Never
Say Ever Say Never Novella
Chapter 7
Doctor Daniel Jackson's Personal Journal:
Almost three years after Sam's abduction by Fifth, our galaxy and others remain in turmoil. The Wrath continues to lay waste to other worlds while Earth's population has been cut in half. The landscape of Earth and its inhabitants have changed. As I write this, remnants of ally races seek refuge on Earth. The same goes with former enemies. We've yet to understand why neither the Wraith nor Replicators finished the job they started with the first wave of our world. For this small mercy we're grateful.
Don't get me wrong Earth is a mess. The Wraith still make impromptu harvest sweeps and no one is exempt. It's every man, woman, and child for themselves. Since the Wraith's appetite leans toward adults, orphaned children are everywhere. Small factions of dictators and opportunists threaten to destroy the delicate thread of democracy that has managed to survive throughout the world. Pillaging and crime runs rapid as the last vestiges of humanity try to survive an even greater threat, hopeless despair. It's difficult to know whom to trust. Most people don't. Everyone carries weapons. One can get killed for looking cross-eyed at a stranger. It's like the return of the Wild, Wild West.
Previous modern conveniences like electricity, clean water and bottled gas are coveted commodities. The use of currency has bee replaced with bartering. Basically a million dollar bill won't buy you a cup of coffee. People are learning to survive with the barest necessities and live off the land. I personally believe it's not a bad problem. I know Jack prefers this simpler lifestyle. I often think that is one of the reasons he stays sane.
With Cheyenne Mountain destroyed, General Jack O'Neill heads the formally-displaced military forces for Homeworld Security against the Replicator, Wrath, and Goa'uld, that includes an occasional displaced Ori follower. Side note: Some complain Baal's a major headache, but on our list of tribulations, Jack and I think him mere indigestion.
Home Base for the SGC and Earth's defenses settled into the most unlikely place, the rocky terrain of Northern Minnesota. Yep, the land of sky blue waters. Here with the aid of the Tok'ra, a network of underground caverns has been created to house the military and freedom minded folks dedicated to protecting Earth at all costs.
Between Doctor Elizabeth Weir and myself we managed to create a treaty amongst the Jaffa and Tok'ra. The former enemies now work side-by-side the Tau'ri at the new SGC, previously called Safe Haven but for security reasons is now referenced to as J.A.C.O.B. short for Jack's Alternate Cabin Operative Base. Jack's idea. Sam would have loved it!
Despite the unpleasant state of affairs the O'Neill family remains strong and supportive of each other, especially Jack who is still dealing with demons and the lose of his 2IC, his best friend, lover and wife, Samantha Carter-O'Neill. Jack refuses to acknowledge Sam is dead and his unwavering faith, strengths the rest of his family's resolve that God willing, she will be returned to us.
However each passing day without Sam's cheerful presence darkens this place we call home, and drains life from my best friend and kindred brother, Jack. So we take life day-by-day and play the cards we've been dealt because as Jack would say, "That's what we do."
Twenty-four seven Jack keeps a lantern burning in the cabin's front window. JJ says it'll help his mom find her way home. I think Jack believes him. I know I do.
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Two bittersweet songs play a lot in Jack's head and last night, he'd set the CD's on instant replay in his bedroom just loud enough for him to hear. Strange, how songs incite dreams and these two always did. It was only in his dreams he took refuge from the harsh reality that he slept alone. . . without Sam.
"A candy-colored clown they call the sandman Tiptoes to my room every night Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper "Go to sleep, everything is all right.
I close my eyes then I drift away Into the magic night, I softly say A silent prayer like dreamers do Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you
In dreams I walk with you In dreams I talk to you In dreams you're mine all the time We're together in dreams, in dreams But just before the dawn I awake and find you gone
I can't help it I can't help it if I cry I remember that you said goodbye . . .Too bad it only seems It only happens in my dreams Only in dreams In beautiful dreams. . ."
"Where do broken hearts go Can they find their way home Back to the open arms Of a love that's waiting there And if somebody loves you Won't they always love you I look in your eyes And I know that you still care for me."
"Samantha?" Jack drawled kissing her hot pulse spot at the arch of her neck, then branding her with a gentle love bite.
"Um, please, Jack, love me!"
"Yeah," Jack groaned. He was making wild passionate love to Sam and it felt like paradise, like it had always been! Man, he'd missed her! "I love you, Carter."
"Prove it, sir. Now!" she cried out demanding his release, her nails clawing at his back, her legs holding him prisoner in the sweetest torture ever. "Love me, Jack!"
