Day Six: Sam (FCOL)
Loran is looking like a caged animal again. We've spent most of the morning working on the light. Loran has been telling me everything he knows about how it works. I know he honestly doesn't know that much about how it works, but what he does know has helped me in my understanding of it.
I am just about to suggest that we go check on the others when i hear an angry voice in the next room. A voice I am very familiar with, but the anger is something that has me on my feet and moving towards the outter room in a flash.
"God Jack, NO for the last time I do NOT want to play catch. Why the hell didn't you have something sent through for you? Maybe then I could actually get some work done!" Daniel is breathing heavy, his rant tiring him. I see the look of shock, anger and hurt in the Colonel's face. "Oh God Jack, I'm sorry I didn't mean that, I'm just tired and..."
"It's fine Daniel." The Colonel turns on his heel and heads outside, not waiting or wanting to hear anything else from Daniel.
"Dammit."
"Daniel? Are you alright? What was that all about?"
"I'm fine Sam. I don't know...I'm just...frustrated. I took it out on Jack. I should go and try to talk to him."
"No Daniel, I think maybe you should let the Colonel cool down a bit first." He looks dejected, but nods, turning back to his translations. I exchange a look of concern with Teal'c. It's not like Daniel to snap at the Colonel. He usually has the patience of Job where the Colonel is concerned.
"Are Jack and Daniel alright Sam?"
"Yes Loran...they'll be fine. Just a little tired, that's all." I smile at the young man before me. His wide eyes looking back and forth between Daniel and the door the Colonel had disappeared through. He walked over to the MALP, picking up the ball and glove and turned back to me.
"I think I'll ask Jack if he wants to play catch."
"Alright Loran, have fun." He grins and heads outside in search of our missing CO. I look towards Daniel and find him sitting on the floor with his journal in his lap. He's rubbing at his neck, his brow furrowed. "Are you sure you're alright Daniel?"
"I've just got a headache. Maybe I just need another cup of coffee."
"I think you should eat something too Daniel. You can't survive on caffeine."
"I can try," he grins at me, getting to his feet. He can try, but not today. He reaches for an MRE and pours himself a cup of coffee. Returning to his spot by the wall he quickly devours both food and drink and is once again lost in his translations.
I walk over to where Teal'c has been watching Daniel. "Hey Teal'c, how you doing?"
"I am well Major Carter, though I am worried about Daniel Jackson. He is usually not so easily frustrated, nor does he usually take his frustrations out on O'Neill."
"I'm sure it was just cause he hadn't eaten in a while. You know how cranky Daniel gets when he doesn't eat. I'm sure everything will be fine once Daniel and the Colonel have had a little time away from one another."
He inclines his head, but I know he's still worried. Truthfully so am I. From what we were told Daniel had blown up at the General in much the same way when he was going through withdrawal from the light. I hoped that we were lowering the light at the correct interval. The Colonel, Loran and myself had not shown any signs that we were going through withdrawal...so it couldn't be the light. Could it? What if some people, like Daniel needed to be taken off more gradual? I decided I would keep an eye on Daniel for the time being, as I knew Teal'c would. I made a mental note to remember to ask Janet about it the next time we were supposed to check in.
I saw Loran come back in looking rather unhappy. He was carrying the ball and glove back in and placed it on the MALP.
"Is everything alright Loran?"
"Jack didn't want to play catch."
"I'm sure he'll play later."
Nodding his head, he made his way back towards where his room was. He looked very disappointed and I hoped that the Colonel hadn't been short with him. I know that he's usually great with kids but it seems whenever Daniel is involved his usual paternal-ness for other children disappears, all of it being placed on Daniel. Daniel didn't want to play catch, so Jack won't play catch...with anyone. I sometimes wonder just how old Daniel and the Colonel really are. They can be such children at times and at other times they are they most level headed, brilliant men I know. Yes, even the Colonel. He's a lot smarter than he lets on. You don't become a Colonel in the USAF by being stupid.
Daniel curses quietly and I turn back to look at my friend sitting on the floor. He has his glasses off, and is gently feeling his black eye. It's not as swollen as it was yesterday but is a brighter purple. Placing the glasses back on his face, he picks up his journal, mumbling to himself.
