A/N: Yeah, I'll admit it; the ring was a stroke of divine inspiration. And I'd definitely like one for myself. (Anyone know where I might find some Naquadah lying around?) Glad you're all enjoying this as much as I am. It's funny, because some of your comments and suggestions are already things I'd planned on using in future chapters, so don't be surprised when you see your ideas show up! Great minds think alike, I guess.
This is the fourth chapter I've written in as many days. I sincerely doubt I can keep this pace up for long, but I do pledge to get at least a chapter a week up, even amidst chaos. I hope you all keep reading. I love your comments, suggestions, ideas, and feedback, so please keep them coming!!
Chapter 19
Sam stared at the tanned, calloused hand that had so gently slid the ring on her finger. Unlike her own hand, which was shaking like a leaf, his was steady and cool to the touch. It was strong and distinguished; the hand of a soldier. She'd seen those long, sculpted fingers pull the trigger in the heat of combat, and she'd felt them caress her skin in the heat of passion. Never, however, had she really expected to see them presenting her with an engagement ring.
In spite of the weeks of fantasizing, Sam hadn't really believed that he would propose. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she'd always felt he'd been burned too badly in his past to overcome those old wounds and move forward. Sure, she'd dreamed of being his wife. But in her heart-of-hearts, she'd always acknowledged that it was never going to happen.
Some part of her still refused to believe in this reality, despite the evidence winking at her from her left hand. She looked up at him, stunned and breathless. Forcing air past her frozen vocal cords, she managed to speak in a somewhat strangled tone.
"My God, Jack. Yes." Then, more forcefully, "Yes! Of course I will." Tears were beginning to streak down her face, and her voice was choked with emotion. Shaking her head, as if in an effort to clear her thoughts, Sam swiped her right hand across her cheeks. Something between a sob and a delighted laugh emerged from her throat. It felt as though a floodgate of emotion had opened deep inside her, releasing a tidal wave of feelings.
Staring into his warm, brown eyes, she tried to read his thoughts. "Please tell me that you aren't just asking because my father threatened you."
Jack burst out laughing, genuinely amused. "Hell, no. Sam, I'd been wrestling with the decision since the night you first brought me pizza. I just didn't think you'd have me." His features assumed a far-off expression. "When Jacob cornered me, he made it sound like I was the obstacle to a marriage between us. I was a little shocked by that. I always figured that if one of us was going to be opposed to tying the knot, it'd be you." He focused on her again, looking sincere. "When we spoke in your office after meeting with the Joint Chiefs, you could have knocked me over with a bottle cap. You said you actually wanted to marry me." He grinned. "Only a total idiot would pass up an opportunity like that."
Sam laughed, still sniffling. "How could I not want you?" Her smile was brighter than the afternoon sun. "I love you, Jack. I've loved you for years. No matter how wrapped up I'd be in my science, you would always manage to keep my feet planted solidly on the ground. When I was lost, you'd find a direction for me. You made me laugh when the world was falling apart – literally. You made me question things I'd always just accepted in life. And now, in the past few months, you've made me feel like more than just an officer and a scientist – you've made me feel like a woman. When you look at me, I can believe I'm beautiful and interesting. I love your honor, your determination. I love how you can be irreverent but still dedicated. I love how you never sweat the small stuff. In short, I love you. All of you."
Jack shook his head slowly in amazement. "Carter, sometimes you make me wish I had your way with words." He smiled at her. "Now would definitely be one of those times."
She returned his smile with a tender one of her own. "You don't have to say anything, Jack. I'll always hear what you don't say."
Swallowing, he looked a bit nervous. "Yeah, maybe that's true." Taking a deep breath, he seemed to be building up his courage. "But there are some things you shouldn't have to imagine." He looked into her eyes with fierce intensity. "I love you, Sam. If I haven't said it before, it's because I'm a chicken. But if you're really in for the whole 'till death do us part' business, then I think you deserve to hear that from my lips."
