What the Future Holds

The five of them exited the conference room and after quick deliberation, gathered in O’Neill’s office, where Major Paul Davis leaned against the wall and shook his head. “I keep waiting for someone to tell me this is a huge practical joke,” he said incredulously.

“I know,” replied Major Samantha Carter, sounding somewhat dazed. “I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

Colonel O’Neill looked at the two of them in disbelief. “For crying out loud! I thought the two of you would be happy about this!” He pointed a finger at Davis. “How many years have you sat at a desk, following this program, wanting to be in on the action? And you, Carter? You’re ready for your own command. SG-18 is going to be a scientific and technological unit. All of your subordinates are actually going to understand what you’re talking about.”

She flashed a quick grin. “There’s that, I suppose, sir. I guess I just didn’t expect General Vidrine to move quite so quickly.”

“Well, he’s coming in and trying to shape this command to his way of thinking,” Daniel suggested. “It wasn’t unexpected that he’d make some changes. And he is not a man you say ‘no’ to.”

“I know,” Davis agreed, fidgeting his hands. “I just never expected that I’d be transferred along with Vidrine when Hammond retired. Now, I’m expected to take over Major Carter’s spot on SG-1?” He laughed nervously, and pinched his arm. “Nope, still awake.”

“When the X-301 was out of control, you performed your duties with great proficiency, Major Davis,” Teal’c interjected. “You need not have any qualms about being able to fulfill General Vidrine’s expectations.”

“You’ll be fine, Paul,” Carter assured him. “Just don’t let the Colonel push you through the wormhole the first time.”

“And eat light beforehand,” O’Neill retorted. “You should have seen Carter on Abydos, completely green, trying to keep her lunch down.”

They both glared at each other, then snickered. “It’s going to be so weird, not going through the gate with you guys,” Sam said quietly.

“Yeah,” Daniel wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I’m just glad that they didn’t transfer you back to the Pentagon to take Paul’s spot. Now,” he continued, “shouldn’t we all go out and celebrate tonight?”

O’Neill shrugged. “Sounds good to me. Where?”

“Not O’Malley’s,” Sam and Daniel said in unison.

Davis looked at them, confused. “Why not? They’ve got great steaks.”

Teal’c raised his eyebrow. “Have you not read the reports of the incident with the armbands, Major Davis?”

“Oh. Oh! That’s the place you guys went to?” O’Neill, Carter, and Daniel all nodded, looking uncomfortable.

“I shall make the arrangements,” Teal’c intoned solemnly. “Should we not include Doctor Fraiser?” At the rest of his team’s agreement, he nodded. “Then I must go and inquire what time she is off duty, and inform the rest of you as to when we shall meet.”

As the group dispersed, O’Neill caught Carter’s attention. “Major Carter?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Stay a moment. I need to discuss some paperwork with you.” O’Neill studiously ignored Daniel’s raised eyebrows as he left the office. “Have a seat.”

Pulling a chair away from the edge of the desk, she sat down and looked at him expectantly. “I thought that all the forms were being processed already, sir.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he waved his hand dismissively. “I was trying to get the others to leave.” His lips curved into a brief smile. “Your own command, Sam. It’s about damned time.”

“You had no idea?” she questioned him.

“Not a clue. I’d have recommended you if Vidrine had asked, but he just made the assessment on his own. I’d guess that Hammond might have mentioned something to Vidrine before he retired.”

“I am going to miss working with you guys,” she told him, sighing. “It’s been a good four years, sir.”

“Well, look at it this way, Sam, you’ll actually get to start using my name when we’re off duty,” he raised his eyebrows and smirked.

“Maybe, sir. If our schedules permit us to even see each other more than once a month or so,” she retorted maliciously.

“Ouch!” he pressed his hands against his chest, reeling from an imaginary shot to the heart. “You know, I had an idea about that.”

“About what?”

“Being able to see each other.” He leaned forward against his desk, serious. “This might be really presumptuous of me--”

“The fraternization regulations don’t apply anymore, do they?” she completed his sentence.

He took a deep breath. “No, they don’t. I’m not your CO anymore, Sam, and we’re not in a direct chain of command.” He couldn’t meet her eyes for a moment, and tried not to stammer over his words. “What I said that time during the zatarc testing? It’s still there.”

“I know,” she replied, trying to control her nerves. “Same here.” This was ridiculous! She knew how he felt about her, but making eye contact was all but impossible.

