At last the debriefing was over and Hammond got up and properly welcomed Jack home with a very macho embrace. "Glad to have you back, son. You had us pretty worried for awhile there. Now get out of here and go home to your family."

"Yes, sir, Jack responded with enthusiasm. And it's good to be back."

PART 16: WE LOVE YOU, DADDY

The phone rang and Cassie answered, "Jackson residence".

"Cassie, is that you?"

"Uncle Jack?" Cassie shrieked.

"Yep, it's me, Cassandra."

Beth and Jon had been with Cassie listening to a story when Jack called. At the sound of their father's name they ran into the kitchen where Cassie had answered the phone

"Daddy?" Jon asked Cassie expectantly.

"I think there are two children here who really need to be in on this call Uncle Jack," said Cassie as she switched to speaker phone and Jack's voice was broadcast over the small room.

"Beth, Jon, are you there?"

Beth and Jon greeted their father with great excitement, "When are you coming home Dad? Are you okay? We've really missed you, Daddy! Please hurry home!"

"Hey, I'm fine you guys and I've really missed you too. Cassie, are the twins still in school?"

"Yes they are, Uncle Jack. I'm on my way right now to pick them up. When are you coming home?"

"Hey slow down young lady. Sam and I will be home as soon as I can make it past Dragon Lady II and McKenzie Jr. If you're picking up my kids, please calm down and drive carefully."

"Uncle Jack, I'm 28 years old and a PhD; careful it is! Can't wait to see you!"

OoOoOo

Cassie had called ahead to the school and Jake and Grace were waiting for her when she arrived. However, in her haste, Cassie had forgotten to make it clear she was coming to bring good news. So when she first saw the twins she was shocked by the long, somber faces that greeted her.

"Hey, you two lets go!" she shouted towards them. At the same time, Beth squirmed from Cassie's hold and ran towards her sister screaming at the top of her lungs, "Daddy's coming home, hurry!"

Scooping Beth up in her arms, Grace shot a wide-eyed look at Cassie and asked "Really?"

"Really, Grace," Jon answered, "Beth and I just talked with Dad on the phone. He says he's all better and coming home with Mom tonight."

Jake broke into a huge smile and literally ran the rest of the way to the car, while Grace made her way as quickly as possible holding her little sister. Within 20 minutes, the very happy group had made it to the O'Neill house, Cassie having driven a bit faster in her excitement than she had promised her Uncle Jack.

"How soon do you think they'll be home Cassie?" Grace asked with more animation and excitement than she'd shown in weeks.

"Well, if the new doctor's anything like my mom, it might be awhile. Then they both have to go to a meeting."

"Not fair," Jon complained, "Don't they know we want to see our dad?"

"Hey guys, this just gives us time to get that welcome home plan in gear, right?" Cassie soothed, hoping to distract them. "Plus Grace and I need some time to bake a cake, right kiddo?"

OoOoOo

Four hours later, the kids were anxiously awaiting their parents' return, but dutifully helping Cassie in the kitchen. Since it seemed they had quite a bit of time, Cassie had decided to prepare a meal as well as a cake. She was well on her way to completing the tasks while the kids conspired and argued over the best decorations for the cake.

"They're here," Jon yelled excitedly from the front hall.

By the time Jack and Sam had started up the front walkway, the door had been thrown open and all four children were running full speed toward their dad.

"Dad, you're back!" Jake yelled as he just about tackled Jack in his unbridled enthusiasm. Grace and Jon were not far behind and little Beth was trying mightily to get past her larger siblings in order to reach her father. Jack gingerly dropped to his knees once Jake reached him and the kids just piled on, eventually making room for Beth to reach her position of choice, nuzzling her daddy's neck. Sam stood off to the side just a bit watching the joyous scene and listening to the happy music pouring from the open door of the house. There had been little music and even less real joy in the house for some time and this was balm to her heart.

The family enjoyed a dinner of fried chicken and French fried potatoes, one of Jack's favorites. Cassie was certain that Sam would overlook the saturated fat issue for this particular meal. Actually, Sam was gratified to see the children's appetites had improved dramatically compared to the past few days.

Jack was overwhelmed by the attention the kids showered on him. Even the twins, who'd recently become too cool for hugging, were very much touchy feely little ones all over again tonight. Jack shared as much as he was able about his adventures with the children, telling them in no uncertain terms that he very happy to be home with them again and regretted how long he'd been gone. As he reassured them that he was safe and well, he felt a pang of guilt when Beth quietly pleaded, "Don't go away again, Daddy".

Daniel, Janet and little Ethan arrived slightly after dinner and just in time for cake. The Jacksons greeted their good friend with relief and joy and easily joined in the merriment of the celebration.

The children allowed a bit more access to their father as the night progressed, giving Jack an opportunity to take Janet and Daniel aside to express his gratitude.

"I don't know how to thank you guys. Sam told me how you were both here for her and the kids every step of the way these past two weeks."

"Friends, Jack", Daniel said simply.

"More than friends, you're both family, always will be. Never forget it".

OoOoOo

Once dinner was finished, Cassie and all 4 children brought in the cake with huge smiles on their faces. The chocolate layer cake (Cassie was really quite the baker in her spare time) was frosted with a rainbow of colors a la Beth's insistence and sported the greeting, 'We love you, Daddy'. Again the phrasing was Beth's; the twins had stopped calling their father Daddy awhile ago but tonight, all bets were off and Jack was simply their beloved 'Daddy' who had finally returned home.

