"Will Power" by Aftyn Victoria

Title: Will Power

Author: Aftyn Victoria

Status: Complete

Category: S/J

Spoilers: None

Season/Sequel info:

Rating: PG or PG-13

Content Warnings:

Summary: Downtime at The Green Lounge with SG-1 and Janet. Karaoke challenge

Disclaimer: Stargate Sg-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for amusement only and I didn’t get any money for it. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author.

Notes: Can you tell I'm going through all of my old stories that I never sent? :)

Feedback: YES PLEASE!!! Now that I’ve gotten some, I think I’m addicted… So feed the addiction!!

***

"So, you going with us tonight, Sam?" Daniel Jackson’s face looked almost hopeful; he obviously didn’t want to be stuck at a bar alone with Jack with Teal’c. The steam from the locker room was beginning to affect his glasses. His eyes were slowly starting to disappear behind windows of mist, forcing him to remove his glasses and wipe the condensation away with the edge of his shirt.

"I don’t know, maybe." The hope drained from his face, allowing desperation to set in and she could definitely hear the tinge of hopelessness in his voice.

"Sam, you should come! It’ll be… fun." He paused searching for leverage to force her to accompany him and the others. "Doc says she’ll come if you do." Daniel gave her a pleading look that she was unable to ignore.

"Okay." A smile brightened his features. "What time and where?"

"Around seven at The Green Lounge." Sam nodded her approval and went back to pulling her shower kit from her locker. Daniel exited the locker room with the black tote bag he used to carry everything home.

As she stepped over one of the benches and began walking towards the showers, Sam let out a low sigh. Their last mission hadn’t been unusually hard or strenuous, but she still felt exhausted. //Perhaps a good night at the bar is just what I need// Sam thought trying to convince herself.

At approximately seven o’clock Sam pulled into the parking lot of The Green Lounge, she recognized Daniels beat up hunk of junk immediately, next to it was Janet’s fairly new car. The colonel didn’t seem to be there yet, unless he rode with Daniel and Teal’c. Sam got out of her car and walked towards the side entrance of the small town bar. It was a usual hangout for Janet and herself, but she had never been there with the boys.

The black, silk-textured skirt she wore fell to just above her knees and showed off the curve of her slim hips. Her thin waist was insinuated by the form-fitting, light gray three quarter sleeved shirt she had purchased when shopping with Janet and Cassie. It had a slightly low cut neck line and a small pocket on the left sleeve. Her short blonde tresses were held back out of her face by two plain bobby pins.

Sam struggled to ignore the second glances she received from the men playing pool as she passed. A few of the younger males went as far as to let out low whistles, but she stayed focused on Janet, Daniel and Teal’c who were sitting in a booth to the right side of the room. She wasn’t used to being noticed as a *woman* when she was always trying to be ‘one of the guys’. It was Daniel who first noticed her approaching them, and he definitely noticed her. His mouth dropped to the table, even Teal’c’s indifferent expression gave way briefly to what Sam could have sworn was a small, polite smile.

"Sam… you look…good!" Daniel was stuttering as he often did when his mind was having trouble processing something. Janet chuckled at Daniel’s difficulty. Sam took a seat next to Janet in the booth and requested a beer when the waitress came to take their orders. Teal’c had his usual glass of water, Janet ordered vodka with orange juice and Daniel had a second beer. Apparently he and Teal’c had been fifteen minutes earlier than Janet and ordered their first drinks then.

"So, where’s the colonel?" Daniel shot Sam a sideward glance to see her expression, but she looked completely nonchalant. She and Jack were both good at hiding their feelings, at least most of the time. When Daniel finally got around to answering Sam, she and Janet were discussing something about Cassie. But her attention was drawn back to Daniel when she heard him say that Jack would be arriving momentarily. Jack had called Daniel to tell him that he had to stop at the bank before coming so he would be just a bit late.

