"Blue Flowers" By Carhop

Title: Blue Flowers

Author: Carhop

Pairings: Mention of Sam/Pete; Sam/Jack

Rating: NC-17

Archive: SJD; yes, Heliopolis, yes; others please ask.

Summary: Those lovely little blue flowers and the Aqua Veritas weren't as innocuous as they seemed.

Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/ Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. I have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the authors. Not to be archived without permission of the author.

Spoilers: The Devil You Know, Spirits, Message in a Bottle, Grace, Chimera, extremely vague reference to Entity,

Status: Complete

Warnings: Angst, explicit sex, romance

Timeframe: Post Chimera.

Author's Notes: "***" indicates a change of POV. Feedback is always very much appreciated. Profuse thanks to my excellent beta readers Kayla, Brandifer, Barb, Brenda R and Tricia. Any remaining mistakes are my own.

Colonel Jack O'Neill was in rare form, that is, if you consider being as friendly as a bear with a sore paw good form. He gazed sourly around at his eclectic team. Doctor Daniel Jackson, archaeologist, linguist and occasional diplomat sauntered to his left. To Jackson's left was Teal'c, an alien descended of humans genetically modified by the Goa'uld. He had been the First Prime of Apophis, one of Earth's primary enemies until SG-1 finally killed the Goa'uld. On O'Neill's right side strode Major Samantha Carter, doctor of theoretical astrophysics, engineering genius and Earth's foremost expert on the Stargate, the alien technology that allowed the team to explore other worlds.

They were on such a world, P4Y-474, and followed a faint game trail roughly southwest from the Stargate. The early morning sunshine warmed their left shoulders and gently illuminated the dew-kissed grass beside their path. It was a perfect summer morning for a hike, especially since they'd just left a snow-filled January evening on Earth. After an hour of walking, heaps of tumbled stone blocks emerged from a disintegrating bank of mist. A sudden breeze blew away more of the morning fog and Daniel exclaimed in delight as the enormous array of ruins opened up before them. All thought of stealth or self-preservation fled his mind as he scrabbled through his pack for his video camera and immediately started taking pictures.

"Carter, you keep an eye on Indiana Jones here," O'Neill barked, speaking for the first time since the major had set their course from the Stargate. "Teal'c and I'll check out the other city the UAV found."

Daniel's head snapped up and he turned to face his commander. "Uh, Jack, I really need Teal'c's help to translate these glyphs." He pointed to a partially intact archway, covered in symbols unfamiliar to the boyishly enthusiastic scientist.

O'Neill ungraciously growled back, "If you must. Carter you're with me. Teal'c, report in every four hours. You know the drill." With his customary dignity, the Jaffa nodded his understanding.

Daniel threw Sam an apologetic look for abandoning her to the tender mercies of their ill-tempered leader and friend. A grimace flicked over her mobile face, but then she softly smiled at her friend, not blaming him for the colonel's mood.

***

Sighing softly, Sam Carter adjusted the straps of her pack and fell silently into line behind her commander. He'd been acting this way for weeks now, speaking only to give gruff orders or snap at his subordinates and anyone unlucky enough to find himself in the colonel's path. No one knew for sure why. At the best of times, he tended to be irritable, but now Jack O'Neill was positively unbearable company.

Making the best of her situation, Sam silently followed him through thick stands of deciduous trees, still keeping to the meandering game trail as it moved up away from the valley floor. Their steps were silent against the duff-covered track, the still air around them cool in the twilight of the forest. As noon approached, their path suddenly opened into a meadow, drenched in sun, carpeted with masses of wildflowers of every color. A wave of scent enveloped her on a gentle breeze.

As they passed from forest to meadow, Sam stooped to pick several fist-sized clumps of tiny blue flowers and raised them to her nose. Inhaling the sweet scent, her mood lightened almost immediately. She breathed a sigh of delight at the sight before her and tucked one cluster of tiny, sapphire blooms behind one ear. As she packed the rest into a collection bag, Sam glanced at the ramrod straight back of the man in front of her and her good mood evaporated, quickly replaced by a melancholy confusion all too familiar over the past weeks.

The object of her gaze obliviously continued his way into the open field, competently negotiating the gentle slope of the hillside. Teal'c had dutifully checked in while they walked. Grudgingly, O'Neill took advantage of their position and stopped suddenly, turning to face his major. "We'll stop here for a quick lunch," he intoned, stony-faced.

***

The taciturn pair removed energy bars from their packs and sat chewing the pressboard-and-treacle tasting bars mechanically while each pretended to have nothing to say to the other. Furtively, he watched her, noting the flowers, thinking how closely they matched her beautiful eyes. O'Neill watched as she reached forward to pluck another stem of the blooms and raised it to her nose. Her eyes closed and a small smile flitted across her lips. His heart beat just a little faster.

Angry with himself for thinking of her in that forbidden manner, he snarled, "You're out of uniform, Major." His gruff words snapped her out of her dreamy haze.

Sam lifted an apologetic face to him and murmured, "Yes, sir. Just collecting samples." He watched as she awkwardly snatched the flowers from behind her ear and moved to stuff the two bunches into the collection bag with the others. One fell to the ground instead of into the bag, unseen by the agitated scientist. Sam rolled her food wrapper in a ball and stuffed it in her pack, clearly annoyed at his tone and manner, although someone who didn't know her as well as he did wouldn't have noticed the slight tightening of her mouth. Shouldering her pack, she stood watching the trail ahead, and waited for her commander.

O'Neill moved to lift his pack, but, instead, bent to pick up the discarded blooms. He deeply inhaled the sweet, clean scent and the quickly pocketed the flowers before his companion noticed. The colonel sadly mulled over the past few weeks and his personal nightmare, 'Why couldn't she have told me? I thought we were friends, if nothing else. I had to find out by eavesdropping on Teal'c and Daniel that she's pregnant by that Pete guy and they're getting married during her vacation next month.'

***

They walked on silently, each lost in their inner reflections, uncharacteristically paying scant attention to their peaceful surroundings. The heat of the day built as they crossed the wide ribbon of meadow. Teal'c, predictably, had checked in again. Lost in her own thoughts, Sam failed to notice the slight and momentary blurring around the edges of her vision.

God, I wish he'd tell someone what's wrong so we could help, the major wished silently. I don't know if I can take this for the next four weeks until I can get away - before the wedding.

A tiny ripple of dizziness passed through her. Blaming the momentary lightheadedness on slight dehydration, she grabbed her canteen and sipped sparingly from it as she walked. They'd seen no other source of water since starting out from the gate that morning. Glancing down to put her canteen away, she spied a bloom of the exact color of his eyes, the eyes of the man she loved. Her thoughts lifted again as she reflected on the heat his intense gaze could kindle in her. Sam lost herself once more in her favorite fantasy, their wedding night, when they would finally be one instead of two. She played through their slow seduction of each other, not realizing she'd stopped walking.

