Chapter 2
Jack walked into the infirmary and sat down on the table. Dr. Fraser and her team were nowhere in sight and Jack studiously began to examine his hands.
May 1992
Jack cuddled the baby closer, breathing in his adorable baby-smell.
"Hey, Dad!" he heard Sam yell from downstairs. Kissing the sleeping baby's forehead, Jack carefully placed the baby in its crib and then went downstairs.
"What is it, Sam?" He asked sidling around the corner to stare at his oldest son.
Sam grinned. "Sara is home early from her business trip! She said she'll be here in a few minutes. What do you say we celebrate!"
Jack/Macgyver grinned. He'd never been happier in his life. "Come on, Sam," he said, "you know she wants you to call her Mom."
Sam looked a little uncomfortable and rubbed the back of his head ruefully, "Ah, I know, Dad, but I had a mother. A great one even. It'll just take some getting used to."
"So, Sam," Mac said as they began to set the table, "have you decided where you're going to college?"
Sam laughed, "Well, I wa..."
"JACK!"
Jack jumped, falling off the table. He looked up to see Janet struggling not to laugh. He tried for a smile, but knew it failed miserably. "Come on, Doc," he said, "let's just get this over with without damaging me too much."
Janet shook her head and threw up her hands. "I wasn't the one who was ignoring YOU. Now," she said, putting her stethoscope on, "let's see if we can get you checked out."
As they began the familiar routine, Jack could feel his mind wandering again.
December 1993
A knock sounded on the door. Jack/Mac opened it and yawned. However, as he saw who was outside, he was caught off guard and stopped mid-yawn. Realizing he was standing at the door with his mouth hanging open, he snapped his mouth shut and threw open the door. "Well, I'll be! Pete!"
He reached forward and took the older man's hand that wasn't holding a cane, and shook it enthusiastically. "Long time no see, my friend. How did you find me?"
Pete didn't smile. "We've got a problem, Mac."
The serious look on Pete's face filled Macgyver's gut with lead. "What is it? You know I'm retired, right?"
Pete sighed and ran his hand along his head. "Yeah, I know. Unfortunately, though, some people don't care. It's Murdoc, Mac. He's back. He killed one of our agents to find out where you are. He's coming."
Macgyver felt the lead in his gut spread.
"Alright, Colonel. All done." Jack nodded listlessly and got up. As he walked out the door, concern filled the face of the doctor. Yes, something was definitely wrong with Colonel O'Neill.
General Hammond looked at Colonel O'Neill as they began the debriefing. He was staring off into space obviously not listening as Daniel discussed some of the unique properties of some of the 'rocks' on the planet. His eyes were gazing into the distance, unfocused and murky.
It took General Hammond a moment to realize that Daniel had stopped talking. "Thank you, Dr. Jackson," he said. Daniel nodded toward Jack, and General Hammond knew that Daniel understood why his mind had been wandering.
"Now, SG-1, you are hereby off duty until further notice," General Hammond declared. "Go home and get some sleep. Take a couple days off."
"Excuse me?"
Jack's voice cut through the room like a knife through butter. Everyone froze.
"Did you want something, Colonel?" Hammond asked.
Jack leaned forward and raised an eyebrow. "Why?" he demanded abruptly.
"Why what?" Hammond asked, trying to look innocent.
"Why are we off duty?"
Hammond sighed, then decided he might as well tell the truth. "Colonel O'Neill, Dr. Fraser has determined that you need a break, and I'm inclined to agree. Unless, however, you feel like sharing with the rest of us whatever is bothering you?"
Jack scowled dangerously. Then he stood up and asked in his most irritating tone, "Are we dismissed, sir?"
Hammond sighed. This man would be the death of him one day. "Yes, Colonel. You are dismissed."
Jack strolled out, his lengthy stride carrying him out of the room and out of sight within seconds.
General Hammond looked at Major Carter and Daniel. "Why don't you go keep him company? I'm a little concerned about him. You too, Teal'c."
