The glow from the bedside lamp bathed the room in a soft, golden hue. Jack leaned against the headboard, his arm draped over Sam's shoulders as she sifted through the Pentagon's documents. The silence between them wasn't empty; it was filled with unspoken fears and steadfast support. Sam's brow furrowed as she annotated the dense text with her meticulous precision.
She let out a heavy sigh, snapping the folder shut. "They're not going to back off, are they?"
Jack's hand absentmindedly stroked her shoulder, his touch grounding and reassuring. "Nope. But when have they ever made anything easy for us?"
She turned to look at him, her blue eyes shadowed with worry. "What if they go after you?"
Jack's expression shifted, his usual levity replaced by something graver. "Carter, there's something you should know. If they ever come after me... it won't just be about my reputation. It's about missions that can't ever come to light. McCready knows things, things that could ruin more than just me."
Sam's heart clenched. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"
"Because I didn't want you worrying about it. It's my mess, not yours."
She reached for his hand, gripping it tightly. "It is my mess, Jack. We've faced worse, Jack. We'll handle this—together. They want to use fear against us. But whatever they try, they won't break us. Not again."
Jack smiled faintly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I like the sound of that, Carter."
But Sam wasn't done. Her grip on his hand tightened, her gaze unwavering.
"Jack... I know about your black-ops record. I've known for a while. I found it years ago, back when we were at SG-1. I wasn't supposed to, but I pieced it together and did some digging off the record—the missions, the countries... the casualties. I know what you've done. And I know what you were ordered to do."
Jack stiffened beside her, his hand withdrawing slightly. "Sam, you don't—"
"I do," she interrupted, her voice quiet but firm. "And I've never judged you for it. You were following orders, doing what you believed was right then. But if there's something I don't know—something darker—you must tell me."
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Carter, it's not just about me. It's bigger than that. Bigger than us."
"Then let me in, Jack," she urged, leaning closer. "Whatever it is, I can handle it."
Jack closed his eyes momentarily, the weight of the years pressing down on him. When he opened them, his gaze was haunted.
"There was a mission. One no one talks about, not even in whispers. It wasn't in the files you found because it doesn't exist. Officially, anyway."
Sam's breath caught, but she said nothing, letting him continue.
"It was the late '80s, and tensions were high. Some politicians wanted results, not diplomacy. They had us execute a... contingency plan in Central America. We were ordered to destabilize the region—topple a regime under the guise of eliminating a 'threat.' What we did..." He trailed off, his voice thick with regret. "It wasn't about protecting American lives. It was about control. Resources. Power."
Sam's stomach churned, but she stayed silent, her hand still gripping his.
"They didn't tell us the full picture until it was too late. Villages burned. Civilians... collateral damage. And when it all came crashing down, they buried it. Said we'd gone rogue. The brass—people at the highest levels—signed off on it, then turned around and denied everything. If it ever came out, it wouldn't just destroy careers. It would tear apart the Air Force, hell, the entire administration."
Sam's voice was barely above a whisper. "And McCready knows about this?"
Jack nodded, his eyes dark.
"He knows enough to make it stick. To ruin me, sure, but more than that—to bring down everyone who gave those orders. It'd be chaos."
She reached up, cupping his face. "Jack, why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't want you carrying this," he admitted, his voice cracking. "It's ugly, Carter. It's the kind of thing you can't unlearn, and I didn't want you looking at me differently."
Her eyes filled with unshed tears, but her voice was steady.
"I could never look at you differently, Jack. You've carried this alone for so long, but you no longer have to. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."
For the first time in years, Jack felt a slight relief. He rested his forehead against hers, his voice rough.
"I don't deserve you, Carter."
She smiled faintly, her tears slipping free. "Damn right, you don't. But you've got me anyway."
They sat there in the quiet, the darkness around them feeling less oppressive, their bond stronger than ever.
The weight of Jack's admission lingered in Sam's thoughts as she stepped into the brisk morning air, clutching the folder of notes she'd worked on late into the night. The quiet resolve she'd shown him felt fragile now, her mind spinning with the gravity of what he'd revealed.
