Things were great! Sam was happier than she had been in a long time. In fact, for the first time since landing on Varid, she'd stopped worrying about getting home. It wasn't that she – they – were going to stop looking, but she knew that if there was no way home, she could be happy here.

She'd been over at Jack's – well, technically at Ethan's – almost every day. Magrit had taken some time to visit her children and grandchildren, so she'd offered to help with the boys. She grinned when she realized that "the boys" included Jack and Ethan.

She'd grown to love Simon and Jankin and, let's be honest, she told herself, she'd also grown to love Jack. There had long been feelings between them, as evidenced by the damn Zatar'c test, but those feelings hadn't had an opportunity to deepen. When they'd decided to keep it "in the room" it had stopped them from developing those feelings and they'd stayed good friends and little more.

Spending time with him, without the confines of military protocol and regulations, had allowed her love to grow. She had also come to understand him more fully and appreciated all, well almost all aspects of him.

She'd seen his integrity, his courage and his loyalty to his friends and comrades throughout the years, and those things had shone here as well. But now, without the pressures they'd both been under in fighting the Goa'uld, and being responsible for saving Earth, she'd also been able to witness his true kindness and humility. He'd developed a huge network of friends in Hjem; from Ethan and the boys, to Magrit, Magnus, Magda and many others. Even their neighbor Christiana was part of the Jack fan club. Sam was a little worried about Christiana, but Jack didn't seem to feel anything for her beyond friendship, so she wasn't going to let it bother her.

She knew it was time she and Jack had a conversation. She was nervous but couldn't wait.

Things were great!

Things were a mess! Jack dropped his head into his hands and tried to figure out what he was going to do.

"You got yourself into this," he muttered. "When will you learn?"

Sam had been spending all her free time with Ethan and the boys and him. She was no longer angry, which was a relief, but now – hell, now she was obviously developing deeper feelings for him. No, that wasn't fair. There had always been feelings between them, but this time she was letting her guard down and was falling in love with him.

And she couldn't do that! He didn't want to hurt her, but he had to do something to let her know it wasn't going to work. He had to be honest that he didn't love her in that way.

"You are such a liar, Jack", that irritating little voice said. Of course he loved her, but there was no hope for the two of them. He couldn't let things go on and let her get her hopes up. They had to have a conversation, and soon. He was dreading it.

Things were a mess.

These two very distinct conversations were not about to happen, however, since something else was soon going to get in the way – something that had little to do with love, but everything to do with revenge.

Leron returned.

Sam was helping in the store since Jack and Ethan had gone to arrange to rent space for their second location. They had hired new staff so most of her work entailed supervision and helping the odd customer with something they couldn't find.

As she walked the full aisles, she glanced down at her leg and smiled. It was Jack who had pointed out that if she had a brace she'd find it easier to be on her feet for longer. She'd known that for months, but had refused to do anything about it, preferring to wallow in self-pity. Now that things had been resolved between them, she'd been willing to listen and work with him to create something to help support her leg.

It still needed a few tweaks, but she found the added support to be really helpful and it enabled her to be on her feet much longer. Once she got it to work perfectly, she'd help make it more visually appealing. Magnus had pointed out that it would be very helpful for other people and was something they could sell. Sam agreed, but only if they offered it at a price everyone could afford.

She was just organizing one of the shelves that had gotten a bit messy, when she heard the door open. A few seconds later and she sensed a presence nearby. She glanced up – only to see Leron grinning down at her. She felt a shiver up her spine but straightened up and gave him a tepid smile.

"Leron. I didn't think you'd be back," she said.

"I told you I would," he answered. "Always believe me when I say something."

Her eyebrow went up at his arrogance and rudeness. "Okay. Is there anything I can help to find?"

"Jack," he answered briefly.

"Pardon me?"

"I'm here to find your friend, Jack. Where is he.

"I'm sorry," she replied, not sounding the least bit apologetic. "Even if I knew, I wouldn't give out that information. Now, is there something you need in the Mercantile?"

"I told you," he said, leaning forward and speaking right in her face. "I'm looking for Jack. I've been told his last name is O'Neill. Tell me where he is or I'll - ."

