Jack efficiently closed windows and secured everything inside the cabin while Sam settled onto their couch, captivated by the dancing flames in the fireplace. Observing the cozy scene, Jack grabbed a large blanket from one of the chairs and joined her, covering them both.
"Warmer?" he inquired, his arm encircling her shoulders.
She nestled closer, offering a contented sigh.
"Yes, thank you. You are my favorite personal body heater," she playfully remarked, kissing his neck.
Jack chuckled, his fingers gently caressing her hair. The cabin held a special place in their hearts, a sanctuary where they always found relaxation. Jack broached a more serious topic in the warm glow, "What do we need to talk about? Besides the obvious elephant in our bedroom?"
Sam began playing with the buttons on his shirt.
"Maybe they are related," she suggested gently.
Jack cleared his throat, his curiosity piqued.
"Maybe," he conceded.
"Can I ask you a question, Jack? About the time I was missing?" she inquired, her fingers moving to his chest.
Jack nodded, a mixture of apprehension and curiosity in his eyes.
"How did you feel while I was missing? Were you afraid I was dead?" she asked, her touch tender.
Jack almost jumped from the couch, but Sam's hands held him.
"Christ, Sam?! What kind of question is that?" he responded, clearly agitated.
Sam persisted her hand on his chest, anchoring him.
"You know I didn't tell you everything that happened on the planet in the debriefing, but I would like to tell you now. Do you want to know?" she asked in a low voice.
Jack held his breath. Did he want to know what she had been through?
"Tell me," he said, his hand resuming its gentle caress through her hair.
"I told you already that I had my first panic attack there and that it was so strong that I passed out. I thought I was going to die. It felt overwhelming. I'm better now. The therapy helped me deal with them, and yoga stopped my brain. It's relaxing," she explained.
Jack smiled.
"That's good. Anything that can put your magnificent brain to rest is worthy," he remarked.
"But I had very dark moments there, Jack. After so much time without rescue, I thought I would be alone forever and no help would ever come. My sidearm stayed at my hand many times," she continued slowly.
Jack raised both eyebrows.
"Sam..." he began.
"Yes, Jack, I thought of giving up several times," she admitted.
Jack closed his eyes.
"Jesus Christ," he mumbled, his hand stopping the caress and instead holding her tight.
Sam bit her lip.
"The reason I didn't use it was you. You kept me alive. I saw your face in my best and worst moments, and you were why I never gave up, why I went looking for the escape pod because I wanted to return home. To you," she said, tears now starting down her cheeks.
Jack continued with his eyes closed, his tears falling silently.
"And like I told you before, I don't blame you for anything, Jack, so you shouldn't either. Please stop blaming yourself," she asked, wiping his tears gently.
"I can't imagine a life without you," he said in a hoarse voice.
Sam put her arms around his neck and put her face beside his.
"Me neither, Jack. I love you too much," she said. "And that is why I can no longer continue on active duty. I can't risk another situation like this one. I can't," she said, almost whispering the words against his neck.
Jack, still holding her body, felt his muscles tense.
"What? What are you saying, Sam?" he asked, moving his head slightly away from hers so he could watch her face.
"I'm tired, Jack, of risking my life, of making you suffer, of spending so much time away from you. I want to spend more time with my husband, like a regular couple," she said, gently caressing his face.
Jack held her hand and kissed it.
"Honey, we are not a regular couple. We are in the Air Force and work for a highly top-secret program. We visit other planets and galaxies. We have aliens as friends and enemies. We can never be regular," he said slowly.
Sam held his gaze.
"Never, Jack?" she asked.
He shook his head.
"You know what I mean," he said.
Sam moved her body slightly away from his.
"No, I don't. Please clarify me," she asked in a colder tone.
Jack sighed and passed a hand through his hair. The fire was diminishing, so he got up and added some logs.
"We are military, Sam. You know that," he said.
Sam crossed her arms and looked at her husband.
"I'm military and a scientist. I don't have to be both," she said.
Jack put a hand on the mantle.
"Do you want to quit the Air Force? Is that it?" he asked.
