Thanks for all your reviews! It's nice to know you all are out there and reading. New ISP in the works and I'm hoping to have that problem solved by early next week. Thanks for your patience!
Authors Notes: Here's my answer to a few questions from your reviews: 1) Chapter 1. "The Party" is set prior to the onset of the serious abuse allowing Sam to wear the revealing dress. 2) Someone asked about another of my stories "No Regrets" (sorry I can't remember the user name now that I'm editing). That story has NOT been abandoned, but I hit a bit of a snag and am working on it. Also the computer problem isn't helping. I promise to finish it though (Add to "Story Alert" to be notified by email when updated!) 3) For Gray - Thanks for the explanation, guess you're getting it after all. All I can say is I try to be original and in the end each reader is the judge of whether or not I succeed.
And now on with the story...
Tangled Web 11 A New Day
Daniel opened his eyes and looked around, momentarily confused by his surroundings until his eyes came to rest on Teal'c. "Teal'c! Morning! How's Sam?"
"She is sleeping most peacefully, Daniel Jackson." The big Jaffa was almost smiling.
"Good, that's good. Are you...smiling?"
"A new day is reason for celebration, is it not?"
"Um, yeah, sure. Want some breakfast?"
"Indeed."
"Ok. Coming right up." Daniel stepped lightly from the bed and looked at the clock. It was 0600 hours. He had plenty of time for breakfast before he had to be on base. He started down the hallway and into the living room to check on Jack. He turned the corner and took one step into the room before he realized that Jack wasn't there. Turning on his heels he went back to the kitchen. 'Maybe he's already started coffee,' Daniel thought to himself as he entered the kitchen and stopped short. No Jack. No coffee. He reached up one hand to absent-mindedly scratch his head as he wondered… Jack was always the first one up but he wouldn't leave without telling them and he definitely wouldn't leave Sam… An idea popped suddenly into his head so he turned and started down the hallway towards Jack's bedroom.
He stood outside listening for a moment then reached down and carefully turned the doorknob. He held onto the knob as he swung the door open silently. The light was just beginning to filter into the room and he smiled as he saw Jack and Sam curled up together in bed. Jack was lying against Sam's back, his arm casually around her and a peaceful expression on his face. He stood for a moment just watching them and thinking how much they'd been through together, knowing what it had taken for Jack to finally give in to his emotions. Suddenly all the arguments and yelling of the past few months made perfect sense. They weren't fighting each other - they were fighting to stay together. Denied the freedom to act upon their feelings, burdened with helplessness and frustration, they had reached for the only weapon left in their arsenal – raw, passionate anger.
Daniel leaned against the doorframe as he watched the sleeping figures and let his mind wander across their past. He recalled a few times off-world when he'd awakened to see them coiled around each other in this same comfortable manner. It was never planned, or intentional. They just seemed to gravitate towards each other naturally and he and Teal'c had mostly ignored it. He smiled as he remembered feigning sleep that first time, as the first light of morning touched his face and he'd opened his eyes to find them snuggled against each other. And Jack's reaction had been priceless. Startled by their unconscious actions, he rose quickly to avoid explaining the compromising situation, but quietly enough to prevent waking Sam - and probably his own teasing, too, he thought. Jack had sat by the fire, coffee in hand, totally absorbed in watching her sleep until Teal'c had joined him.
By the light of that fire, Daniel had seen Jack in a different light. He began to see a bit of sadness in his eyes that he hadn't seen before, it was mixed in with the contented smile that rested on his face as he watched Sam sleeping peacefully, in his mind, unobserved. Daniel had hinted at Jack's feelings, he'd teased and proded, but he'd never mentioned that particular morning to anyone, especially not Jack.
Eventually it had been too painful...or too comfortable for them and they had gradually stopped sleeping side-by-side, using their teammates as a shield, they had chosen to honor their sworn duty to the military and their country - somehow ignoring everything else. And it was that decision that had led them all to this place, to hurt and pain and hopefully to a future that held a compromise they could both live with.
At least Sam was safe now. Jack's stubbornness had saved her; his refusal to accept her hollow explanation and that strange final battle on his lawn had allowed her to regain her freedom. His faith in her had revived her confidence and Daniel knew she would not allow herself to be trapped in that situation again. It would be a long battle but they would all stand together, the four of them, just as they always had and together, they would succeed.
