They didn't have a list of supplies, but Jack knew there were certain things that every kid needed for going to school, and so he concentrated on getting those things first. Unfortunately, since they were so late in the season, it was a bit harder finding things, but you always needed school supplies. After hitting up Target and an office supply super store, he had the kids decked out with new backpacks, pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, crayons, markers, lunchboxes, and a variety of other miscellaneous gizmos, including a few small nonessential things the kids had begged him for like fun shaped erasers, colorful folders, and color changing markers.
After the school shopping, it was off to McDonald's, where he let them wear themselves out in the ball pit. Getting Sam and Daniel in there was easy enough, in fact he had to threaten to leave without letting them go in there if they didn't eat, especially Sam (who had disassembled her cheeseburger) because they were so busy looking at the other kids in the pit and wanting to be there themselves. Teal'c took a bit more encouraging, but once he was in there, he ended up in a pitched battle with another older boy, and proved just as difficult to extricate when it was time to go home.
Despite the physical exertion, and the kids' obvious fatigue, he had a harder than usual time getting them to bed. It seemed they knew it was their last night of freedom, and so they used every stall and delay tactic in the book. They took forever with their baths and showers. They dragged their feet and complained they weren't tired. None of them could find their pajamas, even though they were in the same place they always were. They kept traipsing back and forth to each other's room to ask questions or borrow and return things. Jack was ready to pull his hair out and station himself in the hallway.
Finally though, they went to bed, a little bit later than he'd hoped they'd go, but not too bad. They might be a little cranky in the morning, especially Sam, but they'd get over it, and be all the more likely to go to bed on time the next night. With a sigh of relief, Jack took care of his late night tasks, and went to bed himself.
The morning started out bright and early. Well, maybe not too bright. The sun wasn't up yet, though it would be soon when Jack headed down the hall to Sam's room to start the slow process of waking the little girl up. With breakfast preparations to make and three kids to get ready for school he decided he didn't have time for the gentle wake-ups he usually did with her, and decided to try the "shock and awe" approach.
Opening the door, he flipped on the lights and studied her. The lights hadn't caused any sort of reaction. She was sprawled on her stomach, broken arm on the pillow by her head, the extra pillows he'd propped her with the night before scattered on the floor. It looked like she didn't need them any more and had found a new sleeping position until her arm healed.
"Sam?" No response. He didn't really expect one. Striding quickly to the bed, he yanked the covers off and dropped them on the floor, grinning as she let out a little whine, the first indication that she was waking up. "Up and at 'em Sam." He frowned when she just curled up around her pillow, so he stole it from her, also dropping it on the floor. She just whined again and curled around her bear, clutching it under her cast, and he wasn't mean enough to steal that away too, so he left her for a snooze and went to wake the boys up. He'd come back to continue with the shock and awe, if the lack of covers and pillow didn't drive her out of the bed.
Daniel and Teal'c just needed the light on and a gentle call, their heads popping up to peer at him drowsily. He went down and started some muffins baking, then returned to Sam, to discover she wasn't in bed. He frowned, wondering if she'd slipped past him, when he heard a little sigh that made him look down. There, on the floor, he spotted her, curled up where he'd dropped the blankets and pillow from her bed. His frown deepened. This called for drastic measures. Dare he use his best command voice? Why not?
"SAMANTA CARTER! GET UP OUT OF BED RIGHT THIS INSTANT! THAT'S AN ORDER!"
He waited, but she didn't even stir. He blinked in surprise. His command voice always worked. Of course, little Sam wasn't in the military yet, so that might be why, but still.
"Colonel Jack, why are you yelling?" Daniel was standing in the hallway, blinking sleepily. Teal'c was standing just behind him.
Jack flushed, instantly embarrassed. Barking orders at children! "Uh, sorry, just trying to get Sam to wake up. I don't want us to be late."
"Oh." Daniel shouldered past Jack and knelt down next to Sam. Gently, he touched her shoulder. "Sam, time to wake up. We have to go to school today," he said softly.
