New Fic - Meant To Be
As this is too big for one post here is the second part.
Sha’re sat near the back of the lecture hall with her laptop open so she could make notes. Daniel and Sarah were up in ten minutes and she was interested in hearing what they had to say.
“Can you believe they let Jackson in?” a man sitting just behind her said.
Before Sha’re could turn to whoever was talking another man answered.
“I heard Jordan is sick,” the reply came, “And Rayner broke a leg in an accident. It’s the only reason he’s here.”
Sha’re frowned but remained silent and intent on her computer screen listening to them some more.
“Couldn’t believe it when he let Jackson work for him again,” the first man chuckled, “I thought it was a practical joke.”
“You know David,” the second man replied, “Soft spot for the guy. Besides it always helps to have someone who can speak as many languages as he does around.”
Sha’re frowned but thankfully the two men stopped talking before they made her any angrier and movement on the stage alerted her to Daniel and Sarah about to being their talk.
As they went through someone else’s studies Sha’re decided to learn a little more about the man who had fathered her son finally. Other than what he’d told her the night they’d been together Sha’re didn’t know much about him, it had been deliberate so she didn’t go back on her decision not to contact him. She stared at the papers he’d written in amazement, his theories regarding the age of the pyramids and his paper on cross-pollenisation of cultures was incredible. She couldn’t understand why he wasn’t working at the SGC already.
Looking up she watched Daniel as he went through the slides and sighed as she realised this might be even more complicated than before.
Daniel wasn’t sure if having Sha’re in the audience for this was a good thing or not but when he spotted her intent on her computer he felt a lot more relaxed than before. He was more relieved than he could describe when they finished. Sarah was still on the ladder to success in their field while he was the lemming Jordan was too soft to get rid of. He knew how lucky he was that David had that soft spot for him, otherwise after his lecture Daniel would have been walking the streets.
Ignoring everyone else in the room, even though she wasn’t watching, Daniel talked to Sha’re. Now finished he was looking forward to dinner tonight and getting to spend some time with her.
Sha’re looked at herself in the mirror frowning, she’d not brought any clothes suitable for a date - though this wasn’t actually a date. She pulled on a pair of jeans with her red blouse; she decided to wear her heels as they at least gave her a little height so he didn’t completely tower over her.
Fixing her hair Sha’re thought back to the night she’d met Daniel, dressed in a bright yellow and green sundress she’d worn sandals so she’d spent a lot of the night looking up at him. Not that it was a bad thing he was so much taller than she was, Sha’re closed her eyes as she thought back to being spooned by him their bodies fitting perfectly together.
Sha’re shook herself trying not to think about that night before going to meet him for dinner. Sha’re knew she would need a clear head tonight, she had to think of her son and not let anything cloud her judgement. No matter how much she might want it to.
Daniel smiled as she met him in the restaurant, greeting her once more with a gentle kiss on the cheek. They talked generally about the conference as they ordered their meal.
“Where is Sarah?” Sha’re asked once the waiter had taken their order.
Daniel smiled slightly, “Having take out and talking to her husband while they watch a movie in two different countries.”
“That must be extremely hard,” Sha’re noted, “Living so far apart.”
“It isn’t that often,” Daniel explained, “Tom’s company have been expanding and he’s the one they get to set things up. What about you? Did you finish your course?”
“I did it by long distance learning,” she smiled, “It wasn’t that easy when Karim kicked a lot every time I tried to study.”
As she brought up their son silence fell between them.
“What’s he like?” Daniel broke the silence finally.
A smile touched Sha’re’s face as she thought of her little boy, “He’s smart. You have to be careful of every word you say around him. He loves planes and dogs. His favourite toy is a blue bear we call Mr. Ted.”
Daniel sighed sadly and Sha’re knew exactly what he was thinking.
“I am sorry, Daniel,” Sha’re said softly, “Even though I didn’t tell you his birth certificate has your name because I wanted him to know who you were.”
“My plane is booked back to Chicago tomorrow night,” Daniel said, pausing as their meals arrived and waiting until the waiter left them alone again, “I have some things I need to deal with but after that I want to meet him.”
“Of course,” she nodded.
“I don’t know how this will work,” he continued, “With me in Chicago and you in Colorado Springs but…”
“Why don’t we get through the first meeting and then we can make some proper decisions,” Sha’re interrupted him.
“Okay,” Daniel nodded, “Tell me some more about him.”
*********************************************
“Hey, handsome.”
