Jada Grey watched the event horizon of the gate form and inclined her head a moment. The tall blond woman with the slender frame and sharp green eyes; the red sash across her chest signified her status among the Terrilian people. She smiled at Colonel Jack O'Neil and took a step back.
"You and your team have brought us much Colonel; we owe you our thanks for your assistance--" A breeze kicked up and brushed her long flaxen hair away from her face. She turned and accepted a large wicker basket from a man dressed much like she was, in brightly colored velvet.
"But before you leave we have this to present to you--" Jada stated as she held the basket out to Jack. He glanced at Daniel, the silent question asked and he leaned closer.
"I suggest you take it, might be considered an insult if you don't--" Daniel whispered to him and cleared his throat.
"This will bond our two worlds together Colonel--" A patient smile came to Jada's lips that only grew broader as he took a hold of the basket in both hands.
"You didn't have to do this, the medical knowledge you're willing to share with us is more than enough--" He saw a lacey covering over the contents of the basket and gently plucked it away. What he saw beneath it widened his eyes as his head came up fast.
"Umm there must be some kind of mistake here--"
Daniel, Sam and Teal'c saw the look on their team leader's face and they surrounded him wondering what was wrong. A quick glance in the basket he held answered the question—there nestled in the bottom of it lay a baby wrapped in blue velvet.
Jada shook her head, her face serious. "I assure you Colonel there has been no mistake made--" She moved closer to him and peered down at the sleeping baby.
"He has no one to care for him; his parents were killed when the Goa'uld invaded. They were great defenders of our people and died bravely in battle."
Jack stared at the baby, his mouth suddenly dry. "A fruit basket would have been just fine."
"It is an honor, what we ask of you O'Neill. The council and I both agreed there would be no better way to seal the bargain we have made--" She reached out and gently brushed her fingers up the newborn's face.
"To refuse would render our agreement null and void. So I must ask you formally what your decision is regarding this."
"Take the baby Jack--" Daniel whispered to him. "You know that their medicine could be used to cure thousands of diseases on Earth."
"You don't have to tell me what's at stake Daniel--" Jack swallowed hard as he touched one tiny hand; the newborn shifted, mewling softly as his eyelids raised and emerald green eyes stared up at him. The baby's tiny fingers gripped Jack's and the gentle feel of it made his throat grow tight.
"I accept--"
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"Have you decided to keep the child O'Neill?"
Teal'c and Jack walked side by side as they headed down the hall towards the elevator. They had just gated home and the Sf's in the gate room formed a protective circle around them.
The tension Jack radiated was almost palatable but he tried to conceal it, his grip solid around the basket that contained the baby.
"I wasn't given much of a choice was I?"
"I do not believe that is so, you do have a choice O'Neill. Jada Grey spoke the truth, to be gifted the child of a warrior that has died in battle is a great honor."
Jack stopped in mid stride and turned to look at his friend. "You're right Teal'c I do have a choice. I know I told Jada I accepted the baby but I could easily give him away to an adoption agency or dump him in the nearest orphanage."
Teal'c studied the face of his friend a moment and cocked an eyebrow. "But that is not your intention is it O'Neill? You do plan to raise this child as your son."
He looked away from the inquisitive eyes of the Jaffa and nodded slowly. Taking a deep breath Jack wiped his hand over his face. "It's been a long time since I've been around a baby."
"And thoughts of Charlie have come back to you, have they not?"
"Yeah—and Gill too, I have to tell her she's about to become a mom-" Jack glanced at the baby briefly. "She might not be ready to or might not want to."
Reaching out Teal'c put his hand on his friend's shoulder and gave it a strong squeeze.
"Do not dwell on the past for that child is the future. You have been given a second chance O'Neill, so few are presented with an opportunity such as this. And I do believe Captain MacKenzie will be more than willing to become a mother to this child."
The words made Jack face the Jaffa; he saw what Teal'c meant plainly on his face. For he too knew about missed opportunities; Teal'c's service to Apophis had undoubtedly made him miss out on important times in Rya'c's life. Times Teal'c would give anything to have back. The expression on Jack's face softened and he gave a small nod.
