The morning light, a gentle caress, filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. Sam stirred, feeling the comforting warmth beneath her cheek. As her eyes fluttered open, she found herself cradled on Jack's chest, his arm a protective shield around her. At that moment, the absence of his touch was a palpable ache, a yearning that had taken hold of her. She listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a familiar lullaby, and felt the rise and fall of his breathing, a testament to their shared intimacy. She couldn't describe the depth of her longing for him, his body, and this closeness.
Jack awoke shortly after, his eyes opening to find Sam's face so close to his. In that instant, a silent recognition of their language passed between them, a shared understanding that spoke volumes about their bond and commitment. The world outside their cocoon ceased to exist, and all that mattered was this intimate, fragile moment between them.
Neither spoke, but the silence was pregnant with unspoken words, emotions too potent to be contained by mere language. Sam's fingers lightly traced patterns on Jack's chest, a gentle caress that spoke volumes of her longing. He responded by pulling her closer, a silent reassurance of his love. Their breaths mingled, creating almost tangible electricity in the air, a physical manifestation of their passion that seemed to crackle and spark between them, a testament to the intensity of their connection.
As if guided by an invisible force, their faces drew closer, their attraction overpowering their fears, hesitations, and the gaps in his memory.
Jack's lips crashed onto hers, and she gasped into his mouth. He almost pulled away when he didn't feel her return the kiss. But she only took a few beats, and their lips were in sync. She ignited something in him that made Jack feel like he was going insane. All the feelings that overcame him in that moment blocked out all in the world.
With her, he was safe.
With her, everything else didn't matter.
Their mouths clashed as if they'd done it a thousand times over. They had it, but Jack didn't remember it. Sam's hand on his cheek lowered to his chest, and she grabbed his t-shirt, her hands moving under, feeling his skin.
Jack grabbed her waist with his hand and pressed her flush against him. His heart beat so fast that he worried she could feel it against her chest. There was no chance Jack was pulling away. He was scared of what would happen if he did.
Her fingers reached his still-short hair, which she caressed almost reverently. Jack's chest rose and fell faster. This was a moment he had been waiting for. Since the time she had kissed him in the living room. Sam traced her tongue on his bottom lip, and he opened his mouth a bit wider to allow entrance.
Once she slipped her tongue in his mouth and it touched his own, Jack released a throaty groan. Her response was a more profound, slower kiss. Jack dug his fingertips into her back, and he felt himself begin to get hot, very hot. With one last fleeting kiss, he finally pulled away. Both of them caught their breaths, their faces still mere inches away from one another. Sam pulled her face back slightly, and her dark blue eyes burned into his.
As much as Jack wanted to kiss her again and not stop, he held back. A piece of her hair slipped out of her messy ponytail, and he pushed it back lightly. There was so much to say, but he couldn't even form words. Sam smiled, trying to breathe normally.
"Morning," he whispered finally, his voice husky.
"Morning," Sam replied, her heart swelling with emotion.
They stayed like that for a few moments longer, basking in the afterglow of their shared intimacy. Eventually, they knew they would have to face the day, but for now, they were content to be with each other, relishing the connection they had fought so hard to renew.
"Is this what it feels like awakening with you?" he asked, playing with her hair.
Disappointed that he hadn't remembered more, Sam swallowed.
"I guess so", she said.
"I liked it a lot," he admitted, his fingers moving to the back of her neck and making her look at him.
"I won't do anything else, Sam, until I have my memory back," he said slowly. "It wouldn't be fair to either of us," he added.
She swallowed again, her hands on his waist, her fingers feeling the boxers' waistband.
"Kissing is good," she said, moving her fingers to his back and away from temptation. She didn't want to take things further until he remembered their love and life together, but she missed him dearly. She just wished he remembered. Faster.
Jack tilted his head slightly, his lips brushing against hers in another kiss. This one was soft, almost hesitant at first, as if testing the waters of a familiar yet distant memory.
Sam responded, her hand coming up to cup his cheek, deepening the kiss. There was a mixture of longing and tenderness, a reconnection of souls that had been momentarily lost to time. The kiss grew more passionate as Sam wrapped her legs around his waist, and he pulled her closer to him.
When they finally pulled apart, both were breathing heavily, their foreheads resting against each other.
