I feel myself constantly apologizing for the delay of the updates. Last semester I was traveling home a good chunk of the weekends- my family needed me, and I barely had time for schoolwork, let alone the pleasures of writing things non-school related.

Another one of the reasons that I've been so lacking in the updates department is my insane school schedule. Last semester I took a creative writing course, and if anybody is interested in reading my latest short story I've posted it on my new blog (for an AWESOME class I'm taking this semester)- magsters...blogspot...com (yeah they don't let me put actual links in, so I put the extra .'s in so it'll show up). You'll find the story as the first entry, I'm pretty proud of the story, and because of it my teacher wanted me to enter the MFA program. I don't know if I see that happening, but it was pretty flattering.

Reviewers: EmSyd, Freckles- thanks for the encouragement!, awishaway- thank you!, Kirk4Ever- no I made up the paperwork part, Whirlwind- thanks!, Booster- Thanks for the help with the spacing! I've been trying to figure that out for SO long now. When I have the time I plan on updating all my chapters with that. I'm glad you find Haley realistic, as somebody who is not that far out of her teens I just try to look back and channel all that old angst into the writing. I'm glad it comes across realistically. Emerald Green Queen- I love your reviews. Period. End of story :)

Sam was embarrassed. Since her little fiasco on the beach she had tried to remain detached, and as professional as possible. Jack was acting like nothing had happened. He was a little preoccupied, though. General Hammond wanted to speak to him, so he was out of her hair for a while. Sam attempted to concentrate on the readings on the device, but the events of earlier kept popping into her mind.

"I guess the reality that we're never going home is setting in."

Trying to stay optimistic, Jack replied, "Oh Hammond'll keep us supplied with everything we'll need until we can figure this out… it's a nice beach."

"It'd be a good excuse for you."

"Huh?"

"To do nothing for a while."

Jack almost had to scrub his fists over his eyes for a moment. There was no way Carter said what he thought she said. "What?"

"Forget it."

"That would be forget it sir."

"Oh please, you think I'm keeping that up if we're stuck here forever?"

"Listen Major-"

"-No way!"

Confusion gave way to anger for Jack. "That's no way COLONEL."

Sam was so frustrated she was stuttering. "Wha..., I'm supposed to accept that. That's the way it's gonna be?"

"That's the way it is."

"What difference does it make? It's not up to you," Jack grabbed Sam by her vest and pulled her up to his face.

In response, Sam grabbed Jack's vest as he continued to yell. "Carter! You're in withdrawal."

Sam's voice rose even louder. It was the first time she had really yelled at Jack like this, both personally and professionally. "Oh I'm in withdrawal?!"

"Yes," realization dawned on Jack, "so am I." The two stared at each other for a long moment, as they caught their breath. They were interrupted by Teal'c's calls.

"Sir… I'm so… I'm really sorry," Sam practically whispered. She was mortified by her behavior.

"Sam," he emphasized her name, neither had let go of the other's vest yet, but Sam's grip was loosening, "it's the withdrawal. We both know how rough that can be." Jack pulled Sam a little closer and kissed her on the forehead. "It's going to be alright, we're going to get out of here."

"That's just it…," Sam sighed, "I have no idea how to solve the problem. We could be stuck here for the rest of our lives. I guess my dad would be okay to visit because of Selmak and everything, but I'd never see my brother and his kids again, we'll never see Janet or Cassie, and you'd never see-"

A dark shadow was cast over Jack's face, "CARTER, we're going to get off this planet. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon. You can't think any other way." Jack let go of Sam, and walked in the direction of Teal'c's calls.

Sam continued taking readings of the device, trying to figure out the safest increments to cut down the chemicals. Her estimate of two to three weeks was looking more like a solid three, closer to four weeks to give the team a bit of a softer weaning. One week wouldn't make that big of a difference to the General, and it would keep the spirits of everybody much higher. Nobody wanted to be stuck together and in a grouchy mood.

