Sam threw her jacket over the couch, grabbed a diet soda from the fridge and collapsed on the wing back chair. The BBQ had been fun but a lot of work. Somehow she'd ended up organizing it and when the BBQ's hadn't shown up she'd been the one running all over town trying to find one to rent. As it was the middle of BBQ season, it hadn't been easy. On a brighter note, Scott had arrived with Vikki. They'd had a fight earlier that month and Sam had listened to Vikki as she had ranted and raved about how useless men were. After the cleanup was done, and the BBQ's returned, she had said her goodbyes and raced home for some relaxation and a nice hot bath.

On Monday everyone was in a great mood. Seems that the company's summer BBQ had been a hit again. Next time, Sam swore she wouldn't be in charge. Thinking back to the previous day, Sam realised that by running around, making sure everything was running smoothly, she had kept herself busy. Usually at these kind of gatherings, with everyone bringing their families, she felt lonely and went home miserable. For once, she didn't feel like that. She breezed into her lab with a huge smile on her face. She finally felt the strings of her former life slip away.

They were busy at the lab and due to the snow everyone was trickling in late, grumbling about the traffic. Sam absently listened to the others in her lab as she rechecked her notes. Today was the day they performed one of their final tests. After that, the fuel substance would go to a secure area to be tested in whatever it was intended for. She knew that there would be members of the military here and hoped no one would recognize her. Her boss entered the lab and announced that every thing was ready and would they proceed to the large lab with the observing room. Sam grabbed what she needed, sent a reassuring smile to her team, and followed them out the door.

The test went off perfectly and she rushed back to her lab. She wanted to drop off her notes before heading to lunch. Rounding a corner, not watching where she was going, she ran smack into someone, and her papers flew all over the floor.

"Sorry about that."

"Let me help you ma'am."

"No that's ok. Just a few notes.." Sam stopped as she saw the man. She recognized him but couldn't remember where.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes. I'm fine." She took in the green BDU's with patches missing. SGC? What was he doing here?

"Ma'am?"

"Sorry, just recognized the uniform."

"Have we met before?"

"I'm not sure. I worked at Cheyenne Mountain for a while. Perhaps I recognize you from there?"

The man did a double take and looked closely at her face. He remembered the eyes but that was about it.

"I'm sorry. I don't remember you Ma'am."

"Dr. Samantha Carter." She held out her hand, and he shook it.

"I'm sorry I don't remember."

"I worked with General O'Neill."

"You knew the General?"

"Yes."

"Well I'm sorry Ma'am but I must go. Nice to meet you."

He turned and headed down the hall in the direction she had just come from. Sam's good mood evaporated. Talking to the man had raised her hopes, only to have them dashed again. She wanted to run after him and ask about her old team, and her friends. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to get any information from him, she turned and continued on to her lab.

AN: Sorry it's just a shorty. More soon.