Note to readers: Some readers were curious about Dexter - It was an established alternate identity for MacGyver during the series. He was a computer nerd that MacGyver had fun playing in several episodes.
Jack? By Teri
Chapter 17 – "True Confessions of an Air Force Colonel" - Part I
"Sam," Mac said in a soft tone that Daniel had only heard when he was speaking about Charlie.
The tone did the trick and made Sam take another look at him. Finally it clicked. It didn't make sense, but it clicked. This man was his Father "Dad?" Sam just stared at him for a minute and latched on to the oddest of details, "you cut your hair?"
He was so relieved to see his father, he moved forward and the two men embraced each other.
Daniel slipped out of his office, closing the door deciding to allow the men to have their reunion in private.
"Sam? What are you doing here?" Mac asked as the embrace ended.
"I came up here to look for you. I heard you were back."
"I don't mean here," MacGyver motioned around the room, "in Danny's office. I mean at the Mountain."
"Oh!" Sam looked at his feet for a moment. "Well, you see I went out to surprise you at the dig and . . . hey," he lifted his head gazing straight into his father's eyes. "I am not the one who needs to explain."
Explain? Lots of possibilities flashed through MacGyver's mind, from alien abduction to being zapped by mystical energy, a veritable A-Z of excuses. Somehow, he did not think his son would buy it.
"Explain, what?" He put his hand to his shortened hair. "This? I just was in the mood for a hair cut. What do you think? Like it? I sort of miss it being longer, but this is much less hassle."
Sam just gawked at his father a moment. "Dad, I am not asking about your hair and you darn well know it. Nice try Dad. Deflecting the issue often works, but not this time. Now, answer the question!"
MacGyver's mind flashed back to a conversation with Daniel just the other day.
"Hey again! This is not pick on your local Colonel day!" Jack huffed. "It was last month, I checked my calendar."
"Nice try, Jack. Deflecting the issue often works, but not this time." Daniel added kind of patronizing. "Now, answer the question!"
"Have you been talking to Daniel?" MacGyver asked in spite of himself.
"Who? That guy who was just here? No. Look Pops, I think I have a right to know what is going on here?" Sam was getting frustrated and it showed in his tone of voice.
"Sorry my mind spaced." He moved to run his hand through his hair, forgetting for a moment about his short hair. "Yeah, I guess you do. This is not how I planned to tell you." A small smile graced his lips.
Sam wanted to ask if he had really planned on telling him, but one look at his Dad told him this was not the time. So instead, he moved to pull over two chairs and sat down.
Mac sat down as well. He just stared at his son for a moment and took it from the top. He told him everything. He told him about Jack O'Neill, about Charlie, about Daniel and Carter. He even told Sam about the Gate, Teal'c, Thor, and the Gou'ald. When they finished, if there was something Sam didn't know about his father it was only because MacGyver had long forgotten it.
Through it all Sam asked no questions, he sat patiently listening. When all was said he was in shock. Not only had he learned about a different side of his father that he didn't know and never would have dreamed existed, he found about the Stargate and everything that went with it.
"So, the abstract 'how likely is it that we aren't alone in the universe' has turned into 'they're here?'"
MacGyver nodded his head.
"And there are a lot of them that make those 50's Martian invasion movies look like a day in the park?"
MacGyver nodded again.
"And for . . . how ever many years you have been pretending to be a dumber than dirt, gun-loving, sarcastic, military type? Well I guess you didn't need to pretend the sarcastic part."
MacGyver's face held a small self-deprecating smile as he nodded again.
"Uh, huh. So tell me Dad, was Lee Harvey Oswald the lone shooter in the Kennedy assignation?"
MacGyver started to shake his head no when he looked-up and saw his son smiling at him. Sam was smiling. Sam was smiling at him. Everything was going to be all right. He returned his son's smile.
"Now, I think it is your turn for the explanations." Mac looked at his son.
"My turn, nahh. I want to hear more about this 'O'Neill' battleship."
"Sam." A one word warning.
