Stargate Command
Colorado Springs, CO
November 19, 1999

Meetings had never been Jack's favorite pastime, especially when they were boring and attended by scientists, brass or politicians. That had been exactly the way he'd been forced to spent the past couple of hours. A team leaders meeting here, a briefing for a scientific mission there, a team debriefing that lasted all through lunch, a meeting with the CMO, Davis, and Hammond about Sam, then a quick trip to Utcha to negotiate assistance in helping them rebuild the way Sam had and a debrief with the brass about it when he got back. He was so ready to go home, but instead he had to wait for an okay after a quick post-mission exam because of his off-world trip.

Lieutenant Rush headed his direction, her eyes on a chart but expertly avoiding bumping into anyone in the crowded infirmary. "Colonel O'Neill," she said as she reached him, smiling. "The Doctor said you're cleared to leave."

"Finally," he muttered, sliding off the bed he'd been sitting on. He was about to leave when he realized the time and grabbed her by the elbow as he moved on. "Uh, do you know if Captain Carter has already left? I was told she could probably leave the quarantine today."

"She's still here, Sir. Doctor Fraiser is in with her now."

"Thanks." Jack felt relief wash over him as he left the infirmary and headed for the quarantine room, having worried all day that she'd slip out while he was stuck in yet another meeting or off-world. Of course, there was still the possibility that Fraiser would keep Sam and her daughter on base for a little while longer, just not quarantined. The CMO hadn't made that decision yet when they last spoke. Taking a deep breath, he walked up to the door and knocked.

"Enter."

The heavy door opened rather easily and Jack did a double take at the sight that greeted him; the plastic bubble was being dismantled by Siler and his crew, but more surprisingly was Sam standing in the middle of the room, wearing olive drab BDUs. "Hey."

"Oh look, it's Colonel O'Neill."

Jack ignored the Doc's tone and knowing look, instead clasping his hands together and smirking, "So, what's the verdict?"

"Doctor Fraiser got the latest test results and there's no reason for concern, so the quarantine was lifted," Sam said.

"Cool."

"Very 'cool' indeed, Sir," Fraiser said, rolling her eyes.

He took a quick glance around the room until he located Ife, wrapped in a quilt on the bed, and turned back to Sam. She didn't seem happy, or even excited, at the prospect of being released. "Does that mean you're free to go?"

Sam nodded slowly, looking a little forlorn. "We can stay here the night and maybe get personal quarters on level twenty-five tomorrow. I hope I can speak to General Hammond over the weekend to decide our next course of action. My dad apparently terminated the lease on my apartment after I 'died', although I'm not even sure DC would be an option right now…"

"I would like to keep you a little closer to home," Fraiser said. "Just in case."

She chuckled mirthlessly, shaking her head. "That is exactly the problem – 'home'. I don't have a home anymore. Knowing my Dad, he probably sold everything I had and now I have nothing left, not even the things I brought back from off-world. Hell, I don't even have clothes of my own!"

Jack winced at her little outburst, but he couldn't blame her. The offer left his mouth before he even thought it through, "You can stay at my place."

Both women stared at him, stunned into silence.

"What? It's a good idea. I have plenty of room. You don't have your place in DC anymore, your Dad is gone, you were declared dead and haven't had any income the past two and a half years… no bank accounts, credit cards or even cash, I imagine." The more Jack thought about it, the more sense it made. She'd understand. "You told me you don't have any friends in the area… Well, maybe Daniel but I don't know if you've seen his apartment – it's like a museum, with artefacts everywhere, including boxed up items in the guest room and I'm not entirely convinced his own bed isn't covered in them considering how often he stays on base."

"That's true, actually," Fraiser said. "That apartment is no place for a guest, never mind a little one."

He nodded, "Not safe for a kid."

"And your brother lives in San Diego."

"Yeah," Sam said, sighing. "We weren't close before… everything. Even if he were to invite me over, I don't think it's a good idea to take Ife aboard a plane or across several states."

