There were couples on the dance floor already and Sam and Pete joined them. He smiled broadly babbling about something Sam just couldn't care less. She kept glancing at the doors and was relieved to see Jack come in. They turned and she saw Daniel and Teal'c sitting at one of the tables talking quietly. Jack strode straight to the bar and ordered another whiskey. It was his third which wasn't that much. He wasn't drunk, not even tipsy. He turned to the dance floor and his eyes locked with Sam's instantly. She smiled but he couldn't return it. Instead he turned away.

Suddenly he made his decision. He downed his drink and stood up. Sam panicked. He was leaving! She made a hasty excuse and hurried through the crowd to him. Pete stood dumbfounded on the floor but then couple of his friends waved at him and he walked to one of the tables to talk to them.

Sam reached Jack and placed a hand on his arm. Jack looked at it blankly and took a step away.

"Dance with me." Sam blurted. She couldn't let him leave. Not yet. "Please." Jack stared at her for a second but she didn't back down. He nodded. She lead them to the dance floor and they settled to the music. It was quite slow but not enough to be called a slow dance. His hand rested very lightly at the small of her back and her hand was equally lightly on his shoulder. Their other hands were very loosely entwined together. There was more distance between them than was necessary. They moved to the music for a while. Suddenly she leaned towards him.

"Don't be angry with me." she whispered, pleading. Jack froze. ' Crap!'. She'd seen that. Removing his hand from hers he lifted it up to her temple and tugged a stray lock of blond hair behind her ear. It was a very intimate gesture and it sent thrills through her body. He caressed her cheek with his thumb.

"Sam" he breathed softly. "I could never be angry with you. I love you." his voice was soft and husky and full of emotion. It was Sam's turn to freeze. She stared at him mouth slightly open, shocked and absolutely speechless. 'Absolutely gorgeous.' Jack thought. 'Oh, hell.' He leaned closer and planted a brief but very passionate kiss on her lips. "Goodbye, Sam." he whispered in her ear pulling back and then he was gone.

Daniel who had been witnessing this from a nearby table scrambled to his feet hurrying after Jack. Teal'c was about to follow when an angry voice stopped them.

"What was that?" Pete demanded angrily rushing to Sam. Daniel and Teal'c glanced at each other and in a silent agreement Teal'c remained and took a couple of steps closer to Sam.

Daniel caught Jack just outside the restaurant.

"Jack!" he breathed. "What happened?"

"I told her."

Inside Pete was getting angrier because Sam hadn't answered. "What the hell was that?" he asked again grabbing her arm quite forcefully. Teal'c took a step closer making his presence known. Pete loosened his grip but didn't let go.

"Colonel Carter?" Teal'c inquired. "Are you well? Perhaps it would be wise to acquire a seat." That seemed to pull Sam back to reality.

"He said goodbye." she said flabbergasted, letting Pete walk her to a table and sitting down.

"What?!" Pete asked his anger rising again. He sat next to Sam. Teal'c remained standing but took a couple of steps closer. Sam stared blankly at nothing and Pete's anger suddenly vanished and turned into worry.

"Honey, are you all right?" he asked placing his hand on top of hers. But not without glancing at the big man who stood right behind him.

"Yes" she said pulling herself together. "That was just unexpected." A bit of an understatement.

"What? Your boss kissing you in front of your fiancé and his friends?" he laughed but it wasn't for joy. "You could say that."

"Pete" she started sounding suddenly very tired.

"It's all right." he interrupted. " We'll talk about it later." his tone indicating that they would indeed talk about it later.


A/N: Thank you everybody for reviewing, following and reading!