The touch of bare skin made them both moan.  Daniel's hands touched her breasts, stroking her through the material of her bra.  Sam gasped at the touch, wanting more.  She reached behind her back and undid the catch.  The bra slipped down.  And then it was off, and it was Daniel's mouth and hands covering her, and it felt so good, he felt so good.

Daniel was completely lost in the lovemaking, the smell of her, the taste of her.  He wanted to touch and taste all of her, every inch.  Sam writhed beneath him, arching her body up against his.  Reaching down, he yanked her sneakers off, taking the socks with them.  His fingers sought the button and zipper of her jeans.  She helped him remove the clothing, pulling not just the jeans down but also the panties underneath.  The second the clothing was off, Daniel's mouth descended to her stomach, bathing the incredibly soft skin with his tongue.

Sam was on fire, her body set alight by the things Daniel was doing to her.  Needing to feel his body joined with hers, she pulled him upward, claiming his mouth.  She rolled them over and got to work divesting Daniel of his remaining clothing.  Soon, he was lying naked before her.  The sight made her desire for him race through her body like a flash flood.

It was Daniel's turned to cry out when Sam's mouth and hands fell upon his body, touching him, tasting him.  It was too much, the sensations too powerful.  He was in serious danger of losing control.

With a groan, he sat up, pulling Sam up into his arms, his mouth crashing down upon hers.  He turned them around, settling on his haunches and putting Sam on his lap.  Her head fell back as he lowered his mouth back down to her breasts.

At last, Daniel lifted his head.  Sam's eyes met his, and there was no need for words.  Daniel kissed her, long and deep.  As their lips parted, they took the final step of consummation.  They gasped at the feeling of the union, just holding onto each other for several seconds.  But they could not remain still for long.  Soon, they were moving, fully immersed in the sensation of their first time together.

It was no surprise to either of them that, very soon, their control was racing away from them, the ecstasy of their lovemaking too powerful for them to have a prayer of making this first time last for long.

Feeling himself very swiftly approaching release, Daniel held Sam to him and rose up on his knees, pressing her against the wall above the headboard.  Their movements grew more intense, urgent.

"God, Sam," Daniel gasped.  "I-I can't. . . ."  He groaned, feeling himself sliding over the edge.  He slipped a hand between them, wanting to take her on the plunge with him.

At the first touch of his fingers, Sam stiffened.  And then she screamed, her whole body exploding with the most intense climax she'd ever felt.

Feeling Sam reach her peak, Daniel let himself go, crying out as he climaxed with almost paralyzing intensity.

By the time their climax ended, they were both feeling dizzy and ridiculously weak.  Daniel lay down on the bed with Sam, holding her close.  The silence stretched on as they slowly recovered.

Once the pounding in his head had eased and his breathing had slowed, Daniel began placing soft kisses on Sam's face and neck.  The salty taste of her sweat made his tongue come out to lap at the pulse point in her throat.  Sam breath caught, and she clutched at him.  She wanted him again.  Amazingly, she already wanted him again.  She was not alone in that feeling.  Though he knew there was no way it would be happening this soon, Daniel wanted her again as well.  He lifted his eyes to hers, surprised to see the same desire there.  He laid claim to her mouth, a promise of more to come.

Though neither one of them wanted to be separated, Daniel at last pulled away from Sam, but only for as long as it took them to get under the covers.  Then they were back in each other's arms.  Soon, sleepiness overtook both of them.

The last thought that went through Daniel's mind before Morpheus claimed him was the hope that, when he awoke, Sam would still be there in his arms.

Jack took another bite of the early breakfast.  He was scheduled to be on a flight home in an hour, and he was feeling very reluctant to leave.  He'd caught himself glancing about a couple of times, searching for the long dark hair of a certain woman, a woman whom he'd been thinking about a lot since awakening.

Jack shook his head and forked in another mouthful.  Here he was, a man in his mid-fifties, and he was acting like a guy thirty years younger.  Yes, so the day he spent with Vala was enjoyable, making him feel younger and more carefree than he had in a very long time, but he was a mature adult, not some lovesick teenager who couldn't get the pretty cheerleader out of his head.  He hadn't felt like this with Kerry.  Hell, he hadn't felt like this since. . . .  Oh, shit.  Not since Sara.

'No way.  No frickin' way.  O'Neill, you are losing it.  You've got to be going through some damn mid-life crisis or something.  That has to be the explanation.'

Jack's explanation went right out of his head when a familiar alto voice said, "Good morning."  He looked up to see Vala smiling down at him, a tray in her hands.

"Hey," Jack greeted, forcing back the smile that had come unbidden to his lips.

