JACK? BY TERI

Part II - Memories

Daniel was sitting at his desk trying to translate something or other. He really did not know because all he could think about was Jack leaving.

"Daniel?" He looked up to Sam standing in the doorway to his office holding two cups of coffee. "Can I come in?"

"Sure, Sam" as he motioned her in and offered her a seat before continuing. "You and coffee are always welcome," he grinned. "I guess I don't have to ask why you are up so late."

"No more than I have to ask you," she said with a sad smile. "Daniel, you are his best friend. Do you have any idea what is going on?"

He chuckled, "No, but then again I was about to say the same exact thing to you." They stared at each other for a few minutes each trying to figure out why Jack had left. Then Daniel continued, "You know he was acting a little funny on the mission to PX998 a few days ago."

Sam looked up with a surprised look on her face, "What do you mean?"

"Well you remember the mission don't you? You remember when Jack came to fetch Teal'c and me?"

Sam began to explain what she remembered, "sure, it started out ..."

"It is past the rendezvous time. Carter, where the heck are Daniel and Teal'c?" the Colonel said with growing annoyance.

"I don't know sir. The last time I saw Daniel he was over by the old ruins we found by the stream. I imagine Teal'c is with him. There doesn't appear to be any danger." Major Carter replied, pausing a moment before continuing, "I doubt he is in any trouble."

Jack rolled his eyes, "Carter this is Daniel we are talking about. Care to rethink that statement?" he said giving her a look.

"Yeah, right! We should go see how he is doing, sir," she stated as she started to walk in the direction of the ruins.

"Hold it up. Isn't the DHD still malfuncting?" he asked and she shook her head affirmatively. "Then ... I suggest you work on fixing it and I will check out their situation." She agreed and the separated.

Sam finished her story by adding, "so, then he went and got you and then came back and we were attacked and..."

"Stop right there Sam, I am talking about when Jack came looking for us," Daniel interjected. "Teal'c and I were working on translating a very interesting story that was talking about when Ares, the Greek god of War, came to the Egyptian pantheon in order to defeat the warrior princ..."

"Daniel! Stay with the story, please. Unless you are trying to tell me that the Colonel is really Ares," Sam interjected trying to get Daniel to stay on topic.

"Right, sorry," he smiled at himself and pushed his glasses back up. "Although Jack would probably make an excellent god of war. Anyway, I heard a noise and I looked up to Jack walking over the hill. I could just tell he was coming over to give us grief for being late, but then he seemed to notice some of the ruins...

Daniel watched as Jack approached a wall. It had a very unusual form of Hieroglyphics on it. He had only understood half of it and had taken pictures so he could study it more when they returned to the base.

Jack was staring in the direction of the wall. Teal'c had noticed it to. Was there someone behind the wall? He was immensely glad he had taken pictures of the wall for surely it would be destroyed in the coming firefight. He waited and watched, but didn't see any enemy. He glanced over at Teal'c, apparently he didn't see anything either. Then Daniel couldn't believe what he was seeing. Jack knelt down next to the wall. It looked as though Jack was studying the wall.

Daniel slowly approached O'Neil. "Jack?" Jack didn't budge. "Earth to Jack?" Still nothing.

"O'Neil!" this time it was Teal'c who spoke.

"What?" Jack looked up and blinked and said again "What?" He took a moment and then continued, "oh, I am sorry. Daniel, what were you saying?"

"I saw you over here and wanted to know if anything was wrong, it looked like you were concentrating on the writings. What were you trying to do translate them?" Daniel inquired with a chuckle trying to hide his concern for his friend.

He watched O'Neil for a second. He thought for a brief moment he heard him mutter, 'Damn Straight,' but he couldn't have. Could he?

Jack seemed to seriously consider the question for a moment before replying by smirking at Daniel and saying, "Yeah and Mayborne and the NID are really jolly old Saint Nick and his elves!" Daniel began laughing.

"I thought Saint Nicholas was considered an Icon by your people, O'Neil. Mayborne does not meet that standard." Teal'c reasoned. By now Daniel was laughing so hard he could hardly stand.

"Quite, right, but I was being sarcastic. Sorry I didn't warn you first buddy." Jack said as he patted Teal'c on the shoulder. "Daniel calm down, it wasn't that funny!"

"I know Jack I was actually trying to picture you translating this wall. It wasn't your joke." Daniel said finally composing himself. But what a picture, Jack studying the wall, what a riot, but then again that is what it looked like he was doing. He gave Jack an odd look.

