The Waking Truth

Title: The Waking Truth

Author: Suz W.

Feedback: Your thoughts here!

Spoilers: After Ascension (episode tag)

Rating: PG-13, S/J Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Romance, and sensual moments.

Summary: Jack begins to question some recent decisions he’s made. Can he figure out what the right decision for his life is?

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 July 4, 2004, by Suzanne R. Whitmarsh.

Author’s Notes: This story follows “When Reality Strikes”. I hope you are continuing to enjoy my series. If you find yourself guess at what’s coming next, then I’m doing my job! But I promise not to torture you too much! Someone recently asked me how many more stories I have planned for this series. I told them I honestly don’t have a planned number, but estimating, there will be at least 30 more stories to come. So keep reading! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!

Dedication: I have to dedicate this story to all of those who put together such great Sam and Jack/Stargate websites! Since becoming a recent owner of my own domain, I’ve come to greatly appreciate all the hard work that goes into making one of those. So keep it up, and thank you!

“I really don’t know how he did it, Sir!” Jack could feel his impatience growing as he tried to stick to the behavior that was expected of him. The SUV rumbled over the road at top speed back towards the base, per his order.

Jack heard General Hammond’s voice as it came through the cell phone that was pressed unusually hard against his ear. “How do you want to proceed, Colonel?”

Jack did his best to keep his voice as level as possible. “I need a team prepped and ready to go at the Stargate ASAP! We’re almost to the base. I’d also like my gear in the Gate room. We don’t have time for delays. I suggest we try 636 first. That seems to be the most obvious place he may have taken her.” Despite the cold weather outside, Jack felt like he was trapped in a sauna. A trickle of sweat slowly made its way down the side of his face. He hastily wiped it away as he waited for the general’s answer.

“Very well, Colonel,” General Hammond replied, concern for the situation evident in his voice. “I trust your judgment on this. I’ll ready SG’s 3 and 5.”

Jack wanted to feel relived, but he couldn’t relax when so much was still hanging in the balance. “Thank you, Sir.” Jack hung up his cell phone and put it in his coat pocket. He could feel his fingers trembling as he clasped his hands together, his vision capturing the darkness outside of the window. The full impact of what had just happened was still hitting him. She was gone…Sam was gone, and it was entirely his fault. He was the one who had suggested that Sam be the one to go into her house to try and coax the alien out. For all he knew, the alien had kidnapped her in response to being threatened.

It had never crossed Jack’s mind at any point that he was putting her in harms way. He had been spending so much energy recently trying to push her away that he had failed to see the real truth of the situation. The last thing he had ever expected was that the alien had figured out a way to build a miniature Stargate in Sam’s basement. And the one thing that had him scared the most was that he could have taken her anywhere. The only thing he had to go on was that maybe by some slim chance, they had returned to the planet where this had all started. It would be instinct to flee to someplace familiar. Jack was banking on that instinct, hoping against hope he would be right.

Colonel Simmons voice broke into Jack’s thoughts. “Colonel, I promise you, there is going to be hell to pay for this. I’m not going to let your people snowball me this time!”

Jack wanted to swat away Simmons voice as if it were a fly buzzing around his head. Unfortunately, with him sitting next to the creep, that was not possible. He had been ranting and raving ever since they discovered that the alien had escaped with Sam in tow. It was all Jack could do to not throw the guy out of the speeding car.

Just as he was about to respond, Jack saw the entrance to the base and said a silent prayer of thanks. He knew that Sam would be proud of how much control he was exercising at that moment. As the SUV roared past the front entrance gate and began to come to a screeching stop, Simmons started in again.

“Colonel, you can ignore me all you want, but you’re not going to get me to back down!” As the SUV came to a stop, Jack opened the door and jumped out, with Simmons on his heels. “Major Carter is to blame for this whole mess. Not only did she lie about the alien’s existence, but she also harbored it. She is going to pay dearly for this, that is if she hasn’t already!”

