A/N LOOK! An update!! Hasn't even been seven months P I would have actually had this up sooner, but I had my college orientation Friday and I was freaking out about it days in advance. It went great, but I found out to get from my dorm to the school I have to pass right in front of a graveyard and oh yeah, my dorm is haunted. Only haunted dorm in the school, of course I get it. I heard you Jack fans so this chapter is for you.

Chapter 10 – Dreams of Paradise

It was a familiar place. Even with her eyes closed, Sam felt as if she had lain in the same warm grass a thousand times before. She breathed deeply, inhaling the sweet scent of grass and summer and held it in her lungs before slowly exhaling. She breathed again and caught a new scent that she couldn't name. It was familiar though, far more familiar than the grass or sunlight and set her heart racing even before his lips touched hers.

It was hardly a kiss, so exquisitely gentle that she couldn't tell if he had really kissed her or if it had only been his breath against her lips.

Sam forced herself not to respond. She remained completely lifeless as she continued to feign sleep, even as his lips brushed hers a second time.

He made a soft humming sound, noticing that his ministrations were not having the desired effect. Sam nearly lost it, her lips twitching as she fought back a smile.

His mouth moved against hers again slowly, still hardly touching. He was teasing her, trying to make her break before he did, the jerk. She refused to give him that satisfaction. It wasn't long before she felt her resistance wearing down, though. She was on the verge of giving in to the sweetly taunting kiss when he broke the contact with a defeated sigh.

Ha! She had won.

He was still for a few moments, then Sam felt him lean forward, his warm breath against her ear. She allowed herself a smug smile, waiting for his apology.

“You are the worst actress I have ever seen.”

Sam couldn't hold it back any longer and burst into a fit of laughter, squinting up at Jack. He was laughing along with her, his eyes warm and loving.

“That was hardly an apology and I still think you're wrong.” she admonished, trying to look stern, but unable to stop her smile. He smirked.

“It wasn't meant to be an apology because I still think I'm right. It was merely an 'I'm sorry that we are fighting, but I am still right' kiss.”

Jack leaned back on the grass beside her, closing his eyes and grinning like the cat who had eaten the canary.

Sam glared at him. So that was his game, was it? He had purposely riled her up and now he was just going to go to sleep? Well two could play at this game.

Jack's grin widened as if he could feel her furious gaze.

She rolled over, her hands braced on either side of his head. He opened his eyes slightly, gazing up at her through golden lashes.

“Amelia.” he drew her name out as if she was a child he was scolding, “I'm trying to take a nap.” she could feel his chest shaking with silent laughter. Then his hands were wrapped around her back and Sam found herself flat against Jack's chest, his mouth fused with hers.

She pressed her hands to her eyes, groaning in frustration before dropping them limply to her sides. Sam glared up at the ceiling. It was the letters. She had fallen asleep reading them so of course they had effected her dreams. The only reason she pictured Jack rather than Tristan was because Jason had been blond. It had been in one of Amelia's letters.

She got out of bed and immediately turned on her desktop. She had to know how the story ended.

Amy looked up as she finished picking up the pieces of a dish Magic had broken.

“It emerges!” she cried in mock horror at the sight of her daughter. Sam made a face and began to fix herself a sandwich for lunch.

Amy threw out the last of the mess and washed up before sitting back on her stool. Sam took the stool next to her and Amy snagged a fry.

“So, what have you been doing locked in your room allday?” she questioned, munching on her trophy before grabbing another. Sam batted her hand away as she ate her salami sandwich.

“I've been trying to find our house history on line. No such luck. I can't find a thing about it.” she took a bite of her sandwich, chewing thoughtfully.

“You don't happen to remember who you bought the house from, do you?” she asked, giving Amy a hopeful look. Her mother made a face.

“That was over twenty years ago. I haven't a clue who we bought it from. You can try the Recorder's office at City Hall. The deed should be there.” she suggested.

Sam brightened at the news and began to plan out how she would spend the next day. Amy picked up the book she had been reading before the plate incident and the author's name caught Sam's eye. She grinned.

“Karen's new book is out?” she asked excitedly.

“Not yet. This is an advanced copy and so far it's her best. I think she might get a movie deal with this one.” Amy said, eyes flicking up to her daughter before returning to the pages.

Sam got up and slipped her sandals on as she headed into the backyard.

'Karen deserves congratulations. It would be rude of me not to go over there. What sort of friend would I be?'

She had almost convinced herself that it was the truth when she stepped through the gate and stopped dead, the half formed lie completely forgotten.

Across the yard, reclining in a shady corner, was Jack. He was laying in a hammock that stretched between two old trees, his leg hanging over the side haphazardly and his face turned away from her.

Sam walked towards his sleeping form, her original purpose forgotten. He looked the same as always. He was dressed in his usual black jeans and a dark blue T shirt, the dark colors contrasting stunningly with his tanned skin and pale hair.

She stood next to him, watching the way the light and shadow dappled his skin. He looked the same as he had in her dream, and yet...something was different.

Sam slipped her shoes off and crawled into the hammock as she had a million times before. Jack made no response other than to drop his hand from his chest to give her room. She rested her head above his heart, watching her friend critically.

She had known Jack since he was five years old and knew everything there was to know about him. Every quirk, every look, every movement was as familiar to her as the back of her hand. What had been different about her dream?

Sam stiffened, suddenly realizing the difference. It had been in the way he looked at her, not in the usual brotherly way, but in an the intimate way of lovers. There had been something else though. Something dark and frightening hiding behind the gentle romance of the dream that her mind shied away from.

Her thoughts immediately returned to the way he had teased her awake, remembering the scene all too vividly. What would happen if she kissed him like that now? She shuddered and shifted uncomfortably at the strange thought. It was far too awkward a concept to even imagine. Jack's voice startled her out of her musings.

“Move your knee half an inch lower and I'm throwing you out of the hammock.”

Sam immediately stopped her squirming and lay still. “Sorry.” she muttered apologetically. There was silence for a few moments as she continued to stare at him. Jack sighed and opened his eyes.

“Sam, I'm trying to sleep.”

Her heart almost fell out of her chest. He was gazing at her the exact same way he had in her dream and spoke in the same tone. Jack seemed to notice her startled expression, his face immediately turning serious and worried.

“What is it? You're looking at me like I just kicked your cat. You can keep staring if it's that important to you.”

Sam shook her head, masking her relief. It hadn't been Jack. Hearing his voice now proved to her that the stranger hadn't been him. They sounded similar, yet the stranger's voice had held the slight hint of an accent she couldn't identify.

“Nothing. I just thought I saw a bug in your hair. It's gone now.” she lied easily, settling back against his chest and closing her eyes. Jack stretched like a cat underneath her.

“As long as it doesn't wake me up I couldn't care less.” he yawned, setting the hammock in motion with his foot, his right arm resting on her back in a familiar manner. Sam smiled contentedly as the warm sun and rocking began to make her drowsy. She allowed herself to succumb to sleep, assured in the knowledge that nothing between them had changed.

A/N There we go. Another chapter as promised. I'll try to update 'Darkness' by next week and keep going back and forth with the two. 31 people have added this story to their alerts. I'm so flattered :) See you later guys. As always, happy reading.

-Love