AN: I hope you are all checking out my new e-books. I enjoy writing but it wouldn't be the same without you, the readers. xxx ziva aka MarieCaron .com
Chapter Two
Saturday afternoon at the Frasier house was quickly turning into a free-for-all; everyone at the SGC who heard about the party had showed up! They were apparently all thinking it was about time that they had gotten together. And the recent successful mission of SG-1 just made them even more anxious to celebrate!
A familiar looking man opened the front door just as Janet was carrying two big baskets of potato chips from the kitchen. Sam came in behind him, and Janet greeted her with obvious relief.
"There you are! I was beginning to think you weren't coming! I need your help!" Janet put the baskets down on the kitchen counter and grabbed the zip lock baggy containing Sam's chicken breast, tossing it into the fridge. Then she picked up the baskets of chips again and headed for the back door, yelling orders at Sam.
"There's bread on the counter that needs slicing, and there's a green salad to put together. Go ahead and get started!"
Sam was not too eager to go out in the back yard in her skimpy swim suit, which was currently covered up by a huge T-shirt and a pair of short shorts. In fact she never wore the suit except when sun bathing, which she really never did anymore. So she was actually relieved to work in the kitchen.
The guy Sam had followed inside worked as a mechanic on base. Sam had seen him around a few times, but she had no idea what his name was or what he was doing here. He hurried to hold open the back door for Janet, and she gratefully slipped through carrying the baskets of chips.
Sam dropped her beach towel and purse on the family room sofa, with the piles of guests' personal belongings, and went into the kitchen. By the time Janet whizzed back inside, Sam had sliced the French bread and was wondering what to do with it.
"Put it in these, so it will still be fresh when the meat's done," she instructed, laying two plastic zip lock bags on the counter, before turning to get the salad ingredients out of the refrigerator.
"Who was that guy who came in with me? And who are all those people outside?" Sam was looking out of the window above the kitchen counter as she dropped the pieces of bread into a plastic bag.
"His name is Arnold...Vince Arnold. He's in maintenance. I spoke to his supervisor yesterday, and he said his crew has been working over-time to get the old base in tip-top shape. You know that except for NORAD it was pretty much abandoned for years. Anyway, I kinda felt sorry for them, and you know me..."
"Janet, you're too nice for your own good," Sam told her, bumping the petite woman's hip with her own. She had to crunch down a bit to do it though, as she was six inches taller than Janet's five-foot-three frame.
"I know, honey. I'm a glutton for punishment. I'm gonna be cleaning up after this party for a week! But I really don't mind...it's nice to have the back yard filled with laughter. Since I'm single, it's usually just me...or sometimes my nieces and nephews when they're not in school.
I'm glad you came today, Sam. I wasn't sure you would. And I see you wore the pink bikini that's been gathering dust in your closet. Good for you!"
Sam had begun to wash the tomatoes for the salad.
"I came to celebrate SG-1's mission, and for you, Janet. And the suit may or may not see the light of day," Sam admitted. I'm so pale, Janet, that I look like a ghost!"
"You should come over regularly and use the pool. In fact, I'll give you a key, and that way you'll have the use of the bathroom too."
"Thanks! I'd like that. I hate living in an apartment. I miss having a private yard, and the pool would be great for exercise. Have you lived here long?"
She stared out at the yard with its green grassy area and the large in-ground swimming pool, which was now full of shouting, laughing people. They were apparently playing a game of volley ball. Sam watched as Tony Ferretti spiked the ball right into John Siler's forehead. Ooooh, that had to hurt!
"I've been here for almost six years now. I was stationed at Peterson before applying to the SGC. That's where I met Jack O'Neill, by the way. He and I go way back," she said, watching Sam's face for any reaction. She was not disappointed when she saw Sam swallow and look down at her still hands. Hearing Jack's name, Sam had totally forgotten about washing the tomatoes.
