A/N: Thank you again for all the awesome comments! I love reading your reactions and what you think about the events unfolding. If this were a roller coaster, I'd say we're about halfway up the first big hill.
This chapter has a TW for police harassment and mentions of emotional manipulation.
The smell of coffee tickled Sam's senses awake the next morning. Inhaling deeply, she could detect the spicy scent of Jack's shampoo mixed with the warm smell of him . Keeping her eyes closed, she stretched, taking in the feel of his body pressed tightly against hers.
After cleaning Sam's house the day before, the four of them had come back to Jack's. It was decided through silent consensus that they'd all bunk there for the night. Despite wanting her team close, Sam had been anxious at the idea of sleeping alone in the guest room. Fortunately, her fear had never come to fruition. Daniel had simply taken the spare bedroom while Teal'c stretched out on the couch. Neither man had said a thing, acting as if her sleeping in Jack's bed was the most normal thing in the world.
"Mornin'," Jack murmured sleepily, his lips brushing against her temple.
"Morning," Sam replied almost shyly. Yesterday she'd still been too shell shocked to deal with the emotions of waking up nestled against her CO. But this morning she was more clear-headed. She noticed the way her body molded to the hard planes of his; the way the hair of his legs tickled the smooth skin of hers.
"No nightmares?" He asked softly, his sensual tone drawing her eyes up to his. For a moment she was lost in their warm brown depths.
"No," she finally replied, the word almost a sigh.
Their gazes stayed locked, a million emotions ricocheting between them. Jack's head lowered toward hers, his eyes flicking to her mouth as she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. At the first touch, she hummed at the feel. Warm. Soft. Firm.
He kissed her slowly; a gentle exploration that left her wanting more. Her tongue tentatively traced his bottom lip and her boldness was rewarded when his lips parted, deepening his own exploration. She felt a quiet rumble in his chest beneath her hand when their tongues met.
A clattering from the kitchen made them jerk apart, but their foreheads touched as each tried to catch a breath.
"Sorry," Daniel's voice carried through the house, making Sam's shoulders shake with mirth. Leave it to Daniel to be the king of bad timing.
"Remind me to uninvite him to our next sleepover," Jack sighed, giving her a lopsided grin.
"There'll be a next time?" Sam chewed her bottom lip, regretting the words as soon as they were out of her mouth. He'd made it clear in the past that there could never be anything between them.
"Sam, whatever happens or doesn't," he gave her a rare unguarded look. "It's always been up to you."
"Crap, um, Jack," Daniel called through the closed door. "Where's your fire extinguisher?"
"I better go before he burns down my house," Jack sighed heavily then carefully extracted himself from underneath Sam. "Gimme five minutes and I'll be back in to help you to the bathroom."
"Okay," Sam nodded shakily, her brain still processing his words.
The day was one of quiet contentment. Everyone went about their business like Sam being confined to the couch wasn't a big deal. Daniel was in the recliner reading a book on the Minoan civilization, while Teal'c practiced his Lok'nel in the backyard. Jack sat on the couch with Sam's legs draped across his lap. He absently massaged her injured thigh with one hand while he watched TV. The relaxing caress lulled her closer and closer to dozing, despite the eight hours of sleep she'd gotten the night before.
"O'Neill," Teal'c called, coming in the backdoor. "I believe there are two law enforcement officials here to see you."
"What has Pete done now?" Sam asked, exasperated that her ex refused to go away. How much clearer could she make it?
"Be right back," Jack gave her knee a gentle squeeze before readjusting her legs on a pair of pillows. Flipping off the television, he handed the remote to Sam and crossed to the door.
"Colonel O'Neill," the female officer from before nodded a tense greeting.
"Officer?" Jack couldn't remember if she'd given her name previously.
"Kinkirk," she filled in. "This is officer Hyme." The man from the previous day didn't offer a smile.
"What can I do for you?" Jack asked calmly.
"Well, sir," Kinkirk began. "Detective Shanahan has filed a police report against you, claiming you assaulted him yesterday at Ms—Major Carter's residence."
"I see," Jack fought back the urge to tell them both to go to hell. The only reason he held his tongue was because Kinkirk was just doing her job. She didn't seem to want to be here. "If I recall, Major Carter told you she wanted him off her property," Jack countered.
"He left," Hype growled. "But he went back to clear the air. He deserves an explanation for why she threw him out."
"I threw him out because he assaulted me," Sam snapped, hobbling to the door between Teal'c and Daniel. She didn't need Jack to fight this battle for her.
"That's your word against Shanahan's," Hyme growled.
