CHAPTER 1: HOME

This story began with a discussion on the Sam/Jack Ship Family Discussion Thread on Gateworld. One of the thread members had just recovered from the 2007 con in Vancouver . While on her set tour, she spotted something she didn't even realize was important until she reviewed her photos. She couldn't show us the photo, but she did tell us about it...and someone commented that it would make a great fic. I volunteered to take the plot bunny and run with it. This story is the result.

This story will have two chapters. It presumes an established Sam/Jack relationship.

She glanced across the room to the recliner where Jack was napping and smiled. He was fully reclined with his head turned to one side and his mouth slightly open. Stretched diagonally across the chair, his height caused his feet to hang off one side of the foot extension. On his lap were the paper's sports and comics sections. It was strange to see him so totally relaxed, his normally active eyes closed and his expression devoid of thought or emotion. She studied him for a minute, enjoying the sight of his tousled silver hair, his chiseled face and his well-toned body.

She couldn't remember the last time she had seen him this still in the daytime. Jack's energy level was always high and he was constantly on the move. It was nice to see him this calm. His life certainly didn't give him many opportunities to relax like this.

They had awakened that morning to the sound of light rain, and decided to enjoy it by staying in bed a little longer. Eventually, hunger tore them away from dozing and other, more energetic activities. So they got dressed, drove the truck into town, bought a newspaper and ordered brunch at the local diner. By the time they finished eating, the clouds had dissipated, creating a break in the rain. They headed back to the cabin, with Jack intent on doing some fishing. But along the drive, they encountered the storm again. It intensified, and by the time they reached the cabin, the rain was coming down in torrents. With fishing out of the question, they ran inside and decided to read the paper instead.

Jack took a deep breath and shifted in the chair, turning his head away from her. Smiling again, Sam decided to get up. She walked softly across the room to the bookshelves. She was studying them for some reading material she hadn't already devoured. She really needed to bring more books up here. It was then that her eyes were drawn to an item she had seen many times before. It was a small brass telescope, very exact in its detail. She lifted it from the shelf, turning it in her hands to examine it more closely.

"Whatcha doin'?" The sound of Jack's sleepy voice was unexpected, and she jumped in response, nearly losing her grip on the object.

"Jack! I almost dropped it!"

"Sorry," he yawned, letting the newspaper sections fall to the floor haphazardly as he stood and repeated the same stretching motions she had made just minutes ago. He walked over to where she stood, sliding his arms around her waist and nuzzling her neck.

"I've always meant to ask you where you got this," she said, trying to ignore the distraction created by his unexpected touch and his warm breath on her neck.

"My grandfather gave it to me."

"Is he the one who got you interested in astronomy?"

"In a way," he replied. "C'mere." He dragged her gently back to the couch. Once seated, he took the item from her. Then he studied it carefully, as if he was pulling memories from it. "My grandfather was the first person who noticed my interest in flying, and he was about the only person to take it seriously. So, he encouraged me…took me to air shows, bought books for me. When I was about nine, he bought a telescope and we started studying the constellations," he smiled. "Viewing here was great, 'cause it's so far out of town."

"Should be lots better than from the Springs," she said.

"Yeah," he replied. "I'll bring the scope next time we come up here, and we'll spend a night out under the stars."

"Like we haven't done that before," she chuckled.

"Yeah, but here, we don't have to worry that someone is going to shoot us!" he retorted.

They both laughed. Then, he paused for a moment, as if he was trying to choose just the right words. When he spoke again, his voice was soft. "Some of my best times growing up were spent with him. When we were here, we stayed up lots of nights, just watching the stars. Then, when I got out of high school and left for college, he gave me this. He said it would help me remember our times together…no matter where I was. And he said if I became a pilot, he could take the credit…because he had been my inspiration." He smiled. "I took it everywhere in my gear for years. When I felt low, or after a rough mission, I'd get it out, hold it….and it seemed to help me center myself." He paused again, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly. "After he died and I inherited this place, I brought it here. I guess it's been sitting on that shelf for over 20 years."

Sam looked at the little scope; then, at her husband. Despite the strength of their relationship, it was unlike him to open up and discuss his past. Jack was a man who lived for the present and the future, not the past. For him to open up like this made her feel special, as if he had given her an unexpected gift. She put her hand gently on his arm and leaned over to place a kiss on his temple.

"What?" he asked softly, seeming confused.

"Thanks for sharing," she whispered with a smile.

He placed the telescope on the end table. Turning back to her, he brought a hand up to carefully caress her cheek. Brown eyes stared into blue. Then, wordlessly, he took her in his arms and held her close. As his hands gently caressed her back, she responded, running her hands through his hair and placing a line of kisses along his neck.

Then, letting go, he stood and held his hand out to her. She rose to meet him and for a few moments, they gazed into each others' eyes. He reached out to brush a lock of hair back from her face, looking at her as if trying to memorize each feature. Then, still holding her hand, he turned and led her to the bedroom.