"Looks like it." Answered Cameron still transfixed with the device.

"It's small." Vala pointed out, just in case they hadn't noticed.

"Mmm…" Cameron's response was vague, his concentration focused on one thing and one thing only.

Sam began to feel uneasy with the sudden change in Cameron; she tried to get his attention but he just wasn't responsive.

"Cam?"

He ignored her.

"CAM, snap out of it!" Concerned,Sam stood between him and the device.

It did the trick. Coming out of the trance, he looked at her baffled, "What…what happened?"

"I don't know, you're the only one who seems to be affected. Maybe you should stay away from it." As soon as she stepped away, Cameron came under its spell again. Not liking it one bit she held firmly onto Cameron's arm, leading him away from the device and out of the room without saying another word.

"What was all that about?" Vala whispered in Daniels ear as she watched them leave.

He shrugged at her question, his attention fixed on the box. He was taken aback; it wasn't anything like what he had imagined when he ascertained the existence of the weapon. He thought it would have been bigger and more menacing for what it was designed to do.

Cameron allowed her to pull him along; he was still feeling a little fuzzy. He couldn't understand let alone explain to her why he was drawn to it, he just knew that he was and that he couldn't control it.

"Honey you can stop now."

"No."

"Baby…"

"Cam I'm going to get you far away from that thing as possible. I don't like what it's doing to you." Nevertheless, she stopped anyway.

"I'm fine Sam. It only seems to be effective in close proximity." Cam gazed at her lovingly, "Come here…" He whispered quietly, lacing his fingers with hers he pulled her into his arms. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"

Satisfied that he was indeed alright, she smiled, "Yeah this morning, but I don't mind hearing it again." She said looking intently at his lips.

It was just meant to be a quick kiss, but one kiss turned into two, two into three and before they knew it, each kiss became more passionate and more demanding than the previous. Weapons fell to the ground, discarded as the hands that were carrying them found themselves busy with matters that were more urgent. She forced him to the wall and wrapped her legs around his hips grinding herself against him, moaning with pleasure at his growing arousal.

"Sam…"

"Hmmm…"

"We've got to stop right now…" He managed to say between mind-blowing kisses.

Leaning against the wall for support, Cameron reached for his radio trying to go about business as usual, "Jackson you guys keep looking. We're going to search the rest of this place, between us we should be able to find it and uh…watch your back. "

"Sure, no problem. You okay Mitchell? You sound breathless."

Grinning at Sam, who was still getting dressed, he answered him, "Yeah, I'm fine. Mitchell out."

With her back to him, she could hear him laughing; when she turned round to look at him he shook his head in disbelief, "We've just had sex while on a mission, we've broken every away mission protocol in the book."

Inhaling the lingering sweet scent of their lovemaking, Sam simply stated, "Next planet, I'm on top!"

Sam along with Doctor Lee, and a few other scientists, had been working none stop for the last two weeks trying to figure out how the weapon worked. So far, all their attempts proved to be fruitless.

General Landry had authorised a second mission but like the time before they came back empty handed. They had searched high and low, both times, and still the neutraliser eluded them. Daniel had gone over the scrolls numerous times in case he had missed a vital clue. She was beginning to think it may not exist and if it did, it was too well hidden.

Deciding to take a well-earned break, she headed for the cafeteria. Grabbing a sandwich and a slice of chocolate cake, Sam joined the others who appeared to be in deep conversation but from the looks of it, Vala was doing most of the talking.

"I'm telling you Daniel, there's something going on between them." Vala was adamant.

Teal'c sighed with annoyance. Since they had returned from the original mission, Vala hadn't left the subject alone, discussing it at every opportunity.

"They had sex on PX6-701, I'd bet you're life savings Daniel that it wasn't the first time either. They've been having a lot of sex. Hot steamy…"

"Vala!"

"Oh, don't be such a prude Daniel; I don't care what you say I know I'm right. In fact Sam's heading over here right now, let's ask her." Vala winked at Teal'c conspiratorially whose only response was to roll his eyes in a way that only he could.

"Hi, guys," Sam greeted them, pulling up a chair and taking a large bite out of her sandwich, "God, I'm so hungry!"

Vala leaned forward with a huge grin on her face, looking at her intently, "Vala?"

"Samantha?"

Sam looked at the others for clarification but they just looked the other way, "Okay Vala, what's going on?"

Vala reached across, poking her in the shoulder with each word, "I know what you've been up to with a certain someone we all know."

"What?!"

"Come on Samantha, you can tell us. I've seen the way you and Cameron are around each other, you can't keep your hands off of him."

Sam's mouth fell open in shock, "I don't know what you're talking about Vala!" She looked around quickly to make sure no one had overheard and was grateful that the nearest group of people were seated five tables away.

"Yes you do. So come on spill it." Vala rubbed her hands with anticipation.

