Chapter nine

They stood in the main entry way of O'Malley's. Jack had tried to talk the hostess into seating them but being annoyed with his sweet talk, she made them wait. And wait, and wait, finally, half an hour later, she seated them.

After everyone looked over the menus, the waitress returned. "Isn't there some people missing?"

Jack raised his eyebrows, "Hey Loretta, Danny and Teal'c are busy tonight sorry."

"Aw, that's fine. I'm just glad to be seeing you. Just because you're a general it don't mean you can't visit."

Jack laughed, "Yes mam."

Loretta smiled, "Now what can I get for y'all?"

Jake started rambling in response. "Cheese burger, no cheese, and…no lettuce or tomatoes or onions."

Sam shook her head, "I'll have a steak please, medium rare with fries."

Jack shrugged then nodded. "I guess I'll have the same."

Julie made a crooked face. "I suppose I'll have the chicken."

Brad nodded, "I'm going to share with Julie."

John snorted oh yeah, a real man, "Get me the biggest damn baby backs you have."

Loretta left with a crooked grin on her face. Julie turned to John, "There's a child at the table. Use proper language."

Jake stopped his coloring and looked up. "What are 'baby backs'?"

John smacked Jack in the back of the head. "What have you been teaching this boy?"

Jack furrowed his eyebrows. "Not that much actually."

The adults ate dinner in near silence as Jake talked on and on about his favorite cartoon-X-Men. Nearly an hour later, when all the food had been eaten and everyone had grown tired of each other, the battle of who would 'foot the bill' started.

"Your dad will pay, Jack." Julie looked over at John.

"Its fine, I've got it." Jack pulled his wallet out of his pocket.

The bill was paid. Half an hour later they were home again. Jack got in the shower and Sam pulled up her computer leaving Jake at the mercy of his grandparents.

Jake sat down on the couch and turned on the hockey game. John and Julie soon joined him. "Hockey huh," John asked Jake.

"I play it too."

"Cool." He turned to Julie, "Where's your husband at?"

Julie sighed, "He decided to hit the sack."

John snorted, "Sounds like he has great libido."

Jake tapped on John's shoulder. "What's libido?"

Jake said his goodnights and tucked himself into bed. Sam had left a good hour earlier for the SGC. "Jack," Julie asked as Jack sat down. "Why didn't you tuck him in?"

He sighed, "Mom I'm still not ready to be a dad."

John snorted, "And what the hell makes you think I was ready to be a dad when you showed up?"

Jack nodded. "What do I do?"

"Be his dad the best you can."

Jack thought about it a minute then shrugged. "Okay. See you in the morning."

"Love you Johnny," Julie called after him.

Jack leaned back around the corner. "Love you too mom."

Jack heard the front door slam shut. He jumped out of bed, threw on some jeans, and grabbed his gun. He entered the kitchen. "Daniel, what the hell are you doing here?"

Daniel winced, oh damn he is not going to take this well. "Uh Jack,"

"Yes Daniel,"

"She's gone missing."

"Sam,"

Daniel nodded, "Yeah Jack. She was captured off world."

"Damn. So what's that mean for Jake?"

Daniel adjusted his glasses. "Now and until Sam comes back, you are his legal guardian. I do realize though that the two of you don't get along too well so if you or Jake needs it Jake can stay with me."

Jack nodded, still taking in what had been said. "Thanks for stopping by Daniel. It's ok though, Jake and I will be just fine."

"Alright, I'm going to get going. You should go talk to Jake."

Jack nodded and walked with Daniel to the door. After Daniel had left, Jack marched upstairs and into Jake's room.

He shook Jake awake. "What," Jake shouted.

Jack sat on the edge of his bed. "We need to talk."

Jake's eyes widened. "Is mom ok?"

"She was taken hostage."

Jake looked at his feet. "Is she coming back?"

"Yeah, of course. Until she gets back though it's just you and me."

Jake nodded. "Ok, can I go back to bed?"

Jack smiled sadly. "Sure, I'll see you in a few hours."