"If At First You Don't Succeed" by Alexandra

Title: If at first you don't succeed.

Author: Alexandra

Category: Sam and Jack romance

Spoilers/Sequel: None that I can think of. If there are any they are so minute you won't be spoiled.

Season: Three plus

Status: Complete

Archive: Sam and Jack, Heliopolis. Anywhere else, just ask me :-)

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, and I'm not making any money out of this. No infringement of rights is intended.

Warnings: Graphic sex.

Summary: A night out for Janet's birthday has unexpected consequences. Can Sam and Jack work past them? Challenge response. [You can figure out which one, but I think the title kinda gives it away.]

Feedback: I think this goes without saying, don't you?

Notes: Thanks to Hammer and Annie for beta'ing, to Becc for her encouragement, Nikki for her help with the 'fight' scene, and everyone else for their infinite patience. Look! See! I finished something!!! I know this *isn't* what I should be working on [hides from Ann, Flo and everyone else who's been asking after the Nine Weeks or Dusk sequels], but well. sometimes you have to go with the creative flow. I promise they will get finished though!

And could someone *please* teach me how to write a pwp? Every time I try I get caught up in a plot!

Copyright Alexandra Dickson July 2000

****

Sam looked at her reflection in the mirror and sighed. It would have to do, she supposed. Daniel would be here any minute to pick her up, and she didn't have time to change again. She left the bathroom and reentered her bedroom. Clothes were strewn across her bed, remnants of her effort to find an outfit that she felt comfortable in, but which also looked fancy. She wasn't used to going out anywhere decent anymore, and felt almost ridiculous in her knee length blue dress and high strappy sandals. Jeans and her leather jacket were much more her style. Hell, she felt more comfortable in her dress uniform than she did in this dress. But Janet had insisted she buy it some months back; she had said it looked fabulous on her and would never forgive her if she didn't get it. Sam had been doubtful, but had given in. The only reason she was wearing it tonight was because there was nothing else in her closet anywhere near as suitable. To top it off, she was also wearing more make up than she was used to too, and it made her face feel strange. She sighed, and began hanging up the discarded clothes in the closet while she waited for Daniel to arrive. They were going to some fancy restaurant for Janet's birthday, and if Janet had her way, there would be some dancing and the like afterwards. Finally she heard the doorbell ring, and she made a quick grab at her purse, and ran down the stairs.

"Coming!" she called as she reached the door and undid the deadlock. She opened the door to find not Daniel standing on her doorstep, but her CO.

"Sir! I wasn't expecting you. I thought Daniel." she started, startled and a little uncomfortable.

"He went to pick up Janet, and I volunteered to pick you up," he explained, trying to keep his eyes from wandering where they shouldn't. He frowned. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Jack when we're off-duty?"

Sam smiled at him a little nervously; she could feel his eyes on her. Did she really look that silly? "Sorry, s. Jack. It's a habit. Let me get my coat." She turned back into the hallway and headed for the closet for her coat. Jack's eyes followed her. That dress she was wearing was absolutely stunning. It was a deep shade of blue, and was made of that stretchy material that was so popular at the moment. It clung to all the right places; emphasizing her perfect chest, flat stomach and slim hips. Her high strappy sandals showed off her perfectly toned legs, making them appear as though they went on and on forever. Despite himself he felt a familiar stirring in his groin. Good lord, what had he gotten himself into when he'd said he'd pick Sam up? The drive to the restaurant in the taxi was going to be hell. What he really wanted to do was push her back inside, pick her up and take her to her bedroom. Once there he'd.

He firmly squashed the thought. Don't even go there, O'Neill.

Sam returned, throwing her coat around her shoulders, and allowed herself a surreptitious glance at her CO. He was wearing black pants, with a smart black shirt, and his leather jacket. God he looked great in black! Jack led her to the passenger side of the car, and she was able to get a good view of his well-toned butt.

'Stop it, Sam! Stop it, stop it, stop it!' Sam reprimanded herself, bringing her gaze up to Jack's as he opened the door for her. He was frowning. Great, what had she done now? Sam got in and Jack followed, closing the door behind him. She sat, a little embarrassed, wishing for her fatigues and the familiarity of the base as he told the driver where they were going. Dammit Sam, get a grip, she told herself. He's a friend, and you're going out to dinner with other friends. There is nothing to be nervous about.

The journey to the restaurant was taken in silence, neither really knowing what to say. For once, they didn't flirt or exchange smart quips; Sam was too nervous, and Jack was trying desperately to ignore Sam's perfume and those wonderful legs he could see out of the corner of his eye. Finally they reached their destination to find Daniel, Janet, and Teal'c already there. The taxi came to a halt and Sam stepped out with not a small measure of relief. She moved quickly over to greet her friends as Jack paid the driver.

"Happy birthday, Janet," Sam wished, giving her friend a hug.

"Thanks," Janet smiled, "Come on, let's go inside before they give away our table."

Inside the restaurant, the waiter offered to take their coats, and Sam reluctantly took hers off and handed it over.

"Wow, Sam.You look great!" Daniel said. Sam blushed, but missed the glare Jack sent Daniel's way.

"Thank you."

"See? I said you were a knock out in that," Janet said, as she took her seat. Daniel immediately sat next to her, with Teal'c seating himself next to him. There were only two seats left, and Sam took the one on Janet's other side, and was aware of Jack taking the last one next to her.

"You do indeed look beautiful, Major Carter," Teal'c complimented in his serious manner.

