Authors: Ariel Carter-O'Neill and Eridani Moon
Rating: Teen to Mature
Email: in bio
Season: alternate future
Eridani's Note: Ok… the major delay in the posting is MY fault. I fell behind in my editing… smacks hands bad Eri, bad! Thanks for all of the reviews, and please keep them coming!
Ariel's Note: Sorry for the delay, I had major Internet problems and I had to push a little (Eri!) to have this one done. Hope you'll enjoy it.
Thunder 7
Recovery
Fifteen days later, after careful consideration of her condition and the colonel's argument that she was feeling a lot better, Janet finally allowed Sam to go home. Sam had spoken with the counsellor and appeared to be healing fast. And although she couldn't go offworld for a while, she was placed on light duty; which meant she could work in her lab as long as she didn't exhaust herself. Janet had removed the cast on her arm, but it was still in a sling, and she still had multi-colored bruises all over her body, as well as the bandages around her chest.
Jack had driven her home and helped her into the house, watching her careful for any sign of distress, and seeing her frown, he offered, "I… ahhh… I cleaned some of the mess up Carter… wasn't sure what you wanted to do with the others…" Pausing, he pointed to the wall of familiar pictures, adding, "Daniel bought some new picture frames for you, some new lamps… the rest of it's in a box in the kitchen."
Forcing a smile onto her face, Sam leaned heavily against the wall and replied, "Thanks, Jack, I really appreciate it."
Jack's eyes narrowed at her reaction and seeing that she was nervous, stepped closer, placing his hands on her shoulders as he stated, "I'm here, Sam… you can do this."
Nodding, she murmured, "I know… It's... it's just harder than I thought it would be."
"I understand." God, did he ever. Wrapping his arms around her, he hugged her gently, whispering, "You don't have to do this today you know… you can stay at my place until you're ready."
Sam shook her head where it rested against his chest, sighing as she stated, "No… it's okay… I guess… I have to do it."
Once again, understanding filled him and with a nod, he replied, "Okay…"
Releasing her, he watched as Sam walked slowly through her house, touching items here and there, noticing that others were missing and with another heavy sigh, she said, "Whoa! I didn't realize he had destroyed so many things."
Jack gritted his teeth to keep from cursing the man as he murmured, "Yeah… scary…"
Closing her eyes, Sam winced at the thought of what replacing all of the destroyed items would do to her credit card and muttered, "Well… I guess I'll have to buy new stuff."
The smile crept slowly onto Jack's face as he sauntered towards her; the dangerous glint in his eyes warning her was up to something. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he began, "Well… not necessarily…"
Sam's eyes narrowed in confusion as she said, "I'm not sure what you mean."
"Well… you know that ring I mentioned?" God, please remember the ring... remember the good parts...
"Yeah…" It was the one thought that had gotten her through the dark nights in the infirmary. The smile grew as he gently traced her cheekbone, asking, "What do you think about trying it on… oh, say… permanently?"
Sam's heart raced, her mind not daring to hope as she quietly replied, "Why don't you put it where it belongs? We'll see if it fits."
Jack's heart was pounding madly as he pulled the ring from his jacket... Damn it, he wasn't this scared facing down a damn battalion of Jaffa! Taking a deep breath, he asked, "You're sure about this Car… Sam?"
Nodding happily she answered, "Never been more sure in all my life."
Carefully sliding the ring onto her finger, he lifted his head, giving her a bright smile as he questioned, "So… how's it fit?"
Her face lit with a huge smile and she choked back her tears, whispering, "Perfect."
The weight of the elephant on his chest grew heavier as he inquired, "So… will you marry me?"
Sam was unable to stop the rush of joyful tears in her eyes as she nodded, throwing her arm around his neck and declaring, "YES! I will!"
The weight of the elephant disappeared, and pulling her into his embrace again, he kissed her gently, ever mindful of her bruises. Running his hands up and down her back, he swore, "I love you Sam… no matter what happens, never forget that."