"You're right Teal'c, thank you."
Teal'c inclined his head a moment and released Jack's shoulder.
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Gillian raised her head as the group of people came in; the first thing she spotted, other than the basket Jack carried, was the look of uncertainly painted on the team's face.
"Hey guys—I take it things didn't go well?"
"Oh no things went great actually; we're going to be trading with them for a long time to come--" Daniel spoke up as one of the nurses lead him to an exam table and began checking him over.
"Oh! Well if things went all right why do you all look so—somber?"
Three sets of eyes turned to Jack.
"I think I can answer that--" He said as he waved his fiancée over and gently placed the basket on the closest exam table.
"So what's in the basket?"
"This--" Reaching into it, Jack picked up the baby and held him in his arms.
"Oh my God!" Gillian gasped as she saw the child, her eyes wide. "Where did he come from?"
"The Terrilians--"
"He can't be more than a month old--" She took the baby from Jack and laid him down on the table, taking her stethoscope from around her neck she opened his velvet shirt and pressed the end of it to the tiny chest.
"That's what Jada said--" Jack watched her a moment leaning closer to the baby. "Uhh Gill, we really need to talk."
"About what Jack?" Gill put the stethoscope back around her neck and straightened up. "I want to take a blood sample for analysis and I'd like to do an ultrasound."
"About the baby--" He ran his fingers through his hair and laced them at the back of his neck, the muscles suddenly growing tight.
"What about him?" Her focus wasn't on Jack and he reached out and plucked her hand forcing her to look at him. Gillian saw how antsy he seemed and creased her brow.
"What is it?"
"The Terrilians didn't let us examine this baby as part of the treaty we made with them--" He paused a moment and took a deep breath. "The truth is they gave him to me."
Gillian blinked a moment letting the words Jack spoke absorb into her mind. "They gave him to you?" She looked down at the child a moment before once more meeting Jack's face. "How could they just give him to you?"
"His parents were killed when the Goa'uld attacked--" Jack watched her trying to gage her reaction.
"I had to accept Gill, not only for our sake with that medicine but for his too. This kid's got no one else and the Terrilians got hit pretty hard by the Goa'uld. They've got enough to worry about right now."
Nodding, Gillian reached out with trembling hands and gently picked the newborn up holding him in her arms. She looked at his tiny face and his bright green eyes and a gentle smile pulled up the corners of her mouth.
"I think you did the right thing Jack--" She whispered gently as she raised her face to look at him. "He's going to need a Papa."
"He's going to need a Mama too—think you might know someone interested in that job?" He teased gently seeing his fiancée's eyes grow shiny.
"Oh I think I know of someone."
Jack put his arm around Gill's shoulders and drew her to his chest leaning his head against hers.
"Colonel?"
The familiar Texas-tinged voice of General Hammond ended the hug as he came bursting into the infirmary. His cheeks were a bit flushed, his blue eyes widened when he saw the baby.
"I had just gotten home Colonel when I got a call from security about this baby. Care to explain to me what happened with the Terrilians?"
"Yes sir I can--" He took the child and approached the general. "Jada Grey gave him to me, she claims it's to seal our deal with the Terrilians but I suspect it's something more than that--"
Hammond eyed the baby suspiciously. "Go on."
"They were nearly wiped out by the Goa'uld. They got lucky this time and weren't wiped out completely, next time they might not be. I think Jada gave him to me not only to ensure he has a good home but to preserve their world if the worst should happen--" Jack glanced down at the baby a moment. "I don't think he's a threat to us sir, if you'll allow Dr. MacKenzie to finish examining him she'll prove that."
Gillian stepped forward and stretched out her arms. "With your permission sir."
Hammond's mouth tightened and he raised his chin a moment before nodding. "Go ahead Doctor."
"Yes sir--" She took the baby and left her two superiors alone.
