four seasons in one

Title: 4 Seasons
Author: Tels
Fandom: Stargate SG1
Pairing: Jacob/Janet/Selmak
Rating: R
Word count: 3620
Prompt: #61 – winter/ #62 – spring/ #63 – summer/ #64 - fall
Spoiler: Heroes. ( p.s I fixed it :P )
Note 1: for Marya.
Note 2: Read in order or it will make No Sense :P Therefore the four links go to this page :P

Winter.

Jacob took a deep breath in the crisp winter air as he locked the car door. He and Selmak had managed to wrangle a few weeks off from the Tok'ra and he had taken it over Christmas and New Year. There was just something about being on Earth at that time of year, the church bells ringing and just the smell of the crisp winter air that made him feel... young.

Selmak laughed. <You are not old> she told him. <62 is not old.>

Jacob shook his head. <It seems it at times.>

Selmak thwapped him. <So you are too old to have lunch with Sam and her friend then?>

Jacob shrugged. <I dunno... it's just well its Sam's friend and I ... >

<You're her father and will feel like a gooseberry.>

Jacob laughed. <Codger is more like it> he said. <An old Codger.>

<Whatever... we're going and that's all there is too it.>

Jacob crossed the icy street to the café he'd arranged to meet Sam in. He pushed open the door, the warmth rushing out to meet him like a furnace. He shut the door and undid his thick coat as he looked round for Sam. He was a few minutes early but knowing Sam... Yeah there she was. His blonde daughter waved and smiled at him from where she was sat opposite someone with long brown wavy hair. He moved over to them, hugging Sam as she stood up to greet him. He kissed her cheek. "Hey Sammie, how are you?"

"Good Dad... Dad you know Janet?"

Jacob looked at the woman at the table. He smiled and held out his hand. "Of course I do... Dr Fraiser, it's nice to see you again. How are you?" He was surprised at the strength of her grip as she shook his hand and at the intensity of her gaze and the beauty of her smile.

Janet smiled at him. "I'm good thank you General Carter. Please... call me Janet."

Jacob nodded. "So long as you'll call me Jacob... General makes me feel old." He held her hand for a moment longer than sat down between her and Sam. "So what have you two been up to then?" he asked.

Sam smiled. "Shopping," she said. "We're going to take in a movie after this. Cassie is at a sleepover tonight so we're making the most of it."

Jacob picked up the menu. "Sounds like fun."

<And when did you last have fun Jacob?> Selmak asked as they perused the menu.

<Sometime last week when we managed to outsmart Delek I think> he replied.

<Not what I meant.>

Jacob found his eyes drawn to Janet over the top of the menu. She and Sam were laughing at something one of them had just said. Then he berated himself for doing so. She was young enough to be his daughter for Egeria's sake! Not to mention a mother.

Selmak dumped a metaphorical shower of cold water on Jacob's thoughts and turned his attention back to the menu.

Sam looked at him. "So what are you going to have Dad?"

Jacob looked at her. "The pasta and chicken," he said choosing something he knew Selmak liked. Well anything was better than what the Tok'ra jokingly called food.

They spent a few minutes making small talk. Selmak teased Jacob about his blood pressure and how it kept spiking every time he looked at Janet. <Sure you don't want the roast?> Selmak asked as the food was brought over to them.

<This is fine> he said, finding his eyes drawn to Janet again. He dragged them away choosing instead to concentrate on the food.

Three bites into her meal, Sam's phone rang. She rolled her eyes and pulled it from her pocket. She sighed as she looked at the display. “I have to take this… sorry.” She took a deep breath. “Hello… yes Sir… but it's my day off and… oh… I see… No I understand. I'll be right there.” Sighing she slid the phone back into her pocket. “Duty calls…”

Janet looked at her. “Is everything okay?”

Sam looked at her. “One of our allies has requested SG1… now.” She looked at Jacob. “I'm sorry Dad… gonna have to take a rain check on this.”

Jacob nodded. “That's fine honey. Another time.”

Sam nodded and hugged him. “Doesn't mean you two have to leave though… hey maybe you could go see the movie with Janet… save wasting the ticket.” She pulled them from her wallet and handed them to him. “I gotta run.” She hugged Janet and ran out of the café.

Jacob looked down at the tickets in his hand and then over at Janet smiling slightly embarrassedly. He handed her the tickets. “I'm sure there is some one else you would rather go with,” he said awkwardly.

