See Chapter One for full disclaimer and author's notes.

Chapter Four

It had been another crazy couple of months in the life of General O'Neill and the SGC. Several missions had been launched and recovered, with varying degrees of success and not without a few mishaps along the way. Jack had found himself running from one crisis to the next with barely enough time to choke down a piece of cake and a cup of coffee. By the time things had finally gotten back to what the SGC considered to be normal, he was more tired than he would have thought possible working a desk job.

He hadn't had time to worry about confronting other new developments in his life, as so eloquently pointed out by the SGC's resident archaeologist and all around busy body. Not that he would have been able to do anything about those recent developments. By the time things had calmed down enough for Jack to ponder having a conversation with Sam, she had gone to Area 51 for an orientation tour. Jack hadn't seen her for just over two weeks, and so had been allowed plenty of time to consider what to do, if anything, with his newfound freedom.

And certainly this was not his decision alone. Daniel had, in no uncertain terms, pointed out to him that he was now free to pursue a personal relationship with Sam. Simply the idea of it had left him feeling lightheaded with the possibilities. Daniel had also pointed out the fact that Sam's engagement had only just been called off, and for him to step up and ask her out within a couple of short weeks after that breakup would hardly be the way to approach the situation. But the thought that had been weighing heavily on his mind ever since that evening was whether or not Sam even wanted any sort of relationship with him.

Now, however, just over two months has passed and Jack felt as though it may be now or never. Sam should have returned from Nevada Thursday afternoon and had actually taken some leave on Friday, much to his surprise. So here it was, Saturday morning and Jack had the phone in one hand debating whether or not to call. He had been attempting to work the conversation out in his mind for the better part of the last five days and still didn't have a clue what he was going to say. An invitation to dinner seemed to be a given, but how to lead up to the question was the dilemma.

In the end, he simply dialed the phone, hoping that by the time Sam answered, he would think of something, or at least not sound like a complete idiot. The phone rang twice before it was picked up.

"Yeah, hello."

"Ah, mornin' Carter."

"General. Good morning, sir." Sam answered, the surprise evident in her voice. "Is there something wrong sir? Do you need me back at the base?"

"No. No, nothing like that. Just calling to see how the trip went."

"Oh. Well, it's certainly going to be a lot of extra work, but they have a good team put together at Area 51. Top notch people, sir. We should be able to do some good and hopefully build some better relations between them and the SGC."

"Them? Ya know, you are now technically "them", Carter."

There was a slight pause on the other end of the line. "Huh. Never really thought about it that way, sir. I still feel like I'm a part of the SGC."

"Oh, don't get me wrong, you definitely are, but you report to them now."

"Kind of like dual citizenship, sir?"

Jack chuckled slightly. "Yeah, kinda."

"So, how've things been at the SGC the last couple of weeks? Did I miss anything fun, sir?"

"Well, I managed not to kill Daniel, if that's what you mean."

Sam laughed lightly. "Don't worry, sir. I'll be sure to take him off your hands first thing Monday morning. I brought back a couple of projects from Area 51, one of which I think I can entice Daniel to help me with since it's got some sort of encryption that appears to be in the Ancient's language."

"I'd definitely appreciate that, Carter. I'm not sure how much longer my self control was going to last."

Sam chuckled at the image of General O'Neill actually holding back rather than letting Daniel have an earful, as he would have as SG-1's CO. Maybe the new rank and position was truly changing him, something she had never thought possible.

"So, ah…there was another question I had for you," Jack began uncertainly.

"Really, sir? What's that?"

"Well, actually…I was wondering what you were doing for dinner tonight?"

"I hadn't really thought about it yet. Probably nuke some soup or something. Why? You thinking about having the old team over, sir?"

"Not exactly, just one little bit of the old team. And I was thinking something a bit classier than our usual cookout in the backyard. Like The Olive Branch? Say around 1900?"

Sam was stunned. Did he just ask me out? What the hell has gotten into him? "Ah, well…wow, sir. Umm….are you sure that's such a good idea?"

"Actually, Sam, I think it's just about the best idea that's come along in quite some time," Jack replied confidently. "Considering some recent changes to our command structure, I think it's a damn fine idea."

That stopped Sam cold. Changes to our command struct...oh my God. "I, um…I can't believe I hadn't thought of it that way."

"To be honest, neither can I, Carter. And here I thought you were the smart one," Jack replied, chuckling. "So, should I pick you up at 7?"

Sam wasn't sure later if it was the unexpected invitation or the fact that for years she had dreamed of just this moment, but the words were out of her mouth before she could take them back.

"Sure, sir. I'd very much like that."

"Great, Carter. See you then. Oh, and one other thing."

"Yes, sir?"

