"All right people, listen up!"
Bill clapped his hands together, looking official in his white Disneyland polo shirt and jeans. Everyone was back in the wardrobe warehouse for a pre-rehearsal meeting; the clap got the attention of the group of pirates and wenches.
"Okay we'll run through it a couple of times before the park opens at eight. Now—we've advertised that the special performances of the pirates is only going to run for half a day, the other half of the day will be the B team just wreaking havoc and destruction on the fort. You all probably will get to meet team B when you're changing out of the clothes after your performance. You guys are only going to be working from 8-3. There's going to be a one hour break for the B team to come in have one rehearsal and then the ride will open back up. The crowd will simply be told to wait and if things go as well as I hope they won't mind—This is Jack O'Neill, he's the leader of team 1."
Jack got up and stood beside Bill, who put his hand on the pirate king's shoulder. "Team 1, all but three of you will be on the ship and come across on the zip line to the fort. The other three will be the wenches in the town along with Gillian--" She stood up giving a nod to the gathered crowd. "Gillian is the head wench."
Gillian whipped around and looked at Bill seeing him shrug. "Well how else can I put it?"
He motioned to Teal'c who stood up as well. "This is Teal'c, he will be in charge of you pillagers while Captain Jack deals with the leader of Team 2--" He motioned to Sam to stand. "This is Sam Carter; she is going to lead all of you in team 2. Now all but three of you will be on the fort platform doing your pirate thing. Again a few of you will be wenches also under Gillian. Her first mate is Daniel Jackson--" Bill nodded to Daniel who stood and gave a smile and a wave. "The same as Teal'c, he'll be directing all of you while Captain Sam deals with Captain Jack. Before we start the rehearsal are there any questions?"
Not one hand was raised and that made Bill's smile grow wide as he clapped his hands together again.
"All right, we've got two hours before show time people let's rehearse."
The park opened at exactly eight a.m., the two teams were ready anxiously awaiting the signal that the first boatload of tourist was on its way and the show could begin. Jack and Teal'c and his group were on The Wicked Wench while Sam and Daniel were on the fort platform. Everyone looked nervous; some of the kids in their pirate costumes swung their swords around while others played with their pistols.
Finally at 820, the lights in the cavern went out and the special effects began. The group had less than five minutes before the tourists would arrive. Jack and his team got ready on the ship while Sam and her team quickly ducked into the little buildings and waited.
Captain Mad Jack Monahan paced angrily on the deck of The Wicked Wench his sword clutched tightly in his hand. All around him the sounds of firing cannons was going off as the thick fog from them filled the air.
"Come on ye dogs! Fire those cannons! We got us a fort to bring to their knees!" He went to the edge of the ship and waved his sword at it. The fort returned fire, the heavy metal balls splashing in the water making both the pirate king and the first boatload of tourists cringe.
"That's it! No one blasts Mad Jack like that and gets away with it!" Jack whipped around and looked at the men on the deck with him; Teal'c of course being the tallest and strongest among them.
"Mates! We got us a fort to plunder!" He put his sword away and went over to the rope ladder than leaned against the crow's nest and started up it. Teal'c followed after him, wanting to accompany the captain.
Jack tried not to look down as his feet slipped through the big squares on the netting. From under him he could hear the gasps and murmurs of the crowd as he stepped out onto the small round wooden platform that served as the crow's nest. There, a dark grey zip line and been set up along with a dozen pulleys. He quickly reached out and got a good grip on one glancing over his shoulder at Teal'c. The Jaffa gave an encouraging nod of his head, they had done this a few times before for practice but this time it was for keeps.
He faced forward again and looked at the distance between the ship and the edge of the foot; a good 50, 60 feet. Gripping the pulley firmly, Jack took a deep breath and pushed himself off the platform.
The tourists in the boat gasped, all of them watching with round eyes at the pirate king, who dangled in the air like a worm on a hook, went across the water and then dropped down into a roll and was on his feet in a flash much to the amazement of the tourists who clapped and cheered. The pirate king quickly drew his sword and turned back towards the ship, waiting for Teal'c to arrive.
He gripped the pulley with both hands and zipped across landing beside Jack, his sword drawn.
"We will take this fort and its treasure!"
"Says who Captain Mad Jack Monahan?"
A voice rang out, amplified by a hidden microphone guaranteeing its volume. Jack and Teal'c looked at each other and cautiously headed for the bridge.
Behind them more of Jack's men appeared all of them with their weapons drawn at the ready.
"Who be saying that?" He shouted back as he approached the stone structure.
"I did!" Sam stepped out of the closest little building; her hands on her hips. Her tight pants and coat brought a few appreciative whistles from the spectators.
Jack scowled heavily his face stern; he seemed taken aback. "Well, well it be Swashbuckling Sam Lafitte the pirate Queen!"
From behind her a slew of men emerged from their hiding places, Daniel among them. All stood with drawn swords ready to defend their captain.
"That's right Mad Jack and this fort already be claimed in my name!" Sam's hand touched her left side and drew her sword slowly, the metal scraping the sheath.
The rest of Jack's men arrived and all of them flocked around him and Teal'c, this brought a smile to the pirate king's face.
"Well lassie, it looks like we be having a fight on our hands! The winner gets to claim this fort and its bounty."
Sam nodded and spoke over her shoulder to Daniel. "Whatever ye do, leave Mad Jack for me."
Daniel gritted his teeth, his jaw clenching. "Aye Captain!"
"Save Swashbuckling Sam for me but if ye get a chance, snag me a fine wench." Monahan spoke to Teal'c over his shoulder. The statement had a few tourists in the boat snickering.
"Aye Mad Jack, I will find ye the best." Teal'c answered back nodding.
The two groups of pirates were staring each other down waiting for someone to flinch. Finally someone did and the men all converged on one another. Amongst the shuffling of feet on the stone and the clanging of swords, a building door opened and a pair of eyes peeked out of it.
Teal'c, in mid battle, glanced over his shoulder at the open door. He remembered his captain's request and shoved the pirate he was fighting with away; another of the men taking his place. He quickly climbed the stone steps towards the building and kicked open the door rushing inside.
A high pitched scream quickly filled the air as Teal'c emerged out the door carrying Gillian in his arms. The red head in the deep blue kicked her legs, her fists pounding on the Jaffa's massive chest.
"Put me down ye brute! Let me go!"
The battle came to an abrupt stop and all eyes turned to see the beautiful, struggling woman.
"Wenches! There be wenches!" Half of the battling men ran over to the building Teal'c just came out of and more screams followed as the women were captured; some of the other men began searching the rest of the fort for treasure.
Gillian put everything she had into her efforts to get free, of course they were in vain; Teal'c grip on her a strong one as he set her down in front of him and placed both hands on her shoulders.
"Captain! How be this one?"
Jack grinned walking over to the scowling woman. He had his sword in his hand and ran the tip of it up her satin dress to her heaving chest.
"Aye Teal'c you be choosing me a fine wench!"
A few acknowledgements of agreement came from the boats making Jack's grin broaden. He snagged Gillian by the wrist and pulled her towards him.
"What say ye lassie? Care to be in the company of Mad Jack Monahan?" He dropped his head and kissed her; the tourists erupting in wolf whistles and cat calls. The kiss ended and Gillian raised her chin slightly as she drew her hand back and slapped him. This only made the pirate king's grin widen.
"I'll be taking that as a yes!" He rubbed the side of his face a little, the slap not enough to do anything more than lightly sting. His statement got the people in the boats laughing.
"Ye got spirit, I like that!"
"Ye be liking a woman with spirit then why don't ye try me!" Sam shouted from the bridge getting Jack's attention. His grin faded and a sneer bloomed in its place as she walked slowly down the archway towards the pirate king.
The looting and pillaging came to a stop, the pirates laying down their bounty and surrounding the two pirates. Teal'c still had Gillian by the shoulder and the two of them stood back moving to stand beside Daniel.
"Are ya sure this is what ya want lassie? Do ye really want to be challenging me?" Jack raised the point of his sword up watching Sam get closer to him. She too had her sword clutched in her hand the tip of it touching Jack's.
