Daniel woke up confused. He was in an uncomfortably soft place. It didn't feel like his sleeping bag. He ventured a peek between his eyelids. Ah, the infirmary – again! Well, at least this time I'm not sick, hurt, or dying. He was just beginning to sit up when the doctor came in.
"You're both awake! Good." Dr. Brightman pulled up a chair between their beds. "I just wanted to go over the rest of the tests with you. Everything looks good. No parasites, no unidentifiable bacteria or viruses. Go home and eat. General Hammond has ordered you both to take two weeks leave. And, don't come back on base for anything." The doctor turned to Daniel, "Understood, Dr. Jackson?"
Daniel ducked his head and murmured in agreement.
"Good. Get dressed and you can leave." She patted Daniel on the back and left.
"AJ, do you have any plans for the next two weeks?" Daniel was hoping they could get together and he could find out what her feelings were toward him.
"Yes. I'm going out to California to be with my family. They need to see me to make sure I'm OK and I need to be with them for a while. I'll be back at work in two weeks. By the way, 'AJ' was left back at the oasis. It's Dr. Jago. See you later, Dr. Jackson." She gathered up her clothes and headed to the bathroom to get dressed.
Dr. Jackson! God, from my bed to Dr. Jackson. Well, she couldn't make it much clearer than that. What god in the universe is out to see that I never find happiness?
He left the infirmary and headed to his quarters. He planned on changing and leaving as soon as possible.
XXXXXXXXXX
Daniel rounded the corner just in time to see the elevator doors close with Arwen inside. He waited a minute and punched the button requesting that the elevator return to get him. Several minutes later when he reached the parking lot, he was greeted by the sight of the biggest mob of people he'd ever seen on base.
A huge sign strung between light poles said, "Welcome home, Arwen. We love you." Beneath that sign waited at least thirty adults and a mob of children jumping up and down screaming as Arwen walked just ahead of Daniel toward them. Daniel stopped at the exit and watched.
Arwen had stepped out from the darkness of the mountain and expected to be met by a car and a driver. But, no! Her family was there. Almost every single blessed one of them. She ran to her parents who were in the center of the mob. They both wrapped themselves around their daughter and it looked as if they never intended to release her. The kids continued jumping and yelling, while the adults all seemed to be crying, even the men.
Daniel watched the emotional reunion and grieved that he wasn't part of a family like hers. It reminded him of the people on Abydos who had adopted him into their lives unconditionally.
Arwen happened to turn around and she saw him standing alone, watching her family. Her heart pounded and then dropped to her feet, just at the sight of him.
She grabbed her each of her parents by one hand and dragged them over to Daniel. "Mom, Dad, I'd like you to meet the man who saved my life in the desert. This is Dr. Daniel Jackson, my boss. Dr. Jackson, this is Bob and Linda Jago, my parents."
She watched while the group shook hands. Her mom threw her arms around Daniel and cried all over his shirt, thanking him for saving her little girl. Daniel, who was inexperienced in dealing with mothers, awkwardly patted her on the back, murmuring, "That's OK. I was happy to help." He looked helplessly at Mr. Jago, hoping he'd get the message and remove his soggy wife, but he looked like he was waiting for a turn to join the hug-fest.
Arwen, who knew Daniel well enough to know he was uncomfortable, pulled her mother away. "Sorry, Dr. Jackson, my family has always been rather demonstrative. I'm the reserved one."
Daniel snorted in disbelief. God, AJ, you've done it again. Made me laugh when I really wanted to cry.
"Come on, Mom and Dad. I'm sure Dr. Jackson wants to get home to his family too."
Daniel watched her leave and shoved his hands in his pockets, feeling emptier than he had in years.