"See if you can lose the 'Sir' before 7."

"On one condition."

"And that would be?"

"You lose the 'Carter'."

"I'll see what I can do, Sam. See you tonight."

The phone disconnected and Sam stood staring at the idle handset clutched in her nerveless fingers. What did I just do? Oh hell, face it Sam, you just did what you've wanted to do for years. Enjoy it.

"Now the big question. What am I going to wear?"

SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1

The Olive Branch had been a Colorado Springs dining spot for over 20 years. In that time it built a reputation for good food, good atmosphere, and good prices. Sam and Jack were sitting in a quiet booth near the back of the main dining room, their voices low amongst the murmuring of the dinner crowd. The meal had passed pleasantly and Sam found herself, after a period of tense nervousness, slowly relaxing and beginning to enjoy the evening. The feeling that they were doing something wrong was never far from her mind, but as the meal progressed she realized that this truly was okay; that a relationship was finally possible.

The night had begun well, Jack appearing on her doorstep promptly at 7 pm. Sam had gone for a casual look, a low cut stretchy white top over tight black jeans, heeled black boots, and a black leather jacket. O'Neill's open mouthed reaction as he stood on Sam's front porch had validated the choice. Sam had blushed slightly at the frankly approving stare and had simply stepped out the door and past Jack, heading for the passenger door of the truck. Following Sam with his gaze, Jack turned to follow, lengthening his stride and reaching the vehicle just in time to open the door and hold it as Sam climbed inside.

The meal had been as good as the Olive Branch's reputation promised and Sam found herself contented, sipping on her second glass of Kendal Jackson chardonnay. She gazed across the table at her dinner companion. Sam had seen Jack O'Neill in many states and emotions ranging from silly to enraged, but tonight was different. Tonight he was more relaxed than she could ever remember, his smile never far from his lips as they chatted about everything imaginable, from politics to sports. But one topic had been rather elusive, and Sam found herself wondering more and more about it as the night wore on. Finally, she decided to bite the bullet so to speak, and simply ask.

"So."

"So?"

"Why tonight?"

"Tonight?" Jack asked, genuinely confused.

"Yeah. Why did you ask me out tonight? Why not the day my transfer became effective?"

"Oh, that. Ah. Well… that was sort of Daniel's idea."

"Daniel? What's Daniel got to do with it?"

"Well, someone had to knock me over the head and get me to ask. Certainly wasn't going to be Teal'c. He's more subtle than that."

Sam smiled at the image. "So Daniel knocked you over the head?"

"Figuratively speaking, of course. This is still Daniel we're talking about. He actually took me out for a beer."

"So it was his idea for you to ask me out?"

"Well, that was sort of my own idea, but Daniel helped with the timing a bit. He convinced me it wouldn't have been such a great idea if I asked you out right after you and Shanahan….you know."

"Broke up?"

"Yeah, that."

"Thoughtful of him."

"Yeah, that's Daniel for ya. So…are you…you know….?" Jack gestured aimlessly toward the open air between them.

"I'm fine. Really. Thank you for asking, though."

"Ah. Good then."

Sam looked up, their eyes met across the table, and suddenly that warm feeling that had been niggling in the pit of her stomach exploded through her chest, warming her from the inside out, causing her to suck in a startled breath in response.

Jack suddenly looked concerned. "Hey, you okay?"

Sam shook herself from her startlement. "Yeah, yeah," She replied, pulling in a deep breath and letting out slowly. "Great in fact. This was very nice, tonight. Thank you."

Jack allowed a smile to crawl across his face. "Anytime, ma'am. Anytime. How about we get out of here?"

"Sure."

Jack stood up and moved to hold Sam's chair, then helped her don her jacket before they headed out the doors and back to his truck. The evening air was crisp, the beginnings of winter turning the nights sharply colder. Sam pulled the collar of her coat closed as a gust of chill air blew past her. Jack again moved past her to pull open the passenger door of his truck and hold it as Sam climbed in. She couldn't help the small smile that crossed her face as Jack gently closed the door behind her and walked around to enter on the driver's side.

Jack caught Sam smiling at him as he pulled on his seat belt. "What?"

"Nothing. I just never pictured you as someone who opened doors and all of that."

"Really? I always thought that kind of came naturally to me. Why, does it bother you?"

"Surprisingly enough, no. It doesn't."

"Alright then."

They arrived at Sam's doorstep a few minutes after ten. Jack walked Sam up to her front door, pausing while she unlocked the door and pushed it open slightly.

"So, would you like to come in for some coffee?"

"I think if I come in for coffee, I'm going to want to stay for pancakes."

Sam felt her mouth go dry. "Oh."

"Yeah. Sam, I…I've wanted this for so long, I just don't want to do anything to screw it up."