"No? Touchy subject? Of course it is, it was destroyed." Sam nodded sagely. "Okay, how about telling me what you really remember from the Ancient's download, cause I am not believing you that you don't remember any of it."
"Sean An. . . " Mac began.
"Don't say it!! I give." He shuddered not wanting to hear his middle name aloud. "Okay, so where was I? Yeah, right." He smiled. "Went to go surprised you at the dig. Found the place surrounded by soldiers. . . "
"Airmen."
". . . Airmen," he rolled his eyes, "anyway, at the gate I got upset and apparently I reminded one of the guards of a certain colonel he knew. So he asked if I was related to Colonel O'Neill. Well, I wanted on the site, so I said I was."
"Sam. . . "
"Don't 'Sam' me Pops, after that talk you just gave I think my little white lie, that as it turns out wasn't a lie at all, isn't that bad. So he asked me my name. I decided I needed to be devious and of course devious is synonymous with Jack Dalton, so I told him I was Jack O'Neill."
Sam grinned as MacGyver looked shocked for a moment before he broke out laughing. "Oh, Dalton would be proud. You using his name like that."
"So the guard says, 'so you are Jack Jr.?'" Sam smiled a second, looking at his Dad. "Hey, I guess I am at that. Jack Jr. So, I said I was and was admitted. I snuck around on site and I heard them mention taking the civilians to Area 52. So, I found out where Area 52 was and came to save you. I was arrested. I claimed again to be Jack O'Neill, Jr. That got me hauled in front of your General. He took me to get a DNA test and in the doctor's office I found Nick."
"How did you find out where Area 52 is? It isn't common knowledge that it is under NORAD." MacGyver wondered. He knew Sam was resourceful, but this was highly classified information.
"Easy, I asked Jennifer."
"Jennifer?" His surprise was evident.
"Yeah, you know your executive assistant - looks like a goddess." Sam was grinning so hard he thought his face would split in half.
"I know who she is." Mac groused. "How did she know?"
Sam's grin expanded more than he thought possible. "I believe she cracked open her not-so-little black book."
The image of Jennifer and her little black book as she called up all the Politicians, Generals, Admirals, and other influential men that she has dated to get the information from them just struck him so funny, he started laughing and didn't stop anytime soon. It was just what he needed to get his balance back.
* * * * *
Daniel knocked on Carter's door. "Sam?"
"In here Daniel." As he walked in she continued to talk, "so how badly did you hurt him?" Her voice held a hint of amusement.
"I actually didn't get to talk to him."
Sam looked at him confused.
"You see there was a young man in my office looking for me. He thought his Dad might be around. How he got in, I don't know. Anyway turns, out the guy's name is Sam, although his given name is Sean." Daniel finished giving Sam a pointed look.
"Sean? As in Sean MacGyver?"
"Well, he didn't give his last name, but I saw him call Jack 'Dad.'"
"We've got MacGyvers coming out of the woodwork."
Daniel snorted his laughter, "Maybe we should call an exterminator?"
"Right, call the Orkin man 'We Kill termites, MacGyvers, and other pests.'" Carter stopped laughing and composed herself a moment. "So, did the Colonel seemed surprised to see him?"
"Oh yeah." Daniel reflected a moment. "Actually shocked and scared would be more accurate."
"Really?"
"Yep, so I left them alone." Daniel's voice sound disappointed.
"So in other words," she began trying to suppress a smile. "We need to come-up with a good plan to get back at him. Since the frontal assault didn't work."
"Yep!" He smiled widely while his eyes gleamed mischievously.
They sat together for quite a while planning. Two bona-fide geniuses out for revenge. He wouldn't know when or where or even how, but they were going to get him and get him good.
Watch out Jack!
* * * * *
MacGyver finally got a hold of himself. He had needed that laugh, but it was time to get practical again. "You said Nick suggested you come up here?
Sam nodded.
"So that means Nick is still on base. I wonder what the General is thinking. Is Adam around too, then?"
"Adam?"
"Guess not. Adam is the chief linguist at Nick's dig. He was also on the ship with us."
