A/N: I am reposting this chapter. FanFic ate some of it, and spit a few pieces out it didn't want I guess. Thanks to the tip posted by sapphire-sword, I checked my saved copy and didn't see what the problem was, but when I went to see the posted chapter, it looked a bit different. So Thanks. It actually should make more sense in the beginning now! And to everyone else that has reviewed, if things look funny don't be afraid to say so, I don't bite, usually ;) Anyway, all the reviews have been great so far, I seem to have collected a lot! Thank you!

All Sam could hope as she ran, with the stolen map clutched awkwardly in her teeth, was that the confusion and noise behind her would slow down any pursuit. Just in case, she concentrated on putting as much distance between her and the store as possible, forgetting everything else in her desire to prevent being returned to a cage.

Chapter Following Chapter Whatever

The men of SG-1 were busy trekking across fields and rocks and mud, looking for any sign of their missing teammate. After the quarantine had lifted, they'd taken the very first flight they could be on and headed back to where they'd lost Carter's trail. There were two main branches off the stream, and depending on which way she'd gone, more after that. They had decided to split up and keep in touch by radio in order to cover more ground.

So far, all they'd found were cows, lots and lots of cows. Brown cows, black and white cows, cows with spots, cows without spots, big cows, little cows, cow patties... you get the picture. All in all it was a rather dirty, sweaty, and disheveled looking group of men that were rapidly feeling more dejected for lack of finding any sign of their missing teammate and friend.

Jack was just about to call the others in to meet for a break and lunch, when his cell rang.

"O'Neill." Jack listened and nearly dropped the phone in shock. It was General Hammond, and he had some interesting news. An unidentified caller had called a secure line, from the area, about a half an hour ago. The caller hadn't said anything before the call had disconnected. Ordinarily the airman on duty would have just ignored the event, but since it was a secure line he'd noted the number and mentioned it to his superior, who happened to know about Major Carter and her last known location. The superior had decided it was too much of a coincidence and alerted General Hammond, who'd agreed and was now calling Colonel O'Neill to let him know, just in case.

Jack quickly thanked the General and hung up, dialing Daniel while pulling out his map. He gave Daniel the news and the name of the place the call had come from. The route Jack had been following happened to be closest to the location, within a few miles at least, so Jack told Daniel to call Teal'c and for them to meet him at the convenience store in question.

The Colonel wasted no time in backtracking to where he'd left the rental SUV, and was soon on the way. He was probably breaking every speed limit on the way, but at this point Jack was only concerned with finding out if Carter had been at the store and trying to contact them. The gas station/store was easy to spot, and Jack pulled up outside within 15-20 minutes, tires spinning slightly as he stirred up loose gravel and dust. Jack wasn't very surprised when a second SUV pulled up next to his, and Teal'c and Daniel exited. The two had been exploring nearby areas so they had decided to only rent two vehicles.

The three men exchanged silent looks, each holding onto their separate hopes. As one, they turned towards the store entrance.

They had not gone very far, when they could hear the shrill voice of a woman, who was obviously very unhappy. For the first time, Jack noticed an ambulance and a police car parked outside, opposite to where they'd pulled up. Several young children where engaged in a game of tag outside the store. The shrill voice continued, and as they neared, a man could be heard as well.

Arriving at the door, they were just in time to witness a very large woman, squeezed into a c-collar, getting led to the waiting ambulance. The woman continued her tirade in her shrill voice. "I'm going to sue! Appalling!! Oh, my neck! My poor children, seeing their own mother grievously injured, taken to the hospital, they'll be emotionally scarred!" The woman continued on, her high pitched squawking dulled only slightly as the doors of the ambulance closed. The children were rounded up by one of two police officers who shared a sympathetic look with what was likely the shopkeeper. The kids seemed ecstatic about being able to ride in a police car, begging to try the lights and siren, and didn't seem the least bit traumatized.

The second officer was finishing collecting a statement from the shopkeeper. "So you say this cat, who was trying to steal your lunch, knocked Ms. Small down?"

Daniel looked like he was going to interrupt, his eyes wide, but Jack held up a hand. He wanted to hear what the man had to say.

