Jack?
PART XII: Sam and . . . Sam?
"Hey, Bobby. What's with the Major and why is the place so empty?" Sgt. York asked as he indicated Major Carter who was aggressively working out in the base gym.
"Jeff, I just don't know. She came in here about 15 minutes ago. She asked if I could let her know when 20 minutes had passed so she could leave for the debriefing. Everyone has left since she got here. . . " Sgt. Murphy replied.
"Men!" Sam called in out in the other room as she whacked the punching bag again.
". . . . for obvious reasons. She is doing pretty good considering her hurt shoulder." Murphy commented.
"Yeah, I'd hate to be on her bad side now; but with two working shoulders." York said as he gave an exaggerated shiver.
"Two men with the -- same -- damn -- face? Impossible! List or no list!" She screamed as she performed a perfect jump kick to the bag.
"I'd put money on the Major" York began.
"Jerk" Sam screamed as she hammered the bag.
"No one in their right mind would take you up on that bet right now, man" Murphy stated.
"*%$&#@*&^" Sam yelled again, although the words were incomprehensible.
"Do you think Dr. Jackson could interpret what she said?" Murphy grinned.
"Would we want him to?" York countered.
"Point."
"Thickheaded Man" WHAM "Inconsiderate Colonel" THUD "Lying Snake"
"I think she's dropping her left to much." York explained.
"Perhaps, but you can see Tealc's influence in her fighting style," observed Murphy.
"Colonel - - Mac - Jack - Jacka**" Sam yelled as she hit the bag with each word for punctuation. "If I only . . . If only I could get my hands on him!"
"Boy is she mad. Who do you think she is mad at?" Murphy asked.
"Bobby, who else do you know who is a Colonel named Jack? Especially one that can get to the Major like that. I mean duh!" York replied.
"Hide" WACK "Secret" POW "Trust" BAMM "Creep" THWACK "Smart"
"Well, I don't know. Smart? Anyway, Colonel O'Neill has been gone for six months or so now." Murphy pointed out.
"Who else could it be?" York asked and Murphy had no answer.
"Why!" BAMM "Won't" THWACK "He" THUD "Talk" POW "To ME!" Sam yelled. The final punch caused the punching bag to be ripped from the ceiling as Sam actually ripped the outside of the bag putting her hand through it.
"I thought that thing was indestructible," Murphy said with awe.
"Yeah, me too. We better go check on her." York said as he hurried out into the gym area followed closely by Murphy.
"Major? Are you OK?" York asked.
"Fine." Sam said with a small blush as her eyes looked down toward the floor. "I am sorry for the mess. I've got to go now." She finished and quickly left the room. She needed to go see Janet. She really whacked her hand good!
"THWACK, BAMM, POW?" York mumbled as he began to clean-up the mess.
Murphy grinned, "Holy indestructible punching bags, Batman!"
* * * * *
Sam thought to himself how surprised his Dad would be to see him. He was supposed to be in Afghanistan finishing up a freelance photojournalism assignment for the Daily Planet. Luckily he had finished up early and thought he would surprise his Dad who was supposed to be at Nick's dig site.
The dig site should be just another mile ahead, Sam thought to himself. However as soon as he thought it, he noticed a military roadblock. A United States Air Force road block to be more precise. Why would they be here? In Egypt?
Sam approached the first checkpoint.
"Do you have authorization to be here?" The airman asked as Sam approached the checkpoint.
"No, I didn't know that it would be needed. I am here to meet my Dad. He's at an archeological dig a little further down the road.
"I am sorry sir, the area is restricted." The airman informed him.
"What?" Sam asked in a perfect likeness to a certain unnamed Colonel. "Why?"
"I am sorry sir, that is classified information." The airman explained.
"Oh for crying out loud! I don't believe this." Sam said in a bit of a huff.
The airman looked at him for a moment and Sam noticed.
"What?" he finally asked.
"I am sorry sir, are you related to Colonel O'Neill? You look just like him and you sound like him too." The airman asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.
"Well, how observant of you airman. Yes, yes, I am." Oh . . . have to be devious. Who do I know that is devious? I know Dalton, Dad's friend Jack Dalton. "I'm Jack . . . yeah Jack O'Neill. I am his son. I'm looking for my dad is he here?" Sam asked hoping he would get admittance by pretending to be the son of this Colonel O'Neill. It was nice of the guard to give him a name to work with.
"I didn't realize he had any living children. So you are Jack Jr.? Sorry sir, your father is not here." He said and turned and addressed another airman. "Harley, escort Colonel O'Neill's son to Major Payne at the dig." He turned his attention once again to Sam. "He should be able to help you locate your father."
