AN: To appease my fickle muse who won't let it drop and is acting like a stuck record, we are up and running on a second chapter … Not sure when the next one will be up due to life and said fickle muse getting together again. As usual it's all fiction, done for fun and those mistakes you might spot still duck when I check for them.

Chapter 2

With his mind suddenly doing cartwheels and his need to fidget reaching pacing mode, Jack knew he had to stay hidden while waiting for Jon to beam down or call back. As there was no room in his hideout to pace he decided to use his usual form of meditation, even if he didn't have his favourite props of pond, fishing line, decking or chair to sit on. So sitting cross legged on the ground as Teal'c usually did when he meditated, and looking out through a small gap in his hideout Jack couldn't help smiling, - there were no creaking joints or flashes of pain that stopped him trying it this way in the past.

Keeping one part of his senses on high alert while melding with the sounds of the county side around him, knowing the local animals would warn him of any change/danger, he started his steady breathing routine. And, instead of going downwards and inwards as his warrior brother did, he started to slow his mind down by going through recent events. While also silently acknowledging he missed Teal'c's company and their quiet sessions between missions, which were very short and infrequent since his promotion to General and move to DC, and Teal'c's work with the Jaffa Council and SGC.

Recognising an animal call in the distance, he knew the medium sized animals had joined the larger ones that might be a threat to him. Also, the gun he always carried on hikes like these, was now a liability, but would use it if needed, and though he might be a supple pint-sized General, running was not a option. The socks he'd wrapped round his downsized feet in place of walking boots didn't give them much protection, and his full sized sweatshirt like everything else was too big in all directions, but it gave him the warmth he needed. So, in all honesty the only thing he could do was to sit on his favourite warm waterproof jacket, with those favourite walking boots tucked beside him, and wait in his bushy undergrowth hideout for rescue.

Yeah. Some rescue that was going to be … Jon and or Teal'c would come armed with cameras for still or video pictures … Along with half the crew of the spaceship watching on spy cameras no doubt. Well, that's what he would do if he was coming for them. And smiled at the idea of a pint sized Teal'c, who'd not been on that planet… so would look like a giant to him. More likely to be a pint sized Danny waiting in the mountain's infirmary... having run through the passageways to raise the alarm, assuming he could have got out his lab or room he'd been sleeping in, of course.

Nah, that hadn't happened. Because Hank would have found and followed the 'breadcrumb trail' to the cabin and hilltop he'd left behind immediately. Would have taken the quick short cut .. activated Thor's tracking device and he would have woken with a group of large Marines gaping at him before being transported 'upstairs'. Or of course, just been beamed straight 'upstairs' and woken up in that infirmary, possibly even SGC's one ... with a battery of needles waiting for him. And sighed, knowing that would happen sometime soon, and hoped they wouldn't insist it being done in both or have both Doc's fighting each other for the pleasure. He really hated the lights and the needles, … Hell! they'd be so much bigger as he was so much smaller ...

He shivered and quickly flicked his thoughts on … To the fact the rest of his stuff was back in the walkers' hut, making it look as though he'd just popped out for a short stroll or was taking a leak in the woods. Which would work providing anyone looking didn't know about the compost loo round the back. Why was he being so cautious? Well, he knew all about that other shoe the universe just loved chucking at him … had obviously chucked one already ... So the other one was bound to follow. And if this was earth based trouble, then he would need all the minutes that deception in the hut would give him to raise the alarm upstairs and get beamed up… fast.

Reassured by the birdsong around him and his need to fidget was going down a notch or two, Jack slipped back into finding out who was to blame for this mess, and how he'd get his own back on certain other people regardless. He'd already thought it was a bit over the top for the morons who tried to kidnap him, which had led to his earlier than planned trip to SGC. And the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' or Senator 'Baabaa' as he nicked named the guy, and knew he was going to call him that to his face one of these days if he wasn't careful. Had charm, and had immediately reminded him of dear old Kinsey, but with better looks and more intelligence than that slime-ball, was the public face of the covert baddie group. But like that slime-ball, he and his followers were trying to influence matters, infiltrate certain Committees and other places they shouldn't be near or know about.

