The Extended Vacation
Chapter 11
For Sam the last week went by in a flash. Once she and Jack had decided to leave this small village that they had lived for the last 16 years and raised their children, Sam was happy to be seeing old friends and getting back to a career she loved, but so sad because it meant saying goodbye to people she had come to think of as family.
She had thought of herself as an adult, even when this whole thing started and she was turned, physically at least, from 43 years old to 8 years old. When she was taken in by the Frazier's she never forgot what her life had been like, but she and Jack had thought that the life they'd known was gone forever and embraced their new childhood. Her life on earth felt like another lifetime, and in many ways it was.
But she had to go back. The O'Neill family returned to their home long enough to pack up and say good bye. They explained that their people had found them and they were going home, but they'd talk to their leaders about sending a ship here for trading and communication purposes. Mrs. Frazier, like a mother to her cried about losing her children and grandchildren. For Jacob, Daniel, JJ and Jenny, they were leaving the only home they'd ever known for quite literally another planet.
Sam whipped off many a tear off her children's faces this year, but now they were asleep. Sam looked at her four sleeping children, bundled in home-made sleeping bags on the simple beds they'd taken with them along with other furnature the dark room in the SamanthaCarter.
Behind her, the familiar arms surrounded her body, silently giving her the comfort that she needed so desperately. "Let them sleep, they'll be find," Jack whispered in her ears, "They're going to love Colorado."
"Are you sure? I was a Military Brat, I know how tough that can be being pulled from school to school. That's probably why I concentrated on school the way I did and graduated two years early. I don't want that kind of loneliness for my children."
Jack sighed, as they walked down the hall away from their sleeping children. "I think that going back to earth is for the best. You know as well as I that each of our children are developing your level of genius. As much as I tease you for it, I don't want our children's gifts going to waste. They'll get to go to school, play sports, maybe learn to play an instrument."
Sam smiled, "I can just see you teaching them to play hockey."
"And Daniel teaching them Goa'uld and Ancient."
Sam thought of something, "What are we going to do if the brass instead of welcoming us home, they slap us with a court marshal for disobeying frat regs."
Jack hugged his wife tight and kissed her deeply, "You are my wife. No matter what happens when we get home, that is never going to change. You and the kids are the most important things to me. We'll figure it out together. And you know we'll have the support of the entire SGC."
They slowly strolled in silence to where Daniel and Teal'c were. They had set up a living room area with a table, chairs and games for the kids. When Jack and Sam walked in Daniel and Teal'c were playing cards, but looked up to see them.
"Hey guys," Daniel said, "How are the kids?"
Sam smiled at Daniel's attempt to make them feel better, "They're asleep. But they're still upset about leaving."
Teal'c nodded, "Do not worry Samantha O'Neill, you're offspring will quickly acclimate to their new home. Children are very resilient to change. I am sure they will quickly find many things about their new home that they enjoy."
Daniel nodded, "I agree. And don't forget that if you need any help you have an entire mountain at your disposal."
While it had taken 2 months to get to the planet from Earth, Thor was able to cut down the return journey to a month with some shortcuts and working on increasing the engine's efficiency with Sam's help. Even with that, it was a very long one because the four adults had to keep the four children occupied for a whole month. They played games and read books, but it was clear that the kids were quickly going stir crazy. Sam knew her children, and one thing they'd gotten from their father was the love of the outdoors, and being in an enclosed space for an extended period of time without trees to climb or rivers to swim in.
And then Thor found the miracle cure. He told Jack and Sam that he sealed off most areas of the ship, but that he left a relatively large portion open for the children to explore. Today they had played hide and go seek for a few hours. That tuckered the children enough to be able to sleep tonight.
Sam herself was very exhausted. So after an hour of telling stories of their life on the planet, she fell asleep in her husband's arms knowing that in a week they'd be on earth, and that their lives were about to change again.
TBC…
A/N: Next we return to earth… how will the military command take two of their highest ranking military officers married with four children, after only having been gone a few weeks? Please Review!