Sam thanked the man and wondered at his good fortune to have picked the same name as the real O'Neill. Grinning inwardly at his luck he went with the new airman. He followed him. He asked him to wait for Major Payne in one of the tents.
After a few minutes had passed, he decided that perhaps claiming to be the son of this Colonel wasn't his brightest idea. What if he was too old to be this Colonel's son? No, with the amount of years needed to rise to the rank of Colonel that would be unlikely. Still? Of course, he would really be in trouble if someone knew this Colonel and would know that Sam is not his son.
Sam decided that he needed to get out of there before someone realized he was lying through his teeth and got himself arrested. So he sneaked out of the tent and decided to look around. He still had no idea what was happening with the dig or where is Dad was. He approached a tent where he heard voices and decided to listen.
The first voice began. "The sarcophagus along with the civilians were sent to the Mountain via air transport this morning."
"They want everything that maybe related to the Goa'uld shipped out to area 52 as soon as possible." A second voice stated.
'Goa'uld? Area 52?' Sam wondered.
"Sir, I am sorry to interrupt." The voice was Airman Harley's.
"Yeah, Topper?" Said the first voice.
"There is a man waiting for you. His name is Jack O'Neill, Jr. He is Colonel O'Neill's son." Harley continued.
"Jack? Jack only had one son, Charlie, and he's dead. Sounds like we have an intruder." The first voice continued talking, but Sam didn't want to wait any longer.
Why did his little voice have to be right this time? He realized it was time to get out of there and being his father's son, a MacGyver after all, he got out without any trouble.
He made his way to the nearest airport and the nearest phone.
* * * * *
"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?" Mac asked.
"Colonel?" the General continued in his warning tone.
"Fine, it is quite simple actually. It all began because of a . . . " Mac had begun but was cut off by a knock at the General's door.
"Hold that thought Colonel." He said to Mac then raised his voice. "Enter."
An airman entered the office and began to speak. "General, I am sorry for interrupting, but there has been a . . " He stopped as he glanced at MacGyver.
"Continue Airman." Ordered the General.
"Yes sir. There has been an off-world activation. General Carter is here for the briefing."
"Understood Airman, tell General Carter that I'll be with him in ten minutes" The general stated. The airman left.
"General, you know Jacob doesn't like to be kept waiting. Besides, my story can wait and who knows if Thor can?" Mac told the General.
"Maybe the story can wait, but I am not sure I can. Of course you right Colonel, but I am holding you to an explanation when this is over." The General told him in no uncertain terms.
"Yes, Sir." Mac said as he grinned. "Sir, one other thing"
"Yes?"
"Does this mean I have to tell them?" He asked. The General wasn't sure if the tone was whiney or just desperate.
"I think it is only fair that your team knows the truth so they know how to respond to you. Don't you think?" The General asked knowing full well that Jack O'Neill, no matter what he called himself would never intentionally do anything to risk one of this team.
"You're right General. I just wish you weren't." Mac said sadly.
The General nodded. Together they walked to the familiar conference room where SG-1 always met.
They entered the conference room. He noticed as the General took his usual chair. Carter was seated in her spot. Teal'c was in his chair. He noticed however that the Doc was in Daniel's usual spot and Daniel was in his spot. This left one of the "guest" chairs open for him.
Well it was now or never, right?
MacGyver walked over to Daniel and said in his best innocent tone, "Dr. Jackson, I believe you are in my chair."
Janet gasped slightly, she suspected but to have it confirmed was something else.
Teal'c nodded his head in approval as did the General.
Daniel turned to MacGyver. He looked him straight in the eyes in silent question. Mac nodded with a small smile and Daniel began to grin.
"Sure, Jack. I wasn't expecting you." He stood, still grinning, to find himself another chair.
Sam just stared at him. She had tried proving to herself that he couldn't be Jack. How could he be? He was . . . smart?? At the same time she had hoped he was because that would mean he had come back and she had all but given up hope that he would. She had finally decided to stop proving it and trust her instincts and they told her that this man was Jack and that was when she lost her temper. Now her instincts had been confirmed. She didn't know how to react.
Janet saw the dilemma her friend was going through and decided to break the moment. "Colonel, I am glad you are here."
"Thanks Doc." He sat in his spot.
"At your earliest convenience you are to report to the infirmary for your annual physical. You are late and I have some new needles that need testing." She said grinning by the end.
"Oh, for Crying Out Loud Doc!" MacGyver exclaimed. "You can't wait to get your hands on me, can you?"
