Younger than a Dinosaur
Chapter Thirteen: Will the Real Jack O'Neill Please Stand up?
by Leanne Scott
Summary: What does mini Jack do over summer vacation?
Disclaimer: I don't own him or the other Stargate characters, yada, yada. But all the rest of the characters were given to me by the writing muse fairy.
Sorry once again for the long delay between chapters. I started a new job last fall, and I'm truly not a fast writer, but I appreciate your encouraging reviews and hope you enjoy this next installment! Welcome to all those who've put me as a favorite author…I'm honored. Please let me know how you like it and whether I should actually try to finish this piece of whimsy!
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Chunk. Chunka, chunka, chunk. Chunk. Chunka, chunka, chunk. The MRI unit had a rhythm all its own. Jon felt the bed slide further into the magnetic ring. Chunk. Chunka, chunka, chunk. It had been a long morning in the infirmary. He clenched a fist to keep from fidgeting. He'd already been scolded twice for moving and making them repeat the scans. Trying to distract himself, he replayed the morning's events back in this mind.
To his disappointment, Sam had rebuffed his request for information with a single glance. She had flicked her eyes to the driver and back at him with a look that said shut up. Then just as he was congratulating himself on his ability to still communicate with her without words, she began giving the driver directions to her house.
"Aren't you coming to the base?" Jon couldn't help a bit of whine in his voice.
"It's Sunday morning," she said flatly.
"And? So?"
"General Landry gave us leave to visit you for the weekend. He specifically ordered me to not return until Monday morning," she explained.
"I could never get you out of your lab either," he nodded. "Even when it was a great fishing trip." She looked at him wistfully. "Some things never change," he teased her. But he'd gone too far. Suddenly her face fell, her eyes got that steely look in them he associated with going into battle, and she abruptly turned back in her seat and stared face forward.
Jon reached out to touch her shoulder, but Daniel had touched his elbow to stop him and had given him a look that said to leave her alone. Unsure of where he'd gone wrong, Jon sat in the silence with the uncomfortable realization that the relationship between Sam and the General was strained. He wondered how his other self could have ever let her go. It's not like she had the time to meet someone else and get married or anything he reasoned. God knows, he'd do anything to make sure she was happy. Studying her stiff shoulders, he knew she was upset and he was definitely at fault. Or at least Jack was at fault. Jon was determined to mend his special relationship with Sam and he wisely realized that she was going to need a little time by herself first. But he made a mental note to seek her out at lunch on Monday if he hadn't seen her before then.
Dropping her off at her tidy, little one story home, Daniel had again touched his arm signaling him not to get out of the car too. Jon watched as Daniel helped carry her bag and walk her to her door. Daniel patted her on the back and said something, and Jon had felt a stab of jealousy when she had smiled up at him. When Sam had quickly unlocked her door and disappeared inside, and Daniel returned down the walkway with a neutral expression on his face, Jon reminded himself that they had been good friends for a long time too, and the jealousy was replaced with a sense of family.
They had quickly reached Cheyenne Mountain and Jon noted that the base hadn't changed in the three years since he'd been there. As the car drove out of the pink dawn and into the dark cavern, he had felt the loss of the light, but he dutifully followed Daniel and Teal'c through the checkpoints and deeper into the bowels of the complex.
It had been fun signing in the first few times. He'd never written General Jack O'Neill before, but the obvious respect and awe that the airmen gave him as they saluted made him uncomfortable. He'd never felt special before and was always too humble to admit to much heroics beyond doing what his job and duty required of him. After all, it's not like he single handedly saved the planet or anything.
They had finally made it to the last elevator and Jon turned to Daniel hoping at last to get some information. It was going to be hard pretending to be the General if he didn't have an inkling of what had been going on lately. "So," he said bouncing on his toes expectantly.
Daniel grinned back and shook his head at his antics. "You're going to the infirmary," he said firmly. "Make sure he makes it, would you?" he added to Teal'c who bowed slightly in acknowledgement.