"I definitely remember this," Jack murmured, his voice filled with wonder and a hint of relief.
Sam smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Good. There's more where that came from."
Jack chuckled; the sound was rich and warm. "I'm looking forward to it."
As they disentangled and prepared to start their day, their hearts had a newfound lightness. The path ahead might still be uncertain, but they knew they could face it together, one kiss at a time.
Breakfast was playful, filled with light banter and laughter. Daniel couldn't help but smile at the apparent change in atmosphere. Evidently, his presence was no longer as necessary as it had been. However, the lighthearted mood was abruptly interrupted when Sam's phone rang.
She answered it, and her back straightened immediately. "General," she said, leaving the kitchen for more privacy. Jack and Daniel exchanged a curious glance.
"Colonel, I'm in D.C., and we need to meet. How's Jack?" General Landry's voice came through the line.
Sam glanced toward the living room, where Jack's presence loomed. "He's showing some improvement, Sir," she replied cautiously.
"That's good to hear. But despite that, I don't want him to attend the meeting—just you. Doctor Jackson can attend if he wants since he's a part of SG-1, and that's it," Landry stated firmly.
Sam held her breath, anxiety creeping in. "I don't know how he will react, Sir," she said carefully.
Jack was now standing in front of her with a frustrated expression. "What's going on?" he asked, his tone demanding.
"Deal with it, Colonel. Until his memories return, I'm not letting him in when dealing with susceptible and dangerous information. It is for his good. Someone will let you know the details later. Goodbye," Landry said before hanging up.
Sam put the phone away and looked at Jack, who continued to stare at her, waiting.
"So? What is it?" he asked again, more insistently this time.
"It was General Landry," she said slowly.
Jack crossed his arms. Daniel had entered the room and quietly sat on a chair, sensing the tension.
"He's in D.C., and there's going to be a meeting," she continued.
"About what? Come on, Sam. Spill it," Jack demanded, his frustration growing.
"I can't," Sam said, clenching her jaw.
Jack's eyebrow rose higher. "You can't? You're joking, right? After all we talked about?"
Daniel sensed trouble brewing. "Jack, let's just calm down," he interjected gently.
Sam shook her head, feeling the pressure build. Jack swallowed hard, his expression darkening.
"I hate to remind you of this, but I outrank you, Sam," he said slowly.
Sam's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Seriously, Jack? After everything, you're pulling the rank card on ME?"
Daniel closed his eyes, anticipating the fallout. Jack cleared his throat, trying to keep his temper in check.
"It's just a reminder," he said.
Sam stepped closer, her finger poking his chest.
"Well, here's a reminder for you, General. You're on medical leave. So, you are out of this meeting. Got it?" She turned and left the room, furious.
Jack cursed under his breath and was about to go after her when Daniel's hand stopped him.
"She's right, Jack. You are on medical leave. And I advise you to let it go," he said slowly.
Jack shot him a murderous look.
"So, you agree with this bullshit?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Daniel continued to hold his arm, knowing his friend well.
"She's probably just following orders, Jack. Cut her some slack," he said gently.
Jack groaned and sat on the couch, almost kicking the coffee table in frustration.
"This sucks. Big time," he muttered, his voice filled with resentment.
Daniel remained silent, watching his friend struggle with the situation. He knew this was tough for Jack, but he understood Sam's position. Navigating this new dynamic would take time, patience, and a lot of understanding.
After a few moments, Daniel spoke up. "Look, Jack, I know this is hard. But you have to trust us. Trust Sam. She's doing what's best for you."
Jack sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. "Yeah, I keep hearing that, and I know, Daniel. It's just... hard not being in control."
"I get it," Daniel said, sitting down beside him. "But you need to focus on getting better. Try to get your memories back. The rest will follow."
Jack nodded reluctantly, knowing Daniel was right. "Thanks, Daniel."
"Anytime," Daniel replied, reassuringly touching Jack's shoulder. Maybe he needed to stay a little longer after all.
The silence that followed was heavy but filled with a shared understanding. They would get through this together, just as they always had.
Sam sat in her office, staring at the blank screen of her computer, trying to calm the storm brewing inside her. The door opened, and Jack walked in, hands in his pockets, looking more ashamed than she had ever seen him.
"So, I guess I owe you an apology," he said quietly.
