At Long Last . . . (if anyone is still interested) I am proud to present:
Chapter 18 – True Confessions of An Air Force Colonel – Meeting MacGyver
Last time on "Jack?"
Well, actually it has been so long I don't remember either so go reread the chapters. It is only about 190 pages in Word, will only take you a few moments before you read the 19 pages in this chapter.
Okay, actually the general idea is that Jack has promised to spill the beans, hence the delay as Jack didn't want to spill. SAM Malloy is out to lunch with Lt. KB. Janet and Nick are in the infirmary making googoo eyes at each other. Sam and Daniel are still trying to figure out the truth that is MacGyver and Daniel is still trying to get over his talk with "Dexter". It will be a long road to recovery for our favorite archeologist, the shock was almost too much for him, but with our support he may make a full recovery. Alex and Robert are still in the mess hall plotting ways to torture the medical staff either that or make plans for the next three stooges' marathon. Although, perhaps they were practicing bad pick-up lines? General Hammond is still making calls trying to get hold of Peter Thorton to find out more about MacGyver. Maybourne was on the phone with Murdoc and Methos is off somewhere doing ancient immortal stuff. Finally, Teal'c is extremely conflicted and confused about the whole dual identity thing you can tell by the one slightly raised eyebrow. J
* * * * *
"So, do you need me to drop you back off at base?" KB asked Sam as they walked to her car after lunch.
"Actually if you could drop me off at my Dad's, I would appreciate it."
"Your Dad's?" She looked at him with surprise. "You found him and didn't even mention it to me?"
"About that," he suddenly found the ground very interesting. "I found him and . . . ah. . . it turns out that my Uncle has a house in town and I am supposed to meet my Dad there later."
The young Lieutenant glanced at him -- well she wasn't sure what to classify him as yet, but she could tell he wasn't telling her everything. She decided to let it drop. Although she was a little hurt that he didn't mention something so important, she recognized his right to privacy.
A few minutes later she arrived in front of the address Sam had given her. Something about the house seemed familiar, like she should know it for some reason. "We're here."
"Sweet!"
She glanced at him for a moment. Again shaking off the feeling that he, like the house was familiar.
Sam began to get out of the car. He walked around to the driver's side and leaned into the car and the duo shared a quick kiss. However, the moment was instantly halted for KB when she saw a familiar figure walk out the front of the house, continue to the truck in the driveway, and grab some grocery bags. It looked like . . . but it couldn't be? Could it? She was dropping Sam off at the home of THE Colonel Jack O'Neill, former Commanding Officer of SG-1?
"Sam?"
"Hmm?"
"Who is that man?" She pointed to Jack.
"Oh, that's just my Da. . . d's cousin, my uncle Jack."
"Oh?"
"You better leave before he comes and gives you the third degree. I don't want you to meet him yet. He might scare you away and that is the last thing I want." He grinned at her and she blushed slightly.
"Fine. Give me a call."
"Ma'am, Yes Ma'am" He stood up straight and gave her a mock salute and a silly grin on his face.
She drove off slowly. She watched in her rear view mirror as Sam walked over and hugged the Colonel. A surprise in itself, who on base would think the Colonel huggable except perhaps Dr. Jackson, and of course Major Carter, she decided with a grin.
Before she put-up her window, she would have sworn he said, "Hey Dad."
* * * * *
MacGyver grinned as watched his son, leaning through the car window kissing the girl. Of course, years of covert experience allowed it to appear as though he wasn't watching. He couldn't get a good look at the girl, but he did memorize the license plates. Soon his son's mystery date wouldn't be a mystery any longer. Of course, that is not something MacGyver would do, oh no, Mac would respect his son's privacy, but then it was good to be Jack sometimes he grinned to himself.
* * * * *
"Hey Dad!" Sam walked over and gave his Dad a hug before reaching for one of the grocery bags. "Jeez, think you bought enough?"
"My plan is to make them all happy and content. That way they won't be to . . . "
"Cross? Angry? Upset? Boiling? Steamed? Incensed?? Sam offered with a helpful look on his face.
"Ah, no. I mean. . . ."
"Oh, you mean that they won't be 'too racked with Laughter' that their 'dumber than dirt' Colonel is really a genius known the world over for his MacGyverisms?" He smiled widely as his father looked more and more annoyed.
