. They sipped their coffee in companionable silence and Sam got to thinking... way too hard and way too deep. She had told Jack she loved him, and that was true. She had implied by her words and actions that this thing between them should continue, but the cold light of day was beginning to dawn in her previously befuddled brain. Was she just caught up in the moment?
She felt confused and what had just happened between them, alongside Jack's presence, wouldn't allow straight thinking. She needed to reflect, consider the consequences.
Her sensible Major USAF brain was beginning to argue with Samantha. What the hell did they think they were doing? This course of action was far too dangerous and risky. She tried to hide these thoughts but Jack could almost see the cogs turning in his beautiful second in command's mind. Threat! He could smell it and it perturbed him.
"Sam, don't over think this." He paused, wary of the expression on her face. His Major, his Samantha Carter. Please don't do this Sam; not now! It's too late to go back. "I want... I want this to continue... I want us to have a relationship."
"Haven't we already got one of those?"
"You know what I mean. Last night... this morning... It meant something special."
"It meant something special to me too. I'm just not sure I'm ready to face all those implications. I'm not sure either of us is. You're asking me to breach the regs in a big way. It goes against the grain Jack. And don't tell me you don't feel the same."
She had him there. Sure he'd breached regs, but not for his own benefit. There was always duty and honor to consider but he was sick of sacrificing his own feelings and life to the greater good. Their lovemaking, Sam's presence in his bed, in his arms, had all reminded him how much he needed and wanted someone in his life. He longed for it to be her. Anyone else would be second best for him and that was unthinkable.
"I think we already breached those regs Sam. What's just happened was way out of line. We both know that."
"It's not too late to put a stop to it Sir." Sir? This was so not good.
"Sam! Haven't we sacrificed enough? You told me..."
"Jack! Don't you think I know it? Please Jack, I need to think straight." You are just too darned distracting Jack O'Neill, she thought. No man had ever before achieved what he had with her body, and she'd never felt impelled to act with such wanton abandon.
"I can't just shut up and leave it Sam." He knew if he pushed he might back her into a corner, in which case she could come out fighting, but he continued nonetheless. "Don't do this. Not now. You're wrong, it is too late. We can't turn back the clock and just forget all about what happened between us. Don't tell me this was all about sex Sam. Please don't tell me that."
She could see he feared it, that now they'd done it she would manage to work him out of her system and go on as before. If only things were that simple.
"What if I said it was?" He looked at her stunned. "For Christ's sake Jack, you know it isn't. You must know that."
"Do I? If it isn't then we need... we need to get to know each other better Sam. To date, to talk like normal people."
"But isn't the point that we aren't normal people? We're military, Jack, and we have an important job to do. We are risking all that if we continue with this."
"I do so wish you wouldn't be the voice of reason Sam." He replied, wondering how much they risked if they didn't continue with it. It might be their one chance in a lifetime. He, for one, did not want to miss it.
"Maybe one of us has to be. Maybe we need to step away from it and do some serious thinking."
Jack sighed at this response. She could be right but that didn't stop the whole idea hurting. The emotion showed in his face and Sam wanted to reach out to him, but refrained. She didn't want to hurt him. She loved him, but she also loved her career and her work.
This was all her fault and she knew it. Jack would never have made that first move. What had she thought she was doing? She had brought this down on them with her uncontrollable lust. Now, of course, she had that under control. Was it all about the sex? She loved him, yes, but was it enough? She had never truly thought about that question; just played around the edges of it. Now she had no choice but to think about it.
She couldn't bring herself to regret what had happened. She had wanted it so badly, right there and then. However, they both had to face the consequences of her actions. It might ruin her career but Jack could be in much more serious trouble as he was the senior officer. She couldn't allow that.
"I really do not want to hurt you Jack. I never intended..." She sighed heavily, not sure what to say, looking into his deep brown eyes and adding, "I love you Jack." Well that was something.
"But you aren't sure it's enough, right?"
Reluctantly she nodded. He had no doubts and it stung that she did. That didn't stop his little inner voice nagging that she might be right. Thinking time? Maybe he needed it too. He took her hand and she let him caress it.
"So." He wasn't sure what to say to her but did not want to let her go. "Sam, can't we still have this day?"
Sam nodded and lifted his hand to her lips. Her gentle kiss, her sweet breath on his hand, made his heart thump. He would burst with his love for her. Now it was all out in the open he couldn't see how to put it back. Nothing was ever going to be the same again, no matter what she decided. He had to have his shot at influencing that decision, at swinging things his way.
They drove out to Twin Lakes and spent the day strolling around the area, admiring the scenery. It was breathtaking out there. The beautiful lakeside beaches nestled under Mt. Elbert, the highest mountain in the state. Twin Lakes was not a glamorous resort, crowded with condos. It was a quaint, historic mining town located in a high mountain valley, surrounded with snow-capped peaks which glistened in the sunlight. The world renowned resort of Interlaken was just a few miles away. Once upon a time, it had been the playground of the rich and famous; now it was maintained as a National Historic Site.
Jack bought them lunch at a cute little place in Twin Lakes and they pretended they hadn't a care in the world. Sam was conscious that they could bump into someone they knew; someone who could ruin their lives with just a word in the wrong ear. She chose to relax as much as possible and enjoy this day with Jack as she was no longer sure that it wouldn't be their last. Jack chose a similar path, equally aware of the danger.
She wanted to be with him very much and this day served to emphasise it. He was witty and charming, generous and loving. She knew he was trying hard to convince her they should be together, and he was succeeding. However, at the end of the day she determined she would part from him, at least for a few days, to give her a chance to put it all into perspective.
"I like it around here," Jack said, "the lakes remind me a little of Minnesota. I'd love you to see it, the cabin, the lake, everything." She squeezed his hand in response.
"One day, Jack, I promise."
"It might never happen if we stop this now."
"I don't really want to stop it..." He looked at her. She was prevaricating and it was damned annoying. "I just need time to think Jack. Let's not spoil this now." Changing the subject she said, "So the great Jack O'Neill loves trees after all, does he? Shall I tell?"
"I trust you to keep my secrets." He replied laughingly. "The great Jack O'Neill? Oh puleeze, give me a break."
"I'll consider it." She smiled and leaned towards him for a kiss. If she was playing a game, it appeared 'the great Jack O'Neill' might be winning. He hoped so; was pretty determined he would.
"I could resign." He stated, out of the blue, shocking her.
"You can't do that Jack."
"Why not?"
"The SGC still needs you."
"Bullshit!"
"I admit it is one option. Can we not do anything too hasty here? Why do you think I need this time to think it all through?"
"I guess I wish you didn't feel the need to think it all through."
"Jack! A few days. That's all."
"We've waited so long already Sam."
"I know. So a few more days won't hurt will they?" Sam said, and Jack thought a few more days might make all the difference in the world. He wasn't happy about it. "I thought we weren't going to talk about this now Jack." She added.
"Ok! Ok! I surrender. We talk about it when we get back to the Springs." So the subject remained unspoken for the rest of the day.
They had used Sam's car to get out to Twin Lakes and she drove home. It was starting to get late and they both needed to be at the SGC early the following morning.
"You coming in?" He asked, hopefully, when they got to his place.
"I probably shouldn't, but I will." She smiled and his heart soared. Was he winning her over? Don't get your hopes up too high Jack, he warned himself.
Once again they sipped coffee, this time in his living room, not at the kitchen table.
"You still want time to think about all of this Sam?"
"I'm sorry..." She tailed off, unable to look him in the eye. They'd had such a wonderful day and she was reluctant to spoil it. It had given her a taste of how things could be and she knew they could be really good.
