Talent Show

Chapter 12

They landed a little heavily on a low set couch, hands still clasped together as Sam took a moment (blinking in the sunshine) to look around and work out where she is, while Jack slipped the 'favour' he arranged with Thor a little while after becoming a General.

"We're at your house." Sam said simply a few seconds later.

"Really?" he asked sarcastically, his eyebrow rising in a Teal'c like fashion.

He received no answer but the sight of her rolling her eyes in a manner that brought a smile to his face.

"And how did you manage to rig this beam up?"

"Perks of being a general," he replied loftily settling further back into couch, absentmindedly thumbing the back of her hand that he still grasped. Then he added, "And it helps to have a four foot tall, grey alien as one of your best buddies."

"Ah," she said only then aware of the soft gentle movements on the back of her hand. She tensed slightly, and instantly regretted it as she saw Jack glance down and there joined hands and his thumb came to a rest.

But still, even now that they were aware of what would be considered a public display of affection, neither let go. They held on to each other in reality, in such a basic way as joining hands, reflecting how they held on to each other emotionally.

Everyday they were connected; drawn to each other.

The first time they lost Daniel (or thought they lost Daniel) something changed. Though they had relied on each other many times in battle, this was the first real occasion where they had come to rely on each other emotionally. At this point Teal'c was still a closed book to them; still too alien and foreign to even begin thinking about seeking comfort and solace. So they turned to each other. They held on to each other so fiercely, Sam sought comfort in those warm strong arms that wrapped protectively around her and the soft shirt, a fragrance she would never forget, gathering her tears. Jack found solace in giving her comfort; trying to shield her as best he could from the pain and making a silent promise to himself, which he had kept always, to watch over and protect her. And in comforting and protecting her he found his own release and soon silent tears drew down his face and onto her jacket. These basic emotions struck deep; far deeper than either care to acknowledge at the time.

And so, buried in their subconscious that emotional reliance grew.

Which ultimately led to their current situation; sitting on Jack's couch hand-in-hand feeling strangely awkward and wonderfully content at the same time.

"Go ahead." Sam said a little out of the blue breaking the comfortable yet unbearable silence.

"What?" said Jack turning to Sam, genuinely confused.

"There must have been a reason why you pulled me into that cupboard; and why you came up with this whole 'escape plan'."

"Well, it's no so easy when you don't have a song to explain it." He replied.

"Is there much to explain?" she asked.

"I suppose not," then he fell into a ponderous silence before he said, "Even if you won't say it, do you feel it?"

The grip on his hand increased as her gaze remained fixed on his, and then finally she nodded her head in a positive manner.

He sighed in a sort of relived manor, his grip increasing to match hers.

"Me too." His voice was a mix of emotions. Of course there was always hope, but there was a hint of dejection in his voice, betraying the severity of the situation and the words they know they won't say but most definitely feel.

For most people this is the hardest part in any 'relationship' but compared with the things they'd been through and the hurdles which may arise due to the silent words of a secret promise, it was certainly easier. They were not most people.

Which was most of the problem.