Sam looked at him closely. She didn't know if she was still talking to her husband or Lieutenant General Jack O'Neill, Head of Homeworld Security. And that was what had started to become a problem for Sam. Not to him, apparently.
"I want to be happy, Jack. And right now, I'm not," she said.
Jack swallowed. Well, she wasn't being shy with her words.
"You're not happy with me?" he asked, almost ripping part of the mantle.
Sam sighed.
"I'm unhappy because I don't spend enough time with you, Jack. Don't play dumb," she warned.
He blushed and looked at his boots. He knew what she was trying to say, but that meant throwing away her military career. He wasn't sure how he felt about that.
"So, you're saying you want to become just a scientist?" Jack asked, continuing near the fireplace.
Sam bit her lip.
"Just a scientist, Jack? Wow... that reminds me so much of when we met for the first time in that briefing room. I'm not sure I'm going to answer you right now," she said, getting up.
Jack silently cursed.
"Sam, wait! That came out wrong. I didn't mean to say that..." he said, reaching to hold her shoulder as she prepared to leave the living room.
She stopped walking and slowly turned to him.
"Are you sure, Jack? After all, you always had a high distrust for scientists. Sometimes, you even seem to forget you are married to one," she said icily.
Jack held her hand.
"I'm sorry. I was a jerk. You know how much I respect your work, always have," he said sincerely.
For a long moment, she held his gaze without a word.
"You are brilliant, honey, and what I was trying to say is that you've saved us countless times. If you leave the Air Force, it would be a tremendous loss. Just that," he clarified.
Sam didn't utter a word, and he started to get worried.
"Samantha, don't give me the silent treatment," he pleaded.
She raised an eyebrow, but in silence, she continued. Jack groaned.
"Sam," he called again.
"We should get some sleep," she finally said and turned her back again, heading to their bedroom.
Jack, raising both hands in frustration, followed her.
"Fuck, fuck", he cursed under his breath.
The bedroom in Sam and Jack's cabin exuded a cozy rustic charm. The walls, painted in a subtle powder grey, gave the room a calming and serene atmosphere. White accents adorned the space, from the crisp bed linens to the wooden furniture. Sam had personally repaired and painted the furniture over time.
The room's centerpiece was a sturdy wooden bed with a simple yet elegant design. The headboard, crafted from weathered wood, added a touch of rustic character. A plush duvet in shades of white and grey draped over the bed, inviting a peaceful night's sleep. As Sam entered the room, she wondered if this night would be the case.
On either side of the bed stood matching nightstands, each adorned with a vintage-style lamp that cast a warm, soft light. The lamps emitted a gentle glow, creating an ambiance that complemented the tranquil setting.
Against one wall, a small but well-crafted dresser provided storage for personal items. Its surface held some pictures of them over the years, adding a personal touch to the room. A large mirror with a distressed white frame hung above the dresser, reflecting the rustic elegance of the space.
A couple of comfortable dark grey armchairs were strategically placed near the window, inviting quiet moments of reflection or reading. The window, adorned with white curtains, framed a picturesque view of the wilderness.
The wooden floor, adorned with a plush area rug in neutral tones, added an extra layer of comfort. Subtle handcrafted pieces adorned the walls, showcasing rustic aesthetics.
"Come on, Sam, don't be like this," Jack pleaded as he entered the bedroom. She was in the process of shedding several layers of clothing and didn't even bother to look at him. Jack sat on their bed.
"I thought we came here to solve our issues, not to ignore them," he said.
In response, he received a pair of pants thrown at his head. He slowly moved them and placed them on the bed. She was now only in her underwear.
"You want to solve our issues, Jack?" she asked, putting both hands on her waist.
Jack swallowed hard, noticing she had regained her figure, and the yoga had undoubtedly been good for her.
"Yes, of course, I want to," he said, remaining seated.
Slowly, Sam moved to where he was, stopping in front of him.
"Very well, this has become an issue. What do you want to do about it?" she asked, pointing to them.
Jack's mouth suddenly went dry as his eyes moved from her face to her body, her very sexy and almost naked body, covered only by a matching set of blue underwear. He cleared his throat.
"We... we can talk about it," he stammered.
Sam laughed.
"You want to talk?" she asked, wetting her lips.