"I think those tomatoes are clean enough, Sam. You can cut them up, and then start on the cucumbers. By the way, I've been meaning to say something to you about Jack. He's..."
Before Janet could complete her thought, a familiar voice made her stop.
"Howdy,campers! I hear the party has started without me! In fact I could hear you guys all the way down the block...which is where I had to park by the way. You always did know how to throw a party, Jan. So where do you want these beers and sodas?"
Jack had strolled into the kitchen as though he felt right at home, and Sam had been shocked by his sudden appearance. She knew he was going to be here at the party, but she wasn't prepared for him to come into the kitchen where she was trying to hide out.
He sat the cases of drinks down on the end of the kitchen counter, as Janet went over to say 'hello' to him. Sam watched as he drew Janet's bikini-clad body into his arms and hugged her, giving her a quick peck on the lips.
Sam didn't feel jealous exactly, but she did envy Janet's relaxed attitude around him. They were obviously good friends, and that was something that Sam never hoped to be with Jack. She figured she'd be lucky if he even remembered her name, so his greeting almost made her drop the knife she was holding.
"Hey there, Sam! Are you feeling better?"
Sam swallowed hard as her throat began to feel tight and dry. When she answered him, her voice sounded strangled.
"I'm fine! I'm just slicing tomatoes," she croaked, and then she mentally kicked herself for saying something so boring and obvious. God, she acted like a complete moron when he was around!
"I see that," he said, coming up behind her. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck as he reached around her and stole a piece of the red, ripe fruit and held it up to his mouth. Sam watched over her shoulder as his lips wrapped around the red morsel and sucked. He closed his eyes and moaned, and she thought her knees would buckle. She quickly took a breath and willed herself not to collapse again.
"Come on, Jack. Stop bothering Sam! You need to carry these drinks out to the coolers on the back porch. You can put them down in the ice," Janet suggested, and Jack immediately turned back to the drinks. He picked them up as though they were lighter than air and followed Janet to the back door, which she held open for him.
The noise attracted his attention to the people in the swimming pool, and a big grin formed on his face.
"A volley ball game! Great! Hey, Jan, before we eat, we need to show those wimps what a real team can do! Sam, you're tall so we could use your help. Lose those clothes and drop that knife; you're getting in the pool!"
Sam looked up questioningly at Janet, who was pushing Jack out the door with one hand, the other one clutching a stack of black trash bags.
"You heard the man, Sam! Put that stuff in the fridge and get out here, girl!"
While Sam didn't really want to play volley ball or even go outside dressed in only her swim suit, she didn't feel she had a choice. So with trembling hands she dumped the tomatoes into the salad bowl and set it in the refrigerator.
Then she went to the bathroom to wash her hands and remove her shirt and shorts. She even took time to fold them, which would probably seem silly to anyone else, but that was just who she was...organized and neat to a fault.
She came out of the bathroom slowly and headed for her towel which she had dropped on the sofa, hoping no one would come inside and see her so skimpily clad. She was hoping she could make a mad dash for the pool and submerge herself in the water! But of course, as her luck had been going lately, she was not going to be given the chance to hide under the water or any place else.
The doorbell rang, and Sam thought perhaps the person would just come on in, but they didn't. The bell sounded again, so she slipped out of her sandals and went over to open the door. She was pleasantly surprised to see the contagious smile of Dr. Daniel Jackson, who had his arms full of stuff. Apparently he had used his chin to ring the bell, because the skin now had a little indentation from pressing so hard!
"Hi there! Sam, is it? I remember you from the other day. You're all better now I see," he commented, looking down at Sam's body in the tiny, pink suit. Sam blushed, but she remembered her manners with a smile.
"Yes, all better. Come on in! Everyone's out in the back yard. Mmmmm, something smells good!"
Daniel came in carrying a huge, covered bowl of something that Sam couldn't identify by the smell. On top of the bowl were packages of paper cups, napkins and some other items.