Jack couldn’t take anymore, especially when it involved dishonoring Sam. Jack stopped abruptly, whipped around and grabbed Simmons by the shirt, slamming him against the side of the black SUV. Getting within an inch of his face, Jack’s eyes shot bullets as he spoke, his face flushing with anger. “That’s enough! The next word you utter against Major Carter or her actions will be shoved down your throat by my fist! And don’t even try to pull any bureaucratic crap out of your ass to try and intimidate me. If I didn’t have more important things to do, you wouldn’t still be standing for the things you just said about her. Now get the hell out of here before I personally kick your butt all the way back to Washington D.C.!”

Simmons brushed the front of his shirt as Jack released him. With a sly smile on his face, he responded to the threat as Jack started to walk away. “My, my, Colonel. Aren’t you being a little bit protective of Major Carter? If I didn’t know better, I’d say there’s a bigger story here.”

Jack stopped and turned around, his blood boiling. “Listen up, you son of a bitch! A member of my team has been possibly compromised. Now the last time I checked, getting upset about that was expected. And as for defending her, well…that’s generally a thing friends do for each other. But I don’t expect you to understand that since I’m sure you don’t have too many friends!” It was taking all of Jack’s restraint not to just pummel the man right there.

Instead, he raised his voice and shouted. “Airmen!”

The closest three airmen raced forward and were at his side within moments, guns at the ready. Jack never took his eyes off Simmons as he addressed them. “See that this slime bag piece of shit doesn’t gain access to the base. He lost his clearance as soon as he left!”

With that said, Jack turned and walked away, with Simmons yelling at him as the airmen blocked his path. “You can’t stop me, Colonel. I’ll be back, and I promise, you’ll regret this!”

Jack blocked out whatever else Simmons was yelling as he quickly entered the base and made his way to the elevators. Getting on, he ran a hand through his hair as the doors closed and he started his long decent 28 levels below ground. He knew he’d only temporarily stopped Simmons, but he didn’t care. All that mattered right now was finding Sam and getting her back. If anything had happened to her, Jack knew his life would be over. No matter how hard he was trying to push her away, he could not deny his heart and the love it held for her.

Jack also knew that he wasn’t going to stand by and let Sam take the heat for this. If he’d only believed her in the first place, he could have maybe found a better solution to this whole mess. But instead, he focused himself on trying to do what he thought was best for her. And all it had gotten him was the knowledge that he had caused her more pain. He had seen it in her eyes when he’d called her nuts to her face outside of the bathroom at the SGC. She had come to him for help, and he had basically ignored her.

The elevator doors finally opened and Jack helped them to open faster as he pushed his way out and ran to the Gate room. When he entered, he found Teal’c holding his gear, waiting for him with SG units 3 and 5, as promised.

Jack gave Teal’c a quick, stern smile. “Teal’c! Glad to see you.” Without another word, he took his gear from Teal’c and started strapping it on.

Teal’c nodded. “I am glad to be here, O’Neill. General Hammond has informed me of the situation. I hope we are able to find Major Carter.” Teal’c watched Colonel O’Neill go through the emotions at the mention of her name. He felt for his friend, for he could see that he was very upset.

Jack gave Teal’c a brief nod. “I hope so too.” Pausing on what he had just said, Jack could feel his emotions start to well up in his throat. Shaking his head, he tried to move past the subject. “Where’s Daniel?”

“Dr. Jackson had already left for the evening when General Hammond called me to his office. With such limited time, it was decided that it would not be necessary to call him at home for his return to the base,” Teal’c promptly stated.

Jack agreed and looked up at the control room. General Hammond had just arrived and was looking down in their direction. Jack gave him a quick salute. “General, thanks for the support. We’re ready to go.”

General Hammond bent down to the microphone and spoke. “Very well, Colonel, and good luck. You have a go.” He clicked off the microphone. Directing the Gate to be dialed, they all watched as the chevrons locked and engaged the wormhole. Sparkling blue and white light burst forth, spiraling towards them at a dizzying speed.

