fic- "Mei and Uncle Jack", Stargate SG-1/SGA, Complete, PG-13, Part 2 of 2
Title: Mei and Uncle Jack
Author: CJ aka WritinginCT
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis/Stargate SG-1
Characters: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex, Teyla, Jack O'Neill, Samantha Carter, OFC
Pairing: Jack O'Neill/Samantha Carter (canon-ish)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: none
Categories: Drama, kid!fic, family, angst
Disclaimer: I don't own the recognizable characters I'm just inspired by them.
Notes: Set Atlantis mid-season 5
Summary: A little refugee from another reality arrives on Atlantis and John and Sam find themselves suddenly facing their daughter. In the ensuing chaos storm of emotion and decision making, who will be up to the challenge of being the parent the grieving little girl so desperately needs?
Status: Complete 4/12/09 11,827 words
Part 1 here
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Ronon had immediately run after Mei when she bolted after John. Woolsey, Jack, and Sam soon followed. Ronon found her at the transporter pounding on the doors and calling for John. The other three had just rounded the corner when they heard Mei yell at Ronon, "No. I hate it here. I wanna go home," before running off. Ronon just looked at the other three adults and with a shrug took off after Mei.
Jack turned to Woolsey and demanded, "What the hell just happened?"
Reluctantly Woolsey replied, "Colonel Sheppard has kept his distance from Mei since the first day. He refuses to interact with her. She doesn't understand why."
Jack sighed. "That makes two of us."
"General, for what it's worth, I have gotten reports that others have seen him watching her from a distance on many occasions when she was unaware. And I understand that he's made nightly appearances at her room to verify with her escort that she was in safely for the night and a couple of times he even sat with her while she was sleeping. He's been extremely reticent to share his thoughts and feelings about Mei and the whole situation. I've tried talking to his friends and teammates but he hasn't shared much with them either, although Teyla did mention that Colonel Sheppard told her that he didn't want Mei to get too attached to him because Stargate Command would not allow her to remain on Atlantis."
They digested what he said for a moment and it was Sam that spoke, "That doesn't sound to me like he doesn't want her, it sounds like he's trying to protect her from having to say goodbye to him a second time."
Jack scrubbed his face with his hands and with a sigh, replied, "Yeah, except it's backfiring. Sam, why don't you go find Sheppard and talk to him."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you. If anyone knows how he's feeling right now it's you. Just talk to him, find out where his head's at."
"What are you going to do?"
He grinned. "I'm gonna go find Mei."
---------------
Woolsey radioed Ronon and gave Jack their location. He arrived at an out of the way balcony where Ronon was acting as a sentry in the doorway.
At Ronon's nod Jack stuck his head around the corner and surveyed. What he saw and heard almost broke his heart. The little girl with a thick dirty-blonde pony tail was hugging one of the support posts on the balcony and tearfully pleading, "'Lantis please talk to me. I promise I'll be good. Please talk to me. He doesn't want me here 'Lantis. I wanna go home. Please talk to me, you have to tell me how to get home. I want my daddy, 'Lantis. Please... "
Over and over again she pleaded with the city to talk to her. Finally her little legs gave out in exhaustion and she slid down to sit on the floor of the balcony, still with her arms clutching the post.
Jack swallowed hard and tried to figure out what to say. He stepped out onto the balcony when he thought he was ready but the instant she looked at him and he saw more than familiar blue eyes staring out at him from John Sheppard's features all his prepared opening lines scattered to the wind. It had been one thing to see her in pictures, but here up close in person her parentage was even more evident. And it made Jack smile.
Before he could say anything, he was further blown away when she sniffed hard and whispered, "Uncle Jack?"
"Hey there." Jack looked around and picked a spot to sit on the balcony floor were he could lean up against wall. "So back home I was Uncle Jack huh?"
She nodded.
"Sweet. I've never been an uncle before. Can I get a t-shirt with that on it?"
The corners of her mouth quirked up just like Sheppard's had in the conference room and Jack's eyes softened. There was just no good solution to this whole convoluted mess.
Mei asked quietly, "Is Daddy mad at me? Is that why he doesn't love me any more?"
"No, sweetheart, he's not mad at you. Did anyone tell you how you got here?"
