Djenie, Amber and Schatze8210 – thank you for your reviews. Real life decided to give me time to sort this one out, hope you enjoy it. Sorry I can not promise regular updates.

To everyone else who've read so far thank you and on to seeing how Jack got on.

Chapter 3

Back on the hilltop with the vibrations and noise of the explosion dying away, Jack though deeply shaken lay totally still in concentrated sniper's mode. He was watching the helicopter do a wide slow turn so it could line up for another go rather than turning to fly off knowing the job was done. And, realised he could hear muffled sounds from the phone he was still holding to his ear.

Thought he could just make out Jon's concerned snappy. "Forcryingoutloud Jack! Answer Me!"

Getting his thoughts together, assessing the situation Jack yelled back "I'm fine! Pilot lining up at 12 o'clock again. On my Mark take them." and was surprised how squeaky his voice sounded, ... because although he'd adjusted on one level to being the size of a 5 year old, he thought like his adult self so expected his adult voice... and knew his team were going to have field day...

'Upstairs' getting the nod from the Officer at the desk that things were set up, Reynolds contained his relief Jack had survived and called out. "Ready for two males at 12 o'clock on your Mark General." and watched on the screen as the security detail with Zats and hand restraints at the ready, surrounded the receiving area.

Hearing and thoughts back on track, Jack immediately yelled out. "Mark One!" because the pilot had steadied the helicopter to hover while the passenger was starting to reload the bazooka type weapon. Silently counting off the seconds, Jack was glad there was high mixed cloud cover and hoped anyone looking would assume it was just another lightening storm in the hills and not notice the helicopter at all.

The beam lit up the helicopter for a second or two and the two men were gone, leaving it hanging in mid air with the rota blades working. And their luck held – the man's weapon fell into the helicopter instead of over the side and down into the valley below.

Hearing the call "Got them!" over the phone, Jack yelled out. "Mark Two and shield it. Now!"

The helicopter was wavering and the last thing they wanted was to take a spiralling or diving machine into the spaceship's special hanger area or have to let it crash into the valley.

The beam hit and it was gone... leaving silence all around.

In his hide-out Jack started to tremble as his young body reacted to the situation, knowing it had not been trained as his adult body had he let his adult mind take over and breathed slowly and waited.

Heard Reynolds automatically relay the information. "Mark 2 arrived. Engine cut out as planned and is safe. Rescue team will be on their way down, Sir." then as a concerned friend he added. "Do you need medical assistance Jack?"

Though his child voice cracked, Jack immediately yelled back. "I'm okay! Teal'c and Jon only! Send them down 12 0'clock in front of the hut to collect my equipment. I'm close by." And cut the call. He wasn't going admit it was smoking rubble, they would see it soon enough … could see it no doubt if they zoomed their spaceship's cameras in enough … The last thing he wanted was troops leaving their footprints all over the place. It needed to be as untouched as possible.

Back 'upstairs' in the area where they would beam down to the hilltop Reynolds sighed, and looking at the extra SG team waiting to go ordered. "You heard the General, only the two. But Lou, I want you to go just in case someone else is nearby, and film the damage so we know what work needs to be done to cover it up. Be my officer on the ground as Jack's been compromised. Jon and Teal'c dress him and bring him straight back... kicking and screaming if necessary."

"Indeed" Teal'c intoned, though there was a hint of a smile from the warrior, which made Jon chuckle before commenting seriously to Lou as he joined them to beam down. "Keep that thing hidden or you'll be in big trouble no matter how small he is."

Lou smiled, then added seriously. "You heard my orders. So lets grab him. Teal'c can tuck him under his arm if necessary."

As Jon and Teal'c eyed the man with more than a hint of a grin, they all felt the tingle through their bodies and disappeared from the spaceship.

Seeing the beam down was a success Reynolds shook his head to clear it, though couldn't rid himself of the smile at the thought of Jack tucked under Teal'c arm, and then got on with the job of informing General Landry of the situation and find out where he wanted the unconscious prisoners dumped. And wondered if being taken from a flying helicopter, materializing for a moment in a strange room with guards before being zapped out cold and then finally waking up in the brig inside a mountain with a really bad headache, would shock them into talking. Or was facing angry interrogators now it was known they'd tried to kill the General be more frightening, because they would know after all that happened to them the men, they faced could literally make them disappear permanently and without any come back.

oxoxox

From his hiding place, Jack watched the group appear and silently cursed the fact Lou was there. The man might be his friend and fellow officer, but he had a wicked sense of humour and this was going to be difficult to live down no matter what spin you put on it. He'd planned to crawl out and walk or just stand nearby to meet them as they appeared, after all he knew rolling out was impossible, his long sleeves would wrap round him trapping him mummy like … and please them no end. Photos popping up all over the place. Crawling out wasn't going to be easy, but that wasn't going to happen either, debris from the explosion, branch, tree whatever, he didn't know which, blocked him in. So, he was going to have to call out and get Teal'c to clear a hole and pull him out … And no doubt that would be on film if Lou or even Jon had anything to do with it. Yeah, he knew exactly what Jon would do … and waited for a moment or two.

