Sam watched Jack working his jaw back and forth as he got closer, his eyes scanning her face and neck intently. She recognized the concern there, glimpsing precariously around the thick layer of tension. Projecting the same silent question he had raised to her countless times in the field. Are you okay?

Falling into the rhythm of their unspoken language, she kept her eyes on him, dipping her head in affirmation; her insides whirling when the tight creases in his forehead lightened for a moment in obvious relief.

His strides slowed considerably as she took her own inventory, noticing the blood caked bandages on his wrists, the tattered t-shirt.

Worried what injuries lie beneath, she outstretched a hand and took a step forward. "Jack, you're hurt, let me…"

His hand raised, cutting her off as he dropped his head and shuffled to a stop ten feet away.

The rest of her words bunched in her throat as she watched him rake his fingers frantically through his hair, muttering to himself. He took a deep breath and let it out in a rush as his eyes rolled up to meet hers.

"I need something from you."

Her stomach lurched nervously; the simple sentence phrased like a request when it was undoubtedly a condition.

"What?" She breathed.

"You need to promise me Sam." Fists clenched; he took another step closer. "Promise me you'll never sacrifice yourself like that for me again."

"I…" Promise. It was right there on the tip of her tongue. All she had to do was say it. Ease his mind. Then maybe he could forgive her and things could go back to the way they were before that room. They could carry on like it never happened. What does it matter if it's true or not, he just needs to hear you say it.

But even as her mouth formed the word, she just couldn't manage to get enough air behind it to push it forward.

He had always trusted her to be honest with him and she wasn't going to ruin that now. Because the truth of the matter was, she would do it again. Risk her life for his. Without a second thought.

When her eyes dipped, his narrowed.

"Promise me." He demanded roughly before gritting out. "Please."

She shook her head slowly. "Jack, I can't."

"Goddamn it! Why not!?" The loud roar caught her off guard, making her flinch as she stepped back. A thud sounding when her heel made contact with the cargo boxes behind her.

Her heart pounded wildly. "Because…it would be a lie. And I can't…I won't do that to you. Please don't ask me to."

Suddenly, the floor beneath them shifted, jolting her sideways and back.

Jack's face paled as she lost her balance and flailed. With a curse he braced against the pull of the ship and lunged forward, just managing to snag the waistband of her jeans with his fingertips before pulling her flush against him and backing her against the wall she had almost gone headlong into.

She could feel her adrenaline pumping from the close call, her senses hyperaware of everything around her. The raised hieroglyphs on the wall pressing into her back. His shaky sigh of relief warm against her lips as his arms slid down around her, caging her in.

Her hands had gone to his chest instinctively and now, he was so close, she could feel the hot tension radiating off of him. He was a mess. Hair disheveled, sweaty, covered in dried blood, and she wanted him so badly she could taste it. A warm tingling heat coiled around her spine as she dragged her flattened palms down the hard planes of his chest. His firm, unrelenting body shuddering from her touch.

That's when she heard the low rumble in the back of his throat and saw the change in him. Pupils blown wide, nose flaring.

She licked her lips unconsciously, and her heart stuttered as he tracked the movement of her tongue like prey. Drawing in a shaky breath, she felt his hand snaking slowly across her collarbone, and up into her hair. There was a growl as he gave it a tug, exposing her long neck to him like an offering. She groaned his name as he tilted his head and leaned in, his teeth scraping into her flesh as he worked his way up the length of her. "God Sam," he rasped against her jawline, "you drive me fucking crazy."

And then his mouth was devouring her. Licking, nipping and tugging her lips relentlessly before sliding his tongue deep with a tortured groan.

A dizzying rush of blood went to her head as she gave into his insatiable need for her. Each consuming swirl and stroke of his tongue stripping away her defenses, leaving her bare and vulnerable and aroused as hell.

Her body was on fire; the low guttural moans in his chest making her clench and ache. She needed more. Needed to feel him inside of her. Hard and heavy and buried so deep she could barely breathe.

He swallowed her desperate whine before pulling back, panting against her lips.

"Wait."

Breathless and gasping, her eyes fluttered open, trying to make sense of the word as she slowly came back to herself. Suddenly painfully aware of how drenched she was, and how hard his hand was gripping her risen thigh to stop her shameless grinding against his clothed erection.

