Gallagher was angry. Spitting mad was more like it, Jack thought, as he watched his clone sulk, but there really wasn't any help for it. Despite the man's arguments and convictions on the subject of his mental wellness, they both knew he just wasn't ready to be allowed to leave the base. Of course, getting Gallagher to admit it was a whole different story, one that Jack wasn't willing to wrestle with.
"I've not had any flashbacks for a couple days now," Gallagher growled, still not willing to give up the fight. "I was able to face Handar and I'm still among the sane. Give me a chance."
"You are not leaving this base until Mackenzie gives you the all clear," Jack declared, already tired of this argument. They were in Jack's temporary office, each standing on either side of the desk, facing off. "He's probably home eating dinner right about now, so you'll have to wait until tomorrow. Besides, I've been staying at the house, so where would you go to get away from everybody? That place is a mess, by the way. Dust an inch thick on everything. It was never that way when I lived there."
"Who are you kidding?" Gallagher asked, astonishment taking over his features. "I know you remember coming home from that little trip to Edora and what that house looked like when you got back."
"That was different," Jack responded; back pedaling big time, "I was…"
"Same thing, O'Neill," Gallagher broke in with a sardonic grin.
"Whatever," Jack grumbled, not so sure he liked it that Gallagher could pull that stuff with him. "I've asked Carter to come help me clean it up for you."
"Oh, so that's it," Gallagher said angrily. "You just want to be alone with her. You can't keep me here just so that you can spend some 'quality' time with the Colonel."
"I can keep you here for any reason I want," Jack snapped back, his own anger finally cresting. "Take your pick. She agreed to help me clean the place up, that's all. We're doing you a favor."
"You can't just come in and take over," Gallagher said, still trying to hang onto the anger that was going to help him get his way, or so he thought. But Jack could be just as stubborn and he steeled his resolve to keep his intentions intact.
"That house had been mine for years; I only signed it over to you because I figured you'd need it." Damned, ungrateful wretch, Jack thought as he glowered at his clone.
"And because I worked just as hard for it," Gallagher claimed.
"I was the one who worked hard for it," Jack insisted. "And you know I hate it when you pull this stuff."
"Which is why I do it every chance I get," Gallagher admitted wryly.
Jack couldn't come up with a witty remark to that, so he just stood there glaring at his clone. Gallagher glared back, and Jack decided to use what little ammunition he had to get his payback. "You're going to have to get the clearance from Mackenzie. You can talk to him tomorrow."
"C'mon Jack," Gallagher said, resorting to wheedling in an effort to get his way. "I just need someplace private to work things out with my wife. It's a little hard to talk out our problems with at least ten other people listening in."
"I'm sure Mackenzie will be very understanding when you tell him that tomorrow," Jack responded, wishing he could help the kid.
"You are the most stubborn, mule-headed…"
"Am I interrupting anything?" Landry asked, as he knocked on the door. Jack cringed as he realized the door had been open the whole time; anyone could have overheard their conversation. Granted this part of the base was deserted, especially at this time of the evening, but still, there was no excuse.
"No sir," Gallagher said, as he glared at Jack, while at the same time coming to attention. "I was just telling the General…"
"I heard what you were telling the General, Lieutenant," Landry said with a smirk. "I'm sure there are a lot of people who agree with you." Gallagher grunted at that remark, while Landry added, "At ease, Lieutenant."
Gallagher relaxed, although he was still sending glares toward Jack. Jack couldn't help the thrill of victory that raced through him, even if the victory had come to him in the form of Hank Landry. Gallagher wasn't going to be able to continue with his battle, and for this Jack was grateful.
"What can I do for you Hank?" Jack asked, as he started to gather some papers on his desk. If he worked it out right, he could leave with Landry, making it impossible for Gallagher to continue with his argument.
"Just checking to see if you needed anything before I left," Landry said. "Good thing I did," he added, a mischievous smile playing across his face. "It was very interesting listening to you two fight amongst yourselves."
"Look, Hank," Jack said, suddenly self-conscious about his conversation with Gallagher, "This is pretty much between Gallagher and me. There's no need to make a big deal out of it." Landry nodded and Jack sighed. "I'm all set," he added. "I was just leaving."
"General Landry," Gallagher said, apparently deciding to tackle a new opponent. "I am no longer a danger to anyone, sir. No flashbacks, no lashing out at anyone – I'm doing much better. Request permission to go home and to get back to my life?"
"I wish I could help you, Lieutenant," Landry responded, "Really I do. But I happen to agree with General O'Neill. The clearance will have to come from Doctor Mackenzie."
