After sending the kids upstairs with their stray, Jack busied himself with the dinner preparations. He really didn't know much about cats, but with what the kids had said, his fate was practically sealed. Daniel had all but compared the cat to himself as being unwanted, and he could see how much Sam had already fallen in love with the little thing just by the look in her eyes. Even Teal'c had seemed quite fascinated by the kitten. The best he could hope for was that by stalling on a decision, he could prevent the kids ever bringing something else home. But no matter his rationale, it still didn't help with the problem that he knew very little about keeping cats happy.
Deciding to gather some information, Jack dialed the only person he could think of that might be able to help him. "Hello, Doc?" he said when Janet picked up. Quickly, he explained his problem to the woman on the other end, frowning when she erupted into laughter. Vaguely he could make out something about "payback" in between peals of laughter.
Scowling, Jack tried to regain control of the conversation. "I guess this means you don't want a cat?"
Somehow, Janet Fraiser managed to stop laughing long enough to firmly state that she didn't want a cat. One dog was more than enough for her, thank you very much.
Jack sighed. He probably deserved it at any rate, dumping that dog on young Cassie Fraiser all that time ago. "I had to try. It would be easier to just get rid of it after all."
Janet commiserated, and in the end she did suggest he try the local pet store. Thanking her, he told her he'd take care of it after dinner, then hung up and went back to making the meal. He'd take them all out after they ate to get supplies they might need.
So busy with thinking over his mental list of supplies and finishing dinner, Jack never heard the light patter of feet retreating rapidly away from the room and upstairs.
AsLongAsWeGotEachOther,WeCanTakeAnythingThatComesOurWaySam burst into the room, shutting the door behind her and barely able to contain her tears. Gathering Bill in her arms she flung herself onto the bed and buried her face in the kitten's soft fur. The kitten, who had little interest in getting wet, quickly extricated itself from Sam's embrace and started to stalk her untied shoe instead. Sam was too distraught to be cheered by Bill's antics.
"Sam, what's wrong?" Daniel asked worried, getting up from where he and Teal'c had been rolling a small ball back and forth between them for the kitten to chase. Teal'c stood beside him looking just as concerned.
In between sobs, Sam managed to get out what she'd overheard. "He's going to take Bill away!"
Daniel and Teal'c exchanged a look, and Daniel sat down on the bed, putting an arm around her. "Is that what he told you when you asked?"
Sam shook her head. "No. I heard him on the phone talking to someone. He said he was going to get rid of Bill, after dinner! Oh Danny, we can't let him take Bill away, we just can't!"
Daniel looked at his distraught sister, and the little unwanted kitten, lost in thought. Abruptly, he straightened. "Then we won't let him!"
Momentarily surprised, Sam stopped sobbing long enough to look at her brothers. "H-how?" Teal'c cocked his head to the side looking curious.
Lifting his chin in determination, Daniel stared at his foster siblings in challenge. "We'll just have to take Bill away first!"
"What do you mean?" Sam asked dubiously, gathering the errant kitten to her again.
"I mean we take Bill someplace safe, where Colonel Jack won't be able to find him," Daniel answered, growing surer of his plan by the moment.
"Where would we go Daniel?" Teal'c asked, speaking up for the first time.
Daniel paused, thinking furiously, his brow furrowed. It was Sam that answered. "I know, Uncle George will know what to do!" she crowed triumphantly. She grinned when the two boys looked at her questioningly. "And Uncle George outranks Colonel Jack. He could order Colonel Jack to let us keep Bill! My Daddy says Colonels have to listen to what Generals tell them to do." Sam was smug.
The two boys looked somewhat doubtful, but Daniel nodded slowly after a moment. "We don't know where he lives though," he pointed out.
Sam's face fell, but Teal'c broke in. "General Hammond often works late, does he not?"
Daniel's face lit up. "Yeah! I bet he's still there, and I know just how to get there!"
"Now what?" Sam asked, just a little bit lost by the rapid turn of events. She hadn't thought much beyond knowing Uncle George would help, and had been quickly disappointed when she realized they couldn't get to him. But to go to where Colonel Jack and Uncle George worked, all by themselves? It was exciting and scary at the same time.