"I know what you mean."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I think I've probably wanted this at least as long as you have. Maybe longer."

"You have? Really?"

Sam smiled gently. "Yes, really. Jack, I haven't exactly had the best of luck in relationships and the last thing I want to do is make a mistake with you. With us. Not after…" Sam trailed off. Jonas. Pete. Both mistakes. Both regrets.

"So, we'll be careful then. Okay?"

"I think I can handle that."

"Good. So, is dinner at my place tomorrow night careful enough?"

"I'm not sure…how careful is it to subject myself to your cooking?"

"Oh, now that hurts. That really hurts!" Jack said, grinning as his hand clutched his shirt over his heart.

Sam smiled at the theatrics. "So, what can I bring?"

"So is that a yes?"

"It's a yes."

"Then you bring the dessert. Anything chocolate."

They stood, looking at each other for several moments.

"So," Jack said simply.

"So."

"I should probably go."

"Yeah, probably."

But rather than turning toward his waiting truck parked on the street, Jack reached out and curled a hand around Sam's arm, sliding his hand down the butter soft leather until her hand was clasped in his. Reaching out with his free hand he cupped her cheek, drawing her face nearer to his until they were breathing the same air. Sam's breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide and luminous in the evening moonlight. Jack took a moment to simply look at her, drink in the beauty of her, before he bent his head ever so slowly, his lips hovering just above Sam's.

In a moment that was exquisite in it's magnificence, Jack's lips brushed Sam's, feather light at first, then increasingly demanding in a wave of passion that left them both breathless. He pulled back, his hand stroking her face. "You are so beautiful."

Sam's eyes filled and she blinked hurriedly to keep the tears from falling.

Jack grimaced slightly. "I'm sorry. That wasn't really all that careful was it?"

"No, no. It was fine. More than fine, actually."

"More than fine?" Jack smiled mischievously. "I always wanted to be 'more than fine'."

Sam grinned, then stepped closer to him again, the smell of soap, cologne, and a scent that would always be Jack O'Neill filling her nostrils as Sam angled her lips toward his, her kiss searing in its intensity. As they broke apart, Sam moved in to wrap her arms around his waist, allowing herself to sink gratefully into his embrace as Jack enveloped her in his arms, creating a cocoon of warmth against the night chill.

"Oh God," Sam breathed, this perfect moment overwhelming her.

They stood there on her front porch for what seemed like an eternity, each warmed by the other. Jack moved first, pulling back from their embrace and reaching up to brush his hand across her temple and through her hair. "You okay?"

"Yeah. This just feels so good. So right. Caught me a bit off guard."

Jack smiled at that. "So, I'll see you tomorrow night?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

"Great, I'll see you around 6 then."

"Okay," Sam said simply, reluctantly releasing her hold on Jack as he stepped back from her door and moved slowly toward his truck. He opened the door and turned back, smiling and giving her a small wave. Sam returned the gesture as she watched him turn the motor over and pull away from her curb. She followed the taillights of his truck as he turned the corner before entering her house and closing the door silently behind her.

SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1

Sam paused just outside Jack's door to smooth down the hem of her skirt. Generally she wasn't a vain person, but then again, how vain could you be when you spend most of your time off world living in the field? Sam was a bit surprised at herself. How many years had she known Jack? 7 nearly 8? And here she was, standing outside his door nervous about how she looked. Get a grip, Sam.

She reached out and knocked lightly on the door. A few moments later the door swung open and Jack stood just to one side of the doorway.

"Hey there. Come on in."

"Hey. I brought New York Super Fudge Chunk. Hope that's okay."

"Sounds great. Let me put that in the freezer. Unless of course you want to just skip dinner and go straight for the ice cream?"

"As good as that sounds, I wouldn't want your hard work to go to waste."

"Right. Can I get you something to drink?" Jack asked, slipping Sam's jacket from her shoulders and hanging it in the nearby closet.

"A beer would be great, thanks," Sam said, stepping down into the family room and taking a seat on the nearby sofa. Jack returned with 2 bottles of Guinness, handing one to Sam and settling himself on the couch next to her, their knees not quite touching.

"So. Dinner should be ready shortly," Jack began, a sudden awkwardness causing him to feel somewhat self conscious. Although, for what reason he had no idea.

"What're we having anyway?"

"Oh, um…baked chicken, baby carrots, garlic mashed potatoes and a salad. Hope you came hungry."

"You made all of that? Yourself?"

"Well, yeah. You didn't think I sat around here eating pizza and burritos every night, didja?"

"To be honest, I sort of had you pegged for the frozen pizza kind of guy. Are you sure all of that didn't come out of a box from the freezer?"

