Saying Goodbye

Spoilers- Ripple Effect and that heart wrenching season 7 episode I refuse to speak off.
Disclaimer- Two words: not mine!
Note- I couldn't remember if Janet's team had a Daniel, so let's just assume they did.
xxx

"Janet, can I speak to you for a few minutes?"

Janet looked up from adjusting her vest. She frowned slightly at the sight of Daniel. "Is everything okay?"

Janet glanced over her shoulder before nodding.

"I'll meet you in the gate room," she told her team.

"Don't be too long," Cam murmured.

Janet glared at him. "Cold instruments, Cam. Freezing cold."

Cam grinned. "Whatever you say, Doc."

xxxxx

Daniel closed the door to his lab. He began to pace.

"Daniel, I don't have long," Janet reminded him gently.

He ran a hand through his hair. "I know. There were some things I never got to say to Janet before she-"

Daniel paused, unwilling to say the words.

"Died," Janet supplied gently.

"Yeah. I just- I should have done more. She was right in front of me and I didn't- I couldn't-"

"Daniel, you know I'm not her, but if you need to get something off your chest-"

"Yeah. I do."

"You loved her, didn't you?" Janet asked.

"I-" Daniel sighed. "Yeah, I think I did. Not that I ever got to tell her."

"I'm sure she has a feeling and if you weren't her patient I'm sure she would have acted on it."

"Really?" He asked hopefully.

Janet smiled fondly at him. "Yeah."

Daniel settled into a chair. "Do you- Are you happy?"

Janet's smile widened. "I am. Very much so."

Janet played with a simple golden ring on a chain around her neck. "I'm married. 5 years. We have a son, Nick. Cassie dotes on him."

Daniel forced a smile. "Congratulations."

Janet sighed and rubbed her hands over her knees. "Thank you," she said with a thin smile.

Daniel bobbed his head, "So, do you go off world much?"

"No, but Sam's on maternity leave-"

"Really?"

A genuine smile lit up Janet's features. "It's their first. Jack's gotten incredibly protective. He has the whole base watching her like a hawk."

"I bet she loves that," Daniel said wryly.

"I think she would kill him, if she didn't love him so much. As it is, most of the base avoids direct confrontation. Poor Doctor Felger. He didn't see it coming. Doctor Moore- he's the doctor for the civilians- didn't know how to handle him."

Janet idly ran her fingers over her wedding ring. "The trip wasn't supposed to take this long. Daniel was convinced I could help this village SG-1 found and, well, who am I to say no to those big blue eyes?"

Daniel cleared his throat, a slight flush decorating his cheeks. He started as a small hand covered his.

"There are some things I want you to do for me- and her- when I'm gone."

Daniel squeezed her fingers lightly. "Name it."

"Stop blaming yourself for her death. It wasn't your fault. Never stop yourself from being happy, don't work too hard and remember that coffee is not a food group."

Daniel nodded firmly. "I promise."

The sound of a throat being cleared caused the two to turn. Daniel's counterpart stood in the doorway.

He leaned into the lab, looking curiously at the somewhat foreign artifacts. "We have to go, Jan."

"I'm coming, Daniel."

Daniel stared at his counterpart, there was a golden necklace glinting in the dull light.

Daniel frowned, a strange thought entering his mind. "Janet, why did you name your son Nick?"

Janet stood up and walked towards the door. She stopped upon reaching her Daniel and looked back sadly.

"He's named after his great grandfather."

xxx

end