Well, here we are at the final chapter of The Light. What started out as a one-shot morphed into a fun romp with no plot! I'll pick back up with the original anthology, but thanks for joining me on this unexpected journey!
Light shown through the window, tickling the darkness behind Jack's eyes and gently waking him from one of the best night's sleep he'd ever had. Cracking open one eye, the sight of creamy white skin and blonde hair ushered in memories of the previous evening. A wide grin broke out on his face as Sam's soft groan protested the sunlight caressing her face. She wrinkled her nose in annoyance then turned away from the offending brightness, burying her face into his chest and relaxed back into sleep.
Jack pulled up the blanket to cover her bare back then simply watched her. She was beautiful; he'd have to be blind not to notice, but the word didn't do her justice. Exquisite. Breathtaking. Perfection. No single adjective could describe her unique combination of beauty, brains, personality, and overall badass-ness. She was a better marksman than anyone at the SGC, himself included; and could take down a sword-wielding warlord with nothing but a tactical knife. He had no idea how he'd gotten so lucky, but he refused to waste the opportunity to love this amazing woman.
About fifteen minutes later, Sam began to stir again. Jack could pinpoint the exact moment her brilliant mind fully re-engaged as she stretched against him then froze. He almost laughed at the way she peeked up at him through her lashes.
"Hi," she replied shyly. The deep blush covering her pale skin surprised Jack. She had been an eager and demanding lover last night, pushing him to the brink of control, yet she seemed timid around him this morning. In the field she seemed so confident and sure. To see this side of Sam, to witness her vulnerability was an endearing gift.
"Good morning," he said in an attempt to put her at ease. Not waiting for an invitation, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her lips. She stiffened briefly then sighed contentedly. When he pulled back, Jack was pleased to see a hint of self-assurance back in her eyes.
"So that happened last night," she said cautiously, sitting and, much to Jack's disappointment, pulling the sheet around her torso.
"I'm glad it did," he propped his back against the headboard, the picture of morning-after ease.
"I was afraid you'd regret it," Sam shrugged one shoulder nonchalantly, running fingers through her mussed hair.
"Never," Jack shook his head. While he might feel trepidation at what could happen once they left paradise, he would never regret their time together.
So what happens next? The silent query hung between them, neither willing to ask the loaded question and ruin the mood. Instead, Jack grabbed his pants from the floor and slipped them on before looking for his shirt.
"You didn't wear one," Sam told him, following his actions with her eyes.
"What?"
"When you climbed through my window, you weren't wearing a shirt," she answered.
"Oh hell, I really did that, didn't I?" Jack groaned, running a hand through his hair.
"You did," Sam chuckled then groaned as she remembered another part of the night. "Daniel is going to kill us," she buried her face in her hands, unsure if she should laugh or cry.
"Nah," Jack said unfazed by the thought. Daniel hadn't exactly been subtle about his thoughts on the Air Force fraternization rules in the past. Jack had a sneaking suspicion the guy would throw them a party if he could. "Danny won't make a big deal about it."
Jack was going to kill the man. No correction, he was going to punch him first, then kill him. Slowly.
From the moment Jack and Sam had come downstairs for breakfast, Daniel hadn't stopped smiling at them. And not a small knowing smile. No, Daniel wore the biggest Cheshire Cat grin Jack had ever saw.
At first, Daniel's penetrating gaze had been merely annoying as he'd watched them over the rim of his coffee mug. But as seconds turned into minutes, the stare became downright disquieting.
Sam had managed to ignore the man, but Jack could tell she was becoming irritated. He'd expected Daniel to break the silence with a million questions once they'd sat down at the table, but their friend had simply kept silently shifting his gaze between them, grinning the entire time. Quietness wasn't exactly Daniel's forte, so the lack of rapid fire questions was even more unsettling.
"What!?" Jack finally rounded on Daniel, unwilling to let the man get away with blatant rudeness and ruin a perfectly good morning.
"Is there something either of you would like to share?" Daniel asked smugly.
"Yes," Jack glared at the man, feeling Sam stiffen beside him. "You're an ass."
"You could have just told me," Daniel replied, unfazed by Jack's irritation. "It's not like I haven't had a front row seat to your extreme sexual tension. My god, there's even a betting pool running back home!"
Sam's feminine gasp filled the room at his words.
"Oh come on," Daniel bristled, not used to Sam being upset with him. "You can't actually believe you two were subtle. Besides who am I going to tell?"
"It's not you I'm worried about," Jack said with a clenched jaw.
"Phish," Daniel waved a dismissive hand. "Even if he does accidentally say something, Hammond isn't going to court martial you for being under an alien influence."
"And what about after we get back?" Jack asked sharply. "You think alien influence is going to cut it then?"
"We haven't exactly discussed what happens after we get back," Sam said softly, drawing both men's attention.
"I just assumed things would be different," Jack replied, completely dismissing Daniel. "Maybe I shouldn't have?"
"I don't see how we can continue this without affecting SG-1," Sam looked miserable, but continued. "Earth and the team have to come first."
"I agree," Jack said, sharing a long look with her.
"Now wait a minute," Daniel interjected, knowing he shouldn't really interfere. This was between his friends, but he couldn't help but feel responsible for Sam's sudden apprehension. He'd only been teasing, except about the betting pool. That was real.
"No Daniel," Sam looked at him with sorrowful eyes. "If you saw the tension between us, so did everyone else. My god a betting pool?" She shook her head defeatedly. "If we couldn't hide our feelings before, then there is no way we will ever keep a real relationship a secret."
"I was kidding, sort of!" Daniel said panicking. He couldn't believe his friends were going to throw away all the progress they'd made over the past two weeks. They belonged together!
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Jack asked Sam pointedly.
Daniel made a sound of panic. Wasn't the man even going to fight for her?!
"Want? No, not at all. But it's what I need," Sam answered, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "Until the war with the Goa'uld is over, this palace by the beach is all we can have together."
Jack lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling fighting back a tidal wave of emotions. After their conversation, Sam had retreated to her room while Daniel had implored him to go after her. But Jack knew there was no use. Sam had made a decision and he would honor her wishes.
A soft knock sounded at his door. Pushing himself to his feet, he opened the door, intent on telling Daniel to leave him in peace. But at the sight of Sam standing there, he broke out into a huge grin.
"Get in here," he grabbed her hand and tugged her inside. As soon as the door was shut, he pinned her against it and kissed her as if his life depended on it. When the need for oxygen became impossible to ignore, they finally broke apart; neither making any attempt to move away from the other.
"Hi," Sam panted, grinning up at him.
"Can we never do anything like that again, please?" Jack whined, resting his forehead against hers. "You scared ten years off my life. You're damned lucky I can read you so well."
"We've been having silent conversations for years," Sam chuckled. "I saw an opportunity and took it. I had total faith in your ability to follow my lead. But I am a little surprised Daniel fell for it so easily."
"Daniel is going to be so pissed," he winked at her. Jack would never admit it, but Sam had him fooled at first, too. Even after their silent conversation, he kept wondering if he was reading her wrong. It wasn't until she'd actually shown up at his door just now that he could finally breathe easy.
"Daniel now has plausible deniability," Sam retorted. "He also deserves to squirm for a while. How many times did he interrupt us?"
"Way too many," Jack answered.
"We'll tell him and Teal'c. Eventually. For now, I really want to keep us between us."
"Yes, ma'am," Jack smiled at her take-charge attitude. It was a facet of her personality he hadn't gotten to see up close and personal before.
"Ma'am?" Sam eyed him speculatively. "I think I might like the sound of that," she laughed and tugged him toward the bed.