"Aye, that be exactly what I want!"
Sam's blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she drew her sword back and slapped it against Jack's, the clang loud. It made all of the men around them move further back as the two began circling one another.
"Ye do be having spirit, but ye made a mistake messing with me lassie!"
Mad Jack started the attack moving forward he slashed his sword toward Sam, the pirate queen warding it off; the clashing of the metal against metal loud in the cavern. The two of them made their way across the overpass, the men and the people in the boats watching as the two pirates dueled it out.
The tourists were in awe at the spectacular display of swordsmanship; both fighters were remarkably skilled.
The heel of Sam's boot got caught between the stones and she fell backwards slamming into the stone railing. The swords scraped against one another, the both of them ending up nose to nose, Jack on top of Sam.
"My boot's stuck--" Sam replied through gritted teeth as she stared into Jack's face widening her eyes a little.
Jack glanced down briefly at her feet and saw the problem giving her a nod. He gripped Sam's wrist and backed up whipping her around towards the other side of the bridge. The action popped her heel out and the momentum leaned her over the other side. Regaining her composure she turned back around only to see the barrel of Jack's pistol pointed straight at her.
"Is that the way ye wish to see it end Mad Jack? With a bullet in my heart?" Panting hard, she came away from the wall; reaching out with her sword she scraped it against the pistol.
"That's not very fair Mad Jack, not very sporting of ye at all to fill me full of lead rather than shank me with yer sword!"
He flexed his fingers, gripping the pistol tightly. "So what are ye saying? Ye saying you want to be finishing this with swords?"
A single nod of her head and a brief smile answered the question.
"All right then so be it!" Raising the barrel of his pistol up, he tucked it back in his holster. "But if we be doing this, then let us be doing it right--" He took off his hat and tossed it aside then began unbuttoning his coat and let it fall to his feet. The wide gape of his white linen shirt and the gleam of his exposed chest drew a whistle from one of the passing boats.
Sam too for a moment seemed interested in the V shaped opening, her eyes staring at the handsome display of Jack's collarbones and the hollow of his neck.
"Holy Hannah!" She breathed, not loud enough for the people in the boats to hear but loud enough for Jack to hear. His dark eyes widened a moment as looked down at the open shirt; a blush darkened his cheekbones.
"Major?" He spoke between gritted teeth making Sam snap out of her stupor.
Seeing she was back to reality Jack once more drew his sword.
"Shall we?"
Sam raised an eyebrow giving a nod. She set her sword down on the railing of the bridge and pulled off her hat; her long braid flopping over one shoulder. Touching the silver buttons of her coat, Sam opened them one at time letting the dark red material drop behind her leaving her in her antique white linen shirt. Picking up her sword once more she took a proper stance and slashed the air.
"Aye, we shall fight to the death then Mad Jack--"
Bill stood outside the ride with clipboard in hand and a large grin on his face. He had been taking surveys of the people exiting and the results were quiet pleasing. Mostly everyone found the live performance exciting and were even returning to stand in line to see it again. This brought a sigh of relief to him that things appeared to be going so well. He watched the line to go into the ride get longer and another idea came to him. Sitting down on a nearby bench he took his cell phone out and dialed a number.
"Johnny, Bill. Listen can you get the ground crew guys to come set up a publicity tent? Yeah outside of the Pirates of the Caribbean and get a few fans for them too. Tables, chairs, some drink coolers—We're going to need some signs too. Yes, saying that. All right that's where I am now, okay bye."
Johnny Rutherford and his crew arrived a short time later, a sea of golf carts now parked outside the ride. A half dozen men, all of them in jeans and blue polo shirts, led by a tall, gangly youth with the shaggy brown hair began deciding the best place to set up the tent. A place was designated and the tables and chairs were taken from the backs of the carts along with the rolled up shelter.
"We'll get everything set up for you Mr. Donovan--" Johnny turned back to the half dozen men began unrolling the bundle of white canvas.
"Thank you Johnny--" Bill stood up and gave his watch a quick check. "How long is this going to take?"
"Umm probably a good half an hour--" He stared at Bill for a moment longer seeing if he had any other questions.
"Half hour? Perfect! Their shift will be over than. All right Johnny carry on!" Bill patted the young man on his shoulder and he gave a nod in reply.
"Yes sir, we'll get it up as fast as we can."
Bill picked his clipboard back up and followed the crowd into the ride.
Gillian, Daniel and Teal'c all stood with the other pirates watching the duel go on. Neither Mad Jack nor Swashbuckling Sam were backing down, both of them were red faced and panting as they continued the sword battle.
Daniel had his arms crossed over his chest, dropping his head to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"This is going to go on forever, neither one of them will give in--" He whispered to Gillian seeing her nod.
"They're both stubborn—Jack's ego won't let Sam win." She watched her fiancée seeing the sweat making his exposed chest glow even more. "I spy a lot of liniment in the near future."
"They are both determined warriors, but victory must come to one of them; our shift is nearly over--" Teal'c spoke quietly to both his companions.
The lights suddenly dimmed, everyone looking above their heads briefly. That was the signal that they had less than 15 minutes to go before the end of their shift. Jack saw it, his momentarily shifting gaze brought Sam right up against him; their swords crossed.
"I've got an idea--" Jack whispered to her the two of them testing strength by leaning into their swords, the metal scraping against one another as they grappled.
"What idea?" She said back a little out of breath; she practically had her nose pressed to Jack's.
"Just follow my lead, brace yourself cause I'm gonna shove ya--"
"Okay."
Jack planted his feet and gave Sam a strong push, hard enough to knock her back a few feet. He dropped his sword; the cutlass hitting the stone floor with a loud clang that echoed.
"That be enough!" He put his hands on the hips, watching the pirate queen gain her composure from the shove. She didn't fall but it made her stumble backwards; an annoyed glare on her face.
"What is this now Mad Jack? Ye be surrendering to me is that it?" Her sword still in her hand she extended her arm, the point of the cutlass hovering around the gape in his shirt.
"Ye best be getting that way from me!" Jack swatted it to one side. "And no I'll not be surrendering to ye this day or any other!"
"Then why did ye drop yer sword?" She stuck the toe of her boot under his fallen blade and kicked it up catching it with her left hand.
Mad Jack looked around at the gathered crowd and took a step towards her. "We both be pirates lassie, we rule the waters on both sides of the world. We can be fighting over this fort till the sun is upon the water and be getting nowhere. We're both too good to lose and ye be knowing that."
Sam sighed heavily her shoulders sagging. "Aye ye be right Mad Jack--" She gave him a sidelong glance, raising an eyebrow. "So what do ye be proposing we do about that?"
The pirate king approached her instinctively Sam stretched out her arm again, the blade very close to his chest. Once again he batted it away but this time grabbed a hold of her wrist and pulled her against him.
"Ye be a pirate queen, I be a pirate king, why not join together and rule the oceans together?" His low, deep tone spoke of a fulfilling partnership, an unstoppable gang of blood thirsty pirates that would leave the harbors trembling in their wake. This brought a wide grin to Sam's face.
"Aye Mad Jack, I be liking the things ye say. Together we can be the terror of the high seas."
Jack gave a nod his smile just as menacing. "That we can be lassie--" He leaned forward and pressed a deep kiss to Sam's lips; he felt her gasp against his mouth for a moment before she wrapped her arms around him dropping both swords as he dipped her.
The men from both sides came together shaking hands and sealing the deal. The air tinged with excitement from the happy pirates and applauding tourists.
Gillian got caught up in the festive mood; she turned to Daniel and taking her face in both hands, planted a deep kiss on his lips much to his astonishment. After a moment hesitation, he took her in his arms and returned it. With that, the lights went out and the last boat drifted out of the cavern.
The lights came back on and Jack opened one eye seeing that everything was indeed over. He straightened back up and carefully set Sam back on her feet. "And that is that!"
Sam could feel her beet red face and rubbed it, the scratch of Jack's two days worth of beard left it feeling slightly irritated and itchy.
"Yes sir it is!" She grinned as the two of them embraced laughing.