"Spill what?" Cameron asked as he sat down next to Sam, passing her one of the cups of coffee he was holding, unaware he was the topic being discussed in the conversation.

He recognized the gleam in Vala's eyes and immediately regretted asking the question.

Sam considered denying it but if she was honest, she wanted them to know. In the beginning, their union was new and fresh and she had preferred the secrecy. Today she and Cameron were in a committed relationship and maybe it was time they celebrated that love by telling their friends. Her heart warmed when she looked at each of them, she knew she could share with them the greatest part of her life without judgement and without consequence.

"They want to know if there's anything going on between us."

Cameron raised his eyebrows in surprise, "They do, do they?" He asked facing them. Underneath the table, he gave her leg a quick squeeze, letting her know she could tell them if that was what she wanted.

Over the last couple of weeks, he began to sense the growing frustration in her. They had talked about it many times; they both hated having to think about how they were around each other. Hated having to consider how a simple gesture or an innocent touch might be perceived, if they expressed too much familiarity. Maybe it was a good thing they were asking because if they could see it, there was a very good chance someone else, mainly the General, would eventually notice it too.

"Enough of the suspense, tell us already!"

Vala's excitement was catching; smiling Sam told her the truth, "Yes."

Opening the front door Sam was careful not to make a noise. Throwing her bag and coat on to the couch, she headed for the kitchen and opened the fridge. Choosing a bowl of left over pasta salad and a bottle of water, Sam sat at the table and reflected on the day. She had been at the SGC since eight that morning and now, looking at the glow in the dark clock hanging on the wall, it was almost midnight. She had gotten nowhere with deciphering the weapon. Daniel, Vala and Teal'c had left for the day soon after learning of their relationship.

Sam laughed recalling what had transpired..

"Yes."

Vala jumped up squealing with delight, turning to Teal'c she gave him a big slap on the back and for her trouble she received a glare of barely restrained patience.

To Daniel she simply said, "Ha, I was right," cupping her hands in front of his face she smiled sweetly, "Daniel if you please." Looking at him expectantly.

"What?" He asked looking down at her hands.

"I won the wager fair and square, it is only right that you now turn your life saving over to me."

The look on Daniel's face was priceless and led to heartfelt laughter all round.

The subject of their relationship wasn't raised again, each of them acknowledging the need for secrecy.

Before leaving, Vala approached her in her lab and gave her blessing.

"Sam, Daniel's taking me to see a movie, but before I go I just wanted to let you know that I think you're perfect for each other. He loves you very much; I know he'll make you happy."

"Thanks Vala." Sam returned her hug.

"Don't work too late, Col. Mitchell gets crabby if he doesn't get enough sleep," she wiggled her eyebrows to get her meaning across. Sam smiled and shook her head slightly as she watched her walk out of the door. She was about to return to her computer when Vala popped her head round the door, "We're going to have a girly chat tomorrow Samantha and you're going to give me every little detail."

Yawning, Sam put the dishes in the sink and headed for the bedroom. Changing quickly into one of Cameron's t-shirts she climbed onto the bed only to find it empty. Reaching over to his side of the bed she found it cold, he hadn't come home.

"Sam how much longer are you going to be?" Cameron asked her stretching his tired muscles.

"At least another couple of hours," she replied with a grin, he really looked like was going to fall asleep at any moment, "Cam why don't you go home, I'll be there as soon as I've finished."

Cameron walked round to her side of the table and spun her chair to face him, "Baby, come on… leave that till tomorrow. It hasn't so much as said boo for the last couple of weeks, I don't think you having an early night is going to change anything." His eyes appealed to her.

"I can't…I want to do a couple of more tests before I call it a night," she pushed him towards the door, "go …I'll be there soon."

Sam tried ringing his mobile but it was switched off. She considered calling the SGC but decided against it. He'll be home soon, with that thought Sam fell into a deep sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Cam opened his eyes, trying to recognize where he was. He vaguely remembered staggering to one of the guest quarters in search of a bed, thinking he would get some sleep while she finished working. Rubbing his eyes he looked at his watch, it was two in the morning, She must have finished by now. Sitting up at the edge of the bed, he tried to shake himself awake, straightening his uniform he left in search of his woman.

The lab was empty. She must have left already.Turning to leave his eyes fell on the weapon from PX6-701; he could feel himself being drawn to it. It was as if it was calling out to him. It was the first time he had come into contact with it since the incident on the planet; she must have forgotten to put it away. It hadn't affected anyone else and thinking he had already left she hadn't thought to lock it away. He had promised Sam that he wouldn't go anywhere near the device but no promises in the world could stop him from walking towards it. The closer he got the stronger the pull became.

Sorry about the delay, I started out with writers block and then I couldn't stop writing. The next chapter is well on its way. So please review and let me know what you think. Thanx.