Tales from the Grill
Author's note:
This vignette is set right after the The Serpent's Lair (season 2, episode 1). It was inspired by the line about the swings at the end of Singularity (season 1, episode 15): "We never had any of those- in Toronto". I got to thinking about what might or might not also have been "in Toronto". I intend to mark this as complete, even though more chapters may appear about other barbeque incidents, since the barbeques at Jack's house seem to happen fairly regularly.
...
Cassie's Painting
Jack twirled the beer bottle in his fingers before raising it to his lips. Mmm. Today is practically perfect. We've saved the world, everyone's alive-somehow, and the sun is shining. The temp's in the mid seventies and there's just a tiny breeze. Absolutely perfect for my barbeque. Jack smiled and then raised the bottle again. Empty. Rats. Well, there's more in the fridge. Jack turned and walked back into the house.
Entering the kitchen, he noticed Sam and Cassie standing by the island, looking at some papers.
"And this is the one that I won first prize for," said Cassie, giggling, as Jack opened the fridge door and leaned over.
"Wow. I never saw any of those- in Toronto."
"What?" Jack looked over at Carter, wondering if she'd hit her head or something. When did Cassie go to Toronto? Or Sam, for that matter? The way they were standing and giggling at each other with foolish grins was really making him wonder what could possibly be going on.
"Wanna let me in on the joke?"
Still giggling and beaming, Cassie turned the picture around. The painting covered every square centimeter of the paper in lavish detail. In the middle was an animal that looked vaguely like a really long-necked and shaggy horse with stripes of tan and burnt sienna. But perhaps most interesting was the title across the top: My Alien Horse.
Jack put a hand to his face in attempt to hide his mirth and hold back the chuckles. "And the assignment was?"
"To draw a picture of your first pet."
Jack couldn't help it, he started laughing at that. Loudly. And shaking his head.
"What's this?" asked Daniel, entering the kitchen with Teal'c just behind him.
"This," spluttered Jack, pulling the paper out of Sam's hands and turning to show it to Daniel and Teal'c, still struggling to speak through his laughter, "is a picture of Cassie's first pet."
"But that doesn't look anything like her dog." Daniel replied inanely.
Jack guffawed again, then pointed from Daniel to the picture as he said, "You know, for someone who translates languages for a living, you seem to be having an unusual amount of trouble reading the perfectly legible title at the top." He stopped and started speaking very slowly, "It says quite clearly, 'My Alien Horse.'"
Meanwhile Sam was clutching the countertop for balance as she laughed so hard; the look on Daniel's face after Jack's Pictures For Dummies explanation was truly priceless. Her only regret was that she didn't have a video camera.
Turning to Cassie, he added, "Although I'm not sure how a you managed to get away with submitting that for your assignment, let alone won first prize."
"Well," replied Cassie, "Sandoval was my first pet. I just told my teacher he was imaginary, rather than explaining about Haina. She thought it was very creative."