Everyone started clapping as they let go of one another, the pair of pirates taking small bows.
"All right knock it off!" Jack grinned taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. He spotted Gillian and saw her narrowed eyed expression; his own widened as his gaze bounced to Sam and back at his fiancée.
"Umm Honey—I can explain--" He started down the bridge towards him seeing Daniel's wide grin.
"This ought to be good--" Daniel put his arms around Sam and hugged her.
"You were great Sam."
"Thanks Daniel--" Sam held him in her arms closing her eyes. "Later on, maybe we can play pirates in our room."
"Definitely, I have some rather special sword techniques to show you."
Sam snickered against his shoulder grinning.
Gillian wasn't really angry but she played it up like she was crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh you can huh? Well this I can't wait to hear."
"Well it just seemed like the right thing to do and--" Before Jack could get his next word out; Gillian grabbed him and kissed him hard, so hard it took his breath away. "Aye Mad Jack, but I may have to be punishing ye later for what ye did--" She whispered in his ear licking up the side of his neck.
Jack felt his knees wobble and gripped her upper arms for support. "Oh yeah, I'll definitely be looking forward to that."
"Great job people!" Bill suddenly appeared on the platform walking down the steps. "The reviews are in and people love you guys! So much so I'm afraid I have another favor to ask."
"Favor?" Jack's eyebrows raised. "What favor?"
Bill grinned sheepishly. "Uhh well, I thought maybe you'd be willing to do some photo ops and some autographs, maybe walk around the park for a little while to advertise the show--" He saw Jack turned to look at Gillian before gazing at Sam, Daniel and Teal'c. They all looked back at him and shrugged.
"Well, no one seems to be objecting Bill--"
"Great! Don't worry we have tables for you guys, fans to keep you cool and plenty of water and juice."
"What about food? We've been here since before dawn--" Jack let go of his wench and picked up his sword, hat and coat.
"We can get whatever you want, from that French restaurant in the square or anything else--" Bill turned back and noticed all the employees leaving while their replacements started to come in. "Come on let's go in the back while the B team rehearses."
"You guys can have twenty minutes to get cleaned up. Clean linen shirts were brought for both you and Sam, Jack since the both of you were doing the most work during that sword fight and anyone else that might want to freshen up." Bill spoke to the huddled group; he disappeared for a moment and came back with two shirts on hangers, covered in plastic. Sam took one from him and disappeared through a door coming back with the clean shirt on.
"Ah that's better--"
Daniel had her coat and hat and she slipped them back on adjusting her hat.
"And you want us to walk the park too?"
"Only for about an hour yeah, then the rest of the day is yours--" Bill reached into his back pocket and pulled out special badges. "These will get you on any ride and you have 50 dollars credit at the gift shops with them--" He passed them out to each member of the team.
"Sweet! Can do some shopping while we're out and about--" Jack tucked it into his vest pocket. "Where did you say we can get cleaned up?"
"There's a little office back down the tunnel Jack—Beverly sent a clean dress for you as well Gill and a small makeup kit."
Gillian took Jack's clean shirt from Bill. "We'll be waiting here and then when you're done we can go topside."
The couple went out the door and through the dank, dimly lit tunnel. Finally they came to a small office, equally dank office with a single bulb on a string providing the only light and squeezed inside shutting the door. There on a metal desk lay Gillian's dark blue dress and a makeup kit.
"Here Jack you're going to have to help me--" Gillian hung the shirt on the back of the door knob and turned around.
"Ohh no problem there!" Jack unbuttoned the dress and helped lift the heavy satin over his fiancée's head. The sight of Gillian's pink corset and the layers of white petticoats made him shudder.
"God I never thought petticoats would turn me on--" He came up behind her and slipped his hands in the waistband pulling the petticoats down.
"Jack! You're supposed to be helping me not helping yourself to me!" Gillian sighed as his warm fingers stroked over her lace panties.
"Can't help it Gill, you look so damn hot--" He breathed in her ear rolling her panties down.
"We've got no time--" She protested gasping as his fingers slid down her pubic bone.
"It won't take much believe me."
Gillian stepped out of the petticoats and her panties turning around to face her fiancé. "How?" She looked around the stone walls of the office.
"Come here--" Jack quickly unbuttoned his pants pushing them down.
She walked up to him and hopped into his arms. He caught her easily and laid her down on top of the desk.
"Whoa!" Jack's eyes widened when he saw the large white tent and the crowd of people that had gathered around it. The tent had been roped off as Bill guided the team to it.
"Okay here we are--"
There were three tables laid end to end with five chairs; five small piles of photographs of the ride itself were neatly stacked along with boxes of Sharpie markers. A big ice chest containing water, juice and soda; along with three box fans and a portable air conditioner had been set up all around the tables. Everything had been turned on, making the environment in the enclosure pleasant.
"Cozy, nice and cool--" Jack naturally choose the center table and the chair sitting down.
"So just sign my pirate name or what?" To his left was Sam and Teal'c while Gillian and Daniel were to Jack's right.
Bill nodded leaning down with both hands flat on the table. "Limit the photos to one or two and that's all. Some people might have those little autograph books they sell in the gift shops. If nobody has anything we've got some photos of the ride--" He took a couple off of the pile, one of them was of The Wicked Wench, while the other was of the two skeletons in the bar. "The photos vary, just sign one of them or whatever they happen to have."
"Sure, no problem--" Jack picked up one of the boxes of Sharpie markers and passed them out.
"All right, I'll bring you guys some menus and let you decide what you want to eat--" Bill straightened back up and glanced from one end of the table to the other.
"If there's nothing else, we'll let the crowds in--" Seeing no objections he rubbed his hands together, a grin on his face. "Let the photo ops begin!"
"Nice."
"Nice? This is DISNEYLAND, Mac! It's more than nice, it's—" at a loss for words, Rose stared at her companion, who looked over the top of his sunglasses at her as they strolled through New Orleans Square. He reached for her hand and squeezed it.
"—Nice with YOU. Cleaner than the real New Orleans, that's for sure." He eyed her with amusement, noting the pale green tank top and low-cut black jeans that left her belly button showing. Rose looked scrumptious, and if the mouse ears she wore drew glances from passers by, they were indulgent smiles. This was Disneyland, and playful headgear was run of the mill here. She bounced,
clutching his hand tightly.
"Pirates are this way—whoah! Now that's a line—" she fussed, seeing the queue snaking out from the stone bridge entrance. Mac shrugged and steered them into it with patience. Rose looked around, a little annoyed.
"It's a cool ride, but I can't believe there's a line THIS long—"
"—It's going to be live action today!" the woman ahead of them told Rose. Seeing her puzzled expression, the woman elaborated.
"They've pulled the animatronics and replaced them with cast members—real pirates! Here—" the woman held out a flyer that Rose took. Mac looked over her shoulder at the picture and grinned.
"Mad Jack Morgan? Doesn't he sell rum?"
"Mac this is Disneyland—the only booze in the place in is Club 33—"
"Yes, babe, I was making a JOKE—" Mac grumbled. Rose reached out and tweaked his nose.
"So it's going to be a new ride for me TOO—wow! Real pirates! Do you think we might get hijacked?"
Mac's attention was on the tall blonde figure posed dramatically on one side of the photo. He chuckled.
"We could get lucky I guess—"
*** *** ***
Like most Disney lines although it was long, it moved smoothly, and in a while Rose and Mac were in the dark inner sanctum of the underground pier. The returning boats discharged tourists who were bubbling over enthusiastically. Rose was so excited Mac wondered if he'd have to hang on to her to keep her from
falling out of the boat. When they finally got in, he pocketed his sunglasses and shot her a bemused stare.
"Little excited?"
Rose looked over guiltily, gripping the handrail on the seat in front of her and nodded.
"I'm really making an idiot of myself, huh?"
Mac leaned closer and kissed her.
"Someone has to, and you do it soooo cutely!"
The boat glided in the still dark water of the Louisiana swamp setting. Mac nudged Rose as they looked at the old banjo player on the porch.
