As Fate Would Have It

Title: As Fate Would Have It

Author: Suz W.

Feedback: Thank You!!

Spoilers: After Singularity and Solitudes (episode tag)

Rating: PG

Category: S/J Friendship

Summary: Sam has dinner at Jack’s house, and spends some quality time with him.

Disclaimer: All publicity recognizable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended.

Copyright: The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. Copyrighted on August 20, 2003, by Suzanne R. Whitmarsh.

Author’s Notes: This story follows “Putters Paradise”.

Dedication: To LeeLoo, who has so graciously set up a website for my stories, using her amazing talents and gifts. And for all those devoted to S/J!

The ceiling seemed to have a new crack in it today. Jack eyes wandered back and forth over the surface he was staring at, trying to determine if it was new, or just one he’d missed. He sighed heavily to himself.

‘Listen to yourself,’ Jack thought, ‘you’re counting cracks on the ceiling! Now I know I’ve been here too long. If I don’t get out of here soon, I’m going to go crazy!’

Jack had been in the infirmary for close to two weeks now, trying to heal the broken leg and cracked ribs he had gotten after their last mission. He and Sam had been separated from the rest of SG-1 while traveling through the wormhole, due to what he now somewhat understood as an energy overload that the Gate produced, apparently from the fire fight that they were escaping on the other world. They had been violently flung through another gate, and initially thought they were stranded on an ice planet. After finding the DHD, Sam had worked practically non-stop to fix it and make it work in order to get home. Due to the injuries he had sustained after being flung through the Gate and slamming into a rock wall, he hadn’t been much help to her. Days upon days of freezing, rationing their supplies, and just trying to survive finally took away all hope, and both of them had decided that their final day had dawned. Miraculously, Daniel had figured out that they weren’t on another planet, but there on Earth, at a second, unknown Stargate, somewhere in Antarctica. They had been rescued just as the cold darkness had begun to spiral him into an endless abyss, a place where cares, conscious, and feeling no longer existed.

Carter had been his roommate for a week, having been just as malnourished, dehydrated, and frozen as he had been. At least having her there with him had given him some comfort and companionship, disguising the now obvious boredom that plagued him. Luckily for her, she had been discharged after the first week, having recovered her strength, color, and appetite. The injuries she sustained had been minor (which he was very happy about), and had healed nicely. She had been to visit him daily after being cleared to leave, working in her lab the rest of the time.

SG-1 was on stand down until Jack was back on his feet. He had encouraged Carter to go on a vacation, enjoy life, but he knew that without force, she wasn’t going to do that. Secretly, he was glad. He looked forward to her daily visits, since they were about the only ones he got, with the exception of the occasional visit from the General, and of course, his daily check-ups from the doctor. After being assured that both Sam and Jack were going to be fine, Teal’c had gone back to Chulak to visit his family, and Daniel had requested leave to go visit an old college professor who needed his expertise.

Upon hearing footsteps, he looked to the door, hoping to see Sam come through it. It was nearly 16:00 hours, and she had yet to come and visit him. Not that he was her keeper, but he’d begun to wonder why she hadn’t been by yet, hoping everything was alright, and trying not to worry too much. To his disappointment, and an audible groan, Dr. Fraiser appeared instead.

“Doc, when can I get out of this hell hole!” Jack grumbled loudly as she came to stand next to his bed, checking his monitor and chart. “If I lay here much longer, I swear you’re going to have to fit me with a straight jacket!”

Ever patient, Janet smiled and shut the chart she was looking at. “Well, Colonel, I have some good news. I’m going to let you go home.”

“Really?!” Jack couldn’t believe his ears. He was beginning to think they were going to keep him here until every last scar was healed.

Janet smiled at the way his face lit up at her answer. Throughout his stay here, his gloom and doom attitude had made the whole infirmary darker. Only when Sam came to see him did his face light up the way it was now. “Yep,” she responded happily, “your ribs have healed nicely, and your leg is almost ready to be cleared from its splint. I’d say another week, and you should be walking around with only a small limp.”

