SG1 is scheduled for a mission the next day leaving at 1000
hours.
Samantha "Sam" Carter, Major USAF was enjoying setting
outside being with her friends. She watched as Colonel Jack
O'Neill ran the BBQ. Next to him was Dr. Daniel Jackson. They
were talking. Beside Sam were Dr. Janet Fraiser, CMO and her
daughter Cassie.
They were celebrating Sam's birthday and her farther was
suppose to return to Earth sometime this evening. General
Hammond said that when Jacob, Sam�s farther, got in they
would both attend the small party.
"Sir, are you sure you have everything you need? Do you
want me to do anything? I feel a bit useless here." Sam asked
her commanding officer. He had volunteered to cook "O'Neill
Style Steak's".
Daniel looked over to Jack, who was randomly throwing spices
onto the food, and sighed. "Hey Jack, Where do you keep your
coffee?"
He turned to Carter ignoring Daniel for a moment, "No Carter I
am fine. It's your birthday, which is why you should rest and let
me do the cooking. In fact, we should have done this at my
place. Don't feel useless feel pampered, unless of course you
are scared of my cooking?" He gave her a pointed look. "Go
sit down, talk with the Doc or Cassie.
�Oh I would never be scared of anything you cooked Sir� Sam
replied as she walked back to her lawn chair.
"Ar mhaith leat cup�n caife?" Jack asked as he turned to
Daniel.
Daniel looked at Jack not understanding what he had just said.
Jack gave Daniel a look. "And you are suppose to be the
linguist?"
Jack just shook head. "I asked if you would like a cup of coffee.
I assume the answer is yes, so I believe Carter keeps it in the
cabinet over the coffee maker. Although why you would think
I know where Carter keeps her coffee is beyond me."
After Daniel and Carter had both left him to his cooking, he
muttered to himself, "I hope her surprise gets here soon."
Sam went back to were she had been sitting "I wonder what
he's up to? He seems a bit anxious."
"That�s just Jack" replied Cassie "you know how he is" and
with that she jumped up from her seat and ran into the house.
A few minutes later Sam noticed Cassie talking to the Colonel.
'Now what are those TWO up to,' Sam thought.
After pouring himself a cup of coffee, Daniel started to return
to the backyard when he spotted a pair of pants that obviously
belonged to Jack. Shaking his head slightly, he grinned. "And
he wonders why I think he knows were stuff is around here."
When Daniel finally found his way back to the other SG
members, Cassie and Jack were talking; Sam looked...
unapproachable to say the least. His gaze drift to the only
other person present. Janet.
Taking a deep breath, he walked over and sat down.
"So, Janet, How are you doing?"
Jack was sitting talking with Cassie as he finished the steaks.
He noticed that the Major was looking at them. He grinned at
Cassie, "Don't look now but Carter is watching us."
"Do you think she knows?" Cassie asked, worry evident in her
tone, yet not in her posture. Jack had taught her well and she
didn't want the Major to guess.
"Nah," Jack stole a glance at Carter, "although she is smart.
She might suspect something. Did you see the game on TV
earlier?"
Cassie nodded not understanding the shift in conversation.
"Good, when we are done go over and start talking about the
game and lead her to believe that is what we have been talking
about."
She grinned at him. Man, she loved his sense of deviousness.
Almost as if he was reading his mind, he answered, "you're no
slouch yourself. Did you see the look on Danny's face when
he came out of the house? He must have seen that pair of
pants you laid out for him to find." Jack grinned remembering
the look Daniel gave him as he came out. He makes it too easy.
"Although you better move them before Jacob and the
General arrive or even before Carter sees them."
"Hey Jack, looks like Mom and Daniel are having a talk. I think
all of our plans are working."
"One step at a time Kiddo, One step at a time." Jack grinned
one more time at her. "Now go throw the Major off the trail."
"Oh hi Daniel." Janet answered with a smile on her face "I'm
fine. What about you?"
"I'm uh, I'm good," he replied, suddenly finding his hands very
interesting, "Are you enjoying, uh, having fun?" he asked,
shooting her a small smile.
She smiled back noticing he seemed a bit nervous "Yeah it's
great you know us all being together and this being Sam's
birthday." she leaned in and whispered "so what'd you get her?"
His face flushed at the closeness and he could smell her
shampoo. 'Mmm Strawberry...' Slightly dazed, he saw her lips
moving, but heard no sound. "I-I'm sorry what did you say?"
