A Second Chance
by Stroma
This is written from an idea sent to me by Hotshow.
Jack was feeling revived after his week off. He had gone fishing with an old Air Force buddy and they caught lots of fish in the lake beside his cabin. He was whistling as he left the elevator and made his way along to the locker rooms to change into his uniform.
That all stopped when he saw Daniel come out fully prepared to set off on a mission. He was sure SG-1 weren't going anywhere so why was Daniel ready to go off world. "Oh hi Jack. You're early." He sounded a bit hesitant.
"Didn't know we had a mission already. I'll have to get ready quickly. You'd think they'd give me time to get in before sending us out."
He watched Daniel turn a shade of red before he answered. "Well Jack. It's not really a mission. And I'm not going with SG-1."
"Really? And why wasn't I consulted about this?" Jack sounded rather annoyed.
"I didn't expect you....Oops!" Daniel said.
"Like to finish that?"
"Not really. It's just SG-12 were exploring PX4 733 and they found this really interesting temple."
"Which you just had to offer to go and look at?"
"Yes, Jack. We've never seen anything like it before and seeing as I'm Head of the Archaeology department I thought I should be the one to see it."
"So none of your department is qualified to do this?" Jack asked sarcastically knowing that Daniel had picked some of the best archaeologists in the world for his department.
"Well yes I suppose they could go...."
"Daniel haven't I told you before that you have to delegate. How are they going to get experience if every time something is found you go to look at it first."
"It's just..."
"It's always 'it's just' with you Daniel. Now I want you to fill me in about where you are going and I want to speak to Major Hardy."
"Come off it Jack. I'm not a little kid. I'm Head of Archaeology. I can choose which missions I want to go on," Daniel almost shouted.
"Aht! Aht! That sort of attitude will get you nowhere. Now I want you to get Major Hardy and meet me in the General's briefing room." Daniel muttered something under his breath. "If that's what I think you said I'll be looking out a bar of soap."
"Very funny Jack." But when Daniel looked up there was no smile on Jack's face. "Okay I'm sorry for the remark." Daniel looked at his watch. "General Hammond's already approved the mission Jack."
"He has?"
"Yes. I'm in a hurry Jack."
"I'll come with you." He walked with Daniel down to the Gate room.
"Jack you might want to speak to Janet about a new member of her department."
"Why?"
"Because it's Sarah."
"Sarah?"
"Yes. You know she's very highly thought of as a counsellor and Janet thought it would be good if we had one on base."
"Yes that is a good idea. And Sarah is the best."
"You're not upset by her being here are you?" Daniel asked.
"No. It'll be nice to see her again. I haven't seen her since that entity turned into Charlie. I'm sure we'll be fine."
They walked into the Gate room. Major Hardy was waiting. He looked at his watch signalling that Daniel was late.
"It's alright Major it was my fault he was late. I hope you've read my memo about the care of archaeologists off world. It's a very interesting piece."
Daniel went red. "Jack, please."
"I've read it sir. Don't worry I'll look after him."
"You mean you really wrote one?" Daniel said.
"Of course."
"Major Hardy, are you and your team ready to go?" General Hammond asked.
"Yes sir."
"Two days," Doctor Jackson. "No more," General Hammond said.
They all walked through the mirror of water.
"Colonel O'Neill my office once you've changed."
"Yes sir."
General Hammond went over some of the recent missions with Jack and they discussed several possibilities for a second base when the klaxons went off. Jack and General Hammond rushed to the window overlooking the Gate room.
Walter's voice came over the intercom system. "It's SG-12 sir."
"They've only been away a few hours," Jack said. "What has he done now?"
They ran down to the Gate room. Soldiers stood around with their weapons drawn. Four men and a very small boy came through the wall of water. The little boy screamed to be put down and the soldier seemed only too pleased to do it.
The little boy toddled down the ramp quickly shouting," Ack! Ack!"
Jack automatically bent down and the boy ran into his arms. "What have you done Daniel?" Jack said hugging the boy to him.
"Major, where is Dr. Jackson and who is this child?" General Hammond asked.
"I'm sorry sir," he stuttered. "That is Dr. Jackson." He pointed to the boy.
TBC
