Resolutions

Title: Resolutions

Author: Suz W.

Feedback: Absolutely!

Spoilers: After Seth (episode tag)

Rating: PG

Category: S/J Friendship

Summary: The SGC throws a New Year’s Eve party.

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 December 4, 2003, by Suzanne R. Whitmarsh.

Author’s Notes: This story follows “Tis’ The Season”. The song used in this story is entitled “Moonlight Serenade” by Glenn Miller.

Dedication: To all those devoted to Sam & Jack! I hope this New Year will bring many moments of great joy and happiness, along with accomplishing the goals and dreams that you set out to achieve. And here’s to hoping for lots of great Sam & Jack moments in the upcoming episodes of Stargate (season 7 & 8)!!

Morning invaded Jack’s living room in streaming rays of yellow sunlight. The newly fallen snow from the night before had left the ground sparkling, reflecting its light onto the surrounding trees and bushes that wore patches of white snow. Jack had been up for about a half an hour, and in that time, had managed to get himself dressed and had perked some coffee to get his body moving. Not that he had any place in particular to go. He stood in front of his Christmas tree and thought about the previous night’s activities. He and Sam had managed to take a dismal Christmas Eve and turn it into one of the best he could remember having. Not only had they done a great job decorating the tree they had picked out on the way to his house from the base, but had shared a lot of laughter, along with moments that he felt had only made them closer.

As he stood there smiling to himself, his stomach grumbled loudly, letting him know that it was tired of being ignored. As he sighed quietly to himself, he started to make his way to the kitchen in order to find something to eat when his doorbell rang. Taking a detour, he walked to his front door and opened it. The light hit his eyes, making him squint slightly, as he was greeted by a beautiful smile.

“To much fun last night, Jack?” Sam stood on his porch, her eyes reflecting the smile that was on her lips.

Jack returned her smile. “Yeah, you know, building that snowman really took it out of me. Merry Christmas! Come on in.”

He stepped aside for Sam, who hesitated before coming in. “I hope it’s not too early. I probably should have called first, but I thought I’d surprise you.”

‘It’s the best surprise I could have had,’ Jack thought to himself before answering her. “No problem. I’m always up for surprises.”

Sam walked into the front hall and put down her purse and a bag she was carrying. Jack took her coat after she’d taken it off, and hung in up on the coat hooks that hung on the wall next to the front door.

Jack eyed the bag she’d put down on the table with curiosity. “So, what’s in the bag?”

Sam laughed. “Well, since your curiosity has the better of you, I won’t keep you in suspense.” She opened the bag, and immediately, the air was permeated by the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Sam pulled out two Styrofoam containers, placing them on the kitchen table. “The bakery by my house was actually open today. I really didn’t expect anything to be open on Christmas Day. But since they were, and are known to make some of the best cinnamon rolls in the state, I thought I’d bring you one, that is, if you haven’t eaten yet.”

Jack smiled at her as his stomach grumbled again, letting them know it loved the idea. “Apparently, my stomach has answered for me. No, I haven’t eaten, and am glad I didn’t. I was just on my way to find something to munch on when you rang my doorbell. Those smell amazing.”

They sat down at the kitchen table. Jack immediately dove into his cinnamon roll with amazing enthusiasm as Sam started on hers with a little more care. As they ate their breakfast, they talked casually, enjoying just being able to share moments like these together. Jack watched as Sam smiled at all his sarcastic remarks, laughing where most people would have probably just rolled their eyes. Her smile gave a sparkle to the room that made Jack realize how much he was beginning to miss it when she wasn’t there, sitting in his kitchen, giving it a real “home” feeling.

Jack knew he was allowing himself way too much opportunity to feel this way. The sensible thing to do would be to find excuses to keep their personal lives personal and separate. But he knew that was impossible. Even on missions, she was never far from his thoughts, constantly amazing him with her brains and military skill. And he wouldn’t give up these moments for anything now. They had become more meaningful to him then any Friday night hockey game and a good cold beer ever could. And that realization actually had begun to scare him.