The Doc nodded in agreement, clearly worried that they'd go somewhere where she couldn't keep an eye on their health. "Maybe you could stay with Catherine."

Sam shook her head immediately. "No, I don't want to impose. She's busy enough and also has Ernest…"

"Look," Jack said, "I live only twenty minutes from the base, the house is semi-secluded, there's a yard and I have an extra guest room."

"I'll just go check on my other patients," Fraiser said, after giving Sam an inquiring look. "I'll be back later to see what you've decided."

"Okay."

He got concerned when Sam crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked ill at ease. But he could also tell from the look on her face that she wanted to speak to him in private, so he waited until Fraiser had corralled Siler and company into the corridor and closed the door behind her. "I wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it."

Sam opened her mouth to object, but he cut her off.

"I could pay for a hotel room or ask Hammond to arrange a way for the Air Force to foot the bill for a place to stay temporarily, but do you really think that's a good idea after everything you've been through? And what about your little girl?"

"Jack, I just don't know if this is a good idea…"

He closed the distance between them and waited until she looked up, her blue gaze locking with his own. "It's just a place to stay. Nothing more."

"But-"

"Sam," he said, smiling, "I just want to help you out. You need somewhere to stay, the sooner the better I imagine, and I have enough space for you and Ife."

She bit her lip and avoided his gaze, looking to where her daughter was sleeping. "Okay. I'll take you up on your offer, but I want you to be honest with me and say something if it becomes too much."

Somehow, he doubted that would be the case. "Sure, I promise."

Topside
Stargate Command
Colorado Springs, CO

Sam's stomach was all tied up in knots by the time they reached the final security check and she could see the exit. The same door she'd entered nearly two and a half years ago, completely unaware of the nightmare her life would turn into only hours later. She tightened her grip on Ife as Jack and Doctor Fraiser spoke to the SFs at the security check to sign out.

When they came back, the Doctor smiled at a sleeping Ife. "The mild sedative I gave her will last for a few hours, long enough to take her home and settled in bed. Based on her sleeping patterns so far, I wouldn't be surprised if she only wakes up briefly and sleeps through the rest of the night."

"Okay, thanks again," Sam said.

"The Colonel made a good point about possible distress if she wakes up and sees the strange world around her. Just the traffic and loud noises could be enough to unsettle her. There's no reason we can't spare her that a little longer. It will be better for her to get used to her surroundings in baby steps, starting with the Colonel's home."

Jack reached out and rearranged the quilt around Ife, "The airmen told me it just stopped snowing, but it's still cold outside."

Sam shivered at the mention of snow. The BDUs she'd been given were too large and didn't offer much protection against the cold. She hoped Jack's car wasn't at the back of the parking lot. "It's been a while since we've been out in the snow. Normally, we'd have our pelts or fur coats for warmth."

"And I'll make sure you get them back once they've been properly examined for pests and other carriers, Captain," the CMO said. "Well, I've got to go back. Please follow the medical advice you've been given. That goes for you too, Colonel."

"Sure," he said.

"I know you tend to play fast and loose with the recommendations and guidelines you're given, Sir, but the dietary advice is especially important for the Captain and Ife. No processed foods or alcohol, stick to bottled water and only drink organic juices, coffee and tea. Small meals consisting of organic fruits, vegetables and nuts only for now."

Jack raised his hands in supplication. "I heard you the first time, Doc. I'll make sure to buy healthy and unprocessed foods only. Trust me, I don't want either of them to get sick or worse."

"The same goes for toiletries and cleaning products they might get in touch with," Doctor Fraiser continued.

"Natural, organic… stuff," he said, nodding.

In the past few days, Sam had suffered a similar albeit milder reaction to products she'd used as Ife had earlier. The rash had been inconvenient as hell, but she'd also gotten physically ill from something she'd eaten – perhaps the jello Jack had smuggled in – or a product she'd used. "No synthetic or dyed fabrics either," she said and patted her pocket, "I've got the list."

