Chapter 8: An Unexpected Visitor
Daniel was in the observation room, waiting to see Sam again after the nurse was through with her and the bed had been changed by the orderly. He was glancing down at a book when the door opened, and in walked Gen. Jack O'Neill.
"Jack... what a surprise." It didn't come out very friendly. The General hesitated a moment, then continued walking toward Daniel.
"Daniel... how goes it?"
"Could be better. I mean, Sam has just been through hell, I'm recovering from a wound myself, not that that matters, I'm getting pressure from Landry to get back in action as quickly as possible, and... well, besides that, I'm fine."
"Growing a beard, Daniel?" How Jack could come out with the most inane comments, Daniel didn't know. Maybe he was nervous. Suddenly the archeologist became aware of his unkempt look, compared to the crisp dress blues that Jack wore.
"Yeah, well, I've had a lot on my mind lately, Jack."
Jack slipped his hands into his pants pockets, looked down, then back at Daniel. Then, softly, "You're really committed to her, aren't you, Daniel?"
"That's what love does, Jack, you know?" Jack flinched and looked away. Daniel, in spite of his best efforts, was still angry at the way Jack had let Sam down, how badly he had hurt her, even though Jack's lack of follow-up had driven Sam to Daniel for solace and, eventually, love. It was a funny thing, this ambivalent feeling. Daniel knew he should be glad that there had been no follow-through on Jack's part, but anyone and anything that hurt Sam... There was an awkward silence between them. Then guilt grew in Daniel's gut as scenes of the years spent on the team flashed through his mind. Wasn't this the man that had saved his butt, and vice-versa, so many times? "I'm... sorry, Jack. That was way out of line."
"Maybe a little, but I deserved it," Jack acknowledged. "So... how's the patient?"
"She's doing okay, coming along. I imagine you've heard a lot through the grapevine."
"Everyone keeps me updated. Someone sneezes back at Stargate Command, and I hear about it in D.C."
"Then you know... that Sam and I are married and that she's pregnant?" Jack nodded. Daniel glanced out at the infirmary and noticed the curtain open and Sam sitting up in bed, reading a magazine. She waved at them.
"So... you want to visit her?"
"Yes, I do. She's a good friend, will always be a good friend." Jack hesitated a moment, then continued, "Daniel, I didn't come here just to visit Sam..."
"Oh?"
Jack ran his hand through his military style haircut. "I... uh... came to tell you something that's on my... mind. Heart, I guess you could say." He shifted on his feet, took a deep breath. "I want to congratulate you on your marriage to Sam. I couldn't think of a better man for her. And I think you're both going to make wonderful parents."
Daniel stared at Jack. Compliments from the older man had always been few and far between. "Thank you, Jack... that means a lot to me."
"So... what do you say we visit the patient?" asked Jack.
Daniel hesitated a moment. "You go, Jack. I'll be down in a few minutes. I've just got to... uh... finish this chapter." The General nodded and left.
Daniel watched as Jack appeared again in the infirmary below. Jack had only taken a few steps when a vivacious black-haired woman skipped to his side and hooked her arm through his. Ponytails bouncing, she flashed him a big smile. He smiled back at her. Vala and Jack? Jack and Vala? That is one strange combination, Daniel mused, shaking his head. Then he went back to reading his book.
