"Dusk" by Alexandra Dickson

Title: Dusk

Author: Alexandra

Rating: NC17

Category: Sam and Jack

Archive: Sam and Jack Relationship Archive, Heliopolis. Others please ask.

Season: Post third season.

Spoilers/Sequel: No spoilers in this one, but it would probably help you if you read Starlight and Daylight before reading this, as it is a follow on. It's not absolutely necessary, but I'd love it if you did ;-)

Status: Complete, but it's the middle of a lengthening story.

Disclaimer: All recognisable characters and settings are not owned by me, that honour goes to Gekko, MGM, Showtime etc. I'm not making any money out of this; it's purely for enjoyment purposes. Well, I hope people enjoy this ;-) No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: A year has past since the events in Daylight, and Sam and Jack muse over some events the day before a mission...

Warnings: sex, a bit of violence, possible character death?

Feedback: Please! Let me know if you want me to continue :-)

Thanks go to Ann and Flo for beta-ing, and to Hammer and Annie for their encouragement :-) And while I'm here I might as well go the whole hog - for Tiz, Angel, Efrat, Becca in Christchurch, Becca in Dunedin, Sare, Mel, Karen, Sonya, Linz, Pepsi and Netferret [close your eyes girls!!] and Dana. Oh, and if you want a PG 13 version of this, let me know and I'll see what I can organise :-)

Copyright May 2000 Alexandra Dickson

***

Sam stood and stretched her back. She had just about finished her three-day stand down, and SG-1 was scheduled for another mission the following morning. There was nothing she hated more than coming back to an untidy apartment, so she was cleaning it. Well, that and the fact she really had nothing better to do. Jack was still on the base; he had used his three days to catch up on paper work. Sam for once had decided she was actually going to use her weekend as such, and had spent time with Cassie and Janet, going shopping and the like; but Cassie was at school today, and Janet had been called back to the base, so she was alone.

Putting the vacuum cleaner away, Sam's thoughts drifted back to Jack. As much as she knew it wasn't good for them to spend all their free time together, she'd missed him the last couple of days. She couldn't believe it had been over a year since that eventful trip to Jack's cabin in Minnesota. She sighed, wishing they could be up there right now. She could picture just how it would be. The leaves would be turning, and the air cool and crisp. It would be just cold enough to light the fire in the evening, and they could sit in front of it with a glass of wine each. She would be sitting in front of him, with his arms wrapped around her. He would put his glass down and begin to place small nuzzling kisses on the nape of her neck, his hand coming up to gently cup and stroke her breast...

'For god's sake, Sam! Cut it out!' she thought, trying to shake herself from her reverie. She shook her head and smiled ruefully. Ok, so it had been well over a week since they had had any time alone together, but... Her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell.

"I'm coming!" she called, as she unlocked the door, before opening it and standing back. "Jack!" she cried happily. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going to stay on the base?"

"Yeah, well I was, but what can I say? I missed you," he grinned.

Sam raised her eyebrows. "Sure. Did you finish the paperwork?"

"You think my dropping by is an excuse to get out of doing my paperwork, Sam? I'm hurt! Now are you going to let me in, or make me stand outside on your doorstep all afternoon?"

Sam grinned at him, standing back and opening the door further so he could get in. She noticed the overnight bag he was carrying. "Have plans for the evening do you?" she asked.

He put the bag down as she closed the door, and slid his arms around her waist. "Might do," he teased, dropping a quick kiss on her forehead. "What about you?"

Sam eyed him warily, her hands resting lightly on his chest. "You're in a good mood this afternoon," she observed. "What's wrong?"

Jack did his best to look hurt by her question. "I managed to get all that damn paperwork done early just so I could pay my favourite 2IC a visit and this is the response I get?"

Sam grinned, and reached up and kissed him gently. "I didn't say I wasn't happy to see you..."

"You coulda fooled me," he interrupted sulkily.

"But I wasn't expecting you," she explained. "Not with a mission scheduled for tomorrow."

Jack sighed. "I know, and I know we agreed it would be better if we didn't see each other the night before a mission, but I wasn't lying when I said I missed you, Sam." His brown eyes met and held hers, and she gave a sigh of her own, slipping her arms around his waist. "What with that four day mission to P5Y675 and then the debriefing, and paperwork, it's been well over a week since we've really seen each other."

Sam gave a small smile at his echoing of her earlier thoughts. "I missed you too," she admitted. "And I'm glad you're here."

"Good," he said, leaning down to kiss her, his lips and tongue gently caressing hers. Sam pressed herself against him, but he pulled back before they could get too carried away. He grinned at her look of disappointment, before letting her go and heading towards her living room. He turned back, still grinning as he heard her mutter something under her breath.

