-- Chapter Ten: A Nation of Two

"Dad, Sheila asked if I could come over and spend the night so we can catch up," Jennifer said as she entered the study.

It was only their second day back from Egypt. The first night had been spent catching up on sleep, shopping, and doing a bit of household cleaning to make sure the house was in shape.

"What did Daniel say?"

"Well, he said 'yes' but ... I don't know."

"What's wrong?"

"I think maybe he'd rather I stay home for the next six months or so," the teenager said with a smile.

Jack smiled, too, then offered a suggestion.

"How about a compromise?" Jennifer waited patiently. "Listen, Jen, if you want to stay overnight, and Danny said it's okay, then I have no objection. Sheila's a nice girl with responsible parents, but if you feel funny about it, how about going over there for dinner and one of those gabfests. Stay a few hours, and then come home."

"Wouldn't be much of a gabfest. I'd have to come home by ..."

"Nah, it's a special night. Tell you what ... you can make up your mind there. You call here by eleven, tell me what you want to do. If you want to come home, I'll come get you."

"Even at midnight?"

"Sure, but if you want to stay, that's okay, too; you just have to call home and tell us what you've decided to do so we won't worry."

"Dad, I really want to see Sheila, but ... Daddy ... I think I'd feel better if I were home by the time you guys went to bed. He'd feel better."

"Love you, Jen, for caring so much."

"He's my father. I love him, and ... he just needs to know everyone is okay for a while. I understand that. I was a little overprotective of David and Noa once."

"I seem to remember that," Jack smirked, lovingly. "It's natural, Jen, to want to protect the people you love, especially when threatened."

"I'll call Sheila and see what she says."

The teenager started to walk out when she remembered something. She turned and walked over to where the diplomas were. In the middle was the photo of the two boys. She smiled.

"Dad?"

"Yes, Jen."

"This is you and Daddy. I don't know how, but I'm guessing it has something to do with the Stargate, but this is you, both of you, isn't it?"

She turned and looked at Jack. He looked pensive and sighed.

"Jen, there's a big universe out there with technologies and wonders that we often can't fathom or understand."

"And one of those made that picture happen, right?"

"Jen."

"Classified?"

"Jennifer ..."

"I'm sorry. It's just ... I know it's you and Daddy, but you can't be more than maybe two years older than Daddy here, or three max, and, well, I know you're ... older ... not that you look older or anything, but you did tell me ... remember?"

The teenager gulped. Somehow, she'd just stuck her foot in her mouth. Jack and Daniel had told the children their ages, so she knew Jack was several years older than his husband, not just two or three. Yet she was confident the photo was of her new parents. She was positive.

Jack considered snapping off a wisecrack, but then he sat back in his chair. Not a time for jokes. He thought for a moment. What the heck. She's already met a Goa'uld. "One year difference. I was nine, Daniel was eight. It was a few years ago, and we were on a pl..." Maybe not that much info.

"On a planet? Like ... Chulak?" the teenager smiled, confident she was right.

"What's going on?" Daniel asked as he walked in with Aislinn in his arms. "I heard Chulak mentioned."

"I was looking at the photo of you and Dad."

"Which one?" Daniel watched Jennifer point at the picture of the two young boys. "Oh."

I decided I couldn't lie to her, Danny.

Yeah, she already knows about the Stargate and the Goa'uld.

Jack continued, "We were on a planet that valued play."

"It was a lesson I needed to learn," Daniel added.

"So the next thing we knew, we were kids," Jack explained.

"Brothers actually."

"Wow. Can you tell me about it?"

The two exchanged a look.

Maybe just the short version, Danny?

I don't know. Maybe.

We don't have to get too specific.

Right. Oh, we just sat down and suddenly, we were children? Next story.

Crazy, I know, but look at her, Angel. She knows the truth. Not telling her won't accomplish anything except to make her even more curious, and she'd probably ask even more questions.

You're right about that, Jack, but we have to be careful what we do tell her, and we need to make sure she realizes how important it is for her not to discuss it with anyone.

