Sam and her boys, 5a: Baby steps, PG13, Sam/Jack/Siler
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Summary: Little moments getting together
Chapter 5a: Baby steps (PG13)
yup. its gonna be over 40k... and still eating my brain...
About to close his eyes, Siler stiffened, remembering that he had duty in the morning. Spending the night here... would mean getting up at a ridiculous time tomorrow.. today.
"Siler?"
Sam's drowsy question at his stiffening made him sigh, reflecting that just because he knew *they* knew all about crazy schedules... didn't actually make it easier to say he had to fuck and run. He tucked himself right up to Sam's back for a minute to ease -delay- the separation, his arms around her, pulling her warm, soft skin fully against his, even as Jack cuddled her front, forehead to forehead with her.
Siler sighed very regretfully, unable to avoid the ache at the thought that this could be the last time, "I can't stay. I have to be at the mountain in 6 hours."
Ignoring his own words, he snuggled his nose into Sam's neck, happily overwhelmed by the smell of sex. Of Sam and Jack -*and* him- all overlaying a drugging scent he found himself relearning as being Sam's skin. They all needed another shower, really. He'd sure as hell have to have one as soon as he got home, never mind waiting 'till the morning, otherwise he'd show up at work still impregnated with the smell... and get distracted all too damned often!
"Relax, Siler, we know how it is." He felt Jack's hand slide through his hair and opened his drooping eyes reluctantly. The general smiled at him sleepily as Sam squeezed his hand against her stomach; there was absolutely nothing here to encourage him to be a good sergeant and get his pleasantly-worn-out self out of bed. He silently gave himself until Jack stopped the stroking and then he *would* move. Really.
Since when did he like having his hair deliberately turned into a mess, anyway?
But he did; feeling rough fingertips slide over his skull and furrow around, the soft hairs rebounding in their wake, tickling his senses, roots disturbed and sometimes not going back into their place; marking him. His sweat was still damp and it made them stand up even more, no doubt making him as scarecrow-y as Jack; he smiled to himself -it just wasn't a bad thought at that moment...
When Jack finally let go, Siler groaned softly, making his tired muscles pull away from them. He dropped a last kiss on Sam's ear, caught and squeezed the hand Jack held out and then got himself out of the warm bed.
"Hey, Si'?" He blinked at the nickname, turning a raised-brow look at Jack, "There's a key on the dresser. Don't be a stranger, uh?"
####
It took a lot to make Sam lose it. More than 20 years as a woman in the Air Force and in physics, including intensified training under Jack O'Neill for 8 years, her ability to swallow her swearwords and keep a smile up was almost legendary. So when people saw Colonel Carter stalking through the halls of the SGC, they saluted promptly and silently; and tried to make like invisible.
Siler didn't get that option. His commander for the week stalked right up to the corner where he was wedged on his sore back, his arms stretched up into a live generator, and crouched herself over his greasy, stiffened knees to demand a status report. He could see the legs of the two airmen who'd been helping him sneak out of the room behind his pissed-off sometime-lover. If he'd been Jack, he'd probably have grinned and tried to jolly her up. Though if Jack had had the day Siler'd had.. maybe not so much.
Either way though, Siler didn't flirt. Not at work. And he wasn't *quite* tired enough to snark at Sam.
He just gave his status report with sensible calm, keeping an eye on the electrically live metal bits a little too close to his body, knowing that there was nothing she could really complain about other than how bad their luck was and hoping her venting wouldn't last too long. His arms were well into shaking-tired already and he didn't want to end up in the damned infirmary today.
When he was done, he mostly expected a meaningless grumble to hurry and for her to move on to her next victim. Instead, Sam, obviously aware that their audience had fled, leaned in as though to look at the work he was doing, making Siler blink and mentally still at the sudden proximity of her lips and breasts and.. "Siler, follow me home tonight. We've *missed* you, for crying out loud."
His eyes jerked to hers at the grouchy mutter, his breath catching at the intimate, smoldering glance he encountered before she got up and stalked out. He lay there blinking and trying to control his suddenly short breath for a half-minute before he saw his helpers return and made himself clear his mind of anything but work. For.. another 2 hours and 34 minutes anyway.
####
Jack faintly heard the sound of a car in the drive and made his way to the front door, wiping the sweat off his bare chest with a grabbed tea towel as he went. He didn't particularly like doing yard work, but it was good enough exercise that he couldn't turn up his nose. And his both pretty and verbal housemate tended to snark when it became a serious mess.
Sam opened the door pretty much as he got there and he started to grin a welcome, only to raise surprised brows at her thunderous expression. He watched her walk right past his offered cheek and stalk to the liquor cabinet, starting to straighten with a frown of worry before he realized she wasn't alone -a second before Siler dropped a kiss on his offered cheek, smirking briefly at the momentary shocked reaction he got.
Still not used to the concept, especially after a week without contact -he mentally rolled his eyes at the double meaning-, Jack stared at their visitor for a few seconds before finding his equilibrium. Rubbing his chafed cheek, he gave the sergeant a bland look, "..You need a shave."
When he heard the snicker from the living room, he grinned, watching Siler's eyes brighten with the smirk that didn't pass his impassive facade this time; deciding that Sam could use a minute with her drink to unwind a little before he approached to find out what was up.
Siler shrugged in answer to his complaint, toeing his boots off with a grunt of relief, "Sorry; long fucking day. And I wasn't really given the option to go home."
Throwing his towel over his shoulder and leaning against the stairs' handrail, one eye on the living room and one on Siler, Jack snorted softly, "Thought you didn't follow those kinds of orders?"
Siler took his glasses off and put them away, thinking about the completely pissed-off woman who'd been well within reach of very sensitive parts of his anatomy. He shook his head with a straight face, "General, there are orders.. and then there are *orders*. I'm not an idiot." And that last hot look hadn't *only* been annoyed.
And he'd been thinking about the two of them way too often.
Standing in his silent yard with a fire in front of him that usually settled him, peaceful stars above.. and a key burning in his pocket that he couldn't quite fathom the meaning of. He was fine at work, had enough practise keeping his thoughts to himself and enough work to keep his mind more than occupied. But when he got home...
Taking that key and stuffing it in with his passport -away from his eyes, away from his fingers- had helped and he'd started to get his routine sort-of back yesterday. Still not quite up to facing the memories of that night and accepting that as far as he could see, they were in the past, but he'd known he was going to be fine. Life was going to be a little emptier, that was all.
Then seeing Sam for the first time since he'd left them together had only reinforced his stubborn will to get himself over it so their friendship wasn't affected; he could admit to having missed her, *that* was nothing new.
