813 Good to be King

Harry Maybourne was out of Jack's hair for two years now. The Tok'ra sent out a call that the SGC needed to rescue him from imminent danger. So SG-1 was sent to bring him home, only, as these things were wont to do, it became more complicated. Sam was sent to the Stargate to radio the base and convince O'Neill they needed his uniquely rare talent.

They needed him - that actually felt good. Although the expression on Daniel's face was as if they were allowing a three year old play with power tools. They had found an Ancient ship capable of time travel.

And Jack was the one who could make it respond to his commands.

And it seemed Sam Carter was still physically comfortable with him. He bit his lip to keep from grinning. She readily grabbed his side arm from the holster strapped to his thigh in a standoff with the locals. Her other hand wrapped around his thigh...well damn.

Jack's first inclination was to destroy the ship lest it fall into the Goa'uld's hands, but it might be vital to the war effort. When he thinks of these Ancient artifacts the first thing that comes to mind was the damn head grabber - changing him, forcing him to become something he's not.

The Ancient time ship looked incredible, far beyond anything they had even imagined. He took a seat at the controls and they all looked at him as if he could perform miracles with some technology none of them had ever seen before.

When he placed his hands on the ship controls it was a different part of him, a deeper, somewhat alien part that had first been awakened by the Ancient download. Impatiently he was told to concentrate but that wasn't it. It was not a conscious part of his mind but a potential that flowed through from the depths of his psyche through his hands. A part of him feared it made him other, less human, less Tau'ri, something different, alien. And yet it was a feeling of power, something he could indulge in or abuse. He may not be comfortable with it but here he needed to use it. Jack found it stirred up images he cannot fathom and abilities too powerful for any one man. He wanted to be a normal simple man, not some oddball to be pulled off the shelf when they need this specific tool.

But it was a rush, what a rush, when the ship lifted off, and a supreme rush when the Goa'uld's mothership blew up. It was exhilarating but Jack knew he couldn't let it go to his head, overwhelm his sense of self.

Good god, Jack had needed a diversion and this mission had been just what he needed. He had felt like a kid let out to play.

King Arkhan, aka Harry Maybourne, after the unpleasantness with Ares' Jaffa, invited Jack to the local tavern.

"You gotta admit you had fun, got the old adrenalyn flowing. Better than flying a desk?"

"Yeah Harry." Jack said with a grin. He did blow a Mother ship, complete with a System Lord, out of the sky.

"Come on Jack, let's have a drink. We have excellent Ales and Stouts. You could retire here, all of you. It's great."

"It might be a tad too, dare I say, 'primitive' for Carter."

They sat down at a wooden bench where a barmaid approached. "How may I serve you today Sire?"

"I would like a flagon of your finest ale and a sampling of your stout and ales for my friend. Oh and some nachos." King Arkhan requested.

She smiled and went off to fill their order.

"Nachos?" O'Neill queeried.

"I may have brought some innovations. Just think what Carter and Daniel could do. They would have a field day creating a modern society. Skip all the errors of the past, blow past the fossil fuel stage. Daniel can decipher the monoliths."

The drinks and nachos appeared and both dug right in.

"They both can do that as members of the SGC."

"You could all retire here. The stout's pretty good isn't it?"

"It's great." Jack said as the barmaid refilled his tankard. "But Harry, we have jobs, obligations…"

"With my ship you could be anywhere, any century."

"And we can take that ancient ship."

"Don't even think of stealing my ship."

"You can't fly it." Jack retorted.

"I'd consider letting you borrow it for a mere…"

"Aah Harry, bargain with the bean counters."

"You know that ship wasn't built here. There's a tale it came from the past, people escaping from…"

"Tell Daniel."

"They say they're the ones that carved the monoliths. And as for the ship I haven't tested my people to see if any of them can get it to work. They usually avoid that whole area." Harry continued "So Jack, what do you think about retiring here?"

"It's not Minnesota. Where, by the, I have a sweet little cabin by a sweet little lake."

"I'm the king. You could have a large lake with a mansion. And with 4 wives. Or would that be too primitive for Carter?" King Arkon said with a sly grin.

O'Neill looked wistful. Harry got his happily ever after, Jack wasn't sure he'd live long enough to see his own.

After coming back from Harry's world and all the reports were filed, Jack had a day off, of course he was still leashed to his phone. He got an unexpected call from the SGC that the CIA agent Kerry Johnson was looking for him. When he returned her call she suggested dinner. She wanted to get to know him better especially since they would be occasionally working together. He had nothing to do, no plans, so what the heck.

Maybe he had one too many, she did too. They got along famously and both desperately needed this time to relax and unwind. Sure he was a little drunk but it was good not to overthink it. Things did get hot and heavy as they almost tumbled into bed. He didn't have to wonder - is this inappropriate?

Will it hurt her career?

Does she really want me?

Is this forever?

They pulled back. "Let's see how things develop, no need to rush." she said.

He called a taxi and kissed her good night.

Was he an idiot? Well maybe, but he'd enjoy it for now. He told Carter for years to get a life, maybe he should take his own advice. And for that niggling guilt, he'd ignore it.