HIS NECK OF THE WOODS

CHAPTER 2

TITTLE: "His Neck of the Woods"

CHAPTER: Second

AUTHOR: fresitaazul

RATING: Teens

CATEGORY: Angst/Romance

PAIRING: Sam and Jack

SPOILERS: Season 8 (Threads and Moubius)

SUMMARY: This is the second chapter of "His Neck of the Woods." After Jacob Carter's death, SG-1 make plans for a future get together.

WARNINGS: Some language.

DISCLAIMER: The characters used in this story DO NOT belong to me. I'm just borrowing them for fun. I am not getting any money for this and don't expect to either.

FEEDBACK: YES PLEASE!

EMAIL: NOTE: Again, thanks to my mom and my husband for their support and to all of you who read the first chapter and enjoyed it, as well as for those who asked for a sequel! Now I have more chapters coming as well. This has turned into what I would have liked to see happen in the series, at the end of Season 8 and forward. You can find the first part archived or email me and I will send you the link.

Enjoy!

'You've got packing to do,' Were Jack O'Neill's last words before he walked out of her lab with the biggest, smuggest grin she had seen. She couldn't help but blush a little; after all, the flirting had increased a bit since her visit to his house only six weeks before, it was subtle, but it ws there. A smile of her own appeared on her face, as she remembered how things were slowly improving.

She recalled with sorrow how happy she had felt after that afternoon when they had finally opened up and agreed to do something about their mutual feelings for each other. The drive to Cheyenne Mountain had been a blur and she truly couldn't remember when was the last time she actually had felt so happy and so at ease. As she reached sub-level 19 and the elevator doors opened, she had found Walter waiting for her, which was usually not a good sign, but quite typical at the SGC. She rolled her eyes and passed by him smiling, "Hello Walter."

"Colonel Carter," Walter said as he walked with her only a few steps behind. "I tried to reach you on your cell phone but it was turned off." He said is a dark tone.

"Yes, it was." Only then did she look into his face and saw the pale appearance of it, "Everything o.k. Walter?"

"I'm afraid not, Ma'am." He then fell quiet afraid to speak the next words, and remained silent for longer than normal.

"Out with it Walter!" She snapped. Somehow she had a bad feeling in her gut and his reluctance to be straightforward with her was really getting the best of her. "I'm sorry," She breathed.

He nodded and sighed, "Ma'am it's your father."

And then her heart had sunk. She ran as quickly as possible to the infirmary without saying a word, and was followed silently by the shorter man.

Two days later, her father died. Yes, life was ironic like that. Especially for her, she thought. She came to the conclusion that if big changes were to happen, then why not let them all happen at the same time? A sarcastic smile curled her mouth now. She was thankful for the time she got to spend with him before his death and was even more grateful it had taken place in a bed at the SGC instead of in some Planet, far away from her.

She missed him, deeply. Her thoughts flew to the funeral where General Jacob Carter had been honored by the presence of so many and the gratefulness and pride of those who knew him well. Off course, Jack, Daniel and Teal'c didn't leave her her side, like always. That was the most comforting part of her life and it made her feel extremely lucky.

One would think that with a job like hers, Sam Carter was completely fulfilled, but the truth was that she wasn't. She thought about what her dreams and hopes had been when she was younger, when she promised herself she would be different from what was usually expected from women in Western Society. Her career goals had always come first because she knew she would make it far and reach the top. By joining the military, obviously after her father's example, she set even tougher goals for herself, as a scientist, a USAF officer and more so, as a woman. Now, as she sat looking back, she realized that none of that would matter if she didn't have the precious relationships that made her life make real sense. Her family and friends, she thought, that was something worthwhile fighting and living for.

General O'Neill had given her a week leave after the funeral and had warned her that if she even stepped one foot inside the Mountain, he would have two SF's pull her out and drive her home. So, she had spent her days off thinking and mourning her dad, crying the tears that she didn't shed during the funeral and the memorial service.