Jack could feel his heart racing as he stepped up onto the ramp. If this turned out to be a dead end, he didn’t know where to start looking after that for her. And that fact scared him to death.

Ten seconds later, Jack stepped out on the other side of the wormhole, the bright light of day invading his vision and making him squint. SG-3 and SG-5 had assembled around the Gate, awaiting his orders. In the distance, they could see the temple that held the weapon SG-16 was suppose to be testing.

Not wanting to waste anytime, Jack stepped down next to the DHD and spoke. “Alright. SG-5, position yourselves around the Gate and watch our six. SG-3, you’re with Teal’c and I. Stay in radio contact. We’ll check in one hour from now. Let’s move…” Just then, a flash of green was spotted in the distance. Jack got out his binoculars and surveyed the area in front of them.

Tension left his shoulders when he spotted Colonel Reynolds leading his team back towards the Gate. From the look on their faces, Jack could tell that the weapon test must not have gone well. Lowering his binoculars, Jack gave the signal to stand down while they waited for SG-16 to join them.

When Colonel Reynolds finally approached them, Jack gave him a quick nod. “Reynolds. I take it the test didn’t go so well?”

Colonel Reynolds frowned. “You could say that. If you don’t mind me asking, Sir, why are you here with two SG teams? Has something happened?”

Jack shook his head. “It’s a long story, but the bottom line is Major Carter has gone missing.”

Colonel Reynolds looked confused. “Actually, she’s not missing.”

Jack quickly took off his sunglasses and stepped forward, intensity in his voice as he squinted against the light. “You know where she is?”

Reynolds turned around and pointed back at the temple. “She’s in there. She came through the Stargate a while ago with some man, some alien. Because of him, the test failed and the weapon was destroyed.”

Jack could feel himself suddenly breathing easier. “Is she okay? Why didn’t she come back with you?”

Reynolds nodded. “She’s fine. She wanted to give the weapon one more quick go over before we left this place behind. She wanted to make sure that it really was destroyed.”

Teal’c, who had been standing next to Jack listening to the exchange, spoke up. “What has become of the alien?”

Reynolds grimaced. “I had no choice. I had to shoot him. He was trying to stop the weapon.” He hesitated before going on. “As it turned out, it was to no avail. He managed to stop the power supply coming from the Naquada generator before the weapon could fire.”

Colonel Reynolds continued to fill them in on what had happened after that. Once he had finished telling them what he knew, Jack nodded as his eyes focused on the temple looming in the distance. “Reynolds, take your team, along with SG’s 3 and 5, back through the Gate. Inform the general what has happened and then get yourselves checked out.”

Reynolds nodded. “What about you?”

Jack looked briefly at Teal’c. “I’m going to go see if I can give Carter a hand. Teal’c, you stay here and let me know if there’s any trouble.”

Teal’c bowed his head. “I will radio you if any trouble arises, though I doubt this planet has much to offer to anyone, especially the Goa’uld.” As he looked around at the ruins surrounding them, crumbled piles of concrete that spelled out a violent and destructive past, Teal’c felt confident in letting O’Neill go on his own. He also knew that Colonel O’Neill would want some private time with Major Carter, and he wasn’t going to be the one to deny him that.

Sam could feel her brain fighting to stay focused on the task at hand. Looking over what was left of the weapon, she suddenly found that it was pointless to try. Sitting down on a nearby ledge, Sam craned her neck and looked up once more at the hole in the ceiling where Orlin had gone, taking the Naquada generator with him. Bracing herself on the ledge with her arms, she brought her head back down and let out a sad sigh.

It had been a miserable two weeks. Not only was she trying to brush off Jack’s attempts at pushing her away, but now she felt responsible for what happened to Orlin. Sam knew that he had been given a second chance by his people for the selfless act of bravery that he displayed, but she found herself wondering what would have been if he were still here. What would have happened if she had kept him from getting shot?

As much as her heart longed for Jack, as much as she loved him, Orlin had provided her a means of escape from all of the heartache. He had made her smile, and forget at times what had her feeling so sad. And now she found herself missing him. Not because she was hoping for a relationship, but because she missed his companionship and his kindness. Things were so much easier with him, and that was something her life was not…easy.

