AN: Still struggling with motivation guys. Sorry.

The times they are a changin'

A few weeks later they are back out on their land again. There is a noticeable hole where everyone has been digging the cellar Jack planned out from the footer description for the Sears home they had all agreed on.

A partially assembled log cabin is about thirty yards away. It will be used as a barn after the house is delivered some time in the next few months. Jack was confident if the footing was built by the time the house arrived that he and Teal'c could frame and partially finish the house before the snow hit in October. For the moment though, Jack and Teal'c have focused on the log house as they would need immediate shelter. The wide barn style door was framed out with logs on either side and half of it was blocked off to make it standard door sized temporarily. Jack was throwing home mixed mortar into the chinks left by the logs so he'd have less of it to do once the roof was finished. He still had to thatch that. Next year he'd be able to afford the tin for a proper roof for the barn.

All in all, Jack mused, he was fairly happy with their current domestic situation. They had Grandpap and Yonish to rely on if they needed help. Ramos didn't say much but he seemed nice enough as well. Everyone had a job. Daniel was bored at the post office but at least it was honest work. He himself was contentedly building tables and rocking chairs. Teal'c had managed to get a job cleaning and maintaining the gathering hall in the middle of town. The little old ladies from the quilting bee utterly adored him and spoiled him rotten with treats and gifts. He'd scored each of SG-1 a hand made quilt except Sam and Jack who had been given an early wedding present of a larger single quilt in a traditional wedding design.

The mayor's wife was hassling him about getting married instead of living in sin, which was ironic as while they slept together, other than cuddling and kissing, he and Sam hadn't done any more than they might have on a mission.

Sam… Sam who had scored two jobs though only one of them paid… had just enough of a possessive streak to warn off another woman. He wasn't sure if the roles were reversed if he wouldn't have just sat there wallowing in anguish that she was entertaining a man that wasn't him. Sam who was currently bickering with Daniel much like the siblings they pretended to be. He'd apparently dislodged a shower of loamy red soil onto her while she corrected the slope of a wall. Jack shook his head. The bridge of her nose was sunburnt. He should probably get her some cream at the drug store.

Jack was pretty happy with his family situation he decided. Brothers, a beautiful woman who loves him even if she's afraid to say it. A father figure younger than him. He whistled happily while he mudded the chink. Life was pretty good right now.

A carriage pulled into the center of town. As usual for small towns, people out on the street followed it until it stopped in front of the town hall next to the Mayor's office. A slender blond woman got out and looked around for a familiar face. Lighting on Skeeter she smiled.

"Miss Steele! I didn't know you were coming up for a visit. Mr. Pratt isn't here." He told her.

"He's not? Oh dear. Do you know when he'll be home? It is just absolutely urgent that I speak to him."

"He and Professor Bartok left for Topeka last week. They should be back any time now though I suppose." Skeeter told her, helping her get her things out of the carriage. "Would you like help carrying this stuff to the Silver King? Sure looks like you intend to stay a while."

"I very much would, Skeeter, thank you."

"Is everything all right, ma'am? You seem a little upset if you don't mind me saying so." Skeeter said as he picked up her steamer trunk and hefted it onto the pony cart from the hotel he'd taken to the middle of town to grab provisions.

"Oh…" She fussed. "I've gone and done something very foolish and I'm worried I'll get Ernest into trouble for it."

"Oh, don't you worry about that, ma'am. Trouble is Ernest Pratt's middle name." He assured her as he helped her into the cart.

"Yes well, right now trouble is named Ethan Cartridge Steele and it's my fault." She huffed worriedly.

"Well, I'll certainly let Mr. Pratt know you are here. He's always in a better mood when he comes back from visiting you lately."

Abigail smiled and patted his hand. "That's kind of you to say but I'm afraid he's not going to be happy with me at all once I tell him what I done."

"I wouldn't worry too much. Only man in this town with a kinder heart than Mr. Pratt is his cousin, Colonel O'Neill. And that's on account that he's not afraid of horses."

"Cousin? Ernie doesn't have a cousin."

"Shure does. Looks just like him too, just older. Might be he didn't bring him up cause he's from his daddy's side. I heard Mr. Pratt say there's bad blood there." Skeeter gossiped ideally as he drove the cart forward and down the dusty Colorado road.

"Um… where is this cousin by chance?"

"Well, normally I'd say he and his intended would be at the Silver King but they bought a bit of land with her brother and a colored fellow they freed so likely they are up by the Platt River building a place to stay."

"Do you suppose you could drive me up there later?"

"Why, of course, ma'am, and no charge for you, Miss Steele." He says grinning.

"How kind of you, Skeeter." She tells him with a sweet smile as he helps her down in front of the hotel.

"Miss Steele. We weren't expecting you. Mr. Pratt won't be back for at least another two days." The hotel manager tells her.

"Yes. So I hear. I'll be needing a room at least until he gets back in town if you please."

"Certainly. I'll put you next to Colonel O'Neill and his fiancé." He says as he records her arrival and hands her a key.

Abigail looked down at the key in her hand. "Thank you, sir."

"Skeeter! Take the lady's bags up!"

"Yes sir!" Skeeter told the innkeeper with his usual alacrity. "I think you're really going to like Colonel O'Neill, Miss Steele. He's a fine honorable gentleman. His fiancé is a doctor but not a medical doctor like you'd think. She's a physicist."

"Really? I believe I shall feel inadequate."

"On no! Miss Carter is very nice. She never makes anyone feel bad about her being smarter than everyone else, even Professor Bartok."

"Smarter than Yonish? Perish the though." She tells him as she unlocks her room.

"Might not be as smart as Doctor Ramos. He scares me." Skeeter admitted.

"Ramos is a dear. He's just quiet." She looks around the room. It's clean and well appointed as usual. "You can put the trunk and bags in the corner, Skeeter. Thank you. Could you have someone bring up the bath as well? It's been a very long coach ride from Texas."

"Of course, Miss Steele. It's good to see you again. I know Mr. Pratt will be glad to see you even if you think he might not be." Skeeter says smiling then leaves.

Abigail flops on the bed. "I suppose we'll find out soon enough."