They made it all back alive from this place that was literally hell. He still felt the heat burning on his skin and he assumed so could the rest of his team. Martouf went straight back to the Tok'ra to report that they achieved rescuing Jacob, who at the moment was lying in an infirmary bed. Janet insisted on at least one night of observation, he was in pretty bad shape, but nothing, a few days of rest and a good amount of fluids can't heal.
Jack was the last one to be dismissed from his physical and took a stop by Jacob.
"Hey Dad, how are you feeling?"
"Slightly overcooked." Jacob joked. "No, honestly, I'm fine Jack. Thanks for the rescue. Janet just wants to make sure that I get a little rest before she releases me."
"Anytime, I hope you know that. But it was your daughter who did the hard work."
"Yeah, I heard. I'm not really happy that Martouf used this recall device on her. This wasn't a place I would want my daughter to experience, much less have memories about what Jolinar had done to get out of there. I know she's a capable soldier and I'm not that concerned about the torture…" he couldn't make himself finish the sentence, and he didn't have to because Jack knew exactly what he was going to say.
It was the same thing that bothered him since he knew what Jolinar had to do to flee.
"I know, I'm concerned too. I'm going to check in with her before I leave, I promise."
"Janet ordered her home, I believe she took the advice and actually went home." Jacob told him.
"Then I'll stop by her house and make sure she's okay."
"Thanks Jack, I know that goes beyond the duty of a CO."
"I'm not checking on my 2IC, Jake. I'm checking how my friend is doing. With what we're doing this team is like family. I'd do the same for Daniel and Teal'c."
"Right." Jacob cleared his throat. "Thank you anyway."
"You're welcome, get some rest." Jack padded him on his shoulder to emphasize his words and Jacob just nodded before he closed his eyes.
He parked his car behind her classic Volvo that was illuminated by the light of the moon. Before he left the SGC he showered and stopped by her lab to make sure she really left for the day and now he was sitting in his car watching the soft light coming from her living room through the front window. He told Jacob he would check in on a friend, who was he kidding? For him it was way beyond friendship, but he would never endanger her career. So he had to come up with a plan on how to approach her.
He himself had a few experiences with sexual manipulation during torture and imprisonment, but he was never the one using it to come free. Even if it wasn't Carter in the first place, he knew that she felt what Jolinar felt and that these memories would be burned in her mind forever.
Taking a deep breath he opened the door of his green Ford F250 and made his way towards her front door. He immediately knocked before he could change his mind. It took her a moment to realize that there was someone on her door. She was curled up on her couch, trying to process what had happened on that planet. She still could smell the fire and ashes and feel the heat burning through her body, but most of all she couldn't shake the thoughts of Jolinar's memories. Reliving the nasty things Jolinar had done to find a way out. Sam had to gag at the thought of touching Bynarr, it felt so real and she wished she could remove the memory with a more pleasant one of her own. But that wasn't going to happen soon.
Another knock brought her back from her thoughts and as she walked towards her door he tried to guess who it could be. She parted ways in front of the locker room with Daniel and Teal'c and said goodbye for the day, all of them eager to get under the shower to wash away the dirt. Her father was bound to the infirmary at least till tomorrow. That leaves just one person and she wasn't sure if she could face him right now. Not with these mixed up emotions, she doesn't know who she is right now. Her feelings and memories mixed with Jolinar's, she had a hard time seeing what was real.
She opened the door anyway because her light was on and he must know that she's there. Her eyes made contact with his worried ones, they were nearly black right now.
"Sir!"
"Carter, hi!"
"What are you doing here, Sir? I thought you couldn't wait to finally get home."
"Yeah, you know, I just wanted to see how you're doing. I talked to Dad before I left and I kinda promised him to stop by."
"Kinda promised him?" So he was here because her Dad made him.
"I would have come to you anyway even if Jake hadn't asked me to. Look, I won't say I know how you're feeling…"
"Sir, I don't even know how I'm feeling right now." As soon as she had said it tears were welling up in her eyes and she had to bite her lip to not let them fall.
He took a step inside her house and closed the door before he reached for her to embrace her in a comforting hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his chest, his arms tightened around her body as he put his face in the crooke of her neck. And suddenly he felt safe, he wasn't aware that he needed her support as much as she may need his. He had to deal with his memories of Charlie that came up while he was struggling against the blood of Sokar and just now it came crashing down on him.
