CHAPTER EIGHT
Early the next morning, Daniel once again awoke to find Sam sprawled half across him. The difference was that, this time, they were both naked, and he didn't have to worry about the physical reaction of his body. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time for him to follow through on what his body was demanding. Sam needed to get home so that she could get ready for work.
Daniel began to kiss his lover's neck, working from her shoulder up to that spot behind her right ear that he knew drove her wild. Sam let out a low moan, arching against him.
"Good morning, Colonel-Doctor," Daniel whispered in Sam's ear.
"Mmmmm. Good morning. I really like being awakened like this."
"That's good, because I enjoy waking you up like this."
Sam felt the arousal of Daniel's body. "Yes, I can see that," she said as she touched that part of him.
Daniel let out a groan. "You'd better not do that, Sam. As much as the idea of starting the morning with hot, wild sex appeals to me, we don't have time."
Sam glanced at the clock and calculated how quickly she could get home, get ready, and make it to the base. If she bent the speed limit just a little. . . .
With a smile, she crawled on top of Daniel the rest of the way, straddling him. "The thing you need to remember about Air Force pilots, Daniel, is that we're used to moving fast."
With a laugh, Daniel pulled her down into a hungry kiss.
Sam did manage to make it to work on time – just barely. As she headed down the halls to her lab, she had the urge to skip like a little kid. Being a lieutenant colonel in the USAF, she squashed the urge and forced herself to walk with her usual gate. However, she did find herself smiling brightly as everyone she passed, which earned her a few odd looks.
As she entered her office, she saw a small package on her desk. She opened it to find the Backstreet Boys CD and a note from Daniel.
"To the woman who brings back the child in me. Love, Daniel."
Smiling happily, Sam put the CD and the note in her desk drawer and got to work. She'd been at it for perhaps forty minutes when she looked up to see Daniel leaning casually against the doorjamb, watching her.
"Good morning," he said as if he hadn't already said those words to her this morning just before making passionate love with her.
Playing along, Sam said, "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
Daniel walked up to her. "As a matter of fact, I did, one of the best night's sleep I've had in years."
"Well, I'm happy to hear that. So, I should imagine that you'll have lots of energy today . . . and tonight."
"Oh, no doubt of that. What about you?"
"I slept wonderfully as well," Sam replied. "I'm feeling pretty terrific this morning."
"That's great. Perhaps we'll both get another good night's sleep tonight."
"I think that's very possible."
The lovers shared a secret smile. Daniel sat on the edge of the desk.
"Are we still going to talk to Jack today?" he asked.
Sam nodded. "I think we'd better. When do you think would be the best time?"
"Just before he goes home for the day. This is really going to shock him, and he'll probably want to spend his recovery time at home."
"Good point."
Daniel reached over and gave her hand a little squeeze. "It's going to be okay, Sam. Jack isn't going to want to lose either of us from SG-1. He'll do whatever he can to see that we can both stay on the team."
"I know, Daniel. I just hope he'll succeed."
"Well, the way I see it, the U.S. Government owes us a favor after everything we've done for Earth. They may have given you a promotion, but that doesn't come close to repaying you for all you've given to the Stargate Program."
"And all you've ever gotten were official commendations and pats on the back, which is woefully inadequate in repaying all you've done." Sam nodded. "Yep, you're right. They do owe us a favor."
"And it's not like we're asking for much. It isn't going to cost them a thing."
"Nope, not a cent. In fact, it's just the opposite. If they aren't willing to agree, they'll lose an awful lot if you leave SG-1. We need your knowledge and skills out there, not stuck here on base." Sam paused. "I suppose that they'd expect you to join another SG team."
Daniel shook his head. "That's not going to happen. If I can't be on SG-1, then I'll stay on base, except perhaps for the occasional archeological mission. It will be bad enough that I won't see you while you're on a mission. If I was a regular member of another team, we'd see each other even less often. I don't want this to be a case where we'll get maybe one night a week together, if we're lucky."