"What I wanted to say, was so that they wouldn't be in a hurry to hear the story and maybe even forget about it."
"Forget about it? They have been waiting for the full story since like chapter 5."
"What? Since when?"
". . . since they first saw your long blonde locks. Dad are you ok?"
"Yeah, I just thought I heard you say something else. Must be the stress is getting to me."
"Right." Sam's tone indicating the speculative nature of his comment.
"Right! Now help me get ready."
* * * * *
Daniel heard a knock at the door and looked up. Standing in his doorway was Sam Carter. She motioned to the cups in her hand. "I come bearing coffee. Can I come in?"
"Coffee is always welcome."
Sam fixed a glare at him.
"And you of course. . . " he motioned her to a seat as he displayed an apologetic grin.
She took the seat and put the coffee down after a few minutes she looked up at Daniel. "So?"
Daniel looked at her intently, his lips pursed, raising both eyebrows. "So-o-o. . ."
A moment later they were both laughing.
"Just when I thought I had met enough weird in my life," Sam smiled, "the Gate, The Gou'ald, The Tok'ra, Jolinar, my Dad and Selmak, the Asguard, dimensional mirrors, Solar-flare powered time travel, mimic devices, body-swapping."
"Ah, don't forget the NID." He added with an exaggerated shudder.
Laughing, "no can't forget Maybourne or Simmons and their goons." She paused for a moment, "and of course there is the weird thing between Janet and that Archeologist."
"Nick? I don't think they're weird. They work. Granted it has been a little fast." Noticing Sam's incredulous look. "Okay, they work albeit in an odd way."
"Yeah, but with all of that, the oddest thing was the way the Colonel left us six months ago. I never understood how he could leave without saying goodbye to us. I thought I meant more to him than that."
Daniel wisely did not point out her slip of changing the 'we' to an 'I'. He might still be considered naïve, but he wasn't dumb.
"But this has got to top the charts. The Colonel is really a genius? I am having a hard time grasping that Daniel."
Daniel nodded his head; "I know what you mean . . ."
Knocking at the door interrupted him.
"In," he called subconsciously imitating O'Neill.
"Is this a private party or can anyone join in?" Janet smiled as she walked in the door.
"Hi, Janet. We were just talking."
"About who I couldn't guess." She said with mock disapproval.
"I was just telling Daniel that I have a hard time understanding how the Colonel can be--be," Sam stopped unable to think of the word she wanted.
"Smart? Capable? Gifted even?" Daniel suggested while at the same time Janet suggested, "Lying snake? Big fat phony?"
"I was thinking brilliant, but I like your suggestion Janet." Sam grinned as she sipped her coffee.
"What I want to know is why we didn't guess before?" Daniel pondered as both women looked at him questioning. "I mean how many people know what 'heavy water' is? I didn't, but Jack knew. Would you have expected him to know that, of course you didn't."
"Surely, he picked something like that because of his 'specialized' training?" Janet pointed out.
"Don't call me Shirley." Daniel grinned as the ladies rolled their eyes at the old joke from the Airplane movies.
"Fine," He stopped smiling and became more serious. "Maybe - maybe not," he shrugged. "Still I think it was more than any of us expected from Jack." Daniel paused a moment to let that sink in.
"Remember my grandfather's giant aliens? The one spoke and I started to interpret it, but Jack stopped me. He understood. The alien was speaking Mayan. Mayan," He repeated the word for emphasis. "Would either of you expect Jack to speak Mayan? It isn't on the top ten list of most common languages, nor is it a 'hot spot' that would explain Jack learning it for a mission." He paused again watching both women digest that tidbit.
"And I am sure you remember Anise's armbands. She said that the bands would increase physical stamina, speed, and strength as well as augment our individual natural abilities."
"So?"
"One of the first things Jack did was come in to my office and leaf through an over 800 page book by Hobbs, a very technical work. He comprehended the whole thing."
"Daniel, I still don't get what you are trying to say."
"I do, Sam." Janet began to explain. "It is fine that he could read fast due to the increased brain activity, but comprehending information that quickly is something else. You wrote your book, on a topic you knew and understood. Your advantage was the typing speed. You didn't have a greater understanding of the material did you?"
