It was Daniel’s death that did it. It was Daniel’s death that finally made them realise that there was more to life than following the rules and regulations. It was Daniel’s death that caused Sam and Jack to finally give in to their feelings, and put themselves before their jobs.
“I still can’t believe he’s gone,” Jack whispered as they lay together in his bed; Sam’s head resting on his chest. He idly stroked the blonde locks as tears ran down her face, leaving a wet patch on him.
“I know,” she agreed, biting her lip at the memory of their friend’s death... or ascension. “I keep expecting him to walk in here, and demand to know what took us so long.”
Jack laughed, although it was forced. “It’s going to be difficult without him. But we’ve got to remain strong.”
“We have to remain strong for Janet,” Sam said, curling up closer to him; enjoying the closeness of another body. His hand moved from her hair to her back, and he began to caress her bare skin.
“Janet?” Jack questioned, puzzlement evident in his voice. Sam’s mouth dropped open in shock, and she was momentarily speechless
“You didn’t know?” she asked when she regained her voice and looked up at him. “Daniel didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?” Jack wanted to know, getting slightly impatient, although he was careful not to raise his voice, not wanting to seem unfeeling as Sam tried to maintain her composure
“Daniel and Janet were seeing each other. As in dating,” Sam explained, which certainly clarified a lot of things for Jack. “They’ve been growing closer ever since Cassie was sick, but I think it’s only been a romantic relationship for the last few months.”
Before he had a chance to voice his astonishment, the phone by his bed rang. “Hello?” He spoke into it, before handing it to Sam and telling her in a quiet voice “It’s Janet for you.”
Sam grabbed the phone, and sat up, pulling the sheet up around her body. Jack propped himself up on his elbow as he watched the woman he loved hold a one sided conversation. Replacing the phone back in its cradle after a surprisingly short amount of time, Sam turned back to face him, her face serious.
“Janet’s pregnant.”
“With Daniel’s baby?” came the automatic question, and Sam briefly glared at him.
“I have to go and see her,” she announced, starting to look for her clothes, which they had tossed around the room the previous night. “Oh God poor Janet.”
She was shaking, so Jack pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. “Be strong, remember. We’ll get through it. Janet’s a strong woman... she’d cope anyway, but she’s got you, me, Cassie and Teal’c. And who knows? Maybe Daniel will be his child’s guardian angel. It’s all going to be alright baby – trust me.”
Epilogue – one year later
“Daniel Jonathon Samuel Jackson – what are you doing?” Janet smiled at the new man in her life – her six-month-old son who was the spitting image of his father. When she had found out that she was carrying Daniel’s son, she was adamant that he would be called after his father, although if he had been a girl, she would have been Danielle.
On the other side of the living room, Sam grinned as she tried to deal with three-month-old twins – Danielle Cassandra and Charlotte Janet, named after the most important people in their parent’s lives. The girls would be known every day as Ella and Lottie though, as Daniel was to be Dan or Danny, and Charlie had been reserved for their half-brother.
“And I don’t know what your Auntie Sam’s grinning at,” Janet continued talking to Dan. “Because she’s got two little girls to look after who are going to take after their daddy, aren’t they? And they’re going to grow up all sarcastic, and they’re going to drive Auntie Sam mad.” Dan just gurgled, and waved his little arms around.
Jack O’Neill stood just outside the door, with one arm around a seventeen year old Cassandra, watching the scene inside. A sudden gust of wind ruffled their hair, and Jack looked up and smiled. The son may not know his father, but the father would know his son.
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