Snookums

Rating: All Ages
 
Content Warning: None
 
Season: Between 8 & 9
 
Summary: Sequel to "Yeahsureyoubetcha," Sam and Jack embark upon their new
relationship while visiting Jack's cabin with Daniel and Teal'c
 
Classifications: Fluffy romance
 
Pairings: Sam & Jack, but of course
 
Spoilers for: Everything up to Avalon (seasons 1-8 and the start of 9)
 
Archive: Please, just ask!
 
Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate. I just like it :)
 
Author's Note: Thanks for all of the requests for a sequel; I hope this meets with
expectations :) As with the previous story, speech is in "double quotes," thoughts
are in *asterisks*.  Thanks to Gen & Jess for the betas!
 
Copyright (c) 2006 SJ Author
 
*********************************
 
Jack smiled to himself as he lifted his eyelids enough to see the first rays of
morning peeping through the windows of his cabin. His left arm had gone numb as
he used it as a pillow against the arm of his couch, but his right was comfortably
draped over the waist and stomach of one Samantha Carter. They'd fallen asleep like
this shortly after midnight, the hour when he'd officially become her former CO. The
fire they'd been watching was now a smoldering pile of coals, and by the snores
coming from the back room, Jack deduced that Teal'c and Daniel were still as out of
it as the beautiful lieutenant colonel in his arms.
 
Last night had been a wonderful beginning. Sam had let him play it out just as he'd
planned, keeping Daniel completely in the dark about what they intended until the
moment finally came. Jack had kissed her exactly as he had over four years ago
during the time looping business. He knew she wouldn't remember the first kiss,
and he still hadn't worked up the courage to admit what he'd done back then, but he
always wished she could remember; now, she could. . . sort of. At any rate, Daniel
had been at least as shocked as George had been in the control room, and Sam had
responded even more eagerly to the kiss than she had the first time around.
 
Still, this was only the beginning. They'd talked a little about their plans for the
immediate future. Sam had certainly surprised him with her decision to leave the
SGC for Nellis, just to spend more time with him. That move gave him just a little
more courage to take the next step he had planned.
 
It was true, he was no longer her CO as of seven hours ago. But he was still a
general--now a major general--and he was about to become head of Homeworld
Security in just under two weeks. That position would put him right back in Sam's
chain of command, even if she were working at Area 51 instead of the SGC.
Granted, his would be an administrative position rather than operational, but it still
left room for that niggling "appearance of impropriety" to crop up.
 
Jack had a plan to legitimize things once and for all. He'd actually begun formulating
it years ago, but never found the right time for its implementation. This, he hoped,
would be it.
 
As he felt Sam start to shift, he carefully worked the blood back into his left arm
and raised himself up. He somehow managed to climb off the couch over her
without her waking up completely, but he put his foot down on one of his overturned
shoes and his leg gave way. Sam opened her eyes with a gasp, as Jack's right palm
connected with her stomach. "Sorry!" he whispered.
 
"Good morning to you, too," she replied, getting her wind back, and smiling slightly. 
 
"Are you okay?" asked Jack quietly, pushing their shoes aside and kneeling in front
of the couch.
 
"Great," she said, reaching a hand up to the side of his face. "Let's just not make
a habit of that, alright?"
 
"Deal," Jack agreed, relieved that he hadn't hurt her. "Good morning," he said,
leaning over to give her a kiss.
 
A few moments later, after catching her breath again, Sam said with a smile, "That's
a much better way to wake up."
 
Jack grinned, finding himself in complete agreement with her. "Feel like coffee?"
he asked.
 
"Mmm, better still," she said, closing her eyes and stretching where she lay. Jack
had intended to get to his feet and start the coffee, but found he was still next to
the couch, surveying the t-shirt and shorts-clad woman before him. Suddenly, he
really didn't feel like moving anywhere except back onto the couch. "Do you want
me to make it?" Sam asked, pulling him back suddenly from his thoughts to the
task at hand.
 
"I got it," he said, finally getting up and padding into the kitchen in his stocking
feet. 
 
"I'll join you in a few," Sam said, rolling off of the couch herself and heading for the
bathroom. 
 
