Chapter 9

Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to update. I hope you like this next chapter.

30 minutes later Katie pulled into the driveway. She looked over at Jack who was sleeping soundly and thought for a minute about letting him sleep, but quickly changed her mind. Katie rolled down the window, opened her door, got out and slammed it shut. Jack awoke with a start.

-Ahhh!!! Oh, Katie...

He panted, catching his breath.

-Are we home already?

-Um...yah. I guess you need some more coffee, huh?

Jack yawned and nodded. Katie smiled.

-Come on. I make a mean cappuccino.

They went into the house.

Jack sat on the couch sipping his coffee.

-Mmm. This is good. What did you put in it?

Katie smiled.

-I can't tell you.

-Why not?

-It's a secret family recipe.

-I didn't think anybody in my family could make coffee like this.

-They can't. It's not from your side of the family. It's from...my other side.

-Ach. Gotcha. Hey, you haven't seen the basement yet have you?

-No...

-Well, it's about time you did.

-That's ok. I'm of the opinion that if you've seen one basement you've seen them all. Besides, I know what our basement looks like.

-Do you? Come on.

They walked down the creaky wooden steps. When they got to the bottom Katie gasped. There was an air hockey game, ping-pong, and a pool table.

-Sweet.

-I take it this isn't what your basement looked like?

-Um...no. We had boxes piled to the ceiling and a dirty cement floor, not plush purple carpet.

-Yah, well, it used to look like that but I had this done 5 or 6 years ago, the same time I did the attic. So...you wanna play?

-Sure.

After 3 games of pool, which coincidentally, Katie won all of, she suddenly dropped the cue stick and gasped.

-Maybourne!!!

-What?! Where!?

-Upstairs!!

They both ran upstairs and Katie began pacing.

-Where is he?

Jack looked at her strangely.

-That's what I want to know.

-Think...think...think...my backpack!

Katie ran over to the couch and unzipped her backpack. She pulled out a cute little gray stuffed monkey wearing a tiny black t-shirt and hugged him.

-Oh, Maybourne, I'm sorry I left you in here so long!!

-Um, Katie?

-Yah?

-I'm confused.

-Oh, I'm sorry. You haven't been introduced. Dad, this is Maybourne the monkey. Maybourne, this is my dad, Colonel Jack O'Neill.

The monkey extended his hand.

-Uh, Katie...

-Now, don't be rude dad.

He rolled his eyes and firmly grasped the monkey's hand.

-Katie?

-Yah dad?

-Why'd you name him Maybourne?

-'Cuz Maybourne gave him to me.

-Did he now?

-Yup.

-Why?

-Well, in my universe Maybourne was your best friend and hence, like an uncle to me.

-My best friend?!?! Oy...that's freaky.

Katie smiled.

-He really is a great guy once you get to know him.

-I'm sure he is. So... who is that?

He pointed to a 3-inch high monkey that was wrapped around "Maybourne's" neck.

-I'm gonna scream if you say his name is 'Kinsey'.

Katie laughed.

-I named him after someone very near and dear to my heart.

-I'm gonna scream if you say his name is 'Kinsey'.

-His name is Jack.

-Oh. Well, um...

Suddenly Katie's stomach growled interrupting whatever it is Jack was going to say.

-I'm hungry. What's there to eat?

-Go take a look in the kitchen.

She ran to the kitchen, banged open cupboards, slammed the fridge door and ran back.

-Nothing. Even the peanut butter is gone.

Jack sighed.

-Well, I guess I'll have to call Mrs. Dobson then.

-Who?

-She's the lady who does my grocery shopping for me.

-You don't do your own grocery shopping?!

-No, I don't really get into that sort of thing.

-Excuse me?

-You know, it always seemed to me like it was the woman's job and all.

As soon as Jack said that he knew he was in big trouble.

Katie glared fiercely at him.

-Jack, you get up off your but and go out to the truck!! We're going grocery shopping!!

-Did you just call me Jack?

-Would you rather I call you Jonathon?

He gulped.

-No, no. Jack is fine.

He slowly got up.

-I think I'll go out to the truck.

-I think that's a good idea.