She nodded happily, her heart filled with happiness as she replied, "I love you too! Always have."
"Good… that's good…" Giving a huge sigh of relief, he offered her a hopeful smile and asked, "So… are you moving in with me or am I moving in with you?" Please let it be my house, please let it be my house, please let it be my house!
Sam's consideration took less than five seconds as she looked around the room that would never be home again and began, "Well… your house is bigger." Nodding vigorously, Jack prompted, "Uh huh…" A secret smile crossed her lips and her blue eyes twinkled as she continued, "And maybe later we'll need space…"
His eyes suddenly narrowed, locking with hers, as he demanded, "Need space? What for?"
Giving an evil grin at his dense act, she murmured, "Well…"
Not daring to hope, he begged, "Sam… what does that grin mean?"
Rolling her eyes, she replied, "You know damn well what it means."
Shaking his head, needing to hear the words, Jack declared, "Sorry, you're going to have to explain it to me."
Laughing, Sam ran her hand over his chest, loving the shiver of pleasure that coursed through him as she suggested, "Think of what we are going to do when I'm completely healed..."
D'oh! Giving a low groan, Jack stepped closer to her, practically ordering, "Ummmm… refresh my memory."
Pulling his head down to meet hers, Sam kissed him deeply, allowing her right hand to explore his body, the room filled with their sighs of pleasure. Giving a loud groan, he mumbled around the kisses, "Mmmmm Sam… what are you doing? You know we can't…"
Lifting her head, she met his eyes and calmly stated, "Refreshing your memory."
Jack felt her tugging his head back down and felt his eyes widen as Daniel and Teal'c entered the house without knocking. Knowing that Sam can't see them, he grinned, calling, "Hey Daniel, Teal'c!"
Scowling at him, Sam groused, "Don't even try to pull that one Jack, they're both at the base."
A soft chuckle filled the air behind her as Daniel greeted, "Hey Sam… Jack… enjoying yourselves?"
"Indeed they were, Daniel Jackson." The Jaffa's voice was filled with humour as he realized he'd just won one of the major bets concerning the two officers.
Sam's eyes widened as well and she turned around to see her friends standing behind her. Giving a nervous laugh, she said, "Daniel, Teal'c! I thought you were at the base!"
"Obviously." Daniel's blue eyes twinkled with mischief as they darted between Jack and Sam, the questions lurking beneath the surface. He opened his mouth to ask what was going on, but was interrupted as Sam asked, "You came to bring me something?"
Teal'c's face brightened with a huge smile as he answered, "We have brought you a house warming present, Colonel Carter… much as you brought me one when I first moved to my apartment."
Sam's smile was genuine as she accepted the large box he handed her. Thanking whomever was listening for friends like these, she whispered, "Thanks Teal'c."
Nodding, the man stated, "I hope this will bring to mind pleasant memories."
She opened the box while the guys watched her, smiling as she pulled out a professionally framed photograph of she and Jack, taken on one of their missions... One that showed them, staring into each other's eyes as they laughed and shared a secret.
Tears flooded her eyes again as she whispered, "Oh... it's… I don't know what to say… Thanks guys!"
Remembering the day the picture had been taken, Jack smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as he suggested, "I think it's going to look great sitting on our mantel, Sam."
Daniel's eyes grew wide as he demanded, "Our mantel, Jack? Something you guys want to share?"
Sam's tears turned into a giggle and a blush filled her face as she explained, "Er… hum… Jack just asked me to become his wife…."
Jack grabbed her hand slowly because of her injuries, and lifting it, he showed them her engagement ring. Catching the look their friends exchanged, he shrugged, turning red as he defended, "Hey… I may be a little slow, but I made up for it."
Crossing his arms, Daniel couldn't keep the smile from his face as he asked, "So you two are finally going to live happily ever after?"