I reach into the med kit on the MALP, pulling some Tylenol from the bag. Walking towards Daniel, I crouch down, handing him the pills. He looks at the Tylenol in my hand and is about to protest, saying he's fine when he reconsiders and takes the pills swallowing them with the rest of his coffee. "Thanks Sam."
"No problem Daniel. Don't work too hard, you're supposed to be taking it easy."
"I know. I'm fine, really."
Shaking my head, I stand, glancing at my watch. It's almost time to check in with the SGC and I am about to go looking for the Colonel when he walks back into the room. He still looks a little upset, but tries to mask it. "Hey kids, check in time." I see Daniel look up at Jack's voice and he looks as if he wants to apologize again. Instead, he ducks his head, turning his eyes towards his journal once again.
"Colonel O'Neill, what's your report?"
"We're all still alive Sir."
"Colonel?"
"Sorry Sir. We're doing as well as can be expected. Getting a little frustrated, perhaps you could send through a few more supplies Sir?"
"Whatever you need Colonel."
"Thank you Sir."
"Colonel?"
"Hey Doc."
"How is Daniel doing Sir?"
"Oh you know, the usual. Nose buried in a book, baring his teeth if he's disturbed. Nothing new."
"I'd like to talk to him Sir."
"Uh, he's actually a little busy at the moment Doc." The Colonel begins to shift foot to foot. Daniel looks up, a look of worry on his face. Though it was the Colonel that had thrown the ball, Daniel knew Janet wouldn't place all the blame on him. She'd be more than happy to give Daniel a lecture as well. He looked around the room, with every appearance of a man desperately looking for a hiding place.
"I don't care Colonel, I need to speak to him."
"Colonel, please get Doctor Jackson, that's an order."
"Yes Sir." He looks dejected as he turns to face Daniel, still looking for a way to escape. "Daniel! Doc wants to talk to you."
"Jack...I...tell her I'm occupied." Daniel whispers nervously. The Colonel glances at the MALP camera, and quickly walks towards Daniel.
"Daniel, I already told her that. She doesn't care. Come on!"
"Do you know what she's going to do when she sees this?" Daniel gestures towards his eye.
"Yes Daniel, she's going to kill me."
"You? What about me?"
"Please, she's still worried about you Daniel. You're off the hook on this one." Jack grabs Daniel's arm and drags him towards the MALP, Daniel protesting all the way.
Daniel stood in front of the MALP camera, slightly turned so that his black eye was not visible. Clearing his throat he ducked his head, "Hi Janet."
"Hello Daniel. How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling much better."
"Daniel?"
"Yes?"
"What are you doing?"
"What?...I'm not doing anything."
"Why aren't you facing the camera?"
"I am."
"Not you're not."
"Yes I am."
"Daniel! Turn around please."
Daniel's shoulders slumped, and he closed his eyes as he slowly turned his body around so that he was facing the MALP head on. A small gasp could be heard over the mic as Janet got a look at Daniel.
"Daniel! What happened to your eye?!"
"Nothing."
"Doctor Jackson!"
"Um...I missed the ball."
"What?"
"We were playing catch and I missed the ball, hit me in the eye." He mumbled.
"COLONEL O'NEILL!" Jack cringed as he heard Janet's voice. He stepped in front of the MALP, looking thoroughly chastised, even before Janet had chastised him.
"Did I, or did I not tell you that Daniel was to take it easy and recover from the withdrawal among other things?"
"We were, I mean, he was. He was just helping me show Loran how to play catch." Loran, who had come out when he heard everyone's voices, now hid behind a pillar at the mention of his name. The woman's voice coming through sounded angry and he didn't want any of that anger directed at him.
"Colonel O'Neill, you are the CO of SG-1 and as such it is your responsibility to make sure none of your team get hurt if it can at all be avoided. Having Daniel receive a baseball to the eye was, I believe, avoidable."
"It's not my fault he closed his eyes. He could have ducked."
"And you could have allowed him to rest, as you were told to."
