Nights at the Round Table
Nights at the Round Table
by Cathartik Entity
Title: Nights at the Round Table
Author: Cathartik Entity
Email: cathartik_entity@hotmail.com
Category: Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Episode related: 312 Jolinars Memories 1
Season: Season 3
Pairing: none, Sam/Jack, UST
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: adult themes
Summary: Sam hallucinates a Celtic love triangle while Jack contemplates his growing emotions.
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. I have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author(s).
Title: Nights at the Round Table
Author: Cathartik Entity
Email: cathartik_entity@hotmail.com
Category: S/J Romance, Celtic legend
Spoilers: Minor for Out of Mind and Point of View and names and such, some things slightly correspond with the Stargate plot such as Tok'ra, Goa'uld, and Jolinar's Memories
Season/Sequel info: Season 3
Rating: PG-13
Content Warnings: Mentions of rape, sexual innuendo
Summary: Sam hallucinates a Celtic love triangle, while Jack contemplates his growing emotions.
Author's notes: OK, this is the first fic I've ever let anyone read so go easy on me please!!! It's is loosely based on the book Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It's the legend of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot (using the traditional spelling...). I used a lot of the situations from the book so if you've read it it makes more sense than if you haven't. I changed the whole Lancelot-Guinevere separation, though, so the ending isn't the same. But still, if you know the Arthurian legend you shouldn't have any trouble imagining that Daniel is King Arthur, Jack is Lancelot and Sam is Guinevere. I wrote this a long time before I really understood the series...so it's sort of strange that way. -- denotes the beginning of a real-time section -(-)~(-)- denotes the beginning of a hallucination section
Disclaimer: Not mine. Belong to those other people.
Feedback: Yes please! No flames tho, I had enough of those on my last trip to Naatu, thank you.
copyright January 2003 Cathartik Entity
--
Colonel Jack O'Neill, Major Samantha Carter, Doctor Daniel Jackson and the former first prime of Apophis, Teal'c, stepped through the Stargate onto an uncharted planet. It was pitch black as they tripped on a piece of wood in front of the Stargate.
"What was that?" Jack yelled at the wood.
"Trap?" Daniel suggested. "Meaning we're not alone?"
"Thank you for the input, Daniel!" Jack replied sarcastically. "Carter, what do you make of it?"
"I'm not sure, Sir," Sam answered, gingerly reaching out and touching the beam. "Teal'c?"
"I do not know, Major Carter," Teal'c responded solemnly.
"Halt!" someone shouted. Teal'c, Jack and Sam quickly drew their guns as a tall, muscular figure strode into view. "Who are you, and how came you through the Silver Circles?"
"Hello," Jack called out. "We're, um, friends."
"How can you say you are friends if I have never seen you?" the man asked curiously, holding a lantern and an unrecognizable weapon.
"Well..." Jack turned to Sam for support. Sam shrugged.
"Wait!" the man squinted. "Are you not Jack O'Neill of Earth?"
"Actually, yeah, I am," Jack replied with a small smile.
"That means you must be Samantha Carter, and you Daniel Jackson, and you are Teal'c, Jaffa warrior," the man said pointing to each member of SG-1 in turn.
The team nodded. The man's suspicious glare quickly transformed in a warm smile. "If you are who you say you are, I require some means of identification."
"What do you want to know?" Sam questioned, lowering her gun.
"Who are the Tok'ra?" he asked, sounding as if he knew they wouldn't know the answer.
"Who are you?" Jack demanded.
The man looked slightly offended, but without hesitation he answered, "I go by the name of Gawain."
"That's...Celtic," Daniel said slowly. "Knights of the Round Table."
"I repeat, who are the Tok'ra?"
In the light of the flickering lantern, Jack turned to Sam. Sam shook her head, he could tell Gawain.
"They're...um...not like the Goa'uld," Jack said lamely. Sam rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
"They may be distant relatives of the Goa'uld," Sam corrected. "But they don't act like them. The Goa'uld are trying to take over the universe, but the Tok'ra want to stop the Goa'uld. They're allies to the Tau'ri...my father is one."
"You are SG-1!" Gawain hissed with contempt.
"Yeah, we are." Jack answered. Gawain brandished his weapon and a pale blue gas rose. Sam slipped to the ground.
"Hey! What was that for?" Jack yelled, running over to his subordinate. Daniel and Teal'c were close behind.
"Strange," Gawain said in confusion. "You were not affected by my hallucination mist. I wonder why?"
"Perhaps because it is set to `female'," said a woman's voice from behind Gawain.
"If that is so, Morgaine, my cousin, why were you not overcome?" Gawain rolled his eyes. Jack, Daniel and Teal'c looked up with interest as a tiny, aged woman with dark hair and eyes and a black cloak walked closer.
"Because I am a priestess!" Morgaine replied haughtily. "Also because I created the weapon you hold before you."
"Morgaine..." Daniel mumbled. Jack turned to Daniel. "Nothing." Daniel smiled weakly. "Just...if we are in a Celtic legend, Morgan Le Fay was one of the most powerful witches ever..."
"Great," Jack replied sarcastically. He looked down at Sam. "Now, come on, let's try to wake Carter up."
"Thou wilt not wake her up," Morgaine appeared suddenly before them. "'Tis impossible. The wench you call Samantha is drugged. Within moments she will be vividly hallucinating."
"Which is why we must get her to my castle immediately!" exclaimed Gawain. "I have seen what your hallucinations can do, cousin. Depending on the lady's illusion, she could become a full-fledged knight! How much time do we have?"
"Mere minutes," Morgaine replied. "The female illusions take effect much more rapidly than the men's. Shall I use my magic so we may get to your castle sooner?"
"Anything, as long as we can get her into the Queria." Gawain answered.
"What?" Jack interjected, extremely confused. "Where are you taking her?"
"My castle," Gawain replied as if he were speaking to a 5-year-old. "And you are to come with me."
"And if we refuse?" Daniel asked, standing.
"You will not refuse," Morgaine smiled definitely. "For whether you come or not, the wench will proceed to Gawain's castle. And I sense a deep longing from one of you. You will not let Samantha die without attempting to save her."
With those words Jack turned scarlet. He was thankful the light Gawain held was far enough away so that the blackness of night cloaked his face. "We go." He said gruffly.
Morgaine smiled again. "Are you the one?" she asked Jack as he and Teal'c stood. "Are you the man who wishes to have Samantha for his own bidding?"
"We're not allowed," Jack said shortly. But Daniel and Teal'c were exchanging looks behind his back.
"Love is powerful," Morgaine replied. "It is not an emotion; rather it is a force. You cannot control it. If you do love this woman, nothing will be able to keep you from her."
"Okay, enough with the destiny stuff." Jack shouted. "If we're going to this castle, let's go."
"A wise choice," Gawain said. "Morgaine? May I ask you to transport us to my dwelling before the maiden begins hallucinating?"
Morgaine nodded. "All of us must be touching," she stated softly. Gawain moved closer to SG-1 and Morgaine. Jack knelt down beside Sam and placed a hand on her arm. Daniel put his hand on Jack's shoulder.
With the mumblings of Morgaine, they were quite suddenly in a frigid stone chamber. It was entirely enclosed, with only a tall stone door for means of entering and leaving. The room held a round table with 5 seats at it and a glass compartment about 2 metres high and 4 feet wide. There was little light, but from the glinting of Gawain's lantern Jack saw there were several torches circling the chamber. Dreary and grey, the room seemed unwelcome to anyone who might have entered.
Jack still had his hand on Sam, and she stirred. Morgaine saw this and quickly stepped towards the glass chamber. "Quickly, Gawain, get her into the Queria!" Morgaine opened the concealed door of the chamber. Gawain lifted Sam off the floor and Jack felt a pang of sadness at his heart. Standing her upright, Gawain placed Sam in the chamber. As soon as Gawain's hands left Sam's body, Morgaine whisked the door shut. Sam slumped against it. Morgaine said something unrecognizable and turned to the male quotient of SG-1.
"The Queria is now soundproof. We will not hear anything she says, and she will not hear us."
Jack stood abruptly and ran to the Queria. He looked at Sam for a few moments, silent as her forehead pressed against the cool glass. Without any warning, Sam stood straight up as if in a line for inspection. Jack jumped away from the Queria, his heart beating quickly.
"What the hell was that?" he exclaimed as Sam, her eyes still shut, began moving inside the glass closet.
Morgaine shook her head sadly. "It always pains me to see the victims," she said quietly. "She has begun her illusion." Morgaine turned away from the Queria and the helpless woman inside it. "I expect you wish to know why my cousin, the valiant Sir Gawain, has taken the fair wench Samantha captive?"
"Don't call her a wench," Jack said automatically, surprising himself. "But, yeah, that would be appreciated."
Morgaine just smirked at him. "And also why he did not harm you?"
"That would also be desirable, Lady Morgaine," Teal'c replied.
"Very well. But you must let us rest first. We are in need of it; we have stayed awake very late preparing for this." Morgaine sighed. "We will leave you with the wench," Morgaine snapped pointedly at Jack. "But we will return before sunrise." And with that Morgaine and Gawain left through the tall metal doors.
Daniel and Teal'c turned to Jack with questions in their eyes, but Jack shook his head and looked away. His gaze strayed to Sam, locked inside a `Queria', whatever that was, and moving about as if she were conscious. But her eyes were closed. Jack sighed unwillingly, and shifted his stare to the silver doors.
-(-)~(-)-
"Are you saying that I am to marry the High King?" The princess of Summer Country gasped.
