Transitions: The Next Ten Months Author: Orrymain Author Email: (Feedback welcome)
Author Website: Category: Slash, Action/Adventure, Angst, H/C, Drama, Humor, Romance, Established Relationship Pairing: Jack/Daniel ... and it's all J/D Rating: PG-13 Season: Beyond the Series -- December 16, 2006 - October 15, 2007 Spoilers: Smoke and Mirrors, Crossroads and Exodus (both very minor), It's Good to be King Size: 528kb total --Chapter One: 51kb --Chapter Two: 33kb --Chapter Three: 32kb --Chapter Four: 40kb --Chapter Five: 38kb --Chapter Six: 65kb --Chapter Seven: 41kb --Chapter Eight: 48kb --Chapter Nine: 92kb --Chapter Ten: 88kb Written: December 1-24, 2003, February 11,13-17,20, March 1-5,9, July 20,22-28, August 9-10,13-17,24-27, September 11-13, 2004 Chapter Nine Revised: January 12, 2005 Summary: As the Jackson-O'Neills continue to settle in to their new life outside of the SGC, something surprising happens!
Disclaimer: Usual disclaimers -- not mine, wish they were, especially Daniel, and Jack, too, but they aren't. A gal can dream though!
Notes: 1) Sometimes, Jack and Daniel speak almost telepathically. Their "silent" words to each other are indicated by asterisks instead of quotes, such as Jack, we can't
2) Silent, unspoken thoughts by various characters are indicated with in front and behind them, such as Where am I
3) This fic stands alone, but it does reference my past fics, "Sacrifices," "Danny," "Just When You Thought You Knew Jack ...," "Gifts of a Lifetime," "Heart and Soul," "The Twelve Days of Christmas - Day Six," "Delusions of Love," "House of Walls," "Brothers," and "Ten Months" -----Added note: Though not necessary, to really have the full background, I do strongly recommend reading "Sacrifices" prior to this fic. Not required, but it'll help greatly in the understanding and awareness of a certain event in this story.
5) Reference is made to Brenda and ELG's wonderful story, "New Year's Resolution" in which the characters of Christa and Jacob were first created. It can be found at: 4) Thanks to my betas who always make my fics better: Charlotte, Claudia, QuinGem, Drdjlover!
Transitions: The Next Ten Months by Orrymain

-- Chapter One: They're Asleep!

"Jack." Daniel nudged his lover lying next to him. "Jack!"

"What?" Jack fussed, not wanting to wake up.

"They're asleep ... ALL THREE ... sound asleep."

"So am I," Jack abruptly stated, rolling over onto his right side, wanting nothing more than to return to his blissful slumber.

"But, Jack." Daniel tugged on the older man's arm. "The last time all the Munchkins were asleep at the same time was three weeks ago."

"That's nice," Jack mumbled, taking a breath and closing his eyes again.

Daniel was in "the mood" for love. It was Wednesday night, which wasn't their date night, but since developing their routine, they'd also begun to weave in a few spontaneous moments for themselves, and Daniel wanted one of those moments to be now, especially since the last spontaneous event had been two and a half weeks ago -- a lifetime for the two lovers who had once made a daily "habit" of indulging in the pleasure of physically loving each other.

"Jack," Daniel nibbled on his lover's ear, "I want you."

"Want you, too, Space ... yawn ... Monkey."

"Now, Jack," Daniel spoke urgently. He kissed the side of Jack's neck, the older man automatically moving his head to give his husband better access. "Get with the program, Babe," Daniel ordered as he moved Jack to lay on his back and then connected with his husband's lips, nibbling slightly on the upper tissue.

"Hmm, Danny, love you," Jack crooned as his hands wrapped around his love.

"Finally!"

At last, Jack had woken up and become fully aware of his spouse's wants and needs. He knew them well. He had the same desires himself.

"Geez, Danny, why didn't you say you wanted to ..."

"I did! For fifteen minutes, I've been trying to ..."

"Never mind. Let's just do it while we ..."

"WAH! WAH!" came over the baby monitor.

"Wah," Daniel echoed in a whiny voice, rolling over on his back, totally deflated, in more ways than one.

"Sorry, Love. I'll handle it."

Jack placed a kiss on Daniel's cheek and got up off the bed.

"I wish you would have HANDLED IT fifteen freakin' minutes ago, O'Neill."

"Soon," Jack promised, heading for the nursery, leaving a frustrated, and sadly flattened, Daniel behind.

Unfortunately, it would be their regular Friday night date before the lovers would be able to satisfy their physical cravings for each other.

With the triplets down for a nap, and Bijou and Katie "on watch" in the nursery, Jack and Daniel carried the portable baby monitor outside with them as they went to wash and clean their vehicles. These days, the two had to seize every free moment they could find to tend to things that weren't directly related to their newborns.

Daniel sashayed over to his car and put down his bucket and cleaning items. He made a little grunting noise that drew Jack's attention. The older man was standing by his truck and had already begun to clean out the interior, but his actions were halted when he saw his lover do a little striptease.