"For cryin' out loud, Carter! Pay attention," Colonel O'Neill barked, annoyed that his own internal reverie was so rudely interrupted by walking into the back of his 2IC. When his outburst gained him no reaction from the woman before him, O'Neill grabbed her by the pack and spun her around to face him. He grasped her shoulders and loudly demanded, "Carter! What the hell's wrong with you?"

Carter shook her head to clear away the cobweb-like remains of her daydream. "S-sir?" Glancing to either side at his hands, she asked, "What's going on, sir? Why are you holding me?"

Clearly exasperated, the colonel let go, flinging his hands out, as he snapped, "Because you were woolgathering and just stopped in the middle of the trail. Now, wake up and get moving, Major!"

"Yes, sir!" Sam spun on her heel and strode away, vastly embarrassed to be caught by her CO having an erotic daydream. She got a few hundred feet further along before the almost overwhelming urge to act out her fantasy swept over her. She clenched her teeth and moaned softly with the effort to keep walking. She asked herself, what is wrong with me? Why can't I concentrate? Why can't I keep my mind off his… Ahhhhh! Stop it!

The compulsion to let loose of her control, just for once in her emotionally repressed life, was growing stronger with every passing moment. Stop being the perfect airman for once, Sam!

***

Meanwhile, Jack watched her walk away from him, just as he felt Sam had done since she'd been stranded alone on the Prometheus. He'd hoped for so long that some day they could be together, but she hadn't been willing to wait. He, apparently, hadn't been enough for her to wait for. What chance did a crotchety old bastard like him have with a young, beautiful woman like her? Bitterness left its telltale taste in his mouth and, once again, gave way to anger. A thump from ahead broke his self-pitying concentration. He raised his eyes, concerned that Carter was injured or in trouble, although from *what* on this mild-mannered planet, Jack couldn't imagine. To his surprise, his major stood stock still in the middle of the trail again, her pack tossed carelessly to the side.

"Carter?" he began, before she pivoted on her heel to face him, hands on her hips, a wicked smirk on her lovely face.

"Tag, you're it." Grinning widely, she stooped quickly to pick a cluster of the blue flowers and thrust them in his face. Startled, Jack gasped, sucking their potent perfume deeply into his lungs.

"Huh? Carter what are-"

She ignored his angry and confused outburst. "*I said*, tag, you're it, Jack." Sam turned again and started to jog away from him, throwing over her shoulder in a singsong voice, "Catch me if you can, Jon-a-than. I'll make it worth your while." Uncharacteristically giggling, she ran faster toward the swathe of trees blocking their forward path and passed from his sight into the trees.

He fought the powerful urge to follow Sam, pull her into his arms and show her *exactly* what she was missing by marrying her cop. Jack's fingers curled into fists, his jaw clenched, and his heart beat a rapid tempo. His BDU pants painfully restricted his growing erection. He shook his head, as Sam had done, to clear away the fuzziness and longing that was overtaking his reason. Finally, winning the battle against the hormones raging through him, Jack pushed himself to follow her into the woods, afraid she would harm herself in this state.

Laughter and taunts floated toward Jack as he slowed, allowing his eyes to adjust to the deep twilight again. He followed the teasing voice, almost silently stalking her, weaving his way between enormous trees, leaping over fern-like vegetation in his haste to reach the woman he'd dreamt about so often but could never have. After a few minutes of near-total darkness, Jack suddenly burst through the last of the screening foliage into the edge of another ruin, his boots clattering loudly against the dun colored stone. Attention solely on his prey and re-adjusting to the bright sunlight, he almost tripped over her vest, lying abandoned on the pavement.

Jack scanned the remains of the buildings around him, hungrily searching for her as the rational side of his brain struggled to retain control. Musical laughter rang from somewhere close by, but the hard surfaces everywhere reflected the sound and distorted any sense of its source.

"What's the matter, *Colonel*? Can't' find one lil' ol' major? Gonna let yourself be beat by a *girl*, Jack?" taunted his major.

Jack growled in frustration, his mind no longer aware of their mission, his team, any possibility of danger around him. She was *his*. He *would* have her.

"Maybe this will provide a little incentive, Colonel 'o mine," the sultry voice taunted. Suddenly, a black substance flew at his head and blocked his view until he reached up to drag the soft material from his face. He held it up in one hand and recognized her tank top with a powerful jolt that headed straight for his groin. Eyes closed, Jack held the garment to his nose and breathed in her scent – her sweat from their hike, her body lotion, her own unique fragrance. His senses were drowning in her and his erection pressed painfully against his zipper. It drove him wild with need for her.

*So* not the day to have gone commando.

***

Breathing as though she'd run a race, Sam watched from the partially intact roof of a nearby building. She tugged off her boots and socks, stuffed the socks into the boots and slung the less-than-flattering footwear over her shoulder as she slipped silently down the steep stairway to the street. Poking her head around the corner to face Jack, Sam called, "Over here, Colonel." She tossed a boot at him and raced off in the opposite direction, giggling madly.

At each turn or intersection, Sam left another piece of clothing pointing the way, until she was bare. Fortunately, she'd reached her destination – a large plaza edged on three sides with the tumbled remains of what must once have been a beautiful city. Remains of a colorful pavement peeked from occasional gaps in the covering dirt. A statue that would have reminded Daniel of Winged Victory stood proudly atop a fountain, sadly waterless and silent. The remaining border of the space was a sparkling body of water. The lake had been calling her since she'd reached the ruins. Slowing as she neared the sand-covered verge, Sam stepped hesitantly to the edge where the "water" lapped lazily against the glittering silver sand. The scientist in her surfaced long enough to ponder the liquid before her. It pooled and moved like quicksilver, but was so clear she could easily see the metallic grains of sand on the lake bottom.

Sam spun her head at a faint sound of pursuit from behind her. Gathering her courage, she took a step into the pool, then another and another until the warm liquid reached her waist. She sucked in a ragged breath and closed her eyes. Raising her arms to her sides, Sam fell forward slowly, buoyed by the resistance of the fluid around her, until she gently laid facedown on the welcoming surface. The compulsion to reach the lake had left her, but she had no desire to do anything except stay in its embrace. By the time Jack arrived at the shore, she had stopped breathing altogether.

***

He had followed her trail of "clues." When he spied the last, Jack stooped to pick up the bit of lace and ribbon she wore instead of the boring regulation underpants. Again inhaling her scent, the colonel lost all self-control and uttered a soft, low moan, "Sam." It was all the motivation he needed to toss aside his pack and pick up the pace toward *his* major.

Jack was far enough behind that he was just in time to see her slide into the lake from across a broad plaza. "No, Sam!" he shouted frantically, not to be cheated, "No!" He raced to the shore, all thought of lust flown, tossed his vest aside and stooped to untie his boots with desperate haste. Tugging them off, he dove into the liquid and swam as fast as he could to her side. Jack anxiously turned her unresponsive body over and then searched with trembling fingers for a pulse. A shuddering sigh of relief followed when he found it, strong and steady.

