It Just Won't Quit 8

Staying

by Annie

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asa/annie/wontquit08.php
Summary: Jack and Daniel return to the SGC after their trip away to Jack's cabin

Sam and Janet were sitting in the commissary talking about the film they had seen with Cassie the previous night.

"It was meant to be exciting Sam."

"I know it was Janet but when you consider what I see, it just didn't compare."

"You're just itching to get out on a mission again."

"More than you know. First I spend almost three weeks on a planet coming down from a high, all because the Goa'uld weren't housebroken enough to turn off their toys, then I get two weeks downtime while Daniel and the Colonel go fishing."

"Didn't you enjoy working in your lab with no disturbances from a certain CO?"

"Oh I'll admit that was good, the thing is it's quiet at the moment. Once I figured out the latest problem there wasn't a lot for me to do believe it or not."

"Some people are never happy. Anyway they get back today and I'm sure General Hammond will have something planned for you all," Janet said smiling.

"That's another thing, why couldn't I have given the lecture to the cadets last Friday? At least that way, when the others get back I could have gone off world with them instead of staying here."

"That's the Air Force for you. Someone probably didn't dot an 'i' on some form in time."

"Either that or they forgot to cross a 't' and sign the form in triplicate."

"Just triplicate?"

Sam laughed and said, "I've got to go to the Academy and meet General Kerrigan. He wants to discuss a few things about my lecture on theoretical astrophysics, wormholes and hyperspace being important in the Air Force. Mind you, rumour has it there may be a chance of me doing more if this one goes well."

"I'm sure it will, but talking of rumours that reminds me. Have you heard the latest one going round?"

"The one where Lt. Healey in personnel is learning the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy during secret ballet lessons?"

"Nuh-uh, this one has Colonel O'Neill retired again."

"Haven't heard that one, must be recent."

"Surfaced yesterday. Apparently the Colonel is leaving because he and Daniel had an argument. I honestly don't know where some of them come from, I mean can you really imagine the Colonel walking away from all this?" Janet asked as she finished her coffee.

Not getting a response, Janet asked, "Sam?"

"The Colonel's here now so why don't you ask him for yourself," Sam answered as Jack reached their table.

"Morning Carter, morning Doc. Ask me what?"

"Umm, if you had a good time away Sir," Janet replied whilst shooting Sam a look that said 'wait till your next medical'.

"Fine thanks, nicely relaxed now and raring to go. I think Daniel enjoyed himself," Jack said with a grin.

"Where is he?" Sam asked.

"He headed straight to his office muttering about how much work he's going to come back to. Sooooooooooooooo..."

"So you'll get him a coffee and go see him when he doesn't surface."

"When who doesn't surface?"

Jack turned and saw Daniel stood next to him, coffee cup in hand and a large smile on his face.

"Jeeze Daniel, how did you manage to be so quiet and sneak up on me?"

"I've recently had some training on being covert Jack."

Jack sniggered and Daniel asked again, "So, when who doesn't surface?"

"You," Jack answered, "We thought you were going to get trapped by your in-tray."

Daniel laughed and, after taking a sip of his coffee, said, "Took one look at it, realised it'd lasted this long without me, and decided another hour won't hurt. Besides, I only really went there for a coffee."

"That's what the call yesterday was about!" Jack exclaimed.

Daniel looked sheepish as Sam asked, "What call?"

"The one Daniel made after making me stop on the way home. Wouldn't say who he called."

"Who did he call?" Janet asked.

"Nyan. To make sure the coffee would be ready," Jack responded.

"Nice to see you both, how's it been going?" Daniel asked, ignoring Jack's insight as the two women laughed.

"Quiet without you around Daniel," Janet replied as she and Sam stood to leave, "I had to give some of the nurses time off because you weren't here to keep them busy."

"I'm not in the infirmary that much!"

"Yeah right," Jack muttered, "Oww! Daniel, did you just kick me?"

"Would I do that Jack? Surely I'd be too busy in the infirmary," Daniel said with an innocent look on his face.

Jack rolled his eyes as Janet laughed once more and said, "Well it's been quiet without either of you here."

As the group walked out of the commissary they saw Teal'c walking towards them and Jack said, "Teal'c, good to see you. How you been?"

"I am well, thank you. It is good to see you again Daniel Jackson, O'Neill."

"Good to see you too Teal'c," Daniel replied.

Sam said, "Oh I sent you an email Sir if you can have a look at it today. If it's not convenient can you let Janet know as soon as possible so we can try to arrange something else?"

"Sure Carter. Have fun guys," Jack replied as Sam, Janet and Teal'c started to head off in one direction leaving Jack and Daniel to head in the other. As they reached the elevator Daniel asked, "When are you going to see General Hammond?"

"Uh, I thought now would be good. You know, the sooner the better."

"Good idea," Daniel replied thoughtfully, "Have you decided what you're going to say?"

"Um. Sorry? I dunno Daniel, maybe he's glad to be getting rid of me and won't want me back. I wouldn't blame him."

"Jack, don't be an ass. Just tell him you've changed your mind and want to stay. Tell him I want you to stay. Say we're friends again and that we're going to put the past behind us, take a leap into the unknown, put a brave face on and our best foot forward, " Daniel's eyes were twinkling as he said it making Jack laugh.

"Ah, clichés. Where would we be without them? You, my friend, are a man with a cliché for every occasion. A veritable Hallmark of clichés."

Daniel looked into Jack's eyes and saw a better humour in them. He watched as Jack got on the elevator to head down the couple of levels to the General's office and pressed the button to hold the doors open.

"Are you okay then?"

"I'm fine. Thanks Danny."

Do you want me to come and see him with you?"

"Nah I'll be alright. You go play with your in-tray."

Chuckling quietly to himself, Daniel winked at Jack and asked, "Is there a hockey match on at your place tonight?"

"If you're coming over, most likely," he replied in understanding.

"Good, I'll come over about 6 then," Daniel replied as Jack pressed the button for level 27 and the doors closed.

Next: Party