Once their drinks came, Daniel engaged in a long explanation of the Egyptian culture to Janet, who had suffered from temporary insanity when asking him about something concerning the religion. That was when Sam’s eyes began to wander around the room, there was an entire table of men, probably in their mid-twenties, glancing towards Janet and herself every few minutes. On the stage in the front of the room, a woman was seated on a stool singing a sad love song to the older men sitting in the front row of tables. That was when Sam’s eyes fell upon the Karaoke banner hanging above the bar singer’s head and realized that the contest was starting at seven thirty. She suddenly got a bad feeling about the whole night.

Fortunately, before she could dwell on the possibilities, Sam’s eyes fell upon a fellow that had his back turned to her at the bar. Her eyes fell upon the back pockets of his faded jeans. //The man ought to have a license to have a butt like that// Sam noted mentally. A crimson color filled her cheeks when the man turned around so that she could see that the body she had been admiring belonged to her CO, Colonel Jack O’Neill. He advanced towards them with a beer in hand. Jack halted to let out a teasing whistle directed towards Sam, then pulled a chair up to the end of the booth.

"You certainly clean up nicely!"

"Thankyou, Colonel… I think." He smiled reassuringly letting her know that it was in fact a crude compliment, but a compliment all the same.

"Come on Sam, we’re on down-time, call me Jack."

"Yes, sir."

"You can drop the ‘sir’, too." He sent her a mischievous grin before turning to Daniel and interrupting his lecture. Sam could have sworn she heard a relieved sigh escape Janet’s lips. "So Danny-boy…" Daniel seemed to cringe at the nickname. "…Tonight is Karaoke night, isn’t it." Daniel responded with a small grin and a joyous nod before finishing the last of his beer. //The man certainly can’t hold his liquor, he’ll probably be falling out of the booth soon// Sam thought as she took the finishing sip of her own beer and motioned to the waitress for another one for herself and one for Daniel.

"Yeah, yeah it is!"

"No!" Janet shot both men a malicious glare, Teal’c sat watching his friends, he decided that he had some of the most peculiar friends in the universe. They might’ve been kind, intelligent and skilled in their arts, but they were truly and undeniably *odd*.

"Come on Janet, it’ll be a lot of fun!" Daniel had a childish smirk now, he was obviously not going to take no for an answer. He nodded a thank you to the waitress when she brought the drinks, he then took a big gulp of the intoxicating liquid.

"Sam, will you do it?" Jack was now directing the focus of the table to his enchanting friend… //2IC, Jack! Second in command!// His mental correction might have been *heard* by his conscience, but it wasn’t recognized. Sam pondered his question quickly before deciding to return the attention back to Janet.

"I will if Janet does." The petite, reddish-brown haired woman punched Sam softly in the arm.

"Thanks a lot!" Then Janet noticed Daniels pleading gaze, it was the same look he had given Sam to convince her to come.

"What is Karaoke?" Both women were relieved by Teal’c’s question, at least it diverted the guys concentration, even if it was only temporary.

Since Daniel was the one who usually tried to explain Earth culture to the Jaffa, all eyes fell upon him. He unexpectedly began to giggle hysterically and repeated the word Karaoke to himself several times. He was apparently amused by the strange word.

"Daniel!" Jack’s stern tone brought him out of his drunken delirium.

"Oh, right! Karaoke…" Giggle. "It’s when people sing along to an already existing melody in front of others, usually in bars." Teal’c merely looked at Daniel as he often did. Sam then realized that Jack was watching her, observing her mannerisms. When she met his stare, he gave her puppy dog eyes that no mere mortal could resist. //The eleventh commandment should be that no mortal men are permitted to have puppy dog eyes.//

"Come on, Sam. It’ll be fun." A playful grin curled across his lips.

"Okay." Janet hit Sam’s upper arm again and gave her a look of horror. "Come on, Janet, have another beer, and it’ll seem like a grand idea." Sam’s comment forced the doctor to smile.

