AN: Enjoy! And let me know if you do!
Chapter Seven
I let out a horrified moan. We were doing so well. It serves me right for trying to please everyone simultaneously. I think I might actually strangle Jack for his unannounced redecorating of the keyboard in the cutting-edge chocolate cake style.
Well, I'd strangle him if he wasn't clinging to me and crying in fear of General Hammond's stare. I can hardly blame him. I've seen generals angry. I've seen COs angry. I've just never seen them so angry at me.
Belatedly, I jump to my feet, unable to do anything resembling detaching Jack from my person, and face the general. "To be perfectly honest, sir, the, um, accident here hasn't really made the situation with the computer any worse than it already was. Extensive damage was done to the entire system prior to our arrival."
He still doesn't look happy, but at least his angry glare is now aimed, typically, at the Stargate. Still misplaced, but a vast improvement. Considering the amount of trouble I should be in, I'm happy with baby steps. He looks back at me with a less angry, more disappointed sort of look. "Major, you can have whatever resources you need to fix it, but make it happen yesterday."
"Yes, sir." I relax. Anger, disappointment, whatever he's feeling towards me at the moment, doesn't matter; at least he still recognizes that I'm the person who can repair it. I have, on many unhappy occasions, which were far more frequent in my younger days, made people so angry they wouldn't let me help. I'm off the hook.
"And Major, let me assure you that Jack is not one of the resources you need. Do you understand?"
I'm only sort of off the hook. My face falls. I don't want to let Jack out of my sight - not just because it will upset him, but because he'll be mortified when he's back to normal and remembers other people seeing him shy and scared and vulnerable. I don't think he'll particularly mind if I witness it - he trusts me. But it's not like I can pretend I didn't hear Hammond's order this time. "Yes, sir."
"Dr. Jackson, please amuse the colonel here until Major Carter is finished or, God willing, he returns to normal." He watches as Daniel and I silently commiserate about our orders. This will not be pleasant. "And find him some clothes too."
Now I think the giant tee-shirt on his tiny self is perfectly adorable, but Jack will probably not appreciate it, especially not when he returns to normal size. I flush just thinking about how humiliated I felt wearing only Jack's shirt and his shirt was considerably longer on me than it would be on him. Daniel, who had been slowly approaching us from his hiding place in the doorway, stops at Hammond's words. I guess the clothing thing is bothering him - which I can understand from his position. I remember Daniel and Jack discussing me when I'd had my little mud bath in an attempt to embarrass myself to death and I quite pointedly remember Daniel's reaction when Jack suggested he give me a bath since Jack wasn't about to do it himself. Modesty is just one more reason Daniel is completely adorable sometimes.
Though I have to admit, not as completely adorable as Jack, who is back to being perfectly angelic. He's feeling brave at the moment and is offering a particularly endearing left-handed salute to General Hammond. I swear General Hammond is fighting back a smile. Hell, who does he think he's kidding? He can't resist grown-up Jack's antics anymore than I can, so he's bound to be as much of a sucker for little Jack.
Daniel takes a step backwards. "Maybe I should track down those clothes."
Hammond turns on him so fast I think he's actually going to yell, which is kind of scary. He never yells at Daniel. It's hard to get, and stay, mad at Daniel long enough to yell. Apparently, Hammond's not such a sucker after all.
Daniel's scared too. "Or that could wait." He comes over to me and winces as he reaches out for Jack. Jack, who turned back to watch me intently, has no idea what's happening. I smile bravely, hoping Jack will get the idea that everything is ok. I hold him out, trying to block out those wide, trusting eyes.
Because it only takes a millisecond for Jack to figure out that his happy little world of being in my arms is crashing to a halt. His eyes widen as Daniel's arms fold around him. I'm trying not to look because I know it will break my heart to see the devastation on his face. He starts kicking and reaching for me.
And screaming. "SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!"
Daniel hesitates and I start to reach for Jack. I feel a physical response to his cries and I need to comfort him. I can tell from Daniel's face that he's not exactly pleased with the idea of tormenting Jack either - they are close friends, after all.
"Dr. Jackson, he'll quiet down in a minute. He'll forget she even exists as soon as she's out of sight." General Hammond's words seem exceedingly harsh and, if I weren't already skating on thin ice with my boss, I'd glare at him for suggesting such a thing.
Daniel remains frozen as Jack continues to scream. For such a little kid, he's pretty damn loud. He's also breaking my heart. I can't stand the idea that he's crying, especially for me, and I'm right here and I can't do anything about it. Luckily, I guess, Teal'c realizes that both Daniel and I are paralyzed.
He moves in, reaching for Jack himself. "Come with us, child, we will find objects of amusement with which to distract you."
Jack isn't soothed for a second. He stops screaming only long enough to sniffle and take a breath before he starts screaming my name again.
"Toys, Jack. He means we'll find you toys to play with." Daniel, ever the linguist, thinks something was lost in the translation. Or maybe he's just trying to get Jack to stop kicking.
Apparently, Jack has no interest in anything but me. I should be flattered, but I'm too busy fighting back tears. I can't stand the idea of Jack in pain, real or imagined. I turn to the general. He's shocked by Jack's response.
"He can stay with me, sir. He's not in the way." I have to raise my voice to nearly a shout to be heard over the wail of my name. "Please, sir?"
Unfortunately, Hammond must really be mad at Jack or at the fact that Jack's attachment to me is obviously innate. I know I reacted the same way, although in a much more subdued manner, to Jack two weeks ago. It must be upsetting for Hammond to finally comprehend that what's between Jack and I is that strong and inherent and impossible to deny. If I think about it for long, I'm going to realize that it's pretty damn upsetting for me too since this little piece of information will never be forgotten by the general.
"Absolutely not, major. Maybe we have a chance to teach Colonel O'Neill that he can't always have his way." He looks at Teal'c and Daniel who are holding Jack at an arm's length between them to stay free of his kicks. "Get him out of here."
I'm so upset watching them carry him away, especially by his pathetic attempt to grab the doorframe as they walk through it, that I nearly point out how Jack and I are a shining example that Jack is already well acquainted with not getting his way. Instead I stare after them, listening to Jack's howling that does not quiet at all. It's more distant and more desperate. I know they're probably near the elevator now and it's all I can do not to run after them. I really don't know how long I can bear hearing him scream before I lose my mind. It hurts. It actually hurts. I don't think I even realized how much I love him.
But I do suddenly - in the painfully silent moment following the elevator doors closing when I know he's still screaming for me and I can't even hear him anymore. I drop into my chair with my chin trembling. I can't think. I can't speak. I can't see through the tears. I'm sure the general is staring at me, unhappy at my atypically emotional response. I'm sure the techs are staring at me too. I don't care. And I solemnly swear that I will never forgive the general for this. No one who hurts Jack is easily forgiven.
And actually, thinking of Harry Maybourne, no one who hurts Jack is forgiven period.