He was suddenly pulled away from his memories by Teal'c's deep voice calling out to him and seeing Jack stir slightly he turned quickly to avoid disturbing them. He stepped into the hallway and closed the door softly behind him, leaving them to rest in each other's arms.
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As the door closed, Jack opened his eyes and listened to the retreating footsteps that he recognized as Daniel's. Then he closed his eyes and pulled Sam a bit closer hoping to savor the feel of her against him for a while longer.
He fought the urge to move for a long time, allowing her to rest against him. He resisted the aroma of bacon and coffee that flooded his senses and finally heard Daniel leave through the front door. It was quiet then, except for Teal'c's soft footsteps as he moved about the house checking that all was secure and finally settling in front of the television. The low sound carried down the hallway and when Sam stretched and moved away from him, he reached for the phone and called Cheyenne Mountain.
"Walter?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Walter, what are you doing there? Do you ever go home?"
"Un, yes, Sir. Is that why you called, General?"
"No, Walter. I called to tell you I won't be in until sometime after lunch. I have an outside meeting."
"There's no meeting on your calendar, Sir."
"I know, Walter. I scheduled this one myself. Anything going on that I need to know about?"
"SG-6 is scheduled for departure at 1100 hours, Sir."
"Ah! Ok, well bump that to 1400 hours, I should be there by then. Re-schedule anything else. Siler on base?"
"Should be here shortly, Sir, Colonel Carter as well."
"Uh, no, Carter won't be in today, Walter just make sure Siler's there."
"Will do, Sir."
"You know how to reach me."
"Yes, Sir."
Jack pressed the button to end the call and returned the phone to the table. He stretched his body to its full length and lay back against his pillow turning his face towards Sam. He smiled at her peaceful face and tousled hair, thinking how beautiful she really was and wondering if he could fall asleep again. He was still wondering as his hand slipped around her waist and his eyelids closed.
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Almost two hours passed before Sam began to stir. The sun had conquered the horizon and the room was bathed with the warm, dancing sunlight of the new day. Jack had been awake for sometime, quietly watching her sleep. She was on her back, her features relaxed, her body still, but she had been restless during the night and he had awakened several times to her whimpering and mumbling. He had spoken to her softly assuring her that she was safe and holding her close, had waited for her to recognize his voice and finally snuggle against him to return to sleep. Even then, he'd been surprised to awaken with her in his arms, startled when Daniel had opened the door, stood silently for a few minutes and then closed it again without attempting to wake him. He'd have to deal with that later he supposed, but not today. Today he'd help Sam drag her night demons into the vanquishing rays of daylight.
He was still lost in thought when Sam suddenly rolled towards him. His lips curved slightly upward as she reached an arm around him and pulled herself close, burying her face into his chest and wrapping her leg possessively around his. He closed his eyes and let his hand stroke her hair while the other went across her back, holding her comfortably against him as she slept.
A moment later Jack felt her breathing change and tried to fight the tension building in his muscles as she arched her back and pressed her body into his. Apprehension swept across him as he wondered at her reaction to waking in his arms. Did she even know whom she was snuggled against?
"Ummmmm." She moaned softly against him and pulled one knee up, stretching her back slightly as she slowly came awake. A sharper groan escaped her and he felt her eyes blink, then grimace against his skin. She stopped stretching and was very still for a few moments. Then her arms were around him, squeezing him, pulling him into her as she rubbed her face against his chest. Jack's hand instinctively slid slowly down her back and along her hip, grasping her thigh and squeezing it gently as her leg moved across his hip. She moaned at his touch and he felt a gentle tug on his neck as she used him to pull herself higher until their faces were only inches apart. In one movement her hand was against his cheek and her lips were pressing against his in a warm, sensuous kiss.
Jack's eyes snapped open in surprise and he stared at Sam, her eyes still closed as she kissed him tenderly. He returned her kiss with the same gentleness and suddenly realized he should stop her or say something - at least make sure she knew whom she was kissing. But unable or unwilling to find the words he finally settled on just her name and opened his mouth to speak. She took his action as an invitation and her tongue immediately began to explore the new territory, pushing aside all except his most basic instincts. He deepened the kiss until they were breathless and as she pulled back slightly he braced himself for her reaction. She pressed her forehead against his lips and he kissed her skin as it touched him. His lips were just forming her name, when she spoke. "Morning, Jack."
