Author's Notes:- Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.
For anyone who's confused Cassie and Kristi are just about the same age, Kristi's sixteen and Cassie's a few months younger.
Thanks to those who've reviewed and hope you enjoy.
Kristi stared at her reflection in the mirror for a few seconds before pulling her dark brown hair back into a ponytail. She could see Cassie sitting on the bed waiting for her as she worried about today. She was starting school today a fact she was both thankful and incredibly nervous about. She'd never been the new kid, she'd grown up with the same group of kids and now she was starting afresh.
"You'll be fine," Cassie assured her, "You're smart. Plus you've got the O'Neill charm. It'll be a breeze."
"Kristi," Jack yelled from downstairs, "If you two don't move you'll be late."
"We're coming Jack," Cassie called back before looking at her friend, "Aren't we?"
"Yeah," Kristi grabbed her jacket and they started down to the car.
"By the way," Cassie warned as they walked, "Watch out for Miss Sheldon. She has a thing for Jack."
"Ewww," Kristi grimaced, "Please don't tell me things like that."
"Couple of the teachers were very interested in Daniel," Cassie shared.
"That I see," Kristi replied, "But Dad…" she shuddered.
"If you two don't mind," Jack called from the car.
"Don't have an aneurysm Dad," Kristi told him as she beat Cassie to the front seat.
Jack gave her an annoyed look before smiling to himself. It was comforting to know Kristi could hold her own.
x
"Well Mr O'Neill," the principal Mrs Allen said as she looked over the file in front of her.
"Colonel," Kristi corrected.
"Kristi," Jack admonished softly as she gave him an innocent look.
"Colonel O'Neill," Mrs Allen corrected, "It is very clear from her file that Kristen…"
"Kristi," she automatically corrected receiving another glare from Jack, "I never answer to Kristen," she reminded him.
Jack rolled his eyes as Allen smiled.
"It is clear Kristi is very smart," she continued, "Her outspoken nature may get her into trouble however."
"She gets that from me unfortunately," Jack said, "But she knows when to shut up."
"Well it's time for you to get to your first class Kristen…Kristi," Allen told her, "If you have any problems my door is always open. Colonel, I hope you'll continue to be as supportive."
Jack smiled, "I like to know what she's up to."
Before he left Jack took his daughter to one side, "You know if anything…"
"I have my phone," Kristi said, "Don't worry. I'll see you when I get home."
Jack gently kissed her forehead, "I'd better get to the base."
Kristi watched her father leave and for the first time in a long time she felt like a child. She gave herself a mental shake she could do this. She'd helped fight Gould, she'd seen friends die and she'd crossed into an alternate universe. She could survive her first day in a new school.
"Did you get Kristi to school?" Sha're asked the moment he walked into his office.
"Yes," Jack answered, "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to make sure Kristi made school safely," Sha're replied, "I feel responsible for her."
"Sha're, I think she'll start to relax more," Jack said.
"What do you mean?" Sha're asked.
"You have to realise that it's harder for Kristi than it was for you Sha're," Jack sat down, "When you got here you got your life back but Kristi…sometimes I think she's only making do till she finds a way home."
Sha're frowned, "Kristi loves you Jack. You know that. But when we first came here she was very scared you would not accept her. She may still have doubts about that."
Jack sighed frowning deeply, "I'm trying…"
He groaned as he was called to the briefing room, "We'll talk later about this."
"Of course," Sha're nodded.
x
Sha're had moved to her husband's office to do some work while SG1 had their meeting. It took her by surprise that Kristi wasn't as comfortable as she appeared to be here. Then again she had been so busy renewing her own life maybe she had ignored her young friend's feelings. Sha're sighed thinking back to when she had first been released. If it hadn't been for Jack, Kristi and Sara she would have actually killed herself and not been able to find her husband again.
x
"Please," Sha're cried, "Just let me die."
"No," Sara replied very softly, "We all just lost Daniel, you can't make us lose you too."
"You do not even know me."
"In a way I do," the woman said, "Daniel told us about you. Not very often but when he spoke of you he made you come alive to us and I know he'd want you to go on living."
Sha're's tears streamed along her cheeks, "It is so hard."
"We're your friends Sha're," Sara squeezed her hand, "And as selfish as this is you're our one connection to Daniel and we're yours."
x
"Hey," Daniel's voice cut through her thoughts, "Where were you?"
