SERIES/UNIVERSE: SG-7
DISCLAIMERS: M7 characters belong to Trilogy, et al, SG-1 characters belong to Gekko, MGM, and Showtime. Adriana is mine ... don't mind if you borrow her, just give her back intact and give credit where credit is due.
SPOILERS: My previous stories, A Light in the Distance, More than Friends, Under the Sun, and Days of Yearning. Likely references to episodes in both seasons of Mag7 and all five seasons of Stargate SG-1.
WARNING: The usual ... mainly language and Adriana's continued presence. Also further reference to Wilmington Sr's abusiveness.
Ezra Standish was miserable. At least, that was what he kept telling himself as his two companions dragged him on ride after ride, once they had eaten. The slower rides first, building up to the wilder rides. He had forgotten his desire to consider the whole humiliation worth it, just to see the look on his mother's face the first time Adriana had dragged him onto the bumper cars. Bumper cars were beneath his dignity, and he had no idea what he was supposed to do.
Behaving like his companions wasn't something Ezra had any experience with (although, if he was truly honest with himself, he would acknowledge that they didn't have much experience with it, either). Things had gotten even worse only a few minutes earlier, when Vin had just decided that he wanted to go on the Alpengeist ... a roller coaster which was more like a ride from hell. If only because of the horrendously long line. That alone spelled trouble.
Adriana had only agreed to go on the ride, if she could sit between Vin and Ezra, and squeeze their respective hands to a pulp. That, of course, trapped Ezra, since he wasn't about to do such an ungentlemanly thing as abandon his little sister. Besides, if Adriana had the courage to get on a ride which terrified her, certainly Ezra was man enough to be there to hold her hand, wasn't he? And he didn't fool himself. He knew she was far stronger than she looked.
As they moved slowly through the line, Ezra became aware of several things. First, Adriana was really the most experienced out of the three of them when it came to visiting amusement parks, and as he listened to the archaeologist answering Vin's questions about the amusement parks she had visited in her life, Ezra realized that was why she was going on something which terrified her.
No one should be alone at an amusement park, regardless of their age. It simply wasn't as much fun (then again, Ezra had been alone for so long, getting used to company was hard for him), and since this was Vin's first visit, Adriana wanted him to have as much fun as he could. Wanted him to do whatever he wanted. For the first time since he had met her, Adriana actually seemed older. Older than himself, older than Vin. Perhaps because it was the first time they had been in a situation where she had more experience than they did? That was something which Ezra hadn't considered, but it was definitely something to further consider.
After the fiasco of rescuing General Travis, and the resulting rift between Buck and Adriana, Ezra had few opportunities to see Adriana in a professional manner. She was often with Daniel Jackson or Bree Lincoln. In the wake of the disasters involving Stacy McPherson and Arthur Conklin, Adriana had proven herself to be a strong member of the archaeological team. Although, she had raised a few eyebrows when she had called Bree 'Cass,' which was quickly explained by her admission that Bree reminded her of a grad student in Texas, Cass Montoya.
At last, their long wait was over and the three slipped into a car of the roller coaster. They secured their seat belts ... and as soon as the belts were secure, Adriana's hand slipped around Ezra's. He had never been on a roller coaster, though he had a hard time believing it could be any worse than traveling through the Stargate. Something he considered telling Adriana, but opted instead to just pat her hand reassuringly.
And then they were off. Ezra's hand tightened around Adriana's, and then ... It was like flying. It was better than flying, because he felt the wind on his face, better than the Stargate. Better even than the cards. Ezra found himself screaming in exhilaration. Screaming? Ezra Standish didn't scream. He didn't scream in pain, he didn't scream in sorrow, or joy, or exhilaration. Yeah. Right.
He found himself giving a Rebel yell as the roller coaster took them on twists and turns, turning them upside down and sideways. Adriana had a bone-crushing grip on his hand, but he didn't mind. It didn't hurt ... the adrenaline now flowing through his system didn't allow him to feel the pain. At least not yet. But all too soon, the ride ended and they bumped along back into the station. Ezra looked over at his two companions, grinning broadly.
His eyes met Vin's, and saw the young guide was grinning just as broadly. And that Adriana's eyes were just now blinking open. Her face was white. Damn. She really did hate roller coasters. He thought back to her first time through the Stargate and cringed. Vin asked, "Ya okay, Drina?" She just looked at him, and while Ezra couldn't see her expression, he could see Vin's. The guide added, "Reckon that was a dumb question. Ow ... think ya damn near broke my hand, girl."
"Reckon it was. You owe me, Tanner. The next ride is gonna be sedate. Like a carousel, or maybe one of the sky-rides," Adriana answered as she struggled with her seat belt. Her hands were actually shaking. Vin reached over and undid her belt for her. She mumbled 'thanks,' still clinging to Tanner's hand as he helped her from the car. Vin put a steadying arm around her waist ... poor girl was having a helluva time walking.
"Sky-ride, reckon I can handle one of them. Gotta make sure it's one of them cars that holds at least four. We get on it, I'm gonna want my camera, Drina, then we gotta meet the others for lunch," Vin advised as his friend slowly got her legs to working again. Camera? Oh, what an excellent idea! Like Vin, Ezra had given his own camera to Adriana for safe keeping. He could get some wonderful pictures from the sky-rides ... gondolas, he thought they were called.
