Chapter 5: Little Adjustments
Getting in line with her team, Sam discovered that she could just see over the top of the counter. Casually, Daniel grabbed an extra tray from the tall stack and set it in front of her. She had to stand on tiptoes to reach most of her choices, although she didn't miss Jack nonchalantly nudging some of her favorite things a little closer to the edge when he thought she wasn't looking.
"Would you also like some Jell-o, Major Carter?" Teal'c asked as they reached the end of the line, reaching into the top of the dessert case and removing a cup of red Jell-o for himself. The dessert was definitely out of her reach without a step stool or a boost and she nodded shyly.
"Thanks guys," she said quietly, as Teal'c placed a cup of the blue gelatin on her tray.
They were all being exceedingly polite, although Jack couldn't resist a bit of gentle teasing as the four of them claimed seats at their usual table. "Cute shirt, Carter," he said gently, taking a big bite out of his stew.
Sam blushed, hiding her embarrassment in pouring dressing over her salad. "There weren't a lot of choices, sir," she defended.
"At least it's true," said Daniel innocently, a twinkle in his eye as he bit into his sandwich.
"I'm going to need to get some more clothes," Sam pointed out, redirecting the subject. "This and one more shirt are all Janet and I could find in my size," she told them, spearing up a forkful of vegetables.
Jack looked thoughtful. "You'll need more than clothes I think. Sounds like we need to make a little fieldtrip tomorrow," he mused.
She nodded. "Yes, sir. Janet wants me in the infirmary overnight, but she'll probably let me go in the morning," she told him, then put her fork in her mouth, stopping in surprise at the flavors exploding over her tongue.
"Is there something wrong with your meal, Major Carter?" Teal'c asked, pausing in his own eating to look at her curiously.
Finding the rest of the team watching her inquiringly, she hastily swallowed, washing the bite down with her drink. She shook her head, and tried to explain. "Its just, everything tastes a little… stronger," she admitted, attempting to find a word to convey the sensation.
"Huh," Daniel answered. "I'd heard kids have more taste buds, but that's pretty wild Sam," he told her, looking fascinated.
"Well, you know it's always hard to get kids to eat their vegetables," Jack said with a grin, as he watched Sam eagerly taking another bite of her food. Obviously, there were a few exceptions, although maybe the scientist was the one controlling the urge. Currently, her face was relaxed; eyes closed in delight, making her look more like the age she'd been reverted to. Until that moment, they'd all been able to see the woman under the outward appearance of a child.
Giving himself a mental shake, Jack brought the subject back on track. "So, tomorrow afternoon?" he asked. "We can go to Target, get clothes and school supplies."
Everyone agreed, and Daniel added, "I'll probably need a few things too."
Pointing his fork at the man, Jack told him "Make a list, I'll get permission from the General." Daniel nodded, and it was clear from his face that he was already making a mental list.
The rest of their meal was finished mostly in silence, as thoughts turned to their next mission. They all went in different directions after the meal. Jack headed for his office to work on his mission report; Daniel went for his to start the list. Teal'c was going to the gym for a work out. Sam stopped by her locker, and headed for her lab. If she was going to be stuck in the infirmary all night, she intended to be productive.
Janet looked slightly surprised to see her show up so early in the evening, but made no comment over the laptop and files she carried. Sam climbed into the bed and let Janet take a set of vitals while her computer booted up. "So, how are things?" the Doctor asked casually.
Sam shrugged, trying to put her feelings into words. "Ok, things are a little weird, but I guess that's normal considering." She frowned at the questioning look Janet gave her and tried to explain. "Not weird in a bad way. Just… different I guess. Me, the things around me, everything really," she finished with a half-shrug.
Removing the pediatric blood pressure cuff, Janet studied her friend thoughtfully for a moment. "I suppose it will just take some getting used to," she replied, seeming to understand what Sam was trying to say.
"Yeah," she agreed, then turned her attention to her laptop as it beeped, signaling it was ready to go. Janet excused herself, and Sam soon lost herself in her work.
The hours passed quickly. Sam finished her report on the mission to P35-437 and saved it, turning to the file folder containing the details on the identity she was to assume. She tried to familiarize herself with the information, trying out her new name "Samantha Lewis." The Colonel, playing the part of her father and the owner of Aerotech Enterprises, was Jonathon "Jack" Lewis. The idea of Jack acting as her father didn't freak her out as much as she thought it would. Maybe she was just used to him being in charge after all these years. Still, it was definitely going to be one of the weirdest missions she'd ever been on.