"Quiet please." One of the waitresses took the stage and was struggling to quiet the crowd. "The Karaoke contest will now begin. Participation is of course voluntary, but the prize is two-hundred bucks, so what’d you have to lose." The crowd hollered at the mention of money forcing the young woman to quiet them once more. "Now, who would like to go first?" Jack nudged Sam’s arm, she shook her head negatively. He then turned to Daniel. Daniel chuckled loudly when Jack asked, but he did raise his hand to volunteer himself. "We have a volunteer, what is your name sir?"

"Daniel." He stumbled over his own feet while trying to make his way up to the stage where the woman stood.

"Well, Daniel, what song do you want to sing and I’ll see if we have it." Daniel whispered something into her ear and an evil smile lit up the young woman’s features and she nodded. Moments later the energetic music began. It only took Janet and Sam a few seconds to recognize the energetic music from Cassie’s CD collection. The Spice Girls. He took the microphone and began to hum along with the tune, he swayed his hips slowly, then picked up the pace when the words began.

*****
Say you’ll be there I’m giving you everything, all that joy can bring this I swear Last time that we had this conversation I decided we should be friends Yeah, but now we’re going round in circles tell me, will this deja vu never end?
***** Spice girls*****

"Daniel’s going to kill us in the morning." Janet was barely able to control her laughter as she pointed out the obvious to everyone. For Daniel was beginning to walk among the crowd and attempt to give a few of the watchers lap dances. When a man who didn’t appreciate his services pushed Daniel away, the poor boy staggered back to the stage to finish the song.

"Oh yeah, I’d say Danny’s going to kill us…"

*****
I’m giving you everything all that joy can bring this I swear and all that I want from you is a promise you will be there.
*****Spice Girls*****

"Thankyou very much, Daniel." The Waitress went up onto the stage with a broad smile. She continued to call an older gentleman onto the stage and he proceeded to sing to one of Sting’s earlier songs. Daniel retrieved another beer from the bar and returned to his seat next to Teal’c. The Jaffa stared at his friend for the longest time while the others laughed ecstatically. Daniel quickly joined in, not really knowing what his friends were laughing about. Once everyone had settled down, Janet inquired as to who was hungry.

"I am." Answered Daniel, then continued to suggest, "I think we should get Wieny Critters!" This of course sent him into a roaring frenzy of giggling.

"*Wieny*…*Critters*?" Sam looked to everyone else to see if they understood, the only one that didn’t look completely perplexed was Jack who had a small sarcastic grin.

"They’re miniature hot dogs wrapped in breading." He explained to his colleague.

"Oh, and how exactly did they get the name… *Wieny Critters*?" Jack shrugged before motioning for a waitress.

"Yes, may I help you?"

"Yeah, my friends and I would like two orders of Wieny Critters." The woman jotted their order down, when she turned around to place their order with the cook, when Daniel had an extremely unanticipated outburst.

"WIENY CRITTERS!" Everyone in the room turned to their table, Sam, Jack, Janet and even Teal’c prayed in unison that the others would think that someone else in the room had made the outburst. "WIENY CRITTERS!" That did it, the rooms population had just witnessed Daniel, the normally quiet and respectable man shriek ‘Wieny Critters’. Jack’s hand shot out to cover Daniels mouth in an instant, but the scientist simply began to chuckle. It took several minutes to calm Daniel down and for everyone to turn their attention back to the Sting-Wanna-Be.

"Thankyou Bill, who would like to go next?" Janet’s hand shot up, her actions surprised both Sam and Jack, she had after all, been the one who had objected to the idea in the first place. Sam stood up to allow the woman to exit the booth and that was when Jack was truly able to appreciate her civilian attire. Her long legs were only half covered by a silky black skirt and a gray shirt clung to her every curve like a second skin. //Beautiful, enchanting, lovely// Jack could think of no other words to describe her. Her smoky sapphire eyes were sparkling despite the dim light of the bar.