He still didn't really know what he was doing here; had worked hard to keep his mind on friendship during the drive over. But then he'd followed Sam's stalking gait in, a little distracted and wondering how a loose uniform could possibly excuse that, only to walk in and see Jack, half naked and relaxed. Then the arrested domestic move of Jack offering his lady a cheek to kiss had been too tempting for his doubts and he'd let his too-often neglected sense of fun carry him forward.
Jack tilted his head in sudden thought, hearing Sam slowly walking back to them as Siler hung his coat, "Wait.. if you got here at the same time... Sam!" he looked at her accusingly, "You're going to get him arrested... and I don't think the local cops are likely to appreciate his charms enough to let *him* off the hook."
"Shut up, Jack," Sam grumbled, cuddling up to his shoulder, damp hairs tickling her palm and sweaty Jack-skin making her mind finally stop stomping around in infuriated circles. His arms wrapped around her automatically even as she field-signalled behind her for Siler to come closer. She didn't have to pull him up to her though; Jack did it for her, one arm leaving her -and whatever expression going between them over her head; she didn't care at that point-. As long as Siler pressed himself up to her back where Jack's arm had left her, his cheek against the side of her head and his other arm crossing Jack's to hold her hip, she was content.
She felt Jack jerk his head and smiled a little, waiting and unsurprised when Siler rumbled quietly, "So, what had you terrorizing the base all day?"
Reminded of the bloody damned shift she'd had, she growled, knocking her forehead against Jack's shoulder in frustration, "Not one, not *two*; **three** godamned bastards doubting my ability to command. *And* implying I've slept my way to my job! In the middle of that whole bloody power- Shit!" her head jerked up, turning to Siler with suddenly worried, wide eyes, "I never got your-"
She lost the train of thought when he covered her lips with his, no doubt aiming to simply quiet her, but then she opened her mouth a little more and he shifted the kiss, still utterly gentle and slow. It was only their lips touching, stroking, and Jack rubbing his face just as slowly in her hair. But each in their own way, these men were completely competent and trustworthy; if they were both relaxed.. she knew intrinsically that everything was fine. It didn't matter what her mind thought; her body knew that there was nothing more pressing than feeling Siler's lips play over hers, back and forth, tilting this way and that. Smiling as he deliberately bumped/stroked her nose.
He *did* need a shave; and if she had duty in the morning she'd have stopped this after the first touch. But right now, a little edged heat on her skin wasn't so bad. Male scrub and tender, soft, moist lips, capturing hers one minute, letting her do the same the next. Even the fact that she'd been achy and sore all day, on top of everything, wasn't so annoying anymore.
Eventually, the awkward angle of her neck was too much and Sam pulled back, reluctant as hell, sighing and leaning her head back against Siler's. Her eyes were still closed when she felt Jack lean past her ear -and Siler meet him un-hesitantly-, making her smile softly at just how relaxed both men were; at the quiet sound of lips touching just by her ear. OK, yes, there were definite advantages to relationships. Going from murderous to languorous in less than half an hour had to be a record.
One of them sighed happily and Jack's forehead came to rest on hers as Siler whispered huskily, "My report is on your desk. Everything is fixed and fine. Nothing you need to worry about."
Sam's smile faded; aware, now that she was calmer, that of all things on any world, thinking Siler would leave his work unfinished was the best proof that she'd lost her ability to think clearly today. "I'm sorry I ordered you to come. I shouldn't have."
Jack snickered, stroking his thumb where he held her lower back, "Did you even think to mention that we missed him?"
Siler answered for her, albeit in a far too quiet tone, "Yeah, she did." It was always a shock to find chinks in his armour, and the softness they let her catch a glimpse of. In the old days it had also scared her, the idea of having the power to hurt someone without noticing making her leap back from any such closeness. But life with Jack had taught her that she could handle it, that two adults who cared about each other could actually be good for each other. And maybe three could too...
With a grunt of stiffness, Jack made himself straighten, feeling the sweat drying on his skin and aware that they'd *all* had long days. "Come on, showers all around; and shaves." He ran a laughing look down Siler's body, "That uniform is beyond filthy, sergeant. I'm shocked your commander hasn't reprimanded you for it," he grunted again as Sam poked a finger in his gut for that one, "Luckily for you, I'm sure you'll fit in my clothes, so you won't have to walk around all evening in a towel... unless you want to-" He agilely ducked the open paw teasingly swiping for his ear over Sam's head, smirking at them both.
####
Climbing the stairs between the two men, Sam felt so tired she was disgruntled with herself. She'd had tougher *months* not so many years ago and had had more energy left over. But between the stress of the day, her body's complaints about womanhood and the fact that not only had *she* missed seeing Siler all this week -having to actually *work* to resist the urge to track him down- but on top of that, Jack had been a moody pain. She should have simply accepted that the sergeant would never step forward on his own, called him and invited him. Eventually he'd get the drift that he really was welcome...
Wouldn't make her body happier, wouldn't save her from dealing with the assholes at work, or the niggling awareness that she was getting that dreaded 'older'. But not spending the week with the feeling that she was losing her friend would go a long way to making the rest bearable. Which was why she'd been all too aware of his stillness when Jack had blithely ordered him to hop in their shower.
*She* was in no mood to appreciate anything more sexual than that kiss they'd shared and she wondered if she'd been unfair to assume that he was interested in less when she invited him.. or that he and Jack were really *that* comfortable with each other. She looked up when Jack said "Ladies first." and thought that maybe they just needed some time alone...
Siler watched Sam walk to the bathroom without a word; looking worn out, now that he let himself really look at her. Frowning in concern, he turned back to Jack, watching him quietly from in front of the closet. "Is she OK?"
Jack nodded, reading the other man as on edge and wondering why. "She just gets tired more easily at this time of the month." He quirked a smile at the sudden understanding that that produced. When he heard the shower start though, he frowned, tensing in memory, "Do you know who the hell was giving her trouble?"
Siler's eyes narrowed, his fists clenching unconsciously as he snarled, "No. But I'll damn well find out, trust me." And there were all sorts of nasty ways to make the lives of people like that very unpleasant. He had no compunction in calling in whatever favours he needed; he'd been in the service long enough to have plenty of connections that could get to even the highest brass in Washington and make them think God and the Devil both had it in for them.
"Why am I suddenly glad I never seriously pissed you off, sergeant?"