She shook her head and Jack patted the floor next to him. "C'mere." Once she settled herself next to him he continued. "This isn't the Atlantis you know, Mei." And in the simple words of which Jack was so fond, he tried to explain alternate realities and how she came be there.
---------------
John heard the footsteps approaching but didn't open his eyes. He was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall with his legs stretched out in front of him. He registered that whoever it was slid down the wall to sit next to him. A tickle of perfume let him know that it was Sam.
He asked softly, "Is she alright?"
"Yeah. Jack...General O'Neill and Ronon are with her."
He opened his eyes and nodded. He looked over at Sam and with a little lopsided grin she held out a Powerbar and a bottled water. "I brought provisions."
He took them and forced a chuckle. He forced his attention on the opening the energy bar and said, "I have no idea what to say to you."
Sam was working on opening her own and teased back, "You? I'm the one talking to Atlantis' favorite."
He shook his head and broke off a bite and said before popping it into his mouth, "We are so screwed."
Sam nodded and blew her bangs out of her eyes, "Yep."
---------------
Mei had listened intently to Jack's patient explanation. She had been under the impression that she had switched places with another version of herself and had no idea she was unique. She thought for a minute and asked, "So this 'Lantis never made one of me for my Daddy and Mommy here?"
Jack was fairly disturbed that she knew that her Atlantis had been the one to "make" her. It just didn't seem right somehow. He replied gently, "No. Our Atlantis is a lot different than your Atlantis was. It sounds like your Atlantis could do some cool stuff that ours doesn't do."
She nodded. "So my Daddy that's here isn't really my Daddy? Or Mommy?"
"That's a tough one to answer. He's just like your daddy. Same with your mom. They've got all the same stuff. But they weren't lucky enough to have an Atlantis like yours to make you for them so they don't know you. They don't have any of the memories that you have. None of us do."
"So I'm like a stranger?"
"Yeah, kinda like that. Or maybe just a new friend we hadn't met yet."
---------------
"So kites huh?" John asked.
Sam chuckled, "Yeah. I really wanted to build a jet engine but my mom wouldn't let me, the kites were a compromise."
"I kept trying to build one big enough to lift me off the ground so I could fly."
"Did you watch the home videos of Mei?"
John wanted to lie, didn't want to talk about any of this. But he knew that Sam had to be nearly as freaked out over the situation as he was. "Yeah. She's, ah... pretty amazing huh?
"Fearless too. And smart. Did you see the stuff they had her working on?"
"Yeah, not surprising seeing as you're her mother and all."
"I've seen your personnel record, mister, so can the modest act. Plus you know, McKay had some fun filling me in on the whole Mensa thing."
John chuckled, "Ever say something that you knew was a mistake the second it left your mouth?"
"Oh, yeah. Your biggest mistake though was saying it in front of McKay."
John didn't say anything right away and the quiet moment stretched. Finally he cleared his throat and broached a sensitive topic. "Um. I, ah, just... look I can't speak for the other Sheppard obviously and I have no idea why exactly their Atlantis decided that you and I were some sort of perfect match but I just don't want there to be any misconceptions about you and I and our working relationship here. I meant what I said when I told you I have more respect for you than any other commanding officer I've ever had. And I am honored to be able to consider you a friend and a fellow officer. And I don't want any rumors starting saying anything contrary to that."
"Are you worrying about defending my honor, John?"
Her use of his first name threw him a little, but he replied honestly. "Look before I said yes to Elizabeth and came to Atlantis I didn't give a bunch of stuff any thought. But coming here and being part of the Stargate program I've finally learned what true sacrifice means. I know how many people you all lost at the SGC, I've read the mission reports. And I also know how much everyone gave up personally. Sacrifice at the SGC isn't just about being willing to take a bullet following orders for your country. It's being willing to give up not only your life, but pieces of your heart and soul sometimes when you have to. I know what you've given up, Sam. And you and the General have more than earned whatever it is that you have and I'll be damned if anyone is going to start rumors that might throw any sort of doubt on it."
