Chapter 7: A GOOD Plan
As Jack parked, Daniel looked over at his sleeping teammate. In sleep, her face was relaxed, without trace of the anxieties and worries of day-to-day life as an adult. It was easy to forget that she only looked five.
"Sam, hey, wake up. We're here," he called softly, reluctant to wake her, but knowing she'd probably rather go back inside under her own steam. In the field, she would have woken instantly, alert for danger or ready to take over her turn on watch. Now, she didn't even stir. He looked up and caught Jack watching him over the seat. He shrugged helplessly. "I think she's good and out," he reported.
"O'Neill, shall I assist Major Carter inside?" Teal'c offered, also peering over the back of the seat.
Jack shook his head. "No, Teal'c, I got her," he answered, unclipping his belt and sliding out of the truck. Daniel and Teal'c did the same, the two men coming around to the other side. Daniel watched as Jack frowned over the booster seat restraints.
"You know, this thing really is a pain in the… mikta," the man complained, finally freeing the small occupant. A faint frown had appeared on the sleeping face, but otherwise, she showed no signs of waking up. Jack reached in, scooping her up and settling her so her head rested on his shoulder with practiced ease. Sam sighed, shifting so that Daniel could see her face, and then relaxed, body going boneless in sleep in the way that only children seemed to possess. Daniel blinked in surprise.
"Hunh," Jack grunted, turning away so that Teal'c could close the door. "I always thought only kids could sleep like that. Maybe it's physical?" he wondered, voicing the thought Daniel had just been thinking. Teal'c looked interested, as they walked back on base and Jack continued his speculations. "You three were the same way," he observed. "Couldn't take you guys anywhere. As soon as the engine started, you guys fell asleep," he complained, his tone teasing as Daniel held the door open. "Come to think of it," Jack added, "Charlie was much the same way."
Teal'c nodded as he stopped at the security checkpoint, presenting his ID. "Indeed, Rya'c was greatly alike," he commented, a distant but fond look on his face. Daniel smiled, digging out his own card and retrieving Sam's from her back pocket, Jack got his after leaning his burden on the counter to free one hand.
After they'd cleared security, Daniel led the way to Sam's quarters, using her card to unlock the door. He opened the door, flipping on the lights and leaving her ID where she'd see it when she woke up. Teal'c pulled down the covers, and Jack laid his slumbering passenger on the bed. He expertly removed the small pair of shoes, but stopped at that.
"Don't think Carter will appreciate it if we change her into something more comfortable," he said, pulling the covers up into place.
"No," agreed Daniel, "She'll probably be embarrassed enough as it is."
The three men retreated to the hall, Teal'c turning off the lights and pulling the door shut behind them. "What was that, earlier, right after we got to Target?" Jack asked as they headed away from the room. "Carter looked a little freaked out."
Daniel wondered if he should tell them, but then decided that it wouldn't hurt if the rest of the team were a little more sensitive to the adjustments Sam was trying to make, Jack in particular. "She was a little overwhelmed by how much bigger everything seemed." he said. "You know, we're all fairly tall. It's easy for us to take for granted the little things, like being able to reach something on a shelf, or simply get in and out of the truck."
"Major Carter is very independent." Teal'c observed, his gaze thoughtful.
"And she's just been thrust into a role where she's expected to be helpless and need assistance with just about everything," Jack added. "She's not used to acting that way, and I'm sure that little incident at the store didn't help matters much." He shook his head slowly. "Is it just me, or do you think Carter's going to have a tough time acting out her part in this mission?"
"Well, at least most people won't look beyond her appearance," Daniel pointed out.
Jack nodded, but it was clear that he was thinking of something else. "She's going to be around people that will be looking deeper though. They might find she's a bit odd for five," he said, putting it mildly.
"I'm sure she's already thinking about that, Jack," Daniel returned, as the three men paused at the intersecting corridor that would lead them to their separate quarters.
"Will Major Carter not make the best efforts to remain unobtrusive?" asked Teal'c, looking from one man to the other.
"She'll do her best, yeah, but this is Carter we're talking about here." Jack shrugged, as if that explained everything.
"What are you trying to say, Jack?" Daniel asked, rubbing his forehead wearily, too tired to try and figure out what his friend was trying to tell them in his round about way.
The other man shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm just saying that maybe we need to help her work on her cover."
Daniel exchanged a look with Teal'c. "What do you mean?" he asked warily, eyes narrowed slightly.
Jack looked thoughtful, and then surprised them both when he smiled brightly. "Oh, I might have a plan," he hinted, and turned away. "Look, I think I'll turn in. We can get the stuff that's needed out of the truck in the morning. I'll see you two tomorrow, keep your day open," he called, with a careless wave over his shoulder.
Daniel groaned as the other man walked away. "Teal'c, why do I get the feeling that Sam isn't going to like this plan of Jack's?"
