Chapter Nine
Jack walked down the SGC'S hallways, a little bored and purposefully avoiding his paperwork. He didn't know if Daniel was here and he wasn't going to try and find out. Seeing him would just bring more pain to his aching heart.
He ended up in Carter's lab where she was working on some do-hickey he was only half curious about. She hadn't heard him enter, and he preferred it that way because she was probably going to yell at him too.
He sat in a corner chair and just watched her work, marveled by her dedication to fix the do-hickey and figure it out before sending it to Area 51. If he remembered correctly it had come from P4Z-828, a semi technological civilization with a massive amount of different technologies just 'floating' around. SG-15 had found some Asgard, Ancient, Goa'uld and unknown technologies and Carter was currently working on one of the unknowns.
When she let out a frustrated sigh and looked up she swore upon seeing him, Jack smirked and shifted into a more relaxed position. Sam was quiet for a moment, studying him before glancing and returning to her work.
"Oh for crying out loud," Jack burst out annoyed. ''I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, I'm sorry I lied and I'm sorry I didn't save all those that you have come to love who've died."
Sam looked at him surprised, ''I know sir. I don't blame you.
"But you've got some thing to say. Daniel sure did,'' Jack said bitterly.
"What happened?'' Sam asked concerned.
Jack shrugged, "This and that. We argued."
"About?"
"Every thing. He was especially pissed off that I never broke our laws."
"Sam frowned, "That doesn't sound like Daniel sir."
"I know, but he was thinking more about how I could have saved Shau'ri and others but didn't."
Sam grimaced, "I briefly thought the same."
Jack nodded, "I guessed as much.''
''But my thoughts reside more on the amount of technology we've come across that you could have fixed for us," she added quickly. "Or improved or... just helped with."
Jack smiled, "So techno-oriented Carter, I can always count on that."
Sam smiled, "So, ah, can you help me with this?"
Jack laughed delighted, ''No, but I will take a look and see if I can give you any hints."
He walked to the table and leaned over it, touching it in some places and moving it around to get a full 360 view.
He started to chuckle, ''You broke it."
"What?" Sam asked startled. ''No it's not. When I touch the on pad it lights up."
"What colour?" Jack asked amused.
"Mauve. Why?"
Jack nodded, ''It's broken. Mauve is the universal colour for danger and in this case: broken."
"What happened to red?"
"That would be our fault, ''Jack answered, pleased with himself. "We decided not to be like the rest of the universe and use a different colour which influenced humans and some other species in this galaxy."
Sam rolled her eyes, ''Are you allowed to help me fix it?"
"Nope,'' Jack said smiling. "Sorry Carter but you're going to have to do this one by yourself. ''
"This one?' Are you saying that there may be times in which you can help me repair technology?"
Jack shrugged, "There is always the possibility, but please don't get your hopes up. I don't want you to depend on me to get you out of a jam that I cannot."
Sam nodded in understanding, but sounded offended when she answered, "I would never expect that from your sir, that's not what science is about."
Jack sighed, ''I know Carter, but unfortunately not all scientists are as pure as you."
Sam nodded appeased and made a notation about the device. Then she began to take apart the device. Jack watched as she carefully and diligently removed the outer casings, exposing the few wires connecting the multiple circuit boards. Jack shuddered, seeing the device exposed like that; it was too close to how he felt.
"Sir?'' Sam asked concerned. "Are you okay?''
Jack shook his head, ''He left me.''
Sam's brow furrowed for a moment confused before her eyes widened. ''He left you?" she asked shocked.
Jack stood, "Yeah, can't cope with having an immortal lover who hid his immortality."
"That doesn't sound like Daniel," Sam said dumbfounded as Jack started to leave.
Jack stopped in the doorway and turned to face her. "Things change, events cause people to say and do things we would not expect of them and this is one of those times. Don't confront him over it though, at least not for a while. There's already enough discord between us all that any more would make the base and my superiors begin to question yesterday's events."
Sam nodded, "Understood sir.''
Jack smiled sadly and left, schooling his features to the bored look he usually wore when walking through the halls. As much as he hated it, he figured he should, get back to his paperwork and get as much as he could done before SG-17 returned, then SG-8.