Siler blinked, bringing his mind back to the present; after all, there was nothing he could do until he was on base and could do some investigating to get names. In the meantime, Jack was looking more cheerful; as though he was sure Siler could be trusted to avenge his lady for the both of them. Considering the man's protective reputation... that was pretty good for Siler's ego and he almost grinned, choking it at the last instant. "No idea what you're talking about, general." Neither of them was such a fool as to not be aware that Sam would beat them to a pulp if she found out they'd done anything like this.
"Right." Jack relaxed, writing off the bastards as taken care of and getting back to an evening at home. "So. BDUs or civilian?"
Siler looked at him critically, remembering the general's notable preference for loose uniforms but more comfortable with the familiar than with wearing something that really belonged to the other man, "Uniform is fine."
####
When Sam finally dragged herself away from the hot spray of the shower, walking out in a towel, Jack snagged a kiss and went in for his turn. Looking at Siler, lounging in the armchair by the window, still in his grimy uniform, she shook her head, grinning tiredly, "Get those clothes off, Siler, you really do look a mess."
He hesitated, but then got up and started stripping as she dropped the towel and slipped into bed, ignoring his choked-off gasp and laying down on her side in a self-pitying huddle. Siler joined her with such *completely* uncharacteristic awkwardness that Sam had to laugh, smiling at him gently, "He told you, didn't he?"
Siler winced, well aware that he was visibly out of his depths, "Ahhh, yeah."
Sam shook her head, un-crunching enough to cuddle into him until his warmth seeped into her belly, "I remember I used to beg off, back in the old days. In no mood for sex." And that was all they'd had then; but those words didn't need to be said. She only hoped he knew this time was more. Whether by virtue of her having had a few more years of settling down, or their years as friends... or the fact that Jack added his touch to their chemistry.
"Yeah, did figure that." He let his hands rest instinctively on her lower back, "This OK?"
Hot, dry, large hands felt great on her sore back and she sighed, "If you feel like rubbing lightly..." she literally moaned at the wave of heat he created, "Thaaank you...." She smiled when he laughed, sounding like a victorious little boy, "I didn't invite you over just to use you as a heating pad. I hope you know that."
"Sure," he nuzzled her temple, "I bet your heating pad is a damn sight cleaner, for one thing."
Sam shook her head, cuddling even closer as her body loosened up a little under the painkillers she'd taken and the heat he was giving her, "You're not that bad. Your clothes are the greasy, ozony things. Your skin just smells of hard-working man..."
####
Stepping out of the bathroom in a towel, Jack stopped, wondering how he could possibly not be jealous to see the woman he loved laying naked in bed, cuddling tenderly with an almost naked man that wasn't him, his hands stroking her with the care of someone who loved her.
The fact that he knew she'd smile lovingly when she noticed him might have to do with it. The fact that he'd missed the man, knowing he wasn't likely to actually show up of his own choice... might have to do with it. As calm as Teal'c most of the time, Siler had an edge of playful, easy affection sometimes that was... Crap, Carter had him watching way too many chick flics!
Grumbling under his breath, Jack crawled onto the bed on Sam's other side, wrapping himself around her and slapping Siler's shoulder, "Go on. Shower, shave; my turn to cuddle."
Siler snickered, rubbing his nose on Sam's temple again without otherwise budging, "I don't think the general likes the smell of hard work, Sam..."
Jack rolled his eyes, hearing Sam giggle, "Siler, seriously, the name's Jack. Especially when we're practically naked in a bed, for crying out loud."
Siler chuckled without replying and Jack slid his hands to cover Sam's belly when he got up to take his turn in the bathroom.
Sam snuggled back on Jack, sighing as he kissed her shoulder, "You guys don't have to do this, you know. I was just going to catch a rest. You could have washed up together." It was only half a tease; the fact that she wasn't 'in the mood' was all the more reason for them to have their own fun...
Jack didn't answer for a minute, rubbing her soft skin gently, letting his mind stray to the shower. He didn't realize his body had given him away until Sam giggled softly again and he rolled his eyes, grumbling, "We *used* to shower together -I actually remember once borrowing his shampoo when I ran out-.. and I never *once*-" his hand flopped about as he fished for a word, " 'Looked', or cared or..."
Hearing the hesitant self-doubt in his voice, Sam turned around, not surprised to find a tense expression on his face, his arms wrapping around to her back as she rested her palms on his chest. He'd missed Siler this week, she was damned sure of it; but maybe half of his temper had been because he didn't really think he should. "*We* showered together a few times." All of SG1 had on any number of variously-memorable occasions over their years in the field.
Jack smirked, though the humour didn't quite reach his eyes, "Yeah, and I had to be very careful *not* to look..."
"Jack. You've been trained -by society, by the Air Force- to see women as people to *want* to look at; and equally trained *not* to look at men. It doesn't mean you'd be attracted to all women..." Rather than try to force the rest of the point, Sam just watched him absorb the idea, knowing he had to be OK with this deep-down or they would never have gotten here at all. She might have instigated Atlantis, but her birthday had to have been Jack's own idea. And she'd seen him be too comfortable with small intimacies with Siler for this to be anything more than a reactionary freakout.
Jack was still mentally wishy-washy-ing when his eyes tracked to the opening bathroom door and his ability to fool himself took a nosedive and hit the deck at the speed of sound. So maybe he'd taken blinders off now that he was retired, or maybe Sam's thought patterns were getting imprinted on his; he wasn't going to waste time pretending he could, or even *wanted* to fight it. He *liked* Siler, that was all there was to it. Anything else, he'd have to work his mind around because there was no way he could deny what watching water drip off Siler's tags and sparkle down his smooth chest into that wet towel was doing to his palms. Or the rest of his body.
Seeing Jack's eyes licking fire away behind her, Sam turned in his arms and smiled cheerfully at Siler as he came over and crouched in front of her, "Good shower?"
Eyes flickering between hers and Jack's, Siler grinned, feeling much better than he'd thought he could, just a few hours ago. "Yeah. Good shave too." Touching her reddened skin apologetically with a fingertip, he leaned over to rub his now-soft cheek against hers, eyes locking on Jack, not entirely sure how to interpret his steady look.
Sam's open hand slid over his breastbone to rest on his heart, fingers tangling with his chain, and he covered her hand with his, eyes closing at the strangely innocent caress. Then Jack's calloused palm slid over his jaw, thumb stroking slowly, and his eyes flickered behind his lids, his whole body stilling as he breathed.
When had he started needing this kind of affection? Because that was all it was; neither of them was even hinting at anything sexual, no teasing or seducing. Yet this was more than friendship.
