Okay, it REALLY was supposed to be a one chapter story. However, some of my evil, evil (and wonderful) reviewers asked for more of this story. So - here is chapter two. I think this will be a three chapter story.

So ... my threads continued.

The door flew open, practically hitting the wall behind it. Jack looked up, startled, his pen clutched in his hand and his arms leaning against the desk.

"Hey Jack", Daniel sauntered in and plunked himself down in the chair on the other side of the desk. "Whatcha doin'?"

Jack thought back to the Hammond days and was pretty sure that Daniel would never have done something like this to their former commander. He sighed and leaned back. Indicating the stack of folders and papers on his desk, and the pen in his hand he simply lifted his brows.

"What?" Daniel's brow furrowed as he looked at the desk.

Jack sighed again. "Just looking at the latest hockey scores Daniel", he answered sarcastically.

"Really?" His friend looked up at that but his guileless expression changed quickly, turning into a serious frown. "Those aren't hockey scores!"

Jack set his pen down, very slowly, very carefully. "No Daniel, they're not."

The archaeologist leaned forward and grabbed one of the files and pulled it towards himself. Without a blink, Jack reached out and pulled it back. "Classified", was all he said.

"Classified? But I have maximum clearance!"

"Not for personnel files you don't." Actually, for all Jack knew the file could have contained a list of menus for the coming month. Still, just because Daniel was a friend, a good friend, didn't mean he could waltz into his office and start snooping.

"Oh – sorry", he muttered. "So, you're working?"

"Yes Daniel", letting out his breath slowly. "I am working. Was there something you wanted?"

"No, not really. I just thought I'd come by and see how you were doing. Teal'c's off doing something with the Marines and Sam told me she was busy." He scowled. "Do you know what's wrong with her?"

"Who? Carter?" Jack had started signing requisitions as Daniel talked, but at that he lifted his head.

"Yeah. Sam seems – oh, I don't know, distracted or something."

"Well she did just lose her father and then broke her engagement. I think she has a right to be a bit distracted."

"Yeah, maybe. Except I don't think that's what it is."

"No? And why don't you?"

"Well, she's distracted, but she doesn't seem – I don't know", he shrugged.

"That's eloquent." Jack pulled another pile of papers forward and opened a folder, frowning down at it. How in hell could so few women go through so many tampons in one month? The bill for the damn things had gone up by almost 20% this month and there had been another increase just last month. He'd have to talk to the Doc and get her to look into it, to make sure someone hadn't started a black market tampon business. He smirked. Maybe the scientists were trying out an anti-Goa'uld device using tampons. They could plant something in them and stick them up the aliens' –

"Jack!"

"Huh?" His head popped up to see a very irritated linguist/archaeologist in front of him. "What?"

"You weren't listening."

"Daniel, I told you, I'm working."

"Can't you get Walter to do that or something?"

"Sure, although the Pentagon might wonder why a Sergeant is filling out major evaluation forms and determining the budget for the SGC!"

"Okay – you don't have to get so snotty!" his friend complained. "So, have you talked to her?"

"What? Who?"

"Sam. Jack, you really do have to pay better attention. You are a general now you know, and you can't be daydreaming all day."

He wondered if he could throw a pencil in such a way as to lodge in Daniel's forehead. It wouldn't do any major harm, but it would definitely make him – Jack - feel better, much better. He searched his desk but all he could find was the pen he'd been using to sign things and make notes and recommendations. How about a paper clip? He stared at it for a few seconds but decided it wasn't heavy enough. Too bad.

"So?"

He lifted his eyes to see Daniel looking at him expectantly. What the hell had the man been talking about? Oh yeah – Carter. He couldn't help the fact that his lips turned up slightly. He thought about yesterday's little trip to his house and wanted to start singing. Would his friend think he'd gone insane if he opened his mouth and started singing Verdi? Probably.

"So, what Daniel? I saw Carter and she seemed fine to me."

"That's because you're not very observant Jack", his friend said patiently. "You don't notice things like – well, like that. Something's up with her, I just can't figure out what it is."

"How do you know something's –uh up with her? I still think she's distracted because of all that's happened these past couple of weeks."

"No", Daniel pursed his lips and stared at the picture of the President pinning Jack's stars on his shoulders. "There's something, I just can't put my finger on it. I mean – she was humming!"

"She was?" Jack sat up, feeling and sounding pleased.

