A Simple Man Part 3 - See Part 1 for introduction and disclaimer
He was a simple man. When his son had accidentally killed himself, his thoughts were dark, obsessive and self absorbed. He contemplated taking his own life with the gun that Charlie had used. He spent hours just staring at it, cleaning it, loading it and unloading it again. It was not the first time Jack O'Neill had faced great adversity, nor would it be the last, but it was certainly the worst.
He might never have recovered from it if not for a certain little trip through a huge honkin' circle to a nice desert planet called Abydos. Charlie might still be dead and gone but O'Neill had changed. He grasped at life and refused to take anything too seriously. Life was too short. The children of Abydos had saved him, alongside a certain pesky archaeologist, and he would be eternally grateful for it, forever more holding children in high regard.
Half an hour later Idun came in to look for her son and take him away, but O'Neill sent her packing, insisting that he wanted Aurvandil to keep him company. Jack was learning a lot about the Asgard from this 'boy' and he learned it in the amusing and entertaining way that only children could provide - innocence and enthusiasm, there was nothing quite like it.
Aurvandil provided detailed descriptions of customs and history in simple terms that O'Neill could relate to. Daniel would have loved it and Jack snickered at the fact that he could now teach the archaeologist a thing or two about this race. He liked the little Asgard but had an ulterior motive for his questions; the more he knew the better able he was to deal with what faced them. What if Thor didn't come? That might put a damper on things, and Odin might perceive SG-1 as his potential enemy once again.
It can't have been more than another half hour after that when a beam of light brightened the room. It was Thor. Aurvandil was stunned by the appearance of one of his historic brethren, Jack just took it in his stride.
"Hey Thor old buddy. Good of you to drop by." Jack said cheerfully.
"Are you in trouble O'Neill?" Asked Thor.
"Umm, you might have noticed a Goa'uld mother ship in the vicinity Thor?"
"Indeed O'Neill. As there seems no immediate threat I thought it wise to find out more before acting. The Goa'uld are no longer an enemy that one engages idly."
"I'm relying on you to convince these Asgard that they are the enemy." Jack thought he detected a hint of surprise on Thor's impassive features. "I think your relatives have invited them for dinner or something." Thor considered this, trying to understand O'Neill's peculiar human humor.
"I am puzzled by the presence of Asgard on this planet O'Neill, which I why I wished to speak to you first."
"Yeah, well we were kind of surprised too. I might have found something to cure what ails you, my friend." Jack smiled. "Thor, meet Aurvandil. He is an Asgard child. His parents are called Odin and Idun."
Thor Stared at Aurvandil, who stared back, equally awed.
"Child, O'Neill?" Thor managed to say after a long pause, "You are a child?" He asked Aurvandil.
"Yes, Supreme Commander Thor." He was overwhelmed at having the honor to be the first of his kind to meet Thor. "I do not understand why that is so important." He was thinking that Thor was no bigger than he. He looked Asgard, but different. It was most strange. Aurvandil was too mesmerised by Thor to ask about it.
"You will, Aurvandil, you will." Jack said, patting the boy on the arm and smiling.
"O'Neill," Said Thor, "You found our lost brethren? We believed them dead. I must meet the others. This is an occasion for celebration. I am most grateful that you contacted me." He took a little bow.
"I think you officially owe me one Thor."
"Owe you one, O'Neill?"
"Owe me a favour?"
"I am sure you are right, O'Neill." Agreed Thor, and Jack was pretty sure he was smiling, if Asgard could be said to smile. It's difficult to gauge the mood of an Asgard. "Perhaps you would let me know next time you need me in the war against your Senators?"
Jack wondered if that was an Asgard's idea of a joke and chuckled. Thor's huge eyes just stared at him, as unfathomable as ever.
"Let's not overlook the presence of that Goa'uld mother ship in our excitement, huh, Thor?" Jack interjected.
"Indeed not. I must speak to my brethren immediately. Are the rest of your team here O'Neill?" Thor asked, politely.
"Sure. Aurvandil, can you find my team, and your father, and tell them that Supreme Commander Thor has arrived?" Jack asked. Aurvandil stammered a nervous response and left Jack and Thor alone.
"Well, Thor old buddy, I hope you can make it quicker next time I'm in trouble."
"I apologise for my tardiness, O'Neill. I was in the middle of something important."
"Replicators?"
"No. A 'pesky' High Council meeting, as you might say." Thor replied and Jack laughed aloud.
"Pesky?"
"That is what you would say, is it not?" Thor enquired.
