Chapter 22: Treating Jack
Daniel was easily able to swipe the dirty T-shirt, which he quickly sealed in a plastic zip lock bag. But convincing Sam that he really needed to go back to the SGC was a bit harder. Finally, he resorted to a short kind of blackmail. He told her that he could pass on a message to Jack.
The scary part was how easily that ploy worked. Sam almost immediately relented and jotted down a quick note for him to take to Jack and then practically pushed him through the Stargate. No, seriously, Daniel stumbled down the gate ramp on the other side.
"Welcome back, Dr Jackson," General Hammond's voice echoed through the speaker. "Come see me after you are released from medical."
Daniel smiled and waved to the general in the control room. His smile wavered as he noticed Jack's glowering figure in the background. Nothing did menacing quite like Jack O'Neill.
Daniel quickly made his way to Janet and enlisted her help in his experiment. She agreed to help, but doubted that Jack's foul mood could be solved by sniffing Sam's T-shirt. But, she was desperate enough to give it a try. Hell, the entire base was desperate enough. Jacob had been right when he commented the chaos that Jack was causing.
The first few days SG-1 were gone weren't too bad. But slowly Jack's temper had gotten worse and worse. Until the last few days, instead of sounding off at the nearest target, Jack had gone silent. Saying very little and his very presence was enough to unnerve even the most battle-hardened Marine. Janet had to stitch up his hands twice, when he beat the heavy bag until his hands were bloody. Short of sedation, she didn't know what else to try and she was nearly ready to try that.
Daniel and Janet arrived at the general's office promptly and explained what they wanted to try. General Hammond was also skeptical, but desperate. They all set up in the conference room and called for Jack.
"I sure hope you know what you're doing, Dr. Jackson," General Hammond offered as they waited.
"So do I, Sir. So do I," Daniel replied.
And then Jack arrived. Every motion was self-contained. Limited to the minimal amount required. Jack gave the general an almost belligerent nod as he took his seat. He didn't say anything. He didn't move. He just waited perfectly still for Daniel to speak. Daniel was reminded of the quiet right before a volcano exploded. As if the world was holding its breath and waiting for the explosion. Yep, this is so not good.
"Jack," Daniel greeted, trying to ignore the rising tension in the room. "I brought you this," he brandished the baggie with Sam's T-shirt and tossed it over to his friend. He had thoughtfully slid her note inside the bag. As if Sam had sent the T-shirt rather than had it stolen from her.
Jack deftly caught the baggie and glared at it and then Daniel.
Daniel waited.
Jack glared.
Daniel cleared his throat, "Are you gonna open it?"
Jack turned his glare to the general.
"Just open it, son," the general replied, completely unfazed by Jack's glare.
"Fine," Jack groused through clenched teeth and he tore the bag open.
Daniel watched as he pulled out the note and the T-shirt. Jack glared at the two objects and gave an experimental sniff to the T-shirt before he examined the note. As Jack read the note all the tension in his body slowly washed away. Finally, he smiled and folded the note back up and looked at everyone in the room, "What? It's private." Daniel noted that Jack didn't relinquish his hold on the T-shirt.
General Hammond broke the silence first, "Well, Dr. Jackson, it wasn't a very scientific demonstration, but I'm convinced that the idea has merit."
Daniel let out a relived sigh, "Thank you, Sir. So, is it possible for Jack to come back with me?"
"What?" Jack asked in confusion. "Go back… where?"
"Cythera…" Daniel started.
Jack stood up and ranted, "Oh, hell no. You SO do not want me within 100 light years of that place…"
Only to be stopped by Daniel's quiet statement, "Sam needs you."
Jack sat down in a stunned silence.
"Colonel, Dr. Jackson has brought to my attention a small medical matter that is directly related to your stay on Cythera," General Hammond said breaking the quiet.
Janet started next, "You and Sam have been experiencing mood and hormonal swings since your return. All my tests have come back within normal limits, but… according to the Cytherans, these changes are more likely related to something else."
"And what EXACTLY did they say that was, Daniel?" Jack asked as he glared across the table.
Daniel put on his happy face and answered carefully, "They called it being bonded." Daniel paused.
"And…" Jack prompted impatiently.
"And it sort of means that… that… you and Sam… are kind… of… addicted to each other's smell," Daniel finished is a rush and stared at his hands.
"WHAT?!" Jack exploded.
"Sit down, Colonel," General Hammond ordered. "Dr Jackson has explained to my satisfaction a possible reason for your recent bout of extremely poor behavior."
"Sir, I…" Jack tried to continue.
"Furthermore, he has demonstrated… again to my satisfaction… how proper 'treatment' can eliminate said behavior," General Hammond continued. He turned back to Daniel and Janet, "Doctor Frasier, I am willing to consider sending Col. O'Neill back to Cythera pending your clearance." The general turned back to Jack, "Colonel, do I need to remind you how much pressure the President and the Joint Chiefs are under to make this transfer go smoothly?" He leveled his glare directly at Jack.
"No, Sir," Jack replied in a resigned voice.
General Hammond continued, "Good. You are going to get clearance for off-world travel. Then you are going to gear up and return to Cythera with Dr. Jackson. You will hold your temper and assist the Tok'ra without your usual belly-aching. Am I making myself clear?"
"Crystal," Jack sullenly responded.
"Excellent," the general responded as he rose. "Then I expect to see you leave within the hour. Dismissed." The general returned to his office and started making some phone calls.
Daniel, Janet, and Jack quietly exited the conference room and headed to the infirmary. Jack maintained his silence until well past the general's door, surprising his friend. It wasn't until the elevator doors closed that Jack finally asked for the full story. Daniel filled him in on his observations. Janet supplied her observations as well. Finally, Daniel point out the black T-shirt that Jack had firmly tucked under his arm. He didn't even remember picking it up.
Convinced that maybe the rest of the world hadn't gone loony tunes, Jack relented to the physical and geared up for an extended stay off-world. His only comment was that SSgt Zamora wasn't going to be very happy.
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