Not a word had been spoken between Jack and Haley the whole car ride home. His hands were firmly planted on the wheel, eyes fixed directly on the road. Haley toyed around with a yoyo she had found in the driver's compartment. She refused to look in her father's direction- it turned her insides into ice, and sent shivers up her arms. No, the yoyo was entertaining. Fathers who don't want you bad, yoyo good, she repeated in her head.

Jack was driving faster than usual, the trees outside seemed to blend into one-another. The leaves were still changing, rich shades of gold, red, and orange mixed together. Haley half wanted to jump out of the car and make a run for the trees. They seemed so friendly and inviting, especially the red ones. There was something about red trees that called out for somebody to lie underneath them, taking in their beauty. The roads seemed so familiar and so distant at the same time to Haley. Everything in her registered this place as home, but knowledge of the past week reminded Haley that this was all a lie. Well was it a lie that she recognized the places she had been living for at least two months? It was all so confusing.

Haley took in a deep sigh and shuddered. Hearing this caused Jack to twitch slightly. He really hoped she didn't notice. He saw his… daughter? out of the corner of his eye with her knees pulled against her chest, arms wrapped around them tightly. Instinctively he reached out and squeezed her shoulder, something that startled them both. Haley jumped a little, but relaxed when she realized that he was finally reaching out to her. Jack regretted what he did as she took his hand in hers, clamping on for dear life. He desperately wanted to pull away, not to feel the rush of emotions that came with playing the role of father.

Still, Jack never took his eyes off the road. As he turned the corner onto his street the butterflies that had been plaguing his stomach since he first had to bring Haley to the SGC seemed to be as overactive as ever. Apparently Haley felt the same way; he could feel her hand shaking in his. Now or never O'Neill, he told himself while hesitantly pulling into the driveway. He saw Daniel's car was already there, and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Before he even turned the engine off, Haley was already out of the car and heading for the door. Jack slowly followed her into the house and wasn't all that surprised to see Daniel had brought Teal'c with him. The two were watching a Discovery channel piece on Ancient Egypt, and Daniel was pointing out all the discrepancies while Teal'c sat with his arms crossed, extremely relieved that O'Neill and HaleyO'Neill had arrived and would most surely change the subject.

Haley plunked herself down next to Daniel and seemed very interested in what he was watching and had to say.

"I'm going to pick up the pizza," Jack announced.

"I will accompany you O'Neill," Teal'c quickly got up from the couch, looking for any excuse to leave. As soon as the door closed Daniel looked Haley up and down studying her brave face. Her arms and legs were crossed and she remained fixedly staring at the TV. The only sign that she was suffering was the tiny quivers she let out every so often while breathing.

"Hale?" Daniel questioned, but she only let out an hmmm in response, not looking at him. "Are you okay?" she still didn't look in his direction, but the deep sigh before she nodded and turned away from him was enough of an answer. Daniel pulled her to his end of the couch and put his arm around her. She collapsed into his side and closed her eyes. "You need to know that you are not alone, do you understand me?" Daniel looked down to see Haley nod again, eyes still shut. "Haley?"

"Yes?" she weakly responded, and closed her eyes again.

"Everything is going to be okay."

In her gut Haley knew nothing would ever be okay again, but Daniel seemed so full of hope, she didn't want to make him feel bad on account of her problems. "I know Daniel. Thank you."

xxxxx

Sam arrived at the same time as Jack and Teal'c did with the pizza. She was starving, and quite relieved that they could sit down and eat right away. Sam followed Jack into the house, but bumped into him when he stopped in front of the living room. Haley was curled up against Daniel's side, while he explained what the pyramids were really built for. His excitement was reflected in her eyes as he animatedly spoke. Jack ran his fingers through his hair and continued towards the kitchen. "Sir," Carter tentatively said, hoping to see if he was alright.

"Eh, eh, eh, Car- Sam, you know the kid's rules," he shook his index finger at her before turning back to the task of getting plates out of the cabinet.

"Jack," Sam slowly spoke, not wanting to cross whatever invisible line she knew she was probably miles away from by now, "if you need to talk…" Sam nervously looked down at her feet before returning to meet his gaze, "I'm here." Jack gave her a small smile, but his eyes still had emptiness to them.

"Alright kids, time for dinner," Jack called into the living room. He waited for Haley to nearly push him over as she made a run for the first slice, but it never happened. She trudged into the kitchen last, drawing strange looks from the adults. "Hay- you hungry?"