"Please give Janet a round of applause." The waitresses words brought Jack out of the midst of his private thoughts. "She will be singing ‘Cross to Bear’ by Vonda Shepard."

"No, she’s gonna sing WIENY CRITTERS by The Big Fuzzy Navel "

"Daniel shut it!" Janet’s voice was stern and only half joking when it came through the microphone. It worked, Daniel sank back into the booths cushion looking like a little boy who had just been scolded by a parent.

*****
You ran away with you conscience clear There was a red flag waving in my ear saying "Stay away, you’ve got something to fear" Well why did I not choose to hear? Well I am through with suffering Gonna make better choices I don’t need no wedding ring I can sing, I can dance
*****Vonda Shepard*****

The doctor was much more graceful, than Daniel, and it helped that she wasn’t quite as drunk. She swayed her hips as she sang to the melancholy tune. She certainly had a knack for singing and playing a crowd. All eyes were on her, mesmerized by her movements. One set of eyes were not on Janet, they were however, on her friend. Jack was watching Sam, he was taking in her beauty, the divine charm that only she had. He was imbedding into his mind, taking care not to miss any detail of her exquisite countenance.

An older woman set two plates of the Wieny Critters on the table in front of Teal’c and Daniel. Teal’c peered at the strange morsels for several moments before cautiously picking one up in his large hands and smelling it.

"O’Neill, these… Wieny Critters as Daniel Jackson calls them, smell artificial." Jack opened his mouth to try and explain the contents of the finger food, but before his mind could conjure a clarification, Daniel plucked two breaded objects and proceeded to throw them at Sam who turned and glared at him coldly. She was unable to remain serious, especially when Daniel picked another one up and turned to Jack with an innocent look in his eyes.

"Jack, can I stick this in your ear?" Teal’c watched in awe as his friend, Daniel, made an effort to stick the oblong food into O’Neill’s ear. Jack grabbed Daniel’s hand and forced him to put the food back onto the table. Once the young man had agreed to stop playing with his food, Jack turned around to watch Janet finish her song. That was when several more flying breaded hot-dogs hit him on the side of the face by a new assailant. He scowled at Sam who was bursting into laughter, Daniel joined her by throwing a few more.

"Daniel, Carter!" Sam straightened her back and set the breaded hot-dogs down at the sound of Jack’s military voice, but Jack had to threaten Daniel with the butter knife before the young man would allow Teal’c to take the platters away from him.

"Party pooper." Sam’s whispered words were almost inaudible because of Janet’s song, but Jack had caught them. He turned to her and mouthed the word ‘brat’ to her before focusing on Janet.

*****
We all got our cross to bear Our star of David, our dreadlocked hair and oh yeah baby, I still care and if you need some help you know I’ll always be there
*****Vonda Shepard*****

Sam could feel the dark chocolate eyes on her, but she didn’t turn to face the colonel. Partially afraid of what she might find in the depths of that mans soul. The eyes are, after all, the windows to the soul. That man had been hurt so very badly. He was good at keeping his pain a secret. He was a true military man, he stayed detached and never showed a weakness. She had had the urge to kiss him so many times, the urge to heal and comfort him, but he would probably push her away and throw the regs in her face. She knew he didn’t give a damn about regs, hell, he’d risked his career more times than she cared to count. //If only I could read his thoughts, then I would know how to… no, Carter, he’s your CO!// She wanted to seduce him, then marry him and have a life with him. She hated to admit it, but when it all came down to it, that was what she wanted to do.

*****
I wear my heart like a wrinkle on my sleeve and I’ve got this aching love that only you can relieve but I’m not afraid to go down with a sinking friend I’m gonna live out my dreams even if they kill me in the end
*****Vonda Shepard*****

Janet’s words were so surprisingly similar to the way Jack felt. He wanted to forget about regs and take Sam in his arms, but he had to think of her career. She had a promising future and he had to respect that.