"What was that?" he asked as he dumped his overnight bag on a chair.

"Nothing," she replied, watching as he picked up the remote and turned on the TV, flicking through the channels until he found the one he was looking for. Then she remembered. His TV was currently broken, and if she was not mistaken, there was a big baseball game on today. "Oh, I get it," she said, glaring at his innocent expression. "It's not *me* you came to see, it's my TV."

"Oh, come on, Carter, you wouldn't deny an old man a simple pleasure would you?" He looked at her with patented puppy dog eyes expression. Sam just rolled her eyes in response, and picked up her dusting cloth and spray again, as he settled himself on her couch.

"You wouldn't happen to have any beer, would you, Major?" he called as he spied her heading towards the kitchen.

"You're pushing it, sir!" she called back. "If you want a beer, you'll have to get it yourself!"

Jack grinned and followed her into the kitchen, aiming immediately for the fridge. Sam was fishing for something under the sink. "You want one?" he asked as he found a couple of beers. Sam nodded. He opened and handed one to her. "I'll make it up to you, Carter, I promise."

Sam raised her eyebrows again. "Oh yes, you most definitely will, sir," she agreed. He grinned at her again. He had worried at first how they could not seem to break the habit of addressing each other formally, but he had finally concluded that it was probably safer that way. If they didn't get used to calling each other by their first names, then the risk of them slipping up on duty was reduced. Which was a good thing. A very good thing. In fact, 'Major' 'Carter', 'Colonel' and 'sir' had almost become terms of endearment between them. They had learnt to put a wealth of hidden meaning into those four words. He planted a brief kiss on her nose and retreated to the TV. Sam sighed and continued her cleaning and tidying, to the accompaniment of Jack's occasional orders and expletives aimed at the television. She smiled despite herself. Finally finishing, she joined Jack on the couch, lifting his right arm and laying it over her shoulders and resting her head on his chest. He shifted absently to accommodate her, his concentration solely on the game in front of him. She watched for a few minutes before closing her eyes, relaxing and enjoying the feel of Jack beside her. Somehow she managed to block out the sound of the television and Jack's endless comments, and dozed off.

The game finally finished to Jack's satisfaction - his team had won - Jack turned off the TV and looked down at the woman curled up against him. He gently pushed a lock of hair back behind her ear and kissed her forehead. Carefully he lifted her enough that he could stand and laid her gently back down on the couch. She stirred briefly before settling back down to sleep. Jack drew the blanket which was thrown over the back of the couch down over her, before heading to the bathroom. He came back and picked up the empty beer bottle and took it to the kitchen to be consigned to the recycling bin. Returning to the living room he watched her sleep, loving the way her face relaxed and how she always curled herself up, snuggling down beneath the blanket. He tore his gaze from her and perused the apartment for something to do. He looked through the books on her bookcase on the off-chance Sam actually had something readable there. He grimaced at the long and complex titles most of them sported. Finally he found something vaguely readable - an astronomy book. He smiled and took it to the table, carefully moving Sam's work out of the way. It wasn't long, however, before his thoughts wondered, and he was thinking over the events of the last year.

They had returned from their too-short vacation at Jack's cabin feeling very happy and relaxed with each other and the choice they had made. It had been a struggle to keep it from their friends, but kept it from them they did. They didn't want to put any of them in the uncomfortable position of having to explain how they knew about a court-martialable offence between two of the SGC's senior officers and yet did nothing about it. They only one that knew about them was Teal'c and that had been completely by accident rather than design...

SG-1 had come back from a very emotionally and physically draining mission; Daniel had ended up in the infirmary, while Sam, Jack and Teal's had all managed to escape with little more than cuts and bruises - on the surface anyway. It wasn't like they hadn't been through similar life-threatening experiences, or more dangerous ones, but this one had been different. They had each been put through an emotional wringer. But worse of all was what had happened to Sam and Daniel. Or rather what Sam had done to Daniel. Under the influence of something akin to Sokar's blood she had tried - and almost succeeded in killing Daniel. It had only been Jack's swift intervention that had saved Daniel's life. After they had been cleared by Janet, Sam had retreated to her lab, ignoring Jack on the way out.

He had followed her of course, but she had brushed him away, saying that she wanted to get started on some analysis that was due. He had sighed and decided not to push it; not while they were on the base anyway. Instead he had gone and given his own report to the General, before retiring to his quarters, hoping for sleep. He sometimes envied Sam her ability to get so absorbed in her work that she lost all track of the world around her. It was a trick he'd gladly learn if he could, especially as he was trying to get the image of Sam trying - and nearly succeeding - to kill Daniel. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Before he could answer, Sam opened it and stepped in.