Leaning back in his chair, he groaned in frustration. “I have no idea why I’m so nervous about all this.”

“So what now?” she raised her eyebrows inquiringly. “We start... dating?”

He laughed aloud at the disdain in her voice for the simple descriptive word. “Yeah, just let me ask my dad if I can have the car on Friday night, okay?” He met her eyes and they both chuckled, suddenly feeling much more comfortable. “So you want to give us a try?”

Her smile was brilliant. “Yes, I do.” She reached forward across the desk and took his hand in hers. “One caveat -- we keep it off base.”

“I can live with that,” he agreed. “Of course, it means that I can’t corner you in your office and take advantage of you.”

“And I can’t drag you into the infirmary’s supply closet and have my way with you.” The look in her eyes suggested that he didn’t know what he’d be missing.

He squeezed her fingers, and smiled hopefully. “Come home with me tonight, Sam?”

Her voice was hoarse with anticipation and the knowledge of what they were going to do. How could she possibly wait until the evening? “Yes, Jack. I want to do that.”

* * * *

Outside of the restaurant, they waved good-bye to their friends. Teal’c was driving back to base, taking Davis with him, since the major hadn’t yet had time to find an apartment in town. Daniel was going to drop Janet off at her house, because she’d taken full advantage of his being the designated driver to have more than a few margaritas.

Jack walked with Sam towards her car. “So,” he drawled, remembering the discrete press of her hand against his thigh under the table during their meal. “Your place or mine?”

Her eyes gleamed in the low light. “Yours is closer.”

“Sounds good,” he agreed. Very good, in fact. “You’re okay to drive?”

“Yes. You?” Neither one had imbibed much, and had mostly picked at their food, unable to eat more than a few mouthfuls. He nodded, and she smiled. “I’ll meet you there.” She fumbled with her keys, and prayed that she could concentrate on the road.

Gently, he pressed a hand against her cheek. “No accidents or speeding tickets on the way, all right?”

* * * *

He was waiting in the doorway as she came up the walk, and with a quick smile and predatory intent, he grasped her hands and drew her inside, closing the door behind him. She gave him no time to speak, but wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down to press her lips against his. Jack eagerly reciprocated, backing her against the wall, gently clasping her neck to draw her even closer.

Sam gasped as they continued kissing, their mouths opening as he nibbled on her lower lip. He pressed hard against her, his desire evident, and her knees felt wonderfully weak as he assaulted her senses. The hair at the nape of his neck bristled under her fingers, his mouth tasted pleasantly of the whisky he’d drunk earlier, and the wonderful male scent of him prickled her nose. He held her so tightly within his arms, and she smiled at the thought of all his strength directed towards her.

“Sam,” he whispered against her skin, his lips tracing a sensual path across her jaw and down her throat, pleased at her sudden indrawn breath. “God, Sam, this is finally happening.” Their lips met again in a fierce kiss and she reached up to undo the buttons on his shirt. Grasping her hands, he led them towards the couch, stumbling against a table on the way. A stack of mail fell to the floor, but he just kicked it out of the way as they careened towards their destination. Sinking down onto the cushions, he kicked off his shoes, then groaned as her fingers reached under his shirt to trace along his spine. He pulled back, looking at the vision in front of him. Her hair was tousled, lips already swollen from their kissing, and her eyes burned with desire. His mouth was suddenly terribly dry, and he forced the words from his throat. “I never thought that we’d be able to do this.” She shook her head and leaned into him once more, lips demanding against his, unbearably sweet. He was torn between his desire to just sit back and look at her, realizing that she was here with him at last, and the overpowering urge to make love to her.

“Do something for me, Jack?” Her voice was low and dangerous.

“Anything, Sam. Tell me what you want.” The thought of taking orders from her at the moment was quite enticing.

“I don’t want pretty words right now. Stop looking at me like I’m going to break.” She grabbed his hand and pressed it against her neck, then led it down to her breasts. “Don’t hold back on me. I’ve been going crazy all night, and I don’t want to wait anymore.”

He closed his eyes and shuddered, her bluntly phrased words incredibly arousing. He hadn’t wanted to hurry her, but if she was ready, then far be it from him to disappoint. Opening his eyes again, he quickly stole another kiss, then helped her out of her sweater. Without ceremony, they hurriedly removed their clothes, and when both were naked, they stopped only for a moment, each looking at the other possessively.