Jack knew he wouldn't have known anything about it if he hadn't seen some of the group gossiping in the corridor at a 'do' at the Pentagon, and felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand to attention so did some initial checking out. He'd always known when they'd exposed the Trust, any they missed or others would try and take their places so had been on his guard from day one. Being seen as a new lowly messenger General, he was ignored by many Generals, Senators and others or accepted that he might get a little 'lost' occasionally. So on the President's orders went sniffing and found the dung heap, as well as hints of the moneybags in the shadows. Had been gently and secretively dealing with the situation when the kidnapping attempt happened... Yeah that was too much of a coincidence.

As far as he knew the man didn't have the off-world influence, transport or specialised knowledge that would shrink a troublesome General... but then he'd not actually been looking for that kind of thing had he. But someone, and the dear old Senator and or his backers were the mostly candidate, had a) given off-world fire-power to their minions. And b) wanted to know exactly what a lowly General knew, before disposing of his body by zatting it three times into oblivion no doubt. If they had wanted him dead and nothing else, his driver, car and himself of course, would have been subject to a big bang/fatal car accident on the way home. But, he always had the car checked and varied the route or timing so was not an easy catch; also his drivers were trained for protection as well as evasive methods for all kinds of attack, also knew the need for complete secrecy about their skills etc. He had very quietly seen to that kind of training as soon as he'd arrived in Washington, knowing his enemies could come from anywhere. In this case though the fact they'd wanted him alive had been their mistake, but he wasn't going to tell anyone about that, and hoped that it hadn't occurred to them either. But wasn't ruling it out, hence the hideout and weapon to hand.

Flashing back to the quiet road out of DC when he and his driver realised something was wrong; his driver had started evasive manoeuvres while Jack quickly ran through everyone he could call for help. Just like this morning he'd needed in-house help but also clean up people to secure the scene, preferably before the local police got there. As Washington base and SGC were out of the question … no 'upstairs' cover from the latter ... he'd dialled the special number for NCIS Navy Yard. Got through to Special Agent Gibbs straight away and yelled at him to get his butt, team and couple armed extras over to where he was, (had barked out his position in a few words so no one would have to waste time tracing the call). Explained there would be bodies on the ground, because there were two cars of men dressed as Marines trying to run them down and taking pot shots at them,- and he was going to join in. Also Gibbs might need to finish what they'd discussed earlier, if this battle was lost. Hearing Gibbs starting to bark out orders, Jack chucked his phone on the seat knowing everything was in hand and joined in the fire-fight.

It had been an interesting three car chase, with lots of zigging and zagging as well as other devious manoeuvres to make sure they didn't get squashed between the baddies or more solid structures, or out manoeuvred by them. While the so called Marines shot to disable the car rather than killing the people in it, Jack had no restrictions so shot to do both, and scored some hits ... in vehciles and flesh. Inevitably though all the cars ended up in a sorry state and would never run again ... but could be used as shields by both sides. And, that was when the Zats came out … on the baddies side not his … Yeah if he'd had a Zat there would have been three shots at each car and he'd gone home for that early tea he'd wanted … instead the deadly game of hide and seek happened … that tea turned into a very late supper.

While they were exchanging shots amongst the wreckage, those so called Marines found out three Zat shots in one place made things disappear completely. Disconcerting when seen for the first time and not good if, from the language that the men let rip, they'd been ordered to bring the General in alive and not a hospital case either. That knowledge enabled him and his driver to continue their deadly cat and mouse game with new cunning.

By the time Gibbs and his team rolled in by air and road, the fire fight had just finished and there certainly was an unusual crime scene to secure. Zat damage to trees, limbs missing and burn marks as well as one General's car door completely missing, along with other strange heat marks, and of course, bullet holes, flat tyres and shattered windows, as well as the bodies scattered around the site. And, that hundred dollar question to be answered ... were they real Marines or baddies dressed up hoping to fool a lowly General into stopping the car and come quietly. It turned out his instinct had been spot on … they were the latter, and there would have been two more to the complete the full deck. But, as his driver had been wounded and needed his immediate attention, he'd had no option but to fire off a couple of random shots hoping to injure the last two as they fled the scene. Slow them down enough for the NCIS team to catch, track or trace them somehow and have some live ones to question.

Unfortunately, he must have missed the rats, and the team didn't catch them either; but with Ducky's help, his driver was patched up, flown out to hospital and survived. And he'd got away with a scratch or two ... and strangely enough that band-aid he'd had on to cover the largest one had shrunk … So did that mean his other clothes had? That would raise a few eyebrows as he had put his uniform, cover and smart shoes out for cleaning before he left the mountain.

