It was nearing midnight, and the office was quiet save for the hum of Sam's computer. The stack of reports she'd been reviewing sat untouched as she focused on her email. An urgent notification pinged on her screen, its red-highlighted subject line making her stomach twist: Security Alert: Unauthorized Access Detected.
Frowning, she clicked the message detailing a breach attempt in CQS's most secure database. Her eyes scanned the report, her heartbeat quickening as she recognized a line of code flagged in the alert. She hadn't seen it in years—classified encryption from a long-buried Stargate mission.
Before she could process the implications, her phone buzzed on the desk. The number was unlisted, but an instinct told her to answer.
"Dr. Carter," came a distorted voice on the other end, mechanical and unrecognizable.
Her blood ran cold. "Who is this?"
"I hope you've enjoyed playing scientist, Doctor," the voice continued, dripping with mockery. "But some secrets don't stay buried. You should've been more careful."
Sam stood, her heart pounding in her chest.
"What do you want?"
The voice chuckled darkly.
"What I want is irrelevant. It's what you've done that matters. And now, you'll pay for it."
The line went dead before she could respond.
Sam immediately called her head of cybersecurity.
"I need a full diagnostic on our systems. Focus on the Quantum Archive—everything we've built in the last two years. Look for any traces of external interference."
As her team scrambled to respond, Sam stared at the flagged code. It was unmistakable—Project Phoenix, a black-ops mission buried years ago. The implications hit her like a freight train.
Whoever was behind the breach wasn't just after her company. They were after her.
Her phone buzzed the screen lighting up with an unknown number. The message was brief, its implications suffocating: You can't hide forever. Attached was a clear photo of Jack's house, the timestamp glaring: Today, 4:32 PM.
A chill crawled up her spine, and the once-familiar hum of her computer now felt oppressive, like the clock ticking she couldn't stop. Sam's grip on her phone tightened as her stomach twisted. The familiar boundaries she had carefully constructed—between her past, work, and family—collapsed under the weight of that single image.
Before she could spiral, hurried footsteps in the hallway made her look up. A moment later, Natalie, her COO, appeared in the doorway. Her tailored suit was slightly rumpled, but her expression was calm and focused.
"Sam, I just got word from security," Natalie said, her voice steady. "What's going on?"
Sam gestured to the screen. "We've had a breach. Someone's targeting the Quantum Archive, and it's not just a competitor. This is personal."
Natalie's sharp gaze flicked to the screen, her expression hardening. "Have you notified anyone outside the company?"
Sam shook her head. "Not yet. I've called cybersecurity to trace the breach, but this goes deeper than our systems. They sent me a photo of Jack's house."
Natalie's eyes widened briefly before narrowing with resolve.
"Then we're not just dealing with a corporate threat. We're dealing with someone willing to cross lines." She stepped closer, her voice softening. "Sam, I know you're thinking of handling this alone, but you don't have to. Let me help."
Sam exhaled shakily. "I'm trying to separate my work and personal life, Natalie. But they've merged, and I don't know how to fix it."
Natalie placed a hand on Sam's shoulder.
"First, we secure your family. Then, we deal with the breach. You've built an incredible company, Sam. It's resilient because you've made it that way. Trust your team to handle this while you focus on what matters most right now."
Sam nodded, her eyes meeting Natalie's.
"I trust you."
Natalie smiled. "You'd figure it out. But lucky for you, you don't have to. Let me coordinate things here, and we'll talk later," she said, leaving Sam's office.
Minutes later, a knock at her office door made Sam jump.
"Dr. Carter?" her assistant's voice came through, hesitant. "There's... someone here to see you."
"Who?" Sam asked, her voice steadier than she felt.
Her assistant hesitated.
"They didn't give a name. But they said you'd know why they're here."
Sam's pulse thundered as she stood, her gaze darting to the security feed on her computer. The camera outside her office showed a figure standing in the shadows, face obscured.
She didn't need to see their face to know they weren't here for business.
Sam hesitated, her hand hovering over the door handle to her office. Her assistant had already scurried away, clearly unnerved by the figure waiting in the shadows of the corridor.
Her heart raced as she pushed the door open. The figure stepped into the light—a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a black coat and a baseball cap pulled low over his face.
"Dr. Carter," he said, his voice cold and steady.
