SG-1 had spent the past few hours discussing their current situation and the man who was currently resting in the medical wing of Area 51. Theories ranged on how to get the kid to talk for the first hour. Daniel had brought up the fact that whatever information Mr. Harris may be hiding from them had been classified to a degree that was above their clearance. That little fact didn't faze Colonel O'Neill in the least. The bottom line was that information pertaining to an attack on one of his teammates was lying in the infirmary right now. Not getting that information was unacceptable. The only question to him was what they would do to obtain that information, or how far they would go to get it. Truth be told, he liked the kid. He hadn't known the man for too long, but if anything, Jack was a good, not to mention a quick, judge of character. Beyond that, even Jack considered it ironic that the only reason Harris was here right now was because he intervened on Carter's behalf. That alone was enough to put the kid on his good side. And there was Carter to consider.
Sam had been keeping to herself. She had seemed distant since they left him in the medical wing. She seemed to be having her own internal monologue that she considered more important than the current discussion. And that, in itself, was quite odd. Sam could definitely be counted on to give sound advice in general. And if anything scientific was included in the problem, she was definitely the one to go to. The fact that she wasn't putting forth any of her own thoughts made Jack just want to retrieve that information now, and not wait until the morning.
Daniel seemed to be playing devil's advocate. Jack was fairly sure that the archeologist was doing it just to irritate Jack to no end. He knew that Daniel meant well, but now was not the time to be testing his patience. He sighed internally at the scene that playing on around him. He really couldn't fault Daniel for being Daniel. That would be like asking for the sun not to rise. That just would never happen; at least he hoped that would never happen. Jack looked over to his right and almost let out a snicker.
Teal'c was sitting just to his right in his usual stoic manner. 'Does he even know how to relax? He even sits at attention.' The Jaffa's expression was as impassive as ever. He had put in his two cents earlier. The Jaffa had advised waiting for Hammond to contact them with an update. And if the information obtained was insubstantial, then further interrogation would be warranted. Jack had to give the Jaffa one thing; he was a patient man. He had no doubt that, if need be, Teal'c would get the information himself and would do it in any way necessary if it meant protecting one of his team. Hell, part of his family. Ever since Teal'c had dispersed his own advice he had simply sat there and had given a slight head nod when he agreed with something said. The times were very few when he would voice an opinion to something he disagreed on, and then it was with clipped phrases that got straight to the point. In the end, no real headway was being made. That was why Jack decided to adjourn this meeting and told everyone to get some sleep.
Jack had spent the next few hours going over everything in his head a few more times. Finally, he decided to go to sleep. About two hours later, or 5 minutes if you ask Jack, his phone rang
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To say that Jack was not pleased to receive a call after just going to bed would be quite the understatement. However, whatever emotions he had when he picked up the receiver, it was only shock that remained when he placed the receiver back down.
He shook himself awake and quickly got dressed. He went to wake up the rest of his team; something that under other circumstances he would have taken a slight pleasure in, today there was none, only urgency.
He shook his head as he walked towards Carter's room. 'The freaking President is asking for him? Who is this kid?' He was so immersed in his internal musings that he hadn't realized he had been standing outside of Carter's room for a few minutes after knocking for the first time. He knocked a few more times before stating loudly that he was coming in.
He slowly opened the door and was somewhat surprised to find the room empty. In fact, the room looked like it hadn't even been slept in. He left the room with a fair idea of where she was. He quickly woke up both Daniel and Teal'c. He made a quick stop at Dr. Frasier and Cassie's room to tell them that they would be leaving to go back to the SGC once Dr. Frasier cleared Mr. Harris for travel. With sleep slowly bleeding from her eyes, Janet yawned that she would be there momentarily to check up on her patient. Cassandra said that she would pack. By then Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c were on their way to the medical wing.
When the three made their way to the entrance of the medical bay they were greeted by the guard on post. That seemed to be right. When he placed his hand on the door, opening it slightly, he heard something that was somewhat out of place. Carter's gentle laughter filtered from the room. Jack gave Daniel a curious look before entering the room.
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Carter was laughing with genuine amusement at the story that she was being told.
"You did not."
Xander gave her a smaller version of his patented lopsided grin. "I sure did. I went right over the railing on my skateboard." She started chuckling again, for which he was grateful. It was difficult to talk about yourself when your daily routine was all supposed to be a secret. He had feared that finding a safe subject to talk about would never present itself. But was he wrong.
He tried not to give out too many descriptions, and definitely no names. He figured that they had, or would have, files on most of his friends. After all, they had only known he existed for a few hours before they were apparently able to pull some information about him. He felt as though he could trust Sam, but he wasn't willing to risk his loved ones on that feeling.
Sam was about to ask another question when a polite cough from the colonel informed them that others were present. Sam was startled slightly and was quickly out of her seat. She had placed herself in a stiff, standing position. Colonel O'Neill quickly murmured for her to 'stand down' and she relaxed visibly. She was about to say something, but was never given the opportunity as Jack spoke first.
"I'm glad to see that you're feeling better." He gave a quick glance at Carter and it was clear that his statement wasn't only aimed at the man lying in the hospital bed. He brought his gaze down upon Xander and gave him a small smile that was tinged with a smirk. "Once the doc says you're good to go, we'll all be leaving."
The other three members of SG-1 shot him a surprised look. Neither Teal'c nor Daniel had been informed of what Jack had been told by General Hammond. They had figured that they were coming down to learn some new information. They would have said something; however, it was Xander who spoke up first.
"I take it that I won't be parting from your loving company?" He wanted to put some humor into this situation. Perhaps then he wouldn't feel so screwed. It didn't work. It may have, had his voice not sounded far more bitter than he intended.
Jack lightened his tone a degree. "Actually you'll be accompanying us to our own Base of Operations." He saw that Xander was about to respond so he held up his hand to stop whatever was going to be said. "This came directly from some of the higher ups." He actually shook his head. "From a particular higher up, who is very high up."
Xander got a curious look in his eye as he asked the Colonel, "Who?"
Whatever smile the colonel had left his face. Suddenly it was one huge smirk as he looked down upon his hapless victim. He shook his head and said, "Classified."
And with that, Janet entered the room followed closely by Cassie who stopped next to the members of SG-1. This being the first time she had seen the man laying in the bed, well, awake anyways.
A short while later he was declared fit for travel. Preparations were made for their departure. Not too long after they were all making their way, Xander being 'escorted' towards a plane waiting on a runway for whatever base they were on. Seeing Xander's expression become sullen, Colonel O'Neill walked over to him carrying a small bag.
He handed Xander the small bag. Xander looked at him curiously and he just smiled in return.
"Here" he said as Xander opened the bag. Inside was a portable DVD player and a good selection of The Simpson's on DVD. "They're mine. If you damage anything, I will have to hurt you at the very least."
Xander gave the colonel a genuine smile. 'Wow, I guess he isn't all bad. At least this will keep me entertained. And if I'm pre-occupied, perhaps I won't be questioned mercilessly' Xander quickly closed the bag and gave the colonel his thanks.
The other members of SG-1, including Janet and Cassie, were giving him amused looks.
"What?"
They all just chuckled and brought their attention to other things.
Truth be told, he did like the kid. So he probably would have let him use the DVD player and his DVDs so long as he was present. But apparently this kid was in good with The President, even if the kid didn't know it. So Jack would let him use it even without him being present.
He figured, in the very least, it would be an equal trade-off once he gets to see the kid's reaction to learning that the 'higher up' asking for him is none other than President Ryan.