"I know we were not supposed to do this on base..." she started, wrapping her arms protectively around her waist, and staring at the floor. He knew what she was asking - just this once could they forget what they had agreed and take comfort in each other despite their surroundings? And he also knew that Sam was scared that he would turn her away.

"Sam," he replied softly, "Come here." She looked up at him then, all the hurt and anguish visible in her tear-filled eyes. Jack sat up and opened his arms and she sank into them with relief, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. Neither of them said a word; Jack simply held her as she cried, gently stroking her back until she fell into an exhausted sleep. He carefully leaned back on the bed, bringing Sam with him, and gently laid her head on his chest. He let the rhythm of her breathing draw him into sleep as well.

Jack was awoken later by a soft knock at his door. Without thinking he sat up slightly and called for the visitor to come in. Sam stirred beside him and opened her eyes as Teal'c opened the door and entered the room, quickly taking in their rather compromising position on Jack's bed. Jack mentally kicked himself, and Sam gave a soft, despairing groan.

Teal'c looked from one to the other before speaking. "It appears I have found you Major Carter. Doctor Frasier was concerned when you were not in your lab. I will let her know you are well. Please excuse me," Teal'c said and turned to leave.

"Teal'c, wait," Jack called out. Teal'c hesitated, and turned back to face them. Jack waved him in, and sat up, keeping his arm around Sam. Well, there was no point trying to hide anything now, was there?

"You're probably wondering what's going on here," he started.

"It is none of my concern, O'Neill, Major Carter."

Jack sighed and Sam settled herself more comfortably next to him. "It is now."

"Jack, do you think..." Sam whispered. He placed a finger to her lips, and turned back to Teal'c.

"It's exactly what it looks like Teal'c. Sam and I are... well involved, for lack of a better word. We have been since that trip to Minnesota I took last year. Ya see, Sam came too, and well, things kinda just developed from there. And we didn't want anyone to know because of all the trouble it would cause."

Teal'c inclined his head, silently digesting this information. "Do you not trust your friends?" he asked, with a slight hint of accusation in his voice. He was well aware of the regulations which stated the Air Force's position on fraternization between officers. He never thought he would see either of his friends break them, despite their obvious attraction to each other. It appeared he had misjudged them.

"It's not that Teal'c," Sam explained. "It's just, well, if ever anyone in authority found out about us, and then discovered that you all knew, you could be in just as much trouble as we would be, and we didn't want to risk putting any of you in that situation. We started this, it's our problem, and we don't want to take any of you with us if the shit hits the fan."

Teal'c inclined his head again, watching them both intently. "You are happy?" he asked. Sam and Jack both nodded.

"We don't normally do this on base either, Teal'c," Jack added. "But after today..."

"I understand. And you have my word of honour that what I saw here will go no further than this room," Teal'c said.

Sam smiled gratefully. "Thank you Teal'c."

Teal'c nodded. "I shall tell Doctor Frasier that I found you asleep in your quarters," he said as he opened the door and left.

Sam sagged against Jack as the door closed behind Teal'c. He gave her a quick kiss before moving to the door and locking it against any further unwanted visitors.

"That went well," he observed.

Sam winced. "Yeah. Really well. He seemed to be very approving. Maybe I should go," she suggested, standing up. Jack moved quickly to block her exit.

"No," he replied, gently putting his arms around her. "Just for tonight, stay with me. Please?" He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She sighed and leaned into her embrace. They stood that way for some time, before Sam disentangled herself and drew him back towards his bed. They settled down, arms wrapped around each other and soon fell back to sleep.

Neither Teal'c nor they had ever mentioned the incident again, but Jack was well aware of Teal'c's observation of them. He also knew without even asking that Teal'c would look out for Sam if anything should happen to him.

Sam finally stirred on the couch.

"Jack?" she asked sleepily.

"Over here," he replied, discarding the book and standing up. "Enjoy your nap?" he asked as she sat up, shifting the blanket off her.

"Mmmm... yeah. Didn't know I was so tired," she said, running a hand through her sleep-mussed hair. "What's the time?"

"Almost six. What do you wanna eat?" he asked, making his way towards the kitchen. "You got any food here at all?" Sam got up and followed him, watching as he opened and closed the fridge and cupboards. She yawned.

"I was going to make some pasta," she suggested, finding the ingredients.

"Well I guess that's safe," he replied. He got a glare as a reply, and he grinned.