As they finished their enormous cinnamon roll, Jack leaned back contently in his chair, letting his stomach digest his breakfast. Sam reached down into the bag that had contained the cinnamon rolls and placed something in her lap.

Smiling, she looked up at him through her lashes. “There is another reason I decided to stop by. I had such a great time last night. You really gave me a great Christmas Eve when it would have otherwise been dismal. So…I wanted to give you something. Merry Christmas!”

Jack took the package she slid across the table. It was wrapped in shiny red paper, topped off with a bright green bow. “Sam, you really didn’t have to…I mean, I wasn’t expecting to…”

“Don’t worry, Jack. I’m not expecting a gift in return…I wasn’t actually planning on this either. It’s just when I got home last night, I found these, and thought of you. Go ahead! Open it!” Sam gave him an encouraging smile that he couldn’t resist returning.

“Well, if you insist…” Jack tore into the gift like a little kid at Christmas, throwing the wrapping paper to the floor. He found himself looking at an antique wooden box that had been very well cared for. Opening it, he looked inside and was stunned. “Sam, these are amazing! Where did you find them?”

Sam’s eyes reflected the joy he was feeling. “Well, actually, they were my grandfather’s. He gave them to my brother, who never used them, who then gave them to me. I believe that one is called a Hula Popper.”

Jack’s head whipped up in stunned amazement. “I didn’t know you knew anything about fishing! These hooks are worth a lot. Are you sure you want me to have them? They were your grandfather’s.”

Sam smiled at the sentiment. “Yeah, but I’ve never used them, and probably never will. You might as well enjoy them. After all, you need some to replace the ones that are decorating our snowman out there.”

Jack grinned at her. “Well, as far as you never using them, I think we need to look into correcting that situation. I’ve got a swell little fishing spot up on a lake in a place called Minnesota. Maybe you’ve heard of it. I think you need to come up and try these out.”

Sam smiled, knowing that even though she wasn’t fond of fishing, she was fond of him. Her heart wanted to jump at the opportunity, but her sensible side answered for her. “I don’t know how good I’d be, and besides, I don’t think my lab would ever give me enough of a break. Speaking of which….”

Jack rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re going to the base today! It’s Christmas! Take a break! Build another snowman!”

Sam simply smiled. “I’d love to, but if I don’t get some of my projects accomplished, you may find me absent from upcoming missions.”

Reluctantly, Jack got up when she did and walked her to the front door. Holding her coat for her, she put it on.

“Thanks,” Sam said softly, smiling at him, her eyes locked with his for a few precious moments. When she looked away, Jack felt suddenly lost. She opened the door and stepped into the brisk morning air. Turning around, she pulled her coat tighter around her neck. Smiling, with the sun shining down on her back, she looked like a Christmas angel, one who had just given him a great start to his day.

“Well,” Jack said, not wanting her to leave, “thanks for the great breakfast. And the gift is…well, perfect!”

“You’re welcome. It’s the least I can do since you gave me the gift of a great Christmas Eve.” Sam smiled at him once more and then turned, walking down the steps to the sidewalk below.

Jack’s mind suddenly remembered a question it had. “Hey! How did you know that one hook was called a Hula Popper if you don’t know that much about fishing?”

Sam turned her head, a grin plastered on her face. “Well, that is the million dollar question, isn’t it? I guess you’ll have to ask me again. I don’t want to be totally predicable!”

Jack just laughed, enjoying the lighter side to Sam that she rarely showed. “I’ll take that challenge!” he called out after her as she reached her car and climbed in.

‘You’re definitely worth it’ Jack thought to himself as she pulled out of his driveway, and drove out of sight……..

