Thanks to HanaCZ - jsi prostě naprosto nejlepší hvězdo! :o)

„Are we walking there?" Sam asked while Jack was locking the door.

„We can if you want to…" Jack offered her. Standing next to her on the pavement, he also offered her his arm. She smiled back at him, linked her arm with his and nodded. Yeah, she wanted to walk, it was a nice evening after all.

"Sure."

"Your shoes…?"

"You really think I would able to walk in some uncomfortable shoes? How well do you know me?" She teased him. They began their walk, together.

He could only grin at her – which made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. She really liked it when he was smiling at her like that. She made him chuckle later – showing him her nice shoes – comfortable enough to walk in and yet perfect for the evening dress.

"I love you." He told her with one huge smile on his face.

"You seem to be saying that a lot lately…"

"You mind?"

"No, not at all… I'm just not used to it. But I like it when you do so." She told him honestly. And so he did one of the other things he seemed to be enjoying a lot lately – he took her hand in his - it seemed to be more intimate than offering her his arm and he really liked it that he could do something so simple as holding her hand without feeling bad about it. She froze there for a minute anyway.

"Sam? Something wrong?"

"No…"

"So?"

"Just thinking… "

"That we are kissing in public? Holding hands? Dating? Going out for dinner?" He asked and she could only nod – shy and unsure. She didn't want to hurt his feelings or mess up things.

"Sam we can wait if you want to…"

"No!"

"Oookay…"

"I don't want to wait. I want this. I just need to get used to this."

"You think I'm not nervous?"

"You are?"

"Of course I am!"

"Then what?" She really wanted to understand. She needed it, she needed to know, she needed to understand.

"Then I think about all those things we've been through together…"

"And?"

"Nothing has ever been as excited as this." He told her and kissed her hand tenderly, like a real gentleman. And the whole thing just made her giggle then. He offered her his arm again - it meant releasing her hand but somehow it felt like the right thing to do, well and she took it, happy and somehow calm. He was right – this was exciting. And what more – this was something she really wanted, she really believed in. There was no way she was going to run away. No, she was perfectly happy right where she was.

Jack was glad that she had brought this up. He had been thinking about it as well – just didn't know how to ask her. So when she asked it gave him his chance. Maybe he should have said something different but it seemed to him that it worked out well anyway. Carter seemed satisfied and relaxed.

"So, are you going to tell me where are we going now?" She asked and he had to chuckle. She just wouldn't stop with it!

"You are really curious, aren't you?"

"A bit…" She admitted sheepishly. To her liking he seemed to be way too amused by her behavior.

"Why don't you think about it?"

"You think I haven't already?"

"And?"

He just had to tease her. One of the things he really liked about her was the way her brain could work. He liked to hear her think out loud. At first it used to be annoying but somehow it became one of the things that would always calm him down in stressful situations, it would bring him some sense into his world and it saved their lives many times as well. Besides she would crinkle her nose a bit and sometimes bit the inside of her cheek – and he found that really adorable.

"It's middle of March so we are not going to be outside, right?"

"Yep. Too cold in the evenings to stay outside."

"So we are going somewhere … fancy? I mean – you told me to dress up and you are wearing a suit, not just shirt and nice jacket but real suit. You want this to be one perfect first date so I would say a dinner and then what? Theater or some classical music concert?"

"Almost there, Carter."

"Come on! Tell me!" She pleaded.

"Nope."

"Please, Jack… Please?" And she knew that it was still working on him. Or she hoped so.

"Dinner is right." He admitted. And noticed her face – she looked like she had just solved some complicated puzzle – absolute bliss and happiness.

"And where?"

"Somewhere with live jazz music and very delicious food and wine…"

"Jack…"

"How does that sound for the beginning, huh?"

"It sounds beautiful." Sam told him. And he could tell that she was really excited by then. And as he knew her she was still curious about the rest.

