"That's The Way It Is" By DustDevil

TITLE: That's the way it is. (Challenge response)

AUTHOR: DustDevil

RATING: NC-17

CATEGORY: S&J UST/R, and some humour

WARNINGS: Language and sexual situations

DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are not my property. I'm just borrowing their likeness'.

ARCHIVE: S&J Archive and Heliopolis, Yes. Others...please ask.

SUMMARY: 1999 shower challenge

FEEDBACK: Yes please! Feeeeeeeeeeedbaaaaaaaaack.drool.

CHALLENGE DETAILS: Here's your challenge: Your story *must* have
1) Daniel walking in on Sam and Jack
2) A shower scene (not necessarily together)
3) Sam and Jack in bathrobes
4) The phrase: "Fools! I'll kill them all!"
5) Jack calling Sam 'Sammie'.
6) The song "That's the Way it Is", lyrics in the Song section.
And that's it. It doesn't have to be an NC17 story if you don't want it to be. Smiles, Thursday's Child

**************************************

"Fools! I'll kill them all!"

"What sir?"

Huh?

"What did you just say Colonel?"

Uh-oh. To yourself Jack, say these things to yourself! God will I ever learn.

"Uh...nothing...I didn't say a thing"

"Jack, you just said something about fools, and then about killing them all. We all heard you"

Oh you're gonna get a smack Doctor Jackson.

"I did not!"

"You did so!"

"I did not!"

"Yes you did O'Neill, I heard you quite distinctly. You seemed quite loud and upset"

Crap, crap, crap. A guy has a few moments of introspection, expresses a few quiet opinions, and he gets jumped all over. What I wouldn't give for a little peace. I just can't relax at the moment is all, my thoughts started to wander. I just got thinking about a few of my pet hates...It's not my fault, the ad came on the TV and I just felt this...this uncontrollable rage.

"Is this about Riverdance again sir?"

Aw nuts. She must have heard me say it right after that ad for the latest video was on. And the way she said that, rolling her eyes to the ceiling and folding her arms across her chest with a sigh. I fold my own arms and look at the ground as the other two turn to look at me with incredulous expressions. I knew I never should have traded pet hates with her. How was I to know hers would be so...so...normal...and boring. And her face when I told her mine. I knew I shouldn't have gone first.

"Jack...what is this all about?"

I sigh and look up. Carter is grinning at me now, and the others all have eyebrows raised. Great. Just great. Thanks again Carter for attempting to make my life a misery. Not as much of a misery as when she waved goodbye to us all at the base last night when she slinked off on some date with wonder guy in a to-die-for little black dress, in fact, not even close, but it all adds up. It's accumulative. See that? Big word...but if I said it out loud they'd look at me funny. They always look at me funny. Especially Carter.

"Look, it's no big deal, I just don't like it very much that's all" I say in gruff defence.

Carter practically explodes with a brief spurt of laughter, and it's our turn to look at her as she almost chokes on her beer. I give her a harder than necessary slap on the back, and her eyes almost pop out. She gives me a dark look as she takes a few minutes to refill her lungs. That's what you get for making me look bad. At least it'll give me a little peace from her for a couple o' seconds. Danny looks at her as she gasps, then Teal'c almost makes us all choke by revealing a very unwise admission.

"I like Riverdance very much. I have a tape I watch in my quarters on base"

Daniel just looks at him, Carter is still recovering, and I cannot help but give in to the laughter rising in my chest. I just laugh and laugh and laugh. I eventually calm down but I have to wipe some tears from my eyes.

"Why are you laughing O'Neill?"

"Why?...heh....why am I laughing? Oh God I can't believe you're a fan of that crap! Big tough ol' Jaffa likes to watch folk prance about...heh"

"It's not that bad Jack, why do you hate it so much?"

"Heh...it just looks so damned silly. I mean if you covered up their top halves they'd look like they were doing nothing at all except maybe shaking a little!"

Carter actually joins me in laughing this time, and I remove one of the black marks from my imaginary scorebook. Still a big one for that date and dress though Major...It'll take a lot for that one to be erased. Daniel still looks confused, so I go on to explain the finer points to him.

"I mean, you got all these girls, and then you got this one guy, and they're all just prancing about! I mean, not even ballet bugs me as much as this! It's just their hands are clamped by their sides, and their legs are going mad! All swinging about and everything! And every time I see it it drives me mad, and, and I just get so damned mad I wanna go find these guys in Ireland or wherever it is they come from and just strangle the life outta them! Then kick them and kick them when they're lying down and maybe break their legs so they can't dance no...damn...more"

They were all laughing along with me at first, but I suddenly realise the laughter has stopped. I'm sitting with my arms outstretched and demonstrating just how I would strangle them, and the other three just regard me with open mouths and wide eyes. Sam has her hand over her mouth, but her eyes look amused.

"Jack...I really think you have a problem with this. I hope we get a new mission really soon"

Danny actually looks a little fearful. He's even scrunching himself as far back as he can get in his armchair to get some extra distance between us. I move back in my seat again, and reach up to rub the back of my neck self-consciously. Okay. I got a lee-tle bit carried away there.

"Uh...sorry guys...just restless I guess. Maybe I do need a mission, something to get me active"

"I believe I will return to the base now"

"Aw come on Teal'c, I didn't mean it. I don't normally get outta control like this!" Carter glances at me then in a disbelieving fashion, and I send her a brief glare before continuing. Teal'c gets up, and Daniel gets up with him and collect their jackets from where they were dumped on my floor.

"Hey! Come on, don't go. What about some pizza?"

"Sorry Jack, I promised I would help Teal'c with his Earth studies remember? We'll see you tomorrow for lunch here okay?"

"Ah Okay, don't you guys have too much fun now ya hear?"

Danny smiles at me then leans over to whisper something in Sam's ear. She snorts, looks at me then back at Daniel.

"Yeah well I'll try"

"Bye Jack, bye Sam"

We say our goodbyes to those two, and I eye Carter suspiciously as she opens my notes on our last mission. The mission was a tricky one, and all manner of things happened. So the report is not going to be easy. In fact, it's so eluding me this time that Carter offered to help, and I took that offer. But still...what did Danny say? I go and grab another two beers from the fridge and sit down next to her on my couch again. I have to nudge her arm with the bottle to get her to notice, and when she does so I demand my information.

"What did Daniel say to you just then?"

"Huh, he told me to try and have fun spending my Friday evening with a psychopath like you"

What? A psychopath? I'm not a psychopath! Okay so a few things tend to get me all riled up but it's only a few things! Well...okay...maybe a few hundred.

"Hey! You calling your commanding officer a psychopath?"

She takes a drink from the cold brown bottle and shakes her head, sleek hair bobbing slightly as she does so.

"Daniel's words sir...not mine" She goes back to reading the report, and I watch her slyly from the corners of my eyes as I take another swig of nicely chilled alcohol.

"But you like that 'lunatic fringe' don'cha Carter?" I eye her again as I take another sip, and she looks out at me from under her fringe. She doesn't even dignify that with an answer. Huh...well that guy she's been going out with ain't no lunatic fringe contender that's for sure. Well, not from what she told me about him. The perfect guy. Good job, good guy, good teeth...And the result? She hasn't flirted with me at all since. And the weird thing is, I find that just a little bit frightening.

"Sir...you really have to do the part about the attack"

"I know Carter, I know, I just can't get it all straight in my head."

She sighs, I sigh.