"If we could have the briefing now sir we'd like to tell you all about the Terrilians--" A quick glance to the left saw that the rest of his team was just finishing up their post mission exams. With their blood drawn, they got down from the exam tables and surrounded the colonel.
"Jack's right, we've got a lot to tell you--" Daniel stated, earning another nod from Hammond.
"Very well, let's go to the briefing room."
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"The Terrilians are much like the people of Europe during the time of the Renaissance. Their customs and traditions seem to be of that time period, however this is only limited to certain aspects of their life. A lifestyle very similar to this--"
Daniel clicked the remote in his hand, the picture on the screen disappeared in a flutter of pixels and another one took its place. The image projected on the screen was one of a village greatly resembling a Medieval one, the houses wooden with straw covered roofs.
Hammond looked at the picture, his eyebrow cocking as he studied the dirt roads and dense woods that surrounded the community. A massive stone grey castle stood up on a hill overlooking everything like a picture in a fairy tale book.
"Dr. Jackson, you're saying the Terrilians have advancements in medicine despite their obviously technologically inferior culture?"
"Yes sir--" Another click on the remote and the picture changed again, this time to a large field covered with plants and trees of every variety and color. Daniel cleared his throat and pushed his glasses up.
"Because of a lack of industry, the Terrilians have cultivated many plants that have been extinct here on Earth for hundreds of years. With their farming methods combined with the mild weather on that planet, the plants have thrived producing endless crops of herbs that the Terrilians have turned into medicine with remarkable healing properties."
"How remarkable?" Leaning forward in his leather chair, Hammond rested his elbows on the shining surface of the wooden table.
"They don't have much illness sir--" Sam spoke up suddenly as she cast a quick glance at Daniel, seeing him close his mouth and nod in agreement.
"Diseases like cancer don't even exist and those that do come down with something are immediately given medicine that makes it disappear within 12 to 24 hours. It's amazing sir, and even serious injury can be taken care of in a matter of a few days."
"Carter and Daniel are both right sir, despite the fact these people live in Sherwood Forest and dress like Robin Hood, they've got the skills to make medicines that could probably cure all major diseases here on Earth--" Jack closed the folder he held in his hands and set it on the table. He felt three sets of eyes upon him and ignored them for a moment choosing instead to look down at his lap. He knew why they stared even though he agreed to take the child didn't mean it would be that simple.
"And what are the Terrilians asking in exchange for this medicine?"
With a click the projector turned on and rose slowly back up revealing the window overlooking the gate. Daniel set the remote down and took his seat across the table from Jack; he then addressed the general's question.
"Sir we gated to this planet two weeks after the Terrilians had been attacked by the Goa'uld. Most of the villages had been destroyed and they suffered heavy losses with what little planetary defense they do have."
"The Terrilians require our assistance in rebuilding their villages and help them with more modern defenses against the Goa'uld--" Teal'c interjected into the conversation earning a nod from Hammond.
"That we can do, anything else happened with the Terrilians I need to know about?"
Jack cleared this throat. "I'd like to go back to talk to Jada Grey, maybe in a day or two. I'm sure you can understand why."
"I can Colonel, permission granted whenever you wish to return--" Hammond looked around and sighed. "Dismissed."
Sam, Daniel and Teal'c rose to their feet each one shooting Jack a sympathetic look.
"We'll be around if you need anything sir--" Sam stated as she turned and left.
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"I know what you want to talk to me about Jack, and to answer your question before you even ask—no the Air Force has no protocol or regulations regarding something like this--" Hammond got to his feet and waved the colonel to follow him as he went into his office. Pushing his chair in, he faced his cabinet and opened the small wooden doors taking out a crystal decanter and two crystal glasses.
"Drink? I know I sure could use one--" He asked as he turned back, setting everything down on his desk.
"Please--" Jack rolled his chair forward watching as the general took the top off the decanter and poured two drinks.
"I hope you don't mind Glenlivet, got it from General Kerrigan for Christmas--" He set one glass on the edge of his desk and plopped down in his leather chair.
"To health, happiness and peace--"
"Couldn't haven't said it better myself sir--"
The two men touched glasses and had a sip, the Scotch smooth and flavorful, burned from the palate down.
