Glory of God: The Real Story of 595
Chapter 5: Childs Play
1205hrs: Everyone had arrived that sent a RSVP back. There were 15 young girls and boys around Lucy's age. Jack and Sam let JJ invite two of his friends so he'd have playmates as well. The adults were mingling while the kids ran around playing on the bounce houses waiting for the party to kick off. Unfortunately their former teammates couldn't come to the party. Lt. Colonel Hills and the others were on a mission to the Tok'ra home world, a diplomatic one at that.
Cassandra and Jeff had just arrived waving at her mother making a bee line for Lucy, her favorite niece. "Do you think your God-father with approve of me?" Jeff asked spotting the general over by the refreshment table. "I hear he chews up marines for breakfast and spits them out for fun." Her boyfriend said avoiding looking in Jacks direction. "Who told you that Jeff?" Cassie asked already having an idea who it was. "Major Cobb...said he seen the general go off on a marine once. Busted the poor guy to down a rank and sent him to McMurdo." Cassie rolled her eyes at her boyfriend. "Don't listen to Cobb, he likes to mess with people. The marine in question, Lance Corporal Smith, did get busted down and sent to McMurdo." She informed Jeff trying to sneak up on Lucy. "What did he do to deserve that?" Cassie looked at Jeff with a serious look getting distracted.
"Smith made a lewd comment about my god-mothers bust in the mess hall. Jack found out and laid into him right in the middle of a hallway. Smiths boots didn't touch the floor as Air Patrol escorted him to the brig." She told him based off what her mother told her. "I can see why your god-father would be angry. I would be too if someone made a similar comment about you." Jeff answered spotting Lucy sneaking up on Cassie. "I'm not worried Jeff. Remember, I work in the SGC infirmary and use big needles just like mom used too." She replied as Lucy attached herself to Cassie's legs. "...gotcha Cass, now you can't move." Lucy said holding on tight. "You could have warned me..." Jeff just smiled. "Could've but then Lucy wouldn't be smiling."
"I'd never thought I'd get to meet a Joint Chief of Staff (JCS), let alone be invited to a birthday party for their kid." Mike Fenz said watching his son slide down the alien bounce house. "Being a JCS is like being a CEO of sorts Mike. I'm just grateful that the president allows me to leave early enough to pick up my kids three days a week." Jack answered honestly.
"May I ask you a semi personnel question General O'Neill?" Mike asked smiling as a few kids ran past them. "Go ahead, if I don't like it I'll just make you disappear via transporter beam...and call me Jack." He responded getting a worried look. "I'm joking Mikey…go ahead ask." Mike gave the JCS a weird look then smiled; Lucy's father had flippant sense of humor. "The two of you had children late in life, is there a reason for that. I only ask because my wife and I are in our 30s. We are overwhelmed at times. The two of you make it look easy." He asked. "Long story short Mikey, we served together putting us under fraternization regulations. Things changed with Sam took over the science department along with R&D . We make it look easy only because we got lucky. JJ and Lucy listen to us…most of the time. The other times we feel like we're dealing with Marines eating crayons (Yes I made the joke)."
Mike laughed then smiled. "I served six years in the Marine Corps until an IED ended my career. Your crayon comment isn't incorrect." He replied in good nature. "Left leg, below the knee…I spotted your prosthetic earlier." Jack said based on field experience. "Good eye Jack, some of the best years of my life spent in the corp. Now I have a beautiful wife, a great son and good Job. No complaints so far." Mike replied with no anger. "You have a good outlook on life Mikey, some veterans don't have that optimism." Mike nodded in agreement not commenting instead reflecting. Jack looked at his watch, a Rolex from General Hammond, the day Jack was promoted to Major General. "Excuse me; it's time to start the party." Jack said excusing himself. "No problem, the sooner the better. The crayons over on the table are starting to look good." Mike joked making Jack laugh.
Jack walked by Daniel with a smile on his face. That smile could be because Lucy was sitting on his shoulders or had something up his sleeve, something that involved him. "Is there something wrong Dr. Jackson?" Dan Borgman asked. "Nothing yet but I think my friends up to something that will result in me being 'Vulon-told'." Dan just gave Daniel a perplexed look.
