AN: Sometimes Jack wonders who's the Cathy Lane in this situation. His globe trotting ringer of a cousin or his space alien battling self.

Forgotten Legend - Chapter 1

There was a knock on his door. "Hang on a minute." He yelled.

At the second knock he yelled "I'm coming already! Hold your horses!" This better be important he thinks as he yanks the door open. "What?!"

"Er… Jonathan O'Neill?" The young man in front of him is slender and bears an uncanny resemblance to Skeeter without the hair issues.

"Skeeter?"

"What? No… that was my great grandpap's name."

"Shoulda known. What's up?" He scrubbed a hand down his face.

"Um, well, I'm James Erland, a member of the Nicodemus Legend historical society and I have a package for you from Mr. Pratt."

"Of course you do." Jack put out his hand and makes a 'gimmie' motion to the kid who handed it over very reluctantly.

"Er… sir, it's very old. Please be careful."

"Yah yah whatever. Thanks kid. Do you need a tip or a donation or something?" Jack says absently as he starts to open the large manila envelope.

"No sir. I was just told to deliver this to your address during this week."

Jack looked at the kid oddly. He hadn't given Ernest specifics and he knew Sam wouldn't so the only way Ernie would know when and where to deliver something to Jack was if Mick had stayed in touch. "Terrific." He muttered to himself as he absently waved the kid off.

Walking back into his house, he decides to sit at the dinette table before opening the package. He took a deep breath before he gently shakes the contents of the envelope into his hand. It's pretty much a month by month missive that includes distracted asides dictated from Abigail and notes from her in the margins. But it was the last few paragraphs catch his eye and makes him a little sad.

- Well Jack, I'm getting up there in years so this is probably the last page of this. You were the cutest baby and I miss my Abby more and more ever day. I think it's time I joined her.

I'm sorry about how Harry is handling this. He never understood that Abby never wanted me underfoot and she certainly couldn't trust me to handle any of the farm animals or watering the plants. She knew who I was, I knew who she was. I suppose it was best he sold the ranch if he didn't want it. I was letting it go to pot anyway after I sold off the stock. It was just a place to be close to you and Sam in any case. I gave Harry the bed you made. Made him feel guilty about keeping it.

I can already see the man you will become in your young eyes. You and Bub too. I want you to tell him about your trip, Jack. He deserves the truth too. He deserves to know I loved Abby with all my heart.

The developer said he'd leave the house you started. I'd appreciate it if you checked on it now and again. If you happen to see the curtains in the attic window twitch don't mind it any. It's just me saying hello.

Much love,

Ernest (and Abby) Pratt

Jack let out a slow sigh through his nose. He should be able to find the house with a little effort. Jack pulled his phone out of his pants pocket. "Bub? Where are yah?"

"Uhh… Istanbul actually." Mac admitted.

"What are you.. no.. never mind… I don't want to know. Next time you're on this side of the water drop by the house if you can."

"Sure, I can detour before going back to work. I keep reminding them I'm technically retired."

Jack laughed. "Never gonna happen. You'll die in the saddle the same as I will."

"Ach… they can't make me do this crap forever. What's up?"

"Nothing urgent. Just have something I'd like to show you."

"Oh?"

"Yah… and to tell you a little story. About Grandpap Ernie."

"There's one we haven't heard?"

"Ohh… you've heard this one… but not from the perspective I'm going to give you." Jack says cryptically.

Mac knows that's all he's going to get out of his cousin for now and his contact has shown up anyway. "Look, I've got to go, I'll call you in a few weeks."

