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Chapter 9.

A few hours later, Jack was walking casually through the park, searching for his teammates. He'd beaten himself up pretty badly after leaving Sam, blaming himself for losing control and allowing the intimacy between them. Then there was the whole "Pete thing". He was sure if the man found out he was going to try to ruin Sam's career…at the very least. Not to mention break off their engagement. Sam would blame him and she'd be right; it was his fault.

He'd almost called Daniel and begged off but he didn't want Sam to get the wrong idea. He didn't regret loving her, but he shouldn't have acted on it. He'd be gone in a few days – what then? He was pulled out from under the black cloud as he heard Daniel calling his name and raised a hand to signal he'd seen them. He sucked in a deep breath, put on his 'cool' mode and sauntered towards them.

As he neared them a young woman, who looked to be in her twenties, walked towards him, studying the length of him and tossing him a very inviting smile. She was nicely curved and scantily clad and Jack was definitely looking, his eyes smiling behind his dark glasses. She didn't stop or say anything, just gave him a look. And he kept walking, but he did turn to follow her with his eyes as she walked away, tripping as he did so and nearly landing in Carter's lap.

"Humph humph!" Daniel cleared his throat and when Jack looked up at him, he was smiling behind his fist. "Hi, Jack! You ok?"

Jack tugged on his shirt and craned his neck, "Fine, Daniel. You?"

"Enjoying the scenery, Sir?"

Carter tilted her head up at him and smiled. He was glad to note that it seemed like a normal thing for her to do.

"Yeah, it's nice here! T! How ya doing, buddy? See you got Daniel home ok."

"Indeed. He was most co-operative, O'Neill."

He felt Sam staring at him and turned to look at her. He let a small smile tug at his lips and she looked away quickly, avoiding his eyes.

"Daniel brought popcorn, Sir. Sit down, the movie should start any minute."

"Don't mind if I do, Carter!" He dropped to the ground and stretched out on the blanket they had spread on the ground. He was smiling until he noticed Daniel looking his way with his head cocked to one side. 'Just can't let it go,' Jack thought to himself.

"Daniel. What?" Jack asked in a somewhat aggravated tone.

"Hum? Oh, nothing. Nothing."

But Jack saw him glance over at Teal'c. Those two could talk without words, just like he and Sam. He shook his head slightly and pulled his arms back behind his head. 'It's going to be a long night,' he thought.

"Shhhh! Guys, it's starting!"

Carter was whispering and had already turned to face the screen, her hand buried in the popcorn bag. Jack removed his sunglasses and looked toward the screen. Daniel was still watching him as he slipped his hand in the popcorn and purposely brushed against Sam's hand.

Daniel smiled as he looked at the way they had seated themselves to watch the movie, it reminded him of their off world "camping trips". Teal'c was sat Indian-style at the far side of the blanket, Jack was sprawled out full length at his side and Sam was between himself and Jack. She was engrossed in the movie but unconsciously creeping closer to Jack, just the way she did when they were sleeping, as they shared the popcorn. They were both laughing and seemed to be really enjoying themselves for once. Daniel leaned back so that he could see Teal'c behind their backs and gave him a small nod towards them. Teal'c turned his eyes to survey them quietly for a moment and returned his customary nod along with a tiny smile as they all settled in to watch the movie.

Three hours later they were sitting in O'Malley's waiting for their drinks to arrive and teasing Daniel.

"It was a really hokey movie, Daniel."

"Hokey! Come on, Jack! That was a classic Cary Grant movie! You had to love it!"

"I thought it was terrific, Daniel."

"As did I."

Well, thank you Sam…Teal'c." Daniel looked at Jack just in time to see him grinning devilishly and Sam jab him in the ribs.

"Ow! What was that for, Carter?"

She cocked her head and gave him that 'you know what for' look and he started to melt right in front of Daniel's eyes as child like innocence spread across her smiling face.

"I'm sorry, Sir, I don't know what you're talking about."

"All right! All right! He just shouldn't make it so much fun, is all." He paused for a moment and then turned to Daniel. "The movie was great, Daniel."

"Thank you, Jack."

Jack immediately turned to Carter and in a pouting tone, remarked. "Now see, that wasn't nearly as much fun!"

She shook her head and laughed. "Whining, Sir?"

He gave her a look but decided to change the subject.

"You know we should all go on a picnic. Or camping!" Jack's grin openly showed his enthusiasm for his idea.

"Uh, Sir? We go 'camping' on a regular basis. It's our job, remember?"

"Well, not me. I haven't been in ages! Then again if you'd all just accept my invitation to my cabin…it'd be great! You'd love it, Carter. We could head up there next Friday…"

"I will not be able to make it, O'Neill."

"Come on, Teal'c! We'll do it another time then."

"I am sorry, O'Neill. I simply do not enjoy the act of fishing."

"Wh…What? I can't believe my ears!"

"It is a waste of time, O'Neill, there are no fish in your lake."

"There are too fish in my POND! They're just very smart… or very…lazy!"

Jack suddenly realized the absurdity of his argument with Teal'c and seeing the snickering faces of Sam and Daniel, he gave in and laughed along with them.

"What am I going to do with you guys?" But his eyes were smiling, really smiling as he looked around the table as his favorite people.

They lingered over their meal, enjoying their renewed camaraderie, until the restaurant was closing. Jack picked up the tab while Sam and Teal'c helped Daniel to the truck. Jack joined them smiling and shaking his head once again at his friend's inability to hold liquor.

"Better get him home, Teal'c."

Teal'c nodded but suddenly Daniel objected.

"No! I wanna say wiff you guys, Zac."

Jack looked at Sam and smiled broadly. "So what…Z's are easier than J's?"

She giggled, "Apparently, Sir."

Jack then turned back to Daniel, who was leaning against Teal'c for support. "You do, huh?"

"Yep! Ure leafing soom. Dawn wanna miss out on z fun."

"Ok, spacemonkey. Teal'c, my house?"

"Indeed, O'Neill." They got Daniel into his car and Teal'c pulled away. Jack turned to look into Sam's eyes. "Guess you're with me, Carter."

"Yes, Sir." They got into Jack's truck and he reached to start the engine but then stopped suddenly.

"Problem, Sir?"

"Yeah, " he turned slightly so that he was facing her. "I want to kiss you, Carter."

"That's a problem?"

"You know it is, Sam. I shouldn't be…"

"Jack, let me take care of over analyzing the situation, ok?"

He smiled and dropped his eyes away from hers.

"Bit awkward, huh?"

"Yeah, a bit. It's ok, Jack. I don't expect things to change over night."

'Well, it's too late for that!' Jack thought to himself and brought his eyes back up to meet hers. His hand came up to caress her cheek gently and she leaned in to place a soft kiss on his waiting lips.

"We'd better get going."

Jack snapped out of his daze and turned back to the wheel.

"Right! Daniel. Teal'c should be able to square him away, but with Daniel, you never know. Oh yeah, we need to stop for some Guinness. And did you want to get a movie?"

"Can't we just watch one of yours? It's getting late."

"Yeah, you're right. They're packed, but you can dig through them if you want." He handed his cell phone to Sam. "Here, call Teal'c and tell him to let himself in."

TBC