Title: The Scrapbook
Author: Kathleen Anderson
Email: sam_loves_jack@yahoo.ca
Pairings: Sam/Jack
Spoilers: knowledge of the series up to and including the end of season five
Season: Future story
Rating: PG-13
Summary: When a mother is lost, a son must remember.
Disclaimer: Stargate Sg-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author.

Author's Notes: I'm not depressed, honestly I'm not, I just enjoy writing slightly depressing stories! You have been warned.

Jack flipped over the page and picked up the photo that lay beside the book. He tried not to look at it for too long. The glue-stick stood waiting for him as he turned the photo over and smeared the sticky white glue on the back. With a small twinge of satisfaction, Jack lay the photo down on the page and pressed it on.

Picking up the pen, Jack wrote: "Mommy and me at the cabin."

The photo, which he tried to ignore, showed a smiling Sam holding a young, squirming child in her arms. She was on the dock with the sun glinting off her hair.

Jack picked up another item. This one was news clipping announcing the promotion of Major Samantha Carter to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After the Stargate program had become public knowledge, the team comprised of Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter and the aliens, Jonas Quinn and Teal'c, had become something of celebrities. Any and all news relating to them was eagerly reported by the local and national media.

The clipping joined the photo and Jack turned the page once again. He looked at the next piece of paper, hesitant to read it. He picked it up and quickly turned it over.

"Daddy?"

Jack turned his head at the sound of his son's voice. "Hey you little monster! What are you doing out of bed?"

The child rubbed his eyes. "I was thirsty. What are you making?"

"It's nothing." Jack said softly. "Come on, let's get you a glass of water and then it's back to bed!"

Jack led the child into the kitchen and filled his favourite red plastic mug with water. The child drank it down and handed the glass back to his father.

"Can you tuck me in again?" the child asked, his big blue eyes looked up pleadingly. Jack nodded and followed his son to his room.

Jack pulled the covers over the boy and kissed his forehead. He tried to forget how much he missed another blonde head on a pillow.

With his son taken care of, Jack returned to his project. He noticed that the glue on the back of the clipping was nearly dry, so he smeared more on. Jack didn't look at it as smoothed it onto the paper.

Another photo lay waiting and Jack picked it up, smiling. The glue was applied and the photo joined the clipping. Underneath he wrote: "Mommy and her friend Danny at Aunt Janet's house."

Jack stilled missed Daniel, even after all these years.

Leaving the page open to dry, Jack stood up and went into the kitchen. He picked up the phone and dialled a number.

"Hi Janet." he said, "I know it's late but I was wondering if you had any pictures of Sam with Cassie?"

Jack smiled at Janet's reply.

"Yes, I'm making it for him." Jack said, "He needs to know who his mother was."

Jack nodded, even though Janet couldn't see him. "Yes, I'll be home tomorrow morning, I'll see you then." He hung up the phone, feeling proud for making the difficult call.

He went back to the table and the headline he'd tried to ignore caught his eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter-O'Neill Killed In the Line of Duty."