samandjack.net



Part 1: Colours Of Love

"Your brother, Carter? Do I have to?" Jack whined at her. She had come up with the idea that if he was to pick Mark and his family up from the airport it would let them all get the chance to meet each other without her being there – and also doubled as a very good way to make her feel less guilty about her presentation which was at the exact time they were due to arrive.

"Please, Jack? If Mark has to get his family here by taxi he's going to hate me before the trip begins."

"Daniel's diplomatic, he'd be a much better choice for this… mission." He suggested hopefully, becoming desperate to find a way out of this potential disaster.

"Daniel's not my boyfriend. I want you to meet them first – you can talk about hockey with my brother." She smiled, hoping the incentive would win him over.

"Rangers fan?" He schooled his face so he didn't look interested, but a Carter that liked hockey? Jacob had looked at him like he was mad when he had made a joke about the Panthers last time he'd visited.

"Well…" She looked sheepish, averting her eyes from his. "He supports Detroit."

Jack laughed, but the pleading expression in her blue eyes beat down his reluctance. "Oh, alright. But you owe me."

"Thank you." Sam threw her arms round his neck. "I love you." She smiled again, knowing he'd forgive her for goading him into this.

"Breakfast in bed for a month." He told her in no uncertain terms, his hands working their way to her bare waist between the fabric of her top and skirt. "And I'm not responsible for anything stupid that I say while they're here."

"A month? It's only a 30 minute trip!"

"That's the deal."

"You drive a hard bargain, Colonel." Sam relented, kissing him quickly before grabbing her files from the hall table and running for the door.

"Hey! They do know we live together, right?" Jack called after her.

"Not exactly." She replied from the door. "Remember their flight gets in at 1630." She turned and fled to the car, only for Jack to follow her out and tap on the volvo's window.

"Not exactly?" He questioned, getting a bad feeling that she was letting him in for trouble without warning him first.

"Well I told Mark you'd be here while they stayed so you could get to know each other better, but…"

"He doesn't know I live here." He finished for her, a hurt expression quickly hidden from his brown eyes.

"I'm sorry. I tried to tell him, but sometimes he can be so much like Dad, and he's not the greatest fan of the military as it is. To him you're taking advantage of his little sister." She apologised, feeling terribly guilty now she'd admitted it. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Jack, so she was shocked when he grinned, leaning in through the window to plant a kiss to her lips.

"I suppose I'll have to think of something else for you to do to make it up to me now then." Jack told her with mock disenchantment.

"You're far too good to me." Sam smiled brightly.

"Get back as soon as you can. What are the kids' names again?"

"Liz is Mark's wife, Bethany is the eight year old, and Jo is the five year old." She repeated from the previous morning.

"Three Carter women in the same house plus a protective brother and his wife. Just how am I supposed to survive the week?" Jack asked desperately.

"Because you love me. And you're making me late." Sam reasoned without hesitation.

"True on both counts, and the university can wait for you." He told her, pressing a kiss to her lips again before straightening up. "You go confuse the hell out of all those poor kids."

That earned him a glare from Sam as she rolled up the window, then she waved and drove away.

**

After a pretty uneventful trip in the car which Jack had managed to cope with Mark's fairly blunt questions and Liz's polite ones without incriminating himself too badly. And the children seemed to think he was funny, calling him `Uncle Jack' as soon as they met him. Bethany was the spitting image of Sam, with long blonde hair and wide blue eyes, smiling shyly at Jack when her mother introduced him. Jo – or Joanna as Liz had introduced her, was very like her mother, with green eyes and shoulder length chestnut coloured hair. She watched Jack in fascination, reminding him of Sam when she had a new project on the go.

Jack let them in to the house, helping Mark with their luggage, and promptly finding himself at a loss for what to do next. Fortunately Jo saved him the trouble by asking to watch a video in the front room.

"Sure," He grinned, then realised that would leave him alone with their parents. One thing he'd always prided himself on was avoiding situations he couldn't get out of easily – at least outside of work, but since dating Carter he found himself agreeing to things he knew full well he'd screw up. Damn woman with that smile that he couldn't resist.

"Will you watch it with me, Uncle Jack?" He loved this kid already. Looking to her parents to make sure it was okay, Jack followed Jo into the front room and slipped the video into the player. Some Disney film he didn't recognise. Mark sat on the opposite couch next to his eldest daughter, who was curled up by the armrest, with her head in a book. Definitely a Carter, Jack mused with a slight smile.

Liz came in a little while later with three coffees and some juice for the girls, making Jack feel very guilty about his hosting skills. Liz just laughed when he apologised and replied that she'd seen this film so often with Jo, she was glad of a chance to miss as much of it as possible. Jo was too enthralled in the animated fish on-screen to even hear her name mentioned, to which the adults laughed. They talked quietly while sipping their coffees, surprising Jack by how easily he found good enough topics to broach with them. Jo hopped up on the couch beside Jack as soon as she realised he wasn't paying attention to the screen anymore.

"Uncle Jack, look!" She chirped enthusiastically, pointing to the giant turtle and what looked to be his family with the fish from earlier in the film. Jack just hoped that Jo didn't expect him to understand what was going on, but he smiled and nodded with her. He had obviously done something right because she curled up to his side and continued to watch the screen quietly. Liz caught his eyes and grinned approvingly at him, a look of slight surprise on her face at her daughter's very quick show of trust towards Jack.

The front door slammed, announcing Sam's return before she came to doorway of the front room to be greeted by the heart-warming sight of her family and boyfriend sitting watching TV.

"Sam!" Mark was the first to get up and hug his sister, followed by his wife. "How are you?"

"I'm great, thanks. I'm so sorry I couldn't come to pick you up. Was the flight alright?" She spoke as she unwound her scarf from her neck and took her coat off. "Did Jack behave himself?" Sam added with a cheeky smile in his direction.

"He was the perfect host." Liz assured her, as Sam sat down next to Jack, who immediately snaked an arm round her waist, her closeness increasing his confidence drastically.

"I promised best behaviour." He grinned, to be rewarded with one of her dazzling smiles, giving him a kiss in greeting. Jo giggled and both Sam and Jack realised she wasn't watching the video anymore.

"I see you've made a new friend." Sam commented gently. "Hi, Jo. What are you watching?"

"It's Nemo." She told her simply, as if that should be obvious. Sam laughed, and then turned to Bethany in the corner, who was still reading.

"Good book, Beth?" She asked with a smile. Beth looked up and nodded.

"So what does everyone fancy doing for dinner tonight?" Sam looked to each adult in the room, but it was Beth that answered first.

"Can we have pizza?"

"Girl after my own heart." Jack told her. "What about that nice restaurant in town we were in last week?" He suggested to Sam, who knew exactly which one he meant.

"The one with all that lovely ice cream?" She replied deliberately loud enough for both the girls to hear, to which she was rewarded with a "Yeah!" in chorus.

"I can see you two will be a bad influence on these two." Mark told them with a smile.

Sam showed them to the guest room and the smaller room at the back that would serve as the girls' room, leaving them to change and get settled while she went down for a few quiet moments with Jack.

"I think you've worked your magic on all of them. Especially Jo."

"She's a sweet kid." He replied, hugging her to him. "Now about that favour you owe me…"

Sam laughed, letting out a tiny squeal as he pinned her to the couch to kiss her. "You're terrible." She told him, before kissing him back.

They stopped in their tracks several minutes later when they both heard a giggle, and looked up to see Jo standing in the doorway with a big grin on her face. Jack jumped up quickly and helped Sam up, who was looking decidedly embarrassed.

"You were kissing." Jo told them, as if it was very funny and secret.

Jack couldn't help but smile at her innocence, and Sam's flustered face as she straightened out her skirt and the shirt she wore. At least Jo hadn't seen his hand up her aunt's shirt – that may have been a little difficult to explain to a five year old.

"I thought you were meant to be getting changed for the restaurant." Jack scolded her gently.

Jo smiled secretively again, before rushing off back to her room.

"You better hope she doesn't mention that to her dad." Sam told him, unable to decide between anger and amusement.

"Don't give me that look, Major." He replied, trying unsuccessfully to hide his grin. "C'mere."

Jack pulled her to him before she could protest, planting a kiss on her forehead and hugging her tightly. "Thank you so much for this."

"For what?" Jack asked, not entirely sure what she was talking about.

"Making me happy. Being great with my family. Being you." She told him sincerely, looking into his eyes as she said it.

"I think you're trying to get out of my breakfasts in bed." He accused her suspiciously, and then gave her a genuine smile; "It's not hard when I love you so much. And your family is pretty cool."

"It was so nice to see you all together like that when I came in." Sam grasped his hand and smiled. "It felt warm and cosy."

"You getting soft on me Sam?" Jack teased her, before turning her round to lead her to their bedroom.

"Jack, you know what I mean."

"I do," He kissed her softly then brushed his fingers over her cheeks intimately, showing her he wasn't mocking her.

She stared back into his eyes and whispered; "I love you."

The moment passed and Jack took it upon himself to suggest an outfit for the evening, to which she laughed.

"Okay, if you wear that dark red sexy one I like I'll reduce it to two weeks of breakfast in bed."

Sam glared back at him. He knew he'd got his way on this one.

**

Part 2 – Wonderful Tonight

"So have you met Dad yet, Jack?" Mark asked once they'd ordered their drinks, looking over the rather extensive menu.

"Yeah, a few times. Not since we've been seeing each other though." He replied, it suddenly occurring to him that he didn't even know if Carter had told Jacob yet. Now that would be something he'd want to avoid at all costs, a protective brother was one thing, an over- protective father who happened to once be a USAF General and now had a snake in his head, was a whole other galaxy. Sam smiled sweetly at him, obviously knowing what he was thinking. He couldn't work out if it was a trace of guilt he saw fleetingly cross her face or if it was his imagination.

"Uncle Jack, can I have chocolate ice cream?" Jo piped up, beaming up at him from the seat beside his, where she had insisted she sat as soon as they were shown to their table.

"Maybe for dessert, kiddo."

"I think my brother will have a fight on his hands as her favourite uncle the way you're going, Jack." Liz informed him as she pointed to what Jo would like on the menu.

"Uncle James is silly." Jo told him with a giggle.

"She giggles like you," he said softly to Sam, a mischievous grin appearing instantly on his face. She elbowed him in the ribs for his efforts and gave him what he now referred to as the `warning look'. It meant his antics were tolerated at present but it was likely she wouldn't be so patient if he carried on, whereby he'd get her `don't mess with me look' quickly followed by `you'll be on the couch tonight look.'

She wore the dress he'd teased her into; a dark red two-tone fabric slung low across her chest by beaded straps. Jack slid his hand to rest on her thigh, preferring the direct contact when Mark fired questions at him.

"I guess this week will be fun for you then." Mark was saying, a cross of sympathy and sarcasm in his voice.

"Sorry, what?"

"With Dad coming on Sunday. If he makes it that is."

Sam chose that moment to excuse herself to go to the ladies room, which Jack quickly repeated for himself. He cornered her just before she got to the door, pinning her to the wall with an arm either side of her.

"And just when were you going to tell me about this?"

"I didn't know until yesterday, and Mark called not long after that so I mentioned it to him and then it kind of… slipped my mind." Sam explained guiltily, with her best winning-over smile.

"Sam, nothing ever slips your mind. Does Jacob even know about us?"

"I think so."

"You think so?"

"It's not something I can tell him in the middle of the gateroom with fifteen technicians listening in!" She protested weakly, resting her hands on his hips.

"You really are trying to kill me aren't you?" Jack said even as his exasperation faded. He couldn't stay angry with her for more than five seconds anymore.

"It was a surprise to me too, of all the weeks for a visit Dad picked this one." Sam told him miserably, hating that she'd put him in this situation.

"Is there any chance he's going to swing for me when he finds out about us?"

"He'll be okay. I'll talk to him, I promise." She hugged him, and then laughed suddenly. "I'm a hopeless girlfriend, aren't I?"

Jack gave her a reassuring smile. "It's the age old meeting the girlfriend's parents nightmare. At least I can meet the whole family all in one go."

"When can I meet your family?" Sam asked out of the blue, making Jack realise she'd done that thing again, her mind jumping quickly from one thing to another. Maybe it was a woman thing.

"Not a chance, Carter. I know where you're going with this. No big family reunion this week. Your dad and brother are bad enough without my crazy family in the mix."

She dazzled him with a beautiful smile before replying: "I never even considered it."

"Of course you didn't." Jack replied disbelievingly. "I know the way your mind works, Major, so don't even think about it."

Sam pulled him to her to brush her lips over his before she grasped his hand to make their way back to the table. Up ahead, Jo was out of her seat and the couple caught the last of what she was saying, much to Jack's horror. "…and they were kissing again."

"You think I could get Teal'c down here? I'm going to need a bodyguard." He whispered into her ear just prior to reaching their seats.

She squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You should have left a memo." She grinned at him as they sat down, all eyes on them as they returned. Jack shot her an evil look and took a sip of the beer that had arrived in their absence.

**

After a lengthy meal and an even longer dessert, the group piled back into the car to go back to Jack and Sam's. Jo was nearly asleep and Beth was listening to music on her headphones, giving the adults some time to talk. Mark had been a little off towards Jack during their meal but Liz chatted away to him as if they were old friends, telling him all about her side of the family and how nice it was in Colorado Springs at this time of year.

Once home, Mark volunteered to put Jo and Beth to bed and Sam opened a bottle of wine. She was setting out the glasses on the counter when Mark came into the kitchen behind her.

"So how are you really, Sam?" He asked her suddenly, making her jump.

"Mark! Don't sneak up on me like that!"

"Hey, I thought you were military, so not possible to `sneak up on you'." He replied, pulling a hand through his sandy hair with a smile.

"Probably the wine." She laughed, pouring out the red liquid into the frosted glasses, beginning to get the feeling Mark had something to say.

"Those are nice." He gestured to the wine glasses, taking one for himself and his wife but not moving out of the kitchen.