Sam closed the door behind her, her body tense. She hadn't seen that face in more than a decade.
"What do you want?"
The man removed his cap, revealing sharp, calculating green eyes. His face was familiar, and something about his demeanor sent a chill down her spine.
"Nice to see you again, too, Samantha," Tristan Kane said, his lips curling into a faint, humorless smile. "And what I want is simple: access."
"Access to what?" Sam asked, crossing her arms to mask the unease in her voice.
"You know exactly what I mean." Kane stepped closer, and Sam instinctively stepped back. "The Quantum Archive. You've built something extraordinary, Carter. Unfortunately for you, it's attracted the wrong kind of attention."
Sam clenched her jaw.
"If you think you can intimidate me into handing over classified data, you're wasting your time."
Kane chuckled, the sound low and menacing.
"Oh, I'm not here to intimidate you. I'm here to give you a choice. You hand over the encryption keys, or..." He pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped the screen, holding it up for her to see.
Sam's stomach twisted as a live feed appeared on the screen. It was her house. Correction: Jack's house. The camera angle was from her driveway, showing Jack carrying groceries into the house while the twins played in the front yard.
Her voice dropped, ice cold.
"If you so much as touch them—"
"Relax," Kane interrupted, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "No one gets hurt... as long as you cooperate. But if you don't? Well, let's say accidents happen."
Sam's mind raced, adrenaline surging through her veins. She had spent years protecting her family, building walls between her work and personal life. But now, those walls were crumbling.
"You'll regret threatening me," she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.
Kane tilted his head, studying her.
"I don't think I will. You have 48 hours to deliver the keys. If I don't hear from you..." He didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.
Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving Sam in the middle of her office, her fists clenched and her heart pounding.
When Kane left, Sam closed her office door and called her head of cybersecurity, her voice sharp.
"Trace every system breach in the last 48 hours. Focus on external IP addresses and unusual activity in the Quantum Archive. I need results now."
Hanging up, she paced the room, her thoughts racing. Tristan Kane's words replayed in her mind: extraordinary, attracted the wrong kind of attention.
Minutes later, her head of cybersecurity called back.
"Dr. Carter, we've identified the origin of the breach. It's... strange."
Sam gripped the phone tightly. "Define 'strange.'"
"The IP address is masked, but the encryption method used to breach our system matches a classified algorithm. One that isn't publicly available."
Sam's heart sank. "Project Phoenix?"
"Exactly. How did you know?"
She closed her eyes, exhaling sharply.
"Because this isn't just about CQS. It's about my past."
Sam stared at her phone, her finger hovering over Jack's contact name—the familiar tension coiled in her chest, a tangled knot of guilt and regret. The divorce had given them space—a year of it—but the bitterness lingered, sharper now with the knowledge that her choices had put him and the boys in danger.
Her eyes flicked back to her laptop screen, which flashed relentlessly red with the warning "Security Alert: Unauthorized Access Detected." The computer's hum seemed louder now, filling the empty office, each second ticking like a countdown.
She stood abruptly, crossing the room to the window. The city lights stretched into the distance, indifferent to the storm building in her life. Her reflection stared back at her, pale and drawn, as if daring her to act.
Kane's chilling words replayed in her mind: No one gets hurt... as long as you cooperate. Her hand tightened around her phone, her gaze shifting to the photo on her desk—a candid shot of Jack and the boys, their laughter frozen in time.
This wasn't just about her anymore. It never had been.
With a steadying breath, she turned away from the window and dialed Jack's number, the weight of her decision pressing down on her like the hum of the city beyond the glass. It rang twice before Jack picked up, his tone guarded.
"Sam."
She took a breath.
"Jack... I need to talk to you. It's important."
His silence was louder than any words. When he finally spoke, there was a bite in his voice.
"Let me guess—something about CQS?"
Sam winced.
"Yes. But it's not just about the company." Her voice softened, and she hesitated. "It's about the boys."
That got his attention. His tone shifted immediately, laced with concern.
"What about the boys? Are they okay?"
"They're fine," she said quickly, her voice cracking. "For now. But I think they might be in danger, Jack. Someone's targeting me—targeting CQS—and they're using the boys to get to me."
The line went silent for a beat, and when Jack spoke again, his voice was sharp and cold.
"What the hell does that mean, Sam? Who's after you?"
