Authors Note: Sorry for the delay. I had training all week at work and it's been crazy. I hope this makes up for the delay.

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

The kiss that started slow and tentative was way better than the one Jack remembered from the time loop. However Sam's reaction was still the same, slowly she snuck her hands up his collar line and around his neck to pull him closer. Pete had never kissed her like this. She felt herself lean back and Jack coming along with her. His hands snaked up her sides and towards her back. They were flush against each other when Sam pulled away.

"Jack, we can't."

"I'm sure that you meant we shouldn't, because we sure as heck can."

"You know what I meant."

"See, I kind of don't."

"The past two days alone have been crazy. Add the past 7 years to that, I don't think that jumping in head first would be the way to go right now."

"I know, I know." He sat back up and released the hold that he had on her. "Feeling better now?"

"Yeah in a way." She bit her lip and looked at her hands. "Would you stay with me tonight?"

"Sure, let's lay down."

Within minutes Jack noticed that Sam was asleep in his arms. She didn't stir the rest of the night. In the morning when Jack woke up he noticed that Sam wasn't in bed and was no where in sight. He searched the house until he found her, cup of coffee in hand standing on the back deck looking at the woods that surrounded his house. She looked as if she belonged there.

"There you are. You should go inside its cold out here."

"I didn't notice. I was just thinking."

"Penny for them."

"It will cost you more than a penny."

"Fine then, but you know you can talk to me. It's either that or Janet will make you talk to McKenzie." He smiled shyly then grabbed her hand and pulled her inside to the warmth of the kitchen. He filled her cup, made one for him self then sat on the other side of the table from her, waiting for her to talk. "We can do this all day; we are on down time until you heal anyway."

"What if Pete was right?"

"About what?"

"About deserving what he was doing to me."

"Sam how can you say that? You didn't deserve any of what he did to you. You have to know that. Anyone who would intentionally hurt you is not for you. What he did was sick and twisted and wrong on so many levels. Once he is caught and all this stops you will be breathe more easily."

"How do you know?"

"I know."

"I guess I just have to trust you."

"Yousurebetcha."

Sam smiled and took another sip of her coffee. She had to admit that she slept a whole lot better once Jack laid down with her. After the kiss last night and the night before, she had to wonder if continuing to stay with Jack was the best idea. She needed to find a new place of her own and fast before they ended up breaking a few regulations. He made them breakfast then Sam changed while he cleaned up. The day was more or less uneventful, that was until Sam was checking her email and had a message from Pete in her in box.

"What does it say?" Jack asked as she clicked open the file and waited for it to load.

"It's a picture. Oh my god."

"What is it?" He said walking and peeking over her shoulder. It was a picture taken that morning of Sam standing on Jack's deck. Apparently Pete had located Jack's home and was watching them. Jack immediately picked up the phone and called into Hammond. Within minutes Jack had people crawling the property looking for any sign of Pete. There was no trace of him, almost like he had done it and cleared away any sign of him being there.

Jack hit the roof; he wanted Sam at his place than any other place since Pete didn't know where he lived. Now Pete knew, and Sam was once again in danger. Hammond ordered both of them to return to base. 28 levels underground was better than a house that had plenty of windows in which any person could see in and perhaps get off a good shot if they really wanted too. So that's why Sam was now lying in her room on base staring at the ceiling waiting for the next message from Pete. She didn't want to live like this until he was caught, whenever that would be. Sam learned a long time ago that being upset and alone with your thoughts was not the best combination; which is why she had begun pacing her room talking to herself trying to get an idea on how to proceed with everything that was going on around her. She kept coming back to the same conclusion; she needed to leave the SGC.

As soon as Hammond became available, she instantly went to see him. She would become a civilian part of the SGC if she had to, but she figured if she removed herself from the equation than there would be less chance of anyone finding out about its existence.

"Major Carter, we have already discussed a transfer for you as well as a resignation. I thought that we had resolved this issue."

"New things have been brought to my attention sir that I am not able to ignore. To resign would be the best course of action."

"Before we talk about this any further, I want to know why you wish to resign. What is more important to you than the work that you love?"

"Love itself sir."

"I see. Let me have one week Major, after that we can talk about your resignation. Now go get some sleep. You and Col O'Neill have both had a busy couple of days."

"Yes Sir!"

Sam went back to her quarters, but stopped to check on Jack on her way. He was throwing a ball up in the air and catching it before throwing it again. He was bored and she knew it.

"Bored?"

"You know I hate being on lockdown, even if it is for my own protection."

"Same here."

"Where are you coming from?"

"General Hammond's office, I wanted to see if he had heard anything new."

"They'll contact us when they do. I'm hungry you want to get something from the mess?"

"Sure."

They ate and then each retired to their own quarters. SG1 was on stand down due to Sam's and now Jack's injuries so they were experiencing cabin fever. Jack thought if he wanted cabin fever he would have just gone to his own cabin. Considering that they were underground and there was no real difference between day and night, the days dragged on. At the end of the week, there was still no information as to Pete's location. Sam was surprised though when General Hammond asked to speak with her.

"Have a seat Major. I have some news in regards to your resignation."