The Making of a Team
Nov. 28th, 2004 08:38 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
moonshaydeSo I lied. I am going to post another fic because, well, I am avoiding my papers. Grr...I'll have to work on them again in a few.
Anyway, after writing a ton of Season Seven fic, I had thought it was time for a change and I wrote this one this summer. It's extended/missing scenes from The Enemy Within from Season One. It was fun, especially to write them in a different frame of mind. I'll have to try some more Season One fics, but it's always easier to write what is on TV at the time. I really want to write a folow up to this, though. I think it would be fun to write their first adventure as a complete unit. We never saw it happen on TV.
Title: The Making of a Team
Author: Moonshayde
Season/Category: Missing Scene from "The Enemy Within."
Season One
Spoilers: Children of the Gods, The Enemy Within
Pairing/Character: Team
Summary: Expanded ending scenes to The Enemy Within with a twinge of humor. The team becomes complete.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Stargate, Stargate SG-1 and all of its characters, titles, names, and back-story are the property of MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Productions, SciFi Channel, and Showtime/Viacom. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be printed anywhere without the sole permission of the author. Realize this is for entertainment purposes only; no financial gain or profit has been gained from this fiction. This story is not meant to be an infringement on the rights of the above-mentioned establishments
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"I'm sorry, Colonel. I'm just not convinced."
He's got to be kidding, Jack O'Neill thought, keeping his gaze even with his commanding officer. General Hammond remained calm, his hands folded calmly on his desk. Sizing him up, Jack decided to speak his mind once again.
"I think Teal'c has more than proven himself, Sir. And Doctor Jackson's gone on two missions already. You pull him now and he'll crack."
"That's exactly it," Hammond said patiently. "Doctor Jackson is a civilian. I don't feel the field is the proper place for him. His skills would be of better use, here, on the base." He paused, keeping his tone level. "And even though Teal'c has demonstrated courage by his actions, he is still an alien being, Colonel. We don't know much about him at this time, and, frankly, it's a security risk that I am unwilling to take."
"Security, risk? Oh, come on, General," Jack muttered, knowing full well he could be crossing the line. Jack didn't know much about Hammond, or how similar or different his policies were in comparison with General West, but he gathered, just from their short time together, as well as his reaction to Colonel Kennedy, that Hammond was a more understanding man than West.
"He worked directly for the enemy, Colonel," Hammond reminded him. "We don't know Teal'c's motivations."
"And Daniel?" Jack questioned.
Hammond cocked his head, gazing at him patiently. "He's emotionally involved."
"So am I."
"Would you like me to take you off SG-1 as well?" Hammond countered.
Jack didn't answer. Maybe he'd read Hammond wrong. Maybe this man was purely tactical. Or maybe he was just clever.
"With all due respect, Sir, this is stupid." He noticed a frown creep across the general's face as his gaze intensified. "To play these games is below us. You know that Daniel Jackson should be out in the field as much as I do. The guy's linguistic skills are invaluable. Plus, he's lived among an alien culture for a year. That's got to help when we go through the Gate, especially since we'll need to communicate with these people somehow." He paused, noting the general didn't even try to stop him. "And there's Teal'c. His knowledge of Apophis' strategy and tactics will help us undermine the enemy. When we're out there, it could mean the difference between life and death. And I've seen how the Jaffa operate. If he wanted to kill us, or hand us over, he'd have done it already."
Hammond stared at him. "Are you finished, Colonel?"
"No, Sir." Jack stood tall. "I think—"
"That's enough, Colonel," Hammond said sternly. "I know what you're going to say. Do you really think that your bravado is going to help you win your case?"
Jack cocked his head slightly. "My bravado is my most endearing quality, Sir."
Hammond shook his head, surprising Jack as he chuckled. "I've already made my decision. Your words did nothing but prove what I've been thinking all along."
Jack regarded General Hammond thoughtfully, searching the other man's complex expression. Something sparkled in Hammond, something deep beneath the surface, something that allowed Jack to relax. Confident that his judgment of character had been right, Jack offered a smirk of his own.
"Don't make me regret this, Jack."
His smirk turned into a full-fledged grin. "Won't let you down, Sir."
"Good." Hammond motioned to the door. "Now, get your team prepared to disembark. I'll handle things with the president."
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"Have I not proven myself to your people, O'Neill?"
Inwardly, Jack sighed, wishing it were that simple.
"You've more than proven yourself to me, Teal'c," Jack said. "But you have to realize that the military doesn't always think that way."
Teal'c appeared to consider his words as he cocked his head slightly. "So I must continue to prove myself to your leaders?"
Jack nodded. "I know it sounds unfair, but just wait. They'll come around eventually."
Teal'c rose from the chair that had been left in his cell, and moved to stand before Jack. "Your General Hammond has informed me that he will speak to your ruler on my behalf. Is that true?"
Jack mulled that one over in his mind for a bit. Ruler?
"You mean the president? Yeah, he's going to see what he can do."
"If I am unable to join you in your battles against the Goa'uld, then I understand," Teal'c stated evenly. "I will continue to give my knowledge freely."
