Sam & Jack have finally gotten together and are proceeding with a relationship…when an enemy interrupts their happiness. This story is set between the end of Season 8 and Sam's return to the SGC in Season 9.

Thanks to my beta, SqueeG-1, for getting me through this process. I've never written a story this long before…and her encouragement really helped. I'll do my best to post a couple of chapters a week, but I'm not sure how it's going to end yet, so your suggestions will be helpful! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

Jack O'Neill sat at his desk in the Pentagon, his frustration showing as he tapped a pencil on his note pad. He had just finished another boring meeting with the international committee, and he was beyond agitated. Since the committee had started overseeing gate activity, his job had become much more difficult. "No wonder Hammond wanted out of here," he thought before stopping himself. George Hammond had never run from a challenge in his life, and he wasn't going to start over a bunch of bureaucrats.

Jack sighed. He would have already given up this thankless job, if it hadn't been for Hammond. Hammond had entrusted him with it, and despite Jack's lack of respect for most authority, he had a huge amount of respect for George Hammond. It's just...that there were other places he would rather be. And with that thought, his mind drifted to Sam.

A grin began to spread across his face at the thought of her. He had never expected to be this happy again. He felt like a kid, and it started during the fishing trip to his cabin in Minnesota. He, Sam, Daniel and Teal'c took the trip together. The three of them wanted to give Sam a change of scenery. They thought it might help her deal with the impact of her father's death. But just a day after they arrived, Daniel and Teal'c were called back to the SGC to deal with some delicate negotiations among factions of the jaffa on Dakara. It seemed the new Jaffa Nation was having problems choosing a form of government. Yeah, Jack thought...like that situation had gotten any better. He doubted whether the Jaffa would ever get it together. But, Daniel and Teal'c were their best hope, or it seemed so at the time. Sam and Jack had remained in Minnesota, and it had given them time to have the long talk they would have had four years earlier…if it hadn't been for the regulations and the Goa'uld threat.

He remembered the shocked look on her face when he told her he was removing himself from her chain of command…and why. He could still see the tears in her eyes when he told her that he loved her, and that he was tired of denying it. And he remembered the warmth that welled up inside him when she admitted that she loved him too.

That night, they had finally given in to the feelings they had held back for so long, and it had been incredible. He was still overwhelmed by the intensity of being with her. The first experience had shocked them both. Maybe it shouldn't have. After all, they knew each other so well after eight years of working side-by-side, cheating death, saving each other's lives. Why didn't they realize how in sync they were? When he had fantasized about it, he always thought that making love with her would be great. He just didn't realize that the actual experience would surpass his imagination.

The surprising thing was, time hadn't made their lovemaking any less intense. Every time just seemed more incredible than the time before. He could no longer even imagine being with another woman. He had found his soulmate, and that was that. They hadn't done much fishing, but so what? He closed his eyes, imagining the soft warmth of her breath on his neck, remembering the joy of waking up with her in his arms. When they returned to Colorado and told Daniel and Teal'c that they had made a commitment to each other, both men were happy…but neither seemed surprised.

"What does she want with me?" he mused. He was no slouch; he kept in shape. But even at his best, he was 12 years older, and, by his estimation, half worn out. Why someone so beautiful, so smart and so much younger wanted this old soldier, he just didn't understand.

But he knew, as she did, that something bound their souls together, so he had given up on trying to understand it. Their relationship had grown slowly through years of working together, of facing challenges, of saving each other's lives and holding back the emotions they both felt.

Sam simply knew him better than anyone ever had. Even when he was married to Sara, there was an underlying degree of unease because of the secretive nature of his work. There was just always so much that had to go unanswered. But with Sam, that was not an issue. She had clearance to discuss the issues he faced at work, and besides that, she understood. She was his peer, a fellow soldier. Heck, she was closer to a man than any woman he had ever known...wait a minute, that didn't sound right! Her mind worked like a soldier's. The rest of her was all woman. He just knew that he was damn lucky to have her.

Ironically, although they were together in spirit, they were geographically separated. He was working in Washington. She was dividing her time between the SGC and Area 51, where she was overseeing alien technology development. But within a year, he hoped they would be living in the same house full-time. He had already bought an engagement ring. He planned to offer it to her on her next visit to Washington, which started tomorrow. Damn! He felt like a kid again! He was practically counting the hours until he would see her. He put the ring box in his pocket. He was carrying it with him all the time. Just knowing it was there made him feel closer to her, and filled him with anticipation.

"Phone call, General," his secretary said over the intercom. "It's the SGC."

Jack picked up the receiver. Daniel was on the other line. "Jack," he said, "Thank God you're there. I need to tell you...we're doing everything we can."

A feeling of dread came over Jack. "Daniel? Would you care to explain?"

S&J*S&J*S&J* S&J*S&J*S&J* S&J*S&J*S&J* S&J*S&J*S&J*S&*S&J*S&J*S&J

Samantha Carter stood back from the table in one of the Area 51 labs. The computer simulations showed she had succeeded in her task. The new weapon was more powerful than any explosive she had ever seen. It was also lightweight, easy to carry, and packed double the wallop of C4. With this task complete, she would be able to leave within an hour…maybe even catch an earlier flight to D.C.

