Chapter 5

As the four of them walked out to the truck in silence, all had something on their mind. Jonas was thinking about the possible domino effect that could be taking place and wondering what effect it would have on them all. Jack was thinking about the whole father thing, and having a hard time coming to grips with it. Katie was stunned by the fact that she was spending the night at Jack's house. She had thought Jack would be eager to get rid of her, maybe she was wrong. Jacob was just putting two and two together, trying to make them equal four in regards to Katie. He turned to Jack.

-Jack?

-Yah, Jacob?

-Is there something else you want to tell me about Katie?

-No, not really.

-Is there something you don't want to tell me about Katie?

-You could say that.

-OK. You know, whatever it is, I'm going to figure it out eventually.

-I know. Just not tonight.

They rode the rest of the way in silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts. When they got to the base, Jacob and Jonas got out and said goodnight. Jack turned to Katie, who was sitting in the back still lost in her own thoughts.

-Why don't you come on up front?

-OK.

She climbed up and they were on their way again. Jack broke the silence.

-It was a good game tonight.

-Yeah, it was.

-You never answered my question back at the house. Were you going for Minnesota or not?

-Of course I was! Goodness, what kind of person do you think I am?! Even though I was born in Colorado, I still think of Minnesota as home. Every chance we got we went fishing at the cabin.

.

Jack smiled. A fishing companion. That might be a handy thing to have.

-Say, how old are you anyway?

-17.

-Wow! You're so...

-Young?

-Yeah. That'd be the word. Katie?

-Yeah Jack?

He sighed, reluctant to say what was on his mind, on his heart, but he did anyway.

-As much as I hate to admit it, there's a connection between us, a bond if you will, that's too strong to ignore. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm not your father...but I'd like to try to be. So what do you say?

Tears started rolling down Katie's cheeks. Jack couldn't see them, but he heard them in her voice as she spoke.

-Yeah, that'd be great.

-Great.

-So...what about Carter?

-Carter? Oh gosh, I don't even want to think about her right now. About what she's gonna do when she finds out about you, about what I'm gonna do when she finds out...

His voice trailed off into the night.

Katie laughed lightly.

-No, not Sam, Carter. The dog.

-Oh! The dog. We can get a dog.

-Good...since you brought it up, what about Sam?

He sighed.

-Sam. You know Katie, you're gonna be the death of me. Every time I look at you, she's there, right in your eyes. I don't know if I can do this anymore.

-Well too bad. You're stuck with me now. And besides, you're gonna be the death of me too, you know.

-Yeah? Why's that?

-'Cuz when I look at you, you're dad. And when I look at her, she's gonna be mom. And it hurts me to know that you're not together like you should be.

-It hurts me too.

-Jack?

-Yeah?

-Do you mind if I call you Dad?

-I'd like that. I'd like that very much. So...uh...do you play hockey?

-Not very well.

-Say it ain't so.

-Instead of inheriting your talents, I got Mom's lack thereof.

-That's a bummer.

-Tell me about it. I love the game; I just don't know how to handle the puck.

-Oh, you're killing me here! My daughter can't handle a puck! That won't do at all. We'll have to fix that. You and I will practice. I'll help you.

-Sounds like fun, but trust me, I'm beyond help.

-We'll see about that.

Silence filled the truck, but instead of being awkward, it was comfortable.

-So do you still play?

Jack laughed quietly.

-Not as much as I'd like to, just whenever I get the chance, which isn't often.

-I'd say. If you haven't even been home in seven months, where are you going to find the time to play hockey?

-Good point. Make you a deal. I help you with your puck handling skills and you make me play every chance I get.

-Deal. So...when are we getting a dog?

-You just can't let that go can you?

-No, I can't. So?

-Well, first off, what kind of dog?

-Husky. Siberian Husky.

-Siberian? As in Siberia, as in Russia?

-Yeah. You got a problem with Russia? Wait a second, dumb question.

-Yeah. Let's just say, Russia and I don't get along so well.

-Well, Huskies are their one redeeming quality. That and Chekov.

-Wait a second, don't tell me you actually like that guy!

-Well, yah, who doesn't?

-Me!

-How can you not love Pavel Chekov?!

-I didn't know his first name was Pavel.

-Hold on, are we talking about the same Chekov?

-I'm talking about Colonel Chekov, the Russian liaison to the SGC. Who are you talking about?

Katie laughed.

-I'm talking about Pavel Chekov from Star Trek.

-Oh! The nuclear wessels.

-Exactly.

-I love him.

-Me too. So, back to the dog...

Jack sighed.

-So, where are we going to get this dog anyway?

-Well, our dog sort of adopted us.

-How's that?

-Well, he came walking out of the woods toward our house when he was about 2 months old and I was 10.

-So, why'd you name him Carter? I mean, besides the obvious reason.

-Mom's favorite president.

-Figures.

-We had a Siamese cat named Reagan too.

Jack laughed.

-I suppose you had a turtle named Ike too?

-Yah, but he died.

Jack laughed again, so hard that this time it turned into a coughing spurt. Then he shivered.

-Brr. Is it just me or is it cold in here?

-It's just you.

-No, seriously, it's getting nippy.

-Uh, huh.

Jack turned the heater on.

-Well, I'm cold.

-I think it's a figment of your imagination.

-I think you're a figment of my imagination.

-Shh, it's a secret.

Jack laughed as they pulled into the garage.

-Come on, kiddo, let's get inside where it's warm.

-Whatever you say, pops.

-Hey! I can handle dad, but pops makes me feel old.

-You are old.

Jack sighed.

-I know, but I don't need to be reminded of it by my 17-year-old daughter. The gray hair is reminder enough. And the stiff knee, and the back...

Katie threw up her hands in surrender.

-All right, I get the point!!! Let's go inside and tuck you under the covers with a cup of hot chocolate.

-Sounds good.

The second they got into the house the phone rang. Jack groaned. Katie just laughed.

-Let me guess, you don't remember where the phone is either?

-Guilty as charged.

She walked over to the couch, pried it out from under one of the cushions and tossed it to Jack.

-Yo.

Jack heard Jonas' voice on the other end.

-Jonas, I just saw you 20 minutes ago. What do you want?

-I've been watching the weather channel. They're predicting a blizzard for our area.

-I'm sorry...did you just say a blizzard?

-Yes, sir.

-Jonas, there hasn't been a blizzard in Colorado for years.

-I know, sir, but that's what the weather channel said.

-Uh, huh. Jonas?

-Yes, sir?

-It's about time that you realized that not everything on TV is true. I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you, but half the time weathermen just make that stuff up.

-Sir?

-Go to bed, Jonas, when you wake up in the morning I guarantee you that there won't be an inch of snow on the ground. Goodnight.

-Goodnight, sir.