Chapter Four
The first rays of sunlight shining through the window woke Sam, and for a brief moment she couldn't remember where she was. The memory of the night before washed over her with a sweet warmth that brought a smile to her face. She lay still for a moment, letting the sun warm her face. She felt … new, as though somebody had come along and scrubbed the last shreds of doubt and sadness from her soul.
She rolled over to face Jack, who lay, still asleep, beside her. His face, normally so animated, was still and quiet in sleep. He seemed so vulnerable in this state, a Jack O'Neill no one ever saw.
As though he knew he was being watched, he opened his eyes and blinked sleepily at her.
"Mornin' Sam." He leaned over and kissed her, a long, lingering kiss that left her dizzy and aroused.
"Jack…" She reached for him, and he took her in his arms. She had such a passion for this man, and now that she was finally able to act on it, she felt insatiable.
Jack lost himself in her; the scent of her hair, the taste of her skin, it was so much more than he could have ever imagined. This was Sam, his 2IC. They'd faced certain death together, had buried people who mattered the world to them, but still come out strong, together, and now here they were, freeing eight years of pent-up passion, and it was more than either of them expected.
"For crying out loud, Carter," Jack wheezed, a bit of the old O'Neill humour resurfacing. "Are you trying to kill me?"
A sly wink was his only answer.
'We'd better get up. Daniel or Teal'c might try to wake me up, and if I'm not there…"
After a quick kiss, she slipped into her clothes and made a beeline for the spare bedroom.
Teal'c opened one eye, and, realising it was morning, stretched, and stood up. He and Daniel had talked until late, and, when Daniel had unexpectedly fallen asleep, Teal'c decided to kalnorim there, rather than go back to his own room. He saw that Daniel was still asleep, so he made his way out of the room, only to see Colonel Carter's door slip shut. A tiny smile graced his features. He was happy that his two friends had finally found each other.
Daniel woke slowly. He was still quite tired; it had been very late when he'd finally gone to sleep. He and Teal'c had talked of many things. Teal'c had spoken of Drey'auc and Rya'c, and even of Shan'auc, whose death had hurt him more than he would ever say. Ishta's name had brought a smile to his lips.
Daniel had talked of Sha'uri and their wonderful year together. Even for the pain her abduction and eventual death had brought him, he wouldn't have traded their brief time together for anything.
Looking around, Daniel saw that Teal'c had left the room before he'd awakened. He smiled. Try explaining THAT one. Why yes, Jack, Teal'c and I were having a sleepover.
He smiled at the thought of Jack and Sam. It was about damn time.
TBC…