Sam didn't turn to look at him. She focused on the screen, her emotions too raw. She was boiling inside and didn't trust herself to speak.
Jack stepped further into the room and sat on their couch, his eyes fixed on her.
"I'm sorry, Sam. I shouldn't have said what I did. I shouldn't have pulled rank on you," he said slowly, earnestly.
Sam's hands fisted under her desk. The words stung, echoing in her mind. She finally turned to face him, her voice trembling with restrained anger.
"You don't remember, but you never—and I stress, never—pulled rank on me after we married. We made that clear from the start, Jack. Can you imagine how deeply hurt I'm feeling right now? How I want to smash your face right now?"
Jack swallowed hard, the gravity of his actions sinking in. He didn't remember, but Sam's voice clarified that he had crossed a line. A line that should never have been crossed.
"I'm deeply sorry. Please forgive me," he asked, his voice filled with regret. "But maybe now you can understand a little better how I felt when I knew all the decisions that were taken without my knowledge. For my good", he added slowly.
Sam took a deep breath, her anger simmering just enough to speak.
"Fine. We make mistakes, we say the wrong things, we learn, we grow, and we move on. Just don't do this again," she warned, her eyes piercing into his.
Jack nodded vigorously. "I won't," he promised, the sincerity in his voice unmistakable.
They sat silently, the tension palpable as each dealt with their thoughts and emotions. The air was thick with the unspoken words and lingering hurt between them.
A knock on the door interrupted the heavy silence, and Daniel peeked in. "Sam, there's an airman at the front door asking for you," he said.
Sam stood up, glad for the distraction. She glanced at Jack again before leaving the office, her emotions swirling. "We'll talk more later," she said curtly, walking out.
Jack cursed silently under his breath, feeling the weight of his mistake. He looked up at Daniel, shaking his head in frustration. "I messed up. Badly."
Daniel walked in and sat beside him. "Yeah, you did," he agreed, his tone not accusatory but understanding. "But you're here to make it right. Give her some time, Jack. She needs to process this. And don't forget that she receives orders from Landry now."
Jack sighed, leaning back on the couch. "Right. That too. I want things to be normal again."
Daniel nodded. "We all do. But you've got to remember, this is new territory for both of you. Take it one step at a time. You are both dealing with a lot: your lost memories, your attack, lots of things", he said, trying not to get too deep.
Jack looked at his friend, appreciating the advice. "Thanks, Daniel."
Daniel gave a small smile. "Anytime, Jack."
Jack nodded, feeling a bit more hopeful. He knew he had much to make up for but was determined to do whatever it took to make things right with Sam. The road ahead might be rocky, but he wouldn't give up on the life they had built together, even if he didn't remember it.
At the doorstep, Sam's pulse quickened as she received the sealed envelope from the airman. The weight in her hand felt ominous, and she couldn't shake the sense of foreboding that settled in her gut. She thanked the airman with a tight-lipped smile and closed the door with a sense of urgency.
Back in the office, Jack and Daniel lingered, their presence only adding to Sam's unease. With the envelope clutched tightly, she cleared her throat, her tone firm as she addressed them.
"I need to be alone," she declared, her voice leaving no room for argument.
Sensing the tension, Daniel promptly excused himself, but Jack hesitated, his gaze fixed on the sealed envelope.
"So, you got your orders?" Jack's voice was casual, but there was an underlying tension in his words that mirrored Sam's apprehension. She remained silent, her expression unreadable, silently urging him to leave. She didn't want to fight him.
Jack let out a heavy sigh, his reluctance evident.
"Okay, I'll leave. Whatever, Sam," he relented, finally turning to exit the room.
Sam wasted no time locking it securely as the door clicked shut behind him, her heart pounding.
She approached her desk with trembling hands, the envelope now a palpable weight in her palm. Carefully, she broke the seal and extracted the single sheet of paper. The words printed on it were simple yet chilling – a time and location devoid of context or explanation.
Sam's jaw tightened as she absorbed the information, her mind racing with possibilities. Without hesitation, she reached for the drawer, retrieving a lighter with practiced precision. With a flick of her wrist, flames danced to life, and she watched as the paper curled and blackened, consumed by the fire, until there was nothing left but ash.
Sam took a deep breath, closing her eyes, trying to calm the tumult of emotions swirling within her. Whatever was happening, she knew one thing for sure – things were getting deeper than she had ever imagined, and there was no turning back now.
