Janet looked over as Ian entered the infirmary, and couldn't help but smile.
"Where did you get him?"
"Passing Gypsy caravan…"
Jake gurgled in agreement, which just made Janet smile even more. In the four months he'd been around, Jacob had gained a lot of weight and was a far cry from the itty-bitty preemie he'd once been. And Ian had gone from terrified of holding him to fairly competent with him.
"Is that pudding?"
"Yeah. It's not going to hurt him, is it?"
She shook her head.
"Only if he eats too much."
"Nah. Just some from his hand, I think. I told Sam I'd clean him up while she was in the briefing room."
"His bag is in my office."
Which was exactly where he figured it was – the whole point of him coming to the infirmary.
"Thanks."
Janet watched as Ian carried Jake into her office and retrieved his diaper bag. Then the cadet took both of them over to one of the cushioned examination tables, where he'd have plenty of room to work and wouldn't need to worry about Jacob falling off. She couldn't help but go over as well, just to watch.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, as he stripped Jake's pudding stained outfit off, leaving him in just his diaper, which luckily didn't feel wet or stink.
"I'm fine," Ian told her pulling out a box of baby wipes and starting in on the pudding on the baby's face. "I'm not tired, and I just ate with Shawn and Andrew."
"So I see." She looked him over. "You realize there's pudding in your hair?"
He nodded.
"I'll have to shower – but I think I'll wait until I get home."
"I could watch Jake if you want to do it now," she offered.
"You don't mind?"
She shook her head, moving over and pulling an outfit out of the bag to put on the baby.
"Go ahead, Ian. If I need to do anything, I'll find you – or Shawn – to take over for me."
"Thanks."
OOOOOOOOOO
Jack looked up as Sam entered the briefing room, but put his finger to his lips to keep her from saying anything. The reason for that was obvious, she saw as she walked silently over to take the chair beside his.
General Hammond was on the phone – the red phone, which meant he was talking to the President – and the Asgard were watching him intently, although Thor did turn and acknowledge her entrance with a slight bow.
"What's up?" she whispered once she was sitting down and was certain that she couldn't interrupt or be overheard by either Hammond or the President.
"We're working out a deal," Jack whispered back. "Everything okay?"
She nodded.
"Jake's covered in pudding, and Ian tried to let Jaffer clean him off…"
Jack smiled, and scratched Jaffer's ears lovingly when the lab came over and set his head in his lap.
"Sounds reasonable…"
Sam shook her head. It had to be a guy thing, apparently. Before she could say anything, Hammond spoke again.
"I'll take care of it, Mr. President. Good bye."
He hung up the phone and looked at Thor.
"The President is in agreement with you, Thor. He's authorized me to begin the paperwork and take care of things effective immediately."
Sam frowned, looking at Jack for an explanation. He wasn't looking at her, though. Daniel was, however, and he smiled – which reassured Sam that General Hammond hadn't just decided to force Ian off to live with the Asgard.
"What's going on?" she asked Jack.
He smiled and shook his head.
"You're going to love this…"
The way he said it made her uncertain if he was being sarcastic or not, though, and she frowned. She couldn't say anything, though, because Hammond was continuing his conversation with Thor and the other Asgard and she needed to listen.
"You can rest assured that we'll take care of things," he said.
Thor nodded.
"We will contact you again, shortly, General Hammond, to work out the rest of the details."
"Very well. We look forward to seeing you again."
Thor turned to Jack.
"Please convey my gratitude to Shawn and Andrew, O'Neill, and tell them both I will see them soon."
Jack nodded.
"I will."
There were a few flashes of light, and with an accompanying growl from Jaffer and Jack (the dog), the Asgard were gone.
"They're leaving?" Sam asked, a little redundantly.
Jack nodded.
"Yeah."
"Without Ian…?"
"Yeah."
She frowned, confused.
"You talked them out of trying to take him?"
"Daniel did," Jack told her.
Daniel preened, trying to look modest and failing.
"What did you tell them?" she asked.
"I just suggested an alternative way to reward Ian – without handing him over to them. One that would appeal to them as well."
"What?"
"You're going to love it," Jack repeated, standing up. "Come on, we need to take care of some things before we go home."
"Colonel…" Hammond raised his hand to stop Jack and the others from leaving. "Let's not share this with him until we're ready to, okay?"
"Yes, sir."
Now Sam was really curious.
"What did you guys agree on?" she asked as she stood up.
"I'll tell you later," Jack promised. "Come on."