"I wish..." He started, unable or unwilling to express himself further. Instead he put his arm around her and she tried to pull away.
"Sam," He said quietly in response, the pain eating at his insides, "if you are gonna leave me here contemplating my navel at least let's not part with a sour taste in our mouths, ok?"
She nodded and let him hold her. It made her feel warm and secure and she knew she wanted that just as much as anything else, if not more. The only way to make up her mind was to distance herself from him in some way.
"I just don't want the physical to overcome the emotional, ok?" She said, leaving him at a loss as to what to do or say. "Perhaps I ought to go now."
Inside he was screaming that he should stop her, speak, act, do anything, but he remained silent, kissing her hair. She squeezed him gently and then escaped his grasp and stood up. He walked her to the door.
"I guess this is goodbye then, huh, Sam?"
"Not goodbye Jack. We're friends, whatever, right?"
"I'm not sure that's enough anymore. Whatever happens now Sam, you know things are never going to be the same." So we might as well go for it, he thought, and to hell with everyone and everything else.
"I'll bear that in mind. The weekend, ok?" She said, grinning, and giving him hope again. She took him in her arms and pulled him to her and he returned the hug, snuggling his face into her neck.
"Yeah... sure... the weekend Sam." Unsure what that portended, but it was only a few days away and that was good. "I'll see you at the SGC in the morning then."
"Yes Colonel." She said as she pulled away, turned and left. He watched her go to her car, get in and drive away. She didn't look back and he prayed that she wasn't driving out of his life forever.
Closing the door he sat and thought about it. Maybe it had been too perfect, too good to be true; the story of his life. He could not let her do this, but respected her need for thinking time. That did not, however, stop him taking action.
Sam tried to shut it all out on the way home and concentrate on her driving but, when she got in, she started to shake. Was it all a mistake? Should she have stayed? He might never know how much she had wanted to. Why do you doubt this Sam, she asked herself? All those years of yearning, loving, suppressing. It had all come out way too quickly and it scared her, even though she had instigated it. Why couldn't she make things simple and just be with him? Oh, no. Major Carter couldn't do that. She was an idiot and far too sensible for her own good.
Sam cursed herself, unsure anymore as to why she wasn't with Jack right now, making love, or merely lying in his arms. Samantha Carter, you are such a fool; you already know what you really want. Why are you so scared to just reach out and take it?
The knock at her door early next morning puzzled her. When she answered, a huge bunch of flowers hid the delivery man.
"Samantha Carter?"
"Yes"
She smiled. This had to be Jack. Who else? He was trying to woo her and it felt good. She wondered how he had managed to arrange this delivery when they'd been together until late the previous day, figuring he must have done it before they had even left for Twin Lakes.
Rushing the flowers through to her kitchen she was wondering whether she actually had any vases big enough for this bouquet. There was a card. It read 'Samantha, it's too late to turn back. J x'. Her heart pounded loudly. Jack! It's not as simple as that and you know it. She caressed the card in her fingers knowing that it was something she would keep forever, whatever the outcome, even though she knew it had been written by someone else. They were his words.
Breathing in the scent of the flowers, she finally found a large vase and arranged them. Amongst them were a few roses and she plucked one out.
"You are coming to work with me buddy." She told it.
Some people looked at her a little askance as she carried the red rose down into the bowels of the earth and to her lab. She found an appropriate container and went to the mess for coffee and breakfast. He was already there, sitting alone at a table in the corner, surrounded by files. It would seem strange if she did not sit with him, she should make things appear as normal as possible.
"Morning Sir." She said as she slipped into the chair opposite him.
"Morning Carter. Nice day, isn't it?" He smiled at her in the most winning way conceivable, looking into her eyes, and then he turned back to the files.
"Yes Sir. Pity to be stuck inside the mountain."
"Them's the breaks. Of course, we could always go AWOL..." He left the rest unsaid and didn't lift his eyes from the files as he spoke.
"That's probably not such a great idea Sir."
"No. Probably not." He looked up again, catching her eyes once more. "You seem to be in a good mood Carter." He raised his brows in a question.
"Oh, a good friend of mine sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, Colonel. It kind of... made my day. It was very sweet of him." Sweet?
"Him? Oh yeah?" His smile was teasing and his eyes danced with mirth.
"Yes Sir, him." She returned the smile.
"I'm glad to know you have a life outside of this place Carter. About time." His eyes strayed back to his paperwork. "Good luck with it."
"Umm... thank you Sir, I might need it."
He looked up at her again wondering what she actually meant by that remark, but was unable to continue as Daniel chose that moment to join them. The guy had incredibly bad timing.
"Morning Jack, Sam." Daniel said.
"Hi Daniel. And how are you this bright and sunny day. Carter just refused to go AWOL with me. How about you?"
"Umm... well, actually Jack, I have an artefact..."
"For crying out loud Daniel, I was kidding. You can be way too serious sometimes. Do you know that?"
"Well actually Jack, it might surprise you to learn that I do know that."
Sam sighed. If it was going to be one of those Jack and Daniel mornings it was time to go and start her tests.
"Well guys, I've got work to do. I'll leave you to it."
"What is it you're doing again today Carter? Remind me." Jack asked.
"I'm running some tests on that alien doohickey SG-13 brought back from their last little field trip, Sir."
"Doohickey Carter? You should watch those bad habits you're picking up from your CO, Major."
"I'm sure they're not all bad, Colonel." She met Jack's smile with her own and left the boys to play their games. Daniel felt like he had missed something in their brief exchange.
"What's going on Jack?" Daniel asked when she had left.
"What do you mean?" Jack replied. Had it been that obvious?
"Oh... I don't know. Forget it."
Jack breathed a sigh of relief. In theory he ought to be more careful while they were around everyone else, at least until this thing was resolved. He wasn't sure he was up to that task anymore, having played that role for far too long already.
"Well, Danny boy," Jack said, and smiled inwardly at Daniel's irked expression on hearing his use of that nickname, "I have work to do." He picked up his files and left Daniel alone, hiding himself in his office. He really needed to catch up with this paperwork; however loathed he was to do it.
Later on he sent Sam an e-mail simply saying 'Knock, Knock', and tapped his fingers impatiently for a response.
Ten minutes later he got his reply 'g Who's there?'
Jack: 'Iris!'
Sam: 'Iris who?'
Jack: 'Iris you were here!
Sam: 'Ha, ha, groan!'
He knew she had laughed and considered himself satisfied with that few minutes work, merely replying with ' ;-) ', which served to remind Sam that he knew more about the world of computers than he liked to let on.
In the afternoon, Jack decided to go for it and risk paying a visit to his favourite Major. As he stood at the door watching, he noticed the solitary rose on her desk and grinned to himself in a self satisfied way.
"Come in Sir." Sam said, without even pausing to look up. She sensed his presence in her doorway; always could. Much to her horror, her heart rate started to rise.
"Hi Carter. Just thought I'd mosey along to see how you're getting along."
"Sure Sir." She looked up and saw his eyes looking at the rose.
"So this man of yours... roses?" What was this game he was playing, she asked herself, but happily continued to play along.
"Oh, it was a mixture of flowers Sir. This is just one of 'em."
"A little reminder, huh?" He asked.
"Something like that."
"Good." He beamed at her and Sam thought him a little too smug. However, she let the thought die as she luxuriated in his brilliant smile. He could knock a woman dead with that smile.
"He shouldn't take anything for granted though." She warned, her tone friendly rather than forbidding.