"Looks like your dad—"
"Mac! Hey, wait a minute—he DOES, sort of—" she admitted as they passed the cabin. Mac looked into the dark tunnel they were fast approaching and sighed, knowing what was coming. Sure enough, Rose's arms slid around him tightly.
"Maaaccc—" came her little claustrophobic whimper. He took the opportunity to slide a warm palm over her chest, comforting and copping a feel all in one.
Rose squeaked.
"Hey!"
But the boat tipped down the short drop and through the water before she could protest any further. When they leveled out again, Rose snorted in Mac's ear.
"That was cheap, MacGyver—"
"But effective, Ms Clowderbock. Pirates may want booty—I have my sights on OTHER things."
She giggled. As they rounded the lavish set displays of the pirate's lair, even Mac had to admit it was impressive. It was as if Howard Pyle drawings had gone three dimensional, from the grog tables to the treasure chest to the sumptuous bedroom and all of it awed him.
"Nice job—if it wasn't for the song, I might actually think it's the real thing."
"Spoilsport!" Rose murmured loftily. The boat dutifully zigzagged along the course and took the second drop through the darkness. Mac tightened his grip on Rose, a bit disappointed when she didn't fuss.
"The thrill's gone alre---"
Not quite, given the kiss cutting him off, apparently. The couple in the seat behind them giggled, and Rose broke it off with a wet smacking sound.
"Yo ho, Yo ho, a pirate's life for MEEEEEE—" Rose sang, loudly. Mac sighed.
They took the final length in the darkness and she whispered,
"We're getting into the part with the raid on the town—you know, all the pillaging and looting and—"
"—Ravishing the local maidens?" he teased. Rose gave his shoulder a nudge.
"Sorry, this IS Disney—they've toned down some of the pirate's OTHER drives."
"Shame—"
"Mac!"
"Tame, I said it seems tame—" he covered as they emerged into the grand cavern. Rose gasped. Mac did too, and so did the rest of the tour group in the boat. The Wicked Wench was firing on the fort, yes, but the figures pacing on the deck were clearly NOT robotic in the least.
"Avast ye lily-livered land rats! Make ready to pay tribute to Mad Jack Monahan or suffer the wrath of my cannons!" came the deep roar. The dashing figure yelling this stood precariously on the carved rail of the ship, waving a cutlass towards the shore. An answering call made everyone look at the shore.
"Never, you cur! We defy you AND Captain Sam! Do you worst, but know that the governor of Jamaica will hunt the seven seas for you!"
Rose practically quivered and even Mac had to admit this was pretty damned impressive. Whoever these guys were, they were giving it their all. He spotted the zip line and suddenly understood what was going to happen.
"Heads up, Brat—the Captain there is gonna go sailing RIGHT over us!" Mac whispered. Rose looked up just as the pirate took a hold of the zip line handhold and arched gracefully, sailing down silhouetted against the dark night sky. His boots passed within a foot of Mac's head, and Rose squeaked. He landed
right in front of the well, a little unsteadily, but with panache, then spun and caught Rose's eye. He winked.
"Uhh---" Rose gulped. Mac had to hide his grin at her total rabbit in the headlights look.
"Comely wenchling—mayhap Mad Jack will be back for you later—"
Several people in the boat chuckled as Rose covered her face with her hands. The pirate captain spun in time to clash swords with the grinning woman who leaped down from the roof of the well, blade drawn.
"Close your mouth, Brat—it's hanging open—" Mac teased.
*** *** ***
By the time they left the boat Rose was only babbling at forty words a minute instead of ninety. Mac nodded periodically, leading them out past the shops and charm of the New Orleans alleyways, grinning himself at her utter delight.
"--OhweveGOTtogoagaindon'tyouthinkMac?" she finally wound down, sucking in a breath. He looked at her, eyes twinkling.
"Sooooo, got a THING for pirates?" he asked, eying the costume shop they were approaching. She flushed bright red and looked down. Mac lifted her chin, smirking.
"Okay, yeah---maybe," she admitting in a tiny voice. Mac snorted, not unkindly.
"I can see why—dashing, brave, a little on the wild side—it's got appeal, even for me. Looked like that lady pirate could hold her own pretty well."
"There was a lady pirate? Where?"
*** *** ***
As luck would have it, the autograph line was just forming as Mac and Rose passed by. Mac gripped her shoulders, gently steering her ahead of him into it as she tried to protest.
"What? Is this one for the Haunted Mansion? Mac—"
"Shhhh. Pirate autographs, Brat. Don't you want to see Captain Monahan up close and personal again?"
Silly question. Rose began hopping up and down, nearly dropping her bags of souvenirs. Mac took them from her and cast a glance ahead of them—maybe fifteen people. Behind them—already about thirty, maybe more. The line snaked in and out under the trees with enough shade to be pleasant.
"Mac, we don't have a camera!" Rose pointed out. "We talked about getting one of the throwaways but we didn't do it!"
"No problem—hold our spot in line and I'll go grab one now, okay?"
"'kay—hurry."
When he returned, Rose was a mere three people from the table. Mac could see that not only was Captain Mad Jack there, but also Sam Lafitte and a few of the other pirates from the same show. Rose was starting to go pink as they approached the tables.
"Hi!" she managed at the pirate in glasses, who beamed up at her.
"Hi. Like the ears—" he commented with a grin. Rose dimpled. She tapped one of the photos on the table and he pulled it over then glanced at her.
"And who should this be made out to?"
"Rose—" she shyly admitted.
The pirate signed it to her, and handed it over, grinning. Rose looked over at the next table and trembled. Only Mac's patient prod to her back kept her going.
"Oooohhhhh---" Jack rumbled, his face lighting up as he took in the curvaceous Mouskateer heading towards him, "—The wenchling returns! A lucky day for Mad Jack! What's your name, darling?"
"Uhhhhhhh . . . ." Rose blinked her big blue eyes, utterly lost for a second. Behind her Mac snorted. Mad Jack exchanged glances with him, their man to man amusement evident.
"Rose—your name is Rose, honey, remember?"
"Oh yeah! Rose, that's it. And you're Mad Jack," she smiled dreamily. "The pirate Captain."
"Yes, " Jack admitted with a dimpled smile, " I know."
He reached over and took Rose's hand, giving it a squeeze. She blushed bright red, and Mac noted with annoyance that it was now VERY obvious she wasn't wearing a bra.
"Come sit on my knee, darling, while I sign this for you—" he urged, arching an eyebrow. Rose timidly moved closer, and Jack patted his thigh invitingly. Mac rolled his eyes at this blatant gesture, but good-naturedly backed up and looked through the viewfinder.
"Oooh!" Rose gasped as Mad Jack slid an arm around her waist and pulled her close, indulging in a moment of flirtatious teasing.
"What a fine addition you'd make to my crew Miss Mouse— he sighed. "Sure I can't sign you up?"
"Yeah, I mean no—I sunburn easily," she blurted a little breathlessly. Jack roared, and kissed her cheek soundly right at the moment Mac snapped the photo; Rose laughed. She managed to slide off his knee and thank him, then wobble her way to the next table where a grinning lady pirate shot her a knowing look.
"Seduced by the scourge of the seven seas—holy Hanna, Mad Jack strikes again," she teased. Rose managed to laugh at that, and leaned over the table, nodding.
"But you keep him on his toes I bet—"
"That's my job—" Sam replied. Under her breath she added to Teal'c. "Here AND at the Gate—"
Mac managed a dimpled smile as his turn came to stand in front of the table. Sam let her gaze travel up the length of him, enjoying the trip and adoring his blush.
"Hi—listen, you make a great pirate—" Mac blurted. Sam cocked her head.
"Thanks! It's nice to know folks like the show. And who should I make this out to?"
"MacGyver. Mac, actually. MacGyver can be hard to spell," he murmured. Rose shot him an amused glance and looked at Sam.
"He's babbling—you really DID impress him!"
Sam laughed, especially when Mac winced a little and shot his wife a look that promised retribution later. Taking a conspiratorial tone, Sam stage-whispered to Rose.
"Listen, when you go through the ride again, hang on tight to him—I'm behaving myself, but there are some wenches in the next show who'd nab this sweetheart in a minute."
