The air seemed so crisp and fresh it tingled slightly. Then again Sam hadn't been topside on Earth for so long. The Airman turned and left. She started up to the house. Something forced her to pause. Out of the corner of her eye she could see nearby movement. Probably curtain's twitching. Sam found herself trying to take a steadying breath as she turned the key. The house felt empty. Well maintained and clean, yes. But it just felt odd. She headed up to her room, dropping her bags off. Kicking off her shoes, Sam dropped onto the bed. This was definitely an aspect she had missed. A nice comfortable bed. Janet had been in she imagined as the cover didn't smell musty. Could have been Teal'c as well. He always had an eye for the little things. She padded over to her dresser and dug to find her rattiest, oldest and comfiest sweats she owned. Being wrapped in the warm worn material felt right. Felt like home.

Her door seemed to bouncing off its hinges. She ran to the door and tried her best to smile. Mrs. Taggart was beaming almost scarily. 'I've heard you were back!' Sam opened her mouth and then took a minute to process it. How had she known? Oh yes the Curtain Club. 'Yes I do appear to be.' She managed to get out. The little lady in front of her was just about vibrating with glee. Even her slight dishevelled curls seemed to bouncing. Sam glanced around the neighbouring houses. And of course the curtains were a'twitching. Suddenly a headache bloomed over her right eye.

'Your hair is lovely like that Samantha.' She pressed on, ignoring the fact that Sam was barely participating. 'Thanks.' She tried to smile but the pain in her head was spreading rapidly. 'Much better than that short hair. Gave off the wrong impression.' Sam had to bit her tongue. The indignation at her not so veiled comment was impossible to ignore. 'Okay, I have to go! Re-assimilate and whatnot!' She closed the door as fast as she could. Resting her head against the wood, her eyes rolled up. 'I have not missed my neighbours.' A noise caught her attention. She looked around confused. The sound seemed so alien, so separate. Even though it rang familiar. Then it hit her; her phone.

'Hello?' Her voice was unsure and confused even to her own ears. 'Sam.' The not so little bubble in her chest of tension popped. 'Jack.' He chuckled. 'Someone has had an encounter with the CC's.' Sam threw herself on her couch.

'Just one luckily. Nearly slammed the door in her face. Apparently my short hair was quite the conversation piece.' As Jack took a breath, Sam immediately regretted her implication.

'Oooooh.' Her eyes closed and Sam felt her face twitch.

'Don't.' She warned but a touch jokingly. She was definitely not in the mood.

'Sorry.' Yeah right. Sam rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the smile.

'No you're not.'

'Yeah what can I say…'

'Ass.'

'You love me anyway.'

'I am seriously reconsidering that.'

'So you sound like you need food and a drink. A strong one.'

'Indeed. Unfortunately our big guy did not refill my wine cabinet.' There was a series of odd noises on the other end. Bags rustling, something clinking. Jack mumbled something to himself. Sam tried to figure out what was going on.

'Jack? What are you doing?'

'Avoiding Dad.' She understood the impulse, really she did. It wasn't like she wasn't guilty of the same impulse. A sudden mental image of Jack hiding beneath his desk sprang up. Sam took a moment to stop the giggle.

'Yeah, I'm not looking forward to that conversation.' There was an unexpected pause. Sam was expecting a similar thought or a joke.

'Say, Sam, could you come to the door?' A door slamming outside caught her attention. As she stood up a small part of her wished he had warned her. It was silly really. The man had seen her covered in mud, blood and god knows what else. So why was she worried about being in ratty sweats?

She opened the door to see Jack waving overly enthusiastically at the ladies of her neighbourhood. Loaded with Chinese and wine.

Oh she adored this man.

'You going to keep flirting or give me the wine?' As she leaned against the frame of her door, he dawdled. Then winked.

'Ladies!' He called out once more with feigned gallantry. Sam shook her head and took one of the bags from him. He waved off her attempts to take another. She peered in the bag as she followed him in.

'Ooo prawn toast.'

'I even have ice cream.' He threw back, entering her kitchen. Her head shot up. Jack smiled as she skidded into the room.

'Where!?'

