A/N: Just so you know, I'm sitting here writing this chapter when I could be watching my taped new episodes of SG-1 and Atlantis.

Anymoo... I know I've probably milked the farm thing for all its worth, but I have to say I'm really proud of myself for creating the Robertses lol, and have enjoyed the past few chapters immensely. But its time to move on. It seems mixed if people have liked the last few or gotten tired of them, I still like them, but I'm pretty much done with them (there will be more warm fuzzies, just not with the Roberts') What's funny is there were only about 5 chaps that were warm and fuzzy, and there were about 10 with the Arden creep lol. Consider the last few chapters something like an intermission lol. Don't forget to take a potty break if joining for the first time lol. This chapter will probably be something of a transitional one, and I may need the next one as well, will have to see. Don't worry though, once I get out of this ugly work stretch I'll have time to write more, and updates will be more regular again once I've caught up after my vacation.

I've tried to post this chapter several times yesterday, but first it kept saying I wasm't uploading it right, (I didn't break it) and then the server went on vacation. (Who broke it?) So here's hoping I can post this chapter up today, since I still don't have anything to post after it yet lol. (Bad work... bad bad bad)

And ok.. finally got it up by uploading it as a text file (in case there's anyone reading this that is having the same problem as me) It kept saying that it wasn't a recognized document, all my files have been Word files, then I tried WordPad (rtf) and finally just saved it as plain text. So here we go!

Waiting was never one of Jack O'Neill's strong points. Looking over the maps and making plans had given him something to do, but now he was back to square one. Maybe Teal'c was up for some sparring?

Chapter 45

Two days later, and Sam was up and about, following Charles and Mary around the farm. She'd had her splint removed the day before yesterday, after a surprise visit to the vet, who she'd learned had seen her already and also happened to be the couple's son. After an x-ray had revealed no break, Bill had gently removed the splint. Her chest films had also shown that the infection was resolving. Overall, Sam was pretty lucky, it could have been much worse.

The couple dotted on her endlessly, and Mary never stinted on care or food. Sam usually found she had more than she could eat of the delicious meals. And that didn't include the various snacks and treats she was offered several times a day, as well as things shared from the couples' plates like the apples that first night she'd been awake.

Even several days later, she still suffered from occasional aches and twinges, especially to her leg, but she was able to jump to a chair now, and her leg could bear most of her weight, with only a slight limp. Sam was being careful not to overdue it too much and took frequent breaks and naps. The warm basket left on the hearth helped, especially since it was so inviting. In the evenings, Sam often found herself drifting off held securely on Mary's, and sometimes even Charles's laps.

Sam was reluctant to give up the feelings of warmth and security she had at this place, but now that she was feeling much better she was starting to get antsy. It had been nearly a week since her escape from Arden, by her reckoning, and a good bit longer since she'd been taken from the SGC. Sam knew that her teammates would leave no stone unturned looking for her, but she knew it would be difficult for them to locate her. There might have been a chance of them finding her when Arden still held her, but now, when even she didn't know where she was, she suspected it would be difficult if not impossible. So that left getting home all up to her.

If only she had a way to contact the SGC. It figured that the couple was so isolated; they rarely even turned on the old battered television, didn't seem to get a newspaper, and tended only to play the radio for music and weather. They seemed to rely on getting their news from their children and neighbors. They only had one telephone in the house, and it hung on the wall in the kitchen. Even if Sam could reach it, she realized quickly that it she would have a lot of trouble using the old rotary phone. Sam didn't think people still had those in this day and age. She'd still tried to get to the phone, but had been caught by Mary, who'd merely shooed her away. Sam didn't try again; her first attempt had just proved that the phone was out of reach.

Sam had snagged some mail, and from the address had been able to ascertain she was in Pennsylvania. She'd stared in shock at the state written on the envelope, hoping she'd gotten it wrong, not wanting to admit she was well over 1500 miles from home.

Eventually, Sam's rational mind kicked in. It wasn't like she'd have to walk it. It should be easy to sneak onto cars and trucks heading in the right direction, she just needed to get her bearings sorted. She'd also need to keep an eye out for any way to contact the SGC. She knew they'd be looking for her, even if they didn't have a chance of locating her.

Once she had a tentative plan worked out, Sam knew it was time to make her farewells. She wished she had a way to thank the couple for all they'd done for her, and explain why she had to go. Goodbyes were never easy.

She could always take the easy road and sneak out in the middle of the night, but Sam just couldn't make herself do it. Instead, she waited until after breakfast the next day, after getting a full night's rest and another meal, and followed Mary as she walked Charles to the fields. When the couple stopped, Sam continued on past them, finally sitting down a short distance away, where she looked back at them until she caught their attention. She looked pointedly off to the distance, even walking a few steps before walking back the couple, twining herself about their legs like she'd seen Schroedinger do when he wanted something.

Before the couple could touch her, she walked away again and repeated the process. Mary caught on first. She'd had a feeling that her latest foundling wouldn't be staying with her. A lot of the strays she nursed back to health moved on. She just hadn't thought Bella would be going so soon, and she'd still secretly hoped her feeling had been wrong.

"Oh Bella, must you go so soon." Mary tried to hide a tear behind her hand, but she knew Charles had noticed as he slipped his arm around her waist. Bella had returned, and rubbed herself around Mary's ankles again. The woman bent, running her hands over Bella's soft, beautiful fur.

Mary could swear that the cat understood her. There had been something about this particular cat that had niggled at the back of her mind, something different, yet special about her, and not just her unusual colorings. Mary had tried to dismiss it as the ramblings of her aged mind, but still...

One thing for certain at least, Mary knew that she'd never forget the little cat, and a glance at her husband revealed that Bella had had an effect on him as well.

After one last rub of her head against the couples' hands, Sam turned and started down the road, which she knew from her trip to the vet led to the nearest town. Sam hoped to get a better idea of where she was, so that she could start her journey home. At the top of the rise, Sam stopped, and turned to look over her shoulder. Mary and Charles still stood where she'd left them, watching. Sam burned the image into her mind, treasuring the warmth they'd shared with her, then resolutely turned away, heading away from the rising sun, and towards the road home.