The man nodded emphatically, while rubbing at his wrist. "Yes officer, funny looking little thing. Never seen a cat quite that color either. Skinny mite was trying to steal my lunch. I knew I couldn't have a cat in the store, so I went to get the cage to take it to the shelter in. When I got back the cat was taking one of the maps, ran off with it in its teeth. I tell you it was uncanny, never seen a cat act like that. It ran under that woman's legs, and she raised a big ruckus, see what a mess?" The man indicated the fallen display of chips and snacks; some of the small bags broken open or crushed.

The officer made a noncommittal noise, and nodded, making notes on his pad. He'd seen some odd things in his time, but this definitely ranked up there with the oddest, a cat shoplifting and disturbing the peace. That is if the man was to be believed and he wasn't just trying to get himself out of a potential lawsuit. "Ok Mr. Marley, I think I have all I need for the report. Have a good day." The officer passed a slip to the clerk, and nodded to SG-1 as he passed them to the patrol car.

The man was staring at the mess and muttering to himself, when Colonel O'Neill coughed. The man looked up startled. "Can I help you, uh sirs?" The man took in their dirty appearance.

Jack pulled himself to his full height, and said in his best Colonel voice, "Mr. Marley sir?"

The man's eyes narrowed, but he nodded reluctantly. "Yes?" He said, a note of trepidation in his voice.

"Colonel Jack O'Neill, United States Air Force." Jack pulled out his ID and showed it to the man. "About an hour ago a call was placed from this location to a secure line at a high security facility. The number is not one that is general public knowledge. We'd like to know if you have any idea why that number was dialed?" Jack turned his evil eye onto the man, who visibly deflated.

"Um... no, not really, can't say I've made any calls today..." The man's brow creased and furrowed, and sudden realization dawned. "That cat! It was on the counter, the phone was off the hook, and I just thought it had knocked it off, when it jumped up to get my sandwich. That cat has caused nothing but trouble!"

Jack kept a hand on Daniel's arm. "Oh really?" was all he said.

The man nodded emphatically. "Look, I bet I have it on camera. Why didn't I think of this before? Here, follow me."

Before Jack or the others could respond, the man headed off to what looked like an office in the corner, next to the storeroom. Exchanging looks, the three members of SG-1 followed. Crowding into an office, the man was busy rewinding a tape. He cued it up and pressed play.

The camera was set back behind the counter, revealing an image of the counter and the door. He'd rewound it to just before Sam walked in and Jack tightened his grip on Daniel's arm. It was definitely their missing Major. She looked a bit thinner then they'd remembered but otherwise seemed healthy and whole.

The four men in the room watched as Sam entered, pausing in the doorway before jumping up on the counter, the man's mouth dropping open as Sam pushed the numbers on the phone. Sensing the man's disbelief, Jack floundered for a way to explain away the action, but Daniel surprised him by speaking up.

"Looks like she found a fly." Daniel was watching the screen intently.

"Indeed." Teal'c chimed in.

"Oh yeah, I see it. Pesky flies." Jack gratefully followed Daniel's lead, making a mental note to thank him later. The man was staring incredulously at the screen, and back to the three men, and finally shrugged.

Daniel had hit the fast forward button on the tape, and they all watched as Sam made her break, stealing the map and causing the large woman to teeter and fall, taking the snack display with her. Leave it to Carter to cause another spectacular diversion to cover an escape.

The man was staring at the screen again and muttering under his breath about animals acting oddly. Teal'c interrupted.

"I have heard of a cat that would sneak into homes using the pet door, and take small objects." Teal'c spoke convincingly.

"My old college roommate had a cat once that used to take and hide his keys all the time." Daniel added his own two cents.

Jack decided to change the subject. "Well, I think we've solved the problem. Hey, if you see that cat again, here's my card. Wife used to talk about a cat she had when she was a kid, gets all sentimental like about it. That one looks like the one she remembers, might be fun to surprise her you know. Be a little something in it for you too." Jack winked and nudged the man with his elbow, as he pressed his card into the man's hand.

"We better get going, have taken up enough of your time Mr. Marley. Good luck with that lady. C'mon Daniel, Murray, lets get going." Jack led the way out the door, Daniel and Teal'c on his heels.

Once they were out of earshot, Jack spoke up again.

"Ok kids, split up and fan out, she can't have gotten far." A look of determination was on Colonel O'Neill's face, mirrored by the looks Teal'c and Daniel's faces. With an unspoken agreement, the three headed off along the road, eyes sharp for any sign of Sam.