Graduation

"We really shouldn't be having this conversation."

"I know, but…we have to know. For our own sakes, for yours…we have to know."

"I will be fine, Dad."

"Will be?"

Major O'Neill took a great effort to rise from her chair. This child had caused her to gain more weight than the previous two and she still had not adjusted to her new center of balance. Walking to the window she began to speak again. "Do you remember what it was like the first time you took a life?"

"Well…yeah…"

"Even though you knew there was no other option. That it was you or him, you still debated your choice. She will understand soon enough."

"You will?"

"If I had it to do over a thousand times, which technically I have…I would and I will." She shook her head. "The point is…I will never let anyone hurt you or Mom." She stared at him for a moment, and then ran her hand over her stomach. "Family is more important than anything. You taught me that."

Jack smiled, finally. He was finally able to lay that thought to rest. Who better to tell him that his daughter was going to be alright than his daughter? "So, speaking of family…" He gestured towards her belly as she leaned against the alien window sill.

"It's a boy." She beamed.

"A boy?" Jack grinned ear to ear. "Sweet!"

Danni let out an ironic giggle and gazed at the floor. "You and my husband…"

"Pick out any names yet?

A sudden uneasiness filled the room. "Actually…we did." She stalled for a moment. "We were thinking about Jacob…Charles. If that's okay with you I mean."

Jack stood up a little taller. "Your mom would like that."

"I wasn't asking mom. Besides she added Jacob to the list back when we had Jack…so…I'm asking you."

"I would love that." Jack smiled, but a glimmer of sadness grew in his eyes. "So would your brother."

Danni walked over to Jack with a knowing look and he held out his arms. With her head propped on his chest, Danni could hear her father's heart beating as strong as ever. "When I was younger…at the Academy…I used to think about him. That's when I started to fish around in those memories that the Tok'Ra boxed up for me. It gets easier when there's control. Anyways…he wa…is, he is always a good memory."

Jack squeezed her a little tighter. "Yes he is."

"Knock, knock." Jack chimed.

Danni turned around from her mirror. "Hey!" Danni's pleasant mood had returned a few weeks ago. It was like a dream had snapped her out of it when she came downstairs that morning all smiles and pep. In truth, she had finally agreed with the fact that there was no other way around what she had done. Her family meant more to her than anything. And Hayden would have been a threat to them forever. Shortly after the incident the NID had finally been pegged and actions were being taken.

"You about ready kiddo?"

"No." She squeaked.

Jack cocked his head to the side. "No?"

"I…don't think I can do this."

"Yes you can."

Danni shook her head at her own reflection as she turned back to adjusting her attire. "I don't…"

"ACK!!" Danni shook a bit and turned back around completely.

"What?" She croaked.

"I don't want to hear it. You can do this."

"Yes you can." Sam added, walking in behind Jack.

"We'll see…" Danni huffed, and then pulled on her mortarboard.

"Good morning faculty, family, friends and fellow graduates. Today we look back at our lives in a way we never have before. Okay, so that's about as far as I got when I was writing this thing…so please bear with me. I'm not big on speeches." A few giggles could be heard from the crowd below the stage as the valedictorian began her dialogue, sans written assistance.

Sam let out a small groan and leaned her forehead onto Jack's shoulder. "Your daughter."

"But, what I said is true. Today, we really are looking back on our lives in a way we never have before. Because today…we can see our accomplishments. We're here…together…to celebrate the fact that we made it."

"She's doing good…" Jack whispered. Sam nodded silently, still on the edge of her seat.

"An uncle of mine once told me that we can learn more about our futures by looking at the past than any other way. He's a pretty smart guy, but…I don't think I ever really understood what he was talking about until now." Danni grinned with the last of her nervousness.

Daniel couldn't suppress a grin as Nicky rolled his eyes and Vala squeezed his arm; but Teal'c (who had returned right on time) turned his head ever so slightly to shoot a small raised brow before looking back to Danni.

"I don't know if I can speak for all of us, but I know looking back on my life until this point now tells me more about who I'm going to be than I ever thought possible. It is the steps that we made yesterday, that have chosen our paths for tomorrow." She swallowed hard and sought out her own cheer section, locking her eyes on her parents. "I can honestly say that I wouldn't change a single step I've ever taken."

She grew a large smile as theirs shown on her with understanding. Turning back to the crowd she was more radiant than ever before. "Over the past four years, our paths have been up hill and down, rocky and smooth. They have crossed over, diverged, and even joined together. All I can do is hope that each and every one of you takes the time to not only walk your path, but study it, enjoy it, and most of all…understand it."

Danni stood a little taller, indicating that her message was complete, and was soon overwhelmed and blushing as she took her seat to a standing ovation.

"No, you did a great job!" Nicky assured Danni as he gave her another big hug.

"Well, I did have some help last night from Uncle Teal'c." Danni grinned as the old jaffa walked over to the small crowd that was growing in the O'Neill house.

"I was happy to help." He smiled.

"Wait…" Daniel started as he came over too. "Teal'c you didn't get in until ten last night…"

"Indeed."

"Grace…when did you start working on your speech?"

"Oh…I don't know…ten o'clock last night?"

Laughter was abounding now as the family all stood around each other. Jack stood with an arm around Sam's shoulder. Vala held Kate's hand as Daniel and Teal'c both smiled and waved Cameron over. There had never been so many Generals at a graduation ceremony for one student before. Nicky however, looked a little glum.

"Nicky, you okay?"

"Yeah, why?" The boy tried to shake it off.

"Are you upset about something? You look upset." Danni pressed.

"No, well…maybe. I was just thinking about what you said today, paths diverging, and well... our paths are diverging now."

"Nicky…"

"No seriously Danni, you'll be off at the Academy next year, and I'll still be here. A lot can change in a year."

"A lot has changed in a year. But we're still best friends. I don't think that's ever gonna change. I mean, look at these old guys." She nodded to the older members of their family.

It was true; the original members of SG-1 were all standing around, laughing, remembering, and together. Even Vala and Cameron had become part of the family in so many ways.

Danni turned to Nicky with a pleased smile. "I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other on a regular basis soon enough."

The End

A/N: Well, there it is…THE END!! Of course as we all know this is just the beginning for Danni O'Neill. I hope you have all enjoyed the story.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU WHO HAVE READ THIS STORY!! AND AN EXTRA HUG FOR ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE REVIEWED!!

I like to end on a light hearted note…but….I do have an epilogue written. My question is…do you want to read it? It occurs a few years after this part of the story, but before Danni, Nicky and their team are sent into the past, and then opens up the sequel to It's Too Soon to Tell.

So, yes or no? Please let me know!! And please review!!