A/N: I was surprised that the end of the last chapter caused so many guesses as to who Jack called. I never intended for it to be a secret, but it was fun that it ended up being one.

Chapter 15

The first light of dawn was just starting to peek over the horizon when Jack pulled into a small roadside rest area on I-39. They'd traveled east out of Minnesota on I-94 then picked up I-39 south, west of Madison, Wisconsin. They'd been driving for just over four hours, putting as much distance between them and the cabin as possible, while making anyone trying to track them think heading east was their goal. Sam was currently asleep in the passenger seat, her head propped against the window, her face pinched from stress. She'd managed to stay awake until Jack had ordered her to try and get some rest.

Jack had known disappearing without help was going to be impossible. While they normally would have driven a few hours, ditched the truck, and hiked to the nearest town, he knew that would push Sam well past the point of exhaustion. She hadn't complained once, but her body was already showing serious signs of fatigue caused by the pregnancy. If there was any way to save her from further physical exhaustion, he was going to take it. Which meant he had to trust someone to help them, and there was only one person on Earth he'd trust with this.

"Carter," Jack said softly, easing to a stop and shifting the truck into park. He gently touched her shoulder, hating to wake her up. She'd finally succumbed to sleep not more than an hour ago and needed the rest. But they needed to keep moving. "Carter, we're here," he told her as her eyes fluttered open, the parking lot's overhead lighting making her blink. Her lack of instant alertness told him he was correct in his assessment of her physical condition and he needed to find them someplace safe sooner rather than later.

"Is John here yet?" Sam asked, pushing past the fatigue and forcing herself awake.

"Yah," Jack motioned to the left, indicating the person dressed in jeans and a hooded sweatshirt heading toward them. "Once we make the swap, I'll find us someplace safe to crash for a few hours. Promise," he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"I'm fine," she waved away his concern. "I am," she insisted at his silent look before climbing out of the truck and stretching.

"Jack. Carter," Jack's clone nodded as he walked up, handing Jack a set of keys. "It's the older, white GMC Yukon," he tilted his head toward a large SUV parked a few spots away. "Belongs to my elderly neighbor. He was letting me borrow it for a camping trip," he explained. "Plates won't raise any red flags, at least for the next week."

"The rest?" Jack asked, handing John the keys to his black Ford F350.

"Two burner phones," John handed him a large packet, "and enough cash to get you wherever you might need to go."

"Thanks," Jack pulled out his personal cell phone and handed it to John, Sam did the same. "Head to Chicago, ditch the phones first, then ditch the truck, leave a trail."

"Make it look good," John rolled his eyes. "I got it. Not my first rodeo, old man."

Despite the current situation, Jack found himself fighting back a smirk at his clone's attitude. It was easy to forget that the kid standing in front of him had all of Jack's knowledge and memories, but that was exactly why Jack knew he could trust him with this. John's feelings for Sam ran just as deep as Jack's did. He'd die before betraying her. It also helped that the IOA had no knowledge of John's existence.

"The only security cameras here are inside," John tilted his head toward the small restrooms. "Carter, go make sure you're accidentally caught on camera then head out the back. Jack will be waiting," he instructed her. "I'll make sure to drive the Ford past a few street cams heading east."

At Jack's nod, Sam turned and went back to the truck and pulled a thin metal vial out of her bag, then handed it, along with a thick white envelope, to John. "Don't open that until you're back home," she told him. "The contents are fairly self-explanatory."

"What is it?" John eyed it warily, then looked at her, hoping for some sort of context.

"Consider it an insurance policy," Sam replied cryptically. "And whatever you decide to do with it, know that you have my blessing," she smiled warmly at him, then started walking toward the small building before he could ask anything else.

"What was that all about?" John arched an eyebrow at Jack.

"Honestly, I have no idea," Jack replied, his lips pressing into a firm line. Sam had already stolen the Asgard communications device without telling him, so at this point, he had no idea what else she'd done. But ultimately, he trusted her and that was enough.

"Keep her safe," John ordered, slipping the metal vial and envelope into his front pocket while Jack retrieved his and Sam's bags.

"Always," Jack replied, slinging the bags over his shoulder and trusting John to help him do just that.

The Edge O' the Woods Motel was a one-story structure with outdoor access to all the rooms. It was located just off the highway on a frontage road that provided several avenues for a quick escape, if such a need arose. But more than anything, Jack knew it had clean rooms and comfortable beds, having stayed there on occasion when he and some spec ops buddies met up to hike the nearby state park. Even better, the owners had no issues accepting cash without requiring identification.

The clerk hadn't said a word when Jack requested an end room and handed the man enough money for two nights. He and Sam wouldn't be here any longer than it took to catch a few hours of sleep, but no one needed to know that.

"Room 110," Jack told Sam, handing her an old fashioned door key and motioning her to follow him inside.

Despite the aging exterior, the inside was bright and clean. A dark-blue bedspread covered the king bed, which sat in the middle of a nice-sized room. If Sam was opposed to there being only one bed, she kept it to herself as she sat down to unlace her shoes and tugged them off. Without saying a word, she stripped down to her sports bra and panties and climbed under the covers.

Jack hadn't specified one bed. Truthfully, he hadn't thought much beyond wanting a defensible room, which was a testament to how exhausted he was. Despite his extensive training and experience, surpassing the sixty hour mark with no sleep was pushing it, even for him.

"Get in bed, sir," Sam mumbled the order when Jack didn't immediately join her.

"Carter, I…" he wanted to apologize for the oversight, but she wouldn't let him.

"The disruptor only works for a three-foot radius," her voice was slightly slurred as she explained. "We'd have to share a bed anyway."

The argument was logical enough that he wasn't going to protest. Stripping down to his boxers and t-shirt, he tugged back the covers and slipped in beside her. It wasn't like this was the first time they had shared a bed; although a tent off-world seemed like a far cry from a comfy mattress. But who was he to debate the difference? That type of philosophical comparison was much more Danny's thing than his.

Sam's soft snore drew his attention. She'd succumbed to the desperate need for sleep almost immediately. Shifting onto his side, Jack wiggled closer and wrapped an arm around her waist, his hand resting against her stomach. For safety, he told himself, tucking her tightly against him. Closing his own eyes, Jack finally allowed sleep to claim him.