Day Four: Jack (FCOL)
Bored, bored, bored. I look over and see Loran asking Teal'c more about the wondrous lives of Erica Kane and the merry band of soap opera characters, Daniel is once again staring at squiggles on the wall, and Carter has gone back to drooling over the technology in the light room. Me? Well, I'm sitting here on the stairs waiting patiently for the SGC to check in and for them to send through our latest supply requests.
We spent most of yesterday evening being regaled by Teal'c. He spent almost 4 hours explaining who was married to who and who was sleeping with who etc. Of course he glossed over on the who was sleeping with who part, the kids were a little too young to be hearing about that.
We turned in early and I had lovely nightmares about Erica Kane trying to add O'Neill to her long list of last names. I woke up early in a cold sweat, just as she was about to walk down the aisle. Very bad....very scary nightmares. Looking around the kids were still asleep, well, Teal'c was Kel'No'Reeming and Carter and Loran were asleep. Daniel was...surprise, wide awake and mumbling translations to himself. I actually think he has probably translated all of the walls but is retranslating just so he doesn't have to worry about Teal'c trapping him for another lecture on the folks of Pine Valley.
Stretching I got up and made my way towards Daniel, smiling as his glasses began to slide down his nose. "Hey, shouldn't you be sleeping?"
"Oh...uh Hi Jack. I was, just got up a few minutes ago."
"Riiight. So...finding anything interesting?"
"What?"
"The translations."
"Oh...well, actually…wait...are you asking me to tell you about what the walls say? Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine. What, I can't ask?"
"No…no...it's just...usually you're running away from me or your eyes glaze over when I start to tell you something."
"Well, I can't honestly promise that my eyes won't glaze over this time." Grinning, I slide down the wall to sit beside Daniel. "So, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine, you?"
"Oh, you know, same ol' same ol' knees hurt, back hurts, bored out of my mind, overall...peachy."
He's grinning now. At least he's smiling a little more.
"So, what time is the General sending through the supplies?"
"In about 2 hours...can't wait." I rub my hands together gleefully.
Daniel raises an eyebrow, looking a little worried. "Why? What have you done?"
"Me?"
"Yes you, Mr. 'I didn't do it' O'Neill."
"Danny, I'm hurt. You actually think I have something evil planned?"
"Well...not evil per se, but I wouldn't put it past you to have the General sending through hockey nets or something."
"Hey...that's actually not a bad idea Danny boy. We could teach Loran the finer points of the best game on earth."
Daniel groans, shaking his head, reaching a hand up to rub the back of his neck.
"Got a headache?"
"Yeah...I think it's just cause I haven't had breakfast yet."
"Well, by all means, let's go." I grin, reaching out a hand to help Daniel to his feet. There was nothing like breakfast MREs. Especially the chicken flavored bacon and eggs.
"Rise and shine kiddies, the day is a wasting."
Groans from Carter tell me she's, as usual, not a morning person. Teal'c's eyes pop open and he's fresh as a daisy, granted a very large, somewhat frightening daisy, but a daisy nonetheless. Loran is also wide awake and smiling. The kid smiles a lot. I'm not sure if it's a natural thing or if he's just really happy to have people around him.
Quickly setting about making breakfast, I check my watch again. Only an hour and a half and boredom will be a thing of the past.
"So what did you ask the General to send through Jack?"
"Oh you know, supplies, some more food, couple extra blankets, Carter needed a few more doohickeys, figured you could use a couple candles Teal'c, and a couple other odds and ends."
"Did you ask him to send through the reference book I asked for?"
"Nope."
"What?"
"Nope."
"Jack...I need that book!"
"Sorry Daniel. It's not my fault this time. Fraiser wants you taking it easy and apparently translating every ounce of text found on every wall in this joint does not fall under her top ten things to help Daniel take it easy."
He's pouting. I expected as much, but it really isn't my fault this time. Of course, the fact that I mentioned to Fraiser that he hadn't really been eating or sleeping that great, what with concentrating on the translations since we got here, might have had a little something to do with her sending the order up that no more work was to be sent through for Daniel, at least for a couple days. Besides, what I was having sent through would be more than enough to take Daniel's mind off of his missing books.
The gate began to spin, finally, and we all stood at the bottom of the dais waiting for the FRED to come through with our supplies. Having a quick conversation with the General, assuring him we were all fine, no more withdrawal, I said my goodbyes and headed straight for the FRED where Daniel was beginning to peek through the sealed bags and cases.
