Disclaimer: "Stargate SG-1" and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, SciFi Channel, 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.
Summary: Sam wants to know the secret of Janet's secret recipe.
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"Doc, this is the best!" Jack O'Neill declared.
He was tightly clasping a kaiser roll that held a Polish sausage smothered in mustard and onions.
Daniel, eyeing the extras that Jack used, said, "How can you tell?"
"Trust me, Danny-boy. After a lifetime of Chicago sausages & dogs, I know what I'm talking about."
"You stated you lived in Minnesota, O'Neill," Teal'c said.
"Yeah, well, we still went back to see family and Dad had to have his home-grown sausages. Well, home-stuffed anyway. I had an uncle who packed his own sausages
"But, anyway Doc, this is one of the best Polish I've ever had! What's your secret?"
Janet Fraiser sat back with a small smile. "That's just it, it's a secret, Colonel. A special marinade..."
"Janet, this corn is quite good too," Daniel said, waving a partially-eaten ear around. "Same thing?"
"Yep. And the cucumbers and carrots in the salad."
"The same marinade for meat and vegetables?" Jack asked. "That must be some concoction."
Sam watched for a moment from the kitchen. She enjoyed having her extended family together. And the opportunity was rare that all of them could get together at the same time. But this was a rare weekend. SG-1 was off and so was Janet. It was a warm, sunny day, and a good chance for them to get together.
Cassie was in heaven too. Her favorite people were all together at the same time.
Sam watched her sitting relaxed on the patio, listening to every word said. And occasionally throwing in the wisdom of a teenager just to keep the adults on their toes.
The tall blonde walked out onto the back porch of Janet and Cassie Fraiser's house after 'inspecting the plumbing'. "What are you guys talking about?"
"Carter, tell me this isn't the best damned Polish sausage ever! I dare ya!"
"Yes sir, it is. That what you were talking about?"
Janet nodded. "The colonel's trying to get my secret."
"Fat chance. How long have I been pestering you for it?"
Janet just smiled. But there was a certain smugness in that smile.
"Hey!" Jack yelled. "I got it! It's booze! You soak them in Jack Daniels or something."
Sam's eyes widened, "That's why you always make sure Cassie's are separate, so she won't get buzzed."
Janet sat there with a smile, not acknowledging or denying her friends' guesses. This was a secret she was planning to keep for a long, long time.
* * * *
Janet walked her guests to their cars. "Yes sir, I'll be happy to make you some of my special cucumber salad. I'll bring it in on Monday."
Jack looked smugly pleased and nodded at Daniel, "See? For me. And I'm not sharing..."
"O'Neill, let us go. I wish to again view the adventures of Skywalker and his comrades."
"You got it, Big Guy. C'mon Daniel, Teal'c has a movie to watch. Again."
As the men left, Sam stood next to Janet in the early evening light.
"Just how many times has he watched "Star Wars"?" Janet asked.
"I dunno. But I bet he could give my big brother a run for his money. He saw it something like twenty times in the theater when it came out."
"Twenty times?"
"Yep. It was the hottest thing for geeks since the original "Star Trek". At least until the internet..."
Janet laughed and headed back around the house to the patio. Sam followed.
After cleaning up the back yard, Sam checked in on Cassie. The fifteen-year old was on-line IM-ing friends.
"Not going out?"
"Not tonight. Stephie, Dawn and I are going to the mall tomorrow."
"Sounds like fun," Sam said with a small grin. "Boys, shopping, food court... What more could you want?"
"Yeah, it'll be fun."
"Okay, kiddo, see ya later."
Sam turned to leave the teen's room when Cassie stopped her, "Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"Why won't Mom let me have any of the stuff you guys have? It's not like I'm gonna get drunk and act stupid."
Sam stood in the doorway for a moment. How to put this? "Well, you're just not old enough. In a few years, it'll be okay for you to drink alcohol, if you want. But for now, it's just best not to give you any."
Cassie sat and stared at her monitor, pouting. "Not fair. Grandpa gives me rum balls at Christmas..."
Sam stepped forward and ran her hand along the girl's long hair. "'Poor, poor pitiful me.'"