Hey there! Sooo, this was the one it gave me troubles (you know what I'm talking about if you read the monstrously long Unveiled Secrets). As per usual, some chapters are done and need another reading before I dare to post them, and some are still somewhere in the heaven of words waiting to be born… (geez, I should just shut up) .
Anyway, welcome to this new trip…
Enjoy!
M
Disclaimer: You know, all the things that made money belong to their rightful owners. The image, isn't mine, I grabbed it from google, so if it is yours, please let me know so I can properly give you the recognition and /or to take it down and find another :D
Chapter 1 - Babysitting isn't for big bad Colonels.
Colonel Jack O'Neill was walking towards the briefing room, he came to know all too well over the course of the 4 years since he first set a semi suicidal foot on it. Since then, after (reluctantly) getting back to the same room a year later… he, somehow, became the 2IC of the new Stargate Command, or SGC for those who didn't get full disclosure.
And by being pointed for good under General's Hammond hands, as Spiderman knew for sure, with great power comes great responsibility, which, in his case meant being forced to take part of briefings for new personnel.
And briefings or debriefings from missions when his Commanding Officer couldn't assist.
Or, when they were too SNAFU, that they needed his cold strategical analysis to keep their men from being locked up.
And, of course, his personal favorite (not!), the scientific briefings on either technological advances (which tended to be brain numbing),
Or to present reasons why they should endanger SGC personnel, while visiting some backwater planet with a Canadian postal code looking designation as name (which tended to stress the Jesus out of him). And most times, despite of his best efforts on telling them no. His position as 2IC showed its limits and he was forced to check the darn roster to see who would accompany the nerd squad.
However, when he received the call for the meeting he was about to join and later on, the dress blues code order. He knew without doubts that he 'might' not like whatever was going to happen on that meeting room, and that was an understatement.
He snorted, playing with the neck of his shirt. Luckily for him, dress blues weren't a thing at the SGC and he hadn't worn one since the last time someone screwed up really bad and explanations were required.
He absolutely hated how long explanations were always required. The short version apparently managed to short a circuit in everyone's brains, demanding long and very detailed reasons of why it was raining and how that affected the sight of the men in the field. And they were often, pushed through by the same people he expected to see currently sitting in the briefing room, which was possibly compressed of a highly stubborn bunch of half brained men and women with no idea of what was going on outside their little offices, claiming they knew what was best for everyone around and with power to meddle in their roster.
Is not that he loathed them, but it's like they say, 'too many cooks spoil the broth' and it seemed that spoiled broth had become their favorite dish.
He remembered quite vividly, the last 'broth' they've made. It was a year before, the self -acclaimed creme of the crop, affirming to know what was best for all humans involved, had decided to order Hammond to send SG3 to a mission to 'introduce and protect an unprepared civilian' into a godforsaken planet to study something way over his head, and for some reason unbeknown to him, the same group affirmed that such mission 'couldn't possibly wait'.
As a result, SG 3 and 7 saddled up and not even all the experience of their members could prevent the loss of 3 of their own, and returned with not only their loss, but with the civilian scientist carrying a snake in his brain.
Of course, that couldn't be 'it'.
Later that day, one snaked alien walked around the base and tried to kill the snake, which had found a host on their civilian. He frowned, that episode still bothered him to no end. Because, somehow, some vital information slipped out of the minds of their all-knowing officers, and hadn't them not forgotten about that teeny weeny detail, the whole incident would be pushed further ahead.
The reason would be simple, if it was just an SGC team or even one of their own scientist, it would be a go and the situation 'acceptable'. But this civilian … was a no. The little detail they left out was that the scientist was one of the 'foremost experts in gate technology' and having him snaked was a severe breach in security.
And to make it all worse, poor Reynolds had to deal with the guy pre getting snaked AND with the other snake, AND with the issue at hand, while he and his team were unavailable. Well, at least Teal'c was on base.
