Different strokes...

After lunch Jack produced the last to tiles, M and P. Sam regarded them carefully and finally just closed her eyes and picked the first one she touched. Much to Jack's laughter, it was the M tile.

"What's so funny?" she asked him.

"Nothing, you are just making this into the perfect day without even trying."

She blushed a little before replying.

"No, I don't think I'm the one doing that."

Jack just grinned before slipping on his sunglasses and starting the truck.

This time the drive was short, just a few miles to a place called 'Malibu mini-golf'.

"You have got to be kidding me," Sam laughed.

"Think you can beat me?"

"Not sure. You, Daniel and Teal'c play golf all the time, I don't."

Jack began to wonder if this one was a bad idea.

"Although," she said, "I was pretty good at this as a kid. Let's see if I still am," and she was out of the truck in a flash.

Jack followed, the same silly grin he had worn all day was still plastered on his face as they picked clubs and different colored golf balls.

The first game Sam won by a narrow margin of just a few strokes. The second game Jack won by a landslide. The third game was a tie and the fourth turned into the play-off for the championship.

After a lot of bantering and teasing Sam won the last game with the sneaking suspicion that Jack had thrown the game in her favor.

By this time it was early evening, and even Jack was getting a little tired. He knew Sam must be as well.

"You up for one more?" he asked, "I promised it isn't strenuous."

"Ok," she smiled softly

As they drove west, away from Colorado Springs, Sam reached over and took his hand.

"Jack, today has been a blast."

"It's not quite over yet, I still have one trick up my sleeve."

"I bet you have a lot of tricks up your sleeve," she laughed.

He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. They drove for a while and finally turned into the overlook area for Palmer Lake. The parking lot was empty and quiet.

"P is for Palmer Lake," Sam said.

"This is one of my favorite places. Further up the road is a boat ramp and a great place to fish."

"I'm glad you brought me here--" Sam said, suddenly distracted by a UPS delivery truck pulling up next to them.

The driver got out, carrying a large box and approached her side of the truck.

"Samantha O'Neill?" he asked.

She glanced at Jack who just shrugged innocently.

She nodded and stepped out of the truck to accept the box which was too big to pass through the window.

Jack got out of the truck and came around to her side.

"What'cha got there?" he asked, rocking on the balls of his feet.

"I have a feeling you know," Sam chuckled.

"Welllll, let's just open it and see."

Sam set the box on the ground and Jack offered her his pocket knife to open it. Inside was an entire picnic, Jack O'Neill style. A thick blanket lay on the top, underneath were containers of fried chicken, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, cheesecake, plates, utensils, napkins, and a six pack of beer.

"You put a lot of thought into this," Sam said, her eyes welling up just slightly.

"Are you kidding?" Jack asked. "This was my back up contingency if you had said no to my marriage proposal."

"Are you serious?"

"With you always," he said.

"Plan to always sweep me off my feet, Jack?"

"Yep, or at least keep trying," he said, taking the blanket it out of the box and spreading it out on the ground in front of the truck. "Wait till you see what I do for your birthday," he said.

"No hints?" Sam asked.

"Not a one," he gloated, heading for the back of his truck. He pulled out a radio and turned on a little dinner music before sitting down next to Sam, who was unpacking the box.

Hungrier than they realized they both ate in companionable silence, watching the sun go down. Afterward, Jack packed everything away, not letting Sam help him at all. Both of them were feeling relaxed and pleasantly buzzed from the beer and and the good meal.

"Getting a bit dark," Jack said and got up, going to his truck and turning on the headlights. He returned to the blanket and Lay down, resting his head in Sam's lap.

"Have a good day?" he asked.

"I had an incredible day," she replied, just as a huge red firework streaked across the sky and exploded, casting a perfect reflection on the lake below. Another followed suit, white this time, then green, orange and blue.

"Jack, did you do this too?" she asked, watching the sky above as more and more fireworks went off.

"Uh-huh," he said contently, "I love the damn things."

"So do I," Sam said, feeling the same happiness and contentment as Jack was.

She leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

"I love you, Jack," she said.

"I love you too, Sam."

The end.

A/N This was intended to be a series of drabble, ficlets, and one shots but it seemed to take on a life of its own. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

--Kell