Disclaimer: Still haven't found a way to make them mine, so I'm just playing.

The Visit
Chapter 8: Traditions
PhDelicious

Sam

"It's party time kids."

Mark knocked on the door of a duplex a few blocks down from the guys' house. The front door opened inwards revealing a short hallway leading to a room full of people. Mark, Catherine, Jack and Sam were greeted by an already drunk Daniel.

"Hey guys you're just in time. George is trying to get everyone downstairs."

"George?" asked Sam.

"George Hammond is the primary occupant of this residence and the leader of the hockey team. He is hosting tonight's festivities."

"Thanks for filling me in T."

The foursome followed the rest of the party goers down into the basement. The rickety wooden stairs ended only a few feet from the middle of the long stone wall forming one side of the room. To the left as she came down the stairs Sam noticed a circle of couches and chairs surrounding a low table holding several cases. To her right was a large open space edged by a bar and a ping-pong table. People were filling in this space as they came down off the stairs. As the last person down the stairs, George closed the basement door and stopped on the bottom step. A slight Texas twang colored his speech.

"All right folks, its time to get this show on the road before the crowds arrive. T, you're on door duty this year. No one else is allowed in before midnight. Hockey boys, front and center, it's time to pick your sponsors."

The 25 members of the hockey team separated themselves from their close friends and headed to the stairs. They lined up in front of George, except for Mark and Jack who were handing out bottles of champagne to their teammates. George addressed the team and their friends.

"For those of you who are here for the first time tonight please allow me to explain. Since we're a small team with only ourselves to rely on every year we take this opportunity to expand our support group. Every member of the team chooses a sponsor to help them through the season. A sponsor can be anyone not on the team, male or female. It should be someone you are comfortable talking to and someone who will still be around at the end of the season. Now guys go give your bottle to the person you'd like to be your sponsor, and be nice. They can say no."

The guys began to filter through the basement. Some, like Mark and George, made their way straight to their girlfriends. Others headed over to small clusters of their guy friends. Jack stood still staring around the room until his eyes caught Sam's and held. A question flashed from him to her.

Did he just ask me it I wanted to be his sponsor? Jack wants me? I wonder why I've never heard of this 'tradition' before. Why is he asking me now? Who was his sponsor for the past two years? Do I really want to know? Here he comes.

Jack

Jack's eyes never left Sam as he threaded his way through the crowded basement.

That smile was a yes right? She looked…almost shy. She's never been shy around me before. It makes her look even younger, more vulnerable, than usual. Damn it Samantha! My conscience is bothering me enough already. How is it you're still single? Looking so sexy should be illegal for someone her age.

"Samantha, could you…would you please do me the honor of being my sponsor?"

Jack rushed on without waiting for her reply.

"I mean, if you want to. You don't have to…I would completely understand if you aren't interested. I know it's a lot to ask and you have no reason to…"

Sam reached up and placed her hand over his mouth, silencing his flood of words.

"Jack, Ssh. Of course I'll sponsor you. Are you sure you really want me?"

Jack kissed her fingers lightly and moved her hand to his cheek.

"I should think the answer would be obvious by now Samantha."

With that Jack leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on Sam's mouth before pulling back. As he handed Sam his bottle of champagne George's voice rang out over the assembly again.

"Now y'all, the hockey players and their sponsors must head upstairs. Before you leave the basement see Janet. You may go anywhere you want but remember guys, you may only talk to your sponsors until midnight. The rest of you feel free to stay down here and enjoy yourselves. When everyone gets back we'll break into those bottles and have some toasts."

I can't believe Samantha agreed to this. She looks so beautiful tonight. How can she think that I wouldn't want her? How can she not have realized what she does to me, has done to me for all these years?

Mark turned from where he stood with Catherine, in front of Janet, and smiled at Jack who still held Sam's hand to his cheek.

Carter seems to be okay with this. Samantha hasn't objected yet either. Is she really interested in me? Is this something that could last? Or am I just a passing crush?

