Damn it! She'd spent hours doing the laundry and hanging it to dry and then the stupid Ram got loose and pulled down the clothesline with all the clothes. They had been thoroughly dragged through the mud, and she would have to wash them all over again.

She missed her washing machine and dryer.

She missed her refrigerator and microwave.

She missed Chinese take-out and ice-cream.

She missed jeans and sneakers and t-shirts and curling up on the couch and watching a chick flick

She missed Jack!

He'd been gone for almost three weeks and she was worried sick. Eugenia kept telling her that he would be fine – that he was a strong man and he had too much waiting for him to let something go wrong.

She wanted to believe her, but every day she woke up with a feeling of dread in her stomach. If anything happened to him, she didn't know what she would do.

She looked at the pile of muddy laundry, and then over at Plato, who was standing looking as innocent as a newborn lamb. She glared at him. "I'm feeling like mutton stew you old devil," she informed him. "So you'd better stay out of my way!"

He bent his head and ripped up a mouthful of grass, and ate it placidly. He knew her too well.

She sighed and then stretched her back. She was getting bigger, and didn't relish the thought of lifting the pile and then redoing the laundry.

"You'd better be okay Jack," she said. "Because I will not have this baby without you!"

"That's good, because I really wouldn't want to miss the birth of my son or daughter."

She froze. She was imagining him – she had to be. She'd wished for him to be home, so many times, that she had conjured him up. She looked over at Plato, and he'd stopped eating and was staring at something over her shoulder. She closed her eyes and counted to –

"Uh, aren't you going to turn around Sam?"

Oh God! It was him! She let out a squeak and then whirled around, right into the arms of her husband. She then did something she never, ever did – she burst into tears.

Jack held her while she cried out all her worry and relief and joy. He had no doubt that there was a little bit of anger mixed in – anger at him for leaving her, for being gone so long, for appearing suddenly and for scaring her silly.

"It's okay," he murmured into her hair. "I'm home and I'm not leaving you, ever again."

"You'd – better – not!" she hiccupped fiercely. She had her arms wrapped around him tightly. "I'm never letting you go."

They stood quietly together then, just holding one another. Jack smiled and softly kissed her head. "I missed you," he said after a while.

She sniffed. "Huh! You probably didn't even think of me as you ran around on your adventure."

"You're all I thought of Sam. It's what gave me the strength to get through these last weeks. I wanted to make it home to you."

She sniffed again. "Are you sure it wasn't Plato you missed?"

He lifted his head at that, to look at the calmly eating Ram standing behind Sam. He laughed. "I can assure you that it wasn't Plato I missed. How was the old boy anyway?"

"He ruined my laundry!" she told him, still clutching him tightly. "I was about ready to turn him into mutton stew!"

"You hear that Plato? I suggest you be on your best behavior because the last thing you want to do is get on Carter's bad side!"

"Jack?" a soft voice said.

He pulled back slightly and looked down at his wife. "What is it sweetheart?"

"Is it all over?"

"Yes, it's all over. I found everyone who was after us and they're no longer a threat. The Asgard and the Nox both helped – as did Burke!"

"Burke?"

"Yeah, you remember Dave Burke – the CIA agent who helped me get Daniel and Dr. Lee when they were kidnapped and taken to Central America?"

"Oh him. Why was he involved?"

"Because I needed someone the NID wasn't watching. He helped me get Hubbard and General Caine – oh, and Shesmu."

"Shesmu?" she looked up at him, startled. "That sounds like -"

" – a Goa'uld – yeah, he was."

"Was?"

"Yup," he told her, popping the 'p'. "I'm afraid it was him or me."

"I'm so glad it was you," she sighed, leaning into his chest again. "And you weren't hurt?"

There was a brief pause and she glared up at him. "Jack!"

He grinned. "Just a little snake-bite."

"A snake – bite! Tell me that the Goa'uld didn't try and take you as a host."

"Well – I can't lie – but he didn't get me Sam – really. Between Burke and me we got him and he's an ex-snake."

She reached around his neck and only then felt the small gauze square on his neck.

"It's not bad – I promise. Janet and Dr. Warner fixed me up."

"Dr. Warner?"