Unable to think coherently any longer, Jack surrendered to the pull of the fluid. He let himself be held up by its viscosity, and tried to wrap his muddled mind around what had happened to them. Within seconds, all conscious thought had left him and tiny waves turned his body over to face the silver sand. The waves slowly pushed their still forms away from the beach.

***

Sam realized that she was no longer supported by the waters. Lapped by languid waves, her body lay on the shore near where she had left the plaza. A soft sigh to her left caused Sam to notice the prone body – Colonel O'Neill – clothed in only the tattered remnants of his BDUs. Somehow, she knew that the lake waters had that effect on everything except human flesh.

Pulling out of the dreamy trance induced by the magical waters, Sam crouched at Jack's head and slid her hands under his arms to drag him out of the liquid and further up the beach. Predictably, his decomposing clothes stayed in the water, unable to bear the stress. She retrieved and gently placed Jack's discarded vest under his head as a cushion. Sam glanced around the large space with a sense of unreality, and then moved her gaze to the man lying at her feet.

For some reason, Sam knew that he was only sleeping deeply, but she needed the reassurance that only checking for herself would provide. His pulse beat steady and strong under her seeking fingertips, his color was good, and his beloved face was as relaxed as she'd ever seen it. Greatly daring, she took what would most likely be her only opportunity to study the rest of him, head to toes. Her slender fingers played over the scar on his left shoulder made by the orb, the smattering of graying chest hair, the scar on his right arm from Tonané's arrow. His small rosy nipples hardened under her touch and a small moan escaped the sleeping man.

She gasped sharply at his reaction, moisture instantly gathered between her legs, and her own nipples tightened in response. Her hand showed a mind of its own by skimming across his muscular, flat abdomen, eliciting another moan from the man she'd always craved. Jack's penis twitched in response and grew as she watched, her eyes round, mesmerized. She still felt the urge to act out her fantasy. Her errant hand continued its transit across his belly and down one perfectly muscled thigh, not too bulky, nor too thin. She touched the scar on his knee from a staff blast he'd taken while trying to protect her from Sokar's Jaffa on Netu.

Swept away by tenderness for this man, who had meant so much to her for so long, Sam leaned over and pressed her lips to the scarred skin by his knee. Greatly aroused by the tickle of the wiry hair and the feel of Jack's warm skin against her lips, she threw caution to the winds and kissed a trail up his inner thigh. Reaching his groin, Sam kissed, licked and nipped her way across his balls and up his erection. Circling the head with her tongue, she wrapped her mouth around the rapidly growing shaft and took all of it into her mouth greedily. One hand cradled his sack and gently rolled his balls back and forth; the other hand joined her mouth on his hard penis to stroke in time to the pumping motion of her mouth.

A familiar ache was growing in the pit of Sam's stomach. She needed him inside her; she needed the touch of a man who loved her. Who was she kidding? Definitely not herself. She needed Jack.

***

Jack moaned softly at the sensations from his most secret recurring fantasy. The peaceful place he'd been before his familiar dream began had gradually given way to the feel of her hands roaming tantalizingly over his body, the ecstasy of her mouth on him. When she closed her lips over him, his hips bucked without his conscious command. He groaned, "Sam…"

She raised dreamy eyes to his and ran a pink tongue over her lips as if to get the last taste of him. The sight forced another groan, "God, Sam. Just don't disappear before the end of *this* dream. I want you so much."

Sam sent him a shy smile. "I want you too, Jack. I have for as long as I've known you, but I *need* you now." She gracefully raised herself to her knees and straddled his hips. In one supple movement, she molded her body to his from head to hip and delighted in this intimate contact of skin against skin. She rubbed her breasts wantonly against his chest, savored the feel of the soft chest hair against her sensitized nipples.

Jack hungrily slid a hand behind her neck to pull Sam's mouth to his. Their first kiss was frantic, passionate, and wild. She opened her lips and ravished his mouth with her tongue. Sam tilted her hips and rubbed her wetness along his erection. He knew he couldn't hold out much longer with her personal brand of torture, and he had hopes of continuing this surreal fantasy as long as possible. Jack tensed his muscles and rolled them so he was pressing her into the soft, yielding sand.

He sat back on his knees and stared at Sam, astonished at the realism of this dream, the tactile sensations, he could even smell the scent of her excitement. He stroked his roughened palm up his lover's side to her breast, gently pinching the nipple into a hard peak and eliciting a moan from the woman beneath him. She was so beautiful, much more so than in his previous imaginings; her skin was so soft, her breasts perfect. Her flushed face betrayed an intense passion for him that he'd barely suspected except in his deepest, darkest fantasies. Sam's shiver brought a smile to his lips. He obligingly leaned over her to place a series of kisses along her collarbone and down to her enticing nipples. Sam arched her back as his clever fingers and tongue caressed her breast and moaned, "Oh, yes… More please, more."

***

Sam's breasts felt heavy and a tightening began in the pit of her belly from the magical fingers of her lover. When his tongue found her swollen clit and he began to devour her, she cried out and spread her knees wider. He looked at her with eyes gone impossibly dark with passion and gently nipped her hard bud, pushing her to come – hard. She cried out, "Jack! I love you," and collapsed, exhausted, against the glittering shore, trembling in the aftermath. She suddenly realized what she'd said, quite without planning to, and grimaced at her slip. Sam just hoped he hadn't heard.

***

Jack drank in the words that he'd longed to hear for years. He needed to be inside her now! He raised himself to his knees and stretched his hard body over her softer frame.

"Now, Jack. I need you to make love to me. Love me."

"I do," he murmured, unable to stop telling her the truth.

Jack pushed forward and slid into her hot, wet channel, shuddering in ecstasy at the sensation as her muscles tightened around him. He was sheathed in Carter! His dreams had always ended before that point. It was even better than he'd ever imagined. Sam moaned as he moved within her and ground his pelvic bone against her sensitized clitoris. She made soft, urgent little noises that Jack found highly erotic, urging him to thrust deeper and faster, grinding into her groin. He felt her muscles flutter with the beginnings of her second orgasm and knew he wouldn't last much longer.

Sam arched beneath his thrusting body and cried out, "Jack!" as she experienced the ecstasy again. His name on her lips in the heights of passion almost pushed him over the edge. A primal need to possess her in this most intimate way possible drove him. With less than perfect rhythm, Jack thrust faster and harder into Sam, pushed deep inside by the angle of her hips. Within seconds, he shot his seed deeply into her and collapsed in a boneless heap at her side. Wrapped around each other, the pair of new lovers slept in the afternoon sun.

He jerked awake, his nose tickled by something soft, silken. Jack cautiously raised his head to see the tousled blonde hair of his 2IC, her head on his shoulder, her arm wrapped around his waist possessively and her luscious leg – her *bare* leg - thrown over his equally bare hips. What the hell had gone on? In a flash, his dream came back to him. Sam, him, sex… shit! It hadn't been a dream after all.

