Sorry about the delay in posting. RL has been rather hectic what with the end of the term coming up... plus my muse has taken a bit of a hiatus (fickle creature that she is.). Hope you enjoy I'll try to get another posted sometime next week, but with it's going to be yet another hectic week, so it may be a couple before I can post. Hope you enjoy this chapter. It's kind of an in-between chapter. But it sets up some really exciting chapters to come.
Chapter 9 –
Jack sat in his office at the SGC. Even though Homeworld Security was now based out of Peterson, Landry had set up an office for Jack at the SGC. His reasoning being that if, for any reason, Jack was at the SGC for an extended period of time, he would still be able to work.
Both men had known the real reason for the office. Despite the number of years since Jack led SG1, they were still his team, and every time something happened to one of them he would be hanging out at the SGC. Both men knew this, but neither one voiced it. There were just some things that didn't need to be said.
So now Jack sat in his office writing up his report about his trip to Atlantis and subsequent trip back. He was deciding if there were any facts that should be left out of his report to the President and Joint Chiefs, when a tentative knock sounded on his door.
After the debriefing, Dr. Lam had insisted on running a few more tests on Jackie. For her own peace of mind she had claimed. Jackie had acquiesced because she knew she wouldn't have any peace until she allowed Dr. Lam to run her tests.
Immediately after leaving the infirmary Jackie went in search of Jack. She knew that Landry had set up an office for him, but it was the last place she checked. As a last resort she headed towards the one room he would, at one time, have avoided at all costs. And there she finally found him so engrossed in paperwork that he didn't sense her watching him.
Allowing several minutes to pass while she watched Jack, Jackie finally knocked on the door, effectively gaining his attention.
Jack's head shot up at the knock on his door. He felt a warmth steal through him at the sight of Jackie in his door. Attempting to reign in his emotions, he leaned back in his chair and studied Jackie, his face a mask of indifference.
Portraying her mother's patience, Jackie watched Jack study her. The flash of emotion across his eyes had not escaped her. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as she watched him fiddle with his pen.
Jack raised an eyebrow at her smile. "Care to share? I could use a distraction right now." He said as he glanced at his report.
Still smiling, Jackie moved into Jack's office and took a seat across the desk from him. "You are so much like I remember him."
Jack raised an eyebrow at Jackie's remark.
"I know...stupid statement."
"Not that stupid." Jack reassured. "According to Carter the differences in alternate universes range from minute to huge."
Jackie smiled at his choice of words. However, the smile faded as she remembered why she had looked for him in the first place. "Dad, about what happened earlier…"
"So Dr. Lam cleared you?" Jack interrupted.
Jackie looked at him pointedly. "Dad."
He looked down at the pen in his hand. "I'm not good at this Jackie." He said as he looked back up at her.
"I know. I didn't come here to talk about that."
"Then what…"
Jackie held up a hand to stop his question. "I came to discuss the possibility of me taking a more active role in the SGC while I'm here."
"Jackie…"
"Dr. McKay said something as he left that has had me thinking." Jackie interrupted.
Λ
Flashback:
"I'll do what I can from Atlantis to find a way to send you back." Rodney promised as he stood at the back of the puddle jumper in the gateroom.
"Thank you Dr. McKay." Jackie responded.
"I know that Sam is a good scientist," Jackie gave him a look. "Okay, a brilliant scientist." McKay prevaricated. "But she's also a field officer. With the way the battle against the Ori is going, she will be splitting her time between her lab and the field. By doing that, her progress will be slow and neither responsibility will be adequately fulfilled."
"What are you trying to say Dr. McKay?" Jackie asked.
"With your talent and…abilities, you would be an invaluable asset to both areas of Sam's work."
Λ
"No!" Jack said almost menacingly.
"Dad…"
"Not going to happen. End of story." Jack interrupted.
"Is that a no for the whole idea or just for me fighting the Priors?"
"I'm not going to have a repeat of today."
