This is the sequel to "Canceled" but it can stand alone. Please read and review. Note: The characters aren't mine.
Chapter 1. A Home Like No Other
About 2 months after the big party at the SGC, Daniel sent out invitations to each of his team members with specific instructions to meet him at a certain location and to plan on staying a few days. It was early July and they were all on leave for two weeks and grateful for the much needed rest.
Jack had taken some time off as well after meeting with General Landry, so he had his bags packed and was ready to go. They met at the base and all piled into Teal'c's SUV and Sam read the directions to Teal'c as he drove. About 30 minutes later, they headed down a dirt road heading west. They came around a curve in the pines and everyone gasped. In front of them, sitting in a clearing, was a very large house. It was two story, made of logs and spread out before them looking like something on a picture postcard.
"What is this place? Did Daniel reserve us rooms here for vacation?" Cam was impressed with the size of the place and the generosity of his friend.
They pulled up near the steps leading to a porch that ran the length of the front of the building with an overhanging roof. Wooden rocking chairs added country charm and a cat was curled up on the seat of one. As they were getting out of the vehicle, the front door opened and Daniel walked out, accompanied by a large black lab named "Tut."
He was dressed in a blue plaid shirt and jeans and said, "Hey guys! I see you found it."
Sam said, "Daniel, did you reserve rooms for us here?"
"You could say that. This is my new home. Welcome."
"What? You own this?" Jack looked around and couldn't believe his eyes. This place was gigantic. "When did you do this?"
"Remember when you guys stayed at my place after 'The Simpson's' party? I looked around that place after you left and decided that I wanted something bigger and better. So, I started looking around and I found this."
"You've got to be kidding!" Cam was really impressed, now. "I didn't know you could afford something like this."
"Hey, he makes more than we do," Jack smiled.
"He does?"
"Okay, okay, that's enough." Daniel laughed. "Come on in. I have enough rooms for each one of you and we've got plenty of space to relax." Daniel led them all inside and they were in awe of the place. The front door opened into a foyer with blue slate floors and large closets to hold coats and other winter gear. Beyond the foyer was a very large great room with a vaulted ceiling. There was a fireplace made out of sandstone on the right wall. On the mantle above it were pictures of SG-1 in different settings. Daniel had used his digital camera over the years to take pictures of virtually everything, so he had a lot of great shots of his team. And above the mantle hung two claymores and a large shield. The sofas and couches grouped around the fireplace were covered in denim and there were tables with lamps interspersed around them. A large glass square coffee table sat in the center of the grouping. A railing led around the upper part of the room and there was a hallway up there that led to other rooms.
To the left of the front door was a large dining room with enough chairs to seat at least 10 people. The table was of Ponderosa Pine and was glossy to the touch and there was dark green carpeting on the floor.
On the other side of the dining room was a kitchen that looked like something out of 'Country Living' magazine. Chrome and pine were the main features and it was fully stocked. A large kitchen table and chairs adorned the end of the room in a less formal setting. The cabinets were made of oak and the two sinks by the window and the one in the island were stainless steel.
Behind the kitchen was a large sun room made completely of glass. It had live house plants, including small trees and ceiling fans moved the air. Lights hung from high wooden beams and braided rugs covered the slate stone floor. A fireplace was ensconced in the corner and wicker furniture with soft cushions were scattered around the room.
Off to the right was a spacious lounge that held a baby grand piano and a pool table. A bar was set along one wall and there were leather sofas and chairs set in groupings. Framed prints of mountain landscapes hung on the walls and the walls were knotty pine.
Daniel's office was next to that, complete with all the gadgetry required for a 21st century man. He had the latest computer equipment made by Apple and his desk was made of cherry wood. The room was very masculine and there were some artifacts scattered about.
A large cedar deck surrounded the back of the house with a grilling deck off the kitchen. Tables with umbrellas and chairs were scattered throughout and potted flowering plants added a nice touch.
Beyond the office was a solid wood door that lead to a sauna and Olympic size pool. A door led outside where there was another heated pool to enjoy outdoors in nice weather. There were two whirlpool tubs, one inside and one outside. He led them around to the great room and they grabbed their luggage as they followed him upstairs to the bedroom suites. Each suite was large enough for a sitting room and a spacious bathroom and large walk-in closets.