Out on the street?

Jack was about to object to the unusual public display when he saw Daniel had removed his jeans to reveal the short cut-offs he had on beneath them. Daniel then took off his shirt.

As Jack stared, Daniel stretched, letting out another groan, a low, taunting sound. His abdomen flexed as he moved, and Jack could swear that as his lover bent over to grab a sponge he had purposely wiggled his hips.

As if in a trance, Jack couldn't move. Daniel proceeded to wash his car using extremely suggestive moves, shoving his entire body against the hood, his pectoral muscles flush against the windows from time to time.

Batting his eyelashes innocently, Daniel looked up at Jack.

"Aren't you going to clean the truck?"

"Huh?"

"Your truck."

"Truck?"

"Jack, that big thing you're standing against. The truuuuuuck."

"Oh ... Daniel, what are you doing?"

"I'm washing my car. What does it look like I'm doing?"

"I'd tell you, but I'm afraid the neighbors might hear."

Daniel just shrugged and returned his focus to the car. He walked over and grabbed the hose to rinse the area he was working on, letting the water spray back against his body. He moaned from the feel of the running water, making sure Jack heard, of course.

This is working out nicely, Daniel thought, enjoying Jack's inability to concentrate on anything but Daniel.

"Okay, Daniel. That's it."

Jack tossed down the rag he'd been holding, walked over to his soulmate, and kissed him hard, resulting in a legitimate moan that had the younger man swooning.

"Public," Daniel reminded when his brain cells kicked in again.

"You started it."

"Yeah, and you wouldn't wake up. Get off of me. We have to finish this."

Daniel scooted out of Jack's hold, began to laugh, and ran around to the other side of his car.

"Now I get it. This is revenge. You'll be sorry," Jack threatened.

The chase was on. They'd had lots of chases in the privacy of their backyard over the years, but this was the first time they'd been so free in the front yard of their home, visible for all to see. Daniel's shouts teased and taunted his lover, while Jack's replies threatened of ravishings and not being able to breathe. He chased Daniel around the yard, almost catching him several times. They used the hose to spray each other, threw sponges to fend the other off, and even grabbed rags to wave provocatively in front of their bodies.

Across the street, Mrs. Valissi was visiting with Christa and Jacob Svenson, all three sitting on the front porch. They broke out into laughter as they watched the frolicking of the Jackson-O'Neills.

"Aren't they adorable?" Mrs. Valissi said.

"I'm so happy for them. Young Daniel has changed so much. Can you imagine him doing this when we first met him, Jacob?"

"Christa, the day we met him he was going to leave Jack ... over coffee."

"Oh, no. That would never happen," Mrs. Valissi said.

"It almost did. Some silly fight."

"Poor Jack. He's just like me."

"Well, Dear, how hard is it to remember what kind of coffee I like?"

"Coffee? I thought you preferred tea!" Jacob teased.

Christa leered at her husband. The two had had a long and happy life together, including their years in Colorado Springs as Jack's and Daniel's neighbors across the street. When they had gone for a visit, it had been Daniel who answered the door, and it hadn't taken them long to figure out that it was Daniel who had captured Jack's heart, and vice versa. Fortunately, their words of wisdom convinced the lovers to work out their latest disagreement, and since that day, they'd all become wonderful friends.

"The babies are growing so fast. I visited with them yesterday. Just adorable," Mrs. Valissi said. "I'm so happy for them all."

"They are all blessings, of that I am sure," Christa added.

Just then, their attention was again drawn to the lovers. The three senior citizens couldn't help but laugh.

"You two do realize Daniel just let himself be caught," Mrs. Valissi said slyly.

Jacob agreed, saying, "That's right. Jack got Daniel right where Daniel wanted him to."

The neighbors continued their visit while across the street, the lovers continued to enjoy their relatively new freedom. After several kisses on the lawn, Jack promised, "I'll wake up next time, Love."

"You'd better. Gawd, Jack, I love you. Need you so much."

"I know exactly what you mean. Geez, Danny, what you do to me. You make me crazy with want. Love you to the moon and beyond."

"My poet."

They kissed again, and then finally returned to their vehicle-cleaning chores, realizing they probably didn't have much more time to get the tasks done.

As Daniel finished polishing his silver sports car, the one Jack had surprised him with several years earlier, a sad realization hit him.

"Jack, gawd, I can't even fit the triplets in my car. We ... need a new one."

"Then we'll go buy one."

Daniel sighed, the sound summing up his sadness. It simply wasn't sensible to put sentiment before practicality. He folded his arms, hating himself for what he was about to say, and hating that he had to say it.

"We should sell my car."

"Danny, you love that car," Jack balked, not like the idea of parting with something that meant so much to his lover, and that he loved, too.

Daniel nodded, his gaze fixed on the sturdy racing car in front of him. Jack's F350 was the closest to the house. Daniel's 1999 Shelby-American, a very classy and sporty two-seater, was next to it. Daniel stood rigid, unable to stop looking at the small vehicle he truly did love.

