Things slowly got back to normal for Jack. After taking a few days off to rest from the trauma of the kidnapping, he started back to work. Sam took a couple of extra days, but when he checked, she told him she was fine.

He hoped she was telling the truth. Although Sam had experienced a lot in her life, being kidnapped was still a hard thing to have to deal with, especially since she'd been responsible for the boys. He hoped she didn't experience any long-term trauma from the event.

Jack also wondered if discovering the broken stargate had finally hit home with Sam. He knew it had with him. He was experiencing a strange combination of sadness, fear – and relief. Although he hated the thought of never seeing Earth, or his friends again, it also meant he didn't have to decide about leaving the boys.

Varid was now their home.

"At least it's a good place," Jack said softly, looking around the ever-more successful mercantile. He snorted softly. Who would have ever thought he would end up being a storekeeper? He guessed – and rather hoped – that his days defending anything, except maybe his dessert from two little boys – was done.

Thinking of the boys, Simon and Jankin, Jack was relieved that they seemed to have gotten through the kidnapping with no residual effects. As far as he could tell, they were as happy and rambunctious as ever. They viewed the whole thing as an adventure, and told everyone they could about how they had helped their Uncle Jack and Auntie Sam capture a "very bad man".

Jack didn't know if it was simply the resilience of youth, or whether Kisamor had anything to do with them being okay. Whatever it was, he was grateful.

He hadn't been to see the healer since they'd returned from their adventure and knew that he should make the effort to go. He wasn't quite sure why he was avoiding it. He'd already bared his soul to the older woman, so it wasn't as if he was afraid, or embarrassed. But something was holding him back.

A picture of Sam flashed into his mind, and he grimaced – finally admitting to himself that she was the reason. Nothing had changed or been resolved since their capture by Leron. He hated feeling like he was in limbo and felt like kicking some bricks – or maybe shooting the nearest alien, if there had been one handy. He suddenly chuckled – wondering if the people of Varid could be considered aliens but then realized that he and Sam were the actual aliens and he didn't want to shoot either her or himself.

He was frustrated – and angry – at what had been done to him. Now that they were here to stay, he and Sam would have been totally free to pursue a relationship, if it wasn't for Meron and his bastard friends.

He realized that he was feeling very sorry for himself and needed to pull himself out of his bad mood. "Fuck it!" he said. "Why should I?"

"Why should you what?"

Jack jumped so high he practically hit his head on the ceiling. "What?"

"That's what I'm asking you," Ethan grinned. "Why should you what?"

"Oh – I was just talking to myself," Jack answered, slightly embarrassed. The store had just opened, and they were no customers yet, so Jack had simply been standing behind the counter having his own little pity party.

"Okay – but you still haven't answered my question," pressed Ethan. "Or is it something private?"

"Uh – no – not really. I was – uh – just wondering if I should speak to Gunner to ask if he still wanted to order the building materials for his shed. We'll need to order some extra supplies if he does, but then I thought that if he wants them, he can ask us."

Ethan regarded him for a moment and then nodded. "Sounds like a good plan. By the way, how is Samantha? I haven't seen her since she went back to Magda's."

"She's fine. She just took a couple of days off. The whole experience was pretty hard on her."

"I'm glad she took some time. She's an amazing woman, Jack," Ethan said. "I know you've asked me not to interfere, and I won't, but you'd be a fool to let her go. She's a beautiful woman, and I know of some men who would jump at the chance to ask her out."

Jack frowned. "Who?" he asked, not liking the sound of that.

"It doesn't matter, does it? If you're not interested, then you need to let someone else have a chance." He watched Jack for a few moments and had to hold back a grin. His friend really didn't like the idea of other men being interested in Samantha.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Ethan added, deciding it was time to change the subject, "I ran into Willem. He wondered if you're still interested in one of his puppies?"

"Oh – yes, of course. I just forgot because of everything going on. I'll stop by after work."

"Good – I told him that's what I thought you'd say. Uh – why don't you ask Sam to go with you. I know she'd love to see the boys' reaction when you bring it home."

Things got busy after that and Jack didn't have time to think too much about Sam, although the idea of another man asking her out – and her accepting was driving him crazy.

Ethan told him to leave a bit early so that he could go and pick up one of the puppies for the boys. As he left, he suddenly thought about his friend's idea to take Sam. Without further thought, he turned his steps towards Magnus' house.

"Jack! What are you doing here?" his friend Magnus invited him inside. "How are you doing after your wild adventure?"

"I'm fine," he said smiling. "And the boys seem to have come through it with no ill effects. I'm just glad he's gone!"

"You and me both. I assume you're here to see Sam?"

Jack looked at his friend suspiciously, but Magnus looked totally innocent, so Jack just sighed and said "Yes. I wanted to see how she was doing."