Gallagher didn't respond, he just stood there and stared at Landry for a moment, before turning to look at Jack. Jack hated to see the resignation on Gallagher's face and he actually felt sorry for him, but he couldn't give into this. Not until he was absolutely sure there would be no repercussions in allowing Gallagher to leave. He had been pushing it when he let him go to Hulmeshur as it was.
"I'm sorry, Lieutenant," Landry said, trying to ease the way. Gallagher just nodded, but Jack knew that trouble was brewing. The angry, resigned look was still there and Jack could only hope that the 30-plus years of military training would keep Gallagher from saying anything that would be deemed as insubordination, at least to General Landry.
But Jack had forgotten his own persistence when it came to begging. "I can be ready to go in a heartbeat, sir," Gallagher insisted. "Just say the word."
"Not this time, Lieutenant," Landry said.
"I'm already dressed, all I need to do is to grab a jacket, and I'm out of here," Gallagher said, apparently not ready to give up.
"Lieutenant…" Landry began.
"I'll go straight home. General O'Neill can take me there. He's going there anyway," Gallagher continued, as if he hadn't even heard Landry. "I'll stay there the whole time. Scout's honor." Landry just stood there, staring at Gallagher with surprise and Gallagher took this as a positive thing. "Just say the word," he added hopefully.
"No Lieutenant," Landry said, a small grin plastered on his face. Gallagher looked crestfallen for a second, but had gotten his second wind and opened his mouth to continue, but Landry beat him to it. "No!" the General repeated.
"Yes sir," Gallagher grumbled, knowing when he was beaten.
"You know, George Hammond warned me about this when I talked to him about taking Jack O'Neill's clone into my command," Landry told them with a shake of his head. "I have to admit that I didn't believe him when he told me that I would have my hands full."
Jack had to smile at that while Gallagher's expression became angelic. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean, sir," Gallagher said innocently.
Jack rolled his eyes, than grinned at Landry. "Better you than me," he said. He well remembered the last time that he had tried to get his way with General Hammond using the same technique Gallagher used. It didn't work that time either.
"Thanks," Landry retorted dryly. "I'll remember this display of sympathy when I put in the requisition to take the price of those ribs out of your budget."
Jack stared at him in surprise, then put on his own innocent expression. "What ribs?" he asked, knowing full well that Landry was flat out of luck if he thought he would be able to finagle that one. "Surely you aren't talking about that dried up piece of meat the cook tried to convince me was a slab of ribs?" He shoved the rest of the papers he was going to take with him into his briefcase and strode out from behind the desk, intending to leave the base. He was looking forward to spending time with Carter, even if most of it would be spent dusting and airing Gallagher's house out.
"One and the same," Landry replied, turning to follow him out.
"General O'Neill," Gallagher called out, and Jack stopped to give him a questioning look. "Please sir," Gallagher said, his expression hopeful as he stared at Jack. "Give me a chance."
Jack almost gave in. He knew better than anyone what it took for Gallagher to beg, but he also knew that it really wasn't up to him. Gallagher was military and there were certain rules and protocol that had to be followed. "I would if I could, Jack," he replied, willing his clone to believe him. "You know that."
Gallagher didn't respond right away. He stood there staring back at Jack, while the hopeful look faded and angry resentment took over. "Yes sir," he finally said.
"I'll stop back by tomorrow before I leave for Washington," Jack told him, hoping to ease the resentment. "Maybe I can help you convince Mackenzie." Gallagher didn't respond and there really wasn't anything else for Jack to say, so he nodded at his clone then walked out into the hallway and headed down toward the elevator.
"I guess I'll be seeing you in the morning," Landry said, having followed Jack out of the room.
"Sometime tomorrow," Jack responded absently. He was experiencing extreme guilt, and he knew it was all because of that one word. "Please," Gallagher had said, and Jack knew deep down that it was desperation that had came straight from the heart, or even deeper. Damn him, Jack thought angrily, as he tried and failed to push the guilt away. That son of a bitch knew exactly which button to push.
"Are you all right, Jack?" Landry asked, and Jack took a mental step back to force his emotional upheaval to the background, at least until he was alone.
"Yep," he said, his expression clear of any discomfort. "It's been a long day."
Landry nodded, and took the hint, leaving Jack alone while they waited for the elevator to take them up to the parking level of the base. Jack was grateful for this, but he still kept his thoughts in check until he was totally alone. It wouldn't do to let anyone know that he had almost given in to a Lieutenant.
The old house wasn't nearly as bad as Jack wanted Gallagher to believe. He had stayed there while Gallagher and SG-1 were on Hulmeshur and he had opened several windows, despite the fact that it was still March. That place was so in need of airing out.
