CHAPTER NINETEEN
When Daniel got to his office, Sam was wandering around the room as Jacob sat in a chair, studying one of the artifacts. The archeologist shut the door.
"Sorry for the delay," he said.
Jacob put down the artifact. "Okay, so what's this is about? Sam wouldn't tell me until you got here."
"Um . . . do you recall that conversation I had with you the day Anubis' supersoldiers attacked the Alpha Site?" Sam asked.
Jacob frowned. "Which conversation?"
"The . . . one about Daniel."
An expression of realization filled Jacob's eyes. Then a huge smile split is face. "Well, it's about damn time!" he said, which made both Sam and Daniel flush. "So, how long has this been going on?"
"A little over a week," Daniel answered, feeling pretty embarrassed.
"Well, I couldn't be happier. Selmak feels the same. In fact, he just told me that he suspected this was what you were going to tell me, but didn't say anything because he wanted me to be surprised. The little sneak."
"Symbiotes can keep secrets from their hosts?" Sam asked.
"If they want to, though, with the Tok'ra, to maintain a relationship of complete trust with the host, they usually don't since any secrets can . . . leak out eventually." He smiled. "But enough about that. I'm delighted that you've taken this step. You'll be good for each other. I was wondering about SG-1, though. Will you both be staying on the team?"
"General Hammond left it up to the colonel," Sam replied.
Jacob smiled slightly. "And, of course, he's not going to want to lose either of you from the team." His gaze sharpened. "Do you think there are going to be any problems with being on the same team?"
"We really haven't talked about it much," Daniel admitted, "but I think that we'll be okay. We're not going to let personal stuff get in the way of doing our job."
"And what about if one of you is in danger or seriously injured? How well do you think you'll handle it?"
Daniel and Sam exchanged a glance.
"I really don't know," Sam replied. "I'm hoping that I'll be able to handle it and stay focused on the job, but I guess neither one of us will really know until the time comes."
Jacob gave a nod and turned to the archeologist. "If you don't mind, Daniel, I'd like to speak to my daughter alone. We can go someplace else, if you prefer."
"No, that's okay. I'll go. Um . . . how long?"
"Oh, not long, maybe twenty minutes?"
"Okay."
Daniel left, closing the door behind him.
Jacob studied his daughter's face. "Are you happy, Sam?"
"Happy? Oh, Dad. Happy doesn't even come close. Daniel is the best. He's wonderful. He loves me so much, and I love him."
Jacob smiled. "Good. I'm glad. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy, Sammie. But the last time we talked about this, you said that you didn't want to be in love with Daniel. You never explained that."
"Oh. Yeah. It seems kind of silly now."
"Want to tell me?"
Haltingly, Sam told her father about the deep fear that had plagued her, that, if she let herself love Daniel, something terrible would happen to him.
"When we thought that he had died after stopping Anubis, I believed that my fears had come true," Sam finished, tears stinging her eyes.
Jacob came forward and pulled her into a hug. "Oh, Sam. I should have known it was something like this. I've known for a while now that you were afraid of committing yourself to a relationship. I just didn't realize it was this bad. I hope you realize now that loving someone isn't going to make something bad happen to them."
"Yeah, I do, Dad. I will always be afraid that something will happen to Daniel, but I know that, if it does, it's not because I love him."
"Good. So, what plans do you two have?"
"Nothing really, not yet. Right now, we're just enjoying being together. I, um . . . have had thoughts about living with him in the house he bought, and I know that Daniel's has, too."
Jacob smiled. "Well, I have just one thing to say."
"What's that?"
"Don't you dare get married without me there to give you away, even if you have to track me to the other side of the galaxy."
Sam smiled almost shyly. "If that ever does happen, I would never get married without you there, Dad, and I know that Daniel feels the same."
Sam and Jacob talked quietly for several more minutes, the major telling her father about her dates with Daniel, though, for obvious reasons, she left out what happened at the end of the second date and didn't mention the make-out session in the theater.
Daniel returned right on time. He looked at Jacob a little nervously. The former general came forward and pulled him into a tight embrace, which surprised the archeologist.
"Thank you for making my daughter happy, Daniel," Jacob murmured. He drew back and met Daniel's eyes intently.
"It works both ways, Jacob," the archeologist told him softly. "She makes me happy, too."
Jacob smiled and patted the archeologist's shoulder. "I wish I could stay longer, but I really do need to get back."
