Disclaimer: I don't own any of it.

This fic is for the Sam/Jack Ficathon. It's very late and I apologize! But due to RL and lack of inspiration…it took this long.

This was written for sg-1fanintn. These were her specifications:

Three things I want to see in the fic: S & J unwavering commitment to each other, a little action and adventure. Three things I don't want to see in the fic: S or J interested in other people, Pete, S & J with lots of kidlets

At first, this story might appear completely opposite of what she has requested. But stick with it and I think it will meet the specs. This story is also quite different than anything else I've posted, so… crosses fingers If you don't like angst, turn back now!

I have posted the first two chapters tonight. Beginning tomorrow night, I plan to post two chapters a day-one in the morning and one at night. I just have to get them proofed.

Special thanks to all my GW/YIM/RL buddies who were a great help-you know who you are. I also have to thank SamO'Neill on GW a bit extra because this was her idea, I just expanded on it. She gave it to me months ago and it fit this ficathon so perfectly. Oh, and she wrote my summary. :)

What Is Love

What is love not tested?

What is commitment not tried?

Sam ran full speed towards the gate, Daniel and Teal'c at her heels. This was not good. So not good. They had arrived on P3X-589 with the knowledge there was a settlement not far from the gate, somewhat advanced by the looks of it. They had not made it as far as the town…

Sam, Teal'c, and Daniel walked down the well-worn trail. The first sun was beginning to dip below the horizon as the other rose. It was serene, until a figure came barreling out of the woodwork, headed straight towards Sam.

She didn't even have time to react before he was upon her. Sam pushed him away quickly and Teal'c grabbed him roughly by the arms, pulling him from his teammate.

"Sam?" Daniel asked, worry evident in his voice.

Sam was already looking in shock at her hand. It was stained with blood. She wiped her hand furiously against her pant leg.

"Let me go! They're coming!" the man cried, fighting against Teal'c's hold.

"Who?" Sam asked, as she worked on decontaminating her hands. She scrubbed at the red, disgusted.

"Them. They're…they're going to kill me! Please!"

Sam took in the man's haggard appearance and the wounds he sported. This man didn't intend to hurt them. He was scared to death.

"Why?" Teal'c questioned, not relinquishing his grasp.

Sam heard a shot and gasped slightly as the man slumped in Teal'c's arms. Fresh blood seeped from his chest. Teal'c felt for a pulse, then looked to Sam. "He is dead."

It only took Sam a split second to come up with a decision. They were getting the heck out of dodge. "To the gate! Daniel, dial it up as soon as we get there."

The young archaeologist didn't second guess Sam's choice as he heard the shouts come closer.

Sam panted as she neared the gate, praying they'd make it out. Getting home now was more important than ever.

The familiar kawoosh drowned out the sounds of gunfire. Sam put in her code with lightening fast fingers. As soon as she got the confirmation, she waved the rest of her team toward the event horizon. She watched them dive through, and followed soon after.

Sam crept down the hallway, first stopping at the bathroom. She quickly washed up and changed for bed. After their return, she'd gotten hung up in the infirmary and at the debriefing. It was late.

The bedroom door creaked as she opened it, and Sam cringed. She didn't want to disturb him, though she had a feeling he liked the squeaky hinges. It alerted him to her presence; it let him know that she'd made it back.

The room wasn't completely dark, as he'd left the lamp on the lowest setting. His head was buried in the pillow, his upper arms and hands drawn up underneath it. The quilt was pulled around his waist, the dim light casting shadows on his bare back.

Sam smiled lightly, content. She had something, someone, to come home to now. Not that life wasn't worthwhile before…it just hadn't been as fulfilling.

She slipped into the bed, the mattress dipping the slightest bit under her weight. She inched closer to the other warm body in the bed, stretching out along side him. Sam rested her head on his shoulder, letting her fingers glide across his smooth skin.

"Sam?"

She ran her fingers along his spine. "Yeah, Jack?"

"You're back early."

"Mission didn't go as planned," she replied, hiding a yawn.

Jack rolled to his side, disturbing Sam's position. "What?" he asked.

