Hey - thanks so much for all the great reviews folks! I love you guys.
Sorry for the angst - I know some of you are a bit upset with me but I guess I needed it to counteract all the sweet holiday goodies I've been eating. I just wish angst worked to remove those unwanted calories and fat molecules from my hips!
Paul was waiting for him when he stepped through the gate. Beside him were a number of aliens who Jack assumed represented the Jasovites and the Tareans. Standing in the background were two very large and very ugly looking men. He was pretty sure they must be the Garontii, if what Paul had told him was true.
"Paul!" he walked forward and held out his hand.
"General O'Neill, welcome." Paul saluted quickly and then shook the General's hand, a smile on his face. He then turned to the two men standing directly beside him. "Sir, I'd like to introduce you to the representatives from Jasovia and Tarea."
A tallish, blond haired man stepped forward. At first glance he looked totally human, but then Jack noticed his eyes. He had to consciously not stare at them. Unlike human eyes they had no pupil – or at least no visible one. The color was silver and reflected back like a shiny mirror. Jack wondered if he'd be able to see his own reflection if he looked at them carefully. It took him a second to realize that the man was holding out his hand. He raised his eyebrows but then reached out his own and shook the alien's hand.
"Greetings General O'Neill", the silver-eyed man spoke. "My name is Rahul – I am Prefect of Jasovia. Welcome to Palexa. We appreciate that you were able to come to assist."
"Uh -" before he had a chance to say anything, the other man – or alien – stepped forward. This one – Jack assumed he was the guy from Tarea – was the polar opposite of Rahul. He was short and squat and very dark. His black hair was so shiny it almost looked as if it had been covered in some kind of oil. His features were non-descript and his face appeared round and squashed looking. His eyes were more human looking than the Jasovite, although they lacked any kind of emotion, as far as he could tell. Jack would have described them as 'dead looking'. The thought, and the man, sent a jolt of something running through him. He seriously found this guy creepy.
"General, I'd like to add my welcome to Palexa. The Tareans are more grateful than we can express that an important man, such as yourself, would deign to take the time to help us in our negotiations. It is truly an honor to meet you. I have heard so much about your heroic exploits." He laughed and patted his large stomach. "In fact, I do not exaggerate when I say that your fame precedes you throughout the galaxy."
Jack could feel himself begin to grow nauseous. The man was not only creepy, he was smarmy, ass-kissing creepy. "Uh – thank you", he replied, forcing himself to remember that he was here to get the negotiations moving quickly so he could get back to his new wife and enjoy Christmas with her. "And to whom do I have the honor of speaking?"
"Oh goodness me", the rotund little sycophant laughed. "I didn't introduce myself did I? I am Pologius of Tarea, first Senator of the district of Marella." He gave a little bow, to which Jack gave a sharp head nod in acknowledgement.
"And who are they", Jack gestured with his head to the two goons in the back. At his question they both moved their heads, but didn't say anything. The General was more than ever convinced that these were Garonii – and therefore to be watched carefully.
"These men are with me General", Rahul stepped forward. "They are with our allies, the Garonii." He turned to the two men. "You may leave", he told them. Only once they were gone did he turn back to O'Neill. "One must be careful", he said. "I find that they are useful – protection."
Pologius huffed. "You are accusing us of wanting to harm you?" he practically shouted. "How dare you!"
"I did not accuse you of anything Pologius", Rahul shrugged. "Why are you so upset – unless of course, you are guilty of something?"
"I am not guilty", the shorter man hissed. "I just resent having you act as if you are in danger here. Unless some of your own people wish to get rid of you?" He grinned. "That's it, isn't it? You are hated on your home world and there are those that are out to get you."
Rahul didn't even answer – he simply turned to O'Neill. "My apologies General – you shouldn't have to see our petty squabbles."
"I expect that's exactly what I will see", Jack answered sardonically. "Isn't that what brought us all here in the first place? And can you tell me the names of the two men – Garonii – who were here?" His words were pleasant – his tone was not.
Rahul's eyes instantly narrowed, as if he had suddenly realized that he was dealing with someone smarter than he'd been expecting. He'd heard things about O'Neill – mostly that the man was a buffoon. It was that that had made him insist he be called, thinking it would be a good delaying tactic but there would be no worries about someone figuring things out. Now, however, he wasn't so sure. "They are of no concern -"
"They are if I say they are", O'Neill answered. He looked Rahul straight in the eye. "Unless you want us to leave immediately and let you and Pologius here negotiate on your own, I expect an answer."
