Sorry about the long delay in updates...too much going on! Pure fluff and silliness in the following installment!

Chapter 9 – Of Mice and Men

JJ stood on the driveway, idly bouncing the basketball Blaze had given him nearly four weeks ago as he looked longingly down the street. His daddy had been gone for five days and JJ had missed him terribly. But he was coming home tonight. Mommy had promised he would be home before bedtime, but JJ was hoping he would show up earlier than that. He had some exciting news to share with daddy.

JJ smiled, just thinking about his special secret, before he turned his head when he heard mommy calling him from the back door. "JJ, time to come in. Dinner's ready." JJ took one last look down the street before heading into the house, tucking his basketball under his arm. Mommy usually didn't allow outdoor toys into the house, but she made an exception for JJ's special basketball. Sometimes, when mommy looked at his ball, she'd get a funny look in her eyes, almost like she was half sad and half happy. JJ didn't really understand it, but he knew it had something to do with the time he had found her at the daycare center, when she had been losted. And he was sure to always give mommy an extra special hug when she looked like that.

JJ went into his room to put away his ball, thinking back to that time four weeks ago. Mommy and daddy had been so happy to see him after he found mommy at the daycare center. So had Uncle Teal'c, Uncle Danny, Auntie Janet, Cassie and Gracie when they got back. Gracie had given mommy a big hug, then given JJ one…even before she hugged daddy! She had been proud of her big brother for finding mommy like he had promised.

When they got home, daddy had sat JJ down and talked to him for a long time about the rules he'd broken and why it was important that he always follow those rules. Daddy had been a bit upset with him, explaining to JJ that they had been worried about him. Daddy had made him do some extra chores in the next few days, as punishment for breaking the rules, but JJ hadn't minded; his mommy was home safe and that was all that mattered.

His ruminations over with for the time being, JJ quickly washed his hands then went and joined his mother and Grace at the dinner table.

Sam frowned thoughtfully as she hung up the phone, then turned as JJ came into the kitchen. "Did you wash up?" she asked him.

"Yes, mommy," JJ replied with a smile.

"Thank you honey," she smiled back at him, but JJ noticed that her smile quite didn't reach her eyes, like it usually did. His forehead creased into a frown as he took his seat at the table.

Sam helped Grace into her seat, then dished up dinner to her two young children before sitting down herself. She picked at her dinner for a while before being drawn out of her revere by JJ.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" the little boy asked, his face a picture of concern.

She tried to give him a reassuring smile, "It's nothing to worry about JJ. It's just that…daddy might not be able to come home tonight like we hoped." She hated to let him down, but she felt JJ should know that his father might not be home when they had originally thought.

Grace stopped eating, now attuned to the conversation around her. "Daddy losted?" she asked hesitantly. She had not forgotten the fear of last month when JJ had told her that her mother was missing.

"Oh, sweetheart, no," Sam assured the little girl, even as she picked her up from her chair and sat her in her lap, holding her close. She looked over at JJ before continuing. "Daddy just had to stop and see Uncle Teal'c first. He has to help him with a little problem he's having at… his home," she finished. She didn't tell them that the little problem had cropped up on Dakara, of course. Both children just thought their Uncle T lived far away, but came to work with Daddy and Mommy sometimes. Even though JJ had once been off-world, he'd only been a baby and so didn't remember the experience. Jack and Sam kept the truth of their jobs from their children; at 3 and 5 years of age, they couldn't be trusted to keep the information to themselves. Besides, it would go against the non-disclosure agreements they had signed so long ago.

JJ's face fell. "He won't be home 'fore bedtime?"

Sam reached out and gently touched his cheek. "I don't think so, sweetheart. I'm sorry. But he should be here in the morning," she added hopefully.

"But I wanted to tell him bout my special 'prise," he whined, pushing his plate away as he gave in to a mild sulk.

"JJ," Sam gently remonstrated him. Even though she knew he was upset, she wouldn't condone whining from the children. "You can tell your daddy about your surprise in the morning. They will be here for another 4 days, remember?"