She paused briefly at her car, her hand tightening on the door handle. Jack had carried the burden of that mission for years, shielding her from its darkness, but now it was hers to share. The Pentagon's threats weren't just abstract anymore—they had faces, names, and an ugly history behind them.
Sam slid into the driver's seat, shaking herself free of the heaviness. There wasn't time to dwell on fears. At CQS, there were strategies to finalize, alliances to secure, and a mission to protect the company—and her family—from whatever came next.
Sam arrived at CQS earlier than usual and headed straight for Natalie's office, her expression set with determination. Natalie, already at her desk reviewing reports, looked up as Sam entered.
"Morning, Sam," Natalie said, her brow furrowing at Sam's demeanor. "What's going on?"
Sam placed the folder on the desk and sat across from her. "We need to talk strategy. The Pentagon's pressure isn't letting up, and it's clear they're targeting us from every angle. We need to pivot fast."
Natalie leaned forward, her expression sharpening. "What are you thinking?"
"Defense contracts are too much of a liability right now. The scrutiny they bring compromises our ability to operate effectively," Sam said. "I'm proposing we shift focus entirely to civilian industries—renewable energy, medical innovations, public safety systems. These lucrative sectors align with our broader mission of innovation and societal impact."
Natalie's eyes widened slightly. "That's a significant shift. It'll ruffle some feathers."
"I know," Sam acknowledged. "But we can't afford to be beholden to clients who don't align with our vision. This isn't just about survival; it's about independence."
Natalie was silent momentarily, absorbing the weight of Sam's words. Finally, she nodded. "You're right. If we're going to do this, we need to do it decisively. I'll address the leadership team. They need to hear this directly from me."
Sam's lips curved into a faint smile. "You're the CEO. It's your call to make. I'll be there to back you up."
An hour later, the leadership team assembled in the conference room, their expressions ranging from curious to apprehensive. Natalie stood at the head of the table, with Sam seated beside her, her presence a silent show of support.
Natalie began, her tone calm but commanding. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. As you know, CQS has been under increasing pressure from external forces. After consulting with the chairman and reviewing our options, we've decided on a course of action to redefine our future."
She paused, letting her words settle before continuing. "Effective immediately, we're pivoting away from all defense-related contracts. Our focus will shift entirely to civilian industries—renewable energy, medical innovations, and public safety systems. This decision is about mitigating risk and positioning CQS as a technology leader that improves lives."
A murmur spread through the room. One executive raised a hand. "Natalie, won't this alienate some of our biggest clients?"
"It might," Natalie admitted. "But the clients we lose will be replaced by those who share our vision. This isn't about short-term profits but long-term sustainability and independence."
Sam leaned forward, her voice calm but firm. "We've always been more than a defense contractor. We're innovators. This shift will allow us to double down on that identity and protect the integrity of our work."
Another executive spoke up, his tone hesitant. "This will require a significant overhaul of our operations and partnerships. Do we have a timeline?"
Natalie nodded. "We're starting immediately. I'll contact potential partners in these new sectors and align our teams to focus on the transition. This will be a challenging process, but it's necessary."
Sam added, "We're not just making a strategic decision; we're making a statement. CQS is about building the future, not being bound by the past."
As the meeting continued, the initial resistance began to wane, replaced by a cautious optimism. By the time it concluded, the leadership team had their marching orders, and Natalie and Sam had reinforced their commitment to guiding CQS through the storm.
Later that evening, Sam and Natalie met in her office to debrief. Natalie sank into her chair, exhaling deeply. "That went better than I expected."
Sam smiled. "You handled it perfectly. The team needed to hear it from you."
"Well, I had a good coach," Natalie said, her expression softening. "Thank you, Sam. For everything."
Sam placed a hand on her shoulder. "You've got this, Natalie. And no matter what comes next, we'll face it together."
Both women felt renewed purpose as they parted ways for the night. The road ahead would be challenging, but they knew they had the strength and determination to see it through.
