Title: Family Ties
Part 1: Jessi
Summary: Life many years after Sean O'Neill passed away. What are they up to now? How are things getting along for the O'Neill family? Each chapter will be about each of the kids and where they are now. Than the final chapter will be all of them coming together. Please bear with me on this one. I have too many thoughts running around in my head for this and I need to get them all together as I write. I know that I didn't start in order with the oldest first. But that's because Jessi's story came to mind first. Thank you for understanding and please send me feedback. I wanna know what ya'll think
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters from the TV series. The only character I claim as "Mine" are Jake, Jessi, Sara, Sean, Elliya (Elli), Tatiana, Elijah (Eli) and Khole. And even them I don't get paid for or "Own" I just made them up. No copy right in fragment intended here.
Jessica Janet-Cathleen O'Neill stood at the base of where in her eyes, her family began. This was the place where her parents met, the place they fell in love, and the place they got married. Jessi never thought that she would be here. This was part of her. She remembered taking trips to this place when she was a child. Now, why exactly she was back here was beyond her. She stared at the Stargate with wonder in her eyes and questions on her mind. If all the enemies that her parents had fought so hard to defeat were gone, why was the Stargate program being reinstated? In the years since her brother passed she and her family have lived in CA for a short time, Washington after that for a job her father got and then later retired from and back in Colorado Springs where her mother became commander of the very base she now stood in and soon after making the Stargate program public knowledge retired to spend the rest of her life with her husband. Colorado Springs is where her parents now resided in a quiet little house just on the outside of town. Her older brother lived just a few hours away in Denver with his wife and 2 children Mikah Grace and Carter Jackson. Her younger sister still lived in the springs so she could be close to her parents. She was never one to stray far from them and never will. And her, well Jessi decided to take on the family business. She followed in her father's footsteps and joined the military. She went straight to Air force and was now a Captain. And now here she stood at her new assignment, for reasons she not yet knew.
Jessi reached out to touch the gate when she heard a voice being cleared behind her "Ahemm, Who are you?" Major General Louis Ferretti asked.
She immediately turned and stood at attention saluting the general "Captain Jessica O'Neill reporting for duty sir"
Ferretti saluted her back "At ease Captain. O'Neill? That name sounds vaguely familiar, Jack O'Neill? Is that your father?"
"Yes sir, Samantha O'Neill is my mother, formerly Carter sir"
Ferretti smiled "Right, I remember Jack. Lost touch with him many years ago. Went on the very first mission with him through that very ring you're standing in front of right now. How is Jack these days?"
Jessi walked down off the ramp to stand in front of her commanding officer "He's doing good. Loves the retired life, gets to spend more time with mom, and the dog sir"
"And your mom how's she?"
Jessi looked down with a sad look on her face before replying "Moms a fighter sir. She's hanging in there. Dealing with this hasn't been easy for her or dad" she told him. Sam was dealing with the loss of her family. Her brother passed away just 5 months ago and her sister in law had been gone for just under 2 years now. As far as the Carter side of the family, she was the only one left. Mark's kids never really came around much. Both having started their own families and careers.
Ferretti nodded looking her straight in the eyes "Does your family know you're here Captain?"
"No Sir. I was ordered to report here first thing after I landed"
"Yes, straight to business. Just like your father. I see now why you were the O'Neill child to join. Go home Captain. See your family. Say hello to Jack for me will ya?"
Jessi smiled and nodded giving him a quick salute as he walked toward the door "Yes sir!" and with that she turned and looked at the Stargate one last time before walking into to corridor where she headed toward the elevator that would take her to the surface and home to see her family.
Jessi arrived in her parent's driveway and sat in the car a minute. It felt strange being back home when you've been away for so long. She went right into training not long after graduating from high school and had only been back a hand full of times since being stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The longest she remembers being home was just under a year. She spent all her time with her parents and her family. Both her parents were proud of her for wanting to "carry on the family business" but that didn't mean that they weren't scared to death every time she had to go. Her mom was the worst of the two. But her mom was also her biggest fan. Sara was next in line to her mom. Being the only two girls they had become like best friends. They did everything they could together. And when Jessi had announced the she was going to enlist it about broke Sara's heart.