Her father nodded. "Yes, my daughter. Out of dozens of worthy princesses, King Daniel has chosen you for his bride."
"I...I don't know what to say," she whispered. "Why has King Daniel chosen me when he has never laid eyes upon me?"
"He was impressed by my dowry, no doubt," the king said slightly, not wanting to upset his cherished daughter but not wanting to lie to her either. "But I am certain that when he sees you he will certainly find you an excellent wife."
The princess bit her lip. "I should find it difficult to be a High Queen, Father."
"Now is not the time for matters so trivial!" the king exploded. "You are to be the queen of all that is good; why do you resist such an honour?"
"Because I've never wanted to live my life any differently!" she raged. "I would be quite content to life in your castle my entire life, or to become a nun!"
The king struck her, not very hard, across her cheek. "How do you dare say that! Your fate is to marry the High King, our lord Daniel. You will leave in a fortnight. Now be gone before I become upset."
The princess rushed, weeping, from the common room. She had always thought she would be able to do as she pleased, and that if she truly wanted to would have been able to leave for a convent. But now her father was dashing any of her hopes.
"King Daniel," she said to herself through tears, making her way up to her chamber. The words sounded strange and foreign. Naturally she knew of the High King. He was only the most famous person in all of Britain. But she had never come face to face with him. He was supposedly very handsome, and kind, and good, and all the things a woman would want in a man. But she had always hated arranged marriages. They were strict and confining.
She stood at the entrance to her room and pushed the door open with a pang of sadness. When she wed King Daniel, this room would no longer be her own. Perhaps her brother, Prince Mark, would take it. She shivered with contempt.
She had always known the chamber as her own. A rug, given to her by a travelling priest, hung on the wall. When she was upset or sad, she would look at the rug and try to understand the swirling patterns of colours. There was blue there, green here, yellow and orange and purple and grey everywhere. But although nearly every colour of the rainbow was in the tapestry, red was most certainly the dominant colour.
She sat on her bed, resigned to dreaming that perhaps one day she would be able to break free of being High Queen (something she had never had ambitions for), and be able to return to her home.
--
Since there were no windows in the chamber SG-1 had been placed in, Jack didn't know if it was close to sunrise. He had been in the room for less than an hour, but already he was growing impatient. One of his best friends was locked in a glass cage, and even Teal'c was becoming restless.
Sam's eyes opened slightly; she saw through strained, blurred eyes her friends and a round table before falling back into a dream so vivid it was real.
-(-)~(-)-
The allotted fortnight had passed quickly and uneventfully. She had done everything in her power to sway her father's will, but the king of Summer Country would have none of it. In sooner than a week, she thought sadly as she waited outside her castle with her father for one of King Daniel's men. I will be wed. My life that I have known for an eternity will be lost to me.
She stood quietly, obediently, as she always had. Within the quarter-hour, a flag displaying a serpent with a knife through its heart was in her line of vision.
"They arrive," her father said, almost breathlessly. For the first time, she considered that her father might be as upset with this arrangement as she was. Surely it was not easy to see his eldest child leave him?
In minutes the cavalry was at hand in front of the castle. The most handsome man she had ever set eyes upon jumped from his horse and strode confidently towards her father.
"King Jacob of Summer Country," the man said with a smile. He bowed his head.
"Sir Jack," Jacob said, returning the smile. "This is my daughter, Princess Samantha."
When Jack looked at her, Samantha felt a rush of emotion, a passion she had never before known. Deep in the chocolate brown eyes of the stranger was a world she longed to be lost in, to know. He held her gaze for what was longer than appropriate.
Jack felt a tingle of desire flow through his body as he looked into the sapphire eyes of the young Princess Samantha. In them he saw a frightened girl, but the girl shared those eyes with a dazzling, youthful woman. Sir Jack was at once entranced.
But the spell that they both had felt faded as King Jacob cleared his throat. Belatedly Jack knelt before Samantha and kissed her hand.
"My queen," he said softly, in a voice as melodious as the tones of the bard's harp.
Samantha came crashing back to reality hard. It was true, she would be the High Queen in a matter of days. She was betrothed to King Daniel, and she could not betray him before she wed.
But the eyes of Sir Jack, warm and loving, full of want and need, would not leave her as her father and Jack began talking of transportation.
"I bid you travel on horseback with me, my lady," Jack asked gently, bringing Samantha into the conversation.
"I - I have never ridden before." Samantha fibbed.
"You lie," Jacob said coarsely. "If Sir Jack wishes you to travel horseback with him, you will do as he commands."
Samantha glared at her father. How dare he treat her as a child when she was about to be married! And in front of Sir Jack as well!
"No," Jack laughed, winking at Samantha. Samantha blushed. "If the High Queen wishes to reside in the litter for the duration of our travels, that is perfectly fine with me." "I would like that," Samantha replied softly. Jacob hesitated, but nodded.
"Very well."
"We should go as soon as possible; get you to your husband so you may get acquainted." Jack remarked mildly. "Are you ready to leave, or do you wish to stay awhile longer?"
Samantha had already said her goodbyes to everyone and everything in the castle. "I will go now, if that is what is best."
"I will prepare the litter," Jack said, bowing again and walking back to the caravan.
Samantha sighed unwillingly. Jacob turned to her.
"You are betrothed to the most worthy man in all of Britain, my daughter, remember that." He said lightly. Samantha nodded.
"I know, Father." Impulsively she hugged him. "Goodbye."
Jacob sighed sadly and returned the embrace. "I love you, Samantha."
"I love you, Father," she said, leaving and walking towards the cavalry.
When she reached the litter, she climbed into it cautiously. In a few moments, the horses began to move. There were not many; only a dozen men had come. Samantha had not brought any luggage, save for the tapestry from her walls. Nothing material was of any importance to her; it could all be made again. But her father, as a wedding gift to King Daniel, had sent a massive, round table that required 3 oxen to move it. Jack had brought the oxen with him, and Samantha waved as she left everything she had known. The forest was brilliant and colourful as they travelled onward. Samantha was enchanted by all the marvellous things she had never seen. She was the only female there, and she wished there was another to whom she could share the sights with.
A half-hour later, Samantha was aware of the sounds of hoofs trotting alongside her litter. She turned to face the man beside her, and was pleasantly surprised to find Sir Jack smiling at her.
"Are you not supposed to be at the front?" Samantha asked teasingly.
Jack grinned. "King Daniel believes all are equal."
"Tell me," Samantha said hesitantly. "Do you know - King Daniel well?"
"He is my dearest friend, and my cousin," Jack replied honestly. "Why do you ask?"
"I'm to marry the man and I've never once set eyes upon him!" Samantha exclaimed. "The legend of the sword in the stone - is that true?"
Jack nodded, making sure to keep pace with the litter. "Yes, my queen."
"And - forgive me for asking - is he handsome?" Samantha berated herself silently as the words left her mouth.
Jack startled. "I would not know," he said carefully. "Many women believe he is, but I personally think that is a matter of opinion. You may think him stunning or revolting, but he is a wonderful man and will certainly be a faithful husband."
Samantha nodded slowly. "I understand." Hesitantly, she asked her next question. "Has he ever spoken of me? Ever wondered what I was like?"
"He did, once," Jack replied thoughtfully. "Yes; he asked his men whether they knew of the princess of Summer Country, Samantha...but other than that he has not said anything to me."
"Oh." Samantha settled into an awkward silence. Jack wanted to speak more, but he knew it was impolite to push something, especially with the High Queen. So after a few moments, he led his horse further up along the caravan. Samantha felt a rip at her heart; was it possible she cared for the handsome man-at-arms?
I mustn't think such thoughts, she thought. I am to be wed to the High King; and I must prepare myself in that matter. To fall for another before I even judge my future husband would be stupidity. And so Samantha sat, silent, until they stopped for rest when night fell.
Even then she said nothing unless someone else spoke to her. She didn't miss the glances Jack sent her way; and she was certain he saw she ones she gave him. Later that night, before Samantha went to her tent to sleep, Jack sat beside her near the fire and spoke to her.
"Are you excited to be going to Camelot?" he asked delicately.
Samantha shrugged. "I am excited to be going," she replied. "But I do not want to marry."
"How old are you, Princess Samantha?" Jack asked.
Samantha looked at him in surprise. "I am 33."
Jack nodded. "That is well past the time you should have married."
"Are you reprimanding me?" Samantha demanded, her pride wounded.
"No, no, my queen, I would never deliberately hurt you," Jack said quickly, not wanting to lose their new-found friendship. "I am sorry if I have upset you - "
"I am tired." Samantha said shortly. "If you need me I will be in my tent." And with a swish of her skirts, Samantha stood and left a bewildered Jack fireside.
When dawn befell the camp, Samantha woke and began to think about her actions the night before. Certainly Jack hadn't meant anything by it; and she had been rude anyway. Upset by her own performance, she set out to make amends.
Jack was standing by himself, waking horses and setting up the things for the journey to Camelot.
"Sir!" Samantha found herself calling. "A word with you, if I may?"
Jack stepped away from his task and walked towards Samantha. "Good morning, my queen."
Suddenly Samantha was very self-conscious. Was her gown on properly? Was her long, golden hair as messy as it felt? "Good morning, Sir Jack. I just wanted to apologize for last night, I honestly didn't mean to upset you - "
"You didn't," Jack said smilingly. "I figured you couldn't have been too mad at me. So are you ready for Camelot?"
Samantha nodded, her face bright with a smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."
--
The door opened. Jack, Daniel and Teal'c, each of whom had been sitting on chairs at the round table, flew to their feet as Gawain and Morgaine entered.
