Have a little Faith: Finally
Have a little Faith: Finally
by Faith
TITLE: Have a little Faith: Finally
AUTHOR: Faith
EMAIL: angelic_devil21@hotmail.com
CATEGORY: Romance, Action/Adventure
PAIRING: Jack/other
SPOILERS: none, i don't think.
SEASON / SEQUEL: 4; Part three in the 'have a little faith' series.
RATING: PG-13
CONTENT WARNINGS: sexual situations
SUMMARY: Can Athena get Jack and Faith together or are they too stubborn to recognise what thay feel?
STATUS: Complete
ARCHIVE: Heliopolis
DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. We have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the authors. Not to be archived without permission of the authors.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thanks to Kat for the support on this, the advice for the future and for being the forst person to give me feedback on my work. i'm just about to take my GCSE's (big exams in England) so the fourth part might not be here till the end of june 01. Just remember, this isn't the end of this series, there is more to come, it just might take a while. thanx.
READER WARNING!!!
This is the third in the 'Have a Little Faith' series, it is highly recommended that you have read the first, if not the second story before you read this one. The Story that sparked off this series is named 'Have a Little Faith: Faith' and is archived on this site, along with second named 'Have a Little Faith: Promises'.
RE-CAP(The story so far):-
The Extras(The main new characters.)
* Dr Faith Eliza Hudson: Archaeologist and linguist speaking 32 languages (as far as we know).
* Athena Hudson: 10 year old daughter of Faith, highly intelligent child suffering from terminal cancer.
* Barney and Eddie: Good friends of Faith and Athena's, a gay couple.
The Last Chapter
"So, what do you think I should do?" Faith asked Athena as they finished eating breakfast, she had just explained the job offer that had been plaguing her conscious all night long.
"What do you want to do?" Athena looked up at her mother.
"I want to be with you."
"Mom, you know that's never gonna happen. We need money."
"I know that. Talk about stating the obvious."
"So you've got to think about it money wise."
"Sweetie, money isn't all that matters."
Athena raised her eyebrows. She was well aware of the money trouble her mother was in; she owed far too much to her brother and barely earned enough on her university job to pay the bills, despite working more hours than humanly possible.
"It isn't." Faith assured with more force.
"Mom. The military would pay you good money, right?"
"Yes it would."
"And you'd get time off?"
"Yes I would."
"And you wouldn't have to work 23 hours a day to pay the bills, right?"
"True, but I would have to do some over time and maybe go away for a little while."
"But you'd like the job and it'd be okay hours right?"
"Right."
"Then what's the problem?"
"I want to spend my time with you, not working for the military."
"But mom, if you didn't work for the military, then what would you do?"
"I don't-"
"You'd keep on working long hours at the university and I'd never see you." Athena stated.
"Not necessarily."
"What would you do instead?"
"I don't know Sweetie."
"Exactly. It might be worse than your Uni job."
"I'd make sure it wasn't."
"Mom, if you work for the military, I get cared for on base right?"
"Yeah."
"And I'd get to come home with you at night?"
"I think so."
"Then you could come and visit me any time you wanted, right?"
"I guess so."
"Then we wouldn't really be apart, would we."
"I guess not."
Athena was about to speak again, when a knock at the door interrupted her. Glad her mother was warming to the idea of working at the base, if nothing else it gave Athena more of a chance to get her mom and Jack together. Which in the end was the ultimate plan, and if they were both there with him every single day, her task wouldn't be all that hard.
Speak of the Devil.Athena thought to herself as Jack entered the kitchen.
"Thought any more about Hammond offer?" He asked Faith.
She shot her daughter a look, one that said I'm taking your advice, for now, before saying.
"Where do I sign?"
Have a Little Faith: Finally
Dr Faith Hudson approached the security check at the entrance of Cheyenne Mountain, Athena clutching tightly at her hand. It was her daughter's first visit to the base and she wasn't looking forward to being surrounded by military personnel and getting a new Doctor that for all she knew could be a 90-year-old witch.
Faith showed her ID and handed the Lieutenant on duty all the papers regarding Athena's access to the base and did all the signing and hand scanning that came with it. Once cleared for entry she took Athena and led her into the large steel elevator, pressing the button for level 28, told her daughter.
"Level 28. It's gonna be a long ride."
"This is all underground?" Athena asked, despite being young she was intelligent, full of knowledge and worldly wise, but she knew nothing of the military.
"Yup."
"So what happens if there's an earthquake and the whole mountain caves in?"
"Start on a happy note why don't ya?" Faith stated sarcastically.
"Well?" Athena waited for an answer.
"If there's an earthquake and the mountain caves in, then we kiss our butts goodbye."
"That helps!" Athena complained.
"But there won't be an earthquake, so you have nothing to worry about. Any other stupid or morbid questions you want to ask?"
"Nope. But I do want to know if you've met Dr Fraiser."
"No I haven't, but I've met one of the other doctors and she assured me that she's a very good doctor and an even nicer lady."
"She's a lady?"
"Yup."
"Jack says Dr Fraiser's a pain in the ass."
"Well ignore Jack, and don't use that kind of language again."
"But it's what he said!"
"I don't care, that doesn't mean you can say it too. Understood?"
Athena nodded as the lift bell pinged and the doors opened to reveal level 28.
"Now, I'm taking you to meet General Hammond." Faith explained as they stepped out of the elevator. "He's in charge of the base, so best behaviour. Okay?"
Athena nodded again. "Okay mom."
"Remember, be polite, smile, stand up straight, speak when you're spoken to, no discussing mucus, puss, bile, vomit, blood or guts and no belching the national anthem or offering to. Got it?"
"Got it." Athena answered before adding sarcastically. "Belch the national anthem and don't be polite."
"Very funny." Faith said leading Athena into the waiting area outside General Hammond's office and waiting for the secretary to send them in.
"Ah, Dr Hudson." General Hammond greeted, raising from his chair to shake Faith's hand. "This must be Athena." He commented offering his hand to the child.
Athena shook it and answered. "Yes Sir."
"Call me General." He instructed.
"Yes General." Athena was suddenly very sheepish and shy; not normally one of her character traits, but General Hammond and his authority scared her.
"There's nothing to be afraid of. I don't bite," Hammond assured her.
Athena managed a weak smile.
"General, I looked over the contract and everything seems to be in order." Faith stepped in, rescuing her daughter.
"I'm glad to hear that Dr Hudson. Does this mean you will be joining the SGC."
"Yes it does." Faith answered, handing Hammond the signed documents that committed her to the SGC.
Hammond looked over the papers before putting his signature at the bottom and saying. "Welcome to the SGC."
"Thank you."
Hammond then turned his attention back to Athena. "Well, young lady. Now to deal with you."
"Me?" Athena visibly paled.
"Yes you. There are a few papers that you have to sign before I can let you go anywhere. Once you've signed them we can take you to meet Dr Fraiser and explain what we do here."
"Papers?"
Faith looked down at Athena, she could have sworn she had explained this, maybe she hadn't after all.
"Yes." Hammond explained. "What we do here in the mountain is very secret."
"It's classified?"
"Yes, it is. So you have to sign some papers that promises you won't tell anyone about what we do here."
"Like the ones we had to sign in Egypt?" Athena asked her mother. "On that dig we lived on."
"Yeah. Like those. How d'you remember that? You were 6."
Athena shrugged. "Just do."
"So you understand?" Hammond asked.
Athena nodded. "Yes General."
"Good."
"But one thing."
"Yes?"
"Do I get locked up if I say anything or shot?"
"I'm afraid if you tell anyone what goes on in this mountain, then you will be imprisoned. But not shot."
Athena nodded. "I can keep a secret."
"Good. Now if I can have that in writing." Hammond said handing Athena the appropriate papers and a pen to sign them with, before explaining to Athena about the SGC.
General Hammond led Athena and Faith into the infirmary, Athena asking her mother and Hammond questions at speed neither could keep up with, let alone answer at. Directing her towards a bed, Faith lifted her daughter up on to it and silenced her.
"You can ask questions later, now you've got to get checked out by Dr Fraiser."
Athena pulled her sulky face.
"That isn't going to work on me, the General or Dr Fraiser." Faith informed her.
The petit brunette Dr Fraiser entered the infirmary, a cheery smile written across her features as she headed over to Faith and Athena.
"Dr Fraiser, this is Dr Faith Hudson and her daughter Athena." Hammond introduced.
"Hi, I'm Dr Janet Fraiser." Janet introduced herself, shaking Faiths outstretched hand.