Eyes squeezing shut, his face hardened as he looked away. Gravity took over when he let go of her thigh, his hands returning to the wall on either side of her as he scooted back to keep her at arm's length.

Confusion set in. What happened?

He'd been all over her, and her body had responded…eagerly. And now he was pushing her away? But he wanted her. Even now she could feel it. The possessive part of him struggling to get out and finish what he started.

Then it clicked. And her stomach dropped as she realized. The rejection crushing her heart to dust as her biggest fear materialized.

He couldn't forgive her.

Cared about her, lusted for her…maybe even loved her, but he couldn't forgive her for leaving him there and running off with the enemy. Couldn't forgive her for not promising that she wouldn't risk her life for his again.

Her stomach roiled. Feeling empty and sick as she loosened the grip on his shirt, allowing her arms to drop down to her sides. He opened his eyes. And she felt something shift in him as he turned his head to meet her gaze, frowning as her eyes watered.

Damnit. She wasn't going to cry. Glancing quickly over his shoulder, she focused on the tacky gold wall across the room, trying desperately to pull herself together and salvage whatever dignity she had left.

"I…I understand." Her voice cracked as she blinked back the tears. "I'm so sorry Jack."

The need to get away before she lost it completely was overwhelming, and she pushed her hands against his chest to gain more distance. He didn't budge.

"What?" His bewildered tone and puzzled look only incensed her.

It was hard enough to accept his decision and to get out the apology. But having to verbalize the reason why she needed to get away right now, knowing she would never fully recover from losing him. It was too much. She couldn't spell it out for him, not without breaking down.

"Just…" she pushed against him harder, but he was unyielding, a wall of concrete in her path. Panic set in as the treacherous tears began to fall, and her jaw tightened to prevent from releasing more. "Please, just let me go."

He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her to his chest; his words gruff and uneven. "Wait, talk to me."

Pulling back, he cupped her chin and tilted it up. That was when she noticed. He looked as wrecked as she felt. His eyes pleading desperately for answers. "You're angry, hurt. Why are you apologizing?" He swallowed hard. "Why are you running from me?"

A hand slid up her neck, cradling her face tenderly. And she couldn't stop herself from leaning into his touch as he swept his thumb lightly over her damp skin. Finding comfort in the fact that he wouldn't let her go. Not just yet.

Her voice was thick and wet as she strung the words together. Taking a deep breath before they came tumbling out.

"I know why you pulled away and I understand. You can't forgive me for leaving you in that room. And…" Her gaze drifted down to his mouth; her vision blurring with tears as the words tripped over themselves. "…and I can't blame you for that. It tore me apart to leave you there. Hearing you scream for me. I even tried to come back, but he stopped me. And I don't even know what I would've done if I had. But maybe, maybe there was a better way. Something else I could have done." She shook her head. "I just couldn't think." The frustration at herself flared as she gritted out. "I couldn't think of anything except how to stop them from killing you…and how to stop you from killing yourself."

When Jack shook his head and opened his mouth, she pressed her fingers gently to his lips to silence him. Because she needed to get this out now, while she still could. "And even though I hate myself for leaving you there, I can't lie to you and say that I wouldn't do it again." Her lips trembled. "Because I would. God help me I would, if it meant I wouldn't have to live without you. Even if you never forgave me. Even if you didn't want me anymore…"

"No," he interrupted. His face twisting painfully as he wrapped his hand around her wrist and pulled her fingers away; dipping down and capturing her lips in a searing kiss. She let out a low whimper as his tongue slipped inside and dragged possessively over hers, the deep moan in his chest stirring up the lingering heat in her belly. Sam melted into him, dreading the possibility that this could be the last kiss they'd ever share.

When their lips parted, he pressed his forehead against hers as their breathing slowed.

It wasn't until she felt his fingers curl around hers that she lifted her head and saw his eyes welling with tears. "I don't just want you Sam." His breath hitched. "I need you."