Jack cleared his throat again. Had the bedroom suddenly become too hot? He put both hands on his knees to keep his focus.
"You said we needed to talk," he said, trying to think of something to extricate himself from that tight spot.
Sam passed a hand through her neck, and Jack swallowed even harder.
"Right. Talk," she said, looking at the wall on her right. "Very well, Jack, let's talk," she added as if giving up.
She went to the dresser and took a T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, putting them on, to Jack's immense disappointment. Well, he had said they needed to talk.
"Okay, just let me have a quick shower and change," he said, undressing as he moved to their bathroom.
Sam got inside the sheets and picked up a book and her glasses on her nightstand.
"Take your time," she said, starting to read. Quantum Physics seemed appropriate for her current state of mind.
Jack bit his lip and moved to the shower, trying to decide if a cold or hot one was the better option. Once inside, he turned on the cold water and gritted his teeth as the icy spray covered his body. Yeah, cold was the best option.
When he returned, showered and clean-shaved, she was engrossed in a thick book on the bed. Clad in a new pair of boxers and a T-shirt, Jack tiptoed across the cold floor and quickly slipped under the covers. She slowly put the book down.
"Damn, it's cold," he said, now regretting the cold shower. He was shivering, and Sam couldn't help but notice.
"I'm not even going to ask," she said, pulling another blanket and covering them.
"I'll be fine; just give me two minutes," he said, rubbing his arms for warmth.
Sam sighed and moved closer to him. Jack looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his teeth chattering.
"Well, General, something you taught me on one of our first missions. Antarctica, remember? Share body heat," she said, putting her arm around his cold waist. "Jesus, Jack, you're freezing!" she exclaimed, surprised.
He merely nodded. She lifted her head and looked at him.
"Did you take a cold shower?" she asked slowly.
He looked at the ceiling, not answering. Sam closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest.
"For crying out loud," she mumbled as she now moved her whole body and slowly stayed on top of him. "Take this off," she said, pulling his T-shirt.
He fought her fingers, but a well-placed knee between his legs made him give up. Mumbling some incoherent curses, he let her take his T-shirt. The way her soft breasts brushed his chest was the start of Jack's problems. Especially when she started to rub his chest to warm him. The problem was that she wasn't only warming his chest. Other critical parts of his body were awakening, and she was aware of it in her position. She was smiling, after all.
"Don't you dare to smile," he warned.
Sam's hands were now moving much slower and downward to his waist. Jack held his breath.
"You can start talking anytime," she said.
He gave her a furious glare, but she merely wet her lips.
"I'm already warm, thank you," he said instead.
Sam didn't move a muscle.
"Well, and I'm comfortable," she said, her fingers stopping at the waistband of his boxers. She didn't move any further, though. "Talk, Jack," she said gently.
Jack could hardly form a sentence now, much less have a conversation.
"You are not being fair," he managed to say.
She had her chin resting on his chest and was looking at him.
"Why? You said that we had an elephant in the bedroom. Well, let's address that elephant," she said, her knee moving slightly and making Jack even more uncomfortable. His breathing started to become faster.
"Come on, Sam," he said, rolling his eyes.
"You are resisting, Jack. Why?" she asked, moving her body harder against his.
She couldn't be more explicit in her intentions; his reaction would be completely different any other time. Jack held her waist.
"I've told you already," he said, his chest rising and falling heavily.
Sam didn't relent.
"Tell me again," she said, kissing his chest.
Jack groaned and closed his eyes. He was on the brink, and she knew it well.
"I love you, Jack," she said between kisses. "You are the only man I ever wanted, and you are the only one who knows my body like no one else," she said, moving her lips to his neck.
He groaned as arousal shot through him, his fingers holding her waist tighter now.
"So, make love to me, honey. Like only you know how," she said, holding his face and making him look at her.
Jack's eyes locked with hers, and he kissed her passionately. His hand moved skillfully, taking her T-shirt and undoing the clasp of her bra, and he gently slipped it off, revealing her naked skin. In an almost automatic response, her body arched into his caress, and a soft whimper escaped her lips, her hands gripping his shoulders. His hands traced the contours of her waist, then glided up her sides, exploring every curve of her soft body.