Flitting back to the present time, he knew Senator 'Baabaa', his sheep and investors probably guessed or realised they had a bigger problem than before. Because, he and Gibbs were the same stubborn breed when they smelt trouble and or one of their team got injured ... Yep dogs with a bone or trying to find the hidden bone having got a sniff of it. And Gibbs considered he and his driver were one of his team and visa versa.

The downside as far as he was concerned, was that Special Agent Gibbs also had the ear and attention of the President, and the 'man' actually listened to him, acted on his words. That was of course how he'd been sent to SGC earlier than planned, with orders to stay inside the mountain till his trip to Atlantis took place, and after if needs be. Along with the President's added instructions that no one was to be told the real reason why he was early. His cover story was … he needed extra time to talk to Hank face to face about the SGC set up… He had not quarrel with that bit as he hated doing it by email. The kidnapping attempt was covered up DC end as a General's driver caught up in a bad accident having dropped his unnamed General off earlier. And Jack's absence from the President's side at DC, well he was now learning the ropes in a different department, so leave a message at the end of the tone or email and he will get back to you later.

So, he had no choice but to go - and keep quiet about the whole thing. Hadn't stopped him growling at Special Agent Gibbs as he'd been walked to the car and escorted home to pack etc. As they'd worked together and the rest of that team were his back up on this case, he knew he couldn't turn 'black ops' and disappear into the night. And was pleased his apartment was clean and tidy … certainly was spotless after 'the team' had helped him pack and emptied the fridge etc. He knew full well if the tables were turned, he would have hidden Gibbs away, off planet if needed, but would have told his team the reason. While in the mountain he'd had video links with the NCIS team so knew arrests would happen soon, and he would miss that bit of fun so had told them to film it. And with a slight smile wondered if he could have a video link with Abbey, her bouncy attitude always made him smile even if some of her words were way over his head, and knew he couldn't while he was pint sized. And they thought he was on Atlantis anyway, they would need to know he wasn't… perhaps he ought to get Daniel to tell Gibbs why… and watch it unfold.

Switching his thoughts to what he would do once he was back to his old size, well he couldn't say old self all things considered, now could he. But, he couldn't let them know the differences he could sense happening, especially if they were permanent; so he was stuck between that dreaded rock and a hard place once again. His old team, Hank and SGC weren't a problem, certain things had been kept off the record in the past so could this one. It was his new team in Washington and the President that would be the problem, and a can of worms he wasn't going to open now. But, whatever happened once he was his old size, he reckoned the President was going to have to face a lot of meetings on his own, because that paper mountain that kept on growing and SGC responsibilities were going to need all his time and his attention from now on.

He smiled, guessing those extra meetings he'd had attend with the President would revert to the long winded ones they used to be. Though he was seen as a new low-key General aid learning the ropes, by those who didn't know the truth; his dislike of infighting and lack of all round knowledge about the subjects being discussed was being felt by everyone. But, in keeping with his cover everything that went out was countersigned by the President, also he would go to the Generals and Senators' offices rather than them coming to his. And if anyone called him, they got his aid in Homeland Security, though no actual department would be linked to his name, and he would see them in an interview room rather than his office. He had one, worked in it and liked the view from it, also only wore a few of his medals on his uniform to avoid those difficult questions. Though he knew from the looks the President had been giving him recently, there would be an order for the man to go 'full medal' dress one day. Probably a full committee day and walking from one end of the place to the other knowing his damn luck.

As his battlefields were committees and meetings these days, he knew every forces and civilian member's history, knew their weak and strong points, and did everything very politely. Even though he'd like to put some of them through their paces as he'd done the new recruits when he was a colonel at SGC, or just plain shoot them ... members not recruits, he knew he couldn't… body count would be too high. He also knew Sam and Teal'c fully understood the two sides of his character, restraints and frustrations of the Job, while Daniel refused to understand his position regarding the Job and especially trips or lack of them to Atlantis.

Oh yeah, dear old Daniel ... He'd listened to his friend's 'tunnelled vision' need for that trip, had fought hard and had actually got his name down for a six week visit in a month's time. But, as General Landry couldn't give the final okay for Daniel to go till a few days before hand, he couldn't say anything to shut his friend up. They both knew Daniel needed a firm date and a short leash or he would be impossible to live with. So Daniel's whining and sad puppy dog looks about wanting to join this seven day trip as this would be his only chance to go, had started as soon as he'd arrived at SGC … heard it a hundred times...and he wasn't kidding about that number either…. It had even got into his dreams and that took a lot of doing.