"Has a nip to it doesn't it?" Hammond asked as he leaned back in his chair cradling the glass in both hands. His grin faded to a more solemn expression as he stared across his desk at his friend.
"Are you sure you want to do this Jack? Raising a baby is a big responsibility, if need be we can tell the Terrilians that you've taken the baby and we can try and place him in a suitable home."
"It's not that simple sir--" Jack had another sip of the Scotch, staring at the glass a moment before raising his head. "I know I don't have to keep him, but the truth is--" Pausing a moment Jack worked his jaw, the words a lot harder to say then he realized.
"You want to--" Hammond finished for him and Jack nodded slowly.
"Yeah I do. I just looked at him and--" He sighed. "Something inside of me that I haven't felt for a long time just flared back up."
A small knowing smile came to the general's face and he nodded. "I know what you mean and I'm sure you know what those feelings were."
"Yes sir I do, funny though I thought that part of me died when Charlie did, guess I was wrong."
"Being a father is part of who you are Jack, that can't die just because your son did and seeing that baby is proof of that--"
Setting his chair back down on all fours, Hammond bent forward resting his elbows on his desk.
"Anything you'll need you know all you have to do is ask. I'll get the paperwork started to ensure that this child has your full Air Force benefits. Have you decided on a name for him?"
"I appreciate that sir and yeah I do have a name--" Jack set his glass down. "I haven't discussed it with Gill but I'd like to call him Daniel Ryan, so don't fill that part out of the papers just yet."
"Daniel Ryan--" An approving smile broke out on Hammond's face. "I like that Colonel, it's a good name--" He rose to feet and stretched out his hand. "Congratulations on your son."
Jack accepted the hand and gave it a firm shake. "Thank you sir, and with your permission I'd like to take my team and get a few necessities for him, as soon as he's given a clean bill of health of course."
"Granted Colonel, as of now SG1 is on stand down for the next 72 hours."
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"Here you go Captain, one lukewarm bottle of formula they just brought up from the commissary--" Didi came in carrying a small bottle of Enfamil and handed it to the nurse practitioner. Gill stood beside a glass crib on wheels watching the newest resident of the SGC sleep, his tiny lips moving in a sucking motion as if drinking an invisible bottle. She reached down and glided her finger along his cheek, the feel of the soft skin made her heart swell.
"He's such an angel--"
Didi peeked in the crib and smiled. "Yes he is. He's an absolute doll, if I didn't have three kids of my own I'd take him home in a heartbeat--" With that the orderly left and Gillian tucked the bottle into one of the pockets on her white coat and gently leaned over scooping the baby up.
"Ohh big boy it's time you tried some food--" Cradling him against her chest she patted his back as she sat down in a nearby chair and shifted the baby to lie in the crook of her arm. He whimpered and wiggled, making soft baby noises that brought a smile to Gillian's face as a pair of emerald green eyes looked up at her.
"Hey—you hungry?" She took the bottle out of her pocket and touched it to his lips gently. "This is one of the best formulas on the market; I'm not sure how good it'll taste but millions of babies can't be wrong."
After a moment's hesitation the baby opened his little mouth and latched onto the nipple, his eyes closing in bliss as he began to eat.
"There we go, see that's not so bad is it?" Gillian leaned down and planted a kiss on the baby's head, the top of it covered with soft downy hair that appeared blond in the overhead light. She watched him suckle on the bottle; the realization that this was now her son made her throat close.
"My baby--" She whispered cuddling him closer to her, touching her nose to his head and rocking him a little from side to side. A barrage of different emotions and thoughts raced through her.
"Our baby--"
Startled Gillian raised her head seeing Jack standing just off to the side, his hands in his pockets.
"Hey, how long you been standing there?"
"Long enough--" He pulled up a chair and sat down beside her; he too watched the baby eat.
"You want to hold him?"
Jack swallowed hard, nodding. "Yeah--"
Tipping to one side Gillian passed the child to Jack, slipping her hands out from beneath his.