They both thought that nothing could go wrong then. They were together, on a date and already enjoying it. Both were afraid though – this whole evening could easily turn into something very awkward. They were not used to this and despite the fact that they could usually deal with anything, this was simply different.

The lovely thing about this? They were both ready to take all the risks. They cared about the relationship, they wanted it to work and they were ready to face everything that life would throw at them. Well – at least they thought so.

They reached the restaurant and Sam beamed at him – it was one of the most amazing places in DC. Jack went to open the door for her – he was being a gentleman after all. But then life decided that they needed some excitement. Jack couldn't open the door as easily as he thought he would so he pulled with more force – and lost his footing on the stairs. He would never figure out how it happened – it just did.

And so with a yelp he found himself falling down the five steps. And then he landed on the pavement – with a crack. His arm hurt and he was almost positive that he had just broken his wrist. The stars he seemed to see didn't please him at all – hopefully it wasn't going to be a concussion. His ribs also ached a bit – for that he would have to thank the stairs.

"Jack, oh my god, are you all right?" Sam was suddenly by his side, asking him, touching his forehead.

"Ouch…"

"Where are you hurt?"

"I think I may have broken my wrist…" He admitted after few seconds and let her help him to sit up.

"I'm gonna call an ambulance."

"No... Don't even think about that." Even to him this sounded awfully as an order.

"Jack, we need to get you to hospital."

"Sam…"

"No arguing here. I'm willing to call a cab instead of an ambulance, what about that?"

"Samantha… please…"

"No! I'm not going to argue with you! You just fell down from five stairs. You are hurt. You need to go to hospital. That's doctor's orders."

"Wrong kind of doctor..." He replied with a smirk. He could remember very well that it was her line few years ago.

"Jack..." She warned him.

And because he knew there was no point in arguing with her, he just nodded. He regretted that very soon – his head was spinning a bit. Damn – that sounded like a concussion to him. He also didn't fail to notice that she hadn't seem troubled by the sort-of order. Not at all… they were making progress!

Sam went inside – she needed to cancel the reservation and she also asked them to call the cab for them. Staff from the restaurant felt really bad about it but she assured them it was not their fault. Manager of the place came to talk to her anyway, gave her his business card and apologized again. They also went outside to see if there was anything wrong with the door and the stairs.

Sam helped Jack to stand up. He seemed to have minor cut on his head – and his hand was swollen and not looking good at all. She wanted to support him but he actually ordered her to let him stand on his own. He was not a happy a camper. This time she followed the order – she knew when to back off.

Sam stayed silent the whole way to the ER. Fortunately it was almost empty so they took him in very soon. Jack told her he would deal with it – so she, worried and disappointed, stayed in the waiting area. She looked at herself – wearing the beautiful dress, flowers in her hair and she was alone there while Jack was being examined. And of course, he didn't want her around. Damn man!

Jack was sitting on one of the beds, feeling like a complete idiot. What had he done? He just spoiled the date by being clumsy and stupid but he also pushed Carter away – his pride was hurt and he didn't want her around. His pride! Damn. He knew the doctor was talking to him but he couldn't pay attention, not really.

"Sir…?"

"Sorry…"

"It's okay. So, Mr. O'Neill, what happened?"

"I managed to fall down from stairs. I think I broke my wrist." He told the doctor. He nodded at him and checked it out.

"I think you're right. So we will take you down to the x-ray and see, okay?"

"Sure… oh, doc, you think you could do me a favor?" He asked and the doc nodded.

Sam was sitting in the waiting area, nervous, anxious. She wished she could do something… She knew Jack was angry but still she felt sorry. She was just hoping that this would be just a minor bump on the road for them. She knew he could be an ass while being hurt but she was still hoping that this time he would not push her away. And yet he did. Well - he tried.

"Samantha Carter?" Somebody called her name suddenly.

"Yes?"

"You can come with me." The nurse said and Sam smiled at her gratefully. She took her to Jack. He looked as annoyed as always while being either in the hospital or the infirmary. No change there.

