Now we find Sam and Jack on the road back home after a much needed downtime. Daniel and Teal'c headed home separately.
4
"Well, we got a later start than we planned," Jack noted as they pulled out of his driveway and headed for the county road leading to the state highway.
"Yeah, but I don't regret it. We have to stop overnight anyway. Maybe we can make up the time by driving later today?" Sam responded.
"Yeah, or leaving earlier tomorrow morning?"
"Mmmm. That would give us a chance for a nice dinner before turning in early."
"Or, we could sleep in a little later if we drive later tonight."
All of a sudden they were chattering nervously. They were engaged in planning the journey home and quite cooperatively. Much like their teamwork on SG-1. Complementing each other in weighing the options and deciding on a plan.
But, their hearts and minds were separately struggling with feelings and options of a more complicated journey. One where they may travel together and later part or, perhaps, remain steadfast on the same path. Like throughout their lives together.
But. They didn't speak of it. Not yet.
As Jack drove on, Sam nodded off. He started to think.
Things were better now with her than before they left the Mountain six days ago. A lot better. Well, for starters, on their drive up they kind of set up a ground rule.
FlashbackJack picked up Sam at her house as pre-arranged. Munching on a granola bar, she opened the door almost immediately after he rang.
"Mornin'," Sam smiled quietly.
"Back at ya," Jack grinned.
"I'm ready."
"Yeah, I see."
"I hope I packed enough."
"There are stores where we're going," he chuckled.
"Of course, I, um, knew that," she returned.
"Let me help you."
"No, I can get it." Struggling with her bags and house key. "Well, you could lock the door, thanks."
"My pleasure."
It was not by mutual agreement that they both ceased calling each other by rank or last name that morning. Formality might mar the transition they were in.
"Um, how many hours to your cabin?" Sam asked as they breezed through Denver early Saturday morning.
"Carter, we're off duty. This is a vacation. We're friends, too! Please, call me Jack."
Sam was blushing and gleeful at the same time. "Yes, you are my friend, Jack. You've showed that to me many times especially when you were there when…when Dad passed away. I'd like very much that you call me Sam, too."
"Sam, I couldn't imagine not being there for you."
"Thanks, Jack."
"Always, Sam," he grinned and she grinned back at him. end flashback.
He recalled that they continued to talk about Jacob's passing, Daniel's return, and Teal'c's pride in victory.
And that's how they got started. Their respective grins and smiles growing a little more. He wasn't exactly certain about her but he was feeling that this was kind of---exciting. Although maybe it shouldn't be. He was still her CO.
But. We. Are. Friends. Too. Sweet!
After all, she had started to tell him something, something important, at his house that afternoon. Jack decided to be patient. She had been through so much with her father and all. He was confident that that conversation would take place.
Jack pulled into the gas station at the ramp leading to the state highway for a fill up and restroom break.
"Sam. Wakey, wakey."
"Mmmm. Where are we?"
"Highway ramp. Take a break? We'll be on the road a couple of hours before we change driving again."
"Yeah, thanks, Jack."
Afterwards, Sam took the wheel. Jack balled up his jacket and shoved it behind his head and lay back.
"All yours, Sam."
"Jack, I remember the route. Go ahead and rest, if you'd like."
And he did drift off. And Sam started thinking back to how they got to where they were.
Flashback to drive up to the cabin.
OK, but, now how do they address each other? She felt pretty awkward with that facing her. So, she didn't do anything. So unlike her to be unsure of herself but she wasn't facing systems lords and firing weapons and setting up experiments. She was sorting through her romantic feelings towards her CO. This was so out of her league. She backed off.
Then she chastised herself for that choice. Wasn't she attempting to finally express her conflicted feelings about Pete to him that afternoon not long ago? But, she never got to finish did she? Kerry surprised her when stepping out of his house.
Oh, they were all a bit surprised! Caught off guard! Jack seemed pretty embarrassed. And she couldn't get away fast enough.
They never had time or made time to finish that conversation. And that had to happen. After all, he wasn't seeing Kerry any longer. Daniel told her. And, she was certain he told Jack about her breaking off the engagement to Pete.
That has to mean something.
But, she tamped down those thoughts before speaking them out loud. She would finish that conversation later. She owed it to him and herself. She figured he was waiting for her to take the lead. To speak at her own pace.
So, she chose to make some neutral conversation about the trip hours. And Jack surprised her by asking her to call him "Jack."
End of flashback.
Sam believed that was a significant turning point for them. Sure, he'd asked her to stop with the 'Sir, this and sir, that' before. But, she never stopped.
She worked hard to keep that line in place. But, now she found herself easily embracing his request. Jack. Jack. Jack. Yes, she could do it.
Although daydreaming and driving at the same time, she was alert and averted a catastrophe at high speed. But, not without a loud thump and veering off the lane in order to avoid a truck's tread flying up towards the windshield.
Jack woke up from the sudden thump on the truck. He heard Sam hiss a breath out.
"Hey, what was that?" Jack barked.
"Sixteen wheeler losing rubber. Close call but we're OK."
"Hey, nice recovery. Sam, you OK?" He asked with sincere concern.
"Jack, I'm fine." She was although she had been startled. It did not go unnoticed by her that he cared about how she reacted to the event.
"Hey, look at the time. You shoulda woken me, Sam; you've been driving over 3 hours."
"Really? Well, I was so busy thinking that I guess I didn't even notice the time."
"Thinking?" He was curious.
"Um, yeah, you know. A lot has happened the past month."
Before they could continue the exit ramp came up. With fatigue settling in, she welcomed the relief from driving and pulled into the diner.
During lunch, most of their conversation was light as they fondly recalled the week's activities among the four friends. Safe topics. Neutral topics.
Afterwards, Jack took the wheel.
"Jack, we've been on the road for 6 hours. It's 1600 hours now. When do we want to stop?"
He couldn't help but chuckle. He was really liking how she was calling him by his name. Seemingly without much trouble. Their agreement to call each other by their first names while on this vacation symbolized that an important barrier had been blasted away.
"Well, Sam, if we drive till 1900 hours, we'll have time for both a leisurely dinner and a decent night's sleep before an early start tomorrow morning."
"Sounds like a plan, Jack." They looked into each other's eyes wearing bright smiles.
"Yeahsureyabetcha!"