"Really?" Rose mused.
"Really?" Mac perked up.
Sam nodded solemnly and handed over the glossy photo with a grin.
"Remember pirating is an equal lusting opportunity."
Rose and Mac looked at each other for a moment. At the same time they both said,
"Costume shop."
*** *** ***
"I swear if I hear the word 'cheese' one more time I'm going to become lactose intolerant!" Jack complained as shook out his right hand and flexed his wrist.
"Can I sue Disney for Corporal Tunnel Syndrome and vision trauma?"
Now with the tent gone, the five pirates were let loose into the park. The crowd had thinned down some and for the first time in hours the team had no autographs to sign or photos to take. They glanced around New Orleans Square, sighing to themselves.
"So—we just walk around sir?" Sam asked as she took off her hat and fanned herself with it. The coat she wore, a little on the heavy side, made her feel a tad stuffy.
"Yeah, we're supposed to be promoting the live action ride--" Jack took off his coat and tied it around his waist pushing up the sleeves on his puffy white shirt. He noticed the shops a short distance from where they stood in particular the souvenir cart lined with stuffed Mickey Mouse dolls.
"I don't get it; we're just supposed to walk around?" Daniel pulled his clip-on sunglasses out of his pocket and clipped them to the frame of his wire rim glasses.
"Well that is what Bill said to do--" Gillian crossed her arms over her chest.
Jack watched the young kid in a dark blue polo shirt running the booth and an idea came to him, a terribly wicked idea that made the corners of his mouth draw up.
"Ohhhh he wants the ride promoted huh?"
The other member of the team all looked at him seeing his grinch-like grin. Teal'c raised an eyebrow his head turning slightly to the side.
"What is your thinking on this O'Neill? Your face reflects much and I do not believe your intentions are good."
Sam nodded her head in agreement, her eyebrow raising. "Um he's right sir you do look rather--"
"Like trouble--" Daniel finished, licking his lips.
"Yeah you betcha, and trouble is exactly what a gang of marauding pirates cause--" He reached into his pocket and pulled out his black cell phone flipping it open. He dialed a number and pressed the phone to his ear.
"Bill—Jack. Listen I have an idea that would really promote the ride but in order to pull it off I need a few favors from you. Can you meet us here in the square and bring with you five big burlap bags, those dirty brown ones you might see pirates carrying. Okay we'll be here--" Jack closed the phone seeing the inquisitive face of his fellow pirates.
"Burlap bags Jack? Why would we need those?"
"I don't know Daniel; you're the culture expert so why don't you tell me?" He blinked at Daniel, seeing him crease his brow.
"Well historically pirates were thieves and--" His words came to a sudden stop. "Thieves? You mean we're going too--"
"We are pirates after all and what better way to promote the ride?"
Daniel rocked back on his heels a bit. "Jack as much as I'm glad to see you're enjoying your role as pirate king, don't you think looting and pillaging Disneyland might be going to the extreme?"
Sam. Teal'c and Gillian all glanced at him waiting for his answer.
"Looting and pillaging Disneyland?" Bill pulled up behind them in a golf cart shutting off the engine. He stared at all of them as he got out of it.
Jack spotted the bags in the back of the shuttle and pulled them out handing one to each of his team.
"Yeah that's what Daniel said and that's the idea I've got for promoting the ride. What I need from you Bill is to let security know what we're doing so they don't tackle us."
Bill looked at the line up of pirates complete with their looting sacks and smiled stroking his chin.
"You know this might be a good idea as long as you guys don't go too far--" He quickly climbed back behind the wheel of the golf cart. "I'll go get your weapons and have a security meeting, be back in 15."
Before another word could be spoken, Bill zoomed away.
The pirates were given back their weapons and a map of Disneyland deciding from that which targets they would be hitting. Bill had given his assurances that the security station had been well informed of the plans and would not interfere. No one else was to know what they were doing except the higher ups at corporate office. Their activities were approved as long as things didn't go too far and the stolen items were returned when the looting and pillaging was complete.
Jack gazed over each pirate carefully checking to make sure they were presentable. He had his pistol in his hand as walked in front of his lined up team.
"We be pirates mates, we do dastardly deeds and leave nothing but chaos and destruction behind taking what we want. This place be no different, if any of ye not be wanting to do this, I'll be forced to shoot ye."
He stopped and stepped back pointing his gun.
"Speak now or forever be holding yer tongue."
No one said one word, they all just as anxious as he was to get looting.
"All right then mates, let the pillaging begin!" He pulled the gun back and handed it to Gillian. Untying the coat from around his waist he slipped it back on. In a swift move, he reached out and snagged Gillian pulling her against his chest.
"If we be having time lassie, I'd be liking to get to know ye better--" Jack pressed his mouth to hers in a brutal kiss, dipping her as he did so. Gillian wrapped her arms around the pirate king's neck returning it with equal enthusiasm. Finally it ended and she was set properly back on her feet.
"I be needing that--" Sighing in satisfaction, Jack took his pistol back from her and cocked it.
"Mates—let's go!"
Everyone drew their sword except for Gillian. She had been given a small Derringer pistol and quickly pulled it out of her cleavage cocking it. The first victim on their list was spotted and the gang of pirates dodged their way through the crowd and quickly surrounded the souvenir cart. The kid working it saw them his blue eyes wide.
"Uhh—is there something I can do for you guys?" He asked, noting their costumes and weapons.
"Aye, as a matter of fact there is--" Jack approached the dark haired teenager seeing his frightened expression. He rested the pistol over his shoulder shifting his weight as he glanced at the teen's name tag.
"You best be letting my mates and I plunder you for your souvenirs, Derek."
"Souvenirs?" He glanced down at his name tag before meeting the eyes of the pirate king. "You-You want my souvenirs?"
Jack raised his chin sporting a mischievous grin. "Take what ye want mates, Mr. Derek isn't going to give ye any trouble."
Sam grinned widely as she held open her sack and began stuffing Mickey Mouse stuffed dolls into it. Daniel, a little more on the practical side, grabbed water bottles with flexible straws, bright red Frisbees and baseball caps.
All the grabbing and cramming got the attention of passers-by who simply stared at the pirates with disbelief. A few questioning murmurs as to whether or not security should be called drifted through the crowd. Jack saw he and his band were getting attention and he quickly turned around.
"Avast all ye land lubbers! What ye be staring at? Did ye never see a band of pirates rob before?"
Derek had an absolute deer in the headlight look; his hands shook as he fumbled with the cash register.
"Here, here's all the money!"
Daniel saw this and as quietly and nonchalantly as he could closed the register. "We not be wanting that mate--"
He went around to where a huge display of Disneyland lollipops and plucked them one by one like flowers placing them in his bag.
"Mr. Teal'c! Be coming over here please--" Jack called out to Teal'c; a stern stoic expression dropping over his face as he stood with his captain.
"Aye sir!"
"Be holding this for me please--" His pistol going to the tall Jaffa, Jack began walking around staring at the stunned tourists. Most of them in shorts and t-shirts their arms loaded with souvenirs and cameras.
"I be asking for cooperation!"
There were a few children among the gathered, most of them looking at Jack with a combination of fascination and amusement. One child in particular stopped Jack dead in his boots; a blond little girl dressed all in pink. She had wide blue eyes and name stitched onto the back of her Mickey Mouse ears was Polly. He went over to her and crouched down; a quick glance at the equally blond parents told him that they both knew that the robbery of the souvenir cart was staged. The couple began taking pictures of their child and the pirate king.
"What be your name little lassie?"
"Polly--" Came the answer, her voice low; she glanced at her father who gave her a reassuring nod that it was all right.
"Polly—that be a fine, proper name. I be Mad Jack the pirate king, and do you know why I'm here Polly?"
The little girl shook her head reaching out to touch his silver hair.
That made Jack grin but he quickly got rid of it, clearing his throat. "I be here because every pirate needs a Polly. Normally that be a parrot but I don't be having the time to find one. I have to be snagging the first Polly I can find--" He glanced up at the parents again. "Would ye be willing to be my Polly? That be if yer parents don't mind—they know they can be coming along--" Jack stared at Polly's parents both of them grinning as they nodded.