"You said it not me!"
Everyone just began laughing.
* * * * *
Once Sam made it to the airport, he decided to call his Dad's office. Hopefully, his Dad had been detained at the Foundation and had not made the trip to Nick's dig. Yeah and the moon was made of blue cheese!
"Phoenix Foundation, Mr. MacGyver's Office, Miss Marlowe speaking." Came a professional, female voice.
"Jennifer? It's Sam. Is Dad there?" Sam asked.
"Sam? You know your father went to meet Nick Foster. Why are you calling? Did something go wrong with your assignment in Afghanistan? I thought you were on your way to the Egyptian dig to meet your father?" Jennifer queried.
"What? How did you know? I didn't tell anyone what I was planning. Not even Dad!" Sam was shocked that she would know.
"When will the MacGyver men learn? You can't slip anything past me." She laughed.
It was true. Jennifer knew everything. When Dad had hired her, everyone including himself had thought that his Dad was thinking with something other than his brain. She was blonde, shapely, and downright beautiful. She was the kind of woman that made wives want to lock up their men. He had doubted that she even knew what a computer was much less how to operate it. Was he ever wrong! Jennifer was the perfect assistant and he doubted his Dad would have been able to run the foundation without her. In fact, the only problem with her was she would get these strange calls from a 'Mr. Carlson' asking her things like if she knew where he put his model trains. Of course, she always did.
"Well, Jennifer. Time to put that to the test. You haven't heard from Dad at all have you?" He hoped.
"No, I haven't heard from him since he left about a week ago." Jennifer informed him.
"What do you know about something called the Goa'uld or Area 52?" Sam asked.
"Is this about your Dad?" she asked her voice soft, laced with concern.
"Yeah." He sighed. "The Air Force. The United States Air Force! They've restricted access to the dig and I can't find out what happened to Dad and Uncle Nick. I found my way on to the site."
"Sam. . . " She said her in warning tone.
"What? Anyway, I overheard them saying they had taken the civilians from the dig to Area 52. I thought that maybe that is where I can find some answers about Dad. So, what can you find out about area 52?" Sam asked again.
"Sam, give me a few minutes to see what I can find out. Where can I reach you?" Jennifer inquired.
"You can't. I'll call in 30 minutes, OK?" Sam finished.
"Okay, be careful Sam. Your Dad would never forgive either of us if you got hurt." She said affectionately.
"Will do! Thanks Jen." He said and hung up. He also said a prayer that Jennifer would have some luck.
Thirty minutes passed and he called Jennifer.
"Sam?" Jennifer said immediately.
"Hey, Jennifer. Any luck?" Sam asked.
"Area 52 is a top secret military base located at Cheyenne Mountain Military Complex in Colorado Springs, CO. The project is called the SGC although what they do there or even what those initials stand for I couldn't begin to tell you. The commander of the facility is a General George Hammond USAF 89-985-6512-312 assigned to Active Duty to the Joint Forces. Apparently, he reports straight to the President. He received decorations for meritorious services in Kuwait and Vietnam. He had apparently been attached to the Project Bluebook Re-Evaluation, although I haven't been able to determine if that is related to this SGC. Also, it seems he and Mr. Thorton are old friends. I have been trying to reach him, but I have been unsuccessful so far." Jennifer sighed. "Sam, I know it's not much, but you won't believe the promises I had to make to learn that much. This place is a bigger secret than . . . well than my age."
Sam laughed that was the world's best kept secret. Her driver's license even omitted the year of her birth. He never figured out how she managed that trick. He could, however, imagine what she went through. He grinned as he pictured Jennifer calling up all of the Senators, military, and government officials in her not so little black book to gather this information. "I appreciate it Jennifer. Keep looking and I will head to Colorado Springs to see what I can find there."
"Will do. Be safe Kiddo!" Jennifer told him.
"Thanks Jen!" He hung up and conned his way on to an airlift heading for the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Imagine that!
* * * * *
"Okay people, I think it is time we settle down." The General said trying to get back to business.
"I think that is a good idea." Jacob Carter said as he entered the room and found a seat.
"Jacob, can you begin please?" General Hammond asked.
"Okay, Thor is being held on an unidentified ship in this solar system. We don't know how or why he was taken. We do know that it was a To'kra named Zhai. Zhai is one of our oldest members. It is hard to imagine why he would do this." Jacob explained.
"I thought the Tok'ra were all descendents for the same Gou'ald?" Daniel asked.