"What did you get Sam for her birthday?" Janet asked puzzled
by Daniel's reaction 'maybe it's that new shampoo I got. I hope
he likes it.' she thought.
"Oh. Well," Daniel grinned, wiggling his eyebrows as he prayed
that his face would turn back to normal, "Now that would be
telling. And we can't have that, now can we?"
Janet just giggled like a schoolgirl 'Now when did I start
giggling?' she asked herself. Smiling again she sat back in her
seat "No I guess we can't."
Daniel slouched slightly in his seat, enjoying the feel of the
back of his lawn chair. The almost scratchy plastic material
was hopefully enough to jerk him back into reality because this
was surely a dream. Some wonderful dream and he was going
to wake up soon in his cold bedroom in his cold apartment.
Figuring he may as well enjoy while it lasted, he looked at
Janet from the corner of his eyes.
Janet sat in her own lawn chair simply smiling. This was an
almost perfect evening, she was with her daughter, her friends
who were more like family and she was getting to spend time
with Daniel and he wasn't hurt. Things were going great, and
then she heard her daughter and then silence as Sam and
Jacks eyes locked.
Sam was sitting just enjoying being safe and with her 'family'.
She still wished her dad would come but she also knew how
important his job with the Tok'ra is. To her left Janet and Daniel
were chatting away. 'I wish those to would see what
we all see and get together' Sam thought.
Cassie was walking toward her and sat down.
"So Sam did you see that amazing Red Wings game last night?"
"Um? Oh yeah that was pretty sweet." Sam answered somewhat
distracted as she saw her CO glance ever so slightly over to
where she sat. She was brought back by Cassie's laughing.
"What? What's so funny?" Sam asked.
"You! I swear you are becoming more and more like Jack all
the time!" Cassie exclaimed.
At this Sam just stared at Cassie then looked up to see Jack
looking at her and their eyes locked. The moment was filled
with a tense silence until Jack spoke.
"Uh, steaks are ready." He swallowed. Shaking off the weird
feeling he continued. "Come and Get it!"
Sam got up and walked over to the grill trying to forget what
had just happened. Ever since the Zatark testing things had
been hard between her and the Colonel and they had just got
back to the way things were and she hoped Cassie's comment
hadn't changed that. Her friendship with Colonel O'Neill meant
more to her than she let on.
After she collected her stake, potato, and diet coca she sat
down at the picnic table that sat in her backyard. The colonel
was the last member to come sit down and Sam was surprised
when he sat next to her. Not that they didn't always sit next to
each on missions, at briefings, or when the team went out; just
that he went a head and sat next to her even after Cassie's
comment. ' Well I guess it doesn't bother him that people have
noticed. It's not like Teal'c and Janet hadn't already known, not
that we would do anything of course.' she thought.
"Guys thank you, this is a great birthday. I wouldn't change
anything" Sam told them with a smile on her face till she said
she wouldn�t change anything because that just wasn't true
she would she would have her farther here with the rest of
the family. The sad look was evident to everyone there.
Daniel sighed at Sam's fallen face. She was trying to keep it hidden but wasn't
doing a good job at it. He hid his look of concern as he spoke to her with a
small smile.
"Don't worry Sam, I'm sure that Jacob will be here." He grinned and looked
sideways at the Colonel, "Isn't that right Jack?"
Meanwhile out front of the Major's house . . .
Teal'c halted in front of Sam's front door and turned to the other person next
to him.
"Do you think Major Carter will enjoy this?" he asked, while lifting up a
hand and knocking hard on the door.
"This will certainly be a surprise."
Continuing in the back yard . . . .
Jack started to scowl at Daniel for potentially giving away part of the
surprise, but after seeing Carter's face he couldn't even bring himself to do
that. Instead, he just sighed, "I am sure Dad wouldn't miss this, really.�
After hearing a knock at the door, "Hey I think I hear knocking. I bet that is
Teal'c. Wanna bet that Dad is with him." He grinned at his Major as he got up to
go through the house to get the door.
Daniel tried not to notice the scowl from Jack and turned his head up
innocently.
He turned to Janet, a grin apparent on his face. "Mmm I think that's Teal'c and
Jacob now. Great timing huh?"
While waiting for a reply, Daniel took the moment to study Janet's eyes. Mmm
chocolate irises with tiny black orbs perfectly centered.