Janet stepped down off the stage and returned to the table where she received compliments from everyone, even the colonel. A young woman who looked much too young to be in a bar took the stage and began to serenade the crowd with a song by Mariah Carey.

"I bet I can read your mind Teal’c!" Daniel’s last remark confirmed everyone’s belief that he was drunk out of his mind. "You’re thinking…" Daniel placed his fingers to his temples pretending to be concentrating. "…You’re thinking about getting up and shaking your booty!"

"What is the meaning of shaking a boo-ty?" The Jaffa was now perplexed- as usual.

"It’s slang for dancing, Teal’c, just ignore him." Daniel’s eyes shot open at Sam’s comment and he waved his finger at her.

"I know what you’re thinking Samantha! You naughty, naughty girl!" Sam tensed, wondering what Daniel was going to spew forth from his drunken mouth. "You’re thinking about Jack, and you know what? He’s thinking about you!" Jack rolled his eyes and smacked Daniel on the back of the head in an attempt to shut him up.

"Does anyone else want to have a go?" The waitress returned once the young woman stepped down and returned to a boy that looked just as young as she. Sam raised her hand timidly and walked towards the stage, she whispered a song to the waitress, then waited for the melody to come.

*****
It’s either black or white, that’s right- we’re making love or in a fight Sometimes you make me so blue but then it feels so good , I knew it would You know the way to make me crazy I want to give it to you You make me so emotional I can’t let go, I’m so emotional I’m sinking fast into an ocean full of you I’m so emotional
***** Christina Aguilera*****

Janet watched as Sam sang a song that embodied her friend’s feeling so closely it was eerie. Only a week ago, Sam and Janet had been sitting in the same seats they were in now. That was the first time Sam had confessed to Janet that she had feelings for her Co, Jack O’Neill- or the loose cannon as many called him. Janet watched as Sam made and kept eye contact with O’Neill and seemed to be singing to him. She was admitting her feelings to him, but he most likely didn’t even realize it; he was after all, not the brightest man in the world.

*****
You take me high and low, you know I’m never sure which way you’re gonna go you’re such a mystery to me But baby hot or cold, you got a hold Of my imagination I think you know what I mean
***** Christina Aguilera*****

Daniel might’ve been drunk, but even he could see that his friends had feelings for one another-- strong feelings-- possibly *love*. Unfortunately, they were giving up on the account of stupid military regulations and rules. //Sam might have a million college degrees, but she’s stupid if she let’s him go// He watched as Jack viewed Sam’s every action, Jack was watching her so closely, Daniel thought that the poor soldier might fall out of his seat. Jack watched as the beauty swayed in time with the music and met her stare. She appeared to be singing to him for a moment, but then he realized she was probably trying to stay calm by keeping eye contact with someone she knew. //Jack’s all but drooling// Daniel thought, but his sanity quickly dissipated and he decided to mention their obvious love to his friend.

"Jack, you know, if you really want to… *you know* with Sam… get a room and you know… *get it on*!"

"Daniel, if you don’t shut your mouth right now, you will regret it in the morning!" "You really should tell her how you feel, Jack." Janet and Teal’c were now listening to the conversation between Jack and Daniel. "Danny, unless you want me to kill you next time I have a gun, shut your pie hole." A sly smirk formed on Daniels face and he began to get up from his seat. "What’s the difference? I’m still gonna go and tell her you’re sexually attracted to her." Daniel pushed himself off of the plastic cushioning and was about to walk towards the stage when Jack’s foot shot out causing Daniel to fall flat on his face in an instant. No one, but the people in the immediate vicinity of the fallen scientist, realized anything had happened. Daniel let out a long, miserable moan and a few drunken giggles before saying, "Oh… I think I’m gonna bleed or something! Harm and Mac are gonna kick your butt in court!" "Daniel, you’re fine, so get up and sit down… And maybe you should stop watching so much JAG." Daniel had the good sense to follow the orders and returned to his seat where he turned to face Teal’c and told the Jaffa a childish joke that didn’t make sense to him at all. When Jack returned his gaze to Sam, he realized that she had just witnessed the entire scene with Daniel and was now finding hard to refrain from laughing.