"Polly? Do you want to do what Mr. Mad Jack says?"
Her gaze shifted from her parents to Jack, she studied him a moment longer her fingers playing with his hair and the leather scabbard across his chest.
"Yes, I'll be your parrot--" She said quietly, the next thing she touched was the silver buttons on his coat.
"Aye that be a good thing!" Jack straightened up and held his hand out to the little girl.
Shaking her head, Polly pointed to his shoulder. "Parrots sit on pirates shoulders."
Jack was taken aback for a moment, blinking at the little girl. He once again gazed at her parents who gave silent permission.
"All right then lassie, if that be the way you want it--" Carefully lifting Polly beneath her arms, Jack set her on his right shoulder keeping a hold of one of her hands. With her parents following, Jack made it back to the cart seeing that Daniel and Sam had taken a good chunk of the souvenirs. They saw his newest acquisition and couldn't help but grin.
"Let me be guessing Mad Jack, might that young lassie be a Polly?" Daniel asked as he reached into his burlap sack.
"Aye Demented Daniel that be it exactly--" He glanced at the cart, it had been emptied to his satisfaction and he gave an approving nod. "Job well done mates."
"There be no crackers Polly but me thinks I be having the next best thing--" Daniel pulled something out of his bag holding it out to her. "Polly wanna lolly?"
She took it from Daniel a grin on her face. "Thank you." The colorful lollipop was almost as big as the child's head but she held it firmly by the stick proudly as if she herself had plundered it from the cart.
"Now where we going Mad Jack?" Gillian stepped forward, her booty bag contained sunglasses and Donald Duck dolls and she slung it over her shoulder.
"We be going to get us some proper pirate attire now--" He took his pistol back from Teal'c tucking it into his holster. Most of the crowd still watched the gang and he turned to Derek.
"Thank ye for yer bounty Derek, if anyone be asking what happened tell them that Mad Jack Monahan and his gang did plunder ye I bid ye good day--."
Jack gave a two finger salute, touching them to his temple before turning away.
"Come mates there be other treasure to acquire--" He led the members of his gang away along with Polly and her parents heading for another part of Disneyland.
"I hope everything's all right--" Elizabeth MacKenzie sighed as she clutched her leather purse a little more tightly against her glancing down at it. The cell phone was just inside the outer pocket and she waited patiently for it to ring.
"I'm sure everything's fine Elly, Gill said they had a favor to do and would call when they were finished--" Joshua took her hand in his giving her a warm smile. They had been married for 32 years and still she took his breath away. Despite the years that they had been together she was just as beautiful as the day they met. Her shoulder length blonde hair was starting to gray, he could see it intermingling with the naturally curly waves. Her figure had hardly changed at all in the passing years; her curves were still there from her slim waist to her shapely hips. Elizabeth gazed at him with those eyes dark like chocolate, the proud blood of her Indian heritage shining through. Gillian had her mother's eyes and deep down Joshua knew that if they melted Jack O'Neill's soul the way they did his that their match was a good one.
"What are you looking at Joshua?" She asked her full lips pulling back into a smile.
"Nothing, just you--" He tugged on her wrist pulling her close running a finger along her jaw line.
Elly stared into his face; his blue eyes were the color of the sky going with the gold of his hair. She studied the lines around his eyes and mouth; the only tell signs of his age. Despite them he was still just as handsome as ever with that strong jaw and graying hair.
"I can't believe we're going to meet Jack today--" Her hands went around her husband her fingers sliding down his strong shoulders and back. He still kept himself in excellent shape; a fine example for his patients to follow.
"I know I thought Gillian would never find anyone after what happened with those other two--" Joshua sighed shaking his head. "I just want her to be happy Elly."
Elizabeth hugged her husband leaning her head on his shoulder. "She is happy, Jack makes her happy."
"Than that's all that I care about--" He kissed her hair and stroked his hand down it.
"Do you think I look all right?" Elizabeth stepped back, spreading her arms. She wore a periwinkle blue button down shirt tucked into a pair of white jeans and low heeled sandals.
"I think you look beautiful--" Joshua looked down at himself, he wore a white dress shirt with long sleeves that he hiked up and blue jeans and a pair of hiking boots on his feet. "What about me?"
"We make a very well dressed pair Joshua MacKenzie, perfect attire to meet our future son-in-law."
That made him chuckle as he once more took his wife's hand. "But in the meantime—what do you say we pick up some of that chocolate walnut fudge you like so much?"
They had just passed the statue of Walt Disney and headed into Main Street, USA.
"Sure, that'd be great!" Elizabeth spotted the red brick building and the bright yellow with white striped awning of the Candy Palace and smiled. "I love watching them make it."
"Yeah that always is your favorite--" Joshua pulled back the door letting his wife go inside, the sweet aroma of baking chocolate greeted them both.
"Oh that smells delicious!"
The inside of the shop was an immaculate white with small quaint tables and chairs covering the white and black checkered floor. The walls of the shop were lined from floor to ceiling with every kind of candy imaginable; their wrappers shiny and bright. A counter was at the top of the room beside a huge glass display case and there were several men in white and red striped shirts with white paper hats; some of them making candy.
"Welcome to the Candy Palace, how may I help you?" One of them spoke as he came away from his task of dipping strawberries in melted chocolate; another man took his place as he approached the couple.
Bending at the waist, Elizabeth peered through the glass at all the sweet chocolate treats her eyes sparking with the awe and wonderment of a child's. "So many to choose from!"
A commotion from outside the candy store got both Joshua and Elizabeth's attention; they turned towards the door just in time to see it burst open and in came the group of pirates.
"Oh my God!" Elizabeth gasped as both her and Joshua watched them spread out and begin their pillaging.
"Hello Mr. Candy man!" Jack stated as he took Polly off of his shoulder and handed her to Teal'c. "This shop be smelling wonderful! Don't mind us but we be wanting all of your fudge!" He went all the way up to the counter looking at the stunned couple.
"If ye don't be minding if I go before ye?"
"Oh go right ahead--" Joshua put his arm around his wife protectively moving her close to him.
"I thank ye sir--" Jack stated as he turned and stared at the candy through the glass. He nodded in approval of everything and raised his eyes to the man behind the counter.
"I said we be requiring all yer fudge--" The man saw the weapons on the pirates and nodded in reply as he started opening the display case and began pulling out the huge hunks of fudge.
Jack saw the blond haired woman and gave her his best pirate grin.
"And just what might your name be ya brazen wench?" He gave her the once over approvingly. "I be noticing there be some might fine wenches in this place, ye among them of course. How would you like to join my crew? You can work for yer captain; under him would be a fine place for you to be."
Daniel and Sam were plucking candies from the shelves their sacks already growing fat. Gillian wasn't among them; she had stopped at the shop next door to use the restroom. She finally came through the door burlap sack in hand, she saw the two people standing beside Jack and her heart froze in her chest. It couldn't be—Disneyland was a huge place! There's no way it could be—But it was and Gillian knew it, she groaned mentally as she recognized her parents.
"Mom? Dad?"
Both of them turned towards the door seeing their daughter and their eyes widened at the tight corseted dress she wore. "Gillian?"
Jack heard the exclamation and turned around to look at his fiancée. "What did you say?" His pirate accent had totally disappeared.
Gillian walked over to them on trembling legs so completely blown away that they were there she thought she was going to faint.
"Gill what's going on?" Joshua asked as she took the arm of the pirate right beside them.
"Umm—its kind of hard to explain Dad."
"Dad?" Jack swallowed hard as he slowly turned his head to look at his future in-laws. The things he had been saying to Gillian's mother came crashing down on his head and he closed his eyes briefly praying hard that the floor would just open up and swallow him down.
"Oh crap--" He breathed seeing their stunned expressions.
This wasn't the meeting he had envisioned.
"You mean this is Jack?" Elizabeth asked, studying his face noting the elaborate costume he wore and the pistol and sword that hung at his side; a silver dagger tucked into his waistband.
