Ten minutes later a freshly showered Sam in civilian attire and a duffel back arrived in Jack's office. "That was fast."

"I keep a bag packed at all times, just in case." Carter replied simply.

Jack looked at her with admiration, "Ok, let's blow this joint." He rolled up his yo-yo and put it in his own bag. He couldn't understand how some women could take 30 minutes in the bathroom just putting on their eye-shadow, and Carter could do it all in under 10.

"I've got to go shopping, I don't know when it was the last time I was there."

Carter understood what he meant, it had been at least a week since the last time she was home. "I sympathize sir."

******

"So what exactly do you plan on doing all week sir?" Sam asked Jack as he drove his 4 wheel drive up the winding path to his personal secluded paradise.

"Fishing. Sleeping."

"Is that all you actually do when you come up here?"

"Why? Don't you believe me? I figure I can afford to be lazy sometimes. Don't you think people should give themselves that luxury every once in awhile?"

Sam ignored the pointed question, and knew he deeply disapproved of her working all the time. She wondered if he would ever understand that working was her vacation.

They sat in silence until they reached the cabin. Sam couldn't stop herself from gasping. The view was absolutely beautiful.

"You like it, huh?" Jack grinned at the expression on Carter's face. It seemed like, at least for a moment, all the complications in her life had disappeared and she had once again experienced the wonder of childhood. Where no walls were too high to be climbed and no lines couldn't be crossed.

"Like it? It's absolutely stunning. I had no idea..."

"I like to think of it as my little piece of heaven. C'mon I'd like you to meet my friends- Mr. Tree, Miss Rock and," he spread his hands wide gesturing to the shimmering pool behind him, "Mrs. Lake."

Jack grabbed their bags out of the back and headed toward the cabin, "Coming?"

Sam had been staring at the scenery totally lost in its beauty. The entire area had a feeling of tranquility Sam never had time to experience in her hectic life. Her initial thought of this being a bad idea was starting to diminish. She shook herself from the reverie when Jack spoke and joined him at the door.

"Home Sweet Home," he announced stepping into the living room.

"Cozy. It's a nice place you have up here."

Jack studied Sam for a moment, she stood by the door, politely waiting for him to invite her to sit down or offer a drink. He couldn't do either, it was so magical, having her here with him, alone. Of course nothing could happen, that didn't mean he couldn't wish. She was so beautiful, her blonde hair surrounding her face like a halo. Jack's little piece of heaven had found an angel. Then he silently wondered what he had gotten himself into. He remembered the reason she was here in the first place, make her feel better, comfort her, and shield her from all the hurt in her life. If only he knew how to begin to do all that.

Jack remained quiet too long, gazing at Sam with that far away look he got in his eye when she knew he was day dreaming, she had seen it all to often when she was briefing the team before a mission. Sam decided to break the silence, "So where do I put my stuff?"

"Huh? Oh, in the spare room upstairs, I'll show you." Jack mentally reprimanded himself for letting his thoughts run away with him. He liked to be on guard for anything, that was difficult to do in la-la land. Not that he really had to worry, what could happen here, in the backwaters of Minnesota?

By dinner time Carter had aquatinted herself with the cabin and surrounding land, at least as far as the lake.

"So, do you think you'll survive the week?" Jack asked her over his steaming plate of spaghetti.

"Survive? I feel like I've died and gone to heaven, sir." Sam smiled at his undoubtedly amused expression. "What is it Sir?"

"Oh it's just that you always turned my offer down in the past, and now your here and positively enjoying yourself."

A/N: Sorry about the short chapter and lame ending, I couldn't find a decent place to stop. Don't give up on me, I promise it will get better.