Jack drove south towards his rendezvous point with Burke. They were meeting up in Flagstaff, Arizona. Why Burke picked that place, he didn't know but at least he was pretty sure Hubbard wouldn't think to look for him there.

"O'Neill!" Jack looked up from his menu, to see David Burke walking towards him, a grin on his face.

Burke looked much the same as he had done the last time Jack had seen him, although he was cleaner and dressed much better. Life back in the States obviously suited him.

"Burke," he nodded to the man as he sat down across the table from Jack.

"Hey Jack!" Burke immediately grabbed the menu Jack had just put down, and began perusing it. "I'm starving," he explained. "What's good?"

Jack shook his head. "You picked the place Dave," he said. "I have no idea."

Burke sighed. "Too bad. I always have trouble deciding."

Jack waited for him to finish making up his mind, and then he gestured for the waitress. The two men gave their orders and then sat silently, looking at one another.

"So. You're the last person I thought I'd hear from," Burke told him.

"Really?" Jack's brows went up. "Why's that?"

"Word on the street was the NID got you and were keeping you. Something about you being a spy for a foreign government and refusing to give up secrets you'd learned that might harm Earth."

"Really," Jack snorted. "Did they say what foreign government?"

"I heard everything from the Saudi's to the Russians to the North Koreans."

Jack snorted and took a drink.

"So, what's the truth, cause if there's one thing I know about you O'Neill, is that you'd never turn traitor."

Jack raised his eyebrows and lifted his glass to the other man. "Thanks." He then glanced around the restaurant, but no one appeared to be paying any attention to the two men. He leaned forward and spoke softly. "But the fact is, part of that is true. Or at least they think it's true. They think I have secret information that will benefit – well – the NID."

"And you don't?" Burke asked, sounding somewhat skeptical.

Jack snorted. "Of course not! And if I did, I'd share it with my Commanding Officer and the Air Force."

"But why do they think you have this information? There must be something that made them interested in you."

"Yeah – well, I went on a mission early this year and was injured."

"You okay?"

"Yeah, now I am – but it was pretty serious. The – locals – helped me. For some reason the NID think they had some kind of technology or medicine that's – revolutionary and that I know what it is."

"And you don't?"

"No, I don't. I just heal fast."

"You heal fast?" Burke looked at him with narrowed eyes. "You sure this isn't more of that crazy shit you and Dr. Jackson were in to?"

Jack simply shrugged, which caused Burke to stare at him for a few seconds and then roll his eyes. "Yeah, I figured. Nothing is simple with you O'Neill, is it?"

Jack gave him a crooked grin and shrugged again, not saying anything. Burke appeared to ponder things for a few seconds, only reacting when the waitress came and set down his place. He took a couple of bites of his food and then finally looked back at Jack. "So what do you need me for?"

Jack let out a relieved breath. With Burke along, things were looking up. "This is more than just them wanting information. I think Colonel Hubbard – he's one of the NID agents behind this – is involved in a bigger plot. In fact, I think the NID want this supposed information so they can use it for something bad – something definitely not sanctioned by the US government."

"Wouldn't surprise me," Burke answered, picking up and eating a French fry. "I never did trust those guys. So what are you going to do if you find out it is a plot?"

"Expose them," Jack said.

"You really think that's going to work? Those guys know how to cover their asses. If anything you'll be blamed and then you really will disappear."

Jack regarded his companion for a minute and then nodded. "Yeah, I know. But I've got to stop these guys – and it might mean I have to do more than simply expose them – but for now I need to find them."

"Yeah, okay. But how come you asked me and not your guys?"

"They're being watched," Jack told him. "All of Cheyenne Mountain is under scrutiny."

"But not you?"

"No – I've been – gone. They don't know I'm back."

"Gone? Jack, although I don't believe you've been involved in anything corrupt – cause that's not like you – I also think you're not telling me everything." He held up his hand when Jack went to speak. "As long as what you're keeping from me won't get us killed, I'm okay with it. But you will tell me if I need to know, right?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah – it's better if you don't know – but I will tell you if it comes to that. But now we need to start by tracking down Hubbard and seeing who his contacts are."

"Any idea where to start?"

"Uh huh – I was held at a location in South Dakota. I don't know if Hubbard's there, but hopefully there'll be something there to point us in the right direction. It was called Butrick's Farm – but believe me, the only things they grow there are NID goons."

"South Dakota – a place I've always wanted to see! So, when are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow first thing. I have a car but it'll take us a couple of days."

"Oh goody – road trip. Let's make sure we have lots of snacks."

"Snacks it is."

"Great." Burked sat back and stretched. "That was good. Oh and you're paying, right Jack"

Jack nodded, knowing he meant for more than the dinner. "Of course. Don't worry – you'll be fairly compensated."

