Rendering Hope
Title:
Rendering
Hope
Author: Suz W.
Spoilers: After Jolinar’s Memories and The Devil You Know (episode tag)
Rating: PG-13, S/J Friendship, Romance, sexual situations
Summary: Jack takes Sam on a “first date”.
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 January 1, 2004, by Suzanne R. Whitmarsh.
Author’s
Notes: This story follows “Once
Upon A Time”.
Dedication: This story is dedicated to all my readers. Thank you for your continued support. I hope you’ll continue to enjoy my stories,
as there are a lot more to come!
Jack couldn’t believe what
he had just been told. His mind was
going numb trying to process what his ears had just taken in. Sam was leaving! He was standing in the briefing room trying to keep his wits
about him. He could feel General
Hammond’s eyes on his face, carefully watching his expression for any sign of
acknowledgement of what he had just told Jack.
“I’m sorry,
Sir, maybe I’m dense, but what did you just say?!” Jack looked up at the general, disbelief evident in his eyes.
“As I
said, Colonel, Major Carter feels that she can be of more service to the Tok’ra
than to us.”
Jack
shook his head. “And you’re just going
to accept that! You’re just going to
let her walk out!?”
General
Hammond sighed. “It’s out of my hands,
Colonel. If Major Carter wants to
leave, there’s nothing I can do. My
hands are tied. It’s her decision.”
Jack
could feel his face becoming flushed.
“That’s a bunch of bull and you know it. I’m sorry, Sir, but I refuse to accept her resignation!”
The
General looked back at him, frustration flooding his voice. “Colonel, I’m in just as much shock as you
are about this, but it’s not your decision to accept or not accept her
resignation. You know that!”
“Then
call the President! Surely she
represents some sort of security risk!
She is the one who knows the most about the Stargate. What about that?” Jack thought he was going to go through the roof.
“Yes,
you’re right. Normally, it would
present a risk. But the President sees
no harm in allowing Major Carter to join the Tok’ra. Her father, one of our own Generals, is already one of them. Since nothing but good things has happened
since Jacob joined the Tok’ra Alliance, the President feels that it will only
help to further our relations with them.”
Jack
slammed his fist down on the table. “I
don’t care about future relations! I’m
not going to let the most valuable member of my team leave just because she
wants to!”
The
General fired back. “Colonel
O’Neill! That’s not your
decision!” Just then, the Stargate
activated, sending slight vibrations through the room. Nodding his head towards the window that
overlooked the Gate Room, General Hammond continued. “Besides, it’s too late.
She’s leaving right now.”
Jack
whipped around and ran to the window.
Entering the Gate Room, dressed in Tok’ra robes, was Sam. And there beside her was Martouf, exchanging
smiles with her as they prepared to leave.
“Son of a…” Jack mumbled to himself in anger, stumbling away from the
window, not waiting or caring to be dismissed.
Tearing
out of the briefing room, he ran down the stairs, narrowly missing some of the
technicians in the control room as he made a beeline for the Gate Room. Running through the door, he was just in
time to see Sam and Martouf starting to make their way up the ramp towards the
Stargate.
“Carter! What the hell do you think you’re
doing?!” Following them up the ramp, he
took her shoulders and turned her towards him.
“Sir,
it’s my decision. I feel I can be of
more help to the Tok’ra than I can to Earth….”
Jack was
tired of that excuse. “Oh, I don’t
think so. If you expect me to stand
here and watch you walk off with nothing but that reasoning, you’re mistaken!”
Martouf
placed a hand on Jack’s arm, speaking softly.
“With respect, Colonel O’Neill, it is Samantha’s decision, not
yours. Now I must ask you to let her…”
Jack
yanked his arm away. “Butt out,
Marty! This is your doing, I know it!”
Sam
looked at him. “Sir, you don’t know
what you’re talking about.”