Afterwards, she felt ready to go back to work and make plans for the future. Hers and Jack's. Neither one of them had discussed the afternoon at his house further, it had remained unspoken and in a way, a nice warm secret between them. With her father's death and the almost defeat of the Goau'ld, there had been no appropriate moment to make the necessary arrangements or even bring the subject up again. On her part, Sam broke up with Pete and that on it's own had been extremely difficult.

"I knew from the beginning," He had told her with the saddest most defeated tone she had ever heard from him.

He knew from the beginning… Crap. Was she that transparent? Well, maybe for someone who had gotten so close to her, it was. She hadn't heard from him since, and she had missed him. After the awkward final meeting at the house he had bought for them, he turned around, pulled the 'sold' sign form the house's addand left, and from what her brother had told her, he was back in Denver 'working like a dog.' Double crap. She really hadn't meant to hurt him, but somehow that was the story ofher life when it came to men and relationships. She guessed she was too complex, too involved with her own life and her work, and for the past eight years, wanting and longing the one and only man she could not have.

Just a couple of weeks later, a huge discovery was made in Egypt, apparently a tape and aZPMSG-1 and General O'Neill had buried after they had traveled backin time. Daniel was jumping up and down, literally, and the mere thought of being able to make contact with Atlantis and maybe convince Jack to let him go was drowning him in joy.

When the announcement was made, The General had gathered SG-1 in the briefing room to discuss the discovery. "As you all know," He gazed at Daniel and the stupid smile plastered in his face, "A ZPM and a tape were found in Giza."

Daniel's grin was contagious, and Sam found herself grinning as well, she just couldn't help it.

"Daniel, you think you can think straight for one minute? Please?" Jack said, a bit annoyed.

Daniel raised his eyebrows in his characteristic manner and sighed looking at Sam. "Jack, you have to understand, this is huge!"

"Oh, is it, Daniel?" Jack responded with his usual sarcasm.

"All I'm saying is..."

"All I'm saying is, we will send it to Area 51 for study and then..." Jack widened his eyes at the younger man, "Only then, we will try to make contact with Atlantis. I want to make sure it's safe."

"But Jack..."

Jack interrupted immediately, "Ah ah! That's final Daniel. I don't wanna hear it."

"But…"

"Ah!" Jack warned with his finger and stared at Daniel challenging him to respond.

Sam, who was watching the familiar interaction between the two men, cleared her throat trying to contain her laughter, "Sir, what about the tape?"

"The tape, Carter, is right here," He opened the yellow envelope he had placed on the table and took the small box it contained. "Wanna watch it?" He said smiling at her and lifting the transparent box to her.

Daniel frowned suspiciously as he watched Jack and Sam. They had been acting like this since he had returned from his 'almost ascension'. They were friendlier, happier, more relaxed with each other, and he couldn't help but wonder if he had missed something important while he was gone.

"We should all watch the tape, O'Neill." Came Teal'c's voice from the quiet spot where he sat, making emphasis on the word ALL. An evil sided grin appeared on the stoic Jaffa's face.

Jack shook his head and looked at Teal'c surprised by his comment, "Off course, T, we should all watch it!" He gazed at Sam quickly feeling like they had been caught. "I was about to get to that, but first there is something I wanted to ask you… all of you."

"Oh, yeah?" Daniel asked a bit curious.

"Yeah," Jack was quiet for a moment and then continued, "How about if we go on a trip together?" He looked around the table searching for his friend's faces, "I mean, the Goau'ld are severely weakened, the Replicators almost eradicated," He caught Sam about to say something and quickly added, "At least from this Galaxy… for now," and Danny here just returned from an almost ascension/death experience… again."

They were all quiet listening to his proposal. Daniel frowned, lifting his glasses as they fell lower from his nose, Teal'c raised one eyebrow as usual, and Sam smiled because she knew what was coming.

"Let's go fishing."

Jack shot his eyes, expecting all of them to start making excuses to decline the invitation, like they always did.

Finally after a small pause, Daniel spoke, "Sure, Jack, why not? I guess it's about time I went to that cabin of yours. You know, before I... go through another.. near…another near death experience." Daniel said with a smile.