I never thought a car could mean so much to me.

Jack walked up behind Daniel and placed his arms securely around the young man's waist.

Daniel sighed as his body leaned back against his husband. He said softly, "We need a new car, and it doesn't make sense to keep the Silver Fox."

"Daniel, do you love that car?"

"You know I do. It ... it reminds me of you, my Silver Fox." Daniel raised his right arm to reach up behind him, his hand making contact with Jack's head. He ran his fingers through Jack's silver-gray hair. "Sleek and sexy."

"Me or the car?"

"Both of you," he smiled.

"Well, I'll have you know that I am NOT for sale, and neither is your car. Come on. Let's go."

Jack patted Daniel on the rear as he moved towards the house.

"Go? Jack, we can't go anywhere. Jack?"

Daniel hurried to follow the older man inside where he saw Jack was already on the phone.

"Carter, you're not doing anything, are you? ... Good! Good! Triple Play time! ... Yes, now! Daniel and I are going car shopping ... Thanks."

Jack hung up the phone, a smile on his face.

"She'll be here in a flash."

"What was she doing?"

"Hmm ... not sure. Something about sleeping."

"Jack!"

"She said she'd be here."

"Was she at least ... alone?"

"Did you want me to ask her that?"

"Um, no. I guess not." Daniel had to laugh. He looked at Jack who was trying unsuccessfully to look repentant, but instead was looking quite pleased with himself. Gawd, I love him. "You're incorrigible, Jack, and I love you so much."

The shine in Daniel's eyes was all the payment Jack needed.

"No one's touching that car. Besides, we should look ahead. We need one of those vans or something. We'll be doing a lot of chauffeuring from now on."

"Hockey games," Daniel mused.

"Ballet recitals," Jack said with a smile.

"Shopping trips."

"Chuck E. Cheese nights," Jack added, a smirk on his face.

"Movies."

"Sleepovers."

Daniel chuckled and said, "School. We'll be on some rotating parent's list. We drive every Monday."

"Baseball practice."

"Girl Scouts."

"Playtime at the park," Jack said and then sighed. "Geez, Danny. We're going to be chauffeurs for the rest of our lives."

"I can't think of anything more enjoyable, Jack. Can you?"

"Not a dang thing."

"We'll be the perfect symbol of Americana and family." The archaeologist shook his head and chuckled in mock pity. "We'll have to get a freakin' van."

"Complaints, Doctor Jackson-O'Neill?"

"Not a one ... Dad."

"It's sporty."

"I thought we were getting a van; being a ... slice of Americana."

"I like it, Danny. Besides, this is the new Americana. There's plenty of room, and we can ..."

"Go camping?" Daniel asked.

"Come on, Love. Pleeeeeease."

"Jack, that's not fair."

Jack walked over to his husband and said softly, "Well, if you think that's not fair, I'll make you a deal. We get this, and when we'll get home, I'll ..."

Daniel blushed bright red. Seconds later, he asked, "Where do I sign?"

Later that day, Jack and Daniel returned home with their new full-size sports utility vehicle, which had plenty of room for the triplets and the future children they were planning on adopting some time down the road.

"I still think we should have gotten the burgundy one," Daniel stated.

The younger man hadn't said it out loud, but when they had looked at the burgundy-colored SUV, Jack standing next to it with his silver-gray hair, his heart had zinged. Daniel wanted that vehicle ... just so he could lust after Jack as he stood by it.

"But I like this color," Jack semi-whined and then winked, scooping Daniel into arms as they looked at their new vehicle.

The older man had no clue about his husband's secret desire, and Daniel decided not to tell him.

Maybe we'll get another vehicle someday, and when we do, it's definitely going to be burgundy! "Jack, aren't you over your blue fetish yet?"

"I figure I'll get over that when I'm over you, and that day will never come. I love you, Danny."

"I love you, too, my Silver Fox."

After a quick kiss, Jack and Daniel walked inside their house to check on Sam and the triplets, leaving their new navy blue SUV parked in their now-crowded driveway.

"Jack, are you sure we should do this?"

"Geez, Danny, I've been waiting years for this moment," Jack said as he embraced his husband. "I can't wait to show everyone how much I love you and our children. I want to show them off."

"Not everyone is going to be thrilled to see us."

"Well, if they want to be close-minded and keep leading shallow ignorant lives, there's not much we can do about it. Besides, there's a lot of people who have been waiting since the day the Munchkins were born to see them."

Daniel's expression turned into a broad smile as he admitted, "I want to show them off, too. I love them so much, and they're ours." He was full of pride as he wrapped his arms around Jack's neck and moved his hands to fix Jack's collar. Then he caressed the back of Jack's neck, using his fingertips to provide a gentle massage. Suddenly, a realization caused Daniel to laugh. "Jack, the Munchkins don't have clearance yet."

"Who's going to stop us?" Jack laughed, full of confidence that they'd have no problem entering the Cheyenne Mountain Complex.

"Gawd, Jack, General Hammond is going to have a cow."

