Here at last is the bit you've all been waiting for. The smoochy, romantic part? Well, see for yourselves what you would call it.
Thanks for all the great reviews. Just one more chapter to go now.
A CHRISTMAS NIGHTMARE.
By Lingren.
Previously:-
Jack, her sole reason to live and keeper of her heart and soul, was back amongst the living once more.
Chapter 8
His eyelids were heavy, but he managed to prise them open at last and found himself staring up at the grey bland ceiling of the ISO room. He was startled to find that he was still alive, let alone feeling as good as he did. In fact, now he came to think about it, he felt good.
The events in the gate-room came swirling back to him like a mini-tornado and he let slip a soft gasp when he recalled what happened down there. He remembered getting shot at point blank range with several bullets, yet here he was still alive.
Mike!
He remembered Mike arriving. That had to be it!
Mike had used the healing device on him. That was the only explanation for himself to be here among the living still. Yet again Mike had saved his life, and vowed there and then, that he would make it up to him somehow.
How does one return the favour when you hardly see the man from one year to the next, when their lives were so far apart now? He didn't know but if Mike was still here, then he would certainly try to show him a cracking Christmas before he left Earth.
Jack became aware that he couldn't move his right arm. It was heavy and numb. He glanced down his body and smiled tenderly.
Sam was asleep, resting her head on his arm at his side. She was dressed in blue BDUs and looked healthy enough to Jack from what he could see of her. He hoped that no matter what had happened to him, that she and the others had been spared. He was more than thankful that she was here, alive and apparently well. His concern for the others diminishing slightly when she released a soft sigh of contentment in her sleep.
He shifted as quietly as he could, not wanting to disturb her. Turning onto his side, so that he could reach her with his left hand, he caressed her exposed cheek gently, running his fingers through the blonde strands of her hair, a wide loving smile gracing his lips as she responded to his tender ministrations.
"Hmmmm!" she murmured softly, purring like a contented cat, and nuzzling closer to him if that was possible.
Jack leaned over as far as he could and lightly placed a soft kiss on her brow.
Sam's head shot up so quickly she almost took Jack's head off, if it wasn't for his quick reaction to her movements.
"Whoa! Steady on there Sam. It's just me." Jack cried with a laugh.
"Jack! You're awake!" she cried gleefully, standing up and pushing the chair over backwards in her haste to get nearer to him.
"Hey! Mrrmmph!" his words were cut off by her lips pressing against his with such force that anyone would think she hadn't seen him in years. Not that he minded at all. Far from it. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her down to his level until she was almost sprawled on the bed with him.
He pulled back with difficulty, looking into blue eyes that were bright with unshed tears. His hand swept the hair from her face and cupped her cheek.
"I'm not going anywhere Sam. I'm not gonna disappear."
"I thought I'd lost you for sure Jack," she whispered brokenly.
His gentle smile and warm hands meltedthe ice left behind from the shockand she flung herself into his embrace once more, though this time a touch more tenderly, holding him like she didn't want to let go.
It was an awkward position for Jack, but he waited until she released him before he moved her to stand away so that he could turn to hold her properly.
Shifting his legs off the side of the bed, he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her to stand between his knees, then tugged her into his arms, holding her tightly.
The sweet kiss as their lips met was everything they had waited for. It was a gentle, unhurried meeting of two souls. Sam closed her eyes believing she was in heaven...
The door burst open and they broke apart when several wolf whistles rent the air, followed by a round of applause.
Jack and Sam both sighed with frustration but couldn't help smirk at the interruption.
"Can't a guy get any privacy around here?" Jack grumbled with a pout.
"This is the SGC Jack. What did you expect?" Landry retorted with a wide grin. "Cameras everywhere!"
General Landry, Carolyn Lam, Daniel, Cameron, Teal'c and Mike had all crowded into the room like a gaggle of party goers, all happy to see Jack obviously wide awake and well.
"Merry Christmas Jack, Sam," they all crowed happily, crowding round the couple.
"It's Christmas day already?" Jack asked confused. Just how long had he been out of it?
"What there is left of it anyway," Hank sighed, looking at his watch. "It's 17:53 hrs. We thought you were gonna sleep all through it."
Jack's shoulders sagged with disappointment. It was meant to be such a great Christmas, but now?
"Hey, this is not your fault Jack!" Mike said, punching Jack on the shoulder to bring him out of the morose mood he'd fallen into. "It's not too late."
Jack felt Mike push something into his hand and he suddenly remembered the little velvet box that had been in his jacket pocket. Looking down at the blue scrubs he was wearing he understood what Mike was saying; that it was safe, because he'd looked after it for him.
"Later!" was all he said, mystifying the others present. "Doc? Can I get some clothes?" he whined.
"Of course General. Your uniform has been ruined I'm afraid, but I understand you have some things here..."