"Where are you going?" demanded Jon.
"I need to check on Vala first. I'll pop in to see you later this morning," reassured Daniel.
Unsure who Vala was and wondering whether he should ask, Jon remained silent and Daniel seemed to take that as a sign of acquiescence. The elevator doors slid open before Jon could make up his mind, and the beaming face of the short gate room technician greeted them. "Good morning, Sir," the man handed Jon a tall cup of coffee.
Sniffing appreciatively, Jon took a sip and realized it was just the way he liked it. He smiled down at the man, "Thank you Sergeant…" Jon searched his memory for the man's name and allowed his eyes to flick down to the nameplate on his uniform, "…Harriman." he finished lamely.
The sergeant looked at him warily and then over at Teal'c and Daniel who seemed unfazed by this behavior, "Uh, if you'll follow me, Sirs. General Landry wants to see you first."
They trailed the sergeant who led them to the conference room adjacent to the command office. The last time Jon had been here, that had been General Hammond's office. It seemed strange that anyone else should ever sit in that chair. Through the glass partition, he could see the profile of Landry taking on the phone. He had served with the man for several years and knew he was a good officer. Jon was glad the powers that be had chosen well for Hammond's replacement, and suspected that perhaps his other self might have had a hand in it.
Landry quickly hung up and strode out of his office, his face beaming and his hand outstretched, "Jack, I didn't expect them to bring you back. You look fine to me."
"Hank," Jon shook the man's hand and grinned, "You're looking old and fat to me," he couldn't resist teasing.
Landry grinned back and shrugged, "It goes with the job, and you collapsing last week is not helping matters." He studied Jon shrewdly, "Although, flying a desk seems to have made you younger."
Jon felt a sinking sensation that his charade as the older Jack was going to be discovered and tried to shrug off the inquiry, "Nah, just got a lot of rest last week," alluding to the time Jack had spent in the hospital.
Landry waved them to the conference table and they spread out to find chairs around it. Jon made a point of walking in front of the windows and looking down at the Stargate. His heart pounded with joy at the sight of it and he found himself longing for adventures again, but he squashed the feeling before he sat down.
"So, I just got off the phone with General Hammond," Landry began, "He agrees with Colonel Carter that we need to contact the Asgard and see if they have any insight into this situation." He looked expectantly at Jon, "So what is this connection you share with your clone, Jack?"
Jon stared down at his hands clasped around the coffee cup and tapped his thumb on the side thoughtfully, how much to say that wouldn't give him away, "Thor told Carter and me that there might be some consequences of Jon's maturation process. It seems that some of the inactive genes from having had an Ancient for an ancestor got activated when they saved his life. When he experienced an adrenalin rush, it accidentally allowed us to make a connection. Now that we know it can happen, we'll be on guard to block such an event in the future."
"Perhaps we should bring him in and have him checked out," Daniel said with concern.
"No," Jon shouted. "I mean," he continued more quietly when they startled, "He's managed to get on with his life so far. Don't remind him of everything he lost again," and he couldn't help looking back over his shoulder at the Stargate. Jon realized for the first time that being General Jack meant that he didn't get to go through the Stargate either and his sadness couldn't help but show on his face.
"Unh," Landry cleared his throated, "well at least for now, let's get you checked out, Jack." He turned his attention to the other side of the table, "Meanwhile, Teal'c, we've had a message from Dakara while you were gone. It seems the council is still in chaos following the power vacuum left when Gerak died. I told them Master Teal'c would contact them as soon as he returned."
Teal'c leaned forward with worry, "Have the Ori taken more Jaffa held planets?"
Landry shrugged, "I was not worthy of such details," he said dryly and pushed away from the table, "Let's go ask them."
Before he knew it, Jon had been escorted to the infirmary by Daniel, who had quickly left to check on the mysterious Vala, and he had spent the rest of the morning being poked, prodded and scanned by every conceivable medical device on Earth and then some. Chunka, chunka, chunk, the machine throbbed around him one last time. The scanning bed slid back out of the ring as the loud hum powered down and Jon stretched out his arms and legs before he sat up. It was tiring just lying around, he needed to move around and get some exercise.
