HIS NECK OF THE WOODS

CHAPTER 3

TITTLE: "His Neck of the Woods"

CHAPTER: Third

AUTHOR: fresitaazul

RATING: Teens

CATEGORY: Angst/UST/Romance

PAIRING: Sam and Jack

SPOILERS: Season 8 (Moebius part II)

SUMMARY: This is the third chapter of "His Neck of the Woods." This is my take on what could've happened at the end of Moebius when SG-1 went to Jack's cabin.

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!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Again, thanks to my mom and my husband for their support and to all of you who continue to read my story.

Here goes,

Enjoy!

"This is great," Sam said after a long and relaxed sigh.

"I told ya," Jack replied.

"I can't believe we didn't do this years ago,"

Jack turned to look at her and smirked, "Yes, well, let's not dwell…"

Then, a fish jumped from the pond in front of them and both Jack and Sam stared at the wet animal as it made its return to the clear depths of the water.

"I thought that tape said there were no fish in your pond?" Sam asked Jack intentionally.

He looked at her and tilting his head gave her a small and apologetic smile, "Close enough,"

She nodded and holding her eyes on him for a moment longer she smiled and returned her attention to the pond.

They had arrived to the cabin in Minnesota late the night before and Jack felt like a little kid on Christmas day when morning came as he heard a door open, "I thought you said we were gonna fish," Sam asked as she appeared from the bedroom, already dressed in blue jeans and a warm blue poncho.

Jack looked at her from the kitchen where he stood while he waited for the coffee to finish brewing, "We sure are!" He dared gaze at her a little longer than usual and smiled at the sight of the blonde woman looking back at him with a bright grin. "Coffee?" he asked casually.

"Yeah, thanks." She sat at the small dinning table and looked around the house one more time, "This is definitely wonderful. I know I've said it already, but it is. It really is."

Jack felt happy. Yes, happy was the one and only word that could describe his current state because from the moment they arrived, Sam had done nothing but smile brightly at him and sincerely praised the place he saw as his sanctuary.

"Yes it is." He took his place opposite to her at the table after he handed her the steaming coffee mug, "Now you know why I spent my downtime here instead of working on Naquada reactors?" She raised her eyebrows and grew a half smile, "Not that the second choice wasn't almost as appealing, off course…" And then she gave him a full wide and bright smile.

"Yeah, pretty tough choice," She gazed at him and their eyes locked again. Damn! That intense look had been going on for days now, and they both felt more of the tension should be released, they just didn't know how to do it.

"So," Jack finally broke the spell. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah, very well actually," She said after she took a sip of her coffee, "You?"

"Like a baby." He responded looking at her again. "Daniel and Teal'c still in dreamland, huh?"

"Apparently, yes." She took another sip and looked through the window, taking in the beautiful landscape that lay outdoors.

He couldn't help but notice she hadn't called him 'Sir' once, and he hadn't called her 'Carter' either. Well, he knew what that meant. One of the silent agreements they had reached over the years was to call each other by their rank or last name. She was 'Carter' to him, and he was 'Sir' to her, to remind them both of their ranks and to never allow things to get too close or too personal. Once those two barriers came down, the others would probably follow. But what about that mind blowing kiss all those weeks ago? He remembered it vividly and in such detail he was having a hard time not thinking about it when he looked at her.

"Wanna walk with me?" She said, making him jump a little from his chair.

"Huh?"

"Walk with me…outside?" She tried to contain the laugh threatening to flourish at the sight of his startled face.

"Oh, yes! Sure," He shook his head and stood up while taking hers and his mug and placing them on the sink. Then, he followed her through the front door and the two of them walked to the pond in comfortable silence.

Now it was the middle of the afternoon and Jack and Sam sat on their chairs on the deck fishing. That was all they had done all day, just sat and enjoyed some good trivial chat while throwing the poles in the water. Daniel and Teal'c on the other hand, had chosen to play chess and other board games indoors most of the day and only then did they appear from inside the house to join their two friends.

"Beer?" Daniel asked, already handing Sam the cold bottle.

"Oh, thanks!" She said as she turned slightly to meet his eyes and take the drink form his hand.

"Jack?" Daniel asked, while holding another bottle to him.

"Nice!" Came Jack's delighted voice. He popped the cap off the bottle and took a long, fulfilling sip. "This is what I'm talkin' about!" He said cheerfully, while stretching is arms above his head.

Sam looked at him with such adoration that the look turned into an intense stare.

"Uh, Sam?" Daniel said, "You o.k.?"

Sam blushed heavily at the realization of what she was caught doing and lowered her head, scrubbing some non-existent dirt from her pants, "Yeah, sure… I'm fine,"

Daniel frowned and smirked looking at Jack quickly, noticing he avoided his eyes as well. "Huh," he turned around and walked from the deck and sat on his chair by Teal'c. "What's up with those two?" He whispered to the big Jaffa.