And so the night goes.

**************************************

Several hours later and things have changed somewhat. Since Teal'c and Daniel left the atmosphere returned to one of pure professionalism. I'm used to that, though it bugs me, but I'm not used to this new attitude she seems to have towards me tonight. The pizza's here, and the report has been flung to one side for the moment as we eat.

"What're those bits?"

"Pineapple sir"

"Yuck...I really hate pineapple...it just really annoys me when you eat a bit, and, and then...oh sorry." I look up at her sheepishly, and she just shakes her head. I promised earlier not to go on about stuff I hate. Seems it's been annoying her. Well she's been annoying me. She's been so...cold I guess...and it's starting to tick me off. A couple of dates with some guy and I'm all forgotten huh? Nice. Not that I thought I figured particularly highly in those stakes in her mind, but she always had time for me and always enjoyed our little verbal battles. So we eat in silence, and I go fetch us more beer.

"No thanks sir, I think I'll go now"

"But we haven't finished yet, you said you'd help me!"

"I think I've done enough, you should be doing this by yourself you know." She snips at me.

I slam the two bottles down on the coffee table and she pauses halfway out of her chair. I've had enough of her attitude all night, and I won't put up with it much longer.

"Where'd you get that pole up your ass tonight Carter?" I say gruffly, and her eyes go suddenly cold.

"Well I apologise for taking up your damn precious time by trying to help you! I'll just get the hell out of your way!" She pushes past me but my Colonel's mind won't stand for this subordination, and my instincts make me grab her arm and swing her around.

"If you've got a problem with me spit it out. I'm sorry if all of a sudden I don't match up to your ideals of how a man should behave like your perfect Peter or whatever his name is, but that doesn't mean you can suddenly treat me like crap Carter!"

That stopped her. She looks at me in shock for a moment, then she looks so hurt that my fingers automatically unclench and let her arm go. Well something is certainly bothering her about last night, I can see that in her eyes. Maybe this Peter bloke isn't as perfect as she made out. Great. Now I've put my foot in it and I'll have to sort out my mess. Why do I always end up pissing her off? I try to get a little closer, try to break down the rigid military walls a little, and she always clams up on me. I mean, she can't really dislike me can she? We get on fine when there are others around, it's when we've been alone lately that she goes all funny on me. Then she straightens her spine, and schools her expression into neutrality before speaking softly.

"I'm sorry if I've stepped out of line sir, it won't happen again"

And there she goes. Sam has gone away, and out comes Major Carter. I mean, yes we're military, and yes, she's my subordinate, but after we've been together so long and spent so much time together sometimes I wish she'd treat me as Jack and not Colonel all the damn time. I mean, I know I do it a lot, and sometimes when we're having too much fun together, I bring down the old titles to remind myself that although she's smart, and beautiful and funny and brilliant, that I can't even think about making a damn play for her. Not that I want to. And not that I have some really annoying and dangerous feelings for her, and not that she would even entertain the idea anyway. So.anyway.where was I? Yeah. Carter. She picks up her coat again and starts to shrug it on, but being careful to keep me in line of sight in case I grab at her again.

"Sam...is everything okay? I mean...if it's just me being an asshole that's annoying you then fair enough, but if it's something else."

She glances over at the clock then, and seeing it's not even ten o'clock she let's her jacket fall from her arms again and even manages a little smile for me.

"Sorry sir, I'm just a little...restless like you I guess. Shall we continue?"

I nod, hand her another beer and we start to hash out the battle for my report. And the argument was over like that. Well, not over, more sort of abandoned. Though we talked and laughed a little, I could still feel it there under the surface, and it seemed to threaten to leap out again any minute.

**************************************

A little later and things have improved, but that's only because we sort of finished the report. I say sort of because she's told me all she can, and it's up to me now to write the damn thing up. So we finished, and she wanted to go again, but I begged her to stay and watch a film that came on, and she actually agreed. She's still not happy though, and she hardly touches her beer.

"Whatsa matter with the beer? Scared you're gonna get tipsy and try and seduce me?"

She smiles a little, but it doesn't reach her eyes. Another failure on the flirting front. This isn't good. I mean, I guessed I always knew it was inevitable that she would find some guy, someone out there a hundred times better than the likes of me, I just never thought it would affect our relationship. I mean how can it? Okay, I admit that if, in the future she announces her engagement or whatever, I might get a little maudlin and drink myself into a stupor one night wishing it could be me or something equally stupid, but that'd be it, then I'd get over it and be damn happy for her. I just never thought it'd affect the way she treated me. I'm beginning to feel almost hurt about it. Four dates, and I suddenly I pale so much in her eyes? Huh, maybe she did want me, and then when she went out with a decent guy, she was suddenly disgusted with the fact that for a short time she was actually gonna settle for me. Pretty unlikely I know, but I'm beginning to go for worst case scenario here. It is, after all, my speciality.

"Sam?" She looks up from the movie. "Have I done something to hurt you?" I intended to say that with maybe a smile or something, but it came out straight from the heart, soft and accompanied by hurt eyes. She jerks up on the couch and looks so worried I set my beer down and try and look macho. She doesn't buy it. We need to talk about this. I need my buddies in SG-1 and I need her. I don't want to lose her if all I've done is say something stupid.

"No sir...I'm sorry, I'm just a little, preoccupied that's all. You haven't done anything wrong, honest"

"Too busy thinking about Peter I bet" Once again I say things the wrong way. Instead of smiling conspiratorially and maybe winking, I turn away and the words come out all clipped and sulky. I shoulda taken those elocution classes.

"Why are you saying that? Why can't you just be happy for me like the others?"

"Ah I'm sorry Sam, I didn't mean to say it like that, honest...It's just you're not yourself, and to be honest if it's this new guy that's doing it, then I can't help but not have the best feelings towards him" Nice cover up Jack, nicely done, and I think she even believes me. Hell, I almost do. She sighs and shakes her head, then looks up at me a little wistfully.

"It's not him sir, I've just been doing a lot of thinking lately, that's all"

"About what?"

"Umm...I don't know, maybe about leaving."

"What? Leaving SG-1?"

"No, leaving the SGC"

By God if this Peter guy has got it into her mind about leaving I'll beat the crap out of the man...But all I can say is one simple word.

"Why?"

And she doesn't answer, just sort of shrugs and takes a big swig of her beer. Well. Let's just say that I certainly didn't expect this eventuality. Her marrying I could just about handle, her leaving? I hadn't even given it a thought, but at her words my stomach spirals with panic, making my head reel. I feel sick. I open my mouth to ask questions, but the movie has finished, and she shushes me because she wants to hear the song over the titles at the end.

'Mmmmmm
Yeah

I can read your mind
And I know you're starry
I see what you're going through Yeah
Its an uphill climb
And I'm feeling sorry
But I know it will come to you Yeah'

Starry? What the hell does that mean. Sam sits there smiling gently at the music, and I'm sitting here fidgeting and flicking my eyes at her when I think she won't notice. She just tells me she's thinking about leaving and then tells me to be quiet cause she wants to hear a damn song?

'Don't surrender
Cause you can't win
In this thing called love'

Well that's damn true. Not that I'm in love, I'm not. God but this song is depressing me. Okay, so it's the thought of Sam leaving that is, but this doesn't help.

'When you want it the most
There's no easy way out
When you're ready to go
And your hearts left in doubt
Don't give up on your faith
Love comes to those who believe it
And that's the way it is'

When you're ready to go eh? But she's so young, she certainly can't have got bored of the Stargate program, I mean no way!