Now Jack and Sam stood in front of Janet. Jack took Sam's hand from his cheek and held it out to Janet. She took hold of their wrists and tied them together with black satin ribbon. Sam looked somewhat confused as Jack led her back upstairs past a smiling Janet. He could swear he heard her whisper to Daniel.

"It's good to see him looking so happy."

I don't want this to just be a crush for her. I don't think I could stand it if this didn't work out and I lost her friendship too. She is my tether, my innocence, and my link to happy memories no matter what. I can't shatter that. Can I really risk this?

Sam

Sam's tug on their linked hands brought Jack's attention out of his musings. She gestured to the small landing where the back stairs to the second floor turned to follow the building's outer wall, and sat with her legs stretched across the stairwell. Jack lowered himself next to her on the landing and draped his arm over her shoulder. Sam shifted so that her attached arm lay across her chest, her hand covering his on her shoulder. She cast a sideways glance at him before placing her head on his shoulder.

"So now that I've already agreed to this…what am I actually supposed to do as your sponsor?"

"Well…first you get to give my toast when we go back down there. Then after keeping you tied to me all night I get to take you home with me and do whatever I want to you."

He's kidding right? Not that there isn't a certain thrill to that thought…do I want him to be kidding? Umm…umm…come on Samantha say something. Stop just opening and closing your mouth like a landed fish.

Sam tilted her head up to look at Jack and met warm brown eyes filled with a mixture of laughter, desire, tenderness, and contentment. Her confusion and uncertainty were plain in her own eyes causing Jack to relent. With a quiet laugh and a small smile, much different than his usual smirk Jack continued.

"Actually it's more the other way around. You're the one in control. Even after you decide to untie us I still have to do anything you ask me to until morning. Last year one of the guys had to run from here to the student center and back in his boxers. That's what you get for choosing a frat boy as your sponsor."

Does that mean he's always had girls as his sponsors? Did he sleep with them? Mark's never mentioned any girlfriends. He's never brought anyone…utoh. He brought Sarah home for their last break. Did she expect to be here tonight? Would this have been her second time? ... No Samantha, you are not going to ask him about that. You are not going to think about that.

"Jack, why do sponsors still have to be around at the end of the season?"

"We do this again after the final game of the year to wrap up the season. But at that party, if my season's gone well and you decide that I've achieved my goals, I get to be in charge."

"Goals?"

"Yeah, that's one of the things we're supposed to talk about tonight. They can be anything. How many goals do I want to score this season? What grades am I trying to get? Who do I want to hook up with? …Ouch! That wasn't nice Samantha."

Oops guess he didn't appreciate being punched.

"Jack I don't want to hear about you and other women. There are some things I just don't need to know."

"Give me a chance to give you my answers first, imp."

Jack tugged Sam around so she was half facing him. He reached down and took her unattached hand, placing it on his chest as he continued.

"An average of one goal a game. A GPA of 3.5 or higher. An insanely smart, impossibly beautiful, incorrigibly sassy temptress with oceanic eyes and currently curly blond hair."

Sam's gaze, which had been focused on her hand on his chest, flew up to meet his, staring.

He just…me…I'm his goal? Am I hallucinating? Please, somebody pinch me, otherwise I'm going to wakeup and this'll have all been a dream. Why hasn't he kissed me yet? What is he waiting for? Did he change his mind already?

Jack

Nice going. Very smooth lines there pal. Congratulations. She's…not moving, just staring. I could drown in those eyes. She looks nervous. Shit! If she's not interested…is that a tear? I'm screwed.

"Samantha, honey…? Ssh. It's okay. Tell me what's wrong and I'll fix it."

Jack placed his fingertips under Sam's chin and used his thumb to brush away the lone tear trailing down her cheek. He bent his head, intending to kiss her cheek where his thumb had been. But Sam turned her head at the last instant so his lips landed on hers. This time as Jack moved to pull away Sam fisted her hand in his shirt and held him close. She pressed her mouth to his using slightly more pressure than he'd used before pulling back enough to breathe.

