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“I kissed you in the time loop,” Jack said suddenly.
Carter looked over at him in surprise. “What?”
“Remember when me and Teal’c were trapped in that time loop four years ago?” Jack glanced back at where Teal’c and Daniel were relaxing in their folding chairs, fishing rods in one hand and beers in the other. “Wait, actually, technically you wouldn’t remember anything but the last— anyway, that was the point. As soon as I realized I could do anything I wanted with no consequences, I used a few cycles to turn in my resignation to Hammond and then kiss you on the mouth. Bent you over backwards like in that famous World War Two photograph.”
Carter nodded slowly, an amused smile playing at the corners of her lips. “And you’re telling me this now because…”
Jack took a sip of his beer before responding, watching the way the sunlight glittered across the clear blue water. Countless weekends over the last eight years he’d sat here and taken in this view, thinking about how Carter’s eyes did the exact same thing, especially when she smiled.
God, how he loved to make her smile. Almost as much as he loved… well, you know.
“Because I’d like to do it again,” he said softly as he turned to gaze at her. “With consequences this time.”
“C-consequences?” Carter’s smile faltered, her eyes growing wide with panic. Jack felt his own resolve waver for an instant. He’d been so sure she still wanted this…
“I talked to the president yesterday. He offered me a position in homeworld security, and I told him I’d take it… assuming, of course, that you’re willing to accept the position at Area 51 he’s gonna offer you as soon as we get back.”
Carter’s mouth fell open. “Are you serious?”
“Research and development. Messing around with alien technology, all day every day. It’s basically every nerd’s dream.”
“Right.” Carter looked away. “A dream…”
Jack watched her carefully, trying to discern her reaction. He was usually pretty good at reading people, Carter better than anyone. But she wasn’t reacting the way he’d…
Then, he mentally kicked himself. I should’ve known. “You’re still afraid, aren’t you?”
Carter fiddled with the reel on her fishing rod, twisting it back and forth. “Sir…”
“Jack.”
“What?”
“Call me Jack. That’s an order.”
She chuckled nervously, ducking her head. “Okay… Jack. It’s just that we’ve spent so long pretending this—” she gestured wordlessly between them. “—doesn’t exist, and it’s been building up and building up and now it’s like we’ve got this whole fantasy in our minds… What if— what if the reality doesn’t measure up? What if we do this, and we realize it’s not what we wanted after all? What if it doesn’t work out? What’s gonna happen to our friendship?”
“Can I make a suggestion?” Jack and Carter both jumped, startled by the sound of Daniel’s voice immediately behind them. They’d been so engrossed in their conversation, they hadn’t even heard him approach. “I’ve been watching you two make eyes at each other for eight years. Eight loooooong years. And a couple of parallel universes. Do you realize that in every single parallel universe we’ve encountered, the two of you are a couple? Granted, we’ve actually only encountered two parallel timelines, but—”
“Get to your point, Daniel,” Jack interjected.
“My point is, if the two of you don’t do something soon, I am going to go insane. Literally everyone can see what’s going on here. Half the base is convinced you’re already fraternizing anyway, so you might as well just go for it. You have absolutely nothing to lose, and everything to gain.”
“I agree with Daniel Jackson.” They both jumped again as Teal’c suddenly appeared behind Daniel. “It has been most exasperating.”
Jack and Carter looked at each other, then back up at Teal’c and Daniel. “It’s that obvious, huh?” Carter said.
Daniel and Teal’c nodded emphatically.
“You should not persist in denying yourselves and each other the happiness you so clearly crave,” Teal’c added. “If you do, I am concerned that Daniel Jackson will commit atrocities in your names.”
Jack pretended to ponder Teal’c’s statement for a few moments. “What kinds of atrocities?”
Daniel rolled his eyes as Carter giggled. “Okay, here’s what’s going to happen,” he said. “Teal’c and I are going to go inside for a bit and give you guys some privacy. What you do with that privacy is totally up to you… but also, you need to get this out of your systems, or I swear to god I’ll ascend again just so I can forcibly wring it out of you.”
He turned and marched away with his hands curled into fists at his sides. Teal’c regarded Jack and Carter silently for a split second before following suit.
“Wow.” Jack deadpanned. “He really cares a completely normal amount about our personal lives.”
Carter was shaking with laughter. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this after all, just to mess with him.”
Jack looked at her and for several seconds forgot what he was going to say, captivated by the way her eyes sparkled. It’s like her whole face lights up. “As much as I treasure the thought of messing with Daniel… I really, really wanna kiss you right now.”
Carter managed to get her giggles under control and met his gaze, echoes of mirth peeking through her now serious expression. “Area 51, you said?”
Jack nodded.
“Well.” She smiled and laid down her rod, scooting her chair closer as he leaned in. “Far be it from me to turn down everything I want.”