"I'm sure no man would be foolish enough to do that with you Carter." The smile was gone and replaced with a dead pan expression. "Well, I guess I'd better get back to that darned paperwork the Pentagon cares so much about." He said, clapping his hands and rubbing them together. "I hope the...er... whatever it is you're doing goes well." He waved his hands through the air in a careless gesture and then turned and left before she could say anything.
A secretive smile lit his face as he returned to his office. That was enough for one day, now how about tomorrow?
Sam smiled stupidly at her empty room for at least 10 minutes, unable to concentrate on her work. A warm feeling suffused her as she thought about him. She couldn't really see any prospect of her turning Jack down. There was no way she was going to say no to him; she knew that. She had told him the weekend; she'd have made up her mind how to tackle it by then. If Jack continued to woo her in this strange but rather interesting way then it could be fun between now and then.
When the delivery man was on her doorstep again the following morning Sam was more than surprised. This time it was a dozen red roses.
"This guy's got it bad." The delivery guy commented.
"Yes, I do believe he has." Sam replied, dreamily.
This time the card simply read 'Samantha, I love you. J x' and she found her heart pounding even faster than it had the previous morning.
She sought him out, relieved to find him in the mess once again, and settled herself opposite him.
"It was a dozen red roses this morning Sir."
"Really? This guy of yours has got it bad." He searched her eyes.
"It seems so. That's what the delivery guy said." Jack smiled again.
"So Carter, is it serious?" He risked asking.
"Maybe."
"You aren't sure?"
"It's not that simple Sir."
"Isn't it?" His eyes questioned that.
"Well, it is and it isn't."
"I'm sure you'll make the right decision Carter." He certainly hoped so.
"Yes Sir."
She was disappointed that she received no e-mails or visits from him that day and was surprised and delighted when he rang her at home that night.
"Knock, Knock." he said without even a hello.
"Who's there?" She grinned to herself, stomach churning with excitement.
"Jaws!"
"Jaws who?"
"Jaws truly!"
"Jaws truly awful." She said as she laughed and he joined in.
"Tomorrow Carter."
"Yes Sir."
That was it. He rang off abruptly leaving her with the phone to her ear daydreaming about him. In bed that night she fantasised he was there in her arms and cuddled a pillow close to her breast.
When the delivery guy turned up again the following morning, Sam wondered if this was going to happen every day until she told Jack her decision. She wouldn't be surprised. It wasn't flowers this time, but a huge bunch of balloons. The card said 'How am I doing Samantha? Any hope? J'.
When she got to the SGC, she avoided the mess instead sending him an e-mail saying 'I'm thinking of eloping with the delivery man." Five minutes later Jack was standing in her doorway again as she knew he would.
"Morning, Carter."
"Sir."
"Cute delivery guy, huh?"
"Oh yes Sir." Actually, he was short, balding and had a large pot belly.
"Ummm... Perhaps your guy ought to check out the competition." He joked, raising a big grin from his second in command.
"Had you wanted something in particular Sir? I have to finish this sometime today." They were going off world tomorrow and Hammond had given her until then to solve the mysteries of the 'doohickey'.
"Carter... I was thinking... hey don't look so shocked." She giggled. "The four of us haven't been out for a while. So how about tonight? Steaks, strictly soft drinks only? Not too late? After all we are on a mission tomorrow. Daniel and Teal'c are game. How about you?"
Jack had set up this little scenario the previous day. It was the closest he could get to dating her right now. Surely two chaperones should be enough.
"I'm not sure Sir."
"You've got another arrangement? This man of yours for example?" He asked, jocularly. Inside he was pleading, please don't say no Sam, I'm missing you.
"Not really. I'm still giving that situation some serious consideration Sir."
"Well I'm pleased to hear that. The guy deserves a break. So, how about it? Tonight? 7.00 at O'Malley's?"
"Daniel and Teal'c are actually coming, aren't they Sir?" She asked, suspiciously.
"Of course Carter. Would I lie to you? I wouldn't..." He was going to say 'push it that far' but decided against it.
"Ok, I'll be there." She agreed and relief was evident in his face.
"Right. Great. See you later then."
When she arrived at O'Malley's her three team mates were already there. Daniel and Teal'c sat opposite Jack, leaving the seat next to him for her. She fleetingly wondered if Jack had planned it that way, deciding that there was no way he would have said anything to either of their friends about their situation.
"Hi Carter. Glad you could make it." Jack said pleasantly, smiling as she sat down.
"Sir, guys." She nodded a greeting to Daniel and Teal'c.
Once again Jack was witty and charming, determined to prove what good company he could be. He paid a lot of attention to Sam while not neglecting his other team mates. Daniel was puzzled by Jack's behaviour; pretty sure that something was going on that he didn't know about. Was Jack flirting with Sam?
They'd always had their moments but there was something about this that Daniel couldn't quite put his finger on. It was different. He decided to rib Jack about it at the earliest opportunity - while Sam wasn't around, of course. In the meantime he joined in the conversation as normal, but kept a watchful eye on proceedings. Sam appeared to be enjoying it.
After dinner Jack suggested a game of pool. Daniel and Teal'c declined and watched Jack and Sam as they competed. Jack didn't stand a chance in hell of beating Sam at this game, Daniel thought, she is just too good.
"Colonel, you should have gone for that ball." Sam said, pointing to the table.
"Well, Carter, perhaps you ought to show me, next time." Jack smiled.
She missed her next shot and Jack was pretty convinced she'd done it deliberately as even he could have potted that one. She got up close to him; he could feel her breath on his face and his heart raced with desire.
"Look Sir," She said in a playful, but respectful tone, "do it like this; that ball there. Look along the line of the cue. I'm surprised you aren't better at this game, Colonel. If you can aim a gun accurately it doesn't take much to extend that to pool."
Jack smiled, savouring her attention, and almost gasped aloud when she put her hands over his on the cue and leaned over the table with him, pulling back the cue. He followed her line of vision. They hit the ball and it went right into the pocket with deadly accuracy. Sam slowly and agonisingly extricated herself from Jack. He was just glad he was wearing loose trousers. Wicked tease Sam, but wonderful, he thought.
Daniel raised his eyebrows and looked at Teal'c. Now Sam was flirting with Jack, in the most outrageous way. What was going on?
"Teal'c, have you noticed anything unusual tonight," he asked curiously, in low voice, "between Jack and Sam?"
"Indeed, DanielJackson." Teal'c replied. Neither man could have failed to notice.
"So what do you suggest my next move should be Carter?" Jack asked, looking deep into her eyes. Daniel began to wonder why he and Teal'c were even there. Right now their other two team mates were behaving as if they weren't.
"Well, if it was me, I'd go for that shot." She said, indicating her line of thought with her hands.
"That looks hard Carter." He said.
"Well, Sir, it isn't. Not really."
She smiled sweetly and moved to demonstrate it to him once again. They stood so close together there was no space between them. Why don't these two just get a room, thought Daniel? You could cut the sexual tension with a knife.
"Knock, Knock." Jack whispered while she was close to him, so that Daniel and Teal'c couldn't hear. She smiled and took the bait.
"Who's there?"
"Ivan!"
"Ivan who?"
"Ivan enormous snake in my pocket!" He exclaimed and Sam chuckled.
"Really Sir? You ought to watch out for those pesky things, Colonel, they can be dangerous." She looked at him and waggled her eyebrows suggestively, making Jack titter in response.
This time the ball did not behave as it should have.
"You jogged me Sir!" Sam said with faked petulance.
"Did not."
"Did so... Sir"
"Well... whatever." Jack grinned and shrugged. "Your turn Carter."
"Actually, I need to go where you men can't follow." She said, disappearing to the ladies room and leaving Jack with a stupid smile plastered on his face. Daniel made his move.