"Carter!" His shout brought her awake as though he'd slapped her.

"Ja- sir?" Sam backed away, appearing confused and miserable by the renewed hostility reflected in the scowl he felt grow on his features. Her arms wrapped protectively around her knees.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Eyebrows at full mast, his tone turned nasty as he jibed, "Not that I mind a little fun in the sun, but won't Kojak mind you playing horizontal mambo with your commanding officer… especially *now*?"

Seeing Sam confused was not something Jack encountered everyday. She drew a deep breath and turned her slumped body toward the lake before saying in a voice shaking with emotion, "Colonel, I will understand if you want to put me up on charges for seducing you, but making fun of my pitiful excuse for a personal life is rather a low blow, don't you think."

Jack voice dripped with sarcasm. "Excuse me, did I miss something? Aren't you the one who's gracing a shotgun wedding next month? Bet Jacob's just de-lighted about the whole thing." Contempt for her on his face and in his tone, he took another shot. "Or haven't you had the courage to tell him yet, Carter?" His spleen vented at last, Jack focused on her profile, his hurt and disbelief well hidden behind the mask of disinterest he wore.

Sam's mouth gaped as she twisted her neck to stare him over her naked shoulder. Her voice shook as she spat, "You really hate me don't you, *sir*. With your permission, I'd like to go find my clothing and backpack." Without waiting for his consent, Sam leapt to her feet and stalked away, back rigid, hands clenched at her side. Despite her state of undress, she exuded fury and, oddly, elegance. She was magnificent!

"Jesus, Jack, why don't you just kick her in the guts while you're at it," O'Neill muttered to himself, his head dropped into his hand. She must despise him so much. He hadn't meant to say any of those things, but since being in the lake, he seemed unable to control his mouth. Whatever he thought just… popped out.

***

She'd found her sports bra, underwear, trousers and one boot, but she hadn't found her self-respect or any answers. What was wrong with them? She couldn't stop blurting out or acting out whatever was on her mind. And, the colonel, well, he certainly hadn't been holding back. What was up with him? First, he welcomed her with open arms, and then he'd gone back to being a massive jerk again. She'd never thought of him as the love 'em and leave 'em type. Her career was *so* over.

In her wanderings, Sam had found a mostly intact courtyard containing a fancifully carved fountain in the wall opposite the entrance. Miraculously, it was still bestowing a stream of fresh, cold water on a stone pool about the size of a large hot tub. After satisfying herself that there was no danger about, Sam gratefully caught a handful from the flow to cool her face. She finished the few sips left in her canteen, rinsed and refilled it, and then dropped in a water purification tablet. Her thirst satisfied, Sam used some of the sun-warmed water from the pool to scrub away the vestiges of her encounter with O'Neill and tame her rebellious hair, which had dried into a wild mess.

The tears she couldn't hold back after Jack - no, make that the colonel - rejected her had dried, leaving her heartsick and deeply ashamed. Sam was reaching a point where she knew she had to make some life-altering decisions. Even before she knew of his betrayal, Pete had been a poor substitute for the man she loved but couldn't have. Although to be fair, Pete *had* apologized sincerely for everything. However, Colonel O'Neill obviously no longer cared for her, if he ever really had. Why torture herself by being around him, especially now that she'd made a *complete* fool of herself by seducing the man.

Sam sighed heavily, knowing it was time for her to leave SG-1. She felt sure even Daniel and Teal'c would be relieved to be without the friction her presence seemed to cause.

***

To take his mind off the incredibly arousing sight of his major's naked ass swaying as she walked away from him and the affect it had on certain parts of his anatomy, Jack had made an inventory of his remaining possessions. Unfortunately, it only took two seconds. He had his vest and his boots. Not exactly an outfit designed to preserve what little remained of his dignity. There wasn't even a handkerchief in the vest pockets, for cryin' out loud.

After checking in with Teal'c and reporting that he and Carter would stay the night in the city by the lake, Jack followed her from the plaza, tracing his steps as best as he could remember them. Fortunately, a short way back along his trail he found his pack, tossed aside in his wild rush to find Sam, and quickly donned his spare clothing.

Feeling more like himself, O'Neill began searching for his major. He had some… "major"… groveling to do.

***

Sam was scrubbing every part of herself that she could reach with the sand on the bottom of the pool when she heard familiar footsteps behind her. She hurriedly pulled her BDU trousers up and her bra back down before turning apprehensively toward her commanding officer.

His eyes averted, the man held out a folded black tee shirt. "Here, Carter, you could probably use something clean to wear until we find your pack." The colonel pointed back toward the main street. "I'll… just wait out here while you get dressed. We, uh, need to talk when you're dressed."

"Yes, sir," the major murmured through stiff lips, suspecting what he wanted to "talk" about. Clutching the scraps of her composure, she left the relative sanctuary of the courtyard to join her commander. She stood at parade rest waiting for the expected dressing down. Her eyes focused on nothing in particular, Carter continued to wait, mentally writing her transfer request; assuming, that is, she didn't end up in a cell or as a civilian.

"Carter! Relax. All I want to do is apologize for my rudeness," O'Neill barked, clearly annoyed by her stiffness and obvious fear of his intentions. Softening his tone, he continued, "I was *way* out of line, yelling at you, saying some of the things I did."

Startled by his admission, she drew in a ragged breath and bit her lips, still not totally convinced things were clear between them. "So… now what? Sir."

"I certainly can't bring you up on charges for something in which I was a *more* than willing participant. Although, I have to admit, at the time, I thought it was just another of my dreams of us."

She closed her eyes, suddenly fighting tears. He'd dreamt of them together?

"I'm sorry I said those things, Sam. I didn't really mean them. Well, I, uh, thought them, but certainly didn't mean to say them. I can't seem to shut up when I should today."

"I know what you mean, sir. I've," Sam cleared her throat suddenly closing on her emotions, "unintentionally said a few things I shouldn't have." Her mind continued, 'and did a few things I regret.' She still couldn't meet his eyes, vastly relieved, enormously embarrassed, incredibly conflicted.

***

Jack sighed, realizing he still hadn't said what he needed her to hear if they were to remain friends. The last thing he wanted was to lose her altogether. He gestured for her to sit on a large block of stone lying to the side of the street and uneasily seated himself with a few inches of hard rock separating them.

"Look Carter, I was upset when I found out about you and Pete getting married, about the baby and all. I guess I've been a little hard to be around."

Sam greeted his revelation with a rather unladylike snort. Then her face changed as the rest of his words registered. She turned to face him, studying his face carefully. "Sir, what made you think I'm marrying Pete?"

Now he was confused. "Well, aren't you? I overheard Daniel and Teal'c talking about your wedding next month."

"No, sir, Pete's marrying his girlfriend, Chris. Christine Porter." Sam's face was a picture of dejection and Jack's heart sank again.