"Sure, Thor... probably." Jack smiled.
Things got a bit chaotic after that, making Jack dizzy with all the comings and goings; SG-1, Odin and half the population of the planet, food and drink. Why this room, Jack asked himself, or why couldn't they just put him in a side room out of the way?
Loki arrived, ostensibly to see how Jack was, but was fascinated to meet Supreme Commander Thor, of course. In the meantime, no one seemed to have an answer to O'Neill's questions about Zipacna and his merry band of Jaffa. The arrival of Thor had lessened Jack's concern, but not entirely. He'd feel happier to know that the bad guys had been properly dealt with. He was exhausted from just watching the activity all around him. It ground him down, but he was determined to stay alert until he had his answers.
He was a simple man. What might appear to be an impassive face hid a brain that was on constant alert, thinking, planning and sometimes agonising over his options. He was the man with the plan. Actually he always tried to have more than one plan as, although he claimed to dislike clichés, he knew that chaos theory applied to even the simplest of things. What can go wrong will go wrong and one should be prepared and not wholly rely on ones original solution.
The blank spaces on an ancient map once said 'here there be monsters', and he knew that those monsters could simply be biding their time and bite him on the ass at any moment. So worst case scenarios were his speciality. In his experience plan C was frequently the one that worked after plans A and B had failed.
Without attracting undue attention he managed to get up from his couch and unsteadily make his way over to a window in the room. This was Jack's first view of the city and it was startlingly beautiful, with the sunlight reflecting off the crystal and metal it was built with. Asgard did not build in the same sorts of straight lines that humans did. None of the buildings were straightforward rectangles, but every type of triangle was represented, and some spheres, circles and odd rounded shapes too - Jack thought he'd be hard pressed to recall the names of some of the shapes he could see out there. It was chaotic, but in a pleasing to the eye kind of way.
Three huge Asgard ships hovered majestically over the Asgard city. It was a sight to behold the like of which only one human had probably ever seen before; Major Samantha Carter USAF.
"O'Neill, you are feeling better?" His little grey friend Thor had sneaked up on him while he admired the view. He did not answer Thor's question, but asked one himself.
"Are they with you Thor?" He indicated the ships. "I haven't seen one like that before." He referred to a ship of a very different design to the other two. "She is a beauty Thor. New Flagship?" Thor seemed pleased and bowed slightly to O'Neill.
"I am happy that you like my new flagship, O'Neill. That is The O'Neill II."
"The O'Neill II?" He smiled at Thor. "Cool!"
Jack was awe-struck. She was dazzling and he felt very proud indeed. To have one new ship named after you might be considered an aberration, but two? It really meant a lot. So Thor had brought The O'Neill to rescue an O'Neill, huh? That was poetic.
"Would you like to go aboard O'Neill?" Jack's smile broadened at that invitation. What kind of a question was that? Of course he'd like to go aboard.
"That would be nice Thor." A master of understatement; that was Jack O'Neill.
The next thing he know he was standing on what he assumed to be the bridge of The O'Neill II. The crew seemed unperturbed by their sudden appearance.
"Sweet!" Exclaimed Jack, looking around but thinking that there were more important things to do right now than ask for a guided tour. "Nice view Thor." He said, nodding to the view screen which showed a large image of the Goa'uld ship.
"You did not think I had neglected to remember their presence did you O'Neill?"
"Not for one minute, Thor, old buddy." His knees felt weak and his head started to spin. "I think I should just sit down for a minute." He sunk to the floor.
"O'Neill you are still unwell?"
"I think that's a yes."
"I should take you back to the planet to their Loki."
"I'd rather stay here and keep my beady eyes on what that puffed up, pompous snake Zipacna is doing."
"I imagined that might be why you accepted my invitation so readily."
"Yeah, well that and the fact that this beauty is named for me Thor. I'm honored by the way, although the grand tour might have to wait. Do they even know you're here?" He asked, gesturing towards Zipacna's ship.
"They do not, O'Neill. But should the need arise they will be made aware quickly enough." Jack thought he detected a smile on the Asgard's face and, imagining it to be a slightly mischievous one, laughed.
"I am sure they will, Thor." It was a comfort to know that he didn't have to fight these bad guys alone. In fact, he had one of the best weapons against the Goa'uld right here under his feet; correction, under his butt.
"Find the Colonel something comfortable to sit on. Would you prefer that your team join us O'Neill?"
"They might be a little worried by my sudden disappearance."
