"Okay boys, you're going to have to help me," Jack said to Simon and Jankin. They were playing with Finn, but both stopped and looked up at him.

"What do you want us to do?" Simon asked, sounding excited.

"Well, I want to buy a present for Auntie Sam, and I'd like you both to help me."

"Yay! We can buys a pwesent for Auntie Sam," Jankin jumped up and started to run around, followed by a yapping puppy.

Jack laughed but didn't let it go on too long. He eventually reached out and grabbed the little boy and slung him over his shoulder. "Finn, quiet," he told the puppy gently. Simon reached over and picked up the little dog and pet him, trying to calm him down.

After a few seconds he put a giggling Jankin down. "Okay you two, this is serious," he told them with a stern expression (which they saw through immediately). The two boys jumped up beside him on the couch.

"What kind of present?" Simon asked. "Where will we get it – the merchantile?"

"Nope. In fact, we have to go to Farmer Nilsson's to pick it up. Now, are you going to come with me?"

"Can we bring Finn?" Simon wanted to know.

"Unfortunately, I don't think that would be a good idea. We can take him for a walk, later. Now, come on, we have to get going!"

The three of them walked to Farmer Nilsson's farm. It was the next farm over from Willem's, and it had, in fact, been his friend who had told him about the farm.

Jack smiled but then grew serious for a moment. He hoped he was doing the right thing. He'd asked Magrit and Magda and both of those women had told him it was exactly right. And if she didn't like it – well, he could just keep it.

The two boys skipped ahead, looking at stones and plants and bugs – anything they could discover. Jack couldn't help but smile to see the young boys love life and discovery. He felt a soft pang as he thought of Charlie. He and his son had gone out on trips like these and he'd loved exploring things with his son.

He had missed that and was grateful that Simon and Jankin had come into his life. He allowed himself to feel sad for a few moments but then cast away the memories and brought himself back to the present.

He hadn't talked to Sam yet, about what the Doc and Kisamor had said. He was nervous – terrified if he was being honest – but also hopeful. He knew she'd be patient with him – he suddenly grinned. She'd learned to be patient with him years ago. But now it was different, and he was pretty sure she'd be happy to hear that he wanted to give them a chance. Today's gift was going to be his opening to the conversation.

"We're here!" Simon cried, spotting Farmer Nillson's front gate. "What's the present, Uncle Jack?"

"It's a surprise," he told the boys. Just then Nilsson spotted them and held up a hand in greeting.

"O'Neill, it's good to see you. And I see you brought these two imps!"

"Ays not an imp," Jankin told the farmer. "Ays a big boy!"

"That you are Master Jankin. And you too, Master Simon. You are getting tall. You must be about ready to go to school."

Simon nodded. "Uh huh," he said, giving the farmer a shy smile.

"Well, I guess you want to see them?" Nilsson asked Jack. "Just follow me."

The two men and two boys walked towards the barn. When they entered, it was dark, although light was peeking in through the cracks in the boards, and it was cool. It also smelt of hay and animals – rather a pleasant smell, Jack thought.

They followed the farmer to an area in the corner that was blocked off by wooden planks. "Here you go," he said, pointed to something in the corner.

The two little boys crowded forward. "It's kitties!" Jankin cried. "Look at dem, Uncle Jack. They's so cute!".

Jack couldn't help but agree. Although he'd always thought of himself as a dog person, one couldn't help but be thoroughly charmed by the little kittens. They were adorable.

"Okay, we have to pick one out for Auntie Sam," he told the boys. He turned to Nilsson. "I'm getting this as a gift for a friend," he told the man. "She loves cats."

"Well, you can't go wrong with any of them," he said. "Their mother is a lovely, sweet cat. She's also a good mouser!"

Jack and the boys spent the next half hour picking up and playing with the little kittens. The mother cat looked on tolerantly, not minding that people were paying attention to her babies.

"Are they ready to leave their mother?" Jack asked softly, not wanting the boys to hear or to worry.

"Oh yes," Nilsson told him. "They're ten weeks old. They're eating solid food and I think Freja is ready to let them go. She's starting to wander more and to leave them alone for longer periods."

"Okay, good. I wouldn't want to take one of the kittens too early. So, boys, which one do you think Auntie Sam will like?"

The boys argued between themselves, but finally turned to Jack with an agreed upon kitten. "The black one," Simon told him. "She's pretty."

She was indeed. Jack reached over and picked up the little kitten, who immediately mewed and started to lick his hand. She was a very pretty thing – all black, with beautiful blue eyes. Eyes that rather reminded him of Samantha. He grinned at himself – acknowledging that he was becoming very sappy.

