THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE REVIEWS! I was surprised… I got more reviews for that chapter then any of the previous ones! So… thank you and…

(Grin!)

Daniela (WarmTea) is beta'ing this but since it took me so long to update, I'm posting this now...and I'll add the beta'd version later. Thanks Daniela!

I really hope you enjoy this chapter!


"Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay… My, oh my, what a wonderful day… Plenty of sunshine… headed my way. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay…"

Jack stood outside his second-in-command's bathroom and listened to her sing. He knew that was rather creepy but he couldn't help it- Natalie wouldn't stop crying until she heard the soft sounds of her mother's voice.

The shower turned off and Jack left before she discovered their presence.

During the past week, SG-1 was temporarily suspended from off world travel due to Natalie, but General Hammond had asked them to resume their duties. The next day, SG-1 would go on a routine, two-day mission. That night, Daniel, Teal'c, and Jack decided to camp out at Sam's house.

While they would never admit it, Sam and Jack both were nervous about leaving Natalie 'alone'. They both knew Janet was more then a capable caretaker… and that she could hardly be in safer hands, but still.

She was their little girl.

Jack stopped short as the last thought entered his mind. What the heck am I thinking?

He decided he needed to put some space between him and the Major.

Å

Carter brushed past her CO, and hurried into the kitchen. "Is Daniel up?" She asked, starting the coffee pot. "Teal'c?"

"Teal'c's kelnoreeming, Daniel's fast asleep."

"This will wake him up," She said comfortably. "It always does."

Jack handed the baby over. "I'm uh… going to head to back to the SGC."

She looked slightly surprised but cradled Natalie against her. "Sure you won't stay for breakfast, sir? There will be plenty."

"No." He said firmly. "I need to get back."

Carter bit her lip. "Okay, sir. I uh… we'll meet you at the SGC in an hour."

He nodded, stood there for a second, and then excused himself.

Å

Sam pulled into the SGC and gave a smiling glance at the yawning archeologist next to her. "C'mon, Daniel, you've had three cups of coffee."

Teal'c opened his door then retrieved Natalie in her car seat. Daniel stumbled out of the car, and the three entered the SGC.

The trio and baby earned several smiles and Sam distinctly heard one of the female Lieutenants mutter to her friend that 'Dr. Jackson was the baby's father'. Daniel didn't hear- he was too busy explaining the upcoming mission to Teal'c who looked politely bored.

They entered the briefing room, only seconds late. Teal'c apologized for their tardiness and they took their seats.

"This is a local meet-and-greet people," Hammond began. "You are to make contact with the locals, find-"

"Unscheduled off world activation!"

General Hammond stood as the klaxons began wailing and hurried to the control room with Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c right behind him. Sam stopped to remove Natalie from the car seat before following her friends. As she entered the room, she saw the iris spin open and a man walked through.

"Dad," She uttered simultaneously with her CO. Her eyes darted down to the baby she held.

"Oh god," Sam muttered. Without a seconds preliminaries, she thrust Natalie into Sergeant Harriman's arms and hurried down to the embarkation room.

"Dad!" She greeted. "Whatcha need?"

"I can't come to see my little girl without having an ulterior motive?" He asked.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, we might have a mission for you… if you're willing."

"Jacob!" Jack called. "Long time, no see!"

"How've you been?" Asked Daniel.

"It is good to see you, Jacob Carter… and Selmak."

General Hammond smiled. "I can only ditto what they're saying."

Jacob nodded. "I know, it's been a while… things have been pretty busy with the Tok-"

A loud cry interrupted him. Looking up, he saw the technician who always shouted 'Chevron one encoded' holding a baby and looking completely helpless.

"You allow infants into the SGC?" He asked surprised.

"Not as a general rule," George assured him. "We made a special exception."

Natalie's cries increased in intensity. Carter closed her eyes. "So…dad… what is it you wanted?"

"I came to talk about a miss-"

By now, Walter had plainly given up. "I'm sorry, Major Carter, but she won't stop."

At first, Jacob didn't get it. "Why is he apologizing to yo-" He stopped. "Sam?"

She winced. "It's not what you think?"

"Is that or is that not your child?" He demanded.

"Technically," She said. "But-"

"Who's the father?"