Jack hung up and read through the long missive again. Some entries were short, others long. Ernie added an amusing spin to even trying times like finding out he'd only have one child and a pregnancy scare later that turned out to be a false alarm though Ernie thought himself it was an early miscarriage but he'd never break Abby's heart telling her so. Or the times he'd been doing research and a young lady had taken it wrong and tried to get in on the action. Jack could just see Ernie having the same panicked reaction he'd had to Freya coming on to him. And for the same reason, Jack chuckled at Ernie's description of trying to extract himself from the clutches of a particularly enthusiastic fan while Abby sat in the back laughing hysterically as according to her he looked like he was being attacked by an amorous octopus. Abby often went with him on book tours and never hinted she was his wife. Apparently she got some sort of sick pleasure in watching him try to fend women off politely after flirting with them to get them to buy books.

He knew he needed to let Sam read this stuff but Grandpap said show Bub so he was going to show Bub. Ironic Grandpap had given Angus that nick name even Grandpa Harry called him because he'd taken one look at the baby after he was born and said 'Hey Bub'. It had stuck. Grandpap had been the one that called him Jack as a kid too which now Jack wondered did he do that knowing he'd eventually go by it or had he genuinely thought he looked more like a Jack even though his mom had insisted on calling him John.

Jack shook his head… This was why he didn't think too hard about stuff. He'd end up down a rabbit hole of possibilities just like Sam always does. Jack hung his head a bit… Sam… Every time they think they are going to catch a break… they don't. He'd had plans that night… and then Sara and her crew showed up to yank them right back to reality. If he were a smart man he'd have done exactly what Ernie had admitted to doing in his long missive. Deliberately getting Abby pregnant so she'd need him. Not that it had mattered in the end. It wasn't very honest either even if his intentions had been well meant at the time.

If he were honest with himself, he'd kind of been avoiding Sam a little since they got back. He needed the distance though or he was going to do something really stupid. Maybe Bub was right. Maybe he should just retire again and ask her if she'd like to be with him. If he asked her without retiring, she'd probably pretend she doesn't understand what he's asking her like she usually did.

But the observation deck was getting really lonely at night without her cuddled under a blanket with him since they got back. And he'd told her he's still all in but… he wasn't acting like it… again. God... he wasn't like Ernest… he was worse. Bub was right. Dammit. He and Carter really needed to talk about this. He hated when Bub was right. It was worse than when Danny was right because Bub would rub it in and gloat. Danny just gave him 'I told you so' looks and let it drop.

Hammond was off today too so Jack left the letters on his kitchen table and grabbed his keys. If he was going to ask this… he'd rather do it privately.

"So do I need to ask why you want to put in for retirement, Jack?" George was asking him on the back porch of his house.

"Sir…"

George waved him off though. "Son, I've been expecting this for years. I don't think you're wrong but the Pentagon might not see it that way. You're a valuable field asset which is why you're still on a team instead of riding a desk like most base commanders do." He pointed out.

Jack sighs. "I know, sir."

"It's the same reason I wouldn't be able to get you an exemption. They don't care, Jack."

"You've…?"

"I put feelers out after the little incident with the Tok'ra. I figured it would only be a matter of time before it started bothering one or both of you."

Jack looked a little embarrassed. "We haven't… ah…"

"No. I don't suppose you have, Jack. You're too honorable of a man to put her in that kind of position…. But if this goes the way I think, it will… son… And there is still the matter of you grooming her for command."

Jack frowns. "Sir, if you want my honest assessment... there isn't much more I can teach her. Most of what's left is a matter of experience."

George Hammond nods. "If you're sure, son."

Jack's face turns grim. "Sir, I need to retire or things are going to spiral out of control soon and I don't have many defenses left against her."

"Duly noted." George thought for a moment. "But what doesn't happen on base also isn't any of my business as long as you aren't breaking any civilian laws."

Jack gave Hammond a long look. Jacob would kill him if he found out through anyone but he and Sam so that would need to be discussed as soon as possible… Jack was very against being disintegrated by an angry Jacob Carter.

"Understood, sir."

"I know you want more than that Jack. I promise I'll try."

Jack nodded. He knew Hammond really would do his utmost to talk the brass into letting him step down. It was what was best for them as a couple. He'd had his fun already and he'd told the truth, there wasn't much more he could teach Sam.