Aloha!
Thanks for reviewing! (Grins widely).
Okay, just to clear one thing... This is NOT and will NEVER be a Sam/Daniel story.
Oh, and I thought I had added a section in the previous chapter about the SGC trying to make contact with the Asgard (and failing) but I did not. So, for now, please pretend I did until I can add it.
I hope you like this chapter!
She stared at the signatures on the paperwork. "It's done."
Her lawyer glanced over it. "I think today you better pick up... your daughter from school."
Sam's eyes sparkled. "Thank you Tom... I'll see you later."
Å
"O'Neill! O'Neill!"
Jack opened his eyes and groaned. "Wha-what is it?"
Alastor was looking at him, concern on his face. "You were sick... do you not remember?"
"No."
"You collapsed. Fortunately, our Healers were able to help you... unlike some in our city."
"What's happening?"
"The sickness is spreading. It is easily helped- if one has access to a Healer. Those who are far from a city will die."
He was nearly asleep again.
"Including the base where the 'Stargate' is kept," Alastor continued. "They will be weak, unable to fulfill their duties... O'Neill, are you listening?"
Jack was fast asleep. Alastor sighed and quietly left the room.
Å
Dori laughed. "Later, Dakota. My mom called during break- said she was going to pick me up."
"What about your car?"
"Daniel is taking it home."
The teenager giggled. "He's hot!"
The seniorstared at her. "Daniel?"
"Yes Dor...k. Just 'cause he's a father figure to you, doesn't mean he is h-o-t."
"Talking about me?" Daniel teased, upon seeing the two girls looking over at him. They both turned red.
"Oh. Okay. Dori, I need the keys."
She pulled them out of her skirt pocket. "Here."
"Thanks," He lingered for a second. "Congrats." With that he hurried away.
"What does he mean- congrats?" Dakota questioned.
Sam honked rather impatiently.
"I don't know, uh, talk to you later, bye."
She opened the door and slid in the seat next to her guardian. "What's this all about?"
"We have a lot to talk about, Dori Carter."
The girl laughed. "Whatever it was, I didn't-" She stopped. "Carter?"
The Colonel nodded. "Your adoption was finalized today."
Dori stared at her for a brief second then squealed.
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Jack opened his eyes.
"They will be weak, unable to fulfill their duties..."
The ex-General smiled. "Looks like I'll be home in time for dinner."
Å
Dori laughed. "Sam, the waitress is hitting on Daniel," She teased. The archeologist blushed and began to talk about his latest tablet. Cassie and Dori continued to poke fun at him.
Sam studied her daughter. In two months, Dori would be seventeen… nearly an adult.
She was proud of Dori.
During the past few years, the girl had gone through the deaths of her two biological parents, the supposed death of her 'real' father, a significant change of life… And she was still strong, still good, and still happy.
Dori nestled closer to Sam. "Sam?" She whispered. "You okay?"
She nodded. "I'm fine kiddo."
Dorothy hesitated before suddenly blurting: "C-can I call you mom?"
Carter caught her breath. "Dori… I'd be honored to have you call me 'Mom'."
"Well, it's about time!" Cassie mumbled audibly.
Dori gave her a small smile and turned to face Teal'c. "Who wants to go to my house and watch 'Wormhole Extreme'?"
Teal'c grimaced. "Dorothy. If you are to watch that television show, I must decline your invitation."
She laughed. "C'mon Teal'c… we'll watch Star Wars: Episode 3."
Å
Leaving the palace was easy. Getting to the temple- not so easy. The miles to the temple seemed to take tens of hours though it was really only three.
Alastor had been right. Once the sickness had broken out, the guards had fled to the city. The place was empty.
It was a long while before he located the Stargate in the immense complex. Hours later, he managed to slid the last part of the cover stone off. Exhausted, he half walked, half crawled over to the DHD.
He began to dial.
"Stop!" A shrill voice yelled. "Stop or I'll shoot."
Feeling like he was stuck in an old movie he looked over his shoulder. A kid, no more then 13 stood there, Jack's zatnikitel in his hand.
"Why aren't you at the city?" Jack demanded seeing that his face was white. "You're sick."
"Can't... make it," The boy tried to straighten. "Stop..."
And he slumped over. Jack muttered a bad word under his breath and hurried to the boy's side.
"He's still alive," Jack whispered.
"It is easily helped- if one has access to a Healer."
The boy moaned and opened his eyes. "Please... help."
Kid reminded him of Skaara.
"Those who are far from a city will die."
Jack looked at the Stargate. He probably would never have a chance like this again. He looked back at the kid and his mind was made up.
"C'mon... we're going to the city."
Å
"Dori!" Two voices simultaneously complained. "Tell us!"
Dori hugged her pillow. "Go 'way."
Cassie shook her head. "Help me get her Dakota!"