"That's fine. Goddess, I don't even want to think about food," Adriana muttered.
"Ya gotta eat, Drina," Vin advised, "I ain't about to watch ya keel over, and ain't gonna cart ya 'round. And I sure as hell ain't gonna listen to Bucklin and Larabee chew me out for lettin' ya make yerself sick. Oh, now don't be givin' me that look! I seen ya do that before, forgettin' to eat and just pickin' at yer food! Ya 'bout gave me a heart attack when ya passed out, and we ain't gonna talk about Will's reaction. Think he was bad, ya know he ain't nothin' beside yer brother and Larabee."
Oooh, rolling out the big guns, was he? The truth was, Buck and Chris probably would do exactly that. On the face of it, it was silly. Adriana was twenty-seven years old, not seven, not seventeen. But that last mission, involving SG-3 and the Magyars, had shaken both men terribly. It wasn't the first time Adriana or Vin had been hurt during a mission, but it was the first time it had happened when the rest of SG-7, or another team whom the colonel and major trusted, hadn't been with them.
SG-3. There were times when Ezra thought they shouldn't have an SG-3. First, there was the matter of Colonel Ella Gaines and her merry little band of cutthroats. That was, of course, excluding the exemplary Hildy, who had died far too young. Then there was that little fool who had nearly gotten Vin and Adriana killed, Major Harris. Maybe they should take SG-3 out of the lineup altogether. Those teams had a terribly annoying habit of causing harm to the people who meant the most to Ezra.
It wasn't just the SG-3 teams, though. It was people like Arthur Conklin and Stacy McPherson as well. Ezra had never said so to Vin or Adriana, but he had been with Bree Lincoln when the elder archaeologist had confronted Stacy McPherson. He was glad he was the only one with her. It got ugly, and Ezra knew how Buck felt about ugly, though he may have changed his mind in this instance.
Bree had, to put it quite bluntly, beaten the living shit out of Stacy. That incident had caused General Hammond to decide that under no circumstances would Adriana ever be in the same room as Stacy. Oh, Ezra knew Adriana had entertained herself through her recovery with thoughts of eviscerating Stacy ... or at the very least, threatening her with severe bodily harm. But such a meeting would never take place.
As it was, Bree was forced to stand down for several weeks. General Hammond, and General Travis, understood her actions, but rules were rules. And if Bree Lincoln, who was one of the calmest, most stable members of the SGC's archaeological community, had done that to McPherson, what would Adriana, who had been more directly affected by McPherson's acts, have done? Neither Travis nor Hammond wanted to find. Ezra couldn't blame them, because he didn't want to find out either. Nor did he want to lose someone he had come to care for greatly.
Because of Stacy McPherson, as well as Ella Gaines, he had almost lost both Vin and Adriana ... Vin to the stab wound, and Adriana to the rage which had almost consumed her. She had admitted to him later that if the others hadn't been there to keep her centered, she would have probably done something stupid. Ezra had his doubts about that, since she could barely walk, but he could appreciate the sentiment.
As it was, Mary Travis had learned on that long-ago day, just what she was capable of. And it was only the beginning, because her son hadn't been directly threatened, though he would have been eventually. Ezra envied young Master Billy in some respects. He knew that in her own way, his mother loved him, and that she had done her best by her own lights, but there had been times when he wished Maude was as ferociously protective of him growing up as Mary Travis was of her own son.
Enough of that! Something inside Ezra had broken free during that exhilarating turn on the Alpengeist. Something childlike, something wonderful. That was what made him say, "My dear friends, we are here for a day of celebration. Let us then celebrate!" He pulled away from the pair, laughing at their astonished faces. Maude would have been shocked ... appearances were everything, after all. Well, screw appearances. Ezra had been dragged to this amusement park, practically kicking and screaming, and damn if he wasn't going to amuse himself!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The incident involving cat manure actually happened to me, while I was at my best friend's house. Last Tuesday, the day I returned to PA after my vacation. Not a pleasant way to wake up.
Okay, who is this guy and what's he done with Ezra? Thinking about that kept Adriana Wilmington from tipping over in front of the two men, as her legs were still shaky from the ride. She had known Ezra Standish for two years, and while it had been established that she knew him better than a lot of people (not naming any names, of course), she had never seen this side of him. He had actually given a Rebel yell on that damn roller coaster!
(Mind you, it was occurring to her that not even Ezra had seen this side of himself before, but that wasn't much consolation to a woman whose head was still spinning from the roller coaster) A Rebel yell. Ezra Standish. One of the most composed individuals she had ever met. As she walked at Vin's side, slowly recovering her equilibrium, a most amazing idea occurred to Adriana. She lifted her head and smiled very, very slowly.
Vin, who knew her about as well as she allowed anyone to know her, asked guardedly, "Drina? What's goin' on inside a' that mind a' yers? And don't be sayin' nothin', 'cause I know ya better than that." Adriana looked at Vin, grinning at him broadly ... evidently reassuring him that he wasn't the intended victim of what she had in mind. And he wasn't. This time, at least. The future ... well, the future really depended on him.
With a cautious glance at the man in front of them (who was literally whistling 'Dixie'), Adriana observed softly, "You know, it just occurred to me. Remember the time Ezra shut Billy's cat out of his room, and that was where the litterbox was?" Vin swallowed hard, remembering the incident entirely too well. It was another vacation for SG-7, and Billy had put his cat's litterbox in the room he shared with Ezra ... which also held the only computer in the house.
