A Single Man of Courage – part twenty two

As Jack got better Sam seemed to be keeping a little distant from him, which puzzled him, and perhaps hurt him as well.

By the third day he was chomping at the bit as he watched the first rays of what looked like a beautiful sunrise peeking through his bedroom window. Giving in to the urge he got up, rather unsteadily, but he was up.

He pulled on a pair of sweat bottoms rather slowly and made his way through to the lounge, quietly so as to not disturb anyone. By the time he got there, he felt like crap and he gratefully collapsed on the couch just as Sam appeared.

"Don't over do it today," she begged him, before going into the kitchen. She soon returned with two large glasses of juice.

She presented Jack with one before sitting down with her own.

Sam gave him his medication and soon he was fast asleep again. She covered him with the throw and then began to tidy up the kitchen. It was a nice kitchen, sunny, with plenty of room and better stocked than her own, she acknowledged ruefully.

She'd poured herself a coffee and was sitting at the table lost in thought when Daniel came in, for once already washed and dressed, yawning mightily.

"Morning," she called cheerfully. "Breakfast?"

Daniel looked surprised at her light mood. He'd noticed Jack asleep on the couch and surmised that was the cause of it.

"Yes please." He frowned and sat down to savor his first brew of the day.

"Eggs and waffles okay?"

"Err …"

"That's as good as it gets," she called quickly.

"Oh, okay. I'm not a huge cooking fan myself. Jack does the breakfasts normally when I stay, but he's got a good excuse this time."

Sam cocked her head in surprise. "He told me he couldn't cook," she said, remembering when they were stranded in Antarctica.

"Well, nothing cordon-bleu, but I've seen him following a recipe and he has baked with Cassie. You know those brownies she makes are an O'Neill recipe he taught her."

"They're gorgeous." Sam frowned. "She didn't say."

"Jack probably swore her to secrecy. She won't tell half of what they do together, but I do know Janet banned him from taking her to the joke shop."

"So that's where the little minx gets her ideas from. He must have been a terrible child." Sam shuddered, remembering some of Cassie's more horrible jokes.

"Still is," smirked Daniel.

"Damn!" swore Sam and turned back to the pan quickly before the eggs cremated themselves.

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Hurry up, Jack, or I'll starve to death," he whined dramatically. In the end he left the eggs and ate the waffles with syrup

When Jack woke he declined food and spent the afternoon back in bed. His readings were all normal for now and Sam had got him there by saying he could come down later if he wanted to.

As it happened he didn't leave his room. Janet called by with Cassie and after she checked him over she left Cassie chatting to him whilst she joined Sam and Daniel downstairs for some 'adult' conversation.

"Okay?" asked Sam.

"Yep, seems okay. Just make sure he doesn't overdo it. Plenty of rest, minimum of everything except fluids and food. I've left them thick as thieves up there. God knows what he's teaching her now," she said with feeling.

"Well, she doesn't seem too badly off for it," said Sam.

"Perhaps it's the rest of us balancing his influence out," suggested Daniel hopefully.

Janet laughed at that. "He does teach her good things as well. You remember that big confession about playing hooky from school?"

Sam nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I remember that alright." The grief Cassie had been causing going through a bad patch was very fresh in her memory.

"Well, she confessed to me later that it was Jack who drummed it home about telling me the truth and talking about what was going on."

"Did he threaten to tell you?" asked Daniel.

"Nope. Apparently he told Cassie that he knew she was a big enough person to tell me herself." Janet sighed at the memory. She had a lot to be thankful for to Jack and so had Cassie. Her daughter adored him.

"One thing with Jack is that he does speak his mind, except when it comes to personal stuff."

"Or if he's hurt," added Janet thinking of the times he'd brush over an injury.

The evening passed pleasantly enough and Sam decided it was time to check on the 'kids'. She pushed the door open to find Cassie sitting on the bed stroking Jack's hair while he slept.

Sam's heart warmed at the sight. Cassie looked up at her, her expression a little fearful. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears and her voice wobbled slightly as she spoke.