"What?" she jumped.
"What's wrong?" Daniel knelt in front of her worriedly, "Are you ill?"
"No my Dan'iel," she soothed his worry, "I was just thinking."
"About what?" Daniel asked wanting to help.
"About Kristi," Sha're sighed, "Jack told me she is still having trouble adjusting to being here. Am I ignoring her needs?"
He caught her face in his hands, "Sha're, for both of you it's been a strange few months. Trying to live in a world where the people you just saw die are still alive, where the history you have with them doesn't exist. Of course you haven't ignored her needs because what she needed was her father."
Sha're sighed before nodding, "You are right my husband. Now, what was your meeting about?"
"We have a mission tomorrow," Daniel told her, "Just routine but the Tok'ra think there may be something valuable in the writings."
"And you are the perfect person to translate it," she smiled at him.
"Supposedly," he smiled, "We'll only be gone a few days."
"Well Kristi can stay with me," Sha're smiled, "Neither you nor Jack shall need to worry."
Kristi unlocked the door to the apartment kicking it shut and dumping her bag on the couch.
"Sha're," she called, "I'm home."
She frowned when she received no answer.
"Sha're?" wandering into the room she heard noise from the bathroom. Walking in she found her friend being sick. Quickly she pulled back Sha're's hair and rubbed her back soothingly.
"Are you okay?" Kristi asked when Sha're sat back.
"I must have caught what has being going through the base," she sighed tiredly.
Kristi grabbed her some water, "I'll ring Janet. She can send someone or she'll come. Okay?"
Sha're nodded closing her eyes tiredly. She hadn't slept well the past few nights but took that as missing Daniel's presence. Slowly she pulled herself into the bedroom and lay down on the bed resting against the cool pillow.
"Janet's coming," Kristi told her, "She said just to rest."
Sha're nodded before frowning, "Kristi, I am going to be…"
Kristi grabbed the bin from beside her as Sha're was sick again. After a few minutes she lay back and closed her eyes going to sleep.
x
Sha're opened her eyes confused as the light stung her eyes.
"Hey," Janet smiled, "I thought you were going to sleep all day."
"What is wrong with me?" Sha're asked pulling herself to sit.
"Nothing," Janet smiled.
"Nothing?" Sha're looked at her confused, "But I was ill."
"Let me rephrase that," Janet said, "You're not sick."
"Then why was I…" she trailed off her hands moving to her stomach and her eyes widening, "I am with child?"
Janet nodded wondering how she was going to take the news.
"How far am I?" Sha're asked quietly.
"About two months," Janet said, "It probably happened just after your last test."
Sha're sat quietly staring at the wall every so often making a small sigh before she looked up at Janet, "Can I leave?"
"Of course," Janet replied, "But SG1 are due back in a few hours so I want you to go to a room and get some rest and Daniel will take you home. Okay?"
Sha're nodded and slid off the bed her mind miles away. Janet watched worriedly and hoped SG1 would get home quickly.
x
Sha're wandered to the room she and Daniel used whenever they stayed on the base and once there she lay down. She knew she should feel happy they were finally going to have the child they'd always wanted but all she felt was numb. The rational part of her mind told her she was just shocked by the news but part of her was reminding her that she couldn't be a good person if she wasn't happy.
Closing her eyes she drifted to sleep again.
As she started to wake up Sha're felt a presence beside her and smiled feeling Daniel stroke her hair. She opened her eyes and saw him lying beside her, before he could say anything she moved and kissed him deeply. When she finally broke the kiss Daniel sighed.
"Not that I'm complaining but what was that for?" he asked.
"I missed you," she whispered.
"Janet said you'd been sick," he looked at her concerned, "Are you feeling better?"
Sha're took his hand and pressed it to her stomach, "I am not sick."
Daniel stared at her for a second before realisation sunk in, "You're pregnant?"
She nodded and as he smiled in absolute joy she found herself filled with it too.
"Are you okay with this?" he asked remembering the last time they thought she could be pregnant.
"Yes Dan'iel," she suddenly laughed wrapping her arms around him, "We are finally having the child we always wanted."
Daniel stroked his fingers along her cheek then across her lips before he kissed her.