OoOoOo

Much later that night, after the kids had all been tucked into bed (even Grace and Jake had asked to be tucked in, something that would have been seen as an insult to their incipient coolness just 3 weeks ago) Jack and Sam went out to the deck where they fell into an exhausted sleep themselves. Actually they'd nodded off wrapped in each other's arms on one of the chaises. Jack had woken up with a crick in the back of his neck and decided they were both too old to spend the whole night in this rather awkward, albeit romantic, position. He'd gracefully carried Sam to their bed and was amazed at his finesse when she'd slept through the entire procedure. As he pulled her to himself in the bed, he gazed lovingly at her face, reminding himself he was married to the most beautiful woman in the world. Sadly, he realized she'd probably slept through the move simply because of the total exhaustion of worry she'd experienced the past 2 weeks.

Hours later, Jack was vaguely aware of restless movement at his side before he felt Sam bolt upright, screaming "Nooo….!" Jack sat up behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her trembling form. By now she was sobbing loudly and breathing in loud gasps.

"Sam… Sam, honey, I'm right here, you had a nightmare, its okay, we're all safe," he crooned, turning her to face him and smoothing her hair tenderly with his hands.

"Jack… Jack," she whispered, in a tiny frightened voice that gave him chills. He was used to his wife being just about fearless, then realized this only applied when he and the children were not at risk. Then her eyes met his; he saw the tears pouring from them, and gently kissed them away.

"Its okay, baby, I'm here, I'm right here", he continued to soothe her as he felt her body melting into his, the breathing evening out and the feeling of terror passing away. He cradled her to himself, closed his eyes and breathed deeply to calm his own emotions.

"No more… no more" Sam whispered.

"Okay … no more off world trips, but you know I could die from a hockey puck to the head in one of Jake's games or , better yet, a heart attack from making love to my beautiful, (kiss) much younger, (kiss) wife. But what a way to go!"

Sam pulled back, glared at him briefly and landed a sharp swat on his upper arm.

"Ow…"

Sam swiftly silenced his complaint as she captured his lips in a long lingering kiss. Within a few moments the terror of the nightmare was forgotten in the passion and joy of their love. As always, the lovemaking was a heartfelt reflection of the union that had existed for so long in their hearts.

OoOoOo

The following weekend saw the regularly scheduled, O'Neill organized, neighborhood street hockey game. Jake, Grace and Jack, the co-captains and coach/manager of one of the main teams had been conspicuously absent the past two weekends.

Over two years ago now, Jack had drafted 2 other fathers in the neighborhood to start up a street hockey league. The idea had been quite popular and within a few months, there were 5 teams, composed of both boys and girls from adjacent Springs neighborhoods. Jack's initial idea had been to start a neighborhood athletic gathering that his son could enjoy. It hadn't taken long before Grace made it clear that she wanted to play as well. Jack had been ready to protest any thought that a daughter of his would play a boy's game with boys. He'd thought better than to argue the point once he'd caught the look coming from his wife. He could tell Sam was on the verge of another feminist lecture featuring talk of female reproductive organs and equality of the sexes. Although he thought she was extremely cute when her feminist hackles were up, Jack decided to avoid the confrontation and Grace and some of her girlfriends joined the league.

So on Sunday afternoon the twins suited up and went with their dad to the selected street for the day's game. They were well matched today with a team who had cost them the championship last year. While Grace and Jake played their hearts out, each scoring 2 goals during the 3 periods, Jon helped his dad on the sidelines. (Jon thought of himself as assistant coach, biding his time and waiting for his chance to play once he reached his tenth birthday.) As they always did, Sam and Beth sat on the sidelines cheering on the team. This weekend, it was Janet's turn to serve as medical staff, so she kept them company just behind the impromptu bench.

By 1600 the game had concluded. Jack's team, the Explorers, came out on top by one goal, scored by Jake's best friend, Kelly, at 1948 of the third period! The kids had stormed Kelly and then proceeded to shake hands with the vanquished team in a show of sportsmanship that Jack and the other coaches had insisted on from the beginning.

The family was home by 1700 (the game site was just 10 minutes away this weekend). Sam and the kids were rapidly getting ready for a trip to the Pepsi Center and they'd need to leave immediately after dinner. Jack had ordered tickets for the Colorado Avalanche game that night. Although Sam was no fan of any game where the players seemed to enjoy beating up on each other, she'd long ago come to peace with Jack's love of ice hockey.

Jake had started the grill on the deck – it was a bit cold, but burgers cooked inside were never the same – and was getting ready to throw on O'Neill burgers for a quick dinner. Just as he ran into the house to grab some utensils, he heard the doorbell. Running to answer it, he nearly tackled his dad on the way.

"Where's the fire, Jake?"

"Sorry, Dad, thought you were still in the shower."

"Nope, got a short meeting right now. Tell your mom we'll be done in half an hour, okay?"

"Sure thing, Dad. I'll hold off on the burgers."

"You do that, son. We'll be in the den; it's private, okay?"

At that Jack opened the front door and greeted General Landry. "Jack, Jake, good to see you both."

"You too sir, can you stay for supper? I'm cooking." Jake offered.

"Think I will, so long as your dad's not incinerating the meat tonight," Hank quipped, throwing a sideways glance towards Jack and good naturedly slapping Jake on the back.

Jack and Landry made their way to the den and locked the door. Within five minutes, there was a barely noticeable flash of light and the remaining participants had arrived.

So what was the secret meeting all about? Next chapter will tell. In fact next chapter will be the end of this story. And it will be pure, unadulterated fluff.

Please review, I'd really like to know how you like the story. Also what you think can be improved for my next attempt.

Again, many thanks to the faithful reviewers. Your efforts are much appreciated.