Stargate SG-1 fic: The Moments Before Leaving

The Moments Before Leaving
by jennickels (aka Jen Connelly)
Stargate SG-1
Jack/Sam
638 words
rating: PG-13
WARNINGS:

What happened after Sam found about her transfer to Atlantis?

don't own... wish I did, but I don't. No infringement intended.

---

When Sam got home from work that night she wasn't surprised to find him sitting in her living room. He had a habit of popping up when something was going on. She barely spared him a glance while pulling off her shoes and tossing her jacket in the closet.

"How long have you known?" she asked. Jack made a face then rubbed the back of his neck. She could guess the answer. "And you didn't tell me?"

"Need to know," was all he said.

Irritation welled up inside her. "You could have given me some kind of warning."

Jack got up and went to her, his hands warm along Sam's arms but her body refused to relax. He swallowed hard. "I wanted to. I almost did several times but what difference would it have made? You would have been thinking about it this whole time instead of just... enjoying things."

Sam knew he was right but she still couldn't shake the anger. "Were you in on it?"

His arms fell to his side, his face blanching. Sam sighed and went into the kitchen. "Sam," he pleaded, following her. "They came to me asking for recommendations to replace Weir. I had to be honest. No favors, remember?"

Sam didn't look at him. When Jack had first transferred to Washington they'd agreed to make a go at this relationship thing. It hadn't been easy and things were still sometimes weird but there was one thing they had both been adamant about: he would never play favorites.

"Were there any others?"

Jack nodded slowly. "There were three on my list, including Reynolds. The IOA had their own list. It wasn't an easy choice, Sam, but you are the most qualified."

They were silent for awhile. Sam could feel Jack moving closer. Finally his hands landed tentatively on her shoulders. His touch was gentle. She turned, laying her head on his shoulder and finally relaxed. She couldn't blame him, he'd just been doing his job. His arms encircled her, holding her close. His smell—the shampoo he used, musky aftershave, summery laundry detergent—enveloped her in a comforting blanket of familiarity. She breathed in deeply. "I'm just..." she paused to swallow the growing lump in her throat. "I'm going to miss this." She looked into his soulful eyes. "You," she clarified.

Jack leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm going to miss you, too. It's hard enough being halfway across the country. Now-" His voice caught in his throat. He was a lot more upset than he was letting on. Sam loved him even more for it.

"I know." She watched the emotions play across his face. She closed her eyes, a warmth spreading through her body. "I've got two weeks until I leave," she whispered. "Any ideas on how I should spend my time?"

She didn't need to open her eyes to know he was smiling. She knew him that well. "I have a few ideas." Then before she could say anything else he captured her mouth with his. Sam backed into the counter, Jack towering over her. One arm curled around her waist, the other cupped the back of her head. And Sam remembered exactly why they were working through the hard times. A blaze of longing, a heat so strong she thought she might spontaneously combust at any moment, ripped through her sending shivers down her spine, lighting a fire in her chest, causing all rational thought to evaporate.

As they continued to kiss, hands roaming over bodies, Sam wondered if leaving wasn't so bad if every day before was like this. Then she thought about how great it would be to come home for a visit and kissed him even harder. They never made it to the bedroom. Sam smiled. The kitchen floor needed a good wipe down anyway.

Stargate Atlantis fic: No Fault But His Own

No Fault But His Own
by jennickels (aka Jen Connelly)
Stargate Atlantis
team
631 words
rating: PG
WARNINGS:

Just another mission with Rodney putting his foot in his mouth resulting in a mad race back to the Stargate.

don't own... wish I did, but I don't. No infringement intended.

---

"This is all your fault," Sheppard yelled.

"My fault," Rodney shouted back, his voice cracking. "Why is it my fault?"

They continued to run full tilt through a thick forest, vines and fallen trees threatening to trip them at any moment, branches slapping at their faces, thorns pulling at their clothes. Rodney was finding it harder to breath with each step so he found it a little incredulous that Sheppard chose now to scream at him.

Sheppard made a hard right to avoid a large boulder in his path. "You were the one that insulted their king!"

"How was I supposed to know he was so sensitive?" Rodney asked between huffs and gasps.

"Do you ever think before you open your mouth?"

"Of course I think. I'm always thinking. That's what I do, that's why I'm on the team. Someone has to do the thinking." From the look Sheppard gave him Rodney was sure he was about to be hit. But instead the colonel rammed into him knocking him flat on his back. A poisoned dart shot through the space originally occupied by Rodney's head. Their momentum, though, kept them tumbling.

Down the hill they rolled, bouncing painfully off of stumps and rocks. They came to a rest in a heap at the bottom. Rodney's ears was ringing and every inch of his body hurt. Except his right leg.

"Oh my god," he screamed. "I can't feel my leg. Oh my god oh my god oh my god!"

Sheppard smacked him upside the head. "That's my leg, you idiot." They disentangled and Rodney was relieved to see and feel both of his legs intact. At that moment Ronon and Teyla streamed through the trees into the clearing of the Stargate. Ronon reached a hand to Sheppard, easily pulling him to his feet. Teyla tugged on Rodney's arm until he pushed himself up onto shaky (but still moving) legs.

Sheppard and Ronon were already at the DHD providing cover fire as Rodney limped and stumbled through the field, Teyla by his side.

"Dial 'er up," Sheppard shouted as Rodney collapsed behind the DHD. Teyla dialed and the 'Gate whooshed out. All in seconds. But not long enough for Rodney to catch his breath. "Move it," yelled Sheppard as the others raced for the safety of the 'Gate.

"I can't," Rodney gasped. "I can't move. I can't breathe."

Sheppard eyed him. "Fine, then you can stay here and explain your insults to the king." He took a few running steps. "Good luck with that."

Rodney grunted and managed to get to his feet. He could see the locals bearing down on his location with spears and poisoned darts flying. He gulped then darted for the 'Gate. Sheppard was standing in front of the event horizon firing back into the trees. Rodney met his eyes for just a second before vaulting through, landing hard on the other side. Teyla helped him up. Sheppard walked through calmly.

"What's going on?" Elizabeth asked in a worried tone. "What happened?"

Rodney tried to answer but all that came out was a raspy gasp. Sheppard rolled his eyes. "Just another standard mission," he said with indifference.

Elizabeth looked from Sheppard to Rodney and back again. Then she sighed. "Rodney, what did you do this time?"

His eyes widened. "Me? Why... do... you... think..." He just couldn't catch his breath. Elizabeth shook her head, a small smile playing at her lips. Rodney was sure he heard Teyla and Ronon laughing. They four of them left Rodney standing in the middle of the room. "Wait," he tried to call but his voice barely came out a whisper. He fell to his knees. "It wasn't my fault," he mumbled mostly to himself as everyone else went about their business. "I swear."