"Yeah, I just thought I'd be polite like you're always telling me to."

"Oh…kay." Jack turned back to the pizza and doled out slices for everybody.

Everyone ate in relative silence. Jack and Haley looked like mirror images of one another; both had their heads bowed, avoiding eye contact with anybody. Finally Teal'c broke the silence.

"I am considering joining a bowling league." Daniel choked on his drink, Sam shoved food in her mouth to keep from laughing and one of Jack's eyebrows went up- Teal'c-style. Haley's eyes seemed to broaden for a moment, but she returned to picking at her food. "Do you find this humorous?"

Glances were exchanged, but there was no reply. Finally Jack took a stab. "Is this part of that whole joking thing you've been trying T?" This time Teal'c refused to answer; he just stared stoically at O'Neill. Jack went off on a tangent about Jaffa comedians for a few minutes, until Haley silently cleared off her plate. She had one and a half slices, definitely far from her usual four.

Haley left to retrieve her books. As she and the guys finished eating and cleared off the table Sam called upstairs to Haley. "I'm ready to start when you are-" Before she could finish the sentence the girl was already at the bottom of the stairs looking bored and unexcited at the prospect of math.

"I'm going to take T back to the base," Jack motioned with his thumb towards the door. Daniel plopped himself down on the couch to read a book, hoping that maybe Teal'c would say something deep and inspirational to lighten Jack's mood a bit.

xxxxx

Sam sat with Daniel on the couch, waiting for Jack to get back so she could say goodbye. Haley showed significant signs of improvement and disappeared into her room when Tommy had called. "What's taking Jack so long?" Daniel wondered.

Sam shrugged, "I'm not sure, but I'm not in too big a rush, my dad's actually at General Hammond's playing poker with some old air force buddies in the area." Daniel smiled at the idea of Jacob Carter being so human. It was hard to visually separate him from the Tok'ra culture sometimes. His and Sam's pleasant thoughts were interrupted by rapid thuds on the staircase. Haley excitedly ran into the room, holding her phone.

"Can I go out for a bit?" she questioned, giving Daniel a crooked smile.

"Um, I think that's kind of up to your dad," he nervously replied.

Haley frowned, placing her hands squarely on her hips. "He's not home right now Daniel," she practically growled. Daniel shifted again, anxiously looking towards Sam.

"Why don't you call his cell Hale?" she suggested. She is so smart, Daniel smiled to himself.

"Fine!" Haley exasperatedly threw her hands in the air and stalked into the corner of the room. "Can I call you right back? ... Yeah they're making me call my Dad." Sam and Daniel exchanged timid smiles, hoping that Jack said yes so they wouldn't see Haley explode. "Hi Daddy… yes she's still here but I'm done… Daddy, can I please talk? … I want to go out with some of my friends… I know I have school tomorrow, but… Thank you!" Haley quickly hung up the phone, letting out a squeal and a hop. "He said 'Do whatever you want,' so I'm going to get going now!" Haley ran to her room to grab a sweater.

"Should we let her leave?" Sam questioned.

"Apparently Jack gave her permission," Daniel shrugged. "Who are we to stand in the way of an extremely anguished filled teenager?"

A stampede of elephants came down the stairs as Haley yelled "bye guys!" and ran out of the house.

"I have a bad feeling about this…" Daniel muttered. Sam nodded along, but maybe seeing her friends would make Haley feel a little better, a little more… real. God knows her father's not any help, she regretfully sighed, feeling equally sorry for her colonel.

xxxxx

Jack slowly opened up his door, looking back and forth. He figured that Haley was out with her friends by now. Yeah he knew it was completely irresponsible of him letting her out in her emotional state on a school night, but he just really had trouble being around the kid.

"Jack?" Daniel called from the living room. He and Sam were seated on the couch, obviously talking about him.

"Is she?" Jack pointed to the door.

"About fifteen minutes ago." Jack formed an "O" with his mouth and plopped down in the space between Sam and Daniel.

"Thanks for sticking around Carter."

"Well, you know, I felt bad leaving Daniel alone…" Sam gave a cute little shrug, emitting a smile from Jack.

