New Fic - Taking Chances Part One
Title: Taking Chances
Category: AU, Family, Friendship, Romance
Pairings: Daniel/Sha're
Summary: Daniel and Sha're find that having a long distance relationship is not easy in any way. Sequel to A Ready Made Family.
Author’s Notes: - Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.
This is a sequel to A Ready Made Family, you will need to have read this first.
Enjoy.
*********************************************
The large stone ring sat in the warehouse where it had been hidden for several weeks now. No one knew what it was, what it did or how to work it.
“It’s incredible,” Professor Adam Dennison breathed as he stared at the ring his eyes tracing the patterns on each segment with fascination, “And you haven’t been able to decipher these markings.
“No,” Derek Tomlinson frowned before stating sharply, “That’s why you’re here, Professor.”
Adam took a deep breath and walked forward so he could study it closer, he could see the hired guards standing round the edge alert. Looking to the notes sitting on the table next to the strange artefact Adam wondered if he would be the one to unlock its secrets.
Taking a seat at the small desk he started to work.
x
Tomlinson paced his ‘office’, he’d managed to get a hold of the ring but he knew that unless the people he had working on it had a breakthrough in the next few weeks then it would be over. No matter how much money he had, Tomlinson knew that he didn’t have enough to keep them off his back.
But he had to find out what this was; he had to because it was all he could think of.
x
Adam shook his head in frustration; he’d been working on this for days and was still no closer to discovering its secrets. As he closed his eyes, a loud noise made him turn to look at the ring.
Adam scrambled backwards along with the soldiers who all aimed their weapons at the now spinning inner ring of the large circle.
“What’s happening?” Tomlinson yelled as he came running over.
“I don’t know,” Adam told him, “It just started doing that?”
They all watched astonished as what appeared to be a spurt of water exploded from the centre of the ring before it settled into a rippling pool. Everyone watched in astonishment as the puddle suddenly spat out a child. Adam started forward to help the little girl, he guessed about four or five, who slammed onto the cold concrete floor. At his touch she jumped up startled her brown eyes large with fear as she babbled in a foreign language.
“Sh,” Adam soothed her; she was a beautiful child with golden skin, thick black curly hair, a rosebud mouth and deep brown eyes framed by long lashes, “You’re safe.”
“Na ne,” she cried, she tried to turn and run back through the ring but Adam caught her before she could escape.
Tears filled her eyes as the puddle in the centre of the ring disappeared; she sagged back against Adam crying. He turned her round and lifted her into his arms, gently rubbing her back as she lay against his shoulder.
x
“What do we do with her?” Tomlinson asked, he looked down at the sleeping child as she lay on the couch under Adam’s coat.
“My wife and I can take her,” Adam replied, “I’ve almost got her language and I’ve managed to communicate with her.”
Tomlinson looked unconvinced but before he could say anything else Adam stopped him, “My wife and I can’t have children, let us take her. There will be no connection to you at all.”
Tomlinson frowned before he nodded, “Take her. I’ll fix it so her adoption is completed without hassle, as far as anyone knows you were nowhere near this place. Now go. This is over; I don’t have the time left to find out what this is.”
Adam saw that it was time to leave; he gently shook the child who yawned and looked up at him sadly.
“Come on, sweetie,” Adam lifted his new daughter into his arms, “Let’s go home,” he thought over what she’d babbled at him before she’d fallen asleep and hoped he was right with what he assumed was her name, “Let’s go home, Sha’re.”
*********************************************
It was now three full months since Sha’re Dennison had let her guard down and allowed herself to begin a relationship with her Daniel Jackson, her dear friend’s long lost brother and the uncle of her adopted son. They were slowly working their way through the long-distance problem but the one thing she was still trying to get her head around was his job, which was why she was currently sitting in her best friend’s lounge twisting a napkin around in her hands.
Daniel had called her a few hours ago, she had known straight away from his tone that something was happening, but he told her very little so she’d spent the last few hours in a daze waiting for her phone to ring again.
“If I’m boring you then you should go get some sleep,” Debbie said breaking Sha’re’s trance.
Sha’re sighed dropping her head into her hand for a second, “I’m sorry, I’m just…”
“What’s Daniel doing that’s got you wound so tight?” Debbie asked, astute as always.
“He’s on a business trip,” Sha’re used the standard lie, “It’s just that I hate not seeing him for so long. When he called earlier he couldn’t talk for long and I just…I miss him.”
Debbie chuckled making her friend grimace at her.
“Sorry, Sha’re,” Debbie told her, “But it was not that long ago you were refusing even to contemplate Daniel in that light. I know this sucks but you have to weigh up the good time you have when you’re together against how being apart makes you feel.”
Sha’re jumped as her cell phone rang, pulling it out relief filled her to see Daniel’s picture on the screen and she quickly hit the button.