"Will you be able to come for another visit soon?" Sam asked.
"I'll try, but with everything heating up like it is, the Tok'ra are going to be very busy."
Daniel and Sam walked with Jacob to the gate room, telling him about tomorrow's trip to Camp David. The Tok'ra was pleased that the new president appeared to appreciate everything SG-1 had done for Earth.
Before leaving through the gate, Jacob gave each of them a hug, then he rested his hands on Daniel's shoulders.
"For a long, long time, I've wanted my daughter to find someone who would be a true match for her, somebody she could truly be happy with. For quite some time now, I've had a feeling that person could be you. I'm glad that I was right. Take good care of my daughter, Daniel."
"I will, Jacob. You have my promise."
Giving Daniel's shoulders a final squeeze, Jacob walked up the ramp and through the event horizon.
"Every time he leaves, I miss him," Sam said.
Daniel put his arm around her shoulders. "I know, Sam." He grinned. "So, shall we go find Jack and fill him in before he explodes from curiosity?"
Sam thought about it. "I say we let him suffer a while longer."
Daniel grinned. "I like the way you think, Samantha Carter."
With a laugh, the couple left the gate room and went back to Daniel's office. They were deep in a conversation about who might be in control of Anubis' drones when Jack and Teal'c came in.
"Well?" the colonel asked. "How did he take it?"
Daniel and Sam exchanged a look and a smile. It was Daniel who replied.
"I believe his exact words were, 'Well, it's about damn time.'"
Jack stared at him. "They were? You mean he wasn't surprised at all?"
"Not much. We didn't expect him to be. He already knew that I was in love with Sam. He gave me his blessing months ago."
"How come you never told me that?" Jack asked, a little put out.
"Because it really wasn't any of your business, Jack."
"So, Jacob likes the idea of you two being a couple, huh?"
"Yep."
Jack looked at Sam. "Did you know that?"
"Yes, for a few months now."
Jack gave a satisfied nod. "Good. I won't have to have a little talk with him, then."
Both Sam and Daniel stared at the colonel with raised eyebrows.
"A talk?" Daniel inquired. "And what exactly were you planning on saying to him if he was against me dating Sam?"
"Oh, just that you two make each other happy and that you're a hell of a lot better boyfriend for Carter than other guys she's met, none of whom would have passed my test if she was my daughter."
"Gee . . . thanks, Jack. I'm so happy that I would pass you Boyfriend Test," Daniel responded with the tiniest hint of sarcasm.
"Thank God you didn't talk to Dad," Sam muttered, thinking it would be excruciatingly embarrassing for Jack of all people to tell her father something like that, considering that she used to have an infatuation for him.
"So, now that you have Daddy's approval, you going to move in together?" Jack looked at Daniel. "And don't think I don't know that's what was on your mind when you decided to get a bigger house."
"Yes, I admit I was thinking about that when I decided to get something bigger. I was still hoping at the time that Sam and I would get together someday. But she and I haven't talked about it yet. We've only been dating for nine days. Give us time."
"Fair enough." Jack found another chair and sat down. "So, what do you think about this whole thing with the mystery Goa'uld?"
"Sam and I were just talking about that," Daniel said. "The fact that he was able to take control of the drones either means that he was on the inside from the start and already knew how Anubis was controlling the drones or he's very smart and was able to figure it out for himself."
Sam nodded. "We know that Anubis must have had scientists working for him. One of them may have been the person who devised the way to imprint the drones with their loyalty to Anubis. Once Anubis was gone, they might have decided this would be the perfect opportunity to grasp the power for themselves."
"It wouldn't be surprising," Daniel stated. "All Goa'uld have that desire for power, even those that are subservient to other Goa'uld."
"Indeed," Teal'c agreed. "There are those among the present System Lords who were once in service to another Goa'uld. Many times, a Goa'uld of lower station has risen to power by killing their master or by filling their master's position when he was killed by another."
Jack frowned. "So, some underling has decided to play with the big boys, huh."
"I just wish we knew who it was," Daniel said.
"Well, with their egos, you can bet that, sooner or later, he's gonna come forward and start trumpeting his own horn."
John Benedict picked up the weapon that lay upon the bed and carefully began to clean and examine it. He couldn't take the chance that the weapon would jam, especially not for this job.
This was not the first time that the assassin had been hired to kill the leader of a country, but it was the first time that anyone had approached him about assassinating the leader of a country as powerful as the United States. Benedict knew that this would likely be the most dangerous job he'd ever do, but it would place him in the history books, though, if he did his job right, the history books would never have his name.