"I am unsure of what you are referring to, Danieljackson."

Daniel didn't look at him because his eyes were still fixed on the two figures by the deck. "Something's up, I smell it."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow and smelled the air himself, "Is it perhaps the remains of lunch, Danieljackson?"

Daniel rolled his eyes and laughed, "Figuratively speaking, Teal'c," He then narrowed his eyes and drank from his bottle, "They are acting differently…With each other, I mean. Haven't you noticed?"

"Indeed I have."

The two men exchanged looks and went back to relaxing by the pond, enjoying the cool weather and deciding to put the issue to rest, at least for now.

----------

By the fourth day, they all had slept, fished, eaten and drank enough to last them a lifetime. It had been a wonderful couple of days, for all of them, and the worries that chased them frequently at the SGC with saving the world and all were briefly forgotten.

Jack was out in the main porch starting the grill for dinner, while Sam sat in one of the chairs watching him, "So, how are Daniel and Teal'c getting back? You never told me," Actually, her staying longer than the guys had not been discussed since their phone conversation the night before they arrived. She was beginning to think he had changed his mind about it and decided to return as planned.

"They're driving the truck," He said calmly, not turning to look at her.

She raised her eyebrows, "Oh?" She wasn't sure what to say or how to ask him about their stay and their return.

"We're having a special transportation take us back," Jack said as if he had read her thoughts.

Sam could see him grin from where she sat and she felt a smile appear in her lips, both from relief and from excitement, "Special transportation?"

He finally turned around and approached her, "Can I ask you something, Carter?"

"Yes, off course," He was looking at her so deeply that she even felt butterflies in her stomach.

He sat on the chair closer to her and leaned over a little supporting his arms on his knees, "You mind if I surprise you with something later?"

Crap. What was he talking about? He knew that she hated surprises, so he was asking for her permission. She smiled gently and leaned over closer to him, as if they were sharing a secret, "No, I don't mind." She looked down and then up again, "Will I like it, though?"

"It depends, I'm not sure yet." He gazed at her puzzled and nervous eyes, "Don't worry, if my hopes are correct you'll like it." He then gave her a confident smile and stood up again to begin cooking the steaks.

Sam sat frozen on her chair. She found herself staring at his back, while he set the steaks on the grill and hummed some tune she couldn't decipher because she was still going over his words in her mind. Finally, when she realized he was humming, an evil smile appeared in her face as she shook away their previous conversation and decided to carry along as if nothing had happened, "Humming, Sir?" She teased.

"What?" He asked, with his back to her still.

"You're humming,"

"Oh! I didn't notice," He gave her a side look and returned his attention to the grill.

What? He was completely ignoring her or teasing her, she didn't know which was worse. So, she decided to stand up and go inside the house to help Daniel and Teal'c with…whatever they were doing, she couldn't quite remember. "I'll go help the guys in the kitchen, you need anything?" she asked before she went through the door.

"Yeah, wanna bring four wine glasses when you come back out?"

"Wine, Sir?"

He immediately noticed she was back to her usual 'Sirs', which clearly showed she was being guarded. He grinned at that. "Yup. Wine, Carter."

"O.k.…" She gazed at him one more time, while he kept his eyes on the steaks, "I hope you don't burn those this time," She smiled again and went inside.

"Carter…" She heard him warn as she entered the kitchen.

"What was that about?" Daniel asked as he finished mixing the salad.

"I asked The General not to burn the steaks," she answered as she picked a carrot from the salad bowl and ate it.

"I hope he does not as well, Colonelcarter." Teal'c said before exiting to the porch to join Jack.

"You do know I can hear you from here, don't ya?" Jack said as Teal'c handed him another beer.

Sam walked out holding the four wine glasses and the plates and napkins. She placed them on the table and went back in to bring the rest of the food. Daniel brought the salad bowl and the wine bottle and set them on the table as well, taking his seat afterwards.

Jack watched her every move from the corner of his eye, while he switched with Teal'c to watch over the steaks. "Why don't you give me a hand here, T?"

"Are you afraid you will burn the steaks like Colonelcarter predicted, O'Neill?"

"No… I just need to go get something," He smiled and placed his beer on the table, "I'll be right back." He walked in and Daniel and Teal'c exchanged looks again.

"He's up to something, I tell you," Daniel said.

Sam crossed Jack on her way out and looked at him puzzled, "Where is he going?" She asked the two other men.

Daniel shrugged, "He wouldn't say," He turned to look at her as she stared at the entrance expectantly, "Have any guesses, Sam?"

