A/N 1: A REAL Stargate story to make up for the 'deception' yesterday.
A/N 2: set in whatever season Jack was General, in charge of the SGC.
"Two hundred and seven."
All conversation ceased and Jack and Sam turned sharply to stare at Daniel.
"Excuse me?" Jack asked.
Daniel looked embarrassed and bent his head down to the notebook on his desk in front of himself.
"You asked me what my IQ is. It's two hundred seven."
"You're kidding." Sam said. "Einstein's was only like one hundred and sixty or something."
Daniel shrugged and erased something in his notebook.
"IQ tests don't mean anything anyway. It's all very subjective. I mean there's lots of geniuses out there still living in their parents' basements." He gave them that broad, uncertain smile that appeared whenever he was feeling self-conscious. "It's not that big a deal."
"Did you ever join Mensa?" Sam asked.
"Um, no."
"Mensa?" Jack asked.
"It's the society for people with an IQ in the top two percent of the country." Sam explained. "With an IQ like that, I'd think you'd be a shoe-in."
"I looked into it, but most of the Mensa people I dealt with could've given the Goa'uld lessons in attitude." There was that uncertain smile again.
"You musta got your IQ tested somewhere along the way." Jack said. "Doctor Carter."
"Well yeah, but it's nowhere near -." She cut herself off, and cleared her throat. "That is to say – well – like Daniel says, it's all pretty subjective. You know. It doesn't mean anything."
"'Doesn't mean anything' as in?" Jack prompted. Sam mumbled a response. "I'm sorry?"
"One hundred and forty two."
"Well I'm sure that's a good little number." Jack said, with a hint of smart-ass.
"You see," Daniel went on. "It has very little bearing on actual talent or accomplishments. It's just a very subjective number. And really all it does anyway is give you your lowest possible score." He seemed to realize too late that he'd just brought more attention to himself.
"So your minimum IQ is two-oh-seven?" Jack asked. "As in, it's probably higher?"
"Uh – yes. Theoretically. But -."
"I know." Jack waved a dismissive hand. "'Doesn't mean anything'." He stood up. "Well I've got to back to the office. See if any crises have erupted in my absence." He started for the door and patted Daniel's shoulder on the way past. "See you for lunch."
"Okay."
"I should be getting back too." Carter said. "See you Daniel."
"Bye Sam."
Jack let her go first through the door and waited a moment, watching her down the hallway, then turned back to Daniel.
"It really bothers you, doesn't it? The IQ thing." He asked quietly.
"Yes. Yes it does."
"I wouldn't have asked if I knew that."
"I know." Daniel smiled, and this time it was genuine. "It's just that people made such a big deal about how smart I was growing up that I always felt self-conscious about it. It wasn't until I got into academia that I felt halfway normal. And we both know how well I fared in those hallowed halls."
"So that proves your point."
"My point?"
"Yeah – that IQs have nothing to do with the person underneath them."
Daniel smiled and ducked his head. He looked up again as Jack started to leave.
"Hey Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"Did you ever have your IQ tested?"
"Yeah." Jack gave a half smile and a very smug look. "Yeah, I did. See you at lunch." And he left.
The end.