Of course, had Orlin not gotten shot in the process of stopping the weapon, they would have all been dead anyway. Though the weapon had never been able to fire, Sam was sure that it would have overloaded and exploded. And so she had found herself looking down at Orlin as his hand touched her cheek, his blood seeping out as life left his body. He had saved her; saved her from the blast and saved her sanity. He had given her the distraction she needed to move through each painful day. But now that distraction was gone, and her heart was left aching once again.

Sam clenched her jaw as two single tears escaped her eyes. “God, why! Why does this have to hurt so much? What was the point…of any of it!” Sam sniffed and covered her face as she continued to let the tears flow. Then Orlin’s words suddenly reverberated through her mind:

“I did it as much for myself as for you. If nothing develops between us, I’ll accept it. I just couldn’t go on the other way. I just had to know.”

As much for you. Sam suddenly realized with a start what that had meant. He had read her mind; he had known. He had felt her pain and knew about her love for Jack, and how Jack was trying to push her away. Sam also realized in the same breath that Orlin must have discovered how deeply she loved Jack, and that there could be no one else. Yet knowing that, he still did his best to make her happy, to make her smile again.

Sam sniffed again and wiped at her tears, looking up to the sky. “I’m so sorry, Orlin.” Just then, a bright light suddenly appeared in front of her, and she found herself standing in front of a glowing specter, with Orlin’s face smiling out from it. “Orlin,” Sam said breathlessly. “Hi.”

Orlin’s face smiled back at her without saying anything. Slowly, he floated forward, his form inches from her body. And then Sam knew what it was he was trying to do. Closing her eyes, she attempted to relax and let him in once more. Overwhelming warmth suddenly took hold of her, and she could hear Orlin’s voice speaking to her in her head:

“Sam, don’t be sad. My people have taken me back; they’ve given me another chance. I can go on knowing what a great gift you gave me in sharing a small part of your life with me, if only for a short time. You are an amazing, beautiful person, and I will cherish our time together…always.”

Just then, Jack appeared inside the doorway to the room where Sam and Orlin were communicating. Not knowing what was happening and fearing the worst, he dropped his weapon to his side and moved forward quickly. “Hey!” Grabbing Sam by the shoulders, he pulled her to him and stumbled backwards, providing separation from Sam and the ghost-like specter that looked similar to the one they’d seen on Keb.

Sam didn’t know what happened. One moment she was at peace, relaxed, listening to Orlin’s voice, and the next she found herself being violently yanked back to reality. Shaking her head and opening her eyes, she turned around to find Jack behind her, gripping her shoulders, his face full of concern. But his eyes were still fixed on the specter in front of them, reflecting fear and protection.

Sam turned back around to Orlin, who floated precariously in front of them. But gradually, Orlin moved in closer to Jack. He then reached out in his true form and picked up Jack’s hand and placed it slowly on Sam’s. Jack’s hand felt warm and familiar as he instinctively laced his fingers through hers. Then Orlin moved forward once more, encasing both of them. Orlin’s voice was once again heard, but this time by both of them:

“Do not let the trials of life beat you down. Each day is so precious. Knowing each other in spirit, by heart, that is what will get you through even the darkest days. Don’t give up on what you have found; love is a rare and special gift. Use it for all its worth.”

Orlin drew back and watched as they both opened their eyes. Jack stood there dumbfounded, unable to make complete sense of what had just happened. Looking over at Sam, he saw a tear running down her cheek as she smiled at the alien in front of them. Releasing Jack’s hand, Sam reached forward and touched Orlin’s cheek. Moving forward, Jack watched as she placed a simple kiss on his ghostly lips and then drew back. He was stunned into silence, his heart pounding in his head as he observed the tender exchange.

Sam suddenly spoke up, her voice a hushed whisper. “Thank you.” Orlin’s face gave her a glorious smile and then moved up towards the sky, the light growing smaller and smaller until it was no longer visible.