Sam stirred, and her head lifted up. She blinked, rubbing sleep from her eyes with her good hand, looking a bit like a bizarre Munchkinland baby. "Is it morning already?"
"How'd you do that?" Jack demanded, dumbstruck, as Daniel walked past him, heading out of the room. Daniel just shrugged noncommittally.
Before long, breakfast was done, lunches packed, backpacks checked, and everyone was loaded into the truck. He parked at the school, and led the kids in, the kids sticking close to him now, with all the unfamiliar faces of the other kids going in that morning, who all knew where to go and what to do. Sam and Daniel were a bit more at ease than Teal'c, both of them had been in several different schools so knew all about starting at a new school and being the new kid, but it was still hard the first day.
He led them to Mrs. Parker's office again, and she met them all with a smile. "Good morning," she said, rising from her seat. "I thought we could start by taking the children to their classes, and then I could have you fill out some paperwork." Jack nodded, and the kids looked slightly apprehensive. At their worried looks, Mrs. Parker smiled reassuringly, gently laying a hand on Daniel and Sam's shoulders and leading them down the hall towards the classrooms.
They arrived at the second grade classrooms first. Sam hung back, and Jack laid his hand on her shoulder as Mrs. Parker went to the doorway and caught the attention of the teacher, who came out into the hall. It was still early and students were just starting to arrive.
"Sam, this is Ms. Janissima, she's going to be your teacher." The new woman smiled softly at Sam, but Sam pulled back against Jack, not wanting to be separated.
Kneeling down by Sam and turning her to face him, Jack squeezed her arms. "Go with Ms. Janissima, and be good, I'll pick you up after school and you can tell me everything you did today."
The woman, who looked to be in her mid thirties, didn't seem upset that Sam was reluctant to trust her. Her gentle smile made her warm brown eyes twinkle, and her manner suggested that she was used to dealing with children. "Ms. Janissima is such a big name isn't it? My students usually call me Ms. J. Today, we're going to be learning about the solar system and drawing pictures of what our planet might look like from outer space," Ms. Janissima spoke encouragingly, with a gentle voice.
Sam twisted in Jack's arms. "Really?" she asked skeptically, but there was a hint of interest peeking out under the skepticism.
Ms. Janissima smiled, realizing she'd caught the little girls interest. "Yes, really, would you like to come in? We could get you started right away."
"OK!" Sam started to skip into the room. Suddenly she stopped, and turned around, throwing herself into Jack's arms, practically whacking him with her casted arm. "Goodbye Colonel Jack! I love you!"
He laughed at the display, and returned the hug quickly before she could escape again. "I love you too, behave yourself! Have fun with Ms. J!"
"I will!" she called over her shoulder, disappearing into the room, Ms. Janissima on her heels, sending a reassuring smile over her shoulder at Jack. Jack smiled back; he knew Sam would be in good hands.
The fourth grade classes were a few rooms further down the hall. Now it was Daniel's turn to look reluctant while Mrs. Parker summoned the teacher. Still, he did his best to put on a brave face, and Jack reached out to ruffle his hair, which only made the boy scowl and hastily try to straighten it out before the principal came back.
Mrs. Parker stepped back into the hall with the teacher. "This must be Danny," the new woman said.
"I'm Daniel," Danny's scowl deepened and Jack rolled his eyes. He'd had no problem being called Danny before now.
"I'm sorry Daniel. I'm Miss Ruth. I teach the fourth grade here and you'll be in my class, I hope we'll get to know each other soon." She smiled, but Daniel just shrugged and looked down at his shoes. Miss Ruth looked up at Jack, and Jack raised a shoulder apologetically, he wasn't sure what had gotten into Daniel, usually he was more polite.
Miss Ruth tried another tactic, similar to what Ms. J had used earlier on Sam. "Well, Daniel, we have a busy day today. First, we have math class. After that, you'll have some time for some independent reading in the library. Next is science studies, then lunch and recess where you'll be able to find your foster siblings again I'm sure," Daniel perked up a bit at that news, than returned to staring at his shoes as Miss Ruth continued to list the schedule. "After lunch is art class," Daniel looked vaguely bored, "And then history. Today we're learning about ancient history in China." At the last, Daniel finally looked up.
