Day Two: Daniel
(This part written by FCOL)
The look on Jack's face was priceless. I can't believe he didn't even notice me. Well, it serves him right for automatically assuming I'd be an easy target. If he only knew what I did in college for some extra money. Somehow I don't think he would have been quite so cocky had he known. What he doesn't know can't hurt me.
Sam and Teal'c have been working on the ship's systems continuously. If anyone can get this ship in working order it's Sam. Only 8 more days left. I'm confident that we'll succeed in the mission . . . SG1 always seem to come out on top, for the most part.
The only thing I'm worried about at this point is Jack. He's been pacing. It's never a good sign when he paces. Honestly he looks like a caged animal. He hates to be bored, and unfortunately there's not much we can do to alleviate that at the moment. Being stuck on a ship in space kind of gets in the way of fun things to keep Jack O'Neill happy.
I gather up my books and head down the hall towards what qualifies as bedrooms on this ship. I need to get some of this reading done. Don't look at me like that, Jack. I know we're on our way to intercept an asteroid and it might seem a little odd that I'm reading instead of doing something you consider 'constructive', but I also know that I have no idea how to fix this ship. So instead of pacing like some kind of crazy predator I plan to get some work done, since God knows when we get back to Earth after diverting this asteroid the celebrations will be more than enough to halt any translations I was in the middle of.
Oh no. Please don't follow me. *Sigh* "Hey Jack."
"Daniel . . ."
"Can I help you with something?"
"You know . . . I've been thinking."
"Uh oh."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing Jack . . . you were saying?"
"I've been thinking. There's no way that you could have beaten me yesterday."
"Well I wasn't the one standing in his boxers, was I? So I guess wonder of wonders I did manage to beat you."
"You cheated."
"What?!"
"You know, it didn't occur to me right away, but as I lay in bed last night I remembered this one night that you were over to my place. As usual you were a cheap date, drunk on a couple beers. You told some interesting tales of your life before the SGC. Some college tales . . ."
"Uh . . . really? I don't remember that . . . well you know I actually did a lot in college, Jack. Took some very interesting courses. You know, I even took an astronomy course once . . . ok so I dropped it after one day, but that was only because an archeology course I wanted had an opening come up and . . ."
"Casino dealer."
"Wha-What?"
"That's what you told me you did . . . to get some extra cash. Casino dealer. You cheated!"
"Jack . . . I . . ."
"Yes . . . you will be." With that he turned quickly on his heel. I knew that I was going to be just that . . . Sorry . . . very, very sorry. Damn. I decided then and there I was going to get a threshold for alcohol. No more slips of the tongue while in Jack's presence. He might like to keep up the charade of being dumb, but he was far from it. And a Jack O'Neill with something to hold over your head was a dangerous Jack O'Neill indeed.
I spent the next hour doing exactly what Jack had been doing. Pacing. He was so going to get me back for having him standing in front of Sam and Teal'c in his boxers. Now, to just figure out what it is he's going to do so I can avoid it.
I like to think I know Jack pretty well, that I'm the only one he can't intimidate, but for the life of me when Jack is quiet, calm . . . this SO can't be good.
I walked out of the rooms, towards Sam and Teal'c still hard at work. I don't see Jack right away, which is odd since the ship really isn't that big. Then I spot him. I see one of the control chairs swivel and there is Jack in all his glory. I honestly do try and stifle the laugh but seeing Jack sitting in that chair, his hands in a perfect imitation of Mr. Burns from the Simpsons . . . I can almost hear him whisper Excellent. I hear Sam and Teal'c turn as my strangled laugh escapes, Sam's giggle mingles with my laugh, Teal'c simply raising an eyebrow.
"Something funny?"
"Excellent."
"Excuse me?"
"Mr. Burns . . . you looked like Mr. Burns sitting there."
"So you DO watch the Simpsons!"
"What? No . . . of course not . . . you're always talking about them, I just have a good memory."
"Uh huh . . . right." Jack's smirk shows just how much he believes me. Damn. I don't know, maybe it's the air or something but I seem to be unable to avoid Sherlock O'Neill's attempts at weaseling more and potentially embarrassing information out of me.
"Can I help with anything, Sam?"
"Actually yes, Daniel, come here and I'll show you what I need you to do."
I proceed to get instructions from Sam on some of the systems on the ship, the crystals, what I'm supposed to do. I listen to her attentively all the while my mind never letting Jack out of my sight.
"So . . . T, up for a game of cards?"
