Author's Notes:- Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.

Yeah, I managed another chapter, go me. I am working on the next part.

Enjoy

Claire answered the knock on the door smiling as her eldest daughter stood there.

"Elizabeth," Claire hugged her tightly, since she lived in a different state Claire didn't get to see her all that often, "Honey, it's so good to see you."

"You too Mom," Elizabeth smiled; she loved how complete her mother seemed these days.

"Hey," Daniel greeted her from the kitchen, "Want something?"

"Red wine would be great," Elizabeth told him before giving him a quick hug, "Okay, bad news. Kelly isn't coming."

"Why?" Claire asked disappointed.

"Does she still not want to meet me?" Daniel grinned dodging Elizabeth's swat.

"You're a riot," his sister rolled her eyes at him; "Her plane was cancelled. Something about engine trouble. The next available plane would mean she'd get here and have to turn around straight away."

Claire sighed annoyed, "That's a shame, I haven't seen her in so long."

"She'll be home in a few months," Daniel reminded his mother.

"And back at college," Claire replied with another sigh.

"Then working with us," Daniel hugged her, "Come on cheer up. It's your sort of birthday."

Claire kissed her son's cheek, "You're a good boy."

"Mom," Daniel grimaced embarrassed, "I'm not a child."

"I hate to be the one to tell you Daniel," Claire laughed, "But you'll always be my baby boy."

Before she could tease him anymore Jack's distinctive knock announced his arrival.

x

"So," Jack asked Claire as they stood watching the rest of the family enjoying the party, "Does this mean you get two birthdays?"

"I suppose so," she grinned, "Are you jealous."

"Damn right," he cried, "I want two birthdays."

"Never mind Jack," Claire patted his arm before falling into silence and watching everyone. Her gaze fell on Daniel who was standing slightly to one side pretending to talk with Sam and Steven, "There's times I think he's fine then I look at him and see he's not really here."

"That 'not really here' expression on his face," Jack told her, "Happens a lot. It means nothing other than his brain's just flipped into gear. The man is scary."

Claire smiled gently, "You know his father used to get that exact same expression. This was when I would just sit back and wait until he came back from wherever his mind went. It always makes me happy when Daniel displays one of Mel's traits."

Jack gave a quick laugh, "How are you after…you know?"

"Seeing Mel," Claire finished for him, "It felt like closure. I will always miss him but I have the girls and I have Danny. Through my son I always have a part of my husband."

Jack smiled at her, "That's good to know.

x

Sara headed to the 'bar' and found Elizabeth beside her.

"Is that offer still open?" Elizabeth asked a little nervously.

Sara frowned, "I thought that wasn't your thing."

"I've been thinking about it for a long time," Elizabeth told her, "And I don't enjoy my work as much as I used to, I'd like to try something different and I want to be able to help."

"Becoming a counsellor means you'll have to go back to college," Sara reminded her.

"I can do that," Elizabeth told her, "I can't be a journalist anymore, hiding what I know means I can't…I have to do something else."

"I'll talk to General Hammond about it," Sara promised, "Have you mentioned this to Claire?"

"No," Elizabeth grimaced, "I just wanted to make sure that I'd be doing this before springing it on her."

Sara smiled, "So that'll be all three of you working at the SGC. Jack was right it really is turning into a 'Family Business'."

x

Maria smiled as she and Steven entered her apartment, the party that night had been fun and she was glad to see Daniel and Steven were getting along quite well these days.

"It was a good party," Maria smiled stretching.

"Yeah," Steven grinned pulling her to him, "Now that people aren't trying to kill me I kinda like your family."

"Good," she grinned moving to the kitchen a little shocked as Steven pulled her back to him, "What is it?"

"I need to talk to you," he told her seriously.

"Really?" Maria asked a little caught out.

Steven reached out and gently touched her cheek, "I know we keep saying we're only friends but…"

"But?"

"I'm in love with you Maria," he confessed, "I have been since you first walked into the office."

For the first time since Steven had known her Maria was actually speechless and her cheeks were rosy from a blush.

"I don't know why this is such a shock," Steven laughed taking her hands becoming serious again, "I know you've been hurt in the past but I would never hurt you."

Maria licked her lips, "Steven…"

"Let me finish," he cut her off, "Please," he took another deep breath, "I love you and I want you to marry me."