Three days had not been much time to plan a presidential assassination, but the inside information he'd been given had helped tremendously, especially the maps of the area and suggestions on where he could set up and have a clear line of sight of where the president would be. It was going to be a challenge, but he was confident that he would succeed. Benedict did not question who it was that wanted the president dead. That was none of his business. This was a job, nothing more, and he did not involve himself in politics.
The assassin's cell phone rang, alerting him that he had just received a text message. He read the message, which told him that an email had been sent to his laptop. He went to the computer and opened the email, which had a file attachment.
"There has been a change of plans," said the email. "There is an additional target. Money has been wired to your account for the second target. It is vital that it appears that the second target is merely collateral damage. No one must guess that he was specifically targeted. If you must wound others to make it appear so, you are permitted to do that."
Benedict scrolled down to the photograph included with the email. A handsome, brown-haired man wearing glasses was revealed. He memorized the face of the man, then destroyed the email, wiping all traces of it from his computer. He was mildly curious about who the second target was, but, as long as it didn't cause any problems, he really didn't care.
Soon, the U.S. would be minus a president, and he would be on a jet out of the country with the satisfaction of a job well done.
A light snow was falling as the helicopter flew over the Catoctin Mountains. The members of SG-1 looked out the windows at the terrain below. Since there were no ski lifts, there were few people around, only cross-country skiers, people going snowshoeing and the occasional family having fun in the snow.
Soon, they had arrived at their destination. SG-1 disembarked from the helicopter and were greeted by a Navy lieutenant, who led them into the presidential cabin, the Aspen Lodge.
President Hayes came forward with a smile. "Welcome to Camp David." He shook Daniel's hand first. "It's nice to see you again, Doctor Jackson."
"Likewise, sir."
Hayes went to Jack next. "Colonel O'Neill. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."
Jack shook the man's hand. "Not all of it good, I'm betting."
The president laughed. "Not everyone is a fan of mine either, Colonel. I always choose to make my own opinions of someone, not judge them by the opinions of others." He went to Sam and took her hand. "Major Carter. I can't tell you how much this country owes to you and your extraordinary skills."
"Thank you, sir."
Hayes stepped up to Teal'c. "And Teal'c. I hope you won't be offended if I say that you're the first alien I've ever met in person."
"I am not offended, Mister President, since it is the truth."
"I'm sure I speak for many when I say that I'm glad you chose to join our side. Your help has been invaluable."
The Jaffa inclined his head.
"So, everyone hungry?" Hayes asked all of them. "My cook has whipped up a very nice lunch for us."
Conversation during the meal was light, the president wanting to get to know his guests a little better. He seemed particularly impressed by the number of languages Daniel could speak and had the archeologist name them all.
After lunch, the group went to a comfortable lounge, where they were brought coffee, tea and other beverages.
"I'm guessing that you're all wondering why I invited you here," the president said. He went to a table and picked up four envelopes, handing one to each of them. "Those are official letters of commendation for your actions in saving Earth from Anubis. To be honest, they couldn't come close to thanking you for what you did. Every one of you displayed a level of heroism, perseverance and skill that few possess."
Surprised, SG-1 stared down at the envelopes.
"It would be impressive enough if this had been the first time that you saved this planet," Hayes continued, "but the fact that you've done so repeatedly makes your accomplishments nothing short of legendary. I want you to know that I am proud that you are all citizens of the United States of America, whether you were born here or," he looked at Teal'c, "unofficially adopted into this country."
"Thank you, Mister President," Jack said. This was not at all what he had been expecting.
"It's my pleasure, Colonel." Hayes smiled. "You might be wondering why I went to the trouble of bringing you out here instead of just mailing those commendations to you. I've been intending to give you those ever since the events in Antarctica, but my job has been just a little busy lately. I suddenly decided that you deserved to have them presented to you in person." He paused. "There is another reason as well, however." He focused his attention on Daniel. "Doctor Jackson, I think I can safely say that there isn't another civilian on the face of this planet that we owe more to. It would take hours to list every one of your accomplishments and every way that you have helped the people of Earth, not to mention human beings on other worlds. I know that it cannot come close to repaying you for all that you have done, but I am announcing to you that you are being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom."
Sam let out a sharp gasp. "Oh my God," she whispered.