"Ahh."
MacGyver looked at his watch. "Guess we have kept Danny out of his office long enough." He stood.
"Hey, Pops? Don't you think it is time you explained to your friends? It sounds to me like these people mean a lot to you and if I understood everything you told me, which to be truthful I can't be sure cause I still feel like I am dreaming, then your behavior has them very confused. They deserve more."
Mac cuffed the back of Sam's head. "When did you get to be so smart?"
Smiling, "I must take after my Dad."
Mac turned and raised his eyebrow at his son as if to say, 'do you really think so?'
Sighing dramatically, "Fine, I've been hanging out with Pete and Jennifer."
"Thought so." He put his arm around his son. "So where are you suppose to be?"
They walked out of the door and straight into Nick and Sgt. Breiner.
"Kid, I have been looking everywhere for you." The Sarge began. "You're lucky I didn't sound the alarm." Glancing at the man standing next to Sam, the Sarge quickly came to attention. "I'm sorry sir, I didn't realize."
Nick on the other hand had just been staring at the tall man who sort of looked like MacGyver who also happened to have his arm around Sam.
"It's okay Sarge." Mac waived him off in a way that everyone at the SGC knew meant, 'I may be a Colonel, but you really don't have to make a big deal about it.'
Mac had noticed Nick looking at him. He had already decided to tell his team, but really wasn't ready for the whole world to know yet.
Sam only looked at his father oddly for a moment, mentally acknowledging to himself that he was finally getting to see Colonel O'Neill rather than his Dad dressed in a uniform. He also noticed his father's distress and decided to help matters. He hoped.
"Nick, Sarge, I am sorry to have slipped away. I was hoping to find my father," he turned to look at MacGyver, "but instead I found my. . . er, Uncle Jack. Well, he's not actually my uncle, he's Dad's cousin, distant cousin at that, but Pops has so little family that he kinda got promoted to Uncle." Sam looked very uncomfortable, but continued anyway. "So, uh Da-Uncle Jack I want you to meet Dr. Nick Foster. Nick meet Colonel Jack O'Neill."
MacGyver held his hand out to Nick who accepted, but didn't look convinced.
"Where's Mac?" Nick asked his eyes fixed on MacGyver.
"Um, well he got an emergency call and head back to his foundation." Mac hoped he was lying convincingly, then he turned to the Sarge. "I want to catch-up a bit with my -um nephew. So I will take responsibility for him."
"I'll catch-up with you later." Sam tried to assure Nick as he and his father started to walk away.
Nick decided that at the first possible chance he needed to talk to Janet then maybe a call to Adam who had intimated that he knew something.
* * * * *
MacGyver and Sam headed to the General's office. Mac had decided that first he needed to get Sam's status on base cleared up. He knocked on the door.
"Come-In"
"Sir," He greeted.
The General put the report he was reading down and looked up to see his ex and hopefully future second-in-command standing in his office.
"What can I do for you Colonel?"
"First I want to introduce you to my son. Sam this is General Hammond and General . . . "
"Son, we've already meet and I already guessed he was your son. Heaven help me, two of you in one place." He shook his head with a small smile.
"Sir, I'm hurt. Truly hurt.' Mac smiled trying to make his voice sound hurt in the way only Jack O'Neill can.
"What DO you want, Colonel?"
"I wanted to make sure that Sammy here isn't in any trouble."
The General looked at Sam, who had that same puppy dog expression that always made him forgive Colonel O'Neill. Sam was definitely his Colonel's son, no question about it.
"No, not this time," he sighed, "against my better judgement." It was clear that MacGyver was about to object, but the General stopped him. "I understand there was no malicious intent, but I still frown on someone trying to break into government installations. There will be no consequences this time, but I trust Colonel that you will make sure your son understands what could have happened."
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
"Thanks, General," Sam's tone was grateful.
"Dismissed."
"Actually, sir. I have something I want to discuss. If I may?"
