Chapter 7

Three Months Later

For the first time in awhile, everything seemed to have fallen into place perfectly. Sam and Jonas were still together and thriving in fact, they stepped up the game and Jonas now lived with Sam. Everyone was pleased with Major Carter's newfound happiness. With the exception of Colonel O'Neill. While he wanted her to be happy he wasn't pleased that it had nothing to do with him.

Sam had invited SG-1, Janet and General Hammond over for dinner. (AN: Cassie doesn't exist, sorry I just don't like her.) The table was set and as the doorbell rung, Sam and Jonas went to greet their guests together.

"Hey guys! Thanks for inviting us." Daniel exclaimed. Everyone had carpooled here.

"No problem, we have something you'll need to know and tonight is team night anyways." Sam points out.

"Look Carter, I really don't feel like throwing up so I hope you made something safe. Like eggs and toast!" O'Neill joked.

"Actually O'Neill, Sammie is quite the cook." Jonas complimented.

Dinner was served and light conversation flowed casually and easily between everyone. Afterwards, dessert was handed out.

Squeezing Sam's hand in encouragement and support, Hanson jumped in. "Excuse me everyone, I believe Samantha and I have something we would like to share with all of you."

All eyes landed on Sam and Jonas.

"Well, we decided to renew our vows!" Sam almost shouted excitedly. (AN: IDK if I mentioned it but Sam and Hanson were married just estranged)

Clapping and calls of 'Congratulations' rang out. Well from everyone except for Hammond.

"And some more good news is that the hockey game is on!" O'Neill announced. Everyone piled into the living room sans General Hammond and Carter.

"Samantha, let me help clean up." Hammond asked. Sam knew he wanted to talk abou the marriage then by the use of her first name.

Now in the kitchen, Sam turned to face him. "What's wrong general?"

"Sam. I know you have been lonely for a while now, and how your work has gotten in the way of your life. But did you forget the hell Hanson put you through?"

"Sir, Believe me, I thought this through. He's a changed man. He treats me better than when he was nice to me in the beginning when we first met."

"I don't doubt that. He's a world class manipulator. Think about that time you lost a chunk out of your life. No one knew what happened to you except that it was somehow connected to Hanson."

"We aren't sure about that. And besides, so I lost two years with mo memory. It's really convienant to blame Hanson for that." Sam was strongly championing for their relationship in loud whispers.

After graduating from the academy at the age of twenty one, Sam and Jonas met at the Pentagon. There was an immediate and undeniable attraction. It hadn't even been seven months when he proposed and she accepted. They were married at only twenty two and twenty six. A few months into the marriage, te abuse started. Sam was too prideful to tell anyone the foolish mistake of choosing Hanson had been. It was as if he was bipolar. One week he would be gentle, and sweet, the next he was harsh and cruel.

Hammond, a family friend at the time, noticed the bruises but Sam all but begged his silence, insisting that she would handle it soon. She threatened to leave if Hanson didn't end the abuse. After she remembers blacking out from a well aimed punch, and nothing else.

She woke up in a hospital with the doctors and nurses telling her she had been missing for two years and had retrograde amnesia to an extent. The last thing she remembered was threatening to leave Hanson if he hit her again. So she, with the help of Hammond, left the state. And unti now, Hanson had appeared to fall off the face fo the earth.

"It will be different, better." Sam answered with less conviction.

"Who are you trying to convince Sam? Me or yourself?"

((AN: Hmm…I wonder what did happen during those 2 missing years of Sam's life? Next chapter will be the middle of the plot. I think.))