"I thought *you* were his girlfriend, Carter." Now, he was really confused. Sam blushed, although whether in embarrassment or anger, Jack couldn't tell. Maybe it was both. She looked away again and her finger traced a vein of lighter material in the stone they used as a bench. "I was… uh, just a diversion while Pete was in town on a case. He'd broken up with Chris when she told him she wanted to get married. When she called him about her pregnancy, it was as if I'd never existed. It must have been *their* wedding, their baby, the guys were talking about."

Even though he'd like to throttle that jerk, Pete, his heart soared. "Then… you're not pregnant?"

Again, she snorted and muttered. "No. Another part of a normal life I'll probably never have." Sam's gorgeous azure eyes glittered and Jack felt like a heel. As usual, not knowing what to say when things got personal, he let the conversation lag. Finally, Jack couldn't keep himself from offering what little comfort he could.

"C'mere," he murmured as he reached to pull her to him. Sam slowly leaned into him and tentatively laid her head on his shoulder. Anxiously, he ventured, "You're not leaving the SGC, are you?"

Startled, she looked up at her CO, not moving from the semi-circle of his arm. "No, of course not, sir. Not… if I have a choice in the matter." Remembering her decision, she looked down and, in a small voice, added, "Al-although, I think it would be best if I left SG-1."

Shocked, he turned a panic-filled face to his 2IC, the woman he also loved very much. "What! No! You can't leave the team, Sam. I can't do this without you," he admitted desperately.

***

Sam pulled out of his embrace and stood up, facing away from her commanding officer to hide her stricken look. It broke her heart to say, "I still think it would be best, sir. I've become a point of friction for you and am endangering everyone's life." She cleared her throat nervously and continued softly, "And, after what I did today, I don't know if we can work together anymore."

"*Hello*, Sam! The only thing that's wrong with SG-1 is me. When, I thought you were pregnant and marrying that jerk… well, I went a little crazy." A calloused hand scrubbed his face and combed back through his unruly silver hair. Jack peeked up at her and a grimace flickered across his ruggedly handsome face. "Partly because I thought you hadn't even bothered to tell me about the whole thing. I mean, I thought you'd tell *all* of your friends, not just Daniel and Teal'c." His voice trailed off as he stared at an imaginary spot in front of him.

Sam turned, keeping her face impassive, and softly prompted, "And?"

"And, I was… jealous," he muttered, staring at the hands clenched in his lap.

Sam's emotions almost overwhelmed her reason. Her first instinct was to throw herself into his arms and never leave their shelter. Her heart wanted that life with him, too, but her brain said it was just all too easy. "I have to ask again, so, now what? Where are we? I can't stand this being half alive without you, but don't want to leave SG-1. I can't stay if we..."

Jack's head snapped up to look at her; his open expression betrayed his insecurity. "Do you really want to be with me, Sam? I mean, I'm not exactly a bargain. It's not as if I even have as much to offer you as Pete. He's more your age, isn't a basket case emotionally and, even though he's a cop, doesn't risk his life with quite the regularity we do."

Unable to resist touching him any longer, Sam sat on the cold stone, gently cupped his cheek with her hand and turned his face to hers.

"Jack, I love *you*. I'm *in* love with you," she emphasized. "Pete was my pitiful attempt to have what I've wanted for more years than I care to admit – that life you ordered me to get. Unfortunately, I tried to have it with the wrong man. I told you that day in the elevator that Pete was nothing serious. I just didn't realize how," she raised her index fingers for air quotes, "'not serious' he was about me."

"I'm so sorry, Sam," Jack offered, his voice expressing his sincerity. "For whatever it's worth, I … love you. I have for a very long time."

Sam squeezed her eyes tightly shut to stop the tears that threatened again to fall. "It's worth more than I can ever say, Jack." She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder again.

"You know, when I was alone on the Prometheus, I imagined that you guys and my dad came to talk with me. I've thought a lot about what all of you said and I've slowly come to understand some of it. Teal'c was my sense of self-preservation, my sense of native caution. He warned me not to fall asleep when I had a serious concussion." At the mention of her four-day ordeal, Jack pulled her into his lap where she settled happily and continued.

"Daniel was, in part, my scientific curiosity, my need to know the answer to everything. He urged me to try communicating with the cloud, to stay and study the phenomenon. Dad, well, he wanted to talk about *me*. He asked if I was happy with my life, and then assured me quite firmly that I wasn't. He urged me to stop playing it safe, to stop using you as a shield against being hurt, and to do something about my endlessly lonely and empty personal life." She briefly paused in her narrative. "That's one reason why I took Mark up on his offer to set me up with Pete."

***

"One reason?" He knew the answer, but had to ask.

She raised dejected sapphire eyes to his. "The real reason is that I can't have the man I want. You're off limits to me, despite finally admitting our feelings, despite what I started here." Sam waved her hand to encompass their surroundings.

Jack's voice clearly expressed his confidence. "Sam, if you really want to be with me, despite all of my many faults and problems, we *will* be together. I promise you that, even if I have to retire or fly a desk, I will make it happen."

Knowing that this subject could be a deal-breaker for them, Sam leaned back to look him squarely in the eye. "No! I will not let you leave the SGC or give up SG-1 for me. You still have too much to contribute to the fight against the Goa'uld. I'd leave SG-1 or resign myself before I'd let you make that sacrifice."

"Honestly, I don't think we're gonna have to make that sacrifice – either of us." Jack grinned and kissed her softly on the nose, causing her to scrunch up the damp appendage. "Hammond's dropped a few hints over the years that he knows how we feel about each other and he's too damned good a leader not to be prepared for this contingency."

Sam started to object to his overly optimistic view of their predicament, but a smirking Jack stopped her words, "Ah, ah, Major. Have a little faith in your CO and mine." He knew her well enough to see that, although now smiling, Sam was still inclined to protest. So, he silenced her by the simple act of claiming her mouth with his.

***

Her senses were in overload once more, from his hands on her back and waist leaving patches of fire, to his lips and tongue plundering hers. When they were both breathless from the prolonged duel of tongues and lips, Jack nipped at her lower lip, and then kissed a trail of hot, wet kisses down her jaw and across her collarbone. Sam skimmed her hands over her love's chest, one moved upward to curl around his neck and into the short, soft hair growing there. Her other hand skimmed lower, brushing his hard abdominal muscles, wringing a low growl from Jack and bringing a smile to her lips.

His calloused hands slipped under the hem of her borrowed t-shirt and he pulled back from her neck just long enough to tug the much-too-large garment and her sports bra over her head. He bent his head and she gave a faint gasp of delight when his tongue curled around a taut nipple, followed quickly by the amazing feeling of his lips and teeth gently massaging the puckered areola.

"Oh, God, Jack, I'll give you thirty or forty years to stop that," Sam breathed in a low husky voice, arching her back to press herself closer to his mouth.

***

Jack smiled into her neck and muttered, "I accept your proposal."