Meanwhile Lou, Jon and Teal'c were quietly registering the smoking wreck and mess in front of them. Reckoned the door and front walls blew in taking the brunt of the missile, and the following explosion not only scattered the smouldering roof, the parts of the other walls and anything behind it as well as the branches from the nearby trees around the clearing. What was left of the side walls were at odd angles and likely to crumble at any time and the odd flicker of flame could be spotted as the wind blew. Deep shock rippled through all of them as they knew if Jack had been in there he would have been killed instantly … would have been ashes … and started to get their bearings. Started to look around for that 'five year old' general to come and greet them, probably with that knowing look and sarky comments way beyond his years … and found silence and no sign of movement from the tree line either.

Shaking himself out of shock, Lou started to film the wreckage on the camera that was linked to an Officer 'upstairs' knowing nothing was going hide this mess, and damaged control was going to be difficult to say the least. It all shouted big gun trouble rather than ... Opps, sorry sir my campfire got out of control, here's a few dollars to pay for the damaged.

Jon was trying hard to dispel the memory … Jack's memory and emotional ride of watching his robotic-self die and told himself he wasn't going to find his original dead and felt Teal'c move beside him. Glancing over at the warrior he caught 'that' silent look, which said he too wondered if their friend had hidden his true injuries or the child had taken over more than his body, and got out his phone. Dialled Jack's number, reckoning if he'd blacked out or was a scared child the ringing tone would guide them to his hide out amongst the trees. That was the only place he could be...

It rang out twice and Teal'c walked purposely in the direction of the tone and the trees… Jon noted they'd been looking at the wrong lot of trees.

Jack picked up and said sharply, before Jon could comment. "No filming or that spaceship is going have the cleanest heads ever, with three toothbrushes and one man, Jaffa and clone doing it!"

Jon laughed with relief and told Lou the message, then looking across to where Teal'c had stopped and was looking down at the tangle of undergrowth and broken branches, called into the phone. "Jack! The Chief upstairs needs to know how to clear this mess up and what state you are in."

While Teal'c looking down at the tangle of undergrowth and broken branches and sizing up the situation promptly intoned in his usual manner. "O'Neill I will pull you out as you are trapped by a very large fallen branch. Afterwards you can change and we will then beam back 'upstairs', and on to SGC where we can sort things out."

Jack sighed, knowing he had no choice and feeling as though he was being told off by a teacher, … Nope, a very large Jaffa ... huffed out loudly. "Fine! But Lou needs to gather up my stuff so no one knows any of us have been here or there might be someone's body in there. So watch what you handle and where you walk."

Keeping that in mind and starting to push away the branches as Jon came over to help, Teal'c said. "That maybe impossible O'Neill. The hut took the brunt of the explosion. Move towards the gap and put your arms up so I can carry you out of there. It was a very good place to hide for one so small."

Jack huffed and sighed, Yep T was enjoying this situation, his tone said it all. Seeing Jon's face appear in the gap Teal'c had made, he ordered. "You can gather my bits and pieces and I want to change in private. That live feed 'upstairs' can wait till I've changed and had better not make it's way to the mountain either." wasn't going to have both of them peering down at him.

Jon and Teal'c glanced at each other, then Jon admitted. "Reynolds needs to know you are okay. He won't let it go any further and will report back to Hank over the speaker."

Knowing better, Jack snapped back hoping his voice would carry to their video feed. "Yeah pull the other one Jon. You know them as well as I do. If it does get out everyone will be cleaning all the heads in all the spaceships with toothbrushes for the next ten years on my orders!"

Seeing Jon's head disappear to either comply or get a better angle, Jack knew he had no choice but to let Teal'c pull him out. After all he didn't want to sit here all day did he, so he awkwardly moved round and put his arms up in silent compliance. Trying hard to ignore the fact the arms of his large sweatshirt insisted hanging over his hands and the rest of the top swamped him, then watched Teal'c's shadow loom over him even more as other branches or undergrowth were pushed aside. Then felt his warrior friend guide his arms and take hold of him around his chest then pull him out of his hideout into full morning light with ease.