A relieved sob wracked her body as she sunk her face into the curve of his neck. Feeling him caress the back of her head as he hugged her close. Landing gentle kisses against her temple and cheek as he talked to her, the gravelly rumble of his voice blanketing her with comfort. "I can't bear the thought of being without you. You're mine now Sam. And there's nothing you could say or do that will ever change the way I feel about you. I'm so sorry for making you doubt that sweetheart."

All of the pent-up worry, doubt and fear from the last week poured out of her as she finally let go; his whispered words of love and encouragement anchoring her through the storm.

It wasn't until the tears ebbed, that she realized she was sitting in his lap. Somehow he had moved them over to the boxes, and now he was rocking her so delicately, it made her want to cry all over again.

When he cupped her neck she groaned, not ready to confront the rest of the world just yet. Feeling raw and drained; like she'd been torn apart and sewn back together with weak thread as he swept his thumbs tenderly over her cheeks.

Her eyes opened when his wet lips grazed hers. "It was wrong of me to come in here like that." She straightened to get a better look at him as he continued. "I'm sorry for yelling at you."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not." He pursed his lips, his fingertips curling the damp tendrils of wavy hair around her ear. "It wasn't fair to try and make you promise me something I can't do myself. Don't get me wrong, I still hate that it happened. And there's still a completely irrational part of me that is determined to never let you out of my sight again." He huffed defeatedly. "But it was hypocritical and wrong, and I'm pretty certain neither of us would be alive if you hadn't gone through with it."

She leaned forward, pressing her lips firmly against his before tucking her head against his chest and smiling. "Never let me out of your sight again huh?"

His chest rumbled contently. "Mmmhmm. Never."

There was a comfortable pause before he chuckled lightly. "And for the record, the only reason I pulled away from you was because I didn't trust myself not to bend you over these boxes and have my way with you."

She could hear the mirth in his voice and knew he was smiling. Her stomach fluttered as she pulled back and looked up, confirming her suspicion. "So why didn't you?"

The corner of his mouth relaxed, the smile turning into something seductive. "Because I knew once I was inside you, I wouldn't be able to stop."

Stifling a groan, her thighs squeezed together instinctively at the thought.

"Not to mention, I'm gross and need a shower."

"Well, that makes two of us." Her brow quirked. "So, nothing to do with my dad being in the next room then huh?"

His ears pinkened. "Okay, the thought may have crossed my mind."

When she laughed, he poked her ribs playfully. "Hey, give me a break. He's stronger than he looks and can get a little scary when he's pissed off."

"Speaking of which, I heard you two were fighting earlier?" His eyes narrowed.

"Daniel's gotta big mouth."

She rolled her eyes. "That's besides the point. Stop deflecting, what happened?"

There was a rapping on the door as Daniel's muffled voice filtered through. "Hey guys? We uh…should be landing in about ten so…you know."

Sam flashed a wicked grin, her eyes not leaving Jack's as she raised her voice. "I guess that means I should get decent. Thanks Daniel!"

His mouth gaped. "Are you trying to get me killed?"

The devious giggle was instantaneous, dying quickly when he didn't join in.

Instead, his eyes darkened and his Adam's apple bobbed as he shifted underneath her.

Then she felt him, hardening against her thigh, and getting harder by the second. She wiggled, coaxing a groan out of him. "Mmm, not that I'm complaining, but what just happened?"

He tugged on her outer thigh, rocking her against him. "That giggle has always done something to me, and I think I finally know the reason why."

"Really?" She scooted off his lap, long enough to spread her legs and straddle him. He hummed, his hands spanning low across her back as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Do tell."

His hands drifted down and palmed her ass, pulling her against him roughly with a grunt. God, he was so hard.

She bit back a moan and rolled her hips slowly …once…twice… The friction had the seam of her jeans rubbing her deliciously. And her clit sung as she got into a slow rhythm. She could come like this, and from the look on his face, he could too.

"Fuck Sam." He murmured hoarsely, eyes smoldering. "I can feel you through your jeans."

She flashed him a shaky smile, noticing their breaths were coming out in short little pants. Oh, how she loved him like this. On the edge. Hungry for her. "Tell me Jack, why does it do things to you?"

His big hands were sliding up and down over her backside as she rocked into him, rubbing and kneading. Her breath hitched when one of his fingers slid down between her cheeks.

