Staking a Claim Part 7
See Part 1 for disclaimer and other information
Sucking his bottom lip, Jack said nothing, allowing Sam time to think it through. Becoming her CO again, albeit further removed than before, might not have been the first thought that crossed his mind when he'd found out but it came close. He'd been obsessing about it ever since, dreading telling her.
"I won't let them take you away from me, Jack. Not now, not ever," she said determinedly.
"You think I'll let that happen?" He was equally resolute and could think of one simple solution but was reluctant to voice it.
"No I don't." Still thinking quickly, she stared at him for a while before continuing. "Let's get married like we agreed that first morning. Marry me now before it happens."
His eyebrows shot up to the heavens. "Sam…"
"No, Jack. Don't argue about it. Just do it! Meet me in Vegas and marry me."
"You really mean it don't you? I've thought about it but…"
This was his simple solution as well but he was thinking it was too soon, that she might regret it later. Marry in haste, repent at leisure. Jack didn't much like cliches but had to admit they were rooted in reality. He didn't want them to marry just because it was expedient.
"No buts. I meant it then and I mean it now. We both did. If we're married first, the Regulations allow for it."
"I know." He knew those Frat Regs backwards, forwards and inside out, curse them!
"Well?" Sam sensed his uncertainty and thought she knew the reasons for it. "We have just as much chance of making a go of it as anyone, don't we? Probably more. It's a risk worth taking."
He studied her for a few moments before responding. "What if…?"
"Screw the what ifs, Jack!"
He smiled quirkily, reminded of the surprising Carter go-getting attitude that had brought them together in the first place.
"You're sure?" he queried and she didn't reply, instead giving him a look that brooked no argument. Sure, she was sure and Jack knew it. Sam understood he didn't want to rush things, wanted her to get to know him better. What he didn't seem to realize was that she already knew him well enough, as if she'd always known him.
"I should have asked first," he replied in a teasing petulant manner and Sam rolled her eyes.
"Men and their egos," she muttered, making him grin. "I already got it in first so you're too late anyway."
"Aren't I always?" he agreed with a chuckle. "I was ready to do it that first morning if you'd insisted, Sam. I'm no great prize and you're crazy to want me but I love you and can't imagine that ever changing. What was it you said? I could never love you any more than I do right now? I've loved you for years? Something like that."
"Is that a yes?" she asked with a grin. Jack didn't throw the love word around with abandon but when he tossed it, Sam caught it square in the gut - a sucker punch but a good one.
"You betchya."
"Committed?" she said, her grin broadening.
"Always." He grinned back, recalling the conversation they'd had on that first morning just as she was. Only a few short weeks but it seemed a lifetime ago. "I'll get to Vegas, Sam, whatever. No big church wedding then, eh? I always imagined you'd want one of those. You and Pete…"
"Forget Pete," she said quickly. Sam didn't want to talk about him. They'd already been around that block and decided not to pick over those old bones, as Jack had put it. "There's no comparison. I just want you."
"Yeah, well there's no accounting for taste I guess," he said with a self-effacing semi-smile. Sam loved the way his face screwed up on one side when he did that. His eyes twinkled joyfully at the compliment too and her heart leapt with elation. His mood had changed dramatically.
"I think I've got impeccable taste," she said, winking, and Jack smirked at her.
"Won't have time for a honeymoon," he commented in a regretful tone and Sam shrugged as if it didn't bother her.
Maybe it didn't but Jack swore he would make it up to her. Take her on a fantastic vacation sometime down the line when they could get away for long enough. He wanted to give her the dream too; a real wedding of the kind he imagined she would have truly wanted, the fairytale young girls fanaticize about, but it was not to be. Instead, they'd probably take those vows in some offbeat chapel on the Strip and he kind of lamented that fact. Not for himself but for her.
She didn't appear to mind much, though, and that thought heartened him. She wanted him. It seemed to be as simple as that - as simple as almost everything had appeared to be on that first day. He was flattered, felt blessed. Had done since the moment she had kissed him that morning, since she had first suggested eloping to Vegas, since she had made her feelings very clear and honored him by asking him to stay.
"Are we gonna tell anyone or just do it?" he asked.
Sam cocked her head thoughtfully and then shrugged her shoulders slightly. "Just do it I think, don't you?"
He nodded agreement and then grunted a short laugh. "Daniel is gonna be so pissed."
Sam looked horror struck. "Oh sh..! Does he even know we've been, um, dating?" She didn't know what other euphemism to use but dating somehow seemed the wrong way to describe her and Jack's relationship.
"Well I haven't said anything to him. You haven't either I presume. Crap!"
They weren't really keeping their relationship secret deliberately. They simply hadn't told anyone about it. They'd only been together for a few short weeks after all, much of that time at a distance. The opportunity hadn't presented itself. Neither of them were the types of people to just blurt out such information about their private lives.
"We are gonna be in so much trouble," Sam replied, then a small smirk appeared on her lips and she gave way to a giggle. "Well, won't everyone be in for a hell of a surprise?"
The notion amused her for some reason; that the first time any of their friends or family one would find out about them might be after they were married. Apparently, she'd caught Jack's often wacky sense of humor. He seemed to think it was funny too because he chuckled. Then his features took on a more serious expression.
