Hello, and yet another one of my creations. Thanks to my beta Judy, and everyone else who egged me on. SO were do we go from here folks? Dont forget to feedback, it keeps a girl happy!
SG1 returned from their mission, both mentally and physically worn. They sat in the briefing room relaying the events of the mission to the ever present, and always staggered, General. No matter how many times SG-1 sat in the room and relayed the events of their missions, George had never quite got used to the unbelievable things that had happened to the team.
Hammond glanced around at his primary team, their many scrapes and continued mental strains were starting to show; there were telling signs. Red rimmed, wide eyes looked back at him, the beginnings of the inability to concentrate being one of the most obvious side effects reflecting back at him from partially vacant expressions. They all looked strung out beyond most normal people's endurance. He considered that in some way, this small band of explorers were possibly super human. This team seemed able to get through anything, and come back in one piece.
Samantha Carter, a woman he'd known since she was a girl; worked quickly and accurately in the most stressful of situations. Her abilities both mentally and physically were quite astounding. She never faulted and was perpetually optimistic, even when the situation appeared lost. She always managed to pull something out of the bag to get her team through.
Hammond believed that Captain Carter had worked hard to earn the respect of her Colonel. In doing that, their friendship and comradeship had become unbreakable. He also suspected that their feelings ran deeper for each other than either would ever admit.
Teal'c was the ever present guard, and warrior; his knowledge quite often outweighing that of the Colonel. Teal'c was afforded the respect and friendship that himself and Jack had come to find in the few short months that they had worked together. Brave and self sacrificing, Teal'c worked with Colonel O'Neill, enabling the team to escape from the most impossible of situations. Together they protected the younger members of the team, enabling them to work through the technicalities in missions, when needed.
Colonel O'Neill, a firm friend of Hammond, often appeared as flippant and unrepentant when expressing his opinion about any situation or individual. His views on certain situations were fixed and unbending but he relentlessly protected and held his team together. He looked upon his team as family and would put them first and foremost every time.
Then there was Doctor Jackson, well, there was a different kettle of fish altogether. George never had a son, but did have daughters and two beautiful granddaughters. This afforded him an understanding of paternal relationships. Daniel returning from Abydos somewhat younger than when he'd left earth had been a surprise to Colonel O'Neill. The rest of the team, not knowing Daniel previously, accepted him as he was and treated him as such, much to Daniel's disgust, on some occasions.
He had observed that since the formation of SG1, Colonel O'Neill had developed something of a soft spot for their resident archaeologist. He hadn't doubted a strong bond had been formed on the very first mission. He knew of the Colonel's history and had gone as far to question his abilities when he was called back after finding the gate was still active. Of course, George had been proven wrong. Occasional attitude aside, Colonel O'Neill was a strong and caring leader and had proven that on many occasions over the short time that the team had been together.
The General recalled Daniel's return and the unstoppable efforts that Colonel O'Neill had put in to securing the boys place on the team. 'Against all my better judgment,' George smiled to himself. He knew now, that he'd been wrong, on some counts at least.
George remembered Jack taking the boy into his home, again, against George's advice, but Jack continued to take fastidious care of Daniel, even though Daniel wasn't always appreciative or co-operative. Considering all said and done, George believed that Daniel had found a place somewhere in Jack's heart, and suspected that even after such a short amount of time, Jack felt towards him the way most fathers felt towards their sons.
George felt a similar instinct towards the archaeologist. To that end, he did his utmost not to interfere with, what he saw as, a very delicate and valued relationship between the Colonel and Dr. Jackson. Their relationship was born from the many trials and tribulations that both individuals had experienced in their lives.
Daniel's innocence bloomed from a life spent in academic institutions and foster homes. He closed himself away from the world to study his lost parent's greatest achievements. This meant his life experiences were some what limited, but also tragic - far beyond what any human being should be expected to go through.
Taking all of this into consideration,it was no surprise that the young man constantly threw himself into situations based purely on his own personal feelings. His conscience regarding other living (and sometimes non living) beings took precedent over his own needs, and sometimes even his life. Daniel's ability to understand and forgive went far beyond the means of many other mere mortals.
This giving of himself, regardless of any danger that may be around the corner did somewhat fray the Colonel's nerves. George was well aware of Daniel's indifference to orders and for his own personal safety. The Colonel dealt with it in his own way and George was happy for his favored team to continue in the way that made them 'the best'; as family.
Looking around the table once again, he saw the team looking rag tag and exhausted. The reports were done, everyone looked physically spent and the General knew that the showers beckoned them. George also noted the tension in the room, and felt it best to get things moving along.
