Jack and Haley met Sam at the elevator a few minutes later. She looked flustered and was pacing back and forth. "Colonel, Haley," Sam nodded at them and continued to pace across the elevator.
"Seem a little anxious there Carter," Jack noted.
"Just want to find more out about what's going on." Sam looked over at Haley, who seemed to be listening intently. Her clearance was very limited, and Sam knew she wasn't allowed to hear about the Goauld or Tokra.
"Have you heard anything?" Jack asked. Carter nodded. "Is there significance to the fact that they called you first?" Sam nodded again. Jack was pretty sure that it was the Tokra. Not just any Tokra, but Jacob/Selmac. Why else would Sam be practically running laps in the elevator? "Well calm down, just a few more floors."
All the while Haley stood by, trying to figure out her father's coded questions. She wished she knew what went on, but knew better than to ask. She was lucky enough to even know about the stargate, and only knew about that because she needed some sort of explanation for her father being gone most of the time.
The elevator finally arrived at the SGC. "Okay go straight to your quarters and go to sleep. Don't forget to set your alarm. Goodnight, I love you."
"Love you too!" Haley kissed Jack and walked towards her room. What she wouldn't give to follow Jack. She had tried that once and it earned her an SF guard for a month after that whenever she was at the SGC.
Jack and Sam speed walked to the control room to see what was going on. "The General's waiting for you in the briefing room," Lt. Simmons told them. They headed up the steps, not noticing the team cleaning up the gate room. In the briefing room sat General Hammond, Teal'c, Jacob Carter, and a female Tokra that Jack didn't recognize.
"Dad!" Sam exclaimed, rushing over to hug her father.
"Sammy, I'm so glad to see you."
Sam noticed the bandages on her father's arm. "What happened to your arm?"
"Oh that? I was shot. I'll be fine; Selmac's working away as we speak." Jack cringed at the reminder of that snake in Jacob's head. He actually didn't mind Selmac so much, but the concept was just really… weird.
"General Hammond, what's going on?" Jack asked.
"Our cover was blown on a mission, the Jaffa were right behind us. We couldn't dial our new base because it was still being set up. We figured this was the safest place to go," Jacob informed them. "Unfortunately two or three Jaffa made it through the gate. They were shot right away, but not without making a pretty good mess down there first."
"So where does SG1 fit into all of this? Wait, let me guess, is there some sort of suicide mission for us to do the rest of your dirty work?" Jack wondered.
"It is hardly a suicide mission," the Tokra female replied. She would have been very beautiful if it wasn't for the deep voice coming out. "We need the Taur'i to send in extra forces to retrieve a Tokra agent in hiding on one of Baal's planets."
"Is this a joke?" Jack asked.
"Colonel O'Neill!" General Hammond chastised.
"I'm sorry Sir, but doesn't it seem like anytime the Tokra come a' knocking we're expected to jump all over the universe for them?"
"No Colonel, I have similar reservations, but please let Vorlah continue."
"Thank you General Hammond," Vorlah continued. "Our operative has very important information concerning an attack from Ball upon Yu."
"And this concerns us how?" Jack inquired.
"Baal will have a great deal more power, making him a much harder enemy to beat," Jacob informed them.
"So once we retrieve this Tokra operative and obtain the information we need there's another mission to go on?" Sam questioned.
"That will not be necessary," Vorlah responded. "I will be going on that mission myself."
"Will you not be recognized by Baal's Jaffa?" Teal'c queried.
"Surely they are all killed or will be killed by your remaining forces. Baal has not been to that planet in quite some time, so I am confident that those Jaffa will not be reaching Baal while I am there."
"I need some time to consider this mission. For now, SG1, be prepared to go off-world at 0900 hours."
"Yes Sir," Jack and Sam said in unison. Teal'c bowed his head down. As everyone was standing up to turn in for the night, Daniel came running through the door.
"I came as fast as I could, is everything alright?"
"Come to my office Dr. Jackson, I'll explain it to you. Colonel O'Neill, Teal'c you should get some sleep, tomorrow may be a busy day. Please show Vorlah to her quarters?"