But two weeks later, the pressure on CQS became impossible to ignore. What had once been a stable operation now felt like it was teetering on a knife's edge.
Natalie sat in her office, the blinds drawn to block out the early morning sun, although it was already past 5 PM. Sam stood by the window, a tablet in her hands, rattling off the latest in what felt like an endless string of bad news.
"The contract with NovaTech fell through this morning. They claim it's due to shifting priorities, but..." Sam hesitated, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Natalie looked up from her laptop, her gaze sharp. "But?"
Sam exhaled. "But their CEO's niece works for McCready. It's not a coincidence."
Natalie's jaw tightened. "What else?"
"We've identified key challenges—delayed shipments of materials for the renewable grid prototypes and flagged inquiries from the Department of Commerce. These moves feel coordinated, Natalie. It's likely an effort to destabilize and catch us off guard."
Suddenly, Sam's tablet buzzed. She glanced at the notification, which was marked urgent, a report on classified R from Homeworld Security. Opening the file, her eyes scanned the technical jargon until her breath caught.
"CQS's work on adaptive shielding algorithms and energy modulation…" Sam murmured.
Natalie looked up. "What is it?"
"They're not just enhancing security for off-world missions," Sam said, her voice tightening. "They're developing tech to counter hyper-advanced threats—ones that bypass traditional measures like kinetic force fields. This isn't about safeguarding Earth but survival against technologies far beyond our current understanding."
Natalie frowned. "And they think CQS can deliver?"
"They know we can," Sam replied. Her gaze hardened. "A few years ago, I worked with a similar energy matrix while reverse-engineering Goa'uld technology. It could stabilize systems under massive strain. They've likely tied my name to every significant advancement in adaptive tech since."
Natalie leaned forward, a sudden realization dawning. "They're using the pressure to force our expertise into their plans. Without your leadership, their project flounders."
"Exactly," Sam confirmed, her mind racing. "The scope of this isn't just about security; it's about controlling future threats on a galactic scale. Landry and McCready must know they're running out of time—and options."
Natalie regarded Sam with a mix of admiration and concern. "So, what do you want to do, Sam? They're clearly coming at us with everything they've got. You could negotiate—maybe mitigate the fallout for you and CQS."
Sam's expression hardened.
"I won't work for them, not like this. They're leveraging fear and desperation to strong-arm us into compliance. If we give in now, they'll own us—and everything we stand for."
Natalie nodded slowly, absorbing Sam's resolve.
"It's a risky stance. You know they'll escalate, right?"
"I do," Sam said, her voice steady. "But they underestimate what we can accomplish together. CQS has the talent and the vision to move beyond their reach. We don't need them."
Natalie leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. It was a coordinated attack designed to weaken them and make her doubt herself.
"We'll pivot," Natalie said firmly. "Procurement will prioritize finding secondary suppliers immediately, regardless of cost. For NovaTech, I'll ensure our resources are shifted to a project with higher impact potential. Let's send a clear message: CQS doesn't bow to pressure."
Sam nodded. "You're making the right call," Sam said, her voice steady with quiet pride. "If you need me to step in with the board or manage external communications, I'm here. We'll show them what it means to lead with purpose."
Sam's phone buzzed just as she left the room. It was a text from Jack: Running late. Don't wait up.
Sam set the phone in her pocket, her hand lingering on it longer than necessary as she moved to her office. She sat in her chair, the day's weight pressing down. The chaos at CQS had been relentless, and now Jack was off somewhere, likely dealing with his own share of trouble. They were fighting battles on multiple fronts, and she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being pulled further apart by the very forces they were trying to withstand.
She glanced at the framed photo of the boys on her desk, their bright smiles starkly contrasting the storm clouding her mind. If there was one thing she and Jack agreed on, it was keeping Jake and Benji safe from all of this. She stood, smoothing her shirt as she picked up her keys and left her office. It was time to go home to her boys. Tonight, she'd let the world wait. The boys needed her to be present, even if her heart felt scattered across a battlefield they couldn't see.