For a short while they were solemn eyes to solemn eyes, before he was put down on the ground, without the embarrassment of his makeshift coverings coming adrift. Standing there Jack really realised just how small he was, and looking up said "Thanks T." and noted with some relief his child like voice had a cheerful edge to it. Then stayed silent as he was visually checked over by the said looming Jaffa, and he read the warrior's hint of expressions, could see that glint in his eyes that said volumes to him but no one else… relief and laughter.

Taking in the reality of the situation Teal'c tried to relate the child in front of him to the adult. Noted those dark eyes showed no fear, in fact they were weighing things up even challenging him, as he had when they first met. And knew the adult O'Neill was very much in this child, there might be scrapes and hair out of place but no serious injuries, and intoned seriously. "You did well O'Neill with the things you had with you, and am glad you are safe." finishing with the slight tilted nod of respect he gave to those who really deserved.

While Jack in turn gave his own smile of acceptance before turning back into the serious child and turned his attention to Jon.

oxoxoxo

As soon as Jack was out the way Jon gathered the things up knowing why they had been kept close, and tried to suppress the shiver that rippled through him as he put the gun safe. With their shared memories of sniper mode, he knew Jack had watched the helicopter ready to shoot at it or people in it if necessary, and closing down those thoughts, couldn't stop the flash of Charlie's death, another gun in a child's hand. Breathing slowly to calm himself and get closure, he bagged the rest then turned to see how Teal'c was doing as there were no snappy comments from his pint sized self or from Lou and that had to be a first...

And couldn't help smiling at the scene. Yeah, even if it was weird to see what he would have looked like as a 5 year old and know he'd never been that age, but had Jack's very clear memories of them, thanks to the cloning procedure ... and tucked them back in the right box in his mind as he checked the child over.

The child's hair was in Jack's 'General' style rather than a child's. It was still wayward, either natural or result of being pulled out of that hideout … and there was the odd leaf and twig to prove it. … Definitely deserved a photo or two...Also it hadn't darkened to his own young adult colour so that must have happened between the two ages. Or was it silver hints of his true age showing through, and he was looking for it because he needed to know his original olderself and friend was still there. And silently sighing, recognising the favourite sweatshirt swamping his mini self, checked over the socks stuffed and wrapped up to protect his feet, and was very conscious of those dark brown eyes and expression now glaring back at him. Yep, he knew exactly what his other-self was thinking … wanting ... And putting his hand to his radio to click it on and said in that firm tone they both possessed. "You can see he's safe with us. The rest is private. We'll be beaming up as soon as we've changed him." then turned his camera off, but left the radio on.

Glaring even harder at Jon for those last words Jack called out. "No! We wont. I need to collect some batteries and my cabin and area around it needs sweeping. If the rest of Lou's team is up there, they can do it and lock it up. They need to go in the usual way with a vehicle not beamed down."

"Batteries? Jack what the Hell are you talking about!" Came back over the radio on Teal'c's jacket, as well as from the others so it sounded like an odd echo.

"So I can go to Atlantis and get resized!" Jack snapped back, his 5 year old voice had the General's tone, stating it should have been obvious to everyone, so why ask ... and didn't soften very much as he carried on explaining. Needing everyone, including himself to ignore the pitch of his voice, just think of him as the General giving orders. "Batteries are nearby not at the cabin. Give us half an hour to find and collect them. The cloud cover will still be around and beaming up them and us will not be a problem. We can't zap the hut three times and beam in a replacement and hope no one notices. We'll let the warden know it was vandalism via helicopter with no witnesses or casualties but we found it and will get a team to help replace it as part of their training. He's ex-forces knows me and understands the need for less said the better."

As Lou came over to join the group he couldn't help smiling at that, even if he had bad news, and wondered if everyone upstairs were standing to attention, that tone would have brought all of SGC to attention. But he could see the serious five year old and said loudly but aimed it at his radio. " "Jack's gear is smouldering ashes so you don't need to worry about that."

Needing to finish this Jack nodded then carried on. "Right, talk to Hank he's got the Ranger's number. And tell Daniel he'll get my bill later because this is his fault. Call you in half an hour for beam up or update. Out!" Taking it for granted the radios would be disconnected he carried on glaring at Jon and asked. "What were you going to change me into?"

Walking towards him and not fazed by that glare Jon apologised. "Sorry, just an expression. Teal'c has your clothes in his backpack, better do it behind the trees if you want privacy."

"Better not be 'the suit' or stuff with bits on." Jack groused as he started to follow Teal'c behind the nearest trees that would block the others view, and trying not trip over the oversized jumper and arms. That would be too embarrassing, but he wasn't going to be carried either and added. "Has Daniel admitted it was his fault yet T?"