Taking the micro-phone he tapped it getting everyone's attention. Lucy's laugh came through the speakers clearly. Samantha knew that smile, a smile of mischief on both Jacks and Lucy's face. "Welcome ladies, gentlemen and Kids. Thank you for coming to my lovely daughter's birthday." He said still smiling. Some kids ran up to stand in front of Jack while others watched. "Could the rest of the kids come up? We're going to play some games before getting all sugared up." This caused laughter amongst the adults and a few cheers from the kids. With all the kids' present Jack smile widened. "That includes the two of you as well." Jack said pointing too Cassie and Jeff. "No arguments kids" Jeff gave his girlfriend questioning look. "Come on, if we don't go he'll just send his minions after us." She said dragging him along with a worried look. "I'm a dead man walking aren't I?" He muttered under his breath making Cassie laugh.
"Okay, have any of you kids seen my daughter? She is turning 6 today." He asked looking around. In unison the kids yelled "Lucy is on your shoulders." Jack looked around making the kids laugh. "Are you sure, I don't see her." He replied. "I'm up here daddy!" Lucy said giggling. "Oh, there you are. How did you get up there?" Lucy giggled more as her friends laughed. "I flew up here daddy…" Lucy said as if there were no other explanation.
"...are you ready to have fun kiddos?" Jack asked enthusiastically. The assembled kids all screamed "YES" at the same time. "Most excellent!" he replied in Mr. Burns' voice. "Who can tell me how old Lucy is today, I forgot." The kids all yelled "Lucy is six!" Lucy beamed with happiness. "...you silly daddy." Jack smiled because of the fun he was having. "Okay, I have a game we can all play. Have you heard of the game 'Simon Says'? " He asked looking at the kids sitting on the ground. Another chorus of "Yes's" was heard. "Well we are going to play a similar game called 'The Gru says, works the same way only you can only move when I say 'Gru says' to do whatever I order. Do you understand?" Jack asked placing Lucy on the grass with her friends. The kids excitedly nodded their heads ready to play. Sam watched as Jack picked up a mask that he had strategically placed unbeknownst to her. He smiled sliding on a Gru Halloween mask making her laugh.
"Oh no, my husband's inner child just came out." Samantha said trying not to laugh to hard. "What do you mean? It just looks like he's just making it fun for the children." Ms. Lexar (Lucy's 1st Grade Teacher) asked unaware of Jacks childish side. "My husband maybe a Joint Chief which is serious however when it comes to kids, Jack becomes one of them." She explained.
Daniel cringed as he knew what was coming next. He looked for a quick exit into the house. Maybe using the excuse he needed to use the restroom would save him. Daniel started to walk towards the house when he heard Jack speak. "Gru says bring Space Monkey to me!" the kids looked around not knowing who 'Space Monkey' was. Lucy stepped up smiling. "Follow me; we're going to get my uncle." She said leading her friend's right to Daniel who was weaving through the party goers.
Janet busted out laughing spilling her drink. The other adults laughed as well watching the kids swarm around the man. Mr. Sweep, an allergy doctor, laughed as well. "I take it that's your husband being led away." He asked glad he wasn't being taken prisoner. "Yes that's my husband and he's not too happy right now but he'll get over it." Janet said making eye contact with her husband pleading for help. Janet just shook her head mouthing 'you're on your own'.
"Here you go daddy, we brought you Uncle Daniel." Lucy said bouncing up and down with Thor in her arms. "Thank you my minions... now Gru Says too..." Jack began ignoring Daniels crossed arms and death glare. "I am here O'Neill...no need to send your minions to capture me." Teal'C said standing beside Daniel. "Not funny Teal'C, do you know how embarrassing this is?" Daniel asked still glaring at Jack amongst his minions. "I do not; we are here for Lucy O'Neill's birthday." He replied getting in line with the kids awaiting for Gru aka Jack to speak. "Okay, now that everyone is here we can begin." Jack said with a big grin. "Great, this is going to be so much fun." Daniel spoke mostly to himself. "Gru says to jump on one foot!" Jack told his captive group. "Indeed!" Teal'C replied jumping on one foot like everyone else. "...aren't you glad I dragged you up here?" Cassie asked having fun jumping around. "I feel like my commanding officer volunteered me." He replied. "That's my god-father for you, get used to it." She just laughed harder enjoying the party.