*****
Rain is falling down on me suddenly the sun comes out Sometimes north or south of love But never out
***** Christina Aguilera*****

Ignoring Daniel, Teal’c watched as Major Carter stepped down from the platform and began to return to her seat. He also noticed that O’Neill was staring at his team mate, watching her closely with a thoughtful look. There was an obvious attraction between the two, but a military rule that Daniel Jackson had explained to him once, kept them from pursuing a relationship.

"Good job, Sam!" Janet patted her friend on the back before motioning for Jack to take his turn on the stage.

"We have time for one more, who will it be?" Jack raised his hand reluctantly at the waitress’s invitation. His mind searched itself for a song, any song that might portray his feelings for Sam. He certainly didn’t have the words to express his emotions himself, maybe some hotshot singer did. He whispered to the waitress, then took the microphone from her and prepared himself.

*****
I saw it all from my bubble on the 15th floor I was so unaware as I sank into my leather chair upon my throne I was known as untouchable the smoke was creepin’ in My castle walls were wearing thin it took a fire to inspire me- to make my move cigarette in a garbage can changed the ways of this corporate man it was time for a radical plan I took a dive I took a love plunge into your arms I took a dive I took a love plunge into your arms I took a dive I jumped in with all of my heart I took a dive
***** DC Talk*****

Sam studied Jack as he sang along with the upbeat melody. His body was definitely in good shaped for his age. //Scratch that Sam, his body is in great shape for any age! Darn it, Carter, get a grip!//. She struggled to concentrate on the words of the song, but she was finding it hard when he, Jack O’Neill, was in her presence. His attire was simple enough- a pair of faded jeans, a plain white tee-shirt with a leather jacket and a pair of tennis shoes.

Janet noticed Sam gawking at her CO, the foolish woman had refused her suggestion of making a move, she was afraid of regs. Who cared about regs. Love was higher than regs. Then Janet noticed Daniel asleep against Teal’c’s shoulder. The man looked so vulnerable when he was asleep, although he looked pretty vulnerable when he was awake, too. She wouldn’t mind making moves of her own on that particular civilian.

*****
Won’t you come and take a dive with me won’t you come and take a dive with me jump in with all your hear and take a dive I’m breathing under water I’m sinking like a submarine your ocean’s so much deeper than anything I’ve ever dreamed
***** DC Talk*****

Jack finished the song and stepped off of the stage and approached his friends. Daniel was asleep on Teal’c, Janet was looking a bit… drunk and Sam was looking beautiful.

"We have tie…" The waitress called from the stage. "Daniel was such a delight, that we couldn’t help but choose him, but Janet has an extraordinary voice. So they will both be receiving two-hundred dollars!" There was a loud round of applause for the winners, while a few disappointed voices could be heard.

"Tough luck, Sam, looks like we sucked!" O’Neill patted his friend on the back and returned to his seat.

"Sir, you might’ve *sucked*, but I just… wasn’t great." Jack smiled at his friend’s lack of vocabulary. It was probably the only time he would ever witness such a sight. She was so intelligent, accurate and logical.

"I vote that we use the winnings to rent some rooms at the motel next door, ‘cause none of us are in the condition to drive."

Janet’s suggestion was well noted, because thirty minutes later the five of them were standing in the lobby of a small motel. Daniel leaning on Teal’c, Janet was supporting the drunken scientist with her left arm as she held out the money to the desk clerk. They had rented two rooms on the second floor and were too tired- not to mention too drunk, to even care about who they would be stuck with. In spite of that fact, Janet had a plan. She would make sure that Jack and Sam at least had a *Chance* to express their feelings.