"Hey now, first you doubt my gentlemanly gestures at dinner, now you're doubting my cooking skills. We're really going to have to work on your image of me."

"I've actually been pleasantly surprised so far. I'm discovering there's a great deal I don't know about you. And I'm looking forward to the chance to find out more."

Jack smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that."

The timer sounded from the kitchen and Jack excused himself to put the finishing touches on dinner. Sam listened to him putter around for a few moments before following, leaning against the doorframe that separated the dining room from the kitchen sipping on her beer.

"Anything I can do to help?"

"Sure. You can take the salads to the table. What kind of dressing do you like? I've got ranch and um….ranch," Jack frowned at the refrigerator.

Sam laughed lightly. "I guess in that case I'll take the ranch," Picking up the salad bowls and bottle of dressing, she headed back into the dining room, setting her burden down on the table.

"Go ahead and have a seat, I'll be right in," Jack called from the kitchen.

Sam pulled out a chair and took her seat, turning to see Jack entering the room carrying two steaming plates.

"Wow. That smells great."

Jack grinned and set a plate in front of Sam. "Go ahead and dig in. Hopefully it tastes as good as it smells."

Sam picked up a fork and cut off a small bite of the chicken, tentatively bringing it up to her mouth. The flavors exploded on her tongue. "Oh wow. I think it actually tastes better than it smells. This is wonderful."

"Ya know what, you're right. This is pretty good," Jack said, a bit incredulously.

"You sound surprised."

"I am, a little. I've never tried baking chicken before. I wasn't quite sure what to expect."

"Well, for a first timer, you sure did get it right."

They ate in companionable silence until their plates were nearly cleared.

Sam sat back in her chair, draining the last of her beer. "I don't think I could eat another bite. That was wonderful, Jack. Thank you."

"So, no room for New York Super Fudge Chunk huh? Now that's just a shame."

"Hey now, I didn't say that! Just give me an hour or so and I'll be ready for round two," Sam replied, smiling.

Jack's grin widened. "Far be it for me to keep a woman from her chocolate ice cream," He stood, ignoring Sam's playfully indignant glare, and picked up the empty plates to deposit them in the sink before returning to the table and reclaiming his seat.

"So," Sam said simply.

"So?"

"What's tomorrow going to be like?"

"It's going to be different, that's for sure."

"Yeah. Different. But good, I think."

"You know people are going to talk, right?"

"Jack, people have been talking for years. Now they'll just have something real to talk about."

"Well now, that's true enough. But now that there's something real to talk about, things might get a bit more…intense. Especially for you."

"I can handle myself."

"I never said you couldn't. I'm just sayin'."

"I know. Really, though, I'll be fine. But we should probably set some ground rules for when we're at work."

"Such as?"

"Well, making out in the control room is probably out."

Jack grinned. "Ah, yeah. That would be a given."

"I guess we just try to act the way we always have. I don't think I'm going to be able to pretend I barely know you, but eyebrows are going to rise if you suddenly start spending all your time in my lab."

"Okay, so no making out in the control room and no spending all my day in your lab. Anything else?"

Sam smiled, but her expression faded to one of utter seriousness. "Are you sure we can do this? Are you sure we should?"

The questions stopped Jack cold and sent his heart pounding in his chest. Never had he considered the possibility that Sam wouldn't want this. That she would consider a relationship while they were still working together at the SGC to be too difficult. Arrogant Jack. Very arrogant. You never considered that maybe Sam wouldn't want the headaches that come with dating someone she works with.

Jack consciously tried to will himself to calm down before attempting to speak. "Are you saying you don't want to do this?"

"I'm just giving you one last chance to…reconsider. If you want."

Jack moved his chair closer to the corner of the table and Sam's seat, reaching out to pull her hand into his. He could feel the tremors running through her cold fingers and suddenly realized that this conversation was just as difficult for her as it was for him.

"Sam, nothing at the SGC could cause me to reconsider. Nothing. But if you don't want to deal with all the crap…well then, if that's what you want, okay."

"No. No that's not what I want, Jack. I want this. Us. No matter how hard it might be at work. I just wanted to give you one last chance to say stop."

Jack blew out a breath. "You realize you just scared the crap outta me, right?"

"I'm just glad you didn't take me up on it. And I wanted to be sure we both knew what we are getting ourselves into."

"Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea," Jack replied before leaning across the table and kissing Sam gently, then the kiss deepened to something more passionate. Jack pulled back slightly to look Sam squarely in the eyes, allowing her to see the depth of his feelings reflected in his gaze.

"Sam, I have never wanted anything as much as I want this. Believe me."

"I do, Jack. I do believe you."

"Okay then. So, ready for ice cream now?"

Sam's face broke into a small smile. "I'll get the spoons."

TBC…