"Oh, for cryin' out loud, Teal'c, you're as bad as she is. We're off duty, celebrating Janet's birthday, call her Sam," Jack said with a half grin. Teal'c raised an eyebrow at Jack, then turned his gaze to Sam, as though asking permission. Sam nodded with a smile.

The waiter came round with the wine list and they ordered a couple of bottles of the best, including a bottle of champagne. Then they concentrated on the menus, or at least Sam tried to. She was full of awareness of the man next to her, whose thigh kept brushing hers beneath the table. At each touch, a small thrill went through her, and she felt butterflies in her stomach. The wine arrived, and Sam fell on her glass with relief. She needed something to relax her. Why on earth was she feeling so nervous and jittery tonight? It wasn't as if she hadn't been out with Jack in similar situations before. There was nothing different about this one.

But somehow there was.

Jack found himself casting small sideways glances at Sam as they discussed what they would order. It was as though he couldn't take his eyes off her. Then again, that was nothing new. They ordered, and Jack glanced at her again, but this time he found her looking at him as well. He held her gaze for a few moments, watching as her eyes changed from that brilliant blue to something darker. She couldn't possibly be attracted to him.Could she? Unconsciously he reached out underneath the table to briefly touch her thigh to test his thought, and was amazed to see the reaction in her eyes at his touch. He reached out again, resting his hand on her thigh, but this time he left it there. She blushed and looked away, but he felt her move closer to him and he hid a smile of triumph. Jack heard Teal'c ask him something and he regretfully turned his attention to him.

Sam swallowed a gasp as Jack's hand came to rest lightly on her thigh, his fingers slowly curving around it. She couldn't believe this was happening. Carefully she shifted her body closer to him, giving him easier access. She reached for her wine glass again. He was answering some question Teal'c had asked him, but Sam wasn't really concentrating on the conversation. All her thoughts were on Jack's hand as he slowly stroked his way down to her knee, tickling the sensitive skin beneath it. His hand was warm, and his slightly calloused fingers felt incredible against the soft skin of her thigh. Sam thought she'd never felt anything so erotic in her life.

Both were concentrating so fully on his actions they missed the knowing look and nudge Janet gave Daniel. Somehow they both managed to make conversation with the others until their meals arrived. Jack reluctantly removed his hand so that he could eat. Sam's thigh felt cold without it. She finished her glass of wine and started on another.

As the meal progressed and they made their way through the wine, Sam and Jack began to relax a little more. They joked and flirted, 'accidentally' brushing their legs together beneath the table. But he didn't put his hand on her knee again, and she was a little disappointed.

They finished the meal, and ordered liqueur coffees all round in lieau of desserts. They sat for a while longer, talking and laughing about inconsequential things, before Janet suggested they move on. They called for the check, and split it between four of them - insisting that Janet would not pay for her own meal. Then they moved on to a bar Janet knew of with a dance floor. By this time Sam was completely relaxed; her third glass of wine and the coffee liqueur finally kicking in. Inside the bar Jack ordered them drinks and they took their seats at an empty round booth in the corner. As it was a weeknight, the bar wasn't packed and there were few people on the dance floor. Sam slid into the booth, taking her spot next to Janet again. She smiled at Jack as he slid in next to her. Their drinks arrived, and Sam reached for hers gratefully. For some reason she needed the false courage the alcohol was giving her. She looked up and caught Janet's amused glance, raising an eyebrow at her as if to say 'what?'. Out of the corner of her eye Sam saw Jack casually put his arm out across the back of the seat behind her. She hid her smile in her glass as she took a sip, leaning back until her back came into contact with his arm. Taking a deep breath, and another large sip of her drink she shifted a little closer to Jack, until she was almost - but not quite - sitting right under his arm. She looked up at him then, and was startled to see how dark Jack's eyes had become. Sam tore her eyes away from him and leaned forward to hear what Daniel was saying, but her mind was elsewhere. What the hell was she doing? This was so very wrong! She should stop it right now. But Jack's hand came down to rest on her hip, and she practically jumped, feeling a jolt of warmth shoot through her to her groin.

'Oh, who cares?' she thought, leaning back to sit fully in his embrace.

Jack was amazed at his actions. Ok, so he'd had a bit to drink, but that was no excuse for what he was doing - coming on to his 2IC like this. But he couldn't seem to help himself, and what was more, she was letting him! He felt her move closer to him, settling herself in the crook of his shoulder. She leaned forward slightly to hear whatever it was Daniel was saying. He let his hand fall casually to her hip, and he felt her jump. He almost pulled his hand back, but she seemed to make a decision, and sat back to sit fully in his embrace, her thigh resting warmly next to his. From this vantage point he could look right down the top of her dress to the valley between her breasts. The image of him running his hands across them, making the nipples stand erect, filled his mind. He felt himself stir. Looking up, he caught Daniel's amused grin, and Janet's slightly smug look. If he didn't know better, he'd have thought they were up to something. Come to think of it, why had Daniel suddenly decided that it would be better for him to pick Janet up, when he lived closer to Sam? But she shifted closer to him, and he decided not to care. He looked down at the beauty beside him, and she looked up, giving him one of her amazing smiles.

"You wanna dance?" he asked, desperately needing to feel her body against his.

"Yes," she replied huskily. She put her glass down without breaking eye contact with him, and he moved out of the booth, holding out his hand to her. Still smiling she accepted it, and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, and draw her close.

"I didn't tell you how incredible you look tonight, did I?" he asked softly, slipping one hand around her waist, the other finding Sam's hand and drawing it up to hold against his chest. She slipped her free hand around his waist to gently stroke his back. She blushed and shook her head. He tenderly pushed a lock of hair back from her face.

