TITLE: Elevator Ride

AUTHOR: Ruth M. King ruth@snowqueen.demon.co.uk

RATING: PG-13

ARCHIVE: Sam and Jack, anyone else please ask

SPOILERS: Desperate Measures

DISCLAIMERS: Stargate SG1 is the property of MGM, Showtime, Double Secret and Gekko etc. I'm just playing for a while !

NOTES: Just in case there is no ship in Desperate Measures, I'm writing the reaction before seeing the episode :):)

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"Colonel."

"Major."

Jack answered the impersonal greeting as he stepped onto the elevator. Sam was dressed in her street clothes, so she was clearly on her way home. As the doors slid shut, Jack risked a more searching look. She was a little pale, dark circles around her eyes, but there was very little sign of her ordeal.

He wished he could say the same for himself. A few more grey hairs had appeared over the past few days, not to mention the fact that he hadn't slept, had barely eaten....but that didn't matter. She was home, she was safe, he wasn't going to lose her....this time.

"So, Carter...you okay now?" Jack heard himself ask.

"Janet says I'll be fine. I just need to rest up over the weekend."

"Good...good."

He didn't really know what else to say. Anything more would betray how intense his feelings were. Jack shoved his hands in his pockets, staring at his feet. Unexpectedly, Sam turned towards him, placing her hand on his arm.

"I really am okay, sir."

Jack placed one of his hands on top of hers, gently clasping her fingers. He exhaled deeply, still trying to keep his emotions in check. It was a few seconds before he noticed that the hand he touched was trembling a little. All notions of propriety were swept from his mind as he realised that Sam was lying. Without thinking, he pulled her closer. She didn't even hesitate and stepped willingly into his arms.

"Oh God.....," she mumbled, burying her face in his chest.

"Shh...it's all right. I'm here."

She wasn't crying. Although her shoulders were shaking, Jack could feel no tell-tale dampness spreading over his shirt. Sam couldn't cry...not yet....not until she was well away from the base. Bending his head, Jack rested his cheek on her hair, breathing in the subtle fragrance.

The elevator slowed and Sam stepped away from him, her face a mask once more.

"Look...Sam do you want me to come over...hang out for a while?" he offered.

"Sir, I don't think...."

Jack silenced her with a finger on her lips.

"No. No sirs, no colonels, no majors...does Sam want her friend Jack to keep her company tonight?"

Her head turned away as she wiped a hand over her eyes. The reply was almost too quiet for him to hear.

"Yes, sir. Sam would like that very much."