Chapter 13 – Lost and Found

Jack and Sam were enjoying watching the woodworker carve an intricate figure out of a piece of shiny oak when they both turned at the voice that was directed their way.

"Jack? Jack O'Neill?" the voice belonged to a woman with wavy auburn hair who was making her way over to the twosome, a small boy glued to her side. "I thought that was you! It's been such a long time!" she gushed.

"Sabrena?" Jack answered. "Sabrena Colton right?"

She laughed a deep throaty laugh and batted her eyes at him. "Not anymore. I've gone back to my maiden name since Bryan and I divorced four years ago. How about you?" She glanced down at Sam standing next to his side. "Have you gotten remarried and started a new family? I didn't think it had been that long since we last saw each other!"

"No, this isn't my daughter." He had to think fast: Sabrena knew that he didn't have any siblings so Sam couldn't be his niece. "This is the daughter of a friend of mine. She had to go out of town so I offered to watch Sam for a few days. Sam, this is Sabrena. She's a friend of my ex-wife's. Sabrena, this is Samantha Carter."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Sammy," Sabrena bent down and greeted her in the false voice many adults used when speaking to children. "This is my son Chris. He's six. And how old are you, dear?"

"A lot older than you think," Sam replied before she could sensor herself. This woman was already grating on her nerves! "And the name is SAM, not Sammy," she emphasized.

Sabrena stood up straight, backing slightly away from this rather mouthy young girl. "Oh my, she's rather precocious, isn't she Jack?" Sabrena resumed her falsely cheerful voice but Sam could see the glint of anger in her eyes. For some reason, Sabrena took an instant disliking to this little girl.

"Sam is just a bit wise beyond her years. She can really be quite sweet when she wants to be." Jack narrowed his eyes briefly at Sam, willing her to at least act like a sweet child in front of this woman. He turned back to Sabrena, "I'm sorry to hear about your divorce. It's a tough thing to go through."

She waved her hand at his comment, "Oh, it was a long time in coming. Bryan would rather work than spend time with his family. It was a mutual split. He's actually been better about spending time with Chris since we divorced, so at least some good things came out of it. How is Sara? Have you heard from her lately?"

"Not recently. We don't really talk much anymore." He did not want to get into that topic and Sabrena wasn't completely stupid, so she steered the conversation elsewhere as she deftly took his arm and started to walk to another craft booth. The two youngsters were forced to follow, Chris releasing his hold on his mother's arm and looking sadly over at Sam. He was used to being ignored when his mother set her sights on an available man.

Sam however, was not used to being ignored by Jack, especially these last few days. She couldn't understand how he didn't see through this woman's act. My God, she was practically falling all over him in her quest to attract him! It wasn't that Sam was jealous; OK, maybe a little she admitted to herself. She just had no patience for women who threw themselves at a man in such a blatant manner. And on top of that, she ignored her own child!

After walking along this way for fifteen minutes, Sam decided enough was enough. "Um, Jack." She tugged on his shirt from behind to get his attention. "I'm getting really tired of walking. Plus you are expecting people over tonight aren't you? I think we should head home so we can get ready." She gave him what she hoped was a meaningful look, one that meant she was so ready to go!

Sabrena interrupted before Jack could say anything. "Oh Jack, I really would like to talk to you for a bit longer. Why don't we have the kids sit here and watch the jugglers while we step over to the beer garden for a quick drink? I know how you love your beer!" she laughed throatily at him.

Jack, while not interested in getting to know Sabrena on a more personal level, had been enjoying catching up with her. However, he did not think leaving the 'kids' unattended was a very good idea. "We can't leave the kids here by themselves Sabrena. Why don't we all sit here and I'll go and get us all some lemonade to drink?"

Sabrena laughed as she squeezed his arm. "Don't be silly Jack. We'll be right over there and can see the bench clearly from the canopy. Please Jack," and she pouted up at him. "I really need to speak to you without the c.h.i.l.d.r.e.n listening," she spelled out. Sam rolled her eyes. She felt like spelling out 'incredibly ignorant' for dear old Sabrena, but refrained herself at a look from Jack. He could read her like a book sometimes!

Jack looked at Sam, then over at Chris. They would be fine for ten minutes, especially with Sam keeping an eye on the young boy. She did keep reminding him that she was not a child after all, however she might appear. He'd probably have hell to pay from Carter later, he thought, but he didn't want to brush off this old friend of Sara's. "Ten minutes, that's all I'm willing to leave them for. You'll be OK for ten minutes, won't you Sam?"

