Jack drove around the block slowly, peering into the twilight gloom. He'd been at this for almost the last two hours, and despite calling in backup from the SGC, they were no closer to locating the missing children than when they had started. As the minutes stretched into hours, he couldn't help but worry, thinking of the last time he'd misplaced them that had ended in an emergency trip to the infirmary. They hadn't been missing for long that time, but it was long enough for an accident to happen. His mind was filled with all sorts of images of what could happen to three young children out after dark all alone.
Earlier, when he'd called the kids to dinner, he hadn't thought much of it when they didn't immediately come downstairs. They often got involved in activities and didn't always hear him. However, when he'd mounted the stairs to the second floor and found both bedrooms suspiciously empty, a niggling worry started in the back of his mind. A quick room-to-room search revealed the rest of the house empty, including the basement, attic, and garage. Another peek into the kid's rooms gave him a few clues when he found abandoned piles of schoolbooks and evidence the closets had been raided. Their jackets were missing from the hall closet. Bill was also conspicuously absent.
He had moved his search outside, rounding the block twice and checking with any of the neighbors the kids could have gone to. When he had come back empty handed, he'd picked up the phone and a local map, and started to call everyone he knew. While he'd waited for the reinforcements to show up, he'd busied himself with dividing up the local area on the map into easily manageable sections.
It came as a pleasant surprise when two full military hummers pulled up outside, quickly followed by half a dozen different civilian vehicles, some of which he recognized as belonging to base personnel. Most of the cars held more than one person. It seemed as if word of his problem had spread, and the people of the SGC were responding in force. Jack was quite relieved and more than welcoming of the larger than expected number of people to join in the search.
Sparing a glance over at Walter Harriman in the passenger seat, Jack again was thankful that so many people wanted to help. Because there had been more people than vehicles, he'd quickly organized some into foot patrols, while partnering the rest with drivers of the other vehicles. This allowed two adults to be looking in two different directions in each car. And what a varied group had come at the call. There were Marines, Air Force personnel, civilian scientists, and even General Hammond. In fact, he suspected the General himself was responsible for corralling some of those volunteers, many of whom had just been going off duty. And perhaps a few that likely should have been back on base.
Each pair had been given a radio and a map with detailed locations to search. The extra maps and radios had been another thing he was grateful the search group from the SGC had brought. But even with all the people and equipment, two hours had passed with no sign of the kids. He had no idea where they had intended to go, or how far they might have gotten. He was giving it another half hour and if his group hadn't found the children, he planned to contact the local authorities. Perhaps he should have called them first thing, but it would have caused too many questions. Questions he might not have been able to answer without raising suspicions. But it was beginning to look like they might need the manpower the local police could offer, and fortunately General Hammond had agreed with the necessity.
Jack continued to slowly drive the streets in an ever-widening search grid as the deadline approached. His mind continued to supply a variety of scenarios that could have happened to the kids in the time they'd been gone. Everything from falling down a hole to getting run over, and even being kidnapped. He was just about ready to give up and head back to his home, now the base of operations, and place the call to the police questions be damned, when the radio crackled to life.
AsLongAsWeGotEachOther,WeCanTakeAnythingThatComesOurWay"I-I'm sorry. I don't know where we are anymore," Daniel finally admitted, staring down at his shoes. Teal'c placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm scared," Sam said softly, reaching for Daniel's hand. Daniel took it and gave it a squeeze, as much to reassure himself, as it was to reassure Sam.
"What should we do?" asked Daniel, a hint of worry in his young voice. He really had thought he'd be able to find the way if he kept going, and had never meant to get them lost.
Teal'c studied the area around them. Neat little houses with well manicured lawns on both sides of the street as far as they could see in both directions, and nothing to make one stand out more so than the others. "Perhaps we could obtain aid at one of these dwellings," he suggested.
"But we're not s'posed to talk to strangers," Sam protested, making the other two frown as they mulled that particular problem over. They too had been warned against talking to or going with strangers.
"If only I could find one of those stores we passed," Daniel said, "Then we could use their phone." He paused, thinking. "We're going to be in big trouble aren't we?"