"Well, I guess I can give it a try," he said, trying to sound uninterested, and Jack had to hide a smirk over the sudden gleam that had appeared in the boy's eye at the mention of the history class. It seemed Daniel had a passion for ancient history at an early age. Miss Ruth hadn't missed it either, and he could almost see the gears turning in the woman's head on just how to use the new information.
"Have a good day Danny, and listen to your teacher," Jack said, deliberately using Daniel's nickname. Danny scowled, ducking the hand Jack put out to ruffle the boy's hair again, but Jack just grinned, especially when Danny ducked under the hand, hesitantly wrapping his arms tightly around his waist.
"Love you Colonel Jack," he said, his voice muffled against his abdomen.
"Love you too Danny," Jack said, quickly returning the embrace, and Daniel squirmed out of his arms a moment later as if embarrassed to be seen hugging someone that could be construed to be his father. He was after all nine years old, and therefore way to old for such things. Jack just grinned and watched Daniel follow Miss Ruth into the classroom. He laid a hand on Teal'c's back, and nodded at the boy. Teal'c looked a little nervous despite the brave face, and Jack smiled reassuringly.
The sixth grade classrooms were upstairs. When they stopped outside the right room, Jack could see a youngish man seated at a desk. He stood up when he saw them in the hall and came out to meet them. Mrs. Parker spoke. "Teal'c, I would like you to meet Mr. Lee, he'll be teaching your class."
Teal'c stepped forward and held out his hand. When Mr. Lee took it, Teal'c returned the handshake in the warrior grip, wrist-to-wrist, as customary to his people. Mr. Lee looked vaguely surprised by the slightly out of the ordinary handclasp, and even more surprised at Teal'c's greeting. "It is an honor to meet you Mr. Lee. I look forward to learning much under your tutelage." Jack hid a wince at the surprised looks on Mr. Lee and Mrs. Parker's faces at the extremely polite young boy standing in front of them. Trust the Jaffa to instill respect at an early age. He hadn't really shouldn't have expected anything less.
At their curious looks, Jack just shrugged. "Teal'c was, uh, born in Africa."
Mr. Lee's eyebrows rose. "How interesting, perhaps he can tell us about some of his culture…"
Jack hastily interrupted, "He came here at a very early age."
The other man looked disappointed. "Ah, well, then I suppose you don't remember much?" He had directed his question at Teal'c.
Teal'c looked questioningly at Jack, remembering their conversation the previous week about how the Stargate was a secret and that people didn't know he was from another planet. While he disliked lying, he'd also promised Colonel O'Neill not to reveal the existence of the Chappa'ai. (need to find spelling) "No," he answered simply. Let them figure that out.
"Ah, well," Mr. Lee said again, "No matter. I'm sure you'll fit in just fine." He smiled and motioned towards the classroom.
Teal'c turned to Jack, and held out his hand again. Jack smiled, and solemnly took the hand, returning the handshake. He'd have to show the boy how they did things here, but later. Teal'c inclined his head and turned, entering the classroom. Jack stood in the hall for a moment after the door had closed, before following Mrs. Parker back to her office.
An hour later, he'd filled out all the forms, emergency cards, and other details needed to enroll the three children in school. He thanked Mrs. Parker again, and drove off to Cheyenne, to see what Hammond had in store for him, wondering how the kids were doing, and missing them already.
A/N: I don't remember who it was that mentioned the story about their cat swallowing string. They had said that compared to my cat's suicide attempt swallowing pills, that "at least my cats weren't trying to strangle themselves from the inside out." Unfortunately, I now have to say that may cats just aren't that bright. After finding about six to ten inches of an elastic string (that I have no idea where they found or where it came from) looped and knotted around a deposit in the litter box, I've come to the conclusion that my cats must have been born incredibly luck. Stupid, but lucky. I figure they've used up at least half their nine lives by now.