Part of him wanted to run, starting to realize how little like his usual casual light-friendship-with-benefits this was becoming. They were reaching out to him.. and he was letting them in without even realizing it, letting himself get used to their touches; to *them*.
But another part of him already didn't want to let them go. He almost wondered if some of these feelings hadn't been silently growing in the years where he'd thought himself safe. It seemed impossible that he would so quickly accept and even need this.
Sam turning her head to trail her lips to his ear distracted him out of his thoughts even before she whispered. "I'm going to go get supper on."
He stayed crouching after she'd slithered out from between them, watching curiously as she stole the BDUs Jack had pulled out for him and threw them on before briskly leaving the room. A little confused at the sudden exit, he turned back to the man lying on his side in bed with a towel, holding his head on his bent arm and staring at the door with a half-hearted smirk. Siler cleared his throat, putting a hand on the mattress to push himself up, "She's going to cook?"
He moved back to let Jack get up, grinning inside as he ogled the bare flank the shifting towel exposed. Damn, he was getting hopeless. Though at least he wasn't tenting his bloody towel. Yet.
"Hell no. Pizza out of the freezer. Still want BDUs?" Jack leered back at him teasingly, "Towel's fetching..."
His first instinct was to grin and rock his pelvis forward, but when Jack responded with a light-hearted laugh that he'd never heard before, Siler straightened more seriously, watching as Jack fished out another uniform. He'd been so focused on their effect on him.. he hadn't thought- But maybe Jack just laughed more at home. Probably had nothing to do with him. Shrugging off the strange thought, he nodded to the door, "..So why was she suddenly in such a hurry?"
Handing him the clothes, Jack walked to the chair he'd thrown his clean slacks on yesterday, shrugging with forced casualness, "Think she thinks she's inhibiting us." He dropped his towel before he realized there was no clean underwear waiting and turned around to go back to the dresser, jerking to a stop at finding a naked man standing in his bedroom. Unfortunately, Siler chose that moment to straighten, pulling up the very loose pants and tying the drawstring tight at his waist; catching Jack staring at him in almost-surprise.
"Jack?" Siler blinked, looking down his own body and back up, confused, "Something wrong?"
Jack shook his head, looking away and grumbling under his breath, trying not to feel self-conscious as he walked. For crying out loud! After the things they'd done to each other.. Why was seeing Siler stark naked in his and Sam's bedroom such a shock?? Hell, how about after he'd practically drooled when Siler'd walked out of the bathroom! Damned fucked-up brain. Though the fact that he'd had Sam in his arms then might have had something to do with it.
He literally shivered when Siler put a hand on his shoulder as he stood staring into his underwear drawer blankly.
"Jack. Relax. I-" They both froze at the sound of a metal pan hitting the floor downstairs, followed with half-heard swearing. The sound of the same pan being slammed on a counter made them snap out of it and grin at each other, dissipating the tension into nothing. "I take it you didn't manage the miracle of teaching Sam Carter to cook either?"
Jack laughed again, grabbing and putting on underwear quickly, trying to remember what else they had for supper if the swearing meant the pizza had hit the floor. "You two are the miracle workers, not me. I just cover your sixes."
Siler nodded with mock-seriousness, watching his old commander hurriedly get dressed as he buttoned his borrowed shirt, "And you do it well, sir. I couldn't thank you enough for coming back for me and my men when the replicators locked us in."
Jack, recovered from the awkwardness, threw him a mock-glare as he hurried out, "What did I say about the name, sergeant?"
He heard the other man's long strides following him with a chuckle, "I believe you said it was Jack. Sir."
He knew there was a shit-eating grin on his face as he took the stairs a little carefully, respecting the knees that weren't as accepting of yard work as he'd like. Fucked brain or no, he'd never actually denied he liked playing authority figure. Even if he knew the double-twenty master sergeant wasn't likely to hand him (or anyone else) any respect by default. The implication was enough fun; right up there with Sam's 'Sir' that sounded more like his mother's 'John J. O'Neill'.
The pizza turned out to be safe and hockey playoffs running on the TV, and when Siler took the food remnants away, Jack didn't bother moving to his chair, staying on the couch with Sam's head in his lap. She pulled her legs to let Si' back in with fresh beers and Jack didn't even try to pretend he hadn't stuck around so the three of them could be closer. He really was turning into a sap in his old age. Although, at least Si' had his teams straight. Anything else would have been a biiiig problem. Huge.
When commercials came they threw all disparaging at the crap that was on TV these days, or Sam and Siler chatted about work while Jack just relaxed, smiling as the sergeant got all enthused to hear the geeky details of Sam's new communication system, only to make her squawk in annoyance as he called it a spacephone. Oh, she was sooo going to hold that over the boy's head for the rest of their lives!
He and Sam had done this a few times in the years since he'd left the SGC; not nearly often enough -their lives still tended to be excitable-, but it was heaven to get to practise the so 'normal' pastime of just relaxing on the couch; watching a bit of TV, but mostly just being together.
When the game ended, Siler shifted, looking regretful under his mask, "I better go."
Sam reached a hand out, frowning, "Siler. Just because I'm out doesn't mean the two of you can't.."
Jack shook his head at her when she trailed off, grinning at the surprised sergeant, "Did I mention she also gets a little emotional?"
Siler chuckled, grinning as Sam smacked her old commander's bicep for the damned sexist remark. When he gently lifted her feet, folding her legs to free himself, she looked at him a little sadly. Hormones or instincts, she really had thought/hoped that they had their own closeness. For some reason it was important that this not be only about her. "I just don't want to interfere. I know you two've spent time alone doing more than watching the Simpsons. You have to know I don't *mind*..."
Siler smiled softly, the creases around his eyes making her want to take the time to learn every inch of him with her lips and fingertips. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to each of her bent knees through her pants, more meaning than touch.
"Sam, we're fine," his eyes flicked up to Jack's, remembering that frozen moment she'd interrupted with her attempt at cooking. Meeting hers again, he winked, "We cheated on the 'alone' bit. Remember those pictures I used to take?" When her eyes widened, a blush staining her cheeks as she met Jack's leer, Siler chuckled, "You don't 'interfere'. I have a half-day's work in the morning.. and I'm just wiped out; it's been a-" he lost the smile, tempted to stop the words that almost escaped but finally resisting. He was safe with them.. "A crappy week."
"Siler." He looked back up as Jack spoke warmly, "BBQ tomorrow afternoon."
In the silence while he blinked and mentally flipped through responses, Sam covered his hand on her leg and he caught her silently beseeching look, nodding before he realized he'd made a choice. So much for getting back to his safe routine.