"Ah ah! No peeking. Go sit down and you'll find out along with everyone else what Santa sent through."
Rolling his eyes, Daniel complies. Carter, Loran, and Daniel all sat, waiting somewhat patiently to see what I had asked to have sent through. Teal'c stood behind the trio impassive as always.
I rummaged through the supplies sent, taking my time, dragging my fun out as long as possible. Occasionally Daniel would give an impatient sigh, or groan. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing and pretend to be concentrating on looking through what we were sent.
"Dammit Jack! Just show us what we got."
"Hold your horses Danny boy."
"Daniel Jackson does not have horses O'Neill."
"What are horses?"
"OhFor...Fine! Here Carter, your doohickeys, Teal'c some candles. Daniel, another journal, not that your allowed to use it, Loran, here we are. This I had sent especially for you."
"Wow!...Thank you Jack...What is it?"
"It's a baseball glove."
"What's it do."
"It catches baseballs."
"What are baseballs?"
"Sigh THIS is a baseball. You throw it, and catch it with this." The kid looked so unbelievably lost. "OK, I'll show you....Daniel!"
"What?"
"C'mere."
"Jack, I'm busy, I've got to finish this wall..."
"I said c'mere Daniel." I give him my 'I'm the Colonel Dammit' voice. It usually works on newbies but Daniel is far from new...so it's usually a 50/50 chance whether or not THE voice will work. Luckily it did...today.
"What can I do for you Jack?" He asks in a completely insincerely sweet voice.
"You, my friend are going to demonstrate with me, how to play catch."
"No."
"Daniel, Loran doesn't know how. He needs to see it done a couple times and then he'll catch on. I promise, a few throws and you can go back to your squiggly walls." He sighs and I know I've got him.
"Fine." Grabbing the glove, he walks half way across the room, turning to face me. He was never an expert at playing catch but I had taught him...ok bullied him, into learning the basics.
"Alright...you ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
"Now you pay attention Loran. This is how you play, after Daniel and I show you a couple throws then you can take Daniel's glove and you and I can play catch alright?"
"Alright." He stood back, watching intently as Daniel and I begin to throw the ball back and forth. Daniel is doing alright for someone who doesn't like the game. I start to enjoy myself, getting into the game. As I pull my arm back, getting ready to throw Daniel my fastball I hear Teal'c yell.
"There is more ice cream O'Neill!!!" Daniel turns his head to look at Teal'c, just as I release the ball.
"Look out!" Quickly whipping his head back towards me, Daniel's eyes widen as he sees the projectile heading straight for his face. Instead of moving, he closes his eyes. Way to show that self preservation Danny boy. And with a sickening thud, Daniel is on the floor, cursing, holding his eye. I run towards him and am on my knees trying to pry his hands away so I can see how bad it is, when Loran comes up behind me.
"I don't think I want to try that Jack." I really do try not to laugh, but am afraid a chuckle escapes and I'm rewarded with a glare from Daniel. A Daniel that, at the moment, looks like he just went a round with Teal'c. His eye is already beginning to swell and has a purplish tinge to it.
"That uh....does it hurt?"
"Does it hurt?! Does it hurt?! What the hell do you think Jack?? You almost sent my eye straight through the back of my head!"
"I didn't mean to hit you Daniel, you turned your head, I had already released the ball. Here, let me check your eye."
"Argh! Don't touch me!!"
"Would you rather I let Carter look at it?"
Carter's first aid skills left a little to be desired, and that little fact was well known. I could see Daniel's look of panic at the thought of her probing his eye none too gently. "Fine...but be gentle!"
"I know...baseball virgin...I'll be gentle." He had set me up too perfectly not to tease him. Sometimes I wonder if Daniel actually enjoys my teasing since he so often sets himself up for it. He glared at me again, but with the swollen shut, purple eye it lost all it's effect.
"Daniel! Are you alright?"
"Daniel Jackson, are you injured?"
"I'm fine guys. Jack just pelted me in the eye with a baseball."
"Sir!"
"O'Neill!"
"Hey!!! It is NOT my fault! Daniel took his eye off the ball."
"Can I see Daniel?"
"No Sam, I'm fine, really. Jack already looked. It's fine, isn't it Jack?"
"Oh you bet! Just a black eye, nothing to dial home about."
"Janet isn't going to be pleased."
"Well, we just won't tell Fraiser will we?"
"I think she might notice the black eye Sir."
