Birthday Girl

Season 1; answer to challenge on sjchallenge- I can't remember which one right now, but…the story is still here…

Jack strolled into Daniel's office. "Hey, Danny."

Daniel looked up. "Hello?"

There was a pause as Jack looked around the room.

"Did I forget something?"

"No."

"Then…why are you here?"

Jack picked up one of Daniel's knickknacks. "Got any ideas for Carter's birthday?"

Daniel eyed the object in Jack's hands wearily. "It's her birthday?"

"Not yet…we still have a couple weeks."

Jack put down the article, and Daniel returned to his work. "So…" Daniel said, absently.

"So, no ideas, huh?"

"Wha-?" He looked back up. "Oh, sorry, I just…you caught me in the middle of a translation."

"Sorry. I just thought that we should decide if we're doing a group gift, and if so, what we're going to get her."

"Well, did you have an idea for a group gift?"

Jack looked uncomfortable. "She's a little…uptight, don't you think?"

"Uh…"

"She seems like the kind of woman who thinks she needs to look tough, but really just wants to feel feminine and beautiful." Jack said, thoughtfully.

Daniel just stared at Jack.

"What?"

"Who'd have thought?"

"What?"

"That you know so much about women!" Daniel replied.

"That's what you get for having six sisters."

"SIX?" Daniel asked.

"Uh-huh."

"So, you do have an idea."

Jack shrugged. "She's a lot like my sister Lizzie."

"So?"

"So what?"

"What should we get Sam?"

"Oh…I thought she would enjoy a week at one of the spas in California."

"A week?"

"Yeah…Lizzie's favorite is…"

"Never mind which Spa…Sam at a spa!" Daniel asked.

"Yeah. Good idea?"

Daniel thought about it.

"Actually, it's a VERY good idea."

"Great. I'll start working on the arrangements. Now, the Air Force…"

Daniel just looked at him.

"I have a few markers I can call in…anyway, I know a pilot who can get her into Palo Alto, then I'll call Henry, and he'll get her a reservation at the Seaside Spa and Resort, and then, all we have to do is get General Hammond to get her the time off." Jack said, expertly.

"Henry?"

"Lizzie's favorite masseuse. He'll be able to get us a discount and everything! Whenever we go through him, Lizzie is treated like a queen. If we go through the agency, there's a slimmer possibility."

Daniel just smiled. "I think she's going to be very, very surprised."