"Nice to meet you. Did you get Athena's records okay?"
"Yes, I did."
"Oh good. I know what hospital admin can be like."
"When it's for the military they tend to take the extra amount of care."
Faith smiled. She liked Dr Fraiser and so far had no worries with leaving her daughter in her care.
"Dr Fraiser, will you inform me when you have finished with Dr Hudson and her daughter."
"Yes Sir." Janet answered.
Hammond turned to Faith. "When you're finished here I'll take you both to meet the rest of SG-1. I understand you didn't have chance to get properly aquatinted on PX2 983."
"Well, it was difficult considering the earthquake and fleeing the planet."
Hammond smiled and informed them before leaving. "I'll send an Airman to collect you."
"So Athena, how are you feeling today?" Janet asked, her usual happy and kind self.
"I'm okay thanks."
"She slept most of yesterday. We've been out quite a bit this week and it's tired her out." Faith added into the conversation.
"Okay, that's good. You shouldn't let yourself get tired and not catch up with yourself, otherwise your body won't be able to cope."
Athena nodded. "Alright. I'll make sure I get plenty of rest."
Janet looked surprised. "Well, I was expecting a little more resistance than that."
"You were?" Athena asked.
"Believe it or not she's actually good at listening to Doctors orders." Faith explained.
"Wow. You don't get that from your father then. He never listens to me."
"Daniel's in here a lot?"
"Yes. Daniel is more than a little accident prone." Janet explained.
Athena laughed.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think he likes it in here."
Athena laughed harder.
"Okay Athena, I'm gonna have to give you a check up now. Is that alright?"
Athena nodded. "Do you have to take bloods?"
"Yes, why are you afraid of needles?"
"No. I want to draw it myself."
Janet raised an eyebrow. "I don't think so. But one day I'll teach you how to do it on a dummy, okay?"
Athena pondered the offer; it was better than she had ever gotten from her other doctors. "Okay." She agreed.
"So Athena, that's a different name. How d'you get that?"
"My mom gave it to me, how else?"
Janet laughed.
"It's the name of the Greek Goddess of love." Athena then explained.
"Cool. I have a daughter. Her name's Cassandra."
"How old is she?"
"A few years older than you. She's nearly 15. She was 12 when I adopted her."
"You adopted her?"
"Yep. You see, she isn't from around here."
"What, she's from Canada?"
"No, further than that. She's from through the Stargate. The people of her planet died and she was the only survivor. SG-1 brought her back and I feel in love with her."
"Poor Cassandra."
"Well, Cassie is happy on earth now. Maybe one day you could meet her. I think you two would get along great."
Athena nodded. "That'd be nice." She paused to think before finally asking. "Are you really Dr Fraiser?"
"Yes I am, why? You can see my dog tags if you don't believe me."
"Oh, it's okay. I believe you."
"Then why did you ask?"
"I wasn't sure because you're so nice."
"And I'm not supposed to be?" Janet questioned.
"No." Athena explained. "Jack said you were a pain in the a-. He said you were a pain and very horrible."
"When you say 'Jack', you wouldn't happen to be talking about Colonel O'Neill would you?"
Athena nodded.
"When did he tell you that?"
"Last week, when mom said she'd take the job."
"Typical. You see Athena, Colonel O'Neill doesn't like Doctors full stop, especially medical ones. And he doesn't like me even more because I'm a very good one."
Athena looked confused. "That doesn't make sense."
"To Colonel O'Neill it does. You see he doesn't like it when I keep him in the infirmary and make him rest and take his meds. If he had his way he'd go home, not take any medication or follow any kind of doctors orders and he doesn't like me because I make sure he does."
"I understand. He's just being plain stupid! How does he expect to get better if he doesn't do as he's told."
"I wish he'd listen to me when I tell him that."
"I was wondering why my ears were burning." Came a familiar voice from the infirmary doorway.
Colonel Jack O'Neill.
Athena jumped off the bed, it had been over a week and a half since she had seen him and had more than begun to miss his presence around her house. Running over to him, she jumped into his outstretched arms and he picked her up off the ground, her arms secured around his neck and her legs around his waist. She hugged him tightly before he put he back on the ground and said.
"Hey shortie."
Athena smiled up at him. "Hi Jack."
Jack then turned his gaze to Dr Fraiser and then to Faith, saying. "Doctors."
Faith returned his gaze with a gentle smile.
"How can I help you Colonel?" Janet asked.
"I'm here to steal Dr Hudson away from your evil clutches Doc." He joked.
"And do you have permission from General Hammond tostealher?"
Jack nodded before saying innocently. "Of course."
"I guess Dr Hudson's check-up can wait."
Jack smiled a 'thank-you' at Janet and waited for Faith to reach the infirmary exit before saying. "After you."
"I don't know where we're going." Faith informed him.
"Or after me." He added leading her away from the infirmary.
As Janet waited for Athena to return to the bed in front of her she couldn't help but wonder if there was anything going on between Colonel O'Neill and Dr Hudson. And if there was, what was the seriousness of it. Janet had immediately picked up on the almost visible sparks of electricity that passed between the two as soon as Colonel O'Neill had entered the room. Those two definitely had chemistry whether they had admitted it or not, and it was pretty big chemistry if she could pick up on it with only a few minutes with them together.
Janet also couldn't help but pick up on the bond between Jack and Athena, they way both their eyes lit up when they saw each other, they way they were like family. Colonel O'Neill had that look in his eyes, the one he only got when he was with children, Janet couldn't help but worry about how close he was getting to the child. Janet knew of his troubled past and of his son Charlie, she hoped for his sake that he knew what he was getting into and that Athena wasn't going to be around forever.
Colonel O'Neill had been put through a lot since he had begun work at the SGC and she just hoped that he was strong enough to ride this out, because she could tell Athena wasn't going to give him up easily. And neither was Dr Hudson if she was truthful.
"What ya thinkin'?" Athena asked, breaking into Janet's thoughts.
"Nothing." Janet lied.
"You noticed it too? You'd think if they insist on denying it they'd at least be more subtle about it."
"Subtle? Deny? Who?"
"My mom and Jack silly."
"What about your mom and Colonel O'Neill?"
"They like each other."
"Well, I don't think you should go spreading that if they haven't actually told you."
"But they do. Even you noticed it! It's not my fault they're being silly and can't admit it to themselves."
"Well, if something is meant to happen, then it will."
Athena raised her eyebrows sceptically.
"Just give them some time. If they do like each other, then it's going to be hard to ignore working so close."
"You think?"
"I know. Now, lets draw some bloods."
Jack led Faith and Athena into the briefing room, where the rest of SG-1 was already sat around the large table, with General Hammond at the head. Jack took a seat next to Daniel and Faith and Athena sat down in the two unoccupied chairs opposite, Athena's gaze locked on the visible Stargate.
"Welcome Dr Hudson, Athena." The General greeted before introducing. "This is SG-1, the primary team at this facility. I believe you already know the commanding officer, Colonel O'Neill and our resident archaeologist Dr Jackson."
Daniel gave a little wave to Athena and Faith as Hammond continued.
"This is Major Samantha Carter, second in command and Doctor of astrophysics. And this is Teal'c." General Hammond waved a hand at each of the people in question before continuing. "SG-1, this is Dr Faith Hudson and her daughter Athena."
"Hi." Sam said, mesmerised by the stunning effect of the little girls eyes, set in her dark Egyptian skin the bright blue eyes were more startling than Daniel's. There was no questioning the child's parentage, though she was still trying to absorb the fact that Daniel had a child and had never told them, not even the Colonel.
"Welcome Faith Hudson, and Athena." Teal'c greeted, his voice not changing from his usual monotone manner.
Athena and Faith responded accordingly, trying not to sound to phased by all they were learning. The history of worlds and lost civilisations they could do, names, they couldn't.
Athena sat studying Teal'c, she had been informed of his Goa'uld/Jaffa origin but no one had told her that he was so grumpy.
"Is everything okay Athena?" Hammond asked, noting the intense study of Teal'c that the child was conducting.
"Is he always this grumpy? Does he ever smile?" She asked innocently.
"Well..." Hammond begun, not quite sure how to answer the question. Everyone at the base pretty much understood Teal'c and the lack of emotion that he exhibited, and they also knew that underneath his calm exterior, he did have feelings. Those close enough to him, like the General and SG-1 also knew how to judge Teal'c and pick up on the small facial changes that often spoke volumes about what he was feeling. It was more than hard to explain.
