Scott and Vikki had known something was wrong when Sam had invited them over for another dinner. The gas project had been completed, and they all had a week off. Sam had stayed away from the lab, claiming she had some things to deal with, and would talk to them later in the week. On the last day before they returned to work, she had called and requested they come over for another meal. Scott was dying of curiosity, while Vikki was concerned.

"Sam, dinner was great."

"Thanks Vikki."

"Yeah, good grub. Now let's talk."

"Scott, let her take her time."

"What makes you think I wanted to talk to you guys?"

"I just remember last time. What's going on now?"

Sam grinned at Scott's enthusiasm, and wondered how long it would last.

"We have another offer of a project."

"Doing what?"

"Once again you have to sign confidentiality agreements."

Scott grabbed one and turned to the last page. Sam stopped him as he was hunting for a pen.

"Wait. This one's a little more involved than the last one."

"How much more involved?"

"I'll be moving."

"Where?" Vikki looked upset.

"To Colorado Springs."

"What's there that they need you for?"

"NORAD." Scott spoke calmly, a contrast to Vikki's obvious distress.

"Good guess."

"Am I right?"

"I can't tell you."

"If I sign this, will you let us in on your secret?"

"Listen to me for a few minutes. I need you to understand what you could be getting yourselves into. I will be moving to work on a project for the government. They need a delivery system for the gas we've been working on, and I've been offered the job. I accepted several days ago, and I will be leaving in two days. For now, it's a permanent position. When this project is completed, they will assign me another. When I was in the Air Force I worked at the base I'm going to. It is unlike any other base on Earth, and I will never run out of new things to work on. I can't explain any details now, even if you do sign the agreements."

"So, we'd have to move too?"

"That's up to you. If you choose to move, there are positions for you on my team at the base. If you don't wish to move, you'll work here, out of the labs, still on my team. When this project is finished, a decision will be made on whether or not to continue your contracts."

"If we moved, would we have to quit our jobs?"

"Yes."

"Why are you going?"

"I've decided to go. I can't tell you more than that."

Sam watched as Scott paced around her living room.

"You don't have to decide now, but I will need a decision in two days. I suggest you take the time and talk it over."

"Will we see you if you're working on the other side of the country?"

"Yes. I'll have to make the occasional trip, and we'll be talking frequently about the project."

"Why the agreement?"

"You will have to understand the set up of the base in order to assist me on this one. As it's a top secret military base, you will not be allowed to share this information with anyone."

Sam tried to answer some of their questions, and felt sympathy for the difficult decision they had to make. She had had an advantage, already knowing what went on inside Cheyenne Mountain, and understanding the risks. If Vikki and Scott stayed here, they wouldn't have to worry about risks, but on the base, anything could happen.

It was late again before she got to bed, as now she was apprehensive about what choice they would make. Closing her eyes, and forcing her mind to clear, she tried to fall asleep. She knew she was drowsy and close to sleeping when the phone rang shrilly beside her bed.

"Hello."

"Did I wake you?"

"No. Not yet."

"Sam?"

"Daniel, what do you want?"

"Sorry. Didn't think you'd be in bed yet."

"Daniel, remember there's a time zone difference. What's up?"

"Just got home, heard your message and thought I'd call. Go back to sleep. I'll call you tomorrow."

"That's ok. I wasn't sleeping."

"You sure?"

"Don't worry about it."

"What's going on?"

"I've accepted an offer to work at the SGC."

"Really! That's great. When are you moving?"

"Two days from now. Wanna help me move?"

"Sure. I've got four days off. You need help packing?"

"Ugh, don't remind me. I haven't started yet."

"I'll get on the first plane I can."

"Daniel, you don't have to do that."

"You're right. I don't have to, but I want to. Go back to sleep. I'll call you in the morning, let you know when to expect me."

"Thanks Daniel."

"I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Sam hung up the phone and rolled over. With Daniel helping her move, it wouldn't be as stressful as she had been anticipating. She fell asleep, thankful for his kind offer.