He shook his head because he knew when they first presented the mission to General Hammond, they had insisted it was an 'SG-1 hands only kind of mission'. As a matter of fact, the mission result sounded almost as bad as the many unlucky situations he and his team had to face before. However, the poor timing and the need to do it 'now!' because 'it couldn't wait', had made it impossible for SG-1 to go. Not that he wasn't glad that, for once, it wasn't really his mess to clean. Although, back then, he had his own wreckage to fix.
Oh! He also remembered quite vividly the reason why they were out of that mission, 2 simple words that sometimes still made him wince: 'Captain Simmons'. Why he was assigned to SG-1 in the first place? That was still something he couldn't understand, but when on his first mission, and in true Sg-1 fashion, they encountered snake heads, which saw them as a nice moving, shooting Dianas, Jack had expected any reaction from the young Captain, anything, but freezing in place. Simmons' lack of response had compromised his team fall back, since it forced them to go back to him and drag him to the gate, while trying to keep the boy safe.
The whole affair resulted in important injuries for Daniel and him. Thus, Simmons added to 8 the count of officers who couldn't keep up with his team. And his team was made up of a Jaffa and an Archaeologist! For Crying out loud! Okay, a former Prime Minister of a Fake God and a highly trained archaeologist… but still, how hard could actually be shot, run and don't get caught? And with his team lacking one man and the human part of the team out of the roster, the snafu dumb mission fell under SG-3 belts.
"At least the second snake hadn't managed to kill the scientist… that would have raised hell," he muttered to himself.
He stopped at the door that led to the briefing room, trying to get a hold of himself… which was a difficult task when so many dumbheads were in the same room, he felt himself become a mass of pure tension at his shoulder level and sighed. Then, with a decided step, he entered.
"You called, Sir?" he asked to his CO, ignoring the other glares he received from the other people in the room, for such informal way to talk to his superior officer.
"Yes, Colonel… please, sit down," General Hammond told him, also ignoring the widened eyes and the looks of disgust for not dressing him down for his odd behavior.
But they had come a long way and they knew each other too well now, Jack new Hammond didn't mind his bit of informality and George knew Jack was the best officer around and one who really know what to do in the most surprising and threatening situations.
With a shrug and a smirk pointed to the rest of the room, Jack quickly surveyed the situation and frowned when he only spotted an empty chair next to his CO and the complete absence of his teammates.
"Why do I have the feeling I won't like this?" He mumbled, but Hammond heard him.
"Because you won't, son, is not that I like it much either," his CO somberly whispered back. Someone in the back of the room stood up and he looked at the smirking face of the annoying Mayor Samuels, God he hated that guy. He was one of the worst dumbhead's in the country, I dare say the universe, but he always believed in letting people surprise him. Samuels managed to do it, every time.
"Colonel O'Neill, you have been chosen for a very special mission due to your abilities and past actions." General Hammond cleared his throat interrupting the Officer and managing to stop him from continuing his one man show. Jack raised an eyebrow, his abilities and past actions as he put it where many and they ranked from hellish to good.
"Colonel, SG-1 will be out of the roster until the fulfillment of this mission." Hammond raised his hand to stop him from interrupting, "I already talked with Teal'c, Dr. Jackson and Captain Andrews. They understand the situation, and they all agreed to be reassigned to other teams until further notice." Jack clenched his jaw, apparently it was all set and he didn't have a choice over the matter, so whatever it was… it was of utmost importance. He rolled his eyes at the crowd.
"I understand, Sir." He said respectfully to George, "May I ask what my new assignment is?" He asked firmly, trying not to show how much it was bothering him. The look on Hammond's face only made it worse.
"It's more a 'who is it?' than a 'what is it?' situation, Colonel," From the corner of his eye, he saw how Samuels smirk grew. "Your assignment, Colonel, is to serve and protect one Dr. McKay. Let's say that you will be acting as a bodyguard to the Doctor"
"Wait! McKay? As in the civilian who got a snake attached to his brain?"
"Yes"
"Why?" he asked with a high degree of disgust.