"A cow? Danny, My Love, you are definitely hanging around me too much."

Daniel sighed remorsefully, "Not really. I miss you. I mean ..."

"I know what you mean, but it's getting better, isn't it?"

"Yes, and I love our life."

"Me, too. Now, let's get the babies and go shock the heck out of the SGC."

The two headed upstairs to bundle up the triplets. They had already placed the triplet stroller in the back of Jack's truck. As they walked upstairs, a thought entered the younger man's mind.

"Babe, did it ever occur to you that they might not let us in?"

"Us? You're joking."

"It's been a while since we just walked in without being expected."

"They wouldn't dare try and keep us out. Besides, we still have clearance, and we've both been there a few times a month since we retired ... sort of," Jack chuckled, referring to their inability to completely sever ties with the SGC in spite of their so-called best attempts to do so.

The two gathered up the babies and put them into their specially designed car seats, then carefully placed the seats securely in the back seat of the truck. The windows on Jack's vehicle were tinted and would make it harder for the guard at the gate to see the babies, not that they were trying to hide them; they simply wanted to keep the element of surprise.

Jack drove into the SGC like he owned it, smiling at the guard on duty when he came to a stop at the security gate.

"Nice to see you again, General O'Neill. Doctor Jackson."

Though their legal names were now Jackson-O'Neill, the lovers had agreed that professionally, they'd continue to use their birth names. It would be easier. Of course, when it suited their purposes, they would tease, taunt, or hassle (whichever the appropriate case may be) people about the proper use of their married names.

Daniel nodded at the Airman as Jack drove in, chuckling. Daniel looked at his soulmate inquisitively, wondering what had caused the laughter.

"What's so funny?"

"He didn't see the Munchkins. They sure do know when to be quiet, considering they've been making noise the entire way here."

Daniel laughed, too, as he commented, "Well, you lectured them all morning about being quiet until we were safely inside."

"Then they do have at least some of my genes."

"What?"

"It's nice to know someone listens to me."

"Jack!"

The older man laughed, reached out and took Daniel's hand for a quick moment, and smiled. Then he said, "Just teasing, Angel. I can't wait to see everyone's faces."

"Most of the personnel know about us by now."

"Yeah, but I bet they don't know about our brood."

"That's true," Daniel agreed.

Jack parked the truck, and the two worked together to get the stroller set up and the kids in place ... first Jonny, then Michael, and finally Aislinn.

"Okay, kids, remember -- make them sweat!"

"Jack!"

"Sorry, make them all wish you were theirs, but no way. You three are ours. Show time!"

Daniel laughed at his husband. He loved this "Proud as a Peacock" side of Jack and thought it was adorable. Of course, he also had to admit that perhaps he was prejudiced ... just slightly.

Pushing the stroller ahead of him, Jack boasted a huge grin as he walked up to the final security gate.

"Nelson."

"General O'Neill?" the Airman asked in surprise, staring at the stroller with the three cooing babies.

"Hi, Fred," Daniel spoke enthusiastically.

"Doctor Jackson. Um ..."

"We're just visiting," Jack explained as he pushed onward, Daniel following with his own bright smile.

The Airman wasn't sure what to do, so he just shrugged and stood at attention as the Jackson-O'Neills entered the facility.

"General O... oh my, how precious," Airman Tracey O'Connor spoke as she reached in to tickle Aislinn's feet.

"Thank you," Jack and Daniel said at the same time, stunning Tracey who simply stared and smiled, suddenly filled with questions.

The Airman had heard the rumors about Jack and Daniel, but until this moment, she had thought that they had been just that ... rumors.

"Um, are they ... I mean, do they belong to ..." the young woman pointed to both Jack and Daniel.

"Oh yeah, they're ours. Look at the eyes -- all Daniel's."

"And Jonny has Jack's chin and ..."

The two rambled on like typical besotted parents as Tracey listened to them, smiling at their obvious joy.

"It's good to see you again, General, and you, too, Doctor Jackson. You'll need to sign in. We have V.I.P.'s coming in so they're keeping a closer reign on things today."

"Oh gawd. Not Kinsey. Please tell me it's not Kinsey -- not today," Daniel begged.

Tracey shrugged apologetically as she explained, "He and some others should be here in an hour or two actually."

"I'll never understand how he managed to blackmail his way back into Congress," Jack lamented, but then he assured his lover they'd make sure to leave prior to the Senator's arrival.

Tracey laughed as Jack and Daniel signed in. They were pleased to see that although she looked surprised at their names she didn't seem the slightest bit perturbed.

"Do the babies need to sign in?" Daniel teased.

"Can they write yet?"

"That's next week's lesson," Jack answered.

"The place just isn't the same without you two around. Go on up, er, down."

Tracey smiled, making a final notation on the sign-in sheet as the Jackson-O'Neills entered the elevator.

"Gawd, that was fun," Daniel admitted.

"And we've only just begun."

"Jack, let's find Sam first. She'd love to see people's reactions herself, especially after all those years of that ridiculous game."