"Me neither."
Daniel got off the desk. "Well, I'd better get back so that I can finish that translation that, for some strange reason, I didn't get a chance to do yesterday."
Sam smiled. "Hmm. I wonder why that is."
Daniel returned the smile. "I have no clue." He looked at Sam intently. "You know, I'd really like to kiss you right now, but I don't want an audience." He jerked his head at the closed circuit camera on the wall.
"Well, since the monitors cycle through the feeds from every camera on base, the chances of someone actually watching the feed from that camera right at the precise moment that you kissed me would be pretty remote. Apparently, nobody saw that first kiss we shared. However, until we've made our relationship public knowledge, we need to be careful."
"Yeah, that's what I figured. So, I'll have to wait to kiss you breathless until after we leave here tonight."
"Afraid so."
"Bummer."
"Totally."
Daniel stared up at the camera. "Soooo . . . does that thing see the whole room?"
Sam laughed. "You're incorrigible."
Daniel gave her a grin. "Uh huh. You know me. Once I get my mind set on a course of action, it's very hard to alter that course."
"Oh, I think both I and the general know that very, very well, Daniel." She gave him an affectionate smile. "Go get your translation done. I'll meet you in the commissary for lunch at noon."
"Do they have cameras in there?"
Sam slapped his arm, laughing again.
Instead of going, Daniel picked up a file folder that was on her desk and looked at it. "Is this the report on that thing SG-14 found on P9W-799?"
"Uh huh. It's really quite fascinating. Tests show that it. . . ."
Sam didn't finish her explanation, for, just then, several of the sheets fell out of the folder to scatter across the floor.
"I'm sorry, Sam," Daniel apologized.
They got down on their hands and knees and started picking up the papers. They both had their heads underneath the desk when Daniel suddenly grasped hold of Sam's head and planted a hard, quick kiss on her lips.
"Ah ha! Gotcha!" he crowed in triumph.
"Why you jerk!" Sam exclaimed. "You dropped those papers on purpose!"
"Maybe, maybe not, but, either way, I successfully completed my mission."
Sam thought about being angry with Daniel, but how could she? In all the years she'd known him she had never seen him as happy and carefree as he'd been since they became lovers. He was like a different man. Was this how he was with Sha're before she was taken?
They finished picking up the papers, and Daniel helped her get them back in order.
"Okay, I'm off back to my office," Daniel said, the soul of innocence. "See you at noon." He sauntered off, his steps light. After he was gone, Sam started to laugh. She hadn't laughed this much in months, and it felt really good.
"Sam, you are one lucky lady," she murmured.
The day passed slowly for the archeologist and the astrophysicist. They were both nervous about the upcoming talk with Jack and kept looking at the clock to see what time it was. Daniel had found out from the general that he planned on leaving at seven o'clock, unless something came up, so they were going to go see him just before then.
At 6:45, they headed to Jack's office.
"Hey, I was just about to leave," the general said. "You guys want to go out for some Mexican or something?"
The two scientists glanced at each other.
"Um, actually, Jack, we need to talk to you about something," Daniel said.
Jack looked back and forth between them, able to see their nervousness. "Is something wrong?"
"No, not really, but we do have something to tell you."
Daniel went to the door and shut it. That action increased Jack's concern. What were they going to tell him that they didn't want anyone else to hear?
He watched his two former teammates sit in the chairs across from him. They looked at each other again, and Sam gave Daniel a slight nod. The archeologist turned to Jack.
"Um . . . it's possible that I might have to leave SG-1," he said. "I don't want to, but if things can't be worked out, I'll have no choice."
Jack's concern immediately escalated. "Daniel, what's wrong? Has something happened?"
"Yeah, something's happened." Daniel took a deep breath and looked his friend straight in the eyes. "Jack, Sam and I are together."
Jack's brow knit in puzzlement. "Together?"
"Yeah, together."
An expression of dawning comprehension spread across Jack's face. "You mean together as in . . ." he waved his hand between them, "together?"