Teal'c tilted his head, showing his agreement. "Indeed my friend. We had best accompany them both. Goodnight Daniel Jackson."
"Night Teal'c," he replied distractedly, brow still slightly furrowed, and decided the other two had the right idea. Bed sounded like a good plan. He had a feeling he'd need all the rest he could get to be ready for whatever it was Jack had in store for them tomorrow.
Awakening in her quarters left Sam with a feeling of disorientation that she hadn't felt since that time on P3X-595 where she had drunk that stuff that made her… Well to say the least, she had the same feeling of waking up with no recollection of how she had gotten there. At least this time, she didn't feel like her head was about to explode. The last thing she remembered was getting back in the truck with the guys after dinner. She remembered feeling very tired and as she pushed back the covers to find herself fully clothed, she colored as she realized that someone had likely carried her to her quarters.
Looking down at the wrinkled t-shirt she'd spent the previous day and night in, she changed quickly into the gray one. She'd have to get the clothes they'd bought yesterday out of the truck. Slipping her shoes on and pocketing the ID she found on her nightstand, she headed to the commissary. After getting breakfast, she found her way to Daniel's office again. The young man waved a distracted good morning to her, returning his nose to his text. She could hear him mumbling what sounded like French as he scribbled on his notepad. The title showed the book to be one about lesson plans.
Topping off Daniel's mug, Sam put on a new pot of coffee using the decaf grounds she found next to the machine. She had to stand on her toes and stretch to put the filter and grounds in and fill it with water. Soon though, she had her own mug, and settled down across from the archeologist to work on the things she'd brought with her.
Today though, they didn't have as much time to work. Jack appeared in the doorway about midmorning holding several bags. Teal'c stood behind him, holding another. "Here's your stuff Daniel," Jack greeted. "Carter, Teal'c and I already put your stuff in your quarters, if you want to go change before we leave," he suggested.
Putting down the latest data from the monitors on P62-45X left to observe the collapsing sun, Sam looked at her CO curiously. "Where are we going, sir?" she asked.
Jack just grinned and looked smug. "Out," he supplied unhelpfully.
Sam frowned, and Daniel rolled his eyes, loudly whispering to Sam so Jack could hear. "He has a plan," he said, marking his place in the textbook and standing up.
"A good plan," Jack corrected cheerfully.
"We will have a most enjoyable day," supported Teal'c, looking keen to be off.
Daniel looked startled. "You told him, but you won't tell me?" he protested in a tone bordering on indignation.
"You would have told," Jack informed him with a knowing look.
"Would not!" came the inevitable protest.
Sam grinned, and slipped out of the room as the conversation rapidly degenerated. In her quarters, as promised, she found the bags of clothing. She quickly changed into fresh jeans and another t-shirt, wondering what the Colonel had planned as she laced up her new shoes. Jumping up, Sam headed back to find the guys, only to meet them halfway. The argument between the Colonel and Daniel was still going on, despite having undergone a change of subject. Currently, the younger man was waving his hands to illustrate some point.
Shaking her head in rueful amusement, she dropped back to walk with Teal'c. "Hey, Teal'c," she greeted.
"Major Carter," he returned. "I trust you rested well last night?"
She smiled. "It's Sam, remember? And yeah, last night was good. In fact, I don't remember sleeping so well in years," she told him honestly. Teal'c nodded, both at the reminder and the information. They passed through security to the elevator, all the guards greeting her by name and rank this time, completely unruffled it seemed by her appearance.
"So, where we going?" she asked, looking up at Teal'c when they were on their way again, trying to pump the large man for information.
"I have been sworn to secrecy," he answered solemnly, looking amused at her disappointment.
"It's a surprise!" admonished Jack, up ahead as they reached the truck. "You'll find out when we get there!" he promised, smiling winningly.
She shook her head slightly, unable to be too annoyed. Pulling open the door, Sam saw that the guys had also installed the new booster seat. This one was a medium blue with inserts of gray. It looked very stylish, but it was still a booster seat. Presumably, the awful pink one had been returned to Colonel Dixon. Despite the new seat and needing to make a few adjustments, Sam found it easy enough to strap herself in. And this seat at least didn't have any hidden surprises or sticky spots to find.
Sam turned her attention out the window, trying to guess where they were headed, as Jack and Daniel continued their banter. Even with her watching the way though, she was still surprised when Jack pulled into the nearby park, stopping in an empty place.
"We're heeerrre," the man announced cheerfully, unbuckling his seatbelt and out of the truck before Sam and the rest had even started to release their belts. It still seemed to take twice as long as normal for her to release herself from the seat. She jumped down finally, leaning back on her door to push it closed, and walked around to the back of the truck where Jack was already handing items to Teal'c and Daniel.
"You took us to the park?" she asked, leaving off the sir on the end at the last minute. Still, Jack must have heard it, because he turned his full attention on her.