Sam chewed on her bottom lip. She had never heard John say so much at one time or anything so heartfelt. "I don't think it was anything any of us were prepared for, we just didn't have a choice. It was just one thing after another after another. You know how that is. There's barely time to breathe and then you look up and two years are gone, then five, then ten. And half the faces at the base are new, not because people get reassigned, but because people die. Along the way we've all had to do things that will probably always wake us up in a cold sweat when we relive them in our sleep. Sometimes I'm surprised I made it this far to be honest. If I were a cat I'd definitely be out of lives. And now I've finally gotten to a point where I'm happy. I'm happy in my career, I'm happy in a relationship that most people can't understand, and I'm getting more and more excited as I wait for my ship to get finished. But now all that's been thrown into a tailspin that I can't get out of. And this is going to sound so incredibly selfish, but I don't think I want custody of Mei. I would like to be part of her life and get to know her but I don't want to raise her. I'm sorry."
It was the first time Sam had actually put her decision out there in actual words. John didn't look at her directly, but he could hear her trying not to cry as she finished saying her piece and he nudged her elbow, "That's not selfish. It's honest, Sam. That's all we can be. We didn't ask for any of this. None of it. And there is nothing to be sorry about." Another quiet moment stretched before he asked, "The other Sheppard, you think he was a good father?"
Sam sniffed and replied, "He was a great dad, John."
"Yeah, I thought so too."
Sam asked gently, "You want custody don't you?"
---------------
Jack had his arm around Mei and he could feel how starved for affection she was. She was a kid that was used to getting hugged and kissed and that type of affection had been sorely missed since her arrival.
"So how'd you get that funny name anyway?" He teased as he gave her a little squeeze.
"'Lantis named me. Daddy said that when he saw me in the machine and he asked her who I was, 'Lantis said, "Mei". He thought it was my name but then he found out in the library that it means "mine". 'Lantis and Daddy used to fight about that. 'Lantis always won."
Jack chuckled. "It must have been neat to have her talk to you."
"She talked to me all the time. And sometimes she would sing really really really old songs. I didn't know what the words were but it was pretty. 'Lantis was sad when Mommy died, and sang really sad songs for me."
"I bet a lot of people were sad then."
"You were very sad. And Daddy was sad too, he always says Mommy was one of his best friends." Jack could imagine that. Being thrown into parenthood the way they had been would have formed a bond between them and it would have been good for Mei if they were friends.
When Jack didn't say anything she continued sadly, "I can't remember Mommy. I try and watch the movies Daddy had on the computer but I can't see her here," she tapped her temple.
"You were very little when she died. It's okay that you don't remember her."
"The other Mommy that's here, is she nice?"
"She is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. And she's smart like you. I bet you two will have lots of stuff to talk about."
"She wants to talk to me?"
"Yes, she does. She's never had any kids though so you're gonna have to show her what's its all about."
He got a real smile out of Mei with that one. "I can do that."
"Mei, I know things are weird here and nothing is like it's supposed to be but you just have to give us a little time to get to know you, okay?"
She nodded. Then thought for a moment and asked, "Daddy too?"
"Him especially. He's a good guy and he justs wants what's best for you. Just give him some time okay?"
"Okay, Uncle Jack. I can do that. I don't want him to be sad."
"I know. Now whatdaya say we go get some lunch?"
He stood up and after brushing off his pants he held out his hand and she didn't hesitate to slip hers in and close her fingers around his index finger. Jack had a weird moment of dejavu as he remembered Charlie doing that same thing.
With a little wink to Ronon on their way out, they headed back to the mess hall.
---------------
"What I might want doesn't matter, what's best for Mei does. She deserves to be in a home with a parent or parents that love her and can give her all the attention she needs. And she needs to do that far away from the Pegasus galaxy and the Wraith." He paused and turned towards Sam, "I can't go back to Earth yet, Sam. The job's not done here. You of all people know what I'm talking about, it's why you never quit. And though no one's ever said it, I am the one that woke up the Wraith. Me. And I can't leave Atlantis until there's an end to this. I just can't. I have to see it through and I'll either succeed in defeating the Wraith or die trying. And the last thing that little girl needs is another dead father."
"I know. I know." Sam emphasized then asked, "So that's why you've been avoiding her? So she won't get attached?"
"Yeah. I thought it was the right thing to do. Don't take this the wrong way but I was hoping you would take her. That way I'd know she was safe and being taken care of by a good person. Somebody that would help her get back to being that happy little girl in the videos. I understand why you don't want to, don't get me wrong. I was just...."