Jack
took his hateful gaze away from Martouf and placed it on Sam’s face. “Oh yes I do! This guy’s been after you from day one, ever since he found out
you’d carried his precious Jolinar! So
what’s the real reason?”
Sam
sighed, pulling Jack further up the ramp, away from intruding ears. “Jack, if you really want to know, I’m tired
of being pulled in so many directions.
We had a wonderful night almost two months ago, and we have yet to even
talk about what happened, or what it means.”
Jack
looked shocked. “Well, there hasn’t
been time. I’ve been…busy. I was going to try and talk to you about it
soon.”
Sam
looked down, trying to find her words.
“Well, frankly Jack, it’s been hard.
I have feelings for you, but I also have Jolinar’s memories. The love she shared with Martouf was so
real, and it’s been hard to really know whose feelings I’m feeling. So, after our last mission, when I was
forced to confront Jolinar’s memories, it became clearer to me. Martouf has asked me to join him, so that I
can explore those feelings more. I’m
sorry, but…”
Jack
grabbed her arms, pulling her closer.
“Sam, you can’t leave! You have
to give me a chance. Please! We just need to talk. I know we can work it out, somehow.”
Martouf
approached them. “Samantha, I’m sorry,
but I must insist we make our departure.”
“Sam! Don’t, please! You can’t leave me!” Jack
didn’t know what to do. He was standing
there, unable to move anymore, as she was being pulled away from him. She and Martouf got closer and closer to the
wormhole, and further away from his reach.
All he could do was to call out her name over and over. “Sam!
Sam! Sam…”
Watching
her, he noticed that her mouth wasn’t moving, but he could hear her voice in
the air. “Colonel, Colonel, Colonel…”
Jack wrestled in his sleep. Sam, watching him with concern, shook his shoulder again. “Colonel, wake up! Colonel, can you hear me?”
Jack shot up like a bolt. “NO!” Breathing heavily, he looked around, trying to get his bearings. Confused, his eyes finally focused on Sam. “Carter…whoa! What happened?”
Sam reached out and put a soothing hand on his shoulder, speaking softly. “I don’t know, Colonel. You tell me. You must have been having some nightmare! Are you okay?”
Jack looked around again, rubbing his face hard with his hands. They were in his office. He must have dozed off on the reports from the last mission they had just come back from. Thinking back, he remembered working on them. Furrowing his brow, he tried to focus on the dream he’d just had. Martouf and Sam. She was leaving him for Martouf. All because they hadn’t talked about the one magical kiss they’d shared two months ago. He suddenly looked up at her, a hint of sadness in his eyes.
Sam sat down on the edge of his desk, turning towards him. Looking into his eyes, she smiled softly. “Sir, are you okay? Do you want to talk about what had you so upset?”
Jack looked down. Finding a pencil on his desk, he picked it up and began rolling it between his fingers. Hesitating a moment, he shook his head up and down. “Yeah, I do…but not right now.” Not taking his dream lightly, he looked up at her. Trying to smile, he stood up. “How about having dinner tonight?”
Sam looked up at him, stunned. She wasn’t sure what he meant. “Are you talking about eating here on the base?” Seeing his confused look at her question, she laughed lightly. “Because if you are, I saw the menu for tonight, and it doesn’t look that appetizing.”
Jack smiled back at her, lowering his voice. “Well, no, actually. How about I pick you up around 1900 hours…at your house?”
Sam was shocked. She wasn’t sure what to say. It had been almost two months without a word about what had happened between them. The missions, the projects, the base responsibilities; no time could seem to be found for them. She was beginning to think he’d given up on the idea of what could be. She’d thought about approaching him with her concerns. But then she was afraid that maybe she had read too much into it. But after he’d rescued her from being blended by “King Richard”, he had showed her a glimpse of what she was afraid to hope for by taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss on it. Now, with him asking her to dinner, she wasn’t sure what to expect.
Jack watched her quietly. “Sam, did you hear me?”