An ear-to-ear grin split Jack's face as he was filled with pride. 'Yes! You're finally getting the recognition you deserve, Daniel.'
Teal'c was delighted that Daniel was being given such an honor, one that he richly deserved.
As for Daniel, he was stunned speechless. He'd never considered that he'd be awarded the Medal of Freedom. He'd never even thought about it.
"I . . . I don't know what to say, sir," he said in a quiet, shocked voice.
Hayes smiled in understanding. "No words are necessary, Doctor Jackson. If it had been up to me, you'd already have a closet full of the things. And if it was also up to me, you would be receiving the Congressional Gold Medal as well, but that one isn't within my power to give. But I can assure you that if, for some reason, the Stargate Program goes public during my term, I will recommend to Congress that you be given one. Heck, I'll even recommend it to them if it happens after my term."
Daniel's mind was whirling. He was also feeling rather embarrassed by the effusive praise. He had definitely not been prepared for this.
"Thank you, sir. I, um . . . thank you."
"No, Doctor Jackson. Thank you." Hayes walked toward the door of the lounge. "Now, if you'd all like to freshen up and relax for a while, one of the guest cabins has been prepared for you. Lieutenant Trask will take you there. He has been assigned the duty of being your aide during your stay."
The same man who met them at the helicopter showed them to the cabin. SG-1 saw that their luggage had already been taken there.
The moment the lieutenant was gone, Sam threw her arms around Daniel's neck. "Oh, Daniel, I am so happy for you!" she exclaimed in delight. She kissed his lips soundly.
Jack grinned broadly. "It's about time they gave you proper recognition for everything."
"Indeed," Teal'c agreed. "I am most pleased that you are being given this honor."
"Well, I'm just plain shocked," Daniel admitted. "This really isn't something I ever expected or even thought about."
"Which doesn't surprise me a bit," Jack said. "You deserve it, Daniel, more than deserve it."
Sam wrapped an arm around Daniel's waist. "I wonder how they're going to do it. The Medal of Freedom awards is public. They couldn't make Daniel's public."
"I guess it'll be a private ceremony," Jack determined. "It wouldn't surprise me if they have it at the SGC."
Daniel sat on the couch, still feeling rather stunned. "This isn't something I ever would have asked for, you know. I don't do all these things for recognition."
Sam sat beside him. "We know, Daniel."
Jack took a seat. "But don't you dare say that you don't deserve it. You heard the president. You should have enough of the doggone things to wallpaper your living room with. And it is too bad that you can't be given the Gold Medal, too. That would be sweet. There aren't many people who have both it and the Medal of Freedom."
"What is the Congressional Gold Medal, O'Neill?" Teal'c asked, never having heard of it.
"It's awarded by Congress," Sam explained. "It is considered to be an honor equal to the Medal of Freedom, given to a person who has perform an outstanding deed or act of service to the prosperity, security, or national interest of the U.S. It's been in existence a whole lot longer than the Medal of Freedom – since 1776, I think – but a lot less people have been awarded it. Every medal is unique, usually picturing the person it's awarded to."
"If everyone in Congress knew about the Stargate Program, I bet Daniel would get one," Jack stated, "that is if they could figure out how to keep it a secret."
Daniel stared at the carpet, once again embarrassed.
Jack clapped his hands together and got to his feet. "I am in the mood to celebrate. I wonder if they've got any champaign in this place."
"Probably not, sir," Sam responded, smiling.
As Sam had guessed, there was no champaign, but when Jack asked Lieutenant Trask if he could get some, the man assured him that they would have some at the lodge and called for someone to bring some.
Fifteen minutes later, Jack, Sam and Teal'c were giving a toast to an extremely embarrassed Daniel, the two humans with champaign, the Jaffa with sparkling cider.
Afterwards, the foursome went to investigate their cabin. Actually, "cabin" wasn't really an adequate word for the structure, which had four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a big kitchen – with a fully stocked refrigerator – and, to Sam's delight, a hot tub. The moment she laid eyes upon it, an image came into her mind of her and Daniel in it – naked. Obviously, that wasn't going to happen with the colonel and Teal'c staying in the same cabin, but there was no way that she was going to pass up the chance to use it with him. Fortunately, someone had thought to place various sizes of men's and women's bathing suits on a table near the hot tub.
"I've got dibs on the bedroom with the wood paneling," Jack said. He looked at Daniel and Sam. "Which one do you guys want?"
Sam stared at him. "One?"
