Chapter four – New Perspectives
Pulling himself from the warm confines of his bed the next morning Jack, started thinking of everything that had occurred over the past few days; starting from when Loki had kidnapped and cloned him; to yesterday when he had met Marco and become the newest Animorph (as Marco insisted on calling them all).
Thinking of Marco brought a large smile to his face; he couldn't believe he was his boyfriend; it had taken an accident before they'd headed over to Cassie's for them to realize there was a mutual attraction.
It wasn't Love, not yet but Jack had a feeling it wouldn't take long for him to completely fall for the other boy.
As it was Jack had little hope resisting anything the other boy asked of him, he was completely smitten. Not that he would admit that to anyone, not even on the pain of torture. It just wasn't something Air force colonels admitted to; even when said colonels were currently sixteen years old, and going to high-school.
Though to be fair that was through no choice of his own. He'd tried to convince the general that he could still work at the SGC along with Colonel O'Neill senior and the remainder of his team. He'd been thoroughly shut down. General Hammond wouldn't even allow him the choice of a job versus high school. His exact words were something along the lines of //Jack think of it as an opportunity, it's not every day that you get a second chance at school; once you graduate you have a guaranteed position on the program, by that time colonel O'Neill will most probably have retired or be behind a desk. I just can't see, the members of this facility taking the opinions of a boy seriously. I'm sorry Jack, but you've no choice in the matter. You will be starting school on Monday; the Air Force will set you up on a regular pension of sorts, to supply your day-to-day needs. You will however be allowed to chose where you will attend school.// He'd of course tried to argue his point again, but every time it was brought up the general seemed to have an excuse not to rescind his decision. In the end Jack had resigned himself to the fact he would be attending school again whether he liked it or not.
Jack Senior, as he'd started calling him had sympathized with him having to attend school. Though Jack was quick to notice had done nothing to alter the situation. Though Jack thought he'd been rather annoyed at his new nickname, claming he was not old.
Jack sympathized; he really did, though there were some benefits to his new body; like his knees no longer bothered him, something which made him eternally grateful.
The next day he'd been shipped off to his new home, with him a new identity and a new life. Then on his first day of school he'd met Marco, Jack knew from their first meeting they'd become friends, they were so much alike, they were both witty, and sarcastic, both good looking and attracted the female population like fish to water; even if he did say so himself.
He was glad about the little accident that had happened at Marco's the previous evening before they had gone to Cassie's. They had ended up kissing, and he hadn't wanted to stop, though seeing what had happened after they'd arrived at Cassie's it was probably a good thing they had. After that they hadn't really decided on anything concrete besides the desire for them to date; become a couple.
Jack didn't wish for them to hide their relationship, having been forced to hide his sexuality since he'd decided he wished to join the Air Force. This time however he didn't wish to hide, he was sick of it.
He could hardly believe that only a day had passed since he'd learned of the existence of the Yeerks; since he'd been given the ability to morph, but despite the desire he'd had to live a normal life. Jack had realized he couldn't he never would. Despite how much he tried to deny the fact or avoid it, he'd always be someone's double; their clone. Now though that thought no longer made him angry; because as of yesterday his life was different he was no longer exactly like Jack O'Neill, hotshot Air force Colonel.
Sighing quietly to himself Jack quickly dressed and prepared himself to face his day at school.
*****
Jack's day had slowly gone from bad to worse; he'd not been able to concentrate on a thing. All he'd been able to think about was what he'd been told yesterday. It had put a whole new perspective onto things, now whenever he'd looked at anyone all he'd been able to see was some nameless slug controlling their every move; and what was worse was the fact that un-like the Goa'uld, there was no way to accurately tell who was acting as a host for the alien.
Jack was snapped from his musings by Jacob Mathews as he sat down in front of him at lunch.
"Hey, you weren't at the meeting last night, how come?" He asked
"Ah, my mum thought it wasn't such a good idea. She's fairly strict and didn't like the idea of me going to something she knew nothing about" Jack answered the older boy.
"Ok, but if you change your mind let me know" He replied as he stood up to leave.
