One Too Many

Chapter Seven: Home Sweet Home

Lightening streaked across the sky and hard rain pelted the windows. Sam watched Eleana sleep as a thunder clap shook the tiny military house. The storms in Nevada were strong but short lived and Eleana was too tired to notice. Sam closed the door to Eleana's room and headed back out to the living room.

Sam sighed and curled up on the right end of the sofa. She picked up her hot cocoa as she tucked her feet under her rear.

"Is she asleep?" Jack shifted closer to Sam and put his arm along the back of the sofa.

"Yeah. She looks absolutely angelic, which is amazing because I've already learned he's a deceptive little stinker."

Jack laughed. "I think she had to be given the circumstances."

Sam winced as she thought of Eleana hiding in the attic. "True. Have you heard anything specific from Adara yet?"

Jack pulled Sam into his embrace, careful to not jostle the hot chocolate. "The recent communication logs indicate the Turkanians have agreed to relax the population laws on the world we recommended and all those who have unclaimed children will be allowed to move there without fear of prosecution. Adara has volunteered to lead the occupation efforts. That should mean Eleana can be reunited with her in a few months. Many of the unclaimed children you brought to Earth want to go to the new planet once it's established. Maybe a few can even be reunited with family members. Adara may be willing to set up a reunification effort once she gets past the major hurdle of establishing a colony on a new world. Of course it helped that once word got out about the atrocities committed against the unclaimed children, the Prime Latrine or whatever, was assassinated and several Ministers were put on trial.

Sam placed a chaste kiss on Jack's lips and pulled back. "I'm glad I was able to get family housing in Nevada so quickly. It really helped Eleana's acclimation. I know you pulled strings even though you won't admit it."

Jack leaned in and used his lips to tease Sam's apart. As he deepened their kiss he took away her hot chocolate and placed it on the table next to the sofa. Finally Jack came up for breath. "She adores you and so do I."

Sam got her breathing back under control as she ran her hand under Jack's shirt and up his back. "I would have thought it would take more than three months for her to get so comfortable with me."

Jack nibbled Sam's neck. "You're…just…great…with kids."

Sam leaned her head back, enjoying Jack's attention. "Are you trying to tell me something?"

Jack picked his head up and locked eyes with Sam. The heat between them soared. "Only if it's something you're ready to hear."

Sam pulled Jack's shirt up. Jack lifted each arm one at a time as Sam slipped his shirt over his head. "One step at a time, Jack."

"This is one of my favorite steps." Jack latched back onto Sam's lips as Sam tossed his shirt to the floor. He pulled back just as Sam was opening her lips. "Of course there are many other pleasant steps and we shouldn't skip any of them. There are a couple I'd like to really linger at if you know what I mean."

Sam grabbed his head and pulled him back down as his hand crept under the edge of her shirt. The time for conversation was over.

Thank you for all the reviews (I ahve really needed them lately). My editor Nibikko is wonderful. You all owe her for getting me to write this story.

Graduate school has taken over my life! Everything I write is about my upcoming dissertation so I'm afraid for the next couple of years (one more year of classes and a year of disseration work) you won't be seeing as much of me. I'm sure Nibikko will get me to write once in a while (when I get so stressed she can't stand it) but it will be a rare thing. I hope once my dissertation is complete, my divorce is final, and my job is fun again you will all see many of my stories flooding fanfic.

In the mean time I appreciate the uplifting reviews and support. You have all gotten me through many hard times. Thank you!