Jessi took one last deep breath and opened the car door. Stepping out she adjusted her uniform and placed on her hat as she made her way up the walkway to her parent's house. She smiled knowing her whole family was inside. He brother was even there. Probably on one of his day trips so the grandkids could see Papa and Gramma. She reached the door and took one last breath before reaching for the handle and slowly opening the door. The sound of laughter filled her ears as she walked in the hallway just before the living room setting her bag down she rounded to corner yelling over the noise "Where in the hell is my welcoming party?" coming around the corner with a smile on her face. A 3 year old little girl looked up with a shocked look on her face. She got up and ran toward Jessi at full speed yelling "MOMMY" and jumped up into her arms and hugged her with all her might. Jessi stood with her little girl in her arms and held her tight, loving this feeling right here. Nothing was better than feeling the arms of your child around your neck after so long. Khole Noel was born three years ago. She had come as quite a shock to her mother. But since having her she has become the most important thing in her life. Giving Khole a kiss she gently set her down beside her so she could greet the rest of her family.
After the shock wore off everyone gathered around Jessi hugging her and saying hello. Her parents and Sara the only 3 who stood back tears in their eyes at seeing daughter and sister home again safe and sound. Sara was the next to come up and wrap her arms tightly around her sister's neck.
"Welcome home!" was all she could get out through her tears. Jessi smiled and hugged her tighter only releasing her to go over and hug her parents. She reached over and hugged her mother who hugged her back with a smile on her face.
"I'm glad your home. How long are you here?"
Jessi pulled back to answer her question "Actually, a while" They all looked at her with a curious look but as always, her doctor brother got the first sentence in.
"Why? Are you hurt? What happen? Please tell us you're ok Jess"
Jessi laughed and shook her head explaining "I'm fine, no I'm not hurt or in trouble. I have officially been stationed here at Cheyenne Mountain under the watchful eye of General Ferretti. He says hello by the way dad" Jessi said as she walked over to her father and throwing her arms around him. Jack hugged her back with all his might. His little girl was home.
"Welcome home baby" Jack said hugging her tighter "I'm glad you're safe"
"Thanks dad. Man I sure have missed all of this. Missed all of you. It's good to be home"
They all smiled and nodded looking at her. It truly was good to be home where she belonged with her family. She was suddenly feeling very excited about whatever they had starting up again at Cheyenne just because it gave her to opportunity to be closer to her family and to watch her baby girl grow up. Since she had already missed so much already, she was thankful to have this opportunity now. Jack looked around the room and spoke up "I do believe this calls for a celebration. Let's go eat."
Everyone looked at him waiting for him to finish his sentence "It's on me"
And everyone chimed in "I'm in" "Let's go" "sounds good I'm ready" Both Sam and Jack smiled at each other. It was just like their kids. They may offer to pay for everybody, but in the end they all would split the bill.
Later that night the entire O'Neill family sat around the table at O'Malley's bar and grill. They talked and laughed and just had a general good time. All getting the chance to catch up it had been long enough since they last got the chance to do this. Sam sat back and looked at her family. This is what her life had come to. She was amazed at how far they all have come. She still remembered the days when all that mattered was her career and getting as far as she could go. Nothing had prepared her for the world wind known as Jack O'Neill. And now look at where she was at. She had a wonderful husband whom she loved, and knew he loved her back. She also had 3 amazing children, Jake was a doctor and had his own family, Jessi was in the military and had a beautiful little girl of her own, and Sara was on her way to graduating from cosmetology school and was finally getting her life back on track. It continually amazed Sam that she had become this woman who wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her days as just a family person. She was happy that she had come to this point.
As the night went on the O'Neill family enjoyed the time they had together. They laughed, they had serious moments, and they did everything that they missed out on doing every day. When they finally arrived back at home Jake and his family said their good nights and headed home. Jessi carried Khole up to her bed room. Just as she was about to lay her down in her own bed she changed her mind and brought her over to her bed. Lying down with her snuggly in her arms. She fell asleep promptly from all the exhaustion from the day of getting caught up. She was truly happy to be home. Nothing could be better than this. As she drifted off to sleep she felt her mother's hand run across her face and pull the cover up over her and Khole. With a content smile on her face she whispered "Love you mom" and was asleep.
The next morning Jessi sat at the kitchen table across from Jack watching Khole eating breakfast. They sat in silence sipping on their coffee.
Jack looked up trying to figure out where to start a conversation with his daughter. "Since when did you start drinking coffee?" he calmly asked.
Jessi quietly laughed looking up at her dad "Basic. Early mornings are rough"
"Oh yeah. Been there done that bought the tee shirt. So Ferretti got the big chair now?"
"Yeah. He said hi. I think it'd be nice if you paid him a little visit sometime dad. So go ahead. I know you have a bigger question"
"When do you report back for duty?"
"When they call. The general is still waiting for the rest of the troops to get here. I was the closest. I had just landed in Washington when I got my orders"
"Why are they re-opening the Stargate program? After all these years? It's basically become a tourist spot"
"I don't know dad. I had the same thought. But I can't ask questions dad. You know this. Go where you're told when you're told to go. No questions asked. I just hope it's nothing too serious" She said looking at Khole.
