Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Stargate, or any elements of the show. I did create this storyline however. Sequel to "A letter, or two".

No more

Strange day, weird people

Jack's mood greatly improved when Cassie finally woke up. It had been a week and a half since the accident with the alien sphere and he was getting increasingly worried about her wellbeing. When the nurse phoned him Cassie was awake he dropped everything and rushed to the infirmary. When he rounded the corner he saw Cassie sitting up against a few pillows, looking weary but alive. He walked in and headed towards the right side of her bed, remembering her left shoulder was probably still very tender. She saw him and a weak smile formed on her still slightly colorless lips. Jack carefully enveloped her in a hug, putting his chin on top of her head.

"You had me worried there, kiddo."

He gently let go and let her settle back into the pillows before pulling up one of the chair. He sat down and took her right hand in his.

"Sorry if I scared you, guys."

He looked her in her eyes, his heart leaping with joy she was alive and well.

"Yeah well, next time stay away from any weird looking doohickey, okay?"

He saw how the smile on his face and in his voice made her smile, and she weakly squeezed his hand.

"If I remember correctly, wasn't it you who told me to go look for doohickeys in Sam's lab?"

His smile dropped, as the familiar stab of guilt assaulted him.

"Cassie, I'm so sorry about that, I never kn—"

"Uncle Jack, it's okay. It's not your fault. You couldn't have known what was going to happen."

He let his eyes wander until he was looking at his boots.

"Yeah, but I dragged you to the base, and told you to . . ." His voice became small, and stopped mid-sentence.

"No. I wanted to come here. And I wanted to go see Sam. Don't you go feeling guilty about this, Jack, nothing anyone could have done about this."

He couldn't help but think back at the little speech he had given her when she had shown up at his doorstep just two weeks ago. He felt like she was giving him sort of the same thing. And this warmed his heart.

"You're right," he conceded, "But I promise you next time I'll keep a closer eye on you."

"You do that." She smiled and nodded.

He gave her hand one last squeeze, before standing and returning to his daily schedule. He promised her to come back later around dinnertime, so they could eat together. Not that she could handle a lot of food already, but they both needed the contact. He stopped beside the door of the infirmary and leaned his back flat against the wall. The nurse on duty was checking on Cassie, making sure she was settled well. He closed his eyes and sighed quietly. 'Too close for comfort. Way too close…'

Sam and Daniel, followed by Teal'c, entered the infirmary and swept right past him. Sam and Daniel made a beeline for Cassie, a relieved and concerned look on their faces. They started hugging Cassie and fussing with the pillows so she was sitting properly. Jack snorted internally. Yeah, a couple of mother hens they all made. They were too concerned with Cassie to even notice him.

Teal'c casually walked up the ward. After a few feet he paused. Slowly, he inclined his head and looked over his shoulder. The big man never failed to notice if one of his team was around. Jack nodded, acknowledging his presence and silently asking for no attention. As always, Teal'c immediately understood. He nodded and continued his journey to the Cassie's bed. Sam and Daniel were still focused completely on Cassie and didn't notice the small exchange. Jack took a last look. His goddaughter, alive and well, surrounded by the people he cared for the most in the entire universe. A content smile curved his lips, and he quietly slipped out of the door.

- ∞ -

"Right, kids, what do we have for us today?" Jack came sauntering out of his office and sat down at the head of the table. The members of SG-1 were already sitting with their briefing folders open. Daniel took his arrival as his cue to start.

"Yes well, we found a technologically advanced society that seems to have their roots in early Turkish culture. They're ruled by a sultan, sort of a king but with a lot more w—"

Daniel stopped giving further context when Jack turned and pointedly looked at Sam, gesturing with his hands 'So, why do I need to know this?' Sam shook her head slightly, trying to hide a smile.

"Sir, what Daniel means is that the MALP showed us their technology is quite advanced, in comparison to us. The people of PX4-609 appear to have made a lot of breakthroughs in transportation and medicine. And they appear to be free of any Goa'uld, sir."

"You got all that from the MALP?"

The small frown on his forehead and the slightly puzzled look he was giving her endeared her greatly. Sam always thought he looked cute when he was slightly confused.

