Deliberate Speed

Still thanking everyone for sticking around, and even talking back in your reviews. One more chapter to go, will be posted tomorrow. Tell me what you think, I'm in suspense.

6. Back in Step

Sam listened to the familiar voice as they drove back. Tough guy, yeah; the toughest. But she was tough, too. And if a little of his rubbed off on her after all this time, it was all good. She grinned at that imagery; ok, a little 'bad' Sam remained!

And there was that persistent reminder burrowing into her awareness, something about her boyfriend. Oh, and regulations, as in, "tap-dancing on the thin line of." But Sam decided she could process those thoughts at a slower rate, later. She was still the tiniest bit loopy, probably with relief and a big dollop of exhaustion.

She was going to be ok; it wouldn't be easy but when was it ever? She had people.

----

"You know, Carter, the Colorado Springs patrol still has you in their sites," Jack mentioned as they cleared the checkpoint and entered the elevator. Sam's eyes widened with that realization before she gave him a cheeky smile. "I'm thinking it's not gonna be for community service. Sounds like they wanna drag race or something."

"Oh, I'm sure of that, sir. I'll have my posse ready whenever they do!" she laughed. Man, he was feeling sappy. He soaked in the knowledge that she was safe, for the moment.

Jack kept a straight face as he recalled how the guards up top gawked, caught off-guard as it were by the tall blonde officer in black leather. She was two strides up on them before her inquiring eyes prompted them to salute their superior officers. He shook his head. If she only had a clue of her full potential, he thought.

"So, you know there's a lesson here somewhere, right?" Jack said when she was quiet again. She shrugged. "Carter," he prodded. She sighed. He probably interrupted that scary brain of hers as she solved some scientific mystery just now.

"Yes, sir. That I won't go looking further than my own backyard…?"

"Good one, grasshopper," he couldn't help the chuckle. "You know, about going it alone?" Jack pressed her on this. "Things are changing but that never changes." Too much was on the block, he wanted her to keep this front and center. Now she was giving him a calculating look, the biting her lip kind that preceded something deep. The elevator stopped. They stepped out and faced each other.

"Ok, I know better now. But do you, sir? If you need me? Or the team, you won't hold back?" Sam asked, searching his eyes. The question caught him off balance. Her eyebrow lifted, a bit daringly for a penitent. But Jack saw that her question wasn't asked in jest or play. "You can still count on us, too, general."

"No midnight daredevil daring-do's when you just need to talk?" Jack studied her.

"And no dusk to dawn binges when you need to talk? Good," Sam replied, and turned and walked into Daniel and Teal'c. "Hey, guys!" She moved to meet them.

Jack stared at her. Wait, how'd that get in the deal? How the -?

----

"Sam, you daredevil you! Scared us to death!" Daniel said, swaying her in a tight hug. "Don't ever do that on this side of the Stargate!" She laughed and hugged him right back.

Over her teammate's shoulder, she saw Jack's dumbstruck expression. As if she didn't know how he coped with his demons after all these years. Not alone anymore, if she could help it. Get what you need, too, Jack. Jack was going to need backup as head of the political minefield called the SGC.

"I am glad to see you safe and well, Major Carter," Teal'c said when he allowed her to hug him, too.

"Well, safe, anyway, but thanks, T. Sorry to worry you but you know I can handle myself…" Sam replied but stopped as she noted Jack watching. "Most of the time," she amended. She stood with her hands on her hips, helmet under one arm and faced him. "Deal, sir?" Sam challenged. His expression wavered from his trademark confusion to a respectful nod.

"Deal, Carter. Now hop on outta here and change and the guys will treat us to something to eat," Jack answered finally. Daniel, standing next to Teal'c and watching the two with avid curiosity, bolted upright at Jack's words. "Oh, did I say that out loud already?"

"Masterful one, sir," Sam said with a smile. "I have to stop by the doc first, got to check something out." Her eyes met Jack's. "Meet you in the commissary in 30," Sam called, spinning around and striding away. Her long legs seemed to slow her down on their own. Ouch.

She would hang out for a bit with the fellas, let them see she was really ok. After that Sam predicted she'd be face down and backside up for the rest of the day! Well, she should make a phone call first…She limped into the infirmary entrance and just missed colliding with the person she came to see.

Dr. Thompson stopped short at Sam's entry. She glared, and put her hands on her hips just like Sam did minutes ago with Jack. Her eyes looked pointedly at the helmet Sam still held, evidence of her escape.

"Forget something, Major Carter?" Thompson's sarcasm was very evident. Sam was instantly on that.

"Listen. I do apologies pretty well, ok? But I only do them once, doctor," Sam came back with pure Officer Attitude. She didn't even consider being outranked in medical matters. "I'm sorry I –"

"It's forgotten," Thompson interrupted. Sam stared with growing indignation. Then she saw her lip twitch. At last, Thompson grinned. What a difference, Sam noted, losing none of her attitude. "I've already spoken with General O'Neill. How could it be otherwise? "

Sam walked up to her. Yeah, how could it? No doubt Jack charmed her, an errant thought escaped. Average height made Thompson look up at Sam; light brown hair, brown eyes, skin almost fairer than her own.

"Why don't you have freckles?" Sam asked, still in command mode. The effect on Thompson was to leave her speechless. Well, alright, then. (Oops, 'bad' Sam again!) Sam grinned and saw the woman breath in relief. "Never mind, they wouldn't dare," she added lightly. The doctor smiled back.