"Well, yeah. Did you honestly think I was going to make you guys stay in separate bedrooms just because we're all sleeping under the same roof? We're not on a mission, so there's no question of unprofessional conduct." He grinned. "Just try to keep the noise down, okay? I need my beauty sleep."
Their faces flaming, Daniel and Sam escaped to one of the bedrooms.
"The only way that could have been more embarrassing is if it had been my dad who said it," Sam muttered.
The couple unpacked their single change of clothing so that they wouldn't get wrinkled. Sam went to the window and looked out at the woods. Daniel came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I can't say that this is someplace I ever expected to spend a weekend," he said.
"Me neither." Sam turned around in Daniel's arms and met his eyes. "You do deserve it, you know. The Medal of Freedom is given for achievements over a lifetime, not for a single act."
Daniel smiled a little. "Sometimes, it does seem like these years with the program has been a lifetime."
Sam smiled, too. "Well, considering that you've died several times, you could almost say it's been more than one lifetime."
The archeologist gave a soft laugh. He nuzzled Sam's neck. "So, were you thinking what I was thinking when we saw the hot tub?"
"Mmm. I'm betting that I was. Too bad the colonel and Teal'c don't have a separate cabin."
"Well, I could always ask the president if they can be moved so that we can do the wild thing in the hot tub."
"Don't you dare. Two of his guests having sex in one of his cabins might not go over too well."
"Oh, I don't know about that. Hayes seems to have a great sense of humor. Besides, it wouldn't surprise me if we weren't the first."
After relaxing for a little while in the cabin, Daniel and Sam went for a walk in the woods while Teal'c and Jack explored the area around the lodge. Fortunately, there wasn't so much snow on the ground that it made walking difficult.
As was always the case in the winter when there was snow on the ground, there was a muffled hush in the air, no sounds of birds or mammals disturbing the stillness. One could almost believe that they were the only things alive in the entire world. Daniel and Sam walked without speaking, arms around each other's waists. They had been walking for around fifteen minutes when Sam glanced at Daniel and saw a little frown knitting his brow.
"Penny for your thoughts," she said.
"Oh, I was just thinking about how everybody was asking if we were going to live together."
"Yes, I did notice the frequency of that question. Even Dad was feeling me out about that."
Daniel looked at her in surprise. "He was? That surprises me."
"Why? Did you think he would make you marry me first?"
"Well, that is what fathers usually want."
Sam smiled. "Actually, he did say that we'd better not get married without him being there."
Daniel smiled as well. "After the stuff at the Alpha Site, when your dad talked to me about us, he told me that he expected us to give him enough time to get here for the wedding."
"Really? You didn't tell me that before." Sam hadn't been all that surprised when Daniel told her about the conversation he had with her father. Jacob had already made it clear what he thought about Daniel and Sam being a couple.
"I, um . . . thought it wouldn't be a good idea." He hadn't wanted Sam to think that he was hinting that they should get married, even though it was something he thought about sometimes. The idea of being married to Sam filled Daniel with joy. He wanted that very much, but it was way too soon to be considering it. His first marriage happened far too quickly and without all the steps that are supposed to lead up to it. He didn't want it to be that way with Sam. It was also too soon to be considering moving in together.
"I have to admit that the thought of you living with me in my house is something I really like. . . ."
"But it's too soon," Sam finished.
"Yeah. I think we need to take things slowly." Daniel noticed the smirk on his lover's face and also smiled. "Okay, so we haven't taken it slow since we started dating, but I couldn't help myself. You're too irresistible."
Sam gave him a kiss. "Ditto."
Daniel grew serious again. "I just don't want us to rush into everything."
"I agree. Moving in together is a big step, and we shouldn't be hasty about it."
Daniel nodded. He didn't tell Sam that, deep down inside, he wanted the day she moved into the house with him to also be the day they got married. He'd never been a big fan of just living together with a woman. It lacked the level of commitment that came with marriage, and he wanted that commitment with Sam. He wanted a family.
The couple fell silent again and resumed their walk. At one point, they both froze at the sight of a young doe off in the trees. The deer stood utterly still, watching them with luminous brown eyes, then trotted away.
"I sometimes forget this," Sam said.
"What?"
"The beauty, the wonders that are here on Earth. We spend so much time battling evil and fighting for our lives on other worlds that it's easy to lose sight of the beautiful things in life."