"We have rested and are ready to tell you why you are here," Morgaine said. "If you wish to sit..." Morgaine and Gawain sat on the hard, wooden chairs. The trio followed suit.
"We are not your enemies," Gawain declared as soon as they were seated.
"Gawain, perhaps it is wiser if I tell the Tau'ri myself," Morgaine interjected gently. Gawain nodded. "Thank you."
Morgaine turned to the three curious men. "We - our people - are the Chruids. As my cousin said, we are not your foe. We are in fact in need of your help."
"There's thousands of races you could have picked; why us?" Daniel questioned suspiciously. Morgaine smiled.
"Because of you, SG-1." She answered.
"What about us?" Jack retorted.
"You are wise. You have much knowledge of what we need to know." Morgaine hesitated before giving her final reason. "We also know you will be sympathetic to us."
"Yeah, that's our weakness," Jack agreed. "So tell us what happened. Why are you here? How do you know about us?"
"Everyone knows you," Gawain interrupted, but a look from Morgaine silenced him.
"Yes, that is true. We are here because...we just are." Morgaine looked slightly puzzled. "We oppose the Goa'uld."
"Sam could tell if they hold Goa'uld," Daniel said suddenly. At the mention of her name, Jack turned his face to the Queria. Sam was sitting now, her mouth set in a straight line. Suddenly her face became warm and her mouth moved.
What are you going through, Sam? He asked himself silently. He was shocked to realize he had thought of `Carter' as Sam.
"They are not Goa'uld," Teal'c confirmed. "If they were, I feel certain they would have disposed of all of us, not just Major Carter."
"Yeah, what did you do that for, anyway?" Jack asked Morgaine.
"We had to be certain you would come with us," Morgaine said apologetically. "I truly am sorry, but it was the only way. Samantha is not permanently harmed; one might say she will be much better after this hallucination."
"Tell about who you are," Daniel put in. "Why should we consider you allies?"
"Our weapon is magic," Morgaine replied. "Powerful magic like no other. We might be able to fight the Goa'uld single-handedly, but I am not prepared to take such a risk. We wish you to tell us everything you know of the Goa'uld and your allies, the Tok'ra, the Asgard, the Nox - and whoever else you feel fit we should know about."
"How can we possibly trust you?" Daniel asked.
Morgaine sighed. "I had hoped it would not come to this. Will you tell me willingly, or must I murder again?"
"What?" Jack yelled.
"Your Samantha Carter is in my possession; she will not suffer any pain if I inject her with poison." Morgaine answered sadly. "You will tell me or she will die."
"You're not killing her," Jack said with such force that Morgaine's stony face softened.
"Do you love her?" she asked him quietly.
Jack felt as if his head was going to explode. "I don't know!"
"Jack, as much as I hate to say this, we can't risk it." Daniel said. "Remember what happened with Hathor, when she cryogenically froze us and we told those Goa'ulds about our allies?"
"So you're saying we let Carter die?" Jack whirled to face him. "Are you insane?"
"Jack, what would Sam say if she were in this situation? Would she want to live, but because she lived Earth would be destroyed? You know she wouldn't do that." Daniel shrugged.
"Daniel, you are on my team and I am your commanding officer." Jack said. It pained him to say it, but he continued. "I will not let her die."
"You love her," Morgaine stated.
Jack shook his head, but Morgaine saw in his eyes that he was lying.
"Then tell us." Morgaine said softly. "Tell us of the threats."
"Morgaine, perhaps we should leave them for an hour or so, let them consider their decision?" Gawain suggested. Morgaine paused, but nodded.
"We will return in 1 hour's time," Morgaine said as she and Gawain left through the doors.
Jack sighed and buried his face in his hands. Do I love her? He asked silently. The woman I've walked through the Stargate with so many times...do I love Sam?
-(-)~(-)-
"We are here, my queen," Jack said as they neared the huge castle at Camelot.
Samantha was astonished at the sight. She drew her breath in sharply at the gigantic stone castle. She had never imagined anything so magnificent. Knights guarded it carefully, clothed in shining armor. The flag of a serpent with a knife through it, the Antigould, was displayed proudly above the drawbridge. Hundreds of civilians stood by the castle, watching and waiting for the High King Daniel to meet his beautiful wife.
"Am I suitable?" Samantha hissed to Jack. Jack smiled kindly at her.
"You are a vision of beauty, my queen," he replied sweetly. Samantha felt her cheeks grow hot.
"Thank you, Sir Jack," Samantha said softly.
They approached the chateau hastily. Samantha slid off her horse with the aid of Sir Jack and brushed herself off. She was nervous beyond words, but she composed herself, nodded to Jack, and stepped forward.
The High King Daniel, surrounded by his Companions, was standing in front of her.
He was handsome, there was no doubt about that. His eyes were blue but warm, and his hair short and sandy brown. He had a kind smile and as Samantha stood before him, he knelt and kissed her hand delicately.
"My lady Samantha," he said with his smile. "It is a blessing to have met you at last."
"Likewise, my king," Samantha returned the smile as he rose.
"And the dowry? The horses, what of them?" he asked, a tint of greed making his eyes less gentle.
Samantha, her pride wounded, held her head high and responded, "My father, the King Jacob of Summer Country, will send you the horses in one day's time. Meanwhile, I have brought with me his wedding gift to you."
Jack was stunned at how coarse the king had been to Samantha; it was the second phrase he had spoken to her and he was already being rude. "My king, Daniel, maybe you should not frighten the maiden while she is still getting to know you."
Daniel knew what Jack was not saying and responded appropriately. "Forgive my rudeness, my lady queen, I am overeager and did not wish to hurt you in any way."
Samantha nodded. "All is forgiven."
"I am glad," Daniel smiled warmly. It had grown dark over the past few minutes; Samantha had not realised how late it was. "Do you wish to rest, Samantha?" he asked kindly.
Samantha nodded again. "That would be appreciated."
Daniel motioned for one of the women standing near the drawbridge to come to him. A young girl with blonde hair stepped forward. "This is Cassandra. She will be one of your women-in-waiting."
Cassandra curtseyed before Samantha, and gave the future High Queen a large grin. "It is a honour to serve you, my lady," she said quietly.
Samantha smiled down at the young girl. "How many years have you, Cassandra?"
"I am 13, my queen."
Nodding slightly, Daniel gave the girl a gentle push. "Oh, yes, please come with me to your room, madam." Cassandra led Samantha up winding staircases and crooning admirers to an elaborately decorated chamber.
"It's spectacular," Samantha remarked the moment she entered. "I have never seen such splendour in my life."
The bed was large and soft, the walls covered in tapestries. Samantha longed for her own tapestry, but she would get that soon, no doubt. She relaxed onto the bed to think things over.
Later that same night, Samantha went over the days events in her mind - the look on Sir Jack's face as she apologized to him, the way the High King had treated her, the smiling young Cassandra...and of course the castle that by tomorrow she would call her own.
And what of the wedding night? She knew that she would have to do the High King's bidding. But Samantha was a virgin, and although not proud of it, it was the truth. Most women had 2 children by the time they were her age. Sitting up, Samantha wiped her eyes. She didn't know what was going to happen; she was afraid of what was going to happen. Standing silently, she walked over to the window. Outside she could make out the form of a horse and a rider...was it Sir Jack?
Samantha scolded herself for her eagerness. He would not want me, she thought sadly. For I am betrothed to the High King, his dearest friend and cousin. Why is it that I must love the one I cannot be with?
Shocked at what she had just thought, Samantha paused. Did she love the daring knight? She had heard that Jack was the most talented horseman in Britain; almost like the mythical centaurs of the Ancients. Although bravery had never quite made Samantha's heart sing, she felt that any information on Sir Jack would be most welcome.
Lying back down, Samantha sighed. By this time tomorrow night, she thought sadly. I will have lost my maidenhood for a man I do not even know. But I do not know Sir Jack, either... why is it that I have fallen for a man I can never have?
Samantha finally slept, but her dreams were filled of Sir Jack's wanting eyes, and her beloved tapestry that she couldn't understand.
The next morning, Samantha set about meeting all the people who she would have to know: The king's sister, a petite auburnette named Janet who would be one of her ladies-in-waiting; some of King Daniel's Companions, Hammond, Simmons, Martouf and Teal'c. Samantha had giggled when she had heard those names, but a glance from her fianc had silenced her.
There were dozens of other important people she was supposed to know the names of, but Samantha had never had a very good memory, and she kept looking to Cassandra and Janet for help.
"I must say," Samantha said to Janet a few hours before the wedding. "You seem very calm about all this. Are you not nervous for your brother?"
Janet looked at Samantha with hatred "No. My brother and I were separated long ago; he must do as he pleases with his life."
Samantha felt shunned, especially after the recognised the contempt in Janet's eyes. But her feeling of rejection grew to anger as Janet stole glances at Sir Jack whenever she could. Certainly Sir Jack got attention from all the women, even the married ones, as he was strikingly handsome. But Samantha felt that Janet wanted something more from Jack than just a smile or a kind word.
She had no more time to think of that, though, because Cassandra and another of her ladies-in-waiting, Merrin, urged her to go to her chamber with them and prepare for the wedding. Samantha dutifully agreed, kissing the High King lightly on his cheek and taking in a glance of Sir Jack before she left.
--
Jack was going over things in his head. He and Daniel had argued for at least half an hour, but he would not give in. Jack would not let Sam die. Jack began wondering if he did love Sam; after a little convincing he might have given up Daniel. But maybe that was just because Daniel was being a pain in the ass.
