Yay, reviews! Thanks guys. And thanks for helping me out with things you think would make the story better. I always appreciate it.

Vcm, I hope I cleared up a little bit of the mistakes last chapter. Let me know what you think! :)

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"Jack, I realize I'm new to this post, but I can't just have random alien visitors dropping in and wandering off base!"

Jack shifted his bag over his shoulder, raising his arm to try to hail a cab. He couldn't believe the amount of people that crowded the sidewalks at such a late hour. Las Vegas was far from his favorite city, and he wanted to get out of it as quickly as possible.

"Come on, Hank, he's not just a random…" He frowned at the mob of people surrounding him. "…visitor. It's Jonas, okay. We can trust this guy."

"Trust is not the issue, Jack, and you know it."

"Yeah, I know, but look, I really need-."

Teal'c stepped off the curb and Jack yelped, reaching out to pull him back up as the cab in front of him screeched to a stop. Jack blinked at him a moment, and then shrugged, climbing into the backseat.

That's one way to hail a cab.

"Nellis Air Force Base," he called out to the driver, settling into his seat and returning to his conversation with Hank.

"Daniel filled me in on the details, though I would have preferred it if I would have actually heard from you, Jack. I talked to Colonel Martin, and he's got a team headed up to talk to your sheriff buddy and take care of the situation up there. Reynolds is on his way down to meet you at Nellis."

Teal'c was almost grinning, watching all the lights through the cab window as they passed by. Jack frowned and rubbed his eyes. He hadn't slept a wink, and he knew he wasn't likely to for the next several hours at least.

"Thanks, Hank. I'm sorry I didn't call personally. Things have been a little hectic. Now, what about Jonas?"

There was a loud sigh on the other end of the line.

"He and Daniel left two hours ago."

In spite of himself, Jack couldn't help but smile.

"I knew there was a reason I liked you, Hank."

"Yeah, yeah. Just get this wrapped up fast and get my people back here. I've got enough to deal with here without you stirring up trouble."

Jack hung up feeling better, knowing they at least had backup and a decent lead. He yawned loudly, stretching his arms and leaning back in his seat.

"Is General Landry angry with you, O'Neill?"

Teal'c kept his gaze out the window, and Jack shut his eyes.

"Nah. Just stressed out, I think."

Jack waited for Teal'c to respond, the flashing lights outside making strange patters on the inside of his eyelids…

"O'Neill!"

Jack snapped his head up, surprised to see that they had stopped in front of the base.

"Already?" he asked sleepily, reaching into his pocket for his wallet. He paid the driver and stepped out of the cab, tossing his bag over his shoulder and heading towards the entrance. Colonel Reynolds met him before he made it to the door, giving Jack a stiff salute and gesturing towards the parking lot.

"If you're ready now, sir, we can leave right away."

Jack spun on his heel and pointed ahead, still drowsily rubbing his eyes.

"By all means, lead the way."

They all piled into the car, and Jack filled in Reynolds as quickly as he could, getting a little tired of having to tell of his losing Sam over and over again.

"And you're certain it's the Naquadria that they're after?"

Jack shrugged. "No."

Reynolds looked confused, and Teal'c jumped in to help, leaning over the middle console.

"I believe what O'Neill means is that we cannot be certain of anything. However, it is likely that, whoever this group may be, they captured Colonel Carter for her access to the facility. Perhaps also to assist in the bomb's construction."

Jack winced at the thought, remembering what had happened to Daniel the last time they'd had dealings with the Kelownan's Naquadria bomb.

"Look," he told Reynolds. "They've got to have the stuff to make their bomb, and they probably realize that they have to get it quick, before we're on to them."

"Yeah," Reynolds objected. "But surely they realize that you know about the bomb. I mean, they left the plans for it in the warehouse, right?"

Jack shrugged and ran his hand over the stubble on his face.

"Maybe they didn't think we'd know what it was."

Teal'c looked unconvinced, but Jack refused to worry about it. He had to stay focused. It was hard enough to concentrate on anything without his mind replaying Cassie's screams and Sam's desperate pleas in his ear. He tried to tell himself that she had been through worse, and that she could handle a handful of Trust operatives, or whoever they were. Unfortunately, this didn't have any effect whatsoever on the constant fear that plagued him. The fear that he would, once again, have the thing he loved most torn away from him.

"Step on it, Reynolds," he mumbled, leaning his head back and shutting his eyes. The road hummed beneath them, and Jack took a deep breath, making himself a silent promise. He wouldn't let it happen again.

I won't let her go without a fight.