Author's Note: I can't believe how crazy its been trying to update. I've had this written for a couple of weeks not (dodges the rotten tomatoes) but i just haven't had the time to type it up. Its been seriously crazy but i got my essay in for wednesday on time - even if i accidently wrote it on the wrong thing. The other thing is that after reading books all day, sometimes i just don't like reading or writing fanfiction. There's lots of snow here at the moment though, which means not so much rugby and a bit more time for stargate...damn it! My beta! I knew i forgot something. (sorry!)

"OK kids, lets hussle. Grubs up!" Matt and Rachael came running to the table as Jack brought through dinner. "Don't worry Matt, no cabbage. Though I swear if you blow up my basement…"

"No way, Mr Jack."

KNOCK KNOCK

"I'll get it, sir."

"Thanks Carter."

Sam walked the short way to the front door and opened it.

"Hey Sam."

"Daniel, Teal'c. What're you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Have you seen the size of her house?" Jack hollered through.

"Good point. Uh…we just thought we'd drop by and see how Jack was doing but I guess since you're here we should probably-"

"Are you partaking in dinner, O'Neill?" Teal'c queried and invited himself in, pushing past Sam and Daniel to get to the dinner table.

"Its meatloaf, Uncle Teal'c." Rachael grinned at him.

"Yeah, I'm sure there's plenty, right Jack?" Matt asked.

"Sure, come on in, can I take your coat?" Jack asked sarcastically. He knew Teal'c didn't mean to be rude, but still…he looked at Sam as she wandered in. 'Uncle'? She mouthed at him. He shrugged. He was as clueless as the next guy – although not, apparently, Teal'c. Danny wandered in last, trying to appear inconspicuous and feeling rather guilty for crashing the party. It wasn't to be.

"Danny, man!" Matt greeted Daniel. The two had a high-5 moment. Jack had to admit he was feeling a bit left out, Sam was just feeling bewildered.

"I guess we're just missing Dad." She commmented, more to herself than to anyone else in the room.

"Dad?"

"Dad?"

"DAD!" Teal'c, Daniel and Jack said all at the same time.

"My Dad arrived in town this morning but he's been sort of busy." Sam tried to explain as vaugely as possible to her confused niece and nephew and her frowning team-mates. Well maybe Daniel was frowning more than Teal'c, but Teal'c hadthat look in his eye…

"Grandpa's here?" Rachael asked. "Can we see him?"

"He's in town sweetie, but he's busy. Later this week though, ok?"

"Alright."

"So, who wants meatloaf?" Jack asked, trying to get the topic of conversation back to the matter in hand.

"That was most satisfying, O'Neill."

"Thankyou, Teal'c. Who's for some twister?"

"I am afraid we must depart."

"What? You're not staying?"

"Sorry Sam, Teal'c's right. We'll see you in the morning." And with no further explanation, the two men promptly said goodbye to the kids and left. Everyone stared for a moment at the closed door, everyone thinking exactly the same thing - 'Weird'.

"In that case kids, I'll show you your rooms."

"Rachael, its time you got ready for bed." Sam prompted.

"Its only seven o'clock!" She complained.

"Rachael, I talked to your dad. You have an eight o'clock bedtime and we're sticking to it. Now go see your room. I'm going to clear up here and when I get back I expect you to be in your pyjamas with your teeth cleaned."

"But-"

"I'll come read you a story, alright?"

"Fine!"

"Matt, nine."

"What! Mr Jack, help me here."

"Oh no! You're so not pulling me into this one!"

"Aunt Sam, I'm thirteen."

"And you'll be getting up atsix tomorrow just like everyone else, so you need your sleep. Right General?"

"Huh?"

"Sir, aren't you going to back me up on this?" Sam stared at him accusingly. Jack stared back, imploring her not to bring him into this. Sam still stared. Damn! Why couldn't he resist her?

"Your Aunt has a point. Nine o'clock, lights out."

Matt sighed dramatically. Backing each other up, just like his parents. Typical.

Half an hour later, Rachael was safely lucked up in bed. She's started falling asleep the moment she got into her pyjamas – despite her protests to the contrary – and Sam had put her to bed well before her eight o'clock bedtime. It had been a tiring day. Matt meanwhile had holed himself up in his new room and left Sam and Jack alone. In silence they cleaned the dishes and then wached tv and chatted casually for a while about nothing in particlar. Before long it was nine o'clock.

