"1973" by Ruth M King

TITLE: 1973

RATING: M. For the sex n' drugs n' rock n' roll.

ARCHIVE: Sam and Jack and Heliopolis. Anyone else please ask :)

SPOILERS: 1969 and Brief Candle.

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

NOTES: Something for those 100 Days blues :):).

***

Quite why Sam had decided that the most comfortable place to rest her head was on his stomach, Jack couldn't remember. He also wondered why rock festivals were invariably muddy. Not that the condition of the ground was bothering either of them at that precise moment. Sam seemed more interested in staring at the stars while Jack took the opportunity to stare at Sam.

"Here," he said as he handed her the joint.

She took a long hit before giving it back to him.

"You know, Carter, I'm kinda shocked," Jack teased. "I always thought you were a good girl."

"What? Never had a Captain who could roll a joint?" she returned.

"I've never had my Captain."

"How's the leg, Colonel?" she changed the subject.

"Can't feel a thing."

He waved his leg at her to prove the point.

"How many of those do ya think we've been to?" he asked, pointing towards the heavens.

Sam rolled over, so her head was on his chest and turned towards him. Her eyes were even wider than usual...and more beautiful. Jack felt that he could lose himself in their depths. They were his whole world. She took the flower that was entwined in her own hair and tucked it behind his ear.

"Tell me their names, sir," She whispered.

"Who?"

"The stars."

"OK."

Jack flicked the remains of the joint away, exhaling the last of the smoke. Sam returned to her original position, as he started to point out the constellations. He let one hand stray downwards to ruffle her hair. To his surprise, she didn't seem to mind. They were both very.....relaxed. A little too relaxed some part of his brain told him. They should be trying to find a way home, not lying in a muddy field getting stoned. Jack told his mind to shut up and concentrated on answering Carter's question. She seemed genuinely interested, but he suspected it was an act. A way to make him think that he knew something she didn't. He was inclined to let her play her games. She was hanging on his every word, so why should he shut up?

"Abydos is due east, the Nox world is somewhere in the Southern hemisphere so we can't see it from here and Argos..."

Sam suddenly started to giggle.

"What?" he demanded.

"Just thinking, 'bout you and whatever her name was," she replied, still laughing.

"Kynthia...and I don't remember it being amusing."

"Is now."

"Why me? I mean nothin' like that ever happened to Captain Kirk."

His comment sent her off into another fit of laughter, which he found himself joining in. Thinking back it had been pretty funny.

"I could've done a Danny an' married her," he added.

"That would've made an interesting mission briefing. General Hammond would have had a stroke."

She didn't rise to the bait. He had hoped that she had been jealous of the fling he'd had with Kynthia...even if the woman had drugged him first. Then again, perhaps she'd decided that she had nothing to worry about. Which was true.

"Could be worse," he couldn't resist adding.

"How?"

"I could have come back from a mission married to you."

"Or Teal'c."

They both collapsed into giggles again. The thought of Teal'c in a white lace wedding dress with a garland of flowers perched on his bald head.......

Jack was suddenly aware that the movement of Sam's head on his stomach was causing some....discomfort in the lower regions of his body.

"Hey, no giggling," he reminded her, caressing her hair once again and trying to hold her head still.

"Having problems with the sidearm, sir?"

He couldn't decide if her question was as innocent as it sounded.

"C'mon, Carter, time for bed," he told her, sitting up.

"'m hungry," she decided as Jack helped her to her feet. He draped an arm about her shoulders as they walked back towards the place where the bus was parked. Come to think of it, he had a case of the munchies too.

They could just about hear the sound of the band playing some distance away. Sam seemed to pick up on the beat, her body swaying slightly against his.

"Wanna dance, Captain?" he asked.

Sam laughed quietly, pressing her face into his chest. He captured her in both of his arms and held her. It wasn't a dance as such. They only moved a little and the song soon faded into the night. Sam yawned.

"You say something about bed, Colonel?" she asked.

"I wish," he muttered.

"What was that, sir?"

"Nothing. Just trying to remember where we parked."

"Over there."