Wait, no, don't go. Come back. I barely even got to…did she just lick her lips? … Mine!

Jack once again closed the distance between them catching Sam with her lips still parted from drawing breath. His tongue traced the edges of her mouth, exploring gently, unsure of Sam's reaction or experience. She seemed to know what to do though. Her tongue snaked out imitating his. They met somewhere in the middle, tangling, twining, talking without words.

I'm kissing Sam, Samantha. She's kissing me back. Sweet! I could do this forever.

Jack wasn't sure how long he sat there with Sam in his arms, kissing her. He was surprised that no one interrupted them. Eventually he withdrew from the temptation of her mouth and tucked her back along his side.

Sam

They sat silently, neither wanting to break this moment of discovery. Both wondering how this could be real, how they could be so lucky. Gradually Sam became aware of sounds other than their rushed breathing. With the return of sound came awareness of the presence of others nearby. From somewhere close she thought she could distinguish Mark's voice. The tone in T's voice carried over the din of the party making him immediately distinguishable and out of place.

It sounds like he's talking to someone out front. Wonder what the problem is.

"This is a closed gathering. You are not permitted to attend. Please leave promptly."

"Jack? Jack! Damn it Jack I know you're here. Tell your watchdog to let me in."

The voices were now raised enough that Jack and Sam could understand what was being said. Sam didn't recognize the woman's voice but she had a good guess who would be looking for Jack so energetically.

I guess she was expecting to be invited. Crap! We don't need her to cause a scene.

"Jack…are you…we going to go help T?"

"I suppose we should. It is my fault she's here."

Jack rose and turned to help Sam to her feet. They made their way to the front hall. T was blocking most of the doorway, but small pieces of Sarah were visible between his body and the doorframe. Jack stepped up beside T leaving Sam mostly hidden behind the two men.

I still can't believe he chose me over her.

"Sarah, go home. I told you last night that this was over."

"But who's going to sponsor you? T? Again? Though obviously not since you weren't with him when he answered the door. Oh Jack…please tell me you didn't pick that little blond twit. She's not even in school yet. That's immoral even if it's not illegal."

Okay, now I'm beginning to understand. How can people stand her?

Sam stepped out from behind Jack and T.

"Hi. Sarah, right? I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Sam Carter, Jack's sponsor. You are … superfluous, last month's news. I suggest you leave now before you embarrass yourself further. T, please make sure she gets off the porch safely."

Sam turned her back on Sarah, smiled her thanks at T, and led a grinning Jack back towards the basement.

"Samantha, that was fantastic but completely unnecessary. I could've handled it."

"I suppose you could have given the spectacular job you've done so far."

Sam had been joking, but glancing at Jack she noticed that he'd missed the humor.

"Besides if I'm going to be going to school here next year it saves me time if I put her in her place now. Relax Jack."

"Hey sis, nice job."

Sam turned back towards the front door surprised to see Mark and Catherine sitting on the front stairs. Mark continued,

"Jack, consider yourself officially warned. If you screw my sister over I will mess you up regardless of the fact that you're my best friend. Not that I think Sam will leave much for me to work with. Just remember you'll never be good enough to deserve her and try not to push your luck."

He finished his speech to Jack with a roguish wink and then addressed the rest of the group.

"Look at the time. I think its time we took this back downstairs."

A/N: So this chapter was a little longer than I originally anticipated and I'm still not done with the party/evening. So here's my question for you guys…Sam has to go home tomorrow. Assuming you'd like me to continue this, should I do it as additional chapters in this fic or should I just start a sequel? I'm kind of leaning towards the sequel idea, mainly because I think the next thing I want to write after this is Christmas/New Years. Also I'm wondering where my readers fall on the sex issue. One last thing, this is all still unbetaed, so if ppl are noticing problems or are interested in helping out please let me know.