"What? No, I'm in the dark just as you are, Daniel." She ignored him and began to set the baked potatoes and toppings in the center of the table.

"It is not night time yet, Colonelcarter. Why do you say you are in the dark?" Teal'c asked from his spot by the grill.

Sam approached him to check on the steaks and laughed, "It means that neither one of us knows what's going on with him," She turned the steaks over and closed the cover.

"I have an idea, you know?" He looked at Sam to watch for her reaction, but she remained focused on the task at hand, which was to serve the baked potatoes to each plate. "I think he's retiring,"

Sam let go of the fork and looked at Daniel frowning, "Why would you think that?"

Daniel shrugged, "He seems… happy. There are only two things that would make Jack O'Neill that happy: one is retiring and the other," He stopped and didn't finish the sentence. He looked at Sam's suddenly pale face and a big, huge grin appeared in his as he realized he already knew the answer and so did she.

Jack walked out right when Daniel was about to continue with his prediction, but he spoke first, "O.k. kids," He began, "I have an announcement to make," He pulled the cork from the bottle of wine and poured the red liquid on each of the four glasses.

Sam's face turned even paler, while she felt her heart race faster and faster by the minute. She let her body fall on the chair and looked at Jack, hoping he was not giving her the awaited surprise in front of Daniel and Teal'c, if it was what she thought it could be.

"As of…" He looked at his watch and smiled widely, "midnight yesterday, that being eighteen hours ago, I am no longer the SGC's Commanding Officer." - Or yours, for that matter Sam – he thought.

Everyone, even Teal'c looked at him with wide eyes and open mouths. It was Daniel who was able to speak first, excited to having been right, "Wow, Jack. Did you,"

"Retire?" He answered for him. "No."

Sam felt the biggest sense of relief at the last word, and worked fast to pick up her heart from the floor where it had landed minutes ago.

"That was the initial intention," He confessed and received a shocked look from Sam. "But, The President wouldn't have it. So, I've been promoted, again, and reassigned." He sat on his chair and picked the glass. "Therefore, I would think it's appropriate to make a toast,"

Instinctively, the others lifted their glasses, even Sam, who had remained quiet and pensive, processing the information he was giving. Was that the big surprise?

Jack stood up again and lifted his glass, "To the most incredible team I've ever had the honor of serving with. Cheers!" They tapped their glasses and drank.

Daniel flashed a small smile, and did feel sort of glad to see his friend happy at last. God knows him more than anyone else he knew, deserved it. Still, something kept bothering him. Jack could not be this happy to leave, could he? That's when he realized he would be leaving the SGC and immediately, he turned his attention to Sam, who was still pale and strangely quiet, her eyes lost somewhere between the baked potato in her plate and the sour cream that covered it. Why would Jack do this to her? Perhaps he felt he had to leave so they could finally end the feelings that had bonded them for years? No, he couldn't let him, he wouldn't let Jack hurt Sam like that. She, as well as him, deserved better.

"So!" Said Jack at last, "What do you think?"

Daniel stood up and looked at Jack intentionally, "We'll miss you, that's for sure." He was still numbed from the news.

Jack laughed loudly, "Well, there's something I never thought I'd hear from you, Danny boy!"

What the hell? Why was he in such a great mood when he for sure, had to realize Sam was mortified.

"Where is your new post, Sir?" Sam said, with a dry tone she couldn't mask.

Jack turned to meet her eyes for the first time since the dreaded announcement and forced a smile, "Washington, D.C."

There, he had done it; her heart sank completely and she felt a lump grow in her throat, threatening to release the tears that began to form in her eyes. "I-I see." She looked down and with carefully controlled trembling hands, she placed her glass on the table and stood up. "I um… I forgot I left the cake in the oven. I'll go get it," She walked inside as normally as possible and disappeared in the kitchen.

"Jack! What the hell are you doing?" Daniel screamed at last.

Jack looked at him but didn't respond. He knew what he had done and knew the consequences. He was not about to give Daniel explanations for his actions.

"Why won't you answer me?" Daniel kept asking, anger bursting through his protective brotherly love for Sam. And he couldn't deny, his own pain for seeing his friend go.

"I don't need to explain anything to you, Daniel." Jack said after drinking the entire content of his glass in one swift sip.

"Like hell you do! You owe me… Us that much!"

"Daniel, I suggest you calm down and sit back in your chair. You don't want to say anything you'll regret." Jack continued, uncharacteristically calmed.

Daniel's lips were tight together, and his chest revealed the speed at which he was breathing. He even took his wine and drank it all at once. Then, stood up abruptly and entered the house, sending Jack another disgusted look.