"Yes!" He held and caressed his wife as galaxies exploded within the core of his being. Their oneness of pleasure transformed into cold abandonment as Sam began to slip from his embrace into the void of a large black hole that now encompassed the mattress beneath them.
"Stay?"
"I can't. Find me, Jack." She reached for him but their fingers failed to touch.
"You're with me, babe."
"No! I'm lost."
"Please, Sam?" He lunged for her but she was sucked into the fathomless black hole.
"Jack!" A voice, not Carter's burned his right ear and a masculine hand shook his sweat soiled shoulder.
"Uh?" Jack was torn and ripped asunder from lovemaking as reality crashed in and he stopped moving, stopped loving Sam.
"Geez, Jack!" The sleigh bed's frame squeaked. "You're going to wake the entire house, including the kids."
"Daniel?" Jack muttered, turning his head away from Sam's scented pillow.
"Yeah." The linguist's voice sounded regretfully, pitiful for him.
Focusing through eyes wet with tears of passion and loss, Jack realized Sam was not beneath him. Nor was he alone. A bare-chested, PJ bottom clad, Daniel Jackson sat at his side and sheepishly shoved his glasses back up his nose and then avoided Jack's open mouth stare.
Jack felt the sticky heat of his seed between his thighs and the pillow he'd been making love to. Crap! He turned his shamed expression away from his best friend and bite down hard on his lower lip drawing blood. Where was a rock when you needed one?
"Sorry," he hoarsely whispered and rolled into a fetal position with his back to the linguist.
"Don't be," Daniel said with masculine understanding Jack didn't want to hear.
"Get out." He curled deeper beneath the blankets wishing he were dead, wishing to be back at Baal's Bed and Breakfast torture net, anything else, but this horrid reality.
"We'll find her, Jack."
"Don't." He swiped a maverick tear and jerked away as Daniel proceeded to knead his stress-tightened shoulders.
The younger man's soothing touch didn't leave him. "Stop blaming yourself, Jack."
"Oh, and just who do I blame? Four kids left without their mother, not to mention Cass and Charlie?" He flipped over and glared up at Daniel. "I'm the one who let Sam carry out asinine plan A that never works to begin with. She broke our vow of trust and—"
"Sam had no choice. Fifth was inside her just like he'd been with Thor!" Daniel snapped as Jack pushed up into a sitting position and scrubbed his face with his hands. "Don't you get it, Jack? Sam loved you, the kids, all of us more than herself. Like it or not, her sacrifice freed Earth from Fifth!"
"You call Earth being the battlefield for the Replicator and Wraith's feud, free?" Jack snorted.
"No. But Sam has gained us almost three years to form a stronger resistance and—"
"Made my life a living hell!" Jack leapt out of bed and stormed to the adjoining bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
"I never thought I'd see the day that four-star General Jack O'Neill would feel sorry for himself!"
"Hate to disappoint ya but I'm a one man pity party!" Jack yelled back.
"Like that's a revelation!" Daniel barged into the bathroom just as Jack stepped out of his soiled boxers and into the shower yanking the curtain between them. "You think you're the only one hurting? Billions of people are far worse off than we are. We've got roofs over our heads, food, and clothing. Got family and friends and like it or not, we've got one hell of a plan B that would never have happened if Sam hadn't sacrificed herself."
As the hot water spilled over him, Jack shoved his wet head out of the curtain and snarled at the younger. "You just don't get it, Danny boy. I'm the one who created this fricking intergalactic mess with Fifth. Maybe if I'd let him come with us the first time, none of this would have happened. Maybe if I'd not resisted when I was in Sam's head with Fifth this last time she'd be here."
"Fifth was just trying to distract you from helping the twins, Jack."
"No! Despite his obsession with Sam it's always been about getting even with me for deserting him."
"True, but if you'd gone where would you be?"
"Dead or with Fifth. Doesn't matter. Don't you see I was to be the sacrificial lamb, not her! Sam went behind my back, deceived me! Now get the hell out of my bathroom and," his voice softened, "Start breakfast!"
"Start breakfast?" Daniel mouthed wide-eyed.
"Ya deaf?" Jack returned to his haven of hot water and steam.
"Getting there." Daniel mumbled, often their verbal spars were the normal wakeup call. "Umm, well, so you want pancakes, French Toast or eggs?"
"My usual. And scrambled eggs for the twins, please?" He sighed as his limbs trembled and he slid down the bathtub wall, shutting his eyes.
"Okay." Daniel opened the door. "Um, Jack?"