"I'm gonna check on Matt." Sam announced.

"Alright, I'll be right here."

Sam got up and left. She was back just a few minutes later.

"He wants you to go say goodnight."

"Why? I swear that kid hates me. He's best buds with Daniel for cryin' out loud!"

Sam snorted. The General clearly didn't see the funny side of what he'd just said. After all, Jack was 'best buds with Daniel' too. Maybe he was just worried about the choas factor kicking in – Daniel and Matt hanging out together just screamed of choas and disaster. "Maybe you should just humour him, sir."

Jack reluctantly got up and headed to Matt's room. He knocked twice and then pushed open the door. It was dark inside, with only the light of the streetlights creeping in. Matt was lying in bed.

"Matt?"

"Sir, I just wanted to say that I really am sorry about your playstation. We didn't seem to get off on the best foot today and maybe tomorrow we could start again."

"Sure. We could do that." Jack paused and looked around a bit. He hadn't been sure about putting Matt in here. "I uh…I hope this is going to be ok for you. Sorry about the stuff."

"Whose is it?"

"My son's. You can look at his comics I guess, I do that sometimes. But just leave his toys and the baseball stuff, would you? I don't want it getting broken."

"Sure." Matt noticed he was being serious. The guy had been pissed about the playstation, but this was different. Thisstuff reallymeant something to him. Mattwas hesitantly curious. He watched the man, who was so unlike his own father, turn towards the door. "Goodnight Jack."

"Goodnight, Matt."

Jack left and checked into his own room, trying to shake off the disturbing feeling of déjà vu. I so could have been Charlie in there. His room was tidy enough, but Jack tidied it a bit more anyway before fetching Carter to show her around.

Sam was sitting on the sofa watching tv, wonder what was going on between Matt and the General. Just then, the man himself walked in.

"I tidied my room for you Carter. Come on, I'll show you."

"Sir, I really can't – I'll sleep here."

"You don't understand. I tidied! Now come on!"

Sam had to admit she felt curious and rather priviliged to be staying in Jack's house, and after Jackhad shown her such hospitality – he had tidied – she couldn't really say no. Hesitantly, she followed. Oh yes, was she curious…but this was her CO's bedroom. Jack's bedroom, and he wanted her to sleep in it – for a whole week.

"I shifted stuff around the drawers a bit so you can have the top two and feel free to hang stuff in my wardrobe. Just shove everything over a bit andthere should beplenty space. I packed a few things already but if I need anything I'll let you know."

"Sir, you really don't have to do this."

"Carter, not another word. For this week my house is your house."

"In that case General, my house is your house too."

Jack took a step towards her. "Sam, if you're not comfortable with me staying…"

"It's fine sir, and it's the least I can do for you under the circumstances. I brought a few overnight things from base but I'll have to go round tomorrow and get some things for the rest of the week."

"OK, I guess I'd better get going then." Sam walked him to the door where they exchanged house keys. They stood on the doorstep for a moment in awkward silence.

"Sweet dreams, Carter."

"Likewise sir."

The stood there staring, not moving. Jack was first to look away.

"…Carter."

"Yes, sir?"

"You don't have a car." Jack pointed out, looking around the front yard.

"Its alright sir. We'll be fine. We can sort it in the morning."

"I'll come by around seven to pick you up." Jack stared at her lips for a moment, then at her eyes. She knew what he meant and did the same – if they weren't allowed a real goodnight kiss, they could always imagine it, and that would have to do for now. Jack turned away before it got too much.

"Sir, one last thing." Jack turned back around, half expecting, half hoping that she'd jump him. His logical mind knew all along that she wouldn't. "If you need any aspirin its in the left hand bathroom cupboard, not the right."

Jack nodded. "Goodnight, Carter."

"Goodnight, sir."

She really, really, hoped he'd go for left.

OK, don't kill me. They're still General and Lieutenant-Colonel, remember. This was supposed to be Sam focused but Jack seems to be taking over. The next chapter will be about Jack and then i'm thinking of doing one from each of the kids points of view. I really will try and get it up sooner, maybe with all this snow i'll get some written tomorrow.

Maybe...