Sam looked shocked. "No."
A look of comprehension fell across Janet's features, "which would be similar to the Ancient's download. More than once it was suggested that the Colonel shouldn't have been able to process any of the information. If it had been either of you, then it would have been better. The truth was he understood it and was even able to apply it. The download was just that a download. He had a library in his head. It did re-write a few circuits such as his speech, but it wouldn't have given him ability." She could hardly believe this had never occurred to her before. "The ability to go scrounge for parts and then build a machine to increase the energy levels of the gate."
"You are saying that the download gave him the information, but it was his own brain that was able to use and apply the information?" Sam clarified.
"Exactly."
Daniel just looked at his friends before taking a big swig of coffee; "this is going to be an interesting Barbecue"
The ladies nodded their heads in agreement.
"So who is for going early?" Daniel said as he pulled out his car keys.
"The Colonel said five-ish" Sam said as she checked her watch, "and that is still more than three and a half hours away."
"So?" Janet asked innocently.
"Just checking. Meet you top-side in 10."
* * * * *
"Dad, why are we getting ready so soon? They aren't coming until about 5" Sam asked.
"Actually, I am expecting them anytime now. My only question. . . "
He was interrupted by the sound of knocking at the front door.
". . . is if the first person will be Carter or Daniel." He walked through the house to get the door, "or if they come together." He finished as he opened the door.
"Son"
"General, welcome" Jack said, trying to hide his surprise not to mention feeling slightly foolish for not even considering that the General would be first.
"I know I am early, but I thought I could give you a hand."
'And I want to make sure I didn't miss one word of explanation' MacGyver could practically hear the General thinking.
"Actually, Sir. There isn't much left to do. I sorta figured everyone might be early."
"Jack, why don't knock off the Sir for tonight. You are retired."
"Again" MacGyver smirked.
"For now." The General corrected as he smiled back.
"General, is there a record for most times retired?" Sam Malloy asked as he joined the men.
"Well, you have retired what four times now?"
"Nah, only three Sir, the other time was a pretense."
"Ah yes." The General smiled. "Of course, since I hope to entice you back, I hope your record will continue to grow."
"Well sir, I don't think that is going to happen, but we can talk about it later." Changing the subject, "So where are the kids?"
* * * * *
"Guys, ready to go?" Janet asked.
"More than ready." Daniel was anticipating this. He had been reviewing MacGyver's record and really wanted to talk to Jack, Mac, whoever, about a number of projects, but especially his work with the lost city of Atlantis and his appraisal of the Egyptian Sun Boat of Osiris.
"Where's Teal'c?" Janet asked.
"Oh, ah, he said he would meet us there. He had something to do. Some sort of errand." Daniel answered.
"Teal'c?" Janet was surprised.
Daniel merely shrugged.
Sam looked around the garage, "Hey guys." She pointed at the empty parking spot of General Hammond. "I think we aren't the only ones who were eager to get to the Colonel's house."
Janet just started laughing, of course the General would be first. She should have known.
All three went to their cars and headed out to their anticipated destination.
* * * * *
"So, is there anything you think you should tell me before the other's get here?" The General asked as he took a swig of his beer as MacGyver finished marinating the steaks.
"Like what sir?"
"I think you know." He said in a tone that was slightly disapproving yet understanding and fatherly.
"About that sir . . . " He began, but was saved by the bell. "I'll get it. Sam, would you finish up here?"
"Sure."
MacGyver handed the brush to his son and went to the door. He was surprised to find that the Doc, Carter, and Daniel had all arrived at the same time. He looked at them, then looked at his watch; "sorry, the get-together is at 5 - go away," and he tried to close the door.
Sam started to comment, but Daniel cut her off. "Sure, JACK. Anything you say, JACK. Of course JACK, but you know that if I leave I will have to tell these lovely ladies your real first name. How would that be JACK?" Daniel's face showed a sufficiently superior triumphant smile.
The color literally drained from MacGyver's face. "For crying out loud, I was only teasing. Pull out the big guns why don't you. No one can claim you don't play in the big leagues there, Doctor Jackson."