"Good idea." Jack leaned forward to adjust Michael's blue cap. "Better hit her floor. I went straight for Hammond's office."

Daniel pressed the appropriate button, and soon they were at the door to their friend's office. Daniel put his fingers up to his mouth and made a quiet "shh" noise to Jack and the triplets, and then ambled nonchalantly into Sam's lab.

"Sam, you'd better hurry. We have that briefing in ten minutes."

"What? Rats, I lost track of the ... Daniel!" She laughed at the deception, and then she saw the triplets. "Holy Hannah ... the babies!"

Sam grinned, walked up to the stroller, and immediately began to fuss with the triplets. Jonny grabbed her finger.

"Hey, are you going to give that back?" She laughed at the infant's strong hold. "I need this, you know."

"Careful, Sam. He might eat it."

"Babies! I can't believe you brought them to the SGC," she commented just as Jonny released her finger, hiccupping at the same time. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We thought we'd introduce the kids to the SGC," Jack answered jovially.

"Oh wow. Does the General know you're here?"

"Not yet. Danny thought we should get you first and let you enjoy the payback with us. You know, shock and stun."

Sam's smiled broadened as she picked up Aislinn.

"Hey, there. How ya doing, Aislinn?" Sam placed a kiss on her cheek. "She's so precious. They all are," she spoke, looking at Jonny and Michael, still in the stroller. "Let's go," Sam beamed, carrying Aislinn out as they walked down the hallway.

"I told you she'd be into this," Daniel whispered.

"It's the shock value. Most guys on base can't imagine Carter in a dress, let alone holding a baby."

"It's the P-90, Jack. They're afraid to."

The two chuckled.

"Colonel ... Carter?" Sergeant Davis stuttered as he spotted Sam with Aislinn just as she and the others rounded a corner.

"Sergeant, this Aislinn Jackson-O'Neill," Sam said.

It was then that the Sergeant finally took his eyes off the unusual site of Samantha Carter, dressed in green BDUs, holding a baby outside the gate room, and looked behind her.

"General O... General Jac..." Davis took a breath, "General!" he finally stated, a nervous expression visible on his face.

Daniel said, "Hello, Sergeant."

"Nice to see you, Doctor Jackson ... O'Neill," Davis coughed, remembering the hyphenated names, but not feeling very comfortable with saying it.

Jack and Daniel looked at each other and smiled while Sam audibly laughed, knowing her friends were having a good time. Davis was a good man and a hard worker, but they'd waited a long time for their life in the open, and Sam wasn't going to spoil it for them. Just then, Jonny began to cry.

"Oops." Jack leaned over and picked up the biggest of the babies. "Hey, Jonny, you tired of that spot? Want to meet the Sergeant?" Jack extended the baby's hand out, and Sergeant Davis shook it.

"Firm grip you have there ... Jonny."

"Is the General in his office?" Daniel inquired, looking over towards the end of the corridor where Hammond's office was.

"Yes. Did you know that K..."

"Please, no swearing in front of the children," Jack interrupted, not wanting his children to even hear the man's name spoken aloud.

Daniel shook his head as he picked up Michael.

"Let's go show off the family. Sergeant, would you mind pushing that to the office?"

"Uh, sure."

Davis did as asked, leaving the stroller just outside the General's door, and then excused himself to continue with his duties.

"Danny, let me," Jack nodded.

Daniel let Jack take the lead, knowing he was going to do the same thing with the General that Daniel had done to Sam. Jack wiped the smile off his face, and went in like a grizzly bear.

"General, this is ridiculous! I am not getting my memos, and there's no excuse for it."

"Jack, calm down and ..." the General let out a sigh, realizing he'd fallen for the false entrance. He caught sight of Jack's entourage and smiled. "Well, what do we have here?"

As Hammond rose from his spot behind his desk, Jack answered, "The absolute best of the Jackson-O'Neill household, Sir."

Hammond went over and reached out to take Jonny's hand.

"Hello, there. Which one are you?"

The General had only seen the babies once, and that was the morning of their birth. Wearing a sloppy smile on his face, he eagerly studied the newborns.

"This one is Jonny; Carter is holding Aislinn, and Danny has ... Danny," Jack said smugly.

"Jack, his name is Michael."

"It's Daniel Michael. We agreed we'd call him ..." seeing Daniel's glare, Jack finished his sentence with "Michael," but then he whispered to the General, "but not for long, Sir."

"Haven't changed any, have you, General?"

"Only for the better, Sir!" Jack grinned confidently. "Hey, where's Teal'c?"

"I am here, O'Neill."

"Big Guy! Long time no see. I'd give you a hug but ..."

Teal'c stared at the babies and observed, "They have grown, O'Neill."

"Babies tend to do that, Teal'c."

After a few minutes of visiting where almost everyone played with the triplets, Teal'c brought in the stroller, and the three babies settled in their usual spots, allowing the friends to spend some more time catching up.

"I will return. I must check on the process of the new recruits."

"Give 'em ..."