"I don't know," she lied. "But they've already breached my systems. They sent me footage of the house." Her voice faltered. "Your house. With you and the boys."
Jack swore under his breath.
"Are you telling me someone's been watching us?"
"Yes," she whispered, guilt clawing at her chest. "And I think it's connected to something from my past. Something... classified."
He didn't respond immediately, and she could practically hear him pacing on the other end of the line. When he finally spoke, his voice was laced with fury.
"This is exactly why I wanted nothing to do with that damn company, Sam. You knew this could happen. You put them at risk."
"I didn't know," she snapped, the tension spilling over. "I built CQS to move on, to do something meaningful outside of the military. I never thought it would lead to this."
Jack's tone was ice. "And yet, here we are."
She swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus.
"Jack, we don't have time for this. I need you to listen to me. Whoever this is, they're not bluffing. They want access to my Quantum Archive and are willing to hurt our family to get it."
"Our family," he repeated, his voice softer now but no less angry. "You mean the family that fell apart because you were too busy with that company to notice it slipping away?"
The words hit her like a punch to the gut, but she didn't have the luxury of falling apart now.
"I know, Jack. I know I failed. But this isn't about us—it's about the boys. Please."
His sigh was heavy, weary.
"What do you need me to do?"
Sam closed her eyes, relief washing over her.
"Keep them safe. Stay alert. Lock down the house, and don't let anyone you don't trust near them."
Jack's voice softened, though the edge of anger remained.
"I'll take care of them, Sam. But you need to fix this. Whatever mess you've dragged us into—fix it."
"I will," she said, though the weight of her promise felt almost unbearable. "I'll fix it."
As she ended the call, her hands trembled. She had warned him, but it didn't feel like enough. Jack would protect the boys—of that she was sure—but the shadow of Kane's threat loomed large.
Her phone buzzed again, pulling her attention back to the present. It was another text from the unknown number: You're running out of time. Make your choice, Doctor.
Sam clenched her jaw, the familiar surge of determination taking hold. She had already sacrificed her marriage, peace, and happiness for CQS. She wouldn't let it take her family, too.
But deep down, she knew this wasn't just about protecting the boys. It was also about proving to Jack—and to herself—that she could still be the woman he had once believed in.
After ending the call, Sam leaned back in her chair, feeling deafened by the silence of her office. She stared at her phone, replaying the conversation in her mind. Jack's anger was justified—it always had been—but it didn't make it any easier to bear.
Her laptop screen flickered, the warning message still blaring. She stood, grabbed her bag, and shut the computer down. There was no point staying here; she needed to act. But even as she prepared to leave, a nagging thought lingered: What if Kane already had people watching Jack's house?
Natalie strode into Sam's office, a tablet balanced in one hand and a pen tucked behind her ear, as though she'd just finished drafting a battle plan.
"Okay, here's the situation," she said briskly, not even glancing up as she tapped on the screen. "I've got live feeds covering General O'Neill's property. Traffic cameras, smart doorbells from nosy neighbors, you name it. We'll know if a squirrel sneezes in his yard."
She paused, her sharp gaze flicking up to meet Sam's. "Oh, and I've already deployed a security team. ETA ten minutes. You're welcome."
Sam let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you, Natalie. I just got off the phone with Jack. He's on high alert."
Natalie raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
"High alert? I guess that means pacing, yelling, and threatening to shoot his microwave for beeping at the wrong time."
Despite the tension, Sam smiled faintly. "Something like that."
Natalie's expression softened, but her tone remained matter-of-fact.
"Look, Sam, I know you're thinking of storming over there and playing hero, but let's not forget this Kane guy isn't bluffing. Let me handle things here. You focus on what's most important."
Sam hesitated before nodding. "I'm going to the house. If this… person is watching, they must see I'm serious. But I'll need backup. Can you keep an eye on the feeds?"
Natalie rolled her eyes like Sam had just asked her to do the obvious.
"Please. When you get there, I'll know what Kane had for breakfast. And don't worry about local authorities—I'll coordinate if it gets messy."
She paused at the door, glancing back with a rare flicker of warmth.
"Be careful, Sam. And no heroics. You're not as bulletproof as you think. And Sam?" She paused, her expression softening. "Be careful."