Thinking of their cover stories led to thoughts of the role she was to play. She'd had doubts before about playing the part of an eighth grader. But a kindergartener? She knew immediately that she'd have to be careful. The whole point of being undercover was to not draw attention to your self. She'd have to be very careful not to give it away that she was smarter than the average five year old. But how to hide a lifetime of knowledge and experiences? It bore a lot of thinking, and Sam was startled by a sudden yawn. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was a lot later than she'd thought. Sliding off the bed, she gathered up the files and powered down her laptop, closing it and placing it carefully on the nightstand.
Grabbing her toothbrush and her own adult sized t-shirt that she'd grabbed from her locker before coming to the infirmary, Sam headed back to the bathroom. She was just padding back to bed when Janet came out of her office. The woman smiled at Sam's chosen sleepwear, but said nothing out loud.
"Here I thought I'd have to chase you to bed," Janet told her as she climbed into the bed, pulling up the covers.
Sam grinned sheepishly and shook her head. "It's been a long day," she admitted, and then yawned again. She laughed at herself, "The Colonel is taking SG-1 shopping tomorrow. Daniel and I both need things. Back to school shopping," she said ruefully, "It's been a long time since I've had to do that!" She chuckled at the idea.
Janet laughed with her. "Well, I'll not keep you from your rest. As long as your lab work comes back clear tomorrow, and everything goes all right tonight, I'll let you go in the morning."
"Thanks, Janet," Sam told her sincerely.
"I'll be staying on base tonight," Janet added. "Cassie is spending the night with a friend, so I'm not really needed at home. Goodnight, Sam."
"Night Janet," Sam replied warmly, appreciating the fact that Janet was probably staying because of her. She laid back in the bed, tucking her hands behind her head and staring at the ceiling as the other woman left, dimming the lights.
As she looked up in the semi darkness of the infirmary, thoughts cascaded through her head, and she felt it would be some time before she could actually sleep. Her body had other plans though, and Sam was asleep much sooner than she thought she would. It seemed like next to no time had passed before woke the next morning, feeling oddly refreshed in a way she hadn't in a long time.
She was up and dressed, choosing the pink t-shirt this morning, by the time Janet joined her. Looking over her overnight vitals and the lab work that had come back, Janet quickly agreed to let her go. "I want you to come back right away though," the doctor cautioned, "If you experience anything at all unusual. Oh, and you should probably try to avoid sugar and caffeine."
Sam looked up in surprise. "No coffee?" she asked.
Janet smiled. "Only if it's decaf," she allowed. "Children react more easily to caffeine and sugar than adults do," she explained. "Somehow, I think you'd rather not be bouncing off the walls."
"I'll keep it in mind," Sam told her. "Thanks Janet."
Sam left the infirmary, dropping off the things from last night that she didn't need. She went to the commissary, grabbing her usual bagel with cream cheese, and a bottle of orange juice. On impulse, she poured a bowl of cereal and picked up a carton of milk and an apple. For some reason, she was really hungry this morning!
Balancing her selections on top of the laptop and files she'd chosen to hang onto, Sam found her feet carrying her not to her lab as usual, but to Daniel's office. Last night when she'd gone to her lab, she'd found the room a bit imposing. The tables alone were taller than her head, and Sam didn't relish a morning spent perched on her high stool trying to reach things, despite the tantalizing appeal of several things she'd been working on recently. Just outside of her teammate's office, Sam could smell the tempting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. She was going to have a hard time following Janet's advice.
At her hesitant knock, Daniel looked up for a text he was reading, one hand holding a pen poised over his notepad. He'd been mumbling to himself when she'd arrived. The archeologist looked over the top of his book, and then lowered it, sitting up higher to see her in the doorway over the clutter of objects on his desk.
"Sam!" he greeted warmly. "Come in, have a seat," he said, getting up and hastily clearing off a chair and making a place on his desk for her to set her burden down.
"Morning Daniel," she answered, smiling in thanks as she put her things on the desk and sat in the offered chair. She couldn't help the longing gaze she sent to the coffee maker in the corner. Daniel always made an excellent pot, and there was enough in the carafe for one more cup.
Catching her look, Daniel grinned. "Do you want a cup? You know you're always welcome to share with me," he offered.
Sadly, Sam shook her head. "Janet said I should try to avoid caffeine. Something about my metabolism being different now," she explained to his curious look.
Daniel blinked, then held up a finger. "Wait a second, I have just the solution," he said cheerfully. Turning, he poured the last of the coffee into his cup, and then bent to rummage in a drawer. "Here it is," he announced, holding up a bag. "Decaf," he told her smugly.
"You? With decaf?" Sam asked in surprise.
