HIS NECK OF THE WOODS

CHAPTER 5

TITTLE: "His Neck of the Woods"

CHAPTER: Fifth. Final chapter.

AUTHOR: fresitaazul

RATING: OLDER TEENS for sexual situations and sexual innuendo.

CATEGORY: Angst/Romance

PAIRING: Sam and Jack

SPOILERS: Season 9 (Avalon)

SUMMARY: This is the fifth and final chapter of "His Neck of the Woods." Sam and Jack together fishing at his cabin! What else can I say? Please feel free to fill in the blanks.

WARNINGS: language, sexual situations and sexual innuendo. Read further at your own discretion.

DISCLAIMER: The characters used in this story DO NOT belong to me; I'm just borrowing them for fun. I am not gaining any money for this and don't expect to either.

FEEDBACK: Always welcome, thank you.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks to my mom and my husband for their support.

To Lennie, for your help and advise on this final chapter. I love what you did to polish the final installment of this story; again, thank you so much! I wouldn't be posting this completely satisfied if it hadn't been for you. I will forever be sincerely grateful.

To all of you who continue to read my story, your reviews and true encouragement have made it what it is today. Without that, it's meaning would not be genuine and I feel humbled and deeply appreciative to all my loyal readers. Let's hope that we are rewarded with some real goodies from our favorite TV couple this upcoming Season, that way we can finally let go of our breathe and have even more inspiration to continue writing and reading fan fiction. Not that there isn't enough, but more can't hurt.

That said, sit back and enjoy the ride kids!

There was a first time for everything in life, Sam thought. Like the first time she spoke a word and she was stared at in amusement by her proud parents; there was also the first time she rode a bike and successfully made a trip for longer than a few feet from where her father stood, watching that her fall would not be as terrible and as traumatizing as she and he both dreaded it could be; of course, she couldn't forget the first time she had a crush on that cute boy who sat across from her in math class and then managed to break her heart in the most miserable of ways, by kissing her best friend during prom night; she also recalled the first time she got drunk with her girlfriends and made a complete fool of herself, only to regret absolutely everything she said and did the day after and swore she would never drink alcohol again in her life. And then… then there was the first time she made love to Jack O'Neill.

As she lay on her side with open eyes, she watched his exhausted but satisfied post-orgasmic features, those dark brown orbs blinking lazily as he tried to focus on her, and a pair of strong hands tiredly but possessively caressing her back and shoulders, sending shivers with every intimate touch he offered her. She knew there would be no way to erase the monumental grin that spread across her face and honestly, she didn't think she wanted to, as he looked at her with the sexiest and most penetrating gaze she could imagine. And that got her, that long lasting look they exchanged with one another expanding the beauty of their lovemaking, but this time with their eyes, something she didn't think was physically possible.

Yes, Sam thought, first times could be pretty great after all.

After losing track of time and realizing they had been hypnotized into one another for more than could be normal, she moved her hands and explored his body again with great detail. Her bright blue eyes broke the spell for a moment as she lowered them to study his flushed face, starting with his masculine chin and followed by his thin, chewable lips. She raised her stare to admire his perfectly shaped nose and as her eyes traveled higher, she met a pair of brown ones looking lovingly at her. She grinned even wider then, and kissed him long and softly on the lips.

"You're such a cliché," Sam said, after a long but content moment, as she drew back a little to gaze at him.

"Yes, well… just don't tell anyone, huh?" Jack answered as his hands kept roaming along the length of her body, stroking her soft skin greedily.

"So."

"So…" His answer was vague, as his attention traveled down and stopped in the general direction of her naked breasts, quickly followed by his wandering hands.

She followed his gaze and licked her lips, enjoying the freedom and the shameless way with which he was devouring her with his eyes and touch. "You know, there is more to me that just boobs."

"Don't really care at the moment."

"Let me bring a bowl to collect your drool then."

"Now that would be a problem since you'd have to leave this bed to bring it." He brought her closer to him and began kissing her neck erotically. "I can't allow that, Colonel. You're staying here for a while."

