Author's Note: I want to apologize for not posting these last few weeks but you will get a bonus of three chapters today to make up for it. Enjoy!

Dinner, Dancing and Disappearances

The limo pulled to a stop and Jack stepped out first. As he bent down to help Haruka out, she whispered in his ear, "You're seated beside Sam at dinner and also she's your escort, so behave."

She grinned broadly as she patted his shoulder and disappeared inside on General Kerrigan's arm before he could say a word.

Moving through the crowd Jack paused every once and a while to introduce Sam or she would do the same, all the while keeping tabs on the president. Sam's job was to keep an eye on Stetson. It was hard because there were so many people. Cassie and Jon stayed close together but Stetson moved through the crowds like hot butter and stopped to talk to anyone and everyone while he smooshed the invited scientists, General Jumper (Air Force Chief of Staff) and his staff, and the SECAF (Secretary of the Air Force) with his staff.

Finally the time arrived for dinner. Jack and Sam were seated at the same table as the President and Haruka.

Jack had just helped Sam sit down when the President looked over at the two of them grinning. "Jack, you dog; why didn't you tell me about the two of you? I could have done something about it much sooner."

Sam looked over at Jack and then at Haruka with a shocked expression on her face as she worked out what the President was implying. "I-" Her face went bright red and she was at a loss for words.

Jack stuttered out. "N-no sir, that's not how it is at all. Carter-Sam was my 2IC on SG-1 for years as well as the fact that she still serves under me at the SGC. It's against regulations, Sir."

"Well the two of you look good together if you ever want to make some changes let me know."

Beside him Sam choked on her soup but Jack didn't move to help her at all. He could feel all eyes on him and Sam.

Ignoring them all, he took a bite of his steak and shot Haruka a very dirty look. The other General just smiled as she ate her fish with gusto. "Definitelyasharkonahunt," he thought angrily.

The rest of the meal was filled with small talk and passed quickly. Then the band struck a cord and the President and First Lady got to their feet and lead the way into the room where there would be dancing, followed by General Kerrigan and Haruka and then finally, Jack and Sam.

Although it was the last thing she wanted to do Sam took Jack's hand, stepping into the circle of his arms. Their first few steps were awkward but then they fell into step with each other, Jack leading and Sam following; they moved gracefully in sync together.

A thick silence descended between them and Sam stared out at the other dancers over Jack's shoulder. She told herself that she was watching for dangers but she knew the truth, she was hiding.

Finally Jack gave a strangled noise. "This is silly Carter, talk to me please."

Sam snapped her gaze to meet his, a sheepish smile on her face. "Sorry sir, I was just checking the crowd. Everything seems to be normal."

Jack gave her a look telling her he didn't believe it. "No, sorry that was mostly a lie. This is all just very strange for me. I had a fight with Pete and I feel-" She shrugged unsure how to voice her feelings or if she should.

His voice was low so that he couldn't be overheard. "Hey, I understand. This is pretty weird for me too. I'm sorry Haruka arranged this."

"Just what was that all about? Why did the President think we were engaged?" Sam asked under her breath.

"Sorry about that… Ah, this kimono type says that you are available or engaged, depending who you are with. I should have known Haruka would do something like this. Once she gets an idea in her head she's like a shark on a trail of blood. I'll talk to her and make sure it doesn't happen again. You're marrying Pete and she'll just have to accept that like-" He paused and his tone of voice changed. "Everyone else."

The song ended and the two of them stepped back from each other as their gazes held. Then after a moment they turned and went their separate ways.

Cassie watched Jack and Sam dance from the other side of the room.

"We have to do something. They're tearing each other apart and they don't seem to want to stop. How can Sam do this? She loves him and she's breaking his heart, but he isn't doing anything to stop her. One word from him and she'd change her mind."

Jon took her hand, pulling Cassie off into a corner. His hand cupped her cheek. "You have to let them make their choices for good or bad."

Cassie stepped away. "Are you telling me I should give up and just stand by while Sam marries that puppy and destroys both her life and Jack's? Jon, I can't let her do that. Not now, not ever."

Catching her hand as she tried to storm away, Jon shook his head. "No, that isn't what I'm saying. We'll keep nudging and pushing the two of them until the very end, but there might come a time Pete puts a ring on Sam's finger and we're out of time." He turned her to face him. "Cassie, if that day comes, what are you going to do? Are you really going to cut Sam out of your life because of Pete?"

She opened her mouth to answer but Jon stopped her. "Don't answer now but you need to think about that eventuality. We may not win this and you have to be prepared for that."

Nodding Cassie slipped into his arms, allowing herself a brief embrace before they stepped back and joined the dance floor once more.

The songs flowed into one another and Jon enjoyed the chance to hold Cassie in his arms for as many of them as possible. He only allowed his roommates one dance and Nate one as well. The only time he loathed to give her up was when Stetson came to take her arm.

The two of the merged with the crowd but Jon didn't take his eyes them until all hell broke lose. It started with the secret service agents along the wall; they doubled over and passed out. Jon looked at Jack who shook his head, they needed to wait and see if anyone would make a move on the President but nothing happened. The extra Secret Service men closed ranks around the President and the First Lady ushering them out the building to safety.

A few minutes later, Jack, Sam and Haruka stood in the ballroom, unsure just what had happened. Medical personal were seeing to the downed men but they had nothing. No one ever made a play for the President. It just didn't make any sense. Why would the Trust do this and not try?

Jon, grabbed Jack's shoulder. "Have you seen Cassie? I can't find her anywhere and Stetson's missing as well."

Immediately, Jack took charge. "Haruka, Sam, the two of you check all the rooms. Jon, you locate Nate and get him to help. Reynolds is kicking around here as well, find him. Let him know what's going on." Reaching out he grasped Jon's shoulder. "We'll find her Jon; don't you worry."

Jon nodded and without a word he headed off to do what he was told. Jack wished the sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach would go away.

Jon found Nate in the large bathroom playing with his computer. Slightly out of breath he asked, "Have you seen Cassie in the last few minutes?"

Nate looked up from the computer,shaking his head. "No, what's going on?"

"Ah, the President left and Cassie and Stet are missing. I think it happened in the commotion."

"What when did this happen?"

"In the last ten minutes or so." Then he looked down at the computer. "What are you doing in here anyway?"

"I came to check on the program I was running on the video tape of Cassie's attack. It was almost done before I left home and I brought it with me just in case it finished."

Jon moved closer. "What did you find?"

"I was just going to watch it and find out. Shall we?"

Jon hesitated for a moment wanting to continue looking for Cassie but something told him that this was important. "All right, let's take a look."

What they found shocked them more than anything else that had happened that night.

If you like please review more on the next Monday I promise.