A/N: As promised, the next chapter is up quickly. Thanks for the reviews...even if some of you were mad about the cliffie! Enjoy.

Chapter 9 – Too Close for Comfort

His dark green clothing kept him well hidden within the thick pine trees surrounding the meadow. He continued to watch Major Carter make her way across the grassy expanse, the long gun remaining trained on her. The wild grasses reached midway to her thighs but he knew she would soon reach the clearing where the grass was kept trimmed. He knew for a fact that many SGC personnel liked to take a mid-afternoon break in the midst of the meadow. There were several large boulders upon which to sit and rest, and a scraggly tree that provided some shade in the warmer months. He would wait until she had reached this area. He wanted to be able to quickly find the child when he fell from her arms; plus the softer grass would cushion the baby's fall. He had been told in no uncertain terms that the child must not be harmed. If possible, he was to retrieve the Major as well, but the child was his first priority.

He shook his head at the naivety of the SGC authorities. Didn't they think word would get out about this child? Didn't they think that others might be interested in uncovering the knowledge this child might contain? Obviously not, because if they did, Major Carter would not have come out here alone, if at all. And he knew for a fact that Colonel Jack O'Neill would not let the child or the Major out of his sight if he had any inkling that either one of them was in danger

The man checked to make sure everything was ready. He had been given two very strong tranquilizer darts that were specifically fashioned to fit this particular gun. They had the ability to travel a far distance; much farther than a standard tranquilizer gun would allow. He had been informed that it might require two darts to take down Major Carter, due to some specific compound in her body. He scoffed at the idea, but wasn't about to argue. After all, he was being paid handsomely for his expertise, not his opinion.

He perked up as she reached the clearing, listening as her soft voice carried to his hiding place. He felt a momentary pang of guilt at what he was about to do, but quickly stomped it down. The future of the human race could rest with this one child. He cocked the gun and took careful aim, waiting for her to move from the protection of the boulder she rested against.

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Sam talked quietly to JJ as she made her way to the clearing. She couldn't wait to let him down and see him scamper across the low-cut grass. "You're going to get lots of exercise little one," she told him happily. She leaned briefly against the large rock that was in the middle of the clearing and took in the view around her. The trees were now bare of leaves, but the mountain in the distance still looked green. Although she could see white snow at its top, the cold air seemed far away. Sam returned her gaze to JJ as he squirmed in her arms, eager to get down and move. Sam laughed softly. "OK little man, down you go," she said, unconsciously adopting Jack's moniker for JJ.

Sam moved away from the boulder, bent down and gently set JJ on the ground. Just as she did so, she felt something whiz by her head. Frowning in puzzlement, she stood straight and looked around. She did a careful 360 in the spot she stood in, watching for any sign of something amiss. She didn't see the barrel of the gun as it was withdrawn into the cover of the pine trees, nor did she hear the muffled curse that followed the missed opportunity.

Something didn't feel quite right to Sam, but she shook off the feeling as her careful surveillance showed nothing amiss. It must have been a bird darting around her or a large insect, she told herself. She returned her focus to JJ, who was happily chewing on a long piece of grass as he scampered across the clearing. Sam laughed and followed after him, amazed that someone so small could move so fast.

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The man cursed his luck. Major Carter had bent down at the last possible moment and been missed by the tranquilizer dart that shot past her head. She had carefully surveyed the area, but he was sure she hadn't seen anything as she resumed her outing with the child. Unfortunately, the child was now out of sight, crawling in the grass, and he had only one tranquilizer dart left. He briefly patted his pocket, feeling the .45 that rested there. If worse came to worse, he would resort to using it. For now, he would continue to watch, waiting for a clear shot once again.

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JJ happily scuttled across the short grass, not at all bothered by the rough texture against his hands. He was just happy to be outdoors, chasing the small bugs that flew overhead. Every so often, he would glance back, just to make sure that the woman he knew as Mama was following behind. The two made a game of it; JJ crawling ahead, then looking back with a little grin as Sam called out, "Look out, JJ. I'm going to get you!"

Sam slowly chased after the little boy for a while, enjoying the exercise and the look of delight on his face. When JJ stopped to examine a flower that still had some color left, she glanced at her watch. It had almost been 10 minutes. She looked to the entrance of the mountain but didn't see any sign of Jack yet. She sighed softly; he must have been detained longer than expected.

Sam looked quickly back to JJ when she heard him give a startled cry. A small rabbit had just run across the grass in front of him, surprising the little boy. He began to crawl after it once he recognized it was an animal. In fact, he had a stuffed bunny at home that looked remarkably similar to the rabbit that had just crossed his path. He started to follow it into the tall grass when he was picked up from behind.

"Oh no you don't, mister. You stay in the shorter grass. I don't want you getting any burrs on you. Plus I can't see you in there," Sam explained as she tossed JJ gently into the air. She caught him and gave him a hug as she began walking back toward the center of the clearing. She was planning on putting JJ down so that he could start over again on his romp through the grass.

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This was just the opportunity the man was waiting for. He steadied his rifle as he brought her into view. He adjusted his aim lower, toward her thigh, so he wouldn't inadvertently hit the baby. Just as he was about to squeeze the trigger, he heard a loud, booming voice come from near the entrance of the mountain. He swung the barrel of the rifle in the direction the voice came from and froze. He lowered the barrel to the ground in disgust; this was just not his day.

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"Major Carter!" came the deep, booming voice of Teal'c from across the meadow. Sam looked over at him and smiled in greeting. She had been expecting the Colonel, but seeing Teal'c was a nice surprise. She waited until he was closer before she greeted him. JJ beat her to it with a gleeful greeting of, "EEE!"

Teal'c nodded to the baby, then straightened to look at Sam. There was a definite look of concern in his gaze, as well as a bit of censure. "Major Carter, did not General Hammond tell us not to bring the child outside without having two of us present?"

Sam's smile faltered as she sighed, "Yes, Teal'c. But I thought it would only be 10 more minutes and JJ was getting warm waiting with his jacket on. I didn't think it would be a problem, seeing as I am still in sight of the guards," she nodded to the guards who were visible at the entrance.

Teal'c, however, did not look convinced. "It would be advisable to heed General Hammond's orders, Major Carter. He only wishes to ensure the safety of the child. I also do not think O'Neill would be pleased that you left the premises without another member of SG-1."

"It was only 10 minutes, Teal'c. Plus, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, as well as a year old child," she reminded him firmly. "And the most dangerous thing we've seen out here is a rabbit," she added with a bit of sarcasm.

Teal'c decided to say no more on the subject. After all, nothing untoward had occurred and he was here now. He bowed his head respectfully and followed her back to where she had let JJ down previously. Teal'c watched as JJ once more scampered through the grass, Sam following closely behind him. Though he watched with amusement at the antics of little Carter-O'Neill, all of his senses were tuned in to his surroundings. Something did not feel right, and he would take no chances on any harm coming to either of them.

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The man stayed hidden within the dark cover of the trees. He was aware of the superior senses of the Jaffa and would take no chance of being discovered. Although he could possibly take the large man down with his .45, it would bring too much attention from the guards at the gate, as well as alerting Major Carter to his presence. No, he would wait until they went back inside, then he would leave his hiding place to consult with his contact. There was sure to be another opportunity to snatch the child. As long as no one knew of his existence, they would not be suspicious of any plans being made. He still had the decided advantage.