"Correct. Not that I've seen much sun these past weeks. So, what can I do for you, major?"

Sam swallowed before responding. Her night's adrenaline was pretty shot; talk about running on 'E.'

"Uh, just an unfinished matter, doctor," Sam answered. Thompson immediately became all business except for the hint of sympathy in her eyes. She nodded and stepped past Sam.

"Sure, in my office."

"Doctor, you're sure the imaging scans didn't show, you know…" Sam whispered as they walked the short distance. Thompson understood. They entered her office and she shut the door. Sam waited as the doctor sat at her desk.

"Absolutely. Please, sit," she offered. Sam hesitated and decided to stand, leaning on the chair back. "There was no sign of any foreign agent in your brain or anywhere on you."

Sam took a deep breath, almost relieved. Her dreams had been so vivid after her return that she feared Fifth had left an implant to continue punishing her. The doctor had reluctantly humored her and did a repeat scan with higher resolution, with the same negative results. Sam didn't dare ask then for further tests; she hadn't wanted to appear paranoid. So it was truly all in her head, not courtesy of Fifth. Well, not anymore anyway.

"Do you want something to help you sleep? I'm sure we can – " Thompson said gently. Sam shook her head.

"No way. Nothing short of a staff blast will wake me once I'm down," Sam replied. Her voice was tired but she made herself speak. "About the sleeping, not sleeping-" she said then trailed off. Thompson was already writing on a pad. Of course she was, Sam thought. Sam took the paper when it was handed to her.

"Carl's Army with combat and Gate experience, decided to work with SGC veterans of war. He has all the SGC clearances and a great manner. If you prefer a woman, major…" Thompson said, her tone very confidential. Sam shook her head and the doctor nodded.

"Sounds like a match. Thanks, doctor." Sam read the information. One small step; not too bad. "Well, I'd better get changed and meet the guys or they'll storm this place," she quipped.

"Oh, I've already had that pleasure. Quite a unit you belong to, Major Carter," Thompson said. There was deep admiration in her voice as she regarded Sam kindly. "If you and your 'guys' are looking out for earth the way you look out for each other, well. We can never thank you enough, but thanks."

"You're welcome," Sam replied and waved as she stepped out of the little office. Whoa; that was heady. Kind of gratifying, in an uncomfortable way. Folding the paper into her hand, she nodded as staffers passed through and saluted. And why were they looking at her so strangely?

They saluted her, and their eyes took in her outfit. Oh, d'uh, she was out of uniform! No wonder she was getting those looks. Come to think of it, Jack had…Aagh! Her thoughts were tired! She speeded up, taxing her sore muscles.

----

Later, in her quarters, Sam scowled at her reflection. Had she gotten even paler after leaving Jack's? She plopped onto the bed, and used all her willpower not to lay back and liquefy. Her body was really doing a number on her after she did a number on it.

"Suck it up.," she warned herself. She wouldn't be surprised if Jack knew this was how she'd be paying for her unauthorized night escapade; kind of like drinking too much, you get socked in the morning? Probably why he didn't blast her from one end of the sound barrier to the other! Then Sam paused in the middle of unbuttoning her BDU jacket.

It teased her in the back of her mind that she hadn't thought to contact Pete when this all came down on her. Now that he had clearance, she could have sought him out. Instead she flew off to practically ground her career and disappoint the people who'd come to care about her. Maybe care more than they were supposed to.

Oh, crap, don't go there, she scolded herself. But it was too late.

Sam undressed and climbed into the VIP room's shower. She let the water run over her, hoping for clarity but not pleased that she got it.

God, what must he think of her?

There was an easiness between them since, well, since she had a talk with herself when marooned on the Prometheus. She'd met Pete and things seemed to be working themselves out. She'd put her apparent hero worship of Jack O'Neill aside and did what she always did, her best.

Jack seemed more approachable and less tense in her presence. That didn't change the way they operated on missions; they were very much the commander and second. But off-hours, off duty; it was hard to pin down exactly. She did feel he took his cues from her, however. She finished the much needed shower and prepared for bed.

The post-zatarc incident must have been a burden on them. After the SGC granted Pete clearance (To which Jack, Daniel and Teal'c expressed their reservations, respectfully, of course. ) it was as though they both knew their reactions to the cited event were likely attributed to that moment in time rather than heartfelt emotions. The existence of her new albeit over-zealous boyfriend proved she had moved on, cordoned off the space between her professional life and her private life. The way 'normal' people did. Sam always suspected that the elevator humming actually broke the ice the zatarc confessions had built around them. Strange!

Sam laid back, her hands carefully clasped behind her head. And stranger was that she felt so comfortable in the intimacy of Jack's home, alone. She clamped her eyes shut. Good god, did he think she was flirting with him? Was she? She kissed him, he kissed her! Sam's head wanted to burst with her embarrassment. Ok, he didn't seem to mind her icky-sticky behavior, but, oh boy!

Distance; she had to replace her usual distance with him. Jack was easy to talk to professionally. And now personally as well, once she'd taken that step back, given them both proper space, proper vision. Ok, that was the answer to her uncommonly clingy act earlier: Distance.

But she dreamed of his large, strong hands gripping hers as she dangled over a yawning chasm, and his fierce, caring brown eyes reassuring her that she was safe, he wouldn't let her go. And he didn't.

TBC

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