Chapter 9 - Mrs. Nelson

Jack tossed their purchases onto the floor of the truck and helped Sam in. She looked tired from their shopping trip and had been unobtrusively rubbing her temples while they waited in line. Once she was securely fastened in the back, Jack dug out the Children's Tylenol Janet had given him and handed two of the chewable tablets back to her.

Sam wrinkled her nose at the offering. Chewable tablets? Gross! Well, I guess she didn't have much choice. Sam chewed the tablets, grimacing at the fake cherry flavor. She could really go for something to wash it down with!

"I don't suppose you'd stop at a coffee shop would you?' she asked hopefully.

"Sorry Sam, no caffeine for you. Doctor's orders. I can get you some juice or a soda if you'd like," he offered. He had seen her face in the rearview mirror and felt sorry for her.

"That's OK. I'd like to stop by my place and grab a few things though. I can get something to drink there."

"Sure, we can stop at your house, and then we'll head to the grocery store, if you're up to it. I'm not exactly prepared to be feeding another person for three days, especially since I'm not allowed to give you pizza every day!" He grinned back at her in the mirror.

"You know Sir, I could stay by myself while you get groceries. It will give me a chance to take care of some things at my house."

"No can do Sam. I've been ordered not to leave you on your own. If you're not up to shopping, we can go tomorrow. I have enough to get us through at least one night. And no SIR – remember?"

Sam sighed. "I'll be fine. We can stop for groceries on the way back to your house." Sam sat back somewhat dejectedly and watched the scenery wiz by. She really did not want to have a babysitter but it seemed as if she wouldn't be alone at all for the next three days. She knew the Colonel meant well, but she felt smothered. She really didn't have a choice though. Sam knew she couldn't stay in her own home by herself; plus the General had made it pretty clear that he expected her to go along with this. She would do her best but it wouldn't be easy!

Jack pulled up to Sam's house about fifteen minutes later. Sam grabbed her house key out of the duffel bag before she climbed out of the truck. She had changed into her new shoes, size 11 ½, so didn't have as much trouble getting out on her own. They made their way up the walk, Jack following closely behind. Sam unlocked the door and went inside. Mail was scattered on the floor, along with a few newspapers. She picked them up and put them on her hall table as she made her way to the kitchen. Jack shook his head as he followed her in; it seemed so strange to see this little girl go around picking up mail and newspapers.

Sam opened the refrigerator door, looking for a bottle of water. Seeing that she was out, she went to the cupboard to get down a glass. Of course, she couldn't reach the glasses so she pulled a chair over to the cupboards by the sink. Jack, who had been looking outside to her backyard, came into the kitchen when he heard the chair being dragged across the floor.

"Uh Carter, what are you doing?" he asked.

She turned to look at him while she was standing on the chair. "I'm just getting a glass down for some water. Would you like a glass?" she asked him, turning on the water to get it cold.

"No thanks. You know, I could have gotten that down for you," he said, coming to stand close to her, just in case she slipped.

"I know you could have, but I can get it myself just as well." Sam filled her glass and sat on the counter while she drank it, watching him over the rim of the glass to see if he would say anything more about it.

Jack looked back at her a moment, then turned to survey the house. He didn't want to get into another argument with her today. "So, what is it you'd like to collect from your place? You do know that we're not lugging your computer to my house right?"

Sam put her empty glass in the sink. She felt much better now that she had washed away the chalky taste from the chewable tablets. How did kids stand those things, she wondered?

"I just need to get my toothbrush, toothpaste, that sort of thing. I tried to bring my laptop along but Janet wouldn't hear of it," she said, making a face at that particular memory. "She seems to think I'll make myself sick by working on my computer!"

"Well, you do tend to overwork yourself you know. And you're supposed to take it easy for a few days," Jack reminder her.

"So what are we supposed to do for three days? I'm not the type of person who can sit around doing nothing!" Sam hopped off the chair and dragged it back to the table.

"Oh, we'll think of something," Jack responded. He was very good at sitting around doing nothing, maybe he could teach her something for once!