The negotiator had shut the cat out of the room while checking his email, to avoid being turned into a human scratching post (which was a load of malarkey, since the cat had been declawed. However, Billy's kitten did like falling asleep in Ezra's lap, much to the chagrin of the former police negotiator). After he had finished checking his email, he and Billy had gone to bed, and just left the door shut ... leaving a terrible mess on the bathroom floor when Adriana awoke the following morning.
Being half-asleep and feeling something smelly and cold on the pads of her toes was not a pleasant way to totally wake up. Not pleasant at all. It had taken her several trips to clean the mess up, and while Ezra had apologized ... well, Adriana was never one to let an excuse to play a joke on a family member pass by. She wasn't ready to play any jokes on Buck yet, but Ezra had just provided her with incredible ammunition to use against him.
She saw an answering grin appear on Vin's face, and he bobbed his head in agreement. Adriana gave a low cackle of amusement. Now, she just had to figure out how to use Ezra's newly discovered enthusiasm to her advantage. That would take some time, but she wasn't worried about that. She had another week before they were scheduled to return to Colorado. And it wouldn't take nearly that amount of time.
"What?" Ezra asked as he swung to face them. He was walking backward ... Ezra Standish. Walking backward. He was determined to give her more ammunition, wasn't he? Well, that was fine, Adriana had no problem with that. She just smiled at him very sweetly, and Ezra's green eyes narrowed. He asked, looking from Vin to Adriana and back again suspiciously, "What just happened there?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Ezra ... Vin and I are just enjoying the sunshine, and not working. Of course, I'm also enjoying the scenery," Adriana added. She had no idea what imp possessed her to say that, but she could tell from the red stain creeping up from his shirt that he realized exactly what scenery she meant ... and it wasn't the landscape of Virginia, as lovely as that was.
Vin snickered at her side, easily ignoring Ezra's highly irritated, "Mistah Tannah!" That exclamation led to both Vin and Adriana laughing helplessly. If he kept this up, just the entertainment he was providing them would be payback enough for the sensation of cat poo on her toes. Ezra just glowered at them for a moment, then a wicked light appeared in his green eyes, and he said, "Well, my dear Dr. Wilmington, just remember the conversation we had in the airport before coming here."
Conversation ... oh. Oh. That one. She just maintained eye contact with Ezra. It was a good threat, but ultimately ineffective. Because if Ezra brought up that conversation with Vin, then he would also have to explain why they were having that conversation in the first place. And Adriana really didn't think Ezra wanted Vin to know that part of the conversation. She just smirked at her surrogate brother. A smirk that grew as the same thing dawned on him. And he did not look pleased with this discovery. No, not one bit. Even better. After all this time, he should have realized just how evil she could be, when she really wanted to.
"Aw hell," he growled. He turned back around and stomped away in front of them, reminding Adriana of a five year old boy who hadn't gotten his way. Adriana just giggled softly. He really had been hanging around Vin too much ... he was starting to pick up Vin's favorite expletives, as well as a few other things. And speaking of Vin ... he was eyeing her rather strangely. Oh. Probably wondering about that conversation.
And since she could, Adriana murmured, "Ezra and I were talking in the airport, before our flight was called and while you were wandering around, about possible problems." Vin cocked a brow at her, and she continued, "Possible problems where fraternization is concerned. He wanted my advice about a certain young lady ... one of the techs, I believe. He didn't specify her name, and I didn't ask. He did tell me that she wasn't with any of the SG teams. Anyhow, we came to the conclusion that it would be okay for him to approach this young lady, because he doesn't have any input about her job."
"So how come he was tryin' to hold that over your head?" Vin asked. Of course he would ask that. However, Adriana had already figured out a way around that. She had been telling herself the same thing for the last week, ever since that conversation had taken place. Ahead of them, Ezra had stomping ... probably ran out of energy, Adriana surmised. Or just realized just how childish he looked. Giving a Rebel yell on a roller coaster was one thing. Pouting like a five year old was something else.
"Well, when I gave him my opinion, I told him that I looked at it this way ... if I were to have an involvement with Chris, that would be one thing. He's my commanding officer ... well, sometimes he is. That would be dangerous. However, Chris and Mary's jobs are in two different sections of the SGC. So that's okay ... just like a possible involvement between you and me. We are in the same section, but we're equals. Ezra's overactive imagination took it from there," Adriana explained.
"Did not!" came the indignant reply from ahead of them. Adriana stuck her tongue out at him in response, and grinned when Vin laughed quietly. Ezra did an about-face, almost ending up on his ass at the same time. The guide and archaeologist both lost whatever control remained over their laughter, and Adriana leaned against Vin, laughing helplessly. He was barely able to stand up himself, he was laughing so hard. Ezra whined, "It's not funny!"
"Course it is, Ez, ain't every day we see someone 's graceful as ya land on yer ass," Vin retorted, grinning broadly. Ezra's face turned a lovely shade of scarlet when Vin said the word 'graceful,' and Adriana realized there was a story here. Vin continued, his grin broadening even further at Ezra's growing blush, "Reckon ya ain't told Drina 'bout that one time when ya dressed up in a dress." Adriana almost inhaled her soda ... dress???????