"Yes, sir," Sam confirmed.
Jack stared at them, mouth hanging open. "When the hell did this happen?"
"Well, it sort of started happening the day I got back from Rand," Daniel answered. "But things didn't really get going until yesterday."
"Yesterday? You mean you two. . . ."
The blush that suffused the faces of the two scientists answered Jack's question. He was stunned by the turn of events. He'd always thought that Daniel and Sam looked upon each other as brother and sister, though he had to admit that their relationship was less contentious than he'd seen with many siblings. In fact, they got along frighteningly well. Though he knew they had disagreements, he had never once witnessed an outright argument between them. The truth was that they'd make a great couple. They were definitely compatible. The problem was that they were also teammates, and Sam was the leader of that team.
"Okay, you have both succeeded in shocking the hell out of me," Jack said, "but I guess I shouldn't be as surprised as I am. You two have always been pretty close. However, this does cause a problem seeing as Carter is now SG-1's commanding officer."
"We know, sir," Sam said. "Is there a regulation forbidding us to have a relationship, what with Daniel being a civilian?"
"To be honest, I don't know, Carter. I'm not up on all the rules regarding relationships between military personnel and civilians, though I guess I should be now that I'm the C.O. here. I'll have to find out."
"And if it is against the rules?" Daniel inquired.
"Then everyone would expect one of you to leave SG-1."
Daniel's and Sam's eyes fell to the desktop.
"I take it from the first comment you made that you two have already discussed this," Jack said.
"Yes," Daniel confirmed. "If we can't both stay on SG-1, I'll transfer to a consulting position on base."
"Not to another SG team?"
"No," Daniel said firmly. "I won't accept a permanent position on another team."
Jack looked at the two younger people. He didn't want to lose either one of them from SG-1. As he had learned over the years as their C.O., they were both damn good at what they did and were a tremendous asset on missions. SG-1 without Daniel would be missing a huge piece of what made it as good a team as it was. He'd found that out all too well during the year Daniel had been ascended. Oh, Jonas had done a good job, but he lacked many of the things that made Daniel an integral part of SG-1, most notably the high level of moral integrity that drove the archeologist to find solutions to problems that would save lives rather than cost them, the situation with the Enkarans and Gadmeer being a perfect example of that.
Regardless of whether or not it would be against regulations, Jack decided that he was going to do all he could to see that Daniel and Sam could both stay on SG-1.
Just then, though, another thought came to him.
"All right, I'll see what I can do to keep you both on SG-1," he said, "but, first, I need to ask you a question."
"What's that, sir?" Sam asked.
"Do you guys honestly believe that you can work together on SG-1 and stay professional and objective on missions? What's going to happen if one of you is in danger? Will the other one of you be able to stay cool and do your job?"
Sam and Daniel looked at each other. It was the lieutenant colonel who answered.
"Sir, the truth is that every time we were on a mission in the past and Daniel was in danger, it was hard for me to stay cool. I have always loved Daniel deeply as a friend, and I got scared whenever his life was threatened. But I managed to push those feelings aside and do what needed to be done. I don't think that will change, even though I love Daniel even more."
"I'd have to say the same thing," Daniel said. "I was always scared when Sam was threatened, but I used that fear to make me more determined to do what had to be done to get her and everyone else back home safe and sound."
Jack nodded. He looked at Sam. "And what if you had to deliberately put Daniel in a dangerous situation for the sake of a mission?"
"Well, sir, how did you feel every time you had to do that with one of us?"
"I hated it," he replied. "I wished that I could do the job myself rather than risk one of you."
"That's how I'd feel, sir. But, like you, if it was the only way to complete the mission, both Daniel and I would do what was necessary."
"Okay, what if you guys get into an argument over something personal before you come to work. Will you be able to leave it at home?"
Daniel looked at Sam. "Well, since that's never been a problem before, I guess we really can't answer that for certain," he said. "I'd like to think that Sam and I are adult enough that we wouldn't let personal problems between us affect our performance on the job."
