The Talk.
Sam had decided to get in some pizzas and soda. She hadn't told the boys, they'd taken to their room. Daniel was reading (a book thank god!) while listening to his music and Jack was playing on his newly acquired PSP. He'd gone and bought it and shown Sam with great enthusiasm and then disappeared. Apparently he had 'Medal of Honor' on it or some such game. 'That was definitely Jack' Sam had thought. She'd smiled at that, he'd been really pleased. That was about 2 hours ago and all had been quiet. So she was eternally grateful, for that at least.
Sam had decided that she wouldn't just rant and rave at them when they returned from the mall. She would have 'the talk' that she'd been thinking of. She could broach the subject that way. It wasn't going to be easy but it had to be done. She thought that maybe if they could relax and chat altogether, then they would talk to her and maybe listen to her too. They hadn't done this yet, sitting down and eating together, not at her house. She'd left them to it up to now but she also knew they were living on rubbish, even Daniel, so that would have to change too. She wanted proper meal times and she needed to learn to cook!
"Jack, Daniel," she called from the living room as she accepted the pizza delivery and paid the driver.
Sam wandered over to the dining table and placed the boxes on a mat to stop the heat from seeping through. She'd been shopping earlier in the day and bought more healthy stuff, like fruit and veg, fresh meat, smoothies and fruit juice. The soda would just be for tonight. She didn't usually keep much in with being at the Mountain most of the time and she'd let it go on like that, until now, Times were changing!
She was heading to the kitchen and noticed that there was no movement from the boys room. She wandered down the corridor and peaked around their door. 'Ewww' she thought, 'that makes me shudder!'. Her eyes drifted over the mess to the two bodies lying on the beds.
"Hey you guys, I've got pizza and soda in. I thought we could eat together. We haven't done that yet. I've got both of you your favourite pizzas." She smiled at them and indicated the direction to the food.
Jack tilted his head on the pillow and rested his PSP on his chest. He was smiling, his big brown eyes twinkling at her. "Cool, Sam! Can I just finish this level and then I'll be out?"
He moved to go back to his game and Sam sighed internally. "Well, I'd really like you and Daniel to get the drinks and plates out and set the table. The food's here and it will get cold."
Then Daniel noticed her at the door. He took his earphones out and put his book down. "Hey, Sam, what's up?" He was starting to sit up now and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. "I actually called you for dinner, Daniel, we have pizza and soda, I'd like us to sit together and talk. I've just told Jack that I wanted you two to do the table and drinks." She was starting to get a little flustered now but was holding onto her temper.
"I'm not really hungry Sam. I'll just read my book, if that's okay?" Daniel moved to lay back down on the bed.
That was it, Sam was getting annoyed now. "No!" she exclaimed, not quite shouting. Two pairs of large round eyes looked at her, their expressions a little shocked. "I want both of you out and setting the table as I've asked, you will both eat, you will not read or play a game. You will talk to me. We need to get things sorted out!" Sam now stood, hands on hips.
Jack had dropped his PSP and now sat on the edge of the bed. Daniel was definitely getting up and heading towards the door. He glared at Sam a little but didn't say anything as he passed her.
"Don't get your knickers in a knot," Jack muttered as he slid from the top of the bed.
Sam stood there and shouted, just a little. "Jonathon O'Neill! Don't push me! I've had about as much of you and your lip as I can take. I've tolerated you and your snide remarks but it stops, right now!" Jack just stood looking at her, a little taken a back. She'd always been a bit apologetic and…well…just frowned, shouted, yes, but never like that. She'd never used his whole name…whoa! "And if I hear another word from you, you won't see that PSP for a week. I will confiscate it. You got me?" Jack continued to stare, still stunned. 'Okay, new side of Sam, maybe he should take this seriously.' "Yes, ma'am," he muttered and slunk by her, apparently heading to the kitchen.
Sam stood in the doorway. 'Well that had worked' she thought. A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. 'Maybe I can do this, I'm being too soft'. She headed out to the dining table to find the boys doing as they'd been asked, albeit it a little sheepishly and quiet. 'Right', she thought, 'we'll sit and eat, I'll clear the air and we'll get down to business.'
A few moments later they all sat at the table. Sam noticed that both boys were staring into their food and not making eye contact. "All right," Sam said "Lets not start like this, I want to talk, okay?" Both Jack and Daniel looked up at her and she smiled back at them.
"You gonna carry on the whole Mom routine?" Jack ventured, still scowling a little.
"Ya think?" Sam grinned back.
They all laughed a little at that and carried on eating.
When they'd eaten and everyone had helped to tidy away. (Sam mentally noted that). She went into the kitchen. "So guys, how's it going?"
Daniel mumbled "Okay" as he loaded the dishwasher and Jack was putting the leftover pizza in the fridge. "Yeah, I'm good, Sam. How are you?"
"Come and sit down, both of you." Sam indicated the living room. Both Jack and Daniel eyed her suspiciously. "Come on, guys, it's not that bad. I just want to talk. There are things that need to be said and we have to have some house rules, for all our sakes."
Jack sucked in air at this between his teeth and Daniel looked a little taken a back. They still followed Sam and sat on the sofa with her, however. Jack was about to say something but Sam stopped him with a raised finger. "You can have your say in a minute Jack. I need to say some stuff first. You're not going to like all of it, but it has to be said and then you can tell me how you feel and what you think. Okay?" She looked at both, who sat looking a little deflated but watching her intently, none-the-less. They nodded and Sam continued.