"Something you wanna tell us Jack? You and Sam are being a little, well, you know... " He asked, direct and to the point.
"What do you mean Daniel?" Jack replied with an expression of innocence.
"Don't be coy Jack. We both have eyes in our heads and are pretty intelligent guys." Daniel responded indicating him and Teal'c as the "we" he'd referred to.
"Just remember that I said nothing, O'Neill." Teal'c intervened at Daniel's inclusion of him in the question. Jack smiled.
"For crying out loud, Daniel, nothing's going on. We are just having a friendly game of pool here."
"Jack!" Daniel exclaimed in frustration.
"Daniel." Jack said with a neutral expression, unperturbed by Daniel's reaction. He had known they would notice something; it couldn't be avoided. No way was Daniel going to get anything out of him and Daniel knew it, so he gave up, thinking he might raise it another time.
When Sam came back they finished the game without further overt flirting, although Daniel noticed some of the looks they exchanged. Sam won of course. Jack joked that next time they'd try arm wrestling and he and Sam laughed as if it was a private joke. Neither Daniel nor Teal'c got it.
After that Jack decided to call it a night. They all needed a good night's sleep if they were going to be alert off-world the next day. It was a routine mission but one should always be prepared for anything.
They parted in the parking lot and, once Jack had disappeared to his truck, Daniel quizzed Sam.
"So what is going on with you and Jack, Sam?"
"What do you mean Daniel?" She said, echoing her CO's own reply.
"It's just that you... seemed more friendly than normal?" He ventured.
"Really? I hadn't noticed." She replied, dead pan expression on her face. Daniel knew he was going to get nowhere with her too, but vowed he would get to the bottom of it.
Early next morning the same delivery man was on her doorstep again. He held a single, very beautiful, white orchid in a pretty box.
"Aren't you gonna say yes to this guy soon? Put the poor chump out of his misery?" The man said, making Sam laugh.
"Probably." She replied, "But I am enjoying it."
The man sighed and muttered something about 'women' under his breath as he was leaving.
The card inside the box said 'Samantha, you warm my heart, please let me warm yours, J'.
Oh Jack! Her heart was so warmed, it was almost boiling.
When she got to the SGC she rushed to the mess but he was conspicuously absent. So she hurried to his office, which was also lacking his presence. Where the heck was he? In the end she didn't catch up with him until they all met in the gate room, ready for the mission.
Instead of saying what she had wanted to, she started on a knock, knock joke as they approached the event horizon side by side, remembering when he had done the same thing as they stepped through the gate for the fateful mission that had started all this.
"Knock, Knock." She said.
"Who's there?" He answered, obligingly.
"Dewey!"
"Dewey who?" He timed it perfectly so that he said it as they entered the wormhole and when they came out on the other side, she finished.
"Dewey have to keep saying all these jokes!"
Jack thought this hilarious and was glad Teal'c had gone through first. At least one of the four of them was alert.
"More trees. Oy!" Jack said as he looked around, his eyes alighting on Sam, who suppressed a grin. It seemed he was winning this little game, but they were on a mission now and should not allow themselves to get distracted, so he quickly became business like and Sam took his lead.
A little later, as they walked together, she ventured a comment.
"It was a white orchid this morning Sir."
"Really? How romantic." He smiled. "So how is he doing?"
"He'll have to wait until the weekend to find out." She replied, a hint of a tease in her voice.
"Well, that's tomorrow Carter."
"So it is Sir."
Despite the warmth that he felt from her reactions, Jack was taking nothing for granted. This was partly because she had warned him not to, but partly because he was not a man that was over filled with confidence in his abilities as far as this particular woman was concerned.
Underneath, doubt gnawed at him, leaving a nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach. If she did decide that the practical and reticent Major should win over the devil may care and forthright Samantha, he was determined to fight it tooth and nail. He could no longer bear the concept of her loss to him.
They had found nothing of interest on the planet and were on their way home. Would she really tell him her decision tomorrow? He held a good deal of hope that it would be in his favour, regardless of his qualms. He was debating it all in his mind, instead of concentrating, when the staff blast hit him in the chest, full force.
Oh God! Distraction was one reason why you shouldn't fall in love with one of your team mates, he thought as he fell, and then nothing.
Sam was aghast and ran over to him, careless of her own danger.
"Jack!" She cried as she crouched down next to his prone body.
TBC in Part 8
Author: Su Freund
Email:
Website: www ficwithfins com (insert . instead of spaces in the address)
Category: Romance, with a little fluff and angst.
Content Warnings: References to sex and use of mild language
Pairings: Jack & Sam
Season: Future
Spoilers: None
Rating: PG-13. An NC-17 version of this fic can be found on my Fic With Fins website
Summary: After their night of passion together, Jack discovers he needs to woo Sam
Sequel/Series Info: Sequel to The Exclamation Series Part 6: Oh God!
Status: Series
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. Copyright © 2004 Su Freund
File Size: 57 KB
Archive: My site, Jackfic yes, SJD yes, Gateworld, FanFiction Net
Author's Note: It's been a while since I posted a new part to this series. The rest can be found on my site if you are interested in reading it. This part is dedicated to Trish who has been a stalwart supporter and encouraged, if not begged, me to write a sequel to Part 6, particularly the NC-17 version. The fic title was inspired from her suggestions. I also want to thank Cjay for her continual encouragement of my NC-17 writings and fantasies. This is another part of the series which started with the NC-17 part and mushroomed from there. My eternal gratitude, of course, to Bonnie who patiently beta read this fic. I would never get these fics written without her constant support and guidance.
Jack!
Sam woke with a jolt at the realisation she was sleeping in her CO's bed. She could feel he was awake, watching her, and shivered delightfully at the feel of his hand brushing her arm. He bent down to kiss her shoulder and upper arm. Wow, how sweet was that? He thought she was asleep but still demonstrated his love for her with each touch. Then he lay down and snuggled up to her, his arm draped around her naked body.
Jack! Last night he had cried that he loved her as they made love. She had known he regretted the words. Not because he didn't love her, she believed that he did, but because of the circumstances. She had come to his place wanting to seduce him, have sex with him, believing that afterwards they would part and that would be that.
What on earth had made her think that? He wanted more than that, it was very clear. In all honesty, so did she. She had admired and longed for this man for so long she had forgotten there ever was a time when she hadn't. So she'd reciprocated his declaration of love, and meant it.
What now? This could land them in a whole heap of trouble. Damn it, why was everything so complicated? She realised that if she put on her Major Carter hat this morning and told him it could never happen again, left him here alone, he would accept that. He would be hurt and unhappy, but would never force her to do something she didn't want to do. She didn't want to either hurt him or make him unhappy, but what now?
She wanted him, very badly indeed. Even more now than before. She had fooled herself into thinking that sex with him might allow her to get it out of her system. You are kidding, right? Jack O'Neill didn't do just sex; he did something totally indescribable that she had never before encountered. He made love to her beautifully and lovingly, giving all of himself to that act. In her experience men were generally more selfish than that. Not that she'd had too many lovers to compare him with, but he inspired something in her that none of her previous experience had prepared her for.
Maybe she'd just been unlucky. Or maybe Jack truly was special. She'd always suspected it, but hadn't anticipated what had happened between them last night. Or maybe it was them; the pair of them fitting like a pair of gloves. She hoped that was the real truth of it. She'd like that idea very much. There was no way she was giving him up to duty and honor now. Screw you sensible Major Carter, bring on Samantha!
She tightened her hand around his and squeezed, letting him know that she, too, was awake. Turning to face him, she smiled and saw a slight look of relief in his eyes. He'd been worried that she would be the one to stop this. He was leaving it up to her. So be it!