"Oh my God, you aren't kidding. Your husband is so funny." Ms. Lexar said through fits of laughter. Samantha for her part had to sit down. Tears of laughter were falling uncontrollably. "Daniel will never forget this day!" she added still laughing. "I see where your daughter gets her funny bone from." The teacher replied sitting down as well. The other adults were laughing their asses off. Some of the 'Gru Says' were off the wall making the kids laugh and giggle.
"Mrs. O'Neill, who is the big guy standing in the middle of the kids." Ms. Lexar asked. "Please call me Samantha. That is Murray Teal'C, he's a Lt. General in Space Force and one our best friends and former teammate." Sam replied getting the feeling that Lucy's teacher wasn't just asking to make conversation. Sam new that her ex-husband had cheated on her with client, one he represented in court. Turned out it was part of her 'payment plan'. "...only if you call me Felicia...Samantha." she replied getting a nod in return. "He's handsome, how strong is Murray?" Felicia asked watching him play along with the kids. "He is able to bench press Cassie's Mini Cooper. That's her next to Murray." Samantha answered making Felicia smile.
Daniel in an attempt to get even played along determined to be the last one standing in Jacks silly game. His persistence had paid off. The only participants left were Ben, Oliver and Daniel. All three waited for Jack to give the next orders. Lucy and JJ were cheering their uncle on sitting with the other kids along with Cassie and Jeff. All of which surrounded Teal'C sitting on the grass. The adults watching could hardly hold in their laughter wondering if Daniel would win the game. "...walk around like a chicken." Jack said watching Ben and Oliver start to make clucking sound with their arms flapping around. "Yes...I win Jack!" Daniel exclaimed proudly. The two boys smiled as they may have lost but had fun. "Yes you did Space Monkey, I'm proud of you. You make a fine minion." Daniel stood there dumb struck as the kids all swarmed around him jumping for joy. "JACK...you tricked me!" he said with a smile. "But did you die of embarrassment?" Jack replied clapping his hands together. Everyone laughed including Daniel. He did have fun after all.
"Now what do you have planned general?" Daniel asked ready for whatever his friend had in mind. "Glad you asked Space Monkey." Jack said rubbing his hands together."Okay kids, we are going to play Duck Duck Goose...lets burn off some of that energy you have." The kids joyfully screamed getting into a big circle. JJ and his friends insisted on sitting near Teal'C. Lucy happily sat in Daniels lap much to his surprise. "Lucy, how am I going to get up?" he asked his God Daughter. Looking up at her uncle with her dirty blonde pig tails moving about she answered. "I'll run for you Uncle Danny." As if it was the obvious answer. With all the kids sitting Jack asked for a volunteer. Oliver waved his hand all around excitedly wanting to go first. "Stand up Oliver, you get to go first. Can you run fast?" Jack asked the little boy. "Yes general...I can run faster my cousin Carolyn." He boasted puffing his chest out saluting Jack causing him to chuckle. "Okay soldier, get to it." Oliver and the kids had a grand time playing while the adults laughed and enjoyed the party. Cassie and Jeff sat next to each other holding hands lost in love. This didn't escape Jacks eagle eyes. He made a mental note of it intending on having a little talk with the marine.
Meanwhile Sam had slipped away to check on a few things. Entering the house away from the party her thoughts drifted to last night's conversation. They had many a mission that could have gone south where locals tried to take advantage of her and Sophia being women. Some leaders offered a king's ransom in trade for Sam because of her blonde hair. Apparently blondes weren't common outside of earth. One instance her team had to shoot their way out leaving a trail of dead tribesmen escaping with mild injuries. Looking back Sam understood why he insisted on adding two additional team members. Regaining her composure Samantha dried some tears before rejoining Lucy's birthday party.
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