"You're right, I'm sorry Doc. It won't happen again. I'll take better care of Daniel."
"See that you do." I couldn't help but smile. It sounded like a conversation between a mother and her child. 'If you don't take care of the puppy Billy, you won't get to keep him.' I turned away so that neither Daniel or the Colonel saw my smile. When I turned I noticed Loran's head peeking out from behind a pillar. I walked towards the boy, smiling as I caught his eye.
"Hey, what are you doing hiding back here?"
"Why is Jack being yelled at? Was he bad?"
"No Loran, he wasn't bad," I grinned. "He's talking to Daniel's Doctor, she's a little upset about Daniel's black eye, but no one is in trouble. You can come out." He looked warily into my eyes and then nodded slightly, coming slowly out from behind the pillar and walking back towards the others with me.
"Yes Doc. I promise. No...no more baseball." The Colonel sounded frustrated, Janet was still listing instructions on how to take care of Daniel. Daniel had retreated to the stairs and was shaking his head as he listened to Janet's list of instructions.
Finally Janet stopped, and asked to speak to me. The Colonel slunk away to sit by the wall, Daniel getting up and crossing the room, sliding down to sit beside him.
"Hi Janet."
"Hi Sam, how are you holding up?"
"I'm surviving."
"How are the rest really doing?"
"Teal'c is fine, Loran seems pleased to have people here again. The Colonel is doing alright, aside from being extremely bored. Daniel..."
"Sam?"
"Well, this morning he kind of blew up at the Colonel. Not at all like Daniel. I think it might have been that he hadn't eaten yet at that point and he said that he had a headache."
"That sounds like the same symptoms Daniel and the Colonel experienced when they were going through withdrawal here on Earth."
"It's just Daniel at this point though. The Colonel, Loran and I aren't experiencing anything like it."
"Alright, I want you to keep an eye on Daniel and if it gets worse I want you to contact me right away."
"Ok Janet."
The gate shut down and I looked over to see Daniel and Jack talking to one another again. Well at least it appeared things were getting back to normal. Maybe Daniel was just having a bad morning.
I'm about to ask Loran if he can help me with one more thing today before calling it quits when I hear it. "Dammit Daniel." They're at it again.
"No Jack, I don't want to! I want to finish this translation. I thought yesterday when you lost the bet you were going to let me work in peace?"
"Janet just lectured me for 15 minutes on taking care of you Daniel. If you think for one minute I'm going through that again you're crazy. Now she wants you to take it easy and that doesn't include working. Now put the journal away or I'm opening the gate and throwing it through without putting the IDC through first."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Don't tempt me Daniel."
"Fine! but only for 1/2 hr and then I'm coming back and getting some more of this done."
"Peachy! Loran! Teal'c! Carter! Let's go." I know that tone. I know that look. This SO is not good. The Colonel has something planned and I have a feeling it's going to result in yet another lecture from Janet. Maybe I should say something, I mean, being 2IC, that's my job right?
"Where are we going Sir?"
"We, Carter, are going to have some fun."
"Jaaack...please, is this really necessary?"
"Don't make me call Fraiser, Daniel." Daniel crosses his arms, pouting. I know I'm not going to enjoy what the Colonel has planned.
He makes his wave towards the FRED that holds the last shipment of supplies, digging into one of the case. He pulls out a net, ball, poles...No, they wouldn't have...I can't believe it! They did!....
"Time for beach volleyball!" I stare at him with disbelief clearly written across my face, while Daniel stands beside me, his arms still crossed. Handing the net to Loran, throwing the ball to me and giving Teal'c a pole, he carries the other outside and we're left with no choice but to follow him.
"I can't believe they sent this stuff through. How did he get the General to agree to this?"
"I don't think the General did Sam, I'm sure Lou had something to do with this."
"Ferretti?"
"You know how he and Jack are. Always up to something. I can hardly wait to see what else we'll be forced to endure for the next...15 days!" Daniel groans and I can sympathize with him. A bored Colonel was always something to be afraid of.
"Come on kids!"
I shuddered as I can hear in my head ...Be afraid, Be very afraid.