She laughed and curled at the sensations he was awakening in her once again. "A while? How long will that be?"

"Haven't decided yet." The kissing continued but this time he shifted his body to land on top of her. "Sam." Her name was voiced with adoration and pride.

"Hum?" Sam murmured in between moans from the wonders he was already doing to her body. "Oh, God! Jack…"

"This is great," he groaned with a smile.

"G-Great?" she echoed with effort, as she moved her hips to fit his.

"O.k. then, more than great. It's pretty damn sweet!" He shut his eyes as the physical sensation exceeded any kind of logic. "Ah!" he exclaimed.

"Agree." She surprised him by turning them over and resting her weight on top of his without breaking the intimate contact beneath. "I like this better."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"Got any objections, General?" she asked hoarsely, thrusting her hips and moving them in slow circles as she sat up and straddled him.

"None whatsoever." With both hands, he brought her face to him and kissed her soundly.

After another passionate and satisfying lovemaking session, she rested her head on his stomach while she played with the soft grey hairs that spread along his flat abdomen. "I don't know if I'm ever gonna get enough of you," she whispered after a moment, breaking the comfortable silence.

"Sam, even though that is one of the best things you can say to me, y'know, because of my age and all," she giggled against his muscles, "I'm sure you will. Many, many times!"

"Doubt it. We've got many years to make up for." Her voice had a low trace of sadness within, even though she tried to mask it as much as she could.

He grabbed her shoulders and gently pulled her higher to meet his eyes. "Samantha?"

She raised her eyebrows and smiled shyly. If he hadn't called her Sam in years, Samantha was absolutely missing from his vocabulary. He noticed her astonishment and shrugged. "What? I love your name, always have."

"Somehow I thought you loved Carter more," she gave him an evil glare, "at least, that's what I heard you scream just minutes ago."

He blushed and rolled his eyes. "I DO NOT scream!" he said indignantly.

"Yes, you do," she teased.

"Not."

"Do."

"Not."

"Do."

"Not."

"Ahgh!" she yelled at last. "You are impossible, Jack O'Neill."

"I win!" he exclaimed proudly.

She slapped his shoulder playfully and laughed - How could the man be so annoying but so incredibly adorable at the same time? She sure hoped she had enough time to figure that one out. An internal grin appeared and revealed itself through her eyes as the thought of getting to know Jack the way she had always wanted was really happening.

"Wheels are turning, Sam." She shook her head to look at him as he grinned. "You're thinking. A lot!"

"Oh, yeah," she smiled, "sorry."

"Don't be." He brought her closer to him, as they snuggled happily into each other's naked skin.

"You don't mind me thinking a lot?" she asked, as he started to drift into a peaceful sleep.

Opening his eyes with great effort, he turned his head to face her and smirked. "Nope. I learned how to turn you off and on a long time ago."

She sat up with wide-open eyes and stared at him as a smug smile crossed his face entirely. "Well, that's good to know!"

"Oh, please! Like you didn't know?" he responded with a chuckle.

She shook her head again and narrowed her eyes, still looking at him as he pretended to fall asleep. "You've never enjoyed it?"

"Your thinking?" he asked innocently, with eyes still closed. "Well, yeah, of course I did, still do. In fact, when you talk techno babble…" he trailed off and remained quiet.

After expecting him to finish the sentence but the words never actually coming, she pushed his shoulder a little, forcing him to open his eyes. "Jack?"

He raised his eyebrows and swallowed a laugh.

"When I talk techno babble what?" she asked.

He sat up to meet her questioning face and looked at her with passion and intensity. "You're the hottest, most erotic thing I have ever seen."

She was taken aback by his answer, obviously expecting him to say how extremely boring he thought her scientific explanations were. "You," she cleared her throat, "you don't think it's boring and confusing?"