"Mistah Tannah!" Ezra squeaked, his face now reminding Adriana of a lobster in its skin tone. Oh, this was a good story. This was a very, very good story. Now, she just had to make sure she could keep Vin alive long enough to tell it. Of course, it was worth it, just to see Ezra this ... uncomfortable? This out of character ... oh, yes, this little bit of entertainment was worth the price of admission!
Ezra stomped back over to them, his green eyes bulging, and he hissed, "All right, what do you want? What do you want, to keep this quiet?" Adriana lost it all over again ... this was a very, very, very good story! Now, she just had to figure out a way to hear that story. If she knew Ezra, and she thought she did, he would do his damnedest to keep Vin from telling her the story. And Vin, of course ... well, Vin was Vin.
Through her laughter, Adriana gasped, "What do you want, Vin, to tell it?" Ezra turned a mock-glare on her, but she just giggled. And received the added pleasure of seeing the red creep up to his ears. Adriana forced herself to calm down, remembering the last time she had inhaled her soda. Not a pleasant sensation. She took a deep breath, wiping tears from her eyes, and repeated, "What do you want, Vin? I want to hear this story."
"Mistah Tannah ... " Ezra warned. He was trying. Oh, he was trying. Adriana could see the effort in his eyes. He was trying so hard. But Adriana could see something else in his eyes. Lessee, what would it take to make him go over the edge? She was having entirely too much fun, getting under Ezra's skin like this. And doubtless, he would make her pay for it later, possibly with help from her brother ... or not. Oh, now that was an idea!
"On second thought, Vin, I'll get Buck to tell me. I know how much he loves the ladies. And Ezra in a dress is a story he would love to tell, I'm sure," Adriana said, waggling her eyebrows at Ezra. That did it. His face got even redder ... and just when she thought he might just storm off again (which would have sent her back into convulsive giggles), a sound escaped him. He tried to glare at her, but she just smiled at him sweetly.
"Reckon that might be a good idea. Bucklin never forgets a lady. Yeah, I think that's a right fine idea. Speakin' of Bucklin and ladies, did I ever tell ya the story about the funny lady? Was back when we were helpin' J'siah, when he was accused of murder," Vin replied. He winked at Adriana. Not that she need any proof, since he usually could figure what she was up to, but that reassured her that he knew exactly what she was doing.
Buck was a consummate storyteller. Not to say a liar, but he loved telling stories, and he often embellished experiences he had. Buck liked to say it was the Irish in him. Adriana usually countered with the response that was one way of looking at it. Often with a wink at Chris, who would then try to keep from inhaling his beer or whatever else he was drinking. In any event, she knew, just as well as Ezra and Vin, that if Buck told that story ... ah, well ... if she wanted a truly accurate, as well as entertaining, account, Vin would be the one to talk to.
"D'oh!" Ezra practically squealed. Squealed. Ezra Standish. Known for his poker face, for keeping his emotions hidden from view. Appearances were everything, after all. Had squealed. Practically. He struggled for a moment, glaring at Adriana and Vin all the while, then growled, "All right! You want to hear this story, Adriana, then I shall tell you." She just smirked at him, and Ezra continued, "I shall require a beverage first ... and Mr. Tanner, not a word from you, understand? Not a word!" With that, he stomped in the general direction of one of the many food and drink stands within the park.
Vin and Adriana looked at each other and Adriana asked in a low voice, still shaking with laughter, "Was it my imagination, or did Ezra Standish actually say 'd'oh' in a conversation?" Vin nodded, rocking back on his heels as he laughed. Oh, it had been forever since she had seen him that relaxed! His bright eyes twinkled with amusement, and Adriana shook her head, adding, "Wish I had my tape recorder handy. Ezra's giving me some great blackmail material."
Vin responded with a smug grin, and removed an audio recorder from her purse. She stared at him, and he shrugged, replying, "Put it in while I was puttin' away m' camera. 'Fore we got on the Alpengeist. Mary gave it to me, 'long with a couple a' tapes when she found out that Ezra would be comin' with us. Reckon she figured somethin' like this would happen eventually." Adriana stared at Vin, then at the recorder, then she threw back her head and laughed. Ohhh, this would be fun! She tucked the recorder back into her purse, then wrapped her arm around Vin's waist ... yes, this would be a lot of fun!
JD had changed his mind. While he wouldn't mind swapping places with Ezra after lunch, right now, the young man was getting a lot of entertainment, just from watching Olivia Greer. The little girl was bound and determined to protect her mama from the likes of Buck Wilmington. Every time it seemed likely that Buck would get somewhere with Mrs. Greer ... Terry ... little Olivia would intervene. With some help from JD. Of course.
And it was only fair. Buck had spent all this time flirting with ladies, and very little time actually on the rides. As it had been noted by more than one member of the SGC, paybacks were hell. JD still wanted to see if he could persuade Adriana to participate in a prank. He would spend the afternoon doing that. Olivia asked, "Whatcha thinkin' about, JD?" The little girl had left her mother's side, apparently growing tired of the game.
She took his hand and JD lightly swung it, as if she was his little sister. He replied, "I'm thinking about asking Buck's little sister Adriana. Wondering if she would help me pull a few jokes on him." Olivia's eyes lit up with mischief at the suggestion, and JD continued, "She's his little sister ... smaller than both of us. And bigger than you." Olivia rolled her eyes at that, making JD laugh.