"Yeah", Daniel's forehead descended. "Since when does Sam hum?"

"Uh – I don't know Daniel."

"I mean, the last time she hummed was when she first started going out with supercop, but I haven't heard her do it in a while." He sat thinking for a moment. "In fact, I haven't heard her do it for months."

"Mmm." Jack didn't say anything, although he really wanted to pump his fist in victory. Yes! Carter was humming.

"Why would she be humming?"

"I don't know. Maybe she's happy you're back from", he waved his hand toward the ceiling, "or even because we were on the verge of total annihilation and we survived. I think both of those are hum-worthy."

"Yeah", Daniel agreed, although he didn't sound very positive about either. "Hey, do you think she's met someone new?"

Jack froze, his mouth hanging open. He could feel himself blinking, but other than that there seemed to be no sensation in his face or lips or tongue. "Uh", he gurgled out. He had to say something but –

"Nah", Daniel answered his own question, seemingly not noticing Jack's paralysis. "There's no way she'd jump into something so quickly, not after just dumping Pete and of course she just lost her father. You're probably right, she was just happy about me and about Anubis being – whatever he is."

"Yeah." Jack took a breath, extraordinarily pleased that his lungs were working again. "I'm sure that's it."

"So, what was the leak?"

Jack had known for many years that Daniel was a certified genius. He'd seen evidence of it over and over again and it had saved their collective asses many times. However, just because he was a genius, didn't mean that he couldn't be an idiot at times. Now was obviously one of those times.

"Leak? What the hell are you talking about?" Jack glanced down at the stacks of papers and was sure they were laughing at him. They were also growing as he sat there ignoring them because he was being bugged by his closest friend - the man who would do better with a pencil sticking out of his forehead.

"Your leak", Daniel explained patiently.

Now Jack admitted that he was getting older and that things didn't work quite as well as they had ten or twenty years ago, but that didn't mean he was leaking for god's sake. He hoped there'd be many years before he had to worry about that. Hell, even on Kynthia's planet he'd only had some prostate discomfort, but it hadn't led to any leaks.

"Walter said you had to go to your place because there was a leak or something. He said you got Sam to help you fix it."

"Leak! Oh yeah, that leak. It's fine, thank you."

"But what was it?"

"It was a leak Daniel. Now, I'm sorry to have to do this, but I have a lot of work here so maybe you could -" Jack nodded towards the door.

"What kind of work?" Daniel again stared down at the files as if they were strange, alien artifacts. He lifted his confusion filled eyes.

"Paperwork Daniel. The backbone of the military." He sighed in frustration as Daniel continued to look puzzled. "What did you think I did up here? Play with my yoyo all day? I am the base commander and I actually have quite a few responsibilities."

"Oh. I thought -"

"- Walter did them. I know Daniel. Now please, will you go and – I don't know – bug Sam or something. I really do have to work."

"Okay." The younger man stood up and walked slowly to the door. "You're sure you don't know what's up with her?"

"Daniel – why don't you go and ask her?"

"Yeah, okay, although I'll wait till later. She's really busy and I don't want to bother her. See you later."

Unfortunately Jack found the pencil too late and it only hit the door after Jackson had left.

"I do not like them", Teal'c intoned in his deepest, most somber voice.

"Ah, come on buddy! It's not that bad."

"It is." Teal'c stared at him, unblinking.

"But –"

"No O'Neill. I am a warrior. I fight the Goa'uld and other beings who would enslave my people or yours. I am unable to fight them. I do not like them."

"Teal'c, they're bugs."

"They are mosquitos. I do not like them."

Jack shook his head. "I'll buy you a big container of Deep Woods repellent. It's guaranteed to keep mosquitos away."

Teal'c looked at him suspiciously.

"I promise Teal'c. Really. And I'll set up some mosquito bombs around my cabin. That'll also keep them away."

"You use bombs for your insects? Is not that rather – extreme?"

Jack laughed. He could still get Teal'c on rare occasions. "Uh – it's not a real bomb. More like a smoke bomb." When his friend continued to look puzzled Jack slapped his shoulder. "Don't worry. You can stay inside and when you go out we'll slather on the Off."

"On – the off?" Teal'c shook his head. He still found it difficult to understand humans.

"Yeah." Jack grinned. "You will come though, right?"

Teal'c let out a huge sigh. "I shall come O'Neill, as this is an important time, with the Goa'uld almost defeated. It will be good to spend time with you and Samantha Carter and Daniel Jackson. It will be like old times."

