Author's Notes: Firstly, thank you all so much for the feedback. I was a little nervous about his and the positive vibes help greatly! Secondly, in this chapter I had to mention what happened to Jack's stuff like his property and what not. I don't know if he has family. I just said no and since this is AU that can happen but I just wanted to give a little heads up about that. And lastly, I'm still trying to work out the formating, it's been a while since I posted anything on this site and it's a changed a bit.

Chapter 2: That Face

I'm certain if I fall in love
I'm lost without a trace
But it's worth it for that face

- Mel Brooks

"So, this trip you're going on, it's another one of those things you can't tell me about?" Sam looked over to her husband as he asked that simple question. During their time together she had been called into duty to go on missions a time or two and each time she had to come up with some story to give him. As the years went by, the thought of having to lie to him became unneeded stress on her so she just told him that she couldn't tell him.

She ran a brush through her hair a couple more times before placing it on the dresser and going over to the bed and climbing in beside him. "Yeah, it's one of those things I can't tell you. You know how secretive we have to be about the country's security. Especially now." She scooted closer to him. "If it was up to me, I would tell you everything." She reached up to his chin and gently turned his face towards hers. "I would." She leaned up and brushed a kiss against his lips.

He smiled slightly as she pulled back then turned his attention back to his work. Sam leaned against his shoulder and read from the screen of his laptop. A word document was open and a few sentences had been typed but he obviously was at a loss as to where to take the story from there. "How did the meeting with the publisher go?" She inquired softly.

Hal let out a breath and took off his glasses, setting them down on the keyboard of the laptop before rubbing his deep green eyes with his thumb and forefinger then racking his hand through his ebony hair and scratching the back of his head. "Paul said that if don't pull a best seller out of my ass soon, the publishing house would be having some doubts about extending my contract."

Giving up for the night, Hal saved what little writing he had accomplished and shut the computer down and set it aside on the nightstand beside his side of the bed. He laid back in the bed, his arm instinctually wrapping around Sam as she curled up beside him. "Maybe I just need a break. We haven't had a vacation in a while. How about that cabin in Minnesota you bought? You haven't done anything to that place since you bought it in that auction a while back. We could take the boys there. Maybe the fresh air and quiet will help to get the creative juices flowing."

Sam remained silent at the mention of that cabin by the fishless lake. Jack had no family to speak of that could come forward and claim his estate after his disappearance. The state stepped in a took control of the assets. When she had heard about the cabin being put up for auction, she couldn't stop herself from going out there just to check it out. Soon after that she had found herself in a bidding war with another couple who had their eyes on the small piece of property. She wasn't about to give up so easily though and things did get a little heated. She probably would have rushed these people if Hal hadn't been there to hold her back.

In the end though she had won the bid, having to pay twice for what the property was really worth but it held sentimental value and if Jack ever did show up again, he could have some place to go. At least that was the reason she told herself. It really went deeper then that but searching into those feelings now were pointless and would only bring on a wave of depression she didn't need.

"Let's talk about that after I get back.." She said finally and leaned over him to turn off the bedside lamp then make herself comfortable for a good night's sleep. She would need it.

The bay doors marked C-1 slide open, emitting Sam, Daniel and Teal'c into the gate room. The three companions, dressed in full field gear, walked over to across the way to join of with the rest of the SG-1 team. The team's reputation of being one of the only SG teams to have all it's original members had died out with Jack's disappearance and then her reassignment two years later. Since then, Colonel Richard McGovern had taken O'Neill's place as CO of SG-1 and Captain Gregory Winshel had been assigned to the team to fill her space.

"Welcome back, Major." McGovern greeted.

"Colonel." Sam responded and gave him a salute which he returned in favor.

"General Hammond briefed you on the situation, I trust?"

"Yes, sir."

With a satisfied nod, Colonel McGovern turned back to the Stargate as the chevrons began to encode, opening the wormhole for their destination.

Upon arriving at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Sam had been ordered to the briefing room for a quick rundown on what as to be expected. The SG-4 team had gone through on a routine planetary exploration mission. From their last transmission they had reported that though there was evidence of life: civilizations, technologies, ect; everything appeared to be deserted with the exception one life form. They had requested additional help, mentioning Sam by name.

