Something To Talk About

Summary: Gossip turns up about a relationship, and Sam Carter asks John Sheppard to take care of it. It leads to guitar playing and a relationship blooming . . . Set in Season Four, includes Jack/Sam romance . . . Well, we're obligated to keep it going, they're the pair that started all this!!!

Genres: Fluff and Slush, General, Humor, Other/Misc, Romance

Warnings: None

Rating: PG

Chapter Title: Chapter 4 -- "Preparations"

Author's Notes: Jack and Sam's relationship progresses -- and John and Elizabeth's relationship "accidentally" is found out.

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Chapter 4 -- "Preparations"

Sam Carter awoke the next morning, the sunlight gently peeking through her windows and over the form laying next to her, facing her with a bright smile of his own. She smiled shyly, remembering how the stroll to his guest quarters had stopped at hers to let her off, but he had stepped forward, embracing her, and that was all she needed to know that he wasn't going anywhere that night.

Nothing "wrong" had happened. They were still fully dressed, as sleeping circumstances allowed. He was wearing his black shirt and a pair of his green trousers. She was wearing a non-revealing black tank and pants, but Jack had a tendency to let his hand wander over her shoulder, frequently pulling down the strap and then pushing it softly back into place.

He was in the middle of pushing it back when he softly murmured, "G'morning."

"Morning," she replied, unable to wipe the smile off her face. Her smile always manifested itself whenever Jack was near. She quietly gritted her teeth; if she was in the middle of a briefing and he walked into the room and she started grinning like an idiot, it would take another idiot not to notice what was going on.

But she ignored it for now. Today was a low-key day, not much was happening. And if Rodney decided to try to blow something up, she knew that John and Elizabeth would take care of it.

Almost as if he was reading her thoughts, he asked, "So . . . whaddya wanna do today?"

"I'm half-tempted to just stay here, have breakfast ordered in, maybe go back to sleep."

Jack chuckled. "Nice to know I'm finally rubbing off on you after ten years."

"All right. What do you wanna do?"

"Frankly," he said, moving his fingers up to graze her cheek, "your idea is great. But--"

"But what?"

"You weren't the only one to see me come through the 'Gate last night. And if I don't make a public appearance, then somebody's gonna start talking."

"Oh, yeah. Crap." She sighed and moved the blanket down to her feet, starting to get out of bed and thinking about what she needed to do--

--Until Jack reached over and grabbed her arm.

"But I think if I sleep in, everybody else will understand. Hey, make an announcement, tell everyone they can sleep in this morning. Can't ya do that?"

"I can, but they'd start talking," she grinned, moving back to Jack, her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms through hers and his hands met and pulled tight against her. She took a breath and let it out in a relaxed sigh.

Behind her, Jack kissed her hair. "Sam?"

"Yeah?" she said, staring towards the door, almost willing it to automatically bolt shut forever.

"I love you."

Sam forgot to breath for a second, but when she gathered herself, she slowly turned over in Jack's arms. He probably had the impression that it was the wrong thing to say right now, but when she matched his gaze, she was slightly smiling, one solitary tear sliding down her cheek.

"I love you too. God, Jack, you know how long I've been waiting to hear that?"

"Yeah. And I think such perseverance should be rewarded."

"How?"

He stretched and kissed her tenderly on the lips; and she promptly forgot everything about the Stargate, Atlantis, the USAF, everything. For that moment, they were Jack O'Neill and Sam Carter, just the way things should be, she thought as she kissed him back.

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Elizabeth Weir had received a call from Colonel Carter, asking if she would mind keeping an eye on things. And yes, she had said, that means you get your desk back for a while.

Elizabeth acknowledged it and ended the call, then promptly called John Sheppard. This would only work to help their plan. So Elizabeth was back in her old office, sitting with the computer and a full cup of coffee.

Once John got to her office, she called Rodney McKay, asking first, where was he; second, how long would it take to get to the control room. Once he told her, and a nod from John confirmed it, she ended that call and looked at John for a minute before standing up.

"Do you really think this will work?" Elizabeth asked, crossing her arms and walking to face him.

"Yeah, positive. McKay is a gossip. He just needs something to talk about," he said, wagging his eyebrows at her.

She smiled. "All right. Just make sure that no one mentions anything about Jack or Sam. I would like to have the report by lunch, if possible," she quickly said, changing the subject as she saw Rodney walking to the office.

"Yes, ma'am," John said, winking before he touched her cheek, leaned forward and kissed her in plain sight of anyone that was around. He turned around and walked out, passing Rodney, who had stopped in his tracks. Acting as if nothing had happened, he patted his shoulder. "Hey, McKay. Huh, it rhymes. Who da thunk?"

Elizabeth sat down at the desk, opening the laptop and intently playing a game of Solitaire until Rodney had gathered his senses and walked into her office.

"Wow . . . So, um, I mean, how long has that been going on?"

"Sorry?" she responded, not looking up.

"Sheppard just kissed you!" Rodney almost shouted. "How long has this been going on?"

She sighed, appearing as if he'd just interrupted a heavy load of work. Closing the lid on the computer, she said, "Rodney, I honestly have no idea what you are talking about. However, I would like it if you could please give me your personnel report by lunch?"

"I told you once, I don't know these people, regardless of how long they've been here. I only know who irritates me and how long have you and Sheppard been a thing?"

Unfazed, just as she'd planned, she replied, "Thank you, Rodney, that'll be all." She opened the laptop again and concentrated on her game.

Rodney stood there, slightly embarrassed, until he tucked tail and stalked out of the room.

Elizabeth downsized Solitaire and pulled up a webcam program that automatically sent a message to John's laptop. He opened it and said, "Well?"

"Rodney should be talking to Dr. Keller, Dr. Heightmeyer, maybe Colonel Carter and anyone else that crosses paths with him about what he just saw. Or, what he thinks he just saw."

"I love technology," John sang. "I'll let you know when the cameras are fixed. Sheppard out."

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John Sheppard was sitting on a chair in his room, his laptop perched on the small table in front of him. He had tapped into the camera system and replaced the video footage from Elizabeth's -- Sam's -- office. He was still having a hard time getting used to that. For three long, tough years, Elizabeth had fought to keep that room for herself. It still belonged to her.

He had just finished messing with the camera system, his hand on his earpiece to call Elizabeth, when he noticed odd movement on one of the small screens. Outside of Samantha Carter's quarters, she was exiting -- hand in hand with Jack O'Neill.

John slightly smiled. "Oh cute," he whispered, thinking about his plans. "Stupid, but cute."

And then an internal alarm went off as he saw Rodney McKay on another screen, rounding the corner to her quarters. And why was it that fate had them walking in the same direction?

He made a snap decision. He touched his earpiece. "McKay, there's been an explosion in the control center. Get up here as soon as you can."

As the transporter was behind him, he turned around and ran back, avoiding Jack and Sam coming around the corner, still holding hands.

John sighed and leaned back in his chair, running his hands down his face. "Elizabeth," he said, touching his earpiece, "the cameras are fixed."

"But?"

"But," he said, still staring at the screen, "we might have another problem."

TBC