'Not now, later.' He shooed her out of the way. Gathering up plates and cutlery while keeping her away from the dessert.

'Awww.' Sam couldn't help the pout. Sitting up on the countertop watching him pitifully as he made himself at home. Her fingers inched towards one closed bag. A spoon lightly discouraged their wanderings. It then poked her nose and she stuck her tongue out.

'Who knew Samantha Carter was capable of being so childish?' He looked at her from the corner of his eyes. She smiled innocently. Also taking a moment to breath in the smell of the food. She hopped down off the counter.

'I'll go set up inside. Since someone refuses to share with me.' She pulled a face, which he mirrored. She picked up the glasses and cutlery and left the room giggling.

'I even bring a movie and this is thanks I get.'

'Gratitude depends on the ice cream and the movie.'

'Surprise and The Princess Bride.'

'Yes!'

'Didn't know who were such a fan.'

'It is perfect. Ridiculous and yet with so much heart. Action, hilarity and yet just that perfect touch of…'

'Romance.'

'Oh Westley.'

'Hey, hey, hey.' She laughed as his consternated face appeared in the doorway.

'There's room enough in my heart for two.' She winked. 'Could you hand me the side plates?' She asked a touch of laughter in her voice.

'As you wish.' He passed her the plates. Voice lowered and bowing deeply. She laughed loudly.

Jack opened his mouth and then paused. Sam glanced around. Something had caught his attention. What it was Sam had a few guesses but no solid answer.

'Sam!' Of course. She should have known.

'Hi Daniel.' Sam called out pulling a face at Jack. Jack straightened and rubbed at his scarred eyebrow.

'Teal'c's with me!'

'I assumed.' She said, shaking her head. Jack rolled his eyes.

'You need more cutlery.' He disappeared from the room.

'Jack!?' Daniel appeared, watching his friend walk away. He seemed to be questioning his eyesight.

'Why are you here?'

'Why are you?' Jack retorted mimicking his friends bewilderment.

'Touché.'

'Did you bring food? We don't have enough for four.' Sam asked. Daniel finally focused on her. And jerked his thumb behind him just as Teal'c appeared.

'Food and beer.'

'I hope light for you Danny.'

'I'm not that bad.'

'Last time you got drunk you kept telling me I was a man of deep waters.' Jack came in with an obscene amount of food. Sam laughed looking at Daniel. The man in question gave a withering glare. Jack shrugged. Teal'c looked impassive. Jack passed her a generous glass of wine.

'There goes that plan.' He muttered to her. Sam smiled ruefully, patting his stomach soothingly. Daniel's jaw dropped. Jack leaned down towards Teal'c.

'I think that he may have figured it out.' He staged whispered. Teal'c looked up, nodding in agreement.

'I believe you are correct O'Neill.'

'I- uh- what. But! Sam? Jack?'

'Daniel?' They asked as one. Daniels eyebrows twisted in an elaborate tango. It was quite impressive.

'Seriously?!'

'You don't approve?'Jack snapped. Sam took a hearty glug of wine, swallowing the 'oh boy' comment flittering on her tongue.

'Yes, I mean no. I don't know?' Sam sat down next to Teal'c trying not to wince. To most people he was impassive. Luckily her year away had not diminished her deciphering skills. From the slight tremor in his left eyebrow and the set nature of his eyes, he was annoyed. She felt his pain.

'How's Ry'ac?' She asked. Loudly.

'He is well. Bra'tac is pleased with his skills.' Teal'c smiled broadly. Well broadly for him, a nice thing to see.

'He must be doing incredibly well. I don't remember him ever saying he was pleased with you at that age.'

'He was not.' She grinned at the proud look on his face. Almost preening in the joy of his sons achievements.

'I'm not surprised. He's an intelligent boy.'

'Of course.'

They turned back to the other two. Daniel was quiet. The revelation that two of his friends were involved seemed to have short circuited his mind. Jack was seriously peeved. He flung himself into a chair. Face sour as he downed a bottle of Guinness. She grabbed his hand. Daniel looked at the sight.

'Does Jacob know? General Hammond? Janet?'

