A/N: I wrote this some time ago. I haven't had time to write anything specific for the holidays, so I thought I'd post this one.
Jack watched the last vestiges of the sun disappear behind the mountains. Taking a deep draw from his beer, he frowned, the liquid having lost its cold bite. Setting it down on the rail of his deck, he closed his eyes and sighed.
They'd buried Jacob today. His friend. Carter's dad. The only member of the Tok'ra Jack actually liked.
A ghost of a smile appeared on his face at that last bit. Selmac had known Jack pretty much despised all snake heads, but hadn't let him get away with lumping her host into that category. She'd ordered him to get over it one night on this very deck. He chuckled lightly at the memory. He's positive she'd be lecturing him right now if she was still around.
"Everybody's gone," Daniel said, coming onto the deck from inside. He stood next to Jack for a few heartbeats. "Hammond shooed them all away before heading back to his hotel." He rocked onto his heels, waiting for Jack to say something. "Walter left some paperwork for you to sign." Daniel rubbed a hand over his hair. "Want us to stay and help clean up?" he finally asked.
"Nah," Jack shook his head, turning to look at his friend. "I'll take care of it in the morning."
Daniel nodded. "It was nice of you to do this. For Sam," he added, a pregnant pause filling the air when Jack simply nodded. "Well, goodnight," Daniel waved awkwardly before going back inside and closing the door behind him.
Turning back to the sunset, Jack watched Sam pick up another rock and toss it into the creek that ran behind his house. She'd retreated out here a while ago when the condolences had become too much. Jack had seen the sheen in her eyes as she talked with one of her relatives. Knowing she was close to losing her composure, he had politely interrupted to give her an escape. With a grateful nod, she'd let him take over the host duties and had been out here ever since.
Jack continued to watch as Sam sensed his eyes on her. Her head turned to find him, their bodies naturally attuned to one another after so many years in the field. With a soft smile, she tossed one last rock into the creek and started walking toward him.
"Hi," Jack said when she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Hi," she replied, her eyes slightly red from crying, but bright as she climbed the stairs onto the deck and into his waiting arms.
With a contented sigh, Sam wrapped her arms around Jack's waist and breathed in his warm, masculine scent. Closing her eyes she blocked out everything except the feel of being in his arms.
"Feelin better?" Jack murmured against her temple as he held her.
"Hmmm," Sam hummed the affirmative, not ready to talk yet.
Sensing her need to just be, Jack rubbed her back gently. "We can stay here as long as you want," he said. "The others have gone."
"Thank you," she murmured, her lips tickling the sensitive skin on his neck.
It was Jack's turn to hum his acknowledgment. His eyes closed, savoring the quiet moment. It was the first one they'd had today. The first one they'd had since Sam had shown up on his doorstep two days ago.
She'd been standing there, drenched from the rain.
"Carter." Jack had whispered her name as he'd tried to pull her inside.
"Did you mean it?" Sam had asked firmly, dodging his attempts to usher her inside. "What you didn't say."
"Sam, come inside," he'd implored. Her father had just passed away a few hours ago.
"Before my father…before he died," she'd licked her lips, the words clearly making her nervous. "You said you'd always be there for me. Then you looked at me," she paused. "We've always been able to communicate without words. To read each other." She took a steadying breath. "Did you mean it? What you didn't say?"
Jack knew the moment she was asking about. The moment their eyes had locked as he'd vowed to always be there for her. The moment he'd finally dropped his guard and let her see everything.
"You're thinking about it again, aren't you?" Sam guessed, pulling back enough to look into his eyes. A ghost of a smirk played at her lips, reading the truth in his gaze.
Instead of answering, he tugged her forward until he could capture her lips. With a sexy sigh, she sank into him, allowing him to do the leading this time.
She'd taken the lead that first time. Had filled his arms. Sopping wet from the pouring rain, she'd kissed him as if her life depended on it. And in a way, it had. She'd risked it all jumping like that, praying he'd catch her.
But he would always catch her.
"It's getting cool," Jack murmured against her lips as the night air turned crisp against their skin. He was dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt, but Sam was still in a skirt and light cardigan. Not wanting her to get chilled, he ran his hands up and down her arms.
"It is," she nodded, "but could we just sit out here? For a little while."
"Of course," Jack kissed her again lightly, unwilling to deny her anything. "Wait here," he instructed, stepping into the house.
Sam wrapped her arms around her torso, trying to stay warm without Jack's heat enveloping her.
He'd quickly warmed her up that first night. With a combination of passion and reverence she didn't know was possible, he'd pulled the sodden clothes from her. Each expanse of skin he revealed was kissed until she'd shook with need.
"Here," Jack said, coming back outside and handing her a knitted throw. Settling himself on the outside lounge chair, he reached out a hand for her to sit between his legs. Once she was settled, he spread the throw over them, cocooning her within his arms.
"This is nice," Sam snuggled into his embrace, letting her head lay against his shoulder. "The sky is beautiful," she said of the stars starting to twinkle above them.
"It pales in comparison."
Sam smiled at his softly whispered compliment. Her warrior had a romantic side. It shouldn't surprise her, but it did. Because being the object of Jack's affection was a completely different experience than catching glimpses of it.
They sat in comfortable silence, watching the sky. They'd visited so many of the stars over the years. At one point, Sam had been able to point out every single one, but she'd lost count. Hundreds of planets and moons, so many nights sitting on alien soil and looking up to find Earth.
"Penny for your thoughts," Jack murmured against her temple.
"Just remembering," she replied, feeling his arms tighten around her. "Everything's changing."
"It doesn't have to."
Sam shifted, turning until she could see his face. His eyes were unguarded, the hope of what could be and the fear of losing what they'd found evident in his gaze. He would let her go if she asked him to. He had pushed her away before in his desire to give her everything.
"Yes, it does," her fingertips traced the lines of his face. "Because I'm not giving us up." She kissed him tenderly, seeking to alleviate his fears, then turned back to the sky.
After a few more quiet minutes, Sam spoke into the darkness surrounding them. "Do you think Dad's up there?"
"I do," Jack smiled against her hair as a shooting star crossed high in the dark sky.
A cool breeze made Sam shiver, goosebumps forming on her skin despite the blanket covering them.
"We should get inside," he said, not really wanting to move. Sam felt too good in his arms.
"Just a little longer," she urged, snuggling further into his embrace. "I know we have to leave for the cabin early, but I need—" she paused, unsure of how to explain.
"We can sit here as long as you want," Jack said, understanding the need to feel connected to the universe. "We can sit here all night."
"No, not all night," Sam ran her fingers along his forearms, causing a different kind of goosebumps. "Just a few more minutes. Until—"
A small meteor flashed brightly above them as it burned up in the atmosphere. The sight made them both still.
"Goodby, Dad," Sam's voice wavered slightly.
Jack linked their fingers, seeking to provide comfort.
"He always said he'd send me a sign," Sam brought their joined hands to her lips and kissed Jack's knuckles. "I know it's silly, but I had this feeling tonight that he would.
"With everything we've seen—I believe you."
She tilted her head and smiled, accepting his unwavering faith in her.
"Come on," she stood up, grabbed the throw, and tugged him to his feet. "Let's go to bed."
Jack followed her toward the house, glancing back over his shoulder. Another breeze drifted through and on it he swore he could hear Jacob's deep chuckle.
I promised you I'd always take care of her, he thought, knowing Dad, wherever he was, could hear him. And I always will.
