Chapter Twenty-one

Jack watched as Sam began to surrender to sleep. She was trying her hardest to keep her eyes open and focused on him, but it was becoming increasingly difficult for her. He stroked her hair and she sighed contently. When she finally lost consciousness Jack rested his forehead on the bars and groaned quietly.

He'd found her and yet bars still separated them. Jack knew he needed to go find Ser'in and Tai, however, his promise not to leave Sam kept him rooted to the spot. He was still holding her hand against his chest and feared what would happen if he pulled away.

A low purring sound caused Jack's already labouring heart to slam against his chest. Even in her sleep Sam sensed the change and knit her brow in concern. Turning towards the sound Jack discovered that they were being watched. The purple dragon was standing in the door way, a rifle held casually in one hand. Jack pressed his chest against the bars and grabbed onto one of them with his free hand.

"If you've been watching us for any length of time you must know what is happening here."

Jack tensed as Lana moved closer. She stopped and placed the tranquilizer gun on the floor before proceeding. Jack watched her every move as she came just close enough to reach the colour coded lock. He memorized the combination as she caused the bars to slide open.

"Gala." Jack said quietly.

Although he knew that it would be smarter to get into the cage with Sam rather than take her out he couldn't bring himself to accept willing captivity. Lana did not stop him as he gathered Sam up, blanket and all, into his arms. The blood from where she had torn out the disk was starting to dry, but it still stuck to his shirt and skin as he held her tight.

Sam stirred as she was moved. Throwing her head back she screamed with a heart rendering cry. Jack hurried over to the corner and sat down. Cradling her on his lap with one arm he used the other to touch her cheek in an attempt to sooth her. Although she wasn't fighting against him Sam trembled with fear.

"Carter, look at me."

"Jack?"

"Right here."

Opening her eyes Sam stared up at Jack anxiously. Jack flashed her a bright smile and Sam instantly returned it. Struggling to sit up Sam threw her arms around Jack's neck and hugged him with surprising strength. He wrapped his arms around her and held on tight enough to stop anyone from ever separating them again. Sam nestled her head under his chin and they both closed their eyes to enjoy the calm in the middle of the storm.

When he opened his eyes again he noticed that the purple dragon was still just watching them. However she did have a communicator in her hand and it was squawking at her. Jack was distracted from Lana as Sam suddenly slid her hands down his ribs, down his stomach and started to work at the waistband of his pants. Before she could get very far he gently took her wrists in his hands.

"What are you doing?"

"If I'm going to be forced to have a child I want you to be the father." Sam explained breathlessly. "I asked for a second chance...this is that chance. I never wanted it to be like this, but I can't face being separated again. I killed a man to get this chance..."

Sam was talking quickly and gasping for breath. Jack used his hold on her wrists to pull her arms up and wrapped them around his waist. He gathered up as much of the blanket as he could and draped it over her shoulders. Sam curled up tightly against him and laid her head on his chest. Too exhausted to cry she just took shuddering breaths.

"No one is forcing you into anything." Jack assured. "I promise I won't let it happen."

Sam nodded, but she didn't relaxed. Jack rubbed between her shoulder blades and waited for her to settle. Although she continued to shake her breathing slowly returned to a more normal cadence. Jack smoothed out her disheveled hair as tears traced down his face.

Jack waited until he was sure that Sam felt safe before looking up to face the dragon that had them cornered. Lana's eyes were dilated and when he looked at her she purred. Jack didn't trust it, she could just as easily be pleased that she had a new exhibit as anything else. Lana didn't take her eyes off them until there was a loud disturbance out in the hall.

Va'lo came striding into the room with two security guards following him. He glared at Sam and Jack, apparently having already forgotten how close to death he'd been before Jack stepped in. He pointed at them and started barking orders. Jack tightened his hold on Sam and she did the same.

"He tried to steal me." Sam whispered.

"Steal?"

"There is some sort of contract that give Lana ownership of me and so he came tonight to just take me."

Jack wanted some way to make the others understand this, but he quickly realized that he didn't have to. Before the guards could move in on them Lana changed the orders. Va'lo roared in rage as they took a hold of him and tightly cuffed his hands behind his back. Lana made a snarling accusation that Jack could only assume was about the attempted theft. Sam gripped two handfuls of the back of Jack's shirt.

