A/N: So, this idea has been buzzing around in my head a while and I haven't posted since god knows when so I thought I'd put up this little titbit. As per my usual now a days; no idea if or when there will be an update. Still, let me know what you think. Hope you enjoy this little scenario my mind has cooked up.

Invitation

It had been a while since he'd done this. Years, actually. He'd convinced Sara to go with him to events like this a few times but it was never really her thing. In the short year that he was retired, he'd attended maybe two or three nights but since he started back with the SGC he been far too busy.

But after drifting of into space in booby-trapped death glider he decided it was high time he got back into the swing of things.

He needed it, needed to blow off steam, needed to have a bit of fun.

He double checked the note he'd written in the internet cafe, then glanced up at the number on the house. This was definitely the right address. It wouldn't do to drive for 2 hours just to show up at the wrong building. He slipped from his truck and made his way to the steps that led up to the town house before putting black leather mask around his eyes. It was a masquerade party after all, and the best way to feel out a new club.

Opening the door he was faced with a rather demure looking woman in her 40's sat at at makeshift desk, a number of papers, a briefcase and a digital camera in front of her. Behind her however, was a thick black velvet curtain hung barely dampening the sounds happily chattering voices and the evening in its early stages.

'Good Evening,' the receptionist, for lack of a better word, said with a kind smile. 'Name?'

'Eh...' he stammered.

Her smiled dropped.

'You haven't booked ahead?'

He shook his head.

'Have you come with a partner?' she said her tone shifting once more to something a little more hostile.

'No, no I haven't.'

She sighed deeply. 'Go away, we've got enough loose dicks in there. Maybe try calling ahead next time and we'll see what we can do.'

'But...'

'No. You're done here.'

'There was nothing about all this on the website!'

'We're full! You're not getting in, old man!'

The curtain rippled and drifted to the side. Stepping from darkness into the light stood a sight he didn't dare dream of; delicious sweeping curves wrapped tightly in pale white lace and satin, a white mask hugged her brow, delicate gold threads attached to the mask were combed through her brilliantly blonde short hair.

His breath caught for two reasons.

One, this woman bore a remarkable resemblance to Samantha Carter.

Two, if it was her, surely, she would recognise him as well.

'What's going on here?' the newcomer asked in an unexpected southern drawl, her eyes casting over him critically before looking at the receptionist.

'Not registered and he's alone.'

'And you were going to turn him away?' she asked softly.

'Yes, we normally only allow up to 4 lone men per party.'

'Rachel, who's party is it?'

'Yours, Az.' the receptionist sighed.

'Exactly, my party.' the mysterious Az said returning her gaze to him. 'Take off your shirt.'

'What?'

'I said take off your shirt.' she said deliberately slowly, before adding with a grin. 'If you're shy, then this is not the place for you.'

He smirked at the challenge, before shucking his jacket and undoing the buttons on a freshly pressed white shirt and letting it slide off his shoulders.

The receptionists eyes bulged and her lips parted.

'Damn, Az I wish I had your instincts.'

'He's military, you can tell by the buzzcut and the way he stands. Those types tend to be pretty good at looking after themselves. So, what do we call you?'

'Apollo.' he replied surely.

'Like the Greek God? Awful high opinion of yourself don't ya think?'

'I do have a high opinion of myself, but I picked the name because of the rocket, not the God.'

'Why's that?'

'Because I can take you to the moon and back.'

She smirked then inquired too innocently, 'Just once?'

'The guys at NASA managed 6 in a decade. So far my record is 5 in one night but that's just me, not including my co-pilot. Who knows maybe I'll break 6 tonight?'

The blondes eyes glittered vivaciously.

'Book him in,' she murmured to Rachel, 'As a member. You do intend on visiting us again don't you Apollo?'

'Certainly, if first impressions are anything to go by.'

Az smirked and disappeared back behind the velvet curtain.

Jack shook his head the instant she was gone, trying to clear the fog from his mind. Next, he shivered suddenly very aware of his state of undress and the receptionist seemed to enjoy ogling him whilst somehow also appearing impatient.

'Well?' she asked holding out her hand.

Resting his shirt and jacket over his shoulder, he reached for his wallet and thumbed his ID.

Was this really such a good idea?

If it was Carter, he was treading a pretty damn thin line and that wasn't even considering all their recent close shaves; his admission whilst attached to an alien lie detector, time loop kiss and admitting his feelings for her were something that could persist after a mind stamp all happening with in the last 6 months. Plus he doubted very much that the defense of 'oh I didn't know it was her' would hold up in a military tribunal.

And if it wasn't, well... that was almost worse, indulging in his deepest fantasies with a woman who was the double of his second in command. Yeah, that pretty much was the definition of a sick old man.

'Ain't gonna sit here all night, Apollo, doors close in 10 minutes.'

He had come here to blow off steam. And boy did he have some steam to blow off after that heated exchange.

He didn't have to go anywhere near her if he decided it was a bad idea, he thought. He was still not entirely convinced but it was enough to spur him to action.

Setting his ID on the table, he took out the $50 membership fee he remembered seeing on the website.

'Excellent, fill out this for me too, will you?' Rachel said sliding over a form and a pen.

He'd barely finished scratching his name when the receptionist sighed whilst glancing over his military ID.

'I do so hate it when she's right.'

'Happen often I take it?' he said, having felt much the same way on occasion with potentially the same person.

'Like you wouldn't believe.' Rachel said adjusting the digital camera and snapping a shot of the card.

'You won't...' Jack started but the receptionist interrupted.

'Oh, you've got nothing to worry about, honey. Digression is our business. We know most folks that show up on masquerade nights care a great deal about anonymity. Still, even the details of our regular clients are held in the strictest confidence.' she said nodding to the locked briefcase. 'I couldn't even tell Az she was right about you being a military man. Even if I wanted to. Not that I want to. Not that I need to.'

'Good.' Jack nodded, glad to have his inferences in these matters confirmed, returning to the form checking everything was completed. 'Done.'

Rachel glanced over the form and took another picture with it alongside his ID before returning it to him along with a receipt.

'There are lockers available for any valuables, just on the right hand side through the curtain.'

'Thanks.' he replied and yet he didn't move. His gaze fixed on the curtain through which the hostess had disappeared, through which life as he knew it would disappear if he dared to follow.

'What are you waiting for?'

'Az...' he had a million questions but didn't know which to ask first, which would be likely to get an answer or which he shouldn't dare speak.

'Short for Azure.' Rachel supplied answering one of the few questions that hadn't come to mind.

'Azure.' he repeated, his feet pulling him forward as if under at spell at the utterance of that single word.

Goosebumps flared over his skin as his fingertips brushed the velvet, moments later he was gone, captured by the darkness.

A/N: Good? Bad? Worth continuing?