"I don't care, I want to go home," announced Sam. She'd had quite enough of walking around, it felt like they'd been doing it forever. Now she was tired and cold. "I don't even care if I have to eat brussel sprouts every day," she said, thinking of perhaps one of the worst things that she might have to do when they got back.
"What about Bill?" Daniel asked. Bill was after all, the reason for their being out on their own, and right now it felt like they had failed the little kitten.
Sam's face scrunched up. "I don't know," she admitted.
"Perhaps we can find a more suitable location to conceal Bill Nye," Teal'c mused aloud.
Daniel frowned. "Like where?" he asked.
"What about the garage?" piped up Sam.
The two boys shook their heads. "Colonel Jack will look there," Daniel said. "Maybe the attic? No one goes up there."
"The access to the attic would be too noticeable," Teal'c pointed out, and Daniel's face fell. Sam plopped down to the sidewalk looking defeated.
The children continued to debate the pros and cons of different hiding places, seeming to forget the main problem of how to find their way home. They were so intent on their discussion that they failed to notice the car pull to a stop across the street and two people get out. At least until they heard their names being called, that is.
"Doctor Janet! Uncle George!" Sam cried in recognition, surging to her feet with new energy. She flung herself towards the two adults, George Hammond managing to catch the little girl practically in mid air just before she barreled into him. He swung her up into his arms with a grunt, settling her on a hip. "Uncle George," Sam said, leaning her head on his shoulder, "We've been looking all over for you!" She smiled, turning to look at Daniel. "You found him Danny, you found him!"
Hammond looked over the top of Sam's head to share a glance with Janet. The doctor looked like he felt; amused, worried, and a little angry with the children for worrying them so. For the moment though, relief won out as she raked both boys over with a practiced medical eye, scanning them for injuries before gathering each one in for a fierce hug. "Everyone has been so worried about you three, where have you been?" she admonished them, holding each boy out at arms length for another look, and then gathering them back close, an arm around each boy's shoulder as if to keep track of them. Sam remained in General Hammond's arms. While appearing tired, none of the children looked to be any worse for wear, for which both adults were supremely grateful.
"We were looking for you Uncle George," Sam told Hammond, her head still leaning on his shoulder and one hand fisted in his shirtfront. "And now we found you," she declared with a satisfied smile.
Again, Hammond blinked in surprise. "You found me, hmm?" he said mildly. Like Dr. Fraiser, Hammond had also scanned the children for signs of injury, equally relieved to find none. "And just why were you trying to find me young lady?" he said sternly, looking down at her with an unwavering gaze.
Sam squirmed slightly in Hammond's arms, as if sensing the trouble she would soon find herself in. George Hammond did not loosen his hold or lessen his gaze one bit though. "We need your help, Uncle George," Sam told him finally.
Hammond exchanged a surprised look with Janet Fraiser who was still holding onto the boys. "My help? Why?" he asked, looking back down at the young girl.
"We required your assistance in convincing Colonel O'Neill that we can properly care for Bill Nye," Teal'c spoke up, drawing the General's attention.
"Colonel Jack was going to take him away," added Daniel. "It's not Bill's fault that nobody wanted him." Daniel's voice held a note of defiance. General Hammond's brow furrowed in confusion. Janet looked just as confused.
Sam lifted her head from the General's shoulder, looking up at his face earnestly. "You can order Colonel Jack to let us keep Bill," she stated as if it made perfect sense. Just then, her backpack rustled slightly and a soft but insistent mew could be heard.
Comprehension dawned on Janet Fraiser's face, while the General looked startled. "Sam, you don't by any chance have Bill with you right now?" Janet narrowed her eyes at the little girl, and her tone was no-nonsense.
Sam buried her face against General Hammond's neck, squirming again. "Yes ma'am," she answered, her voice muffled. The pack mewed again, and the General's eyebrows rose.
"Please General Hammond sir, you have to help us," pleaded Daniel, his eyes wide. Teal'c nodded in agreement and Sam added her own please, tightening her arms around him slightly.
