A/N: Another super long chapter, but nice and light and fluffy for a change. :-)
Daughter of My Heart, Chapter Twenty-Four
"So, I have something I need to talk to you about," Cassie began that Friday night. Janet looked up in interest, her mom in mild concern, and her dad...well, he looked a lot like a deer caught in the headlights. "It's nothing bad," she rushed to reassure, afraid her dad might have a stroke or something if he stayed like that much longer.
"What is it?," Sam asked cautiously.
Cassie cleared her throat. "Well, it's about Dominic." Daniel's fork clattered down onto his plate, and she turned, worried. "Are you all right dad?"
"He's fine," Janet said, motioning for her to continue.
"Well, you see, he asked me out to a concert next weekend..." Her dad was now turning an odd shade of green, but mom and Janet were still waiting for her to continue. "There'll be a whole group of kids from school," she rushed to reassure. "And Dominic's parents already said they'd be able to drive me, too, if it's all right with you guys..."
"Is this a date?," Janet asked, her eyes twinkling. Cassie blushed.
"I guess," she mumbled.
"We haven't talked about dating," Sam said.
"I say no," Daniel let out in a rush. "Dating bad. School good."
"Dominic's parents said he was allowed to date as long as his grades didn't suffer," Cassie replied. "I was sort of hoping you'd feel the same way..."
"That sounds like a fairly reasonable proposition," Janet stressed, clearly for the benefit of the other adults at the table.
"Never on a school night," Sam stressed, "And nothing past eleven o'clock at night."
"You're saying yes?," Cassie asked, wanting to be sure.
Her dad shook his head. "No," he replied. Her mom and Janet both shot him a look.
"Cassie is a very mature and responsible girl," Janet argued.
"And Dominic actually seems like a pretty decent kid," Sam replied.
Daniel stared at Cassie, obviously torn.
"Please, dad?," she begged. "I promise I won't do anything stupid."
Daniel sighed. "Why can't you just wait until after college?," he pleaded. "Boys are so much smarter after college."
"Dominic's smart!," Cassie defended. "I mean, maybe not you smart, but he is smart!"
Sam smiled, biting her lip. Janet hid a smirk behind a well-timed cough.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?," Daniel pressed. "I mean, dating is a big deal."
Cassie blinked at him. "You've practically moved in with us without a single date," she pointed out. "I really don't think it's the make-or-break-it sort of thing you're making it out to be."
Her dad opened his mouth, then promptly shut it. He tried again. No sound emerged. Janet cleared her throat.
"I propose a compromise," she said. All eyes turned towards her. "Cassie can go to the concert with Dominic, and evaluate from the experience whether or not she feels ready to start dating...and you take Sam out properly before settling into an old married couples' routine."
Daniel narrowed his eyes at her. Sam blushed. Cassie beamed.
"So when's this concert?," Janet asked, glancing to Cassie.
"Next Saturday, at 8 o'clock. Dominic and his parents would be picking me up at seven, to make sure we have time to get in, buys snacks, and find our seats."
"All right, then. Daniel, you have until next Saturday to plan a proper date for Sam. I expect you all to go out and have fun. Doctor's orders."
Daniel had no idea what he was doing. It'd been years since his last honest-to-goodness date with a woman. And to be perfectly honest with himself, he hadn't exactly been a Casanova back then, either. He was too awkward, too geeky. He never felt comfortable in his own skin, let alone on a date.
He picked yet another shirt from the closet, trying it on and frowning at what he saw in the mirror. This was so not going to work.
He picked up the phone, dialing the familiar number.
"Hello," answered Janet's rather harried voice.
"Hey. Are you busy right now?," he asked, wincing.
"Daniel, I'm up to my eyeballs in hair, clothes and makeup with Sam and Cassandra right now."
"I need help," Daniel pleaded.
"Call Jack," she replied, her voice sounding strangled. A loud thump could be heard from the other end of the line. "Gotta go."
Call Jack?, he wondered, staring at his phone. Jack of the ripped jeans and questionable t-shirts? Daniel sighed. He was really too desperate to argue. He dialed his friend's number.
"Daniel," Jack answered testily, without so much as a hello. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for your date?"
"I don't know what to wear," Daniel confessed sullenly. As if Jack would have any better idea.
