Chapter 15
Author's Note 1: Hey guys, I know it's been forever since I updated any of my stories, especially this one, but I've been really bogged down with schoolwork (History paper, English paper, Science Fair, Spanish project, etc.) So, to make up for the long time, this chapter is really really long, at least compared to my norm. Thanks for sticking with me. Hope you enjoy!
Author's Note 2 : A big thanks to Mic, who helped me get over my writer's block and in fact, wrote part of this. You're the best!! Without you, it would have been like another 3 months before I updated this.
Katie and Jonas wandered down what seemed to be the main drag of the carnival. On both sides, they passed many large carnival games. There was the duck hunt, the ring toss game, and many others. Happy revelers laughed and frolicked as the games lit up and the bells chimed.
But Katie didn't notice any of this. Her mind was much too distracted by the chills that ran up her spine every time her hand, which was hanging loosely at her side, brushed Jonas'.
Just ahead of them, another lane intersected their present course. As they drew closer, Katie was delighted to hear the sound of revving engines.
-Jonas!
She stopped walking suddenly and whirled to face him.
-We have to go ride the bumper cars!!
She grabbed his arm and frantically towed him towards the line.
Jonas was shocked by this sudden change in her attitude. Shocked, but not displeased. He would much rather have the happy, fun-loving, bouncy Katie than the sad, reflective girl he'd seen earlier. It wasn't that he only liked to be around her when she was smiling and cheerful, but her happiness was important to him. It made him happy.
-Katie, Katie, slow down!
She was practically ripping his arm off.
-I would love to go on the bumper cars with you, but. what *are* bumper cars?
Katie laughed. Jonas smiled at the sound of it.
-Sometimes I forget that you're not from Ea. around here. Bumper cars
are these little cars you get in, and then everyone drives around and
they all try to hit each other's cars. It's fun!
He looked at her queerly, obviously confused.
-You try to injure each other? What's the point of that?? And why on
earth would it be *fun*?
She rolled her eyes at his naivety.
- No one gets injured. It's just a game. Everyone gets jerked
around, like on a roller coaster.
The blank look on Jonas' face said more than any words could have at that moment.
Katie sighed, giving up on an explanation.
-Like I said, it's fun. Just trust me on this.
-I do trust you, Katie.
He whispered it softly, tenderly, but she had already turned around and couldn't hear him.
Jonas got out his wallet and paid for their tickets. Then they walked over and got in line.
Five minutes later, they had reached the front of the line. They handed the man their tickets, and he pointed them towards two red cars off to the side. They ran over to their perspective cars and buckled in.
Hot coffee splashed all over Jack's face.
-Oh, my Gosh!
The shriek came from the twenty-something brunette who had just spilled her mug all over Jack.
-I am soooo sorry!
Jack sputtered, and tried to wipe off his face with the sleeve of his jacket. As he was doing so he suddenly realized what he and Sam had been doing and whispered a quiet 'thank you' to the girl. It was a very good thing that she had spilled her coffee on him. If not, then he would have....well, he would have done something to get both he and Sam court- martialed.
Sam, always the responsible one, brought out a handkerchief from her pocket and offered it to him.
-Sir, maybe we should go get you cleaned up.
Jack nodded his head in agreement, and they left the dance floor to head for the nearest restroom.
Ten minutes later, they were ready to go again.
Sam sighed and turned to Jack.
-So, where to now? We only have thirty minutes left before we have to
meet the others to leave.
-Well, do you like bumper cars?
Jack's eyes twinkled as he asked the question.
-Do I? You betcha. I'll race ya to the line!
With that, the two of them set off.
Sam sighed as they waited impatiently in line.
-Apparently everyone likes the bumper cars just as much as you do, sir.
-I guess so. Hey! Isn't that Jonas up there?
Sam peered up ahead of them, and finally spotted Jonas in one of the cars.
-Yup. That's him.
-Hmm. I wonder what he's doing here.
-Well, I don't know sir. The odds are pretty slim of us running in to
him. I mean, this carnival is so huge and there are so many people
and.
Jack sighed in annoyance.
-Ok, ok, I get the point. Dumb question.
They stood in line a few more minutes before Jack noticed that Katie too, was in a car.
-Hey, Sam.
-Yeah?
-Katie's up there, too.
-Yeah, so?
-You don't think they've been like, wandering around together, do you?
- Well, the waitress did say that they left together.
-Oh, yeah.
A moment passed. Jack sighed quietly.
-I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with that.
Sam smiled.
-I wouldn't worry too much about it. They are friends.
- I don't care if they're friends or not. I don't want Jonas running
around alone with o-MY daughter.
Sam gave him a funny look.
-If Katie were my daughter, I wouldn't mind her going out with him.
Jonas is a good guy, a lot better than some of the guys out there.
He's a good catch, too.
-Who said anything about going out!?!? I thought you said they were friends?
