A/N: There is sexy time in this chapter. If you prefer to skip it, please skip to the final five paragraphs of this chapter.

Chapter 27

Jack pulled back and looked into Sam's eyes, searching to see if she wanted more.

Sam bit her lip, the question on Jack's face obvious. Was she ready?

Was she?

Honestly, Sam didn't know, but she trusted this man. Trusted him more than anything. More than she even trusted herself. So, it only felt right for her to take his hand and lead him to their bed.

She was breathtaking. That was Jack's first thought. Sam was beauty and brilliance all rolled into one, and for some crazy reason, she wanted him. Despite everything that had been done to her, she was still choosing him. It was both humbling and terrifying.

With almost trembling fingers, Jack reached for the hem of Sam's shirt. After lifting it up and over her head, he searched her face for any signs of hesitation. Seeing none, he pushed her pants downward, trailing his fingers ever so softly against her skin. His knees cracked as he knelt, but he ignored them, focusing instead on going slowly. They'd both been through a lot and the last thing he wanted was to cause her emotional pain by triggering a disturbing memory.

With light pressure, he lifted first one foot, then the other, tossing her pants and underwear aside. His eyes drifted up, soaking in the sight of her lean legs and narrow hips. Her once flat stomach was now subtly rounded. Undeniable proof of the life she carried.

Sam watched breathlessly as Jack leaned forward and pressed his lips to her skin. Her fingers, tentative at first, caressed his head, holding him close.

When he pulled back, their eyes met. Brown and blue both full of desire for each other.

"Are you sure?" Jack asked, still kneeling in front of her.

Sam nodded. "Take me to bed," she replied, urging him upward with the hand that was still holding him.

She didn't need to tell him twice. Climbing to his feet, Jack scooped her into his arms and placed her onto the center of their bed. He made quick work of his own shirt and pants, kicking them out of the way before covering her with his body.

They both moaned as skin touched skin. Sam's breasts caressed his chest as he held himself slightly above her. She lifted her head, offering her lips. Jack seized them, her silent directive clear.

Sam shivered when Jack shifted onto his side, one hand tenderly caressing the underside of her breasts. Using his fingertips, he traced nonsensical patterns across her skin, moving slowly toward the tips. When his palm finally covered one breast, Sam closed her eyes, gasping as heat shot straight to her core.

"Oh," she said breathlessly, a slight tremor running through her body. She bit her bottom lip but was unable to stop the soft moan from escaping.

"Just feel," Jack whispered, moving his hand lower.

Sam's entire being focused on the feel of his fingertips caressing her skin. The glorious sensitivity igniting pleasure everywhere he touched. His hand caressed the curls at the juncture of her thighs, making her shiver. She was already so close, all he had to do was…

Jack parted her, sliding one finger along her folds.

It was like ice cold water pouring over her head. The memory of Kisqua hands touching her eclipsed everything, making her cry out in fear.

Jack was off of her in an instant, on his feet and staring down at her with concern. "I'm sorry," rushed out, unsure of what he'd done, but recognizing the PTSD response.

"No," Sam shook her head sharply and sat up, "it wasn't you. It was them," she looked at him with sorrowful eyes. "Their hands—" she sucked in a sharp breath.

Understanding dawned for Jack, "Sam, I didn't think."

"How would you know?" Sam pursed her lips. "I didn't even know that would trigger it." She held out a hand, wordlessly asking him to rejoin her.

Jack took the invitation immediately, sitting down next to her and pulling her into his arms. They sat quietly for a few minutes, both content to hold the other.

"I won't let them win," Sam finally said, breaking the silence. "I'd like to try again."

"We don't have to," Jack replied, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Not tonight."

When Jack just continued to hold her, she pulled back to gauge his reaction. "I want to," she watched him carefully. She saw concern on his face, mixed with pride, but no signs of repulsion. Nothing indicated he'd changed his mind about being with her.

"Are you sure?" He asked for the second time that night.

Sam decided showing him would be better. Shifting onto her knees, she leaned over him and seized his lips. Her tongue traced them lightly, seeking entrance, and surging inside when he parted them.

Jack groaned, his body responding slowly. He had a moment of unexpected uneasiness when Sam hovered above him, but then she straddled his lap and his mind refocused on the more pressing issue—ensuring she found pleasure in his arms.

Grasping her waist, he shifted, rotating them so she was once again beneath him.

"Jack," she bit her lip, not wanting him to stop, but afraid he'd accidentally trigger her again.

"Trust me," he replied.

Sam nodded. She trusted him; would always trust him. With everything.

Jack reached for her hands and entwined their fingers. Scooting down her body, he used his elbows to position himself on the bed until his head was between her legs.

"Tell me if anything I do is too much," he ordered a split second before his mouth sank into her folds.

Sam gasped at the glorious feeling of Jack's mouth on her. She'd understood his intent as soon as he'd started scooting down her body and had widened her legs to give him better access. She thought she was prepared, but the first gentle nudge of his tongue made her gasp in surprise. The second one made her see stars.

Sam squeezed Jack's hands, gripping them like a lifeline as he continued to pleasure her. He nuzzled in deeper, seeking the spot he knew would drive her wild. Her hips pressed upward against him, begging for more.

"Oh," she cried out, the first spark igniting low and spreading outward. Her mind flashed to what they'd done to her, what they'd made her do, but she shoved it aside. This was Jack. Her Jack.

Her back arched as the release rolled over her. Gasping in exquisite pleasure, she squeezed Jack's hands tightly and let the sensations flow through her.

When her body relaxed and she released his hands, Jack climbed back up her body, dropping kisses along the way.

Her face was a picture of happiness. A soft smile played at her lips; her eyes hooded as the last vestiges of her orgasm faded away.

"Sleep," he told her, tucking her into his side.

"But you," she argued sleepily, her hand trailing down his stomach.

He caught her questing hand with one of his and brought it to his lips. "I'm not going anywhere," he kissed her knuckles.

"But—"

"There's no need to rush," he placed her hand over his heart.

Sam nodded. He was right. They should take things slow. There was no telling what type of reaction she'd have to any penetration, given how she'd reacted to the feeling of his hands. And she absolutely did not want to mar anything they'd just done with more flashbacks.

Jack kissed the top of Sam's head as she snuggled into him. Only when she was asleep did he let his worry show. Something was wrong. Something he hadn't expected. Not in a million years.

Jack let out a harsh breath. It was something he'd never experienced, especially where Sam was concerned. He was always in a semi-aroused state whenever she was near. Hell, he spent eight years learning how to conceal his arousal from her.

And it wasn't like he couldn't get hard. He'd been hard more times than he cared to count since being locked in the time dilation field. But tonight, despite how much he'd enjoyed himself, as soon as her hand had trailed down his body, he was done. Finished.

Jack shook off the worry. It was simply his concern for her, he told himself. He'd been so focused on ensuring she was okay that he had simply kept himself in check too much. Yes, that's all it was. But even as he drifted off to sleep, he knew that was a lie.