Alone in his office, General McCready stared at the framed photo on his desk—a relic of his early career. It showed a younger version of himself in uniform, flanked by his wife and young daughter. Back then, he believed in the nobility of the Air Force's mission. But years of navigating bureaucratic mazes and watching others rise by stepping on the honorable had hardened him. He'd done what was necessary, even when it sickened him.
This thing with Carter felt different, though. She wasn't just another cog to keep in line; she symbolized everything he'd given up to climb the ranks—idealism, integrity, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. He sighed, loosening his tie.
"It's not personal," he whispered, though he didn't fully believe it. He couldn't afford to accept it.
When Landry called earlier, pressing him to keep the heat on Carter, McCready had hesitated longer than he should have. What was it all for? Was he protecting the Air Force or defending himself?
Jack wasn't late by accident. He was sitting across from McCready in a dimly lit bar on the outskirts of town. The man's perfectly tailored suit and calm demeanor starkly contrasted with the hostility radiating from his words.
"We've been patient, Jack," McCready said, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "But patience has its limits."
Jack leaned back, feigning nonchalance. "Is this the part where you start monologuing about consequences? Because I've heard it before, and frankly, you guys need some new material."
McCready's thin smile didn't reach his eyes. "This isn't about theatrics. It's about leverage. You know what we have."
Jack's fingers tightened around his glass. "You don't scare me, McCready."
"You should be scared," McCready countered, his tone dropping. "We don't want to use what we have, Jack. But don't think we're not ready to act for a second if you keep pushing us. You know as well as I do that the fallout wouldn't just be on you. It'd touch your ex-wife. Her company. Her family."
Jack's expression darkened. "You leave her out of this."
"She put herself in it," McCready said coolly. "We're just responding. Tell her to back off, Jack. Or I'll make sure she wishes she had."
Jack stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.
"You're a real piece of work, you know that?"
McCready remained seated, his calm demeanor unshaken.
"Just think it over. For everyone's sake."
Jack stepped out of the bar, the crisp night air biting against his skin. He leaned against his truck momentarily, staring at the neon sign above the doorway. McCready's words echoed in his mind, sharp and cutting. Threats weren't new to him—he'd faced far worse—but this one hit differently. It wasn't just about him anymore; it was about Sam, the boys, their lives.
He rubbed a hand over his face, trying to push down the frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He needed to compartmentalize and shelve this anger before returning to their home. But the thought of Sam waiting for him, unaware of the full extent of the danger, made his chest tighten.
"One fight at a time," he muttered, opening the truck door. By the time he reached the house, he'd forced his expression into something resembling calm.
As he entered the house, the conversation with McCready still weighed on Jack, and the tension from the bar followed him like a shadow. Setting his keys on the counter, he paused, staring blankly as he steeled himself for the conversation waiting inside.
Sam's voice broke the silence. "You're late."
He turned to see her standing in the doorway, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable.
"Ran into McCready," he said finally, his tone clipped.
Sam's eyes narrowed. "And?"
Jack hesitated. The thought of telling her everything—exposing how far McCready was willing to go—made his stomach churn. He didn't want to burden her with the darkness he'd seen, but he also knew she wouldn't accept anything less than the truth.
"He didn't say much," Jack began cautiously. "But he didn't have to. The Pentagon's playing hardball."
Sam stepped closer, her arms still crossed but her gaze softening slightly. "What did he say, Jack?"
He looked at her, his conflict evident. For a brief moment, he considered lying—downplaying the threat—but he knew better. Sam had a way of seeing right through him.
"He implied they'd come after you," Jack admitted, his voice low. "The company. Even... the kids."
Sam's lips parted slightly in shock, but her expression quickly hardened into a steely resolve. "Let them try."
"Sam—"
"No," she interrupted, stepping closer. "Jack, they think they can scare us into submission, but they've underestimated my stubbornness. Even Natalie is willing to fight them. So if they want a fight, they've got one."
His lips twitched despite himself, a small, rueful smile breaking through. "That's my Carter."
