Speaking with Wizard
Apprehensively ,Sam waited in her quarters for her father to arrive; unsure of how he would react to her decision. He had always wanted her to achieve her full potential, to be more than she dared to dream, how would he feel about her giving it up to be a mom. A noble profession… yes, but the thought of telling her father still made her nervous.
She contemplated repacking the bags for the third time when a knock at the door stopped her. . Hesitantly, she opened it to reveal her dad.
"Hi sweetheart." Jacob kissed her forehead. "Jack said you wanted to talk to me before I left."
"Yes, Dad, come in." Sam motioned for him to sit on the couch.
With a smile he turned to Sam., "Now, what's on your mind, kiddo?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Nothing's wrong with Grace?" Jacob looked hesitantly back to his granddaughter.
"No, nothing like that," Sam added with a maternal smile. "I wanted to tell you that I'm resigning my commission. I'd like to spend more time with my family."
Without judgement, Jacob asked, "You sure this is what you want to do?"
"Yes, dad. I've given it careful consideration. There is always the opportunity of coming back later as a civilian or re-enlisting, but for now, I want to be at home with my children."
Jacob straightened and looked at Sam for a moment, and she stopped breathing waiting to hear his reply. Just when she felt about to pass out, he smiled opening his arms, "You know, your mother was a nurse when I met her in the hospital in Vietnam. Well, she continued to serve until Mark's birth. She never regretted giving that up for you two. If this is what you really want I have nothing to say but good luck. With you and Jack for parents, there's no telling what these two are going to be like." He kissed her forehead, again.
With a sigh of relief Sam fell into his arms.
Jacob let go of Sam as his name blared over the PA. "General Carter to the briefing room."
He hugged her tight once more, feeling time slip away from him. "One day soon I'm going to come and stay for longer. Just remember, I love you Sam." He hugged her tightly thinking about the Elder Daniel's words about Selmak dying. This very well might be the last time he saw his little girl.
Sam smiled with tears in her eyes; crying but not sure why. "Sorry, Dad. Pregnancy hormones make me cry at the drop of a hat."
Jacob smiled again. "Don't worry about it. I'll see you soon. Take care of your family Sam, they are what matters. Something I wish I'd woken up to sooner."
Opening the door, Jacob gave a final wave as he disappeared.
A few minutes later Jack watched the Tok'ra leave glad that this day was over, at least this part of it.
Turning away, he headed back to the control room. "Walter, has my wife left yet?"
Walter looked up. "No, sir, not yet. She wanted to wait for you."
Jack nodded . "Well, everything's done now and I'm taking off for the rest of the day. Let me know if anything changes or the world implodes, 'kay? If the Asgard call, I'm not available. If the president wants me, tell him to leave a message. Reynolds can hold the fort while I'm gone." Not giving Walter time to respond, Jack left the control room at a run.
He found Sam sitting on the couch nursing Grace. Dropping down beside her, he couldn't really believe that this woman was his wife.
Next, he looked down and studied his little Princess. The baby gave a contented sigh and let go, drawing his attention back to Sam.
With a lecherous grin, Jack watched as Sam left her shirt open.
Sam stood and crossed the room to place Grace in the car seat. Looking over her shoulder at Jack, she asked, "Are you ready to head home or are you stuck here for a bit longer?"
Jack sat frozen in place and swallowed before answering. "Nope, we can head home if that's what you want to do?"
Clipping the last buckle on the car seat Sam smiled. "Sure you betcha. You owe me a night in my own bed and I aim to collect." Slowly she buttoned her shirt before disappearing into the bedroom.
Sticking his head out the door, Jack grabbed two airmen to gather their things and sent them off to pack the truck. . A few minutes later Sam emerged from the bedroom, glad to see everything gone except Grace.
"Shall we, General?" she asked tucking her arm through his as the two of them headed out into the hallway, both praying for one day without the world needed to be saved.
Janet had Vala moved to a private room, and asked Daniel to step outside while examined Vala in private.
Daniel used the time to go to his own quarters to shower and change. When he returned he checked on Vala, relieved to find her sleeping peacefully.
Crossing the room, he sat down and took her hand in his own, rubbing his thumb against the back of her palm. She felt warm, real and alive.
He studied her face, she looked so calm and peaceful, yet his other self's memories of her weren't quite the same. He fought to mesh the frightened woman he'd seen earlier with the bold woman from his dreams and the other Daniel's memories. Who would she be when she woke up, which side of Vala would he see?
There was a groan from the bed. Leaning close he called soothingly, "Vala?"
"No, please, don't hurt me; I won't steal from you again." Vala's voice sounded weak, and childlike. Suddenly, she began thrashing as though she she fought some unseen foe.
Reaching out, he grabbed her shoulders holding her down. Giving her a gentle shake, Daniel leaned closer and whispered, , "Wake up, Vala, you're safe. No one is hurting you. You're not there anymore."
Vala jerked awake opening her eyes and focusing on him. "Daniel?"
"Yeah, it's me. You were dreaming. Do you want to talk about it, you seemed very distressed."
Confused, she studied him for a moment. "Distressed? I'm never distressed. You must have imagined it. I never dream about anything that isn't wonderful," she threw out a little too quickly.
"You can to talk to me. You sounded scared; something obviously happened to you," He was determined not let the subject drop. He wanted, no, needed to know about Vala. He wanted to see inside her, try to understand her, but he knew he could only push so far.