"Trust me Jess. When the Stargate is involved it's always serious. Many things have come and gone through that gate. We've lost many good men and woman. Let's not add another to our list what do you say kid?"
"Is that your way of saying be careful and to watch my 6 dad?" Jessi smiled looking over at Jack who just shrugged his shoulders smiling. Jessi smiled back getting up she walked over to her father and sat on his lap just like she used to do when she was younger. She may be 25 years old, but she was never too old to sit on her father's lap and just hug him. "I love you dad. I've missed you all so much. I'm happy I'm home"
Jack wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Jessi had always been a daddy's girl and he loved moments like this. No matter how old she got. These were the moments that stayed in his heart forever. He never really had this depth of relationship with Sara and that pained him. But he knew that she loved him in her own way. Closing his eyes he whispered back "I love you to Jess. I've missed you and prayed for your safe return. It's not easy having one of your own kids out there doing what you used to do knowing how dangerous it can get. I'm glad your home"
As Jack finished talking Sara came around the corner into the kitchen "Geez Jess aren't you a little old for that?" She asked her sister.
Jessi rolled her eyes smiled and shook her head "You're never too old to love on your daddy like your still a little girl" She said as she hugged him tighter and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Getting up she moved back over to her chair. Purposely pushing Sara on her way "You should try it some time. It is the best place to be"
Jack couldn't believe the amazing young woman who now sat across from him. She had grown up so much since graduating high school. She was now a mother and in the military. And now she was going into an assignment blindly but with eyes wide open. Nothing could be better than seeing your children follow their dreams. He was proud of each and every one of them. He wouldn't change this for the world.
3 weeks later…
Jessi stood in the very same briefing room her parents once stood and waited for general Ferretti to join her and the other men and woman waiting to get more information as to why they were here. They didn't have to wait long. When Ferretti walked out they all stood at attention.
"At ease, have a seat ladies and gentlemen"
Everyone sat and listened expectantly waiting for their orders. Jessi was more nervous now than ever before waiting for her orders. She looked at the general's face and tried to read his stone cold expression.
"Ladies and gentleman for those of you who don't already know, I am Major General Ferretti I am from here on out your commanding officer. And you are the best of the best up and coming in this fine military. We are reinstating this very command and you all have been hand chosen to be on the front line"
"Front line for what sir" A major asked
"For the newest enemy at this very gate. You all are now receiving all the Intel we have on these people"
Jessi took the folder being handed to her and nodded at the tech her thanks. Opening it up her heart stared to beat wildly out of control. Up until this point she had always known what she was getting herself into. And this very situation scared her more than ever. Opening the folder all the way she stopped and stared at it in confusion "Uhh sir, if I may? But these pages are all blank. Does that mean that we have no Intel on who we will be dealing with?" Jessi asked
Ferretti chuckled and shook his head "No. You all are here because the president and declared that the Stargate is now a travel destination. We are to make every planet that we have ever visited avalible to the general public. I highly recommended that was a bad idea. But the president said otherwise. You people are here because I won't let it happen without having some line of defense to what may be out there. And you all are it. You are going to form into 8 teams ranging from 1-8. And Captain your on the number one team along with Colonel Joshua Martian, Doctor Tatiana Jackson and Lt. Michael Moore"
Jessi smiled as her team walked in. She had worked with 2 of them before. Colonel Martian only briefly she was stationed with Lieutenant Moore just before she reported to Colorado. And Tatiana Well she was a family friend. She had no idea that her Uncle Daniels daughter had joined the army as a doctor no less. She walked over to her team and greeted them with salutes, handshakes and a hug.
"Captain" Colonel Martian said as he saluted her.
"Colonel" She said back.
"What the hell? Why can't I get away from you?" Lieutenant Moore said with a smile on his face reaching over to give her a quick hug.
"Maybe because you will always be my bitch" She said just before releasing him and turning to Tatiana.
"Long time no see cuz. How ya' been?"
Tatiana smiled at her "Cousin" and replied "I've been fair. Getting by and such. You know how it is being a Jackson. Hell your and O'Neill for Pete sake" She laughed.
Jessi was about to respond when she caught word of what General Ferretti had just said. Major Josiah Slattery was stationed here. Jessi swallowed her fears and turned around hoping that she had heard wrong. But much to her dismay, she hadn't. Josiah caught her eye and smiled. He sure had missed her. After their big fight 3 years ago he never thought he would see her again. Jessi watched as he walked toward her. She was frozen. She couldn't move, couldn't think. She didn't know what to do. After he told her that her being pregnant was a mistake, a big drunken mistake. She hadn't talked to him since. And he didn't know that he had a beautiful little girl. He didn't want anything to do with her. And Jessi was sadly ok with that. As much as they made a great couple he showed what kind of man he was when he walked out on her during her pregnancy.
