A/N: Okay so this chapter wasn't originally intended, it just sorta happened! Anyhow, please, please, PLEASE review. It's totally 110 free... it doesn't even hurt...

Disclaimer: I don't own them, don't hurt me, I'm just a harmless shipper!

Sam fiddled with the beer bottle and blushed slightly, her lips still burning from the intensity of their impromptu kiss. She bit her lip worriedly. Okay, so they had crossed a line this time. A big, wide line with a court marshal on the other side... But it had been worth it... She closed her eyes. She could still taste his kiss...

"Carter."

"Yeah?"

"They're starting..."

Jack pointed to several shots of silver which flew across the sky, like rain running down a windowpane. Sam gasped. They were so beautiful. There was something so magical about being up here, surrounded by stars. She hugged her knees. Whatever happened afterwards, she would treasure these moments forever. They remained silent for a long time, both caught up in the glory of nature's display above them. Jack was lying on the rug with his head in his hands. Although he was watching the meteor shower, half his attention was on Sam as she sat beside him, just inches between their bodies. He couldn't believe that he had done that. All that military training to withstand torture and yet he succumbed to that temptation within seconds. He wanted to know what was going to happen next. They had passed the point of no return. You're full of clichés today, aren't you? What should he do? They were in a whole heap of trouble if this got out... Did Sam want to pursue a relationship or had she just been caught up in the moment? Did she love him as he loved her? Again with the clichés! Look, will you just shut up for a while? Okay, okay, geez someone's touchy. Ya, well... He was more than willing to give up his job at the SGC for her... but what did she want? Could all of this lead somewhere or was he just gonna have to try and rebury those feelings...? He looked at her as she gazed up into the heavens. Why had he never thought of showing her things like this? He always knew when there was a meteor shower, or when Mars was at its brightest, or when there would be a lunar eclipse. She would love all those things... He watched her breath rise in a cloud on the cold night air.

"View's better down here."

Sam turned as he spoke and frowned, smiling slightly.

"Besides, you'll get a terrible crick in your neck sitting like that."

He patted the blanket beside him and smiled cheekily. He was rewarded with one of her beaming smiles as she lowered herself stiffly onto the rug next to him. Another couple of meteors shot across the sky.

"You cold?"

Sam had to nod, her teeth were chattering.

"Here."

Jack had pulled off his leather jacket and thrown it across her stomach. Sam shook her head.

"No Sir, I can't take that. You'll freeze."

She looked at him, propped up on his elbow with goosebumps already lining his arms, despite the black t-shirt he wore.

"Come on Carter, my one chance to be a gentleman and you're ruining it!"

She laughed.

"Well I'd rather have a living jerk than a frozen to death gentleman if it's all the same to you."

"Seriously Carter, your lips are turning blue."

He reached out and cupped her chin, putting his thumb to her lips. She smiled devilishly. Damn it Sam, don't do that to me.

"You wanna head back down?"

"No."

Sam replied a little too quickly. It was Jack's turn to smile and he put his jacket back on.

"Well, we've gotta keep you warm somehow. Remember your survival training?"

Sam hesitated for a moment before scooting across the space that had separated them and into his arms. Her mind murmured something about regs and consequences but Sam wasn't listening anymore... Jack hugged her tightly to him, glad to have the excuse to do so. There was a rock digging into his side but he didn't care. It was enough for him to be able to hold her... His arms were crossed across her stomach and his cheek rested gently on hers. She was cold... very cold. Sam covered his hands with hers and stroked his wrist with her thumb. She felt a thrill run through her body as he pulled her even closer and kissed her cheek.

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Jack swore and Sam woke with a start. It took her a second to realise where she was. When she did realise that she was wrapped in the arms of her CO, she was pleasantly surprised. Jack unwound his arms from her wait and sat up, rubbing his head. It was still dark but judging by how cold he was, they had fallen asleep some hours ago. Sam looked up at him sleepily, but with a happy smile on her face.

"What time is it?"

"0400 hours Carter, we'd better get going."

She nodded and stood up slowly. Sleep and the cold had frozen her limbs and her balance was less than perfect. Jack stuffed everything back into the bag and looked at Sam. She was standing on a rock, looking up at the sky. She was still wearing his sweater and her arms were wrapped around her as she shivered in the early morning cold. Jack could have stayed up there forever... damn reality...

"Come on Carter."

Sam jumped down from the rock and joined her CO as they headed back down the mountain together. Neither of them spoke until they reached the bottom again, both aware that once they stepped back on base, everything had to go back to the way it always was... Just as they reached the foot of the mountain, Jack stopped and reached into his pocket.

"Here's your naqada thingy..."

"Oh, thanks."

Sam reached out to take the ball but Jack didn't let go.

"Carter. About what happened back there... I don't think we should..."

"Yes Sir, I agree."

Then why are you...? Sam ignored the warning voice in her head as she leaned in and gently kissed him on the lips. Jack placed his other hand at the back of her head and pulled her in to deepen the kiss. They both noticed the strange feeling of the naqada in their hands. It felt as though water was flowing over it. They were surrounded by a glimmering blue light, looking quite like the field generated by the Stargate. Shocked, they broke apart and the light vanished. Jack looked at Sam with his mouth open.

"Em, what was that?"

"I don't know Sir."

Sam reverted to protocol without thinking. Her scientific mind went into full throttle trying to figure out just what had happened. She turned the ball over and over in her hand but it looked the same as it always had.

"Okay, lets do exactly what we were doing when we activated it."

Sam tried to ignore Jack's wicked grin.

"Fine by me."

They both placed their hands around the naqada ball again and Jack reached out to take Sam's face in his hand. As soon as he touched her skin, the ball did the same thing as before and they were surrounded by a shimmering blue shield. Jack took his hand away and it disappeared.

"I think I'm starting to figure this out..."

He touched her again; it appeared. He took his hand away; it vanished. Sam shook her head at him. He was such a kid on the inside.

"Hey, stop playing around. This is a serious discovery."

"Ok yeah Carter. So what is it, a shield that runs on love?"

He asked teasingly but Sam looked at him seriously.

"Could be."

Jack could have sworn that the entire world ground to a sharp halt.

"Sam I..."

"Hey Colonel."

Jack had never wanted to strangle Daniel more than at that moment.

"Hey Daniel."

Sam stepped back from him self consciously. Daniel, however, didn't seem to notice that they had been having an intimate moment. He was too excited by what Sam was holding in her hand.

"Is this the naqada ball? General Hammond told me you needed help deciphering it. Now I think..."

Jack tuned out. Sam gave him a desperate look before following Daniel back into the SGC. Jack headed for the gym. He needed to punch something...

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Another briefing. Jack didn't usually mind briefings so much, especially the ones where Sam was explaining something or other about some planet or other. He loved having the excuse to stare at her... But this time Daniel was talking and Jack's mind was elsewhere. The way he was going on, you'd think that he had discovered the naqada ball and single handedly worked it out... Besides, Jack still had the urge to strangle Daniel with his bare hands... He caught Sam looking at him and allowed himself to meet her gaze for a few seconds. It wouldn't do to be caught staring at each other. Jack couldn't read the look in her eyes, but he was sure that there was something more than boredom there. He mouthed to her silently.

"There's always the Perseids."

"What?" she mouthed back.

"Per-se-ids. August."

Sam just smiled.