"Thanks. Jack and I chose them a few months ago – they're my favourites." Sam explained, smiling at the memory of the shopping trip. It had been not long after Jack had moved in with her and that had been the day it hit her how happy she felt with the domesticity of shopping with her boyfriend – although Jack hadn't been too impressed with her extensive shopping habits, complaining that he'd have brought Daniel along if he'd known so they could have stopped in the pub and waited for her to finish.

"What does Dad think of him?"

`There it is,' she thought. "Dad respects him as a good leader and an asset to the Air Force. You don't like him?" She lowered her voice, although she was pretty sure their voices wouldn't carry as far as the front room.

"I'm not sure yet. He's a lot older than you, Sam and isn't he your boss?"

"Not anymore, and he's not much older than me. I really want you to like him, Mark. I love him and he loves me, if that's what you're worried about."

"You haven't told Dad, have you?" He accused her with suspicion.

"It's not that I haven't told him, it's just finding the right time to get into the personal stuff, you know?" She defended herself, hoping to appeal to their shared understanding of their father.

"You don't think he'll approve?"

"Mark, I don't know! I want him to, but it won't make any difference to how I feel about him. I'm a big girl and it's my life. Please make the effort to like him, he's a good man." Sam pleaded with him, trying not to loose her patience. His whole family liked Jack, yet she suspected he couldn't get past the fact Jack was also military, and wouldn't admit it was what was really bothering him. She gripped the remaining two glasses and didn't wait for a response. Fighting with Mark was the last thing she wanted right now.

The front room was filled with laughter as Jack seemed to be telling Liz about his foreign friend Teal'c coming on a fishing trip with him some years ago. Liz couldn't believe that his friend had no concept of what fishing was, and found it very funny with the aid of Jack's story telling. Sam handed him his glass of wine and curled up to him, grinning as he continued the story. Mark followed her in and sat next to his wife, not particularly amused at how funny she was finding his sister's boyfriend.

"What Jack isn't telling you is that there are no fish in this lake." Sam added in at the end, making Liz double over in laughter.

"Hey, the fish grow this big in that lake, I tell you." He retorted, demonstrating the size he meant for Liz's benefit.

"You have never actually caught anything though have you?" She replied cheekily, tilting her head up to look into his eyes.

"Hush up, you." Jack replied with an affectionate smile, kissing the tip of her nose. She grinned playfully at him, both lost in each other for a second.

"You two are so sweet," Liz told them, which Jack could have sworn Mark pulled a face at.

They made conversation with a CD playing in the background, drinking wine and swapping stories until the early hours of the morning. Jack idly ran his fingers up and down the side of Sam's thigh with the arm wrapped round her, not realising the motion had sent her to sleep until Mark announced he should get to bed, Liz quickly agreeing.

"Are you going home tonight, Jack?" Liz asked on her way out of the front room.

"Err, haven't decided yet." He lied, not convincingly by the knowing smile on Liz's face.

"Well be warned Jo might come into your room first thing tomorrow morning," She said with a wink. Jack chuckled and said goodnight. He stroked Sam' hair gently to try to wake her.

"Sam, baby, come on. Wake up for me." He whispered in her ear. Sam stirred and he couldn't resist kissing her sleepy face, which got him a tired smile.

"Everyone gone to bed?" She asked before even opening her eyes.

"Yeah." She sat up straight and stretched, clicking a few bones from sleeping in a funny position. "I think Liz has sussed us."

"About what?"

"Me living here."

Sam laughed, flopping back against his side to hug him. "I don't care anymore. Too tired."

"Bed for you then." He helped her up, having to guide her up the stairs in her sleepy state. He got her into bed, kissing her forehead tenderly, before kissing her on the lips and whispering goodnight. Sam surprised him by throwing her arms up around his neck to pull him to her for a hug.

"I'll only be a minute," He assured her, using the bathroom and changing before climbing into bed next to her. She turned to face him and he pulled her to him in a lovers embrace, feeling exhausted himself.

"Jack?" She said softly.

"Mmm?"

"You were wonderful tonight."

**

Part 3 – Day Of Reckoning

"Uncle Jack! Aunt Sam!"

A voice chirped from the doorway to their bedroom. Jack vaguely remembered Liz's warning from the night before about Jo coming in early. Sam stirred in his arms, one eye opening against the light streaming in from the window.

"Hey Jo," Sam greeted her sleepily; regretting the wine she'd consumed the previous evening.

"Mummy said I had to make sure you were awake before I came in." She told them, making Jack laugh - the little girl hadn't given them much choice there. Jo came and jumped on to the bed, sitting herself down cross-legged on the duvet. Jack pulled himself up into a sitting position, leaning back against the headboard. Sam only rolled over and curled up to his legs, resting her head on his thigh, and feeling his hand descend on her back to sub-consciously run his fingers in familiar patterns.

"Is your Mummy and Daddy out of bed yet?" Sam asked her, feeling her hostess skills kicking in.

"No, neither is Beth." She answered. "Can I read you my book?"

"Sure, kiddo." Jack answered, which sent her scampering off to search for it. He turned his gaze to the blonde in his arms. "Morning, you."

"Morning." She smiled, his mouth dropping to hers even as she answered. "What time is it?"

"It is… 0700." He glanced at the clock on his side of the bed.

"It feels earlier. Must be the alcohol." Sam groused, holding a hand to her head.

"You lightweight." Jack teased her.

Jo returned with a `Mr Men' book, and surprised them by reading nearly all of it without any help. Once she finished with that, she ran out of the room to return with a handful of toys to show them. Each furry cuddly toy had a name, and apparently a story behind each of them, as Jo took great pleasure in retelling.

"You can keep Tigger until I go home Uncle Jack." She gave a colourful tiger soft toy to Jack, who was wondering where she got all her energy. "Aunt Sam, would you like one to cuddle?" "It's okay, sweetie. You keep them for you to sleep with. I can cuddle Uncle Jack instead."

"And Tigger." Jack added, feigning astonishment that she'd forgotten his new friend, putting its orange head to her nose.

"And Tigger!" Jo repeated, bouncing on the bed.

There was a knock on the door and Liz came in, an apologetic smile on her face. "Is she causing trouble?" She asked, ruffling her daughter's hair.

Sam finally sat up, deciding she should really make drinks and start on breakfast for her guests. "Not at all. Jo was just introducing all her friends here."

"Uncle Jack is going to look after Tigger until we have to go." Jo informed Liz. "And Aunt Sam is going to cuddle Uncle Jack instead."

They all laughed at her, making Jo very happy that she'd said something funny – although she didn't understand what.

"So what time is Dad due to arrive?" Liz asked them.

"Not sure, sometime this afternoon. He insisted on getting to the house himself, so we can go out this morning if you like." Sam answered by way of disguising the fact her father wouldn't be arriving by plane and hoping Liz wouldn't want to meet him at the airport. Luckily she didn't push it, suggesting a little shopping.

"Actually we could go to the shopping centre, they've got a new kids area with an adventure playground and a bouncy castle." Sam suggested, watching Jo's eyes light up.

"Bouncy castle! Can we go, Mummy? Please?"

"Looks like the decision's made." Jack chuckled.

**

Several hours later they were walking round the stores, Beth and Jo were having a wonderful time on the bouncy castle, where Mark had opted to stay and watch while the other three adults absorbed a dose of retail therapy. They strolled from shop to shop, Liz and Sam occasionally finding something they wanted to try on, leaving Jack time to meander in the television and gadgets department. Despite his usual claims of not understanding Sam's `doohickeys' at the SGC, he did enjoy all the new technology they seemed to come up with on good old planet Earth, mostly because they were fun, rather than life-threatening. `Always helps,' he mused.

As Jack stood in front of a flat screen TV nearly his height, he felt a hand grasp his arm.

"What are you up to?" Sam smiled at him.

"Assessing the probability of getting caught if I drag you off to that storage closet over there, and -"

She hit him on the arm, a pink blush on her cheeks as she looked round to see if anyone had heard him. "If Jo didn't like you so much I think I'd have to kill you." Sam told him with a sweet smile, her heeled boots making her nearly his height.

Jack held his face an inch from hers, with a mischievous grin. "I think it'd be worth it." He kissed her and grasped her hand, making a move for the closet. At her shocked expression, his façade broke as he laughed. "I'm only kidding."

"That's not funny."

"I had you going though, didn't I?"

"Only because I know what you're like." She held his hand as she led him away from the television section. "We should find Liz. I lost her somewhere around the lingerie section."

"Now there's a place I don't mind shopping in." Jack told her with a straight face.

"I really should have left you on the bouncy castle, shouldn't I?"

"Are you implying I'm a kid, Carter?"

"I'm implying you never really grew out of the `gameboy' phase, Colonel." Sam smiled, knowing he couldn't deny the accusation after all the times she'd caught him playing on it when he should've been doing paperwork.

"Is that Liz up there?" Jack asked, conveniently changing the subject as he pointed to a woman up ahead with an arm full of clothes. It was Liz, who spotted them and made a beeline to where they were standing.

"There's so many people in here!" Liz exclaimed when she reached them. "Sam, I found you a lovely shirt I think you'll like and there's lots of things I found for the girls."

Another twenty minutes later they were headed back to the children's area so they could grab some food for lunch and head back to the house in time for Jacob arriving. As Jack held her hand, Sam mentally recounted what she'd bought to make sure she hadn't left anything behind. They caught sight of Mark sitting with Beth on a bench by the playground.

"Hi darling. I bought you something." Liz spoke to Beth, who took the bag and thanked her mother with a smile.

"You had enough of bouncing?" Jack asked her.

"Yeah, Jo kept stepping on my feet." She answered, enthralled in her new hair accessories.

"I'll go find her." Sam volunteered, pulling Jack with her, as she held firm on his hand.

"You desperate to get me alone, are you?" He teased her, dropping her hand to circle his arm around her shoulders.

"I don't want you working your charms on Liz so much she gets a crush on you." She answered honestly.

"What?"

Sam turned to him, a huge grin lighting her eyes. "Got you back."

"That was so not funny." Jack answered, not quite believing he'd fallen for it.

"Was to me." She laughed. "Jo! Honey, come here."

"I'll get you back later." He said softly in her ear.

"With my Dad in the house?" She warned him with a smile.

"Damn, I forgot."

Jo ran up to them out of breath, gushing about how great the bouncy castle is. Sam broke the news to her that they had to leave and they made their way back to Mark, Liz and Beth. After a quick trip to the supermarket for supplies – Jack suggested they have a barbeque and invite the rest of SG-1, the group got back to the house a little after one. Sam opened the front door so everyone could get in, while Jack locked the car.

As he approached the house he heard Sam say: "How did you get in?"

Jo came running back out to grab his hand. "Uncle Jack, come see what Mummy bought me."

At that moment Jack came face to face with Jacob, who was looking incredulously at his granddaughter holding his hand.

"Jack, what are you doing here?"

**

Chapter 4 - Conflict

"Hi, Jake." Jack greeted him, an apprehensive expression on his face as he caught Sam's eyes, pleading with her to do something.

"Come on, Uncle Jack." Jo tugged at his hand again and he decided to leave his girlfriend and her father alone.

"Dad, I need to talk to you." He heard Sam say as Jo pulled him in to the front room.

**

"Sam what's going on?"

"So, how are you, Dad? Selmak doing okay?" She smiled, trying to delay what she knew she would have to say eventually.

"Sam, what is your CO doing in your house and why is my granddaughter calling him Uncle Jack?" Jacob demanded, seeing straight through her stalling tactic.

"Dad, I know it's been a while since you've been… home," she struggled for the right words. "But over the last year or so a lot of things have changed – at home and at work."

"General Hammond told me you've been moved to a more scientific role at the SGC."

"That's true, I'm still a permanent member of SG-1, but I now report directly to General Hammond."

Jacob suddenly understood where she was going with this. "Please tell me you aren't involved with Jack O'Neill, Sam."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Dad. We tried not to let it get round at work, but I think most people know by now, and it didn't seem right to tell you over a communication to the Tok'Ra."

"I can't believe this!" Jacob fumed, to Sam's surprise. She hadn't expected him to be particularly pleased about her relationship, but she thought he would've at least been supportive.

"Why not? We aren't breaking any rules, and we waited this long to be together."

"Sam, you know how this will look for you when it comes to promotion. He's still a senior officer and you're a junior female officer. People will make assumptions."

"Dad! It's never been about my job; in fact it's the only thing that's kept us apart for as long as it did! I don't care what people think, I'm happy with Jack – we're both happy." Sam told him defiantly, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

"What I do for a living isn't as important as Jack is to me, Dad. We save the world on a regular basis and we all deserve to have a private life. Even General Hammond supports us."

"George knows about you two?"

"Yes, he helped us find a way to be together without splitting up SG- 1."

Jacob was silent, an expression of irritation on his face. His eyes glowed for a second as Selmak took Jacob's place, a smile appearing on his face.

"On behalf of your father I would like to apologise for his behaviour." The tok'ra told her in a low voice, making sure no one in the house would hear the alien voice. "I would like to congratulate you and Colonel O'Neill, I believe you are well matched."

Sam laughed wistfully. "Thank you, Selmak. I wish my father felt the same way."

"I will endeavour to help him see your happiness in this relationship, Major Carter. He wishes to see the rest of his family, but we shall speak later?"

"Sure, once Mark and Liz go to bed." She answered, suddenly feeling drained of energy. Jacob left the kitchen, to be quickly replaced by Jack, who came to stand behind her where she had slouched down on a stool by the counter.

"You okay?" Jack asked her, grasping her shoulders and rubbing comfortingly at the knots of tension there.

Sam sighed. "Not really." She replied miserably.

"Hey, c'mere." He stood her up and wrapped his arms round her, stroking a hand over her hair and down her back soothingly. She held on to him as if her life depended on it, wishing her father didn't still have the ability to make her feel so bad about herself.

"I didn't even tell him about you living here, he was so angry with me." Sam said into his shoulder.

Jack hugged her tighter, feeling guilty that he couldn't make her feel any better about the situation. "We'll win him over, Sam. Good ol' Jake is just shocked you'd go for a guy like me."