Rahul ground his teeth but then relaxed and nodded. "Of course – I was not trying to hide anything – I simply did not think it was important. They are Nrulu and Fartoon."
"Fartoon?" Jack asked incredulously. "Oh Danny, where are you when I need you!" He glanced Paul, to catch a swift grin on the man's face. He had to hold back a grin of his own.
The aliens looked puzzled and as if they weren't sure what to make of the General. Fortunately Paul took control and thanked them both but then suggested that he show O'Neill to his quarters. "He'll join you for dinner", he offered. "But he needs to settle in. He's had a long journey."
Jack didn't reply, thinking that a few hour flight to Colorado and then a quick walk through the gate wasn't' that long – but knew that Paul wanted to speak with him. He said a few more diplomatic words to the two representatives and then followed Davis. They didn't say much until they arrived at what Jack assumed were his quarters.
"Paul – it's good to see you", he said, finally relaxing as the door closed.
"You too Sir", Paul smiled. "In fact I can honestly say you are a sight for sore eyes!"
"That bad eh?"
"Worse. Those two - !" He left off what he clearly wanted to say. "Let's just say it's been – difficult. I don't think they really want peace and then throw in the Garonii – I'd say we're wasting our time."
"So then why the call?" Jack threw his duffle down on his bed and sat down beside it.
Paul grimaced. "It was their idea, although I don't really know why. I think it was actually Rahul who brought it up. He claimed that everyone would be more likely to listen to a – uh hero – like you."
"Paul", Jack grumbled, holding up his hand.
"Their word Sir", Paul grinned. "Anyway, I think it was more of a delaying tactic than anything – although for what I have no idea. Seemingly everything is above board, but I feel like there's something off – I just can't figure out what."
"Your spidey sense acting up?"
Paul laughed. "You could say that General – although I hadn't thought of it that way before. Yes, my spidey sense is definitely on alert. I just wish I knew why!"
"Davis – I know you well enough to know that if you think there's something wrong, there is. We'll just have to figure it out. Now, tell me what exactly has been going on."
For the next hour Paul gave him the details of the negotiations and what the main sticking points were. In the end it came down to a few minor issues that could easily be worked out with a bit of compromise, but it didn't seem like either side was interested in that. They had a long history of fighting and weren't willing to give an inch – or was it a centimeter, Jack wondered. If they were smart they'd use the metric system he thought, his mind wandering slightly off course.
"I think the real problem though is the Garonii", Paul explained, bringing him back to the matter at hand. "It's not in their best interest to end this war."
"Why not?"
"Well, not only do they get paid as mercenaries, they can basically pirate any Tarean ships and goods at will – something they do frequently. If Tarea and Jasovia declare peace that would have to stop."
"So you think they're throwing a wrench into things?'
"Well, they're certainly not helping – although the other two have plenty of wrenches of their own."
Jack nodded, not looking forward to the next day. The good news was that the President had given him permission to take Earth out of it if things didn't look good. He would at least expect Jack to give it a good try though – so he knew it would be a bit premature to call things right now.
He explained this to Paul – who looked relieved to know that a possible end was in sight. "Good – I'd love to get home for the New Year", he said.
"Yeah, well I'd like to get home for Christmas", the General told him. "I have a tree to decorate and a wife waiting for me. Believe me when I say that being here is not on my top ten list of fun things to do for the holidays!"
"No Sir", Paul smiled. "And congratulations – about Colonel Carter I mean. I was happy to hear that the two of you got together."
"Finally eh?" Jack said, hearing the unsaid word in the other man's voice.
"Well – I think we all knew that you and she –"
"Yeah – well – thank you." He smiled. "She was definitely worth the wait!"
"I'd say you're both in luck Sir. You're a great couple." After Jack thanked him – embarrassed but appreciative – he continued. "What about Dr. Jackson and Teal'c?"
"Teal'c is on Dakara doing his own negotiating and Daniel is off on some kind of archaeological dig – happy as a pig in – uh – poop."
Paul laughed. "I'm sure he is. I hadn't heard of any off-world archaeological expeditions?"
"No – it's not – off-world, I mean. He's actually in the Middle East. He got invited by a friend of his from college days and decided to take a personal holiday. I think he was happy to do a simple Earth dig for a change." Jack sighed, suddenly realizing how much he missed his friends. It would have been nice if all of them could have gotten together for the holidays.
