Chapter 3

Feet propped up on the cooler, Jack sighed contentedly as he flicked his wrist, sending his sinker plopping into the water several feet away from the dock. Yep, life couldn't get any better than this. Well, it probably could, he thought as his gaze flickered to the lawn where Teal'c and Carter were training, but in this particular moment, life was pretty damn perfect. The sun was shining, the mosquitoes were keeping to themselves and Samantha Carter had kissed him. More than once.

His gaze shifted to the lawn again – he couldn't seem to help it, it was like a powerful magnetic pull. He didn't get a chance to contemplate her from afar very often, and he was determined to take every opportunity from now on. And right now she was a sight to be seen: her slender form moving gracefully and in all appearances effortlessly to Teal'c's instructions, muscles taut underneath her long-sleeved workout clothes. Her hair reflected golden in the bright sunlight, and she had that focused look on her face, the one Jack knew meant nothing could distract her. He wondered if he ever could find a way to make that concentration waver. In fact he had some ideas…

"Hey, mind if I join you?"

Daniel.

Looking up a little guiltily, Jack gestured to the chair beside his. "Sure," he was surprised to see that Daniel had actually brought a fishing rod with him. "Knock yourself out. Done with your book?" He asked conversationally as he observed his friend carefully. He recalled Sam's earlier concerns about Daniel, and though he had dismissed them at the time, it made him a little uneasy that she might be right. Daniel did seem a little more withdrawn than usual.

"What? Oh yeah," Daniel replied as he settled down more comfortably into his chair. "It was a fascinating theoretical debate on whether or not agriculture was-"

"Ah! I'm on vacation," Jack interrupted, and was relieved to see that Daniel didn't appear insulted.

Instead he smirked. "Yeah, I was impressed you asked. I thought you'd know better by now."

"Yes, you'd think I'd have learned my lesson, wouldn't you?" Jack reeled in his line as he considered how to make Daniel talk. Oh the irony. "It doesn't sound like the kind of momentous discovery that even an archaeologist would lose sleep over, though, is it?"

Daniel shot him a look, undecipherable beneath his dark sunglasses. "Did Sam say something to you?"

Jack shrugged. "She may have mentioned something. But even I know that you're never up before 8am if you can help it. So out with it."

Jack held Daniel's hidden stare for a few beats, not budging.

"Birds."

"Birds?"

"There were birds chirping right outside my window."

Jack gave him an incredulous look.

"Come on Jack, a guy can't have a little bout of insomnia without raising some eyebrows around here? Is this therapy weekend, what's gotten into you? First Sam and now this?"

Jack tensed, straightening up in his chair. "Hey, what's happening between Sam and I has nothing to do with this!" he warned, but as the words came out of his mouth, Sam's concerns about how their newfound relationship would affect the boys flashed through his mind. "Or, maybe it does, you tell me?"

Daniel looked guilty. "No, you're right. I shouldn't have said that, I'm sorry. I know what you guys have had to go through to get here."

"Do you?"

"Like I said last night, I've had my suspicions for a while."

Jack returned his gaze to the pond. "You never said anything."

"It wasn't my place to say anything. Besides, this…thing…between you two, it's always been part of our team dynamic. It's just the way it's always been."

"Really?" Jack had always thought they'd done as good a job at denying it to the rest of the world as they did to themselves.

"Yeah. It's funny though, I was never absolutely sure about it until after I ascended the first time and retook human form."

Jack smirked. "Now, that's something you don't hear everyday."

Daniel snorted. "Yeah. You know after everything we've been through, it's amazing we're not all more mentally unstable than we are."

"That still remains to be demonstrated for some of us."

"But anyways, once I started to remember things from when I was ascended, I realized, that I just knew. I knew that what you two had was stronger and much more complicated than the mere attraction of the forbidden."

Jack glared. "The 'mere attraction of the forbidden?'"

Daniel shrugged. "Come on, you know how enticing that is. It's safe. But anyways, that's what I thought it was at first. But whatever knowledge I gained as an ascended being changed my perception on…things. And all of a sudden all of the alternate realities made sense, and I just figured it would happen one day."

"Huh." Jack didn't think about that kind of crap very often, but maybe there was an argument for the existence of fate after all. "Sam was concerned about the way this was going to affect you and Teal'c… the team dynamic, as it were."

Daniel shook his head. "She shouldn't worry on my account. And now that I think of it, probably even less on Teal'c's. True, our roles in the Stargate program are bound to be different from now on, but…You talk about the team dynamic, as if it's always been the same, but she should know better than anyone that nothing is ever static. We've all changed. And I think you guys have spent quite enough time putting duty, and whatever else, before your own happiness. You deserve a break."

