AN: So, due to the fact that the writing on this story is going much slower than Consequences did, I'm going to be shooting for a chapter length of about 1200 words long instead of 1500. That extra three hundred words makes a surprising amount of difference. And if you want notes about my writing, check out my Livejournal. Any comments will go there.

Two hours later, Sam shut the door behind their friends and turned to face Jack. Now what? She leaned back on the door and studied him, reality sinking in. She hadn't lived with a guy since Jonas, and that relationship had had a lot of complications this one didn't. Besides, by the time she and Jonas had moved in together they'd been together for over a year and had known each others' habits and foibles.

"Hey," Jack said. "Whatcha thinking?"

Sam realized she'd kind of been staring. "Nothing much," she said. "I know we've got a lot of stuff to unpack, but I think I've had enough moving for one day."

"I'd have to agree with you there," Jack said. "Wanna watch a movie?"

"What'd you have in mind?" Sam asked, moving to the living room and sitting down on the couch. She surprised herself by yawning. It wasn't that late, and she hadn't been very physically active today, but suddenly she felt really tired. "Actually, I think I'd probably fall asleep in the middle," she said sheepishly.

"Ah." Jack flopped down next to her.

Sam rubbed her neck. "Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" she asked.

"No, not particularly," Jack said. He sat forward and moved her around so he could give her a backrub. It felt heavenly.

"Oh, that feels good," Sam said, closing her eyes. After concentrating on the sensations for a few minutes, she remembered what she'd wanted to ask. "Would you mind visiting a local church with me tomorrow?"

Jack didn't answer for a few minutes. "Any particular occasion?" he said at last.

"Not really. I haven't gone to church in a while, not since before I joined the SGC, but I definitely want the baby to be raised with a strong faith." Sam shrugged. "That's easier to do if you attend church regularly, so I'd like to check out the Episcopalian churches in the area. I've never been much interested in the rituals, but faith is important to me." She paused, but Jack didn't say anything. He just kept rubbing. "I know you're Catholic; we could try a Catholic church if you like. I'd prefer Episcopalian, but Catholic would be okay." With an effort, she stopped herself from babbling on to fill the silence. She'd noticed that Jack tended to be more responsive if she waited for him to talk when he was ready.

"Episcoplian's fine," he said after a while.

He stopped rubbing her shoulders, and Sam moved to snuggle into him. She waited, hoping he'd elaborate on that. If nothing else, living with Jack was going to teach her patience. She traced lazy designs on his chest while she waited.

"I haven't been inside a church since Charlie's funeral," Jack admitted in a low voice.

Sam couldn't see his face, but she wrapped her arms around him to give him support without interrupting him. She felt his body ease into hers, tension draining away. She wanted to talk, but couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't sound trite. Her mother's funeral had been bad; she couldn't imagine what going to your own child's funeral would be like.

Jack wrapped an arm about her. "Couldn't go Catholic, I'm divorced," he pointed out. "They kind of frown on that. We wouldn't be able to get married in the church without getting an annulment, which I doubt they'd grant. Baptism would also be a hassle."

"Episcopalian it is," Sam said. "There are seven Episcopalian churches in Colorado Springs. The two nearest parishes are St. Raphael's and the Chapel of Our Savior. I think we should try them first. Any preference?"

"Nope."

"Then let's check out Our Savior. Early or late service?"

"You kidding? Early service on a Sunday morning?" He shuddered. "No. Late service."

"Okay," Sam said, surprising herself by yawning again.

"And speaking of 'late,' it sounds like it's time to get you off to bed." She could hear the grin in his voice as he prodded her shoulder to get her up.

"I'm comfortable here," Sam protested half-heartedly as she swung her feet to the floor.

"Yeah, but you'd be more comfortable in bed," Jack pointed out, not letting her sag back against him. "Off we go. We've got to get you caught up on all that sleep you missed."

Sam considered protesting, wanting to put the awkwardness of getting into bed together for the first time off for as long as possible, but she was tired, despite the fact that it was only around 2200. Another yawn decided her. "You win. Bedtime it is." She stood up and stretched.

Sam stood in the master bathroom, staring at herself in the mirror. She was finished with her nightly routine, and wondering what to do next. Besides opening the door and getting in bed, obviously. Jack had shut down the house, and she could hear him rustling around out in the bedroom.

The question was sex. Jonas had been more than a bit dictatorial about it; he made it obvious when he wanted it, and if she wasn't in the mood, that was her problem. Looking back, Sam couldn't believe she'd put up with his attitude for so long. Obviously, she wasn't going to fall into the same sort of relationship again; she doubted Jack would behave like that even if she were willing to let him get away with it. Having confirmed that, however, Sam was left wondering exactly how to handle normal sexual relations. She wished, now, that she'd waited a few months to move in. It would have given them the chance to ease in to the physical side of the relationship.

Sam shook her head. She was being ridiculous; it wasn't like she could hide out in here all night. She was done with her nightly bathroom routine. She looked fine. Taking a deep breath, she reached for the doorknob.

Jack turned as she entered. "Hey," he said. He'd changed into boxers and a tank top; somewhat to her surprise, he'd put the dirty clothes in the hamper instead of leaving them out. Jonas hadn't done that, and neither had Dad or Mark.

"Hey," she replied, unsure of what to do next.

Jack brushed past her, heading for the bathroom. Sam shrugged and went over to set her alarm clock. Not that she'd need it, if they were going to late service, but it never hurt to be certain. Water was still running in the bathroom, so she dug the novel she was currently reading out of her duffel bag and settled in to the bed. They'd decided who got which side that morning when they brought her night-stand in. After they got baby furniture, Sam figured the next project was a new bedroom set; her stuff didn't go with Jack's stuff, and neither set was particularly nice or interesting or significant.

She was reading when Jack came out. He crossed over to his side of the bed and got in without a word, turning off the lamp on his side. Twenty minutes later, when Sam finished the chapter, he was asleep, his breathing not quite heavy enough to be considered snoring. Sam put away her book and turned out the lamp, feeling oddly disappointed.