With a boyish grin, Daniel changed the filter in the machine and measured out a few spoonfuls of grounds. "I've lost count of the number of times Janet has refused to let me have caffeine," he admitted ruefully. "There, let me just get some water, I'll be right back." He left, carrying the empty coffee pot.
Smiling, Sam gave her attention over to breakfast. Daniel returned and restarted the coffee pot. He poured her a cup when it was done, and the two of them settled into a companionable silence, each working on their own projects.
In was in that way that Colonel O'Neill found them several hours later, Teal'c standing just behind. "Howdy folks," he greeted, standing with his hands casually stuffed in his pockets.
"Hey guys," Daniel greeted.
Sam turned in her chair and smiled. "Morning sir, Teal'c."
Jack's practiced eye traveled over the two of them, taking in the empty breakfast plates and the mugs by each of their places. He narrowed his eye at the nearly empty coffee pot.
"It's decaf," she defended hastily.
"Want some?" offered Daniel innocently.
Jack made a face. "Urgh, no thanks. You two haven't been in here all morning have you? It's practically lunchtime," he complained.
The two scientists shared a guilty look, and Jack threw up his hands in mock dismay. "What am I going to do with the two of you? You never learn." He turned to his companion. "Teal'c, help me out here buddy."
Teal'c inclined his head, face amused. "Perhaps we should acquire lunch, O'Neill," he suggested.
"Good idea!" Jack praised.
"Actually, I could eat, sir," Sam said in surprise.
Jack grinned over the easy victory, and turned to the last member of SG-1. Daniel shrugged. "Yeah, ok," he agreed.
"Sweet," Jack proclaimed. "After lunch, we can do the shopping thing," he decided. "You done that list Daniel?"
"Uh, yeah," Daniel answered, shifting a few things on his desk and coming up with a slip of paper covered in his distinctive scrawl. Jack raised his eyebrows at the length.
"Did you get everything down? Pencils, paper, the kitchen sink?" he asked sarcastically as they headed out of the office.
Daniel shook his head in exasperation. "Jack! We're both going to need a lot of things. It's not like we can go in with supplies stamped 'Property of the USAF.'"
Sam fell back with Teal'c and shared a smile with the man as the other two men started to debate the matter. Now in front of her, Jack grabbed the list out Daniel's hand. "It's a good thing the General gave me a credit card with a big limit," he muttered, after scanning the number of items on the list. With a sour look he handed it back.
Daniel of course made an automatic retort, but Sam was too busy looking around the hallways as they walked to pay attention. Sam let the familiar arguing fade into the background as she took in how different everything felt. The feeling of dislocation she'd experienced last night came back to her, and she was preoccupied during their entire meal and while she waited for the guys to change into street clothes.
The rest of her team took note of her atypically subdued mood, and didn't press her, instead, filling the air with normal conversation while they ate and afterwards made their way to the surface. She passed through the security checkpoints presenting her ID automatically and barely registering the explanation the Colonel gave the confused guards for her. She absently returned the greetings the guards gave her.
Once topside, SG-1 headed towards the vehicle they were borrowing for the mission, Sam trailing behind, lost in her own thoughts. The guys went ahead, careful not to go too far away, but respecting her need for space. When they reached the SUV however, Jack stopped, and turned around to face her, waiting for her to catch up.
"Carter," he said gravely, one hand on the back door, "I'm sorry, but you'll have to ride in the back seat," he told her. Sam blinked, and shrugged. She had no problem with that, but Jack continued before she could say so. "Luckily for you, Colonel Dixon heard we were heading out and he's loaned us his daughter's booster seat, at least until we can pick up another one." With that, he pulled open the back door.
Startled, Sam took an involuntary step back. Shaking her head, she held up her hands in front of her. "Uh, no way. You don't seriously expect me to ride in that do you sir?" she asked, tearing her eyes away from the horrible pink contraption in front of her to look at her CO. Unfortunately for her, the Colonel had his arms crossed. He didn't appear to be joking.
"Colorado state law, Carter. Six years old or 55 inches tall, neither of which you are right now," he admonished sternly. Her eyes widened in shock, he must have studied the law verbatim!
"But," she protested helplessly, shooting desperate glances at her teammates. Teal'c was studying the booster seat, and Daniel looked slightly embarrassed and was pretending disinterest, neither of them looked like they'd be coming to her aid any time soon. Vainly, she struggled to come up with some logical reason to keep from having to ride in the thing in the back seat. It was hideous, all colorful… and childish. And pink. There was no way she was getting in that thing. No way!