"She's – oh, here she is. Sam, you have a visitor." Magnus smiled and with a pat to Jack's back, headed into the other room.

"Hi Sir," Sam said, looking slightly uncomfortable. "What's up?"

"Nothing really. I just wondered if you'd like to go with me to Willem's? I'm going to pick up a puppy and I thought you might like to tag along."

A huge smile broke out on Sam's face. "I'd love that! Thank you for thinking of me."

"I always think of you, Sam," he said softly. Her eyes jumped to his and he could swear she blushed. He thought back to her telling him she loved him, after she'd been rescued. He was pretty sure she'd been half asleep and didn't remember that – or the fact that he'd told her the same thing.

"Uh – thank you – Jack," she said with a small smile. "I – uh – should grab a sweater since it will probably be evening before I get back. Just give me a minute?"

"Of course."

They were soon on their way to Willem's house to pick out a puppy for the boys. Sam couldn't help but tease him on the way there.

"I have a feeling that this puppy isn't just for the boys," she told him. "Admit it – you've always wanted a dog."

"Of course, Carter. They're man's best friend."

"Man's?"

"Okay – human's best friend. Hey, do you think the Goa'uld had pets?"

"The Goa'uld?" Sam asked, surprised. It was the first time in a long time since Jack had mentioned anything about their old enemies.

"Maybe they kept pet snakes," Jack smirked.

"I don't think – I mean, they are snakes, so why would they keep any as pets?" she asked, logically.

"Cats!" he said suddenly. "I bet they had cats."

"You're just saying that because you don't like cats," she told him.

He grinned. "Nope. I'm saying that because Egypt!" he said triumphantly. "The Egyptians worshiped them – cats, not the Goa'uld. At least they didn't worship the Goa'uld for long – they kicked those suckers out – but they did worship cats!"

"Okay, you've got a point," she conceded. "I guess they could have had cats as pets, although I think the Goa'uld would have preferred dogs."

"Bite your tongue, Carter. And why do you think that?"

"Well, cats are more discriminating, while dogs love everyone. The Goa'uld like to be worshipped and I think a dog would be more ready to do that."

"Uh uh," Jack shook his head. "Dogs only love good people. They are very discriminating. Cats just – well, they hang around and look snotty, just like the Goa'uld."

"They don't look – snotty!" Sam told him. "Cats are smart and independent, and you don't have to walk them and look after them all the time."

"Okay fine – let's agree that the Goa'uld probably didn't like cats or dogs."

"I think they viewed humans as pets," Sam suddenly interjected, sounding disgusted. "The Goa'uld are definitely one thing I don't miss," she told him.

"True. I wonder -", Jack stopped, not wanting to destroy the mood.

"You wonder?"

"Oh – nothing really. I guess I was just thinking -"

" – about the gate and what happened here on Varid?" Sam finished. "I've been wondering the same thing. Maybe the people got rid of them, like in Egypt."

"Maybe, although you'd think that would be part of their history, if that were the case. It seems like the only thing that remains is fear of being taken by the "glowing eyed" visitors. It could be that whichever System Lord – uh lorded it over this planet got bored and decided not to return."

"Possible – or maybe he was killed by another Goa'uld or maybe even the Tok'ra. There obviously hasn't been a Goa'uld presence here for a long time so I doubt Earth or the Stargate program had anything to do with it."

"Well, whatever happened, I just hope they never come back!"

"Bite your tongue, Sir!" Sam told him, semi-humorously.

Just then they arrived at Willem's place. They were greeted by an exuberant Matteo, who was still living off the glory of having witnessed the "bad man" take Samantha, Simon and Jankin.

"Hi!" he cried as he raced over to the two adults. "Are you here to see my Papa?" he asked. "How are Simon and Jankin? Can they come over and play? Would they like to see the puppies again? They're getting big and Papa says we have to find good homes for them. I'd like to keep them, but Mama said that's "too many dogs". But I don't think you can ever have too many, can you?"

He stopped to take a breath, at which point a laughing Jack interrupted. "Simon and Jankin are just fine, and I'm sure they'd love to come over and play. I'll speak with your parents about arranging a play date. And yes, we'd like to see the puppies. In fact, that's why we came – to get one of them to take to Simon and Jankin."

"Is he talking your ear off," Willem approached laughingly. He affectionately put his arm around his son. "So, you're here to get one of the puppies?"

"Yes. I'm sorry it took us so long -"

Willem held up his hand, interrupting Jack. "I think you had other things to worry about! How are you, Samantha?" he asked. "And the boys?"

"I'm doing fine, Willem, thank you. I took a few days to rest, but I'm back to 100% now."

"That's great," the young man smiled. "And Simon and Jankin?"

"They're great," Jack grinned. "Very proud of themselves and sharing their adventure with everyone in listening range."

"Sounds like Matteo here," his father ruffled his hair. "You'll have to send the boys over to play. I know Matteo would love that."