Goto Chapter 5a1: Taken (PG13)
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Summary: Little moments getting together
Chapter 5a: Baby steps (PG13)
yup. its gonna be over 40k... and still eating my brain...
About to close his eyes, Siler stiffened, remembering that he had duty in the morning. Spending the night here... would mean getting up at a ridiculous time tomorrow.. today.
"Siler?"
Sam's drowsy question at his stiffening made him sigh, reflecting that just because he knew *they* knew all about crazy schedules... didn't actually make it easier to say he had to fuck and run. He tucked himself right up to Sam's back for a minute to ease -delay- the separation, his arms around her, pulling her warm, soft skin fully against his, even as Jack cuddled her front, forehead to forehead with her.
Siler sighed very regretfully, unable to avoid the ache at the thought that this could be the last time, "I can't stay. I have to be at the mountain in 6 hours."
Ignoring his own words, he snuggled his nose into Sam's neck, happily overwhelmed by the smell of sex. Of Sam and Jack -*and* him- all overlaying a drugging scent he found himself relearning as being Sam's skin. They all needed another shower, really. He'd sure as hell have to have one as soon as he got home, never mind waiting 'till the morning, otherwise he'd show up at work still impregnated with the smell... and get distracted all too damned often!
"Relax, Siler, we know how it is." He felt Jack's hand slide through his hair and opened his drooping eyes reluctantly. The general smiled at him sleepily as Sam squeezed his hand against her stomach; there was absolutely nothing here to encourage him to be a good sergeant and get his pleasantly-worn-out self out of bed. He silently gave himself until Jack stopped the stroking and then he *would* move. Really.
Since when did he like having his hair deliberately turned into a mess, anyway?
But he did; feeling rough fingertips slide over his skull and furrow around, the soft hairs rebounding in their wake, tickling his senses, roots disturbed and sometimes not going back into their place; marking him. His sweat was still damp and it made them stand up even more, no doubt making him as scarecrow-y as Jack; he smiled to himself -it just wasn't a bad thought at that moment...
When Jack finally let go, Siler groaned softly, making his tired muscles pull away from them. He dropped a last kiss on Sam's ear, caught and squeezed the hand Jack held out and then got himself out of the warm bed.
"Hey, Si'?" He blinked at the nickname, turning a raised-brow look at Jack, "There's a key on the dresser. Don't be a stranger, uh?"
####
It took a lot to make Sam lose it. More than 20 years as a woman in the Air Force and in physics, including intensified training under Jack O'Neill for 8 years, her ability to swallow her swearwords and keep a smile up was almost legendary. So when people saw Colonel Carter stalking through the halls of the SGC, they saluted promptly and silently; and tried to make like invisible.
Siler didn't get that option. His commander for the week stalked right up to the corner where he was wedged on his sore back, his arms stretched up into a live generator, and crouched herself over his greasy, stiffened knees to demand a status report. He could see the legs of the two airmen who'd been helping him sneak out of the room behind his pissed-off sometime-lover. If he'd been Jack, he'd probably have grinned and tried to jolly her up. Though if Jack had had the day Siler'd had.. maybe not so much.
Either way though, Siler didn't flirt. Not at work. And he wasn't *quite* tired enough to snark at Sam.
He just gave his status report with sensible calm, keeping an eye on the electrically live metal bits a little too close to his body, knowing that there was nothing she could really complain about other than how bad their luck was and hoping her venting wouldn't last too long. His arms were well into shaking-tired already and he didn't want to end up in the damned infirmary today.
When he was done, he mostly expected a meaningless grumble to hurry and for her to move on to her next victim. Instead, Sam, obviously aware that their audience had fled, leaned in as though to look at the work he was doing, making Siler blink and mentally still at the sudden proximity of her lips and breasts and.. "Siler, follow me home tonight. We've *missed* you, for crying out loud."
His eyes jerked to hers at the grouchy mutter, his breath catching at the intimate, smoldering glance he encountered before she got up and stalked out. He lay there blinking and trying to control his suddenly short breath for a half-minute before he saw his helpers return and made himself clear his mind of anything but work. For.. another 2 hours and 34 minutes anyway.
####
Jack faintly heard the sound of a car in the drive and made his way to the front door, wiping the sweat off his bare chest with a grabbed tea towel as he went. He didn't particularly like doing yard work, but it was good enough exercise that he couldn't turn up his nose. And his both pretty and verbal housemate tended to snark when it became a serious mess.
Sam opened the door pretty much as he got there and he started to grin a welcome, only to raise surprised brows at her thunderous expression. He watched her walk right past his offered cheek and stalk to the liquor cabinet, starting to straighten with a frown of worry before he realized she wasn't alone -a second before Siler dropped a kiss on his offered cheek, smirking briefly at the momentary shocked reaction he got.
Still not used to the concept, especially after a week without contact -he mentally rolled his eyes at the double meaning-, Jack stared at their visitor for a few seconds before finding his equilibrium. Rubbing his chafed cheek, he gave the sergeant a bland look, "..You need a shave."
When he heard the snicker from the living room, he grinned, watching Siler's eyes brighten with the smirk that didn't pass his impassive facade this time; deciding that Sam could use a minute with her drink to unwind a little before he approached to find out what was up.
Siler shrugged in answer to his complaint, toeing his boots off with a grunt of relief, "Sorry; long fucking day. And I wasn't really given the option to go home."
Throwing his towel over his shoulder and leaning against the stairs' handrail, one eye on the living room and one on Siler, Jack snorted softly, "Thought you didn't follow those kinds of orders?"
Siler took his glasses off and put them away, thinking about the completely pissed-off woman who'd been well within reach of very sensitive parts of his anatomy. He shook his head with a straight face, "General, there are orders.. and then there are *orders*. I'm not an idiot." And that last hot look hadn't *only* been annoyed.
And he'd been thinking about the two of them way too often.
Standing in his silent yard with a fire in front of him that usually settled him, peaceful stars above.. and a key burning in his pocket that he couldn't quite fathom the meaning of. He was fine at work, had enough practise keeping his thoughts to himself and enough work to keep his mind more than occupied. But when he got home...
Taking that key and stuffing it in with his passport -away from his eyes, away from his fingers- had helped and he'd started to get his routine sort-of back yesterday. Still not quite up to facing the memories of that night and accepting that as far as he could see, they were in the past, but he'd known he was going to be fine. Life was going to be a little emptier, that was all.
Then seeing Sam for the first time since he'd left them together had only reinforced his stubborn will to get himself over it so their friendship wasn't affected; he could admit to having missed her, *that* was nothing new.