"I'm here for you! Whatever you need." He whispered and when she felt his breath on her bare skin she shuddered slightly.
Sam looked up and pulled back a little to look at him, with her hands at his waist her thumbs stroking slightly over his hip bones.
"Carter?" He asked in a choked voice, not willing to let his arousal show. While her fingers tried to reach under the hem of his shirt he put his hands at the small of her back. "What are you doing?"
Her left hand made contact with the bare skin of his abdomen and her right hand found its way around his neck, pulling him down towards her. Her fingers played with the short hair when their lips touched for the first time. It was a hesitant kiss, almost shy, but it felt right. She took his lower lip between her teeth and let her tongue lightly glide over it. With a touch of boldness, her tongue ventured into his mouth, only to engage in a duel with his. The kiss ventured from shy to passionate quickly and they had to come up for air eventually.
He was staring at her for a long time until she spoke.
"This! I need this!"
"Sam!" He said her name with pain in his voice. "You know we can't."
"I know, but for once I'm giving a damn about the regulations. I need this! I need you, Jack!"
And boy he needed her too, but he wasn't willing to risk everything for a moment of weakness. He wouldn't jeopardize her career just to fulfill a dream. She was in no state to make a clear decision and he was afraid she might regret it tomorrow and this could destroy the friendship they so carefully built around the regs. So when he answered her it nearly broke his heart.
"No, Sam!"
"No? Are you saying you don't want this? Because that's hard to believe, your body is telling me otherwise." She tried to make a point and let her hand travel further down his jeans, seductively gliding over the material over the zipper.
He sharply inhaled as her fingers made contact with him.
"You know it's not that I don't want to. You can feel that it's not about that. But what then, Sam? If we give in to this desire, what will happen afterwards? You're not ready to give up your commission and as long as you're going out there I'll be with you to watch your six. We have enemies out there and as long as we're fighting them there's no chance for this. As much as I want to."
Her pleading eyes burned into his mind, again fighting back her tears.
"I know, but you don't understand. I need this to be able to move forward. I have to replace those memories with one of my own. With something happy. Please, Jack! One night and then we can pretend this never happened."
"I'm not sure I can do this when I get a glimpse of what it's like to be with you."
"We can and we will. Please!"
She didn't need to say another word, as his lips immediately met hers. He tightened his embrace once more, his hands gripping her hips as he drew her closer to him.
Just one step and he backed her against the wall.
"Argh!" Her groan resonated as she collided with the wall, as if all the air had been abruptly sucked out of her lungs. Her hands found his ass and pulled him towards her. His crotch pressed against her abdomen igniting their passion as he followed her movement. One hand was kneading her breast through her sweater and he was pleased that she hadn't bothered to put on a bra when she changed into some comfortable clothes at home. His other hand trailed down her side, gliding over her thigh to draw her leg up around his waist, securing it in place with his hand. This granted him greater access to her, allowing him to press impossibly closer, his hardness grinding against her center to elicit a passionate moan from her. Her hands had slipped under his shirt, gripping his back firmly, while his right hand had also ventured under her sweater, teasing her nipple by pinching and rolling it between his fingers.
"Oh god! This feels so good."
"Mhm, Sam." He moaned. "Bedroom! I'm not gonna screw you in the hallway."
"I don't care, as long as you take me."
Amid feverish kisses, they made their way to the bedroom, shedding most of their clothes along the path. With both nearly naked, he gently placed Sam on her bed, positioning himself between her legs as he kissed her with unbridled passion.
"I don't have protection, Sam!"
"It's okay, I want to feel you." She answered him between kisses.
"That's not what I meant."
"I know. I'm clean Jack and I suppose you're too. All female personnel are on birth control, so we don't have to worry."
"You sure?"
"I am sure, got my shot right before our trip to hell."
That moment was all it took for him to finally ease himself into her, their bodies merging in an intimate embrace. Initially, the lovemaking was tender and unhurried, but they both craved something more. They needed to feel alive, to lose themselves in the raw intensity of their connection. As their passion surged, they quickened their pace, moving as one in desire until they came together, bodies entwined in exhilarating ecstasy.
