Okay superlong chapter here, hope this tides you over for a bit. Back at school, life is amazing, but super busy. Being an english major means reading for the rest of my life! But I did find time the last few days to spit this little number out. More to come very soon because I'm super inspired and tomorrow night I'm safety driver so I'll be staying in. SO... before I head out tonight I wanted to leave a little (okay this one is kinda a large) something for all of you to read. I hope you enjoy!
Quick thanks to Emerald Green Queen for adding me to your yahoogroup "good fanfic" links. I think this is going to be another introspective chapter, but I think the action is starting to build up again. We shall see :) And I'm glad you liked the Simpson's game last chapter. Great minds think alike!
BabeBunny- glad to fuel your Starbucks addiction!
Freckles- It's not over yet! But thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Also the first and second season of Alias are inarguably the best! Enjoy!
Whirlwind- Thanks for the review, I'm so happy you're enjoying the story! There's not too much Daniel this chapter, but I promise the next chapter is going to be super-Daniel-rich!
And now on with the story and my weekend :)
xxxxx
"I'm sorry?" General Hammond was having a rough day. SG-15 had returned from their mission a day early after running into some nasty Jaffa. Major Pierce was being treated for a staff weapon blast to the arm. Now, the leader of his top team was attempting to resign.
"I QUIT."
"Jack," Hammond leaned his forehead into his palm, "please tell me this has nothing to do with Major Carter."
"No sir." Hammond breathed a sigh of relief. Losing O'Neill was bad enough, but if Major Carter left the base would be dealt a heavy blow. He wasn't sure if that happened how he would be able to explain to the joint-chiefs how his second-in-command ran of with his second-in-command. "I need to be home for Haley. If something happens to me out there what's going to happen to her?" Hammond started to open his mouth, but Jack didn't give him a chance to speak. "Nobody else should have to take on that extra responsibility. I need to be there for her. I promised that kid when this whole ordeal was over and done with I'd be finished. Finito… sir."
"Well, as the commander of the base I can't say I agree with your decision, but as a parent I do understand. I was worried something like this might happen, so I'm prepared to offer you another role at the SGC."
Jack leaned forward in his chair, "I'm listening…"
"With the rapid addition of SG teams and added personnel around here we're looking for somebody who could train these people. You've got the experience we need, and your training missions have gone very well in the past. Now, every now and then we may require your assistance off-world, but this will be more of a steady job. Are you interested?"
Jack didn't have to think twice before agreeing. He'd still be working, which meant he'd have something to do while Haley was at school all day, out of Carter's chain-of-command (check that one off the list), and would still see some action here and there. This, he could handle. It was almost as if Hammond had the job tailor made for h- a sly smile spread across his face. "Thank you Sir. When does this new job start?"
"You'll still be on an active schedule until we can decide upon a replacement for you."
"Alright, so I just have to stay alive for a few more weeks. I think I can handle that."
xxxxx
"Shouldn't Sam be here for this little talk, too?" Daniel asked as he took a sip of his beer.
"We, uh, actually spoke about it already." Daniel responded with a silent 'O' and propped up his head with his elbow.
"No getting drunk tonight, otherwise my pre-mission exam is not going to be pleasant."
"Jack, I'm not that bad."
"Indeed you are DanielJackson. Perhaps you should follow my lead and order a soda."
"Is Sam going to get command of the team?"
"They want somebody with a rank of Colonel, since it's the frontline team. It probably won't be long till Carter's offered her own team though. She's definitely talented enough."
"She has been offered her own command previously."
"What are you talking about T?"
"Major Carter refused the position because she could not imagine being on any team but SG-1."
"She never told me that," Daniel looked like a wounded child. Sam usually let him know when big stuff like that happened, and this time she hadn't even mentioned it to him. He looked to Jack, who just nonchalantly shrugged. Inwardly, he wasn't too pleased either, but there was no way he was going to let anyone else see that.
"Finish your beer Danny-boy." Jack clapped his hands together. "NOW, who here is interested in one last SG-1 fishing trip?"
"Last implies there was a first O'Neill."
"I don't know… Can't we just have a team night and watch movies?"
"NO. For crying out loud, can't any of you ever humor me? Would it really kill you to spend a weekend fishing?"
"Quite possibly yes."
"Thanks Daniel."
"If you can get Sam to agree then I'm in."
"As am I."
"I've got her wrapped around my finger; it's a shoe-in." Daniel nearly choked on his drink, while Teal'c simply raised an eyebrow.
xxxxx
"No way."
"What?"
"I'm not going. I hate fishing."
"Have you ever been fishing?"