Teal’c nearly threw Daniel onto one of the beds, Janet went into the bathroom to wash her face before going to bed. She came out to find Teal’c sprawled across the second bed, leaving her only two options- one: the small sofa, two: pushing Daniel off the bed. The second choice was much more appealing. She shoved the scientist off and he fell with a hard thump against the floor, too smashed to notice he had even been moved. Then she slipped under the covers and stayed awake only long enough to wonder how Sam was handling her alone time with the colonel.

Jack watched as Sam plopped down onto the uncomfortable hotel bed from the bathroom doorway. She looked like a small child, a content smile spread across her face, obviously pleased with the night. He realized that her delight was infectious, he felt his mouth curve into a minuscule smile that was barely noticeable. Sam leaned back onto the pillow, but didn’t shut her eyes. Her sapphire eyes wandered across the room, the second bed, the night stand and all the other customary hotel room items. Her eyes finally came across Jack, she began to sit up slowly, her hypnotizing eyes never leaving him.

"Jack…" Her voice was questioning as she slid up off of the bed and crossed the room to where he still stood near the bathroom door. The expression she wore was hard to read. Jack could swear he saw a hint of mischief in her eyes, her soft red lips still formed a sweet and almost seductive smile. He knew what she was asking, even if she hadn’t completely verbalized it, he knew what she was inquiring. Despite the fact that he had dreamed about the woman who stood in front of him, he wouldn’t let it happen. Not like that. Not when she was drunk and fuzzy headed. He was a little more of a gentleman than that, despite what some people might have thought.

Sam’s fragile hands splayed across his chest and he shut his eyes to savor her touch, but his conscience was screaming at him to push her away and put her to bed. While his eyes were closed Sam pressed her smooth, warm lips against his for a gentle kiss. Jack opened his eyes to look into hers.

"Sam…" She pressed a finger to his lips to silence him, but he couldn’t allow her do this. "Sam, I can’t do this to you." Her eyes looked almost hurt, but she recovered quickly and let her hands slide up from his strong chest to rest on his shoulders in a comforting manner. //Jack, where’s your will power and obstinacy when you need it?// He thought silently as he stared into her deep, intelligent eyes.

"You can’t do what to me?"

"You know what, you’ll regret this in the morning… you’re not thinking straight." She smiled playfully before arguing.

"I am too." Jack took her hands into his and led her towards the bed where he gently pushed her down until she was seated, then he joined her on the edge of the bed.

"Then explain to me exactly how the Gate works." He figured he had won, when she lied down and shut her eyes, but he was wrong. She commenced to explain in great detail how the gate operated. Her description of the gates functions began well enough, but quickly lost momentum and her soft mumbling was eventually replaced by slow, rhythmic breathing.

Jack watched her chest rise and fall as she slept soundly. Her beauty seemed to be rebuking him for refusing her, but he knew he had done the right thing. She probably would’ve regretted her actions in the morning. Besides he would’ve hated himself for taking advantage of this spirited creature that slept before him. Sam looked so defenseless in her sleep, such a change from her normally powerful and strong willed personality. Jack leaned over her and touched his lips to hers softly as not to wake her. He relished the close contact for several seconds before pulling back and mumbling more to himself than anyone else, "Someday we’ll do this right." He stood up and went to the other bed.

"I hope so." Jack couldn’t believe his ears. Perhaps it had been his hopeful imagination, because when he looked back to his teammate, she was sleeping soundly. It took his mind several minutes to disregard the remark that he had heard. He pulled back the sheets of the second bed and laid down; he was unable to sleep for several hours. He remained awake, simply staring at the woman who was the object of so many of his desires. Thinking only about his life and the possible negative consequences fraternization could cause. He realized that the only thing preventing him from confessing his feelings to her was *her* career, he couldn’t ruin that for her. Perhaps one day… one day when she was certain what *she* wanted.

The End.

*I wrote this a looonnnng time ago and decided to throw it onto the list… I hadn’t seen 100 Days then, so it’s a little sappy… No punishment for Jack. J