Summery: A routine trip off-world has long-lasting effects for SG-1. Meanwhile, Jack has terrestrial trouble too, when his half-sister is recruited to the SGC and his worlds threaten to collide and all his secrets are in danger of being exposed.
Disclaimer: I do not own "Stargate SG-1" the series. I believe it is owned by MGM. No copyright infringement is intended. No disrespect is intended. I am merely intrigued by the possibilities.
A Matter of Degrees
by: Visions2share a.k.a. Vi
"So it was that Dr. Susan Mallory? I wasn't sure and hadn't wanted to meaninglessly say, 'Susan Mallory? That's my sister's name!' Although, if I'm under suspicion of treason, I guess I should have," Jack paused to gather his thoughts. He understood questions had to be answered. And he trusted General Hammond. He did. He trusted him with the information, but Jack had no wish, or intention, to share any more than was strictly necessary.
"So, you do know her? She is your sister?"
"Half-sister, technically. Same mother – different fathers."
"Did you tell her about the gate?"
"No, sir."
"But you speak to her regularly?"
"Every week, if possible."
"Tell me about these calls," Jack could feel Hammond holding back, letting trust guide the questions rather than protocol – giving Jack the benefit of the doubt and a chance to explain.
"I always call them – because my schedule is erratic, and theirs is pretty predictable. Either Susan or, more usually, Henry answers the phone and we'll chat for a few minutes about his week. He's a stay-at-home dad and househusband, so that usually revolves around their kids or sporting events on TV – as we are both hockey fans. Then I get to talk to their two little girls – ages seven and four – and they couldn't be more precious. I don't get to see them often, but I want them to know I love them anyway. They tell me all about everything important in their lives since the last time we talked. About catching frogs with their dad, baking cookies to send to me – even if their folks wanted it to be a surprise – so I can't tell, and absolutely every little thing Barbie and Ken, who is a boy that is a friend but not a boyfriend, have been doing. They really want a kitten but my sister is allergic to cats so I've been trying to talk up dogs. Henry isn't sold on the idea yet – but I think if they move somewhere with a yard, I'll be allowed to earn cool uncle points by getting them a dog." Jack could talk about his angel nieces all day. He knew he needed to move along, but his mind kept flooding with more and more cute stories to share with a man who relished his role as grandfather and would therefore understand Jack's adoration of the two little girls.
"Sounds like you love every minute of conversation with them. Do you talk to their mother?"
Right, get to the point Jack, he admonished himself.
"When the girls wind down – or get called in for bath and bedtime, their mother and I chat awhile. She talks about her research, although most of that goes over my head," Jack added to stay true to form, "she complains about the people she works with – how they are snooty and stuck up – so entrenched in conventional thinking that they have no imaginations – and mostly – how they want to work all hours of the day and night and she has to argue and fight to get home to her babies. Which I definitely understand. Then we catch up on any family news – if there is any – and say goodnight until the next week."
"And do you discuss your job?"
"Just generalities. She knows I'm in the military and have spent my career doing black ops. Henry was an Army medic assigned to classified forward positions before Leah, the seven-year-old, was born and he took early retirement to stay home with her – so Susan knows what not to ask."
"Did you tell her or even hint – even the smallest hint – about the Stargate or aliens?"
"No, sir."
"You're sure?"
"The closest we've ever come was years ago – before the second Abydos mission – I was visiting, and after Leah was in bed, Henry, Susan and I were watching some movie they found on cable – it was a science fiction thing and Susan asked if I believed in aliens and I told her quote 'Sure, I guess so.' She and Henry each said something like, 'me too' and that was that. She was recovering from a miscarriage – so had other things on her mind. I sincerely doubt she ever gave the conversation another thought."
"Dr. Fraiser and Major Carter are concerned Dr. Mallory's research is similar to medical phenomenon we've encountered – did you ever discuss her research?"
"She talked about her theories very little – mostly she spoke about how her peers wouldn't take her research seriously. What she said really reminded me of Daniel and the hard time he had before Catherine brought him into the project – so I told her, if she believed in her study, ignore anybody who tried to take her down – and that I believed in her. I mean that in a brotherly way – not that I believed in her research," Jack blinked, thinking back, "in fact, I've been very careful to only give her general encouragement and somebody to talk to."
"Good. I was sure that you wouldn't have spoken about the program – but I had to ask. I hope you understand?"
"Of course, sir," and, despite wanting to be annoyed, Jack knew the fact he'd been so readily believed was an incredible show of trust.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! ~ Vi