"Morning." She said, kissing his lips lightly.
"Morning Sam." He grinned, responding to the kiss, and turning it into something more passionate. "Umm... this feels good."
"Yep." She agreed. "Look, Jack, I think I came on a bit strong last night. You must think..."
"No Sam, I know you better than that. I don't think..."
"Hey, you have no idea what I was gonna say!"
"Yes I do."
She smiled sweetly, fingering the hair at the nape of his neck. Sometimes they could read each other like a book and no words were needed. However, sometimes... well... sometimes they couldn't.
"Much as I hate to do this Jack, I have to get ready for work."
"And I thought you'd asked your CO for the day off." He smiled slyly and she giggled a response.
"You wanna go AWOL?"
"Now that's not such a great idea in the Air Force. Court martial, yadda..."
"And making love to your CO is fine of course."
"Sure it is. Well, if it's you and me that is. I'm not sure Hammond's my type." She laughed. "Of course I wasn't thinking AWOL. I'll give you a day off and I'll call the General. I'll tell him I met the most wonderful woman last night and I want to spend some quality time with her; get more intimate." Her responding smile was dazzling
"Can we get more intimate than we were last night?"
"Sure we can. I'll show you." He smiled suggestively but she didn't take the hint.
"Later. I need a shower. You call Hammond."
She kissed him sweetly again then threw the covers back and sashayed out of the room so quickly he hardly had time to acknowledge it. Did she say shower? Oh boy!
After he made the call he approached the bathroom door. Should he go in? He still had that damned fantasy to fulfil. Well, she needed a fresh towel, didn't she? Yeah, he should go in. He quietly opened the door, wanting to surprise her, and watched her through the glass for a while.
Approaching the cubicle he opened it. Sam's eyes widened with surprise, and a smile lit her face. She beckoned him in, and his shower fantasy got fulfilled in the most wonderful way possible. Soap and shampoo played a major role in their lovemaking, as he had always imagined, and the whole experience thrilled both of them.
Afterwards, they washed the vestiges of soap from each others bodies. Jack's hair was still full of shampoo and Sam rinsed it for him. It was a luxurious and sensuous feeling.
"Sam, if you have any more expectations, forget them right now. I'm wasted." She laughed.
"Me too. Come on; let's get out before we turn to prunes under here."
She took his hand and led him out of the shower, picking up the nearest towel and starting to dry him with it. The rough towel in her hands felt good.
"On the other hand..." He teased.
"Hey! No way Jack O'Neill. Maybe later."
"I might hold you to that." He grinned, "If this old and worn out body is up to it."
"You are neither old nor worn out, lover boy."
"Huh! Wish that was true."
"Come on Jack. What would I want with a worn out has-been? You, on the other hand, are quite something."
"Why thank you Doctor Carter."
He blushed, which amused Sam immensely. Jack O'Neill blushing? If only she could tell someone about that; they wouldn't believe her anyway.
"Your turn with the towel."
His shy smile in response gave her a warm feeling inside the pit of her stomach. God, this guy could be so cute! No one would believe that either. On second thoughts, maybe they would.
After they were dry, they got dressed, went into the kitchen, and Jack made coffee. Sam watched him admiringly. The man was one hell of a hunk. They sipped their coffee in companionable silence and Sam got to thinking... way too hard and way too deep. She had told Jack she loved him, and that was true. She had implied by her words and actions that this thing between them should continue, but the cold light of day was beginning to dawn in her previously befuddled brain. Was she just caught up in the moment?
She felt confused and what had just happened between them, alongside Jack's presence, wouldn't allow straight thinking. She needed to reflect, consider the consequences.
Her sensible Major USAF brain was beginning to argue with Samantha. What the hell did they think they were doing? This course of action was far too dangerous and risky. She tried to hide these thoughts but Jack could almost see the cogs turning in his beautiful second in command's mind. Threat! He could smell it and it perturbed him.
"Sam, don't over think this." He paused, wary of the expression on her face. His Major, his Samantha Carter. Please don't do this Sam; not now! It's too late to go back. "I want... I want this to continue... I want us to have a relationship."
"Haven't we already got one of those?"
"You know what I mean. Last night... this morning... It meant something special."
"It meant something special to me too. I'm just not sure I'm ready to face all those implications. I'm not sure either of us is. You're asking me to breach the regs in a big way. It goes against the grain Jack. And don't tell me you don't feel the same."
She had him there. Sure he'd breached regs, but not for his own benefit. There was always duty and honor to consider but he was sick of sacrificing his own feelings and life to the greater good. Their lovemaking, Sam's presence in his bed, in his arms, had all reminded him how much he needed and wanted someone in his life. He longed for it to be her. Anyone else would be second best for him and that was unthinkable.
"I think we already breached those regs Sam. What's just happened was way out of line. We both know that."
"It's not too late to put a stop to it Sir." Sir? This was so not good.
"Sam! Haven't we sacrificed enough? You told me..."
"Jack! Don't you think I know it? Please Jack, I need to think straight." You are just too darned distracting Jack O'Neill, she thought. No man had ever before achieved what he had with her body, and she'd never felt impelled to act with such wanton abandon.
"I can't just shut up and leave it Sam." He knew if he pushed he might back her into a corner, in which case she could come out fighting, but he continued nonetheless. "Don't do this. Not now. You're wrong, it is too late. We can't turn back the clock and just forget all about what happened between us. Don't tell me this was all about sex Sam. Please don't tell me that."
She could see he feared it, that now they'd done it she would manage to work him out of her system and go on as before. If only things were that simple.
"What if I said it was?" He looked at her stunned. "For Christ's sake Jack, you know it isn't. You must know that."
"Do I? If it isn't then we need... we need to get to know each other better Sam. To date, to talk like normal people."
"But isn't the point that we aren't normal people? We're military, Jack, and we have an important job to do. We are risking all that if we continue with this."
"I do so wish you wouldn't be the voice of reason Sam." He replied, wondering how much they risked if they didn't continue with it. It might be their one chance in a lifetime. He, for one, did not want to miss it.
"Maybe one of us has to be. Maybe we need to step away from it and do some serious thinking."
Jack sighed at this response. She could be right but that didn't stop the whole idea hurting. The emotion showed in his face and Sam wanted to reach out to him, but refrained. She didn't want to hurt him. She loved him, but she also loved her career and her work.
This was all her fault and she knew it. Jack would never have made that first move. What had she thought she was doing? She had brought this down on them with her uncontrollable lust. Now, of course, she had that under control. Was it all about the sex? She loved him, yes, but was it enough? She had never truly thought about that question; just played around the edges of it. Now she had no choice but to think about it.
She couldn't bring herself to regret what had happened. She had wanted it so badly, right there and then. However, they both had to face the consequences of her actions. It might ruin her career but Jack could be in much more serious trouble as he was the senior officer. She couldn't allow that.
"I really do not want to hurt you Jack. I never intended..." She sighed heavily, not sure what to say, looking into his deep brown eyes and adding, "I love you Jack." Well that was something.
"But you aren't sure it's enough, right?"
Reluctantly she nodded. He had no doubts and it stung that she did. That didn't stop his little inner voice nagging that she might be right. Thinking time? Maybe he needed it too. He took her hand and she let him caress it.
"So." He wasn't sure what to say to her but did not want to let her go. "Sam, can't we still have this day?"
Sam nodded and lifted his hand to her lips. Her gentle kiss, her sweet breath on his hand, made his heart thump. He would burst with his love for her. Now it was all out in the open he couldn't see how to put it back. Nothing was ever going to be the same again, no matter what she decided. He had to have his shot at influencing that decision, at swinging things his way.
