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Jack held his smile of hello, his eyes soft on the woman.
"Sir..." Carter had waited for the General to greet Jack and issue the usual, 'welcome home and debriefing in an hour, how did the mission go', routine before stepping up the ramp to offer her own welcome. She felt a little shy...a little hesitate. Then...foolish, because Jack O'Neill's eyes mocked such behavior gently. "The mission was a success, I take it?"
"Daniel is a regular diplomat....how's the kid?" Jack stepped down the ramp, his steps unhurried, matched to the woman's.
"I can't believe you left that defenseless little baby in my care." She practically beamed for the fact he had, however. "He's fine, sir. He's with Janet."
"Who else would I leave him with?" He looked at her oddly.
"Someone 'competent'? Carter joked, then. "I–I think I did ok. He even seems to like me a little."
"Not as much as his old man."
Carter glanced around, they were beginning to draw attention. His praise had pleased her immensely. "...Eh...you want to see him?"
"I 'want' a lot of things." He admitted freely and enjoyed her smile. "What I probably 'need'...is a shower, first." Jack looked her up and down critically, halting his steps as they strolled the corridors of SGC. "Suppose you already had yours today?"
Carter grinned up at his more than serious scowl, catching his meaning. "I'm afraid so, sir...sorry."
Jack sighed. "Yeah...me too." Well, that ideal was shot to hell. "Pretty much how things are going for me."
"What do you mean, Col.? Is there a problem?" She was 'on alert' by his manner. "With the Unas?"
"Not...them, no." He nodded to the figure several meters ahead of them. Calli Hertz had stopped, right in the middle of the corridor, checking her p-90 meticulously, something not having 'felt' right.
O'Neill halted as well. Carter waited, unsure if she should push the subject.
Jack usually did not 'share' confidences so easily but he knew this woman liked Calli Hertz and..well, hell...it was no state secret, especially when Coletti got wind of it..And besides...it was Carter he was confiding in.
"It's Forbes. He asked Hammond this morning if...he thinks it best Hertz be transferred off SG-13."
Carter was stunned. "My God What did she do, sir?"
"Wasn't her...him." O'Neill corrected. The girl had resumed her trek and Jack did so as well. The halls were busy. Each going about their usual routine. Most acknowledging Jack as they passed with friendly smiles. He remembered to nod his 'hello' if nothing else. "I'm speculating here...but, well...the situation sucks. I'm not sure it can be resolved."
"She loves going off-world." Carter was sorry to hear the news. "Sir..can't you speak to Major Forbes? I know it's none of my...."
Carter was one of the few to address Forbes by his actual rank. Most knew the man or...knew of his exploits and afforded him what they thought was his due. Even Hammond forgot the amenities sometimes. Addressing the man as 'Col' instead of 'Major'.
It was to Forbes credit that Hammond allowed SG-13 no designated 'leader'...Each member ranked 'Major' but...everyone just accepted...Forbes was 'in charge'.
"Oh...I plan to speak with him, rest easy." O'Neill had made a point of promising himself as much. He was pissed, Forbes had lied to him about...well...the man had given his word. Of course, there was a time, Jack had promised himself he would not take what he felt for Carter any further than the regs allowed.
Yeah, right...whatever. The best laid plans...
They entered the Infirmary and Jack made straight for the baby, then..pulled up short.
JJ moved like greased lighting around the large, spacious area...touching things, babbling incoherently...and quite loudly. Generally making a nuisance of himself and getting in everyone's way.
The baby had acquired...his own wheels.
The staff seemed acclimated to him, stepping around or scooting him away if he got too bothersome.
"Latest model, Col." Carter had watched Jack's reaction closely. O'Neill was one big grin. "He is so mobile...I thought it might help him develop his motor skills...is it ok?"
"It's freaking 'cool' " Jack stepped a few steps, going down on his haunches. "Hey Kid with your own set of wheels..."
JJ looked about at the immediately recognized voice, swirling the walker about expertly, squealing his delight as he made straight for the man. Jack laughed, catching the 'vehicle' as it nearly knocked him over. "Hey...speed zone, here. Slow it down."
JJ gurgled and banged his tray animatedly, his eyes bright and aware. Never once leaving the gentle gaze of Jack O'Neill. "You got all the latest accessories, I see." the man twirled a red and white striped ball on the tray and pushed a blue square. It 'beeped'. "Horn, huh. Yeah, the way you drive, you need one."
Jack leaned and kissed the soft cheek. "You been giving them hell?"
"He has." Janet Frasier came up, a 'mom's look on her pretty face for the baby. "But...I can handle him." She assured JJ more than the grownups.
"...Hey, Doc.." Jack arose, baby in tow. "I know this must be a pain. Hammond is trying to get that day care stuff pushed through as soon as possib..."
"NO!" Janet balked. The softness leaving her face. "He's fine here! You can't take him away from me, Col...I just got him!"
Jack was...yes...confused, looking to Carter to 'explain', as was his way.
"They like him, Col." Carter...explained.
"Well, of course we do!" Janet took on that 'coo-y' thing she did. "Don't we little sweetie pie...yes, we do!"
"WILL you stop that?" Jack's nerves grated every time she did it and he sensed, secretly...it's why she did it.
Janet smiled prettily for the man. "Time for his bottle. Oh, and Col..he had applesauce for the first time today and even managed to get some in his mouth. I think he is about 7 or 8 months. High time he graduated to solid food."
"He had pizza the other night."
Both women looked at Jack O'Neill. "Just the soft parts."
He examined JJ for applesauce not seeing any in his hair or ears. Janet WAS good. He handed the baby over to a professional. "Gonna hit the showers, then the debriefing. Can you manage until then, Doc?"
"Oh...gee...I think so, Col" Janet rolled her eyes and took the baby away.
Jack returned his interest to Samantha Carter. "I got you a gift..."
She was more than pleasantly surprised by the statement. "Me?...Why?"
"You can't ask that...it's a gift." She was told. "Actually...it's...three gifts."
"Col!" She grinned at him. "Don't do that...I hate surprises. Tell me what they are."
"Oh, no...Carter...these." He sighed happily. "I have to 'show' you."
He made to take his leave, well pleased with his cryptic remarks, clearly.
"Sir!" She practically whined.
"Nope...gonna have to wait." He threw her a 'look'... "Until..tonight. You don't have anything planned...do you?"
"No...but it's obvious you do, sir." She was not pleased with his evasiveness.
He smiled and walked cockily away.
She watched him go....damn...he moved great.
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