JACK?
by Teri
Chapter XI: Here Comes the General
"Dr. MacGyver, can I speak to you for a moment?" 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."
"Sir?" MacGyver replied with a weary grin.
"You heard me son. I need your help." The General stated again.
"Look General, I'm not going to stand here and say 'huh?' Which is what every instinct I have is screaming for me to do now. I have never played dumb with you before and I am not about to start now." Mac said looking straight at the General.
The General gave Mac a look that said 'You wanna bet,' to paraphrase a certain Colonel.
Mac noticed the General's look and continued. "Not when it was important General. I hope you know that."
The General nodded.
"So, obviously you realize that I have been Jack O'Neill, but Sir, you have to realize that I am not anymore and after everyone meeting me I doubt that I will ever be again." Mac paused and continued quietly "And I am more sorry to admit that than you can imagine."
"Colonel, I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important." The General sighed. "Jack . . . actually son, I realize I don't know your first name - your real first name."
"And if I have any say in that General you won't." Mac grinned for the first time since he entered the office. "Jack is fine for now, although most people call me Mac." He finished, but then decided to continue. "Sir, before we continue, I really need to ask you a question. How did you find out? I mean you seem so damned comfortable with knowing while Carter's brain is about to blow a gasket every time she even considers the possibility."
"Well son, that is a series of interesting connections and coincidences. You know that Jacob and I have been friends since we were Lieutenants?" Jack nodded. "In those days were the three musketeers Jacob, me, and . . . Peter Thorton. You knew he was in the Air Force before he joined the DSX, right? So, Coincidence #1: Pete and I are old friends."
"We lost track of each other for a while when he was working for the DSX. We ended up meeting again at some political function after he took over the foundation. We managed to stay in touch after that. When we would get together he told me all about his friend, his 'son', MacGyver. He always has a new story about your activities." The General said as his eye's glazed over as he was obviously remembering something. "Have you really fixed an airplane engine with a paperclip and a chewing gum wrapper?" The General just had to ask.
"Sure, the aluminum wrapping has superior conductive properties and a paperclip can be used to replace many of the connections in the engine." Mac stated sounding a bit like Carter.
The General just looked at him kind of funny, but continued. "OK, but you didn't really use chewing gum, duct tape, a cigarette lighter, your shoe laces, and a mousetrap to make a time diffused explosive did you?" The General asked as he chuckled.
"Well, I can't say that I did." Mac confessed.
The General smiled, "I know Pete had to be making some of your adventures up."
"I said I don't remember, not that I couldn't. See you would use the mousetrap as the detonator, placing the chewing gum as a mounting agent. Now you take and soak the shoelaces in the butane from the cigarette lighter. This will act as your fuse. Now you have to take the duct tape and . . . "
The General cut him off. "Enough MacGyver, I get the idea so Pete wasn't exaggerating. You really are a genius aren't you?"
"Technically Sir, but I don't really consider myself to be in that league." MacGyver said modestly.
"There were times when Major Carter could not explain how the computer system corrected itself. Like the time the computer was able to override the dialing device during the mission to PXS746. She never could explain it. You did it didn't you? The General more stated than asked.
"Me, General? This is my first time on this base. After all, it would have been against regulations for O'Neill to bring me, an unauthorized civilian, on to the base." Mac said with a slight grin, trying to appear serious.
"And of course, the Colonel would never do anything against regulations, especially if it meant protecting this base." The General said with a remarkably straight face.
"Of course, I knew you would understand." Mac continued to grin. "Now, we seemed to have gotten off track, you were telling me how you found me out."
"Yes, I was. So, I was hearing stories, true stories it seems," the General just shook his head, "that surprised me. Of course, I had heard of THE MacGyver after all you are practically a legend, but he made you sound like a cross between Mr. Wizard, Batman, and Captain Planet."
"Captain Planet, Sir?" Mac asked mildly amused.
"Captain Planet. I have granddaughters you know. Now as I learned more about you I realized that Captain Planet wasn't far off. Some of your work in the field of environmental protection is amazing, but the rest . . . Although after our talk today I am beginning to believe about Mr. Wizard."
"Sir, your point?" MacGyver said in his best 'Jack O'Neill I'm frustrated get on with it' tone.
