Goodbye, Hammond of Texas, by DrGemini86 (DrGemini24)
Summary: SG-1 has to come to terms with a very sad loss. Written in memory of Don S. Davis, and for the SamDanielthon 2008. SamDaniel
Pairing: SamDaniel
Rating: T
Category: Established Relationship
Genres: A/U, Angst, Crossover, Drama, Family, Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, Tragedy
Crossover: Stargate: Atlantis
Spoilers: Not particularly
Timeline: Set after the movies
Prompts: 'death', 'house guest', 'teamwork', 'birth'
A/N: Dedicated to the wonderful actor Don S. Davis, who played the equally wonderful General George Hammond in seasons 1-7, with smaller parts in seasons 8, 9 and 10, season 1 of Atlantis, and a role in Continuum. He passed away on 29th June 2008. Go to Gateworld(dot)net for his obituary.
Don S. Davis – 1942-2008 – RIP
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Daniel sat opposite his pregnant wife on the floor of the lounge in their house, helping her practice her breathing for when their new child was due to come into the world. He smiled slightly as he held their first child, a fair-haired toddler, who watched his mother with big curious blue eyes that reminded Daniel a lot of Sam, although Sam would then point out that they reminded her of his eyes.
Sam groaned, remarking in annoyance as she gave up in frustration, "It's easy for you to say. You don't have to do this once, never mind twice."
He raised his eyebrows at her cheekily, playfully covering their child's ears. "Don't let Jake hear you say that. You might finally scar him for life."
She retorted, looking about ready to throw something at him, "That's if you finally get over that habit of yours for going missing. I swear, by now, it's an art form with you."
They stared at each other, willing the other to break the stand off first, when Daniel finally poked his tongue out at her, and she rolled her eyes, remarking, "What a fine example you're setting for our son."
He stage-whispered down to Jake, who looked up at him with a toothy smile, "That's why you shouldn't join the Air Force when you grow up, because you'll end up like mad Mommy over there."
She stared at him in partial disbelief and then threw the nearest thing to hand... a teddy bear, at him, the soft toy bouncing off his shoulder as he tried hard not to laugh. Just then the phone rang, and Sam groaned, remarking,
"If it's Jack, tell him that I am not naming my baby, Michael."
Daniel smiled in amusement on remembering Jack's recent jokes, as well as his jokes during Sam's first pregnancy, about the Archaeologist's unfortunate surname. He stood up and then said as Jake began to whimper, stretching his arms out in Sam's direction,
"You want Mommy?"
Sam smiled as Daniel gave Jake to her before kissing her. "Typical Jackson... he's scared of heights."
Daniel, still smiling but this time shaking his head at her poking fun at him again, went into the hall to answer the phone, just as the doorbell rang. With his ear to the phone, he unlocked the door to find a grave looking Jack, Cam, Teal'c and Vala on his doorstep. Frowning as he tried to concentrate on the phone call, he waved them in and shut the door behind them as they went into the lounge.
He was about to follow them in when what he heard next from the caller stunned him. His back to the lounge, he rested his forehead against the wall of the hallway, asking quietly, hoping that Sam hadn't heard already or got wind that something had happened,
"How did it happen?"
Trembling from shock, he slumped to the floor, muttering as Jack watched him from the doorway to the lounge, "Oh God." He said quietly before disconnecting, "I'm very sorry for your loss. Thank you for letting me know. Sorry... I've got to go. I'll call you later."
The phone dropped from his hand, the Archaeologist not caring where it had gone as he held his knees close to his chest, his eyes red-rimmed. He finally registered Jack's presence as the General, grimacing, kneeled in front of him. Daniel looked up at him and said, quietly again so Sam wouldn't find out, especially in her condition,
"He's gone."
Jack nodded. "I know. That's why we're here. We were hoping to break it to you gently but Susan must have found your number."
Suddenly Daniel realised something. He scrabbled to his feet, the General too, and he asked, trying to compose himself but looking panicked as well as grief-stricken, "You didn't tell her, did you?" Seeing Jack look away, not saying anything, Daniel exclaimed quietly to himself in Abydonian before pushing past him to see Sam looking as white as a sheet as she still sat on the floor. Cam held Jake, the toddler looking confused but docile as the Colonel and Vala sat in front of Sam, Teal'c kneeling at her side as he wrapped her in his arms.
"Oh God." All but Sam looked up on hearing Daniel's grave exclamation and Teal'c got up, nodding silently at Daniel as the Archaeologist kneeled in his place, pulling her tightly into his arms as Sam finally began to cry, clinging onto him tighter than even he had thought possible, not that he cared about his welfare at that particular point in time.
"He's gone, Daniel. Uncle George is gone."
Sniffing back tears that wouldn't wait, he rested his chin on top of her head, whispering, "I know... and I'm so sorry."
Teal'c, looking incredibly moved at the news and Sam's reaction, said softly, "General Hammond was a paternal figure towards myself and the entire SGC. He will be greatly missed."
Jack didn't have the heart to joke about Teal'c's age as he quietly agreed as an emotional Vala comforted a now crying Jake, and a worried looking Cam looked on. Jack sighed and then said softly, standing behind Daniel,
"Daniel." His eyes softened with regret, knowing that Daniel, amidst his own sorrow, was angry that Sam had been told. "Take Carter upstairs. She needs to rest."