"Well – okay – I needed a small bit of surgery, but it's almost healed now. Sam, I'm fine!"

She gave him a stern look but finally nodded. She then leaned forward once more and hugged him. She was never ever going to let him go.

"Let's go inside," he said finally. "My feet are tired and you need to sit down. And I wouldn't mind something to eat if you have anything."

"Oh Jack," she murmured, looking guilty, "I'm sorry. It's just -"

"Hey, no apologies. This has been nice – better than nice – but we can resume this inside."

The two of them walked back into their little house, their arms wrapped around one another. Sam still had tear marks on her cheeks, but now her face was lit up from the happiness she was feeling. Jack was home.

As they stepped inside Jack turned and once more put his arms around his wife. He then leaned forward and kissed her.

God – he'd missed her so much.

It was later that afternoon – as they lay curled up in bed – that Sam suddenly realized that they hadn't put Plato back in his pen. She hadn't had the energy to catch him after he'd wreaked havoc with her laundry.

"What is it?" Jack asked, two frown lined on his brow.

"Plato. We didn't put him back in his pen."

"Oops," Jack laughed and leaned back, his arms behind his head and his wife's head on his chest. "What do you think he's up to?"

"If I know him, he's made his way to the Ewe's. He's incorrigible."

"So we're going to have some lambs in a few months."

"Yeah, I expect so."

"That's okay – Plato and I can be papa's together."

"As long as I'm the only mama you have, that's fine!"

"Of course," Jack said, leaning down and kissing her. "You know you're the only woman for me."

"I'd better be!"

He laughed and they continued to cuddle, until Sam pushed herself up, a determined look on her face. Jack sighed and settled back.

"So, tell me what happened," his brilliant and curious wife wanted to know. "How exactly did you catch the bad guys and who was Shesmu? And are Daniel and Teal'c and Janet and -"

"Everyone is fine!" he told her. "They all send their love and want to see you real soon."

"I miss them," his more emotional than usual wife said. "I wish they could come and visit. Now tell me! What happened."

So Jack spent the next hour telling her all about his adventure – glossing over a few of the more difficult episodes, although he suspected she knew anyway.

"So, how do you know they won't be back to try and get you."

"Well, Thor helped by explaining to everyone that I didn't have any special powers and that I really wasn't worth all their trouble."

"He didn't?"

"Yeah, he did. I think Hayes already suspected, and the others were just glad to not be transported off of Earth. Their careers are ruined and they know that if anything happens to me or to anyone I care about, our alien friends will be back."

"But surely the Nox or Asgard wouldn't do anything."

"No, of course not – but they don't know that! As of now things are in turmoil in DC, but a few members of congress have stepped forward and they're cleaning things up."

"And Hubbard – and the General?"

"Caine? Uh – they're still where I left them – with some friendly natives but no gate. The government has decided to offer them a choice – they can stay where they are, or go to prison."

"What do you think they'll do?"

Jack shrugged. "I don't know and frankly, I don't want to spend any more time thinking about those two. Instead, I want to think about my -"

"Ram," Sam interrupted.

"What? No – I don't want to think about him. I want to think about you."

"I know," she smiled, "and that's sweet. But we have to go get Plato back in his pen otherwise he's going to be spreading the joy farther than with our sheep."

"You really want me to get out of bed and go find a sheep?" Jack whined. "I want to stay here."

"You can come right back here Jack," his lovely wife said. "But first – would you mind picking up my laundry? I'm going to have to wash it again."

Jack chuckled, although when he stepped out into the cool evening he frowned. He really didn't want to go wrestle a sheep – the world's most pig-headed, obstinate, pain-in-the-mitka sheep!

Sam smiled as Jack grumbled and left their house to go find the recalcitrant animal. Her husband was home and she loved that they had already resumed their simple life here on Terasano. At that moment, she decided she didn't care if she ever went back to Earth.

"Damn bloody sheep!" Jack stomped in the house – covered in mud and clearly upset. He'd been gone almost an hour and Sam suspected that the fight had been pretty equal between her two stubborn males.

"Did you get him back in his pen?"

"Oh yeah," he said, sounding pleased. "He fought it, but in the end I won. Plato is no match for Jack O'Neill."