"Or you'll what?" she asked, her eyes narrowed. Major Carter was out in full force. "You do not come into my place of business and make demands. If you want to leave information about your location, I'll pass it on, otherwise do your shopping and leave."

Leron's nose flared in anger, but a second later he took a deep breath and calmed down. He then pasted a smile on his face. "Why Sam, we've gotten off to a bad start. I'm happy to see you again."

She just stared at him. "Was there something you needed?"

He sighed dramatically. "I can see I went about this the wrong way. I really do want to get to know you better, my dear, but in the meantime, I have some business with Jack."

"What kind of business?" she asked, although she knew she should let it go and not encourage this man.

"He knew my brother," Leron said softly, "and I have a suspicion that dear old Jack did something to him. I want to know what."

"Jack told you; he doesn't know your brother. You're wasting your time."

"I could tell as soon as he saw me that he recognized me," Leron told her. "He thought I was Meron, and he was terrified. To me that means that my brother is probably dead or captured and that O'Neill knows. I want him to tell me about my brother."

"You can talk to him when he's back," she finally answered. "I can assure you he didn't know your brother. He was sick that day, that's all. After you left, he was sick to his stomach and needed to take some time off. It had nothing to do with you or your brother."

Leron just smiled. "We'll see," he said. "And after that business is done, you and I have to have a little chat," he told her. "We're gonna be great together."

"Over my dead body," she said under her breath as the man turned and left the store.

The man truly gave her the creeps and now she was frightened. The last thing Jack needed was the hassle of a vengeful enemy. They had made a home here, but they were both from "somewhere else" and she didn't know what the community would do if he was suspected of something wrong.

When the two men got back that evening, tired but satisfied after their day, Sam asked to speak with Jack.

He nodded, although she wondered why he suddenly seemed uncomfortable, unless he'd already heard about Leron's visit.

It had been a long but worthwhile day, Jack pondered as he and Ethan had headed home. He just wanted to clean up and relax and not think about anything. The specter of Sam rose in his mind at that moment. He wanted to see her – hell, he always wanted to see her, but tonight he didn't know if he was up to dealing with – things. He had to have the discussion with her sooner, rather than later, but not tonight.

But was it fair to leave things any longer, he asked himself? The more he delayed, the more they were falling in love, and the more expectations Sam would have. He sighed. Maybe he'd have to say something this evening after all.

"Jack, can I speak with you?" Sam asked.

"Of course. Would you like to go into the garden?" Jack felt his stomach fall, sure that this was it.

"That would be great. Why don't you go back and sit down, and I'll bring you a drink. I know you must be tired after a long day."

He nodded and agreed, making his way out into the garden. He'd come to think of it as "their" spot, something he needed to stop doing.

"Thank you," he sighed as she handed him their local version of lemonade.

"So, you did the deal?" she asked. "The place is ours – well, Ethan's I guess?"

He smiled when he realized how much Sam had taken the store to heart. "Yes, it's ours," he said, setting his now empty glass on the ground. "It's going to be a lot of work opening it, but I think it's in the perfect neighborhood. We spoke to a number of the locals and they're all excited. They have to travel quite a ways now to get supplies."

They chatted for a few minutes about the Mercantile, until Sam finally decided she needed to tell Jack about Leron.

"We had a visitor today," she said abruptly.

"A visitor?" he asked. "Who was it?"

"Leron. He came into the store and wanted to see you. He suspects you've done something to his brother, or at least that you saw him."

"Did he say that?" Jack asked, surprised.

"Yes, he did. He's – he frightens me, Jack. There's something about him – he's smart but he's mean."

"Mmm, doesn't surprise me. He sounds just like his brother. Well, as I said before, there isn't any proof so I don't see what he can do."

"Don't underestimate him, Jack. He's planning something and I don't want you to get hurt, or in trouble."

"Don't worry, I won't underestimate him, although I still don't think there's anything he can do. He can't prove I knew his brother or what happened to him – and his cohorts."

"No, but he may decide to take things into his own hands. He could kill you out of revenge."