Another half-sob, half-laugh escaped Sam's throat. As tears continued to steam down her face, she stood up slightly, leaned across the table and planted a sweet, tender kiss on his lips. "I already knew," she whispered, "but thank you so much for telling me anyway." She gazed into his eyes. "Your heart is safe with me, Jack. I won't ever let you down." Sinking back into her chair, she let her gaze linger on his face.
Jack, for his part, seemed almost on the verge of tears himself. Clearing his throat, he squeezed Sam's hand gently before turning his attention to the ring. It was a perfect fit, and looked breathtaking on her long, elegant finger. "You have no idea how much effort I put into getting this ring made," he said, humor ringing in his voice.
Sam gave him a watery smile. "Is it really Naquadah?"
He looked almost offended. "Hell, yes! When I decided that I was really going to go through with this proposal, I knew I needed to bring some heavy artillery with me. No ordinary ring could live up to the task." He caressed her finger, gently rotating the ring so that the emerald caught the light. "The stone was my grandmother's. It used to be part of a necklace, but the setting broke. The Naquadha was a little tougher to come by." He grinned. "Not a lot of it just lying around. And, despite what you might think, saving the world doesn't always guarantee favors from the government." He shook his head wryly. "Lucky for me, Shinsall had enough pull with her government to dig some up for me. She also managed to find a jeweler who could construct the ring and do the etching." The corner of his mouth lifted in his trademark half-smile. "Not a lot of US military folk are familiar with Naquadah and goldsmithing."
She issued a delighted laugh. "I suppose not." Examining the piece of jewelry, Sam appeared awestruck. "I can't believe how much trouble you went through for this."
He examined her, looking both tender and serious. "You're worth it."
His simple statement brought more tears to her eyes. Laughing, she shook her head. "Okay, you have to stop doing that. I'm going to look like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by tomorrow."
Just then, the waitress approached the table, carrying a dazzling array of Italian cuisine. Seeing Sam's happy tears and the beautiful ring on her left hand, she smiled knowingly. "A proposal!" she exclaimed. After depositing the dishes on the table, she leaned in for a closer look at the ring. "Oh my goodness, that's incredible! I've never seen anything like it. What a beautiful setting!" Then, her forehead wrinkled in confusion. "What kind of metal is that? It almost looks like titanium, but it has more luster."
Sam swallowed a laugh. "It's an alloy," she fudged. "I have sensitive skin, so Jack found something that he knew wouldn't cause a rash."
The waitress smiled. "Oh, how thoughtful!" She gave one last admiring look at the piece of jewelry before returning to her duties. "Well, congratulations, you two. Good luck, and let me know if I can get you anything else."
When she left the table, Jack glanced at Sam with amusement. "Gee, Carter. I'm learning so much about you today. Eastern medicine. Skin sensitivities." He grinned. "I had no idea you were so complex."
She laughed. "Well, it's a good thing one of us can think on our feet. I thought you were going to blurt out the truth when the doctor asked us about fertility drugs."
Jack shared her amusement. "Yeah, that's why I keep you around. You always have the right answers." Then he wiggled his eyebrows at her. "Well, maybe that's not the only reason I keep you around…"
Seeing his eyes darken with passion, Sam decided that she wasn't as interested in a long, relaxing dinner as she'd originally thought. Now she thought that it might be better to just eat and run – directly to Jack's apartment and his king-sized bed.
As Jack turned onto the residential street where he lived, he had to concentrate on his driving. Anticipation of the night ahead had him ready to drive over curbs, mailboxes, and just about anything else between them and his bed. As his driveway came into view, however, he was dismayed to see a familiar car in the driveway. Not particularly surprised, but dismayed nonetheless.
Sam obviously saw it at the same moment, because she began chuckling. "So I take it Daniel and Teal'c were in on the Naquadah negotiations?"
Jack grimaced. "They weren't supposed to be. But Shinsall's people were so formal, they would only allow our 'official ambassador' the first visit. Since that was Daniel, I had to clue him in on my plan."
Smiling, she fixed him with a knowing look. "And Teal'c?"
He shrugged. "I figured if Daniel knew, it'd be just plain rude to exclude T."
Sam laughed again. "And they obviously knew you were popping the question tonight?"
