Sam knew that it was supposed to be a celebration. They'd gotten the bad guys and the good guys were all okay – at least on the outside. The problem was, no one really felt in the mood for a party. It was a somber bunch that went out for a drink. They spoke softly and avoided any talk of Kinsey or Simmons or Samuels.
It was Daniel who finally asked Jack about their alien allies. "How did they happen to show up Jack? You obviously knew they'd be there."
"Not really", the Colonel replied. "I'd told Hammond what we were doing and he arranged for the Daedelus to be on standby. I knew the President had something up his sleeve, but I didn't know what. I was as surprised as you guys when I saw everyone standing there."
"But how did they know?' Sam asked. "Someone must have contacted them."
"I think it was Thor", Jack replied. "That little guy is a good friend – to all of us. From what Lya said he contacted them to tell them that we were in search of the guys who had kidnapped me – next thing he knew everyone had offered to come to earth on my behalf. She indicated it was the first time all of our allies had even gotten together. Hell, even the Tollan showed up", he said with disgust. If there was anyone he liked less than the Tokra (except for Jacob of course) it was the Tollan.
He'd never say anything, of course, but Narim gave him gas! The man was obviously smitten with Carter – and he was so far from being worthy of her that he was – hell, from another planet! As far as Jack was concerned, no one was good enough for his major – and especially not some slimy, too good, too smart, clean cut guy like Narim. No – she needed someone with more class – with more pizzazz – hell, with at least a sense of humor! He knew there was nothing she liked more than a good laugh.
Jack frowned. He hadn't seen Carter laugh in a long time. He glanced over to where she sat, talking to General Hammond, and decided there and then he was going to have to do something about that. There was nothing she liked more than a good laugh – well, that was good, because there was nothing he liked more than to make her laugh.
They made an early night of it – all of them tired after the day's events. Jack thanked George Hammond and said goodnight to everyone. He also told them that he had someplace to go the next day, and that he'd see them in a few days in Colorado.
When he got up the next day and made his way to the lobby of the hotel, he found his teammates all waiting for him. "What are you guys doing", he asked, puzzled.
"We're going with you Jack", Daniel answered calmly. "You didn't think we were going to let you wander off by yourself did you? Not after all the trouble we went to to find you."
"Thanks guys", the Colonel answered, "I appreciate it, but this really is something I have to do by myself."
"What is it you must do O'Neill?", Teal'c asked solemnly.
"Uh – I have to go – to LA if you must know!" He wouldn't look at his friends, feeling embarrassed, but at the same time knowing it was vital that he went back.
"We're still going Jack", Daniel answered. "Look, we'll just stay at the hotel – or wander around while you do what you need to do. We won't bother you, we promise – but we're still not going to let you go out there by yourself."
He looked from one face to another and could tell when he was defeated. None of them was about to give in, and if there was anything Jack knew, it was when he'd hit an immovable object – or three such immovable objects!
With a sigh he shrugged. "Okay, but don't blame me if you get bored", he answered, secretly pleased they were going to be with him.
"I do not believe we will get bored O'Neill", Teal'c answered. "There is much to do in Los Angeles, California. I believe Mickey Mouse resides there and I would like to visit him."
"Yeah, and Dopey is there too – or at least he will be." Daniel said under his breath, looking pointedly at Teal'c – who simply ignored him.
"Daniel", scolded Sam. "Mickey Mouse is an American Icon – of course Teal'c wants to see him!"
"Just make sure you check out Snow White too Teal'c", Jack laughed. "And the Seven Dwarves!"
"For what reason would I 'check out' seven dwarves O'Neill?" Teal'c looked at him seriously. "I believe one would be sufficient."
"Oh – never mind Teal'c, just have fun!"
So, the four friends hitched a ride on an Air Force transport to LA, where Teal'c immediately purchased tickets to Disneyland and Universal Studios.
"You're sure you're going to be okay by yourself Sir?" Sam asked.
"Major, I'll be fine. I am fine – so please, don't worry. I'll meet you all here for a late dinner, okay?"
The three members of Sg1 headed off for a day of amusement park fun, while Jack headed to the hospital. He wore his uniform, figuring that he'd have a better chance of getting in.
When he arrived he went to the desk and asked if Nurse Tina Alvarez was in the hospital. The receptionist looked at him suspiciously but asked him to wait. "What is your name Sir?" she wanted to know.
"Just tell her it's 'Charlie' – she'll know."
He waited a few minutes until he saw the nurse who had helped him – who had been the one person to show him compassion when he was completely down and out. She looked around and frowned, unable to see the man she knew as 'Charlie'.
"Tina", he said softly. She looked at him with a frown, not recognizing the handsome, fit man in front of her dressed in a uniform.
"Can I help you Sir", she asked.
"You already did", he answered. "Don't you remember me – it's Charlie – or actually, it's Colonel Jack O'Neill."
Her eyes grew big and then she squealed. "Oh my God!" she rushed over to him and threw her arms around him. "I can't believe it", she pulled back and looked at him, keeping her hands on his shoulders. "It really is you, isn't it?"
"Last time I looked it was", he answered with a sheepish grin. "I just wanted to come back to thank you", he said. "for all you did for me."
"All I did was what any decent person would do Colonel", she answered modestly. "But look at you! You look – my God, I can't believe it." She frowned again. "But how are you?"
"I'm fine", he laughed. "Really – I'm totally fine. It took a while but I had some really good help and I'm doing great."
