Author's Note: Just for the record, Jaffer is a normal black lab. his puppies aren't going to be Ancient hybrids or anything like that. The part of him that was introduced in True Sight has nothing to do with his genetic makeup. Sorry guys! No ultra smart Jaffer babies.

...................

They didn't stay for dinner. Marissa and her husband showed up at exactly 6 PM with Abby on her leash once more and Marissa's husband staggering under a pile of supplies for Abby – just in case she needed something that Jack didn't have. O'Neill had jumped forward as soon as he'd opened the door and taken off the top layer of stuff before the poor guy could drop the load, and motioned them all to come in with his chin, since his hands were now full.

"Jack, this is my husband Oliver."

Jack set his armful of stuff down on the dining room table and motioned for Oliver to do the same. Where Marissa was small and Hispanic, Oliver was a large man, with a slightly Mediterranean complexion and a ready smile. He held out his hand to Jack as soon as they were empty.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Jack."

"Likewise."

Oliver looked down at Jaffer, who was busy sniffing noses and butts with Abby.

'That must be Jaffer." He said. "Good looking dog. What are you feeding him?"

Jack grinned. "Pretty much whatever he wants."

Jaffer turned his head just then, his tail wagging and Jack had that much warning before Sam came through the door, slightly out of breath.

"I'm sorry I'm late." She apologized. "I couldn't get out of the lab-"

Jack interrupted her with a smile and an arm around her waist as he guided her into the dining room, where Marissa was sorting through Abby's copious supplies. Jaffer had rushed over to greet Sam as well, followed by Abby, who was always willing to meet a stranger and make friends. Yeah. She was a lab all right.

"Don't worry about it Sam." He told her. "They just got here. Marissa? Oliver? This is Sam, my fiancé." God, didn't he just love introducing her like that?

There were handshakes and smiles all around, and then Sam knelt down beside Jack, holding her hand out to Abby, who came over, flanked by Jaffer, who was always ready to get some loving from Sam. If not for the fact that she was braced against Jack's leg the two labs would have bowled her over, but Carter was experienced with dogs by now. Especially big and enthusiastic dogs. She was swarmed under, but didn't fall.

"This must be Abby." Sam said, caressing the ears that were just as soft as Jaffer's. "She's beautiful."

Well, Oliver and Marissa liked Sam already. No better way to make friends than to compliment your pride and joy. And Abby obviously liked Sam, who was lavish with her petting both to Jaffer and to Abby, making sure neither felt slighted. If Abby liked her, they could like her.

"We brought some things for her, Jack," Marissa said, unnecessarily, sorting through the pile once more. Jack could tell she didn't like leaving her baby with someone else – and he understood completely. "A blanket for her to sleep on, her extra leash, extra dog food – wet and dry – some treats in case you run out, her coat in case it rains, her brush, her..." the list went on and on and Jack showed far more patience than Sam would have expected from him as he listened to it, taking each item and assuring her that her baby would want for nothing while she was staying with him.

When the last item was handed over, Marissa knelt down next to Abby while Oliver handed Jack a paper with a list of phone numbers.

"If you need anything, or she needs anything, please call us immediately."

Jack looked at the list. There was the home phone number, Marissa's cell phone, Oliver's cell phone, Marissa's clinic number, Oliver's work number. He recognized Monica's clinic and home phone number on the list as well. Obviously, they would be easy to get hold of.

"You be a good girl," Marissa said to Abby, who was being made much of. Jaffer, of course, wouldn't allow someone else to get attention in his house without getting some of his own, and the big dog stuck his nose into Marissa's arms as well. She laughed, and hugged him tightly. "You, too, Jaffer!"

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Jack asked Oliver, who had noticed the Wall and was admiring the pictures on it.

He shook his head, "We can't. Marissa's got a surgery scheduled for this evening, and I'm going to be the taxi driver."

"What kind of surgery?" Sam asked, concerned.

Marissa smiled. "I'm doing the surgery, not having it done."

"She's a vet, Sam," Jack said, wondering how he'd forgotten to mention something like that in all the talking he'd done about Marissa and Abby that week.

"I'm recasting a broken leg on a dog that was struck by a car," Marissa said, standing up and giving both labs one final pat. "If I do it right, he'll have full mobility."

Yeah, that was important enough to miss dinner over, so Jack didn't try to convince them to stay. He assured Marissa and Oliver over and over that he'd call them if Abby needed anything, and he'd call if he caught the two dogs doing their thing – although he wasn't sure if he really wanted to spy on them, being one who really preferred to keep his nose out of the love life of others. Most of the time.

Marissa dragged Oliver away from the Wall, and the two left, leaving Abby on the wrong side of the door, and the smaller black lab stared in disbelief as she was left behind.

"It's all right, little girl," Jack said, softly, reaching down and stroking her ears gently. He'd noticed the look, of course, and was quick to reassure. "They'll be back for you in a couple days."

Abby turned her brown eyes on him, and Jack felt his heart turn into goo. She sure was a pretty little thing. Ignoring his complaining knees, he squatted down, bracing himself against the door so he wouldn't be tipped over, and he wrapped his arms around her, cuddling her while Jaffer snuggled close, too, wanting his share of attention. Sam smiled to see Jack so buried, and she petted Jaffer.

"Why don't we take them out back and distract her with a game of fetch?" She suggested.

It was a good idea, and Jack agreed instantly. Giving the small lab another pat on the head, he stood up and fished through the pile of supplies until he found her a ball. A well chewed up but sturdy ball that was perfect for fetching.

"Let's go, you two." He brandished the ball, and Abby's sad eyes lit up immediately. She loved playing with the ball! Jaffer sprang for the door, and Sam opened it before he could crash into it. The big lab headed outside, with Abby hot on his tail, and Jack smiled at Sam, putting one arm around her as they walked out onto the deck and down the steps into the yard itself.

"She's adorable, Jack."

"Yup."

He saw Abby watching him expectantly, and tossed the ball down the yard for her, and both dogs pelted it after it. Abby being smaller than Jaffer, she was also faster, and she reached the ball first, scooping it up and taking off with it, playing keep away from the bigger lab, who chased her willingly. Happy growls punctuated the late spring night as Jack and Sam realized they didn't have to throw the ball again, so they could sit on the steps and cuddle while they kept an eye on the two dogs.