Nodding, Jack grew serious, replying, "We'll try. But hey guys… you need to keep this quiet for now… Daniel, that means not telling Doc Fraiser yet."
"Why not?" Like he could ever keep a secret from that woman! She just threatened him with a needle...
Sighing, Jack threw up his hands in exasperation and retorted, "Because she'll squeal so loud the whole base will know in minutes."
"Oh I don't think she will, she already knows about you two." Well, at least she did after their little talk...
"WHAT?" Sam and Jack's demand rang out in unison, causing the archaeologist to jump backwards.
Shoving the glasses up on his nose, Daniel explained, "Yeah… when you were together in the room at the infirmary, she asked me what was going on between you two."
"And what did you tell her?" When the man didn't answer, Jack took a menacing step forward, glowering at his friend as he growled, "Daniel…"
Shrugging, the man had the decency to blush as he muttered defensively, "What can I say guys, she's got me in the palm of her hand."
Sam glanced at Jack, her eyebrow raised as she prompted, "Oh really?"
Nodding to Sam, Jack wrapped his arm around her waist and demanded, "What exactly does that mean, Dr Jackson?"
Flustered at the turn in the conversation, Daniel looked around, replying, "Er… nothing… You comin' Teal'c? I have some work to do at the base and I think we should leave those two love bird alone."
"Not so fast there, Daniel…" Snagging his friends arm, Jack shot him a curious look, his tone inquisitive as he continued, "What's going on with you and Fraiser?"
"I'm not sure yet…" But I sure wish someone would tell me... And please God; don't let her get a snake in her head!
Frowning, Jack asked, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" When Daniel didn't reply, he turned to Sam, demanding, "Carter, what's he talking about?"
Another giggle escaped the colonel as she explained, "Well, sir, remember when Janet almost died four months ago?"
"Yes, Carter… I remember when you…" Breaking off at the glare she threw him, he gave her a sheepish smile, as she stated, "Never mind that… what about when she almost died?"
Thinking back, he offered, "Well, Daniel helped her a lot during her recovery…"
"Yeah… and?" Motioning with her hands for him to continue, she smiled and nodded as he continued, "And since then they seems to be closer."
Glancing at his scowling friend, Jack laughed, and stated, "I see…" He didn't, but he was really sick of everyone giving him those disgusted looks. "So… Danny… what are you going to do about Doc?"
"I'm not sure yet…" Could someone please hand him the manual on relationships that don't involve the Goa'uld?
Poor guy didn't have a clue! "Right… ok… so no telling Fraiser until Sam and I work some things out on our end, ok?"
Nodding eagerly, more than happy to drop the subject, Daniel agreed, "Ok, ok… you coming Teal'c?"
"I believe I shall remain for a few more minutes Daniel Jackson…" Turning towards the shorter man, he inquired, "Will you wait for me in the vehicle?"
"Sure!" God, anything to get out of there! Raising his hand as he slipped out the front door, he called, "Bye Jack! Bye Sam!"
"Bye Daniel!"
"Bye Spacemonkey!" Laughing as he earned himself a glare for that one, Jack turned back to their remaining friend as the man stated, "Colonel Carter, I wish to assure myself that you are, indeed, well."
Smiling at the man that was like a brother to her, Sam replied, "Yes Teal'c, I'm well and I'm sure I can count on Jack if anything goes wrong." Placing her hand on his face, she murmured, "Thank you Teal'c, you have no idea what your friendship means to me."
"That is indeed good news." Placing his hand over hers, he added, "And I would say as much as your friendship means to me Samantha."
Seeing that she was startled by his use of her first name, he smiled and turned to Jack, watching the man's eyes widen as he declared, "O'Neill, in the absence of Jacob Carter, I am forced to inquire as to your intentions towards Colonel Carter." The dark eyes grew menacing, as he demanded, "Do you love her O'Neill? Do you swear, on the punishment of death, to protect, defend and provide for her, do you…"
Holding up his hands to ward of the verbal attack, Jack yelled, "Whoa… T, buddy… Sam's my soul… Need I say more?"
