With Tears I Mourn: Chapter Nine - Firelight & Promises

Disclaimer: The characters from Stargate SG-1 belong to the franchise for Stargate SG-1 ™. I do not claim possession of any copyrighted characters. Any and all other characters belong to me and may not be used without my permission.

Rating: PG

Characters: Jack and Sam

Chapter nine. I despise writer's block and that is what happened. I won't make any promises about when the next installment will come along. But I will say that this story will eventually be complete. Someday, somewhere, somehow. So to those of you still reading, keep on going. You'll get to the end when it comes. Please R&R.

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Firelight cast wavering shadows upon the treetops, fading into nothing before it stretched its wavy touch to the starry heavens. Sam's head nestled against Jack's shoulder, his arm stretched firmly about her waist. They stared contentedly into the flickering flames as they danced and leapt among the kindling. A bullfrog began a mournful croaking to their left, somewhere across the gentle expanse of water.

She shifted in his arms, her ash blonde hair caressing his neck as she curled deeper into his embrace. "I almost wish we didn't have to return." Her voice was a low murmur, as if she feared being overheard. His exhaled sigh pressed against her side, emanating from deep within his diaphragm. "I know what you mean."

The day had been beautiful.

Seven fish rested in a water cooler just inside the door to his cabin. Sam's lips were stretched in a contented smile from the numerous caresses he had tenderly placed there. But reality was settling around them like a damp blanket, and she shuddered uneasily. "We can't go back to the way things were, Jack. Even if we wanted to." His cheek idly rested against the top of her head, his dark eyes gazing hypnotically into the flames.

The tug of reality sent resentment zinging through his thoughts and muscles bunched in his biceps. His mind's eye pictured the shock resonating through Daniel's eyes Mild disapproval would rest upon General Hammond's features. Teal'c would not physically react, but his eyebrow would lift in curiosity. Sam shifted against his shoulder, silently waiting for him to say something. Anything.

A shooting star sped across the heaven's, its briefly dazzling formation drawing their stares. A premonition settled in his stomach, watching the brief light ignite the heavens before extinguishing. His fingertips caressed her soft hair, brushing the strands away from her forehead before replacing his touch with a kiss.

"Sam."

Her name breathed into the night air, and Sam's eyes squeezed shut, a single tear struggling to escape its confines. "I don't want to hear it, Jack. Not now." Her embrace around his mid section tightened invariably. "Then I won't say it. We'll keep our relationship hidden, Sam, a secret from everyone we know." Frustration echoed with every word and he pulled away from her, launching to his feet. Sparks flew from the fire as his boot accidentally kicked dust into it. He ran his hands through his hair, encouraging it into wilder spikes.

Her hand gently stretched across the sudden chasm between them, sliding into his palm, the perfect fit. What began as an innocent invitation had developed into so much more. What had remained unspoken for so long now hung in the air between them. And all Jack wanted was to claim her; to hold her close and defeat the night terrors that threatened to consume her soul.

In desperation he flung himself to his knees, drawing her forward into his embrace. "Sam, whatever happens, we will never forget today. This is our time, and if it's the only time we're allowed, than so be it. I can't retire. I came out of retirement for the Stargate program and I won't rescind it now. And your leaving is entirely out of the question."

"What do you recommend, Jack?"

"I'm all for keeping it hidden, Sam. It wouldn't be the first time in military history and certainly not the last. Believe me, I wish there were another way. I know that if General Hammond even looks at me sideways, I'll feel enough guilt that it'll resonate across my face. He'll know I'm guilty of some infraction, just not the precise one."

In spite of the serious expression on his face, one strand of dark hair stood straight up on the crown of his head and Sam couldn't restrain a laugh. Heaviness remained upon her soul, but gazing into his dark eyes, tracing his beloved features with a fingertip, all thoughts troubling her mind melted away. "You know something, Jack?" He drew away from her slightly, his hands tenderly caressing her arms in a movement to make her shiver in physical reaction.

"What?"

The husky quality to his tone almost distracted her from her intent, but Sam forced herself to focus. "I would do anything for you, even protect our secret. Returning to a lackluster life is out of the question now." He nodded, making an "mmhhmm," sound as his hands wrapped around her arms, tugging her around so her back rested against his chest. The touch of his lips against the base of her neck sent shudders of awareness through her slender form, and Sam struggled to retrace her train of thought. "You're not helping." He murmured a warm "Thanks" against her ear.

Warmth built in her chest, slowly rising until her breathing increased with every caress he bestowed upon her flesh. In between kisses across her neck and cheekbone, Jack queried, "So, are we in agreement?" Her hair fluttered against his chin as she nodded before turning and accepting his kiss fully. Jack's arms completely engulfed her tiny waist, drawing her up tightly against him. Moments passed, and finally, they separated, Sam's cheeks flushed rosy and bright.

Eyes melding, they stared at each other silently for several moments until Sam whispered a soft "Goodnight" and gently pressed a kiss to his jaw line. Dusting her pants, she drew away from him and hurried into the safe distance of the cabin, curling into her bunk and listening for his footsteps. Minutes passed and he remained away and Sam finally drifted into a comfortable sleep.

When it felt like his body would meld to the cold earth, Jack finally stretched to his feet and cautiously drew open the creaky door, creeping across the floor to his cot. The discomfort of his bunk didn't even register as he sank into its depths, watching Sam breathe steadily across from him, her hands folded serenely beneath her cheekbones.

It was going to be a long night.