"I know what you mean. When, day after day, all you see is ugliness and death, stuff like this seems very far away and almost unreal." Daniel turned around and took her into his arms. "But you know what? It doesn't feel that way to me anymore, not now that I have you."
Thinking that was one of the loveliest things anyone had ever said to her, Sam brought her lips to Daniel's in a long, slow kiss.
The kiss was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Daniel and Sam turned to see the president standing a few yards away, some Secret Service men several feet behind him.
"Oops," Daniel murmured.
He and Sam drew apart self-consciously.
"Nice day for a walk, isn't it?" Hayes observed.
"Um . . . yes, sir, it is," Sam answered.
The president walked toward them, then continued right on past. "Well, I'll leave you to it. Have fun."
Their mouths ajar, Daniel and Sam watched Hayes and his bodyguards walk away down the path.
"Um . . . okay. That wasn't exactly the reaction I'd have expected," Daniel said.
"Me neither. It didn't seem to bother him at all."
"I guess he doesn't have a problem with teammates being involved as long as one of them is a civilian."
"I guess not. That's certainly a good thing."
"Yes, it's very nice to know that we have the approval of the President of the United States." Daniel grinned. "So he probably wouldn't care about us doing the wild thing in the hot tub."
Sam laughed. "You're incorrigible." She remembered something. "So, how come you didn't sense them?"
"I don't know. I don't always sense everyone, especially people I'm not really familiar with. People pass by my office all day long, and I don't sense every one of them. Even those I do are just . . . background noise. It's only when someone I know well, like Janet, Jack and Teal'c, that I can usually sense their presence the moment they're close enough, that is unless I'm distracted."
"And me?"
Daniel looked at her. "It used to be the same with you as it was with Jack and Teal'c, but, ever since we first made love, I've been able to sense you from much further away. That first day back at work I felt you when you pulled into the parking lot. And . . . sometimes, I can sense your emotions, too. Not always, usually just when they're strong."
"Wow. So, you think it has to do with the . . . sharing thing?"
"That would be my guess."
Sam was quiet for a few seconds. "I wish it worked both ways. I wish I could feel you, too."
Daniel hugged her close. "So do I." He smiled. "Hey, maybe I can teach you some new biofeedback techniques one of these days, and you can tap into your psychic abilities."
Sam brought her lips up to his. "Mmm. Now wouldn't that make for some interesting bedroom activities."
Daniel grinned. "Yeah. Maybe we'll do the Moonraker thing one of these days after all."
Sam also grinned. "I'm all for zero gravity," she said before taking his lips with hers.
Later that afternoon, SG-1 got together with Hayes in the recreation room, where the president enjoyed watching Sam demonstrate her proficiency with a pool cue.
"So, anyone here play chess?" Hayes asked.
"The answer to that all depends on how good you are, sir," Jack replied.
"Oh?"
"If you're a good player, I'm your man. If you're a brilliant player, Daniel's the guy you want to go up against."
The president turned to the archeologist. "A chess master on top of everything else?"
"Not even close, sir," Daniel replied. "I can hold my own in a game, but I wouldn't win any tournaments."
"I've been playing against him for seven years, and I have yet to win a game," Jack informed Hayes. "Of course, if I'd known in the beginning that he started playing when he was five years old, I wouldn't have even bothered trying."
Daniel shrugged. "My dad had a set that he always took with him on digs. He taught me how to play."
"Uh huh, and why don't you tell the president how old you were when you started beating your dad."
Daniel blushed faintly. "Um . . . seven."
Hayes laughed and lifted his hands. "You are way beyond my league, Doctor Jackson. I think I'll have a better chance with Colonel O'Neill."
Hayes and Jack enjoyed their game, which lasted almost until dinner. While they played, Teal'c and Sam took turns blasting aliens in an arcade game. Daniel had discovered the library and disappeared into it, which didn't surprise any of his teammates.
Everyone enjoyed dinner, the conversation being lively and friendly. As Hayes looked at the four people seated at the table with him, laughing and talking about ordinary things, it was hard to believe that they traveled to other planets, saving entire civilizations on a regular basis.
After dinner, everyone retired to the lounge to listen to music and talk some more.
"Um, Mister President, I hate asking you a favor, but. . . ." Daniel began.
"Doctor Jackson, I doubt that any favor you asked me would be too much for me to grant," Hayes responded.
Daniel told the president about the trouble he was having with the NID, Sam and Jack adding things here and there.
"And you want me to tell them to back off?" Hayes guessed.