Doctor Jackson stared at the paper in front of him, his eyes darting about the room, but never making visual contact with any of the team. The Colonel glared at him occasionally and the General felt sure that the young man could feel O'Neill's intense gaze boring into him.
The General watched this little scene play out and decided to dismiss the team and let Jack deal with whatever indiscretions had taken place on this mission in his own way. The General guessed that if he knew even half of what actually went on, that their archeologist may possibly not have continued to be their archeologist any longer!
"SG1, you are dismissed. Three days stand down before the next mission and make sure everyone gets some rest, Colonel." Casting knowing looks at Doctor Jackson and Captain Carter, the General smiled covertly at the Colonel and Teal'c as he left the room, bidding them all a good evening.
Sam and Teal'c quickly got up to leave the table, the Captain almost made it to the door as the Colonel glanced over and frowned at her.
"The General means it, Carter, get some rest, that's an order."
This had in no way, been an easy mission, and Sam visibly scowled at the Colonels abrasive tone. "Yes sir." She spoke clearly and crisply, "My intention was to go home, sir." She turned on her heel and left the room.
Jack turned to look at the figure of his contention.
Daniel squirmed under his gaze. He'd actually considered getting up to leave the room, but was pinned in place by the expectation of what Jack was planning to say, or more worryingly, do.
Jack stalked to the observation window, taking a deep breath before he turned his death glare on Daniel.
"Daniel! What the hell did you think you were doing out there?" Jack's eyebrows knitted together and he nearly bounced on the spot.
Glancing around, and seeing that the General had obviously decided to give them some space; Daniel chanced a look at Jack. Disappointment was etched across the Colonel's face.
Fiddling with his pen, and never quite making eye contact, Daniel stammered his reply. "I-I was following orders, Jack," the pout evident in his voice.
Jack could hardly believe what he was hearing, "So fiddling with some doohickey that you thought you'd found instructions for in that godforsaken temple…" Daniel tried to interrupt, but was stopped by Jack's all powerful raised finger "…And nearly getting us blown to kingdom come! That was following orders was it, Daniel?"
Daniel fidgeted in his chair, when it was put like that, he had to admit, it did sound pretty stupid.
Jack's exasperation was palpable. He was blinded by the fact that not only had they had to fight their way back to the Stargate, because said archeologist couldn't keep his hands to himself, but the same young man had nearly killed himself…again!
Unable to speak, and still pacing, Jack mentally tallied up the times that this, kid, had nearly killed himself and sometimes his colleagues along with him! Any other CO would have had his hide, and unceremoniously removed him from the team months ago!
Daniel watched nervously as Jack paced. This was not good, not good at all. Daniel considered that the long promised physical harm may be only a heartbeat away.
Of course, he was disappointed with the mission too. There had been artifacts in that temple that would have been very interesting, had he not been dragged away with such force. Okay, maybe he'd touched something he shouldn't have, but Sam had sorted it out. And yes, Jack had said not to touch anything without checking with Sam first, but he didn't see that there was ever any real danger. The natives hadn't been thrilled that Sam had more or less taken their machine apart to stop the proverbial timer ticking. He had to admit, things had gone downhill somewhat after that. Jack having to very nearly carry him away (after several orders to leave) from his attempts to smooth things over with the local population, well before he was ready to go, probably hadn't actually helped their cause either. But, despite all off this, Daniel still felt that he was just trying to do his job. The fact that he had done all of this without consultation, and had gone against orders to leave, seemed to pass him by.
Making his decision, Jack walked with purposefulness to the object of his anger. Grabbing the chair's arms and swinging it to face him, Jack leaned forward into Daniel's personal space. Jack noted that Daniel visibly winced. Maybe that meant he had some regret for his actions and at this moment in time, Jack didn't see that as a bad thing. Jack spoke quietly and with a cold warning edge to his voice.
"You, Doctor Daniel Jackson, have been a serious health risk on this mission, and right now I'm too angry, and too tired to deal with this. Go shower, change and meet me up top in 30 minutes, you got me, Daniel?" Jack left no room for discussion, as he continued to stare down the subject in front of him.
Daniel's blue eyes flashed over the top of his glasses as he nodded his response. Returning his gaze to his hands, he prayed for his release.
Raising his voice slightly for effect, Jack shot the question again, obviously expecting a verbal answer. "Do you understand me, Daniel?"
Daniels head shot back up as he spluttered his response. "Y-yes, Jack, S-sir."
With that, Jack stood to his full height and paced from the room without giving Daniel a second glance.
Daniel let out a breath that he didn't know he'd been holding. He removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He considered that doing his own thing on this occasion wasn't such a good thing. Jack was real pissed. 'That will make for an interesting trip home' he mused, as he hesitantly collected his papers together and left for his office.