"Jack, the babies," Daniel warned sternly.

Jack smiled, altering his words to something more mild than those he had started to say.

"Give 'em ... heck, T!"

Teal'c stared, a bit confused at why Jack had altered his words. Then again, the Jaffa had known Jack O'Neill for almost ten years, and nothing much really surprised or puzzled him anymore. Teal'c nodded and exited, leaving the rest to continue their visit.

The babies seemed to be on their best behavior, laughing, cooing, and even sleeping while their parents talked with Sam and Hammond. The peace was interrupted when Michael suddenly began to whine, a loud, desperate, almost fearful cry.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Daniel asked, concern in his voice, and right then ...

"General, what's going on in here?"

"Well, that explains it, Daniel. Michael must have a sixth sense about bad ..."

"Jack," Daniel warned.

"Right," Jack replied sarcastically.

"I would have thought you'd have been announced," the General said to the guest, noting the lack of advance warning and, for that matter, the lack of personnel surrounding their nemesis who seldom went anywhere alone anymore.

"I prefer to catch people unawares, General. You learn more that way ... a lot more," Kinsey responded as he glared at Jack and Daniel. "So," he took a few steps towards the stroller, "these are the babies I've heard so much about."

"Stop right there." Jack stepped between Kinsey and his children. "I don't let them look at scary things."

Jack's voice was teasing in tone, but his facial expression almost dared the politician to try and advance.

"You were always a bit on the wacky side, General," Kinsey said, stepping around Jack to look at the triplets.

Daniel stood, prepared to move the stroller back, but then Jack turned and raised his voice. With a look that promised murder, he threatened, "GO ONE MORE STEP, AND YOU'RE A DEAD MAN, KINSEY. MOVE AWAY FROM MY CHILDREN!"

At that moment, Teal'c returned and realized what was happening.

It is not wise for SenatorKinsey to be near the babies. He is upsetting them. I cannot allow that. Calmly, he spoke, "Indeed, I must agree with O'Neill. Step back."

"General, stand down," Hammond ordered in exasperation.

"Glad to, Sir, just as soon as this ... man ... moves away from my children."

Kinsey shook his head as he faced Jack, arrogantly saying, "Just who do you think you are to come waltzing in here and ..."

"WAHHHHH! WAHHHHHHHH!"

A chorus of crying rang out from all three children simultaneously, interrupting Kinsey, who turned to look at them in total frustration. The crying was loud and without pause. Daniel moved to try and quiet them, but the three continued their "song."

"General, I have a call to make. Our meeting will commence in precisely fifteen minutes."

Hammond considered reminding Kinsey that he wasn't the Vice President any longer, and that he was only here as a courtesy. However, he decided to simply acknowledge the comment so that the man would leave his office.

Kinsey glared at Jack who glared back, unmoving, and totally self-assured. It was Kinsey who blinked and backed away. As soon as the man exited the office, the children stopped their cries and began to coo again.

"Those are SO my kids." Jack beamed with pride as he moved to help Daniel, making sure their children were okay. "Don't worry, Munchkins. The bad man is gone now," Jack said reassuringly.

Little giggles broke out from all three kids, causing Sam and even the General to laugh.

"Munchkins, O'Neill?"

"Yes, Teal'c. It's from the Wizard of Oz."

"They were the small humans who walked the golden road, were they not?"

"Yellow brick road, Teal'c, and that's close enough for now. We'll watch the movie again on Saturday when you all come for dinner."

Daniel's eyes grew wide, but he said nothing. They hadn't discussed asking their friends over for dinner, and Daniel wasn't sure they were ready quite yet to entertain in their home now that they had the triplets.

"Dinner?" Sam asked.

"You don't have to come if you don't want to, Carter, but I figure it's time for everyone to get better acquainted, and Teal'c here needs to learn how to change diapers."

"Diapers?" the Jaffa asked incredulously.

"Diapers," Jack smirked. "You can't babysit until you know how to change diapers."

"Oh gawd," Daniel spoke aloud without realizing it. Teal'c looked at him questioningly. "I just meant ... Jack is right. You ... have to know how to change ... diapers before you can ... babysit."

You're so dead, Jack.

Danny, don't you trust Teal'c?

Sure, but ... you could have asked me first about dinner.

Sorry, but we need more babysitters, and these people are our family, right?

Right. I have to not be so ... so whatever it is I am. The Munchkins will be fine with our friends. Still have problems with trusting that; still want to keep them just to myself ... and Jack, but it's time to let others in ... slowly.

"Call me with the dinner details, Jack. I need to get ready for the meeting."

The Jackson-O'Neills said their good-byes to the General, and also to Sam and Teal'c, both of whom agreed to come to dinner. They found themselves taking an unplanned tour along several floors, stopping briefly in the commissary where they ran into Lou Ferretti, Jeff Cornell, and some other friends, and then they walked along the eighteenth floor.

"Danny, look. They still have your name on the door."

"Yeah, how about that," Daniel said, walking into his old office and looking around.