"Yes, sir."

"Wow, nifty little things."

"So, when can we go?" Daniel quickly interjected.

Jack turned to look at his good friend the archeologist. Sam could clearly see the question on his face whether his 'Spacemonkey' had been deprived of caffeine again.

"Daniel, when is your first cup of coffee?"

Daniel blinked a few times, his mind trying to digest the unusual comment.

"W-what?"

'Mmm, he didn't snap at him. So definitely had his morning coffee. You should have known that Jack, when does Daniel ever miss an opportunity to get coffee.' Sam chuckled internally at that. Not like she was any better.

Jack snapped out of his personal reverie and looked back at her and Teal'c. He probably remembered the briefing wasn't finished yet, Sam thought. He pulled out his PDA and examined the mission schedule.

"How about . . .today, got an opening in three hours."

Daniel glanced at Sam, an enthusiastic gleam in his eyes. He looked like an anxious kid asking his mom for permission to go off and play outside. 'Geez, get a grip Daniel'. She quickly checked with Teal'c, receiving his approval in a short nod. She then turned back to Jack.

"Fine, sir. We'll be ready."

"Excellent."

- ∞ -

Jack closed his briefing folder and stood up from his chair, dismissing them from the briefing. He went back to his office to enter SG-1 into the mission roster. Just before he stepped inside he turned.

"Carter?"

Sam was out of her chair and halfway to the stairs, but stopped in her tracks.

"Sir?"

"How small is the smallest portable laser you've got in that lab of yours?"

Now it was her turn to adopt a puzzled look. One he found extremely adorable.

"Eeh, well the RC-601 laser is sort of a box, a foot wide and high, about two foot long, sir."

"Okay, thanks, Carter."

Shaking her head Sam headed to her lab for some equipment she'd need for the mission.

Jack entered his office and sat down in his chair. 'Damn, can't really attach that big old laser to my PDA and still call it portable, now can I? Shame, really.'

- ∞ -

Sam and Teal'c were patiently waiting in the Gate room for Daniel. Well, waiting anyway. Sam was about to check her watch for the fourth time when the blast door opened and the clumsy archeologist came running in, still trying to shove a book in his backpack. Finally, getting it all down Daniel shot an apologetic look at her. She smiled a little, forgiving him for his usual and expected tardiness. Turning on her heels she glanced up at the control room. Jack was standing there, his gaze on the Stargate. Which was a bit odd, the wormhole hadn't engaged yet. But the look he had on was one she recognized from a mile away. It was the look he had every time they had been out in the field together, the look he used to create order out of chaos during a battle. His offworld look. And she had missed it. Heck, she missed him in the field every time they went on a mission.

"Sir? SG-1 is ready to go, sir."

Clearly shaken from a private reverie Jack snapped his head to look at her. The look in his eyes intensified for a second, and Sam felt a small shiver run down her spine. Damn, she missed that look. For a second they held each other's gaze. Then he blinked, and the look was gone. Replaced by a more sedated look, one of resignation. He reached out to his right and grabbed the microphone.

"Good. SG-1, you have a go. Have fun, Danny."

Daniel gave him a little enthusiastic wave, before putting on his beloved floppy hat. Sam straightened her baseball cap and gave Jack a small nod. The Gate sprang to life, and SG-1 stepped through the wormhole to PX4-609.

- ∞ -

"Sure you want to do that?"

Jack retracted his hand and crossed his arms over his chest again. The clock on the wall ticked away the minutes. Then he extended his hand again.

"Wouldn't do that if I were you."

His hand shot up and ran through his short silver hair, accompanied with a frustrated groan.

After another minute he finally grabbed one of the pieces and moved it to a different square.

"Can't believe you just did that!"

He crossed his arms over his chest again, smiling a little smug grin.

"Ah well, at least I can still do this."

Cassie moved on of her pieces, knocking out one of Jack's horses.

"Check."

Jack opened his mouth a few times, but no sound came out. Then he reached out and moved his king to safety.

"I can't believe you got so good at chess," he grumbled.

"Yeah well, when Nirrti was playing around with my DNA I got a very unique look on chess, remember?"