He still didn't really know what he was doing here; had worked hard to keep his mind on friendship during the drive over. But then he'd followed Sam's stalking gait in, a little distracted and wondering how a loose uniform could possibly excuse that, only to walk in and see Jack, half naked and relaxed. Then the arrested domestic move of Jack offering his lady a cheek to kiss had been too tempting for his doubts and he'd let his too-often neglected sense of fun carry him forward.
Jack tilted his head in sudden thought, hearing Sam slowly walking back to them as Siler hung his coat, "Wait.. if you got here at the same time... Sam!" he looked at her accusingly, "You're going to get him arrested... and I don't think the local cops are likely to appreciate his charms enough to let *him* off the hook."
"Shut up, Jack," Sam grumbled, cuddling up to his shoulder, damp hairs tickling her palm and sweaty Jack-skin making her mind finally stop stomping around in infuriated circles. His arms wrapped around her automatically even as she field-signalled behind her for Siler to come closer. She didn't have to pull him up to her though; Jack did it for her, one arm leaving her -and whatever expression going between them over her head; she didn't care at that point-. As long as Siler pressed himself up to her back where Jack's arm had left her, his cheek against the side of her head and his other arm crossing Jack's to hold her hip, she was content.
She felt Jack jerk his head and smiled a little, waiting and unsurprised when Siler rumbled quietly, "So, what had you terrorizing the base all day?"
Reminded of the bloody damned shift she'd had, she growled, knocking her forehead against Jack's shoulder in frustration, "Not one, not *two*; **three** godamned bastards doubting my ability to command. *And* implying I've slept my way to my job! In the middle of that whole bloody power- Shit!" her head jerked up, turning to Siler with suddenly worried, wide eyes, "I never got your-"
She lost the train of thought when he covered her lips with his, no doubt aiming to simply quiet her, but then she opened her mouth a little more and he shifted the kiss, still utterly gentle and slow. It was only their lips touching, stroking, and Jack rubbing his face just as slowly in her hair. But each in their own way, these men were completely competent and trustworthy; if they were both relaxed.. she knew intrinsically that everything was fine. It didn't matter what her mind thought; her body knew that there was nothing more pressing than feeling Siler's lips play over hers, back and forth, tilting this way and that. Smiling as he deliberately bumped/stroked her nose.
He *did* need a shave; and if she had duty in the morning she'd have stopped this after the first touch. But right now, a little edged heat on her skin wasn't so bad. Male scrub and tender, soft, moist lips, capturing hers one minute, letting her do the same the next. Even the fact that she'd been achy and sore all day, on top of everything, wasn't so annoying anymore.
Eventually, the awkward angle of her neck was too much and Sam pulled back, reluctant as hell, sighing and leaning her head back against Siler's. Her eyes were still closed when she felt Jack lean past her ear -and Siler meet him un-hesitantly-, making her smile softly at just how relaxed both men were; at the quiet sound of lips touching just by her ear. OK, yes, there were definite advantages to relationships. Going from murderous to languorous in less than half an hour had to be a record.
One of them sighed happily and Jack's forehead came to rest on hers as Siler whispered huskily, "My report is on your desk. Everything is fixed and fine. Nothing you need to worry about."
Sam's smile faded; aware, now that she was calmer, that of all things on any world, thinking Siler would leave his work unfinished was the best proof that she'd lost her ability to think clearly today. "I'm sorry I ordered you to come. I shouldn't have."
Jack snickered, stroking his thumb where he held her lower back, "Did you even think to mention that we missed him?"
Siler answered for her, albeit in a far too quiet tone, "Yeah, she did." It was always a shock to find chinks in his armour, and the softness they let her catch a glimpse of. In the old days it had also scared her, the idea of having the power to hurt someone without noticing making her leap back from any such closeness. But life with Jack had taught her that she could handle it, that two adults who cared about each other could actually be good for each other. And maybe three could too...
With a grunt of stiffness, Jack made himself straighten, feeling the sweat drying on his skin and aware that they'd *all* had long days. "Come on, showers all around; and shaves." He ran a laughing look down Siler's body, "That uniform is beyond filthy, sergeant. I'm shocked your commander hasn't reprimanded you for it," he grunted again as Sam poked a finger in his gut for that one, "Luckily for you, I'm sure you'll fit in my clothes, so you won't have to walk around all evening in a towel... unless you want to-" He agilely ducked the open paw teasingly swiping for his ear over Sam's head, smirking at them both.
####
Climbing the stairs between the two men, Sam felt so tired she was disgruntled with herself. She'd had tougher *months* not so many years ago and had had more energy left over. But between the stress of the day, her body's complaints about womanhood and the fact that not only had *she* missed seeing Siler all this week -having to actually *work* to resist the urge to track him down- but on top of that, Jack had been a moody pain. She should have simply accepted that the sergeant would never step forward on his own, called him and invited him. Eventually he'd get the drift that he really was welcome...
Wouldn't make her body happier, wouldn't save her from dealing with the assholes at work, or the niggling awareness that she was getting that dreaded 'older'. But not spending the week with the feeling that she was losing her friend would go a long way to making the rest bearable. Which was why she'd been all too aware of his stillness when Jack had blithely ordered him to hop in their shower.
*She* was in no mood to appreciate anything more sexual than that kiss they'd shared and she wondered if she'd been unfair to assume that he was interested in less when she invited him.. or that he and Jack were really *that* comfortable with each other. She looked up when Jack said "Ladies first." and thought that maybe they just needed some time alone...
Siler watched Sam walk to the bathroom without a word; looking worn out, now that he let himself really look at her. Frowning in concern, he turned back to Jack, watching him quietly from in front of the closet. "Is she OK?"
Jack nodded, reading the other man as on edge and wondering why. "She just gets tired more easily at this time of the month." He quirked a smile at the sudden understanding that that produced. When he heard the shower start though, he frowned, tensing in memory, "Do you know who the hell was giving her trouble?"
Siler's eyes narrowed, his fists clenching unconsciously as he snarled, "No. But I'll damn well find out, trust me." And there were all sorts of nasty ways to make the lives of people like that very unpleasant. He had no compunction in calling in whatever favours he needed; he'd been in the service long enough to have plenty of connections that could get to even the highest brass in Washington and make them think God and the Devil both had it in for them.
"Why am I suddenly glad I never seriously pissed you off, sergeant?"