"Sure thing General." Jack led Vorlah out of the room, with Teal'c heading up the rear. Daniel followed Hammond into his office, leaving Sam and her father alone.
"So what were you doing at Colonel O'Neill's house before?" Sam felt a pang of anger, not even an hour on Earth and he was already questioning her every move.
"I'm tutoring his daughter in math, if that's alright with you, Dad."
"Jack has a daughter?" Jacob was very surprised. He had no memory of Jack ever mentioning her.
"Yes Haley, she's fifteen. Very sweet."
"Hmm. That still doesn't explain why you were there at 2300 hours!"
"It's somewhat of a long story," Sam nervously started. She could feel her father's stare burning a hole into her brain. He knew that there was more to her relationship with Jack and was highly disapproving, yet he never came out and said it.
"I've got plenty of time."
"Well, there was a fire a few months ago, and it's left Haley somewhat fragile. Colonel O'Neill managed to set a pizza box on fire tonight and his daughter got kind of spooked."
"Left it in the oven?" Jacob asked.
"How'd you…?"
"Oh learned that one the hard way myself years and years ago," Jacob chuckled. "Anyways continue."
"I was comforting Haley, and she convinced me to stay and watch TV with them, and before I knew it the clock read 11 and I was in my car about to go home when the base called."
"So you're really close with this girl?"
"I guess so. She's very close with all of SG1." Jacob frowned but didn't respond.
"I've decided to take some time to stay on Earth for a month or so," Jacob said out of the blue. "This way we can spend Thanksgiving, and maybe even the holidays together."
"Dad, that sounds great!" Sam jumped out of her chair and hugged her father.
"You don't mind if I stay with you?"
"Don't be silly, I'd love to have you."
"Eh, you'll be sick of me in no time kid."
xxxxx
General Hammond agreed to send out teams to retrieve the Tokra operative. Along with SG1 there was SG3, SG11, and SG15. If all went according to plan the mission would go smoothly. The Jaffa would not be expecting an attack, and not pose too great a threat. General Hammond figured this would be an in and out in a day mission.
At 1500 hours General Hammond and Jacob were eating a late lunch in the commissary when Hammond spotted Haley walk in and head directly for the desserts. She noticed him and waved. After getting a piece of cake, she headed over for his table.
"Hi General Hammond!"
"Hello Haley! Done with school already?"
"Yup, for the weekend! I'm so glad the week is finally over."
"Jacob, this is Haley O'Neill. Haley, this is Major Carter's father, General Jacob Carter." Jacob extended his hand to Haley.
"It's nice to meet you General, I've heard a lot about you from Sam."
"You can call me Jacob. I'm sure it was only the best things Sammy had to say about me, huh?" Haley giggled, remembering Sam's stories of Jacob torturing her boyfriends.
"Haley why don't you join us?" General Hammond motioned towards the empty seat next to him.
"Thank you Sir." Haley happily munched away at her pound cake while Jacob took a good long look at her.
"It's amazing how much you look like Jack!"
"I get that a lot," Haley gave a polite smile and returned to her cake. "Sam told me that you're on business trips a lot. How long are you visiting for?"
"I'm hoping to take some time off, maybe spend a month or two with her."
"You should come with her to our barbeque tomorrow! General Hammond, I would love it if you came too."
"Thank you for the invitation Haley, but I promised my granddaughters I would take them to the zoo."
"Is it just Sam attending this barbeque?" Jacob wondered. Selmac made Jacob feel her disapproval of prying into Sam's personal life. I'm just a concerned father Jacob told her. If a frown could be an emotion, that was how Selmac felt right now.
"Daniel and Teal'c are coming too. It will be a lot of fun. Teal'c has never used a grill before! Let me tell you, he's going to want one at the SGC once he learns how to use it!"
"You sound a lot like your father, too!" Jacob chuckled.
Suddenly alarms started going off. "UNSCHEDULED OFF-WORLD ACTIVATION" sounded repeatedly.
"Please excuse us," General Hammond told Haley as he and Jacob stood up.
"Is that my dad?" Haley asked.
"I can't be sure yet," Hammond replied halfway out the door. "Don't go far."