"You look incredible. That dress is. stunning." He pulled her closer, trying to make her feel what it did to him - what *she* did to him. Her eyes widened as she felt his obvious arousal against her.

"Jack." she said softly, parting her legs so one of his could move between them. She thrust ever so slightly against him, telling him with her body what she could not say aloud. He swallowed and his eyes darkened. Damn he wanted to kiss her - so very badly. But this wasn't the time or the place. They shouldn't even be on the dance floor like this, for goodness sake! He saw her reach the same conclusion and they both sighed. She turned her head and leaned it against his chest. They stayed that way, gently swaying to the music until the song finished.

"Drink?" Jack asked.

Sam nodded. "Please."

"Same as before?"

She nodded again, and headed back for the booth, trying to get her screaming emotions [and hormones] under control. Just his touch, the feel of him against her had been enough to heighten her arousal. Just as she reached the booth, Daniel and Janet got up to go to the dance floor themselves. As they passed each other Janet winked at Sam. Sam grinned back and took her seat, watching as Jack brought their drinks over.

"Teal'c, you want anything?" Jack asked. Teal'c shook his head.

"No. Thank you O'Neill," Teal'c declined with a tilt of his head.

They sat, talked, laughed, drank, danced and flirted heavily for the next couple of hours, exchanging the occasional 'accidental' touch or caress, until Janet finally announced that they had better leave before they were thrown out. They grabbed their coats and staggered out of the bar and onto the pavement. [Well, Teal'c didn't stagger; he walked beside his friends with a bemused look on his face.] Somehow they managed to make it to the taxi ranks, and before Sam and Jack knew what was happening, Janet and Daniel had bundled them into the first one, and they were off home.

Somehow they ended up at Sam's place, and they fell out of the cab, laughing at some inane joke Jack had made. Jack paid the driver and they stumbled up the steps to Sam's front door, still chuckling as Sam hunted for her keys. She finally found them, but before she inserted them in the lock, she turned back to Jack, leaning against the door. A small part of her alcohol-soaked brain was warning her that this wasn't a good idea, but she resolutely ignored it. She was long past caring and high on dutch courage.

"You know," she said huskily, "You'll need to come in and order another cab."

"Yeah," he replied, leaning closer. "I guess I will."

The next thing Sam knew they were kissing. Jack arms came firmly around her, pushing her back against the door, trying to communicate with his body how much he wanted her. His hands roamed her body, his tongue invading her mouth, caressing hers. Sam moaned and ground her hips against his in encouragement.

Jack broke off the kiss, his breathing heavy. He pushed back a lock of Sam's now well-mussed hair, admiring her passion-darkened eyes in the pale light of the street lamps.

"You sure about this?" he asked.

In reply, Sam turned slightly, pushed the keys in the lock, opened the door

and pulled him inside.

"I take that as a yes," Jack grinned, shutting the door behind him. He pulled her to him, his lips meeting hers, revelling in the way her mouth immediately opened under his, welcoming his tongue. This time it was her turn to push him against the door, pulling his jacket from his shoulders, as he did the same to hers. She broke the kiss and trailed light kisses along his jaw, and down his neck. The jacket reached his wrists, and she struggled to remove it without stopping nibbling at that sensitive spot on Jack's neck she'd discovered. She whimpered when he pushed her away slightly, and finished taking his jacket off. She came around enough to do the same, and slip off her sandals as well. Within moments they were together again, Jack beginning his own assault on the sensitive skin of Sam's neck, making her gasp.

"Bedroom?" he asked, his voice muffled in her neck, where he continued to nibble.

"Upstairs," she finally managed. "First on the left." She let a small squeal and a delighted giggle as Jack surprised her by picking her up. "Jack!"

He chuckled and headed for the stairs, only stopping to kiss her soundly at the foot of them, breaking off with a gasp as Sam found one nipple through his shirt and caressed it gently. She then burrowed her lips into his neck, nipping at the sensitive skin and drinking in the scent of his aftershave. Somehow Jack managed to navigate the stairs despite the distracting feeling of Sam working her way up from his neck across his chin. Finally reaching the top of the stairs, he let her slide back down his body, and reaching for the zipper of her dress. This was taking too long - he wanted to touch her warm, soft skin *now*. She obviously felt the same way, judging by the determined way she was pulling at his shirt. Their mouths met again in an increasingly frenzied and passionate kiss, as he pushed her dress from her shoulders and she fiddled with his buttons, eventually succeeding in opening and removing it. Sam whimpered when he drew his mouth away from hers and started a fiery trail of kisses across her cheek to her ear, which he nibbled on gently, while his hands sought and found her breasts, repaying some of the torment she had put him through moments before. His fingers encircled her nipples, toying with them until they stood up taunt and erect against the sheer fabric of her bra. Backing her up against the wall, his lips left her ear and continued downwards, sucking and biting at her neck, and lower over the swell of her breast. His fingers left her nipple to be replaced with his mouth and he repeated his previous actions on her neck, sucking and biting gently through the fabric. He felt her hands rise to rest against his head, holding it closer as she gasped with pleasure. His free hand worked its way slowly downward over her abdomen, seeking the apex of her legs, and sliding his hand inside her panties. He stopped his mouth's ministrations on her breast and raised his eyes to look at her as his fingers slid between her already slick folds. She moaned and thrust her hips against him, her head thrown back and her eyes closed.