An unaccustomed huge grin filled the warriors face, as he softly replied, "No, O'Neill… that should suffice. Turning back to Sam, he said, "I shall take my leave Colonel Carter and I wish you a speedy recovery… O'Neill."
Jack and Sam watched as Teal'c left, cramming himself into the archaeologist's vehicle, and then patiently waited for Daniel's car to pull out. Turning to her with a broad smile, he wrapped his arms around her, his lips brushing hers as he questioned, "Now, where were we?"
Snuggling her head against his chest, she fought back her exhaustion, as she responded, "We were talking about which house we should move in to?"
Shaking his head, Jack lifted her head with his fingers, murmuring, "No… I think we were right… about… here…."
Capturing her lips with a deep, gentle kiss, he harshly whispered, "God, I love you!"
Her giggle floated through the room as she whispered in turn, "Ditto."
"No giggling Colonel!" Giving her a huge grin as more giggles erupted, he suggested, "You know Carter… I haven't seen your bedroom in years…"
"I know Jack…" Her sigh was heartfelt as she added, "And as much as I would like to show it to you we can't right now."
"Actually, Sam, I was thinking you need to rest…" Brushing at the dark circles under her eyes, he frowned at her paleness, offering, "Baby you look like you're about to pass out."
She yawned, "Yeah… maybe…"
Taking her hand, he led her into the bedroom, helping her to lie down and covering her with a blanket as he ordered, "Have a nap… get some rest and when you wake up, I'll have dinner ready… don't give me that look Carter! I can cook!"
Nodding sleepily, she replied, "Of course! You can cook a toast, boil water without burning it and your melted ice is to die for!"
An evil Jack O'Neill grin spread across his face as he offered, "How about I surprise you?"
Giving him a disbelieving smile, Sam nodded and drifted off to sleep as he murmured, "Sleep Sammie."
Watching for several moments as she sank into a deep, healing sleep, he then wandered into the living room, searching for her phone book. He finally located the book under a stack of scientific manuals, growling about the weight of the things as he lifted them off. Thumbing through the book, he found the number, dialled… "Giovanni's'." Smiling evilly as he rattled off the order, he waited for the total and the promised delivery time and then dropped into the arm chair with a satisfied smile… As long as he could keep Sam out of the kitchen, she'd never know their Italian dinner was take out.
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Forty-five minutes later, Sam awoke to the delicious smell that was filling the house. Opening her eyes slowly, she found Jack watching her, a tender smile on his face. Smiling back, she murmured, "Hey!"
"Hey!" Brushing her sleep-tousled hair from her eyes, he questioned, "Did you sleep well?"
Her smile grew as she remembered the dream that she'd had, of their future and stretching cautiously, she replied, "Yeah… like a baby…"
"Good!" Rubbing his hands together, he helped her to sit up in the bed, asking, "Are you hungry? Dinner is ready whenever you are."
Inhaling appreciatively, Sam sighed and said, "Yeah I can smell it. What did you cook?"
A sexy grin filled his face as he threw her a wink, answering, "It's a surprise... come and I'll show you."
Placing his hands over her eyes, he slowly led her from the room, hoping she would like the meal he'd worked so hard on... After all, finding the phone book had been a nightmare!
Stopping in front of the table, he uncovered her eyes and watched the delight race across her features. Smiling as she slowly walked around the table, her hand drifting from the carefully placed dinner plates to the candles sitting in various places around the room, Sam lifted her hand to her chest and whispered, "Wow..."
Taking that as a sign of encouragement, Jack pulled out her chair and stated, "Dinner is served, Madame." Lifting the lids of the serving dishes with a flourish, he watched her eyes widen again as she gasped, "Holy Hannah... You cooked all that by yourself?"
