Big thanks to my wonderful new beta (and best former roommate ever)! She did such a fantastic job I plan to keep using her (I hope she doesn't regret it). Now on with the story...

Carter was glad she'd come to Washington for two weeks. She and Jack got to hang out as friends and lovers instead of as coworkers. There'd been a few bumps in the road, like not calling him sir, but she'd enjoyed the trip. Jack seemed satisfied with the way things were going. He was much more affectionate then she had imagined. He always had an arm around her and he really liked to nibble on her neck, even in public.

Jack seemed intent on letting her control the pace at which their relationship moved. It started to drive her nuts so she finally decided they had to discuss it. She was a bit nervous about their first serious talk but she didn't want anything hanging over them when she left to back to the SGC in three days. She waited until they were walking back from dinner.

"Jack?" He glanced over at her and squeezed her hand.

"Yes?"

"We need to talk." Sam held her breath after she said it.

"I'd been wondering when you were going to say something." Her brow creased as she looked at him. "I could tell something was up but I didn't want to push. I knew you'd tell me when you were ready." She stopped walking, pulling him to a stop with her.

"How long were you going to wait?" Her hands went to her hips and her lips tightened into a line.

"Until you were ready."

"And what if I'd left and gone back without saying anything?"

"You wouldn't have done that." He lifted a hand and caressed her face. "What's really going on here?"

"You're leaving everything up to me." He grinned, which just made her angrier.

"So you're mad at me for letting you have control…for following your lead." Sam huffed, opening and closing her mouth like a fish. She took a deep breath.

"It's not a partnership if one person is making all the decisions." She lifted her hand, and cupped the side of his face. "Why are you making me make all the decisions?" Jack looked down and clasped her free hand.

"I just figured after spending eight years as your superior officer, it was about time I let you call the shots." Jack glanced back up at her eyes. He saw the anger recede.

"I'd rather discuss things. I want to be your partner."

"I'd like that." He leaned in and kissed her. The kiss deepened and he pulled her closer. "Then I'd like to discuss getting back to my place and ravishing you."

"I'd agree with that suggestion." They both smiled and started walking again.

"Does this mean tomorrow night we can discuss where we have dinner?" Jack kept his eyes forward as he spoke.

"Absolutely." Carter worked hard to keep a straight face. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, don't get me wrong, the dinners have been great, but they aren't really my style. They'd be ok every once in a while, but wearing a tie to dinner every night gets old quick, especially now that I have to wear my dress uniform every day"

"They aren't really my style either." Jack stopped walking and pulled her to a stop beside him.

"Then why have we been getting all dressed up and going out every night?" Carter grimaced and looked away.

"I've been waiting for you to say something." Jack's eyes widened and his hand tightened around hers. She flinched slightly.

"This was a test?" His voice wasn't a growl but it was close.

"I guess…sort of. I jut wanted to see if you'd finally say something." Jack took a deep breath.

"I guess we've both been playing games, huh." Sam sighed and leaned against his chest.

"Yeah. I promise to stop if you do."

"Promise." He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "Do I still get to ravish you when we get home?"

"If we ever get there!" She smiled up at him. He took her hand and began a quick trot down the street. "Jack! Slow down. I'm in heels."

"That's your fault." He smiled and slowed down just enough so she didn't look as if she was about to trip.

----

Sam smiled from her place in bed as Jack stepped out of the bathroom and walked past the bed headed for the dresser so he could search for clean socks. He had a towel around his waist and he was using a hand towel to dry his hair. Sam couldn't resist. She slipped out of bed and crept up behind him. She put her arms around him and licked the back of his ear. He sucked in a breath, spun in her arms and placed his hands on her hips.

"I don't have enough time this morning, so please don't start." His breath was slightly ragged. It made her heart soar.

"Ok." She sucked his earlobe in and then quickly let go. She stepped back and made her way into the bathroom.

"That was evil!" He called to her as she stepped into the shower.

"Yeah, but you loved it." He grinned because she was right. By the time she got out of the shower, he was dressed and messing in the kitchen. She went out to see him, and he handed her a cup of coffee.

"Are you coming over to have lunch with me?" She took the coffee he offered as he spoke. She followed him out into the hall.

"I wouldn't miss it." He leaned in for a kiss and she obliged him. He opened the front door as the phone rang. Sam answered it.

"Hello."