Sam couldn't believe this was happening, and she was long past caring about the consequences. Jack's lips on her breasts felt too erotic, and she felt a familiar dampness between her legs. God, how she wanted him, so very badly. She moaned with desire as his hand found the small nub between her legs and began a slow gentle caress, making her knees go weak. His mouth was still working at her nipple, sucking, biting and caressing it with his tongue through the fabric. Just as she thought the combination of sensations at her breast and between her legs would make her come on the spot, he removed his hand from inside her panties, and trailed his damp fingers back up her side. His mouth left her breast once more and returned to hers, his tongue sliding effortlessly between her lips, just as she wanted another part of him to do between her legs. His hands were still active though, keeping up their caresses of her nipples.

Sam thought she'd never been so turned on in all her life. But up against a wall when there was a perfectly acceptable bed nearby wasn't her idea of fun.

"Jack," Sam whispered, her breath tickling his ear. She gasped as his hands skimmed over her heated skin, to find the clasp of her bra at her back.

"Yeah?? he asked, fumbling with the clasp.<

"Bedroom?" she reminded him, as he finally worked the hooks free and slid the redundant bra from her shoulders, baring her breasts to his hands finally. He barely got to touch them before she pushed him away and led him through the doorway to her bed. She lay back on the bed and watched him remove his shoes and socks, and pants, silhouetted by the dim light from the hallway. He knelt on the end of the bed, watching her for a moment, and she knew he could see more of her than she could of him, so she smiled and held out her hand. He took it, and placed small kisses all the way up, making her gasp. Straddling her then, he bent down and took her lips in a passionate, possessive and utterly mind-blowing kiss. She wrapped her arms around him, caressing his back with her fingertips, and encouraging him to settle himself above her. Once more his lips moved from her mouth to trail across her cheek, up over her forehead to her other cheek, and to her neck. His lower body thrust against her, and she became aware that he was no longer wearing any underwear, and she could touch and caress his taut buttocks freely without any pesky fabric to get in her way.

Jack thought he'd died and gone to heaven. He was finally making love to Samantha Carter - and it wasn't some erotic fantasy! He fondled her breasts with almost reverent joy, and placed gentle kisses down over them, before taking one taut nipple in his mouth. He could feel her hands on his butt, slowly kneading them and running her tongue around his earlobe. God, how did she know what turned him on? He thrust instinctively against her, his erection straining against the warm skin of her abdomen. He moved downwards, determined to give her everything she wanted before having his own release. He took his time, placing kisses and gently nipping at her skin, enjoying her small sighs. Hooking his thumbs into her panties he pulled them down over her thighs, and off. Then he stopped and looked up - something in her breathing had changed. He placed a trail of kisses up her body until he reached her face. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing light and regular.

"Sam?" he asked softly. She didn't reply, just sighed and settled back into her pillow. "Sam?" he tried again. No response.

Jack sat back on his heels, unable to believe it.

Sam was asleep.

*********

Sam woke the next morning with the hangover from hell. She lay in bed for a few minutes, wondering what on earth had possessed her to drink so much - especially as she wasn't a big drinker anyway. [It dulled your reactions and made you lose all sense of self-control, and she hated that sensation.] She moaned softly and rolled over to take a look at her clock. Almost 0900. She rubbed a hand over her face and through her hair. There was something she was forgetting; something about the time. She shrugged it off and tried to go back to sleep, pulling the covers back up over her shoulder and nestling her head gently into her pillow. Any sudden movements and she thought her entire head would explode. She made a mental note *never* to drink that much again.

She lay there for about ten minutes, her head pounding in her ears, before her bladder made itself painfully known to her, and forced her [carefully] from her bed. Finding her robe in the gloom, she made her way to her ensuite, blinking in pain as she turned on the very over-bright light. Having resolved the issue of her protesting bladder, Sam decided the next course of action should be to brush her teeth and wash her face. Her mouth had that horrid taste in it one got after going to bed having had too much to eat and drink and not bothering to brush. And her face felt absolutely terrible - she had worn so much more makeup than usual the night before, and had not had the chance to take it off before she fell into bed.

Something about that bothered her as well. But like the clock, she shrugged it off, unable and unwilling to try and fathom it out in her current state.

The toothpaste tasted wonderful in her mouth, and she gave them an extra good scrub in an attempt to get the last of the nasty taste. The water when she washed her face felt heavenly, and she mentally noted to give herself a facial later that evening. For now she settled for her favorite cleanser and lukewarm water. Having got that far, and beginning to feel marginally better, although her head still pounded like someone was taking a jackhammer to it, she decided a shower would be the next thing. She turned the shower head from the usual 'massage' setting she had it on, to something more gentle, waited for the water to heat up, then she slipped off her robe and hopped under the spray. She stood that way for some time, letting the water just run over and through her hair. Eventually she reached for her body wash and sponge, filling her bathroom with a clean fresh scent, followed by shampoo. She exited feeling vaguely more alive and awake. After toweling herself off she looked at herself in the mirror, trying to assess just how hung over she looked. That was when she noticed it. She gasped and her hand flew up to the very large, very evident red mark on her throat. And the other on her collarbone.

Oh. My. God.

She closed her eyes and leaned against the vanity as her memories of the previous night's activities came back in a rush. Jack picking her up. his hand on her thigh. the wine. dancing with him. drinking with him. coming home with him. getting upstairs to her bedroom.

Oh no, she hadn't, please say she hadn't! After all this time, she couldn't possibly have!

But she had. Three years of pining for Jack O'Neill and she'd finally had him in her bed, and she'd fallen asleep.

