JACK?
by Teri
Chapter X - Transitions
"We will be landing in about fifteen minutes" came a voice over the intercom.
MacGyver sat back in his chair. He had some thinking to do before they landed. This was not the time for him to get his story mixed up. For that matter he needed to decide what his story would be.
First, he needed to consider who knew what. 'Of course I would have a better chance counting all of the stars.' He sighed. 'O.K. Let's first start with my team. My team, I guess they will always be that no matter how long I am away from them.' He smiled slightly 'Carter – Carter . . . well she doesn't know for sure. She has been watching and observing me. I bet my duct-tape she has a mental checklist going trying to figure out exactly who I am. Unless I miss my guess though she knows deep down who I am but is having trouble accepting it. I am not sure if our relationship will ever be as good as it was before, she is bound to feel betrayed. Teal'c, my buddy, he already knew. I don't know how much he actually knows, but I wouldn't put anything past him. I'll never underestimate him again. Daniel . . . Danny, well I think about him later. Let us see whom else? The General, the old goat, he seems to know the whole story, but how could he? How could he?'
"Mac, are you ok?" Nick asked sitting down next to the MacGyver. There was no response. "Mac?" He asked again.
"Um? Oh sorry Nick." Mac finally responded.
"Are you OK?" Nick asked worried for his friend.
"Yeah, I just got a lot on my mind." He said trying to give Nick a slight grin. He appreciated Nick's concern, but he had somethings he needed to work out and a chat was the last thing he needed.
"A lot on your mind? I can't imagine why. It 's not like we've done anything interesting lately. Maybe my next dig will have more excitement." Nick said with an amazingly straight face.
"You know, I think you have been spending too much time around Adam. His sense of humor is wearing off on you ---and that is not a good thing." He stated then he added, "Oh and please remember NOT to invite me to your next dig." He glanced at Nick with a smile.
"Will do." He responded and then becoming more serious, he continued. "Look if there is anything you need to talk about you can. We have been friends for a while and I hope you know you can trust me."
"I know and thanks, but I have some things I need to work out on my own." Mac told Nick who nodded and went back to his own seat which just happened to be next to Janet's seat.
'There is another interesting case – the Doc and Nick. Who would have thought, but the electricity between the two of them could power the gate for a millennium. I am not really sure where I stand with Janet. I think she believes I am Jack, but I don't really know. On the other hand Nick, doesn't know Jack from … Adam. Well, maybe he would know him from Adam.' He thought with a chuckle. "Though I think he saw different parts of me that he never would have associated with me. Also, he is very observant and I am sure he has noticed the way the others reacted to me. He must know that something is up. Of course, I would love to know why he seemed to be so comfortable with weapons and tactics. It is not the usual frame of knowledge for an archeologist. Now Adam is an interesting case . . .'
"What do you mean I am an interesting case?" Mac looked up as he heard the deep voice of Adam Pierson. However, when he looked around he saw the Adam was actually sitting in the back playing poker with Makepeace, which was odd enough since the two acted like they couldn't stand each other, but where did the voice come from?
'Probably my imagination or I am just giving all of this way too much thought. Anyway, I haven't known Adam long, but he quickly became a good friend. He is very perceptive and I know he noticed my…err Jack's – no MY proficiency with firearms. I am going to have to see a shrink before this is over. I also noticed he asked a lot of questions. Either he loves a good mystery or I should be worried. I bet he just hates not knowing everything. What I really want to know about him is why he had a sword and where on earth he was hiding it. Of course, I really could care less that he seemingly woke from the DEAD. I mean that isn't even an issue. At least Teal'c trusts him, that is enough for now.'
'Let's see who's left? Makepeace, Lt. Alexander, and Daniel. Well, I am not ready to think about Daniel yet and I don't know Lt. Alexander well enough for it to matter what he does and does not know yet, besides the poor kid as been through so much I am sure I am the least of his worries. Makepeace grilled me extensively at the dig, but he deferred to my authority on the ship, so he must believe I am Jack. With his training he probably thinks I am undercover or something. As for Daniel, he knows the truth, but I am not sure he will ever forgive me. He corrected me when I called the artifacts rocks, so I guess that is a good sign. So what I have I figured out? That I am lousy at keeping a secret as virtually everyone knows and those that don't know, know there is something more to me than they thought this time last week.'
"Will all passengers assume landing positions, please return to your seats, fasten your seatbelts and make sure your trays are in their upright positions. We will be landing at the academy in few minutes." Came the voice over the intercom.