"He's been really hurt bad, hasn't he?" she asked.

"Your mom told you what happened?"

"Yeah, some, but we nearly lost him for good this time, didn't we Sam?"

Cassie got up as she spoke, very gently so as to not disturb the sleeping Colonel and went into Sam's arms for a cuddle as silent tears crept down her face.

Sam almost wept herself, but choked them back and led Cassie into the bathroom to dry her tears and then wash her face.

"That's better, said Sam, hugging her close.

"As soon as Jack feels okay enough I'm coming to stay over. Seems ages since I did that."

"I'm sure he won't mind. It won't be long."

Cassie brightened a little and they went to the lounge together.

"Sleeping like a baby," announced Cassie to her mom.

"Perhaps you can nurse him next time. You work wonders," said Janet with a smile.

"Gee mom, please don't say next time," moaned Cassie, her lips trembled slightly.

"Sorry honey. Come here." She gave her daughter a loving hug.

Cassie was still a little too quiet and Daniel put on one of the old comedies that she and Jack would watch time and time again. The adults chatted amongst themselves for a while, mindful that Cassie was there.

Cassie turned the video off after a little while and went back to Janet for another hug.

"It's not the same without Jack mom. I'm a little tired; do you think maybe we could go home?"

Janet eyed her daughter thoughtfully, realizing how upset she still was.

"Sure honey, we'll come back in couple of days when Jack's better still."

Sam and Daniel saw them out together. Cassie gave Daniel a hug and then Sam.

"I'm glad you're taking care of Jack. Give him a hug from me when he wakes."

Sam blushed, but smiled at the girl's words.

Janet called for Cassie to come, saving Sam from having to answer.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sam yawned and stretched. She was really tired. Funny how a three day mission didn't seem to be as tiring as this. "I'm beat. I'll go check on sleeping grumpy then go to bed."

Daniel smiled at Sam's description of their absent friend. "Yeah fine, I've got a book I'm into. See you in the morning unless you need me."

She checked Jack was sleeping soundly and gave him the last injection of the day before turning in.

She slept, dreaming of Jack, dreams which brought a smile to her face and a tingling to her body.

When she woke it was with disappointment to find it was only another dream. She lay, trying to recapture the feelings and images, but they'd gone. She sighed heavily; resolving herself to putting up with just dreams, and forced herself out of bed to shower and dress. As she expected, Jack's bed was empty.

He'd gotten up to see the sunrise. By the time Sam appeared he'd surrendered to lying on the couch, but with the doors thrown wide, letting the early light and the view into the room.

Sam saw that he looked comfortable enough. "Morning," she said softly.

He broke his gaze from the view to look at her. "Hi, you're early again."

"So are you. How are you feeling?"

"Okay, went out like a light last night. I remember talking to Cassie though – crap … did I fall asleep on her?" he asked with embarrassment.

Sam nodded, grinning. "Yeah. Don't worry she forgave you. You'd better hurry up and get well; she's looking forward to staying a couple of days."

Jack's face softened. "She's a good kid."

Sam agreed, smiling as she remembered Cassie's words to her.

"What?" asked Jack, watching her face.

Sam blushed. "Nothing." She continued, smiling.

"What?" he persisted.

Sam tried to be casual. "Oh, just something Cassie said."

"Carter!"

"Sorry Sir, just girl talk. Now do you fancy coffee?" Sam tucked away the memory and headed into the kitchen.

Daniel came down, yawning heavily and sniffed the aroma of coffee being brewed.

"Sleep well?" enquired Jack.

"Fine, God …" he moaned seeing the time, "It's still night."

Jack almost laughed at his expression of disgust until he remembered his ribs and contented himself with a grin.

"What's for breakfast?" asked Daniel, his stomach growling now that he was up.

Sam brought three coffees in, having heard Daniel's arrival.

"What!" she cried, "don't look at me, I did it yesterday."

"Call that breakfast." complained Daniel as he grabbed a coffee.