“Daniel?”
“Hey,” his voice was filled with exhaustion, “I…I’m back and I’ve managed to arrange to come to see you.”
Sha’re smiled, “That’s wonderful. When will you get here?”
“Give me half an hour to pull a bag together,” he told her.
“Half an hour?” Sha’re said surprised, “We’re at Debbie’s. We were staying here…” she trailed off as Debbie waved to her.
“Mike will take you home,” her friend told her shortly with a smile.
Sha’re smiled gratefully at her friend before turning her attention back to the call, “We’ll be waiting for you.”
“Call me when it’s safe to beam in,” Daniel told her, “See you soon.”
x
Mike carried the unconscious Nicky up to his room as Sha’re put his things away. She was so relieved Daniel was safe and all she wanted was to hold onto him.
“That’s him tucked in,” Mike said as he jogged downstairs, “Do you want me to stay until Daniel gets here?”
Sha’re shook her head giving him a quick smile, “It’s alright. He won’t be long and you have to get up early for your shift tomorrow.”
Mike chuckled and gave her a quick hug, “How did I end up with two of you nagging me?”
Sha’re kissed his cheek, “Just luck. Tell Debbie I’ll call her tomorrow.”
With a cheery wave he left her alone. Sha’re sat down and waited until she was sure Mike was far enough away from the house before she dialled Daniel.
“It’s safe,” she said the moment he answered before wincing as the room filled with a bright white light. When it faded she smiled to see a clearly exhausted Daniel standing there.
Daniel dropped his bag catching her in a tight embrace.
“It’s so good to see you,” Daniel breathed as his arms tightened around her.
Sha’re squeezed him back before she moved to look at him taking in the bags around his eyes and his scruffy appearance.
“You look exhausted,” she gently touched his cheek, catching sadness in the blue depths, “What happened?”
“Can I tell you the story later?” he asked, “I just want to hold you.”
Sha’re led him to the couch and sat beside him resting her head on his chest as Daniel held onto her in a way that worried her.
x
Daniel sighed in contentment as he was finally able to relax, the warmth of his girlfriend pressed against him and for the moment he felt as though the world was fine, that the last few hours were just a bad dream.
“Why don’t we go to bed,” Sha’re’s soft voice made him start and open his eyes.
“What?”
“You need to sleep,” Sha’re told him, “Come on.”
Daniel allowed her to move him to the bedroom smiling as she unpacked his bag into a drawer for him. They’d only been a couple for three months but she’d made a space for him in her life.
“I’m sorry,” he said through a yawn, “I do want to talk to you and everything but…”
“You’ve had a hard day,” she finished for him.
Daniel nodded; he sat on the bed heavily. Sha’re stood in front of him and as Daniel looked up at her he saw the reason he’d fought so hard that day, the reason Jack had sacrificed himself. Daniel took her hand and pulled her to sit at his side, “I love you.”
Sha’re felt her breath catch, they had only been together a very short time and she was reluctant right now to put words to how she felt for the man beside her.
“It’s okay,” Daniel read her mind in the pause, “I’ve had a day that forced a few realisations and that one came to me very quickly. I needed to share it with you.”
Sha’re hugged him tightly, “Let’s get some sleep.”
x
Daniel lay happily in the warm cocoon he’d been sleeping in. He was safe, comfortable and for a moment everything was right with the world. His phone ringing forced him awake and Daniel reached out blindly to grab it. Forcing his eyes open he glanced over to the other side of the bed finding Sha’re was already up before checking who was calling and groaning.
“Jackson,” he answered hoping this wasn’t going to pull him away from the two weeks’ vacation he’d been promised yesterday.
“Apologies, Dr Jackson,” Weir’s voice came, “But the President wants to speak with SG1 this afternoon. We have the ship ready to transport you directly there then back to LA once it’s over.”
Daniel groaned in annoyance, “When?”
“In an hour,” Weir explained, “It should only take a few hours.”
As she hung up Daniel sighed. He’d wanted to spend all the time he had on vacation with Sha’re and Nicky without thinking of his work or saving the world. Scrubbing his hand across his face Daniel grimaced at the amount of stubble sitting there. Pulling himself out of bed he headed for a shower.
x
“Good morning,” Sha’re’s amused voice made him start as he wandered downstairs to the kitchen, “At least it will be for about ten more minutes.”
Daniel winced, “Sorry, I guess I was more exhausted than I thought.”
Sha’re smiled and kissed him as he reached her, “Well, lunch is almost ready and there’s coffee waiting for you.”
Daniel wrapped his arms around her, “You are amazing.”
“I know.”
“Uncle Daniel!!!” the excited cry preceded the small ball of energy flying towards Daniel.
Daniel grinned as the little boy he was suddenly holding hugged him, “Hi kiddo.”
“Mommy, when did Uncle Daniel get here?” Nicky twisted in Daniel’s arms to ask.
