"If we don't like what she has to say, we'll go through the Stargate to another planet where no one's ever heard of Maureen Cramer and they sell sanity cheap. What do you think?"

It was Jack's turn to laugh.

CHAPTER 5: GETTING TO KNOW YOU

After talking things out with Sam, Jack was able to sleep, a bit more secure than when he'd first made it home from the office. The next day he'd called "that little twit, Archer", whose opinion he'd actually come to respect over the past couple of years. He'd gone in to speak with Major Ben Archer, his counselor from rehab, later that day. As always, Ben had challenged some of Jack's perceptions, encouraging him to do what he felt was best, even if it wasn't the easiest course of action.

That night, Jack called Maureen, certain of at least one thing – the need to come to terms with his feelings for the sake of his own wife and kids. If doing this, talking with Maureen and maybe eventually his mother, would make him a better man for them, as Archer suggested, he was willing. Sure didn't look forward to it, but he was willing.

After a security check turned up no red flags, except a penchant for slightly unorthodox methods of getting a story (go figure!), Sam had suggested they invite Maureen to the apartment for dinner.

"It's just the apartment," she'd said. If you don't want it to go any further, she doesn't even know where home is in the Springs. And the kids will be a great distraction. If by the time Grace and Jake are ready for bed, you don't like the feel of the evening, it'll be a good time to send her packing."

"Tell me again why I want to do this."

"Jack, you know I don't expect you to do anything, right? It's up to you. Each step of this has to be your choice."

"I know."

"If you would rather leave it alone, I'm with you. Understand? Whatever you decide, I'll be there."

"But you think I should see her, don't you?"

"I don't know, Jack. As much as I love you and as close as we've become these past few years I still can't feel exactly what you're feeling. And I certainly didn't live your life. But sometimes I wonder what things would have been like if I'd never reconciled with my dad. I wouldn't have been military, probably wouldn't have met you. And I'm pretty sure I'd have a lot of regrets, guilt, and bad feelings about him right now."

"You'll be there, right?"

"I'd like to see you try to get rid of me, Mister."

OoOoOo

Maureen arrived about 1700 hours. She brought dessert, chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. Sam was glad she'd been the one to call and invite her. Maureen had planned to bring a bottle of wine and Sam was able to let her know Jack didn't drink, avoiding at least one potentially awkward moment.

Jack met his sister at the door, the twins running just behind their dad to see the newcomer for themselves. Maureen eyed them with a soft smile as they peered out from behind their father's legs.

"Hey you two, come on out. I thought you wanted to meet Maureen," Jack encouraged, knowing that their initial adventurous spirit was often overcome by a wariness of strangers.

"Mow..ree, Hi Mow..ree," Grace ventured, peaking her head of soft blond curls out from behind her dad and gradually easing out to stand before the guest. "Com'on," she said, reaching up for Maureen's hand. Maureen looked up at Jack for approval and then followed the little girl to the living room.

By now, Jake had warmed to the situation and chased after his sister, not wanting to be left behind.

"Mow…ree, me Jake," he announced proudly.

"Hello, Jake, I'm very glad to meet you," Maureen replied, getting down on her knees to look him in the eye. "I bet you are … three years old."

Jake shook his head vigorously and giggled, "No, silly, me two."

"Okay, two it is." Maureen looked up to see Sam standing in the living room entrance with Jack.

"Maureen, this is my wife, Sam. Sam this is Maureen Cramer."

For the next two hours, the three adults made small talk and enjoyed a nice dinner, punctuated by the usual challenges of eating dinner with two toddlers. Actually the antics of Grace and Jake as well as their natural innocence went a long way towards making the first part of the evening fairly pleasant.

"Well I think it's time for two little munchkins to get ready for bed," Jack announced shortly after everyone had finished dessert. "If you'll excuse me, it's my turn to do the honors." He promptly scooped up one twin under each arm, much to their delight, and transported them to the nursery, giggling all the way.

Once Jack had left, Maureen turned to Sam. "He's really good with them."

"Yes, he is. Natural born dad material I've always said. Just watching him with kids before we were married, I knew he'd be a great father."

"From what my mom says, he certainly didn't inherit the trait from his dad.'

"No," Sam said, wincing slightly and looking down, "I'm afraid he didn't." Sam got up from the table and began to clear, Maureen instinctively moving to help her.

"You don't have to do that. I'll just be a minute."

"I'd really like to help, it'll make me feel more comfortable. Not that you haven't been very welcoming, Sam, it's just… this is…."

"Difficult, awkward?"

"Yeah, that and a lot more. Sam, I just want my mom's last days to be peaceful. This is what she seems to want more than anything. Honestly, I had no idea how hard this could be for Jack."

"I know. Let's sit down for a few minutes. The twins will keep their Dad tied up for a good half hour. That'll give us a chance to talk." Pouring coffees, Sam handed one to Maureen and carried her own out to the balcony.

