Prying
By PaBurke
Summary: Continuation to Fishing and Plinking, and now a year or so later, Flying
Fandoms: Eureka Season 1 episode 2, SG1 Season 8, Fragile Balance, SGA show finale
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I made no money. This is all in fun.
Word Count: 1100
Rating: Still PG, there's not even swearing in this.
Even though Jack was expecting it, he groaned when he saw the cars lined up outside of SARAH's bunker entrance at sunset as he parked his own Jeep. Jo was here with the excuse that she was keeping Zoë company. Henry was here because he had best friend privileges. Allison was here because she knew that he wouldn't kick her out. Stark was here because Allison was here and Jack now knew something that he didn't.
Jack decided that he liked Rodney McKay more than Stark. McKay was at least more entertaining in his condescendingness. Three Jacks and a John could completely set him into a tizzy with their gene abilities- and had. Jack removed his earwig and his authorization ID and pocketed them. He didn't want Stark to realize just how accepted Jack was onboard Atlantis. He didn't want any of the smart people inside to steal them and forge their own picture on the ID. He took a deep breath and reminded himself that Jack Hadden (actually the de-aged version of General Jack O'Neill) had promised him a place to crash for the night if he wanted. Hadden had called it a strategic retreat from the interrogation. Jack wanted to check on his daughter, especially knowing that the people of Atlantis were very interested in her.
He walked down to the main door, only to have it open before he could speak.
"Good evening, Sheriff," SARAH greeted. "Dinner is ready. Did you have a pleasant business trip?"
Even his house was a nosy busy-body. "Evening SARAH." Jack walked and barely spared his 'guests' a glance before jogging up the stairs to drop off his jacket. Then he walked back down to face the music.
His deputy was the first one he addressed. "Thanks, Jo. You can go home now."
Jo raised her full glass of juice. "I'm good."
"Jo," Jack stared her down. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Jo pouted a little bit, but then promised, "I'll bring you coffee tomorrow."
"Good," said Jack. "I'm sure I'm going to need it."
Jo nodded and left. Jack relaxed slightly; one down, three to go. Zoë was already glaring at him. "Am I going to be sent to my room next?"
"It's your home too," Jack responded.
Zoë could always read him better than anyone else. "This concerns me, doesn't it?"
"You tell me," Jack responded. "Little Miss One-Twelve."
Zoë's face fell like it always did when she had been caught in a lie.
Jack brushed any further comments away. "We'll talk about this later."
Zoë looked relieved at the reprieve.
Jack now addressed his uninvited guests. "Henry, Allison, Stark. There's no reason for you to be here."
Stark jumped in first. "You just returned from the most advanced…"
"Classified," Jack interrupted. "You wouldn't want me to tell anyone about Eureka, before I was offered a job here. I still can't tell anyone about the place I live and work."
Allison caught his inference first. "You were offered a job?"
Jack immediately turned to his open-mouthed daughter. "We are not moving, so don't worry about it." Zoë settled.
"They offered you a job and you turned them down?" Stark sounded horrified.
Jack ignored him. "SARAH? You mentioned my dinner?"
"It is ready, Sheriff Carter. And may I add how pleased I am that you are remaining in Eureka."
"Thank you SARAH." Jack picked up his hot plate of steak and potatoes… and the green vegetable that the house had been adding to meals. He also picked up a beer and sat at his kitchen table. Zoë and his guests joined him there, each with their own drink.
Henry now opened the conversation. "Are you consulting for them?"
Jack wasn't sure if Henry had just figured it out or if he had deliberately asked his question when Jack had a mouthful of steak to give him time to consider his answer. Jack swallowed his food. "They asked me to."
"What could you do for them?" Stark asked dismissively.
"Nathan," Allison chided. "Please. Carter has been an excellent sheriff in Eureka."
Jack knew that comment was half truth and half massaging his ego, but he still smiled his thanks to her.
Henry ignored the byplay. "Jack. What did you think of the city? Honestly, what were your general –vague- impressions?"
Jack smiled and shook his head. He knew that some of his awe bled through his expression. "It's… amazing. Big. They have some good people there. Nice. And of course, very smart."
"Who's there?" Stark asked.
Jack's eyes narrowed slightly. He guessed that this was merely a sneaky way to figure out what was on Atlantis. So he shrugged and stretched the truth. "I met a ton of people today. I don't remember most of the names."
"Just tell us some of the names you remember," Henry prompted.
Jack wasn't thrilled that Henry was helping them out. He took another bite of dinner before replying with the non-scientific names. "There's General O'Neill and Colonel Sheppard and Colonel Carter and Major Lorne and a Mr. Woolsey oh, and Ronon Dex. Now there's a character. If he wasn't already involved in Amelia, I'd introduce him to Jo."
Stark looked annoyed. "They really did offer you a consulting job. What could you do for them?"
Jack was fed up. "I can keep my mouth shut. How about all of you leave? I'm sure that you have a busy day tomorrow and I know that I do."
Allison decided that they had pushed enough and agreed. She practically dragged Stark out.
Henry hovered at the exit. "Jack," he started.
Jack shook his head. "I understand. I really do, but today is not the day to discuss this."
"Tomorrow," Henry asked hopefully.
Jack grinned. "Tomorrow will be fine. Lunch at my office?"
"I'll be there," Henry promised. "SARAH door."
Jack waited until he was outside. "SARAH, door." Finally, it was just him and his daughter… and his automated, eavesdropping house.
"Is it a good job?"
Jack lifted his head. "Hmmm?"
Zoë was evaluating him. "The job from the mysterious city that no one will name; is it better than being sheriff of Eureka? Would they treat you better?"
Jack tried to be honest. "There's a scientist there –that I'd have to work with- that is just as bad as Stark, if not worse."
"Is that possible," Zoë teased.
Jack shrugged and then walked up to his daughter and put his hands on her stiff shoulders. "Eureka is our home. We're not leaving. I'm not going anywhere you can't come."
He could feel Zoë relax. "Thanks, Dad."
"No problem."