The tension in the air seemed to thicken with every passing moment as if the weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions hung heavy between Sam and Jack. Daniel's diplomatic interventions were the only threads holding their fragile truce intact as they navigated the minefield of their strained relationship.
As nightfall approached, Sam stood alone in the corridor, contemplating the solitude of her former room. But before she could make a decision, Jack's sudden grip on her arm yanked her into their shared bedroom, the door slamming shut behind them. Startled, Sam's eyes widened as she turned to face him, a mixture of surprise and anger evident in her expression. They hadn't talked since the argument in the office.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Her voice was sharp, and her hands planted firmly on her hips as she confronted him.
With his arms crossed defiantly, Jack met her gaze with an intensity that matched hers.
"I know you're mad at me, but you're not going back to that room," he declared, his tone firm and unwavering.
Sam's incredulity only seemed to fuel his resolve.
"Really? You just decided that for me?" Her words were laced with frustration, her foot tapping impatiently against the hardwood floor.
But Jack remained steadfast, positioning himself firmly between her and the door.
"Well, you have decided plenty of things for me until now, so…yeah. I guess I did," he said in a teasing manner.
Sam opened her mouth.
"Did you just really say that?" she asked.
Jack merely nodded. "I did. So, yell, scream, hit me—do whatever you used to do when you were mad at me—but we're sleeping together," he insisted, his stance unwavering.
Sam blinked, taken aback by his audacity.
"Excuse me?" Her disbelief was palpable, her arms dropping to her sides as she regarded him with confusion and doubt.
Jack shrugged nonchalantly, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his lips.
"I'm sure we fought. We've been married for what, three years? Marriages aren't fairy tales, so go on," he goaded, opening his arms in mock invitation.
Sam's expression softened slightly, a ghost of a smile tugging at her lips.
"So, you think our marriage was what? A boxing contest? That we wrestled to the ground when we disagreed with things?" she quipped, a touch of humor coloring her words.
Jack's smile widened, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. The image of wrestling with her in an entirely different context – in bed- was highly appealing.
"I'm not an easy person. You aren't exactly the most outgoing or sociable person I know, so... yeah, I'm betting on some fights," he admitted, his tone teasing yet sincere.
Sam's cheeks flushed with embarrassment and amusement, her resolve wavering in the face of his playful banter.
"I'm not the most outgoing or sociable person you know?" she echoed, raising an eyebrow in mock disbelief.
Jack sighed, his expression softening with genuine affection.
"I'm saying what I remember, okay, Sam? So, unless you've completely changed your personality since our SG-1 days, you aren't a sociable, extroverted person who engages openly and comfortably with others. Communication-wise, we were terrible, and I'm guessing that is still the case. You keep everything inside and share only what you decide you want to share. Am I wrong?" he challenged, his gaze searching hers for confirmation.
Sam swallowed, the weight of his words sinking in as she struggled to find a response. Before she could reply, silence settled between them, the air thick with unspoken truths and unresolved emotions.
Jack's smile was gentle as he broke the silence, his voice a soft murmur. "So, not so off the mark," he remarked, a note of warmth in his tone.
Sam clenched her fists reflexively, a gesture not lost on Jack as he observed her.
"Are we going to box now?" he quipped, a playful glint in his eyes.
She relaxed her grip, her expression softening as she met his gaze with exasperation and affection. "No," she conceded with a faint smile.
"Pity," he teased, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
Sam narrowed her eyes playfully, a hint of mischief dancing in her gaze.
"Don't push me, Jack," she warned, though the fondness in her voice tempered the threat.
He chuckled softly, the tension between them finally dissipating as he pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he murmured, kissing her forehead gently as they settled into each other's arms.
"Damn, stubborn woman. That I remember very well", he said, kissing her neck.
"Damn arrogant asshole," she said back.
As she whispered those biting words against his ear, her hands deftly removed his shirt from his pants. Jack couldn't help but chuckle at her remark, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Can't argue with you there," he quipped, his lips eagerly seeking hers in a passionate kiss.
But in an instant, the scene shifted. They weren't in Washington D.C. anymore; they were in Colorado Springs, in her house. Jack pulled back from the kiss, confusion clouding his gaze as he registered the abrupt change in surroundings. Something wasn't right, and Sam could sense it immediately.
