AN: Sorry it's taken so long to post this chapter. I went on Christmas break for a month and then I came back to school and it began its choke hold. I'll post two chapters tonight, so I hope you enjoy them. Again, sorry.

Jack knocked on the General's door.

"Come."

"General, you called, sir." He saw Sam already sitting, looking slightly reproached, and staring at the floor.

"Yes, Colonel, have a seat. Laira has been waiting for you to come back from 'seeing me' for a while now. Major Carter has been missing for the same period of time and apparently it was she who delivered the message to you that I wanted to see you, a message which I never gave her or anyone else. Now, is there something going on that I need to know about?" The General's voice was strained. They could tell that he was holding on to the last thread of his patience. They also knew they were very lucky, and the fact that they weren't getting an earful at that very moment was the fact that they had saved the world more than a couple of times and the General had a soft spot for the two officers of his flagship team. That and he understood the situation with Laira.

Jack and Sam both looked at the floor. "No, sir," they answered in unison.

"Alright then, Major Carter, you will sign out and go home for the night. Colonel O'Neill, you will attend to our guest, and then you will sign out and proceed to Major Carter's house. You will both talk about whatever this is that is affecting the operation of my base and both of you will report to me at 0900 tomorrow morning. At that time, we will all discuss this 'issue' you both seem to be having. Now I don't want any more problems from either of you, is all that clear?"

"Yes, sir," they chorused.

The General sighed and seemed to relax a bit. "You two are my best officers. I can't afford to lose either one of you. Dismissed."

They saluted and left the General's office.

George Hammond sank down into his chair and rubbed his temples. It was definitely time for a vacation. He ardently hoped they would reach some kind of resolution tonight, but be smart enough not to do anything to get themselves court-martialed. He knew Sam was engaged, but he also knew she wasn't happy. He wasn't blind. One did not become a Major General by being unobservant. It also helped that he was Sam's godfather and had known her since she was born. Yes, those two definitely needed to talk some things out. He would not have his flagship team falling apart because of the bitterness that he knew could ensue if this situation was left unaddressed. He knew that they distanced themselves from each other for fear of the ever-looming regs and their carefully guarded emotions, but he also knew that the distancing going on was beginning show itself to be more damaging than if they were together.

Maybe he would go home early tonight...he needed a drink.

Jack and Sam walked toward the elevator stunned. They talked in hushed voices hoping to avoid being overheard by prying SFs.

"Is it just me, or did he wink at us when he said that last part about him not being able to afford to lose us?"

Jack stabbed at the elevator button. "I don't know, but this whole thing is...screwy. Hammond ordering me to your house to talk? He's practically ordering us to break the regs! Are we actually going to do this?"

"I don't think we have a choice, sir. We have to come back and talk to him in the morning. Just come by after you leave." Jack cringed at the use of the title. Sam smiled apologetically.

The elevator doors opened and they stepped in, relieved that it was empty.

"What about Pete?"

"He left this morning for Denver. I do need to talk to him though." Sam paused. "I'm breaking off the engagement, Jack. It's not fair to him and it's not fair to me...or you."

"Are you sure that's something you want to do over the phone?"

"It would be better if I could talk to him in person, but if I don't break it off now, I'll feel even more like I'm cheating on him. He deserves to know now. He'll want to come see me anyway, I'll talk to him in person soon enough." Jack smiled and looked at her with admiration in his eyes.

The elevator stopped on the 19th floor the doors opened. Jack stood blocking the doors, stopping them from closing again.

"Well, I'm off to see what Laira wants. I'll see you later. Do you want me to bring anything for dinner?"

"That sounds great." Sam smiled.

"What do you want?"

"How about Chinese?"

"Sure."

"Good. I'll be waiting."