"Hey, Sam. I'm just calling to see how things are going." It was Daniel, so she waved towards the door letting Jack know it was safe to leave. He blew her a kiss and left.

"Things are going wonderfully. How are you doing?" Sam went back to the bedroom, sat on the edge of the bed and took a sip of her coffee.

"Fine, fine. Is Jack still there?"

"No, he's already left for work."

"That's pretty early."

"I guess. Daniel, what's going on?"

"Going on?" Sam put her coffee down on the bedside table.

"Yes, Daniel. You're pretty transparent. Something's up and you aren't interested in telling me what. So how about just get it over with."

"It's Pete." Sam sat up straighter.

"What about him?"

"He'd been calling your office every day. A couple times a day or so until Monday."

"Ok, and…"

"Walter didn't know it was him."

"AND!"

"He called three days ago and Walter told him. I just found out, otherwise I would have called earlier. He knows you and Jack are in Washington. I figure he's capable of filling in the rest."

Carter hung up without so much as a good-bye. She hadn't spoken to Pete since the other Sam has appeared. She didn't really think Pete had it in him to murder anyone, but still. Knowing Pete had been calling her did raise some doubts. She grabbed a pair of jeans and a sweater. She pulled on a pair of flats and raced out the door. Jack was already on the train headed to the city. Sam got on the next train and tried to restrain her pacing. She tried to call Jack but he didn't answer. If his train was as loud as hers he probably couldn't even hear it ringing.

She was the first one out of the train when it stopped. She looked around but there was no sign of him. She'd come into the city with him twice as he went to work. She raced down the street she thought he usually took. Within five minutes she saw him turning a corner. She called out for him and he stopped, turning to face her. Her sweater was sticking to her chest, something he would have loved to explore a bit closer if she didn't look so terror-stricken.

"Sam, what's wrong?" Sam flew towards him. He caught her in his outstretched arms.

"Are you wearing the vest?"

"Sam?" Tears were in her eyes and she reached out and gripped his shirt.

"Are you?"

"Of course I am." She leaned against him and quietly sobbed. He rubbed her back as she pulled herself together. They ignored the crowd bustling around them.

"I'm sorry, Jack. When Daniel called, and said Pete had been calling and knew we were both here, I panicked."

"It's understandable. I'd have done the same in your place."

"It's just I didn't see you getting dressed this morning, so I wasn't sure you were wearing it."

"I promised you…her, and I intend to keep my promise." Sam wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.

"Thank-you." He hugged her back.

"We better get moving. We seem to in the way." People were pushing past them trying to make it to work. "Why don't you come on in with me since you're here." Sam nodded her agreement, not quite ready to let him out of her sight. Jack kept an arm around Sam as they rejoined the crowd. Sam's security clearance allowed her in the pentagon without any trouble. After calling Daniel and letting him know everything was fine, she settled at a spare computer in an office near Jack's and caught up with her emails. The morning seemed to fly by.

"How about joining me for lunch at my favorite diner?" Sam looked up at Jack and smiled.

"I'm starving!" Sam stood up and reached for her pocketbook, suddenly remembering she didn't have it. She'd left this morning with nothing but a few bills in her pocket.

"Looking for something?"

"I just now realized I don't have my pocketbook. That means no wallet or keys."

"Good thing I'm willing to treat." Jack smirked. Sam shook her head and sighed. She wasn't used to being scatter-brained enough to leave her keys behind. "I appreciate that you were so worried about me that you left everything behind."

"I hope you say the same thing about me not locking the house or turning on the alarm." She grimaced as she remembered. Jack smiled and put an arm around her waist.

"I'll take my chances. Come on, let's get some lunch." Jack led her out of the pentagon to a car that was waiting for them.

Lunch was fantastic and lifted Sam's sour mood. Sam walked arm in arm with Jack out of the diner and around the corner.

"Where are we going?"

"There's a little ice cream place just down the street. It's homemade ice cream, and it's the best I've ever tasted. I though maybe today was an ice cream kind of day." Jack squeezed her waist and pulled her closer.

"Sounds good." She laughed and smiled. Their laughs over lunch and his jubilance had pushed her fears away. She was relaxed and enjoying her time with him when it finally happened. It was just as she'd described. The bullet hit him directly in the heart. He flew backwards and hit the cement hard. She saw his head bounce twice. People nearby screamed and dove for cover. She just stood and watched her worst nightmare play out in front of her.