Janet looked surprised that Daniel would withhold such a scrumptious secret, but Carter caught on. He didn't know. He was just torturing the Colonel. It was times like this when she was convinced that Daniel Jackson was indeed the smartest man alive and she only wished she had thought of it first.
The group walked into the backyard.
"Guys, I want you to meet my son." MacGyver said proudly. "This is my son Sean A. Malloy. He's a stringer, a freelance photojournalist. He recently had a cover shot that made the front page of the New York Times and the Washington Times. He also won a Kerth award for a piece on the Huntley investigation."
"Dad!" Came the voice of the more than slightly embarrassed man.
Jack smiled unrepentantly as he continued. "Son, I want you to meet my team." He gestured to Daniel. "This is Doctor Daniel Jackson."
No one, except Jack, noticed that the introduction caused the younger man to give the Daniel an appraising glance. He started to comment, but his father waived him off as he continued to speak.
"Daniel here speaks over 30 languages and is an expert in Egyptology. He is the most talented archaeologist I have ever had the pleasure with which to work." Daniel stared at Jack a moment. A few days ago when he thought 'Jack O'Neill' was all there was to the man, the compliment still would have meant a lot. Jack didn't usually give such sweeping compliments. Now, he had read about MacGyver. He knew MacGyver had worked with many internationally known experts including his own mentor, Doctor Jordan. Now, the compliment was nearly overwhelming.
Daniel just continued to stare at his friend.
"Okay, moving on." Jack rolled his eyes at his friend causing everyone else to stifle a laugh.
"This is the Doctor Janet Fr . . ." He was cut-off by Janet.
"We've already meet Colonel." She smiled.
"Right. Hey Doc. Where's Nick? I did invite him. Didn't I?"
"He really wanted to come, but he said that this afternoon was for family - our family - and he wouldn't intrude."
"Sounds like Nick. You know he really is a good guy."
"I am figuring that out, Sir." She gave him a small smile. It almost felt like she had received permission to court a new beau. The thought made her smile a little brighter. "Oh, but he says you owe him."
Jack nodded his head in acknowledgement before moving on.
Jack motioned to Carter. "This is Major Samantha Carter. She is the best second-in-command in the Air Force, heck, in all the branches. She has a doctorate in Astrophysics and I know I sent you an article she wrote on the possible connection between sunspots and temporal-dynamics. I believe I also sent you her book, 'Wormholes and their Place in the Universe'. She is very gifted."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Major."
"Likewise Sean."
"Please call me Sam." They both said at the same time.
"Jinx," Janet smiled.
"Oh for . . . "
"Okay, this shouldn't be hard. We are all reasonable adults." Daniel began, before glancing at Jack. "Well most of us. I don't think we will get too confused with two Sam's in the same place."
"Speak for yourself Daniel!" Janet laughed. "I think I will be very confused."
"Maybe we can call him MJ?" Sam Carter offered.
Daniel looked confused, "MJ?"
"Yeah, MacGyver Jr."
"I will not have you calling my son MJ, everyone will think you mean MaryJane and start looking around for Spiderman. For crying er. . . for Pete's sake." MacGyver protested.
"People, I think we can manage," the General smiled. "Besides, ladies and gentleman. I have a suggestion to make."
Everyone looked over at the General.
"As I image most of what we are going to get told today is nothing that can ever be repeated, I propose that we talk as family and friends, not as officers and co-workers. To that end, I intend to pretend there is no such thing as the Air Force tonight. Besides," he looked at them pointedly, "if we aren't Air Force officers it won't matter if we hear things that good officers should report."
"Thanks for the thought," MacGyver smiled, "General Ham. . . George - gee that sticks in the throat." He made a face as he tried again. "George - George - George. I think I got it now." His smile grew even wider.
"Maybe you should stick with General." Hammond groused good-naturedly. "So for today, it's just George and his goddaughter Sammie at the house of his friend Jack with their friends Janet, Daniel, and Jack's so. . . "
"nephew Sam" Sam Malloy supplied.
"son, Jack O'Neill, Jr." MacGyver grinned speaking at the same time as his son.
SAM and MacGyver looked at each other but before either could say anything more, the doorbell rang.
MacGyver smiled, "that will be Teal'c."
"Ah, Jack. I thought Teal'c was running an errand?" Daniel asked.