"There we go, and he never missed a beat eating either--" She chuckled as she stroked her hand gently over his little head.
"What do you think Papa Jack?"
"What do I think?" Jack sighed as he stared down at the little boy in his arms. He felt a strong wrench in his chest as he held the bottle, getting a flash of a pair of dark eyes staring up at him.
"He sort of looks like Charlie when he was a baby--"
"I know I've seen the pictures. But this baby has green eyes not dark like Charlie did--" Gillian scooted her chair closer and leaned her head against Jack's shoulder. She watched the baby drink his bottle and cleared her throat.
"Jack that doesn't worry you does it? Charlie and all--" She winced at that, the question not quite coming out like she wanted it to. Nevertheless the message seemed to get through all the same; Jack's entire body suddenly stiffened with tension.
With a defeated sigh, Jack dropped his head a moment. "You want to know if I'm worried about being a dad again? If what happened to Charlie is lingering in the back of my mind?"
"Yeah—" Gill looped her arm around his and gripped it. "But if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to."
"I think I should—I want to--" He leaned towards her, their heads touching. "Things went so wrong and Charlie ended up dying, I don't want that to happen again Gill. I was a bad father and it got my son killed."
Gillian straightened up, a stunned expression on her face.
"What happened to Charlie was an accident Jack! A tragic one! It doesn't mean you were a bad father to him!" She stared at him, not believing he had said that and shook her head.
"I can't believe you think that!"
Jack's mouth tightened into a thin grim line and his chin rose slightly, his dark eyes reflected deep pain and regret. "If I had been a better father Charlie wouldn't have died Gill and that's the truth--"
"Jack--" Gill felt a lump form in her throat so large it started to smite out her air making breathing a tad difficult for the moment. Forcing it back down she turned Jack to face her.
"You weren't a bad father; I refuse to believe that you were. I know you're afraid and I know you've got some doubts but guess what? You're not the only one that does, at least you've had experience with babies and raising them, I never have. But you know something? I'm not that worried about it because I know we're going to do this together and that makes me feel confident."
A third voice joined the conversation as a small, an almost squeaking cry began and both adults looked down at the baby. He had finished his bottle and squirmed, his little face scrunched in pain.
"Looks like lunch is over--" Gillian picked up the bottle and slipped it back in her pocket.
"Yeah looks like--" Without hesitation, Jack gently shifted the baby and set him on his shoulder and began patting his back.
A loud burp came out of the child and Jack's eyes widened a moment before a smile came to his face. "Nice--"
"Oh yeah, looks like he's a good eater too--" Gillian rubbed the baby's tiny back.
"So what do you think?" She repeated her earlier question, hoping that maybe talking about Charlie and their impending parenthood had helped.
Jack moved the baby back to the crook of his arm and looked at him. "Well, I think we're going to have to take this one day at a time--" Lifting his hand, he played with the baby's small fingers stroking them with his larger ones.
"But I think we'll be okay, you, me and Daniel Ryan here."
"Daniel Ryan?" Gillian's face brightened, an approving smile drawing the corners of her mouth up.
"Yeah, what do you think about that?" Jack mirrored her grin; he seemed to be a bit more relaxed, his relief clear.
"I think it's a good name, Daniel Ryan O'Neill--" Sighing, Gillian wrapped her arms around Jack's neck and nuzzled the side of his face. He turned his head to return the caress, their lips meeting in a gentle kiss that made Jack sigh as he dropped his head to the area between her neck and shoulder.
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After the debriefing with Hammond and his post-mission medical exam, Jack was allowed to shower and change. Ditching his uniform, he changed into a green jumpsuit and took the first available guest quarters taking the baby with him. With everything nice and quiet, he crashed on the bed falling into a dreamless sleep.
A knock on the door roused Jack; he rolled onto his side glancing at the glass crib parked beside the queen size bed. Baby Danny hadn't stirred and with a sigh of relief Jack got up to see who had knocked, practically jerking open the door.