"What?"
"I love you, bro."
"Ditto." Jack replied softly, imagining Daniel's sibling-like smile as the door closed. No one besides his family which included Daniel and Teal'c ever saw General Jack O'Neill fall a part. Oddly, of late, it'd been Daniel who suffered the blunt of his angry despair. Always the confidant and best friend, Daniel kept Jack's private misery from the SGC and when necessary, the family, even Cassandra.
There were times Jack found himself begrudgingly admitting that he didn't know if he'd still be sane without Daniel's friendship and loyalty. They'd been to hell and back more than once over the last twenty-plus years. For whatever it was worth, Jack remained grateful for their sibling like bond. Of course the fact, Daniel was also Jack's son-in-law made it weirder.
Although he rarely admitted it, Jack was glad that Daniel and Cassandra hitched up. Upon their physically joining Daniel's acquired some of Cassandra's Ancient genes and because he'd transcended twice Daniel also possessed latent Ancient genes. Like Jack and Sam their normal aging had slowed down. Apparently once an Ancient couple consummated their love the aging process was literally cut in half.
Years before Thor had estimated that Jack and Sam were aging one year for every five Tau'ri years. Upon examining Jack, Doctor Lee believed differently. It'd taken him three years to decipher the Ancients genetic DNA code, that more than doubled that aging process and compared it to blending with a Goa'uld or Tok'ra symbiote. The difference was that after reaching physical maturity ten Earth years equaled one Ancient year.
At present the O'Neill family and Daniel would live well into their hundreds and then some. That's if they didn't get killed crossing the street. The children were growing at a normal human rate. Doctor Lee didn't expect their Ancient aging metabolism to kick in until they reached adult maturity.
Grace had entered puberty and was female hormones gone amuck. Each month when she'd start menstruating the guys literally fled the cabin. It didn't help that her Ancient DNA had kicked into gear three years earlier than it had with Cassandra. Then again, Nirrti had messed with Cassandra's inherit abilities. This time there was no self-destruct fuse inside of Grace. And Grace didn't need to redirect her excess energy, although she too could elevate objects. She had also acquired one of Jack's Ancient traits, genetically enhanced sensory perceptions that included hearing. Even over the shower noise, Jack could hear the floorboard's light squeak outside the bathroom.
"Get lost, Daniel!" Jack barked loud enough to hear the younger man scramble away from door onto the landing.
Returning to his somber state, Jack drew his aching knees to his chest, dropped his head as the near scalding water battered his skin and made it burn. He didn't care. Without restraint he wept bitterly. "Oh, God, bring her back to me . . .to us?" Another sob shattered him and Jack turned his tear-streaked face into the shower's spray. He'd not cried in weeks, let alone in front of anyone. The resilient O'Neill's dam had broken and he hadn't the fortitude to rebuild it. "Sam," he cried out, "please come home?"
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Daniel left the bedroom and stepped onto the open loft's landing. Below him two sets of eyes, one blue and one brown looked at him with concern in the dawn's morning light. Daniel drew a long breath and exhaled.
"What?" he shrugged and scratched his six-pack, feeling the cold hardwood floor beneath his bare feet, he was glad he'd thrown on his sweats after checking on Jack.
"How is he?" Cassandra drew the sash of her tattered red robe around her slender waist then eased her arm around Grace's shoulders and pulled her sister into her arms.
"Showering." Daniel said with a weary tone and glanced at the military wall clock. Dang! 0715 hours. He yawned and took the stairs into the open designed kitchen, craving coffee.
"He misses mom." Grace chewed her lower lip like Sam. "More every day."
"Yeah. We all do, honey." Cass hugged her little sister and then pressed her lips to the girl's crown of long hair that had lost its former reddish tones and turned into a lovely honey blonde.
"Ya'd think it'd get easier." Daniel suggested, hoping there'd be no request for details of his and Jack's hurly-burly.
"Maybe if we knew she was truly dead." Cassandra closed her eyes. "But we don't. And I refuse to believe she is. Like Dad, I feel her here." She touched her heart. "And he won't leave her behind. Ever."
"And that honorable vow is killing him, killing us." Retu-Charlie stepped out of the bedroom he shared with Jonathan, who'd managed to sleep through the upstairs yelling match. He tucked in his black t-shirt and looked around for his boots.
"They're under the sofa," Cassandra said like a mother hen. "You're such a slob, Chuck. Wish you'd pick up after yourself." She'd gracefully switched the morbid subject matter to the mundane.