"Sure I do. But, you look so damn sexy when you get all happy and excited about your little doohickeys, and theories, and… stuff." She widened her eyes even more. "After a while, I just focus on you, really not paying attention to what you're saying."

Her jaw dropped to an impossible low, while her eyes almost popped out of her face.

"Jack! Honestly, I'm right here! It's me you're telling this to!" She was in complete shock at his sudden confession.

He laughed and fell back to the bed, while she remained frozen on her spot. "You are so cute, Sam. So cute."

She turned her head and met his happy and relaxed gaze, an expression she had never seen on Jack O'Neill's face. With a long sigh, she finally laughed with him and let herself fall onto the mattress by his side. If her suffering and embarrassment made him happy that night, then so be it. She knew that, after all, he knew her better than she even knew herself. "You know, anyone would think that after all these years I would already know you."

"You do." He kissed her hair as she settled her head on the curve of his shoulder. "More than anybody ever will."

She lifted her head once again to look at him as her blue eyes met his brown ones. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

That was that: simple, complete, important and true. No mystery, no shame and no emotional over thinking, just an honest and warm exchange. A verbal expression of what their bodies and souls had already told each other earlier that night, while sharing the bliss of a tension that had finally been broken. It was a re-affirmation of what years of friendship and mutual respect and admiration had built, without expectations of undying love declarations or promises of dreams to be fulfilled. They kissed one final time before giving in to the call of the night, closing their eyes and enjoying the longing for the days that were yet to come.

The next morning Jack was up early making breakfast. Not just coffee and toast, but he had managed to work on scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit and blueberry bagels, the ones that Sam would kill for. She appeared from the hallway, dressed only in a white t-shirt slightly covered by a long gray wool sweater.

She stopped suddenly as she found him mixing the eggs in a bowl and taking a big bite out of a crispy piece of bacon. Automatically, he turned and their eyes met, lost in each other without fear or hesitation, and he enjoyed how nice it felt. He smiled at her as she walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck, while his circled her waist.

"Morning," she whispered with a grin.

"Morning," he echoed, and kissed her mouth ardently.

"You're up early," she said afterwards, picking a piece of bacon herself and leaning against the counter.

"I thought I'd fix breakfast to make up for dinner last night."

She tilted her head and smiled. "You talk to the guys yet?"

His eyes narrowed immediately and he finished his task with the eggs, appearing to be very concentrated and interested in the task. "Sorta."

She raised her eyebrows and looked at him questioningly. "Sorta, as in you talked to Teal'c but not to Daniel."

Looking up and holding her gaze for a moment, he sighed before pouring the eggs into the skillet. "He wouldn't talk to me and I'm not gonna beg." With expert hands, he maneuvered the eggs and poured coffee into the two black ceramic mugs.

Sam rolled her eyes and took the coffee mug he offered her. "Jack, this is ridiculous! You know him and how emotional he can get!"

"Well, that's his problem now, isn't it?" A long stare came afterwards as he sipped from his coffee and leaned against the counter across from her.

She looked down and said nothing. This was the typical Jack O'Neill reaction, not dealing with his emotions once again.

He noticed her silence and lowered the fire on the stove while the eggs cooked, placing his cup on the side. Then, he approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. "Hey, I'm sorry."

Sam gazed at him carefully and shook her head. "Don't apologize to me, Jack. Apologize to him." She saw him cringe and sighed, "Why is that so difficult?"

"It's not difficult!" He blew a breath and looked down before returning his eyes to her general direction. "Look, he's the one who crossed the line by saying those things to you."

"What things? That I'm always the perfect everything but the perfect woman?" she repeated Daniel's words and Jack pulled back frowning, resting against the fridge. "You know he was referring to me running away from a home and a family, don't you?"

"I don't give a damn what he was referring to. You are a perfect woman the way you are, Sam. To me, you're more of a woman than any other woman I've met in my life."

Her heart stopped for a moment at his sudden compliment and she blushed slightly.

"Jack?" she managed to mutter as her heart started to beat again, but then threatened to jump out of her chest.