"Are you kidding?" Jack rolled his eyes. "They were worse than old ladies. Constantly pestering me, begging for gossip. I finally gave in just to shut 'em up."
She shook her head, still visibly amused. "Somehow, I have a hard time picturing Teal'c pestering you like an old lady."
He looked at her with mock-seriousness. "Don't let that whole somber Jaffa act fool you. He's a real wild thing underneath it all."
As they pulled into the driveway, Sam could see that Daniel and Teal'c were sitting on the front step, waving as they pulled in.
Not waiting for Jack to come around and open the door, she hopped out of the truck as soon as it stopped. Her face was beaming with joy as she walked toward them.
Daniel's face lit up at the sight of her obvious happiness. "Yes?" he asked, brimming with excitement.
Sam just laughed, held up her left hand, and nodded blissfully. With a whoop of elation, Daniel rushed forward and grabbed her in a bear hug.
"Hey! Quit fondling my fiancé!" Jack tossed the comment out with his usual dry humor.
Momentarily pulling away from Sam, Daniel's face never lost its gleeful smile. As Jack walked over, Daniel extended his hand. Jack readily accepted it, and the two exchanged a manly 'handshake-to-hug' which left Sam smiling.
"Congratulations, you two." The scientist looked almost as excited about the engagement as Sam had.
She laughed. "As if you thought for a moment that I'd turn him down."
Daniel shot Jack a significant look. "That's what I kept telling him. He didn't believe me."
Sam gazed fondly at her fiancé. "Yeah, well, he's a little slow sometimes."
"Hey!" Jack pretended to sound insulted. "Shouldn't you be nice to me? I did, after all, just give you that big, shiny hunk of metal on your left hand."
"If betrothal customs here are anything like those on Chulak, then your chances of getting undiluted praise and approval from Samantha have just plummeted significantly. Where I come from, it is said that a woman begins taking charge of her future husband from the moment the troth is given." Teal'c had quietly approached the happy group, and was now extending his own hand to Jack.
Smiling, Jack accepted Teal'c's outstretched hand, and proceeded to repeat both the handshake and backslapping hug that he'd shared with Daniel moments earlier.
Teal'c smiled at both Jack and Sam. "You have my sincerest congratulations. I wish you many years of happiness together." He paused, looking at them thoughtfully. "It is also customary on Chulak to offer a betrothed couple wishes for their future fertility. I suppose, in this case, that such wishes are unnecessary."
Jack looked at Teal'c with mock-surprise. "T, did you just make a joke?"
The large Jaffa stared back at him, unblinking. "Just because I do not have your knack for spouting frivolity at every opportunity, does not mean I lack a sense of humor."
Daniel and Sam both laughed appreciatively. "Well said," Sam said with a grin.
Jack looked at his friends, shaking his head. "Well, guys, I'd invite you in for a drink, but I have some important business to take care of." The direct look he shot at his fiancé left no room to doubt just what that business was. "And this time, I don't care if she denies me pizza for a month. I'm not letting you barge in."
Daniel smiled knowingly. "Yeah, I figured. We actually decided to camp out here and wait, so that we wouldn't interrupt anything by showing up after you got back."
Jack looked impressed. "Wow, Daniel. That was awfully thoughtful of you." He smiled. "Now go away."
Laughing, Sam watched merrily as the two retreated to Daniel's car. Both men waved as they pulled out of the driveway.
She looked at Jack and once again felt tenderness bloom in her heart. "All right, General. You've got me all to yourself now."
With battle-tested speed and agility, Jack swooped over and lifed Sam into his arms. Ignoring her shrieks of protest, he walked to his front step, holding her close to his heart. Setting her down briefly to open the door, he quickly picked her back up and carried her across the threshold.
"Jack!" she laughed, "You're not supposed to do that until after we're married!"
He grinned devilishly at her. "Yeah, well, tonight I'm planning to do lots of things we're not supposed to do until after we're married." Winking, he continued to make his way to the bedroom.
Sam smiled and ceased her protesting. It was hard to argue with logic like that.