"As long as we are clear. Let's head to the gate." Jack said and the three of them began walking to the gate.

"So your saying that is looked like O'Neil was actually interested in the ruins? As he would say he was playing with your rocks?" Inquired Sam.

Daniel shook his head. "That's what it looked like."

"I wouldn't think that was related to his leaving, but it is odd. Of course now that I think of it that wasn't the only weird thing he did on that mission."

"Oh," Daniel replied raising an eyebrow.

'He has really been spending too much time around Teal'c or maybe it is the Star Trek reruns.' "Yeah let me tell you what I remember from when you three came back..."

"Now you will die Tauri!" the Jaffa said as he aimed his staff weapon at Carter.

"You wanna bet?" rang out as the Jaffa's eyes grew wide and he fell face-forward with evidence of a zat blast in his back.

The blonde major looked up and smiled, "Thanks Colonel!"

"Not a problem, Carter. Now can we get out of here?" The colonel replied as he turned and looked around. "Where's Daniel? And Teal'c?"

The Colonel didn't get the response he wanted instead there was the continued sounds of staff blasts. Sam looked to see Daniel and Teal'c fighting with some Jaffa.

"Carter are you going to be able to fix the DHD so we can get out of here or not?" raged Colonel O'Neil as he took another shot at the enclosing Jaffa.

She snapped back to concentrate on the DHD. "Sir, I just can't figure out what is wrong with it. It is if there is no power at all. I'll keep trying if you can hold them off a little bit longer," she answered.

"Carter, did you check the power supply crystals?" he question quickly, ducking another blast.

She didn't think he knew anything about the power supply. "No, I'll check it now!" She yelled as he rolled his eyes. "You were right Sir, all I have to so is replace it."

"Nothing worse than a physicist stupefied by the obvious," he muttered, then calling out. "Fine, Just do it Carter!"

When she had time she would have to remember to be irritated by that remark. She replaced the power supply crystal and was grateful the Colonel had thought to check the power supply. She wouldn't have. Wait... the Colonel? Unfortunately, she didn't have any time to consider the matter further as she came under fire.

"We continued the fight and made it through the gate, but I was surprised that he knew. I don't know why. He was always surprising us." She smiled softly thinking of her Colonel.

"That he is ..." Daniel and Sam both jumped and looked up to see Janet Fraiser in the door. "Is this a private party or can anyone join in?"

"Come in Janet. Is that more coffee?" Daniel said as he got up to move some books off of a chair for her to sit down.

"Well, coffee for you and hot chocolate for Sam and me." Janet said distributing the drinks. "I suppose we are trying to figure out what happened to the Colonel?"

"Actually, Janet we some how got off that topic and are discussing some of his unusual behavior lately." Sam told her.

"You mean like that meeting last week?" she said smiling.

Daniel looked at Sam who just shrugged before asking, "what do you mean?"

"Surely you remember. The General was talking about the Tok'ra and their latest request for help. O'Neil had been unusually quite. You know he can't resist making some sort of sarcastic remark when the Tok'ra make these stupid requests of the SGC and SG1...

The General looked over at the unusually quite Colonel. He was surprised to see him holding a paperclip, staring at it. "Colonel, I am sorry if we are boring you or is that simply an interesting paperclip?" General Hammond asked sounding more than slightly annoyed.

O'Neil looked up at him. "A paperclip can be a wondrous thing, sir. More times than I can remember, one of these has gotten me out of a tight spot."

"I remember that!" chimed in Carter. "Everyone there just stared at him before General Hammond continued with his talk."

"I thought for sure you were going to drag him to the Infirmary for tests, Janet," Daniel said laughing at the memory.

* * * * *

"Thank you SG-1. You did a fine job with the mission on PX345. Now that the debriefing is finished, I have another matter to discuss with you. As, you know Colonel O'Neil had requested indefinite leave several weeks ago. Since then the team has been led by Major Carter with the fourth member been selected depending on the needs of the mission."

"Yes sir, and I think that situation has been working well and will continue to do so until the Colonel returns," interjected Carter

Daniel could see that she interrupted the General because she could see as he did the direction the conversation was going. The General wasn't going to hold the position open for Jack. "Sam . . "

"I agree with Major Carter any other actions at this time would be unwise, General Hammond" Teal'c spoke for the first time.