"Okay – she is a beauty and I think Auntie Sam will love her. Is it okay if we take her?" he asked the farmer.

"Yup, and a good choice. Black hair and blue eyes is pretty rare. She's also got a lovely personality – sweet but also playful. Here, let me get you some of her food. Will you need a bowl? Litter?"

"No, thank you – I have just about everything I need. I picked it up at the merchantile today."

"Handy!" Nilsson told him with a grin. "Okay – here you go, here's the food. I see you've got her already." He gave the kitten one final pat and then stepped back. "I hope you enjoy her."

"We will! Thanks so much Nilsson," Jack said, as he reached out and shook the other man's hand. "And don't forget to come by the store and pick up some things on the house – to thank you for the kitten!"

Jack and the boys – and the new kitten – walked back to Ethan's house. "Do you think Finn will like her?" Simon asked.

"Well, they're both babies, so hopefully he will."

"But don't cats and dogs hate each other?"

"Not if we introduce them properly." Jack glanced over at Simon. "Like this. Finn, meet kitty – kitty, meet Finn!"

Simon giggled. "You're silly, Uncle Jack."

Jack laughed, which startled the kitten, who had been sleeping in his arms. "Hey you – watch those little claws! They're sharp."

"Did she hurted you, Uncle Jack?" Jankin asked, worried.

"No – but you do have to watch for her claws. They're sharp!'

They arrived home a few minutes later and had to show off the kitten to Magrit and Ethan. Magrit obviously adored cats and was oohing and aahing. Jack wondered if he should get a kitten for her.

He'd invited Sam over for dinner and planned to give her the kitten then. He really hoped he hadn't made a huge error. He knew that one should never gift someone an animal, unless they knew it was coming. Hopefully she'd love it – but if not – well, he'd give it to Magrit.

He had already set up a litter box and had placed a food and water bowl down on the floor. They'd had to keep Finn away from the food and for now he was locked up in Simon's room.

The boys must have picked up on his thoughts because they suddenly asked to introduce the two animals.

"Uh – maybe later – or tomorrow. Let's let her get accustomed to the house first," he told them. "I think I hear Auntie Sam at the door," he told everyone, suddenly feeling nervous.

As he walked to the door, followed by the two boys, he started to worry he'd made a mistake. What if she didn't want the responsibility of a cat? What if she didn't want a black one? What if – oh, stop it O'Neill, he said to himself. Just then he reached the door.

He paused, and then with a deep breath, reached down and turned the knob. On the other side of the door was the woman he loved more than life itself.

"Hello Auntie Sam," he grinned, taking her hand and pulling her inside. Deciding to be brave, he quickly bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Welcome."

She looked at him in surprise but then – fortunately – smiled. "Hi Jack – oh, and hi Simon and Jankin. How are all my boys today?" She reached down and gave both of the little boys a hug – something Jack was rather wishing for for himself.

The two boys started to chatter away, telling her all about Finn and all the things they'd done. Jankin almost gave it away when he started to talk about going to farmer Nillson's, but was stopped by a jab in the ribs by his brother.

"Okay – I think it's time we let Auntie Sam sit down." He turned to her. "What can I get you to drink? Magrit says dinner will be ready in about half an hour."

"Just some tea," she answered. The tea they had was somewhat different than Earth tea but was still good and Sam preferred it to their version of coffee.

Once Sam was settled with her tea she watched as the two little boys jumped and chattered. There was obviously something going on, although she couldn't tell what it was. Although Jack wasn't as outwardly nervous, she could tell, after years of working with him, that he was anxious as well. All of them looked happy though, so it couldn't be anything bad.

"Uncle Jack, can we-"

"Yes, yes we can," Jack interrupted Simon, afraid the little boy would give things away. He turned to Sam. "Uh – we – uh got you a present," he said with a rush. "But it may have been stupid of me – I mean, if you don't like it, or don't want it, that's okay. We'll totally understand. I hope you do like it, but I know it's not a good idea to get something like this for someone without asking first. But I wanted – I mean we wanted to surprise you, so we got it anyway. I hope-"

"Jack," Sam stopped him, laughing. "It's okay. I'm sure I'll love whatever it is, although I don't know what it is yet."

Jack got a sheepish grin. "I was babbling, wasn't I?"

"Just a little, but it was sweet."

Jack rolled his eyes at that but couldn't help but grin. "Okay, I guess we'd better go get it. You wait here."