"I know you will, but we're not giving up on you just yet," Jack reminded him.
"And if General Hammond is successful, I will join SG-1?"
"That's the plan."
"With Captain Carter and DanielJackson?" When Jack nodded, Teal'c stood a little taller. "Will they accept me as you have accepted me?"
Jack breathed out, taking a little longer to exhale than usual as he thought how best to answer that question. "Yeah. Carter seems to be a bright one, and she's taken by you already. Even Daniel. They both know you're a good guy." He paused. "Though, you might want to give Daniel a little space. Give him some time to deal with everything."
"Indeed I will," Teal'c said, in a tone that Jack guessed was a somber one. "One day, I hope I will prove to them, and your people, that I have truly pledged my allegiance to this world."
Yeah, me too, Jack thought as he eyed the one-time First Prime. There was something about Teal'c, something that radiated out of him that convinced Jack he'd made the right decision.
It was just a matter of convincing everyone else.
"I'm going to check in with Carter and Daniel. Hang tight, Teal'c," Jack said, puzzled over the Jaffa's perplexed face. He groaned, realizing the cause for Tealc's confusion. "Just an Earth term. I'll teach you them some day. Just wait here and we'll come get you when the time is right."
Teal'c bowed graciously. "I shall wait for your return."
Jack nodded and shut the door.
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"Okay, there are a few rules we need to discuss."
Jack stood outside the armory, hands in his pocket as he stared his second-in-command directly in the eye. Samantha Carter stared back, showing off her intensity and her fire.
This was going to be fun.
"Colonel?"
"Look, I know that you think you're something special. But—"
"Sir, I am more than qualified to be an important and instrumental part of this team." Her firm gaze never faltered. "If you're trying to get me reassigned, it's not going to happen. I worked hard lobbying in Washington to make the Stargate Program work, long before it was even called a Stargate. When Doctor Jackson managed to decipher the symbols, I would've been on that very first team if I hadn't been called away for personal matters." She paused, her gaze hardening. "And I have General Hammond's assurances—"
"Alright, alright." Jack held up his hand. She was going to give him a headache. "I'm not getting you reassigned, Captain."
Her gaze softened, and Jack figured she felt a little embarrassed. Nodding slightly, she shifted her weight, and waited silently for him to continue.
He wasn't going to let the opportunity slide by him.
"As I was saying, before you interrupted me, Captain, I have a few things I need to go over with you. Let's not forget who's the colonel here."
"Yes, Sir," she said quietly.
"One, don't lose that spark you got going there," he said with a grin. "If you want to be a viable part of this team, I need you to keep up with me. You are my second-in-command, after all."
She grinned back, nearly blushing. "Why thank you, Colonel."
After a moment, he cleared his throat and pointed behind him. "We'll get to the guns in a minute. But first…" His voice dropped, and he became serious. "We need to talk about attitude."
She nodded, but he could already tell he was in for a fight.
"Alright, now, look, I know you've got skills and training up the wazoo, and I don't doubt you're a good soldier. Ah, let me finish," he warned her, as she fidgeted. "You've got an exemplary file and I've seen you in action on Chulak. You've handled yourself well on base, too." He paused, sucking in a deep breath. "But do we have to listen to the feminist prattle all the time?"
Her cheeks grew pink. "Prattle, Sir?"
"We all know you're a woman. We've noticed." Inwardly, he cringed, watching the shades of pink turn to red. "What I mean is—"
"What exactly do you mean, Sir?" Carter asked, her jaw tight.
"You don't need to keep reminding us about it. Your skills speak for themselves. Let's see all that knowledge and training in action." He cleared his throat. "I'm sure you won't disappoint."
If she had expected his reply, she certainly didn't show it. Carter's cheeks turned back to pink as she accepted the compliment. "Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir."
"Okay." Jack rubbed his hands together. "Onto number two. Doctor Jackson."
"Doctor Jackson, Colonel?"
"Oh yeah." Jack sighed. "We need to prep you on how to handle Daniel."
She stared at him as if he had two heads. "Sir, I've—"
"Carter, trust me on this one. I know we've all been to Chulak together. I know you had a blast talking, arguing, whatever, with him on Abydos. And I know the two of you have been talking a lot since we've been on base together. But don't let all those looks and comments fool you. Daniel's…"
"What?" a voice called out.
Both Jack and Carter turned to see Daniel Jackson walking towards them, his brow furrowed, as he fumbled with the straps on his military vest. Distressed, he went and grabbed for a stray piece of material, turning in circles as he tried to reach it, nearly losing his glasses in the process.
Jack rolled his eyes and glared at Carter. "Scary that he's got more experience than you going through the Gate, isn't it?"
She said nothing, but her wide eyes told Jack enough.
"Daniel, get over here," Jack said impatiently.
Daniel obliged, stumbling as he continued to try to fix his vest. When he reached the armory, Jack intervened, quickly fitting Daniel's vest into place. Daniel replied with a grateful smile.
"Okay, we'll just jump to three and go back to two later," Jack said. "Now—"
"Wait, why are we jumping to three?" Daniel asked. "And what was two? Why are we counting?"