She tilted her head back to look into his eyes with a sad smile. "It doesn't matter to me what my father thinks, Jack. I love you and they won't change that."

"They?"

Sam looked sheepish as she realised her slip. "Dad and Mark."

"Oh."

"Jack, I'm sorry." She told him, running a hand over her face and feeling stressed as she thought about an entire week of her father and brother getting at her.

He pulled her to him again. "Promise me you aren't going to worry about this."

Sam was silent, still trying to decide what she could do to make her father see sense.

"Sam?" That elicited a smile from her, his tone exactly as he used when Daniel wouldn't follow an order in the field.

"Don't get all Colonel-y on me, Jack." She warned him, a humorous expression lighting her face.

"Just you keep smiling." Jack told her affectionately, giving her a kiss on the lips, before telling her he would get the barbeque going as long she rang Daniel and Teal'c for moral support that afternoon.

**

The day was very warm by late afternoon, and everyone was enjoying the sunshine in the garden whilst sipping on cold drinks and burgers from the barbeque. Sam had avoided being left alone with her father or Mark that afternoon, staying near Jack, Daniel or Teal'c instead. She was infinitely grateful for Liz and Jo who were constantly around Jack or herself, especially Jo who had managed to steal most of Jack's attention, telling him stories about her friends at school. Liz had left her youngest daughter sitting at the lawn table with Jack, to come and sit beside Sam as she watched her boyfriend and niece together.

"He's lovely." She told Sam, without having to explain herself.

Sam smiled. "Yeah."

"He thinks the world of you."

"Jo has taken to him." She changed the subject, not wanting to let slip her earlier discussion with Jacob or her encounter with Mark the previous day.

"She's usually so shy around strangers, at least for a few days before she gets so chatty and friendly. Beth told me she likes Uncle Jack too."

"They're so different, aren't they?" Sam said, gesturing to Beth and Jo.

"Everyone says that. Beth's teachers have said she's excelling in school but they're worried about how quiet she is. I mean she's got lots of friends, but she prefers books to people." Liz confided with a small sigh.

"Sounds familiar."

Liz laughed. "Mark keeps telling me she's exactly like you were. Maybe I'll have an astrophysicist as a daughter!"

"Don't tempt fait!" Sam told her, laughing herself. "Beth will be fine. A lot of parents will think you're lucky as they struggle to get their kids to even look at a book."

"I know, as long as she's happy."

Sam smiled encouragingly at her and got up to see what Jack and Jo were up to at the table. As she drew closer she could see Jo laughing noisily at something Jack was doing – what turned out to be a drawing with a large bumble bee in the wrong colours.

"What's so funny, Jo?" Sam asked her, resting a hand on Jack shoulder to see what he had drawn before laughing herself.

"Hey don't you start, Major. That's a masterpiece, that is." He grinned, pulling on her arm so she would sit on his lap.

"You two look silly." Jo laughed at the couple.

"You draw me a bumble bee, missy, if you think mine's so bad." Jack challenged her, getting a smile from her as she grabbed a clean sheet of paper and the box of crayons. "I see you're spending your time productively." Sam grinned at him, circling her arms around his shoulders. "And won't I hurt your knees sitting on you like this?"

"Sam, you aren't heavy enough and my knees aren't fragile, you know."

"I think your doctor would disagree."

"Are you arguing with me?"

"Would I do such a thing?"

Jack gave her a sarcastic smile. "Of course you wouldn't." His hand slipped under the back of her top as he kissed her, the touch of skin on skin making her shiver.

"Warm hands." She grinned; watching his eyes as he pushed strands of hair behind her ears with his other hand.

"Uh oh, incoming." Jack said suddenly, his arms falling to her waist and trying to look as innocent as possible.

Jacob stood over the table, watching his granddaughter drawing her picture for a minute before asking Sam for a word in private. Her heart sank as she got up, following her father back to the house, passing Daniel who gave her a questioning look.

Once in the front room and well away from the garden where anyone could overhear them, it was Selmak that spoke first.

"It appears you were not entirely forthcoming about your relationship with Colonel O'Neill, Samantha."

"What do you mean?"

"Jacob believes you are living together."

Sam stared at him, mortified. "Yes, it's true. How… how did you find out?"

"Jacob was passing your room and the door was ajar. There were many items he believed could not belong to you in there."

"Selmak, let me talk to my father." She asked him, her own anger building.

"If you insist." The eyes flashed with a white light and the serene face was replaced with a furious one. "Sam, this is getting worse! What are you thinking? To move in with a senior officer?"

"Dad, how dare you go into my room – our room? I'm not fifteen anymore and you haven't got the right to tell me what I can and can't do!" Sam raised her voice, the frustration that had built up during the day finally venting.

"I have nothing against Jack, Sam. But you are putting your career on the line for this…fling!" Jacob shot back.

"A fling? That's what you think this is? Dad, I can look after myself and I don't want your judgement on this."

"I'm your father, you get it whether you want it or not!"

"Everything okay in here?" Mark came in through the door as Sam and Jacob stared at each other, both stubbornly refusing to back down.

"Did you know your sister has a live-in boyfriend?" Jacob asked him.

"What? Jack lives here?"

"Yes. I didn't want to tell either of you because you both haven't even given him a chance."

"You've only been together a few months!" Mark exclaimed.

"Eight months, Mark. And nearly nine years that I've known him." She corrected him sharply.

"I can't believe this!" Mark went on.

"How do you know Jack is even as serious about this as you are?" Jacob asked her – irrationally his symbiote told him in his head.

"Dad, that's ridiculous. You know Jack. You know he wouldn't have a short-term affair with a junior officer for the hell of it. If you're both just going to attack him then I don't want any part in this discussion anymore." Sam stated harshly, making a move for the door. As she got there Jack was just about to come in. Taking one look at her downcast face, his grasped her hand and took her back into the front room with him.

"Okay, you obviously both have a problem with me being with Sam, so why don't we discuss it all together instead of upsetting her." Jack suggested heatedly, trying in vain to disguise his now-natural protectiveness.

"Jack, it's okay. Let's leave it." Sam tried to persuade him quietly, but he squeezed her hand and didn't let go.

"She's my little girl, Jack! How could you take advantage of her like this?"

"Dad!"

"Come on Jake, you know I'd never do that."

"No, Jack. I don't know. I know that you are risking Sam's career over this and it seems pretty obvious neither of you have thought this through." Jacob snapped.

"I told you, General Hammond knows about this and he supports us. I'm not risking anything!" Sam repeated, starting to feel as though she was reliving some of her teenage years, the claustrophobic feeling from arguing with her father returning. "Jack, please, lets go back outside."

**

Part 5 – Respite

It was breaking his heart to see Sam so upset about what her father and brother had said. She insisted she was fine as she always did, but he had yet to see a genuine smile since the argument that afternoon. Jack was worried he'd made things worse by confronting her family like he did, and she'd been desperate to get him away from them, adding to his contemplation.

"Hey Jack." Daniel appeared at his side, surprising him out of his thoughts. "Is Sam okay? She seems very quiet."

They sat in the shade at the far end of the garden, where they could watch everyone else from a distance. Teal'c, Sam and Jo were sitting at the garden table together, Liz was helping Beth do something with her long hair and Jacob and Mark were still in the house.

"Her dad and Mark found out we were living together."

"Oh." Daniel replied. "You didn't tell them?"

Jack glared at him. "Ya think?"

"So what happened?"

"Big argument, all directed at Sam. Then I think I went and made it worse by telling Jake and Mark we should all talk about it."

Before Daniel could reply, Liz approached, sitting down next to Daniel.

"It's so hot today." She exclaimed. "Jack, I was wondering if you and Sam would like to have the house to yourselves tonight. Mark, Dad and I can take the girls out and give you some time alone."

From her sympathetic tone, Jack guessed that she had either overheard the argument earlier or had been talking to her husband. "Why don't you leave the girls with Sam and I, then you can all catch up."

Liz smiled, obviously seeing his attempt to get Jacob and Mark out of the house for as long as possible.

**

Jacob approached Jack in the kitchen where he was trying his best to find something for the girls to eat, as his son and daughter-in-law got ready to go out to the restaurant, having changed into a shirt and tie himself.

"Jack."

"Hey, Jake." Jack greeted him, uncertain where he stood with his girlfriend's father now.

"I was hoping to straighten this out with you."

"No offence Jake, but it's really Sam you should be saying this to."

"I know I may have overreacted, but she's my daughter and I suppose I was just shocked."

"Thanks." Jack replied sarcastically.

"You know what I mean. It's not like Sam has had a string of boyfriends over the last nine years; to see her so settled and committed is… surprising."

"Well, Dad, I like to think none of the guys she met compared to me, so she just… didn't bother."

"Don't call me Dad." Jacob warned him.

"Sam was pretty upset about the argument earlier, you think you could talk to her?" Jack asked, relieved that Jacob wasn't still angry about their relationship.

"Not tonight." He answered, confusing Jack with his hard tone. Why did he get the feeling there was something going on he didn't know about?

Mark called out to Jacob from the hallway, saying they were ready. Sam seemed to have disappeared, and Liz told Jack the girls were in their room. Once they set off to the restaurant, Jack went in search of his girlfriend, hoping his conversation with Jacob would cheer her up and set her mind at rest.

The last place he checked was the roof, his own little hideaway where he watched the stars when he wanted to think or be alone – not that it happened too much these days. She was sat staring up at the starry sky, the full moon making the tear tracks on her face shine.

"Sam?" Jack called as he saw her. She jumped and brushed the tears from her cheeks in one swift movement.

"Hey."

"Was wondering where you'd got to." Jack told her gently, sitting down behind her so he could wrap his arms around her waist. "Don't cry."

Instead it set her off, as Sam turned and buried her head in his shirt, weeping silently while he held her tightly, rubbing her back soothingly.

"Shhh, it's okay." He whispered close to her ear. "You're soaking my favourite shirt."

That got him a weak laugh through her tears and she drew back slightly. "Sorry."

Jack cupped her face tenderly and wiped away her remaining tears with his thumbs. "Feel better?"

Sam smiled in reply and nodded. "I saw them leave." "Yeah, we can go down and entertain the girls when you're ready."

"I left you on your own with them." She suddenly realised, her eyes widening in guiltily.

"You stop worrying so much. What would you like to eat?"

"You're cooking?"

"Well Major, the girls are only kids, I don't think they'd survive your cooking."

Sam smiled. "I would be offended, but I know you're probably just going to McDonalds."

"Good thinking."

"It happens." She grinned, repeating what Jack had once said on a mission.

**

Nearly two hours later, Jo and Beth were happily playing with their `Happy Meal' toys in the front room whilst Jack and Sam were curled up together on the couch.

"Jack?"

"Yep?"

"Is it going to be like this when I meet your family?" Sam asked.

Jack gave her a grin. "Well, I think they'll be impressed beyond belief to begin with, then they'd wonder how much I had to pay you."

"Jack!" She laughed, swatting him on the arm.

"Ah, you think I'm kidding." He chuckled. "My brothers would be jealous, and I'd not let you out of my sight in case either of them tried their luck."

"Don't you trust me?" Sam grinned playfully.

"It's them I don't trust. You are too damn cute to resist most of the time."

"Most of the time?"

"I can resist you when you're in explanation of how everything in the known universe…is… you know…wrong mode."

"And I was thinking I'd changed your mind about scientists." She smiled sweetly at him, leaning in for a long kiss until she remembered her nieces were only four feet away.

On cue, Beth pulled herself up on the sofa next to Sam. "Can we watch a film, Aunt Sam?"

"What would you like to watch?" She untangled herself from Jack's arms, who unhelpfully refused to let go of her. Jo immediately cottoned on, grasping Sam's wrist to pull her up, which Beth joined in quickly.

"Not comfortable here guys!" Sam laughed as Jack continued to hold on to her.

"Uncle Jack! Let go!" Jo squealed in between giggles.

"She's mine!" Jack told them, giving the girls an evil look that made them both laugh even more.

"Jack!" Sam admonished.

"Kiss." He pouted childishly.

The girls let go of Sam's arms so she could give him a quick kiss on the lips before escaping from his clutches, much to her nieces' delight. She grinned at Jack, who was still looking decidedly playful.

"I'll chase you." He announced, about three seconds before he sprang to his feet. The girls ran at top speed from the room, Sam close behind. Jack chased them all the way into the garden, as Sam had left the kitchen door open to cool the house somewhat. Jo and Beth were screaming happily as Jack feigned grabbing each of them in turn, before reaching the Major and tackling her to the ground.

"Gotcha." Jack beamed proudly at her, his fingers finding the bared skin at her waist between her trousers and top, tickling her. "Hey you two, your Aunt is very ticklish."

"You… are… so… dead." Sam breathed between squeals of laughter. Jack took pity on her before Beth or Jo started tickling her as well.

"Right, you trouble-makers, come here." Jack chased them both back into the house before turning back to Sam. She was sitting up, trying to catch her breath from laughing so hard, a look of amused wariness on her face as she spotted him approaching.

"Don't you dare! Those girls will be taking home all sorts of bad habits with you around!" Sam told him defensively.

"I'll be good." He grinned back at her, holding his hands in front of him innocently.

She eyed him disbelievingly and then took his offered hand to help her up. Immediately he swept her up in his arms, carrying her protesting form back into the house in his arms.

"If I knew this was all it would take to get you smiling again…" Jack told her as he put her down. She promptly hit him on the chest.

"I swear to god, Jack, I will have Teal'c zat you if you ever do that again." Sam told him, trying to hide her smile.

"Teal'c wouldn't do that to me – he's my buddy."

"Wanna to bet?"

"Okay, you would never do that to me. I'm too loveable."

Sam gave him a defiant glare, before grinning. "I'm going to get the girls to bed."

Jack grasped her waist before she retreated to the front room, pulling her to him in a comfortable hug. "You reckon we have enough time to…"

"If you hadn't just tickled me half to death in front of my nieces, I may have considered it." She answered.

He watched her disappear out of the kitchen and into the front room, a grin on his face as Sam ushered the girls across the hall and told them she would be right back. "I'll put a film on then."

