Matthew shifted restlessly on Daniel's lap, the small hand which had maintained its clutch on his forearm even in sleep tightened reflexively as the boy dreamed.

He gently stroked the child's temple with his free hand. "Shhhh…." Whatever demons had haunted the boy's dreams receded, and he relaxed back into Daniel's arms.

Only Daniel was fairly certain he knew the nature of Matthew's nightmares. No child should have to go through what he had been through in the last few days, especially not one so young. Awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of gunfire and the scream of death gliders, Daniel would never forget the terror on Matthew's face when he had pulled him from his blankets or the desperation with which the boy had clung to him as they'd tried futilely to escape into the nearby woods.

At least whomever their captors were - and Daniel could make a fairly good guess - weren't unnecessarily cruel; they hadn't tried to separate him from Matthew. Yet. He'd even been allowed to carry the boy clasped in his arms as they'd been rounded up and led quickly without ceremony or explanation through the Stargate, onto awaiting transports, and then to this small room in which they now sat.

Daniel glanced around them. In his estimation, about half the camp's original population was locked in with them; he had no idea what had become of the rest, but he hoped they had simply been taken to another cell. No one seemed injured beyond a few minor bruises and scratches - the operation against them had been too quick and successful for anything even remotely resembling a proper resistance.

His arms tightened around the small child who felt so light and insubstantial on his lap. And who had no business being anywhere near anything like this place. But here he was. Daniel was just glad Matthew didn't have to be here alone. Even if it meant being here with him.

He kissed the top of the boy's hair before resting his cheek on top of the small blond head and closing his own eyes. Daniel needed to get some sleep himself. If he knew the boy's parents at all... and he knew them extremely well… they wouldn't have long to wait.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Jack pushed back from the console. He had talked to every last contact he could think of, asking them to keep their eyes and ears open for any news concerning the missing humans. There was nothing else - right now - he could do. Yet it didn't seem nearly enough.

He knew nothing would until Matthew was safely back home where he belonged.

But, for the moment, he knew there was nothing they could do but wait and trust someone - somewhere - would get a lead. The galaxy was a big place, but functionally at least, it wasn't really that big. Not anymore.

He stood up and headed back to the ship's bridge where the subdued lighting and strange crew reminded him that he had heard the bells for third watch some time earlier. And, in fact, that Sam had stopped by the office he had been using on her way back to her quarters to suggest he consider turning in soon himself.

That had been several hours ago.

The young captain in charge of the watch jumped to her feet as he entered the bridge. "General O'Neill." Even after so many years, Jack still hated that. He must have looked fairly lost, though, or perhaps very tired, because she quickly continued, "Sir, would you like an escort to your quarters?"

He nodded gratefully, too exhausted both physically and emotionally to even pretend he had a chance of finding his own way given directions. "Yes, thank you, Captain."

"No problem, Sir." She turned and gestured to an NCO standing at a nearby panel. "Sergeant Phoenix, please escort the General to his quarters."

Jack followed the sergeant from the bridge and through the labyrinth of corridors which, even after all the time he'd spent on Earth starships, still confused the hell out of him. It wasn't until they were nearing their destination that he realized where they were headed.

"Sergeant?"

"Yes, Sir?"

"These are Colonel Carter's quarters. If I'm staying here, then where…?"

The younger man paused briefly in the corridor, clearly confused. "Sir… I think everyone just assumed…."

"Assumed what?"

"Well… That you'd be staying with your wife, Sir."

"With…. My…?"

The sergeant smiled, and despite his exhaustion Jack couldn't help suspecting it was the same slightly condescending look he'd normally seen reserved for old men playing chess in the park. Or nursing home residents. "You've been out of the field a long time, Sir, haven't you?" He'd been correct, then. He waited silently for the kid to continue. "Well, welcome to the new military…. And don't think you're getting special treatment, Sir. There are three other couples on this ship sharing quarters at this very moment."

And with that surprising bit of news, as they had reached the door to Sam's quarters, the NCO wished him a good night's sleep and headed back down the hall.

Jack entered quietly, not wanting to disturb Carter, and was mildly surprised to find his duffle sitting inside the door waiting for him. Not having to carry his own gear anymore was one of the very few benefits to being a general officer he'd found truly useful. Opening the bag, he grabbed what he needed before going to wash up and change in the room's small private head. Within minutes, he was slipping into bed beside his sleeping wife.

At least, he'd thought she was sleeping.

"Surprised?" she asked as he settled under the covers.

"Very. I must have missed a memo."

She rolled over to face him. The smile his slight attempt at humor had brought out barely touched her eyes, but at least it was something. She slid her arms around him, and he pulled her close. For several long moments they lay entwined together until she finally broke the silence with the question he'd been expecting. "Did you check with everyone?"

"Yeah…. No one had news. But they promised to keep their ears open and to get back to us if they heard anything."

Her sigh whispered against his neck. "So… we wait."

It wasn't a question, but he answered it anyway. "Yes." He kissed her forehead, and she tilted her chin up to him. Accepting the offer, he bent his head to hers, claiming her lips with his own. When their mouths separated after several long moments, he observed, "I like the new Air Force, by the way."

This time he got a chuckle despite everything. Rolling over in his arms, she molded her body to his. "I love you, Jack."

"Love you, too, Carter."

"And I'm glad you're here."

"Me too."

They lapsed into silence, and within minutes her steady breathing told him she slept. Despite his exhaustion, though, Jack hadn't really expected to sleep. At least, not any time soon. But lying there in the dark, Sam so wonderfully and unexpectedly in his arms, the steady beat of her heart a counterpoint to his, he fell asleep only moments later himself.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

A/N: The military has, in fact, started to allow married couples deployed to the same place to share quarters. "They've" discovered (cause "they're" brilliant that way) that giving people as much time to spend with their families and loved ones as possible - even in combat zones - is actually good for mental stability and, in fact, leads to unit cohesion rather than destabilization. Or, in other words, in reference to the old joke, "If the military wanted you to have a family, they'd have issued you one…," now, they kind of have.