A/N: This is my second upload. The first, oddly, chopped off the bottom of the chapter.

Thanks, as always, for the reviews. I'm in Stargate heaven this week. In preparation for the return of my Jack in 200, (squee!) I've been re-watching all the episodes in order, starting with Children of the Gods. I'm just wrapping up season 4 – which, incidentally, was one totally kick-ass season. There's really only one thing that could possibly top the one-two punch of Divide and Conquer followed by Window of Opportunity and that would be some actual, real-time, non-parallel-universe, not-induced-by-pathogens, not-hallucinated-after-head-trauma, lip-locking, IN YOUR FACE, SAM AND JACK SHIP.

Shew. Sorry 'bout that. I'm reeling from all that UST in the early seasons. (I'd completely forgotten about the scene from Out of Mind where Jack wakes Sam up from her cryogenic sleep – he's totally imagining her naked under that blanket!) I really miss those snuck-in-under-the-radar sexually charged moments. Anyway, having consumed many consecutive hours of SG-1, my creative juices are now really flowing. I should not only have this story (and, thus, the trilogy) wrapped up in the next few chapters, but I've also been recently inspired with a whopper of a new story idea. Promise I'm going to knock your socks off in the next few weeks.

My only apology is that this chapter is pure, unmitigated fluff. Sorry, but I'm in that kind of mood!

Chapter 20

Thanking the airman who held open the door to Sha're's quarters, Daniel pushed her wheelchair into the room and waited for the door to close behind them. Looking down at her calm but pale face, he smiled uncertainly. "Are you feeling okay?"

Sha're laughed and reassured him with her eyes. "I am feeling well, Daniel. Doctor Brightman will be checking my vital signs regularly, so you need not worry."

Daniel carefully knelt down in front of her wheelchair, taking her hands in his. "Until we figure out why this happened, I am going to worry." Smiling tenderly, he found himself getting lost in the depths of her dark eyes.

Sha're felt her heart skip a beat as his intense, blue gaze swept over her. "Samantha and Jack are working very hard to find answers for me," she whispered gratefully. "They are very good friends, are they not?"

"The best," he agreed softly. There was no question about it; Sam and Jack were going above and beyond the call of duty for them. Thinking about all that was at stake, Daniel reflexively reached up and brushed a lock of hair from Sha're's face. Ever since they'd spoken their feelings for each other, he'd been unable to stop touching her. It was as if he was afraid he'd find she wasn't really there.

Sha're seemed to understand his actions. Without thinking, she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Daniel's lips. Pulling away a few millimeters, she whispered softly, "I am glad you are here with me, my Daniel."

Exhaling softly, Daniel closed his eyes and reached up to cup her face with his hands. Without another word, he drew her mouth to his for a sweetly passionate kiss. As her arms slowly entwined themselves around his chest, he felt a sense of rightness sweep over him. For the first time in years, his whole life seemed to be in balance. The dark grief and painful fury which had driven him since her enslavement and death were suddenly and blissfully absent. All that remained was a sense of peace and contentment so complete; he thought he might start glowing from the brilliance of it.

Making a soft noise of desire, Sha're leaned forcefully into the kiss, reveling in the warmth and security of his embrace. There was both a newness and a familiarity to his touch, she couldn't completely assimilate the two emotions. The one thing she was absolutely sure of, however, was that she wanted much, much more of him. To that end, she began undoing the buttons on the front of his shirt, impatiently tugging on the tiny fasteners when they resisted.

When cool air whispered against his collarbone, Daniel suddenly realized what his eager companion was doing. Sucking in a sharp breath, he pulled away, gently placing a hand over her roving fingers. "Whoa, Sha're, I think maybe we should slow down."

Instantly becoming still, she blushed furiously and looked at the floor. "I am sorry for being so bold," she whispered quietly. "Of course I would not push you to do something you did not want to do."

Hearing the anxiety and embarrassment in her voice, Daniel felt instantly remorseful. "Sha're, I don't think you understand." Gently tilting her chin upward, he waited until her dark eyes met his before continuing. "It's not that I don't want you," he said softly, "it's just that you're on your way back from a hospital room. I wouldn't want to overtax you."

Sha're saw the sincerity in his eyes and immediately felt a wave of relief and happiness wash over her. Then, blushing slightly, she met his gaze boldly. "I would like it very much if you overtaxed me, Daniel." Seeing his eyes widen with a combination of surprise and desire, she forged ahead. "For many weeks, I have been remembering the joys of our marriage bed. Sometimes," she admitted, turning beet-red, "at very inopportune moments."

Choking at the frankness of her words, Daniel felt himself growing a little pink. Then, as he considered her admission, he found himself grinning. "And here I thought I was alone in that respect."

An answering smile grew on Sha're's delicate features. "I have been most anxious to discover if my memories are accurate. Perhaps you would assist me in this matter?"

Temptation warred with concern in Daniel's mind. Looking her in the eyes, he seemed to be examining her for signs of fatigue or weakness. "Are you sure? Sha're, I'm not going anywhere. We really can wait until you've gotten some rest."