"It's couscous salad," he told her. The recipe is from a friend of mine. She lives in Egypt," he informed her, as she ushered him into the kitchen.
"It smells good. I think we can fit it into the fridge, if we just..." She was bent over, her head inside the refrigerator. Daniel stood right behind her as she shifted things about to make a space for his big bowl. Suddenly she heard Jack's voice somewhere behind them.
"Jackson, what the hell are you doing? Late as usual," Jack shouted, and Sam quickly straightened up. She took the bowl out of Daniel's hands and put it inside the fridge. Then she shut the door and turned around to find Jack giving Dr. Jackson an affectionate punch in the stomach. It looked hard enough to hurt, but Daniel didn't even flinch.
When Daniel removed his sleeveless shirt, she could see why Jack's jab hadn't hurt him. The man was really ripped! Sam couldn't stop staring at his abs, and his biceps weren't bad either!
And while she stared in awe at Daniel's physique, Jack was checking out Sam's body, wondering why he hadn't really noticed her before the choking incident. He stared openly at her full breasts, barely covered by the tiny cups of her suit. Her legs, which were long and shapely, led up to a flat tummy. And there in the center was something he never would have expected of someone who seemed so demure...a belly button ring!
Janet swept into the room in her now wet bathing suit, dripping water on the floor and leaving a wet impression on Daniel's swim trunks as she pressed her body into his...giving him a very warm welcome. And suddenly Sam realized something she had not known before; Daniel and Janet were sleeping together!
"Why Dr. Jackson, it was so good of you to come," Janet drawled in an over-the-top Southern accent, lifting her face to be kissed. And Daniel didn't disappoint her. He wrapped both arms around her and lifted her off the floor as he kissed her passionately.
"Ack! Come on, you two," Jack shouted impatiently. "Save that for later! I've challenged Ferretti to a volley ball game. We've got Kawalski, Sanchez, you, Janet, me and Sam. I know we can take 'em!"
Jack pulled off his shirt and threw it onto the kitchen counter before grabbing Sam's hand and pulling her out the back door. She barely had time to check out his toned chest with the smattering of gray and brown hairs, before she was thrust into the crowd with him. Sam certainly had no time to worry about how she was dressed...or undressed, and she really wasn't feeling so naked now anyway.
Jack's enthusiasm was contagious, and Sam was beginning to feel more comfortable with him by her side. But her comfort would soon turn to sexual tension, as Jack worked his magic on her.
Once out on the patio, Jack pulled her close to him and put his hand in the middle of her back, guiding her around the throngs of people who were standing on the patio talking and laughing. Several slapped Jack on the back and congratulated him a mission well done, and a few even applauded.
Being with him made Sam feel special and important too, a feeling she hadn't had since her high school days when she had played on the girls' softball team. She smiled at everyone's comments to Jack, and a few women looked at her with obvious envy.
Jack responded by taking fake bows and pretending to throw kisses to the crowd, while steering Sam toward the yard with one large hand around her waist. Before Sam knew it, she was standing at the edge of the swimming pool. And in another second she felt herself falling toward the water with Jack's arms around her waist. She automatically held her breath when her head submerged, and then she blew air out of her nose and kicked to the surface.
Fortunately for her, she was a strong swimmer. So even though she couldn't feel the bottom with her feet, she turned about and found Jack behind her, a sheepish smile on his face. He treaded water and moved closer to her, putting one arm affectionately around her waist to pull her to within mere inches of him.
Her legs were now in between his, and she was having difficulty moving without brushing her thighs against his. Sam's heart began to do a rumba in her chest, as she watched his lips moving closer and closer.
"Sorry. I wasn't thinking. I'm very relieved you know how to swim," he said quietly, his lips brushing her ear. "I wouldn't want to drown you, although resuscitating you would certainly be fun."
He backed away from her slowly and grinned, and suddenly Sam felt herself gush between the legs. She was so embarrassed that she swam away from him, heading for the far side of the pool.
