Colonel Maybourne was driving his car when his cell phone rang. He quickly reached into his coat pocket and answered it.

"Maybourne......He's on Earth? For how long?......Yes, I can have a team ready to go in less than an hour......No there won't be a problem this time. If I might add the last time he was with his family. There were children present. My men weren't willing to risk harming his grandchildren......Yes, I understand......May I ask what happened......He's injured......Hasn't fully recovered? Then he's vulnerable......Yes, I agree. It sounds like the ideal situation. What is his location?"

During the drive to the cabin Sam would periodically glance at her father. His energy was slowly returning. She assumed from two large servings of dinner he had eaten were part of the reason. When questioned why he had eaten so much he merely replied that he was doing to help out Selmak.

His reply made Sam wonder just how badly the symbiote had been injured. Dr. Fraiser wasn't able to determine the symbiote's condition. Sam did learn from the doctor that her father had markings and bruises consistent with the use of a Goa'uld hand device and pain stick. She did notice that his forehead looked a little sunburned, a common mark left by extensive use of a hand device.

"The cabin's just up ahead," she said point towards a small clearing up the snow covered dirt road.

"Good timing too," he said as tiny flakes began falling.

"I checked the weather before leaving the base. We're not expecting any heavy snow fall, so there's no chance of being confined to the cabin."

"What's so bad about being stuck with your old man? Afraid we'll have nothing to talk about?" he joked.

Sam saw he genuinely smiled. It wasn't a big smile but it was good to see some of his old self returning.

"Is there anything you want to do tonight? Maybe some of that talking?" she asked putting the car in park and looking directly at him.

"It's kind of late Sam. I would like to get a good night sleep. I haven't had one in nearly a week," he answered staring out the window.

Sam could tell he was purposely avoiding her gaze. The whole time at dinner he barely even made eye contact with her. And during the drive she did all the talking. She kept telling herself he just needs a little time. A good night sleep sounded like a good idea.

"Ok, I understand," she smiled.

"We're to arrive at our destination by 0700," Major Starks explained. "As I said before the cabin is in a secluded area, the only witnesses, if any, will be the wildlife."

"What about Major Carter?" Lt. Kelso asked.

"Shouldn't be a problem. I've been assured that he will be alone at some point. There are trails in the surrounding area of the cabin. It is safe to assume he'll use one of them. We are not to underestimate him. He won't go down without a fight."

"Sir, are you joking? Isn't he past his prime?" Lt. Anderson asked smiling.

However Starks wasn't smiling when he replied.

"His record speaks for itself...he is one tough son of a bitch. And if that doesn't convince you, know this. As a Major during the Vietnam War he survived nearly a week of being tortured in a POW camp...then he escaped," Starks paused seeing Anderson's smile disappear. "So, we are not to underestimate him, understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Intel says he's extremely intelligent. Describing him as stubborn would be an understatement. Most importantly, he is very protective of his family and his friends. Which is why we need to grab him when he's away from his daughter. And our best chance will be within 24 hours of their arrival."

"Why is this General so important?"

"I don't know. Our orders are merely to get him and take him to the rendezvous point. And, I was given specific orders that he was not to be harmed. Understood?"

All three of his men nodded to acknowledge him.

"Good, let's go over it again. I don't want anything to go wrong during this operation. We may not get another opportunity like this again."