Twelve Red Roses

A Valenship 2008 Fic

by Sarai

Chapter Three

The traffic had made his drive home ridiculously long, leading to a less-than-happy Jack. He had to admit it was great to be driving himself around however; he'd dismissed the Pentagon driver after just two months into the job. Still, sitting in queues irked him and he was still grumbling as he slid the key in the lock and opened the door to their house. It was good to think of the place as 'theirs'. Sam had kept her house in Colorado Springs but rented it out, so most of her stuff was here with his. He could never help himself smiling when he found her t-shirts in the draw or her low-fat cottage cheese in the fridge.

Lost in these thoughts, Jack didn't immediately notice the smells wafting from the kitchen. As soon as he did, however, he shifted, padding silently through the entrance hall. He didn't pull out his gun though since he highly doubted anyone was going to break into his house to cook him to death. Hardly daring to hope, he rounded a corner, giving him full view of the kitchen and the woman in the centre of it. She was bent in front of the oven, her back to him, muttering angrily.

He grinned; fully appreciating the view he was getting of her derrière, and lounged against the doorframe. He was fighting the extremely strong urge to leap forward and kiss her.

Suddenly she froze. Slowly she stood upright and turned. He jaw dropped open.

"Jack!" She didn't have as much control as him. Launching herself at him, she threw her arms around his neck, nearly flooring him.

He laughed, wrapping his big arms back around her and burying his face in her neck. They stood like that for several moments, each revelling in the others' touch. Reluctantly, he withdrew and placed a kiss in her hair.

"What're you doing here?" He asked softly. Placing another kiss in his hair, he blinked. "Did you get my note?"

She looked up into his eyes, her own glistening a little; she'd forgotten how much his smell could overpower her.

"I got it. Thank you for the flowers. I just…I don't know Jack. This is out first Valentines as a married couple. I…" she sighed, shaking her head a little, "I needed to see you".

He drew her back into his embrace.

"Hey, I'm not complaining! Little bit surprised, slightly gobsmacked I guess. But complaining I am not!" He sniffed, "So whatcha cookin' up there Carter?"

She laughed, pulling back and wagging a finger.

"Ah ah! You'll have to wait and see General! There's quite a few surprises coming your way tonight." She winked seductively, not for the first time appreciating how delicious he looked in his blue uniform.

He bit her finger lightly. "What if I don't wanna wait?"

About to say that was the cutest thing he'd ever done, Sam looked up into two brown eyes, deep with desire, her thought melted away. Evidence of what he wanted was pushing against her thigh. Absently berating herself for having no sense of control whatsoever, she kissed him. The gentle kiss she began turned into a full on force of heat which sent electrical sparks running through her body. Her knees weakened and she scolded herself again for becoming so fragile in his arms, but just as her legs almost buckled completely he swept her up, carrying her towards their bedroom.

Jack and Sam lay in a state of bliss, long limbs entwined on the bed as she trailed lazy fingers up his arm. Unwilling to break the comfortable silence, Jack sighed. As much as he loved to just be with her he knew time was not on their side. Noticing the change in his breathing, Sam lifted her head.

"What's up?" Jack's eyes locked with hers.

"How long?" She knew exactly what he meant. It was the same every time she came home. Averting her eyes from his gaze, Sam swallowed.

"Tonight and some of tomorrow. I have to return to Atlantis tomorrow night".

He didn't respond. There was nothing he could say. They'd spent eight years doing what they had to for Planet Earth and denying their innermost thoughts and wishes. They were both needed, at the Pentagon and in the Pegasus Galaxy, and so it seemed they would have to deny themselves still further.

But not for the next 24 hours…and come hell or high water, Jack was not leaving her side.

With the speed and expertise of one with thirty plus years of military training, Jack flipped Sam over. He grinned seductively before kissing her soundly on the mouth. Sam couldn't help herself; she giggled.

Jack growled. "What have I told you about giggling Colonel?"

Jack returned with Sam to the SGC the next afternoon, needing to be with her every second they were on the same planet. As they stood together in front of the shimmering event horizon, he glanced around. At 2030 hours the gate and control rooms were surprisingly full. He turned his head back to his beautiful wife.

Like so many other times when they parted he found himself taking in every detail of her face, imprinting it into his memory. Her sad eyes gazed back at him and at that moment Jack would have given anything to keep her there with him. But they both had a job to do; commands and planets to watch over.

Grinning as an idea popped into his head Jack took her face in his hands, ignoring her warning glance around. His arm slid down to encircle her back as he leaned forward, kissing her deeply and dipping her back in a passionate embrace. How long they stayed there, Sam didn't know. Time had become irrelevant as his warm mouth played havoc with her lips and tongue. Dimly she became aware of claps and cheers, and as Jack released her a crimson blush rose up through her cheeks. Trying to cover the smile on her lips as he glared at the surrounding gate technicians, Sam studied his face closely. Every time she left him it got harder and harder. With the seeds of regret at her intergalactic posting beginning to grow, Sam saw the beginning of the end for her time in Atlantis.

Still, she had a job to do. Sam squared her shoulders and cleared her throat, catching Jack's attention. They smiled at each other and Sam turned, stepping towards the gate. Just before she passed through the iridescent light she turned her head back towards him and breathed deeply.

"Happy Valentine's Day Jack. I'll see you soon".

THE END