"He was," Mac grinned even more, "for me."
* * * * *
MacGyver stood up and walked through his house to the front door. He opened it widely. "Pete!?"
Peter Thorton, MacGyver's former boss and long time friend stood at the door. Pete immediately started smiling when he heard the door open and broke out in to a wide smile when he heard his friend's voice. "Mac?!"
The two men embraced.
Teal'c stood back watching the reunion with a small smile.
They pulled apart. "Pete, thanks for coming. I have wanted to introduce you to some people for a long time. Plus, ah, I think I owe you an explanation. A long overdue one at that."
Pete just gave him his usual half smile that was so well known to MacGyver. "I've known for a long time that you were doing something important. I knew you would tell me when you were ready."
Pete smile grew and he looked to be reciting something from memory. "One at a time, keep 'em guessing." Mac caught on and continued his share, "Stay low, move fast, think smart." Pete joined in as they finished the saying together, "and if you go take company along." They smiled again at each other.
"Come on let's head back." MacGyver helped Pete find his way through the house.
"T? Thanks." Teal'c nodded in reply.
MacGyver and Pete, followed by Teal'c stepped out of the back door into the yard.
Everyone noticed. SAM was the first to stand, "Pete!" he hurried over to the older man and gave him a hug.
The General also stood and walked over, "Pete, you old devil." He grinned.
"George, is that you? You old scalawag." The two men embraced as Mac backed off grinning at them.
"Pete, at three o'clock is Jacob's daughter, Samantha Carter."
"Sammie?"
"Mr. Thorton, it has been a long time."
MacGyver just rolled his eyes. "Pete, is there anyone in the entire known universe that you don't know?"
Pete only chuckled while everyone else ignored him.
"At Nine and Ten O'clock are Doctors Daniel Jackson and Janet Fraiser. Daniel is an archeologist and Janet is my chief medical officer." The General explained also giving directions knowing that Pete's sight was extremely limited. No one, but MacGyver, noticed the look on Pete's face when the General introduced Daniel.
"I'm glad to finally meet you, George and Mac have spoken highly of you both." Pete announced not realizing that everyone was surprised he had heard anything about them. It seemed that perhaps Jack hadn't kept everyone entirely in the dark, of course, the General had mentioned them as well?
"It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Thorton." Janet stood and came over to shake his hand.
Daniel followed Janet, "a pleasure. I would love to say Jack has told us all about you, but I can't."
"Who's Jack?"
* * * * * *
"You don't mean Dalton, do you?" He turned to MacGyver. "Please, Mac. Tell me he doesn't mean Dalton. I really don't think I am up for an afternoon with him." Pete looked at Mac his face a mixture of horror and dread.
SAM just sat there laughing and MacGyver could hardly resist joining his son.
"No, Pete. Jack isn't coming. Scouts honor." He held his hand up in a two-fingered scout's pledge. The sight of which made Carter snicker.
"Uh, Jack . . . er um Ma. . . MacGyver, who is Jack Dalton?" Daniel asked always too curious despite himself.
"Ah, well Jack was a friend of mine from when I was a kid. He has a habit of getting himself and everyone else around him in trouble." Mac tried to explain.
"MacGyver you are being too generous. Dalton is a schemer, a trickster, and a con man. He would just as soon take the shirt of your back as tell you the time of day." Pete sighed. "His one redeeming quality seems to be that he likes you and actually helps you get out of trouble although generally trouble he puts you in first place."
Obviously, this was an old argument between Pete and MacGyver.
"Aw, I don't know Pete. I think Jack just can't stay out of trouble, but I don't think there is a malicious bone in his body." SAM tried to soften the description of his father's long time friend.
"All right, then if it isn't Dalton, no one has answered my question." Pete spoke-up again. "Who is Jack?"
"I am, Pete, and it is a long story and I don't quite know how to start. I have been putting this off for so long." 'Thor, buddy, now would be a good time' He silently pleaded for Thor to beam him up. 'Thor? Buddy?'
"The beginning, is usually a good place" Pete said softly.
"Well, in the beginning there was . . . "
"Not again!" Daniel interrupted as Carter threw a paper cup at him.
"No appreciation for story telling. Kids today. Now in my day . . . "
"DAD!"
