September 1997 – Ernest Littlefield’s planet, the meaning of life stuff.
Catherine took a seat on the cold stone steps next to Jack. “I nearly didn’t go through with this.”
“Well travelling to other planets, light years in a blink of an eye, can be a little over whelming.”
“I didn’t want to know Ernest anymore.”
Jack didn’t know what to say to that.
“I know it’s selfish, but when I found out he could still be alive after all this time all I could think was that he chose to go. He chose his work over a life with me. All those years – lost. Why should I bother looking for someone who I mourned a long time ago?”
Jack could see her point, and he believed, so would his ex-wife. “So what changed your mind?”
Catherine glanced over at Daniel – busy with his journal. “He convinced me.” She said with unwavering certainty.
“He has a knack of getting under your skin doesn’t he?” Jack said. Daniel had grown on him too, in unimaginably ways, made him see that not everything has to have a perfect outcome to be a happy one.
“He does that. I told him I knew the moment I met him that he’d be the one to solve the mysteries of the gate.”
Jack grinned. “You were right.”
“I don’t think he believed me. He’s such a gifted young man, it’s a shame he doesn’t recognise his own potential.”
Ain’t that the truth? “If you tell him that it’ll make him blush.”
“I feel a little guilty now, he had to convince me to find Ernest and I’ve ended up with a second chance. I only wish his search could have had a happier ending.”
“His search?”
“For his parents.” Catherine answered wistfully.
Jack quirked an eyebrow, but made no other sign that the news had surprised him.
“You did know he was a foster child?” Catherine clarified, thinking she’d put her foot in it. She just assumed that the information was still in Daniel’s file, back at Cheyenne.
Hesitating slightly, Jack answered. “Yeah, of course.”
“You’re lying.”
“No I’m not”
“I maybe old Colonel but I know a lie when I hear it.”
“Okay, then no, he never told me, doesn’t talk much about himself. I know more about Teal’c than I do about Daniel.” Jack laughed, now that was saying something. “How did you get under that thick skin?”
“I recruited him remember, did lots of digging. I needed a stacked deck if I was to convince him of joining the project.” Catherine smiled cunningly. “He can be rather stubborn.”
“Gee I hadn’t noticed.”
“You know most of my initial background check should still be in his file. I’d have thought you’d have reviewed it by now.”
“Err, yeah I’m getting around to it.” Jack opened his mouth to ask another question, but was rudely interrupted by a young man lacking a lot of patience.
“Jack! I found what I think maybe something really important it…” He went on, and on and Jack only caught every word in three.
“Daniel take a breath, wouldn’t it be easier to just show me?”
“Oh, sure-” Daniel turned and ran back towards the staircase. “Are you coming?” He asked urgently when Jack hadn’t immediately followed.
Jack exchanged glances with Catherine as he pushed himself up and slowly followed in Daniel’s wake.
* Footnote: missing scene taken from elements of original script not used in the episode, specifically when Daniel talks to Catherine about locating his real parents.