'When you question me
For a simple answer
I don't know what to say...no
But its plain to see
If you stick together
You're gonna find a way Yeah'

Well she didn't answer me. I asked why and she just shrugged. How can she just shrug? She's thinking about leaving and she shrugs? If anything that should be one of the biggest decisions of her life! Maybe she just doesn't want to discuss it with me. If you stick together...well...it looks like that's not gonna happen.

'So don't surrender
Cause you can't win
In this thing called love'

I don't ever win. Maybe I get in front for a little while, but I always end up losing, always.

'When you want it the most
There's no easy way out
When you're ready to go
And your hearts left in doubt
Don't give up on your faith
Love comes to those who believe it
And that's the way it is
That's the way it is'

Is it? Is that the way it is?

'When life is empty
With no tomorrow
And loneliness starts to come,
loneliness starts to come
Baby don't worry
Forget your sorrow
Cause loves gonna conquer it all'

When life is empty. And loneliness starts to come. Hell I feel these words becoming manifest right now! I glance across at Carter and she's echoing the words softly. She's completely oblivious to the trauma I'm going through here. She can't leave...she just can't? And why not? Cause it'd be stupid. She's miss it, and we'd miss her. We? Oh all right so I'd miss her. Of course I would, she's my friend!

'When you want it the most
There's no easy way out
When you're ready to go
And your hearts left in doubt
Don't give up on your faith
Love comes to those who believe it
And that's the way it is'

**************************************

The rest of the lyrics repeat for a few minutes, but I don't let them finish as I snap off the TV with the remote. Sam looks up at me in surprise.

"Why Sam, why are you gonna leave?"

She sits up in surprise, and I don't blame her. I don't know what I look like right now.

"Colonel, I just said I was thinking about it, you know, like we think about a lot of things. I didn't mean I was going to do it!"

Oh God. Oh thank God. But...

"You mean you let me sit here panicking for five minutes thinking you were going to leave and you're not?" She looks a little taken aback at my outburst, then amused.

"You were panicking?"

Oops.

"Well yeah, I didn't know how long I was gonna have to find a replacement"

And finally she smiles at me again. A real smile. The first since Daniel and Teal'c left. Christ, I had to go through all this just to make her smile? I used to be able to do that with a single word, gesture, or even just a raised eyebrow! I slide over close to her and steal her almost full beer from her hand and take a big swig.

"Hey! I wasn't finished that!"

"Well you were nursing it, it was crying out for me to save it!"

A laugh this time. An honest to goodness actual laugh. Sweet. I slide another bit closer and touch her shoulder. She smiles at me, but my thoughts are suddenly elsewhere. My hip now rests lightly against hers, and that brief touch has suddenly made me very aware that she's a woman. I mean, I knew it...and I knew it damn well...it's just...I dunno...I felt a little something there...woah Jacky boy...little too much sauce tonight I think. She's Carter, she's my 2IC, she's Carter, she's my 2IC, she's Carter, she's...

"Sir?...are you okay?"

"Uh...yeah sure....just thinking..."

"What about?"

"Nothing. So...when you seeing Peter again?" Ah...there's the subject. She looks thoughtful and maybe a little unhappy.

"I'm not, I told him last night"

"Why?"

This time she answers my simple question.

"I mean he's really nice and all, and we got on well but...it's just...suddenly he just doesn't seem to...to...measure up I guess"

"Measure up to who?"

She snorts and steals the beer back from me. Getting confident with all that alcohol aren't we Major? I must say I haven't moved away from her yet. I'm just enjoying that little thrill I get from being next to a woman is all. That's all. She shakes her head at my question, and drains the bottle, then yawns. Yeah. It is late. It's late and there's no way she's driving, or me for that matter. The guys are used to crashing here, and her too when the others are, but will she mind if she's by herself? I mean I'm safe, well...usually. I can't help it if I'm somehow more aware she's a woman today. Ah crap Jack, I've always been very, very aware. Well look at me...get a good quantity of beers down me and my secret little thoughts slip out. Yeah okay, so I fancy her, but I wouldn't be a real full-blooded man if I didn't right? I'm just normal that's all. Yeah right...like having feelings for a much younger and smarter subordinate officer is a really smart thing. Whoa! Whoa! Feelings? Feelings? I don't think so...right? Carter yawns again and stretches, pressing her hip further against mine, and I leap out from my chair as though I've had a shock, and maybe I did. With the way my thoughts were going and that extra feminine pressure against me I felt a naughty stir in my trousers. Very, very naughty. For god's sake all these years and all those things and jeez, near misses and kisses we've been through and the touch of her hip against mine turns me on? Carter looks up at me curiously, but her eyes are a little bleary and heavily lidded with the late hour, and I'm sure she missed the reason why.

"What's wrong?"

"Uh...nothing. You want to crash here? It's late. I'll get some blankets and things"

"Umm...yeah okay, thanks"

She looks at me sideways for a second, then slips off her shoes and curls er feet up on the couch beside her. I charge into my room and haul blankets from my cupboard then charge back through and give them to her. She smiles and takes then from my hands a little warily and wraps them securely around her. Does she think I'm gonna come assault her during the night? Let's not even think along the lines of me and Carter...uh...wow...Now that's really turned me on. I flick off the main lights in the kitchen and living room, utter a quick goodnight, and quickly close my bedroom door behind me. The last thing I saw was Carter's curious look at the sudden end to the evening, and then it's just me in the dark room. I strip my clothes and dive under the covers, and making a very deliberate move to keep my hands on top and under my cheek, I try and sleep.

**************************************

Uhn.

I guess that light stuff means it's morning eh?

I haul myself upright and rub my eyes. Boy did I have some strange dreams last night. Okay...not strange but downright worrying, and they were all about Carter. And no I wasn't admiring her working on a doohickie I can tell you. It was a little bit more...ah...erotic than that. I've had dreams like that about her before, but never so many and so detailed! I'm beginning to think I have a little bit of a problem here. I glance at my clock and see it's still very early, and the only light was from the bedroom light I left on. Why the hell am I awake at this hour? And a bit dehydrated too. I get up and pad through to the kitchen for a glass of water, and it's only on my way back that I see a mop of blonde hair on my couch in the dim light and remember that Carter is here. She stirs then, rises and looks at me, and simply raises an eyebrow. I look down at myself briefly, and curse myself for wandering out here in my boxers and old torn T-shirt.

"Morning Carter"

"Is it?" She groans. And I smile. She sits up among the many folds of the blankets and scrubs at her eyes with her hands. She looks like a child. She tries to squirm upright but the blankets are too tight and twisted around her legs that she topples and I hear some solid object hit the coffee table. Abandoning my glass I rush to her side and grope through the blankets to right her. Her head eventually comes to the top and she squirms and grimaces in my arms.

"Ow...that was stupid..."

"Where did you hit?"

"Just my shoulder, no problem"

She squirms again and eventually between us we manage to get her freed up a little and back on the couch. I prop up her mummified form against the arm of the couch and flop down beside her, and while her arms are trapped I reach out and ruffle her hair.

"Aww...little Sammie fell out of bed"

I smile endearingly at her, and as she looks at me a little surprised, I wonder what the hell ever possessed me to do and say that. Well...she just looked so young and vulnerable I so wanted to ruffle her hair. And cover it up with a sarcastic comment of course...

"Don't call me that..."