"Ah ah! No buts Carter. The law is the law." He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Now get in the seat, Major," he ordered in a way that signaled the discussion was over. He gestured with his hands for her to do just that. Still resisting, Sam stood rooted, hoping to come up with a good reason why she should be exempt.
Studying her and SG-1's leader in open curiosity, Teal'c wondered mildly, "Major Carter, would this seat not offer you increased protection in a collision?"
"See?" Jack exclaimed, "That's the point Teal'c! Safety first, that's what I always say." His grin seemed to indicate he'd come up with the idea in the first place.
"That's not the… Oh, never mind," she grumbled, finally giving in. Getting in the truck was a bit of a struggle; she literally had to climb up using the door and seat to find hand and toe holds. Wisely, the rest of her team remained silent, and once she was in the truck, Jack shut the door. The rest of them got in, leaving her to puzzle out the five-point harness restraint and how best to approach it.
Somehow, she managed to get her arms into the right places, grumbling quietly the whole time. "Sorry, Sam," Daniel mumbled apologetically as he slid in from the other side. Sam only nodded distractedly, focused on working out the buckles. She really shouldn't be having all that much trouble, after all a five point harness was nothing new, just about any aircraft she'd ever flown had at least that. Dimly, she heard three sets of seatbelts buckle into place, while she'd only managed to find one connection. One of the straps was twisted too, and she'd encountered several stains and something squishy in the crevasses of the seat that she'd rather not think about.
"Uh, Carter, you need a little help back there?" asked Jack, twisting in the front seat to look back at her. "I'm sure Daniel can give you a hand if you need it."
Interrupted from her task, Sam looked up quickly. Three sets of eyes met hers, and Daniel tried to smile reassuringly. "Uh, that's ok, I'm good sir, I got it," she assured them hastily with more confidence than she felt, turning hurriedly back to her task.
Jack studied her for a moment, and then turned back around. "That's ok Carter, take all the time you need," he told her. "Not like we have a deadline or anything," he muttered, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, impatient to get going. "Isn't that right kids?" he asked loudly, the word slipping out from accustomed use.
As if to cover his slip, Daniel and Teal'c both spoke at the same time, their words lost in each other's voices. Teal'c turned away to look out the window and Daniel looked at her guiltily. Jack fiddled with his keys.
"When I'm back to normal, you are all so going down," she promised under her breath, squirming and finally sending the last connection home with a click. "Ready!" she announced more loudly.
"What was that, Major?" Jack asked, as he started the truck, eyeing her in the rearview mirror. From his tone, she knew he had heard what she'd said. Fidgeting against the unfamiliar sensation of the booster seat and harness and feeling her cheeks burn, Sam wondered what to tell him. While they'd all been exceedingly polite and courteous, there had still been some teasing and always a bit of amusement at her expense just lurking under the surface. She knew it was only a matter of time before they quit holding back. To her mind, the whole booster seat thing was just the beginning.
"Uh, Jack," Daniel interrupted with impeccable timing, saving her from reply. "If we're going out in public, wouldn't it look, oh, unusual, to address Sam by her last name or rank?" he asked with feigned innocence. Sam sent him a grateful smile when she knew Jack wasn't looking.
Diverted, Jack looked surprised for a moment. "Daniel," he admitted, missing their exchange, "When you're right, you're right. You heard him folks, first names from now on." Teal'c nodded and Daniel settled back into his seat with a smirk. He'd have no trouble with first names. Jack rolled his eyes and glanced at Sam in the rearview again. "Sam?" he asked, trying out the name.
"Yes s… Jack," she stammered in agreement. She'd start with Jack, and later they could worry about their cover story. Right now, she didn't think she could go from Sir or Colonel to Dad. And she was not going to call him Daddy. No. Way.
The Colonel seemed to agree with her unspoken words. "We'll work on it," he promised, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror. "We've got time to work on the rest." He turned his attention back to driving, and Sam was left to her own thoughts, letting the familiar banter of her team wash over her. Resting her head back on the padded headrest, Sam was grateful that at least she was tall enough to see out the window, even if she couldn't see anything out the front. She stared at the passing scenery, lost in thought. It seemed like every single thing she did was taking time to get used to. Even old familiar things, like dressing or showering or using a pen just felt off, like she was using someone else's body. A very small someone else. It had been a little disorienting at times so far. She was starting to doubt if she'd be ready to take on the mission in a week.
Somehow though, she had to try.
A/N: Sorry for the delay! Hopefully though, it was worth the wait. As always, I greatly appreciate your comments and suggestions. Many thanks to all of you who have left feedback of some sort thus far, and especially thank you for those who do so regularly.