"Well...Daniel, you just stay away from the MALP."
"Are you scared of Janet, Jack?" He was getting that gleam in his eye. That 'get Jack in trouble' gleam that so often spelled large needles and intrusive exams from Fraiser.
"Of course not! I out rank her."
"Yes...but she has needles...big ones...and cold tables...probing exams."
"Alright already! I get the idea. Look Daniel...you aren't that hurt. Come on be a man. It's just a black eye."
"Just a black eye that I didn't have 15 minutes ago when I was happily translating the walls Jack."
"Fine. What's it gonna take to buy your silence?"
"I'm not sure you can afford it Jack." Ok this was SO not good.
"OK...I'm sorry Daniel alright? Look, I even got Ferretti to grab the stash of good coffee from your office."
"You mean my French Mocha Hazelnut Columbian Ground Roasted Special Blend?"
"The one and the same." Daniel's eyes lit up, and I could almost see a small trail of drool at the corner of his mouth. The boy really did love his coffee. And hopefully if he was concentrating on coffee...he'd forget about the black eye.
"Well, I'm not forgetting that you gave me a black eye Jack, but for now I'll let you off the hook. Where's the coffee??"
Knowing it was as good as I was going to get, I reached into one of the bags on the MALP, pulling out a large bag of Daniel's special coffee. He snatched it from my hands, caressing the bag lovingly. The boy had some real coffee issues.
I quickly put a pot of water on to boil. I have to admit that Daniel has some great coffee. "So Danny boy, pass me the coffee and I'll make a pot."
"No Jack."
"No?"
"No...I'll make it...for Sam, Teal'c and I. Loran really shouldn't get hooked on coffee."
"And what about me?"
"Well, I don't think that you really deserve the special coffee after giving me a black eye. Besides...we're going to be here for another 2 and 1/2 weeks, I don't wanna run out."
"Ferretti sent 4 bags ForCryinOutLoud and four 5lbs bags at that!"
"Well, I can't risk it Jack...sorry." I glare at him. Oh he is SO gonna pay for that. Sitting there looking all innocent, waiting for the water to boil while molesting the bag of coffee that I had Ferretti send through! I should have just kept it all for myself.
He makes the coffee and I'm ashamed to admit that I feel myself salivating at the smell. I can't help it! It's damn good coffee. Daniel walks back to his squiggles with a smile on his face as he sips his special coffee. Carter takes a cup back to the light to study more of the technology. Teal'c ops for the last tub of ice cream he found hidden instead of coffee and Loran is eyeing the baseball and glove as if he thinks it's going to jump up and give him a black eye too. Me? I'm sneaking a steaming cup of Daniel's special coffee. I slip outside to enjoy my cup in peace. If Daniel isn't going to share then I'm going to be forced to take. 3 weeks is a long time and I'll be damned if I'm drinking what the military calls coffee for that long.
"Jack?"
I gulp the burning hot liquid down before Daniel comes outside, flinging the cup on the ground and trying not to let the tears of pain show after having just burnt 5 layers of skin off of my esophagus.
"What do you want Daniel?" I manage to whisper through the pain.
"Are you alright?"
"Fine. What did you want?"
"Nothing really. I just wanted to bring you a cup of coffee. Seeing as how neither Loran or Teal'c will be drinking it I figured there was no reason I couldn't share it with you." I stare at him, mouth open, trying not to swallow, avoiding more pain. He hands me the cup of coffee smiling. I manage a weak smile, accepting the cup. He's looking at me waiting for me to take a drink. I eye the steaming liquid with trepidation. I've already lost 5 layers I don't know how many more I can afford to lose. Taking a sip I let the hot liquid sit in my mouth to cool off, finally swallowing. Daniel grins and says something about going back to his translations. I nod barely getting out a thanks before he turns and heads inside.
I sit outside whimpering as I pour the remaining special coffee out. It's a sin to waste it I know, but I think my body would shut down on me if I drank anything other than water....at least for the next couple days. Finally, after the pain subsides, I walk back inside intent on getting something nice and cold to ease my damaged throat.
"ForCryinOutLoud Teal'c! AGAIN?!?!" I yell hoarsely.
"Perhaps you should contact General Hammond and ask for more ice cream O'Neill."
"Sigh I don't think there's enough ice cream on Earth Teal'c." I slump on the stairs wishing I had remembered to have my game boy sent through. This was turning into the longest 3 weeks of my life...and we were only on day four...God help me.
