JACK?
by Teri

Part XI - Saving Lt. Alexander


Summary: Jack takes an unexpected leave that leads to his team learning surprising things about him.
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. I have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story is not to be archived without permission of the author.

* * * * *

As soon as they reached the ship, they separated into two teams. Teal'c, Mac, and Adam set out to search the science lab where Mac had been held. Sam, Daniel, and Nick went in search of Neferteri. The goal of each group was to find Lt. Alexander.

Sam was disappointed that she and 'MacGyver' were not in the same group. She wanted to continue to observe him. Unfortunately, there were only two people in the group that spoke Goa'uld Daniel and Teal'c so one was needed in each group. She also knew that Daniel and 'Mac' shouldn't be in the same group. So when she decided that Teal'c needed to lead the second group the divisions became obvious and she would not get to observe the mystery man and to her he was a mystery. Some comments he made just screamed 'Colonel', but then he would explain how chocolate could seal an acid leak and she just didn't know.

Adam was secretly delighted with the way the groups unfolded. He would be fighting alongside of Teal'c and he felt that he would be very knowledgeable about the situation here. He also innately felt that he could trust the warrior to cover his back. Then of course he would get a chance to observe MacGyver; the peace loving man who seemed to handle a gun like a man well accustomed to its use. He had also noted the way the others responded to him. He was a man use to being in charge, but that did not match anything Nick had told him about the man.

Nick couldn't help wondering what he had gotten himself into. He had wanted a break from being a Police Detective. He thought archeology was a nice quiet job that would practically be a vacation. 'Was I ever wrong! Here I am going after the bad guy again, I guess I am meant to be a cop.'

Teal'c wanted to find Lt. Alexander. He was a courageous young man with hidden potential and did not want to see him hurt. He also looked forward to seeing Methos in action. He had heard of the Ancients of Earth and knew of their great skill. He vaguely wondered if they were part of the same group that constructed the Stargate.

MacGyver/Jack was thrown for a loop. Here he was, but he had no business being in command yet this was his team. He saw Sam's logic for the set-up perfectly (despite the fact that he spoke Goa'uld, but Sam didn't know that} and agreed with her assessment although he was surprised that she still seemed unsure about him. 'Of course, I would be surprised if she started speaking ancient Babylonian so I can only imagine how she feels about her dumber than dirt Colonel showing half a brain. It had to be a shock.' Of course, he was glad that he and Daniel weren't on the same team; maybe time would give Daniel a little perspective.

Daniel was torn. He wanted to get as far away from 'MacGyver' as he could; yet at the same time it was comforting to have 'Jack' back. He knew he couldn't have it both ways, but he wished. Maybe time would give him a little perspective.

* * * * *

Mac, Teal'c, and Adam entered the lab where Mac had been held not 24 hours before. Three sets of eyes fell quickly on the young man tied to the table. It was Lt. Alexander.

Adam quickly looked over the boy and noted that unlike MacGyver the lad had not escaped being tortured. "It doesn't seem as though he has any life threatening injuries. Although, I am concerned about his lungs due to the numerous broken ribs and of course the fact that he is unconscious."

Mac glanced at Teal'c who understood the unspoken question and replied, "I do not feel the presence of a Goa'uld."

"You can feel those things?" Adam asked and also noted that apparently Mac knew that he could.

Teal'c nodded and replied, "I can."

"How?" Adam asked feeling that he needed to know, but really not being sure that he really wanted to know.

"Because I too carry a symbiote, a Goa'uld larvae. I am a Jaffa." Teal'c stated.

Adam looked at Mac who just shrugged. 'A Jaffa?' Where had he heard that name before? He couldn't remember; if he made it through this mess he would have to reread some of his journals to see what he could find. He realized he needed to ask the warrior some questions, and then he thought about Mac's reaction to the statement. 'Okay that man definitely knows what is going on here.'

After finally gathering his thoughts Methos began to speak. As he spoke he worked on dressing some of Alex's more serious wounds and Mac worked on freeing him from his binds. "May I ask you a few questions?"

Teal'c nodded his head affirmatively.

"Are you in control at all times?" Adam inquired.

"I am." Teal'c responded.

"Why don't you remove it?" He questioned.

"Because I will die without it." He responded.

"I am honored that you trust me with that information" and he was after all the big man just revealed one of his weaknesses. "MacGyver already knew you. Knew all about this, didn't he?"