"You see, the thing with Teal'c is complicated. How 'bout I explain it later." Jack cut in, rescuing the General.
"Okay." Athena agreed.
"Now, as I am sure you are aware, Dr Hudson is going to be working along side Dr Jackson. You are also probably aware that Athena is going to be joining us on base. I want you to extend the up most courtesy to them both. Understood?"
"Yes Sir." Echoed around the room before they were dismissed and Jack led Athena off to show her around and Faith returned to the infirmary to finish her check-up.
Jack settled down on the couch in the den of Faith's house, watching her attempt to get Athena to go upstairs and get ready for bed. Athena looked over at him, her eyes asking him to support her in the argument 'it's no where near bed-time, so there's no need to get ready'. Jack just glared back, knowing he would get an ear bashing from Faith if he defended her daughter, and Athena's forgiveness was easier to gain than Faiths.
Athena finally relented and headed up the stairs informing them that it didn't mean she was tired, she was just avoiding an argument. Faith laughed quietly at her daughter before slumping down on the couch next to Jack.
"You must see more of this place than you do of yours."
Jack shrugged. "This place beats mine. It's tidier for one thing."
Faith looked around at the visible and multiplying mess. "You call this tidy? I don't even want to think what your place looks like."
Jack laughed. "You guys'll have to come round. Give me a reason to clean up."
"Sure."
"Good. It'll give me a chance to make up for all the times you've cooked for me."
"You cook?"
"Yes. I'm a man of many talents."
Faith laughed.
"What's so funny?" Came a little voice from the doorway of the den.
Faith and Jack looked up to find Athena, now dressed in light blue pyjamas, entering the den. "Nothing Sweetie." Faith answered.
"I was just saying to your mom, you guys'll have to come round to my place."
"Really?" Athena asked, excitement lighting up her eyes.
"Yup."
"When?"
"I don't know. How about Saturday? It gives me time to clean the place up."
"Sure. If that's okay with mom."
Jack and Athena both looked at Faith who answered. "Fine by me."
Athena sat down next to Jack, making sure that the seat she chose didn't get in between her mother and Jack.
"So, how was your first day at the SGC?" Jack asked her.
"Good. I liked it there. I like Dr Fraiser too, she's nice."
"Nice? Nice!"
"Yeah." Athena smiled gently, Dr Fraiser had agreed with her about her mom and Jack, which made her a good friend.
He shook his head and looked at Faith. "What about you? How was your first day at the SGC?"
"Not too bad. I had an argument with Daniel, which means we're well on our way to a good working relationship."
Jack raised his eyebrows.
"Difference of opinion between me and him is always good when we're working."
"Ya think you're gonna be okay at the SGC?"
Faith nodded. "I'm gonna be fine. Why? Do think I'm gonna have problems?"
"No. I didn't mean that. I was just making sure you're settling in okay. You know, no one's giving you hassle."
"You think I'm gonna get hassle?"
"Well, there's SG-3. You might get some problems with them. They're marines and not too keen on civilians, but don't worry, if they give you any trouble I'll have a word with them."
Faith smiled coyly. "Thanks."
"So, how come you guys haven't got any pets? Don't tell me, you're more allergic than Daniel?" Jack asked as Faith left the den and Athena made herself comfortable against him.
"Pets?" Athena asked. "I'm not allergic."
"Come on, I thought every kid was supposed to have a dog. I used to have one."
"I did know this camel called Samson."
"A camel?"
"Yeah, when me and mom were on a dig in Egypt."
"You've never had a dog?"
Athena shook her head. "I always wanted one when we moved here, but mom said she didn't have the time."
"She didn't have the time?"
"Yeah, she said if we got a dog, animal welfare would take it away within a week 'cause she'd never have time to walk it and she'd forget to feed it."
"You're kidding?"
"Nup. It was when I first got sick and had to spend loads a' time at the hospital and mom had to do lots of work."
"What are you two talking about?" Faith asked reappearing in the den, a beer in one hand for Jack and a coffee in the other for her.
"Nothing." Jack replied innocently.
Faith looked at them both with an eyebrow raised, awaiting an answer.
"Pets. Dogs in particular." Athena explained.
Faith glared at Jack as she sat down next to him, on the other side to Athena and warned. "Donotgo putting ideas of Dogs or any other kind of animal in her head."
"Come on. Every kid has to have a dog."
"Do I look like the kind of person who is capable of taking care of an animal?"
"You take care of Athena, kids are way harder than dogs."
"A dog I can leave in the yard and forget about for days, sadly if I did that with Athena child welfare would be round." Faith hit back, joking in a serious tone.
"Come on Faith."
"I do not have time to look after a dog. And don't even think of saying I wouldn't have to look after it, because who else would? The tooth fairy?"
"Mom, I could look after a dog." Athena whined.
"I won't let you look after a dog. I'm not having you out in the middle of winter walking a dog, and I'm not going to do it either. End of subject. No dog in this house."
"But-
"No 'buts'. I know it seems mean, but it's the way it is. I'm sorry sweetie."
For Athena Saturday did not come round soon enough, believing it would finally be her chance to get her mom and Jack together once and for all. Athena knew that if she could get her mom to let her guard down enough, she might actually realise that Jack did like her and Jack could do the same.
When it came to getting ready to go round Athena bounced into Faiths bedroom to inspect what she was wearing.
"Hey mom." She announced her presence brightly.
"Hey sweetie. Jack phoned while you were in the bath."
"He did?" Athena hoped he wasn't cancelling.
"Don't sound so worried. As it's such a nice afternoon and probably one of the last we'll see for a while, he thought a barbecue would be good idea." It was nearing the end of fall and they were having what looked like the last few warm and sunny nights of the year before winter set in.
"A barbecue. We haven't had one of those for ages."
"That's why I said it was a great idea."
"Yay! What time do we have to be there?"
"Same time, 'bout 4ish."
"Okay."
"Is that all?"
"What you wearing?"
"I dunno. What ever I put on after I get out of the shower. Why? It's only Jack."
Athena had to stop herself from visibly shuddering. That wasn't the best attitude for her mother to be having, not with what Athena was planning. "You've got to look nice."
Faith sighed and gave in to her daughter. "Fine then, in your opinion, what should I wear? To look nice."
Athena shrugged. "What ya got?"
Faith opened her cluttered wardrobe full of clothes that were to big, since Athena had gotten ill, she had lost more than a little weight. "Have a rifle through there while I have a shower."
When Faith returned there was a heap of clothing on her bed that Athena was sat beside, sorting through and picking out the items she liked. As Faith dried herself, Athena finally settled on a combination of items that she liked and presented them to her mother. A dark blue, figure hugging, sleeveless T-shirt with a red Celtic pattern printed across the chest and a pair of faded jeans that Athena knew hung off her mother's hips and emphasised all the right places. Along with her denim jacket, her mom would look very sexy but not dressed up, the two aspects they both wanted.
Athena got out of the car and looked at the house in front of them and asked.
"This is?"
"I think so. It's what the piece of paper says." Faith replied.
"Where's Jack's jeep? It's not in the drive."
"I don't know sweetie."
"You think he forgot we were coming?"
"I don't think so sweetie. He phoned earlier, remember."
"Oh yeah."
"Come on, there's only one way we're gonna find out."
Faith knocked on the front door and waited for it to be answered, after a loud crash from inside the house, Jack opened the door.
"Hi."
"Hi." Athena and Faith replied in unison.
"Did you have any trouble finding the place?" He asked Faith as he let them in.
"None. Is everything okay? We heard a crash."
"Fine."
Faith raised her eyebrows, he was up to something and she didn't know what.
Jack turned his attention to Athena. "Hey shortie, I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise?" Athena questioned excitedly.
"Why don't I like the sound of this?" Faith asked.
Jack just grinned.
"What is it?" Athena asked almost bursting.
"Go take a look in the yard."
"I know you're doing a barbecue." She stated, losing her enthusiasm.
"Go take a look in the yard." He repeated and as Athena ran off and out into the back yard, Faith turned to him.
"What have you done?"
Before Jack could answer a loud and excited cheer came from the back yard followed by a series of yapping from what could only be a dog.
"You didn't? Tell me you didn't!" Faith said stunned and angry at the same time.
"Didn't do what?" Jack asked innocently.
"Tell me you didn't get her a dog."
"I didn't."
"Then what is that I hear barking?"
"It's not a dog. It's a puppy."
"A puppy?"
"A puppy."
"A puppy. That's even worse! They have longer to live!"
Jack just grinned again.