Sam looked up. “Sorry, Sir, I got lost in thought. Um, yeah, that would be fine. 1900 hours?”
Jack blew out the breath of air he’d be secretly holding until she answered him. Smiling at her with a little more ease, he responded. “Yep, 1900 hours. Oh…and though you look fine in sweats, how about wearing something a little less casual.”
Grinning back at him, she laughed quietly. “I think I can handle that. Well, if I actually have plans for this evening, I guess I’d better get back to my lab and finish up the projects I’ve been working on.” Getting up off the edge of his desk, she headed for the door.
Jack suddenly had a thought. “Hey, Carter…were you needed something?”
Sam looked back at him. “Sir?”
“You’re visit to my office. Did you need something, or were you just…stopping by?”
Sam’s confused expression was wiped away by an expression of understanding. “Actually, I was just walking by and heard you calling my name. I knocked, but I didn’t get an answer. So I decided to come in. I hope that was okay?”
Memories of the dream returned to him. Giving her a short smile, he responded. “No problem. I’m glad you did. I didn’t know I talked in my sleep. Thanks.” Jack looked down, a slight sadness returning to his tone.
Sam hesitated. “Sir, are you sure you’re okay?”
Jack waved her on. “I’m fine. Just a bit tired. Go on…finish your projects. I’ll be fine. I’ve got all this lovely paperwork to keep me entertained. I’ll see you tonight.”
Sam smiled, not sure that he was telling her the truth. “Okay. Well, don’t have too much fun. I’ll see you tonight.” With that, she walked out, closing the door softly behind her. She found herself still smiling as she walked down the corridor, back towards her lab, with her step a little bit lighter.
Jack looked at the door that she had just closed. ‘It was just a dream, Jack, just a dream. She’s still here.’ Jack tried to use his thoughts to soothe his restless heart. Looking at the unfinished reports on his desk, he smiled. Pushing them aside for the moment, he grabbed the local phone book and began to flip through it. Finding what he wanted, he picked up the receiver on his phone and began to dial.
Jack walked up to Sam’s front door right on time. Ringing her doorbell, he waited. He was sure that every nerve in his body was set to maximum. Hearing her footsteps approaching, he took his right hand and quickly ran it through his hair. It was a cold night, but the sky was clear and the stars were out. It was also a moonless night, so they twinkled in the heavens with an even greater brilliance. Snow still blanketed the ground, creating a white iridescent glow on everything it touched.
Sam opened the door and gave Jack a warm smile. The butterflies in her stomach were being mimicked in her heart as her eyes found his. He was looking especially handsome. He was dressed in a very sharp pair of black pants, and his coat was open enough to reveal a white button-down shirt, with the collar left opened enough to expose the muscles in his neck. As he returned her smile with equal warm, she felt the blood rushing all the way from her toes up to her face, giving her cheeks what she was sure could only be a red glow.
Jack just stood there smiling, taking in the beautiful site of the woman who had captured his heart. She was dressed in a simple, slimming, and very sexy long-sleeved black dress that stopped a few inches above her knees. The V-shaped neckline started at the edge of her shoulders and ended halfway down her sternum. She wore a complementing necklace of black and crystal gems that glinted ever so slightly, reflecting the sparkle that was in her eyes. Her hair had been brushed back and curled at the edges, and her face was highlighted with only a small amount of makeup, showing Jack just how beautiful she really was.
Clearing his throat, he finally managed to find his voice. “Well, I must say, Major, this dress wins against the sweats hands down!”
Sam laughed. “Well, thanks Colonel, I’m glad I didn’t disappoint. You look great. It’s nice to see you out of the standard issue uniform.”
Jack smiled. “Well, I guess we’ll have to do this more often.” Looking at her, he almost forgot the flowers that were being held behind his back. “Oh, by the way, these are for you.”