"Excuse me!" Jack and Daniel turned in unison to look at their daughter. "I don't mean to interrupt, but remember me? You two sure do that ... that ... silent thing a lot."

"Sorry," Daniel responded shyly.

"No, we're not," Jack smiled.

Daniel looked at him and bobbed his head back and forth a few times.

"He's right. We're not." "Jen, you can't talk about anything we might tell you. This stuff is going to sound like a bad B-movie, but it's very real, and anything, absolutely anything you hear us say, has to stay in this house. Do you understand that?" Jack asked, his eyes piercing hers with great intensity.

Jack's glare was enough to actually make her back up a step as she stood near the wall, bumping into it slightly. It wasn't fear, but the look was so focused, so strong that her body reacted before her mind could.

Wow, that must be the tough General I keep hearing about, the one who scares the recruits witless. I don't think I want to know him. I'll stick with Dad. He's a teddy bear.

Glancing at Daniel, she noticed his look was equally intimidating.

Whoa, Daddy has the same death glare. I wonder if Dad gave him lessons. Daddy's so gentle. I guess whatever they've gone through, they've had to be tough, but wow, I've never seen that before. I mean, he's been determined, so has Dad, but this is ... wow.

"Jen?" Jack asked.

"Oh, sorry." She nodded, and said, "Yes, I understand."

"Sit down."

"You start, Jack. I think I'd better put Ash down for a nap."

Jack moved to sit next to his daughter.

"Okay, so like I said, we went to ..."

Jennifer listened to what sounded like a magical fairytale, amazed at the secret lives her fathers had lived. She wondered if she should be frightened by all she had learned in Egypt and what she was hearing now, but in the end, she realized it was fascinating, and she surprised herself. Knowing her parents would always do whatever they could to protect her and her siblings, she wasn't afraid, and instead found it all very exciting.

Maybe someday I'll go through the Stargate, too.

The Jackson-O'Neill children, all eight of the human variety as well as the two canine versions, were playing merrily in the backyard under the watchful eye of their parents who sat side by side on the patio steps, their hands joined together. It was Friday night, and they'd been home just four days, but it was really the first day the family had had to relax together.

"It was a great trip, wasn't it, Danny?"

"Yes, it was."

"Abracadabra got his hotel, Yazid turned out to be an okay guy, we saved the world from another Goa'uld, and J-O Enterprises added a great notch on the resume."

"Abayomi," Daniel emphasized the name, "has other projects for us, and when I checked in with Megan, she said there have already been some inquiries from other companies for projects both here and abroad."

"So we accomplished our goal for our business, and we had a wonderful vacation, too."

"The children loved it, most of it anyway. Jack, do you think Jen and David can handle everything we told them?"

"They're smart, and they're Jackson-O'Neills. You better believe they can." Jack's words were firm and strong, and he smiled as he pulled Daniel towards him for a warm kiss. "Hey, I checked our messages while I was inside. Kayla's book is doing very well."

Daniel smiled, happy and yet sad at the same time. Softly, he said, "I'm glad."

"Not exactly a best seller, but the publisher is pleased and said sales are steady, and the feedback has been promising. He thinks it might continue to sell for quite a while."

"'Journey of the Heart' -- her great American novel ... us." Daniel's words were again soft. "She loved our children."

Jack brought Daniel's hand to his mouth and kissed it.

"Danny, I was thinking. Maybe when we take the kids to India, we can do something there in Kayla's name. I don't know what, but something that would be a memorial to her."

"By helping others," Daniel said quietly. "I like that idea, Jack. Maybe we'll let the children decide. They'll be old enough to think of ideas by then."

Jack nodded his agreement as the two continued to watch their family, their hands joined, each finger caressing or rubbing gently against the skin of the other.

After several minutes, Jack spoke softly, "I love these kids. I love them more than I thought imaginable."

"Me, too. I can't even imagine life without them anymore."

"Me, either," Jack agreed. Except ... I can. I wonder if you'd hate me if you knew. I don't want anything to change. I wouldn't give up any of them, and yet, I miss us, all that freedom we used to have. "Hey, what do you want to do on our date night?" Daniel had a smirky grin on his face. "That's a given, Daniel. What else?" Jack asked, chuckling.

