Wow. That's all I can say. I never expected this story to get so many reviews! Thanks to everyone who did review... it means so SO much to me!

Ellana-san - I'm so glad you like it! I'm definitely continuing... :D

lkhoward88 - I'm glad the angst was too much/little! And there's definitely more... Muse wouldn't shut up. ;)

VisualIDentificationZeta - In this story I made Grace Sam and Pete's daughter... in my mind, Sam named her Grace because she was secretly wishing Grace was Jack's... even though she isn't... if that makes any sense at all.

anon - I'm glad I wrote it too (lol) - the idea was driving me up the wall!!! :)

KEF - I'm glad you enjoyed it! Your wish for more is granted! :)

not a zatarc - I'm glad you like it... here's more! :)

StarKate - I'm glad about getting the characters right... a bit of an OOC warning for this chapter... but I think Sam's situation would've changed her. As for Jack... not quite sure if I got him quite right, oh well. ;)

thetamarine - Here you go! :D

in-love-with-a-doctor - I am tossing around the idea of Jack finding Pete... either searching for him, or Pete shows up because he'd probably know where Sam would go... We'll see what happens! :)

Okay... Here's chapter two! Sorry it's so short... the next one will be longer, I promise! :)

Chapter Two

When Sam arrived, she pulled her sleeping daughter from the car, grabbed her bags and walked up to the door. It was raining outside, but she was thankful, because it hid her tears.

She hesitated for a moment before knocking confidently on the door.

He opened almost instantly. His face flushed with shock.

"Carter?"

"Sir."

"Come inside, you're soaking wet!"

She walked inside and he closed the door.

"What are you doing here?"

She didn't attempt to hide her tears now.

"I'm so sorry to just show up after... two years like this. But I... I just didn't know where else to go. But I'll leave if you want me to."

"No, no, no. Stay. I'm just... what happened?"

"Do you have somewhere I can put her?"

To her surprise, he took Grace from her.

"I'll hold her."

She sat down on his couch and he sat beside her.

"Sam. What happened?"

Afraid to say anything, she pulled of her jacket, revealing bruises lacing her arms. Jack became enraged, but he tried not to wake Grace.

"Did he do this to you?"

"Yes."

"For how long?"

"About nine months."

"Sam! How could you do this? Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"I had no one to tell! I was afraid that he'd find out... I didn't know where to turn."

"Sam. I know what I said at your wedding. I'll never forgive myself for it. But I want – need – you to know that no matter what decision you make, no matter how wrong I think it is... you can always come to me for help, for anything you need."

"I know that I should've. I just... couldn't."

"What changed your mind?"

"He hurt Grace."

"That ungrateful son of a..." He took a deep breath and attempted to calm himself down.

"I couldn't let her be hurt. She's completely in all of this. I had to get out of there, I didn't know where else to go, so I came here."

"I'm glad that you did. Now. It's late and you look really tired."

"I am tired."

"You and Grace can stay in the guest room okay?"

"Thank you."

She carried her bags and her jacket to the room, while Jack carried Grace.

She set her things on the floor and Jack laid Grace on the bed.

"Really. I can't thank you enough for letting me stay here."

"That's what friends are for."

"Friends," she muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, just... thanks."

"Good night, Carter."

"Good night, sir."

She laid down beside her daughter and quickly drifted off to sleep.

So? Awful? Good? All you've gotta do is press that button down there - now, that isn't so hard, is it? :)