I wasn't going to update today as I'm so busy at work but I really couldn't leave things the way they were. One more chapter today. Thanks again for the great comments!

After she left Daniel's office she decided to try and find someplace quiet to think, and possibly to read the letter. She felt so confused! Her feelings were all mixed up. She felt incredibly sad – and guilty – and yet she hadn't actually done anything. The alien being was showing her a possible choice, a possible future - at least that's what she thought – and not the actual future. So, how could she feel so guilty over something she hadn't really done?

The fact was that Sam knew it was very possible, even probable that this was a choice she could make, that it was in her to do what was being shown to her now.

God – it was just so perplexing. She didn't really know what to think. Maybe the letter would help? The other thing she wanted to know was what had happened to Jack in this – she didn't know how to describe it – this reality?, this view of a possible future?

Finally, she found a bench in a small park off to the side of the Mall and sat down. It took her a few minutes to gather her courage and open the letter. It was short and took only seconds to read – but, little did she know it at the time, they were seconds that would pave the way for her future.

She read:

Dear Sam (or I guess I should say Colonel):

It seems we could never get a break, eh? I guess I'm not surprised, I think I knew, deep down, that you were too good to be true. I just want you to know that I wish you happy, Sam. I could never wish you anything but the best. I'm so proud of all you are and all you've done. It's been an honor to serve with you. I know that you will do the Air Force – and our planet proud.

I hope that every once in a while, as you defeat the next evil threatening our world, you pause and remember your old CO. Have a beer and some pizza and maybe watch an old episode of the Simpsons – and remember the great times we had.

Take care Colonel.

Love,

Jack O'Neill

The tears wouldn't stop. She sat there for the longest time, reading and re-reading the letter.

"Damn you Jack! Damn you to hell! Why couldn't you be mean and vindictive and tell me how much you hated me for what I did to you? Why do you have be so understanding? Why do you think you deserve the bad that happens? You think I was too good for you, don't you? You were so wrong Jack O'Neill. You were too good for me."

After sitting on the bench for what felt like hours, Sam realized it was time to get moving. She didn't know what else the alien had in store for her. Was she to search out Jack and find him, or at least find out what had happened to him? She obviously wasn't returning to her own, present reality so there must be something left to do.

How to find Jack? she wondered. He had clearly cut himself off from former friends, at least those in the military or associated with it. She could do an internet search but his name wasn't that unusual and she could be chasing around forever.

As she pondered her next steps she suddenly realized something. Daniel had said he hadn't seen Jack again – but he didn't say he didn't know where he was. With that, she turned and hurried back to the museum. On arrival at the front desk she asked to see Daniel again. She waited for a few minutes until she saw him come out to see her himself.

"What is it Sam? What else can I help you with?"

"Daniel, do you know where Jack is? Do you know where he went?"

"Sam, it won't do you any good. Things have changed. Too much time has passed. Just leave it please."

"Daniel, tell me. Do you know where he is? I need to know. I have to find out what happened to him."

"Sam, I don't think you do. I think it's better that you leave things the way they are. It can only bring pain."

"Daniel!"

"Okay, yes. I know where he is, at least I sort of know. He did write me a couple of times to let me know he was okay. He didn't want to see me, or any of us. I think it was too painful, too much of a reminder of what he lost."

"Where is he Daniel – please tell me!"

"He's in Minnesota Sam."

"At his cottage?"

"No, he's in a place called Lakeland – it's outside of Minneapolis. The cottage was too remote."

"Do you have an address?"

"No, but it shouldn't be too difficult to find. Just look him up on-line. But Sam, there's something you need to know". Here he paused as if afraid to go on. "Jack is married."

Of all the things she thought could have happened to Jack this was the last thing she would have ever contemplated. How could he, she thought. How could he toss away what we had? She was so angry she … here she paused. What was she thinking? She was the one who had tossed everything away. How could she expect him to spend the rest of his life waiting for her. God, maybe turning her back on him was the best thing she could have done?

"I … see. Well, at least I know he didn't suffer too long after I left. I hope he's happy now." This was said with some bitterness, although she knew she was being unfair.

"Sam, he did suffer, for a long time. The couple of times I spoke with him I really worried that he didn't want to go on. I think the only thing that made him continue was something the aliens had said to him. I think he felt it was his duty .."

"Oh God", she interrupted. F#%k duty! It's what's screwed both our lives."

"Yes, well, ah in this case I think it's what helped him survive. Sam, he only met Jennifer a few years ago. They've been married for about 3 years. You're not going to look him up are you? I think it will just cause problems."

"I don't know Daniel. I don't know what to do. Thank you for everything. I'd better go now. Take care of yourself and give my love to Vala."