"Colonel O'Neill is going over some of the team rules with me," Carter said.
Daniel looked at her, nodded, and then turned to Jack. "Are you going to go over them with me?"
"No." Daniel jerked at the response, but Jack ignored it. "You don't listen anyway," he mumbled. "Now, back to three. Weapons."
Jack turned around and pointed to the armory. "I don't think I need to explain what these are, Captain."
"No, Sir. MP-5's, P-90's, standard—"
"Yeah, yeah." Jack turned his back to the armory and continued. "Now, we'll each get a—hey!"
Jack snatched the MP-5 out of Daniel's hand before the man had a chance to argue. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Jack asked.
"Arming myself," Daniel replied. He motioned to the weapons with a casual wave of his hand. "This is the arm-ory."
Oh, that was cute.
Jack glared at him. "Does the term civilian mean anything to you?"
"Actually, it means I'm not officially part of the chain of command so…" Daniel reached out for the weapon.
"So, it means no heavy artillery for you," Jack muttered, handing Carter the MP-5.
"Come on, Jack."
"No. No, 'come on,'" Jack said, shaking his head. "You aren't in the military."
"Yeah, but I need to be able to defend myself," Daniel stated. "Do you really expect me to go through the Stargate without any way to defend myself?"
"That's our job," Jack said, waving his hand between himself and Carter. "We do that part. Right, Captain?"
She just looked at him.
"Captain?"
"Well, Sir, he does need some—"
"Of course he does," Jack said, interrupting her. It's not like he was going to allow Daniel to parade around the galaxy completely defenseless, but he'd be damned if they had to cart him back through the Gate because he'd shot himself in the foot. Then again, based on their short history together, even if he gave Daniel a bazooka, the likelihood is that Daniel wouldn't bother to use it anyway.
Though, better to be prepared than not at all.
Jack grabbed a weapon out of the armory and handed it to Daniel. "A sidearm. You've used one before, so you know how to work it."
"This is it?" Daniel asked, holding up the gun.
"That or nothing."
Daniel muttered under his breath, but nodded, and started to look for a place to strap his weapon.
Jack just shook his head. Scientists. Why? What had ever possessed him to insist Daniel stay with them?
"Alright," he said, back once again to the armory. He grabbed a couple of helmets and turned to face Carter and Daniel. "So, first off—"
Jack swore, flinging his helmeted hands out to the side. Carter blinked in surprise, turning to a spot to her left, the center of Jack's aggravation. Alarmed, she blinked again, and looked around.
"Back to number two," Jack said, handing her one of the helmets. "Daniel."
"Where did he go? How did he disappear so fast?" she asked, stunned.
Wouldn't we all love to know…
"As you have seen, Captain, Daniel has the ability to disappear at will. He did it on Abydos, more than once, and you saw him in action on Chulak." Jack glared at the empty place where Daniel once stood. "Granted, those times he disappeared actually helped us out, but still—"
Carter still seemed stunned that she could have missed him vanish.
"So, the point of this story is to watch Doctor Jackson at all times. All times. Never let Daniel out of your sight. When I'm not watching him, you're watching him. Got it?"
"Yes, Sir." She stroked the helmet in her hand, taking a moment to pause before she continued. "Colonel, don't you think you might be overreacting?"
"Overreacting? Me?" Jack strummed the armory wall. "Not at all. Daniel gets…fascinated easily." Though, Jack suspected Carter had that same problem, if her little debate with Daniel on Abydos was any indication. He kept his gaze level with her. "So we stay together and keep proper lookout, right, Captain?"
She got the point. "Yes, Sir."
"Good, so go find Daniel and we can get going."
"Find me? I'm right here."
Carter jumped again, nearly dropping her helmet. Daniel was standing right beside her, as if he'd never left. His expression open and expectant, he eagerly motioned for a helmet.
Jack watched him suspiciously, handing him the helmet. "Where'd you go?"
Daniel stared at him dumbly. "Go? I'm right here, Jack." He accepted the helmet. "Getting ready for the mission."
"Right." Jack shook his head. "As I was telling Carter, when we go through the Gate, no wandering. No snooping. No investigating without my permission." He gazed firmly at Daniel. "Stay with the team."
Daniel looked innocent. "Where else would I go?"
"Yeah." Jack didn't believe that look for a second. "If you're not with me, you're with Carter," he told him, watching Daniel fiddle with the goggles on the helmet. "And if you're not with Carter, you're with Teal'c."
He watched Daniel's head pop up at the mention of Teal'c. "He's coming with us?"
"If Hammond pulls that all important string, he will." Jack regarded Daniel carefully, seeing some of the color drain from the younger man's cheeks. "Is that a problem?"
Daniel shook his head once, and then again, before quickly becoming absorbed in the design of his helmet. "Well—No."
"He's a good man, Daniel," Jack said, knowing on some level what Daniel was feeling. Jack hurt from the loss of the Abydonians. Maybe not as much as Daniel. Definitely not as much as Daniel, but the pain was still there.
