I cannot say this enough times, but I just have to repeat myself again, and say, thank you to everyone who sent in a review. I really do appreciate them. Thanks!

Zeilfanaat – Now that would be telling. Patience, and all will be revealed!

LanaJoy – Who wouldn't?

Flower – I don't know that I will be going that far; not just yet anyway.

Diane – Sorry, not that simple...at least in my fics, it's not.

Enough said, now on with the story!

Junior

By Lingren

Previously:-

She sat back down on the chair and after a while picked up her book again, but the words wouldn't register because her mind was on the future. A future with him and his son; soon to be her son. She smiled at the irony of the situation and quelled the fluttering in her stomach at the thought of becoming a mother for the first time and to Jack's son.

Chapter 15

Two days later there was a knock on the door to the cabin.

Daniel hurried to open it, leaving Melissa to finish serving up their meal, while Teal'c was out in the yard entertaining Jon Junior.

Melissa paused for a moment, looking out of the window and smiled. Jon seemed to be having fun with Murray, she could hear his shrieks of laughter as the gentle giant caught him and lifted him high in the air over his head to reach another apple hanging from the branch of the tree. They were picking the last of the crop so that she could bake some more pies, with the intended of taking one into Jonathon, hoping to tempt him into eating; his appetite had disappeared, faced with the dreaded hospital food. A wave of sadness enveloped her as she thought that it should be Jonathon out there playing with his son. Her dismal thoughts were dragged back into perspective when Daniel entered the kitchen area just ahead of their guest.

George Hammond greeted everyone warmly, shaking hands with John and giving a nod to Melissa who had her hands full.

"General Hammond. It's good to see you again," she said smiling, genuinely pleased to see him. He hadn't changed much over the years, maybe he looked a little older but was basically still the same, just as she and John had aged too since they'd met back then.

"You too Mrs. O'Neill; I just wish it wasn't under these trying circumstances." George replied in a voice heavy with regret.

"Won't you join us for our meal General?"

"Please, it's George. And don't mind if I do. That looks delicious."

"Chicken casserole. It's Jon Junior's favourite. And please, call us John and Melissa. We're all friends here. No titles. That's one of Jonathon's rules when he's here..." her voice trailed away as she realised what she had said, but George understood and broke the awkward moment by moving to stand at the window, looking out at the boy as he played.

"Thank you Melissa," he said with understanding.

He couldn't hold back a grin at Teal'c's ability to handle the boy with a gentleness that belied his huge muscular frame. It was a whole new aspect to the Jaffa who was normally so sombre and stoical. The man was a positive enigma. Who'd of thought he really was a gentle giant underneath that tough brooding warrior shell.

"I assume that is Jonathon Junior?" he said, keeping his eyes on the boy.

John came and stood beside him, watching as Teal'c pushed him gently on the old swing; the basket now full of apples. He smiled indulgently.

"Yes, that's our grandson. Jonathon is so proud of him. He already dotes on the boy. He's such a sweet child, always willing to help and dearly loves his father so much."

"How is he taking Jack's...illness?"

"Better than we thought actually. We had about 24 hours of crying, but he seems to have settled and accepted that Jonathon will be away for a little while yet. We take him to see him every day."

"So how is Jack?"

"Still weak, but he seems to have improved a little. We don't stay for too long, he gets tired very quickly."

"I was going to pop in and see him later this afternoon, if that's okay?" George asked.

"I'm sure he'll be pleased to see you George."

"You know I have to transfer him back to Cheyenne mountain as soon as possible, don't you?"

John nodded with a sad smile.

"We understand. That's one of the reasons Sam is staying by his side. She and Daniel and Murray take turns at sitting with him. Sam said it was because of national security."

"She's right. Jack knows too much and we can't risk taking chances that he'll talk in his sleep. I've also ordered a guard to sit outside his room 24/7 just to be sure that there won't be another attempt on his life."

"You believe there will be?" John asked incredulously, turning from the view to look straight at the General.

"Not really, but in our line of business it doesn't hurt to be a little prudent and err on the cautious side," George answered without taking his eyes off the child outside.

"John!" Melissa called from the stove. "Would you call Murray and Jon Junior in. Dinner's ready."

As he did so, Melissa showed George to his seat around the big pine table. Daniel took his place and Teal'c took Jon to wash their hands. When everyone was seated, Melissa gave thanks and they all tucked in, the conversation flowing easily, like they were one big family.