"Well, duh! What's she like, JD? Do you think she'd help you?" the little girl asked in a low voice, peeking around JD to look at her mother and Buck. JD shrugged. It was hard to say. He had learned in the last few months that Adriana was a bit unpredictable. Olivia continued sadly, "I wish I had a sister or a brother. But my papa died when I was real little. Mama always said that if Papa had lived, I would have had little brothers and sisters. Do you have any little brothers or little sisters, JD?" JD looked at the child sympathetically. He understood how she felt. Until he joined SG-7, he had been an only child, too.
"Sort of ... I guess you could say Buck is like my big brother. And then there's Vin. He's five years older than I am. Nathan and Ezra. Chris is sorta like a cross between a big brother and an uncle. And Josiah's like my dad. I ... don't remember my father," JD explained. Truth was, he didn't know if his parents had even been married. But his mother had loved him and taken care of him to the best of her ability, until she got sick.
A quick look at Olivia's sad face told him that she understood. JD wanted to make her smile again, so he chose to distract her from the sad memories. Remembering that he had been talking about siblings, JD told her, "So, even though I don't have any brothers or sisters from my parents, I do have siblings. There's Mary, whom Chris likes, and maybe Adriana will become my sister, too. See, she's the same age as Vin. I don't know her real well. And don't tell anyone I said this, but really, she's Vin's girl. She just doesn't know it yet."
"That's silly, JD. How can she not know?" Olivia sighed, tapping her foot in irritation. JD just grinned. The funny thing was, Olivia was saying the same thing Casey had said when she found out. Casey and her aunt had decided that Adriana was Vin's girl. However, unlike her aunt, Casey didn't understand why neither had realized that yet. Nettie had answered the question of both young people with her explanation.
An explanation which JD now framed for Olivia's understanding, as he replied, "Well, they've been friends a long time. And they like it like that. Some really bad men hurt Adriana really badly ... and Vin's been hurt too. And they're both afraid that if they admit how they really feel about each other ... well, it's like Buck always says. Things could get ugly. And Buck hates ugly." JD screwed up his face, making the little girl laugh.
Olivia was silent for several moments, then asked, "JD? D'ya think Vin and Adriana will help you when you play a trick on Buck?" JD thought briefly about telling the little girl about the trick he had played on Buck, involving a love potion and Inez. Then decided it wasn't such a hot idea. While Olivia was a little more ... worldly ... than other six year old girls, JD didn't want to shatter any more of her innocence.
Instead, he replied, "Well, I'm pretty sure Vin will. Not so sure about Adriana, because she and Buck are getting along again. They ... had some problems. Still working out. Maybe I'll ask Adriana to help the first time Buck gives her and Vin a hard time." And knowing Buck, JD thought, that should be happening fairly soon. Buck was trying so hard to make things up to his sister for the years of neglect, he was bound to step on her toes eventually. Even with her almost limitless patience, it had to happen soon.
"Oh. Okay. Then, what kind of a trick are we gonna pull, if your friend Vin is gonna help?" Olivia asked, her mind turning to the next question. Damn if she wasn't a focused little gal! Her small, serious face was upturned as she said, "Maybe we don't really need his help, JD. I mean, isn't it easier if it's just the two of us, and then we can pull it when all of you are together?" JD thought about that. Truthfully, she was right. And then something occurred to him. He smiled, a positively evil smile that would have made Buck shudder in horror ... or beam with pride ... if he had seen it.
"You know," JD said, grinning down at his small companion, "I have an idea. After lunch, I'm gonna see if I can hang around with Vin and Adriana, and you can meet my friend Ezra. And before we meet the others for lunch, you and I can decide on what kind of a trick we can play with Buck. Then, after lunch, you can meet Ezra, and we'll tell him about the trick." Olivia cocked her head to one side, staring at him solemnly.
"But JD," she finally said, "if you're not here, then how are you gonna know?" JD gently rumpled the child's hair, grinning down at her. His dark eyes darted to Buck, then returned to Olivia. It took her a few seconds to figure out what JD meant, then a brilliant smile lit up her pretty face. She whispered, "Oooh! So what are we gonna do?" JD held his finger to his lips, and the child obligingly fell silent.
Leaning around Olivia, JD said, "Hey Buck, Mrs. Greer? I'm gonna take Olivia on that ride, if y'all want to stick around and watch." It was a request for permission ... but, Buck being Buck, took it another way. He winked at the youthful cartographer, smirking. Terry Greer nodded, and JD led Olivia in the direction of the ride. As they walked, JD told Olivia, "Now, here's what we're gonna do ... "
He's up to somethin.' I ain't rightly sure what that somethin' is, but he's up to somethin.' Vin Tanner had come to that inescapable conclusion while Ezra took his time getting something to drink. He didn't mention his suspicion to Adriana ... her head was still spinning from the roller coaster, and Ezra's ... uhm ... odd behavior. Odd. That was one word for it. Vin had a few other words for it. None of which could be repeated with a lady present.
Never mind what Adriana said. The aforementioned lady was currently tucked all nice against Vin's side, arms wrapped around his waist as they sat on the park bench, waiting for Ezra. He looked down at her, smiling faintly, and asked, "Ya comfortable there, Miss Drina?" She tipped her head back to look at him and smiled impishly. Vin laughed softly and added, "Reckon I oughta take that as a 'yes,' then."