Each bedroom was decorated in a different theme. Sam's room was done with an English cottage theme. They marveled at the detail and then followed Daniel down the hall to the next room on the right that was Teal'c room, done in a western cowboy theme. Jack's room had a fishing theme, of course. There was an assortment of fishing gear in Jack's closet. "There's a lake out back stocked with fish," Daniel told them. Cam's room had a hunter's theme with prints on the walls of hunting scenes. Vala's room was decorated in lighthouses and sea prints and the other room was done in a Navajo theme. The rooms followed around the outer perimeter of the upstairs with the railing that overlooked the great room and they each had their own balcony outside.
On the far end was Daniel's suite, which took up the whole western side of the top floor. Double doors led to a decorators paradise. It was all done in royal blue and gold with light sand colored walls. Royal blue area rugs covered the wood floors. A black obsidian fireplace was on one end of the room and above the mantle was a genuine Remington painting of a sea coast. The bedspread and pillows were royal blue with gold accents. A sofa, chair and table sat near patio doors that were covered with white cotton sheer draperies. Dark blue draperies could be closed for privacy and warmth. He had a private deck outside the patio doors with furniture on it. His bathroom was very large, with closets covered by mirrored doors along two opposite walls. A shower with glass walls was on one side and a royal blue sunken tub with gold fixtures was by a window. Blue and gold towels sat next to the tub with baskets filled with bath salts and other bath items. The commode and sinks were set in a completely different room that was just as luxurious.
They unpacked and agreed to meet in the sun room where Daniel, always the good host, had cold drinks set out for them. And then, as he knew would happen, the questions started.
Jack said, "Okay, Danny Boy, did you win the lottery, or something?"
"Yeah, Daniel. I don't want to be nosy, but his must have cost a fortune," Cam added.
"It did and no, I didn't win the lottery. Do you guys remember when you stayed at my place after The Simpson's' party? I do and the thing I remember most was how crowded we all were. That house was about 15 hundred square feet and it was stuffed to the rafters with all my artifacts and everything else I owned. I couldn't stand it anymore. I wanted a place where I could breathe, so I started looking around. I saw the listing for this place and as soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted it. So, I sold some of the artifacts and bought this with cash. No mortgage. I have enough left over to pay the property taxes for a few years and enough to furnish the place. I had a decorator come in and before I knew it, it was finished and ready to move in. I hired some movers last week and here we are."
"But, Daniel, those were family heirlooms you sold!" Sam was stunned, 'Some of those artifacts had to have been priceless!'
"I know. But, what good were they doing me? I still have a lot of artifacts scattered throughout this place and you probably didn't even notice because they're not under your nose. Plus, I leased some of the pieces out to museums so there's a steady income coming in from that. I didn't need the artifacts. I do need this. I think I got the better end of the deal."
"I gotta say, Daniel... I'm impressed." Jack really was and couldn't hardly believe how generous his friend was by inviting them here.
"Well, there's more. This place sits on 18 acres of mostly wooded land. There's the lake I told you about earlier plus hiking trails, although I haven't been on them, yet. I'm giving you each a key. Consider this your home away from home. Come out here any time you want.
Sam asked, "Are you serious? We can stay here when we want?"
"Yes, I'm very serious. The only stipulation I make is that you don't bring strangers out here unless you clear it with me, first. This is my home and I don't want any problems with people I don't know walking in and out of this place. There's a state-of-the-art security system here but you never know who might talk to their friends. Plus, there's national security reasons, too. I have documents in my files that might compromise the SGC if they were disclosed. Nothing really serious, mind you, but enough information that others might ask questions. They're locked in a special vault, but you never know."
"Why are you doing this?" Jack had a feeling he knew, but he wasn't sure.
"As you know... my parents died when I was 8 years old. I was in foster care after that and I never felt like I fit in. When I came back from Abydos, earth still didn't feel like home to me. My home was there. Then I spent the next few years searching for Sha're and then she died. It wasn't until after I descended that I realized that you are my family, as much as any blood relatives anyone would have. This is what I've always wanted... a large house full of family. Consider it yours."