"Are you looking in your closet?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, there's your problem. I'll be over in five." Jack hung up. Daniel's frown deepened. What was wrong with his closet?
Cassie finally settled on a pair of embroidered jeans, with a sparkly red top. Janet helped with her hair and make-up while her mom proceeded to empty both their closets looking for something to wear.
"We don't have any good clothes!," she could hear her mom complain from down the hall. "How is this even possible?"
"Will you relax," Janet replied, her words somewhat slurred by the mouthful of bobby pins she held.
"He'll be here in an hour, and I have nothing to wear!," Sam complained exasperatedly, suddenly appearing at the door.
Janet rolled her eyes. "His favourite colour is blue. Go with that."
"Ooh, how about that blue dress with the crazy stripes?," Cassie suggested. Her mom scowled.
"It's too modern," Sam huffed. "And Daniel...Daniel is...well, he's...he's a little..."
"Old?," Cassie supplied helpfully.
"Classic?," Janet tried, pulling extra hard on the next tendril of hair.
"Ow!," Cassie complained.
"Classic. Yes. Classic," Sam replied, nodding.
"Black and white never go out of style," Janet suggested.
"Yeah, but I don't want to feel like I'm at a wedding...or a funeral."
"Do you have anything pink?," Cassie asked.
"Pink?," the other two women said, rounding on her.
"Yeah," Cassie said with a shrug. "You could always borrow my pink halter. Pair it up with a long black skirt...or brown. Brown would be better."
"Why?," Janet asked, curious.
"Dad likes the sand," Cassie replied with another small shrug. "And it goes well with pink."
"Any objections?," Janet asked, looking to Sam.
"I'd have to see it on..."
"Back of my closet, to the right," Cassie directed, her hair momentarily forgotten as Janet and her mom began rifling through the messy interior of her wardrobe. Sam smiled when she saw the pale, satiny top.
"This just might work."
Jack thrust a black drycleaner's bag at Daniel as soon as the archaeologist opened the door.
"What's this?," he asked warily.
"A suit, Daniel."
"Why?," Daniel asked, blinking owlishly at his friend. Jack sighed, pushing the younger man further inside.
"Trust me, will ya?," Jack asked, shoving him toward his bedroom. "Just try it on. And make it snappy! I have plans."
"What plans?," Daniel asked incredulously from his room, unzipping the bag.
"None of your business. Just hurry up."
Daniel sighed, pulling the suit from its carrier. Grumbling to himself, he stripped out of his latest attempt at fashion, quickly pulling on the items from Jack instead.
"It doesn't look right!," Daniel called out through the door.
"Oh fer cryin' out loud!," Jack exclaimed. "Let me see!"
Daniel stepped out of the room, bristling under Jack's critical stare. "Got a belt?," Jack asked.
"Um, yeah," Daniel said, turning to grab one.
"Tuck in your shirt," Jack ordered, impatiently fidgeting while Daniel complied. "Now try the belt...," Jack spelled out, as if for a small child. Again, Daniel fumbled with the clothes while Jack judged critically from the sidelines. "What happened to the jacket and tie?," Jack asked pointedly.
"I didn't think I needed them."
"Daniel. Take it from a man who spent most of his marriage screwing up... If you want to impress a woman, you wear a damn jacket and tie. Go put them on."
"I always thought you and Sarah were pretty happy together...," Daniel said, returning to his room.
"Because I learned to grovel!," Jack shouted impatiently. "Now get in the monkey-suit, Daniel."
Daniel returned a moment later in full gear. He felt ridiculous.
"Do you have any contacts?," Jack asked, grimacing.
"Yes...," Daniel answered cautiously.
"Go put them on," Jack sighed.
Daniel stomped back to his room, grumbling. Setting his glasses aside, he carefully eased his contacts in, remembering as he did precisely why he never wore them anymore.
"Better," Jack replied when he came back out. "Now about your hair."
"What about it?," Daniel demanded, defensive.
"Ever used gel?," Jack pressed.
Daniel sighed, trudging into the bathroom to search his cupboards. There might still be a jar, somewhere... Finding it, he straightened, carefully running a small amount into his short hair. Taking in his reflection, he did have to admit that Jack seemed to know what he was doing... He didn't look a thing like his usual self.
"Jack, are you sure about this? I'm not even really me, anymore," he complained.