But that didn't change the here and now. Placing Teal'c on the team had been an objective of Jack's right from the start, knowing a good soldier and ally when he saw one. Daniel and Carter knew he right from the get go that Jack wanted Teal'c with them. Despite Teal'c's past, and the fact he had been the one to kidnap Sha're and Skaara, Jack knew the big guy would pull through for them.
This was something that Daniel would have to accept, and learn to accept, if he was to remain on SG-1. It was also something he needed to deal with if he wanted to be successful in finding his wife and brother-in-law.
Jack knew that somewhere in that big head of his, Daniel was bright enough to understand as well. The fact that not only Carter, but Daniel, had been arguing for Teal'c's protection here on Earth convinced him this would work.
"I-I know," Daniel said, still refusing to look at Jack. "He's a good man. An honorable man. He'll help us defeat the Goa'uld."
Jack noticed Carter place a supportive hand on Daniel's shoulder. She smiled, first at Jack, and then to Daniel, before squeezing him gently.
"You can stay with me until you get comfortable," she said quietly.
He smiled, one of those embarrassed smiles Daniel always had on Abydos, before slipping his helmet under his arm. "Thanks, but I'll be fine." He pursed his lips, his gaze shifting between the two soldiers. "Actually, I'm a little concerned for Teal'c. He's given up everything. He's probably experiencing a heavy dose of culture shock by now."
Jack forced a smile. He knew this reaction, the ability to cover pain with nobility. He'd seen it in some of his best soldiers. If it worked for Daniel, so be it. Jack didn't doubt Daniel's ability to forgive, but he didn't think Daniel was the type to forget.
As long as it didn't interfere with their mission, it was fine.
"Alright, it's settled then. Let's get—"
"Colonel O'Neill, report to General Hammond's office. Colonel O'Neill, report to General Hammond's office."
Jack stopped, hearing his name ring over the base's intercom system. This had better be good news.
Closing the armory, Jack motioned to Daniel and Carter with his chin. "You two go on ahead and I'll meet you in the Gateroom."
"Right, Sir."
Daniel nodded.
Satisfied, Jack turned and headed for General Hammond's office. He was vaguely aware of Daniel and Carter talking somewhere behind him, and he had to smile, hearing Carter offer her two cents on the Goa'uld and their hosts. Jack hoped she was right, or everything Kawalsky had fought for would have been in vain.
Steeling himself, Jack walked more purposefully, mentally crossing his fingers that Hammond had been successful.
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Grinning, Jack watched Colonel Kennedy's face turn white.
"Yes, Mr. President. Yes, Sir," Kennedy said meekly.
Pleased with the outcome, Jack followed Hammond down the corridor. Apparently, Hammond had informed Teal'c of the expected answer well before he'd gotten the president's approval. Now, it was just a matter of minutes before Jack's team—his complete team—went through the Gate.
Leaving the general to take care of some unfinished business, Jack turned for the embarkation room, finding Carter and Daniel waiting for him, just as he instructed.
Smiling at them, he gave them the thumbs up sign.
Hammond entered shortly after, studying the three closely. "Colonel O'Neill, is SG-1 ready to ship out?"
Jack nodded. "We are, Sir."
"Then you have a go for a standard recon mission on P3A-575."
"Yes, Sir."
And as if right on cue, Teal'c took that moment to enter the Gateroom.
"Reporting as ordered," Teal'c said evenly, holding his staff weapon in hand.
Jack held back a grin, instead motioning to the general with his hand. "Sir. It's Sir."
Teal'c considered his words. "Sir."
"Welcome aboard, son."
Now, Jack felt that smirk creeping onto his face. Hammond couldn't have said it any better.
With a slight nod of his head, Jack motioned Teal'c to follow him, and the two met Carter and Daniel at the base of the ramp, watching in silence as the Stargate sprung to life.
Jack took the moment of silence to reflect on his team.
What a bunch they were, he mused, stealing a glance to his left to study Teal'c. Here was a defector, once the First Prime of Apophis, a man that had just walked away from his old life to join in a cause he felt was right.
Jack glanced to his right. Samantha Carter, theoretical astrophysicist and Air Force captain. A little green, but spunky, and a fine officer.
Jack looked off to his far right. There was Daniel Jackson, Egyptologist, linguist, archaeologist, what have you. This was the guy who was responsible for making the Gate work, and helping him get past that awful dark time in his life.
Yup, what a bunch. The four B's. Bold, brash, brave, and brilliant.
Well, there was no sense just standing around wasting any more time. They had a job to do.
Stepping forward, Jack led the way towards the Stargate, feeling his team close by his side. They approached the fluctuations of the event horizon, just a breath away from a planet millions of light-years across the galaxy.
It was funny that out of everything he'd experienced, and after all this time, it was now he remembered some line from a book Sara had once read to him.
With a smile, Jack stepped through the Gate, mouthing those words silently.
And the journey had just begun.
The End
Anyway, after writing a ton of Season Seven fic, I had thought it was time for a change and I wrote this one this summer. It's extended/missing scenes from The Enemy Within from Season One. It was fun, especially to write them in a different frame of mind. I'll have to try some more Season One fics, but it's always easier to write what is on TV at the time. I really want to write a folow up to this, though. I think it would be fun to write their first adventure as a complete unit. We never saw it happen on TV.