Loran is looking like a caged animal again. We've spent most of the morning working on the light. Loran has been telling me everything he knows about how it works. I know he honestly doesn't know that much about how it works, but what he does know has helped me in my understanding of it.
I am just about to suggest that we go check on the others when i hear an angry voice in the next room. A voice I am very familiar with, but the anger is something that has me on my feet and moving towards the outter room in a flash.
"God Jack, NO for the last time I do NOT want to play catch. Why the hell didn't you have something sent through for you? Maybe then I could actually get some work done!" Daniel is breathing heavy, his rant tiring him. I see the look of shock, anger and hurt in the Colonel's face. "Oh God Jack, I'm sorry I didn't mean that, I'm just tired and..."
"It's fine Daniel." The Colonel turns on his heel and heads outside, not waiting or wanting to hear anything else from Daniel.
"Dammit."
"Daniel? Are you alright? What was that all about?"
"I'm fine Sam. I don't know...I'm just...frustrated. I took it out on Jack. I should go and try to talk to him."
"No Daniel, I think maybe you should let the Colonel cool down a bit first." He looks dejected, but nods, turning back to his translations. I exchange a look of concern with Teal'c. It's not like Daniel to snap at the Colonel. He usually has the patience of Job where the Colonel is concerned.
"Are Jack and Daniel alright Sam?"
"Yes Loran...they'll be fine. Just a little tired, that's all." I smile at the young man before me. His wide eyes looking back and forth between Daniel and the door the Colonel had disappeared through. He walked over to the MALP, picking up the ball and glove and turned back to me.
"I think I'll ask Jack if he wants to play catch."
"Alright Loran, have fun." He grins and heads outside in search of our missing CO. I look towards Daniel and find him sitting on the floor with his journal in his lap. He's rubbing at his neck, his brow furrowed. "Are you sure you're alright Daniel?"
"I've just got a headache. Maybe I just need another cup of coffee."
"I think you should eat something too Daniel. You can't survive on caffeine."
"I can try," he grins at me, getting to his feet. He can try, but not today. He reaches for an MRE and pours himself a cup of coffee. Returning to his spot by the wall he quickly devours both food and drink and is once again lost in his translations.
I walk over to where Teal'c has been watching Daniel. "Hey Teal'c, how you doing?"
"I am well Major Carter, though I am worried about Daniel Jackson. He is usually not so easily frustrated, nor does he usually take his frustrations out on O'Neill."
"I'm sure it was just cause he hadn't eaten in a while. You know how cranky Daniel gets when he doesn't eat. I'm sure everything will be fine once Daniel and the Colonel have had a little time away from one another."
He inclines his head, but I know he's still worried. Truthfully so am I. From what we were told Daniel had blown up at the General in much the same way when he was going through withdrawal from the light. I hoped that we were lowering the light at the correct interval. The Colonel, Loran and myself had not shown any signs that we were going through withdrawal...so it couldn't be the light. Could it? What if some people, like Daniel needed to be taken off more gradual? I decided I would keep an eye on Daniel for the time being, as I knew Teal'c would. I made a mental note to remember to ask Janet about it the next time we were supposed to check in.
I saw Loran come back in looking rather unhappy. He was carrying the ball and glove back in and placed it on the MALP.
"Is everything alright Loran?"
"Jack didn't want to play catch."
"I'm sure he'll play later."
Nodding his head, he made his way back towards where his room was. He looked very disappointed and I hoped that the Colonel hadn't been short with him. I know that he's usually great with kids but it seems whenever Daniel is involved his usual paternal-ness for other children disappears, all of it being placed on Daniel. Daniel didn't want to play catch, so Jack won't play catch...with anyone. I sometimes wonder just how old Daniel and the Colonel really are. They can be such children at times and at other times they are they most level headed, brilliant men I know. Yes, even the Colonel. He's a lot smarter than he lets on. You don't become a Colonel in the USAF by being stupid.
Daniel curses quietly and I turn back to look at my friend sitting on the floor. He has his glasses off, and is gently feeling his black eye. It's not as swollen as it was yesterday but is a brighter purple. Placing the glasses back on his face, he picks up his journal, mumbling to himself.
