It was evening by the time Sam and Jack left the graveside service for General Jacob Carter together. No one seemed to question Jack's unwavering presence by her side; in point of fact, it seemed to be rather expected, as expected as her constantly being flanked by Teal'c and Daniel. They were a team, a family, and that's just the way things were with SGC personnel.
Clad in their dress blues, they made quite the picture of military perfection. Not once during any of the services did Sam shed any further tears. Her grieving was something private, not to be put on display for the world. This had, at turns, both perplexed and frustrated Sam's brother Mark, who wore his grief on his sleeve for the world to see.
As they drove out of the cemetery, Jack kept a watchful eye on Sam. He was duly impressed by her stoic calm. A faint sigh escaped her lips as they crossed out of the cemetery.
"Penny for your thoughts," Jack said softly.
Sam smiled, a gentle and somehow melancholy expression filling her features. "It's just… hard to say goodbye. I'm going to miss him so much. It's funny, you know… He was gone so much during his last years, but I never missed him. It was a comfort knowing he was out there, working to make the world, hell the galaxy a safe place to live. But now that I know he's never going to come back…" Sam trailed off as her voice cracked ever so slightly.
Jack reached across the cab of his truck and clasped her hand in his. She began absently stroking the back of his hand with her thumb, and it was such a sensual thing, such an overwhelmingly personal gesture, that Jack suddenly and desperately wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless. He gripped the steering wheel hard, his knuckles turning white as he fought to control his wayward thoughts.
"It's different," Jack finished for her. "I know." He gave her hand a firm squeeze, and as she had been wont to do the past couple of days, she returned the gesture in kind.
They sat in amiable silence for the rest of the drive back to Jack's house. By prior arrangement, they were going there first to get packed. They had an early briefing the next day to look forward to before they would be able to leave for Jack's cabin, and since they wanted to be able to leave right after the briefing, they decided to get everything ready to go the evening before.
As they pulled into Jack's driveway, Sam released Jack's hand. She reached behind her to extract a small duffle bag which contained a change of clothing. Both were eager to get out of the dress uniform and into some comfortable civilian clothes.
They didn't say a word until they were inside. As Jack closed the door, he heard Sam whimper very softly.
"Hey, you okay?"
Sam sucked in a gulp of air and released it slowly before answering Jack. "I will be. I just need a moment to…"
Jack regarded her for a second, then opened his arms. "C'mere," he said quietly, and Sam moved into his arms. He held her for a long time, his head dropping down to the crook of her neck. After a while, Sam pulled back, and Jack was again impressed and concerned all at once: there was no sign of tears.
"It's okay to let it all out, you know," Jack told her. You don't always have to be the brave soldier. You've got nothin' to prove to me."
"I know." Standing there in his entry way, wrapped in his arms, Sam wanted to stay there forever. She knew, though, that even the best moments wouldn't last, and she slowly stepped back. Jack's arms dropped down to his side.
"Why don't you go get changed?" Jack suggested.
Sam nodded. "Do you mind if I borrow your shower?"
"Go for it. Towels are in the closet next to the bathroom."
"Thank you." Sam hefted up her duffle bag and walked down the hallway to Jack's bathroom.
Jack, meanwhile, decided he'd better have something to distract him from the fact that Sam Carter was about to get naked in his house, so he started fixing a pot of coffee. As that was brewing, he busied himself with some light cleaning and getting the dishwasher filled and running. Once that was all done, Jack walked down the hallway to his bedroom and changed out of his uniform into a comfortable pair of jeans and a plain black t-shirt. He then moved into the living room and stared blankly out his large picture-window.
The moment of truth was well on its way. It hadn't quite arrived yet, but Jack could feel it coming. He knew that after yesterday, things between him and Sam would never be the same as they had been the past several years. The status quo was no longer sufficient, the regulations were a weak barrier at best, and Jack was ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation.
He wanted her. Needed her. Loved her. Jack struggled for a moment trying to recall a time when he didn't feel all those things for her that he wasn't supposed to, then gave up, realizing that he had from the moment they met. When he told her all those years ago that he adored her already, he had meant it with a sincerity he only just now fully comprehended.
Deciding that there was a definite chill in the early spring air, Jack moved to the fireplace and settled into the busywork of creating a roaring fire. As he did so, his thoughts continued to stray down the hall to the woman who was slowly driving him mad with longing and pent up frustration. Eight years of unresolved sexual tension could do terrible things to a person. He wanted to march down the hall and join her in the shower, just to see her dripping wet from head to toe. Heaving a sigh as he lit the kindling, Jack stood. He watched as the flames slowly spread.
He heard the shower shut off and decided to check on the coffee. By the time Sam strolled into the kitchen, he had two mugs of the dark brew ready and waiting.