"No."
"Then how can you say you hate it?"
"I'm sorry Jack, but it just does not sound very appealing. Why don't we have a team night here? We can rent some movies, order in food."
"Are you sure you and Daniel weren't separated at birth?"
Sam merely frowned at Jack and continued to read her science magazine. Jack snatched it out of hands, causing her to scowl at him. "Hey, I was reading that!"
"Exactly. Don't you understand what downtime is? You're supposed to rest. Take it easy, kick up your feet, re-"
"I know how to take it easy."
"Do you?" Jack sat down next to Sam on the couch.
"Yes!"
"Really? You sure about that?"
"Jack, you're starting to get on my nerves."
"Okay, okay, but I'm not giving up about this fishing trip."
"You do realize that it's the middle of January right now."
"Yes. Your point?"
"The lake is frozen."
"So you're saying if the lake wasn't frozen you would go?"
"Oh I don't know."
"YES! We are so going in the spring!" Sam just buried her face in her hands. "Hey, why didn't you tell me that Hammond offered you a team command?"
Sam was caught off guard; she wasn't quite sure where that came from. "It wasn't that big a deal, I didn't want it."
"I think that's a pretty big deal. Did you turn it down because of me?"
"You've got some ego on you. As wonderful as you are-"
"I try."
"I enjoy being on SG-1 too much. It's the most amazing job I could ever ask for, and I don't think being on another team would be as…"
"Adventurous?" Sam smiled, he nailed it. "You can be such an adrenaline junkie." Sam shrugged. "Take it down a few notches, though. You won't have me watching after you soon enough."
"I think it's more Daniel you'll have to worry about getting into trouble."
"Oy, don't even get me started on that one! Hey, stop giggling." Sam turned her body so she could lean back into Jack's arms. "Are you staying for dinner?"
"I could easily be persuaded." Jack started to trail kisses down Sam's neck.
"EW," interrupted them, followed by the slamming of the front door. Footsteps stomping up the stairs were the next thing they heard, and then a door slamming shut.
Jack shrugged and started to continue, but Sam pushed herself away. "Aren't you the slightest bit concerned about why she's upset?"
"The slightest bit, yes."
"Jack."
"It's probably some kind of girl-world drama. You know I'm not good with that stuff. If she was pissed because the ref made a bad call at the JV football game, that I can commiserate with. I highly doubt that's the situation."
"Jack go upstairs right now and find out what is wrong." Sam stared him down until he got up off the couch muttering. Sam followed him up the stairs, to make sure he didn't make a bigger mess out of things.
Jack knocked on the door, and slowly opened it. Haley was on her floor furiously tearing through her photo album, pulling out pictures. As she reached to grab the scissors, Sam stepped in and took the photos. "You may regret this one day." Haley just glared at her.
"What happened?" Jack asked.
"What happened? WHAT HAPPENED! I've been gone for a month! Nobody knew if I was coming back! So TOMMY moved ON. That's what happened!" By the time the last sentence was finished the final words came out in one loud shriek, causing Jack to wince.
"Did he break up with you?"
Haley let out another squeal. "He found another girlfriend! And didn't even tell me! I had to find out from Cindy Ulridge! I HATE HIM!" She started pacing the room, throwing her arms up every now and then.
"I'm sorry."
"No you're not. You hated me dating. Why should I be happy?"
"Hey! I didn't make him break up with you!" Jack started to feel defensive.
"Can you just leave me alone right now?"
"No! I'm trying to help!"
"Well you'd be more help if you left me alone!"
"Do you want me to kill him? Because that might make you feel better."
Haley plopped herself down on the bed and threw her face into the pillow. Sam put her hand on Jack's shoulder silently indicating he should leave. Fearful of the teenaged girl Jack immediately consented.
Sam sat down next to Haley on the bed, and rubbed her back. "Hale, I'm sorry this happened."
"It's not fair Sam."
"I've had my heart broken plenty of times."
"You?" Haley rolled over so she was facing Sam, and wiped some tears from her cheeks. "Who would break up with you?"
Sam chuckled. "How about lots of people?"
"I find that hard to believe. You're like perfect Sam."
She ducked her head down, embarrassed. "Thank you, but I think you're over exaggerating. Unfortunately this is all a part of life. You'll probably have to break somebody's heart one day too."
"I wish I could break Tommy's."
"Who knows, maybe you did. You were gone for a long time, maybe he thought you had forgotten about him."
A small smile tugged at Haley's lips. "Really?"
"Yeah, why not? I bet he was very upset."
"I hope you're right Sam."