He met Teal'c along the way, and because at that moment the hall was empty he stopped him. ''I suppose you want to yell at me to for all the things I didn't do.''
"Indeed'" Teal'c nodded then walked away.
Jack frowned and stared at his retreating back, ''Oh, so that's how it's going to be," he said loudly. "I can handle that," he added softly, then continued on to his officer
Silence from Teal 'c was nothing new, though it was always because Teal's just chose not to speak. Silence he could handle, because while Teal 'c might be angry, he had kept his own secrets from them and probably still had some.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.
That night, as Jack was drinking himself into oblivion he was visited by a not so old friend who really wasn't a friend but a homophobic bastard. His clouded mind hadn't registered the intrusion until the man was standing right in front of him and even then it took a few minutes for him to associate the man with danger.
They stared at each other for several minutes, both in hatred but didn't move. The man was a soldier, crew cut hair, muscled frame and a well developed barrier for his emotions. He wasn't SGC in any way, since Jack knew everyone, even those who belonged solely to the Prometheus and F-302 branches, so he wasn't sure how the man knew who he was.
''What do you want?" Jack asked finally, his voice showing no signs of how drunk he was.
The man smirked, ''I've already got what I want. You threw your lover out, you've realized that what he forced you to accept is wrong and now you can return to the way of life you lived before that freak warped it."
"I'll have you know," Jack snarled, "That I was the one to start the relationship between Dr. Jackson and myself and that in no way do I think it was wrong. I'll also have you know that you are a sick fuck if you think you can get away with tormenting people who are different from yourself," By the end Jack was standing, head to head and just waiting to unleash the frustration building in him.
"You are the sick fuck," the soldier said and took a swing at his face.
Jack ducked, smirking, ''You shouldn't have done that. I may be old but that doesn't mean I can't kick your ass.''
"I'd like to see you try, fag. You're all talk and no action. Your lover has left you and you're here all alone because you know you can't have him back."
Jack saw red and before he knew if he had the young man on the floor and his hands around his neck, squeezing the life out of him. The wide fear filled green eyes bulging out at him brought a small sense of satisfaction that sustained him until the man was dead.
Breathing heavily, adrenalin rushing through him, Jack stood and grabbed his beer. Then he moaned in despair as his anger receded and the full extent of what he'd just done settled in. One damn day and he was already losing it. The man hadn't even pushed hard enough to warrant his death, so if he could kill so easily for such a minor reason, how destructive would he become at work if someone annoyed or angered him? In a few of his darker days he'd been known to kill just because he was annoyed, could he risk staying at the SGC like he was now? Soon even the littlest thing could set him off, and these people were not prepared to deal with that.
Jack shook his head. He could think about that later but right now he had to dispose of a body. Setting his beer down, and surprisingly sober, he flipped the wall monitor over and had it run a search for those currently using their Alteran computers. If he had time he could get rid of the body and make it not look like murder and then hack into the Military Database to find out exactly who he was. But it would take him several days he didn't have, so he was going to have to get someone else to do it for him.
The monitor beeped as it complied a surprisingly short list of his children and grandchildren. He scanned it, and three names stood out so he set up a video link and waited for them to respond. The first was his son, Colby Granger, then his granddaughter Sakura Kimoto and his daughter Alissande Cooper.
''I have a task for you," he said after their short greeting. ''and although you may not like it, you are the best I can get a hold of for what has to be done." He paused and looked at the dead soldier momentarily. "There is a dead man in my living room, I strangled him. You, Colby, will need to use the Military Database to identify him, and make sure you leave no trace. Alissande, I would like you to collect the body, clone it down in Antarctica then destroy it. Make sure you run a full health diagnostic so when Sakura fabricates his death it is as accurate to his life as possible. This needs to be finished before the end of the week."
Colby frowned, "Does that my job include a life history?" Jack nodded and Colby scowled, "How am I suppose to get all of that in three days and work a very high profile case? My team will notice a lack of progress on my part if I just drop everything because you asked."
"Don't argue with me Colby!'' Jack snarled, then softened. ''I'm not asking you to let your team down, but you are going to make the time for my request. I don't care how you do it, just get it done."
Colby sighed, ''I'll get right on that, just as soon as I find my caffeine pills.''