Sam looked at him doubtfully, then began to walk to her room. "I'll just be a minute, make yourself at home," she told him.

Jack wandered around the living room, looking at the pictures Sam had displayed on various shelves and tables. He set down a picture of Sam posing with her Dad when he heard the doorbell ring.

"Can you see who that is please? I'll be out in a minute," Sam called from her bathroom. She was almost done collecting the things she would need for her stay at his house.

"Sure!" Jack answered as he made his way to the door. He opened it to find an elderly woman standing on the front step, nervously wringing her hands together. She stepped back just a bit when Jack frowned slightly at her, wondering who she was and what she wanted.

"Oh. Excuse me. My name is Mrs. Nelson, I'm a neighbor of Samantha's. I...I...well, I was a bit concerned when I saw you and a little girl enter Samantha's house. She hasn't been home in a while. Is she all right?"

Sam had come up behind Jack and saw her neighbor standing there. "Hello Mrs. Nelson. Is everything all right?"

The elderly lady looked at Sam in confusion. "I'm sorry. Do I know you dear?" she asked the child standing next to the rather imposing looking man.

Jack scowled down at Sam. She was going to make things look very suspicious if she wasn't careful! He decided he'd better step in. "This is Samantha's niece, Sam. She's named after her aunt," he looked at Sam to make sure she would go along with this. She nodded slightly to indicate that she understood. "My name is Colonel Jack O'Neill. I work with Major Carter. She had to go and take care of little Sam's mom for a while and asked me to watch her for a few days. We were just coming over to check on the house and get a few things before heading back to my place." Jack smiled his most charming smile, hoping to convince Mrs. Nelson that he was telling the truth.

"Oh, I see," replied Mrs. Nelson. "Well, I'm glad to hear that Samantha is well." She looked down at Sam. "You are just the spitting image of your aunt dear. The same blue eyes and lovely blond hair. You know, your aunt is one of the kindest people I know. So busy, but always willing to take the time to check up on an old lady. I do wish she wouldn't ride that motorbike of hers though. It gives me a fright when I see her ride off on that thing!"

Sam blushed slightly at both the compliment and the rebuke her neighbor was unwittingly giving her. "My aunt thinks very highly of you as well Mrs. Nelson. She has told me a lot about you." Sam chose to ignore the remark about her bike.

"Well, isn't that nice dear. You tell your Aunt Samantha to come and see me when she gets back. I do hope your mother is going to be all right dear." She looked up to Jack, "Now you take care of this beautiful little girl, you hear? I'm sure Samantha must trust you if she asked you to watch her niece but in my opinion, men aren't always very adept at taking care of little girls!"

Jack tried to hold in his grin. "Don't worry Ma'am. I'll take good care of little Sam here. Major Carter would have my hide if I didn't, believe me!"

"I do believe she would young man! I'll keep an eye on the house until she gets back. It was nice to meet you Colonel O'Neill. Goodbye Sam."

Jack and Sam both said good-bye to Mrs. Nelson, then closed the door. "Well, that was a bit too close for my comfort. You know, you need to be a little more careful talking to people. Especially those who know you as an adult. We don't want to create a lot of suspicion here."

Sam sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. I just forgot that I looked like a kid when I saw Mrs. Nelson. She's a sweet old lady. I was worried that something was wrong."

"Well, no harm done. Let's head out before someone else comes along though OK?"

"Ok. Oh by the way Jack. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from referring to me as 'Little Sam'. It's rather insulting."

Jack gave her a lopsided grin. "Sorry Sam. It was the only way I could think of to distinguish between you and 'Aunt Samantha' while I was talking to your neighbor. I will do my best, although it does apply to you right now!"

Sam gave him a light punch on the arm. "Just keep in mind that comment about me having your hide should you not take care of 'Little Sam'. It just might come true!" She grinned saucily up at him, then picked up her duffle bag and led the way out to the car.

Jack rolled his eyes as he followed her out the door. This would prove to be a very interesting next three days. He thought to himself!