Jack had been right when he insisted to Sam that they would get off this planet. There was no other option for him, he had somebody waiting for him at home, relying on him. Sure, Haley wasn't a child, but she was still too young to be on her own. Not coming home wasn't an option for Jack. Sam wasn't so sure she'd possess the same faith if the situation were reversed. She thought too scientifically, her mind full of probabilities. Janet was a scientist, though, and she seemed to define grace under pressure. It's how she works best. Sam decided that she was not all that different from Jack, because she too bottled her emotions, just in a much healthier fashion. Sam was amazed by the way Janet was able to hold her head up high while treating Daniel after his suicide attempt. According to Jack, she even kept her cool when he started crashing. Sam returned her concentration to the device in front of her. The sooner she figured this all out, the sooner she would be back on Earth, and she could see her friend and talk to her.

"While on P4X-347 we were inadvertently exposed to an addictive substance."

"They did drugs?"

"Not in a recreational capacity. There was a machine that emitted an addictive chemical. I was unaffected, but O'Neill, Major Carter, and Daniel Jackson must remain on the planet for three weeks while the effects wear off. I am to care for you in that time."

"You are? Why?" Haley paused, realizing what she had just said. "Oh my God Teal'c, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to sound nasty. I just meant usually Janet takes care of me, I'm just surprised."

"Though capable, Dr. Frasier is very busy. I am on stand-down, ordered to watch you, as O'Neill said, as if you were my own."

"What else did he tell you?" Haley questioned.

"You are not to socialize with any males while he is away."

"You're kidding, right?" Haley frantically asked.

"No I am not."

"For nearly a month?! That's ridiculous! My dad can't just make stupid rules like that. Teal'c, he didn't know what he was talking about, he's on drugs for crying out loud!" Haley ranted while pacing back and forth, wildly waving her arms. "Can I talk to him?"

"No, you cannot."

"Why?"

"You are not authorized to visit the SGC without O'Neill present."

"This is ridiculous!" Haley huffed, and attempted to stare down Teal'c. It was a battle she quickly lost. Haley let out another large sigh, and quickly turned on the pouty face. "Teal'c," she said in her sweetest voice, "can't you just talk to General Hammond? Or better yet, I'll talk to him." Haley jumped up to grab the phone.

"I do not think that is wise. General Hammond has more pressing matters to deal with at this moment." Haley didn't know about the entire loss of SG-5, and Daniel's near fatal experience. Nor did she ever need to know.

"Nah, he loves me, T. When he says yes we can drive to the base so I can talk to my dad. You can't seriously expect me to not say a word to my dad, for THREE WEEKS?" Haley's lip quivered, "I didn't even get to say goodbye…" Tears began falling down her face, and Teal'c wrapped his arms around her, in an attempt at comfort. Haley gently pushed herself out of Teal'c's hug, and reached for the phone. "Just let me call the General."

Teal'c knew there was no stopping the girl, and nowhere in O'Neill's instructions had he mentioned that Haley was to stay away from the base and refrain from contacting him. Before he could respond, Haley was already connected to the base and asking for General Hammond.

"General Hammond, I need to talk to you in person. I know you're very busy… You're right, I probably don't know how to take no for an answer… Yes… Yes… No I haven't started it yet… I understand… Would you like to speak to him?" Haley handed the phone to Teal'c, who was then instructed to bring Haley to the base- after her homework was finished.

Haley was shown into General Hammond's office by an airman. "Haley, it's good to see you again," George smiled, and held out his arms for a hug.

"General Hammond!" Off-base he was practically a surrogate Grandfather, but Haley was very careful about being respectful while at the SGC. He did run the whole place, after all. The General motioned for Haley to have a seat. "Sir," Haley said, trying to sound very official, "I am putting in an official request to speak to my father." She raised her chin a bit, and widened her eyes, waiting to see how Hammond responded.

George sighed, knowing there wasn't anything he could say to change her mind. How could he refuse the girl of speaking with her father for the last time in several weeks? Not to mention the fact that if he said no Haley would probably never give up. "Your request is granted. Why don't you wait here while I have Walter dial up your father?"

