Family
By Pip
A/N: See! Only took me two days to get this chapter up! You can thank LOtR for my motivation to get it finished today, since I wanted to get everything done by the time The Two Towers came on...LoL(i've only gotten two things done, but, one of them happens to be this!) This chapter was a complete work of improvised art.(Thus, the change in the chaptername)I decided last night, that I wasn't going to use my already written out ch.7, or ch.8, and make ch.9 into ch.8. That means, I needed to have SOMETHING for ch.7, and thats how this sprang to life. Actually, this idea came from the very beginning of the original ch.7, and i built it up to lead into the now ch.8, which I will have up, hopefully, within a few days.
This chapter is dedicate to my pimp skillets Tara and Mel. Without you guy's support, I wouldn't have even gotten this far, and I know ya'll need something new and fulfilling seeing as we have to wait 4 damn months for new episodes, so, this if all for YOU!
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Ch.7: Warning Signs
The day had gone smoothly enough for the group. Sam and Pete had wanted to check out all that had been changed since the last time they had been to Colorado Springs, so, ofcourse, Jack and company had obliged to accompany them while they did their "tourist thing."
Finally, in the early evening hours, they all ended up at O'malley's for dinner. Sam was surprised that the staff seemed to accept them with open arms. Last time she had been around, the restraunt was still upset over the 'little' bar fight the three present members of the former SG-1 had started, while under the influence of the alien armbands.
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"The place came under new management about a year ago." Daniel explained when he caught her surprised look, on their way to the restraunt. He was now driving, Lea sitting in her father's lap in the passenger seat.
"Yes." Jack joined in. "And its amazing how much sweet talking it took to actually convince the new manager that we were NOT the culprits of a "supposed" bar fight quite a few years back, despite what HER employee's were saying." the General shot a mischievous grin towards Daniel. Sam picked up on the information passed between the two men.
"Batted them baby blues for the woman, eh Daniel?" She laughed.
"Now, when have i ever been known to do that?" he shot her a glance through the review mirror, and smiled sweetly.
"Not once, Daniel, ever." Cassie quipped sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
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"Okay, folks, follow me." the young hostess wove her way through the busy restraunt, leading the group to a large booth not far from the bar, with its enormous round table, seemed perfect seating for 5 adults and 3 children. "Here we are. Your waiter will be with you shortly."
"Thank You." Daniel said as he slid in the right side after Jack. Sam and Cassie had already started sliding in on the other end, and the archaeologist was follow by Lea and Pete. The twins were placed in highchairs on the outside end of the table, set so Sam could get to Aidan, Pete to Adam.
"Great, i get stuck in the middle." Daniel muttered, taking in his current position.
"I'm right there with ya Danny-boy." Jack lightly slapped his friend on the back. He leaned in, and whispered. "At least you don't have the food thief next to you this time."
"I doubt anything will stop her if she wants something of mine." the archaeologist whispered back, as both gave a quick look to Cassie.
"I can hear you two." She stated in a calm tone, never looking away from her menu. The two men looked up like they had been caught smuggling cookies for one another into the infirmary.
"Hearing like her mother, this one." Jack mocking grumbled as he indicated to the younger woman.
"One of those not-so-good traits she picked up from Janet." Daniel began to study his menu a little closer pretending to ignore Cassie's death glare.
"Not-so-good? You two only say that because you always got caught doing something my mom didn't like!" She reached across Jack, and lightly slapped Daniel's arm.
"Yeah, like tossing a football across the infirmary." Sam finally spoke up, not wanting to be out of the conversation anymore.
"I never heard that story..." Cassie said in a not so surprised way.
"What?" Pete asked amused. Sam shook her head at her husband, a grin spreading across her face, as she continued on. "Oh yeah. These BOYS here..." she pointed between Daniel and Jack, who both had the same evil grin plastered on. "had been isolated to the infirmary, both with very substantial injuries."
"Well, they weren't really substantial." Daniel shrugged innocently, still eyeing his menu.
"Oh, no, a couple of broken ribs for you Daniel, and Jack's broken leg were not substantial." Sam looked at Jack, who just shrugged. "Anyway, the two had already been separated for starting trouble."
"He started it!" Jack pointed to his culprit.
"Hey, its not my fault! I told you, my spoon just slipped, and the Jell-O just went flying." If Daniel was lying, no one at the table could tell. No one, that is, except Jack.
"Bull! I didn't believe it then, and I still don't now!"
"My point is..."Sam broke in, smiling at how the two hadn't seemed to have changed at all. "Already in timeout, on opposite sides of the infirmary, somehow, one of them managed to get a football. Started to play some catch."
Cassie started to giggle. "How did mom catch them?"
"Hell if we know!" Daniel chimed in. "We didn't even think she was there at the time. I swear, she just KNEW, and came all the way back to base just to bust us!" Everyone at the table started laughing. Those who had really known the petite doctor laughed harder, knowing all too well, that it was totally possible. At that moment, the waiter finally decided to show up to their table.
"Hello Doc. Jackson, General O'neill." The waiter named John greeted the two.
"Johnny! Hey!" Jack replied excitedly.
"John." Daniel nodded.
"I see we have quite a large group tonight. Cassie." the waiter greeted the young woman with a smile.
"Hey, what about me!" Lea shrieked, trying to get the familiar server's attention.
"Ofcourse, how could i forget Ms. Lea. Only my favorite young lady." John smiled at his usual "fun" bunch as he liked to call them. "And, who might these lovely guests be?"
"Oh, this is Sam and Pete." Daniel indicated between them with his hand. "Guys, this is John. A good friend of ours here at O'malleys. And, those are their boys, Adam, and..."