But Sam wasn't done. "You need to promise me something."
"What's that?"
"If they come after you again, you tell me. No holding back. No trying to protect me. We're in this together."
Jack hesitated, but the intensity of her gaze left no room for argument. Finally, he nodded. "Yeah, I promise."
Sam stepped closer, resting her hands on his chest. "Good. Because the only way they win is if we let them. And that's not happening."
Jack wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "God, I missed this. Not the 'asshole General threatening our family situation' but this, us."
She looked up at him, her blue eyes fierce. "We've got this, Jack."
But their quiet moment didn't last long.
Jack paced the living room, his voice low but tense as he spoke with Sam. "But you do realize McCready isn't just bluffing. He's got enough leverage to make life hell for all of us, Sam—for the boys."
Sam, seated on the couch, rubbed her temples. "I know that, Jack. But we can't let him win. If we cave now, it'll only get worse."
"You think I don't know that?" Jack shot back, his frustration bubbling over. "I'm just saying we must be ready for whatever he throws next."
Neither noticed Jake and Benji peeking around the corner, their wide eyes betraying the fear they didn't know how to voice. Jake clutched Benji's hand, the younger boy holding tightly to his stuffed dinosaur.
"But what if we're not ready?" Jack's voice dropped, quieter now but no less intense. "What if this time, it's not enough?"
Sam stood, her expression hardening. "Then we fight harder, Jack. For them."
Jake gasped, and both boys shrank back as their parents turned toward the sound.
"Jake? Benji?" Sam softened immediately, kneeling as the boys hesitated near the doorframe. "Sweethearts, what are you doing out of bed?"
Jake shuffled forward, his lip quivering. "Are the bad men coming back?"
The question hit Sam like a punch to the chest. She reached out, pulling Jake and Benji into a hug as Jack knelt beside her.
"No, Jake," Sam said firmly. "The bad men can't hurt us anymore. Daddy and I are here to keep you safe."
"But you were yelling," Benji whispered, clutching his dinosaur tighter. "You sounded scared."
Jack exhaled deeply, wrapping an arm around Benji. "We weren't scared, buddy. Just… worried about making sure we're ready. That's what grown-ups do. We plan so nothing bad happens."
Jake's eyes searched Sam's face. "Are you sure?"
Sam cupped his cheek, her voice steady despite the ache in her chest. "I'm sure, Jake. You and Benji are the most important thing in the world to us. Everything we do is to protect you."
Benji buried his face in Jack's chest, his tiny voice muffled. "Even if the bad men come back?"
Jack kissed the top of his head. "Even then, buddy. But they're not coming back, okay? You're safe here. Always."
Despite the mounting pressure from the Pentagon and the uncertainty hanging over their heads, Sam and Jack tried to carve out moments of joy with the twins. They knew that Jake and Benji were perceptive, even at their young age, and had undoubtedly picked up on the tension that permeated their home.
The family gathered in the living room one Saturday afternoon, determined to carve out a "no-stress zone." Sam draped sheets over chairs and couches while Jack strung twinkling fairy lights along the edges of their makeshift fort. Jake and Benji buzzed with excitement, their giggles filling the room.
"Careful with those lights, Daddy," Jake warned his little hands on his hips, mimicking Jack's commanding stance.
Jack mock-saluted. "Yes, Sir, General Jake."
Benji clutched his favorite stuffed dinosaur, laughing as Jack tried to crawl into the fort.
"Daddy, you're too big!"
Sam tugged on Jack's arm, laughing. "Retreat, General, before you compromise the mission."
Jake tilted his head thoughtfully. "But, Mommy… why did we need the safe room before?"
The question silenced their laughter. The soft glow of fairy lights cast flickering shadows over their faces as Jack and Sam exchanged glances.
Sam knelt beside Jake, her voice steady. "It's just a backup, sweetheart. Something to keep us ready for anything. But we don't need to worry about that now."
Jake's brow furrowed. "The bad men… they can't find us, right?"
