Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate Sg1 or any of it's characters, I post this strictly for entertainment purposes.

I'm going to add a mature rating to this chapter, I don't think it's too overly graphic, but I want to be on the safe side.

Chapter 10

Standing outside of Mitchell's office, Sam took a deep breath before knocking on the door. Hearing the muffled 'come in' she opened it and walked inside. Cam greeted her with a pleasant smile and she returned it with one of her own.

"Hey Sam. I was hoping to see you again before you went back." Seeing her expression change Cam immediately grew concerned. "What is it?"

"I'm not going back to Atlantis." Sam told him outright. Cam stood up and put his hands on his hips.

"What?"

"I'm giving up command of Atlantis."

"Why?"

Sam willed her heart to stop beating like it wanted to break free from her chest. She would have to explain this to him and how she had come to this decision, but she wasn't sure how to put it into words yet. Fact was, she had just come by this decision soon after Daniel kissed her. They only shared the one kiss, but it was enough to seal her love and forgo everything for him.

She was supposed to return to her VIP room and pack up her belongings for her return trip, then meet Daniel again to say good-bye, but she just couldn't do it. Every time she would put one article of clothing in, a little part of her died and she felt as though she was making the worst decision of her life. In tears, she opened her suitcase and flung all of her clothing out, she couldn't leave, not now. She had to remind herself that she wasn't military anymore, she wasn't owned by the government. The choice was hers.

Even so, the choice was hard, she loved Atlantis, but nothing had felt so right as to be in Daniel's arms, at least not since Jack had passed. She knew what she was feeling for him was different than what she had felt for Jack, it was love yes, but it was different too. She loved Jack for his sarcastic and albeit juvenile attitude and they connected in their own way, mostly on an emotional and sexual level than she couldn't explain. With Daniel however, they connected first on an intellectual level. She could discuss things with him that she never could have with Jack. Not that Jack wasn't smart, but he just wasn't interested in much of what she studied or was fascinated by. Sure they could talk about cars or hockey, but quarks and black holes? Forget it.

No Daniel was different, night and day from Jack, for she loved him with a passion she found unexpectedly. She had never imagined herself actually being physically attracted to him until just recently, since so many of the years she had known him, he had been overshadowed by Jack. He wasn't the macho, leading man type she had always fallen for before, instead he was the kind of man that valued knowledge and exploration above physical strength and all of the other manly things most little boys were brainwashed with at an early age. Not that he wasn't strong or brave, he had proven that he was many times over, but it didn't define him, it only enhanced him. When she found herself wrapped him his arms, engaged in one of the most loving and passionate kisses she had ever experienced, she wondered how it was she had never noticed him in such a sexual way before.

Nevertheless, here she was standing in the office of her friend and colleague, about to explain to him why she was giving up the greatest opportunity of her career because she had fallen in love with her best friend.

"I'm not leaving without Daniel."

"Come again?"

"If Daniel can't return to Atlantis, then I'm not going back either. I've been doing a lot of thinking and if the IOA wants to keep him here then they'll have to keep me here as well."

"When did this all happen? What's really going on Sam?"

"It's simple Cam. I love Daniel and I'm not going to beat around the bush. I put many years I could have spent with Jack into my career instead, but I'm not going to do it again, I'm too old to waste time like that. So if you would be so kind as to inform the IOA of my decision, I'd really appreciate it."

Cam gave Sam his best impression of a fish out of water, his mouth gaping open in surprise. "When the hell did this happen?" he asked dumbfounded. "You too didn't seem that close last night at dinner."

"We came to some....conclusions last night regarding our feelings for each other. Look, Daniel doesn't even know I'm here. I just couldn't leave him, something is telling me that I need to stay. With the possibility of the Stargate becoming public, he's going to need help. I may not be a diplomat or an expert on languages like he is, but surely they'll need someone that knows a thing or two about Stargates to help explain it to the general public."

"I don't know, Sam." Cam shook his head. "Who's going to take over Atlantis?"

"Colonel Lorne has been the longest serving officer in Atlantis, he'd do a fine job."

"Sure, but he's military. I'm quite certain the IOA wants a civilian in charge."

"Then they'll just have to find someone else." Sam was resolute.

