The tension between Sam and Jack weighed heavily on both of them, and the absence of their nightly phone call only intensified their feelings of unease and distance. That night, they didn't reach out to each other, each locked in their thoughts and emotions, unaware that the other was experiencing a sleepless night.
When Sam arrived at the SGC the next morning, the dark circles under her eyes were impossible to ignore. Both Daniel and Vala couldn't help but comment on her tired appearance, but Sam brushed off their inquiries with a simple explanation that she had worked late.
As for Jack, he had become unusually impatient and unforgiving at the Pentagon, and his colleagues and subordinates noticed his short temper. However, no one dared to mention it, understanding that something significant was bothering their usually composed and stoic General.
After a grueling day at the SGC, Sam returned home. She went through her evening routine, taking a quick shower and heating a microwave dinner. Her gaze was fixed on her cell phone as she ate in silence, waiting for a call or message that never came.
Meanwhile, at his townhouse in Washington D.C., Jack was having a similar solitary evening, devouring a pizza while his thoughts revolved around the situation with Sam. He picked up his cell phone, feeling the need to break the silence and bridge the growing gap between them. He dialed Sam's number, and she answered on the first ring.
"Hey," Sam's voice was a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
"Hey," Jack replied, his voice softening. "I... I know we haven't been talking, and things have been... difficult. I'm sorry for hanging up on you yesterday. It was wrong, and I shouldn't have done it."
There was a pause on the line, and then Sam replied, her voice tinged with both relief and concern, "Jack, I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to give you an ultimatum like that. I just... I want us to get through this together."
Jack sighed, the weight of their situation still heavy on his shoulders.
"I know, Sam. I do too. We need to find a way to work through this. I hate that we're drifting apart."
"I hate it too," Sam admitted softly, her voice cracking with emotion.
Jack passed a hand through his messed-up hair.
"I love you and I don't want to lose you. I'll do anything to prevent that", he said, his heart beating so fast he almost could hear it in the silent kitchen.
Sam swallowed.
"I love you too, Jack. So much. I want our marriage to work out, I don't want to live without you", she admitted.
"I'm coming to Colorado. We need to talk", he said suddenly.
"Oh…okay", Sam said surprised.
"I have a special flight that leaves in a couple of hours. I should be there in around four hours, give or take. You don't have to wait for me. Go to sleep", he said.
"Okay. I'll leave the porch light on", she said.
"Right. I have to go. I'll see you in a couple of hours. I love you", he said.
"Love you too, Jack", she said, in almost a whisper.
They hung up, both feeling much more relieved and hopeful.
The soft moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a cold glow in the room where Sam lay on the couch, wrapped in a soft blanket. She had tried to stay awake and wait for Jack, but the exhaustion of the previous sleepless night had finally caught up with her, and she had succumbed to slumber on the couch.
As the front door opened, Sam stirred slightly, her senses registering Jack's presence. However, she remained in a peaceful sleep, unaware of his arrival. He entered the living room, his gaze immediately finding his wife. There was a soft, almost imperceptible smile on his face as he watched her, seeing her vulnerable and peaceful in sleep.
Jack didn't attempt to wake her; instead, he carefully lifted her in his arms, her body snugly cocooned in the blanket. He carried her to their bedroom, where he gently placed her on the bed, taking a moment to adjust the covers and ensure she was comfortable.
Swiftly, he changed into more comfortable sleepwear and slid under the sheets beside her. The familiarity of their bed, the scent of their home, and the presence of Sam beside him offered a comforting reassurance.
Even in her sleep, Sam's body instinctively gravitated toward him, seeking his warmth and comfort. Without conscious effort, her hand found its way to rest on his chest, and Jack instinctively wrapped his arm around her, drawing her close to him.
After a few hours, the morning light started to filter into the room and Sam slowly blinked her eyes open. Her first sight was the peaceful expression on Jack's face as he slept beside her. There was a noticeable absence of the usual furrowed brow and restlessness that accompanied his nightmares.
She remained very still, taking in the moment, appreciating the tranquility of their shared slumber. The room was filled with a sense of calm and contentment that had been missing for too long.
Just as her alarm went off, signaling the start of a new day, Jack stirred, his eyes fluttering open to meet hers. Their gaze locked, and in that silent exchange, they found a shared sense of relief, hope, and love. The nightmares had temporarily relented, and they were together, in the peaceful cocoon of their morning embrace.
"Good morning", she said with a smile.
"Morning", he said, caressing her back.