“Earth to Jack! Hello!” Jack blinked back the memory of Christmas Day to find Daniel waving an arm in front of his face and a stupid grin plastered on his face. It was New Year’s Eve, and he, Daniel, and Teal’c stood in a group in the middle of a giant ballroom, dressed in tuxedos and listening to music that seemed to come in waves over the crowd. The SGC had rented out one of the ballrooms of the Hilton Hotel, and everyone was dressed to the nines. The only clue that this was a military gathering was the familiar faces that Jack saw everyday on the base.

An enormous white crystal chandelier hung high above them, sending a glittering array of light down onto the floor below. Tuxedos gleamed and dresses sparkled. A table of food lined one wall of the room, while a tower of crystal flutes stood adjacent to it in a perfect pyramid, as champagne flowed freely from the fountain that the glasses were positioned around. A disc jockey pumped out music over mounted speakers, playing everything from country to classical. Happy couples, eagerly waiting the moment when they would ring in the New Year together, were continuously occupying the dance floor. The lighting had been kept low since candles were placed meticulously around the room, illuminating it with their soft glow.

Jack looked at his watch. It was 2100 hours, and he was beginning to think about leaving. Daniel watched Jack with curiosity. “You know, Jack, it wouldn’t kill you to at least pretend that you are having fun!”

Jack smirked at Daniel. “Well, you know me, I love these type of shindigs! I don’t know why we had to wear these monkey suits. This stupid tie is choking the life out of my neck!”

Teal’c listened to Jack complaining. Raising an eyebrow at his response to Daniel’s comment, he spoke up. “What is a ‘monkey suit’”?

Jack rolled his eyes and was about to open his mouth, when Daniel interjected. “That’s the same thing as a tuxedo, Teal’c. Jack’s just being sarcastic.”

“I wasn’t being sarcastic!” Jack said in defense. “I was going for a little word variety. Is that okay?” Jack let out a puff of air and took a sip of his beer.

“Jack, this is a party. Try and have a little fun!” Daniel was getting frustrated trying to sooth the raw nerves that Jack had apparently decided to expose tonight. As the night wore on, his mood had taken a slow drive downhill, and Daniel was getting tired of it.

Teal’c, quietly watching his two friends, spoke up, interrupting their argument. “Where is Captain Carter? Is she not joining us this evening?”

At the mention of Sam’s name, her image immediately flooded Jack’s mind, relaxing him slightly. He was continuously amazed at how even the mention of her name had an effect on him. Looking down at his beer bottle, Jack answered him. “She called the base yesterday from California. She and Jacob were still visiting her brother, Mark, and apparently her flight wasn’t scheduled to arrive until early this evening. She wasn’t sure if she’d make it or not.” As he finished, he quietly sighed, knowing that if he’d been looking up at his friends, they would have seen a hint of disappointment in his face and eyes.

“Well, guessing by what time it is, I doubt she’s going to be coming,” Daniel said, oblivious to Jack’s immediate irritation at his comment.

“That’s very astute of you, Daniel! Did you figure that out all on your own?” As Daniel stared at him in shock at the edginess in his voice, Jack immediately regretted his remark. “Sorry, I guess I need to go loosen my tie. I’ll be right back.”

Feeling Teal’c and Daniel’s eyes on his back, Jack weaved his way through the crowd, mumbling hellos to those he knew as he passed by. Jack knew his mood wasn’t exactly spirited, but he just didn’t feel like celebrating. The one person he was looking forward to spending the evening with wasn’t there. Not that Daniel, Teal’c and the rest of the partygoers were terrible to be around. He just had set his hopes to high that she would make it back from California in time for the party.

‘This is what you get, Jack,’ he told himself. ‘By letting yourself fall for her, you’re not even able to enjoy a fun evening. What is that about!’ Still scolding himself, he made his way over to the bar, using his finger to loosen the collar around his neck. After tipping the bartender, he leaned against the wall, allowing himself to be swallowed up by the shadows. He watched the people around him, smiling, laughing, and generally having a great time. Looking down at his watch again, he decided that it was pointless to stay for much longer. All he was doing was setting a negative atmosphere for his friends.