Sara sat nervously wondering why she'd agreed to do this. She hated public speaking, always had but somehow she'd agreed to give a careers talk at the school. She watched as the pupils filed in all talking amongst themselves the chatter filling the auditorium. Suddenly a familiar face caught her eye. It was Kristi, the young girl Jack had adopted. Sara smiled to see her looking a lot healthier than the last time she'd seen her. After the talk she'd try and speak to her, just to make sure she was fine and see how Jack was.
x
Kristi was only half listening to what was being said. She wasn't exactly interested in what career she could have she already knew she wanted to work at the SGC. However the next name caught her attention.
Looking up at the stage thinking she'd misheard she stared in amazement seeing her mother standing there. Wishing desperately to get out but frozen to her chair Kristi watched and listened to the sound of her mother's voice, a sound she hadn't heard in a long time. Sara finished speaking and left the podium just before the bell rang for them to leave. Kristi jumped out of her seat quickly and left as fast as she could, unfortunately she was meeting Cassie and Cassie had a tendency not to show up on time.
x
"Kristi?" a voice came from behind her.
Turning Kristi stared to see her mother standing there.
"Sara O'Neill," she said, "I was just talking."
"Yes, I know," Kristi managed to say.
"You probably don't remember but I've sort of met you before," Sara said, "You were ill and Jack nearly rammed into me getting you to a doctor."
"He mentioned it," Kristi said," You're his ex-wife. We've spoken about you occasionally."
Sara smiled, "I just wanted to make sure you were feeling better."
Kristi managed to smile too, "I'm fine."
"That's great. I kept meaning to call Jack and check but…"
"I understand," Kristi remembered back to when her parents had been separated, "I'll tell him you were asking about him."
"If you ever need…anything I'm always available," Sara offered.
"Thank you."
"I have to go," Sara said, "It was nice seeing you again."
"Bye," Kristi said watching her as she left before whispering, "Mom."
Turning she saw Cassie had finally arrived, "Hey."
"Hey," Cassie answered, "I got a call from Mom, we've to go to Daniel and Sha're's. They've invited everyone for dinner."
Kristi nodded and started to walk not seeing the worried look Cassie gave her.
x
"So what is it this time," Kristi said sarcastically as she and Cassie arrived at the apartment, "Pizza or Chinese food?"
"Actually Sha're cooked," Daniel smiled, "Jack mentioned you've gone against take out food."
"After having it every night for the past few months," Kristi said, "You would too."
Cassie laughed sitting on one of the couches, "I take it we're the first to arrive?"
"The others shall be here soon," Sha're answered appearing from the kitchen.
"Great," Kristi leaned back on the couch starting to brood about the meeting with her mother earlier. She wondered if she should mention it to her father or not.
As they waited for the rest to arrive the two teenagers started watching a movie and arguing with it while Daniel and Sha're finished making dinner.
Finally everyone arrived and they all sat down to eat. The mood was jovial as Daniel and Sha're kept giving each other looks.
"Okay," Sam said as they sat around after dinner, "You have all our attention. What's going on?"
"Well," Daniel smiled broadly, "We wanted to tell everyone together."
"Tell us what?" Jack asked impatiently, "Daniel, Sha're what's going on?"
"I am with child," Sha're announced her hand held tightly by Daniel.
"Oh my God," Sam cried jumping up to hug her.
Within the group was hugs and congratulations but as Sha're was hugged by Jack she noticed Kristi was staring at her. Without a word Kristi jumped up and left the apartment.
x
"Kristi," Sha're called catching up with her, "Are you not happy for us?"
Kristi stared at her, "You've given up."
"Given up what?" Sha're asked confused.
"On them," Kristi cried, "They could still be there, still need our help."
"Kristi," Sha're said softly, "They're gone. We saw Sam and Teal'c killed, we knew Janet and Cassie were killed before that and Jack…" she trailed off, "We both have a home here Kristi. I have Dan'iel back and your father loves you."
"He's not my father," Kristi snapped before freezing as she saw Jack standing in the doorway. Without a word she turned and ran.
Sara looked up from her book when she heard the doorbell. Sighing she set it aside and jumped up.
"Kristi?" Sara said in astonishment finding the teenager standing on her doorstep.
"I'm sorry," the girl said her eyes puffy from crying, "I didn't mean to…I didn't know…I shouldn't have come…"
Sara slid her arm around the teenager, "Come on, we'll get you some tea then you can tell me what's wrong."