Daniel turned at the familiar voice and smiled in relief as he saw Eleanor standing waiting for him. She would have been hard to miss anyway; Eleanor was just slightly shorter than Daniel in bare feet but had a tendency to wear three inch heels which meant she looked over most people’s heads. Then there was her flame red hair and green eyes which made her striking although Daniel always called her cute because of her freckles and upturned nose, not to mention how much it annoyed her. The moment Daniel reached her she had her arms around him in a tight hug.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Daniel told her, “Ellie, I really need to talk.”
“Well,” she said sliding her arm through his, “Steven is ordering food which should, if I’ve timed this right, arrive just as we get to the apartment.”
“With you driving?”
She tossed him the car keys, “Nope. I brought your car.”
Steven looked up as the door opened, “Good timing. Food is here and waiting for you.”
“Honey, I love you,” Eleanor said as she leaned over and kissed him before disappearing into the kitchen.
“I just kinda like you,” Daniel told his friend with a smile before dropping into his usual seat, “How’s the leg?”
Steven grimaced, “Driving me crazy. And I have an itch…” he trailed off as Daniel laughed, “Try and be a little sympathetic.”
“You fell down a flight of stairs,” Eleanor noted as she returned with their dinner, “Carrying a stack of books because you were too lazy to make a second journey.”
Daniel smiled and grabbed a plate before piling noodles onto it. They fell into silence for a few minutes as they ate before Steven looked up at his friend.
“Did Sarah get away okay?”
“She’ll give us a call when she gets there,” Daniel told them, “She was looking forward to seeing him.”
“Okay, we’ve done small talk and dinner,” Eleanor stated as she sat up slightly, “Tell us what happened?”
Daniel sighed, he stretched over the arm of the chair to his bag and pulled out the photo Sha’re had told him to keep. He looked at the beautiful woman and the son they shared for a second before handing it over to Eleanor.
“Wow,” Steven said as he saw the picture, wincing as his wife elbowed him in the ribs, “I meant how much the kid looks like Daniel.”
“I’ll bet,” Eleanor replied before turning to Daniel, “He looks adorable.”
Daniel smiled slightly, “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“And Mommy?”
Daniel frowned at her.
“You can’t deny you’re still hung up on her,” Eleanor stated as Daniel dropped his eyes she smiled, “You’re going to meet your son, spend some time getting to know Sha’re. You only knew each other for a night so you might want to use the time to get to know her properly.”
Daniel looked down thoughtfully at the photograph Eleanor was offering him remembering the soft kiss Sha’re had given him before they parted and nodded.
*********************************************
“Father,” Sha’re called as she closed the door to her apartment, “I’m home.”
“Mommy,” a cheerful cry preceded her son running over to her.
Sha’re scooped him up in a tight hug smiling as he hugged her back.
“I missed you,” Karim told her in his sweet earnest voice.
“I missed you too,” she kissed him soundly, “Where is your grandfather?”
“Letting you say hello to your son,” Kasuf said as he joined them, “How was the conference?”
“Good,” Sha’re let her son down waiting until he was drawing happily before turning to her father, “Karim’s father was there.”
Kasuf stared at her and moved so they could both sit for this conversation. Sha’re had revealed very little about her son’s father, mostly to ensure that Kasuf wouldn’t try to track him down so he was very interested in what she was about to say.
“And?” he asked once they’d sat.
“I told him about Karim,” she explained, missing out exactly how Daniel had learned of his son, “We’ve spoken and he will be coming to meet him in a few weeks.”
“Sha’re…”
“Father,” she cut him off, “Daniel is a good man. I made the decision not to tell him about Karim because I thought it was the best thing. I was wrong, I hurt him but I want to make it up to him and let him meet his son.”
Kasuf sighed, “It is your decision, Sha’re.”
“Of course it is,” she replied with a nod before sitting down to play with her little boy.
Walking through the corridors of the SGC after dropping her son off at day-care Sha’re smiled as she saw the leader of SG1 walking towards her.
“Hey,” Jack greeted her, “I hear we’ll finally get to meet the little ones dad.”
Sha’re rolled her eyes, “How…”
“Skaara,” Jack chuckled, especially at the annoyed look on her face, “So, what happened?”
Sha’re let out a sigh, “Jack, I really do not want to talk about this in the middle of a hall. If you wish we can meet for lunch and I will tell you everything.”
Jack nodded, “Okay, honey. I’ll come to your office and we can talk in private.”
