A/N: Okay, so I couldn't leave this alone. I want to stretch this out at least until Daniel and Teal'c find out. So, sorry guys. But hey, I might stretch to some smut if I get enough requests. Reviews are appreciated, 'cos this is my first 'full-length' fic. (Yes, I know they're short chapters, etc. etc. I'm trying!) Enjoy!

The sun was creeping across an azure sky as Jack pulled up outside Carter's house. It was cloudless – for the moment – and the sunlight seemed pale and watery, but it was bound to heat up later. Killing the engine, he steeled himself before climbing out of his truck, and walking up the path across her front lawn to the little house she rented.

He'd always thought it looked a little too... quaint for Carter. Yeah, that was definitely the word; it even had a white picket fence, for cryin' out loud. Not that it was her choice, he reasoned. The Air Force paid part of her rent and had made sure the house was ready even before she'd relocated to Colorado Springs. Of course, she'd had the choice to move in the 8 years since then, but seeing as she spent most of her time on-base of off-world, what would be the point? Pete had probably felt the same as he had about the house, he realised suddenly, or he wouldn't have bought her another one. Or maybe he had, and it was just bigger and quainter. Either way, he should've told her about it beforehand. He almost shook his head in disgust.

Standing up a little straighter than usual, he knocked twice on the door, sharply. He heard her yell 'Coming, Sir' – still referring to him by rank! - but the door was opened a second later by a man instead.

Jack had never met Mark, Sam's brother, or even heard much about him. When Sam did mention him it was mostly in relation to his feud with Jacob – or worse, in relation to Pete. He didn't look much like her, more like Jacob, with the same dark brown eyes. Taller, though, and with a longer face.

"Hi there. Mark, I presume?" He stuck out a hand, smiling and looking around Mark's shoulder. "Jack O'Neill. Is Carter ready yet?"

They'd all four agreed yesterday that Jack and Sam would go up to the cabin early to set everything up. Not that he'd wanted to put them in close proximity together off-base – this was before the revelations of last night, when a few hours alone in a truck with Carter would have killed him. Both of them, in fact – but otherwise she'd have been stuck in the back seat of Daniel's new sports car, Teal'c having shotgunned the passenger seat as soon as he'd heard about it. He'd offered to take her up in his truck (a more comfortable journey, if a little earlier) and been surprised when she'd accepted.

"I've been in the back seat of one of those things before, Sir, and it's not something I'd like to repeat." She'd said, followed by an 'Indeed' from Teal'c that had had Daniel laughing as Sam and Jack had exchanged shy smiles.

So here he was, as promised, coming to pick her up. Except maybe now the journey wouldn't be so hard.

Mark frowned a little, but shook the proffered hand. Jack didn't know if he'd heard about Pete yet, but either way this might not look so good – an older man coming to whisk Sam away the day after her father died.

"She's just finishing up. You're her boss, right?"

"Well, technically, yes, but–" He was interrupted by Sam appearing in the hall.

"All set, Sir." She said, grinning as she saw him smile at her appearance, then turning to Mark. "You have a key, don't you? Okay, I might be out of touch for a few days..." she looked at Jack, "Is there phone signal there?"

"Nope. I think there's a payphone at the gas station in town, though." It was totally isolated, and that's why he loved it so much. She'd love it too, if she finally managed to get there. She was still going over things with Mark.

"... If you feel like going out with the kids when they get here, there's a great zoo. The flyer's on the refrigerator..." As if Mark didn't live in San Diego. "...I'll check my messages a couple of times when I'm there, so call if you need me." Her voice dropped. "Are you sure it's okay if I go?"

Mark almost smiled. Almost. It was understandable – his Dad had died less than 24 hours ago.

"You go. I'll be fine."

She nodded, smiled nervously, hugged Mark, and made to pick up her bag. Jack had already picked it up, and was smiling at Mark. He gave a half-salute to the man before he turned and followed Sam to his truck.

When he joined her in the cab he gave her a long look, staring into her big blue eyes.

"You can stay if you want. If you need to be with him. I'll just tell Daniel and Teal'c you needed some time with your family. They'd understand, if that's what you wanted."

She flashed him a smile, though her eyes were a little watery.

"You're what I want, Sir."

He laughed, and started the truck. Her words from last night sounded even better repeated in the daylight. Maybe this was what she needed after all.

"So," he said, as he pulled off the curb. "Ever been fishing before?"

"No, but it doesn't seem all that hard."

"Not in my pond, it isn't."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're smart, Carter. You'll figure it out when we get there." She rolled her eyes. There was a comfortable pause.

"Jack?"

"Sam?"

"What time did Daniel say they'd get there?"

"Well, I think he said something about setting off at 11 in between all the talk about horsepower and miles per gallon. With his driving skills, I'd say about 4pm. Why?"

She ignored the question and checked the clock on his dash. 9.15.

"Good, that means we have plenty of time." She said, the corners of her mouth wrinkling upwards.

"Enough time for what?" said Jack carefully, though he had a rough idea.

She smiled, her expression and tone suddenly innocent, and said "You're smart, Jack. You'll figure it out when we get there."

It was going to be a hard journey after all.