Jack pulled Benji close, his tone warm but firm. "No one's going to find us. Mommy and I made sure of that. You're safe here. Always."
Jake hesitated, clutching a pillow. "But what if they come back?"
Jack's voice softened, but his resolve was unmistakable. "Then we fight harder. And we win. That's what Mommy and I do—we protect the people we love."
Sam rested her hand on Jake's shoulder. "That's why we work so hard, sweetheart. To ensure the bad men don't get a chance to return."
Benji peeked out from Jack's embrace, his voice small. "Promise?"
Jack kissed the top of his head. "Promise. You've got the strongest team in the world looking out for you."
Jake seemed to relax, his grip on the pillow loosening. "Okay, Daddy."
Sam leaned back as the family settled into the fort, her heart heavy but full. For a little while, the outside world faded, leaving only the fort's warmth and their family's quiet strength.
That night, after the boys had bathed and climbed into bed, Jake called out softly before Sam could turn off the light.
"Mommy?"
"Yes, sweetheart?" Sam replied, stepping back into the room.
Jake hesitated, clutching his blanket tightly. "Are you and Daddy going to get a divorce again?"
The question hung in the air, heavier than Sam could have imagined. Her breath caught as she crossed the room quickly, sitting on the edge of Jake's bed. Benji, lying quietly with his stuffed dinosaur, sat up, his eyes wide and worried.
"Why would you think that, Jake?" Sam asked gently, stroking his hair.
Jake's small voice trembled. "Because you and Daddy talk in whispers a lot... and sometimes you look sad when you look at him. Like you might leave again."
Sam felt tears prick at her eyes, but she forced a calm, steady smile.
"Oh, Jake, no. I promise you, Daddy, and I love each other very much. Sometimes, grown-ups talk about hard things because they want to make sure their family is safe. But that doesn't mean we're going anywhere."
Benji crawled over, clutching his stuffed dinosaur tightly. "But you did leave before," he whispered, his voice so quiet Sam had to lean closer to hear. "And Daddy was so sad without you."
Sam's heart broke at his words. She reached out, wrapping her arms around both boys and pulling them close. "Sweethearts, I know that was a tough time. But that's never going to happen again. Daddy and I are on the same team and stronger together. I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?" Benji asked, his voice muffled against her shoulder.
Sam kissed his head softly. "I promise. We're a family, and nothing will change that."
Jack appeared in the doorway, his tall frame filling the room. "What's all this about promises?" he asked, his tone gentle but curious.
Jake looked at him, his brow furrowed. "Mommy said you and her aren't gonna get a divorce again."
Jack's expression softened as he walked to the bed and sat beside Sam. "She's right. We're not going anywhere," he said firmly, reaching out to rest a hand on Jake's shoulder. "You two are stuck with us."
As Sam reached for the light, Jake's small voice called out.
'Mommy? Do you think the bad men know about us?'
The question pierced the quiet, pulling Sam back to his bedside. She knelt beside him, brushing his hair from his forehead.
'Sweetheart, there's nothing to worry about. The bad men can't hurt us, okay?'
Jake hesitated, his voice trembling. 'But what if they come back?'
Sam glanced toward the doorway, where Jack stood leaning against the frame. His steady presence gave her the strength to keep her voice calm.
'Daddy and I are here,' she said. 'To make sure nothing like that ever happens again. And if you ever feel scared, you come to us, okay?'
Jake nodded, but his little hands still clutched his blanket tightly. Benji sat in bed, his stuffed dinosaur pressed against his chest.
'Even if the bad men come back, we'll stop them,' Jack said, stepping into the room. His voice was steady, filled with the confidence Jake and Benji needed. 'That's a promise.'
This time, Jake's nod was more confident. "Okay, Daddy. Goodnight, Mommy. Goodnight, Daddy," he said, his voice softening as he nestled back into his pillow.
Still holding his stuffed dinosaur, Benji looked up with a small smile. "Goodnight," he whispered, pulling the blanket to his chin.
Sam felt the lingering weight of their questions as the boys settled down again, but she knew they'd planted seeds of reassurance. For tonight, that would have to be enough.
