A/N: Hi everyone, hope all's well for you! Another week comes to an end, finally, and on a happier note that means a new chapter to share, woohoo! *blissful smile* Why am I smiling, will you ask? well, that's because there is 1kg, yes you read that well, 1kg of homemade (by me, obviously!) chocolate-chip cookie dough waiting in the fridge, just in time to be put in the oven for breakfast tomorrow morning! I think that's gonna be one day I'm not gonna skip breakfast, I'm telling ya!

*frowns* Where were we? Oh yes, as usual, many thanks to all readers/reviewers/followers/favorites, you guys are what keeps us going; a special wave-with-a-smile to (in no particular order) dpdp and mmkbrook, and please join me in welcoming robinbishop1231 to the fold as well. If we all smile, do you think we can create enough light to blind the Sun? 'Cause that's what it would take to even compare to the awesomeness that are Demetra83 and her genius storyline!

And without further ado, I give to you...

Chapter 39 – Siler

Jack's phone vibrated before daybreak. He always switched off the ringer at night so as not to disturb Sam as she was a very light sleeper. He fumbled for the handset and put it to his ear as he picked up the call, Harriman's voice coming through the line before he had the chance to utter a single word.

"Good morning Sir, I'm sorry to wake you up but we need you here ASAP."

Jack grunted his assent to signal he'd be making his way to base immediately. CMSgt Walter Harriman had eventually understood that since he'd been promoted to base CO General O'Neill did not sleep alone, as he would never say a word straight after picking the phone up. Harriman could usually hear covers rustling, muted footsteps and the soft click of a carefully closed door before General O'Neill would finally talk. If the message to pass on was short like this one, the exchange would be brief and no further information given on either side. Harriman presumed he knew the identity of the General's companion but he'd never breathed a word, his dedication preventing him from gossiping about the base commander. Everyone was fearful enough to not talk about him in front of his aide, because things would go quite wrong if rumors about Colonel Carter and himself ever happened to reach General O'Neill's ears.

Jack noiselessly got ready and gave Sam a soft kiss before leaving their home at first light.

Sam's alarm rang at a reasonable hour, and she realized she was alone in her bed once again. She heaved a disappointed sigh and got ready for the day. Jack had not informed her he'd leave before she would, and since the kitchen was empty and neat she deduced he'd been called in during the night. She was about to grab her car keys so as to drive to work as the doorbell rang. She looked through the peephole and opened the door to greet her visitor with a questioning smile.

"Good morning Ma'am!"

"Good morning Siler, how are you?"

"I'm very well, thank you Ma'am. General O'Neill asked me to come pick you up to drive you to the mountain as he wasn't sure you'd remember the way."

"Ah, he told you about that, I see."

"He only explained about your amnesia to a few of us on base, Ma'am, even though you do hide it very well. Are you ready to go, Ma'am?"

"I'll just get my purse and we're good to go, Sergeant," Sam answered as she grabbed her belongings and locked the door behind her.

She was relieved Jack had sent her a chauffeur because she still felt tired, and her headaches had not totally faded away, instead usually buzzing low at the back of her skull. Siler opened the back door on the passenger side for her, and shut it softly once she'd settled in.

The journey passed in companionable silence, Sam lost in her slowly-resurfacing memories and MSgt Sylvester Dan 'Sly' Siler thinking back to his conversation with General O'Neill.

Siler had been summoned to General O'Neill's office as soon as he clocked in for his shift. He was usually in from as early as oh-seven-hundred hours and was quite surprised the General was already there. He reported at the base CO's office as ordered and his already nagging worry hiked up a notch when O'Neill asked him to close the door behind him and take a seat. Siler immediately came to the erroneous conclusion that General O'Neill would give him a dressing down for letting Colonel Carter climb the Stargate the day before.

"Sergeant, I asked you to come to my office because I need a trustworthy person to accomplish a very special mission; I'm counting on your absolute discretion."

Siler stared at his boss in silence which encouraged Jack to continue.

"I would like for you to go pick up Colonel Carter."

Siler relaxed a little but still did not understand why the General wanted to keep this particular task a secret from everybody else on base.

"Of course, Sir. Does Colonel Carter still live in her city center townhouse?"

"Not exactly. That is why I am counting on you not to breathe a word to anyone about her actual residence... which is also mine. Are we clear?" Jack asked with a straight look at his subordinate.

Siler was clever enough to understand the implied meaning, and he swore not to ever mention this particular detail. Jack was perfectly aware of whom he could count on, and Siler was one of the selected few in Cheyenne Mountain.

"When do I have to be at Colonel Carter's for, Sir?"

"She usually leaves just after oh-eight-hundred hours. Take any car from the motor pool you like."

"Understood, Sir."

"Dismissed."

Siler got up and stood at attention before making his way to the door. Jack stopped him as he was about to cross the threshold.

"Sergeant?"

Siler turned.

"Thank you, Siler," Jack smiled a little.

MSgt 'Sly' Siler caught a flash of gratitude on O'Neill's face before his usual bland expression settled back into place and nodded before making his way to his duty station until it was time to go get Colonel Carter.

He found himself in a quiet neighborhood as he reached his destination. General O'Neill – and Colonel Carter, apparently – lived on the outskirts of Colorado Springs in a log house at the edge of the forest. Sergeant Siler had always known O'Neill being the sole owner of the house and was wondering how long it had been since Colonel Carter lived with him when she opened the door after he'd rung the doorbell. General O'Neill must not have let her know she was going to be getting picked up, he realized at seeing Carter's questioning face. She however seemed relieved when he told her the purpose of his visit; she did look quite tired.

A/N2: I am so glad we got to have more Siler in the story! I think he should always be there, at least in the background somewhere anyway, don't you? Anyway, thanks for reading, R&R please?, have a great weekend, love you all and see you Tuesday! Mwah xxxxxxxxxxxxxx