"Now we need some supplies," Daniel replied with sureness.
"And we must act with haste," cautioned Teal'c, "We shall likely be called to dinner soon."
Daniel nodded, standing up from where he'd sat on the bed next to Sam. "Sam, get some things together for you and Bill. Teal'c and me will be right back," he promised, and the two boys quickly left the room, heads together.
Heart racing, but fully trusting in Daniel, Sam found her schoolbag and emptied out her schoolbooks. She couldn't believe she was thinking of leaving Colonel Jack, but she had to help keep Bill safe. Besides, they were going to find Uncle George. Surely Colonel Jack wouldn't mind if they were with Uncle George?
Quickly, Sam packed the package of cookies and the now half-full water bottle. They might need it after all. Then she dug through her toy chest and found the flashlight, compass, and binoculars from the camping set she'd been given, placing them in the outside pocket. She didn't really know how to use the compass, but maybe Daniel did. Next she added a blanket, her teddy bear, and the last of her Halloween candy. Ready, she carefully placed Bill in the backpack on top of the blanket and closed it up, leaving a hole just large enough that Bill could poke his nose out. Or his paw, which Bill promptly pushed through and stretched about. Bill protested being closed in the bag, but Sam shushed him. Or tried to at any rate.
Just as she was finishing with her pack, the boys knocked on the door, entering quickly. Both boys were wearing their jackets and Daniel carried hers, having sneaked down the stairs to grab them from the hall closet. Fortunately the closet was out of sight from the kitchen, so Jack hadn't noticed or he'd surely have asked what they wanted with their jackets.
Now there was just one problem. "How are we going to get outside without Colonel Jack noticing?" Daniel asked worriedly.
"I have an idea," Teal'c said, and moved to the window. Pushing it open, Teal'c lifted the lid on the box for the fire escape ladder. Sam and Daniel's eyes widened as they realized what Teal'c was up to. "It would be best if I go this way alone," Teal'c told them as he let the ladder unroll out the window. "Especially Samantha. When you hear the doorbell ring, go quietly down the stairs and I will meet you in the kitchen." Daniel nodded in understanding. It would be hard for Sam to climb the ladder with the cast on her arm. Plus she had Bill, who was wiggling about in the backpack. Sam just looked slightly overwhelmed, and Daniel gave her a reassuring smile as Teal'c swung over the window ledge and started down the ladder, Daniel steadying it. When Teal'c had reached the bottom, he waved, and Daniel pulled it back inside, neatly stowing it in the box and closing the window. Nervously, the two younger children waited for their signal.
All too soon, the doorbell rang, and then rang a second time in rapid succession. Daniel grabbed Sam's good hand and pulled her to the door, motioning for her to be silent. The doorbell rang a third time as the children crouched on the landing. They could hear Colonel Jack grumbling from the direction of the kitchen. "Alright already, hold your horses, I'm coming!" The grumbling made its way to the front part of the house, and wasting no time, the two kids scurried down the stairs and ducked into the kitchen. Teal'c was already there, holding the door and the three made a quick exit, quietly closing the door behind them.
And just like that, they were gone.
A/N: Aw. Nobody commented on Teal'c's smart-ass comment last chapter, and that was my favorite line! For those of you who missed the significance of the cat's name, he's named for Bill Nye the Science Guy. I was wracking my brain trying to come up with some appropriate science related name for a seven year old… (and one her brothers would agree to) and remembered the silly science show for kids. You can actually check out the show's site at I've finally figured out the foolproof way of getting attention from one or both of my cats. (They never let me hug or hold them unless THEY want to be hugged or held) All I have to do is pick up a book, and sooner or later, I will find a purring cat between me and my book. Cats. You know, I had always said I was going to get females. I wanted two girl cats. Only my friend's cat had only boys. Four kittens and every last one a boy. And I'd fallen in love with them from the day they were born, they were so cute. It wasn't until another friend convinced me that boys were more affectionate and that girls became territorial as they aged, that I finally conceded and decided to give it a try, as long as they were neutered as soon as they were old enough. And I've decided that I have to agree. Boys are more affectionate. When they want to be.