"I just want to snuggle and ... maybe dance, that's all. You?"

"Sounds perfect, Love."

"I'm going to go make some phone calls. Will you be okay out here?"

"I'll yell if they stage an uprising."

"You do that, Babe," Daniel laughed.

The two kissed, and then Daniel went upstairs to his den to make his calls. Jack focused again on his children, his mind going back to the talk of life with their children.

I love them, each and every one. They're mine and Danny's, and we cherish them. I'll protect them all for as long as I live. Oh, Angel, that's the thing. I realized that again in Egypt. I stopped breathing when I thought you had. I'm sorry, but I know the answer. I want you to live, My Love, but if something happens to you, I'll make sure the brood are set, that Sam and Sara are prepared. I'll do all those things on that list you made. I love them. Heaven knows I love them, but you are my life, Danny. Please don't hate me.

Jack tossed a ball back towards Chenoa that had come his way. He smiled.

Our kids are beautiful. The time we have with them is so amazing and precious; but I do miss the strip poker nights and that little striptease you'd do from time to time. We can't do that stuff anymore. We're not as free as we used to be. Not complaining, just being honest that I miss it. I wonder if Danny would understand that.

"Dad, catch!"

David threw the football, which Jack caught and threw back energetically. The young boy caught it perfectly, and Jack cheered in support. The smile on David's face warmed Jack's heart. His boy did like sports, and was getting better at throwing and catching, too.

I put that smile there, just now, on David's face. It makes me prouder than I can say to know I, we, make such a difference, but ... I'm so sorry, Danny; gawd, I'm sorry, but you are my breath, my heart, my lungs, my blood ... you're all of it. I couldn't go on without you. I know you'd be so disappointed in me if I told you that.

One minute later, Jack felt Daniel's touch as his lover sat back down next to him. Daniel took Jack's hand and then kissed him tenderly, a long and telling kiss.

"I'm not complaining, but I thought you were making calls?"

"I started to, but I hung up the phone as soon as I could."

"Did I miss something?"

"Yes, that I love you, that you're my life, and that I can't live without you, either, not even now."

"Geez, Danny, you heard me?" Jack had a surprised look on his face. Daniel nodded and smiled. Then, Jack laughed. "I'll never understand this connection of ours."

"I don't think we're supposed to."

"Danny, when you were in that tomb, and I thought I'd lost you again, I knew. I knew for sure."

"Knew what?"

"Our pact. These kids mean everything, but I can't go on without you, because without you, there is no me. If that makes me a bad parent, than so be it, but ..."

"Our nation of two is stronger than ever," Daniel spoke, equally hushed.

"Our vows, Angel ... you are my heart and soul. Every breath I take, it's still for you." Daniel moved his hand to wipe away the tears threatening to moisten Jack's cheeks. "I don't want you to hate me, Danny."

"I could never do that. I feel the same, Jack ... exactly the same way."

The two leaned their foreheads together and closed their eyes in a silent union of their essence. Then, they kissed again and spoke their words of love and devotion, in unison -- "Forever and always, I love you."

"Are you guys through being mushy yet?" David asked, football in hand.

"Are you okay, Dad?" Jennifer asked, seeing the misty brown eyes.

"I'm ... terrific. I have the greatest family ever, and the most beautiful husband in the world. What could ever be wrong when I have so much?"

"I love you, Jack."

"Love you, too," Jack said, swallowing hard a moment later. Then he regrouped and addressed the entire family. "Hey, how about we go raid Baskin Robbins and have some double cones?"

"I'cream! Love I'cream!" Chenoa said, jumping up and down.

"Cream ... yeah!" the Munchkins cheered together.

"Choc'lat," Little Danny added.

"He's definitely your son," Jack said, chuckling at his husband.

"Str'bury," Aislinn requested.

"Nooooo," Jonny said, trying to stomp his foot and falling down on his rear. Everyone looked, but it was clear nothing was hurt but his toddler pride. "'Nilla!" he insisted.