"I said that!"

"Oh. Good."

"So this isn't what's been on your mind?"

Daniel hesitated. "Well, actually… sort of. It occurred to me that this might be the perfect time for-"

"Daniel, if you say 'Atlantis' I swear to God I'm going to kick you."

"Jack, just hear me out!"

"Forget it!"

"Look, you're retiring; Teal'c is most likely going to be working with the new Jaffa nation now more than ever; whatever Sam decides to do she's more likely to stick around the SGC now that you two are working things out, and… well, where does that leave me?" He paused to take a breath. "Look, I know that makes me sound selfish – childish even. But the truth is, I'm not sure where I belong anymore, and if I can do some good over there… I think that's where I should go."

Daniel had never been so eloquent about this before, and Jack hadn't quite realized how serious he was about this until now.

"Why didn't you just say so?"

"Are you kidding me?" Daniel looked like Homer Simpson getting ready to strangle Bart.

Jack smirked, but then studied his friend seriously for a few seconds. "Okay. If it's really what you want."

Daniel nodded. "I think it is."

"You know we haven't heard back from them yet. We don't know if the back-up was any help or if it got there in time."

"I know. And I'm not saying I need to go right now, but you know, if things work out, in the near future."

Though Jack knew that ultimately there was nothing he could do to stop Daniel from going – especially now that he was retiring, part of him still wished that things would stay the same just for a bit longer.

"Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"I really am happy about you and Sam."

"Thanks."

"Jack?"

"Yes, Daniel?"

"Can you pin the worm onto the hook for me? It grosses me out."

After a couple of hours Carter and Teal'c finished their training session and joined Jack and Daniel on the dock.

They both seemed pretty hot after the workout despite the slight chill in the air, so Jack challenged them to take a dive into the pond, mostly as a way of justifying the appreciative look that he had thrown at Sam. For a second the smirk on Carter's face as she took off her shoes almost convinced him that she was going to do it. But in the end, that's all she took off, and instead of diving she sat on the edge not too far from Jack's legs, with her feet dangling in the water. Teal'c, after a suspicious look at the murky and algae-filled water, announced that he was going to take a shower.

Jack sat back and relaxed as Daniel made easy conversation with Sam, closing his eyes and soaking up the warmth from the sun. He must have zoned out for a while, because when he opened his eyes again, Daniel was gone. Sam was still sitting by his legs, face turned upwards and eyes closed, enjoying the sun much in the same way Jack just had.

Jack observed her for a moment, wondering what she was thinking. Moving up from his chair, he went to sit by her, wincing a little when his knee protested, and stretched his legs along the dock behind her, crossing them at the ankles. Leaning back on his hands, he had a perfect view of her profile.

She turned to give him a smile and Jack smiled back, somehow unable to look away. How in hell had he been able to resist her for so damn long?

And yet he still didn't dare to touch her, afraid that if he started he would never be able to stop. And they had to take it slow. He wanted to do this by the book, he respected her and the Air Force too much to do otherwise, but the temptation was testing his will like never before. So he decided to follow her lead and let her draw the line wherever she saw fit. And if that meant that he had to wait a few days before kissing her again, then so be it. He had waited for years, a few more days wouldn't be the end of the world…Right?

"Did you catch anything this morning?" she broke the silence, squinting a little in the sunlight.

"No. Daniel kept yapping away – I think it scared the fish away. Or bored them to death."

She chuckled a little, shaking her head.

"You were right about Daniel," Jack announced after a beat.

Her expression froze. "Really?"

"Sort of. He's feeling left out. He wants to go to Atlantis."

"Because of us?" she asked, sounding a little hurt.

"I think it's been on his mind for a while. From what I gather, all of this just brought it home for him that things are going to be different from now on."

She nodded, a little sadly. "Oh."

"He said not to worry about him, though. It's just something he feels like he has to do." Jack surprised himself a little by defending him.

"But what about SG-1?"

"I don't know. That's a discussion you and Teal'c will have to have with him if his project pans out."

"I guess you're right."

"I know I'm right."

Jack turned serious again as he straightened and spun around to sit by her side, shoulders touching and feet dangling. "Hey listen, Daniel said something else that- I guess it made me think about something."

She looked a little worried. "Okay…?"

"It's nothing, really, I just… I want you to promise me something. Promise me that whatever happens you're not going to turn down offers that would advance your career just so you can be close to me."

