AN: I don't know as much about the nuances and strategy of hockey like I do other sports so please forgive me if the stuff I said is wrong or unrealistic. I researched but it's not the same as actually watching and listening to analysis. Enjoy Sam and Jack on a date!

CHAPTER 15

Sam knocked on his door promptly at 1700. A smile spread across her face when he answered as she took in all of Jack O'Neill standing in front of her in light denim jeans and a green button up shirt. She had told him to dress casual and comfy, and damn, casual and comfy looked good on him.

"Hi," she finally managed to say.

"Right on time."

"Well, I have us on kind of a schedule."

"I guess we should get going then," he replied signaling for her to lead the way.

Jack couldn't calm the nerves building as he followed her to her Volvo and got in the passenger seat. As she started driving, he tried not to stare at her lips while she talked about the latest project she was working on. However, whenever they were not focused on her lips, his eyes wandered to her hand resting on the gear shifter. He wanted to reach out and hold it, but doubt entered his mind on how she would react. The indecisiveness only caused the nervousness to swell inside of him more.

What is going on? He felt like a teenage boy going out with the most popular girl in school. It was just a date. No, it's not just a date. This is Sam. He was pulled from his thoughts when he noticed they had left the city limits.

"We're headed to Denver?" he questioned with an inquisitive eyebrow raise.

"You'll see," she smirked.

Jack was intrigued; and wondering where on earth she was taking him distracted him enough to where he relaxed a little. It wasn't long before their fingers became intertwined and he mindless rubbed her knuckles with his thumb as they talked less about work and more about other things. Jack told her about his cabin and promised to take her fishing in exchange for a ride on her motorcycle.

Eventually, they turned into the parking lot of the Pepsi Center where fans donned in Colorado Avalanche shirts and jerseys were shuffling into the building. Jack's excitement built as he realized what Sam had planned for him.

"As much as I love hockey, I will not root for the Avs."

"You don't have to. They're playing the Blackhawks tonight."

"How'd did you—"

"I had a little help from the guys. Oh! And...I got us these."

She reached over into the back seat and pulled out two Chicago Blackhawk jerseys from her bag. She tossed one over to him while holding up the other against her chest showing it off to him.

"You sure know the way to a guy's heart."

They quickly threw on the jerseys over their shirts and started walking hand in hand through the parking lot. Jack was having a hard time focusing on anything besides how sexy Sam looked sporting his team's emblem across her chest with tight jeans that hugged her curves in all the right ways. He hoped watching a bunch of grown men check each other into the sides of the boards would be enough to stop him from being too turned on. They headed into the arena and down to their seats right next to the home team's penalty box.

"How'd you manage these tickets?"

"I have my sources," she smiled mischievously.

The first half of the game was fairly competitive as Chicago led 1-0 halfway through the second period. Jack had been having some fun back and forth banter with the Colorado fans around them. He was surprised that Sam actually knew a few things about hockey. He had a feeling she knew more than she was letting on but he didn't complain because he enjoyed how close she got when she asked him to explain some of rules.

"But why is it called icing?"

"Because that's what it's always been called."

"All the other names for rules make sense."

"You know I never really thought about it and I don't have a good answer for you."

"Makes me think of cake."

"And now I'm going to think of cake every time I watch hockey now."

Sam progressively got more into the game as it went on. A couple of guys behind them were showing frustration in their team who had been on a losing streak lately, and it showed by how they were playing tonight.

"These guys are shit! They need to fire the coach or make some sort of change," grumbled one of the men.

"None of their shots are even close to going in," chimed in the other.

"Well, their chances of scoring would increase significantly if they would aim towards the goalie's glove side," interjected Sam mindlessly before she realized she had spoken out loud.

"No way! Rogers has one of the fastest gloves in the league and gives up the least amount of goals on that side."

"But earlier you said this is his first game back from a torn pectoral muscle. He's likely going to have limited or diminished range of motion at first and it's obvious that his reaction time is slower. He's probably hoping his reputation discourages people from shooting that direction. Also Drew needs to open his hips more. He'll never generate enough power otherwise. What? It's just basic physics," she finished when she saw the questioning look on Jack's face.

"Drew?"

"Drew Davies."

"Yeah, I know who Drew Davies is. He's one of the best right wings in the league. I'm just wondering how you know him as 'Drew.'"

Sam realized what she had let slip and also what it might suggest so she quickly explained. "His sister and I went to school together for a couple of years and were really close. I used to help Drew with school to keep his grades up. "

"I'm guessing he's your source that hooked you up with these seats?"

"Maybe..."

"Hey, I'm not complaining. Just wished he played for a better team," Jack joked giving her a reassuring smiled and nudge with his shoulder.

Towards the end of the period, Drew was called for a high sticking penalty and made his way to the penalty box. He was still protesting the call and pleading his case to the referee as the door shut and he plopped down. A few fans behind Sam and Jack were yelling trying to get Drew's attention. He turned towards them and caught sight of her.

"Sam!"

"Hey Drew!"

"What's with the jersey?"

"Oh um, well, this is Jack," she said as she slide her hand around his waist as if that explained everything. "He's a Chicago fan."

"I guess nobody's perfect. Nice to meet you, Jack. You have to be careful with this one. She's a handful," Drew joked motioning towards Sam with his hockey stick.

"That she is," he replied with a full grin on his face as he squeezed her tightly against his body. "But she's one of a kind."