"Didn't you know? Sam's always right," Jack had reappeared in the doorway. Haley sat up and hugged Sam.
"Are you feeling a little less homicidal?"
"Only a little."
"Well I have some good news for you. I quit my job."
"Oh my God are you two getting married?"
"What?" Jack and Sam simultaneously spat back.
"Hales I'm taking a more stable job for you."
"Oh," she was a little dismayed at first, but then she realized exactly what her father just said. "For me? Thank you!" Haley got up and hugged Jack, nearly knocking him back a few steps. "You're the best."
"I know," Jack gave one of his trademark smiles that Haley just rolled her eyes at. "It's not easy being such a good dad, but, y'know, I get the job done."
"Okay yeah, sure whatever. So what's this new job?"
"I'll be training new recruits. Sometimes I'll have to go off world, you know when there's nobody better for the job, but that's rare, and I'll be home in time for dinner everyday."
"Cool. You'll have to take cooking lessons though."
"Hey, I'm a pretty good chef. You don't starve." The phone rang, interrupting their banter. Haley nearly knocked Jack over getting to the phone. When she realized it was for her she gently cocked her head to the side, motioning for Jack and Sam to give her some privacy.
xxxxx
Jack and Sam were in the kitchen putting together a salad. Jack had made a snide remark along the lines of "but Carter you can't cook" earning a punch in the arm, and he was reduced to being the assistant. "Did you know Teal'c went to Chulak?"
"He called me to say goodbye a few hours ago."
"So I guess he's not going to Daniel and Doc's for dinner?"
"Seeing as he's on another planet, then no, I don't think he will be there."
"That's why I love you so much, you're such a genius." Sam smiled and leaned in to kiss Jack.
The sound of a throat clearing interrupted them, Sam felt her cheeks quickly burn up. "Your new job means that you two will be allowed to come clean, right?"
"Not until I'm officially off SG-1. That's not for at least another month."
"Well maybe then you two can go out places. Maybe other than my kitchen."
"Your kitchen Hales?"
"Daddy, at least just cool it til I'm gone. Speaking of which, I'm going out tonight!"
"Don't you mean can I go out tonight?"
"Not really. See Monica's throwing a party for ME! It's a 'welcome back Haley-O party!"
"Uh huh."
"Please please please, I have to go! This party is for ME!" Jack just stood looking at Haley with his arms crossed and a stoic expression plastered onto his face. "Sam, say something to him!"
"Hey, leave me out of this one!"
"Will Monica's parent be home?"
"Yes Daddy."
"Good, then you won't mind if I call them, just to double check."
"Don't you want me to be happy? I haven't seen my friends in FOREVER, my boyfriend just dumped me! I need this! Why can't you ever say yes?"
"I didn't say no."
"Might as well have," she huffed.
"Are you saying Monica's parents won't be there?"
"No."
"Then stop making such a big stink. I said I'll call them. If you're telling the truth then you better start getting ready for you party. Sam and I are leaving at 1800, which is an hour from now and you're a slow poke. Otherwise you can walk to Monica's." Haley just stood for a moment gaping at Jack. Suddenly what he said clicked into place. She frantically grabbed a piece of paper and started scribbling on it.
"Okay here's the number, I'm going upstairs to change. Thank you!" and then she was gone.
"Now where were we?" Jack questioned, pulling Sam over towards him.
"Not right now. I don't need your daughter walking in on us again," she gently pushed him away and turned back towards her salad.
"Kid's got worse timing than Daniel," he muttered, reaching for the phone to call the Hardin's.
xxxxx
"Mo-om. You have to let me go. Haley invited me."
"I don't know Cass. I'm not too comfortable with the idea of you going to a party with all these older kids."
"One year older Mom!" Cassie let out a giant sigh. "Haley's one year older too. It's not that big a deal."
Janet closed her eyes, "fine."
"YES! Thank y-"
"But I'm calling to see if this girl's parents are going to be home."
"That's so embarrassing!"
"Cassandra."
"Yeah?"
"Don't push your luck. Go find Daniel for me." Cassie left to seek out Daniel keeping her fingers crossed that Monica's parents would be home. Meanwhile Janet flipped through the school directory.
"If your mom lets you go why don't you invite Haley to stay here tonight?"
"Good idea Daniel!" Cassie and Daniel entered the living room, as Janet was ending her phone call.
"It's all clear," Cassie happily squealed. "Would you mind driving her over while I finish up the dinner?"
"Sure, I'll go get my shoes on," Daniel left Janet and Cassie alone.
"I know I've given you this speech before, but I just want to make sure you know the dangers of drugs and alcohol…"