Bored, bored, bored. I look over and see Loran asking Teal'c more about the wondrous lives of Erica Kane and the merry band of soap opera characters, Daniel is once again staring at squiggles on the wall, and Carter has gone back to drooling over the technology in the light room. Me? Well, I'm sitting here on the stairs waiting patiently for the SGC to check in and for them to send through our latest supply requests.
We spent most of yesterday evening being regaled by Teal'c. He spent almost 4 hours explaining who was married to who and who was sleeping with who etc. Of course he glossed over on the who was sleeping with who part, the kids were a little too young to be hearing about that.
We turned in early and I had lovely nightmares about Erica Kane trying to add O'Neill to her long list of last names. I woke up early in a cold sweat, just as she was about to walk down the aisle. Very bad....very scary nightmares. Looking around the kids were still asleep, well, Teal'c was Kel'No'Reeming and Carter and Loran were asleep. Daniel was...surprise, wide awake and mumbling translations to himself. I actually think he has probably translated all of the walls but is retranslating just so he doesn't have to worry about Teal'c trapping him for another lecture on the folks of Pine Valley.
Stretching I got up and made my way towards Daniel, smiling as his glasses began to slide down his nose. "Hey, shouldn't you be sleeping?"
"Oh...uh Hi Jack. I was, just got up a few minutes ago."
"Riiight. So...finding anything interesting?"
"What?"
"The translations."
"Oh...well, actually…wait...are you asking me to tell you about what the walls say? Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine. What, I can't ask?"
"No…no...it's just...usually you're running away from me or your eyes glaze over when I start to tell you something."
"Well, I can't honestly promise that my eyes won't glaze over this time." Grinning, I slide down the wall to sit beside Daniel. "So, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine, you?"
"Oh, you know, same ol' same ol' knees hurt, back hurts, bored out of my mind, overall...peachy."
He's grinning now. At least he's smiling a little more.
"So, what time is the General sending through the supplies?"
"In about 2 hours...can't wait." I rub my hands together gleefully.
Daniel raises an eyebrow, looking a little worried. "Why? What have you done?"
"Me?"
"Yes you, Mr. 'I didn't do it' O'Neill."
"Danny, I'm hurt. You actually think I have something evil planned?"
"Well...not evil per se, but I wouldn't put it past you to have the General sending through hockey nets or something."
"Hey...that's actually not a bad idea Danny boy. We could teach Loran the finer points of the best game on earth."
Daniel groans, shaking his head, reaching a hand up to rub the back of his neck.
"Got a headache?"
"Yeah...I think it's just cause I haven't had breakfast yet."
"Well, by all means, let's go." I grin, reaching out a hand to help Daniel to his feet. There was nothing like breakfast MREs. Especially the chicken flavored bacon and eggs.
"Rise and shine kiddies, the day is a wasting."
Groans from Carter tell me she's, as usual, not a morning person. Teal'c's eyes pop open and he's fresh as a daisy, granted a very large, somewhat frightening daisy, but a daisy nonetheless. Loran is also wide awake and smiling. The kid smiles a lot. I'm not sure if it's a natural thing or if he's just really happy to have people around him.
Quickly setting about making breakfast, I check my watch again. Only an hour and a half and boredom will be a thing of the past.
"So what did you ask the General to send through Jack?"
"Oh you know, supplies, some more food, couple extra blankets, Carter needed a few more doohickeys, figured you could use a couple candles Teal'c, and a couple other odds and ends."
"Did you ask him to send through the reference book I asked for?"
"Nope."
"What?"
"Nope."
"Jack...I need that book!"
"Sorry Daniel. It's not my fault this time. Fraiser wants you taking it easy and apparently translating every ounce of text found on every wall in this joint does not fall under her top ten things to help Daniel take it easy."
He's pouting. I expected as much, but it really isn't my fault this time. Of course, the fact that I mentioned to Fraiser that he hadn't really been eating or sleeping that great, what with concentrating on the translations since we got here, might have had a little something to do with her sending the order up that no more work was to be sent through for Daniel, at least for a couple days. Besides, what I was having sent through would be more than enough to take Daniel's mind off of his missing books.
The gate began to spin, finally, and we all stood at the bottom of the dais waiting for the FRED to come through with our supplies. Having a quick conversation with the General, assuring him we were all fine, no more withdrawal, I said my goodbyes and headed straight for the FRED where Daniel was beginning to peek through the sealed bags and cases.