"Hoping. I know." Sam sighed and closing her eyes, thumped her head back against the wall and threw John's own words back at him, "We are so screwed."
"Yep."
---------------
Jack and Mei were sitting side by side with Ronon across from them in the mess. They had trays in front of them with sandwiches and french fries made from an odd pink potato-like vegetable that was popular in Pegasus. Mei was extremely animated as she shared a story with Jack and Ronon. The sound of her giggling carried far in the dining area and many people stopped and stared. For most it was the first time they had seen Mei being anything but sullen and withdrawn. It also went a long way in reinforcing that she was in fact just a normal little girl and not something to be feared.
Sam and John entered the mess and heard the giggling. Without being seen themselves, they moved to a spot to watch Mei and Jack.
They watched quietly for a few minutes, lumps in both of their throats. They watched as Mei held Jack's attention completely and how he would say silly things to make her laugh. They saw that when she asked him a question he would answer it as best and honestly as he could. They also watched as Jack gave her a one-armed hug when she said something particularly silly and watched as Mei practically melted into it. It didn't take long for the light bulbs to go off over John and Sam's heads.
Simultaneously they turned to each other and asked, "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
When they both nodded and turned their attention back to Jack and Mei, Sam said, "He loves kids."
John replied, "He's got security clearance."
"He's got extra bedrooms."
"He'd keep her safe."
"He'd make sure we were still a part of her life."
John met Sam's eyes and asked seriously, "You think he'd do it?"
"I don't know. But I definitely think we should to present it to him as our preferred option. What do you think?"
"I think all things considered it would be the perfect place for her. But I have to ask you something, because I would never ask General O'Neill. I know he lost a son, has he ever mentioned wanting more kids?"
"Not directly but he did take quite an interest in Cassandra and acted as a sort of an adopted uncle. And we had that little boy the Retu sent to us that I'm pretty sure he would have adopted if we had been able to cure his degenerative problems instead of having to send him off to the Tok'ra. I don't think his son Charlie's death will be a factor. But we won't know unless we ask him."
The giggling started back up and John said quietly, "You think maybe it'd be alright to join them for a little while?"
Sam reached over and gave his forearm a friendly squeeze of support, "C'mon. Let's go see what all that giggling's about."
---------------
Ronon saw them approach and made himself scarce as they reached the table. Sam said lightly, "Got room for two more?"
As they sat down Mei's eyes grew large and she whispered, "Daddy. Mommy."
Jack's hand on her back grounded Mei a little. Sam smiled and said gently, "Hi, Mei."
Mei smiled at Sam and turned to Jack and said, "She looks like she did in the movies."
Jack grinned at her and teased, "Told ya."
Jack could see that Sheppard's body was tense and he was a little wild around the eyes. It was a look Jack knew well, it generally preceded someone's flight response kicking into high gear.
Mei nodded and looked at John and started to say something then stopped. Then she looked at Jack for support. He said, "Go ahead, say what you want to say."
She met John's eyes and said, "Uncle Jack said that I'm kinda like a stranger. That nobody remembers me, even you. And he said that my daddy stayed in the other 'Lantis and sent me here so I wouldn't get the spots and go to sleep too. He said that you look like my daddy and you have all the same stuff inside like my daddy, just like this 'Lantis looks the same but won't talk to me. Everything's all the same but it's different too."
John swallowed hard. Could a good portion of her stress and misery have been relieved weeks ago by someone simply sitting down and telling her the truth? He hated himself more than a little for not thinking of it himself. He nodded and tried to put a pleasant expression his face. "That sounds about right, Mei. Your father just wanted to keep you safe. And he and Atlantis figured out that you would be safe with us. He loved you very much and it was very brave of him and you to do it. I'm not him, Mei, but I'm a lot like him. And I would like to get to know you and let you get to know me. How's that sound?"
Mei nodded so fast and so excitedly that all the adults couldn't help but smile.
Sam reached over and stole one of Jack's fries and said, "I heard you were out flying kites this morning."
Mei nodded, her eyes going rapidly between John and Sam. "I draw them and Radek helps me make them. But only if I get the ge...geom..."