"Sorry, as I was saying Pete told me so many fantastic stories that I could hardly believe it, so I researched you. Came to know quite a bit about your exploits." The General left off suggesting he may know more than Mac would like.
"Is that how you found out about ME? Research? Mac asked stunned at the revelation.
"No son, that is how I found out about MacGyver. I still had never heard of Jack O'Neill." The General informed him.
"OK, so how did you find out?" Mac asked again.
"Well, if you'd let me talk without interrupting maybe I would get a chance to tell you." The General told him with a hint of reproachment in his voice.
"Fine, I'll behave." He said sounding perfectly chastised.
"Fine, I had read about Colonel O'Neill during desert storm," he stated softly. Both men understood that the General read about his time as a guest of Saddam Hussein. "So, when I took over Stargate Command and read your first mission report, I thought I wanted you on my team. But, you had a reputation as a Maverick so I researched you and learned all about you or at least so I thought."
"Your record spoke for itself. I decided I wanted you in the program, but I still hadn't made the connection. Yours was the first personnel file I had ever seen without a photograph." The General stated as he shook his head. He stopped as he noticed the smile on MacGyver's face.
"No picture? In my file? I wonder how something like that could have happened, sir." Mac finished with a smile.
"I should have realized. I wish you would do something with the picture in my file - - never have liked it." The General sighed and just looked at the man in front of him for a moment. "Son, I remember the first time you walked through my office door. I knew you were familiar, but I couldn't place you. Later, we met with then Captain Carter and she was explaining about the gate and how they patched it together and she said something like 'we MacGyvered the gate.'"
"Actually, she said, 'it took us 15 years and 3 super-computers to MacGyver a system for the gate on Earth.'" Mac corrected him and the General glanced at him. "Uh, Sir."
"Fortunately, I was looking straight at you when she said it. Right then, I knew where I had seen you before. In a picture with Pete, holding a big fish. Something I have come to understand that MacGyver and O'Neill have in common - fishing. I watched as you let the surprise show for a moment. You quickly recovered, but I saw, I saw." The General smiled at the memory.
"I remember when she said that. It was probably the closed I had had ever come to fainting. Here I was, my name being used as a verb, applied to technology like the gate - - That is of course after I got over the shock of hearing that name while I wasn't him." Jack chuckled softly as he got anther cup of coffee.
"I can imagine it was quiet a shock. Of course, I became convinced I was wrong. After all you don't exactly act like a genius." The General chuckled again as he noticed Mac's look of indignation as he said "Hey!"
The General waived him off and continued, "Anyways . . ."
"Sir, 'Anyways' is not actually a word there is no plural form of 'Anyway'. Sorry sir, and you were saying something about my intelligence level?" Jack said in his best innocent voice.
The General chuckled and continued, "ANYWAY, I wavered back and forth for a long time. You would do things that would convince me each way. When you received the Ancients download, I was sure you had to be MacGyver to handle that kind of input. The mission to PXG987 convinced me that you couldn't possibly be a genius of any sort. Of course, there were always little things that made it clear you knew more than you let on. Even Cassie noticed that time she was in the Infirmary on her birthday. Most of the time it didn't matter or was nothing more than idle curiosity. After all you were the best second-in-command I had ever had the privilege to serve with, even if you did make my life much harder than it had to be sometimes, who am I kidding all of the time. I only became certain after you left and I heard Pete was ill and that MacGyver had taken over the foundation. It was just one to many coincidences for me to have any more doubts."
MacGyver didn't know what to say.
"Son, I do have one question for you." The General began.
'Here it comes, the big why. It is what everyone wants to know.' MacGyver prepared himself for the question he wasn't prepared to answer.
"Doesn't it ever get confusing?" The General asked in total seriousness and MacGyver just started laughing.
* * * * *
"So, how are they Janet?" Sam asked.
"Colonel Makepeace is recovering better than could be expected considering his injuries. Lieutenant Alexander's injuries are not life-threatening, however he has been cut over 90% of his body and has several fractured ribs, sprains, multiple contusions, abrasions, and a concussion. I need to keep him here for a few days. I think he will be all right physically, but I will recommend that he see a psychiatrist for evaluation and a psychotherapist for follow-up sessions. Considering the level of torture he received, I am more than satisfied with his status." Janet concluded.