Crap! That 'tellin' the truth thing' must still be working. She'd admitted to loving him, but marriage was a whole other thing.

***

Sam's heart leapt into her throat at his words. "What?" she asked, hopefully, as she looked into his face.

"Sorry, bad joke," Jack joked as he pulled away. "Just forget I said anything."

His actions and words caused her heart to crash back to earth with a painful thud. Sam's breath caught in a hitch as she tried to sort out her feelings about his "bad joke." Her deepest, most closely held wish had always been to marry the man of her dreams – Jack O'Neill - and now he'd just stomped all over it.

Way to go, Sam, another winner! First, Jonas, then Pete, now Jack. Why can't I pick one that just wants me for myself, to have and to hold, not just for a quick screw when they feel like it?

***

Jack noticed her sudden silence and silently berated himself, way to put a wet blanket on a party, O'Neill. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and studied Sam. Her rigid posture screamed 'leave me alone, jerk,' so he asked, "Sam? Something wrong?"

"It's been a long day," she replied and attempted a smile that looked to him more like a grimace. Major Carter stood and reached for her clothing, clutching it to her bare chest like a shield.

"Not convincing, Carter," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Sorry, sir." Again with the sir! "Maybe we should think about finding a place to camp for the night. I-I need to find my pack, too."

"Sam," Jack grasped her shoulders and turned her to face him, "Did my, uh, 'little joke' upset you? Cuz the last thing I want to do is upset you. Ever!" Sam still wouldn't look him in the eye. "Sam? Talk to me."

Sam ground her teeth as though she was trying to keep from speaking, but finally blurted, "Call me old fashioned, but I thought having a life together came with a matching set of rings, a joint checking account, a pet or two, and, maybe, if we're lucky, a kid or two."

Jack felt his mouth fall open. "What you seem to want is an affair. Been there, done that, Colonel. Sex and the odd weekend together isn't what I'm looking for from you."

Angrily, she tried to squirm out of his hold, but Jack refused to let her go. Overcoming his momentary disbelief that she would even *consider* marrying him, Jack pulled her into a crushing embrace and whispered into her hair, "God, Sam, I never thought you'd actually want to marry an old wreck of a soldier with bad knees like me. Marrying you would … make my life perfect - complete." He pulled back to look her in the eye. "I'm sorry I scared you, Sam. It wasn't really what I intended."

Huffing in indignation, she asserted, "You are *not* old!" Sam punched his arm for emphasis. "Or a wreck!" Punch two. "I can't argue about the knees, though." She threw a shy smile, slightly spoiled by the twinkle in her eye, at her love. "Apology accepted."

Still not able to believe his sudden and completely unexpected turn of luck, but unwilling to back away now, Jack asked, "Marry me, Sam?"

Dubious at first after his last joke, her smile gradually grew until it was luminous. "Yes, any time, any where - just so long as we can resolve the issues of the regs and our jobs."

He felt a silly grin growing. "Yes!" Swooping her up in a bear hug, Jack spun them around, yelling, "Hey, world! We're gettin' married."

Delighted with his uncharacteristic enthusiasm, Sam laughed with him and begged, "Jack, please! Put me down."

Jack stopped and set Sam lightly on her feet. Her clothing fell from hands suddenly busy with other things. Her hand skimmed provocatively across his chest and down toward his belt. Her eyes rose to his and Jack could see the love and desire reflected in the darkening orbs. "Hold that thought, gorgeous." A smirking Jack backed away, eliciting another whimper from his major. He held up his index finger, asking for her patience. The resulting pout almost broke his resolve to do things right this time. How could a woman so intelligent pout so enchantingly?

He stood, reached for his pack and carried it into the courtyard. Spying an ancient tree gracefully spreading its branches to shade a corner of the space, Jack quickly unrolled his ground pad and sleeping bag under the sheltering branches. His candle lantern hung from a limb to shed soft light across the makeshift bed. Having set the scene, he turned to call Sam and found her standing a few feet away, having already removed her clothing for the second time that day. She stood before him, stunning in her beauty.

"Wow…" he breathed, struck monosyllabic.

Plainly pleased by his reaction, Sam flashed her gazillion-watt smile - the smile that turned his knees weak and his brain to mush. Her eyes, darkened to a deep blue, reflected her love and desire for him. Jack forced himself to break the trance he'd fallen into, staring at her as though she was bread to a starving man. His body lusted for her, his mind longed for her, his soul thirsted to make her his. He needed her so much.

His steps and hers brought them face to face. Hesitantly, she brought her hand up to cup his cheek. Jack's eyes closed at the feeling of her tender caress and he turned to kiss her palm.

***

The touch of his lips against the sensitive skin of her hand sent tingles of anticipation through her. This time, they would do it right - no quickie on the beach, no recriminations or harsh words. "Jack, why don't you get comfortable? Surely you're too warm in all those clothes," Sam quipped coyly. Her hands roamed over the surface of his BDU shirt, from collar to belt. She slowly released each button from its hole until none were left, and then tugged the tail from his trousers. The garment slid from his broad shoulders, no longer important. When her hand reached for and unlatched his belt buckle, nails grazing over his erection as if by accident, he gasped, "Sam!"

She chuckled at the power she wielded, that he willingly gave her. It aroused Sam and she felt her nipples harden anew. Never one to pass up an opportunity, a smirking Jack smoothed his hands over her soft skin and gently cupped each perfect breast. His thumbs brushed over the taut peaks and Sam bit her lips to stifle a moan. "Jack, you're a very evil man." She shivered again and looked at him through eyes shrunken to slits. "It's one of the many things I love about you."

"You know, I could stand here all night and listen to you tell me how wonderful I am, but I have other plans for us tonight." Jack waggled his eyebrows at Sam and she stifled a giggle.

"Do tell, mon colonel?" Sam continued to remove his clothing, one piece at a time – his t-shirt, his belt – and knelt to untie his boots. The first flew over her shoulder, immediately followed by a sock, and another boot and the second sock.

"In a hurry, are we, Sam?" Jack smirked down at her.

"Oh, you have no idea, Jack," she purred as she tugged his trousers over his lean hips and then grasped the elastic of his boxer briefs. Fingertips pulling the garment past his semi-rigid penis, Sam's short nails grazed his skin from hip to groin to toes. Stepping out of his garments as she rose, they stood face-to-face. "And it's all your fault, Jack, for showing me earlier how talented you are. Now, I can't get enough." The smug look on his face intensified.

The lovers moved simultaneously to close the small distance between them. Their lips met as though magnetized. Tongues danced, hands caressed. Sam ground her hips into his, feeling his erection growing against her, pre-cum smearing across her belly. She wanted him so badly.

"Make love to me, Jack," she murmured as the man of her dreams exercised his dreams with her.

"Mmm, try to stop me, beautiful." Sam gasped as Jack suddenly swept her into his arms and carried her the short way to their makeshift nest.