Sam thanked the last of the movers as they left her new apartment, and looked around at the pile of boxes now covering her small home. She hadn't had much time to look at houses, and had found a small apartment to rent, until she found something more permanent.

She heard a crashing sound, followed by several swears. Daniel hobbled out muttering something about a box with a hole in it. Sam laughed and gave him a big hug. She had no idea how she would've moved this quickly without his help. Daniel stopped swearing, and held her close. He was thrilled she had returned to Colorado Springs, and waited for the first day back at work. She had another day to unpack before she was to report to the General. Rolling up his sleeves, Daniel started to move boxes, Sam following him closely to make sure he didn't drop anything. With the two of them working for the rest of the day, and most of the following morning, the apartment looked ready to be called a home.

She had sold her car as she knew it wouldn't have made the trip to Colorado, and needed to go out and buy a new one. She sent Daniel home for some rest, and found herself a second hand car that would be perfect for the time being. She just wanted something cheap to get her to and from the mountain until the sale of her old place was finalized. Then she could get something a little more expensive. She grinned to herself, thinking about spending her money. She'd been careful on how much she'd spent since the divorce, and wasn't sure why. An inexpensive apartment, a cheap car, and no vacations. Now she wanted to use her savings, and enjoy what she had. Who knew what would happen after tomorrow.

She woke early, before her alarm, nerves buzzing. She sat in the kitchen, holding a coffee in her hands, watching the clock slowly tick the hour by. Today Daniel was driving her to the base and he wouldn't be here for a while. Contemplating going for a quick run, she moved towards her bedroom, as the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Sam?"

"Vikki? How are you?"

"Good. Calling to let you know we've made a decision."

"Ok. Did you call the contact I gave you?"

"Yes. We just got off the phone with him. He's meeting us at the lab today."

"I take it that you're signing up?"

"Yes."

"What's wrong? You don't sound too happy."

"I'm just wary about this whole secrecy thing. Scott is almost bouncing off the walls with excitement, but I'm not too sure."

"Don't sign anything until you're sure. I won't hold it against you if you choose not to work on this."

"If I don't, how are me and Scott going to be able to live our lives without being able to talk to each other?"

"Oh, Vikki."

"How can you keep something from someone forever."

"You don't discuss it. No matter what."

"Can I ask a question about your ex?"

"How did I keep the secrets from him while we were married?"

"Yes."

"He knew some of the details."

"You told him?"

"No. Well yes, but I had permission to do so, and he signed an agreement too."

"So you could talk about it?"

"No. He only knew what I did at that point in time. When situations changed, I couldn't tell him any new information."

"How did he deal with that?"

"Not very well. He was curious about what was going on, always wanting to be kept in the loop. Once I left the base, he stopped asking, as I didn't have clearance anymore."

"Oh. What would've happened if you had said something to him without permission."

"Court martial. Wouldn't have been a good outcome. But I was an officer at the time. Civilians, they can be charged, and also face severe punishment."

"So if Scott agrees, and I don't, he can never share the information with me."

"Yes."

"And if he does?"

"You don't want to know."

"Ok."

"You sure?"

"Yes. I've just got some more thinking to do."

"Remember, don't agree to this unless you're sure. You won't be able to back out of it."

"How's the new place?"

Vikki changed the subject and Sam knew the previous conversation was over. She talked about the area, her new place, car, and what kind of house she wanted to buy. When Vikki asked about her old co-workers, and how it would be to see them again, Sam glanced at the clock. Where had the time gone? She explained to Vikki that she had to get going and ended the call without answering her last question. In the shower, she contemplated it though. She knew that the ones like Daniel and Teal'c would be great to work with. There were many new people she didn't know, so that would make things a little easier. What was General Landry like to work with? As she turned off the shower, one more thought raised goosebumps on her skin. How often would she see Jack, and how would he be to work with?

AN: I don't know much about cars so I need some help. What kind of car do you think Sam would buy. I'm not thinking new sports car, or trucks... something unique.