Once the other boy was out of ear-shot Jack sighed in relief, Jacob Mathew's was a controller there was no way he couldn't be, considering he'd tried to get Jack to join the sharing; which was a front organization for the Yeerks.
Looking around Jack tried to identify who was a controller and who was not; but despite all his experience with mind-controlling aliens Jack couldn't identify any, which made him frustrated and doubly paranoid.
"Changes your perspective on things, doesn't it" Marco said coming up behind me.
"Yeah, sure does. I can't stop thinking that anyone could be one" Jack replied looking up at his boyfriend as he sat down in front of him.
"Have you told your dad, about you being gay I mean" Jack asked totally out of the blue, surprising Marco.
"Yeah, I told him age's ago. He was a little shocked to start with but he's ok about it now" Marco replied smiling slightly at him.
"I think telling the folk's is the hardest part" Jack said.
"Yeah, when we take you to get some more morphs Jake will probably send me and casssie with you, if he does I'll tell Cassie. See how she reacts; She'll probably also know how the other's will act too." Marco said smiling slightly.
"I thought you wanted to wait?" He said, taking a bite of his lunch.
"I did, but I like being able to show the person I'm going out with how I feel without worrying about people finding out. Hiding it is more trouble than it's worth" Marco replied.
"Cool, well I better get to class, I'll meet you out the front after school" Jack said getting up, and leaving to his next class.
Jack was in a daze for the remainder of the day. His life was a total mess, as far ass he was concerned. There were good points of course; like Marco, but Jack liked order to things. He always had; spending ninety percent of his life in Special Forces and the air force guaranteed that. Jack couldn't help feeling slightly apprehensive about the plans they had scheduled for after school.
Sighing deeply Jack thought of how simple life had been when he was a forty something Air force Colonel.
*******
"Hey man, sorry I'm late. Mrs. Butherson kept me late. So are you ready to go? I've got to call in home first and leave dad a note" Marco said coming up behind him and gently placing his hand on Jacks shoulder.
"Yeah, sounds good. Maybe we can even get in some make-out time" Jack leered at Marco, laughing softly when the other boy blushed; a deep red color.
Marco laughed nervously "Is that all you think about?"
Glancing over at his lover? Jack realized that the other boy was nervous; Jack was pretty sure this was the first time Marco had been in any type of relationship with another boy. Considering so-far Jack had been the one to initiate any sort of intimate contact between the two of them.
"Are you alright? You just seem a little nervous. I'm not going to do anything you aren't comfortable with. I want to be with you and if I'm going too fast just tell me and I'll back off. I don't want to scare you off before we even have a chance" Jack said in a concerned voice; grasping hold of the other boy's hand once they were out of sight of the school.
"Yeah I'm fine; but I am a little nervous. I've never been in this kind of relationship with another guy before. Though I appreciate that your not going to rush me, though kissing and holding hands is fine just nothing else just yet" Marco replied sounding more confident than his expression led him to believe.
"Good, I'm glad, and for the record you're a fantastic Kisser" Jack said as they reached the front door of Marco's house. Not saying anything more Marco pulled out his keys and un-locked the apartment door to let them in.
"I'll just stick my bag in your room" Jack called out to Marco who was busy looking for a piece of paper and a pen so that he could leave his father a note telling him where he would be.
"Yeah sure; You are wearing something to morph in aren't you, wouldn't want a repeat performance of last time however much I might enjoy it I don't think the girls will appreciate it" Marco replied jokingly.
"Yeah, I did though spandex is so not my thing" Jack replied blushing slightly from Marco's comments
"Come on, dump your clothes in my room and we'll morph in the garage" Marco said as he quickly pulled off his outer clothes, and dumping them on his un-made bed. Jack quickly followed suit, stripping till he was standing in Marco's room dressed only in a pair of black spandex biking shorts and a black muscle shirt that left little to the imagination. Looking up at Jack Marco quickly looked Jack up-and-down silently apprising his well-built body.
Jack looked over at Marco who had also stripped down to his morphing outfit. Glancing up at the other boy Jack swept his gaze over the well built boy. Who was wearing Navy blue Spandex biking shorts with a skin-tight white T-Shirt. Mouth suddenly going dry Jack walked over to where Marco was standing. Jack was devouring him with his eyes.