That was a slight understatement. The chaos in the room they had left behind turned even more chaotic at the abrupt departure of their two guests. SG-1 were highly unhappy that O'Neill was gone, but they guessed where to. That was no comfort. Their CO was ill; flu wasn't something one got over in a matter of hours, no matter how good Asgard medicine might be. Carter was pressing Odin to try contacting Thor's ship.
"Which ship is his?" Odin asked, and she wondered what these Asgard used for brains.
"I'm guessing that's the big shiny one up there with The O'Neill II in big Asgard lettering on the side." Daniel interjected sarcastically.
"The O'Neill II?" Carter asked, surprised.
"That's what I think it says. Do you think Thor might be trying to make a statement?"
Daniel replied with what appeared to be a little peevishness. Carter suppressed a grin and figured Daniel was slightly envious that the Colonel was held in such high regard by their little grey allies. She was about to speak but suddenly found herself facing her CO, rather than Daniel. She quickly looked around to assess the situation, and hurried to O'Neill's side. He looked terrible.
"Colonel, are you alright?" She expected to get his usual 'fine' reply and was determined to brush that off this time.
"Not really Carter." He said to her surprise. "But I might start to feel better once I know what Zippy is up to." He nodded towards the view screen. The Goa'uld ship sat silently and still, but he felt pretty sure it was ready to pounce at any moment.
"One of our kin is aboard his vessel, O'Neill," started Thor "trying to ascertain as much information as possible from this... Zippy."
Jack smiled at the use of the nickname. It sounded strange coming from Thor's lips; a bit like his earlier use of the word pesky. The little grey guy learned fast, although Jack wasn't sure he was learning the right things. The Jack O'Neill irreverent style might not sit well with most Asgard, although Thor seemed to like it.
"We too wish to determine his purpose in coming to this planet, and how they found an ancient Asgard home world." Thor continued. "This is why I have failed to act, O'Neill. I hope you do not think me doubly tardy." He added, alluding to their earlier conversation about the length of time it had taken to respond to Jack's 'distress' call.
"I thought he'd been invited down to the planet." Jack said.
"He still is invited. My brethren are delaying for as long as possible."
"Old Zippy is not a patient guy, Thor, he is bound to get restless soon."
"I believe you are right." Thor pointed to the view screen. The mother ship was on the move and spewing a few baby ships as she located herself immediately above the new Cimmeria.
Thor stepped over to sit in his chair and activated something on the console incorporated into it's arms.
"Lord Zipacna," Thor said, obviously having activated a communication device. "This is Supreme Commander Thor of the Asgard Fleet. I command that you desist from action and tell me your intentions towards my people."
The view screen showed Zipacna's face. Jack had almost forgotten exactly how arrogant Zippy was. He could see over confidence dripping from every pore of Zipacna's ugly mug.
"So you are here, Supreme Commander." He seemed unperturbed.
Yep, that over confidence would be this guy's downfall and Jack prayed for that. He would love nothing better than to witness the demise of Zippy. That would cure his flu quickly enough. Did Zippy think he could defeat the Asgard? What the hell was he holding up his sleeve? Jack knew that the Asgard were no longer as effective against the might of the Goa'uld as they had been, Anubis had put paid to that, but he hoped his own confidence in Thor, and The O'Neill II, were not misplaced.
"I am sure you realise that your presence does not deter me." Zippy continued.
"He sure is cocky." Jack said.
"So you are there also, Tauri." Zipacna sneered in best Goa'uld tradition. Here we go, thought Jack. "It will be a pleasure to witness your demise Colonel O'Neill."
"Nice to see you too, Zippy old pal." Jack replied in a voice laced with sarcasm. "I think that tells us his intentions aren't entirely honorable, Thor, don't you?"
"Agreed. I did not for one moment imagine that they might be O'Neill." He turned to speak to his crew. "Prepare to... kick ass, as Colonel O'Neill might say."
Jack smiled at his Asgard friend. This was turning into the Jack and Thor show. He imagined Thor acting like this at Council meetings and wondered if that was why they lasted so long. Perhaps Thor exhibited too much O'Neill like behaviour. He thought that might be a bad habit to get into.
Zipacna was at a disadvantage; the Asgard ships remained hidden to him. Jack would love to have seen Zippy's face when he saw the ships and got a good look at The O'Neill II. That might wipe the supercilious grin off his face.
Old Zippy was sending ships down to attack the Asgard city. It was time for Thor to make a move.
"Can't you just make them disappear Thor?" Jack asked. "We've seen you do it before."
