Chapter 11
"What do you mean?"
"Remember after we returned from the meeting and we started dating? Remember when we talked about a new, bigger house for our family?"
"Yes; then a week ago you showed me some photos of some houses and I showed you which ones I liked."
"Exactly. Do you remember that small, five acre ranch? The one with the three bedrooms, two bathrooms and, how you said that this house would be perfect to renovate outward and up, since there is plenty of land."
"You mean this is the house?"
"Yep, I put my house up for sale and bought this place."
"Jack, how?" Jack put his finger up to her lips again.
"My hazardous duty pay over the years has been sitting in my bank for years, along with the money that I have won from the scratch offs and lotto ticket's that I get from Cassie every year for my birthday."
"But it is still going to cost a lot of money for the renovations."
"We can do it. So, would you like to see the house?"
"Yes" Jack bent down and picked up the flashlight and turned it on.
"The power isn't on."
"Ok."
He held onto her hand and showed her through the house as well as they could by flashlight.
"Wow, the place is big but it does need work done on it."
"True; how about we head back to your place?"
"Sure"
They blew out the candles and gathered them up and put them in the box that Jack had.
"Jack, exactly how much did you win with the scratch offs and lotto?"
"Enough to pay this place off in cash and to pay for about half of the renovations on this place" he said when they reached the truck and got in. Sam leaned over and gave him a kiss.
"I love you."
"I love you too Sam. Are you happy with the house?"
"Yes.
"Sweet; now we have heaps of planning to do."
"I know."
Jack started up the truck and they headed to Sam's house. They talk about what they wanted to do with the house. When they arrived at Sam's, they went inside and started to design the house on Sam's computer.
They worked on it until just after midnight and then they decided to call it a night. Sam saved the program and shut down her computer. She got up and followed Jack to the front door and opened it as he put on his jacket and they hugged and kissed before he left for home. Sam watched him go before she closed the door and locked up before she went and cleaned the coffee mugs and went to bed.
The next morning they arrived at the SGC at the same time and they parked next to one another. They got out and walked around the back of Jack's truck.
"Morning" Jack said smiling.
"Morning, Jack"
They hugged and kissed before walking to the first check point. A few minutes later they went to see General Hammond first. When they reached his office, the door was closed, so Jack knocked and waited.
"Enter" they opened the door and walked in.
They notice that there was no one else there, which was strange because he always had his door open unless he was in a private meeting. Jack closed the door behind him before turning around to look at his CO.
"Colonel, Major, what can I do for you?"
"Sir, is everything alright?" Sam asked.
"Yes, why?"
"Well, your door was closed and you're in here alone."
"I've got a lot on my mind."
"Sir, do you want to talk about it; it might help." he looked up at his two best officers, who he trusted.
"The alliance is in trouble."
"What? With whom?" then Thor and Councillor Trevell appeared.
"Thor, what's going on?"
"They think someone from the SGC has been stealing technology from our allies."
"What?" Jack and Sam said at the same time.
"Whoever they are, they have been wearing SGC uniforms" Hammond said.
"No way! Not us sir." Jack said.
"Rogue?"
"Major Carter?"
"Sorry Thor; sir, do you remember what happened last year with the Touchstone?" Jack and Hammond thought about what Sam said.
"Shit, they must still be at it but how are they getting the things back to Earth?"
"Thor, how big are the pieces that have been stolen?" Sam asked.
"They are small and they can fit into your pocket."
"That means that someone from this base is doing the picking up and delivery." Jack said.
"The question is who?"
"Thor, with what has happened, is this going to affect us becoming the Fifth Race?" Sam asked.
"Yes, I'm sorry." Jack and Sam sat down in the chairs. Sam looked up at them all and then she stood up and started pacing back and forth. She stopped suddenly and looked at Thor and at Hammond and smiled.
"Sir, I have a brilliant idea."
"Sam?"
"Sir, who ever it is from here must be forwarding any good information on to their boss about any technology we have from off world and who ever it is also has access to the files."
"Yes, we know that."
"Sir, when is SG2 due to go to PYX127?"
"This afternoon."
"I'll be right back."
Then she opened the door and ran out of the room. Jack closed it and looked at them.
"Her brain never sleeps" Jack said and Hammond smiled.
Sam went down to the control room and did some checking and wrote down some addresses. She returned to Hammond's office and once the door was closed she passed a sheet of paper to Thor.
"Thor, do you know any of these addresses?"
"Yes, this one, the fourth one. We gave them a cloaking device so they could hide from the Jaffa."
"Sir, SG8 is due to go off world this afternoon to this planet."
"Well, then we will cancel it."
"No sir, I've got an idea. Let them go. Thor how far away is this planet in question?"
"Three of your hours."
"Sir, I can go with Thor to the planet and wait until SG8 arrives and Thor can beam me down and I can watch them to see if it is any of them. I think the cloaking device will be the next target."
"Are you sure Major?"
"Thor, how big is the device?" Thor moved two stones and a device appeared on the desk.
"This is what it looks like" and they saw how small it was.
"Perfect bait, sir."
"Ok, then what?"
"Thor, can your ship detect a wormhole being formed?"
"Yes."
"Well then, if we can stay in orbit after SG8 has been there, all we have to do is wait."
"How long, Major?"
"I would say 24 hours sir."
"Then what?"
"Well, if someone comes through the wormhole, Thor can beam me down and, if it is the rogue unit, I can watch them dial their home base and I'll go through with them, with a homing beacon on me. Then Thor can track and follow my signal to the planet. I can find out who is behind the operation on that end and how they are communicating with their people here on Earth and then we've got them."
"Sam, how are we going to explain your disappearance?"
"Easy, we will have Thor beam me up, say while I an in the control room, for a few minutes and then he beams me back down again for me to tell you that the Asgard need me for one of my 'dumb' ideas sir. I could be away for a least a few days."
"Sir, it might work." Jack said.
"Ok, do what you need to do Major."
"Yes sir" and then she looked at Thor.
"Thor, I'll be in the control room this afternoon and you can beam me up then."
"When you are ready, press this button and we will be waiting."
"Ok, thanks Thor." He passed Sam a white stone and she put it into her pocket.
"Now Colonel, Major was there a reason why you are here?"
"Yes sir; I asked Sam to marry me last night and she said yes. W thought you should know sir."
"Congratulations, you just made my day. Have you got a ring?" Sam showed him her left hand.
"Wow, it's beautiful."
"Thank you, sir" Sam said.
"Would you like me to send a message to Jacob?"
"Crap!" Jack said.
"Don't worry Jack; I know how to handle Dad. Anyway Selmac will be on our side."
"I hope so Sam."
"Trust me."
"You know I do."
"If there is nothing else Colonel, your team will be ready to leave in an hour."
"Yes sir, for four days away. Oh well, I better pack my yoyo."
"If there nothing else, you are dismissed. Just remember, no one must know about this."
"Yes sir. We will see you guys later and good luck."
"Thank you O'Neill" and then Jack and Sam walked out of the office, closing the door behind them.
"Do you think that Major Carter's plan will work General Hammond?"
"Yes, and if it doesn't, she always has a back up plan."
"I have the most confidence in Major Carter's plan" Thor said.
"Same here Thor."