„Okay, Jack, can we meet again later this evening to finish this? I have to go now." Mr. President asked by the end of the on-line conference Jack had to attend on Wednesday morning. It went for hours and they were all exhausted by then.

"Ehm…"

"Jack?" Mr. President asked again - curious. All other four members of the on-line conference were looking expectantly at Jack, waiting for his answer.

"Actually, Sir, I'm afraid it will have to wait till next week." Jack said – and surprised all four politicians. And himself as well. But there was no way he was cancelling the date with Carter! Not even for the President.

The silence was really heavy, all four men watching him with horrified expressions. Just the President smiled back at him after a moment of some heavy thinking. Jack would swear the man was about to chuckle. What...?

"I take you have another very important meeting scheduled already?"

"Yes, Sir, that's exactly right." He managed to answer – thanking silently his years of training, otherwise he would have blushed! It seemed like the President knew exactly what was going on. But that wasn't possible, was it?

"Sir? All our meetings have been cancelled for this week." One of the politicians added. He was indeed one of those Anne had called and asked for re-scheduling. He never really liked Jack so he wanted to take every chance for doing something to make him leave DC and let them deal with things without him.

"I know about it, Larry. And I'm sorry Jack, I have completely forgotten about your new schedule for this week. My mistake. So don't let me keep you from your very important business."

"Thank you, Sir." Jack answered, too tempted to smile at the man. Sneaky he was! Of course, he would ask something in return later – but he could deal with that.

"Gentleman, next week, the same time."

They all said their goodbyes and Jack closed his computer then. The President surely had a way how to end the conversation. And it took Jack about ten seconds before he started to laugh. He just couldn't help it.

When he went to the living room, he found Sam working on some report. When she saw him, she just saved the document and gave her full attention to her laughing lover. She seemed curious about what had brought that on.

"Jack?"

"The President knows that I made Anne clear my schedule for this week because of you."

"Oh. That's why are you laughing?" She asked, not really getting it.

"No… sorry…"

He sat down next to her, kissed her and then described the last conversation to her. By the end she was smiling at him, enjoying the moment. Jack was so free around her, he was himself, he looked much more relaxed and happy. She loved every single second of it. They both knew that their time was limited. But they refused to let this information destroy the time they had now. No worries. Like Cassie used to sing when she was smaller – Hakuna Matata.

They had lunch – they cooked it together and had much fun while doing so. Jack wanted to go for a walk but Sam refused to leave the house, or better the couch – she was just too comfortable there, with him. He didn't complain much…

"You know that like this I won't have the chance to knock on your door and wait for you to open it, nervous and stuff like that?"

"You can knock on the bedroom door if it makes you feel better."

"That's not the same. It goes with the first date…"

"Well if you really want to spend the rest of the day without me somewhere else so you can knock on the front door later… you can go."

She offered him. But her hand kept on playing with one of the buttons on his shirt – she knew he liked it for some reason. He just smirked… She surely looked like she was about to let him go...

He couldn't believe how much she could affect him and that now, when he knew how it felt to be with her, he couldn't imagine his life without her there, next to him. If it was up to him, she wouldn't be leaving DC at all. Of course there was no way in hell he was leaving her. He could be knocking on the bedroom door after all, right?

He loved that they were sort of living together. Seeing her in the morning, all sleepy and gorgeous, relaxed during the evenings, when he could be cuddling with her on the couch, watching her work, fight in the kitchen with the food and pots, he loved watching her in the bathroom when she was doing something with her hair – no, he didn't know what, he was a guy and he needed just a shampoo, all her bottles and things to do were a complete mystery to him. Oh yes, he was surprised that when she had time, when she could – she knew how to be all girly and feminine.

He loved the soldier in her, the officer, the scientist, the woman, he loved her whole and having her there those few days just confirmed it to him. She was the missing piece of his soul and heart and loving her was the best thing that could have happened to him. Besides she was still laughing at his jokes – even after all those years!

Sure, they still had a ton of things to talk about – however they decided that those could wait. Now they needed to enjoy each other. There would be time later. At least he was hoping there would be. There was one thing he really wanted to do and it was something he didn't want to screw up.

She got a call from Cassie and the girl asked to talk to her without Jack being there. He assumed that whatever it was, it was related to some guy. So maybe it was better that he wasn't listening. He couldn't overcome the fatherly overprotective manner when it came to Cassie - so it was better that he didn't have to listen to this kind of conversation.

Besides – Sam would handle it. So he just sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. He could use some sports watching for a minute or two.

"Jack? When are we leaving?" Sam suddenly asked from behind him. He didn't even hear her coming closer.

"What?"

"Tonight, when are we leaving?"

"Oh… we have reservations at seven. We'll need about fifteen or twenty minutes to get there."

"Okay. So then I need the bathroom at five."

"What?"

"You told me to dress up so give me a chance!"

"I should have known better… Five, really?"

"Jack!" She warned him, laughing.

"What?"

"You can use the second one… but I need my time…"

"Hmmm…"

"Just think about knocking on the bedroom door and seeing me dressed up for you because we're having our first real date…"

And while saying so, she kept on looking into his eyes. Part of all this was a game, just a way how to get rid of the tension and nervous butterflies in her stomach. Another part was her other self testing the waters. She could be saying things liked that now, she just wanted to know if it was wise or not.

Well, Jack's face was relaxed, he was smiling at her, shaking his head, his eyes were sparkling.

"Talking dirty, are you Carter?" He asked and caught her completely by surprise. Her smile turned into grin and that turned into a chuckle.

"I like that…" He added and she started to laugh.

Sam came to him then, locked her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly.

"I love you, Jack O'Neill."