"It appears that they can now counter that technology. However, The O'Neill II is well equipped with both our most recent defensive and offensive technologies. It was designed with new Goa'uld technology in mind, O'Neill."
"That's what I like to hear." Jack smiled smugly.
His team seemed a little stunned by these exchanges and watched in silence as Thor easily despatched the baby ships that Zipacna had sent forth from his bowels. Zipacna now had a birds eye view of The O'Neill II and tried to attack but the ship seemed impervious, not even shaken within it's protective force field. However, Zippy's ship also seemed able to ward off Thor's counter attack.
"Um Thor, I think this ship might already need an upgrade." Jack said, beginning to worry that his faith was misplaced after all.
"I fear you might be correct O'Neill. They have discovered another means to protect themselves of which we are unaware."
"So that was his ace." Jack muttered aloud to himself. We need a plan. He thought.
Zipacna, obviously believing that he could not be defeated by these Asgard, started to attack the Asgard city below. Thor moved his ship lower and extended his force field to protect his kin.
"Nice job Thor. You've improved your shields I see."
"Indeed O'Neill. But we do appear to be at a stalemate."
Jack had to agree. Zippy didn't seem to be about to give up. He presumably hoped to find a weakness. Well, two could play at that game.
"Have you been able to find out anything about this new Goa'uld technology Thor?" he asked.
"We did manage to download the schematics of their ship without them even knowing it, O'Neill, as you suggested earlier." Jack had this notion, which he'd shared with Thor, just before his team had beamed abroad.
"Nice! Learn anything?"
Thor conferred in Asgard with one of his crew.
"It appears that this part of the ship is unfamiliar to us." A schematic appeared on the view screen.
"This looks like your territory Carter." Jack indicated to his 2IC and she stepped closer to study it, asking the Asgard to show her the surrounding areas as well.
"Yes Sir." She was silent for a while. "It looks like we'd need to get on board to do anything with it though."
"That was also our conclusion. It appears to be well protected by force fields."
"We'd need to get on board, disable the force fields here, then go here to destroy this device, which seems to be shielding them from the Asgard." Carter was manipulating the images to indicate where she meant, having taken over control from the Asgard crew member.
"We would prefer to study the device, Major Carter." Thor said.
"There is no way we are getting on board this thing to do anything with the device Thor. I can't see a way in."
"Carter, you're such a pessimist." Jack said. "Did I see a disabled glider earlier Thor?"
"Colonel?" Carter exclaimed in question and protest, suddenly getting an inkling of what he might have in mind.
He was a simple man. His transfer to USAF Special Operations early in his military career had been an inspired move by his superiors. His intellect and exceptional abilities had made him perfect for the job. Stealth was a byword with O'Neill. He did it without even thinking. Put that together with his lethal weapons and explosives expertise, add a pinch of tactical genius, and he was a walking recipe for disaster to one's enemies - a useful man to have on your side and a formidable enemy.
Carter had protested vehemently and loudly at her CO's insistence at undertaking this mission himself. As he outranked her she had no choice but to give way, muttering about putting her protest on the record, which O'Neill said she was quite welcome to do once they got home. He knew he wasn't 100 but still thought he was the best man for the job, along with Teal'c
As a result he and Teal'c were now sneaking around the interminable corridors of the Goa'uld mother ship trying to reach their goal - knocking out the force fields that protected the ship's resilient shielding.
Thor was playing for time by calling a truce and entertaining Zipacna on board The O'Neill II to talk things through, which made Jack shudder. Teal'c had managed to talk his way on board the mother ship in the pretence that they were Zipacna's loyal and injured Jaffa. One of the beauties of having an ally who spoke fluent Goa'uld and knew how to deal with Jaffa intimately. The self assurance of Zippy's troops that they were somehow invulnerable was something Jack and Teal'c used to their advantage. Both men wore Jaffa armour, taken from the dead, covering Teal'c's tattoo, and Jack's lack of one, with faked injuries.
Having managed to avoid any problems on entering the glider bay, they had quickly discarded the Jaffa armour once they found a quiet spot. Jaffa didn't know the meaning of the word stealth. They ruled through fear and superior weaponry so had not need to sneak quietly around Goa'uld mother ships. Jack and Teal'c, on the other hand, wanted to fade into the background as much as possible. Jaffa armour made way too much noise.
"First corridor on your right Sir."