It didn't matter whether it was in his dreams or real life, he couldn't get it into his friend's very intelligent but thick scull, 'that even though he was representing the President when he attended the ceremony to acknowledge what their people and their alien allies were doing out there. He didn't have the power to allow Daniel to tag along. It was the IOA representative Richard Woolsey who was in command and said who went and when, along with Hank's final blessing.' Of course Woolsey turned up... and went ... while they were on Planet Xetc so didn't face Daniel's plea.

So all things considered, he reckoned the trip to Planet Xetc along with that late return to SGC had been Daniel's way of payback, ... the man knew exactly how long they could stay on the planet, and it had been Daniel's insistence to go immediately rather than leave it till after the Atlantis trip as he had wished. And, knew he could not ignore the undertone in their close relationship, that their rolls had swapped to Daniel not wanting to talk about it, while Jack wanted to talk and sort the problem out once and for all.

The problem was simply that Jon, Jack's clone who'd been healed by Thor rather than dying soon after being made by the rogue Asgard, was now part of the unique SG1 family unit even though he didn't work in the Mountain, and was close to Jack. They all knew Daniel found it hard accepting Jon's existence, never offered that true hand of friendship and had stopped visiting the cabin or DC when Jon had been around. He communicated by emails rather than phone, usually saying he was too busy to come. Understanding his friend's fears of rejection he accepted those I'm too busy replies but kept in contact and asking while hoping the jealousy would go … it obviously hadn't. So, he was going to have to be that older brother, hard-ass Colonel of SG1 … only with a sharper tongue this time. And if it was done today … while shrunk and with a child's voice … Oh joy.

But some things hadn't changed .. the man had never knocked before entering the office while Jack had been in command of SGC, so why should it be any different when he was the 'guest' in the mountain and Daniel was the one working there. There was of course, that issue of only seeing his point of view, that had grown stronger over the years because of his off world experiences regarding possessions/ascending and descending, as well as smooth talking and smile. ... Yeah, that innocent blue eyed look the President drank in, along with every word that came out of his friend's mouth. ... Oh and don't forget bad timing ... though in this case from Daniel's point of view, it was impeccable.

And as far as he was concerned it was 'Evil/Cunning' Daniel all the way. The office was out the way and an officer stationed at the end of the corridor to stop unwanted visitors. That officer was now on rubbish clearing duty for a month. And, how on earth when walking along the said corridor to the office, could Daniel miss that notice in large capital letters that said. 'DO NOT ENTER ROOM WHEN RED LIGHT IS FLASHING'. And the bright red light on said door was flashing so no one could miss it. The damn man also managed to use his key card, open the door and walk in, without dropping the damn books he clutched to his chest. Started spouting about Planet Xetc as he walked in, and then without any embarrassment or hesitation carried on, when 'oh so surprised' he realised the President was on the large conference screen. Ending up with that very innocent look of his and comment … 'Wasn't it lucky that Jack could go to Planet Xetc as he'd come here early, so had free time before his visit to Atlantis.'

Like he'd been spending all his time since he arrived at SGC in the VIP lounge twiddling his fingers ...

As soon as the President had raised a hand to stop him from balling Daniel out in good old 'Colonel on parade ground' fashion, for coming in while the red flashing light was on … Jack had put his poker face on, listened to the rambling Doctor Jackson while taking in all the salient points, and on the other level tried to work out his strategic withdrawal. … Just like old times at pre-mission conferences then, only those times it was exit strategy for the whole team if things went south, or faults in the man's argument so they didn't have to go. … This time though he could see from the President's expression, that dear old Doctor Daniel Jackson was twisting the man around his little finger while deafening him with Ancient history. Yeah, both types of ancient history at that. Physical and DNA.

Of course, if it had been just him and Daniel in the room he would have eventually got his own way … that they would go after the Atlantis trip. And, as the good Doctor was obviously not as busy as he said he was in his last email, they could go on the 2 day trip to the cabin the man had turned down the last three times. But, he wasn't alone with him so he couldn't even use their 'yes/no' banter games to break the tension, or the man's rhythm to get him into 'Reasonable' Daniel instead of 'Stubborn, even arrogant Daniel'. There was also the fact he couldn't really say 'NO' to his Commander in Chief, now could he?