"Ah ah! No peeking. Go sit down and you'll find out along with everyone else what Santa sent through."
Rolling his eyes, Daniel complies. Carter, Loran, and Daniel all sat, waiting somewhat patiently to see what I had asked to have sent through. Teal'c stood behind the trio impassive as always.
I rummaged through the supplies sent, taking my time, dragging my fun out as long as possible. Occasionally Daniel would give an impatient sigh, or groan. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing and pretend to be concentrating on looking through what we were sent.
"Dammit Jack! Just show us what we got."
"Hold your horses Danny boy."
"Daniel Jackson does not have horses O'Neill."
"What are horses?"
"OhFor...Fine! Here Carter, your doohickeys, Teal'c some candles. Daniel, another journal, not that your allowed to use it, Loran, here we are. This I had sent especially for you."
"Wow!...Thank you Jack...What is it?"
"It's a baseball glove."
"What's it do."
"It catches baseballs."
"What are baseballs?"
"Sigh THIS is a baseball. You throw it, and catch it with this." The kid looked so unbelievably lost. "OK, I'll show you....Daniel!"
"What?"
"C'mere."
"Jack, I'm busy, I've got to finish this wall..."
"I said c'mere Daniel." I give him my 'I'm the Colonel Dammit' voice. It usually works on newbies but Daniel is far from new...so it's usually a 50/50 chance whether or not THE voice will work. Luckily it did...today.
"What can I do for you Jack?" He asks in a completely insincerely sweet voice.
"You, my friend are going to demonstrate with me, how to play catch."
"No."
"Daniel, Loran doesn't know how. He needs to see it done a couple times and then he'll catch on. I promise, a few throws and you can go back to your squiggly walls." He sighs and I know I've got him.
"Fine." Grabbing the glove, he walks half way across the room, turning to face me. He was never an expert at playing catch but I had taught him...ok bullied him, into learning the basics.
"Alright...you ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
"Now you pay attention Loran. This is how you play, after Daniel and I show you a couple throws then you can take Daniel's glove and you and I can play catch alright?"
"Alright." He stood back, watching intently as Daniel and I begin to throw the ball back and forth. Daniel is doing alright for someone who doesn't like the game. I start to enjoy myself, getting into the game. As I pull my arm back, getting ready to throw Daniel my fastball I hear Teal'c yell.
"There is more ice cream O'Neill!!!" Daniel turns his head to look at Teal'c, just as I release the ball.
"Look out!" Quickly whipping his head back towards me, Daniel's eyes widen as he sees the projectile heading straight for his face. Instead of moving, he closes his eyes. Way to show that self preservation Danny boy. And with a sickening thud, Daniel is on the floor, cursing, holding his eye. I run towards him and am on my knees trying to pry his hands away so I can see how bad it is, when Loran comes up behind me.
"I don't think I want to try that Jack." I really do try not to laugh, but am afraid a chuckle escapes and I'm rewarded with a glare from Daniel. A Daniel that, at the moment, looks like he just went a round with Teal'c. His eye is already beginning to swell and has a purplish tinge to it.
"That uh....does it hurt?"
"Does it hurt?! Does it hurt?! What the hell do you think Jack?? You almost sent my eye straight through the back of my head!"
"I didn't mean to hit you Daniel, you turned your head, I had already released the ball. Here, let me check your eye."
"Argh! Don't touch me!!"
"Would you rather I let Carter look at it?"
Carter's first aid skills left a little to be desired, and that little fact was well known. I could see Daniel's look of panic at the thought of her probing his eye none too gently. "Fine...but be gentle!"
"I know...baseball virgin...I'll be gentle." He had set me up too perfectly not to tease him. Sometimes I wonder if Daniel actually enjoys my teasing since he so often sets himself up for it. He glared at me again, but with the swollen shut, purple eye it lost all it's effect.
"Daniel! Are you alright?"
"Daniel Jackson, are you injured?"
"I'm fine guys. Jack just pelted me in the eye with a baseball."
"Sir!"
"O'Neill!"
"Hey!!! It is NOT my fault! Daniel took his eye off the ball."
"Can I see Daniel?"
"No Sam, I'm fine, really. Jack already looked. It's fine, isn't it Jack?"
"Oh you bet! Just a black eye, nothing to dial home about."
"Janet isn't going to be pleased."
"Well, we just won't tell Fraiser will we?"
"I think she might notice the black eye Sir."
