Chapter Text
“It’s just about time to pick up the boys,” Sam reminded him. Cassie was asleep and Sam was about to put her to bed.
Jack nodded and stood slowly, suddenly feeling tired.
“Hey, mind if I come alone?” Daniel asked him.
“Sure. Ferretti? You wanna come too?”
“Thanks, Jack, but I think I’ll stay and relax – if Sam doesn’t mind?”
“Of course not, Colonel,” she smiled. “Just give me a moment and I’ll put Cassie down and then you can tell me more about what’s been going on back home.”
Jack headed out, followed closely by Daniel. They’d barely reached the bottom of the porch stairs, when Daniel reached out and put his hand on Jack’s back.
“I really can’t tell you how happy I am to see you,” he said quietly. “It’s been hell, not knowing what happened to the both of you. I missed you.”
Jack could feel some of the tension leave his body. He smiled and put his arm around his friend. “Yeah, I – we – missed you too. At first we worried you hadn’t made it off that damned planet, but then we agreed that you had – luck of Sg1. We also knew that you would worry about us, and it was awful not being able to let you know we were okay.”
“Yeah, I hear ya. Although it sounds as if you weren’t – okay I mean. At least, not for the first while.” Daniel looked at his friend, a question in his eyes.
Damn! Jackson knew him too well.
“No, it was hard – it’s been hard. First, thinking that Sam was dead was, well it was awful.”
“And you were hurt.”
“Yeah, and I was hurt.” Jack stopped talking as they continued to walk, slowly, towards the school.
“Was it bad?” Only Daniel would push him on this. Well, Daniel and Fraiser, but she wasn’t here.
He thought, for a moment, about making a quip and changing the subject, but knew that wouldn’t be fair. If there was anyone to whom he owed honesty, it was Daniel.
“Yeah, it was bad,” he admitted. “There were times I didn’t think I’d ever get better.” He took a deep breath and smiled slightly. “But I did, and here I am.”
“You’re looking great,” Daniel said, observing him closely. “So, you were able to heal from whatever they did to you?”
Another breath. “Physically I was better in a few weeks,” he admitted. “It was the mental -” he stopped, having trouble going on. “I had PTSD,” he admitted. “It took a while.”
“I’m sorry, Jack,” Daniel said, sounding totally sincere. “That’s awful. But you really are okay now?”
This time Jack was able to smile broadly. “Even if I wasn’t,” he said with a short laugh, “I wouldn’t have time to feel sorry for myself. With four kids and a thriving business, I’m pretty much busy all the time.”
Daniel chuckled, knowing it was time to let the serious discussion go. He knew that Jack probably underplayed what had happened to him, but it must have been pretty serious for his friend to even admit to PTSD. He’d have to think about it, but later. “I must admit it’s something to witness,” he answered. “You’ll have to take me to this Mercantile of yours. I’m curious to see it.”
“Mercantiles Daniel,” Jack scolded him. “With an “s”. I’m a mogul, remember. We have six and are opening another two, plus a factory. We already passed the original store. It’s next to the house.”
“Wow, who would have thought! Good for you.”
“Yes, well, most of the credit goes to Ethan, and Sam as well. Between us we’ve discovered we’re really good at growing the business. Ethan had a successful store when I got here, but with Sam – well, she’s the creative partner, I run the actual business now that Ethan’s retired.”
“It’s really unbelievable,” Daniel shook his head. “Of all the things I imagined had happened to the two of you, this would never have entered my mind. It’s crazy.”
“Yeah, it is, isn’t it? But it’s good,” Jack told him. “Sam and I have been able to build a life here, a good life, even though it was hard for the first couple of years.”
“Did you ever try and find a way home?” Daniel asked, curiously. Before Jack answered he snorted. “Ignore that,” he said. “Of course you did.”
“Yeah, we looked for a long time - I guess for the first couple of years. No one had ever heard of the stargate and there was nothing in their literature or stories. But -”, he looked at Daniel out of the corner of his eyes.
“But?” Daniel asked, intrigued.
“Well, it’s a long story, but the identical twin brother of one of the guys who kidnapped me showed up. Let me tell you the shock that gave me. Anyway, he found out I’d killed his brother and decided on some revenge. He kidnapped Sam and the boys.”
“Oh no, that’s awful!”
“Yes, yes it was. Anyway, Hiram, who you met earlier, and a bunch of our friends and neighbors searched. A few of us went into the hills and fortunately, we found them.”
“And?”
“They were okay, thank God, but - we also found the ruins of a stargate,” he told his friend. “It turns out that people here had a “legend” about men with glowing eyes stealing their children and taking them to the caves in the hills. Sam and I couldn’t believe that no one had ever mentioned it, but I think it was a case of community trauma from generations past and they had decided to bury the memories.”