Actually, he did try ... several times … and quite forcefully, without crossing the line of rank or temper, of course. But the President with a sparkle in his eyes ordered him to go, adding that he knew Jack really wanted to go. Well, he didn't, he wasn't bored being around the Gate again, and enjoyed helping Hank with plans for new recruits and the Alpha site over a cup of coffee, rather than phone calls or emails that got interrupted. Even those tedious calls to Generals and Senators in DC were acceptable, they were long distance and he could accidentally cut them off, or forget the email till later. That wasn't mentioning that covert situation that was coming to the boil, because of course he couldn't, could he.

Going over it all now, he seriously wondered if he resigned and became a civilian, he might be able to twist the President around his little finger like Daniel and Gibbs managed to do … might ask Sam when he saw her if he could ... become a civilian. Though, being the size of a five year old might not work in his favour with anyone or anything he said... and sighed.

He also knew technically being here on the mountain ... hilltop ... it wasn't the tallest one around … was his own fault. But coming through the Gate and finding they'd gone without him, as he'd feared, along with Daniel's insistent whine in his ear … 'it didn't matter, he could get Hank to open the Gate to let him catch them up, after all he was the General at the top now' ... had really got to Jack. Yes … he'd got used to Daniel's whine that came up as he dragged the Doctor away from his rocks with scribbles on, so they got home on time or out of a life threatening situation. Even understood it, given the man's background of people or things he loved being torn away from him, or not being believed in the past. But, this time Jack had read a different message in the whine and that was ... 'it wouldn't have happened if he had said both of them were going to Atlantis, so it was Jack's fault and not his.' and that had been the last straw.

It was also telling that Daniel hadn't hung around the Gateroom as Hank got Jack's attention to explain the situation and gave him 'that' note from Woolsey. Nope, his friend had zoomed off at the speed of light for his medical, then hide in his rooms or lab, rather than waiting for him and faced him. So, Daniel Jackson was guilty as charged and would pay the price.

True, he hadn't looked for Daniel because he would have killed him … slowly and painfully … and before anyone could have stopped him, He was that angry, so he had slipped out the Mountain when he'd had the 'post mission' check up and been cleared.

Of course, in the Gateroom he'd also felt Hank's disappointment in him regarding the missed trip and ceremony that was meant to take place on Atlantis, and had to calmly agree to the new arrangements put forward by Woosley in that note. Had to keep a lid on his anger about that and the fact he wouldn't be able to carry out his covert plans with Sam on their special day either. Also he would explain it to the President via the conference link rather than let Hank take the flack for it all. But that wouldn't be for 48hrs … and a lot could happen in that time ... was happening in that time. Before going to the infirmary he'd told Hank he didn't want to be disturbed till then, and afterwards to make it perfectly clear to everyone else, had hung a 'Don't disturb unless the end of the world is happening' notice on his VIP suite door and locked it.

After that he changed and then quietly left the mountain, managed to get a flight to the nearest airport to his cabin, and instead of driving to his cabin in a hire car, he'd got lucky. He was spotted by a cabin neighbour who was collecting a new helicopter, and was offered a lift to his cabin door. Yep, literally as there was a nice open space between his cabin and pond, and had been used for a military pick up once or twice. The machine was a beauty, and having his eye on the sharing possibilities as the man wasn't too sure about parking space at his own cabin, he had of course said the helicopter was welcome at his cabin area. And as there were a lot of ground miles between the two cabins his spare truck could be used as a go between, or he was willing to be a flying taxi both ways this time round at least.

He sighed, because the man hadn't returned with the helicopter so parking was obviously all right, and knew there wouldn't be a helicopter sharing scheme. And went back to the idea it was either the planet X etc, or the Stargate ride back to SGC that had caused his present lack of size, but had not taken his mind with it, thank goodness. Hank had checked out the planet in the usual way, had a video chat with officials, who knew old and new SG1's reputation. And yes, they loved to have a meet and greet, would show Daniel the documents and artefacts he was interested in ... that had made Jack's fingers itch especially when they added they were a peaceful race, but understood the need for a lightly armed escort when they came.