Sam was taken back as he pulled out from behind his back a bouquet of beautiful pink and white lilies. Taking them from him, she put them up to her nose and inhaled deeply. Their sweet scent filled her head and made the moment that much more special. “They’re beautiful. Thank you!”
Jack watched her with contentment as she enjoyed the bouquet of flowers he had just given her. “Well, shall we go?”
Sam smiled at him. “Sure thing. Let me just put these in water and grab my coat.” Jack stepped inside while she did just that. When they were ready to go, he gently took her hand and led her to his truck. After helping her up, he got in on the driver’s side and pulled out of her driveway.
Giving him a curious look, she spoke up. “So, where are we going?”
Jack gave her a quick look before turning his eyes back to the road. “Oh, you’ll see.”
Ten minutes later, Jack pulled into his own driveway. He turned off the truck and looked over at Sam, who was giving him a very confused look.
Sam found her voice. “Did you forget something?”
Jack just gave her one of his charming smiles. “Nope. I figured since we couldn’t have a real…date…at any restaurant because of, well, the chance of us running into people we might know, I pulled a few strings.”
“What strings did you pull exactly?” Sam could feel the excitement spinning around her. She was trying desperately not to act too giddy.
“Hey! Where’s the faith? Don’t you trust me?”
Jack looked into her eyes, sending a shiver of thrills of anticipation up and down her spine. “You know I do.”
“Well, okay then. Let’s go find out what those strings are.” Giving her one last smile, he hopped out of the truck and hurried over to her door, opened it, and offered her his hand, helping her down.
As they approached his front door, Jack released her hand and unlocked it. Opening it, he stepped aside and let her enter first. He held his breath, hoping his plans had worked out. Looking around, he was pleased to see everything in place.
Sam’s breath caught in her throat as she entered his living room. Candles had been lit all around the room, illuminating a table that had been set in the center of the room. A white linen tablecloth covered the top. Two sets of beautiful china distinguished the place settings, while a matching pair of crystal water and wine goblets set to the left of each plate sparkled in the candlelight. A beautiful mixed bouquet of flowers graced the center of the table, adding delicate color to an already beautiful table. Soft instrumental music filled the background, playing in tune to the dancing candlelight. And the room was permeated with wonderful smells, making Sam’s mouth water as her mind went numb from amazement at the scene laid out before her.
Jack’s voice broke the silence of the moment. “I guess I pulled the right stings.”
Sam turned around and looked at him. “How did you…do this? It’s amazing.”
Jack smiled. “Well, I can’t take credit for any of it. If it were left up to me, we’d be having barbequed steaks on the grill with a nice cold beer. Now, not that that wouldn’t be nice, but I just thought if I was going to impress you, I’d better do more than the standard backyard grilling session.”
“Jack, you don’t have to impress me…not that this isn’t wonderful! I would have enjoyed any dinner we’d have…as long as you were the one I was eating it with.” Sam could feel the natural blush returning to her cheeks at her comment.
Watching her, Jack walked closer, and reaching a hand out, brushed her cheek with it. For a moment, they just gazed at each other, lost in the magic of the moment. “I feel the same way,” Jack said. Smiling, her took her hand, the same one he’d kissed only a few weeks ago, and gave it another one. Letting it go after a moment, he looked around. “So, are you hungry?” He took her coat that she had taken off and waited for her answer.
“I’d say the smells coming from this room would get anyone’s appetite up. So, yes, I am.” Coming to stand next to the table, Jack pulled out her chair for her. Sam couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t been treated like a lady in…well, forever. She assumed that had a lot to do with the fact that when she didn’t have her nose buried in her lab, she was off world, wearing standard issue military uniforms and firing weapons at whatever enemy was present there. This was like a dream, and she didn’t want to wake up.
As Jack sat down across from her, she gave him a playful smile. “You know, you still haven’t told me how you pulled this off. Is it a secret?”
Jack laughed softly, enjoying seeing Sam looking so relaxed. “No secret. I just had a guy that owed me a favor, so I gave him a call. Can I help it if he just so happens to own a nice little Italian restaurant down by the lake?”