A soft, low chuckle escaped as she thought about Jack—tall, handsome, with brooding eyes that made her quiver inside whenever he looked at her. After all these years of working side by side with him, she could read every nuance in his face. And she was still amazed that they were finally been able to be together, to act on the feelings that had built between them for so long.

She had never felt so loved…without also feeling smothered. Jack was her friend, her lover, her equal...her soulmate. Although it was his instinct to command, he didn't try to control her or their relationship. He could sense when she wanted to stand on her own, and when she needed to be comforted. It was amazing intuition for a man who hated to discuss emotions. But then, she had always known there was more to him than met the eye.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a door that opened behind her. Dr. Kim Ying, one of the researchers on her team, entered the room. "We've done it, Colonel," he beamed. "All that's left now is the field tests, and we have those scheduled for a week from Monday, when you get back from Washington."

"Then I guess we can wrap up for the day," she smiled. "We made great progress this trip, Kim. I'm anxious to see if the field trials prove what the simulations indicate."

"We'll also be ready to test the cloaking device when you get back," Ying said. "Give it to the ancients to tie it to the user's DNA. I really feel lucky to have worked with you on it, Colonel Carter. Figuring that out was genius. You should be proud of yourself."

"I didn't do it alone, Kim," Sam blushed. "We both worked to solve that puzzle."

"Thank you, Colonel, but the credit for figuring out how to key In the user's DNA goes to you."

"Well, the important thing is that it will keep anyone who steals one from our people from using it themselves," Sam smiled. "That should make the technology much safer for us to use."

Just then, Ying's beeper sounded. "It's my other project," he grinned. "Gotta go. See you when you get back!"

Sam gathered her bags together and headed outside. If she could catch the next shuttle to Vegas, she'd probably be able to get into D. C. this evening. She just needed to let Jack know…or maybe she'd surprise him instead. Hmmmm…that could be fun. As she walked over to the hangar, she heard a vehicle approaching. "Lt. Colonel Carter," someone called out. "Wait up!"

Sam stopped and turned. Two Army sergeants were in the Jeep. One hopped out as it stopped. "Ma'am," he said, saluting her.

"At ease, sergeant," Sam smiled. "What is it?"

"Ma'am," the young man continued, "the CO asked to see you before you leave today. He sent us to bring you to him."

Sam checked her watch. There was plenty of time to see General Moore before the next shuttle left. "Sure, sergeant," she smiled, as the young man hoisted her bags into the vehicle. "But let's make this quick. I have a plane to catch."

"Yes ma'am," he replied, hopping into the back of the vehicle, leaving the front passenger seat for her. Sam got in and the vehicle took off. It was then that she felt the needle in her neck, and everything went dark.

S&J*S&J*S&J* S&J*S&J*S&J* S&J*S&J*S&J* S&J*S&J*S&J*S&*S&J*S&J*S&J*

"Daniel? Would you care to explain?" There was no answer. "Hello, Earth to Daniel…."

"Jack, I just figured you would have heard by now."

"Heard what?" Jack challenged, a knot rising in his throat. It was clear that something bad had happened. "You're going to have to give me a little more information."

"Jack, it's Sam," Daniel stuttered. "She's missing."

"Missing?" Jack's voice started to rise. "From the most secure military facility on the planet? Daniel!"

At that moment, Jack's secretary burst through the door. "General Moore for you on line three, Sir," she said. "He says it's urgent."

"Daniel….I've got Area 51 on the line. Later," Jack said, as he punched up line three. "Moore, you better not be calling to give me any bad news."

"Jack, I'm sorry," the man replied. "Lt. Colonel Carter is nowhere to be found. She told Dr. Ying they were finished with their work for the week. He was called back to another project, and that's the last time anyone here remembers speaking with her. But someone did see a Jeep headed away from that building. There were two
soldiers and a blond woman in it. I sent teams out in the direction they were heading. I found two of my men's bodies at the western gate. Someone had taken their uniforms. We're doing everything we can, Jack." His tone grew softer. "I'll keep you up to date."

"Yeah, I know. Thanks, Bill." Jack slammed the phone back on the receiver. He put his elbows on the desk and ran his hands through his hair. Damn! Damn, damn, damn! This wasn't supposed to happen anymore! Why couldn't fate just leave them alone? What was going on this time? He took a deep breath and sat in silence for a few moments, weighing his options. His head told him to stay in Washington and let the people in charge handle this in Nevada. His heart told him to get there as fast as he could. He looked out the window into the courtyard of the Pentagon. Oh, to hell with protocol, he thought…no one would be surprised if he went with his gut—he always did. "Louise!" he bellowed.

Louise came to the door again. Seeing his face, she knew her boss was distressed. "Yes, sir?"

"Call Langley," he muttered. "Tell them I'm on my way, and I need a ride on that Asgard transport beam."

Reviews welcome!!!