She was dressed quite casually, in jeans and a pale blue sweater that made her eyes appear crystalline blue. Her short hair was still damp, but Jack really wanted to run his fingers through it. He shoved his hands in his pockets, deciding to let her take the lead for a change. He offered her the cup of coffee, and she accepted it with a smile of gratitude.
"There's a fire going in the living room, if you want to warm up some more," Jack offered.
Sam nodded and they both turned and went back to the living room. Sam went straight to the fireplace, the flames instantly mesmerizing her as she set herself down a few feet away. It was then that Jack noticed she was barefoot and her toenails were painted a delicate shade of pink. Jack swallowed hard as he was reminded again just what an attractive woman Samantha Carter was.
They sat in silence again, both staring into the flames and letting their thoughts wander freely. After a while, Sam turned her head and looked at Jack. She licked her lips, an action Jack just caught out of the corner of his eye, and he felt a surge of desire flood his body. He turned his gaze to her, offering her what he hoped appeared as a friendly smile.
"This is nice," Sam said quietly. She took a sip of her coffee as she watched Jack.
"Yes, it is," Jack said with a grin.
"I want to thank you again for all your support today." Sam reached out one hand, and Jack met her half way, their fingers entwining. "I don't know how I'd have made it through without you."
"Oh, you'd have been fine. But I'm glad I could be there for you." Jack tugged gently on her arm and Sam scooted a bit closer to him. He draped his free arm over her shoulders and pulled her in close to him. Jack pulled his hand away from hers and reached up to touch her face. "We've waited a long time for this, haven't we?"
Sam nodded, her eyes brightly sparkling in the firelight. "Eight years," she answered. She lifted her hand and placed it on top of his as he continued to caress her cheek. Then she lifted it again and brought it over to caress his face. Her touch was feather-soft, and almost enough to send Jack over the edge. Then he felt her pulling his head towards her; he watched as her gaze shifted from his eyes down to his mouth. A smile began to fill his features, and then it vanished beneath the touch of her lips.
She sighed into his mouth as their lips connected. Slowly, leisurely, even, Sam explored his mouth. Her lips pressed into his, and her tongue darted out to capture a taste of him. Jack tilted his head, moving his lips across hers and gently coaxing her to open up beneath him. When her tongue darted out a second time, he was ready, and he met her with his own tongue, tasting, stroking, gently at first, but with growing exigency.
For a long while, they simply explored. Sam brought her hands up to Jack's hair, her fingers ruffling his soft locks. Jack brought one hand up to do the same to her, as his other hand wrapped around her, pulling her into him even closer than before. Passion and desire were building up, demanding release, and Jack fought hard to keep them in check. It wasn't time to let go yet.
Sam was the one to finally pull away and break off the kiss. She stared at him, her eyes glossy and her cheeks flushed.
"Wow." The single word seemed to echo between them for a second. "We should have done that years ago," Sam mused.
"Yes, well… let's not dwell." Jack let her pull back a bit, but kept one arm firmly wrapped around her.
"Jack," Sam began. "I need you to know… I never stopped loving you. I tried to ignore those feelings, even to change them, or make them go away, but it never worked… I just… wanted you to know that."
Jack reached up and touched her cheek, his long fingers trailing down the line of her jawbone. "I've always loved you," Jack confessed quietly. "From the moment we met… I knew that you were someone very special, and that I was lucky to have you come into my life."
Sam smiled, and for the first time since her father passed, it was one of those brilliant beams that seemed to light up even the darkest of rooms and hearts. Jack could feel his heart melting in response. He pulled her head close to his and kissed her once more. As his lips connected with hers, he felt her smile melt into something different, something passionate and desirous. He sighed into her mouth, his tongue flicking out to taste her lips once more.
Sam moaned in response as she met him thrust for thrust. She sucked on his lower lip, and then she teased him with her tongue. A low rumbling growl emanating from Jack's chest could just be heard over the roar of the fire and the rushing sound of blood flowing through her veins. It brought a smile to her face even as she continued kissing him.
Jack was the one to break it off this time. He pulled back just enough to focus on her eyes.
"Stay with me tonight, Sam." It was a simple request, a plea even, and Jack felt like his life was hanging in the balance as he waited for her answer.
Sam slowly nodded her head. When she spoke her voice was low and husky, and quite probably the sexiest sound Jack had ever heard. "I'd love to."
Jack stood up slowly, pulling Sam up along with him. He pressed his lips to hers one more time before taking her hand and leading her to the bedroom. When they reached the doorway, Jack stopped.
"You sure you're ready for this?" Jack's concern for her was written not just on his face, but across his entire body.
Sam simply smiled and pulled their joined hands up to her face. She placed a soft kiss on the back of his hand. Then she turned his hand over and placed another kiss on the palm of his hand. Jack thought it might be one of the most erotic gestures he'd experienced. He pulled her face back to his for another hot, searing kiss. As their mouths merged and blended, Jack knew without a doubt that the moment of truth had arrived, and the truth set them both free—free to live and love together for as long as humanly possible.