"Sam, Teal'c, I don't think General Hammond was finished." Daniel said turning towards the General, "I take it you have received additional news from Jack." Deep down he hoped the news was that Jack would be back before the next mission, but he had learned long ago that things rarely went the way he hoped.

"Thank you, Dr. Jackson. Unfortunately, you are correct. I received this letter in the mail this morning," he stated as a pulled a letter out of his portfolio. "It is a request for retirement."

Daniel paled. It was just what he feared. He didn't know what to say. Teal'c just lifted an eyebrow, but it spoke volumes to those who knew him.

"General, may we see the letter," Sam asked pleading, but trying hard to keep her military composure.

The General passed the letter and another sheet of paper down to Sam. She started to read it silently. "Sam, can we share with the group, please," Daniel interjected. She looked up embarrassed, "Sorry!"

She began to read the letter:

Dear General Hammond:

I hereby submit my formal request for retirement from Stargate Command and the United States Air Force.

Sincerely,

Jonathan O'Neil, Col., USAF, Ret.

"That's it?" Daniel said rather confused. "Well, the Colonel never did like all the fuss," Sam suggested. "Perhaps, O'Neil did not write it," Teal'c stated somberly. Both Daniel and Sam looked at him and spoke at the same time. "You could be right" "Makes sense, but who ..."

"Major, please read the other letter before you all decide to mount a rescue mission." General Hammond said, although he fully understood their desire to find any reason, any scenario that would lead to the Colonel returning. The man was a pain, but he was also the best second-in-command he had ever had the pleasure to serve with. He knew that the SGC wouldn't be the same without him. Maybe it was time to retire?

"Sorry sir," she picked up the other hand-written sheet and began to read"

Dear General:

I am sure that you have already read the other letter, I wanted to explain a little to you and the rest of the team. I figure you will share the letter with them and even if you don't I know my team, they will see it one way or another. Don't be angry with them.

I want to say that my time in the SGC was probably definitely the best assignment I had in my entire career and the best people. I know I was a pain in your...side at times but for some reason you put-up with me. Thank you! Having been with the SGC longer than anyone, I can honestly say that you are the best commander this project has known. Without you, this command would be in serious trouble.

Sam looked up glancing at the General. He had a small smile on his face. They both knew that the Colonel's praise meant a lot to him. She smiled at him and he nodded that she should continue reading.

Major Carter deserves permanent command of SG-1. Of course you already know that. Sam is smart and skilled and will make a fine leader. Just don't let her work too hard. Make her get some friends, maybe a hobby. Don't let her spend all of her time on base.

Sam realized that this letter was definitely written by the Colonel. He had once told her to take up knitting. He finally told her to get a new hobby after all of the personnel had extensive collections of knitted mittens, scarves, sweaters, etc. She smiled to herself -- That had taught him.

Teal'c has my highest regard as a soldier and a friend. He is loyal to a fault and I have always known I could depend on him to watch my back. You're old school like me. You know that is the highest compliment an old soldier like me can give.

She looked up at Teal'c who seemed almost to have a sad smile on his face mixed with some pride at the comments.

Danny had earned his place time and time again. When I first met him, I never would have dreamed I would say this, but he has become a fine soldier. He doesn't always follow orders, occasionally wanders off looking at his rocks, but he never lets you down. He is essential to the SGC, I think you know that. Don't let the brass force him out because he is a civilian. Draft him if you have to! Could you imagine?

"No, I certainly couldn't" interrupted the General.

"Me neither," laughed Daniel.

"I could. Daniel Jackson makes a fine warrior." Stated Teal'c.

"Thanks, buddy!" Daniel grinned.

"I don't know Daniel, you already got the hair cut... the rest isn't a much bigger step," Sam said laughing at the look on his face as Daniel threw his pen at her. Even General Hammond chuckled.

I hope you manage to keep the kids together. They work well together. Tell them all thank you and that I will miss them. Give Cassie my love. Tell Janet that I may actually miss her torture sessions after each mission. Who'd have thunk it?

I know I still haven't told you why I am leaving. I guess there is nothing to say. Just know that I am leaving because I feel that it is something I have to do and I am doing it of my own free will. Don't mount a rescue effort, I don't need it. I want you all to know that each of you have been the best team - the best friends - I have ever known.

Stay safe and watch out for snakes.

Jack O'Neil

Sam finished and looked up, "He really has left hasn't he?" This time she didn't get any response.

* * * * *

To be continued in the Dig

Please let me know what you think. Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews so far!

Teri (Garnet_TM@yahoo.com) May 3, 2002