"Indeed O'Neill, I believe it would be wise for all of us to get acquainted as a team again. I will too go." Teal'c bowed his head and also smiled.

Sam had been watching Jack the entire time, not caring if Daniel and Teal'c had noticed. She was really staring and smiling, no, grinning from side to side. His fishing invitations had stopped years ago and she missed them.

"Carter?" Jack said as he met her blue eyes.

"Yes." She said softly, accepting the invitation.

Jack raised his eyebrows nervously. That simple answer said a million things and they gazed at each other for a while, smiling.

"Uh… Jack? Sam?" Daniel said clearing his throat. Wow! What was going on here?- he thought. Those two didn't do anything like that anymore. Sure, they had flirted, it had been obvious throughout the years, but the looks and the smiles now? All that had stopped long ago.

"Huh? Oh yes. What?" Jack said as he came back from the spell. What the hell? Where was the self -control and restraint that had ruled them for years? Gone, apparently, as Sam looked down to the table, probably embarrassed but still smiling.

Daniel exchanged looks with Teal'c and they both grinned in acknowledgement. "So, when do we leave?" He said afterwards to end the awkward moment.

"How about Saturday, two days from now? That will give you enough time to finish whatever it is that you have to do." He then looked at Sam again, but a bit more guarded and more like the CO, "This is all under one condition,"

"Oh oh…" Daniel said, mocking Jack as he exchanged looks with Sam.

"No work. AT ALL. No laptops, books, tablets, nothing." He gazed at Daniel and then at Sam, the two worse workaholics he knew, "If I see one, just one sign that you brought work with you, I'll kick you out and you'll have to walk a long way from the cabin to find another living soul that will help you. I will show no mercy."

"Yes, Sir." Sam responded, as serious as she could, trying not to laugh.

"Fine. I can do that," Daniel said as he laughed. "How long will this torture last?"

"One week." Jack answered, "Please tell me you can do without your precious work for one week!" He looked at Sam, pleading.

"I will try my best, Sir."

"Cool!" Jack said as he smiled widely. Then, clapping his hands he stood up from his chair, "Well kids, gotta make a couple of phone calls. I will meet you at Daniel's lab at 0800 hours tomorrow to watch the…tape. Good night!" He looked at Sam once again and smiled before he picked up the tape and the envelope, turned around and entered his office, closing the door behind him.

"I will go get some nourishments if you care to join me later at the Mess, Danieljackson and Colonelcarter." Teal'c said as he bowed his head and left the room.

Sam was about to get up when Daniel came around the table and sat on it, facing her, "So,"

She looked up, frowning, "So?"

He raised his eyebrows and smirked, "What's up?"

"Nothing much," She was puzzled by the expression in his face, and that expression was usually not good. Daniel could be too curious for his own good sometimes.

He watched her, observed her and smirked again, "You don't fool me, you know,"

"Fool you? What do you mean?" She asked, trying to sound ignorant of where the questioning was leading.

"I didn't see Pete at the funeral, Sam." He affirmed, a bithesitant at the mention of her Dad's death.

"That would be because we broke up, Daniel." She said calmly.

"Really? Are you o.k. Sam?" He asked..

"Yeah, I am. Thanks for asking." She smiled and got up but hewas not moving and wasstill watching her, she was beginning to feel annoyed, "Anything else, Daniel?"

He narrowed his eyes and shook his head, "No, not really."

She knew he was thinking more, but had chosen to continue the conversation some other time. "O.k. then, I'll see you tomorrow. Good night Daniel."

"Night Sam." He said as she turned around and disappeared through the stairs. He looked on Jack's office direction and saw he was not on the phone, so he walked towards it and knocked on the door. "Um, Jack?"

"What is it Daniel?" Came Jack's voice from the other side of the door.

"I need to tell you something."

"Come." Jack said, followed by a long sigh.

Daniel walked in and stood, leaning against the window that faced the briefing room.

Jack avoided his gaze, and shot his eyes after taking a deep breath, "WHAT?" He growled finally.