"So, you work for the Post. That must be interesting."

"It is some days, Sam. But I'd give it all up for a chance at a family like you have. The twins are marvelous! Looks like you're doing a fine job with them."

"Thanks for saying that. Sometimes I wonder. Jack's the more experienced parent you know."

"Really, how so?" Maureen asked, genuinely curious.

"Jack was married before and had a son, Charlie."

"He must be grown by now, right?"

"No, Charlie died. There was a terrible accident."

"How awful!" Maureen exclaimed, truly distraught by the revelation. Seeing Sam's closed down expression, she sensed no more details would be forthcoming. "Jack's had a lot of grief in his life, hasn't he?"

"Yes, he has. Probably more than most people can imagine."

"But it looks like you've been able to make up for a lot of it. He seems happy with you."

"We are happy, Maureen. It was a long time coming. We worked together nearly ten years before we even dated. I like to think of us as a team, committed to each other for always."

"That I definitely envy. Have you been married before?" She asked with interest.

"No, I haven't. Almost though, twice. Both would have been terrible mistakes."

"Well I made one of those mistakes a few years back," Maureen volunteered. "Still reeling from it. Divorce does a lot to your self confidence, but nothing like what my mom went through with Jack's dad."

"Heard my name, ladies. Not talking about me behind my back now, are we?" Jack asked, half teasing as he joined the two women.

"Don't flatter yourself, flyboy," Sam teased back. "Actually, Maureen noticed how great you are with the twins and I had to agree with her."

"Well, I'm open for any compliments you can send my way. In fact, I believe I just set the speed record for getting the munchkins settled in for the night. The excitement of meeting you must have tired them out, Maureen. They're usually good for at least another half hour of stalling tactics."

After a round of chuckles from everyone, Jack sat down next to Sam at the patio table and sipped an iced tea Sam had brought out for him. Reluctantly, he began. "I'm glad you were willing to come, Maureen. I'll bet this isn't easy for you, either. My friends tell me I'm not the easiest person to get to know."

Sam smiled and grabbed her husband's hand, then turned toward Maureen and asked, "What else can you tell us about what's happening with your mother?"

"I guess we can't avoid the main topic much longer, can we?" Maureen began, clearly pained to discuss her mother's illness and inevitable loss. "Mom has pancreatic cancer. We've known for nearly a year. The doctors say it's miraculous she's lasted this long. She only started to get really sick a month ago. For the past three weeks she's been on home hospice care. The pain's getting worse but the nurses have been great about providing just enough medication to get her through and still allow her to be lucid."

Maureen looked down, obviously trying to compose herself. When she looked forward again she addressed her brother directly. "Jack, when she saw your picture in the Post a couple of weeks ago, it was like an answer to prayer. You see, she'd tried to find you after your aunt and uncle died, but the military wasn't having any of it. The answer was always that you were on a classified mission or your information was confidential. Of course you'd listed no next of kin, so telling them she was your mother didn't exactly help her credibility."

Jack winced noticeably, closed his eyes and exhaled sharply, grateful for the warmth of Sam's hand still cradling his own. "In all honesty, Maureen, I can understand why my mother wants to see me now. She wants to clear her conscience before she dies. But I'm not sure I want to see her. I've already grieved my mother. What's to be gained by going through it all over again?"

"Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. Who am I to say? I know I can't possibly understand what you're feeling. I had the benefit of a very happy childhood with two parents who loved me very much. Probably a lot like the life the two of you are giving the twins. And here I am, pleading the case of a mother I love to a son she left behind. If our positions were reversed, I'd probably tell you to go to hell. I just hope you can find it in your heart to do better than that."

"And what would better be, Maureen?"

"To let a dying woman see her son one more time. To let her look in your eyes and tell you how sorry she is. Would it be so bad to give her that much?"

Maureen was weeping freely now, dabbing softly at her eyes.

OoOoOo

After Maureen had left Jack and Sam settled down together. He noticed how quiet she was and had to ask.

"What are you thinking?"

"Hmm? Just that I'm a little envious I guess. I know it's strange, but I'd give anything to see my mother again even if it was just to say goodbye. I know it's not the same thing Jack and I don't mean to compare our situations…"

"But you did loose your mother right around the same time I did."

"Yes. All of this brings some of my memories back too."

"I don't get a 'do-over' on this do I, Sam."

"You mean do you get to change your mind once she'd gone? No, Jack, you don't. It's a one time offer, I'm afraid. No time machines, magic crystals or Tokra memory devices."

"What do you say we sleep on it?"

"I think we can do that," she said, kissing him gently and leading him to their bedroom, hoping they'd both be able to sleep.

A/N: Again I'm anxious to hear your thoughts on this part of the story. More coming soon. Thanks for reading.