Sam surprised him but looping her arms round his neck, giving him a kiss to keep him going whilst she took care of the girls. "I'll be there soon."

"I thought you were mad at me."

"Oh I am." She smiled, fixing two glasses of milk and taking them out to the back room.

"Women." Jack commented, a grin on his face despite himself.

"I heard that."

**

Part 6 - Surprises

Jack and Sam were up early the following morning, enjoying the quiet and each other's company as they sat drinking coffee on the patio. It wasn't long after dawn; the sky was still speckled with purple blue colours.

"You think if we went up to the cabin and left them all here they'd find us?" Jack mused aloud, absently brushing one hand through Sam's hair as she lay against him.

"I don't think any of them would speak to me again, but no I don't think we'd be found." Sam smiled against his side. "Are you considering a jailbreak, Jack?"

"I would never leave my adoring fans, Carter." He answered, his grin softening the sarcasm in his voice.

"Maybe we should all go to the big fun park today. Although I really have no idea whether the girls even like theme parks."

"I know I do."

"Jack, Beth and Jo are not old enough for those big rides you like, I know Mark hates them and there's not a chance I'm going on that thing that drops five floors."

"I'm sure I can con Liz into it." Jack told her with a childish grin.

Sam laughed at his enthusiasm, reaching over the cushion to place her empty mug on the ground before replacing her arm around his waist.

"You feeling lazy today?" Jack asked her, glancing again at her stretched out form on the cushions.

"Definitely."

He leaned down to kiss her, his hand moving to support her head at the awkward angle.

There was a forced cough all of a sudden, breaking their private moment as they looked up to see Jacob stepping out on to the patio.

"Up early?" He asked, watching his daughter carefully.

"So are you." Sam answered casually, refusing to remove herself from her comfortable position in Jack's arms just to please her father.

"Junior not sleeping through the night, Jake?" Jack quipped.

"Did you all have a good evening last night, Dad?" Sam put in quickly before Jacob could answer Jack's bold question.

Jacob looked ready to partake in a battle of sarcasm with Jack, but changed his mind. "Yes, we found a bar that was quiet enough to actually talk in. Your brother seems to be doing very well at work. Liz too, head of the English department at the school apparently. Maybe- "

"Auntie Sam! Uncle Jack!" A distance voice was calling out from inside the house.

"We're outside," Sam called back, guessing it was Jo coming to find them, having not found them in their room. She appeared at the outside patio door, nearly tripping on her long nightdress as she stepped down to the paving stones. Taking one look at her aunt and uncle snuggled up together, Jo pulled herself up on to Jack's knee, turning to him so she could talk.

"Uncle Jack?"

"Yep." He answered, pulling the little girl further on to his lap so she didn't knee Sam in the face by accident.

"Beth says I should ask you to chase us again, 'cause it was fun." She told him seriously.

"Maybe I will later. You should watch out in case I get ya." Jack warned her, tickling her waist.

"Is Mark or Liz up yet, Dad?" Sam asked, smiling at Jo's squeals of delight.

"Probably by now." Jacob responded, not quite believing the sight of Jack so comfortable with Jo as well as Sam. He had been told early on about Jack's past, how he had had a son who'd died, but Jacob could still not imagine Jack as the family type. The sight before him now was beginning to change his mind; Jo had never really taken to him and she'd known him since she was two years old, yet Jack had only been introduced to her a few days ago.

"I'm going to make some more coffee." Sam told Jack, sitting up. "Would you like some juice Jo?"

"Can I have apple juice?" She asked politely.

"I'm sure I can find some." Sam assured her, eliciting a brilliant Carter smile from her niece. "Don't you teach her anything you shouldn't." She told Jack playfully, receiving a kiss for her trouble.

Jacob followed her into the kitchen, listening to his granddaughter tell Jack about her favourite videos. "Do you have to do that?"

"Do what?" Sam answered, sounding distracted as she searched for a tray to place the mugs for Liz and Mark on.

"Be so attached all the time. It's not the best example for Jo and Beth."

"I don't know what you're talking about Dad." She replied, finally spotting what she was looking for at the back of the cupboard.

"Did Jack tell you about our conversation last night?"

"Not really. He said you apologised to him, and that's about it." Sam informed him, placing two glasses on the tray and refilling the coffee maker.

"I overreacted, Sam, I know I did. But are you sure this is what you want? Really what you want?"

Sam stopped what she was doing to look at him directly. "Dad, I'm happy. I've wanted this for a long time and now we can finally be together I've never been happier. I don't want to fight anymore."

Jacob was silent, a pensive expression on his face as Sam returned to preparing the drinks. She poured the coffees and was about to take Jo's juice out to her when Jacob stopped her.

"Sam, I am pleased for you; I know I haven't shown it. I think seeing you so settled surprised me. I mean the last time I saw you, you were happy to spend every second at the SGC."

"I know, Dad." Sam set the glass down so she could hug her father, feeling as though the weight of the world had been lifted now Jacob had given her his blessing – albeit in his own way.

**

"Jack have you seen my book? The one I had next to the bed." Sam called in to the bathroom where he was shaving.

"That the one with those funny balls and lines on it?"

"Molecules, Jack, and yes, that one." She answered, smiling at his obvious exaggerated ignorance.

"I er… I was reading it."

Sam wished she could see his face when he said that, unsure whether he was serious or teasing her. She moved to his side of the bed, giving each drawer the once over without any luck. Pulling on the bottom drawer, she found it locked. Curious now, Sam opened the top drawer again; spotting the key she'd seen there before. Typical Jack, he never thought to hide anything within the house, although it was the first time she'd ever found anything locked. Placing the key in the locked drawer, she hesitated, wondering if she should leave it be. Curiosity won out and she turned the key and peered inside, ready to push it shut if Jack came back in. There wasn't anything obvious that was worth hiding, a few photos and a tie with Homer Simpson emblazoned on it – he had threatened to wear it a few times and the one time he had, Daniel had spent the entire night laughing at him.

She was about to close the drawer when her gaze fell upon a beautiful wooden box in the back corner. Inquisitive fingers traced the patterns on the lid, before grasping it gently and pulling it out. The lid released easily to reveal pink tissue paper; a velvet jewellery box nestled in at the top. Beginning to feel guilty about intruding now, Sam opened the smaller box, a small gasp escaping as she took in the sight of the pretty silver locket, shaped in a heart with stars imprinted on the face. Wondering if he had placed pictures inside, she snapped the locket open, having to catch the tiny piece of paper that fell out.

`I'm crazy about you. Marry me?'

Sam stared at the words, her heart beating so fast she could barely breathe. She wasn't supposed to find this, not now. But she smiled, feeling ecstatic excitement at the thought that maybe he was planning to ask her. Replacing the paper inside the locket and placing the box back into the wooden chest, she felt something underneath the tissue paper. Feeling terribly bad now, she carefully pulled back the tissue paper to reveal another, smaller jewellery box. Before her conscience got the better of her, she pulled the box open, her breath catching as she discovered the lovely ring inside. It was a simple diamond set in a princess cut, a small baby pink stone either side, upon a silver band; the words `Yours forever, Jack' inscribed on the inside of the ring.

Hurriedly putting everything away exactly how she'd found it, Sam could barely think straight. They were supposed to be going to the big fairground adventure park within the next half an hour but all she could think was when he'd bought that lovely jewellery and how long he'd been planning to ask her.

**

Chapter 7 - I love the way you love me

As Jack walked from the en-suite bathroom adjacent to their bedroom, the sight of his girlfriend sitting on the edge of the bed looking slightly dazed met his eyes.

"Hey, cheer up." He laughed at her, making her jump, as he pulled out his favourite jacket from the closet.

"What?" Sam looked up at him, a puzzled smile playing on her lips.

"That book will be here somewhere."

Sam was still looking out of it, vaguely registering what he was saying. Suddenly she seemed to snap out of it, throwing her arms round his neck in a tight hug.

"Sam, if I'd known the book meant that much to you…" Jack told her, confusion obvious on his face. "Did I miss something?"

Her dazzling smile made her eyes sparkle as she shook her head. "Come on they'll be waiting for us."

Jack watched her, wondering if she was coming down with something, before accepting her offered hand and leaving the room.

**

After a short trip in two separate cars, the seven of them got to the large fairground park on the outside of Colorado Springs before mid-morning. There seemed to be an awful lot of people around, mostly families due to the school holidays. Jo and Beth were already planning which rides to go on first and Liz had to gently remind Beth that her sister couldn't go on all of the rides because she was younger, the height restrictions limiting what were suitable for a five year old. Jack had been watching Sam intently, her vibrant mood seeming without cause and convincing him there was something he didn't know about, until he spotted the first daring white-knuckle ride in the park.

"So Liz, you fancy a spin on that roller-coaster?" Jack asked with a grin, gesturing to the huge winding loop-the-loop track to their left.

"I might have guessed you would like the adrenalin rides, Jack." Jacob spoke up with a laugh.

"Sure, I'll go." Liz agreed, already heading for the queuing area. "I'm a closet thrill-seeker myself."

"You sure you don't wanna come with?" Jack implored a final time to Sam, who stood with her nieces holding her hands either side of her.

"Maybe I'll start with a less death-defying one." She laughed, his childish enthusiasm endearing to her even after nine years. He leaned in to give her a quick kiss goodbye before sprinting off after Liz.

Mark had never had a love for fairgrounds, even as a child, although with Jacob's military career and not living in any one place longer than a year in his childhood, meant his experience of adventure parks like this was limited. With Sam however, it had been the only way to get her away from her textbooks and out of the house; she'd always told him it brought back happy memories from when they would go with their mother.

As they watched the people on the roller coaster, waiting to see Jack and Liz have their turn, Sam took the girls over to the nearby game stall to throw balls at the stacks of bottles. As it turned out, Beth had quite a left throwing arm, winning a large polar bear soft toy. Not to be outdone by her older sister, Jo insisted she try again. The young man behind the stall struck up a conversation with Sam as he encouraged Jo in her throwing technique.

Another ten minutes later they were still there, and Jack came up behind her, circling his arm around Sam's shoulders. "Is that great big white thing your doing?" He asked her, gesturing to Beth's prize.

"Nope. It was all her," Sam smiled in reply.

"You want some help there, kiddo?" Jack asked, scooping Jo up so she was a little closer to her target. Much to her delight, Jo managed to knock all six bottles down, and chose a smaller toy from the vast selection there as Sam thanked the attendant for his help with a laugh.

"That guy was checking you out." Jack said softly near her ear as they walked back to the others, Sam holding Jo's hand so she wouldn't get lost in the crowds.

She laughed at him. "No he wasn't, he was helping Jo win something."

Jack didn't look convinced. "He was checking you out, believe me I know how guys think."

"Jack, are you jealous?" She accused him with a grin, slipping her arm around his waist.

"You are in an exceptionally good mood today, and it is starting to scare me."

"It scares you I'm in a good mood?"

"No, it scares me you're bordering on hysteria."

Sam laughed again at the look on his face as he said it. "I think that's an exaggeration."

**

The large group had found a cluster of picnic tables to sit and eat some lunch by early afternoon, just as the girls began to complain about how hungry they were. Sam volunteered to go in search of toffee-apples that Beth had spotted advertised on the park-map, Jack quickly insisted he go with her, not wanting to miss the chance to be alone with her even in the crowded park.

"You look like your enjoying yourself." Sam smiled as they walked hand in hand, her mind still filled with the images of her discovery from that morning.

"You think Teal'c would ever go on one of these monster roller coasters? I know Danny wouldn't, at least not with me." Jack asked her. "I'm thinking a group picnic, get Hammond down here. Now that would be sweet."

"That's probably because you'd tell him horror stories about it whilst you were waiting in the queue and then taunt him about being scared afterwards."

"Carter, I'm hurt. Is that why you won't go on any of them with me? I'll protect you, you know." He leered at her, making her laugh.

"Jack? What are we going to do for Christmas this year?"

He grinned at her familiar changing the subject tactic. "Got a few months left before we have to start planning, Sam. Give that poor brain of yours a rest and enjoy yourself."

"It's special this year, our first living together." Sam continued, still smiling. Suddenly Jack stopped them both to face her, resting his hands on her waist.

"Why do I get the feeling you being in a very wacky mood all morning and this conversation are connected?" Jack enquired, looking her straight in the eye.

"No, I was just wondering…" She answered in an unconvincing voice, immediately knowing he'd be suspicious at her weak response.

To her surprise he didn't pursue it, instead gave her a grin and hugged her to him in the middle of the busy walkway. "I promise it will be special."

The thrill from that morning returned, as she believed her theory was confirmed; Jack was planning to propose at Christmas. Although Sam wasn't sure she wanted to wait that long, it seemed so far away. `Always the impatient one,' her father had always told her as a child.

"Anyway, we've got your birthday to plan before that." Jack whispered in her ear, and she could have sworn it was a knowing grin on his face as he said it.

**

Chapter 8 – Water Games

"Look, look! There's a water slide!" Jo chirped as she held on to Jack's hand, pointing to the water covered track that several soaking wet people were just leaving.

"Aunt Sam will take you on this one." Jack told her immediately, hoping to get out of a drenching if he possibly could.

"Oh no, Uncle Jack loves the water rides, he will be coming as well." Sam quickly assured her, giving Jack a pointed look.

"Do I have to?" He whined, his brown eyes imploring her to take pity on him.

"Uncle Jack, it's fun! It has a big splash at the end!" Jo piped up again, and with it Jack's last hope of staying dry went out the window.

"You stop giving me that grin, Major." Jack groused at his girlfriend, with a smile despite himself. "Okay, who's brave enough to face the splash of doom?" He quipped, turning around to speak to the rest of Sam's family.

"Definitely." Liz agreed enthusiastically, her eldest daughter nodding alongside her. "Come on, Mark. You'll enjoy it."

"If I'm going you're going." Jacob told his son, propelling him towards the queue.

**

Twenty minutes later all seven of them were soaked to the bone, both Jo and Beth finding it hilarious to see their relatives so dishevelled.