The door opened again, and this time only Morgaine entered. She glanced at Sam, who was walking in place in the Queria, and sat at the table.
"Are you certain you wish to tell me your secrets?" she asked kindly.
"Yes," Daniel replied dully, glaring at Jack. Jack was hurt; that was his best friend shooting him looks of hatred.
"Please begin by telling me your previous encounters with the Goa'uld," Morgaine continued. "Then I would like to hear of the Tok'ra, and the Asgard, and perhaps then the Nox."
Jack was glad when Daniel began to speak. He wanted to think awhile longer; about himself, about Morgaine, and about Sam.
-(-)~(-)-
"I pronounce you husband and wife," the priest said, smiling jovially. As the High King Daniel leaned in to kiss the new High Queen Samantha, Samantha restrained from shuddering. She knew that this could not be helped, and that she should try to at least pretend to enjoy her king, but inside her thoughts were only of Jack.
Does he love me? Samantha asked herself as she and Daniel parted and began to walk down the aisle. She saw Jack smiling sadly at her. No, no; that's ridiculous; he barely knows me. And yet...the way he looks at me with those eyes...the way I feel for him...I must not think such nonsense; it is almost my wedding night and I must prepare myself for that.
"Are you upset, my dear?" the king had murmured in her ear, and Samantha startled.
"Why, no, my king, do I seem so?"
Daniel tilted his head back and forth. "Just a bit. You are not smiling."
Samantha forced a smile onto her face, and she knew that Daniel knew it was false. But the king patted her face tenderly and kissed her lightly on her forehead.
Afterwards, there was a show for the newly wedded couple; a show put on by the king's captain of the horse - Jack. There was a new horse, a brilliant white stallion, given to the king by Sir Jack himself as a wedding present.
Daniel had bid Jack ride the stallion, and everyone who had attended the wedding now eagerly watched Jack, the most astounding rider in all Britain, mount the stallion and begin to circle.
Samantha was breathless as she stared at Jack. He rode as if he was one with the horse, commanding it to dance and jump about. After a phenomenal presentation, Jack led the stallion to Samantha and jumped off it. Kneeling before her and kissing her hand, Samantha felt her heart race. How can he do that with his dear friend, his king, my husband, right beside him? Samantha asked. Then she realised it was perfectly natural to kiss the High Queen's hand; she would have to get used to that.
After more games, chatter and congratulations, the day turned dark and sombre. Samantha felt her stomach turn when her new husband announced that he and his wife would be taking to bed in a few moments.
The lady Janet, who had looked at her with contempt earlier, wished her and the High King well. Samantha thanked her, but was too nervous to sound sincere.
When at last everyone was gone and Samantha lay in King Daniel's arms, he whispered to her, "I am sorry, my queen, I know you displeasure in this, but we must...we must..."
Samantha's heart warmed at those words, and though she was frightened, she welcomed him inside her body as a good queen must.
Later that night, as the King lay sleeping on his side, Samantha stroked his hair and cried silently.
I want so much to love him, Samantha thought to herself. He is so kind and sweet, the most wonderful man I have ever known...why is it, then, that my thoughts are always of Jack? Oh, good king, you deserve someone more than me...someone who can give you more love than I can...
Samantha's thoughts turned once more to Sir Jack, and she cried again. I am sinning, thinking of him in my husband's bed, she said silently to herself. No more, Jack, no more! But how, how can I prevent him from entering my mind...from entering my heart?
--
"So that is the story of Hathor," Morgaine nodded. "Thank you, Dr. Jackson, for the knowledge you have given us of the Goa'uld."
Jack, who had been daydreaming, came to attention. "Can we go now?" he asked eagerly.
Morgaine shook her head. "Not unless you wish to go without Samantha."
Jack sighed. "Why do you always threaten me with her?"
"Because," the sorceress answered matter-of-factly. "You are in love with her and you would not leave her. It is a good bargaining tool."
"For crying out loud!" Jack shouted at the small priestess. "I am not in love with her; if I was don't you think I'd have known?"
Morgaine shook her head. "You did not let yourself know, Colonel O'Neill. Even now, as your wounded heart tells you the truth, you forbid it. Let me tell you this once more, O'Neill," Morgaine replied, standing and suddenly looking very tall. "Love is not an emotion; it is a force that you do not control. You are pining away for your `major', you just refuse to accept it. Why do you do that, O'Neill?" the woman's voice had grown sympathetic and she sat down again.
Jack clenched his fists in his hands. Yeah, why do I deny the fact that I have a thing for Sam? "Regulations." He said shortly.
"Fool." Morgaine snapped cruelly. "Have you learned nothing? You would give up your planet for the well-being of this woman, and yet you wouldn't give up your job?"
Jack shook his head. Who was he kidding? "If she wanted me, if we both came to a mutual agreement," he replied. "Then, yes, I would give anything she wanted."
"Jack?" Daniel said hesitantly.
Jack had forgotten he was there. "Daniel, just...stay out of this." He didn't mean to insult Daniel, and he didn't think he had, but his head and heart were so twisted with emotions that he didn't know what to say, think or do.
"So you do love her, as I said?" Morgaine asked gently.
Jack turned to face the Queria. Sam was standing, hands clasped together in front of her, a smile so bright painting her face he thought he might choke. "I..." he whispered. There was no point in denying it any longer. Morgaine knew, Daniel knew, he himself knew. "Yes. I love her."
-(-)~(-)-
"Forgive me, Janet," Samantha said as she pushed past her handmaiden. Janet glared at the young woman reproachfully. It had been 2 years since her wedding to Daniel. "Where do you go in such a hurry?" Janet asked, holding Samantha's arm.
Samantha smiled. "My king and his Companions - they are coming! I must greet Jack - and Daniel," she added quickly, a blush threatening to colour her cheeks.
"Ah, you needn't hold yourself back in front of your own handmaidens!" Janet replied, a genuine smile on her face. "It is only me and your beloved chambermaid Cassandra."
Samantha shook her head. "I wish to ask Sir Jack something," she lied hastily. Janet raised an eyebrow.
"Then run to the army; don't be seen among us," Janet dropped Samantha's arm in distaste.
"May I accompany you, my queen?" Cassandra questioned eagerly. Samantha smiled kindly.
"Of course you may, dear Cassie," Samantha led the way to the drawbridge, where her husband and his Companions stood laughing.
"We must get you married, my dear Jack," the High King was saying as Samantha approached. Samantha felt her heart quicken; what would Jack say?
"Ah, but my heart is so full of my queen I have no room there for any other lady," he said, shaking his head in feigned regret.
Samantha felt faint. Never had she been paid such a compliment - directly or indirectly - and, furthermore, from the man she loved! For it was true, and Samantha had finally admitted it to herself - although she cared for and liked Daniel very much, it was Sir Jack that she loved.
"And there she is!" Daniel said, sliding off his horse and wrapping his wife in a hug. Samantha embraced her husband; she was glad to see him.
"You were not supposed to hear my comment," Jack said to her laughingly, getting off his horse and kissing her hand.
Oh, but I am glad I did, Samantha thought contentedly. Now I know you must feel at least a fraction of what I feel for you.
"Why not, Sir Jack?" Samantha asked smilingly.
Jack smiled in return. "It is not proper for you to hear compliments from one other than your husband!"
Oh, that you were my husband! Samantha pined wistfully, then immediately gasped at her unreasonable dream.
Later that night, while she and Daniel were lying awake, Daniel spoke of Jack.
"It is more than a jest, my dear." Daniel said softly.
"What is?" Samantha queried, her voice soft and tired.
"Getting Jack married. Maybe to my dear sister, Janet? Ah! That would be perfect! Can you imagine, Sam - heirs so close to the throne if you have no children - "
"No!" Samantha cried out bitterly.
"Why not, my queen?" Daniel seemed confused.
What am I supposed to tell him - that I love Jack and will not see him wed while I am alive, especially not to the witch Janet who I am ashamed to call kinswoman. "I...are you and Jack not cousins, my lord?"
"Aye, it is so...Janet and Sir Jack are close in kin, then, are they not? Ah, my wise Samantha, if I did not know better I would have thought you trying to keep Jack for yourself! Am I in danger of losing my dear wife to my dearest friend?" Daniel said it lightly, almost in jest, but Samantha could feel her heart wrench.
"Never, my king," Samantha replied sweetly. I am so cruel! She thought to herself in guilt. I will be damned for these sins!
It was later that summer when Daniel fell ill with the fever. Samantha stayed by his sickbed day and night, hoping to nurse him back to full health. One night, when Daniel was feeling particularly well, he sent for his kinsman Jack to speak with.
Samantha sat in her chair, staring at Jack kneeling beside his king and friend, speaking kindly and smilingly. But when Daniel fell tired and began to sleep, Jack took Samantha into a corner of the room.
He wouldn't seduce me, not now, not while my husband lies on his sickbed! Samantha thought vehemently to herself. *I know him well enough that he would not do that. "If he falters, my lady, will you send for me?" was all he said.
Samantha allowed herself to feel a little disappointed, then nodded. "Though I am sure I will not need you, I will do that."
Jack's eyes smiled. "Promise me, Samantha," he replied.
Samantha's mouth parted slightly, her heart skipped a beat. How melodious, how perfect, her name had sounded in his mouth. "I promise you, Sir Jack," she answered breathlessly.
Hesitantly, Jack gave her a light kiss on her forehead. "Sleep well, my queen Samantha," he said before leaving the room.
Samantha, stunned, did not move for a moment. Then she touched her forehead where Jack's lips had brushed, and smiled. She sat beside her sick king and began daydreaming.