There were plenty of memories of events and occasions that had transpired during the years when he had lived there to keep him company and Jack had tried to deal only with the happy ones while he swept out the cobwebs and cleared out eight months worth of dust in the kitchen and bathroom. He hoped to get the rest of the house cleaned up before he retired for the night, at least get a good portion of it done.
Jack was in the middle of vacuuming the back bedrooms when Carter came up behind him, yelling over the noise of the vacuum to attract his attention. He couldn't help smiling when he saw her standing there in the hallway, her hair mussed up from the wind and her smile lighting up her face. They were going to have their own talk, he thought smugly.
"I knocked, but you must not have heard me," Carter informed him. "I heard the vacuum and decided to come in anyway."
"I'm glad you did," Jack said, as he switched off the machine.
They stared at each other in silence for a few seconds, until Carter spoke up, "I see that you've been busy."
"Yep," Jack responded. "There's dust all over the place." He stared at her for a moment, then pointed at the bags that she had in her hands. "What'd you bring me?"
"Dinner," she replied. "I hope you like lasagna?"
"After all these years, you have to ask?" Jack said, grabbing the bags as he came up to her and kissed her cheek. He grinned at the look on her face, then headed for the kitchen. "Does it need to be warmed up?"
"Um… no. I don't think so," she said. She followed him into the kitchen, and Jack set out to get the food ready. Thank God he had already cleaned the kitchen.
"Let me help," Carter said, as she opened one of the bags, pulling out the salad. "I didn't know if you had any dressings, so I grabbed some when I picked this up."
"Smart move," Jack said, suddenly remembering the junk he had tossed when he cleaned the refrigerator out. "I can provide the beverages, though. You want a beer?"
Carter nodded and Jack went to retrieve them. He showed her the bottles, holding them over his arm as if he were a waiter. She smiled at that, and Jack placed them on the table with confidence. So far, this night was going great.
They ate their dinner as they talked of their jobs and of the events of the last week. Jack started to tell her of his guilt at leaving his clone at the base, but couldn't figure out a way to say it without giving away too much of his own feelings, so he stayed quiet on that subject. Besides he was going to make it up to the kid tomorrow by brow beating Mackenzie into releasing him.
It was after dinner that Jack made his move. Carter was rinsing the dishes so that he could put them in the dishwasher, and he was watching her, thinking of how beautiful she really was. He took the plate she had handed him, but he put it on the counter so that he could turn her to face him. She looked at him curiously and he smiled at her before taking her face into his hands and kissing her soundly. Oh yeah, he thought, when she returned the kiss. This was working out perfectly.
He finally pulled back to look into her eyes, relishing in the desire that was staring back at him. She wanted him, he could tell, and this did a lot in bolstering his courage. All those years of wondering if she felt the same way about him that he did about her, seemed to melt away as she pulled him in for another kiss.
"Hey Sam," he said, when they finally stopped for air. She smiled at him, as she moved out of his arms, stepping back to put some space between them.
Okay, so maybe things weren't going so great after all, he thought.
He watched her as she struggled for the right words and Jack schooled his features, waiting for her to tell him to take a hike. This was happening to him way too much for his peace of mind, he thought angrily. He waited though, giving her the opportunity to do it her way.
"I'm sorry," she said, giving him a small smile, "I just… it's just… well, I've wanted this for so long, and for it to happen now, well, I am a little overwhelmed." This was not quite what Jack had expected, but since it was such a better scenario, he kept his silence, waiting for her to finish what she started. She stared at him, seeming to wait for him to say something, but he reached out and grabbed her hand instead, slowly pulling her over to him, as he gave her a warm sensuous smile. She resisted slightly, but not for long and Jack kept it up until she was back in his arms again.
"What can I do to make it easier for you," he whispered silkily, as he released her hand and wrapped his arms around her waist. The desire was back in her eyes, full force, causing Jack to smile at her as he realized what she was thinking. "Tell me," he pleaded softly.
"I suppose if you kiss me again, it might make things easier," she said, giving up the fight.
He did what he was told, holding her tightly as their passions ignited. All those years of holding back, Jack thought grimly, even as his hands slid along her skin as he made his way up under her shirt. This was definitely worth the wait.
"Did that help?" he asked, in between kisses.
"Definitely," she responded, as she reached for the buttons on his shirt. "I think I can deal with this." She kissed him again, then asked, "Will there be any problems, since you are my boss's boss?"
"Nothing I can't handle," he assured her, determined to win that particular battle. Being here in her arms was what it was all about, and now that he had it, he wasn't giving it up for anybody. Damn the consequences.
"Good," she mumbled, as she helped him get her shirt off. She really was beautiful, he thought once again. It was the last coherent thought he had for a long time, but Jack was far past caring.
Yep, the wait was definitely worth it.