Carter was guiding them from Thor's ship. This reminded Jack of another time and place, which was ironic because the recollection went back to their brief foray onto Osiris' ship. It was on that mission they had first learned of the Asgard's genetic problems. They'd also saved the life of Thor on that occasion. Life was strange, Jack thought, full of weird twists and turns that sometimes seemed to bring you back to where you'd already been. These corridors were all too familiar.
Jack kept going out of sheer strength of will. He knew that as soon as the adrenaline rush ran out he would probably collapse in a heap on the floor and could be out of it for days. One was not supposed to do this sort of thing while one had flu. Carter was right, but he was determined see this through. Let her file her damned protest; It would be too late by then.
"Bogey's coming up on your six Sir. Suggest turning left here to avoid them." Carter spoke, seeing the Jaffa on the plan in front of her. They were gaining on her team mates.
"I thought we were going right Carter."
"Left's your quickest escape route Sir."
He and Teal'c turned left and hid while half a dozen Jaffa marched past noisily.
"Sir, they have just gone where I was going to send you." Carter said.
Oy! It couldn't just be simple and straightforward, thought Jack.
"So you got any suggestions Carter?"
"Hold on Sir." She looked carefully at the map. "That's your only way in Colonel."
"Well T," He looked at his friend, "Looks like we might be in a fight after all."
"Indeed."
"Wait, sir." Carter said. "It looks like some of them are moving off. That leaves four at your target Colonel." It was better than six.
"Do you think they know we're here Teal'c?" Jack asked.
"It is unlikely. No alarm has been raised."
"Good, so we can still surprise 'em."
"Indeed"
Jack rounded the corner with no stealth whatever.
"Hi guys." He said to the Jaffa standing guard on his initial target, "Nice day for a walk, don't you think?"
They raised their weapons in surprise but not until Jack had already ducked and Teal'c had come out of his hiding place and hit two of them with staff blasts. Jack got the other two with his P-90 from his crouching position.
"Okay Teal'c, this probably means we're running out of time. We split up. You hit the internal force fields and I'll be ready to take our primary target." Teal'c nodded assent, going to set the charges, while Jack made his way to their ultimate goal.
Back on The O'Neill II, Zipacna was alerted to problems aboard his ship and cursed the Asgard for treachery, insisting he be returned immediately. Thor was equally insistent that he remain a guest on board his flag ship, leaving Zipacna and his guard unable to leave, while he rejoined Carter and Daniel back on the bridge. Zippy was furious, but helpless.
When Jack heard the explosions he saw the force fields fall. He might not have long to do this so he quickly moved to the target. Alarms were going off everywhere and he felt sure he'd be joined by some Jaffa pretty soon. He hoped to disable it before then. After that was done, all bets were off.
His fingers nimbly followed the instructions he'd memorised. He could hear Jaffa approaching. One final little thing and he had the gizmo in his hands. A Jaffa fired and he ducked behind a column to his right. He spoke into his radio.
"I got it Carter."
As he spoke, a Jaffa was right on top of him, about to blast him with his staff. Jack cringed as he heard the blast but looked up to see the Jaffa fall head first in front of him. Behind him stood Teal'c, his own staff raised and obviously having just been fired.
"Thanks old buddy," Jack acknowledged.
"You are most welcome O'Neill." Teal'c inclined his head.
"Lower your weapons, you are surrounded." Boomed the voice of a Jaffa. Crap!
"Did you hear me Carter, I said I've got it."
"Yes Sir."
As the Jaffa approached him and Teal'c menacingly, they were surprised to see a blinding white light and their quarry was gone.
"Now that's what I call being in the nick of time." Jack said as he materialised on Thor's bridge. He nodded thanks to Carter. "Well Thor, here it is. I think you'll now find them pretty defenceless. Not up to the might of The O'Neill II." He smiled proudly.
"I do believe that Lord Zipacna can be returned to his ship now." Thor said to one of his crew, who operated the device that sent Zippy back. "This is Supreme Commander Thor of the Asgard Fleet, Lord Zipacna," Thor spoke into the communications device, once Zippy had been beamed back. "Surrender or die." Jack nearly laughed and could have sworn he saw Thor wink at him. Whatever next?
Zippy's ugly mug appeared on the screen once again. Jack was getting sick of the sight of this guy.
"You think I will surrender to the likes of you?" Zapacna said haughtily, firing on the O'Neill.
"Go Thor!" Whispered Jack to himself.
"Then you die." Said Thor dramatically and fired at the mother ship. Jack saw a nice big hole appear in the side of the Goa'uld ship, then Thor fired again and the ship exploded.