"Geometry?" Sam supplied.
"Yeah, if I get the geometry right he helps me turn my picture into a real kite."
"I used to make kites with my mom when I was your age. It's fun, huh?"
Jack watched as Sam, John, and Mei engaged in a conversation about kites and flying and geometry. He noted that the comfort level around the table was growing the longer they talked. As he watched the three of them interacting, some things clicked into place in his own mind. Finally he decided to nudge and said, "You know it's too nice a day to stay inside, I think you guys should go back out to the pier with one of Mei's kites."
The smug little look on Jack's face let John and Sam know that it wasn't a suggestion. And soon enough they were dutifully trudging to the pier, with a kite in hand and a beaming Mei bounding along with them.
---------------
Woolsey found Jack a while later standing in front of a window that overlooked the three of them out on the pier. He noted the scene out on the pier and commented, "Well now, that wasn't something I expected to see."
"Yeah. Kinda cool though, huh?"
Woolsey chuckled, "That's one way to describe it. How did you manage it?"
"Mei and I had a little heart to heart. She was under the impression somehow that she just got swapped with another version of herself, she couldn't figure out why Sheppard was acting like he didn't know her. She didn't know that there wasn't one of her here, and she didn't realize she couldn't go home again. So I told her the truth in a way she could understand it."
"Does she realize that her real father is most likely dead?"
Jack sighed and said, "She knows about the plague and about folks not waking up. She thinks that's what happened to her father but she said she wasn't worried because he wasn't alone because "Atlantis" was with him."
"I guess that's a kinder, gentler way of thinking about it. We'll all just keep the fact her father's last log entry was that he set the self-destruct to detonate thirty minutes after his Atlantis verified Mei's safe transport to ourselves."
"Yeah. That particular tidbit is going to get buried. She doesn't need to know that."
"Do you think either Colonel Carter or Colonel Sheppard are considering custody?"
"Actually I was just about to come and find you. We might as well start the paperwork because I know how this going to shake out."
---------------
After spending the entire afternoon outside, John and Sam left Mei in Ronon's capable hands while they headed for the conference room to meet with Jack and Woolsey.
John's gut was churning. He was trying to sort out the words in his head to tell them that although he wanted to be part of Mei's life, that he didn't want custody. Part of him didn't want to face General O'Neill, the man who had lost his son involuntarily, and tell him that he was willingly giving Mei up. He was also trying to figure out exactly how to broach the subject of General O'Neill taking custody of Mei himself.
Sam's thoughts were in direct parallel to John's. She just didn't know exactly how Jack was going to take what they were about to present to him.
In the transporter Sam glanced over at John and saw the trepidation on his face. She pressed a symbol on the transporter controls and it came to a gentle stop. When it did, John turned and looked at her questioningly.
"Um. Look. I just... I just want you to know that no matter how this goes in there, I think you're doing the right thing. I know what Atlantis means to you. And I know what defeating the Wraith means to you. You're a good man John Sheppard. And don't let Jack or Woolsey or even yourself tell you otherwise. I'm honored to serve with you and to count you as a friend. And other than maybe Daniel, just because I've known him longer, I can't think any other friend I'd rather be in this mess with than you."
Before John could say anything he found himself being squeezed in tight hug. It had been a really long time since anyone had given him any sort of physical comfort and support and he almost forgotten how good it felt. John found his arms around her squeezing back. He said hoarsely into her hair, "You do know that if that other me wasn't already dead I would so find a way to go and kick his ass for what he's put us through."
Sam chuckled, "I know. I'd help."
With a final squeeze, they separated and Sam hastily wiped her eyes as John nonchalantly tried to do the same.
---------------
When they arrived at the conference room, Jack and Woolsey were already sitting. There were two file folders in front of empty chairs and they took the hint and sat in those chairs. Jack's expression was neutral but Sam had known him long enough to know when he was up to something. And that was confirmed when Jack teased, "Have fun outside, kids?"
There was just something in his accompanying grin that smacked of the cat eating the canary.
Woolsey cleared his throat and began, "I know our meeting was cut short earlier...."
John met Jack's eyes and blurted out, "I can't take custody."