"Yes that is true for 99% of us, but there are a few who joined our ranks because they believed in our cause. Zhai was one of them. He always has been a good and strong leader. I still can't believe he did this." Jacob explained.
"Dad, you mentioned an unidentified ship in this solar system? It must be Neferteri?" Sam Carter finally spoke for the first time since MacGyver arrived.
Jacob's head nodded downward and when he lifted it again their was no question that it was Selmak. "Neferteri? Samantha, that is impossible. Teri died a long time ago. Although if it were true . . ."
"Neferteri? You know this snake, Selmak?" Mac asked in full Jack mode.
"She was our sister by marriage." Selmak replied.
"Selmak you had started to say something else?" The General asked.
"Yes, if it is indeed Neferteri then it would explain Zhai's place in this debacle. You see Zhai is her brother. They were devoted to each other. When she was killed, Zhai blamed the system lords and joined our cause to fight against those who murdered his sister." Selmak informed them.
"Selmak, why do all of the translation say Neferteri? Shouldn't it be Nefertit?" Daniel asked his curiosity getting the better of him.
"No, they are definitely the two different entities. Neferteri was the Egyptian goddess of bad fan fiction writers, particularly crossovers. It is no wonder you never heard of her. Who wants to admit to such a devotion.?"
Daniel snickered. "Well, I suppose not."
"As interesting as all of this is," MacGyver sighed. "Shouldn't we focus on the matter at hand? Our little gray buddy, Thor."
Jacob turned his attention towards MacGyver to respond, but for the first time sine arrived he noticed the man sitting next to him. "Colonel, I thought you were retired, welcome back!"
"Thanks Dad!" MacGyver grinned. "Can we continue?"
"What are you doing here?" Jacob asked again then for the first time he look a good look at the Colonel. "Colonel, what happened to your hair?"
"Oh, for crying out loud!!" Mac cried out loud as he put his head in his hands and groaned.
"That is what I have been trying to find out!" Sam told her Father.
"Well, I was about to find out when you arrived and interrupted, but unfortunately I think the Colonel is right we need to plan how to rescue Thor." The General tried to be the voice of reason.
No one seemed satisfied, so Daniel added, "but Jack will fill us in when this is over, right Jack?"
"Yes, Dr. Jackson. Scouts honor." Mac said sarcastically as he made the sign for a boy scout pledge.
They went on about how to plan the rescue. It was decided that it would be the original SG-1 alone on this mission. Lt. Alexander and Colonel Makepeace were still recovering in the infirmary. The General informed his team that while they were gone he would be making some offers to Drs. Pierson and Foster. They were dismissed to prepare to leave in one half hour when the planning was finished.
One half hour later, MacGyver (or is Jack again?), Sam, and Teal'c were by the gate ready to go.
"Where's Daniel" Mac asked sounding frustrated.
"Somethings don't change, Colonel." Sam grinned at him.
'A good sign' MacGyver thought to himself. She doesn't look like she wants to kill me right now.
"So, Major. What happened to your hand. I didn't realize it was injured when we were on Neferteri's ship." Mac asked.
Sam blushed. "I injured it when we got back."
"Ahhh . . . So" MacGyver began.
"Sorry I am late Jack" Daniel called out.
"Great, Can we go now?" Mac asked.
"Yeah, Hey Jack. Like your hair cut." Daniel announced.
MacGyver ran his hands over the back of his newly shortened hair, much like it had been the last time he was at the SGC. "I thought it would more practical for the mission" He said almost sadly. (Hair Cut? Guess it is Jack now.) After a moment he smiled, "OK kids, were off to see the wizard. Let's go."
Jack began to walk up the platform when Daniel called to him.
"Forgetting something?" Daniel asked.
Jack turned and asked, "What?"
Daniel reached into his bag and pulled out something. He held it in front of him and said "This!" then tossed it to Jack as he grinned like the cat who ate the canary.
Jack grinned, "Duct Tape? I knew you were smart, but now I know you are a genius!"
* * * * *
Sorry for the delay, but I just wasn't happy the way this chapter was going. It is much better now.
I want to ask everyone's opinions. Should Jack/Mac and Sam end up together or at least be heading that way? Would Jack/Mac be better off with someone else or no one? Is there any character you would like to see more of/less of?
I had a number of requests for Sam Malloy, so here he is. I had a few request for more of a reaction from Sam Carter. Hope this was satisfactory. I know everyone is waiting for the explanation, but I feel like that should be towards the end and I am not ready to end this yet. I am enjoying it too much and I hope you all are too.
Please let me know what you think.