He had made a last ditch appeal to Hank for a postponement, but as the President had already informed Hank it was an order from him and not a request from Daniel, there was no scrubbing the damn mission. And yes even Hank had 'that' look in his eyes as well, so he was going on his list, the only one off it would be Gibbs, and that was only because he liked it in the Gunny's basement. Okay, he also knew how sneaky and a good shot the man is… oh yeah two of a kind.

As for the Aliens, they reminded him of the Nox, but with better hair dos and in suits and dresses. And because of that, he'd had to wear full dress uniform while Daniel and their escort team of two had got away with comfortable suits and hidden side arms. The Gate was outside the town, but luckily they didn't have to walk, there was a modern mono rail system to the centre, and he'd watched with envious eyes the planes and their versions of helicopters that flew overhead. With ultra modern buildings and other vehicles in the town and countryside, there was no hiding the fact they were an advanced and organised race.

After the official greetings, and being taken to the buildings in question Daniel had been in his element looking at the documents etc while Jack stayed outside, and dropped to the sidelines of watching and waiting, chatting with the adults and children. Thinking things over. he couldn't deny he liked them, but it was those damned Ancient artefacts that had caused the problem. Typically Daniel had found one that had puzzled the locals and was giving them a different view of the translation, had promised not to go in the same room as the big one ... Would stay the right side of the glass panels. As time to go was getting close and his radio request for Daniel had gone unanswered, he'd sent in one of the escort team in. Came out with nothing but a polite 'need a moment or two Jack you know that'.

Yeah right, he gave him a moment and nothing happened, so as Cam was the officer in charge of the escort team, he ordered him to go in and drag Daniel out. Of course, Cam had rolled his eyes and both were wishing Teal'c was with them instead of attending the off world Jaffa Council meeting. Teal'c would have gone in and Daniel would have been out ... feet off the ground as well. Knowing they were at the time to go without running, Cam had tried, and found the inner door was locked so they had rounded up the chief librarian and found the spare key, unlocked the door and though Cam read Daniel the riot act, he came out empty handed. Saying Daniel only needed a couple of minutes.

They didn't have a couple of minutes, so against his better judgement he and Cam walked in, had to go into the sectioned off part of the room, he had promised not to go in, and had literally dragged the man out still complaining loudly he only needed a couple more minutes. That certainly gave the Alien chief and Librarian something to talk about, and they'd all suffered Daniel's monologue and the reason why he should go back to finish that translation as well as the history behind it, all the way to the gate.

Then Daniel changed to his other whine ... that they would wait for him as he was the top man etc ... as soon as they got the first of many buzzy signals from the Gate. When they finally got a connection and walked through Jack knew it was too late...

Now as he thought about that walk up to and into the blue wormhole when it had finally got established and the all clear to go through, he realised he'd seen multi colours flickering in the circle and had seen those same colours flickering round the Ancient artefact as he and Cam had dragged Daniel out the room. He'd not touched anything, but goodness knows what Daniel had, and had thought nothing of it then, as all he wanted to do was to get out before anything connected to his Ancient Gene, and get back to the Gate ... just in case they could beat Woolsey dialling out. But now he realised the start of the ride in the wormhole had also felt slightly different. … draining even... Though it could all be his imagination working overtime with hindsight, and the fact he could never explain to anyone the way the ride through the Gate had always tickled his senses, called him. He knew it wasn't the same tingle the gate gave Teal'c and Sam, because he had shadows of that after his experience with ...

And shut down his musings and went straight into ...Full General Black Ops alert.

He'd caught something in the air rather than on the ground as the animals were shifting … edgy ... leaving and wasn't sure in which direction 'it' was coming from yet.

There it was again and his mind caught ... the thrump, thrump of an engine in the air … but couldn't see the black dot of it's body in the sky in front of him. Tuning his senses into the unseen engine noise he knew it was not coming over the trees behind him … so was front left or right. He'd know that in a moment or two, and started ticking boxes off in his mind to understand the coming threat, if there was one.

It was not the heavy sound of a large people carrier, so two or four people including pilot at the most. And if it didn't fly on past his hilltop … Then that shoe, of goodness how many pairs the universe kept throwing at him, could be ready to fall on him again. Even if it was just an innocent person/people taking the quick way up and prove they could land on the clearing at the hilltop to look at the view before flying off again none the wiser … could cause trouble.