"Yes, Sam," he answered with only light emphasis. "Now, make yourself useful, and grab that last bag. I think that's everything. That tree looks like a good place, let's go," he ordered, heading off with a cooler in his hands. Teal'c followed readily with a canvas knapsack. Sam wondered when the Colonel had had the time to put this trip together. Daniel looked equally bewildered as he held a plastic bag with what looked like disposable plates and cups in it. He waited until she'd boosted herself half into the back of the truck to snag the requested bag. After she'd slithered back out, Daniel pulled the hatch down, shutting it.
"Sam! Daniel! What's keeping you two? I need that bag Sam! Hop to it, on the double!" shouted Jack, his hands cupped around his mouth. With a quick look at each other the two hastened to join the rest of the team. Jack and Teal'c had claimed an area underneath the large tree; it's leaves and thick branches shaded the grass beneath it from some of the late August heat.
Taking the bag as she arrived, Jack pulled out a folded gray military blanket. With a flourish, he shook it open, spreading it on the ground. "Take a seat you two, lunch is served," he announced as Teal'c opened the cooler and started to hand out sandwiches and drinks. Daniel reached into the bag he'd carried and passed around plates and napkins. Sam settled on one corner of the blanket, surprised to realize she was hungry. Everyone dug in, Jack had brought more than enough to go around.
After lunch, The Colonel looked at her. "Well, now the real reason we're here," he said. "Carter… Sam… it's time you start thinking about acting like a kid," he told her seriously.
"Actually, I've already been thinking about that, s-Jack," she admitted, stammering slightly and just managing not to blush.
The man looked pleased and surprised. "Great! Than you won't have a problem with what I'm about to tell you." He pointed to the nearby playground, where kids of various ages could be heard shrieking in glee. "Go. Play. I don't want to see you back here for at least thirty minutes."
Sam blinked in surprise. "You're kidding right?" she asked in disbelief. Even Daniel looked taken aback.
"Nope," Jack answered surely.
Teal'c stood up. "I will accompany you, Samantha. If I recall, you took great enjoyment pushing Cassandra on the swings when she was younger," he explained to her startled look.
"You want to push me on the swings?" Sam asked dubiously, her disbelief only growing.
"An excellent idea," Jack approved, and turned to dig in the bag Teal'c had carried, emerging with a bright blue disc. "While you two kids have fun on the swings, Daniel and I are gonna toss the Frisbee around."
"Jack!" Daniel objected, and Sam realized that the Colonel had distracted the younger man on purpose.
With a sigh, she got up and followed Teal'c. The big man looked downright eager to check out the playground. Trudging in his wake, by the time she reached the playground, he'd already selected an empty swing. He stood behind it waiting for her. Nearby, a woman pushed a young boy that looked to be about the same age as Sam looked.
Stopping in front of the swing, she looked up uncertainly. "You sure about this Teal'c?" she asked. When Teal'c nodded, she turned around, and seated herself, hands automatically gripping the chain. "Wow," she commented. "It's been a long time since I've sat in one of these."
"Are you prepared, Samantha?" Teal'c asked, and she nodded. At her nod, the man pulled her back and up, and then he let go.
Sam yelped involuntarily as she experienced the long forgotten sensation of plummeting. Before she knew it, she felt the slight jerk that signaled the end of the arc, and she was swinging backwards. She felt Teal'c grab the swing, stopping her motion.
"Are you well, Samantha?" he asked quickly in concern. "It was not my intention to startle you," he apologized.
"It wasn't you Teal'c, it just surprised me is all." She shook her head slightly. "It really has been a long time," she admitted again.
"Very well," he replied. "Shall we resume?" he asked, and Sam nodded. This time, he did not release her as high, and Sam felt his hands against her back as she completed the first full swing. As she made a second arc, she remembered how to lean and kick, her body already moving instinctively in the once familiar motions. She had loved the swings as a child. Thinking about it, she'd always wanted to fly, and swinging had seemed the closest thing at the time.
"You can push me higher, Teal'c," she requested as she swung back after a third, really tame arc. The man replied by pushing her much more firmly. As she swung, the air whistling through her hair, she was surprised by the laugh that bubbled across her lips. Teal'c seemed to find her response encouraging, because when she swung back again, she felt his hands meet her back with even more strength than the last push. Another laugh joined the first, and Sam closed her eyes, leaning back as the swing went into its forward sweep. It really had been a long time!
As she swung backwards, Sam enjoyed the almost weightless feeling and the memories it brought back. Behind her she heard a sudden, heavy step, as if someone had stumbled, and then Teal'c's hands met her back with surprising force. Startled, Sam's eyes snapped open as she slid to the edge of her seat and lost her grip on the right hand chain. Before she could reestablish her hold, the swing jerked as it reached the end of the frontward arch, and Sam slipped off the seat as the swing went in one direction and she another, losing her grasp on the remaining chain. With a cry, Sam looked down to find the ground rushing up at her with terrifying speed.
A/N: Look! Another evil cliffie! Muahahahahah!