"All Right"
"Sam, get one of the Airmen at the door to take you back to the Mess or the Infirmary." Mac looked over at the General, "with your permission."
The General nodded his consent and Sam left.
"First, is it true that you offered Nick Foster and Adam Pierson jobs here?"
"Yes."
"How many people do you think have realized that the guy with shoulder-length blonde hair that arrived just a few days ago and me, or ah . . . Jack O'Neill are one in the same?"
The General smiled a moment. "I'm not convinced you are one in the same, despite sharing the same face. I don't think anyone, but your team and Dr. Fraiser know. I did have the feeling that Dr. Pierson may be close to figuring it out. Did your son know?"
Mac looked a little ashamed at first. "No sir, I have always kept things separated. Sam always knew there were secrets in my life, but to this extent--" He paused a moment. "I think it is time I explained. I would like to invite you and few people to my house . . . " Noticing the General's surprised look he explained. "I didn't sell my house, I like it 'round here too much. So, I was thinking that Sam and I could go get ready and you all could come out tonight and I will heat up the grill and play 'True Confessions.'"
"Son, I have never looked forward to a dinner party more."
* * * * *
MacGyver stood in front of Carter's door. He was nervous. He hadn't seen her since they were on the ship together, and they were getting along pretty go then. Still, this was hard. He always walked a find line when dealing with her even before all of this. He knew that she was a special lady, unlike any he had ever met before, but he was a Colonel in the Air Force and she was his. . . his second-in-command that is. He finally got up the courage and knocked.
"Yeah?"
"Carter? Can I come in?"
Sam glanced at Daniel who looked around her office to see if there was anywhere to hide. Finding none he just shrugged.
"Come in Sir."
MacGyver walked in surprised to see Daniel. "Well, I guess this saves me a trip. Finding Daniel here too."
Both scientists looked up at their former CO, wondering what was going on now.
Sam quickly noticed when Daniel's suddenly stiffened and wondered why. She glanced at him and realized that he thought the Colonel was here to say goodbye again. Of course he was, he was leaving again. For a moment she felt her heart break, before she felt her anger swell. How dare he leave her again? Things were finally starting to feel - - well not normal, but at least not broken He swoops back in, reminds everyone, and leaves again. Well, this time he was going to say goodbye in person; that was something.
MacGyver on the other hand had no idea what the long silence was about. He looked down at his feet a moment, before shoving his hands in his pocket. "Well, I uh. . . "
"Jack, maybe this isn't the best time for good-byes." Daniel's soft voice was cracking just a touch. "I am angry at you, but at the same time I am not ready for you to leave." He glanced at Sam. "I don't think any of us are."
MacGyver looked over at his friends with a puzzled expression for a moment, then he realized. "Oh for crying out loud Daniel. This wasn't a good bye!" He started gruffly, "This was a 'wanna come for dinner and a confession.'"
"Confession?" Sam murmured.
"Yes, Carter. Confession. I thought you all wanted the whole story. Course if you don't want to come?" He put on his best 'Jack is an innocent boy' face.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world Jack. Undomesticated equines couldn't keep me away." Daniel smirked.
"Danny! I was trusting you to teach Teal'c slang in my stead, instead you are picking up expressions from him? I leave you kids alone for 5 minutes, 5 minutes!" He shook his head. "So, Carter?"
"Yes, Sir. I'll be there with bells on."
"Sweet." He began to turn away when Daniel's voice stopped him.
"So Jack, will your son be there?"
MacGyver spun around and looked at Daniel then glanced at Sam. He tried several times to start an explanation, but each time stopped. Finally, he settled on the answer he wanted for now. "Youbetcha." He turned back around and left the office, yelling "five-ish" over his shoulder with Sam and Daniel just watching him go.
* * * * *
MacGyver knocked on the door.
"Enter."
He walked into see Teal'c sitting reading a book called. "The Legend of Harry's Gold" by Ernest Pratt. He raised an interested eyebrow at the other man.
"This is a good book O'Neill; NicodemousLegend reminds me of you."