The next day, during some foolish war game to raise the spirits of the king, Samantha tied her red scarf around Jack's arm, therefore making him her champion.
Forever, Samantha thought happily as Jack embraced her. You will always be my champion.
--
Morgaine had been quiet for nearly half an hour now, watching Jack stare at Sam. Now Morgaine stirred.
"Do you wish me to leave?"
Jack turned quickly to face Morgaine. "No, no, stay. What else do we have to tell you?"
"I wish to know now of the Tok'ra and the Asgard, if possible." Morgaine replied.
"Before we start," Jack began. "Can I ask how long it will take before Sam gets out of the hallucination?"
Morgaine nodded thoughtfully, closing her eyes. "Has she yet embraced someone, with a smile so bright it could light one of your modern cities?"
"Yeah, she did that about 5 minutes ago." Jack answered.
"Lancelot..." Morgaine murmured. "The time in her hallucination may force her to skip parts of the legend, or fast forward time...hm...I should say another few hours, at least. Plenty of time to think of what to say to her," Morgaine nodded to Jack with a small smile tugging at her lips.
Jack didn't notice the smile. "Daniel? Want to tell our captor about the Tok'ra?"
Daniel began speaking. This time Jack really did think about what he was going to say to Sam.
-(-)~(-)-
Samantha was frightened as she ran down the busy hallway to the kitchen. Throwing herself into the room, she saw her most cherished waiting-woman, Cassandra. "Cassie!" Samantha hissed at the now 16 year old girl. Cassie jerked up from the baking she was doing and bounded towards the High Queen.
"Yes, Queen Samantha?"
"Do you know why the knights are all assembled outside, and why the castle is in such an uproar? I've only just woken, I know not what is happening."
"Oh." Cassie looked sombre and she bit her lip. "The talk of the court is that the Goa'ulds have been spotted in Britain; and your husband thinks it high time we rid ourselves of them."
"He is going into battle?" Samantha demanded breathlessly.
"Yes, and he wishes for you to not worry for him; he has all his Companions with him, he will be home to be with you soon."
Samantha nodded faintly; she did not really care if the king had given her a farewell - he wasn't expected to - but now her champion, her Jack, would be going away to war! A wave of sadness swept over her.
"I must bid him farewell," Samantha turned to leave.
"Wait, my lady! The king himself told me you were not to leave the castle..." Cassie held sadness in her eyes as well.
"Then I must obey him," Samantha replied coldly. "If anyone needs me I will be in my room."
Samantha left quickly and painlessly, but the moment she was in her chamber she threw herself on the bed in tears. Dear Lord, protect my champion, Samantha prayed. Let him come home to Camelot safely.
-**In Sam's head the following year flipped by in a matter of seconds. Her hallucination resumed 11 months later, with Queen Samantha standing with Cassandra and Janet.-*
"They're coming!" Queen Samantha exclaimed ecstatically, grabbing Cassandra's hand. Cassie's eyes shone as she looked out at King Daniel and all his Companions. Samantha's excitement dulled when she saw King Daniel's look of depression and a grimace of pain on Sir Jack's face.
Rushing over the drawbridge to her husband and Sir Jack, Samantha held back tears that threatened to overflow onto her cheeks.
"Sir Jack! Are you - what happened?" Samantha choked back a sob, seeing Sir Jack's eyes light up when she came into view, but then his face fell as he clutched his side.
"Ah, my dear queen, I was slashed by a Goa'uld," he replied. "It isn't fatal, but it does hurt terribly."
"Oh, Jack," Samantha whispered. She helped him off his horse and bade Cassandra and Janet take him into the castle and give him the best chamber. She gazed after them with a troubled look in her eyes.
Daniel came and stood beside her. "He was fighting Bynarr," Daniel took his wife's hand.
"Then his wound is honorable," Samantha proclaimed. Daniel nodded and brushed a strand of hair out of her face.
"We were victorious, save that Bynarr escaped. Apparently he is residing in Summer Country."
Samantha stiffened. "What?"
"I knew you would feel that way, my dear queen...we are preparing an army to rescue your kingdom from his grasp..." Daniel sounded apologetic.
"My dear king, you have only been home a few minutes and yet you are readying yourself for another excursion? I will not have that!" Samantha sighed. "Rest a few weeks, then we'll see whether or not you should go to Summer Country."
Daniel waited a few minutes before slipping his arm around her slim waist. "We should go inside," he said to his wife. A chill had risen and Samantha shivered involuntarily. Daniel brought her into the castle, his Companions following and chatting softly.
Merrin almost ran into Samantha as the queen and king entered the dining chamber. Blushing madly, she spoke quickly. "Sir Jack asks for you, my king and queen."
"Will you take us to him?" Samantha questioned, trying to hide the eagerness in her voice.
"Of course." Merrin led them up to the finest guest chamber. Samantha was just ahead of Daniel, and she saw a scene she'd never wished to see.
Janet leaned over a wincing Sir Jack, looking almost seductive. Samantha's heart wrenched as she heard Jack groan through gritted teeth and saw Janet stroke his face gently. Samantha rushed into the room with Daniel close behind her. She stood directly beside Janet and stared down at Jack with concern and love in her eyes, not noticing the look of dark hatred Janet shot her.
"Ah...my...queen..." Jack attempted a smile, but it turned out wrong. Samantha felt her heart break.
"Oh, Jack," she whimpered again. She laid her hand on his chest and looked deep into his eyes. A memory of a day almost 4 years ago hit her full force. The sunny day before she was to journey to Camelot, the first time she'd ever seen Sir Jack's face...the first time she'd ever seen his rich mahogany eyes.
Jack placed his hand on top of hers and caressed it softly. "I will be fine. Don't trouble yourself with me, fair Samantha."
"He's right," Janet commented from beside Samantha, her voice dripping with malice. Samantha stepped away reluctantly. Jack gave Samantha a sweet smile - he was able to give her one this time.
That night, after a great feast to welcome back Daniel and his Companions, Samantha went to see Janet and Jack. Janet was singing to Jack, and her face was alight with affection when she looked at Jack. Samantha felt out of place, but she sat on a chair near the door and watched Jack. His face was content as he gazed up at Janet.
Her voice is gentle; she is not beautiful, but she is so wise and learned, and beautiful women are many... Samantha thought as Janet sang. Why should Jack care for beauty?
Almost 10 minutes later, Janet stopped singing and laughed. "My dear Jack, the night goes on, and I can no longer sing. Here, drink your medicine and then sleep."
Jack drank from the cup Janet handed to him. When he finished, he pursed his lips as though he had drunk something sour. Then he saw Samantha and smiled at her. Samantha felt her heart spin.
"Your drinks are cooling, kinswoman, but ugh! They taste like - "
"Ah, enough from you. You must be getting to bed." Janet said with a smirk to Samantha. Samantha felt her cheeks grow warm.
"Yes, Mother," Jack said sarcastically. Samantha noted triumphantly that Janet disliked the jest, but Janet brought the covers up to his chin and kissed him on the forehead as a mother does to her child. Then Janet left. Samantha walked to Jack's bedside.
"She is right, my dear," Samantha said softly. "You should sleep."
"I tire of Janet always being right." Jack motioned to the chair beside his bed. "Sit by me, my love - "
Samantha's heart raced. Seldom did he call her `Samantha', much less `my love'. She obeyed.
After a few moments of Samantha stroking his hair, Jack grasped her hand and pulled her face close to his. Samantha lowered her face further and rested her lips on his. She made her way onto the bed and lay beside him, letting him run his hands through her hair. She felt all her emotions rush as their mouths opened.
Oh, I never, never, never imagined he loved me. She thought as she pulled away, breathless. This is...miraculous...
"I'm sorry, Samantha..." Jack trailed off. "I shouldn't have been so forward..."
"No!" Samantha gasped. She sat on the chair but gave him her hand. "No. Jack, my champion, have you not... did you not...see me...I..."
Jack smiled and held her hand. "I did see you, I saw the way you looked at me, but I never thought you cared for me..."
"Oh, but I do!" Samantha whispered, kissing him lightly on his forehead.
"Dear, dear, Samantha," Jack murmured. "We can't go on like this. If you will, give me leave as soon as I am well."
Samantha stood abruptly. "You would leave me?" she demanded coldly.
"No, if you do not want me to..." Jack looked forlorn. "I would never do anything you would rather I didn't."
"But is there happiness in you going?" Samantha asked, sitting on the chair once more.
"Is there happiness in me staying?" he questioned with a wavering voice, and for a moment Samantha thought he would cry. Then he mastered himself. "I have a small estate in Brittany...come away with me. It would be easier for both of us - we could be together and not care who knew...we could never return, but..."
He loves me. Samantha knew it at once. Oh, and I love him too! But I could never leave Camelot, never could I bring shame to Daniel...How could we possibly unite our love in complete safety? We couldn't. And yet...
"Oh, Jack," Samantha kissed him again, this time on his lips. After a few moments, Samantha lay beside him on his bed, weeping. "I would give anything to be with you..."
"But?"
"I..."
"If you feel it is better that we stay, I will obey you, my love." Jack whispered to Samantha. Samantha cried into Jack's chest. Finally, after 4 years of dreaming, imagining, and loving, she had the opportunity to be with Jack. And yet she was giving it - and him - up. Still, her love had not lessened.
--
"Hm..." Morgaine said in response to Daniel's tale of the Tok'ra. Jack was, once again, staring at the Queria. Sam had been doing some very interesting things in the glass box - nothing disgusting, just interesting.