The General looked at each child, hiding his bemusement well before answering. "I can't make any promises, but I'll see what I can do," he said. Some of the worry left the three faces, although Daniel's look of relief was spoiled by a large yawn.
As if that were a cue, Janet moved her hands down to the boys' backs and gave them both a little push towards the waiting car. "I think it well past time you three were home in bed," she announced.
Hammond couldn't agree more. Besides, Sam was getting heavy. "And we can call the search off now," he said significantly. So relieved they had been to find the children, they'd left the radio in the car.
In short order, Teal'c and Daniel's backpacks were stowed in the trunk and all three kids were buckled into the backseat. Sam's pack now balanced carefully on Teal'c's knees, the boy seated in between the other two.
The trip home took more than several minutes; the children had managed to wander quite a ways on foot. By the time they pulled up outside Jack's house, Sam had nearly fallen asleep with her head on Teal'c's shoulder and Daniel was fighting a losing battle to stay awake. Even Teal'c had been caught yawning a time or two.
The kids, who just a short time before had been eager to get home to safe warm beds, now looked hesitant, their faces filled with trepidation. Perhaps it might have been better to stay lost? The doctor and the general gave the kids little choice in the matter. The two adults promptly got out of the car, opening the back doors on each side. Janet again placed a hand on each boy, steering them towards the house with a hand on their shoulders, and General Hammond followed with a sleepy Sam, her little hand held securely in his large one. They paused only long enough to retrieve the boys' backpacks from the trunk.
Jack met them at the door, his face a mixture of anxiety and relief. Like Janet had done earlier, he pulled each child to him for a crushing hug before holding him or her at arm's length and looking for signs of injury.
"Do you realize how many people were out looking for you three?" he told them gruffly. Heads hung. They really hadn't meant to make anyone worry!
"We were looking for Uncle George, and we found him," Sam explained softly. Jack blinked in surprise, but before he could ask why they were out on their own looking for General Hammond, Daniel spoke up.
"We couldn't let you take Bill away Colonel Jack, we just couldn't," Daniel pushed his glasses up on his nose and crossed his arms in an overly familiar gesture.
"We are most sorry that our actions have caused you worry Colonel O'Neill," Teal'c added. "We only wished to provide for Bill Nye."
"Damn right you're sorry," Jack growled under his breath, shaking his head. Sam pressed into General Hammond's side, tightening her arms around his waist. Daniel edged a step closer to Janet and even Teal'c looked worried. All the anxiety over the past few hours was giving way to anger. As if sensing he was scaring the children, Jack took a deep breath. "Why did you think I was taking Bill away?"
The three kids shared a look, and Sam spoke up. "I heard you," she said. "On the telephone."
Jack looked surprised and confused, and looked at Janet and Hammond for clues. Janet raised an eyebrow and cocked her head with a significant look, and realization hit him like the broad side of a truck.
Crouching down, Jack addressed Sam. "And what have I told you about listening to other people's conversations?"
Sam's brow furrowed as she concentrated. "That I shouldn't do it, because it's not polite?"
Jack nodded. "And?" he prompted. After the time Teal'c had overheard him and General Hammond speaking, he'd had a little talk with all three about eavesdropping. Obviously, they needed some reinforcement.
She bit her lip in concentration, brow furrowed. "And it's easy to get things wrong when you only hear part of something?"
"Right," he told her. "So do you think you might have gotten something wrong when you heard me on the phone?"
"I did?" Sam blinked in confusion and exhaustion.
A bit more awake, Daniel put the pieces together and made the connection. "You mean you aren't getting rid of Bill?" Sam's eyes widened and Teal'c straightened.
Jack sighed. "No. What Sam heard me talking about was planning a trip to the pet store. We don't really have anything here to make a kitten happy."
"Really? We can keep Bill?" Sam asked, dubiously, her death grip on Hammond's waist loosening slightly, much to the General's relief.
"Really," confirmed Jack. He was only slightly prepared for Sam throwing herself at him. It was now his turn to have skinny little arms wound around his waist.