Behind it stood Daniel, his blue eyes wide at Jack's less than pleased grimace.
"Sorry, did I come at a bad time?" He asked as he poked his head in the room seeing the crib. "I didn't wake the baby did I?"
"No, he's asleep--" Jack waved Daniel inside and closed the door behind him.
"Kid's a deep sleeper--" He said with a yawn as he rubbed his hand over his face.
"I take it you won't be going home anytime soon?" Daniel crossed his arms over his chest as he looked down at the sleeping child, a warm smile coming to his face.
"No, not yet. Still waiting for test results--" Plopping back down the bed, Jack covered his face with both hands and leaned back against the flattened pillow.
"He's really adorable Jack, I think you're lucky--" He still watched the baby, Daniel's wistful expression lingering as he reached out and touched the baby's little fingers. The infant stirred and his eyelids raised the deep green color amazing to him.
"Hey there--"
Jack's head came up; the tone of Daniel's voice had changed growing softer. "If you make him cry I won't be happy."
"Why would I make him cry?" Daniel uncrossed his arms and reached down gently picking up the infant and holding him to his chest protectively. "I've handled babies before you know."
He looked around spotting a chair against the wall; he moved it closer to the bed with his feet keeping his two handed hold on baby Danny as he did so.
"Yeah well Danny is different--" Jack said as he lowered his head back down, his eyes suddenly opening as he realized he just blabbed the baby's name.
"Why because he's an alien baby? I've--" He stopped in mid sentence, his blue eyes widening behind the black rimmed glasses. "Did you say Danny?" The blue of his eyes suddenly seemed brighter.
"You named him Daniel?"
Jack groaned, kicking himself for having such a big mouth. He sat back up and leaned on his elbows as he looked at his friend and gave a nod.
"Daniel Ryan—"
Daniel repeated the name, the grin spreading across his face. "I like Ryan a lot better than my middle name. My mother named me Daniel William."
"William?" Jack's eyebrows rose. "You're a Billy Boy?"
"No I'm a William, what's your middle name Jack? It's Caleb isn't it?"
"My middle name is none of your concern--" Jack's amused expression disappeared as he sat up. He reached out and took Danny's hands in his.
"Jonathan Caleb are both Hebrew names, very religious--"
"Yeah well I need all the help I can get--"
Daniel watched Jack play with his son's hands, a paternal gaze reflecting in his dark eyes.
"You really love him, don't you?"
"Yeah—I do--" Jack's face rose to meet Daniel's; the two men stared at each other, a moment of mutual understanding passed between them before he once more focused on Danny.
"This is your Uncle Daniel Danny; he's going to teach you all about dead ancient things and how to swear in 23 languages--" He glanced at Daniel seeing him tip his head to one side and make a face.
"Not exactly Jack—" Daniel's face softened looking proud at the introduction and his lips turned up in a smile. "I'm honored though that he and I share the same name and you'd let me be a part of his life."
"As I said, I'm going to need all the help I can get--" Taking a hold of Danny's tiny fingers, Jack brought them to his lips to give them a kiss.
"Are we interrupting?"
Jack glanced over his shoulder at the door seeing Sam and Teal'c standing just outside of it.
"Nope, come on in--"
"And meet Danny--" Daniel piped up still looking proud as he held the baby on his lap and waved a little hand at the couple coming into the room.
Sam grinned, a pair of white bags in her hands and Teal'c carried two more. "Danny? His name is Danny?" She sat down on the bed and set her two bags beside her.
"Daniel Ryan--" Jack corrected as he looked at the bulky bags. "And what's all this?"
"Oh, just a few supplies to make things a little easier till you get him home--" She picked up one and opened it.
"Supplies, like what?"
"I got a couple cans of Enfamil, and a pack of Huggies--" Sam pulled the items out of the bag and handed them to Jack along with a pack of bottles. "That way you guys can quit running to the supply closet."
"Thanks Carter--" Jack looked at the cans of formula and set them down in the glass crib.
"Is that all?" His gaze then shifted to Teal'c, who sat down on the other side of him.
