8/?

Three months into retirement and Jack was more miserable then ever. Sure he had visitors sometimes, but they were becoming less frequent. He craved being about humans so much that he accepted the invitation to Sam's baby shower that Janet was throwing on the base. Daniel had written the invitation in Braille for him. Of all the people he left at the base, he missed Daniel the most. Other then Sam of course. Daniel was the only one who knew Braille, in fact, he was the person who taught it to Jack, so a lot of correspondence that people had to do with Jack went through Daniel. If Daniel was on base and not working on a project, he was typing up papers for Jack. Daniel was always good to him.

Jack sighed as he realized that Sam's party was in a few days and he didn't have a gift for her. They'd barely spoken since that day in his office when he told her he loved her. She was avoiding him. He couldn't blame her. Jack reached for his phone and pressed the number 8. He had everyone's number on speed dial, the ones he used most frequently were first.

"Hello?" Cassie's chipper voice came on the line.

"Cassie, its Jack."

"I know. Caller ID, remember?" Cassie teased him.

"Hey, you know us old farts, we forget things."

"You aren't old Jack."

"Thanks." Jack smiled. Cassie could change his horrible day to good in an instant. "I need a favor sweetie."

"Anything."

"Care to take me shopping?" Jack hated asking her for help. But he knew Janet and Daniel were busy with the baby, and he couldn't ask Sam, even if it wasn't her party.

"Sure. I still need to get some stuff for Sam's party. Can you be ready in an hour?" Jack assured he would be ready, then they hung up.

"Well Roo, looks like we're going shopping."

Two days later, Jack was awakened in his sleep by the telephone. "Hello?" He asked groggily.

"Jack..."

Jack sat upright in his bed and Rooster plopped his head on Jack's thigh. "Sam, what's wrong?"

"It's Pete...he hasn't come home yet." She had been crying.

"Did you call the station?" Jack asked. He prayed that nothing had happened to Pete. He didn't like the man, not by any means, but he did love Sam.

Sam sniffed on the other side of the phone. "Yes. An hour ago. They told me he went to check out a burglary attempt a few hours ago. They said it wasn't uncommon for the guys to go get some coffee after they'd taken their notes."

"Did you call his cell phone?" Jack rubbed his eyes out of reflex. He wondered what time it was, but didn't want Sam to hear his watch.

"He doesn't turn it on when he's on duty."

Jack was running out of ways to help her. "Maybe you should stay off the line, in case he tries to call you." Jack suggested. He wanted to help her, but he didn't know how he could.

Sam gasped and she took in a quick breath. "Jack...there's a police car here, and its not Pete's." She began to cry as she heard knocks on her door. "Oh God Jack."

Jack's heart broke for her. "I'm getting a cab. I'll be soon." He hung up the phone and threw on the clothes he'd worn that day. They weren't really dirty, he hadn't done anything all day. Jack reached for his phone again and called the operator. He asked to be connected to a late night cab company.

Twenty minutes later Jack was arguing with the cab driver about Rooster. "He can't come in my car."

"The law says he can. I'm in a rush here."

"I'm charging extra, double if he has any 'accidents'." The cabbie threatened. Jack agreed and they were soon delivered to Sam's house. Jack paid the man, then Rooster led him inside and to Sam's side