Well, here you are folks another new story as promised. I hope you enjoy this one.

NOTHING IS EVER THAT SIMPLE

By LetitiaRichards

Category: Angst; Drama; Hurt/Comfort; Romance.

Warnings: Lots of mental angst and a little Jack whumping.

Pairings: Jack/Sam.

Season: 5, just after Desperate Measures.

Spoilers: None in particular, except Desperate Measures.

Summary: Will a stupid accident bring an end to SG-1 as we know it?

Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate SG-1. Wish I did, but I don't. Not making any money from this, just having a little fun with the characters. No copyright infringements intended.

NOTHING IS EVER THAT SIMPLE

By Lingren.

Chapter 1 – A Kiss Too Far.

He took another swig from the beer bottle and savoured the taste as it tingled his taste buds. He swallowed and smacked his lips. 'Oh yeah!' he sighed, snuggling back into the soft cushions of the sofa. It was so good to be home again, and certainly better than the infirmary. His shoulder still hurt like the sonovabitch but it wasn't anything he hadn't put up with before.

Aliens were always poking him full of holes!

He remembered saying that to Sam a few years ago when he was lying in the infirmary with another hole in his arm. Caused that time by a wicked looking arrow made of Trinium.

This time though, it hadn't been an alien that had caused the problem; although sometimes he thought Maybourne was one. The SOB had shot him. Twice. Lucky for him though he had been wearing a vest otherwise he would be keeping Charlie company in the afterlife right now. Janet had pointed out that the vest had been the only thing between this world and the next. The bullet had lodged in the dark fibres of the Kevlar vest right about where his heart would have been. Hell, he could still feel the bruising there when he moved too suddenly.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. The next time he saw that weasel Maybourne, he was sooo gonna kick his ass. He knew he shouldn't have trusted him. Now, thanks to the little runt's interference, there was a Goa'uld loose on Earth, and he was out of action for the time being. He hated to think about what far-reaching little scheme the two of them were dreaming up between them.

He sat and fumed in frustration, bringing the bottle up to his lips again, the next mouthful of the dark liquid was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell.

He finished swallowing, draining the rest of the beer in the bottle in one mouthful in defiance of the urgent ringing before he stood stiffly to answer the door, and swore that if it was Daniel again, he would in no uncertain terms kick him out. The man took the phrase 'mother-henning' to new heights. All he wanted was some peace and quiet to recover. He was sooo gonna...

"Carter?"

Colonel Jack O'Neill stood there, mouth agape, eyebrows raised in surprise to see his 2IC standing on his doorstep. "Ah..."

"Sir? Can I come in for a minute?" she asked.

"Ah...sure," Jack replied, recovering his wits and stepping back to allow her entrance. She was supposed to have gone to her brother's house in San Diego for a week to recover after her ordeal. He noticed that her eyes were still red rimmed and that she looked like hell.

He waved his good arm in the direction of his lounge and asked her if she wanted a beer.

"Yes sir. Beer's fine."

"Okay," he sighed, heading for the kitchen.

He took out two bottles from the supply of Guinness in the fridge and flipped their tops into the trash in passing. He stepped down into the room and handed one to Sam Carter while he took a swig from the other. His eyes were fixed on his subordinate, wondering why she was there.

Her eyes drifted upwards briefly from her precariously perched position on the edge of the sofa, not locking eyes with the dark hooded ones of her commander. She looked everywhere but at him.

"Em... How's the shoulder sir?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. She played with the condensation on the outside of the bottle, and Jack was quick to notice her fragile emotions were running close to the surface. It looked as if she could crack at any minute.

In a way he had expected her to have some sort of reaction after her kidnapping ordeal. 'Was this why she was here?' he wondered.

His nonchalant shrug was one sided and accompanied with a wince, not that Sam would have noticed anyway, she had yet to look directly at him.

"It's..." he began, realising that he couldn't lie to her of all people. "...still sore, but I'll live. It's not the first time I've been shot y'know Carter."

"Really?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her nerves. "I mean...yes sir," she stuttered as she realised what she'd sounded like.

Jack sighed softly, wondering where this was going.

"Carter, why are you here? And don't tell me it was to ask how I was, 'cause I know you. What's up?"

Sam sniffed a few times, batting angrily at the tears now leaking down her face.

Jack didn't need to know what was eating her. He just knew. He put out his left hand and pulled her gently to her feet and enfolded her in his arms as comfortably as he could manage.

