Talent Show

Chapter 11

Sam didn't scream.

And it wasn't because of the hand covering her mouth.

It was familiar grip around her waist, not too tight, more persuasive and even protective than anything else. It was the familiar curve of the chest pressed close to her back. It was the soft whisper in her ear.

"You were great."

He removed his hand from around her mouth and brought it further down so that his hands were clasped at her stomach.

"You think so?" she whispered in reply, leaning slightly into his embrace.

"Uh huh." He said tipping his head forward slightly that his warm breath caressed her neck and sent shivers down her spine, before resting his chin on her shoulder.

They stood there for a while as the sounds of SG-6 singing and playing "Time of your life" drifted through the thick door.

"They're going to worry where I am."

"Let them." He said simply, then added, "Something tells me that after that performance they wouldn't be too worried if we both 'got lost' for a few days." He said suggestively.

"While that does sound nice, I'm pretty sure there's a reason why we haven't 'got lost' before."

"Hmm." He said loosening his grip and stepping back from her. "Well, I suppose there have been a few little reasons."

He moved a little further into the small cupboard and took a seat on one of the stackable chairs he'd borrowed from the room beyond the door. Sam's eyes had yet to adjust so he reached forward and took her hand,

"Here, we might as well have a seat if were gonna go through this."

"Yeah," she said as she felt around in the direction which he'd pulled her, inadvertently she gripped his knee then released it as if it was a hot poker, "Oh, sorry."

"It's okay Carter," he said with a chuckle in his voice, as he guided her hand to the chair.

He could tell she was blushing. Almost as if the room had got hotter by a few degrees just because of the warmth of her cheeks, but he wouldn't mention it, he knew she was glad of the darkness it made her embarrassment and the whole situation easier to deal with.

"So, where were we?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"Reasons."

"Ah." He said and then the silence began again. "Are we gonna take turns or something?"

"No, I'm just waiting 'til I can see you properly."Allshe could see was the faintest of outline of him against the darkness ot the cupboard.

"Here was me thinking it was easier this way."

"It is, but that's half the problem."

"I think that this is as good as the whole visibility thing is gonna get. So, just as well I have an escape plan then." He said happily as he began rooting around his pockets for something.

"Good thinking."

"You surprised?" He asked as he took a small silver object from his pocket.

"Not at all, Dr O'Neill."

"Hey that information is classified!"

"Yes, and I can hack, so there."

"Hm, yes I know." He said in such an affectionate way you could hear the smile in his voice, "Well, as for the whole thinking thing, I didn't exactly want half the SGC seeing us emerge from the same cupboard. You know what happened last time."

"Yeah, I never knew General Hammond could turn purple like that, thank god for the security camera."

"Another reason for the escape plan."

"Seems like we're coming up with reasons for the wrong problem."

"Well, that's life." He said before taking hold of her hand and pushing a button on the small device he retrieved from his pocket. They were engulfed in a familiar light as the feeling of being beamed away to some distant place spread through them both.