Two chapters in one day!?! Yes! I've got a family commitment tomorrow, so just in case I do not have time to post tomorrow's chapter, I decided to post it today. Enjoy!
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The sun was straight overhead by the time SG-1 made it back to the SUV the next day. Their moods were much lighter than when they'd began their trek. Despite the fatigue each one felt for staying up too late reminiscing about previous missions, they appeared rested and rejuvenated.
Sam stopped to watch Daniel playfully try to shove Teal'c as they exited the trailhead. Teal'c, sensing the younger man's intent, waited until the last second and side-stepped the motion, causing Daniel to stumble forward. Jack, knowing what was coming, grabbed a hold of Daniel's jacket and hauled him upright.
"What did I say about sneaking up on a Jaffa?" He asked in an exasperated, but joking tone.
"You wear you intentions on your face, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c told him with a grin. "You are a most easy to anticipate opponent."
Sam laughed at Daniel's crestfallen expression, drawing all three men's attentions.
"What?" Jack asked, clearly delighted by the sound.
"I just remembered why I love you all so much," she said, not caring that she'd lumped Jack and love into the same sentence. They all grinned at her.
Even after Teal'c and Daniel had fallen asleep last night—she had a suspicion Teal'c had been faking—she and Jack had stayed up talking. He'd told her more about his sister and had let her vent about failing to recognize Pete's controlling tendencies. Eventually, they'd moved onto happier topics, and he'd had to tell her more than once to stop giggling.
She'd fallen asleep on his shoulder, but had woken up wrapped in his arms, her ear pressed against his heart. Neither one of them had said anything about their sleeping positions this morning, nor had they rushed to get up. She had been content to lay there listening to the steady thump of his heart; he seemed willing to just hold her. When Daniel began to stir they'd separated without a word and waited in silence for their teammates to wake up. It wasn't the first time in eight years she'd unexpectedly woke up in his arms, but it was the first time since she'd started seeing Pete. Sadness descended as she realized how much she had withdrawn from them.
"None of that," Jack interrupted her thoughts. "No dwelling."
"You're right," she pushed her emotions aside as she joined them, taking the front passenger seat for the ride home. "It's time to put all of this behind me. Let's go home."
OoooOoooOoooO
Sam's house was eerily silent in a way that set warning bells off in Jack's head. While he knew Pete wouldn't blatantly make a scene, he expected some sort of passive aggressive response.
"Looks like Pete's gone," Daniel said from the backseat.
"Maybe," Sam said sharing a look with Jack.
Jack's cell phone rang, startling all four team members.
"O'Neill," he answered. General Hammond's voice on the other end sent a chill through him. Their former CO had travelled from Washington to debrief them and Dr. Weir after Jack had been revived and Sam recovered from Fifth. He was scheduled to fly back last night, yet the number on Jack's caller ID was from the base.
"Jack," Hammond barked, "is Major Carter with you?"
"She is, sir," Jack said cutting his eyes to Sam, who mouthed 'what.'
Hammond's sigh was heavy. "We've got a problem. Call SG-1 and get everyone to base."
"That'll be easy, Sir," Jack replied, "Daniel and Teal'c are with us, too."
"They are?" Hammond's surprise was evident and disturbing.
"Of course," Jack bristled. "What the hell is going on, George?" He dropped the military pretense. Whatever was going on wasn't good.
"A pain in my ass is what's going on," Hammond muttered. "Just get SG-1 in here now. And tell Sam I'm on her side."
"Yes, sir," Jack said, hanging up the phone. Hammond was still in Colorado Springs and had called Carter 'Sam' and not Major. That familiarity meant Hammond was sending him a message. Whatever was going on was personal. Jack's gut clenched. He prayed he wasn't right because if he was, then what the hell had Pete done?
