EPILOGUE
A/N: Ok, guys, I was SO not going to write an epilogue. The idea was that whatever Jack and Sam decide to do in that hotel room for two days is up to YOUR imagination. If you want me to use my imagination I don't think I can keep the rating at 'T', but, for those of you who requested it, here goes...
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Jack took Sam by the hand and led her into the bathroom. It was enormous, with marble sinks, a huge marble tub with a Jacuzzi and a shower, heated towels, his and hers plush bathrobes, and candles! As many candles as Teal'c used when he performed Kelnoreem.
"You get the water temperature set and I'll light these candles." Jack said.
As Sam adjusted the water temperature she noticed the miniature designer bottles of bath gel. It was lemon grass scented. How ironic, she thought as she remembered the lemon soap they used in the caves.
She watched Jack as he finished lighting the last of the candles, then she turned off the indirect lighting that had illuminated the bathroom.
Jack looked at Sam, her face beautiful in the dancing candle light. He moved toward her and captured her mouth in a passionate kiss. He began to gently unbutton her blouse, slowly undoing each button.
She pulled away from the kiss to look in his face, then Sam began unbuttoning Jack's shirt as well. They slowly and sensuously removed each other's clothes then stepped into the immense marble tub together.
Jack hugged Sam's naked body to his and just let the warm water spray down on them. Using the lemon grass shower gel, they took turns washing each other's bodies, thoroughly enjoying the sight and feel of each other.
After the shower, they put on the thick, plush terrycloth bathrobes and went out into the main room. Jack called room service and ordered a bottle of champaign while Sam found the smooth jazz channel on the built in stereo.
After a couple glasses of champaign, Jack took Sam's glass from her and set it down. He began kissing her neck and soon both of the plush bathrobes were in a heap on the floor.
Jack and Sam made beautiful, passionate love on the king size bed and then drifted off in each other's arms to the soft strains of 'Captain of her Heart' playing on the stereo. They dozed in each other's arms for a few hours, then awoke and made love again.
After making love for the second time that evening, Sam and Jack got dressed and went down to The Tavern, where they were seated in the glass enclosed Garden Room. A three piece combo was playing light jazz as they ordered a steaks and sat in the warm, dim light of The Tavern, talking quietly and enjoying the other's company.
They returned to their room about half past midnight, got undressed and slid into the enormous bed, snuggled up together and went to sleep.
It was late by military standards when Sam awoke. The lush hotel room still dark thanks to the heavy draperies covering the sliding glass doors.
The first thing Sam saw was Jack, lying on his side, head propped up in his left hand, his right hand on her flat belly and a big grin on his face as he watched her.
"Did I mention that I love you?" He asked her.
"Once or twice." She replied with a grin.
He leaned down to kiss her.
"I could SO get used to this." She said.
"Yeah, well, lets not think about what might be and just enjoy what time we've got together."
Sam and Jack made love, they took another shower together, they went hiking, watched a movie on HBO, made love again, tried 2 more of the 11 restaurants in the hotel and reluctantly ended their day well after midnight.
The next morning, when Jack woke up, Sam was gone. At first he panicked, thinking that she couldn't face him so she called a cab and went home. Then he saw the sliding glass doors open just a fraction of an inch.
He got out of the bed, put on the plush bathrobe and joined her on the balcony.
"Oh, hi, Sir." She said quickly wiping a tear from her face.
"Again with the 'Sirs' so soon?"
She didn't respond, just looked out at the mountains which were a deep purple color in the early morning light.
"Sam, we don't have to do this. We can go back and tell General Hammond to make the switch to SG11 permanent..."
"No, Jack. You need to be on SG1. I need you to be on SG1."
Jack nodded. After a few moments he asked her "Are you ready to go back to the SGC or do you need more time?"
"I'm ready, Sir." She said, deliberately not looking at him.
She had already showered while he slept so she went in and packed her things while Jack took a quick shower.
After his shower Jack asked her "Do you want to get some breakfast before we leave? Checkout time isn't until noon."
"No, I would just as soon get this over with."
Jack quickly packed his things and they carried their suitcases down to the lobby. He returned the room keys and the two officers walked silently to his truck.
"Do you need to stop by your house or do you want to go directly to the SGC?" He asked her.
"You better take me to my house. It wouldn't look good if we both arrived together. That way I'll have my car so you won't have to take me home after work."
The rest of the ride was silent.
Jack arrived at the Mountain about 15 minutes before Sam did. He told the SF's to give him a call in his office when she arrived. They did so and he met her as she was exiting the elevator.
"So, you want to talk to Hammond and get this over with?" He asked her as she stepped out of the elevator.
"Yes, Sir."
The Colonel and the Major, dressed in their normal green fatigues, walked to General Hammond's office. Jack knocked on the door.
"Come!"
Jack and Sam entered the office.
"Colonel, Major, how are you?"
"Ready to return to work, General." Sam said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.
"General, I want to continue as the CO of SG1 and I want Major Carter as my 2IC."
"Are you sure, Colonel?"
"Yes, Sir."
"And you Major."
"Yes, Sir."
"Colonel, Major, have a seat." The General indicated the two chairs across from his desk.
When everyone was seated General Hammond continued "I didn't like the options you two were given, so I worked out another option for you."
Sam and Jack exchanged glances then looked back at the General.
"You two have saved the planet what, 6 o r 7 times now and you've never asked for anything in return and you've never been given anything in return. Hell, you both should have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by now! So, I got on the phone with the president and I reminded him of all you have done for Earth and then I explained how you...ah...have feelings for each other. The bottom line people, is that you have the president's written permission to have a non professional relationship and still remain on SG1 as long as you are discreet and remain completely professional while on duty."
The Colonel and the Major were speechless. They looked at him, they looked at each other, they looked back at the General, mouths hanging open. Finally Sam spoke. "Are you sure, General?"
General Hammond said nothing, but slid a piece of paper across his desk. Sam picked it up and looked at it. A big smile lit up her face as she saw the president's signature on the bottom of the page.
"Welcome back, SG1." General Hammond smiled.