'No, yes and yes.' Sam answered as Jack stiffened next to her. Once again he was imagining the carnage. He needed to stop doing that. It was causing her to do it. And Sam had years of experience to embellish the situation with.

'Oh. Good thing he couldn't come.'

'Yeah he's visiting Mark.' She nodded, forcing the horror out of her head.

'You're not?' Sam's brow knitted. Jack looked her up and down. As though checking she wasn't an imposter or had suddenly vanished. She imitated him jokingly. Daniel sighed heavily, pulling at his collar.

'I spoke to him. And we've been told to take re-assimilating back slowly.'

'Food!' Jack interrupted. He squeezed her hand and left the room once more. Teal'c followed him. For once there was an awkward silence between her and Daniel. She was not comfortable with it.

'Sorry it's just weird for me.' There was something in his voice. Melancholy. Sadness. Sha're. Dnaiel was still mourning her. Then two of his dearest friends were stranded for a year. And then they arrive back in a relationship. Sam had thought this might be an issue. Not that Daniel would make it out to be one. It had to be tough experiencing all those changes.

'Must be hard.'

'There is an element of that, yeah.' He avoided her gaze. Daniel didn't want or need to see what was in her eyes. It had probably been bouncing around in his head since he say their exchange of affection.

She stood up and sat down next to him. Sam laid a hand on his forearm, squeezing it gently. Trying to get him to focus on her.

'I had this whole speech prepared. But Jack just had to ruin it.' She sighed melodramatically, sitting back and shaking her head. There was a moment. Then a tiny smile, rapidly overwhelmed by a mock scornful look.

'Why are you with a man who would ruin a perfectly good speech?'

'Saves time.' She acquiesced graciously.

'And you like him.' She hesitated for a moment. Daniel stared at her, one eyebrow shooting upwards. He asked the question by blinking. Sam shrugged. He hmm'd and blinked some more.

'I'm happy for you both.'

'You seem mostly stunned, stymied and startled.'

'I am all of those things.'

'Food!' Teal'c and Jack came in; food almost falling off the plates there was so much. They stood up and took varying bits and pieces. Jack handed Daniel a beer. Daniel glanced at Sam and then pulled him in for a bear hug. Teal'c continued as he started, putting everything out.

'Thank you Daniel.'

'You hurt her, she'll kill you.' He poked his shoulder and sat down. Jack's jaw dropped. Sam clapped a hand to her mouth laughing.

'He's not wrong.' She patted his shoulder and sat down. Daniel was near tears at this point. Teal'c was nodding in agreement. Which naturally just added to the humour of the moment.

Sam sat which her legs strewn across Jack, dozing lightly. Daniel and Teal'c had just left. A quick flash of light lit up the room.

'Teal'c finally got a license.' Jack nodded, rather proud.

'I'm glad he's understood that even he had to follow the speed limits.' Jack just looked at her.

'Oh shut up.' She pushed his hip with her foot, pouting a little.

'You have no right to judge him. I have seen your tickets.' She just glared at him. Sam would maintain to her dying day that those tickets should be tax deductable. Most had been obtained darting back to the base.

'I can't believe Teal'c taped all The Simpsons for me.' Jack almost looked misty eyed. She smiled softly.

'I just can't believe that I am too tired for The Princess Bride.'

'There's always tomorrow, but there is time for ice cream today.'

'There is always time for ice cream.' He winked and she grinned. Jack ignored her protests as he went t get the food. She leaned on the back on the couch watching him go.

'Why are you not letting me do anything?'

'You do too much.'

'Jaaack. It's ice cream, not moving the earth.'

'Pish posh.' Her head dropped back in annoyance. The phone rang loudly. Sam stretched as she moved to get it.

'Carter.'

'Sam!'

'Hey Dad!' She exclaimed loudly. Jack froze comically; nearly dropping the spoons. Sam pulled a face and shooed him with her free hand.

'How's Mark doing?'

'I think he has gotten over the shock. He is mostly demanding visitation.' Dad was trying to sound tired and put upon. The warmth in his voice was palpable.

'He is or Lauren and the kids are?'

'Auntie Sam does have the best stories.'

'That she does.' Sam couldn't help but agree. Jack tiptoed past her.