JJ nodded his head, still disappointed. He'd wanted to show daddy today.

"JJ show daddy Whiskers and Buttons?" Grace asked, her eyes lighting at the thought. JJ scowled at his sister.

"I get to tell daddy, not you," he told her sternly, crossing his arms and glaring across the table. Grace glared right back at him, imitating his frown and his crossed arms.

Wanting to cut off an impending argument, Sam placed Grace back on her chair and stood over the two scowling children. "All right, you two, that's enough. Grace, JJ will show daddy Whiskers and Buttons. They are JJ's visitor from school, not yours." When the little girl's lower lip stuck out in a pout, Sam added, "But I bet JJ will let you help give Whiskers and Buttons some dinner tonight, won't you JJ?" She looked expectantly at the little boy, who thought for a moment before nodding his head in agreement. Grace's pout turned into a smile and she eagerly went back to eating her dinner.

Crisis for now averted, Sam sighed in relief and resumed her own spot at the table. Though it had only been a few days, she was as eager as the children for Jack's return. She hadn't been feeling quite herself for the past week or so; finding herself more tired than usual at the end of each day. Her appetite had been off as well. She hoped she hadn't picked up a bug: she didn't want to give something to the children. Sighing, Sam went back to her dinner, picking at her meal.

Shaking herself from her own thoughts, Sam glanced at JJ, who had pulled his plate back in front of him and resumed eating his dinner. She smiled gently in his direction, feeling badly for the little boy. He had been so eager to share his news with his daddy and now he'd have to wait another day. Hopefully, she could distract him enough that the evening went by fast.

Sam thought back to earlier in the week, when JJ had come home from school bursting with pride. He had been bearing a note informing Sam that he had been chosen to be the official "zoo keeper" of the class gerbils for the long weekend ahead. Sam had been a bit unsure about her son taking on this rather large responsibility, but JJ's teacher had assured her it wouldn't be too difficult. And so Sam had taken a half-day off work to stop by the school and pick up JJ, Whiskers, and Buttons the gerbils yesterday. The school was closed today and Monday for teacher's conferences, and so the little creatures would be made comfortable at the O'Neill household for the next 4 days.

The kindergartener had been full of self-importance as he carried the cage bearing both pets out to the car. Sam had taken the instruction sheet in hand, glanced over it quickly, then followed her son to the car, saying a silent prayer that no injury would befall the animals on her watch.

Grace and JJ had spent that first afternoon and evening enthralled with the little creatures. They had laughed with delight as they watched the small animals run in their wheel and chase each other, given them fresh food and water, and carefully held each animal in the palm of their hands when Sam had gently placed them there. Sam had been a bit ambivalent about that at first; she herself didn't know much about gerbils…only that they were rodents. They seemed harmless enough but still, anything that scurried around and had a long tail was something she herself would rather avoid touching. But her children held no such qualms, and so Sam had steeled herself, reached into the cage and gently placed a gerbil in each child's hand.

Even though Mrs. Smith, JJ's teacher, had assured her the gerbils didn't bite, Sam had hovered close by while JJ and Grace handled the gerbils. She'd been quite relieved when both animals had sat quietly in the children's hands, rubbing their whiskers and looking around curiously. It had brought a smile to her face to see Grace giggling as she held Buttons, claiming that he tickled her hands. And how JJ had instructed Grace on how to hold them and warned her to be careful. Her children had taken great delight in the little creatures, and she knew how anxious JJ was to share them with his father.

Well, Sam sighed to herself as she took her half-eaten plate to the sink, if everything went according to plan, JJ would be able to show his daddy their visitors in the morning.

The children's bedtime rituals went smoothly, considering JJ was disappointed in the change in plans. Sam cleaned up the kitchen while both children got ready for their baths. After baths, they took care of the gerbils, picked up their rooms, brushed teeth, and settled in for a story. Sam read a few Dr. Seuss books, amused when JJ and Grace chimed in with the more familiar phrases found in Green Eggs and Ham. Then she tucked each child into their respective beds before falling tiredly onto the couch.