Taking a big swig of his beer, he about choked on it as the door to the ballroom opened. Quickly swallowing, he took a breath of air, trying to compose himself. There stood Sam, on the arm of her father. The sight of her had literally taken his breath away. With his heart suddenly beating faster then it had all night, he let his eyes slowly examine her from head to toe while he stood in the shadows. Seeing her practically everyday in military issued uniforms, he wasn’t prepared for how beautiful she would look in a formal dress. She wore a dress of crimson red satin, held up by thin spaghetti straps. The dress hugged her body to the waist, where it then flowed out more freely to the floor. Her neck was accented with a glittering diamond and pearl choker, while a complementing pearl bracelet rested casually on her right wrist. Her hair had been curled and swept back from her face, highlighting the blue of her eyes and the red on her lips.

Jack watched her as she greeted those who had been closest to her breathtaking entrance. Jacob looked at her with pride as he followed her greetings. Her face reflected the candlelight in the room, making her cheeks glow and her eyes shine. Stepping out of the shadows, he watched her as she laughed at something General Hammond had just said. Without realizing it, Jack had gone from the grumpiest man at the party to the happiest.

As Jack continued to focus his eyes on her, she glanced around the room while Jacob was in a discussion that obviously didn’t hold her attention. Making it around the room, her eyes captured Jack’s and held. A slow smile formed on her lips as she mouthed the words “Hi”. Excusing herself from the group she was with, she made her way towards him. Watching her approach, Jack felt like the world had melted away, leaving only her.

As Sam approached Jack, she couldn’t help but feel the fluttering of her heart. He was incredibly handsome in his tux. The black brought out the sexy gray and silver that was mixed through his brown hair. His eyes were swirling pools of dark liquid that she was easily getting lost in, and she felt herself blushing as he continued to look into her eyes. She really hadn’t planned on coming tonight after the long flight home, but her father really wanted to attend before returning to the Tok’ra, in order to catch up with some old friends. Seeing Jack now, she found herself mentally taking a note to thank her father for insisting that she come along.

As she closed the distance between them, Jack nervously fingered the paper on his beer bottle. “Hey! You made it!” Jack found his casual statement ironic considering his previous mood only moments ago.

Sam smiled as she came to a stop in front of him. “Yeah. My father wanted to come, so he insisted that I come too.”

“Well, I’m glad he did! You look great!” Jack hoped his enthusiasm wasn’t too strong.

“Thanks,” Sam said softly, flattered by his comment. “You look great too. It’s funny to see ourselves in these formal clothes. I’m can’t remember the last time I wore a dress like this.” She laughed to sooth her nerves.

“Well, you should do it more often. It suits you.” Jack’s eyes softened as they met hers once again.

“You think? I wasn’t sure. My sister-in-law insisted on taking me shopping before we left California. I thought she was going to make me try on every dress that we came across.” Sam felt blood rush to her cheeks as Jack’s eyes quickly scanned her dress.

“Well, I’d say she did you a favor…not that you couldn’t have picked out one on your own…it’s just that…oh, never mind,” Jack said, feeling foolish. “How was California?”

Sam smiled at how cute he was as he stumbled over his statement. “Well, it was good. I think that Mark and my dad…”

“What about me?” Jacob said, coming up behind Sam and stopping beside her.

“Hey, Jacob! Nice to see you again,” Jack said, trying to hide his slight irritation at the invasion of his alone time with Sam.

“You too, Jack. Sorry we couldn’t be here sooner, but the flight was delayed out of California due to fog. Did we miss much?” Jacob asked, his hands held casually behind his back.

“Well, you made it before midnight, so, I think you’re just in time for the main reason we’re having this party!”