"It wouldn't be a repeat of today. Today, none of you knew what I was trying to do and I didn't know how it would turn out. With fewer unknowns there would be less risk."
"Jackie…"
"Dad, you are slowly but surely losing against the Ori incursion. Everyday more planets are converting or being destroyed. If we can't slow them down, they'll be knocking at Earth's door in just a matter of time."
"You can't single handedly fight all the forces of the Ori." Jack demanded.
"No. but I can take on a single Prior." Jackie returned.
"What do you mean?"
"If SG teams are sent to planets that have already been converted, they can alert us when a Prior visits. I go through, kick some Prior ass, then return to help in the lab." Jackie finished mater-of-factly.
Jack watched her in silence. She had a point, but that didn't mean he had to like it. "Fine. But…" Jack interrupted her burst of excitement. "Only on a trial basis for now. I reserve the right to pull the plug on this idea if I see fit."
"I understand." Jackie replied, barely able to contain her excitement.
"Report to Carter." Jack effectively dismissed Jackie. "I'll go talk to Hank."
Jackie simply nodded before hurrying out the door.
Watching her go, Jack shook his head. Just over a week and Jackie already had him wrapped around her little finger. He just hoped he wasn't making a huge mistake.
Λ
"Are you sure Jack?" Hank asked.
"No, I'm not sure. Unfortunately her arguments were sound. I had to at least give her a trial period." Jack grumbled.
Hank nodded. "I'll have Walter generate a list of converted planets, and then I'll mobilize SG teams 3-12."
"Thanks Hank."
Hank nodded and watched as his friend walked out of his office as though he had the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders.
Λ
Over the course of the next six days, Jackie was called offworld 15 times. Each time she came back tired, but unharmed. Jack kept a critical eye on her, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
As Jackie returned with SG5 from her 15th trip offworld, she stumbled a little as she moved down the ramp. Instantly her eyes flew to Jack's to see if he had seen her stumble. The look in his eyes told her that he had.
"Colonel, report." Landry spoke before Jack could.
"The Prior has been neutralized, Sir. With the defeat of the Prior, the people are rethinking their loyalties."
"That's what I like to hear." Landry allowed a small smile to brighten his face. "Report to the infirmary, we'll debrief in an hour."
"Yes Sir!"
"Um, Hank?"
"Yeah Jack?"
Jack turned so that their conversation was private. "Perhaps we could wait until tomorrow for the debriefing. Jackie needs to rest, she's overworking herself."
"Of course." Hank agreed as he took in Jackie's haggard look. He couldn't believe he'd missed it. "SG5 the debriefing will be tomorrow at 0800."
"Yes Sir."
Jack didn't miss the look that passed across Jackie's features. He knew she wasn't happy with him, but he wasn't going to let her run herself ragged.
"Jackie, a word?"
With a sigh, Jackie moved to where Jack was. "Yeah."
"After Dr. Lam clears you I want you to retire to your quarters." Jackie was about to argue but Jack cut her off. "You can continue saving the galaxy tomorrow." Jackie glared at him. Reaching up he pushed aside a stray strand of hair. "You won't do anyone any good if you are tired and weak." Jack raised his eyebrow. "Or do I have to officially suspend your jaunts offworld."
Jackie rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll see you at 0800."
Λ
Jackie didn't like to admit it, but her dad was right: she was exhausted. After being checked over in the infirmary she had made her way to her quarters. Taking a long relaxing shower, she slipped beneath the sheets of her bed and was almost instantly asleep.
She had just closed her eyes when unfamiliar sounds startled her awake. Her eyes flew open and she stared around her in confusion. This was not the SGC! She vaguely recognized the style of architecture, but there was no way she could be where she thought she was. The sounds of footsteps caught her attention. Frantically she sought out a hiding place, but couldn't find one. As she watched in horror, two figures came around the corner. Instantly she recognized their armor. Her fears were correct…she was on an Ori ship.
Muahahahaha...I know I'm evil...R & R and maybe my muse will get me to write the next chapter sooner...