“Italian, huh? No wonder it smells so great. May I?” Sam pointed to the silver cover that concealed part of her plate.
“Please do,” Jack said, lifting his cover at the same time to reveal a wonderful looking piece of lasagna, filled with meat and cheese. Baby carrots drizzled in a brown sugar sauce had been placed next to it, while sprigs of thyme decorated the plate. A salad had been set to the right of each place setting, and a basket of breadsticks sat between them, covered in a white linen cloth to keep them warm. The glasses had been filled with water and a burgundy wine, and placed on the far right side of the table were two wonderful looking pieces of Tiramisu.
“This is perfect. I’m still amazed…”
“Yeah, I’ve got to say, after this set up, I may be needing to return a favor to him. I told him I wanted to try and make this evening a nice one. I guess he was so shocked that I had actually planned a date, he must have figured he’d better make it a good one.” Sam watched him with curiosity as he continued. “So, I dropped off a spare key to my house and told him what time I was picking you up. By the look of things, he must have made his escape right before we arrived.”
Sam looked around again. “Well, you’ll have to thank him for me. It’s all so…perfect.”
For the next 20 minutes, they ate a very appetizing meal and filled it with light conversation. Enjoying each other’s company, they talked and laughed, each of them revealing fun moments from their past.
As they ate their dessert, Sam continued with her wine, while Jack elected to drink a beer that he had in his refrigerator. Watching Jack, Sam suddenly had a thought. “How’s your leg, by the way? I noticed your limp is almost gone.”
Jack absent-mindedly reached down below his right knee. The wound that had been inflicted on him by Apophis’ first prime on the moon Netu was still sensitive to the touch. He remembered that moment as if it had just happened. Apophis had sent for Sam. They had been imprisoned in what could only be described as Hell, as molten lava flowed all around them, creating an unbearable, constant heat. They had originally come to rescue Jacob, who had been captured weeks earlier. Bynarr had been in charge of the prison moon, until Apophis killed him as Bynarr attempted to kill Sam. He never thought he would ever be glad to have Apophis around, but ironically, it had been Apophis who had saved her in that moment.
But when he’d sent for Sam, Jack wasn’t prepared to let her go. Each of them knowing the horrors that could be inflicted, Jack had stood in their path and told them no way. For that, he was blasted with a staff weapon below the knee. The pain had been immense. Sam couldn’t sit back and watch them hurt him anymore, so she went with them, looking back long enough for them to connect one last time before she was taken away.
Jack blinked. Realizing he had left her without an answer, he smiled. “It’s getting better. I’m just sorry I wasn’t able to stop them from taking you. It kind of feels like I did it for nothing.”
Sam reached out a hand across the table and took his, squeezing it gently. “Jack, that’s not true. You were trying to protect me, and that means everything.” Their eyes held for a moment before she continued. “I must say…I don’t want to ever have to drink the Blood of Socar again.”
Jack cringed. “I know what you mean. That left a foul taste in my mouth.” Giving her hand a squeeze, he let it go and sat back, sighing.
Sam noticed the sadness and anger in his eyes. “Jack, what did you see…when you were forced to drink?”
A remembrance flashed in his eyes. “I saw…Charlie.” Feeling the anger in his tone growing, he continued. “That bastard used the memory of my own son against me!” Jack relayed his memory to Sam as she listened with concern and care. When he finished, he looked up. Seeing the concern in her face, he smiled softly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to put a damper on the evening. It was just…hard.”
“I can only imagine the pain that must have caused you. I’m so sorry.” Sam gave him a comforting smile.
Jack looked at her. Sensing the sadness in her voice, he spoke up in a soft voice. “What about you? What Hell did snake boy put you through?”
