Disclaimer: 'Stargate SG1' and all the characters associated with the show belong to someone who isn't me. As I doubt that the owners would be willing to trade their rights for some magic beans that aren't in any way magical, this is not going to change at any point in the foreseeable future.

Chapter Eleven

Two days later

Martouf had left that morning, promising to be back with Jacob as soon as he could.

Sam was sitting in Jack's office, neatly dressed in lilac overalls and a white polo shirt, her hair neatly braided and under strict instructions not to do anything that could possibly cause injury.

Jack didn't know Jacob all that well, but he had a feeling that he wouldn't be amused if his daughter had hurt herself in his care.

Fortunately, the book on science experiments for children had her fascinated and the worst she could do while reading was get a paper cut.

When she wanted to actually try out the experiments, it would be another matter.

Daniel knocked once on the open door before walking into the office. "The Tok'ra just radioed. They're sending Jacob and Martouf here in half an hour."

"My daddy's coming?" Sam looked up immediately.

"He is." Jack told her, before crouching down so that his face was level with hers. "Listen, Sam, your dad's going to be a bit different from the way that you remember him. He's a bit - well, a lot - older now, like Uncle George."

"Is his hair gone too?"

"Pretty much." He grinned briefly before becoming more serious. "Remember when you first met Marty and you felt a bit funny around him?" She nodded. "Well, you're probably going to get the same funny feeling around your dad." He explained, wanting to warn her in advance and avoid her being frightened.

"Is he a Tok'ra like Martouf is?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"He was very sick." Daniel spoke up.

"But he's all better now." Jack said hastily, seeing the worried expression on the little girl's face. "The Tok'ra were able to make him better and the sn… friend who lives in his body made him healthy. He's fine now."

"You promise?"

"Cross my heart."

"What's his friend's name."

"Selmak. She's very nice."

"Can I talk to her?"

"Sure." Jack smiled at her. "And if you could get Selmak to stop your dad killing me, I'd really appreciate it, okay?"

She nodded seriously. "Okay."

Half an hour later

The iris had scarcely been opened when Jacob Carter strode through, Martouf following close at his heels.

Sam clutched at Jack and Hammond's hands for a moment before relaxing, recognizing his features, despite the changes that the past twenty-five years had wrought.

"Sammy?" Jacob hadn't quite believed what Martouf had told him, and had been half convinced that it had been an elaborate prank Jack was playing on the Tok'ra, but one glance at the little girl was enough to confirm her identity. He looked across at the three men, amused to see Jack move slightly behind Sam. "How did you manage to get into this mess?" He enquired dryly.

"All Carter's fault – Carter Junior's." Jack amended at Jacob's sharp look.

"It's a long story." Daniel began.

"Captain Carter fell into what O'Neill termed a 'Fountain of Youth'."

"Maybe not so long." Daniel said sheepishly.

"Samantha has been affected by the fountain of the Goa'uld Hebe." Martouf said helpfully.

"Daddy?" Sam spoke up shyly, studying her father's face carefully.

"Yes, honey?"

"Colonel O'Neill said that you had a sym-bee-ote living in you." She pronounced the word slowly and carefully. "Called Selmak."

"That's right?"

"Can she talk? Like Lantash can?" She beamed when Jacob nodded confirmation. "Can I meet her?"

Jacob grinned wryly. "I haven't seen my little girl in weeks and she wants to talk to the symbiote." He remarked to nobody in particular before lowering his head, his eyes flashing when he looked up. "Hello, Samantha." Selmak smiled down at the four year old as she approached, offering her hand.

"How do you do?"

"I am well, thank you." Selmak smiled again, hearing her host insistently demand to be allowed talk to his daughter. "Your father wishes to speak now."

"Hi again, Daddy." Sam was unfazed by the change. "Are you and Selmak going to stay here? Uncle George will let you, won't you?" She asked her godfather beseechingly.

"Sorry, kiddo." Jacob ruffled her hair gently. "This is just a flying visit. Selmak and I have to be back with the Tok'ra by tonight."

Her lower lip trembled but she managed to hold back tears. "Do you have to go on a mission?"

"A very important one." He confirmed. "But there's still some time before that, okay? You can tell me all about what you've been up to."

"Okay." She looked downcast for a moment before brightening. "Do you want to help make my lightsaber?"

Jacob gaped at her. "Your what?"

The commissary, two hours later

The expression on Jacob's face was almost comical when Daniel sat down at the table, a large mug of steaming coffee balanced on his tray along with his dinner and sat down opposite the older man, who scowled ferociously.

"What?"

Jacob shrugged. "Selmak doesn't like coffee."

"Nobody's asking Selmak to drink it."

Jacob dipped his head and glared at Daniel. "The smell is offensive, Dr Jackson." As the coffee had almost the same consistency as tar, the complaint was not entirely unjustified. "At any rate, it is unhealthy for you to drink so much coffee." The last word was uttered as though it were the vilest of oaths.

Considering that he - or should that be 'she'? Daniel wasn't certain - had made no objection to the fact that Martouf, who didn't seem to have learned anything from his experience at the carnival, was working steadily through what looked like an entire chocolate cake, topped with a large dollop of ice cream, Daniel considered this a bit unfair.

Unfair proved to be an understatement when, a moment later, the Tok'ra plucked the coffee mug from his hand.

"Hey!"

"Samantha, could you ask the gentleman server not to allow Dr Jackson to purchase any more coffee in future?"

"Okay." Sam hopped down from her chair in preparation to run her errand.

"Sam, don't you dare!"

"And ask him if he could dispose of this." Selmak gestured towards the coffee mug, now placed out of Daniel's reach. "I will advise Dr Lee of the most suitable materials for your lightsaber."

The bribe had its desired effect and Sam sped away.

When Jacob retook control, he gave Daniel a half apologetic look but made no attempt to return the coffee. His symbiote would never have let him hear the end of it.

"Selmak really doesn't like coffee."

Night

Sam had done her level best to stay awake, wanting to forestall the moment when he father would have to leave, forcing her eyes to remain open through the stories he read her and refusing to allow the soft music playing on the CD player to lull her to sleep, knowing that he would be gone when she woke up.

It was, however, a battle that she was destined to lose and when Jacob gently pulled his arm away from his sleeping daughter's clutching fingers, she never stirred.

"Jacob?" Standing in the doorway, Jack barely whispered the older man's name, not wanting Sam to wake up.

After tucking the covers carefully around her and making sure that George the Rabbit was close at hand, Jacob reluctantly left her and stole out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

"Marty's radioed the rest of the Tok'ra." Jack told him. "They're waiting for you."

"Thanks." Jacob glanced back at the door of Sam's temporary quarters, hating to leave but at the same time knowing that he had to. At least, as Selmak reminded him, he could comfort himself with the knowledge that she was in good hands. "You'll take care of my little girl for me?"

"Always."

TBC.

Author's Note: That's all for now. Don't forget to review and let me know if there are any requests.