"The CMO at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex has evidence to back up my claims. I was hoping to avoid filing a formal report for personal reasons, but I'll file one now," Sam retorted, glaring at Hyme.
"How convenient," Hyme sneered. "Shanahan said you'd fabricate a story like this!" He took a step forward in a clear move meant to intimidate.
Before Jack could react, Sam let go of her human crutches and stepped forward as well. Pain sliced through her thigh, but she didn't care. This man would not cow her. Hyme reached for her, the intent clear on his face.
"Back off," Jack ordered, raising his hand to block Hyme's advancement.
The stupid man grabbed Jack's wrist and twisted in an futile attempt to bring him to his knees. Jack reacted instantly, countering the novice move and forcing Hyme's shoulder downward, pinning him to the ground.
"Arrest him!" Hyme grunted, struggling to break Jack's iron grip as Daniel quickly moved to support Sam.
"I don't want any trouble," Kinkirk said, her hand on her holster, but there was a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.
"I'll let him go as long as he doesn't try to intimidate my people," Jack bit out. Once he received Kinkirk's nod, Jack released Hyme, stepping back as the man stumbled backwards.
"You're under arrest!" Hyme screamed while everyone ignored him.
"I do need you to come with us," Kinkirk told Jack. "While Officer Hyme was out of line, I still need to question you and clear up the matter Detective Shanahan reported."
"Forgive me," Jack arched an eyebrow at the way Hyme was puffed up, trying to reclaim his dignity. "But I'm not getting into the back of a police cruiser with him," he gestured to the man. "Or would you prefer I fill out my own complaint? I'm sure the military would be invested in getting this entire matter cleared up quickly."
"I think we can trust a Colonel in the Air Force to drive himself into the station," Kinkirk ignored Hyme's protests. "But I'll expect you there within half an hour."
"Done," Jack nodded, dismissing them and ushering his team back inside.
"Sir!" Sam hissed as soon as the door was closed. She was braced between Daniel and Teal'c, allowing them to support all of her weight.
"This has to end, Carter," Jack told her matter of factly. "Shanahan thinks he can use me to get to you and it's time he realized he's sorely mistaken." His tone left no room for argument.
"If you're going down to the precinct then so am I," Sam countered, glancing at Daniel to back her up. Surely he agreed with her.
"Sam, you're in no condition to deal with this right now," Daniel said hesitantly. "I can go with Jack and clear this matter up. Teal'c can stay here with you."
"I don't need a babysitter," Sam growled. She was livid at herself for even needing their assistance. If it wasn't for her, they wouldn't be in this mess. What was worse, for the last few days, she'd been content allowing everyone else to take care of her. She'd let Pete affect her more than she'd realized. His actions and her reaction was making everyone see her as some fragile little flower needing their protection. Well they were wrong.
Shrugging away from them she allowed her anger to cloud her judgment and took a step toward the couch on her own. Fire ripped up her leg, driving her to her knees as her thigh muscle gave out. With a pain filled grunt, she hit the floor hard.
"Sam! Carter! Major Carter!" Three male voices echoed as six hands reached for her.
"No!" Sam shouted at them, tears of anger and frustration staining her cheeks. "Don't touch me! Leave me alone; just leave me…" she screamed at them, the last several days crashing down around her.
Sam pulled herself toward the couch. When Daniel and Teal'c moved to help her, the look she sent them stopped both men cold. Only Jack was unaffected as he plucked her up off the ground and back onto the cushions.
"You don't need a babysitter," Jack knelt to look into her eyes as he spoke, "but you do need to be smart about this. Shanahan is expecting you to come running into the precinct to defend me. He's manipulating you to come to him and make it look like he's the victim. Don't let him."
"I let him manipulate me for so long," Sam murmured, knowing Jack was right. Pete was trying to play them. If she rushed in to file a report, it would look like she was only doing it to protect Jack. It would erode her credibility.
"But no more," Jack told her with conviction. "You don't have to play his game."
Sam nodded. Jack was right. It was time she stopped pretending and let Pete see who Samantha Carter really was. He never had, she realized. She'd never let him. From the beginning, she'd tried to be who she thought he wanted. She tried to fit herself into the mold he'd dictated. She'd been so eager to achieve a normal life that she'd completely ignored the warning signs. Life with Pete wouldn't have been normal, it would have been a nightmare.
"I need to leave," Jack said, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'll be back as soon as I can." Their gazes held for a few seconds before he pushed to his feet and grabbed his keys.
"I need your phone," she told Daniel as soon as Jack closed the front door. When Daniel hesitated, she barked out, "now!"
Dialing one person she knew would always be there for her, she waited for the line to pick up.
"Sir, I need your help."