Author: Katchu

Rating: G

Author's note: I know absolutely nothing about hockey. If anyone has any ideas as to how to make the hockey scene better, please let me know.

Chapter 4

Five hours later Jonas and Katie heard a knock at the door. Kate looked up and saw that it was Jack.

-Shouldn't you be at home taking a nap?

-Shouldn't you be eating supper?

-Supper?! So early?

-Um, yeah! It's 17:50.

-5:50!

She looked at her watch.

-My how time flies when you're reliving your life.

Jack rolled his eyes.

-So what say we go home and make it just in time to watch the hockey game?

Katie stared at Jack, just now noticing that he was wearing the black t-shirt and blue pants he had been wearing when she saw him last.

-Did you even go home?

He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

-I decided I should stick around just in case.

-Just in case?

-You know, just in case. You didn't answer my question.

-So how 'bout it? Jonas? Katie?

Jonas had been sitting there watching the two of them banter. It was really weird watching them. They were so much alike it was scary. He opened his mouth to answer when Jack interrupted him.

-And before you say anything, I already called and checked with Hammond. Not

only did he yell at me for not going home, he told me to yell at you for working so long. This doesn't have to be done today, he said. And Katie, he said he didn't see

any reason why you couldn't leave the base. Now I suggest we leave before he

calls back and changes his mind. Oh, and Jacob's gonna come with us too. He said

something about having no desire to spend another night on a military base. And

Jonas, don't even think of bringing any work with you. Well...what are you waiting

for? Let's go.

Jack walked out the door, knowing they would follow. Katie stuck the files they were working on in her backpack. Jonas grinned.

-Good thinking.

-Thanks. You know how Jack loves it when somebody takes him literally.

-Yeah.

-So, let's go before we miss the beginning of the game.

She left the room and Jonas followed.

The first few minutes in Jack's truck with four of them were awkward. Jonas, of course, broke the silence.

-Katie?

-Yeah, Jonas?

-Back in the infirmary you asked me if Karis was here. Would you care to explain why?

Jack who was, of course, driving, turned to look at them.

-Who's Karis?

Katie smiled. She loved hearing Karis and Jonas explain how they were related.

-Well, she's my sister, but she's really my cousin.

-Wait a second. Is she your cousin or your sister?

-Both.

-What?!

-She's my uncle's daughter, but my aunt and uncle both died when she was real little, so my dad adopted her.

Jonas turned back to Katie.

-So are you going to answer my question?

Katie smiled and shook her head.

-I'm afraid it's not that simple Jonas. I know things that you guys don't know and I just can't tell you, you know?

He nodded.

-I completely understand. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Their conversation ended there and all was silent in the car the rest of the ride. Katie could tell that Jonas was thinking about Karis, and at the moment, so was she.

Katie was grinning broadly by the time they finally arrived at Jack's house. She sighed as they got out of the truck.

-It's good to be home.

Jack turned to Katie.

-Excuse me? Did you say home?

Katie nodded.

-Yeah. This is where we lived.

-Oh. Of course...Jacob...can we talk?

Jacob got a knowledgeable look on his face.

-Sure Jack.

Katie rushed into the house, followed closely by Jack. Jacob and Jonas strolled in after them. As Katie walked into the living room, she whistled loudly.

-Um Katie, this is probably a dumb question, buy why are you whistling?

Katie turned to Jack.

-I'm whistling for Carter.

-Carter?

-The dog. Don't tell me you don't have a dog?!

Jack looked away, not answering.

-Goodness, if I'd known you didn't have a dog, I would have brought Carter with me!

Jonas got a perplexed look on his face.

-Katie?

-Yeah, Jonas?

-Do you realize that this is the only difference we've found so far between the two universes?

-You mean besides the fact that Sam is a Major, not a Dr. and that I was never born here?

Jonas nodded.

-Right.

Jack cleared his throat.

-Wait a second, you're saying that the difference between her universe and ours is the fact that I don't have a dog?

Katie nodded.

-A fact that must soon be remedied. Mind if I help myself to the fridge?

-No, uh, go ahead. Make yourself at home.

She walked into the kitchen. Jonas followed her.

-Jacob?

-Jack?

Jack sighed.

-I don't think I can do this Jacob.

-Do what?

-Aw come on Jacob. You know what I mean, this...this...father thing.

-Father thing?!

-Yeah, I mean I do have some kind of fatherly responsibility...obligation...don't I?

Jack looked to Jacob for encouragement. Jacob just stood there a far off look in his eye.

-Jacob?

-Huh? Oh, sorry, I'm just having trouble with you and the whole father thing.

-Me too.

As they were pondering such things, Katie ducked her head into the room.

-Jack, where's the peanut butter?

-Um, to the right of the stove, top shelf. Why?