The three members of SG-1 nodded. Major Carter saluted briefly and then they all hurried out.
Jack was already to the parking lot by the time they caught up to him. Such was his internal concentration, that he didn't even hear them approach. This was perhaps the most distressing sign yet. Teal'c face showed open concern. He laid a hand on Jack's shoulder, causing the man to jump. Jack looked at them as though waking from a dream and scrubbed his face. "Sorry about that, T. Little less alert today than normal."
Teal'c nodded.
"Well, I'm off. Have a good night." Before any of them could say anything, Jack had climbed into his truck and shut the door. They stood in silence and watched him drive off.
"Let's follow him," Daniel said. When the other two looked a him in shock, he added, with a shrug, "Just in case."
The other two nodded and all three raced for the nearest vehicle.
Jack stopped at the grocery store, unaware of the car that had followed him from the mountain. Too deeply in thought, he seemed to be on autopilot as he got out of his truck and entered the store.
Acting normal, Teal'c, Daniel, and Sam followed him at a safe distance. "Why are we attempting to conceal our presence?" Teal'c asked.
Sam looked at Daniel, her gaze questioning. Daniel shrugged. "Well, I really don't think Jack feels like having company right now. We're just making sure he gets home okay."
"And what if O'Neill detects us?" Teal'c asked in his usual deadpan.
Daniel shrugged again. "Then we claim we're grocery shopping. What else would we be doing?" Teal's slowly raised an eyebrow, causing Sam to hide a smile.
They slowly followed along as Jack browsed from section to section, finally stopping in the beer aisle. They watched as he paused for a long moment, one that suddenly became two or three. Jack simply stood and stared at the beer, not making any motion toward picking it up. SG-1 shifted uncomfortably after a few minutes.
"I wonder what's wrong with him?" Sam whispered, catching the attention of a nearby woman. She followed the gaze of the three people standing next to her, and then suddenly her hand flew to her mouth in a startled gasp. Teal'c, Daniel, and Sam spun around in panic as the woman flew past them and raced toward Jack.
"Macgyver?" they heard her utter quietly as she flew past, and then the next instant she shouted it, her voice full of joy. "Macgyver!"
Jack jumped as the brunette-haired woman threw her arms around him and the next instant was passionately kissing him.
"What the..." Daniel stuttered, as they watched a strange woman kiss their commanding officer. Jack seemed helpless with shock, his eyes wide as he stared at the face pressed against his own.
"Perhaps we should intervene?" Teal'c asked, after a moment. However, at that exact second, the woman pulled away. Jack still seemed frozen in shock, but the woman didn't seem to have a problem with her voice.
"It IS you! I found you! I can't believe it! We knew you weren't dead. They told us you were, but Pete said he would know if you were dead. He's been looking forever for you! Where have you been the last few years? We looked everywhere! How are Sara, Sam, and Charlie? Sorry, about the kiss, I forgot for a second you were married. I was just so thrilled to see you! I love your hair, though I can't believe you cut it. The silver doesn't look bad at all, in fact, I think it makes you look very distinguished. Oh, I can't wait to tell Pete! You don't know how much he's missed you..."
The woman continued to ramble on as Jack just stood there with his mouth hanging open. Finally, he put up his hands and waving them said, "Hold it, hold it!"
The woman trailed off, her face still glowing with excitement. Jack looked at her, and to his team's surprise asked, "Penny Parker, what on earth are you doing here?"
Daniel looked stunned and whispered, "He knows her?"
The woman beamed at him again and said, "Well, I've got this new gig...well, less than a gig, it's more like a commercial. I get to brush my teeth on t.v.! Then I have to sing a little ditty and dance around. Here let me show you!" she said, enthusiastically and stepped back putting her hands up.
Jack however, quickly stopped her. "Uh, maybe later, Penny."
Suddenly, Penny's face darkened and her lip jutted out in a pout. "Hey, wait a minute. If you're alive, how come you haven't contacted us?"