"You want to eat tonight?" He nodded. "Then give me a hand, *sir*." He grinned again and gave her cheek a quick kiss. Sam was still amazed at the difference between the Jack she knew at home alone, and the Colonel she knew at the base. He had mellowed somewhat over the last year, she was sure. She couldn't imagine the Jack she had known a year and a half ago smiling so much, or giving the light teasing kisses she was now the frequent recipient of. She liked to think she had a lot to do with that change. To be fair, she knew she had changed as well. She was no longer as defensive, and she didn't go into what Jack called 'technobabble' as a protective mechanism any more either. Well, not as much any way. She liked to think they'd been good for each other. She just wished she could share her happiness with her friends. She felt terrible for keeping it from them, but there was little they could do about it.

They worked on dinner companionably, and were soon seated and eating.

"What's up?" Jack asked.

"Huh?"

"You're very quiet all of a sudden."

Sam shook her head. "Sorry, I was just thinking."

"What about?"

Sam blushed slightly. "Us." She reached out and took his hand. "This last year has been good, Jack. Thank you."

He squeezed her hand. "Your welcome. Although I didn't do all the hard work here you know." Sam nodded in acknowledgement. "What else?" he prodded.

Sam shrugged. "Old ground. I hate keeping it from the others," she sighed, meeting his gaze. "All the small lies, the fact that I have nothing of yours here and you have nothing of mine..."

"We both know why, Sam."

"Yeah, but it doesn't mean I like it." She pushed her plate away. "You finished?"

"Yeah." He stood and came around the other side of the table, touching her cheek before leaning down to kiss her. Not breaking his touch Sam stood and returned the kiss, slipping her arms around his neck to slide though his hair. It wasn't an especially passionate kiss, born more out of reassurance than desire. Finally Jack pulled back, and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"It'll be alright, Sam. It won't be this way forever."

"Yeah, I know." She hugged him tightly.

They moved quickly to clear the table and the mess they had made in the kitchen. Sam put the last of the dishes in the dishwasher and turned it on. She stood and felt Jack slide his arms around her waist, and place a light kiss on her neck. She knew he felt her shiver in response.

"You know," she said trying to keep her voice steady despite what Jack was doing to her earlobe, "What with the mission early tomorrow morning, we should really get an early night."

Jack nodded, stopping his exploration of her neck abruptly and removing his arms from around her waist. "Yes, you're probably right. How about you finish up here, and I go and make sure everything's locked up." He moved off on his errand leaving Sam staring after him wondering what had just happened. Then he paused in the doorway and turned back and winked at her. "Meet you upstairs?" he asked mischievously. Sam smiled. She finished clearing up the kitchen in record time.

Jack was already in her bedroom sitting on her bed when she arrived, pulling off his shoes and socks. She noticed he had already pushed back the covers. Always fully prepared was Jack. He looked up as she smiled and moved forward to stand between his legs. He reached up and put his arms around her waist as she lightly ran her fingers through his short, greying hair. She tilted his head up to meet her kiss, running her tongue along his lips, requesting entrance. Jack opened his mouth, his tongue inviting hers in to duel and caress, sliding his hands around to her front, finding her buttons of her shirt, slowly undoing each one. He worked his way up as she concentrated on his kiss, stopping only to caress her breasts, revelling in her gasp as he ran his hands across her nipples. Reaching the last button, he stood and gently pushed it from her shoulders, moving his lips from her mouth to that spot on her neck that he knew would make her moan. He wasn't disappointed. Sam tilted her head to give him easier access, her hands wandering to his head, pulling him closer. Jack found the hem of the tank top she was wearing and pulled out of her sweatpants, running his hands across the warm skin beneath. Sam pushed him away, and stood back and removed the top, before turning her attention to his shirt. Reinitiating the kiss, she ran her hands across his chest, then began to undo each button, as slowly as he had undone hers, and pushed it from him, sliding her hands down his well toned arms to aid its descent to the floor. She drew back slightly and smiled as she realised he wasn't wearing a T-shirt beneath.

"Came prepared, did you?" she asked softly.