The opposing team was just beginning to gather at the shallow end of the pool. Besides Tony Ferretti there was Captain Paul Davis, Tech. Sgt. John Siler, Sgt. Amy Watson, Nurse Pat Blake, and Nursing trainee Diana Weber.
Jack looked them over and compared them to his chosen team. He felt confident that his team could win, but first he needed to get all of them into the damned pool!
"Hey, listen up! O'Neill team in the water now," Jack shouted, but no one seemed to be listening to him...except Sgt. Siler that is.
"Hey, you guys, I think your great and fearless leader, Colonel O'Neill, is demanding an audience," Siler announced, as he looked toward the patio where Daniel and the remaining members of Jack's team were laughing about something.
Tony Ferretti slapped the back of his Siler's head, wondering if that ball he had spiked earlier had damaged more than just Siler's nose; sometimes the man didn't seem to have any sense of self-protection!
"Jesus, Siler, you're really bucking for it. Just remember...when Jack comes to kick your sorry ass from here to Kuwait, I won't be around to help you," Tony told him, and Siler just grinned sheepishly.
Daniel tapped Janet on the shoulder and they left the shelter of the covered patio with Marie Sanchez and Charlie Kawalski in their wake. Daniel was rubbing sun screen on Janet's shoulders and back as they walked toward the deep end of the pool, and that's when it occurred to Sam that she hadn't put any sun block on at all! And it was inside the house in her purse!
The other four team members finally jumped into the water, and Jack felt his excitement grow. There was nothing he loved more than a good game of water volley ball and an opportunity to show off his athletic skills. But then Jack noticed that Sam had begun to swim to the shallow end of the pool, and he reacted in frustration.
"Now what? Hey, Sam, where the hell are you going?" Jack shouted at her.
Not intimidated by his harshness, Sam shouted back, "I forgot to put on my sun block."
Suddenly she felt a hand around her ankle as Jack prevented her from swimming any further. God the man was quick! He immediately let go of her, and she spun around to see why he had stopped her.
"No time, and we've got Janet's bottle right here," he said, pulling the bottle out of the waistband of his swim suit. "Turn around and I'll do you," he told her, and she did as he asked, even though she would have preferred to use her sun block.
Never the less, she couldn't help notice the double meaning of what he'd said, and she felt a blush rising from her neck to her cheeks. She would love for him to 'do her', especially from behind, just not in front of all these people!
Jack's hands were strong, yet gentle as they massaged the lotion onto her back and over her shoulders. Then he told her to turn again so he could put a dab on her nose and the tops of her ears. With her hair tied up in a ponytail, her ears were sure to get burned, so she was glad he had thought of them! And then, much to her embarrassment and inner joy, he wiped his hands on her upper chest, his thumbs grazing the tops of her breasts.
Then he handed her the bottle and told her to apply some to his shoulders and the back of his neck. When she was finished, he turned around and she surprised him by placing a dollop on his nose. She spread it around with her finger tips and stared at him, thinking how shockingly handsome he really was up close.
His eyes were like pools of chocolate, and the silver in his short, dark hair gleamed in the sunlight. For the most part his skin was already tan, with just a hint of red. Sam guessed he didn't have to worry about burning much, but she was glad he had asked her to apply the lotion, for whatever reason!
"Okay, you two, enough with the foreplay," Charlie teased, and Jack gave him a look that said "Don't mess with me!"
Jack took the bottle from Sam and tossed it over into the grass, announcing to all, in his authoritative voice, that he was ready for the game to begin.
"Okay,team, let's show these wimps how the game's played! Sam, you're up first!"
Jack shoved her into the back corner of the pool and gave her the ball, his hands grazing her breasts.
"Go get 'em, tiger," he whispered for her ears only.
By this time Sam was not sure she could concentrate on breathing, let alone on a game of volley ball. Damn! Be that as it may, she somehow managed to make a clean first serve, and the game was on!
TBC