"What?"

"Marry me," he said again.

Overwhelmed she stared at him as his dark eyes stayed fixed on her face.

"I'll wait as long as you need," Steven told her.

Maria grinned suddenly, "Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes you idiot," she laughed throwing her arms around him, "Yes," she breathed before she kissed him.

Daniel read over the report for the next mission SG1 were going on. After his last one he was worried whoever had captured him and his mother would come after him now especially as they knew his weakness.

Thinking about his greatest weakness Daniel turned to look at the picture that graced his desk for a few moments, he wondered what life would be like if he'd managed to save her. For a second he imagined introducing her to his mother and sisters, Sha're would hang back for a while until she was sure of them before she would relax enough to join in the barbing but she would…she would have if he had managed to save her.

Daniel savagely brushed the tear that had formed in his eye away picking the file back up and continuing to read.

x

Sara gently knocked on the door smiling as the voice yelled to come in.

"You really need to stop screaming otherwise you'll lose your voice," Sara reminded Jack as she took the seat in his office.

Jack snorted, "What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something before I present it to the General," Sara told him, "I was hoping you'd listen to me."

Jack shrugged, "Sure."

"Elizabeth wants to help me," Sara explained, "And although Hammond has given me a budget for hiring new people, I'm not sure if this will cover Elizabeth college courses."

"But you want it to," Jack stated.

Sara nodded, "Elizabeth knows the facility, she knows the people and she understands what goes on out there. It's quite hard to get others to take up a job where they don't know what they're doing until they sign a non-disclosure agreement."

Jack nodded, "That's a pretty good argument."

Sara waited as he sat back, "So?"

"So what?"

"Should I suggest this to General Hammond or not?" Sara sighed in annoyance.

"Sara," Jack leaned forward, "You were given carte blanche to run the counselling team, Hammond has faith in you so you need to have some faith in yourself."

Sara leaned over and gently kissed him, "Thank you."

Jack grinned at her, "We could discuss that a little more."

"You're incorrigible," Sara swatted his arm, "I have to get back to work."

"I have a mission later," he told her seriously, "But do you want to have dinner with me when I get back?"

"On one condition," Sara smiled.

Jack looked at her suspiciously, "What is that?"

"I get to pick the restaurant," she replied before leaving him alone.

x

Sara headed towards Hammond's office to make her proposal a little surprised to find Daniel standing in the corridor not far from Jack's office staring into space.

"Hi," she spoke softly touching his shoulder surprised when he jumped.

"Sara?" he gasped, "I didn't see you."

"I guessed that," she smiled, "Are you alright?"

He nodded vigorously, "I need to talk to Jack about the mission."

"You won't accomplish that standing here," Sara told him hoping he'd ask to talk to her but from what she'd seen of this young man she knew he wouldn't.

"I should go," Daniel started to move turning back when she called his name.

"I'll be back in my office in about an hour if you want to come and have some coffee with me," Sara told him before she started walking to Hammond's office once more.

Daniel looked out across the horizon listening to the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks. There had been nothing here for them, so after a night of waiting for Sam to finish gathering samples they were leaving in the next half hour a day earlier than planned.

"Hey," Jack appeared beside him.

"Hey."

"Nice here, kinda reminds me of vacations when I was a kid," Jack took a deep breath of the salty air.

"I think I was fifteen when I first saw the ocean for real," Daniel spoke softly the wind almost stealing the sound, "One of my foster parents took us kids to visit his mother who was ill. We were only allowed inside for meals and to go to sleep."

"Long days on the beach then," Jack grinned, "Sunbathing, surfing…"

"I dug in the sand," Daniel cut him off, "I never liked the sea much, after Nem I like it even less."

"Daniel…"

"I don't need to talk," Daniel cut his friend off.

"Yeah right," Jack replied.

"Jack."

"Daniel."

"Please," Daniel whispered, "Please don't, not just now."

"Then when?"

"Just give me some time," Daniel turned to his friend looking him right in the eyes, "Jack it's just a bad time of year."

"I know," his friend murmured, he heard Sam call to them and patted Daniel's shoulder, "Come on let's go home. I have a date tomorrow night to get ready for."

