THE HERE AND NOW

CHAPTER 11

" DAD "

Three hours later and finally, Jack O'Neill was able to go to bed. It was a long explanation. Jacob was surprised not only at the way Jack was handling the situation, but at his daughter's actions. The news of her having a son had hurt him. Had she wanted to forget about them, about him? The thought in itself hurt him. He had a grandson that didn't even know him. Did he know he had a grandfather? Did he know about him?

What will you do Jacob?

I don't know Sel. The news was surprising enough, but what do I do? Do I just show up unexpected? Do I want back in her life? Yes, but I don't know if she wants me back in hers.

I believe she will, after all she did return.

Yes she did.

Selmak could sense the confusion and sadness of its host and wondered just how tomorrow would play out. After all it had been a long time and now she was back, had a child and had her own life. So, Selmak wondered, why had she come back? Did she miss them? Was there another reason?

Next morning Jack smiled when he heard the yelp of his daughter and Jacob's laughter coming from the first floor of his house. Glancing at the clock he noticed they were up way too early. Heading for the shower he wondered if April was ready to go to school and if Jacob was preparing breakfast for the little nut.

"So April, how is school?"

"Fun! I have lots of friends and the teacher is nice."

"So what have you done so far?"

She smiled and began to show him her school work. Some apples colored red, some houses painted green, all the while explaining the point of the exercise and why it was homework. He chuckled and a wave of sadness hit him. His little girl had a son; he was a grandpa and yet that child didn't even know him.

"Grandpa you ok?"

"I am sweetie, just a bit surprised at how much work you get to do."

"Aww, it's okay, Dad helps me."

"And you get a star?"

"Grandpa!"

He laughed and April giggled as Jack came down the stairs. He saw that she was ready for school and looked at Jacob who smiled and shrugged. Yeah he was definitely a big softy.

"Dad, grandpa helped me get ready for school!"

"Did ya eat?"

"Made her my world famous omelet."

"Ok then, school it is."

April nodded and began to pack her stuff to her backpack. Jack saw the look of worry cross Jacob's face and wondered if they should do this. But one look from Jacob and he was sure he wanted to do this. The sooner the better. To be honest, Jack didn't want to be present but until Sam got clearance again, he needed to be present. After all Jacob was Ex-Tok'ra

As they drove to school he waved good bye to April who rushed inside. Yet again he wondered where she had gotten those genes. She seemed to love school. He chuckled and then felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around he saw the smiling face of Samantha Carter staring right back at him.

"Hello Jack."

"Hey Carter. Aron in yet?"

"Yes. I got the letters thanks for sending them."

"No problem, but I ahh..."

He pointed to the car and she froze at her father's intense gaze. She looked at Jack who tried to minimize eye contact. Taking a deep breath, she walked towards his car and Jacob got out while Jack stayed a few feet away, not wanting to intrude.

"Jack."

"Yah dad?"

"Sam and I need to talk. Is it all right if we go to a cafe near by?"

"You know the rules, no talking about your travels."

"Thanks."

Jack nodded. Yeah he was so going to get in trouble for this. Getting into his car he could see how tense both Carters were. As they got into Sam's car he could see Jacob's expression had changed from calm and relaxed to a controlled and angry scowl. Jack was happy he wasn't going to be there to witness that confrontation but for some reason he worried. For which Carter he didn't know.

The car was eerily quiet and Sam felt like a five year old about to be scolded by her dad for doing something wrong, even though she was not a five year old. She was a grown woman, she had control of her own life and no matter how angry Jacob was, she was allowed to do as she pleased and wouldn't take any kind of reprimand from her father. Her leaving the Air Force would be a sore subject; she had no doubt about that.

Arriving at the small cafe, they picked a secluded booth were they could talk in a semi private location, even though they weren't going to talk about the Stargate or Tok'ra, slips of the tongs were unavoidable.

"It's nice to see you again dad."

"It's good to see you too Sam. I wrote a letter to you whenever I came to visit. I hope you got them?"

"Yes I ...Daniel dropped them off yesterday."

"Not even an address…"

"It's complicated."

She had left nothing behind, not a clue of were she was going or what she was doing. Even though Jacob had heard from her why she was leaving at the time, the thought of her not leaving any way of communication never crossed his mind.

"I can see that. So why come back?"

"To be honest I'm trying to figure that out myself."

"What does your husband say to all this?"

"He...he is happy with it."

He could hear the doubt and hesitation in her voice. The way she averted her eyes and the body language spoke volumes of how her marriage was going and Jacob tried to get his temper under control. He knew the signs and knew what to expect. The marriage was not a happy one and would not last, of that he was sure. Sam's whole demeanor told him that she would be the one to end it.

"And you?"

"I'm happy."

"Were you even planning on telling me I had a grandson?"

"It was never my intention to hurt you, any of you."