Sha’re smiled before starting through the corridors again towards her original destination once more. Jack had always been like a big brother to her, teasing but supportive and he was the first one she’d told about her pregnancy. Admittedly it was only because he found her crying in her office but in all honesty she was relieved as Jack had stood at her side, giving her support when she told her father.
“Good morning,” she greeted Catherine, George and Ernest who were sitting around the table in the conference room before taking her seat.
“Good timing,” Catherine told her, “How was the conference?”
Sha’re smiled, “Interesting. I have a few names for possibilities to join us.”
“Excellent,” Ernest nodded, he scanned the list, “I have heard of several of these names.”
Catherine glanced over her husband’s shoulder to look at the names, “So have I. One in particular.”
“Really?” Hammond asked, “Are you going to tell us?”
Catherine rolled her eyes at him, “Daniel Jackson,” she told them not seeing Sha’re’s surprise.
“So we strike him off the list?” Hammond asked.
Catherine shook her head, “No, we get him if we can. I tried to get in touch with him a few years ago but David Jordan blocked me.”
“Why?” Sha’re asked softly.
“Jackson is brilliant. Doctorate by twenty-two and speaks almost two dozen languages,” Catherine explained, “He had what is considered in the normal archaeology community as crazy theories.”
Hammond chuckled, “I’m guessing not by our standards.”
Catherine laughed, “Precisely. But Jordan didn’t want to lose his golden boy so I never got the chance to talk to him.”
Sha’re took a quick breath, “He is coming to Colorado in a few weeks.”
The other three turned to her confused.
“How do you know that?” Ernest asked.
Sha’re took a deep breath before revealing, “Daniel is coming to see Karim. He is Karim’s father.”
********************************************
Daniel jumped when Eleanor grabbed his arm as he stared at his computer.
“You are so easy sometimes,” she laughed as he glared at her, “What are you reading?”
He turned the laptop so she could read the email he’d just received.
“A job interview?” Eleanor mused.
Daniel nodded, “In Colorado Springs.”
“Where your son is,” Eleanor finished for him.
Daniel let out a long sigh, “This is…”
“Very tempting?” Eleanor asked, she frowned as she looked at her friend, “Daniel, you haven’t even met this kid yet. Are you actually thinking about giving up your life and moving to where he is?”
He shrugged, “I don’t know.”
“Okay, this isn’t a decision you can make without talking to us,” Eleanor reminded him, “We’re having dinner tonight so we’ll do our usual pros and cons. Okay?”
Daniel nodded and gave her a quick hug.
“You know this is not the first time you’ve got an offer from these people,” Steven noted as he took a drink. At the bemused look he was given by Daniel and the angry ones he got from the others around the table he frowned, “What?”
“I’ve never had a job offer from them,” Daniel noted, he looked over at Sarah and Eleanor who were both wincing slightly, “What?”
“It was just after the lecture,” Sarah said, not having to elaborate more than that, “David was sure it was simply people who would be trying to mock you after it so he blocked it.”
Daniel stared at her before glancing at Eleanor, “And you guys knew?”
“We were trying to protect you, Daniel,” Eleanor assured him, “You’d just set out theories that the rest of the archaeological community thought as crazy. The amount of crank calls we received was massive.”
Daniel dropped his head, “So what do you think? Should I go to this interview?”
“Well, considering how long it’s been since you gave the lecture,” Tom spoke up, “And considering the fact you’ll be in the area I say go for it.”
“As much as agreeing with my husband doesn’t happen very often,” Sarah chuckled as Tom gently pushed her shoulder, “I think you should go for it. At least see what it’s about.”
“Besides,” Eleanor took over, “You already have us here if they are just trying to mock you.”
Daniel looked around the table at his friends and nodded, “Oh well, this is going to make this week even more interesting.”
Daniel hated airports, mostly because he spent far too much time in them. They always made him feel tired and right now he wanted to be awake so he could be ready to meet his son. It was still a notion he couldn’t quite believe, he had a son and he wasn’t sure if he would be able to bond with the boy because he was so terrible with kids.
But he couldn’t not try.
