The Gift of a Family Chapter 2. The Alien Had Long Pointy Fangs.
Jack drove like a man possessed. They stopped only for gas and food and to use the facilities. Daniel was amazed. He knew Jack could be incredibly one minded but there was a look to his eyes that said nothing was going to get in his way. Curiosity had driven Daniel to join Jack on this trip but he was hesitant to ask what news Jack had received that lead to this trip. He was very curious about this member of Jack's family that no one knew about. Yet, when he wasn't sleeping or driving he was talking to Jack about their past experiences. They were nearing their destination when Daniel finally decided that, if he wanted any idea about what was going on, he had to ask. He only hoped that he could get an answer. 'I'll find out eventually one way or the other.' He thought to himself.
"Jack we've talked about everything from our first trip through the gate to Anubis' new super soldiers. Not to mention your obsession with the Simpsons." Daniel smirked remembering when he had started getting into archeologist mode Jack had interrupted saying "Doh! Daniel please this is over my head."
Daniel had then grumbled that Doh was not an actual word, to which Jack had replied that "Doh! was added as an official word in the 2001 edition of the Oxford Dictionary." At that point Daniel decided that it was past time to get some sleep.
Daniel was brought out of his musings when Jack started to speak again. 'Please don't let him tell me anything about the Simpsons!' Daniel thought desperately. "Let me take a whack at what you're gonna say..." Jack smirked. "You want to know why the sudden road trip to the land of surfers and blonds?"
Daniel was silent, as Jack seemed to decide what to say. Pulling to the side of the road, Jack stopped for the first time for no particular reason. For a long moment he sat there looking at the setting sun. He took a deep breath and Daniel got the impression that he was about to get some major information on the secret life of Colonel Jack O'Niell. "I can't tell you Daniel what I would give to have a family again. Anything Daniel, I would give anything to have a family again. If I had to, I would give up Stargate command!" His voice got quiet again. "You know about Charlie and the divorce. What you don't know is that before I met my first wife I was going to marry another woman. Her name was Joyce. I was on a mission (for the service) when things went south. Everyone thought I was dead and Joyce married another man. I was gone for about a year. I found out shortly after I got back."
"I'm sorry Jack." Daniel stated with feeling. "I know what it's like to be without family. I would give anything to have a family of my own so I understand what you're saying. But what does that have to do with you suddenly wanting to go to California? Did Joyce break up with the guy? Are you going to sweep her off of her feet or something?"
"Joyce had a daughter. She is mine Daniel." Daniel blinked at the possessive sound of Jacks' voice when he said mine. "The kid never knew about me. Even after her divorce Joyce kept it a secret. She sent me letters and pictures even a few videos. When Joyce was dying of a brain tumor she told my daughter about me. My daughter wrote me a letter a year ago and I only just got it the other day. She told me about Joyce's death, about how her mother finally told her about me and that I had always wanted to be a part of her life. So she wrote to me and asked if I still wanted to. She hasn't heard back from me in over a year. A year Daniel!"
"So you're going to go to see your daughter."
"We'll be in Sunnydale at around 2300 hours. We will get a hotel for the night and surprise her tomorrow. Do you wanna come and be my backup?"
Daniel was no fool Jack was nervous about meeting his daughter and was discreetly asking for moral support.
"I'll be there Jack."
Buffy sat looking at her "guest" Major Paul Davis of the United States Air Force. She was very skeptical, this couldn't be what the vision was trying to tell her. Could it?
Normally if she received a visit from someone in the military she would have called in the reinforcements . . . only . . . she didn't have any reinforcements anymore. Giles and Willow were in England while Willow learned how to not destroy the world. Xander and Anya had gotten back together and eloped. The only one they had told was Buffy. Now they were on an extended honeymoon and not likely to return for a while. Dawn had died several months ago. Not long after Willow almost destroyed the world. Just before her death Buffy and Dawn had taken a trip to the Grand Canyon. They went white water rafting together. It was the best time she ever spent with Dawn. Shortly after they got back Dawn simply became ill. There was nothing to be done. It was time for the eternal, mystical, green energy that was the key to be free again. Dawns' blood was the same as Buffys' but her body was only human. It could not contain the power of the key for more than a few years. So Dawn faded and the key was free once more. It filled the galaxy but also in part joined with Buffy.
Dawn was gone but a part of her would always remain with her sister, Buffy. These days this was the only support and companionship Buffy had.