“Sounds good,” Jack said eagerly as he slowly sat up, preparing to move. “Just give me my clothes and I’ll be out of your hair.”

Janet pushed on his shoulder firmly with her hand, making him recline back to his pillows. “I’ll only give you clearance, Colonel, if you agree to take it easy, which means staying off your feet.”

Jack put his hands up in defense. “Hey, give me a cold beer and a good hockey game and I’m set. You have my word, Doc.”

Dr. Fraiser eyed him suspiciously, giving evidence of it in her tone. “Yes, well, to ensure that, I’m having someone drive you home.”

Jack sighed impatiently. “Okay, well where are they? I’ll be ready as soon as I get dressed. Get them down here.”

Unknown to Jack, Sam had been standing just outside the doorway of the infirmary, trying to stifle the laughter that came at Jack’s impatience. Trying to put on a serious face, she rounded the corner and walked into the room, coming to stand next to Janet.

Jack gave her an animated grin. “Hey, Carter, guess what, I get to break out of this joint!”

Sam smiled back at him and crossed her arms over her chest. “Yeah, so I hear, but if you don’t start showing some gratitude to Janet, I won’t take you home, and I’ll leave you here another night to think about it.” The playfulness in her tone had her eyes sparkling.

Jack gave her a surprised, but happy look. “You’re taking me home?”

“Yeah, if that’s okay with you!” Sam said, trying to sound sarcastic. “We’ll have to take your truck, though. I’m afraid my car won’t give you enough room to stretch your splinted leg.”

Jack watched her as she said this, loving the way her eyes glowed, even in the dim lighting of the infirmary. Her presence alone always managed to lift his spirits. And now, not only was he getting out of here, but Sam was going to be his escort home. His soul felt like soaring to the heavens above.

“No problems here. I’m ready whenever you are,” Jack said, trying to play it cool by placing his hands behind his head, showing he had the patience to wait. For her, he’d wait all night. “And thanks, Doc, for putting up with me. You’ve done a great job at healing me, as usual.”

Janet and Sam exchanged looks and smiles. “You’re welcome, Colonel, although I can’t take all the credit. Sam’s daily visits have seemed to really speed your recovery along.”

Sam and Jack found each other’s eyes, color rising in both their faces.

Sam stumbled over her words. “Well, I’m sure anyone’s visit would have done him good. After all, as I also know from experience, the ceiling does tend to get a little old.”

They all smiled as Jack piped in. “Yeah, if I ever see another ceiling crack, it will be too soon!”

Forty minutes later, after Sam had gotten what she needed from her lab, and had collected the Colonel in the process (who refused to use the crutches given to him), they headed up to the surface and out to his truck. Jack breathed in heavily, his lungs spasming as the crisp air hit them, forcing him to cough. It was early fall, and the sun had begun it’s decent over the horizon, giving way to the upcoming night. Large cumulous clouds billowed up towards the heavens in huge piles, obscuring part of the sun. Orange and pink rays of sun speared through the clouds, piercing the ground below and coloring it. The leaves had begun to change, displaying hues of various red, green, yellow, orange, and browns. The wind whipped through the trees, and caused the leaves already on the ground to spin around wildly in endless circles.

“Smells like rain,” Sam said smiling, as she watched Jack take in his first breaths of fresh air in two weeks.

“Yeah,” Jack said, taking in the scene around him, never loving color so much. “After smelling nothing but stale air for the last two weeks, anything smells great.”

They made it to his truck, and after some difficult maneuvering and muscle power, Jack was settled in the passenger seat. Sam jumped up in the driver’s seat, started the truck, and headed for Jack’s house.

Sam unlocked the front door and held it open as Jack hobbled in past her. He abruptly stopped and looked around.

“Am I in the right place? I don’t remember leaving it this way.”

Inside, the windows had been opened, allowing a nice breeze to circulate through the house, dispelling any stuffiness. The lights were on in the kitchen, and the smell of fried chicken saturated the air.

