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The Next morning Jack ate a quick breakfast and went home to shower and get dressed. Sam got ready and went into work like she normally would. She drove to the mountain, rode the elevator down deep and walked to her lab. She felt better than she had in days. She had begun working on some paperwork when Daniel came in.
"Morning Sam" Daniel said cheerfully.
"Morning Daniel"
"Sam, you must've gotten some rest, you look like you feel better today."
"Yeah, much better" she said smiling.
"Are you ready for the debriefing today?"
"Yeah, I just got finished with the paperwork." She picked up a folder and the 'mission' report. Even though the man that presides over debriefings was in this instance 'part of the team' again. It still needed to be done.
"How did the meeting with the Tok'ra go?"
"Good, after we figured out what happened; or that you hadn't made it to the planet." Daniel said. "We contacted your dad and he got the Tok'ra to lend him a ship to help us search for you."
"Daniel, was there ever a time that you thought you would not find us?"
"Some of the others suggested that maybe you and Jack went through, but never rematerialized. That you were both dead." He said trailing off.
"Did you?"
He refocused, "No. And I am sorry that we didn't figure things out sooner. You are kind of the brains when it comes to the gate."
She smiled, "Yeah, I guess so."
"Well, I should go do something constructive before the debriefing."
"See you in a bit"
"Yes"
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"General if that is all I would like to speak to you for a moment in your office." Carter said as she collected her report.
"Sure" He said smiling, "Meet you there in a few"
She nodded. The debriefing had gone well. Daniel, Teal'c, and SG 3 went over the original mission and Carter pretty much handled the alternative. She kept it short, and to the point. She did not need anyone getting any ideas. She gathered up her things and headed to the door to the General's office. He had, she guessed, stopped the cameras. She walked in and shut the door tightly behind her.
"Sir"
"Yes Carter"
"Was that report adequate sir?"
"More than adequate Colonel"
"Thank you sir. Permission to speak freely."
"Granted"
"I did my best not to include any unnecessary information."
"Like the fact that we 'broke the rules'"
"Not exactly broke them, bent them a little." She paused, "I am feeling much better today."
"Me too"
"General, I don't know what to do about this situation. I honestly began to believe that they would not find us."
"We don't have to bring it to work."
"That will be hard"
"Carter I feel like we are being punished for being human. If they wanted to really look at the situation, I am biased with all of SG 1."
She had thought about his strong connection with every member of SG 1, not just her.
"Just because the boys and I are not 'romantically involved' doesn't mean that I wouldn't do just about anything for them. I have done things to compromise missions for the sake of my team members. That is why I don't know if I am the best guy for this job. I do my best to make good and reasonable decisions so people don't get hurt or killed. But it does happen. I am technically no longer a part of your team. And it's beyond me what the difference is now or if we become more involved. Acting on our feelings will not change that." He finished, took a deep breath, and sat back in his chair.
That was the most she thought she had ever heard him speak. "Wow" was all she could muster.
He smiled, "Wow? That's it? I figured you would have some logical reply."
She shook her head. "I don't know what to follow that up with."
"How about we meet at your place at 1500 hours?"
She smiled and nodded, "Okay" She wasn't sure what she was getting herself into, but right at this moment, she didn't care.
The night was spent again watching movies and eating in. Jack brought clothes to sleep in this time. He knew that she wasn't going to let him leave. They were just finishing up a movie when the doorbell rang. It was Daniel.
"Hey there Danny boy"
"Jack, hi." He said somewhat confused. Slowly he figured it out. "Oh, oh. Sorry, am I interrupting anything?"
"No Daniel, come in"
"I just came to see how Sam was doing. But I can see she is good."
"Daniel, we are just watching movies."
"Yeah, c'mon and join us. We were just going to start a new one. We get to watch the one I picked out next." Jack said motioning for Daniel to sit.
"Are you guys sure about this?"
"We will ask you to leave if we don't want you around." Jack remarked, grinning.
"Uh, okay"
Sam sat in the chair next to the couch, giving the boys some room.
"So…" Daniel said.
"Ready to start the movie?" Sam asked as relief swept over Daniel's face.
"Yes" Daniel and Jack said simultaneously.
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"Thanks Daniel" Sam said hugging him.
"No problem" Daniel said turning to leave.
She shut the door and locked it behind him. Jack was stretched out on the couch watching a hockey game. He could always find one TV. She walked into the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea. She returned to the living room to find that he had changed the science channel. She sat down on the floor in front of the couch so she could put her cup on the coffee table. He rolled over onto his side and started massaging her neck. It felt good.
"Jack"
"Yeah"
"Never mind"
"What?"
She sighed and tilted her head back to look up at him. "Do you really think that we can make this work?"
"We should give it a try"
She smiled. He moved closer and kissed her lips. He hadn't kissed her since they had been back.
She turned herself to face him and climbed on the couch with him. He made room for her and wrapped his arms around her. She put her head on his chest. She was still tired from not getting much sleep. She relaxed into him and was soon asleep. He stroked her hair and softly rubbed her back. He was soon asleep too.
"Good Morning Sam" Jack said as he kissed her on the cheek. Sometime during the night they had migrated to the bed.
"Good morning Jack"
"Down time is great. I decided to take the day off too. They will call me if they need me."
"I guess you can do that." she said smiling.
"Yes, the perks of being in charge." Jack said with a grin.
She rolled to face him "I am going to go hop in the shower. I will be back in a few."
He nodded. "I think I will take one too." They got up and headed for the showers.
He was the first one back in. She returned to the room shortly after he did and slid under the covers beside him. It was going to be a cold day out so staying in bed the whole day sounded good to both of them. Jack turned to face her. She leaned into him and kissed him gently on the lips. Her hair was still damp and warm. She kissed him again, this time forcefully. He rolled over on top of her, lips and bodies pressed together. He kissed her neck and caressed her soft skin with his hands. She had just slid her hands under his shirt when their cell phones rang simultaneously. They both knew what that meant.
Jack dropped his head into her chest. "Damn, perfect timing" he grumbled.
Sam reached for her phone and grabbed his to shut it off. He was glad she was thinking straight.
"Yes, this is Carter. Yes, ok I will be right there." She ended the connection. "Something is up at SGC, you need to call"
"Figures"
She smiled, "We will have time for this later." She kissed him and he rolled onto his back. He pushed speed dial. "This is O'Neill"