Happily, Jon spied Teal'c peering through the glass windows of the monitoring room that overlooked the MRI room. Jon gave a little wave that Teal'c returned with a nod of his head and turned to look at Dr. Lam as she entered the room. "Am I done now?" he demanded.
The lithe woman smiled at him and patted a clipboard of printouts, "For now. We have to analyze the data and compare it to your known baselines. Thank you for being so cooperative General." Jon stared at her in confusion. "Everyone told me that you were a pain…"she faltered.
Jon grinned, realizing that he had been patient with them all. "Well, it's been awhile since I've had to endure this kind of scrutiny. It's much more aggravating when you have to go through it after every trip through the gate."
She nodded thoughtfully, "I guess so, although the tests are necessary to insure everyone's safety."
"So?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, Sir. Go get some lunch. I'll contact you if we need you again."
Jon jumped off the scanner and strode quickly out into the corridor before she could change her mind. Teal'c met him at the door; "I wished to speak with you before I departed, O'Neill."
Jon studied his old friend's face and noticed the telltale tension in his jaw, "Sure, what can I do to help, T?"
"It is I who must apologize for not helping you," intoned Teal'c.
"Are you leaving right now?" Jon asked.
"General Landry has given permission to leave at four o'clock. He wishes to send an SG team along as an escort and needs to give them several hours to prepare," explained Teal'c.
"In that case, let's go up top. I need some fresh air," Jon suggested. All those years down here he had never felt claustrophobic, but especially after having spent the last two weeks outdoors camping, he felt depressed by the narrow, gray, concrete walls. Teal'c merely nodded and they were soon riding up the elevator in comfortable silence.
Rather than go straight out into the large truck unloading area, they turned left out of the checkpoint and went down a short hall and opened a door directly out on the side of the mountain. A small clearing with a couple of stone benches had been set up overlooking a fine view of the road leading up the mountain. It had become smoking area, but Jon was happy no one was currently outside. He strode out to the ledge and threw his arms wide as if to embrace the sunshine. The energy tingled on his bare arms and warmth spread down to his bones. Within moments he was surging with strength. Maybe it was the hours of inactivity in the infirmary but he was desperate for motion. Turning to Teal'c he bowed formally and asked, "Will you join me in Lok'nel, Master Teal'c?"
Teal'c raised a surprised eyebrow but moved to the middle of clearing and took the starting stance. Jon stepped back from the edge to join him, leaving a good arm's length of space between them to move. They stepped forward simultaneously thrusting into the first stance, then drew back to a defensive one. Step, turn, thrust, crouch, stretch, and back, the pattern wove around the circle as the slow methodical movements became faster and faster. The elaborate, dance like exercise ended abruptly as they both turned and stepped into each other's space, fisted right forearms striking in a perfect X. Teal'c smiled widely and Jon was almost startled to see the rare grin.
"You have been practicing O'Neill. Your form has improved considerably," praised Teal'c.
Jon couldn't help but grin back, "It's become part of my daily morning workout." He nodded over at the benches, "Let's cool down before we have to go back down." He hated to admit it but the older body really didn't move as well as he had become accustomed to in his teenage one. His knees especially protested as he sat down and he began massaging the tendons that connected the bones at the joint. How many operations had Jack had anyway? Without consciously realizing it he began to send healing energy to the aching spots, only thinking how good the warm sun was feeling.
"I am need of your advice O'Neill," began Teal'c. "My people do not understand the gift of freedom that they have been given. Many long for the old days of order and stability. While many warriors died, at least there was honor in serving your master well, and most families were protected. Now in the battle against the Ori, they turn to these new Gods and throw away all our hard work." He looked out below the mountain and gestured towards the town, "I want them to have what the people of your world have, but they do not see the value of their own freedom. How can I teach them your ways?"