Sam sighed contentedly as they embraced, savoring the sensation of his skin against hers, the hair on his chest lightly tickling her, and the insistent pressure of his erection against her thigh. She lay back against the couch, drawing him down over her and guiding him to settle between her legs. He smiled at her once, an expression of wonder on his face, then dipped down to cover her nipple with his mouth. Her gasps grew louder as he trailed one hand down her side to reach the curly hair between her legs, covering his fingers with her wetness.

“Oh, God! Jack--” Sam choked back a cry of agonized pleasure. Wrapping her arms around his back, and running them across his firm ass, she arched beneath him, encouraging his explorations with moans and roughly-worded instructions. Her body trembled with the force of her growing desire. “Please, now!”

Jack raised his head and met her gaze. Already? Need and longing filled her eyes, and she grimaced in irritation that he wasn’t giving her what she wanted immediately. “Sam, I’m just getting started here,” he explained, then gasped in surprise as she clasped her hand around him. “Don’t you want to take it slow?”

She continued applying firm, sensuous pressure around his erection. “Damn you, Jack, I’ve been worked up for hours just thinking about this. We’ll take as long as you want next time.” Shifting her arm down, she mercilessly rolled his balls in her hand, smiling wickedly at his reaction. Speechless, he nodded once in assent, letting her guide him to her swollen flesh.

Bending down to kiss her again, Jack quickly shifted his hips and let his weight descend upon her. Sam tore her mouth away from his and moaned helplessly, raising her hips to meet his penetration. Clasping her gently, Jack pressed his face into her shoulder, trying to keep control. She was so hot and tight, her soft muscles already clenching around him. Her hands reached down his torso, urging him to satisfy her, and after one long, gentle kiss, he gritted his teeth and began rocking his hips against hers.

Sam arched her spine, threw her head back, and cried out. This was what she had wanted from him all evening, hell, what she’d wanted for the past few years. Jack, so hard and full within her, thrusting his hips against her faster and faster, using his strength and their mutual arousal to drive her to completion. Trembling in his arms, she surrendered to the insistent demands of her body, the spreading warmth as he strained within her. Wrapping her legs around him, the pleasure overwhelmed her as he shifted deeper. She wanted to hold out just a bit longer, but it was no use, she could already feel herself reaching the peak. Pressing her lips against his shoulder, she desperately tried to muffle her cries, but finally, throwing her head back against the cushions, she screamed out his name as he brought her to climax.

Jack echoed her sounds, groaning against her neck as he followed her over the edge, the strength of her orgasm prompting his own ecstatic reaction. For several moments, they lay entwined, gasping as aftershocks of ecstasy rippled through their bodies.

“Oh, Jack...” Sam let her voice trail off into silence as she gasped for air. “Wow.”

Jack eased over onto his side, grateful that he’d had the foresight to buy such nice wide couches for his den. “Yeah. Wow.”

She snuggled against his warm skin, sighing happily. “What do you think? Worth waiting for?”

“Mmm hmm.” He scattered kisses along her collarbone, resting his lips against her wildly beating pulse. “I’m glad we didn’t have to wait any longer.” Reaching up to the edge of the couch, he grabbed an afghan and pulled it over them.

“Now if I get something this nice every time I get a promotion, I’ll really be in luck.”

“Let me remind you, Major, the night isn’t over yet.”

“Sounds good to me.”

* * * *

Jack opened his eyes to the darkness of his bedroom. The temperature had fallen even more during the night, and snow was likely on the way. When they’d woken up around two in the morning, he and Sam had beat a hasty retreat to his bed, diving under the warm covers and down comforter. Now, he was cocooned in warmth, and as yet only half-awake, he wasn’t quite certain what Sam was doing.

They’d snuggled on the couch for hours before dozing off, laughing, talking, and making love. She’d held him close as he spoke of his son, and he dried her tears when she spoke of her mixed feelings about the Tok’ra -- repugnance for what Jolinar had done to her, gratitude that they’d saved her father’s life, and the unbearable sadness she’d felt when she was forced to kill Martouf. Both confessed the unending frustration they’d endured, waiting for a time when they could finally be together without breaking the rules of honor that governed their lives.

He’d never forget the expression on her face when he told her that he loved her.

Just now, in the gray light before dawn, he couldn’t see her. The pillow beside his was bare, but... oh God.

He cleared his throat gingerly. “Sam? What the hell are you doing?”