"Exactly!" Jack grinned.

"Although I still do not like them."

"Jack. Are you taking a break?" Daniel watched as the older man made his way over with a tray and his lunch.

"Yeah. I was hungry."

"All those forms?" Daniel grinned as if he was sharing some secret with the general.

Jack shook his head. Daniel still didn't think he did anything. "All those forms", he agreed genially as he sat down.

"You're having a salad?" the Archaeologists eyebrows disappeared into his hair. "Really?"

Jack stared at the salad on his plate, wondering if there was something horribly wrong with it. Finally, when it neither started to move on its own, or speak Ancient, he picked up his fork and dug in. "Mmm hmm", he answered, his mouth full.

"But – you don't eat salad."

"Yes I do", he stabbed another forkful of greens. "I like salad."

"No you don't."

"Yes I do."

"No -"

"Daniel!"

"What?" His friend looked at him with a hurt expression.

"I do like salad. Just because you may not have seen me eat it very much, doesn't mean I don't like it. Now, can we move on from my lunch?"

"Oh. Okay." Daniel looked at the greens again as if they were just plain wrong. "So, what is this I hear about your cabin? Teal'c was complaining again about mosquitos."

Jack grinned. "He's coming to my cabin. It took a little convincing -"

"Off?"

"Yeah. I also told him I'd use a bug bomb."

"And he wanted to know why we were bombing bugs?"

"He told you?" Jack looked surprised.

"No. I just know Teal'c."

Jack grinned again. "Yeah, it was classic. Anyway, he's said he'll come. I want you to come too. I thought it would be good to get the team together and spend a few days up there. It's been a crazy time, with everything that's happened. I also thought it would be good for Carter."

"Sam? She's not going?" Daniel looked shocked.

Jack frowned. "Yes she is. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing's wrong with it. I'm just – surprised."

"Why are you surprised?" he asked, sounding peeved. Suddenly his salad didn't look so appetizing and he began to play with the radicchio.

"Huh?" Daniel was looking over at the dessert case. "I think I'm gonna have a piece of pie. You want something?"

"Uh no." O'Neill watched as his friend stood up and perused the dessert case for – god, who took that long to pick a damned piece of pie? Finally Daniel grabbed one and made his way back to the table. "Oh, I need more coffee." With that he was up again, and then he ran into Dr. Lee, who wanted to ask him something about his latest experiment. By the time he made it back to the table Jack had finished not only his salad, but had stacked the salt, pepper, sugar and cream into a little pyramid.

"Mmm, this is good. You sure you don't want a piece?" Daniel licked the blueberry off his lips.

"No. Why are you surprised?"

"Huh?" Daniel looked at him as if he was crazy. "Surprised about what?"

"You said you were surprised that Carter was going to come to my cabin."

"Did I?" He shrugged. "I don't know. I guess it's okay. It'll be nice having all of us there. When are we going?"

Jack tilted his head, contemplating his friend. He sometimes wondered how Daniel managed to survive – well – anything. He sighed. "We'll leave this Friday. Does that work for you?"

"Mmm hmm", he nodded, his mouth full. "We flying?"

"Yeah. We'll take a transport and then I'll rent a car in Minneapolis and drive the rest of the way. Bring comfortable clothes."

"I will." Daniel watched as Jack stood up and picked up his tray. "Thanks Jack. This will be fun."

Jack grinned at him and headed back to his office to – yes Daniel – to work. He thought of his friend with real affection. There really was no one quite like Daniel Jackson.

"So, we all ready to go?" He looked at his three friends and wanted to laugh. The four of them had travelled the galaxy together. They had gone on missions that were tough and dirty and dangerous – and from which it was a miracle they'd survived. They'd slept in the worst kind of conditions, with barely enough to keep them alive. And yet now they were going for a few days to a cabin with heat, electricity and hot and cold running water and they looked like they'd packed enough for a month.

"Uh – what are all the supplies?" he asked, looking down at the stack of suitcases in his driveway.

"I have brought extra clothing to protect myself from insects", Teal'c informed him. "Plus I purchased extra Off."

"I see. And Daniel?"

"I just brought a few books Jack. I thought I might have time to do some reading."

"We're gone for a week. How many books did you bring?"

"Oh, only about thirty or so."

"Mmm. Well, if you run out let me know. I may have a few at the cabin."