"Yes," Teal'c answered.

"You know I always thought that that a Goa'uld torture chamber slash science lab was a wonderful place to play twenty questions. Want to play charades now?" Mac finally asked sounding more like Jack O'Neill

"No actually I thought hide and go seek was more appropriate under the circumstances." Adam replied in the same sarcastic tone.

Mac grinned a moment and said, "Fine you're IT." Then becoming more serious he continued, "but I will answer your questions later. I think it is time we get this young man out of here."

Everyone agreed. Teal'c picked up Alex and they proceeded to leave the room.

* * * * *

As Daniel, Sam, and Nick walked each was preoccupied. Daniel and Sam were each thinking of MacGyver and the Colonel, while Nick was wondering why Janet had trusted him so easily. He would have to ask her the next time he saw her. They each stopped quickly when they heard voices ahead.

Daniel whispered the interpretations of what was said:

"Mistress, the young Tauri has escaped" a deep voice tinged with fear stated.

"Find him! He has yet to tell me the information I need." Neferteri shrieked.

"Okay, so it sounds like the others found Alex. Let's get back to the rings." Sam said quietly.

Nick and Daniel both nodded their agreement. As they prepared to pull out they heard someone else enter the room. They stopped to listen.

Daniel continued to interpret the conversation to Nick and Sam:

"My queen, why is the young one so important? What information does he possess that you need so much?" Asked a tall man with short dark hair. To Daniel the man reminded him of Colonel Simmons, but that couldn't be. He was on Earth and had no access to a Stargate. 'Right?'

Neferteri turned to face the man and grinned in a manner that could only be described as feral. "Well, my love it is because he . . ."

Unfortunately, just as she was about to reveal her plans several Jaffa ran in and knelt before her.

If the situation weren't so serious Nick would have broken out laughing. Of course, there has to be an interruption that prevents the good guys from finding out the villain's dastardly plan. It was as if the situation were written out like a bad piece of fan fiction. (AN: Bad piece of fan fiction? Let me see how can we torture Nick in upcoming chapters? Let me count the ways . . .) Nick felt a chill go down his spin.

Daniel continued to interpret once more:

"My queen the boy had been located along with several of the Tauri and the Shova Teal'c," reported one of the Jaffa.

'Damn, I hope they will be OK' Sam thought. She then motioned to Nick and Daniel and they pulled back hoping to get to the others in time to be some help.

* * * * *

As Mac rounded the corner he saw around a dozen Jaffa. Quickly they were on him and his team. He immediately opened fire, as did Adam. Teal'c placed Alex on the ground and then joined in the fight as well.

The guys had already defeated the majority of the Jaffa present when one got a lucky shot and blasted a hole in the center of Adam's chest. As he did Teal'c, dispatched him as Mac finished off the remaining Jaffa.

Mac knelt down next to Adam and he saw there was no way he could have lived through the wound. He always hated it when he lost someone on a mission, but this particularly saddened him because he enjoyed Adam's wit. Although he had only known him a short while he considered him a friend. He was also a civilian who got caught up in something he shouldn't have. In that way he reminded him of Daniel.

He stood told Teal'c to carry Alex and that he would carry Adam.

"That will not be necessary, O'Neill. If we wait a moment he not needed to be carried." Teal'c informed Mac.

"What?" Mac exclaimed having no idea what Teal'c was talking about. "Buddy, I don't think he will walk away from this one."

"You are right. I think I would rather run" came a voice.

Mac turned to see Adam trying to sit up. His mouth dropped open. "How?" 'When could a Goa'uld have gotten into him?' His mouth shut and he began giving Adam the once over.

Adam noticed and realized what MacGyver must be thinking. He immediately turned to Teal'c and asked him to assure Mac that he was not a Goa'uld, which he did. Teal'c also assured Mac that Adam was not a threat.

"Ok? So if you are not a Goa'uld what are you?" Mac asked hesitantly. He was sure he wouldn't like the answer.

"A man of mystery just like you MacGyver." Adam grinned. Mac just stared at him.

"Fine." Adam continued sounding a bit exhausted. "I will answer your questions if you answer mine. Deal?"

"All right." Mac drawled.

"I suggest we wait until we have returned Lt. Alexander to the SGC." Teal'c suggested.

Both Adam and Mac agreed. Teal'c picked up Lt. Alexander, who murmured "Five more minutes." They started back towards the ring room.