"Yeah sorry about ditching you, uhhh, Teal'c was just yapping away, you know how he just yaps and yaps and… well you know." There was an uncomfortable silence and Jack reached for a movie on the coffee table in front of him. "Indiana Jones- look it's you Daniel!" Jack pointed to the box and Daniel let out a snort.

"Why don't we watch it?" Sam suggested, hoping it would ease some of the tenseness in the room. Jack gave a "sure why not" nod and put on the movie. Maybe it would take his mind somewhere else for at least a short time.

xxxxx

As the movie ended Jack stretched out his arms, accidentally punching Sam's arm in the process. "Oops, sorry there," he reached out and squeezed her arm, causing her to flush up a little. Daniel looked away, obviously some kind of moment was going on, and he always felt extremely awkward when witnessing one so up close. When are they going to open their eyes? he wondered as the two dopily smiled with one another. Their time was cut short though, because the front door slammed shut, and somebody stumbled on the steps. This cannot be good, Daniel sighed as the three adults headed towards the stairs to see Haley sloppily trying to climb them. The brief relief of Indiana's exploits was instantaneously wiped away when Jack realized what was going on.

"What is going on?" Jack questioned. Haley giggled a whispered 'oops' as she slid down the stairs on her stomach.

"I was rooming to my go!" Haley slurred, tripping slightly as she stood up. Her father's arms were crossed, and his feet were in a wide stance. He was angry Sam noticed, taking a few steps back.

"Are you drunk!" Haley shook her head no. "So you're just acting like an idiot for no reason?"

"Hey!"

"You are fifteen. What the hell were you thinking?" Haley opened her mouth, but burped before any words were formed. "Just go to your room, I'll figure this out in the morning." She just stood there, staring at him. "NOW!"

"You can't tell me what to do!" she yelled back, stomping her foot. Daniel and Sam exchanged worried glances.

"Oh I can most definitely tell you what to do."

"I'm not one of your stoooopid soldiers!" Haley stomped her foot again.

"You may not be, but you're still my responsibility, and I'll be damned if I let you get away with this kind of shit again. Go to your room NOW!"

"Why do you even care? It's not like you worry about me annnways!"

"Don't make me say it again. Get yourself cleaned up and go to bed," Jack pointed up the stairs. "You're a mess," he muttered, his disappointment seeping out. Haley let out a giant groan and attempted the stairs again. She missed a step and slid down. Sam stepped forward, and pulled her up, helping the girl up the stairs. Jack let out a giant sigh, throwing himself down on the bottom step. Daniel gave him some space for a moment, unsure exactly of what to say or do.

Meanwhile, Sam patiently tried to help Haley into bed. "What were you thinking tonight?"

"I had a time gooood. I feel happy!" Haley threw her arms up in a 'score!' position, most likely learned from her father.

"Honey, no matter what your problems are, drinking is not going to fix them. You'll just have more in the morning," Sam pushed the hair off Haley's face and pulled her covers up. "I want you to promise me that next time you'll talk to me, or Daniel, or Janet, or even Teal'c! He's a pretty good listener you know!"

"Fine Sam, I promise. But how can I talk to you when you're not around? Let me come stay with you," she suggested, making Sam's stomach flip a little.

"Aw, Haley, you know that can't happen. I'm really sorry. But anytime you need me, just pick up the phone and call. You know I don't go anywhere without a phone," Sam smiled down, but was greeted with a scowl.

"He hates me, he's gonna kick me out," Haley mumbled as her eyes fluttered shut.

"Is that why you did this? So you wouldn't have to stay here?" Sam questioned, but Haley was already asleep. This is not going to be a fun house tomorrow… Sam groaned thinking about the colonel at work tomorrow. She quietly descended the stairs, unsure of what she would find at the bottom.

"I think I'm going to get going Sir," Sam stated, starting to gather her belongings.

"Carter, you don't have a car, how are you getting home? How'd you even get here in the first place?" Jack turned around the couch, watching her movements.

"My dad dropped me off…" she felt like she was a child again saying that. "Daniel's giving me a ride home." Snapped out of a daze Daniel straightened up and walked towards the closet for his coat.

"My car's on the outside, and I don't need you messing with my truck Daniel. I'll drive her," Jack volunteered.

xxxxx

At first the drive was silent and uncomfortable. Sam watched her friend and CO as his knuckles turned whiter and whiter. What would it take to loosen him up? "S- Jack, I'm sorry about what happened tonight."