"Then you'd have no reason to nag me." He chuckled through a yawn. "And hey, don't you two have your own place up the road?"
"Yes, and don't you have private base quarters, when you're on call?"
Daniel watched the siblings exchange nods. Strange, they always gravitated home every few days. Even though he and Cassandra had moved into their own log house last year, they couldn't stay away. All these years after SG-1 had disbanded they loved each other stronger than ever. They were family and like it or not, Jack and the kids remained the center of Daniel and Cassandra's lives.
Choosing to not have kids until the fricking war ended, they tried however poorly to fill the void Sam had left not only in their lives, but Jack's and their children's lives. Sam's children. Man, she'd be so proud if she could see them now. Jack was a great parent. Daniel hoped that one day God willing, he could be half the father Jack O'Neill had proven to be.
After witnessing his best buddy in pain Daniel vowed that come hell or high water, he'd find Sam and bring her home. Like Jack always said, no one gets left behind.
"Um, guys, today's their wedding anniversary," he reminded them.
"Which one?" Charlie yawned out.
"The first of course on Chulak." Cassandra rolled her eyes.
"Still makes us bastards, Sis." He snorted.
"They had no control over your conceptions," Daniel noted making eye contact with the siblings.
"Daniel's right," Grace mumbled around a piece of homemade toast. "The point is the last anniversary was no different. So we deal and give dad plenty of space."
"Always." Cassandra's voice tightened. She turned toward the kitchen and busied herself grinding coffee beans and swiping an occasional tear.
Daniel strolled into the kitchen. Passing Charlie, the two men shared brotherly looks. Daniel felt Charlie's probing mind. "Hey, stay out of my head, Chucky."
Charlie snorted. "I so don't want in your head, Uncle Danny."
"And will you stop calling me, Uncle. Last I checked I was you're my brother-in-law."
"Yeah, like don't remind me." The younger taunted with a smirk.
"Charlie!" Cass reprimanded. "It's not nice to tap thoughts, especially this early in the morning."
"Oh, and like I'm the exception to the rule?" He snipped.
"No, but as Daniel can't read your mind, it's not fair. Besides you know the house rules on mind-merging."
"Which is just wrong on so many levels." Charlie argued.
"Charlie." Grace shot her big brother a warning look. "Dad set those regs out of respect and privacy for all of us. So we don't forget our humanity. We only head-chat when two parties agree or when we're at full alert!"
"Which makes me wonder why, if mom were alive, she's never mind-merged with any of us, let alone dad. We're all linked, even Daniel."
"I'm only permanently linked to Cass," Daniel reminded him.
"Um, then explain why you knew I was just messing with you before."
"Coz, I'm brilliant." Daniel quipped, then snapped his mouth shut. Darn, he'd just quoted Sam. Fortunately no one seemed to notice.
"Yes you are, dear." Cassandra smiled. "But mom and dad are branded in ways we're still trying to comprehend. I mean they're bonded Ancients! If mom were dead, dad would know." Cassandra let fly and then clamped her mouth shut.
That was a subject rarely discussed let alone in Jack's presence. Daniel prayed Jack wasn't eavesdropping. The man could hear a fly in another room. Daniel rubbed his wife's trembling shoulders and an uncomfortable lull fell between the four of them. The only sounds were of coffee brewing, Thor snoring, and the birds chirping outside.
"Yeah, my point exactly." Charlie broke the uneasy silence.
"Guys." Daniel cleared his throat and three sets of eyes turned to look at him. "Let's not forget that even though Sam has not spoken with Jack, their souls remain bonded and that's why Jack and myself included, believe no matter the lack of communication, Sam's alive."
"Sure, whatever." Charlie bitterly looked away.
Daniel opened his mouth and then shut it. Of all the kids Charlie remained the skeptic concerning Sam's survival. No doubt being a Tok'ra host had hardened him. Odd, that over the years Jack had become the eternal optimist of the O'Neill clan, while Charlie had taken Jack's former position of the cup being half empty.
"I'll check on the twins." Grace sought distraction. "Of course, why's beyond me. They'll want dad first thing. Probably destroyed the bedroom by now."
"If they're asleep don't wake 'em." Charlie donned his wrinkled button-down BDU shirt over a black tee shirt then glanced at his watch, grumbling.
"I'm not stupid." Grace rolled her eyes. "If the monsters want to sleep until noon, that's fine with me."
"We can only wish." Cassandra chuckled.
"I don't get how two Ancient children who can read minds, move objects etc., etc., refuse to use the toilet." Daniel groused at Cassandra.