"Bye Zippy. I'll miss you." Said Jack with satisfaction. "Nothing like fireworks to start off a good celebration." He quipped. He collapsed back in the chair that Thor had procured for him, the adrenaline that had kept him going suddenly depleted.
"Colonel? Sir?" Carter cried in a concerned voice, but he was beyond hearing.
He was a simple man. His humor was flippant, sardonic and sceptical, sometimes totally wacky and off the wall. His favourite TV show was The Simpson's, which so ably made fun of the very society he'd taken an oath to protect with his life's blood. He saw the bizarre and absurd in the most unlikely places and the most common things. He was comedic, entertaining and infuriating in the use of his wit. It was his shield, defending him from attack, and his mask, hiding his multiplicity of feelings.
Those feelings ran very deep, but because people took him at face value, as he wanted, they imagined he lacked depth. Actually he was intense and broody, but tried not to allow himself to over think things as it got too complicated. Uncomplicated was best for a military man who needed to think on his feet and improvise. That didn't mean he couldn't do complicated just as well.
There was a knock on his door and Loki entered.
"Are you feeling better Colonel O'Neill?" He enquired.
"Yeah, actually, I am. Much better, thank you Loki. I don't know what it is you gave me but I'll take half a dozen." He smiled but was met with the usual wide eyed blank Asgard expression. He had to admit that the Asgard on this planet were a little less lacking in expression than the little grey guys he knew, but even so it was difficult to read them.
"Very amusing Colonel O'Neill." Replied Loki which at least assured O'Neill that Loki realised he was cracking a joke. It was something.
"Seriously Loki. I'm sure Major Carter would be most interested if you are willing to tell her."
"If your people and ours are to be allies, O'Neill, that might be appropriate."
Allies? That had a nice friendly ring to it, O'Neill thought.
"It is you who have brought our peoples together in the first steps to reconciliation Colonel O'Neill. The party tonight is in your honor, and that of Supreme Commander Thor."
"Party?"
"Gathering of people to celebrate? You call it a party, do you not?"
"And I thought that was what was going on in my room when Thor fist arrived." O'Neill retorted sarcastically. "There were enough people going in and out; there was food, drink..."
"That was merely a small welcome to our new-found brethren. Tonight's celebrations will be on a much grander scale."
"Oh good. That's nice." His tone remained sarcastic. O'Neill was thinking that he and his team should be getting home. He, for one, could do with a few days in bed. "I think I'll give that a miss."
"You cannot do that, Colonel O'Neill. You are a guest of honor." The Asgard seemed shocked.
"Well aren't I the lucky one? Will there be cake? A party isn't a party without cake. And ice-cream, maybe some jello...?"
A guest of honor at an Asgard shindig; that was something to tell your grandchildren. Of course, it was exceedingly unlikely that he'd ever have any of those, given he didn't even have any children and all. Jack saw what he thought was a puzzled expression on the Asgard's face. Clearly the Asgard had never heard of cake, ice-cream or jello. This was so not going to be his kind of party.
"You require cake, ice-cream and jello, Colonel O'Neill? I am uncertain as to what these are. Perhaps you need to speak to Odin?"
"Um... that's fine Loki, I'm sure your party will be simply wonderful without it." I don't think, he added mentally.
"I am to meet the original Loki, for whom I was named." He seemed delighted with this idea.
"That's nice for ya." Loki clearly did not detect the sarcasm in the Colonel's tone, which alluded to his previous encounter with the Asgard's mischievous namesake. "Where's the rest of my team Loki? I'd kind of like to see them."
A while later the rest of SG-1 arrived, with Thor in tow. Carter and Daniel had already been back to Earth to report to Hammond. Teal'c had stayed with O'Neill. It was agreed Jack should remain in Cimmeria to recover from his flu bout, particularly after Carter had told them about what appeared to be a kind of flu cure that the Asgard had created. Hammond seemed very pleased. It might not be a weapon in their fight against the Goa'uld but he felt certain that the Pentagon would be pleased with it. They liked discoveries that might make ready cash for the US government.
Jack hinted about going home, but the team, and Thor, seemed determined they should stay for the party.
"Yeah, but there won't be cake." O'Neill said, with petulance causing Carter to stifle a smile.
"But O'Neill, if cake is required I am sure that arrangements can be made. The O'Neill II could make a trip to Earth and acquire some for you." Said Thor, trying to be helpful. It conjured a vision in Jack's mind; the contents of a local cake shop disappearing in a flash of bright light. He didn't think that sort of publicity would be a good thing, but laughed at the notion.