In the showers, Jack attempted to scrub away his frustrations. What the hell was wrong with the kid? Only months after pleading with the general to allow Danny on the team, Jack had experienced more disagreements and issues with Daniel's behavior than he would have ever thought possible. Well, the kid would surely feel his wrath this time, before Jack was pushed into making a decision he really didn't want to make. He knew that General Hammond would want him removed from the team if this type of thing kept cropping up.
As Jack changed, he'd been aware that Daniel was in the showers. He didn't want to wait. In fact, he knew that waiting wasn't an option with his current state of mind; he needed a little more time to collect his thoughts together. Jack made his way to the lift, feeling a tinge of guilt creep into his conscience. He hated leaving the kid down there alone. No, he had to go and wait up top, before he did something he'd regret.
As Jack sat in his pick-up, he recalled bringing Daniel back through the gate. The brilliant young man, with a penchant for trouble, had found a map room full of Stargate addresses. Later, after questioning from a very shocked Jack, it came to light that he had found some alien doohickey, in another part of the remains. Unable to stop himself, he'd obviously fiddled with it. What had happened, Daniel had never been quite clear on, all he knew was that he'd been left unconscious.
With a feeling that something wasn't quite right, Daniel had come around and noticed 'the machine' was no longer there. Odd, he'd thought, but had brushed himself down and checked for injuries. Not knowing what else to do, Daniel had wandered back to Sha're's and his tent. Noticing her husband return, Sha're had shrieked alarmingly, grabbed a stool and sat her husband down, her eyes never leaving him. When she'd been able to speak again, she had sat opposite him, gently probing his face and questioning how this could have happened. Daniel, not understanding what was wrong with her had smiled and tried to reassure her that he was fine. Shaking her head and muttering, she had desperately sorted through her things and showed him his reflection in her mirror.
Then it had been Daniel's turn to shriek. Touching his own face, and adjusting his glasses, he observed his face looking back at him, but much younger. From what he could remember, he'd looked like this when he was sixteen, maybe?
Everyone had searched for the artifact responsible, but it was never found. With no alternative, Daniel had eventually accepted his fate and so had Sha're. Daniel had said that he'd found it of no real disadvantage, in fact, on some counts, there were distinct advantages. More energy, if that was possible, a better appetite (Jack had frowned at that) and a feeling of well being and a lessening of responsibility. Unfortunately that had meant a more protective Kasuf, 'you can't have it all,' Daniel had grinned when telling Jack. Sha're herself was only sixteen, so life had carried on with relative normality. After all, Daniel's primary concern was always his work, and finding the map room had taken his focus away from this small inconvenience.
Of course, then Jack turned up again with his band of merry men, Sha're was kidnapped and Goa'ulded, and Jack was left with a very lost, and upset, sixteen year old Daniel Jackson.
Now he was seventeen, Jack mused, but still a pain in the mikta, none the less.
The passenger door clicked, and the mop of dark blonde hair bobbed about as Daniel tried to get his stuff into the foot well of the Jack's car.
Jack watched, still thinking. He wasn't that different from the Daniel he'd left on Abydos. He'd retained all of his memories, as far as they could tell, and was as irrepressible and as intelligent as ever. Jack admitted to himself that he hadn't really known Daniel that well before, but he had read his file. The kid lived through a lot, but had a strength of character and heart that was rare and precious. He'd saved Jack's life, for god's sake, and in more ways than one. Yup, Daniel had quickly wangled his way into Jack's heart on that first trip.
To go back and find this kid was a shock. Then for Daniel to lose the only family he'd known since childhood had been heartbreaking.
At that point, Jack had sworn, for reasons he now wasn't even quite sure of, to help and look after Daniel. The sheer weight of knowledge the kid had was enough to get Danny's place on the team. His age had been an issue. Jack made all sorts of promises about watching the kid's six and taking responsibility for him, and finally the general had agreed. Daniel had whined about wanting to live alone, and the general had most definitely put his foot down at that. Daniel had therefore continued to live with Jack, and Jack was now his legal guardian (on the insistence of the Air force).
'Sheesh' Jack frowned, 'It's been a long few months.'
Before Jack started the car, he glanced at his wayward linguist.
After today's escapade, Jack had started to doubt his own judgment. Maybe he just couldn't keep the kid in line?
As they drove home in silence, Daniel looking through the passenger window, Jack knew he'd never forgive himself if something happened to the kid, not after Charlie…
Daniel had such an implicit trust in Jack, and Jack knew he needed to work on Daniel's seventeen year old persona, and that was exactly what he intended to do when they got home…