"There's a store in the mall that sells clothes made from organic and naturally dyed cotton," Fraiser said.

"Right, we'll need to go shopping."

Sam smiled at the face he made and felt herself relax a bit. Aside from the prospect of shopping, he really didn't seem to mind taking her and Ife in – temporarily. She'd hoped to be able to spend some time with him, get to know him better, before telling him the truth about Ife, but she hadn't expected to live with him. "I think we're all set," she said softly. "Thank you, Doctor Fraiser."

The petite Doctor nodded, a small smile on her face. "Call if you need anything and you," she turned to Jack, "keep me posted."

"You two can make a follow-up appointment next week," Jack said, gesturing for Sam to head towards the exit. "We'll be fine, Doc."

"Bye."

Together, Sam and Jack continued down the corridor until they reached the exit.

"Why don't you and Ife wait here while I get the truck," he said.

Almost ten minutes later the SF on guard gave her a signal when Jack got back and she took a deep breath before stepping outside. It was cold and getting dark, but the icy wind was literally a breath of fresh air. She'd spent so long living off-world that being cooped up inside was a strange experience, made worse by the recycled air and air conditioning.

Jack got out of the truck before she could move and jogged over to her side, pulling open the door to the backseat. He indicated the installed car seat and smiled sheepishly. "Dixon's got three kids, so I asked him if we could borrow one from his car when you and Fraiser were going over your meds and diet. Took me a few minutes to install it in the truck."

"I hadn't even thought of a car seat."

"Let me?" He asked, reaching for Ife.

Sam let him take her from her arms, watching as he gently lifted their daughter into the seat and buckled her up. He looked like he knew what he was doing – of course, those things were made to be easy in use. She sighed, trying to stop herself from overthinking. What she needed was a good night's sleep, preferably one without the interruptions of medical personnel and equipment.

Jack turned back to her, smiling. "All done."

She looked around, taking in their surroundings as he returned to the driver's seat. Up until now, it hadn't felt like she was back on Earth but seeing the parking lot, concrete base and familiar landscape made it feel… real.

The moment was broken when Jack opened the passenger door from inside the cab, leaning forward with a questioning look on his face. "Sam? You gonna get in?"

"Yeah." She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the cold and polluted air, finally feeling like she was home.

"Everything okay?" He asked, once she was seated next to him.

Sam looked out of the window as he drove towards the checkpoint. "Yeah," she said, glancing back at him. "It might sound strange, but I missed the smell of wet asphalt."

"I know it's a bit chilly, but you can roll down the window if you want. Get some fresh air."

They drove in silence for a while, Sam splitting her attention between the icy breeze hitting her face as she looked out the window and twisting in her seat to check on Ife, while Jack focused on the road.

He was the one who broke the silence. "We need to get some groceries," he said.

"Oh, okay."

"I plan on following the Doc's plan to the letter, but right now there's nothing but beer and spoiled milk in my fridge."

She chuckled softly, reminded of her own bad habits back when she'd been working at the Pentagon. "You could go tomorrow, it's not like we need anything tonight but sleep. Unless you want something, of course."

Jack didn't say anything until they reached a small grocery store and he'd parked the car. Then, he turned to her, his eyes dark and serious. "I'd rather pick up some stuff now, just in case. It won't take long." Hesitantly, he reached out and patted her knee. "Why don't you stay here with Ife? I'll be right back."

"Yeah, sure." Somehow, he'd sensed her apprehensiveness and she was grateful for the out he gave her. The idea of going into a small grocery store with other people made her nervous. What if she was expected to make small talk? She hadn't been very good at trivial conversation before she'd left Earth and she was pretty sure her skills hadn't improved over the past two years. "It'll take time," she said aloud, looking over to where Ife was still fast asleep.

"I got us some basics," Jack said when he got back into the truck, having stowed the bag of groceries next to her bag of baby stuff – stuff he'd paid for, actually – in the back. After putting the seat belt on he peered at the backseat, a gentle smile on his face, "She still asleep?"