“So, there was a gate?”
“Mmm hmm – but it was in little pieces. I did go back but there was nothing left. Sam looked at it as well, but it was beyond repair. That was the point that we knew we were stuck here.”
“Wow, that must have been hard,” Daniel said, sympathy in his voice.
“It was,” Jack nodded, remembering how they’d felt. “But, like I said, we landed in a good place and have made a happy life here.”
“What are you going to do now?” Daniel asked gently. It was the question that had been swirling in Jack’s mind since the moment he’d recognized Teal’c.
Fortunately, they were coming to the school. It wasn’t that far away, but they’d been walking slowly.
“Uh – we’re here,” he said, not really wanting to answer his friend. Daniel seemed to understand and let the question go.
“The Charlie O’Neill Primary School. Uh Jack?”
Jack smiled briefly. “Sam and I had the school built,” he told his friend. “We’ve been very fortunate with our business and so we decided to give back to the community that had, so generously, taken us in. They had a small school, but it was crowded and old. The town insisted that we name it. Sam suggested that,” he pointed at the sign. “Not – being able to visit Charlie’s grave was hard and this – helps.”
Daniel just nodded and gave his friend a brief pat on the back. “I think it’s wonderful.”
“And we’re here just in time,” Jack grinned, as the bell rang and dozens of little kids came pouring out of the school. “Hey Simon,” he called, “Jankin!”
Two little boys made a beeline for the men. “Hi Daddy,” Simon called, running ahead of his brother.
“Wait up, Simon,” Jankin called. “Daddy! Guess what! I won an award today.”
“You did?” Jack grabbed both boys and gave them each a hug. “What was it for?”
“Here, look!” Jankin pulled out a certificate that was slightly crumpled and had little fingerprints on it.
“It says: To Jankin O’Neill for being a kind and helpful friend,” Jack read. He lowered his hand and looked at his son. “I am SO proud of you, Jankin.” He reached over and gave the little boy a hug. “And your Mom is going to burst with pride. Well done, son!”
“And I got an “excellent” on my arithmetic test,” Simon told him. That garnered another hug from Jack.
“And I am so proud of you. Good job, Simon. Mommy will be really proud of you as well.”
Simon grinned but then noticed the man standing with his father. Jankin had also noticed him, and they looked curiously at the dark-haired man.
“I want to introduce a very special person to you,” he told his sons. “This is your Uncle Daniel Jackson. I’ve told you about him many times.”
Jankin’s eyes grew big, and Simon’s mouth dropped open. “You’re our Uncle Daniel?” Simon said. “You’re one of Daddy’s best friends?”
“That’s right,” Daniel smiled, putting out his hand and shaking that of the little boy. He then did the same with Jankin. “It’s an honor to meet both of you. And congratulations Jankin. That is a very special award, and congratulations to you, Simon. Arithmetic isn’t easy, so well done. I can see why your Dad is so proud of both of you.”
The two boys started asking all sorts of questions until Jack had to tell them to slow down. “Poor Uncle Daniel can’t even get a word in,” he told the boys. “You’ll have time to ask more questions later. Why don’t you run home. I think Mommy has some cookies waiting for you.”
With a shout, both boys ran ahead, flying as fast as they could.
Daniel laughed. “They’re great kids, Jack,” he told his friend. “I bet they keep you on your toes!”
“Oh yeah,” Jack answered, also with a laugh. He then grew somber and glanced at Daniel. “They were the ones who helped me heal,” he admitted. “Ethan found me and took me in and helped nurse me back to help. When I started to get a bit better, those two snuck into my room to keep me company,” he grinned. “They had lost their parents the year before, and Ethan found it a bit hard to cope with two rambunctious boys. For me – well – it gave me something to do.”
“And someone to love,” Daniel said softly. “You’re really good at that.”
Jack shrugged, looking embarrassed. “Well, they’re hard not to love. They’re definitely imps, but kind-hearted and smart.”
“I can hardly wait to meet Ethan,” Daniel said, realizing that Jack needed a change of topic. “He sounds pretty special.”
“He is,” nodded Jack. “He’s a good man. I think having me show up also gave him a new purpose in life. Losing his daughter was devastating and I became his new “project,” Jack smiled, remembering. “I was able to start helping with the store and with the two of us, we were able to grow and expand it. I also convinced him to hire a nanny/housekeeper, because we needed someone to watch the boys during the day. Magrit came to live with us and – well – they’re married now.”
“So, Yenta O’Neill,” Daniel laughed.
Jack laughed. “Just you wait, Jackson. There are a lot of pretty women here on Varid!”