Panting they lay next to each other, trying to get his breathing under control he placed a kiss n her forehead.
"Are you really sure we can go back to status quo. As if nothing had changed!"
"We have to, Jack. Maybe someday we can change the status, but not now. This fight is too important. Don't you agree?"
"I agree, and I'll take your word for someday. I should leave now before I don't have the strength to do it."
"Okay!" She pulled him closer to kiss him a last time. "Thank you for giving me this memory. A memory of my own. I'm sure I can now banish Jolinar's memories and be aware of what's real."
"I'm glad I could help you with this." He smirked.
When they were dressed again she walked him to the door. He opened it and lingered in the doorframe for a while. Sam straightened herself and he knew that he had now Major Carter in front of him.
"See you in a week, Carter. Enjoy your vacation with your Dad!"
"Thank you, sir! Have a nice week yourself."
He couldn't not kiss her on the cheek to say goodbye and as soon as his lips left her skin he turned around an hurried towards his car.
Sam inhaled the fresh night air to calm herself. When her Dad is being released tomorrow they would go on their father-daughter trip, just the two of them. She had packing to do.
She closed her front door, symbolic like closing a chapter of her life with Jack O'Neill that didn't even had a chance to become something. Still feeling his hands on her body she went to bed, satisfied that she could see his face when she closed her eyes and not have to be staring at Bynarr.
The week with her Dad passed too quickly and she had to say goodbye to him at the base of the ramp that led towards the gate.
"Bye Dad!"
"Bye kiddo! I'm trying to stop by more regularly, but I can't promise."
"I know. Just look after yourself. I don't want to have to come and rescue you again." She winked and smiled at him.
"I'll try my best." He hugged her and then turned towards the Colonel. "Jack, a word please!"
Stunned he looked to Jake but followed him to the side.
"What is it, Jake?" Obviously not sure what this is all about.
"I wanted to thank you for checking in on Sam when I was in the infirmary. And then I wanted to say look after my daughter, but spending the week with her I got a feeling that you have cared a bit to much for her that night. Am I right?" Jake whispered.
"Dad?!" Jack asked and tried to silence him.
"Don't 'Dad' me, Jack. I want the truth."
"I'm not sure this is the right setting to discuss this."
"Sam hasn't said a word so I want to hear it from you."
"Everything alright Jacob?" Hammonds voice came over the intercom.
"Yes, George, just something I forgot to talk to Jack about. I'll make this quick."
"I can tell that she is in a better mood than I expected and this has to do you with you."
"I'll tell you, but you have to promise me not to hurt me." Jacob nodded and Jack kept telling him. "I really only went to check on her, you have to believe me. She asked me to help her erase Jolinar's memories, we agreed that this can't change anything. I'm not going to risk her career over this, I promise Jacob."
"You selpt with my daughter!" Accusation and realisation in at once.
Jack just closed his eyes, not knowing how to reply to that.
"I just hope this won't bite you in the ass, Jack."
"It won't. I promise, and if it comes to the worst I'll take the whole blame on me. I'll do everything to keep her and her career safe."
"Why, Jack?"
"Why? Because I love her!"
"That's all I wanted to hear." A little smile appeared on Jacob's face. "I'm sorry that this is so difficult for you two, but if there are two people who can actually handle this it will be you. Look after her."
"I'll do my best." And a little louder he added "Have a safe trip Jake, don't take so long to visit us again."
Just a few days later SG1 was on a mission to negotiate a trade deal for Naquadah with the people from a planet called Edora. The woman, Laira, that was the leader of the village took them outside on their first night to show them the so called Fire Rain. It started with a few falling stars and Jack joked about making a wish. Sam stared up in the sky and actually made a wish, knowing fully well that it won't come true soon.
But it turned out to be a meteor shower that had Sam concerned because they came really close and burned in the atmosphere. The almost impact made her nervous about the following days.
She went back to earth for better calculations and when she returned to the planet all hell broke loose. Meteors crashing down on them. They tried to rescue as many people as possible, but Garan, the son of Lair, fled for the caves and the Colonel followed Laira to get them.
Sam waited until the last possible moment before she stepped through the gate.
Now here she was, trying to establish a wormhole to Edora, but that damned malp just won`t send a signal.