"Carter…" He said automatically when he noticed her and she wanted to forget everything, go to him and take his hand in hers. However after what happened in front of the restaurant and after they've been taken into the hospital, she decided to wait.

"I'm sorry…" He apologized. It surprised her – pleasantly.

"You are?"

"I acted like a jerk. I know it. Damned..." He muttered.

"It's okay… I'm used to it." She told him after few silent seconds and without thinking about it any longer, more sure about her place and his thoughts, she came to him, took his hand in hers and put her other hand on his forehead, caressed his skin tenderly, completely ignoring the medical staff watching them.

"Mr. O'Neill? We can take you to the x-ray now." Nurse said.

"Okay…"

"They're gonna x-ray your hand and ribs?"

"Ribs?" The nurse asked.

"Jack! You didn't tell them!"

"I told them about the hand…" He tried to defend himself. Sam gave him one of those stern looks – he knew he was in troubles – and then looked at the nurse to give her an update on the stubborn patient.

"He fell down from five stairs. Apart from breaking his wrist he also hit his head and probably bruised his ribs but he's too proud to tell you about that."

"Carter!" He couldn't believe it. She betrayed him.

"Sir, is that right?"

"Yeah, it is." He admitted reluctantly. He looked at Sam but she had a twinkle in her eyes. Soon he was shaking his head slightly but grinning at her. Maybe he wasn't in troubles that much… but he could definitely see who was in charge here.

The nurse called Jack's doctor, updated him on the situation and they agreed on checking his ribs as well. His head was okay, it didn't even need stitches.

"If everything goes well you can pick him up in an about hour and half, maybe two."

"Okay, thank you."

"Carter…" He knew he sounded a bit whiny but he really didn't want her to go.

"Do you trust me?"

"You know I do."

"Then be nice to the nurses, listen to your doctor and I will pick you up soon."

"All right." He agreed and reluctantly let go of her hand - very slowly. For a moment there their gazes locked and it actually made one of the nurses standing by blush a bit. She couldn't hold back smile though. These two people had obviously some nice plans for this evening and ending up in the ER wasn't part of the plan. But they looked really good together, they had chemistry and there was something gentle and pure connecting them. She could tell they were in love. So much was said by the way Mr. O'Neill didn't want to let go off of her hand - it spoke volumes, more than any kiss ever could.

She walked with Sam and tried the reassure her – she seemed worried.

"Don't worry, we'll take good care of him."

"If he doesn't cooperate, just threaten him with big needles, that always works."

"Oh, one of the big tough guys afraid of needles…"

With a nod and smile Sam left the hospital. She had things to take care of. She was still planning on having one hot date that evening. Maybe not in the fancy restaurant and perhaps with Jack being a bit off, but she was not about to give up.

In two hours the nurse came back to the waiting area – Sam was already there, still dressed in her beautiful red dress, still having the little clips with little roses in her hair, still looking like a princess taken away from her fairy-tale.

"Dr. Carter?" Nurse called her. She got up and walked over to her, bit surprised by being called doctor but she suspected that Jack had said something.

"Yes… how is he?"

"Well… his wrist needed re-settling. But his ribs are just a bit bruised and his head is okay. So he's gonna be completely fine in few weeks."

When Sam was about to ask about Jack's wrist, she came closer to his bed and saw him sitting there, smiling broadly, looking … high.

"Carter! You're back!"

"Of course I am… how do you feel?"

"They don't have the good stuff here… but ya know, it was just a wrist so… guess t's okay…" He told her, still smiling.

"We had to give him something against the pain. It should wear off in about thirty minutes."

"All right." Sam couldn't hold back the smile – Jack O'Neill high on pain meds could be two things – very annoying or adorable.

"Was he any troubles?"

"No, not at all, he was quite charming actually." The nurse told her and Sam noticed Jack winking at her. She couldn't believe it. He really was impossible.