"Remember the Tok'ra homeworld address?"
Of course he remembered that day when their roster was once again changed out of the blue and they were sent to a sandy planet where they meet the goa'uld rebellion a.k.a the Tok'ra. How could he forget? They were captured and they were (almost) left to die there. Unless someone got snaked…
It was a lucky thing that Captain Andrews did some volunteer hours at the Air Force Hospital and by doing it he managed to meet a former special ops General, a very sick one who complained he was still too young to die. Andrews convinced Jack that such kind of Officer would accept the offer of being snaked and continue to work for the Air Force out there, over losing the final battle with his disease. They managed to get permission from the Tok'ra to return to Earth, and Jack presented Andrews solution wearily. Surprising Jack with his decision, General Hammond agreed when Andrews proposed former General Carter as a possible host and liaison person with Tok'ra. In the few hours he got to spend with former General Carter and Selmak, he got to like the old man, he had a bad sense of humor and a serious respect to the Air Force. His snake wasn't bad either, not that he would acknowledge it out loud any time soon.
"Of course I remember that mission," Jack grunted.
"Well, the good Doctor was the provider of that address"
"How's that even possible?" He questioned, "our nerd squad had never managed to come up with an address by themselves, and you meant to tell me, someone from the outside did?"
"The Doctor pushed for a series of experiments to get in touch of the memories of the Goa'uld, experiments which led to learning the address and some other interesting things about both the Tok'ra and the Goa'uld's in general," someone else added with a stern voice. Jack frowned.
"And how exactly a lucky guess on a gate address grants an Air Force Officer escort?"
"It doesn't."
"Then?"
"A couple of days ago, someone tried to kidnap the Doctor and such act raised a flag for national security"
"And why are we sure it's national security and not another kind of kidnapping, maybe he is a little paranoid and mistook assailants for kidnappers"
"She… isn't paranoid nor she is happy with this outcome," a woman's annoyed voice came from his back, her voice only provoked a pleasant chill running up his spine. He turned around to find a blue eyed, blonde haired beauty, and he couldn't avoid to stare at her from head to toes. Contrary to the high heels sandals and colorful dress which he expected when he heard the soft and firm, albeit annoyed voice, she was wearing a tight black suit minus the jacket, the vest hugged her waist and she even had a black tie on. He never thought someone would actually wear a tie for the fun of it.
"She? I thought I was getting a Doctor McKay? They guy who ended up with the snake in the head?" He asked, confused, his words mingling with the soft clicks of her heels.
"Well then, let me get your fact's straight, the civilian scientist you are talking about would be Doctor Carter. Doctor McKay is my husband, and I'm pretty sure he didn't have any symbiote implanted, nor have he dared to travel through the gate. And to answer your former question, I don't believe they would have known my name if it was just a regular robbery, would they?" she smiled at him, again he felt a current going through his body.
"Then... if you are so sure, Doctor, how didn't they manage to take you?" Jack smirked and then, Carter rolled her eyes.
"Sam has a good number of different martial arts belts, son. She defended herself in a hand to hand combat. When the men were down, she called the Air Force. Someone saw the assault and called the police too. The whole thing is taped," Hammond added with a bemused expression, when he saw the incredulous look on Jack's face.
"Why did you call the air force and not the police?" he questioned her, and she raised her eyebrow questioningly, "I get it, not a robbery, but what makes you sure you should contact the Air Force?"
"Doctor Mckay," Samuels started and got a glare from Sam, "ehm, Carter, is our foremost expert in Stargate matters, among other things"
"I know that!" Jack almost growled to Samuels, who by his body language was trying to gain some point with the beautiful Doctor. Her reaction to Samuels, a quickly covered up grimace, almost made him smile.
"I actually called because I felt the same sensation I feel when I'm around your teammate, Teal'c? And not because I wanted a sitter," she scrunched her nose, not losing eye contact with him while taking a seat, "Thanks," she smiled beautifully to the Major who gave her his seat, managing with a single action to make the young man blush and at the same time make him a bit… jealous? 'Why on Earth should I be jealous?' he thought.
