Thank you to everyone who continues to review! I SO appreciate you taking the time and it encourages me to write.

This is NOT the end of the story, in case you're wondering. Stay safe everyone.

She felt Jack's arm move behind her, and the next thing she knew, the door had opened and they practically fell into her room.

He didn't let go of her, but continued to kiss her passionately. His hands and lips caressed her and sent all thoughts flying from her head.

Soon her clothes went flying and she was lying on her bed, Jack beside her. His clothes soon followed – she had no idea if she was responsible or he was.

As she was consumed with feelings a small part of her brain was telling her to stop, to consider what she was doing. It kept reminding her that this was not the way – that they'd both regret it.

But her body shut the voice down. Soon all thought left her, and she simply allowed herself to glory in his touch and in their union. It had been fifteen years since the last time they had been together – but they were so attuned, it felt like it had been yesterday.

When she awoke she knew instantly that he was gone. She was surprised that she hadn't felt him leave, but knew she had been tired; tired from their day at the beach, and tired of dealing with all the emotions of the last few weeks, and tired from their lovemaking.

She lay still, allowing herself just a few moments to remember being with him again. But then reality slowly intruded. She turned her head to the side, to see the pillow where he had lain.

Now it was empty and he was gone – and she was sure it was for good.

She knew Jack O'Neill – and knew that he would immediately believe this had been a mistake. It had been brought on by a day spent together enjoying the sea, sun and sand.

And right now she was positive that he was cursing himself, and blaming himself for his weakness in having made love with her. That he would blame himself, she had no doubt – that was the way he operated. But that he would also blame her, she also did not doubt. There had been a cord of anger running through him from the beginning. She had betrayed him, and he found it hard to forgive.

She let out a tiny sob when she thought how messed up everything had become. It had been a beautiful day. Why couldn't it have ended with a simple "good night Carter", "good night Sir"? They could have gone into their rooms and gone to sleep – and woken up the next day still being friends.

But one night of passion had destroyed that. Even though it had been the most beautiful thing she'd experienced in fifteen years, she knew it wasn't worth the loss of Jack's friendship and companionship.

Although the truth was, she had already been planning to throw those away before their day at the beach.

"You are such an idiot, Sam," she told herself. How in hell was she going to face him? How was she going to be with him, knowing that he would feel last night had been a mistake?

She needed to go home.

In the end, she knew she would have to face him. They were stuck here, at least for a while, and they couldn't avoid each other. She'd tell him she understood – that it was a one-time thing and she wasn't going to hold him to anything. She wouldn't let him see that her heart was broken.

After bathing and dressing in a clean robe, stiff and sore from the previous night, she took a deep breath and headed out of her room. She knocked on his door, but when there was no answer, she slowly walked to the exit and headed outside.

She didn't see him anywhere, but she did see Marie – no, she had to remember that her name was Iola – walking towards her.

When the Furling woman reached her she stopped. She looked Sam over intently, and then turned slowly and pointed towards the beach. A few seconds later, she faced Sam once more, gently touched her on the face, and then, with a sad smile, left.

Sam watched the alien woman leave, touched by her kindness. Even if she couldn't truly communicate, she understood that Iola wanted to help her and felt sad for the way things were.

Well, she had pointed to where Jack had gone – she was sure that's what Iola was trying to convey. She closed her eyes, attempting to gather her courage. Then she started walking towards the beach.

She saw him standing there, at the water's edge, looking out into the distance. He looked incredibly lonely, and her heart felt a stab of agony at what she'd done to him. She paused for a brief moment, but again, knew she had to get this over with and with a deep breath, moved to stand beside him.

He glanced down at her, and then out to the water. "I was just about to go back to see you," he said.

"Were you?"

"Yes," he frowned. "We – uh – have to talk."

She nodded. "You were gone."

"I know," he sighed. "I'm sorry. I just thought it would be awkward."

She nodded again. "Yes, I suppose it would have been."

He stood silently for a few more seconds, and then he swore. "How the hell did we get here, Sam?"

"Uh – the aliens -"

"No!" he turned and faced her. "I mean here – like this. We loved one another for years, Carter. And then we finally had the chance to be together – and I was happier than I had been since my son died. And then we threw it all away. It took me a long time to try and forget you – to put you out of my mind and my heart. And all it took was being thrown together on an alien planet for us to – hell!"

"I think it's the alien planet, Jack. They did always screw with us."

There was a moment's silence, and then he snorted. "I don't think the aliens could be accused of screwing with us Carter. We – uh – managed that all on our own!"

"Yeah, we did, didn't we?" she sighed. "Jack – I – wanted to tell you – I want you to know – that I don't expect anything. I know that last night – well, it was a result of spending a wonderful day together and – well, I know you're not interested in anything more, and I wanted to tell you it's okay."

"Really?" he said quietly.

She nodded. "Yes."

"You're a better person than I am, then," he said. "I – last night – did mean something to me Sam. I lied – or at least I wasn't honest with you. I never stopped loving you, you know."

"Jack."

"I convinced myself that I had, but when I woke up and saw you standing over me – for a moment I felt such a sense of joy – that I knew I still loved you."

"But?" she asked, sensing that he wasn't ready to sweep her in his arms and tell her that he wanted to be with her.

"But I can't chance losing you again. I can't chance loving you, and then we return to Earth and you decide your career is more important than I am. I can't go through that again."

"I understand," she told him, "but there's something I need you to know. My career was never more important than you. I know it may have looked that way – but if it was just about you and me, I would have given it up in a heartbeat to be with you. But it wasn't just us – it was our country, our world that was at stake. I couldn't give those up to be with you."