I reach into the med kit on the MALP, pulling some Tylenol from the bag. Walking towards Daniel, I crouch down, handing him the pills. He looks at the Tylenol in my hand and is about to protest, saying he's fine when he reconsiders and takes the pills swallowing them with the rest of his coffee. "Thanks Sam."
"No problem Daniel. Don't work too hard, you're supposed to be taking it easy."
"I know. I'm fine, really."
Shaking my head, I stand, glancing at my watch. It's almost time to check in with the SGC and I am about to go looking for the Colonel when he walks back into the room. He still looks a little upset, but tries to mask it. "Hey kids, check in time." I see Daniel look up at Jack's voice and he looks as if he wants to apologize again. Instead, he ducks his head, turning his eyes towards his journal once again.
"Colonel O'Neill, what's your report?"
"We're all still alive Sir."
"Colonel?"
"Sorry Sir. We're doing as well as can be expected. Getting a little frustrated, perhaps you could send through a few more supplies Sir?"
"Whatever you need Colonel."
"Thank you Sir."
"Colonel?"
"Hey Doc."
"How is Daniel doing Sir?"
"Oh you know, the usual. Nose buried in a book, baring his teeth if he's disturbed. Nothing new."
"I'd like to talk to him Sir."
"Uh, he's actually a little busy at the moment Doc." The Colonel begins to shift foot to foot. Daniel looks up, a look of worry on his face. Though it was the Colonel that had thrown the ball, Daniel knew Janet wouldn't place all the blame on him. She'd be more than happy to give Daniel a lecture as well. He looked around the room, with every appearance of a man desperately looking for a hiding place.
"I don't care Colonel, I need to speak to him."
"Colonel, please get Doctor Jackson, that's an order."
"Yes Sir." He looks dejected as he turns to face Daniel, still looking for a way to escape. "Daniel! Doc wants to talk to you."
"Jack...I...tell her I'm occupied." Daniel whispers nervously. The Colonel glances at the MALP camera, and quickly walks towards Daniel.
"Daniel, I already told her that. She doesn't care. Come on!"
"Do you know what she's going to do when she sees this?" Daniel gestures towards his eye.
"Yes Daniel, she's going to kill me."
"You? What about me?"
"Please, she's still worried about you Daniel. You're off the hook on this one." Jack grabs Daniel's arm and drags him towards the MALP, Daniel protesting all the way.
Daniel stood in front of the MALP camera, slightly turned so that his black eye was not visible. Clearing his throat he ducked his head, "Hi Janet."
"Hello Daniel. How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling much better."
"Daniel?"
"Yes?"
"What are you doing?"
"What?...I'm not doing anything."
"Why aren't you facing the camera?"
"I am."
"Not you're not."
"Yes I am."
"Daniel! Turn around please."
Daniel's shoulders slumped, and he closed his eyes as he slowly turned his body around so that he was facing the MALP head on. A small gasp could be heard over the mic as Janet got a look at Daniel.
"Daniel! What happened to your eye?!"
"Nothing."
"Doctor Jackson!"
"Um...I missed the ball."
"What?"
"We were playing catch and I missed the ball, hit me in the eye." He mumbled.
"COLONEL O'NEILL!" Jack cringed as he heard Janet's voice. He stepped in front of the MALP, looking thoroughly chastised, even before Janet had chastised him.
"Did I, or did I not tell you that Daniel was to take it easy and recover from the withdrawal among other things?"
"We were, I mean, he was. He was just helping me show Loran how to play catch." Loran, who had come out when he heard everyone's voices, now hid behind a pillar at the mention of his name. The woman's voice coming through sounded angry and he didn't want any of that anger directed at him.
"Colonel O'Neill, you are the CO of SG-1 and as such it is your responsibility to make sure none of your team get hurt if it can at all be avoided. Having Daniel receive a baseball to the eye was, I believe, avoidable."
"It's not my fault he closed his eyes. He could have ducked."
"And you could have allowed him to rest, as you were told to."