"Colonel?" Morgaine snapped. Jack whipped his head to the witch.
"Yeah?"
"Just checking to see if you were still alive," Morgaine attempted humor. Jack rolled his eyes.
"Yes, I'm alive. How much longer till we go home?"
"She still has to - oh, Goddess!" Morgaine exclaimed. Daniel startled.
"What is it?" he asked in unison with Jack.
"The - the cover!" Morgaine rushed out of the room and returned with Gawain and a large burgundy cloth a few seconds later. "Quickly, Gawain, cover the Queria!"
Gawain did so curiously. Sam wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary, just sitting and talking to herself. Well, Jack thought to himself. Not to herself, to whoever she's hallucinating. Oh, God, I wish I could help her. Wake her up. Something, anything! Jesus. I miss her. She's right over there and I miss her. Christ, am I obsessed or something?
"Hurry!" Morgaine hissed. As soon as the Queria was fully covered, Gawain bowed his head to Morgaine and left the room.
"What was all that about?" Jack asked, feeling a pang of separation. He no longer saw Sam, and that made her that much more far away.
"She..." Morgaine smiled sheepishly. "The hallucination is about to get a little...ah..."
"Ooookay," Daniel interjected. "Enough information, I think we've got it."
Jack nodded his agreement, and Teal'c didn't seem to care.
It's okay, Sam. Whatever you're going through, you can tell me about it. I can help you. Jack thought. He almost laughed. *Yeah, right. That's why I have no one. `Cause I help them sooooooo much.*
Not even his thoughts could he keep from sarcasm.
-(-)~(-)-
It was late at night as Samantha made her way to Sir Jack's chamber. He had asked for her. It had been almost 3 months since their kiss, and Jack's offer to take Samantha as his woman and leave Camelot. Jack and the High Queen still talked, but not as openly. Samantha's love for Jack had not diminished, if anything it had grown. She could only hope Jack's love for her had done the same.
What am I thinking?! Samantha scolded herself. I should be quite content with my husband, he is good to me, so good I don't deserve him. And yet here I run, off to my lover's arms. If you can call a man a lover if you've only exchanged 2 kisses.
She entered the room quietly and saw Sir Jack standing near the door. His wound was completely healed, and he looked very anxious.
"Jack?" she whispered. His gaze lessened in intensity for a moment, and he quickly brought her into the chamber and shut the door.
"I have bad news...and good news." He said, leading her to his bed. They sat on it and Samantha nodded.
"Good news first," she said with a small smile. Jack didn't return it; he looked away with sadness in his eyes.
"You must understand, the only reason you're receiving this from me is because I am the first person to hear it. You'll undoubtedly hear it again tomorrow." Jack warned her. Sam nodded again. "Sam, Bynarr's army in Summer Country was overthrown by one of our ally legions, the Tok'ra."
"That's wonderful!" Samantha exclaimed excitedly, barely hearing Jack call her `Sam'. "But...what's the bad news?"
Jack bit his lip, almost crying. "Oh, Samantha...your father..."
"He didn't make it?" Samantha whispered questioningly.
Jack shook his head. Samantha gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, Sammie..." he embraced her and didn't let go. Samantha vaguely acknowledged that he had called her `Sammie' and that she had enjoyed it, but her father...
"Jack..." she wrapped her arms around him and sobbed.
"What is it, my love?" he murmured into her golden hair.
Samantha shivered and held Jack closer. "It may be sinning...but I need you."
"What?!" Jack exclaimed, not letting her go.
"I want to be closer than we are..." Samantha wept into him. "It's wrong, I know, but I need it."
Finally Jack understood what she was saying. "Are you...are you sure?"
Samantha nodded. "More than I've ever been."
Hesitantly Jack laid his beloved queen down on his bed and took off her robe as she removed his tunic. He kissed her, his tears of pleasure mingling with hers of sadness and ecstasy. The night wore on as the tears...and the lovers...became one.
--
Jack felt a strange tingle as he looked again to the Queria.
Morgaine closed her eyes momentarily. "We have quite some time yet. Do you have any other information you could share with me, Dr. Jackson?"
Daniel shrugged. He had told Morgaine pretty much everything he knew. "No, actually. And maybe it's time we had a trade-off."
"What do you mean by that?" Morgaine asked innocently.
"What do you know about the Goa'uld, and all that other stuff?" Jack cut in for Daniel. Daniel and Teal'c nodded their approval.
"Ah. Very well. I know nothing." Morgaine smiled shyly. "I am the priestess of magic, I extract information. I don't give it."
Jack sighed. "At least tell us what you did to Sam."
Morgaine grinned. "I create hallucination mists. If I'm not mistaken, that one was King Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot."
"And..." Jack bade her continue.
"She hallucinates the legend I provide for her, with the people she is closest to." Morgaine smiled again. Then she broke. "O'Neill, I must tell you the truth. We are not learned Goa'uld fighters, but we are indeed your allies."
"What?!" Jack exclaimed as Morgaine stood, a smile brilliant on her face. "Then why did you make us tell you everything we knew?"
"We wanted you to feel you could trust us, in some small, internal way." Morgaine answered.
"What are you?" Jack snapped in disgust.
"My dear boy, the Chruids are known as... Modern Cupids, if you will. And I must say, myself, I've been eyeing you and Major Carter. You already loved each other, you just needed a little push in the right direction." Morgaine laughed.
Jack drew in a sharp breath.
"Um...just what is Sam hallucinating again?"
-(-)~(-)-
There was a feast happening at the castle. Daniel, his Companions, and his legions were going to Higher Brittany, where the army of a Goa'uld known as Apophis had been spotted, the next day. It was nearly a week after Samantha and Jack had made love following Samantha's knowledge of her father's death. They had kept it secret, and they didn't meet again after dark. Although the kisses had brought them further apart, the lovemaking had brought them closer together.
Jack was watching Samantha from the door of the feasting room. The feast was nearly finished and only Daniel, Samantha, Sir Hammond and Sir Teal'c remained at the huge round table.
"Good night, Sir Jack," said a voice from behind him. It was Janet. Jack turned.
"Good eve, my lady," Jack sighed.
"What ails you, kinsman?" Janet asked gently.
"Samantha." Jack said simply. He could speak openly with his cousin Janet. "Few women have ever been able to make me love them. I am not fazed by much, as you know, Janet. But Samantha...when I saw her, it was as if a whole, new world opened in my soul. I...I fell in love with her the second I saw her. And since that moment there has been no other."
"But she is Daniel's wife - " Janet began.
"God! God!" Jack grabbed Janet by the shoulders, his eyes full of rage. "Do you think I don't know that? Daniel is my dearest friend; had Samantha been married to any other I would have had her away by now, but I can't do that, not to my king...my friend..." Jack trailed off, looking miserable and tired.
Janet stepped away from him. "I cannot help you, Sir Jack," Janet responded sadly. "And I must go to bed now. I wish to bid you good night..."
"Yes, go. Good night." Jack nodded to Janet, who left cautiously. Jack returned to staring at Samantha.
"Though it isn't..."
--
"Lemme get this straight." Jack said, massaging his temples. Morgaine nodded. "You, Morgaine, have been secretly observing people from all over the galaxy."
"Exactly."
"You pick the best matches and somehow lure them to your planet."
"In dreams, usually, but since you and Samantha could actually go through the Stargate and have the real thing, I supposed it wouldn't hurt if I waited a little while and then gave you my lovemagick full force." Morgaine corrected.
"Okay. So then, you sprayed Sam with that hallucination druggie misty thingie, and right now she's dreaming that she loves me?" Jack questioned.
"Yes, except she's not dreaming that she loves you; she in fact does." Morgaine replied.
"You don't know that," Jack muttered, not entirely believing what Morgaine said. "And you bugged me with all that `love is a force' crap, so that I fell for her - okay!" Jack continued before Morgaine could open her mouth. "Okay, I `realised that I loved her'. Happy?"
Morgaine nodded, smiling.
"And when she wakes up, she'll love me and I'll love her and everyone will be happy?" Jack finished.
"If all goes well, yes."
"Bull shit."
"If you don't believe me, O'Neill, that's your problem." Morgaine sighed. "Samantha has only 2 vital parts of her hallucination left. Decide what you will in that time. But as for me, I must rest. It has been a trying day." And with that Morgaine left the room, leaving Jack with his thoughts and Sam covered in a glass Queria.
-(-)~(-)-
Samantha woke the next morning knowing she had to go to Summer Country for her father's funeral. She threw on a robe and went downstairs for breakfast. The castle felt so empty without her husband and his Companions. Of course, old Hammond was there as he wasn't fit to go to battle, especially not with the Goa'uld.
"Your Highness!" Cassie exclaimed as she met up with her queen in the kitchen. "Janet wishes to know with whom you are going to travel this afternoon."
Samantha paused in thought. "I can go with Hammond and, if you would like, you may accompany me."
Cassie's face brightened. "I would like that very much, Queen Samantha."
"Very well. Relay that back to Janet, then." Samantha urged, and Cassie dashed off. Samantha ate her breakfast quickly, and then went back up to her chamber to prepare herself for the journey ahead of her.
Merrin had just finished helping Samantha dress when Cassie edged into the room.
"Queen Samantha?" Cassie began. "Your horses await...shall we ride?"
"Of course, Cassie." Samantha thanked Merrin and headed with Cassie to the drawbridge.
It was an absolutely splendid day to be travelling - the sun was bright and warm, but not blinding and stifling. And, sad as Samantha was that she was going to her father's funeral, she couldn't keep the smile off of her face. She and Cassie talked endlessly about the better-looking Companions - Cassie was 17 now, and she was in need of a husband - but Samantha made sure she gave nothing away when Jack was brought up.