"But I can take him home, right?"

"Yes, you can. I just need to give you some instructions and then he's all yours." At that Sam just nodded, told Jack she'd be back soon and walked away with the nurse.

So Sam got some instructions – nothing she hadn't seen before. Both nurse and the doctor didn't seem surprised though. But after noticing the scars on his body while doing the x-ray of his ribs, after seeing those already healed broken bones n the x-ray pictures, they couldn't be surprised. They figured that Jack had been put through something in his life. Sam explained that he was Air Force General – just that it would make some sense to them. After that they wished her luck handling him. That made her smile. They had no idea how well she knew that it could be difficult to handle Jack O'Neill. But she had her experience!

With all the medication and instructions in her purse, she helped Jack out of the hospital. He was very happy to be leaving. They waited for a cab and then took a nice way home. By the time they reached his – their house, Jack felt the pain in his wrist again. Sam was sure that the pain medication was wearing off.

Before she had a chance to open the front door, Jack stopped her.

"Sam…"

"Yes?"

"I'm really sorry about this evening. I really am."

"You don't have to be. So you fell… it happens. Besides, we've been through worse." He smiled at her after hearing that.

"I spoiled the date… I didn't plan on skipping the dinner and going to the ER."

"You didn't spoil anything…" She assured him, caressed his cheek and opened the door. They went inside and Jack gasped.

"What… how did you…?" He couldn't believe it.

Instead of answering him, she took off his jacket and led him inside to their house. After taking off her own coat she walked back into the living room, lit up several candles and joined Jack at the table. There was deliciously looking food on the table and perfect jazz music in the background.

"Sam…"

"When I went into the restaurant to cancel the table and ask them to call the cab, the manager of the restaurant wanted to talk to me. He gave me his business card and told me to call in case we'd want another reservation. They all felt bad for us. So… "

"You called him?"

"I called him. They managed to prepare some of the food that I could take with me so we could have the nice dinner here, at home. They knew it was special for us so… their chef tried really hard."

"And the jazz?"

"Whole jazz-band wouldn't fit in our living room but I thought that John Coltrane's CDs would do the trick. Unless you'd prefer somebody different."

At that he could just lean in and kiss her. And he wasn't satisfied with just one short kiss, not at all.

"What was that for?" She asked when they finally parted, breathlessly, her head blissfully spinning.

"For doing this." And he kissed her again - shortly, soundly - just to let her know that he was happy and actually having fun. "For being there with me and for me in the hospital." And again. "For not leaving." And again. "For saying things like our house, our living room and that this is our home." And again. "And I love John Coltrane…" He added as an afterthought and kissed her once more, gently, tenderly this time. Then she could only grin at him and couldn't hold back the giggles.

"You're impossible."

"Maybe…"

"You hungry?"

"Actually, yeah, I am." He admitted.

So they had their food – delicious food – together. Maybe it wasn't fancy restaurant and he didn't get the chance to hold the door open for her and pull out her chair but at least they were together, chatting nicely, occasionally touching. It was a nice date – and with Coltrane playing in the background, it was also very romantic.

The chef deserved praise because the food was perfect. They had starter, soup and then one amazing meal.

However, Sam noticed that Jack was having some troubles due to his ribs and his hand. Without asking for permission or waiting for his approval, she went to the kitchen and brought an icepack with her.

"There's no need…"

"Your hand is hurting you, don't push me away when I'm trying to help you."

"I won't be able to eat… and I really really hope there's still some dessert coming." He tried to joke. She didn't budge though. She just put a cloth over his new cast and added the icepack.

"And now swallow these, please." She said and handed him some pills.

"Now that's just evil."

"Jack… doctor's orders."

"But…"

"No buts. They're not too strong and you need them."

"All right… give them to me, Carter." And she could just grin. He was calling her Carter only to tease her – and it was damn nice!

