A few weeks later . . .

Sam was just now being allowed back to Gate Travel. Her leg and a couple of broken ribs had healed nicely, but Daniel was just a little too curious about her relationship with Pete.

"Jack called him six weeks ago, and still none of us have heard from the guy! I mean, what kind of guy doesn't authorize his military girlfriend to write down his cell phone number as an emergency contact?"

Uh, the non-existent guy, she thought.

"Look, Daniel, I appreciate how much thought you've put into this, but the truth is, I just didn't want Pete to worry. I want him to go and be a good cop without worrying about me."

"That still doesn't explain why he hasn't come to see you while you were in the infirmary."

"Daniel, when I was sent home, I talked to him. Trust me, everything's fine."

She pushed past him into her lab where she continued working on upgrading the sensory functions of the UAV for SG-1's next mission.

But now, she was suited up in the embarkation room, waiting for the orders to move out.

"It's nice to have you back, Carter."

She smiled at Jack. "Thank you, Sir."

Why had he been so distant since her injury? Was it because he blamed himself still? He couldn't have done anything to help her!

"Sir, are you all right?"

Jack turned. "Yeah. Why?"

She shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "You just don't seem like . . . yourself . . . that's all."

"Carter, I'm fine!" Jack snapped.

"All right! Sorry I asked."

He sighed. "Carter, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you."

He looked back at the Stargate. "How's Pete?"

Sam was hurt by his reference to Pete. It seemed so easy for him to let "Pete" win.

"Oh, he's fine."

"So, you're living with Pete?"

She practically choked. "What do you mean?"

"SG-1, you have a go!"

As they walked up the ramp, he turned to her. "Carter, I called your place to tell him about your injury. I noticed the message on the answering machine that said it was Sam and Pete's place."

Daniel and Teal'c walked through the gate quickly, unsure of whether they wanted to stick around for this or not.

She laughed. "Pete's moving to California in a couple of months. He's already left his apartment, and he needed a place to stay."

"Are you going with him?"

She shrugged as she prepared to go through the Gate. "I think we'll try the long-distance relationship for a while."

Try the non-existent relationship! She snapped to herself. Why couldn't Jack see through her transparent lie? Or could he?

"Sir, I just wanted to say . . ."

He walked through the Stargate just then.

"Pete doesn't exist." She whispered to herself.

Sorry it's been so long since I posted last. It took me a while to really get a good chapter idea. I also didn't really want to have to deal with the idea that maybe Sam was 'living with Pete,' but in the end, I think it turned out all right.

Just remember, PETE'S NOT REAL! Sam sort of made him up to make Jack jealous. (Refer back to Chapter 1- Samantha- if you don't remember.)

Now, don't forget to review. It really makes my day when I hear from you guys, and I don't get half-enough reviews! ;)