Oh yeah, how could he forget chess pieces floating in mid air? Not something you see everyday. Once a week, now that sounded far more reasonable. Cassie was about to make her next move when the alarms went off.

"Incoming wormhole. General O' Neill to the Gate room!"

"Well, time's up. You just . . .sit here, relax, I'll be back as soon as I can."

Cassie looked at him a little funny.

"Jack, I'm still in the infirmary with a very sore shoulder. I'm not going anywhere."

"Good, then I know where to find you."

Cassie halfheartedly threw an empty paper cup at him.

"All right, geez, I'm going!"

- ∞ -

Cassie couldn't help but be amused. She just loved his sense of humor, always had. When she was sure Jack had left the infirmary she switched two of Jack's chess pieces. No way in hell was he going to beat her at this game.

- ∞ -

Jack quickly climbed up the stairs to the control room. Halfway up he already addressed Walter, who was sitting in front of the controls.

"What do we got?"

"Sir, no IDC yet."

"Okay, then keep it closed up tight."

"Yes, sir."

They waited for fifteen seconds. Jack started to doubt if one of his teams was coming in. He was almost suspected another social visit by Baal when finally the computer received a signal.

"Sir, it's SG-1."

"Open it up, Walter."

"Yes, sir."

Walter placed his palm on the scanner and the iris opened, exposing the wormhole.

Teal'c came through first, followed by Daniel and lastly Sam. Teal'c calmly looked up at the control room, making eye contact with Jack. Instantly he was able to convey that the mission was not dangerous but also unsuccessful.

Jack was very proud of the fact he knew how to read Teal'c in situations like this. They had a very unique bond, one warrior to another. Teal'c was his brother in arms, and it made Jack proud that Teal'c held him in the same regard.

He pulled the microphone to his mouth. "Welcome back. Hit the showers, debriefing in one hour."

Teal'c inclined his head for a second before walking out the gateroom.

Daniel did this silly wave, identical to the one he gave when they left. Ah Spacemonkey, he thought, I hope you never change. Everybody knew he and Daniel could act like fire and water at times, but they were best friends. Almost like siblings, forever quarreling but family above all.

His eyes found the last member of SG-1. Sam was handing over her P90 and sidearm to one of the SF's.

Samantha Carter. His 'relationship' with her had always been difficult to say the least. At first everything was purely professional. After a while they relaxed around each other, and that had brought on the flirting. Innocently at first, but picking up in pace over time. It could have led to something, but the universe just seemed hell bend on making life difficult for them. He lost count of the number of bumps in the road that had left them shaken and unsure of each other. Trapped behind force fields, Goa'uld mind control, interrogations, the whole Ancient download episodes, and promotions. Every time they seemed to get back on track another problem would present itself. If he was completely honest he couldn't blame her for finding another man. Who would want so much heartache for so long? But if he looked but once at her, he wouldn't trade that heartache for anything. He just couldn't let go of her.

Sam finally turned and glanced up at the control room. Their eyes met. Jack gave her a little grin; one he knew she was rather found of. She made a sharp salute, and breaking their eye contact walked out of the gateroom.

'Huh? A salute? Why on earth would she give me a salute like that?' For a moment Jack was dumbstruck. Sure, she had given him salutes in the past, but it just felt…out of place.

'Mmm, maybe she just a boring mission, and her mind is already focused on one of the doohickeys in her lab. Yeah, that'll be it.' He was about to turn and head back to the infirmary when Walter stopped him.

"Sir? Sorry for reminding you, sir, but there is a stack of personnel files on your desk."

'Personnel files? Oh for crying out loud, not them again! What on earth now for!' "Didn't I do those a while back?"

Walter held a slight apologetic look in his eyes.

"Yes, sir, you did. But these are for the new additions to SG's 6 and 8."

Jack winced slightly at Walter's words. He had almost forgotten they had lost three team members on the last mission, and replacements needed to be appointed. A stab of guilt told him he had to do this right away, and not procrastinate as much as he usually did.

"Right. I'll be in my office if anybody needs me."

"Yes, sir."

Jack took the left stairs, climbing up to his office instead of going down to the infirmary like he had first planned.