Sam quietly smiled at Jack’s sarcastic remark. Jacob, on the other hand, failed to see the humor in it that she had. “I see,” Jacob said, giving Jack a quick smile. “Well, if you will excuse me, I’m off to say hello to one of my old friends. Sam, I’ll catch up with you in a while?”

“Sure, Dad. Sounds good.” Sam gave him a smile as he turned and walked away.

Jack whistled under his breath. “Tough crowd. I hope I didn’t make him too mad.”

Sam laughed. “Don’t worry about it. My dad has never been one to pick up humor easily. Where are Daniel and Teal’c?”

Jack smiled at her, loving how she managed to put up with his generally bad humor. Most people didn’t deal with sarcasm well, but for the most part, Sam seemed to enjoy it. “Well, they should be over there…somewhere.” Jack pointed in the direction he had just come. “Shall we?”

Sam nodded, falling into step with him as they made their way through the crowd. With their backs turned, Daniel and Teal’c didn’t see them approaching. “Well, look who I found!” Jack said enthusiastically.

Daniel and Teal’c turned around, both stopping abruptly when they discovered how beautiful Sam looked. Daniel, finding his voice first, smiled. “Hey Sam! Wow! You look….amazing.”

“You do indeed, Captain Carter,” Teal’c said, bowing his head to her.

Sam smiled. “Thanks guys. I feel a little out of my element.”

“Well, I think you fit in perfectly.” Daniel had managed to regain his composure, and lifted his hand to adjust his glasses.

“Doesn’t she? I was just telling her that!” Jack said happily.

“Jack,” Daniel said, smiling at him, beginning to figure out the reason for his mood swing. “Did you manage to loosen you tie?”

Jack glared at him. “Yes, Daniel, I did. Thanks!”

“No problem,” Daniel said, enjoying himself immensely at Jack’s expense.

“Uh, did I miss something?” Sam said, suddenly sensing the tension between the two.

Jack quickly interjected. “Nothing at all. Just Daniel being….well, Daniel.” He eyed Daniel until he was sure that the topic of conversation was going to be changed. Daniel took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. Putting them back on, he blinked, and suddenly looked very mellow.

Sam, noticing his facial expression, touched his arm. “Daniel, you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Daniel said in a monotone expression.

Sam looked at Jack, giving him a confused expression. Still trying to figure out what exactly was going on, she spoke up. “Well, if you’ll excuse me for a moment, I’m going to go find the ladies room. I’ll be right back.”

Jack gave her a smile. “We’ll be here.”

As soon as she was out of sight, Jack stepped closer to Daniel, his voice low and suddenly very tense. “What was that about? Are you permanently trying to piss me off?!”

“No, Jack, I’m not.”

Jack, too irritated to notice the lack of tone in Daniel’s voice, went on. “Well, don’t do that again. Just because I was in a bad mood early doesn’t mean you need to broadcast it to the whole room.”

“But you’re in a bad mood now.” Daniel said, staring through Jack, looking at nothing.

Jack wanted to scream. “Oh….go jump off a building!”

“Okay.”

Jack and Teal’c stood dumbfounded as Daniel made a beeline for the door. Teal’c turned to Jack. “May I ask what that was about, O’Neill?”

Jack blew out a breath of air. “Don’t worry about it, Teal’c. It’s just old history rubbing on the nerves.”

“Where do you suppose he is going?” Teal’c said, curiosity and concern mixed in his voice.

“Who knows? Just let him blow off his steam. He’ll be okay.” Jack tried to calm himself down before Sam returned.

A few minutes later, Sam rejoined them, returning quicker than she had left, concern evident on her face. “What happened? I saw Daniel in the lobby, and he was heading towards the stairs. I asked him where he was going, and he said to jump off the building! I tried to stop him, but he didn’t seem to hear me.”

Jack suddenly became as concerned as she was. “Nothing happened, not really anyway. We just had one of our usual tiffs, and I casually suggested he go do that. You know how we get under each other’s skin. I didn’t think he’d take me literally.”