Kristi sat cross-legged on the couch sipping her tea, "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have shown up on your doorstep. I think I just killed my relationship with him."
"Jack?" Sara asked.
"He's done so much to make me feel wanted these past few months and with one sentence I just shot him down," Kristi started to sniff again.
Sara smiled softly taking her hand, "When you were ill Jack was so worried about you. I saw how much he adores you when you were in the infirmary at the base."
"What do I do?" Kristi sighed.
"You finish your tea and rest for a while then I'll drive you back," Sara said, "Don't worry."
x
Kristi had fallen asleep and was curled up on the couch dreaming. Sara decided to wake her up but stopped studying the teenager. She looked so like Jack…horror filled Sara, Kristi wasn't adopted she WAS Jack's daughter. He'd cheated on her?
Stunned she felt as though everything was unravelling, despite all that happened after Charlie she had always known Jack loved her but this…
She jumped as the doorbell rang again. Standing there was Jack.
"Is she here?" he asked in desperation.
Sara nodded anger building up inside her, "Before we get to that I want to talk to you."
Jack frowned, he knew that tone from Sara and knew whatever was coming was not good. Following her into the kitchen he waited as she seethed.
"Sara…"
"She really is yours isn't she?" Sara snapped.
"What?"
"Do not act innocent with me Jack," Sara's eyes flashed with anger, "That girl in there is your daughter."
Jack sighed, "Yes."
"How could you Jack?" she stared at him, "I always thought…who is her mother?"
"Can I call everyone to let them know I've found her and they can stop searching then I promise I will tell you everything."
Sara nodded.
x
Jack waited for the phone to be answered.
"General," he said, "Tell them all I found her. One problem however she came to see Sara."
"You want to tell her," Hammond said.
"I have to," Jack replied, "Sir, she knows Kristi is my daughter. My marriage may be long over but I won't let her think that I betrayed it."
"It's alright Jack," Hammond told him, "I've been waiting for this since they both arrived. Do you want to tell her here?"
"I want to get Kristi home," Jack said, "I'll tell Sara there. Once she's refused to believe me several times I'll bring her to the base in the morning."
"Good luck Colonel," Hammond said, "I think you're going to need it."
Jack sighed as he hung up the phone before he went over to his sleeping daughter.
"Kristi," he shook her gently, "Come on honey."
Opening her eyes Kristi looked up at him, "Dad?"
"Wake up," he smiled at her, "It's time to go home."
"You still want me?" she asked fearfully, "After what I said, I didn't mean it. Really I…"
"I know," he gently kissed her forehead, "Come on. We'll go home and you can get some sleep while Sara and I talk."
Unsure Kristi nodded and still half-asleep she moved to the car falling asleep in the backseat. When they arrived home Jack moved her to her bedroom where she just slipped under her covers and went to sleep again.
x
"Well?" Sara asked, "Who's her mother?"
"Oh boy this is going to be hard," Jack said to himself, "You."
Sara stared at him before giving a harsh laugh, "I think I would have noticed giving birth."
"You'd better sit for this," Jack told her.
"I'm fine where I am," Sara said sharply.
"Okay," Jack dropped to sit on the couch, "Do you remember the miscarriage you had?"
"It's not something you forget," Sara replied acidly.
"If you hadn't taken that lift or if in some other way the crash hadn't happened we would have had a daughter," Jack explained, "She's asleep upstairs just now."
"I don't believe this," Sara said, "This is some insane way of getting out of admitting you cheated on me.
"I never…" Jack trailed off, "Look at her. If you don't see parts of you in there you have to be missing something."
Sara stared at him before letting out a cry of frustration, "How can you do this? Using her to…"
"Kristi is my daughter," Jack told her, "And she's yours. Get anyone you want to do a DNA test. Sara, I can prove this to you if you let me."
"How?"
"Tomorrow I'll take you to the base and you'll find out about what I'm doing," Jack said, "I promise."
Sara sighed, "Why did you bring me here tonight then?"
"So she knew," Jack said, "Sara, she's missed you so much," he moved to her and gently brushed her hair from her face, "Just like I have."
"Goodnight Jack," Sara said sharply.
Jack woke up from an uncomfortable night on the couch to see Kristi moving through the living room quietly.
