The week proceeded quietly for a change, despite the new family member. Perhaps the kids were on extra good behavior because they realized their punishment could have been a lot worse. Or maybe they were afraid he'd take Bill away like he'd threatened if they weren't taking care of him. Jack really had no intention of doing so though, unless he felt the kids were doing something to harm the kitten, and he'd knew they never intentionally hurt the little thing. Unintentionally was another matter entirely, and Jack was doing everything he could to help the kids, and himself, take care of the little moocher. He knew that the ultimate responsibility lay with him, as the adult, no matter what he let the kids think.
As for Bill, well there was another surprise. Or perhaps he should say Billie? The kids hadn't really decided yet. The vet had quickly pointed out that Bill was most definitely female. She'd also been very helpful in giving all of them a crash course in New Kitten 101. Sam had actually stood still in one spot for the entire lecture, and Daniel had looked like he wanted to take notes. Teal'c had given the matter his most studious attention. Jack on the other hand, was glad the vet had the foresight to hand them several pamphlets on the care of kittens and cats, because he was sure his eyes had glazed over somewhere between the mention of further visits for health and vaccines, and the necessity of spaying the poor defenseless thing. Which would no doubt cost even more money.
After the vet visit, Jack had wondered if he would need to consider going back on hazard pay, when he saw the bill and the total for all the purchases he had to make. After all, a cat needed a bed, a litter box, scratching post, food, bowls, toys…
Why couldn't they have found a puppy instead? The rebellious thought had crossed his mind on more than one occasion, as he'd rearranged his house to contain all the necessary apparatus. Dogs were so much less complicated, and they needed a lot less stuff. Well, maybe not, he admitted ruefully, the dog section at the store had been at least as big, if not bigger than the cat section. It's just that cats, well cats stared at you. And dogs, well dogs would chase a ball if you threw it. Cats? Cats slept a lot. And dogs almost always looked happy. How could you not grin back at a doggie grin? Cats? Cats stared at you. Jack suppressed a shudder.
Somehow, though, despite his innate preference for canines, he could kinda see why the kids thought the kitten was wonderful. After all, it was sorta cute. Although if anyone ever found out he'd thought that, he'd have to kill them.
Needless to say though, it took some adjustment on his part. Then again, a lot of new adjustments had to be made when a new pet entered a home. But despite all the upheaval in the O'Neill household, Jack wouldn't let anything spoil his plans for that week. Everything was all set to go. For Thursday was Thanksgiving, and Jack planned to make it a very special Thanksgiving.
A/N: Ah, yes. Disappointingly short, I know. Sorry about that, its just a bit of a transitional chapter to tie up loose ends and introduce the next chapter… Which I am working on. Hopefully up by the end of the week. And it is quite a long chapter…
Anyway, thanks for the reviews on the last one, its nice to hear from some of the "invisible" readers. I hope when we reach the end more of you will chime in with thoughts and comments. Oh, and I didn't mean to panic anyone with the announcement that I expect Growing Pains to be ending soon… But I think muse is ready to move on. So yes to the folks that asked… Of course I have something else in mind! Several somethings in fact.
And oh yes, cats. Poor Jack. I can more than sympathize with the man. They are quite perplexing creatures. Take my Sammy for example. I rescued all his toys (several dozen balls and mousies) from under the hutch for about the third time this month. In fact, mere days after rescuing them the last time. The thing I can't quite figure out is if he's doing it on purpose and is upset when I take them out so he feels he must return them, or does he just keep taking them not realizing if they go under there, they don't come back? All I do know is that he goes crazy trying to reach them and literally spends hours staring under there as if contemplating how to get the toys to come back. But eventually, he'll give up and go get another one, only to lose it… I really think that cat ain't right.