"Good – cause I have a feeling this is not going to be a walk in the park."

Jack took a deep breath and reached for his wallet. "I have a feeling you're going to be right."

The next day, bright and early, the two men set out on their journey. Jack had estimated it would take two pretty long days to get there and he really wished he had access to a ship. He'd love it if Thor could just beam him in. Unfortunately Thor couldn't really help him. He was under instructions from the Asgard High Council to not help. And, it would have been awkward with Burke as his companion. He didn't really want to have to go into detail about what he did. Of course, what he really wished for was to have his team with him. As good as Burke was, he wasn't Teal'c – or even Daniel. He didn't want to even think about Sam.

"So, how's Dr. Jackson?"

"He's doing fine."

"Getting into trouble?"

"Daniel?" Jack laughed. "Poor guy – he does seem to attract it. But no, he's doing well."

"They're watching him?"

"Oh yeah."

"And what about that pretty Major of yours? I think her name was Carter."

Jack glanced at him, his brow raised. "What do you know about Major Carter?"

"Kinda formal there Jack," Burked grinned. "Especially since I heard she's quite a looker!"

"What the hell does that have to do with anything," Jack snapped. "She's a good officer – a great officer."

"Hey, don't bite my head off! I'm sure she is. I just heard a few rumors that you and she – well, you know."

"No, I don't know," Jack said sarcastically. After a moment however he sighed. "Nothing went on between Major Carter and me – we always obeyed the regs."

"Yeah – I figured. For a guy who hates rules, you sure like to follow em."

"I wasn't about to destroy either of our careers by having a personal relationship with a subordinate," he told Bourke, this time more calmly.

"You know – I think you're tellin' the truth," the other man said, wonder in his voice.

"Of course I am."

Burke whistled. "Okay – so where is she now? I don't have to worry about any regulations. Maybe you should introduce us when this is over."

Jack glanced over at him again. "No way," he told Burke.

"Why not – you think I'm not good enough for her?"

"For Sam?" Jack grinned. "No I don't. No one is good enough for Samantha Carter. And anyway, she'd kill me."

"Sam is it?" Burke asked slyly. "And why would she kill you?"

"Well, she's a bit of a stickler," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"Just that she's married – and wouldn't appreciate you hitting on her – or me introducing you so you can hit on her."

"She's married? I guess that's not surprising – all the good ones get taken. So, what lucky man got her? Don't tell me it was good ol' Doc Jackson?"

"Daniel?" Jack laughed. "They're like brother and sister."

"Okay – so who then? Is it someone I know?"

"Uh huh." Jack grinned again.

Burke looked at him and shook his head. "Sometimes I wonder how old you are O'Neill. So come on, tell me – who was it?'

"Me. It was me."

"You – wait a second! You just said you wouldn't destroy your career by having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate!"

"Marriage is not an inappropriate relationship," Jack pointed out.

"It is if it's with someone who reports to you!"

"Yes – well, she wasn't reporting to me when we got married."

"She was in a different chain of command?'

"Not exactly," Jack grimaced. "Uh, neither of us were - are in the military any more."

"What? You're telling me you resigned?" Burke asked incredulously.

"Not exactly," Jack answered sheepishly. "To be honest -"

"Yes please, be honest," Burke answered impatiently. "Come on - what happened?"

"I kind of went – AWOL – and so did Sam."

"You're telling me you simply walked away from the Air Force and got married?"

"Yeah, kind of. I mean, we walked away, but it wasn't to get married. That came later – much later if you want to know."

"You're AWOL – and you're out chasing the NID. Are you crazy Jack?"

"Probably," agreed the former Air Force officer. He gazed directly at the other man. "You still in?"

Burke regarded him as if he were truly crazy, but a moment later the blinked and then smiled. "So – this is going to be a real adventure, is it?"

"Probably," nodded Jack.

"Well then – let's get movin'! Places to go and people to see. I haven't had this much fun since – well, since Nicaragua!"

Jack glanced sideways at the man and smiled. Nicaragua had been a hell-hole. Only Burke seemed to have enjoyed it. Still, it pointed to his ability to keep his cool in less than cool conditions. Jack sighed and rubbed his neck. He truly hoped for a boring, easy mission ahead. Somehow he knew that wasn't going to be likely.

He glanced once more at the man beside him and was grateful for his presence. As crazy as Burke could be, he was still someone you wanted on your side in a battle.

Jack closed his eyes briefly – missing and longing for his team, especially one blue-eyed Major. He wondered how she was, how the baby was. He hoped she wasn't worrying too much about him, although he knew that wasn't too likely. Still, she was safe and somewhere where the NID couldn't get her. For that, he had to be happy. He settled down and felt into a deep sleep.

And he dreamed of Samantha Carter.