"Yeah but--"Gillian glanced over her shoulder, naturally their presence and their robbing of the candy store had gotten the attention of the tourists and a crowd was beginning to form.
"We don't have time to explain now--" Jack reached into his vest pocket and took out the special badge Bill had given him. "Take this to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, ask the security guys to let you talk to Bill Donovan, tell him that Jack sent you and he'll take you to where we're going to be when this is over."
Joshua took the badge still eyeing Jack suspiciously. "All right, when will you both be there?"
The couple looked at one another and shrugged.
"This is our last robbery Dad, I say in about an hour--"
"I screwed it up Gill; I screwed it up big time--"
Jack, Gillian and the rest of the team were being driven back towards the costume warehouse. They had returned their ill gotten booty, save of course for a few things that they were allowed to keep.
Sam cuddled a pair of Mickey and Minnie plush toys on her lap grinning like a child; she and Daniel sat directly behind the couple and leaned forward to speak to them.
"Sir if I may—You had no idea who they were I'm sure they won't hold it against you."
Gillian nodded in agreement reaching between them to take Jack's hand. "Sam's right Jack, believe me once we explain everything they'll understand."
Daniel had been allowed to keep a pair of t-shirts and a baseball cap, he set them beside him and he reached out to place a hand on Jack's shoulder.
"Besides Jack, you really didn't do anything that terrible."
"That terrible? I propositioned my future mother-in-law!" Jack said over his shoulder scowling at Daniel. "I don't think her husband, my future father-in-law, took it really well!"
"O'Neill--"
Everyone turned around to see Teal'c; he had on a pair of mouse ears with his name stitched in the back of them. Ordinarily a large man wearing ears might have been laughed at however no one dared crack a smile at the sight of the muscled Jaffa. Beside him on the bench seat sat a large plush doll of Shere Khan, the tiger from The Jungle Book. He had also been allowed to keep a five pound Disneyland tin of chocolate almond fudge.
"On Chulak what you did O'Neill would be considered high praise. Love of the daughter means that you must show equal respect to her mother. Quite often it is the custom for the daughter's intended to challenge the father for the hand of the mother as well."
"It is? And do they do battle?" Daniel listened to Teal'c story, fascinated as always about Jaffa culture.
"Yes Daniel Jackson, if the son is victorious then he may take both mother and daughter as his wives."
"And if he loses?" Jack piped up.
"If the son loses the challenge then no harm comes to him. He is simply showing his strength and ability to care for his bride-to-be. No matter if he wins or loses, he is accepted into the family for showing courage and bravery."
"So—just the challenge alone is a sign of respect?"
Teal'c cast a somber gaze at his friend and nodded. "Indeed it is Daniel Jackson, I myself challenged Drey'auc's father for the hand of his wife Li'an. We battled for three days straight and in the end Mon'auc beat me."
"He beat you?" Folding his arms over the back of the seat, Jack leaned on them and raised a skeptical eyebrow at his friend.
A smirk formed on Teal'c's lips as he raised his head slightly in amusement.
"You let him win, didn't you?" Sam turned in her seat, drawing one leg up onto it.
"That is correct Major Carter. I was not interested in taking Li'an as my bride I only wished for Drey'auc but to earn the respect and approval of her father I had to make the challenge."
Jack sighed resting his forehead on his crossed arms. "Well that's all well and good for you Teal'c but on this--"
Gillian cleared her throat gently reminding her fiancé that they were in mixed company, the driver was undoubtedly listening to their conversation.
"In this country Teal'c what I did isn't looked upon so favorably--" His voice a tad muffled, he finally raised his head. "Joshua isn't going to look at it as a sign of respect; he's going to look at it as me hitting on his wife."
"Here we are folks--" The driver suddenly broke in as he pulled up next to the large warehouse beside another golf cart shuttle.
"Thank God! I could really use a shower!" Jack turned back around in his seat and picked up his bag of Disneyland stuff he had been allowed to keep.
"Yeah me too--" Gillian also retrieved her brightly colored bag at her feet and followed Jack inside.
"So that's why they were doing that Mr. MacKenzie and believe me their antics paid off extremely well. The live show for the Pirate ride is a big hit and its only the first day of it--"
Bill sat behind a metal desk facing Joshua and Elizabeth. He had spent the past hour explaining to them exactly why their daughter and her fiancée were dressed as pirates looting and pillaging Disneyland. Hearing the main door to the warehouse slide open he rose to his feet.
"That should be them now, excuse me--" He left the MacKenzie's in the office and closed the door behind them. He saw his gang of pirates being split up, Beverly of course taking Jack and helping him get out of his costume.
"Great job you guys everyone is thrilled with the ride and thanks to your staged robberies it's more popular then ever!"
"Thanks Bill it was a lot of fun, mostly."
Gillian was getting her dress unbuttoned and pulled over her head leaving her in her pink corset and white petticoats. She sighed, relieved to be rid of the thick heavy dress.
"Bill are my parents here?"
"Yeah they're in an office; I was just explaining things to them."
"Come on Gill lets get you out of all that stuff--" Steve had her dress slung over his arm and pointed towards one of the empty offices.
"You too Jack we have to get that wig off of you--" Beverly took his arm and led him to an office closing the door behind them.
"Don't worry about your folks Gill; I think I explained everything to them--" He saw the worried look on her face and reached out to touch her arm.
"Thanks Bill--" She gave him a small smile and went to get changed.
"Oh man that's a lot better--" Jack sighed as he turned off the water and shook out his hair smoothing it back with one hand. He opened the glass door and stepped out of the shower, the bathroom so small he barely had enough room to dry off.
"Jack I've got your clothes, all washed and dried for you, I'm leaving them on the desk."
"Thanks Beverly!" He answered back to the voice drifting through the door.
"I'm going to get your costume cleaned now, see you at six a.m. tomorrow."
"Night Beverly."
"Night Jack--" The sound of the office door closing made Jack open the bathroom one and peek out. The coast being clear he stepped out of the tiny bathroom a white towel wrapped around his waist. There on the metal desk was his clean laundered clothes wrapped in plastic, his hiking boots and what looked like a small black shaving kit of personal items that Bill must have gotten from their hotel suite.
"Sweet--" He muttered to himself as he ripped open the plastic and started to get changed. His statements to Gillian's mother came back to him as he slipped on his black boxers and then his jeans. A tall apology was definitely the order of the day he only hoped his in-laws didn't hold his behavior against him.
A knock on the door broke his concentration; he quickly buttoned and zipped up his jeans.
"Who is it?" He asked sternly, his gray hair sticking up as he leaned his bare chest close to the crack in the door, dropped his head and listened
"It's me Jack, can I borrow the shower?" The voice of Daniel came through the door and Jack unlocked it.
"Sure Daniel--" He stepped away from the open door seeing Daniel with his clothes slung over his arm; a sheepish grin on his face.
"Sorry but the shower they gave me won't work and Sam is in the only other free one."
"It's not like we haven't showered in the same room before Daniel--" Jack went back over to the desk and picked up his shirt.
"True--" He slung his clothes over the back of the chair. "So—you're going to have dinner with Gillian's parents?" Pulling the bandana off his head, Daniel folded it up neatly and placed it on the seat.
"Yeah--" Jack slipped on his shirt his back partially turned to his friend.
Daniel raised an eyebrow, the air in the room felt thick and tense and it wasn't just the steam from Jack's shower either.
"Jack?"
"What?" He finally raised his head to look at Daniel. His blue eyes held a knowing gaze that would have normally made Jack want to get dressed quick and leave the room but he found himself not rushing.
"I know what its like to have to face a father--" Daniel started quietly not sure if this was a topic Jack wanted to discuss. He waited for the typical annoyed gaze to come to Jack's face or for his eyes to turn sharp and narrow. Seeing neither of these things he continued.
"Kasuf and I get along great now but it wasn't so easy in the beginning--" He pulled the wig off his hair and set it down running his fingers through his damp hair mussing it.
"Typical father son-in-law stuff?" Jack sat on the edge of the desk his long legs dangling over the side.