“Jack!” a man’s voice could be heard calling out from across the street. Jack glanced over and waved.
“Magnus! Come meet my friend Daniel.”
Daniel watched as a very tall, thin man crossed the street to where they were standing. He had a huge smile on his face and gave Jack a swift pat on the back.
“So, this is the famous Daniel Jackson,” the tall man said, putting out his hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you. Jack has told us so much about you.”
“Hmm – do I want to know what he’s been saying,” Daniel said, shaking the other man’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“He has only said good things,” Magnus answered, “although I still have not figured out what “Space Monkey” means.”
“It’s just Jack’s way of showing affection,” Daniel told him. That got a snort from Jack.
“Magnus is one of my closest friends here in Hjem,” Jack told him. “He’s kind of my Hjem-Daniel,” he chuckled.
“He is also responsible for my marriage,” Magnus told Daniel. “So, watch yourself!”
Daniel looked curiously at Jack. “So, you really are a Yenta,” he said. “Come to Hjem and matchmake all its citizens?”
“Well, I want everyone to be happy,” he explained.
“That is true,” Magnus nodded, “but he was obstinate when it came to his own love life,” the man explained to Daniel. “We thought he’d never get off his backside and tell Sam how he felt.”
Daniel’s eyebrows went up, and he looked at Jack. “Really?”
“Hey – I was able to show some restraint and patience,” Jack told his friends. “Good things come to those who wait.”
“Yes, and you and Samantha are both very good! Now, I shouldn’t keep you any longer as I know it’s getting close to dinner. I hope to be able to see you again, Daniel. If you are still here for the next few days, I would love to invite you and your friends over for dinner. I know that Magda would love to meet you.”
“She’s curious, isn’t she?” Jack said with a smile. “Tell her hi, and I’ll send word once I know what their plans are. It was nice to see you, Magnus and give the kids a hug from their Uncle Jack. I’ll be in touch soon.”
After Jack’s friend had gone, the two men continued walking. “You really do have a lot of good friends here, don’t you.”
“Mmm hmm,” nodded Jack, “I told you, it’s a good place. However, there is no one that can take your place, Daniel. I’ve missed you.”
Before things got too maudlin, they’d arrived by the Mercantile. Jack invited Daniel inside to see it.
“Hi Erik – how are things going?” Jack asked their senior manager. The young man was newly married, with a child on the way. He did an excellent job at their stores, and had taken a lot of pressure off of Jack.
“They’re going well,” he replied. “We sold a large volume of the ‘jeans’ today. They are increasingly popular.”
“Yes, well – they’re great for just about everything.” Jack glanced over at Daniel, who was looking at him curiously. “Yeah, Sam came up with the material and patterns and we’ve created a whole denim line. They’re popular because they last.”
“Good idea,” his friend nodded. “May I look around?”
Jack watched as Daniel wandered around the store, looking at various objects. He asked questions on a couple of things he didn’t recognize but also noticed some “Earth” products. He didn’t say anything, but would look over at Jack, who nodded each time he made a discovery.
“Wow, it’s pretty amazing, Jack,” Daniel told them as they headed out of the store. “You have some great things there. It’s interesting to see how you modified some Earth objects. Are they popular?”
“Oh yeah! It’s why we’ve had to expand. The one store couldn’t deal with the volume of customers we were getting. People also wanted to shop closer to home. It’s been fun doing all of this, and it gives Sam a creative outlet – which she needs.”
“Good for both of you. So, you’ve gone from blowing things up, to creating things?”
“Hey, we did more than blow things up,” Jack complained with a smirk. “Although I must admit that was fun!”
They’d arrived at the house by this time, to see Teal’c sitting in the living room, holding a sleeping little girl.
“She grew tired, O’Neill,” Teal’c explained. “We played with her stuffed animals for a long time.”
“I’m sorry, Teal’c. I hope you didn’t get too bored.”
“Indeed, I did not,” his friend replied. “I enjoyed spending time with your daughter. She is beautiful and very kind. She shared her animals with me. I liked the lamb.”
Jack chuckled, as did Daniel. “Where’s Sam?” he asked.
“She went to get your son, who was crying. Captain Hailey accompanied her. I believe Colonel Ferretti went for a walk in your garden.”
“Okay,” Jack nodded. “I’m gonna start getting something for dinner for all of us. Teal’c, if you’d like, I’ll put her down. I’ll also show you to your rooms. Fortunately, we have plenty of space so you won’t have to bed down outside.”
As Jack put his daughter into her tiny bed he thought about the choice ahead. He glanced around the room and knew it was going to be a difficult one. With a sigh, he gently closed the door and headed down to see his friends.