After taking the pills, Sam decided that they could finish the dinner on the couch. She took Jack over there and made him sit down. She was enjoying that he was letting her take care of him. She sat down next to him and presented him with their dessert.

"Please, tell me it tastes at least as good as it looks…" He pleaded.

"It's better." She told him and offered him a piece. At first he didn't seem to happy about being fed but then after giving it a second thought, he let her. And soon they both were enjoying it. It was fun, real fun. They kept on talking and laughing, Sam was also giggling – she just couldn't help it.

"Hey, Sam, you're up for a dance?"

"And you?"

"Wouldn't miss the chance…"

And so they got up and not so dressed-up anymore, with no shoes, they danced in their dimly lit living room. It was a bit awkward with his cast but they managed. And it turned out to be one of the most romantic evenings in their lives.

"I don't know if I told you but I love your dress."

"I'm glad you do…"

"You are a beautiful woman but this… wow."

"One little girl told me I looked like a princess."

"Little girl?" He asked and so she told him the story from the shop. And he could only agree with the girl – Sam really looked like a princess.

Later, still slowly dancing, holding each other, Sam noticed that Jack seemed to be tired. Which was understandable – his body was hurt and he had the medication in him.

"Jack, let's go to bed."

"I can't believe I'm saying that but – no…" And again that evening, he made her giggle. Who would have thought it was possible?

"Come on…"

"I admit I was hoping we would end the date in bedroom but not like this…"

After some persuasion she made him follow her to their bedroom. And then helped him with undressing. However Jack didn't let her help him in the bathroom. Saying "I have broken wrist, I'm not dying for cryin' out loud, I can brush my own teeth" she let him be. She knew he wasn't angry at her, it was just the sort of banter they were both used to. In the meantime she took care of all the candles in the living room – she didn't want to risk setting the house on fire.

Later, she also let him watch while she was undressing – he liked the view although he told her she was being evil.

Then, after brushing her teeth and taking off all the clips from her hair, dressed in one of his t-shirts, she joined him back in the bedroom. She felt comfortable and simply content – happy and loved.

"Can I join you?"

"My left side is hurt but not my right one… so come here, Carter." He beamed at her. And so she did. She snuggled close to his side and put her arm around him while her head rested on his shoulder. She even dared to drape one of her legs over his, making herself comfortable. And he wasn't complaining, not at all.

Maybe it wasn't what he had planned for them but it was perfect first date anyway – it got crazy and they handled it – together. And that was what mattered the most.

Sam couldn't but compare their situation to one of her both favorite and hated memories – of their time on Antarctica, when she was trying to keep him alive with her body heat. Both times he was hurting and not really himself and both times she felt incredible need of protecting him, helping him taking care of him. The only difference was that now they were lying in their bed and having relationship she hadn't even dared to think about back then. She wasn't even thinking about him in those lines all those years ago. But even back then he could make her blush, smile and giggle by simple comment.

"It's my side-arm, I swear."

It made her giggle - which was the purpose of saying it, she was almost sure. It seemed like he was thinking the same as she was - or at least it was pretty close. Or maybe he really was only teasing - it didn't matter. It was cute. She turned to look at him, kissed him softly and told him she loved him. For that he had no answer. There was no need for one.

And with that – and with her in his arms – he could fall asleep. He was happy. He knew that there were things he wanted to do, things he wanted to give her, things he wanted to talk about – but those could all wait. Now it was time to go to sleep. And he was willing to do so because he had the woman he loved with him, protecting him, taking care of him – that he liked, adored even – not that he would ever tell a living soul. But he suspected that she knew anyway.

Jack kissed her forehead and closed his eyes, knowing they still had few days left, hoping he would make it up to her – later. He knew she wasn't complaining but in his eyes she simply deserved better than this. And he would do everything in his powers to give it to her.

"Stop thinking and fall asleep, Jack."

"How did you…?"

"I know you."

"Yeah, you do."

He admitted, felt her smile against his skin and felt his heart take a giant leap. This was heaven no matter what!