"Don't grin, you are in so much trouble for this! I can't believe you got her a dog. We had the 'we're not getting a dog' argument the other day. Remember, you're the one who sparked off the dog idea."
"I know that. That's why I didn't buy the dog and bring it to yours."
Faith gave him a questioning glare.
"The dog's gonna stay here. I'm gonna look after it. Athena can visit."
"You're kidding."
He can't have done that. Not for her. It's too much, way too much.
"Nope."
"Seriously?"
Jack nodded. "I've been thinking about getting a dog for a while. Now it's the perfect arrangement. Athena has a dog and I get to keep it here."
"You didn't have to do this you know."
"I know. Like I said, I was thinking about getting a dog."
"You do know I wasn't saying 'no' just to be mean."
"I know. Kids can be hard and pets don't help."
Faith gave him a quick hug. "Thank you."
"So, what you gonna call him?" Jack asked looking down at the small golden retriever pup. After Athena had bundled back into the house and launched herself at Jack in a long stream of 'thank you's and 'is it really for me', they had all gone outside into the yard. Jack had then got cooking on the barbecue and after they had ate they all sat in the late afternoon sun enjoying the last nice evening of fall.
"It's a him?"
Jack nodded.
"Well, that narrows the mane search down by 50%" Faith commented.
"And I have one condition on naming it." Jack told Athena.
"What?"
"It has to be a normal name. Not long lost God of something or other."
"Okay." Athena paused to think. "Kyle."
"Kyle?"
"Yep." She said patting the puppy's head. "Kyle."
"Why Kyle?"
Athena shrugged. "Just like it I guess."
"Okay. I'll get a tag with the name 'Kyle' on it."
Athena smiled getting up again and hugging Jack. "Thank you."
Jack laughed, it was probably the hundredth time that Athena had said 'thank you' to him, he hadn't thought it was possible for someone to have so many manners, especially a 10 year old. "You say 'thank you' one more time and I'm gonna take that dog back to the pet store." He joked.
"I won't say it anymore, after this time. Thank you."
"That's alright." He told her.
"Did you ask him to so this?" Athena asked Faith.
"Nope." She shook her head. "I didn't even know about this."
Before anymore could be said a loud rumble came from the sky and looking up, they all saw the sky had filled with big black clouds, in a matter of minutes and they it was ready to pour down. All three of them jumped up as gentle spit of rain began, clearing the table as the blobs of rain got bigger and more frequent. Athena ran around Faith's feet looking for Kyle who had disappeared after the roar of thunder. Informing her mom, she got told that the dog had run off into the bushes at the back of Jack's garden, unsure where to look she nagged Faith again.
Faith who was now getting wetter by the second, gave Athena the plates she was carrying and sent her inside with Jack, then headed to the back of the yard to retrieve the dog. When Faith finally made it back to Jack's house and entered through the back door, the rain was pouring down in fierce and heavy sheets, and she was soaked to the bone. Her jeans were wet right through and stuck to her body as was her top, and her hair stuck to the back of her neck and face, blown and knotted by the increasing wind.
Dropping the wet dog, which she held in her arms, to the floor, she announced to Athena. "I hate that dog."
Jack smiled at Faith and handed her a towel; she was stood, dripping wet, with him in his bedroom as he pulled an overly large T-shirt out of a draw and handed it to her as well. Resisting every urge in his body that told him to pull her into his warm embrace, to kiss her and to pull her down onto his bed and make passionate love to her. She looked so vulnerable and sweet, shivering next to him, but he couldn't deny how sexy she looked, her clothes clinging to her body. Jack forced himself back to reality as Faith spoke, telling himself that there was nothing between them and he would do nothing.
"Thanks." Faith said attempting a weak smile, things couldn't get any worse, she hoped.
"When you're done, I'll stick your stuff on the radiators and turn the heat up. Give them a chance to dry."
"It's gonna take a week for these to dry. I didn't know it was possible to get so wet in so little time."
Jack laughed nervously trying to calm himself down. "I'll leave you to, you know..."
"Thanks." Faith said again as Jack left the room and she began the task of peeling off her soaking wet jeans and top, and drying herself. When she finally emerged out of Jacks room and made her way back down to the den, she was dressed in only her underwear and Jack's T-shirt, which only just covered her hips. Feeling very uncomfortable she gave Jack her wet clothes and sat down on the couch, pulling her legs under her body and watching her daughter dry the equally wet dog with a smaller towel.
When Jack returned he sat down in the chair opposite Faith and said.
"They're not going to dry tonight."
Faith shook her head. "I doubted that they would."
"You can't go home in that, or them." He said in a small and almost nervous voice.
"I don't really have much choice."
"You two could stay here. I have a spare room Athena can sleep in, you can take mine and I'll sleep on the couch."
"It's okay, really. I don't want to impose."
"It's alright. I wouldn't have offered if it wasn't."
"Okay, but I'll sleep on the couch."
"I'll sleep on the couch."
Faith lost the argument and found herself lying in jacks bed trying to sleep, despite it being more comfortable than hers her mind would not drift off into the land of sleep. She was not comfortable with the fact that she was sleeping in his bed, her mind kept telling her that it didn't feel right and the fact she was in one of Jacks shirts didn't help either.
The reason why you aren't comfortable in his bed isn't because it doesn't feel right, it's because you know it's right.A little voice in the depths of her mind argued.
You want to sleep in his bed, in his shirt, beside him, with him and you can only deny it for so long.
Faith pushed the voice to the back of her mind and ignored it the best she could, knowing the voice was right, she couldn't spend so much time around Jack and continue to deny her feelings. Rolling over onto her front she couldn't help but breathe in the smell of Jack that surrounded her and couldn't help but think as she fell asleep.
I like this smell.
Little did Faith know that she wasn't the only person in the house who was having problems sleeping. Jack was also arguing with his conscious, only he was more determined than Faith. The feelings he had for her had been hidden for this long, they could stay hidden for a little longer, but as he drifted into sleep he thought.
I cold get used to seeing her wearing my shirts.
It was Faith and Athena's third week at the base when Janet, Faith and Samantha Carter met up in the commissary for a lunch they had been meaning to have for a week and a half. Everyday that all three of them had actually been on base together they had ended up cancelling their plans to meet due to a medical, translation or scientific emergency. Being the three smartest and most well known women on the base had given them the chance to forge a deep and stable friendship, even in so little time they had gotten on like a house on fire and saw each other off base.
Faith was the last one to arrive, finding Janet and Sam sat at a small table at the back she sat down and apologised for her lateness.
"What's with that?" Janet asked pointing to the tall silver thermos under Faith's arm.
"This is the reason why I was late."
Janet and Sam looked at each other.
"I stopped off at Daniel's office and got us this." Faith tapped the thermos lid, before unscrewing it, the smell of hot coffee flooding the table.
"Coffee?" Janet asked.
"How did you get that off of Daniel? He doesn't give up his coffee for anything."
"I used my feminine whiles."
Both Janet and Sam stared at her.
"I'm just kidding. I just didn't give him a choice. It's the way to win with Daniel."
"So you just went in, took it and went out."
"Pretty much, yeah."
Janet and Sam laughed.
"Shame I can't use that method in the infirmary." Janet commented before laughing again.
"Well I figured it was better than the diluted mud they serve in here." Faith commented before disappearing for a few minutes, returning with a sandwich and three cups, which she poured the coffee into. After handing them out she took a sip of her coffee, cursing in Arabic as she burnt her tongue.
"It's hot." She warned.
"It's Daniel's, what do you expect." Sam told her.
Faith nodded, Sam had a good point.
"So Janet, how's my daughter been today?"
"I'm glad you phrased it that way and didn't say 'how's my child been today'."
"Why?"
"Because I'd then of had to ask, which one."
"What?" Both Faith and Sam asked in unison, neither understanding what Janet was going on about.
"From as soon as you got in I had Colonel O'Neill in the infirmary trying to play hockey with the IV stands seeing as I wouldn't let Athena leave. I let him escape with her about mid-morning. He promises he won't leave the base or do anything I'd class as stupid or irresponsible."
"I don't know what to ask first. 'You what?' or 'he what?'" Faith commented, knowing deep down that Jack would take good care of her daughter.
"What about immature?" Sam asked Janet.
"What?"
"You said the Colonel promised not to do anything you'd class as stupid of irresponsible. What about immature? The Colonel's an expert an immature."
"I knew there was one I missed out." Janet scolded herself.
"They'll be fine." Faith said, trying to sound like she meant it.