"Mmmm..." he said as his hands reached behind her for the clasp of her bra, quickly and deftly undoing it, as his tongue invaded her mouth once more. Pushing the garment up he was finally able to caress and tease her nipples without any annoying fabric to get in his way. She moaned and pressed herself closer to him, deepening the kiss until they were kissing hard and furiously. Her chest ground against his, the feel of the hair on his chest against her breasts increasing her desire and Sam knew it increased his too. He ran his hands lightly down her sides, tickling her slightly. Reaching her bottom, he squeezed gently before running one hand down her right thigh and encouraging her to lift it while he held her steady with the other hand. He thrust against her, making her fully aware of his arousal. She ground her hips back in response, making him moan into her mouth. Lifting her head away from his, she pulled back, taking in his darkened eyes and flushed cheeks. She pushed his hand away from where it was caressing her thigh and stood. She smiled at him and moved her hands to the waist of his jeans, undoing the top button, and sliding the zip down, then slipping her hand inside to fondle his hardened length briefly, before guiding the jeans to the floor. Kneeling in front of him, she reached round to fondle his bottom as he had fondled hers, running her tongue up in the inside of his thigh, then finding the waistband of his briefs and pulling them down to pool at his feet. She nuzzled him gently and place small kisses all the way along his shaft until he pulled her up.

"Not yet," he whispered. "You're still dressed." And with that he found the waist of her sweatpants, and pushed them down, taking her panties with them. She stepped out of them, stopping only to pull off her socks before joining him on the bed. She moved forward and knelt over him, placing one hand either side of his shoulders, and knees next to his hips. She leaned down to kiss him briefly, then traced a path across his cheek, down his neck to his collarbone, where she nipped gently, making him gasp. She resumed her trail down across his chest until she found a nipple. She flicked her tongue against it, enjoying the feel of it hardening against her mouth, then swirled her tongue around it. Jack groaned, his hands coming to her head and urging her downwards. Sam looked up at him and grinned, and did as he urged, shifting slightly so that she could take him in one hand and caress him while she continued to place soft kisses down his body.

"Oh Sam..." He lifted his hips slightly as she reached the tangle of hair at the base of his erection. Taking the hint she shifted again so that she could lower her mouth over him. She swirled her tongue around the tip, knowing the exact place that would make him moan, and then sucked gently, tasting him. She quickly set an hypnotic rhythm of swirl, caress and suck, while her hands found and caressed his balls. His hand tangled in her hair urging her on.

Finally unable to take much more, he pushed her head away and pulled her up his body, rolling her beneath him, and devouring her mouth in a deep kiss. She moaned into his mouth as he ground his hips erotically against her, his erection pressed hotly between them. His hands trailed down her sides and up to find and caress her breasts. Sam lifted her hips trying to get closer to him.

"Jack, please... I want you inside me," she gasped, drowning in the sensations his mouth was creating as his tongue swirled around her nipple, mimicking her earlier actions on him. "Please Jack!" she cried as his deft fingers found their way between her legs to stroke her intimately. He raised his head to grin impishly at her.

"Impatient tonight, aren't we?" he observed as he ran his fingers quickly over her swollen nub, and shifted to give her what he wanted. She lifted her hips again, a pleasured gasp escaping as he slowly slid inside her hot, tight channel. He wanted to go slowly, but Sam as usual had other ideas. She thrust hard against him, her hands moving to his buttocks. He answered with his own involuntary thrust, burying himself completely within her. He quickly set a rhythm which Sam instinctively matched. Their pace quickly increased, and Sam could feel herself getting close, the sensations of Jack moving hard within her soon overwhelming her. She cried out, contracting hard around him as he continued to thrust, his movements becoming more and more erratic as he felt her come. Sam clenched tightly around him again, trying to bring him with her as she orgasmed once more. She cried out and felt Jack come in long hot spurts within her.

Finally he collapsed on top of her, burying his face in her neck, breathing heavily. Sam gave a contented sigh and kissed his head, wrapping her arms around him. She loved lying like this, with Jack still buried deep inside her, his body a comforting weight on top of her. Well, for the first five or so minutes. Then it became uncomfortable. But right now she was enjoying it. She slowly and gently ran her fingertips up and down his back, waiting for Jack to 'come round' so to speak. She felt him shift slightly, and she wrapped her legs around his hips, unwilling for him to break their embrace quite so soon. He lifted his head finally, and smiled at her, raising himself up on his elbows. She smiled back, and lifted her head to kiss him gently. Jack had other ideas, his lips settling on hers possessively, urging her mouth to open under his. Their tongues duelled and caressed. Eventually they broke off, needing to come up for air. He gently kissed her forehead, and she sighed. She cupped his face her hands, her thumbs stroking his cheekbones, a gesture he often used with her. She drew her breath and opened her mouth to say something, but changed her mind and closed it again. Jack caught her chin.

"What?" he asked softly, slowly running his thumb across her chin.

Sam shook her head. "Nothing."

"Tell me."