//He's positively edible// Jack thought as he moved quickly over to where his boyfriend stood. Glancing down, Jack looked into the other boy's eyes.
As their eyes met Jack let his feelings of lust to shine though in his gaze, seeing an answering look in Marco's eyes Jack slowly stepped forward into Marco's personal space, leaning down to capture the other boy's lip in a light heart-felt kiss. Placing his arms around Marco's waist he let his eye's drift shut as he leant forward for another kiss; as their lips met in a second kiss Jack felt Marco slip his arms up around his neck pulling him closer still, until they were both pressed tightly against each other's chests.
Moaning lightly Jack let his tongue slip out and lightly trace the outline to Marco's mouth; silently asking for entrance into the inviting cavern. Sighing Marco's opened his mouth under Jacks ministrations.
Running one hand up Marco's side, following the contours of his body he brought his hand up to lightly cup Marco's face. Sighing regretfully Jack pulled back slightly, letting his eyes slip open to take in the content look in the other boy's soft gaze. Running his thumb over the kiss swollen lips Jack regretfully took a step back putting some much needed distance between the couple.
In I slightly husky voice Jack said "come on we better go before we start something we can't finish" Taking Marco's hand in his Jack led the other boy from the bedroom out into the garage.
Leaning in slightly Marco placed a light kiss on Jack's lips before stepping back and concentrating on the Osprey, his preferred bird morph. To begin with nothing happened then all of a sudden Jack watched as Marco shrunk, and began forming a feather pattern over his skin.
//Yuck// Jack thought as he caught a glimpse of bone as Marco's morph slowly progressed until all that was left in the place of Marco was an Osprey.
During the whole process Jack had began concentrating on his own Bald Eagle Morph; grimacing slightly as he heard his insides squish and rearrange themselves, before Jack knew it he had completed the morph.
Flapping hard to gain some altitude Jack took flight, carefully squeezing his large body through the window into the afternoon sky. Quickly followed by Marco, once they were both in the air they, turned away from Marco's home toward Cassie's barn.
******
TBC
Pulling himself from the warm confines of his bed the next morning Jack, started thinking of everything that had occurred over the past few days; starting from when Loki had kidnapped and cloned him; to yesterday when he had met Marco and become the newest Animorph (as Marco insisted on calling them all).
Thinking of Marco brought a large smile to his face; he couldn't believe he was his boyfriend; it had taken an accident before they'd headed over to Cassie's for them to realize there was a mutual attraction.
It wasn't Love, not yet but Jack had a feeling it wouldn't take long for him to completely fall for the other boy.
As it was Jack had little hope resisting anything the other boy asked of him, he was completely smitten. Not that he would admit that to anyone, not even on the pain of torture. It just wasn't something Air force colonels admitted to; even when said colonels were currently sixteen years old, and going to high-school.
Though to be fair that was through no choice of his own. He'd tried to convince the general that he could still work at the SGC along with Colonel O'Neill senior and the remainder of his team. He'd been thoroughly shut down. General Hammond wouldn't even allow him the choice of a job versus high school. His exact words were something along the lines of //Jack think of it as an opportunity, it's not every day that you get a second chance at school; once you graduate you have a guaranteed position on the program, by that time colonel O'Neill will most probably have retired or be behind a desk. I just can't see, the members of this facility taking the opinions of a boy seriously. I'm sorry Jack, but you've no choice in the matter. You will be starting school on Monday; the Air Force will set you up on a regular pension of sorts, to supply your day-to-day needs. You will however be allowed to chose where you will attend school.// He'd of course tried to argue his point again, but every time it was brought up the general seemed to have an excuse not to rescind his decision. In the end Jack had resigned himself to the fact he would be attending school again whether he liked it or not.
Jack Senior, as he'd started calling him had sympathized with him having to attend school. Though Jack was quick to notice had done nothing to alter the situation. Though Jack thought he'd been rather annoyed at his new nickname, claming he was not old.
Jack sympathized; he really did, though there were some benefits to his new body; like his knees no longer bothered him, something which made him eternally grateful.