Jack seemed to wake up from his shock at the question. Muttering something, he grabbed a six-pack and put it in his cart. Penny's eyes widened in shock. Placing her hands on her hips she followed him as he began to walk off, "Macgyver, what are you doing with that beer? Is it some sort of joke? Has Sara began drinking, cause I know it can't possibly be yours. You never touch the stuff! If Pete saw that in your cart, you know what he'd say..." her voice trailed off as she and Jack disappeared around the corner, her arms in the air as she gesticulated wildly.
As they disappeared, Daniel looked at Teal'c and Sam. "What on Earth was that?" he asked. Their returning confusion was the only answer he got.
Jack sighed as Penny continued to babble. She had talked to him all throughout the store, seeming to have forgotten about her own groceries somewhere. She followed him through the checkout and then out to the parking lot. Though he was interested to learn what she had been up to the past few years, the last thing he needed right now was this. As Jack loaded the groceries into his truck he heard the door on the other side open and Penny climbed in. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"Coming with you of course, Macgyver! Do you honestly think after all this time I'm going to let you out of my sight?"
Jack's eyes widened and his eyebrows lifted as she quickly buckled up and looked at him stubbornly. He looked back, unsure what to do. It was amazing how good it was to see her again. She looked good. The years certainly hadn't been hard on her. He hadn't seen Penny in over eight years. The last time he had seen her, she had come visiting him and Sara to see little Charlie. Pete had driven her there. Jack sighed and got in his own door. He put the keys in the ignition and took off for home as Penny began to talk again.
"So what have you been up to Macgyver? You never answered my earlier question. How are Sam, Charlie, and Sara? I feel like it's been forever. Why didn't you tell us you were alive? We didn't know what to think after we found..."
"Please, Penny," he said, putting up a hand. "Please don't ask any questions right now."
"Why, Macgyver?" When he didn't answer her and continued to drive down the road. She sighed, folded her arms, and sat completely still. When the silence continue for several minutes, he looked at her in surprise. She caught his look and asked, "What?"
He shook his head and focused his eyes back on the road. He didn't answer for a moment, and then he said, "It's just..." he paused and then looking at her again, he continued, "I've just never heard you be quiet before."
She snorted and rolled her eyes. "That's because when someone's quiet, you don't hear anything, silly."
Jack looked at her again in surprise and then a small smile, a genuine one, stole across his face. Penny looked happier and settle back to watch the road. "Where are we going?" she asked.
Jack knew she couldn't keep quiet for too long. "My house," he said.
A few minutes later they pulled up to his home. She whistled softly and he looked at her.
"Nicer than the boat house," she said.
Jack smiled again. Though this was going to complicate things, he couldn't help admitting to himself that he did feel a little better for the moment. He got out of the truck, grabbing his groceries. As he trekked up the front steps, he was alarmed to find the door already open.
Quickly placing the groceries on the ground, he pulled his gun out, removed the safety and cocked it. Penny's eyes widened almost comically at the sight of the gun, but before she could say anything he quickly motioned for her to be quiet. Surprisingly, she her mouth snapped shut and she slowly stepped behind him as he slipped inside and searched the hallway. He continued cautiously until he came into the living room to find a most unpleasant surprise awaiting him.
Jack froze, his gun trained on the man sitting on the couch and said, his voice layered with disgust, "Simmons."
"Hello, O'Neill," Colonel Simmons said, "I must say, you really should be more careful about locking your door, you never know who might come sneaking in."
"Get out," Jack said, and at that moment, Penny Parker came up behind him.
"Macgyver," she said in a loud whisper that carried easily to the Colonel, "who is that man, and why is he in your house? For that matter, what are you doing with a gun?"
Colonel Simmonds visibly twitched at the name Macgyver and his eyes widened for an instant as he stared at Colonel O'Neill in shock. The expression lasted for a split second and then it disappeared to be replaced by a much more subtle, calculating look. Jack felt dread settle into his gut.