-Well, they are, but then again, so are you and I..
Jack raised his eyebrow.
Sam shifted nervously.
-What I meant was.
Jack held up a hand, interrupting her.
-I know what you meant.
-Yeah.
Just then, the line moved forward.
-On your mark, get set. GO!!
The shout came from the fat, balding announcer, who looked very much like he was about to fall asleep.
Loud rock music began to blare. Jack hit the gas pedal. Hard.
Jack's little purple car zoomed out of the corner it was in. Sam's blue car, which had started out next to him, quickly whizzed past him in the direction of Katie's car. Deftly, Jack steered towards the car he could see Jonas was driving. He had every intention of blasting Jonas' car to bits, at least as much as was possible with a bumper car, when suddenly he heard Katie shouting.
-Hey dad, two on two! Sam and I against you and Jonas.
Jack inwardly groaned. So much for killing Jonas.oh well..
He headed for Katie, deciding that would be at least as much fun as hitting Jonas, when suddenly he heard Sam holler at him.
-Jack! Watch out!
Jack swung a hard right, narrowly missing another bumper car, which happened to be Katie's.
Jack shook his head hard, trying to clear his thoughts. *What the heck am I doing? Hitting the other cars is the point.* He looked over and saw Katie and Sam slapping high fives in congratulations. He felt his Irish temper flare and was about to attack when all of a sudden, the world went black.
Teal'c entered the tent and found many people sitting around tables playing cards. A sign in the corner said "Welcome, poker players!" He headed toward the closest table and upon his approach heard shouting.
-Mitchell!! You're cheating again!!
The accused man, a short stout redhead who looked to be about forty, swore under his breath.
-For the last time, I am not cheating!! I can't help it if you folks
aren't as good as I am.
The other man growled menacingly, looking as if he was about to kill "Mitchell". Teal'c cleared his throat.
-I require assistance.
All talking at the table instantly stopped. Mitchell turned to Teal'c.
-What seems to be the problem?? Are your friends wrongfully accusing
you of wrongdoing?
-On the contrary, there is a stealthy predator on the loose in this
very place. It is breeding and I need to apprehend it before it is too
late.
The men at the table laughed. All of them, that is, except Mitchell. He looked gravely at Teal'c
-I'll help you.
Teal'c nodded his head in appreciation.
-We must begin at once.
Mitchell got up from his chair and turned to his comrades.
-Well boys, I've got to go save the world.
With that, he and Teal'c left the tent, the laughter of the men following them through the door.
Author's Note 1: Hey guys, I know it's been forever since I updated any of my stories, especially this one, but I've been really bogged down with schoolwork (History paper, English paper, Science Fair, Spanish project, etc.) So, to make up for the long time, this chapter is really really long, at least compared to my norm. Thanks for sticking with me. Hope you enjoy!
Author's Note 2 : A big thanks to Mic, who helped me get over my writer's block and in fact, wrote part of this. You're the best!! Without you, it would have been like another 3 months before I updated this.
Katie and Jonas wandered down what seemed to be the main drag of the carnival. On both sides, they passed many large carnival games. There was the duck hunt, the ring toss game, and many others. Happy revelers laughed and frolicked as the games lit up and the bells chimed.
But Katie didn't notice any of this. Her mind was much too distracted by the chills that ran up her spine every time her hand, which was hanging loosely at her side, brushed Jonas'.
Just ahead of them, another lane intersected their present course. As they drew closer, Katie was delighted to hear the sound of revving engines.
-Jonas!
She stopped walking suddenly and whirled to face him.
-We have to go ride the bumper cars!!
She grabbed his arm and frantically towed him towards the line.
Jonas was shocked by this sudden change in her attitude. Shocked, but not displeased. He would much rather have the happy, fun-loving, bouncy Katie than the sad, reflective girl he'd seen earlier. It wasn't that he only liked to be around her when she was smiling and cheerful, but her happiness was important to him. It made him happy.
-Katie, Katie, slow down!
She was practically ripping his arm off.
-I would love to go on the bumper cars with you, but. what *are* bumper cars?
Katie laughed. Jonas smiled at the sound of it.
-Sometimes I forget that you're not from Ea. around here. Bumper cars
are these little cars you get in, and then everyone drives around and
they all try to hit each other's cars. It's fun!
He looked at her queerly, obviously confused.
-You try to injure each other? What's the point of that?? And why on
earth would it be *fun*?
She rolled her eyes at his naivety.
- No one gets injured. It's just a game. Everyone gets jerked
around, like on a roller coaster.
The blank look on Jonas' face said more than any words could have at that moment.
Katie sighed, giving up on an explanation.
-Like I said, it's fun. Just trust me on this.
-I do trust you, Katie.
He whispered it softly, tenderly, but she had already turned around and couldn't hear him.
Jonas got out his wallet and paid for their tickets. Then they walked over and got in line.