As Jack walked by on his way to the door, he scuffed Daniel on the back of the
head. "Snap out of it, Spacemonkey!" He grinned as he continued into the house
towards the door.
Janet frowned at the colonel's actions, but returned her attention to Daniel
anyway, to find that he was still staring at her.
Daniel absently rubbed the back of his head, and continued to study Janet.
As Janet's head turned towards him, he felt his face burn as their eyes locked.
"Do I have something stuck in my teeth or.......?" She trailed off.
"Teeth?" Daniel said a little dazed. He shook his head, clearing it of thoughts
and spoke again. "No you don't, uh, have anything in your teeth. 'Cept maybe for
your tongue but that's not really in your teeth is it. I, uhhh..." Daniel jumped
up from where he was sitting and said the best or worst excuse he could think of.
"Uhm--Do you want some coffee?" he asked, quickly dumping the coffee out of his
cup behind his back so Janet couldn't see.
Daniel yelped a bit as some of the still-hot coffee splashed against the back of
his pant-leg, soaking through.
"Cause see," he continued, showing her the empty dripping cup, "Mine is all
gone, do you want some while I'm up?"
Janet frowned, a little concerned by Daniel's odd behavior,
"Umm....yeah, thanks."
Sam had to hide the grin that had formed on her face at her friends. 'If they
would just get it together' she thought. She noticed Cassie sitting across the
table also trying hard not to laugh as Daniel burned the backs of his legs.
"Well I wonder what's taking the Colonel so long? Maybe I should go find out?"
Sam said as she stood up and walked into the house.
On her way to the front door she called into her kitchen "Be careful Daniel if
you really injure yourself Janet's your doctor and you'll have to tell her what
happened and why" as she continued on into the house she could her Daniel
mumbling some very colorful phrases.
"Sir is everything ok?" She asked as she near the door then she saw who was with
the Colonel and Teal'c "Holy Hanna!" she exclaimed.
"Major?" Jack turned surprised to see her in the house.
"Major Carter" Teal'c stated. "You look well. Is not the weather lovely?" He
turned to Jack.
"Is that what you call... small talk?" Jack sighed, rolling his eyes at his
friend.
He glanced over at his Major as she took in who was at the door. He was thrilled
that he had been able to arrange it. He grinned as he saw the look of
astonishment on her face as she took in who was with Teal'c.
"Happy Birthday, Sam!" Mark Carter smiled at his sister. He had been worried
about coming. It had been so long since he had seen his sister, plus he had been
warned that his father was invited. However, the colonel had been very
persuasive. Now looking at his sister he was glad he came.
He moved into give her a hug, but was beaten to the punch by his own daughter.
"Aunt Sam!" A little ball of energy threw herself into Sam's arms.
"Sorry Mark, Amanda couldn't wait to see her Aunt Sam." Deborah Carter smiled
at her husband as she walked up to the door. "Happy Birthday Sam!
Mark decided not to wait and hugged Sam even though her arms were filled with
his daughter.
"George, can't you drive any faster. I am missing my little girl's party." He
whined.
"Jacob, we are going to be there in a few minutes, relax."
"George . . . "
Hammond cut him off. "Would you rather drive?"
"Yes, I would!" Jacob groaned. "But they pulled my license since I haven't been
here to renew it."
Hammond smiled, "I know." He grinned. He had always hated Jacob's driving and
was very happy to ignore that renewal notice.
"I still can't believe Mark, Debbie, and Amanda are going to be there, even
knowing I was coming.
"Colonel O'Neill can be rather," he paused to think of the right word.
"persuasive."
"George, he isn't blackmailing my kid is he?"
No response.
"George? George?"
Jack stood there, he was very pleased with himself. Three down, how many more to
go? He grinned and started to back away to give them some privacy. Besides he
probably needed to go look in on Daniel before he gave himself third degree
coffee burns.
Mark looked at his sister again. She still hadn't spoken, but she seemed happy
to see him. "Have I finally made you speechless?" He grinned.
Sam tried not to grin at her brother and quickly replied "No!"
She saw the Colonel starting to back off "Sir!" she called and he turned around
"Yea Carter?"
Sam set Amanda down and walked over to were Jack was standing
"I just wanted to thank you sir. This is really great I mean I never thought
almost all of my family would be here just for my birthday."
With this she did something she normally wouldn't do. She reached up and hugged
her commanding officer and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and whispered
"thank you".
