Chapter 3 – Distractions
Sam awoke in the warm circle of Jack's arms, his sleeping face buried in her blonde tresses. As she moved, the dull headache she'd been plagued with all week made itself known, and suddenly her stomach lurched. Pulling out of Jack's embrace, she dashed to the bathroom, barely registering her boyfriend's sleepy voice calling her name.
Having heard no response, Jack rolled over, a concerned frown creasing his features. He found Sam sitting on the side of the bath, arms folded over her knees and her face hidden in her forearms.
"You alright, gorgeous?"
Sam looked up at him, a weak smile on her face. "It's just the last of this flu. Go back to bed."
"It's okay, I'm up." He perched himself beside her, rubbing her back soothingly.
She dropped her head to his shoulder tiredly. "I'm sorry I woke you." Sam apologised, trying to will her stomach to stop churning. "I know how you like your sleep."
Jack laughed quietly. "You want to come back to bed?"
"I'll just be a few minutes."
He stood up, and then leant down, brushing some of her fringe back from her face so he could kiss her forehead. She watched him close the bathroom door behind him, before standing slowly and splashing her face with cold water. Sam studied her reflection in the mirror for a few minutes; registering the still too-pale pallor her skins had had all week. Satisfied she wasn't going to be sick, she closed the bathroom door quietly and climbed back into the comfortable bed next to her dozing fiancé.
"Better?" Came a mumble as Jack curled up against her again, being careful not to put any weight over her queasy stomach.
"Mmm," Was all Sam could manage as she gave in to the pull of a light sleep.
An hour later, the couple were startled awake by the annoying buzzing of the alarm clock.
"Daniel is a dead man." Jack breathed as he reached across Sam to bash the clock, stopping the noise.
Sam smiled. "What's he done now?"
"That's his damn chirpy thing."
Sam turned on to her side to rest her arm on his bare chest, tracing the line of his collarbone with her forefinger. "Why do we have Daniel's alarm clock?"
"I confiscated it a while back, and accidentally forgot to give it back."
"Accidentally. Yes, I'm sure it was."
Jack shot her an indignant look at her disbelieving tone, then smiled, resting his chin against her head and pressing a tender kiss to her hair. " You feeling okay?"
"Not bad." She replied honestly.
"Wanna share a shower?"
"It's very tempting but I'm going to sit on the balcony and get some fresh air." She tilted her chin up so she could smile at him. Jack bent his neck to press his lips against hers, the kiss becoming more heated as Sam let out a giggle. Finally pulling away with a grin, Jack feigned an annoyed expression and sat up.
"What have I told you about giggling, Carter?"
He leant down to give her a final kiss before heading to the bathroom, catching her laughing "Yes, sir!" as he reached the door.
When they finally got down to the dining room for breakfast, the humidity of the spring Florida day was filtering through into the hotel. Jack held Sam's hand as he led her to an unoccupied table by the large French windows, a big grin on his face from the playful argument they'd just had about a certain black bikini. He'd gotten his way of course, using the excuse of missing out when they'd been to the beach with Jacob and Mark's family.
Sam headed straight for the coffee, which was her usual morning breakfast and picked a muffin for the selection on the table next to it, hoping eating a little would stop her stomach turning into knots. When Jack returned to the table, his plate laden with fried eggs, bacon and various fruits, he complained at how little she was eating the last few days.
"I have a muffin!" She protested with a laugh.
"Try the eggs, they're good." Jack encouraged, genuinely concerned at her lack of appetite.
"Do you think we should've left Jasper with Daniel instead of Teal'c?" Sam asked, changing the subject.
Jack shook his head. "That dog would run rings round Daniel."
Sam laughed, adding; "And he wouldn't dare with Teal'c."
"Jasper's a smart dog."
"He knows how to run rings round you." She informed him with a cheeky smile.
"Just because I let him chase the cats next door…" Jack said with a mock-confused expression.
"I meant Daniel."
He pinned her with an amorous stare. "You will so pay for that later."
Sam rewarded him with a heart-warming laugh, eyes sparkling as she leaned forward to say softly; "I hope so."