Jack's face was dark with regret for hurting Daniel and more so, for hurting Sam. Daniel he expected to voice his feelings, and Sam, well he expected the exact reaction he got from her. He looked down to the floor and then as he lifted his eyes again, met Teal'c's carefully watching him. "You're not gonna yell at me and walk inside with the others?"

"I am not, O'Neill. I find no right to judge your decision and I believe that if you made it, it is because you felt it had to be done."

Jack smiled faintly at his friend, "Thank you, T." He sighed and looked towards the inside of the house. "Should I go do some damage control?"

"If you think it is the appropriate course of action, I do." Teal'c answered bowing his head.

"Yeah," But Jack didn't move, his eyes focused emptily towards the pond in the distance.

Daniel stood frozen and silent while he leaned on the kitchen counter and watched Sam decorate the cake she had baked earlier that day. A sad smile appeared on his lips as he remembered how excited she had been that morning, reading the recipe carefully because she declared, she had never done it before, and putting all the love and dedication to Jack's favorite desert.

"Daniel, please. I'm fine, really!" Sam said, forcing a smile and looking at him quickly. She licked her fingers from the icing she had just put on the cake and placed it on the counter. "We should go back. I'm sure the steaks are carbonized by now!" As she walked by him, he grabbed her arm and stopped her, turning her to him.

"Sam, why do you do this to yourself?"

"Do what, Daniel?" She asked closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Not telling Jack how you really feel."

She stared at him for a moment, watching his sad eyes mirror her own, "I already did, Daniel." And with that, she freed her arm from his grasp and walked outside into the porch.

-------

They ate in absolute silence. What had been an incredible week, ended as a miserable last and dreadful dinner together. Teal'c watched his friends with sad eyes as he saw the tumultuous emotions he knew they were all feeling and were not revealing. Over the years, he had learned to know them, study them, and understand them for who they were.

Silently, Sam stood up and picked her plate, not looking at Jack or Daniel. She went inside the house and returned with the cake, along with plates and forks, which she placed in front of Jack. "Sir," She began after clearing her throat, "I thought I'd make this as a celebration of a wonderful and unforgettable trip." Jack lifted his eyes and watched her sad face, "Now, I think we should still celebrate, and add your much deserved promotion and transfer." She smiled as truthfully as she could, and cut the biggest slice for him, placing a fork by the small plate's side, "Congratulations, Sir."

Jack nodded and returned the sad smile, "Thank you, Carter." He looked at the cake in front of him and he had to admit, it looked damn good. "I know how much effort you put into it, and I appreciate it. A lot." She gazed at him shortly and then, proceeded to cut two more pieces for her two friends.

Daniel's disgust grew stronger and a sudden, sarcastic laugh burst out of him.

The rest watched him, surprised and puzzled, as he stood up form his chair and walked to the end of the deck. "You guys are UNBELIEVABLE!"

There was silence. A long, and painful silence, as Daniel continued to laugh, more uncontrollably by the minute. "Sam, I don't want to celebrate. Jack, I don't want you to go," He breathed, "At least, not like this!" His voice was braking, and he had to take a deeper breath to control his emotions a bit. "Why…why do you have to pretend like this doesn't hurt you like hell, Sam? WHY?"

Sam's eyes were wide and she opened her mouth to speak, but Daniel didn't let her, "I don't want to hear it! I've spent eight years watching you be the perfect soldier, the perfect scientist, the perfect friend, but not once have I watched you allow yourself to be the perfect woman that I know you can be! Showing your emotions doesn't make you weak Sam, it makes you stronger."

Sam's face turned white as a sheet. She closed her eyes and looked down, ashamed as she realized he was right. He was so right, that she felt the tears rolling down her cheek.

Jack noticed and stood up, he'd had it. Daniel had pushed his last button and with clear determination he walked with the sole purpose to punch Daniel in the eye as hard as possible, but Teal'c stood in front of the two men and grabbed Jack's fist as it flew in the air, "O'Neill!" Teal'c yelled as he gazed at Jack and then turned to Daniel, "Danieljackson, you and I will take O'Neill's truck and drive to a hotel. Him and Colonelcarter have much to discuss." After a pause where nobody dared to even breathe, he spoke between gazing from Jack to Daniel, "You two will solve your differences as well, but not now and not here." He released Jack's hand and watched as Daniel walked inside the house, furious tears falling from his blue eyes. He then glanced at Sam, who had turned her back to them and cried silently by the railing. He approached her and placed his hand on her shoulder, "I will carry my cellular telephone if you require our assistance,"

She watched him from the corner of her eye and nodded. Teal'c bowed his head and exchanged a look with Jack, before he walked inside the house and closed the door behind him. Moments later, Jack and Sam heard the sound of the truck's engine and the roar of the tires against the road as their two friends drove away and left them alone to deal with the demons and walls that still stood between them.

TBC…