Author's note: Just to refresh your memories. I am backtracking (back story) before the events of Chapter 1. Part 3 coincides with Sam's Part 2. One thing I love about fan fiction, almost anything goes! Now let's see what Jack's up too, aye?
Part 3 of Face the Music
SGC: Gate Room
"And she's walking." Jack executed a shooing gesture behind the Tok'ra ambassador's bony behind. Jack knew Walter and the rest of the Control Room staff were smirking at his unprofessional conduct. Political protocol aside, everyone was relieved to see the last of the bigheaded Tok'ra depart his turf. Bad enough, they'd return for Jacob's funeral.
Jack shifted his mindset toward a much needed nap and the final paperwork for Jacob's memorial service. As if to test Jack's threadbare tolerance the Tok'ra ambassador glanced over her shoulder and smiled. Hands jammed into his front pant pockets, Jack conjured up another insincere, bogus salutation and tossed in a goodbye nod.
The regal woman turned about-face.
Crap.
She shot out her left arm, flipped her palm face-up and bent all fingers except her middle one. Did he mention she then wiggled that notorious index finger? Huh? Based on past experience Jack feared that he misread the gesture and remained at ease. No doubt about it, the Tok'ra snakes' ranked high on the scale of weirdoes.
The ambassador's smile folded. She repeated her left arm and hand signal. Jack focused on the position of her third finger. If one looked at it just right. . . Hey, same to you, lady. Jack raised his left arm and waved an all American goodbye. She'd no idea how it sucked him dry to not flip her off.
The alien ceased brandishing her left arm and donned an expression of confusion that matched Jack's. Perhaps it was safer to keep his hands in his pockets. "Walter," he asked into his ear com transmitter, "Um, why hasn't 'it' flushed down the tube?"
"I don't know, sir," the Chief Master Sergeant responded through Jack's earpiece.
"And what's with those odd hand signals?"
"Don't know, General. Never saw them before, nor has the staff."
"Well, I got nothing." Jack winced before flashing the Tok'ra a tense smirk. Times like this, he wished Daniel was here.
As if on cue, the linguist materialized beside Jack dressed in a white woolen sweater, casual slacks and of course, bare feet and glassless. "Hey."
"Hey." Jack didn't bother with eye contact. "I appreciate that you're not naked this time."
"So, not surprised to see me, huh?"
"Nope." Jack cocked his head, pondering the Tok'ra's peculiar behavior. "Why just this morning I was telling Carter how, 'Next thing ya know he'll come waltzin' through that door . . .waltzin.'' Yep, that's what I said." Jack peered harder at the alien. Her repetitive gesticulations as it were, became maddening. Along with the Hi Hitler salute and wrist action she kept her index finger in an all too familiar erect poise.
Oy, she's telling me to 'F' off! What would George do? Jack raised his left arm and repeated his previous wave still minus the middle finger thingy. Being diplomatic wasn't Jack's idea of fun.
Another shocked gasp erupted from the snake's mouth. Ack!
"Um, Jack, whatcha doing?" Daniel asked with the annoyed tone of a babysitter.
"Bidding fare-thee-well to the last tribute-to-Jacob and Selmak ass kisser, who's about to gate to numerous addresses before reaching her secret local—that she and her two-timing 'better than thou,' he hung quotes in the air, "snakeheads refuse to share. And you?"
"Oh, just checking in."
"Ah."
A beat followed. Jack assumed Daniel was percolating.
"Sorry to hear about Jacob and Selmak. How's Sam doing?"
Jack opened his mouth then snapped it shut. He turned and flapped his arms through the solid looking, invisible Daniel. "Geez Louise!"
"General O'Neill?" Walter addressed him through the public speaker system, "Are you all right?"
"Just peachy, Walter, and axe-nay the speaker," he said into his com.
"Yes, sir. Sorry."
For security reasons, Jack had ordered the staff to communicate through their com units whenever the Tok'ra or any questionable aliens graced the SGC Gate Room. Further peeved, Jack tugged the hem of his BDU jacket, refaced the undulating blue horizon and whispered to Daniel. "So are ya cloud surfing or a delusion of my pooped fron?"
"Both."
"Neat. Then, you're back on the clock." Jack tapped his wristwatch.
"I am?"
"You are." He rolled a shoulder in the direction of the ambassador. "So why hasn't she left and what's she pissed about?"
"You want the good or bad news first?"
"Daniel." Jack rubbed his aching forehead. "None of the other Tok'ra went bonkers on me."
"Because they weren't of equal or higher rank than you are, Jack. On the overall, the ambassador's irked because from one bureaucrat to another, you haven't given her permission to leave."
"Excuse me?"
"Guess you missed my memo."
"Which one?"
