Title: It's Happened

Author: Lauren

E-mail: bubbles683@hotnmail.com

Rating: PG

Summary: `It had finally happened. They knew it would; it was the part after they were having trouble with.'

Season: Future

Category: Fluff!

Spoilers: None

Archive: samandjack gets a 'yes', any others just ask

A/N: As always, thanks to Allie

It's Happened

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

It was uncomfortable. They both knew that. Yet, they both knew this situation was unavoidable. No matter how much they ran way from this day, they knew it would find them and drag them back, kicking and screaming into reality.

Colonel Jack O'Neill was standing across from Major Samantha Carter and their lips were joined. Together. Moving. Kissing. It had finally happened. They knew it would; it was the part after they were having trouble with.

The meeting had been fairly innocent enough. Granted, it was in Carter's accommodation, but still . . . They were having a discussion, hovering into an argument. When suddenly it turned into bantering, and some flirtation may have taken place. Then *smack* went the rough glove of reality as they found that they couldn't . . . stop . . . staring . . . at . . . each . . . other. And her . . . eyes . . . were . . . soooo . . . smouldering. And that his . . . eyes . . . were . . . going . . . double. Just like that.

They were now stuck, staring stupidly at each other, their noses practically touching. They felt like they had just fallen over the edge of a cliff and were falling, waiting for the ground to hit.

Jack opened his mouth . . .

And closed it.

Sam opened her mouth . . .

And took a deep breath . . .

And closed her mouth again.

It was at this point that Daniel walked straight into her room, waving a piece of paper in the air excitedly, but he froze upon seeing his two friends in such unusually close proximity. Jack managed to jump back, shove his hands in his pocket, cock his head to the one side and give a smile through his teeth. Sam turned in surprise.

Daniel cleared his throat uncomfortably, "Is this one of the times where it is best if I turn on my heel and just pretend I never came in, saw anything, or anyone?"

"Yes, that would be good, Daniel, now off you go like a good little Spacemonkey," Jack grated, still with his feigned smile.

Daniel did as he said he would and walked out, closing the door firmly, but quietly behind him.

Jack turned to Sam, but she seemed to have found her tongue. "I'm sorry Sir, I don't know what happened there," she said, with what she hoped was an assertive voice, but knew that really, it was much too shakey. Staring at his feet, she took a deep breath and continued, "It's all my fault, I apologize and . . ."

She found she couldn't speak anymore, because Jack had taken her face in his hands and continued what they had begun earlier, but this time with more confidence. Slowly he stopped kissing her, but left his hands on her face.

"I guess it's me who should be saying sorry now."

She paused for a moment, trying to hold off the things that she knew she had to say, but that neither would want to hear.

Sam shook her head, making his hands fall away and took a defiant step back. "Sir, we can't. You know why. You know I want to, but you know why. Please, don't make this more difficult than it already is." Her eyes pleaded with him.

"Sam, I don't want this to be difficult, not anymore . . . I mean . . ." he sighed. "How can I put this," he mumbled, dragging his hands through his hair. "I'm fed up."

"Fed up?"

"Exactly, I'm fed up! I'm getting old, I'm tired, I can't deal with all the . . . stuff that comes along with this . . . thing that we have." Jack really wished he could be more articulate like Daniel at times like this. Then maybe he could actually express what he was feeling.

"What do you want me to do about it? Do you think I enjoy the . . . stuff? I hate the stuff as much as you do!"

"No, the ball's always been in your court, Carter. I've made my feelings clear over the years. All you had do was say the word and I . . . I would . . ." he tried to continue, waggling his finger like his life depended on it.

"Yes Jack? What would you do? Whisk me off my feet, take me to your cabin to 'fish'? Then come back and start making out in the supply closet? You know that we can't do anything."

"That's where you're wrong. Like I said, I'm getting old. I've retired once, and I'd do it again. I'd do it over something less important than to be with the women that I . . ." he tried again, "that I," Jack looked into Sam's eyes and knew it was the right thing to do, "that I love. There I said it. I love you and would be willing to retire if you'll consider being with me."

Sam looked like she was in shock. She began to look a bit like a goldfish, with those big blue eyes and her mouth opening and closing.

"Ohhhkay," he began, slowly retreating, "now I've laid my soul bare. I'm a good guy and I'll give you an easy way out. To save a very awkward moment, what I'm gonna do is close my eyes and if you don't feel the same, then just walk out. Just march through the door." He closed his eyes. "I won't think any less of you and . . ." Jack felt breath tickle beside his ear and couldn't help but inhale sharply.

"I love you too, Jack O'Neill."

The relief, excitement and happiness flowed through him all at once. He wanted to run, scream, shout, and do cartwheels for cying out loud!

He turned around quickly, almost touching Sam's face. On her face there was the most beautiful, heart-stopping smile he had ever seen. Sam felt like she was going to collapse soon if she didn't touch him in the next few seconds. She needn't worry as Jack scooped her into his arms and kissed her like his life depended on it . . . well the rest of his life actually.

~End~

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