"It's the O'Neill pigheadedness."
"Whatever." Grace snorted. "I was potty trained before I was two."
"But still sucked a pacifier." Cassandra snorted.
"Hey!" Grace gave her sister the finger in typical O'Neill fashion which meant two fingers.
"And it's your turn to potty train today." Cassandra reminded.
"Who died and made you queen?" Grace took the stairs and glared down at her older sister.
"Maybourne." Charlie shot back with an evil smirk.
"Yeah, and where is the former king and newly appointed General Harry?" Daniel glanced at his wife while he pulled his tee shirt over his head, caught her admiring eye and winked.
"Don't look at me, I'm just the CMO, cook and bottle washer who's got one hour before Infirmary duty."
"Harry's on the midnight shift with Teal'c this week." Charlie sleepily stumbled to the work center and plopped on a stool, dropping his head to the counter. "Gosh don't, you guys, check the duty roster anymore?"
"What for? General Jack tells me what I need to know." Daniel scratched his bearded jaw. He preferred Jack in charge. The only times he didn't, were when Jack's demons came out to play. After their dawn encounter he knew it'd be a hellish day for everyone at the SGC, especially the O'Neill household. Thankfully, Daniel had to train new recruits. Not his favorite duty but today he welcomed it.
"I still can't handle dad promoting Maybourne to general." Cassandra shuddered as she lifted the iron frying pan from an overhead hook and set it on the wood-burning stove, that remained stoked twenty-four seven since the arrival of mid-autumn.
"Give him a break, Cass, the man's changed and if Jack trusts him, we should too." Daniel insisted.
"Never happen." She challenged her husband. "He gives me the creeps. And mom never liked him."
"He's saved our butts more than once and Jack's."
"Only coz it saved his own sorry hide." Cassandra argued, slamming the oven door shut then turning to confront Daniel, who realized how much she acted and looked like Sam, especially when mad, which was just plain weird.
"Your choice." He diplomatically took the hot tray of muffins from her and glanced at Charlie who played dumb and stayed out of the couple's squabble.
"For crying out loud, Daniel, Maybourne had the hots for mom." She made a face of disgust.
"Lots of men had the hots for Sam, still do." Daniel chuckled.
"Really?" she challenged. "Does that include you?"
His mouth dropped open.
Charlie coughed.
"Um, well, that's just wrong on so many levels, Cass! Your mom's been like my sister forever."
"Just checking." She glowered.
Confused, Daniel shook his head. Women, he'd never understand them!
"Um, guys?" Charlie cleared his throat and tipped his head to where the nursery door opened, Grace tiptoed out and bounded down the steps, sighing relief.
"They're up, but want quote, 'General Dad'." Grace shuffled across the floor in her home-knit slippers. "Thankfully, he's almost dressed."
Calling a visual truce with his wife, Daniel retrieved the homemade bread, while Grace grabbed the dish of eggs she'd collected from the hens less than an hour before.
"Good." Cassandra smiled over her shoulder, then sobered and met Daniel's compassionate gaze. "I thank God for those two blessings everyday."
"Yeah, me too." Grace grinned. "But they're levitating again. Jacob almost whacked me in the head with his piggy bank. Can't wait until they get their motor skills down."
"Did he apologize?" Charlie glanced up.
"Of course. Started crying that he didn't mean it, blah, blah, blah."
"They're good kids." Daniel stuffed a muffin in his mouth and a piece of bread into the toaster.
"The best." Charlie grinned. "And cute as a Carter when they're competing for dad's attention."
"Yeah, if not for them, he'd have—" Cassandra snagged her lower lip and turned away, blinking back tears.
"What?" Thirteen-year-old Grace looked up with a horrific expression.
From behind his glasses Daniel gave his wife a cautious look.
"Nothing." Cassandra forced a smile that didn't touch her eyes. "I'm just glad we've got them."
"Yeah." Grace smiled. "Me too. There's so much of mom in them, especially Janet."
Everyone went silent. Cassandra swiped at a remnant tear. After all these years, she still missed her surrogate mother. Daniel buried his personal pain even deeper. To this day, they'd never spoken about Daniel's former true feelings for Janet and God willing it would stay that way.
"You know we might have to add another addition to this place." Daniel said to divert from the morbid mood that had settled in.
"We already raised the roof, added five bedrooms and thirty feet to the first floor," Charlie groaned. "Maybe if a certain couple stayed home, we'd not be shoulder-to-shoulder."
"Well, I'm glad Teal'c has night duty this week. At least he's not hogging a bed when we're all here."
