Note: Okay! Inspiration has struck and I've been doing my research! Sorry about the long delays lately, can't of course say it won't happen again but right now I have a lot of ideas for the next few chapters so thanks for your patience! Hope they're okay and if you guys have any ideas on how this should go feel free to let me know. Make this a group project lol. Anyway back to the story!
August 4th, 1969
Jack gazed out the window of the hippie bus and into the dark night sky as they passed East 66 on their way to New York. He had been avoiding eye contact with Carter for at least sometime now. He wasn't sure how this whole timey whimey stuff worked but he didn't want to be the cause of bad stuff. For some reason though, even the smallest details seemed to mean huge ripple effects in Carters mindset. All he had done was respond to the hippie chicks question. Jennifer had asked his name, he said "Jack" and ever since then Carter had started giving him a 'seriously? Don't you get it?' look because of that. Then due to her look he tried to fix it and told Jennifer his name was Jonathan, if anyone asked but for her to call him Jack. Jack thought that using his full name that he never used might throw people off their imaginary scent and that might make Carter happier but it didn't.. At all... Apparently he was suppose to answer like Teal'c and said he couldn't say but that to him seemed more suspicious and time pond ripple-ly or whatever. Would have got them wondering about them more if they appeared "mysterious". Regardless, all he could think of was Jack's a common name. Why would that damage time with just one person knowing his name?
"Is something wrong?" Jennifer's unfamiliar voice asked beside him.
"Oh it's nothing.." Jack responded, he looked to the pretty young lady. She was tilting her head looking him over, smiling. That was something he noticed whenever he caught a glimpse of her. She was always smiling.
"Is it about the establishment?" She asked.
Jack caught Sam looking at him from the corner of his eye. He refocused him attention to the girl. "Right... There really.. Bringing me down."
"Don't worry... You all could come with Michael and I to Canada to escape. We'll be free of the man there." She responded looking hard and determined into his eyes, which surprised O'Neill for a second, coming from such a happy, doe eyed girl. Then suddenly, the look was gone, quickly replaced by her trademark smile. "Good night Jack."
Jack paused and blinked as she moved to the back of the bus and laid down, facing him. "Good night Jennifer."
August 5th, 1969
Teal'c had drove through the night while the rest of the gang slept. They had already made it to Amarillo, Panhandle, they would get to their destination in record time. When everyone woke up, it was decided to let Teal'c meditate alone as the team stopped by a store to get clothes.
Jack looked over Captain Carter as she stepped out in her new clothes and rose tinted glasses. "Checking me out, Sir?" Carter asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Sir?" Jack asked looking around suspiciously, as if looking for ease droppers to tease Carter. She closed her mouth and paled slightly, getting the message.
"Right.. Man.." She replied awkwardly and Jack just turned away shaking his head. "Nice glasses... Woman."
Jack checked out a clothing rack and found some nice leather jackets on sale. He grabbed one and tried it on, then looked over to see some ridiculous wigs. He nudged Daniel with his elbow and motioned to them. "We gotta get T one of those." He winked to Daniel, who face palmed as Jack went for it. Jack then noticed an interesting light purplish-pink outfit and pink / white stripped bandanna... Jack grinned. This may be his only chance to ever see Teal'c wear pink and he was gonna take it.
After paying for the items he felt a tapping on his shoulder and turned around to see Jennifer smiling at him. "Hey." He responded and looked down to see what she was holding. It was a black hat and a pair of shades.
"I thought since you're hiding from the man this might help." She handed them to him.
"Thanks. There... Radical."
"No worries man." She winked, and Jack watched her go back to the bus.
August 6th, 1969
They past through St. Louis. Jack noticed Jennifer gawking at the giant Gateway Arch as they drove past. "You like it?" He asked. Smiling at the way her eyes light up as she gazed at it.
"It's amazing." She responded with awe. Once they drove out of sight of it she turned to Jack. "It's.. Been a dream of mine to see the world... It's one of the reasons why I was happy to come along with Michael when he got this bus.." She confided.
Jack nodded. "I know what you mean."
Jennifer's eyes sparkled as she looked into Jacks eyes. "You do?"
Jack leaned back realizing he was treading on thin information territory again... But he really didn't see the harm if he was vague. "Yeah. I've travelled a lot in my time.."
"That must be wondrous." She sighed looking distant, then turned back to the window. Jack stared intently at her. Something about her seemed... Jack shook his head and looked away. What was he doing? Staring at her like that? He mentally chastised himself.
After a while the bus stopped. Michael made his way over to Jack. "Hey man. You know anything about engines?"
"I'd reckon I do." Jack responded. He had dealt with plenty of engines in the air force. He got up, happy for a distraction from his sudden strange thoughts about Jennifer.
After repairing the bus, Teal and Daniel took up the front seats and got back on the road as Jack went to sleep.
August 7th, 1969
When Jack awoke. They where already in Chicago. Jennifer was standing over him.
"Hey where going to get some food to eat at this cool Café . Wanna come?"
"Sure." Jack replied.
Jack looked about the entrance to the Café. There was quite a few hippies handing around, sitting on bright chairs. "This place is happen-in'." He said as they went in.