She started shaking her head, but Jack interrupted before she could voice her protest.

"Sam, part of the reason why I never acted on my feelings before now was because I didn't want to come in the way of your career prospects. You know that. I think the same logic applies now."

"Jack what are you talking about, I'm not gonna- what kinds of offers?"

"I don't know – promotions, reassignments, R&D at Area 51 – whatever. I'm just saying it might happen. And if it does, I don't want you to turn anything down for the wrong reasons."

"I think being with you would count as a right reason."

"Sam, I'm serious."

"Me too," she replied forcefully, but her angry tone was somewhat dampened by her snuggling closer and resting her head against his shoulder. Jack's heart skipped a beat at how strangely familiar that gesture was. In the past, on the few occasions she had done that exact same thing, it had been poignant, bittersweet even, tainted by the fact that that simple gesture had to mean everything and nothing at once. But now that bitterness was no longer required, and Jack relished in the weight of her head against his shoulder.

Sam went on, unaware: "I think I'm big enough to know what I want and what is good for me. And if, and I stress if, anything like what you're describing happens, it's something we'll have to figure out together."

Jack studied her profile for a moment, sorry that he had offended her, but also slightly annoyed that he couldn't fault her logic. They were going to work it out together… What was he supposed to say to that? So he nodded slightly and took her hand. "Okay."

She gave a satisfied nod. "Okay."

After a moment of silence she sighed. "I can't believe we're going back to Colorado tomorrow."

"Don't think about it."

"Hmm, you know it is actually much easier to forget about work up here than I thought it would be."

Jack's pulse accelerated at what she seemed to be implying. "Right. Until Thor decides to zap you up. That tends to ruin a vacation."

She laughed and Jack marveled at the sound and at the feeling of her sitting so close, the warmth of her skin, the way her hair tingled his chin... God he wanted to kiss her again!

"Sam, what you said before…" he started uneasily, suddenly feeling like he was venturing into unknown territory.

"When?"

"This morning, when you said I was still a General…?"

She suddenly seemed amused. "I said you were still my General."

"Right." That didn't help. "Did you mean that we shouldn't- I mean would you allow-"

"Jack," she interrupted, turning her face up to catch his eyes. "Stop talking and kiss me."

He grinned as he leaned in, but stopped right before his lips touched hers. "That's 'kiss me General' to you."

"Just shut up."

He did.

After tossing and turning for a couple of hours, Sam rose from her bed with a sigh and stealthily padded her way to the kitchen, not wanting to wake anyone. She didn't know why sleep eluded her again tonight. Shouldn't she be getting used to the turmoil of emotions by now?

Her feelings for Jack aside, she was also slightly concerned about the future of SG-1. With Daniel gone and Teal'c probably spending most of his time with the Jaffa Nation, maybe she should consider a change in assignment.

The cabin was completely silent and in shadows except for a small night light in the kitchen. Opening the cupboard, she took out a glass and filled it with water before taking a sip.

She just couldn't imagine a future with SG-1 without Daniel and Teal at her side. Although, she also recalled how hard it had been to imagine SG-1 without O'Neill as their commander in the beginning too. Maybe this was just one of those things that you just had to get used to. As Jack had said, change didn't always have to be scary.

"Hey."

Sam jumped, her glass slipping from her fingers and finding the bottom of the sink with a loud clatter. By some physics' miracle it remained in one piece. She turned around sharply, bringing a hand to her chest as if it would slow down the erratic beating of her heart. Jack was standing in the doorway, still fully dressed.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you," he said quietly.

In her little tank top and pajama pants, Sam felt spectacularly underdressed under his intense gaze. "No…that's- that's fine," she replied, her heart still beating wildly in her chest. "I thought everyone was asleep."

He smiled slightly as he leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. "Yeah, well, I couldn't sleep so I decided to come and bug whomever was up. I was kinda hoping for Daniel. Him I would have startled on purpose."

Sam smiled at his attempt to lighten the mood. They had been able to play it cool in the light of day, but now that it was just the two of them in the dark, the tension was palpable. She didn't realize until that moment how much she had come to crave his presence, and his touch. They hadn't been alone much after their talk by the pond, and she had missed him. "Yeah I…" She cleared her throat. "I was thirsty so…"

For an amazing second, he looked like he was ready to pounce, but then he shifted his gaze down to his hands with a nod and Sam breathed a little easier. She knew it was dangerous to stay, but she just couldn't move. She took advantage of his looking down to observe him more closely. He was still wearing his jeans and he looked so damn good in his t-shirt that she actually had to stop herself from throwing herself into his arms and kissing that spot on his neck that had always tantalized her. He was also walking barefoot, which strangely enough, she'd rarely seen him do before, if ever.