Sam looked at him with a smile on her face as he turned to her for an answer. “Well, Janet told me that she was going to let you go home, so after volunteering to get you here, I took the liberty of coming over and opening the place up.” Sam paused momentarily, holding her breath, and hoping he wouldn’t be mad. When he just continued to look at her, a smirk starting to appear on his face, she continued. “Plus, since I know you’re not suppose to be on your feet, but have to eat, I stopped by the grocery store for a few things.”

Jack smiled warmly at her. “Well thanks, Carter…I mean Sam. You didn’t have to do all this. And is that fried chicken I smell? I didn’t think you cooked!”

Sam blushed, casting her eyes down to the floor. “Well, actually, I don’t,” she said softly, a slight chuckle in her voice. “When I was at the store getting the essentials, I also bought their fully prepared fried chicken, boxed and ready to eat, with a few side items to keep it interesting.” She smiled at him. “There should be enough for you to eat on for a few days.”

Jack watched her as she talked, suddenly loving the feel of her presence in his house, as if it were a normal occurrence. Not wanting her to leave just yet, he spoke up. “Well, I hope there won’t be too much leftover. After all, I expect you to eat some of it as well.” Jack held his breath as he waited for what he’d just said to sink in.

Sam was startled, evidence of it written all over her face. “Oh, I hadn’t intended to eat here. That wasn’t why I did it…I mean, it’s for…you.” Sam stumbled over her words, nervously answering the question she hadn’t expected (but secretly hoped for in the same breath).

“Carter,” Jack said as firmly, but playfully as he could, “it’s not a request. The least you can do is treat yourself to the food you went to the trouble of buying. If it will make you feel better, think of it as an order.”

Sam smiled and relaxed. “Well, I guess I can’t refuse now.” She and Jack exchanged looks once more before he hobbled into the kitchen and sat down at the table, sticking his leg up on the adjacent chair.

Sam closed the front door and locked it. She took a calming breath to sooth the butterflies in her stomach before turning to head into the kitchen. Walking past him, she placed her purse on the counter with his keys next to it, and went to the refrigerator. Looking briefly at Jack, she watched as he rubbed his eyes with his hand, telling her that the transport from the base to his house had worn him out.

“Would you like a beer?” Sam asked, trying to sound as normal as possible.

“Yeah,” Jack said, letting a content sigh escape his lips, “that would be great, thanks.” He watched as she got two beers out the fridge and crossed the wooden floor to where he sat. Dressed in simple blue jeans and a dark blue, long sleeved shirt, she looked amazing. Her hair glowed against the kitchen light, and her eyes sparkled an even deeper shade of blue, as the shirt reflected it’s color into them.

Sam handed him his beer, already opened for him, then took a drink of hers and set it down. “Let me just close up some of these windows before it gets too chilly in here, and then I’ll get dinner on the plates.”

Jack felt a little guilty. “Sorry, I guess I’m not much help to you, again.”

Sam turned her head and smiled at him as she walked into the living room. “Hey, I can manage. And besides, Janet told you to take it easy. That’s part of my job, to make sure you do.”

Jack smiled and watched her as he sipped his beer. She went from window to window, closing them quietly, shutting the blinds at the same time. It overwhelmed him how she gave such a warm feeling to his place, a house he’d never really thought much about. It was just his place, somewhere he went to escape the SGC when he needed to. Now, with her scent filling up the room, he knew he’d never feel that way again.

As they ate their dinner, which consisted of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and bread, the conversation went from one topic to the next. Sam filled Jack in on Daniel’s project with his old professor, and told him that Teal’c had checked in, was doing fine, and would be back in a few days. Since Jack hadn’t done much of anything in the last few weeks, Sam carried most of the conversation. As dinner progressed, however, each of them became much more relaxed in the other’s presence, and Jack maneuvered the conversation into the more personal aspect of each other’s lives. They each retold stories of days gone by, laughing and joking with each other at old, sometimes familiar memories.

