Thanks for the encouraging words. You know, reading compliments can be habit forming! More, please! Hee, hee!
Really, constructive criticism and suggestions are welcome, too.
Back to our story. Well, Sam and Jack are at the end of their downtime at the cabin with Daniel and Teal'c. They seem to be enjoying each other's company. This can be a good thing. But they are cautious. This can slow things down. So, let's move along now at their pace.
3
The four friends were stirring quietly at dawn as they each made ready for their journeys home. Teal'c and Daniel were loading the rental car for the drive to the airport. Sam and Jack were sitting on the dock with steaming mugs of coffee after stowing their gear in his truck. They were lingering.
"Sam. Jack. We're, uh, taking off now," said Daniel uncertainly. The peaceful pose Sam and Jack struck seemed to preclude interruption.
Neither responded. They continued to look over the lake as the sunrise's rays through the trees dappled the surface.
"Ahem," Daniel cleared his throat a little louder.
Jack slowly turned his head and his attention to one Dr. Jackson with whom he felt irritated.
"Uh, what?"
"Uh, we're leaving?"
"Oh. Yeah."
Suddenly, Sam broke out of her deep thought and struggled to catch up with their utterances as Teal'c approached.
"O'Neill. SamanthaCarter. We make our leave now. I wish you a safe journey," Teal'c said.
"Thanks, Teal'c, this has been great to spend time together. Daniel, you, too," Sam smiled.
"T, be sure to drive the whole way. You have ample time to get to the airport but not if Daniel gets a hold of the wheel and gets lost."
"Hey, Jack, I know how to navigate when I drive a car," Daniel shot back.
"Uh, yeah sure."
"Can."
"Not."
"Way."
"Not."
"Hey, guys," Sam interrupted. "Truce!" She chuckled.
"S'pose," Jack grinned.
"Hey, we better go," Daniel could let go easily.
"So long. See you at SGC," Daniel finished and turned with Teal'c to go to the car.
Jack and Sam watched them walk to the front corner of the house and turn left to the driveway. From their location on the dock, they couldn't see them drive off.
Before they could resume their reverie by the lake, however, Daniel flew back around the corner of the house.
"Hey, Jack, is it the second right at the end of the fence line or the third left past the crossroads to reach the roadhouse for coffee?"
If Jack didn't know Daniel better he would think this was some kind of lame joke but this was Daniel here. Disoriented Daniel. Rest my case!
"The same as the last three times we went into town this past week, Daniel, second right past the crossroads."
"Um, yeah, oh yeah. Thanks. Bye Sam. Jack."
"Bye, Daniel," they called out together.
He was gone. Again.
Turning their heads in unison, they made eye contact as they returned their gaze on the lake.
They didn't speak. Yet. It was quiet. It was comfortable. It was a nice close to their trip to the cabin. On their first morning, they had started right here on the dock. Sipping hot coffee and watching the sunrise on the lake.
"So." Jack broke the silence.
"So." Sam replied.
"Nice, huh?" he grinned.
"Yeah, still nice." she smiled.
"Told ya!"
They made eye contact again. Smiled warmly at each other. Remained quiet a little while longer. They lingered well together.
"Well, as much as I could sit and do this all morning, I think we better hit the road, Sam," he grinned as he looked deep into her blue eyes.
"Yeah, I'm so relaxed that even I could sit here all morning but you're right, Jack, we have to go," she replied with a bright smile and locked onto his warm, brown eyes.
So, they lingered a little while longer.