"I can't wait until Ishta returns. Feeding Teal'c is a never-ending task. Speaking of which he should be back soon." Cassandra glanced at the clock. "Grace would you mind getting a head start on T's breakfast?"
"Sure." She opened the refrigerator and frowned. "But I'll need more eggs. The hens won't lay another batch until this afternoon."
"Soon as I'm signed in, I'll ask cook to ring some up to you, Hon." Daniel offered.
"Okay, coz you know he'll eat half a dozen."
Everyone laughed.
"Good morning, campers," Jack cheerfully said as he stepped onto the second floor landing with two squirming toddlers tucked under each arm.
"Hey, Dad," his grownup kids replied in unison.
"Eat!" Janet tugged on Jack's neck while her short legs dog paddled behind him.
"I wanna cookie." Jacob reached over and pinched Janet's arm.
"Ow!" she wailed and tried to return the affection. Jack kept them a bay.
"No cookies before noon," he insisted. "And no pinching, biting or hitting, understood?"
Daniel chuckled as the head of Homeworld Security dressed in well-worn blue BDU's with two giggling toddlers glared from one child to the other, awaiting their obedient acknowledgments. That's if obedience meant tickling their father's ribs.
"Hey, no tickling!" Jack warned half-heartedly. Hoisting little Janet over his shoulders where she hung on to his silver-haired head, Jack carted them down the stairs as if they were weightless.
"Where's JJ?" his CO tone dropped into place as he did a headcount.
"Where else? Sleeping," Grace said with a devious sibling smirk.
"Ah." Jack winked and bounced Janet over his head and into his arms, while Jacob tried to break free and go after their dog Thor still curled up by the fireplace that boasted a strong hot fire. "Well, kids." He set down the twins. "Maybe you should give your big brother a wake up call."
Giggling, the twins raced off into the other bedroom.
"You're evil, Dad." Cassandra smiled.
"Ya think?" He walked over and kissed her cheek then held her tender gaze.
"And incorrigible."
"That too?" He winked, only to be temporarily distracted by one unhappy Jonathon O' Neill.
"Stop it. Get me off the ceiling? Hey, Dad!"
Childish laughter and babbling rang from the hallway and the newest addition to the Minnesota cabin they now called home. Not one adult or teen for that matter paid attention to the O'Neill sibling riot.
Cassandra kept cooking, while Grace poured fresh squeezed orange juice. "Um, you know this is the last of the oranges?" She glanced at her dad.
"Yeah." He frowned. "Base supplies are getting low again. I'll talk to Doctor Lee and find out when the next crop's due."
"Don't, Janet! Hey, Jacob, keep your grungy hands and mind off my model cars!"
Grace sauntered over and glanced through the opened bedroom door. "Told ya to get up before."
"Brat!" JJ yelled.
"Boggereater!" She stuck out her tongue and strolled into the kitchen, grinning at Jack, who reached out and gave her a hug that she returned.
"How's my other girl?" He kissed her forehead.
"Hungry." She kissed his clean-shaven jaw.
"Me too."
"Umm, your hair's sticking up, Dad." She grinned.
"When doesn't it?" he reached to slick it down, but gave up.
A louder plea from the JJ, "Hey, I'll let you play with my Legos', if you let me down, Jacob."
"'Kay," came a sweet voice, followed by a banging thud as the ten-year old hit the floor.
"Dang! That hurt. Da-ad, wilya get these alien brats out of my room?"
"If you ask nicely." Jack rolled his eyes and with his hands stuffed into his front pockets, he strolled into the bedroom.
Daniel poured three cups of coffee and handed one to Charlie.
Charlie sighed over his chipped cup. "Although it'll be nice when Walter returns from the field, I'm glad I've got Control Room duty today."
"Chicken." Daniel chuckled, opening one of several old books on the work center.
"Yes I am and proud of it!" The two men smiled and grinned.
Having retrieved the twins and directed them toward the overflowing toy box Jack lifted his stainless steel coffee mug and took a gulp, then said, "Hey, no levitating while I'm gone."
The twins turned on cue and nodded, but their mischievous grins warned it would be a long day. Grace put on her best long face.
"Geez, Dad, must I brat-sit? I'd rather clean the barn stalls and—"
"Nope." He glanced at the erasable wall calendar that had names and duties scribbled on the front page. "It's your day with the twins. JJ's got outside chores."
"But, Mom would have—"
"Mom's not here." He cupped her delicate chin and smiled into her gray-blue eyes watering with tears.