"What's the matter, Jack?" she inquired, her arms still around his waist, her touch comforting.
"I... I was just in your house. In Colorado Springs. And we were kissing. How is that even possible?" Jack questioned, his bewilderment palpable.
Sam's fingers traced soothing patterns on his back as she replied, "Oh, that."
Jack looked at her expectantly, waiting for an explanation. "What do you mean, 'oh, that'?" he pressed, his unease growing.
Sam bit her lip, hesitating before speaking. "What else did you remember?" she asked softly.
Jack shook his head, trying to piece together the fragments of memory.
"Just that... we were kissing in your living room. You were in your dress blues, and I... I was in mine. What the hell, Sam? Did we break the frat rules before the marriage?" His muscles tensed with apprehension.
"No, Jack, we didn't. Technically, it's debatable if we count kissing as breaking the rules," Sam said, strained but gentle. "God, I didn't want to tell you like this. Let's sit down," she suggested, taking his hand in hers.
Jack's nerves were on edge now. What was she hiding?
"What happened?" he pressed, a knot forming in his stomach.
Taking a deep breath, Sam prepared herself to deliver the news.
"Your memory took you to a painful moment. So, we were at my house because the fight with Anubis had ended, and we won. Unfortunately, that meant a sad moment involving my Dad," Sam said carefully.
Jack's mind was receiving some flashes, but nothing significant that made him understand what she was saying.
"I'm not getting it. Go on", he urged.
"Selmak... succumbed to old age and slipped into a coma. My father... he decided to join her," she revealed softly.
Jack's eyes widened in shock. "Your father... is dead?" he uttered, the weight of the revelation hitting him like a ton of bricks.
Sam nodded.
"Oh, fuck. Oh, shit," Jack murmured, leaning forward and covering his face with both hands. His heart ached with the sudden loss, and he struggled to process the wave of emotions crashing over him.
Sam fought back tears as she reached out to comfort him. Jack suddenly turned to her, his face unable to disguise his pain.
"I'm so sorry, honey," he whispered, enveloping her tightly.
"I know, Jack... he loved you too," she added, her voice trembling with emotion as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Jack closed his eyes, the tears welling up despite his efforts to hold them back. Jacob Carter was gone. Dad. And he didn't even remember. He pressed a tender kiss to Sam's temple, his voice choked with sorrow.
"I'm sorry, Sam," he repeated, his heart heavy with grief.
She sniffled, her grief mingling with his.
"You were there—everyone was in the wake. But after the wake, I returned home alone, and you came to check on me later. I had already made up my mind about Pete. I told you why I had to leave him—because I loved you. And then you kissed me. It was our first kiss, right there in my living room," she recounted, her voice thick with memories.
Jack's hands trembled as he reached out to cup her face, his gaze searching hers for solace amidst the pain.
"I'm sorry, Sam... I'm so sorry," he whispered, his heart breaking for her loss and his own.
That night, they clung to each other as if afraid to let go, Jack unwilling to be separated from Sam even for a moment, and Sam consumed with worry over his profound distress upon learning of her father's passing. Despite the warmth from Jack's body, Sam remained still, nestled in his arms throughout the night. It was a night fraught with emotions, with neither of them finding ease, and only as the early rays of the rising sun began to filter through the curtains did exhaustion finally claim them, lulling them into a fitful sleep.
The abrupt blare of Sam's alarm shattered the fragile peace of their slumber.
"What the fuck?" Jack grumbled as he fumbled to silence the alarm.
Sam blinked, struggling to rouse herself from sleep. She quickly kissed Jack's lips before reluctantly untangling herself from his embrace.
"Stay in bed and rest," she urged softly as she rose.
Jack blinked his eyes open, the remnants of sleep dissipating with a heavy sigh. "Where are you off to so early?" he inquired, his voice laden with sleepiness.
"I have a meeting," Sam replied, her tone tinged with exhaustion as she went to the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
Left alone in the bed, Jack groaned inwardly, the weight of weariness settling upon him. The brief respite of sleep had been insufficient, and now the day's demands beckoned. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he reluctantly dragged himself into a sitting position, the previous night's events still weighing heavily on his mind. He couldn't shake the unease lingering within him as he listened to the sound of running water from the bathroom.