"That was great!" Sam laughed, pulling her t-shirt away from her body in an attempt to dry it as much as she could.

"Can we go on again?" Beth asked through her giggles.

"I think we might have to get going now." Mark told her.

"I can throw a bucket of water over you when we get home if you like, kiddo." Jack suggested with a grin, making Beth giggle again as he brushed a hand over his sodden grey hair, raining droplets of water around him.

"Didn't I tell you you'd enjoy that last ride?" Sam said softly as they walked, slipping an arm round his waist.

"Actually, I was just thinking I'll have to get you in a wet t-shirt again when we've got the house to ourselves."

"Jack!" She laughed as he drew her closer to his side and gave her a kiss.

"Come on you two," Jacob called from up ahead, his voice taking on a distinctive father who'd caught his daughter making eyes at her boyfriend voice, although neither had realised they had fallen so far behind everyone else.

"Did you even manage to date in high school?" Jack asked incredulously, as quietly as he could.

"With Dad about you mean? Usually I managed with a little sneaking around."

"You? Sneaking?" Jack asked her, finding the idea of Samantha Carter sneaking around behind her father's back highly amusing.

"I'm not as innocent as I look you know." She replied with a grin.

"Don't I know it."

**

With a bit of teamwork Jack and Sam had managed to throw together a lasagne for their evening meal, after Sam insisted that eating out every night would prove to her father she really couldn't boil an egg, let alone make a meal.

"Is that why you usually get me to make the eggs?" Jack had countered, only to have a tea-towel thrown in his general direction.

Surprisingly, the meal was rather nice, all three men at the table requesting seconds. They had all moved into the front room, leaving Sam and Jack to make coffees and teas for their guests when the doorbell rang. Jack went to answer it with Jo running up behind him to see whom it was.

"Teal'c, buddy, what brings you here?"

"I bring gifts, O'Neill."

"Oh, er… why exactly?"

"Is it not customary to bring young ones a gift when they visit?"

"Actually, no. But -"

"Daniel Jackson suggested them." Teal'c produced two large water guns, nearly Jo's size.

"Yay! Can we have a water fight, Uncle Jack?" Jo asked him, without waiting for an answer as she ran off to ask Sam instead.

"Come in, T. You drive here?"

"Indeed. I have my own water gun in which to take part."

"Cool, you have your own water gun? Gotta get me one of those." Jack led him into the kitchen, where Jo was practically jumping up and down with excitement.

"Hey Teal'c, just can't keep away from those can you?" Sam teased him gently, gesturing to his gifts.

"I believe a certain doctor who shall remain nameless is responsible for this." Jack informed her, watching as Teal'c handed Jo one of the water guns, which she then pointed straight at Jack, wetting his just-dry blue t-shirt for the second time that day, before running out into the garden.

"You gave them loaded water guns? T, remind me to have a little chat with you about how much you should listen to Danny-boy and how much you should listen to me."

**

Beth wasn't quite as excited about the ensuing water-fight as her sister was, but she soon got into the swing of things, especially when she managed to get Teal'c right on the chest. Jack had set up a few obstacles to serve as cover, and several buckets of water placed around them for refilling their guns, the large garden making the perfect battleground. Sam and Liz had stepped out on to the patio to watch the ensuing chaos, sipping coffees and laughing.

"Hey Jo! Jack's got no cover!" Sam called as Jack emerged from the make-shift barrier to shoot Teal'c.

"Right, that's it." Moving like lightning, Jack grabbed Sam and used her as a shield just as Jo shot at him.

Jack laughed at her as she squealed from the cold water, pulling her behind the nearest cover. "Didn't I tell you I'd get you in a wet t- shirt again?"

"So romantic, Jack." She replied sarcastically, getting up.

"Hey hey hey, where do you think you're going?" he protested, grasping her wrist to pull her back down. "I've got plans for you."

"Is this because I made you go on the water splash?" She asked with a grin as Jack leaned in to kiss her.

"And because you still owe me."

Within a matter of seconds, they were interrupted by both Teal'c and Beth shooting Jack in the back, quickly followed by Jo shooting Sam from the other side.

"Hey I'm unarmed!" Sam protested, holding her hands up in surrender, only to get a blast of water from all four of them, followed by raucous laughter.

"It seems irrelevant in this game, Major Carter." Teal'c told her with a smile.

"Come on, kids, better get you dry and then its bedtime." Liz called out from her place on the patio.

"You want to stay a while T?" Jack asked his friend as they emptied the remaining contents of their guns into the buckets.

"I must return to the SGC." He answered.

"Another round of Star Wars films?"

"Indeed."

**

"I'm so tired." Sam announced as they got to their room, having said goodnight to everyone.

"Kids have that affect." Jack laughed, pulling her into his arms.

"It still seems so strange to have so many people in the house at once."

"Mmm." He answered, tossing the covers back and grasping her waist to get them both into bed.

"Did Teal'c bring two of those water guns?" Sam asked, getting under the covers with him and snuggling up once again.

Jack laughed. "Apparently he has quite a collection. Man of mystery is our T."

"You two are both big kids really."

"You didn't get that memo?" Jack joked, making her laugh against his chest. He brushed the blonde strands from her face idly with one hand, content to gently rub his fingertips over her bare waist with the other.

"That's nice." She breathed, tightening her arms around him.

"So, did you find your book?"

"Book?"

"The one you were looking for this morning?"

"Oh, no. I'll find it tomorrow."

"You find anything else?" Jack asked, making her look up at him with a questioning stare, only to meet his knowing smile.

"What?"

"You know what." He smiled, cutting off her answer with a passionate kiss.

Sam smiled back at him, replying breathlessly: "Maybe."

"Playing coy are we?" He grinned in amusement, flipping her onto her back so he could pin her arms down, his legs straddling her.

"You'll get nothing out of me." Sam replied defiantly, her breath catching as he trailed kisses down her throat.

"We'll see."

**

Chapter 9 – Decisions Of The Heart

Jack woke the following morning to the sensation of lips on his, opening his eyes to the welcome sight of Sam leaning over him.

"Morning, gorgeous." He managed to mumble sleepily, reaching up to tangle his right hand in her hair.

"Hey," She greeted him with a smile, giving him a final kiss before pulling away. "I brought you coffee."

"Come back to bed." It was more an order than a request, and Jack had already grasped her round the waist to pull her back to him, giving her barely enough time to set his mug down on the nightstand.

"Do I have a choice?" Sam laughed, slipping under the covers.

"Nope. If its not at least 0730 I'm not getting up."

"Actually, its now 0810, sleepyhead." Sam answered, shifting on to her side so she could slip her arm across his waist. "I think that water fight must have worn out those girls, Liz told me they're both up by 7 without fail at home."

Jack smiled smugly. "So we may have some time to ourselves. You fancy a shower?"

"Is that an offer?" Sam replied, tracing circles on his stomach with her forefinger.

"I can make it an order if you'd prefer." He countered, catching her wandering fingers as she hit a ticklish spot.

"Well if it's an order…" She gave him an enticing smile and made a move for the en-suite, tugging gently on his hand.

**

When the couple finally got downstairs, it appeared their guests had started breakfast without them.

"We were considering sending out the search parties." Jacob informed them, helping himself to a piece of toast from the pile Liz had just placed on the table.

"You just get funnier, Jake." Jack retorted sarcastically, provoking an amused smile from the tok'ra.

"I can't say the same goes for you, Jack."

"Play nice, you two." Sam warned them, glad to see their usual banter had returned.

"Uncle Jack? What are we going to do today?" Jo asked him as he sat down.

"Whatever Aunt Sam says we should." He quipped in response.

"Actually there's a lovely beach town a little ways out from here." Sam suggested.

"Is that the one Daniel keeps raving about?"

"Yeah, he said the buildings are wonderful, a real seaside town."

"I spy scientist mode rearing its ugly head…" Jack announced dramatically, making Jo giggle.

"Day on the beach sounds like fun." Jacob assured his daughter.

"I can make sandcastles on the beach." Jo told Jack proudly, avoiding her mother's attempts to feed her the cereal that had been left half eaten in front of her.

"Did we bring buckets and spades with us, Dad?" Beth asked – rather sensibly for an eight year old, Jack thought.

"No, but I'm sure we can buy some when we get there." Mark answered.

Jack reached for the coffee pot in the middle of the breakfast table, only to find it empty. Finding Sam in the kitchen, he placed the drained coffee pot on the surface in front of her, slipping his arms around her waist from behind and kissing her the exposed curve of her neck.

"What are you doing in here?" Sam scolded him gently.

"Need more coffee." Jack answered simply.

"I brought you coffee this morning, and you didn't drink it."

"I had other things on my mind." He explained coquettishly, resuming kissing her neck as she tried in vain to finish making pancakes.

"Would you two give it a rest?" Mark's irritated voice startled them both as he deposited a few plates by the sink.

"Mark!" Sam exclaimed heatedly, her patience running thin at his hostility, but he had already disappeared back in to the breakfast room.

**

Tall grey-stone buildings bordered the narrow streets of Phoenix Bay, scattered cafes and little shops gave the town a cosy air. They found parking spots overlooking the beach, surprising them all by how few people were around on such a sunny day.

"Can we go in the sea?" Beth asked immediately.

"I want to build sandcastles!" Jo announced for the millionth time.

"I can get a bucket and spade for you, Jo. You all go down to the beach and I'll catch up." Sam suggested, seeing a chance to saunter through the delightful town in her own time. Getting assenting nods, she turned towards what looked to be the main street connected to the car park.

"Whoa, wait up." Jack caught up to her as the others went in the opposite direction, clasping her hand.

Sam laughed. "You don't have to come, I thought I'd let you get to the sand as quickly as possible."

"I can't let the surfer boys of this town think they can hit on you… and I don't have anything to play in the sand with."

"You big kid."

"Hey, I'm reliving my- "

"Uncle Jack!" They both turned to see Jo running up to them, her parents looking on from a little way up ahead. "I want to go with you and Aunt Sam."

"Okay, kiddo." Jack agreed as she grasped his hand, watching as Sam waved to Liz - a signal Jo would be okay with them.

"There's a fish!" Jo exclaimed suddenly, pointing to a small shop with lots of inflatable rings, sharks, whales and fish on display for swimming in the sea with. A large golden Labrador had been tied up outside the shop, its owner having gone inside. He took an instant liking to Jack, who knelt down to stoke him. Jo joined in, squealing joyfully when the dog began to lick her face.

"Come on, you two." Sam laughed at them, smiling at the man – the Labrador's owner she guessed, came out of the shop. The dog barked as Jack straightened, wagging his tail and moving his attention back to Jo who was still patting him on the head.

"Hey, this is Chico." The man introduced his Labrador to Jo, untying the dog's leash from the post. "He likes you."

"Chico's cute." Sam watched with a smile as Jo spoke to the dog, thinking she'd have to ask if her brother had considered pets in the house at home.

"We should get a dog." Jack said aloud, grasping Sam's hand again as he stood next to her.

"See, your Mum and Dad might get you a dog of your own." The man smiled kindly at Jo, before pulling Chico away down the road, who gave one last bark in their direction.

"So kiddo, are you going to choose a bucket and spade so we can get to the sand-castle makin'?" Jack asked her, taking her attention away from watching the dog and back to the inflatable fish.

They eventually left the small shop with two Nemo-like fish, two buckets of different sizes and a spade, along with Jo telling them all about her friend Lexi's dog.

"Can we go in the sea?" Jo asked, and once getting an affirmative from the aunt, suddenly dropped her hand. "There's Beth!"

Jack pulled Sam closer to his side as Jo ran off to her sister. "Please tell me you have the bathing suit with you."

"If you mean the black bikini, then no."

"Sam, why? I was really looking forward to that part of the day." He whined.

"Jack, you seem to forget my father is here. You may be back in the good books with him but I don't think he'd appreciate his daughter wearing a bikini to please her boyfriend." She grinned at him.

"Please tell me when I get you to myself again?" Jack pleaded dramatically, making her laugh.

"They're only here until the day after tomorrow, but I'm not sure about Dad."

"So what do you think about getting a dog?" He asked her seriously. "We could name him… Chuckles."

"Not a chance, Jack."

"I thought you liked dogs?"

"I meant I wouldn't subject a poor animal to the name `Chuckles'."

"So you wouldn't mind us having a dog?"

"I love dogs – a Collie or a Labrador would be great." She stopped to face him, looking him in the eye. "But I get to name him – or her."

"What about Baxtor?" Jack suggested, only half serious this time.

"Jack, you are officially off the naming committee." Sam laughed.

"There's a committee?"

"Yep."

"Does it involve you wearing a black bikini?"

"You have a one-track mind, Jack."

"It's a certain blonde Major I know who's to blame."

"I have no idea who you mean." Sam responded innocently, ending their banter with a kiss.

"If I didn't know better I'd say you were trying to shut me up."

"Jack, go play in the sand."

**

"Will the girls be okay out there with Jack?" Mark asked his sister as he kept a weary eye on his daughters in the shallow water with their new fish.

"He's trained cadets before, Mark. Those two will be no problem." Sam replied patiently, before returning to her book.

"I think I'll go in too, I need to cool off." Liz told them, although Sam guessed it was purely to keep her husband quiet.

"Sam, can we talk?" Mark said the second his wife had reached the water, leaving them alone. Jacob had set out on a walk ten minutes ago, complaining the weather was too hot to sit still in.

Setting her book down on the sand, she had a feeling she knew what was coming. "What's wrong?"

"Jack."

"Still?" Sam asked, incredulous.

"Why are you with him, Sam? Is it because he's in the military too? You think you share the same interests because of that?"

"Mark, I know you don't have the greatest respect for the Air Force, but please don't let it cloud you judgement on this. Your whole family like him, why can't you?"

"What about the future? You want kids with him?" Mark continued.

"That's not really your business." Sam responded, trying to keep her temper in check.

"Maybe not Sam, but I don't want you to get hurt. That Jonas guy was bad news from the beginning but you wouldn't listen to me."