"You're right, I'm sorry Doc. It won't happen again. I'll take better care of Daniel."
"See that you do." I couldn't help but smile. It sounded like a conversation between a mother and her child. 'If you don't take care of the puppy Billy, you won't get to keep him.' I turned away so that neither Daniel or the Colonel saw my smile. When I turned I noticed Loran's head peeking out from behind a pillar. I walked towards the boy, smiling as I caught his eye.
"Hey, what are you doing hiding back here?"
"Why is Jack being yelled at? Was he bad?"
"No Loran, he wasn't bad," I grinned. "He's talking to Daniel's Doctor, she's a little upset about Daniel's black eye, but no one is in trouble. You can come out." He looked warily into my eyes and then nodded slightly, coming slowly out from behind the pillar and walking back towards the others with me.
"Yes Doc. I promise. No...no more baseball." The Colonel sounded frustrated, Janet was still listing instructions on how to take care of Daniel. Daniel had retreated to the stairs and was shaking his head as he listened to Janet's list of instructions.
Finally Janet stopped, and asked to speak to me. The Colonel slunk away to sit by the wall, Daniel getting up and crossing the room, sliding down to sit beside him.
"Hi Janet."
"Hi Sam, how are you holding up?"
"I'm surviving."
"How are the rest really doing?"
"Teal'c is fine, Loran seems pleased to have people here again. The Colonel is doing alright, aside from being extremely bored. Daniel..."
"Sam?"
"Well, this morning he kind of blew up at the Colonel. Not at all like Daniel. I think it might have been that he hadn't eaten yet at that point and he said that he had a headache."
"That sounds like the same symptoms Daniel and the Colonel experienced when they were going through withdrawal here on Earth."
"It's just Daniel at this point though. The Colonel, Loran and I aren't experiencing anything like it."
"Alright, I want you to keep an eye on Daniel and if it gets worse I want you to contact me right away."
"Ok Janet."
The gate shut down and I looked over to see Daniel and Jack talking to one another again. Well at least it appeared things were getting back to normal. Maybe Daniel was just having a bad morning.
I'm about to ask Loran if he can help me with one more thing today before calling it quits when I hear it. "Dammit Daniel." They're at it again.
"No Jack, I don't want to! I want to finish this translation. I thought yesterday when you lost the bet you were going to let me work in peace?"
"Janet just lectured me for 15 minutes on taking care of you Daniel. If you think for one minute I'm going through that again you're crazy. Now she wants you to take it easy and that doesn't include working. Now put the journal away or I'm opening the gate and throwing it through without putting the IDC through first."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Don't tempt me Daniel."
"Fine! but only for 1/2 hr and then I'm coming back and getting some more of this done."
"Peachy! Loran! Teal'c! Carter! Let's go." I know that tone. I know that look. This SO is not good. The Colonel has something planned and I have a feeling it's going to result in yet another lecture from Janet. Maybe I should say something, I mean, being 2IC, that's my job right?
"Where are we going Sir?"
"We, Carter, are going to have some fun."
"Jaaack...please, is this really necessary?"
"Don't make me call Fraiser, Daniel." Daniel crosses his arms, pouting. I know I'm not going to enjoy what the Colonel has planned.
He makes his wave towards the FRED that holds the last shipment of supplies, digging into one of the case. He pulls out a net, ball, poles...No, they wouldn't have...I can't believe it! They did!....
"Time for beach volleyball!" I stare at him with disbelief clearly written across my face, while Daniel stands beside me, his arms still crossed. Handing the net to Loran, throwing the ball to me and giving Teal'c a pole, he carries the other outside and we're left with no choice but to follow him.
"I can't believe they sent this stuff through. How did he get the General to agree to this?"
"I don't think the General did Sam, I'm sure Lou had something to do with this."
"Ferretti?"
"You know how he and Jack are. Always up to something. I can hardly wait to see what else we'll be forced to endure for the next...15 days!" Daniel groans and I can sympathize with him. A bored Colonel was always something to be afraid of.
"Come on kids!"
I shuddered as I can hear in my head ...Be afraid, Be very afraid.