Sam gave a faint smile. "You too," she said as she grabbed her keys.
The boys were everything to her—everything she had left. If anything happened to them... She didn't finish the thought. She couldn't.
Jack stood in his kitchen, gripping the counter's edge as he stared out the window. The boys were in the living room, sprawled on the carpet and laughing at one of their favorite cartoons. He let the sound ground him briefly, but his mind was racing.
The way Sam's voice had cracked when she said the boys were in danger—it wasn't like her. Sam Carter didn't rattle easily, and that alone scared the hell out of him.
He glanced at his phone, debating whether to call her back. He hated how she could still pull him into her orbit, even after everything that had happened. But the boys... they were his entire world. And if she was right—if someone was targeting them—he needed to know more.
"Dad?"
Jack turned his grip on the counter, loosening as Benji appeared in the doorway, clutching a worn, one-eyed stuffed bear. His blonde hair stuck out at odd angles, a testament to his earlier adventures, but it was his blue eyes—Sam's eyes—that held a quiet, unspoken worry.
"Yeah, buddy?" Jack crouched, summoning a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Benji hesitated, shifting from foot to foot.
"You always look mad when Mom calls. Always."
The words hit Jack like a punch to the chest. He crouched down, pulling Benji into a hug. The twins had taken the divorce quite well, considering everything. Sam didn't spend much time at home, so the difference wasn't exactly much. Now, they only had a second house to go to on the weekends and other bedrooms to sleep in. Besides that, nothing else had changed much. Jack continued to be the present parent, and Sam was the weekend mom.
"I'm not mad at you, Jake, or Mom," he said softly. "I'm just trying to figure some stuff out. That's all."
Benji nodded against his shoulder but didn't say anything. Jack pulled back, brushing a hand through his son's hair.
"Why don't you go check on your brother? Make sure he's not eating all the popcorn without you."
Benji grinned and ran off, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts. He exhaled heavily and reached for his phone, redialing Sam.
Sam's phone rang just as she pulled onto the highway. She glanced at the screen, her heart skipping when she saw Jack's name.
"Jack," she answered, keeping her voice steady.
"Where are you?" he asked, skipping any preamble.
"I'm on my way to CQS," she lied. "Why?"
"You're lying," Jack said bluntly. "What's going on, Sam? You sound off."
She sighed, gripping the wheel tighter. Her gaze flicked to the rearview mirror more than once, but the road behind her remained empty. Still, the unease sat heavy in her chest, an invisible weight she couldn't shake.
"I'm not lying. I just—"
"You are, and I don't have time for this," he interrupted. "You said the boys are in danger. I need details—now."
Sam bit her lip, debating how much to tell him. Finally, she said, "There's a man named Kane. He showed up at my office tonight. He wants access to my Quantum Archive, and he's using the boys to leverage me."
Jack's silence on the other end felt heavier than his words ever could.
"And you waited until now to tell me this?" he finally asked, his voice tight with anger.
"I thought I could protect everyone by keeping my work separate. I was wrong, Jack. And now, it's costing all of us."
"Well, that ship's sailed, hasn't it?" Jack snapped. "You don't get to make that decision, Sam. Not when it involves our kids."
"I know," she whispered. "You're right. But I need you to trust me right now, Jack. I'm handling this."
Jack let out a bitter laugh.
"Handling it? Like you handled our marriage? Like you handled walking away without looking back?"
Sam swallowed the lump in her throat.
"This isn't about us."
"No, it's about the fact that someone is threatening my boys because of you," he shot back. "So, forgive me if I'm not jumping on the 'trust Sam' train right now."
She blinked back tears, her voice steady.
"I understand. But Jack, you need to focus on the boys. Let me worry about Kane."
"Like hell, I will," he said. "I'm not just going to sit here while some lunatic comes after my family. I need to know everything—now."
Sam hesitated.
"Okay," she said finally. "I'll come to the house. We can talk in person. But you must stay inside, lock the doors, and keep the boys close."
"Fine," Jack said, his tone clipped. "But if you're not here in thirty minutes, I'm coming to find you."
Sam gripped the steering wheel tightly as she merged onto the highway, her thoughts racing. The city lights blurred past her window, their harsh glow doing little to dispel the knot of fear tightening in her chest. The car's heater hummed softly but couldn't banish the cold creeping up her spine.
