One Playful Afternoon by Emma

One Playful Afternoon

It was a beautiful afternoon, which meant that many people were in the park. A small group of friends were settled on a blanket talking. "It's so beautiful here, it's a shame Sam couldn't make it," commented Shelagh. The others murmured in agreement. "You know, now that she's an astrophysicist, her work constantly keeps her busy," supplied Beth. Just then, what can only be described as a squeal, interrupted their discussion. They looked over to where the sound was coming from. They perused, approvingly, the two men they saw, both were tall, one older than the other but not too old. They couldn't make out where the squeal came from, so they focused their attention on the two men who were fooling around. "I wouldn't mind a piece of that," Anne piped up. The group laughed, "Hey Anne, you're married!" exclaimed Beth. Anne just looked at her and replied, "Honey, I'm married not dead!" This caused an outburst from
the small group of women.

Meanwhile, Jack, Daniel and Sam were fooling around. They started out with an innocent and quiet game of Frisbee. Earlier that day General Hammond had literally ordered them to go and relax and so that was what they were doing. The game of Frisbee soon turned into a game of catch and tickle with Jack and Daniel chasing after Sam. She was fast but they managed to catch her once and as they began their assault on her she began to laugh and squeal. Not one of them could remember a time when they had had this much fun or when the fate of Earth didn't weigh heavy on their shoulders.

Sam was able to escape Jack and Daniels clutches and dashed away. She ran past Shelagh, Beth and Anne without realising who they were. "Was that Sam I saw running past us?" inquired Beth. The three women looked around in search of the women they thought was Sam. Again she ran past, "SAM!" yelled Anne. Sam skidded to a halt and looked over at the person who had shouted her name. A smile began to form on her flushed face, all thoughts of evading the boys left her mind. She walked over to the small group of women who had become her friends many years ago but rarely saw. "Hi guys, long time no see," Sam said. Beth, Shelagh and Anne all asked what she was doing, a question to which she couldn't answer truthfully. She hated all of the secrecy and lying to close friends but she knew how vital it was to keep the truth hidden from the public. "So what are you doing here," Sam asked the three of them. "Just checking out the
scenery, if you know what I mean," replied Shelagh with a wink. Sam laughed at her friend, "So, see anything you like?" The three smiled and Beth answered for them all, "Oh we've seen one or two things that appeals to us." Sam, Shelagh, Anne and Beth continued to talk like old times and Sam realised that she had missed this kind of closeness and camaraderie.

Daniel was looking for Sam but Jack was preoccupied. He kept thinking of a pretty face with remarkably blue eyes that were lit with a combination of laughter and mischief and a mouth that was curved sensuously from a constant smile. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen Sam like that but he decided that he liked it. The two men continued their search for Sam and Daniel was the first to locate her. He looked around for Jack to tell him where she was but couldn't find him. Shrugging he headed towards the small group which consisted of Sam and three others.

Sam couldn't see who was approaching but she knew that she didn't have her friends' full attention. She stopped talking and felt a pair of arms encircling her waist and heard Daniel say "Gotcha," before giving her a brotherly kiss on the cheek. Her friends looked shocked which turned into curious glances. Sam had thought nothing of what Daniel had done as it had become a regular show of emotion from Daniel over the years she had known him. She let herself drift off into a daydream where Jack was the one with his arms around her and kissing her. She shook herself out of her reverie and made the introductions, "Guys, this is Daniel Jackson, Daniel this is Beth, Anne and Shelagh. I work with Daniel," she said as a way of an explanation.

While he had been on his own, Jack had discovered a fairly secluded area and decided he would like to show Sam when the time was right. He made his way back to where he had left Daniel and after a brief look around, spotted not only Daniel but also Sam and three other women. They looked deep in conversation as he made his way over and a thought suddenly hit him. He continued to walk over but with more care so that no one would see or hear him. He stopped behind Sam and after taking a deep breath bellowed, "Major Carter!" Sam jumped to her feet, a reflex action, and stood to attention. Jack burst out laughing and Sam just glared at him, "Well SIR, had your bit of fun then?" she asked trying to keep the smile out of her voice. Jack wore a cheeky grin, "Ah, come on Sam admit it, you found that as funny as I did." Sam shook her head, no longer able to hide her amusement, "I've been around you too long."