"Reckon you oughta," Adriana answered with that impish grin firmly in place. Vin growled at her. She always did that to him. Didn't matter what or why, she always did that to him. Drina continued, "So, m'dear, have you figured out what our Mr. Standish is up to yet?" Vin blinked at her in surprise, and Drina continued a bit impatiently, "Oh, c'mon, Vin! Yeah, I've only known Ezra for two years, but even I can figure out when he's play-acting. He's up to something, and I know you well enough to know that you know that." Play-acting ... yeah, that was a good description of what he was doin.' Still not the way Vin would put it, but ...
"Ain't rightly sure, Drina, but he is up to somethin.' Just don't think he realizes that we have a tape recorder with us," Vin reminded his friend. Drina's smile, once impish, had become downright evil. He had seen that smile before. 'Course, it had been a good five years since he had seen that smile ... the night they had taken their 'revenge' on Claire for setting them up. He added, raising his brows at her, "One good setup deserves another, right?"
"Absolutely, Kevin, absolutely. We'll figure out what kind of setup later, once we figure out what he's up to. I knew he was letting down his guard, but ... there's letting down your guard and then there's pulling a con. I've never seen Ezra pull a con, but I understand he can be a consummate actor ... evidently, since he was in a dress at one time," Adriana observed. Her eyes twinkled with merriment as she added, "I don't suppose anyone got pictures."
"Reckon JD did," Vin answered as Ezra headed back to them. Huh. Took him ten damn minutes to get a lemonade. He wondered if Ezra had been bartering to bring the price down. Sounded like something he would do. Probably got the poor kid all flustered with them fancy words a' his. Vin shook his head, grinning in a mixture of amusement and amazement. Even after three years with SG-7, Ezra still could make his head hurt.
"We were gonna start without you, Ezra, but Vin decided that wouldn't be very sporting of us," Adriana teased as the negotiator got closer. Maybe she had been reading Vin's mind, for she added, "What were you doing, trying to bamboozle that poor kid into giving the lemonade to you for a lower price?" That was scary ... it was scary enough when Larabee did it. But Adriana, even when they had been friends in Texas, had never been able to read his mind.
However for some reason, he had forgotten, this wasn't the painfully shy nineteen year old girl he had first met ... the new and improved Adriana Wilmington was a lot of things her younger self hadn't been. He didn't know why he sometimes forgot that, since she had been back in his life for two years. Maybe because most of those two years had been spent working? That could be it. He would worry about that later, since another verbal sparring match between Adriana and Ezra was just about to get started.
"Moi? My dear Dr. Wilmington, I am utterly shocked at your appalling opinion of me. Why, the very idea ... " Ezra began. Vin and Adriana looked at each other, then promptly burst out laughing. Ezra began blushing again ... huh. That was the second time today Vin had seen the Southerner blush. He was beginning to wish he had brought a video camera ... the others would never believe Ezra had been blushing without proof.
"In other words," Adriana retorted, "that's exactly what you were trying to do." By now, the tips of Ezra's ears were almost scarlet. Or maybe, Vin thought, he's just gettin' a sunburn. Ezra, unlike the other two, wasn't wearing a hat of any kind. Vin and Drina were both wearing baseball caps. Ezra, however, considered baseball caps or cowboy hats beneath his dignity. And he hadn't appreciated the various hats Adriana had tried on him in one of the shops.
Personally, Vin thought out of all the hats Drina had Ezra model, the one best suited to him was the jester hat. If only for the expression on his face when Drina had put it on his head. On the other hand, the one who really deserved the jester hat was Bucklin, but he wasn't here right now. So, his frequent partner in crime would just have to do in his place.
The expression which said quite clearly that Drina would be wise to watch her back once they got back to Colorado. Hell, Drina watched her back no matter where they were. The negotiator said now, "All right, perhaps I was attemptin' to negotiate with the young lady about the price of the lemonade, but I was hardly bamboozlin' her, as you so elegantly put it." Vin and Drina exchanged another look, then looked back at Ezra with matching evil grins.
Ezra swallowed hard and muttered, "Mistah Tannah, the last time I saw you smile like that, was when you persuaded me to take part in that abhorrent masquerade. And before you ask, there is no way under the sun you will ... either of you ... will be able to persuade me to partake in those old-fashioned photographs!" Vin looked at Adriana once more, raising his eyebrows in question. He hadn't really thought about it, but now that Ezra mentioned it ...
"That's fine, Ezra," Drina answered smoothly, "I'm sure Vin and I can handle that on our own, you don't need to act as our chaperone. It's not like we're a couple, and can't be trusted to be on our own." Ezra's mouth opened and closed, and Drina continued in a sweet voice, "But enough of that, Vin and I can discuss our plans for the pictures later. You promised me a story, I believe. Of course, if you would rather sit here and drink your lemonade, while we go take those pictures, I'm sure Buck would be happy to tell me at lunch?"
Ezra's mouth closed with a snap as he stared at Adriana. For his own part, Vin didn't know exactly what she was up to. He just knew that smile, and knew she was up to something. That left Vin in the uncomfortable position of having two companions who were up to something, and having no idea what either was planning. On the other hand ... well, it looked to get interesting, whatever happened.