"Oh for. . . "
"I was born…"
"Sir!"
"Relax Carter this is the actual beginning of the story." He took a deep breath. "I was born in Chicago, March 23, 1950."
"No, you weren't." and "I thought you birthday was in October" were heard from Janet and Daniel.
Carter looked at him. She seemed hurt that she didn't even really know something as simple as his birthdate. "you're 53? I thought you were 50?"
Daniel looked over at both Carter and Jack. "You thought he was 50? I thought he was 46?"
Both turned confused glances at each other.
"When we were on Argos," Daniel began, then noticing the glares he was getting he remembered there were people not in the know who were present, he quickly tried to fix his statement. "Argos that boat on the Colorado River. You know when we all took that trip together. You said you were 40, that was six years ago."
"But, Daniel," Carter added. "His ID says he was born in 1952."
"Yeah, well I kinda stretched the truth a bit."
"A bit?" Janet asked. "Why keep changing the years?"
"Let's just say I am to old to remember how old I actually am." He smirked.
"Mac? October 20th? Why in the world would you pick that date?" Pete asked surprised.
Mac shrugged. "Seemed fittin'. If not for that day in 1967, my life would have turned out a whole lot different."
"What happened?"
"October 20th, 1967. I was a freshman in college. I was there on a Hockey scholarship. I was on the ice, it was a big game, but there was an accident. I hurt my knees, bad." He shook himself out of the memory that was playing in his mind. "I was supposed to be in the 1968 Olympics. The accident made sure that would never happen."
"Okay, so we got the birthday thing down for now, well the date if not the year, but ah, I thought you were born in, ah, Minnesota?" Daniel asked as he pushed his glasses up.
"Well, I was raised in Mission City, Minnesota. It is where my parents were from and they wanted me to grow-up there. I had a fairly normal childhood. I was still pretty young when my father and grandmother were killed in a car accident. My mother had been sick, a weak heart, so my grandfather took most of the responsibility for raising me. He was a lot like me, he had itchy feet. Never stayed in one place to long. He stayed though until I graduated high school. Not long after that he disappeared. Anyway, my mom died two years later. She had a stroke. I had just graduated and was in Afghanistan. "
"Wait? Just graduated? You said you graduated high school in 67 when you were just 17? 1967, when I feel the need to mention I was only one-year-old, then two years later you graduated again?" Daniel asked confused.
"Well, you see I get bored easily." He paused for the laughter to die down. "After I didn't have hockey, I just put the extra energy into my school work. So, I managed to finish everything pretty quickly."
"Jack why were you in Afghanistan?" Daniel couldn't help himself.
"There was an Earthquake, 7.3, in the Talhans Mountains near the city of Faiz, in Badakshan. I was there with a group from the college organizing some relief efforts." Jack smiled when he noticed some of the others gaping at him. They didn't expect humanitarian work from the old Jackster. "Anyway, so being done college I was drafted. Due to my educational background I was assigned to a bomb-disposal unit. It worked out well, cause I . . . well you see. . . " He looked at his team, glad that Janet was there in case someone had a heart attack at his next little revelation. " . . . well . . . I"
He took a deep breath ready to spill it, but was beaten to the punch by his son. "See Dad here doesn't like guns. . . "
Daniel spit his drink across the yard, while Sam started choking on hers. Janet and the General just gaped at him and Teal'c raised BOTH eyebrows at him.
SAM was undeterred and pressed forward, "any way Pops doesn't like guns so he requested to do something like work as a medic or in demolition."
MacGyver glared at his son before trying to do some damage control. "I don't like guns. There was a time in my life where the sight of them made me sick. A friend was killed when we were playing with his Dad's gun when we were little. In time, I realized that it wasn't the gun, but the owner of the guns that were a problem. I still prefer to find other ways of doing things, and yes notice I tend to use the zats when possible, but I also know that what we do is important and that is enough for me."
Pete took is turn, "I don't know what kind of work you actually do either, but I would make a bet that you may have a gun rigged with small darts not bullets?"
MacGyver blushed and looked down before answering. "Well not on missions, but the one I keep with me off base is." He looked up at his friends and wondered briefly if their faces would freeze in the shocked, surprised, amazed look they have.