Later that night Jessi sat on the couch and listened as Khole told her how she could count and say her ABCs. She couldn't believe that she had missed all this. She hadn't been here for her first steps. She watched them over a computer screen and web cam from all the way in Iraq. As she sat there listening to her daughter Jack came walking into the room and sat down on the couch opposite her. Looking at her he smiled. She had the same look on her face Sam used to get when the kids used to tell her something new they learned. He shook his head from memories and cleared his throat "So. How did things go today?"
Jessi looked up from Khole and smiled "Well, we won't be going through the gate per say. Not right now at least. The president has ordered that all planets be posted as public travel destinations"
Jack looked at her shock all over his face "What? That's a bad idea. Why would he do that? And what do you have to do with all that?"
"I don't know why dad. He just said to do it. Luckily General Ferretti convinced him that if they were going to do that than they needed t o have a front line defense against whatever could be out there waiting for this very thing to happen" she explained to him. At this point Sam and Sara were both in the room as well.
"He can't really do that can he?" Sara asked
"Unfortunately he can do whatever he wants. He's the president of the United States. Personally I think he's just trying to find some new vacation spots for him and the first family to go" Sam said
"I don't know mom. I can't question anything. I already tried" Jessi said.
"How many teams are they putting together?" Jack asked
"8. I'm on team 1 with Colonel Martian, Doctor Jackson and Lt. Moore"
Sam looked up and smiled "Jackson? Which one?"
"Tatiana" Jessi smiled looking down at Khole and her smile fell. Sara being the first to notice spoke up "Jess what's wrong?"
Jessi looked up and tried to smile at her family but just couldn't quite make it reach her eyes. "Josiah is stationed here also"
Sam and Jack both looked up at her with worried looks on their faces. Sam was the first to say something "Are you ok?"
Jessi looked up from Khole and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know mom. I'm not sure how to feel about all of this. Especially having Josiah around again. I mean he doesn't even know about Khole. And I don't even know if he wants to know about her the way things were left"
Jack stared straight forward. In his heart he didn't feel comfortable with this situation. This man had brought so much heartache to his daughter's life. And that was something that he didn't ever want any of his kids to feel. And now it was more than just his daughter's heart at risk it was his granddaughter's heart more than ever. Looking up at Jessi he simply said "Don't let him get to you baby. He doesn't deserve that much thought or time. Trust me"
Jessi nodded and tried to smile. Looking over at Khole who was now playing with one of her dolls on the floor and took every word her father said to heart.
A month had gone by since Jessi had been stationed with the Stargate program and had been back home. She was out in her parent's back yard setting up for Khole's 4th birthday party. Standing back she surveyed the back yard yelling out to Sam "This is an insane amount of pink. When did she become such a girlie girl?" Jessi laughed. She hadn't seen this one coming.
From the kitchen window Sam laughed and replied "She's just taking after her mother. Every birthday party of yours used to be covered in some shade of pink"
Laughing she was about to reply when she looked up and saw Josiah walk into the yard. Dropping her smile she just asked "What are you doing here?"
"Do you think I'm stupid? Do you think I really didn't know about her? That I have a daughter?"
"I never said you were stupid. I told you I was pregnant and you said that it was just a mistake, a drunken mistake so I didn't tell you anymore after that. What do you expect from me Jo? You ran at the first sign of trouble. You never had my 6"
"You didn't give me the damn chance Jess"
Jessi stood there with a dumbfounded look on her face "A chance? I gave you all the chance in the world. I asked you to stay. You didn't have to go back when you did. You chose to leave and said you wanted nothing to do with any of this. So don't give me that bull shit that I didn't give you a chance. I gave you plenty of chances Jo. Now why are you really here? What do you want?"
Jo looked around taking in the site of pink before him. Looking back at her he looked her in her face pulling out papers from his pocket. "I just wanted to give you this"
Jessi reached out and took the papers from his hand. Opening and reading them over. Looking up at him with tears in her eyes "You're signing over you parental rights? What the hell are you coming over here talking about me giving you a chance when you had this planned all along? You bastard! Your right that night was a mistake. But not because I got pregnant, But because it happened with you! Get out of my yard. I never want you here again!"