Sam described the memory of her conversation with her father. “It was just really hard…I felt like I was a teenager again, experiencing the pain of my mother’s death as if it had just happened all over. But my mind kept telling me that something was wrong and out of place. I just felt so trapped…trapped in a day that I never wanted to relive.” A silent tear escaped her right eye, and she quickly wiped it away as she looked up and gave Jack a weak smile. “But hey, at least we didn’t give away anything that he wanted to know.”
This time it was Jack who took her hand as he leaned closer to the table. “You’re right, we didn’t. At least we have that. And it’s thanks to you that we got out of there.”
Sam looked down at their hands linked, loving the feel of his hand in hers. “Well, I’d say it was more thanks to Jolinar than to me. It was her memories that helped me to find the way out.”
Jack closed his eyes briefly. “Yes, Jolinar. It seems she’s become apart of you in more ways than we thought.” Suddenly remembering parts of his dream from earlier that day, he flinched. “And it seems Martouf feels that connection as well.”
Sam gave him a confused look. “What do you mean? Martouf is the one who led us to my dad.”
“Yeah, well, it just seemed he didn’t mind inflicting pain on you with that memory device as long as he was able to access her memories.”
“Jack, it was the only way I could remember them. He didn’t know that Jolinar had been so terribly tortured.”
Jack let go of her hand in frustration. “It just seems like you two connected when we were on that transport ship…especially when you remembered their last night together. I guess I…oh, never mind.”
Sam looked down at her lap. “Jack, what’s this really about?” Softening her voice, she continued. “Are you afraid of something?” Sam didn’t want to say the word jealous. She was afraid she might be assuming too much, especially since they still hadn’t discussed what this new ground was they were now walking upon.
Jack sighed in frustration, angry with himself for letting the conversation go this way. The song changed tracks on the CD player, and soft instrumental tones of “The Way You Look Tonight” began to play. Looking up at her, he gave her the best smile he could muster. “Do you want to dance?”
Surprised at the sudden shift in conversation, Sam smiled, trying to hide her disappointment in his lack of an answer. “I’d love to.”
Both getting up, they met in the only space of the room that would allow such a connection. Assuming the traditional dancing pose, they began to sway to the music, neither one of them saying anything for a few moments. Taking in the music, Sam closed her eyes, memorizing the feel of his touch on her lower back and his hand in hers. Opening her eyes again, she looked up at Jack, who met her gaze.
“So,” Sam started, feeling her nerves waking up again. “What about…us?”
Still swaying slowly to the music, he looked up and closed his eyes before meeting her gaze again. “Well, I think you know by now that I have feelings for you. What that means exactly…well, I guess we’ll have to figure that out as we go along. That is, if you’re willing to find out?”
Sam smiled up at him. “I’m looking forward to it.” She released her hands from the traditional dance pose, and brought her arms cautiously around his neck. She felt his arms encircle her waist, pulling her closer. Only inches apart now, she felt like she was walking on the edge of her sanity, unsure of what direction to go. If she fell off, would she be able to stop herself from falling all the way down?
As Jack’s face inched slowly closer, their bodies barely swaying to the music, Sam couldn’t help but ask the question that was plaguing her mind. “Jack,” she said, whispering softly.
Jack’s mind switched back on. He answered her with the same hushed tone. “Yeah?”
“What about…the regulations? About the fact that we probably shouldn’t be doing this…” Jack silenced her as his lips came down to meet hers. Though her mind was screaming for the answer to her question, her heart was pounding so hard that it took over her thoughts, clouding them with the passion that was being stirred up inside. Unlike their first kiss, which had been so strong, this kiss was much softer, evoking feelings buried deep within her. His lips were soft and full, gently exploring the lines of her mouth. She answered his kisses, opening her mouth enough to take in the feel of his bottom lip as he did the same with her upper lip. As the kiss intensified, they pressed closer, their bodies clinging to each other as their tongues met for the first time.