"It's alright Thor, I'm sure we can manage without it." Jack said quickly before Thor decided to just go ahead and do it. "Nice boat, by the way Thor, The O'Neill II; beautiful, if I may say so."
"Boat, O'Neill?"
"Ship... boat... whatever..."
"The O'Neill II is the flagship of the new Asgard fleet, not a... boat. This is intended as humor O'Neill?"
"Sure Thor, sure."
These little grey guys didn't always get it, thought Jack. That was the trouble with dealing with aliens; they too often lacked humor. He had to admit that Thor did try. His earlier use of the term pesky to describe the Asgard Council was clearly intended to be humorous.
"You seem much better Sir." Posited Carter in a veiled enquiry about his health which was also intended to change the subject.
"I am Carter, but I'm not sure a party is something one should do while laid low with flu. Generally a few days in bed is required."
"Still feeling a little rough Sir?"
"Perhaps I would describe it as weary, Carter." He lay back to demonstrate it, placing the back of his hand to his forehead in a dramatic gesture.
"Maybe we should leave you alone to rest until later, Sir."
"No!" He exclaimed, "Carter, you know how bored I get. It's a pity these guys don't have VCRs and TVs, I could get Thor to pick me up some episodes of the Simpsons to keep me entertained. Now there is a show that all aliens should watch if they want to learn about the human race."
"The Simpson's, O'Neill? This is something that informs us of the human condition?"
"I think that was intended as a joke, Thor." Daniel intervened quickly, dreading what sort of impression the Asgard would get of humans if they watched it and thought it reflected reality. Okay, so it did reflect reality, but he did not think the Asgard were up to the task of seeing the nuances to the show's irreverent humor. It was bad enough that they considered Jack O'Neill a prime specimen of humanity. Oy! As Jack himself might say.
"Hey Daniel. That's no joke." Jack said quickly, "I will defend the honor of The Simpsons to the death." Daniel raised his eyes to the heavens in frustration with his CO. The man could be downright infuriating at times.
He was a simple man. He was easily bored, unless he was lazing around doing something that he wanted to laze around doing. He would fidget, pace, or fiddle with any loose objects lying around, however delicate their structure, and generally make a pain in the neck of himself.
This child-like behaviour had it's endearing moments, sometimes causing mirth amongst his team mates, but could tend towards the annoying on a frequent basis. He expressed himself with his hands, gesticulated to emphasise his words; and was rarely still unless the need arose. With O'Neill, stillness could indicate grave danger - waiting to spring his lethal trap.
"Okay, so who is gonna give me a guided tour of this City, then?" Jack said out of the blue, deciding for himself to change the subject. He got to decide their topic of conversation; he was the CO around here.
"If you feel unfit to attend a party, O'Neill, you are also unfit to see this city." Teal'c said, looking seriously at his friend. "You should not tire yourself unnecessarily O'Neill."
"Well I'm touched by your concern, T, but I am bored. B.O.R.E.D, bored!!! I can't lie around here for the rest of the day, I'll go nuts." Teal'c inclined his head slightly at O'Neill's outburst.
"I am merely thinking of your welfare, O'Neill."
"Well that's very sweet of you Teal'c," Jack said sardonically, "but I'm BORED!"
Teal'c merely raised his eyebrows in response, deciding he would intervene no further. Tauri humor could be confusing and his other two team mates would often tell him that O'Neill was not necessarily an example to follow in this respect.
"I am sure we can arrange something that will be less tiring, O'Neill." Thor mediated. "We have means of transportation." He left to make arrangements with his long lost cousins.
Jack was delighted with what Thor organised.
"Hey, it one of those floating chair things!" He said like a kid in a candy store.
The tour was similarly filled with O'Neill's child-like enthusiasm and witty quipping. Carter figured he broke at least half a dozen bits of Asgard technology on his way around. Their hosts would no doubt be thrilled. It amused her that the Asgard held her impertinent CO in such high esteem, holding him up as a shining example of humanity, whereas it exasperated Daniel. She wondered if Daniel might feel appeased if the Asgard named a new ship after him.
True the Colonel was a genuine hero and it was hard to find a better man. She admired and respected him. He was a good CO, despite his faults, and sometimes because of them. He did have such an annoying side to him though, but then who didn't? We're all only human after all, she reflected.
