house building (for Sam)

[has_2ls]

Jack's glad the kids are up at the Children's Office today because while he loves them, he doesn't want them getting hurt while he's building and he thinks Carter's probably got the same idea. Considering he recently broke his thumb right by himself, there's no way he wants to risk hurting one of the kids on sheer accident.

The frame is up and has been for a while but today they're working on walls and Carter's along to figure out how she wants to run power and plumbing (and, let's face it, to also help with walls because she can hold her own and then some.) While Jack thinks he knows a little something about that, he's no engineer, and it's best to just leave it to her and make sure it's Done Right.

They have a pitcher of water they've been sharing, since it's just plain hot out on the island and Jack pauses for a minute to get something to drink, glancing over at Carter once he's slaked his thirst.

"How's it coming so far?"

Comments

[gate_expert]

It takes Sam a minute to answer, because she's busy drawing a diagram for the kitchen wiring and she's in the middle of a thought when Jack speaks. "Pretty good," she says finally. "I think I've just about got this the way I want it. Want to take a look?" She's been taking her time with this, and not just because she's a little picky.

A few months ago, she noticed she was having to hold things away from her face to see them better, and eventually managed to find a pair of reading glasses in the clothes box that a) helped with the problem and b) didn't look like old-lady glasses. She's wearing them now, though when she's not actually writing something she slips them off because it's hot and she doesn't like them sliding down her nose.

[has_2ls]

Actually Jack likes the glasses but he keeps that to himself because he likes the thing he and Carter have going and doesn't want that to go frosty because he mentions his nerd fetish a little too often.

"Yeah, I do. I probably won't understand half of it but that's what you're here for, right?"

[gate_expert]

"Ha-ha," she says, and hands him the plans while she takes a long drink of water. Jack likes to pretend like he doesn't know anything but Sam knows it's an act. He's a lot smarter than he lets on.

[has_2ls]

"It's true, I'm not nearly as smart as you," Jack says, giving her just this side of a leer before pouring over the plans. It all looks good, real good, and it's another reminder of just how wasted Carter's brains and talents are on this island. Still, there's other benefits.

"We just keep me around for the eye candy."

[gate_expert]

"Among other things." She means it to be a little scoldy but it comes out more teasing than anything, because she's pleased that he seems to be pleased with her additions to his plans. Sam loves that he'd planned it as a gift to her, but she's really enjoying that they're working on this together; she's glad to have something to do, and the fact that they're doing it together is even better.

[has_2ls]

"We make a good team," Jack says a little softer, the tone warmer than it had been before. He's never really clicked with anyone the way he clicks with Carter and he thinks that they're damn good together no matter what together actually means - be that as a couple or as partners.

"So. Anything you need me to do?"

[gate_expert]

"We should start on the wiring in the kitchen," Sam suggests. "We won't be able to finish it today, but we can get a good start before I have to go and get the kids." Even though she's planning on dinner at the compound instead of cooking dinner herself, she doesn't like for storytime and baths and general spending-time with the kids to be too rushed.

[has_2ls]

"You point and I'll shoot...figuratively speaking. More like you point and I'll wire."

Jack has some basic knowledge of this from when he built his own cabin a long time ago but he knows that Carter will make it more efficient by far. He brushes his hand against hers for a moment.

"This is nice, you know. Just this."

[gate_expert]

"It is," Sam agrees, and squeezes his hand lightly before they start in on the job. She doesn't want to talk about it too much, because she still feels the need to tread carefully and she's afraid too much talking will spoil it, even though there are some things they ought to talk about. She just wants to enjoy what they have and take it one day at a time.

[has_2ls]

"So, where do you need me?"

It's easier to let her direct this and for him to follow because this way they'll get it done right the first time instead of dithering around and screwing things up. They make a good team, even if it's house-building now instead of world-saving.