When she looked up he was back to gazing at her, the lazy, almost smug, smile still on his lips.

Knowing that staying would be lethal to her resolution to take it slow, she tried to smile. "I think I should probably… try and get some sleep. I really didn't sleep well last night, so…" she mumbled, but he merely kept staring at her. Sam felt her heart skip a beat when his eyes traveled down her body briefly before returning to her face.

"Yeah. Probably a good idea."

Reminded of the similar situation they had faced the night before, she nodded again and pushed herself determinedly away from the counter, resolutely not looking at him as she walked toward the doorway that he was partly blocking. He turned sideways to let her pass and Sam felt his eyes burn on her skin as she approached. The doorway was rather narrow so she had to turn slightly to pass without making contact with him. As she passed by him she could actually feel the heat emanating from his body and it was as enticing as his tall presence. She managed to cross the doorway without touching him and when she found herself in the living room she breathed out in relief. Only a couple of more steps and she'd be back in her roo-

Before she could react her hand was in his and she was pulled back against him. She found herself into his arms again – and boy was it where she wanted to be – his hands moving to her bare shoulders and their warmth making her shiver from head to toes. She looked up to meet his eyes, but he was all seriousness and intensity and the lazy smile he'd worn before was gone as he looked down at her, his face only inches away and his breath coming in short rasps.

The intense heat in his eyes challenged all of Sam's prior reasoning; he really was almost retired, and the fact that the paperwork hadn't gone through yet didn't mean that it wasn't official. Right? God she wanted him!

"Sam…"

Her name on his breath was her undoing.

Sliding her hands around his sides, she slowly stepped closer into his embrace. She couldn't help but smile softly at how surprised he looked that she would actually voluntarily step into his arms, but he soon recovered. His hands slid down her shoulders in a feather light touch as he leaned in closer, his nose bumping hers in a caress before Sam titled her head up and his lips finally met hers.

After a soft caress of his lips against hers, something suddenly shifted, their kiss burning with new intensity as his mouth became more demanding. This kiss was so different from the ones they'd exchanged before, Sam actually felt her knees weaken at its unbridled passion and hunger. Gone was the astonished reverence she'd detected before; his hands wandered away from her face so quickly they seemed to be everywhere at once: in her hair, on her shoulder, pressing against her lower back, on her stomach, sliding down her bare arms, making her skin come alive in a way she hadn't felt in a long time. She sighed against his mouth when his fingers found the skin between her pajamas and her tank top at her lower back and he responded by pressing her even closer to him.

Sam's hands were about to discover the skin under his t-shirt when he suddenly pulled back and brought back his hands to her shoulders. He was panting heavily and he closed his eyes for a moment, leaning his head back on the doorframe behind him, his shaking fingers going up and down the shivering skin of her arms. Sam rested her forehead against his chest, trying to regain some sort of composure while still reveling in the feel and scent of him. She felt his lips kiss her temple and he pushed her slightly away, keeping her at arms length with hands on her shoulders.

"I'm seriously wondering right now why I didn't make Hammond sign the damn papers right when I gave them to him," he said between short breaths.

Sam smiled as she took a little step back and took his hand to give it a squeeze. "Don't ask me…" Her body was crying at her to finish what they'd started, but she knew better, so she kissed his hand briefly before letting it go. This was too important to rush into and she was grateful to him for remembering to do things right when she couldn't. "I really should get back to sleep now.'

"Yeah…I think I'm gonna go get some fresh air," he replied as he made his way into the living room, putting some distance between them.

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow." She was halfway to her room when she turned to him again. He was putting on his coat and boots. "Jack," that got his attention, and earned her a quick smile, "just in case you still had any lingering doubts… I thought you might want to know: I love you too."

He stopped moving and turned slowly in her direction, his hand on the handle. She met his eyes and immediately recognized the glint of happiness and hunger that flashed through them. He grinned and turned the handle. "Just a few more days, Carter. A few more days. Then I'm asking for your number and taking you out to dinner."

Sam made a dubious face. "Except that's not gonna work."

He looked nonplussed. "Why the hell not?"

She tried to hide her smile. "For one you already have my number, and second, to be honest I'd rather just skip dinner."

She could tell he was fighting hard not to cross the distance that separated them again, so she decided to make his life a little easier. "Good night, sir."