Title: The Gift
Seasons: 6 and 7 (mostly)
Category: AU, Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Warnings: Strong language, sexual situations
Pairings: Jack and Sam, other pairing
Disclaimer: I make no profit from this story, except for the pleasure of writing it. I don't own any of the Stargate SG-1 characters, including that gorgeous brown-eyed man from Chicago :-(
Summary: On his first trip off world since his experience at the hands of Ba'al, Jack forms an unusual bond with a young woman.
Notes: Takes place some time after 'Abyss'.
Daniel is not ascended in this AU!
I have had a number of goes at writing this story, then took a very long break from it – until last month – as I lost my 'mojo' where it was concerned. I've finally managed to finish it, and have split up the chapters to make them smaller. For those of you who have already read this story, you could just start from Part 16 as very little before that differs from the original. Merely made corrections to reflect valid points raised. Please note I've also upped the rating to M.
Alina smiled as the little girl picked up her favorite teddy bear before climbing into bed. "Did you have a good day at school, sweetie?" she asked.
"Uh-huh," her daughter replied, bobbing her head enthusiastically. "Showed us how to look at the stars today!"
Alina smiled again – she was so much like her grandfather it was uncanny!
"Where's Gampy?" the six year old asked. As a little girl, she'd had trouble saying the word 'grandpa' and this diminution had stuck.
"Still at work, honey," Alina offered. Since his promotion several years earlier, her father's hours had only become crazier, and he sometimes went days without going home.
The little girl's lip stuck out. "That sucks," she said bluntly.
"It does," Alina agreed, trying not to laugh at the mulish expression in Caitlin's eyes – so like her father's own expression. Although he tended to deny the concept of USAF Generals sulking.
"What sucks?"
"Gampy!" her daughter shrieked.
"Hey, short stuff! Miss me?" Major General Jack O'Neill strode easily into the bedroom and scooped up his daughter and grand-daughter into one giant bear-hug. His wife followed him in.
"Uh-huh." The little girl nodded vigorously. She fixed him with a steady gray-eyed gaze. "Who ya leave in charge?"
"Colonel Reynolds."
"Gampy! He's a damn jarhead, for cryin' out loud!" Caitlin protested.
Alina covered her eyes and groaned. The child spent far too much time with Jack.
Jack chuckled at that comment. "Yeah; but he's damn good at what he does."
"Jack; will you stop swearing?" Samantha asked in low tones. "I swear; the only place that kid's going to be fit for is boot camp with that potty mouth."
"Sorry." He did not seem at all repentant. "So! Want a story, short stuff?"
"Uh-huh." The little girl wriggled free of her family and tucked her knees up to her chest, cuddling happily on her bear. "Tell me about you and Gamma."
"Ah." Jack smirked at Samantha. "Well … once upon a time, a beautiful but geeky scientist met a handsome, charming, brave …".
"Gampy. Tell me 'bout you and Gamma." Just as impatient as her grandfather.
Jack gave in. "Okay then, munchkin." He swung his long legs up on the bed and began his tale. "Once upon a time …".