"Walter acquired blue BDUs and trainers with velcro straps from the emergency nursery at headquarters. Along with the necessary other garments of course." Teal'c intoned in his usual manner, and just managed to hide his hint of a smile knowing the child general would spot it and not like it at all.

"Cool" Jack exclaimed with glee, and ignoring the spiky bits that poked through the cardboard inlays to his socks carried on walking out of sight of the others.

oxoxoxo

Realising they couldn't hang around, Jon and Lou set about giving the area the once over, while making sure the ruined hut wouldn't start a fire they heard Jack's high pitch excited exclamation. "T it's got General stamped on it! Must get a full sized one ordered." ring out from the trees.

They didn't hear Teal'c's comments only Jack high pitch. "Must thank Walter when I'm full sized." then rather indignant higher pitched exclamation. "Hey! I can do that myself T, been doing it since I was a kid." followed by silence or perhaps a deeper toned comment they couldn't hear.

But it struck a cord with them, making them stop their work and look at each other, with the same thought … that if Jack had woken up that morning as a real five year old, not a pint-sized General, he would have stayed inside the hut with tragic consequences and none of them would be any the wiser..

Their sobering thoughts were broken by the bright cheeky call "Okay. You can look now."

They turned towards the trees just as Jack walked into view followed by Teal'c, who was trying to hide his smile … and failing ... while slinging his backpack on his shoulders.

The picture lightened their mood, the uniform suited the boy as it did the man they knew, and even if the word 'General' hadn't been stamped on the left shoulder, that air of command that he naturally carried was there again. And Lou automatically and with respect came to attention and saluted the 'child General' saying. "The hut is safe to leave, and the mission is yours till you are ready to beam up. Sir."

Jack in turn automatically returned the salute and quietly commanded. "Tell Reynolds no record of this mission must be kept and not to jump in before I tell him. I know he will be the spy in the sky but even that must be restricted to his eyes and ears only, certainly nothing to go back to DC or beyond the need to know at SGC."

There was a moment's pause as Lou was obviously listening to his radio ear piece and then with a nod said. "Roger out." then turned his attention back to Jack and added. "He's all right with that, DC has been kept out of the loop. They will be picking up NCIS team of Gibbs, Abbey and Dr Mallard, the last two to go over the helicopter."

Jack interrupted quickly. "Oh Ducky's flying high. Tell Gibbs seeing a Zat and all it's implications should loosen the men's tongues, if not use it on them." then changing his attention to Jon added as he spun away from them. "Down the path to the Devil's waterfall, last one buys the evening meal." and starting to run off in the right direction and yelled out. "So T. How was Danny boy."

"If you will walk beside us O'Neill I will tell you." Teal'c called out with gentle but firm authority, realising Jack was going to enjoy himself regardless of the strangeness of the situation.

Jack stopped and looked back at the group then huffed. "You're no fun T. I can run and jump without aching."

"Stop at the boulders Jack." Jon called out, knowing the route they were taking, and those boulders were a hard climb for an adult, probably impossible for a child or a stubborn shrunken General.

"Okay two against one, want to join in Lou." Jack asked innocently knowing the answer.

Lou wisely shook his head though he was smiling, because his friend was certainly all there and enjoying himself.

"Thought not." Jack replied in a pointed tone, then ignoring his friend as questions exploding in his mind asked. "So T was Jon's phone call a big surprise? Has Daniel admitted he's to blame yet?" without waiting for answer admitted. "You know if I had stayed in the mountain I would have killed him. He knew how important this trip was to everyone out there."

"Indeed you would have, and I will answer your many questions in good time." Teal'c answered in his usual manner.

Jack huffed, knowing that tone and manner, and stopped skipping/running on ahead.

While waiting for them to catch up he knew he'd been gently but firmly reminded ... to take his time ... Which, was hard. All manner of things were buzzing in his mind and being sorted out, some too quick for him to understand, others felt as though they were clicking into place to join something bigger. As it did the first time he went Ancient, recognising those whispers weren't strong enough to take over his mind completely yet, and concentrated on what was going to happen next.

Jon would take point as he knew the way, Teal'c would walk with him and Lou would be on their six. All of them checking for danger - animal and human, with Reynolds in the sky checking out the overall picture and the link to General Landry SGC/Atlantis which would be his only way out of this mess. And hoped Teal'c would spill the beans with some speed… before he got too Ancient to ask the questions and understand the answers, let alone explain what he needed to do.

Thanks for reading.