Jack just stood there for a moment, unable to make sense of anything that had just happened. The silence whirled around them until Jack finally managed to find his voice. “Okay, two questions. One, are you okay, and two, what the hell just happened?”

Sam looked over at Jack and gave him a small smile, her eyes bright. “Yes, I’m fine. As for what just happened, well, that was Orlin, saying goodbye.”

Jack shook his head. “Now, don’t think I’m crazy or anything, but I was hearing voices in my head. Please tell me you heard them too?!”

Sam gave a quiet laugh. “No, Sir, you’re not crazy. Orlin was speaking to use…a sort of telepathy. He was telling us to…well, you know.” Sam lowered her eyes and turned around, hugging her arms tightly.

Jack let out a sigh and reached out to touch her arm, only to let it drop back to his side when he was inches from her. “Sam,” Jack said, his voice softer. “I can’t give you what you want, what you need. You know that.”

Sam whipped around, fresh tears visible in her eyes, her voice strong with emotion. “Why, Jack? Why? I love you! What more do I need than your love? Didn’t you hear what Orlin said?”

Jack didn’t like being put into a corner. He responded, his voice equally emotional. “Damn it, Sam, you know why! I can’t, I won’t watch you get hurt. I love you enough to know that I can’t do that. Besides, it looked to me like you’d already moved on!”

Sam wiped at her eyes, furious at his accusation. “Don’t you dare take what happened here and use it as some cheap excuse to push me away even further. Orlin was nothing more than a friend. I love you, not him.”

Jack pointed up to the sky. “Then what the hell was that kiss all about?”

Sam shook her head, her voice much softer. “It was a thank you. A way for me to tell him how much I appreciated all of his kindness and caring this past week; for just being there to make me smile.”

It was at that moment that Jack realized just how much he had been hurting her. He realized how much sadness was in her eyes. He had spent so much energy trying to push her away that he had been blind to the pain he was inflicting. No wonder she clung onto this alien when he offered her something other than a cold shoulder. Jack thought he was doing them both a favor by walking away, by pushing away, but now, he wasn’t so sure. He could feel jealously begin to traverse the length of his veins. He had no right to be jealous, but he couldn’t contain the feeling from rearing its ugly head.

Looking for anything that would ease his conscious, he suddenly spoke up with conviction. “Well, if he was so kind and caring, what was up with him dragging you through that homemade Gate? Last time I checked, that was considered kidnapping!”

Sam just shook her head and then looked into his eyes. “He didn’t drag me through…I followed him, on my own.”

Jack felt like he had been slapped. “What do you mean you followed him through? Didn’t you consider for one moment that I would be going out of my mind with worry? That I would have no clue where you had gone or how to get you back?”

Sam shot a look back at him. “How to get me back? Funny, cause that’s what I’ve been saying to myself these past two dreadful weeks about you: how do I get you back!”

Jack hesitated slightly before answering her. “Well, this isn’t about me and you. It’s about the fact that I drug two SG units after you because I thought you needed help.”

Sam gave him a painful look. “Well, I’m sorry about the additional units, but how can this not be about us?”

Jack was getting frustrated. “I…well…”

Sam interrupted him. “How can you stand there and tell me that you didn’t come after me because you love me, because you miss me?”

Jack moved closer to her, his voice shooting back a response. “You know I love you! And yes, I miss you like crazy. I miss you so much it literally hurts!”

Sam softened her voice and moved an inch closer to him. Looking up into his eyes, she spoke. “Well that’s the point. It doesn’t have to hurt. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Jack could feel her breath tickling his skin as his body stiffened at the closeness of her body. Finding it hard to think, to breathe, he finally managed a few words as her lips moved in. “I…I can’t.” Yanking himself away, he drug his fingers through his hair. “I just can’t watch you get hurt…I love you too much.”

Sam could feel tears of frustration once again touch her eyes. Her voice came in fragmented waves, amplifying the sadness her heart held. “Well, then your love has got to be the most selfish love I’ve ever known! If you really loved me, you’d give me the respect of letting me decide what’s best for my life.”