I should've seen this coming. The thought looped endlessly in her mind, louder than the faint hum of tires on asphalt. She glanced at her phone on the passenger seat—Jack's name still glowing on the screen from their earlier call—and her heart twisted. She dragged him back into her chaos, which she swore she'd never do again.
The neighborhood loomed ahead, a familiar comfort that only made the weight in her chest heavier. Jack's house came into view, the warm light spilling from its windows standing in stark contrast to the sterile blue glow of her office. It felt like another world, one she had left behind long ago.
Jack stood on the porch, his silhouette sharp against the amber glow. His arms were crossed, his stance rigid, but the look in his eyes struck her hardest. Even from a distance, she could see the simmering anger—tempered only by the worry she knew he would never admit aloud.
She stepped out of the car, her heart pounding as she approached him.
"Where are they?" she asked, glancing toward the door.
"Inside," he said shortly. "Asleep. And they're staying that way."
Sam nodded, her eyes meeting his.
"Jack, I didn't want this. I never wanted them to be dragged into this."
"But they are," he said, his voice low and hard. "And we're going to make sure they're safe. Together."
Sam nodded again, her throat tightening. For all his anger, for all the pain between them, Jack was still the man she trusted more than anyone. And now, she needed him more than ever.
Before Sam could explain further, Jack's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his brow furrowing.
"It's an unknown number," he said, holding it up.
Sam's heart sank. "Don't answer it."
The phone buzzed again, and a message popped up: Nice reunion. Let's see how long it lasts before the pieces fall apart.
Jack's grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles whitening as he shoved it toward her.
"How the hell do they know you're here?" His voice was low, and a quiet fury barely masked the storm beneath.
Sam didn't answer immediately, her heart pounding as her gaze darted toward the street. The shadows seemed to shift, alive with the weight of unseen eyes.
"They must've been watching," she said, her voice tight. "Or they have someone inside."
Jack stared down at the message on his phone, his knuckles white as he gripped it tightly. "Fuckers," he muttered, his voice low but charged with fury.
Sam scanned the street, her mind racing.
"We need to get inside. Now."
Jack nodded, his hand brushing the small of her back as he ushered her toward the door. It was a simple gesture, almost reflexive, but it made Sam's heart ache. This wasn't the time to dwell on old feelings, though—not when their children's safety was on the line.
As soon as they were inside, Jack locked the door and turned to her.
"Start talking, Carter. Everything. Now."
Sam hesitated, her eyes darting toward the stairs where the boys were sleeping. Jack followed her gaze, his expression softening just slightly.
"They're safe for now," he said quietly. "But I need to know what we're dealing with."
She took a deep breath, steadying herself.
Sam paced the room, her arms crossed tightly as Jack stood by the window, his gaze locked on the driveway. "It started two days ago," she said, her voice taut. "Someone breached CQS's system—targeting the Quantum Archive specifically."
Jack glanced at her over his shoulder, his jaw tightening.
"You're saying this is about your company? Some competitor trying to steal your tech?"
"That's what I thought at first." Sam stopped, pressing her palms against the back of a chair. "But then they sent me this." She pulled out her phone and held it out. The image of Jack's house filled the screen, the timestamp glaring.
Jack's eyes darkened as he studied the photo. "And this Kane guy? What does he want?"
Sam hesitated, the weight of the admission settling heavily on her shoulders. "He's after the Quantum Archive because of the encryption I used. It's based on classified tech from Project Phoenix."
Jack turned fully toward her, his expression sharp. "Phoenix. You mean the one that almost got your team killed?"
She nodded, guilt tightening her chest. ""Yes. Project Phoenix. The encryption was designed to protect classified intel, but I repurposed parts for CQS. I thought it was secure." She hesitated, her voice faltering. "I thought it was secure. I didn't realize someone would connect the dots."
Jack leaned against the counter, his expression hardening. "So, this guy, Kane, he knows about Phoenix?"
"More than that," Sam replied. "He knows how to exploit it."
Jack exhaled sharply, pacing the room.
"And now this psycho thinks threatening our family will make you hand it over."
"He doesn't just think it, Jack. He knows it." Sam's voice broke slightly, and she looked away. "I already lost you. I can't lose them, too."
Jack stopped pacing, his sharp gaze softening as he studied her.