"I miss her, Dad." She sniffed a nose full.
"I know." He pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it to her leaky nose. "Blow."
After she'd finished Jack drew her into his arms, nudged his nose along the arch of her neck and began speaking softly to her. "So do I but . . . "
Although crying Grace nodded taking comfort against her father's shoulder as he continued to calm her, repeatedly stroking her long hair and back.
This was a cherished exchange that Daniel had the privilege to witness the between Jack and Sam and now Jack and his daughters. An intimate connection a stranger wouldn't notice, let alone comprehend, but Daniel did. Feeling like an intruder he looked away and stifled the emotion that crept into his throat. When he looked up, he met Cassandra's watery gaze, drew her into his arms and comforted her in his own way—their way.
"Now then." Jack cleared his throat and wiped Grace's wet warm cheeks with calloused fingertips. "Let's get on track shall we, Cadet O'Neill?"
"Yes, sir." She smiled and saluted, getting into their military role-playing.
Leave it to Jack, turning commander worked every time, Daniel mused, not to mention that none of his kids wanted to let their dad down, ever.
A bestial groan turned heads, including Jack's. "Jacob and Janet O'Neill put that dog down and get off him, now!"
Daniel rolled his eyes at the usual antics of the twins. The mellow German Shepard-Great Dane mix seemed more annoyed than scared. And who wouldn't be, floating four feet above the floor with twin toddlers riding him like a pony.
Jack overrode their levitation powers and gently lowered the dog to the floor then let it out the back door. "Sorry, Thor. Go fetch something, like um, a Wraith or Replicator." The dog wagged his tail and took off.
"You know, Jack, one of these days he's going to actually listen to you."
"We can only wish," Jack snorted with one of his dimpled, tight-lipped smirks that made Daniel smile. Unfortunately the moment that twinkle brightened the room, it vanished. Daniel watched with regret as that lost, faraway look crossed Jack's face before he stepped back to the counter.
Thankfully the moment the twins scampered into the kitchen giggling and tugged on Cassandra's robe for attention and breakfast, the O'Neill glimmer relit Jack's face. Cassandra was right, if not for the twins, Daniel feared Jack would not still be alive.
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"Hold on, ya two." Cassandra smiled while Daniel and Charlie hoisted them onto stools and gave them small glasses of juice.
Jack settled between his kids and dished up their scrabbled eggs then watched them eat and jabber nonsense between mouthfuls. Man, he loved his kids! He wished Sam could see them . . . Crap! He felt his eyes mist and stuffed his emotions into another locked compartment.
"Man, oh, man, I'm starved." In colorful roadrunner boxers and tee shirt, JJ exited his bedroom scratching and yawning as he adjusted his glasses.
"You're always starved, pinhead." Charlie snorted at his kid brother. "And why do you get to sleep in when the rest of us don't? You're such a spoiled little monster."
"At least I wasn't hatched in an egg!"
"Don't push it, four eyes." Charlie turned and glared at the mouthy ten-year old.
"Snakehead!"
"Tit sucker!"
"Stand down, Lieutenant!" Cassandra warned.
"Yes, Ma'am." Charlie avoided his sister's glint.
Grace watched her siblings prattle with a grin full of eggs and then exchanged a look with Jack. He winked.
"Shed your skin lately," JJ jabbed Charlie's ribs as he walked by and took safety on the stool besides Jack.
"Why you mouthy bed-wetter!"
"Am not!"
"Are too."
"Not!"
"Oh, here we go again." Daniel sighed.
Jack allowed his sons to practice their interpersonal skills as he flicked an invisible creature from his coffee. Darn, how come the dust always settled in his cup? As for the bedwetting remark, every since JJ drank too much juice one night and failed to hold it, Charlie used it for leverage.
"How do you do it?" Daniel set Jack's plate of buttered toast in front of him.
"Huh?" he took a bite and chewed.
"Jack?" Daniel tipped his head at the squabbling brothers.
"Oh, that? Had years of practice with you."
"Right." Daniel snickered.
On either side of them, the siblings exchanged hostile looks. Most of the animosity came from Charlie who remained jealous of his younger brother's normalcy per say. Partially because since losing his symbiote, Charlie aka Chuck was on major catch-up with life as a human. The poor kid remained in turmoil. Confused as to who or what he was. Jack knew his son was very much like himself at that age, but with Tok'ra and Retu baggage. Some might think Jack was too hard on the younger man but Jack knew that if he didn't push him, Charlie would be likely to walk and far more frightening, escape through the muzzle of a pistol against his temple.