"If you wouldn't mind, sir," Daniel said. "It's getting kind of irritating."
"Consider it done."
"Thank you, sir. I appreciate it."
It was ten o'clock when SG-1 returned to their cabin. They were all starting to get tired by then since they'd had to get up so early to catch their flight.
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm ready to call it a night," Jack announced.
"I, too, will be retiring, O'Neill," Teal'c answered. "I wish to Kel'no'reem before I sleep."
"Not me," Sam said. "There's no way I'm going to pass up using that hot tub, even if it's just for a few minutes." She looked at Daniel. "Want to join me?"
Daniel would have had to be brain dead to say no, so he didn't.
With a knowing smile, Jack headed up the stairs to the bedrooms. "Just don't stay in too long. You'll want to be well-rested for breakfast with the president."
Daniel and Sam got into swimsuits and entered the tub. They sat back on one of the benches and closed their eyes.
"Mmm. This feels heavenly," Sam murmured.
"Yeah, it does feel good."
The couple fell silent, enjoying the sensation of the hot water bubbling around them.
About five minutes had passed when Sam leaned over and whispered in Daniel's ear. "Still interested in doing the wild thing?"
Daniel's eyes opened and looked at her. "Ah. Changed your mind about that, huh?"
"Well, I figured that if the president didn't have a problem with us kissing at Camp David. . . ."
"Why would he have a problem with us having sex at Camp David?" Daniel finished.
Sam grinned. "Exactly."
"And what about Jack and Teal'c?"
"We'll be quiet."
A second later, Daniel took possession of Sam's lips. The kiss immediately became deep and passionate. Daniel slipped Sam's bathing suit top off and attacked her breasts with lips and hands, making it hard for her to keep from moaning. She pulled his trunks off, and it was Daniel's turn to bite back a few groans as she touched him intimately. He yanked off her bottoms, and she settled upon his lap.
Hands touched and caressed in just the right ways, each of the lovers knowing the best and quickest way to bring the other to full arousal. Minutes later, they were joined, bodies merged into one. The instant they were, Daniel forged their psychic connection, melding their souls as well. They both let out a gasp at the sensation, which never ceased to overwhelm them.
In silence, Daniel and Sam made love with body and spirit, the heat of the water embracing their forms as they moved in perfect rhythm. As their climaxes hit them, Daniel pulled Sam's lips down to hers, their outcries swallowed by each other's mouths.
Basking in the afterglow, the lovers remained where they were, foreheads pressed together, bodies still joined.
"I think making love in a Camp David hot tub is now on my list of top ten things I like to do," Daniel said at last. "Maybe I should get one of these things for my place. It wouldn't be Camp David, but. . . ."
"It'll do."
The couple grinned into each other's eyes, then separated and fetched their swimsuits, which were floating and bobbing in the water. They got out of the tub, dried off, and slipped into robes, figuring that there was no point in getting dressed. The bathing suits were laid out to dry on the edge of the tub.
Clothes in hand, Daniel and Sam headed up to their bedroom and got dressed for bed. Crawling under the covers, they went into each other's arms.
"I love you," Sam whispered.
"I love you, too," Daniel whispered back.
Laying her head on Daniel's chest, Sam closed her eyes. Moments later, she was asleep. Daniel watched her sleep for a few minutes before he, too, drifted away.
With a sharp gasp, Daniel's eyes flew open. He sat up halfway, chest heaving.
Awakened, Sam sat up. "Daniel, what is it? Did you have a nightmare?"
"No. No, it wasn't a nightmare." Daniel looked at her. "Something's wrong, Sam."
"You had a vision?"
"Yeah, but I couldn't make heads nor tails of it. But something is definitely up. I can sense it."
"And you have no idea what it is?"
"No. All I know is that there's some kind of danger."
"Maybe we'd better get the colonel."
"There's no point, Sam. I don't know what I'm being warned about. It could be something back at the SGC or maybe not even on Earth."
"If something big was happening at the SGC right now, they'd call us."
"If they could."
Sam got her cell phone and called the SGC control room. The man who answered said that everything was quiet.
"Okay, so nothing's happening there," she said as she hung up. "I guess all we can do is wait and see what happens."
"When we get back to the SGC, I'll try to see something more."
Daniel and Sam laid back down. The archeologist stared into the darkness, his sixth sense sending a constant tingle of warning through him. He didn't know what it was warning him of, but, whatever it was, he had a feeling it was going to happen soon.
