I'd like to thank everyone for their great reviews. They're so welcome! Thanks!
Sorry, but I'm afraid you're gonna have to wait for the next chapter for a few days. We had unexpected company turn up last night – just after I'd finished this chapter, so you're lucky to get this one. I do hope you enjoy it! A definite end to all the past angst with a little fluff.
The family return to Kent on Tuesday, so I should be able to knuckle down and write the next one then.
NOTHING IS EVER THAT SIMPLE
By LetitiaRichards
Previously:-
Jack wrapped his arms around her, soothing her; and as quietly as possible the room cleared, leaving the two of them alone, clinging tightly to each other. Jack was having a hard time understanding why Cindy had chosen to shoot him with a training weapon instead of the real thing. Not that he minded in the least. It meant he was alive, and so was his Sam.
Chapter 27 – How Green is My Monster?
"Hey."
"Hey," Sam responded, sniffing back the tears now that the initial shock had worn off.
"There's one thing about this I guess."
Sam looked up into Jack's amused hazel eyes with a frown.
"What?" She couldn't imagine what he was driving at.
"I got to christen the pool!"
Sam closed her eyes and dropped her head, not wanting to see the red stain that had discoloured the water of the pool. She was still reeling from the event, and didn't need to see the evidence.
He cupped her chin and forced her to look up at him, staring into her now open eyes intently.
"I'm fine. It was only a charade on her part. It's over now. We're okay."
Sam gulped back the lump in her throat and nodded. She knew that, but it still hurt to know it could have been for real.
Jack wrapped her in his arms again, happy to be able to do so, freely without fear of being caught. Sam relished the contact and relaxed.
A little while later, and after she'd come to terms with the near deadly deed, she pulled back and smirked at him, giving him a playful nudge with her elbow.
"What?"
"Ass!" she giggled.
"Huh?"
"You're an ass Jack O'Neill."
"Yeah," he agreed, grinning. "But I'm all yours," he added, bringing a wide smile to her lips. They kissed, feeling the reassurance pass between them. He broke off breathless and shivered.
"Guess I should get changed," he sighed, looking down at himself. He shivered again and Sam suddenly realised he was still topless and his pants were wet through and cooling on him.
"God, Jack. I'm sorry. I didn't think." She found a terry robe hanging up on the hook above a bench on the far side of the room and wrapped it round him. He gave another involuntary shiver and pulled it tighter, trying to get warm.
"Not your fault," he said standing up stiffly.
Jack wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side and they headed for the door.
They stopped short, just before they would have to return to the realms of the outside world, he bent his head and kissed her deeply, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"I love you Sam," he sighed, nuzzling into her neck. It was her turn to shiver now, but not from the cold. "No matter what might happen out there Sam, remember I'll always love you." He smiled, gazing deeply into her eyes, then he planted another scorching kiss to her lips.
"I love you too Jack. For always!" she whispered when he straightened up again.
She smiled up at him, contentedly. They indulged in one more brief hug before he pushed the door open to join the others waiting patiently in the main gym area for their return.
Despite Jack's objections General Hammond ordered him to report to the infirmary just to be on the safe side.
"But I'm fine sir," Jack protested. "A touch cold, but..."
"Colonel, you have a problem carrying out my order?" Hammond eyeballed him sternly.
Jack looked taken aback at the General's harsh manner, but shook his head in resignation.
"No sir."
"Good. After Dr. Fraiser has cleared you, you are free to leave the base."
"Yes sir. Thank you sir," he replied rather dryly, wondering if for some reason it was he who was in the dog house over this rather than Cindy.
General Hammond watched from the door as Jack, accompanied by Sam, walked back into the underground complex with a heavy tread, disappearing moments later into the tunnel entrance. He nodded, satisfied that Jack would be out of the way for a while, then turned to issue new orders to Walter who hurried off on his latest mission.
OoOoOoOoO
"Okay Colonel. You can go!"
"Great. Thanks Doc."
Jack was more than ready to leave this place. He hadn't been home in months. He wasn't looking forward to cleaning up several months worth of dust or tackling the mini mountain of stale and probably very smelly by now, laundry that had been lying in the basket waiting to be washed; but going home, especially with Sam, would be so welcome.
He hopped from the bed and slipped into his clean clothes. He spotted Sam as he pulled the curtain back, patiently sitting on the bed next to his while she had waited for Janet to finish. She stood up and he grinned as they greeted each other.
"All ready?"
"More than!" he replied readily.
He had hoped to see Daniel and Teal'c before he left but there was no sign of his team-mates anywhere. Sam kept her peace and waited until he was ready to ride the elevator to the surface.
Once they reached the parking lot he automatically headed for the spot where he could see Sam's car, but she'd turned to walk the other way. Puzzled he followed her, spotting his friends in the distance. He knew then that was where she was heading.