Jack rummaged through the cupboards and was unsurprised to discover that Daniel
had bought and/or brought four different types of Starbucks grounds. He picked one
at random, and assembled the coffee pot and filter. Sam came into the kitchen
wearing a fresh outfit just as he set the percolator on the stove. "I hope you like. . .
Sumatra," he said, rechecking the label on the bag and turning up the heat under
the coffee.
 
"Sounds delicious," Sam answered, walking up to him and slipping comfortably into
his arms. "You want me to watch it for you while you wash up?" she offered. Jack
just held her and smiled, still amazed at how she actually seemed to like being with
him. "What?" she asked.
 
"I love you," he answered, smiling.
 
"So you've told me," she said, giving him a quick peck on the lips followed by a
brilliant smile of her own.
 
"I plan on telling you that a whole lot more, so prepare to be bored," he said.
 
"Oh, I don't think I'll get bored," she said. "I love you, too, remember?"
 
"Oh, yeah, but I still don't know why," he said, reluctantly letting her go and making
his way out of the kitchen.
 
"I've got my reasons," she said, as he disappeared around the corner.
 
Jack usually took the opportunity on vacations to go days at a time without
shaving, but for the second day in a row he was diligently scraping his chin. Sam
had seen him scruffy-looking on enough occasions, but he still wanted to make a
good impression--especially this morning. After washing up, he did a quick change
in his room, and pocketed a small box that he took from his duffel bag. Reclaiming
his shoes from the living room, he came back into the kitchen to the rich smell of
coffee in the air. Sam was pouring the hot liquid into two mugs. "Wanna take this
outside?" he asked, picking up one of the mugs and inhaling the aroma.
 
"Sure thing," said Sam, putting the pot back on the stove and turning down the
heat. "Do you think we should wake the other two before it goes to waste?" she
asked, picking up her own mug.
 
Before Jack could answer, they heard a door bang open, followed by shuffling feet
coming down the hallway. "Coffee?" asked a bleary-eyed Daniel appearing at the
kitchen door.
 
Jack and Sam smiled at each other, trying not to laugh. "Yes, Daniel," Sam
answered. "Just turn off the stove when you're done. We'll be outside."
 
"Coffee," was Daniel's only response as he moved to the cupboard to get himself a
mug.
 
Sam and Jack headed out back and onto the pier. They sat on the edge rather than
pulling up chairs, and watched the early morning sun on the water. Jack had his left
arm around Sam's shoulders, and she kicked playfully at his foot as their legs 
dangled over the surface of the lake. "This is great," she said, leaning on his 
shoulder and taking another sip of coffee.
 
"I told you," Jack replied, reprising their conversation from two days ago. He 
hugged her closer and kissed the top of her head before taking another sip from 
his own mug. They sat in silence for a few more minutes as they both listened to 
the birds and finished their drinks. Sam looked completely relaxed, but Jack was 
only maintaining the illusion of ease. Internally, he was playing out a million 
different scenarios of how he wanted to broach the subject of the little item 
currently burning a hole in his pocket. *By the way, Sam.* *I know we've only
technically been dating for a few hours so far. . . .* *Samantha, I have something
to ask you.* *I know this might seem sudden, but I've been meaning to do this for
years now.* *So, wanna get hitched?* As he imagined asking that last question, he
accidentally chuckled out loud.
 
"What's so funny?" Sam asked, glancing up at him.
 
"Huh?"
 
"You were laughing."
 
"No I wasn't."
 
"Yes you--I am so not starting this."
 
"Good," he replied simply, still holding her close, relieved at how quickly she'd
dropped the subject.
 
"So, what's so funny?"
 
Or not. "Random thoughts, that's all," Jack answered casually but evasively.
 
"Uh, huh," she replied, apparently realizing she wouldn't be getting a straight
answer any time soon. "Want to head back in?" she asked. Both of their mugs were
empty, and the early morning mist had almost completely disappeared from the
trees around them. Jack didn't answer right away, determined to finalize and
execute his plan without further delay. "Jack?" Sam asked after his lack of response.
 
Taking her empty coffee cup and setting it next to his on the pier, Jack stood
silently and helped Sam to her feet. This was it. *Just do it,* he encouraged himself
mentally. "Sam," he began, but realized he still didn't have the right words as she
looked questioningly at him waiting for him to continue.
 