Sam and Janet just looked at her.
"Maybe I should go and find them."
Sam and Janet watched Faith leave the commissary and begin what could be an endless search for her daughter, but if the Colonel was being as predictable as normal, he wouldn't be hard to find. He would be sat with Athena in Teal'cs room watching the re-play of the hockey game that he had missed the week before, on Teal'cs TV.
Janet took a sip of the coffee before saying. "God they're stubborn."
"What? Who?" Sam asked taking a mouthful of what claimed to be her lunch.
"The Colonel and Faith."
"I could've told you that for nothing. You don't get any more stubborn than the Colonel, and have you seen Faith argue with Daniel? Poor guy doesn't stand a chance against her."
Janet laughed. "They've lasted longer than I thought they would. I'll give them that."
"Lasted at what? Have you been testing drugs on people again Janet?" Sam joked.
Janet gave Sam a gentle slap on the arm. "You know what I mean."
"No I don't Janet."
"Come on Sam, I know you can get caught up in your work, but don't tell me you haven't noticed."
"Noticed what?"
"The Colonel and Faith."
"Oh my God. They're not? Are they?"
"No. Of course they're not."
"But-?"
"That's the problem. It's obvious there's something between them, they just haven't done anything about it."
"Now that you mention it, it is pretty obvious. The looks they give each other when they're not looking, the time they spend together."
"Pretty obvious? Sam the whole base has picked up on it. I'm just surprised they've lasted this long working together without doing anything about it."
"How do you know?"
"What?"
"They haven't done anything about it? I mean, they might have and just decided not to announce it."
"Come on Sam, we're women. We know these things, well my nurses do, it's like they have built in radar's."
Sam laughed, she knew that Janet's nurses were the worst on the base for gossiping. "Some people do slip under the radar. Though I don't think the Colonel would be one of them."
"I have it for fact that nothing is going on."
"You do?"
"I have a partner in crime."
"Janet?"
"Athena keeps me posted."
Sam laughed.
"She agrees with me, only she's doing far more meddling than I am."
Sam laughed again. "What's she done so far?"
"So far she's been round the Colonels house round nearly every night this week, you do know he brought her a dog and is looking after it. I think the dog excuse is beginning to wear thin though."
Sam knew she shouldn't but couldn't help it and laughed again.
"I've got to give it to her, that kid's determined to get those two together."
"Don't you think that's kinda odd?"
"Why?"
"Most kids who grow up with single parents hate it when they find someone new, they get scared they're gonna lose their only parent."
"Athena is a very smart kid. The smartest I've ever met."
"I know. It's scary that someone that age can know so much."
"Well, she just wants her mom to be happy."
"Kind kid. Don't get many like that."
Janet nodded. "She wants me to help."
"Get the Colonel and Faith together?"
"Yep. She's been bugging me since she got here. If they're not together by the end of tomorrow, I've got to help her."
"How come?"
"I promised her on her first day. Like I said, I didn't think they would hold out for this long."
"What are you gonna do?"
"I don't know, but I guess it would be nice to se the Colonel happy for once, excluding Daniel, I don't think anyone deserves it more."
"It would be nice to see the Colonel less grumpy."
"Well Sam, you could always-"
"Not a chance. There is no way you are getting me in on this little scheme."
"Sam, please..."
"Nope."
"Sam."
"No."
"Sam."
"Maybe."
"Sam."
"Okay. Just a little though."
Athena sat down on the couch in the den of Dr Fraiser's house as she was introduced to the Doctors teenage daughter Cassie. Faith had been called off world with Daniel to aid SG-7 in their mining project on P4D 750 where the indigenous people don't know a word of English. With Barney away for the week with work, Dr Fraiser had stepped in and offered to have Athena for the few days that Faith would be away for. Confident that there was no one better qualified to look after her daughter than Janet; Faith had left for P4D 750 that morning.
Athena smiled at Cassie warmly who was just leaving to go out with a few friends from school, for one of their birthdays, and wouldn't be back till the next morning. Once Cassie had gone Dr Fraiser settled down on the couch beside Athena and said.
"I know I'm a Doctor, but you wanna get a pizza tonight? I can't be bothered to cook."
Athena nodded. "That'd be nice Dr Fraiser."
"Don't call me that. Call me Janet."
"Okay Janet."
By the time that the pizza arrived, Athena was a lot more comfortable around Janet and as they were eating brought the subject of conversation round to her mom and Jack.
"You know you were wrong."
"Wrong, about what?"
"About my mom and Jack."
"What about them?"
"You told me that it'd be three weeks tops before working with each other got to them and they'd do something about the way they feel."
"You know, adults can be quite sneaky when they want to be."
Athena raised her eyebrows. "With my mom, not likely. I'm not stupid or easy to fool."
"I wasn't trying to imply that you are."
"I know, but what can I do? I've tried everything apart from locking them in a room together."
"Sometimes people can be stubborn, especially if they're scared of getting hurt. Neither your mom or Colonel O'Neill has had it easy when it comes to this sort of thing."
"But they wouldn't hurt each other, I'm sure of it. They like each other too much to do that."
"You're pretty determined, aren't you?"
"I like them both and I want them to be happy, and they can be happy together. I know it."
"I agree Athena. Both of them deserve to be happy, and they no doubt would be happy together."
"Then why can't they see it."
"Sometimes people have trouble seeing the things that are right under their noses."
"Mom doesn't think Jack likes her like that, and Jack thinks my mom doesn't like him like that. They're just friends!"
"Then maybe you should do something to make them see what's in front of them."
"But I've been trying and I don't know what else to do."
"There must be something."
"Help me Janet, you said you would." Athena pleaded. "I just want to see them happy."
Janet studied the child for a moment before answering, Athena was defiantly being genuine; she wanted them to be happy. "Okay."
"So what can I do?"
"Let me think." After a long pause of thought, Janet's face lit up and began to explain her plan to Athena.
Faith entered the infirmary where Athena was laid in bed reading a book while Janet took her temperature. She had just returned from the base showers, due to Janet's instruction when she had finished her routine medical.
"Hey Janet, what's up?"
"Hi Faith. I wanted a word with you."
"Is it anything serious?"
"Oh no, nothing like that. I wanted to ask you a big favour."
"A favour?"
"Yeah."
"What is it?"
"I need some help."
"What with?"
"Every year the wife of the Air Force hospital Chief organises a 'first day of winter' ball."
Faith nodded, she didn't like where this was heading.
"I've managed to avoid having to help until this year. She collared me yesterday when I went up there."
"So where does my favour fit into this?"
"Well, the ball is from 1900 to 0000. It's for all the kids whose parents are stationed on bases near by and at the academy; the younger kids leave earlier in the night when the older ones arrive."
"My part in all this hasn't become very clear to me yet Janet."
"I know. I've been put in charge of organising the chaperones for the night."
"If you're about to say what I think you are, don't even bother. The answer is no! Ask some of your nurses."
"Come on Faith, please. I need people who are reliable, not like my nurses. If I don't provide decent chaperones my head's on the block."
"Janet, I do not want to spend my night watching a load of kids run around, smooch and try to sneak in drink."
"There's no drink!"
Faith raised her eyebrows, she knew what kids could be like, after all she had been one.
"I've already spoken to Teal'c. He's going to be bouncer when the older kids arrive."
"Janet..."
"Come on Faith. Athena heard me talking about it to Teal'c earlier on, she really wants to go and if you chaperoned you'd be able to keep an eye on her yourself."
"Janet, who said I was going to let her go, evenifI did chaperone?"
"I'm letting Cassie go."
"How did I know you would say that?"
"Faith, I'm asking the rest of SG-1 and some of the other people on the base. General Hammond is going to be there."
"What would I have to do?"
"Just help make up the numbers and keep an eye on the kids. Once the younger ones are gone we can join in with the party, the over 16's can take care of themselves pretty much."
"So I wouldn't have to really do anything?"
"Not a thing."
"I guess I could have a think about it."
"Faith, I know this is really rude but she's just landed this on me. It's next week and I really need you to say you'll do this for me."
"Janet..."
"Please Faith." Janet begged.
"Okay." Faith gave in. "I guess it wouldn't do any harm."
"Thanks." Janet beamed. "I have to go speak to Sam."
"Sam?" Janet questioned as she entered Major Carter's lab, Athena walking beside her, with her hand tightly clasped in her own. When they received no answer Janet proceeded to walk into the lab, knowing Sam she was so caught up in a new project that she didn't even hear them.