Sam thought for a second before the color drained quickly from her face. Jack placed a hand on her arm. “Sam. What is it?”

“Daniel…you don’t suppose…oh God! The Nistah!” Sam bit down on her lower lip, deep in thought.

“What about it?” Jack asked, quickly remembered the Nistah that Seth had used to convert their minds to Jell-O, allowing him to influence their thoughts. If it hadn’t been for the earpieces that Sam had rigged with a small electrical shock to bring them out of it, who knows where they’d be now.

“My dad told me that he was forced to shock us earlier than he wanted to.”

Teal’c, furrowing his brow, responded. “That is true, Captain Carter. We were afraid your true identity was about to be discovered, and we had to shock you early.”

“So…” Jack still didn’t get it.

“So, that means that there is was a remote possibility that by shocking us before the Nistah had the time to penetrate all of our tissues, the electric shock used to bring us out of it may not have rendered all of it harmless!” Seeing the confused expression still on Jack’s face, she continued. “Which means that some of it may have harbored itself in Daniel’s tissue without us knowing it. And I think it may have just taken him over again, right before you suggested what you did.”

Jack made the connection in his mind. “Oh, God!”

The three of them hurried out of the room as fast as they could. Once in the lobby, Jack turned to Sam. “Which staircase did he take!” He was trying to stay calm, but they idea that he may have just inadvertently sent Daniel to his death was unnerving him.

“That one over there!” Sam said, pointing as she took off her heels, knowing she would move faster without them.

The three of them ran to the staircase. Jack led the way, followed closely by Teal’c. Sam took up the rear, holding up her dress as best she could, attempting to keep stride with her teammates. They wound their way up 12 flights of stairs, each grateful for the physical shape they were in.

Reaching the top, Jack burst through the door, quickly scanning the rooftop. “Daniel!”

They spread out, each of them calling his name frantically. It was a windless night. Even 12 stories up, there was only a slight breeze. The full moon flooded the roof in a pale white light. Sam rounded the corner and stopped short. “Jack!” Daniel was standing on the ledge, looking straight ahead of him. Though the city lights sparkled below him, he didn’t see any of them.

“Daniel, don’t jump! Just stay where you are.” Sam was trying to keep her voice calm and firm, as she walked slowly towards her friend, not sure what he would do in the next few seconds.

Jack bounded around the corner, stopping just ahead of Sam. “Daniel, don’t jump! Do you hear me?!” Jack knew his tone could have been calmer, but it just wasn’t possible. If Daniel jumped, it would be all his fault.

Daniel didn’t seem to hear him. He took a step forward, his balance wavering.

“Damn it, Daniel, NO!” Jack lurched forward, grabbing onto his wrist just as he dove off the edge. The sudden force of weight on Jack’s arm pulled him forward. He grabbed onto the inside of the ledge for any kind of support, trying to keep himself from going over the ledge as well.

“Jack!” Sam screamed, running forward, grabbing onto his waist and pulling back as hard as she could.

Jack felt her strength trying to support him, and he attempted to use that momentary relief to reposition his feet without letting go of Daniel’s wrist, who now dangled precariously 12 stories above the ground.

Teal’c suddenly appeared from the other side of the roof. Quickly leaning over the ledge, he grabbed onto Daniel’s other arm, and together, the three of them pulled him back up over the top. As they were getting him back over the ledge, a guard appeared to see what the problem was. Knowing that Jack and Daniel were both safely over the ledge, she let go of Jack and quickly approached the guard.

“I need to borrow that,” she said, out of breath. Without waiting for a response from the confused guard, she grabbed the Tazer gun off his belt and thrust it into Daniel’s chest. “Let go of him!” she commanded. Jack and Teal’c followed her order, jumping back. She pulled the trigger and delivered a shock on the lowest setting she could find.