Giving her a happy smirk, Jack nodded and replied, "Yes ma'am!"
Uh huh... and she had bridge to sell him... "Ok, so why are there no dishes?"
Crap, he'd forgotten to dirty up the kitchen! "Uh… because I've washed them all!"
Forget the bridge, she'd just fallen off the turnip truck in his mind... "Uh, uh! And why is the phone book open to the page with Giovanni's listing?"
D'oh! He had completely forgotten to put back the book! "I… uh… I…"
A satisfied smirk filled her face as she crossed his arms, knowing him too well and knowing she was right. "You ordered the meal... admit it!"
With a sigh, Jack nodded, replying, "Yes… are you mad at me?"
"Why should I be?" Using her hand to indicate the delicious smelling meal laid out before them, she added, "We have a wonderful meal, the atmosphere is very romantic… Sounds perfect to me, even if you didn't cook."
Clearing his throat in embarrassment, Jack smiled and questioned, "Hum… shall we then?"
Sitting across from each other, they both dug into the hearty Italian lasagne, their sighs of pleasure filling the room and the silence. They chatted between bites, about how their friends and family would take their engagement, how they would work things out at work and most of all about why it had taken them so long to admit their feelings. As Sam took the last bite of the wonderful dessert he'd ordered, Jack questioned, "Sam? What did you mean when you said that my house was bigger?"
Raising a curious eyebrow, Sam replied, "I thought you had understood that!"
Shaking his head, he offered her one of his 'Jack O'Neill... better explain it again' grins and suggested, "Maybe I need you to say it so I can be sure I understood exactly what you meant."
Blushing, Sam dropped her gaze to her empty plate, responding, "Well… er… I was thinking about… having kids…"
As the silence became deafening, Sam dared to raise her head, looking at him with the uncertainty shining in her eyes. She knew that Jack loved kids, but to have one of his own, after what happened with Charlie...
Unable to believe that she would doubt his desire to have children with her, Jack whispered, "I would be the happiest man in the universe to have kids with you Sam."
Sighing in relief, tears filled her eyes as she jumped from the chair, lunging into his arms. Wrapping her in his tight embrace, he kissed her gently as she muttered, "I'm sorry… I don't know why I am crying so much!"
His own past experiences coming back to him, Jack laughed, suggesting, "Shhh… it's the painkiller… blame the painkiller. It always works for me."
A watery smile filled her face as she nodded, replying, "Yeah… probably…"
Rubbing his hand up and down her back, he offered, "Look, why don't you go in the living room and rest while I clean up?"
Frustration flooded her at his words, and glaring at him, she declared, "I can clean up! I'm not an invalid!"
"Of course you're not, but you've been wounded and you had a lot of wild emotions lately." Setting her on her feet, Jack rose, giving her a push towards the living room as he stated, "So you go sit on the couch and choose a movie, I'll be there in a few minutes."
"But…" Wondering at her desire to stomp her foot, Sam found herself met with his shaking finger as he added, "Ah! No arguing! Don't make me order it!"
Her lower lip turned down in a pout, but she followed his 'silent' order and went into the living room and chose a movie she knew he would hate. Few minutes later, Jack joined her on the couch and as she curled up against him, she giggled as he growled, "Not Sleepless in Seattle! Damn it Carter, this is a chick flick!" Giggling, she snuggled into him, drifting off long before Tom Hanks made his mad flight to New York to find his son and the waiting Meg Ryan.
After the movie, Jack roused the groggy woman, who had slept so peacefully through the movie he'd endured... Okay, so he'd enjoyed it, but he'd never admit it, even under duress of torture by the Goa'uld! Lifting her, he carried her back into her bedroom, smiling as she curled into the comfort of the mattress with a sigh. Covering her with a quilt, he stretched out beside her, pulling her back into his arms and praying that each night for the rest of their lives was like this.
XxxxxxxxxPlease review!
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