He noticed and a groan released between his teeth as he did it again and again, applying more pressure. "It's the tone of your voice…it deepens. Exactly the same way it does when you come."

He leaned back slightly and lifted her against him, changing the grind into a slide, up and down his length, rubbing the hood of her clit just right. She gasped as he looked down between them and whispered raggedly.

"God look at you making a mess of me. I can't wait to taste you Sam…get inside you…feel you come on me."

Prickling heat rippled up her spine as her eyes shuttered closed. When her movements began to falter, he took control. His fingers gripping hard, rolling and lifting her into him faster. "Yes...I've got you sweetheart."

She fought to stay quiet, letting out a soft strangled cry as she pulled herself tight against him. Her chest in line with his face as she tucked her chin behind his ear. "I'm…Jack…" With a loud gasp, her body seized. Then she erupted, feeling the warm gush of her release as a deep moan rattled out of her.

That was all it took to set him off.

Jack swore as he shuddered and came hard; his hips stuttering and jerking violently as he crushed her to him. Panting her name as he rolled and grinded them through it.

When he slowed to a stop, Sam sagged in his arms; her heart thundering in time with the pulse of her throbbing clit as her vision cleared. The contented rumble in his chest was back as his hands slid languidly over her. Even over her t-shirt, it felt amazing to feel his touch again and she reveled in it. Stretching against him with a lazy moan as he caressed her with broad circles up and down her back, then across her shoulders before sliding them around to palm her breasts, massaging them firmly.

She sighed serenely, grinning against his neck when the full extent of what they did dawned on her. Here they had been determined not to do anything, and yet they still couldn't seem to stop themselves from dry humping like a couple of teenagers. The giggle that followed was inevitable.

Jack snorted, his muffled voice tickling the exposed skin below her sagging neckline. "For the love of god, stop giggling."

She pulled back from him and dipped down, grinning against his smirking lips before kissing him. "I can't help it."

Her eyes drifted down to his wrapped wrists, where the bloody bandages had blended into the stained skin around them. She took them into her hands and frowned, running her fingertips over them gingerly. "I need to get the healing device from dad."

"Uh, the first thing we need to do is get changed before this heap touches ground."

She chuckled. "As if it won't be obvious what happened when we come out of here wearing different clothing."

"Christ," he grumbled as she attempted to finger his unruly hair into something manageable. "From the waist down then. Maybe they won't notice."

"You mean maybe he won't notice?"

The corner of his mouth quirked as he pinned her with a stare. "You're being very bad Samantha."

She felt her face flush, her stomach clenching at the low commanding tone.

"Something I think we'll have to address later."

"Yes sir," she purred, making him groan.

There was distinct grumble in her stomach.

"That settles it. Once we get off this tub, it's food, a bath, and then you're mine."

"Mmm, that sounds amazing." She sighed. "Hopefully Janet doesn't keep us in the infirmary for long."

She felt him tense beneath him as he grimaced. "Um yeah, about that. I, uh, meant to tell you. I asked your dad to bring us to that cottage you picked out for us…in Canada instead."

Straightening in his lap, her brows lifted. "Really? For how long?" He cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"A week. I gave Knight a week to take care of things."

Her thumb grazed the stubble of his jaw softly. "You know he probably could've done what he needed to in an hour."

"Yeah, I know." Jack avoided her gaze sheepishly. "The week wasn't for him; it was for me."

A tug on his chin pulled his eyes back to hers, and to her gentle smile. "For us. It's a great idea."

He hid the look of grateful relief behind his lop-sided grin. "Yeah? Well, I wasn't sure if you'd last another week without all of your doohickeys. You must be jonesing pretty bad by now."

There was a noticeable deceleration and his grip tightened on her as the ship slowed and began to descend. With a chaste kiss, she hopped off of his lap, letting her eyes roam down the length of him as he stood. "Actually, there's something else I'm jonesing for now." She gave him a sly smile as she sauntered towards their duffle sitting in the corner. "And I can't wait to get my hands on it. And my lips, and my tongue, and my…"

"Ah!" Jack jammed his fingers into his ears. "Lalalala. Okay, okay you win!" When she erupted into laughter he unplugged his ears and narrowed his eyes at her. "Oooh, you are in so much trouble later."