"Thank you Colonel Jack!" came her muffled exclamation. Daniel had molded into his side for his own hug of thanks, and Teal'c hovered on his other side, still holding the backpack carefully. An annoyed mew came from inside the pack; as if Bill was reminding them all that he'd very much like to get out of the bag please.
Jack narrowed his eyes at the pack. "Maybe you three should head upstairs and let Bill out. It's well past time for you kids to be in bed anyway," he added as a tremendous yawn split Daniel's face. Just before the kids turned to go, wide smiles on their faces, he held up a hand. The kids sobered at his serious expression. "This isn't over yet," he admonished them. "We will be having a discussion in the morning about what you have done." Heads dropped. They should have known there'd be no escaping a punishment. But still, thoughts of punishment were outweighed by the excitement of a new pet, and the kids trooped upstairs, clustered around Teal'c and the bag he carried.
Jack sighed again as he watched them go, giving an imploring look to Doctor Fraiser and the General. The two only shook their heads an amusement. They were glad they weren't responsible for miniature SG-1!
Thanking Hammond and Fraiser, Jack led them to the door and bade them both a good night. "Try not to be too hard on them son," Hammond said before leaving, and Jack grinned wryly. Janet gave him a knowing smile.
Alone again, Jack detoured to the kitchen and prepared another plate for Bill. Somehow, he doubted the kids had thought to bring something a kitten would actually eat. This time it was crumbled hamburger from the night's dinner. Someone might as well enjoy it. He'd check and see if the kids were hungry too, since they'd missed dinner.
Plate in hand, he headed upstairs to check on the kids and the new family member. Seemed Bill was already fitting in with his group by causing trouble. Jack snorted to himself. Surprisingly, the boys' room was empty, but Jack had half suspected it would be. Pushing the door to Sam's room open, Jack smiled to find the two boys in there, dressed for bed. Daniel was sprawled on Sam's bed and Teal'c had his head pillowed in his arms at her desk. Sam hadn't even managed to change and was lying on her bed next to Daniel fully clothed. The two children had their heads together as if they'd fallen asleep whispering new plans and schemes. Between them, the kitten was curled in a little ball and it looked up at his entrance.
He placed the plate on the floor and the kitten wasted no time in pouncing on it, practically inhaling the burger meat. He studied the sleeping children, allowing the tension in his neck and shoulders to finally release. They were home, safe and sound. He closed his eyes briefly, with a whispered word of thanks to whoever it was that seemed to be watching out for these three.
Opening his eyes again, he considered the way the kids had just crashed where they were, as if someone had flipped a switch and turned them off. He was actually slightly surprised they'd gone down so quickly, considering they'd missed dinner. His eye caught the three backpacks left in a pile near Sam's door. Curious, he picked one up, wondering what they might have considered important enough to pack when running away.
A half grin appeared on his face as he discovered an empty cookie package, wrappers from pop tarts and a few bits of leftover candy in the bags. No wonder they'd crashed. They'd probably had enough sugar to make them be able to climb the Empire State Building. Once the sugar high had worn off, they'd gone down and gone down hard. Given their active day and late bedtime, they'd probably sleep at least halfway to noon. Good thing it was a Friday night!
Shaking his head ruefully, he cajoled the two boys up and off to their own room. As cute as they were now, they'd all be stiff the next morning. The boys in their own beds, Jack wrestled Sam out of her clothes and into an oversized t-shirt. While she had pajamas now, the t-shirt was the easiest to get on a sleeping child. She barely stirred even as he settled her under the covers.
Finished with its meal, the kitten had settled at the foot of Sam's bed, engrossed in a thorough washing. Jack gave it a glare. He was not happy to have his world turned upside down for a cat! As if sensing his thoughts, the kitten slowly and almost deliberately lifted one hind leg and washed a certain area with particular attention to detail. Jack scowled and left the room. A kitten with an attitude!
Just what he needed.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait! It's been a busy week. Couldn't resist letting Jack experience a little cattitude! Almost feel sorry for the poor man. Mini SG-1, and now a kitten! He'll never have a moments rest again lol.