Haley finished her cake and decided to go for a walk, maybe say hi to Dr. Frasier. As she entered the infirmary she saw a gurney being wheeled in, with Sam, Daniel and Teal'c chasing after it. Her heart stopped when she saw her father laying on the gurney, gushing blood. "Daddy!" she cried out, feeling her knees buckle beneath her. She reached out for something to grab hold of, but instead her hand just slid down the wall as she fell to the ground. Daniel noticed her, and ran over to see if she was alright.
"Your dad's going to be fine," he promised, pulling her up from the ground. Haley held onto his hand tightly.
"I'm fine sweetheart, just a little staff blast to the leg. I'm fine," Jack insisted, and then let out a huge yelp as Dr. Frasier started cleaning up the wound. Haley had a terrified look upon her face.
"Daniel-" Jack gave his friend a "do something" look.
"I'm going to take you home."
"I don't want to leave you Daddy," Haley grabbed her father's hand with both of hers. "Please?"
"That's an order Hale." Jack said through clenched teeth. He was trying to hold back his pain, and just wanted her to get out of there.
"You can't do that!" Haley cried. She hated when her father used that term. Carter and Daniel both walked Haley out of the room, while Teal'c stayed at Jack's side.
"Jack doesn't want you to see him like this," Daniel told her.
"Besides," Sam smiled, "you have a hot date to get ready for." This drew a laugh from Haley, calming her a bit. Teal'c stepped into the hallway and summoned Daniel.
"O'Neill requests your presence before you leave." Daniel followed Teal'c back towards Jack, whose face was looking extremely pale. Janet was buzzing around the room getting bandages and ordering an IV for Jack. He had lost a lot of blood.
"You have to give her boyfriend hell. Scare him Daniel."
"What are you talking about Jack?" Daniel thought that maybe the pain killers had already kicked in.
"Carter knows, talk to her. You have to do that for me."
"Um, alright Jack," Daniel agreed. A smile spread across Jack's face. Haley walked in to say goodbye to her father.
"Will you be home by tomorrow at least?" Haley asked.
"You bet. We're still having that barbeque! Now go home. I love you."
"I love you too. Feel better!" Haley kissed Jack's forehead and hurriedly left the room.
Daniel told Haley to get her stuff, and he'd meet her by her room in a minute. "Sam? Jack made me promise to give her boyfriend hell. He said you'd know what he was talking about. I think he was a little out of it at the time."
"Unfortunately he was serious. He wants you to interrogate Haley's boyfriend tonight when he comes to pick her up?" Sam laughed, remembering their conversation the night before.
"Are you serious? I can't do that! Teal'c would be really good at that…"
"Oh that would go over real well. Five minutes and the kid would be running for the hills faster than he can say indeed," she and Daniel both laughed at the thought.
"Well can you do it for me? You're military! I'm just not an intimidating kind of guy."
"Oh Daniel, you're… kind of right. But I can't, I have my father staying with me and I feel bad leaving him alone. Don't worry about harassing Tommy; the Colonel will have plenty of time to do that himself in the future. And you'll be fine with Haley, she loves you."
"Yeah, she does," Daniel laughed. He enjoyed the hero-worship he received, it drove Jack crazy.
xxxxx
Daniel greeted Tommy while Haley was in her room frantically switching around her outfit. He felt an obligation to do Jack's bidding, but as a non-violent person he just couldn't scare this boy. He figured a good questioning could work though. "Hi I'm Daniel," the two shook hands, and Tommy gave him a curious look. "Oh, uh, Haley's father is away on business." The boy was about Daniel's height with sandy hair and blue eyes. He looked like your average high school jock. Tommy nervously shifted his weight back and forth, not quite sure what to say to Daniel.
"It's nice to meet you. Haley's mentioned you a few times."
"So, Tommy, how long have you been driving for?"
"Well, I had my permit for a year and I got my license two months ago."
"Two months?" Daniel twisted up his mouth a little. What would Jack say to that? You're not taking my daughter driving anywhere! Possibly. He certainly felt that way. But Daniel wasn't the father, and didn't want to piss Haley off either. She was scary when angry! "I trust you haven't gotten into any accidents?"