They drove out to Twin Lakes and spent the day strolling around the area, admiring the scenery. It was breathtaking out there. The beautiful lakeside beaches nestled under Mt. Elbert, the highest mountain in the state. Twin Lakes was not a glamorous resort, crowded with condos. It was a quaint, historic mining town located in a high mountain valley, surrounded with snow-capped peaks which glistened in the sunlight. The world renowned resort of Interlaken was just a few miles away. Once upon a time, it had been the playground of the rich and famous; now it was maintained as a National Historic Site.
Jack bought them lunch at a cute little place in Twin Lakes and they pretended they hadn't a care in the world. Sam was conscious that they could bump into someone they knew; someone who could ruin their lives with just a word in the wrong ear. She chose to relax as much as possible and enjoy this day with Jack as she was no longer sure that it wouldn't be their last. Jack chose a similar path, equally aware of the danger.
She wanted to be with him very much and this day served to emphasise it. He was witty and charming, generous and loving. She knew he was trying hard to convince her they should be together, and he was succeeding. However, at the end of the day she determined she would part from him, at least for a few days, to give her a chance to put it all into perspective.
"I like it around here," Jack said, "the lakes remind me a little of Minnesota. I'd love you to see it, the cabin, the lake, everything." She squeezed his hand in response.
"One day, Jack, I promise."
"It might never happen if we stop this now."
"I don't really want to stop it..." He looked at her. She was prevaricating and it was damned annoying. "I just need time to think Jack. Let's not spoil this now." Changing the subject she said, "So the great Jack O'Neill loves trees after all, does he? Shall I tell?"
"I trust you to keep my secrets." He replied laughingly. "The great Jack O'Neill? Oh puleeze, give me a break."
"I'll consider it." She smiled and leaned towards him for a kiss. If she was playing a game, it appeared 'the great Jack O'Neill' might be winning. He hoped so; was pretty determined he would.
"I could resign." He stated, out of the blue, shocking her.
"You can't do that Jack."
"Why not?"
"The SGC still needs you."
"Bullshit!"
"I admit it is one option. Can we not do anything too hasty here? Why do you think I need this time to think it all through?"
"I guess I wish you didn't feel the need to think it all through."
"Jack! A few days. That's all."
"We've waited so long already Sam."
"I know. So a few more days won't hurt will they?" Sam said, and Jack thought a few more days might make all the difference in the world. He wasn't happy about it. "I thought we weren't going to talk about this now Jack." She added.
"Ok! Ok! I surrender. We talk about it when we get back to the Springs." So the subject remained unspoken for the rest of the day.
They had used Sam's car to get out to Twin Lakes and she drove home. It was starting to get late and they both needed to be at the SGC early the following morning.
"You coming in?" He asked, hopefully, when they got to his place.
"I probably shouldn't, but I will." She smiled and his heart soared. Was he winning her over? Don't get your hopes up too high Jack, he warned himself.
Once again they sipped coffee, this time in his living room, not at the kitchen table.
"You still want time to think about all of this Sam?"
"I'm sorry..." She tailed off, unable to look him in the eye. They'd had such a wonderful day and she was reluctant to spoil it. It had given her a taste of how things could be and she knew they could be really good.
"I wish..." He started, unable or unwilling to express himself further. Instead he put his arm around her and she tried to pull away.
"Sam," He said quietly in response, the pain eating at his insides, "if you are gonna leave me here contemplating my navel at least let's not part with a sour taste in our mouths, ok?"
She nodded and let him hold her. It made her feel warm and secure and she knew she wanted that just as much as anything else, if not more. The only way to make up her mind was to distance herself from him in some way.
"I just don't want the physical to overcome the emotional, ok?" She said, leaving him at a loss as to what to do or say. "Perhaps I ought to go now."
Inside he was screaming that he should stop her, speak, act, do anything, but he remained silent, kissing her hair. She squeezed him gently and then escaped his grasp and stood up. He walked her to the door.
"I guess this is goodbye then, huh, Sam?"
"Not goodbye Jack. We're friends, whatever, right?"
"I'm not sure that's enough anymore. Whatever happens now Sam, you know things are never going to be the same." So we might as well go for it, he thought, and to hell with everyone and everything else.
"I'll bear that in mind. The weekend, ok?" She said, grinning, and giving him hope again. She took him in her arms and pulled him to her and he returned the hug, snuggling his face into her neck.
"Yeah... sure... the weekend Sam." Unsure what that portended, but it was only a few days away and that was good. "I'll see you at the SGC in the morning then."
"Yes Colonel." She said as she pulled away, turned and left. He watched her go to her car, get in and drive away. She didn't look back and he prayed that she wasn't driving out of his life forever.
Closing the door he sat and thought about it. Maybe it had been too perfect, too good to be true; the story of his life. He could not let her do this, but respected her need for thinking time. That did not, however, stop him taking action.
Sam tried to shut it all out on the way home and concentrate on her driving but, when she got in, she started to shake. Was it all a mistake? Should she have stayed? He might never know how much she had wanted to. Why do you doubt this Sam, she asked herself? All those years of yearning, loving, suppressing. It had all come out way too quickly and it scared her, even though she had instigated it. Why couldn't she make things simple and just be with him? Oh, no. Major Carter couldn't do that. She was an idiot and far too sensible for her own good.
Sam cursed herself, unsure anymore as to why she wasn't with Jack right now, making love, or merely lying in his arms. Samantha Carter, you are such a fool; you already know what you really want. Why are you so scared to just reach out and take it?
The knock at her door early next morning puzzled her. When she answered, a huge bunch of flowers hid the delivery man.
"Samantha Carter?"
"Yes"
She smiled. This had to be Jack. Who else? He was trying to woo her and it felt good. She wondered how he had managed to arrange this delivery when they'd been together until late the previous day, figuring he must have done it before they had even left for Twin Lakes.
Rushing the flowers through to her kitchen she was wondering whether she actually had any vases big enough for this bouquet. There was a card. It read 'Samantha, it's too late to turn back. J x'. Her heart pounded loudly. Jack! It's not as simple as that and you know it. She caressed the card in her fingers knowing that it was something she would keep forever, whatever the outcome, even though she knew it had been written by someone else. They were his words.
Breathing in the scent of the flowers, she finally found a large vase and arranged them. Amongst them were a few roses and she plucked one out.
"You are coming to work with me buddy." She told it.
Some people looked at her a little askance as she carried the red rose down into the bowels of the earth and to her lab. She found an appropriate container and went to the mess for coffee and breakfast. He was already there, sitting alone at a table in the corner, surrounded by files. It would seem strange if she did not sit with him, she should make things appear as normal as possible.
"Morning Sir." She said as she slipped into the chair opposite him.
"Morning Carter. Nice day, isn't it?" He smiled at her in the most winning way conceivable, looking into her eyes, and then he turned back to the files.
"Yes Sir. Pity to be stuck inside the mountain."
"Them's the breaks. Of course, we could always go AWOL..." He left the rest unsaid and didn't lift his eyes from the files as he spoke.
"That's probably not such a great idea Sir."
"No. Probably not." He looked up again, catching her eyes once more. "You seem to be in a good mood Carter." He raised his brows in a question.
"Oh, a good friend of mine sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, Colonel. It kind of... made my day. It was very sweet of him." Sweet?
"Him? Oh yeah?" His smile was teasing and his eyes danced with mirth.
"Yes Sir, him." She returned the smile.
"I'm glad to know you have a life outside of this place Carter. About time." His eyes strayed back to his paperwork. "Good luck with it."