Title: The Making of a Team
Author: Moonshayde
Season/Category: Missing Scene from "The Enemy Within."
Season One
Spoilers: Children of the Gods, The Enemy Within
Pairing/Character: Team
Summary: Expanded ending scenes to The Enemy Within with a twinge of humor. The team becomes complete.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Stargate, Stargate SG-1 and all of its characters, titles, names, and back-story are the property of MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Productions, SciFi Channel, and Showtime/Viacom. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be printed anywhere without the sole permission of the author. Realize this is for entertainment purposes only; no financial gain or profit has been gained from this fiction. This story is not meant to be an infringement on the rights of the above-mentioned establishments
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"I'm sorry, Colonel. I'm just not convinced."
He's got to be kidding, Jack O'Neill thought, keeping his gaze even with his commanding officer. General Hammond remained calm, his hands folded calmly on his desk. Sizing him up, Jack decided to speak his mind once again.
"I think Teal'c has more than proven himself, Sir. And Doctor Jackson's gone on two missions already. You pull him now and he'll crack."
"That's exactly it," Hammond said patiently. "Doctor Jackson is a civilian. I don't feel the field is the proper place for him. His skills would be of better use, here, on the base." He paused, keeping his tone level. "And even though Teal'c has demonstrated courage by his actions, he is still an alien being, Colonel. We don't know much about him at this time, and, frankly, it's a security risk that I am unwilling to take."
"Security, risk? Oh, come on, General," Jack muttered, knowing full well he could be crossing the line. Jack didn't know much about Hammond, or how similar or different his policies were in comparison with General West, but he gathered, just from their short time together, as well as his reaction to Colonel Kennedy, that Hammond was a more understanding man than West.
"He worked directly for the enemy, Colonel," Hammond reminded him. "We don't know Teal'c's motivations."
"And Daniel?" Jack questioned.
Hammond cocked his head, gazing at him patiently. "He's emotionally involved."
"So am I."
"Would you like me to take you off SG-1 as well?" Hammond countered.
Jack didn't answer. Maybe he'd read Hammond wrong. Maybe this man was purely tactical. Or maybe he was just clever.
"With all due respect, Sir, this is stupid." He noticed a frown creep across the general's face as his gaze intensified. "To play these games is below us. You know that Daniel Jackson should be out in the field as much as I do. The guy's linguistic skills are invaluable. Plus, he's lived among an alien culture for a year. That's got to help when we go through the Gate, especially since we'll need to communicate with these people somehow." He paused, noting the general didn't even try to stop him. "And there's Teal'c. His knowledge of Apophis' strategy and tactics will help us undermine the enemy. When we're out there, it could mean the difference between life and death. And I've seen how the Jaffa operate. If he wanted to kill us, or hand us over, he'd have done it already."
Hammond stared at him. "Are you finished, Colonel?"
"No, Sir." Jack stood tall. "I think—"
"That's enough, Colonel," Hammond said sternly. "I know what you're going to say. Do you really think that your bravado is going to help you win your case?"
Jack cocked his head slightly. "My bravado is my most endearing quality, Sir."
Hammond shook his head, surprising Jack as he chuckled. "I've already made my decision. Your words did nothing but prove what I've been thinking all along."
Jack regarded General Hammond thoughtfully, searching the other man's complex expression. Something sparkled in Hammond, something deep beneath the surface, something that allowed Jack to relax. Confident that his judgment of character had been right, Jack offered a smirk of his own.
"Don't make me regret this, Jack."
His smirk turned into a full-fledged grin. "Won't let you down, Sir."
"Good." Hammond motioned to the door. "Now, get your team prepared to disembark. I'll handle things with the president."
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"Have I not proven myself to your people, O'Neill?"
Inwardly, Jack sighed, wishing it were that simple.
"You've more than proven yourself to me, Teal'c," Jack said. "But you have to realize that the military doesn't always think that way."
Teal'c appeared to consider his words as he cocked his head slightly. "So I must continue to prove myself to your leaders?"
Jack nodded. "I know it sounds unfair, but just wait. They'll come around eventually."
Teal'c rose from the chair that had been left in his cell, and moved to stand before Jack. "Your General Hammond has informed me that he will speak to your ruler on my behalf. Is that true?"
Jack mulled that one over in his mind for a bit. Ruler?
"You mean the president? Yeah, he's going to see what he can do."
"If I am unable to join you in your battles against the Goa'uld, then I understand," Teal'c stated evenly. "I will continue to give my knowledge freely."
"I know you will, but we're not giving up on you just yet," Jack reminded him.
"And if General Hammond is successful, I will join SG-1?"
"That's the plan."
"With Captain Carter and DanielJackson?" When Jack nodded, Teal'c stood a little taller. "Will they accept me as you have accepted me?"
Jack breathed out, taking a little longer to exhale than usual as he thought how best to answer that question. "Yeah. Carter seems to be a bright one, and she's taken by you already. Even Daniel. They both know you're a good guy." He paused. "Though, you might want to give Daniel a little space. Give him some time to deal with everything."