"While Major Carter procured those items I acquired a few gifts for your child as well--" He opened one bag and reaching one big hand inside of it pulled out a pack of onesies in varying shades of blue.
"A few changes of clothing for him--" Teal'c reached in again this time pulling out a pair of tiny denim overalls with a little white polo shirt, attached to it was a tiny blue baseball cap and matching blue booties.
"I found the item of clothing to be most suitable for your child, the cap especially since you yourself are fond of such a head covering."
The clothes made Jack grin, he broke the plastic cord that held the cap on and gently placed it onto Danny's head. The fit a good one, the baby raised his eyes to look at Jack and in one instant moment a deep fluttering swelled within his chest.
"It looks good on him Jack; a mini-me version of you!"
Daniel's statement got Sam cracking up as she fished more basic supplies out of her bag.
"Should be everything you need sir, at least for the next few days."
"And for clothing as well O'Neill, enough are in these two bags to endure his stay at the mountain--" Teal'c raised his chin slightly as he handed over the bags for Jack's inspection, everything from little pants and shirts to baby jeans and socks were in them.
"This is too much; you guys didn't have to do all this--"
"That is incorrect O'Neill--" Teal'c started, cocking an eyebrow. "You have done many things for me including rescuing my own son on numerous occasions; I am grateful for the chance to repay you."
"Teal'c--" Jack set the bags down at his feet. "I did those things because you're my friend; I didn't expect payment. If the situation was reversed you would have done the same thing without hesitation."
"Indeed I would have—as your friend I would give my life for your child as you have done for mine. On Chulak, when one becomes a father is it not only his responsibility to see that children are raised properly it is also the task of those that are close to him family or not. Among the Jaffa, there is no word for orphan."
All present listened to the heartfelt words and saw the emotion dancing in Teal'c's dark eyes.
"No Jaffa word for orphan, I like that--" Sam stated as she smiled at Teal'c and shifted her attention to Daniel, holding out her arms.
"Quit being a baby hog!"
"I am not!" Daniel sighed and reluctantly passed Danny to Sam, whose smile turned almost blinding as she held the little boy.
"Ohh you are too cute!" She pulled the cap off his head and set it down on the bed beside her.
"Who's named Daniel in your family sir?"
Jack picked up the cap and returned it to the bag. "Gillian's grandfather--" He leaned closer to his son. "This is Aunt Sam, she's the resident MacGyver. She's going to teach you all about blowing stuff up."
"I think I'm going to teach him more than that sir--" Her face said it all, Sam's mouth twisted in disapproval though the corners of it bore the hint of a smile. Shaking her head she dropped her chin to speak to Danny, bouncing him lightly in her lap.
"Don't listen to him, I can teach you a lot more than how to blow things up--" She whispered before kissing the little boy on the cheek, she then raised her head to address Jack.
"Where's Gillian?"
"Infirmary, trying to speed up the test results--" Jack watched Sam, seeing the way her face lit up as she played with Danny. He opened his mouth about to ask for his son when a deeper voice beat him to it.
"May I see the child Major Carter?"
"Oh! Of course Teal'c--" Straightening up, she passed Danny on to him eyeing him with fascination as he stared at the infant in his arms.
"I do not believe his clothing is appropriate, may I have one of the bags I gave you O'Neill?"
"Sure--" Jack bent over and picked up one of the bags beside his feet and handed it to the Jaffa. Getting out the pack of onesies, Teal'c ripped the plastic and pulled out a solid blue onesie. He started to remove the blue velvet gown the baby wore but then stopped.
"Do you object to me changing his clothing O'Neill?"
Daniel and Sam both turned to look at Jack, who shook his head.
"Nah Teal'c go ahead and burn that ugly thing if you want. Apparently the Terrilians can grow healing plants but can't make decent baby clothes."
"What do you expect Jack? It's not like they have a JC Penney's on that planet--" Daniel piped up earning a narrowed eyed gaze.
"I realize that Daniel that's why I didn't say anything to Jada Grey. Velvet seems to be the fabric of choice on that planet."