"Sure is empty in here now," Jack stated, noting the absence of artifacts and books. "I thought for a while they might never clear it out, especially after the Goa'uld nightmare a while back."

"It seems like another lifetime now. It feels ... strange somehow."

With a smile on his face, Jack knelt down in front of the stroller.

"Hey Munchkins. You see this place? This is where your daddy saved the world, time and time again."

"Jack," Daniel said shyly.

"Hear that? He's so modest, but he did. We're all here because of him, and in this room, he spent hours ... doing whatever he did," Jack teased, but it was sarcastic, but a prideful statement. "You're daddy is a hero, and right here is where he so often worked his magic."

Aislinn giggled, her small, chubby arms reaching out.

"Yeah, right here, Little One." Jack smiled. "This is where Daddy used to shut out the world."

"Jack, stop exaggerating."

"Ask Daddy how many times I had to drag him out of here just to eat or sleep."

"Okay, I give up." Daniel chuckled, but he was also glad Jack felt that way. "Let's go home."

Jack was reading the latest issue of the National Geographic in the nursery. His NeoRitual night was too hard to come by anymore, so he was taking advantage of a few free moments. In his sight was the crib with the three infants.

The proud father looked up and smiled. Aislinn was fully captivated by the Winnie the Pooh rotating mobile that hung over the crib. She apparently had a fondness of Piglet as she was constantly swinging her arms to try and reach the pink animal as it passed. Jonny was testing out the crib railing.

You look like a little criminal through those bars, Son. We may have to keep a closer eye on you as you grow up.

Michael was observing everything. He hadn't made any noise all morning, but his eyes were as focused as they could be at that age on the devices surrounding him. Jack smiled as he saw that more often than not Michael's eyes came back to rest on the two beagles sleeping beside the crib.

Love my Munchkins!

Jack was about to return to his article when he heard a sound. Michael had laughed at the mobile and then started to cry. Quickly, Jack stood and picked up the infant.

"Hey, what happened?"

The middle child looked ... startled. He was looking around as if expecting to find some dangerous creature. Jack began to play with him, making funny faces, and then Michael laughed again. Almost immediately, the newborn startled yet again. Jack smiled.

"That's you, you crazy Munchkin. You're laughing. Laughing is good. You'll be doing it a lot, and that's a promise."

"What's a promise?" Daniel asked as he entered the nursery, having returned from a trip to the grocery store.

"Danny, this was so funny."

"I'm all ears," Daniel said, leaning in for a quick kiss, one for Jack, then one for his namesake.

As Daniel walked to the crib to greet the other children, Jack explained, "He laughed."

"He ... did?" Daniel had been leaning over, but hearing that he straightened. Michael was a very quiet baby for the most part. "Really?"

"Yeah, the first of many laughs. Right, Son?" The infant laughed again at Jack's face as he buried it in the baby's jumper. Like before, Michael stopped, looking around. "See, Danny, he scared himself," Jack told his husband.

"Hey, it's okay to laugh. There's a lot of good in the world," Daniel said after returning to see his son close up.

"And the bestest good thing in the entire universe is your father. Took him a while to learn to laugh, but he does it all the time now, and you will, too," Jack stated with confidence.

Jack made another face, and again, Michael laughed. He laughed a lot over the next twenty minutes as both of his parents doted over him, doing whatever they could to get their middle triplet to giggle and make happy noises without being startled. Katie had the most success with Michael, tickling his face with her whiskers and nuzzling his cheek. In the end, their laughter mission was a definite success, and Jack and Daniel both felt good from all the fun they'd had.

"Jack, maybe you should ask Daniel about this," Sara warned as her ex-husband sipped on coffee in her home.

"If I do, he'll say 'no'. Sara, you're the one who reminded me to go with what works, and it did ... beautifully. Daniel realized that we have to take care of ourselves in order to keep our family happy. We've done great. I think we've both compromised and worked hard to set up a routine."

"I know what you're saying, but you're talking about an overnight trip, and while I agree that you have to do it sometime, don't you think you could get him to agree to it first?"

"Not a chance in ... um, no. Sara, I had to pull teeth to get him to agree to have people over, and not just any people, Sam, T..." Jack growled at himself. First 'Netu', now 'Teal'c.' He'd forgotten how hard it had been to lie to Sara when they were married, but everything was classified, and he hadn't a choice then, nor did he now. He covered his misstatement with a cough and continued, "Murray, and Hammond."

"Aren't they people?"

"Of course, they are, but they're family."

"I thought you said he had loosened up."

"He has ... with me, the Munchkins, and the girls, and he's okay now with us taking the babies somewhere, but he's still a little whacked about the concept of having people over, other than on our date night. It's time, Sara. We need to get out, prove life goes beyond Friday nights."

"Jack, he's a new father. Give him a chance."

"I am, but I know him. He needs to get over the hump, just that first time. He needs to realize that by going away for a night we're not abandoning our kids. So ... will you do it?" Jack looked hopefully at the blonde woman. "I know it's a lot to ask. I mean, I'm asking you to take a night away from your own family. I probably shouldn't ..."