Sam looked up from the microscope that had held her and Daniel's attention as she heard her name being called. In the doorway she found Janet and Athena.
"Hi Janet, Athena."
"Are you two busy?" Janet asked after they exchanged greetings in return.
"I guess it can a wait a little while." Daniel said sitting down; making time for Athena was now the biggest priority he had.
"Yeah, of course it can." Sam agreed taking a seat also.
"I need you guys to help me." Janet stated.
"Help us." Athena corrected.
Daniel pulled Athena onto his lap. "Tell us and we'll see what we can do."
"Who first, you or me?" Athena asked Janet.
"This is two separate cries for help?"
"They're kinda the same, only I have a different agenda."
"Agenda?" Sam and Daniel asked with raised eyebrows.
Janet pulled the lab door shut before Athena began to explain, she didn't want anyone else hearing about their plan and informing the Colonel.
"I want to get my mom and Jack together." Athena stated bluntly, she knew it would not upset Daniel, he wanted what was best for his friends and knew his relationship with Faith could never be repaired, not to any extent other than friends.
Sam looked at Janet; her statement telling her she was weak for getting involved.
"You do?" Daniel asked.
"Don't play dumb Daniel, I know you're not and I know you've noticed what they're like."
"So maybe I have noticed a little tension between them." He admitted.
"So you have to help."
"Where does this fit in with Janet's cry for help?" Sam asked.
"Janet needs people be chaperones for the 'first day of winter dance' and we've already got my mom to say she'll help." Both Sam and Daniel knew what the ball was, they had attend it before with Cassie and Janet.
"Let me guess, Janet wants us to help out too."
"Faith won't do it if you guys say no." Janet pleaded.
"Plus, Teal'cs said he'll help." Athena added.
"Teal'c?" Daniel questioned.
"He's being bouncer when the older kids turn up and try to spike the punch." Janet explained.
"You've both got to go." Athena pleaded reading their unsure gazes. "Daniel has to be Janet's date and Sam you have to be Teal'cs so that Jack can be my mom's."
"Have you even asked Jack yet?" Daniel asked, knowing how he felt about these kinds of things.
"No, because unless you guys are going he'll say no." Athena also knew Jack well.
"You've really thought this out haven't you?"
"Yes. I get Jack to go as my date but when I leave I can make him be my mom's. If you guys go together he won't have a choice, then they'll stop being so stubborn."
"I could really use the help too guys." Janet added. "And, if you say 'no' I'll remember it in your next medical."
"Okay." They both agreed.
Daniel offered to walk Athena back to the infirmary while Dr Fraiser had a 'girlie chat' with Sam and continued their plan. Picking the little girl up in his arms, Daniel left Sam's lab and headed down the corridor and into the elevator.
"Are you okay with this?" Athena asked him.
"With what?"
"Getting my mom and Jack together. You're okay with it, aren't you?"
"Of course I am. Why? Shouldn't I be?"
"No, I just didn't want to upset you."
"I'm not upset, I'm happy that you're doing something. Jack and your mom really like each other but they won't see sense and admit it. It's good that you're trying to do something to help them."
"I just want them to be happy."
"You're a good girl, you know that?"
Athena smiled. "I just want to make sure that there's gonna be someone around to take care of my mom when I'm not around any more."
"That's nice of you."
"I love my mom a lot, I don't want her to have to face it alone, she won't cope if she has to. But Jack can help her, I know he can."
"She won't have to face it alone Athena, we're all here for her and we all will be."
"I know. But I like Jack too. When we're all together it's like we're a proper family."
There was a deep silence from Daniel before Athena realised what she had just said and who she had said it to.
"I'm so sorry Daniel. I didn't mean it like that. You'll always be my dad."
"No it's okay, I understand."
"I'm sorry." She paused before she finished. "Dad."
Daniel looked at Athena, had she called him what he thought she did. "Did you just call me...?"
"Dad?" She asked. "Yeah."
Athena had never once called him 'dad'; she had always addressed him as Daniel.
"That's what you are." Athena explained as the elevator bell pinged. "You're my dad." After they had stepped out of the elevator Athena spoke again. "What I meant earlier was that there was no one to make it three of us."
"I know what you meant."
"You're not mad?"
"No, of course not. Everyone has to move on and form new relationships, I know that your mom and me are past the point where we can be anything other than friends. Too much has happened since then, between us and to each of us, if your mom and Jack can be happy together, it's a great thing. Especially if it make three of the people who are dearest to me happy."
"Three?"
"Jack's my best friend, Faith is my oldest and closest friend, and you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you wouldn't be doing this if you didn't approve and if it makes you happy as well, it's a big bonus."
"Then you'll speak to Jack for me."
"About?"
"Make sure that he goes to the ball, say something about my mom."
"Sure." Daniel agreed as he entered the infirmary. Putting Athena back into her bed, he said. "Hey, I'm off for a couple of days next week. You wanna go out one day?"
"That'd be great dad."
"I'll have a chat with your mom."
"Cool."
Daniel kissed Athena lightly on the head before saying goodbye and leaving.
"Jack." Athena whined. "You have to go!"
Janet and Faith had gone to speak to Jack about the 'first day of winter ball' and he had outright said no.
"Even if I could go I wouldn't."
"What do you mean you can't go?"
"I have a review with Hammond that I can't get out of. As second in command of the base, I have to be there."
"But you could come when it's finished. General Hammond has promised he'll be there."
"He has?"
"Yes he has." Janet informed Jack. "He's coming as soon as the review is finished, which should be in plenty of time."
Jack cursed under his breath. He hated these fancy things that they put on each year, he didn't want to have to play babysitter to a bunch of kids and watch everyone else have fun expect for him.
"Please Colonel O'Neill. The rest of SG-1 have already agreed and I only need a few more people."
"If you only need a few more people, it won't matter if say no."
"Jack, please." Athena begged. He couldn't say 'no', her and Janet had done so much planning and they were so close, Athena wasn't willing to give up.
"I'm not excepting no as answer right now Colonel. I'll give you a little time to think it over." Janet informed him.
Jack and Athena watched Janet leave; Athena was planning on staying and changing Jack's mind.
Jack could tell what Athena was trying to do and told her. "Don't even think about it. The answer is no."
"Please Jack. I wanted you to be my date." Athena told him forcing her bottom lip to quiver and using her puppy-dog-eyes that she had inherited from Daniel.
"What?"
"Well, Daniel's going with Janet and Sam's going with Teal'c and I don't have anyone. Cassie knows this guy from school who she's going with and the only other person I know going is Sergeant Siler and he scares me. I was going to ask you to be my date."
Just as Athena had planned Jack had been unable to say no and had promised to go to the ball as soon as the review ended and be her date.
"I don't believe I'm doing this!" Faith complained. It was early Friday morning and her, Janet and Sam had the day off work at the SGC and were shopping for dresses to wear to the ball that night. Cassie who already had her dress had complained profusely that she wanted to go too and as Athena got to go as well, she should be allowed the day off school. Janet had won the argument but it was arranged for all the girls to get ready at Janet's later that night so Cassie could see what they all looked like.
"What? Janet asked as she entered the elevator that would take them from the parking lot to the lower level of the shopping mall.
"This, buying a formal dress I'm never gonna wear again, for a ball I don't have a date for."
"It doesn't matter that you don't have a date." Sam assured hiding a smirk, she knew what Athena and Janet had been planning.
Faith raised her eyebrows, normally in situation like this it wouldn't bother her that she didn't have a date, but everyone but her had one and she didn't feel like having to spend the whole evening solo.
"If most people attending didn't have dates, then no it wouldn't be a problem, but I'm the only one."
"You don't know that." Janet said. "There are going to be other people there, you never know you might meet some one."
"Unlikely." Faith said in despair, unwilling to admit that the one person she had been hoping to ask her was already going with someone else. Her daughter no less.
Faith covered her daughter's ears with her hands before saying. "Even she has better luck than I do. My ten year old daughter is not supposed to attract dates better than I can."
"You sound jealous." Janet pointed out.
"I'm not that passed it am I?" Faith asked them.
"What do you mean?" Sam asked.
"Look at me. It's been ages since my last boyfriend and my daughter has better luck getting a date for a ball than I do."
"Don't be ridiculous. You are not passed it Faith. You just need to make it more obvious you're available."
As the elevator arrived on their floor Faith uncovered Athena's ears and they all stepped out into the mall.
"I don't even know why I'm going tonight."
"Faith, you're gonna go tonight. We're gonna make you look stunning and you'll have great time." Janet told her.