Sam stared at him for a few moments, wondering if she dared. She knew he cared about her, very deeply, but neither of them had ever said the words. Not once over the last year. Sam had been too scared of losing what they had, of upsetting the delicate balance they'd managed to achieve. And Jack? Well, she had no idea. She wasn't even really sure if... His dark brown gaze held hers, and she drew another breath.

"I love you," she admitted, her voice barely audible, even to her ears, uncertain what his reaction would be. Jack froze.

'Please say something,' she thought desperately, her gaze still locked with his. But with each passing moment of silence, her fears became realised. She closed her eyes to his scrutiny and tried unsuccessfully to push him off her.

"Sam..." Jack said softly, as she turned her head away from him, still trying to move from beneath him. "Sam, look at me." But she kept her eyes closed, oblivious to the tears which slipped out from beneath her lids. She felt him brush his thumbs across her cheeks.

'Please,' she thought. 'Just let me up.' She couldn't stand to hear his platitudes. 'Oh god, why did you have to go and ruin things Sam?' she asked herself. 'Why?'

"Samantha, please." The tone of his voice made her open her eyes. He gently stroked her still damp hair back from her face, and softly kissed her forehead. He took a deep shuddering breath. "I love you, too."

Sam's eyes widened at the admission as Jack's head came down to kiss her once more. Sam didn't respond at first - she was too stunned. But within moments she was kissing him back fiercely, as though she was trying to convey with her body and her actions just how much his admission meant to her. And she knew he was doing the same as his body hardened and lengthened again inside her, bringing them once more to blissful oblivion.

Sam woke to feel something tickling erotically across her breasts. Slowly she opened her eyes to find Jack watching her intently. He smiled and gently cupped both her breasts, stroking the pads of his large thumbs across her quickly hardening nipples. He smiled as she gave a small gasp.

"Good morning," he greeted as he lowered his head to one nipple and took it into his mouth.

"Uh huh," she replied, arching towards him. Her hands came to his head, urging him closer. She gave a soft moan of disappointment as Jack lifted his mouth from her breast, and sighed as he resumed his attention on its twin, swirling his tongue playfully around it, and sucking gently. Sam ran her hands over his head, through his short hair, and down across his shoulders.

"Do we... have time... for... this?" she finally managed.

Jack lifted his head to meet her flushed gaze. He flicked a glance at the clock. "Oh yeah, plenty."

He lowered his head to draw her into a deep passionate kiss, urging her mouth to open under his, his tongue running along her lips. Sam opened her mouth, her tongue darting out to eagerly welcome his. She shifted against him, pressing closer, arching her body, and lifting one leg as Jack moved to lay on top of her, loving the feel of him settling between her legs, his erection pressing hard against her belly. Jack moved from her mouth and traced kisses down her neck, nipping and sucking gently in those spots he knew Sam loved. He moved lower tracing a path across her breasts, paying careful attention to each one, before continuing his trek down her lithe body. He dipped his tongue briefly in her navel, tickling her, making her giggle. He stopped and looked up.

"Do I really have to say it?" he asked raising one eyebrow. She tried valiantly to straighten her expression, but couldn't suppress her grin at the long-standing joke. He grunted and returned to his attention to his task. Shifting, he ran his hands up the insides of her thighs, watching as the grin disappeared from her face and her eyes closed. She lifted her hips slightly, as though inviting him to continue further. Now it was his turn to smile. He placed two delicate kisses on the inside of her knees, and running a long finger along her folds. Sam gasped.

"Jack..."

Jack leaned forward and blew gently, making her squirm, then lowered his mouth, touching the tip of his tongue to her most sensitive part. Her hips bucked and her moved one arm to hold her flat on the bed as he continued to tease, caress and taste her. He felt her hands move once more to his head, moving restlessly through his hair, silently urging him to continue. He slowly slid one finger inside her, his strokes moving in time with the actions of his mouth and tongue. Her hips moved against his mouth and hand, encouraging him, and he revelled in her small moans and gasps. He slowly added another finger, hooking them up inside her, searching for that elusive spot inside her hot and oh-so-tight passage. Sam moaned again, almost unable to bear his sweet torture much longer. She had never felt anything like it. Without changing the pace, he place one last kiss on her swollen nub, and began kissing his way back up her body as she writhed against him. His thumb took over his mouth's actions on her clit. Finally he was lying next to her once more, her hips thrusting against hand, her cries becoming more and more articulate. She was close, so very close. Then it hit her and her hips bucked as she clamped rhythmically around the fingers he had buried deep inside her.

"Oh god, Jack!" she cried as she lost all coherent thought.