As his flight was called Daniel joined the queue to board and let his mind wander thinking back to the party where he met Sha’re. He’d spent hours sitting talking with her over everything and anything then he’d spontaneously kissed her finding that she kissed him back without any hesitation. Thinking of Sha’re Daniel smiled he wanted to get to know her more and was actually terrified of doing it. He didn’t want the memory of that wonderful night and the thought of how perfect he always remembered her to be destroyed. Daniel was well aware of how he’d placed her on a pedestal over the years, probably remembering perfection because he wanted to. So the possibility of getting to know her properly scared him a little. Daniel knew dreams never lived up to reality. When the plane landed Daniel made it through the airport quite quickly and managed to catch a cab without any problems arriving at the hotel ahead of schedule. As he dropped his bag in the corner Daniel dropped onto the bed and pulled out his phone, he had an hour before he was to meet Sha’re so he had enough time to let his friends know he’d arrived then have a quick shower.
*********************************************
Sha’re checked herself in the mirror for the fifth time frowning as her friend chuckled.
“Janet, please stop and just tell me what you think,” she pleaded.
Janet smiled, “You look lovely. Which I’m guessing is the point of all this preening.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Sha’re replied innocently as she checked through her purse to ensure she had everything she needed.
“Of course not,” Janet chuckled, “Just the fact you’re meeting the father of your son who you’ve been head over heels with for years now.”
“I am doing this for my son,” Sha’re reminded the other woman, “He should know his father.”
Janet shook her head, “Honey, you are allowed to fall for the man. I know how hard it was for you not to meet him that day.”
Sha’re sighed and sat down beside her friend, “Janet, I don’t want the memory of that night to be tarnished.”
“I understand that,” Janet soothed, “But what’s better the memory of one wonderful night or a real relationship with a guy you’re clearly nuts about?”
Sha’re smiled softly, “I would but you’re assuming that he would ever consider being with me after what I did.”
Before Janet could reply Sha’re stood, “I should go. I’ll call you later and let you know how it went.”
Sha’re spent the entire drive to the restaurant she was meeting Daniel thinking about what Janet had said to her. They were having lunch together then she would introduce him to Karim. As she parked Sha’re sat in the car for a few seconds, she wanted this weekend to go well not only so her son had his father but because she didn’t want him walking out of her life again.
Entering the restaurant Sha’re smiled to find Daniel sitting scanning the menu. As she walked over to him Daniel looked up and smiled warmly.
“Hi,” he stood up and gently kissed her cheek, “You look wonderful.”
Sha’re smiled, “Thank you. I’m glad you were able to make it.”
“I’ve been looking forward to this,” Daniel said before chuckling at her raised eyebrow, “And dreading it. Honestly, Sha’re I am terrible with kids so he might despise me.”
“Karim will like you,” she assured him, “My…Our son is a sweet boy and I’m sure you will find something in common.” Daniel took a deep breath but Sha’re spoke again before he could, “Why don’t we order lunch and you can build up to it?”
Sha’re glanced at the man sitting in the passenger seat. They’d had a nice lunch but it was time for him to meet their son.
“I think it is only fair to warn you,” Sha’re broke the silence, “That my father may be rude to you.”
Daniel frowned, “Oh.”
“He loves Karim but he is still…” Sha’re hesitated.
“Angry at me,” Daniel suggested.
Sha’re laughed softly, “A little. You have to understand I am his only daughter and he had so many plans for how my life would go. Falling pregnant before I even started my course or was married wasn’t part of the plan.”
Daniel let out a long breath, “At least you warned me.”
Sha’re chuckled as she drew up into her parking space outside her apartment building. Once parked she undid her seatbelt and turned to Daniel.
“Are you ready?”
“No,” he admitted, “But I can’t sit here all day.”
She reached out and slid her hand into his gently squeezing it for a second before she opened the car door and slid out. She stood waiting for him watching intently the man as he took several deep breaths steeling himself to meet his son.
“Mommy,” the little boy ran to Sha’re and flung himself into her arms.
Daniel watched Sha’re as she hugged the boy giving him kisses and smiling as he told her what he’d been doing with his grandfather. Daniel glanced slightly to one side where he saw Sha’re’s father staring at him hard.
“Karim,” Sha’re set the boy down and crouched in front of him, “Do you remember what I told you about your Daddy?”
The boy nodded and Daniel leaned against the door listening to what she’d told their son about him.
“My Daddy works far away,” Karim said.
Daniel winced slightly.
“Well, I have a big surprise for you,” Sha’re continued, “Look over at the door.”
Daniel straightened up slightly as the dark brown eyes of his son turned on him, they widened and suddenly Karim bounced towards him.
“Daddy,” the boy cried with glee to Daniel’s complete surprise.
Daniel caught the boy and lifted him so they were face to face, “Hi, Karim. It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”
The boy wrapped his arms around Daniel’s neck and hugged him tightly. Daniel felt tears fill his eyes and he hugged the boy back.