"Yeah whatever." Faith said disbelieving tone as Janet, Sam and Athena dragged her off into the steady stream of people around the mall.
"I still can't believe that I you manage to con me into buying all this stuff." Faith stated looking around at all the bags that lay in Janet's living room as they prepared to get ready for the ball. "I can't believe I brought that dress."
"But it looked so good on you mom." Athena told her.
"It did." Sam seconded. "That dress was made for you and the fact it was in the sale was just a bonus."
"I guess I can live with buying the dress, but then going on to buy the shoes, the bag and make-up I'm never going to wear again was way over the top. I don't know what came over me."
"It's called shopping. But you're gonna look great and when you do you'll be glad you brought it all."
"Yeah, but when my credit card bill comes in I won't."
"You've got a whole month till that happens, worry about it then."
Faith laughed. "I think you're getting to be a bad influence on me Sam."
Sam laughed and tried to look innocent as she said. "Who? Me?"
Janet then entered the front room, being the last person out of the shower and announced. "Hair and make-up time."
As pre-planned by Athena, Janet and Sam, Janet and Sam did Faith's hair and make-up after they had done their own, making her look stunning. Faith who never wore make-up of any sort had not complained when they had offered to do it for her and sat patiently as they worked on her face with the newly brought items. When they had finished they showed Faith to Athena and Cassie and they both gasped at the brilliant transformation. Athena thought her mom looked good as she normally was but now she looked astounding and beautiful like she'd only seen in a photo of her and Daniel at their graduation ball. Her mother's smooth and tanned Egyptian skin was covered in a thin and flawless layer of make-up. Her eyes were heavily lined with deep brown eyeliner to match her eyes, with shimmering gold eye shadow and dark mascara that could be seen as she wore contact lenses instead of her glasses. Her full lips were deep brown that matched her eyes and hair, with a layer of sparkling gold over the top to match her dress. Her long dark brown hair was curled into gentle ringlets that reached down her back and fell in front of her face when she leaned forward.
Faith watched Janet and Sam step into their dresses; they both had picked very complimentary dresses for themselves and they both looked good. The petit Janet had a full-length dress in a deep wine colour that matched the tints of red in her brunette hair. While Sam had a royal blue dress that was a few shades darker than the bright blue dress Athena wore and Cassie wore an emerald green dress that complimented her ginger hair.
Faith wore a full-length gold dress that complimented her colouring perfectly and as Sam and Janet had told her, the style complimented her figure perfectly. The top of the dress was in a zip up corset style that emphasised her chest and small waist, where the bottom of the dress hung off her hips and fell to the floor. When Janet had zipped up the back Faith looked in the mirror and had to agree that the dress did emphasise her best features and the make-up certainly did help. Faith thanked Janet, Sam, Cassie and Athena for all their help and offered to answer the door as the bell rung.
"Wow." Daniel said in amazement as Faith opened the door to him, Teal'c and Cassie's date. "Faith, is that you."
"Under here somewhere it is."
Daniel hugged her gently. "You look great."
"I think you should go and tell Janet that, as she's your date."
"Yeah, I just can't get over how brilliant you look."
"If you're not careful I'm gonna start thinking that your trying to say I normally look really bad."
"Oh, no, I didn't mean that. I was just trying to say you look really beautiful."
"Thanks Daniel."
Faith sat down at one of tables around the edge of the large hall and sighed quietly to herself, not that there was anyone near her to hear it. The hall was bigger and more filled than she had expected and it was approaching 2100, soon all the younger kids would be leaving. Faith looked around to try and find Athena, not that it was difficult, seeing as she was the only child there wearing a bandanna that was made out of the same material as her dress. Faith found her dancing with some boy that she'd never seen before, but Athena had spent the majority of the evening so far dancing with him. Faith laughed to herself, neither Jack nor Hammond had turned up yet and Athena had replaced Jack with someone her own age, which was probably the healthiest thing for a ten-year-old to do.
Taking a mouthful of the alcohol-free punch Faith found herself wondering why she had even bothered to go, all the adults where either indisposed with their own kids or their dates. Daniel and Janet where the other side or the room having what looked to be quite a deep and meaningful conversation and Sam and Teal'c where outside talking as they awaited the arrival of the older kids. Faith decided that if nothing earth shatteringly interesting happened in the next five minutes she'd make up a lie to Janet about a migraine and go home.
Jack and General Hammond entered the hall along with several parents who were there to pick up their kids; both dressed in their full dress blues, like the majority of the male military personnel. Jack immediately scanned the hall for Athena, unaware that Faith was in attendance, he had some major grovelling to do to the little girl. Spotting Barney waiting by one of the doors he knew Athena hadn't left yet and he still had time to apologise for being so late.
"Hey Athena." Jack said as he approached her. He couldn't see her face but knew it was her as she was the only kid in the room wearing a bandanna.
Turning round she realised who it was and hugged him tightly before scolding him in an angry voice as he picked her up. "You're late!"
"I know Shortie. I'm real sorry."
"But I have to go now."
"I know you do. I did my best to get here but the meeting went on late then me and Hammond got stuck in traffic."
"If it was traffic then I guess I can forgive you."
"Time for one dance?"
Athena shook her head. "Sorry. Barney's waiting to take me home."
"What am I supposed to do now my date's leaving?" He asked.
Athena knew what she was going to say, she had known for a long time but paused and pretended to think. "You could be my mom's date."
"Your mom?" Jack asked, he didn't know Faith was there.
"Yeah, she hasn't got a date."
"I didn't know she was coming."
"You didn't?" Athena asked innocently, she had made sure she didn't mention it to him.
"Nup."
Athena gave him a quick hug. "I have to go now. Go ask my mom to dance, she'd like that."
"You sure."
Athena nodded. "Yeah. She hasn't got a date and now neither have you, simple solution."
"Okay." Jack looked around the room but couldn't find anyone that resembled Faith. "But where is she?"
Athena pointed Jack in the direction of the table where she knew her mother was still sat before saying goodbye to Jack and heading off to find Barney, hoping her plan would work.
After making sure that Athena made it over to Barney and left safely, Jack began making his way over to the table that Athena had pointed him towards. As he got closer he could only see one person at the table and firstly dismissed it as being Faith and begun to look around at the other tables to see if he could find her. Turning his attention back to the woman who sat alone, he reluctantly went over to join her, secretly disappointed that he couldn't find Faith, having her as a replacement date wouldn't have been all that bad.
Catching a glimpse of the woman's profile Jack realised that it was Faith, she looked very different without her glasses and wearing make up, but from closer up there was no mistaking her dark Egyptian eyes and skin. Jack took a deep breath before going over to her; she looked absolutely gorgeous and very sexy in the elegant dress she was wearing that emphasised all the right places for Jack.
A small part of his conscious warned him that if he went over to her he wouldn't be able to contain his feelings for much longer, but the rest told him he couldn't resist her and couldn't not go to her. So he sat down in the empty seat next to her, when she didn't notice or just ignored his presence he spoke.
"Would you believe it, my date just left?"
Faith looked round, instantly recognising the voice, allowing her eyes to wander up and down Jack's uniform as she answered. "Well, her wicked mother told her she had to be home to get a good night's sleep." Faith pulled her eyes away from Jack knowing that if she looked at him any longer she would do something she would regret. He looked very good in his dress blues, better than she wanted to allow herself to admit.
Jack laughed. "Wicked parent, stealing my date before I got a dance."
"So, what's the excuse for being late?"
"Traffic. There was some crash on the on the main road."
"I'm sure your date'll forgive you."
"She has."
"She has?"
"Yep. She also pointed me in the direction of someone who doesn't have a date either."
"She did?"
Jack nodded.
"Who might that be?"
"You."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Told me to ask you to dance, she said you might like it."
"So you gonna?"
"What?"
"Ask me to dance. You'll never know if I'd like it unless you do."
"You wanna dance?"
"I'd like that."
"Before we do, can I just say something?"
"Yeah, what?"
"You look beautiful."
"Thanks."
The rest of the evening passed quickly for Faith and Jack, dancing to the fast and up-beat songs the band on the stage played and on occasions helping the odd teenager who couldn't find the restrooms. Sitting down at one of the tables as the mood began to calm and slow Jack and Faith found themselves talking until the lead singer announced over the micro-phone that it was nearly midnight and they were about to play their last song. Jack looked at Faith, knowing it was a slow song and this would test his self-restraint, and asked.
"Shall we?"
