Chapter one

There were two things that Mrs. Alex Summer's life revolved around, her daughter and her work. So when she got a call that she was needed in Italy she was rearing to go, until she found out it was for three weeks. Her daughter though a cable and responsible girl for 17, could not be alone for that amount of time, so she stared calling her friends.

The fact that they, like her, were work-alcoholics and that it was the end of the finical year, made her prospect bleak. Though disappointed, she was not surprised to reach the end of her address book and still have no babysitter. Well she had not reached the end, there was one number left. She sat there staring at just staring. 10 minuets went by before she got up the courage to call it. Picking up the phone she started to dial.

"Stop being stupid Alex" she said to herself as she nervously waited for someone to pick up. Waiting for someone she had never want to talk to again. Waiting for Jack O'Neill, her ex husband, to pick up.

Jack had just grabbed the car keys and was heading out the door when the phone rang. Looking at his watch, knowing he was already late, he went to answer it.

"Dam it, this is not my day." He muttered as he picked up the receiver.

On the other end was the last on earth he expected! When there's been a 5 year silence between people you would think the relationship had ended. His Ex had cancelled his visitation rights after hearing about Charlie's death. She didn't want a person like him fathering her child. So he'd been cut out of the picture. Only a desperate favor could bring on a call like this.

Jack knew he shouldn't say yes. He knew that he'd be needed on base, but he couldn't let the chance to see his daughter pass him by. He figured that now he was "the man" he would be able to leave early and be home every night for three weeks. So he said yes and that he'd pick her up that afternoon at 5 after science club.

Time passed slowly for General O'Neil that day, even though it was full. 4:30 final came and he headed out. Headed out to see how much his little girl had grown

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Waiting there and not knowing which car was meant to pick her up, made Emily feel stupid. As did trying to recognize a person she hadn't seen in 5 years. Sitting down on the wall her dropped her school bag next to her travel one. Her mind was a buzz of questions such as 'Do I even want to see him.' She sighed too busy with her own thoughts to notice a green Ute (another word for a truck) parking three cars down.

It was obvious that the man who hopped out of the vehicle had no idea which out of the sea of kids was the one he was there for. After looking round hopeless for a few minuets, he sighed and cupping his hands to his mouth.

"Emily, Emily." He shouted. A red faced year 12 evidently called Emily came over. The two looked awkwardly at each other, and then the man leant down to hug 'Emily'.

"I've missed you Dad" she said

"I missed you too." He whispered in her ear than pulled away to look at her. She was about 1'7 feet with long light brown hair and brown eyes. Jack sighed; he'd forgotten how much she looked like him. She had fair skin and no freckles, a sign that she spent much of her time indoors, especially in the library. Smiling he took the travel bag from her and led her over to the Ute.

As they drove along Emily could help but look at her father. He hadn't bothered to change so he still wore his air force uniform declaring him as "General J O'Neil." She knew her father had joined the army but had no idea he'd risen so high in the ranks. She decided that his job was what had resulted in her fathers tan and scar above his eye. What she couldn't understand was his hair had gone completely grey. Not helping but notice his daughter staring at him Jack smiled.

"Hair's a shock isn't it?" She nodded "so how" his question was cut of as he was rudely interrupted by his Mobil.

A lot of mmms, aha and yaha followed the picking up of the receiver. Jack had never been known for his grammatical correctness. Suddenly he looked over at Emily.

"Are you sure it can't wait. Ok I'll be there at 17:30." Hanging up he looked over at Emily again.

"Sorry but I have to go into work." Emily sighed; she was used to it as her mum practically lived at her office.

"That's ok, must be important." Jack wasn't so understanding. His idea of what would happen over the next three weeks had just been shattered. This left him wondering how he was going to explain Emily.

"It better be" He didn't want this skeleton to fall out of the closet for no reason