The feel of her tongue on his sent fire through Jack’s body. Prodding deeper as the passion increased, he couldn’t remember ever feeling this way. Breaking for air, he brought his lips to her cheek, and then down to her neck.
Sam lifted her head in response to his lips, allowing them access to explore more of her skin. Her breaths were becoming ragged, and her knees felt weak. She gripped onto his body for strength, digging her fingers into the shirt on his back as her passion increased.
Feeling her waning strength, Jack instinctively swept her up into his arms and carried her over to the couch. Placing her down, he brought his lips back to hers. She took her hands and cradled his face as she slowly laid down on her back against the couch. Jack followed her, his lips never leaving hers. Adjusting his weight so that he didn’t crush her, he got lost in the moment, moving his hands through her hair. As she arched her head back at his touch, his lips found her neck again, and then slowly made their way down to the notch between her collarbones. Lifting her necklace with one finger, he kissed the skin underneath it as he felt her hands massaging his back in desire. Moving further down with his lips, he reached the base of the V on the neckline of her dress. As his hands went from her head, to her arms, to her chest, her soft moans of desire registered in his ears. Wanting so much more, but not sure if they should, he reined in his hands, bringing them back to her face.
Placing a hand to the side of her cheek, he felt her lean into it as their eyes connected. Placing one more kiss gently on her lips and lingering there for a few moments, he slowly sat back up, bringing her with him. Smiling at him, she laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to give her heart a chance to slow down. Sam wanted more. And she had felt the fight in Jack’s restraint. He had wanted more too. But his mind had managed the feet that hers couldn’t: to stop before it went too far, too fast.
After a few moments, Jack spoke up, his voice thick with contentment. “Well, to answer your question, I think after that we need to at least try to find a way around the regulations… especially after that.”
Sam giggled lightly as he stroked her hair with his hand. “I’m not going to be able to dispute that point. As you said, we’re just going to have to find a way to work it out.”
After a few moments of just enjoying the peace of being in each other’s arms, Sam sighed as her mind began to clear from the mists of passion. Putting her hand on his chest, she slowly pushed up, coming to sit beside him. She took his hand and smiled at him as she looked into his eyes. Bringing his free hand up, Jack placed it on the side of her cheek again, and began rubbing it lightly with his thumb as Sam leaned into it, closing her eyes for a moment.
Jack’s voice broke through to her ears in a soft tone. “I don’t think I really told you tonight how beautiful you look.”
Sam opened her eyes and smiled, squeezing his hand. “Thanks, Jack. You’re looking quite handsome yourself.” Lifting her head back up, her face became more serious. “Jack…are you sure that we can make this work? I mean, how are we going to be able to act like nothing is going on?”
Jack smiled at her, trying to give her some reassurance. “We’re just going to have to take it one day at a time. But I can’t just walk away from what I’m feeling.”
“And what is that exactly?” Sam wanted to know his heart.
Jack looked down at their hands interlocked. “I know that my heart jumps with joy every time I see you, and I know that it aches whenever you’re not within my site. You’ve given me hope that my future may not be as dismal as I once expected it to be.” Jack looked up into her eyes that had begun to shimmer in the candlelight as they built up moisture. “Look, Sam, I can’t tell you if we can make this work or not. But I know that I would be cheating myself if we didn’t at least try.”
Sam blinked her eyes hard, trying to keep her tears from falling. “Well, I can’t say no to that. I want to try to make this work also. No matter what project I seem to find myself working on, you’re never far from my thoughts. My heart flutters whenever you look into my eyes, and I find myself longing for the next moment when I’ll get to see you and feel your touch.”
Jack leaned over and sealed her confession with a simple, heartfelt kiss. Breaking apart, they smiled at each other. “Well,” Jack said, “I think that is enough reasoning for us to continue down this path.”
Sam reached out and touched his face. “Are we going to be able to go back to Colonel and Major without giving ourselves away?”