Handing it back to the security guard, they waiting as Daniel shook his head and looked around. “Jack, Sam, Teal’c? What am I doing up here?”

They all breathed a sigh of relief. Jack laughed to calm his nerves. “Well, it seems you took me too literally this time. I didn’t think you’d ever take my sarcasm seriously.” Jack and Teal’c filled in a very confused Daniel on the situation, as Sam led the guard away, giving him the best cover story she could come up with at such short notice. Convincing the guard wasn’t as easy as she had hoped it would be. He wanted to call the police, but she managed to finally satisfy him, saying that they would take good care of him, and that he would be seeing a doctor.

After the guard left and headed back inside, Sam assuring him that they would be following momentarily, she rejoined her friends. “Are you okay, Daniel?” She squatted down at his side, her dress billowing out around her, the satin capturing the moonlight and reflecting it.

“Yeah, I think so, just a little stunned.”

Sam smiled at him. “Sorry about that, but it was the only way to render the remaining Nistah in your system harmless.”

She stood up as Teal’c helped Daniel to his feet. Jack looked at Sam. “You’re sure that there’s no more of this…what did you call it….Niska, tah, whatever….hanging around him? I can’t afford to have him constantly taking my sarcastic remarks seriously.”

Sam smiled, relieved that the situation was able to end well. “The Tazer delivered a much more power shock than the earpieces ever did. He should be free of any remaining Nistah.”

“Well, that’s a relief!”

They headed back inside, taking the elevator this time down to the lobby. No one said anything, each still trying to absorb what had just happened, their minds going back to the mission they had just completed here on earth. When they reached the lobby, they walked back towards the ballroom, the music invading their ears again, giving them a welcomed relief from their thoughts.

As they reached the doors, Sam stopped. Jack, noticing her abrupt motion beside him, turned around, holding the door open. “You coming?”

Sam looked at him, her face still slightly pale. “You go ahead. I’ll be right there.”

Jack watched as she retreated through the lobby towards the doors that led outside to the pool, which was covered for the winter. Concerned, he told Teal’c and Daniel to go on, and he quickly followed her lead. Opening the door, he realized for the first time how cold the air was. He didn’t think about the fact until now that she must have been freezing up on the roof.

Consumed in thought with her back turned to him, she wasn’t aware of his presence until he placed his jacket over her shoulders. “Hey, you alright?”

Sam turned and saw the genuine concern for her in his eyes. She smiled, trying to conceal the conflict that she felt in her heart, assuming that it was probably being reflected in her face. “I will be. Just dealing with all of that reminded me of our mission, and brought back the feelings when I killed….” Her voice trailed off as she looked away.

“When you killed Seth.” Jack finished for her, suddenly knowing her train of thought. He had seen the disgust in her face after she had killed Seth with the ribbon device Jacob gave her. He had wanted to talk to her about it, but since she and Jacob took off for California immediately after returning to the base, he’d never gotten the chance.

Her voice cracked answering him. “I know it shouldn’t affect me. I’ve killed plenty of Goa’uld before. It’s just…that was the first time I’d used the influence of Jolinar to do it.” She hesitated, trying to compose herself. Jack patiently waited, placing a hand lightly on her back, assuring her that he was there. “I can’t really describe it. There was so much hate. I felt what Jolinar had felt, and it was overwhelming. It scared me.” She looked over at Jack, turning her body towards him. “I guess it just made me realize that I have an uncontrolled capacity to kill. I mean, what if I use that against one of you one day! Can she really take me over like that?” Her voice raised a notch when she asked her question, a pleading look in her eyes.

Not caring if they were out of sight or not, Jack pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. “You’re not going to kill any of us.”

Sam felt the power in his embrace, the strength and protection. She wanted to believe him. “How do you know,” she said, her head resting against his chest.