"Indeed I will," Teal'c said, in a tone that Jack guessed was a somber one. "One day, I hope I will prove to them, and your people, that I have truly pledged my allegiance to this world."
Yeah, me too, Jack thought as he eyed the one-time First Prime. There was something about Teal'c, something that radiated out of him that convinced Jack he'd made the right decision.
It was just a matter of convincing everyone else.
"I'm going to check in with Carter and Daniel. Hang tight, Teal'c," Jack said, puzzled over the Jaffa's perplexed face. He groaned, realizing the cause for Tealc's confusion. "Just an Earth term. I'll teach you them some day. Just wait here and we'll come get you when the time is right."
Teal'c bowed graciously. "I shall wait for your return."
Jack nodded and shut the door.
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"Okay, there are a few rules we need to discuss."
Jack stood outside the armory, hands in his pocket as he stared his second-in-command directly in the eye. Samantha Carter stared back, showing off her intensity and her fire.
This was going to be fun.
"Colonel?"
"Look, I know that you think you're something special. But—"
"Sir, I am more than qualified to be an important and instrumental part of this team." Her firm gaze never faltered. "If you're trying to get me reassigned, it's not going to happen. I worked hard lobbying in Washington to make the Stargate Program work, long before it was even called a Stargate. When Doctor Jackson managed to decipher the symbols, I would've been on that very first team if I hadn't been called away for personal matters." She paused, her gaze hardening. "And I have General Hammond's assurances—"
"Alright, alright." Jack held up his hand. She was going to give him a headache. "I'm not getting you reassigned, Captain."
Her gaze softened, and Jack figured she felt a little embarrassed. Nodding slightly, she shifted her weight, and waited silently for him to continue.
He wasn't going to let the opportunity slide by him.
"As I was saying, before you interrupted me, Captain, I have a few things I need to go over with you. Let's not forget who's the colonel here."
"Yes, Sir," she said quietly.
"One, don't lose that spark you got going there," he said with a grin. "If you want to be a viable part of this team, I need you to keep up with me. You are my second-in-command, after all."
She grinned back, nearly blushing. "Why thank you, Colonel."
After a moment, he cleared his throat and pointed behind him. "We'll get to the guns in a minute. But first…" His voice dropped, and he became serious. "We need to talk about attitude."
She nodded, but he could already tell he was in for a fight.
"Alright, now, look, I know you've got skills and training up the wazoo, and I don't doubt you're a good soldier. Ah, let me finish," he warned her, as she fidgeted. "You've got an exemplary file and I've seen you in action on Chulak. You've handled yourself well on base, too." He paused, sucking in a deep breath. "But do we have to listen to the feminist prattle all the time?"
Her cheeks grew pink. "Prattle, Sir?"
"We all know you're a woman. We've noticed." Inwardly, he cringed, watching the shades of pink turn to red. "What I mean is—"
"What exactly do you mean, Sir?" Carter asked, her jaw tight.
"You don't need to keep reminding us about it. Your skills speak for themselves. Let's see all that knowledge and training in action." He cleared his throat. "I'm sure you won't disappoint."
If she had expected his reply, she certainly didn't show it. Carter's cheeks turned back to pink as she accepted the compliment. "Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir."
"Okay." Jack rubbed his hands together. "Onto number two. Doctor Jackson."
"Doctor Jackson, Colonel?"
"Oh yeah." Jack sighed. "We need to prep you on how to handle Daniel."
She stared at him as if he had two heads. "Sir, I've—"
"Carter, trust me on this one. I know we've all been to Chulak together. I know you had a blast talking, arguing, whatever, with him on Abydos. And I know the two of you have been talking a lot since we've been on base together. But don't let all those looks and comments fool you. Daniel's…"
"What?" a voice called out.
Both Jack and Carter turned to see Daniel Jackson walking towards them, his brow furrowed, as he fumbled with the straps on his military vest. Distressed, he went and grabbed for a stray piece of material, turning in circles as he tried to reach it, nearly losing his glasses in the process.
Jack rolled his eyes and glared at Carter. "Scary that he's got more experience than you going through the Gate, isn't it?"
She said nothing, but her wide eyes told Jack enough.
"Daniel, get over here," Jack said impatiently.
Daniel obliged, stumbling as he continued to try to fix his vest. When he reached the armory, Jack intervened, quickly fitting Daniel's vest into place. Daniel replied with a grateful smile.
"Okay, we'll just jump to three and go back to two later," Jack said. "Now—"
"Wait, why are we jumping to three?" Daniel asked. "And what was two? Why are we counting?"
"Colonel O'Neill is going over some of the team rules with me," Carter said.
Daniel looked at her, nodded, and then turned to Jack. "Are you going to go over them with me?"
"No." Daniel jerked at the response, but Jack ignored it. "You don't listen anyway," he mumbled. "Now, back to three. Weapons."
Jack turned around and pointed to the armory. "I don't think I need to explain what these are, Captain."
"No, Sir. MP-5's, P-90's, standard—"
"Yeah, yeah." Jack turned his back to the armory and continued. "Now, we'll each get a—hey!"