"Thank you!" Haley squealed, and then added, "Sir. I will sit right here."

Haley had touched just about everything in Hammond's office, and was starting to get extremely bored by the time an airman summoned her to the control room. The sight of the active Stargate still managed to fascinate her. She wanted to swim in it. Sam had tried telling her how utterly impossible that was, but it didn't stop Haley's fantasies.

"Miss O'Neill, we have your father standing by," an airman addressed her, causing Haley to snap out of her haze.

"Oh, yes, thank you." Haley stepped over to chair the airman had pulled out for her, and took a seat in front of the screen. She looked at her father's face and started to wave, before realizing that he couldn't see her. "Hi Daddy."

"Hales."

"What happened? Teal'c told me you're on drugs."

"I did no such thing," was heard in the background of the control room.

"Well, not exactly. There was some machine thingy that put some kind of drug into the air. We became addicted to the planet within minutes."

"Are you stuck there?!" Haley gasped.

"Just for a few weeks. Carter's figured out how to turn the thing off in increments."

"Is it nice there at least?"

"Well… there's a beach…"

"So it's like… you're on vacation?"

"Well I wouldn't call it that-"

"You're on vacation! That is SO unfair!" Haley looked around and realized there were several eyes on her. She lowered her voice, "I guess when you get back you'll have to take me away somewhere." Jack just chuckled. "Heyyy."

"Listen, I want you to be good for T. He's doing us both a big favor." Haley nodded. "Haley?"

"Oh sorry, I forgot you can't see me. I'm nodding my head," she giggled.

"Right," Jack's tough façade broke for a moment as he allowed a quick smile.

"Umm… Daddy, Teal'c said something about you not wanting me to go out with my friends?" Haley wrung her hands, worried that she would not get the response she wanted. She so did not want to have to throw a fit in the control room.

"No you can hang out with your girl friends," Jack's face stayed neutral. If he was bluffing, he was doing a good job of it.

"Okay great, and my guy friends too, I already have plans for next weekend."

"Well, you'll just have to explain that your father is unexpectedly out of town, and you're unable to go out with them."

"Daddy," Haley whispered, trying not to draw too much attention. "It's bad enough that you've left me for a month," her voice rose at the last word, "but now you're going to keep me away from my friends? Please don't do this to me."

Jack sighed. "Fine Hales, I think we can work something out. I'll write up a list of rules for you and Teal'c to see, and I'll send it through with the next transfer tomorrow."

"What about tonight?" she was taking a chance; she had a feeling her father's patience was being tested at this point.

"You have to be back by 1000 hours or Teal'c will come hunting you down."

"Ten o'clock? How about midnight?"

"1030 hours."

"11:30?"

"1100 hours, take it or leave it."

"Taking it. Thank you." Haley smiled widely, and once again realized that she could not be seen. "So a month…"

"Yeah, it sucks, I'm really sorry that this had to happen."

"I'm going to miss you. Will you even remember what I look like by the time you're back?" Haley's nose started itching, a sure sign she was near tears.

"Haley I'm gone for a few weeks, not a few years. And I have your picture," Jack fished around in his pocket and held up a picture taken of himself and Haley.

"I'll miss you."

"You said that already. I'll miss you too."

"I guess I should let you go get back to whatever you were doing. Have fun."

"Yeah, fun," Jack grumbled. "Be good. I'm serious."

"I'm always good," Haley chirped.

"Yeah, I bet. Let me talk to T for a minute, you can go wait in the conference room or something."

"Okay, bye, I love you."

"Love you too." Haley felt the tears prickling at her eyes and ran up the stairs to the conference room. She was pretty worried about what the next few weeks would bring. Not that she didn't enjoy spending time with Teal'c, but there was no way this could lead to anything good for her social life…

Yes, I know it's short, but I wanted to get this chapter out before you even forgot what the heck is going on in the story. Please review! They make my day sunnier :)