"Yes?" she asked, seeing him apparently at a loss for words. She smiled
encouragingly, even though a speechless Jack O'Neill was something new to her.
 
Holding her hands, he came right out and said it. "Please, marry me." As soon as
the words left his mouth, he felt an enormous weight lifted off of his chest that he
hadn't realized he'd been carrying. 
 
"Really?" Sam asked, now the one searching for words.
 
Jack smiled, hoping for the best, and let go of one of her hands to pull out the
small box and show her the ring. "Really," he said.
 
Sam barely glanced at it before meeting his eyes again. Jack's confidence was
slowly ebbing the longer she took to reply, but at last she started to smile. Jack
felt a squeeze of her hand as her other one came up to his face. "Yes," she
whispered. "Yes, Jack, I'll marry you." 
 
"Really?" asked Jack in turn. He had spent so much time thinking about how to ask
her, he'd hardly realized she'd have a reply. Sam smiled more broadly than he'd ever
seen her. The hand that was on his face moved to the back of his neck, and Sam
pulled him to her for a kiss. Jack's arms were quickly around her, and he snapped
the ring box shut behind her back. *All I'd need would be for it to fall out into the
water,* he thought vaguely as he lost himself in kissing Sam. *My fiancée,* he
corrected himself mentally. *My soon to be wife. Wow.* Finally breaking apart, the
couple caught their breath while still holding each other closely. "I guess you can try
this on, then," said Jack at last. He took out the ring and tossed the box aside on
the pier. Holding Sam's proffered left hand, he gently slid the ring on her finger.
 
Sam beamed as she looked at the diamond-flanked blue topaz set in a platinum band.
"It's beautif--" she began, then stopped short, gaping. She looked up at Jack. "It's
a stargate," she said, amazed.
 
Jack grinned. He'd had it made-to-order almost seven years ago. The circular 
gem was set within nine prongs that looked suspiciously similar to the 
chevron-locker-things on the 'gate. He'd even had the surface of the stone 
carefully sculpted so that, "You can actually see the fluctuations in the event 
horizon," he said.
 
Sam looked at him, apparently surprised that he'd remembered her comment at 
first seeing the 'gate activated. "I never knew you listened to my rants," she said. 
"And that was so long ago."
 
"Well, I gradually learned to tune you out," Jack replied cheekily. "But, I told you I 
adored you already. You didn't believe me?"
 
"Benefit of a sarcastic nature, I guess," she replied. "You can say things like that 
without anyone suspecting the truth."
 
Jack slid his arms around her waist and looked into her eyes. "You've had me 
wrapped around your finger since we first met. I've been carrying this ring around 
since a little after Jolinar, but never found the right time to tell you."
 
Sam was still smiling, but Jack saw the beginnings of tears form in her eyes. "I'm 
so sorry it's taken this long," she said, and she kissed him, briefly but sincerely.
 
"Hey, no regrets," he said. "I've got you now, and that's all I need."
 
Sam smiled, and leaned back in his arms, with hers still wrapped around his neck. 
"So when were you thinking of setting a date?" she asked.
 
"Are you free this Saturday?" asked Jack, jumping right into the next phase of his 
plan.
 
Sam's eyes went suddenly wide. "Are you serious, Jack?"
 
"I can go and get the license today, but there's a five day waiting period," he 
answered.
 
"You're serious," she said with a growing smile, to Jack's relief.
 
"We could wait longer if you wanted to," Jack continued, "but it already seems like 
I've been waiting my whole life for you."
 
"Saturday's perfect," she said, grinning, and Jack suddenly found himself kissing 
her again. 
 
Somewhere in the back of his mind, Jack registered a voice coming from the 
direction of the cabin. "You guys gonna want breakf--ah! Y'know, Teal'c and I can 
head on back to the Springs if you want the place to yourselves," suggested Daniel.
 
Parting reluctantly from Sam, Jack replied, "No, no, we need you two as witnesses." 
Sam smiled at him.
 
"No, you need to get a room," came Daniel's retort.
 
Sam took over, smiling at Jack before walking back towards Daniel. "No, Daniel," 
she said, "we're going to need a couple of folks to stand as witnesses this 
weekend," she clarified, showing him the ring once she was close enough.
 