Moving around him, she collected a few things that had been left to her care and started for the doorway. Stopping, she turned around and looked at Jack, his eyes downcast and not focused on anything in particular. Clearing her voice as she wiped at her eyes, she spoke up as professionally as she could. “We’d better go, Sir, before someone starts to wonder what’s happened to us.” She waited just until he looked at her, a volatile sea displayed in his eyes. Giving him a sad smile, she turned around and headed for the Gate.

They walked the rest of the way in silence, Jack trailing behind Sam until they came within clear visual distance of the Stargate. At that point, Sam slowed down to allow Jack to catch up with her. She had spotted Teal’c in the distance and didn’t want him to suspect anything.

When they got back to the Gate, Sam said her hellos to Teal’c and then moved to the DHD to dial home. Jack found his way to Teal’c’s side, and without looking at him, spoke up. “Thanks, Teal’c, for watching out six.”

Teal’c nodded at him. “You are welcome, O’Neill.” Eyeing Major Carter, he continued. “Is everything alright?”

Jack watched Sam as she activated their means home. “As right as it can be, Teal’c. As right as it can be.”

Two hours later, they had finished up their debriefing. General Hammond was going to clear up the mess with Colonel Simmons, talking to the President directly about getting it resolved. To Sam’s relief, General Hammond fully supported her in keeping Orlin a secret, and no repercussions were going to come from it.

Sam took a quick shower and put on a fresh change of clothes. Tired from the long past couple of days, weeks even, she decided to call it a night. Waiting for the elevator, she could feel a dull headache starting to take hold. She pressed the bridge of her nose as the elevator doors opened. When she opened her eyes again, there was Jack, already in the elevator, obviously heading home himself.

They regarded each other for a moment, their eyes locked, each filled with emotions that were similar, yet so different. Sam was considering whether or not to get on when Jack spoke up. “Getting on, Carter? There’s plenty of room.”

Sam gave him a brief smile and then stepped forward into the car. As the doors closed, the silence that surrounded them was deafening. Sam didn’t know what to say; after what had transpired between them only a few hours ago, she wasn’t sure there was anything else she could say.

Jack watched her out of the corner of his eye. He wanted to reach out to her, to pull her into his arms and tell her how sorry he was for everything. It seemed to him that no matter what he did, he continued to hurt her. Clearing his throat, he knew he had to say something. The silence was killing him. “So, are you going home?”

Sam just nodded, keeping her eyes forward. “Yes, Sir. I guess all the activities from the past few days have taken their toll. You?”

Jack shuffled his feet and stuffed his hands in his pocket as he nodded. “Yep. Not much else to do. I thought…” Jack hesitated, causing Sam to look over at him. They were almost to the ground level. “Look, Sam, I’m not trying to hurt you…”

Sam turned towards him and gestured with her hands. “But you are! God…Jack, why can’t you see that? I…I…oh, it doesn’t matter.”

Jack was surprised to hear that tone from her. “What do you mean it doesn’t matter? Of course it does. You’re feelings are important to me.”

Sam looked over at him, her face scrunching in an attempt to keep more tears at bay. “Really? They are? Because I’m not so sure.” Just then, the elevator doors opened, releasing them onto the ground level. Sam didn’t wait for an answer. Moving quickly, she darted off the elevator and signed out of the base, heading directly for her car.

Jack watched her go, kicking himself for once again hurting her. This had to stop. They couldn’t continue to go on this way. Stepping out into the night air, Jack took in a deep breath, inhaling the smell of snow on the air, telling him that they would wake up with a new layer of it by morning. The wind bit at his neck as he pulled his coat collar up around him tighter. The faint smell of hazelnut hung in the air as he passed one of the night watchmen holding a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee. Nodding at him, he had barely gone two steps past him when the airman spoke. “Have a good evening, Sir. And Happy New Year.”