Mac looked skeptical, but let it go. "So T, buddy. How would you like to come by my place tonight, meet my son, have some Barbecue, etc."
"I would be honored to meet you son."
"Good, five-ish then"
* * * * *
MacGyver walked into the infirmary to find his son Sam speaking with Dr. Fraiser and Nick.
Janet noticed him come in. "Finally, I get to see the two of you together. Father and so…"
"Nephew." Sam cut-off.
"Oh for . . . " MacGyver mumbled testily before speaking aloud, "He's my son Nick. Ok? My son."
Sam gaped at his father a moment
"I kinda figured that one out. When we were on the ship, Janet and the others kept calling you Colonel. I kept hearing about this Colonel O'Neill who I never seemed to get to meet and when I finally do meet him he's your 'twin'. Sam giving me the identical cousins line, didn't help either. I kept waiting for him to tell me that I'd find they laugh alike, they walk alike, at times they even talk alike." Nick allowed himself to smile for a moment when he heard Sam and Janet snickering in the background.
Nick held Mac's gaze. "What I want to know is why the elaborate deception?"
"A very good question."
"Great another country heard from." Mac mumbled again as he heard Janet. "Okay, I was originally only going to invite the Doc, but since you know too . . . Nick, Doc, would you both like to come to dinner tonight"
Nick glanced at Janet. "Actually, Mac. . . er I guess I shouldn't call you that, hmm? What do I call you now? Anyway, Janet and I have plans this evening."
MacGyver looked at the two of them for a moment. Oh, very interesting. "Well, if you are sure."
"Very sure." Janet added.
"Oh," MacGyver tried to look innocent, "cause we are playing a new game called 'True Confessions of an Air Force Colonel.'"
Janet and Nick looked at each other for less than a second before both responded at the same time, "we'll be there!"
"Thought so. Come around five-ish."
Sam was just laughing to himself. His father could be a card, but here he just seemed to be a quip or a set-up a minute.
MacGyver and Sam left the infirmary.
"So, you ready to see the house?"
"Actually. . . I have a lunch date first."
"Oh," He started to waggle his eyebrows the way he would when Daniel tells him about dates, then stopped himself because this was his son. He put forth his best fatherly concern voice. "So, who is she?"
"No you don't Pops. Just give me the address and I will meet you there around 1:30."
"Fine. So where are you going?"
"Well originally the mess, but since I am now allowed to leave the base I am open to suggestions."
"I use to recommend O'Malley's but since they don't allow me in anymore, why don't you try Bennigans. It is two exits down the beltway and then two blocks north to your left."
"Thanks, I'll wait in the Infirmary for . . . my friend." He walked back in only to pop his head out for a moment. "Don't stand there and wait for her leave. Go. Scoot."
"Yes, Sir." He said coming to attention while smirking before heading off to go ready for tonight.
As he left he was humming to himself and laughing.
One of the guards swore this is what he was singing:
Meet Mac, who's lived most everywhere,
From Zanzibar to Barclay Square.
But Jack's only seen the sights
a boy can see from Brooklyn Heights
-- What a crazy pair!
But they're cousins,
Identical cousins all the way.
One pair of matching bookends,
Different as night and day.
Where Mac adores minuet,
The Ballet Russes, and crepe suzette,
Our Jack loves to rock and roll,
a hot dog makes him lose control
-- What a wild duet!
Still, they're cousins,
Identical cousins and you'll find,
They laugh alike, they walk alike,
At times they even talk alike --
You can lose your mind,
When cousins are two of a kind.
(Slight variation of the Patty Duke Theme Song)
* * * * *
I hope you all liked it. Part 2 will come much sooner that this last installment I give you my word of honor.
I am already working my way through the next chapter. (Originally, it was all going to be one chapter, but I decided to break it up so I could post something this weekend.) Does anyone have any questions for MacGyver/Jack? Is there anything you want to make sure he covers in his confession? If so leave me a review or send me a note and I will make sure it gets covered.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Thanks,
Teri (Garnet_TM@yahoo.com) 06/22/03