"Sam please, don't go. Come back and stay with us for awhile. You need some time. Please don't do anything foolish."

"Foolish! Sam Carter never does anything foolish, Daniel. My life is very carefully planned and mapped out, you know that. Don't worry. I'll be fine, but I really have to go."

She knew she had to get out of there. She needed to be alone to think. This latest news was a severe blow. Here she was thinking that something awful had happened to Jack and instead he was playing 'happy families'. God Carter, you are turning into a real bitch, she thought.

"I understand Sam. But please, remember we're here for you. If you need anything, anything at all, please let us know." Daniel gave her another hug and then watched as she headed back out onto the street.

Now what to do? She should just turn around and .. what? What could she do. She was still stuck in this timeline. Okay then, she would go and see Jack, see how he was and maybe get some closure.

It hadn't taken her long to find an address for Jack. There was only one J. O'Neill listed in Lakeland. She'd gotten a flight almost immediately to Minneapolis. It was too late, when she arrived, to head out so she stayed overnight in a hotel. The next morning, she rented a car and drove to Lakeland.

It didn't take her long to find the house. It was pretty – a white house with wooden siding and a big yard. It looked like a place Jack would live in, she thought. It was separated from its neighbors and almost felt like it was in the country. She laughed softly to herself ... it was also surrounded by big trees!

She sat for a while in her car but finally took a deep breath and opened the door. She then walked determinedly up to the front door. I'm a General, she thought (at least I am here and now). I'd better show some courage.

At the door she quickly pressed the bell and waited, her heart beating rapidly. Eventually, she heard footsteps and suddenly the door opened.

"Yes, can I help you?" asked a very pretty, and quite young, brunette.

"Ah, I was looking for Jack O'Neill."

"He's not here right now. Can I help you?"

"I'm an old friend of his. I just thought I'd drop by and say hi."

Suddenly, the woman at the door turned quite pale and grabbed the door jam as if she were going to fall.

"What's your name? Who are you?"

"My name is Sam Carter, I'm .." she didn't get a chance to finish as the woman let out a small sob.

"I knew you'd come one day. Why? Why did you come? Please just leave us alone. Just go. He's with me now. He loves me. You are not going to destroy my family!"

"Please, I don't mean to cause trouble. I didn't come here to destroy anything. I just wanted to speak with him and then I'll leave."

"You think its' that easy? You think you'll drop by and say hi and then go. No – you can't. Please just leave."

"But why. Why don't you want me to see him?"

"Because he still loves you. He's never stopped loving you. Don't you understand? If he sees you he will want you again. We have something good, something real but I know you are always in the back of his mind. You see, he was honest with me. He told me all about you. He's never lied. I knew, as long as you didn't come back, that we could have a good life together. You will just destroy that. Please, if you love him still, go. Don't destroy him again, don't destroy what we have."

The woman, Jack's wife (God that hurt) was sobbing almost hysterically by this time. Sam knew she had to leave. She couldn't hurt – Jennifer? And she couldn't hurt Jack. If what his wife said was true her appearing would only bring back his pain. He deserved to find happiness. That was the least she could do.

"I'm sorry. You're right, I'll go. I never wanted to hurt you or Jack. Don't worry, I won't come back. I'm glad you love him. Please keep loving him. He's a good man."

Not giving the other woman a chance to say anything more she turned and almost ran to the car. She knew she was about ready to break down and she needed to be alone.

She quickly drove away from the house, not looking back. After driving for a few blocks she finally pulled over, by a small park. She needed some time to get herself back together. She couldn't drive with tears running down her face and her heart breaking.

She got out of the car and sat on a nearby bench, taking deep breaths and trying to calm down. She glanced over to where there was a child's playground and saw a man playing with a small toddler, pushing him on the baby swing.

Something about the man caught her attention. Suddenly she gasped, realizing she was looking at Jack. Oh no. Not this, not now. Not only was he married, but he had a child. The little boy was giggling as his father pushed him. She could see that Jack was laughing along with his son.

When she looked closer she was shocked to see how young he looked. He would be in his early 60's by now and yet he looked to be in his late thirties. How could that be she thought? What was going on?

Nothing could have prepared her for the pain of this moment. Knowing that Jack was married had been a terrible blow. Seeing him with a son was harder than she could bear.

"No", she cried. "No, I don't want this. I don't choose this. This is not going to be. Whoever you are listen to me. You have shown me one choice and I will not take it. Take me back! Please take me back."

The world around her started to fade. She looked up, at the last minute, and saw Jack looking at her, his face frozen. She saw him call out her name and then everything went black.