Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate SG1 but I won't be adverse to you giving it to me…
"Hello?" Daniel answered.
"Daniel it's me, John," John grinned. Good, he wasn't off world… that's what really sucked about this, he never knew if Daniel was offworld, or just obsessing over a piece of rock… or… dead… God… who would tell him? No one… no one would care enough to tell him about Daniel… or Teal'c and Carter for that matter. John shuddered.
"Hey John," Daniel said cheerfully, "Something I can do for you?"
"Hey, yeah, I was wonderin--"
"Sorry just a sec," Daniel muttered cutting him off, "Jack I'm on the phone!" he heard Daniel hiss.
"We need to talk, right now!" It was still weird to hear his own voice… his real voice coming from someone else… unsettling as hell too… Hmm he sounds mad…
"We do NOT need to talk Jack," Daniel said calmly, his voice only slightly muffled over the phone.
"Hang up the phone, NOW!" O'Neill barked. Wow… was he really such a jerk to Daniel when he was older?
"I'm talking to someone Jack!" Daniel protested. There was a small struggle and he could hear a breath being taken. It was the Old Man's.
"He'll-- "
"Call me back?" John finished. There was a silence for a moment. He knew instinctively the Old man was looking at Daniel right now, wondering what he was doing talking to a kid. He wondered if the geezer would figure it out.
"Who is this?" O'Neill finally asked.
"Put Daniel back on," John demanded, "I'm none of your damn business."
"Jack, give me that phone!" Daniel yelled. There was another scuffle.
"Could you call me back John?" Daniel said breathlessly, "Get away Jack!" the archaeologist hissed. John frowned. The Old Man really sounded angry. He knew that tone. He wasn't just pining for attention, he was really angry with Daniel… he was about to take something out on the linguist… whether it was his fault or not…
"Daniel, I need you to come pick me up right now, it's a bit of an emergency," John lied.
"What? Are you alright?"
"Yeah… I'm okay, please come quickly though, I'll explain when you get here, I'm at the high school."
"I'll be right there John," Daniel said. John heard the phone drop. He never thought that he would have to protect Daniel from himself. Oh well, first time for everything.
Daniel dropped the phone onto the receiver still being crushed into his desk by Jack. He shoved the Colonel off.
"I need to go," Daniel said quickly grabbing a few notes and papers.
"We're not done here Daniel," Jack said blocking his way, "Who was that kid anyway?"
"The son of a friend of mine," Daniel said a beat too late.
"Daniel, don't lie, seven years and you still aren't any good at it."
"Jack it's an emergency," Daniel pleaded.
"Who was it?"
"A friend, now get out of the way," Daniel snapped.
"A friend Daniel? What could you get out of talking with a kid?"
"A lot more than having a conversation with you right now Jack," Daniel said pushing past him walking quickly down the hall.
"DANIEL GET BACK HERE… DANIEL!"
John watched as Daniel's car came closer to where he was waiting. Okay… he could do this. He hoped Daniel wouldn't be too mad. The car stopped in front of him and he climbed into the front seat. They were silent for a moment.
"There is no emergency is there?" Daniel sighed after a pause. John smiled sheepishly.
"Well… nothing really that couldn't wait…" he admitted, "I thought you might want an excuse to leave the office though… and you always were a lousy liar, so I thought I'd lie for you," John explained. He saw a brief flash of pain before it was covered again.
"Yeah… thanks. Oh, and you owe me gas money,"
"What? Oh come on Daniel, you make more than I did!"
"Yeah, but I think you still need to learn responsibility."
"You enjoy the kid jokes too much."
"Revenge for rock boy, flake, Oma Desala fanclub… oh and let's not forget plant boy,"
"Damn… I thought you forgot about that,"
"My memory's fine Jim," John made a face.
"Jack," he groused.
"John," Daniel corrected.
"Oh whatever, I'm still not used to it, Even after a few months, I still expect Jack, I don't turn when someone shouts out John… confusing as hell Danny, confusing as hell," John articulated. Daniel nodded keeping his eyes on the road.
"So why did you call anyways?" Daniel asked a comfortable silence. John shrugged.
"S'nothing," he muttered.
"Oh come on, it's not nothing if you bothered calling," Daniel griped.
"Oh okay, I was wondering if you were doing anything tonight, cause I got this basketball game and I thought you'd might wanna come… you know… if you're not tired of sports or anything. I'm sure the Old man's bored you with enough hockey games, but I'd really like you to come… the rest of the guys' parents are gonna be there and … well ya know… this was a stupid idea, nevermind Danny--"
John caught a twitch of lips in Daniel's profile, "John, I can see that this is obviously important to you, of course I'll come."
"Really? Wow, that was easier than I thought."
"Yeah, well, you're buying coffee right after… and pizza…"
"Oh fine…mooch…"
Jack was positively twitching as he sat down in front of Carter and Teal'c slamming his food down onto the table. His two teammates looked up.
"You okay sir?" Carter blinked.
"Fine," he growled. He looked up sharply, "Carter!"
"Yes sir?" Carter asked her back going a bit straighter.
"Is Daniel a Big Brother or something?"
"Big Brother sir?"
"You know, those people that spend time with kids once in awhile."
"Ah, no sir… Daniel never has any time."
"… didn't think so." He muttered resting his head on his hand.
"Why do you ask?" she asked curiously. Jack cynically noticed Teal'c had an inquiring eyebrow raised as well.
"Oh, this snotty kid he was talking to on the phone." Jack muttered.
"Kid sir?" Carter asked, "I didn't think Daniel even knew many people outside the SGC."
"Yeah, that's what I thought as well." Jack shrugged.
"So who's the kid?" Carter asked.
"Well he said it was a friend's kid… but…"
"But sir?"
"Oh, he was lying through his teeth, then he said it was just a friend… why would be friends with a kid? Okay, he's pretty good with them, but the only kids we ever see are off world… that or Cassie."
"Did you get the kid's name?"
"Yeah, John," Jack answered absentmindedly. Sam nearly spat out her food. Teal'c eyebrow rose ever higher.
"What?" he grumbled.
"Sir, it's your clone," Carter exclaimed finally able to swallow her food.
"WHAT!" Jack shouted instantly standing up.
Hawk: Read and review please