Sam looked at the clock and wondered what Jack was doing right now. While she harbored no resentment against Teal'c for calling upon Jack to help resolve a dispute on Dakara, she was more than ready for his return. Working full-time in the labs and taking care of two active youngsters was enough to wear her out during the best of times. Adding her unsettled stomach and unusual feeling of fatigue to the mix just made it all the more challenging.

Sam made herself a cup of tea and tried to do some work on her laptop, but soon found her eyes closing of their own accord. Less than forty-five minutes later, she shut down the computer with a tired sigh, deciding she might as well turn in for the night. With any luck, they'd all wake up in the morning to find Jack home, safe and sound.

After making sure all the locks were securely fastened, Sam made her way down the hallway. She paused by the door to her office. It was partially closed and a dim light spilled out from the room. Stepping closer, Sam was startled to hear JJ's voice coming from inside the room. Peering around the door, Sam smiled at the sight in front of her.

JJ had pulled a chair over to the bookshelf that the gerbils' cage was on and was kneeling there, talking quietly to the tiny animals, who were busy foraging in their bedding for hidden treats. Sam had put the animals in her study because their nocturnal habits had kept JJ awake the previous night. They seemed to be doing just fine where they were, but it seems as if JJ had missed their presence tonight. Leaning closer, Sam listened in on what JJ was saying to the critters.

"You'll like my daddy, guys. He's really funny. And he likes to play wif me and Gracie all the time, so I'm sure he'll play wif you too. And he won't be afraid to hold you, like mommy is. But don't tell mommy I sayed that; I don't want to hurt her feelings. OK?" Sam smiled slightly at that comment, then continued listening.

The little boy leaned closer and pressed his nose against the cage. Then Sam heard him sigh. "I can't wait til daddy sees you."

Sam closed her eyes briefly against the forlorn expression in her little boy's voice, then pushed the door open wide. "Hey, sweetheart. What are you still doing up?" she asked as she came into the room, injecting a lightness into her voice so that JJ wouldn't think he was in trouble.

JJ's head turned at the voice. "Oh, hi mommy. I just wanted to say good-night to Whiskers and Buttons. I think they're kind of scared tonight," he added, giving his mother a look that she read all too well. She had a feeling that JJ was referring to himself.

Walking over to him, she bent and brushed a kiss against his hair before picking him up in her arms. Sam then sat down in the chair her son had just occupied, tightening her arms around him. "Well, maybe you and I should just sit here for a while, so they don't feel afraid." Resting her chin on his head, she continued, "You don't think they're afraid of meeting your daddy, do you?"

"Oh no," JJ insisted immediately. "I think they're afraid…that they won't get to see daddy. Sometimes…sometimes, they get afraid that you or daddy won't come home for a long, long time," he finished quietly. Sam knew they were no longer talking about the gerbils and her heart ached for her son. How long had he felt this way?

"Oh baby, nothing is going to keep mommy or daddy from getting back to you and Grace. You know that don't you?" She turned his body so that she could look into his eyes. "Mommy and daddy waited such a long time for you and Gracie, we don't want to be away from either of you for very long."

JJ dropped his chin. "But what…what if you or daddy gets losted again," he finished quietly.

Sam tipped his chin up to her. "Then someone will come find us and bring us home. Uncle Danny and Uncle Teal'c would never let mommy or daddy stay lost for long. Same with your grandpa and Uncle George, OK? You have so many people who love you, JJ. You don't ever have to be afraid of being alone. Never."

Blue eyes locked with blue, seeking the reassurance that only comes from a parent's words. Finally, JJ smiled and threw his arms around Sam's neck. "I love you mommy. Even if you don't like to touch Whiskers or Buttons."