Eventually Daniel settled for toast and more coffee and Sam managed to get the Colonel to eat a little cereal, before he gave in to tiredness and began to sleep once more.

Daniel returned to his book and Sam fetched her laptop and sat in a comfortable chair whilst she worked.

Jack woke a while later, but his first sight was of Sam's profile gazing down at her laptop as she worked. He lay still for quite a while, just staring at her. Finally she paused in her work and chewed her lower lip as she pondered on something. She became aware of his gaze and turned to meet his eyes. How long they sat, their eyes locked, they weren't sure and it was only because of the insistent ring of the phone that they managed to break the contact.

Sam grabbed the receiver with some annoyance "Hello!" she almost barked into it, "Oh, hi Cassie." Her tone softened. "Fine thanks … yes … yes … he's here … sure … see you," and with that she handed the phone to Jack.

She was relieved that Daniel was snoring in the other chair and hadn't witnessed their 'lapse' and she returned to her laptop pretending to work as she listened.

"Hi Cass ... yeah not too bad." Jack paused, grinning as he listened. "Yeah sorry," he said frowning at first then another big grin lit his face. "No, no she didn't." His face creased with laughter. "I will Cass. Take care, see you soon."

Jack put the receiver down and lay grinning at Sam.

"What?" she asked, feeling his eyes on her.

"Oh nothing," he said casually. "Just something Cassie said." He grinned mimicking her words from earlier that morning.

Sam didn't need a second guess as to what was said and she blushed furiously and tore her eyes back down to the screen to pretend to work. She heard Jack's soft chuckle, but chose to ignore it.

He settled back still with a grin on his face and slept again.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Peace reigned until Janet called in on her way home. She was delighted to find Jack looking so much better.

'At least I'll have good news for a change for Cassie,' she thought.

She didn't stay long and hurried home to her daughter.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Daniel declared his intention to visit the SGC and get some books.

"When's Teal'c back?" asked Sam.

"Back?" queried Jack "I wasn't aware he'd gone anywhere." He'd missed seeing the big guy, but his immediate thoughts when awake, which didn't seem to be too often at the moment, were on a more feminine subject … not a million miles away.

"We didn't want you worrying. He went on a babysitting run with SG-11 while we're on ours," said Daniel with a sly grin.

"Hey!" cried Jack indignantly, catching Daniel's jibe.

"I'll check while I'm there anyway. See you later." Daniel picked up Jack's truck keys, much to the dismay of his friend.

"Drive careful." warned Jack.

"Always," smirked Daniel as he left.

"Fancy chess, Carter?" asked Jack feeling thoroughly bored with television.

"Sure, why not?" agreed Sam and brought the handsome chess set over and set it up on the coffee table so that Jack didn't have to get up off the couch.

She sat down on the floor, a little above eye level with the pieces. Jack struggled onto his side so he didn't have to sit up, which brought him to eye level with Sam.

They began playing. Sometimes the moves seemed to take a while - their eyes kept drifting of their own violation to each other. Sam could tell his mind wasn't altogether on the game; neither was her own, come to think of it.

She took a long time in particular over moving one piece and she heard him sigh. Impatiently? She thought that, but when she looked up she saw he was watching her intently, his eyes dark, very dark with what? Longing? Desire? She found herself feeling flustered, but unable to look away.

The minutes stretched and Sam found herself standing and pulling the table away from the couch as she moved to perch on the chair's edge with him.

"Sir …" she began, trying to break her gaze.

"Jack," he said. "Say Jack, not Sir or Colonel just Jack."

Sam smiled. "Okay, just Jack."

He groaned. "Smart ass."

"I have a good teacher." She grinned back at him.

"Is that my claim to fame? A wise cracking astrophysicist, a cheeky space monkey and a cliché confused Jaffa."

Sam giggled at his words, his humor, along with his dark intense eyes, bringing her to a level of giddiness. "Not to me." She sobered slightly and leaned closer.

Jack felt the breath catch in his throat. 'God, she's so beautiful.' He wanted so badly to hold her and never let go.