"Better men, and Goa'uld's have tried and failed. Don't worry, Sam," he said quickly, as she looked at him in frustration. "I'm not taking what you're telling me lightly, and I will be extra careful. But other than that, there's nothing I can do to stop him. He hasn't done anything wrong, at least not yet."

"Should we tell the Security Office?"

"Hmmm. I don't think so. At least, not yet. That might look suspicious. If he does anything, anything at all, to try and hurt either of us I'll let them know. For now, I'm an innocent shopkeeper who knows nothing about Leron's brother."

With that she had to be satisfied, although in reality she knew there was nothing else they could do. Leron hadn't done anything illegal and being creepy wasn't a crime in Hjem.

The next day their visitor returned, but this time demanded to speak to Jack.

"Not here," Jack answered, looking at his customers, "outside."

He followed Leron out into the yard, which was thankfully empty of people. "Now, what is this you're saying? Sam told me you came by yesterday making wild claims."

"You and I both know they aren't wild," Leron spit at him, his eyes narrowed. "You knew my brother and I suspect you killed him."

"Killed him? For one thing, I've never met your brother, and even if I did, why in the world would I kill him. I'm a merchant, not a killer."

"I've been doing my research, O'Neill. You're not from around here. In fact, you showed up just over a year ago – just after the last time I saw my brother and our friends. You showed up with two rouncies, which you promptly sold. I think that's pretty suspicious."

"It's suspicious that I sold rouncies?" Jack asked, with a brief laugh. "That does sound bad!"

"Don't laugh, Jack. Why did you sell the rouncies? They were perfectly good, I'm told and if they were yours you could have kept them."

"Leron, you're really reaching. It's really none of your business why I sold them, or even whether I'd decided to butcher and eat them. Now, is there anything else that points to me knowing your brother Melon?"

"Meron!" hissed his brother. "Why did you sell the rouncies?" Leron practically shouted. "Were they his?"

"His?"

"My brother's!"

"They were mine," Jack answered. "And I sold them because I didn't need two but I did need a stronger rouncey to be able to pull wagons of supplies. Now, are you satisfied?"

"No. I'm sure they belonged to my brother, even if I can't prove it. Where did you come from," Leron suddenly changed direction.

"Where? Who the hell are you to interrogate me? I tell you again, I didn't know your brother or his friends. Please leave me and my friends alone." Jack went to turn away, when Leron grabbed his shoulder and swung him around. Little did he know that he almost went flying, but Jack stopped himself in time.

"Take your hands off of me," he said, his teeth clenched in anger. "And don't ever touch me again. I suggest you get off this property. You are not welcome here, ever again."

"I'm going to find out the truth, and when I do, I'm going to make sure you pay for it," Leron told him. "I want to know what you did to my brother and to Alid and Donar."

"I don't know your brother or Alied or Donut. Now get off of my property and don't come back!"

After Leron left, Jack stood in the yard, wondering if he'd make a big mistake to kick the man out. It was clear that Meron's brother was vindictive and was going to be trouble.

"Two peas in a pod," he murmured.

"Is he gone?" Sam had walked out and was standing next to him.

"Mmm hmm. I told him to leave and not come back. He's convinced the rouncies I sold belonged to his brother. He's also convinced I had something to do with his disappearance."

"You're sure the rouncies can't be identified?"

"Not one hundred percent, no, although even if they could prove they belonged to his brother, it wouldn't prove I did anything to him. The fact that I was badly injured should also help my claim, if it comes to that."

"Except you being hurt might imply you'd been in a fight," Sam mused. "He could claim you'd fought his brother and killed him – and then disposed of the body."

If Sam had looked at her companion at that moment, she would have seen a strange look on Jack's face.

Of course, he wasn't going to say anything, but the type of wounds he'd arrived with couldn't have come from a fight. However, he didn't want it to ever get to the point where he – or others – had to prove that point.

"Let's hope he gives up," Jack said finally. "It's time to get cleaned up for dinner. Are you joining us?"

"Is that okay?" Sam asked, almost shyly.

"Of course, Sam. You don't need to ask." With that Jack headed towards the house, with Sam next to him. Hopefully he could get his mind off Leron by spending the evening with Sam and the kids.

That night he had another nightmare – or nightscare as they called it in Hjem. It was so bad that both the boys woke up crying, and Ethan and Magrit had to help calm them.