Vala's expression changed slightly, but her body language changed dramatically as she walked her fingers down his chest. "You misunderstood. It was nothing like that. You were the star of my dream, darling Daniel and I enjoyed it very much, I assure you."
"About me? Really?"
Sitting up, she traced a path down his t-shirt with her fingers. "Why don't we go somewhere without so many windows and I can show you what I was dreaming about." She looked up at the observation booth. "Unless you like an audience?"
Gathering her hands between his, Daniel sighed. "No, I don't think so. We won't be doing that. You'll get my shirt and pants off and then kick me in the head or something, using the distraction to get away."
Immediately the seductress vanished and Vala flopped back against the bed, pouting. "How did you know?"
"Vala, we aren't keeping you here. If you really want to go, you can, but I'd prefer you stayed here with us."
Turing away from Daniel and his words of comfort, Vala tried to stamp out the surge of hope.
Vala Mal Doran had spent her life, before she became host to Qetesh, lying, cheating, and stealing her way through any situation. Did this man, Daniel Jackson, really mean what he was saying? His words sounded genuine, but how could he be? The man didn't even know her.
Although, Vala could usually spot a liar, she had trouble with someone telling truth. Even if he did want her now, he would tire of her; she was damaged goods, even before her days as Qetesh.
Removing her hands from Daniel's, she pinched his cheek like a child. "Daniel, darling. You're sweet, but you're not nearly rich enough for me."
Disappointment, and maybe grief, crossed his face as he got up from his chair. "I'll make arrangements for you to go through the Stargate in a few days when you've had time to rest. Do you have any preference as to where you want to go?"
Thinking about her various stashes and mentally making a list of the ones that should still be there, she gave Daniel the name of a planet, but quickly added, "Any old Goa'uld free planet will do in a pinch." She looked around for something to wear other than a hospital gown. Finding nothing, she asked, "Any chance a girl can get something to wear?"
"You need to stay in bed until the doctor says you can leave. I'll talk to General O'Neill first and then I'll be back. Dr. Fraiser will be along to check on you in a little while. Don't give her a hard time. She's here to help you."
Rolling her eyes, Vala pushed herself up and leaned against the pillow with a practiced pout,, "Fine then. I'll just sit here and waste away."
Daniel smiled; the infirmary could be a very boring place to be when you were mostly well. "If you like, I can bring you some books to read?"
"Oh, can you? I love a good romance especially with adventure. Bring me one of those, please?" Vala's eyes lit up and she clapped her hands happily.
"That was not quite-" He sighed again. "I'll see what I can do." Daniel tried to remember which of the nurses he'd seen reading romance novels so he could get one for her before he headed off to speak to Jack.
Jon O'Neill sat with his back to the wall, covering all possible exits from his rundown motel room while he waited for Pete Shanahan to arrive. Just as Jack had been taught; so he now used all his older self's experience and training to his advantage. This was his first mission and he didn't want to screw this up. Especially not since George had placed his trust in Jon's plan.
He knew the minute Pete came to the door. There was a smart knock and he shouted, "Come in." The door opened slowly and the older man stepped into the room.
Immediately, Jon knew he didn't like this man and he never would. Part of him wished that he didn't feel this way, but even before the man said a word, something about him rubbed Jon the wrong way. Considering Jack hadn't liked the man either, well, he wasn't surprised.
He had hoped to feel different, to show that he wasn't Jack any longer; that he was maybe becoming his own man,.
Trying not to sigh, Jon waved the man to the seat across from him, watching closely as Shannahan looked him over. The man had the goofiest grin Jon had ever seen.
"So what are we doing?" Shannahan sat, that stupid grin still on his face.
Jon's hand clenched in a fist to stop himself from lashing out and punching the other man. "Mr. Shanahan." He pushed the folder across the table. "This is the next piece to the puzzle. We're to work together to achieve the goals we have been given. That's all. Now, read the contents of this folder and meet me at the appointed time."
As he took the folder, Pete looked over at the boy; he looked to young to be running an operation like this. He should be the one to take the lead; he had more experience than this man. He couldn't contain the snort that escaped.
Within seconds, Pete found himself face down on the smelly rug with his arm twisted painfully behind his back, Jon's breath hot on his ear. "Never doubt that I could snap your neck in a heartbeat. Now, my name is Jon Sullivan. If you show me respect, I'll try and do the same. Do you understand me?" He inflicted more pressure on the weasel's arm.
Pete nodded, as his face mashed deeper into the carpet. He'd obviously underestimated this man and conceded painfully that while he may look young, he wasn't someone to trifle with. He hated the fact that his voice wavered when he spoke. "Okay, okay I get the message. Wanna let me up and tell me they want us to do?"
Releasing the other man, Jon got to his feet. "We're gonna steal an alien."
Motioning to the table where the folder sat, he said, "Sit down; I'll explain the plan to you." For the first time since being cloned as Jack O'Neill, Jon felt alive.
Sorry I have a weakness for the Clone. He planned himself in this story and just wouldn't get out not matter how I tried. If you like Clone fics I have a few. Who Am I; Who Are You and Academy Daze: Year Four are my favorites and part of a five story series. (Warning these are Jon(Clone)/Cassie fics, but not in a yucky way) Who We Are is my third unrelated to the other two.
Tune in next week for another chapter or if you can't wait read the next two a my website. kellethmetheus. com.