***

As they lay facing each other, his hand slipped down her body unerringly to find her damp curls. He was pleased by how wet she was and, when he parted her labia and slipped a long, slender finger inside her, how ready she was. As he invaded her most private place, Sam gasped and Jack felt her contract her vaginal muscles around his finger. The sensation almost caused him to lose his control and he felt inordinately smug that he could wring this reaction from her. He pulled back from paying homage to her breast to watch her beautiful face.

Sam whimpered as Jack's mouth left her hard nipple, but, when the pad of his thumb pressed her engorged clitoris, cried urgently, "Yes, oh yes, Jack. Please don't stop." Said digit began to move in a circular motion and a second finger joined the first inside her. His other hand reached for her nipple, pinching and caressing the sensitized flesh into hard peaks. The combination of sensations was too much. She began panting, uttering incoherent moans and single-syllable words that he found wildly arousing, increasing his already painful erection. Her inner muscles pulsed around his probing fingers as her climax hit with the force of a staff blast and she screamed, "Jack!"

Rousing shortly from the lassitude of her powerful orgasm, Sam turned toward her love and reached between them to caress his swollen penis with both hands. She smirked at Jack and took hold of his shaft in both hands. "My turn now, Colonel."

***

Anticipating her turn for payback, she stroked his hard penis; her hands stacked one on top of the other. Gazing up at him slyly, her smirk still firmly in place, Sam lowered her mouth to his erection. Pursing her lips, she pressed them to the head and slowly lowered her mouth over the engorged beast, opening her lips just enough to allow it entrance. Jack growled with pleasure as her hot mouth took him in until the beast sat at the back of her throat. Sam wrapped one hand around the soft skin covering the hard shaft and took his scrotum in the other, squeezing gently, wringing an impassioned moan from him.

"God, Sam. Are you trying to kill me?"

"That would be pretty shortsighted of me, now wouldn't it, Jack?" Sam purred against the hard tip of his penis, dipping her tongue into the slit. She raised her head enough to swirl her tongue along the vein on the under side and watched his face as she kept up the torture. His body grew rigid with tension, knowing his control wasn't what it had been, especially after abstaining for so long.

***

Jack propped himself up on his elbows and watched her watch him while she sucked and licked him like a lollipop. It was the most erotic thing he'd ever seen, with her eyes glued to his face and her lips sucking his dick as though it was the sweetest thing she'd ever tasted. Again, a jolt of electricity shot straight to his groin, leaving his balls hard and full. He wanted, needed to be inside her so badly.

Just as his ability to contain his orgasm was about to fail, Sam backed off, keeping her hand on his balls and gently massaging them. She raised hooded eyes to his again and smugly licked her lips. He lay, panting, willing his heart to slow down. Jack reached for her to pull her up to lie beside him, but Sam evaded his grasp with a laugh and continued her assault. Her hot mouth sucked his penis in, and her head slowly rose and fell over his groin, deliberately drawing out his pleasure.

"Oh, God, Sam. I'm so close. You sure you want it this way?" Jack's breath rasped harshly.

"Mmmhmm, I want to taste you," she murmured around his dick and dipped her tongue into the slit again. His body was a taut as a bow string under the ministrations of her clever tongue and hands. The index finger of the hand that cradled his balls slipped south and stroked his perineum. The added sensation was more than enough to push him into the climax so long delayed. With an ecstatic cry, Jack exploded into her mouth, pumping until he was lightheaded. Sam lapped up every drop like a cat after cream. He almost expected her to begin grooming her fur.

***

Sam smirked at the stunned expression on Jack's face. She crawled up the bed and stretched out at his side. Her head snuggled into his shoulder and her arm crossed his chest to pull them closer together.

"Wow!" he whispered, his body humming with gratification.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself as much as I did, Jack," she answered his exclamation in a self-satisfied tone.

"Oh, yeah! Although, I kinda wanted to…" She glanced at his face and Jack again waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"So do I. Fortunately, we have all night." Sam smiled and silently wished, 'And, with a lot of luck, the rest of our lives.'

***

While they lay entwined, he studied her face. Jack had always known they would suit each other and that, if ever they could really be together, theirs would be a great partnership. He pulled his arms tighter around her and kissed the top of Sam's head. Her head fell back so she could look at him and he saw that she was smiling, a happy, slightly mischievous smile.

Sam's hand trailed over his taut abdomen, causing Jack's penis to twitch. Yes! There's life in the old boy yet, Jack thought happily, amazed that at his age he could even get a twitch. He moved quickly to roll her onto her back. "My turn for payback, Major."

"Whatever you say, *sir*." Her sudden shiver took them both by surprise. The temperature had dropped as the sun slipped behind the mountains ringing the city, but they'd been too busy to notice.

"Maybe the pool is still warm. Want to try it?"

"You've got my vote, ma'am." Both officers stood and hustled to the lip of the fountain. After testing the water with his fingers, Jack announced, "Yeah! Like bath water. Ladies first, Sam." Jack waved her into the pool ahead of him, while he searched for a towel in his pack.

She grinned and stepped into the steaming water, moaning from the feeling of warm clean water against her tired feet and calves. "Oh, bliss. There must be a hot spring feeding the pool."

"Whatever. I gotta say, this is one of your better ideas, Sam," Jack sighed, as he leaned back beside her on the low ledge they used as a bench. His arm slid around her shoulders and brought her closer.

***

They enjoyed the soothing waters and the luxury of being together at last until the last light faded from the sky. Languidly, Sam moved through the shallow pool to straddle his lap. Her lips met his gently, their tongues teasing and dancing in a gentle exploration without the urgency of their earlier kisses. Jack raised his hands to caress her breasts and she moaned appreciatively. His arm supporting her gently, the man she loved tipped her back so her breasts were perfectly positioned for his mouth to worship them. The rasp of his days growth of beard on her tender flesh, contrasted so delightfully with the feel of his tongue and teeth against her rigid areola. His hand cupped her other breast and Sam shivered again from the sensation of the rough pad of his thumb teasing the rigid peak. The feel of his erection pressing against her opening only added to the sensations Jack aroused.

Sam raised her head to gaze at this amazing man who could stimulate such pleasure in her body and her soul.

***

When her hips ground urgently against his re-awakened penis, his body somehow found more blood to divert south, further increasing his need to sheath himself in her. When her hands snaked down to grasp the organ, Jack moaned. She stroked his erection until he felt his control slipping.

Jack scooted away from the side of the pool and growled, "Put your legs around me, Sam." She wrapped her long slender legs around his waist, pulling herself closer to his groin, wringing a gasp from him. Seeming to know instinctively what he intended she raised herself with her hands planted on the ledge. Taking advantage of her change in angle, Jack positioned the tip of his penis and breached her folds with the broad head.