[gate_expert]

Sam arranges her plans and gathers supplies and nods to the area where the appliances will go (when she finishes building them). "Hold this and keep feeding wire as we go," she says. Acutally, this particular task she could easily do on her own, but she likes the idea of working together on it as much as possible.

"Janet's going to be one, next month," she says as they work. "I thought we could have a little party for her."

[has_2ls]

"Well, yeah," Jack says, face lighting up at the prospect. He can't believe he has a daughter big enough to have a birthday party but he does and it's fantastic.

"Of course we're gonna have a party."

[gate_expert]

"It would be great if the house was done by then." Sam's sort of thinking out loud as they work. "Sort of a housewarming-birthday-party." It's a pretty optimistic goal, so Sam is not glued to the idea, but it's nice to think about.

[has_2ls]

"Might could, if I asked Lipton to help," Jack says, trying to assess how close they are to getting it done. Much of the heavy work is already done but the details always take more time.

"If not, I'm sure we can have it at New Atlantis or even in Jane's house. She wouldn't mind that, I don't think."

[gate_expert]

"We'll find a place, even if the house isn't ready," Sam says. "I just can't believe she's going to be a year old already." And William will be four in September and it really doesn't seem like enough time should have passed for these things to be happening.

[has_2ls]

"And I will be ancient in October," Jack says, grinning at her. She's a little older than he's used to back home since she's from some time later but there's still a decent enough age difference between them.

"Baby girl's getting so big. I hate I missed the first part."

[gate_expert]

"I'm glad you're here for this part," Sam assures him. She thinks about the fiftieth birthday party she threw for the other him, and what happened then, and decides now is not the time to talk about it; she doesn't want to talk about the past in this new place. "You're going to get to see all the big firsts. Walking, saying things." Janet's cruising around so much these days, walking around by holding on to each piece of furniture, that it won't be long until she's walking for real.

[has_2ls]

"Pretty soon she's gonna be terror on two legs," Jack says, face beaming and voice unmistakably proud.

"I never...I never thought I would get to have this again, Carter. You can't imagine how much this means to me."

[gate_expert]

Sam has a little bit of an idea. She knows how happy Jack was about both pregnancies, how torn up he was about losing their first baby, how hopeful he was for their second. And even if she didn't know all that, she has two eyes and can see pretty clearly how his face lights up whenever Janet's around. "I have a good idea," Sam says. "I see you with her, you know."

[has_2ls]

"Being with you guys is my favorite part of the day," Jack admits. He's utterly sincere because the only thing he has ever wanted is to be a part of a family. He loves Carter and their kids so much that he thinks his heart might burst. He lives in perpetual fear that he'll abandon them again.

"Sam?"

[gate_expert]

"Hm?" She's been working all through this conversation (they both have) and she hasn't really been looking at him because she's been concentrating on their work--and she doesn't turn now, but the way he says her name does make her pause.

[has_2ls]

"I love you," Jack says, rubbing just between her shoulder blades. "I want to do everything I can to be a partner you can depend on to help you take care of our family and I want you to know that you don't have to do this alone. You're capable, absolutely, but you're not gonna be alone while you do this."

[gate_expert]

It surprises Sam that Jack's so wordy and forthright, because he usually isn't very open about how he feels. But now and then, he'll have a moment where he gives her more than she expects, and it always catches her off guard. And sometimes, like now, she doesn't know what to say. She completes the run of wire she was making, finishes it off, then when she still doesn't have any appropriate words to respond with she just turns and hugs him, very tightly.

[has_2ls]

Jack kisses the top of her head. He's never been good with words in spite of occasional moments where he can get it together and actually say what he feels in a way that Carter can understand. Right now, he thinks it's probably best if he just kisses her and holds her and doesn't try to say anything else; the last thing he wants is to screw it up.

[gate_expert]

Sam sighs and shifts her face against his shoulder. "We've done a lot today," she says. "I think we should stop here for the evening and go get the kids." She straightens in his arms and looks at him, but doesn't pull away. "Will you stay, tonight?" she asks.