Janet smiled. “It's fine. I don't mind if you don't.” She reached out putting her hand over his. “Sam said when we got the tickets that it was one you wanted to see.”

Jacob looked down at the tickets. “Yes it is.”

“Then come see it with me… it would be a shame to waste the ticket.”

He nodded. “Thank you.” He carried on eating. <Now what?>

Jacob choked. <I beg your pardon?>

<That's your daughter's best friend! Behave yourself!!>

Janet looked at him as he coughed and seemed to choke. “Are you alright?”

Jacob nodded. “Yeah I'm fine.” He took a long drink of his water. He started to eat again slowly, making polite small talk. Part of him unable to believe he was having dinner with someone half his age and finding her so attractive.

Once they had finished eating Jacob paid for them both, despite Janet's objections and then looked at his watch. “We should go if we are going to make this movie,” he said. He did his coat up wondering if taking her arm to escort her would be too forward. He heard Selmak's sigh and decided it would be best not to. So he settled for opening the door for her instead.

Janet smiled at him. “Thank you.” Her heart leapt slightly as he smiled back at her. The she chided herself for having such thoughts about her best friend's father. Someone old enough to be her own father. Someone she had no right to imagine at her side, in her bed or…. She stopped right there. She was doing this as a favour to Sam and so not to waste the tickets. The exact same reason he was.

They walked to the cinema and watched the movie. Both of them more aware of the person sat next to them than the action on the screen. Jacob could feel his senses responding in a way they hadn't for years. His fingers itched to entwine in with hers, in her hair, his arms ached to fold round her and hold her close.

Janet watched the heroine being held by the hero and wondered what it would be like to be held in his arms, to have him kiss her. She glanced down at his hand on the arm on the chair next to her. It would only be a small move to have her fingers brush against his.

Jacob moved his hand to pick up his drink and his fingers brushed against Janet's. He pulled back slightly not wanting to send her the wrong signals.

Janet kept her sigh to herself. She was just fooling herself here. As the film finished she followed Jacob back outside. It was dark now and the snow on the paths had turned to ice.

“Where did you park?” he asked her.

“I came in with Sam,” Janet answered. “I'll catch a cab.”

Jacob was too much a gentleman to let a lady do that, especially after dark. “I can't let you do that… let me drive you home. And before you argue… please don't. I won't accept no for an answer.”

Janet nodded. “Thank you.” She hadn't been going to argue but he didn't need to know that. They slowly started walking towards where Jacob had parked his car. The winter streets were extremely icy and fairly treacherous now. Suddenly Janet's feet slid from under her and she fell, crying out as her ankle twisted beneath her.

Jacob reacted instinctively catching her before she hit the ground. “I got you.” He held her tightly, his arms wrapped round her. “You okay?”

Janet held onto him tightly, wincing slightly as pain shot though her ankle. “Yeah… ankle is a little sore.”

Jacob looked at her, unable to stop the stream of thoughts that filled his mind. She was in his arms hurt and all her wanted to do was hold her closer and press his lips against hers and kiss her until neither of them could breathe.

Selmak thwapped him hard . <Jacob Mark Carter!> she scolded. <Control yourself!>

Janet didn't want to move. Not simply because her ankle wouldn't take her weight but because it felt so right to have him hold her. His lips were so close and it wouldn't take much for her to move slightly and brush her lips against his.

Jacob looked into her eyes. He could feel her shiver now. “We should get you home,” he said. “Can you walk?”

She shook her head. “No… I twisted my ankle.”

Jacob swung her into his arms. “I'll look at it when we get you home,” he said. He carried her to his car and drove slowly to her house. Then he carried her up the path and laid her gently on the couch putting her foot up on a cushion. Kneeling by her feet he gently removed her sneaker and sock. He ran his hands gently over her ankle. “Just a sprain,” he said. “You got any peas in the freezer?”

“Yes… second shelf.”

“Won't be a minute.” Jacob headed into the kitchen and came back a minute or two later with the bag of peas wrapped in a tea towel.

Janet smiled at him and lay still and let him put the cold pack on her ankle. She normally hated having her feet touched but she could lie here and let him touch them all day long. She was mildly disappointed when he got it balanced and let go of her foot. “Thank you.”