After dinner, Sam stood and cleared the table. She looked down at Jack and into those dark brown eyes of his that she loved to get lost in, and smiled. Finding her voice after a moment, she made a suggestion. “Why don’t you take yourself into the living room and I’ll get us some coffee and a piece of that cheesecake I couldn’t resist buying.”

Jack, feeling very mellow after three beers, looked up at her, and returned her smile. “Sounds good. I’m not one to turn down the offer of anything sweet.” Slowly getting up, he watched her as she retreated into the kitchen to clean up. He smiled to himself as he headed into the living room, thinking that what he had just said had a double meaning.

Jack’s living room was quite cozy. A fireplace was built into the wall, with a large, oak mantle hanging above it. Various pictures and remnants of days gone by sat lazily on top. A fairly large television sat squarely in the corner of the room, resting its weight on a cabinet made of dark oak. A large, overstuffed, but very comfortable couch wrapped around the other side of the room, with a coffee table appropriately placed (mainly used as a footrest). The wooden floor was covered with a large area rug that accented the colors in the room perfectly. And an old leather recliner sat angled next to the couch, with a perfect view of the T.V.

Jack considered sitting there, thinking that would be the perfect, most comfortable place to prop his leg up. ‘Wake up, Jack,’ he scolded himself, ‘how many opportunities do you get to have Sam over. Do you want to make her sit on the couch all by herself?’

Deciding wasn’t hard after that. He sat down gingerly on the couch and propped his leg up on the coffee table. Hoping that Sam wouldn’t choose the recliner, he turned on the T.V., keeping the volume low. He surfed through the channels until he found one of the first hockey games that was on for the season. Not that he had much intention of watching it. He would get plenty of that after she left, when he would have to find his own source of entertainment.

As he waited, he heard the first boom of thunder in the distance. Gradually, raindrops began to knock gently on his roof, becoming louder with the passing seconds, until the gentle knocking became a loud pounding.

“I guess we’re in for a storm,” Sam said, as she appeared in front of him, handing him his coffee.

“Yeah, sounds like it might get ugly. I’ll check the forecast on The Weather Channel.”

As if on key, a loud clap of thunder broke overhead, making Sam jump. “Sorry,” she said, rubbing her forearms, “I guess I’ve never been fond of storms.”

Jack grinned. “Carter, are you telling me that you can face up to a herd of Jaffa, but a little clap of thunder scares you?” His tone stayed playful as he watched her react.

“Well,” Sam said as defiantly as she could, “I have to keep you guessing some of the time.”

“You keep me guessing ALL of the time.” Jack said, as he watched her relax and softly laugh.

“Why don’t you check that forecast, and I’ll get the cheesecake.”

With that, and a smile on her face, she walked back into the kitchen, which was adjoined to the living room, separated only by a set of two, long wooden steps.

A few minutes later, Sam was making her way through the kitchen, carrying two plates, each containing a generous slice of strawberry cheesecake with whipped cream on top.

“Anything about the storm on the T.V.?” Sam asked, jumping slightly as another booming clap of thunder rolled overhead.

Jack glanced over at her as she made her way to the edge of the steps. “Well, they’re saying….”

Just then, a tremendous bolt of lightning split the sky, making every window in the house glow a bright, blinding white. Simultaneously, the lights went out, making everything blacker than the darkest night.

As Jack tried to focus his vision in the dark, he heard a loud bump and then an equally loud thud in Sam’s direction. “Carter, you okay?” he said, concern thickening his voice.

A few seconds passed, and then a frustrated groan was heard in the darkness. “Yeah, I’m fine,” Sam said, “I just tripped down the stairs and ran into what I can only assume would be the end table.” She paused briefly, sighing. “And…I think I’m now wearing our dessert!”

Jack, relieved to hear her voice, relaxed a little and smiled. “What do you need me to do?”