She'd actually fallen asleep while Jack made love to her. Oh, god! How embarrassing! How was she going to be able to look him in the eye again? Sleeping with him would have been one thing - she could have dealt with that, but to fall asleep? He would have been so insulted! Damn it! Why had she drunk so much?

Taking a deep breath, she went back to her bedroom.

'Ok, Sam,' she thought, 'first things first - you need to get dressed. Then you need to find something for this headache, and a cup of coffee. *Then* you can panic.'

Hunting through her drawers she found an old T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants and some socks. The covers on her bed were quickly made tidy and she ran her hands through her damp hair before heading for the stairs, which was where she spotted the remnants of last night's outfit - they still lay in a pile on the landing outside her bedroom door. Sam groaned and blushed, wishing she could go back in time and stop herself from making such an idiot of herself. She quickly bundled up the dress and bra, threw them back into her bedroom, and firmly closed the door after her.

Aspirin. Coffee. In that order.

Half way down the stairs the doorbell rang shrilly, making Sam wince and rub her temples. Who the hell was that? She really wasn't up to company right now. The bell rang again and she hurried to answer it before they could send any more pain shooting through her aching head. She paused only to throw her jacket and sandals which were still lying in a pile in front of the door in the closet, she undid the deadlock, and winced at the bright sunlight entered along with her visitors.

"Good morning!" Janet said brightly as she entered, Daniel close behind her.

"We were beginning to think you were ignoring us," he added with a sly grin.

Sam looked blankly at them after closing the door. Daniel held up a large bag from a nearby bakery.

"Breakfast?" Janet prodded. "You invited us. Remember?"

Sam groaned and leaned against the door with her head in her hands. "I'm sorry, I completely forgot."

"Obviously," Janet said with a hint of laughter in her voice. "Daniel, go and make some strong coffee would you? Sam obviously needs one."

Sam passively followed her friends into her kitchen, sitting herself on a stool at the breakfast bar while they bustled around organizing breakfast. She rested her head in hands, wishing the pounding in her head would disappear. Janet placed a glass of water and two aspirin in front of her and she downed them gratefully.

"Is Jack up yet?" Daniel asked as he found the coffee mugs.

Sam's head came up sharply and stared at him, a bright blush suffusing her cheeks. "I have no idea," she stammered.

Janet and Daniel exchanged a glance. "He's not here then?" Daniel continued.

"No," Sam said firmly. "Why would he be?"

"Uh. no reason," Daniel replied. "Nevermind, I'll go give him a call. He said he'd be here this morning. Teal'c sends his apologies, though," he called back as he made his way into the living room to find the phone.

"Daniel, I really wish you wouldn't," Sam started, but Daniel was already out of earshot. Oh well, Jack probably wouldn't come anyway.

"Ok," Janet said. "You want to tell me what happened? You two were all over each other last night. You can't tell me that the taxi dropped you off, he went home and nothing happened."

"Oh, Janet," Sam said dejectedly. "I'm such an idiot!"

Janet hid her jubilation that something *finally* had happened between her two friends after all this time. "What went wrong?"

"I." Sam took a breath and started again. "He came back with me, you're right. Things were going really well until."

"Until what?"

"I fell asleep," Sam admitted in a quiet voice.

Janet was speechless. Then she tried - a little unsuccessfully - to hide her laughter.

"You fell asleep?" she asked, between giggles. 'Oh Sam."

"It's not funny Janet! I'm so embarrassed! How could I? He's going to be so insulted! How am I ever going to be able to look him in the eye again?"

"Well, you'd better think of something - he'll be here in fifteen minutes," Daniel announced from the doorway.

Her head in her hands, Sam groaned again - it seemed to be the only response she could come up with that morning. "Oh god. What am I going to do?"

"It can't have been that bad," Janet said.

"It was!" Sam replied. Then she realized what she had just said must have sounded like. "I mean, it wasn't, it was great, I just." She blushed; nothing she said seemed to be coming out right. Taking a sip of her coffee, she tried to explain. "I had too much to drink, for the first time in I don' t know how long, I was relaxed in his company, and I fell asleep."

Janet put her arm around her friend's shoulders.

"I can't believe this is happening. What am I going to do?" she repeated.

"Well, for a start, you're going to go upstairs and get changed. You don't want to face him in that old t-shirt, do you?" Janet asked. Sam shook her head. "Just something casual will do. Jeans. And that blue turtleneck top. You look great in that."

Sam nodded, and stood up. "Thanks Janet. And you Daniel." They both grinned.

"Oh, and Sam? Brush your hair!" Janet called out as Sam went back upstairs to change.

Sam was still upstairs when Jack knocked on the door. For a moment she froze, unwilling to go back downstairs. She couldn't face him, she just couldn't. She'd rather face Apophis and Sok'ar together than Jack right now. Hearing voices downstairs though, she knew she couldn't stay up here all morning. For one thing, Janet would come looking for her, and drag her back to the kitchen. Taking a deep breath, she opened her bedroom door and headed down.

Jack was in the kitchen when she walked in, sitting at the breakfast bar, nursing a cup of fresh coffee. He looked up at her as she walked in, but his expression remained carefully neutral.

'Great,' Sam thought. 'I'd rather he glared at me than give me that horrible blank stare!'

"Hi," she said quietly.

"Hey," he replied. "Sleep well?"

