Chapter 3

She walked into the ER with Major Davis and General Hammond and four heavily armed service men. The curtains were draw but she could see many scrub clad legs around the gurney and a major general's jacket tossed on the floor. Her heart was in her throat until she heard

"For cryin' out loud, I'm fine. I need to speak to General Hammond, immediately."

Hammond looked down with a sly smile and shook his head.

"Right here, Jack." he said as he pull back the curtain, getting everyone's attention.

"Come to spring me sir?" Jack sat on the edge of the bed , a few bruises beginning to bloom across his back and shoulder.

Hammond smiled benignly at O'Neill and addressed the physicians asking if the patient was fit to be transported to another facility. And while the attending grumbled about needing x-rays and further tests he gave consent. Hammond then asked for a few moments of privacy.

Carter picked up the jacket noting a tear on in the sleeve. She found his dress shirt damp with sweat but no blood and no hole in the arm.

O'Neill noticed her inspecting his clothes and said

"He missed me, the driver. It was a new guy. I don't think Agent Johnson was so lucky. She was about to give me some information when all hell broke loose. I'm kinda fuzzy about what happened next. We hit something and rolled a few times, I think."

"If your up to it Jack, we're moving you to a secure location. Your driver, who by the way recently had a tattoo removed from his forehead, is dead but and I'm not sure there aren't more of his... ah... associates in the area. But we're not going to take any chances."

"If they we were trying to hide the fact they were in the area I think they blew it. What about Agent Johnson?"

"Sorry, Jack, she didn't make it."

"That's a shame.

What about the conference?"

"It's been postponed a day, Sir. All the rooms are being swept for any devices, the participant identity checked and the security reinforce." Davis replied.

Hammond said "I'm sending Colonel Carter along with you to a safe house."

"I don't want her anywhere near me."

Jack looked from Hammond to her and saw the stricken look on her face.

"If they're aiming at me they could miss, I won't have you as collateral damage." And looking back at Hammond he said "I will not put Carter in jeopardy."

"No Jack, for right now we need to keep you safe and Colonel Carter as well, beside Sam can sense them if they get close. And maybe we can draw they out."

"Oh great now you want to paint a target on our backs!"

The safe house was small and boring. Jack was happy to escape the endless rounds of meetings but sitting here waiting for someone to take a potshot at them was getting on his nerves. And Sam, who had spent endless hours preparing for this conference, was annoyed all her efforts were going to waste. God only knows how Drs. Lee and Felger would present her findings.

There was nothing to do. Carter had her lap top but the connection was not considered secure and Jack had appropriated it to play solitaire. And he was bored with that and every inch of him ached from the accident and was starting to feel grumpy. There wasn't much else to do and not space enough to ignore one another. They had no choice but talk which they miraculously managed to avoid. They both had the feeling Hammond set them up. And on top of that Jack wanted an answer.

Why did this seem so awkward for two people who knew one another so well and in fact loved one another? It must be the uncertainty. He didn't want to back her into a corner, he needed to know, he needed to have her make a decision.

And she did, in fact she already had.

The phone rang. It was Major Davis and the all clear was given. They could return to their normal activities. They stood and began to gather the few thing they had brought with them. But first, before they went their separate way, she needed to ask him. Jack felt the need to ask before the chance evaporated. They both started to speak at once.

"Carter..."

"Sir..."

"You first Sam."

"Kerry?"

"Purely professional." The reply was immediate. She had never seen him so earnest.

"Us?"

He stood in front of her, possibly a little closer than a general should to a colonel, self confident, oozing testosterone with a cocky smile on his face. Well, he thought, finally.

The cocky smile turned to a perfectly serious face. "Whatever you want" he said clearly offering himself.

And suddenly it was all so simple. She smiled and shyly shook her head yes.

And he leaned in, tipped her chin up and kissed her.

They both moved toward each other, colliding together.

She wrapped her arms around his tightly, digging her fingers into his back, almost feeling she couldn't get close enough. She heard a soft moan.

"Oh God, Sam... hurts...not so tight."

She just about jump backwards. "I'm sorry."

"No, no, don't let go. Just not so tight but don't ever let go."

She let out as gentle laugh and caressed his face and slid a hand into his hair.

There was a knock on the door. "Sir, your car is here."

Exasperated Jack muttered "Oh for cryin' out loud." and then louder "In a moment airman."

"Jack, I didn't get a chance to book a room for tonight."

"Not gonna be a problem, Carter."

He enfolded her in his arms and kissed her again and again.

Secure in his arms she knew she'd never let him go.