The next day he'd been shipped off to his new home, with him a new identity and a new life. Then on his first day of school he'd met Marco, Jack knew from their first meeting they'd become friends, they were so much alike, they were both witty, and sarcastic, both good looking and attracted the female population like fish to water; even if he did say so himself.
He was glad about the little accident that had happened at Marco's the previous evening before they had gone to Cassie's. They had ended up kissing, and he hadn't wanted to stop, though seeing what had happened after they'd arrived at Cassie's it was probably a good thing they had. After that they hadn't really decided on anything concrete besides the desire for them to date; become a couple.
Jack didn't wish for them to hide their relationship, having been forced to hide his sexuality since he'd decided he wished to join the Air Force. This time however he didn't wish to hide, he was sick of it.
He could hardly believe that only a day had passed since he'd learned of the existence of the Yeerks; since he'd been given the ability to morph, but despite the desire he'd had to live a normal life. Jack had realized he couldn't he never would. Despite how much he tried to deny the fact or avoid it, he'd always be someone's double; their clone. Now though that thought no longer made him angry; because as of yesterday his life was different he was no longer exactly like Jack O'Neill, hotshot Air force Colonel.
Sighing quietly to himself Jack quickly dressed and prepared himself to face his day at school.
*****
Jack's day had slowly gone from bad to worse; he'd not been able to concentrate on a thing. All he'd been able to think about was what he'd been told yesterday. It had put a whole new perspective onto things, now whenever he'd looked at anyone all he'd been able to see was some nameless slug controlling their every move; and what was worse was the fact that un-like the Goa'uld, there was no way to accurately tell who was acting as a host for the alien.
Jack was snapped from his musings by Jacob Mathews as he sat down in front of him at lunch.
"Hey, you weren't at the meeting last night, how come?" He asked
"Ah, my mum thought it wasn't such a good idea. She's fairly strict and didn't like the idea of me going to something she knew nothing about" Jack answered the older boy.
"Ok, but if you change your mind let me know" He replied as he stood up to leave.
Once the other boy was out of ear-shot Jack sighed in relief, Jacob Mathew's was a controller there was no way he couldn't be, considering he'd tried to get Jack to join the sharing; which was a front organization for the Yeerks.
Looking around Jack tried to identify who was a controller and who was not; but despite all his experience with mind-controlling aliens Jack couldn't identify any, which made him frustrated and doubly paranoid.
"Changes your perspective on things, doesn't it" Marco said coming up behind me.
"Yeah, sure does. I can't stop thinking that anyone could be one" Jack replied looking up at his boyfriend as he sat down in front of him.
"Have you told your dad, about you being gay I mean" Jack asked totally out of the blue, surprising Marco.
"Yeah, I told him age's ago. He was a little shocked to start with but he's ok about it now" Marco replied smiling slightly at him.
"I think telling the folk's is the hardest part" Jack said.
"Yeah, when we take you to get some more morphs Jake will probably send me and casssie with you, if he does I'll tell Cassie. See how she reacts; She'll probably also know how the other's will act too." Marco said smiling slightly.
"I thought you wanted to wait?" He said, taking a bite of his lunch.
"I did, but I like being able to show the person I'm going out with how I feel without worrying about people finding out. Hiding it is more trouble than it's worth" Marco replied.
"Cool, well I better get to class, I'll meet you out the front after school" Jack said getting up, and leaving to his next class.
Jack was in a daze for the remainder of the day. His life was a total mess, as far ass he was concerned. There were good points of course; like Marco, but Jack liked order to things. He always had; spending ninety percent of his life in Special Forces and the air force guaranteed that. Jack couldn't help feeling slightly apprehensive about the plans they had scheduled for after school.
Sighing deeply Jack thought of how simple life had been when he was a forty something Air force Colonel.
*******
"Hey man, sorry I'm late. Mrs. Butherson kept me late. So are you ready to go? I've got to call in home first and leave dad a note" Marco said coming up behind him and gently placing his hand on Jacks shoulder.
"Yeah, sounds good. Maybe we can even get in some make-out time" Jack leered at Marco, laughing softly when the other boy blushed; a deep red color.
Marco laughed nervously "Is that all you think about?"
