Chapter 29 – Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

"Nice digs, T," Jack stated with approval s he looked around the large welcoming room. An odd assortment of lanterns and candles sat about on tables and window ledges, waiting for darkness to come so they could light the room with warmth. Large windows were thrown open on all sides of the house, allowing Chulak's bright sunshine to bathe the room in a soft glow. Colorful curtains flapped gently in the breeze that came through the windows. Tapestries hung on several of the walls, depicting tales and adventures from long ago. A variety of ancient weapons also hung high over the fireplace. Jack made a mental note to tell his children not to even attempt touching them. To his right, Jack could see a wide staircase winding upwards, leading to an upper floor which housed four comfortable bedrooms.

Teal'c gave Jack a slight smile. "Thank you, O'Neill. It brings me great pleasure to present my domicile to you at last."

In the living area, Sam and Janet had settled onto comfortable couches, their gazes taking in the décor of the room as well. Ish'ta led the children to back of the house, where she cut a rich, sweet dessert into slices and set it on ceramic plates for the children to bring to their parents. The large kitchen, while not at all comparable to those on Earth as far as being modern, still contained a sink, counter top, and wood burning stove. And they all soon discovered that the latter could produce just as sweet a dessert as its gas powered counterpart at home. In the far corner, a large cupboard housed a variety of foods that would tempt the children's palates in the days to come.

Maddie and Nicky delighted in the hand pump that brought water into the house. Each had to take a turn pumping the handle to fill a large pitcher with cold spring water. Their over-exuberance at the task caused a bit more splashing than necessary, but neither child cared about a little water on their clothing. Katie hung back, her eyes showing her interest as she watched the pump spray forth the cold liquid. Noticing her curiosity, Ish'ta waved her forward and allowed the young red-head to take a turn pumping the water as well. When the children returned to the living room, Jack was a bit puzzled as to why the two youngest had wet shirts, but refrained from saying anything. With a smile, he gratefully accepted a piece of cake from Grace.

"Ah, cake. Nectar from the gods, whatever planet you might be on." Then he took a large bite and closed his eyes in bliss.

Teal'c smiled at his friend. "I knew you would approve, O'Neill. That particular recipe comes from your own world. I believe I saw it demonstrated many years ago on the Food Network. A most informative of your television programs," he stated with resolve. Sam and Janet looked at each other and laughed at his words. They well remembered how much time their Jaffa friendspent trying out new recipes he had gleaned from watching that particular channel.

Ish'ta joined Sam on the couch and looked lovingly at Teal'c. "My husband has brought many of the Tauri ways back to Chulak. Although I do not understand many of them, the foods he enjoyed while on your planet please me as well. Especially that which you call…chocolate?" She looked in question at Sam, wondering if she had pronounced the words correctly.

Sam grinned at the other woman and nodded. "Now that's nectar of the gods," she laughed out loud.

Jack scowled at her. "Blasphemy, woman."

There was a general chuckle all around, then theycontinued to visit and enjoy their cake, catching up with events since the last time they had seen each other. The adults purposefully kept the conversation light as they didn't want the children feeling undue tension. The time for leaving would be soon at hand and they wanted to enjoy what time they had left.

Thirty minutes later, when the discussion was starting to turn a bit serious, Teal'c rose to his feet. "Would you like to see the rooms we have prepared for you?" His gaze took in the faces of all five children, who were sprawled haphazardly on the deep green carpet that covered a large portion of the floor.

Grace and Katie quickly got to their feet. "Yes, please!" Both girls knew they would get to share a room and were eager to see it. Maddie came to stand by them as well. "I get to share with Grace and Katie, right Uncle T?" The little girl was just a bit concerned about being left out.

Teal's smiled down at the little girl. "Of course, Madelyn. JJ and Nicky will cohabitate in the room across from you." Maddie turned to throw a bright smile Nicky's way, glad that her cousin and playmate would be right across the hall from her. "Come this way," he instructed all five of them.

JJ reluctantly got to his feet. While not overly thrilled about sharing a room with a six year old, he understood why it was necessary. Not only were his parents counting on him to help keep an eye on his sisters, he would also need to help with Nicky as well. The little boy idolized his older cousin and would do whatever he said. Although Cassie and Brian would join them shortly and have a greater role in watching her children, having Nicky actually room with JJ was a great relief to Janet.

Sam and Janet got to their feet as well and followed Teal'c up the stairs, their own curiosity about the rest of the house getting the better of them. Ish'ta followed suit. When Sam inquired if Jack wanted to accompany them, he just waved her off with his hand. "You go, explore. I'll stay here with Bratac and Daniel and…guard the cake." Sam rolled her eyes at him, then continued up the stairs.