“Last night,” Sha’re replied, “And I didn’t tell you before because he needed his sleep.”
“And I can’t play with you just now,” Daniel said, he glanced at Sha’re, “I have to go to work for a few hours but I’ll be back later then I’ll be here for the next two weeks.”
“Yeah,” Nicky cried, he gave Daniel one more hug before twisting to be put down and wandering back to his toys.
“You’re leaving already?” Sha’re asked softly, there was no anger in her voice yet but Daniel knew it was under the surface.
“I have to go report what happened yesterday to the President,” Daniel grimaced, “It’s not exactly something I can refuse to do.”
“And then we have you here for two weeks?”
Daniel rested his hand on her cheek before stepping into her, “Two whole weeks where I can be with you and Nicky,” he paused, “Jack gave his life for us.”
Sha’re stared at him, “He’s dead?”
“No,” Daniel whispered, “In a way worse. He put himself into a kind of cryogenic suspension. It was the only way to stop him from dying.”
Sha’re hugged him tightly, “I’m so sorry.”
Daniel kissed her before holding her close, trying to hold onto the feeling of calm she instilled in him before his meeting.
*********************************************
As the light faded Sam smiled at her friend, he looked much better than he had when they’d last seen one another the previous night.
“Hey,” she greeted Daniel as he walked towards her, “Sleep well?”
Daniel nodded, “Yeah. You?”
“Well considering I don’t even remembering going to bed,” Sam shrugged, “Are you okay?”
Daniel nodded, “Being with Sha’re last night helped. Jack knew what he was doing when he took the database into his head, when he stopped me doing it.”
Sam squeezed his arm, “Teal’c is waiting for us. I’m hoping this won’t take long. I promised the kids I’d take them to the cinema tonight.”
“Auntie Sam is in town,” Daniel smiled slightly, “I know what you mean; I didn’t even see Nicky until this morning.”
Sam motioned him forward and they left the small room to where their team-mate was waiting for them.
x
“Thank you, SG1,” Henry Hayes said as the team finished giving him the full details of the previous day, “I’ve been told you’ve been given the next two weeks vacation time. Enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you, sir,” Sam nodded taking the lead, without Jack there she was their leader.
“Dr Jackson,” Hayes called as they began to file out, “Can you stick around for a few more minutes.”
Daniel grimaced; he gave the other two a quick nod before heading back to where the President stood.
“Is there something else you want to know, Sir?” Daniel asked softly, wanting this meeting to be over.
“It’s actually about Miss Dennison.”
Daniel felt his breath catch worriedly not sure what was coming.
“George told me she was worried that her origins would cause problems regarding her son,” Hayes said, “I wanted to let you know that I’ve personally made sure that under no circumstances will her son be taken from her.”
“Thank you,” Daniel said sincerely, “Nicky is her world.”
Hayes nodded, “Family are the most important thing and the one you’ve found is something you need to cherish.”
Daniel smiled brightly, “I do. I cherish them both.”
“Oh,” Hayes said suddenly, he reached down and pulled up a model of Airforce One, “I heard your nephew likes planes so you can give him this. Now get back to your family and enjoy your vacation.”
Daniel took the plane with a soft thank you before leaving as quickly as possible - ready for his vacation.
*********************************************
Daniel smiled as he walked, his arm wrapped around Sha’re’s shoulders while Nicky skipped ahead of them. To their side walked Debbie and Mike as their sons were running along with Nicky through Disneyland. Debbie had been horrified to discover Daniel had never been to a Disney park of any description and arranged for them all to go the next day. The past week had been wonderful as he had been able to immerse himself in just being with the two most important people in his life but he was also very aware of how little time he had left until he had to return to the SGC and what came with it.
“Uncle Daniel,” Nicky called as he came running back to him, “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“I am,” Daniel assured him, laughing as Nicky turned back to the other two, “I think he’s satisfied with my answer.”
“I know,” Sha’re laughed, “He will want to go on the rides especially Pirates of The Caribbean. And he will want you to go on with him.”
Daniel chuckled, “I can deal with that.”
As if on cue his phone began to ring and Daniel gritted his teeth in annoyance especially as he saw Sha’re’s eyes darken, she knew that only certain people had that number and if it was ringing it was not good.
“Sam?” Daniel said shortly as he stepped away from the group to speak to her, “What’s wrong?”
“Why would anything be wrong?” came his friend’s teasing voice, “Turn around, Daniel.”
Confused he did as told and frowned as he saw Sam standing not that far from him Jacob just behind her with his son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids.
“What are you doing here?” Daniel demanded as they reached him.
“Same as you,” Jacob noted, “So, do we get introductions or what?”
Daniel rolled his eyes and quickly made the introductions of his group pleased to finally meet Sam’s brother Mark, his wife and two daughters.
x
“Are you having fun?”