He could feel her smile against the skin of his thighs, and her voice was muffled from under the covers. “Good morning, Colonel. This is your wake-up call.” Moist heat surrounded him, her tongue flickering around the tip of his cock, and he shuddered at the sudden jolt of sensation.

“God, Sam--” he tried in vain to concentrate on anything other than what her mouth was doing. “What... oh, yes--”

She released him momentarily. “It’s 0500. We don’t need to get out of bed for another hour or so.”

“Good, that’s good. Don’t want you to be late for your first day commanding...” his voice trailed off again as all the blood in his body drained further south. After a few more minutes of twisting and arching his back in encouragement, he gently placed his hands on her head. “Wait, Sam. Slow down?”

She shrugged, crawling back up to curl against him, hair adorably mussed. “Hmmm?”

He grinned, kissing her deeply. There was nothing like that first kiss of the morning, before a woman brushed her teeth. “You know,” he whispered, trailing his hand up to cup a soft breast, “you never did give me what you promised last night.”

Sam raised her eyebrows. “What promise would that be?” she asked archly.

“That we’d go as slowly as I wanted.” The previous evening had been a night of marvelous discovery, but their desire had been too urgent to accept any delayed gratification. Now fully awake, he wanted to take his time and see how much stimulation she could bear.

“I don’t know,” she sighed dramatically, “I wasn’t forcing you that last time, and it didn’t seem like you wanted to slow down.”

Suppressing a grin, he buried his face against her neck, nipping at the sensitive skin. “I think I can manage,” he promised her, sucking a little harder.

“No hickeys,” she gasped out in warning before clasping his shoulders tightly. “And don’t stop.”

Jack was only too happy to follow those orders, and several more minutes passed before Sam began to grow impatient.

“Oh God!” she whimpered, her body quivering against his skilled fingers. “Jack...”

He looked down at her beautifully flushed face, eyes bright with passion. “Patience, Sam.” When she squirmed beneath him, he frowned. “Am I going to have to bind and gag you?”

She shifted her pelvis against his, enjoying his soft involuntary moan. “Promises, promises,” she teased him, before grabbing his wrists and rolling on top of him. “Now, let’s see if you can take what you dish out.”

At last, it was only a glance at the bedside clock that finally encouraged them to stop testing each other. Jack bit down on his lip as he entered her, the sensation excruciatingly wonderful. Sam arched her back as he sank deeper within her, whispering his name hoarsely. He stretched out and rested against her, sighing with approval as she wrapped her arms and legs around him, until he felt completely enveloped by her warmth and love. Lying still, he kissed her tenderly, waiting to regain some self-control, moving within her only when she began rocking her hips against his.

Gently, they strained against each other, punctuating their actions with kisses, soft sighs, and murmured assurances of love. The rising pressure crept up on them almost unaware, until with a sudden growl, Jack increased his speed, spurred on by the relentless climb towards fulfillment. Sam cried out, raising herself to meet every thrust. She felt a building heat in her abdomen, a tension that tightened her muscles exquisitely against him, then suddenly shattered and spread throughout her as she sobbed in his arms.

Again, the glorious feeling of Sam convulsing around him led Jack inorexably towards climax. All sense of rhythm deteriorating, he looked down at her, her eyes wide as she trembled with passion. When his orgasm finally hit, he yelled in surprise, sinking down into her willing embrace, grateful for the soft kisses she pressed against his face, bringing him back to reality.

* * * *

Sam rubbed the towel roughly over her short hair, then smiled as she saw Jack entering the bathroom bearing a cup of coffee. Grabbing the mug, she carefully sipped the hot fluid, then sighed as Jack picked up another towel, wiping down her back. “Umm. That’s nice.”

He dropped a kiss onto her bare shoulder. “Indeed. Now, we need to get moving if we don’t want to be late for work. There’s some cereal and fruit in the kitchen if you’re hungry, and the newspaper’s on the kitchen table.” He began running hot water for his morning shave. “Also, since I expect you don’t want to go into work wearing the same clothes you left wearing last night, I’ve put out a few sweaters on the bed that you might like. They might be a bit baggy, but...” he shrugged, spraying shaving cream into his palm.

“Okay,” she grinned, kissing his nose quickly before leaving to get dressed. A few minutes later, she was seated at the kitchen table eating cereal and reading the sports section when the telephone rang. “Jack? You want me to get that?” There was no answer -- undoubtedly he was in the shower. With a moments trepidation, she picked up the phone. “O’Neill residence.”