"Totally." Jennifer answered. She found them a both by a window full of potted plants.
Jack looked down at the menu as Jenny played with her hair, gazing outside.
"Do you ever wonder.." She started, then shook her head stopping herself.
"What?" Jack asked looking up at her.
"If it is possible to live life just.. Going?.. To keep going and never stop?" She asked looked at him, the seriousness in her eyes once more.
"Sure.. I suppose.. Why?.." Jack tilted his head. The waitress came over taking their orders and menus.
"It's just.. Michael wants this.. 'Journey' to end in Canada... I was hoping it would last..." Jenny started.
"A lifetime?" Jack finished for her. She nodded. Looking at him pleadingly. "Sure.. If it's what you want, why not?.. I mean you only live once right?"
Jennifer's eyes widened. "You mean.. You really think so?" She asked. "I mean it would be hard.. Almost impossible.."
Jennifer looked down. "It's not like money for fuel and food appears out of thin air..." She whispered to herself as the waitress set down their plates.
"I've learned to believe anything, and I mean anything is possible." Jack told her, pointing at her with his fork. "I mean look at us. It was happen-stance that we met. You've been kind to us strangers and most people aren't... Maybe someone else will be kind to you."
Jennifer nodded. "I see.. You mean since I've had positive energy, good things will return to me?"
"Uh.. Yeah.. Sure." Jack responded as he started to eat.
Jennifer laid a hand on his. "Thank you Jack. You've filled me with hope and encouragement... You are very wise."
Jack nodded. "Uh.. Thanks.. Don't hear the wise part to often.." He winked. She smiled back warmly. He felt it radiating off onto him. Her hand was still on his and if he was being honest with himself.. The whole outing thing with Jenny felt nice.. Not only was it a nice change to be around such an optimistic, carefree explorer but to be around someone who wasn't burned out and devastated with the darkness and horror that loomed up above in space. It was almost like he had been returned to a simpler life.. One without responsibilities and sudden doom... Sure there was the war.. But Jack knew it wasn't the end to all things like the war in space may bring...
It almost felt like this could have been his life.. Without the Stargate program.. and without living with the guilt...
"You understand me you know... Not that many people do... Where so.. Similar.. It's like we've known each other for a long time in just a few days.. Unreal isn't it?" She said to him as she stroked his hand with her thumb.
"Yeah... Time's funny like that.."
August 8th, 1969
The team was nearing Philadelphia. It had taken all day to get this far but they where so close now. Jennifer had recommended they set up camp and enjoy the starts. The group agreed. It was nice to not have to sleep in the bus for once.
Jack sat up against a tree and looked up at the stars. He would be back up there in just a few days... He knew this distraction wouldn't last much longer.. He just had to get back into the right head space for what was to come...
He heard the sound of a throat clearing, and looked over to see Jennifer standing there, wrapped in her knitted purple blanket. "You look lost." She said and went up to him, sitting beside him.
"Just thinking.." He responded.
"About what?" She asked.
"The stars..."
She looked at him, then at the sky. "They are beautiful aren't they?"
"Yeah.." He looked to her. "Beautiful.."
"Are you cold?" She asked as she unwrapped her blanket from her bare shoulders.
He watched her carefully. She looked so amazing in the moonlight. Jack noticed she caught him staring, but she only smiled.
She then ran her fingers over his jaw. Jack felt his breath become uneven as she was close to his face. Before he knew what he was doing he found himself leaning in and taking in a kiss. His hands stroking her arms and their kisses becoming more intense. A part of Jack's brain started sending warning signals in the sound of Carter's voice.. The whole messing with time thing yadda yadda, but the rest of his mind tuned it out with it's own justifications. I've already started now so I've already messed up, and the world hasn't ended yet.. As well as what could possibly happen?
August 9th, 1969
They had made it to Philadelphia. Jack sat in a circle with his team around their camp fire.. He knew how to not break under interrogation so he wasn't going to give any hint that he had done anything wrong the previous night or did literally anything in general to tip Carter off. He played it cool. No one had suspected a thing all day.
After Carter figured out their solar flare science problem, as he knew she would, they had come to realize they where over heard by Michael and Jenny. They went with the alien theory and they decided to help them get home to their 'planet'.
August 10th, 1969
The group got all the information pieces together. They learned the solar flares where the causes and where the Stargate was located. Then they where off to D.C.
August 11th, 1969
Jack had to break the news to Jenny and Michael that they had to leave without them, but then Jennifer said, "Michael got drafted."
The two started to plead their case to stay. Michael didn't want to kill anyone, and Jennifier's expressive eyes said everything.. She believed Michael would die in the war.. That there was no hope for him.. Jack then realized why Jenny would be so open to fall for another man that wasn't her husband.. Not only because of the "hippie lifestyle".. but because in her eyes her husband was already dead.. She had mourned his loss once the draft had first occurred... Then this whole, meeting "alien's" thing happened and she started to have hope that they could actually pull through this war.. And if nothing else.. that she may have found someone else to love if her husband truly did perish..
And now.. He had had to rip that hope away from her again.. As both men would have to leave her.. For their own wars to battle...
"I'm sorry..." Was all he could say.
