Hey look! New chapter! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed or alerted this story. If you think I've missed a back story point or would like to see one written, let me know and I can add it in. Everyone loves a good flashback scene. Oh btw, Vala is my spirit animal, so I am very much looking forward to writing lines for her once again.

Chapter 3: The Plot Thickens

The two suited men sat in the cable van that was parked down the road from the O'Neill's house. They were monitoring the comings and goings of the visitors to the house, biding their time to strike.

"We must be patient. She must not know that we are onto her. Montgomery should not have sent that information to them," the first man stated.

"Does she know the full extent of how deep this runs?" the second man asked.

"It doen't matter. We can't take the risk of her coming close to the truth."

So they sat and waited.

It was Saturday afternoon and the O'Neill's anniversary party was in full swing. Jack had the barbeque going and was standing around it with Jim Beckett, Colonel Cameron Mitchell and Sargeant Siler.

"Jack, make sure you have the first aid kit just in case you have an accident," Sam told her husband as she walked past him carrying a large bowl of salad to the table that had been placed outside.

"What makes you so sure that we're going to have an accident?" he questioned.

Sam looked over at the trio, "Well for one, you've got Siler helping out. No offence, Siler."

"None taken, ma'am," Siler replied as he took a swig of his beer.

"And second, the last time you barbequed, you pretty much sacrificed the meat to the gods."

Jack nodded, "Point taken," he handed the tongs to Mitchell, "here, you take over."

"Uh, thank you, sir," Mitchell replied as Sam laughed at the men.

At the table, the Vala Mal Doran had taken it upon herself to organise the layout of the food and had roped Kate into helping her.

"Ok, so we have the salads here," she pointed to the far left hand side of the table, "then we have room for the steaks in the middle, and then the condiments next to that and then on the smaller table we have the desserts." She stood with her hands on her hips, pleased with her handiwork. "What do you think, Kate?"

Kate thought the woman was crazy, "Um, I think it's perfect."

"Great!" she clapped her hands together and bounded over to where Kate was standing opposite her and linked her arm in her, "Now, Kate, tell me about yourself. Where did you say you were from again?"

"New York."

"Ah, New York. I don't think I've been there. Is there a lot of shopping do be done there?" Vala asked.

Kate smiled, "Most definitely. On every corner there is something to buy."

Vala's grey eyes lit up, "I need to go there. I wonder if Daniel will take me." She looked around for the archaeologist before calling out, "Daniel darling! Where are you?"

From inside Kate could practically hear the man groan as he made his way outside, "What do you want now, Vala?"

Vala battered her eyes at him, "Can you take me to New York. Kate said that there was wonderful shopping there."

Daniel rolled his eyes, "Did she now?"

Vala nodded her head emphatically, "Yes, now can we go? Please, Daniel."

"I'll think about it," he conceeded, not wanting her to get all pouty on him.

"Thank you, darling." She gave him a quick kiss before asking, "Can you find Liam for me, I think he's about due for a feed."

"Sure." Daniel went back in side to find his six month old son, whom he had left with another one of the guests.

Vala turned back to Kate, "Don't you just love it when they do what you want?"

"Yes, it is nice when they follow orders," she replied.

Vala looked around again, "Now which one is yours?"

Kate pointed to Rick who was talking with General Landry, "Over there."

"Ooh he's nice. What was his name again?"

"Richard. Rick." Rick caught Kate staring at him and threw her a wink and she smiled wide.

"Looks like you've found a good one," Vala stated as as she saw their interaction.

Kate nodded, "I really have."

Rick finished up his conversation with General Landry and moved over to where Kate was now alone after Vala had left to feed her son. Rick wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed the back of her neck. "Hey beautiful."

"Hey yourself. Having a good time?"

"Yeah, these military guys are great. It's giving me some ideas for my next book. Hank, General Landry, that I was just speaking too said that I could have a tour of the academy and their base some time. I can't see all of it, but it should give me some insight into how a military base is run." Kate could tell Rick was excited.

"Sounds like this trip was as good for you as it was for me."

They stood their in silence for a couple minutes until Teal'c came over to them, "Excuse me, but you are Richard Castle, are you not?" he asked.

Rick looked the big man up and down, "That's me, please to meet you..."

"I am Teal'c."

Kate was confused, "I thought your name was Murray?"

Teal'c looked at her, "I believe Murray is what O'Neill calls a 'nickname'."

"Ah, ok then."

Rick turned back to Teal'c, "So, you read my books?"

Teal'c nodded, "Indeed. Colonel Carter acquired them for me several Christmases ago. They are very good."

"Thanks Teal'c, make sure that before I leave that I sign one for you."

"Indeed." Teal'c bowed his head slightly and left the couple standing and looking at each other.

"Was it just me or was that guy..." Rick started

"Weird? Yes." Kate finished for him, "He was the one who booked the steakhouse for Jack and Sam's reception."

"Ah!"

The rest of the evening went off without a hitch. Jack bulit a large bonfire in the middle of the yard so that everyone could sit around it and make s'mores for an after dessert treat. Slowly the numbers dwindled and all that was left in the group were the O'Neills, Becketts, Castle, Teal'c, Jackson and Vala, and Mitchell and Dr Carolyn Lam. Military and police anecdotes were told until they left everyone in stitches. Kate eventually excused herself to go to the bathroom. She was so relaxed in this environment that as she entered the house she was caught unaware by the shock of a Zat Ni'ki'tel. She slumped into the arms of the waiting suited men and was carried out into the darkness.

Don't hate me! *Ducks for cover* I hope to have the next chapter up by tomorrow night (my time) I hope that you can hold out until then.

Please leave a review if you feel so inclined. I love to know what you all think about this. I think you'll like the twist I have in store for it though. I'm chuffed with it haha

Sam