Jacob smiled. “Welcome.” He sat with her for a bit to make sure the swelling was going down. Then he leaned forwards and kissed her. He had no idea why he did, he just did.

<JACOB!!> Selmak yelled.

He pulled back. “I'm sorry,” he blushed. “I'll ummm… see myself out.”

Janet grabbed his hand before he had chance to get up off his knees. “Don't stop,” she whispered pulling him towards her.”

He nodded and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply as she responded to him.

Selmak purred as Janet's hand curled round the back of Jacob's neck, deliberately stroking her. <Mmmmm don't stop> she whispered.

Jacob smiled. Who'd have thought something as simple as a neck rub could change Selmak's mind. <Not until she says to> he replied.

Spring

Jacob walked down the ramp into the gateroom. “What happened?” he asked.

Sam looked at him through her tears. “We went as back up for another team… walked into a full out attack. The Colonel was brought down by enemy fire.” She hugged her father tightly. “Janet was shot while tending to the injured.” She pulled back slightly. “They can't do anything for her.”

Jacob looked aghast at her for a moment then ran from the room. He headed towards the infirmary, shock filling him and his stomach turning. <No… she can't be dying> he said frantically, feeling Selmak's feelings echo his own. He, Selmak and Janet had been heavily involved the past few months. He had been coming back to Earth every chance he got. It was now early May and spring was in full bloom in the world above his head.

Selmak's feelings mirrored Jacob's. Janet had accepted her as much as Jacob and the three of them had found new ways to love each other, both Selmak and Jacob either taking turns or switching so fast the two of them were almost both in control at once. They loved her and didn't want to be without her.

As he ran he remembered Sam's reaction to finding out he was dating her best friend. She'd been shocked then laughed and said something about May and December but then gave her blessing.

Maybe Sam was right as the love that Janet gave both him and Selmak so freely made sure they had roses in December. His Christmas Rose he called her, one that would bloom all year round.

The infirmary was a hive of activity. Jacob went straight over to where Janet lay. “How is she?”

The medic looked up. “There is nothing more I can do.”

“Give me the healing device.” His voice cracked, betraying the way he felt. He fumbled as he took it, nearly dropping it in his haste to help the woman he loved. His left hand shook as he ran it over the motionless body, what little colour he had fading as he realised just how much damage had been done.

“Jacob there really is nothing anyone can do,” Hammond said gently. He'd guessed there was something going on between his friend and his CMO as both had a spring in their step and a glint in their eyes the past few months. He was pleased for them both and devastated that it should end this way, far sooner than it should.

Jacob ignored him, activating the healing device. “I won't let her die,” he whispered. “Not again… I am not going to stand by and lose the woman I love again.” He and Selmak worked tirelessly for several hours, pausing only to rest for a short period when they had to.

Sam never left the infirmary or his side. The Colonel was out of danger now, still far from recovered but stable enough for her to no longer worry about him quite so much. She sat by Janet's bedside, tears falling slowly, watching her father work. She wondered how much of this was just false hope and how much of her father would die with Janet if he didn't save her.

Finally Jacob lowered his hand, letting it fall to his side. “I can do no more,” he whispered tiredly. “I need to rest.”

Sam got up and helped him over to one of the empty beds. “Sleep Dad,” she said. “I'll stay with her til you wake.”

Jacob nodded and fell asleep almost as soon as he lay down. He didn't know if he'd done enough or if he had succeeded. The damage was great. Really she needed the healing power of a symbiote but that wasn't possible. Not right now anyway. It was ironic that the May to his December may well lose her life in May.

Summer

Jacob looked up as someone called his name, shading his eyes against the bright sunlight with a hand. He smiled as he saw the figure in a yellow bikini move across the hot August sand towards him. “Hey beautiful,” he said taking the drink she offered him.

Janet lowered herself into the chair next to him. “Not beautiful,” she muttered. “I'm fat and ugly and a beached whale.”

Jacob leaned over and kissed her and placed a hand on her stomach. “Nope… you're pregnant. That is a whole different type of beautiful.”

Janet put her hand on top of his. “Yeah right. Tell my feet and back that… Assuming I still have feet. I can't see them.”

He laughed and nodded. “Yep… I see ten toes,” he smiled. He sipped his drink. “I still can't believe you're here.”

Janet nodded. “But I am… thanks to you and Selmak. Did I ever tell you that you slept four days straight after healing me?”

Jacob looked at her. “Really?”

