Aeda had a plan.

It wasn't highly developed or all that well thought out, but it was a plan and for the moment it was enough. All she needed now was a little more info from her abductor and she'd be set to stab the bastard in the eye. That was the main part of The Plan. Oh, and running like hell.

She had been contemplating The Plan for the last few hours while the day slowly ended outside. Her prison cell – slash – bedroom was located on the third floor in what she guess had been an attic at one point in time. Currently, the dormered room housed a queen bed, a dresser, an armchair and a desk. She was seated in the armchair, the remnants of the dinner Thug #1 had brought her resting on the desk. The sun was sinking over the salt marsh that the house sat on and a pang of quiet sadness stabbed at her heart.

"I kind of miss my apartment," she said aloud and to no one in particular. She waited a minute before adding, "and my dog."

There was the sound of footsteps approaching and she turned her attention away from the sunset and watched the large oak door while she waited for it to open. Keys were exchanged, the lock was undone, and the hinges creaked as the oversized door opened and Ba'al stepped into the room, followed by Maria. Aeda couldn't contain the smile and small laugh that escaped her lips as she caught sight of Maria's two black eyes and puffy nose.

Maria actually took a step towards her but Ba'al thrust his arm out and caught her before she could advance any further. Aeda continued to smile.

"I spoke with Dr. Jackson awhile ago and we came to an agreement. He'll be meeting with us tomorrow afternoon. You should be home by dinner." He smiled slowly, a facial expression she didn't much care for, and motioned for Maria to exit the room. Surprisingly, she did as she was told and the door closed behind her. Once again, Aeda found herself alone with her abductor.

"May I sit and join you?" he asked casually, as though it were an everyday occurrence for him to have a captive.

Then again, for him, it might be.

She was too curious to say no and when she nodded, he sat down on the edge of the bed and regarded her with his own curiosity.

"Your archeologist friend surprises me with every encounter," he said.

Aeda drew her legs up into the chair with the rest of her tired body and wrapped her arms around her knees. She contemplated the man before with a critical eye. "If you're planning on killing me, why are we having this conversation?" she asked, genuinely curious.

His right eyebrow lifted in a perfectly sculpted arch. "Dr. Jackson has promised to come through on our deal. So long as he does, I will hold true to my promise."

"I'm supposed to believe that a man who kidnaps an innocent bystander has scruples?"

He chuckled, a sound she didn't find all that enjoyable. "An excellent point, my dear professor."

"You could always provide me with a gesture of good faith."

"What would you suggest?"

"Daniel remains safe from harm, no matter what. If it comes down to it, and you're feeling irrepressibly trigger-happy, I want you're assurance that I'll be your first target."

The eyebrow arched a second time. He actually looked shocked. "Are you telling me that you would sacrifice yourself for him if it came down to it?"

She looked him the eye. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm telling you."

"Why?"

She shrugged, amazed at her ability to remain so calm. "Because he's more valuable to the world than I am."

His dark eyes held hers. "Is that the real reason?" She said nothing but held his stare. After a war of wills, through which neither of them glanced away, Ba'al conceded. "No harm will come to him, I promise."

"Good." She turned back towards the window and was disappointed to see the final rays of light sinking away. The stars had started their show and the sadness from earlier returned.

"Good night, Professor," he said and though she didn't turn away from the window, she knew he was gone simply by the creaking of the door.

She waited until it had closed and been locked once again before allowing herself to cry. She'd be damned if she let him see her weakness, though she suspected he already had.


They'd all been given barracks at the base and while everyone was well on their way to being asleep, Bell had sought out Jack's company and the two men communed on the porch of Jack's bunk house with two glasses and a fifth of Knob Creek that Bell had conned a Lt. Colonel into giving him. The bourbon warmed as it settled and it wasn't all that long before neither of the men needed their jackets to keep the cool May air at bay.

"How's Carolina?" Jack asked, making conversation for conversation's sake.

"She's wonderful, beautiful as ever." Bell turned his head slightly and even in the dimness that the porch light gave off, Jack could see the smile on his face. "Your Lieutenant Colonel is quite the looker."

"Former Lieutenant Colonel," Jack said, stressing 'former'. "Sam's gorgeous and has no idea. I like that about her."

"Joined the Air Force to meet women," Bell stated with a laugh.

"Yeah."

They were both silent again, regarding the stars with quiet contemplation. If either of them noticed the stillness of the other, they didn't say anything. It was easier not to, easier to sit and focus on the task at hand. After awhile, when the cold had started to creep back in, Bell glanced over and nodded. Jack nodded back to him.

"Isn't anyone else in the world I trust more than you," Bell said.

"She'll be okay, Bell. I promise."

Bell nodded, finished up his bourbon and stood. "Thirty-five years and you've never broken one before. That's quite a track record – for a flyboy."

"Yeah, well, that's what I get for having a squid as a best friend." He, too, finished up his bourbon and joined Bell near the stairs. "Go get some sleep. I'll get you in the morning."

Bell stepped down off the porch and pushed off into the night. Jack watched him walk away, swaying just slightly, and waited until he'd stepped up onto his own porch and gone inside before turning back to his own door. He picked up the glasses and the bottle and was just about the open the door when it opened for him, revealing a boxer and tank top clad Samantha Carter.

"When did you sneak in?" he asked, slightly surprised by both her appearance and her nonchalant attitude.

She grinned and shrugged. "An hour or so ago." She pointed to the bottle in his hand. "Bell and bourbon?" she asked, yawning.

He nodded and as he brushed past her, into the cabin, he kissed her cheek. "Squids like their bourbon."

"Flyboys, too," she said as she shut the door. "Are you coming to bed?" she asked and he nodded, motioned for her to go back to the warm mattress.

"Be there in a minute."

By the time he'd gotten out of his jeans, she'd already fallen asleep, curled up on her side. He slid in behind her, wrapped the blankets around them, and tried not to think of losing her, tried not to think of all the times he'd almost lost her. Within minutes, his breathing even out and he drifted off, comforted by the feel of her in his arms.


A/N This is kind of a filler chapter. More action to come - I promise. :-) Thanks for reading and reviewing. You guys rock!