Chapter 4

Sam was not a happy person. How could she possibly be happy when it was Valentine's Day and she was going home to an empty house?

Stopping by her lab to shut everything down for the day, something shiny on her desk caught her eye.

Sam broke into a face splitting grin when she realized what it was. One small Hershey's kiss.

'He's here!' she thought.

Underneath the treat was a simple note. "Giovanni's 1900"

Sam couldn't shut down everything fast enough. She'd have to go home and change. Giovanni's was a nice Italian place and Sam figured the jeans that she wore into work today weren't exactly high class enough. She'd have just enough time to get home, change, and get to the restaurant.

Grabbing the candy from her desk, she raced home.

Sam was unbelievably touched by the candy. More than he would ever know. The first time that it happened, years ago now, she'd been so shocked. Smiling to herself, Sam remembered just how good she'd gotten him back though. Every year after that, Valentine's Day would roll around, and Sam would find a little Hershey's kiss somewhere. In her lab, in her locker, in one of her pockets. And each year, he'd find one little nutty Kiss somewhere as well. It was their tradition.

At least that was until she'd gotten with Pete. She'd known that there would be no treat awaiting her that day, but Sam found herself looking for it nonetheless. And of course, it wasn't there.

Pete had gone all out and showered her with chocolate and roses and even jewelry. And she was too busy being upset at one missing Hershey's Kiss. Which at the time, Sam thought was completely ridiculous and was quite frankly pissed at herself for getting so upset about it. It was one of many clues that Sam overlooked before she finally broke up with Pete.

And now, he was here.

Sam got into a dark blue dress that she had, a number that barely hung from her shoulders and dipped into a V, not showing too much skin to where she would have felt trampy but enough to turn one Major General's head. The dress fit her perfectly and flared out just a little at her knees. Strapping on some heels and a little jewelry for the occasion, Sam looked in the mirror. She'd done her hair and makeup already and she was pleased enough with what she saw in the mirror. She really loved this dress and had just bought it a couple of months ago.

Sam got to the restaurant at exactly 1900.

"Yes, madam. Are you meeting someone here?"

"Yes. It should be under O'Neill."

"Ah. Yes. Right this way, madam."

Sam saw him before they reached the table. He was looking down at the menu with a serious expression, almost as if he was studying some battle tactic. He looked unbelievably good in the black shirt he was wearing. His ever unruly silver hair countered the darkness of the material.

Sam stopped behind her seat at the table. Jack's head remained down but his eyes shot up at her. And then meandered their way down. And back up again. He gave her a sideways grin as he stood up.

"You look amazing."

"Thank you."

Jack pulled out her chair for her and motioned her to sit down which she did. Then he sat down again himself, still wearing that goofy grin.

"How on earth did you get here?"

"How could I miss Valentine's with you?"

"But I thought you said you couldn't get out of Washington for a week?"

"Lies. I wanted to surprise you."

"It worked."

"Good. I ran into Danny boy on my way to your lab and I thought for sure he'd spoil it for me."

"He never let on in the slightest."

Jack was prevented from making a comment by the waiter coming to take their orders. He took the opportunity to take Sam's hand in his and started playing with her ring.

They'd married one month ago. It had been the happiest day of her life. They had a simple wedding, only a few people were there but it was beautiful and everything both of them had wanted for so long.

Jack had the most thoughtful happy smile on his face right now.

"Whatcha thinking about over there?"

He looked up at her and smiled again, then looked back at her ring.

"I still can't believe you said yes."

Sam shook her head and smiled, tears forming in her eyes despite herself. The man was so unbelievably unaware of how absolutely amazing he was. She had never met a man that was more deserving of every ounce of praise he received and more and yet he was the first to say that he was nothing special.

She pulled her hand away and reached for her purse.

"I have something for you."

He smiled when she placed in the palm of his hand one little nutty Hershey's kiss.

"Ya know what the perfect Valentine's present would be?"

"What's that?"

"Well, this one year, some hot astrophysicist gave me a little red present. I always thought it would look even better with something inside."

"This astrophysicist got a name?"

"I don't remember. She's changed it since then and I really like her new name. It's got a nice ring to it."

"I always thought you were more into upwrapping your present myself."

"Oh, but thats the cool thing about this present. It looks really good when you put something inside but then you get to have the fun of unwrapping it all over again. It's pretty amazing actually. Got to hand it to those scientists. They're pretty smart."

Their food arrived then and they got to talking about anything new that had happened since they'd last had the chance to talk, just enjoying actually getting to be together. That was something that was hard to come by with her being at the SGC and him being in Washington. Everything was always new to them and yet completely comfortable at the same time.

Toward the end of the meal, Jack was telling her about how he'd gotten Tivo and programmed The Simpsons on there. He then proceeded to say that it was the best invention since the Gameboy.

"Thank you."

"For getting TiVo?"

"No."

He looked confused. "For what?"

"For everything."

Sam half expected Jack to say something sarcastic like 'yes, well, I do what I can' or something like that. Instead he just said,

"Always."

Always. How very true that little word was. Jack had always been there for her. And she had no doubt he always would. Sam smiled at the thought of many more Valentine's days filled with Hershey Kiss surprises.