She twists on the seat and finally manages to free her arms from the soft wool while still holding the blankets tight around her. It's then I realise with a gulp that there is a pile of clothes on the floor, and that she can't be wearing very much under there. And I just groped her. Oops. I try and lean back casually on the seat and not take in the full bear length of her arms and bare legs up to the knee as she rearranges herself.

"Aww...why not?"

"Makes me feel like a kid again"

"Huh...you are practically a kid next to me" I say under my breath, but of course, she hears me. She reaches over and swats me in the chest and admonishes me with her amused voice.

"I am not! You're not that old, and you're not that much older than me"

Something about the way she said that brings my eyes to hers, and she's observing me warily. I settle back on the seat and prop my ankles on the table, trying to look as casual as possible. But is my brain gonna be casual? Oh no...no way...

"How old was Peter?" I ask. And I get another funny look for my trouble. What is she gonna think now? Why the hell would I be asking her how old Peter was, it's almost like saying well if he's near my age then there's hope for me! That and the fact I said 'was', firmly putting a nail in the coffin to the idea of those two being together. I rake my fingers through the itchy hair at the back of my neck and try and look like I don't care. Scooping the TV listings from the floor I flick to today's programmes and absently see what's on at this time in the early morning. I'm aware of her gaze, but I pretend I'm not. She snuggles tighter in the blankets, reminding me of how cold I am and almost hesitantly tells me his age. He's only one year younger than me. I never expected that. Not that I'm that much older than her really, but getting on close to a decade. Maybe that little extra step wouldn't be too much to ask now would it? All right. Those dreams have obviously affected me a little, now I'm starting to think seriously about asking her out. Yeah I know it's against regs and of course I'd never do it, but I do wonder what she'd say. She'd probably look horrified and run off screaming. I snort then, and she takes it to mean I'm snorting at my reading material.

"Anything good on? I just can't sleep"

Yeah me too. Or I'd rather not sleep considering those dreams. God it's cold in here. Mind you I'm wearing only my boxers and a T-shirt, and she has about twenty blankets. I grab the remote and flick through the channels for a moment, coming to rest on an old hammer horror movie.

"Oh yes! I love these films!" Comes a voice from my side.

She squirms a little more upright and grins from me to the TV. I just raise an eyebrow. My Major likes horror films? Well that I never knew. I mean the four of us often go out to see movies together but up till now we've never gone to see horror. Maybe we should. Then I can sit next to her and cuddle her when she leaps terrified into my arms. I'm broken out of this thought as I jump a little inwardly when a wolfman-thing leaps out on the TV and terrorises someone. All thoughts of being able to comfort Carter fizzle away then, as she's pointing and laughing at the screen. She spends a few minutes jabbering about how good and funny that bit was (damn well near scared me) when suddenly she's looking at me all concerned. I meet her eyes and it's then I realise I'm shivering a little and have my arms huddled round my legs.

"Here, you should have said something, take a blanket"

She carefully peels off the outer blanket and hands it to me, and I try and not drool at the occasional flash of flesh. I take the blanket gratefully and drape it over my lap and relax a little. I was only huddling because I was cold. And my lap just happens to be the coldest part all right? Honest! What other reason would an honest upstanding respectful type guy like me have for covering himself in this way? Well...apart from the almighty lump in my...

"You okay sir?"

"Uh...yeah...sure"

Calm Jack. Calm. Let's think about hockey okay? That usually works. Hmm...hockey...hockey sticks and pucks, ice and skates, men in hockey gear...Carter in hockey gear, Carter out of hockey gear...woah! Okay...so that didn't work. That's it. I've never gonna leave myself in a room alone with her again if I can't keep control of myself. I think this Peter guy just...just put the wind up me a little. I feel as though I should relax now he's outta the picture but someone else is just gonna come along aren't they? Someone else who's gonna fall in love with her like I have and take her away...from...me...aw crap.

"Sir?...sir?"

......

"Colonel?...are you okay? You've gone awful quiet"

"I'm fine. Watch your movie. You want coffee?"

"Yes please!"

**************************************

I drag my carcass from under the cover and wander through to the kitchen. I busy myself by making coffee and try and keep my mind detached from the rest of me. Boil the kettle. Two mugs...two lots of coffee. Okay, do I have anything worth eating? Hmm...not really. Some packet of little cake things, still in date. Milk for her, lot'sa sugar for me. There we go. I give the drinks a final stir and put the cake packet in my mouth and curl my hands around the cups. And then I just stand there. I almost can't make myself go back in. Maybe I should give her her cup then take mine back to my room. Or maybe I'd rather not be alone with myself and my mind right now. Best if I go through there, watch the movie, then later when she's gone I can kick the crap out of myself. Maybe I'll try and punch a few holes in the wall, that's always fun. So I go through and sit down. I have to suck in a little air when her fingers brush mine as I hand her cup over, but she doesn't even notice the gentle touch so I flump down and pull my blanket up to my neck.

In the space of one evening I have well and truly become fucked up. I think I should teach classes on that. I'd make a fortune. 'How to fall for someone you really, really shouldn't' 101. And then 'How to then kid yourself you don't have any feelings for them, then while they are sitting practically undressed next to you you realise that maybe you love them' 101. This isn't my usual style at all. Normally I meet a woman, fancy them, go out a couple of times, sleep with them, keep going out, then at some point I get quite used to them and fond of them. A little later on I realise just how fond I am, and maybe grudgingly admit to myself it might be love. And it's a hell of a lot later till I tell them that. I seem to have jumped a couple of places here. I've gone straight to realising I'm in love without even having gone on a date! Hell and no kissing or sex! That's hardly fair! If I'm gonna be at this phase then I should at least get the others! I glance over at Carter then to find she's studying me. Her eyes wander up from my toes to my face, and her look is one of...well...curious fascination I would guess. I look back into her eyes the same way, trapped there by some external force, but when my face changes to an annoyed grimace at myself, her eyes quickly flick away.

So what was that? Why was she looking at me like that? Maybe she was just wondering what I was thinking about, or maybe she was wanting to jump on me...Okay, so we have reality and fantasy, no prizes for guessing which is which. I get up again and go for a pee, and when I return I sit a lot closer to her. She doesn't seem to notice. And me? I seem to have unconsciously decided that I'm going to push this situation. Not that we have a situation at present, but my rampaging hormones decide I'm gonna create one. What a nice guy I am eh? I'm gonna proposition one of my best friends and maybe ruin my entire life. I screw this up and she'll probably report me, and I'll be dismissed on a sexual harassment charge, and I'll lose it all. Friendships, job and life. Okay. So I still feel this fire in my veins. I really thought that those scary thoughts would be enough to stop me, they normally are. It's that damn Peter's fault, he got me thinking like this. Mind you, in a funny way maybe I should thank him. What if it'd been another guy that she liked even more, and eventually decided to marry? Then I might have realised my feelings all too late, and never done anything about it, and regret it the rest of my life. Of course, that doesn't change the fact that I still shouldn't do anything about it, but I can't help but feel that I should at least...at least what? Ask her if she fancies me? Ask her if she's at all interested in this old, dumb, bitter, scarred soldier? Oh yeah...of course she is! She'll be all over me in a shot! I snort again, and this time I feel a warm hand on my shoulder.

"Sir?...are you okay?"

"Oh for crying out loud Carter, it's 4am in the morning and we're watching horror movies in my house. Call me Jack will'ya?"