"Indeed--" Teal'c added his brow creasing as he removed the blue gown from Danny and found the garment to be saturated along with the cloth diaper beneath it. "The one beneath it is also of poor design and construction."
Sam craned her neck seeing what Teal'c spoke of, the white folded up cloth brought on a smile.
"Hey my mom used to use cloth diapers, she always said the disposable kind were too expensive."
"The ones we use on Chulak are similar to leather, they are quite effective--" Teal'c got up and tossed the wet diaper in the waste basket, then carefully knelt beside the bed staring down at the now naked infant.
"Leather diapers?" Jack reached out and grabbed the lip of the glass crib and pulled it closer to the bed; he picked up the red bag of Huggies and tore it open, tossing it and the travel size package of baby wipes to Teal'c. "Here you go Big Guy, knock yourself out."
"Uhh maybe I better do it Teal'c--" Sam started to stand up only to have Teal'c raise his head.
"If you assume I know not of diapers Major Carter, you are incorrect. Drey'auc and I cared for our son together, there were many chores I myself took care of including changing of the pan'al--"
Both of Jack's eyebrows raised. "Pan'al? Is that how you say diaper in Jaffa?" He asked as he turned to lean with his back against the headboard, drawing one leg up.
"There's a Spanish word that sounds similar to that, it too means diaper--" Daniel pushed his glasses up as he watched Teal'c change Danny and slip a blue onesie on him, snapping it closed.
"Nice Teal'c."
"Thank you Daniel Jackson--" Teal'c gently picked the baby up, his big hands supporting both Danny's neck and bottom as he rose to his feet. The Jaffa sat down on the bed beside Sam, his dark eyes watching the squirming child closely.
"He seems strong O'Neill, I can see it in his eyes--" He touched one of Danny's hands and the baby gripped it around Teal'c's index finger. The strength in that little squeeze made the Jaffa nod solemnly.
"Here too is proof of this child's strength. He will grow to be a warrior that will make you proud."
Jack yawned widely pinching the bridge of his nose. "He can be whatever he wants to be when he grows up Teal'c; he doesn't have to be a warrior--"
"You look tired sir, maybe we should just call it a night and let you both rest--" Sam said as she got up from the bed.
"Yeah Sam's right, we've visited long enough--" Daniel too rose from his chair and picked it up, setting it back over by the wall.
"It is late, I too must go and meditate as part of my nightly ritual--" Teal'c got up and cleared the supplies out of Danny's glass crib gently laying the baby inside of it. He then turned to Jack and bowed his head.
"Thank you for allowing us to spend time with your child O'Neill--"
That brought a smile to Jack's face. "You all are part of my family and that means you'll be part of Danny's too."
Nodding, Teal'c turned and left the room shutting the door behind him.
Sam's cheeks pinkened at the compliment and she smiled. "Night sir--" Walking past the crib a moment she stopped and leaned over it planting a kiss on Danny's head.
"Night Danny, you be a good boy."
"Night Jack--"Daniel followed her; he too stopped at the crib and touched one of Danny's hands. "See you later Danny--" He beamed, the glow of his bright blue eyes warm. He hovered for a moment before finally leaving the room.
"Well it's just you and me now kid--" Jack got up and wheeled the crib closer. Leaning over he picked Danny up and put him against his shoulder as he sat back down on the bed.
"I know they seemed strange to you, don't worry sometimes they seem strange to me too. But believe me when I tell you that they're the best and I trust them with my life--" Sighing, Jack leaned back against the headboard feeling the late hour begin to catch up with him. He yawned, running his hand across his eyes.
"As soon as your tests come back we'll go home. You're going to like it, we have a really big backyard and a dog just wait till you see your room--" Jack dropped his head and planted a kiss on the tiny head, running his big hand up and down Danny's back soothingly. The infant seemed to settle down; Jack tipped his head sideways and saw that Danny had fallen asleep.
"Don't worry, I have that effect on people--" He said with a smile as he leaned his cheek against the top of his son's head and closed his eyes.
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