Chapter 8
Birthday and Ceremony
A/N: hey guys I'm back and ready for the next chapter. Thanks for all your reviews it means a lot. I hope you enjoy this chapter and as always review if you can.
Responses to my Reviews
Muave: thanks I'm glad you liked it, thanks for reviewing. Hop you liked this one. It was kindof hard to right so I hope it is still good. Talk to you soon, liz.
Alisa R: thanks for the review, I'm glad you like the story, it means a lot to me. Hope you like this chapter as well, like I said above it was a little bit hard so I don't know if it's going to be as good, I hope it is though, talk to you soon, liz.
Sci Fi Fan Gillian: Thanks!!! Glad your still enjoying it, hope you like this one, talk to you later, liz.
Ok now that I have that done I'll get on with the chapter. I hope you enjoy, talk to you later.
The next few days went pretty good, Daniel got her to not think about John leaving by letting her work more in his lab. She had actually gotten over him leaving and was messing around with Daniel happily in his lab.
But on her birthday, that Saturday, early in the morning that all stopped. Daniel had gotten up to get a drink of water and go to the bathroom when he heard her crying. He frowned and instead of going back into his room walked into hers. He saw her thrashing around her bed in the middle of a nightmare. He put his water down and ran over to her sitting down next to her.
"Rachel, Rachel wake up!" He said shaking her gently.
She cried out and set up, "Danny?"
"Yes Rach, its me." He said softly.
"Please tell me that was a dream." She pleaded.
"Yes, Rach you just had a bad dream." He said pulling her closer to him. "Want to tell me what happened?"
"It was about John and Ford. He found Ford but then when they were on there way back to Atlantis the puddle jumper malfunctioned and they crashed, and didn't survive it." She told him.
Daniel hugged her, "Come here." He said, "he's ok."
"How do you know?" She asked.
"Well last night after you left he called and said that he and ford were back at the base and that he had to stay for a couple more days for some things. He sent something throw the gate for you, told me to give it to you sometime today." He said softly.
"Really?" She asked hoping he wasn't just saying that to make her feel better.
"Yep, I wasn't going to give it to you later, but maybe if I do you'll be able to sleep better." He said.
"Ok." She said softly.
"Ok I'll be right back." He said and she nodded.
He stood up and went into his room and into his closet where he had put the package. Then making sure that the letter was with it, he headed back to her room. He went in and walked back over to her bed and set back down next to her.
"Here you go." He said handing her the package and letter, "Oh and I was told to make sure you read the letter before you open the present."
She grinned, "Ok."
She picked the letter up and opened it up, and started to read:
Hey sweetie,
You didn't know this but after I found out that I had to go back I told your brother to give this to you. I'm sure Daniel told you that I sent it through the gate, but what was sent through the gate was this letter. Daniel had the present the whole time. I told him to keep the present tell I sent the letter back. But that is beside the point. I felt, and still do feel horrible for having to miss you birthday and your medal thing. So I got you a present for you to open from me on your birthday. I have a couple of other things that I'm going to give you, but I want to give them to you myself. Plus I think that this present might help you through the times when I'm away. I got to go, I'll be back in a couple of days, I swear, enjoy the present and I'll talk to you soon,
I love you and miss you,
John.
By the time she was finished reading the letter she was crying, but it was tears of happiness that he had gotten something for her, to make up missing today. He didn't have to, and she would have told him that but she was glad that he did, cause she knew he was ok.
Daniel smiled, "Those are good tears right?" He asked.
"Yes." She said smiling at him.
"Good, now why don't you open the present," He told her.
"Ok." She said and started pulling the paper off of the box. Once she got the paper off she started to open the box and pulled the object out. She squealed when she saw what it was. It was a brown fluffy teddy bear that had 'John loves you' on its belly.
Daniel smiled, "You like it?" He asked even though he knew the answer.
"Yes," She said, "he remembered."
"Remembered what?" He asked her.
"When he was still at the Pentagon, just before he was transferred, we had this conversation and how we got started on it I don't know. But I told him about when we went to the foster home they wouldn't let me keep my teddy bears that daddy had gotten me. Then I told him about this one that was my favorite that was fuzzy and black and in the middle it had 'daddy loves you' on it. I told that that one was my favorite since I was a daddy's girl and that it broke my heart when I couldn't take it with me. He hugged me and told me he would get me another one similar sometime and I told him I would like that." She said grinning.
Daniel smiled, "Ahh yea he told me about that when he showed me the bear. I thought that was really sweet, and you don't know it but that bear is still with you." He said
"Really? How?" She asked.
"I snuck it in with my stuff and didn't take it out. I had planned to give it to you sooner, look in the box again Rach." He said smiling.