Jack pretended he hadn't noticed Simmons's reaction, and instead turned to Penny, all the while keeping his gun trained on the Colonel. "Penny," he said, his voice as patient as he could manage, "please go upstairs until I finish talking to this slime sucking sycophant. It shouldn't take long."
She looked a bit off balance, but she nodded and headed in the direction of the stairs. As she passed out of sight, Jack turned his attention back to Simmons.
"Get out now before I call the police, Simmons."
"Now, now," said the unruffled Colonel, "is that anyway to treat someone who's doing you a favor?"
Jack snorted, "If it's a favor from you, I'm going to have to refuse. This is your final warning." He pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and began to dial.
Later he decided he must have been severely distracted. He hadn't been expecting Simmons to pull something, so when the man whipped out a gun and fired it at him, he was an instant too slow reacting. The bullet knocked the gun out of his hand and went straight through his palm, causing him to release his cellphone too. Jack yelled as he dropped to the ground and rolled behind a couch.
"Simmons, are you nuts?" he roared, as he tried to stem the bleeding from his hand.
He heard Simmons's soft chuckle and Jack couldn't help but answer his own question with a muttered, "Do I even need to ask?"
He heard the man's slow tread as the man began to walk around the couch toward him. Jack snagged the nearby lamp, dove out from behind the couch, and smashed it into Simmons. The man tried to raise his arm, but the lamp shattered across it and his back. Colonel Simmons screamed and fired the gun as he crashed to the floor, but Jack had already made it back under cover. Colonel Simmons swore viciously as he wiped the blood away from his eye, where a piece of ceramic from the lamp had cut him. "This is useless, Jack. Just give up and come with me."
Jack slowly scrambled to his knees and began to move in the opposite direction, trying to keep the couch in between him and Simmons. Simmons climbed back to his feet and kicked over a stool. Then he began talking, loudly broadcasting his voice
"I'm sorry, Colonel, but I'm afraid you really must hear me out. I have several...confederates who are most interested to meet with you. Please come quietly or I may be forced to...involve...the young woman upstairs and that would be extremely unfortunate."
"Listen, Simmons," Jack said. "If you so much as take a step toward the stairs I'll rip your head off." Jack's every sense was trained on the man's footsteps on the other side of the couch, so when he felt the sudden sting in his arm, it was unexpected. He glanced down to see a tranquilizer dart sticking out.
Jack spun around in his crouch to find a masked man holding another gun on him. Jack slowly straightened his arms into a surrender position, and moved to pull the dart out, but as he did so, the man in front of him fired twice more, and Jack looked down to see two more darts sticking out of his chest. As Jack felt the drugs begin to overwhelm his senses, he became conscious of Simmons moving into his line of vision. Jack was satisfied to see that he had caused the other man to have blood running from his arm, back and face, but as Jack tried to remain in his crouch, he felt himself lose control of his legs, and he fell onto his back.
"You see, Jack," Colonel Simmons said, with a sardonic smile, as he became the focus of Jack's wavering vision, "I knew better than to underestimate you. We came fully prepared. Now all we have to do is remove the sole witness."
"Don't you dare..." Jack tried to say, but the last thing he heard as he slumped to the ground was the sound of Simmons's cellphone ringing.
As Colonel O'Neill lost the struggle with consciousness, Simmons whipped open his cellphone and snapped, "What is it?"
He listened intently to the voice on the other line, then he said, "Understood." Shutting the phone, he tucked it back into his pocket and said, "Wrap up the package. We've got to go."
As another two men came in and picked up the still form of Colonel O'Neill, the man who had tranquilized him protested, "What about the female? She saw you!"
"She is irrelevant. His team is on their way here. We have to leave now."
The man nodded and quickly he helped take Jack's body out to a dark van. They quickly threw Jack inside and drove away, uncaring of the woman who watched them from the upstairs window of Jack's house.