Sam shook her head slightly, she couldn't believe this. He was actually going to go and have a beer with this brash woman. "Of course I'll be fine, Jack. Have you ever known me not to be able to take care of myself?"

Oh yeah, he thought to himself, hell to pay. "Keep an eye on Chris for us would you? I'll bring you both back something to drink." Sam turned away from him and plopped herself down on the bench, doing her best to ignore the voice that reached her ears as they walked away. "I don't know how you can put up with her Jack. She's awfully sassy. She'd drive me crazy if I had to watch her!" Sam never heard his response.

Exactly seven minutes later, Chris hopped off the bench and looked at Sam. "I'm bored. Let's go over to the children's play yard. Mommy and I went by it before. She promised she would take me later."

"I'm sorry Chris," Sam replied. "Your Mom and Jack wanted you to wait here. They should be back in a few minutes anyway," she assured him.

"Na-ah. Mommy always talks and talks, especially when she meets a man. 'Sides, the play area is right over there." He pointed to an area only about 20 yards away. "We can see when they leave and come back to the bench. Please Sam!" he whined loudly.

Sam looked over to the beer garden, then back toward the play yard. They were quite close together and she would be able to clearly see when Jack and Sabrena returned. "Well...," she began to answer him.

Chris interrupted her with a loud cry of "Yippee!" and he ran off toward to the play structure.

"Hey! I didn't say yes yet!" she yelled as she raced to catch up to him.

Jack glanced at his watch, it had been ten minutes already. Time to get back to Sam and Chris. He hoped she would let him explain later why he felt he should spend some extra time with Sabrena. The woman was quite obvious in her manner toward him today, but she had been very supportive of Sara when Charlie died, and he felt he owed it to her. He glanced over toward the bench but couldn't see the children as so many people were walking by. One of the entertainment shows must have just gotten out, he thought. "Come on Sabrena, we'd better go and get the kids." He tossed his cup into the garbage and walked over to the bench.

When the crowd cleared, he felt his stomach clench for the second time in a little over 12 hours. Sam was gone...again!

"Oh My God Jack! Where did they go?" Sabrena panicked when she didn't see the children. "Chris would never wander off like this; what about Sam?"

Jack had been surveying the area, looking for a small blond head along with the brown haired little boy. He glanced over at Sabrena, "Well, Sam has been known to wander off occasionally but she is very responsible and can watch out for herself," he tried to assure her.

"I just knew that child was trouble the minute I saw her Jack! We've got to find them!" she fairly screeched.

"Calm down Sabrena, they can't have gotten far. Let's look around the area and see if we can find them." Jack wasn't nearly as worried as he had been last night when she had disappeared onto his roof. He was sure she wouldn't knowingly worry him; although she had been pretty angry at him for leaving her alone with the 6 year old, he reminded himself.

From the play area, Sam saw the two adults heading to the bench and tried to corral Chris. He was having too much fun to listen to her at the moment, so Sam had to climb through tunnels and over other children in order to reach him. When she finally did, she grabbed his hand and hauled him out of the play yard and back to the area of the bench, winding her way between the many bodies that were traversing the area. When they finally reached their destination, it was to discover that Jack and Sabrena were no longer there.

"Shit!" she exclaimed softly. Chris looked at her with wide eyes.

"You said a naughty word!" he whispered in awe.

Sam sighed in exasperation and rolled her eyes. "Just don't you repeat it OK?" Sam climbed on the bench and looked around, trying to see Jack or Sabrena above the crowd. "It looks like your mom and Jack are off looking for us. I never should have taken you over to that play yard!" She was dreading facing Jack once they found each other. She was sure to receive another lecture from him about disappearing and acting her age. Sam shook her head and jumped off of the bench.

"Come on, I can't see any sign of them around here. Eventually, they'll head to the Lost and Found tent. We'll go and wait there." She took Chris by the hand and led him away.

"Are you sure you know where to go?" the little boy sniffed. "I don't like being losted. My mommy's going to be really mad at me."

Sam tightened her grip on his hand. "No she won't Chris. She'll be glad that you're OK. And yes, I know where I'm going. The tent was right next to the entrance where we came in." She stopped at a large poster that showed a map of the grounds, just to make sure she was headed in the right direction. "See, here is where we are and this is the tent. We're almost there. I wonder if we can make it before Jack and your Mom? What do you think?" she asked, trying to get the little boy's mind on something other than his mother's reaction.

Chris smiled at her. She was so brave and never seemed afraid of anything! "I bet we'll make it there first because you are so smart Sam! I wish I had a sister like you!"