Daniel looked between his two friends, then finally smiled and pulled Sam into a 
hug. "That's great; I'm so happy for you two!" he said. Then, letting her go, he 
yelled to Jack, "Well, it's about time."
 
"That it is," Jack said, coming up to Sam's side and taking her hand. 
 
"This weekend?" asked Daniel.
 
"Saturday, if we can get the license today," answered Jack.
 
"We've gotta tell. . . Teal'c!" Daniel called, heading back into the cabin. He 
stopped short at the doorway, as Teal'c emerged.
 
"What is it, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked.
 
"Jack and Sam," Daniel told him, "they're getting married!"
 
"My congratulations," Teal'c offered as he took Jack's arm and then pulled Sam 
into a warm hug.
 
"Thanks, 'T'," said Jack. 
 
"Thanks, both of you," said Sam, letting Teal'c go. "Teal'c, we were hoping you and 
Daniel would be our witnesses this Saturday."
 
"I would be honored," he replied.
 
"Well," said Jack, "if that's all settled, we've got some things to get done in town."
 
"I need a dress!" said Sam, the thought apparently having just occurred to her. 
 
"I'm afraid I can't help you there," said Jack. "I just emptied the last one from my 
closet."
 
"Funny," said Daniel. "I'll help Sam get what she needs," he volunteered. "How 'bout 
you and Teal'c deal with the groom's stuff?"
 
"Fine with me," agreed Jack. "I guess I'm not supposed to see the dress before the 
big day, anyway."
 
"Great," said Daniel. "Now, does anyone want breakfast before we head out?" he 
asked, returning to the matter that had brought him out of the cabin in the first 
place.
 
"That'd be swell," said Jack as everyone turned back to the cabin. "Uh, Sam?" he
asked, tugging gently at her hand to hold her back.
 
"Yes?" she asked, coming back to him.
 
"Before things get rolling, I was wondering, how big a deal do you want this to be? 
As far as how many folks we invite, who we tell, et cetera and so on."
 
Sam looked thoughtful for a moment. "Not that I'd mind telling the whole world," she 
finally said, looking up at him with a smile, "but maybe we could keep it fairly 
quiet--until we're ready. Just to spare us the busy-bodies and whatnot."
 
"Pretty much exactly what I was thinking," said Jack. "But is there anyone you want 
to tell right off the bat?"
 
"Well, Cassie. And General Hammond?" suggested Sam.
 
"Just what I'd hoped you'd say. You can tell Cassie the news. I'll call George and see 
if maybe he can get up here this weekend." Jack started leading Sam back to the 
cabin. "Gotta have someone to give the bride away, right?"
 
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
 
Once in town, Sam whisked Daniel away to help with her shopping, while Jack and 
Teal'c tracked down the Justice of the Peace. Providing the clerk with his and Sam's 
photo ID's, Jack filled out the requisite paperwork. "Any chance of having the 
ceremony this Saturday," Jack asked. 
 
"Certainly," the clerk replied. "The calendar's clear this weekend. Would ten o'clock 
be alright?" 
 
"Perfect," replied Jack.
 
Marriage license in hand, he then continued on to see what the small strip mall had 
to offer in the way of men's wedding attire. Walking past the shops' windows (Jack 
refused to admit he was "window shopping"), Teal'c finally came to a halt. "Would 
this be suitable, O'Neill?" he asked.
 
Jack looked through the glass at a display of several men's suits. "Funny," he said.
He sometimes thought Teal'c purposely saved the worst jokes and puns for his sole 
benefit--or torment. "Let's check it out," Jack said, entering the store.
 
Several hundred dollars later, Jack and Teal'c left the shop empty handed. Their 
suits had been ordered, and Daniel's was reserved for whenever he could stop by 
for a fitting. Jack had the shopkeeper's assurances that they would be ready by 
Wednesday, and any additional alterations could be completed by the next day.
 
Jack and Teal'c headed back to the truck, where Sam and Daniel had agreed to 
meet them before they'd grab lunch. Jack saw several bags already stowed in the 
back seat, but Teal'c kept him from peeking. "Daniel Jackson has explained to me 
the traditions surrounding your wedding ceremony. You should not see Colonel 
Carter's things before the wedding day."
 