They, Hammond, Daniel, Teal'c, Janet and Ellie, were all standing round chatting, admiring a brand new shiny dark green truck.
On seeing him, Teal'c released Mac and the dog ran over to greet his master happily. Jack made a fuss over the dog and picked him up in his arms, getting licked all over.
Jack blew out a loud protracted breath when he eyed the monster sitting quietly at the side of the lot. He could almost hear the deep throttle of power coming from the engine in his mind. He let Mac down again, but kept a hold of the leash, his eyes alight with admiration as gaped longingly at the Ford.
"What do you think Jack? You like it?" Daniel asked, running his sleeve covered hand over the hood proudly as if wiping away an imaginary finger-mark.
Jack handed the leash to Daniel and took a few minutes to walk all round it, greatly admiring it. He peered in through the windows and whistled with appreciation, almost green with envy. It was bigger than his old truck and came with all the latest gadgets too. He sighed when he thought back to his own baby. It had been totalled in the accident and he would have to get Sam to take him to the yard to pick out another one.
Daniel opened the door and Jack leaned in to study the latest technological wizardry incorporated into the design. He looked round at his friend who appeared flushed, beaming with delight.
"Since when did you go all out and buy yourself a decent set of wheels Daniel? She's a beauty." He ran his hands over the seats, feeling the supple softness of the tan leather under his fingers.
"Oh, it's not mine Jack," Daniel denied ownership. "I could never own anything like this. It would be wasted on me."
Jack pulled away from the driver's doorway, almost afraid that the owner would come along and tear him limb from limb for touching his baby.
"What? It's not yours?" he gaped.
"Nope," Daniel replied, shaking his head.
Sam came over to stand next to Jack. She took his hand and waited for Daniel to enlighten him.
"Then to whom does it belong Daniel?" Jack persisted, frowning at the man for falsely leading him to believe it was his.
Daniel tossed him a set of keys which Jack caught one handed.
"It's yours." Daniel's smile was smug and all knowing.
"What?" Jack was stunned; shaking his head because he was sure he hadn't heard that right.
"You heard me perfectly well Jack. She's yours. The insurance from your previous one, the one that you wrecked? They paid up and Sam picked this one out for you. She thought you'd like it."
He turned to gape at Sam.
"You picked this out? For me?"
"Uh huh!" she giggled, unable to keep the amusement in any longer. His face was a picture. If she thought he'd been surprised before, with the name of the gym, then his astonishment now was even greater.
"Wow!" Jack was struck dumb, his jaw flapping uselessly. "I love it Sam. How did you know? I mean...it's great. I just can't believe it's mine!"
"Go on Jack. Get in," Daniel urged.
As if in a dream, Jack climbed up into the truck, trying it out for size. He wrapped his hands around the steering wheel and made himself comfortable. It was a dream. He was pretty sure of that. Perhaps he had died in that pool and he was now in heaven? It certainly felt like he was. He had his health back; he had Sam; he even had a dog, and now he had a brand new truck. What more could he possibly need or want?
"I don't know what to say," he sighed, feeling overwhelmed with an urge to hug them all. "Thank you sounds a little too clichéd and definitely inadequate, but well, thanks!" He stretched his jaw; a reaction against the raw emotions rising too near to the surface from inside him.
"Just promise us, Jack, that you'll drive carefully?" the General requested with a smile. He pushed the thoughts of Jack's last mishap with a truck from his mind, not wanting to think how lucky the Colonel was that he hadn't been killed that day.
"Yeahsureyoubetcha!" he replied softly, still grinning; awe struck with wonder.
He started the engine and pumped the gas pedal, listening to and loving the deep throaty roar of restrained power emanating from under the hood.
"Oh yeah baby!" he crowed gleefully.
Sam rolled her eyes, meeting with the same reaction from Janet.
"You chose it," Janet sighed. Boys and their toys! "You're gonna have to live with it!"
"C'mon Sam. Jump in!" Jack called over the noise. "Come Mac!" Mac leapt up into the truck and whuffed against Jack, wagging his tail non-stop.
Sam shrugged resignedly at her friends, then walked round to the other side to climb in, buckling her seat belt. She put her hand through the loop of Mac's leash then held on Mac's collar to keep him safe.
"Okay," Jack grinned, shutting his door and lowering the window. "See you guys in a coupla weeks."
He pulled away, waving back at his friends as he drove to the main gates. "Let's go home Sam."
She sidled as close as she could and placed her hand on his thigh, giving it a little squeeze. Mac sat next to her, his nose poking from the open window catching the exciting new smells that came his way.
"Whatever you say Jack." She was happy to comply. Jack was obviously thrilled with the truck and she was more than thrilled at the prospect of marrying him and being with him for the rest of her life.
Life couldn't be better.
TBC