Teri (Garnet_TM@yahoo.com) 9/20/02
"Hey, Bobby. What's with the Major and why is the place so empty?" Sgt. York asked as he indicated Major Carter who was aggressively working out in the base gym.
"Jeff, I just don't know. She came in here about 15 minutes ago. She asked if I could let her know when 20 minutes had passed so she could leave for the debriefing. Everyone has left since she got here. . . " Sgt. Murphy replied.
"Men!" Sam called in out in the other room as she whacked the punching bag again.
". . . . for obvious reasons. She is doing pretty good considering her hurt shoulder." Murphy commented.
"Yeah, I'd hate to be on her bad side now; but with two working shoulders." York said as he gave an exaggerated shiver.
"Two men with the -- same -- damn -- face? Impossible! List or no list!" She screamed as she performed a perfect jump kick to the bag.
"I'd put money on the Major" York began.
"Jerk" Sam screamed as she hammered the bag.
"No one in their right mind would take you up on that bet right now, man" Murphy stated.
"*%$&#@*&^" Sam yelled again, although the words were incomprehensible.
"Do you think Dr. Jackson could interpret what she said?" Murphy grinned.
"Would we want him to?" York countered.
"Point."
"Thickheaded Man" WHAM "Inconsiderate Colonel" THUD "Lying Snake"
"I think she's dropping her left to much." York explained.
"Perhaps, but you can see Tealc's influence in her fighting style," observed Murphy.
"Colonel - - Mac - Jack - Jacka**" Sam yelled as she hit the bag with each word for punctuation. "If I only . . . If only I could get my hands on him!"
"Boy is she mad. Who do you think she is mad at?" Murphy asked.
"Bobby, who else do you know who is a Colonel named Jack? Especially one that can get to the Major like that. I mean duh!" York replied.
"Hide" WACK "Secret" POW "Trust" BAMM "Creep" THWACK "Smart"
"Well, I don't know. Smart? Anyway, Colonel O'Neill has been gone for six months or so now." Murphy pointed out.
"Who else could it be?" York asked and Murphy had no answer.
"Why!" BAMM "Won't" THWACK "He" THUD "Talk" POW "To ME!" Sam yelled. The final punch caused the punching bag to be ripped from the ceiling as Sam actually ripped the outside of the bag putting her hand through it.
"I thought that thing was indestructible," Murphy said with awe.
"Yeah, me too. We better go check on her." York said as he hurried out into the gym area followed closely by Murphy.
"Major? Are you OK?" York asked.
"Fine." Sam said with a small blush as her eyes looked down toward the floor. "I am sorry for the mess. I've got to go now." She finished and quickly left the room. She needed to go see Janet. She really whacked her hand good!
"THWACK, BAMM, POW?" York mumbled as he began to clean-up the mess.
Murphy grinned, "Holy indestructible punching bags, Batman!"
* * * * *
Sam thought to himself how surprised his Dad would be to see him. He was supposed to be in Afghanistan finishing up a freelance photojournalism assignment for the Daily Planet. Luckily he had finished up early and thought he would surprise his Dad who was supposed to be at Nick's dig site.
The dig site should be just another mile ahead, Sam thought to himself. However as soon as he thought it, he noticed a military roadblock. A United States Air Force road block to be more precise. Why would they be here? In Egypt?
Sam approached the first checkpoint.
"Do you have authorization to be here?" The airman asked as Sam approached the checkpoint.
"No, I didn't know that it would be needed. I am here to meet my Dad. He's at an archeological dig a little further down the road.
"I am sorry sir, the area is restricted." The airman informed him.
"What?" Sam asked in a perfect likeness to a certain unnamed Colonel. "Why?"
"I am sorry sir, that is classified information." The airman explained.
"Oh for crying out loud! I don't believe this." Sam said in a bit of a huff.
The airman looked at him for a moment and Sam noticed.
"What?" he finally asked.
"I am sorry sir, are you related to Colonel O'Neill? You look just like him and you sound like him too." The airman asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.
"Well, how observant of you airman. Yes, yes, I am." Oh . . . have to be devious. Who do I know that is devious? I know Dalton, Dad's friend Jack Dalton. "I'm Jack . . . yeah Jack O'Neill. I am his son. I'm looking for my dad is he here?" Sam asked hoping he would get admittance by pretending to be the son of this Colonel O'Neill. It was nice of the guard to give him a name to work with.
"I didn't realize he had any living children. So you are Jack Jr.? Sorry sir, your father is not here." He said and turned and addressed another airman. "Harley, escort Colonel O'Neill's son to Major Payne at the dig." He turned his attention once again to Sam. "He should be able to help you locate your father."