Sha’re sat near the back of the lecture hall with her laptop open so she could make notes. Daniel and Sarah were up in ten minutes and she was interested in hearing what they had to say.
“Can you believe they let Jackson in?” a man sitting just behind her said.
Before Sha’re could turn to whoever was talking another man answered.
“I heard Jordan is sick,” the reply came, “And Rayner broke a leg in an accident. It’s the only reason he’s here.”
Sha’re frowned but remained silent and intent on her computer screen listening to them some more.
“Couldn’t believe it when he let Jackson work for him again,” the first man chuckled, “I thought it was a practical joke.”
“You know David,” the second man replied, “Soft spot for the guy. Besides it always helps to have someone who can speak as many languages as he does around.”
Sha’re frowned but thankfully the two men stopped talking before they made her any angrier and movement on the stage alerted her to Daniel and Sarah about to being their talk.
As they went through someone else’s studies Sha’re decided to learn a little more about the man who had fathered her son finally. Other than what he’d told her the night they’d been together Sha’re didn’t know much about him, it had been deliberate so she didn’t go back on her decision not to contact him. She stared at the papers he’d written in amazement, his theories regarding the age of the pyramids and his paper on cross-pollenisation of cultures was incredible. She couldn’t understand why he wasn’t working at the SGC already.
Looking up she watched Daniel as he went through the slides and sighed as she realised this might be even more complicated than before.
Daniel wasn’t sure if having Sha’re in the audience for this was a good thing or not but when he spotted her intent on her computer he felt a lot more relaxed than before. He was more relieved than he could describe when they finished. Sarah was still on the ladder to success in their field while he was the lemming Jordan was too soft to get rid of. He knew how lucky he was that David had that soft spot for him, otherwise after his lecture Daniel would have been walking the streets.
Ignoring everyone else in the room, even though she wasn’t watching, Daniel talked to Sha’re. Now finished he was looking forward to dinner tonight and getting to spend some time with her.
Sha’re looked at herself in the mirror frowning, she’d not brought any clothes suitable for a date - though this wasn’t actually a date. She pulled on a pair of jeans with her red blouse; she decided to wear her heels as they at least gave her a little height so he didn’t completely tower over her.
Fixing her hair Sha’re thought back to the night she’d met Daniel, dressed in a bright yellow and green sundress she’d worn sandals so she’d spent a lot of the night looking up at him. Not that it was a bad thing he was so much taller than she was, Sha’re closed her eyes as she thought back to being spooned by him their bodies fitting perfectly together.
Sha’re shook herself trying not to think about that night before going to meet him for dinner. Sha’re knew she would need a clear head tonight, she had to think of her son and not let anything cloud her judgement. No matter how much she might want it to.
Daniel smiled as she met him in the restaurant, greeting her once more with a gentle kiss on the cheek. They talked generally about the conference as they ordered their meal.
“Where is Sarah?” Sha’re asked once the waiter had taken their order.
Daniel smiled slightly, “Having take out and talking to her husband while they watch a movie in two different countries.”
“That must be extremely hard,” Sha’re noted, “Living so far apart.”
“It isn’t that often,” Daniel explained, “Tom’s company have been expanding and he’s the one they get to set things up. What about you? Did you finish your course?”
“I did it by long distance learning,” she smiled, “It wasn’t that easy when Karim kicked a lot every time I tried to study.”
As she brought up their son silence fell between them.
“What’s he like?” Daniel broke the silence finally.
A smile touched Sha’re’s face as she thought of her little boy, “He’s smart. You have to be careful of every word you say around him. He loves planes and dogs. His favourite toy is a blue bear we call Mr. Ted.”
Daniel sighed sadly and Sha’re knew exactly what he was thinking.
“I am sorry, Daniel,” Sha’re said softly, “Even though I didn’t tell you his birth certificate has your name because I wanted him to know who you were.”
“My plane is booked back to Chicago tomorrow night,” Daniel said, pausing as their meals arrived and waiting until the waiter left them alone again, “I have some things I need to deal with but after that I want to meet him.”
“Of course,” she nodded.
“I don’t know how this will work,” he continued, “With me in Chicago and you in Colorado Springs but…”
“Why don’t we get through the first meeting and then we can make some proper decisions,” Sha’re interrupted him.
“Okay,” Daniel nodded, “Tell me some more about him.”
*********************************************
“Hey, handsome.”