"When did you arrive?", she asked, moving one leg over his.
"You were asleep", he simply said.
She passed her fingers through his hair and he closed his eyes in pure bliss.
"You could have woken me up", she said gently.
"No need", he mumbled, his eyes still closed as she continued to massage his scalp.
"Are you falling asleep again?", she asked smiling.
"If you continue to do that…most probably", he said, also smiling.
Sam continued to caress his hair. She loved to do it and he loved when she did it.
"Why are you here, General?", she asked slowly.
Jack opened his eyes and turned his face so he was looking at her.
"I need to speak with my wife. Tell her that I'm very sorry for being a jerk. Ask her to help me try to deal with some pretty heavy stuff that I've been carrying with me for a couple of years. Think she'll agree?", he asked slowly.
Sam stopped caressing his hair and moved her hand to his chest, feeling his heartbeat.
"I'm pretty sure she'll do anything to help you. Anything", she said with a firm voice.
Jack swallowed. He sometimes thought that he didn't deserve her. Others, he was plain certain. This was one of them.
"I don't want to talk to any shrink or go to a support group", he said slowly.
Sam bit her lip but sensed that there was more in that sentence so she kept quiet.
"I want to talk with you. Just you", he said.
"Okay. I'll listen to whatever you have to tell me, Jack", Sam said supportively.
"Thank you. It won't be easy…I never talked to anyone about this stuff", he warned.
Sam caressed his face, stopping on his lips.
"I'm here, Jack, and I'm not going anywhere", she said.
"I'll call Landry and tell him you won't work today. Family issues", he said locking his eyes on hers.
"Whatever you think it's best", she simply said.
Jack gave her a long kiss on the mouth almost taking her breath away. Then he picked up his cell got up from their bed and called Hank Landry. Quickly he said that he was in Colorado and had some important personal affairs to take care of. So Colonel Carter wouldn't be showing up at the mountain today. And then he hung up.
Sam was still in bed, sitting against several pillows and looking at him.
"So no work for me today?", she asked lifting an eyebrow.
"No work", he confirmed.
"Shower, breakfast, and then talk?", she asked slowly.
Jack merely nodded. She got up and they both went to the bathroom. After that, with comfy clothes on, they went to the kitchen. Jack wasn't surprised to find the fridge almost empty except for a couple of sodas and some frozen meals.
"You are eating frozen meals again?", he asked, holding the fridge door open.
"They were still here from the last time I left. After I finish them I'll order takeaway", she said defensively, starting the coffee machine.
Jack sighed and picked up a package of orange juice. It was still unopened so it was probably good. Unless it had expired. He looked at the date. It was safe.
"I can go to the supermarket later. I wasn't expecting you", she said defensively seeing his face as he put the slices of bread inside the toast.
"Of course, we are going to the supermarket. You don't have any food in the house, Sam. We've talked about this before", he said patiently.
They had. Several times. And she always said that she would buy groceries. Sometimes she did but mostly she just forgot. Or didn't have time. Or was too tired. Food had never been an important factor in her life. Until Jack had entered her life. More precisely until they married. But that was another talk they would have. Not so important as the one that had made him fly miles and come to see her. That was the important talk.
"Yes, you're right. Let's talk about that later", she said, sipping her coffee.
Jack didn't insist. They ate their breakfast in silence, the tension almost occupying a seat next to them so thick it was. After putting everything in the dishwasher, Jack crossed his arms.
"I don't know how to start this, Sam", he admitted nervously.
"Do you want to go outside to the backyard or you prefer to talk in the living room?", she asked moving until she was standing in front of him.
"I rather stay in the house", he said.
"Okay, so let's get comfy in the living room", she said grabbing his hand.
He followed her, holding her hand more tightly than normal as if he were afraid that she suddenly might disappear. Sam sat on their couch, still holding his hand and he sat next to her. He was breathing heavily now, his heart pounding in his chest like a drumroll of dread.
"It's normal to be nervous, Jack", she said, still holding his hand.
Jack stared at the floor, his fingers nervously tapping against his thigh. He had faced countless dangers, stared down powerful enemies, and made life-altering decisions in the heat of battle, but this was different. This was confronting his inner demons, the shadows that had haunted his nights for years.
Beside him, Sam sat, her presence a source of both comfort and anxiety. She was the only person in the world he trusted with this, the only one he could ever imagine sharing these nightmares with. She was his wife, the love of his life, and he knew he couldn't keep this hidden any longer.