Daniel groaned. "That the Tok'ra recently adapted and tweaked some of our customs, especially between higher ranking officials."
"Ah, and you'd know this how?"
"Jacob told me."
"But neither one of you informed the base CO." Jack whined and waved. He so wanted to give someone the finger.
"Whoops." Daniel shoved Jack's arm down to his side.
"Wha-at?" Jack took a step back as the pinched-faced slither-head stomped down the ramp toward him.
"You further insulted her and are about to get an earful."
"Fercry'noutloud, all I did was wave."
"With your right arm."
"And that's wrong how?"
"Because our version of a right handed wave is like giving the Tok'ra the finger."
"Is not."
"Is now." Daniel donned his adamant 'I am right' look.
"Well, fix it." Jack indicated the advancing mad serpent.
"No can do. I'm not really here, remember?" Daniel imitated the Tok'ra gesture then elbowed Jack.
"Ow!" Jack hugged his assaulted ribs.
"Smile and wave with your left hand, extend your middle finger and waggle it." Daniel hissed through a puckered smile.
"Should I click my heels?"Jack mocked.
"No—just do this."
Jack glanced at Daniel's insane antics. "No. I'll look like an ass."
"We'll debate that later."
Jack pulled a face. "Why I'd look like an ass?"
"Jack, she won't leave until you acknowledge her departure with their official Tok'ra welcome and farewell signal."
"So I can ah . . . give the Tok'ra the finger?" How many times had he made that insult behind their snarky backs? How many times had Jacob Carter reprimanded his unprofessional behavior? A mischievous grin split his face.
"Yes, Jack." Daniel intruded Jack's musing. "You can."
"Sweet." Jack saluted with his left arm Hitler style, turned his palm face up, swirled his wrist and squirmed his third finger. Jack felt liberated. "So who came up with this farcical farewell?"
"Jacob." Daniel laughed. "He told the Tok'ra that the salute is of historical significance to Earth and emphasizing the index finger a gesture of respect."
Tears of laughter stung Jack's eyes. Bless you, Jacob! Jacob Carter's last hurrah on the Tok'ra and no doubt, the Tok'ra-betrayed Selmak had been Jacob's cheerleader.
About to step off the ramp the alien halted, glanced at the pokerfaced armed Marines, and then at a grinning General O'Neill who now saluted with both arms and extended third fingers.
"Um, Jack, don't push it."
"Give me some credit, hey. Me thinks that she's buying it hook, line, and sinker." Sure enough, the Tok'ra smiled, mimicked his two-handed gesture then departed via the blue toilet bowl.
As the Iris closed, Jack said to Daniel in a sarcastic tenor. "Goodie, now I get to explain this new gesture to President Hayes and the Oversight Committee."
"I'd probably edit the report."
"Ya think?" Jack rolled his eyes. "And for your information, Daniel, I do-did read your memos. You just never mailed me the newest Tok'ra protocol."
"Did too." Daniel kept pace with Jack's longer strides as he exited the Gate Room.
"Did not." Jack exclaimed staring into the face of a bewildered enlisted man.
"Did not do what, General O'Neill, sir?"
Oy! Jack looked around for Daniel. That chicken-shit! "Um, at ease, son."
"Yes, sir." The airman presented a concerned expression. "You have my sincere condolences regarding the loss of General Carter. It was my honor to serve with him and Colonel Carter on the Alpha site last year."
"You survived the blast," Jack glanced at the man's I.D. patch, "Airman Rickner?"
"Yes, sir, although there are times I wish that I hadn't." His blue eyes teared-up.
Jack knew that feeling all too well. He patted the younger's shoulders and smiled reassurance. "And I'm glad you did, Rickner."
"Thank you, sir!" He saluted with emotion.
Jack returned the starched salute then took the stairs to his office, mumbling obscenities at Daniel. Either his best friend was an Ancient again or Jack was hallucinating—again. He hoped it wasn't the latter. Jack warily opened his office door and glanced inside. All clear. No one but me, myself and I. Cool beans.
Shutting the door, he dropped into his chair and pondered Sam's whereabouts. How was she doing? Was Peppy la Puck holding her, comforting her, kissing. . ? Stop it! It's so not your business, old man. Hey, text her and—.
"Good idea, Jack. But be personal. Let her know how much you—"
"Daniel?"
"Jack?"
"Shut up!"
To be continued. . .Promise!
Note to my devoted readers: Thanks for hanging tight. I appreciate your heartening comments. More to follow, I promise.
ONE MORE THING: For those who have given up on me completing 'Never Say Never,' please, please know I am hot on finishing the story. It's important for me to know what's going down in S5 of Atlantis regarding Sam, but I am working on the completion of the novella. And when you do read it, I hope you'll feel it was well worth the very long wait.
Godspeed,
HailDorthy aka Linda