Chapter 10

After a simple meal of soup and sandwiches, Sam and Jack retreated to the sofa in front of the fire. Curled securely in each others arms, they both sat quietly for a time, allowing the peace and tranquility of the evening to wrap them in its warm embrace.

"I'm being transferred to the Pentagon." Jack's words jarred Sam from her growing lassitude. She stiffened and turned to him, dread a sudden, hard lump in her throat.

"What? When?"

"Soon. Hammond wants to retire, Sam. He wants me to take his position as head of Homeworld Security. He told me about it when he was here last week."

Sam's eyes were beginning to water, her breathing became uneven as she tried desperately to control the panic rising like the tide within her.

Jack gathered her more tightly to his chest and brushed his lips across her temple. "Hey, take it easy. It'll be okay." His tone was soft and reassuring.

"How can you say that, Jack? You'll be so far away . . . we need you here." Sam was trying vainly to look somewhere else besides his eyes. Mentally, she was retreating from him, from the feelings she had begun to explore, from the possibilities she had begun to dream could be.

Jack tilted her chin until she had no choice but to meet his gaze. "We?"

Sam's breath caught and she suddenly felt very tired. "I. I need you here."

Jack felt relief surge through him. "Sam, if I take this promotion, you won't be under my direct command anymore." Jack let his words hang, hoping their meaning would sink in.

Sam was still struggling with the knowledge that Jack would be leaving the SGC, but slowly, comprehension began to win over the panic. "You mean . . .?" Sam gestured with one hand, him to her. "We'd be allowed . . .?" She still couldn't say it.

Eight years of discipline in stifling every emotion that might reveal the truth she secretly harbored was slow to give way to the growing reality that they could have a future. A real, Out-of-the-Room, future. Sam's complexion had gone from stark white when he'd first mentioned the promotion to bright red. "You're sure?"

Jack was silently amused at the gamut of emotions playing out over the face of his normally tightly controlled Colonel. "I'm sure. George and I talked it over when we discussed his retirement."

Sam didn't know how it was possible, but she felt her flush deepen. Jesus, I must look like a fire plug! "Y . . You discussed us with General Hammond?" Again Sam felt like she was trying to catch her breath. The dread that had lodged in her throat was quickly turning to anxiety.

Jack reached out and stroked her cheek, smiling gently. "It's okay, Sam. Apparently, George has known about us for a long time. He pretty much ordered me to get off my ass and talk to you."

Sam took a deep, shuddering breath and brought all of her faculties to bear on getting herself back in control. She turned to Jack and grabbed his head so they were eye-to-eye. "Okay, O'Neill, you're going to tell me everything."

Jack chuckled, "Carter, have I ever told you how cute you are when you're mad?" Amusement was written clear on his face.

Sam barked, "Spit it, Airman! All of it!"

Jack was still grinning, but he relented. He'd been through the shock already, so he could sympathize. "Okay, okay, but remember, I'm just telling you what was said. No killing the messenger!"

Sam huffed and fixed him with a glare, waiting.

"Before he died, your dad and I had a talk, or rather, Jacob talked and I listened." Jack glanced at Sam. He wasn't sure how she'd take mention of her father, but she continued to look at him.

"Jacob wanted to make sure you were happy, Sam." Jack ran out of words. He didn't know how to tell her he'd promised Jacob that he would make her happy. He was afraid Sam would find the idea offensive. She was a capable and strong woman. Jack wasn't at all sure she would accept the idea that her father wanted Jack to take care of her.

"What do you mean?" Sam could see the unease in Jack, but wanted him to continue.

Jack licked his lips and continued, "Jacob said he'd been aware of us" Jack gestured between them "for a long time. He said neither of us would be happy without the other." Jack took a deep breath and bit the bullet. "He made me promise to take care of you, Sam."

Jack was holding his breath, waiting for the explosion, but it never came. He risked a glance. Sam was chewing on her lower lip. The unconscious action sent a shot of raw desire racing through Jack and he stifled a groan.

Sam turned and looked him in the eye. "Do you want to?"

"Yes." The admission was hushed and simple, but spoke volumes and contained all the depth of his yearning. Over the years, he'd cared the only way he'd been allowed. Being her Commanding Officer had never eased the deep ache of his soul, but at least he'd been near her.

Jack blinked, his heart in his throat as he drowned in the azure pools of her eyes. "Always."

A slow smile broke over Sam's face before she leaned to capture his lips with her own. Sam's soft lips played an agonizing and unhurried dance over his, as Jack brought his hand up to tenderly stroke her cheek.

Sam's heart sang, her body flushed crimson with desire and her lips parted to accept the deep caress of his tongue over her own, as Jack's hand slid around her neck and into her hair. He pulled her gently into deepening passion, as wave after wave of desire clawed its way along ever fiber and nerve ending in his body.

They tasted and caressed, dueling tongues sweeping over teeth and gums and palette before the mad need for air brought them gasping and panting apart. Both groaned deeply at the loss, both desperate to resume the contact. Jack grasped Sam's head and looked deeply into her eyes before kissing the corner of her mouth, her nose, eyebrows. Need for her raged through him and he fought for control. He paused in his explorations and buried his head in her neck, panting heavily in her ear as he clutched her to his chest. Long moments later, he drew back to gaze again into her eyes.

"Sam, are you sure? This is what you want?"

Jack's eyes were dilated and black with passion. Sam was touched by his concern, but desire was racing heavily along her synapses; every nerve firing sharp spikes of desire up her spine. "Yes. Yes, Jack." She punctuated her affirmation by dragging his lips again to hers. Plundering his mouth with unassuaged greed.

Jack's control broke and he groaned deep into her mouth. He gathered her in his arms and stood, making his way slowly toward his bedroom.