"Umm... thank you Sir, I might need it."
He looked up at her again wondering what she actually meant by that remark, but was unable to continue as Daniel chose that moment to join them. The guy had incredibly bad timing.
"Morning Jack, Sam." Daniel said.
"Hi Daniel. And how are you this bright and sunny day. Carter just refused to go AWOL with me. How about you?"
"Umm... well, actually Jack, I have an artefact..."
"For crying out loud Daniel, I was kidding. You can be way too serious sometimes. Do you know that?"
"Well actually Jack, it might surprise you to learn that I do know that."
Sam sighed. If it was going to be one of those Jack and Daniel mornings it was time to go and start her tests.
"Well guys, I've got work to do. I'll leave you to it."
"What is it you're doing again today Carter? Remind me." Jack asked.
"I'm running some tests on that alien doohickey SG-13 brought back from their last little field trip, Sir."
"Doohickey Carter? You should watch those bad habits you're picking up from your CO, Major."
"I'm sure they're not all bad, Colonel." She met Jack's smile with her own and left the boys to play their games. Daniel felt like he had missed something in their brief exchange.
"What's going on Jack?" Daniel asked when she had left.
"What do you mean?" Jack replied. Had it been that obvious?
"Oh... I don't know. Forget it."
Jack breathed a sigh of relief. In theory he ought to be more careful while they were around everyone else, at least until this thing was resolved. He wasn't sure he was up to that task anymore, having played that role for far too long already.
"Well, Danny boy," Jack said, and smiled inwardly at Daniel's irked expression on hearing his use of that nickname, "I have work to do." He picked up his files and left Daniel alone, hiding himself in his office. He really needed to catch up with this paperwork; however loathed he was to do it.
Later on he sent Sam an e-mail simply saying 'Knock, Knock', and tapped his fingers impatiently for a response.
Ten minutes later he got his reply 'g Who's there?'
Jack: 'Iris!'
Sam: 'Iris who?'
Jack: 'Iris you were here!
Sam: 'Ha, ha, groan!'
He knew she had laughed and considered himself satisfied with that few minutes work, merely replying with ' ;-) ', which served to remind Sam that he knew more about the world of computers than he liked to let on.
In the afternoon, Jack decided to go for it and risk paying a visit to his favourite Major. As he stood at the door watching, he noticed the solitary rose on her desk and grinned to himself in a self satisfied way.
"Come in Sir." Sam said, without even pausing to look up. She sensed his presence in her doorway; always could. Much to her horror, her heart rate started to rise.
"Hi Carter. Just thought I'd mosey along to see how you're getting along."
"Sure Sir." She looked up and saw his eyes looking at the rose.
"So this man of yours... roses?" What was this game he was playing, she asked herself, but happily continued to play along.
"Oh, it was a mixture of flowers Sir. This is just one of 'em."
"A little reminder, huh?" He asked.
"Something like that."
"Good." He beamed at her and Sam thought him a little too smug. However, she let the thought die as she luxuriated in his brilliant smile. He could knock a woman dead with that smile.
"He shouldn't take anything for granted though." She warned, her tone friendly rather than forbidding.
"I'm sure no man would be foolish enough to do that with you Carter." The smile was gone and replaced with a dead pan expression. "Well, I guess I'd better get back to that darned paperwork the Pentagon cares so much about." He said, clapping his hands and rubbing them together. "I hope the...er... whatever it is you're doing goes well." He waved his hands through the air in a careless gesture and then turned and left before she could say anything.
A secretive smile lit his face as he returned to his office. That was enough for one day, now how about tomorrow?
Sam smiled stupidly at her empty room for at least 10 minutes, unable to concentrate on her work. A warm feeling suffused her as she thought about him. She couldn't really see any prospect of her turning Jack down. There was no way she was going to say no to him; she knew that. She had told him the weekend; she'd have made up her mind how to tackle it by then. If Jack continued to woo her in this strange but rather interesting way then it could be fun between now and then.
When the delivery man was on her doorstep again the following morning Sam was more than surprised. This time it was a dozen red roses.
"This guy's got it bad." The delivery guy commented.
"Yes, I do believe he has." Sam replied, dreamily.
This time the card simply read 'Samantha, I love you. J x' and she found her heart pounding even faster than it had the previous morning.
She sought him out, relieved to find him in the mess once again, and settled herself opposite him.
"It was a dozen red roses this morning Sir."
"Really? This guy of yours has got it bad." He searched her eyes.
"It seems so. That's what the delivery guy said." Jack smiled again.
"So Carter, is it serious?" He risked asking.
"Maybe."
"You aren't sure?"
"It's not that simple Sir."
"Isn't it?" His eyes questioned that.
"Well, it is and it isn't."
"I'm sure you'll make the right decision Carter." He certainly hoped so.
"Yes Sir."
She was disappointed that she received no e-mails or visits from him that day and was surprised and delighted when he rang her at home that night.
"Knock, Knock." he said without even a hello.
"Who's there?" She grinned to herself, stomach churning with excitement.
"Jaws!"
"Jaws who?"
"Jaws truly!"
"Jaws truly awful." She said as she laughed and he joined in.
"Tomorrow Carter."
"Yes Sir."
That was it. He rang off abruptly leaving her with the phone to her ear daydreaming about him. In bed that night she fantasised he was there in her arms and cuddled a pillow close to her breast.
When the delivery guy turned up again the following morning, Sam wondered if this was going to happen every day until she told Jack her decision. She wouldn't be surprised. It wasn't flowers this time, but a huge bunch of balloons. The card said 'How am I doing Samantha? Any hope? J'.
When she got to the SGC, she avoided the mess instead sending him an e-mail saying 'I'm thinking of eloping with the delivery man." Five minutes later Jack was standing in her doorway again as she knew he would.
"Morning, Carter."
"Sir."
"Cute delivery guy, huh?"
"Oh yes Sir." Actually, he was short, balding and had a large pot belly.
"Ummm... Perhaps your guy ought to check out the competition." He joked, raising a big grin from his second in command.
"Had you wanted something in particular Sir? I have to finish this sometime today." They were going off world tomorrow and Hammond had given her until then to solve the mysteries of the 'doohickey'.
"Carter... I was thinking... hey don't look so shocked." She giggled. "The four of us haven't been out for a while. So how about tonight? Steaks, strictly soft drinks only? Not too late? After all we are on a mission tomorrow. Daniel and Teal'c are game. How about you?"
Jack had set up this little scenario the previous day. It was the closest he could get to dating her right now. Surely two chaperones should be enough.
"I'm not sure Sir."
"You've got another arrangement? This man of yours for example?" He asked, jocularly. Inside he was pleading, please don't say no Sam, I'm missing you.
"Not really. I'm still giving that situation some serious consideration Sir."
"Well I'm pleased to hear that. The guy deserves a break. So, how about it? Tonight? 7.00 at O'Malley's?"
"Daniel and Teal'c are actually coming, aren't they Sir?" She asked, suspiciously.
"Of course Carter. Would I lie to you? I wouldn't..." He was going to say 'push it that far' but decided against it.
"Ok, I'll be there." She agreed and relief was evident in his face.
"Right. Great. See you later then."
When she arrived at O'Malley's her three team mates were already there. Daniel and Teal'c sat opposite Jack, leaving the seat next to him for her. She fleetingly wondered if Jack had planned it that way, deciding that there was no way he would have said anything to either of their friends about their situation.
"Hi Carter. Glad you could make it." Jack said pleasantly, smiling as she sat down.
"Sir, guys." She nodded a greeting to Daniel and Teal'c.