"Yes, Sam. Everything you do is part of your unique beauty. You don't need a man, or a house, or a bunch of kids running around to define you as a woman, or as a person for that matter." He shook his head and looked down to his feet feeling the disgust and anger rise again from within him. "What Daniel said to you was plain offensive and I was shocked and, to say the least, pissed off to hear that coming from him, someone who should know you better." He sighed and met her eyes again, raising his eyebrows and shrugging. "Well, I guess I learned he doesn't."

Sam's mouth had turned unbelievably dry and her blood had stopped flowing through her body; she followed Jack with her gaze, as he stood silent by the stove, turning the eggs and checking the rest of the bacon as it finished cooking. Could it be possible that her ex-CO knew her so deeply that she was even able to fool herself into thinking she needed all those things in her life to make her complete? – God! She had broken up with Pete because he was pushing those things on her, and she had admitted it to Jack the afternoon she came to see him at his house. She felt like a coward then, and regretted being so afraid to accept her life as it was. Yes, she wanted more, but that didn't mean she couldn't have it all. Yes, she thought, there was always a way and Jack, more than anyone, knew this for certain. She stared at him as he casually served the eggs onto the two plates, and placed the bacon, fruit and a blueberry bagel on the side.

He lifted his head feeling her eyes darted on him and asked with a sided and puzzled smile, as he met her blue eyes, "What?"

She was mesmerized by the sight of the man who stood inches from her, as he cooked her breakfast the morning after they had first made love and declared his true love to her by admitting to his real admiration and respect for her. She smiled and closed her eyes to block the tears from betraying her will by falling down her face; she was turning into such a crier these days!

After a long moment, she opened her eyes again knowing for certain what she had to say. "I really do love you, Jack."

He smiled as he discovered that her eyes revealed even more than what her words said. "C'mere." He took her in his arms for a heart-warming embrace, and nuzzled his face into her neck, like he had done for years. Caressing her hair, he whispered in her ear, "I know." With a soft kiss on the top of her head, he gently pulled her back just enough to look into her eyes but not too much to break the closeness between them. "I really do love you too, Sam. You know that, right?"

"I know," she said with a smile. "Thank you, Jack. I don't know how I've been so blind."

"You haven't been blind," he smiled and rested his forehead on hers, "just… misguided." He kissed her lips once again and clapped his hands. "Alright! You ready for my deluxe breakfast?"

"Does it include anything cooked with beer?"

He rolled his eyes and carried the plates to the small dinning table. "Oh, for cryin' out loud, Carter! You know it does." He placed her plate in front of her and sat by her side, setting his own food close by.

"Aren't you wondering what the surprise is, Sam?" Jack started casually, as he buttered his toast.

Her senses became fully aware and a grin appeared on her face. "Yes, Jack. Please tell, what is it?"

He swallowed the food in his mouth and cleared his throat. "Dr. Phillip Benjamin sent me a third request for the approval of a transfer for a certain Lt. Colonel to Area 51." He looked down from the piece of bread he held and then met her eyes. "Y'know, the one we discussed some weeks ago?"

"Yes…" she pronounced warily.

"Well," he took a deep breath and took her hand in his. "Sam, it's your choice. You can remain at the SGC and keep your duties as SG-1's CO." He sipped some of his coffee, then continued, "Or, you can take the position at Area 51 and direct the research team there." He leaned closer to her and passed his long fingers through her short blonde hair. "Basically, you can do whatever you want. I will not stand in your way on this one anymore. General Landry, who will take my place at the SGC, will need your decision in two weeks and you will always have an open door to return to either one if, let's say, events should change." He watched her pale face carefully as she held her bagel with a shaky hand. "Sam?"

The bagel slipped from her fingers and landed on the floor, waking her from her daze. She blinked repeatedly and swallowed hard. "Oh, Jack, this…this…"

He raised his eyebrows and smiled warmly. "This is all true. Dr. Benjamin and Hank Landry are fighting each other to get you! Made me jealous at first, let me tell ya."