A painful silence fell over the room and John continued, "It's not that I don't want to, because in another time and place where there were no Wraith and Atlantis was safe I'd keep her in a heartbeat. But we don't live in that reality, we live in this one. And here, she needs to go back to Earth where she's safe."
Jack's expression had turned serious the moment John had interrupted Woolsey. But although his face was stony, Jack's words were gentle as he replied, "I know. She needs to go but you need to stay. And you don't need to try and explain that, Sheppard, I'm probably one of few that gets it. The job's not done here yet and Atlantis needs you." He paused and turned his eyes toward Sam, "And you've got a shiny new ship coming with your name on the commander's chair. I get that, too."
Sam sniffed and said quietly, "So where's that leave Mei?"
She had been hoping that her question would allow them to segue in to presenting their idea about him taking her. But she, along with John beside her, were completely shocked when Jack announced with his signature smirk, "Miss Mei is going to come live with her Uncle Jack in Washington."
---------------
Jack was the one to break the news to Mei. He had packed a picnic and they were exploring the safe parts of the city.
"So, Mei, have you been to Earth?"
"Two times. We went through the Stargate. We went someplace Daddy called Aspen where there was lots of snow. He tried to teach me how to ski. But I didn't like it. I fell down a lot."
He chuckled, "A lot of people do."
She surprised him when she asked quietly, "I can't stay on 'Lantis can I? Cause the Wraith can still come?"
"No, you can't, sweetheart, I'm sorry."
"My daddy beat the Wraith. They didn't come to our 'Lantis any more."
"I know he did, and a good job he did too. But in this Atlantis we're still trying to beat them and your daddy here needs more time to do that. And he can't do that if he's worrying about keeping you safe at the same time."
"So I'm gonna go live on Earth?"
"Yep, that's the plan."
"Am I gonna live with Mommy?"
"You know how we have spaceships?" At her nod he continued, "Well we have a brand-new one being built that's for the scientists to explore in, and your mom, well, she was picked to be the commander of that ship. So, no, you won't be living with Mommy."
"So where am I gonna live? Who's gonna take care of me?"
He knelt down on one knee so he was eye to eye with her. "How's about coming to live with your old Uncle Jack?"
"Really?"
"Really."
She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him for all she was worth. It was her only response and the only one Jack needed.
---------------
Once Mei knew she couldn't stay on Atlantis, John allowed himself to spend time with her in the few days remaining before the Daedalus' departure. It was a gentle beginning to a bond between them.
---------------
The planets visible moons had risen and a little crate with the belongings that Mei had managed to collect in her stay on Atlantis had been beamed up to the Daedalus and John and several others were in the gateroom to see Mei off.
Teyla's farewell was heartfelt and a bit formal. Radek accepted a hug awkwardly, and after pushing up his glasses told her to keep emailing him her drawings and he would check her math. Rodney was another awkward one, but there was odd softness in his eyes when he said goodbye and told her to be good.
Ronon wasn't awkward or formal in the least, he simply lifted Mei up into a bear hug that made her giggle. He got a kiss on the cheek for his efforts that had everyone in the room smiling.
Her goodbye with John was much more bittersweet. He dropped to his knees and held a teary Mei. He whispered for her ear alone, "You be good now and listen to your Uncle Jack. And you send me all the emails you want, okay? You'll have to tell me all about your new school and your new friends. And I'll come to visit when I can. I promise. And don't you grow up too fast, alright?"
She pulled back and looked him in the eye and said solemnly, "You beat the Wraith, Daddy. Then I can come back home to 'Lantis."
He pulled her back in tight for a squeeze and promised, "That's just what I'm gonna do then."
Mei whispered, "I love you, Daddy."
He knew how to respond, but hadn't realized until that moment that he actually felt it. "I love you, too, Mei."
---------------
Hand in hand with Jack and Sam they were ready to beam up when Jack looked down at Mei and asked, "Ready?"
A sudden look of horror crossed Mei's face and she exclaimed, "No, wait!"
She broke from their hands and went over to the wall and pressed her cheek to it and said, "Bye, 'Lantis. I'll miss you."
Rodney and the other scientists would later all swear that it was just a fluke power fluctuation but others would swear that the momentary dimming of all the lights in the gateroom at that precise moment was something else entirely.
---------------
the end.