When they had disappeared from view, Bratac took a seat next to Jack and eyed him carefully. Jack appeared absorbed in his cake, but finally looked up. "What?" he asked with confusion.

"Do you not believe that allowing all of your people to know about the Stargate is a good idea, O'Neill? Would the Tauri of your planet truly hurt your children because this was kept from them?" The old Jaffa looked truly puzzled.

Jack sighed and put down his fork. "To answer your first question: I'm just not sure. Too much could go wrong in my opinion. To answer your second one: not intentionally, no."

When Bratac continued to look puzzled, Daniel interjected. "What Jack means to say is that, while we don't believe keeping secrets from the world is a good thing, sometimes people just aren't ready to hear things they previously believed were impossible. I think it will take a while for the Stargate...and the existence of life on other planets...to be accepted. Not to mention the idea of interstellar space travel. As to the children, well, we have…certain factions of the population who would stop at nothing to get inside information." He paused, the said more quietly,"We just want to keep them safe, Bratac." Daniel kept his gaze locked on Bratac, his meaning clear in the steely gaze directed at his old friend.

Bractac nodded in understanding. "I see. And safe they shall be kept," he promised both men.

Just then, the children came stomping down the steps, closely followed by Teal'c and the three women. "Daddy! Guess what? Our bedroom has lots and lots of pillows!" Maddie cried in excitement as she jumped into Jack's lap. He quickly lifted his plate in the air so his cake wouldn't get crushed and responded with a loud, "Oomph!"

Nicky climbed onto Daniel's lap, though with a little more care than Maddie had. "And know what else Daddy? We doesn't have beds!" Daniel cocked his eyebrow, then looked to Teal'c. Nicky continued. "We gots sleeping flatforms! Is that right Uncle Teal'c?" he turned to look inquisitively at Teal'c.

"Sleeping platforms, young Nicholas," Teal's corrected gently.

Nicky smiled. "Yeah, that's right. And me and JJ has a window that looks over lots and lots of other houses! We can see for miles! And we got to see where Cassie and Brian will sleep too." The little boy frowned. "There's only one sleeping platform in their room, daddy. I guess Cassie will have to share with Brian."

Daniel coughed and cast a quick glance at Janet, who was flushing slightly. Even though the two young adults had been living together for two years now and were well into their twenties,Janet and Danielstill didn't care to explain the intricacies of their living arrangements to a six year old. Daniel looked back at his young son. "Uh, yeah, I guess she will buddy." He hastily redirected the little boy. "I'm glad you like your room, Nicky. I'm sure you and JJ will have a great time together." He tossed a wink JJ's way and the older boy smiled in return.

"What about you, Grace? What do you and Katie think of your room?" Jack asked his older daughter. He had noticed how quiet the eleven year old was when she had come down the stairs.

Grace sat down next to her father and shrugged her shoulders. While she really liked it, seeing the room she would stay in for the next few weeks had made her realize how soon her parents would be leaving. "It's OK, I guess," she replied with a noncommittal shrug of her shoulders. When Sam gently cleared her throat, Grace looked over at her. A slight frown sent her way made Grace remember her manners. "Uhm, I mean, it's really pretty. And we each have our own beds, so that's nice." She spared a glance at her bouncing little sister and stated forcefully, "I hate sharing a bed with Maddie. She moves around to much."

Maddie stopped her bouncing on Jack's lap and glared at her sister. "I can't help it! When I'm sleeping, I doesn't know what I'm doing!"

Jack rolled his eyes, then tightened his arm around Maddie, holding her in place. "Ok, that's enough," he told her gently but firmly. After a brief moment of silence, he said, "So, how about if you help Ish'ta clean up by taking the plates into the kitchen?" Maddie brightened and nodded eagerly, hoping she'd be able to use the water pump again. Janet pushed Katie and Nicky in the same direction, each child taking a few plates and following Ish'ta back into the kitchen.

Grace and JJ hung back with the adults; JJ taking a seat beside his mother while Grace remained at her father's side. Sensing her mood, Jack drew the girl close and planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Everything's going to be fine, Grace. I promise," he whispered softly to her. Grace nodded her head and snuggled just a bit closer to him.