"Hey," JJ came full circle and pointed at the twins. "You guys broke my bed again!"
"I'll fix it, son." Jack reached over and ruffled his natural spiked blonde hair then sniffed and gagged. "Geez, you reek. Get your butt in the shower, pronto."
"Whatever," groused the youth who grinned but said respectfully, "Yeah sure, yabetcha, sir."
Jack's intercom crackled from where it was attached to his shirt collar.
"O'Neill?" Teal'c voice echoed from the other end.
Jack touched the com's receiver. "Whatsup, T?"
"Request silent communication."
"Sure." Jack walked into the laundry room. He suspected Daniel, Charlie, Cassandra, and Grace were exchanging nervous looks. After he'd listened to Teal'c's report he ambled back into the kitchen still talking, "You know the routine, T. Tell Maybourne the same. Yep, on our way." His mouth flat-lined and he looked at his oldest son, daughters and then Daniel. "The Wraith are back in town, kids." He scrubbed his hands as if it were no big deal. "So are the Replicators and Baal."
"Triple trouble. Shit!" Grace said then caught Jack's disappointed look. "I mean, crap, I'm sorry, Dad." She closed her eyes to reprimand herself, before he did.
"Its okay, hon." He planted kisses on the twins jelly coated cheeks. "You two listen to your sister and brother while dad's at work."
They giggled and nodded, then gave him sloppy kisses that he didn't wipe off.
"Cadet Grace, you know your assignment. Also, fetch some extra MRE's from the cellar. Make sure everyone's backpacks are loaded with clothes and provisions."
"Just in case, sir?" she held his confident gaze.
"Yep, just in case."
"And tell JJ I don't want him in the fields. He's to feed the livestock manually, make sure the Naquadah Generator's off, return to the house and keep the security system on high alert. Also the rings are set for SGC access only." He kissed her forehead and then maintained eye contact until she nodded.
"Yes, sir."
Jack rushed into his office, opened the hidden wall armory and returned wearing his vest as he slide his zat into his hip holster. He felt Grace watch him secure his P-90 rifle and then the Bowie Knife on his belt.
"This is serious isn't it, Dad?" She walked over and touched his arm.
"Yes. But then every day is, hon. You know that."
She nodded as Cassandra gave her a quick hug and kiss. "Love ya, sis."
"Ditto." Grace slugged her gently but Jack heard their telepathic exchanges of sisterly concerns. He cleared his throat and looked away. Dang! He hated this. It'd been three months since the last high alert that had proved to be false. This one wasn't.
Meanwhile, Daniel and Charlie retrieved their vests and weapons from the vault. Coffee cup in hand, Jack walked into the living room while Charlie laced up his boots at the counter. "Lieutenant O'Neill!" he barked over his shoulder as he tugged his tan baseball cap over his head.
"Coming, sir." Charlie hobbled over on one foot.
Jack suppressed a smile.
Cassandra and Daniel gulped down their breakfasts.
"Duty calls, kids." Jack reintegrated to the older members of his team.
"Um, uniform, Cass!" Daniel gestured as he zipped up his vest and handed over her gear.
"I'll change below." She hurried to the ring's circle and waited on her men, slipping the strap of her P-90 over her shoulder. Daniel snatched up a book and coffee and rushed to Jack's side.
"We're ringing to the Prometheus II, Doc, and will return you to base." Jack had gone military mode and no one would argue, well except for . . .
"With all due respect, General, I request permission to—"
"We got eleven wounded and three causalities in the last hour. You have an Infirmary to run, Captain!" His steely glint gave no leeway for argument.
"Yes, sir." Cassandra yielded while her lower lip tightened in a pout that often worked in the past.
"Don't!" Jack snapped, not looking at her. If he did, he'd give in.
"Sorry, sir." She nodded as Charlie whispered, "Consider yourself lucky, sis."
"Whatever!" She snorted tightening her robe's sash.
"Force field, Cadet." Jack reminded Grace who was wiping up spilled juice.
"On, sir!" She saluted as the rings shot up from the hardwood floor and her family went to work.
"Hey!" A drenched JJ raced out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist. He skidded to a halt on wet feet as the last ring vanished, then looked at his sister's troubled expression. "What?"
"Bug Eyes is back, the Wraith are harvesting again, and dad's favorite false god just dropped in to say hi."
"Baal?"
"Ya think?"
"Crap!" said the twins before he could.
"Yeah. Geez, wish mom was here." JJ groused.
Grace glowered.
"I'm just saying . . ."
End of Chapter 7