Sam grinned in return and led him the rest of the way to the Lost and Found tent.

After searching fruitlessly for fifteen minutes, Jack stopped back at the bench where they had started out. Sabrena was alternating between ranting at the two kids for putting her through this, and sobbing about her poor little boy. Jack was beginning to question his sanity in agreeing to have a beer with her. Sam was smart, he reminded himself; probably smarter at the real age of 8 than most adults. She also knew the importance of having a meeting place on missions when they got separated. Where would she go in this case?

The Lost and Found tent! Of course! He had remembered seeing it upon their entrance and had pointed it out to her, just in case. "Come on Sabrena, I think I know where they are." And he took her by the arm and pulled her along toward the park's entrance.

They reached the tent in due time and stepped inside, letting their eyes adjust to the darkness of the tent after the brightness outside. Jack looked around the tent and saw Chris sitting on a bench, happily eating an ice cream cone and talking to a woman who worked in the tent. Sabrena cried out upon seeing her son and ran over to him, enfolding him in her arms, careful to avoid the ice cream dripping down his arm.

Jack continued to look around the tent for a small blond head. He moved over to a row of tables that had several computers lined up on them. At one computer, Sam stood next to a man in a security officer's uniform, pointing at the screen. "You need to download this application in order to run your analysis program. Your network isn't strong enough to run the newer version but this one should suit your purposes just fine for now. I'd suggest you upgrade to a new system in the future though, as this application will soon become obsolete."

Jack shook his head at the sight, then he cleared his throat. Sam looked up at him and gave him a slight smile, "Hi Jack. Enjoy your beer?"

He scowled and crooked his finger at her, indicating that she'd better get over to him and fast. The man at the computer took in the look and stood up hastily, not wanting this amazing child to get into too much trouble.

"Sir, your daughter is absolutely brilliant when it comes to computers. I can't believe the things she knows at such a young age!"

"Me neither, "Jack grumbled as he reached over the table and picked her up, plunking her down next to him. He didn't bother to correct the man's assumption about Sam being his daughter. "Do you want to tell me what happened Samantha?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest and staring down at her.

"Yes, I would like to know what happened as well," came the shrill voice of Sabrena. She dragged Chris by the arm over to where they stood. "You were told to wait on the bench for us. I, for one, know that my son would never disobey me. You on the other hand seem to think you can do whatever you damn well please!" She pointed an accusatory finger at Sam.

Sam looked up at Jack to see if he would say anything about this woman's tone toward her. When he didn't, she looked at Chris, who was staring at her with wide eyes, afraid she would say that it was all his fault. She interpreted his look correctly and simply stated, "We just went over to the play yard for a few minutes. Chris was getting restless."

Sabrena laughed cruelly. "How would you know he was getting restless? You're just a child yourself! I know my son and he was just fine waiting for me at the bench!"

Sam glared at the woman who had ruined her day. "Well, apparently you don't know him as well as you like to think! Maybe if you'd pay attention to him once in a while instead of chasing men around, you'd know more about him!" she said in a deadly calm voice.

"Why, you little brat!" yelled Sabrena and she raised her hand, ready to slap Sam across the face.

Jack stepped in front of Sam and grabbed Sabrena's wrist. "What the hell do you think you're doing? There's no reason to ever strike a child like that. You are totally out of control Sabrena! Is this how you treat your son?" he asked in disbelief at her actions.

She pulled her arm from his grasp and stepped back, still seething in anger over what this little girl had said to her face. "My son doesn't act like a spoiled, smart mouthed brat! I'd suggest you take this child back where you found her and tell her parents to teach her some discipline." She grabbed Chris by the hand and stalked out of the tent, stopping at its open flap to throw one more cutting remark back. "You know Jack; I always thought you were too lax in your discipline. Maybe that's why Charlie isn't around anymore." And with that parting remark, she left the tent, leaving all of its occupants in astonished silence.

Jack and Sam left the park and walked to the truck in silence, each lost in their own thoughts and feelings. When Jack opened the door, Sam quickly climbed inside and into the back. They had traveled in silence for several minutes when Sam decided it was time to speak up.

"Look, Jack, I'm sorry about what happened. I never meant for us to disappear like that. But I can't believe you let that woman..."

"Carter, just be quiet. I don't want to talk about it right now," he said, effectively dismissing her.

Sam looked out the window in resignation. He was back to calling her Carter. All the warmth and enjoyment in each other's company had vanished. Why couldn't they have just one day where nothing went wrong? Sam wished to God she had never picked up that stupid device in her lab.