OoOoOoOoO

Jack was staring at the ceiling when the door opened. He glanced across and smiled a welcome.

"General. You're a stranger to this neck of the woods sir," Jack grinned.

George approached the bed, taking in the haggard features of his former 2IC. The oxygen mask had now been replaced by a nasal cannula and he wasn't sure if Jack was looking better or worse, but then, when he'd last seen him he was the picture of health. All that had changed now, and after such a devastating attack on him, Jack would probably never be as fit again. To an officer such as Jack, the news he bore would be like a death sentence, but he suspected Jack already knew this would spell the end of his career, despite his declaration of intending to retire.

He debated putting the official verdict off until Jack was feeling stronger, but he knew Jack could wheedle the truth from him if he wanted to. He could never hide things from the man, he was too perceptive for his own good sometimes.

"Where's Colonel Carter? I thought she was meant to be baby-sitting you?" George laughed.

Jack frowned at the derogatory term 'Baby-sitting' but pointed out that even she had to answer the call of nature at some point in time. Which was more than he could. He had no choice at the moment, being tied to the bed with tubes and wires and monitors galore.

George took the seat by the bed and sighed. He hated to see Jack like this.

"So, tell me how you're doing son! And don't give me that 'fine' business, because I know for a fact that you wouldn't be in here if you were."

Jack grinned, despite the gruff voice berating him.

"Weak as a kitten if you must know, and it's driving me nuts."

Hammond noticed the effort involved in just speaking, leaving the man breathing heavily, and coughing to clear his throat.

"Did you discover what happened to the...ah...assassin?" Jack asked, knowing the General would understand the unspoken part of the question.

Hammond looked down at the sheets before taking a deep breath, plucking up the nerve to tell Jack the news.

"He never showed up again Jack. The only thing we know is what you told us, that he was sent by Ba'al to kill you. And he damn near succeeded too."

"How in the hell did he know where to find me is what I'd like to know?" Jack gasped, getting worked up slightly, feeling the anger building inside.

George shook his head and sighed.

"I wish I knew the answer to that Jack. He never showed up at your parents house at all, so how he knew where you were is still a mystery."

Jack swore. Maybe they would never know how he'd managed to track him down to his parent's house, and then to the cabin.

Jack lay quietly for a moment with his eyes closed and George noted the heart-rate on the monitor had speeded up. Hammond stood, laying a hand on Jack's shoulder for a moment, making Jack open his eyes and look up at him.

"Sorry sir. I'm just so tired. I didn't mean to..."

"That's okay son. I'll leave you now Jack. Oh, and I met young Jonathon earlier by the way. He's a smart kid Jack, I'd be proud of him too."

"Yeah that he is sir, and I am," Jack smiled fondly when he pictured the boy in his mind and his body calmed once more, bringing with it a deeper wave of weariness. "I just wish I'd known about him sooner."

Hammond patted the shoulder before withdrawing his hand ready to leave.

"Take all the time you need Jack. There's no rush. I'm staying up here at the motel for a few days, so I'll pop in again tomorrow. Get some rest son!"

"Yes sir."

Hammond turned at the door, taking one more look at his friend. Jack had his eyes closed again and George knew that he was asleep already. He smiled sadly, his real news could wait. He didn't want to burden his friend any further, perhaps he could wait a while, it wouldn't hurt to put it off for a few more days. He shut the door quietly behind him just as Sam came back.

"Colonel Carter!" he greeted her.

She looked up suddenly as if her thoughts were far away.

"General Hammond!" she responded with surprise. "It's good to see you again sir."

They spoke quietly for several minutes before Sam asked a pertinent question.

She looked up and down the corridor to make sure no-one would overhear her before she spoke.

"Sir, is there any way to reach Thor? He's helped the General in the past. We can't leave him like this sir. It would kill him to be classed as an invalid."

"I don't see a problem with that Colonel," George said with a smile, "I'll see what I can do. In the mean-time keep an eye on him and don't let him do too much too soon. I know he'll be itching to leave here, but as soon as he's able I'm having him transferred back to the SGC."

"Yes sir, I'll do my best."

"I know you will Colonel."

Hammond took his leave and Sam stealthily entered Jack's room again so as not to disturb him.

TBC