"Well...Daniel, you just stay away from the MALP."
"Are you scared of Janet, Jack?" He was getting that gleam in his eye. That 'get Jack in trouble' gleam that so often spelled large needles and intrusive exams from Fraiser.
"Of course not! I out rank her."
"Yes...but she has needles...big ones...and cold tables...probing exams."
"Alright already! I get the idea. Look Daniel...you aren't that hurt. Come on be a man. It's just a black eye."
"Just a black eye that I didn't have 15 minutes ago when I was happily translating the walls Jack."
"Fine. What's it gonna take to buy your silence?"
"I'm not sure you can afford it Jack." Ok this was SO not good.
"OK...I'm sorry Daniel alright? Look, I even got Ferretti to grab the stash of good coffee from your office."
"You mean my French Mocha Hazelnut Columbian Ground Roasted Special Blend?"
"The one and the same." Daniel's eyes lit up, and I could almost see a small trail of drool at the corner of his mouth. The boy really did love his coffee. And hopefully if he was concentrating on coffee...he'd forget about the black eye.
"Well, I'm not forgetting that you gave me a black eye Jack, but for now I'll let you off the hook. Where's the coffee??"
Knowing it was as good as I was going to get, I reached into one of the bags on the MALP, pulling out a large bag of Daniel's special coffee. He snatched it from my hands, caressing the bag lovingly. The boy had some real coffee issues.
I quickly put a pot of water on to boil. I have to admit that Daniel has some great coffee. "So Danny boy, pass me the coffee and I'll make a pot."
"No Jack."
"No?"
"No...I'll make it...for Sam, Teal'c and I. Loran really shouldn't get hooked on coffee."
"And what about me?"
"Well, I don't think that you really deserve the special coffee after giving me a black eye. Besides...we're going to be here for another 2 and 1/2 weeks, I don't wanna run out."
"Ferretti sent 4 bags ForCryinOutLoud and four 5lbs bags at that!"
"Well, I can't risk it Jack...sorry." I glare at him. Oh he is SO gonna pay for that. Sitting there looking all innocent, waiting for the water to boil while molesting the bag of coffee that I had Ferretti send through! I should have just kept it all for myself.
He makes the coffee and I'm ashamed to admit that I feel myself salivating at the smell. I can't help it! It's damn good coffee. Daniel walks back to his squiggles with a smile on his face as he sips his special coffee. Carter takes a cup back to the light to study more of the technology. Teal'c ops for the last tub of ice cream he found hidden instead of coffee and Loran is eyeing the baseball and glove as if he thinks it's going to jump up and give him a black eye too. Me? I'm sneaking a steaming cup of Daniel's special coffee. I slip outside to enjoy my cup in peace. If Daniel isn't going to share then I'm going to be forced to take. 3 weeks is a long time and I'll be damned if I'm drinking what the military calls coffee for that long.
"Jack?"
I gulp the burning hot liquid down before Daniel comes outside, flinging the cup on the ground and trying not to let the tears of pain show after having just burnt 5 layers of skin off of my esophagus.
"What do you want Daniel?" I manage to whisper through the pain.
"Are you alright?"
"Fine. What did you want?"
"Nothing really. I just wanted to bring you a cup of coffee. Seeing as how neither Loran or Teal'c will be drinking it I figured there was no reason I couldn't share it with you." I stare at him, mouth open, trying not to swallow, avoiding more pain. He hands me the cup of coffee smiling. I manage a weak smile, accepting the cup. He's looking at me waiting for me to take a drink. I eye the steaming liquid with trepidation. I've already lost 5 layers I don't know how many more I can afford to lose. Taking a sip I let the hot liquid sit in my mouth to cool off, finally swallowing. Daniel grins and says something about going back to his translations. I nod barely getting out a thanks before he turns and heads inside.
I sit outside whimpering as I pour the remaining special coffee out. It's a sin to waste it I know, but I think my body would shut down on me if I drank anything other than water....at least for the next couple days. Finally, after the pain subsides, I walk back inside intent on getting something nice and cold to ease my damaged throat.
"ForCryinOutLoud Teal'c! AGAIN?!?!" I yell hoarsely.
"Perhaps you should contact General Hammond and ask for more ice cream O'Neill."
"Sigh I don't think there's enough ice cream on Earth Teal'c." I slump on the stairs wishing I had remembered to have my game boy sent through. This was turning into the longest 3 weeks of my life...and we were only on day four...God help me.