"Not a one sir!" Daniel laughed to himself when the boy called him 'sir'.
"So you're a junior, right?" Tommy nodded. "Start looking at schools yet?"
"Daniel, we're ready to go now!" Haley interrupted, coming down the stairs. She was in a pink mini skirt and a lot of makeup. The outfit would have warranted an immediate change if Jack was here, but once again Daniel didn't want to start a battle he'd probably lose.
"Alright be back by eleven."
"Of course Daniel!" she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Don't worry about me! Oh, I have my cell phone if you need to call me. Like if my dad's flight is changed and you need me?"
"He'll be fine. Bye Hales."
Haley pulled Tommy out the door before Daniel could change his mind. She knew that she was getting off far too easily. If her father was here he'd probably be in full uniform- or maybe fatigues, and speaking like a drill sergeant. She felt a pang of guilt, going out while her father lay in the clutches of Dr. Frasier. Well he told her to go home. It'd all be okay.
Daniel sat watching TV for a few hours. Nothing too great was on. He ended up watching a Modern Marvels marathon. It was funny to see all the "technological advancements" the planet had made in recent years that paled in comparison to the technology that the world was not allowed to see. Daniel started to doze off when the doorbell rang. He was surprised to see Janet holding up a very woozy-looking Jack, his left leg bandaged up.
"He really wanted to come home tonight," Janet told him. "As long as he goes right to sleep, he'll be fine on his own."
"Fine fine fine!" Jack slurred.
"I gave him some pain killers, if you haven't noticed," Janet whispered.
"Not obvious at all." Daniel helped Janet bring Jack up to his room.
"Where's Haley?" Jack asked.
"She's still out on her date, she's due back in a half hour," Daniel informed him.
"Oh, that's nice," Jack smiled, as he was laid down. He must've been on heavy duty painkillers, Daniel mused.
"Go to sleep now Colonel," Janet instructed.
"Goodnight!"
Daniel and Janet walked back downstairs. "I took Colonel O'Neill's truck here, so I need a ride home. You don't mind do you?"
"You don't even have to ask!" Daniel rubbed her arm. The two shared a smile as the door flew open. "Haley! You're back early." She looked very troubled, and Daniel immediately sensed something was wrong.
"Are you okay?" Janet asked.
"No," Haley replied in a monotonous tone.
"Bad date?"
"No, I had a good time."
"Then what was it?" Janet seemed frustrated.
"As we were walking through the parking lot of the movie theater, I felt this overwhelming sense of… doom."
Janet and Daniel exchanged worried glances, and seated the girl on the couch. "You have nothing to be afraid of. You have lots of people who care about you and are always watching out for you," Daniel comforted her.
"Would you like one of us to stay here with you?" Janet asked.
"No, it's alright. My dad's here, right?"
"Well, he's not currently in the most coherent state…" Daniel informed.
"I'll… I'll be fine. You're right. I think I'm just being silly," Haley more told herself than the rest of the room.
"Alright, well if you're positive that you'll be fine we're going to get going," Janet said. Daniel went upstairs to check on Jack and sure enough he was passed out, with one arm bent above his head, his mouth hanging open, a slight snore going on. Daniel considered taking photos for blackmail. It'd shut Jack up pretty fast next time he made a crack about Daniel being a geeky scientist.
When Daniel returned downstairs he found Janet giving Haley instructions on caring for her father. Plenty of water, take his antibiotics, etc, etc. Janet would be back tomorrow to change the dressing. And yes, he'd be good for the barbeque, but he should stay off of his feet, and stay off the pain meds if he wanted to actually remember the party.
"You should probably go to bed, your dad will be up nice and early tomorrow morning, and he'll need your help. Call us at any hour if you need anything. We'll see you tomorrow." Janet patted Haley on the shoulder and stood up. Haley walked her and Daniel to the door.
"Bye Hales!" Daniel waved, and she shut the door. They listened to make sure she locked it, and headed towards the car.
"Do you think she'll be alright?" Daniel asked.
"I think she's just going through a rough time right now. Today probably wasn't easy on her," Janet replied in a way that soothed all of Daniel's worries.
"I'll talk to Jack tomorrow. I think you're right."