* * * * *

Sam, Daniel, and Nick were trying to find the others, but unfortunately they ran into their own firefight. Sam and Daniel immediately began firing. Nick joined in quickly.

Nick was amazed at DJ's fighting skills. He never though his old friend capable of hurting a fly, but here he was acting like a well-trained military man. The two of them would have to have a long talk when this was over.

Sam had originally been trying to offer what protection she could to Nick. After all she remembered how Daniel was when she first met him and had no reason to think that this archeologist would be any different. She quickly noticed how well he fought and concentrated on her own fights.

Daniel also noticed how well his old friend was doing and was quite surprised. Combat just wasn't a required course for your Ph.D. At times, he noticed Nick seemed to be moving almost faster then he should be able. The two of them would have to have a long talk when this was over.

The three of them were doing a wonderful job of holding off their attackers, but more kept arriving. It was beginning to look like they weren't going to get out of this one.

Then all of sudden things were starting to become more even. Adam and Teal'c had come and were now fighting the Jaffa as well.

Sam vaguely wondered where the mystery man was and noticed that he was over by a dead Jaffa taking some equipment from him. 'Why wasn't he helping?' She then lost track of him when two Jaffa attacked her wounding her in the shoulder.

MacGyver was searching the Jaffa for a small field generator that he knew most Jaffa carried. He found it and quickly pulled it aside. He also took several staff weapons. He noted with appreciation that Teal'c was making sure he could work without being interrupted by the Jaffa. He pulled out his Swiss-army knife and worked on the generator for a moment then turned and pulled out some duct tape and worked with the staff weapons. He stopped and grinned for a moment.

"Everyone, over here now!" He commanded as he positioned himself next to the Lieutenant. Everyone did as he asked. He pressed one button and quickly an electric field enveloped the group.

Sam was amazed to note that the staff weapon blasts didn't seem to be able to penetrate the field. She turned to look at him and nodded he was grinning.

Mac saw Sam looking at him and said, "If you like that, you'll love this." He threw his modified staff weapon out towards the Jaffa and within three seconds it exploded. "Sweet!"

By now most of the group was starring at MacGyver. 'How did he do that?'

Daniel remembered that SCG scientists had said there was no way you could have a staff weapon explode, something about the power source.

Adam looked over at Nick who grinned and said softly, "I told you he could blow-up anything with just some duct tape."

Mac deactivated the force field, got up and started towards the door. "Come on boys and girl we are off to see the wizard. Let's get moving." The others started to comply, but Daniel just stood there for a moment and tried to take it all in. Only to be interrupted by Mac who said, "Come on Danny don't dawdle and I get you some new rocks to play with."

"Artifacts." He replied unconsciously, and then he grinned as he realized what he said. He looked up at Jack and realized despite everything he really was Jack. A new and improved version perhaps, but still Jack. He smiled at Jack and said, "Fine, but next time I come over no hockey on the television."

MacGyver looked at Daniel in mock horror, which just made Daniel laugh.

Sam listened to the exchanged and decided that Daniel must think that MacGyver is the Colonel. That was worth several checks on the Colonel side to her, as was his quip 'off to see the wizard' and his remark 'sweet'. But that field and the explosion, each earned a mark in the not the colonel column. 'Maybe I can get Janet to run a DNA test on him?'

As they entered the ring room, Mac took his remaining two staff weapons and placed them on either side of the door. He then entered the rings with everyone else. Sam gave him a questioning glance. "I don't anyone to follow us home." He answered her silent question. As the rings activated they all saw the explosion ignite.

* * * * *

As they arrived back at the dig site SGC guards around the gate greeted them.

"Welcome Back SG-1" came the familiar sound of General Hammond. At the same time, Medics immediately stepped forward and took Lt. Alexander from Teal'c.

Sam stepped forward to give report to the General. "Sir . . "

The General having noticed her solder wound cut off Sam. "Major, report to Dr. Fraiser. She is in the field hospital we established across the way. I will get your report after you get patched-up."

"Yes Sir" she said and then promptly fainted.

"She probably lost too much blood." Adam offered.

"Dr. Pierson?" The General asked.

"Yes, sir and this is Dr. Foster," Adam said gesturing at Nick, "and Dr. MacGyver," gesturing at Mac.

