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Warning: Language

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Tangled Web 13 Threatened

Sam was quiet on the journey home. She kept her head on Jack's shoulder but he knew she wasn't sleeping. He didn't question her but allowed her to rest against him undisturbed until Teal'c pulled into his driveway.

The truck pulled to a stop and as Teal'c turned off the key, Sam raised her head. "Sir, I want to go home. My home."

Jack looked at her with concerned chocolate eyes and barely shook his head. "Not yet, Carter. You need to rest and get well. You're safer here."

"But, Sir…"

"Not yet." He spoke softly but firmly, his eyes warm and comforting. She sighed, briefly cast her eyes downward and then took his hand to step out of the truck. "I have to go to the base for a while, but Teal'c will be with you…and I can send Daniel back here if you want."

"I'm fine, Sir. Really."

He lifted his chin slightly upward and raised his eyebrows. "You told me that before, Carter, but you're still gonna rest. And if you don't, I'll be forced to take you to the infirmary."

"Sir, you hate the infirmary! You wouldn't do that to me. You know I don't want to be there! Just let me go home and I promise I'll rest. Teal'c can come with me."

Jack stopped and turned to face her. "Yes, Carter, I hate the infirmary. But there have been plenty of times when Hammond or Janet forced me to stay there. I will do whatever it takes to see that you recover so, don't push it, Colonel. Now, we're already here so let's get you inside, ok?"

Sam turned to look at Teal'c but he offered her no support; he simply stood waiting for Sam to follow Jack's order. Polite as it was, it was still an order.

"Sam." She turned back to look into Jack's eyes, they were somehow softer now and she could she a hint of worry crawling to the surface. "I just want you to be safe, that's all. It's my job to protect you. Let me do it."

Sam stared at Jack remembering that she had agreed to let him help her. She reminded herself that he cared about her, even after the way she'd treated him, personally and professionally, over the last few months. She held his gaze a few more seconds before giving in. She pressed her lips together and met his eyes again allowing him to see her surrender. "Ok, Jack."

His smile warmed her as it crept across his face. She watched as his mouth turned up and his eyes crinkled. "Good! This will be much better than the infirmary, trust me!" He gently squeezed her arm and they all started towards the house.

"Carter, you go ahead and change if you want."

"You're not changing, Sir?"

"No time, I'll change later. I've got a team going out at 1400. Let's get you settled and then I'll head to the base."

Sam nodded and walked down the hallway toward Jack's bedroom. Once she'd closed the door Jack turned back to Teal'c. "You need to keep an eye on her Teal'c. She's not ok, no matter what she says. She needs to rest."

"I am aware, O'Neill."

"I'd really prefer to stay, but I need to be at the base for a while."

"Do not be concerned, Colonel Carter will be safe. I will see that she rests."

"I don't want her going home until the police locate Shanahan. I want to know where that pond scum is before she does that. Don't let her weedle you into taking her home."

"Weedle?"

"Never mind, just keep her here, Teal'c."

"She will remain here, O'Neill."

Jack reached for his wallet and took out several bills handing them to Teal'c. "Order some food for you guys. There are delivery menus on the fridge." Teal'c nodded as he took the money. Jack started down the hallway but turned suddenly and went into the kitchen filling a glass with water before he started again towards the bedroom. He knocked softly on the door before opening it slightly. "Carter?"

"Come in, Sir." She sat in the middle of his bed in shorts and a tee shirt, her legs crossed and her shoulders slightly slumped. "How you doing?"

"I'm okay. Just tired."

"Yeah, I bet. Well, take your meds." He handed the glass to her and then reached for the medication bottle, spilling a few of the pills into his palm and holding them out to her. "Teal'c is ordering food so you guys can have some lunch and then you can get some rest." She turned to look at him, her eyes filled with doubt. "What?"

"I'm just not sure I can rest."

"They'll find him, Sam, they know where he is. It will just take a little time for the paperwork but you're safe here until then."

"I know. It's just…going over all that again at the police station and then I called to check my messages…"

"And…?"

"Here…see for yourself." She moved to the edge of the bed, picked up the phone and dialed her home number. Jack approached the bed slowly as she punched in the code to retrieve her messages. She offered the phone to him and he took it while keeping her eyes locked with his.

