Note: I know it's short, but its been kinda a tradition that I stop chapters in these sorts of places, so one more wont hurt...

Jack rolled over and tried to shut out the noise coming from the door. It had to be Daniel he thought, and he was just not in the mood. He had been awake for the last two hours kicking himself over his last meeting with Sam. The knocking got louder. "Damn it Daniel, go to your own room"

"Sir, it's me… Carter"

"Shit, just a sec Carter"

Jumping up out of bed quickly and putting on his black shorts over his boxers, Jack tripped over with a thud as he headed towards the door, reaching it, he opened it and seen that Sam was looking extremely tired and frustrated and… cold. "Jesus Carter, you must be freezing, what are you doing standing in the hallway?" He moved aside and beckoned her into the air-conditioned room.

Noticing as she walked past him that he was wearing only shorts, she refused to stare as she made her way into the room and sat down on the single chair that was resting near a small work table.

"Sorry to wake you Sir, Daniel came knocking at my door about 15 minutes ago and I offered to make him some coffee but by the time I had, he decided he would collapse on my bed and start snoring, I tried to get his room key out of his pocket but couldn't find it.. By this point Jack had moved to sit on the edge of his bed facing her, hands clasped in his lap... "I then tried to wake Teal'c but there was no answer so….."

"So?"

So… Here I am.

Also sitting with her hands clasped Sam realised how tired Jack looked, as he sat staring at his clasped hands. He also looked uncomfortable, as was she. It was a bit inappropriate that she should be sitting in the General's room at this time of the morning clad in a blue Satin Robe while he sat on his bed in nothing but Black Shorts and Boxers. She stood quickly, getting ready to leave.

"I'm sorry Sir, this is aah………, well I should go back to my room and try and wake up Daniel"

Standing also, Jack replied.. "Don't be sill Carter, you know as well as I do that Daniel will not move until this time tomorrow. You can stay here, it's late, or early, whatever way you want to look at it, and we both need our beauty sleep.

"But Sir"

"No But's Carter, your staying"

Ordinarily, this would have sent warning flags up all through Sam, but she was tired, and so was the General, and he had sobered up by this point too she noticed, and there was no sign of his earlier behaviour.

"Ok Sir" She replied.

Moving slowly, Jack folded down the blankets on the right side of the bed and motioned for Sam to get in, slipping off her blue robe, Sam revealed a Satin Pair of Pyjamas the same light blue as her robe. Jack was breathless, he had never seen her look more beautiful than she did at that very moment, sure she looked gorgeous at the ball, but this was different, this was… Sam…

It did not go un noticed by Sam that Jack was staring at her; she had never felt more vulnerable than she did at that very moment, and she quickly moved under the covers as he directed. Pulling the covers over her, Jack laid on top of the blankets, being the perfect gentleman.

"Sir, that really isn't necessary" Sam said as she shifted to look at him.

"It's ok Carter"

"Sir please, you will get cold,"

"We have been through worse"

She smiled at that, and so did he as they remembered their time in Antarctica, not long after they had first met. They had both thought that they were never going to make it out of that cave alive. But they did, and they were here, 7 years later with the same love and respect as they had for each other all that time ago.

"Sir I know it is hardly freezing, but I do not want to be responsible for you catching a cold now do I"

He looked at her then and smiled, as did she. He lurched out of bed with an exaggerated groan, pulled back the covers and slid underneath. He could immediately feel the warmth that radiated off Carter. Whilst he was moving, Sam had shifted on to her side and her back was now to him. He liked this position, as he could stare at her without her even knowing it.

"My God, you are beautiful…... why did I ever stop talking to you" He thought, at least he thought he had thought it, that was until Sam quickly replied.

"Because Sir, it was easier that way…. For both of us"

Jack stiffened, kicking himself that he had said that out loud for Carter to hear.

Stumbling Jack said "Look…aah….Cater…. I um……"

"It's ok Sir" She said not moving, still staring at the hotel wall. "Goodnight Sir"

"Good night Carter"

They both lay still for a period of who knows how long, each hoping the other had thought they were asleep.