Jack snatched the MP-5 out of Daniel's hand before the man had a chance to argue. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Jack asked.
"Arming myself," Daniel replied. He motioned to the weapons with a casual wave of his hand. "This is the arm-ory."
Oh, that was cute.
Jack glared at him. "Does the term civilian mean anything to you?"
"Actually, it means I'm not officially part of the chain of command so…" Daniel reached out for the weapon.
"So, it means no heavy artillery for you," Jack muttered, handing Carter the MP-5.
"Come on, Jack."
"No. No, 'come on,'" Jack said, shaking his head. "You aren't in the military."
"Yeah, but I need to be able to defend myself," Daniel stated. "Do you really expect me to go through the Stargate without any way to defend myself?"
"That's our job," Jack said, waving his hand between himself and Carter. "We do that part. Right, Captain?"
She just looked at him.
"Captain?"
"Well, Sir, he does need some—"
"Of course he does," Jack said, interrupting her. It's not like he was going to allow Daniel to parade around the galaxy completely defenseless, but he'd be damned if they had to cart him back through the Gate because he'd shot himself in the foot. Then again, based on their short history together, even if he gave Daniel a bazooka, the likelihood is that Daniel wouldn't bother to use it anyway.
Though, better to be prepared than not at all.
Jack grabbed a weapon out of the armory and handed it to Daniel. "A sidearm. You've used one before, so you know how to work it."
"This is it?" Daniel asked, holding up the gun.
"That or nothing."
Daniel muttered under his breath, but nodded, and started to look for a place to strap his weapon.
Jack just shook his head. Scientists. Why? What had ever possessed him to insist Daniel stay with them?
"Alright," he said, back once again to the armory. He grabbed a couple of helmets and turned to face Carter and Daniel. "So, first off—"
Jack swore, flinging his helmeted hands out to the side. Carter blinked in surprise, turning to a spot to her left, the center of Jack's aggravation. Alarmed, she blinked again, and looked around.
"Back to number two," Jack said, handing her one of the helmets. "Daniel."
"Where did he go? How did he disappear so fast?" she asked, stunned.
Wouldn't we all love to know…
"As you have seen, Captain, Daniel has the ability to disappear at will. He did it on Abydos, more than once, and you saw him in action on Chulak." Jack glared at the empty place where Daniel once stood. "Granted, those times he disappeared actually helped us out, but still—"
Carter still seemed stunned that she could have missed him vanish.
"So, the point of this story is to watch Doctor Jackson at all times. All times. Never let Daniel out of your sight. When I'm not watching him, you're watching him. Got it?"
"Yes, Sir." She stroked the helmet in her hand, taking a moment to pause before she continued. "Colonel, don't you think you might be overreacting?"
"Overreacting? Me?" Jack strummed the armory wall. "Not at all. Daniel gets…fascinated easily." Though, Jack suspected Carter had that same problem, if her little debate with Daniel on Abydos was any indication. He kept his gaze level with her. "So we stay together and keep proper lookout, right, Captain?"
She got the point. "Yes, Sir."
"Good, so go find Daniel and we can get going."
"Find me? I'm right here."
Carter jumped again, nearly dropping her helmet. Daniel was standing right beside her, as if he'd never left. His expression open and expectant, he eagerly motioned for a helmet.
Jack watched him suspiciously, handing him the helmet. "Where'd you go?"
Daniel stared at him dumbly. "Go? I'm right here, Jack." He accepted the helmet. "Getting ready for the mission."
"Right." Jack shook his head. "As I was telling Carter, when we go through the Gate, no wandering. No snooping. No investigating without my permission." He gazed firmly at Daniel. "Stay with the team."
Daniel looked innocent. "Where else would I go?"
"Yeah." Jack didn't believe that look for a second. "If you're not with me, you're with Carter," he told him, watching Daniel fiddle with the goggles on the helmet. "And if you're not with Carter, you're with Teal'c."
He watched Daniel's head pop up at the mention of Teal'c. "He's coming with us?"
"If Hammond pulls that all important string, he will." Jack regarded Daniel carefully, seeing some of the color drain from the younger man's cheeks. "Is that a problem?"
Daniel shook his head once, and then again, before quickly becoming absorbed in the design of his helmet. "Well—No."
"He's a good man, Daniel," Jack said, knowing on some level what Daniel was feeling. Jack hurt from the loss of the Abydonians. Maybe not as much as Daniel. Definitely not as much as Daniel, but the pain was still there.
But that didn't change the here and now. Placing Teal'c on the team had been an objective of Jack's right from the start, knowing a good soldier and ally when he saw one. Daniel and Carter knew he right from the get go that Jack wanted Teal'c with them. Despite Teal'c's past, and the fact he had been the one to kidnap Sha're and Skaara, Jack knew the big guy would pull through for them.
This was something that Daniel would have to accept, and learn to accept, if he was to remain on SG-1. It was also something he needed to deal with if he wanted to be successful in finding his wife and brother-in-law.
Jack knew that somewhere in that big head of his, Daniel was bright enough to understand as well. The fact that not only Carter, but Daniel, had been arguing for Teal'c's protection here on Earth convinced him this would work.