“Stay where you are,” Sam said, humor now coating her tone as she realized the predicament of her situation. “I don’t need Janet yelling at me if you make your leg worse by trying to help me.”

“Alright, Captain, I’ll follow your orders, for now,” Jack said, still trying to find her form in the darkness.

Guessing that the lights weren’t going to come back on anytime soon, Sam began to feel her way along the end table. “Do you have any kind of flashlight or candles lying around?”

“Yeah, there are candles in the drawer of that end table you bumped into. Matches should be in there too.”

Sam felt for the handle and pulled the drawer open, as another flash of lightning lit up the night. In that window of opportunity, she managed to pull out two fat candles and a book of matches. A delayed thunderclap shook the house, indicating that the storm was still growing in intensity, as the rainfall kept increasing in strength. Lighting the two candles, she reached into the drawer for the only other three she saw.

As the candlelight filled the room in a soft yellow glow, Jack watched as the light reflected in her hair, and softened the curves of her body. Her searching eyes found his, and for a moment, neither of them said anything, lost in the unexpected effect that the candles were giving. Then Jack looked her over, stopping at her shirt, and gave her a foolish smile.

Sam, noticing his reaction, gave him a half smile, confusion evident on her face. “What’s so funny?”

“Oh nothing,” Jack responding, trying to keep a straight face. “It’s just…you wear cheesecake really well!”

Sam looked down at her shirt and laughed with him. Both pieces of cheesecake had managed to smash into her shirt, leaving red and white swirls of cream cheese and whipped cream everywhere. “Apparently you’re right. Do you possible have a shirt I could borrow? I really don’t want to drip this all over your house.”

“Sure,” Jack said, suddenly liking the idea of her wearing one of his shirts. “There should be flannel shirts in the top drawer of the chest in my bedroom. Help yourself.”

“Okay, thanks,” Sam said, taking one of the candles with her. “I’ll be right back.”

As Sam made her way down the hall, she couldn’t believe she was going into Jack’s bedroom, let alone getting ready to wear one of his shirts. The very idea gave her butterflies and thrills all in the same moment. Finding her way to his bedroom, she found the drawer he had referred to and opened it. His familiar scent overwhelmed her, and she stood there for a moment and took it in. Trying to avert her eyes to anything else in the room (especially one particular piece of furniture), she grabbed the top shirt from the drawer. Quickly, she slipped her shirt over her head, trying to avoid getting any of the cheesecake mess in her hair. The shirt she put on was about three sizes too big, but she didn’t care. She loved the soft feel of it against her skin, and how it smelled of his aftershave.

Catching her thoughts, she quickly snapped herself back into reality. ‘This is nuts, Sam,’ she thought, scolding herself. ‘Just go in there, say your goodnights, and get out of here before you get yourself into trouble.’

Deciding that it was a good idea for them both, she wadded up her shirt grabbed the candle, and headed down the hall.

Jack watched her as she came back, wearing what would now become his favorite flannel shirt. Even swimming in it, she looked amazing. Jack found his voice. “Good choice. You should take up modeling men’s flannel wear.”

Sam smiled at him, always loving his smart-alec remarks. “Thanks, Jack, I’ll remember that.” The storm raged overhead as she continued. “Well, I think before I cause any more damage to your place, I’m going to head out. I’ll have someone from the base return your truck…”

Jack cut her off with a stern voice. “I don’t think so! You’re not going anywhere with that storm raging outside. More than likely, the heavy rains have washed out some of the bridges already, and I’m not going to get a tongue lashing from Doc when you end up back in the infirmary because I let you leave. So, I suggest you make yourself comfortable. Oh, and that is an order.”

Sam started to protest, but the look he was giving her warned her not to. She had no doubt he could move quickly to stop her, even with his crippled leg. Sam put her hands up. “Okay, I get it. How about I get us another piece of dessert while we wait out the storm.”

“Now we’re talking. Of course, Sam, you won’t spill it this time, right?” Jack said, giving her an obnoxious look. “I only have so many shirts.”

