Jack drove home with every intention of going into work Monday morning and persuading his superiors that Sam could be a valuable asset to the USAF. Area 51 would kill to have someone of her talent in command. He was willing to take it as far as the President if he had to. Charlie would also be home soon, and Jack was eager to see his son. There was so much on his mind that he didn't take much notice of the black sedan that was parked across the street from his house. But he quickly paid attention when the car door slammed and a man in uniform followed him to the front door.

There were some people that Jack hated on sight. He liked to think that his instincts were good and, in truth, he was usually right 90 of the time. As he watched the man walk up the path, Jack had the feeling that he would be right on this occasion too. For some reason the man's overconfident swagger set Jack's teeth on edge. The insignia on his uniform was that of a Colonel, and even though he was of a lower rank, Jack knew that his visitor had orders that he would have no choice but to obey.

"Something I can do for you Colonel ... ?" Jack asked, stressing the man's lower rank.

"Harry Maybourne and I don't believe that we've had the pleasure."

Jack ignored the hand that was offered. He wasn't about to shake hands with a man that he wanted to shoot.

"Can I come in?" Maybourne asked.

"No."

Maybourne stared at him for a whole two minutes, waiting it seemed for Jack to back down. But Jack had never been as dumb as he made out. He knew Maybourne's type all too well. The man was a toady, a lap dog, who got his kicks out of delivering bad news.

"Just say what you need to and then get off of my porch," Jack said.

"Straight talk... I can do that... General O'Neill, you are being transferred. effective immediately."

"What? Why?"

It didn't make sense. Jack had only been in his current post a couple of months. They wouldn't transfer him again unless...

"Oh I think you know why," Maybourne drawled. "A certain young lady who goes by the name of Tiffany?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Age catching up with you General O'Neill? Let's see if we can jog your memory."

Maybourne handed over a brown envelope. The pictures had been taken outside of Sam's house and Jack cursed himself for his rookie mistake. He should have known that they would have been watching her. Jack wondered if his visit to Daniel had been similarly observed. Of course he hadn't spent the night with Daniel...

"What if I refuse?" Jack said.

"You won't do that."

"I could just retire... then I can do whatever the hell I want."

Jack was surprised at his own words. He had never even considered retirement before. But then again, it wasn't as if he particularly liked being a general.

"Don't be so naive," Maybourne smiled, "we could make life very uncomfortable for you... and your son."

And finally Jack understood. This man, or the people that he worked for knew where to hit him hardest. Jack didn't care what they might do to him, but he'd die before he let them hurt Charlie.

"You rat bastard," he spat. "No choice."

"No choice... I think you'll like your new posting. I believe the summers are beautiful... the winter though... better pack your thermals."

Maybourne left with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. The slimy little worm had actually enjoyed screwing up Jack's life. Jack watched him go with a heavy heart. He had no idea how he was going to explain this to his son. Charlie would demand an explanation as to why they were moving away so soon and Jack couldn't tell him about Sam. He couldn't even risk contacting her, not now that he knew she was being watched. Even his own house seemed strange and unfriendly ... the place had probably been bugged in his absence. Maybourne and his cronies would want to make sure that Jack was being a good boy.

It wouldn't take long to pack up and move. Half their stuff was still in boxes from the last time. Jack had spent most of his adult life moving from place to place... he was used to it, but he hated to inflict it on his son. Never one to take things lying down, he tried to contact his superiors and argue his case, but the only person available to speak to him was some Major Davis, who was apologetic to the point of being annoying. The powers that be were definitely running scared, and Jack had no idea why. What did they think Sam would do? Or was it the thought of himself and Sam together that frightened them? He suspected that he would never find out.

The sound of the front door slamming signalled that Charlie was home.

"Dad!" his voice called out.

He sounded happy, excited and Jack found himself lurking in the kitchen rather than going to greet his son.

"Dad? Dad... what is it?"

Jack turned to face Charlie. There wasn't an easy way to do this, he was just going to have to cut to the chase.

"I've been reassigned," he said.

"Why?" Charlie demanded.

"Because I screwed up."

There was no other explanation Jack could give. At least he was being honest and Charlie knew enough not to ask too many questions... but the disappointment was etched on his face. Jack braced himself for an argument, for the accusations that he was sure would follow. Perhaps Charlie sensed the truth in his father's tone, or perhaps he was also glad to be getting out of here, but the expected verbal explosion never arose.

"When?" was all he asked.

"Effective immediately."

"Then we'd better start packing."

Turning his back, Charlie headed out of sthe room. Jack wanted to go after him, but he knew that there was nothing else to say. He'd lost Sam and he couldn't risk losing his son as well.