Sam nodded her head and went over to the bed that Alex was laying on. "How are you doing, cowboy?"
"Same old same old, princess. I'll live." He grinned at her. "When can I blow this joint?"
Sam couldn't help but chuckle at him. One thing she had learned about him was no matter how dire the circumstances he always kept his sense of humor.
"How about we blow this joint as soon as the Doc and the Major here turn their backs." Colonel Makepeace threw in his two cents.
Alex groaned, "Aw another party heard from. Can't you see the princess is here to check on me?" He grabbed Sam's hand and held it to his heart. "She could care less about you."
"It can't be true, she has better taste than that." Robert looked at Sam "She is just checking on you because she feels sorry for you. She wouldn't give the likes of you a second glance." He reached out for Sam's other hand from his bed. "It was nice of you to be so charitable to him even if he doesn't deserve a gorgeous creature like you."
Sam was blushing a bit as she tried to hold in her laughter. Each man was a known clown, but when they got together - watch out!
"Well if Hope and Crosby could give it a rest and get some rest I would be a happy doctor." Janet interjected. "And let Major Carter out of here before I have to treat her for hyperventilation."
"Hope and Crosby?" Alex asked looking like he was confused.
"Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. You know their 'Road to movies'. Great Comedy pair?" Robert suggested.
Taking note of Alex's blank stare Janet tried again "Roland and Martin?"
"Smothers Brothers?" Sam interjected.
"Tom and Jerry?" Robert supplied as Alex's face lit up. "Knew it!" Robert laughed. Quickly the rest of the room joined him.
"Enough now before I have to sedate you all!" Janet said and Sam laughed as Robert and Alex looked crest fallen. "Your not immune missy. Get!" She said to Sam.
"Yes ma'am" Sam said as she turned to leave. Before leaving she whispered to Janet, "You know he has every Bob Hope movie ever made and can handle a yo-yo better than Tommy Smothers ever could."
Janet wasn't surprised.
"She left me here with you and the blood-sucker. I am so hurt" Makepeace faked.
"She didn't leave you, she left me. Believe me the Doc is not a typical blood-sucker." Alex said. Janet began to thank him for defending her, when he added, "I know blood-suckers, but she could give them a few lessons in torture."
"If that is what you think then I will just have to provide a demonstration." Janet smiled as she pulled out two of her biggest needles with a grin that would have scared anyone.
* * * * *
"I wonder what is going on. Why haven't Mac and the General returned?" Nick asked as he paced the room. "Aren't you worried?"
"Nope, not worried." Methos said with a big yawn.
"How?" Nick returned.
"Mac saw me revive and didn't freak. If that didn't cause me trouble than nothing else will." Methos explained. "Besides, the big guy vouched for me."
"Usually, you're the paranoid one. You always say that you are never completely safe. Why are you acting so A-typically?" Nick couldn't understand.
"Because right now being worried is unproductive. We are in a very limited situation. Have you assessed our possible exits? I have and I don't rate out changes as good, at least without revealing our . . . special natures. I think our best bet is to hear everyone out. Besides, I think Mac and the General were due for a long talk. I think they already knew each other." Methos explained.
"Janet did say she thought he looked like some guy name Colonel O'Neill." Nick said as he finally sat down.
"Really?" Methos grinned as he continued to put some pieces together. After pausing for a few minutes he spoke again, "Nick, what is it with you and the good doctor?"
"Can't say. She knows I am a vampire ...er former vampire and it doesn't bother her in the least. In fact, I think she was relieved. She is charming and funny and I can't recall ever feeling so attracted to someone I had just met before." He sighed. "She feels so special and I just like being with her."
"So, what do you plan?" Methos asked knowing that Nick was not one for casual flings.
"I want to see where it leads." Nick told his oldest friend.
"Is it wise? She is only mortal. Even if it works out you will lose her." Adam somberly reminded his friend.
"I know. Did it stop you from loving Alexa? Do you wish it would have?" He asked softly as he placed his hand on Methos' shoulder.
"No, it didn't and I don't." He said with a sad smile. "Just be careful."
