In My Daughter's Eyes

Rose Stetson

Format: Alternate Universe- Reflections on Jack and Sam's daughter, Jackie (from "The Fast Track") and her relationship with her father.

Based on the song, "In My Daughter's Eyes" sung by Martina McBride

In my daughter's eyes
I am a hero.
I am strong and wise
And I know no fear.

They were suited up and ready to go off world again. Jack turned around before going through the Gate and saw a heavily pregnant Sam with two-year-old Jackie (in the control room) awkwardly in her arms.

The child blew a kiss to him, and sent a smile that crept onto his lips. The excitement in her eyes warmed his heart. He waved and, feeling heartened, walked through the Stargate.

But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me.
I see who I want to be
In my daughter's eyes.

"Took a while to get here, didn't you, Jack? Take a wrong turn?"

"Daniel, I've waited for you without giving you a hard time!" Jack responded, mock indignation rising.

Daniel raised his eyebrow. "Uh-huh."

"Okay, maybe it happened once."

Daniel's look intensified. "Or twice."

Jack put his sunglasses on, pulling on his well-worn cap as well. "All right, campers, let's go."

"You know, I didn't realize there was such a soft side to Colonel Jack O'Neill. Imagine, a two-year-old girl has him wrapped around her little finger."

Jack turned to his friend, and saw his teasing smile.

"You know, she is an exceptionally charming two-year-old."

Daniel snickered. "No doubt she got that from her father."

Jack turned. "Why thank you, Danny boy!"

Teal'c simply shook his head.

"T, what do you think?"

"I believe Jacqueline O'Neill takes after her mother, Samantha O'Neill."

Daniel just started laughing, while Jack turned to Teal'c, who had a serious look on his face.

"I thought we were friends!"

"Yes, but young Jacqueline O'Neill is reciting the Tau'ri letters, which Samantha O'Neill declares does not normally occur until Tau'ri children reach either three or four years of age."

Jack's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Teal'c, are you joking?"

"No, I am merely inferring that Samantha O'Neill's intelligence is superior to your own."

Daniel's laughter intensified, and Jack opened and shut his mouth.

"You know Teal'c, you have a point there."

Suddenly, the sound of a twig snapping was heard. Jack was instantly on alert. His heart began beating rapidly as the adrenaline began pumping through his veins.

There was a thud and Daniel fell to the ground. "Teal'c keep an eye out for Mercer!"

Jack tried to use his instincts as Bra'tak had taught him during a mission. Their enemy seemed to be invisible, and though he was an admirable foe when his opponent was visible, he was nothing against an opponent who had the advantage over his sight.

He managed to anticipate a couple of his attacker's moves, but ultimately, he was losing the battle. Luckily, Teal'c and Mercer were still free, and Daniel would wake up with an incredible headache.

Suddenly, he felt a heavy blow to the back of his head. His daughter's face became imprinted in his mind.

"Daddy! Wake up!"

"I'm tired," he moaned.

"Daddy! Don't go to sleep!"

"Sweetheart, Daddy's tired . . ."

"Colonel O'Neill!"

His eyes opened, but his vision was blurry, and he felt incredibly dizzy.

"Mercer?"

His eyes focused more clearly and he saw the young major's face above his own. In the background, he saw Daniel and Teal'c.

"Man, I hate it when the Jaffa do that!"

"He was not Jaffa, O'Neill."

"Yeah? Well, whatever the heck he is, I hate it when they do that! I've never had a headache this bad. Well, maybe I have- when I cracked my skull."

"Well, Colonel," Mercer said. "That makes sense. You've got a concussion."

Daniel whipped around, wincing as he did so. He placed one hand on his head. "You've fractured your skull before?"

"Yeah."

"When?"

"Rogue operation. Black Ops. Middle East during the Gulf."

Daniel looked at Teal'c and Mercer. "All right, we're going home."

"Since when have you been in command, Danny?"

"Since you've had some pretty serious injuries."

Jack put his hand on his forehead, trying to ward off the pain and shield his eyes from the sun.

"What do you think, Mercer?"

"Sir, I agree with Dr. Jackson."

Jack huffed. "T?"

"I also agree with Daniel Jackson."

"Okay, we go home, I get a band-aid, and we come back. Cappiche?"

"Jack, it'll be more than a band-aid."

They walked a little while before Daniel finally asked the question burning in his mind.

"Jack, how'd you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Keep yourself awake? Teal'c and Mercer had to work together to wake me up, but none of us really did anything for you."

"I guess you could say I have a guardian angel."

"Jack, I'm serious!"

"So am I. Jackie kept me awake."

Mercer smiled, eavesdropping on the conversation. "You did say 'sweetheart, Daddy's tired,' aloud once."

"Well, she wakes me up at 0600 hours every morning that I'm home. It's the deal we came up with so Sam can have a bit of a break."

Daniel looked forward again. "Well, this time, she saved your life."

Well, for all of you who like to see Jack's tender side, here's the story for you! Just read and review so that I know you like it.