"Okay," the General looked at him. "You were 19 and working with a bomb disposing team. Then what?"
"Well, in 1972 a Kate, Sam's mother, was photojournalist and was attached to our unit. She was doing a comprehensive piece on bomb disposal units. We fell in love and well . . . "
SAM rolled his eyes. "Yeah, everything you've done and you still get embarrassed by the facts of life? For crying out loud dad! You had a relationship, she got scared, she decided you were to immature and left you, and nine months later she had me."
"Right, but I didn't know that to much later did I?" Mac just grimaced in a very Jack-like manner. "Anyway, I was discharged and went back to school to work on a Master's degree. Graduated in 1973."
"Sir? You graduated with your Master's in one year?" Carter asked amazed. She knew people did it, but her Colonel?
He grinned, "Like I said I get bored."
"Ah, what did you major in Jack?" Daniel asked.
"Physics. I studied under Dr. Ryman."
"THE Dr. Henry Ryman?" Carter was surprised.
Jack just grinned at her before continuing. "I graduated, most of my class including Amy were planning to get jobs at the new Westport Nuclear Processing Corporation plant, but I . . . "
"Dad, who is Amy?"
MacGyver got a far away look as he remembered standing on their beach, Westport beach discussing their future . . .
I had just told her my plans for seeing the world. I wanted to go bucketing around the Adriatic Sea - Sicily, The Greek Islands, and North Africa. I had found a freighter that needed a cook and had signed-on, for both of us. Amy wasn't happy. She wanted to stay and take a job at the new plant. She reminded me that with my degree I could get a good paying job like she intended to get.
"I took Physics because it was interesting and it excited me, not to buy myself a job. Amy come on . . . there is a world out there! Let's go look at it. Be somethin' different." I tried to convince her.
"You're crazy!"
"Crazy? Finding out who I am?"
Then he remembered the last time he saw her . . .
"Our friendship, ever wonder how we kept a hold of that through everything?" She smiled at him.
"That's easy, it's how we started." MacGyver leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek before turning and walking a way.
"Dad?"
He blinked at his son. "Right. Amy Austin, we had been engaged, but we wanted different things out of life."
"So what did you do son? Is that when you joined the Air Force?" The General asked.
"George?! The Air Force! MacGyver?" Pete laughed.
"No actually, sir, that came later." MacGyver interjected and Pete stopped laughing, mouthing the word 'later' to himself.
"I bummed around the world did this and that. I tried a real job and worked at Western Tech for a while, but it wasn't me. I worked for the Challenger Club, didn't stay long full time, but I always continued to help out."
"Is this the time you tried another smashing career Mac?" Pete asked.
SAM was already snickering. "Oh yeah, I heard you did a real bang-up job."
Mac glared at SAM and Pete, course glaring at Pete didn't help anymore, but it made him feel better.
"I don't know what they are talking about because next I worked as a Park Ranger." MacGyver tried to move the subject along.
"Hold it right there, Ranger Smith." Sam laughed. "Not that I don't wanted to hear about all the innocent picnic baskets you saved, but I think we want to hear about the job Sam and Mr. Thorton are talking about."
"Indeed, as do I."
"Me too." Janet chirped in.
"Yo, Boo-Boo, I do too." Daniel did in the worst Yogi Bear impression.
"Do I need to make it an order?" The General chucked.
"Oh for crying out loud. NO FAIR! You are all ganging up on me!" MacGyver whined in a very Jackish way.
"Dad you always said," Sam put on his best MacGyver voice. "Son, Harry always said the only fair/fare is what you pay the taxi cab driver." SAM grinned.
"Fine, use my own words against me." He rolled his eyes. "I was a race car driver - professional. I had a big race down at Daytona, but I hit the wall, literally."
Everyone started laughing at the thought of Jack O'Neill who wouldn't let anyone touch his truck or even be a passenger in anyone else's car, crashing.
MacGyver sat and practically pouted which made everyone laugh all the more. Inwardly, however he was pleased. So far so good with the confession thing and everyone was getting along.
"Enough with the laughing okay, do you want to hear more or not?" Mac waited for them to calm down.