Daniel had been irked with O'Neill before they had even started on this mission. That little display of the Colonel's in the briefing room had annoyed Daniel, who had been hoping to catch his CO off guard. Daniel so hated it when one of his plans to embarrass O'Neill fell flat. He had tried moaning to Sam about it, but she had steadfastly refused to let him complain about their Colonel, which had only served to irritate him further. He had then gone on to complain that she always seemed to take Jack's side. Well of course she did; O'Neill was the boss. Daniel just didn't seem to get it sometimes.
She wondered what Daniel would think if he'd witnessed that open display of the Colonel's well hidden, acutely intelligent brain, as she had. She would never know because she would keep her promise to not tell a soul. That wasn't simply because the Colonel had ordered her not too, but because she genuinely believed he deserved her unending support. He'd earned it and had paid a high price for it over the years. It was up to him how much he revealed of his true nature, and to whom he revealed it. The Colonel was a complicated man and full of surprises. She liked that about him.
The party was a huge affair and a little overwhelming. Jack figured the whole population of Asgard must be in attendance. It was held outside in a massive open space in the middle of the city. When Jack had arrived, in his chair, the assembled throng had been awed into silence. It was touching, not to mention flattering to his ego. Aurvandil was totally thrilled when O'Neill made a bee line for him and started to engage him in conversation like a long lost friend. Aurvandil's friends were going to be so envious.
Of course it wasn't the kind celebration that Jack would call a party. This was not merely because it lacked cake and the rest; it also lacked alcohol, and those other little things that make a party swing, like fun and gaiety. It was a sombre affair, with lots of speeches and talk. In a word, it was dull. However, O'Neill had been at his diplomatic best, for a change; the perfect model of good behaviour.
He even made a little speech of his own, which flowed gracefully off his tongue as if he was the true statesman. It was another interesting surprise for his team; quite brilliant from someone who claimed he was a man of few words, and that he was still suffering the after effects of flu. Carter suspected that her CO was being deliberately melodramatic as she believed the cure was more effective than that.
O'Neill just wanted to get it over with and get home. That Chinese take out still lurked in his refrigerator and wasn't getting any younger. Admittedly, he had lost his appetite since he'd gone down with this flu thing, but a guy had to eat some time. The last 'real' food he'd had was the macaroni and cheese MRE, before the Goa'uld invasion. How long ago had that been?
He felt satisfied that this mission was a job well done. They'd even managed to get rid of a nasty Goa'uld and his Jaffa along the way, something he found gratifying. Jack loved dead bad guys, particularly when he was responsible for killing them. They'd made new allies too, which would please Hammond and the Pentagon. Also, Thor owed him one for reuniting the two Asgard factions and possibly saving his whole race. There was always that little thing to consider. If he hadn't gone down with the flu he might have enjoyed it.
Even if they returned now he would bet he'd be stuck in the infirmary for a couple of days. There was no way they would let him out of the mountain until he was considered as recovered by the quacks on base. Shucks! He'd just have to get some fresh Chinese take out when he finally got home.
Maybe he should invite Daniel around to share it with him to make amends for having aggravated the hell out of him during the course of this mission. Daniel might be an annoying, all too serious, geek sometimes, but he still liked to think of him as a friend. Hell, maybe he'd invite the whole team! They could be good company in those lonesome off duty hours. They were his family.
He was a simple man.
Ordinary...
Husband
Father
Lover
Friend
Thinker
Worker
Performer
Achiever
Soldier
Commander
Warrior
Killer
Peacemaker
Proud and strong
Courageous and honorable
Stubborn and grumpy
Flirtatious and shy
Witty and wacky
Sarcastic and cynical
Kind and caring
Loving and giving
Selfish and arrogant
Self deprecating and modest
Stealthy and covert
Open and honest
Handsome and sexy
Loyal and dedicated
Faithful and dogged
Driven and determined
Solitary and isolated
Gregarious and friendly
Obstinate and impatient
Tolerant and enduring
Child-like and infuriating
Humorous and loveable
Optimistic and pessimistic
Irreverent and sceptical
Alert and intelligent
Self sacrificing and deadly
Talented and accomplished
Contrary and perverse
Enigmatic and charismatic
Complex and deep
Extraordinary...
He was a simple man. This might be how O'Neill would describe himself; that mass of contradictions and complexities summed up in one inappropriate word. He was, after all, merely a man. Maybe one day these words would be carved on his gravestone - Jack O'Neill, a simple man. Happily, today was not going to be that day.
The End
Su Freund
Stargate
SG-1 Fan Awards 2004
Best New (Ship) Author
Best Angst
(Sam/Jack): Understandings and Misunderstandings
Best Hurt/Comfort
(Sam/Jack): Not Letting Him Down