He waited until she sighed and opened her eyes to look at him, his fingers still active within her. She smiled.

"Good morning," she finally said. He grinned and stopped his actions, opening her legs wider and shifting himself to enter her. They both groaned as he finally slid inside her.

"Yes," he replied, settling himself. "It is." Jack rocked gently against her. They moved slowly; trying to make it last as long as they could, holding each other's gaze. Jack ran his hands down Sam's arms till he reached her hands, then guided them up above her head, holding them there. Sam arched against him, her hard nipples rubbing against his chest. He thrust a little harder, beginning to increase the pace. She wrapped her legs around him, her strong thighs firmly holding his hips in place, as she met him thrust for thrust.

Sam's alarm went off.

"No..." she groaned. "Not yet, please." Jack growled, and without upsetting the pace they had set, relinquished her hands to lean over to yank out the power cord and knock the offensive piece of technology to the floor.

"Now, where were we?" he asked. Sam thrust against him in reply.

"There," she replied. Now it was Jack's turn to gasp and moan.

"Uh huh," he muttered, as he began to move harder and faster. He lowered his mouth to hers and their tongues met in a desperate mimicry of their lower bodies. Sam's hands drifted back down to his buttocks, encouraging and guiding him. She tore her mouth from his as she felt her orgasm build within her.

"Come with me, Jack," she begged as her world shattered once more. Jack groaned above her, the feeling of her tightening around him sending him over the edge.

"Sam!" he cried as he came.

Finally they resurfaced, and Jack withdrew from Sam, and sat up. He sighed.

"As much as I would rather stay here, we'd better get up."

Sam answered his sigh with one of her own. She sat up and slid her arms lovingly around him, placing a kiss on his sweat-dampened shoulder.

"Hmm-mmm. You take the shower first," she suggested. "I'll get us some breakfast."

She watched as Jack made his way to the bathroom, then got up and threw on a robe before stripping the sheets and carrying them downstairs to the laundry. Then she headed into the kitchen to throw together a somewhat decent breakfast. Jack came down a few minutes later, placing a quick kiss on her cheek before taking sitting and devouring breakfast. Sam left him to clear up, and headed to the shower, stopping only to find clean sheets in the cupboard, which she left Jack to put on the bed. Jack quickly put everything away and headed back upstairs; checking on the way that nothing of his was left downstairs. He quickly made up the bed, and gathered his stuff together. They were always extremely careful never to leave anything at each other's places, just in case it was found by any of their friends. Sam came out of the bathroom fully dressed, her hair still slightly damp. He smiled at her.

"Not going to tempt me, huh?" he asked.

She smiled in reply, and ran a hand through her short hair. "I know better. You going?"

He nodded, putting his bag on the bed and coming over to her. "Yeah. I'll see you on the base, okay?" He reached out then and touched her cheek. "I meant what I said last night."

Sam nodded, leaning into his caress. "I know. So did I."

"Don't forget it, okay," he ordered softly.

"I won't," she said, kissing his palm. He leaned forward and brushed her lips with his.

"I'll see you soon."

***

Teal'c met General Hammond in the briefing room after Doctor Frasier had seen to his minor abrasions and pronounced him fit to leave the infirmary. He was unaccustomed to attending these meetings alone, and did not welcome the coming questions, but under the circumstances he had no choice. General Hammond and another high-ranking member of the SGC, whom Teal'c recognised as Major Gregory, were waiting for him when he arrived. Hammond invited him to take a seat and Teal'c did so.

Hammond sat, and let out a long breath. This was difficult for him, Teal'c realised. SG-1 was his best team, and Teal'c knew that Colonel O'Neill and Hammond were friends, and that Major Carter was like a daughter to him. "Are you alright, Teal'c?"

"I am unharmed, General Hammond."

Hammond nodded, and looked down briefly at his note pad. "What happened out there?"

Teal'c mentally braced himself, and began his story.

***

Their arrival had been uneventful. They had stepped through the `Gate and evaluated their position with their usual speed and efficiency. Detecting no obvious threat, they moved away from the `Gate as it shut off behind them. Major Carter, as was her habit, headed straight for the MALP.

"Great. What a surprise..." Colonel O'Neill had started, glancing cautiously at their surroundings, still searching for any possible threat.

"Trees," Daniel Jackson had finished for him, pushing his glasses back up his nose, and looking around him with vague interest. The `Gate was set in a small clearing on the top of a small hill, which rose up just high enough above the tree line for them to be able to see the edge of the forest in the distance.

"Always trees. You'd think they'd come up with something else," Colonel O'Neill had said irritably.