Sam nodded, watching him and mentally comparing his features to Ife's. "Yeah. I think Doctor Fraiser is right, Ife probably won't wake up until early in the morning."

He started the engine and drove off. "Probably for the best."

The sun had set by the time they reached Jack's house and while Sam couldn't see much of it from the outside, she had to admit the location was definitely better than a hotel or apartment somewhere. It was quieter and there were trees and grass, which would be more familiar and soothing to Ife than a concrete jungle.

Jack told her to wait in the truck while he went to the front door, unlocked it and turned on the lights in the hallway. Then he came back, headed for the backseat and after a moment of fiddling, lifted the car seat out of the truck.

Sam got the bags from the back and followed him and Ife into the house, blinking against the bright lights in the kitchen.

"Just put the grocery bag on the counter, I'll take care of it later. Let's get you and Ife settled in the bedroom first."

The bedroom turned out to be the master bedroom and not the guestroom. Sam hesitated on the step, scanning the room and concluding it was indeed his bedroom. "Jack?"

He set the car seat down next to the bed and rubbed the back of his neck in discomfort. "It's not what it looks like, Sam."

"It looks like your bedroom."

"Well, yeah. That's true," he said. "When I was buying groceries I realized that the bed in the guest room hasn't been made yet and the sheets have been gathering dust lately. I'd need to wash them first and they didn't have organic laundry detergent or whatever at the grocery and I didn't want to go out looking for a store that did."

"Okay…"

He sighed and gestured at the dark comforter on his bed. "I changed my sheets over the weekend and this is actually the first time I made it home this week, so the bed's barely been slept in. You could sleep on the comforter and use the quilt as a blanket if you'd prefer."

Sam frowned, feeling tired and confused. "You're offering me your bed?"

"It's bigger than the one in the guest room, so these sheets won't fit. It would take another couple of hours to wash and dry the correct sheets, plus it would probably make your rashes flare up again."

"You're right," she said, absentmindedly scratching at the rash on her arm.

Jack still had an apologetic look on his face. "I know this isn't what we agreed but I swear I don't have any… dishonorable intentions, or something."

Sam chuckled and made a dismissive wave with her hand. "I believe you. Don't worry about it. Right now, looking at Ife, all I want to do is sleep."

"Well," he smirked, "go right ahead. The bathroom is over there and here are some clothes you can wear. They might be a bit big, but I imagine they're more comfortable than those scrubs you've been wearing. We'll have to look into getting you some clothes this weekend. Maybe Fraiser or someone on base has a catalog you can order stuff from, so you don't have to go out. Damn, should have thought of that sooner."

"It's fine, really."

"Sure?"

She smiled and took the shirt and sweat pants he'd offered her, placing them on the foot of the bed. "Yeah, I'm sure. We'll work something out. Thank you, Jack."

He looked genuinely puzzled, "For what?"

"For offering us a place to stay," she said, lifting Ife from the car seat. "Your own bedroom, nonetheless."

"Oh, don't mention it. I'll be fine."

She wished him a good night, even though she knew he wouldn't turn in until much later and started getting ready for bed. Getting Ife into pajamas was more difficult than it had seemed at first, mostly because the little girl was used to loose clothing and not the restrictive clothes they had on Earth. Even being sedated didn't make it any easier.

Eventually, Sam got Ife dressed and, after a moment of hesitation, between the sheets, placing the quilt Catherine had made for her on the foot of the bed. Sam rearranged the pillows to ensure Ife wouldn't fall out of bed and went into the bathroom to clean herself up. It was a real man's bathroom with few products and no extra toothbrushes, so Sam used Jack's. Not like she hadn't done that before, she thought.

After getting changed into the T-shirt he'd given her, she crawled between the sheets. The bed was better than the one in the infirmary and much more comfortable than anything she'd slept on since leaving Earth. Sam snuggled into the pillow and comforter – they smelled faintly of Jack – and let out a sigh of contentment, feeling safe and warm.