"What about Cassandra Frasier?" Paul was one of the few who knew her story and who also knew about the loss of her adoptive mother. He'd attended Janet's funeral.
"Oh, she's visiting her Grandparents for the holidays – Janet's parents", he explained at Paul's confused look. "She spent Thanksgiving with us." He smiled when he thought of her comments during that visit and rolled eyes. She'd given them a hard time for their obvious and open affection with one another. A few times she told them to 'get a room' – clearly embarrassed at catching them kissing or otherwise making out. Ha! Just you wait Cassandra, he thought to himself. You'll find out one day that passion doesn't end at 30.
"That's nice – that she still has family", Paul answered. After a few more minutes chatting he stood. "I'll let you get settled Sir. I'll be by in about and hour and collect you for dinner. It – uh – won't be terribly pleasant."
"No, I expect not. What about our people?"
"Well, Major Granton will join us as will Lieutenant Freedman. The rest of them will eat in the mess they have set up. You'll meet them tomorrow."
It didn't take Jack long to realize that Paul had actually understated reality. The negotiations weren't bad – they were horrible. First he'd spent an obnoxious evening with the delegates. At one point he'd actually contemplated claiming he was sick and having to get up and leave. Then the next day had started. He sat for hours and tried to reason with a bunch of completely unreasonable, totally moronic – aliens. As if humans weren't bad enough, these guys were impossible. It took him exactly two minutes into the day to realize that neither side wanted peace. What they wanted was the upper hand and they'd brought Earth in, each hoping that that would swing the balance in their favor.
Jack tried, he really did. The President had given him a job and he would see if he could make it happen. By lunch time he'd decided there was no way it was going to work. For the rest of the afternoon he basically sat and listened to insane idiots talk. He threw in a few sarcastic comments, which confused both the Tareans and the Jasovians – but caused his own people to try hard not to laugh.
It was finally time to break for the day and he stood quickly. He'd made up his mind that Earth was out of this. He was going to meet with his people at dinner and inform them that Earth's part in this was finished. As far as he was concerned, the two sides could do what they wanted. The only thing he was going to make clear to them was that they were to stay away from Earth and its citizens – on pain of severe consequences. With that thought he headed to his room.
"Would you like me to accompany you Sir?" Paul asked, picking up his papers from the table in front of him.
"Nah. I remember the way. I'm just going to get out of these clothes", he touched the lapel of his Class A uniform. "Come by my room at 5:30", he glanced at his watch which was set to Mountain Time for Colorado Springs. "I'll fill you in on my decision then. We'll tell the rest of our people at dinner."
"Alright Sir. I'll see you at 5:30", he answered, glancing at his own watch. That left him a half hour to change his own clothes. Paul watched as the General left, a small smile on his face. He was glad it had been O'Neill that had been sent. He was a man who quickly cut through crap to make the right decision. Paul's smile grew. Maybe he'd be home in time to celebrate the holidays with his family after all.
Jack walked slowly towards his room, passing a number of the aliens on his way. A few of them acknowledged him, although some walked by quickly, intent on their own business. As he turned down the corridor that led to his room the numbers of people dropped off until he was alone. He didn't think anything of it until he got a sense that he was being watched. He stopped and glanced around but saw nothing. He tried to shake it off, wondering if he was being paranoid after so long out of the field. With a shrug he continued on his way.
He reached up to put his hand on the panel to open his door when a sound alerted him. He started to turn when a sharp pain in his back caused him to gasp and fall forward, slamming him into the door. He had trouble catching his breath and his legs suddenly turned to jelly. As he slid down, hands and body pressed against the door, he thought only about Sam. I'm so sorry my love, he told her silently. That was his last thought.
Paul made his way to the General's room, feeling better than he had in weeks. There was no one he respected more than O'Neill and having the man here had lifted a huge burden off his own shoulders. He thought back to some of the cutting comments his superior had made during today's meeting and couldn't help but grin. There was no one like Jack O'Neill to cut to the heart of the matter.
The grin left his face when he saw something ahead. He began to run when he saw it was a body lying in the hallway. Someone was bending over it but it was only when he arrived that he realized it was Rahul. The man – alien? – looked up at him, a terrified look on his face. His hand was around an object sticking out of – oh my God! "General!"
Paul knelt down quickly, seeing the blood that soaked O'Neill's dress uniform and the pool of it beside him. "What happened?"
"I – I don't know. I found him like this. He is – he is dead."
Sorry!