Posting this next chapter early just to keep you guys happy! Enjoy!

Junior

By Lingren

Previously:-

Jack brushed off any offers of help to carry the boy, marching towards the elevator, happier than he had been these past ten years despite the circumstances; knowing the others members of his 'family' were following behind in silence.

Chapter 3

Jack placed Junior onto the bed and waited for Doc Brightman to appear.

She was curious as well as surprised when Jack ordered her to give him a thorough going over including a DNA test. Her surprise was even greater when the child showed his reluctance to be handled by anyone other than the General and in a tremulous voice called out for his Daddy.

She looked up at Jack, puzzled, but he shrugged, a wry smile gracing his lips.

"It was a long time ago," he said defensively to her unspoken question.

She coughed and tucked that little gem of information away, becoming all professional. Her usual casualties were tough soldiers who'd been wounded in battle but now she turned on all her charm and within a few moments, she had gained Junior's confidence enough for him to allow her to examine him.

Except for the moment she took a blood sample, when he'd whimpered and climbed like a wounded monkey into Jack's arms afterwards. Jack had refused to leave his son's side during the examination, mainly because the boy had wanted him there.

Jack sat on the edge of the bed and cradled him in his arms, softly shushing the boy.

"Hey! It's over now. No more needles," he promised.

Doctor Brightman shot him a look that belied that statement, but at his regal glare and an infinitesimal shake of his head, she backed down, saying she'd have to make do with what she'd managed to take so far.

She disappeared for a few moments, then returned all smiles.

"Well?" Jack demanded. He was sitting on the bed with the boy next to him, having managed to disentangle himself from Junior's arms at last. Jack looked down at his son and was happy to see him hugging his toy with one arm whilst sucking the thumb on the other hand. He guessed thumb sucking was a universal comfort to kids the galaxy over.

"All his scans proved fine General. Apart from being a little undernourished which is easily remedied, there's nothing wrong with him, so far as I can tell. I suggest some light meals to start with, broth, chicken, boiled rice..."

Jack waved a hand to stop her flow.

"Ack! Yeah, I get it. So he's fine? There's no reason to keep him in here then?"

"No Sir."

"Good. Thanks Doc."

"I'll let you know the results of the DNA testing as soon as they're ready General." She called to his retreating back.

He nodded as he moved off the bed and towards the door.

"Bye Junior," she called and found herself giving a little wave back to him. She dropped her hand quickly from embarrassment when a passing nurse smirked at her child-like behaviour.

The nurse disappeared with a smile, speculating that perhaps Doctor Brightman was human and that maybe there maybe hope for her after all.

"Byeee," Junior called over Jack's shoulder and gave her a wave back, before his thumb found his mouth again, and he laid his head into the crook of his father's neck.

By the time they reached the briefing room again Junior was fast asleep.

OoOoOoOoO

"What are you going to do with him Jack?" Daniel asked a couple of days later, being braver than the others, or it might have been the fact that Jack was his best friend and they didn't hold back any pertinent questions from each other; answers were a different matter, but that was neither here nor there. So Daniel went ahead and asked the question that was on all their minds.

Sam wanted to know too; wanted to know that their close illicit relationship wouldn't change under these strange new circumstances. That's if Jack still wanted to be with her, now he had a son.

Jack looked down at the sleeping figure. Junior had indeed proved to be his son. The test proved without a doubt that Jack Junior was the child that Laira had given birth to nine months after he'd abandoned her, knowing nothing of her condition. He was trying to put that painful episode of his life away. Just as he had with everything else that hurt too much; his Charlie; the divorce; Reetou Charlie; Iraq. Then there was Ba'al. It always came back to Ba'al and his chamber of horrors.

The boy was curled up asleep on a small cot in the General's office, the ubiquitous thumb in his mouth and his 'Teddy' snuggled within his fragile arms. Only his head and that of the toy was showing over the top of the blanket. Jack smiled inwardly at the sight and would be quite content to sit there watching him all day, not quite sure he wasn't just dreaming. It was so unreal, but oh so very true.

Jack took his time answering, thanking god for giving him another child, though that in itself posed a new headache; he wasn't getting any younger. He weighed up the pros and cons in his mind. What did he want most? It was a difficult decision. He wanted to be with Sam but he also needed to be with his son; his own flesh and blood, honest to goodness son, and to be able to indulge this passion he held for the unexpected gift of another son? The biggest problem was whether Sam could accept his son as well.

There was no contest as far as Jack was concerned. He had a responsibility now. The boy had never asked to be born and neither did he have a say in losing his mother. It was clear that Laira had told him all about his father. There was no way he would renege on his duty as a parent.

"I'm keeping him Daniel. He's my son for cryin' out loud. What did you expect me to do? I'm all he has now and I intend to look after him to the best of my ability." Better than I did Charlie, he thought bitterly.

"And the SGC?" Daniel probed deeper.

"I was thinking of retiring. Sooner now rather than later Daniel," Jack sighed. "It was on the cards anyway." There was just so much to organise. First though, he was going to have to take some time off to just organise his home and get the boy acquainted with life on Earth and to get used to the feeling of being a Dad once again. "I have some phone calls to make, so go Daniel. Do whatever it is you do."

He shooed his closest friend from the room then picked up the phone, pressing the very familiar digits.

It rang several times before the gruff but recognizable voice answered.

"Hi George, it's me."

"Jack," Hammond greeted him with a certain amount of reservation, and yet with obvious pleasure. A phone call usually meant there were problems at the SGC but George always welcomed those times when they just conversed for old times sake. "What can I do for you son?"