"I wasn't gonna look," Jack lied. He climbed into the driver's seat and turned on the 
radio. Jack leaned back and closed his eyes, and was just about to start drifting 
off to sleep, when the missing two returned from their excursion. 
 
"Hey, guys," said Daniel, opening the door and loading more packages into the 
back seat. "Hungry?" he asked.
 
"Indeed," Teal'c answered, opening the passenger door and climbing out of the 
truck. 
 
Jack craned his neck to take a look at what was stowed behind his seat. "Hey!" 
came Sam's voice, as the front driver's side door opened suddenly. Jack's head 
was firmly pulled back around by a hand on his chin. "No peeking," said Sam, 
looking him in the eyes with a smile.
 
Jack took advantage of her close proximity to steal a quick kiss. "How'd it go," 
he asked innocently, climbing out of the vehicle.
 
"Great," Sam answered, stepping back to allow him room to close his door. "I think 
we've got everything we'll need."
 
"Even the dress?" asked Jack, turning slightly to look back through the truck 
window. 
 
"Yes," she said, stopping him again, "even the dress."
 
Jack's curiosity was significantly increased at the thought of actually seeing her 
wedding dress, but he thought it best to behave. "Well, we're all set," said Jack, 
"except Danny boy needs to get his suit fitted."
 
"Should I do that now?" Daniel asked. "It's not quite eleven yet, we could grab 
lunch as soon as I'm done," he suggested.
 
"Sounds good to me," said Sam.
 
Jack and Teal'c led the way back to the shop, and sat outside on a bench with 
Sam waiting for Daniel.
 
"Did you get a hold of Cassie?" Jack asked her.
 
"Yes, I did, but she's got a huge final coming up, and she just can't get away this 
weekend," Sam answered, clearly disappointed.
 
"Well, maybe we can have a more formal affair sometime later," Jack responded, 
"whenever we're ready to really let the cat out of the bag." 
 
"That'd be nice," said Sam with a smile. "What about General Hammond?" she 
asked.
 
"He's a bust, too, I'm afraid," Jack answered. "He says it's actually my fault that 
he can't come, since he's got all of his turnover paperwork to get through, in 
addition to helping Landry settle in at the SGC."
 
"It's okay," Sam consoled. "We'll have the big ceremony later. But I'm not waiting 
'til then for you to be my husband," she said smiling at him and squeezing his hand.
 
"Nice," said Jack, still amazed at her. 
 
"I believe Daniel Jackson is ready," Teal'c interrupted, coming to his feet.
 
"So, where do you want to eat?" asked Daniel, exiting the shop and coming over to 
their bench.
 
Just as Jack was getting to his feet, his cell phone rang. "Are you going to answer 
it?" asked Sam.
 
"I'm not sure I want to," answered Jack, making no move to pull the phone out of 
his pocket.
 
"General Hammond might have changed his mind," she suggested.
 
"Somehow, I doubt it," said Jack, reluctantly digging out the phone and flipping 
it open. "O'Neill," he said.
 
"Jack, it's Hank. How's Minnesota?" General Landry asked innocuously.
 
"Fine, what's up?" Jack asked, unwilling to believe he was calling just to say "hi". 
He mouthed "SGC" to the others who were looking on.
 
"I hate to break it to you, but you and SG-1 have to be back here by Wednesday." 
*I knew it,* Jack thought. "The president is coming for a ceremony to congratulate 
you and the Jaffa Leaders on your recent victories."
 
"I take it there's no way to reschedule?" asked Jack, already knowing the answer. 
The Jaffa might be flexible, traveling across the galaxy and all, but to get the 
President out of D.C., that was near to impossible.
 
"Not likely, Jack," came the expected reply.
 
"How long's this supposed to take," asked Jack. They could come right back out 
to Minnesota afterwards and still make the Saturday wedding.
 
"A few days, actually," Landry said, to Jack's surprise. "After the President's piece, 
the Jaffa have a bit of a celebration planned on--at their place. I'm told you should 
expect a week of festivities."
 
"A week?!" Jack asked, a bit more loudly than he meant to. Sam, who had been 
piecing the conversation together from Jack's comments, took his hand consolingly. 
"Alright, thanks for the heads-up, Hank," Jack said more calmly. "We'll be there."
 