"I vote we get a scoop of each flavor," David stated democratically.

"One of each?" Daniel asked skeptically.

"I'cream!" Chenoa cheered again, running to Jonny to help him up. "I'cream, J'ny!"

"Nilla!" the oldest of the triplets said again.

"Str'bury," Aislinn said, tapping her brother on the arm.

"Choc'lat," Little Danny said with a smile.

Jonny had stood up again and was looking at Aislinn. She smiled and repeated her desire: "Str'bury."

Jonny plopped down to the ground again and at the same time said in a resigned tone with a sarcastic edge, "Str'bury."

"Gawd, Jack," Daniel snorted, burying his face in Jack's arm.

"That's just too cute, Danny," Jack chuckled as he leaned his face against Daniel's hair. "She's gonna rule the roost."

"Choc'lat!" Little Danny said, holding firm.

Daniel was barely able to say, "Except where chocolate is concerned."

Jennifer picked up the chocolate king and said, "Chocolate? Are you sure? They have thirty-one different flavors. You might want to try ..."

"Choc'lat!" the toddler said again.

"I think he's pretty firm on chocolate," the teenager said to her parents.

"Ice cream, Love?" Jack asked his soulmate.

"Ice cream all around," Daniel agreed.

With life back to normal, the Jackson-O'Neills headed for the ice cream parlor to enjoy some more quality time together. Every moment was treasured, and never taken for granted. Whatever would come in the future, would come, but one thing would never change -- Jack and Daniel, forever in love, always "one" in their nation of two.

Two weeks later, proof of their 'normal' life played out in front of Daniel's horrified eyes. Well, not really horrified, maybe just dreaded. No, maybe it was just fate.

"Okay, Jonny, now you pay close attention. You, too, Ash. Just because you're a girl doesn't mean you can't excel here."

Jack took the middle Munchkin to stand a few feet away.

"Okay, Son. There's the goal; let's get this puppy right through the middle."

"Mitle," Little Danny tried to say.

"Yeah ... the mittle," Jack teased.

The father of eight took the small stick and helped the toddler to hold it. As he moved the stick in Little Danny's hands, Jack said, "Here we go ... right through the middle."

Jack helped Little Danny to swing the hockey stick, making contact with the foam ball that was serving as the makeshift hockey puck. He watched as the ball went right through the middle of the two small pillows that he was using for the net. (Though Jack had a street hockey set, he felt the plastic was too hard and dangerous for the triplets to be using at the moment.)

"YES!" Jack shouted, raising Little Danny's hands up into the air, still grasping the hockey stick. "He shoots, and he scores! My hockey star!"

Daniel stood at the patio door inside the house, holding Ricky in his arms. He shook his head, a smile on his face.

"Something wrong, Daddy?" Jennifer asked as she entered the living room.

"Your father is attempting to teach the Munchkins how to play hockey."

"Aren't they a little young?"

"Apparently not," Daniel answered laughingly as he watched Jack put Little Danny back into the playpen. "Oh gawd," he laughed again as Jack picked up Aislinn. "He's even teaching Ash."

"Hey, what's wrong with that? Girls play hockey. Look at Angela James."

"Angela James?" Daniel turned to face his teenage daughter. He walked a few steps in her direction. "Who is Angela James?"

"She's a famous women's hockey player from Canada. She was their leading scorer at the World Championship's in 1990, an All-Star player in 1992, and continued to be a top-scoring threat at the World Championships in 1994 and 1997. After she retired in 2001, she was actually placed on the ballot for the Hockey Hall of Fame."

Daniel stared at his daughter as he bounced the infant in his arms. He nodded and said, "Jack's gotten to you, hasn't he? What did you get for memorizing that ... profile?" Jennifer looked over at the fish, evading her father's stare. "Jennifer?"

"Um, well, for indulging Dad's hockey fetish, I got that new hot pink skirt and that blue halter-top. Of course, he hasn't let me actually wear them yet, but," she picked up steam, her voice becoming more energetic, "it's in my closet, and I think if I can actually make a couple of goals next weekend, then ..."