"Indeed. I have anticipated your need O'Neill," Teal'c rumbled with a rare smile, handing Jack his overnight bag from Sam's lab where it had been left when he'd arrived on the base the day before.
"Thanks T. Merry Christmas to you too kids!"
"We can have our Christmas day tomorrow Jack," Daniel suggested, brightening as Jack and Sam looked at each other and nodded.
"What about you Mike?" Jack asked, wondering if he had to return to the Tok'ra world anytime soon.
"I'm good. I got a coupla days."
"Excellent!" Jack cried, slapping his brother on the arm. "Sam?"
Sam smiled and leaned back into Jack's embrace.
"Sure, he can stay with us," she said beaming up at him.
"Stay with you? As in both of you ? Jack? What aren't you telling us?" Daniel picked up on Sam's meaning before the wordsregistered with Jack.
"Oops!" Sam grimaced. "Sorry!" she apologised to Jack.
Jack just shrugged her concern off. It was too late now anyway.
"Ah, yeah. I'm staying with Sam," he announced calmly, though he looked at Daniel with big puppy dog eyes that said sorry.
"And about time too!" Daniel snorted with amusement.
"What?" both Jack and Sam cried.
"Daniel Jackson and I are in total agreement O'Neill. You and Colonel Carter have spent too many years hiding behind the regulations. It is about time you pursued your happiness together," Teal'c stated, showing his pleasure at such news.
"I haven't mentioned anything yet. I'm just staying there for cryin' out loud!" Jack said, waving a hand in Sam's direction.
"Jack!" Mike's warning made Jack sigh in frustration.
"Come on Jack!" Landry cried with a laugh. "We're all waiting!"
Sam looked up at Jack, mystified by what they were saying, as well as by what they weren't saying. Feeling that she was out of the loop and they all knew what Jack was thinking while she didn't have a clue.
"Oh fer cryin' out loud!" Jack muttered, pushing a hand through his silver hair ruthlessly, making the bed-head worse than ever. "I just woke up!" he complained. "I'm wearing scrubs!" he pouted. This was sooo not how he wanted to propose.
"And? So?" they all questioned, waiting eagerly.
Jack wondered how they all seemed to know what was going on when he'd never mentioned his intentions to anyone. But, then, he knew Mike had had the ring so Mike must have spread the news around. He turned an accusing glare on his brother, threatening damage at a private moment later.
"Hey! Don't look at me. I never said a word!" Mike denied, holding his hands up in a defensive position against the expected figurative attack from his brother. "I swear I didn't. They just guessed."
"What the heck is going on here?" demanded Sam, seeing as everyone knew something she didn't. Enough was enough!
All eyes turned to Jack and he actually blushed under their intense stares, dropping his eyes to the floor.
"Jack?" Sam asked, her voice soft and enquiring.
His resolve crumbled before her when he looked into those startling azure depths.
"I didn't want to do this here and now, but it seems I don't have much of a choice," he grumbled, glaring with annoyance at his audience. They ignored his glare so he turned his attention back to the woman in front of him. "Sam. You've known how I've felt about you for the last several years now. I love you with all my heart; so, will you do me the greatest honour of becomming my wife?" There, he'd asked, and now all he could do was to sit there and worry that she might refuse and then he'd feel like the biggest idiot going.
He brought his hand round to offer her the little velvet ring box, opening it to reveal the single sapphire and diamond ring nestled in it's folds.
She gasped in surprise looking down at the glittering band in his hand and then gaped at all her friends who were looking like they were all on tenterhooks waiting for her reply, almost begging her to accept.
She gulped and gazed up into Jack's dark eyes, half hidden in the shadow covering his face. He was biting his lip in anticipation and looking decidedly green as he awaited her answer.
Could she marry him? She wondered, searching through her heart and her memories and the feelings deep inside her.
"Oh Jack!" she whispered, searching the depths of his eyes for his heart.
Her lips found his, pressing them together in a bruising kiss. She had grabbed hold of his head and held it between her hands, holding him there until she pulled away, breathless, clasping a hand to her mouth to stop herself from bawling.
Jack was panting from the contact too. He was wondering why she had kissed him like that and yet she was crying at the same time. His heart plummeted to his boots when he saw the tears running freely from her eyes. She dropped her gaze to the floor, her smile faltering as she wept.
He waited, head hanging down dejectedly for her rejection.
His heart fluttered in his chest, and left him feeling like it was about to stop altogether.
When her answer came it was so soft, it was almost inaudible but he knew he would never be the same again.
"What?" he gasped. He was sure he had died, his heart faltering.
"I said 'Yes' Jack! I love you so much!" she whispered through tears of joy.
The room erupted into noisy rapturous cheers, and it stole Jack's breath.
She'd agreed!
TBC