Sam thought her pounding heart would surely burst through her chest and the roar in her ears would make her pass out before long. She wanted so badly to hold him, be held by him and more, so much more …

The distance between them narrowed slowly, their faces almost touching …

The sudden ringing from the phone made them both jump. Jack gave a groan and Sam shot up quickly, a guilty flush rising on her face.

She ran her fingers through her hair, looking about for the phone. She snatched the receiver up. "YES!" she shouted. "Daniel, oh sorry, hi ..." Her face flushed even darker.

Jack groaned again and covered his face with his hands. He'd moved onto his back, cursing softly.

"What? … Oh … yes everything's okay. Is …" Sam cast one eye to Jack who was still covering his face.

"Fine, yes no problem …Okay, yes that's fine. See you tomorrow then." She hung up and then with an afterthought snatched the receiver up and placed it next to the phone.

"Daniel," she said.

"Figures," was the muffled reply.

Sam moved back to the couch and sat down again beside Jack. She began gently to pull at his hands to remove them from his face. He scrubbed them over his face and then through his hair, making it stand on end even more, which made her smile.

Sam leaned over as he brought his hands down, catching him by surprise.

"He's not coming back tonight. Teal'c's due back in the morning so he's decided to help out with some translating and then he'll bring Teal'c over tomorrow afternoon."

Jack lay still. He had reasoned that Sam would put distance between them after the phone's ringing had brought them to their senses and he was puzzled by her closeness.

Sam saw his musing. "I've taken the phone off the hook." She smiled, giving him a mischievous look.

Jack looked at her in bemusement.

"Unless you don't want to carry on where we left off?" asked Sam invitingly, as she dared to take the bull by the horns.

Jack failed to conceal his surprise, but gave her such a bone-melting grin that her stomach tightened in anticipation.

"So," he whispered, "where were we?"

"Here," murmured Sam and moved close to him, her lips barely touched his at first, then more, tasting, then deeper until there was almost an urgency between them.

Jack felt the electricity coursing through him, his heart pounding, his body throbbing with desire, as he moaned into her mouth.

His hands caressed her body, pulling gently at the t-shirt she wore until they were stroking her bare flesh.

Sam shivered deliciously at his touch, one hand threading through his hair, the other stroking at his thighs and higher. Jack almost jumped when her hand brushed against his groin on its journey over his body.

Sam broke away from the kiss, panting, her eyes blazing with desire.

"Uh, Si … Jack, your erm, your ribs … how? I mean … are you okay?" She was blushing as she spoke, but her hands kept up the stroking on his body.

Jack gave a groan. This wasn't his idea of a first time with Sam.

"Bed, more room?" he asked hopefully. He hoped she didn't want to back out now. Sore ribs or not he didn't think he could stand it if she backed off now.

Sam grinned and helped him up. They moved into Jack's bedroom where Jack lay down on the bed and Sam helped him to undress. She sat straddling his thighs, still stroking his body gently.

"This is so not fair, Sam," he complained, "You're still wearing clothes."

Sam leant forward, careful to keep her weight off his chest and kissed him thoroughly. His hands roamed over her, deftly sliding under her t-shirt to unclip her bra. They broke contact briefly whilst she got rid of her clothes. Jack gazed at her body in silent awe before pulling her down to kiss her thoroughly … breaking off to give a gasp of pain … his eyes beseeching Sam to carry on when she made to draw back …

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Much later they lay together, as close as they could possibly get. Jack's chest felt as if it was on fire, but not for the world would he admit it. He'd enjoyed Sam's lovemaking, but felt his participation was sadly lacking. His ego had taken as severe a beating as his body …

Sam had no such misgivings as she lay content, cuddling close, but she'd noticed his distraction after things had calmed down. She'd been aware of his pain during their lovemaking, but any notions to cease had been soon driven from her mind as her body pushed her to fulfillment.

She raised herself up on one elbow, her other hand lazily tracing a pattern gently on his still bruised stomach.

"Jack," she began softly which made him turn to her, "Are you okay?" she asked with concern.