Sam's sob turned into a laugh at his words, the lightening quick change of topic that was so much like her husband. She hugged him back tightly, then released him to look into his eyes. "OK, buddy. I think it's time we let Whiskers and Buttons get some sleep. It's going to be an exciting day tomorrow when they meet your daddy."

Little did she know how prophetic those words would be. For as they left the room, neither Sam nor JJ noticed that the lid of the cage wasn't quite closed when JJ said his final goodnight to his temporary pets.

-------

Thump. Maa-Maa. Stumble. Thump. "Crap!"

"O'Neill, are you injured?" came the deep voice from behind him.

"No," grumbled Jack as he limped his way to the sofa. "Just stepped on one of Grace's dolls."

"Perhaps we should have illuminated our way into your dwelling, as I suggested."

"Yeah, thanks Teal'c. I'll remember that next time," Jack stated dryly as he fell onto the couch, rubbing his shin in the process. He reached over and turned on the lamp that rested on the end table, casting a soft glow about the room. Frowning slightly, he mumbled, "Looks like Sam forgot to have the kids pick up in here." Aside from the errant doll, there were various other toys strewn about the room. Shrugging his shoulders, for Jack could care less if the room was picked up or not, he looked over at his friend and raised an inquiring eyebrow. "You OK there big guy?"

Teal'c had not bothered to comment on Jack's observations of the room. Instead, he had sunk into an armchair and now wore an unusual expression of tiredness on his face. "I am merely in need of rest, O'Neill. It has been, as you say, an extended period of sunlight hours."

Jack tried hard not to grin. "Day, T. A long day. And yeah, I'd have to agree with you buddy. How about a quick snack before we hit the sack?"

Teal'c quirked an eyebrow. "Why would you wish to strike a bag, O'Neill?"

Jack shook his head tiredly, "Never mind, T." He stole a glance at his watch. "It's 0300, we haven't eaten anything since God knows when. Let's make a quick sandwich, then go to bed. The kids'll be waking us up at the crack of dawn the way it is." Even as he grumbled the words, he smiled slightly. Jack had missed his children. It seemed the older they got, the more he hated being away from them for any length of time. He was glad that he rarely had missions that lasted this long; otherwise he'd seriously think about retiring…for good this time.

Slowly getting to his feet and limping forward, for his shin still smarted, Jack led the way toward the kitchen. He kept the lights off as he went, for he didn't want to wake Sam. He knew she'd be almost as tired as him, for she had worked all week, plus had to take care of the children by herself. As he arrived at the entrance to the kitchen and was just about to reach out for the light switch, he heard a strange noise emanating from the darkened room. Pausing, he turned back toward Teal'c. "You hear that?" he asked his friend.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow into the darkness. "Indeed. Perhaps one of your children has left another plaything lying about unattended," he offered helpfully.

Jack frowned. "I don't think they have something that squeaks like that, unless Sam bought them something this week." Jack waited another moment and then, not hearing the noise anymore, reached forward and flipped the light on. As soon as the light was on, he saw something scurry quickly across the floor. "Holy shit! What the hell was that?" he cried, not bothering to keep his voice down. He unconsciously took a step back and bumped into Teal'c, who stood stoically behind him.

"I believe you have an undomesticated rodent on the premises, O'Neill," Teal'c responded, a slight quirk coming to his lips as he felt his friend try to suppress a shudder.

"Great. Just great. I come home from a long, tiring trip to find the place overrun with mice. I really hate mice," Jack shuddered again. He leaned forward, peering into the room, then stepped slowly into the kitchen.

"We have only spotted a single rodent, O'Neill," Teal'c reminded him. "It should not be difficult to rid your home of this one unwelcome intruder."

"Yeah, isn't that what you guys said about Apophis the first time? And he came back what, like 5 times?" Jack threw sarcastically over his shoulder.

"Indeed," came the rather hesitant reply. Teal'c followed Jack into the kitchen, his eyes surveying the room as he too tried to locate the errant mouse.