"You didn't lose me, Sam. You chose to walk away."
Sam clenched her fists.
"I didn't walk away. I tried to fix things. You're the one who gave up."
"Because you wouldn't stop putting that damn company first!" Jack snapped, his voice rising.
Sam took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
"We don't have time for this, Jack. We can fight about the past later. Right now, we need to protect the boys."
He stared at her for a long moment before nodding.
"Fine. But we're going to talk about this later."
"Later," she agreed.
Jack pulled a duffel bag from the hall closet after punching the security code to open it. Unzipping it revealed two guns, ammunition, and a hunting knife. Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Paranoid much?" she asked, but her voice had no humor. She had been the one to put the locked mechanism and the code system in the reinforced closet because of the kids.
Jack shrugged.
"Old habits die hard. Besides, you know me—I like to be prepared."
She nodded, walking over to the security system panel on the wall. Her fingers flew over the keypad as she activated the house's alarm system.
"This isn't going to stop them if they really want in," she muttered.
"No," Jack agreed, loading the pistol with a practiced ease. "But it'll slow them down."
Sam turned to face him.
"We need to move the boys somewhere safer. If Kane had eyes on this house, it would have been only a matter of time before he made a move. I have Natalie supervising at CQS. She's using all the available cameras," Sam said in a low voice.
Jack shook his head.
"That's a big help. Besides, we can't just pack up and leave. They'll see us the second we step outside."
"Then we need a distraction," Sam said, her mind already working through possibilities.
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Got something in mind?"
She hesitated before pulling out her phone.
"I can redirect their attention—make them think I'm leaving alone. If I draw them away, you can get the boys to a safe house."
"Absolutely not," Jack said, his voice firm. "You're not going out there by yourself."
"Jack—"
"No, Sam," he interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. "You said it yourself—this is about your company, your choices. They want you, not me. You don't get to play hero and leave me with the fallout."
Sam's eyes flashed with anger.
"This isn't about me trying to play hero. It's about keeping our sons safe."
"And I'm telling you, there's another way," Jack shot back. "We do this together. No more running off and trying to fix everything on your own."
Jack set the duffel bag on the coffee table, pulled out a handheld radio, and handed it to Sam. "We'll split up, but not the way you think. I'll stay here with the boys and hold the fort. You'll go to your office, but not alone."
Sam frowned. "Who's coming with me?"
Jack smirked. "I still have a few friends in high places. I'll make a call."
She raised an eyebrow. "You mean General Landry?"
"Bingo," Jack said, already dialing the Head of Homeworld Command.
Jack's conversation with Landry was short and to the point.
"He's sending backup," Jack said after hanging up.
Sam's phone buzzed on the counter as Jack finished loading the pistol. He picked it up, frowning at the message on the screen: CQS Security Team deployed to your location. ETA: 10 minutes.
"What the hell?" he muttered, turning to Sam.
"Natalie sent them earlier," she said quickly, bracing for his reaction. "As soon as I realized the boys were in danger, she dispatched a security detail to watch the house."
Jack's jaw tightened. "Your company's people? Seriously, Sam?"
"Yes, seriously," she shot back, her voice rising slightly. "They're professionals, Jack. I trust them."
"Oh, great. Because trusting CQS worked out so well for us before," he said, the sarcasm dripping from his voice.
Sam took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.
"This isn't about us or your feelings about the company. This is about keeping the boys safe."
Before Jack could respond, the rumble of tires on the gravel driveway caught their attention. Jack moved to the window, peering through the blinds to see a sleek black SUV with the CQS logo on the side pulling up.
Two men and a woman stepped out, each dressed in black tactical gear. They scanned the perimeter with practiced precision. One spoke into a handheld radio, coordinating with someone inside the vehicle.
Jack turned to Sam, his expression unreadable. "They better be good."
"They are," Sam said firmly.
Jack nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if your people sneeze wrong, they're out of here."
Fifteen minutes later, the quiet neighborhood was anything but. Another pair of black SUVs rolled into the driveway, this time unmarked. Landry's men moved precisely, stepping out of the vehicles and approaching the house.
The CQS team immediately tensed, their hands instinctively moving to their weapons.
"Stand down," Sam ordered, stepping outside before Jack could intervene. She raised her hands to both groups, her voice commanding. "These are General Landry's men. Everyone here is on the same side."