"Fine."

"Liar."

His eyebrows rose at that. "I'm okay," he repeated, almost daring her to dispute him again.

"You sure? I mean I wasn't exactly … well easy on you." Sam blushed as she spoke, remembering the throes of passion.

Jack saw her blush and put a hand to her cheek, stroking it gently.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

"Sorry? What for?" she asked in surprise.

"Sorry it wasn't better for you," he said sadly, maintaining the eye contact.

Realizing what he meant she smiled gently at him, cupped his face and leaned closer.

"It's probably not how you imagined it," she began and as he opened his mouth she pressed her fingers to his lips. Her eyes twinkled as she continued. "Lying there with several broken ribs and being jumped by a horny mad woman." She grinned wickedly at him.

His lips twitched into a smile despite himself. "You were horny?" he asked raising one brow with a smirk, "I hadn't noticed."

She very gently slapped his shoulder playfully and lay back down to cuddle him.

Soberly he hugged her closer. "Nope, it's certainly not how I'd imagined it. I had hoped to show you how I feel about you. I wanted so badly to make love to you - not you having to help me for cryin out loud."

Sam felt the tears pricking at her eyes as he spoke. She leaned up to look into his eyes, which shone with love for her.

"I understand Jack, honestly, but I also knew if we waited I'd loose my nerve."

"Am I so off putting?" he asked.

"On the contrary, the times I've had to fight myself to keep my hands off you," she grinned, but then sobered. "It hurts so much how close I was to losing you."

He looked puzzled for a moment then light dawned. "Oh."

"In the infirmary you were so formal with me. I thought you'd changed your mind completely about … about wanting me."

"I'm sorry about that. My feelings for you have never altered, but I didn't want to jeopardize your career. I didn't want your judgment clouded by the circumstances at the time."

Sam loved him even more for that confession and couldn't help but say the words "I do love you," she whispered.

Jack's heart faltered for a moment. He'd never expected to hear those words directly from her. The expression on his face caught her unawares.

"What?" she asked nervously, thinking she'd overstepped the mark by declaring herself like that.

"Oh God, Sam," he breathed.

Her heart bumped wildly, waiting for the brush off.

"Sam, I love you," he whispered.

She giggled with relief and kissed him thoroughly.

As they lay together warm and contented Sam watched his face, concerned for his painful ribs.

"What?" he asked, catching her gaze.

"Nothing." She smiled and then … "Oh" and she gave him a gentle hug.

"What's that for?" he asked, amused.

She smiled. "It's from Cassie."

"Oh, right." He leaned over to her and kissed her thoroughly.

She mouthed "what?" at his self-satisfied smile.

Jack's face lit with a huge shit-eating grin.

"Cassie said if I ever got that hug off you I had to kiss you no matter what."

Sam laughed. "Good job I only hug in private then."

"Yeah."

She gave him a searching look. "Would you have kissed me on the base?"

"Prefer your face or body," he smirked, "But would you have hugged me at the base?"

Sam grinned. "Nope."

Jack made a show of mock relief. "Whew, saved!"

Sam laughed and snuggled down with him, feeling secure and cherished.

"You wait until I get healed up," said Jack, holding her lovingly.

Sam sat up, her features showing her displeasure.

"No way flyboy, am I going to wait that long," she said sternly.

"Then you'll have to continue to be a mad woman for a while longer," laughed Jack.

"With pleasure," laughed Sam. "With pleasure."

xoxoxoxoxoxo

THE END

Thank you for reading

xoxoxoxoxoxo

That's it – finished. Do you want another fic from Jackie? Send reviews and let her know. There's this really good one where Sam and Jack are caught up in a war offworld… I won't tell you any more.

I got a reply from Jackie about my note on the bottom of the previous chapter. Here's what she said

Your reply is absolutely fine - you can add ditto from me at the end.

and the next fic is -

Sam and Jack make love
and live happily ever after.
The end.

Remember – let Jackie know if you want another one.

Flatkatsi