"C'mere Sam. C'mon, let go of it, let it all out!" he whispered encouragingly, rocking her slightly in the process. His lips automatically pressed a kiss into her blonde hair while he could feel her shudder with sobs against his chest. It wasn't often that Major Sam Carter gave into her feelings, but with all she had been through, he wasn't in the least surprised it had her all been too much, even for her.

He wasn't sure how long they stood there, he, holding her steady while she clung to him like there was no tomorrow. He felt so protective of her; his heart ached for her misery.

He loved her with every ounce of his heart and soul, but the body thing would have to wait, this wasn't the time or the place. He hung on to his emotions with a tight rein; it would be so easy to let it all go and just... take her. He wouldn't though on principle. He was a man of honour and integrity; an officer and a gentleman despite his reputation as a hard ass.

He didn't hold to every single regulation; and had several black marks against him for breaking the rules, but this was one regulation he would uphold. It was more than his career on the line that held him to it; it was Sam Carter's career too. She had so much to offer the USAF; much more than he had. He couldn't ruin her chances of promotion; he would never stand in her way. She had the ability to go far; much further than he would ever attain; he was too old and cynical and a pain in the ass for too many of the top brass to better his rank.

Sam had quietened, conscious of the gentle caresses that Jack was giving her, whether he knew he was doing it or not; it felt sooo good. She had calmed down now, feeling safe in his arms. Her heart wanted more and over-ruled her head this time. She leaned back to look into his dark eyes, seeing the affection in them, she took this for permission.

Before Jack could react, Sam had pressed her lips to his and deepened the kiss when he responded to the caress without thought.

Both were caught up in the ecstasy of the moment; the kiss, a release of pent up emotions in both of them. Jack pulled her tighter against him and she could feel his arousal, insistent yet gently pressing against her thigh.

Like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her, Sam realised with horror what she had done. She pulled away as if she had been burned and her hand flew to her mouth. She could still feel the tingle of his lips against hers, but instead of euphoria, they brought a reminder that what she had done was wrong on so many counts.

Jack too realised too late that he had been led astray by his feelings towards Sam and had almost ended in something he would never be able to put behind him. He had wanted her. Craved her body like nothing he had experienced before. He stood looking down at his feet; a deep frown of disgust in himself for his reactions to her simple need for comfort, and that he'd taken advantage of that need. He should have known better. He was her superior officer; it was up to him to stop them from surrendering to their feelings. It was all his fault that she now stood there in shock; her dazzling blue eyes wide in horror and something he took to be loathing and abhorrence.

"Oh god...I...I" Sam stuttered but couldn't utter the words that would exonerate him from any guilt he should have felt. She was so upset over pushing him into almost crossing that line.

"Carter! Please...I..." he began but the words died in his throat.

Before he could fully form the necessary words and apologise, she had turned and fled his house, and by the time he had recovered his shocked senses, she was driving away and he stood by helplessly watching her disappear down the road.

"Crap!" he cried, slamming the door shut and leaning his back against it. He drove the side of his clenched fist backwards into the wood at his back and ignored the pain from the useless action. His eyes turned heavenward, wondering how he was going to undo this. Sam was obviously shocked by his lack of control and had run from him like a frightened child. She would never trust him again, so there was only one thing for it. He would have to resign. He would retire and move to the cabin.

With bitter resignation, he pushed himself away from the door, shaking his now throbbing hand to step back down into his lounge, seeking out the phone. He hit the speed dial for the SGC and General Hammond in particular.

It picked up within a minute of being put through.

"Hammond!" the General barked out. 'Obviously something had just crawled up his ass and bitten his CO,' Jack thought, judging by the abrupt tone.

"Jack O'Neill, Sir. I just wanted to inform you that I'll be heading up to my cabin tomorrow. I'll only be gone a few days sir. I have to report to Doc Fraiser on Monday morning."

What he didn't add was that on Monday the General would also be handed his letter of resignation. It was time for him to go; to get out before he did anything else he might regret.

"You sure you can drive okay Jack? Didn't Dr. Fraiser say to take it easy?"

"I will sir. I...er...I just need to get away for a few days." 'Preferably as far away from Carter as I can. I need to think things over and I can't do that while she's anywhere in the vicinity,' he added silently.

"I can arrange a flight Jack. It'll be easier..."

"I'll be fine sir. No need to bother. See you on Monday General."

"God speed Colonel and take it easy!"

"Yes sir!"

Jack replaced the phone then picked up the empty bottle and the two that were still half full and carried them into the kitchen.

He had packing to do.

TBC