Jack rolled his eyes and looked at the two silent woman, ''Do you have anything to say?"
Alissande nodded, ''I'll get you the samples you'll need ASAP Cole, and I'll be at your place in five minutes dad.''
''Thank you,'' Jack said tiredly. ''I owe you all. Just let yourself in Alissande."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.
Jack proffered to let his own body heat when injured, it was why he didn't like hospitals, doctors or nurses, He avoided them at all possible times but unfortunately there came times, like this, when he had no choice but to step into one. Thankfully he was only visiting.
F- 302 pilot Cameron Mitchell had gone down against Anubis and was one of two crash victims to survive. For a time it had been possible that Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell would become paralyzed below the waist, but he'd pulled through that and was recovering nicely.
Jack had thought he'd timed his visit to the pilot at a time when he wouldn't have any other visitors, but held misjudged that and was now watching with great interest as he interacted with SG-11's Major Evan Lorne.
They were comfortable together, relaxed and happy. He wondered exactly how close they were, because although they appeared to be friends, Jack picked up on a few well hidden hooks that suggested they were more.
Cameron laughed at something as Lorne stood them left a few seconds later. Jack waited until he was down the hall before entering the room, Cameron looked mildly surprised to see him but quickly hid it and struggled to maintain some dignity. It was obvious he didn't like Jack seeing him in such a vulnerable state.
"Is Major Lorne returning?'' Jack asked standing at the end of the bed.
Cameron nodded, "he just went to use the head Sir,"
"Then I'll be quick," Jack said getting down to business. ''You were a bit delirious the last time we spoke so I don't know if you remember, but I offered you whatever you wanted for when you got out of here. Offer still stands, so when you know what it is that you want, you let me know.''
Jack was about to leave, but Cameron's words froze him in place, ''I want SG-1."
He stared at Cameron silently as a tsunami of possessiveness coursed through his veins. Though he knew SG-1 should have one more member he was at loathed to just hand them over to another leader. They were still his team, even if he wasn't officially a member.
He was being petty though, and he knew it. Cameron was a good man, a good soldier and a far better choice than anyone else who'd requested to lead the flagship team. Besides, he'd promised.
"I'll draw up the paperwork," Jack finally said. ''She's yours when you're finally free of this place," he added looking around with distain.
Cameron smiled brightly, "Thank-you General."
Jack nodded once and left, just as Lorne was coming back in. ''Major," he greeted casually.
"General," Lorne returned automatically, voice rising a little higher than normal
Jack smirked and continued walking.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.
Jack sat down in his office that morning and did nothing but paperwork. He read reports from all departments, filed those that needed to be and made organized piles for Walter. He was pretty sure it was going to make Walter think something was wrong with him, but he couldn't bring himself to care.
He also finally completed the papers that would ensure Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell became a part of SG-1. It was high time he fulfilled that promise since by next week he wouldn't be returning to the SGC. He was retiring for good this time, and had finalized it to himself last night. He had no reason to stay on Earth anymore, no reason to stay at the SGC, since Daniel had decided to give up on them. Jack knew he should have put up more of a fight, but he'd never been able to deny Daniel anything and if this was what he wanted, then he would have it.
The SGC would be fine without him now, they were all loyal to one another and they no longer had any Earth residing threats like the NID. They could take care of themselves, had established relationships with the most powerful races in the galaxy and had a very good grasp on all of the Alien technology they came upon. He had no problem with leaving them, but he would miss them like hell.
He wasn't just leaving the SGC though, he was going to leave Earth. As much as he loved this diverse planet he needed to get away and heal. He was hitching a ride to Valcus with Jeremiah once everything was finalized officially since the Andromeda wouldn't be finished for another several months.
It felt strange, preparing to cut all ties with these people. He wouldn't, couldn't leave them any way to contact him, there were way too many complications for that. Daniel, Sam and Teal 'c knew of people who could get a hold of him if it was really necessary though.
Jack sighed, pushed the paperwork aside for a moment and picked up the red phone's rear ever. ''Yeah George, it's Jack... Listen, have some bad news."
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Thank you to the Goddess Koi for going over this and making sure there are no mistakes(hopefully)