She did and found her black bear that she had thought had been lost so many years ago, she once again squealed and this time hugged her brother.
"Was this a combined present?" She asked.
"Yea sort of, I told him I had the bear and we teamed he got that one and I found this one. We put your black one in the bottom and then that one on top. He actually had this planed for a while and was going to give it to you when he left this last time, but since he had to leave sooner he told me to give it to you. So yea in a way it is." He said.
She smiled, "Cool. Thanks." She said hugging him again.
He smiled, "Now it's still way to early, why don't you cuddle up to your bears and go back to sleep birthday girl." He said.
She yawned, "Yea I like that idea."
He smiled and picked up the paper and boxes, stuffing the paper in the box and stood up. "See ya in a little while Rach."
She laid down with the bears next to her and nodded to her brother. He smiled and left her room picking up his water on the way, happy that he had turned what looked like could have been a horrible day, into a good day. Plus she had a few more surprises in store for her.
Several hours later Daniel went back into her room to wake her up, it was time to start getting ready for the ceremony and her party. He walked over to her bed and set down.
"Hey Rachel, wake up, it's time to get read. Janet's going to be over here soon to help you. So why don't you get up and shower and by the time you get done she'll probably be here." he said as she opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Ok." She said and set up.
"Good, I'll go fix you something to eat real quick while your in the shower." He said
"Not much, don't want to throw up over every one." She said and he laughed.
"I know, I'm not going to fix much." He told her.
"Good." She said and stood up and headed to the bathroom. He laughed and left her room and went to the kitchen to get her something to eat.
A few minutes later, while Rachel was still in the shower, and Daniel was fixing her something to eat a knock was heard. Daniel smiled and put down the sandwich makings and walked to the door and opened it. Janet stood looking of into space with her back facing him.
He reached out and patted her arm, "Hey you." He said.
She jumped a little and then turned around, "Hey."
"Sorry didn't mean to scare you," He said smiling at her, "Come on in, and pulled her in with her laughing.
"You didn't scare me to bad I was just thinking about today." She said, "Is Rachel up?" She asked as she hugged him.
"Yea she's in the shower right now. I was fixing her a sandwich when you got here." He told her holding on to her.
"That's all she wanted?" Janet asked.
"Yea, she's to nervous to eat anything else." He explained.
"Yea okay that makes since then." She said.
Daniel smiled and bent down and gave her a kiss. Janet kissed him back and wrapped her arms around his neck, and just as they were getting really into it Rachel appeared. When she saw what they were doing she rolled her eyes.
"Get a room!" She said.
They jumped apart not knowing she was there and she laughed, "Did I scare ya?" She asked sarcastically
Before Daniel could tell her of, Janet stepped away from him and walked over to Rachel and gave her a hug, "Happy Birthday Rach."
Rachel grinned and hugged her back, "Thanks Janet."
"So how old are you?" She asked.
"25." Rachel said smiling.
"Sweet, well let's go get you ready." Janet said.
"Ok." She said and headed back to her room.
Janet turned to Daniel, "Is her sandwich ready?"
"Yea hold on and I'll give it to you." He told her.
"Ok." She said and stood there while he went to the kitchen and got her sandwich. When he came back he handed the sandwich to her and she smirked.
"Turkey?" She asked
"Don't ask me Johns the one that got her liking them." He said laughing.
"True, well I better go and help her get ready." She said.
"Yea, have fun." He said bending down and kissing her nose.
"We will," She said smiling at him and walking away to Rachel's room.
Rachel was sitting on her bed just in her uniform top and her skirt to the side. She still had jeans on. Janet laughed, Daniel had told her how much she hated the skirts. She walked over to her and set down.
"Hey, Daniel gave me your sandwich, why don't you eat it before you finish getting dressed." She said.
Rachel looked up and smiled, "Thanks." She said took the sandwich and started to eat it.
Janet watched her eat and noticed she had tears running down her face, "Rach, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," She said taking another bite.
"Your crying Rachel, something's wrong. You can talk to me, as a friend." Janet said softly.
Rachel took the last bite of the sandwich, chewed, and swallowed. She then turned to Janet, "This morning, I had this dream about John and Ford. Danny said that last night he dialed in and told them that he was ok, that he had found him and they were back at the base. So I know the dream was just a dream, but since I woke up wall ago, I can't get it out of my head. I wish I could see him for a few minutes, but I know he had to do something before he came back." She said tears rolling down her face.
Janet reached out and pulled Rachel to her hugging her, "Shhh, I was there when he dialed in, he said he'd be here as soon as possible, probably early tomorrow morning. He's fine, and wouldn't want you to worry about him on you day."
"I know, I promised him I wouldn't cry. But I guess I broke that promise didn't I?" she said bitterly.