"Good morning." He finally managed to stammer the words after a few moments. "You're awake? You know where you are?"
"Um huh."
"Good. That's good." He smiled and lowered his head to press his lips passionately against hers. He nibbled at her lips and then trailed a line of kisses down to the soft skin of her neck. As he began to nuzzle against her neck he opened his eyes and they fell upon the ugly purple bruises that he had momentarily forgotten. He kissed along her collarbone and followed the line of the bruise down her arm then stopped - pulling away from her and looking seriously into her eyes. "Sam, as much as I'm enjoying this, we have some things to take care of first."
Sam sighed and let her arms fall away from him back onto the bed. "I know."
"We'll come back to this later, ok?"
She smiled and shook her head
"I'll get breakfast while you shower and don't use all the hot water! Now, get going before Teal'c starts getting impatient." He grinned broadly and she couldn't help returning the smile as she climbed out of bed and headed for the shower.
"Jack."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"For being here for me."
"Anytime." And he turned and left the room.
Jack found Teal'c sitting on the couch watching cartoons. "Hey, Teal'c! Hungry?"
"I have taken sustenance with Daniel Jackson earlier, O'Neill. It appears you have slept past your normal waking time."
Jack grimaced slightly, "Yeah, ok, but are you hungry?"
"I am fine. How is Colonel Carter?"
"She's okay, a bit restless through the night, but ok. She's taking a shower."
"I see."
"Well, I'm going to make us some breakfast." Jack let his voice trail away and pointed to the kitchen somewhat nervously under Teal'c's steady gaze. As Jack disappeared around the corner the big man smiled and then stood to join O'Neill.
Jack was just sliding eggs onto the plates when Sam entered the kitchen. "Hi, Teal'c!"
"Colonel Carter."
"Coffee's ready, Sam. Grab a cup." She pulled two cups from the cabinet and poured them each a full cup of the welcome liquid, sipping hers immediately while she held out the other to Jack.
"Um, Carter." Jack stood in front of her with a plate in each hand and a goofy look on his face.
"Sorry, Sir." She followed him to the table with the coffees and sat down. "There's only two. Someone not eating?"
"Teal'c."
"Teal'c!"
"I have already eaten breakfast with Daniel Jackson, Colonel Carter."
"Oh. Ok. Want some juice?" Teal'c inclined his head towards her and she crossed the room to the refrigerator. Jack watched her as she moved across the room and noticed a bit of stiffness in her walk and her right arm.
"You ok, Carter?"
She turned a puzzled look towards him, "I'm fine, Sir."
"Where's your uniform?"
She looked down at the blue fatigues she was wearing and raised her eyebrows as she looked back at him, "I'm wearing it, Sir."
Jack waved his hand in the air, "No, no. I mean your blues."
"My dress blues?"
"Yeah."
"At home. I didn't think I'd need it."
"Okay, we'll go by your place so you change before we go to the police station."
"But, Sir…"
"I want you looking impressive, Carter."
"Well, then, I'd actually prefer my fatigues, jacket and P-90...Sir."
Jack chuckled, "I said 'impressive', Carter, not 'intimidating' although…that might be good, too." He smiled warmly but she was giving him her 'don't mess with me' glare.
"Teal'c, got a hat with you?"
"I believe there is one in your truck, O'Neill. Do you require one?"
"No, but you do. You're coming with."
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An hour later Jack pulled his truck into a parking space at the police station and the three of them stepped out into the parking lot. Jack adjusted his sunglasses and turned a stern look at Sam.
"You ready for this?"
She sucked in a deep breath and shook her head. "Don't let them bully you, Carter and don't back down."
"No, Sir."
"It's just…"
"What?"
"Well, he's a cop. It'd be like one of them accusing Daniel of something, the rest of us would stand up for him. It's my word against his, Sir!"
"No it isn't, Colonel. It's assault and battery at the very least, hell, maybe even attempted murder! 'Oh, crap, Jack!' he hadn't meant to say that. "Sorry, Carter. I just don't want him to get away with this."
"No, Sir."
"Ah, Teal'c, you just impress these guys with your presence, ok? No touching."
"I understand, O'Neill."
"If you think Carter needs protecting let me handle it." Teal'c nodded and Jack motioned for them to go in.
TBC