Jack spun around as he saw the critter dart out from a darkened corner and cross the room. Another slightly larger one followed in its wake. "Crap! Now there are two of them! Grab something!" Jack ordered as he set off after the mice.

Teal'c did no such thing. He stood off to the side and watched in amusement as his friend, the esteemed Ambassador to the Asgard, chased two tiny creatures across the kitchen floor. Jack grabbed the broom from one corner as he sped past and began chasing after the mice with the broom. "Come on T! You gonna help here or what? I've got to get these things out of here before Sam gets up!" he cried, slapping vainly on the floor as the two small animals darted back and forth before finally disappeared under the pantry door.

Heavily slightly from his efforts, Jack turned to look at Teal'c, glaring as he saw the smirk of amusement on the normally stoic face. "Oh, you think this is funny do you?" His voice had gotten louder at his failure to catch the mice.

The smile widened. "It is most amusing, O'Neill."

Jack was prevented from making a comment when he heard Sam say, "Jack! What the hell are you doing? Do you want to wake up the children?"

Spinning around, he turned to look at his wife. She was standing at the kitchen's other entrance, wearing a pair of sweatpants and a tank top and blinking irritably into the bright light. Slightly chastened, he said, "Sorry, Sam. I didn't mean to wake you." He came over and cupped her cheek. "You look tired," he said quietly as he looked down into her eyes and brushed a kiss against her temple.

"Yeah, well what do you expect? It's 3 in the morning and I was woken by a madman," she muttered, still grumpy from sleep. "Hi Teal'c," she greeted the warrior before turning her attention back to her husband. Sam frowned when she saw what he had in his hands. "What are you doing with the broom?"

Jack leaned it back against the wall, clearing his throat in embarrassment and just a bit of apprehension. He knew Sam didn't like mice any more than he did. "Uh, I really didn't want to tell you this, but see…Teal'c and I, well…we saw a couple of mice running across the floor. I was trying to get rid of them."

Sam's eyes widened and she looked at him in something akin to horror. "What did they look like?" she asked, an edge of panic to her voice.

Ok, that wasn't quite the reaction he was expecting. He looked over at Teal'c, then back at Sam. "Uh, mice. Small, brown, long tails, whiskers…you know, mice." He frowned at her as she paled. "It's OK, Sam. They won't be here long."

"Dear God, please tell me you didn't kill them, Jack!" she pleaded, her hands clenching rather painfully at his arms.

"Not yet, no, but I…" He was pushed rather abruptly aside as Sam rushed past him into the room.

"Where are they? Jack, we've got to find them before JJ wakes up!" Sam began to rush around the room, peering under chairs and tables in her search for the missing rodents.

Jack gave Teal'c a puzzled look, which Teal'c returned, then followed Sam into the room. Pulling her arm, he stopped her momentarily. "Sam, what's going on?"

"Those aren't mice. Those are JJ's class pets, which he is supposed to be taking care of for the next four days! My God, if anything happens to them…" she didn't finish as she resumed her search in the kitchen.

"Pets? Since when have schools allowed mice as pets?" Jack asked in exasperation. Maybe he should be paying more attention to what his son told him about kindergarten, he thought to himself.

"They're not mice, Jack. They're gerbils," Sam explained impatiently.

"What are gerbils, Samantha?" Teal'c asked as he came more fully into the room, drawing her attention away from her search.

Sam looked up at him, pausing as she thought how to answer his question. "Um, they're like mice, Teal'c, only tame…to a certain extent. They're considered to be a good pet for children because they're fairly easy to take care of. Until they escape, that is," she mumbled under her breath.

"O'Neill, does this mean that you were frightened of a mere child's pet?" Teal'c asked with renewed amusement.

Jack glanced at Sam, then turned to Teal'c with a glare. "Not frightened, Teal'c. Just… startled." Then he turned back to Sam who was also looking at him now with amusement. "And don't tell me you like the things. You hate watching Tom and Jerry cartoons, for crying out loud!"