Sam stared at him in surprise. "You don't like Jack because you think he's like Jonas?"

"They're fairly similar, wouldn't you say?"

"No, not at all."

"They're both military, Sam."

"Mark, I'm military. Jonas was nine years ago, and I made a mistake. Jack's not like him, in any way."

"I'm glad about that, but I can't say I'll ever be Jack's greatest fan."

"You don't have to be. Just be happy for me."

Mark nodded in reluctant agreement, accepting her hug and spotting Jack running up the beach to them.

"The water's great – those two little trouble-makers keep splashing me." He told them, grasping Sam's wrists in a shower of saltwater. "You have to come in."

"Two harmless little girls are too much for you are they?" She teased, letting him pull her to her feet.

"Hey, I was being triple teamed me! Liz joined in too."

Mark stayed with their things, telling them he would wait for Jacob to return and then join them in the water. Floating joyfully on their new fish, Beth and Jo took great pleasure in splashing their dry Aunt before she could get to the deeper water.

"Didn't I tell you they were trouble-makers?" Jack grinned at her, threatening to overturn Beth's fish and send her into the water. v"No! Uncle Jack!" Beth squealed, losing her balance and tumbling into the water. She surfaced laughing, trying to grab the fish back from Jack.

**

It was late afternoon before they realised they'd missed lunch, Sam and Liz both agreeing that one of the sweet little cafes would be a good place to eat. Making their way towards the end of the beach, Sam lagged behind with Jack, who held her hand and had yet to wipe the grin from his face.

"I've been thinking."

"There's a surprise." Jack replied sarcastically.

"What do you think of Jasper?"

"Jasper?"

Sam rolled her eyes. "For our dog."

"You really want a dog?" He asked, still surprised she'd agreed.

"Yeah, named Jasper." She grinned at him.

"Where'd you spring that one from?"

"My best friend in high school had a black Labrador named Jasper. We used to take her for walks."

"I still like Chuckles." Jack protested humorously, catching her around the waist and turning her to face him.

Sam leaned in to kiss him, pulling back with a smile. "I love you."

"And I love you." He grinned back at her, watching with curiosity as her smile became mischievous.

"So when can I wear my ring?" Sam asked innocently.

Jack feigned an exasperated sigh. "You'll have to be patient."

"Jack!"

"Patience is a virtue, Major."

**

Chapter 10 – New Additions

When the group finally got back to Colorado Springs, they were worn out from the heat of the day, grateful for the coolness of the house. Liz took the girls to get changed whilst Sam and Jack set about making dinner, leaving Mark and Jacob to fend for themselves in the front room.

"Jack, you're not helping." Sam complained good-naturedly, as he stood behind her, hands looped around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.

"So when should we get Jasper?" Jack asked, refusing to let her go.

"Soon I hope."

"You're really going to let me have a dog?" He grinned childishly at her.

"He or she will be our dog, Jack." Sam corrected him with a smile.

"Can't wait." Jack replied as she gave up what she was doing, turning in his arms.

"Besides, a dog can't be as much trouble as you are, so I think I'm prepared."

He feigned a hurt expression, kissing the tip of her nose affectionately. "You love it really."

**

Sam woke late the following morning, having stayed up with Liz until the early hours `girl-talking' as Jack so eloquently put it. Rolling over, she found the bed empty, much to her disappointment. Trying to shake the last throes of sleep, she spotted a folded piece of paper on the nightstand, addressed in Jack's handwriting to `Sleepyhead'. Smiling, Sam unfolded the note:

Didn't want to wake you
Had to go out, won't be long
Love you xxx

"Aunt Sam!" Jo's voice chirped from the doorway pulling her attention from the note. She glanced at the clock beside her, which she was surprised to read 0935.

"Hey Jo. How long have you been up?"

"For ages. Uncle Jack said I shouldn't come in 'cause you were sleepy." Jo replied, pulling herself up onto the bed and slipping her legs under the covers, finding her Tigger toy that she'd lent to Jack.

"Is Uncle Jack downstairs?"

"He went out in the car. He said it was a secret mission." She told her aunt, eyes wide in the secrecy that had been shared with her.

Sam laughed, imagining her boyfriend telling Jo how important his mission was and how she wasn't to tell anyone. "Have you had your breakfast?"

"Mummy made eggs and bacon for Granddad and Daddy."

"Let's go see what they're up to, shall we?" Sam suggested, grabbing her bathrobe to put on over her nightshirt. Jo took her Aunt's offered hand, practically bouncing down the stairs. They found the rest of their family sitting out in morning sunshine, all eyes turning towards them as they stepped out on to the patio.

"Hey Sam, would you like a coffee?" Liz asked her pleasantly, making a move to get up.

"No, no. You're the guest and I've left you to make breakfast for everyone!" Sam laughed guiltily.

"Where's Jack got to?" Jacob asked his daughter, sipping a tea – it had been a condition in his deal with Selmak when he'd agreed to give up coffee.

"He's on a secret mission." Jo informed him in an excited voice.

"I think he's just out at the shops or something, said he wouldn't be long." Sam corrected softly, as Jo ran to the other side of the garden where her sister was reading. "Can I get anyone anything?"

**

It was nearly midday and Jack still hadn't shown up, Sam noted, beginning to get anxious. She thought about calling the base to see if there was some emergency, but decided to leave it a little longer. Sure enough, fifteen minutes later, Jack strolled through the door, setting his keys on the hall table and sweeping her into his arms.

"Good morning." He greeted her, a very pleased-with-himself grin adorning his face as he lowered his head to kiss her.

"Afternoon actually." She corrected, unable to stop her own smile at his infectious enthusiasm.

"I've got a surprise for you. Where's everyone else?"

"Out in the garden. Why?"

"Okay, wait right there." Jack instructed her, and was out the door again before she could ask what was going on.

A minute later he came back in with a black bundle of fur in his arms, a young black Labrador with deep brown eyes now starring at her inquiringly.

"Jasper, this is Sam. You have to be nice to her or we're both in the doghouse." Jack told the dog, locking eyes with Sam to gauge her reaction.

"Jack, he's lovely." She said finally, reaching out tentatively to stroke his head. "Where did he come from?"

Jack placed the tranquil-tempered Labrador in her arms, amazing Sam by how happy he was to be held. "You remember I told you about my friend Eddie, lives up in the hills, has a load of animals around to keep him company?"

"Yeah."

"A couple of months ago he asked me if I wanted one of his Labrador's puppies, then decided to keep them all instead. That guy is a nut for dogs."

"So that's where you went this morning?"

"Turns out twelve dogs are too many for him after all." Jack quipped. "Eddie has demanded we both go up there soon so he can meet you, and he warned us not to be deceived the little guy's docile nature. Apparently he's very playful when he wants to be."

Sam moved forward with Jasper, who was still taking in his surroundings in her arms, to kiss Jack, pulling back with a big smile. "He's great, Jack." As she leaned forward to kiss him again, the dog suddenly sprang to life, wriggling out of her arms and jumping to the floor. They watched as he made his way from room to room, sniffing out his new home.

"I thought if we got him today it would give the girls a chance to play with him." Jack explained, circling his arms around her shoulders as he stood behind her, still watching their new addition find his way.

"I should go find a pet shop, he'll need food and- "

"It's okay, Eddie gave me a load of stuff for him and anything else we need can wait until tomorrow."

Sam smiled, turning to face him. "You thought of everything."

"I thought it'd be a nice change from you doing all the thinking." He touched his lips to hers, taking his eyes off the Labrador for a few moments. They broke away at the sound of a small bark, seeing Jasper at the patio door in the kitchen. By the time they reached the door themselves, Jo was running around on the grass with Jasper, who was barking happily.

"That kid just gets on with everyone, doesn't she?" Jack laughed.

"New friend, Jack?" Jacob asked from his position one of the lawn chairs.

"Meet Jasper, our new canine housemate." Jack introduced with his usual finesse, resting his arm round Sam's shoulders as they sat down on the swing-seat.

"You got a dog?" Liz asked in disbelief, laughing none the less. "You're such a romantic, Jack."

"Hey, I try." He grinned, rubbing his fingers on the bare skin at Sam's waist where her top had ridden up slightly.

"Uncle Jack!" Jo was squealing as she alternately chased Jasper and then he chased her.

"I think my niece needs saving from our dog." Sam advised Jack playfully.

"Jasper, heel." Jack called loudly, earning a surprised look from Sam, especially as Jasper stopped to look up at him, before trotting over to where they were all sitting. "Eddie's trained him well."

"He knows his name?" Sam asked incredulously.

"No, but he knows the command `heel'. Eddie had named him Buddy, for cryin' out loud!" Jack laughed, patting Jasper's head as he sat up looking at them.

"You like the name Chuckles but not the name Buddy?" She grinned cheekily at him.

"Well Jasper didn't like the name either, never really responded to it. Go figure."

**

Daniel called a little while later, complaining he hadn't got anything to do that evening, and had been roped into the annual fundraiser thrown by the `big brass'.

"Well Danny, I leave you to fend for yourself for what…three days? And you get yourself in trouble."

"Come on, Jack. Apparently there's going to be a band and everything." Jack could hear Daniel's feigned enthusiasm, congratulating himself on teaching his teammate some sarcasm.

"So you want me to bail you out with the General?"

"Actually…no. I thought you and Sam could go, at least then it- "

"Nice try, space-monkey."

"Will you at least ask Sam? She wouldn't mind I'm sure."

"She's ah…kinda busy at the moment." Jack replied watching Sam out in the garden running around with Jasper and Jo. He called to her anyway, getting her attention and pointing to the phone, to be rewarded with an entourage of Sam, a barking Labrador, and a five- year-old running towards him.

"Hey Daniel." Sam greeted him, along with Jasper's excited yelps.

"Sam, what's that?"

"Oh, Jack gave me a dog." She replied by way of explanation.

"O…kay."

Of course Sam wasn't one to let Daniel suffer alone, agreeing to go with him but only for a few hours due to her guests. Sam apologised to Liz for leaving them alone, and promised to be back early, to which she assured her was fine because they had to collect their things together from around the house and Jacob had suggested he take out his son's family for the evening.

"I'll stay home with Jasper." Jack informed her as he followed her upstairs as she went to find something suitable to wear that evening. She turned abruptly to face him.

"You're coming with me, Jack." Sam replied, pretending she had no idea he'd turned Daniel down.

"So not gonna happen, Carter." He replied decisively.

"What about if I promise to wear the blue dress?" She asked seductively, entwining her fingers behind his head.

"The one with the slit?"

"Only if you come with me."

"You don't play fair, Major."

"So you'll go?"

"Danny-boy owes me so big for this." Jack conceded finally.

**

Chapter 11 – Reluctant Outings

"You're telling me T got out of this?" Jack exclaimed when Daniel met them at the entrance to the large hotel.

"Not really his scene." Daniel replied.

"But for some reason you think it's mine?"

"Jack wanted to stay home and play with the dog." Sam informed Daniel by way of excuse for Jack's outburst, earning her a smirk from the man in question.

"I was promised there'd be cake, Major." He reminded her, slipping his arm around her waist as she clutched one side of her blue dress, lifting the long skirt so she wouldn't trip on the steps.

"You look great by the way, Sam." Daniel complimented her, walking beside the couple.

"Thanks, Daniel. So do you. Where's Sarah tonight?"

"Left for Greece this morning. She's been planning the trip for ages."

"And that's why we've been roped into this." Jack finished off for his friend.

"Actually the General was expecting you to come."

"Never mentioned anything to me…" Sam said, looking at Jack questioningly.

"Well, I er…told him you were going." Daniel added sheepishly.

They reached the doorway to the large function room where the event was hosted; semi-formal dressed SGC personnel accompanied many well- dressed politicians on the dance floor, which was already in full swing.

"Never mind, we're all here now, so lets just have fun." Sam voiced reasonably, taking in the sight before her.

"So long as there's cake." Daniel put in sarcastically, grinning when he earned himself a glare from Jack.

**

"You want to find a dark corner so we can be alone?" Jack bent his head to whisper in her ear as they swayed to the music.

"And what about Daniel?" She looked up at him with a smile.

"Looking how you look tonight I wouldn't trust you alone in a dark corner with anyone, even Daniel." He grinned at her, enjoying winding her up. She didn't look impressed at his flippant remark, causing him to correct himself. "He's dancing with every female here, Sam. He'll never notice we've -"

"Colonel, Major." General Hammond suddenly appeared beside the dancing couple.

"Sir!" Sam's voice betrayed her surprise, untangling herself from Jack to practically stand at attention.

"You two look like you're having a good time." Hammond observed, before turning his gaze across the dance floor where Daniel was – with his fourteenth dance partner that night. "So does Doctor Jackson."

"So sir, what brings you over here? Trying to steal a dance with my girlfriend?" Jack joked good-naturedly, his hand still resting on the small of her back.

"If you wouldn't mind, Major?" The General smiled, receiving one from Sam in return. He watched Jack kiss her goodbye and head off to rescue Daniel from his latest dance victim, all the while regretting that he hadn't done something to let Sam and Jack be together sooner.

**

"Danny-boy," Jack greeted him, clamping a hand down on his shoulder and steering him back to the bar area. "You've got to learn to say no."

"It's fun, Jack. Dancing is good for -"

"How many have you had?"

"I'm not drunk, Jack."

"Well sit down before you fall down." He ordered him, pulling a chair out for the tipsy doctor.

"So how goes the family reunion?" Daniel asked, trying to straighten out imaginary creases in his dark blue shirt.

"Seems okay now, Jacob isn't mad anymore."

"And…you got a dog?" Daniel stated, sounding disbelieving.

"Yeah, just this morning. Figured it was a nice idea as we're often in the house by ourselves, and Sam's really enjoyed the week with a full house."

"How do you two not get sick of each other?" Daniel asked unabashedly, a sure-fire sign the alcohol was relieving him of his inhibitions.

"I'm a funny guy."

"Poor Sam." Daniel sighed.

**

"Is that the sixth guy?"

"Seventh." Jack corrected, taking a swig of beer and watching his girlfriend dancing with another VIP from the selection in the far corner.