He withdrew his mouth from hers, but she followed, capturing his lips again in a heated exchange. Breathless, she broke the kiss and held his gaze. He moved his hand higher, cupping her breast and flicking her nipple with his thumb. His warm breath washed over her throat, and his lips trailed sensually along her neck as she closed her eyes.
"God, I missed you," he said, his deep rasp sending quivers through her.
Her fingers threaded through his hair, savoring the connection they shared. When his thumb grazed her nipple again, Sam bit her lower lip, and her eyes fluttered open. She arched into his touch, groaning.
"Jack..." Her fingers curled around his nape.
He withdrew his hand from her breast to brush strands of hair away from her ear. Then he ran his tongue across her neck, gently pushing her onto her back. His fingers traced the soft curve of her hips and hooked his fingers under the waistband of her sweatpants and panties.
As his hand moved inside her panties, she scraped her nails along his skin, raising goosebumps on his arm. His fingers traced along her heated center, and she gripped his wrist. He leaned down, capturing her lips in a deep kiss, his fingers stroking through her folds at the same time. She broke away from him with a gasp.
"Oh... God. Yes…but not tonight, Jack," she said, panting, looking at him.
Taking her mouth with his, he moved his hand down her inner thigh.
"Are you sure?" he asked, hardening almost painfully.
"Yes, I want you inside me," she said in a breathless whimper.
His arousal brushed against her abdomen, and he trembled, pulling her closer.
Her breath hitched as his fingers tickled the back of her knee, and he shifted even closer, settling between her legs, his shoulders brushing her thighs. His hands slid warmly along her upper thighs, then pushed her legs further apart. She moaned, arching against him, her fingers tangling in his hair and curling around his nape.
"Then let me make love to you." He gave her neck a tender nip.
"Yes."
He grazed her lips with his, guiding himself to her entrance. It felt like coming home. Always. Smiling, she kissed his lips. He smirked while guiding himself to her entrance and entered her in a gentle but firm thrust. She buried her face in his neck, her breath hitching when he pushed the rest of his length into her.
"Oh, God. I missed you."
Then a moan. Pressing her thighs against his sides, she rocked her hips against him. His pace increased.
"Jesus, Sam."
She clutched him desperately, her head leaning back against the pillow. Growling, he reached up and grabbed her hands, lacing his fingers between hers, pinning her hands beside her head, rendering her helpless. She tugged at his grip, but he didn't relent. Her eyes shot open. She held his gaze on his next thrust, her fingers clasping his.
Grunting, he crushed his lips to hers, claiming them. His thrusts became fast and hard. She panted.
"Jack," she moaned louder, and her body shuddered violently against his touch.
His body followed immediately after as he spilled his warmth into her. He gave her a few more thrusts, then went rigid, clutching her hands. On an exhale, he collapsed on top of her.
Her eyes closed as she tried to get her breathing back under control. Utter exhaustion and satisfaction spread through her limbs. This is what she had missed. How good they were together. After an eternity, he lifted himself onto his elbows, taking some of his weight off her — not that she minded. She never did. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.
"Hey."
He gave her a gorgeous, crooked smirk. His skin shimmered with a few beads of sweat. She brushed over them with her thumb.
"Hey, back," he said.
"I love you, Jack," she said, her fingers drawing lazy circles on his nape.
"I love you too," he said, nuzzling her neck.
After a while, he withdrew from her body and rolled them over to the other side of the bed.
"C'mere." He pulled her close against his chest.
She sighed contentedly and curled into him, her head resting on his shoulder.
"I think there's no need to talk about elephants again," he said.
Her fingers played through his hair, shimmering almost white in the soft moonlight leaking through the windows. She closed her eyes.
"I believe not."
His fingers tangled in her hair, then he pulled her hand close to his mouth and placed a gentle kiss on her pulse point.
"Let's leave the rest for tomorrow, shall we?" he asked.
"Sure, we should sleep a bit. This was quite the exercise, General", she said, leaning in to trap his lower lip between her teeth and kiss him.
He smiled, and they fell asleep in each other's arms shortly after.