The two girls wacked Dori throughly until she laughingly surrendered. "Okay, okay!"
Dakota leaned closer. "He kissed you?"
Dori buried her face in her pillow. "He just came by to say 'Hi' and 'Congrats' and... well..."
Cassie and Dakora giggled. "Dori kissed Rick..."
"Shh!" Dorothy hissed. "Mom might hear you."
The two quieted down.
"So..." Dakota began. "How was it?"
The teenager turned off the light. "Night."
Å
Jack staggered through the palace and into the room converted into a hospital. "Kid needs help." He yelled.
Aaron hurried over. "He is one of the guards protecting the Stargate!" He exclaimed accepting the body and placing it on one of the few empty beds.
Jack nodded. "Found him there." He said breathing heavily. Walking over 14 miles after being out of it for two days and still weak from the alien disease... wasn't bad for a man of 45.
A peculiar look entered the Commander's eye. "The… 'Stargate' did not work?"
"Oh, it did. Peachy well."
"Why did you not escape?"
Jack placed the boy on the couch. "Al said without help, you'd die. Kid was in no condition to walk back to town."
Aaron stared at the figure before turning and abruptly leaving the room.
Å
"Oh yeah…"
Carter looked at her watch. "Dori, it's 5 A.M in the morning…" She yawned.
Dori shrugged and sat on the corner of her bed. "I know what to get Daniel for Christmas."
"And that is?"
She leaned closer. "It's this huge book called 'Egypt for Beginner's'… how's that?"
"This couldn't wait two hours?"
"Only four shopping days left Sam."
"Have everyone's presents already."
A look of outrage crossed her face. "When did you get them?"
Sam lifted her head off of her pillow. "The 26th of December, now please let me sleep."
Dori mercilessly yanked the pillow out from underneath the blond head. "What did you get Daniel?"
"Dori!"
The teen reluctantly gave the pillow back. "See you later mom."
Carter groaned and closed her eyes.
Å
Jack dropped onto his bed, exhausted. For the past fourteen days, he had been helping bring people to the Healers, burying bodies, and helping out.
He closed his eyes.
What felt like seconds later, he heard a voice calling him.
"O'Neill."
Jack opened his eyes to see the entire Council of the Darien's surrounding his bed.
"I didn't do it." He said automatically.
Alastor handed him his backpack, his uniform... and his weapons. "You may return through the Stargate."
Jack stared. "What?"
"You have saved the life of a child you didn't know," a female said. Jack thought her name was Vera or something like that. "You could have escaped- but you chose to bring the boy back. This shows much of your character… and of your race."
"You leave in three hours," Aaron said. "Please, get ready." And they left.
Jack sat for a moment, staring after them.
"I'm going home."
Å
"It's Christmas eve Sam!"
The Colonel sighed. "General Landry insists that our reports are handed in on time."
She stopped in the control room. "Isn't the gate beautiful?"
Dorothy nodded. "You miss going through it, don't you." She more stated then asked.
She shrugged. "Yeah… yeah, I do."
Dori stared at it. "If you hadn't-"
"Dorothy Carter, I wouldn't have done anything different," She said sharply. "I'm proud to have you as a daughter and I wouldn't trade anything for you."
Dori grinned. "Just checkin'."
Sam dropped the report on the desk. "Come on… let's go home and hope that Daniel and Teal'c haven't slurped away all of our hot chocolate."
Dori found the suggestion brilliant and they exited the building in giggles.
Å
It was a subdued departure. The children said their good byes then fled to their parents for comfort.
Jack gave one last look around at the planet he had been trapped on for nearly two years. Slowly the Stargate lit up until it was active.
"You'll need this."
Jack looked up. Aaron was holding his IDC transmitter.
"Thanks."
The Commander stepped back. "May you arrive save and sound on the other side. Many blessings O'Neill… and I am sorry."
Jack entered the code then turned to face the crowd. "Good bye," He said simply.
And he walked through.
Å
Walter Harriman stared at his watch. He was to be relieved at 12:30 then he was going to go home and spend Christmas with his family.
"12:00," He muttered. "Merry Christmas."
He stood up to pour himself some coffee. The gate began spinning.
He hurried back to the computers. The Stargate was active and they were receiving…
"A code?"
General Landry strode out of his office. "Who is it?"
Walter continued to stare at the computer. "I'm receiving... General O'Neill's code, sir."
Hank Landry looked at the computer. "Uh… open the iris and have the security teams waiting."
The iris spun open and moments later,Jack O'Neill walked through. He looked around and gave a thumbs up.
"Now this looks morelike Kansas."
Jack's home!
Some people have commented about Dori and her grade level. In the second chapter, I mentioned she was in tenth grade and a sophomore, whichmakes her a senior now.
Hope you liked the chapter! Don't worry- only a few left down!
PLEASE review!