Sam put her hands on her hips and frowned at him. "I'll have you know that I have picked up and held both Whiskers and Buttons, Jack O'Neill. Now, instead of debating the subject of gerbils, could we please just find them?"

"I believe your husband has chased them into the pantry, Samantha," Teal'c offered helpfully.

"Thank you Teal'c," Sam replied, shooting a look at Jack before she stalked over to the closed closet door. She paused for a moment, then turned to look at the two men. "I'm going to need something to put them in once I grab them. And I'll need one of you as back up, in case I can't grab them both."

Jack and Teal'c looked at each other before Jack offered a quick, "I'll get a container. You cover Sam's six." He spun on his heel and went to the cupboard to grab a rectangular container, leaving Teal'c to catch any wayward rodents that might escape Sam's clutches.

Teal'c quirked an eyebrow after his friend, then went to act as backup rodent catcher for Samantha.

Sam crouched on her knees in front of the pantry door. Slowly, she opened the door and put her hands together, palms facing out, ready to catch a small animal should it come scurrying out at her. Within the darkness of the closet, she could hear faint squeaking noises coming from the back. "They're in here," she whispered to no one in particular.

She grabbed the container Jack held out to her without looking at him, her attention riveted on the back of the closet. "Teal'c, turn on the light in the pantry," she whispered. She had to see them before she could attempt to catch them.

"Wait," Jack said nervously. "Sam, maybe I should do this. You might get bitten," he added in a worried tone.

Sam threw him a look. "Now you want to protect me?" Shaking her head she added, "They're just gerbils, Jack. They're not going to bite. And even if they do, it's not going to hurt."

"Well, yeah but, couldn't you get rabies or something?"

Sam rolled her eyes at him and turned her attention back to the closet. Forgetting her own aversion to the small creatures she said, "Now, Teal'c," not even thinking about the fact that she was giving orders to a Jaffa in her kitchen at three in the morning.

Teal'c did as she requested, flicking on the light in the pantry then standing back, ready to grab a gerbil should it escape Sam's grasp. A startled squeak emerged from the back of the closet as the light came on, then one small furry body darted forward. With an ease and sureness of one used to reacting quickly, Sam grabbed the little gerbil in her hands and quickly deposited him in the container. The second gerbil darted out just as Sam was putting the first in the container, thus escaping her clutches. It shot past Teal'c and in its fear and confusion, headed directly for the one person who wanted nothing whatsoever to do with it: Jack.

Seeing the critter headed straight for him, Jack's eyes widened and he took a quick step backward, uncertain as to what to do. Large, formidable Jaffa he could handle…a tiny gerbil…this he was not so certain about.

"Jack! Grab him!" Sam cried out as the gerbil continued on its path toward Jack's bootless feet.

"With what?" he yelled back.

"Your hands! Just scoop him up!"

Jack made a face, then bent down as the gerbil continued its kamikaze path toward him. Holding out his hands as he'd seen Sam do, he moved a bit to the right and corralled the little gerbil just as it was about to dart past him.

"Got it!" Jack yelled triumphantly as he stood up, gerbil cupped gently in his hands, a long tail seeping through his fingers. As he seemed to realize what he was holding, his smile turned uncertain. "Uh Sam? Now what do I do with it?"

Before Sam could answer, a little voice behind him asked, "Daddy? Why is you playing with Whiskers? I wanted to show you my 'prise in the morning." JJ rubbed sleepy eyes as he frowned up at his daddy, who was holding the gerbil far out in front of him as if afraid it would jump out and bite him at any minute.

"Oh…hey there, little man. What are you doing up?" Jack asked, his eyes darting to Sam for help.

"I hearded lots of noise and woked up," JJ mumbled, still watching his father. "Why is you and mommy playing wif the gerbils? Mommy, you don't like to hold Whiskers and Buttons," he reminded his mother.

Sam came over with the container, holding it out so that Jack could gently deposit the little critter into it. Jack did so, making a face of distaste as Whiskers rejoined his brother. Sam then turned the entire container over to Teal'c, who stood quietly behind her, holding the container and gazing curiously at the two small animals within.