"Cool."

Sam pointed out the brightly painted vehicle. Jack steered her towards it. She started giggling again as he pushed her up the steps and inside. Michael and Jenny weren't there. The couple had disappeared some hours ago, lost among the throng of people. Not that Jack was complaining. Having Sam to himself was nothing to grouse about. The fact that they were probably stuck in 1969 was.

"Ouch," Sam muttered as she collapsed on one of the seats.

"Problem?"

"Just stiff......You're heavier than you look."

"Let me see if I can do somethin' about that," Jack grinned.

He sat behind her, stretching his legs along the seat. Sam settled back against him and he started to rub her shoulders. She made a sound that was partway between a sigh and a purr. Jack grinned to himself as he looked over her shoulder and straight down the front of her blouse. There was a mole on the top of her left breast.

"Sir...," she warned him.

"I always wondered where that was," he replied.

"Be a good boy and I might show you my tattoo."

EARLIER:

This had to be some kind of bad dream. She heard Jack cry out and her first instinct was to turn back to him. Teal'c and Daniel went past her and through the gate, but Sam was moving in the opposite direction. The colonel had collapsed behind a packing crate, his zat gun discarded at the bottom of the makeshift ramp. Sam scooped up the gun and discharged a couple of blasts towards the approaching guards.

"Colonel?"

"Go. Get outta here."

"Not without you."

She grabbed him by the shoulders and tried to drag him up.

"Carter, for cryin' out loud.... look out!"

Sam spun on her heel and fired, dropping both of the guards.

"Nice shooting, now get goin' that's an order!"

He wasn't that surprised when she ignored him. Carter had selective deafness when it came to obeying his orders. She helped him to his feet, supporting him as they hurried towards the Stargate. If he was in any pain, he refused to acknowledge the fact. He had his tough guy face on.

They had almost reached the top of the ramp, when the unthinkable happened. The event horizon dissolved before their eyes. Sam looked back to check on the power supply. The engines were still running.

"We'll have to redial," she said, panic was starting to edge into her voice.

"Negative. You said yourself we don't get a second chance at this. Besides, I think they might have another opinion."

More guards were pouring into the warehouse.

"I'll hold 'em here. You get going," O'Neill ordered.

"Will you stop saying that, Sir," Sam shouted back. "Now get your ass in gear."

Wrapping her arm about his waist she dragged him towards the exit. His gait was unsteady, and he leaned heavily on her. It was taking most of her strength to keep them both upright. Sweat was pouring down her face as she coaxed him into a run. They reached the fire exit well ahead of the guards. Sam let go of O'Neill long enough to slam the door shut and pull a couple of crates in front of it. The fence that surrounded the compound was only fifty metres away, across open ground. Sam regarded the barrier with trepidation. She knew she could probably climb over it.....she wasn't so certain about O'Neill. There was no choice, however and Sam pulled him towards it.

"Sir," she urged as the reached the base.

He nodded, took a couple of steps backwards and jumped for the top of the fence. His face was etched with pain as he hauled himself upwards. Sam lost no time in following. Landing the other side wasn't as easy. O'Neill's leg collapsed under him and he fell to the ground moaning in pain. Sam picked him up His face look decidedly grey, as if he was finally coming to the end of his strength. Despite her own exhaustion, Sam knew that she couldn't let him down. Not now. Supporting most of his weight, she made him run again.

"Which way?" he panted.

"There's some more warehouses back the way we came in," Sam replied, hoping her memory served her correctly. "We should be able to hide out there for a while."

"Or we could go there."

Jack pointed towards the road and the welcome sight of a brightly painted bus. Breathing a silent prayer, Sam started towards it.

"Get us out of here," Sam ordered.

Jenny held out her hand and helped Sam pull O'Neill up the steps.

"We are very glad to see you," Sam panted as she slowly lowered him onto the floor of the bus. "Why did you wait?"

"Thought you might still need us," the other woman replied.