Sam thanked the man and wondered at his good fortune to have picked the same name as the real O'Neill. Grinning inwardly at his luck he went with the new airman. He followed him. He asked him to wait for Major Payne in one of the tents.
After a few minutes had passed, he decided that perhaps claiming to be the son of this Colonel wasn't his brightest idea. What if he was too old to be this Colonel's son? No, with the amount of years needed to rise to the rank of Colonel that would be unlikely. Still? Of course, he would really be in trouble if someone knew this Colonel and would know that Sam is not his son.
Sam decided that he needed to get out of there before someone realized he was lying through his teeth and got himself arrested. So he sneaked out of the tent and decided to look around. He still had no idea what was happening with the dig or where is Dad was. He approached a tent where he heard voices and decided to listen.
The first voice began. "The sarcophagus along with the civilians were sent to the Mountain via air transport this morning."
"They want everything that maybe related to the Goa'uld shipped out to area 52 as soon as possible." A second voice stated.
'Goa'uld? Area 52?' Sam wondered.
"Sir, I am sorry to interrupt." The voice was Airman Harley's.
"Yeah, Topper?" Said the first voice.
"There is a man waiting for you. His name is Jack O'Neill, Jr. He is Colonel O'Neill's son." Harley continued.
"Jack? Jack only had one son, Charlie, and he's dead. Sounds like we have an intruder." The first voice continued talking, but Sam didn't want to wait any longer.
Why did his little voice have to be right this time? He realized it was time to get out of there and being his father's son, a MacGyver after all, he got out without any trouble.
He made his way to the nearest airport and the nearest phone.
* * * * *
"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?" Mac asked.
"Colonel?" the General continued in his warning tone.
"Fine, it is quite simple actually. It all began because of a . . . " Mac had begun but was cut off by a knock at the General's door.
"Hold that thought Colonel." He said to Mac then raised his voice. "Enter."
An airman entered the office and began to speak. "General, I am sorry for interrupting, but there has been a . . " He stopped as he glanced at MacGyver.
"Continue Airman." Ordered the General.
"Yes sir. There has been an off-world activation. General Carter is here for the briefing."
"Understood Airman, tell General Carter that I'll be with him in ten minutes" The general stated. The airman left.
"General, you know Jacob doesn't like to be kept waiting. Besides, my story can wait and who knows if Thor can?" Mac told the General.
"Maybe the story can wait, but I am not sure I can. Of course you right Colonel, but I am holding you to an explanation when this is over." The General told him in no uncertain terms.
"Yes, Sir." Mac said as he grinned. "Sir, one other thing"
"Yes?"
"Does this mean I have to tell them?" He asked. The General wasn't sure if the tone was whiney or just desperate.
"I think it is only fair that your team knows the truth so they know how to respond to you. Don't you think?" The General asked knowing full well that Jack O'Neill, no matter what he called himself would never intentionally do anything to risk one of this team.
"You're right General. I just wish you weren't." Mac said sadly.
The General nodded. Together they walked to the familiar conference room where SG-1 always met.
They entered the conference room. He noticed as the General took his usual chair. Carter was seated in her spot. Teal'c was in his chair. He noticed however that the Doc was in Daniel's usual spot and Daniel was in his spot. This left one of the "guest" chairs open for him.
Well it was now or never, right?
MacGyver walked over to Daniel and said in his best innocent tone, "Dr. Jackson, I believe you are in my chair."
Janet gasped slightly, she suspected but to have it confirmed was something else.
Teal'c nodded his head in approval as did the General.
Daniel turned to MacGyver. He looked him straight in the eyes in silent question. Mac nodded with a small smile and Daniel began to grin.
"Sure, Jack. I wasn't expecting you." He stood, still grinning, to find himself another chair.
Sam just stared at him. She had tried proving to herself that he couldn't be Jack. How could he be? He was . . . smart?? At the same time she had hoped he was because that would mean he had come back and she had all but given up hope that he would. She had finally decided to stop proving it and trust her instincts and they told her that this man was Jack and that was when she lost her temper. Now her instincts had been confirmed. She didn't know how to react.
Janet saw the dilemma her friend was going through and decided to break the moment. "Colonel, I am glad you are here."
"Thanks Doc." He sat in his spot.
"At your earliest convenience you are to report to the infirmary for your annual physical. You are late and I have some new needles that need testing." She said grinning by the end.
"Oh, for Crying Out Loud Doc!" MacGyver exclaimed. "You can't wait to get your hands on me, can you?"