There were the usual beeps and then a sales message, one from Daniel from the day before and then she saw Jack's jaw clench involuntarily as he listened to Pete's voice on the line. "Hey, baby! I was hoping you'd be home, but I guess you decided to go to 'team night' after all, huh!" The voice was full of sarcasm with lightly veiled anger floating just below the surface. There was a few moments of silence but the line didn't disconnect. When he started to speak again his voice had changed, more forceful, threatening and very angry. "You should know by now that I don't buy into this little charade of 'team night'! It's just another way for you to see him. You know we talked about this, Sam and I told you not to go over there. You're supposed to be at home, Dammit, not warming the General's bed like some cheap slut! That bastard doesn't deserve you! He's using you, Sam! Can't you see that? If I don't hear from you tomorrow, I'm coming back down there to check on you. If I find you with him, Sam…he's a dead man. You're still my fiancé, Sam…and don't you forget it! See you soon, baby."

Jack could still hear him laughing when he pressed the button to hang up. He stood absolutely still for a long moment trying to compose himself, calm his anger. He didn't really want to upset Sam anymore than she already was. Finally he was able to move and placed the phone back on the nightstand.

"Jack?"

He could still hear the message and the venomous laughter playing in his head as he tried to calm himself. "Easy Jack, she doesn't need another maniac right now. Don't let her see, cover it up!" When he turned to face her, his features were calm, his eyes neutral even though he was aware that his jaw was still clenched and she would see. It was much better than the reaction he was suppressing. "I'll call the police, Sam, they should know about this. Don't erase the tape and…don't call again, ok?"

She shook her head and he could see the fear and worry in her eyes. "It's going to be fine. Just stay here and try to rest. He can't get to you without getting past Teal'c and that just isn't going to happen."

Tears were running down her cheeks now and Sam was shaking her head in disagreement. "You don't understand, Jack. He's not coming after me this time. He's coming after you! He may already be here – just waiting for the chance! He'll kill you, Jack."

Jack watched her for a moment then sat down on the bed beside her, pulling her into an embrace. "Sam, you know me. It will take a better man than Shanahan to get me! Not to brag, but he's minor league compared to some of the guys I've come across. I'll be fine."

"Just be careful…extra careful. If he knows I was here last night…I can't imagine what he'll do. He only suspected before…"

"I'll take care of it, Sam. You need to rest now." He stood and pushed her shoulders gently down on the bed. "Close your eyes. I'll stay for a little while."

Sam lay against the pillows of his bed with tears still trailing slowly down her cheeks and Jack sat beside her. He cupped her face in his hand and kissed her lips gently, "Close your eyes," he whispered.

She reached for his hand and then closed her eyes. "Promise me you'll be careful, Jack."

"I promise, Sam." He was still close to her and moved to kiss her again, longer this time, telling her he understood what she couldn't say. He squeezed her hand, "Sleep now."

Jack sat quietly next to her, waiting for her to fall asleep. She opened her eyes several times and smiled, but the medication slowly told hold of her and she drifted into sleep still holding his hand. Her breathing became slow and even as he watched and finally her body relaxed, letting go of all the tensions of the last few days. He leaned over to kiss her once more and then slipped quietly from the room.

Jack walked down the hallway and into the kitchen where Teal'c was pouring juice into a glass. Without a word, he picked up the phone and dialed the police. He waited for Detective Raynard to answer the phone and then relayed the information about the message Sam had received from Pete. "How long is this going to take, Detective?"

"We're already working on it, General, but it will take a little time. We've contacted the Denver PD but he didn't report for work today, so they're issuing a warrant and trying to locate him. We'll issue one here also, just in case he's still in the area. I would advise you not to leave Colonel Carter alone until we find him. Is she at home?"

Jack turned to look at Teal'c. "No, that's already taken care of. She'll be staying with friends until he's in custody."

"Good. If she can meet us at her home we'll pick up the tape for evidence. I don't know if you're aware but there's an automatic restraining order that goes into effect once the complaint is filed. Legally he is allowed no contact with her. I think I'll modify that, now that he's threatened you also."

"I can take care of myself, Detective, I really don't think that's necessary. I'm on my way to the base now but I'll have someone meet you at the house."

"Well, if he approaches you instead of Colonel Carter, we can arrest him for violating the order. It gives us another means of getting him into custody, General."

"All right. Do it then. And you will call me when you have any news?"

"Yes, General. I'll keep you advised."

"Thank you, Detective." Jack placed the phone back in its' cradle and stood for a moment thinking about the message from Pete. Anger swelled over him again as he heard the man's voice in his head. "I almost hope he does find me, Teal'c." Jack raised his eyes to look into the face of the puzzled Jaffa.

"What has happened, O'Neill?"

"He left Carter a message. Says he coming back to check on her…and me. She was pretty upset, but she's sleeping now. Just let her rest until she wakes up on her own."