"Sam?" he looked at her and couldn't help the warm tingly feeling he got. He got a hold of himself and gave her the usual 'General O'Neill to Colonel Carter' look. She gave him a huge smile in return and then lifted up one duffle bag.

"This is all I'm bringing General."

"Really? Uh, where's your laptop Carter?"

"Do I need it?" she asked, looking surprised. "I left it at home, but if you think -"

"NO. No, that's fine. I'm glad you left it. I just", he shrugged.

"You didn't think I could do without it, did you – Sir?" She looked him in the eye and grinned.

Daniel and Teal'c were both looking at them with slightly puzzled looks on their faces. Oops! Jack took a breath and straightened up, and he noticed that Sam did the same. "I wondered Carter. Okay everyone, here comes the cab. Let's get going."

The trip to Minnesota was fun. The transport was crowded, with a number of service personnel heading off to new assignments or, like them, using it for personal travel. Jack watched as Sam chatted with a young couple who were newlyweds, on their way to visit family.

He still had a hard time believing that he'd gotten the chance to actually kiss her. And a kiss not because of alien influence or one that only one of them remembered – or that took place in someone's hallucination (he'd laughed at her for that one). No, this had been one hundred percent, totally mutual and real. He leaned his head back against the seat. It had been wonderful and he could hardly wait to do it again – and again – and again –

"O'Neill, you are not paying attention."

"What?" He pushed himself up. "What Teal'c?"

"You are not paying attention. I was asking what we will be doing at your cabin."

"Oh." Jack gazed at him for a few seconds. "We'll uh – hike and swim and fish. We can have barbeques and make smores and at night play games. You know, the kinds of things you do at cabins."

"I do not."

"Huh?"

"I do not know the kinds of things you do at cabins. I only remember fishing and getting attacked by the small bugs. We did not play games and nor did we have smores."

Teal'c actually sounded put out, and Jack had an almost uncontrollable urge to laugh. "I guess because it was just the two of us. I promise Teal'c, we'll play some games."

"And eat smores?"

"Yes, and we'll eat some smores. Uh, as many as you want."

Teal'c nodded and turned away from Jack, leaving him to once again, lean back, close his eyes, and dream of Carter and her –

"Jack!"

"WHAT!' He sat up to see a surprised looking Daniel leaning over from the row ahead.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Sorry, I was snoozing and you startled me."

"Oh, okay. So, how long until we get there?"

Jack did start to laugh at that. He was travelling to Minnesota with two little boys! All he needed now was for Carter to –

"Excuse me", she stood up and crawled over Daniel. "Little girl's room", she explained as she headed to the back of the plane.

Teal'c and Daniel looked worriedly at one another. O'Neill appeared to be laughing hysterically. It was a good thing they were going away for a few days. He obviously needed the rest.

The drive to the cabin was uneventful. Jack drove, since he knew the way so well. They'd stopped outside the city to stock up on food for the week, although he told them there was a small store a few miles away. "It's better for necessities than any gourmet items though. So if you want anything special, now's the time to get it."

"Do not forget to purchase the supplies for smores , O'Neill."

Once they were on the road after their shopping trip Jack could feel himself start to unwind. In eight years this was the first time all his friends were coming and he was thrilled. His cabin was a very special place, and he was looking forward to sharing it with them. He just hoped that they'd like it. Who knows, Teal'c might enjoy it more now that he had bug repellent.

"Why are the beer bottles hanging on the wall", Teal'c asked. "That does not seem a logical place for them. Would they not be better on shelves or in a refrigerator?"

"That's not the point -"

"And why are there ninety-nine of them? It seems an odd number. I would have thought someone would have purchased a full one hundred."

"Anyone for 'Blowin' in the Wind'?" Daniel desperately interrupted.

"I do not understand why we should want to blow in the wind, Daniel Jackson. That does not sound comfortable, especially -"

"I can't get no, saa –tis fac tion!" Jack suddenly erupted in a rendition of the Rolling Stones. With a laugh Sam soon joined in and they drowned out the two men in the back seat.

"Here we are", Jack pulled up to his cabin. The sun was just setting but there was still enough light to see the beauty of their surroundings.

"It's wonderful", Sam stepped out of the car and looked around, breathing deeply of the sweet air. "Oh J – General. It's amazing."

He grinned and couldn't help but stare at her. This had been his fantasy for so long it was hard to believe she was actually –

"Jack!"