"What's happening?" Sam asked.

"I think Va'lo's going to be spending some time in a cage of his own."

Va'lo was still snarling and spitting curses as he was taken away. Lana had a look of self satisfaction on her reptilian face. Jack was just starting to wonder what the next move was going to be when a lone security officer brought Tai and Ser'in onto the scene. Ser'in was in tears and had her head bowed. Tai looked like this wasn't the first time he'd been caught red handed. They were unrestrained so he reached out and put his arm around her shoulders. Lana looked the pair over and sighed heavily. She turned to the security guard and ordered him away. Stepping up to Tai she studied him for a moment.

"Tai, ya tiska nen." Lana said.

Tai looked shocked that Lana knew his name. She saw his reaction and purred. Jack recalled the first time an unknown Goa'uld had known SG-1. It was a strange feeling of fear mixed with pride, knowing that your work was being noticed by the bad guys. Lana looked at Ser'in and made a clucking sound like an old mother hen.

"Es repetic dis ack, Tai. Huat, you Ser'in?"

"Dali, Lana." Ser'in said meekly. "Jaa'ck ye Sam'an'ta, kest...er...kest tremp...."

"Dan ka." Lana interrupted.

Ser'in's eyes widened in shock. She looked up at Lana for the first time and saw that her colleague was on her side. Lana's eyes dilated and she offered her hand to Ser'in. Rushing up Ser'in took Lana's hand and pulled her into an awkward looking hug. Untangling herself Ser'in ran over to Jack and Sam and knelt down in front of them.

Jack reached out and hauled Ser'in into a group hug. The pink dragon yelped in surprise, but then purred and hugged the pair back. Tai took Lana's hands and kissed them before giving her a deep bow. She gave him some advice and he took it gratefully.

Tai game over to the group and helped Ser'in to her feet. The fire dragon offered to carry Sam but Jack wasn't about to let go of her. It was a struggle to get to his feet, but he managed it. Still wrapped up in the thick blanket Sam put her arms around Jack's neck and held on for dear life. Lana escorted them broken exit but had to turn her back when they got there so that she wouldn't be witnessing a crime.

"Lana, gala, gala." Ser'in thanked her sincerely.

"Re'ni car, Ser'in."

Tai hurried Ser'in out the door and thanked Lana as well. Tai let Jack know that everything was clear. Jack stepped out into the zoo grounds. When they got to the ornate metal gate Jack found a gap large enough for him to step through with Sam in his arms. Free of the zoo Jack nudged Sam with his nose.

"Hey, look up." Jack whispered.

"What is it?" Sam asked as she leaned her head back to look at the dark sky.

"The stars, a full view, no bars, no glass. Just stars."

"They're beautiful."

"So are you."

Sam chuckled weakly and pulled herself up to kiss Jack's cheek. Tai took Ser'in's hand and guided them all back to the waiting vehicle. It wasn't until Jack was sitting on the floor and they were moving that he started to feel truly free. He laid down on his back so that Sam could lay on his stomach rather than the cold metal floor.

Settling her head against his chest Sam moaned, however it wasn't a sound of distress. It was a deeply contented sound, like the kind someone makes when they wake up for work and realize that they have the day off before they get out of bed. Jack ran his hands gently up and down her back. He was close to passing out himself, but he couldn't keep himself from touching her to assure himself and her that they were together again.

"Where are we going?" Sam asked.

"I don't know. Does it matter?"

"No...just curious."

"That's the Carter I know." Jack smiled.

Sam struggled to push herself up onto her elbows. She leaned in and engaged Jack in a passionate kiss. He carded his fingers into her short hair and returned the affection. The pair paused twice for breath before eventually having to stop because Jack could no longer keep from chuckling. Sam laid back down and hugged his ribs.

"Carter?"

"Yes?"

"Nothing..."

Sam pinched Jack's ribs to prod him into finishing his thought. Jack smiled and took a deep breath.

"Samantha Carter, will you marry me?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

"I'm thinking you'll never answer."

"Yes."

Jack chuckled and held her tighter for a moment. When he released her they were both so close to passing out that there was no point in trying to fight it anymore. Jack waited until Sam slipped away and made sure that she didn't fall prey to any nightmares. When Sam continued to sleep with little more than a few twitches Jack joined her in a dreamless sleep.