She giggled softly and lowered her eyes becoming serious once again. "You know I want to spend some time with Cassie, don't you?"

"I do. And I think you should."

A single tear fell down her cheek as she gazed at him with love and gratefulness. "Thank you, Jack."

"There's nothing to thank me for, Sam. You are the most brilliant person I know and you deserve the world. I know you want time for yourself, so I can't think of any reason why I should deny that." He bit his lower lip and looked at her with guilt. "I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time about it before. It's just that…"

She placed her finger softly on his mouth. "Shush, don't." She smiled and leaned over to kiss him. "I know exactly why you did it. And you know I have never questioned your reasons."

"Something I will never quite understand, by the way."

She laughed and caressed his rebel hair. "Well, let's just say I respect and admire you more than you know."

With a long and determined gaze, they smiled at each other and turned their attention to the food once again, as they enjoyed breakfast in a comfortable and ecstatic silence.

Later that day, Teal'c and Daniel arrived to say their goodbyes to Jack before he left to officially take over as head of Home World Security in Washington. At first, Daniel and Jack did not even look at each other, until Sam hugged Daniel tightly and without words forgave him for all he blamed himself for.

He turned to her with regretful eyes, and smiled. "Sam, you have to believe me. I am sorry. I don't think for one second you're not a perfect woman. You are, more than it is possible. It's just that," he sighed, "it hurt me so bad to see you give up your happiness once again."

"Daniel, I know. You don't have to explain this."

"Yes, I do." He turned to look at Jack, who had remained quiet since Daniel had entered the cabin but watched with intense eyes as he made his amends with Sam. "I won't explain why I wanted to kill Jack." This made everyone smile, except Jack, who just raised his eyebrows. "But you, Sam… you are the glue that holds the three of us together. You didn't deserve my anger and frustration."

"That's right… she didn't!" Jack finally said, as he stood up from the couch and returned from the kitchen with a new beer in his hand. "You still want to kill me, Daniel?" he asked, as he approached the younger man and gazed at him warily.

Daniel tilted his head and shook it, as he felt Jack's arms tighten around him, pulling him into a hug. "I'll miss you too, Space Monkey."

As surprise and relief washed over him, Daniel accepted the embrace and tapped Jack's back in return. After a moment, the two men parted and Jack handed the other a beer.

"Still want to kill you," he finally said, "but only because I was really looking forward to trying Sam's cake."

"Oh! It was good, believe me!" Jack exclaimed after a long sip of the cold drink he had picked up from the coffee table.

"You ate it all? When?" Daniel said, amazed.

"Well…" Jack started, "we kinda… brought it to bed and," he exchanged looks with Sam and smirked, "we… used it as," another pause, "ammunition… y'know." The wide eyes from the two men and a blushed face from the woman across, allowed him to continue. "In a food fight. Then, for other purposes…"

Daniel blushed, cleared his throat and frowned not looking at either person involved in the act just mentioned. "Eww!"

He turned to Teal'c, who was raising one eyebrow and, he could have sworn, smirking in delight. "Teal'c, let's get outta here. I don't think I'll ever be ready to hear anymore of this."

The two men turned to the door, closely followed by Jack and Sam, who wrapped their arms around each other. Daniel watched them as he opened the door and smiled tenderly. "You two try your best to be happy. God knows you deserve it,"

"We will, Daniel, I promise," Sam said as she hugged the man she loved as her younger brother.

Then he turned to Jack and shook his hand. "Give us a call sometime. Don't forget about us," Daniel said to Jack, as he felt his eyes water.

"You're kidding, right? I'm sure I'll call you everyday to kick your ass over the phone! Ya think I don't already know the messes you'll get yourself into?" The two men smiled, while Sam and Teal'c exchanged looks and smiles, as well. "Just, try not to get killed again, will ya? I doubt your dear friend, Oma, will offer you ascension a third time."