After he had seen to the boys and they'd fallen back asleep, Ethan made his way to Jack's room. He found his friend sitting on the side of his bed, leaning over with his head in his hands.

"I'm sorry," Jack said softly. "I hate scaring the boys like that."

"This time you didn't scare just them," Ethan joked. "That must have been quite some nightscare."

"I'm sorry," Jack said again, sitting up and taking a deep breath. "It's been a busy week and I guess – it just all bubbled up."

"It didn't have anything to do with that man who came by today, did it? I heard he's been asking questions about you."

"You don't miss much, do you Ethan?" Jack smiled slightly.

"Hey, how do you think I got so successful? By keeping my ear to the ground and being suspicious of everything. Not everybody," he clarified. "I wouldn't want to live that way."

"No, but in the case of this man, you should. He claims I know his brother, who he's been looking for, for months. He's worried something has happened to him and thinks I know something."

"And do you?" Ethan asked gently.

Jack leaned his head back and sighed. "I think – his brother was one of the ones who captured me," he admitted. "When I first saw him -"

"Oh, Jack, I'm so sorry. That must have been awful."

"Yeah. I'm afraid I gave it away. I was – shocked, to say the least. For a moment I thought it was him."

"So that's why he thinks you know something?"

"Because of my reaction? Yeah. I was an idiot. And he found out about the rouncies."

"You were human," corrected Ethan. "And as for the rouncies - no one can prove they belonged to his brother. They were yours and you sold them, end of story." Ethan looked compassionately at his friend. "None of this should be a problem, Jack. Even if he could prove you knew his brother, what difference does that make? You didn't do anything wrong. You were the victim, not him, or his friends."

"I don't think that matters to Leron. He's out for revenge."

"They definitely sound like brothers," Ethan stated.

"I'm afraid so. He certainly looks like him."

"Hence, the nightscares," finished Ethan. "Well, I think I'm going to head over and see Hiram tomorrow. I want to get ahead of anything this man might do."

"Hiram? Do you think that's wise?" Jack asked. Hiram was the chief Security Officer and a good friend of Ethan's. He was a good man, wise and kind – but he enforced the law and worked hard to be fair and impartial.

"Yes, I do. Look, when I first brought you here, Doc Markus didn't think you were going to make it. It was clear that someone had hurt you, so he and I reported it to Hiram. He knew all about – your injuries and that you were the victim of some very bad men. At the time, there was a group of bandits who were attacking people over by Kalmar. They'd killed a number of folks and the local security forces sent out word to Hiram as it had been rumored they were coming this weay. He suspected it was the same gang that attacked you."

"He's never said anything to me."

"No, Doc and I figured you didn't need that kind of pressure, not when you were coping with getting better. I filled Hiram in on everything that I could. He did send men out to trace your route, but they didn't find evidence of anyone or even where you were attacked. The interesting thing is that, since you were found, those bandits haven't been seen or heard of anywhere."

Jack didn't answer and avoided looking at his friend. Ethan was smart – and wily. Jack knew he suspected.

"Let me ask you something, Jack," Ethan said softly. "Are those men ever coming back."

"Ethan – I – can't. If I tell you -"

"Jack, this conversation never happened. If anyone asks me, I will swear that I've never spoken to you about the men who hurt you and I know nothing about – well anything. You have my word on it."

Jack gave a half smile and nodded, knowing he could trust Ethan implicitly. "No." he finally said.

"No?" Ethan looked at him with a puzzled frown.

"You asked if those men are coming back – the ones who hurt me – and I'm telling you that no, they aren't."

Ethan nodded and then stood up and put a hand on Jack's shoulder. "You go back to sleep, Jack. Everything will be fine, I promise. And as for the men who hurt you – I'm glad they won't be back. The world is a safer place without them in it."

After Ethan left, Jack sat for a moment, thinking about Leron and the trouble he could bring. But he also thought about Sam and Ethan, and all his friends in Hjem. There was no way in hell he was going to let the brother of that bastard harm him or his.

With that he lay back down and closed his eyes. He soon fell asleep, and this time there were no more nightscares.