"May I join you?"

"Sure."

Instead of sitting across from him, Vala took a seat right next to him.  Her thigh brushed up against his, almost making him jump.  He slid over a few inches, putting a bit more space between them.

The woman took a bite of her breakfast.  "So, what time does your flight leave?"

"Not quite an hour."

"Oh."  There was a strong note of disappointment in Vala's voice.

Jack looked at her.  "What's wrong?"

"Oh, I was just hoping that we could go for a little walk, perhaps outside."

"Kind of chilly out there, I should imagine."

"I wouldn't mind."

Jack looked at her, then down at her tray.  He noticed that she was eating one of the breakfast burritos . . . which could be taken to go.

"Okay."

Startled, Vala looked at him.  "Okay?"

Jack tapped on the stars on his uniform.  "You see these?"

"Yes."

"Well, they mean that I can make people wait as long as I want to.  Well, most people, that is.  It doesn't work with the president."

A big smile brightened Vala's face.  "Well, those are very handy things to have, then."

"Yep, they sure are.  And, since I'm not gonna have them for much longer, I say that I might as well use them to their full advantage while I can."

"That sounds perfectly reasonable to me."

"Come on.  Take your burrito with you."

"What about your breakfast?"

"I was almost done anyway."

As Vala grabbed her burrito, Jack disposed of the remainder of his meal.  Then the two of them left the commissary and took the elevator up.  A while later, they were on the mountaintop.  The chill of the morning air wasn't as bad as Jack had thought it would be.  It was going to be a warm day today.

Vala munched on her burrito as they walked.  "You know, I haven't been up here very often.  In fact, I didn't even know about that way up here until a few months ago.  I followed Daniel up, though he didn't know it.  He was upset about something, and I was worried.  At the time, I didn't know what was bothering him, but, now, I do."

"What's that?"

"I'd heard that Samantha was asked out on a date, and she was thinking of accepting."

"Ah."

Vala studied his profile.  "He's in love with her, isn't he."

Jack looked at her, pausing before answering.  "Yes, he is."

"For how long?"

"I don't know for sure.  Quite a while."

"I wish I'd known.  I wouldn't have gone after him."

Jack studied her.  "Wouldn't you?"

"No.  I admit that I'm far from being inhibited in that regard, but I respect when a man feels that way for another woman.  Obviously, this explains why Daniel rebuffed all my advances.  And I was beginning to think that I was losing my touch."

Jack hid a smile.  His gaze went to Vala again.  "So, what about you?"

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

Vala's gaze turned from him to the path before them.  "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I think you do."

Vala began toying with the napkin wrapped around her burrito.  "I do admit that I've had certain . . . feelings for Daniel.  He believed in me when he had no logical reason to.  He offered me his trust and his friendship.  That was something I never had, not since I was taken as a host.  It meant a lot to me.  In the beginning, I just wanted him, but, later, I felt more."

"How much more?"

"Oh, I'm not in love with him," Vala hastily stated.  "Well, okay, maybe a tiny bit."  She put her forefinger and thumb about half an inch apart.

"You sure about that?"

The women fidgeted.  "Well, maybe a bit more than that.  But it's not like my heart is shattered into tiny little pieces knowing that he loves another woman, and I can never have him.  I'm fine."

Jack didn't respond.  He wasn't sure what to say.  He was starting to feel things for this woman, but there was no way he was going to pursue anything with her if she was in love with Daniel.

Vala finished her burrito and stuffed the napkin in her pocket.  She looked at the man walking beside her.  There was a slight frown on his face, and she wondered what he was thinking.

She had enjoyed her day with him yesterday, very much in fact.  She had enjoyed that kiss even more.  She wanted another.  She wanted more than that.  But he was leaving in just a little while, and she didn't know how long it would be before he came back.  She didn't know what role he could have in her life.

Vala realized that she really didn't want Jack to leave.  As much as she cared about Daniel, he had never given her what Jack did yesterday.  She very much wanted more days like that.

Vala looked at Jack again.  "I hope that you decide to move back here."

Jack met her eyes.  "Do you?"

"Yes, very much," Vala paused, deciding to take a chance, "just like I would very much like for us to kiss again."

They came to an abrupt halt.  Jack stared at her intently.

"I'm not interested in being someone you go after on the rebound," he stated firmly.

Vala recognized the term, having heard it on television.  "You're not."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes.  This has nothing at all to do with Daniel."

"Well, in that case. . . ."  Jack stepped forward, pulled Vala against him, and lowered his mouth onto hers.  Vala wasted no time in letting him in.

The kiss was not like the one they'd shared last night, which, though passionate, had been somewhat restrained.  This kiss was anything but restrained.