"It could be sand," Daniel Jackson had replied, shooting a look at the Colonel. He'd glared back.

"They look almost like pine trees, sir," Major Carter had offered with her usual enthusiasm, ignoring the look the Colonel shot her. Satisfied with the MALP for the time being, she had joined the three men on the edge of the small clearing.

The Colonel had shifted his gear, and announced they should probably take a look at what was beyond the trees. The four of them had taken their usual positions - Colonel O'Neill at point, Major Carter following close behind him, Daniel Jackson next, and Teal'c bringing up the rear, ever watchful. There had been the usual banter between Doctor Jackson, Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill, with the usual harmless flirting between the latter.

They'd been walking for no more than half an hour when the attack came. There had been very little warning - a rustle of some bushes, a few twigs snapping - but just enough to give them that little bit of time. But it had still caught all of them by surprise.

"Cover!" Colonel O'Neill had yelled, diving to the ground next to Major Carter as shots rang out above them. They had crawled to a fallen tree nearby, gratefully taking shelter behind it. O'Neill glanced over at Jackson and Teal'c and saw that they had taken refuge at the other end of the log and were moving up towards them, ducking as the enemy fire caused splinters of wood to fly over them.

"Where the hell did they come from?" O'Neill had asked, obviously cursing himself for not paying enough attention.

"I don't know, sir. I had no idea they were even there," Major Carter had replied, instinctively ducking as shots were fired over them, the energy blasts catching the surrounding trees. Soon the smell of burning greenwood filled the air.

"Where are they?" Major Carter had asked looking around for the source of the shots. O'Neill glanced around while the Major provided covering fire.

"Four, maybe five, in front, and at least another three to the right. At least they're not behind us. We should be able to make a run for the 'Gate."

Major Carter glanced at him, looking doubtful.

"You got a better idea?"

She had sighed and shook her head.

"Fine. You go. I'll cover you." He had glared at her when he saw she was about to protest. "Go! And grab Daniel. Teal'c and I will hold them off and follow you," he added as the other two reached them.

"Sir..." she had started to protest, but she was cut off by his shouted order.

"Go Carter! Now!"

She had finally acquiesced, motioning to Daniel to follow her in the mad dash to the Gate. They heard Teal'c and O'Neill fire shots behind them as they ran, ducking energy blasts and trying not to miss their footing on the uneven ground. Carter had glanced back briefly, and saw O'Neill and Teal'c begin to make their retreat. She had waved Jackson on, and taken refuge behind a nearby tree to cover them.

"Get back to the 'Gate Daniel and dial us out of here!" she had yelled at him over the din. Jackson had known he wouldn't be much help in the fire fight, so he had continued back to the 'Gate.

And so it had gone for the next fifteen or twenty minutes - they would take turns providing covering fire and waving Daniel on. Finally they had reached the small clearing where the 'Gate resided. Daniel Jackson ran to the DHD, and started to frantically dial them home. Within seconds the 'Gate opened with its familiar 'whoosh', but for once it went unheard in the cacophony of the battle.

It was then that things went from bad to worse. Just as they had almost reached Daniel Jackson at the 'Gate, an energy blast, much more powerful than they had previously experienced, rocked the clearing. When they managed to regain their bearings they saw Daniel Jackson lying on the ground, badly hurt.

"Go!" O'Neill had yelled. "I'll cover you." He exchanged glances with Major Carter again, but the look on his face persuaded her not to argue with him this time. She had followed Teal'c as he got up and ran towards Daniel Jackson. O'Neill fired shots as quickly and in as many directions as he could.

"Colonel!" Major Carter's cry came to Teal'c above the sound of explosions. Looking back, he saw her start to make her way back to her commanding officer. Following her gaze, Teal'c saw O'Neill lying prone on the ground. After a split second of indecision, he pushed Daniel Jackson's unconscious form through the wormhole, wincing inwardly at the rough landing he knew he'd experience at the other end. But there was no other option. Then he turned and ran back to grab Major Carter, trying to avoid the shots being fired wildly around him. He managed to grab her just as what appeared to be transport rings appeared over the unconscious Colonel. When they had gone, so had he.

"NO! Colonel!"

Major Carter's scream would echo in his mind for the rest of his life. She froze briefly and then began to fight him with all her strength, trying desperately to reach the place where the Colonel had been.

"Jack!"

An energy blast caught them, throwing them back towards the 'Gate. They landed heavily, and Major Carter had taken the brunt of the blast. Though dazed, somehow Teal'c managed to find the strength to stand up and find Major Carter and drag her battered and bloodied form back through the 'Gate to safety.

The End.