Jack stopped abruptly and looked back at him. “You too.” Turning back around, he hoped that his face didn’t echo the surprise that his brain was registering. New Years. He had been so preoccupied, he hadn’t even noticed that it was only a few days from the highly celebrated event. Christmas had come and gone without celebration because they had been dealing with this whole weapon thing and with Orlin. Plus, with Jack pushing Sam away, he hadn’t felt much like celebrating.

Orlin. Jack found himself wondering if Sam had celebrated Christmas with him, sharing one of Earth’s traditions with him. The idea had Jack fuming instantly. After the Christmas he and Sam had shared last year, he had just assumed that each one after that would be spent with her. As Jack walked alone in the darkness towards his truck, the wind whistling through the trees and surrounding mountaintops, he knew that it was his fault that they hadn’t spent that special holiday together. But what could he do?

Unlocking his truck, he climbed in and shut the door against the chilling wind. Yet as Jack turned on his truck and got the heat going, the chill remained. The idea of spending another key holiday alone, without her, made him feel more depressed than he had in a long time. He longed to feel her in his arms, her head resting comfortably on his chest as he held her against him. To kiss her, to make love to her…

And then it hit him, hard enough that he swore he felt physical pain. If he wasn’t going to be the one to do that, someone else eventually would. Orlin was a prime example of that. It suddenly felt like he was waking from a terrible dream, and the truth of that dream suddenly became reality.

As Jack’s heart began to pound hard in fear, regret, and agony, he found himself wondering if the decision he’d made was really the best thing for them? But if it wasn’t, was it too late? Would she trust him with her heart again if he tried to get her back? As he pulled out of the base, he knew there was only one way to find out. And he had the perfect way to get started.

Sam sat on her couch, the quiet of the house echoing the blowing snow outside that had started about twenty minutes ago. By the sound of it, they were in for another hard winter storm, with major snow accumulations and icy cold conditions. The fire crackled and danced in her fireplace, its light softly illuminating the room in an orange glow. And though it spread its warmth around her, she still felt cold. There was only one thing, or someone, who could make her feel warm again.

A knock sounded on her front door, making Sam jump. Getting up, she opened the door to find that one someone smiling softly back at her. Sam managed a smile as she spoke. “Hi. Just out for a night drive on this oh so drivable night?” As if the weather didn’t like her mocking, a wind gust swept up onto her porch, blowing snow everywhere, including inside her house. Grabbing Jack by the arm, she pulled him inside and shut the door against the strong wind, rubbing her arms for warmth.

Jack stood there for a moment brushing himself off. Looking back up at her, he smiled again. “Well, you know me, always out for an adventure.” When Sam didn’t say anything, Jack pushed on. “I thought that since we never got to have that pizza and a movie date the other day, that maybe tonight would be a good time for it. Except it’ll be just you and I. Teal’c couldn’t make it. Something about…me not inviting him.” When Sam just watched him, Jack continued. “Look, I know I’ve been an ass lately, and I know you just enjoyed a pizza with alien boy, but I guess I was hoping that maybe, with New Year’s Eve coming up, and well…”

Sam didn’t wait to hear the rest. Moving forward, she grabbed onto the front of his partially unzipped coat and pulled him to her, her lips finding his in a stored up passion. Moving with a desiring intensity, she caressed his lips with hers as her tongue met his.

Jack’s mind was a blur. He barely registered the crash of the pizza and movie on the hardwood floor below them as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her even closer. Her lips felt so right against his, sending a wave of instant heat through him. Slowly, they came up for air, their eyes meeting each other’s. Sam’s face was brighter than he’d ever seen it in the past few weeks, and her eyes sparkled as brightly as the stars.

Jack smiled and gently kissed her forehead as he released her and looked down at the smashed pizza box. “Do you like really flat pizza?”

Sam laughed as she watched him squat down to pick it up. “So, what movie did you bring?”

Jack picked up both items and set them down on the hall table as he took his coat off and hung it up. “Well, I hear this Star Wars thing is suppose to be pretty good. Thought I might give it a try.”