When the kiss finally ended, they were both a little breathless.

"Oh, my," Vala breathed, feeling slightly shaky.  "You certainly do know how to kiss, General."

Jack gave her a smile that was just the tiniest bit cocky.  "Likewise."

Vala brought her mouth close, brushing her lips over his.  The tip of her tongue came out to tease him.  Jack's arms tightened around her convulsively.  God, she was driving him crazy.  To stop the teasing, he kissed her again.  He felt her hand skim down his body to land on his ass, where she gave him a little squeeze.  Oookay.  That was enough of that.  Any more of this, and he'd be in no fit state for public viewing.

Jack pulled away, stepping back half a pace.  She was smiling at him, a sexy, come hither smile.  Shit.  Was this how she acted with Daniel when she went after him?  If so, the fact that he actually resisted made Jack's respect for the man go up several notches.

"So, how long can you make that plane wait for you?" Vala asked, smiling meaningfully.

Jack cleared his throat.  "Not that long."

The disappointment on Vala's face looked genuine.  "Oh.  That's too bad."

"Yeah."  Damn.  He had to get out of here before he did something really stupid, like telling the pilot he was staying another day, taking Vala to some hotel somewhere, and. . . .  Crap.  Just thinking about it was playing havoc with his self-control.  And Vala wasn't helping either.  She was making no effort to hide her desire for him.

"We need to get back," he said.

Vala nodded, her gaze dropping to the ground.  She could tell that Jack wanted her.  It was in his eyes and the tension of his body.  But that was just lust.  The kisses they'd just shared had made Vala feel something more than simple lust.  He was leaving, and she didn't want him to go.  She wanted him to stay.

"You couldn't perhaps stay another day?" she asked hopefully, trying to keep the plea out of her voice.  Nevertheless, Jack heard it and looked at her closely.

"No.  I'm sorry.  I have to get back."

Vala sighed silently and nodded again.  She turned, and the two of them headed back toward the base entrance.  They were almost there when Jack spoke.

"Like I said before, my retirement takes effect on Friday.  After that, I'm a free agent.  I can do what I please, go where I please."

Vala didn't look at him.  "And would it please you to come back here?"

"Yes, it would."

Vala's head rose, and she looked at Jack, searching his eyes.  What she saw there made an enormous grin light up her whole face.

"Then I will very much be looking forward to that," she said.

Jack smiled.  "Me too."

They went back inside and down to Jack's quarters, where he got his duffle bag, which was already packed.

"It would be best if we said goodbye now," he said.

"Can I have a goodbye kiss?"

Jack glanced at the open door.  "I don't think that would be a good idea."

Vala also looked at the door.  "Yes.  You're right.  It wouldn't be good to embarrass you in front of your subordinates."  She smiled.  "I will just have to wait a while for another one of your killer kisses."

Jack couldn't stop himself from laughing.  God, when was the last time he actually laughed?  This woman made him feel genuinely happy for the first time in years.

"You are quite a woman, Vala Mal Doran," he said, meaning it.

"Thank you.  And you are quite a man, General Jack O'Neill."  Vala walked up to him, heightening the sway of her hips.  She ran a finger over his lips.  "Now, don't keep me waiting for long, darling.  I have things planned for you when you come back."

With a final sultry smile, Vala left the room.

Jack released the breath he'd been holding.  "Damn.  I'll be lucky if she doesn't kill me our first time," he muttered.

With a little chuckle and a smile, Jack headed for the elevator and his ride home, feeling like all was right with the world.

Bright sunlight streaming into the room awoke Sam.  As the cobwebs of sleep were brushed away, the events of last night filled her mind, as did the awareness of a naked male body pressed close to her.  Satisfaction and contentment washed over her, bringing a smile to her face.

Sam turned her head to look at the man sharing her bed.  Daniel was behind her, his body spooned with hers, one arm snug around her waist, the other beneath her head.  The feeling of his nakedness against hers was awakening Sam's arousal.  More than that, it felt really good to be here, to awaken within Daniel's arms.

Sam's mind went back to all the things that happened last night.  Their lovemaking had been nothing short of phenomenal.  Sam knew that it probably shouldn't have happened, that they'd moved forward in their relationship way too fast, but she couldn't find it in her heart to regret it.  It had been too fantastic.  This moment right here and now felt too wonderful for any regrets.

Being careful not to awaken Daniel, Sam turned around so that she could look at him.  He looked so peaceful in sleep, all his worries and cares smoothed away.  He was handsome enough to take her breath away, but she knew that he was even more beautiful on the inside.

