"Knock, knock… can I come in?" Jackson said as he entered Colonel O'Neill's office not waiting for an answer. "And if I say no?" the colonel answered with a chuckle. "What can I do for you?" "I wanted to ask if I can borrow your truck later this afternoon or tonight." Jackson said with a shy smile. "No one uses my truck, you know that. But if I drive then it will be fine." O'Neill answered. "I need to use it myself tonight around eight, but if we can be done before then, then it will be with for me. What do you need it for anyway?" O'Neill asked with curiosity. "I got a new tenant and… just going to help her move in," Jackson muttered, hoping his friend neglected to hear the 'her' part. Jackson knew he would not be able to live it down when O'Neill found out who the new tenant was. However, the look on O'Neill's face told Jackson that his friend had heard. "So what's her name?" the older man asked. " Swenson… She is new in my department. I am just letting her live at my house until she finds a more permanent place," Jackson answered, trying to sound like it was just another tenant. Not very successful though. "Yeah, sure, ya betcha…" O'Neill answered with a grin on his face. "So when do I pick you up?" he asked. "Let me talk with Swenson, and I will get back to you then," Jackson said as he made his way out the office, waving his hand over his shoulder.
Jackson went back to his office, calls the lab, and asks that Swenson join him in his office. Shortly thereafter Swenson knocks on Jackson's door. "Hi Daniel… You called," Jessica said with a smile, as she made her way into the office. "Yeah, have a seat. How are you today?" Jackson points to the guest chair. "I am fine… Did you find out anything about the truck?" Jessica asked without wasting much time. "We can have it as soon as we want but we have to be done before eight tonight. Will that be a problem?" Jackson asked. "No, I don't think so. Just let me know when you want start and I will be ready," Jessica answered. "Okay, I will talk to Jack. He insists on being the driver, so I will let you know when we get ready to leave." Jackson got to his feet indicating that the meeting was over.
The rest of the day was quiet in the mountain. Jackson and O'Neill decided to leave early and get started on the move. At around 3PM Jackson made his way to the lab to tell Swenson that they were ready to leave. When Swenson and Jackson made it to the surface O'Neill was already there waiting for them. Jackson discreetly cast a look at Swenson and noticed a smile spreading on her face, and he knew she noticed exactly how handsome the older man is. "Damn, how can one compete against that distinguished look and boyish charm…? I should have rented a truck instead of introducing those two," Jackson thought as they made their way to O'Neill's truck. "Jack, this is Jessica. Jessica, Jack," Jackson introduced the two as he moved around to open the passenger door for Swenson. "Thanks for helping me out. I truly appreciate it, Colonel," Swenson said as she extended her hand to greet O'Neill. "No problem… Anything to spend the afternoon in the company of a pretty lady," O'Neill said as he jumped into the drivers side of the truck. "Where to?" O'Neill asked as he started up the engine. Swenson gave him the directions as they drove off.
They drove for a while in silence, until O'Neill couldn't stand it any longer. "So, Jess, how's the geek treating you?" O'Neill asked. "If by geek you mean Dr. Jackson, then he is treating me well," Swenson answered, "very well in fact. Not many people would invite a total stranger to live at their home." "That's Jackson for you alright," O'Neill said with a shake of his head. They drove again for a while in silence. Each of them consumed in their own thoughts.
"They truly are an odd couple. I thought they were best friends, but that geek comment was a little rude. Yet the tone of voice sounded a little like he cares a great deal about Daniel. Hmm… maybe they are a couple," Swenson thought, glancing first at O'Neill, then at Jackson. "Daniel looks like he would rather not be here. Why is he so shy? He looks so worried. Maybe he is afraid I am going to figure out about their relationship. What a shame he is gay. I wouldn't mind him being straight and single," Swenson again glanced at Jackson, trying to shake the thought. "It is too soon anyway, I don't need the heartache"
Jackson noticed how Swenson suddenly looked sad. "Wonder what's up with that? Maybe she thinks that Jack is taken. I should tell her to go for it. What am I thinking? I don't want them together. I want her… I saw her first! Oh geez, now I sound like a 12 year old," Jackson thought, shaking his head, feeling the sadness creep over him.
"Wow, they sure got the hots for each other," O'Neill thought, "so why do they both look so sad? It is not like they have to worry about regs, they are both civilians. Maybe they just need a little push in the right direction. Time for the Colonel to take action"
"So, Jess, got any plans for the weekend?" O'Neill asked taking his eyes off the road for a second to look at her, not missing the look of surprise on Jackson's face. "Umm.. No, not yet. Probably just going to unpack and get settled." "We are going camping this weekend, do you wanna come?" O'Neill said. Jackson shot him another look. "Could he be anymore obvious? Why doesn't he just invite her out? Or drop me off so he can be alone with her? Great now I am jealous." Jackson thought, while sending a questioning look towards O'Neill. "It is just SG-1 and you, if you would like to come. Great way for you to get to know us all," O'Neill continued. Oblivious to the jealous looks Jackson was sending him. "Sounds like fun, but I really should spend some time getting my things unpacked," Swenson replied without looking at either of them and by that missing the looks passing between the two men. "It will be fun, right Daniel?" O'Neill said sending a look towards Jackson. And without giving him a chance to answer he continued, "We always hang out during downtime, so since you will be living at Daniels place you need to get used to us, so what better way than to go camping with us. Right, Daniel?" This time it looked like he was actually going to give Jackson a chance to answer. "Umm… sure, you are welcome to join us, Jessica, it will be fun." "Okay, I will think about it. When are you leaving?" Swenson asked, looking at O'Neill. Jackson's tone of voice hadn't exactly sounded inviting so she didn't dare looking him. O'Neill smiled at her, and told her they would be leaving Friday, and to just let him know before then.
