2011 Author's Notes:
Copied /pasted from 2003 posting at Gateworld dot net Fan Fiction Archive. Copyright disclaimer at end of chapter. Publishing to fan fiction dot net in 2011 to qualify for beta-reader status.
GateWorld FanFic Presents
Janet Raqs!
by Gilder McCarroll
Rating: All Ages
Category: Humor, Holiday, Other
Season: Season Six
Featured Character(s): Janet Fraiser
Pairing(s): Other Pairing
Holiday: Other
Summary: Cassandra gives Janet a special Mother's Day gift. New and old talents are revealed.
Janet Frasier woke slowly, teased by aromas of brewing coffee and fresh baking. "Ahh, Cassie's in the kitchen," she smiled to herself. The teen had discovered new talents in this semester's home-ec class. Janet turned and snuggled back into her pillow, trying to catch the wisps of a dream. Something about Daniel paying a visit. He seemed content with ascended existence and had hinted at pleasant surprises. Cassie's developing maturity definitely qualified!
In a few minutes, Cassie's light rap on the bedroom door roused Janet again. "Happy Mothers' Day, sleepyhead!" Janet's daughter carefully balanced two mugs as she entered; coffee, light and sweet, for her mother and cocoa for herself.
"Thanks for letting me sleep in, Sunshine." Janet smiled, stretched, and sat up against the headboard. "Do I smell blueberry-banana bread?"
"Just out of the oven and cooling." Cassie handed over the red "Mom" mug. "I thought you might like to open your present...well, really, I just can't wait any longer!" The blonde teen grinned and flourished a manila envelope. She settled on the bed, trying not to bounce, but obviously excited.
"Mmm...the coffee's wonderful, thanks. Now what have we here?" Janet set her mug on the bedside table and lifted the envelope's open flap. Inside, she found a flyer announcing "Raqs Sharki in the Rockies, Middle-Eastern Dance Workshop, Saturday, June 15, Denver, Colorado". Highlighted in bright pink was "Featured Instructor: Karen Barbee, Karavan Studios, San Antonio, Texas". A second, enclosed envelope contained a workshop ticket.
Janet was astounded. "Cassie, this is...wonderful! But...how did you know? I haven't told you much about my time in Texas...?"
"I was poking around in the storage closet, and your costume box fell off the shelf! I've never seen so much sparkly, jingly...STUFF!" Cassie grinned. "There were some newsletters and programs mentioning Karen's website, so I checked it out. I emailed Karen because I saw the workshop on her schedule. She got back to me immediately! She's really looking forward to seeing you!"
"But, honey, I haven't taken lessons since I left San Antonio some six years ago. I'm way out of practice." Janet groaned.
"Oh, come on, Mom, you pass "Cycle Ergonomics" with flying colors every year, and you hold your own on off-world missions. Besides, I've seen you dance around the house and at parties, when you think no one's looking. And Karen said she's teaching something you should remember...um, Amway, or Arain...?"
"Amarain? The veil dance?" Janet's eyes sparkled. "It was one of my favorites!"
Cassie snapped her fingers. "That's it, she said to bring a veil. I guess she doesn't mean a wedding veil?" smirked Cassie.
Janet grabbed a toss pillow and threatened to throw it. "No sarcasm, young lady. You're spending too much time with Colonel O'Neill," and she winked. "Dance veils can be part of the costume, but they're also graceful props. I liked Amarain because I could hide behind the veil if I goofed." She looked again at the flyer. "You realize that's Father's Day weekend? We're going with Jonas on Sunday to see Dr. Kieran. There's a luncheon at the VA Nursing Home in Denver."
"Yes, but we were planning to go up Saturday anyway. Sam's reserved a hotel room next to the mall, and I'll drive up with her after mowing her lawn, so we can still have Girls' Afternoon Out."
"Oh, you don't want to go with to laugh at my feeble attempts?" Then it struck her. "How are you affording this, anyway? You didn't raid your college fund, did you?" Her brows arched to her auburn hairline, but her eyes twinkled.
Cassie rolled her eyes. "Mom, you know me better! Sam and General Hammond gave me advances on this summer's lawn-care money. I told them you deserved a special gift this year, but I didn't say exactly what. I picked up a couple of new customers, too, so I'll be busy that morning."
"Sounds like you'll be mowing lawns well into October, sweetheart! C'mere and give me a hug!" Janet wrapped her arms around her daughter. "You've made this a very special Mothers' Day. Thank you so much."
Cassie leaned back, saw Janet's misty eyes, and giggled. "Here, Mom, have a Kleenex. That bread should be cool by now. Later, could you show me your costumes and some moves?"
"Yeah, we'll have a 'fashion show' this afternoon. Thanks to you, Sneaky, I have to try on my old unitards anyway!" Janet laughed and threw back the covers. "Last one to the kitchen does the dishes!"
DISCLAIMER: "Stargate SG-1" and its characters are the property of MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Film Corp., Showtime/Viacom and USA Networks, Inc. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations and story are the property of the author(s), and may not be republished or archived elsewhere without the author's permission.
Archived on Sepember 28, 2003