Sam could see that both Michael and Jenny wanted to ask questions. To their credit they kept silent. There was no time for explanations. Michael swung the bus into the Washington traffic and away from the warehouse. Sam turned her attention back to O'Neill. The wound looked superficial, but she wouldn't be able to tell until she was examined him a little more closely. Whatever, it wasn't like she could just take him to the nearest emergency room. His jeans were soaked in blood. He was clasping his leg around the thigh, trying to stem the flow.

"Sir, I'm going to have to take these off," she told him.

O'Neill just waved a hand at her. Sam took the gesture as assent. Her fingers were nervous as they reached for his zipper. He tried to bat her hands away, but she carried on, regardless. Trying to be as gentle as possible, she pulled the material away. To her relief the wound was clean. The bullet had just grazed him. Nasty, messy and painful, but not life threatening. Jenny handed her some clean cloths and some water. Carefully, Sam started to clean the blood away. O'Neill groaned through his teeth as she did so.

"Sorry, sir," she whispered.

"You just reminded me how good you are at first aid," he hissed.

"I can do this or you can bleed to death. Your choice, sir."

"Carry on, Captain."

Sam allowed herself a small smile.

"Where do you want to go?" Michael called back to her.

Their destination was the last thing on Sam's mind. She looked down at the colonel. They needed to disappear for a while. At least until he'd started to heal. Sam smiled to herself as she looked around the bus.

"Weren't you and Jenny headed for a rock festival in upstate New York?" she asked.

"Yes," Jenny replied.

"Sounds good to me. How about you, sir?"

"Rock n' Roll," he muttered.

********

"That was a mistake," Jack muttered to himself as he plunged his head into a bucket of cold water. Now he remembered exactly why he was too old to party. One consolation, Carter didn't look a great deal better. After he had finished with the bucket, she splashed water over her own face and gave a groan. Reality had hit, with a vengeance.

Jack leaned against the side of the bus and slid to the ground, wincing at the pain in his leg. He was certain that it hadn't hurt so much last night. The sun was far too bright this morning. Carter handed him his sunglasses as she sat beside him, drawing her knees up to her chest.

"So?" he asked.

"This one may be beyond me, sir," she replied. "Even if we manage to get close to the Stargate I still have no way to predict when the next solar flare will be."

"Can't you build something?"

"Not this time."

"Sam?"

She rested her head on her knees. He just didn't get it. Or maybe he did and was just refusing to accept the fact that they were stuck here.

"Even if I had the resources, I would have to recreate thirty years of research."

"So we need to get you a lab?"

"It would be a start."

"How about Catherine? Do you think she'd help us?"

"I don't know what we'd tell her."

"The truth?"

"Are you serious?"

"Never more so. Look Sam, we have no ID and we're running out of money. I think Catherine will help us.....and can be trusted not to do anything that'll affect our future."

"I won't activate the Stargate for her."

"I know that, but we might be able to persuade her to fund the work you need to do."

Sam nodded wearily as she ran her hands through her hair. It was a plan. Even if it didn't seem to be a very good one. Maybe they could think of something better between here and Catherine's house. Assuming her brain would ever kick itself back in the gear. Waking up sharing a bed with the colonel hadn't been exactly conducive to logical thought. At least they'd both been fully clothed. Embarrassed as hell, but still within regulations.

She risked glancing at him, but he caught the look, "You shouldn't have come back for me, Carter," he told her.

"Leaving you behind was not an option, sir."

"Why?"

She just shrugged, not willing to give him an answer. Jack realised that he was acting like an idiot. He reached out his hand and patted her on the shoulder. It was an awkward gesture, one that was meant to be comforting. Sam felt herself tense as he touched her. He immediately drew back.

"I'm sorry," he apologised.

"What for?"

"Stranding us here....and being a grouch."

"That's OK."

"Thanks for comin' back for me. Beats being stuck here alone."

"You're welcome, sir."

"I think we should dispense with the sirs. It's gonna make people suspicious."

"Sir?"

"Jack......C'mon, Sam, you can do it."

She pretended to think for a while, before slowly forming the syllable....

"Jack."

"Wasn't so hard, was it?"