"I wanna take a few weeks off George. Something's come up."

"Oh? Nothing serious I hope?" George was worried that there was something bugging Jack as he'd hinted to in the last few conversations they'd had. He knew Jack wasn't happy with all the paperwork involved with running the SGC. He'd even tried to resign but George had so far managed to persuade him to stay on. His skills were sorely needed, and contrary to what Jack believed; he was actually well suited to be the man in charge of the SGC.

"No...well, yes; as a matter of fact it is. Serious that is. I...er...I need to sort out a few personal things," he hesitated a little before adding with a darker note. "Edora was 'devastated' George."

Hammond gasped in shock and picked up Jack's wearisome tone.

"Badly?"

"Only one person survived."

"I'm sorry Jack. Laira?"

"No Sir. Just her son George," he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose against the burgeoning headache. After a seemingly endless pause, he dropped the bombshell. "My son!" he emphasized.

There was the sound of someone sucking in a startled breath, and a few moments silence before George answered.

"I see," came the ultra calm reply.

"I swear to God George, I didn't know. Not until the day before yesterday."

"It's okay Jack." Hammond could tell by Jack's admission that it was the truth. "You weren't to know we'd eventually come for you son. Hell, we weren't even sure you were still alive. Are you okay with this...your son?"

"I'm fine. In fact I'm more than fine. He's cute George real cute. He's so like his mother."

"What is he? He must be about four by now?"

"I guess. I haven't really thought about it that much yet. I need to arrange a carer etc., for now, but ultimately I'm gonna retire George. I want to be with my son. I missed out on Charlie growing up; I won't do the same this time round. I'm gonna be there for him," he said, his mind in a whirl with all the things he'd need to do.

"Take all the time you want for now Jack. Get Reynolds to take over until I can arrange a temporary replacement. We need to talk about this before you make any decisions. You know my number if you need anything, anything at all; don't hesitate to ask Jack! I'm sure we'll sort something out between us."

"Thank you Sir. What I really need is all the official paperwork George. Birth certificate etc..."

"Does he have a name?"

Jack snorted.

"Oh yeah. Not very original but it's Jack. I was thinking of changing it, though he's happy with being called Junior at the moment. But, I guess I ought to give him a proper name so you'd better put him down as Jonathon Charles O'Neill."

Hammond chuckled, genuinely pleased for his former 2IC. It could be just what Jack needed, he mused.

"Jonathon Charles?" Hammond was confused. Why would Jack want to give this child the same name as his dead son?

"It's not what you think George, he was just plain Charlie. Laira named this one after me, so I'm just adding the Charles bit. My dad's John Charles; it's sort of a family tradition. And boy, is he and Mom gonna be surprised," he added wryly.

He could hear Hammond chuckling again at that.

"I'm sure they'd be more than pleased for you Jack, after the initial shock has worn off that is. And I'm on it. I'll have everything ready as soon as I can and I'll have it delivered direct to you by personal courier by the end of the week. I can't wait to meet the little fella."

"Well, maybe one day soon we'll take a trip into Washington to meet Grandpa George," Jack chuckled.

George laughed at that too, flattered to be included in the boy's instant family.

"I'd like that son."

"Sure you will. And thank you Sir."

"You're welcome Jack."

Jack replaced the phone and sat for several minutes, with his hands steepled against his lips, just watching the boy sleep.

He rose from his chair and sauntered out into the corridor looking for Walter. He found him sooner than he thought when the man in question practically collided with him coming from the outer office.

"Ah Walter just the person I wanted to see," Jack said with a grin.

"Yes Sir?"

"I'm taking some time off..." he began and gathered by the look on Walter's face that the Sergeant had expected as much. "Yes, well, it's hardly surprising, given the boy," Jack sighed. "General Hammond will be sending someone along to stand in while I'm gone. In the mean time I want you to get hold of Colonel Reynolds. He'll be holding the fort until the new man arrives."

"Yes Sir. How long do you think you'll be away for Sir?"

"I have no idea yet. As long as it takes I guess."

Walter grimaced. The General might be a terror to work with but at least he got the job done and he knew everything that went on in the mountain despite his feigned ignorance. Having worked so closely with him since his promotion, Walter now knew it was all a front and that the man was as sharp as a pin when it came down to it. He wasn't looking forward to 'educating' the new man at all, he just finished training the General.

"I see Sir. I'll have to bring the Colonel in Sir, he's at home."

"See to it. I have to go shopping!"

Jack cast a look back at the boy as he slept and smiled, and Walter could see his Commander's icy exterior cracking, revealing his softer nature. He'd seen it before of course, but never this deep. The General was well and truly smitten and he silently agreed that so it should be. This was his son after all. He smiled too.

Jack roused, and frowned down on the Sergeant who was still gazing at the boy with a knowing smile.

"Something else Walter?"

"Ah, no Sir," he replied, hurrying away to carry out his orders.

Jack walked towards the cot and sighed, marshalling his thoughts before making a decision.

TBC

I'm so glad you're all enjoying this so far, judging by all the great reviews you have sent me. Thank you so much. They're great. Hugs guys. Thanks.

Rionach O'Neill – Sorry, but I did warn everyone that it was a fluffy Sam/Jack fic. I hope you like it anyway. I guarantee it is a hell of a lot different than the usual S/J fics. I can't help being a shipper as much as a Jack whumper. It's what I write.