"You know who's handsome in a kind of wintry way?" Cassie was saying as Samantha looked ahead. Hammond was leading the way, and Cassie and Samantha were following on two gorgeous mares.
"Who?" Samantha asked.
"Sir Jack." Cassie didn't see Samantha blush or startle, and obviously didn't feel Sam's heart skip a beat.
"Oh...really?" Samantha replied casually.
"I guess. But he's not really my type...he seems to take a shine to you, Samantha." Cassie's eyes glinted jestingly. Cassie enjoyed teasing the queen, and she had noticed that Samantha always kept her eyes on Sir Jack when they feasted.
Samantha faked a laugh. "No. You're mistaken."
Cassie shook her head definitely. "I think you're the mistaken one, dear Samantha," she laughed.
Samantha changed the subject to one of the younger Companions, who she knew Cassie had taken a liking to, and immediately Cassie pursued the subject of him, and forgot Sir Jack.
But Samantha didn't.
--
It was cold in the chamber, and all of them knew it. Morgaine had been gone for only 15 minutes, but already the trio felt very alone. Jack was scared. He decided to admit to himself that he was scared. He was scared because he wasn't quite sure whether or not he believed Morgaine. If he did, that meant that as soon as his major came out of that Queria, she would spend the rest of her life with him. But if he didn't, and that was the thing Jack thought was true, then he would have to live for the rest of his life with romantic feelings for Sam - that Morgaine, damn that witch!, had placed in him - and her never knowing. That really frightened him, because he didn't want to always have to look away if ever Sam's gaze lingered on him for longer than a few seconds.
Daniel, on the other hand, was extremely confused. He had had no idea that Sam and Jack had had...well...had...feelings for each other. Sure, he'd noticed the occasional flirting - who hadn't? Sometimes people asked Daniel whether or not he knew if Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter were closer than friends, but he'd always replied "no!" with an amount of certainty. And of course, when Jack had kissed the other Sam from the alternate reality, it should have been obvious what Sam felt when she'd been noticeably silent and hadn't really spoken to Jack for about a week afterward.
Daniel had figured that Sam probably liked Jack a few days after he noticed Sam giving Jack the silent treatment.
But had Jack ever shown any emotion towards Sam?
Well, he was older than Sam, Daniel knew. That was obvious. But anyway, most of the guys on the base could be found talking about how sexy `that major girl in SG-1' was. Even the ones older than Jack. So unless Jack had huge issues about never going for younger women, that wasn't an excuse.
Daniel realised that Jack usually started the flirting in the SGC, or off-base, or whatever. So that meant he wanted to flirt with Sam. Maybe subconsciously he'd always known, and the flirting was just his inner self saying, "Get things started!"
Daniel rubbed his temples. His head was starting to hurt, and he didn't really feel like analyzing his teammates' relationship with each other anymore. He looked at Jack, who was staring curiously at the still-covered Queria, and sighed.
-(-)~(-)-
Samantha, Cassie and Hammond arrived at Samantha's old castle in Summer Country in only 3 days. Considering that the routes had changed, and Hammond's age, that was remarkably good.
Samantha had been having several doses of nostalgia as she passed the places she knew so well. She pointed all of them out to Cassie, who seemed genuinely interested. Of course, when they had neared Samantha's old home, Samantha had almost started crying. Floods of memories hit her like a sledgehammer, some very pleasant, others atrocious. Still, Samantha kept her faade of being happy to be home - even though her father was dead.
"The castle looks positively deserted," Cassie commented as they trudged up the gravel entrance. Samantha nodded as they jumped off their horses and led them to the stables. Samantha led both hers and Hammond's, since Hammond was resting.
"It does." Samantha agreed. "The invitation we received, it was valid, wasn't it?" Samantha questioned as they tethered their horses.
Cassie shrugged. "Probably."
When they finished with the horses, Samantha and Cassie carried the small bit of luggage that they'd brought with them back around to the front of the house. They both noticed at the same time that Hammond wasn't there.
"Do you think he went inside?" Samantha asked curiously. Cassie nodded doubtfully.
"Probably. But wouldn't he have told us?" Cassie replied.
"Yes, he would have," a rough voice from behind them spoke loudly and suddenly Samantha saw nothing but black.
--
Teal'c was studying the patterns of stone on the walls with Daniel, trying to find out if the Chruids were other than they said they were. So far they hadn't found anything, and the fire from the lit torches was fading, so they were working quickly and not paying extreme attention.
Jack was wondering if he should take off the burgundy fabric enshrouding the Queria. He'd heard a dull thud a few moments ago, and he assumed that it had been Sam falling. It had shocked him a little, and he wanted to see if she was alright.
But he didn't have to make that decision, because Gawain entered the room, removed the cover, and left without saying a word. Jack returned to gazing at Sam. She was slumped on the floor, her mouth open in surprise. Suddenly she edged up onto her shoulders.
Gawain rushed back in and threw the cover back onto the Queria.
"What'd you do that for?" Jack exclaimed as Gawain left. Gawain shook his head violently and shut the door.
Jack sighed and resumed staring. Wondering. Waiting.
-(-)~(-)-
Samantha woke up in a room that smelt of sweat, alcohol and urine. She was laid out on a moth-eaten bedspread. It took her a few moments to realize that she was residing in her father's room. It took her even longer to realize she'd been knocked out by someone, and that neither Cassie nor Hammond were in the vicinity.
Samantha noted dimly that candles were lit near the bed, giving the bedroom a slightly romantic atmosphere. There was also a platter of mangy shredded cheese on a table near her bed. With a small smile despite her situation, Samantha recalled how she had heard a Frenchwoman call it fromage r'p, and a young Samantha had exclaimed with a certain amount of horror, "Raped cheese?". The woman had assured her that r'p meant shredded.
The door opened abruptly and Samantha startled. She noticed with disgust that the fat, ugly man who had entered her temporary chamber was Bynarr, the leader of a tribe of Goa'uld that had supposedly been overthrown.
"God no." Samantha whispered. If only Jack were here, she found herself thinking. Jack, if you somehow can hear me, come to me! It was a foolish hope, but Jack knew where she was, and with a tremendous quantity of luck, perhaps she would be rescued from Bynarr.
"Ah, but it's yes!" Bynarr's voice was thick and curdled, and Samantha hated it at once. "Do you wish me to tell you what's transpired?"
Samantha nodded wordlessly, moving as far as she could back up the bed.
"You needn't be afraid of Bynarr, the conqueror of Summer Country." Bynarr grinned, showing unsightly yellowish-brown teeth.
"Oh?" Samantha managed to squeak out.
Bynarr laughed, a cruel and distressing sound. "I disposed of your comrades, they're out in the forest somewhere." Safe, Samantha thought with a hint of relief seeping into her. "I couldn't care less about them." Bynarr's grin widened and he stepped closer to the bed. "It's you I want."
Samantha gasped. "What - what are you going to do to me?"
Bynarr chortled. "Let you suffer." He snapped, leaving the room. Before the door closed, he called out to her, "But you should be prepared for all types of torture. I'll be back in a few hours."
Samantha felt a tear trickle down her face. Naturally, the first thing that came to mind was death. But a close second was rape.
Samantha's heart stopped. She quickly scanned the room for any means of escape, but there was none. There weren't even any windows. Samantha resigned herself to sobbing and praying that Jack would arrive. Even though it was hopeless.
It was 4 hours later when Bynarr returned. He looked absolutely evil, and Samantha felt herself start to cry once more.
"Don't cry," he feigned sympathy. He laughed. "You'll need your energy."
And with that Bynarr ripped at Samantha's already torn gown. Samantha let the tears drip down her cheeks, and screamed.
"Shut up, do you want the neighbors to hear?" Bynarr snapped, removing what was left of Samantha's robe - and dignity.
He lowered himself onto her, Samantha shrieking and sobbing, Bynarr laughing and thrusting his hips. Samantha choked, trying to scrabble away, but Bynarr held her steady. Suddenly Samantha heard a gasp of terror, a swish of a sword, and the head of Bynarr rolling away with a surprised look on its face.
Not caring what had happened, Samantha pushed the now-dead body off her and closed her eyes. She felt a calloused hand stroke her face, and then she vaguely heard someone crying. Opening her eyes, she was ecstatic to see her love.
"Jack," she whispered. He had tears in his eyes, but looked more than extremely happy to see Samantha alive.
"Oh, Sammie," he enveloped her into his arms. Sam relaxed in them, feeling the safest she had felt since last holding Jack. She let the remainder of her tears moisten Jack's tunic. Jack simply clutched her, murmuring sweet nothings in her ear, and the frequent `I love you', which wasn't a sweet nothing because Jack meant it with all of his heart and soul.
Samantha stayed in his embrace for the next hour or so, until she lifted her face away from his clothing and drew him into a passionate kiss. Jack was so relieved to have her with him, so delighted to be holding her while she was alive instead of killed (which was most likely what Bynarr would have done had he finished his rape). He kissed her back, bringing her close to him so that there was mere millimeters between the soulmates.
`Soulmates' is the only word to accurately describe what had happened. Jack had been hunting with Sir Teal'c for the supper of the Companions, when he had felt that Samantha had needed him - desperately - right around the time she thought his name. He had sped to the former castle of her father, making it there in a record time of four hours, though where the Companions were settled was only 6 hours away. After hearing Samantha scream, Jack had analyzed where she was and had sliced Bynarr's head off before he could do too much damage to his beloved High Queen Samantha.