Daniel glanced over at Sam as they walked side by side just behind the rest of the group. Jacob had quickly caught Sha’re for discussion. As practically a surrogate father to Daniel he had been very interested when Sam had told him about Daniel’s nephew and his mother so the moment he could Jacob was trying to get to know her a little.
“It’s nice to spend time with them for longer than a weekend,” Daniel smiled as he looked over to where Sha’re was laughing at something Jacob had said, “Nicky is loving it.”
“What about the fact you and Sha’re are now sleeping together?” Sam was straight to the point,” Has he said anything about that?”
Daniel frowned at her, “He has noticed that we’re now…more affectionate than before but it doesn’t seem to bother him.”
After a few seconds Daniel noticed that Sam had slowed them so that they’d fallen behind the group more than before.
“Sam, how did you know I was here?” Daniel asked suddenly suspicious of his friend, he sighed, “Catherine told you. What do you want?”
“I have an idea about how to help the Colonel…”
“No,” Daniel cut her off.
Sam grimaced at him, “What do you mean no? Don’t you want him back?”
“Sam,” Daniel said darkly, “I am on vacation with my family for the first time ever. I’m getting to spend time with the woman I am crazy about for longer than a day, why do you want to ruin this for me?”
“I’m trying to help our friend,” she snapped back.
Daniel pushed a hand through his hair in annoyance, “No, you’re not. You want to make yourself feel better about leaving him in the ice. Let me tell you something, Sam Jack is fine and the last thing he said to me was to never put anything ahead of Sha’re and Nicky. If I agree to leave and help you in whatever idea you have then Jack will kick my ass for it.”
“Daniel…”
“Sam,” he cut her off, “Leave it. I will be back at the base in a week.”
Without another word he moved to join Debbie who was the only one not on the ride leaving Sam to watch him annoyed.
x
“Are you okay?” Debbie asked Daniel as he stood arms folded across his chest frowning.
Daniel nodded, “I’m fine. Sam and I are just disagreeing.”
“You guys good friends?” Debbie probed.
“Yeah,” Daniel answered shortly suddenly aware he was being interrogated, “Sam and I have worked together for almost seven years. We’re just friends and always have been.”
“Good,” Debbie smiled.
Daniel smiled affectionately at her, “I’m not going to hurt Sha’re, I promise.”
“Uncle Daniel,” Nicky cried as he came running out the exit of the ride excitedly, “You have to come on this time.”
Picking the boy up Daniel focussed on his vacation once more.
*********************************************
Sha’re moaned softly as Daniel’s body pressed against hers, his lips brushing along her neck his hands gently stroking her skin while Sha’re slid her hands through his hair and along his back. Tonight was his last night with them and tomorrow they would go back to their relationship being over the phone and email.
When Daniel moved to lie at her side Sha’re turned and cuddled close to him.
“Hey,” Daniel whispered to her, “I know.”
“The past two weeks have been so good,” Sha’re sighed, “Having you here all the time. Nicky has loved it so much.”
Daniel pressed a kiss to her forehead, “I loved it to. And I love you.”
She dropped her eyes for a second from him, smiling as he gently touched her chin and lifted her head to look at him.
“You don’t have to say it back. I don’t need you to,” Daniel said to her, “But I can’t stop telling you that I love you.”
Sha’re pushed herself up and kissed him pushing Daniel back before sliding onto him, she couldn’t tell him how she felt but she could show him.
x
“Don’t go, Uncle Daniel,” Nicky cried as he clung to Daniel tearfully, “Why can’t you stay here?”
“I have to work,” Daniel reminded his nephew, “And I can’t do that here.”
Nicky dropped his head onto Daniel’s shoulder hugging him tightly. Sha’re gently rested her hand on her son’s back.
“Come on, sweetie,” she said softly, “Your uncle Daniel has to go now, he has to catch his plane.”
Reluctantly Nicky let go and allowed Daniel to put him down. Daniel reached out and pulled both into an embrace.
“I’ll call you as soon as I land,” Daniel promised before whispering to Sha’re, “I love you.”
Sha’re kissed him quickly seeing his cab arrive and she held Nicky close to her as Daniel left them to return to his dangerous job. Two weeks had gone far too quickly and she wondered how much longer she could do this.
x
Sha’re checked Nicky once more to make sure he was sleeping before she headed to her own room to get ready for bed. As she entered the room she found a small present sitting on her pillow. Sitting on the bed Sha’re opened the gift frowning as she found a jewellery box, she took a deep breath as she prised the lid open and smiled in relief to find a pair of diamond earrings sitting there to match the necklace he’d given her at Christmas.
Leaning back on the bed Sha’re knew that being in a long-distance relationship was going to be hard but Daniel was worth it and she was going to ensure that she didn’t lose him.
Part Two