"Correction, Daniel. You're still you, you just don't look like a dork anymore."
Coming from anyone else, Daniel would have been hurt. But after all these years, he knew there was no malice behind Jack's words. He was just...being Jack. Keenly observant, and painfully direct.
"All right," Daniel grumbled. "Am I ready?"
"Keys and wallet," Jack said, handing them to Daniel.
"Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it," Jack replied quickly. "Ever."
Cassie threw the door open excitedly, only to frown. "Oh. Hi dad!," she said, bouncing impatiently on the balls of her feet. Then she stopped, really seeing the man before her. She clamped a hand over her mouth.
Daniel glowered. "It's not funny, Cass. You and Sam commandeered Janet, and I got stuck with the styling advice of one very impatient Jack O'Neill."
Cassie snorted from behind her hand, shaking with silent mirth.
"Is it really that bad?," Daniel asked, inspecting himself.
Cassie shook her head. "S-sorry dad," she mumbled, still trying to contain her laughter. "It's just...you look like one of the boys from my class." She snorted again, laughter bubbling over. "Amy really likes him," she replied, nearly hysterical now.
"Cassandra, is that Dominic?," Janet asked, coming down the hall.
Cassie doubled over, swinging the door open wide. She knew the moment the doctor caught sight of her dad. There was an audible intake of breath.
"Daniel!," Janet said.
"Janet, is it really that bad?," Daniel asked, slightly panicked.
"No," Janet replied cautiously, eyeing Cassandra as if she'd grown an extra head.
"You just look so young!," Cassie gurgled. "Mom's gonna freak!"
Janet bit her lip, clearly trying not to laugh. Cassie could see tears welling in her eyes from the effort. Her dad just looked bewildered as he stepped inside.
"Is that Daniel?," Sam called from upstairs.
"Yes!," Cassie shouted back, pushing the door shut and trying to contain the worst of the laughter. She couldn't wait to see her mom's reaction.
Sam froze at the bottom of the stairs, a vision of soft femininity in Cassie's pink halter and an ankle-length brown skirt. The look was in stark contrast to her dad's current attire, which screamed 'modern bad-boy'. Uncle Jack could make a killing as a fashion consultant, specializing in the geek-to-gorgeous transformation. Sam's eyes widened visibly, taking in the full effect of the black-on-black ensemble, the short, spiked hair, the lack of glasses...
Casting a glance back over to her dad, Cassie was happy to note that he looked equally stunned. There was nothing military about Samantha Carter tonight. Nothing even remotely tomboy-esque. Cassie had never seen her mom look quite so beautiful. She'd have to remember to buy all pink for the next few holidays, really fill out her mom's wardrobe. It was definitely her colour!
"Wow," Daniel breathed.
"No kidding," Sam replied, eyes slowly sliding their way up once more.
The doorbell rang. "Oh my god, Dominic!" Cassie said, having nearly forgotten.
"Well, are you going to let him in?," Janet prodded, laughter in her own voice.
Cassie opened the door. "Hey!," she said.
"Hey," Dominic replied. "Ready to go?"
"Yep!," she said, bouncing past her dad. "Have fun, you two!," she called out over her shoulder, following Dominic down the path.
"That's supposed to be our line!" her mom complained, coming to the door to see them off.
Cassie laughed.
"Home by eleven!," her mom reminded.
"I know!" And then Cassie was climbing in the backseat of the car with Dominic, his mom at the front driving. Her first real date!
"Go on, you two, before you change your minds and stay home," Janet said laughingly, pushing them out the door. "And don't come back too early!," she shouted after them.
Sam blushed in the twilight.
"You look really beautiful tonight," Daniel murmured, holding the passenger side door open for her.
If anything, Sam's blush deepened. "So do you," she managed, certain her face now matched her top.
Daniel climbed into the driver's side and started the car.
"So, where are we going?," Sam asked.
"Classified," Daniel replied smugly.
They drove out of her mostly residential neighbourhood, following the winding route to one of the higher-traffic areas.
"You know, there aren't that many 'classified' places around here. You'd better not be bringing me to the base commissary dressed like this, Dr. Jackson!," she teased, hoping to draw out some tidbit of the truth.
"Not the base commissary," he agreed, smiling.
"Will there be food at this undisclosed location?," she asked.
"Perhaps."