Grinning evilly, Sam slowly eased herself down onto his shaft. Jack moaned at the glacial pace and the feeling of her snug vagina gripping him. "God, Sam. You're killing me." Her grin widened into a full-blown smile, that smile he'd never seen her give to anyone but him. Not Narim, Orlin or Joe. Not Marty, Hansen or Simmons. God, she's beautiful, Jack mused. I'll never know what I did right to deserver her love, but if I ever figure it out, I'll never stop doing it.

***

The feeling of him filling her was overwhelming for a moment and she paused to savor the incredible sensation. Shifting her feet from behind him to under her rump, she used her powerful thigh muscles to slowly raise and lower her body over his, stroking his shaft as she moved. She rotated her hips, wringing a groan from her partner, her lover, her love.

His thumb once again found its way to her already sensitive clit and caressed it gently. It was her turn to moan, "Jack!" and falter in the rhythm she'd set. His touch made her ache for completion and he was rapidly pushing her to it. But she could tell he wasn't ready, having already come once that night. Sam reached behind her back, between her legs to gently pull his balls into a hand and massage them slowly. Gradually, she felt the pressure build as his balls retreated and hardened under her fingers. His breath came quicker and she watched as Jack's eyes squeezed shut in anticipation.

Jack's eyes flew open and he increased the pressure on her bud. Sam felt her own orgasm building to a crescendo until there was nothing but sensation. His shaft sliding smoothly inside her, his thumb sending bolts of lightening through her body, her hand on his sack – and her world shrank to these points until she exploded into a gazillion pieces of light and fury as her climax hit.

Locking her eyes to his, Sam gave a tiny tug on his balls; just enough to send him over the edge.

Sam woke to find herself alone, having slept later than usual, especially in the field. A sound similar to birdsong reverberated from the walls of their sanctuary. She sat up with the sleeping bag clutched across her chest, searching for any sign of Jack. To her right stood his backpack, a cup and plate sat on the top. Breakfast?

Abandoning her cover and crawling quickly to the pack, Sam gratefully drank the orange juice made from an MRE powdered mix. Removing the napkin from the plate revealed two packs of the spiced apples he knew she liked and an oatmeal cookie. And, bless the man; he'd left her a stack of hand cleaner packets. It wasn't exactly a hot shower, but the packets and the water from the fountain refreshed her so she felt ready for the day ahead.

She dressed in yesterday's clothes quickly and repacked Jack's backpack, ready for their departure whenever he showed up. Sam sat on the stone they'd used the day before and enjoyed the morning sunshine. The sun of this alien world had risen over the walls of the buildings along the street where she sat and slowly began to provide the warmth her borrowed tee shirt couldn't.

"Well, this is fun," Sam mumbled sarcastically to herself, having no other audience. As much to warm up as to satisfy her curiosity, Sam walked along the "street" that the stone partially blocked. Wishing for her camera and sampling supplies, she poked her head into neighboring courtyards, inspected carvings, scoped out the building techniques used and generally snooped into the lives of the inhabitants. So intent on her investigations was the major, she didn't immediately hear the familiar tread of "her" colonel. She grinned to herself as he approached from behind her.

***

Jack smiled to see Sam so absorbed in the engravings low on a wall. She crouched, graceful even in combat boots, ran her hands over the deeply chiseled glyphs and intently studied something she found fascinating. Why, he could never figure out, but he knew that to scientists such as her and Daniel, this stuff was like air. They just had to have it.

"Carter!" Jack barked impishly, hoping to startle her.

Instead, she continued inspecting the glyph and calmly replied, "Yes, sir?"

"D'oh!"

Grinning, Sam turned. "I heard you two minutes ago. You need to work on your sneaking…" then she saw what he carried. "My pack! Thank you. Ohhhhh, clean underwear."

After Sam changed, Jack suggested they explore the city as originally planned and make their way back to Daniel and Teal'c before supper time. While Jack played guard and kept in touch with the guys, Sam recorded as much of the city as practical and took samples of water, flora and soil.

Their trip back down to the first ruins went much more quickly than the trip up had and, at last, the pair stood just within the boundary of the last copse of trees separating them from their friends. Jack turned hesitantly toward Sam and took her hand in his larger one. "Sam, I, uh, have to ask you. Are you sure this is what you want? Us, I mean? Last chance to back out."

Sam grinned and slid her arms around his trim waist. "I have never wanted anything so much as I want to be with you." Biting her lip, she gazed shyly into his eyes. "You haven't changed your mind, have you, Jack?"

He shook his head and murmured, "No," and claimed her mouth with his. The duel of tongue and lips continued until both were breathless and buzzing with arousal.

"Uh-hem, as *much* as I'd like to finish this *right now*, we have to get back or they'll be concerned." Sam grimaced regretfully and nodded. "I love you, Sam. I think I always have."

"I love you too, Jack. Come on, let's go meet the guys."

***

Sitting beside a small campfire, Daniel watched as his teammates strode down the game trail to rejoin him and Teal'c. Their smiles and relaxed body language bespoke a radical change in their relationship. He pondered the possibilities before putting the puzzle aside for later. At least Jack wasn't yelling at everyone and everything in sight. The man actually had a smile on his face.

"Hey, Daniel, T. How goes the translation?" Jack shouted from several yards away.

"Quite well, O'Neill," the Jaffa replied, spooning the last of their evening meal onto his plate.

"Find anything interesting in the other city?" Daniel asked the pair as they walked into camp and thankfully set down their packs.

"It was in slightly better shape than this place, but not by much. There were very few carvings left, although a beautiful statue was almost intact in a large plaza. I have quite a few pictures for you, Daniel," Sam reported with a genuine smile for her good friend.

"That's fantastic! Thanks, Sam. Oh yeah, did you by any chance happen to see the lake – the Aqua Veritas - that supposed to be on the edge of the city? According to our translations, it's reputedly got magical powers."

"Such as?" O'Neill cautiously asked.

"Um, it makes those who, uh, let's see," the archaeologist hurriedly shuffled through the pages of his journal, "Ah, it forces those who 'partake of the Aqua Veritas on the shore of the Locus Justitia' to tell only the truth and perform only from their hearts." He gazed curiously across the cheerful blaze at his teammates as they shared a "look," as his foster mother used to call it.

Sam bent to lift the flap of her backpack and, at the same time, hide the blush heating her face. She held up a sample collection bottle, the contents of which moved strangely to Daniel's eyes. "I brought some back for analysis. The waters had the consistency of mercury, but were crystal clear. The assay should make for an interesting read." The major grinned at the members of her team and replaced the container in its padded case, next to the sealed bag holding the still-fresh spray of blue flowers.

Daniel reached into the pack before she could seal it up again and snatched the bag. "You found them," he crowed happily. "You found the blue flowers! The-the carvings speak of these as a powerful drug – part hallucinogen, part stimulant – that relaxes the inhibitions and aids the powers of the Aqua Veritas." Daniel caught sight of their unspoken communication and suspiciously asked, "You… didn't breathe in any of its pollen did you?"

Again, "the look" passed between the two officers. As one, they replied, "No. Why do you ask?"

The End