Author's Note: Sorry, I've been really busy the last few nights (RE coursework and a load of artwork to do in four days...) and got kinda distracted. Plus I had college on top of normal schooling, so I was stressed! But here's the next chapter!


This was just tormenting him. She looked so...he couldn't even think of the word. Mesmerised by those eyes, just inviting him to...

Well. He wasn't going to carry that particular train of thought on or he would wind up having a cold shower. A very cold shower.

He wasn't used to seeing her in anything like that. Sure, when they had team nights at their houses, she wore civvies, but it was usually just a sweater and jeans. Certainly nothing to get his pulse racing. Although he had caught himself staring at her backside, as she walked past him, more than once.

Thinking he heard something (his senses going into overdrive searching for anything that could possibly indicate someone was approaching when he knew he was doing something oh-so-wrong), he slid the photo back into the envelope, ever-wondering why it was Teal'C's handwriting, and reluctantly placed the envelope back in its original position. Maybe he could sneak back in at some point and get a copy of it?

Damn...those eyes of hers were boring into him even when the photo wasn't in front of him. Serves him right for memorising it. That was going to be another week of sleepless nights...


Daniel's lab was probably the most likely place she would be if not in her own lab – although she was supposed to be off-duty. Although she didn't take much notice when she was off-duty – if she felt like it and she was supposed to be, she might go home. He would have to order her to get a life again sometime soon.

"...But I didn't agree to it..."

He paused, knowing before he even got to the door that it was her voice. He had listened to her babble enough times. He would generally put up with her babble just to hear her voice. He never understood a damn thing she said.

"Yes you did."

"Not the leaving it out in full sight of my commanding officer part!"

He could mentally see Daniel shrugging at Sam, in that annoyingly innocent fashion only Daniel himself could pull off. "Well, you have to admit, Teal'C's quite the photographer..."

Teal'C? He took the photo? Explained why it was his handwriting on the front...

"Look, Jack's apparently heading this way. If you don't want him to see you like that, you'd better get going."

There was a scuffling noise, and he panicked, knowing if she saw him standing two feet away from the doorway she would suspect his eavesdropping...

"Do you have a jacket?"

There was a snort of laughter from Daniel. "Why'd you wear it in the first place?"

"...Only thing I had left in my locker after the 'photo shoot'."

Oh, this he had to see.

"Good afternoon, campers!" He strode round the corner into the lab, grinning despite himself when he saw Daniel's rabbit-caught-in-headlights look and Sam's already red cheeks growing impossibly redder.

And then he saw why she had been worried. Damn, that top looked better in real life...

"S-sir!" Ah, gotcha.

He nodded. "Carter, aren't you supposed to be off-duty? You were given downtime this week..."

"I know, sir...I was just leaving..." She leant over and picked up a bag, allowing Jack to get a better view of how the top fitted her snugly...

Was it getting hot in there, or was it just him? Daniel seemed to be shifting uncomfortably in his seat, so maybe it wasn't just him after all...

"Ah...about that report...I was just wondering if you wanted the rest of the week to finish it or..." He was having trouble focusing on what he was saying, and stared to the right of her head for a second to compose himself again.

"I have to print it out at home, sir...Siler's fixing the printer in my lab. I didn't have enough time." Of course not, she never did. She was always too focused on her projects.

"Right..." he cleared his throat, fighting the urge to pull at his t-shirt collar like a man attempting to loosen his tie when in fact his jacket and t-shirt were providing him with ventilation. Not enough though, it seemed. "I'll...ah...just be going..."

Sam followed suit, clearing her throat and stuttering. "I'll – um, walk with you, sir..." He noticed she sent a glare at Daniel as she moved past him, and the archaeologist shot back an innocent look.

He had to ensure she was out of his immediate 'airspace' soon or she would see his entirely inappropriate reaction to seeing her after that photograph. Even though his trousers were loose, they weren't that loose.

He glanced sideways at her. "Glad to see you're actually heading home for once – I was worried that I was going to have to order you to get a life again." Although judging by that outfit...

She gave him a smile – one that he knew she reserved just for him. Probably one her more tolerant ones, thrown at him to humour him and his jokes, but still... "I have some work that needs to be completed at home."

He shook his head, feigning horror. "Work? Again?"

She gave him a fully-fledged dazzling grin this time, and he felt warm and fuzzy inside. Although he doubted it was an appropriate emotion for a battle-hardened, sarcastic general.

"So tell me...what's this about Teal'C and photography?" Okay, so he couldn't resist a little dig. He might even get the whole explanation, which would certainly cancel out the sharp remark he might receive for eavesdropping.

Her cheeks went bright red again, and she watched him nervously. God, she was going to kill the other two when she got them alone again. "He – uh – he's taken an interest in photography, sir. Mainly portraiture. He's actually quite good at it. I modelled for him once." Shit. Mouth really should consult brain first.

An eyebrow shot up, and she couldn't tell whether it was a calculated move or completely due to her words. "Really?" Oh. He looked thoughtful. That meant trouble.

But he said no more as they reached the elevator and he gestured for her to go first, following her and pressing the correct buttons for their respective floors. He would see her up to the first level of security, then head back down to his office. There was a pile of paperwork with his name on.


Author's Note: There's an epilogue if people want it? Review and let me know...and yes, it's S/J!