Shocked cries and shouts of dismay went right over Sam's head as she slipped through hands, dashing under, around and sometimes over anything in her path. Furniture crashed to the floor as Sam saw a door opening. Taking the opportunity, Sam made a break through it, charging unknowingly between the legs of the very startled General, and out into the hall to freedom.
Chapter 24
It had taken a coordinated search of the base, lasting nearly two hours and involving every airman and civilian that could be spared, including several SG teams that weren't due off world, to locate the runaway Major. She had been found passed out on the floor of an empty office on level 22. Doctor Fraiser had quickly collected the sleeping officer, tossing the small gray toy that had been the cause of the whole mess over her shoulder to the startled Colonel, before carting Sam off to the infirmary again and sending another summons to Captain Brunsfeld.
After Major Carter had been located, Colonel O'Neill had had to bear a rather heated dressing down from the General. The General had been less than pleased to say the least. First of all, Sam's desperate flight from the isolation room had caught the General off guard. As she'd run between his legs, he'd lost his balance end ended up in a very undignified manner, sitting on the floor. Then he'd nearly had to lock the base down when it had been thought Major Carter could not be located even with all available personnel looking for her. Then there was the matter of the damage done to the isolation room, including some damaged equipment and furniture, and not to mention the rather large mess that had been made.
The Colonel escaped at the earliest opportunity, and dropped the now offensive mouse toy into the nearest bin, making a mental note to avoid anything with catnip in it. He also thought it would be best to avoid the infirmary for now, and the wrath of one Janet Fraiser.
After leaving the General's office, Jack stopped by the control room, to see if any of their allies had checked in. As he suspected, the Tollan couldn't help, the Asgard weren't answering, and the Tok'ra were too busy. Jack had mixed feeling about the last group. While he liked Jacob, somehow he didn't think Carter's father would be too pleased to find out his daughter had been turned into a cat. With any luck, Carter would be back to normal by the time her dad paid a visit again.
Not wanting to do paperwork, Jack needed something to keep himself occupied, and out of sight of the Doctor and the General for a little while. So that left the commissary out. Daniel was out as well; he'd just say, "I told you so." The one place left was Teal'c. Well, perhaps it was time to see how "Thor" was doing.
Finding himself outside the Jaffa's quarters, Jack knocked impatiently. A rather distracted "Come" came from inside the room, and Jack raised his eyebrows, before turning the doorknob and entering the room. What he saw stopped him in his tracks.
The absolute largest hamster cage Jack had ever seen now took up the table against the wall in the Jaffa's quarters. The scent of pine reached his nose, as he took in the wide array of tubes, tunnels, artificial caves, toys, and the requisite wheel. In one corner, sat a small brown and white hamster, its nose twitching inquisitively as it seemed a bit overwhelmed by its new larger environment. Teal'c sat on a chair in front of the cage watching the small creature with fascination. "Thor seems pleased by his new home O'Neill."
Jack made a non-committal noise as he let his eyes roam over the rest of the room. Scattered across the bed was what appeared to be every book ever written on the care of hamsters. He also spotted a large bag of hamster food and an open package of pine shavings nearby Thor's cage.
Wandering over to the bed, Jack picked up the nearest book, "The Complete Hamster Care Book: A Guide for the New Hamster Owner." Jack set the book down as Teal'c spoke again. "O'Neill, Thor is a most fascinating creature."
"Oh?" Jack said, with a raised eyebrow. He wasn't sure what was so fascinating about the rodent.
"Thor has already built a nest, exercised, and can hold an incredible amount inside his mouth." Teal'c was watching Thor with pride.
"Ah... Good for Thor!" Jack stuffed his hands in his pockets, and regarded the pair for a moment. They seemed to have eyes only for each other. Jack had the distinct feeling that he was the third wheel. "I think I will, ah, leave you two alone." When Teal'c made no comment and continued to watch his new pet intently, Jack let himself out. Suddenly, the pile of neglected paperwork in his office was looking mighty appealing.