Daniel was not bothered, at all. He knew Jack and knew Jack knew him. Therefore, both knew a dreaded 'question and answer session'was coming. Daniel just loved to push Jack's buttons, "Sam broke up with Pete, did you know?"

Shit. Pretty straightforward Daniel, Jack thought. "Yes, so I heard." He said, as he returned to his paperwork.

"Never really met the guy," Daniel commented.

"No?" Jack said, nonchalantly.

"No. That bothered me. I mean, Sam is like my sister and when she told us she was engaged I was shocked by the fact that she never introduced him to us, you know?"

"Daniel, Carter is very private about her life. It didn't shock me at all."

Daniel raised his eyebrows and smiled, he would brake Jack, then and there. "Really?"

"Really." Jack finally met Daniel's eyes, "Where are you going with this, Daniel? Because honestly, I have a ton of work to do and don't have time to discuss Carter's love life with you tonight."

Daniel repressed a laugh, "Well…"

Jack interrupted him, "you had a to tell me something, Daniel?" He felt his anger begin to boil, something Daniel Jackson could manage to do quite often.

He took a deep breath and approached him, still standing up but supporting his weight on the table, "I hope this time you do something, Jack."

Jack's heart stopped for a moment. "Excuse me?"

"Yeah, you heard and I don't have to give you the specificson it." The two men looked at each other intentionally, "DO something." And with that, he smiled and turned around, leaving the office and a shocked and confused Jack O'Neill behind.

Sam carried her bag to her house's entrance the night before they left to Jack's Cabin. There was no ZPM to analyze, no reports to write, no evil aliens to fight. Just them, her family and friends going on a much needed and awaited trip. She was really looking forward to it, more than she ever thought she would. One week in Jack's Cabin was all she could hope for and she had great expectations about the event.

Now, taking a final look atthe list she had prepared to serve as a guide for her packing, she smiled and headed to her bedroom, Jack would pick her up at 0630 the next morning and she was tired. As she reached the bed and slipped inside the covers, her cell phone rang. She frowned and when she saw the number and name on her caller ID, a small smile appeared on her face.

"Hi Sir," She said casually. Then, a frightening feelingwashed over heras she wondered if he had changed his mind and there would be no trip.

"Hey Carter!"

After a small pause, she finally spoke again, "E-verything alright, Sir?"

"Oh, yeah, off course it is! Sorry to call this late…" Late? Barely, it was only 2140 hours, he knew Carter didn't really sleep that much.

"It's fine, Sir… I... wasn't asleep," Awkward silence. Very awkward, she thought.

"See, the thing is…" He hesitated, but then kicked himself and continued, "Would you stay a couple of days more? I mean, at the Cabin? With me?" God, he felt his heart jumping and his hands sweating. Why was it so hard to say this kind of things to her? After all, they had kissed and released a bit of the tension, or at least he thought.

"Sir?" She said as she swallowed hard.

"I mean, if you don't want to that's fine, I understand. I mean, you can only do so much fishing, right?"

"Sir!" She smiled, "You're rambling."

"Oh, o.k. Sorry,"

She breathed and smirked, "You're asking me to stay at your Cabin after Daniel and Teal'c leave?"

"Yeah," He said, so softly she barely heard him. "Carter, if you think it's too soon or too inappropriate I understand, really. I just thought that…"

"Sir!" She interrupted again.

"Rambling?" He completed.

"Indeed," She said in a playful tone. "Sure, I can stay. I'll have to run it by my boss first, though."

He grinned, "Well, I already talked to him and he said you've got all the time off you want."

"Great!" They were silent again, the tension building even through the telephone line.

"Well, you better get some sleep. It's a long drive and we'll need all the strength and patience we can get to deal with a whining Daniel tomorrow,"

She laughed, "Yes, we will." She was about to say good bye when she thought of something, a loophole on their plan, "Sir, how will Daniel and Teal'c get back?"

"Carter, I got it all figured out. Don't you worry," He smiled again and turned his voice serious, "See you tomorrow, Sam."

"See you tomorrow, Jack."

TBC….

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