Chapter 5

Where we sing until dawn of our fears and our fates

And we stack all the dead men in self addressed crates "

"I'll find the guys and we'll be at the bar, Carter," Jack said when they arrived.

He smiled and winked at her. Sam excused herself and found the ladies room to freshen up.

She stood with her hands on the edge of the marble counter top and took a few deep breaths. The champagne and lack of food had made her slightly lightheaded and that had resulted in her quite obvious flirtation with her CO in the back of the limousine. What had just happened was no accident. She had enjoyed catching him staring at her out of the corner of his eye, and seeing his gaze shift back when he realized she had caught him. Truth be told, it made her feel powerful. He was a General in the USAF, yet she maDe him stare like a schoolboy. She straightened up, re-applied her lipstick and walked out to find the bar. She needed a drink.

"I'm sorry but that's just how I feel about it," Daniel said to Teal'c as the two tuxedo-clad friends standing propped up against the bar.

"Howdy Campers," Jack said as he rounded the corner and immediately flagged down the barman.

"A pint of the black stuff my good man," in a rather dreadful Irish accent.

The barman smiled politely, pulled half a pint of Guinness and set it on the bar to settle before he finished pouring the drink. Jack stared at the ripples of the drink settling in the glass and waited patiently for the second pour to happen.

A very pronounced "Whoa" from Daniel broke his concentration and he turned to see Sam entering the slightly darkened room, the light from the foyer illuminating her from behind. He found himself staring open-mouthed again, but a quick glance around the room confirmed he was not the only man in this position.

"Sam, you look... well... Jack help me out here," Daniel said looking from Sam to Jack and then back to Sam again.

"The word you're looking for Danny Boy, is stunning," Jack said and locked eyes again with Carter. "Absolutely stunning."

"Indeed Colonel Carter, you look extremely pleasing to the eyes of all the male attendees this evening, myself included," Teal'c announced.

"Thank you Teal'c," Sam said, her eyes twinkling. She reached over and kissed the Jaffa on both cheeks.

"It would be prudent to close your mouth Daniel Jackson, as winged insects might inadvertently enter it if you do not," Teal'c said to Daniel who still stood gaping at Sam.

"Yeah Daniel, shut it up will ya," Jack said, turning to grab his drink.

"Merlot for the lady please, a 1994 if you have it," Jack said to the barman.

Sam smiled a half smile and looked at Jack, raising her eyebrow in amusement. "What? I know you Carter, I know what you like," he smirked.

He took the long stemmed glass from the barman and handed it to Sam, casually brushing her fingers while he did. A feeling akin to a mild electric shock shot up her arm. She closed her eyes for a split second and mouthed "wow" as she took a sip from her wine.