Jack turned to Sam, his voice low. "They're carrying more than I thought."
Sam nodded, her gaze lingering on their peaceful faces. "We'll get them through it. Together."
Jack wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they left the room. "Damn right, we will."
The following day, Jack decided to reclaim some normalcy. He donned his "Pancake King" apron and set up shop in the kitchen, flipping chocolate chip pancakes as Jake and Benji sat at the counter, eagerly watching.
"Daddy," Benji asked, tilting his head, "why don't you play with us as much anymore?"
Jack froze mid-flip, the question catching him off guard. He recovered quickly, offering a small smile. "I've been busy, buddy. But I'm here now, aren't I?"
Jake piped up, his brow furrowed. "Is it because you and Mommy are fighting the bad guys?"
Jack glanced at Sam, who set her mug down and approached the counter. She leaned against it, meeting Jake's curious gaze.
"It's not just about bad guys, sweetheart. Sometimes, grown-ups have a lot of things to figure out. But we always make time for you, don't we?"
"Yeah," Benji said, his tone softer now. "But you and Daddy look sad sometimes. Like when I lost Mr. Max."
Jack sighed, ruffling Benji's hair.
"We've got a lot on our minds, kiddo. But you know what always makes us happy?"
"What?" both boys asked in unison.
"You two," Sam said, leaning down to kiss the tops of their heads. "No matter what's happening, you always make us smile."
Jake seemed satisfied with the answer, but as he sprinkled chocolate chips into the batter, he looked at his mom again.
"Are we really going to be okay?" Jake's voice trembled, and he clutched his stuffed bear tightly. "Or… are we gonna have to return to the safe room? Like when the bad men came?"
Sam froze momentarily, her chest tightening as Jake brought the safe room for the second time. She crouched in front of Jake, taking his tiny hands in hers.
"No, sweetheart. That was a scary time, but it's over, as we told you yesterday. Daddy and I will never let anything like that happen again."
Jack pulled both boys close after their question about the safe room.
"You know what?" he said softly. "The safe room isn't just a place—it's wherever we are together. And as long as Mommy and I are here, you're in the safest place possible."
Sam smiled, brushing a tear from Jake's cheek. "That's right. And we'll always protect you, no matter what."
Later that night, Sam heard soft sobs from the boy's room. She found Jake curled up in bed, his blanket clutched tightly. "I dreamed the bad men came back," he whispered.
Sam sat beside him, stroking his hair. "Sweetheart, those men are gone and never coming back. Daddy and I are here, always. You're safe."
Jake wiped his eyes, looking up at her. "But what if you can't stop them next time?"
Sam's voice caught in her throat, but she steadied herself. "That's why Daddy and I fight so hard—to ensure there's no next time. You're our whole world, Jake. You and your brother."
As the boys drifted off to sleep, the quiet hum of the house should have felt like peace, but Sam couldn't shake the undercurrent of unease. Jack sat beside her on the back porch, his arm draped over her shoulders as the cool night air washed over them.
"Maybe they'll need some therapy to get over this," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
"Yeah," Jack replied, his tone heavy with regret. "I hate that they're caught in this."
Sam nodded, her eyes distant. "We're doing everything we can, but it's not enough. They were exposed to a lot, Jack. Gunfire, explosions, our house invaded by airmen… And it hasn't stopped. There's always one more piece to uncover, one more move we don't see coming."
Jack squeezed her shoulder. "We're digging. Something will come out."
They sat in silence for a moment, the stars above offering no answers. Sam's phone buzzed softly in her pocket, pulling her from the stillness. She glanced at the screen, her brow furrowing at the message from Natalie.
The message was brief but urgent: "We need to talk. I've found something you need to see—urgently."
Sam's pulse quickened. If Natalie were this adamant, whatever she'd uncovered would change everything. The pit in her stomach deepened as she stared at the words, the world's weight pressing down again. For a few hours, the world outside had disappeared, leaving only the quiet strength of their family to remind them what they were fighting for.