Here's the next chapter...it's a little different than the other ones, but it's mostly because as I was writing the poem, it took a different turn. I hope you enjoy the outcome...

SG-1 took one of days' leaves and taken Cassie to the zoo. Cassie, still somewhat shy, clung to her. This left the guys able to watch Sam's maternal magic. And, while Daniel and Teal'c noticed it, they were not as attentive to it as Jack found himself.

He was enchanted by the side of her personality that she showed when she was around Cassie. It was completely opposite from the hardness of her military exterior.

He loved how much more relaxed she seemed to be in jeans and a t-shirt than BDUs. Having a child as a companion also helped her relax. Though he found her attractive in uniform, he felt it was a shame that he didn't get to see her more relaxed more often.

"Jack, what did you think of the penguins?" Cassie asked, excitedly.

He couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "I think they look like waiters at fancy restaurants."

"I've never been to a fancy restaurant." Cassie said, matter-of-factly.

"Well, I'm sure you'll go to one someday." Sam said.

An idea popped into Jack's head. "We never officially celebrated your adoption, did we?"

Cassie looked confused. "You got me a dog."

The adults chuckled.

"Yes, I did, Cassie, but one thing that we didn't do was go out for dinner at a fancy restaurant." Jack said.

"Really?" Cassie said, getting excited.

"Sir..." Sam warned.

"If it's okay with your mom, maybe we can go to a fancy restaurant in a few days."

"All of us?" Cassie asked, skeptically.

"Of course." More for the others' benefit, he added. "My treat."

Later that night, Jack reached for his leather-bound journal. He turned to one of the pages that was only partially filled up. He took his pen and chewed the lid. His poem would take on a different tone, and he wondered if it would be appropriate, but he finally opened the floodgates of his heart and the words poured onto the page.

Overtures of tenderness
Are followed by themes of asperity,
But still, I desperately long to caress
Her lips, those plains of simmering sensuality.

He thought back to their adventures earlier that afternoon, after he had ended the poem. As they had ended their excursion to the zoo, Jack had noticed with a smile that Sam had gotten sunburned. Then, he had swallowed in feverish anticipation as he looked subconsciously at her lips. They had also been slightly sunburned, just enough to make them very sensual, almost driving him crazy with passion.

When he had returned home, he had been forced to his notebook with the thoughts that plagued his mind. He found it much easier for his psyche to process his immense desire for Samantha if he did so in written word. However, he had only really admitted to himself that he loved her after their entrapment in Antarctica. He chuckled. How many times had he sworn that he hated Antarctica since their return? Well, it was only half-true. While he wouldn't choose it as a vacation spot, he would always hold a strangely tender spot for it in his heart.

He shook his head. If only his team members could look into his mind. He wasn't as stupid as he made himself seem. In fact, he held two honorary doctorates for his poetry and novels. He hadn't ever written about his missions, but he had written a few bestsellers...

Inwardly, he wondered if Sam had ever read any of his things. He wondered if she liked them if she had read them. Of course, he had a pseudonym, and so he could easily find out by slipping one of his novels into her Christmas present...

He ran his hand through his short hair. It was time for him to do something more masculine than this...he was about ready to call and resign from the Air Force and beg Samantha to marry him...that probably would never happen, but if it did, it would happen much later.

And so, he turned on ESPN, grateful that the Hockey Playoffs had just begun.