Would be nice … but knowing his luck it was the Senator's sheep or the man himself pissed off enough to kill rather than kidnap him especially if they knew that NCIS team were after them. That meant of course, the helicopter ride airport last night might have been too good to be true, or they had a mole in SGC who saw him leave, neither felt right. SGC security was very tight, he'd made sure of that, and knew the neighbour wasn't the type to betray him like that. So, he must have tripped something that had been put in his cabin, something Sam's gizmo had missed when he swept it on arrival, more likely outside the cabin on the edge of the forest so they either listened in or watched his movements from a safe distance. Knew he was on the hilltop last night and hence this early helicopter he could hear. Night flying would have been too dangerous. His cabin was no longer the unknown property it used to be, he'd had to inform the security people and the President when he transferred to DC, and had no doubt the Senator and or his shadowy backers had access to that information as well.

He seriously didn't think the Senator could have set things in motion so he went to Planet X and got shrunk in order to pick up a child instead of an adult. But if they had tracked him down, they probably thought he was napping in the shelter, so wouldn't even land. Nope, just flyby take aim with a honking big gun and fire … That's what he would do if he wanted to bump himself off ... just leave a dead body amongst the rubble or better still just a large pile of ashes so no one would know immediately who, if anyone, had been inside. Or of course Zapping him three times but not the hut, so they would need him to be outside and they would know that would be difficult.

Whether it was the baddies or not the last thing he wanted was Jon and Teal'c beaming down into the line of fire. Or scare an innocent pilot with or without passenger half to death or even death through loss of control and going down to the valley below.

Hoping Jon was already 'upstairs' in the spaceship, rather than still trying to explain things to SGC, so he wouldn't get a buzzy signal, he struggled to roll up his sleeves so he could use his cell phone. And knew one thing for certain, it wasn't Jon or a rescue team in the helicopter making an unannounced pick up. Jon would have warned him about the change of plans so avoiding this kind of tension or chance of a deadly mistake. They both knew beaming up was safe, anything else was dangerous … baddies come to get him ... hence his order in his original message to Jon. He might be small and his gun now over sized, but with the cover and rocks in front of him he could still be a deadly sniper if need be...

Phone at the ready, he shifted his position so he could see the brow of the hilltop and the clearing up to the hut he had used last night after watching the stars, and wishing Sam a happy anniversary. He could now hear and feel the helicopter's engine in the air around him as the machine came into sight. It was a two man helicopter with a clear front for the pilot and … oh joy, the passenger was starting to lean out the doorway with what looked like a honkying bazooka type weapon... Ah Crap …it was the two morons he'd aimed at and must have missed at the kidnapping site. Finishing keying in Jon's number and wriggling down further into his hide-out, knowing he had the advantage at the moment he waited for the pick-up.

It took seconds for the connection, and immediately Jack yelled into it, hoping his childlike voice wouldn't give out. "If you are upstairs do not beam down! Put me on speaker! Now!"

And got Jon's short shocked "Okay! Doing it now. Reynolds is here so is Teal'c. Was just going to come down." and the tension racked up in the spaceship, that acted as a communications satellite when in range of earth so there was no danger of being cut off.

Desperately hoping though he sounded like a child it wouldn't stop his orders being acted upon, Jack immediately carried on. "Armed chopper, 12 0'clock to walkers hut doorway. Two seater, bazooka type weapon being aimed and armed at doorway. We need them alive, knocked out and sent to SGC for Gibbs to question. He travels to them not the other way round. First Mark two males - one pilot, one passenger. Take them on reloading bazooka. On my second mark the helicopter - bring it in hot and put in force field to kill the engine, and control as practised. Understood!"

It was one thing for them to hear Jon's far fetched story and accept the possibility it was true, considering how trouble seemed to find certain members of SG1 past and present; but was quite another and a shocking one, to hear the child's voice come over the speaker. But, as it somehow carried the familiar General's adult authority in it, everyone on the deck of the spaceship reacted like the well oiled team, he'd expected them to be.

Unfortunately, Colonel Reynolds' answer to Jack was lost in the loud explosion that came from the speaker and told everyone the bazooka type weapon had been fired, and probably found it's mark.

Which sent concern for their General through the roof, and Jon's anxious call "Jack answer me!" down the phone ...

But, it didn't stop the same officers from setting things up as ordered, and then wait anxiously for the next orders to come through...

oxoxox

Thank you for reading. Reviews welcome but not demanded.

See you sometime in the future for chapter 3.