* * * * *
Teal'c sat in his room. He had just completed his mediation and knew that he was due to debrief soon and would have to report to the conference room. He was pleased that O'Neill had returned, but was concerned that he would once again depart. The man, Methos, also intrigued him. He knew of his race, but he had never encountered one with such an ancient quickening. He stopped his thoughts as he heard someone outside of his door. Quickly he heard a knock. "Enter"
"Teal'c, I was hoping I could speak to you for a few moments." Daniel asked hesitantly as he came through the door.
Teal'c bowed his head slightly, "What may I do for you Daniel Jackson?"
"Help me to understand about Jack or rather MacGyver." Daniel ran his hand through his hair. "He isn't really Jack is he?" He asked crestfallen.
"He is indeed. He has simply chosen to reveal more of himself to you. Something he has not done with the others."
"What do you mean Teal'c? Everyone must know that MacGyver is Jack. It is kind of obvious." Daniel stated.
"Obvious to you Daniel Jackson, because he never hid as much from you as he did from others. You have always been his friend. You are the only one he has told of his dual nature." Teal'c informed him.
Daniel was stunned he thought everyone over the last few had been told. "Teal'c are you saying that only I know about Jack? Well, me and you since I just told you, I guess."
"I was aware that Colonel O'Neill was more than he let on, but he has not explained anything to me. You are the only one he has discussed it with. Everyone else here believes him to be Dr. MacGyver." Teal'c explained. "Although I am under the impression that General Hammond may know the truth. He is a hard man to fool."
"I didn't realize that Teal'c." Daniel was quiet for a moment. "Still, maybe he let me see more of him, but Jack is still fictitious. He was a creation of MacGyver's very active, very creative imagination."
"If you believed that Daniel Jackson, you would not be in a quandary now. I have never seen you worry about a fairy tale. He is real man. You had told me once that you were sure that O'Neill had concealed part of himself. Now you know you were right, but it is part of him." Teal'c concluded, "Now we must attend the briefing."
"Thank you Teal'c I will think about what you said." Think Daniel did.
* * * * *
"Doesn't it ever get confusing?" The General asked in total seriousness and MacGyver just started laughing.
Mac tried to get himself under control. There had been so much over the last few days and this was just the release he needed.
The General watched amused. 'Guess I have my answer.'
When MacGyver finally finished laughing he looked over to the General.
"If you have finished Colonel, I guess we should get back to the matter at hand." The General stated.
"Jacob tells me the Tok'ra are trying to strike up a new treaty with the Asgard. However, the Asgard will not agree to the treaty without the full support of their high council. Problem is the head of their council is being held captive by a renegade Tok'ra called Zhai. Apparently, Zhai has decided that the Goa'uld were something to emulate rather than abolish. So, the Tok'ra are unable to complete the treaty." The General sighed as he shook his head. "The Tok'ra need our help to rescue the Asgard council member."
"General, I feel for the little gray guy. Really I do, but why do you need me or rather Colonel O'Neill?" Mac asked
"Because Colonel, the captured Asgard is Thor." The General announced.
"For crying out loud! He got captured! AGAIN!!!" Mac asked sounding quite like Jack.
"Yes Colonel, which is why we need Jack O'Neill." The General finished.
"Guess, I don't have much choice. Thor is my buddy. How are we going to pull this off. I don't really want to tell the others the full truth about me if I don't have to." MacGyver told the General.
"Well, I would start by cutting your hair to a regulation length Colonel." The General grinned as MacGyver looked like he had been kicked in the stomach.
"One more thing, Colonel. Care to explain to me how you came to be two distinct people?" The Colonel asked. "How do you keep it together?"
"Duct Tape?"
* * * * *
I am sorry for my delay in getting the story to you. I hope it is okay. Most of this story was written when I was on vacation in Nova Scotia.. I had to type it over and made corrections after I got my arm out of the cast (which it was in because it was not healing right). Now I am back in my brace and typing when I shouldn't be. Hopefully the next chapter will not take so long.
Thank you for all of the reviews and notes!
Teri (Garnet_TM@yahoo.com) 08/17/02
PS I read that FanFiction.net will be going down again for a while. If it is down when I am ready to update again. I will post the new chapter on my web site: http://www.geocities.com/garnet_tm/ If any one wants to be notified when I update, please let me know.