"You know some folks will assume we've been carrying on secretly for years don't you?" he said. This was another reason he hadn't wanted to rush things. Jack didn't want to tarnish Sam's reputation.
"Lots of people think that anyway."
He looked at her askance. "They do?"
"Sure. You didn't know?"
He seemed to think for a few moments. "I guess I never considered it. We didn't behave inappropriately did we?"
She shook her head. "I suppose people picked up on things and there was definitely something to pick up on even if we never really breached those darned regs." She smirked and he smirked back, then they both laughed.
"Came close sometimes though, huh? Maybe they noticed how much I cared."
Sam smiled but had tears welling in her eyes recalling some of those times he'd really showed it. "You mean more than you were supposed to?" Jack grinned inanely in response, obviously remembering when he'd first voiced those feelings just as she was. "I figure they noticed that with me too."
"But I cared about the whole team, Sam. Did I really play favorites?"
He looked perturbed but Sam didn't think she was impartial enough to answer his question with any honesty. All she knew was how upset she had been whenever Jack was in grave danger or hurting. She loved Daniel and Teal'c but Jack… Yes, her feelings had been different, there was no denying it. This might have been obvious to anyone with open eyes and common sense so perhaps Jack's feelings were obvious too.
"It's not that, Jack, it's just the whole women working in a man's world thing. It's better than it used to be but there are still issues." she replied, dodging his question. Jack, of course, realized immediately that she was playing avoidance. He'd done it often enough himself to know the signs. He did not, however, press further instead filing it away for consideration later.
"I think screw 'em, but that's easy for me to say. It's what they think about you I'm concerned about."
"I can look after myself."
"Don't I know it?" he exclaimed with a grin.
She smiled in acknowledgement of his compliment. "We get talked about behind our backs anyway so why should we expect anything to change? Whatever we do, some people will never accept there was nothing going on before. It's one of those things and I'm not going to let them dictate what happens now. Let the tongues wag. The people who really count know better."
"Do they? Perhaps. I guess you're right, you always are."
The expression on his face told her his tongue was firmly in his cheek and she tittered. "If only that were true."
"What husband would dare tell his wife any different?" he joked again and this time she laughed heartily before they both fell silent again.
It was quite a while before Jack breached their mute communication again. "I wish…" he started, not finishing but making what he wished for very clear by mimicking what Sam had done earlier and placing his fingers on the screen. She did the same, yearning for him to be there as much as he did her. Their slightly poignant expressions spoke for them.
"I wish too, Jack," she said eventually. "Wish you could make love to me. Jeez, I miss…" She trailed off thinking about those skilful fingers, delicious lips, dexterous tongue and every astonishing thing about having sex with him. "You are the best," she added with a sigh and Jack snorted cynically.
"Sure," he replied, tone heavy with sarcasm.
"I mean it."
"I know." A small smile brightened his otherwise serious features. "And I'm pleased you believe it."
"Because it's true."
"One thing this beast can't let us do," he said, referring to their method of communication. "Touch."
"Yeah," Sam agreed ruefully.
"Seeing you and not being able to is getting harder Sam. And so am I by the way."
His face bore the most innocent expression and Sam released a slightly nervous snicker at his little joke although agreed with the sentiment. Would their virtual relationship grow increasingly difficult, she wondered?
"When can you come over?" she asked.
"Vegas next weekend?" he suggested. "Assuming the sky doesn't fall in or something. Leave it to me. I'll sort it. But before we get married, before we even leave the hotel, the first thing I'm gonna do is make mad, passionate love to you, Samantha Carter. As soon as I walk into the room, I swear." He held up his hand as if taking an oath.
"Now that's the kind of action I want to see in Vegas. You're on!"
Sam could feel herself blushing and felt faintly ridiculous. Just the thought of Jack touching her, of them making love, made her shiver with anticipation and she realized it showed when Jack spoke again.
"I see you like that idea." He grinned and Sam waggled her eyebrows to cover her awkwardness. "In fact, I think apart from that marriage thing we ought to stay in the hotel room."
"All weekend?"
"Well, we might eat a little," he replied with a humorous expression.
"Eat you," she kidded, smirking.
"Jeez, Sam, don't tease. I was serious about it getting harder."
"Oh my. Poor baby. I wish could kiss everything better." She was trying hard to control a laugh but was sure he could see that.
Jack narrowed his eyes. "Sam!"
"Sorry, I couldn't resist, but you aren't the only one suffering withdrawal."
For the next few minutes, they traded amusing remarks filled with innuendo, trying to be flippant. Jack made mental plans about the following weekend and how he might make their impending nuptials more special than a quickie elopement.
He was very serious about how much he wanted to make love to her though. When they eventually disconnected, thoughts about their marriage were the last thing on his mind as he pictured seducing her and vividly recalled that very first time.
To be continued in Part 8
Author's Endnote: In a few days, I am going away on vacation for a couple of weeks (or possibly a bit longer) and am unlikely to be online much if at all. So, this will be the last chapter of this story for a little while. At least I've left it in a good place rather than on a nasty cliff-hanger! :-) Feedback adored as always and I will respond as usual even it might have to wait until I return from my break. I also plan to post the next chapter of this story shortly after I get back.
"May God stand between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk" Ancient Egyptian blessing
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. Copyright 2009 Su Freund