"Jack, let me talk to Mark. Actually, you have impeccable timing."

"I do?"

"Angela's been invited to a sleep-over this weekend, and Mark has a business trip." Jack smiled at the Fates. Sara laughed at his pleased expression. "So, let me review your plan. It'll be me, Sam, and Janet."

"One adult for each baby, and Janet is a doctor," Jack verified, feeling that would make it easier to get Daniel over that hump he'd been talking about.

Sara smiled as she continued her review.

"It'll be your regular Friday night date, only you're going to kidnap Daniel and fly off to ... where?"

"Utah. Bryce Canyon. We went there the first time we rented a plane. It'll be nostalgic. Daniel loves nostalgia."

"Part of your plan, I'm sure."

"Oh yeah."

"You'll stay in Utah and be home ..."

"... by dinner time on Saturday, maybe earlier if he's anxious."

"Okay, I'll talk to Mark when he gets home from work."

"Thanks, Sara."

"Jack, what if he argues?"

"He will, but we'll get through it. He'll understand," Jack said, as he stood up in preparation to leave.

"You don't sound so sure," Sara responded, standing as well.

"Sara, I don't like playing games, not these kind of games, not with Danny. It's just ... if I don't, it'll only get harder for him."

"And you, Jack?" The retired General smiled weakly and looked away. Sara tilted her head in surprise, a thought occurring to her. "Jack, are you doing this for Daniel, or for you?"

His hands in his pockets, Jack shuffled his feet a little. He faced Sara again, his face expressive with the conflict he was feeling.

"It's not ... easy to leave them, to trust other people. Memories, Sara, I want to protect them all the time, I don't want to miss anything, not a single second, and ... I ..."

Sara smiled at Jack as she walked to him. She put her hands on his chest and placed a kiss on his cheek. Jack found himself wrapping his arms around her.

"I'm scared if I don't do this, I won't ever leave them alone for more than a couple of hours. The only reason I do it now is ..."

Jack trailed off. Sara pulled back, but they were still holding each other.

"Because you're protecting Daniel, being the strong one, acting like this is old hat, and it's okay to leave your precious babies with babysitters."

"It's harder than I remember."

"That's because you had the Air Force to force the issue with Charlie."

"Yeah."

"Jack, why don't you tell him the truth? If I know Daniel, it'll help him to take that step, too. Then the two of you could help each other."

"It makes sense except that he needs me to do this. Sara, I'm not sure we wouldn't just settle down into some hermit existence. It's too easy for us. Daniel and I are all we need. It wouldn't be hard for us to enter a lifestyle where we kept to ourselves all the time. I don't want that, for us, or for our children, because it wouldn't be a healthy choice, but one made out of fear, fear of something happening to the kids."

"I understand, but he might surprise you."

"He always surprises me."

"Jack," Daniel called out softly as he walked out onto their roof deck. He placed the baby monitor down on the deck and moved to sit in front of his husband so that they were facing each other. He took his lover's hands in his and kissed each one tenderly. He smiled, noticing the portable monitor Jack had also brought with him when he had gone outside. "I guess we may have gone a little overboard with the monitors."

"We just want them to be safe."

"Yes, we do," Daniel agreed. "Jack, the last couple of days, you've been a little quiet. Something's wrong. Tell me."

Jack sighed loudly, tilting his head back against the wall.

"I don't want to kidnap you. I want you to go because you know we should; more than that, because you want to go. We need to go. If we don't, we might never go."

"Jack, what are you talking about?"

Daniel listened as Jack recounted his plans for the upcoming weekend, and his conversation with Sara. The young man never released his loving hold on Jack's hands.

"You're afraid we'll become hermits?"

"Maybe that's an exaggeration, but our nation of two. Geez, Danny, we don't need anything but what we have, and we don't even need all of that. It's hard to leave the Munchkins, so I think we need to force the issue, for ourselves, and for them."

Daniel let out a whiff of air as he considered what Jack had said. He knew he was overprotective, as was Jack, and he thought about how hard it had been to start their date nights, to allow their family of friends to care for their children, but it had gotten easier, and as a result, the children were healthier, as were they. Their family was a stronger unit.

"So where are we going?"

"What?"

"You told me everything except where we're going?"

"Danny?"

"Jack, you're right. It'll be hard, and I think we'll both go a little ..."

"Nuts?" Jack said with a smile.

"Yeah, nuts, but in the long run, it's the right thing to do, for ourselves and for our children."

"You sure?"

Daniel wanted to say no, to change his mind, but he knew that would be wrong.

"Yes, I'm sure. Where are we going?"

"Bryce Canyon."

"That's the perfect place."

"Planning always was my strength."

The lover's kissed, then they got up and checked on their three infants.
Jack?

Yes, Love?

They're asleep. All three of them.

Jack grinned, and with a final look at the babies, the happy couple set out to take advantage of their gift of time, renewing their devotion as their passion flamed.

On to Chapter Two ...