"So you get a Military babysitter for free because you 'felt' something?" Jack asked, annoyed, although he didn't know if he was annoyed with her, with the situation, or with himself.
"Don't get me wrong, Colonel, this is just as much of an order for me as it is for you," she affirmed and he thought he heard a hint of annoyance and pain in her voice.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means I'm stuck with you as much as you are stuck with me… if that's easy enough to understand, Colonel, or should I explain it with apples?" Jack groaned and was about to answer when General Hammond stopped their verbal exchange.
"Doctor Carter managed to send an alert to her father… and he asked for you to be posted as her bodyguard of sorts, until we are sure she is safe or we can find the Goa'ulds or former hosts who are trying to get to her."
"Believe me, General. I won't have any issue following your orders." Jack smiled, "How about you Doctor? Will you be able to follow your daddy's orders?" he raised an eyebrow mockingly making her hiss.
"Mine are Presidential orders, if you must know." She shrugged, making him frown somewhat disbelievingly. She rolled her eyes as an answer to his expression, "After the incident, I contacted my father, believing he would be kind enough to send me a broken Goa'uld personal shield to fix and/or reverse engineer. Or maybe, just a decent zat'nik'tel, since for some reason the USAF is not letting me near one. However, as an answer I got you. He decided you were to be my… reinforcement." Her controlled voice didn't falter, although something told him she was almost whining.
"I'm sorry if I'm blunt, ma'am … but I'm kind of lost here... as far as I know, the President's daughter is 8. So, who the hell is your father?"
"Colonel," Hammond warned, Sam raised her eyebrow not impressed by him. "Sam's father is former General Carter, host of Sel.."
"Holy.. sh...shmokes, that Carter?" She nodded once, now the dumbfounded expression was in her face. She wanted badly to push the Colonel further, she didn't know if it was something about his demeanor or that je-ne-se-quois that she felt when she first laid eyes on him and followed her whenever she set her eyes on him.
"As Doctor Carter stated," Hammond intervened before she could decide, "Jacob Carter symbiote, Selmak, sent a message to the President. Since earlier today, both placed on his daughter's safety, the key to keep the alliance with the Tok'ra," Jack raised an eyebrow, and Hammond pressed forward and then play on the remote control Jack hadn't seen until now. His gaze was so fixated on the screen that he missed Doctor Carter moving out to stand by the glass separating them from the gate.
"Samantha connection with our former member, Jolinar of Malkshur, can compromise information about the Tok'ra, if she is to fall in the wrong hands. I understand from Jacob's memories she is quite capable of protecting herself. However, my host won't remain calm until further measures to protect her and grant her safety are taken. We are not as many as you are, and we trust you can take action before her fate seals the fate of the Tau'ri with the Tok'ra." The man lowered his head for a second, before continuing, "This is Jacob Carter, what Selmak is saying is... if something happens to my daughter, you won't have an ally in the Tok'ra. If you can only spend one officer for her safety, then I request for him to be Colonel Jonathan 'Jack' O'Neill, from the SGC. Since the Tok'ra is closely acquainted with his work"
Hammond pressed stop and turned towards Jack, with a sorrowful expression. He was being asked away of the SGC, because of the tremendous work he was doing out there. He was accepted as her protector because of what he did in the long expanse of his career, which only showed he was the most indicated man around to protect her.
Jack searched for his new charge and found her staring into oblivion embracing herself. She felt his eyes on her, burning her. She sighed, she knew the man would hate her but she didn't expect him to hate her that much in just the expanse of minutes, turning around she looked up to find him staring at her with an unreadable expression that she classified at somewhere between angry, torn and accepting.
"Don't look at me that way, Colonel." She said clearly, leveling him with her eyes, gaining a point in his respect chart as she did so, "I'm just a former host, which apparently can be enough trouble if I am to fall in the wrong hands"