Oops. Step 1 - Invite a little intimacy by asking her to call me by my first name. I didn't mean to say that, I really didn't. And there won't be any other steps either...uh-uh.

"Umm...okay...Jack...what's wrong?"

She smiled a little hesitantly when she called me Jack, but hearing that one syllable from her lips made everything seem all right. Scratch the fact that I feel otherwise all to pieces, that makes me smile.

"Ah...just a little mid-life crisis I think..."

I smile ruefully around that comment, but she shuffles over and leans a little against my shoulder. Funnily enough, it doesn't exacerbate my bodily situation, I feel more of a numb acceptance at the moment, as I think my brain has realised that I'm probably gonna end up saying something stupid and get rejected. Her eyes question me but I'm suddenly plagued by a question of my own so I hold up a hand to pause her so I get my question out first. I have to know if there's anyone else.

"Who didn't Peter match up to?"

She looks terrified as I ask that, maybe she's realised that my stiff pose and dark eyes doesn't mean I'm angry. Far from it. She looks at me for a moment, thinks, then shakes her head with a small smile.

"Just...someone..."

"Anyone I know?"

"That's classified"

"So it is someone I know"

"I never said that..."

"You never said it wasn't"

"I never said it was"

"Ah come on, just tell me, I can keep a secret"

She looks into my eyes then, trying to gauge whether I can or not, then looks away. Obviously I failed that little test. Well if she doesn't even trust me enough to say that, then that bodes well doesn't it?

"What about you? What's your mid-life crisis about?"

"Getting ideas above my station..."

"Like?"

"That's classified"

Stalemate. We both turn back to the TV for a few minutes, then glance back at each other at the same time. I have a crazy idea. If it turns out the way I think, I'll make an embarrassing admission and she'll be horrified, but at least I'll know who she's pining for.

"Okay, how about this, I'll tell ya mine if you tell me yours"

She looks very unsure. But I push.

"Come on, we'll ask each other questions, then when we get near the end we'll both choose a final question and we answer at the same time, but no asking just who or what it is okay? It's gotta be specific. How about that?"

More uncertainty, but she also looks like she could do with getting something off her mind. She bites her lip and twirls her finger in a corner of the blanket for a minute, then meets my eyes. Something she sees there makes her say yes.

"Okay, I'll start. Is it a man?" I ask, waggling my eyebrows. Good idea to start with a few laughs, she seems to agree and laughs with me.

"Of course! My turn...is it...about your hair?"

Ooo you cheeky witch. Actually, I'm not bothered about my hair going grey, but her bringing it up does make it sting just a little.

"No thank you very much. Is it someone I know?"

"Umm...yes. Is it your career?"

"Nope. Is it someone from the SGC?"

"Ah...maybe...okay, okay yes. Is it your personal life?"

"Yup, but nothing dodgy Carter, okay is it a scientist?"

"No. Is it to do with a woman?"

Okay. And now the questions start to get more serious. We both lean towards each other, fascinated by this game, and the answers start to come faster. I must say she has my topic pegged pretty quickly.

"Yeah I guess. Is it a technician?"

"Nope. Is it a woman you're in a relationship with?"

She asks that question without meeting my eyes. Does she think I'm seeing someone?

"No. Are they military?"

"Oh yes. Is it someone you'd like to be in a relationship with?"

"Ah...yes, I guess. Are they on a team?"

"Yeah...Is this woman someone I know?"

"Yes. Are they a marine?"

She laughs at that. Just about anyone else I could handle, but not a marine. That'd be a sleeping with the enemy type situation, and she'd be an official traitor. Especially if it was Makepeace, that'd really rub it in my face.

"No sir, is this woman at the SGC?"

And now we're starting to come down to it. There's not that many women at the SGC so the odds of her guessing are shortening dramatically.

"Uh...yes. Are they in SG teams 7 upwards?"

She looked so relieved when I said yes. Maybe she thought I was talking about Sara.

"Sneaky sir, I mean Jack...but no. Are they a doctor?"

Then again she looks away. A doctor? She thinks I fancy Janet? Wow. I mean, I do a little bit, she's a very attractive woman, but in some ways it's difficult to fancy someone that you know has seen every inch of your body, inside and out. I smile a bit at her, and continue.

"No Sam. Are they in...SG6?"

I'm trynna narrow this down by thinking about people she speaks to. I remember teasing her a few months ago about that young Captain in SG6 that asked her to dance one time. She laughs when she realises who I mean, and shakes her head.

"No. Are they military?"

"Yes. SG4?"

There's a guy in there who's cute apparently. Somehow though, if this guy whoever he is who she's measuring perfect Pete against then he must be more than cute...which means she must know him fairly well...

"No. SG team?"

Well, now we're gonna come down to it. Due to rotations and transfers and maternity leave at the moment there are only three women currently on SG teams. This is gonna be it. I think we're both down to our last few questions. And I have a feeling her last answer may bring me a punch in the gut. Ah well...I want to know...

"Yes. SG1?"

She balks a little at that, but I'm not sure if it's because I chose the right team or if it's because I just narrowed her choice down to three women.

"Uh...yes. Captain Harper?"

Damn. I was right. It is SG1, which can mean only one thing. And why on earth did she think I'd like Harper? Yeah okay so she's on SG9 but the woman is as cold as anything, and anyway she hates me. Well, it's pretty much a mutual thing and I thought she knew that. Oh well. Here goes.

"Hell no, Okay...is it Daniel?"

I open my eyes slowly and she's looking at me as if I've just grown horns or something. I thought that they were more like brother and sister but hell that only leaves...she can't go for him can she? I mean, don't get me wrong he's a great guy but I just never really thought...weird...Maybe it's just the fact that he's such a gentleman that she wants guys to measure up to, maybe she doesn't mean she fancies him as such...

"No! Is it...is it Major Bryce?"

She scrunches up her face when she mentions Bryce, and I suppose I don't blame her. We've always gotten on quite well and I always noticed that Sam never really liked her. Maybe she's a little jealous thinking it's her! Huh. Feminine pride and all that. Wait till I see how disappointed she is when I tell her it's her.

"No Sam...it's not. Is it Teal'c?"

She looks downright confused. In fact, I would swear she's racking her brains to see is she's missed anyone. You haven't Major...so who's left? Suddenly she stops, and looks up at me with clear understanding eyes. Well, it looks like she's guessed. No horror as yet, so that's not so bad, mind you, she fancies Teal'c for crying out loud...

"No, it's not"

Huh? No what isn't? I look as confused as she was earlier as I stare at her. She didn't say it in a disbelieving way pleading for me to deny what I just implied, so what is she talking about?

"No it's not Teal'c"

Oh...Oh! Not Teal'c? Well, unless Perfect Peter didn't measure up to her, which seems unlikely, there's only one member of SG1 left. She must mean...she must be talking about...Our eyes meet then, and our mouths move as one as we ask our final identical question of each other, in awed whispered unison.

"Is it me?"

**************************************

And we don't answer. Instead I lean forward and take her face in my hands, bringing my lips swiftly and decisively to hers. I don't need a verbal answer, I get all the answer I need when she wraps her arms around my neck and presses back.