Gazing at him as the minutes ticked by, Sam felt something blossoming within her heart, the same feelings she'd experienced last night on her porch when Daniel looked at her with his love for her so bright in his eyes.  But, this time, it was far stronger, so powerful that it left her feeling shaken.  How could she be feeling this?  It was impossible.  Yet she couldn't deny what her heart was telling her.

Just then, Daniel's eyes fluttered open.  Seeing her face so close to his, he smiled.  But then he saw the look in her eyes, an expression of stunned disbelief.  Oh, God.  She was regretting what they did.  She didn't want this.

Feeling his heart shatter, Daniel began drawing away, but he wasn't given the chance.  Sam quickly grabbed hold of him, pulled him into her arms, and kissed him.  Shocked and confused, Daniel didn't respond.  She drew back and smiled at him.

"Sam?  The way you were looking at me, I-I thought. . . ."

"That I regretted what happened?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to scare you."  Sam cupped his cheek.  "I don't regret it, Daniel.  I don't regret it at all.  Just the opposite.  Last night was wonderful.  And waking up with you this morning, it felt so good, so . . . very right.  Being here with you feels perfect."

With a happy sigh, Daniel gathered her close, burying his face in her hair.  "It feels the same way to me, Sam."

Sam pulled his head up so that she could meet his eyes.  "Daniel, the reason why I was looking at you that way was that I'd just realized something, something that really shocked me.  It still amazes me."

Daniel searched her eyes curiously.  "What's that?"

"All this time, I thought that I was so in love with Jack.  When he told me that he didn't feel the same, it hurt a lot, but it didn't take long for the pain to ease.  When I saw him with Vala, I wasn't nearly as jealous as I should have been.  And then yesterday, I spent all that time with you and didn't think about Jack even once."

"Sam, what are you saying?"

"I think that, somewhere along the line, what I felt for Jack started to fade, but I couldn't see it.  I'd cared about him like that for so long that I was certain I'd love him for the rest of my life.  I held onto those feelings, the fantasy about being with him.  But, this morning, waking up in your arms, seeing you lying there and remembering what we shared last night, I realized that Jack isn't the one I want to spend my life with."  Sam stared intently into the eyes of the man in her arms.  "I'm falling in love with you, Daniel.  I think I'm already more than halfway there."

Daniel froze in shock.  His heart was hammering hard and fast in his chest.  He was afraid to believe, afraid that he'd heard wrong.

"Sam, are you sure?" he asked in a whisper.

Sam did not answer with words.  Instead, she brought her lips to his and kissed him with all the emotion she felt for him.  Daniel pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing her with every ounce of love inside him.

Rolling her beneath him, Daniel began caressing her everywhere, his gentle touches making Sam feel like she was floating, like no one could love her as deeply as he did.  With gasps and soft cries, she was carried up into the stratosphere.  She cried his name as she climaxed.

Sam was still recovering when Daniel lay down upon her.  He looked into her eyes.  What he saw there answered his question.  With a deep sigh, he united his body with hers.

"I love you," he murmured as he began to move, slowly and gently.  Sam held onto him tightly, murmuring words too low for him to understand.  He opened his eyes and looked at her face, seeing rapture there.

At last, his pace began to quicken, his movements growing stronger.  Sam's head was now thrown back, quiet cries escaping her lips.  His release fast approaching, Daniel shifted their position in such a way that had the volume of Sam's cries escalate.  She climaxed seconds later.  Daniel followed her over the edge with her name on his lips.

It took a while for them both to recover enough to even think about moving.  Daniel finally rolled off Sam and onto his side, pulling her close.

"God, Daniel," Sam gasped.  "Where did you learn to do that?"

He smiled.  "I am an anthropologist, you know.  You'd be surprised by what we learn when studying all those ancient cultures."

Sam saw the twinkle in his eyes and knew that he wasn't being serious.  She did wonder where he'd learned that technique, but finding that out could wait for another time.  Right now, she was just feeling incredibly lucky to be Doctor Daniel Jackson's lover.

Sam snuggled up against him, resting her head on his chest.

"Sam?"

"Hmm?"

"I know what I'd like to do today."

Sam lifted her head and looked at him.  "What's that?"

"This.  I want to spend the whole day with you like this."

Sam gave him a bright smile.  "I can't think of a better way to spend the day."

With a big, happy grin, Daniel kissed her.  As their lips separated, Sam whispered his name.

"Hmm?" he said.

"You know those unrequited feelings you had for me?"

"Uh huh."

"They aren't unrequited anymore."  Sam caressed his cheek.  "They are very much requited."

With a laugh, Daniel pulled her to him, and, for the rest of that day, they showed each other the joys of love requited.
 

THE END