Turning back, Sam got down on one knee in front of JJ and took his hands in hers. "We weren't playing with the gerbils, sweetheart. Daddy and Uncle Teal'c came home and saw them running in the kitchen. We had to catch them before they got hurt," she explained gently.

"How did they getted out?" the little boy asked with a puzzled expression on his face.

"Well, that's the million dollar question, buddy," Jack replied. He bent over and lifted JJ up, settling him against his side, then helped Sam to her feet. Noticing how tired both of them looked, never mind how exhausted he felt, Jack said, "How about we get these little guys back into their cage, then head to bed. We can talk about the gerbils in the morning, OK?"

"OK daddy," JJ mumbled sleepily as he put his head on his father's shoulder. "I'm glad you're home. Whiskers and Buttons was worried about you," he said quietly.

Jack put his arms more securely around his son and returned the soft smile Sam gave him. "I'm glad I'm home too, little man. Come on, off to bed with you." He pressed a kiss against JJ forehead.

As Jack carried JJ down the hall to his room, Sam could hear the little boy ask his father, "Daddy? Can we get a gerbil after Whiskers and Buttons go back to school? Me and Gracie really wants one."

Jack craned his head back at Sam and rolled his eyes. "We'll see, buddy. We'll see."

After seeing his little visitors safely back in their cage, the lid tightly fastened this time, JJ was quietly returned to his bed. He was asleep before Jack had even left the room. Jack and Sam got Teal'c settled into the guest room, then made their weary way to their own bedroom.

They fell into bed with identical worn out sighs. Jack pulled Sam close, her head resting on his chest, and sighed again, this time in comfort. "So," he said quietly into her hair. "Gerbils, huh?"

Sam smiled into his chest. She knew it wouldn't be long before they had a gerbil or two of their own. Hopefully, they would not have to endure any late night nocturnal escapades if they did end up with some of the small critters.

Sure enough, a week later Jack came home from a visit to the pet store one rainy Saturday afternoon with, not only his two children in tow, but two small rodents. As Grace and JJ helped him set up the cage, Sam couldn't help but smile at the excitement all "three" of her kids were showing. None of them would let Sam see the new residents until they had everything perfectly arranged. It was going to be a big "'prise" according to JJ.

When she was finally allowed into the study, for all had agreed that would be the best place for the new additions, Sam made sure to bring along her camera. She stepped into the room, smiling as her family stood proudly in front of a gigantic cage with tubes running up, down and sideways from the main chamber.

Speechless, Sam stepped closer to take a look at the contraption, then looked to Jack with a quizzical expression.

He just shrugged his shoulders. "What? We couldn't have them getting bored, now could we?" Sam just rolled her eyes and peered closer. Then she frowned and looked back at Jack.

"Those aren't gerbils," she stated, pointing to the tan and white, furry little creatures.

"No mommy, doz is hamters!" Grace stated proudly as she came to stand next to her mother.

"Teddy bear hamsters," JJ corrected importantly.

"Hamsters?" Sam asked with surprise, looking at Jack. She had thought they were getting gerbils.

"Yeah, hamsters," Jack agreed, then he leaned closer. "No tails," he whispered, shuddering slightly.

Sam laughed out loud, then turned back to look at the newcomers. "Hamsters," she said with amusement before pulling back and taking a picture of JJ and Grace with their new pets. As she clicked the shutter, she idly wondered what kind of trouble these new additions would bring to the family.

Then she went and stood next to Jack, her arm encircling his waist. He put his arm around her and drew her close, smiling as he watched JJ and Grace babble excitedly to their new pets. "So, you like the surprise?" he asked with a smile.

Sam looked up at him, a soft grin and a warm glow gracing her face. "I think it's wonderful, Jack," she replied quietly. As she looked back at her children, Sam decided she'd wait a while longer to share her own surprise with Jack.