"I have more of a relationship with the adopted child of a man who practically lives his life underground."

She winced at that and closed her eyes. Mark had told her that Jacob had visited him a couple of times, asked about her even. Her brother didn't know where she lived. Just a phone number in case of emergencies. She knew that even Mark was beginning to wonder if introducing her to Pete had been such a good idea.

"I live with what I did every day Dad! Do you have to make this harder? I made a choice; I chose having a life, being normal for a change is that so wrong?"

"I wish that I was at least included in your new life."

"Dad you were... away, hardly ever around. I didn't make this decision with out thinking of the consequences. I went in with eyes wide open."

"So why come back? Why try to reconnect with your old life?"

"I made a mistake in not including you and my friends in my new life. That doesn't mean I lost the right to try and fix it."

"Life is not that easy, Sam. You hurt a lot of people when you left."

"Don't you think I know that?"

They both took a deep breath and tried to calm themselves, but Jacob was not going to alienate Sam. He had done that with Mark, he was not going to repeat the same mistake twice, with his daughter. She was back and he wanted to be a part of his daughter's life and of her son's life. He wanted to be a grandfather to this kid. As they continued to talk there was no more discussion about her past actions and soon the conversation diverted off into more pleasant business.

He was glad when the invitation came for dinner and introductions. He had to clear it with Jack of course and she understood that. What surprised Jacob and brought him to an even more confused state of mind was his daughter's plan of applying to the SGC as a civilian consultant. He wondered if Jack knew.

"Walter what is this?"

"They're Doctor Carter's forms sir."

"I can see that Walter. What I want to know is why she is listed as chief lab technician ?"

"That is what she is applying for sir."

"Get me General Hammond!"

Janet had heard the rumors and was now talking to a really angry five foot tall genius rambling about how she was going to be replaced by a blonde who had left them years ago. Janet chuckled and tried to reassure her that she was not going to be replaced by Sam. After all Carter had been out of the loop for five years, and in those years things had changed. Despite that fact Hailey did not seem happy.

"But what if the General gives in to the brass?"

"He is not that kind of man."

She knew that but also knew of the special place Samantha Carter held in his heart. As the two women began to talk, General Hammond began to listen and in the end he understood Jack's point of view. Samantha Carter was going to be working at the SGA, but under Major Hailey's expert eyes. Even though Sam was good and an expert on the Gate, things had changed and she needed to catch up. Until that time Hailey was still the lead scientist.

By 2300 hours Jack O'Neill was surrounded by SG-1, and Janet, Siler and Walter who had been informed of the news. There was an eerie silence and Jack could see the worry on Daniel and Hailey's faces, and the uncertainty in Janet and Teal'c. Siler and Walter were neutral as always.

"Look Hailey, you're in charge ok?"

"I am?"

"Yeah, I know Carter will catch, up but she will be here to help you on your work load. After all you're a field officer, kid."

"I was worried sir."

"Well now that that is settled let's move on to more important business. The SGA's yearly get together is coming up so what shall we do?"

He smiled when he saw the faces of the people around him light up. It was only 20 days away and as Walter and Siler began to dish out ideas, SG-1 alongside Janet began to make the arrangements. Of course this year it was going to be held in the park. As always a bbq and all around get together with everyone on base was a nice distraction. The base would be on limited personnel, thanks to the Pentagon and Hammond's yearly inspection and re-evaluations.

They sent their own people to check on the SGA's whole operation and system's upgrades and Hammond would be supervising everything so the worry that some goon would sneak something out or in was not likely. It had been a yearly tradition since the President had made the call. They risked too much and worked like no others to protect them. Everyone at the SGA deserved a day off.

"General, phone."

"All right people keep working on it. I have to take this."

Going to his office he smiled when he saw Janet frown at something Siler had suggested. Picking up the receiver he smiled when he heard Jacob's voice on the other side.

"Jacob, how are you doing?"

"I'm okay. Was wondering if I could skip dinner with you guys."

"Yeah it's okay. You'll have to make it up to April, but its okay. I'll take her to Aunt Janet's place."

"Thanks Jack. Tell her I'll make it up to her."

"Okay Jacob. Later!"

Getting to her car, Sam noticed Jacob was a bit hesitant. After all he was going to meet Pete for the second time and was going to meet her son for the first.

"Don't be nervous dad, they will love you."

"I hope."

"What did Jack say?"

"He is okay with it as long as I don't speak about my travels and I make it up to April."

"Make it up to April?"

"Yeah, I promised I was going to help her with her homework. The kid's a bundle of energy, but Jack told me he was going to take her to Janet's for dinner."

"Janet's?"

"Yeah, Janet is April's favorite person after Teal'c of course."

"I see."

He noticed the way her shoulders tensed and the way she moved in her seat. He wondered and Selmak laughed.

You humans are hopeless

continued