"Are you warm enough?"

Cassie nodded, her hand squeezing his thigh lightly in acknowledgment of the question. It was warm in the car, but not too warm – although she was definitely feeling an inner warmth that had nothing to do with the heater – and it wasn't something that would be able to just be turned off!

"I'm fine, thanks."

"Good."

And that was pretty much all that passed for small talk from Ian. The car fell silent as he drove. Cassie was used to this, however, and not at all offended or hurt. She knew he didn't like to make idle chatter, and while she usually did, it was an issue that she wouldn't press. Small talk was great, but if he didn't want to engage in it, she didn't mind. Especially since she had her hand on his thigh and his over it. That was better than all the weather talk in the world.

But then he surprised her.

"That dress is beautiful on you."

Cassie blushed. She loved the fact that he didn't say the dress was beautiful – which it was – but qualified it by telling her it was beautiful because it was on her.

"Thanks. I think my mom hates it, but likes it at the same time."

Ian nodded and let go of her hand for just a moment, reaching out and brushing his fingers against the fabric that was covering her thigh. It was ilk of some sort, and felt very nice. Slinky.

Cassie felt a thrill go through her at the touch.

"I can understand why she wouldn't like it – but I like it. Very much."

Again his hand moved, coming back over to cover hers on his leg, and Cassie wished he wasn't driving just then, because she would have loved to kiss him just then.

She smiled and returned the favor, running her hand along the fabric of his tuxedo pants.

"Is this yours? Or did you rent it?"

"It's a rental," Ian admitted. "I have one at home in New York, but it would have been more of a hassle to have my mother send it to me than to just rent one and get it tailored to fit."

"It looks good on you."

He smiled, pleased by the compliment.

"Thank you."

It wasn't that far to the O'Neill's, though, so before they could say much more than that, Ian was pulling Sam's convertible up into the driveway beside Jack's truck.

"Stay put," Ian told her as he got out. "I'll get your door."

Cassie smiled, and watched him walk around the car, and then open the door. Not only did he open the door for her, but he also offered her his hand to help her out of the car – perhaps noticing that the dress definitely restricted her movements in some ways. She took it, and a moment later the two of them were walking up the walk, Ian's hand resting lightly on the small of Cassie's back.

OOOOOO

"Oh, my God… you two look wonderful!"

Sam had met the two of them at the door, opening it before they'd even had a chance to knock. Neither of them had to ask how she knew they were coming, of course. Even if she hadn't heard them pull into the driveway, the big black lab sitting cheerfully beside her leg – carefully not jumping on them – was a sure give away.

Cassie beamed, her smile so big it encompassed her entire being.

"Thanks, Sam."

"That dress is gorgeous."

"I know!"

She laughed, and gave Ian a smile just for him, and then moved to the side.

"Come inside, and let us get a look at you."

Cassie went in first, followed by Ian and Sam, and she smiled when she saw Jack standing there in the living room, waiting. Her smile grew bigger when he saw her, because his reaction to her dress was almost the same as Ian's.

"Holy…"

"Hi, Jack."

She couldn't help but laugh, because he looked stunned. Of course, the expression in his brown eyes wasn't the same as Ian's had been. Where Ian had been admiring and flattering, Jack's was amazed and surprised.

She couldn't help but goad him just a little.

"Do you like my dress?"

Before he could answer, though, Ian came up behind Cassie, taking Jack's attention from all the skin showing.

"Hey, Jack."

"Ian. You look good."

He did look good – although that didn't surprise Jack, really. He turned back to Cassie, much to Sam's amusement.

"That's what you're wearing?"

"No, these are my pajamas."

Sam grinned.

Jack scowled.

"Cassie…"

"Jack. It's not showing anything. See?"

She took off the shawl, and posed, slightly, but taking off the shawl simply revealed just how much more skin was showing, and Sam saw Jack actually blanch. She stepped in before he could say anything.

"I'm going to go get the camera, you guys, then we'll get you on your way."

Jack's scowl deepened, and he looked at Ian, who was admiring Cassie's dress all over again. This time from the back. Which was a mistake.

"Cass? Why don't you help Sam find the camera? Ian can come take Jaffer out with me while we're waiting."

Which was his way of separating the two of them for a little talk, and everyone in the room knew it – including Jaffer, probably. It was inevitable and from the look in his eyes, there was only one answer to give. And Cassie knew it.

"Okay, Jack."

She gave Ian a slight smile – maybe to give him a little moral boost – and she and Sam went down the hall, leaving Jack and Ian alone with Jaffer.

"Let's go outside…"

Ian sighed inwardly, but nodded, following Jack and Jaffer to the back door and out onto the deck. Even with his astounding memory, he was losing track of the amount of lectures he was getting. Which annoyed him because they were all unnecessary.

OOOO

"He's not going to say anything bad, is he?" Cassie asked as she watched Sam looking through a closet for her camera.

"Probably," she said, looking over her shoulder at Cassie. "Your dress caught him off guard, and he doesn't like that."

"Can't you talk to him?"

She shook her head.

"I can, but it won't do any good right now." She pointed up at the top shelf. "Pull that down for me, will you, Cass? I can't stretch like I used to be able to."

Cassie reached up and took the camera down, and handed it to Sam, and the two of them walked back down the hall. Not at all surprising, Ian and Jack were both outside, and the sliding door was firmly closed telling both of them that Jack didn't want any more company than what he already had.