Teal'c bowed his head in agreement and continued to watch Jack. He could see the anger growing in Jack, as he stood motionless staring out the window. Suddenly he spun on his heels and grabbed Teal'c's glass from the counter throwing it with all the force he could muster. His anger propelled it easily across the room and it shattered loudly against the wall, falling to the floor in sparkling shards. "Damn! Why didn't I see this was happening?"

"You are not to blame, O'Neill. Colonel Carter concealed it from all of us and it was you who forced her to finally reveal the truth."

"I know Teal'c, but still…"

"She is in need of your strength and protection, perhaps even your love, but your guilt is of no use to her…or anyone."

Jack held his eyes on Teal'c for a long moment and then slowly nodded his head. The big guy was right and Jack knew it. "Ok, well…I need to clean this up and get to the base."

"I will take care of it, O'Neill."

"Thanks, T."

"Do not worry, Colonel Carter will be safe with me."

Jack patted Teal'c's upper arm. "I know, buddy." And walked towards the hallway. He made one last check on Sam just to be sure his fit of temper hadn't awakened her and then walked out the front door.

Jack cursed softly as he raised the hood of his truck then checked for any foreign objects. Then he knelt down and checked the underside, too. When he was sure his truck hadn't been tampered with he crawled inside and started the engine. He pulled out onto the street and picked up his cell phone to call the base.

"Walter, I'm on my way in. Everything ok there."

"Fine, Sir. Shall I hold SG-6 until you get here?"

"Yeah. I should only be a few minutes late. It'll still be daylight where they're going?"

"Yes, Sir. It should be fine."

"Okay. Walter, I've got something for Daniel to do before I get there. He'll need a vehicle and a couple of SF's as back up. Get him on the phone and then get the SF's ready to go."

"Off world, Sir?"

"No, Colonel Carter's house. Oh and Walter…"

"Yes, Sir?"

"Need to know only. No base gossip on this one. Not from you or the SF's. Understood?"

"Yes, Sir. I'll get Dr. Jackson for you, Sir."

Jack held the phone to his ear listening to the silence while he waited for Daniel.

"Daniel Jackson."

"It's me, Daniel."

"Jack! Everything ok? How's Sam?"

"She's ok. She's resting for now and Teal'c is with her. Listen, I need you to go to her house and let the police in. You still have a key, right?"

"Yeah." He drew the word out hesitantly. "What's going on, Jack?"

"Carter called her answering machine when we got back from the station and there was a message from Pete threatening to come back here and "check on her". The police want the tape, but you have to let them in."

"Oh, God! What did he say?"

"I'll explain it all later. Just get over there and give them what they need. I told Walter to get a car and two SF's to escort you – just in case. Don't go naked and don't mention where you're going to anyone else. Carter wants this kept as quiet as possible."

"Naked?"

"Take your hand gun, Daniel."

"Oh! Ok. Care to tell me why I need a gun and the SF's?

"It's just a precaution. He knows she didn't go home last night and he's after me…us. Don't take any chances."

"The SF's know what's going on?"

"No, don't tell them anymore than you have to. They know what their job is and they have orders not to talk. When you're finished there, give me a call and have them take you back to my house."

"Ok, Jack. I'm on my way."

"Be careful, Daniel."

"Yeah." The line went dead in his hand and he clicked it shut pressing a bit harder against the accelerator of the truck as he hurried to reach the base. He picked up the phone and called the base again. "Walter, are the SF's ready?"

"Yes, Sir. I was just briefing them."

"Good, let me talk to one of them." There was a pause and then a less familiar voice came on the line.

"Harrison, Sir!"

"Harrison, this is General O'Neill. You will most likely simply be an escort for Dr. Jackson, but if you run into Pete Shanahan your orders are to protect Dr. Jackson and apprehend Shanahan if possible. The police will meet you there."

"Yes, Sir."

"This man is dangerous, Harrison, don't take any unnecessary chances. Deadly force is authorized if it becomes necessary. And as I'm sure you already know, I want this kept close – need to know only."

"Yes, Sir. Understood."

"Walter should have a photo of Shanahan. Let's keep this calm and get the job done. I don't want to get a report that Dr. Jackson has been shot or blown up! Or either of you for that matter."

"No, Sir, General. We'll take care of it."

Jack shut the phone again feeling a bit less worried. Daniel could hold his own – if he was focused. The problem was he tended to see the rosy side of things and didn't anticipate the danger of most situations. That was his job. At least he knew now that the SF's understood why they were going with Daniel and would protect him. He hoped it was enough, he just didn't know what Shanahan's limit was or how far he would go – to get Sam back.