I'm shocked. I'm downright shocked. Luckily though, it's only my mind that's currently floating paralysed in limbo, my body seems to be managing quite well on its own. One of my hands is cupping her jaw, supporting the passion of our kiss, and the other is slowly sliding down her back, pushing blankets with it. I wonder if her mind is on standby like mine? She did look as shocked. Maybe it doesn't matter, maybe we shouldn't be worrying about our minds right now, after all they would only make us stop, and God I don't want that, no way. I can't believe I've been agonising over this all night and...and the person Peter didn't match up to was me! But she said he was almost perfect! Great job, great personality, great everything, and he's not as good as me? Well hell I am flattered. Here was me worrying that I had fallen out of favour, and I was so wrong. Well then why has she been so funny with me?

Our first kiss slows then, and seems to reach a natural end. We pull away slowly but keep our arms around each other as we part. She's looking incredulously at me, as if she can't believe I want her. Now that would be stupid, who on the base doesn't? She smiles a little hesitantly, and I join her, but I have to know the answer to my new question.

"Sam...if...if you've been feeling this way about me, why have you been acting so funny around me lately? I thought Peter had just overshadowed me so much you didn't even want to be friends"

"Oh God no sir, it's...I didn't realise till I went out with him. I mean...I knew I was attracted to you, but I thought that's all it was, a bit of lust, but when I went out with Peter, I kept wishing it was you"

"Good. And it's Jack, please..."

"Jack..."

And we smile at each other. Well...I'm damn glad we played that little game. And what if we hadn't? God then neither of us might have known! Her face changes a little then, and her fingers start to fall from my back. I can tell her brain has started up again, and she's realised the full and very wrong implications of this situation. Well I don't care, not right now. To prove it I lunge forward and capture her lips once more. For a moment she pushes at my chest with her hand, but that pressure soon disappears and I feel that hand take up a much more pleasing position with the fingers entwined in the hair at the nape of my neck. I twist my head slightly and gently coax her mouth open, and hot electric tongues meet for the first time. No point stopping now, we have to have something to regret first before we get all worried about this, and I'm afraid one kiss doesn't cut it, we've done that before. I want more.

I want more.

I press against her and push her against the corner of the arm and back of the couch, and she smiles against my lips and slides her hands down my back. The warm contact feels good through my thin T-shirt, and when she drags those fingers back up with her nails snagging the material I shudder and make a soft noise into her mouth. That just makes her smile more. I lean more against and over her, but there are still many layers of blanket between us. I paw and yank at them with one free arm but I'm not getting anywhere fast. I give a little whimper and reluctantly pull my mouth away, and when we slide apart she helps me unwind the covers from her body. Oh. She's not wearing very much, not much at all. I tug the last blanket edge from between her and the couch and it comes free. I grin as I pull the expanse of it into one manageable bundle, and then freeze. She's lying there against the arm with her mile-long naked legs draped seductively over the edge of the couch She's wearing little black panties, and a pink sleeveless tight top that she must have had on under her little cardigan earlier. And she's staring at me from under her hair with the biggest come-on eyes I've ever seen. Wuh...oh baby...The next thing I know she's got tired of watching me sit there without a clue and she's leapt on me. Oh God she's leapt on me!

I fly backwards and end up lying flat on my thankfully long couch. The last blanket slips unnoticed from my hands as she crawls up my body with a growl. My boxers suddenly feel unbearably tight. How did she know that women growling always turn me on? I'm holding myself a little upright with one hand hooked on the back of the couch to watch her, but she takes exception to that and pushes me flat. Things have gone from me being in charge to her, and I don't mind one little bit...

"Whatcha gonna do to me Carter?"

"First of all, I think you're wearing too many clothes..."

She grabs my ruffled T-shirt, and with the minimal of help from me, hauls it up over my head and tosses it away. She lowers herself onto me then and claims my lips as she runs her hands over my suddenly sensitive chest. Mmm mmm. This is the best Friday night I've had in...in years! And something tells me it'll soon be the best ever. Her kiss is hard and ferocious, and she rakes her nails through the hair on my chest. Man I had no idea she would be like this! So...maybe when she got infected that time her actions weren't too far off...I struggle a little under her, determined to get back some control, but she's not having it, on no. She moves a little to the side and runs her right hand down my chest and right down the inside of my left leg. I moan again and she smiles. Okay...I surrender...whatever...but I do demand one concession. I fumble for the hem of her top and tug it upwards. She pulls back just long enough for me pull it free, then kisses me again. Now uncovered, I run my hands up and down her back, then along and up her ribs. She shivers a little against me, and it's my turn to smile again. I bring my hands around to her front and slide the tips of them up and across her bare breasts to her collarbones and down again. Oh you liked that did you? Well so did I. God you're so beautiful. I take my mouth from hers and lean forward to find her ear with my lips and tell her this. She smiles softly at me. She is beautiful. Her soft hair is falling gently over her face and those huge blue eyes look at me in what I can only describe as adoration...and desire.

Sweet.

I pull her roughly against me with my right arm, and gently cover one of her perfect breasts in the other, drawing my rough palm and fingers across the smooth silky flesh, finding the tip with a questing thumb. Her lips are now pressed against my cheek and she voices a throaty 'mmm'. Never to be outdone she makes me pause in my caress as she slides her free hand right down my chest and confidently down across my boxers, then following the inside of my leg to my knee, before trailing it back up again. I jump a little despite myself at that sweeping caress, and she laughs gently. I try and slide my hand down her back to her rear but she wiggles away, and so I return my hand to her front.

"No..." She says.

Seems like I go first. Well...okay then!

She wiggles between my right side and the back of the couch so she can lie on her side and over me. One hand in my hair she pulls my head close and kisses me fiercely while her other hand descends to my bottom half. She brushes her hand across my boxers again, and finding my erection she pushes the heel of her hand firmly along its trapped length. Jeez...My back arches and my toes curl and this only encourages her further. She repeats her actions with relish and I lose my concentration on the kiss, my jaw going slack as I concentrate on feelings elsewhere. She attempts to reengage my efforts but when she slides her hand under the material and touches me directly, I just close my eyes and sigh. She pulls her lips away and gives me one final kiss, and I open one eye to see her regarding me with an amused expression. Well what do you expect? I'm a primal kinda guy Sam, and right now I'm not in control. She shakes her head a little and satisfies herself by moving her lips to my neck and collarbone, pulling slightly at the skin with her teeth as she claims all of that expanse as her own.

If I'd known. If I'd known it was going to be anything like this...well...I wish I'd known years ago. All this time wasted laughing and joking and watching TV and films and going out when we could have been engaged in much more productive activities. And Sam seems to agree with me judging by the way that in a few short minutes she's totally claimed my body from head to toe, and is now confidently holding me down and administering the sweetest torture I've ever endured. If it isn't enough that her lithe feminine form is wiggling around on top of me causing the most unbearable sensations to course through my body, her teasing hand down my boxers is almost too much...

"Sam..." I say huskily, but she just covers my lips with hers and utilises her warm hands in ways I'd never imagined. Then she sits up and taking the waistband in both hands, hauls my boxers down to my knees, and hurriedly untangles them from each foot. The cool air rushes in on me, but I don't even have time to sigh before her hot mouth takes its place. Oh Sam...Oh wow. A short while of this and my toes are trying to curl right round on themselves, as is my spine.

"Sam...enough...please..."

But she's not having any of it. Eventually I have to detach her myself and wiggle out of reach. She folds her arms across her chest and pouts at me. Jesus she's not even started on me has she? I'm beginning to have doubts that I'll manage to keep up...She grins then and starts to move towards me on her knees. Uh-uh, no way. I let her think she's gonna get the upper hand, then I grab her by the upper arms and push her backward against the soft couch, shifting my grip so that I have both wrists in one hand on her ribcage. She simply raises an eyebrow at me.