"Sergeant Pepper, take Major Carter to Dr. Fraiser. Drs. Pierson and Foster would you kindly join them. I want to make sure you are all unharmed. Private Benjamin, please escort our guests to the infirmary." General Hammond stated. There were two 'yes sirs' and some remarks of assent from Adam and Nick as they left to go to Janet.

It didn't escape anyone's attention that the General had not included MacGyver as a guest.

"Son, can we make sure we don't have any uninvited guests?' General Hammond asked. Mac looked at the General slightly surprised, but went over and disengaged the Ring device so that no one from the outside could activate it.

"Thank you! I would like to hear your report. Come join me in my tent." The General said leading them to where they could speak in private.

The General looked at MacGyver with a silent question.

"It is OK sir, they know. I told Daniel when we were locked-up and somehow I think Teal'c already knew. My question is how did you?" Mac or rather Jack asked.

"Colonel, I didn't get this job by being stupid and neither did you." The General stated.

"Well actually I don't have this job anymore." Jack replied with a grinned and then added "Sir."

"Well, we can discuss that later. Now Colonel, why don't you, Dr. Jackson, and Teal'c give me a summary of happened. You can save the details for the debriefing tomorrow when we get back to the SGC." The General stated.

Jack and the others proceeded to give the General the highlights of the mission. Afterwards, he told them to get some rest. They would depart for the SGC in two hours.

* * * * *

On board, Sam and Daniel were discussing what they overheard between Neferteri and the stranger. The others were all sitting in the same area. Daniel asked Sam if she thought the guy reminded her of Colonel Simmons and Sam agreed that he did.

"Well I don't know any Colonel Simmons, but I thought the guy looked like Eugene Bradford." Nick said.

Everyone just sort of stared at him and it was Sam who finally asked, "Who?"

"You know Eugene Bradford from 'Days of Our Lives.' He was married to Calliope and he was sort of insane in a very funny way." Nick said expecting them to all recognize the description.

"Right, I remember. He used to wear a lot of funny clothes didn't he? You know I never pegged you for a Days fan." Janet commented. Several of the group were staring at her and she blushed and told them it was a guilty pleasure.

Nick grinned. 'At least one person knew who I meant.' "Yeap, that's the one. I am surprised more of you aren't Days fans. I mean Tom and Alice Horton, Stefano Dimeria, Vivian Alamain, Jack Deveraux -- they were and are some of the best television characters around."

Adam just grinned. 'What is it about vampires and soaps? First, I can get Wil to stop watching Passions. I mean who ever heard of a Telly in a crypt? Now I find out that Nick watches Days. So much for vampires being the big bads. They aren't allergic to the sun; they just don't go out during the day because their programs are on.

"You know I always thought that Colonel Simmons looked like the Doctor from the movie 'The Hand that Rocks the Cradle'" Daniel interjected. Most were surprised that the studious man had ever had his nose out of a book long enough to watch a whole movie.

"Well, I have to admit he looked like 'Binky' from 'Murder She Wrote.' In it he was an art thief." Sam admitted shyly.

"Well, he looks like that guy from 'Legend'. I always liked him and especially that other guy in that show." MacGyver stated quietly.

"Yeah wasn't that other guy also on 'General Hospital'?" Nick asked. Mac nodded affirmatively.

"Is there any soap you don't watch?" Adam asked rhetorically, rolling his eyes.

"Well, I don't care for Passions" Nick answered despite the fact that Adam had not intended for the question to be answered.

"Really, I have a friend, well more like . . . I don't know - anyway he refuses to miss an episode of Passions." Alex said as he walked in the room. Everyone was glad to see he was well enough to join them. "Although why I don't understand I mean Tabitha, really, she isn't like any witch I have ever met." He finished with a lop-sided grin.

"So, what have we figured out?" Sam asked trying to put the conversation back on track.

"That you all watch way to much television?" Colonel Makepeace added making himself known to the conversation.

"And that the guy with Neferteri is someone who looks like a cross between Colonel Simmons, A lecherous Doctor, Eugene Bradford, Binky, and the guy from 'Legend'." Adam stated.

Everyone just shook his or her heads in agreement.

After a few minutes, Mac asked, "So what now?

* * * * *

Hope it is still going all right. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback, reviews, and notes.

I have been working on the next chapter, but it is going very slow because I can only type with one hand for a while. (I sprained my wrist.)

Teri (Garnet_TM@yahoo.com) 7/20/02