Jon studied his friend's serious face and began to realize the pressure the Teal'c was under as an absentee leader of his people. He turned his head and stared down the hillside to the flourishing town, the sunshine glinting off the windshields of tiny cars giving the impression of sparkles on water. Things had changed significantly for his team while he had to admit he had changed too. For instance, he had just finished taking AP US History and he had appreciated the view his experiences had given him. History was more than dry dates, names and facts. It was living breathing people making choices that sometimes had long range consequences. He had had to live beyond some of his own decisions and appreciated the curious way seemingly insignificant choices turned the whole course of events.
"Democracy isn't something you can give anyone," he started slowly. "The men who started our country had grown up in an English tradition of law and education. It was a natural step and even though they were ready for it, they weren't confident in themselves. Do you know why Washington is the Father of our Country?" he turned back to Teal'c.
"The man on your dollar bill," Teal'c nodded. "Daniel has told me of him. He was a great warrior leading your armies to defeat the English and then became the first President of your nation."
"Yes, but many people don't know that between winning the war and the start of our country there is a span of six years when they had to write a constitution and figure out how to run the country. At the end of the war many people wanted to make Washington the new King. You see, they knew how that kind of government worked. Washington is the Father of our Country because he didn't become King. He resigned his commission as commander in chief and retired and went home to be a farmer."
Teal'c raised an eyebrow, "But he did not stay retired."
"No, they asked him back to preside over the Constitutional Convention and at the end of it unanimously elected him the first President. At first he didn't want the position, but his sense of duty set the standard for all who have come after him.
"I have always done my duty," replied Teal'c. "But I do not feel right in retiring as you say."
"No, you're not getting it T. For us, for Washington, not being King was the right decision. But for you, for the Jaffa nation, maybe being King would be the right decision. What I'm saying is, you have to do what you think is right for your people. Sometimes you have to trust your instincts and hope for the best. There is no recipe for success, just the will to try your best."
Teal'c nodded solemnly, "Wise words, my friend."
Jon grinned sheepishly, "Nah, just ramblings of an old, hungry man. Come on, let's get some lunch," he slapped Teal'c on the back and the two headed back into the mountain.
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Silently fuming, Jack stared out the window of the Suburban as the landscape rolled by. Where was he? Who were these people? And how was he going to get himself out of this one?
Mental yelling at Jon had proved fruitless, as his younger clone had erected some barrier that effectively reflected his attempts at communication leaving only a headache behind. Fortunately, his fellow passengers seemed to have noticed his discomfort and after a few attempts at asking how he felt, had lapsed into silence as well.
Jack had surreptiousily patted his pockets and had not discovered a cell phone. Although actually making a call in the car without raising suspicion would have been impossible. He just wanted to know that he would be able to call the SGC as soon as they stopped. Although he was a little unclear about whom he'd ask to speak with and what he'd say, he definitely planned on raising a ruckus. 'Ungrateful, pipsqueak, upstart. How dare he try to steal MY life?' Jack groused to himself.
The sudden sprouting of buildings along the highway signaled the beginnings of a town and Jack hoped the 45 minute ride was nearing its end. He shifted in his seat to look back at the young woman Susan who had fallen asleep with her head against the window. She had genuinely been concerned for him and Jack suspected she had not slept much the night before. He continued his scan of his fellow passengers by studying Dr. Moore driving in the seat next to him. The middle aged professor seemed lost in his own thoughts as he drove essentially on autopilot. Jack realized that any action he would be allowed to take would depend on Moore's approval.
Clearing his throat, Jack tried to take on a causal air, "Umm, Professor, perhaps it would just be best if I went home to Colorado Springs."
Moore startled and studied Jack for a long moment before finally turning his eyes back to the road. "I thought you were better than that," he finally said.
"Excuse me?"
"I didn't figure you for a quitter, or a coward," Moore replied now staring determinedly forward.
"What?" spluttered Jack indignantly.