'So you back tomorrow?' She continued watching Jack sneak into the sitting room. She padded up and down the hallway.

'Tomorrow afternoon. So maybe we can talk about what is making you so tense and anxious.' Sam couldn't stop the wince. Even she had bothered to try to.

'I'm not-'

'You are wincing right now Sam.' She rolled her eyes.

'I really hate how observant Selmak has made you.'

'She thanks you for the complement and apologises for it too.'

'So she should.' She muttered childishly.

'Okay Mark is staring. I better go.'

'See you tomorrow.'

'Love you kiddo.' A knot in her gut jumped uncomfortably.

'Hey Sam.' Mark took the phone. The knot in her gut was not going to be pausing its acrobatic display any time soon. Though less annoyed then earlier, there was still a level of awkwardness in Marks tone.

'Hi, I've heard you've yet to kill Dad.' Try to break the ice Sam. She told her herself. They were only just getting back on track before her year away.

'It's a record I know.'

They both laughed. Jack stuck his head out looking confused. She waved him off.

'At least he'll be off your hands tomorrow.'

'And back on yours. He's been paranoid about you.' Mark said pointedly.

'Oh.' The headache from earlier roared back into life.

'And judging on that tone, he has good reason.'

'It's been a year, things have changed.'

'For better or worse?'

'It's good, really good.'

'Dad's going to flip isn't he?'

'It is a possibility.'

'Mom used to do that.' The comment was unexpected. Sam found herself trying to wrap her mind around the leap.

'What?'

'Equivocate.'

'Some would call it being diplomatic.'

'Whatever you say Sam.' Mark chuckled and bid her a good night. Sam promised to visit as soon as she could. She clapped her hands on her eyes and groaned, loudly.

'Tomorrow then?' Jack leaned against the doorframe. Her hands, stil clamped around her face muffled the yell.

'Kill me now.'

'Never mind you!' She reached over and smacked his arm. Jack held his hands up in surrender.

'I am as screwed as you are.'

'Yup. We are equally fucked.' He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in close.

'I always suspected that there would be a Carter killing eventually.' She mused as Jack steered her back to the sitting room.

'But you thought you'd be the one doing the killing.'

'I figured Mark would make a comment and I would snap.' She agreed. Leaning against Jack as they sat on the couch she stared up at the ceiling.

'I hope Daniel comes up with good eulogies.' He mused, face overly thoughtful. She buried her face in his shoulder and smiled.

'I think Teal'c would do a good job.'

'Yeah, poignant, saying so much with so little.'

They sat in comfortable silence. Jack twiddling with the hair at the nape of her neck.

'Nice t-shirt by the way.' He commented lightly. She rolled her head back to look up at him. They both laughed again. It hadn't been that long since they were on Edora, but it seen like an ages since they were just allowed to be. Lazy evenings fishing and talking, or not talking.

'What?' He nudged her, jolting her out of her thoughts.

'Hm?'

'What was that little smirk?'

'Nothin'.' His eyes narrowed at her, unconvinced.

'I'm sure.' He smirked, knowing full well what was going on in her head.

'I better go.' He added a while later. Sam frowned, snuggling in a bit closer.

'Do you have to?' Sam Carter did not whine. She refused to admit that she was, it was close but not quite.

'Don't look at me like that. If I stay longer, I'm not going to leave and then Dad will show up in the morning and kill me.'

'Well when you put it like that…' She mumbled into his chest. Jack sighed.

'You need to get off.'

'Awww.'

She moved reluctantly. Jack stood up as unwillingly, taking his sweet time in doing so. He picked up the remaining bottles and fortune cookie wrappers. Sam took a moment.

'You parked outside right?'

'Yeah.' Jack paused looking a bit confused.

'You need to get a taxi, or stay.'

He blinked and considered it.

'Oh yeah.'

'I have the spare gear bags in the study.'

'Why do we have spare gear bags?'

'Teal'c thought it was warranted after the "rendezvous of '99".'

'Oh yeah, Daniel wandering sans pants.'

'In your neighbours garden.'

They winced at each other. Sam took a couple of the bottles from him.

'No funny business.'

'Jaaaack.'