"You can stop there," Daniel said in disbelief, returning to his place at the patio door to see what was happening outside at the moment.

Jack was grinning with pride.

"That's my hockey star. You can be like Chandra Gunn. She's a good one to model your hockey career after."

Daniel twisted his body towards his oldest daughter and asked, "Who is Chandra Gunn?"

"I don't know." Jen grinned as she got a scathingly good idea. She added, "But maybe if I find out, I can get some shoes to match my skirt."

Daniel let out a little snort as he shook his head, but before he said anything else, Ricky began to act up a little.

"Hungry, Ricky? Oops, no, a change I think."

"I'll do it, Daddy."

"Thanks, Sweetie," Daniel replied, handing his son over to his daughter who took Ricky upstairs.

Daniel walked outside and approached his husband who was encouraging the youngest triplet.

"Way to go, Ash. Great goal!" Hearing Daniel laugh, Jack looked over at his husband. "What's so funny?"

You're doing most of the work here, Love.

"She's a champion. All our kids are champions, aren't ya, Munchkins?"

Jack led the triplets in a cheer that made Daniel laugh again.

"Jack, who's Chandra ..."

"Chandra Gunn. She's been one of the top women's hockey players in the USA. She's had some injuries, but that's what makes her so special, Danny. She keeps on trying, and she's had success. She's a great player, but in addition to that, she's a humanitarian. She teaches youth groups, has done a lot of fund-raising for people in need -- stuff like that."

"A good role model," Daniel said softly. "But don't you think they're a little young for ..."

"You're never too young for hockey."

"Hokey," Little Danny laughed.

"That's hockey, Son ... Hoc - key ... H - O - C - K - E - Y."

"Jack, they're only twenty-three-months-old."

"That old? We're behind schedule." The older man smiled, a devilish expression on his face. "Okay, Ash, let's show Daddy your stuff again."

"Stuff ... shoots ... scoooooooooooores!" the toddler exclaimed.

Watching Jack continue to hockey-train their Munchkins, Daniel felt happy. Hockey was never his thing, but Jack loved it, and he also knew Jack wouldn't force hockey, or any sport, on their children; but, at the same time, as Jack had told him previously, it doesn't hurt to let them know what they'd be missing -- even if the toddlers were still learning their physical skills and co-ordination.

They aren't missing a thing, Babe. They have the best father in the whole universe. Gawd, I love you.

Jack looked up and smiled.

"Did I miss something, Angel?"

"No, go on. I'm just going to watch you teach our Munchkins all about hockey."

Daniel moved over to the patio steps and sat down, drinking in the sight in front of him. He smiled, inside and out, to know he really did have everything that was important in life.

"Score!" Aislinn shouted.

"Score!" Little Danny repeated, reaching up for his Dad. "Me! Me! Me!"

"Oh, gawd. He's going to be a hockey player!"

Jack laughed, hearing Daniel's words.

"I knew he had it in him," Jack laughed and then picked up Little Danny for another shot at making a goal.

Daniel looked at Jonny and Aislinn and shook his head. Their eyes were glued to Jack's actions. He stood up and started to go inside.

"Hey, where are you going?" Jack called out.

"To check on the price of hockey lessons, uniforms, and ... whatever else we're going to need. You've corrupted our children!"

Both men laughed, and then Jack returned to the Munchkins, and Daniel went inside to check on the twins.

"Boo?"

"No, Ash," Jennifer said. "Not Boo. Her name is Bobette, but we call her Bobo because that's what Mommy called her."

"Mommy," Ash repeated, and then pointed to a photo on the wall in the nursery.

It was the photo of Jennifer and Kayla that had been taken at Janet's home shortly before Kayla's death.

The rest of the children were downstairs with their parents, but Jennifer had taken Ash upstairs to change her clothes after a messy play session outside. After having changed the little girl's clothing, Jennifer took her into the den, picked up a book, and returned to the nursery. She had placed Ash on the bed and picked up the stuffed monkey that had been sitting in the rocker.