He grinned at her and Sam felt herself blush. They sat together for a long, quiet time. Both enjoying the warmth of the morning sun. This would end soon enough. Despite the odds, they had to try to get home again.

"Time to leave," he said eventually.

"Aren't we going to say goodbye?"

"No. Better if we don't."

Reaching out, he took Sam's hand and he helped her to her feet. Hands still entwined they walked away across the field.

****

It was autumn. The leaves drifted across the grass, rustling beneath Jack's feet as he kicked his way through them. He knew this place well. Sara and he had used to walk here...would walk here.....He frowned to himself, his tenses weren't the only things that were confused. He turned back the way he had come, trying to see a glimpse of blonde hair through the trees.

She was lying on the ground, studying some book....or writing one. He wasn't quite sure. Every now and then she'd stop reading and scribble furiously in her notebook. Jack smiled, well aware that the expression on his face was incredibly sappy. She was working her butt off trying to get them home. Sometimes, he wished that he was smart enough to help her. He started to walk again. Automatically, he took the path towards the sports field. There were children playing. Jack watched them for a while, allowing the memories of Charlie to surface. He and Sara had brought their son here every weekend they could. They ate picnics, played ball, walked the dog.....a hundred memories. This place had been home for so long.

Home, the word was starting to have a surreal quality. It was 1970 and they still didn't seem to be any closer. The best concept they'd come up with was the fact that someone from the future might come and find them. Assuming someone from the SGC could navigate a solar flare....and break out of Cheyenne mountain again. Every three months he and Sam came here to sit in the park and wait. They'd left messages for the future. Just to let everyone know that they were alive, for one......Waiting in this place, for another. The hope was probably a futile one.

Not that his new life was a bad one. Catherine, angel that she was, had taken them in. Adjusting hadn't been easy. Jack had rattled round for a few months, attempting to drive everyone nuts. Eventually, Catherine had found him a job coaching at the local high school. He wouldn't admit to anyone that he actually enjoyed it. The kids tended to respect someone who could break boards with their feet.

Sam had pretty much slotted right back into her academic studies. The Stargate program was still her life, even if she was unable to help directly. She kept him company when she could, knowing that he found civilian life difficult. They had dinner together, went to the movies....What really bugged him was that, after fifteen months, they still hadn't got past the stage of holding hands and the occasional hug. The traces of the military protocol still hampered him. Every time she said his name, he still heard the word colonel. As he walked back towards her, he vowed to himself that was going to change.

"How's it going," he asked smiling down.

"Another couple of years and I'll might be able to Macgyver us a silicon chip," she sighed.

"Sam....Hate to tell you this, but Mac won't be around for another fifteen years or so."

She laughed, closing the book and folding her notes up in it. Jack helped her to her feet and gathered up the blanket she had been lying on. They walked slowly towards their car.

"Tired?"

"Yes," she admitted. "They're not going to come, are they?"

"I doubt it."

"But we're still going to wait?"

"Yeah......are you cold?"

"A little."

Jack draped his arm over her shoulders and pulled her close to his side. He took the book from her hands.

"Better?" he asked.

"Yes."

She gave a happy little sigh. He had no doubt that she enjoyed being with him. So why couldn't they get past first base...actually getting to first base would be nice. Take now, all he had to do was bend down a little....His eyes focused on her lips.

"This'll be easier when they move the Stargate to Cheyenne mountain," she said.

"Yeah," Jack managed a reply, although his tone was distracted.

"Jack?"

"Nothin'."

The sounds of the day were fading with the light. Tired parents dragged unwilling children home. Dogs trotted after their owners. Lovers strode slowly away. Jack and Sam were among the last to leave, having lingered to watch the sun set. Jack thought about kissing her again, but again the moment passed before he could do anything about it. What was he so scared of? He was 99% certain that Sam wouldn't reject him. Maybe it was the fear that they would be rescued and the dream he had would shatter.

They drove to a quiet restaurant, ate dinner and then booked themselves into a hotel. The plan was to spend a second day in Colorado Springs, before starting back to New York.

