Chapter 4: Apparent Arousal

Carter was already in her lab when O'Neill entered the elevator doors at the SGC. Humming a favorite song, he excited at Level 22. Meanwhile, Carter had begun the task of analyzing the unique cylinder found on their last mission, unconsciously humming the same melody in time with him.

Entering the mess hall, O'Neill picked up two coffees. He already knew she had finished hers and was craving another. Seemingly lost in thought, he didn't even notice the man trying to catch up behind him.

"Jack."

"Yesss, Daniel?" he replied, hoping his tone of voice would encourage the younger man to keep the conversation short.

"How you doing?"

"Actually, I've got a headache. My mind's been on overload ever since Carter got to work this morning."

"So, let me get this straight: You can hear Sam's thoughts as though she was speaking them to you. And seeing how she's currently studying the crystal, you've unwillingly become victim to her analytical mind at work."

"Exactly," he declared, waving his coffee cup through the air, feeling completely understood.

Daniel smirked.

"What?" O'Neill asked accusingly, certainly not letting the young scientist get away with a grin at his expense. Despite the fact that he was enjoying his new connection with Carter (for the most part), there was no way he was going to let Daniel know that.

"Daniel, aren't you supposed to be working on a way to reverse this?"

"Uh, ya, right. Actually, my translation has revealed some interesting facts about the Zartell. For instance, prior to using the device, they –"

"Ack!" Jack raised his finger to Daniel in mid-sentence.

"I'll be going now," Daniel quickly responded. As he turned to leave, he couldn't help but grin at the thought of Jack being trapped in Carter's astrophysical, scientific world.

Parting ways, O'Neill proceeded to Carter's lab.

"Thanks, Sir!" she said just before he entered the room, coffee in hand.

"Always a pleasure, Carter," he replied. "So…uh, how's the research going?"

"Don't you already know?"

Yes, but the last time I actually spoke with you, we were having telepathic 'sex'. What was I supposed to say?

Good morning would be nice.

"Morning, Carter."

"Good morning, Sir," She looked up at him and couldn't help herself. Before she even realized it, she had already explored the handsome features of his face, eyed his physique, and recalled the feelings he stirred up in her last night.

It was good for me too, Carter, he interrupted with that charming smile spread across his face.

She connected with his deep, knowing eyes and quickly looked away. Uh, Sorry, Sir. It's hard not to think.

Oh, I have nothing against your thinking. Rather enjoyed it last night.

She looked at him with that adorable Carter-smile, and he knew that his work here was done. Or was it?

"Well, now that you have your coffee, I'd better let you get back to work." Unless you'd prefer to take a break to do other things? His eyebrows raised suggestively.

Is that all you think about, Sir?

"No," he answered back, trying to sound offended. "I think… about… other things."

"Like?"

"Things." Quick, Brain, come up with something.

"Sirrrrr."

"Oh, yes. Where was I?"

"Colonel, I've got a lot of work to do here," she began, putting emphasis on his rank, "I'm planning on recalibrating the sensors to detect slight variations at the subatomic–"

"Carter! I just got rid of my headache."

"Oh. Sorry, Sir."

"Arrgh!"

The sight of him rubbing his temples in a circular motion had her automatically picturing those long, skillful fingers tenderly rubbing something else. Without missing a beat, he instantly joined in her reverie until she caught herself a second time.

Damn. Sorry again, Sir.

Don't be. I want this as much as you.

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"Look at her blush!" the airman in the video surveillance room pointed out.

"I bet you anything they're thinking about sex," the second officer added.

"How could they not be? I mean, the Major is HOT."

"What I wouldn't give to get into her mind."

"Ya right. I know exactly what you want to get into!"

"Hey, I know I'd never stand a chance. She only blushes like that for him"

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