"When I was a kid, my grandfather used to say to me that a fella's life wasn't worth mentioning if he hadn't shared it with some folks along the way." Jack looked at the people sitting in his back yard. "I've gotta tell you. I have been mightily blessed."
"Okay, enough with the mush. I was between jobs again."
"Why so many jobs, Sir?" Janet asked.
"I get . . . "
"Bored easily." Several voices said at once as Mac grinned.
"Anyway, my pal Jack broke both legs skating off the Santa Monica pier."
"Knowing Jack, he was probably watching some red-head." Sam smiled.
"Actually, it was a blonde." He smirked, "but close enough I guess. Ten points to Gryffindor," he paused looking at his son a moment. "Or are you a Slytherin? So anyway, he asked me to drive his cab. I did."
"You were always a soft tough Mac." Pete added.
"I know, so I was driving and I picked up a woman," Pete snorted as Jack said the word woman, "named Sarah. I let her out in a bad neighborhood and was worried so I didn't pull away right away. Then I see this guy," he gestures at Pete, "get out of a car and start to follow her. So I get out and follow him. I thought he was up to know good."
"Well, he does look like the shifty type," The General agreed.
MacGyver sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "Well I saved Sarah, but it turned out that she was a he and an international assassin. Together Pete and I caught up to him, we thought he got killed, but he got away. Escaping death was something Murdoc was always good at. He is supposed to be dead again, but who knows. He has more lives than you do, Danny."
"Well, it is good to be appreciated." All heads turned to the new voice that seemed to come out of no where. "It appears that the military look is in, MacGyver. The hair really does suit you, but sadly for you, I have more accessories." The sounds of clicking could be heard.
"Murdoc!" MacGyver groaned inwardly. He had wanted someone anyone to end this round of True Confessions. When would he learn? "What's your game this time?"
"No Game MacGyver. I think it is time you have suffered enough. This time I am just going to kill you all. You see, I had accepted a contract on the life of General George Hammond. Imagine my delight when I realized I could get you at the same time. You won't be able to stop me I have the whole place wired."
"What do you mean Murdoc that he suffered enough?" Pete yelled.
"Ah Peter, I see the years have diminished you to much. I am so glad you asked. You see before he died, I wanted to make sure that MacGyver knew that his son died because of him."
Jack looked like he was kicked in the stomach, but still managed to answer. "Don't you think I know that?!"
"Do you MacGyver? I think not. You see your son didn't die because he was mad at you or because you forgot to secure your weapon when you thought you had. You secured it, but you see I had refused to go after your family because you helped my sister. Our feud was between just us, but HIT and others had different ideas and you were targeted to suffer for your part in dismantling the group." The sound of fingers snapping then some chuckling. "Goodbye Charlie!"
"NOOOOOOOO!"
* * * * *
Notes: - after so long I have a lot to say *grin*
I broke my own rule about always leaving a chapter with a chuckle at the end, I hope it was okay. Hmmm, some how MacGyver didn't end up telling us how he ended up as Jack yet. I wonder how that could have happened? Hmmmm......
Story Notes: Mac really was supposed to be in the 1968 Olympics according to episode #68 "Thin Ice". Mac was a professional race car driver according to episode #69 "Collision Course".
Special Author's Note: I really need to thank Stefan for this one because I kept saying it was lousy, it didn't flow right, blah-blah-blah. He finally practically hit me over the head (a nice trick by e-mail with the Atlantic Ocean between us) and had me send it to him. He fixed a little grammar and a little stupidity (okay, well a lot) then told me to get it done. If it were not for him it probably would have been another month. Thanks Stefan! - Actually, I have a couple of lumps from Paradigm Shifter and Candy-Dawn too. All three kept reminding me that some people really were waiting for the next part and weren't going to let me forget it. So, thank you to all three!!!!
Note to Starre - I have updated my Stargate/MacGyver crossover now it is time to update yours!
Note to Everyone - If you have written me about the story, I am sorry. I still have a lot of e-mail to answer I have been dealing with Migraines the last month and really haven't kept on top of things, not that I was the best before. I am sorry and your messages mean a lot to me even if I haven't responded.
I am sorry this has taken so long, I hope there are still a few people interested that I have updated and I hope you are still enjoying the story.
Just a Reminder: If you wanted to receive updates on the story, please join my yahoo list.