"Your turn Sammie..."

"Will you quit that?"

"Why...can't I call you Sammie huh? Let me call you Sammie..."

"No..."

"You better..."

"Or you'll what?"

"Oh I can think of a few things..."

She spends a great deal of the next five minutes squealing. I've never heard a more delightful sound in my life. Her face scrunches up and she struggles ferociously as I tickle her all over. And I mean all over. And boy is she strong. Eventually, with tears streaming down her face she pushes me away and admits defeat. This break in things has really given me the time to calm down a little, and oh boy did I need that.

"Okay okay...you win...stop...tickling!"

"So I can call ya Sammie?"

She looks at me with a strange expression for a few moments, then closes her eyes and nods.

"Okay..."

I grin and leap on her, my lips attaching to her neck, my hands on her hips, pulling her oh so close. Okay, so ten seconds of this and maybe I haven't calmed down quite as much as I thought. Sam wraps her arms around me and I hook my thumbs in her panties and yank 'em down. Finally free of all clothes I press up against her and we kiss. No playful or gentle kiss this, this is the full-on real passionate thing. She moves beneath me, rocking her hips seductively against mine, and my erection caught between us receives a similar treatment. Enough playing. I slide my hand down her body and past her abdomen, and she gasps and arches against me as I touch her there. I stroke her gently, my lips caressing her breasts, and after a few minutes she pushes me urgently away.

"Whatsa matter Sammie? You don't like that?" She smiles at me as I call her that, and links her arms behind my head, pulling me in for a soft kiss.

"Yes I like it. But I want you. Now"

**************************************

Well...nothing like a woman who comes straight to the point. So I acquiesce. Oh do I ever. I pull her flat on the couch and lower myself over her, our lips meeting in a slow kiss. When we part I stare into her eyes, waiting for an agreeing smile. I don't want to overstep the mark here. Not that I think she'd take me this far and not go through with it, but a guy gotta make sure, and this guy absolutely positively has to make sure. This could theoretically mean the biggest ever trouble for us, so I want her to be sure. She grins and writhes beneath me, and reaches out to nibble on my jawbone. Okay. She's sure. I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her slightly while I position myself, and then ease myself inside. She moves to guide me, and when I'm most of the way in, she wraps her arms round me, and her feet come together behind me. I move back a little, and then push forward, my hips sliding along hers as we join fully. Oh God, there's nothing like that first sensation, that first feeling of heat, and closeness, and as she closes her eyes and grips my back I can't help but wonder what it feels like for her. That thought dissolves into nothingness as we start to move together, matching dance steps as we gain confidence and speed.

"God Sammie..." I whisper in her ear, and she pulls me closer still. Words form on her lips, but she seems unsure about what to say. I move a little faster and harder suddenly, and she gasps, and I lean into her ear and whisper.

"Jack...call me Jack"

She moves her hips wickedly beneath me, and it's my turn to gasp.

"You like that Jack?" She says through gritted teeth as we come to a mutual decision to pick up the pace.

"I like Sammie...God I like..."

Then things change. I feel it start to escalate, and suddenly we're all grasping hands and biting teeth. The next few minutes are frenetic, and I'm surprised we manage to stay on the couch as we both lose control. She holds my hips between her thighs and I lower my chest to hers and tighten my arms around and beneath her, our noses together as we look at each other. I grit my teeth and use my toes and the arm of the sofa for leverage as I let go of any discipline I had and just go for it. Sam whispers her approval between moans, and then suddenly she goes taught beneath me, her back arching as her fingers dig into my back, hissing from between her teeth. Oh I feel that, oh God yeah...I feel it as it hits her and the internal contractions are more than enough to do the same for me. Oh Sam. We strain for a moment in a tight embrace, eyes squeezed shut, muscles contracted, then we expel our lungfulls of air and relax, and fall into a warm, happy panting embrace.

A short while passes as we lie there, but eventually my arms beneath her start to cramp, so I grunt and push myself up a little. We shift in the inevitable uncomfortable aftermath of sex, and find new, better positions. We automatically snuggle up together, and I pull her close to my side, our arms instinctively seeking each other out. Finally settled, I place a kiss on her forehead, and she sighs.

Woh.

I just had sex with Carter on my couch.

Not how I'd imagined this evening ending, well...okay I probably dreamed and fantasised these nights ending like this, but I never thought, I never imagined...she wanted me. She wanted me. As if reading my mind, she beams up at me, and trails a finger down my jaw. Not to be outdone, I capture her in a quick kiss, then place one on her nose before drawing back. That smile. I love that smile. I'd die for that smile. And hell, I'd die for some of the other stuff I've just had tonight too. Anytime. She smiles again, but this time her gorgeous eyes are half lidded with much needed sleep. And isn't she the most adorable thing I've ever seen when she's sleepy.

"Sleepy Sammie" I label her, and she opens one eye to glare with.

"Piss off Jack" She mumbles.

Okay, maybe not quite so adorable.

"I don't appreciate my subordinates sticking their tongues out at me in my house Carter"

She opens her eyes again, and this time the blue is clouded with worry. That was probably the wrong thing to say, but we have all the time in the world to discuss that. We really do. I hug her, and kiss those fearful eyes.

"Later Sam. We'll talk about all that later okay? You need sleep"

I reassure her as best I can, and make sure my eyes are deadly serious. Not a trace of sarcasm in my voice. I don't want her to think I've had what I want and let's just forget it. No way. She knows me better than that. I never want to forget this, I want to build on it. Sure it'll be difficult and sure it'll take a lot of talking out, but we'll do all that. Just not now. Let's just enjoy the moment. She thinks for a second, then nods, and lets her head fall to my shoulder, eyes closing. I drag my hand from her back and reach down behind me to the floor. I scrabble for a few seconds till I find the pile of blankets, and pulling them on us, I manage with hands and feet to stretch a few of them over and around us. Sam sighs again contentedly, and I pull the comfy blankets up to my neck and slip my arm back underneath and around her with an answering happy sigh of my own. And as she snuggles up against my warmth, I close my eyes and give in to sleep. With the biggest dumbest smile ever on my face.

**************************************

Uhn.

Is it morning this time?

I shift a little in my comfortable cocoon of blind warmth, and open one eye. Expecting a sharp ray of light, I'm pleasantly surprised by the sight that greets me instead. The top of a disarrayed mop of blonde hair resting on my shoulder. And some wonderful and rather hot memories featuring the owner of this hair slide to the fore of my mind. Well...wonderful doesn't really cut it. Try...fantastic, amazing, all those kinda words and they still don't add up to the night I just had.

"Is it morning?" Says a sleep soaked voice. The blonde mop moves, and as it tilts back a hand scrubs at two slitted azure eyes. Isn't she beautiful? She's beautiful and she's naked and she's in my arms on my couch. Thank you God. Did I mention she's beautiful?

"Hey beautiful"

"Hey"

We squirm under the blankets to relieve any kinks, and she reclaims my shoulder for her resting place. We just lie in a companionable silence for a few minutes, then I stretch and turn to face her. I think I need a good morning kiss. I lean over and she tilts her chin to receive. The kiss is sweet and long, and only promises more. I grudgingly pull apart when my stomach tells us it's empty. She giggles.

"Hey, no giggling. You want breakfast Sammie?"