"Ja'ck? Saman'ta?"

"Go away." Jack muttered.

"JaaAaa'ck." Tai repeated in a sing song tone.

"Go away." Sam mumbled.

"Saam'aan'tah." Ser'in joined in.

"They're not going to leave us alone, are they?" Jack sighed.

"Probably not."

Sam sat up, straddling Jack and decided to lean in for a kiss. The motion caused her to put more of her weight on his hips. Jack accepted the kiss but pushed her up off him with a chuckle.

"Careful, Carter, I'm a gentleman...but I'm still male."

Sam smiled and allowed Jack to sit up. He noticed that it was twilight, but he couldn't tell if it was sun set or sun rise. Tai opened the back doors of the van wide without hesitation. He offered his hand to Ser'in and helped her out of the vehicle. Looking in at the still sleepy pair he beckoned to them.

Sam got to her feet and helped Jack do the same. His back was killing him from laying on the floor for so long. Tai helped them both out of the van and when Jack looked up all he could do was stare. He heard Sam's breath hiss across her teeth.

"Ser'in, this one is a keeper." Jack chuckled.

Ser'in was just as shocked as the humans at Tai's home. Set in a sprawling tropical garden the comparatively modest house blended in perfectly with the base of a large banyan tree. There was a high natural stone wall that could be seen off to one side that disappeared into the jungle. Jack assumed that it formed a kind of privacy fence.

A natural stream wound around the house and into the expansive backyard. It had the feel of being hundreds of miles away from everyone and anything. Far from the prying eyes of tourists brightly coloured birds and other creatures were milling around the courtyard eating at the vegetation and various feeding stations. When the group stepped forward the animals disappeared back into the jungle, proving that they still lived wild.

"It's just beautiful." Sam said.

"It really is...although a lot like the cage we just escaped from."

"Yes but here there's no one watching our every move."

"And I have the feeling that if we could leave if wanted to." Jack nodded.

As if understanding what Jack had said Tai tapped on his shoulder and pointed back down the road. The large stone wall ended on either side of the road and there was no gate in between. Any creature on the property was free to leave at any time. Stepping inside Jack and Sam did another double take.

"Whoa." Jack said stunned.

"Whoa is right."

"It's like we've found Daniel's reptilian doppelganger." Jack chuckled.

The inside of Tai's house was lined floor to celling with books of all sizes and ages that rested on dark natural wood shelves. Statues and trinkets of all different kinds were scattered around. The parts of the walls that didn't have shelves had art and artifacts hanging from them. There was little in the way of furniture on the lower level of the open home, but what was there looked very comfortable.

Ser'in came up to Sam and brushed at the drying blood on her throat. Sam accepted Ser'in's help. After asking for directions Ser'in guided Sam upstairs to one of the bathrooms. Tai brought Jack into his bedroom and offered him some new clothing and a shower. When Sam and Ser'in returned from upstairs they had both changed and Sam was no longer wearing her collar or the chain bracelets.

Sam looked somewhat out of place in the natural beige coloured dress that wasn't quite made for a human figure. However she looked very comfortable and undeniably beautiful. Ser'in was wearing a similar dress that fit her frame well. Ser'in came up and thanked Tai, she gave his cheek a quick nip and his eyes dilated into thin slits. Jack assumed that Tai had left the clothing upstairs for the women.

Jack and Sam made themselves comfortable on the plush deep red couch while Tai and Ser'in busied themselves in the kitchen. Jack studied Sam as she seemed to become lost in thought. He touched her cheek and she jolted in fright.

"I'm sorry." Sam apologized.

"Don't be. Are you okay?"

"I don't know."

"How can I help?"

"You've done so much already."

"But something specific is bothering you now."

"I...I don't remember exactly everything that happened while we were apart." Sam admited quietly. "I can't figure out what was real and what I dreamed during the times that they drugged me. There's so much confusion, chaos...violence. I don't know if I can trust my memory. I'm still trying to piece together what was going on when you arrived, I think I was trying to kill Va'lo..."

"You were."

"How did you stop me?"

"It doesn't matter. Va'lo is not what is upsetting you."

"No, it's the man. I killed him, I know I did, that's too vivid not to be real. I just don't know if...if anything else happened before that or if it was just nightmares that came after." Sam admitted. "I was there to bred, what if..."