"I love Sam." Daniel suddenly said, his eyes looking slightly glazed.

"What?"

"She's the only one of us who will put up with the horrible guys -"

"Not so loud, Danny." Jack warned him.

"We should rescue her." He announced in reply, making a move to stand.

"You need coffee."

"Coffee's good." Daniel agreed.

"Hey." Sam smiled at them, emerging beside Daniel's chair having escaped from the dance floor.

"Sam! Hey, we were just gunna come and rescue you!" Daniel told her, seeing her share a knowing smile with Jack.

"One too many." Jack confirmed for her, grasping her hand to pull her onto his lap, using the lack of seats by them as his excuse. "So how did you outrun your dance partners?"

"I said these were new shoes and my feet were killing me." She grinned, trying to subtly assess just how inebriated Daniel had gotten himself.

"Did the fourth guy hit on you?" Jack asked suspiciously, which Daniel seemed to find very funny.

"He may have given me his number." She laughed, kissing him for his efforts in being a little overprotective.

"That's it. We've been here for two hours…I think. We can leave." Daniel announced, again rather loudly.

"No argument from me." Jack agreed.

**

"You're going to regret this in the morning, Spacemonkey."

They had got to Daniel's apartment with an onslaught of facts and finds from their latest missions from the good doctor, which were all fascinating according to Daniel, before he moved – surprisingly – to the topic of the décor in his lounge room. Jack had managed to get him as far as the couch before he fell asleep.

"Should one of us stay with him?" Sam asked, placing a glass of water and some aspirin on the coffee table for the inevitable headache the next morning.

"He'll be fine. Didn't even drink very much." Jack laughed. "We can give him a call in the morning."

It wasn't late when they arrived home, giving them the chance to have the house to themselves whilst everyone was still out at a restaurant. The second Sam opened the door, Jasper ran to them, even letting Sam pick him up.

"I love this dog." She said with a smile.

"I think he feels the same." Jack laughed, stroking the black fur of his head.

"I still can't believe we have a dog."

Sam set Jasper back to the floor, and then followed him into the front room, collapsing on the couch. Jack sat beside her, placing his arm round her shoulders and pulling her closer to him.

"We get the house back to ourselves tomorrow." Sam reminded him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I think I deserve a night of pizza, beer and you all to myself." Jack told her, chuckling at Jasper, who had managed to pull himself onto the couch and was now lying across the cushions with his front paws on Jack's legs, looking up at him expectantly.

"I think we could arrange that." Sam replied with a smile, moving in to kiss him.

Ten minutes later the front door slammed, announcing Jacob and his family had returned. Mark and Jacob came straight in to the front room, while the girls went upstairs with Liz.

"You've got lipstick…" Jacob told Jack with a smirk, gesturing to his mouth and watching with amusement as his daughter flushed red in embarrassment.

Jack, as usual, didn't even look ruffled. "It's a new look I'm going for." The comment, along with his accompanying grin, made Sam see the funny side, burying her head in Jack's shoulder, still feeling embarrassed despite her giggles.

"You two have a good night?" Mark asked pleasantly.

"It was alright, lots of people from work there so at least we had people to talk to." Sam answered with a smile. "What about you?"

Jo wandered into the room in her pyjamas a little while later to say goodnight to everyone, inadvertently waking Jasper, who was still lying across the sofa. He seemed to recognize his new friend and immediately went to her, pressing his head into her palm.

"That little one likes attention," Mark commented. "Come on, Jo. Bedtime." He continued getting up to usher her out of the room.

"I think I'll go up as well." Jacob spoke up, following his son out the door.

"And then there was two." Jack said, feeling the need to kiss her forehead and pull her closer to him now they were alone.

"Actually three." Sam corrected him, gesturing to Jasper and making a move to get up. "I'll let him run round in the garden for a bit."

Ten minutes after she'd opened the kitchen door, and the poor dog being chased around the garden by Jack, Jasper lay down in his bed and closed his eyes.

"You want to go to bed?" Sam asked as Jack locked the patio door behind him.

"Definitely." He replied with a predatory grin, grasping her hand.

**

Chapter 12 - Goodbyes

Sam woke with Jack wrapped around her, his face pressed into the back of her neck and one arm around her waist, holding her tightly with her back against his chest. She smiled, content to lie in his arms while he slept, deciding she'd forgive him for invading her side of the bed, the two of them occupying only the left half of the large mattress. Shifting slightly, her mind went back to the gift that Jack obviously knew she was aware of, and was now taking great measures to be elusive about.

"Stop thinking." A sleepy voice told her, his breath tickling her neck.

"I was wondering whether to get up yet." She replied softly.

"Too early, go back to sleep."

"I should start breakfast for everyone, their flight is at midday."

"You don't want to get up yet." He told her, his mouth beginning to move over her shoulder blade, making her shiver.

"Stop it!" Sam laughed, turning herself around so she could look him in the eye. He gave her a devilish smile, all traces of sleep gone from his face.

"Since we're both awake…"

"Not this morning, Jack." She told him regretfully, kissing him sweetly in apology. "In a few hours we get the whole house to ourselves."

"You want some help with breakfast?"

"If you're offering."

Ten minutes later they were in the kitchen, glad that no one else had gotten up yet. Jack let Jasper out in to the garden and found himself the previous day's paper, settling down at the kitchen table to attempt the crossword that Sam hadn't beaten him to. Sam busied herself digging out the brand new bread-maker that she'd never gotten the chance to use – a gift from Teal'c and Daniel when Jack had moved in, apparently sharing Jack's apprehension of her cooking skills.

"Sam, what's the name given to the group seven elements of the periodic table?"

Leaning over him, she answered with a grin: "What's it worth?"

"I got you a dog."

"You got me something else too."

Jack smiled, enjoying keeping her guessing now she'd found the ring, even if he'd had to rethink his plans for her birthday.

"Halogens." She sighed, exaggerating her disappointment at not getting any answers.

"C'mere you." Jack pulled her onto his lap, inhaling her light perfume as he drew her closer. "Maybe you shouldn't wear any of that lip…stuff."

Sam smiled, holding her face an inch from his as she wondered where that thought had come from. "Why?"

"Kinda makes it easy for Jake to tell what we've been up to." He replied with an impishly disarming grin, smoothing the long strands of her fringe back from her face.

"Well why don't you keep your hands to yourself then?" She replied with feigned exasperation.

"I would… but you know I have a weakness for scientists." Jack explained, finally receiving a kiss for his efforts, before she turned to help him with his crossword.

"Halogens, seven down." Sam told him again, taking his pen as he settled his arms around her waist,

"I think twelve down is Shakespeare." Jack offered, resting his chin on her shoulder so he could see the crossword.

"Not enough chairs for you two?" Liz admonished with an amused expression on her face, announcing her presence from the kitchen doorway.

"Morning." Sam greeted her with a smile, but made no move to get up.

"That smells wonderful." Liz exclaimed, moving over to the counter where the bread-maker was.

"It's an experiment. Never used it before."

"My brother bought me one for Christmas one year. I usually make lovely raisin bread that the kids don't like, but Mark tried chocolate chip bread the week before last."

"How did that turn out?"

"The girls loved it. I wasn't so sure." Liz told her with a laugh.

"I think chocolate is a Carter family addiction." Jack told Liz in a loud whisper.

"The female side at least." Sam agreed, refusing to let Jack bait her. "At least I'm not a `Simpsons' fanatic."

"Hey, I'll have you know that's a great show."

"Beth loves that." Liz told them, making Sam laugh.

"She has a good sense of humour." Jack grinned, squeezing Sam tighter as she giggled, setting Liz off.

Jacob walked in to find his daughter and daughter in law in fits of giggles along with Jack rolling his eyes as he held on to Sam, who was still perched on his lap.

"I think there's something in the water, Jake. Don't go near the coffee." Jack spoke up as the girls both tried to pull themselves together.

"Sam's made bread, Dad. You want some eggs?" Liz asked easily, pouring him a glass of juice.

"Thanks, Liz."

"Any ideas for fifteen across?" Sam asked Jack quietly.

"Keanu Reeves." He answered without hesitation, receiving a questioning stare at his answer. "Teal'c has made me watch those Matrix films a dozen times already."

"There aren't enough chairs in here for you two?" Jacob asked the couple.

"Liz already said that, Dad." Sam smiled, still not getting up.

Mark and his daughters entered the kitchen a few minutes later, the girls both asking where Jasper was.

"What time should we leave for the airport?" Mark asked Sam once he'd poured himself a coffee, sitting down opposite Jacob.

"About eleven I think. Are you packed?"

"I think we're all set, aren't we honey?" He replied, looking to his wife for confirmation.

"You two will have to come out and see us in Minnesota." Liz told them with a smile. "I can see Jo asking when she'll see you both again every ten seconds once we're on the plane."

"I think it'll be Jasper she misses the most." Sam replied with a smile, finally getting up and straightening her knee-length blue skirt.

**

With an hour left before their flight, the group arrived at the airport in plenty of time. Jacob had told Sam quietly that he would head back to the base once they'd seen Mark and his family off. Jack was carrying Jo in his arms as she refused to say goodbye to him just yet, Beth also hung back with Sam and Jacob as her parents went to check in their bags.

"I don't want to go." Jo was saying, her arms around Jack's neck.

"You get to go back to all your toys and friends, kiddo. And Aunt Sam and I will visit soon." He tried to reassure her.

"Don't want to."

Sam moved to rub her back comfortingly, giving Jack a grateful smile.

"Okay kids, we better get going." Liz told them; aware of how upset Jo would be when they said goodbye. Every time they visited her brother James, Jo didn't want to leave, and only promises of a future visit managed to settle her down. Liz moved to hug Sam goodbye, whilst Jack set Jo down on her feet, receiving a kiss on the cheek from the little girl.

"Bye, Jack." Liz smiled, giving him a hug. "It's been lovely to meet you."

"You too." Jack replied, watching Jo grasp her mother's hand, still looking upset.

Mark hugged his sister, and then held out his hand companionably to Jack, who shook it with a grin. "Don't let my little sister boss you about." He told him with a smile.

"I'll try, but you know scientists."

Sam slapped Jack's arm for his efforts, entwining her fingers through his as they watched her brother and his family disappear through customs.

"Okay Dad, lets get you to the SGC before the General thinks you're MIA." Jack suggested, leading them out of the airport building.

"Don't call me Dad, Jack." He replied, a small smile belying his irritation.

**

"You ready for pizza?" Jack asked her the second they got back to the house.

It was early evening by the time they had escaped the SGC, both officers immediately having had things thrown their way as soon as they had arrived, apparently all urgent. Sam had got to work straight away, whereas Jack had complained but never the less got a few things done, before practically dragging Sam away under protest, with the justification that she'd promised him a night of pizza and beer.

"Yeah, I'm starving. Ham and pineapple for me." She circled her arms around his neck to kiss him, and then walked to the kitchen to check on Jasper. Finding him sound asleep, she opened the kitchen door in case he woke up, grabbing a large packet of crisps and two beers to take through to the front room.

"Okay, they said half an hour." Jack informed her, dropping to the couch next to her.

"Jasper's sleeping." Sam told him, wrapping her arms around his waist and snuggling up to him.

"And I finally have you all to myself." He wasted no time, moving in to kiss her.

"So what are we going to do with our last week of vacation?" Sam asked, holding on to the collar of his polo shirt in an attempt to interrupt his delightful assault on her neck.

"Don't make plans for Thursday."

"This Thursday?"

"May 31st Thursday." He grinned at her a second before she felt his beer bottle-chilled hand creep under her t-shirt, provoking a surprised squeal.

"You're planning something for my birthday?"

"That's for me to know." Jack replied, silencing her with a smouldering kiss and shifting her legs into a more comfortable position underneath him.

The doorbell sounded, shattering the heated moment. Jack pulled back to see Sam's amused smile at being interrupted; even an empty house managed to stop them being alone.

"It'll be our pizza." She guessed, a second chiming of the bell prompting Jack to get up, heading for the door. He spent a few minutes politely chatting to the pizza guy before Sam heard the front door close again.

"Dinner is served." Jack grinned, producing two pizza boxes and two more beers.

"I've missed this." Sam told him, managing to manoeuvre herself into a half sitting position against him whilst still being able to reach her pizza.

"Nights in with pizza and beer?" He questioned, hooking a finger through a belt hook on her skirt with the arm around her waist.

"Being alone in the house with you."

"You've got a whole week of being in the house alone with me."

"You're really not going to tell me what we're doing on Thursday?" Sam asked, doing her best to look beseeching.

"Its five days away, for cryin' out loud!" Jack laughed, finding her inability to cope with being kept in the dark endearing none the less. "You're not getting any clues until then."

"Jack!"

**

Chapter 13 – Boyfriends and Birthdays

Jack traced his fingers in lazy circles on his sleeping girlfriend's stomach in an effort to wake her, having gotten up, showered and dressed nearly an hour ago. He lay down behind her, moving one hand to over her hair to expose the line of her neck, before planting kisses below her ear. She stirred, shifting around to her other side, now facing Jack, her breathing evening out in sleep once again.

"Sam," he whispered softy, slipping his left hand underneath the old academy t-shirt of his that she liked wearing to bed, rubbing gently on the spot at the small of her back that he knew was ticklish.

"Sleep," She murmured drowsily.

"Come on, birthday girl." He grinned, pleased to finally get a response. Leaning forward to kiss her mouth, he felt her lips curve into a smile, sapphire eyes finally meeting his when he pulled back.

"You won't let me sleep in on my birthday?" She asked, stretching but making no move to get up.

"It's nearly ten."

She laughed sleepily. "How long have you been up?"

"A while," Jack grinned at her, moving in to give her a more drawn out kiss now she was awake. "Happy Birthday, gorgeous."

"Thank you." She smiled.

"You want to walk Jasper to that café you like? I'll even buy you apple pie."

Sam's eyes lit up as she nodded. Her favourite café made the most wonderful apple pie, but she didn't get many chances to go there unless she was on vacation due to the long hours she and Jack worked.

