Parenthood
By zeilfanaat
A/N: Thanks for the wonderful feedback to the first chapter!!! It's much appreciated!!
Well, like I said at the end of the previous chapter, at first that was where I wanted to end this story, but with an end like that, I just couldn't resist… So here's my small chapter 2.
"Say Doc, what's your opinion on dogs?" Jack O'Neill asked her, as they walked through the corridor in the direction of the elevators. She'd been totally unprepared for the question.
"Eh, I'm ok with them. Why?" she asked suspicious. Jack grinned.
"Well, you do know about this rule we have on Earth, right?"
"What rule?" His grin did nothing to ease her mind.
"The one that says every child should have a dog."
Immediately Janet stopped walking, forcing the Colonel to stop as well. He turned towards the small woman.
"There is no such rule," Janet said, looking straight into the Colonel's eyes, trying to force him into agreeing with her. "And don't you dare even think about giving Cassandra a dog!"
"Why not?" Jack asked, seemingly unfazed by the angry look Janet sent him. "It will be a good experience for her. And you just said you were ok with dogs."
"I knew I should have said I hated dogs," Janet muttered, and Jack quickly suppressed a grin. "No dog, Colonel. My life will be turned upside down enough already without having a dog running around."
Suddenly the Colonel turned serious. "And you think Cassandra's life hasn't been turned upside down? She just lost her family, her friends, her village, her planet. She will need to know she's not alone, and having a dog to take care of as a loyal friend would help her through a whole series of 'firsts' and memories of 'lasts'."
His eyes sought hers, deadly serious. For a moment Janet wondered if she had ever seen him this serious before.
"Besides, what General Hammond said about those people who would love to get their hands on Cassandra… that's not just a distant possibility. It's a real and close threat. And I know you can take good care of yourself, but it's no longer just yourself you have to worry about. A dog can help protect her. If only for that reason, you should take a dog."
"I have an alarm system," Janet countered, but the fight was gone.
"Alarm systems are easily disabled, and don't work outside of the house. A dog puts up more of a fight, and goes wherever Cassie goes." Jack paused for a second, knowing he had convinced the doctor. "I have a buddy who trains police dogs. I'm sure he has a dog suitable for both you and Cassie." He looked at the doctor for confirmation, and Janet nodded with a sigh.
'So much for saying 'no',' she thought, as they continued their way to the elevators. If she couldn't say 'no' to a grown man, how was she to deny a twelve-year-old girl anything? Her thoughts were interrupted by another question from the Colonel.
"So, how many do you want? Three? Four?"
"Colonel!" Janet exclaimed, standing still as they had reached the elevators, but then she noticed his mischievous expression. "One and no more!" she stressed, so there could be no 'accidental misunderstanding'. You never knew with the Colonel. She had only known him for a few months, but she knew all about his antics.
"Alright, alright, just one. I get it." Jack put up his hands in surrender, and walked into the elevator as the doors had opened. "You coming?" he asked, as Janet eyed him with suspicion. Finally she gave him a last glare, and followed him into the elevator. They were going to see whether Cassie would agree to stay with her… 'temporarily'.
Later that day, in the park:
Sam, Daniel and Cassie were running around with the dog. Teal'c had decided to guard the picnic basket, and sat diligently on the blanket, basket right beside him. If anyone, including the dog came too close to the blanket, Teal'c would glare at them in such a way that they quickly left. Jack had helped Janet bring the picnic supplies to the place Teal'c was 'guarding', and they were just picking up the last things, when they stood still, watching the scene. Jack stood slightly behind Janet, before he leaned over casually, and asked, "So, Doc. Would you kill me if I told you there are a couple of puppies hiding inside Cassie's new dog?"
Her reaction was priceless, as she turned around with large eyes. "You didn't…!" Then she noticed the twinkle in the Colonel's eyes. "Sir?"
"Did I mention the dog is a he?" Jack asked innocently. The doctor looked back at the two adults running around with the child and the dog, and her elbow 'accidentally slipped' against his stomach.
"Oof," Jack exclaimed softly, but he couldn't contain a grin.
"Oops. Sorry about that, Sir," Janet apologised insincerely, smiling at the officer standing behind her.
"No problem, Doc. No problem," Jack smiled. It seemed Cassie and the dog were getting along just fine, and so far the idea of having Doctor Fraiser taking care of her hadn't invoked a negative reaction from the girl. Jack had every confidence that this arrangement would work out wonderfully. "Let's eat."
The End
A/N: Hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing it. :)