Sam visibly flinched, and Jack mentally kicked himself. He hadn't actually meant it like that; it had been a polite question. But once again his mouth ran ahead of his brain. 'Yeah, great one, Jack,' he thought. He watched her duck her head and take a seat next to Janet, refusing to look at him. Janet shot him a nasty look, and he made his 'I'm sorry, I didn't really mean to say that' face.

"Pancakes anyone?" Daniel asked, breaking the tense silence.

A surprise talent of Daniel's had been his pancake making ability, and both Jack and Janet quickly claimed one. Sam remained silent however, Jack noticed. She looked distinctly pale and hungover, and he felt sorry for her. She really did have a lot to drink the night before, and in hindsight it was no wonder she had fallen asleep. In fact, he thought, she was damn lucky not to have ended up in the bathroom bent over the toilet bowl. But then, she may not have been quite so embarrassed about that. Ok, so he hadn't been too happy at first - no, make that he'd been rather pissed off. Three years of fantasizing about making love to Samantha Carter, and she'd fallen asleep halfway through! He'd thought more of his abilities than that! He'd never had any complaints before - and no woman had ever fallen asleep! He'd rather irritably pulled the covers over her peacefully sleeping form, found his clothes in the dim light, and left - tripping over her clothes on his way out of her bedroom. It wasn't until he'd gotten home that he realized it wasn't really her fault - or his. He just had to find a way of rectifying the situation.

And asking her if she'd slept well wasn't the best way to go about it.

The meal progressed quietly, with none of the usual quips and flirting from any of the team members. Janet and Jack went back for seconds of Daniel's pancakes [Jack for thirds], and Sam confined herself to one very plain bagel and a couple of cups of Daniel's coffee.

"Ok, this is ridiculous," Janet finally said, exasperated. She made several attempts at making conversation, and all had been met with monosyllabic answers from Sam, or smartass conversation-ending quips from Jack. "Daniel and I are going to leave the two of you to sort this out between you. You'll have to do it sometime - and preferably before you go on your next mission."

And with that, Janet unceremoniously grabbed Daniel's arm and led him out, leaving Sam and Jack staring after them.

***

"Trust them to make a mess, and leave us with the dishes," Jack asked with a small smile, as he started to clear the breakfast debris.

"You don't have to stay and help," Sam pointed out irritably. She was still hurting from his comment about how she had slept, not to mention embarrassed, and was hell-bent on making him hurt as well.

Jack sighed, and tried to take another tack. He really wanted to sort things out.

"You really *did* look good last night," he complimented her - well, he thought he was. All Sam caught was the emphasis he put on 'did', and took it to mean she didn't now, without the dress and all the makeup.

"Yes, *sir* and I'm well aware I don't look that great now. Sorry. I didn't get much *beauty* sleep."

"For crying out loud, *Sam*, that wasn't what I meant!" Jack replied with irritation. Sam wasn't the only one with a hangover this morning after all. "And I wasn't aware that you got a lot of that at all," he muttered under his breath.

"What?" she cried, very hurt now. "How dare you!"

'Oh well done, Jack! Great! What the hell did you say that for?' he thought. "I just meant. Oh never mind what I meant!" He threw the dishcloth he was holding angrily into the sink. Trying to reign in his rapidly dissolving temper, he tried one last time.

"Sam, that didn't come out the way I intended, honestly. I just meant you never seem to get enough rest. You always choose to hang around the base and work whenever we get any leave."

"Oh, so now this is a 'let's attack Sam for actually *enjoying* her work' session is it?" she virtually shouted.

"No!" he replied, his voice also rising.

"I just. Look, last night was a mistake."

"Oh, so now it wasn't only terrible, it was also a mistake? Well, thank you Jack! I had a good time too! Did you ever stop to think that it might have been *your* fault? That maybe if you'd held my attention I wouldn't have fallen asleep in the first place?" She pushed passed him and headed to the living room.

"*My* fault? I don't remember being the one who felt the need to drown themselves in alcohol!" he yelled, following her. This situation was rapidly getting out of hand. He took a deep breath. "There absolutely nothing I can say to you is there? You're just gonna take every word that comes out of my mouth and twist it around."

She rounded on him. "If that's what you think, then why don't you just leave?" she cried.

"Why don't I?" he agreed, finally losing his temper completely.

With that he stormed in the direction of the door, and Sam had to resist the impulse to throw a nearby vase after him. But he stopped halfway there, and turned back to her.

"No."

"No?" she repeated, her voice incredulous.

"No, I don't want to leave."

He came towards her, grabbed her shoulders and kissed her, hard. He pulled back and stared at her for a moment to gauge her reaction, then lowered his head and kissed her again, just as hard and furiously as before, and this time she responded. They fought with their bodies, trying to get closer, but it wasn't passion driving them, but anger. They both wanted to be in control; to be able to hurt the other. Finally Jack forced himself to pull back and take a deep breath.

"No," he said softly, taking in her flushed cheeks and angry gaze. "Not like this."

Sam stared at him, then pushed him away with all her strength. "'Not like this?!' Why do you always say that? Like what then? What the *hell* do you want from me, Jack?" she yelled, on the verge of losing her self-control and just sobbing her heart out. This was tearing her apart. Did he want her or not?

"I don't know!" he yelled back. "I just know that I don't want to make love to you when we're angry, or drunk, or infected with some alien virus! I want to know that you want this as much as I do, that you're sober, and that it's really you I'm making love to."

All the anger and energy to fight him left Sam then and she collapsed on the sofa, exhausted. He came and knelt before her, taking her hands in his. She looked tired and drained - and this shouting undoubtedly wasn't doing her hangover any good.