Sam walked past him into the kitchen and plucked two beers out of the fridge. Coming back, she picked up the movie as Jack picked up the pizza, and took his hand, leading him into the family room. “Well, you know, this is a trilogy. That means if you’re going to watch one of them, you have to watch the other two. Plus, I hear there’s a prequel planned for three more. Do you think you can handle watching all of them?”

Jack smiled and squeezed her hand and they reached the couch. Putting the pizza down, he helped her put the movie and beers down and then gathered her in his arms, looking into her eyes. “As long as I’ve got you to watch them with, they’ll be the best movies in the world.” Knowing there was more he needed to say, he sat her down with him and took her hands in his. “Look, Sam, I know I’ve been trying to push you away. I really thought it was the best thing I could do for you.” Brushing a finger over her cheek, he watched as his touch made her close her eyes, leaning her head into the full expanse of his hand. “But you were right.”

Sam opened her eyes and looked at him. “Right about what?”

Jack took in a breath and kissed the top of one of her hands. “That I wasn’t giving you the respect you deserve. You do have a right to decide what is best for your life. So I’m asking you now: what do you want?”

Sam gave him a beautiful smile as a single tear slipped down her cheek. “I want you, Jack. Nothing more, nothing less. I love you, and that will never change, no matter how hard you try to push me away. We belong together. We’ll just have to remind ourselves that life can be cruel sometimes. But with you by my side, I know we’ll get through it. Without you, life truly holds no real purpose for me. Sure, there’s my work and everything else, but you are my center. And without that center, I’m constantly off balance and uncertain about a lot of things.”

Jack took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately. When he drew back, he wiped at her eyes. “I don’t deserve you, you know that.”

Sam smiled as she touched his face. “The only thing you don’t deserve is heartache. So remember, I love you, now and always.”

Jack gathered her in his arms once more and kissed her hair. “I love you too. And I sorry for being so pig headed and wrong.”

Sam smiled into his shoulder. “Well, I guess I can let you make it up to me.”

Jack drew back and spied the mischief in her eyes. “Oh, and how do you plan on letting me do that?”

Sam gave him a sly smile, fingering one of the buttons on his shirt. “Oh, I’m sure you can come up with something.”

Jack returned her smile as he laid her back on the couch. “Oh really? You mean something like this?” He hovered over her and placed his lips on her neck, moving them slowly down and over to the top of her clavicle as he pulled the fabric of her shirt back.

Sam purred softly as her hands explored the muscles of his back. “Yeah, that seems to be working…though, I may need a bit more convincing that you’re truly sorry.”

Jack smiled up at her as he worked at lifting her shirt and kissing the delicate skin underneath. “Major, that is one thing I think I can handle. Prepare to be convinced.” And with that, he proceeded to kiss her in all the secret places he’d found that sent her to the moon. They made love right there on the couch, their bodies molded together as one person, one soul.

After finding their way to the heavens and back again, they wrapped themselves in a large blanket that Sam had gotten from one of the linen closets and munched on now cold pizza, while sipping on lukewarm beer. But they didn’t mind; having each other, wrapped together in warmth and love, nothing could disturb this moment for them.

For the rest of the night, they listened to the snow blowing outside as they watched “Star Wars”. Sam found herself giggling at Jack’s occasional imitation of some of the main characters, and loved watching his face as he absorbed himself in a movie most of the world had already seen. Jack would catch her watching him every once in a while, and he would kiss her and make a face, cuddling her closer as he returned his attention back to the screen.

Sam fell asleep in Jack’s arms towards the end of the movie. When it had finished, Jack reached for the remote and turned off the TV, careful not to wake her. Running a hand over her head, he settled himself back on the cushion behind his head and smiled. Having her in his arms felt so right. He knew there was going to be so much ahead of them to test their love, to test their faith in each other, but Jack knew that as long as Sam was by his side, they would pass those tests, together. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep, knowing that for the first time in weeks, he was going to be able to find the peace he so desperately sought in his dreams.

Next Story---> "Stranded (part 1)"

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