He scowled and turned to Daniel. "What?"

"Oh, I was just going to say we should get everything in before it gets dark."

He relaxed and nodded. "I'll unlock the door if you guys can unload the car. I'm going to go turn the heat on and check everything out to make sure it's okay. Uh Carter, can I get you to give me a hand? The generator's been acting up a bit and I thought you might be able to take a look."

"Oh, okay", she answered, looking a bit surprised, but willing to help. "Daniel, do you mind taking my bag?"

She walked around the back of the cabin with Jack, wondering why he wouldn't have seen to the generator before inviting people up here. It was probably something –

"Oh!"

Jack swung her around and pulled her to him. With a smile he lowered his head and kissed her. It was quite a bit later before he lifted his head. "I've been wanting to do that all day."

She grinned back at him. "So, the generator's okay?"

"Oh yeah. It's just fine. But I wasn't. I needed my dose of Carter to feel better."

She leaned into him. "You know that Daniel's going to come looking for us any minute now."

"Yeah", he sighed, "I know. Still, this was worth it."

"It definitely was. How about meeting me here later?"

"After the boys are in bed, asleep?"

"Sounds good."

"You have a deal Ms. Carter."

"I'm glad Mr. O'Neill."

He released her reluctantly, just in time to hear footsteps. "So, how's the generator?" Daniel asked.

"It's fine. Carter's magic touch you know", he smirked.

"Yeah. She's pretty amazing with old machines."

Sam choked and wouldn't look at him. Instead she linked her arm with Daniel's and led him back around the front. "I think the General needs to still check on a few things. I'll help put some of the groceries away and get something out for dinner."

Jack watched as the two science twins headed around the corner and then grinned. He opened the back door and quickly checked that everything was working properly. He raised the water temperature and ensured that the generator was in good, working order. After that he shut things up and made his way back around to the front.

He walked in to see all three of his friends putting groceries away in the kitchen. Their things were piled in the corner since none of them knew where they were sleeping. The cabin had two bedrooms and he'd agonized slightly, but knew it was way too early to even think of sharing with Sam – as much as he'd like to – really, really like to.

"Uh, Daniel and Teal'c, I've put you both in the bedroom on the left. There are two singe beds in there. Carter, you can have the master. It's the door on the right."

"What about you Sir?" she frowned. As soon as she said that she could feel herself start to blush. Oh god, what if he'd planned – but surely he wouldn't assume – not that she didn't want to, but it would feel awkward since Daniel and Teal'c didn't know, and they'd only kissed twice. Okay, so it was more than twice – but only on two occasions. They hadn't really seen each other, except on base, since that day at his house.

"The couch pulls out into a bed", he explained. "I'll sleep there."

"I hate to make you give up your room General", she said.

"Don't worry about it Carter. I've done it before and the pull-out is quite comfortable."

"And he'll be closer to the refrigerator", Daniel mentioned.

"Exactly", he grinned. "I'll take the suitcases into your rooms. By the way, just watch the plumbing. It's a bit old so try not to put too much into the toilet."

Teal'c frowned and opened his mouth.

"He means paper Teal'c."

Teal'c looked quite relieved, and Jack wanted to laugh. "And there isn't a huge amount of hot water, so showers have to be quick."

They spent the evening just relaxing and talking. Jack made some snacks and they all drank beer and told stories and by midnight they were all ready for bed. While nothing like many of the missions they'd been on, it had been a tiring day.

"If you need anything, just let me know", Jack told them as they all headed to their rooms. "Just make yourselves at home."

"Thanks Jack", Daniel grinned. "This is great. I'm glad you invited us up here."

"I too am happy you urged me to come", Teal'c told him. "The insects have not bothered me."

"Uh – that's good Teal'c, although they don't usually come inside."

"That is good. I also look forward to spending time with all of you in a relaxed environment. And to eating smores."

"Thank you Sir", Sam regarded him gently. "This is great. I wish -"

"You wish?"

She grinned. "That I'd come here before – to go fishing."

"Yes, well, you're here now, and that's what counts." He watched as she gave Teal'c and Daniel hugs and gave him a small wave and headed off down the hallway.

"She's doing it again", Daniel complained.

"Doing what?" Jack looked at him in confusion.

"She's humming. Why the hell is she humming?"

Next - more threads. And Daniel and Teal'c begin to notice.