Sorry for the delay…I've been kind of busy this week

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Hope you enjoy. Take care!

Chapter 12

"O'Neill" he barked on the phone.

He had obviously not been told who was calling him and was not happy to be disturbed from whatever he was doing.

She wasn't sure of how he would react to her call so she tentatively said his name

"Jack?"

"Oh my god, Sam? Is that you?" Jack couldn't believe she was on the phone, calling him.

"Yes it's me. Look, first thing I want to do is to apologise for running away like I did"

"No Sam, it's ok. I know why you reacted this way and even though it hurt at the time I understand, I truly understand"

Sam sobbed with relief, she had been so afraid he would be mad at her, hate her for what she had done.

They had so many things to say to each other that neither spoke for a few seconds. They didn't know where to start.

Jack was the first to recover and asked softly

"Sam, where are you?"

"Jack I… I don' want to come back, not yet anyway. I will, I promise but I'm not ready for it right now. I know you can locate me through this call but please let me be. I still need some time. I…"

Jack interrupted her

"You're babbling Carter!" There was a smile in his voice. He continued more seriously

"Whatever you want Sam. I just need to be sure you're safe. You've already been abducted once and I don't like what we've discovered about it so far"

"I'm safe. I don't think anyone would think about searching me here. Besides, do I need to remember you that I'm level three at hand to hand combat?"

"Ok, you win. Tell me how are you? Have you got any other memory?"

"Actually yes. I remember almost everything that happened before my abduction even though there are still some blanks. I don't remember much about my abduction though. I have to explain you something, when I left it was because I thought we had been intimate before and that scared me because you said it never happened..."

Jack interrupted her again

"Sam…"

"No, let me finish! I know now that it wasn't the case. The man I've been with wasn't you even if it felt like it was you. I don't really know how to explain"

"You don't need to. Look, we've found the place where you were kept prisoner. We also found security tapes. We know who the man is. His name is John. He's kind of related to me but I can't explain everything on the phone. Anyway, we're trying to locate him"

Sam was stunned. These were very good news. This meant she could get an answer to her most important question.

'Jack, what…hum what about my baby?"

"Your kid is alive, or should I say your baby was alive when you gave birth"

Sensing she needed some reassurance he quickly added

"Don't worry Sam. I don't think your abductors went through all of this mess to harm your child. For some reason they wanted your kid well and alive, of that I am sure"

"Jack! I want my baby back" Jack sensed the distress in her voice

"I know Sam. I swear we will find your baby. And then we will love and spoil the kid. I've already ordered a Simpson outfit for toddlers" he added with a smile

He was happy when he heard her laugh. I was like music to his ears.

"I believe you Jack. You know, I trust you"

"I know Sam, I know"

"Jack, there's something else. There is one word which keeps popping into my mind and I can't remember what it means even though I'm sure I know it. Maybe you could help me. It's driving me crazy"

"Sure, what is the word?"

"It's harsiesis"

The only thing she could hear was silence. She thought for a second that the call had been ended. Actually, Jack was speechless.

"Jack, you still here?"

"Hum…yes. What about this word?"

"I don't know, it's just coming into my mind over and over again. It feels like my subconscious is trying to tell me it's important and I need to remember"

"Listen Sam, it's one of the things I can' explain on a non secure line. It sheds some light on what happened and why"

Sam was holding her breath and was dying to know what it meant.

"Sam, you need to come back. I need to explain some things to you…"

Jack stopped talking abruptly. There was someone else with him who was saying something to him impatiently. Sam couldn't make out the voice. It was muffled. Jack had obviously covered the phone with his hand.

He finally talked again.

"Sam, your dad's here. He wants to talk to you"

"Oh! Well, ok I guess"

Jacob took the phone abruptly from Jack

"Sam, honey, how are you?"

"I'm fine dad"

"I've been so worried sweetheart. When are you coming back?"

"Well, I wanted to stay where I am for a few more days but Jack seems to think it's important for me to come back considering what you learnt and what I remembered. I don't know what to do"

"Come back honey. We need your help to sort this mess out and to find my grandchild"

Sam was trying to process everything

"Just give me a minute to think about this"

"Okay"

The line went silent. Sam was conflicted. She really wanted to stay where she was for a few more days. The place was really making her a lot of good.

On the other hand, Jack and her friends seemed to have gathered useful information. Moreover, they needed her help as much as she needed theirs to find her baby. That was what decided her. She couldn't afford to act in a selfish way. She was a mother now and she wanted to do what was right for her child, what her heart commanded her to do.

"Dad? Can I talk to Jack please?"

"Sure honey"

Jack took the phone, angsty about Sam's decision.

"I'm here Sam"

"I'm coming back, could you come and pick me up? I don' feel like driving back on my own"

"Of course, just tell me where you are and I will be there as soon as I can"

"Actually, it's kind of funny you know. I hope you won't mind I came here. I'm…"