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.'"
"Huh?"
"Old song. Don't worry about it. When you're old enough, I'm sure your mom will be happy to share. You'll probably even get her recipe."
Cassie grinned at the mock-hurt look on Sam's face. "Thanks Sam."
"I'll stop in to day good night before I leave, kiddo."
"Okay Sam."
Before the short sentence was finished, Cassie had already turned back to the monitor. Sam smiled and pulled the door shut.
Reentering the kitchen, Sam saw three cucumbers and a carrot in a drainer in the sink. "Getting ready to make the colonel's treat?"
"Soon," Janet said cryptically. "Thanks for helping me cleanup."
"Hey, thanks for dinner. The colonel is right, your sausages are the best. Sure you won't share your secret?"
Janet simply nodded. "Want another beer?"
"Sure, one more then I'll head home."
* * * *
Sam was driving to her little 'home away from the mountain' as she called it. She was feeling content. The food was great and she ate just enough to keep her from any munchie attacks later. And she had paced herself on the beer so she wasn't drunk or even very tired.
"Shit!" she said out loud. "My wallet!"
Sam rarely carried any kind of pocket book. She only really had two purses, both her mother's. She preferred to travel light and usually just carried an over-sized wallet. It was more than enough for her cash, IDs, and credit cards. It even had a pocket for what little makeup she did wear, when she bothered to where any.
But it was too large for the hip pocket of her denim shorts. And it was uncomfortable to sit if she had the wallet in her front pocket. When she got home, she usually tossed on the dresser in her bedroom. And she usually left it in her on-base quarters under the mountain while on duty.
But when she went to friends' places, she usually left it on the coffee table or an end table. (If it was a larger event, she'd lock it in her car.)
She hit the wheel with the heel of her hand. She could picture where she left it at Janet's, on the counter near the refrigerator. She'd placed it there while she put the beer she brought in the appliance.
Sam thought quickly. She needed the cash for grocery shopping in the morning. And she wanted her driver's license just in case something happened. And Janet would still be up, she was planning to start on Jack's salad.
Ten minutes later, Sam pulled up in front of her closest friend's house. Cassie's light was out but she had a busy day and had been yawning a lot just before Sam left. The living room light was low.
'Since Janet'll be in the kitchen, I'll just go around,' Sam thought as she headed again for the back yard.
Strangely, the sliding door curtains were closed as was the draw shade on the back door. The thin curtains over the window above the sink was drawn closed as well.
Intrigues, and a bit apprehensive, Sam walked quietly up to the kitchen window. Using one of the hard-wood deck chairs, she was able to look in.
It took all her will power not to fall off the chair when she saw what was going on in the Fraiser kitchen.
* * * *