A/N: takes place after Sam goes through the Stargate. The previous chapter took place while the events of chapter 4 took place... if that makes any sense! In fact I think I may have just caused more confusion... sorry!

'Jacob, where is she?' Jack asked the man sitting in front of him.

'I told you Jack, I don't know.' Jacob replied, truthfully.

'Come on Jacob, I know you saw her last; Cassie can't keep her mouth shut as well as you. What happened in that room that she ran?'

'All I can say is that when you do find her, you'll need to have a long talk.'

'Okay, I've had enough; I want to talk to Selmac.'

'Jack…'

'Now Jacob.'

'Fine.' Jacob closed his eyes and when her opened them, they flashed gold, 'General O'Neill, always a pleasure.'

'Yeah, yeah, nice to see you. Where's Sam?'

'I can't tell you where Major Carter is.'

'Selmac…' Jack said, warningly.

'I can't because I do not know. But I know this; if she has gone through the Shappa'ei it is only because she needs time to herself to untangle her thoughts and feelings and come to an suitable conclusion. Perhaps it is best therefore that you leave her as she is.'

'I need to know that she's safe.'

'I am sure Major Carter will have gone somewhere that she will feel safe; a planet with old friends perhaps.'

'I hope so.'

Selmac's head dropped and Jacob returned, 'He always was more articulate than me.'

Jack stared at his desk, lost in thought.

'Jack, I'm fairly certain that she'll come to me at some point; if she does I'll be sure to let you know.'

'Jacob, I don't want to have to report her as AWOL; you know what will happen to her.'

'You gave her three weeks leave, so give her until the end of it. I know she'll come through.' Jacob looked at him sympathetically, 'Just trust her.'

'Jacob, I trust her more than I trust myself,' Jack raised his eyes to meet Jacob's, 'You know how I feel about her.'

'Yes, I do. But maybe you need to voice your feelings to her.'

'Yeah.'

'I'm going to head back through the Stargate,' Jacob stood to leave, 'I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything.'

'Yeah.' Jack replied absentmindedly; his thoughts on other matters.

'Oh and Jack,' Jacob caught his attention, 'You hurt her and I'll kill you; outright kill you. Selmac has more torturous methods in mind.'

Jack smiled slightly, 'You'll have to catch me first.'