Eyes darkening with passion, she slowly shook her head. "My Daniel, I have slept for an entire day. I need no more rest." Then, spearing him with a smoldering gaze, she smiled seductively. "And perhaps you feel capable of waiting for this, but I assure you," she whispered, leaning forward for another intense kiss, "I cannot."

Gazing tenderly into a pair of chocolate-brown eyes, Sam sighed contentedly. "I can't believe how much I love you," she whispered, leaning forward to place a gentle kiss on the tip of an adorably small nose.

Responding to his mama's soft tone, Baby Jonathan blinked, yawned contentedly and cooed something unintelligible.

Across the living room, Jack sat in an overstuffed easy chair, patting his daughter gently on the back while enjoying the scene of domestic bliss before him. "Good to see he has his father's way with words," he quipped dryly.

Looking up, Sam smiled brilliantly at her husband. "Not to mention his dashing good looks," she said quietly. Glancing back at the toddler in her arms, she sighed happily. "Don't tell your dada, Jonathan, but I'm in love with another man."

Jack just smiled and shook his head. "That's all right, I forgive you," he murmured, tenderly brushing his fingers down the smooth, pudgy arm which Janelle had firmly latched around his chest. "After all, I keep winding up with another woman in my bed."

Sam laughed ruefully. "One of these days, she'll sleep through the night again." Looking affectionately at the slumbering little girl cuddled up in her daddy's arms, she couldn't help feeling a sense of absolute peace.

Rolling his eyes, Jack didn't look convinced. "I'm not sure I believe that anymore. First it was colic. Then it was ear infections. Now it's teething. I think we should just resign ourselves to the fact that we won't get a full night's sleep again until they're eighteen."

She chuckled. "You're probably right." With a fluttery sigh, Jonathan finally closed his eyes. "Well, this one is just about down for the count. How about yours?"

Jack examined his daughter carefully. "Out like a light." He smiled slightly. "For now, anyway."

With a wordless exchange that had always been a hallmark of their relationship, Sam and Jack stood in unison and walked slowly toward the nursery. As they gently lay their precious bundles into their awaiting cribs, Sam realized she'd never been so content in her entire life. Taking Jack's hand, she slowly led him from the room, shutting the door quietly behind them.

Jack eyed his wife knowingly. "You okay?" he asked, sounding somewhat concerned.

She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "I'm better than okay." Glancing at the door to the nursery, she shook her head. "Hard to believe they're almost a year old now."

Nodding, Jack pulled her up against his side as they walked back to the living room. "Hard to believe we're married with two kids and a house in the suburbs," he replied, sounding somewhat amazed by the facts, even as he spoke them.

Sam looked up at him, blinking away sudden tears. "I'll be the first to admit, there were times I didn't think we'd ever get here."

He stared at her intensely. "No regrets," he whispered, brushing his fingers against her cheek.

She took a deep, shuddering breath. "How could I have regrets?" she whispered past the lump in her throat. "I have everything I've ever wanted in life."

Jack smiled, a faintly incredulous look appearing on his chiseled features. "I'll agree that the kids are spectacular," he said gruffly, "but I'll never know what a gorgeous, super-genius like you ever saw in that beat-up old loser that you married."

Sam pushed him down onto the sofa, climbing on top of him so that her legs straddled his lap. "Watch what you say about him," she warned, "I get pretty ticked off when people insult the man I love."

He shrugged. "Just calling it like I see it." The twinkle in his eyes said that he looked forward to any retribution she might be tempted to dole out.

Rising to the challenge, Sam snaked her arms around his neck. "Wanna know what I see when I look at him?"

Jack drew her snugly against his chest. "Do I have a choice?" he asked, sounding both amused and resigned.

"Nope." Sam speared him with a meaningful look. "No choice at all." Leaning so that her lips were a hairs' breadth away from his, she spoke in the softest of whispers. "When I look at my husband, I see a strong, capable man with a heart of gold and wisdom far beyond his years. I see someone who puts the well-being of others before himself, and who isn't afraid to laugh when life is funny. Mostly," she murmured, meeting his brown eyes fiercely, "I see the one person who values and understands me like no one else in creation."

Momentarily closing the distance between their lips, Jack brushed a light caress onto her mouth. "Well, Sam, nobody can argue that you're not brilliant," he said against her lips, "but it's really a shame that you're completely off your rocker."

Sam laughed and shook her head. "So you're always telling me," she replied affectionately. "Are you sure you can put up with such a nutcase?"

Jack appeared to ponder the question for a moment. "Considering that the rest of you is pretty much perfect, I think it's a flaw I can live with."

Settling her mouth back upon his, Sam's only response was an inarticulate noise of sheer bliss.

Silent as a shadow, a dark shape slipped down the deserted subterranean corridor. With the grace of a deadly predator, the lone figure approached his target, confident that his steps were both unnoticed and untraceable. Gloved hands slid a white pass-card into the electronic lock with a single, bold swipe. A smile touched his face as the LED changed from red to green, evidence that all was going according to plan. Silently opening the door to the laboratory, the figure made his way in and out in mere seconds. As he gently pulled the door closed behind him, he gazed triumphantly at the bulky, cylindrical shape contained within the fabric sack at his side. Mentally calculating the time he had left before the security cameras came back online, the intruder felt his smile widen into a deadly grin.

This, he decided, had been far too easy.