"Aidan." Pete jumped in.
"Well, hello to you all. So, is it the usual for you four?" John had to get back to work before he got in trouble. He was rewarded with nods. "Alrighty, now, for you guys?"
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The evening carried on nicely, with everyone sharing stories of years past, both when they had still been a team, and afterwards. Sam had the whole table laughing with another good story about Jack and Daniel. "Ofcourse, I never got to figure out how they actually got the super soakers on base, because..." she stopped, realizing what she was about to say. She sent a glance to Daniel and Jack, who had both decided now was a good time to indulge in their beers.
"Because why Sam?" Pete asked, seeming oblivious to the tension starting to build amongst the group.
"Because she disappeared." Daniel had the words out before he even realized he'd said anything. His faced grew a shade redder as the others gave him shocked looks. Even Lea was looking surprised at him. "Uh..." He cleared his throat. "Sorry, I didn't mean..."
"No, Daniel, we - I - understand." Sam turned her attention back to her food.
"No, no. Uh, its...i don't know." he looked down out his drink. "This stuff is just getting to me, I guess." he waved his glass around slightly for emphasis. Both Sam and Pete seemed to accept the reason, and everyone went back to their dinner in silence.
Jack's look of shock turned to concern as he watched Daniel. The lame excuse may have worked on everyone else, but, Jack knew for a fact that it wasn't the alcohol. Maybe quite a few years ago the archaeologist could truthfully blame the beer, but, having been hanging around Jack O'neill for the past decade, he'd finally built up a higher tolerance towards liquors. This was something else.
The younger man seemed out of it, Jack noted. He appeared lost in thought, but, he wasn't really thinking about anything, absently eating small portions of his steak, which the General noted, looked like it barely been touched. Another warning sign. Daniel had a pretty substantial appetite, and on their way to the restaurant, he'd announced he was "starving beyond all belief." Now, not eating, sent flags up for Jack. The only time his friend didn't feel like eating anything, was when he was sick.
Just as Jack was about to ask what was wrong, Cassie started talking, to lighten the mood a bit, and he never got a chance.
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Daniel leaned against the wall, hands in his jean pockets, just outside the entrance to O'malley's. When the check had been brought to their table, he'd excused himself, and come outside. He couldn't be in there anymore. It was too crowded and hot, he thought. Closing his eyes, Daniel let the cool breeze tickle his face.
It had been so sudden. One minute, he'd been having a great time, laughing, and talking with the rest of them. Then, it hit him out of nowhere. A mind-splitting headache crept its way into his skull, and Daniel started to get nauseous. He tried hard to focus on what was going on, but, its became more difficult with each passing second. He felt cramped and overheated. When John had brought their check, he'd made his polite escape, trying desperately to hide the fact that he didn't feel right.
A familiar hand on his arm brought Daniel back to the present with a slight jump.
"Hey, you okay?" Jack asked concerned.
Daniel looked at his older friend, and for a split second, considered telling Jack he was fine. But, the true look of concern in those brown eyes made Daniel sigh. "Not really." he wrapped his arms tight around his chest, realizing the cool air he'd been comforted by suddenly seemed too cool."Where's everyone else?"
"Oh, their inside still." Jack took off his jacket, and handed it to Daniel, who gratefully accepted it. Pulling his friend in closer, Jack draped his arm over his shoulders, providing extra warmth. "Told Cassie to take care of the bill, seeing as I had more important things to tend to."
"Thank You." Daniel yawned, suddenly tired.
"So, whats up?" Jack's voice took on a slightly commanding edge.
"I don't know. I just, feel..."
"Off" Both of them answered simultaneously, just as the rest of the group walked up to them.
"What's off?" Lea asked, running up and clinging to her daddy'd side.
"Oh, nothing hunny." He ruffled her hair with his free hand. "Uncle Danny isn't feeling too well is all."
"Daniel, you okay?" Cassie asked, now concerned, gently rubbing the archaeologist's arm.
"I think I'm just a little tired." he said softly, leaning in closer to Jack.
"Yeah, that must be it." Jack replied a little too calmly, and didn't miss the worried glance Cassie shot him. "Okay, gang, how about we head back to my place...hang out, and stuff." he already started to lead Daniel towards the parking lot, Lea tightly holding his hand.
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"Now when we get back to my house - " Jack started to say as everyone climbed into the car. "We'll take you guy's stuff over to Daniel's place, and then meet up in my living room for some fun." he grinned as everyone shook their heads in approval.
"Okay, that means little children, and little archaeologist need to go to bed." He gave a quick, stern look behind him, to were Lea sadly agreed from Cassie's lap. Looking over at Daniel, he wasn't sure if the man ahd actually heard him. "Daniel, you got that?"
"Yeah, i got it. Me to bed." he mumbled with a small laugh.
"Good. I want you to crash in my room, that way, we can let the boys sleep on the bed in the spare."
"Yes sir." Daniel gave him a mock salute, as he snuggled deeper into the oversized jacket.
"Great..." he looked at Sam through the rearview mirror. "If thats alright with you?"
"Oh, yeah, thats fine." Sam answered, as she buckled the twins into their seats.
"Excellent! Then lets get this show on the road." Jack started the engine, and pulled the vehicle out of the parking lot.
Coming Soon: Ch.8: To the Surface
A/N: Hmmmmmmmm, what could possibly be wrong with Daniel!(don't worry, I would NEVER do anything too bad to him!) Like I said, this ch. was completely off the top of my head, rushed to be done, so you all could read it. I think it came out better than first expected, and I hope you liked it!