“Sam?” came Daniel’s curious voice from the other end of the line. “Is that you?”

She closed her eyes in exasperation. So much for having a nice little secret to gloat over for a few days. “Yes, Daniel. Jack’s in the shower, is this an emergency?”

“No, no,” he assured her. She could hear the laughter in his voice. “So tell me, did Jack call you up last night and have you come over to make sure there weren’t any monsters in his closet or under his bed?”

Oh, she was going to kill him. Beat up a guy wearing glasses? Ya sure, you betcha. “Yes, Daniel, that’s exactly what happened.” She ignored his muffled snort. “You’re an adult, Daniel... I think. I’m sure you can figure it out.”

He crowed with laughter. “You guys didn’t waste any time, did you?”

“Was there any reason why we were supposed to?” she asked him, picturing the myriad ways she would get her revenge.

“No, none at all,” he replied, “especially since it means that I won the bet.”

“What bet?” she asked, fighting the sinking feeling in her stomach.

“Well, Janet owes me fifty dollars,” he informed her smugly. “She said it would take you guys at least a week.”

“Really?” Sam said, taking a sip of coffee. “So nice to know that our sex lives are of such interest to people. Was there any other reason you were calling?”

“Oh, yes! I forgot. The forecast is predicting snow and ice for later on tonight, and I haven’t gotten new winter tires for my car. I was wondering if Jack could swing by and pick me up on his way to work so I don’t have to drive.”

Sam shook her head and smiled. “I’ll let him know. See you at work, Daniel.” Ignoring his continued conversation, she hung up the phone.

“Who was that?” Freshly bathed and dressed, Jack strolled into the kitchen, selecting a mug for his coffee.

“Daniel. He wants a ride to work this morning -- it’s supposed to snow later.”

“Oh.” He took a quick gulp of coffee and leaned against the counter. “In other words, the secret’s out, huh?”

She leaned against him, burying her face against his chest. “Looks like it.”

“I’ll talk to Daniel. There’s no reason the whole base needs to know at once,” he said, running his hand down her back. “Although it might keep a few of the men on your new team from getting ideas.”

She nodded, suddenly distracted. “Yeah.”

“Hey,” he tilted her chin up to meet his gaze. “Something wrong?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I had some time to look over the roster for SG-18 yesterday before we left. Three of my new people have connections to NID.”

Jack grew very still. “Maybourne?”

Sam shook her head. “I don’t know. But I’m a bit nervous, Jack. What if they’ve got some kind of setup going on? And another thing -- you remember that Colonel who was here the time Senator Kinsey heard our case for keeping the SGC open?”

“That blond woman who looked like she ate rocks?”

“I’m sure I saw her a few days ago in General Vidrine’s office.” Carefully placing her coffee mug on the counter, Sam wrapped her arms around Jack. “It’s just a suspicion, but I don’t have a good feeling about this, Jack. Promise me you’ll be careful?”

He sighed. “As careful as I can be,” he agreed. “And you watch your back, too. Almost makes me wish I could assign Daniel or Teal’c to be on your team, also. I’m pretty sure Davis can be trusted, though.”

“I agree. On the other hand, Lieutenant Simmons will be on my team, and I know I can trust him,” Sam said quietly.

“Just so long as he watches your back and not your ass,” Jack grumbled.

“Oh please,” Sam teased him, “he’s got a girlfriend who works on Level 15. He’s perfectly safe around me.”

“Glad someone is,” he muttered, his lips tormenting her earlobe.

Shuddering, she stepped back and looked at her watch. “Eat some breakfast, Jack.”

He reached for her again. “I’d rather devour you.”

Laughing, she kissed him once more. “I have to get going. If SG-1 is still on P7Y-911 tonight, then I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“And if we’re back?” He reached for a clean bowl, pouring cereal and milk into it.

“My place,” she promised him, gathering her purse, keys, and jacket, and blowing him a kiss on her way out the door.

Unlocking her car door, she stared at the light blue morning sky and the clouds on the horizon, trying to shake the ominous sensation of trouble on the way. Sitting down, she fasted her seat belt, turned the ignition, put the car in gear, and pulled out of the driveway.

“The other shoe,” she thought, remembering the look of cold recognition on the woman’s face a few days before. NID. Maybourne. Kinsey. Vidrine? “When’s it going to drop?”

fin.