Summary: Sam and Daniel begin to wonder – just how smart is the colonel? Is Jack the genius known only as MacGyver?

Disclaimer: I do not own "Stargate SG-1" the series. I believe it is owned by MGM. No copyright infringement is intended. I do not "MacGyver" (original or remake) and am not sure who does. No disrespect is intended I am merely intrigued by the possibilities.

The Colonel?

Chapter 26

By: visions2share a.k.a. Vi

And really that was all it took. Oh – there were more questions and more answers but when court resumed after lunch Major General Leon West changed his plea to guilty and agreed to testify against Nature's Trust, Robert Kinsey, and anyone else necessary if it meant avoiding the death penalty.

With West agreeing to testify against him, Robert Kinsey's massive ego deflated in a gush that was just short of audible – like a defective whoopee cushion. He also changed his plea to guilty and agreed to testify against Nature's Trust.

Any hope of a comfortable, if confined, retirement at a federal detention center where they could practice their golf strokes went up in smoke when they were sentenced to two hundred and sixty-seven years, each, at hard labor at Leavenworth.

The court room was turned back to a rec room, the lawyers were all bundled back to Washington, D.C. – most of them very disappointed to not be offered so much as a glimpse of the infamous Stargate. SG1 and Hammond packed up their bags and were sent home for a well deserved long weekend.

Daniel was walking to his car – enjoying the fresh air and sunshine for the first time in days when he spotted Jack heading for his pick-up and hurried to catch-up – calling out to snag his friend's attention.

"Jack, hey, Jack – wait up?"

When they were within easy speaking range, "Yes, Daniel?".

"I've been trying to get in touch with you for weeks!"

Jack's eyes went big and round even as he frowned, "Daniel I'm right here – have been for weeks."

"Yeah-yeah- I mean the other you. MacGyver!"

"Oh!" Mac shook his head like he was manually exchanging personalities, "why?"

"The Eye of Osiris."

"What about it?"

"You found it – and I think we might need it – for Sarah. I tried to get the files from the Phoenix Foundation but they say you are the only one that can release them."

"I can get you the files, but Daniel, I really don't think a seven pound sapphire is gonna be of much help."

"Is that what it is?"

"Looks like it. But it's probably actually a composite of carbon and trinium, and maybe, naquadah – forged in the heat the original meteor encountered falling to earth."

"But, if it has naquadah, maybe it really is some kind of device that would help Sarah!?"

"I doubt it – it was named by men some two thousand years after the rebellion in Giza."

Daniel deflated.

"I'll get you the files and if you disagree with me we can try to find it again. But just keep in mind it's damn cold in Mongolia this time of year."

Daniel, regaining some of his hope, grinned.

"Why don't you go home and find something a little less suit-and-tie-ish to wear – I'll run by the store for some steaks for the grill. Meet me at my house and I'll dig up those files."

"Really? Great! I'll see you right away!" Daniel bounded off for his own car as Mac sighed seeing his evening watching hockey go up in smoke.

Another Monday morning. Another Senior Staff meeting. But this one would be different – everything would be different.

Sam had spent her long weekend trying to hold onto her anger but after three days she just felt foolish, resigned, and regretful.

All these years the famously inventive MacGyver had been right here and now he was gone. Taking the irreverent and endlessly useful Colonel O'Neill with him. All weekend Sam kept asking herself why the Colonel hadn't trusted them – or at least her – with his real identity and she'd found no answer. Until she changed the question. When she, instead, asked why MacGyver hadn't introduced himself she suddenly had more answers than she was comfortable with. He'd been observing – obviously – but specifically observing the top scientists attached to such a prestigious program as the SGC. Probably deciding who was worth recruiting for the Phoenix Foundation. And while Sam consoled herself with the knowledge she would certainly meet the Phoenix Foundation's hiring criteria she was equally sure that Dr. MacGyver wouldn't be giving her a recommendation anytime soon. The other reason, now blatantly obvious, that MacGyver hadn't introduced himself was because he was testing her. Oh, not that she'd have necessarily known him by name but she should have figured out he was a scientist in his own right.

Looking back, there'd been many clues – references to Benjamin Franklin's electricity experiments, defibrillators, and obscure medical procedures just to name a very few. And she'd missed them. All she'd seen was an officer whose glib tongue was as much a weapon as any firearm.

It all came down to tactics. One of the military disciplines that had most challenged Sam as a cadet at the Academy – had been Colonel O'Neill's strong suit. But in the end it was less that he'd used tactics but rather that his entire personage was a tactic.

And now she was left – disappointed – picking up the pieces of her world view. No matter how foolish it made her feel, she had to accept that the Colonel she'd adored but dismissed as not her intellectual equal was in fact among the most intelligent, gifted, scientists in the world. Now, when she was ready, able and willing to learn from him he was gone.

He was here! In his regular chair at the conference table arguing with Daniel about the weather in Mongolia of all things! Maybe she hadn't missed her chance? Maybe she should have expected him to be here? After all he never did what she thought he would.

She listened as he chatted with Daniel the same as ever – except he now spoke of subjects that he'd previously avoided – but he still smiled and his eyes still sparkled with mischief. What would she learn about him next? Sam now knew he was MacGyver. A scientist. A soldier. But, still, he was an enigma – he was The Colonel.

THE END

Author's Note: I know that not every loose end of tied up and that not every conversation was had – but I was purposefully trying to leave the opportunity for another story sometime in the future open. My thanks to everybody who has been reading and everybody who might read this in the future. I hope the ending was satisfying enough to keep you thinking fondly of the story. Thanks for taking the time to read! Be well! ~Vi