"I know Sam – it was the same for me. But afterward – when it didn't matter, you did put your career first."

"It wasn't about my career Jack and it wasn't because you were second – it was because I didn't feel secure enough."

"What?"

"I guess I still felt like the junior officer when I was with you." She held up her hand when he went to speak. "It wasn't you – you treated me wonderfully – it was my own insecurities. I'd served under you for so many years, and I guess I just convinced myself that it wasn't going to work, that I was never going to be your equal."

"You were never going to be my equal? God Sam – you were gorgeous and a certified genius. It's me that wasn't your equal."

"I think we both thought too little of ourselves," she said softly.

"So that's why you went off and hid?"

"Yes," she admitted. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Do you still feel that way?" he finally asked.

"What way?" she frowned. "You mean – do I still feel like a junior officer?"

"Yes."

She laughed softly. "No, not at all." She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "I could give you a run for your money now, General."

"Yes, you could, General. But the fact is, you always did, Sam," he told her. He let out a long, slow breath. "I don't know if I'm brave enough."

"Brave enough for what, Jack?"

"To try again."

She sucked in a quick breath, not believing that he was even willing to consider it. What did she say? What could she do to convince him. She had to try.

She turned until she was facing him fully. She then reached out and took his hands in hers. He didn't pull away, but he didn't grasp her hands either. He was clearly struggling with what to do.

"I told you before Jack – I never stopped loving you. I've spent every day for fifteen years hating myself and missing you. So many times I picked up the phone to try and call you – but I always stopped myself, convinced you must have hated me. I need you to know that if – if you give me another chance, I will never betray you. I would never put my career or anything before you. I would devote my life to loving you."

The tears dropped from her eyes, but she didn't stop holding his hands. "I told you, I would understand if you don't want to take a chance on me – I wouldn't blame you. But if you do – if you could I would make sure you never regretted it."

She saw him swallow as he stared at her. She could almost feel the war going on in his mind. When he finally let go of her hands, and they dropped to her sides, she closed her eyes, knowing that she'd failed to convince him.

But she would be strong and she'd be brave, and she would make sure not to be bitter – but would treat him as a friend.

She suddenly felt his arms go around her and pull her to him. Her eyes opened in surprise – and the next moment his lips touched hers.

The kiss was gentle and swift – and immediately afterward she burst into tears.

Jack held her for a long time as she wept out all the sorrow, the fear, the heartache. He held her and stroked her back, gently, carefully. She felt him kiss the top of her head and he murmured gentle words to her.

Eventually she stopped crying and rested her head against his chest. She wanted to stay there forever, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

But Jack wouldn't let her remain there. He gently pulled away, forcing her to drop her arms. This time he took her hands in his. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Fine," she hiccupped, which caused him to laugh softly. "So, are you – are you sure you want this," she had to ask.

"I'm sure it's what I want," he told her. "But I expect it will take me awhile stop being afraid you'll leave me -"

"I won't," she interrupted.

"But if you do," he said sternly, "this time I will come and throw you over my shoulder and take you back!"

"You promise?"

He chuckled. "I do love you Sam,"

"I love you too."

"And thank you."

"What for?" she frowned.

"For yesterday – for last night. For – loving me."

"You're welcome," she told him. "And thank you."

"What for?" he grinned.

"For yesterday, for last night – for trusting me and for loving me."

"Always," he told her.

"Always," she agreed.

The two of them stayed there for some time, gently holding one another and talking softly. They didn't talk about the future, or the past, or anything serious. They simply enjoyed being together, knowing that they were loved.

"I'm hungry," Jack suddenly announced, taking her hand and pulling her back towards their rooms. "You wore me out!"

"I wore you out? Jack O'Neill – I could barely walk this morning."

He grinned and waggled his eyebrows, looking incredibly proud of himself. "Well, after breakfast – I think we both need a rest."

"We do?"

He glanced at her, one eyebrow raised.

"Of course we do," she answered herself. "Well then – let's eat and then go rest, cause I think we both need a day in bed!"

They sat on the viewing platform and waited for one of the aliens to bring them breakfast. Jack told her that he had somehow let them know they were hungry, and that the Furlings would bring food right away.

And he was correct. After a few minutes, Kimon, followed by Iola, made their way to the two Tauri, food and drinks in hand.

They were all smiles when they arrived. Iola especially seemed happy.

"What is it?" Sam whispered to Jack – although why she whispered she didn't know, since the Furlings couldn't hear her anyway.

"I don't know. They seem pleased about something," he answered her. "I can't get anything out of them as to why they're so happy. Maybe they'll tell me later."

Neither of the two Furlings stayed for long, although as she passed by her, Iola reached out and gently laid her hand on Sam's shoulder.

Sam felt what seemed like a spark run through her shoulder at the touch. It wasn't unpleasant but it was a surprise. When she looked up, it was to see Iola watching her carefully. The alien woman then smiled and was soon gone, followed by Dan – Kimon.

"They're definitely happy about something," she said again, shaking her head. "This is so nice here," she suddenly added. "I could stay here all day."

Jack stood up. "Nope," he told her. "Remember, you're exhausted and need to rest, so come on," he reached out his hand and pulled her up. "Come on Ms. Carter, let's go take an afternoon nap!"

"Well, I am rather tired," she admitted, "although you do know it's still morning, right?" He simply grinned at her. She laughed. "Your place or mine?" she asked.

"Oh yours – definitely."

They arrived at her room and Jack opened the door and followed her inside. The bed was still in a state from the night before, and she worked quickly to tidy it up.

"Okay – enough," he told her. He lowered his head and kissed her. "I love you, Samantha Carter."

"And I love you, Jack O'Neill. Now, take me to bed!"

And he did.