"I'll try my best, Jack," Daniel said and stepped out the door. Picking up his bag, he started walking towards the car, but turned to wait for Teal'c.

Teal'c and Sam hugged quietly, as they smiled at each other and the big man looked at her as a proud older brother. "You look more beautiful than ever, ColonelCarter," he finally proclaimed. "I can see the heavy weight from your shoulders has been lifted and new hope has been born. I am most pleased." He bowed his head and got a tender kiss on the cheek from Sam, as she brushed her fingers over her face to clean the tears that suddenly appeared.

"T!" Jack said, as he pulled the Jaffa into his arms and tapped his back solidly. "You tell Bra'tac I'll be rooting for you guys."

"Indeed I will, O'Neill." Teal'c watched his friend and gave him the biggest smile any of them had ever seen on the large man's face. "We have accomplished our purpose, O'Neill, and I will always be in your debt for your leadership and friendship. We are brothers." He looked at him serious and with sincere nostalgia. "You will be missed."

Jack was taken aback by his words and felt his own heart tear up. Truth be told, he loved those three more than life itself, and leaving them was not easy. "Backatcha, buddy." He turned to Sam who was looking at him with adoration. "I'll be here. We'll be here." He smiled, "In my neck of the woods. Always."

Teal'c bowed his head in understanding and joined Daniel at the end of the steps, as both men waved their last goodbye to the man who had earned a second chance in life with a woman who would love him until the end of time.

For the next few days, the couple shared and took pleasure in their newfound love to make up for the years lost and the days to come when they would be forced apart. At the end, the special transportation arrived indeed, when a beam of light picked up the two as they waited on the deck by the pond, and landed them at the entrance of Jack's house in Colorado Springs.

Sam stayed with him to help with the moving arrangements and they made love every chance they could before the dreaded goodbye a week later. Fifteen days after that, she was due to report to Area 51 to take over the research position she was longing for, and after discussing her decision with Daniel and Teal'c, they were all startled to know each was ready to walk a new path; the archeologist revealed he would be joining the mission heading to Atlantis. Teal'c, on the other hand, had chosen to help Bra'tac with the new Jaffa nation forming in Dakara. And Jack, well, he was already drowned with meetings and problems in Washington.

As Sam closed the door of her small house for the final time, she looked around with a heavy heart but an open soul. She knew it wouldn't be the end, but the beginning of something new, something she was hoping for since the day the discovery of the Stargate was revealed to her and she joined a team called SG-1. She smiled deeply when she remembered the day she saw Jack O'Neill for the first time, back when his hair was still brown and his face was traced with endless sadness and regret. A shiver passed through her spine as she recalled her first step through the event horizon and the wonder that Gate Travel meant to her, even to this day. The memory of the day she met the young Dr. Daniel Jackson and his beautiful and naïve wife, Sha're, made her eyes water. She prayed for all those who had been lost to them throughout those difficult but breathtaking eight years. Janet, Martouf, Ska'ra, Sha're, her dad and Selmac, and all the men and women who gave their lives for a war that was in recess now, but she knew would start again.

Cassie, who was waiting for her in the rented moving truck, noticed Sam's pensive features and she quickly opened the door and joined her by pulling her senior into a hug. "It'll be o.k, Sam, I know it."

Sam allowed the tears to fall as she hugged the young girl she loved so much. "Yes, I know, Cass, I know." She kissed her cheek as both of them looked towards the house one more time before starting their walk to the big truck and to the new challenges that awaited them. She smiled and started the engine, set her sunglasses against her eyes and smiled in Cassie's direction. "You know, Jack was right. His neck of the woods will always be here waiting for us."

"Sam?" the girl asked confused. "Here where?"

"The Stargate, of course. It will bring us together again, you'll see."

"You've got to admit, Sam, Jack is almost always right," Cassie explained casually.

"Yup. Gotta love him for that." Sam responded, and with one final exchange of grins, they drove away leaving their past behind and heading to their new unknown future, one she was really looking forward to.

FIN