Disclaimer: I have no ties to the people that actually have control of the people or products mentioned herein.

A/N: So the Crayola factory does exist (Easton, PA) and it was a whole bunch of fun when I was there so I thought it'd make an interesting set piece for this story. So here we have some more Dan/Jan and some slight progress in the SJR.

The Crayola Factory

Jack

It had taken about ten minutes for the group to drive downtown, park, and head into the factory. They'd had to wait a few minutes between purchasing their tickets and heading upstairs and Jack had tried to get over to Sam, but Janet had trapped him.

"Hey Jack. Have a good run this morning? Excited about the game tonight? The whole gang's coming to watch you guys."

"Thanks Janet. I'm always a little nervous before the first game of the season, even if it should be an easy one."

"Tickets 103 through 120 may now proceed upstairs to the factory," came the announcement over the speakers.

"Well that's us."

Since no one in the group had been to the Crayola factory before they all gawked a little as they entered the factory. There were two giant enclosures in the large room decorated in primary colors, oversized drawing tools, and company memorabilia. In one enclosure there was a setup for making crayons. The other enclosure contained a machine used to fill markers. The group gathered around the tour guide explaining how crayon wax was heated, colored, and poured over a complex mold. The machine behind her ran noisily while she explained, creating a fresh batch of wrapped red crayons, which the woman handed out to the waiting crowd.

Jack grabbed a few extra crayons and headed towards Sam, but this time T interrupted him.

"Jack O'Neil, this machine is most fascinating, but what is the purpose of these crayons?"

"Well T, they're for playing with."

"How does one play with colored sticks?"

"They're for drawing. There are several colors that come in a box together and children use them to create pictures."

"And what is the purpose of these pictures?"

"They are for fun and decoration. Usually the children's parents display them on the refrigerator or keep them in books."

"I see O'Neil. An interesting tradition."

As always Jack was amused to find his speech becoming more formal to match T's mannerisms. He looked around for Sam this time spotting her near the other enclosure. Here a man was explaining that once the plastic shell of the marker had been cast it was transferred to another part of the plant to be filled. The machine behind him held several rows of soon to be green markers. Jack wormed his way through the crowd to until he was standing next to Sam.

"It's a fascinating process isn't it? I never realized how many steps there were to creating a single marker. Would you like me to get you one, Samantha?"

"Sure Jack. Thanks."

After the production room, the group moved on to the color room. In this room there was a wall screen that showed movement in color. Based on some sort of complicated sensor system, which Jack was sure Sam could explain if he asked, a green screen wall would change color based on how fast the person standing in front of it moved. Jack heard Sam start to giggle as Mark tried to tackle T but ended up knocking Daniel over instead.

Okay Jack, stop thinking about that giggle. Stay where you are. Go talk to Catherine. Do not go tickle Sam. You are not to put your hands on her in front of Carter. Oooh that feels good. I love the man who decided women should wear low rise jeans they make it soo much harder to not show some skin.

Jack had snuck up behind Sam and wrapped his arms around her, sliding his hands along her stomach and causing a fresh burst of giggles.

Sam

I can't believe what a clutz Danny is. How did he manage to get in Mark's way? Need to stop laughing. Jack's here; can't giggle. Oh forget it, look at those two scrambling around on the floor. Okay, who just…oh no, not going to be able to stop giggling now. Jack's tickling me. Not fair. I can't even turn around…hmm, maybe if I grab his hands.

Sam slid her hands down Jack's arms and laced her finger's with his, effectively preventing them from torturing her further while locking herself firmly in his embrace. Neither of them noticed that Janet, Catherine, and T were no longer watching Mark and Daniel pull themselves off the floor.

I didn't realize that standing in Jack's arms would be so comfortable. This feels right.

Jack

Silky, smooth Sam skin. Feels nice. Okay, Mark has gotten up; I need to stop holding her now. This'd work better if she'd let go. Oh shit! Now they're all watching us.

"Jack, what are you doing to my sister?"

Sam released his fingers and sprang forward quickly causing Mark to grin widely. He bent and dusted himself off then reached out to help Daniel off the floor. Janet and Catherine were barely hiding grins of their own. T, as always, merely stood by watching.

Crap! Carter is going to let me have it now! Think Jack. Speak. Do something other than blush, look guilty, and shuffle your feet. Samantha's so going to take this the wrong way. Two steps back, one step to the side. Good now she's out of reach. But I want to hold Sam. She felt nice.

"I believe now would be a good time to proceed to the next activity. Do you not agree Jack O'Neil?"

"Good idea T. Let's move along folks. How bout we go play with the glass wall over there."

Sam

Stop staring at him Samantha. It's bad enough that Janet and Catherine have probably already guessed about your crush, you don't need Mark knowing too. But he looks so gorgeous right now, all embarrassed and uncomfortable. I didn't realize that could be attractive on a guy.

Jack pointed to the other end of the room where a glass wall stood covered in writings and drawings. Large multi-tonal tubs stood on either end of the wall filled with markers. People stood around writing their favorite quotes or doodling idly. Janet started drawing benzene rings and other chemical structures. Catherine wrote, "The goal of all life is death.—Freud." Sam's eyes slipped over to Jack. He appeared to be drawing stars on the board.

I wonder what he's drawing. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven…I'd should have figured it out earlier.

"You seem to have a penchant for that constellation Jack. It's one of my favorites as well."

"So I've seen Samantha. I wanted to thank you for reminding me how much it meant to me."

What is that supposed to mean? He liked my little display this morning? He remembers that first New Years? I already knew that from Catherine earlier. He smells good.

"I'm glad you liked the stars Jack."

Sam placed a quick kiss on his cheek and skipped off to another room, throwing a mischievous glance back over her shoulder. Huge windows lit the airy space full of tables colored in crayons and markers and surrounded by children of all ages. There were stacks of white paper and tubs of Crayola modeling clay. Daniel was sitting with one arm over Janet's shoulders, drawing.

"Hey Sam, come look at this picture Daniel's drawn."

Sam leaned over Janet's shoulder to see an image in several shades of tan depicting a spaceship hovering over a pyramid.

"Danny, what made you come up with that?"

"I don't know where it came from. It just popped into my mind."

"Unusual indeed, Daniel Jackson."

"Hey, T, what is that you've sculpted there?" asked Mark.

"I do not know Mark Carter. It would appear to be a weapon of some sort. I am unfamiliar with its origins."

He was holding a long skinny object with bulbous ends. The group studied Daniel's picture and T's sculpture for a few moments. Then Jack shrugged his shoulders and turned away. Catherine began collecting a variety of colors of crayons into plastic bags for the friends to take back with them.

"Guys I think we should get going now. The boys need to get back to the house and start getting ready for their game," called Catherine from across the room.

Janet checked her watch, surprised to see that nearly three hours had passed since they'd arrived.

"As much as I hate to break up this party, Catherine's right. It's almost four and Mark and Jack are supposed to be at the rink by six."

The group left the factory and piled back into the cars. When they returned to the house Daniel promptly buried his nose in a stack of books. T went upstairs to meditate. Jack and Mark went off to pack up their stuff for the game, while Catherine and Janet took Sam for an impromptu makeover.

"Cath, Janet, I don't think this is necessary. Really, I don't need a makeover. I'm fine the way I am thanks."

"Now Sam, no buts. Janet and I need something to do before the game, besides you know you want to see Jack's reaction."

A/N: I couldn't resist throwing in some references to the characters' real lives. As always please R&R with praise, comments, clarifications, questions, or criticisms. Thanks.