Again, silence filled the truck, while they all thought about what had just happened. Swenson was torn. She didn't know if she should accept the invitation or not. O'Neill seemed like he was genuinely interested in her joining them on their trip. However, Jackson seemed like he would rather she did not. She hadn't missed the looks that Jackson kept sending O'Neill, although she rather wished that she had. She really would love to go, but she thought that maybe it was better if she did not.
Jackson was torn as well. It would be a fun trip. They always had fun on their camping trips. Nevertheless, could he stand watching Jack shamelessly flirting with Jessica for three whole days? Maybe she will decide not to go. He felt that a part of him wanted her to go, but another part didn't. Logically it shouldn't be a problem, but his heart told him otherwise.
O'Neill was oblivious to the turmoil he had caused. But the more he looked at his friend and the woman seated between them; he started to doubt his decision to invite her to join them on their camping trip. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all. He really did need to learn to think before talking. How was he going to get out of this one? He wasn't too thrilled about having an angry archaeologist on his hands, and he didn't want to come off as a total nut to the newest addition to the mountain. What should he do? He couldn't take the invitation back. Too late for that now. Maybe she will say no, and there will be nothing to worry about. But why is Daniel not interested in Jess joining them? O'Neill had been certain that the two youngsters would have been happy to have a chance to spend the weekend getting to know each other. Oh well, no going back now.
"We are here," O'Neill said, breaking the silence. "What spot is closest to your room, Jess?" "If you park right over there to the left, we will be right in front of my room," Swenson answered. O'Neill parked the truck and they all jumped out and went to Swenson's room. She didn't have a whole lot of things to move. Only a few boxes, several suitcases, and a desk top computer. It took only a few minutes to load it all in the truck and secure it. Swenson went to the motel office to check out. As soon as she was outside hearing range O'Neill thought it was time to talk to Jackson about inviting Swenson on their trip. "Sorry, Daniel, I thought you would welcome a chance to get to know her better. I only invited her because I thought it was okay with you," he started. Jackson turned around to face his friend. "Oh give me a break, Jack. You only invited her so you could get to know her better. Don't let me stand in your way," Jackson replied angrily, and then stomped off, before O'Neill could answer. "Whoa, what was that all about? Danny boy is jealous. Geez, he thinks I invited her because I have the hots for her. Looks like I really made a mess of it this time," O'Neill thought as he too made his way in to the truck. After he started up the truck, he turned to look at Jackson. "Daniel, I am not interested in her. I am no threat to you," "Who said I was interested in her? So help yourself," Jackson replied with a gruff. "Yeah, sure ya betcha," O'Neill said, driving towards to the motel entrance to pick up Swenson who was now waiting for them. She got in the truck and smiled at both men. Seeing the grim looks on both of them she decided to keep quiet. They drove in silence for a while, until O'Neill started some small talk with Swenson. Jackson just kept staring out the passenger side window. He could hear them talking and laughing, but didn't pay attention to what they were talking about. He was busy looking at nothing and feeling sorry for himself. "Why does this always happen to me? I haven't looked at another woman since Sha're, and as soon as I do, Jack comes along and I might as well forget it. I hope that she will soon find a place of her own and move out. I don't think I could handle seeing them together, or knowing what they might be doing in the next room. If nothing else, this is going to be interesting," he thought. Next thing he knew, they were parked in the driveway in front of his house.
It took them even less time to unload the truck. They carried all Swenson's things to her new room. They all then got back in the truck to go back to the mountain to pick up their individual cars. As soon as they arrived at the mountain Jackson jumped out of the truck with a muttered "Thanks, Jack," then he briskly walked off to get his car. Both Swenson and O'Neill just looked at his back as he walked off. He could feel their eyes on his back, but he just couldn't stand being near them for another minute. He needed to be alone. Alone to think. "Is everything okay?" Swenson asked, looking at O'Neill with a worry. "Yeah, nothing to worry about," O'Neill replied. "I should get going, I will talk with you later, and you know where to find me, when you decide if you want to go camping, and don't worry about Daniel, he will be fine. He is probably just thinking about some artifact or translation. He gets like that," he continued with a smile. "Okay, and thanks for your help, I really appreciated it," Swenson said as she started walking backwards towards her car. "See you later," she waved as she turned around and walked away.