Sam nodded in agreement.
"Fair enough," Jack said. "First thing in the morning, I'll get on this. I'll do all I can to see that you can both stay on SG-1. I have a few favors I can cash in if it becomes necessary." He smiled. "And the president likes me. Actually, he likes both of you, too. Especially you, Daniel. He seemed quite impressed by the long list of languages you can speak."
"Yeah, he made some kind of comment about that. I think he said, 'And here I thought that Elizabeth's tally of languages was impressive'."
"Elizabeth?"
"Doctor Weir, I believe. She speaks five languages, six, now, since I taught her Ancient."
"Six? That's all? And you speak what, five times that many?"
"Around that."
Jack gave a little snort. "Well then, let's just take you to the White House, and you can demonstrate every one of those thirty-some-odd languages. The president will be so wowed, he'll sign any special dispensation you and Carter might need. Heck, maybe you can make a nice little plaque for his bedroom wall saying something in hieroglyphics as an added incentive."
"You mean bribe the president, sir?" Sam asked, pretending to be shocked.
"Hey, whatever works, Carter."
Sam stared at him. "This doesn't bother you, sir? That Daniel and I are a couple?"
Jack thought about it. At one time, yes, it would have bothered him, but he got past those feelings for Sam a long time ago. If he had still been SG-1's C.O., it might have bothered him a little more than it did now, but what he thought about it personally wouldn't have been as important as what was right for Daniel and Sam.
"Are you happy, Sam?" he asked her. "Does this make you happy?"
"Yes, sir, it does, as happy as I can ever remember being."
Jack turned to his best friend. "Daniel?"
"Happier than I've been since the day Sha're was taken."
"Then I'm happy, too." Jack saw the expression of relief on their faces, knowing that they'd probably been quite worried about how he'd take the news. "One thing, though. I think we'd better keep this between the three of us until after I've gotten everything straightened out."
"Yes, sir. I agree," Sam told him.
"Now, you two go on home and have a nice evening together." He waved his finger at them. "But no sleeping in. Tomorrow's a work day."
The meaning of Jack's statement was made clear by the tone of his voice and the half-smile on his face. Their faces hot, Daniel and Sam got up and headed for the door.
"Oh, um, Daniel, could you stay a moment?"
The archeologist shared a glance with Sam, then returned to the desk as she left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Jack leaned back in his chair and studied Daniel for a long moment, making the younger man a little uncomfortable.
"So, you and Carter, huh?" Jack drawled.
"Yes, Jack, me and Sam."
A slow smile came to the general's face. "Well, good for you."
Daniel looked at him in surprise. "This really doesn't bother you, does it."
"Daniel, I know how much you loved Sha're. After she died, I hoped that, some day, you'd find someone else. After all these years, I was beginning to think that it was never going to happen. I'm just happy that you finally have, though I'd never in a million years have guessed that you'd pick Carter."
"Well, Jack, it was as much of a surprise to me as it was to you. I really didn't mean for this to happen. But, now that it has, I know it's something that should have happened a long time ago."
"You love her?"
"With everything that I am," Daniel replied, his voice ringing with conviction.
"Then I really hope things work out." Jack treated Daniel to another close scrutiny. "So, what happened to Pete?"
"He dumped her."
Jack sat up straight in his chair. "He what?! You have got to be kidding!"
"No."
"Is the guy brain dead or something?"
Daniel smiled. "I thought pretty much the same thing." His smile disappeared. "He began to suspect that Sam had feelings for me. It's, um . . . a long story. To make it short, he confronted her about how much she cared about him, asking whether or not she'd leave the SGC for the sake of their relationship. When she told him she wouldn't, he asked her if she would leave for my sake."
"And she said yes."
"Uh huh."
"So he left because he didn't want to play second fiddle to you and Carter's career."
"Yeah."
"Well, I guess I can understand that. It would be a hard thing for any guy to take. So, when did this happen?"