The three boys all left the room, with the two youngest practically running. "Hey, slow down," Jack told them.

They arrived in the kitchen, where Magrit was supposed to be making dinner. Instead, she was sitting at the kitchen table, cuddling a tiny kitten. Jack knew, at that moment, that he had to get another one of Nillson's kittens for her.

"Hey," he said with a smile. "She's cute, isn't she?"

"She's adorable," sighed the older woman. "I had a cat when my children were young, but he died a few years ago. I've always loved cats."

"What about Finn," Jankin frowned, looking upset.

"I love Finn," Magrit said firmly. "But he's your puppy and he isn't one for curling up in my lap. Now, I heard Samantha come in so here, take the kitten to her. I know she'll love it."

"Did you want to come too?" Jack asked, as he took the kitten and placed it inside his jacket, next to his heart. He felt her wiggle for a moment and then settle down. He figured she was asleep.

Magrit looked at him but then shook her head. "No, I think this is best for just you and the two rapscallions. I'll see her after you've given it to her."

Jack leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek. "You are one in a million, Magrit," he told her. "Thank you."

"Now you go and give your gift to Samantha – and stop hesitating about that woman. She loves you and you love her!"

Jack was a bit startled, then embarrassed, and finally amused. He chuckled. "I tell you what, Magrit, I'll stop hesitating about Sam, if you stop doing the same with Ethan!" With that parting shot he motioned to the boys and they left the kitchen together. They left a very red-in-the-face Magrit behind.

"You are a very, very naughty man, Jack O'Neill," she muttered after he was gone. But then she smiled and began to cook.

"I wondered if you were coming back," Sam said as the guys walked into the room. "I thought maybe your present was some nice, relaxing peace and quiet. But I see you're here so I guess that wasn't it."

Jankin giggled. "You's silly, Auntie Sam. Uncle Jack has your pwesent."

"He does?" She looked at Jack, but didn't see anything. "Uh – I don't -"

"Here," Jack said gently, reaching under his jacket and pulling out a very sleepy little kitty. "Again, if you don't want her, don't worry. Magrit will happily keep her."

But Sam wasn't paying any attention to him. Instead, her eyes were riveted on the small kitten who was wiggling around, trying to lick Jack's hand.

"Oh my God," she said, "She's adorable." She reached out and took the cat from Jack and instantly began to pet it. "You are so sweet," she said to the kitten, bringing it up to her face and touching its cheek with hers. "And look at those eyes! They are gorgeous!"

"They reminded me of you," Jack said softly. That caused her to lift her head and look directly at him, startled at his words.

"Jack, thank you! This is – wonderful. Oh dear, but I don't know if it's fair to Magnus and Magda."

"Don't worry, I okayed it with them first. I think Magda is as big of a cat woman as you are."

"Oh my, I don't know what to say! Thank you, Jack – and Simon and Jankin! This is the very best present ever!"

"What's you gonna name her, Auntie Sam?" Jankin asked.

"How about Blacky," said Simon.

"That was my name!" Jankin said angrily. "I picked it!"

"And it's a beautiful name, Jankin. A very good choice because she is black. But let's think of some others and then we can choose."

Jankin pouted for a moment, mad at his brother, but soon forgot about it. The two boys started throwing out names.

"Whitey," Simon said, with a sly glance at his brother. "It would be funny because she's not white."

"Yes, it would be funny," Sam agreed, "but it might be confusing and I don't know how the kitten would feel. Let's keep trying."

For the next 30 minutes the four of them tossed out a variety of names. Jack didn't say too much but sat and enjoyed the interaction between Sam and the two young boys. He felt, for the first time since he'd lost his son, like he was truly experiencing family life. He felt a strong sense of yearning that it continue. It also confirmed that he needed to get better and create a life with Sam.

"How about 'Midnight'" he suddenly suggested. "She's black as night, but her eyes shine like the moon or stars."

"I like that," Simon said.

"Could her middow name be Blackie?" Jankin asked.

"Of course," Sam said, ruffling his hair. "I like that. She deserves a full name. Midnight Blackie Carter! That sounds very important."

"Yay!" Jankin jumped up and twirled around, followed by his brother. The adults laughed and Sam looked over at Jack. "Thank you," she mouthed.

"You're welcome," he smiled, but then got a mischievous look. "Is all I get a "thank you".

She stared at him seriously, and then, without warning, leaned over and planted a big kiss right on his mouth

He definitely had to get better, he decided, as her soft lips touched his.

"Yay!" he said, when the kiss was done.