She nodded. “I sat with you once I was allowed up, held your hand, talked to you.”

Selmak grinned. “That I remember… Jacob thought it was a dream… he'd convinced himself we were too late, that he'd lost you before we had a chance together.”

Janet looked at the engagement ring on her finger. “Far from it… my main concern was losing the baby before I'd had chance to tell either of you about it. I'd planned to tell you next time you came to visit.”

Jacob laughed. “Yeah well it was a slight shock when I scanned you when I arrived at the SGC to discover you not only dying but carrying my child too.” He stroked her stomach, feeling the baby move under his touch. “She'll be a summer baby.”

“Only if he's early,” Janet said. “Few more weeks and it'll be fall.” She played with the umbrella in her glass. “Question is which of his dad's will he take after… you or Selmak?” She looked at him slyly. “Either way he'll not have much hair.”

Jacob scowled playfully at her. “Then she'd better look like her mom,” he said.

Janet smiled and closed her eyes, lying back on her chair in the hot summer sunshine. “So long as I get to spend the rest of my life with my husbands and children I don't mind.”

“Speaking of children… where are they?”

“Cassie has gone shopping with Sam. They are planning on looking at colours for the nursery. Mark has taken the other two to hunt for rock pools.”

Jacob sighed. “Still at least this way the nursery won't be the crystal blue Selmak wants.”

<And what's wrong with that?>

<Nothing… except she might prefer pink.>

<Men… girls can dress in blue too you know!>

Janet looked at him. “Nothing wrong with blue.”

“That's what Selmak said.”

Janet put her drink down and pushing herself up. She held out a hand. “Which means we have a couple of hours before anyone gets back.”

Jacob smiled and took her hand following her inside.

Fall

Janet quietly laid the baby in the crib and then turned back to Jacob. “He's so tiny,” she whispered not wanting to wake her son up again. Like his father he seemed to have an insatiable appetite.

“But beautiful,” he said. He hugged her tightly. “Thank you.”

“For what?” she asked.

“For my son,” he replied. “And for today.” He looked at the clock. “We really should get dressed. We only have an hour.”

Janet nodded. “Yeah… so scoot.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Scoot? I have already seen your outfit; I spent the night with you… what difference will breaking one more tradition make?”

Janet shook her head. “Cassie and Sam want to help me dress,” she said. “Don't deny them that.”

Jacob nodded. “So long as I can help you undress later,” he said wickedly.

Janet laughed. “You're incorrigible,” she told him. “But that's what I love about you. Now go. Scoot.”

Jacob left their bedroom and allowed Cassie and Sam to enter. He went down the hall to the guest room and found Mark waiting for him.

He was more nervous than he thought he would be as he waited at the top of the room for Janet. He'd heard the baby cry and guessed she had gone to pick him up. He knew she wouldn't not appear but even so part of him expected something to go wrong.

Then there was a touch on his shoulder and he looked at Mark. Then looked in the direction Mark indicated. He smiled as he saw the girls walking towards him.

Cassie and Sam were dressed in long pale green dresses, with roses in their hair. His granddaughter was flower girl, scattering rose petals happily along the path and his grandson carrying the rings on the cushion. But his eyes were drawn to the figure behind them. <That's not the outfit she bought> he whispered.

Selmak agreed. <She must have got another.>

Janet looked straight at Jacob. Her brown hair was piled high on her head, roses adorning it. Her cream outfit accentuated her figure. In her arms their son, now seven weeks old. He obviously wanted to get involved too as he would go to no one else but her before the ceremony.

As they exchanged vows Janet and Jacob and Selmak only had eyes for each other. Jacob deliberately used the words we, knowing that Mark would assume he was just nervous, but knowing that Janet would know exactly what he meant. As he slid the ring onto her finger he smiled at her. The past year had brought him more than he could ever have imagined.

Janet smiled as she accepted his ring and then she handed him the baby while she made her vows to him. Daryl Selwyn Carter lay contently in his father's arms while his mother spoke quietly. Janet gave him her ring, sliding it over his finger slowly. He had given her life and a son. Far more than she had ever expected when she agreed to go to the movies with Sam on that cold winter's day almost a year ago.

Jacob looked down at the baby in his arms and then smiled at the woman who was now his wife. The May to his December, the woman he had just shared four seasons with, the first of hopefully many more to come.

Fin July 17 2006 .

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