She giggled, looking at the thoroughly filthy man. She was practically delirious over the fact that her world had righted itself. "I made you a snack," she told him and pointed to the table. "But you have to wash first," she told him sternly, as he made to walk to the food.

For the next few minutes he grumbled as he stripped off his clothes and gave himself a sponge bath.

"I really could use a shower!" he complained. "Why can't we have a shower?"

"We can," his wife told him. "We'll just have to build one."

Jack sighed. "It's times like these that I miss Earth."

"I know. I was cursing over the fact that we don't have a washing machine," Sam told him.

He lifted his head from the towel and frowned over at her. "Should we go back?" he asked softly.

Sam grew serious, and sighed. "Let's have dinner and then we can discuss that. I don't want to make any decisions on an empty stomach.

Jack smiled and nodded. "Okay. Let' me – oh, thank you," he said as she handed him some clean clothes.

They kept the conversation light while they ate dinner. Sam told him about all the happenings around the village. Nothing too startling had happened. For the most part life was slow and predictable.

Jack found the simple stories of his neighbors to be relaxing – they brought a sense of peace to him. He'd spent too many years of his life dealing with wars and battles against tyranny. Thinking about sheep and cabbage was so much better.

"And everyone is complaining about you not being around to make your pottery," Sam told him. "They've had to start going into the city to buy things again. Aminta complained that no one can make the quality of pots that you can."

"Really?" he said, feeling absurdly pleased. It was rare that someone appreciated him for creating something rather than destroying things. "I've missed it," he acknowledged, as much to himself as to her. "Maybe tomorrow I'll go and pick up some supplies and start working again."

Sam didn't say anything, but instead stood up and started clearing the table. A second later Jack stood and began to help her. They cleaned the dishes in silence. They were both tense, knowing of the conversation that needed to happen.

Sam puttered around their small house while Jack got ready for bed. She was strangely nervous, although she didn't know why. There was nothing bad – not now. So why did she feel so – jumpy.

"Come to bed Sam," he said gently.

She glanced over at him and nodded. She was being silly. He was back – healthy and in one piece. She should simply be happy.

As soon as she got into bed, Jack scooted over until he was right beside her. He was leaning on his elbow, looking down at her.

"So, what do you -" she started to say, when Jack interrupted her by leaning over and gently kissing her.

"No more talk – not now. I want to love you Sam. I've missed you."

Suddenly, her nerves fled. What did she have to worry about? Jack was home, he was with her, and he loved her. She smiled and reached up and pulled him closer.

"Yes, please."

It was much later – the room was dark except for a bright streak of moonlight that peeked between the shutters. The two people in bed were quiet – relaxed and at peace with one another.

Sam felt Jack move as he took a deep breath, and she turned to him. "So?" she said.

"So," he said quietly. "That was – very nice."

"Nice? That was way more than nice, mister," she told him. "That was spectacular."

"Yes it was," he agreed. "Did I tell you that I'm never leaving you again?"

"Yes, you did," she nodded.

"Good, because I'm not." He gently stroked her shoulder with his finger, running his hand down her chest, between her breasts to the mound that was his child. "How's the little one?"

"He, or she is just fine," she told him. "I'm afraid the baby is just like you."

"Like me?" he grinned. "How?"

"It never stops moving!"

"That's my kid!" Jack murmured, moving down so that he was speaking to the bump. "Now you be good to your Mom, okay? She's a very special lady and she loves you very much."

Sam stroked his head, loving him more with each moment of their lives. "I can hardly wait until he or she is here," she admitted.

"Me too," he agreed. "Uh Sam?"

"What?"

"Should we – do you – I mean, should we go back to Earth and have Janet check you out?"

She had thought about that – about the fact that medical care here was very rudimentary. The people were remarkably healthy and she felt as if everything was okay- but sometimes she worried.

"I – don't know," she admitted. "I think things are fine, but it would probably be good to check."

Jack was silent, knowing that they had to broach the subject. With a deep breath he lifted his head and scooted back up the bed. "So – do you know what you want to do now?" he asked. "We can go back and have Janet check you and the baby out, but what then? Do you want to stay on Earth?"

