They stayed in each other's arms for over an hour, comforting one another and talking quietly about Cassie. Finally, they pulled away, smiling awkwardly and then getting up off of the couch. Jack followed Sam into the kitchen and frowned at the now ruined uneaten soup.
"So, you up for pizza?" He asked glibly, hoping to lighten the mood.
"Definitely. Just no onions or peppers, I don't think I'm quite ready for that." She answered with a smile.
"Right. Besides, they're killer on the breath." He saw her shocked expression and hurried to explain. "Well, we still plan on talking tonight, right?"
"Talking? Yes, just talking." She saw his nod of confirmation and smiled brightly. "So, why don't you call it in and I'll go change into something less frumpy."
Jack watched her walk toward the bedroom door and waited until the door was nearly closed before calling out. "I like frumpy."
The door clicked shut loudly and Sam yelled from the room, "I know."
Jack grinned broadly and reached for the phone. Placing the order, he turned at the sound of the bedroom door opening. He swallowed nervously when he saw what she was wearing.
"What?" Sam asked, puzzled by his flushed appearance. She glanced down at the pink sweater and faded jeans she wore. Not seeing what was so mesmerizing, she walked over to him and noticed his gaze following her. "
What is so fascinating about what I have on?"
"Pink." His voice squeaked, and he cleared his throat. "Uh, I've never seen you wear pink. Blue, yes. Light blue, occasionally. And that red dress at Christmas is burned into my mind, but I never pictured you in pink."
"You picture me?"
Scrambling to come up with an excuse, he gave up and admitted sheepishly, "Yeah."
"So why not pink? I have another shirt in my closet this color, but it's a tank top. I didn't think it would be appropriate."
She saw his eyes widen at the mention of the shirt and laughed, "Maybe some other time?"
Jack nodded in wonder, and then shook his head as if to clear it. "No, not a good idea. Not until we're ready for something else and maybe not even then. I don't think I'd be able to maintain protocol with you wearing that. Best just leave it in the closet."
"Okay, if that's what you want. But I should warn you, it has a matching mini skirt." She teased, backing away from him and walking into the kitchen for a drink.
"Oh, that's just mean!" He complained loudly, hands on hips and pouting like a child.
"Yes, it was. So, I hope the pizza's on it's way, I'm starving." She offered him a soda and began to clear the dishes from the table.
Jack stood rooted to the spot, and smiled wistfully. "This is nice."
"What?" Sam asked over the sound of running water in the sink.
"Nothing. Just thinking out loud." He fibbed, smirking at the sight of his 'friend' washing dishes, in real clothes and bare feet.
Smiling to herself, she began to hum a familiar tune. She realized that she finally had the one thing she had always wanted, someone to love for the rest of her life.
Janet was right. He had known and he would keep it a secret. It would be their secret as long as there was a war to fight or rules to follow.
End.