"Alcohol?"
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Are you systematically trying to narrow the field of options?," he asked in reply.
"Maybe."
"It's not going to work."
"How can you be so sure? Five years in town, and I've tried almost every restaurant..."
Daniel smiled. "Trust me."
The noise around them was deafening as a round of wild, cheering applause thundered throughout the arena. Beside her, Dominic and their friends were cheering along with everyone else, eagerly awaiting the first appearance of the night's main attraction. Cassie joined in, excitement coursing through her. Dominic grinned over at her, making her flush. Then taking her hand, he cheered louder than before, and Cassie very nearly swooned.
Forget the band. This was perfect.
Daniel pulled the car to a stop in the parking lot of one of Colorado Springs' National Parks. Sam glanced quickly at her shoes, biting her lip, and Daniel smirked.
"It's not a far walk," he remarked, coming round to open her door.
Just inside the park entrance, with trailheads zigging and zagging in every direction, were a handful of rustic wooden picnic tables. One of them was already set up with everything they'd need, a clean white cloth draped over it's rough surface, and a meal local legend said would be 'fit for a queen.'
"Daniel? Is that Siler waiting on our table?," Sam asked, eyes dancing.
Daniel shrugged. "He lost a bet."
"Dr. Jackson. Major Carter," Siler greeted, indicating their seats. Sam grinned, sliding carefully onto her side of the bench. Daniel sat opposite.
"This is beautiful," she said.
"Thank you, Ma'am," Siler replied, unfolding her napkin and handing it to her. "On the menu tonight, we have Filet Mignon, grilled to perfection, spiced potato wedges, and steamed vegetables," he said, lifting the protective covers off their plates. Sam gasped.
"How big was that bet you lost?," she asked, looking to Siler. He shrugged sheepishly.
"I'd rather not say, Ma'am." Then, recovering his role, added, "Our wine of the evening is a Merlot." He uncorked the bottle, pouring a bit into each glass with a studied flourish.
"Thank you, Siler. This looks wonderful," Daniel replied sincerely. Siler nodded, taking his cue to become scarce.
"Daniel, seriously. What was the bet?," Sam asked, looking over their table in awe.
"Uh, Siler wagered I wouldn't be able to overwrite Jack's Simpson's collection with Mr. Burns speaking Goa'uld."
"You didn't!," she squeaked.
"Yeah, I did," he admitted sheepishly.
"Has he noticed yet?"
"Yes. But fortunately he decided it was all Siler's fault, so I gave Jack the $150.00 I earned in the bet to buy himself a new collection, and Siler was ordered to do whatever I asked for a month."
"You're kidding!"
Daniel shook his head. "Honestly, I think Jack just pocketed the money, and is at home right now enjoying his 'Burns as Goa'uld' analogy come to life."
"Daniel, that's awful!"
"If it's any consolation, I'm not really counting this as part of the bet. I owe Siler big for this."
Sam chuckled. "Translating repair manuals when all he can find are the Chinese instructions?"
"Something like that," Daniel replied with a grin. "Either that or I'll let him talk me into babysitting Lydia," he added with a modest shrug.
"Lydia?"
"His seven-year old daughter. Apparently she has a thing for ancient Egypt. He's been hinting at having me over to answer all her questions for a while now."
Sam laughed. "Sounds right up your alley," she teased.
Daniel flushed under the candle-light. "Probably," he answered softly. "Sometimes I really miss those days of sitting with Cassie, telling her stories out of our mythology. She used to love it so much."
Sam's face softened, a look of wistfulness crossing her features. "I know what you mean," she said quietly, touching his hand. "She's changing so fast. Some days it's hard to even recognize her as the same little girl we brought home four years ago."
Daniel gave her hand a squeeze. "I'm just glad you let me be part of her life. I wouldn't have missed this for the world."
"Even the snarky teenage moments?"
He chuckled. "Even those."
Sam played with his fingers, sending shivers up his spine. "I'm glad you're a part of this too," she said softly after a moment, meeting his eyes. They really didn't need words after that.
Cassie's favourite ballad began, and she found herself singing along, swaying in time to the music. Most of the other girls in the arena were doing the same, very nearly drowning out the band themselves. Cassie didn't care. The song was beautiful, no matter who was singing it.
"Do you want to be my girlfriend?"