All too soon, the time had come for the adults to head back to the Stargate. Jack gave Sam a look, indicating his watch with a nod of his head, then announced with all the lightness he could muster. "Well, Teal'c, Ishta, I know you're just waiting to have these five ragamuffins to your selves. And General Landry is probably chomping at the bit to have us return and help him prepare for the upcoming onslaught." Jack winced at the thought, then got to his feet and looked meaningfully over at Daniel.

"Uh, yeah," Daniel rose as well. "Lots to do before…the news breaks," he added lamely, giving Janet an apologetic glance.

The children, who had resumed their earlier places on the floor and were trying to figure out a game played with stones and a top, quickly looked up. Various stages of trepidation crossed their faces at their fathers' words. All five of them scrambled to their feet, the light feeling of just a few minutes earlier vanishing with their parents' impending departure.

Katie ran to her mother and threw her arms around her waist. She looked up, her eyes begging her mother not to leave. "I don't want you to go," she whispered forcefully.

Janet got to her knees in front of the little girl and held her close. "It's OK, sweetheart. We'll keep in touch almost every day, and one of us will come through in a few days to check on all of you. You'll be fine, here. I promise." Janet blinked back tears as she pulled Nicky close as well. "You mind your sisters, young man. And your aunt and uncle. Understand?"

Nicky nodded solemnly, his arms tightening around his mother's neck.

Maddie came to her mother as well, all signs of bravery gone from her face. "Does you have to go mommy?" Tears spilled out of the sky blue eyes and down her cheeks as she looked up at Sam.

Sam picked Maddie up and hugged her tightly. "Yes, baby. But just for a while. You'll have so much fun here with Uncle Teal'c and all your cousins. And don't forget, you have a very important job to do." Maddie nodded her head, remembering that she was to learn some of the games the Jaffa children played. Even so, she buried her head into Sam's shoulder and hung on tightly. Sam looked sadly at Jack. She wasn't sure she could do this – leave her children behind on a different planet. Even if it was with Teal'c and Ish'ta.

Jack gave his wife a tight smile, feeling much the same, before came over to take Maddie gently from her arms. Sam relinquished her hold on the little girl then turned to hug Grace and JJ close.

"Hey Mads," Jack said quietly as his baby girl transferred her tight hold from mother to father. "You're going to be my big, brave girl, right?" he jiggled her gently up and down as he rubbed her back with one hand.

Maddie nodded her head but didn't look up.

"Hey now, how can I make sure of that if you don't look at me?" he teased gently.

Maddie pulled back and blinked wide, sad eyes at him. Tears still trickled down her cheeks. "I'll try to be brave, daddy. But right now, I'm just too sad."

Jack smiled gently at her. "I know pumpkin, I know. But it won't be long, I promise. And when we get back home, you and I can work on that go-cart you've been wanting to build, OK?"

Maddie sniffled and nodded, wiping her eyes with one hand. Then she said quite clearly, "But I want mommy to put the engine in, kay, daddy?"

Chuckling, Jack pulled her close for one last kiss. "You've got it, Mads."

Jack and Daniel went outside to help SG-10 unload the FRED of all the supplies the children would need for the next few weeks. Finally, the adults stood ready at the door, their children circled sadly in front of Teal'c and Ish'ta. "Can't we come with you to the Stargate, dad?" Grace asked, not wanting her parents to disappear so soon.

Jack's eyes met Teal'c's briefly before he turned back to Grace. He knew bringing the kids to the gate would just drag out the parting for all of them and he didn't want it to be any harder than it had to be. "No sweetheart. I think it would be best if you all stayed here. Maybe help the little ones get settled into their rooms," he glanced over at JJ to see if he caught his meaning, then down at the three younger ones.

"But what about Cassie and Brian? How will they know where to come?" Katie asked with real worry in her voice.

"I shall accompany your parents back to the gate and escort your older sister and her betrothed to Teal'c and Ish'ta's home. Do not fear little one; your sister shall join you soon," Bratac stated with resolve. He nodded to Teal'c, who bowed slightly in gratitude toward his friend. Then Bratac went outside to wait for the Tauri to finish their last good-byes.

Sam took a deep breath, willing away the moisture that gathered in her eyes. Janet was not quite as successful. Giving them all a tremulous smile, Sam gathered all three children close for one final hug. "I love you all so much. Be good, OK? And take care of each other," she cautioned them.

JJ answered for all three of them. "We will, mom. Don't worry."

"Please mom, please. Let me come back with you!" Grace cried softly, her heart pounding at the impending departure of her parents. Jack closed his eyes briefly at the pain and longing in her voice. Before he or Sam could answer, JJ spoke up again.