'Things are perfectly square yet. Also there is the Dad issue. Knowing my luck…'

Sam had the sudden mental image of Dad bursting in on them. The horror even from an imagined interruption by her father was almost too much.

'You might have a point there.' They cleaned up quickly and relatively efficiently. Jack said no funny business, but mischief was fair game.

'I have set the alarm so I will be out of here before Jacob arrives.' He dug through his gear bag, perched on the side of the bed.

'Dad didn't give me a time.' She shimmed out of her sweats. Jack waved her comment off, determined to elude her father.

'I am going to tell him tomorrow. Might be best to wait around. Face it head on.' He looked up, a trace of guilt in his eyes.

'You want me here.' She paused, shorts half way up her legs. Jack froze realising what he had said.

'I want to be there, but I also don't.'

'Then we are in agreement.'

She sat down on the bed, brushing her hair slowly. Jack was brushing his teeth.

'You know, Daniel took it a lot better than I thought he would.' He poked his head around the door, foaming slightly at the mouth.

'He's still working through it. But I don't think he has any issue with us.' She agreed. Jack's head cocked for a moment. He vanished back into the bathroom. Sam paused wondering what caused him to consider her. He stepped out, patting his face dry.

'It's just different… "us" here.'

'Feels more real.' She slid in under the covers, curling up.

Sam jolted awake. Jack was similarly startled.

'Are, are those the claxons?' She managed to spit out, half blinded by the sun.

'Yeah.'

'Since when does my alarm make that noise?'

'I changed it last night.'

She blinked at him sluggishly. He rolled out of bed. She flopped back on the bed, determined not to move unless absolutely necessary. Life and death really. Jack hopped a little bit. A touch of stiffness in the morning. Sam yawned and stretched slowly. Taking a moment to blink at the sunlit street. The shower hummed and she continued to bath in the light.

So caught in her reverie that she missed the tell tale rumble of a car outside. Jack appeared in her room just as the door slammed.

'Sam? You awake?'

Jack dropped the towel in surprise. They moved faster then either of them thought possible. Sam tossing his go bag at him, both of them scrambling to hide the evidence of his presence.

'Just a minute Dad!' She called out hoping panic was only audible to her ears.

Jack now hoping into his boxers looked at her, worried.

What do I do? He mouthed at her gesturing as best he could whilst dressing.

Hide. Sneak out and "come back for your truck"? She suggested air quotes and all. He looked at her as though she was insane. She shot him a look challenging him to do better.

'Sammy are you okay?'

Jack's bit down on a laugh and she found herself shoving him into the ensuite. She braided her hair and pulled on a pair of sweats.

'Hey, I thought you were coming back this afternoon?' She asked as she entered the kitchen, where Jacob was preparing breakfast.

'Plans changed. Gar'shaw needs us back apparently.'

'Oh pity.'

Jacob shrugged passing her a coffee. The air was not completely comfortable as they sat down. It was totally awkward however. Sam tried to think of something to say.

'So when is Jack coming out of your bathroom?'

She froze mid way to having a bite of a scone.

'Oh yeah the staring vacantly look is wonderful. Jack!' Sam wasn't sure if the calmness in Jacobs voice was a good thing or a bad thing.

'Hi?' Jack slowly trudged in. Bedraggled and nervous.

'Anything either of you would like to say?'

Jack sat next to her. He tried to say something but wasn't sure what would help. Jacob looked passive as he watched them. Then Sam got annoyed, really annoyed.

'How about we're grown adults who make our own decisions?' The others flinched at her words. Jacob quickly turned angry but Sam wasn't having it. 'No you don't get to judge me or yell at me. I AM NOT A CHILD.'

'And I'm happy.' She finished pointedly. 'Yes I said it.' Jack grinned. 'That's all you wanted for me right?'

Jacob opened his mouth but words failed him completely.

Breakfast was a quiet affair.

First off APOLOGIES A MILLION APOLOGIES FOR THE DELAY.

My life has changed MASSIVELY since the last update. I am back to sciencing living in Dublin and living the life!

So I am working on this as hard as I can. I think there will be a couple more chapters so hopefully you all haven't given up on me!

So much love in the verse here.

Saidbhinluch!