Jo looked at her and nodded his head. "I'm sorry it all had to come down to this. If it helps any, I still love you"
That was all it took for Jessi to lose it "LOVE ME? YOU STILL LOVE ME? BULL SHIT! YOU WOULDN'T BE DOING THIS IF YOU LOVED ME! God I hate you, I hate you I HATE YOU" She said as she started pushing and hitting him toward the gate leading out of the back yard. When Jack herd his daughter start to scream he ran out in the back and it took all his strength to pull Jessi back and off of Jo. All Jack wanted to do was let her finish what she had started. Holding his daughter close he looked over and Jo and gave him a cold stern stare "Leave my house right now and don't come back here if you know what's good for you!" turning away to wrap Jessi securely in his arms the only indication he had that Jo had heeded his warning was the sound of the back gate closing behind him.
Wrapping his arms as tightly as he could around her he whispered in her ear "I got you now baby. It's going to be ok" Jacks heart was breaking. Never before had he herd Jessi become so emotional. He could never remember a time where she was shaking and crying this hard. Looking over at the door leading into the house he saw Sam standing in the door way. Her hand covering her mouth tears in her eyes. Jack moved Jessi and started walking toward the door with her.
Once inside he led her to sit on the couch with Sam on the other side. Jessi sat there tears running down her face, clinging to both her parents hoping for some kind of strength. She still didn't know how she got herself into this situation. She never saw it coming. This wasn't her life's plan. Looking up when she heard the soft whispered "Mommy" Jessi tried to smile and reached out and pulled her baby girl up into her arms. That's when it all fell into place for her. In this moment, at this time as she sat holding her daughter close she realized that Khole was all the strength she would need to get through anything. And so what if she didn't have a father, she had her mother and for now that was all that she would need. Jessi had made up her mind in that moment. She knew what she had to do to ensure that her daughter always had her. No matter what the situation was.
Reporting back to the base the following Monday this was the day Jessi was going to be putting her plan in place. Knowing what she had to do for her daughter made this decision that much easier. Sitting through the morning debriefing was harder than she thought. Not because she was second guessing herself, but because it seemed like the longest meeting ever. The plans to start allowing the general public to have access to the Stargate were well on their way of being official and complete.
When the briefing finally came to an end Jessi stood quickly calling out to the General "Sir, do you have a minute?" Ferretti looked up at her not liking the feeling he got in his gut "Come to my office"
Motioning for her to take a seat she did. Taking a deep breath she began "Sir with all respect I am requesting a transfer. There have been some unforeseen personal issues that no longer allow me to be able to continue at this current post"
"I don't think I ever saw this one coming especially from you Captain, since when do O'Neill's run from their personal problems?"
"Sir it's not like that. I'm not running I just have to be thinking about my family, my daughter. I still want to stay in Colorado sir. I just can't be here or involved in the Stargate program. As much as I know what kind of an opportunity I am giving up. My daughter is all that matters to me at this moment. And being here isn't a good thing for me right now"
As Ferretti sat and listened to her, he saw in her eyes that her mind was set. And he knew there was no changing her mind. What she didn't know was that he had already known what she was going to ask because the request for immediate transfer was placed on his desk this morning "Have you ever thought that the other person involved could be asked to leave?"
Jessi looked past him at the wall "I don't want that sir. If he wants to leave on his own that's his choice. But I will never ask that he be transferred. Besides I'm not doing this because of him, I'm doing this for my daughter. She's my whole world and I need to be able to be there when she needs me, go home to her at the end of every day"
Nodding his head he sighed "I knew that I wasn't going to change your mind. I just hoped to make you see reasoning. But I see in your face that you're not budging" sliding her the file folder on his desk he said "I already signed the request. They went into the same detail you just gave me and I knew that you were going to be in here today. If I may offer my 2 cents of advice into your situation. Don't let him hold that much power over you. If you do you'll leave a job that you are damned good at" Standing he raised his hand and saluted her "It was good to meet you Captain. You make your father proud! Carry on solider!"
Jessi stood when he did and saluted him back "Yes sir, you too sir" turning and leaving his office she made her way around and said her farewells. As she headed home that night and back to her baby girl her heart was at peace and her mind was finally in line with all that she wanted. This was going to be a good thing. This was the first time in a long time that she felt right about everything going on in her life. Sighing as she pulled up into her parent's driveway she smiled as she sat a watched her dad and Khole run around the front yard. There was her whole life. And that was all that she needed.
Getting out of the car she ran over a scooped Khole up into her arms and enjoyed the happy laughter that came from her little body. She loved this little girl with all her heart. Being able to spend as much time with her as she needed was going to be the best thing in the world. Jessi put her down and looked around knowing everything was going to be just fine as long as she had her parents and her family by her side. This was good, this was happiness, this was love, this was home.