“I think I can handle it, thanks!” Sam rolled her eyes and smiled as she turned, lighting her way with the candle that she still held.

Twenty minutes later, they were settled on the couch, full from dessert and listening to the rain as it continued to pelt the windows with force. The thunder and lightning still came in droves, but not as often. Sam and Jack sat next to each other, both nursing another beer. Their heads were both reclined back on the couch as they stared up at the ceiling, watching as the candlelight danced in endless patterns.

Jack sighed. “At least I’m now looking at a different ceiling. And the candles almost create shapes. I think I’m going to suggest to Doc that candles be used to keep things interesting for those poor personnel who have to live there like I did.” He paused, concentrating on a shape that was forming. “Now that’s cool! Look at that one! It looks like the Stargate.”

Sam concentrated as hard as she could through sleepy eyes. The long day, all the food, and now the toasty warm shirt were all urging her to shut her eyes. “Which one are you looking at?” She angled her neck so her head was practically on his shoulder, trying to see what he was seeing.

“That one, right there.” He pointed as best he could, attempting to draw the ring pattern with his finger. The smell of her shampoo was invading his senses as she got closer to him. Jack continued, softening his voice to barely above a whisper. “Do you see it now?”

A strange, muffled uh-huh echoed from the woman beside him as he felt the weight of her head collapse softly onto his shoulder. He held his breath for a moment, lifting his head to look in her direction. He watched her briefly, her eyes closed, looking as peaceful and content as he’d ever seen her. He whispered gently. “Sam, you awake?”

No audible response came, except for her movement. She shifted her body on the couch and snuggled closer, her head now resting comfortably on his shoulder. He took his arm that was laid across the back of the couch and wrapped it lightly around her back for support. Still perfectly comfortable where he was, he laid his head back down and closed his eyes.

Having her this close to him reminded him of their last mission. He had woken to find her snuggled up against him, trying to stay warm. He had loved the feeling of having her next to him, as he did now. If it hadn’t have been for his cracked ribs at the time, he would have never disturbed her. Now, he didn’t have to, since his ribs were healed. ‘The storm’s still going on, so why wake her,’ he thought to himself. ‘I’ll just let her sleep until it’s over.’

Jack’s thought moved back even further in time to when they had found Cassie. Sam had been so good with her, and he noticed that she and Cassie had formed an instant bond. When they had found out she might generate a nuclear explosion, and had to take her to that abandoned nuclear facility, he clearly saw the heartache in Sam’s eyes. He had wanted to just hold her, to take away the pain, but he couldn’t. And when she didn’t come back up after putting Cassie in the containment room, refusing to leave her, he thought his heart was going to rip in two. He had understood her reasoning for not wanting to leave her alone, but he wanted her to feel the same thing for him. The idea of never seeing her again had given him a real jolt, and when the danger passed, and he heard her voice on the other end of that speaker, he felt the relief all the way in his bones.

His mind continued to drift in and out of images, mainly of their last mission. She had worked so hard to save their lives, to keep him alive. He remembered telling her how Sara had gotten him through that incident in Iran and Iraq; remembered how Sam had kept him talking to keep his focus away from the pain as she splinted his leg; remembered how she’d climbed out to find help, not letting him fade into the darkness. Thoughts of Sara may have saved him all those years ago, but Sam was the one who’d saved him this time.

As he continued to slowly drift off to sleep, his head weaved and bobbed, finally coming to rest on top of hers. And in the growing quiet of the fading storm, a single word escaped from his lips, barely uttered above a breathless whisper. “Sam.”

The morning light glowed softly against the blinds, replacing the light from the candles that had gone out hours before. Jack stirred, his body lying on its side, with his back pressed up against the back of the couch. As his mind began to stir, he realized that something was snuggled up against him. Or someone. Opening his eyes, he found his arm draped lazily over Sam’s body, her back curled into him, with her head resting right underneath his arm. He remembered her falling asleep; remembered telling himself he would wake her after the storm subsided. And that was it; his mind went blank. He must have fallen asleep as well. And at some point during the night, they had managed to find a more comfortable sleeping position, together.