Daniel turned at the familiar voice and smiled in relief as he saw Eleanor standing waiting for him. She would have been hard to miss anyway; Eleanor was just slightly shorter than Daniel in bare feet but had a tendency to wear three inch heels which meant she looked over most people’s heads. Then there was her flame red hair and green eyes which made her striking although Daniel always called her cute because of her freckles and upturned nose, not to mention how much it annoyed her. The moment Daniel reached her she had her arms around him in a tight hug.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Daniel told her, “Ellie, I really need to talk.”
“Well,” she said sliding her arm through his, “Steven is ordering food which should, if I’ve timed this right, arrive just as we get to the apartment.”
“With you driving?”
She tossed him the car keys, “Nope. I brought your car.”
Steven looked up as the door opened, “Good timing. Food is here and waiting for you.”
“Honey, I love you,” Eleanor said as she leaned over and kissed him before disappearing into the kitchen.
“I just kinda like you,” Daniel told his friend with a smile before dropping into his usual seat, “How’s the leg?”
Steven grimaced, “Driving me crazy. And I have an itch…” he trailed off as Daniel laughed, “Try and be a little sympathetic.”
“You fell down a flight of stairs,” Eleanor noted as she returned with their dinner, “Carrying a stack of books because you were too lazy to make a second journey.”
Daniel smiled and grabbed a plate before piling noodles onto it. They fell into silence for a few minutes as they ate before Steven looked up at his friend.
“Did Sarah get away okay?”
“She’ll give us a call when she gets there,” Daniel told them, “She was looking forward to seeing him.”
“Okay, we’ve done small talk and dinner,” Eleanor stated as she sat up slightly, “Tell us what happened?”
Daniel sighed, he stretched over the arm of the chair to his bag and pulled out the photo Sha’re had told him to keep. He looked at the beautiful woman and the son they shared for a second before handing it over to Eleanor.
“Wow,” Steven said as he saw the picture, wincing as his wife elbowed him in the ribs, “I meant how much the kid looks like Daniel.”
“I’ll bet,” Eleanor replied before turning to Daniel, “He looks adorable.”
Daniel smiled slightly, “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“And Mommy?”
Daniel frowned at her.
“You can’t deny you’re still hung up on her,” Eleanor stated as Daniel dropped his eyes she smiled, “You’re going to meet your son, spend some time getting to know Sha’re. You only knew each other for a night so you might want to use the time to get to know her properly.”
Daniel looked down thoughtfully at the photograph Eleanor was offering him remembering the soft kiss Sha’re had given him before they parted and nodded.
*********************************************
“Father,” Sha’re called as she closed the door to her apartment, “I’m home.”
“Mommy,” a cheerful cry preceded her son running over to her.
Sha’re scooped him up in a tight hug smiling as he hugged her back.
“I missed you,” Karim told her in his sweet earnest voice.
“I missed you too,” she kissed him soundly, “Where is your grandfather?”
“Letting you say hello to your son,” Kasuf said as he joined them, “How was the conference?”
“Good,” Sha’re let her son down waiting until he was drawing happily before turning to her father, “Karim’s father was there.”
Kasuf stared at her and moved so they could both sit for this conversation. Sha’re had revealed very little about her son’s father, mostly to ensure that Kasuf wouldn’t try to track him down so he was very interested in what she was about to say.
“And?” he asked once they’d sat.
“I told him about Karim,” she explained, missing out exactly how Daniel had learned of his son, “We’ve spoken and he will be coming to meet him in a few weeks.”
“Sha’re…”
“Father,” she cut him off, “Daniel is a good man. I made the decision not to tell him about Karim because I thought it was the best thing. I was wrong, I hurt him but I want to make it up to him and let him meet his son.”
Kasuf sighed, “It is your decision, Sha’re.”
“Of course it is,” she replied with a nod before sitting down to play with her little boy.
Walking through the corridors of the SGC after dropping her son off at day-care Sha’re smiled as she saw the leader of SG1 walking towards her.
“Hey,” Jack greeted her, “I hear we’ll finally get to meet the little ones dad.”
Sha’re rolled her eyes, “How…”
“Skaara,” Jack chuckled, especially at the annoyed look on her face, “So, what happened?”
Sha’re let out a sigh, “Jack, I really do not want to talk about this in the middle of a hall. If you wish we can meet for lunch and I will tell you everything.”
Jack nodded, “Okay, honey. I’ll come to your office and we can talk in private.”