"Indeed. Perhaps we should not play the same game as you and DanielJackson played last evening."
"Ah ah . . . never mention it . . . ever."
Teal'c simply inclined his head and followed Jack to the cargo bay for a game of cards. He obviously hasn't told Sam and Teal'c that I cheated. That in itself disturbs me. Jack usually devours any opportunity to redeem himself from a rather embarrassing moment.
"Daniel?"
"Uh . . . yeah? Sorry, Sam . . . my mind was wandering."
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, fine. Why?"
"No reason. So should we expect another game of strip poker for tonight's entertainment?"
"What? God no . . . wait . . . what did Jack tell you?"
"What do you mean?"
"He told you, didn't he?"
"Told me what?"
"He didn't tell you?"
"Daniel . . . are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes . . . yes I'm fine . . . Is there anything else you need help with?"
"Nope, that's great. Thanks for your help. Why don't you go join the Colonel and Teal'c? There's nothing to do today except a couple minor repairs I can get myself."
"Um . . . no I think I better get some work done. See you in a bit."
"Ok, Daniel. Have fun."
"Hmmm? Oh yeah . . . you too."
So he didn't tell them, OR, he did tell them and they aren't saying anything. Maybe he's recruited Sam and Teal'c? Maybe they're all in on whatever Jack has planned. No . . . Sam wouldn't . . . would she? No, definitely not. She had fun last night too. I mean she did get to see Jack in his boxers. That in itself would be enough for her to be on my side . . . right?
I think it would be prudent to put some of Jack's training to the test. I walk into the cargo bay, glancing at Jack and Teal'c as I walk past them. "I'm just going to get a little more reading done."
"Knock yourself out."
"Why would DanielJackson wish to injury himself O'Neill?"
"Oh For . . . it's just an expression Teal'c . . . your turn."
The evening passed slowly. Jack and Teal'c did little more than play gin, Jack easily winning as our Jaffa friend doesn't know how to play gin. He didn't mention anything to Teal'c about my cheating, or about his plans to get me back.
I slip quickly into my room as I hear Jack exclaim that it's time to get some rest. Tomorrow is another day. I WILL find out what Jack has planned . . . even if it kills me.
This is going to be a long eight more days . . .
TBC-next part by Layton Colt
(This part written by FCOL)
The look on Jack's face was priceless. I can't believe he didn't even notice me. Well, it serves him right for automatically assuming I'd be an easy target. If he only knew what I did in college for some extra money. Somehow I don't think he would have been quite so cocky had he known. What he doesn't know can't hurt me.
Sam and Teal'c have been working on the ship's systems continuously. If anyone can get this ship in working order it's Sam. Only 8 more days left. I'm confident that we'll succeed in the mission . . . SG1 always seem to come out on top, for the most part.
The only thing I'm worried about at this point is Jack. He's been pacing. It's never a good sign when he paces. Honestly he looks like a caged animal. He hates to be bored, and unfortunately there's not much we can do to alleviate that at the moment. Being stuck on a ship in space kind of gets in the way of fun things to keep Jack O'Neill happy.
I gather up my books and head down the hall towards what qualifies as bedrooms on this ship. I need to get some of this reading done. Don't look at me like that, Jack. I know we're on our way to intercept an asteroid and it might seem a little odd that I'm reading instead of doing something you consider 'constructive', but I also know that I have no idea how to fix this ship. So instead of pacing like some kind of crazy predator I plan to get some work done, since God knows when we get back to Earth after diverting this asteroid the celebrations will be more than enough to halt any translations I was in the middle of.
Oh no. Please don't follow me. *Sigh* "Hey Jack."
"Daniel . . ."
"Can I help you with something?"
"You know . . . I've been thinking."
"Uh oh."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing Jack . . . you were saying?"
"I've been thinking. There's no way that you could have beaten me yesterday."
"Well I wasn't the one standing in his boxers, was I? So I guess wonder of wonders I did manage to beat you."
"You cheated."
"What?!"
"You know, it didn't occur to me right away, but as I lay in bed last night I remembered this one night that you were over to my place. As usual you were a cheap date, drunk on a couple beers. You told some interesting tales of your life before the SGC. Some college tales . . ."
"Uh . . . really? I don't remember that . . . well you know I actually did a lot in college, Jack. Took some very interesting courses. You know, I even took an astronomy course once . . . ok so I dropped it after one day, but that was only because an archeology course I wanted had an opening come up and . . ."
"Casino dealer."
