Jack was sitting on his bed (which was about as comfortable a bed as he'd ever been on) when a knock on the door drew his attention from his brooding.
"Come in."
Carter walked in, looking around. O'Neill had put his backpack on the top of the dresser and had hung his P90 from one of the posts.
"Nice place," Sam said, hoping for a smile. "Come here often?"
He scowled.
"Too often."
She came over and sat down beside him on the bed.
"What's wrong, Jack?"
"What makes you think anything's wrong?"
"You're moody."
There was a time she wouldn't have said that, but that time was past, now. Had been for a year.
He sighed, and an arm slid around her, pulling her a little closer so he could rest his cheek against her shoulder.
"This isn't what I had envisioned for tonight…"
"It's not so bad, though," she pointed out. "At least no one's shooting at us."
"True."
"And Jamal and his people seem very nice."
Jack scowled again.
"Not too nice?"
Meaning he was asking her if she thought it was suspicious.
Sam shook her head. She knew he was always suspicious of people – it was just the way he was; and it made him good at what he did – but this time it wasn't necessary, she thought.
"I don't think so. They seem prosperous, and they're definitely more technologically advanced than we are. I don't see what they could possibly need from us that would make them a threat to us."
Which was pretty much what O'Neill had been thinking, but it was good to hear it from someone else, too.
Sam ran her fingers through his short hair.
"I'd love to know how their energy pods work, though," she said, sounding just a little peeved. "It's fascinating technology that would probably-"
"So ask them." Jack said, interrupting.
She wasn't offended; she'd actually expected it.
"You heard Jamal. His people don't like to discuss their technology."
It wasn't like they were the first society they'd ever encountered that held those reservations, either, so it was hardly suspicious.
He shrugged.
"Don't ask Jamal. Maybe someone else might want to brag a little."
"That's unlikely."
"Yeah. But it's worth a shot, if you're that interested."
Sam nodded.
"I suppose so."
She gave him a gentle nudge and a soft smile.
"Feeling better?"
"Not really."
She lifted her head and kissed him gently.
"How about now?"
"Maybe a little…" he smiled, though, and leaned down to return the kiss.
"Jack?"
The voice at the door caused both of them to jerk away, guiltily, and Jack scowled.
"Come in, Daniel…" his voice was annoyed, but it made Sam giggle. Which earned her a scowl. Which only made her giggle harder.
Daniel opened the door and walked in, noting their position immediately.
"Am I interrupting anything?" he asked them, not even trying to hide his amusement.
It was no secret – to him or to Teal'c – that something was going on between Jack and Sam. Something far more intimate than just a leader/follower type deal – and that it had been going on for some time now. Daniel, who was good at studying the people around him, noticed the change fairly easily. There was a definite softening to Jack. A softness that only something – or someone – profound could bring about. And since his eyes lit up whenever Sam walked into a room he was in, there was no doubt what – who – that someone was.
They didn't mention it, though – and Daniel had a feeling it was more because of regulations than because they actually wanted to hide it – so he and Teal'c neither one actually brought it up. But it was fun to catch them in almost compromising positions like he just had. Besides, Jack looked a little less annoyed than he had when he'd left Daniel's room – which was always a good thing.
Jack shook his head, but Sam was the one who responded.
"No. We're just… hanging out."
"Uh huh."
Jack scowled.
"Where's Teal'c?"
"He's coming. I think he's trying to decide if it'll offend our hosts if he carries his staff weapon…"
"You will not need any weapons here," a voice said from the open door.
They all looked over (Jack and Sam standing up quickly) and saw a woman standing by the door. She was probably in her late twenties, and was beautiful; with mahogany colored skin and thick black hair that was loose and fell past her shoulders. She was wearing a simple dress, but it was brightly colored and had intricate designs embroidered on the hem, collar and bodice, and on her feet were matching slippers. She flushed, as if embarrassed that she'd startled them.
"Please, forgive me. I didn't mean to listen in on your conversation, but I couldn't help it."
"No, it's okay," Daniel said, smiling to reassure her. "If it was private, I would have closed the door."
"You are our welcomed guests," she said, smiling. "Not our prisoners. As such, if you feel more comfortable carrying your weapons you may do so – although we do ask that you limit it to only your side arms."
Teal'c walked in as she was saying this, and Jack noticed that he'd left his staff weapon in his room – but was carrying his holster with the zat strapped to his side.
"Fair enough," O'Neill said, knowing that Teal'c had already decided to do just that.
She smiled, again, as if relieved there would be no confrontation.
"Then if you're ready, please follow me. Dinner is ready and my people are waiting."