To be the slayer is to be alone. That is what the first slayer had told her. She never believed it until recently. Then just as she could feel her inner fire dying from loneliness and despair, Dawn came to her in a vision. Dawn had promised Buffy she would have a family, friends and support again soon.
"It is almost time for you to leave the Hellmouth. There is just one more thing you need to do before you move on. Another slayer will come to take your place. Either, Faith, or if she doesn't get her act together another slayer will be chosen."
"Buffy," She had said, "You are needed elsewhere. A new higher power is watching over you and guiding your actions. It is one that actually cares for your happiness. You just need to stop one more little apocalypse, nothing you can't handle. Actually this should be a walk in the park for you. There is a group of vamps trying to release a hell beast. Using a blood sacrifice. They have almost all of the people they need to sacrifice but just need a few more men. Specifically, men or women who have been in a battle. There will be vamps out tonight trying to get the last of the sacrifice. Use your new gifts to track them to their lair. Oh, and Buffy totally kick their ass!"
"Dawnie!" Buffy had finally stated in surprise. But the vision was gone. She had instantly got ready to go on patrol when Mr. Air Force had shown up on her porch. She really didn't have time for this.
"Buffy," He stated sitting on her couch nervously. "I know your experiences in the past make you hesitate to trust me or the government again, but we need your help. This isn't just the Air Force asking or the United States Government but the whole world. We need your help."
"I'm surprised you even came if you know about what happened with the Initiative. You said you've been fighting them for a while. What's changed to bring you here now?"
"Well the . . . enemy we have been facing just got an edge we are not sure how to counter. Also we were contacted by an . . . " He took a deep breath here. "An outside source has indicated you might be willing to listen. I would like to explain more to you but I can't until you sign a non-disclosure agreement. Will you at least come and consider the position we want to offer you?"
"Sure, I'll come listen to your shpeal. Ask me no promises and I will tell you no lies. but right now I have to book. I've got this whole 'chosen one' destiny thing to take care of tonight. Say, have you ever been in a battle?" The major took a long moment to figure out what she said. She almost laughed when he turned pale. Does she want me to help her fight a vampire? He thought to himself.
"Nothing like what you have faced."
"I'll take that as a yes. Stay here and do not go outside unless you want to be a blood sacrifice. Under no conditions are you to invite someone into this house. Anybody who has a reason to has a key and can just come in."
"Blood sacrifice? Um, Miss Summers what do you mean?" He asked nervously as she ran out of the house and into the night.
Jack and Daniel walked in the darkness under the light of a full moon. "Jack, Maybe we should come back and you can pay your respects in the light of day?" Jack turned back to Daniel with an odd look on his face.
"Don't tell me Danny boy that after everything we have gone through that you're afraid to go into a cemetery at night? On Earth I might add!"
Daniel couldn't help thinking, it's because of everything we've been through that makes me nervous. Instead he said, "How are you going to find Joyce's tombstone in the dark?"
"I'll find it. My daughter described it in her letter to me. It's too late at night to stop in and see her but . . . "
"It's never too late to visit a spirit?" Daniel finished.
"Not quite what I was going to say. Now. That's the weeping willow tree so Joyce's gravestone should be riiiight . . . there!"
Kneeling before her grave, he noticed that it had recently been cleaned of any leaves and dirt. Placing flowers before it, Jack honored the memory of an incredible lady.
He was getting up when he noticed the name on the gravestone next to Joyce's and he froze in pain and horror. He was too late. His daughter was dead. Pain and loss engulfed his soul . . . It was Charlie all over again.
"No!" He shouted out slamming his fists into the ground. Behind him Daniel jumped in surprise. A moment ago Jack was sadly serene, now it was like he was watching his friend get his heart torn out.
What happened he wondered silently.
Figuring out what had happened suddenly didn't seem so important anymore as he was thrown to the ground by a pair of powerful arms. Whoever was attacking them were powerful. like a Goa'uld. Instantly, Daniel started fighting the men (who were) attacking him.
"Jack!" Daniel shouted a warning to his friend as he saw that Jack was being surrounded by a number of the . . . Men? Aliens?" His friend only sat there as they attacked.
Looking up at the man before him, Daniel was amazed at the appearance of the alien he was looking at. It had to be an alien, though he had never seen one quite like this before. His eyes were a burning yellow instead of the bright glowing the Goa'uld normally displayed. On his forehead instead of the symbol of a god were large bumps, but his teeth stood out the most. The alien had long pointy fangs.
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