Glancing over at his lover? Jack realized that the other boy was nervous; Jack was pretty sure this was the first time Marco had been in any type of relationship with another boy. Considering so-far Jack had been the one to initiate any sort of intimate contact between the two of them.
"Are you alright? You just seem a little nervous. I'm not going to do anything you aren't comfortable with. I want to be with you and if I'm going too fast just tell me and I'll back off. I don't want to scare you off before we even have a chance" Jack said in a concerned voice; grasping hold of the other boy's hand once they were out of sight of the school.
"Yeah I'm fine; but I am a little nervous. I've never been in this kind of relationship with another guy before. Though I appreciate that your not going to rush me, though kissing and holding hands is fine just nothing else just yet" Marco replied sounding more confident than his expression led him to believe.
"Good, I'm glad, and for the record you're a fantastic Kisser" Jack said as they reached the front door of Marco's house. Not saying anything more Marco pulled out his keys and un-locked the apartment door to let them in.
"I'll just stick my bag in your room" Jack called out to Marco who was busy looking for a piece of paper and a pen so that he could leave his father a note telling him where he would be.
"Yeah sure; You are wearing something to morph in aren't you, wouldn't want a repeat performance of last time however much I might enjoy it I don't think the girls will appreciate it" Marco replied jokingly.
"Yeah, I did though spandex is so not my thing" Jack replied blushing slightly from Marco's comments
"Come on, dump your clothes in my room and we'll morph in the garage" Marco said as he quickly pulled off his outer clothes, and dumping them on his un-made bed. Jack quickly followed suit, stripping till he was standing in Marco's room dressed only in a pair of black spandex biking shorts and a black muscle shirt that left little to the imagination. Looking up at Jack Marco quickly looked Jack up-and-down silently apprising his well-built body.
Jack looked over at Marco who had also stripped down to his morphing outfit. Glancing up at the other boy Jack swept his gaze over the well built boy. Who was wearing Navy blue Spandex biking shorts with a skin-tight white T-Shirt. Mouth suddenly going dry Jack walked over to where Marco was standing. Jack was devouring him with his eyes.
//He's positively edible// Jack thought as he moved quickly over to where his boyfriend stood. Glancing down, Jack looked into the other boy's eyes.
As their eyes met Jack let his feelings of lust to shine though in his gaze, seeing an answering look in Marco's eyes Jack slowly stepped forward into Marco's personal space, leaning down to capture the other boy's lip in a light heart-felt kiss. Placing his arms around Marco's waist he let his eye's drift shut as he leant forward for another kiss; as their lips met in a second kiss Jack felt Marco slip his arms up around his neck pulling him closer still, until they were both pressed tightly against each other's chests.
Moaning lightly Jack let his tongue slip out and lightly trace the outline to Marco's mouth; silently asking for entrance into the inviting cavern. Sighing Marco's opened his mouth under Jacks ministrations.
Running one hand up Marco's side, following the contours of his body he brought his hand up to lightly cup Marco's face. Sighing regretfully Jack pulled back slightly, letting his eyes slip open to take in the content look in the other boy's soft gaze. Running his thumb over the kiss swollen lips Jack regretfully took a step back putting some much needed distance between the couple.
In I slightly husky voice Jack said "come on we better go before we start something we can't finish" Taking Marco's hand in his Jack led the other boy from the bedroom out into the garage.
Leaning in slightly Marco placed a light kiss on Jack's lips before stepping back and concentrating on the Osprey, his preferred bird morph. To begin with nothing happened then all of a sudden Jack watched as Marco shrunk, and began forming a feather pattern over his skin.
//Yuck// Jack thought as he caught a glimpse of bone as Marco's morph slowly progressed until all that was left in the place of Marco was an Osprey.
During the whole process Jack had began concentrating on his own Bald Eagle Morph; grimacing slightly as he heard his insides squish and rearrange themselves, before Jack knew it he had completed the morph.
Flapping hard to gain some altitude Jack took flight, carefully squeezing his large body through the window into the afternoon sky. Quickly followed by Marco, once they were both in the air they, turned away from Marco's home toward Cassie's barn.
******
TBC