-I can't exactly make a peanut butter, jelly and cheese sandwich without the peanut butter can I?

-No, I don't suppose you can.

Katie ducked back into the kitchen. Jacob turned to Jack.

-What are you smirking for?

-Peanut butter, jelly and cheese has been an O'Neill family favorite for 7 generations. I've never met anyone outside our family who liked it.

-So, that seals it huh? You're going to, for lack of a better word, adopt Katie?

-I guess so. But something tells me I'm going to hate myself in the morning.

-Something tells me you're wrong.

-Something tells me you're right. Come on, let's go see what havoc they've wreaked in the kitchen.

They found Katie and Jonas mass-producing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

-Uh, Katie, what are you doing?

-What's it look like we're doing? We're making snacks for the game. Don't worry Jacob, half of them are without cheese for you and Jonas.

Jack broke out laughing when he saw Jonas gulping down p, b and j's and grinning while he was doing it.

-First time eating a p, b and j sandwich?

-Yah, we don't have peanut butter on Kelowna. Do you realize how good these are?...Hey!!!

-Come on, let's go watch the game.

He turned to Katie.

-Oh, and don't forget the lemonade.

She held up a jug.

-Already got it.

-That's my girl.

Katie stared at Jack.

-Uh...come on...we don't want to miss the game.

They walked into the living room. Jack groaned and slapped himself in the hand.

-I have no idea where the remote is!!

-Oh, Jack, of all the times to lose the control!!!! When did you have it last?

- I don't remember!!!!!!!

Jacob glared at Jack.

-Jacob, give me a break, I haven't watched any TV for the last 7 months. Heck, I haven't been home for 7 months!!

Katie rolled her eyes, grinned and walked over to the TV. She reached behind it and produced the sought after remote. Katie handed it to Jack who stared at her in amazement.

-How'd you know where it was?!

Katie rolled her eyes again, apparently deciding to humor him by answering the question.

-That's where you always put it.

-Oh...I knew that....I just...forgot.

He clicked on the TV and put it on ESPN. The game was just starting. Jack sat down in his favorite chair, Jacob and Jonas sat on the couch, and Katie sat in her favorite chair, which was coincidentally right next to Jack's. Jacob turned to ask Jack a question.

-So this is what, the division playoffs?

-Yup. NW Division championship. The Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild. Game 1. It's sure to be a great game.

-Trust me it is.

Jack turned and glared at Katie.

-Now don't you spoil it for us. Hand me a sandwich will ya?

-Lemonade too?

-Of course.

And so they sat there for the next 3 hours, not moving, only talking when necessary. Most people, when watching a hockey game, feel the need to hoop, holler, and scream. But to these 4, there was something sacred about watching a game. At the end of the 3rd period it was tied, Canucks-3, Wild-3. All held their breath as overtime began, and then, when Wild scored to win Katie gave a loud gasp.

-What?!?! That didn't just happen!

Jack placed a hand on her shoulder.

-It's ok. It's only the first game. Besides, why aren't you going for Minnesota?

I mean, I thought we were related here.

-No! You don't understand! The Canucks won the first game!

-No, they just lost.

-No! I mean in my universe! The Canucks won!

-That's kinda weird.

Jack turned to Jacob.

-Thank you Jacob, for that insightful comment.

-You're welcome Jack. I knew it needed to be said.

Jonas got up and started pacing.

-That doesn't make any sense! Why would one team win in one universe and not in the other? Katie, what could you have done or not done in this universe to change the outcome of the game?

-Oh, I see what you're saying. I'm an unexpected variable thrown into the mix. Well, let's see...that's it...we went to the game!

-I don't get it. How could you going to the game change who won?

Katie whirled around to face Jack.

-One of Dad's Air Force buddies played for the Canucks. Not only did he get us great seats but we also got to talk to the team before the game. Something we said

must've somehow changed how they played.

-In your universe, who won the division playoffs?

-The Canucks.

-The Canucks went on to win after winning the first game, but since Wild won here then they might end up winning. And that could have a domino effect and change everything!

-Wow!

Katie sat down and took a deep breath.

-This is big.

Jack scratched his chin.

-That's probably why I don't get it.

Katie laughed.

-Probably.

-Well, on that exciting note, Jonas are you ready to head back to the base.

-Yes sir.

-All right, let's go.

He turned to Jacob and Katie.

-Will you two be OK while I'm gone.

Jacob cleared his throat.

-Uh...actually Jack, I changed my mind. I think I'll go back with you.

-What happened to not wanting to spend the night on a military base again?

-I'm feeling nostalgic.

-Uh-huh.

Jack turned to Katie.

-Well in that case, you wanna come along for the ride or just stay here?

-Um...um...I, uh...I guess I'll uh...go along for the ride.

-OK campers, let's go.