"I know you've had a few problems with some of the older students, but just because Derrick has a good right hook is no reason to quit."
"I can take a punch," Jack replied defensively, "I have other personal business I need to take care of."
"Specifically?" Moore glanced over with concern.
"I'm not a liberty to say," Jack replied.
"Hmm, I'm not surprised," Moore paused thoughtfully, "Look, Jon, I know you've persevered through much more difficult times. Trust me on this, you need to face up to the other boys now or you'll never be able to become a great leader. I've seen what you've done the last week teaching your martial arts to the girls, and your ideas and enthusiasm for the crane gave us an indispensable tool. You have real potential, son."
Jack scowled at the reference. He was almost fifty for crying out loud, besides the word had too many sad memories associated with it.
Moore took his silence to be concession of the point. "You were too enthusiastic yesterday morning about how well the crane worked in lifting out the fossils. I know you'll be a great asset on our dip."
"Besides, " Susan chimed in front the backseat, "you've made a promise for this summer job. You can't leave the Professor without enough help."
Jack turned in his seat to look back at her earnest face. He'd almost forgotten she was there. "Well, something's come up and I have to get back home."
"What?" she demanded. "I was with you practically all day long yesterday and you never mentioned anything while we were doing laundry or at dinner."
"It came up last night," he countered.
Her eyes narrowed, "You've either been unconscious or sedated until this morning."
"I mean I found out about it this morning," he tried to side step.
"How? Nobody would have known you were there but us," she gestured back and forth between herself and Dr. Moore driving the car. "Did you call anyone Professor?"
"No, I had the file of signed permission to treat forms in the car and that's all the hospital needed."
"Never heard of a cell phone before?" Jack retorted sarcastically.
"Jon, don't lie to us," she admonished.
He looked back at her with his best poker face.
"I know you don't have a cell phone," she continued. "You so totally teased us about having one when there is neither electricity nor coverage available at the dig site!"
'Well, that explains why I don't have one in my pocket,' Jack thought as he turned to look back out the windshield and tried to decide what to say next.
"Jon," Dr. Moore said gently and let go with the wheel with one had to grasp Jack's forearm. "I'm here to help. There's no way I'm going to let you quit. You'll see. It'll work out fine."
Susan patted his shoulder as well, "Yeah, everyone likes you. Derrick will come around. Ashley was just making him jealous last night and I'll have a little talk with her."
Jack glanced over at the two people earnestly trying to comfort him, closed his eyes and bowed his head with a sigh. 'Yep, the usual SNAFU,' he thought, 'I'll have to play along awhile longer.'
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Jon and Teal'c entered Daniel Jackson's office still absorbed in their conversation so Jon could be forgiven for walking full tilt into Vala. He could even be forgiven for catching her as she fell backwards in what could only be described as a tango-style full dip. Maybe even the charming smile he gave her as he suddenly found his arms full of a beautiful woman and he couldn't help thinking of his good fortune of the handfuls of girls he'd had lately. But his bungled attempt of an apology was inexcusable given he didn't, but should, know her name. "I'm sorry, ahh, I ahh, well that is Teal'c and I were, ahh, looking for…"he attempted as he straightened up still holding Vala in an embrace.
"Vala!" Daniel exclaimed pushing away from his desk, attempting to reach her at the same time.
"…Daniel," finished Jon lamely looking over at his friend through her long black hair.
"General O'Neill," purred Vala placing her hands on his shoulders and giving him an appreciative look.
Jon dropped his hands from around her and hastily stepped back, "Um, Vala, it was an accident." He was grateful Daniel had mentioned her name finally remembering the archeologist had mentioned checking on her earlier.
Vala dropped her arms slowly and gave him a playful smile, "I never noticed what deep brown eyes you have."
"Yeah, well…"stuttered Jon hopelessly.
"Vala," Daniel scolded as he made it around his desk. He put his arm over her shoulder and drew her back protectively. "Are you okay?" he asked more gently.