"Can I open my cards before we go?" She asked imploringly, knowing he'd hidden various cards from family and friends that had arrived through the post over the last two days. The small gesture warmed her heart more than he knew, bringing back happy memories from her childhood birthdays with her mother, who had hidden cards and parcels that arrived in the post on the days running up to the occasions so as to surprise them.

"I suppose we could manage that. Wait there." He sprang off the bed and out the door. Emerging again with a handful of colourful envelopes, he climbed back on to the bed, passing her the cards as he lay down on his side, positioning himself close enough to move one hand over her hip.

"Where's yours?" Sam questioned, having scanned the handwriting on all the envelopes to open the one from Jack first.

Jack smiled secretively. "Somewhere else."

She shot him a confused smile in return, before choosing a pink envelope and ripping it open.

**

They walked hand in hand to the little café, enjoying the sunshine as Jasper ran on ahead through the park.

"Daniel and Teal'c said they might come by later," Sam said, recalling her `happy birthday' phone call from Daniel just before they'd left the house.

"Good, as long as they're not expecting to come along with us tonight."

"Are you going to tell me where we're we going tonight?"

He watched her with a grin, wondering how many times she was planning to ask before giving up. "Kinda defeats the surprise if I tell you."

"What about a clue? As cryptic as you want, just so I have something to think about." She gave him a dazzling smile, moving closer to his side to slide her arm around him as they walked.

"You don't need anything else to think about, Sam. The purpose of this vacation was to stop you thinking so much, to give that poor brain of yours some time off." Jack admonished; the statement serious despite his chuckling tone.

"Really? I thought you wanted some time off to spend with me." She feigned a hurt expression.

"I figured time off with me would stop you thinking so much." He replied self-effacingly, gracing her with a classic O'Neill smile as he slipped his arm around her shoulders. As Jasper stopped and turned back to his owners further along the path, Jack called the Labrador to his side, clipping the leash to his collar as they neared the road surrounding the park.

"These last two weeks seem to have disappeared." Sam commented regretfully, grateful she and Jack still had the next three days to themselves before returning to the reality that was the SGC.

"Maybe we should go fishing more often." Jack suggested with predatory grin.

"Maybe we should." She smiled.

**

The café was busy for a Thursday morning, but the couple managed to find a table on the outside terrace. Jasper laid himself down under the table, the shade cooling his dark fur. Jack went to the counter to give the waitress their order, asking for two coffees and two apple pies.

"Last year I would never have guessed I'd be here with you on my next birthday." Sam flashed him a contented smile as he sat down beside her, grasping her hand.

"You know Danny wanted to throw a surprise party for you last year. T got straight on the bandwagon and Cassie thought it would be a great revenge for your latest inquisition into her love life…"

"Jack if you're about to tell me there's a party waiting for me at home…" She started, her face showing her alarm at the idea.

Jack laughed at her. "I wouldn't do that to you, even if Danny did threaten various…things."

"So what happened to the party last year?" Sam asked after giving him a questioning look.

"You remember Jonas turned up unexpectedly from Kelowna?"

"Yeah, he came by with Chinese and some videos." Frowning at the odd memory of her once-team-mate showing up at her door when she hadn't even known he was on Earth.

"I sent him by to stop you leaving the house, or at least warn you of Danny-boy's little operation." The party had never taken place in the end, due to an off-world activation, which turned out to be contact from the Asguard High Commander, Thor.

Sam smiled, wondering yet again how Jack had managed to learn so much about her over the years without her being aware of the little details of her life he'd picked up on and remembered. "Because you know I don't like big birthday parties."

"Danny and T made sure it was only about twenty people, but still."

She leaned forward to kiss him, only to be interrupted by the waitress bringing their coffees and pie. As the dark haired waitress set the tray on the table, Jasper moved his nose forward against her shin.

"I'm sorry, he's a little too inquisitive for his own good." Sam apologised quickly, trying to get the dog's attention. The waitress – Joy her nametag read – smiled back at her, kneeling to stroke Jasper.

"I can bring some water for him if you like." Joy offered, to which Sam accepted gratefully.

"I take back what I said about him being less trouble than you are." She told Jack as the waitress left.

"Hey, being curious is your department, you must have taught him that." He shot back defensively.

She laughed, knowing only Jack could attribute their dog with a human personality. Sam thanked Joy again as she appeared with a bowl of water, patting Jasper on the head a final time before moving on to a different table.

Sam turned back from making sure Jasper was far enough under the table so as to not cause trouble, to see Jack watching her intently.

"What?" She asked a little self-consciously.

He smiled and reached in to his jacket pocket. "I was thinking now you have your apple pie…" Jack placed a beautifully wrapped gift on the table beside her plate.

"I can open it now?" Sam asked, knowing her voice was filled with childish excitement.

He nodded, resting his hand on her thigh under the table as she used both hands to rip the paper off the small parcel, revealing a familiar black jewellery box - the larger of the two she'd found that fateful morning. Opening the box, she found the lovely locket that, after finding the little piece of paper and then the ring box, she hadn't taken a lot of time to admire, and now that she did, the contrast of simplicity and complexity in the design was beautiful. She turned to encircle her arms around Jack's neck, before kissing him soundly on the mouth.

As an afterthought, it occurred to Sam to open the locket, not expecting to find a little note as before, because if she knew Jack at all, she knew he'd wouldn't leave the paper in there for her to find again. To her surprise a little folded piece of paper, in a pinky-purple colour dropped to her hand. She looked to Jack curiously, who looked back at her with a mysterious smile.

`Maybe later'

Despite herself, she laughed at that, punching Jack on the arm for the pleased-with-himself smirk that still adorned his face. He pulled gently on her arm so she would turn to him, pressing his lips to hers again, as it briefly crossed her mind the other customers in the café were getting a bit of a show.

"I have to keep you guessing." He grinned, setting a one hand on her hip.

"You like planning something I don't know about." She accused him playfully.

"Don't worry, world domination comes next on my list of plans."

"My boyfriend is an evil genius."

"Only in bed." Jack deadpanned, chuckling when he saw her eyes go wide, looking around them to see if anyone was listening.

"I can't take you anywhere." Sam said softly, her cheeks rosy in embarrassment. Taking the necklace from the box, she handed the ends to Jack, silently asking him to fasten it. The pretty silver pendent rested just at the dip in her collarbone, catching the sun on its surface. "It's lovely."

"Happy Birthday, gorgeous." Jack said again, accepting a second grateful kiss from Sam as she smiled happily.

Boyfriends and birthdays.

She loved that combination.

**

Chapter 14 - Always

"Whatcha thinkin' about?"

Sam turned to smile at him, welcoming the interruption to her thoughts as Jack sat down beside her. She continued to clutch the silver locket attached to the chain around her neck, her eyes betraying her distraction from the television that was on in front of her. Jack handed her a coffee in her favourite mug, setting his on the coffee table before leaning back on the sofa's deep cushions.

"I was wondering what pictures I could put in my locket." She answered, placing her own mug next to his and then moving into his arms, laying her head on his shoulder.

"There's some pretty impressive mug-shots of Danny and Teal'c around here somewhere." Jack assured her, using the hand around her shoulders to stroke her hair as she laughed against him.

"What about Jasper?"

He gave her one of his unimpressed looks despite his grin. "You're supposed to say what about me, Major."

"Why would I want a picture of me in my locket?" Sam feigned confusion, earning a second unimpressed glare which she grinned at.

The doorbell sounding saved her from replying. She jumped up, guessing it would be Daniel and Teal'c on their promised visit for her birthday. Jasper beat her to the door, barking excitedly. Sam opened the door, receiving a hug from Daniel before he moved into the hallway, followed by Teal'c, who was hidden behind a huge bouquet of orange and red flowers.

"Teal'c, thank you." She exclaimed, taking the arrangement he offered and hugging him. "They're beautiful."

"I wish you well on this occasion, Samantha Carter." Teal'c replied, gracing her with a rare smile.

Sam ushered her team mates into the front room, leaving them with Jack and a still-excited Labrador, whilst she poured two more mugs of coffee from the pot Jack had made. When she neared the door to the front room she heard the hushed voices of all three men, which abruptly stopped as she entered the room.

"Very subtle, guys."

Three very innocent sets of eyes turned their gaze on her. She rolled her eyes in response, wondering if it was to do with Jack's big secret for her birthday.

"Didn't I tell you she was getting paranoid?" Jack asked the other men in mock exasperation.

"Can't imagine who's rubbed off on her." Daniel commented sarcastically from where he sat on the armchair opposite, taking a sip from his mug as he frowned, feigning a puzzled expression.

Sam laughed brightly, catching Jack's humorous scowl at his best friend. "Sarcasm is not your colour, space monkey."

"Pick your battles, Daniel." Sam warned with a smile as the archaeologist looked ready to retort, resting a hand on Jack's thigh in an attempt to pacify him.

Jasper had taken a liking to Teal'c, jumping up on his hind legs to place his paws at Teal'c's knees. Having received no attention from the Jaffa, the Labrador moved on to the other newcomer, Daniel patted Jasper's head absently as he continued to make conversation.

It wasn't long before Teal'c mysteriously hinted to Daniel that they should be leaving. The doctor then explained hurriedly that they were going to drop in on Cassie and that she was hoping to see Sam as well. Jack made his excuses, all of which Sam saw straight through, but decided against pushing the topic due to her suspicions of covert teamwork going on behind her back. After spending a lot of the morning trying to pry clues out of Jack, she'd decided whatever had been planned, she'd go along with.

**

An hour later, Teal'c dropped her off outside her house, having left Daniel with Cassie and her friends at the college. Apparently both Daniel and Teal'c had research to do, although neither had been able to decipher the topic of such research when she'd asked. Sam smiled to herself, holding the gifts from her friends in one hand as she found her house keys from her bag with the other. She waved goodbye to Teal'c as he drove past, wondering if she'd finally get to know what Jack had been planning.

The aroma of candles and lavender incense burning greeted her as Sam opened the door. Stepping into the hallway, she set her keys and gifts on the table, slipping her denim jacket from her shoulders.

"Jack?" She called out to the silent house. Moving towards the lounge room, Sam found the lavender fragrance stronger. The blinds had been pulled closed; shutting out the summer afternoon sunlight, the soft glow of various scented candles was the only light dancing around the room. Above the fireplace and atop the wooden surfaces in the room, Jack had arranged her birthday cards so they stood in lines. The bouquet of colourful flowers Teal'c had given her stood in the centre of the coffee table. Turning to the door, she called out to Jack again, only to be met with a resounding silence.

Sam made her way up the stairs, spotting the flickering light of candles coming from their bedroom. It crossed her mind fleetingly that Jasper wasn't around either, not greeting her at the door as she'd grown accustomed to over the past week.

"Jack?" She called a third time, pushing the bedroom door open. A dozen pale pink roses stood on the pine chest of drawers opposite their bed, a blue envelope propped up against the crystal vase that held the flowers. As Sam neared, the surprised smile on her face softened as she made out her name in a familiar scrawl on the envelope. Tearing the thin paper open, she found a birthday card and second envelope.

`Happy Birthday, babe,

Jasper and I decided you deserved something special to celebrate this year. I know we decided to go up to the cabin this weekend but we hope you'll enjoy this more.

Love,

Jack xxx

Curiously she opened the second envelope to find two first-class tickets to New York City. Sam stared at the tickets for a good few minutes before her brain kicked in again, an excited grin spreading on her face. She spotted the departure times as fours hours from now, so Jack had to be around somewhere.

"Jack? Where are you?"

She kept calling out, moving from room to room upstairs, before descending to the lower floor. Sam passed the dining room, its door slightly ajar, in favour of the kitchen, which was fully closed. Feeling like she had as a child on Christmas morning, she clasped her hand around the kitchen door handle, sliding it open gradually. The sight that met her eyes made her smile widen again; more roses, candles and incense had been placed around the room. She spied Jasper asleep in his basket in the corner, the young dog obviously very comfortable in his relatively new home not to be bothered by the strong scent of lavender. A set of helium filled balloons rested against the ceiling, their ribbons dangling down into a second set of roses on the kitchen table, these ones a dark red colour.

Sam jumped as a pair of arms slipped around her waist from behind, lips descending to her neck in gentle kisses.

"Enjoy the treasure hunt?" Jack's voice breathed next to her ear as he turned her around to face him. She thanked him with an intense kiss to his mouth as she wrapped her arms around him, breaking away with a bright smile. "I'll take that as a yes."

"It's too much, Jack. You're spoiling me."

Jack grinned at her, pressing a gentle kiss to her nose. "You need to be spoiled once in a while."

"How long have you had this planned?" Sam asked as she ran her fingers over his hair, his hands finding their favourite spot at her waist beneath the coloured tank top she wore.

"That's need to know only, Carter."

"You got everything set up in an hour."

"Even managed to send Jasper to sleep."

"Aromatherapy for dogs." She added, kissing him again before pulling away. "I should pack for the weekend- "

"Wait," Jack caught her hand, turning her to face the roses and balloons adorning the kitchen table. "You notice anything different about the ribbons?"

Sam threw him a puzzled smile over her shoulder before turning to study the ribbons. She felt Jack's hands on her shoulders as, sure enough, she spotted a single silver ribbon amongst the gold. Pulling gently, the end of the ribbon emerged from the roses, along with a ring attached.

"I was hoping this weekend could be a double celebration." Jack explained sincerely, capturing her eyes with his.

"Is that a proposal?" She teased him, a gentle smile adorning her face.

"Is that a yes?"

Sam grinned at Jack's hopeful expression, freeing the ring from the loose knot of the ribbon. "I suppose it is."

Accepting her new fiancé's happy kiss, she admired the ring again, realising what she'd mistaken as silver was actually white-gold. The words `Yours forever, Jack' warmed her heart as they had the first time she'd read them, slipping the ring on to the third finger of her left hand and hugging Jack to her.

"I can't believe it," Sam smiled, staring at her ring where her hands were clasped behind Jack's neck, the full extent of what this meant for them settling over her.

This was it.

They were going to be together.

Always.




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