"Sam, look at me," he said softly, tilting her head up with his fingertips to meet his gaze. Her blue eyes were clouded with pain and distress. "I want you. I always have wanted you. But if you're unsure, I won't push you. And I promise I won't ever mention this again."

"Oh, Jack, I do want you."

"But?" he prodded.

"I just. What happens if you decide this was a mistake?"

"I haven't spent three years fantasizing about you to suddenly decide it was a mistake, Sam," he reassured her, watching her eyes widen as she realized he had admitted to fantasizing about her. "And as long as we keep it quiet and off-base, that shouldn't be a problem either. I sincerely doubt that Teal'c or Danny will complain to anyone that you get preferential treatment over them," he finished with a grin.

That elicited a small smile from her, and he caressed her cheek, gently tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear. He stood and held out his hand to her, which she took with a shy smile, and he gently led her up the stairs to her bedroom.

Once inside her stood her at the foot of the bed and kissed her, sliding his arms around her waist. He stared at her for a long moment, as though drinking in her appearance. He lowered his head and kissed her then, his tongue requesting entrance to her mouth. Sam responded wholeheartedly, her arms tightening around him, moving lower to caress his taut butt through his jeans. She deepened the kiss, caressing his tongue with hers; wanting to show him how much she *did* want this to happen, how much she wanted him. Eventually they had to come up for air, and Sam smiled at Jack as she gently stroked a hand through his short hair. Standing on her tiptoes she traced the tip of her tongue along his lips, then a trail of small nibbling kisses along his jaw and down his throat. The salty taste of his skin and the smell of his cologne drove her almost wild. She bit down a little harder than she intended as his hand found her breast through her top, and he toyed with her nipple. Feeling him wince, she looked up.

"Sorry," she said softly.

He shook his head and chuckled. "You like that?" he asked, repeating his caress. She closed her eyes.

"Oh yes."

"Tell me what you want Sam," he ordered. "What you like."

She smiled impishly, and started to pull his t-shirt from his jeans. "I want to touch you," she said seductively. He grinned, and stepped back to pull off t-shirt. When he reached for the button of his jeans, Sam reached out her hand to stop him, and he grinned. She kissed him again, their tongues exploring each other's mouths as their hands collided at the fly of his jeans. Sam beat his away, and succeeded to get it undone and slide them off his slim hips. They came together this time, Jack's hands exploring her body through her clothes, as hers found their way beneath the waistband of his briefs to caress his perfect butt, then move around to the front, between them, to cup and stroke his hardening penis.

"Sam," he gasped, breaking the kiss and pulling her hand away. "Not yet. Keep that up and this won't last long at all."

She began to giggle, but quickly stifled them as she caught a mock-stern look from him.

Then he proceeded to undress her, taking his time, interspersing the removal of each garment with kisses. This time he committed everything he saw to memory - what made her shudder and gasp, what she did and didn't like. By the time he had finished and she stood naked before him, she was already wet with anticipation. He removed his briefs, freeing his now straining and slightly leaking penis.

He crawled on the bed, making himself comfortable and holding his arms out to her to join him. She smiled and took his hand, snuggled against his warm body. He kissed her again, caressing her sides with his fingertips. She leaned into him, enjoying the sensation of her breasts rubbing against the soft hair on his chest. Her fingers traced a delicate pattern across his abdomen and northwards, and when she reached one of his small, sensitive nipples, she broke the kiss and shifted so she could flick her tongue against it. His sharp intake of breath told her enjoyed the sensation as much as she did. She didn't get to enjoy it for long, however, as Jack soon resumed control of the situation. He was sure that if he let Sam have her way, this would be over in a matter of minutes, and after all they had been through the last few hours, a few minutes of pleasure was most certainly not going to make up for it.

He grabbed both of her wandering hands, and drew them over her head, making her roll onto her back. He nuzzled that spot at the curve of her neck and shoulder that he knew drove her wild, before inching lower towards her breast. Taking the taut nipple in his mouth he rolled it around with his tongue, making her arch towards him, and moan softly. Yup, she definitely liked that. He bit down gently, squeezing her nipple with teeth, before repeating the exquisite torture on its twin. His other hand explored lower, running lightly over her taut, flat abs; feeling her shiver with the caress. He continued downwards, over her hip, and the outside of her thigh to her knee, before working his way up her inner thigh. Her skin felt so soft, warm and smooth, and she sighed with delight as he reached the apex of her legs, cupping her already damp curls briefly. She raised her hips against his hand, and slipped two fingers into her slick folds, exploring and teasing her, all the while keeping up his ministrations on her breasts.

"Jack?" Sam whispered.

"Hmmm?" he asked, stopping what he was doing and looking up at her with dark, passion-filled eyes.

"Please," she said, glancing up at her hands which Jack still held firmly above her head. "I want to touch you."

He smiled, and released her hands, which she immediately brought to his face, drawing him up to kiss him. He shifted slightly to lie on top of her, and she parted her legs so he could lie more comfortably between them. His erection pressed hotly against her and she thrust involuntarily against him. He smiled as he kissed her deeply. She loved the slightly rough feeling of his skin under her hands, and the way his hair felt sliding through her fingers. She also loved the way he made a thrill run through her as his mouth left hers and he began a sensuous trail of kisses down her throat, across her collarbone, and lower, stopping briefly to pay homage to her breasts, before continuing. He nibbled and kissed her stomach; her hands left their exploration of his back and came to rest on his head, urging him lower. He looked up at her and grinned mischievously. He kissed her stomach again, then dipped his tongue into her navel. She shuddered and he looked up.