"No you had a bad dream, and it upset you. I don't think that a dream that upset you would count as breaking the promise. But I promise you he's ok." Janet said honestly to her.
"Thanks Janet." Rachel said.
"Your welcome," She said smiling at her, "Now why don't you go rinse your face off and put you skirt on. Then come back in here, I'll wrap you leg and help you with your hair. How does that sound?" she asked.
Rachel smiled, "Sounds great." She said
"Good then go on." Janet said.
Rachel nodded and got up and made her way to the bathroom with her skirt, to change into it. A few minutes later she came out in full uniform except for her jacket and Janet smiled and patted the spot next to her. Rachel smiled back and set down in spot. Janet then took the ace bandage she had brought and started wrapping Rachel's leg.
"Just wanted to be sure, with those heals you have to wear, you leg might start hurting. This might help you a little bit." She explained.
"Sounds good to me," Rachel said.
Janet smiled and went on with the wrap. After she finished that she helped Rachel with her hair. After discussing for several minutes on how to fix it they decided to French braid it. Rachel told her she used to French braid it and really liked it that way but hadn't had time lately. Janet smiled and told her that she thought that would be a good change from the pony tail Rachel usually had and so that is what they decided on. After they had her hair done Janet helped her with a little bit of make up. They were finally finished and Janet had her stand up and look in the mirror.
"You like?" Janet asked.
"Yes, I do," She said.
"Good, we should probably go then," Janet said, "Do you have clothes to change into for the part?"
"Yea, there in that bag next to my bed," Rachel told her. "I don't want to put my heals on now."
"Don't wear some tennis shoes tell we get to the base, then change," Janet said, "I do that every day."
Rachel laughed, "Sounds good to me."She then went and dug her tennis shoes out of her bag and put them on, she grabbed her dress shoes and her bag and turned to Janet and smiled.
"Ok I'm ready." She said.
"Good then let's go." Janet said and they went out to the living room.
Daniel, who had been sitting on the couch watching tv, had fallen asleep. Rachel giggled and walked over to him and turned to Janet, "Watch this," she said.
She then bend down to his ear and screamed, "DANNY WAKE UP!!!"
He jumped about three feet in the air and screamed. Janet and Rachel were pretty much rolling they were laughing so hard.
"Rachel Ann Jackson, you little twit!" He yelled and that just made them laugh harder.
"If you didn't look so cute right now I'd be mad but since you do I wont be." He said .
"I'm sorry I couldn't help it, plus I wanted Janet to see it. I knew she would appreciate it along with me." She said.
"Yea you need someone else to help you torture me." He said sarcastically.
Janet calmed down, "As much as I'm enjoying this we need to get to the base. The ceremony is suppose to start in about 45 minutes."
Daniel smirked, "Yea your right," He said, "Let's go."
He led them out of the apartment and down to the car, Janet decided she would ride with them and stay over tonight since they'd probably be out late. About thirty minutes later they were at the base and in the briefing room with General Hammond just talking. A few minutes before the ceremony was to start Hammond turned to Rachel and smiled.
"Before we head down to the gate room I have a surprise for you." He told her.
"What?" She asked.
He turned to his office, "Come on out."
Rachel's jaw dropped when she saw her CO from the pentagon walk out. "Sir...Wha...I...Oh my god." She said and ran to him.
Janet glared, "Rachel, no running."
But Rachel didn't hear her she and hugged her CO, "Thanks for coming sir."
"No problem Rach." He said hugging her back.
She then realized that she was hugging him, "That was off record right?" She asked him and Hammond.
"Yes Captain it was, I was expecting that." Hammond said. "We should head down there now."
"Yea," General Johnson said. "Oh and Rachel, happy birthday."
"Thank you sir," She said and they headed down to the gate room.
A few minutes later everyone was there and in their spots. Rachel was nervous but didn't let it show. Hammond gave a speech about how he had called General Johnson and asked about transferring someone over that was skilled in hand to hand and being told about Rachel. He then told about hiding it from Daniel till she got there and went on to her first mission and that Jack had complemented her on her first mission in the briefing. He went on and told about the attack and how she had saved his and Doctor Frasier's life in the briefing room, shooting the first alien and kicking the second one in the neck after being injured. He then let Janet tell the extent of her injuries and how she had recovered with the help of Daniel, John, and herself. Then it was jacks turn and he walked up the ramp and stood behind the podium and smiled at the group.
"Ok you know I don't do speeches, so you know I'm not going to be long up here." He said and everyone laughed. "Captain Jackson is a hell of a soldier, and person. Her first trip through the gate I thought she was going to throw up out of nervousness, but with a little encouragement from her brother and the rest of her teammates she was fine. She has been ready for action ever since then. You guys know it takes me a while to actually like someone, well with her seeing her on her first mission, not making a mistake, and then the attack I think of her as a important member of my team and of the SGC. With that Captain Jackson, come on up here." He said giving her a encouraging smile.