"I know how hard this must be for you guys and you have my full support. You both know that you're my friends and colleagues, but at the moment, you're also my responsibility." They both looked ready to say something at that but Sam ploughed on. "Everyone's really concerned about both of you, you know that, but we have also concluded you both have more adolescent traits, far more than we thought you would. You are both essentially the people that we know and love, but you're also teenagers and we can't deny how much that has become apparent in the last few weeks." At this point she glared at Jack, who seemed to find his feet quite interesting at exactly that moment. Daniel still looked on, listening to every word, starting to self-hug. "Anyway, for my part, for a start, at least, I've decided that you have to do your bit around the house, both of you. Nobody's offered and I put that down to the whole 'teenage thing' so now I issue chores, okay? We'll decide who and what later." Now they both looked up. "You also have to keep your room tidy." That caused Daniel to scowl at Jack. "And that's both of you, there's an equal amount of both your stuff strewn around the place. It nearly gave me heart attack when I looked in earlier. Lastly, we're going to eat together every evening. Well, as much as possible, proper food too." Now they both looked at each other and then at Sam again.
"Your gonna cook?" ventured Jack
"Yes Jack, for you two I'll learn, but we can take turns. Daniels pretty good too."
Jack frowned and Daniel rolled his eyes. "Kids in the kitchen, Sam, is that such a good idea?" Jack was grinning now.
"Jack, don't!" she warned, raising her eyebrows.
"I guess, for me, that's it for now. Other stuff will happen as we go along, okay?" Sam smiled.
She didn't dare broach the subject of the SGC, for now. She'd let the general do that.
"You're treating us like kids then?" Daniel grumbled almost beneath his breath.
"Well, yes Daniel, I suppose I am. I don't know what else to do. You both seem to be in that place. I'll talk to you as adults, friends and equals but both of you need to act and behave like it."
"So I'm suffering because Jack's such an idiot?" Daniel was talking to the floor and Jack looked distinctly put out. "Hey, Danny, there was no need for that!"
"Well, it's true Jack! You pull the stunts and get into trouble and now they think I'm as bad as you are!" Daniel stood up and was glaring at Jack as he pushed on his glasses.
"Okay, you two!" Sam exclaimed, seeing this was getting a little heated. "It's both of you, not just Jack, Daniel, and we have to be able to live together."
Unfortunately, it was too late for peacemaking. Jack had already hit Daniel on the lip and Daniel was about to retaliate when Sam stepped in, pulled them apart, and shouted, "This is exactly what I mean, both of you. You're not like this, not as adults. Now stop, both of you!"
.Daniel pulled away and with a flurry of arms and legs headed back towards his room "I won't be tarred with the same brush as him!" he shouted as the door slammed.
"Oh-for-cr…" Jack started to exclaim but Sam cut him off. "No, Jack!" she shouted "What the hell did you do that for? Why did you hit him?"
"He's making out like it's all my fault!" Jack exclaimed.
Sam looked at him and had the sudden urge to hold him; he looked miserable, wretched and more than a little lost. "Well, Jack, in his eyes, it is your fault. You need to talk to him and you need to control yourself. You need each other a lot and you're stronger than Daniel. He needs you as much as you need him. Go and talk to him and at least be brothers in arms. I'm sorry about the other stuff but I have to do something. Do you understand?"
"I suppose," he whispered "And I'm sorry." Jack looked…very young, she thought. "For everything," he said quietly. "You're right, I can't promise to be an angel, but I'll try to do better. I'm afraid even my adult side eggs me on sometimes."
"Okay," said Sam as she patted him on the shoulder. She didn't think the hugging thing would be accepted. "I think you need to repeat that in a few other places too though, including the SGC." She smiled. He started to walk back towards the bedroom and Sam called after him. "But for hitting Daniel, your PSP for a week." She was holding her hand out now, looking a bit stern.
"Oh no, Carter, you can't!" Jack turned and raised his voice a little, looking defiant.
"Oh yes, Jack, I can. There will be consequences for this stuff. Now go and get it, and then talk to Daniel!" Sam couldn't help a little smile touching the corners of her mouth.
Jack was obviously muttering as he left the room. He dutifully came back with his beloved game and Sam overheard him, not long after that, talking and apologizing to Daniel. All went quiet then, so she decided to leave them to it for a bit.
oOo
A little later Daniel came out and sat with Sam. Sam looked at his split lip. It wasn't that bad. "You okay, Daniel?" she asked.
He looked at her and there was definitely sadness in his eyes.,
"I'm really struggling with this, Sam. I'm finding it hard to work, I can't concentrate. I want to sleep, and just play on the computer, and listen to my music. My adult mind is fighting my actions with every step. I've spoken to Jack and we're okay now, I think. He's feeling the same way, but you know Jack."
Sam nodded and continued to listen intently. This was the first time he'd really talked to her.
"Our adult selves understand what you're saying. The kid bit is pissed and that's the gut reaction, so I apologize in advance for any more tantrums. Just for the record though, I'm okay, not one hundred percent happy, but okay." He smiled and touched Sam's arm.
"That's good, Daniel, I'm sorry about earlier and you know you can always talk to me, right?"
He nodded and smiled.
Sam hugged him, and to her surprise, Daniel readily accepted it. "Are you turning in now?" Sam looked at him expectantly.
"Is that a request?" he asked "Its only 10.30." Sam raised her eyebrows. At that Daniel stood, huffed a little then said good night. "I'll tell Jack," he said as he left.
Well, as expected Jack came out and complained and Sam shouted 'Bed!'. He did actually retreat without saying anything else at that point.
'Thank god for that' thought Sam as she curled up on the sofa to watch TV. 'What on earth made me volunteer for this?'