It would probably be another futile wait, followed by a long drive so Jack could be back at school before term started again. He found himself thinking over the line up for the hockey team while Sam was in the shower. She was singing to herself. Jack smiled, she always did that, songs that hadn't even been written yet. He had it bad. Jack lay back on one of the beds, knotting his hands behind his head. Were there any of her habits that he didn't find endearing?

The singing stopped and she emerged from the bathroom wearing only a towel.

"All yours," she smiled at him. "Hope you didn't mind but I borrowed your razor."

Hell, we might as well be married, Jack thought to himself. Sam walked across the room, running her fingers through her wet hair. He tried not to watch her....and failed. Sam caught his look and grinned. She shook her head, showering him with droplets of water.

"Hey!"

Jack made a grab for her, pulling her pleasant, if slightly damp form into his lap. Sam giggled and flicked more water at him. He pulled her backwards and twisted until she was lying on the bed pinned beneath him.

"Now what ya gonna do?" he taunted.

"I surrender," she laughed.

With those words, he kissed her. He didn't know why he did it, or why now was the right time. As he felt her lips part beneath his, he knew that they had both made the transition from friends to lovers. They were thirty years away from any chain of command and military protocol simply didn't matter anymore. The freedom to love each other was exhilarating. No more pretending, no more hiding behind regulations.

Jack's fingers fumbled with the knot that was holding her towel together, his hands eager to explore the expanse of flesh beneath. Again, he was overcome by a sense of completeness as her body arched upwards, seeking his touch. He found himself pulling back a little, firstly to remove his own shirt and secondly to allow himself time to look at her. Sam seemed a little surprised, worried even. Jack smiled down at her, stroking her hair. Face flushed, eyes shining, her breathing ragged....she had never looked lovelier.

"You're beautiful," he told her, finding the courage to speak his thoughts aloud.

The colour in her cheeks deepened and she cast her eyes downwards, obviously embarrassed by his frank admission. Jack laughed softly as he kissed her again. The intention of the kiss changed almost immediately, becoming erotic, more intentionally arousing. They made love slowly, carefully, not wanting to jeopardise this new found freedom. As they lay in each other's arms, neither of them doubted for a second that they were meant to be together, to be in love. It was right. It was perfect.

***

Daniel hit the deck the second he found himself through the Stargate. A couple of bullets pinged off the metal of the ramp, then there was silence. He raised his head. Something was wrong. The gate room seemed to be deserted. There were dust sheets over the equipment and the lights were dim. He looked about himself. Teal'c was on his feet, his expression one of confusion.

"What happened?" Daniel heard himself ask.

"Where are O'Neill and Captain Carter?" Teal'c replied.

"I don't know."

He climbed to his feet and took a few experimental steps down the ramp.

"Hello!" he called out.

The door to the gateroom slid open. Daniel closed his eyes against the bright light that streamed into the darkened room. A woman walked towards them. She was old, although Daniel had trouble guessing her exact age. Her face held traces of what had once been extraordinary beauty.

"Hello, Teal'c, Daniel......I hardly recognised you with hair," she smiled.

"Do you know us?" Daniel asked her.

He was rewarded by another smile. For some reason it made him feel better.

"Come closer," she told them, holding out her hands.

"Cassandra?" Daniel questioned.

"Cassandra is a child," Teal'c added.

"Not any more Teal'c. I've been expecting you my whole life. You entered the Stargate a few seconds too soon and the flare threw you far into the future. I've come to send you back where you belong."

"No, you can't....I mean, we're grateful......but Sam and Jack are still in 1969. We can't just leave them."

"What you ask is difficult, even for us."

"Who's us?"

Cassandra frowned. She touched the device that she wore on her wrist and the Stargate sprang into life.

"Time is short," she told them.

"Can you tell us if we'll find them?"

"Sam sent a message, they'll be waiting for you. Take this."

She handed Daniel a piece of paper and a small oval object. He opened the paper and read the address. His attention then turned to the article.

"What's this?"

"It will help you make your way out of Cheyenne Mountain."

"Is it Tollan?"

"You must hurry."

"Or Nox?"

"You haven't changed, Daniel. Now go."