Jack laid back lazily by the pool, adjusting the shades over his eyes as he glanced towards the hotel for any sign of Sam, who'd gone back to their room to change. He didn't have to wait long, as a tall blonde appeared, clad in a familiar black bikini and a sarong tied at her waist. As he watched her move towards him, he noticed she was catching nearly every male's attention as she passed, before sitting down gracefully beside him, dangling her long legs in the pool. Jack circled his arm around her and pulled her to him, pressing a kiss to her lips before promptly pushing her into the water.
Grinning innocently as he watched her surface, Jack asked if the water was warm. He very nearly dodged her lunge forward to grab his ankles, but ended up in the pool with a splash. As he tumbled into the sun-warmed pool, Sam managed to haul herself out before Jack could catch her. She settled herself on a lounger, closing her eyes to enjoy the sun. She was just starting to feel dry as the warmth evaporated the water from her skin, when she heard Jack drop into the lounger next to hers. A spray of cool water caught her off guard, making her turn to look across at him, moving her hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
"What time are we going to your brother's?" She asked, having yet to get a definite answer from him.
"Whenever we're ready."
Sam smiled. "Are you putting this off for any particular reason?"
Sending her a wounded look, Jack replied decisively; "I'm not putting it off, Carter. Half an hour in the sun, then we'll go."
"Jack, you're impossible sometimes." She told him affectionately.
"You've said that many times."
"Not just me."
Jack got up, bent down to kiss her before replying. "At least I have my sense of humour, right?" He dived back into the pool, surfacing in a strong front-crawl stroke. Sam watched him swim a few lengths, before closing her eyes and resting her head on the lounger to enjoy the sun.
"Sure you're up to this?"
"Jack, I'm fine."
He sent her one last disbelieving glance raising his free hand to knock on the door whilst he tightened his hold on Sam's entwined fingers with his.
"I'm the one who should be nervous." She told him with an amused roll of her eyes.
"Nervous doesn't begin to describe the terror you should be feeling right now, Sam." Jack informed her dramatically. Sam laughed whole-heartedly at him, moving forward to peck him on the lips.
"Jack!" A voice exclaimed with excitement. A tall, greying man who bore a striking resemblance to Jack stood in the doorway, grinning warmly. "It's been too long." He pulled Jack into a bear hug, before turning to Sam. "And you are far too stunning to be arriving with my good-for-nothing brother."
Sam laughed, feeling Jack squeeze her hand at her betrayal. She extended her left hand as she introduced herself.
"Dave, this is Sam. Sam, this is my good for nothing brother David." Jack put in belatedly, a grin on his face despite his tone. Dave gallantly kissed the back of Sam's hand, then spotted the ring on her third finger.
"I really hope that's just for decoration, Sam, because I'd hate to think I missed my chance." Dave told her with feigned horror, making her laugh at the similarity between Jack and his brother when they were being dramatic.
"I'm afraid it's an engagement ring." Sam told him jovially.
"Who's the lucky guy? I know it can't be my dumb brother because his taste is not that good." Dave had leaned forward so he could talk in an exaggerated stage whisper. "And I mean in jewellery and women."
"Are you going to stop hitting on my girlfriend and let us in, or what?" Jack asked with embellished annoyance, surprised at how good it was to see his younger brother.
"You see he's jealous already because he can see we have chemistry." Dave explained with a devious grin. "But yes, come in. The kids are looking forward to seeing you, still want to hear of all these covert missions you get yourself into."
He led the couple into the front room, where a few people sat on the sofas deep in conversation, then led them to the dining room.
"Beer, wine or something stronger?"
Handing each of them a bottle of beer, then grabbing one for himself, Dave headed out into the garden in search of his wife.
"He's nice. Seems to have missed you." Sam said with a smile.
"I shouldn't have left it so long." Jack admitted, shrugging his shoulders. He turned to her, entwining his fingers through hers again. "Tell me when you're getting tired, and we'll go back to the hotel."
"Jack, stop worrying."
He grinned at her, and then his face fell as he saw Dave coming towards them with a woman in tow. Short, with dark hair pulled back from her face, the woman was the perfect height for her husband to curl an arm around her shoulders as they stopped in front of Jack and Sam.
Jack forced a lukewarm smile to his face. "Hey, Alison."