"Saturday."
Jack smiled. "And you two got together on Sunday."
"Uh huh."
Jack smiled. "Didn't waste any time, did you."
Daniel shot him a glare. "It wasn't like that," he said angrily.
The general sobered. "I know, Daniel. I didn't mean to imply that you did something wrong."
Daniel let his anger fade. "Pete leaving Sam was just one more thing added to a bunch of other stuff that lead to this happening. Sam and I had been questioning our feelings for each other ever since I returned from Rand."
Jack gave a nod. "All right, Daniel. Go on home . . . or to Carter's home. I'm guessing that, wherever you go, you and she will both be there."
Daniel rose to his feet. "How long do you think it'll be before you know something?"
"I don't know."
"You'll keep us updated?"
"No, I think it'll be better if I wait until after the final verdict is in."
"Okay." Daniel turned to go.
"Oh, and Daniel?"
"Hmm?"
"You take good care of her. She is a very special lady."
Daniel stared at Jack unwaveringly. "Yes, she is, Jack, and I will spend the rest of my life giving her all that I have to give."
Later that evening, as Daniel and Sam sat curled up together on his couch, listening to music, the archeologist turned serious eyes to her.
"Sam, do you really think we can pull it off, keep working together on SG-1 without letting our relationship affect us at all?"
"I'd like to think we can, but. . . ."
"But what?"
"But I love you so much, Daniel. I honestly can't say how I'd react if things got really bad, and you were in extreme danger or if, God forbid, you were badly hurt. I pretty much fell apart every time you died or we thought you were dead, and, all those times, I believed I loved you as just a friend and someone who was like a brother to me. Now that my feelings for you are even deeper, if something happened to you and I thought I was going to lose you, it would be unbearable."
Daniel pulled her close. "I know. I feel the same way." He looked at her searchingly. "Sam, do you want me to leave SG-1? Would it make it easier on you? Because, if it would, I will."
"No, I don't want you to leave. Like I said before, I'd miss you too much. Not only that, but your absence would be a great detriment to the team. And, as team leader, I don't want to have to make due with some new team member who can't hope to measure up to you. Lastly, we've already lost General O'Neill off the team. If you were gone, too, it just wouldn't be like SG-1 anymore. I think I'd lose a big part of what makes me love going through the gate. I know that, after you ascended, for quite a while, I didn't care if I ever went on another mission. I was pretty mad at the colonel for putting us back on active duty so soon, and I really didn't want to go on that mission to rescue Heimdall and his research from the Goa'uld."
Daniel pressed his lips against Sam's forehead, his arms tightening about her as he heard the sadness in her voice upon recounting that time right after his ascension.
"I guess that, if Jack can keep us both on SG-1, we're just going to have to see what happens," he said. "If it appears that it's going to cause a problem that can't be worked out, I can still transfer off the team."
"I guess you're right. This really is something that we're not going to know the answer to until we're faced with a situation where it comes into play."
"Yeah." Daniel twisted around so that he could meet her eyes again. "But, Sam? I need you to know that, no matter what, even if I do have to leave SG-1, I will never regret my decision. I love being on SG-1, and I love being your teammate, but I love this," he gave her a squeeze, "more."
Sam gave Daniel a long, loving kiss. "I feel the same way," she murmured. Then she snuggled back against his chest.
"You know what I want right now?" Daniel said.
"What?" Sam smiled, having a feeling that she knew what he was going to say.
"Strawberries."
Surprised, Sam lifted her head and stared at him. "Strawberries?"
"Uh huh. And cream." A gleam came into his eyes.
Sam's heart started fluttering about wildly in her chest. "Is this part of one of those interesting mating practices that you promised to show me?"
Daniel grinned wickedly. "Oh, most definitely."
"Well then, I am your most willing student."
Still grinning, Daniel got the strawberries and the can of whipped cream that he was now very happy he bought and led Sam into the bedroom, where they spent a night full of love and laughter.