It was true – she really couldn't believe how well he looked – or seemed. She'd never seen anyone come back like that before – not from the state he'd been in. She had been sure he'd end up spending the rest of his days in a mental hospital, or at least with permanent help. But here he stood, looking fit and happy. It was a miracle.
He took her for a coffee and told her a bit of what had happened. He couldn't tell her any of the classified stuff, but did let her know they'd found the men who had kidnapped him and that they'd been brought to justice.
"And how are Major Carter and Dr. Jackson and Mr. Murray?" she asked. "Oh, and Dr. Frasier?"
"They're all doing great", he answered with a grin. "They're at Disneyland today."
She laughed and they talked for a while longer. He finally had to get up to leave – he had another stop to make. He reached down and gave Tina a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Thank you", he said again. "You saved my life – and my sanity. I want you to know that if you ever need anything – anything at all, all you have to do is call me. I'll always be there for you Tina. You're a pretty special person!"
She watched him as he walked away, out of the hospital, and couldn't help but smile. "You're a pretty special person yourself Jack O'Neill. You look after yourself."
The next stop was somewhere not nearly so nice – but he was looking forward to it nonetheless.
He returned to Skid Row and looked around. It looked the same – yet different somehow. It was still a place for those who had been thrown away by society. He could still see the sadness, the despair, the anger, the hopelessness of people whose lives were lived on the streets. He felt a tremendous sadness himself, knowing that it didn't have to be this way. If only these people had someone like Tina – someone like Sam or Daniel or Teal'c – they wouldn't be here. At the same time – he no longer felt frightened to walk here – and he knew that was because he had friends, he had people who loved him and cared for him. It made all the difference in the world.
Just then he looked up and saw Joe, and felt ashamed. They did have someone like his friends, someone who cared, who worried, who tried to help. Unfortunately, he was only one man – and there were so many of them. If only the rest of the world knew that the people here had had dreams and hopes and lives just like they did – maybe they wouldn't let this place remain as it was. Maybe they'd do something to help these people and give them a chance.
He sighed, knowing that he was just one man as well – a man who cared, but who didn't have the answers. At least he could try and help one person though – at least he could give that much.
He slowly crossed the street to where Joe was standing, talking to one of the women who lived in a cardboard box in one of the alleys of Skid Row. He was amazed at the compassion and understanding Joe showed – and at the love and respect – and trust – he was given by the people who lived here.
Joe glanced at him but then turned back to the woman. He obviously hadn't recognized Jack, so the Colonel waited, until Joe finally turned to look at him.
"Can I help you Sir?", he asked. Jack replied with the same words he'd used with Tina.
"You already did", he replied. "Don't you remember?"
Joe looked at him with a frown and then his face cleared. "General! It's you. My God man, you're looking good. Is that really your uniform?"
Jack laughed. "Yes, this is really mine – and I'm a Colonel, not a General – although who knows – maybe one day if I'm lucky – or if I don't screw up! But you can call me Jack – that's my name."
Joe walked up to him and shook his hand, a pleased expression on his face. "It's not very often that I see people who've been able to get it together, General", he said "uh - Jack. It's just – you look amazing. Is everything okay?" Joe, like Tina, had doubted that this man would ever recover – but here he was, standing proud and healthy.
"Everything's fine. I'm doing well – with the help of a few friends. I wanted to come back and thank you for all you did. Also I wanted to see BJ and see if I could get him to come in off the street. Have you seen him? Where is he?"
It took a second for Jack to realize that Joe's face had fallen and that he looked unutterably sad. Jack felt a sinking in his stomach. "What happened?" he asked softly.
"I'm sorry Jack", Joe said softly. "He's gone. They found him one morning, in his little house in the alley. It looked like he'd died peacefully in his sleep. It was his heart – it just gave out on him. He had a picture of his wife and baby in his hand – and a smile on his face. I like to believe he's with them now and that he's happy. He never was you know – although I think he was happier with you around than I'd ever seen him. He spent his whole life missing his family – and now he's at peace."
Jack stood frozen – he'd wanted to see BJ, to tell him how much he'd meant to him. He'd been a friend when Jack thought he had none. He'd kept him going when he'd thought all he wanted was to die. It was so unfair – life was so unfair. Why did he have to die?
He felt a hand touch his arm. "Don't feel bad Jack – he really is at peace now. He's with his wife and child and they'll look after him and love him."
Jack just nodded – he couldn't speak. After a few minutes he said goodbye to Joe. "Thank you", he said quietly again. "I'll never forget – and if there's anything I can do?"
"Just tell people Jack – tell them about this place and tell them not to forget the people here. These are good people – they just haven't been so lucky. Let people know."
"I will", he promised. He then turned and walked slowly through the streets, looking closely at the people there – smiling, and saying hello to some, nodding to others. He wouldn't – no, he wouldn't forget.
As he came to the end of the street he turned back and looked at the dozens of people just standing – or sitting – or lying on the ground. He watched old ladies push shopping carts full of bags, he watched men singing to themselves or talking to themselves. He watched men and women, young and old, lost – with only this place as their refuge. No – he wouldn't forget.
He turned and walked away, only stopping once to look up. "Thank you BJ", he said. "for being my friend. It's me – the General and I know you're happy now. Kiss that wife and baby of yours for me - and if you can – say hello to Charlie for me." He kept walking, all the way back to his hotel, not noticing the tears that were slowly falling from his eyes.