But Samantha didn't question how Jack had known to come to her, she just ended the kiss and practically fell asleep in his arms. Jack picked her up, along with quite a few blankets, and carried her out of the castle, receiving glares from Bynarr's servants. But, luckily, the servants only worked under Bynarr's command. When they realised their leader was dead, however, they would run after Samantha and Jack. But until then, the High Queen and the Companion were safe.
Jack carried Samantha some ways into the forest where Bynarr had left Cassie and Hammond. When it was pitch black save for the full moon and the stars, he set her down on one of the covers he had brought. He lay beside her, placing an arm around her head. He pulled the quilts up to their chins.
Samantha woke up later that night and looked up at the stars. For a few moments, she was frightened out of her mind, but then she recognised the breathing and woodsy scent of Jack. Relaxing, she snuggled closer to him. At this point in time, he was the only man she trusted. He had saved her life, and her happiness. She would never allow another man into her body - save for Jack - without flinching and wanting to cry for help.
Jack awoke when he felt Samantha nuzzle him. He smiled at her, and in the light of the moon Samantha saw him. She smiled back.
"Thank you, Jack," she whispered, capturing his lips in hers for a quick kiss.
"My Sam," he answered, drawing her as close as he could. Samantha wrapped her arms around him.
"I love you," she said, her voice wavering from the lump in her throat.
"I love you," Jack replied, kissing her and letting her tears slide onto his face.
--
Jack was nearly asleep when Gawain entered the room and removed the burgundy cover. Sam was standing, looking from side to side, smiling and laughing.
"Whatever happened, she's better now," Jack muttered. Gawain looked at Jack curiously as he left the room. Jack nodded to Gawain with a hint of a smile.
Sam had her arm over the shoulders of someone shorter than her, and the other arm was around the waist of someone taller.
God. I would give anything to know what's happening with her right now, Jack thought. Is there a guy in her dream with her? Wouldn't it be funny if it was me? Yeah. Funny. Ha ha. Whatever.
Morgaine entered the room.
"Colonel O'Neill, Doctor Jackson, Teal'c." she said, smiling. "Your teammate's illusion is nearly complete. There is only about 15 minutes of your time left, and then you will be able to return home.
"Hey, Morgaine?" Jack questioned. Morgaine nodded to him. "Listen, this `romance' thing... is it a time-back guarantee? 'Cause if it isn't, we just wasted a really long time doing jackshit."
Morgaine cocked her head in thought, then grinned. "If you wish it to be a time-back guarantee, then I shall make it so."
"Great." Jack smiled in his almost-fake way as Morgaine left, promising to return in 10 minutes.
15 minutes until I figure out what really happened, Jack thought. 15 minutes for me to figure out what I'm gonna say to Sam when she leaves that Queria. Huh.
-(-)~(-)-
Jack and Samantha had found Cassie and Hammond sheltering in a makeshift treehouse. Together, the four of them had progressed into the nearest town and bought horses - and a new temporary gown for Samantha - with what little money they had. Hammond had - smartly - brought his own horse with him before he and Cassie retreated into the forest, but the rest of them had no horses. They had all run away. So Cassie made do with a pony a few sizes too small for her, and Jack and Samantha shared a grey mare whose best days were behind her.
They made it to the castle quickly, and everyone welcomed their return. Everything was going wonderfully - King Daniel had recognised Samantha's fear of making love, and had let her sleep by herself for as long as she wished. Naturally, she snuck into Jack's bed every night and lay with him.
But...
One early morning in midsummer, Samantha and Jack were asleep in each other's arms, until they were awakened by an extremely loud scream.
"What do you think you're doing?!" the High King of Britain yelled at the two lovers as they opened their eyes. "Out!"
Scrambling for clothing, Samantha and Jack left their love nest and stood, scared mindless, at attention in front of the king.
"You," Daniel hissed at Jack. "I should have known. I saw you eyeing my wife the moment she came into my house. I assumed you had more sense than to take her for yourself." Daniel spit in Jack's face. Samantha slipped a reassuring arm around Jack's waist.
"And my own wife!" Daniel shouted. "You lied to me. You have been making love to Jack for the entire time that we have slept in separate beds. Do you deny it?" Samantha shook her head sadly.
Daniel sighed. "I realize that Sir Jack here rescued you, alas I will not force you to leave. I understand it would be hard to be comforted by any other than he who saved your life." Samantha breathed a sigh of relief.
"But you, Sir Jack, you are banished. Forever."
Samantha gasped, her eyes filling with tears. "No."
--
Morgaine entered the room just as Sam broke into tears. Jack, Daniel and Teal'c were standing directly in front of the Queria, awed.
Morgaine mumbled under her breath and the sound spells were broken. The trio heard Sam screaming, "No! You can't leave me!"
Edging over to the male members of SG-1, the priestess quietly asked Teal'c and Daniel to step aside. They did so. With a whoosh of her hand, the door to the Queria opened and Sam rushed out.
Her blue eyes were finally open, and full of sadness and fear. They looked directly at Jack, and suddenly Sam rushed into his arms.
"You won't leave me, Jack," she whispered, placing her hands on the back of his head and neck. "You can't. Please, I beg you..." Sam pulled Jack's head down to hers and opened her mouth.
Jack was completely stunned as he returned the gesture. He slid his arm around his major and held her, all the feelings and doubts he had felt earlier meaning nothing as he kissed her emotionally.
I can't believe it. But this could just be some side effect of the dream she's had. Jack thought. *nd then he realised something - the feelings he had for Sam? They hadn't been put there by Morgaine. He'd always felt that way about his major. It had just taken him a long time to discover it. Gruffly, Jack admitted to himself that the witch was right.
Their lips stayed locked together for another few minutes, until Sam drew away, exhausted. She collapsed as Jack caught her and lifted her into his arms.
"Now to your Stargate, all of you!" Morgaine said in a teary voice. Daniel and Teal'c left, uncertainly, and Gawain began leading them to the Stargate. Morgaine grabbed Jack's arm when he began to leave, and suddenly the two of them - and Sam - were standing beside the Stargate. It was bright out now, and Jack couldn't help but notice how absolutely gorgeous the woman in his arms was.
"Morgaine...thank you." He said brusquely. Morgaine smiled.
"It was my pleasure. And don't think it was simply an effect from her hallucination. She had the same problem as you - the love was there, she just didn't know it. She had to find it. You'll have to talk things through."
"Yeah," Jack said slowly.
"But you'll get through it," Morgaine replied certainly. She smiled. "I must go."
Jack nodded. "We'll see you?"
Shrugging, the witch grinned and disappeared. "Maybe," her disembodied voice spoke. Jack sat down with a sigh and stared at Sam until Daniel, Teal'c and Gawain headed up the path.
Wordlessly, Gawain bade farewell to SG-1 and trudged back up the path. Jack handed Daniel the GDO, and Teal'c pressed the co-ordinates for Earth while Daniel dialled the code for SG-1.
As the Gate activated, SG-1 walked through it. Hammond saw Jack carrying an unconscious Sam and immediately thought the worst.
"Colonel..." he spoke into the microphone.
Jack looked up and shook his head. "She's alright, sir," he said with a slight smile. "I'd like to get her into the infirmary, though."
Hammond nodded. "Very well. Debriefing tomorrow. Further details later."
SG-1 nodded. Jack placed Sam on a stretcher and headed to the cafeteria to think things over. He was wondering if too much thinking made your brain hurt, because his was starting to.
--
Jack was quiet as he headed into the lab. He never usually went to the lab, but Sam was in there and they definitely had to talk.
It was 3 hours after Sam had been discharged. Jack had to ask questions burning at his mind.
Sam looked up as he entered. She was alone. She smiled warmly at him as he entered, and offered him a seat.
"Sir...about the...um..."
"It's Jack, now," Jack said softly, taking her hand. "Listen, I know you were in some hallucination thing...what was it about, exactly?"
Sam grasped Jack's fingers and held them. "It's a long story."
"We have time."
"Well...you know King Arthur and Guinevere?" Sam asked.
"Yeah," Jack nodded.
"Daniel was King Arthur and I was Guinevere." Sam continued.
"Oh you were, were you?" Jack replied vaguely, trying not to be hurt. Sam brought his hand into her lap and edged her stool closer to him.
"But do you remember who Guinevere really loved?" Sam proceeded gently.
"Lancelot...right?" Jack questioned uncertainly.
"Yes." Sam smiled and stared into Jack's warm mahogany eyes. "Jack...you were Lancelot."
Jack's heart stopped. First of all, Sam had called him by his real name without any prodding, and secondly, he had played Sam's lover in her dream. Woah.
"Sam...there's something I have to tell you."
Sam shook her head, a smile dancing on her lips. "I think I know." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him, long and hard and sweet.
As they broke apart, they looked incredulously at each other and laughed.
"How did this happen?" Sam inquired.
"That's a long story, too." Jack smiled. "Tell me your dream first."
Sam smiled and took both Jack's hands. "Well...it started with a shy, scared girl...and ended with a seasoned queen."
Jack laughed. "I can picture that."
"And this girl...loved a man other than who she was married to. She wasn't allowed to love him." Sam chuckled as she realised how close to real life that was.
"But she did." Jack finished.
"And he loved her back." Sam smiled, remembering her hallucination.
"And he still does," Jack replied, drawing Sam close to him and covering her mouth with his.
"And," Sam broke away after a moment.. "She still does, too."
The two military officers looked deep into each other's eyes and whispered in unison, "And always will."
Fin
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