Siler blinked, bringing his mind back to the present; after all, there was nothing he could do until he was on base and could do some investigating to get names. In the meantime, Jack was looking more cheerful; as though he was sure Siler could be trusted to avenge his lady for the both of them. Considering the man's protective reputation... that was pretty good for Siler's ego and he almost grinned, choking it at the last instant. "No idea what you're talking about, general." Neither of them was such a fool as to not be aware that Sam would beat them to a pulp if she found out they'd done anything like this.
"Right." Jack relaxed, writing off the bastards as taken care of and getting back to an evening at home. "So. BDUs or civilian?"
Siler looked at him critically, remembering the general's notable preference for loose uniforms but more comfortable with the familiar than with wearing something that really belonged to the other man, "Uniform is fine."
####
When Sam finally dragged herself away from the hot spray of the shower, walking out in a towel, Jack snagged a kiss and went in for his turn. Looking at Siler, lounging in the armchair by the window, still in his grimy uniform, she shook her head, grinning tiredly, "Get those clothes off, Siler, you really do look a mess."
He hesitated, but then got up and started stripping as she dropped the towel and slipped into bed, ignoring his choked-off gasp and laying down on her side in a self-pitying huddle. Siler joined her with such *completely* uncharacteristic awkwardness that Sam had to laugh, smiling at him gently, "He told you, didn't he?"
Siler winced, well aware that he was visibly out of his depths, "Ahhh, yeah."
Sam shook her head, un-crunching enough to cuddle into him until his warmth seeped into her belly, "I remember I used to beg off, back in the old days. In no mood for sex." And that was all they'd had then; but those words didn't need to be said. She only hoped he knew this time was more. Whether by virtue of her having had a few more years of settling down, or their years as friends... or the fact that Jack added his touch to their chemistry.
"Yeah, did figure that." He let his hands rest instinctively on her lower back, "This OK?"
Hot, dry, large hands felt great on her sore back and she sighed, "If you feel like rubbing lightly..." she literally moaned at the wave of heat he created, "Thaaank you...." She smiled when he laughed, sounding like a victorious little boy, "I didn't invite you over just to use you as a heating pad. I hope you know that."
"Sure," he nuzzled her temple, "I bet your heating pad is a damn sight cleaner, for one thing."
Sam shook her head, cuddling even closer as her body loosened up a little under the painkillers she'd taken and the heat he was giving her, "You're not that bad. Your clothes are the greasy, ozony things. Your skin just smells of hard-working man..."
####
Stepping out of the bathroom in a towel, Jack stopped, wondering how he could possibly not be jealous to see the woman he loved laying naked in bed, cuddling tenderly with an almost naked man that wasn't him, his hands stroking her with the care of someone who loved her.
The fact that he knew she'd smile lovingly when she noticed him might have to do with it. The fact that he'd missed the man, knowing he wasn't likely to actually show up of his own choice... might have to do with it. As calm as Teal'c most of the time, Siler had an edge of playful, easy affection sometimes that was... Crap, Carter had him watching way too many chick flics!
Grumbling under his breath, Jack crawled onto the bed on Sam's other side, wrapping himself around her and slapping Siler's shoulder, "Go on. Shower, shave; my turn to cuddle."
Siler snickered, rubbing his nose on Sam's temple again without otherwise budging, "I don't think the general likes the smell of hard work, Sam..."
Jack rolled his eyes, hearing Sam giggle, "Siler, seriously, the name's Jack. Especially when we're practically naked in a bed, for crying out loud."
Siler chuckled without replying and Jack slid his hands to cover Sam's belly when he got up to take his turn in the bathroom.
Sam snuggled back on Jack, sighing as he kissed her shoulder, "You guys don't have to do this, you know. I was just going to catch a rest. You could have washed up together." It was only half a tease; the fact that she wasn't 'in the mood' was all the more reason for them to have their own fun...
Jack didn't answer for a minute, rubbing her soft skin gently, letting his mind stray to the shower. He didn't realize his body had given him away until Sam giggled softly again and he rolled his eyes, grumbling, "We *used* to shower together -I actually remember once borrowing his shampoo when I ran out-.. and I never *once*-" his hand flopped about as he fished for a word, " 'Looked', or cared or..."
Hearing the hesitant self-doubt in his voice, Sam turned around, not surprised to find a tense expression on his face, his arms wrapping around to her back as she rested her palms on his chest. He'd missed Siler this week, she was damned sure of it; but maybe half of his temper had been because he didn't really think he should. "*We* showered together a few times." All of SG1 had on any number of variously-memorable occasions over their years in the field.
Jack smirked, though the humour didn't quite reach his eyes, "Yeah, and I had to be very careful *not* to look..."
"Jack. You've been trained -by society, by the Air Force- to see women as people to *want* to look at; and equally trained *not* to look at men. It doesn't mean you'd be attracted to all women..." Rather than try to force the rest of the point, Sam just watched him absorb the idea, knowing he had to be OK with this deep-down or they would never have gotten here at all. She might have instigated Atlantis, but her birthday had to have been Jack's own idea. And she'd seen him be too comfortable with small intimacies with Siler for this to be anything more than a reactionary freakout.
Jack was still mentally wishy-washy-ing when his eyes tracked to the opening bathroom door and his ability to fool himself took a nosedive and hit the deck at the speed of sound. So maybe he'd taken blinders off now that he was retired, or maybe Sam's thought patterns were getting imprinted on his; he wasn't going to waste time pretending he could, or even *wanted* to fight it. He *liked* Siler, that was all there was to it. Anything else, he'd have to work his mind around because there was no way he could deny what watching water drip off Siler's tags and sparkle down his smooth chest into that wet towel was doing to his palms. Or the rest of his body.
Seeing Jack's eyes licking fire away behind her, Sam turned in his arms and smiled cheerfully at Siler as he came over and crouched in front of her, "Good shower?"
Eyes flickering between hers and Jack's, Siler grinned, feeling much better than he'd thought he could, just a few hours ago. "Yeah. Good shave too." Touching her reddened skin apologetically with a fingertip, he leaned over to rub his now-soft cheek against hers, eyes locking on Jack, not entirely sure how to interpret his steady look.
Sam's open hand slid over his breastbone to rest on his heart, fingers tangling with his chain, and he covered her hand with his, eyes closing at the strangely innocent caress. Then Jack's calloused palm slid over his jaw, thumb stroking slowly, and his eyes flickered behind his lids, his whole body stilling as he breathed.
When had he started needing this kind of affection? Because that was all it was; neither of them was even hinting at anything sexual, no teasing or seducing. Yet this was more than friendship.
Part of him wanted to run, starting to realize how little like his usual casual light-friendship-with-benefits this was becoming. They were reaching out to him.. and he was letting them in without even realizing it, letting himself get used to their touches; to *them*.