"We'll make the arrangements," Jack nodded. "Now, about those puppies!"

Both Willem and Sam laughed, knowing full-well that Jack was as eager as a little kid. Willem and Matteo led the way to the barn, where the mama and her puppies were staying.

"So, have you decided which one to take?" Willem asked, as Sam and Jack crouched down and played with the rambunctious puppies.

"Not really. Sam, any ideas?" Jack asked her.

Sam considered the five puppies carefully. They were all adorable and ranged from almost white to a golden color and two of them had specks of black on their faces. Jack had told her they looked like golden retrievers, although he thought they might have some husky mixed in. Whatever the breed, they were cute as could be.

She watched the puppies play and climb all over one another. Some were more active, and a couple seemed rather quiet and sedate. In the end, it was the middle puppy that she was drawn to. It was a dark orange, but had black on its ears. It was also very affectionate – it had already licked her fingers, and seemed playful, but not quite as aggressive as two of its siblings.

"This one, I think," she said, lifting up the little puppy.

"Good choice," Jack nodded. "That's the one I would have picked."

"Really?" she glanced at him, wondering if he was just saying that to please her.

"Yes, really," he replied. "He's got spirit but is also gentle and loving – a perfect combination. You picked well!" He looked over at Willem. "I guess this is the one."

"Good pick!" Willem said. "I must admit that he would have been my choice as well."

"So, it's a 'he'," Sam said. "I'm not so sure your house needs another male!"

Jack grinned. "We're takin over, Carter. And anyway – as soon as he's old enough it's "snip, snip". He'll stay nice and gentle."

She laughed and stood up, still carrying the puppy. She glanced over at Jack and couldn't help but grin. "Here, you want to hold him, don't you?"

He took the puppy and held its wiggling body gently. He allowed it to lick his cheek but then pulled it away from his face. "Yes, you're adorable and you're going to be well-loved. Willem," he turned to his friend, "what can I give you for the little guy?"

"Give me? Oh, you mean payment? Nothing, my friend. He is yours to keep and to love."

"Are you sure? You've gone to all the work to raise them and look after them."

"I tell you what – the next time there's a game, you can buy me a beer! That will be payment enough."

"It's a deal," Jack told him, reaching out and shaking his hands. "And I would say a few beers! Matteo," he turned to the little boy, "I know you also helped look after the puppies, so thank you. The boys are going to be thrilled!"

Matteo smiled and leaned against his father's leg. "And you won't forget to have them come over and play?"

"I won't forget," Jack told him. A few minutes later, after another thank you to Willem and Matteo, he and Sam started back to Ethan's.

"The boys are going to be over the moon," Sam chatted as they walked.

"Mmm hmm. I can hardly wait, although they're going to have to learn to be gentle and take care of him." He looked down at the puppy, who was now sound asleep in his arms.

"Any thoughts on names?" Sam asked, her heart skipping a beat as she watched Jack with the puppy. He was such a good man, she thought. Animals and children always know – and both loved Jack.

"Nah – I'll let the boys name him." He paused a moment and then glanced at her. "I thought about Danny," he confessed.

Sam felt her throat constrict but nodded. "Yes, I can see why. He'd got a spirit of adventure, but he's also loving and friendly. Definitely a Danny." She stopped for a moment. "I miss him so much," she said softly.

"Me too," Jack admitted, stopping with her. "And Teal'c and George – ah hell – I'm sorry. I should never have brought him up."

"Yes, yes you should. I don't want to forget them or not talk about them. I miss our friends, my family, Earth. It's – hard."

"I know," he answered, also softly. "It's good here, and we were lucky, but we'll never forget our home."

"No, although we have to start thinking of this as our home now," she told him.

"Yes, you're right. So, no more Colonel or Sir, no more Major. We're Jack O'Neill and Samantha Carter, residents of Varid."

"It's – final, isn't it?"

"I'm afraid so. Are you – okay?"

"Hmm, yes, I think so. As we've said, we'll always miss Earth and our friends and family, but this is a good place and knowing that we're here for good, well, I guess we can make plans now. We have a future to build."

"Mmm," he agreed, although he began to feel uncomfortable, not sure what the future held for him – or for them. Before he had to say anything, they arrived at Ethan's house. As they stepped up onto the porch, Sam reached out and took his arm, stopping him.

"What is it?" he asked gently.

"I meant it, you know," she said.

He looked at her, a frown between his brows. "You meant -?"

"What I said after you'd rescued us. I meant it – and I remember your answer. Now, we have a puppy to deliver, but this conversation isn't over." She smiled sweetly at him and opened the door and walked into the house.

A stunned Jack stood on the porch, puppy in hand, with a frozen look on his face. He wondered how much of his future was in his control – and how much it would be determined by one Samantha Carter.

He chuckled softly and followed Sam into the house.