TWO MONTHS EARLIER…

"Daniel Jackson." The archeologist sat at his desk and picked up the ringing phone, frustrated. Why does someone always need me when I just start making progress with my translations?

"Hey, it's Sam." Samantha O'Neill held the phone with her shoulder and ear while both her hands were busy drying dishes at the sink.

"Sam! It's been weeks. How's my favorite goddaughter? Last time I saw her, I believe she was covered in mud." Daniel's mood changed drastically from annoyance to elation upon hearing his friend's voice. He had been so caught up with deciphering the text SG-12 had found recently that he hadn't had time to stop by for a visit or pick up the phone to say hello.

"You mean your only god daughter?" Sam questioned, "She's fine. I was actually calling to ask if you still had that table at your place. You know, the one we always use for barbeques?"

"Sure, of course. Why?"

"Well, a certain someone is having a birthday party in a few weeks and we'll need the extra room."

Sam could mentally picture Daniel slapping his forehead, "Oh! How could I have forgotten the big zero-six? Is there anything else you want me to bring?"

"No, I think we'll be okay. Maybe just some pop. Jack's going to take Emily to choose decorations when he gets back."

"Back? Where'd he go?"

"Some exploratory mission with SG-6. As you can imagine, he was thrilled."

Daniel chuckled, "That's Jack for you. Hold on a moment." Sam could hear an exchange in the background and then Daniel came back on, "Sorry, that was Lieutenant Burton. She's on her way out and forgot her keys. Apparently, she's going to visit some family this week."
"Oh, how is Kathy? Is she still with SG-6? She was talking about a transfer a few months ago."

"Nope, still there." Then it dawned on him. "Hey, didn't you just say Jack was supposed to be with them? If there was a mission, she'd be on it."

"That's odd…" she was interrupted by something, "Yes, not right now, honey." After a moment, she conceded. "Alright, but just for a minute." She turned her attention back to Daniel. "There's a little lady here that would like to talk to you."

"Uncle Danny!" came the excited voice of his niece.

"Hey princess!" Daniel had to shake his head in wonderment of his niece's never-ending enthusiasm.

"Guess what, Uncle Danny? I caught a frog! I was gunna give it to Daddy when he got home, but Mommy said I had to put it back outside." Her lips turned to a pout and Sam received a look from her daughter at the last part.

"That's great, sweetheart. I'll have to come and see you soon. I bet you've grown a foot taller by now," Daniel said teasingly.

"That's silly, Uncle Daniel. Nobody can grow that fast!"

"Well, you've got me there." A low chuckle escaped Daniel's mouth. "Have you thought about what you want for your birthday?"

Emily burst out like she'd been waiting for this exact question, "Of course! I want a Barbie doll, and a new baseball bat, and a pony, and this dolly that you can feed and change, and…Okay, Mommy says she wants to talk to you now."

"Okay. I'll talk to you later."

"Next time I see you; can we catch frogs we can keep?"

"We'll see."

"Love you, Uncle Danny."

"I love you, too, sweetheart."

After a quick transference of the phone, Sam's voice filled his ears, "Sorry, she can go on like that for a while. So, we'll pick up the table some time next week. And…" she hesitated, "Do you think you could check on where Jack is for me? I would, but the General is so hard to get a hold of and since my leave of absence…"

"Sure, Sam. I'll check the roster and give you a call later."

"Alright. Thanks, Daniel."

"Sure thing. I'll come by the house later this week, ok?"

"As long as you bring dinner."

"Anything to avoid eating your cooking." He referred to the team's long-running inside joke of their opinion concerning Sam's food.

"Ha ha. Very funny, Daniel."

"Bye, Sam."

"Bye."