Sha’re smiled before starting through the corridors again towards her original destination once more. Jack had always been like a big brother to her, teasing but supportive and he was the first one she’d told about her pregnancy. Admittedly it was only because he found her crying in her office but in all honesty she was relieved as Jack had stood at her side, giving her support when she told her father.
“Good morning,” she greeted Catherine, George and Ernest who were sitting around the table in the conference room before taking her seat.
“Good timing,” Catherine told her, “How was the conference?”
Sha’re smiled, “Interesting. I have a few names for possibilities to join us.”
“Excellent,” Ernest nodded, he scanned the list, “I have heard of several of these names.”
Catherine glanced over her husband’s shoulder to look at the names, “So have I. One in particular.”
“Really?” Hammond asked, “Are you going to tell us?”
Catherine rolled her eyes at him, “Daniel Jackson,” she told them not seeing Sha’re’s surprise.
“So we strike him off the list?” Hammond asked.
Catherine shook her head, “No, we get him if we can. I tried to get in touch with him a few years ago but David Jordan blocked me.”
“Why?” Sha’re asked softly.
“Jackson is brilliant. Doctorate by twenty-two and speaks almost two dozen languages,” Catherine explained, “He had what is considered in the normal archaeology community as crazy theories.”
Hammond chuckled, “I’m guessing not by our standards.”
Catherine laughed, “Precisely. But Jordan didn’t want to lose his golden boy so I never got the chance to talk to him.”
Sha’re took a quick breath, “He is coming to Colorado in a few weeks.”
The other three turned to her confused.
“How do you know that?” Ernest asked.
Sha’re took a deep breath before revealing, “Daniel is coming to see Karim. He is Karim’s father.”
********************************************
Daniel jumped when Eleanor grabbed his arm as he stared at his computer.
“You are so easy sometimes,” she laughed as he glared at her, “What are you reading?”
He turned the laptop so she could read the email he’d just received.
“A job interview?” Eleanor mused.
Daniel nodded, “In Colorado Springs.”
“Where your son is,” Eleanor finished for him.
Daniel let out a long sigh, “This is…”
“Very tempting?” Eleanor asked, she frowned as she looked at her friend, “Daniel, you haven’t even met this kid yet. Are you actually thinking about giving up your life and moving to where he is?”
He shrugged, “I don’t know.”
“Okay, this isn’t a decision you can make without talking to us,” Eleanor reminded him, “We’re having dinner tonight so we’ll do our usual pros and cons. Okay?”
Daniel nodded and gave her a quick hug.
“You know this is not the first time you’ve got an offer from these people,” Steven noted as he took a drink. At the bemused look he was given by Daniel and the angry ones he got from the others around the table he frowned, “What?”
“I’ve never had a job offer from them,” Daniel noted, he looked over at Sarah and Eleanor who were both wincing slightly, “What?”
“It was just after the lecture,” Sarah said, not having to elaborate more than that, “David was sure it was simply people who would be trying to mock you after it so he blocked it.”
Daniel stared at her before glancing at Eleanor, “And you guys knew?”
“We were trying to protect you, Daniel,” Eleanor assured him, “You’d just set out theories that the rest of the archaeological community thought as crazy. The amount of crank calls we received was massive.”
Daniel dropped his head, “So what do you think? Should I go to this interview?”
“Well, considering how long it’s been since you gave the lecture,” Tom spoke up, “And considering the fact you’ll be in the area I say go for it.”
“As much as agreeing with my husband doesn’t happen very often,” Sarah chuckled as Tom gently pushed her shoulder, “I think you should go for it. At least see what it’s about.”
“Besides,” Eleanor took over, “You already have us here if they are just trying to mock you.”
Daniel looked around the table at his friends and nodded, “Oh well, this is going to make this week even more interesting.”
Daniel hated airports, mostly because he spent far too much time in them. They always made him feel tired and right now he wanted to be awake so he could be ready to meet his son. It was still a notion he couldn’t quite believe, he had a son and he wasn’t sure if he would be able to bond with the boy because he was so terrible with kids.
But he couldn’t not try.
As his flight was called Daniel joined the queue to board and let his mind wander thinking back to the party where he met Sha’re. He’d spent hours sitting talking with her over everything and anything then he’d spontaneously kissed her finding that she kissed him back without any hesitation. Thinking of Sha’re Daniel smiled he wanted to get to know her more and was actually terrified of doing it. He didn’t want the memory of that wonderful night and the thought of how perfect he always remembered her to be destroyed. Daniel was well aware of how he’d placed her on a pedestal over the years, probably remembering perfection because he wanted to. So the possibility of getting to know her properly scared him a little. Daniel knew dreams never lived up to reality. When the plane landed Daniel made it through the airport quite quickly and managed to catch a cab without any problems arriving at the hotel ahead of schedule. As he dropped his bag in the corner Daniel dropped onto the bed and pulled out his phone, he had an hour before he was to meet Sha’re so he had enough time to let his friends know he’d arrived then have a quick shower.