Once again Jack was witty and charming, determined to prove what good company he could be. He paid a lot of attention to Sam while not neglecting his other team mates. Daniel was puzzled by Jack's behaviour; pretty sure that something was going on that he didn't know about. Was Jack flirting with Sam?
They'd always had their moments but there was something about this that Daniel couldn't quite put his finger on. It was different. He decided to rib Jack about it at the earliest opportunity - while Sam wasn't around, of course. In the meantime he joined in the conversation as normal, but kept a watchful eye on proceedings. Sam appeared to be enjoying it.
After dinner Jack suggested a game of pool. Daniel and Teal'c declined and watched Jack and Sam as they competed. Jack didn't stand a chance in hell of beating Sam at this game, Daniel thought, she is just too good.
"Colonel, you should have gone for that ball." Sam said, pointing to the table.
"Well, Carter, perhaps you ought to show me, next time." Jack smiled.
She missed her next shot and Jack was pretty convinced she'd done it deliberately as even he could have potted that one. She got up close to him; he could feel her breath on his face and his heart raced with desire.
"Look Sir," She said in a playful, but respectful tone, "do it like this; that ball there. Look along the line of the cue. I'm surprised you aren't better at this game, Colonel. If you can aim a gun accurately it doesn't take much to extend that to pool."
Jack smiled, savouring her attention, and almost gasped aloud when she put her hands over his on the cue and leaned over the table with him, pulling back the cue. He followed her line of vision. They hit the ball and it went right into the pocket with deadly accuracy. Sam slowly and agonisingly extricated herself from Jack. He was just glad he was wearing loose trousers. Wicked tease Sam, but wonderful, he thought.
Daniel raised his eyebrows and looked at Teal'c. Now Sam was flirting with Jack, in the most outrageous way. What was going on?
"Teal'c, have you noticed anything unusual tonight," he asked curiously, in low voice, "between Jack and Sam?"
"Indeed, DanielJackson." Teal'c replied. Neither man could have failed to notice.
"So what do you suggest my next move should be Carter?" Jack asked, looking deep into her eyes. Daniel began to wonder why he and Teal'c were even there. Right now their other two team mates were behaving as if they weren't.
"Well, if it was me, I'd go for that shot." She said, indicating her line of thought with her hands.
"That looks hard Carter." He said.
"Well, Sir, it isn't. Not really."
She smiled sweetly and moved to demonstrate it to him once again. They stood so close together there was no space between them. Why don't these two just get a room, thought Daniel? You could cut the sexual tension with a knife.
"Knock, Knock." Jack whispered while she was close to him, so that Daniel and Teal'c couldn't hear. She smiled and took the bait.
"Who's there?"
"Ivan!"
"Ivan who?"
"Ivan enormous snake in my pocket!" He exclaimed and Sam chuckled.
"Really Sir? You ought to watch out for those pesky things, Colonel, they can be dangerous." She looked at him and waggled her eyebrows suggestively, making Jack titter in response.
This time the ball did not behave as it should have.
"You jogged me Sir!" Sam said with faked petulance.
"Did not."
"Did so... Sir"
"Well... whatever." Jack grinned and shrugged. "Your turn Carter."
"Actually, I need to go where you men can't follow." She said, disappearing to the ladies room and leaving Jack with a stupid smile plastered on his face. Daniel made his move.
"Something you wanna tell us Jack? You and Sam are being a little, well, you know... " He asked, direct and to the point.
"What do you mean Daniel?" Jack replied with an expression of innocence.
"Don't be coy Jack. We both have eyes in our heads and are pretty intelligent guys." Daniel responded indicating him and Teal'c as the "we" he'd referred to.
"Just remember that I said nothing, O'Neill." Teal'c intervened at Daniel's inclusion of him in the question. Jack smiled.
"For crying out loud, Daniel, nothing's going on. We are just having a friendly game of pool here."
"Jack!" Daniel exclaimed in frustration.
"Daniel." Jack said with a neutral expression, unperturbed by Daniel's reaction. He had known they would notice something; it couldn't be avoided. No way was Daniel going to get anything out of him and Daniel knew it, so he gave up, thinking he might raise it another time.
When Sam came back they finished the game without further overt flirting, although Daniel noticed some of the looks they exchanged. Sam won of course. Jack joked that next time they'd try arm wrestling and he and Sam laughed as if it was a private joke. Neither Daniel nor Teal'c got it.
After that Jack decided to call it a night. They all needed a good night's sleep if they were going to be alert off-world the next day. It was a routine mission but one should always be prepared for anything.
They parted in the parking lot and, once Jack had disappeared to his truck, Daniel quizzed Sam.
"So what is going on with you and Jack, Sam?"
"What do you mean Daniel?" She said, echoing her CO's own reply.
"It's just that you... seemed more friendly than normal?" He ventured.
"Really? I hadn't noticed." She replied, dead pan expression on her face. Daniel knew he was going to get nowhere with her too, but vowed he would get to the bottom of it.
Early next morning the same delivery man was on her doorstep again. He held a single, very beautiful, white orchid in a pretty box.
"Aren't you gonna say yes to this guy soon? Put the poor chump out of his misery?" The man said, making Sam laugh.
"Probably." She replied, "But I am enjoying it."
The man sighed and muttered something about 'women' under his breath as he was leaving.
The card inside the box said 'Samantha, you warm my heart, please let me warm yours, J'.
Oh Jack! Her heart was so warmed, it was almost boiling.
When she got to the SGC she rushed to the mess but he was conspicuously absent. So she hurried to his office, which was also lacking his presence. Where the heck was he? In the end she didn't catch up with him until they all met in the gate room, ready for the mission.
Instead of saying what she had wanted to, she started on a knock, knock joke as they approached the event horizon side by side, remembering when he had done the same thing as they stepped through the gate for the fateful mission that had started all this.
"Knock, Knock." She said.
"Who's there?" He answered, obligingly.
"Dewey!"
"Dewey who?" He timed it perfectly so that he said it as they entered the wormhole and when they came out on the other side, she finished.
"Dewey have to keep saying all these jokes!"
Jack thought this hilarious and was glad Teal'c had gone through first. At least one of the four of them was alert.
"More trees. Oy!" Jack said as he looked around, his eyes alighting on Sam, who suppressed a grin. It seemed he was winning this little game, but they were on a mission now and should not allow themselves to get distracted, so he quickly became business like and Sam took his lead.
A little later, as they walked together, she ventured a comment.
"It was a white orchid this morning Sir."
"Really? How romantic." He smiled. "So how is he doing?"
"He'll have to wait until the weekend to find out." She replied, a hint of a tease in her voice.
"Well, that's tomorrow Carter."
"So it is Sir."
Despite the warmth that he felt from her reactions, Jack was taking nothing for granted. This was partly because she had warned him not to, but partly because he was not a man that was over filled with confidence in his abilities as far as this particular woman was concerned.
Underneath, doubt gnawed at him, leaving a nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach. If she did decide that the practical and reticent Major should win over the devil may care and forthright Samantha, he was determined to fight it tooth and nail. He could no longer bear the concept of her loss to him.
They had found nothing of interest on the planet and were on their way home. Would she really tell him her decision tomorrow? He held a good deal of hope that it would be in his favour, regardless of his qualms. He was debating it all in his mind, instead of concentrating, when the staff blast hit him in the chest, full force.
Oh God! Distraction was one reason why you shouldn't fall in love with one of your team mates, he thought as he fell, and then nothing.
Sam was aghast and ran over to him, careless of her own danger.
"Jack!" She cried as she crouched down next to his prone body.
TBC in Part 8