She started to end the hug, but he held on to her and whispered in reply, "your
welcome Sam, and ah lose the 'almost all my family' would ya?" He released her
nodding toward the door.
As she turned around she saw her brother, sister-in-law, their daughter and
walking up behind them was General Hammond and her farther.
Sam let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding. But then panic hit
again as she saw her father was still in his Tok'ra garb. 'How am I going to
explain this to Mark?' she wondered and looked up at Colonel O'Neill, but he was
already on the job of explaining.
Mark noticed Sam's expression and turned around to see his father and General
Hammond. "Uncle George, it is good to see you again. Dad, what on Earth are
you wearing?"
"Well you see . . ." Jack began, glancing at the Major for help. She just
grinned at him and he knew he was on his own. Oh, she would pay for that, but it
didn't matter just then. Why should he have to make up the explanations, why
was Dad stupid enough not change his clothes and the General . . . He decided to
fall back on old habits.
"It's classified." He said with a straight face.
"If it is classified, why is he wearing it on the street?"
Jack walked over to Mark grinning at him. Sam knew that grin, it meant her
brother was in trouble. Jack leaned in close and softly said, "You remember why
you agreed to come?"
Mark looked a little pale, but nodded.
Satisfied the Colonel stepped back and repeated. "It's classified."
This time Mark made no objection. He just nodded before turning his attention
back to his sister and his wife.
�See I told you he was blackmailing my kid.� Jacob said internally.
�It worked didn't it. He got Mark here for our daughter. Isn't that what is
important?� Selmack asked.
Jacob agreed, but decided he would need to talk to O'Neill.
George Hammond leaned down and introduced himself to the little girl. He wanted
to stay out of the whole mess. He didn't think the clothes were that out of
place, course his granddaughters thought he had no sense of fashion. Maybe they
were right.
"Right then. I am going to go check on Daniel, leave all you . . ." He gestured
around the room. "Carter's here to chat. Come on T . . Murray."
�Daniel, are you ok?� Janet asked, still frowning.
"I'm fine," Daniel replied, avoiding looking at her in the face, "I'll just fix
that coffee now."
Daniel whipped around, reading himself to dive for the
coffee-maker, but saw Jack smirking in the doorway.
'Oh this can't be good.'
"Daniel." Jack continued to grin. He knew just standing there saying nothing
would drive Daniel's imagination crazy. Sometimes the boy was too easy.
Daniel scowled at Jack and pushed past him, heading for the coffee machine.
When he returned outside, two cups in hand, he came to a halt as he saw Jack sitting
talking with Janet.
Jack was telling Janet about the look on Sam's face when she saw her father and
brother on the front walk. He was so pleased he was able to get everyone
together. Now he needed to wait patiently to find out how their reunion was going.
Sadly, waiting, patiently no less, was not something he did well.
"Jack will you stop twitching and sit still!" Janet glared at Jack.
"You sure? Is that your medical opinion?" Jack sighed knowing she was right.
"Fine Doc, I'll behave."
"Hey guys," he said, handing one of the coffees to Janet. He sat down on the
other side of Janet and gave Jack a sideways glance, "So what's up?"
"Hmm? Oh, Hey Danny. Nothing, just waiting for Carter" Jack cast a quick glance
at Janet and then back at Daniel. "So, you enjoying your day so far?"
Cassie nearly burst out laughing at the innocent look on Jack's face as she
overheard the question.
Ignoring the look on Jack's face, Daniel feigned a smile.
"I'm doing just fine Jack. Thank you for asking. And yourself?"
Jack looked over at his friend. "Oh, just dandy, Dr. Jackson!" He grinned then
looked over to Janet, "and you Dr. Fraiser, how have you been this wonderful
day. Have you been enjoying" he paused and glanced at Daniel with a huge grin,
"er. . . yourself here today?"
Then he felt a stone hit him the back, he glanced around and saw Cassie behind
him. She was trying to tell him to cut-it out. She was worried that he would
spoil everything. 'Oh ye of little faith!'
He turned to await Janet's reply.
Janet frowned, unsure of what Jack's look to Daniel was supposed to imply, "Yeah, it's been fun."
Cassie saw the look pass on her mother's face and decided she couldn't trust Jack any longer.
She walked over sat next to her Mom, which caused her to have to scoot closer to Daniel.