"I-I know," Daniel said, still refusing to look at Jack. "He's a good man. An honorable man. He'll help us defeat the Goa'uld."
Jack noticed Carter place a supportive hand on Daniel's shoulder. She smiled, first at Jack, and then to Daniel, before squeezing him gently.
"You can stay with me until you get comfortable," she said quietly.
He smiled, one of those embarrassed smiles Daniel always had on Abydos, before slipping his helmet under his arm. "Thanks, but I'll be fine." He pursed his lips, his gaze shifting between the two soldiers. "Actually, I'm a little concerned for Teal'c. He's given up everything. He's probably experiencing a heavy dose of culture shock by now."
Jack forced a smile. He knew this reaction, the ability to cover pain with nobility. He'd seen it in some of his best soldiers. If it worked for Daniel, so be it. Jack didn't doubt Daniel's ability to forgive, but he didn't think Daniel was the type to forget.
As long as it didn't interfere with their mission, it was fine.
"Alright, it's settled then. Let's get—"
"Colonel O'Neill, report to General Hammond's office. Colonel O'Neill, report to General Hammond's office."
Jack stopped, hearing his name ring over the base's intercom system. This had better be good news.
Closing the armory, Jack motioned to Daniel and Carter with his chin. "You two go on ahead and I'll meet you in the Gateroom."
"Right, Sir."
Daniel nodded.
Satisfied, Jack turned and headed for General Hammond's office. He was vaguely aware of Daniel and Carter talking somewhere behind him, and he had to smile, hearing Carter offer her two cents on the Goa'uld and their hosts. Jack hoped she was right, or everything Kawalsky had fought for would have been in vain.
Steeling himself, Jack walked more purposefully, mentally crossing his fingers that Hammond had been successful.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grinning, Jack watched Colonel Kennedy's face turn white.
"Yes, Mr. President. Yes, Sir," Kennedy said meekly.
Pleased with the outcome, Jack followed Hammond down the corridor. Apparently, Hammond had informed Teal'c of the expected answer well before he'd gotten the president's approval. Now, it was just a matter of minutes before Jack's team—his complete team—went through the Gate.
Leaving the general to take care of some unfinished business, Jack turned for the embarkation room, finding Carter and Daniel waiting for him, just as he instructed.
Smiling at them, he gave them the thumbs up sign.
Hammond entered shortly after, studying the three closely. "Colonel O'Neill, is SG-1 ready to ship out?"
Jack nodded. "We are, Sir."
"Then you have a go for a standard recon mission on P3A-575."
"Yes, Sir."
And as if right on cue, Teal'c took that moment to enter the Gateroom.
"Reporting as ordered," Teal'c said evenly, holding his staff weapon in hand.
Jack held back a grin, instead motioning to the general with his hand. "Sir. It's Sir."
Teal'c considered his words. "Sir."
"Welcome aboard, son."
Now, Jack felt that smirk creeping onto his face. Hammond couldn't have said it any better.
With a slight nod of his head, Jack motioned Teal'c to follow him, and the two met Carter and Daniel at the base of the ramp, watching in silence as the Stargate sprung to life.
Jack took the moment of silence to reflect on his team.
What a bunch they were, he mused, stealing a glance to his left to study Teal'c. Here was a defector, once the First Prime of Apophis, a man that had just walked away from his old life to join in a cause he felt was right.
Jack glanced to his right. Samantha Carter, theoretical astrophysicist and Air Force captain. A little green, but spunky, and a fine officer.
Jack looked off to his far right. There was Daniel Jackson, Egyptologist, linguist, archaeologist, what have you. This was the guy who was responsible for making the Gate work, and helping him get past that awful dark time in his life.
Yup, what a bunch. The four B's. Bold, brash, brave, and brilliant.
Well, there was no sense just standing around wasting any more time. They had a job to do.
Stepping forward, Jack led the way towards the Stargate, feeling his team close by his side. They approached the fluctuations of the event horizon, just a breath away from a planet millions of light-years across the galaxy.
It was funny that out of everything he'd experienced, and after all this time, it was now he remembered some line from a book Sara had once read to him.
With a smile, Jack stepped through the Gate, mouthing those words silently.
And the journey had just begun.
The End
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-11-29 01:01 am (UTC)*giggles madly and yells at self* Don't think anything sexual, don't think it!!!!!!!!!!
But no, in all seriousness another excellent one. I love how you can just take an episode, expand on it, and make it all seems perfectly natural and canon.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-03 04:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-03 04:26 pm (UTC)Do you write?
Thanks so much for the comment! And your icon? Oh my! That is SO true. Blue/Red jello all the way, baby!
btw, where did you find me? I am always curious where people link up to comment on my journal since I live in a small corner of the galaxy ;)
no subject
Date: 2005-03-03 05:55 pm (UTC)I'm not really a writer. I've finished two (very plotless) Jack/Daniel stories, and I have a bunch of unfinished stuff sitting on my hard drive. I don't actively write, but I love reading fic. It's an addiction!
Found you via
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Date: 2008-12-11 04:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-11 05:29 pm (UTC)Thanks :)