As Vin came to that conclusion, Ezra said with a sigh, "I promised you a story, yes, although I do believe I made that promise to a fully grown woman, instead of ... well, yes, I did say I would tell you the story of how I came to be wearing a dress." Vin watched in amusement as Ezra backpedaled to avoid Drina's irritation. Smart man. Then again, Vin had never said that Ezra was stupid.
Ezra began, "The first thing you must know is that it was not my idea." Drina responded with what had become known around the military compound as a ya think look. Adopted from the master of the phrase himself, Colonel O'Neill, just about everyone in the SGC had used it at one time or another. Ezra continued with a sigh, "In any event, a diversion was needed in order to distract the villains from a rescue attempt that was taking place. Your companion was the mastermind behind the diversion ... myself in a dress."
Drina turned her attention to Vin, who just smiled impishly. He said nothing ... this was Ezra's show, not his. Drina looked back at the negotiator, who continued, "Yes, well, Mr. Tanner came up with the idea of putting me in a dress, complete with the various and sundry accessories that went with such an outfit. It was his considered opinion that I walked gracefully." Vin glanced at Drina, who was trying desperately not to giggle. He could see it in her face.
"You know, Vin, you fit that description as well as Ezra does," Drina observed.
Vin found himself blushing as he returned, "Yeah, but I figgered that he would make a purtier lady than me." Ezra glared at him and Vin shrugged. He didn't know how else to put it. Besides, while he had longer hair ... uh, no. No, if he followed that train of thought, he would really get himself into trouble. Instead, Vin continued, "Tell 'er the rest of the story, Ez. Ya know Drina. Ya don't tell her, she'll ask Bucklin." Ezra's answering glare told Vin that he and Drina would need to watch each other's back. That was fine. They always did.
SG-1 was late. This was not good. To the surprise of General Hammond, not only had every member of SG-7 been at the prescribed meeting place, but none of them had gotten into trouble. How often did that happen? Of course, they hadn't come alone ... Major Wilmington and Private Dunne were accompanied by two ladies ... a young woman and her small daughter. The major was on vacation, but that didn't mean his libido took a vacation. Hammond knew better than that.
Mrs. Greer ... Terry ... seemed very nice, and her little girl Olivia reminded the general of his own granddaughters. Those four were the first to arrive, followed only a few minutes later by Colonel Larabee, Captain Travis, and Billy. The eight year old, predictably, was impatient to eat lunch and get back on the rides. Olivia agreed, though the general noted a mischievous twinkle every time she looked at JD. He had a really bad feeling he didn't want to know what those two were up to. Whatever it was, it spelled trouble for the major.
The trio of Standish, Tanner, and Dr. Wilmington was the next to arrive. Dr. Wilmington was beaming as she walked with a bag, and Tanner's smile reminded Hammond of the Cheshire cat. Those two were up to something. Standish probably knew it, but he pretended otherwise. That was fine. He couldn't wait to see what Tanner and Dr. Wilmington had come up with. Those two were imaginative on their own. Together ... it promised to get interesting.
Sanchez and Jackson were the last two to arrive. And then they had to wait for SG-1. Knowing his flagship team, and knowing the trouble they could get into, Hammond told the rest of his group to get something to eat. Dunne and Wilmington needed no further prompting. Standish, Tanner, and Dr. Wilmington followed them at a more sedate pace, exchanging indulgent grins at the antics of the pair.
Within ten minutes, SG-7, plus Dr. Wilmington, Captain Travis, and little Billy, were gathered around a picnic table under an umbrella with the general, and sharing stories. As Vin Tanner finished a particularly hysterical story involving Standish and him telling Dr. Wilmington about Standish's turn in a dress, the members of SG-1, plus Dr. Frasier and Cassandra, arrived.
Oddly, it was the normally quiet Dr. Wilmington who called attention to the approach of the missing team, observing, "Well, well, the prodigals are here ... they don't look like they've been in a fight. Not really." Those with their backs to the newcomers turned and regarded them. She was right ... they didn't look like they had been in a fight, though Hammond knew from previous, and occasionally painful, experience, that looks were often deceiving with this team.
"Reckon they look a mite ruffled, but not like I seen 'em in the past," Tanner put in, eyeing the team. O'Neill was the first to sit down, looking exhausted. But not too exhausted to knock the baseball cap from the sharpshooter, then ruffle the light brown hair. Tanner scowled, much to the amusement of his tiny, dark-haired companion. The sharpshooter growled at her, then 'attacked' her with waggling fingers at her sides. She squealed, twisting away from him with a giggle.
"Now, now children, if you can't behave, I'll just have to leave you with Teal'c for the second half of the day," O'Neill said. Tanner and Dr. Wilmington stopped their horseplay long enough to look at each other, look at Jack O'Neill ... and stick out their respective tongues at him. Teal'c raised an eyebrow, Major Carter hid a smile behind her hand, and Daniel Jackson simply grinned impishly.
"Who says we ain't behavin,' Colonel? Me and Drina been real good, ain't we?" Tanner asked the young woman. She nodded her head, and the two returned their attention to O'Neill. Hammond chanced a look at Chris Larabee, who was grinning at the antics of his two friends. Beside him, Mary Travis was shaking with laughter ... for that matter, the entire SG-7 team seemed amused by the banter.