"I surely hope you do…"

And again she could just laugh at him. He was impossible. At least he wasn't questioning her decision anymore – no more you-deserve-better hints or so. No, he seemed to accept it fully – she was in and as deep as he was.

They spent the rest of the day together, for example talking about Cassie and the mysterious call. Sam even supplied stories from her teenage years – Jack was sure that Jake wouldn't be that happy to hear about them. But it was fun. And he gathered his courage and told her about things he had thought he would be discussing with Charlie – and about his possible reactions and the consequences – all the arguments and all. He knew that being father of a boy was way too different from being father of a girl – but both had its perks, nice and difficult moments.

It was nicely spent day but they both seemed to be anxious about the evening. And Sam was very nervous. She couldn't remember the last time when she'd been this nervous… maybe before coming over during Christmas…?

"You're gonna tell me where are we going?" She asked instead.

"Nope." He said and kissed the tip of her nose playfully.

"Jack…" Sam pleaded.

"Your eyes are not working on me anymore. You just have to trust me, all right? I'm the guy that asked you out… or do you usually question your dates about the plans?"

And he seemed to realize what he had asked way too late. He looked at her apologetically, a bit worried, mentally kicking himself. He didn't want to bring bad memories, he didn't want to hurt her – and honestly part of him really didn't want to know.

Sam knew she should say something… but it was difficult. She was sure that Jack even didn't want to know. Maybe he was curious but deep down he didn't want to know. And she really didn't want to think about all her relationship failures today. So instead of answering she leaned closer to him and looked him deep in the eyes.

"I trust you." She said. And he could just grin back at her – leave it to Carter to save the situation! So he kissed her and tried very hard not to say anything like that ever again.

"You're going to come across this topic sooner or later…" She told him gently – was she reading his mind or what?

"I'm not the only one…"

"I don't want to be avoiding it, Jack."

"You don't?"

"No, I don't. But I also don't want to talk about it today." And at that he could just grin and give her a kiss. He was indeed dating one smart woman.

They both knew that this was just one of many things they had to discuss – sooner or later. But they were not about to do it right then. No, they had time for talks like that… now it was time for them to get ready!

Well, Sam made Jack go to the bedroom and take his things to the guest bathroom – she was about to close the door and she would not allow him to peek inside – yet go there to change! No, she would be getting ready. Alone. So he took his things and, again, turned on the TV. He was sure that there would be some game to watch in the meantime.

Besides – he had his plans and he wanted everything to work out perfectly. So he needed to calm down… and then he would take a shower, shave and get dressed. He was having a hot date that evening! And all he knew was the color of the dress. He was sure that Sam was trying to torture him – he kept on picturing her in red dress. He knew the red would be rather dark. But that was all. He knew her just in casual clothes, all sorts of uniforms, her dress blues – but nothing dark red – nothing picked specially for such an occasion – for evening with him! He was hoping he wouldn't embarrass himself later.

Sam knew she was taking awfully lot time to get ready. She didn't even need that much time. She took a nice shower, shaved her legs and then, wrapped in a towel, she was sitting in the bedroom, watching her dress hanging there, the shoes placed on the floor, she knew she was acting crazy but she just needed a minute to absorb everything.

This was a big step. They were practically announcing it to the public this evening. Of course, maybe they would not meet a single known person and it would still be a secret, sort of, afterwards but what if… She felt so nervous. Not that she was worried, not at all. She knew they were not doing anything wrong and she knew that this relationship was one of the best things that had ever happened to her in her whole life. But still, after years of waiting and constant watching out and being careful about so many little things, it seemed so unreal.

At one point she was about to leave the bedroom wrapped in the towel – she just needed to talk to him. She needed to talk to Jack – to her lover, friend and mentor. But then she decided against it. It was not the time… no, she would get ready, she would dress up and they would spend one lovely evening together. As a real couple.

Jack was waiting for her in the living room. He wanted to go and knock on the bedroom door but then decided to do something else – he would just wait. Because come on – seeing her in red dress at the doorstep to their bedroom? That would not end well. Oh – it would but there would be no date. And he had his plans!

So he was waiting and waiting, dressed in suit with the red tie she had bought for him. He even had flowers for her – it was a first date after all! And actually, he felt like going on his first date ever.

Then he heard the door and closed his eyes. After taking few deep breaths, he looked up. And he was speechless. There she was, standing in gorgeous dress, with her hair a bit wavy, with little red roses in there – and no, he was not about to think how it was possible. She was wearing her mother's earrings – the only pair she had. Just simple elegant earrings – and they were a perfect match for the dress. He knew he wouldn't remember anything in few years, just the way his heart was hammering in his chest and that his palms were sweating a bit.

Sam knew that she didn't look like her usual self but she felt really good in the dress. And the shoes were comfortable. Her mother's earrings seemed to be really symbolic in such a moment. She knew she looked really good!

She noticed that Jack seemed to be nervous though – but damn she was nervous too. And again – it was so unfair – how come that men were becoming more and more handsome with every passing year? He looked so gorgeous in the suit.

When their eyes met she had to remind herself to stay calm. Jack reached for her and she willingly took his hand in hers. He brought her closer and kissed her lips gently.

"I don't know what to say…"

"You don't have to say anything…"

And at that he could only chuckle. She was as breathless as was he. Then out of the blue he gave her the flowers – her favorite ones. She didn't see it coming. It was so sweet, he really gave her flowers. She thanked him with a gentle kiss that made her eyes sparkle.

"I'll just put them into water and we can go."

"Okay…" And he could just watch her walk to the kitchen to put the flowers into water. The way the dress moved stole his breath. She looked so… he could come up with beautiful or stunning, maybe gorgeous, but nothing seemed to be enough. He was the luckiest guy on the planet. Hell – in the universe! He was dating Samantha Carter!