"Alrighty...I guess there's no changing your mind." Cam moved around to the front of his desk and took Sam by the shoulders. "If this is what you really want, I'll talk to the IOA, see what we can do. In the mean time, why don't you discuss this with Jackson, he might want to be included in this as well."

"You're right. I'll go talk to him. Thanks Cam."

"I admire your passion, Sam. I sometimes forget how much a blessing it is to have someone to love. I'm glad you two have found some happiness in each other."

Sam nodded and exited the office and made her way to Daniel's room.

OOOOO

"You did what?" He asked

"I told Cam that I'm not going back to Atlantis unless you're going with me." Daniel shook his head in disbelief.

"Sam, you didn't need to do that just for me."

"I didn't do it just for you, Daniel. I did it for the both of us. I'm not going anywhere without you. I did that before with Jack the first time I left for Atlantis and that was one less year I could have had with him, instead I chose my career, but I'm not willing to do that again, I love you and I'm going to be by your side, no matter what."

Daniel came face to face with Sam, her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she managed to contain them. He too felt a wave of emotion that threatened the tears that burned within his eyes to spill out. Instead, he brushed a lock of hair away from her forehead before bringing his lips to hers and engulfing her into a passionate kiss. He had felt large pit of emptiness in his stomach when she left his quarters to pack, but seeing her here again and telling him that she would be staying, pushed all of the fears aside that came with the prospect of a long-distance relationship.

They had talked about it early into the morning. There would always be email and letters and she would be able to visit twice a year for biannual reports to the IOA, but it still wasn't the same as having her here all of the time.

Daniel had to admit that he had been feeling pretty selfish before, that he wanted her to quit so they could be together. But, he had told her that she should go anyway, he didn't want to be the one standing between her and her career and he didn't want her to resent him for holding her back from Atlantis. What he had failed to remember was that Sam had had that career before, and perhaps this time, she wasn't as concerned about it.

Sam and Daniel finally pulled apart before their lust turned to abandon and they lost all reason. It had been a long time for the both of them and sex was not far from each other's minds, but they had both agreed to take things slow for they hadn't even been on a date yet. However, if they continued to kiss like that again, Daniel doubted they would be able to contain themselves for much longer, as it was, he was reluctant to leave the room in his current condition, at least not without a book or file to hold in front of his zipper.

"I love you too, Sam." He pulled her into a tight embrace, saying a prayer of thanksgiving to whatever God or higher power had brought her into his life. Feeling her hands move from his back down lower and lower, he got that feeling again where he might not be able to control himself and when her hot breath hit the side of his neck as she applied light kisses against it, he knew that she too had decided to throw the idea of taking it slow out the window and he didn't mind one bit.

Snaking her hands under his shirt, she ran them up and down his back, sending electric shivers up his spine and when she slid them under his waste band, descending down further into his pants, there was little doubt in his mind that there was no going back now. He pressed back against her, feeling her heat and body rub next to his, arousing every one of his senses. Smelling her hair, feeling her skin, hearing her breath in his ear and seeing her eyes close as she moved her kisses from the side of his neck, up his jaw and back again to his mouth. Drawn to each other lips, they let go. Tongues probing, exploring, pressing into the furthest reaches of their mutual desire.

He lifted the sides of her shirt, untucking it along the way, running his hands up her side and taking in the smoothness of her skin. She took over from there, pulling it over her head and exposing her lacy bra. Tracing kisses over her cleavage and encompassing her breasts within his hands, he pulled down the straps of the undergarment, freeing them from their confines. Sam gasped in delight when he cupped them and teased her nipples into hard peaks with his mouth and tongue.

Falling back onto the bed, he pulled her down with him. The remaining articles of clothing flew off as they frantically sought to meld their naked bodies together. They explored with caresses and kisses until ecstasy intermingled with desire and he found it too hard to resist making love to her any longer, crashing them both head-on into a wild climax, he calling her name and she calling out to God.

Afterwards, they lay under the covers, legs and arms intertwined. Sam nuzzled into his chest, falling asleep as he held her tight. Here everything was right, he could stay in this one place forever if he could. With that thought, his eyes closed and he joined her in slumber.

Sorry for not updating this sooner. I hope you like it and have a happy Halloween and weekend! :)