She smiled for a moment, then pulled away and put her hands on her hip. In a spirited voice she said, "No, I'm still starving and have been trying to get you to go to lunch for half an hour."
"We came to see if you wished to go to lunch with us as well," Teal'c explained.
"T has to go off-world to Dakara later today," added Jon trying to turn the conversation away from himself.
Teal'c bowed slightly and gestured for them to walk out of the door in front of him.
"What's up on Dakara?" asked Daniel lingering to allow Teal'c to fall in step with him.
"Too many factions are creating indecision in battling the Ori. Several Jaffa worlds have been lost essentially without any fight," lamented Teal'c.
"What time are we leaving?" asked Vala over her shoulder.
"I did not ask General Landry whether SG-1 could accompany me. I did not want to interfere with your down time," Teal'c replied.
Vala turned to grab Daniel's hand and walked backwards down the hall, "Come on Daniel, we can't let down a friend in need."
"Hmm," Daniel replied.
"It's Boring down here," she complained with a pout. "Some of us don't have moldy old relics to paw over.
Daniel made a face at her, but turned to Teal'c to ask, "Do you need the help of a moldy old archeologist?"
Teal'c actually smiled as he inclined his head, "Your services as a negotiator would be most welcome."
Vala twirled in place to end up between the two men, her arms linked in theirs like a scene out of Oz. "There. All settled," she grinned broadly.
Looking over his shoulder, Jon couldn't help but smile at the interactions of the three, but also felt a little sad because it was obvious he wasn't part of the famous SG-1 team anymore.
Ever attentive to nuances, Daniel pulled away from Vala and quickened his step to match pace with Jon's, "Unless you need help here, Jack?"
As desperately as Jon wanted to say yes, or even better, to say he'd come along on the mission too, he knew he had to say no. All this time he had been jealous of Jack keeping his old life, but being made a General had irrevocably changed the interactions allowed with his old team. Jack had lost his friends by being promoted just as surely as Jon had in being cloned a teenager. "Nah, this old dog can take care of himself," he finally replied. "Although lunch before you go would be nice."
"Absolutely," Daniel smiled back in relief.
Lunch was a lighthearted affair with Jon asking leading questions about the team's latest missions and Vala filling in all the juicy details sure to embarrass Daniel. When she stole a cookie off his tray and leaned her head on his shoulder to eat it, Daniel didn't even bat an eye but continued his exposition on the intricacies of the Ori. Jon shared a look with Teal'c who gave a half smile and shrug that communicated as eloquently as the body language of the happy couple themselves. Jon gave an answering half grin happy to see his old friend had finally gotten over the death of his wife.
When they moved on to the locker rooms to gear up for the mission, Jon followed them, loath to let his team out of his sight. It just felt wrong to have them go on a mission without him.
He trailed them up to the control room where Daniel and Vala got permission from General Landry to accompany Teal'c. Then stood forlornly as they met up with SG-3 down in the embarkation room and Sergeant Harriman called out the chevrons. As the blue plasma wave shot out and collapsed back into the gate, Jon couldn't help flinching. The phenomenon was bigger than he remembered and then he realized that he'd never really seen the gate in person. It was all artificial memories.
"Are you all right, Sir?" asked the perceptive Sergeant sitting at the gate controls.
Jon glanced down in surprise and tried to cover his previous startle reflex by shaking out his arms and doing a little stretch. "Fine. Just need to take the doctor's advice and rest."
Walter looked up expectantly, owlishly studying Jon behind his round glasses.
"Ah, do you know what quarters I've been assigned to?" asked Jon feeling a little awkward.
"Your usual room is waiting for you, Sir."
"Right. So I guess I'll just go there then," replied Jon turning hastily and heading down the stairs.
Walter watched him go, an unsettled feeling filling his mind. Something about the General was not right, and he resolved to watch him more closely.
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Send me a review…should I continue? I have an outline, but honestly I can only write a bit a day at my lunch hour in a notebook, and then have to kick my kids off the computer to type it…do you want me to finish? Thanks for your input!