Chapter 14: Love Strikes Back

"Daddy, daddy!"

Tony Keller tried to block out the incessant high pitched sound screaming at him, but it was no use.

"Daddy, why are you sleeping on the couch?"

His eyes still closed, the disabled Air Force reservist did his best to pretend he was still sleeping. But his wake up call wasn't buying the act.

Trying to dodge the knees that threatened to stab him in tender places, Tony rolled over to avoid Aaron's enthusiastic onslaught. Unfortunately, he'd forgotten an important fact. He was, as his son reminded him, on the couch. With a thump, Aaron's dad was unceremoniously deposited on the floor.

"Ouch!"

The giggles coming from Cindy and Aaron were unmistakable even to Tony's still sleep addled brain.

None the worse for wear, Tony slowly opened his eyes to the sight of his precious daughter and son, now kneeling carefully on either side of him.

"Sorry Daddy," Cindy said solemnly. Jessica had warned both children about roughhousing with their father after he returned from Iraq.

"No problem, sweetheart," Tony said, breaking into a foolish grin. "Come here, both of you."

Neither one of the active Keller children needed to be asked twice to play with their Dad. So they piled on, resulting in waves of hilarity issuing from the living room at a very early morning hour. Tony had pulled himself to a sitting position, one munchkin under each arm when a none-too –pleased bathrobe clad Jessica came to stand over them.

"Morning," Tony called jovially.

"Don't morning me," Jessica snapped. "What's going on here?"

"I'd say our two munchkins woke their Dad up to do his chores," Tony offered.

"Not do chores, Daddy," Aaron called. "Play with us."

"It's Saturday," Cindy added, "no school."

"Right you are!" Tony confirmed. As he spoke, he lifted each child off him in turn then pulled himself up on the couch. He knew when not to tangle with his wife. And in front of the children was one of those times.

"Okay, you two, go brush your teeth and you can come out and help me with Bessie and her friends," he directed. He knew the kids loved helping with the animals.

"Yay!" Aaron and Cindy didn't need to be told twice.

Once the kids had headed for the bathroom, Tony looked at his wife.

"Still mad, aren't you?"

"Yeah I'm still mad," she said, her voice a threatening calm. "You waltz back in here and they think everything's back to normal. How are we supposed to know you're going to stay?"

"Because I tell you so," he answered.

"You told me so when we were married," Jessica spat. "Obviously your promises don't mean very much."

With that she left the room.

OoOoOo

Later that morning, getting ready to drive the kids into town, Tony reflected on the past couple days.

This morning's blowup with Jessica was nothing compared to the night before. A discussion that started after the children were down for the night and Jack had taken off for the cottage had escalated to a shouting match. It was like Jack moving to the cottage gave Jessica the green light to let loose the anger she'd been holding inside.

We were so loud shouting at each other, we had to take it outside so the kids wouldn't hear, Tony thought. O'Neill must have heard. His window had to be open.

I wonder if the General's gonna fare much better when his wife shows up. She's a full bird Colonel, I hear. I bet she'll give him a piece of her mind.

He's got balls, asking her to come up here, he thought. Must be why he's a General.

Watch and learn Keller, watch and learn.

OoOoOo

At the cottage, Jack was busy preparing for Sam's arrival.

He'd spent the morning working the farm as he'd promised. By early afternoon he was dusting and vacuuming the small living space he hoped Sam would share with him for at least a day or two.

He was nervous.

On the one hand, this seemed like a perfect opportunity to be alone with Sam to work things out. There would be opportunities for distraction including kids, animals, hard work and even doohickeys for Sam to play with when the discussion got too hot. And yet, he was more uneasy than he'd ever been going into battle with the worst of the Goa'uld.

He'd left; he'd picked up and left only two weeks ago. And here he was asking her to come to him. It hadn't taken long for Jack to realize life was empty without her. Honestly, he'd known it would be, but in typical hero – or martyr – fashion, he'd decided to swallow the consequences so Sam could be happy.

The scenario hadn't been all that different from what had happened with Sara. Poor communication, a tragic loss and emotional withdrawal, followed soon after by separation. If he stayed true to form, divorce would come next. In his heart, he knew he didn't want it, he suspected Sam didn't either. Something about seeing this younger couple struggle with their demons had given him perspective.

He'd heard them outside last night. Hard as he'd tried not to eavesdrop, he'd heard Jessica rage at Tony about how he'd hurt her by leaving. And Tony yelled back about how she didn't respect him as a man and how useless he felt. He'd been tempted to run out and play referee, make them listen to each other. But he'd restrained himself; maybe the screaming would be the beginning of real communication.

He wondered how he and Sam would cross that bridge to honest communication about the things that stood between them. Or would they? He admitted to himself it might not be possible. For a man like him, talking didn't come easy, and Sam wasn't much better at it, not when it came right down to brass tacks.

They couldn't afford to skirt their feelings anymore. They'd been so happy, three short months ago, before this nightmare with Ba'al. They could get back there, they had to.

OoOoOo

She'd landed in the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport twice before, each time on her way to Jack's cabin in the far northern regions of the state. Each time she'd stepped off the plane full of excitement and anticipation, looking forward to a few precious days with Jack.

This time she was coming to meet Jack as well. But it was different. She was headed to a stranger's home, a farm in the middle of nowhere to meet a man she wasn't sure she knew anymore, a man who'd walked out on her without a word of warning.

Her emotions were a jumble. She missed him, worried about him, loved him, yet she wanted to beat him senseless for what he'd done. Didn't he know how much she loved him? Didn't he care to think about that before he left?

The energy of indignation fueled her as she retrieved her small overnight bag and made her way to the car rental area. Once there, she ordered the sleekest red convertible she could find; her only regret was not having a motorcycle at her disposal. The thrill of speeding down an interstate was a pale substitute for the rush of piloting an X-302 or a Wraith dart, but it would have to do.

It was a forty-five minute drive from the twin cities to Mankato and another forty-five or so to the rural address Jack had given her. She'd brought two of her favorite CDs, but as she slid in behind the wheel and started off down the road to the interstate, she had no interest in music. All she could think of was Jack. He'd run out on her, scared her half to death, but she couldn't wait to see his face. If anyone had told her a scant five years ago she'd even think of letting a man treat her like this, she'd have told them they were crazy.

Then her own guilt surfaced as it always did, reminding her of the final straw she knew had pushed Jack away from her. She'd meant it so innocently, to protect him. And look what had happened. If she could only turn back time and do things differently.

Her thoughts distracted by what ifs and self recriminations, Sam rocketed along the stretch of wide open highway, her long, unencumbered blond hair floating in the breeze. Jack was right, this was beautiful country. The rich, thick green of the farmland, the cornfields, the rows of sunflowers all beckoned as she passed the mile signs. The sun was warm on her face and she entertained thoughts that all could be well once again.

The sharp retort of a car horn startled her from her daydream. Now on a narrow two lane country road, Sam looked up to see a tanker truck approaching… in her lane. No, she had drifted into his. Only by virtue of well honed reflexes was she able to swerve out of the way of the oncoming truck. Adrenaline racing through her veins, she righted the car and continued on her way, racing even faster than before, now fully aware of the road beneath her. It wouldn't be long now.

TBC

A/N:Reviews please and thanks for reading. Sam arrives next chapter. Promise.