"Carter."

"Jesus," Sam jumped as she turned in her seat to look up at him. "Sir, don't startle me like that!" Jack snickered at her as he gently pulled her up from her seat. "Sir," she asked as she let him lead her out of her lab.

"I'm taking you off base Carter."

"But – Sir I have that artifact that –"

"Ah! You are taking a break Major."

"But –"

"It's already cleared with Hammond. You have the day off and I'm taking you to the amusement park."

Jack couldn't help but smile at the twinkle in her eye and the smile that spread across her face. "Amusement park?"

"Yup. You know, roller coasters, elephant ears, dippin' dots, the whole thing! Now, go change and we'll head out." He gently pushed her towards the ladies locker room and waited in the hallway for her to reemerge. She came out only a few minutes later dressed in jeans, t-shirt, and tennis shoes.

Jack led her out of the mountain and up to the parking lot to find Daniel, Teal's, Janet, and Cassie waiting for them. Sam smiled brightly at the group and immediately reached out to hug Cassie. She hadn't seen the young girl often … for a while she didn't want Cassie to see her looking like that while she recovered; and once Cassie had walked in on her destroying her lap … Sam had asked Janet not to bring her around till she had a better handle on her emotions, the thought of scaring the young girl was more than Sam could bear.

"Alright campers, I got Carter and Cassie. You three get to fend for yourselves."

The fact that Sam giggled at his comment lifted Jack's spirit to no end.

The drive to the amusement park was filled with laughter. Cassie and Sam spent the entire time talking about whatever they could think of. It was a lot of girl talk for Jack but, in all honesty he didn't mind. He hadn't seen Sam smile or laugh this much since she escaped from Ba'al.

"Cassie," Sam started as Jack drove through the parking lot. "Isn't today a school day?"

"Yup!"

Sam's brow furrowed as she followed Jack and Cassie's example of getting out of the car. "So then why aren't you in school?"

"When Jack told Mom his big plans for the day she agreed to get me outta school. Mom called them this morning and said that we we're going to be outta town for the day. Which is technically true as we're not in the Springs anymore."
Sam smiled a minute before it faltered and she started to look around, her brow furrowed again. "Where is your Mother anyways?"

"Still parking," Jack offered as he purchased their tickets. Taking Sam's hand he led the towards the admittance gate. "Come on Carter, they'll catch up!"

Cassie, Sam, and Jack spent the next two hours running around the amusement park. They rode a few rides but mostly they tried to hide from Janet, Daniel, and Teal'c. When the two groups finally met up again Janet was just short of scowling at them while Cassie and Sam giggled almost uncontrollably. "Janet," Sam offered in-between laughs. "Didn't your mother ever tell you your face could get stuck like that?"

Despite her best effort Janet had merely shaken her head before she'd let Cassie lead them toward the swings. The group took turns deciding which ride to go on. As they walked from one end of the park to another they stopped at any gift shop and food stand that caught their interest. The day flew by and as the sun began to set the group found themselves breaking up.

"Mom, can we go ride the Avalanche again? Just once more before we have to go?"

"Oh alright," Janet offered before looking back to the others.

"Go ahead Janet," Daniel smiled. "Teal'c and I are going to go find the bumper cars. I think I can beat him this time."

"Okay. We'll meet you at the front of the park," she called as Cassie dragged her away from them.

"You guys want to join?"

"That's alright Daniel," Sam offered. "I think this is between you and Teal'c. Besides, I want to go on one more ride myself."

Daniel waved at her and Jack while Teal'c bowed his head. Sam laughed gently at the two before she turned back to Jack. "Sir, did you want –"

"Nope. I want to see what an adrenaline junkie chooses for her last ride of the day. I can't believe you didn't want to go with Cassie and Janet."

"I have my reasons Sir," Sam smiled again. She led him through the park expertly while Jack tried to distract her with food, games, and shopping. "I would think you didn't want to go on the ride with me Sir."

Worried?

"Of course I want to go with you Carter but, you know me."

No … Maybe …

"Don't worry Sir, you'll enjoy the ride. Considering what we do for a living I doubt any ride will make you sick. As you have complained all day."

"Hey I haven't complained! I just made an observation that some rides had more of an oomph to them." Sam tried hard to suppress her giggle as they came to stand in line. After a moment Jack realized what line they were standing in before he looked back at her. "The ferris wheel?"

"I prefer to end the day on a calm note. Besides, you like the ferris wheel."

"How did you know that?" Sam smiled brightly at him before they climbed into their seats. "Carter?"

How did you know that?

"You told me Sir." Sam simply continued to smile at him, knowing he didn't remember this conversation. His brow furrowed and her grin grew. "When we were in South America, you rambled about it."

"Hu?"

"You kept trying to interrupt me. You said that it was nice and maybe we could try this at home, on the ferris wheel, like it was supposed to be done. You said that it was your favorite ride and great for kissing strange women," Sam offered in a completely mocking tone as they neared the top. As the memory flooded back into his mind she could see the realization on his face and she laughed brightly at him.

"I did not ramble. I was just trying to figure out what the hell you were doing."

"I thought that was obvious Sir!"

Jack grunted in mock indignation as they came to a stop on the top of the ride. "Right, like I could figure out why you were doing that … not that I minded." Jack eyed her appreciatively as he said those words and was rewarded with her blushing before she turned away from him. "It's beautiful up here," he offered, his eyes never leaving her face.

You're beautiful.

"Yeah, too bad we have to go back soon."

I wish this didn't have to end.

They sat in silence until the ride stated up again and Sam took a deep breath. "I wanted to thank you Sir."

"What for?"

"For today. I didn't realize how much I needed this. I missed this, feeling like myself, enjoying the day … not snapping at everyone … You know, this is the first time I've actually felt like this. It's the first day I haven't thought about what happened."

About what he did to me.

"Well don't start now."

Sam smiled at him as they neared the top again and gently laid her head against his shoulder. "You don't have to worry about that," Sam offered gently. As relaxed as she was she relaxed further, just enjoying being this close.

He can't haunt me here.

I wish this didn't have to end ...

Unable to suppress the itch that drove him Jack wrapped his arm around her shoulders and placed his head atop hers.

Stay.