"Wha-What?"
"That's what you told me you did . . . to get some extra cash. Casino dealer. You cheated!"
"Jack . . . I . . ."
"Yes . . . you will be." With that he turned quickly on his heel. I knew that I was going to be just that . . . Sorry . . . very, very sorry. Damn. I decided then and there I was going to get a threshold for alcohol. No more slips of the tongue while in Jack's presence. He might like to keep up the charade of being dumb, but he was far from it. And a Jack O'Neill with something to hold over your head was a dangerous Jack O'Neill indeed.
I spent the next hour doing exactly what Jack had been doing. Pacing. He was so going to get me back for having him standing in front of Sam and Teal'c in his boxers. Now, to just figure out what it is he's going to do so I can avoid it.
I like to think I know Jack pretty well, that I'm the only one he can't intimidate, but for the life of me when Jack is quiet, calm . . . this SO can't be good.
I walked out of the rooms, towards Sam and Teal'c still hard at work. I don't see Jack right away, which is odd since the ship really isn't that big. Then I spot him. I see one of the control chairs swivel and there is Jack in all his glory. I honestly do try and stifle the laugh but seeing Jack sitting in that chair, his hands in a perfect imitation of Mr. Burns from the Simpsons . . . I can almost hear him whisper Excellent. I hear Sam and Teal'c turn as my strangled laugh escapes, Sam's giggle mingles with my laugh, Teal'c simply raising an eyebrow.
"Something funny?"
"Excellent."
"Excuse me?"
"Mr. Burns . . . you looked like Mr. Burns sitting there."
"So you DO watch the Simpsons!"
"What? No . . . of course not . . . you're always talking about them, I just have a good memory."
"Uh huh . . . right." Jack's smirk shows just how much he believes me. Damn. I don't know, maybe it's the air or something but I seem to be unable to avoid Sherlock O'Neill's attempts at weaseling more and potentially embarrassing information out of me.
"Can I help with anything, Sam?"
"Actually yes, Daniel, come here and I'll show you what I need you to do."
I proceed to get instructions from Sam on some of the systems on the ship, the crystals, what I'm supposed to do. I listen to her attentively all the while my mind never letting Jack out of my sight.
"So . . . T, up for a game of cards?"
"Indeed. Perhaps we should not play the same game as you and DanielJackson played last evening."
"Ah ah . . . never mention it . . . ever."
Teal'c simply inclined his head and followed Jack to the cargo bay for a game of cards. He obviously hasn't told Sam and Teal'c that I cheated. That in itself disturbs me. Jack usually devours any opportunity to redeem himself from a rather embarrassing moment.
"Daniel?"
"Uh . . . yeah? Sorry, Sam . . . my mind was wandering."
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, fine. Why?"
"No reason. So should we expect another game of strip poker for tonight's entertainment?"
"What? God no . . . wait . . . what did Jack tell you?"
"What do you mean?"
"He told you, didn't he?"
"Told me what?"
"He didn't tell you?"
"Daniel . . . are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes . . . yes I'm fine . . . Is there anything else you need help with?"
"Nope, that's great. Thanks for your help. Why don't you go join the Colonel and Teal'c? There's nothing to do today except a couple minor repairs I can get myself."
"Um . . . no I think I better get some work done. See you in a bit."
"Ok, Daniel. Have fun."
"Hmmm? Oh yeah . . . you too."
So he didn't tell them, OR, he did tell them and they aren't saying anything. Maybe he's recruited Sam and Teal'c? Maybe they're all in on whatever Jack has planned. No . . . Sam wouldn't . . . would she? No, definitely not. She had fun last night too. I mean she did get to see Jack in his boxers. That in itself would be enough for her to be on my side . . . right?
I think it would be prudent to put some of Jack's training to the test. I walk into the cargo bay, glancing at Jack and Teal'c as I walk past them. "I'm just going to get a little more reading done."
"Knock yourself out."
"Why would DanielJackson wish to injury himself O'Neill?"
"Oh For . . . it's just an expression Teal'c . . . your turn."
The evening passed slowly. Jack and Teal'c did little more than play gin, Jack easily winning as our Jaffa friend doesn't know how to play gin. He didn't mention anything to Teal'c about my cheating, or about his plans to get me back.
I slip quickly into my room as I hear Jack exclaim that it's time to get some rest. Tomorrow is another day. I WILL find out what Jack has planned . . . even if it kills me.
This is going to be a long eight more days . . .
TBC-next part by Layton Colt