She almost didn't hear the question, so involved was she in the music. And then the meaning of the words sank in. Her eyes widened in surprise. Turning to Dominic, she found him nervously waiting for her answer. She smiled.
"Yes," she said, taking his hand once more. Relief flooded his features as he leaned in and kissed her cheek. Then he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close for the rest of the song.
Cassie promptly forgot all the rest of the words, but she couldn't remember ever being happier.
Sam could not remember ever feeling so good on a date. Usually guarded, or bored silly, or both, she'd never been at ease with a man the way she was with Daniel. Everything just felt so natural with him.
After an amazing dinner, they left Siler to pack things up, deciding they'd take a leisurely stroll through the park's moonlit gardens.
The air was cooling, the warmth of the day dissipating as night rolled in, and Daniel, anticipating a need she hadn't quite registered yet, gently placed his jacket over her bare shoulders. They walked hand in hand, gazing alternately at the gardens, the stars, and each other.
They didn't speak; there was nothing they needed to say. But when they reached the exit leading back to the parking lot, Daniel paused.
"Sam?"
"Yes?"
His eyes searched hers, and he shook his head. "Never mind," he said, dropping his gaze.
"Daniel?"
"Yeah?"
Sam took a step closer, leaning in for a chaste kiss. Daniel smiled, gently pulling her forward, drawing her into a more dizzying embrace. Sam was sure she had never felt anything as perfectly wonderful as Daniel's lips against her own. When they broke apart, they were both grinning.
"Come on," Daniel said, pulling her towards the car.
"Where are we going?," she laughed, following.
"Uh, my place or yours?," Daniel tried, somewhat nervously.
"Our place," Sam corrected.
"What?," Daniel blinked.
Sam smiled. "I wasn't kidding when I said I wanted you to stay. And there's really no time limit on the offer."
Daniel pulled her closer, kissing her again. "So what you're saying is that I should give notice for my old bachelor pad?," he murmured. Sam grinned.
"Tomorrow," she replied mischievously, kissing him again. "Tonight we'll give it a proper farewell."
"Oh, I like the way you think," Daniel breathed, chuckling as they locked lips once more.
Dominic's mom picked them up again right after the concert, as promised. Cassie was almost sorry to see her already waiting, to miss out on those extra few minutes she could have had with her boyfriend.
She grinned at the word. Boyfriend. It sounded perfect.
As the car pulled to a stop outside her home, Dominic scooted out of the backseat, holding the door open for her to do the same. He walked her all the way to the door, chuckling as she fumbled distractedly for her keys. He smelled so good...
"Cassie?"
"Yeah?," she turned, facing him. Waiting.
"I had a really great time tonight."
"Me too," she said, smiling.
He leaned forward awkwardly, touching his lips ever so lightly against her own. Mercifully, there were no overhead fireworks this time. Cassie kissed back, eyes fluttering shut to savour the warmth and feel and smell of him. He pulled away far too soon, looking embarrassed.
"Mom's waiting," he said with an awkward shrug, casting a quick glance over his shoulder. Cassie nodded, a little embarrassed to have just kissed a boy in front of his mom...
"I'll see you at school," he promised, smiling.
"Yeah. I'll see you at school," she replied, her grin so wide it hurt.
He sauntered down the steps as she opened the door, casting multiple glances back her way as he headed back to the car. She stepped inside, her eyes never quite leaving him until the car was well out of sight.
"So, how was your big night?," Janet asked, greeting her from the living room.
"Perfect," she sighed from the hallway, hanging her coat. "Are mom and dad still out?"
"Yep," Janet replied, grinning. Cassie raised her eyebrows, catching sight of the petite doctor for the first time. There, sprawled across the couch with his head on her lap, was one Colonel Jack O'Neill. Sound asleep.
"And how was your evening?," Cassie asked, smirking.
"Just fine," Janet replied, still grinning.
"You know you're going to have to move him before Mom and Dad get home," she pointed out. "They still haven't guessed, and this might freak them out a little."
Janet rolled her eyes. "Get ready for bed," she said good humouredly. "Let me worry about him."
"Mmph," Jack mumbled. "Mm 'wake."
"'Night Janet. 'Night Uncle Jack," Cassie laughed, sauntering happily off to bed.
Yep, definitely perfect, she thought, smiling.