Jack and Daniel left Sam with her friends and went to play Frisbee. As the four women sat, they watched Jack and Daniel while continuing their chat. "So Sam, when did you join up and what's the deal with those two?" Sam looked at Anne, "I forgot that I hadn't told you, I
joined the Air Force not long after I left university. Daniel, as you know, I work with and we're close like brother and sister. I can tell him most things and I know he will be there for me." The three waited for Sam to go on but it as obvious she wasn't going to say anything else. "Ok, so Daniel's like a brother but what about the other one, the one you called sir?" Sam blushed slightly which captivated the attention of her friends. She knew she wasn't going
to get away without telling them something. "That was Jack, my commanding officer. We're a close unit and tend to spend our downtime together." She knew that her friends only partially
believed her cover but she really didn't want to say anything about it to them. Too late thought Sam as she realised that Shelagh was about to say something. "Commanding officer right, spending free time together as a group ok, but there's something there between the two of you. There's a kind of tension between the two of you and the way you look at each other, put it this way, if looks could ignite a fire we'd be standing in an inferno!" her blush caused Shelagh, Beth and Anne to chuckle. "Not that we blame you Honey, I tell you, if I
knew that commanding officers were that yummy I would have joined ages ago," commented Anne. All four women burst out laughing and continued their easy banter.

Daniel recognised that he didn't have Jack's full attention but rather the third member of their group had captivated him. Daniel smiled knowingly, the base was rife with rumours about Jack and Sam, and admittedly, he had fuelled some of them. Everyone was aware of the feelings they had for each other and even General Hammond indulged in the latest gossip about his two favourite officers. Daniel picked up the Frisbee and went over to Jack who was too busy watching Sam. "Why don't you do us all a favour and do something about it?" queried Daniel. Jack threw him a quizzical glance, to which he responded, "You know what I'm talking about so stop delaying and trying to make excuses. She feels the same way, God knows how many times she's cried on my shoulder about it, so do something about it and put us all out of our misery." Jack didn't say anything but smiled at Daniel, a smile that held a mischievous glint and before he knew it, Jack ran off.

Sam stood up saying goodbye to her friends and after promising to call them, turned around to head over to the boys. That was when she first became aware of the pounding footsteps and the man that was running towards her. Before she could utter a sound, Jack hoisted her over his shoulder and ran off with her. Shelagh, Beth and Anne were all surprised at first, which gradually changed into knowing smiles. Daniel wandered over to them and they all began to talk leaving Jack and Sam alone.

Jack didn't stop running until he had reached the secluded area he had found earlier that afternoon. He lowered Sam to her feet and pressed a finger to her lips forestalling anything she was going to say. Twice he made the effort to say something but stopped, Sam knew that he needed to get it right in his head and so gave him the time he needed. He couldn't remember a time when he had been so nervous, then again he couldn't remember a time when he had fallen in love with one of his subordinates. The thought struck him hard and fast but it didn't scare him. Yet he knew that it had to be Sam's decision and no matter what it was he would honour it. Taking a deep breath he started, "Sam just listen to what I have to say, then you can talk. I need you to know that I don't make a habit out of doing this kind of thing but gradually I've developed some pretty strong feelings for you. Ah hell that's not true in truth I love you. But I'm not going to pressure you to do anything, I just thought I'd let you know.." Sam wanted to laugh, not because she found what he was saying funny but because she had never seen her colonel so nervous before. `My colonel,' thought Sam, `I like the sound of
that.' Her lips curved into a smile as she listened to him ramble on not giving her a chance to say a word. `Drastic situations call for drastic measures,' mused Sam before she grabbed Jacks head and guided his lips to hers in a chaste kiss. As they parted, they gazed at each other and each wore a smile. This time they slowly reached for each other and kissed languidly.

In the meantime Daniel had excused himself from the small group of women and headed in the direction that Jack had taken Sam. He entered the clearing to find his two friends in a passionate embrace. Smiling he cleared his throat and Sam and Jack broke apart slowly. They each turned to look at Daniel. "Well it's about time the pair of you got a clue," remarked Daniel, "no more tear stains on my shirts now, eh Sam?" The three of them laughed and Daniel
hugged Sam and clapped Jack on the back. "We're going to have to be careful around the base and I mean all three of us," Jack interjected breaking the celebrations. Daniel laughed and said, "Are you kidding, the whole base was wondering when this was going to happen!" Shocked, Sam questioned, "What do you mean?" Daniel looked at his two friends and shook his head, "Surely you know about the rumours going around about the two of you!" Seeing the blank looks
on their faces he continued, "We all were aware of how you two felt about each other and even General Hammond has begun to wonder if you'll ever see the light." Jack and Sam both choked back their surprise, "Even General Hammond?" they uttered in unison. Daniel nodded in response and then broke the silence, "Speaking of the base, hadn't we better be heading back?" Sam and Jack looked at their watches and in agreement with Daniel made their way out of the clearing with their arms wrapped around each other.

THE END!!

Copyright (c) 2002 Emma Naugher