- ∞ -

Walter saw him go, and quietly sighed. On the subject of work he knew the likes and dislikes of the General like no other, and reviewing personnel files wasn't very high on that list. And paperwork concerning the deaths of three good officers would be worse, he imagined. On times like this, being the General must be the hardest job on this base, he thought. His respect for General O'Neill, already very high, rose a little more. Walter couldn't help but respect a person who, despite not truly enjoying his position, would do everything to fulfill his duty. And Jack O'Neill deserved such respect.

- ∞ -

'Sergeant Cantrell. Currently stationed at bla bla bla, distinguished bla bla bla, commendations by his superiors. Mmmm, a spotless record, albeit a bit short. How old is this guy? 25! No wonder his record is so short, he's barely grownup!'

"He's just a kid," he mumbled.

"To whom are you referring O'Neill?"

Jack looked up and saw Teal'c standing in the door opening.

"T, buddy, come on in. Have a seat."

Teal'c walked in and set his impressive bulk in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

"So, how was the trip to Pwhatever60something?"

"Uneventful."

"O . . .kaay, anything special happened?"

"No that I am aware of, O'Neill."

'Aren't you mister articulate today.' "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of you presence?"

"I came to see if you could accompany me this afternoon for a healthy sparring match."

Jack smiled. Oh yeah, he liked it very much that Teal'c still saw him as a warrior up to his standard.

"Not a lot of actions during the last mission, eh?"

Teal'c frowned a bit. "Indeed. I found it physically unchallenging," he stated.

Jack grinned. "Well I'll try to clear some space in my agenda for today. If I can't, we're still on for tomorrow, right?"

They had planned an afternoon of workouts, including boxing and, a staff fight. Jack saw the big man's eyebrow rise, and he could make out a twinkle in his eyes.

"Indeed."

"Good!"

He saw out of the corner of his eye that Daniel and Sam had entered the briefing room.

"Come on T, let's get this briefing over and done with."

- ∞ -

" . . .and I'm sure that after further research into the culture of Dimasq a lot of unanswered questions about the Turkish Empire can be clarified, or at least answered in a slightly different context."

Jack was looking blankly at the screen. For the last 25 minutes Daniel had gone on and on about the cultural significance of PX4-609, and Jack had tuned him out after about 2 minutes. Realizing Daniel had stopped speaking he swiveled his chair back to the table.

"Right. Anyone anything to add to this riveting story? Carter?"

"Well sir, we didn't manage to procure any technology, but the Dimasqians seem willing enough to trade for them."

"So, recommendations? Shall we keep this gate address?"

"Definitely, Jack."

"Yes, sir."

"That would be wise, O'Neill."

"I'll take that as a yes then. Okay, I'll report to the President and General Hammond, and a follow-up mission will be scheduled. Dismissed."

- ∞ -

The next day Jack was heading down the corridors of the SGC. He had done the paperwork on the newest members of SG-6 and 8, and he was looking forward to his afternoon with Teal'c. 'Been a while since I got my ass kicked by him.' But that wouldn't stop him. A workout with Teal'c, how difficult it may be, was infinitely better than his solo workouts late at night.

On his way to the gym he thought of visiting his two favorite doctors. They could probably use the break, seeing as they never took one on their own. He stopped by Carter's lab first. Peeking in he saw her hunched over a Naquadah generator, tinkering with it. He silently sighed. 'The woman will never change.'

"Whatcha doing?"

She didn't even look up. Jack rolled his eyes. 'Never change, that's for sure.'

He stepped into the office and sat down on one of the chairs. He picked a small cylinder with funny scribbling on it and rolled it between his palms. It was always an efficient way to make her look up and notice him, if only to save whatever doohickey he was threatening. Sure enough, she looked up at him.

"I was thinking of cutting down on the adaptability of the Naquadah generator so we can safely trade them with offworld trading partners without giving them the immediate opportunity of producing a Naquadah powered bomb, sir."

"Wow, good thinking there, Carter. I'm sure the bigwigs in Washington will like that idea."

"Thank you, sir."

