Chapter 2

'Hey Carter' he beamed. 'How are you?' he figured she'd been through a lot but wondered whether she would want to talk about it yet or not. 'So, you wanna talk?' he said eventually, sitting down next to her.

'about what Sir?'

'whatever you want'

'you mean what did fifth want with me?'

he grimaced, he hadn't meant it to be that obvious- but hey it was out in the open now. 'yeah, but If you'd rather not talk about it yet..' he knew she'd have to tell him about it sooner or later seeing as he was her CO but it was probably best if they could talk about it now, as friends.

'no, its ok' she lied ' fifth wasn't too happy about what we did to him.' He listened intently waiting for her to continue. 'he felt betrayed…anyway he did that mind reading thing they do.' O'neill remembered that all too well. Poor Carter, he wouldn't wish that on anyone. 'then he created this fantasy world where me and Pete were living on a farm, happily ever after.' Jack tried to hide his feelings- he had always hoped that Sam's fantasies of living happily ever after would include him- not Pete. 'with Pete' he said sadly, inwardly kicking himself for revealing his feelings.

'yeah' she confirmed, noticing his disappointment 'fifth created the fantasy' she explained 'he thought that is what I wanted, but it wasn't' Jack looked up to meet her eyes and they shared a look of understanding before she looked away nervously. 'anyway I figured out his game and told him I would rather die than stay there with him.. he let me go.'

'we thought you were dead' Jack spoke sadly.

Sam knew what that feeling was like, worrying about someone's life. 'I missed you' she replied.

'c'm'here' he put his arm around her and she snuggled up to his shoulder, they sat like that for a while. 'you should get some rest' he said standing up. She mourned the loss of contact but agreed with him. She was tired. He left the room. 'I'll be right outside'

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A bit later Jack awoke to the sound of Carter shouting in the next room. He jumped up groggily and ran to her side. She was having a nightmare.

'No Fifth, No! Please!'

'Carter! Wake up, its just a dream' her eyes snapped open.

'Jack' she used his first name, surprising them both.

'Sam' he whispered as he enveloped her in a hug 'you're ok, it was just a dream'

She held on to him tight. Tears started to roll down her cheeks. He soothed her hair reassuringly. She pulled back slightly, they were centimetres apart, both still groggy from being asleep. He reached out and brushed the tears off her face. 'Sam' he breathed. He couldn't believe how close they were- this was dangerous ground. To hell with it he thought. They had both nearly died recently, they might never get another chance. 'Jack?' she asked, daring to use his first name, she knew they were about to kiss, she also knew it was wrong, but she couldn't tear herself away.

'I will always be there for you' he whispered. Echoing the words vision Jack had spoke to her on the Prometheus . 'I know' she replied inching closer. He closed the gap.

The kiss was sweet and tender, almost tentative. They broke apart, glancing at each other for reassurance this was what they both wanted. They kissed again, this time deeper, more desperate. He slid his tongue into her mouth, gently exploring, she moved her hand through his hair at the back of his head, cradling it.

Suddenly they heard footsteps and quickly tried to break apart. They looked to the door to find Daniel staring in shock. 'Ooops' he said. 'I..uh just wanted to tell you guys we are nearly home. I thought you were asleep, but obviously not, I'm gonna stop talking..' Daniel said, realising he was babbling. Sam, Jack and Daniel were turning a deeper shade of red. 'Thanks Daniel' said Jack as calmly as he could manage. Damn that archaeologist and his timing thought Jack.

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