"If you consider putting me through hell for the last few hours, 'behaving.' General Hammond, I do not believe you took one important thing into consideration when you instructed me to accompany these two young miscreants about the park this morning," Standish observed. The light in his eyes told everyone at the picnic table that he was teasing as he shot mock-annoyed glares at Tanner and Dr. Wilmington.
Hammond looked at him expectantly, and Standish added, "That sometime durin' the night, Mr. Tanner and Dr. Wilmington disappeared, to be replaced by my current companions. Because I assure you, just as I sit here, that is not Vin Tanner or Adriana Wilmington ... that's Satan himself and his consort!" The table erupted with laughter at this observation, while Tanner and the archaeologist just eyed Standish speculatively.
"What's a consort?" Olivia Greer asked with interest.
"Wife ... he's callin' Adriana Vin's wife, or queen," JD explained to the little girl. She opened her mouth to ask something else ... Hammond could see the question in her eyes ... but the young cartographer leaned over to whisper something. Olivia nodded her understanding, and went back to eating. JD continued, grinning impishly at Vin and Adriana, "You know, since Ezra seems to be having such a hard time with these two, what do you say I switch places with him, General? It couldn't have been a picnic for them."
"Next time someone questions Vin's patience, I'll have to point to today," Jack said wryly, "He hasn't shot Standish yet!" Another laugh went around the table at that, and Jack continued, "I guess you guys want to hear why we're late?" Hammond looked around, and saw matching grins on the faces of everyone at the table. Jack continued, "It's kind of a long story, and we haven't eaten yet ... "
"Go get some food, Colonel, we're not on a time table. And Private Dunne, it's fine if you and Mr. Standish switch places. So long as that's agreeable with Dr. Wilmington and Mr. Tanner," Hammond told the boy. The pair nodded, and Hammond continued as SG-1 went to the various food stands around them, "We'll take about two hours for lunch ... long enough to eat and let the food settle ... then head to Splashus Maximus."
"That looks like it's gonna be fun. I noticed it while we were coming up here, and noticed that the kids working that attraction had a CD player. Good way to alleviate the boredom, especially when there's no one coming," Dr. Wilmington observed. Hammond looked at the young woman, an idea taking root in his mind. CD player. He wondered if he should have a talk with the youngsters at Splashus Maximus.
Tanner snickered, adding, "This from the gal who cain't work without music. I 'member this one time, I guess the second semester of her sophomore year. Keep in mind, this was after Claire had moved out, and Carly had moved in with Drina. Anyhow, the library was closed for repairs, so Drina had to study in their room. Carly couldn't listen to music, so Drina finally went into the ladies' room with her Walkman."
"Actually, it was the bench in the shower room, Vin, get it right," Dr. Wilmington retorted, "and if I couldn't study in the library, I needed music. Don't ask me to explain it, that's just one of the weird things about me. Being in the library relaxes me, and if I can't be in the library, then music relaxes me enough to think. Ask Mary, she's been with me in my place when I'm working." The blonde captain nodded her acknowledgment.
"Yeah. I never could figger that out, but you're one of a kind, Drina," Tanner said. Dr. Wilmington just smiled very sweetly. Tanner's bright eyes sparkled with laughter, as he added, "Then again, when she says she's weird, she ain't jokin.' Ain't never met a gal who was so full of contradictions." The young woman scowled at him, and once Billy was looking away from the table, drawing Olivia's attention to whatever he had seen, the archaeologist flipped him off.
"Ohhh, I think I'm gonna have fun after lunch," Private Dunne said, laughing as Tanner grabbed the middle finger and pushed Dr. Wilmington's hand into her lap. He laughed again at the scowls directed at him, and continued, "Seriously! All Buck has done since we left you guys this morning is flirt with the ladies ... no offense, Mrs. Greer! At least with the two of you, I can do what I came here for!"
"Ride the rides," Dr. Wilmington supplied and the boy nodded eagerly. The archaeologist continued, looking at her best friend, "Mary, knowing you, you'll be walking around and watching Billy more than you'll be riding, so can I leave my bag with you?"
"Sure, I'll take care of it ... did you guys get to the photography place, like you mentioned last night, before we went to bed?" Captain Travis asked. Dr. Wilmington nodded and the captain removed the picture from the bag. A smile appeared, even as Standish glared at the archaeologist and the sharpshooter, his eyes filled with what looked like betrayal. After a moment, Captain Travis looked up and said, "This is absolutely adorable!"
"Lemme see," Jack O'Neill said, leaning across to peer at the picture. Captain Travis handed it to him, and a smile appeared as he added, "You're right, Mary. I think copies need to be distributed. I've heard of pictures being worth a thousand words, but that takes the cake." He handed it next to Hammond, across the width of his team, and the general examined the picture with a bemused smile.
It showed the trio in costumes from the Old West. Tanner was dressed in a hide coat, oatmeal-colored trousers, and a red shirt. His hands rested on the gunbelt, his stance and expression saying that this was a very dangerous man, one you didn't want to cross. Standish was dressed to the nines and sixes, according to the time period. Holding a deck of cards in his hands, which looked as natural to the time period as it did today.
Standing back to back with Tanner was their female companion, dressing in a simple blouse and skirt which also seemed appropriate to the time period. Arms folded over her chest, looking over one shoulder at Tanner, a rifle between them. Hammond smiled as the picture was passed around, and O'Neill said, "Well, I suppose it's time I told you what happened. This is gonna take a few minutes, so make yourselves comfortable ... "