Sam propped her head on her hand and looked at her husband. He was worried. She let her eyes drift closed as Jack tenderly searched her silky skin for imperfection. No matter how many times she went offworld, he always feared her getting injured, even when she had been under his command. It was something that had always been and always would be.

"I'm fine, Jack," she tried to reassure him. Sam's eyes fluttered open as his hand rested on her hip.

"I know. It's just…"

"I know," Sam sympathized. "But if I were really hurt, you'd know it. I can't hide that from you…for long anyway." She sent him a small smirk.

"That's true," Jack agreed, pulling her into his arms. "What went wrong?"

"Hostiles not far from the gate. Got out as soon as we could."

"Daniel and Teal'c?" Jack wondered.

"Everyone made it out alright, Jack. What did you do today?" Sam asked, trying to change the subject.

"Not too much. Got a call from the SGC earlier. I'm going in the day after tomorrow. Some more consulting work."

"Ah."

Jack was newly retired-almost four months. He'd worked in Washington for a year as head of Homeworld Security. After the death of Sam's father, they'd come to terms with their feelings. But still, it wasn't quite time for them. Jack had decided to take the job in Washington for a while, just to make sure the SGC would be left in good hands. That tour of duty had lasted longer than he'd liked, but now Jack was sure General Landry would do what was right for his old command.

As soon as he'd hung up his stars for good, he and Sam and taken that final step. They'd gotten married. Nine years was long enough to wait to be with someone. There had been no beating around the bush. They knew it was for keeps and marriage seemed the next logical step. Jack had moved back to The Springs, into Sam's place. He'd been a little stir crazy at first, but the SGC had contacted him and Jack would go in and help out when he could.

"Well, I'm glad you're back. Maybe we can get a little quality time in before the next mission comes up?" Jack asked, his tone suggestive. He poked her in the side playfully and Sam lifted her head to meet his gaze.

"Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?" There was a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

Sam sighed, smiling ruefully. "I'm really tired, Jack. This is the first night this week I might possibly get a good night's sleep." Sam yawned, as though reinforcing her point.

Jack nodded in understanding and drew her close again. "Then why don't you get some sleep, okay?"

Sam snuggled into his embrace. "Sorry," she said softly, her eyes drooping closed.

"Hey, it's alright. There's always tomorrow," he teased lightheartedly.

"Looking forward to it." Sam lightly poked him in return and Jack could feel her smile against his chest. He reached over and turned the lamp off, blanketing the room in darkness.

It wasn't long before sleep overtook the couple, sheltered in each other's arms.

Sam tapped her fingers on her keyboard in frustration. Her simulations were not yielding the results she wanted. In fact, they were so far off what she would have liked to see, she was baffled. Something must have been entered incorrectly, and that could have only been her fault. She frowned as her gaze bore into the computer screen.

"Whatcha doing?"

Sam's spirits immediately lifted at the sound of her husband's voice. "Hey!" she grinned.

"I've been hard at work all morning," Jack announced, finding a seat in a chair next to Sam. He pushed away from the counter and spun in a circle. "Ready for lunch?"

"Ah…I don't know. I'm having some difficulties with this," she replied, motioning towards her screen.

"Really?" Jack asked, a puzzled expression crossing his face as he studied the numbers and symbols.

"Yeah. I can't figure out what I've done wrong. Maybe-"

"Maybe you can't always be a super genius." Jack said bluntly.

Sam's brows furrowed. She didn't detect the normal humor in his voice. "Well, no, Jack. Of course not."

"So maybe you should let Dr. Lee look at it. He's pretty smart too, ya know. You're sharp Sam, but there are other people who can do your job. Now, lunch?"

"Jack?" Sam was almost at a loss for words. He'd always been nothing but supportive when she'd run into problems at work. Often times, he'd stay late with her in the lab, and that and that alone had gotten her through many long nights. She certainly wasn't the only one who could work on this project, but Jack's words had stung nonetheless.

"Let's get to the commissary before they run out of blue jello. Come on." He grinned brightly, standing to his feet.

Sam raised her eyebrow slightly, baffled. "Okay…" she said slowly. "Let me just find a stopping point." She pushed the nagging thoughts to the back of her head. Blue jello did sound like a good idea. Finishing up, she turned to Jack and gave him a small smile. "Lunch?"