Her forehead rested against the cool of the windowpane, and she stared out at the dull, slate gray sky and the still-empty driveway. As the first hard splatters collided with the glass, she shivered, almost able to feel the cold, wet wind that suddenly picked up the plastic lid of the wading pool and sent it skittering across the yard. She felt her mother's weight slide onto the couch cushion behind her, but she swallowed twice and didn't turn, warm tears now tracking their way down her cheeks.

"He'll be here," she heard close to her ear as strong, gentle arms wound around her. She melted backward, snuggling into the inviting softness of her mother's breast.

"He promised," she sniffed with a nod of agreement, comforted already by the familiar, vanilla-scented closeness. A hand smoothed over her hair, then slid down to caress her back in slow, tender circles.

"Why don't you go and play with your friends?" her mother suggested. "I'll keep watch for a while."

She swallowed again, turning to peer into the kitchen, where a crowd of children were gathered around the festively decorated table or playing party games. "Someone's missing there, too," she said glumly.

Her mother sighed, bending to kiss the top of her hair. "This really is turning out to be an awful birthday, isn't it?" she murmured. "Daddy's gone and your best friend's moved away."

She nodded, coiling her arms tightly around her mother's neck. "Why does Dakara have to be so far?" she whispered tightly. "It's not fair, Mom!

"No, it's not…" her mother began, then suddenly tensed. "Look!"

She twisted in her mother's arms, then let out a squeal of delight. The dirty red pickup pulled into the driveway, and she tore off the couch, racing outside as the two men climbed out. Heedless now of the icy wind or the rain pelting her through the new dress she wore, she flung herself across the yard and into her father's arms.

"Dad! You did come home!"

"I wouldn't be anywhere else, Manda," Daniel said, kneeling to look up at her. "Uncle Jack and I just had to bring back your present."

"What present?" she frowned, looking from him to the grinning, white-haired man a few feet away.

"C'mon," Jack said, gesturing for her to follow as he walked around to the back of the truck.

She ran off after him, trailed by Daniel, who stooped to pick her up when they reached the truck bed. Jack reached for the wet tarp, snapping it back with a flourish.

"Ta-da!" he exclaimed, revealing the unmistakable, stoic form of a Jaffa warrior, who rose from the familiar meditative position with slow grace and offered her a bow.

"Teal'c!" she cried, launching herself from Daniel's arms to his. "You're back from Dakara!"

Despite the awkwardness of the way they were standing, Teal'c caught her easily, and allowed a momentary smile to cross his face. "Indeed I am, AmandaJackson."