Faith nodded and taking Jack's outstretched hand stood up and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, noticing Daniel and Janet and even Sam and Teal'c were doing the same. As they reached the dance floor Jack took Faith's hand and slipped his arm around her waist and gently pulled her up against him as her arm slid around him. As they moved slowly in time with the music Faith leaned her head against Jack's shoulder and shut her eyes as she slowly relaxed until the song ended.
Reluctant to part, but knowing they had to, Jack pulled away and asked.
"How you getting home?"
"Came in a cab, guess I'll get one back."
"I've got the Jeep, if you want a ride."
"I'm right out of your way. It'd be too much trouble."
"No, it's okay."
"You sure."
"Yeah." Jack paused for a minute. "On second thoughts. Wanna come back to mine and have a proper drink? None of this non-alcohol stuff."
Ignoring the warning bells inside her mind that told her she would end up doing something stupid; Faith agreed and headed outside to Jack's Jeep.
Faith sat against leaned against Jack, she was wrapped in a blanket and on top of Jacks roof watching the sun slowly begin to rise. When she had arrived earlier that night her and Jack had gone up there to look at the stars while they drank their fourth bottle of beer each. Wrapped in blankets they had settled up on the roof and begun to talk solidly until the moment when the sun begun to peak out from the horizon when they had fallen into an amazed silence.
Faith had initially been quite surprised to find out that Jack owned a telescope and had what could only be described as a mini-observatory on his roof. But when she actually thought about it, it didn't seem that odd after all and it had been nice to let him point out all the constellations out to her, to let her learn something new. Also to learn about him, their talks had been enlightening into his character and his views and feelings, it had told her a lot, most of which she had liked.
Faith was glad that she had agreed to go back to Jack's, despite knowing she had to go into the SGC in a few hours with little to no sleep, depending on when she chose to leave. Nothing had happened between them, despite the nagging voice inside Faith that told something would, and she wouldn't be able to control herself. So what came next was not all that much of a surprise.
Jack carefully leaned closer to her and taking her chin in his hands gently titled her head towards his so he could place a tender kiss on her lips.
Before Faith's mind had time to fully register what had just happened, she pulled away from Jack and stood up, her brain telling her it was bad. She had to go before she did something stupid like kiss him back, so before making her way off the roof apologised.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't of come here. I'm really sorry."
As Faith disappeared Jack said to himself, before cursing for being so stupid and ruing any chance of friendship there may have been. "So am I, so am I."
Faith quickly stripped and climbed into her bed, being as careful and quiet as possible so she didn't wake the person who slept on the other side. Whenever Barney spent the night babysitting for Faith he slept in her bed, due to the spare room being mattress-free. It didn't bother her climbing into bed with him; she had done it before when she'd been out all night and with him being gay, there was no chance of him getting the wrong idea.
Faith let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding, she hadn't woken him up, so there'd be no questions about where she'd been, questions she really didn't want to be asked. Just as she was about to settle down to sleep she felt Barney roll over beside her and waited for him to speak.
"So you're home."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"I'm never that asleep, you should know that by now."
"I guess I should."
"How come you've been out so long?" Though he already knew the answer, he wanted to know what she was going to say.
Faith rolled over to face him. "I went to Jacks for a drink."
"Pretty long drink."
"Yeah, we got talking." She tried her best not too sound touchy.
"What happened?"
"What do you mean, what happened?"
"What went on? Faye, I can read you like a book, something happened."
"Nothing happened."
"He kissed you didn't he?"
"No he didn't."
"I knew it."
"He didnotkiss me." Faith hissed before rolling over and away from Barney.
"And you ran away from him!" Barney concluded.
Faith cursed herself for letting Barney get to know her so well.
"Why did you run away from him? What are you scared of."
"Nothing happened." She insisted.
"Faye, you got feelings for this guy. Why are you trying to hide 'em? You think this guy's gonna hurt you like those others did."
Faith stayed silent, Barney had hit a nerve. She had been through a lot of bad people and he was right, she didn't want to get hurt again, especially not now.
"Are you willing to lose this guy 'cause you think he's gonna hurt you. You know damn well he won't. He loves Athena, he's the kinda guy who'd take care of ya' and you know it."
Faith wasn't willing to admit to Barney that he had spoken every word of the truth so said goodnight and evened out her breathing to let him think she was asleep giving her time to think about what he'd said. When her alarm finally went off telling her she had to get up and go to the SGC, she knew what she had to do, what she had to say.
After the soft and almost preoccupied 'come in' came from inside the office Faith entered, carefully closing the door behind her. Jack was sat at his desk, busy writing what was most likely a mission report on SG-1's last trip. Three days ago they returned from visiting a planet during monsoon season and had returned showing a strong resemblance to a team of drowned rats.
Jack looked up from his nearly complete mission report and pushed himself away from his desk as he heard the door click shut. Faith was walking towards him, a sight he hadn't expected to see after her not very good reaction to his kiss earlier that morning.
Probably wants to slap me!
Faith sat down on in front of Jack, on top of his desk, aware of the look of shock all over his face.
"Hi, I know you're busy, but-"
"Ah, It's okay. Only paperwork."
"I just wanted to apologise."
"Apologise? What for?"
"For this morning. On your roof."
"No, it's me who should be apologising. I shouldn't have done what I did."
"Can I finish please?"
"Sure."
"I wanted to apologise for running off like that. It was very rude of me."
"Like I said, I shouldn't of-"
"I also wanted to ask you something."
"Ask me something?"
"Yes." Faith took a deep breath. "Can I finish what you started?"
"Can you what?" Jack didn't know if his ears were playing tricks on him.
Before faith had time to decide if it was a good idea to say it or not, it was out of her mouth.
"Can I kiss you?"
Not giving him time to answer, Faith leaned forward to gently place her hands on his face and let her lips touch his in a tender kiss. Taking his lack of response as a sign that she shouldn't have done it, she pulled away and stood up. Making her way to the door she mumbled an apology and something about making a terrible mistake. Her head hung in both shame and disappointment.
Jack recovered from the shock of Faith's kiss and leapt out of his seat as he realised she was heading for the door. Taking a hold of her arm, to stop her, he said.
"Wait. Faith-"
"What? Never do that again, never tell anyone that happened? I know the drill-"
"No."
"No? What then?"
"Come here."
Jack almost growled, pulling Faith up against him, his arms wrapping around her tightly, to keep her body pressed against his. Pushing her back against the wall, Jack covered her sweet and warm lips with his own. Wasting no time in slipping his tongue into her mouth, he heard Faith gasp as her tongue came in contact with his. He could feel her tugging at his black shirt in frustration as he kissed her harder, forcing her tongue into the back of her mouth along with his, so he could explore the depths of her mouth.
God I want her! Her body, her lips, her touch.Her.
Right here, right now, I don't care; I can't wait any longer.
Faith could feel Jack's lips pull away from hers, moaning as he kissed his way down her neck, and unable to stand his lips away from hers for any longer, pulled him back up. Her lips pressing against his, her tongue working it's way into his mouth as the kiss intensified and deepend. The whole world was forgotten as Jack reached out and locked his office door, then let his tongue fight back against hers.
Faith could feel Jack's hands slide underneath her shirt, his touch on her bare skin sent waves of electricity through her that made her moan again. She could feel his caress on her hips, her abdomen, her belly, her back, her breasts, her butt, all over her body. Icicles of pleasure shot down Faith's spine, he was making her feel waves of lust like she hadn't done for a long time as his body called to her. She wanted more than his hands on her skin; she wanted his lips to explore her, to feel his body on hers, to have him inside of her.
She wantedhim!
Faith found herself tugging at Jack's shirt again and mentally cursing whoever invented clothing as he pulled at hers. Unable to contain or control herself any longer, Faith dragged her lips away from Jack's just for long enough to pull his shirt over his head. After he had removed hers, his mouth once again covered hers in a burning kiss as Faith snapped off her bra.
Jack's arms slid down Faith's naked back, her bare chest pressed against his, over her butt and down to the backs of her thighs. As she tightened her arms around his neck, he lifted her off the ground, her legs slipping around his hips securely. Carrying her to the back of his office, he laid her down on his bunk and unwilling for their mouths to part, Faith pulled him down on top of her.
"Jack!" She moaned, as their lips parted briefly for air.
"Umm." He mumbled as he covered her mouth with his once again.
"I want you." She managed to say through his lips. "Here, now. I can't wait any longer."
"Neither can I." Jack said between kisses.
And they didn't.
"Finally."
*finis*
For now...
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