"What's up?" Daniel asked as Jack snapped his phone closed.
 
"You can cancel the suit orders, boys," Jack answered. "We've got about a week's 
worth of partying to appear at, beginning on Wednesday back at the SGC."
 
"How's that for timing?" said Daniel.
 
"Yeah," said Jack.
 
"Could we not return here for the wedding after the celebration, O'Neill?" asked 
Teal'c.
 
"Not anytime soon," Jack answered. "I'll be in D.C., for one."
 
"Maybe we could step things up," Sam suggested. "How strict is the five-day 
waiting period?"
 
Jack smiled. "We can definitely go find out," he answered. "Daniel, Teal'c, go 
ahead and cancel the order here; we'll go look into rearranging the timeline."
 
"Good luck, O'Neill," said Teal'c, turning with Daniel back to the shop.
 
"You're brilliant, you know?" Jack told Sam as they made their way to the courthouse. 
Sam smiled. "But, wow, you really are impatient to get me as your husband," he 
said grinning.
 
"I've waited long enough," she replied, without any attempts at a denial. 
 
*Definitely the luckiest man alive,* thought Jack, continuing to grin.
 
Sam and Jack entered the office, and Jack laid the marriage certificate down on
the clerk's desk, just in case he'd forgotten him from two hours ago. "Question for 
you," he said, "how strict is the five-day waiting period?"
 
"It can be waived," answered the clerk, "for legitimate constraints. It's up to the 
district judge to decide whether the circumstances qualify as 'extraordinary.'"
 
Sam and Jack smiled at each other. "Oh, I'd say these qualify," said Jack. "We're 
both in the Air Force, you see, and we're . . . deploying on Wednesday. We just 
found out."
 
"That shouldn't be a problem," the clerk replied to Jack's relief. "We've had this 
type of situation come up before. I'll just need a letter from your command--from 
either of your commands--verifying your deployment status."
 
"Got a fax number?" Jack asked.
 
Fifteen minutes later, the clerk had General Hammond's letter in hand, and Jack 
and Sam had a wedding scheduled for 1400 that afternoon.
 
Daniel and Teal'c were waiting outside the office by the time Jack and Sam were
finished. "Now, can we eat?" asked Daniel.
 
"Please," added Sam, "I'm starving."
 
"One last stop," said Jack. He directed the group over to a small "Antique and 
Custom Jewelry" shop. Walking through the door, Jack called, "Ernie?"
 
A man came into the narrow showroom from the back of the store. "Jack!" he 
said. "How're you doin'?"
 
"Just fine, you?" Jack replied, bringing Sam up to the counter.
 
"Life's good," Ernie answered. "What can I do you for?"
 
"How quickly can we get a couple of wedding bands fitted?" 
 
Jack saw Ernie glance at Sam's hand, and then reach out and lift it up. "Tell me you
aren't still waiting to tie the knot! I whipped this baby up for you years ago! And 
don't tell me this isn't the same girl. You were right: it matches her eyes perfectly."
 
Sam smiled at Jack before answering for him. "It's been busy. And complicated."
 
"How 'bout it, Ern?" Jack asked.
 
"Depending on what you pick, I can have it for you in half an hour," the jeweler 
replied.
 
"I'm fine with simple," said Sam. "I sure don't need anything more spectacular 
than this," she said, indicating the engagement ring that Ernie was still examining. 
He finally released her hand, and Sam and Jack picked out a matched pair of 
platinum bands.
 
"I'll have 'em for you after lunch," said Ernie, as the group departed. 
 
They decided on the corner deli, and took a booth after ordering their sandwiches. 
"I was thinking," said Daniel after a couple of bites, "Teal'c and I can stay in town 
after the ceremony. You know, let you two have the cabin to yourselves."
 
Jack hadn't had time to think about that. It'd be their wedding night! He definitely 
appreciated Daniel wanting to afford them some privacy, but, "Actually," Jack said, 
turning to Sam, "how'd you like to see if that little bed and breakfast has any 
openings tonight?"
 
"That sounds great," Sam answered.
 
"Cool," said Jack. Turning back to Daniel and Teal'c he continued, "You two can 
have the truck and go back to the cabin. In the morning, if you don't mind, you 
can get us all packed up and just meet us here for the trip back to the mountain."
 