"Why should you be sorry? I'm the one that screwed up," Jack retorted.

"Daniel and I shouldn't have let her leave…" Sam stared down at her knees, avoiding eye contact.

"I wanted her out of the house, I felt uncomfortable. I was irresponsible, and for now on I need to put my pain aside and stop worrying about my own damn issues. Whoever the kid is she's my responsibility whether I like it or not."

The car turned onto Sam's street, and she searched for the perfect words before it was too late. "You're not alone…" Definitely not perfect she scolded herself.

"Aren't I Carter? Aren't I?" Jack pulled in front of her house and turned to face her, his eyes glassy and radiating pain.

"No! You have all of us…" she grasped his hand, looked away embarrassed and added, "you have me." Jack caught her eyes and stared directly into her. It was extremely overwhelming, and Sam desperately wanted to break away, but she couldn't.

"That means a lot to me Sam," he whispered, slowly blinking. Jack squeezed her hand and covered it with his other one. "You don't know how much that means…" Sam brushed her empty hand through Jack's hair and then pulled herself into him for a hug. He wrapped his arms around her, taking in the scent of her blonde hair.

"Anytime," Sam responded after what seemed like forever. She leaned back slightly and locked eyes with Jack once more. Leaning closer she placed a light kiss on his cheek. Her lips lingered there for a moment, his ear hearing her every breath. As they were slowly, almost magnetically drawn closer, headlights pulled her attention away. "My dad's home," she quickly whispered, reaching for her purse from the floor. "I'm sorry," she mouthed as she jumped out of the car. Jack closed his eyes, but was startled when Jacob walked over to the car to say hi.

"Thanks for driving her home Jack."

"Anytime," Jack repeated Sam's final words to him before they were interrupted.

"How's everything going at home?"

"Really crappy, rather not talk about it. How was the card game?"

"I got fifty bucks from George."

"Nice job Dad!" Sam exclaimed, pulling her father away from the car.

"I knew Hammond was being overpaid anyways," Jack smiled, but his eyes were still dark and intense, looking right through Jacob towards Sam. "I'll let you two go; it's starting to get chilly out here."

"Have a goodnight," Jacob replied, closing the door. Sam waved, and headed towards her front door, father in tow. That was too close, even for you Samantha.

"So tell me about your night Dad."

"I'm more curious to hear about yours…"

xxxxx

Jack woke up to the sound of whimpering coming from the hallway bathroom. It's 4am, dammit, what now? Jack sleepily climbed out of bed and shuffled down the hall. He was greeted by the sight of Haley sprawled out on the floor, her cheek up against the cold tiles. A hand touched his shoulder, and Jack aggressively spun around. Daniel was standing behind him with a glass of water. "I found her in here sick about a half an hour ago; she seems to be doing a little better."

Haley opened an eye to see her father's stern face staring down at her. She let out a giant moan and rolled her face into her arm. "Hurts, doesn't it Hale?" Jack sardonically asked. Once again a moan was his only response. "You realize you're still going to school in the morning."

"No, please, no."

"You need to learn to deal with the consequences of your boneheaded actions," Jack leaned down and pulled Haley into a sitting position. Her face was ghostly white. "Go back to bed, try and get some sleep." With that, Jack strolled back into his room, closing the door behind him.

Daniel squatted next to Haley, handing her the water. "Drink up; it'll make you feel better."

She obediently finished the water, and then leaned into Daniel. "You know what's funny?"

"What?"

"I didn't dream tonight. It was amazing. All this-" she waved her hand around the bathroom, "was worth it…"

"Because of the nightmares?"

"Duh Daniel."

"You had those nightmares every night?"

"Lately, yeah." Daniel felt a lump in his throat. He pulled Haley into his arms and felt overwhelmingly protective of her.

"I, um, I used to have nightmares too," Daniel tentatively told her, crossing the bathroom to get a warm washcloth.

"How'd you stop them?"

"It took a while," Daniel handed her the washcloth, "your dad, Sam, Teal'c, they were all supportive. I was never alone, neither are you." Haley let the warmth of the washcloth seep into her face. She knew Daniel was right, except for one detail- she didn't see her dad helping at all. Daddy she laughed, maybe I should call him Jack now. He'd probably rather me call him colonel or sir.

"Daniel, will you stay a few days longer? Please?" He couldn't resist. Not when tensions were so high and he felt so needed by both of his friends.