They were all speechless and Sam got a bit teary eyed. Cam felt honored to be included since he didn't really know Daniel all that well. He'd grown to admire the man, but this was special. Teal'c stepped forward and he and Daniel grasped each others forearms in a salute and Teal'c said, "Daniel Jackson, you are a remarkable person. I am honored to call you 'brother.'"
"Thanks, Teal'c." They smiled at each other and then Teal'c nodded and stepped back.
Jack thought, 'Yup, it's just like I figured. He wants us to know we're family to him.' He asked, "Daniel, just how big is this place?"
"Just over 7,000 square feet," Daniel said.
Jack whistled and looked around. "You did good, Danny!'
Daniel smiled and then said, "Okay, who's hungry? I plan on grilling out some fresh trout and would be thrilled if you'd all join me in the kitchen."
They followed him in and set about fixing dinner. Jack and Teal'c were in charge of the gas grill and went to work on the trout. Daniel had already put potatoes in the oven so they were ready and Sam and Vala put a salad together. Cam went to the wine rack and picked out a couple of white wines that would compliment the meal. He got the glasses out and opened the bottles to let them breathe. Daniel got out the dinnerware and set the kitchen table. A royal blue table cloth and white linen napkins graced fine silver, white china and crystal wine glasses and a short blue candle sat in the center of the table.
He started a pot of coffee for after dinner and finished the final touches on dessert, which was fresh berries with whipped cream, onto which he was sprinkling shaved dark chocolate curls.
When the salad was done and the fish ready, they took their seats and Cam said 'grace.' Then, they all passed the platters around and settled in for a fine dinner and finer company. The wine was perfect and the dessert and coffee complimented the meal so that everyone was quite satisfied when they were finished.
After the meal, Daniel said, "Sam, why don't you take Vala over to the lounge and show her how to play pool, while the men do the clean up?"
She looked at Vala and they both grinned. They set off for the other room and the guys proceeded to clear the table.
Teal'c said, "Daniel Jackson, do you have an automatic dishwasher?"
"Yes, I do. In fact, I have two."
Jack just looked at Daniel and grinned. "You've thought of everything, haven't you?"
"I tried. I thought we could use one for the glasses and cups and one for the pots and pans and stuff like that." Daniel smiled at his friends and said, "That way we don't have to spend a lot of time cleaning up." They hand washed and dried the china and put it away in the hutch by the table.
They all agreed it was the best plan and before they knew it, they were all in the lounge relaxing. Daniel sat at the piano and played a few songs while the others played pool. Teal'c sat in an easy chair by the window petting Tut and watched as Cam and Jack paired off against Sam and Vala.
Later, Daniel decided to take Tut out for one more time before bed and Vala joined him while Teal'c took her place at the pool table.
"Daniel, this place is glorious! I'm so glad you invited me to come along."
"I'm glad I did, too." Daniel smiled and then turned to keep an eye on Tut. Vala didn't know it but she was getting to him. He hadn't said anything and barely looked at her all evening, but he'd smiled when she laughed about something and realized that they'd grown closer since she'd started working with him. 'I'm gonna take this slow. I don't think we need to rush anything and I'd like to be friends with Vala first, and then see what happens.'
They walked quietly and when they got far enough away from the lights in the house, they looked up at the stars. He pointed out some of the constellations to her. He watched her face in the starlight and thought, 'Oh boy, is she beautiful!' She looked at him and smiled and then they called Tut and headed back in.
It was late when they all decided to call it a night. They followed Daniel upstairs and said their 'good nights' in the hallway. Sam gave Daniel a hug and said her thanks. He hugged her back and said he was glad she was there. She went to her room and shut the door. They guys each went to their rooms and then Vala said her 'good night,' and he gave her hand as squeeze and kissed her cheek, before she went to her room. He stood in the hall for a minute and thought, 'This night was perfect!'
He closed his bedroom door behind him and Tut settled down on his dog bed while Daniel took a hot shower. Climbing into his bed, he looked at the clock and noted that it was just after midnight. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and the house settled into the quiet night.