Having scooted across to sit next to Aislinn on the bed, Jennifer had placed the stuffed animal in front of her sister and then opened the book.

"Right. Mommy's name was Kayla, and she gave birth to you."

"Mommy," Aislinn repeated more firmly.

"Exactly. She was a very nice lady, and she loved you very much. Bobette was hers when she was a little girl, and now Bobette belongs to you and Little Danny and Jonny and Jenny and Ricky. And this," Jennifer showed her sister the book, "is the book that Mommy wrote about Dad and Daddy."

"Dad! Daddy!" Aislinn repeated, a giant smile on her face.

"Yeah, they're pretty cool, aren't they?"

"Cooooool," Aislinn giggled, clapping her hands in front of her.

"Okay, well, I know you won't understand it now, Ash, but I want to read this to you because it's important, and maybe some day, it'll make sense. See, we have very special parents, and, well, they don't give themselves the credit they should, so ... I'm going to make sure that all you Munchkins and the twins understand what Mommy wanted the world to understand. Geez, you have no idea what I'm saying, do you?"

Aislinn giggled and squeezed the stuffed monkey in a hug. It was really the first time she'd held the monkey.

"That's okay, Ash, but you will know. I made a little promise to Mommy at her funeral, and I know how important promises are to Dad and Daddy so ..."

Quietly, unbeknownst to her parents, Jennifer read passages from Kayla's novel to Aislinn. They were passages she recognized as being the story of Jack and Daniel's love, and the courage it had taken to nurture that love over the years. The teenager knew Aislinn wasn't able to understand the words yet, but she also knew that if nothing else, the little girl would feel the love she was talking about.

And I'm going to keep reading this to you, and to our brothers and sisters, as you grow up so that one day, you will understand; it's important.

Jennifer had a private resolve. She was thankful for the new lives Jack and Daniel had given to her, David, and Chenoa. Her natural parents had been the best, but when they had died in a car accident, she was afraid for her future and that of her siblings. Now, though, she felt extremely blessed that they were members of this unique family, and having read Kayla's novel more than once over the few months, and having become aware first-hand in Egypt of the very real perils her parents had faced in their careers, she was determined to make sure that the youngest Jackson-O'Neills knew just how lucky they were, too.

She read on:

"The two men gazed into each other's eyes, brown and blue united in a private universe. Were they both feeling what they thought they were? Their hearts pounded and swelled within them. Both had feared the other was dead, but now they were within inches of the other, and they could hear their beating hearts. The intensity was too great to be squashed or ignored. Their secret passion couldn't be withheld, even though servicemen surrounded them. In an instant, the strong Air Force Colonel took the caring archaeologist in his arms. 'Space Monkey, yeah!' he exclaimed."

Aislinn giggled, and Jennifer smiled.

"Space Monkey is Daddy."

"Daddy mo'ky."

Jennifer laughed, gave Aislinn a kiss on her forehead, and then continued to read from Kayla's novel.

Downstairs, Daniel looked over at Jack who had a funny look on his face after putting Ricky down in his crib.

"Something wrong, Babe?" Daniel asked, approaching his husband. Jack took Daniel into his arms, kissed him, and hugged him. "Hey, not complaining, but ..."

"Are your ears burning, Danny?"

"Huh? Uh, no."

"Mine are. I have this urge to," Jack smiled, "do this again." Jack kissed Daniel again. "I love you, Space Monkey."

Space Monkey? What brought that on? "Jack, not in front of the children."

"Hey, we kiss in front of the brood."

"Not that ... you know," Daniel said, feeling embarrassed as he always did about the silly but endearing nickname.

"You're my Space Monkey, Danny, and you always will be. I love you."

"I love you, too."

With Jack's ears still burning for reasons he didn't understand, Jack and Daniel continued their courageous journey of their hearts, loving openly, and living life to the fullest with their eight children and two wonderful beagles in Colorado Springs, where each day was an adventure, and each moment a treasure to be cherished.

Finis - Finished - Done - The End - But is it ever Really?