"Come on Grace, you know they have to leave. They'll be back soon. I'm going to need you to help out with Maddie. You understand her better than I do!" He gave his youngest sister a grin when she put her hand trustingly in his. "Besides, if I'm going to fly in that death glider, I'll need my second in command with me, won't I?"

Grace blinked back her tears to look at her older brother. Seeing the resolve and determination on his face, she nodded her head and stepped back next to him. She brushed away her tears and stated quietly, "I'll miss you mom, but I'll help take care of Maddie and Nicky. I promise."

Sam gave her daughter a proud smile, squeezed JJ's shoulder, and bent to place one more kiss on Maddie's head. Her eyes communicated her thanks to Teal'c and Ish'ta before she turned and headed out the door. When her back was turned, Sam finally let the tears fall down her cheeks unchecked.

Daniel and Janet followed suit, giving their children hugs of reassurance and reminding them to be on their best behavior before they too, left the house.

Jack gave his son a long, measured look, which the boy returned. Then Jack's face broke into a proud smile at how JJ had taken over the emotional situation with Grace. "You're becoming quite the young man, aren't you? A chip off the old block, if I do say so myself." Then he reached over and rubbed his hand affectionately across JJ's head. When Jack drew his hand away, JJ smoothed out his hair with a mock frown directed at his father. Jack chuckled softly, then drew his girls close for a long moment and planted kisses on their heads, before finally pulling back. His eyes were suspiciously moist as he said, "OK munchkins. We'll see you all in a few days. Don't wear your Uncle out; he's a lot older than he looks!" Jack looked at the man in question and gave him a teasing grin.

All three children looked up at Teal'c, whose eyebrows were raised quite high. "Need I remind you, O'Neill, that with age, comes much wisdom. In that regard, you are still but an adolescent." Jack's mouth dropped open in shock at Teal'c's rejoinder, then his face broke into a slow grin. Teal'c returned the smile full force, with a slight bow added in for good measure.

"Touché old friend," Jack replied with a grin. Then, giving the kids one final salute, which they returned with smiles of their own, he left and followed Daniel and Janet down the steps. All five of the children ran to the windows to watch their parents depart. They called and waved until they had rounded the bend in the road and they could see them no more. The children then fell silent for a few minutes before turning back to look at Teal'c and Ish'ta.

Ish'ta regarded them with a sadness that she tried to mask. Nicky ran over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I miss my mommy and daddy," he cried out plaintively. Bending down, Ish'ta picked the little boy up in her arms and looked helplessly toward her husband.

Teal'c cleared his throat. "I believe it is time for all of you to learn a game that Jaffa children engage in. It is called Run'ta, and consists of kicking a soft, round sphere and running swiftly around three rectangular objects. Thegoal is to acquire as many points as possible while engaging in this activity."

JJ cocked his head in thought, then his eyes brightened. "Sounds a lot like kickball!" he stated to Grace and Katie. "Do you get three outs?"

"I do not know what these 'outs' are you speak of, Jonathon Jacob. Let us retire to the courtyard and determine if these games are similar in nature. There will be plenty of Jaffa children willing to join us in this diversion."

"Cool," Maddie stated with a gleeful squeal. "I'm the bestest girl in the whole second grade at kickball! Come on, Nicky! We gets to go and play a Jaffa game!" Nicky slowly untangled himself from Ish'ta and placed his hand trustingly in Maddie's.

Teal'c and JJ exchanged a smile, then herded the four others, along with Ish'ta, out the door.

As she closed the door behind her, Ish'ta quietly remarked to Teal'c, "I did not know that you played this game, husband."

"I have not," he replied quietly. "Not in many years. But I do believe it is time I play onceagain." Then, with a slight smile directed at his wife, he led the children down the road to an empty corner of the courtyard where soon, the loud, raucous sounds of children at play could be heard throughout the village. And every once in a while, a loud booming voice reverberated off the walls of the surrounding houses, cheering on the younger participants of a game called Run'ta.


I had not intended for this chapter to get so sad, but this is where it led. I'm sure my frame of mind had a lot to do with that. My student from last year, the one with Leukemia, just passed away and it has been very hard on me. Children should never have to suffer and die so young.

The next chapter should be more cheerful and contain the adventures the children have while on Chulak. Unfortunately (or fortunately for me, at least!), I will be away for a week - going to visit my son in California - so won't have the next part up for at least two weeks. Plus I have to get my emotions back in check! Hope to have more for you soon. Thank you so much for all of your reviews...I truly enjoy receiving them, no matter how brief or long they may be:)