The Days of His Life

Previously...

Chicago, 1952, St. Catherine's Children's Home

A glint of something caught Ellen's eye, and she pushed aside a fold of the blanket to uncover baby Jonathan's foot. "Oh, look, there's something tied around his ankle."

The something turned out to be a shoelace threaded through a key ring. Sister Patricia held his foot still while Ellen untied the lace. Ellen held up the ring. There was a silver charm attached to it—a shamrock. On the back were the letters JO. "Jonathan O'Neill?" Ellen guessed. "The baby's initials?"

"I'm not so sure," Sister Patricia said, examining the charm. "It looks much too old for that. Maybe it belongs to one of the girl's parents."

Ellen looked closer. "I see what you mean. The letters are worn. I guess she wanted him to have something that belonged to his family."

Sister Patricia nodded. "Maybe. Put it away for him. We'll give it to him when he's old enough to understand."

Ellen nodded and slipped the shamrock and key ring into her pocket before turning to go find clothes for baby Jonathan.

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Chapter 2

The Pentagon, April 11, 2009, 1030 hours

General Jack O'Neill fingered his key ring absently, only half listening as the Chinese IOA representative enumerated his latest complaints over the phone. Jack's thumb ran slowly back and forth over the worn edges of the old shamrock charm attached to the ring. On the back he could just make out the engraved initials—more than half a century of wear had reduced them to mere scratches.

The red intercom light on his phone began blinking.

"Excuse me, Mr. Liu," he interrupted his caller. "I need to take an important call. I'll be back with you in a moment." Without waiting for a reply, he put Liu on 'hold' and pressed the intercom button. "Yes, Vance?"

"Sir, Colonel Carter and Dr. Jackson are here."

"Oh, good. Send them in. Buzz me again in three minutes if I'm not off this blasted call! And hold my calls after that, Captain."

"Yes, sir."

Jack switched back to Liu. "I apologize, Mr. Liu. My aide just reminded me of an important appointment that I'd forgotten. Oh, yes, come on in," he added, speaking aside to Sam and Daniel as they opened the office door. "Mr. Liu, I don't want to miss any of the important points that you've brought up. Please dictate a report listing them all, and have a copy sent to my office as soon as possible. Thank you so much. Good-bye." With a sigh of relief, he dropped the phone back onto its base. "Hey! Your timing is perfect! Got me out of that one!"

"Who was that, Jack?" Daniel asked.

"Chinese IOA rep. Perfectly charming fellow named Liu." Jack stood up and circled the desk to hug his wife and kiss her lips softly. He waved at Daniel over her shoulder.

"She gets a hug and kiss, and all I get is a wave?" Daniel groused good-naturedly.

"Ya wanna kiss, Danny? Here I come!" Jack advanced on the younger man, arms outstretched.

"Get away from me!" Daniel dodged aside, laughing. But he wasn't fast enough and Jack's arms closed around him in a bear-hug. Jack rocked them from side to side enthusiastically, while Daniel pounded on Jack's back in mock horror.

Sam giggled at their antics. It had been three months since the two men had seen each other, and they were enjoying their little charade.

"There," Jack said, releasing him. "Feel better?"

"Oh, yeah," Daniel huffed, making a show of patting and straightening his clothing. "Thanks, Jack."

"Anytime, buddy. And you, Carter—stop giggling!"

"Yessir!" she giggled.

Jack perched on the edge of his desk and pulled Sam over to slip an arm around her waist. Daniel sat in a nearby chair.

"I'm sorry I couldn't meet you kids at the airport," Jack apologized. "Too many people wanting a piece of my time..."

"That's okay, Jack," Sam assured him. "Thank you for sending the car."

"That part's easy. I think they have rows and rows of those cars stashed somewhere—with the drivers!—just waiting for somebody like me to call 'em. So what are you up to the next couple of days, Daniel? I know she's got meetings with DOD here at the Pentagon." He tipped his head toward Sam.

"Archeology conference at GWU for the next three days. Dr. Rayne Bennett is speaking on..."

"That sounds just great!" Jack interrupted. He was soo not listening to a long drawn out description of freshly dug-up artifacts right now! He looked at his watch. It was 1038. "I wish I could take off for lunch with you guys, but I've got a meeting at 1100. I made dinner reservations for us tonight, though. It's that little restaurant you liked the last time you were here, Sam. Hope that's okay?"

"Wonderful," Sam said. "You'll like this place, Daniel. Lots of atmosphere, and good food, too."

"Great." Daniel waved a hand in agreement.

"I've also got an appointment at 1300," Jack said. "Then I've arranged to take the rest of the afternoon off. We can go to my place and just relax. Unless you'd rather..."

He was interrupted when the intercom flashed. Jack scowled and hit the button. "Vance, I said hold my calls..."

"I know, sir. But, it's Father Regan from St. Catherine's. You've always said put them right through."

"Right. Thanks, Lieutenant. Put him on." Jack picked up the phone's handset. "Father Nick! This is a surprise. How are you—What...?" He listened for a full minute, his expression sobering. "When did it happen?" His face paled and his arm tightened around Sam momentarily, then he pulled away, stood up from the edge of the desk and paced across the room, raking one hand through his hair. "How is she?" Another pause, and a whispered, "Oh, God." He sat down abruptly on the large sofa against the far wall. "Isn't there anything... Yes, I see."

Sam and Daniel exchanged looks of alarm.

"I'll be there as soon as I can. A few hours. Tell her I'll be there soon." Pause. Then softly; "I know... Yes, I heard you, Nick. I know what a coma is, but tell her anyway—she may hear you... Thanks... I'll call back as soon as I can arrange a flight. Good-bye, Nick." He pressed the end button, and sat still for several moments, one hand covering his eyes.

"Jack..." Daniel began, but was silenced by the other man's raised hand.

"Just a minute, Daniel..." His voice was strained. He pressed the intercom button on the handset.

Sam crossed the room and sat down beside him, reaching for his hand.

"Yes, sir?" Vance answered.

"Lieutenant, I need you to get me on a flight to Chicago, right away. Let General Franklin know I won't be in the budget meeting, and cancel my afternoon appointment. Also clear the next few days."

"Sir?"

"It's a family emergency, Vance. I don't care if the flight's commercial or military. I need to be there already."

Vance could hear the deep urgency in his boss' voice. "Yes, sir!" He broke the connection.

Sam squeezed his hand. "Jack, what's happened?"

"It's Ellen. She had a massive heart attack a few hours ago." His hand clenched on Sam's. "Nick says they don't expect her to make it through the night."

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