Disclaimer: None of these people belong to me – go figure.
A/N: Oooh… always wanted to write an author's note… wish I had something interesting to say. This is my first fic, if you like it, tell me. If you hate it, don't tell me and just pretend you like it…
Stalemate.
Neither moving forward, neither daring to back away.
Any move at all risked setting off a fiery chain of events, a chain not easily halted, not easily broken.
The consequences of which could be catastrophic.
Stalemate.
The air, dripping with tension; a single bead of sweat escaped his brow, and glistened across the throbbing vein in his temple.
Eyes locked, never once daring to stray. Blue eyes reflected in brown, each desperately seeking to gain entry through these supposed 'windows to the soul', desperately trying to read the other person's thoughts, desperately trying to predict the other's next cause of action.
Both poised and ready…
Yet, neither moving forward, neither daring to back away.
Stalemate.
"Carter?" An unrecognisable glint in his eye… one of uncertainty? Of humour? Or something else…
"Yes Sir?" The glint reflected. Yet should they be approaching this dangerous ground so? Her mind screams at her to stop, to end this before it's too late. But the reward is too tempting… she can imagine it now… how can she possible resist?
"Are you sure you want to be doing this?" His eyes narrow, again seeking to try and see exactly how serious she is. "Are you ready to deal with the consequences?"
She stands her ground, and he immediately picks up on the difference in her bearing. He is obviously trained to do so, to be aware of his team at all times, and for some reason, he'd always been more aware of her. He recognises the resolve in her stance, he'd seen it before. What with all the times they nearly died together in the field, and all the times she'd struggled with a tough decision, he could surely recognise that look from his Major who's made up her mind, a Major who is at peace with her decision.
He blinks. Once. Twice.
A small smile tugs at one corner of her mouth. The smile grows, first tugging at the other corner, and then spreading across the whole mouth until she is sporting a full blown grin.
"Carter…"
Her eyes now alight with the realisation and excitement of what she is about to do.
He takes the slightest step back.
"Sam…"
She raises her arm slowly, positions herself accordingly, him being totally aware of what her arm is doing, and yet helpless to move, eyes ever locked… her arm… ever higher… ever higher… higher… higher…
SPLAT!
"CARTER! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!"
Sam drops the now empty spoon as she moves her hand to vainly attempt to hold in the giggles now forcing their way out of her. But then realising the complete and utter look of shock on her CO's face at the glob of vanilla ice cream sliding tauntingly slowly down the front his shirt, the laughter wins over and Sam bursts into uncontrollable laughter.
"Oh you're soooooooo gonna get it now…"
The empty spoon lies forgotten as Sam pelts off round Jack's back yard, Jack himself in hot pursuit.
"Not again". Daniel shakes his head and takes a spoonful of ice cream himself and deposits it safely in his open mouth. "So much for a nice calm afternoon out with the team".
Teal'c glances sideways from his seat adjacent to Daniel at the table on Jack's patio. A single eyebrow rising as per usual.
"Indeed"
Daniel glances to the laughing pair as Jack finally catches up with Sam and tackles her to the ground, ruthlessly beginning the agonising torture feared by all. The giggles overtake Sam completely as Jack's hands move mercilessly over her aching sides. Oh the sweet torture of tickling…
Daniel lets out a small amused smile and whispers quietly to himself,
"One day guys, one day."