"You said it not me!"
Everyone just began laughing.
* * * * *
Once Sam made it to the airport, he decided to call his Dad's office. Hopefully, his Dad had been detained at the Foundation and had not made the trip to Nick's dig. Yeah and the moon was made of blue cheese!
"Phoenix Foundation, Mr. MacGyver's Office, Miss Marlowe speaking." Came a professional, female voice.
"Jennifer? It's Sam. Is Dad there?" Sam asked.
"Sam? You know your father went to meet Nick Foster. Why are you calling? Did something go wrong with your assignment in Afghanistan? I thought you were on your way to the Egyptian dig to meet your father?" Jennifer queried.
"What? How did you know? I didn't tell anyone what I was planning. Not even Dad!" Sam was shocked that she would know.
"When will the MacGyver men learn? You can't slip anything past me." She laughed.
It was true. Jennifer knew everything. When Dad had hired her, everyone including himself had thought that his Dad was thinking with something other than his brain. She was blonde, shapely, and downright beautiful. She was the kind of woman that made wives want to lock up their men. He had doubted that she even knew what a computer was much less how to operate it. Was he ever wrong! Jennifer was the perfect assistant and he doubted his Dad would have been able to run the foundation without her. In fact, the only problem with her was she would get these strange calls from a 'Mr. Carlson' asking her things like if she knew where he put his model trains. Of course, she always did.
"Well, Jennifer. Time to put that to the test. You haven't heard from Dad at all have you?" He hoped.
"No, I haven't heard from him since he left about a week ago." Jennifer informed him.
"What do you know about something called the Goa'uld or Area 52?" Sam asked.
"Is this about your Dad?" she asked her voice soft, laced with concern.
"Yeah." He sighed. "The Air Force. The United States Air Force! They've restricted access to the dig and I can't find out what happened to Dad and Uncle Nick. I found my way on to the site."
"Sam. . . " She said her in warning tone.
"What? Anyway, I overheard them saying they had taken the civilians from the dig to Area 52. I thought that maybe that is where I can find some answers about Dad. So, what can you find out about area 52?" Sam asked again.
"Sam, give me a few minutes to see what I can find out. Where can I reach you?" Jennifer inquired.
"You can't. I'll call in 30 minutes, OK?" Sam finished.
"Okay, be careful Sam. Your Dad would never forgive either of us if you got hurt." She said affectionately.
"Will do! Thanks Jen." He said and hung up. He also said a prayer that Jennifer would have some luck.
Thirty minutes passed and he called Jennifer.
"Sam?" Jennifer said immediately.
"Hey, Jennifer. Any luck?" Sam asked.
"Area 52 is a top secret military base located at Cheyenne Mountain Military Complex in Colorado Springs, CO. The project is called the SGC although what they do there or even what those initials stand for I couldn't begin to tell you. The commander of the facility is a General George Hammond USAF 89-985-6512-312 assigned to Active Duty to the Joint Forces. Apparently, he reports straight to the President. He received decorations for meritorious services in Kuwait and Vietnam. He had apparently been attached to the Project Bluebook Re-Evaluation, although I haven't been able to determine if that is related to this SGC. Also, it seems he and Mr. Thorton are old friends. I have been trying to reach him, but I have been unsuccessful so far." Jennifer sighed. "Sam, I know it's not much, but you won't believe the promises I had to make to learn that much. This place is a bigger secret than . . . well than my age."
Sam laughed that was the world's best kept secret. Her driver's license even omitted the year of her birth. He never figured out how she managed that trick. He could, however, imagine what she went through. He grinned as he pictured Jennifer calling up all of the Senators, military, and government officials in her not so little black book to gather this information. "I appreciate it Jennifer. Keep looking and I will head to Colorado Springs to see what I can find there."
"Will do. Be safe Kiddo!" Jennifer told him.
"Thanks Jen!" He hung up and conned his way on to an airlift heading for the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Imagine that!
* * * * *
"Okay people, I think it is time we settle down." The General said trying to get back to business.
"I think that is a good idea." Jacob Carter said as he entered the room and found a seat.
"Jacob, can you begin please?" General Hammond asked.
"Okay, Thor is being held on an unidentified ship in this solar system. We don't know how or why he was taken. We do know that it was a To'kra named Zhai. Zhai is one of our oldest members. It is hard to imagine why he would do this." Jacob explained.
"I thought the Tok'ra were all descendents for the same Gou'ald?" Daniel asked.