'Already? OK, what will I tell them?' He thought just staring out of the window. 'I guess the only thing I can tell them is the complete truth. I don't think they will accept anything less. Wow, this time last week I don't think there was one person who knew everything about me, now . . . wow. I guess if I am going to fill everyone in here I also owe Pete the full story and I guess I owe my Sam, my son, the full story although he probably knows more than anyone else. Actually, I guess he has learned more from me about me than anyone else since I don't know how much the General and the rest know. I am not sure if I should just do the "true confessions" thing and spill everything at the debriefing or if I should approach everyone individually.'
"Welcome to the Air Force Academy. You will be able to disembark momentarily." The voice announced.
'I guess I'll wing it.'
* * * * *
"So, are we really going to sit here in silence the whole trip?" Janet asked with a playful smile on her lips.
"Janet, I . . . " Nick began but stopped because he didn't know how to proceed.
"Nick?" Janet asked. Slightly worried why this man who exuded self-confidence would be so hesitant. She placed her hand on his arm.
Nick mustered his courage and began. "Janet, not to be ungrateful, but how come you accepted me so quickly?"
"Oh, well I had a feeling that I could trust you." Janet stated.
Nick was astonished and worried, "You had a feeling? Isn't it dangerous in your line of work to accept something so casually?"
"Well, I wouldn't call Faith accepting something casually." She said and sighed, "but you see I already knew vampires were real. During college, I spend a year at Oxford. While I was there I dated a man who proved to me the existence of vampires, demons, magic, and the like. He was a watcher and before you ask he did tell me that all vampires were soulless evil demons, but I knew that couldn't apply to you. I know you are not evil and despite your glowing eyes you didn't exhibit all of the symptoms of a Gou'ald possession. So, I chose to accept your explanation. Besides Gou'ald or vampire, I am sure Te. . .Murray would have sensed . . . I mean. . . uh." She cut her self off hoping she still had time to recover from her errors.
"What do you mean Janet that Murray would know?" Nick asked
"Nick, I trusted you now please trust me and don't asked." She asked her eyes pleading him to comply with her request.
"I think I can do that." He said gently placing a gently kiss on her cheek. "So you've known about vampires since college? So, have you ever seen a vampire?"
"I did, but they didn't look like you do. There faces were all distorted. Do you look different because you are cured or are you a different species or sub-species?" Janet inquired.
"A different class, unlike the kind you saw we don't lose our souls which is what led me on my quest to regain my humanity. Make no mistake Janet; I have done things I am not proud of in my time. I am not evil, not now, but there was a time . . ." Nick's voice trailed off.
Janet glanced over at Nick at gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. Nick in turn gave her a small smile.
* * * * *
'Alright sound scientific thinking will get me through this.' Sam sat back to contemplate the mystery man that looks like her Colonel. 'This man is a master with explosives. He was able to great energy shields and rewire staff weapons. He was able to disengage the ring system. The two archeologists think highly of his linguistic skills. His reputation is that he won't touch a gun. On the other hand, Jack is smarter than he lets on, but. . . this much smarter? How often did his eyes gloss over when I explain things and he has never shown any interested in Daniel's work. I could believe that he understood explosives that could fit with his training and experience, even if he never showed much of an aptitude for it. Jack, of course, loves weapons and is quite the expert. Doesn't seem likely that they are the same person, but the appearance is a lot to ignore. Plus, I heard the guy call Daniel's artifacts 'rocks'. How many times did he say 'Sweet', 'What', 'For Crying Out Loud', and 'you sure betcha'? He sure sounded like the Colonel then and what about on the ship when he took control of the situation and planed out our progress. That sure seemed like the Colonel of course then he went and used chocolate to fix an acid leak. How could they be one person short of a multiple personality disorder? Maybe they are related?'
* * * * *
"General?" Adam began.
"Yes, Dr." He paused to remember the man's name. "Pierson?"
"I have a phone call I have to make before we arrive at the base. My friend has got to be very worried about me by now. I give you my word I won't discuss anything that has happened, not that he would believe me if I did." Adam informed the General.
"Very well Dr. Pierson." The General granted him permission.
A few minutes later . . .
"Joe's" came the answer
"Hey, Mike. It's Adam. I need to speak to Joe is he there?"
"Yeah, hold on." Then away from the phone Adam hears someone singing "I'm a girl watcher, I'm a girl watcher, watching girls go by. . . "
"Adam, what's up? Where have you been?" Joe asked.
"Well, where is not important right now, but I wanted to know what you had found out about MacGyver." Adam said quickly.