She picked up a different tool, and bent over the generator without saying anything about him holding this little doohickey. Hang on, he thought, where is the comment, Jack thought. The one telling me to put down the thingy I'm holding, or I'll break it or set the lab on fire or something.

"Carter?"

"Sir?"

"What is this?" he said, waving the cylinder in front of him.

She looked up again.

"That, sir, is one of the artifacts SG-3 brought back with them last week. I haven't determined its use yet."

He stopped waving it at her and stared at her. Not only was he now surprised, but thoroughly confused as well.

"So you have no idea what it does yet."

"No, sir."

'What is this, sir-ville?'

"And you're working on the Naquadah generator, because . . ."

"It seemed more important given the follow-up mission to Dimasq, sir."

'Themask? D-Mask? Oh right, PX4somethingother.' "And you're not anxious to try and figure this thing out, take it apart and put it back together?"

"Maybe later, sir."

'Did my name change to Sir Jack, or what?'

"I see."

He took another good look at her, staring into her eyes. After a few seconds he said, "Soo, I'm off to join Teal'c for a nice workout. You gonna be here all afternoon?"

"I promised Daniel to give him a hand with one of his projects, sir, so I might be at his lab."

She had her head bend over the generator again.

"Okay. Well don't work too hard."

"Yes, sir."

With that as his last remark he jumped of the chair, placed the cylinder on the table, and walked out of the lab. ´Okay, seriously confused and worried now. She never told me to put the doohickey down, didn't ask me why I was in there. Something is seriously wrong there.'

He had a slight uneasy feeling about their return when she had given him that salute. But afterwards, during the briefing, he hadn't noticed anything about her. But now… He just couldn't put his finger on it. Something was wrong with Sam. He felt increasingly sure about that. But what? Mmm, maybe his other favorite doctor could offer some explanation.

Casually strolling into the room, Jack sat down on one of the few chairs devoid of enormous stacks of paper. Daniel was reading in one of his many journals, and didn't even acknowledge Jack's appearance. So, Jack tried the same trick he'd used with Sam.

"Daniel, what is this?" he said, picking up the nearest available artifact.

Daniel continued to read the journal. 'Okay, we're playing hard to get. Fine, have it your way.'

"Is it breakable?"

With this comment Daniel glanced up from the journal. His look was blank, like he wasn't all together there. "Mmm, probably, so be careful with it, Jack." And he lowered his head to keep on reading.

Jack sat stunned for a moment, all sorts of thoughts running through his head. All of them disturbing and confusing. He slowly put the artifact back on the shelf he had gotten it from.

"Oookay Danny, I'm gonna go now. Anything I can get you, bowl of Jell-O, cup of coffee?"

"No, I'm fine but thanks."

Jack took in the room. In Black-Ops they had taught him to take in his surroundings in a mere second, and it always came in handy. Then he briefly nodded and left the office. On his way to the gym he tried to make sense of the two situations he had found himself in. Thinking it most likely was nothing, his paranoid side begged to differ. Slowly, he made a list of the things that bothered him.

Both scientists were buried in their work, but that was nothing new. The fact they paid almost no attention to him while he was threatening one of their possessions, was new though. Daniel usually immediately snatches the rock back, mumbling some foreign curse under his breath. Carter usually admonished him, fondly but swiftly. Either hadn't done that. Besides, Daniel seemed…not there. And he refused a fresh cup of coffee, when he didn't see any in his office. 'Yeah, real solid lead there, Jack.'

He ignored that comment from his sarcastic side, but the feeling kept nagging him. In his preoccupied state he hadn't noticed he was standing in front of the gym already. Teal'c came round the corner of the corridor, and spotting Jack made his way to him.

"O'Neill. It is good to see you."

Jack looked up, his mind still buzzing with unease. "Oh hey, Teal'c."

"Is something wrong O'Neill?" Teal'c said raising one of his eyebrows.

"I'm not sure." Then he pushed the door to the gym open and walked in.

- ∞ -

Teal'c stood there for a moment, deciding whether he should pursue this or not. Thinking better of it he also stepped into the gym. He would wait for O'Neill to speak again. The workout waited for them, and some things in life are just too important.

- ∞ -