Chapter 18:

Carter had been gone for six months. O'Neill laughed sardonically at the thought. Six months. Fourteen months since everything went to hell. A day did not go by that he didn't think back to the last time he saw her, holding her while she cried. She never cried. He should have realized that maybe she was serious about leaving, giving it all up. It was still hard to believe. She was gone.

"Life goes on," he said to no one as he took a long drink from his beer. Begrudgingly, SG-1 were still a four member team. It had taken three months and a stern ultimatum from Hammond to find a replacement. The SGC had not fallen apart although sometimes it would have made life a hell of a lot easier with Carter there. Earth and the galaxy had not fallen to the Goa'uld-yet. And Carter was gone living her life wherever the hell that was.

"Cheers, Carter," he said tipping his bottle to empty air and taking another drink. "I hope you're happy."

He found him leaning heavily against the deck railing a beer bottle dangling from his hand. Jack had apparently started drinking early; it was still morning, a few discarded bottles already lay scattered about.

"A little early for beer, don't you think?"

"Breakfast of champions," Jack replied taking another long draw finishing the bottle. He dropped it on the deck and grabbed another from the six pack keeping him company.

"What are you doing, Jack?"

"Getting drunk." He took another long swallow as if to prove his point. "What're you doing here, Jacob?" He turned for the first time to face him. "You've been gone, for what, eight months. The Tok'ra finally give you a weekend pass and you decided to come check up on your daughter?"

"What happened?"

"What happened?" He laughed the words. "She left, Jacob. That's what happened," punctuating the statement with another long pull.

"How long?"

"Six months." Another long drink. Another empty bottle. "As a matter of fact, it's been six months today. Great timing you have there. Again, I ask, what're you doing here, Jacob? I'm sure Hammond's already briefed you."

"He did."

"So. And. Therefore."

"So, I guess I'm here to see how you're doing."

Jack was surprised by the restraint coming from Jacob. His lasts words to him were to take care of her. A fine job he had done thank you very much. He had expected the full fury of General Jacob Carter not this calm concern.

"Peachy." He turned to grab another beer. "Shouldn't I be asking how you're doing?" He twisted the cap off and flicked it across the deck into the yard. "You did just find out your daughter's been AWOL for the last six months. So how're you doing, Jacob.? You going to kick my ass now?"

"I think you've had enough."

"Not today. Look, Jacob, I don't mean to be rude but I'm trying to get drunk. You're kind of raining on my parade." He turned and headed inside.

Five, ten minutes passed before Jack heard the screen door open. He had abandoned his beer and graduated to scotch. Scotch was better.

Jacob sat down across from him. "Don't get me wrong, Jack, I'm furious about what happened. But Sam's an adult, a very stubborn adult. She gets it honest. Pour me one." He motioned to the bottle Jack was cradling like a baby.

He looked at the man surprised by the request. "I didn't know the Tok'ra drank."

"They don't. Selmak's going to have to suck it up and take one for the team." He took a drink savoring the liquid as it burned down his throat

There was a moment of silence between the two men. Tense silence. Jack thought that Jacob may have decided to ditch the concern in favor of kicking his ass. Without breaking eye contact Jacob finished his Scotch and the stare down continued.

"So are you going to tell me what happened? What really happened? And why my little girl has essentially thrown away her career?"

Jack sighed. He rubbed his hands through his hair and sighed again. "It wasn't easy. She worked hard to get back. She seemed fine. Her first mission back," he laughed and took another drink to settle himself, "her first mission back SG-1 were sent back to that god-forsaken planet. All the work she had done to get back gone in the breath it took to say P4X-532. She didn't have to go. She saw it as some sort of closure. It should've been. As usual, it all went to hell when he showed up."

"Who?"

"Reynarc, the psycho who tortured her."

"Shit."

"Yeah. She killed him by the way. Came home with a knife in her leg and some busted ribs."

"That's my girl." He smiled.

"I went to see her after she was discharged from the infirmary. She told me she was wanted to give it up. And she did. She left the day before she was due to report back. I'm sorry, Jacob, I tried. She was so screwed up. They were her words, you know. Screwed up. To be honest, I'm surprised she lasted as long as she did. She went through hell, Jacob, not once but twice. If that's not enough to screw with you…" He stopped letting the words drift in the air. Neither man spoke. The only sound was the slosh of the alcohol refilling empty glasses.

"Jack, do you have any idea where she may have gone?" It was Jacob's turn to run tired and frustrated hands over his face.

He laughed. "If I knew, Jacob, I would have already dragged her ass back to Colorado Springs. She left and she didn't want to be found. They haven't looked for her, you know. Hammond is trying to keep it quiet but he can only claim extended medical leave for so long before some of the wrong groups start asking questions."

"So what are you going to do?" Jacob finally asked.

"Well, today I'm going to finish getting inebriated on this fine Scotch here," He held the bottle up for emphasis, "probably throw-up, maybe pass out later. Tomorrow, I'm going to wake up with a massive hangover take a couple of ibuprofen and start my forced vacation. What about you, Jake? Any big plans?"

Jacob laughed and downed his second Scotch. "You're some piece of work. The tough, bad-ass Colonel Jack O'Neill."

"With two 'l's'," he slurred holding up three fingers.

"You know, I'm not sorry I asked you to look after Sam. I knew you'd do it anyway."

"Is that so?"

"We're not stupid, Jack."

"We?"

"Selmak and I. I know you're in love with my daughter." He held up his hand to forestall the argument and denial. "You're a good man, Jack. I know you did everything you could for her. It's up to Sam now."

"Hmph…" Jack replied into his glass.

"I can't stay. But I'm sure you already know that." He finished his drink and got up to leave. "Take care of yourself, Jack."

After Jacob left, he let his head fall back on to the couch. Damn Jacob Carter. Damn that psycho. Damn it all to hell.

"Cheers, Carter," he said tipping the bottle to the empty room, "wherever the hell you are."