Daniel gave him a forced amused smile, "Sara must have dropped her standards," he moved to the Gate before Jack could reply or get a hold of him.

x

Daniel stepped out of the event horizon into the Gateroom walking mechanically through the corridors. He went through his medical answering questions as quickly as possibly before wandering upstairs to the briefing room to wait for the others.

He liked sitting here in silence allowing his thoughts free to go over the mission or at the moment he was going over what today was.

The sound of the Gate coming to life made him jump and as he was there Daniel headed downstairs to the control room in case he was needed.

"It's the GDO from Dr Ballard," Harriman told Daniel who smiled.

"Open it;" Daniel told him he smiled at the other man's look, "I'll take the blame."

"Take the blame for what?" Jack asked as he entered the room.

"Nick's back," Daniel smiled for the first time in days as he headed to the Gateroom.

When the iris opened Daniel smiled to see the old man walk down the ramp to him.

"Daniel," Nick smiled hugging his grandson tightly, "You look good. I'm glad you are safe my boy."

"It's good to see you Nick," Daniel replied amazed by how good it was to be held by his grandfather.

"Is my daughter here?" Nick asked suddenly.

Daniel smiled a little more, "Mom's in her office. After you get checked out I'll take you there."

"And your sisters?" Nick walked with Daniel.

Daniel knew that Nick had been told all about his three siblings but it was strange to hear the question asked, "Kelly's still in Egypt, Maria and Elizabeth are at their work."

Nick smiled, "I hope to see them while I am here."

Daniel stopped, "You're not back for good?"

"Daniel," the old man spoke softly, "I am here just to make sure you are alright after being abducted. And to see my daughter."

"Why didn't you come sooner then?" Daniel's voice hardened.

Nick sighed sadly, "Because I am a cowardly old man,"

Daniel dropped his eyes and continued to escort his grandfather to see Janet.

x

Daniel stood waiting for Janet to finish Nick's medical wondering how his mother was going to react to Nick's appearance. He knew she was mad at his grandfather for not taking him after the accident but Daniel didn't want that to interfere with their reunion.

"Daniel," Nick's heavy accented voice pulled him back to the here and now.

"Are you ready?"

Nick squeezed Daniel's shoulder, "I am."

They walked slowly through the corridors Daniel feeling his stomach churn in anticipation before he stopped Nick outside the door.

"I'll go in first," he murmured.

He looked inside to see his mother pouring over texts and coughed slightly to gain her attention.

"Daniel," she smiled at him standing up to hug him, "I didn't realise you were back already."

"Boring mission," he replied quickly before hesitating, "Mom…someone came through the Gate not long ago who wants to see you."

Confusion filled her eyes which turned into surprise when Nick entered the room behind Daniel.

"Dad?"

Nick moved to her and hugged her tightly as Claire hugged him back, "You are still the image of your mother."

Claire gave him a smile before stepping back and folding her arms across her chest, "We need to talk," Claire told him sharply.

"Mom," Daniel started.

"Daniel, on you go," Claire told him, "Your grandfather and I need to talk."

Daniel gave her a confused look.

"Yes Daniel," Nick rested his hand on Daniel's shoulder, "There are things we must discuss."

x

"What you doing here?" Jack asked as he found Daniel near Claire's office leaning against the wall.

"I brought Nick to see my Mom," Daniel replied looking slightly perplexed.

"So, why are you out here?" Jack motioned his friend to continue.

Daniel turned to him, "I got told to leave so the adults could talk."

Jack started laughing; Daniel gave him a hurt look which made him laugh even more uproariously.

"Jack!" Daniel whined slightly.

"You've gotta admit its funny," Jack gasped, "At least…at least you weren't sent to your room."

Daniel glared at his friend but soon found it was too hard to stay angry and he started to laugh as well.

"Are we still celebrating her birthday?" Jack asked suddenly serious.

Daniel turned to his friend relieved that it was not being pushed to one side, "Yeah."

Jack slapped his shoulder, "Meet you up top."

Daniel nodded, "Jack," he called after his friend who turned back, "Thanks."

x

She shivered; every bit of heat was being leached from her body. They had left her there, not caring that she was ill.

Every so often one of the Jaffa would leave her food and water but she could barely eat. The water was dirty but she drank it because it was all she had and she needed to stay alive. She had to stay alive because she had to warn him…them. Wrapping the thin blanket around her she laid her head down to rest going over and over her escape plan.