He smiled as he listened to her shallow breathing and realized how good it felt to wake up with her next to him. Right now, at this moment in time, she wasn’t his 2IC, or even ‘Carter’. She was just simply, Sam.

Not wanting to go back to reality, but finding his bladder was desperately telling him otherwise, he took his hand and gently shook her shoulder. “Sam, hey Sam. Time to wake up.”

Sam, her eyes hazy as she opened them, tried to make sense of her surroundings and the gentle shake that was being applied to her shoulder. Then her brain woke up, and she froze. ‘Oh, God, I didn’t.’ Craning her neck up slowly, her eyes met Jack’s.

“Oh, sir,…I mean, Jack, I am so sorry,” she said, quickly getting up and trying not to fall from the slight dizziness that overtook her. “I guess I fell asleep. Why didn’t you wake me?” Sam said hurriedly, as she raked a hand through her hair, knowing she must look a mess. Jack, on the other hand, looked as good as ever, even after sleeping all night. I mean, she’d seen him on overnight missions, but there was something different, something better, about seeing him in his house.

Jack smiled, thinking how cute she was when she was nervous. “Relax, Sam, I obviously fell asleep myself. No harm done. Heck, I would have let you sleep more except my bladder keeps telling me to get up. Plus, my morning breath isn’t the greatest.” He stiffly stood, trying to keep from hitting his bad leg on anything as he got his bearings.

Sam smiled, relieved to find him relaxed about this. “Well, mine can’t be that great either.” They both looked at each other and smiled.

“Tell you what,” Jack said, “You let me clean myself up a bit, and then I’ll cook you a great omelet for breakfast.”

Sam protested. “Oh, you don’t have to do that, Jack, and besides, you’re suppose to be resting. I’m sure sleep on the couch was not the best thing for your leg.”

“It’s the least I can do to say thanks,” Jack said, putting a hand on her shoulder, “and as I said last night about dinner, NO is not an option.” He started past her. “Come on, and I’ll see if I have an extra toothbrush around here.”

Sam followed him silently, still taken aback by the fact that she was still there. Jack showed her to the spare bathroom, and then went to his room to shower and change.

Forty minutes later, they were eating one incredible omelet. Sam had no idea that he could cook like that. “I thought you said you couldn’t cook,” Sam said, shock and admiration present in her voice.

Jack smiled at her. “Well, besides my melted ice, I can whip up a few things now and then.” They laughed with each other, enjoying the rest of the meal and the conversation.

After cleaning up, and making sure that Jack didn’t need anything else, Sam headed for the door. “I’ll get your truck back to you at some point today.” She hoped the sadness she felt at leaving wasn’t incredibly obvious in her voice.

“Tell you what,” Jack said, “why don’t you keep it for now. I can’t drive it anyway, and since you’re suppose to be checking up on me, to make sure I’m behaving myself, you can use it to do just that.” Jack gave her a cocky grin.

“I suppose I can handle that.”

“Besides, having to do that will keep you from drowning yourself in that lab of yours. And when Teal’c and Daniel get back in town, bring them over, and we’ll have an official team cookout.” Jack waiting for her response to what he’d just said. Sam gave him one of her beautiful, shy smiles.

“Okay, sounds good. If you need anything, you know how to reach me.” Sam went on, hesitantly. “And thanks for last night, it was fun.” Looking down at her shirt, she smiled at the memory. “I’ll give this back to you when I come by to check on you.”

“I’ll hold you to it,” Jack said playfully.

Sam gave him a wave as she climbed into his truck and pulled away. The previous night’s storms had left the morning crisp and bright, with heavy drops of rain glittering like diamonds on the blades of grass that moved in the gentle breeze. It was still fairly early, and the world had yet to wake up. But as she drove to her house, she knew her heart was already awake. And it was singing a very happy tune.

Next Story---> "A Cooking Lesson"

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