As the seventh chevron locked, and the gate activated with a whoosh and swoosh, McGovern, Winshel, Teal'c and Daniel made their way up the ramp first. Sam hung back for a moment, staring at the distortion. No matter how many times she walked through the gate, there was always an amount of awe and excitement and anxiety that went along with these trips. The anxiety level was extremely high at the moment from curiosity as to what was awaiting them and the common risk that there was always a chance something could happen and she would never be able to see her family again.

"Coming Sam?" Daniel asked from the top of the ramp.

She blinked and focused her attention on Daniel and nodded as she started up the ramp, "Sorry, zoned out for a moment."

They stepped through the gate and all at once were surrounded by a blue/black tunnel of light. There was a flash of light then the stars elongated and stretched as they traveled at an impossible speed. It only lasted a few seconds before another flash of light occurred and they stepped out of the gate on the other side.

The room was dark, but a small amount of natural light filtered through the grimy tall windows. From the looks of things, they were standing in a place of worship, the center piece being the Stargate. Debris scattered the ground and the building had a level of decay to it. Obviously the place had been abandoned but not for long like most of the temples they had visited. The group walked down a wide set of steps that were attached to the gate. At the bottom of the stairway was one of the soldiers from SG-4 waiting for them. They exchanged formal greetings then the solider led them through the city to where the rest of the SG-4 team waited.

Most of the city was in the same condition as the place of worship, debris and rubble were scattered all around. Everything was in disrepair. The condition of the city brought images of an rerun of Twilight Zone that Sam had vague memories or seeing. A shiver went through her and she was happy when they arrived at their location.

The solider led them inside a building that was no more then one story high with no windows and a flat roof. Upon entering, a set of stairs led down into the ground and opened up into a wide room lined on both sides with tube-like chambers laying out vertically side by side from the front end of the room to the back. Lined in the center of the room were what looked to be control consoles. The rest of the SG-4 team waited at the far end of the room.

One of the men noticed the new comers and waved them over. "Major Nolan?" He called. It had taken some time before people got used to calling her by her married name. It had sounded odd to her own ears too in the beginning. As the group moved closer to where the team stood the man who had addressed her motioned to one of the tube-like structures. "We believe, we've found something of particular interest to you."

Sam moved closer where the man indicated. Her breath caught in her throat for a moment as she peered into the tube. "Jake…" She said breathlessly. She turned back to the others. "We have to get him out of here."

Daniel moved over to the control console and studied it for a moment. "We're gonna have to be careful going about this…" Sam moved over to the console to join him.

The evening sunlight glistened over the glassy surface of the placid waters of the lake. Everything was calm and peaceful. This is how he had hoped to spend the rest of his years once he hit retirement. He loved his work. He didn't regret anything about it but there was a certain joy that had to be savored in utter tranquility. Not to mention the company wasn't too bad.

She came up behind him and her arms wrapped around his shoulders as she placed soft kisses on the side of his neck. A grin spread across his lips and he gently took her arm and pulled her around to his front and across his lap. He lifted his hand and caressed her soft skin, the pad of his thumb stroking her cheek gently, lovingly. Her face would be forever etched into his memory. The elegant curve of her neck, her chin, her mouth, her nose, her eyes which conveyed so much emotion in them.

He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers gently. Her hand snaked around his neck and pulled him closer against her as she returned the kiss with equal vigor.

After a moment, the two separated as the need for oxygen kicked in. She ran her fingers over his short cropped hair and kissed the side of his head, whispering in his ear. "You have to wake up Colonel."

A questioning look came across his face and he pulled her away from him so he could look her in the face. "What are you talking about, Sam? And what's with the 'colonel' thing? You haven't called me that in a long time."

She didn't seem to hear him, "Sir, you have to wake up now."

As soon as she heard the snap hiss coming from the tube-like structure, Sam was at O'Neill's side, trying to bring him back to the land of the living. "You have to wake up, Colonel." She said in a quiet voice, a touch of authority in her tone, though she had no right to order her former CO around.

He didn't move, didn't respond in anyway to her command. A feeling of dread went through her and she tried again, this time her tone held desperation, "Sir, you have to wake up now."

His eyes blinked open and all at once relief washed through her and she smiled. His gaze focused on her, for a moment he appeared confused. Not really too surprising considering things. He lifted a hand and reached out to her, as though he needed reassurance that she was real and not a figment of his imagination. His hand settled on her cheek. She lifted her own hand and placed it over his. "Welcome back, sir." She said softly.

His next movement surprised her, as he pulled her down and kissed her passionately.

To be continued…