“I’m willing to try, and from what you just said, you are too. We’re just going to have to try and set our feelings aside when we’re out there in the field. It’s not going to be easy. Whenever we find ourselves in danger, it’s going to be hard to keep those feelings at bay. I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to you.”
Sam smiled at him. “And I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to you either. We’re just going to have to promise each other to stay alive. And when it becomes too much…”
“…We can cross that bridge when we come to it,” Jack said, finishing for her. “For now, let’s just try to promise each other that we’ll find the time to get together in order to make this work.”
“I think I can handle that,” Sam said, her heart feeling a little more content. As they continued to look at each other, the clock chimed, indicating a new hour had begun.
Jack sighed and looked at his watch. 2300 hours. Knowing that they both had to report to the base early the next day for a new mission, he reluctantly decided that it was time to call it a night. “You know, next time we get together, we’re going to have to do it on a night when we don’t have to report for duty the next day.”
Sam looked at her watch and laughed. “That sounds like a good idea.”
After taking a few minutes to clean up the table and blow out the candles, Jack escorted Sam back out to his truck and helped her in again. Fifteen minutes later, they pulled back into Sam’s driveway. Getting out, Jack followed her to the door. After unlocking it, Sam turned around, inches from Jack, who had stepped in close behind her. She felt his hands resting lightly on her waist as she tried to catch her breath as she looked into his eyes.
“Well, I must say, Jack, you know how to win a girl’s heart. Thank you for tonight. It was nothing short of…magical.”
Jack smiled. “I’m going to have to remember to give my thanks to my buddy for a job well done.” Leaning in closer, he watched as Sam’s eyes closed at his approach. Following her lead, he let his instincts take over as his lips found hers one more time. Her lips were soft and inviting, and he gently moved his mouth over hers, exploring her lips as she responded to his kiss in a synchronized motion. Lifting a hand, he touched her cheek as they broke apart. Looking into the dark blue depths of her eyes, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Well, I guess this is the part of the date where I have to say goodnight.”
Sam smiled at him, sad to have the moment end, yet excited for the next moment they would have together. “Goodnight Jack, sleep well.” As if to ensure that, she took her hands and pulled his head down. Lifting her chin slightly, she brought her lips to his eyes, and placed a feathery kiss on each one.
As Jack stood there, amazed at how this woman kept finding emotions in his body that he never knew existed, Sam turned and opened her door, stepping up into her doorway. Turning around, she gazed at him. “Thanks again for a perfect evening.”
Jack managed to find his voice, stumbling over his words as he spoke. “Uhm..Yeah, it was pretty perfect. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you then. Drive carefully.” Sam gave him one last smile before she turned and gently closed the door. Leaning against it, she smiled to herself. She didn’t want him to go, but she knew that if she didn’t separate them now, it would be impossible.
Jack turned
on his heel and walked back to his truck.
Looking up at the sky, he found that the stars seemed to be twinkling
brighter than before. Hesitating before
getting into his truck, he looked at Sam’s house, and then brought his eyes
back up to the sky. Picking out the
brightest one, he smiled. “Hey
Charlie. How are you tonight?” Jack didn’t know if it was fool-hearty or
not, but he liked to think that Charlie was always looking down at him,
watching over him. So he liked to talk
to him now and then. It seemed to help
the constant ache in his heart. But
gradually that ache was starting to diminish, and he knew that had everything
to do with Sam.
“I miss you, buddy, so much. I want to thank you. Thank you for watching over me, and thank you for guiding me to Sam. I’m beginning to see that she is the reason I came back from Abydos. I don’t know if we’re going to be able to make this work, but I want to try, and I ask that you help me to do that. I want to find out what the future could be like with her by my side, as more than just a fellow officer. I’m beginning to think that she represents everything I never knew I wanted in life. Keep her safe, will you?”
With that, he climbed into his truck, started it, and pulled out of her driveway. Heading in the direction of his house, Jack, for the first time in his memory, was really looking forward to what the future could bring.