"I would be happy to assist," said Teal'c.
 
"Works for me," said Daniel.
 
After lunch, the group picked up the rings and headed back to the courthouse. 
Daniel helped Sam bring a few of the bags in, and took them into the back room 
where the clerk had directed. Jack waited outside with Teal'c, and was joined by 
Daniel after Sam had been situated. "She's getting ready," said Daniel. Jack 
started to pace. "Relax," Daniel said. "She's not going anywhere."
 
Jack laughed to himself. He didn't doubt that Sam had no plans to skip out on 
him, but leave it to their skinny grey friends to pull something right now. . . . "I'm 
fine, guys," he said, seeing the concerned looks he was getting from his friends. He 
looked at his watch. 1348. "I'm just ready to do this." 
 
At long last, the clerk called them in--five minutes ahead of time, although Jack 
didn't notice. He was a bit preoccupied with the vision in white who was standing 
in front of the judge, waiting for him. Sam had found a long, sleeveless sun dress, 
and even managed to scrounge up a couple of hair combs with small, white flowers. 
Her bouquet of artificial flowers matched the garlands that were draped over the 
chairs in the room. But most of all, Jack was entranced by her smile. Daniel nudged 
him forward into the room, and Jack's feet automatically brought him to her side. 
Daniel and Teal'c stood behind them as the judge cleared his throat. "Shall we begin?"
 
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
 
Jack smiled to himself as he lifted his eyelids just enough to see the first rays of 
morning peeping through the windows. His left arm had gone numb, but his right 
was comfortably draped over the waist and stomach of one Samantha Carter. He 
suddenly recognized his situation, and was shocked, feeling a sharp pang of 
disappointment as he realized the wedding had been a dream. He closed his eyes 
tightly, not wanting to lose the memory. She'd said "yes" so readily, and so happily. 
He'd ended the day as a married man, with his new wife in his arms. It seemed to 
have gone so smoothly. Maybe he'd just have to try and play it out today.
 
As he mused over the events in the dream, his hand traced light circles on Sam's 
stomach under her T-shirt. *Wait a second,* Jack thought. Something was definitely 
different. He opened his eyes fully, and took in the scene before him. They weren't 
at the cabin after all. *YES!* thought Jack. They were at the bed and breakfast. His 
left arm was under Sam's pillow, and his right was under the sheet that covered 
them both--and that was all that covered them. He held her closer with his right 
hand, and kissed her neck. Sam moved sleepily against him, and slowly turned and 
opened her eyes. "Good morning," he said, seeing her smile, and leaning down to 
kiss her.
 
"Déjà vu," said Sam, after the kiss. 
 
"Sort of," said Jack. "I'm a whole lot fonder of these circumstances than punching 
you in the gut first thing in the morning."
 
Sam giggled, "I'll second that." She pulled him back to her for another kiss, and 
Jack let his hand slide around from her stomach, up and down her side, to her 
bare hip. "Mmm," she mumbled, then broke the kiss. "When do we have to leave?" 
she asked.
 
"Never," Jack said, pulling her closer and kissing her neck again.
 
Sam sighed. "I wish," she said, giving him plenty of access to her neck and 
shoulder.
 
"The boys said they'd be here at zero seven," Jack informed her, reluctantly 
pulling back, and leaning on his left elbow.
 
Sam looked over at the bedside clock. "Fifteen minutes!" she said, sitting up 
quickly, and holding the sheet to her chest. "Didn't you set the alarm?" she asked, 
looking at Jack.
 
"Sure," he said, "for 0730." At her shocked expression, he smiled and said, "so, 
I wasn't planning on holding it against them if they were a little late."
 
"You're incredible," she said with a resigned smile.
 
"Yeahsureyoubetcha, snookums," he said, reaching over to get one more kiss 
before she left the bed.
 
"Snookums?" she said, laughing, before their lips met.
 
"Not snookums?" he asked. 
 
"Not in public," she said, leaning towards him.
 
"How come?" he asked, pulling back ever so slightly to delay the kiss.
 
"Because then I'd be forced to think of something even more syrupy for you."
 
"Not in public," he conceded, leaning back to her. "Snookums," he murmured just 
as their lips met.
 
*********************************