Five minutes later, they had reached the front of the line. They handed the man their tickets, and he pointed them towards two red cars off to the side. They ran over to their perspective cars and buckled in.
Hot coffee splashed all over Jack's face.
-Oh, my Gosh!
The shriek came from the twenty-something brunette who had just spilled her mug all over Jack.
-I am soooo sorry!
Jack sputtered, and tried to wipe off his face with the sleeve of his jacket. As he was doing so he suddenly realized what he and Sam had been doing and whispered a quiet 'thank you' to the girl. It was a very good thing that she had spilled her coffee on him. If not, then he would have....well, he would have done something to get both he and Sam court- martialed.
Sam, always the responsible one, brought out a handkerchief from her pocket and offered it to him.
-Sir, maybe we should go get you cleaned up.
Jack nodded his head in agreement, and they left the dance floor to head for the nearest restroom.
Ten minutes later, they were ready to go again.
Sam sighed and turned to Jack.
-So, where to now? We only have thirty minutes left before we have to
meet the others to leave.
-Well, do you like bumper cars?
Jack's eyes twinkled as he asked the question.
-Do I? You betcha. I'll race ya to the line!
With that, the two of them set off.
Sam sighed as they waited impatiently in line.
-Apparently everyone likes the bumper cars just as much as you do, sir.
-I guess so. Hey! Isn't that Jonas up there?
Sam peered up ahead of them, and finally spotted Jonas in one of the cars.
-Yup. That's him.
-Hmm. I wonder what he's doing here.
-Well, I don't know sir. The odds are pretty slim of us running in to
him. I mean, this carnival is so huge and there are so many people
and.
Jack sighed in annoyance.
-Ok, ok, I get the point. Dumb question.
They stood in line a few more minutes before Jack noticed that Katie too, was in a car.
-Hey, Sam.
-Yeah?
-Katie's up there, too.
-Yeah, so?
-You don't think they've been like, wandering around together, do you?
- Well, the waitress did say that they left together.
-Oh, yeah.
A moment passed. Jack sighed quietly.
-I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with that.
Sam smiled.
-I wouldn't worry too much about it. They are friends.
- I don't care if they're friends or not. I don't want Jonas running
around alone with o-MY daughter.
Sam gave him a funny look.
-If Katie were my daughter, I wouldn't mind her going out with him.
Jonas is a good guy, a lot better than some of the guys out there.
He's a good catch, too.
-Who said anything about going out!?!? I thought you said they were friends?
-Well, they are, but then again, so are you and I..
Jack raised his eyebrow.
Sam shifted nervously.
-What I meant was.
Jack held up a hand, interrupting her.
-I know what you meant.
-Yeah.
Just then, the line moved forward.
-On your mark, get set. GO!!
The shout came from the fat, balding announcer, who looked very much like he was about to fall asleep.
Loud rock music began to blare. Jack hit the gas pedal. Hard.
Jack's little purple car zoomed out of the corner it was in. Sam's blue car, which had started out next to him, quickly whizzed past him in the direction of Katie's car. Deftly, Jack steered towards the car he could see Jonas was driving. He had every intention of blasting Jonas' car to bits, at least as much as was possible with a bumper car, when suddenly he heard Katie shouting.
-Hey dad, two on two! Sam and I against you and Jonas.
Jack inwardly groaned. So much for killing Jonas.oh well..
He headed for Katie, deciding that would be at least as much fun as hitting Jonas, when suddenly he heard Sam holler at him.
-Jack! Watch out!
Jack swung a hard right, narrowly missing another bumper car, which happened to be Katie's.
Jack shook his head hard, trying to clear his thoughts. *What the heck am I doing? Hitting the other cars is the point.* He looked over and saw Katie and Sam slapping high fives in congratulations. He felt his Irish temper flare and was about to attack when all of a sudden, the world went black.
Teal'c entered the tent and found many people sitting around tables playing cards. A sign in the corner said "Welcome, poker players!" He headed toward the closest table and upon his approach heard shouting.
-Mitchell!! You're cheating again!!
The accused man, a short stout redhead who looked to be about forty, swore under his breath.
-For the last time, I am not cheating!! I can't help it if you folks
aren't as good as I am.
The other man growled menacingly, looking as if he was about to kill "Mitchell". Teal'c cleared his throat.
-I require assistance.
All talking at the table instantly stopped. Mitchell turned to Teal'c.
-What seems to be the problem?? Are your friends wrongfully accusing
you of wrongdoing?
-On the contrary, there is a stealthy predator on the loose in this
very place. It is breeding and I need to apprehend it before it is too
late.
The men at the table laughed. All of them, that is, except Mitchell. He looked gravely at Teal'c
-I'll help you.
Teal'c nodded his head in appreciation.
-We must begin at once.
Mitchell got up from his chair and turned to his comrades.
-Well boys, I've got to go save the world.
With that, he and Teal'c left the tent, the laughter of the men following them through the door.