*********************************************
Sha’re checked herself in the mirror for the fifth time frowning as her friend chuckled.
“Janet, please stop and just tell me what you think,” she pleaded.
Janet smiled, “You look lovely. Which I’m guessing is the point of all this preening.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Sha’re replied innocently as she checked through her purse to ensure she had everything she needed.
“Of course not,” Janet chuckled, “Just the fact you’re meeting the father of your son who you’ve been head over heels with for years now.”
“I am doing this for my son,” Sha’re reminded the other woman, “He should know his father.”
Janet shook her head, “Honey, you are allowed to fall for the man. I know how hard it was for you not to meet him that day.”
Sha’re sighed and sat down beside her friend, “Janet, I don’t want the memory of that night to be tarnished.”
“I understand that,” Janet soothed, “But what’s better the memory of one wonderful night or a real relationship with a guy you’re clearly nuts about?”
Sha’re smiled softly, “I would but you’re assuming that he would ever consider being with me after what I did.”
Before Janet could reply Sha’re stood, “I should go. I’ll call you later and let you know how it went.”
Sha’re spent the entire drive to the restaurant she was meeting Daniel thinking about what Janet had said to her. They were having lunch together then she would introduce him to Karim. As she parked Sha’re sat in the car for a few seconds, she wanted this weekend to go well not only so her son had his father but because she didn’t want him walking out of her life again.
Entering the restaurant Sha’re smiled to find Daniel sitting scanning the menu. As she walked over to him Daniel looked up and smiled warmly.
“Hi,” he stood up and gently kissed her cheek, “You look wonderful.”
Sha’re smiled, “Thank you. I’m glad you were able to make it.”
“I’ve been looking forward to this,” Daniel said before chuckling at her raised eyebrow, “And dreading it. Honestly, Sha’re I am terrible with kids so he might despise me.”
“Karim will like you,” she assured him, “My…Our son is a sweet boy and I’m sure you will find something in common.” Daniel took a deep breath but Sha’re spoke again before he could, “Why don’t we order lunch and you can build up to it?”
Sha’re glanced at the man sitting in the passenger seat. They’d had a nice lunch but it was time for him to meet their son.
“I think it is only fair to warn you,” Sha’re broke the silence, “That my father may be rude to you.”
Daniel frowned, “Oh.”
“He loves Karim but he is still…” Sha’re hesitated.
“Angry at me,” Daniel suggested.
Sha’re laughed softly, “A little. You have to understand I am his only daughter and he had so many plans for how my life would go. Falling pregnant before I even started my course or was married wasn’t part of the plan.”
Daniel let out a long breath, “At least you warned me.”
Sha’re chuckled as she drew up into her parking space outside her apartment building. Once parked she undid her seatbelt and turned to Daniel.
“Are you ready?”
“No,” he admitted, “But I can’t sit here all day.”
She reached out and slid her hand into his gently squeezing it for a second before she opened the car door and slid out. She stood waiting for him watching intently the man as he took several deep breaths steeling himself to meet his son.
“Mommy,” the little boy ran to Sha’re and flung himself into her arms.
Daniel watched Sha’re as she hugged the boy giving him kisses and smiling as he told her what he’d been doing with his grandfather. Daniel glanced slightly to one side where he saw Sha’re’s father staring at him hard.
“Karim,” Sha’re set the boy down and crouched in front of him, “Do you remember what I told you about your Daddy?”
The boy nodded and Daniel leaned against the door listening to what she’d told their son about him.
“My Daddy works far away,” Karim said.
Daniel winced slightly.
“Well, I have a big surprise for you,” Sha’re continued, “Look over at the door.”
Daniel straightened up slightly as the dark brown eyes of his son turned on him, they widened and suddenly Karim bounced towards him.
“Daddy,” the boy cried with glee to Daniel’s complete surprise.
Daniel caught the boy and lifted him so they were face to face, “Hi, Karim. It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”
The boy wrapped his arms around Daniel’s neck and hugged him tightly. Daniel felt tears fill his eyes and he hugged the boy back.