"I don't know, but-"

"You don't know?"

"Dad, just let me explain-"

"George!"

"Jacob, calm the hell down!" Jack ordered. "The baby isn't Carter's!"

The ex-General looked at him. "What?"

"It isn't hers! We found the kid on a planet- she's taking care of it. End of story."

Jacob took a deep breath. "I'm sorry," He said, rather formally. "I overreacted."

"Ya think?" Sam and Jack muttered.

Jacob gave them a suspicious glance before speaking to Hammond. "We've come to ask a favor."

"Of course we have," Jack mumbled. Jacob frowned.

"This way," George interceded. The group wound their way up the stairs and into the room. Jacob dropped into the seat next to Jack who scowled at him. Carter appeared seconds later, Natalie in her arms.

"Sorry, General," She apologized. "Natalie was-"

"It's all right, Major." He assured. "Please, take your seat."

She took the seat on the opposite side of her CO. "So, dad, what is this mission?"

He bowed his head and Selmak took control. "Actually, we would like Daniel Jackson. We have no need of O'Neill, Teal'c, and Major Carter." He bowed his head again. "No offense, Sammie." Jacob said quickly.

"What do you want me to do?" Daniel asked.

"We believe we have found an abandoned Ancient outpost. There are many walls with Ancient writing and Anise believes that they may lead to a weapon."

"General?" Daniel asked eagerly. "Can I go?"'

"I have no objections… Colonel?"

Jack shrugged. "Knock yourself out."

Daniel beamed. "When do we leave?

The Tok'ra shifted. "Now."

Daniel didn't say anything, merely excused himself to pack.

Jack perked up. "Sir, since Daniel is gone…"

"You're still going on the mission, Jack."

Jack scowled. "Don't you think this whole treaty is a little one-sided?" He complained to Jacob. "We do things for you and you do… what for us?"

Jacob ignored him. "Sam?" He asked. "A word?"

Carter darted a pleading glance at her CO but he only gave her a shrug. With a slight sigh, she followed him out of the room.

"Yeah?" She asked when they were out of hearing distance. Her father didn't say anything for a moment, merely gestured to the baby. "Can I hold her?"

She nodded. Jacob touched the velvet cheek. "What did you say her name was? Natalie?"

Sam nodded again. "Natalie Carissa Carter."

"O'Neill," Her father murmured in a low voice.

"Excuse me?"

Jacob didn't answer her. "She's beautiful, Sam. Now… you found her on a planet? What exactly happened?"

She sighed. "On a routine mission-"

"It always is," The ex-General said quietly.

"-we discovered a young baby and her mother. Cho-the mother- died minutes later after we discovered her. Her race had been poisoned."

He smoothed the baby's hair before handing her back. "It's not going to be easy… raising her by yourself."

"I'll manage."

"I'm sure you will," Jacob said quickly, "but if you need help… don't forget to call on your friends."

Sam cocked her dad. "Surely, you're not playing matchmaker, dad."

"No," he answered. "Just making sure my baby isn't overworked."

"Dad, I'm-"

"Don't argue with your father," He said with mock sternness. "Shall we go see if Daniel is ready?"

She stared at her dad. "Just when you think nothing can surprise you, something happens."

Å

"Chevron five encoded!"

Daniel stood at the bottom of the ramp with his backpack and two duffle bags- one crammed with books.

"Chevron six encoded!"

SG-1 stood behind them, prepared for their own mission to P2R-N30. Janet stood next to Sam, prepared to take the baby once the Major relinquished her hold on 'it'.

"Chevron seven… locked!"

The event horizon shot out. Jacob was the first one through the gate, followed by Teal'c and Daniel. Sam reluctantly handed Natalie to her friend. She kissedthe baby'sforehead one last time before she and her CO walked through the gate, side-by-side.

Once on the other side, Teal'c began dialing the DHD.

"See you in a week," Sam called as the wormhole was established.

He nodded, his eyes already shining at the prospect of translating tons of Ancient walls. "Bye, Sam."

And the rest of SG-1 disappeared into the wormhole, leaving the Tok'ra and archeologist alone…

"Dr. Jackson…"

With Anise.


Yet another stupid place to end a chapter.

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