"I e-mailed all of that to you." Joe said confused why Adam would be asking.
"Here comes one now . . . " continued the singing from Joe's end of the phone line.
"I haven't been able to check my e-mail, can you give me the run down?" Adam asked.
"Sure, MacGyver was born in 1954 in Minnesota. Of all things his first name is . . ." suddenly Adam couldn't hear Joe instead all he heard was "I'm a girl watcher, I'm a girl watcher, watching . . ."
"JOE, Can you knock off the music? I can hardly hear you." Adam was getting angry.
"Sorry" Joe said into the phone, then he could hear in the background. "Hey Ripper, take five, I'm on the phone" Then another voice with an English accent responded, "Oh, Quite, Sorry Joe."
"Joe, who was that? And why was he singing 'I am a girl watcher'? I mean that isn't exactly your usual Blues music?" Adam asked. He thought he recognized the voice, but it had been a long time.
"Sorry Adam, that is my friend Rip. We've played together on and off for years. He is very talented. Although, some have said he should only play Elevator music, but they don't know what they are talking about. As for the song, it is sort of his theme song. Trust me it is appropriate." Joe informed Adam. "Now as I was saying. His father and grandmother were killed in a car accident when he was nine years old and he was raised by his grandfather Harry Jackson and his mother Mary. He was a genius and graduated with his first degree when he was seventeen years old. After that he disappeared from the records. There was nothing on him again until a report several years later from a DSX agent named . . . Peter Thornton. Apparently this MacGyver guy saved him from an assassin named Murdock. Apparently, making them the first people ever to get away from him."
"Anyway, the DSX man hired him even though he was only driving a taxi at the time. There were some rumors that he had been involved with Special Forces or Black Ops before that, but there is nothing to support it. Apparently, the DSX guy moved up the ranks and MacGyver went with him. Eventually, he left to take over the Phoenix Foundation and our boy went with him to work as a special agent. Eventually, he found out he had a son, a teen named Sean Malloy. He ended up quitting the foundation to go traveling with his son. He wasn't heard from for about a decade. Then, Thornton got sick and next thing you know MacGyver is running the foundation. That was about six months ago. Somewhere along the way he earned doctoral degrees in chemistry, physics, and engineering. Also, he is quite gifted with computers and he loves archeology. He is said to be able to blow up anything and is one of the nations leading authorities in explosives. They say he is a real Mr. Wizard. Also, supposedly he won't touch a gun. Something about a friend being killed in front of him as a child or something. Does that cover everything you wanted to know?" Joe finally asked taking a swig of his beer.
"Well, that covers a lot. It is good start; now see if you can find out anything more in depth. Also see what you can find out about Colonel Jack O'Neill, USAF. Thanks Joe." Adam said.
"A good start? Man you are amazing." Joe said with a sarcastic tone.
"Joe, I . . ." Adam began but was cut-off by Joe "Well, I see what I can do. Don't get yourself in trouble and watch your head." Joe concluded.
"Always, Thanks Joe" Adam said hanging-up the phone. 'Damn, I never did hear what Mac's first name was!" He could just kick himself and Ripper for drowning out the information.
* * * * *
After plane landed and all of the passengers were driven to the base. General Hammond ordered that Colonel Makepeace and Lieutenant Alexander were to report to the infirmary. Dr. Fraiser was to go with them but report to the ready room once she was satisfied with their condition. SG-1 was to report to the ready room in a half of an hour. The visitors would join him immediately in conference room A. He named the visitors as Drs. Foster, Pierson, AND MacGyver. All took note that the General included Mac as a guest. Daniel and Teal'c realized what a fine actor the General was and the others took it as further proof that they were two separate people.
* * * * *
Mac, Adam, and Nick were in the conference room and there was a guard outside of the door.
Mac walked over to Adam. "You're not going to tell me the truth are you? Least not anytime soon."
"Got it in one. Besides, you were all that eager to confide in me yet, at least not here, were you?" Adam turned it around.
"You're right, but when this is over . . ." Mac began.
"When this is over." Adam finished.
"Dr. MacGyver, can I speak to you for a moments?" The General interrupted as he entered the room. Mac nodded and followed him into a private office.
The General faced Mac and began, "I just talked to Jacob and the Tok'ra and I need your help. I need Colonel O'Neill."
* * * * *
Hope it is still going ok. Any errors, typos, or bad writing can be blamed on my wrist. Thanks, Teri (Garnet_TM@yahoo.com) 7/27/02