"He seems alright for a Blackhawks fan," Drew smiled in approval. "You got the passes right? I'll meet you after the game."

"Yeah definitely! Oh wait, since you have a couple of minutes..."

Sam turned back to the guys behind them. "A hundred bucks says Colorado scores at least two goals next period."

"You're asking me to bet against my team?"

"You've been complaining all night that they're been playing like crap; might as well make some money off of it right? That is unless you're scared to lose to a girl?" she taunted.

"Oh you're so on."

She quickly rummaged through her purse and pulled out a pen and starting writing a message.

"Hey! I thought you were rooting for my team?" Jack exclaimed as he realized what she was doing.

"I am!"

"But you're helping the other team."

"I just really like winning a lot," she replied with an apologetic smile.

She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before she turned back to finish scribbling on the scratch paper and held it up against the glass of the penalty box. Drew quickly read what was written and did his best Teal'c impression.

"Really?"

"You know you had the same problem in high school after that injury."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. But the other thing?"

"Think state championships junior year."

"That confident, huh?"

"Have I ever led you wrong? Besides, what do you have to lose at this point. What you're doing now obviously isn't working."

"Good point. No need to rub it in. Ok, you're the genius. Wish me luck!" he replied as the horn for the end of the period sounded and he exited towards the locker rooms.

"You don't need luck, it's math!"

The Avalanche scored two goals in the final period including the eventual game winning goal by Drew on a hard slap shot to the goalie's glove side. On replay, the goalie wasn't even close to saving it. The crowd was going wild and Sam was even high-fiving the guys behind them as Drew skated over in front of them with his teammates in celebration. It was a much needed win for the team that the guy wasn't bothered at all dishing out the $100 to Sam.

As they walked back to the car, Sam was talking excitedly about the game clearly still running on the high of winning her bet. The smile on her face cut the bitterness of defeat.

"You're not as grumpy as I thought you'd be after your team lost."

When she opened up the driver side door, she felt Jack's body close behind her. She turned around to find him inches away, his body leaning in slightly towards her. He had one hand on the top of the door and the other on the roof of the car.

"There's no way I could be in a bad mood tonight."

The desire in his eyes shot heat down her body as he closed the remaining distance between them and placed a tender but determined kiss on her lips.

"I've wanted to do that all night," he sighed contently.

"Well, why did you stop now?"

She pulled his body back against hers as she locked her lips with his. He moaned as he leaned her all the way against the car.

"Because I won't be able to stop myself otherwise," he rasped between kisses.

"I wasn't planning to ask you to stop tonight."

"You're killing me, Sam," he groaned. "I don't think I'll be able to wait until we get back."

Her face was flush but still lit up the way it does when she has an idea. "Get in the car."

Sam drove as fast as she could to the nearest hotel. They were barely through the room door before Jack had her pinned against the wall and his mouth on hers demanding entry. Her fingers vigorously ran through his hair as his lips roamed down to her neck.

She could feel the heat rising inside of her. She needed to feel his skin against hers. She tugged impatiently at shirt and he reluctantly pulled back to allow her to pull it over his head before he did the same to hers. Their bodies rejoined as they both let out a collective groan at the feel of their bare chests touching.

Without breaking contact, he backed her over to the bed until she fell back. She watched as he carefully removed her shoes and socks then start leaving a trail of kisses from underneath her bra down across her abdomen towards her waist. Once he slowly unbuttoned her jeans and slipped them off, he stared down at her lying in front of him with hunger in her eyes. A playful smile crept over her face.

"What?" she asked when he remained silent.

"Nothin'. Just thinking how wonderful you are and how lucky I am."

She sat up on the bed and pulled him by the front of his jeans until he nestled in between her legs.

"So you've said. I think we've done enough talking, Colonel. Why don't you show me now."

"Yes ma'am."

Jack followed her order and left no doubt how amazing and beautiful he thought she was. He loved the way that she tasted. He loved the way her body responded to him. He loved the way his name fell from her lips. He loved everything about this woman and knew he would never get enough of her.

After hours of love making, they laid in bed finally satiated for the time being. His arm laid draped around her waist and she could feel his even breathing against her back. In his arms, she felt completely content for what felt like the first time ever. She slowly moved out of the bed trying not to wake him. His arm tightened suddenly. She turned and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I'm just going to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

He moaned softly in reluctant understanding and loosened his grip. When she returned, she couldn't help but stand and watch him sleep in the soft light coming through the window. She could get used to climbing into bed with him every night. The thought seemed so natural. She let out a satisfied sigh.

She quietly got out her phone. Recently her thoughts now often drifted to Jack that she hadn't noticed how long it had been since she had really spoken to Jon. He hadn't messaged her either, but still she felt he deserved an explanation. However, when she went to message him, she noticed that his name was grayed out; and when she clicked on his profile, she received a message that it no longer existed. It surprised her when she didn't feel any sadness or hurt that he had just disappeared. In fact, she didn't feel anything.

Sam assumed she'd always regret that she never got any closure with Jon, that a small sliver of doubt would linger in her mind about the 'what if' and 'if only.' She didn't know what would have happened if she actually met Jon that night, but right now it didn't matter. Everything that she could have hoped for and wanted was sleeping right in front of her. She climbed back into bed and nuzzled up next to Jack allowing the warmth of his presence wash over her. As he encompassed her back in his arms, she felt all of his love. Real, tangible love.