"More than that--" Daniel crossed his arms over his chest licking his lips. "The fact I was from another planet seemed to be a big factor when it came to certain things and my refusal to shed my Earthling ways annoyed Kasuf. He thought I should just forget all about Earth and adopt Abydonian ways."
"Ah—So what happened?"
"I didn't of course and Sha're ended up getting in the middle of a big disagreement we had--" Daniel turned and leaned his lower back against the edge of the desk beside Jack.
"He couldn't accept the fact you were from Earth and it was part of who you were?" Jack gazed at Daniel seeing him nod his head.
"Exactly--"
"So what made him accept you, Earth and all?"
Daniel smiled his blue eyes twinkling as the memory began to replay in his mind.
"Sha're. She stood up to her father and told him that I was the man he had chosen for her and that she loved me and made her happy and asking me to forget about Earth would be asking me to be someone else."
Jack could see the feisty brunette yammering away in her native tongue, her dark eyes flashing like lightning. "And it worked huh?"
"Oh yes worked like a charm. Kasuf had never heard his daughter speak that way to him; it showed him for the first time the woman Sha're had become."
Sighing, Jack dropped his head. "I'm not so sure that would work with Joshua Daniel. He's well aware of the woman his daughter has become."
Watching him a moment Daniel read his body language as if it was one of his books. "This isn't about Joshua giving you the third degree. You're afraid--"
"I am not!" Jack's head snapped up, now Daniel saw the anger boiling his dark eyes like coffee.
"You're not?" Daniel held his ground, watching as Jack's lips tightened until they practically disappeared into his face. He had known Jack long enough to know when he had hit the nail on the head; Jack always expressed his fear the way some men did—as anger.
"Tell me I'm wrong Jack, tell me that you're not scared to death Joshua is going to say something to Gillian and she might leave you as a result of it?"
"Damn it Daniel I hate it when you do that!" He covered his face with both hands and exhaled through them. "I can't lose her, I couldn't take that."
"Jack--" Daniel placed a hand on his friend's shoulder giving it a squeeze. "I don't think that's going to happen. Gillian is capable of making up her own mind. I'm sure her dad might have a few questions for you but that's all."
"And that's another thing Daniel--" Jack's hands slid from his stern face. "Why the hell do I have to explain myself to anyone? I'm too damn old to play 20 questions with Gillian's father."
"I can sum it up in three words for you Jack--" Daniel's eyes met Jack's as he waited for the answer.
"Well? I'm not getting any younger."
Daniel licked his lips a moment. "You love Gillian."
Those were the magic words, they made Jack groan and drop his head.
"Look Jack, things sort of got off to a shaky start so why not smooth things over?"
"Yeah? How?"
Daniel stepped back and reached into his back pocket taking
out his wallet. He plucked a card out and
waved it under Jack's nose forcing him to raise his head.
"Smooth things over with her mom and her dad will follow suit--"
Plucking the card from Daniel's fingers Jack studied it raising an eyebrow. "1 800 Flowers?"
"Nothing says I'm sorry like roses Jack--" Daniel widened his eyes a moment at Jack seeing the realization drop onto his face and with it a smirk.
"I never thought I'd be so glad to be wearing jeans!" Gillian came out of the bathroom, showered and back in her jeans and blue button down shirt.
"Have a finer appreciation for modern clothes now?" Steve chuckled as he gathered up the parts to her costume and stuffed them into a laundry bag.
"Yeah I really do, that satin dress is beautiful but between that and the corset and the petticoats—I don't know how women back then did it!" She picked up her hairbrush and began combing out her wet hair.
"A lot of them didn't most of the time women in those corsets would wear them too tight and end up passing out from lack of air."
"Well luckily for me you didn't squeeze the daylights out of me."
"I'll see you tomorrow morning Gillian, have a good night."
"Thanks Steve you too--" Finishing with her hair, Gillian gathered up all everything and put it back in her purse. She knew her parents were out there waiting for her and she took a deep breath, opened the door and walked out of the office. Sure enough there they were admiring the racks of different costumes.
"Mom, Dad--"
"Gillian--" Elizabeth's face brightened as she went over to her daughter and hugged her tightly.
"I've missed you so much."
"Me too Mom--" She squeezed her eyes shut feeling a little overwhelmed.
Joshua was waiting for his turn next, Elizabeth finally let go wiping her eyes. "Sorry you know me I can cry at the drop of a hat--"
Gillian took her mom's hands and squeezed them. "No Mom don't worry about it we haven't seen each other in a long time--" Turning towards her father, he stretched out his arms.
"Hey don't I get a hug?"
"Of course you do Dad--" She stepped into her father's embrace; Joshua hugged his daughter tightly.
"God its good to see you Gill."
"You too Dad--" They let go and she looked at both her parents. "About what happened earlier--"
"There's no need to explain Bill told us what you guys were doing."
"I know he did Dad but Jack didn't know who you both were--"
Elizabeth smiled reaching out to touch her daughter's arm. "It was just such a surprise to us both to see you guys taking all that candy."
The sound of someone clearing their throat got the three people's attention, they all turned to see Jack, Daniel, Teal'c and Sam all standing on the sidelines.
Gillian grinned and waved for them all to come over. "Mom, Dad—this is Colonel Jack O'Neill minus the costume--" She took his arm grinning proudly.
"Much better Jack, you look much better without all that hair--" Elizabeth wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "I'm so happy to meet you finally."
Jack slid his arms around the older woman in a hug. "You too Elly."
"That voice! And now I finally have the face to put it too--" She pulled back from the hug and turned to look at her husband.
Jack held out his hand. "It's an honor to finally meet you."
Swallowing hard Gillian watched her father's expression. He looked at Jack with a definite paternal gaze, his blue eyes taking in the face of his future son-in-law carefully. Finally, Joshua accepted the outstretched hand, shaking it firmly.
"You too Jack--"
Relieved, Gillian then turned to the other three people present.
"Mom, Dad I'd like you to meet some good friends of ours. This is Major Samantha Carter, Dr. Daniel Jackson and Teal'c--" She gave the rest of SG-1 a grin. "Guys these are my parents, Elizabeth and Dr. Joshua MacKenzie--"
Sam held out her hand to both of them. "It's an honor to meet you both."
"Likewise Major, do you work with Gillian at the base hospital?" Elizabeth asked looking at her daughter.
"No Mrs. MacKenzie I work with Colonel O'Neill."
"Oh so you work with him at the Air Force Academy?"
Gillian winced; she had forgotten to tell their cover stories to Sam, Daniel and Teal'c.
"Yes she does, and so do Daniel and Teal'c--" Jack quickly covered, answering Joshua's question.
"You're an MD Mr. MacKenzie?" Daniel pushed his glasses up and held out his hand, which Joshua shook.
"Yes, I'm a cardiologist."
Elizabeth looked at Teal'c, her eyes going up to the black baseball cap he wore on his head. "It's good to meet you Teal'c--"
Teal'c extended a hand and grasped her wrist gently. "It is an honor for me as well. You have a fine daughter."
"Thank you Teal'c, you work with the Colonel at the academy?"
"Indeed, there is much to the training of young minds to be warriors. O'Neill requires much assistance in that--"
Jack heard what Teal'c said and raised an eyebrow at him. "Yes—well—he's right."
"Will all of you be joining us for dinner?"
Sam and Daniel politely shook their heads. "Oh no thank you Mrs. MacKenzie, we've been up since four a.m. and the three of us are just going to go back to the suite and order room service and take it easy for the rest of the evening."
"We appreciate the invitation though--" Daniel gave Gillian's mother his best charming grin, which she returned.
"All right, we understand perhaps another night we can all have dinner together."
"That'd be great, thank you for inviting us though and it was a pleasure to meet the both of you--" Sam, Daniel and Teal'c all exchanged hand shakes again with the MacKenzie's before she turned her attention to Jack and Gillian.
"Bill is going to take us back to the hotel sir."
"Just don't lock us out of the suite Carter--" Jack teased, seeing her face blush.
"No sir we won't, good night--" The three walked away heading for the warehouse door.