It was funny, she thought. A few months ago she would have looked at him as if he was crazy for even asking. She would have immediately said "of course". Earth was her home and here they lived without technology and very few conveniences. They lived a simple, uncomplicated life that, if you'd asked her before, she would have said it would drive her insane.

Instead – and except for the time Jack was away – she had enjoyed living in Terasano. It was simple and peaceful and it had allowed them to grow closer to one another. There were no battles to be fought – other than with Plato – and no enemies to defeat.

And then there was Jack. He'd seemed so much happier, more relaxed since he'd been here. He loved making his pottery, and she suspected he'd even grown fond of the sheep. Did she want him to have to go back to life in the Air Force, dealing with all the hassles of the modern world.

She didn't know.

"Sam – I'll be happy wherever we are, you know that don't you," he told her softly. "As long as I have you and our child – I'll be content."

"Will you?" she asked seriously. "What about showers and beer and hockey? And what about your work? Won't you miss that?"

"My work? With the Air Force?" He considered things for a moment. "I – don't know if I could go back there, even if we were on Earth," he told her. "I've had enough Sam. I want something different now. I want to spend time with you and with our child. I want to get up in the morning and not worry that I'm going to be killed by some crazy alien. Will I miss some things about the Air Force? Yeah, of course. But it's no longer the only thing in my life. I have you and that's enough."

She smiled at him and then gave him a gentle kiss. "I feel the same," she told him.

Instead of looking pleased at that, he frowned. "Sam -"

"What?" she asked after a long pause.

"I appreciate you saying that, and I know you love me and our baby," he told her with a smile. "But you need more. You'll go crazy after a while with nothing to do but cook and clean and change diapers -"

"You're changing the diapers," she interrupted him. He rolled his eyes but then nodded.

"Okay. But what I'm saying is true. You need mental stimulation. And you have an amazing career in front of you. You'll make General before long. I don't want to take that away from you."

"You haven't," she said gently. "You haven't taken anything from me. In fact, you've given me everything. Look Jack – do I think I can spend the rest of my life as Suzy Homemaker? No, I agree with you. But that doesn't mean I need to go back to the SGC or even through the gate again. I have a family now, and that's the most important thing. In a little while, when the baby is a bit older, I'll think about what I want to do. I may consider teaching, or getting into research – but that's not right now."

"Are you sure Sam?" he asked, worried.

"Yes, I'm sure. Look – we need some time to just – be. We need to relax and rest and grow babies. There'll be time enough for me to think about what's next in my career. Right now I'm worried about what's next in my life – and that's this child and our marriage."

"So," he said a few minutes later (after he'd thanked her by giving her a passionate kiss) "we still haven't made a decision about going back to Earth."

In the end, they decided it would be a good idea to have Sam get checking out by Janet. They asked Kleitos and Alexios to watch their animals and property. Alexios was thrilled with the responsibility and promised them that he'd watch over everything carefully.

"And you look after yourself," Eugenia scolded. "I want you to rest and take it easy! Ionnes – you hear that? It is up to you to make sure that Samanta rests. She needs to be healthy for that baby!"

"Of course I'll make sure, Eugenia," Jack told her. "I'll tie her to a chair if I have to."

"Oh you," Eugenia said with a fierce frown (and twinkling eyes). You be good too Ionnes!" she told him. "And come back! We don't want to lose you."

"You'll never lose us," Jack said, giving her a big hug. "And you tell that man of yours to treat you right! You're a special lady Eugenia!"

Once everything was ready, Jack and Sam got a few items together in two packs, and headed towards the gate. A number of their neighbors, including Kleitos, Eugenia and Alexios were there to wave them goodbye.

"Damn," Sam sniffed.

"What's wrong?" he husband asked.

"I'm just – going to miss them all so much!"

"Hey, we're not going forever. In fact we may be back sooner than you think."

Sam nodded, but couldn't help but turn around and look back. Teresano had offered them sanctuary, and she had grown to love it. She didn't want to think that this was goodbye.

"Farewell," she murmured. "We'll be back."

Jack took her hand and they continued down the trail to the gate. Jack refused to look back.