The team leader from CQS, a stocky man with sharp eyes, stepped forward.
"Dr. Carter, we weren't informed there would be additional forces."
"There are now," she replied, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Coordinate with them. This is bigger than just CQS."
The leader hesitated before nodding. "Understood."
As the two teams exchanged curt nods and began working together, Jack stepped onto the porch, his eyes narrowing at the growing presence in his yard.
"This is subtle," he muttered, folding his arms.
"We're past subtle," Sam replied, her voice low.
Jack shook his head. "You always did love a good show of force."
Sam glanced at him, her expression softening.
"This isn't about force, Jack. It's about ensuring they think twice before coming near this house."
The tension between Jack and Sam was palpable inside the house as the team leaders briefed them. The CQS head of security spoke first, spreading a blueprint of the property across the kitchen table.
"We've already established a perimeter. My team is monitoring all entry points and continuously surveilling the surrounding area. We've got access to all the nearest surveillance cameras, Doctor Carter."
The leader from Landry's team nodded.
"Good. We'll take the inner perimeter and secure the house itself. Any breach will have to go through us first."
Jack listened silently, his eyes flicking between the two groups. Finally, he spoke.
"What about evacuation? If things go south, how do we get the boys out?"
The CQS leader gestured to their SUV.
"We've got a second vehicle parked two blocks away, out of sight. We can move the children there and rendezvous with additional reinforcements."
Jack shook his head.
"Not good enough. I'm not putting my kids in some random vehicle and hoping it's safe."
Sam stepped in, her voice calm but firm.
"The CQS team has backup plans in place. And Landry's men will ensure nothing happens before we evacuate. Jack, we need to trust them."
He glanced at her, his jaw tight. "Trust doesn't come easy anymore."
Her shoulders sagged slightly, but she didn't back down.
"This isn't about us, Jack. It's about the boys."
Jack exhaled sharply, then nodded.
"Fine. But if I so much as see one of your people screw up—"
"They won't," she interrupted, meeting his gaze head-on.
Jack returned to the boys' room as the two teams moved into position, his gun holstered at his side. He checked on them, his chest tightening as he watched Benji curled up in bed, Jacob's arm draped protectively over his brother.
The faint buzz of a radio came from the hallway, and Jack stepped out, motioning for Sam to join him.
"We're covered for now," he said quietly.
Sam nodded, but her gaze was distant, her mind working through a dozen worst-case scenarios.
Before Jack could say anything more, his phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen, his stomach twisting. Another message from the unknown number: You can't hide forever. Tick tock.
He showed it to Sam, his expression grim. "Looks like Kane's not giving up."
Sam's phone buzzed simultaneously, and she pulled it from her pocket, her heart sinking as she read the text: "Leaving them with him won't save them. Tick tock, Doctor. The clock's running out."
Her breath hitched, and she looked up at Jack.
"They're not just watching the house, Jack. They're watching us."
Jack's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as the weight of Sam's words sank in. The sudden growl of an engine shattered the tense silence, followed by muffled voices just outside. Jack moved first, his hand darting to the radio clipped to his belt.
Jack's voice sliced through the static as he strode toward the window, his movements precise, deliberate.
"What's going on?" His tone was sharp and commanding, each clipped word weighted with authority.
The radio crackled in reply but offered no immediate answer. Outside, headlights swept across the driveway as a car rolled to a halt. The low rumble of its engine filled the night, and a growl sent a chill skittering up Sam's spine. She edged closer to Jack, her breath catching as unease clawed into her chest.
The room stilled, the oppressive silence broken only by the faint hiss of the radio. Sam glanced at Jack, his jaw tight, his knuckles white where they gripped the windowsill. Finally, a voice came through, low and urgent.
"Stay put. We're checking out a vehicle that just stopped."
The transmission cut off with a sharp click, leaving static to buzz faintly in its wake. The car outside idled for a moment, the growl of its engine a haunting reminder of the danger lurking in the shadows. Then, without warning, it roared to life again, the sound splitting the stillness like a blade.
Sam's pulse quickened, her gaze darting to Jack. He didn't move, his eyes locked on the driveway, his body coiled like a spring. They stood frozen, breaths shallow, and every nerve stretched taut under the weight of the unknown.