She walked up the ramp and stood infront of him, and he picked up her medals and smiled, "Captain Jackson, because of your bravery and what you have done in your short time here I am happy to present you with the Airman's metal." He continued and then went on, "And because you were injured in action the Purple heart." He put them on her uniform and gently turned her around to the rest of the group, "Take a good look at this young lady, I knew after her first mission she would one day be very important in our work at the SGC, I just didn't realize she would take that role so soon."
When he was finished the group clapped, "Oh before you go we are having a birthday party for the little hero, at my house, so come on over." He said. "Ok now you can go."
Rachel laughed and turned to Jack, "You really think that I'm that important to the SGC?"
"Yes Captian I do. Just as your brother, Carter, Teal'c and even Janet is." He said smiling at her.
Rachel smiled back, "Thank you sir."
"No problem." He said patting her shoulder, "What do you say to getting the party started?"
"I say that sounds great." She said smiling.
"Then let's go Captian." He said and led her down the ramp towards her brother, janet and the rest of the team.
When they reached them, Daniel hugged her, "Congratulations Rachy."
"Thanks Danny. You know I wasn't so sure I would fit in here... but now seeing everyone here, I realized that I might actually fit in." She said grinning.
"Well let me assure you, you are defiantly fitting in." He told her.
"Thanks." She said, "Let's go the sooner we get there the sooner I can get out of this skirt and heels."
"Ok, how is your leg?" He asked.
"Throbbing," She said, "I'm kind of happy to know that I am able to wear the heels, means it's getting better. But I have just been off the crutches for a week, and I know it's still week, so I'm not complaining about it. Just want to get these shoes off." She said.
"Alright come on," He said and led her over to Janet, "Hey sweetie ready to go?"
"Yea," She said, "See ya later Sam."
"By Janet, Daniel, Rach, See you soon." Sam said.
"Bye" They said.
They headed out and to Daniel's car and got in. They drove to Jacks house and went in. Rachel went straight to the bathroom and changed out of her uniform and to her normal jeans and t shirt. She then came out and went straight to Daniel and Janet.
Daniel smiled at her and wrapped his arm around her, "Hey little one, feel better?"
"Yea much," She said
"What about your leg, Daniel told me that it was hurting wall ago," Janet said.
"It still does, but not as bad as it could." Rachel said.
"Want me to give you something?" Janet asked
"Yes, please." She said.
"Ok, Come on I brought some Tylenol 3 just incase." Janet said and went to her purse and got the bottle out and got two out. "Here you go." She said.
"Thanks," She said taking the pills and the water Janet gave her.
"No prob," Janet said and Rachel set down on the couch.
Daniel came and set down inbetween them and smiled, "So how are my girls?"
"Great," Janet said laying her head on his shoulder.
"I concur, specially now that I got some Tylenol." Rachel said laying her head on his other shoulder.
Daniel smiled and wrapped his arms around them, "Good, I'm glad to here it."
They stayed like that for a several hours, talking amongst there selves and the people that were there. The medicine finally took effect for her and she fell asleep. Janet had gotten up to get them a drink, when she got back and saw Rachel asleep she smiled, "She's had a long but good day. Wonder when John'll be able to get here."
"Hopefully soon," Daniel said.
"yea." Janet agreed sitting back down next to him and handing him the drink.
"Thanks." He said smiling at her.
"No prob." She said laying her head back down on his shoulder.
Daniel smiled and they watched the party around them. About an hour after she had fallen asleep Jack said that the food was ready, so they woke her up and went to eat with the rest of the group. They then had cake and those that had presents for her gave them to her. Daniel could tell that she was have a blast and smiled, he could tell John that except for a bad dream and being upset for a little while, she had had a great birthday. 'hopefully he'll be able to get here before the party ends.' He thought to himself.
A little bit later a knock was heard on the door and Daniel smiled, 'he made it.'
"Hey Rach, why don't we go out to the back and look at the stars," Daniel said.
"Ok." She said.
He led her outside and set her down on the grass and then set down next to her. "Having fun?" he asked as he listened to the commotion inside.
"Yea I'm having a blast." She said
"That's great," he said smiling, "Ready for another surpise?"
"More!!" She said excitedly.
"Yep." He said looked nonchalantly behind him to see if John was there yet and grinned, "Look behind you."
She did and a huge grin spread across her face, "JOHN!"
A/N hey I'm sorry about stopping it here but it's getting pretty long. I hope you enjoyed it and please review if you can. Talk to you soon, Liz.