"Yes that is true for 99% of us, but there are a few who joined our ranks because they believed in our cause. Zhai was one of them. He always has been a good and strong leader. I still can't believe he did this." Jacob explained.
"Dad, you mentioned an unidentified ship in this solar system? It must be Neferteri?" Sam Carter finally spoke for the first time since MacGyver arrived.
Jacob's head nodded downward and when he lifted it again their was no question that it was Selmak. "Neferteri? Samantha, that is impossible. Teri died a long time ago. Although if it were true . . ."
"Neferteri? You know this snake, Selmak?" Mac asked in full Jack mode.
"She was our sister by marriage." Selmak replied.
"Selmak you had started to say something else?" The General asked.
"Yes, if it is indeed Neferteri then it would explain Zhai's place in this debacle. You see Zhai is her brother. They were devoted to each other. When she was killed, Zhai blamed the system lords and joined our cause to fight against those who murdered his sister." Selmak informed them.
"Selmak, why do all of the translation say Neferteri? Shouldn't it be Nefertit?" Daniel asked his curiosity getting the better of him.
"No, they are definitely the two different entities. Neferteri was the Egyptian goddess of bad fan fiction writers, particularly crossovers. It is no wonder you never heard of her. Who wants to admit to such a devotion.?"
Daniel snickered. "Well, I suppose not."
"As interesting as all of this is," MacGyver sighed. "Shouldn't we focus on the matter at hand? Our little gray buddy, Thor."
Jacob turned his attention towards MacGyver to respond, but for the first time sine arrived he noticed the man sitting next to him. "Colonel, I thought you were retired, welcome back!"
"Thanks Dad!" MacGyver grinned. "Can we continue?"
"What are you doing here?" Jacob asked again then for the first time he look a good look at the Colonel. "Colonel, what happened to your hair?"
"Oh, for crying out loud!!" Mac cried out loud as he put his head in his hands and groaned.
"That is what I have been trying to find out!" Sam told her Father.
"Well, I was about to find out when you arrived and interrupted, but unfortunately I think the Colonel is right we need to plan how to rescue Thor." The General tried to be the voice of reason.
No one seemed satisfied, so Daniel added, "but Jack will fill us in when this is over, right Jack?"
"Yes, Dr. Jackson. Scouts honor." Mac said sarcastically as he made the sign for a boy scout pledge.
They went on about how to plan the rescue. It was decided that it would be the original SG-1 alone on this mission. Lt. Alexander and Colonel Makepeace were still recovering in the infirmary. The General informed his team that while they were gone he would be making some offers to Drs. Pierson and Foster. They were dismissed to prepare to leave in one half hour when the planning was finished.
One half hour later, MacGyver (or is Jack again?), Sam, and Teal'c were by the gate ready to go.
"Where's Daniel" Mac asked sounding frustrated.
"Somethings don't change, Colonel." Sam grinned at him.
'A good sign' MacGyver thought to himself. She doesn't look like she wants to kill me right now.
"So, Major. What happened to your hand. I didn't realize it was injured when we were on Neferteri's ship." Mac asked.
Sam blushed. "I injured it when we got back."
"Ahhh . . . So" MacGyver began.
"Sorry I am late Jack" Daniel called out.
"Great, Can we go now?" Mac asked.
"Yeah, Hey Jack. Like your hair cut." Daniel announced.
MacGyver ran his hands over the back of his newly shortened hair, much like it had been the last time he was at the SGC. "I thought it would more practical for the mission" He said almost sadly. (Hair Cut? Guess it is Jack now.) After a moment he smiled, "OK kids, were off to see the wizard. Let's go."
Jack began to walk up the platform when Daniel called to him.
"Forgetting something?" Daniel asked.
Jack turned and asked, "What?"
Daniel reached into his bag and pulled out something. He held it in front of him and said "This!" then tossed it to Jack as he grinned like the cat who ate the canary.
Jack grinned, "Duct Tape? I knew you were smart, but now I know you are a genius!"
* * * * *
Sorry for the delay, but I just wasn't happy the way this chapter was going. It is much better now.
I want to ask everyone's opinions. Should Jack/Mac and Sam end up together or at least be heading that way? Would Jack/Mac be better off with someone else or no one? Is there any character you would like to see more of/less of?
I had a number of requests for Sam Malloy, so here he is. I had a few request for more of a reaction from Sam Carter. Hope this was satisfactory. I know everyone is waiting for the explanation, but I feel like that should be towards the end and I am not ready to end this yet. I am enjoying it too much and I hope you all are too.
Please let me know what you think.
Teri (Garnet_TM@yahoo.com) 9/20/02