Jack released her far enough to look into her face with determination. “Because I know you. You are one of the strongest people I know. And I’m not talking physically. You’re smart and stubborn. You killed Seth with that power because he threatened to kill you in the same instance. You were defending yourself and those around you.” Jack paused before he went on. “And if he’d succeeded in his attempt to hurt or kill you, well, let’s just say he would have received the personal touch from me!” They held each other’s eyes, trying to read feelings in them that they hoped were there, but not yet sure of.

Breaking the tension of the moment, Jack squeezed her shoulders. “Besides, I would hope I’d never make you that angry. I guess I need to tone down the sarcasm. Between Daniel, and now Jolinar, I’d better watch my step. Jolinar never seemed to take my sarcasm well either.”

Sam let out a soft laugh. She loved how he always managed to put her in a better mood. With his arms still lightly encircling her, and she could have stood there forever, under the moonlight, in his arms.

Suddenly, fireworks lit up the night sky, as brilliant colors of flashing red, green, white, blue, and yellow painted the air around them. Jack slowly released her as they looked up, watching as the fireworks exploded into a blinding light and then dissipated like shooting stars falling back to Earth. Looking down at his watch, he realized that it was midnight, and a new year. He was actually standing with the one person he’d wished more than anything to be with at this significant moment in time. He looked over at her, watching as she continued to stare up at the fireworks, a beautiful smile finally on her face, as her eyes reflected the colors in the sky. Without hesitation, he placed his hand in hers and bent down, placing a feathered kiss on her soft cheek. “Happy New Year,” Jack said softly.

Sam looked over at him, her head reeling from what she thought had just happened. The only evidence of it was the warmth of his hand in hers. She squeezed it gently as she looked up into his eyes. “Happy New Year, Jack.”

Hearing the doors open as a crowd of partiers came out to view the display too, Jack released Sam’s hand, but remained as close as he could. After the fireworks ended, they all went back inside. The party kept going strong for the next few hours. Jack and Sam stayed close to each other the rest of the night, talking to the same groups of people and secretly enjoying the sound of the other’s voice.

When the disc jockey announced the final song, everyone flooded the dance floor. Seeing that Daniel had managed to acquire Janet as his dance partner, and that Teal’c was even going to attempt it, Jack decided to take the opportunity presented to him. Since practically everyone was paired with a dance partner, he didn’t worry about any speculation that might come about if they were to dance together. “May I have this dance?”

Sam smiled up at him, taking his hand and letting him lead her out onto the overcrowded dance floor. Though there may have been over a hundred people on the floor with them, everyone and everything faded from existence as the music started. No words were needed. The look they were exchanging was enough. Neither of them wanted to be anywhere else but right here, in each other’s arms.

I stand at your gate and the song that I sing is of moonlight.

I stand and I wait for the touch of your hand in the June night.

The roses are sighing a Moonlight Serenade.

The stars are aglow and tonight how their light sets me dreaming

My love, do you know that your eyes are like stars brightly beaming?

I bring you and sing you a Moonlight Serenade.

Let us stray till break of day

In love’s valley of dreams.

Just you and I, a summer sky,

A heavenly breeze kissing the trees.

So don’t let me wait, come to me tenderly in the June night.

I stand at your gate and I sing you a song in the moonlight,

A love song, my darling, a Moonlight Serenade.

After the song ended, they partiers slowly gathered their things and headed out. Jacob rejoined Sam, and Jack walked out with them after saying their goodbyes to Daniel and Teal’c. At Sam’s car, Jack bid Jacob a safe journey back through the Gate and then said goodnight to Sam. Since Jacob was in the car already, she gave Jack a simple smile and allowed herself a few more private moments in his eyes.

As they drove away, Jack took in a deep cleansing breath and finally undid his tie. Unbuttoning the top button, Jack looked up at the moon and thought of the last song they had just danced to. What would this New Year bring? He didn’t know, but as his thoughts returned to Sam, his gut instinct told him something great.

Next Story---> "Touching Destiny"

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