But another part of him already didn't want to let them go. He almost wondered if some of these feelings hadn't been silently growing in the years where he'd thought himself safe. It seemed impossible that he would so quickly accept and even need this.
Sam turning her head to trail her lips to his ear distracted him out of his thoughts even before she whispered. "I'm going to go get supper on."
He stayed crouching after she'd slithered out from between them, watching curiously as she stole the BDUs Jack had pulled out for him and threw them on before briskly leaving the room. A little confused at the sudden exit, he turned back to the man lying on his side in bed with a towel, holding his head on his bent arm and staring at the door with a half-hearted smirk. Siler cleared his throat, putting a hand on the mattress to push himself up, "She's going to cook?"
He moved back to let Jack get up, grinning inside as he ogled the bare flank the shifting towel exposed. Damn, he was getting hopeless. Though at least he wasn't tenting his bloody towel. Yet.
"Hell no. Pizza out of the freezer. Still want BDUs?" Jack leered back at him teasingly, "Towel's fetching..."
His first instinct was to grin and rock his pelvis forward, but when Jack responded with a light-hearted laugh that he'd never heard before, Siler straightened more seriously, watching as Jack fished out another uniform. He'd been so focused on their effect on him.. he hadn't thought- But maybe Jack just laughed more at home. Probably had nothing to do with him. Shrugging off the strange thought, he nodded to the door, "..So why was she suddenly in such a hurry?"
Handing him the clothes, Jack walked to the chair he'd thrown his clean slacks on yesterday, shrugging with forced casualness, "Think she thinks she's inhibiting us." He dropped his towel before he realized there was no clean underwear waiting and turned around to go back to the dresser, jerking to a stop at finding a naked man standing in his bedroom. Unfortunately, Siler chose that moment to straighten, pulling up the very loose pants and tying the drawstring tight at his waist; catching Jack staring at him in almost-surprise.
"Jack?" Siler blinked, looking down his own body and back up, confused, "Something wrong?"
Jack shook his head, looking away and grumbling under his breath, trying not to feel self-conscious as he walked. For crying out loud! After the things they'd done to each other.. Why was seeing Siler stark naked in his and Sam's bedroom such a shock?? Hell, how about after he'd practically drooled when Siler'd walked out of the bathroom! Damned fucked-up brain. Though the fact that he'd had Sam in his arms then might have had something to do with it.
He literally shivered when Siler put a hand on his shoulder as he stood staring into his underwear drawer blankly.
"Jack. Relax. I-" They both froze at the sound of a metal pan hitting the floor downstairs, followed with half-heard swearing. The sound of the same pan being slammed on a counter made them snap out of it and grin at each other, dissipating the tension into nothing. "I take it you didn't manage the miracle of teaching Sam Carter to cook either?"
Jack laughed again, grabbing and putting on underwear quickly, trying to remember what else they had for supper if the swearing meant the pizza had hit the floor. "You two are the miracle workers, not me. I just cover your sixes."
Siler nodded with mock-seriousness, watching his old commander hurriedly get dressed as he buttoned his borrowed shirt, "And you do it well, sir. I couldn't thank you enough for coming back for me and my men when the replicators locked us in."
Jack, recovered from the awkwardness, threw him a mock-glare as he hurried out, "What did I say about the name, sergeant?"
He heard the other man's long strides following him with a chuckle, "I believe you said it was Jack. Sir."
He knew there was a shit-eating grin on his face as he took the stairs a little carefully, respecting the knees that weren't as accepting of yard work as he'd like. Fucked brain or no, he'd never actually denied he liked playing authority figure. Even if he knew the double-twenty master sergeant wasn't likely to hand him (or anyone else) any respect by default. The implication was enough fun; right up there with Sam's 'Sir' that sounded more like his mother's 'John J. O'Neill'.
The pizza turned out to be safe and hockey playoffs running on the TV, and when Siler took the food remnants away, Jack didn't bother moving to his chair, staying on the couch with Sam's head in his lap. She pulled her legs to let Si' back in with fresh beers and Jack didn't even try to pretend he hadn't stuck around so the three of them could be closer. He really was turning into a sap in his old age. Although, at least Si' had his teams straight. Anything else would have been a biiiig problem. Huge.
When commercials came they threw all disparaging at the crap that was on TV these days, or Sam and Siler chatted about work while Jack just relaxed, smiling as the sergeant got all enthused to hear the geeky details of Sam's new communication system, only to make her squawk in annoyance as he called it a spacephone. Oh, she was sooo going to hold that over the boy's head for the rest of their lives!
He and Sam had done this a few times in the years since he'd left the SGC; not nearly often enough -their lives still tended to be excitable-, but it was heaven to get to practise the so 'normal' pastime of just relaxing on the couch; watching a bit of TV, but mostly just being together.
When the game ended, Siler shifted, looking regretful under his mask, "I better go."
Sam reached a hand out, frowning, "Siler. Just because I'm out doesn't mean the two of you can't.."
Jack shook his head at her when she trailed off, grinning at the surprised sergeant, "Did I mention she also gets a little emotional?"
Siler chuckled, grinning as Sam smacked her old commander's bicep for the damned sexist remark. When he gently lifted her feet, folding her legs to free himself, she looked at him a little sadly. Hormones or instincts, she really had thought/hoped that they had their own closeness. For some reason it was important that this not be only about her. "I just don't want to interfere. I know you two've spent time alone doing more than watching the Simpsons. You have to know I don't *mind*..."
Siler smiled softly, the creases around his eyes making her want to take the time to learn every inch of him with her lips and fingertips. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to each of her bent knees through her pants, more meaning than touch.
"Sam, we're fine," his eyes flicked up to Jack's, remembering that frozen moment she'd interrupted with her attempt at cooking. Meeting hers again, he winked, "We cheated on the 'alone' bit. Remember those pictures I used to take?" When her eyes widened, a blush staining her cheeks as she met Jack's leer, Siler chuckled, "You don't 'interfere'. I have a half-day's work in the morning.. and I'm just wiped out; it's been a-" he lost the smile, tempted to stop the words that almost escaped but finally resisting. He was safe with them.. "A crappy week."
"Siler." He looked back up as Jack spoke warmly, "BBQ tomorrow afternoon."
In the silence while he blinked and mentally flipped through responses, Sam covered his hand on her leg and he caught her silently beseeching look, nodding before he realized he'd made a choice. So much for getting back to his safe routine.
Goto Chapter 5a1: Taken (PG13)