"Don't like that?" he asked.

"No," she replied with a small shake of her head.

Jack made a mental note of that and moved downwards, placing a kiss on her nest of dark blond curls. His hands moved down the insides of her thighs, urging her to open them wider, and smiled against her when she complied. Just as he was about to continue his intimate exploration of her body, she tried to stop him.

"Jack, as much.oh. as I like this.Jack this is hardly fair. oh god!" she gasped, as he ignored her, sliding his fingers between her folds, and touch the tip of his tongue to her clitoris. Making one last effort before she succumbed to mindless pleasure, she said in a strangled voice, "What about you?"

"Later. Let me do this, Sam," he said, his breath against her swollen nub, making her shudder with delight. He dipped his head and took it in his mouth, as he gently slipped one finger, then another, inside her. Sam was immediately passed caring, his strokes inside her and his mouth on her clitoris removing her ability to think coherently. She knew that it wouldn't belong before..

"Oh, god! Jack!" she cried out, her body clenching tightly around his fingers which continued to move within her.

He sat back on his heals, taking in his lover. She lay back on the pillows, desperately trying to get her breathing under control. Her face was beautifully flushed, her chest rising and falling rapidly, showing off her hardened nipples, and her legs were spread and bent at the knees to give him easier access. He smiled, and leaned forward, trailing kisses back up her body to her mouth, where he enjoyed a very long and passionate kiss. He caressed her tongue with his, and slowly ground the lower half of his body against hers, trying to tell her what he wanted, needed. She thrust against him in invitation, and he reached down to guide himself inside. Sam gasped at his entrance, arching her back, the feeling of him finally stretching and filling her was overwhelming and she cried out.

Jack stopped immediately. "Sam?" he asked, concerned. "Am I hurting you?"

"What? No! God, Jack, if you stop now I swear I'll never forgive you!" She rocked her hips against his, seeking to bring him deeper inside, and wrapped her legs around his hips. 'Jack, please," she begged.

He withdrew almost all the way, then thrust back in, hard, making her cry out again. But this time, Jack took her cry for what it was - one of fulfillment. He set a slow rhythm; alternately thrusting and circling his hips, trying to find that elusive spot that would bring her the most pleasure. He nibbled and sucked at her throat and neck, now knowing all the places that turned her on the most. One hand found her breast and he toyed with the nipple, while his other hand caressed her side. Her hands drifted up and down his back before coming to rest on his buttocks, guiding his welcome thrusts. Her mouth and tongue were doing the most incredible things to his ear. She gasped and shuddered slightly.

"There?" he asked, gasping a little with the effort of holding himself back for her, and aimed for the spot again.

"Oh, yes!" Sam choked out tightening her legs around his thrusting hips, just as her inner muscles tightened fleetingly around him. "Just to the. yes! There! Oh Jack!" Her hands came back up to his back, caressing him as she held him to her.

He thrust harder and faster, hitting her g-spot again and again until he could feel her tightening and arching against him, her movements becoming more and more erratic as she approached orgasm. Then she was there, and she cried out. He kept thrusting as she rode out her climax, only to bring her to another.

"Jack, please," she whispered, coming down slightly. "Come with me!" She tightened around him as his thrusts became more and more erratic, soon loosing all sense of rhythm and style. Her mouth trailed kisses across his sweat dampened cheek and jaw to his mouth to take it in a deep, passionate kiss. He came then, hard; pumping into her with abandon. She cried out one last time, her voice mingling with his, then they both fell into sweet oblivion.

Sam awoke sometime later, and noticed that the sun was no longer streaming in through her curtains. It must be late in the afternoon by now, and a quick glance at the clock confirmed it. It was after four. She smiled as Jack stirred in his sleep beside her, and she propped her head up on one hand to watch him. His face was relaxed - all the lines of worry and stress which were usually present were gone. He looked different from when she watched him sleep on missions [yes, she frequently watched him sleep, she couldn't help herself], here he looked completely calm and at ease. She smiled at him as he opened his eyes to find her staring at him.

"Hey," he greeted her.

"Good afternoon," she replied.

"That late, huh? Sleep well?" he grinned.

She blushed. "Yes, thank you. You?"

"Oh yeah," he said, grinning wider. Reaching out an arm, he pulled her down next to him, and she snuggled against him with a contented sigh, tucking her head beneath his chin and wrapping her free arm around his waist. He dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head, just as she did the same to his chest. She smiled.

"You know," he started. "There's something I've been wondering."

"Oh?" Sam asked, her hands tracing patterns from his side to his chest, and then beginning to wander lower.

"Yeah. How come I managed to be the one to pick you up last night and come back home with you last night in a taxi when Daniel lives closer to you? Not that I'm complaining or anything, you understand," he quickly added.

"You know, I've been wondering the same thing. They were pretty chummy last night weren't they? And, they turned up here for breakfast together."

"Did they indeed?" Jack asked and chuckled. "I think they've been holding out on us."

"I think you're right. And I think we're going to have to make them pay for that, sir."

"I agree, Major."

Sam grinned, her hand reaching under the sheet to the nest of dark curls that surrounded his now flaccid penis. That wouldn't last long though, if she had her way. And she intended to.

"Ah. Sam?" he asked, as she started to stroke him gently, willing him back to life. "What are you doing down there?"

Sam grinned impishly at him and moved lower.

"Your turn," she replied.

****

And that is it! Ok! No more! I'll leave the rest up to your very capable imaginations <g>