"I love you just the same." Jack said with a sad smile. "If you're carrying a child now that child is mine...no matter who the father is."

Sam nodded and tried to force a smile. She was still upset and was shaking slightly again. Jack drew her into a comforting embrace and held her close. There was a spicy scent coming from the kitchen as the dragons made dinner. The warm air in the richly colour home was soothing Jack, but Sam didn't seem able to truly relax.

"It's going to take time, Samantha, and there is nothing wrong with that. We have overcome everything that's happened so far and we'll cross the next bridge when we come to it."

Tai and Ser'in chirped at the pair to let them know that dinner was ready. Jack and Sam both found themselves far hungrier than they thought they'd be. The food was completely vegetable based, which didn't surprise Jack at all. Even the necklace that Tai wore that Jack had thought was leather proved to be a dark kind of hemp like material.

After everyone had eaten Tai showed Sam and Jack to cozy guest room. He seemed to offer Ser'in his room and made himself comfortable on the couch. Ser'in and Tai were clearly ready for bed, however Sam and Jack had slept the entire ride here, which had been a long trip. Jack took Sam's hand and guided he toward the back porch door.

Even though it was a simple thing Jack noted how wonderful it felt to step through a doorway on his own free will and not have to worry about anyone stopping him. The moon was half full tonight and cast a cool blue light on the jungle. There was a small area that had been cultivated behind the house to look more like a traditional floral garden.

There was a small arched bridge that went over the stream that ran through the garden. On the other side was a secluded glade that held what looked like a hammock made of silk. Jack helped Sam into the hammock and laid down next to her on his back. Laying on her side Sam settled next to him with her head resting on his chest. Jack put one foot out on the ground so that he could rock them. They silently watched the stars while the moon climbed higher in the night sky.

"Feeling better?" Jack asked quietly.

"Yes. However..."

Sam rolled up onto Jack's chest and kissed up his throat until she found his lips. Jack ran his hands down her sides and snaked them around her waist. Becoming more passionate Sam tugged up Jack's shirt so that she could put her hand on his bare skin. This was no longer an act of innocent affection, this was an active request.

"Samantha..."

"I want this." Sam interrupted. "No...more than that, I need this."

"Need?"

"I have to erase the doubt, this way if I end up pregnant there is the same chance that it is yours as some stranger. Also you mentioned the fact that you may be a gentleman but you're still male. Well, I'm not a 'lady'...however I am certainly female and contrary to popular belief: we have needs too."

"Sama..."

Sam left no more room for arguing. She cut him off with a deep kiss that made Jack forget his own name, let alone any reservations he may have. Jack went to roll her over and ended up rolling them both too far and right off the other side of the hammock. Jack landed on his back on the soft moss covered ground with Sam on his stomach.

Without missing a beat the pair continued to enjoy one another's flesh. The experienced was heightened by the fact that they weren't attempting to take from one another, it was an act of giving and a simple need for union. Breathing audibly Jack pressed his palm against the delicate curve of Sam's lower back. She made a quiet, breathless cry that sent a powerful shock down Jack's spine. Arching his back he mimicked Sam cry with a deep moan of his own.

The passionate vocalization had a similar effect on Sam. Leaning down she bit down on the place where his neck met his shoulder. Jack retaliated kissing at her bare shoulder, unaware of when or how exactly the dress had been removed. Staying on his back he peacefully allowed Sam to dictate the events and followed her lead.

Eventually pushed over the edge Sam clawed her fingers into Jack's shoulder and whimpered at the sudden complete loss of control that was instantly followed by a wash of ecstasy. Jack weld his eyes shut to the point of seeing stars as he joined her in the complete release.

Panting for breath Sam smiled brightly and laughed. It was the first time in as long as Jack could remember that he heard her truly laugh. Not a hollow, forced chuckle, but a musical and carefree sound. Jack smiled and ran his hand through her sweat soaked hair. She settled down in the cool moss next to him and took a minute to catch her breath.

"I could stay here forever." Sam said dreamily.

"Good...cause we might have to."

"No, I can get us home."

"You think so?"

"I know so." Sam replied confidently. "If you can manage to find and me and bring me back, then I can find a way to get us home."

"I didn't find you, I was brought to you."

"I didn't mean finding me physically..."