Teal'c took Daniel's arm and started to drag him up the ramp. Cassandra watched them step through the portal. She smiled to herself. Daniel's hesitation had been enough to throw the calculations off....just enough.

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

"Are you certain this is the place Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked.

"I checked the date," Daniel replied.

"Then where are Captain Carter and O'Neill?"

"I don't know....let's try this way."

Daniel chose a path at random and headed down it. Teal'c waited a few seconds before following.

"Daniel Jackson," he called.

"I think if we go this way we can take in the lake."

"We do not need to."

"What?"

Teal'c pointed through the trees at a couple who were sprawled on the grass. The man had his arms wrapped around the blonde woman, who was dozing with her head on his chest. Jackson stared for a few seconds and then looked back at his friend. It couldn't be....could it. He took his glasses off, cleaned them and put them back on again. Sam and Jack had obviously got closer since he and Teal'c had seen them last. Much closer.

The Jaffa started to walk across the grass. Daniel tried to stop him, but his shouts went unheeded. Jack must have heard, because he suddenly looked in their direction, his face breaking into a smile.

"I don't believe....Danny? Teal'c? Honey, they're here!!"

He woke Sam and helped her to stand. That was when Daniel got his second shock. Samantha Carter was very obviously pregnant. She looked.....well radiant was the only word for it Her condition obviously agreed with her, and with Jack. Daniel had never seen him look so happy.

"O'Neill, Captain Carter. I am very pleased to see that you are well," Teal'c announced.

Daniel couldn't take his eyes off Sam's stomach.

"Sam, you're...er.....How?"

"The usual way," Sam replied.

She smiled softly to herself as Jack caressed her swollen stomach. Daniel suddenly had the urge to look elsewhere.

"What did you expect, Danny?" Jack grinned.

"Not quite this....what year are we in?"

"1973..... and we did wait, longer than we probably should have."

"What's Hammond going to say?"

"Not much he can."

"Dr. Jackson, I believe the correct earth phrase is.....congratulations," Teal'c almost smiled.

"Yes...yes of course," Daniel regained a little of his composure.

"Colonel O'Neill, may I have your permission to hug Captain Carter?"

Trying not to laugh, Jack nodded his head. Teal'c engulfed Sam in a bear hug.

"Captain Carter your child is kicking my Goa'uld," he announced.

"That's my boy!" Jack praised. "So tell me....what took you kids so long?"

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

It was going to be a difficult journey home. Sam stared out of the window, watching the children playing across the street. This world seemed so safe, tranquil almost. She knew that humanity would survive its threat to itself. Whether it would survive the Goa'uld was open to debate. The world she was returning to seemed infinitely more hostile than this one.

The front door slammed and she saw Jack making his way over to the kids. He was probably saying goodbye. They'd miss him, and the long summer afternoons he'd spent playing street hockey with them. Sam smiled fondly at the memory, sometimes he was little more than a child himself. He would be wonderful with his own....if he was given the chance. Sam knew that she was borrowing trouble, but her relationship with Jack, and her pregnancy had changed her. She was fiercely protective of her unborn child, which was why she found herself resenting the fact that she was returning home.

"Regrets?" Daniel's voice surprised her. She hadn't heard him enter the room.

"A few," she replied, honestly. "I don't think Jack and I would have ever got involved if we thought that we'd be going home."

"Is that a problem?"

"It's a complication. Regulations don't quite cover this situation."

"So was this...er... planned?"

He gestured towards her stomach. Sam laughed,

"Yes."

"And you love him?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"Then I don't think you'll have any problems."

Daniel hugged Sam, tightly. His embrace reassured her slightly. Whatever happened she knew that Daniel would always be there for her, even if Jack could not. Still safe within Daniel's arms, she turned her gaze back to the window. Jack had managed to get his hands on a hockey stick and was demonstrating......the children gathered round him. Eventually, he waved them off and headed back towards the house. Sam left Daniel and went to meet him at the door.

"Ready?" he asked her.

He took her hand and kissed the palm.

"As I'll ever be," she replied.

"Then let's go home."

The End.