"Morning," he said making her jump.
"Dad," she swallowed nervously, "I…I have to get to school."
"Not today," Jack told her before amending that, "At least not this morning."
"Why?"
Jack smiled, "Well that would be the reason I slept on the couch."
Kristi stared at him confused until her memory flicked back to the night before, "Mom?"
Jack nodded.
"You're going to tell her?" Kristi stared at him in amazement, "General Hammond's going to let you tell her?"
"Actually I've already told her," Jack told his daughter, "I now have to prove it to her."
Kristi wrapped her arms around her father's neck tightly, "Thank you."
x
Sara stood at the door watching them.
Kristi had referred to her as her mother, but this was impossible. This was completely impossible. Looking at the girl Sara could see a resemblance to the little boy she'd lost.
Jack looked over and saw her standing there, "Morning."
"Good morning," she replied before smiling at the nervous looking Kristi, "How do you feel now?"
"Better," Kristi murmured, "I'm sorry about turning up last night, I didn't mean to…"
"I offered," Sara told her then without thinking pushed a stray lock of hair out of Kristi's face before turning to Jack, "Can I talk to you alone?"
Jack nodded before turning to Kristi, "Go get your stuff together you should be going to school this afternoon."
"Sure," Kristi disappeared and Jack turned to his ex-wife.
"If you can prove this to me," Sara told him, "I will be happy and accept her as mine but if this is crap I swear to God Jack you will regret it."
"I'm telling the truth Sara," Jack told her, "Proving it is going to be harder. You're about to learn something that is top secret, before I can tell you you'll have to sign an agreement that means if you tell anyone then you can be prosecuted."
"I agree."
Jack nodded, "Kristi," he yelled, "Let's go."
x
Approaching Hammond's office they ran into Sha're.
"Can I speak to Kristi for a moment?" she said softly.
Jack nodded, "We'll catch you in the briefing room," he led Sara away leaving the two of them standing.
"Sha're, I'm so sorry," Kristi whispered, "I didn't mean…I am so happy that you're going to have a baby. I'm sorry…"
"Kristi," Sha're cut her off, "I am sorry. I should have known you were having problems adjusting. I should have been aware of this."
"I know how much getting Daniel back meant to you," Kristi said, "It was my problem. I was jealous that you got everything back while I ended up where no one knew me."
Sha're hugged her young friend, "Now it's time for your mother to find out where you came from."
As they started to walk Sha're stopped.
"Going to throw up again?" Kristi asked.
Sha're nodded and disappeared leaving Kristi to join her parents.
x
Jack sat Sara down and took a deep breath; to be honest he didn't really know how to tell her this.
"Jack, are you going to speak some time today?" Sara asked testily.
"Okay," he chewed his lip and finally managed to explain.
Sara stared at him throughout the whole of his story her disbelief wavering as he gave her the proof he had of his story. At some point during the story Kristi had slipped into the room leaning against the wall trying to make herself invisible as she listened to them, once Jack had finished Sara leaned back in her chair taking deep breaths.
"Kristi," Sara stood and walked over to where the teenager stood.
The girl stared wide-eyes at the woman she knew as her mother waiting to know if she was about to be rejected. Sara stared at her for a few seconds before pulling her into a tight embrace.
"I have a daughter," Sara cried tears streaming along her cheeks as Kristi sobbed against her shoulder.
After several minutes Sara let go of the teenager and sat her down before turning to Jack, "How do we do this?"
"I'm not sure," Jack shrugged.
"Half time with Dad," Kristi explained, "Half time with you Mom. Christmas, birthdays and other holidays arranged on case by case basis."
They stared at Kristi who shrugged, "I've done this before remember."
x
Sha're stood just outside watching the family and pressed her hands to her stomach where her own child now grew.
"She looks happy," Daniel whispered as his arms wrapped around her waist.
"Yes," Sha're sighed smiling leaning back against him.
"What about you?" Daniel asked, "Are you happy?"
Sha're turned to him surprised at his question but seeing the sincerity in his eyes she smiled, "I am alive, safe, with you and in seven months we will be having a baby."
"I'll take that as a yes," Daniel laughed.
"Yes Dan'iel," Sha're smiled, "I am very," she kissed him softly, "very," another soft kiss, "very," and another, "happy."