"So whatcha ya talkin' about?" She grinned.
"What are you guys doing here? What did the Colonel do to you to get you down
here?" Sam asked her brother.
"Well, we came for you birthday and well maybe you should ask Colonel O'Neill
about that." answered Mark. "So what are up to these days Sam?"
"Deep Space Radar Telemetry"
"And she does a damn fine job of it too" Jacob jumped in.
"What do you know about it Dad and what are you doing we don't have an address or phone number,
hell I don't even know were my own farther lives!" Mark fumed. Deborah and
Amanda was just standing back out of the way.
As Jacob began to answer his sons question Deborah slipped over to Sam "Hey Sam
happy birthday"
"Thanks Deborah"
"Um where's you bathroom I just want to freshen up a bit?"
"Oh down the hall and on the right"
"Thanks" and with that Deborah was off with Amanda in tow.
"I know what I need to know about what Sam does. As for were I live that's
classified." Jacob answered.
"Then what's with what you're wearing?" Mark asked.
"It's part of the job I am currently working on."
"And that would be?"
"Classified. Now we are her for Sam so can we just drop it?"
"Sure Dad what ever you want" at that a silence came upon the room.
Deborah and Amanda came back in and Sam decided to break the silence.
"So Mark how long are you guys staying?"
"Um if it's ok with you we were thinking a week"
"That's great but I have to leave tomorrow for a day or so but you are more than
welcome to stay here till I get back"
"I'll think about it Sam." Mark replied.
"Dad what about you how long are you here for?" Sam asked
"Till I get recalled." Jacob answered
"Well why don't we head out back the Colonel made his famous O'Neill style
steaks"
Once outside Sam saw Jack and Cassie torturing Daniel and Janet, Teal'c and
General Hammond were getting some food and talking.
"Hey guys I want you all to meet my brother Mark, his wife Deborah and their
daughter Amanda" pointing to them in turn "This is Dr. Daniel Jackson, Dr. Janet
Fraiser and her daughter Cassandra, of course you know General Hammond,
Murray, and Colonel O'Neill"
"Please Jack, why don't I go grab some more sodas and you guys dig in"
As Mark and his family were getting their food Cassie and Amanda began to talk
and headed over to the deck to eat.
"So Dr. Jackson, Dr. Fraiser how do you know Sam?" asked Deborah.
"Uh its Daniel and I am on the same team as Sam"
"Its Janet and Sam and I work at the same base."
"So what type of team requires a medical Doctor that works with Deep Space Radar
Telemetry?" Mark asked.
"Uh well um first I am a doctor of archaeology and the rest I can't talk about"
"Of course" Mark replied less than happy.
"Hey Carter" Jack yelled and got five sets of eyes on him.
Sam quickly noticed, giggled a bit and answered "Yes Sir?"
"Just wanted to know if you had any more Pepsi?"
"Oh yeah in the house you know were it is right?"
"Yep, I'll try and not use Carter anymore tonight though" everyone laughed at that.
Things are going good so far, thought Sam, hope they stay this way.
Jack returned from the house with an arm full of Pepsi. He put them down with
the other drinks and grabbed one for himself and Sam. He walked over and
without thinking sat down next to her, placed the drink in front of her, and
started talking.
"Hope all of you like the steaks. My grandpa taught me to make them and they
are damn fine, if you ask me" He looked up at and realized he was rattling on.
"Which you didn't. As you were� He put his head down and started to eat.
Jack noticed that no one had started eating, talking, (writing,) or anything else. "I said as you were." He looked around.
"Oh, for crying out loud! Go, eat, have fun. Sheesh!"
"So Dad how are you doing? It's been a while since we talked." Mark asked.
"Oh I am doing ok. you?
"Good, good, doing good."
"That�s good"
Jack learned over a whispered to Sam "Is this what all of there conversations are like?" "Pretty much"
"Ah, no wonder they are so close," he said sarcastically as he straightened up. "So Campers? What do you think of the grub?"
Daniel laughed at Jack's outburst.
"Even in such an informal setting, Jack still trys to be the boss..." he mused to himself, "So's the life." He looked around, smiling at all the happy faces...ballons and smoke rising in the air. Uh...smoke?
Venturing forth, he saw huge red-oragne flames sparking up and licking the edge of the tablecloth.
"Uh...Jack!?" Daniel called over to the annoying military Colonel, "Jack, the barbeque is on fire!"