She rolls her eyes a little at that name, but I think she's coming to accept it from me. Looks like you just got your pet name Sam. And I'm sticking to it.

"Mmm...shower first"

"Okay"

I groan and sit up, and after a few minutes search my T-shirt and boxers eventually reveal themselves. Pulling them on I get up and pad to the kitchen. As I look behind me Sam has a blanket pulled around her and wanders to my bathroom. God now there's a sight I could never get tired of. And there are a few new smells and sounds and touches that fall under that category now as well. I search my kitchen for a few minutes, but I can't lay my hands on anything that screams breakfast. No bacon, no eggs, only a half eaten box of kids cereal that I know she'd laugh at. The sound of the shower gets my attention then, as does the sound of Sam's pleasant voice singing that song from that movie last night.

'I can read your mind
And I know you're starry
I see what you're going through Yeah
Its an uphill climb
And I'm feeling sorry
But I know it will come to you Yeah'

I think I know what starry means now. It's the way I feel right now. All warm and sleepy and happy and oh the memories. I stand transfixed with the box of cereal in my hand and just listen. I never knew she was such a good singer. Mind you, most women seem to be blessed with at least a decent voice, whereas us guys... Well, let's just say I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket.

'When you want it the most
There's no easy way out
When you're ready to go
And your hearts left in doubt
Don't give up on your faith
Love comes to those who believe it
And that's the way it is'

Is that the way it is? Well I believe it, and love came my way. Well, the beginnings of love anyway. Believe me it's not my style to jump straight into bed with someone I'm interested in, I've really never been that kind of guy, but I guess that me and Sam, well, we needed something like this to get started. I mean, I would have loved to romance her, go out for meals and dates and start one night with a kiss, I really would, but I know that would never have happened. Due to our respective positions I doubt I would ever have had the courage, and I doubt she would ever have accepted. So we were stuck, in limbo, and needed a jump start. I mean, it's not as if we're strangers, we've known each other for years, and hell I still plan to woo her if she'll have me, but I don't regret last night one little bit, and I hope she doesn't either.

She starts the next verse of the song, and I drop the cereal box on the floor and head for the bathroom. The door stands slightly open and I push it further, and step into onto the cool tiles and peer through the steam. I can vaguely make out her shapely figure through the frosted glass. And that blurred sight alone is enough to drive me crazy. I discard my clothes and step up to the door. She's standing with her back to me and singing, and hasn't yet noticed my approach. I watch her as she tips her head back and lets the hot water soak through her hair. She finds my sponge and starts to slowly rub her shoulders and arms. Much though I'd love to stand here and watch her all day in my shower, I'd much rather be in there with her. I push the sliding door to one side and she jumps a little and looks over her shoulder. Seeing me standing there with nothing on and one foot in the water...and doubtless with a dark look in my eyes, she smiles.

"Want a hand Sammie?"

She gives me a delighted smile. I knew she'd quickly get used to me saying that.

"Sure, if you're willing to scrub my back"

I step up into the shower and pull the door closed behind me. She moves to the back to give us room for two, and I advance on her, and place my hands above her shoulders on the tiles.

"Willing and able" I tell her.

I take the sponge from her hand, but decide I'd rather kiss her instead. I lower my head under the spray and she loops her arms around me. Hot water and a naked Sam. What else could a guy ask for? Okay, so some food would be nice, but two out of three ain't bad. Pressing against her the water falls down my face, and when she pulls back suddenly I inhale about three litres of it and step back choking. And she laughs.

"Oh you'll pay for that..."

"It was your fault!"

I grab the shower gel from the shelf and squeeze a large quantity onto my sponge. I twist it in my hands a few times and the lather starts to flow down my fingers. I advance on Sam and reaching out, I place the sponge against her jawbone, and drag it right down her body, down one hip and leaning over, all the way to her foot. I smile at the sound that escapes her lips. Oh this is gonna be fun. It's been a long time since I've had anything other than a five minute practical shower, and I aim to draw it out. Thankfully, Sam seems to have the same idea, as after I thoroughly clean her from head to foot, with only a few minor distractions, she starts in on me. Funny how washing yourself can be such a chore, but washing someone else? And hell, washing someone else with a body like that is definitely a pleasure, no doubt about it.

"Against the wall airman" She barks and I turn and place my palms flat on the pale tiles. She seems to like giving me orders, and you know what? I don't mind one little bit. She can order me about all she wants...She scrubs my shoulders and back and pauses to rub extra hard at the small of my back, relieving tired muscles. How does she know I get sore there? Then she attends to my legs and feet, and I just lean my forehead against the cool wall and sigh. You'd think she's known my body for years, she knows just where all the sneaky kinks hide, and confidently and expertly rubs them away, leaving me feeling truly refreshed and ready for the day ahead. And I know just what I want the day ahead to be. I'm just pressing her against the wall and sliding my hands up and down her body in a possessive way when a certain thought occurs to me.

"Uh...Sam?"

"What?...Is something wrong?"

"Oh, not with this Sammie, it's just...when are the others coming round?"

She looks thoughtful for a moment, and then we both realise our watches are outside.

"Uh...probably soon...Jack...so we better get out"

I kiss her anyway for a while, then grudgingly pull back. And she said my name without me having to prompt her. It'll get easier. I mean God, look how quickly and easily we slipped into the role of lovers, I'm sure she'll get used to a few name changes. I kiss her nose, and reluctantly let my arms drop. She gives me a sad look, then gets out.

"Later?" I ask hopefully, giving her my very best puppy dog eyes.

"Later" She says with a smile. "My place" Alright! I step out beside her, and for a few minutes we just enjoy drying each other off, then I take out my two bathrobes from my bathroom closet. I hand her one and slip into mine, and holding it in front of her she looks at me curiously. They are both identical. Terry towelling and peach coloured. Very smart.

"I got duplicate presents...honest" She just raises an eyebrow and pulls it on. God how can she look so good in anything. We both start a little then when we hear a noise, and I finally reach out to switch off the shower. Nothing, not a sound...but I'm sure I heard something...ah well.. I'm just about to take her in my arms when all of a sudden the open bathroom door swings wide and we are greeted by the biggest shocked expression I have ever seen, and instinctively jump apart.

"Jack, are you in he...oh...uh...oh..." Then he bolts. Uh-oh. Sam groans and bites her lip and I leap out the door after him. What the hell am I going to say? Uh...Carter and I just had separate showers and she got stuck to the bathroom floor and I just had my arms reaching for her as I was gonna help her? And as for the matching bathrobes...curse my auntie Jean! When I make the living room he's already half-way to the open front door. God why didn't we hear him knocking!

"Daniel! Wait!"

He stops at the door and turns around. He looks at me, then behind me, and I guess that Sam must be standing there.

"Uh...I know what this looks like Daniel...and...uh...okay, this is exactly what it looks like...but...uh..."

"Umm...nice robes guys..."

Sam comes to my side and I slip an arm around her peach clad shoulder. I'm not so worried about Daniel finding out about this, I'm more worried about tales of my matching girly bathrobes getting out and around the base...I'd never live that donw...Then Teal'c walks in with a bag of groceries, and simply looks around at the three of us. So we stand there...motionless. Daniel gapes, I wear a pleading look, Sam looks embarrassed, and Teal'c just...looks. From me to Sam and then back to Daniel. And then he speaks.

"Daniel Jackson...you owe me fifty dollars"

And that's the way it is.

***************************************
THE END
***************************************