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.
While Nathan, Josiah, Vin, Adriana, and JD had joined forces, Buck and Ezra had met up with Mary, Chris, and Billy. Terry Greer realized her daughter was getting tired, and said good-bye to them only a few moments later. Buck wasted no time in telling his long time friend about his plans ... as well as that final violation on the part of their father, so many years ago. He was gratified to see an answering rage in the green eyes of his old friend ... as well as sadness in Billy's, and compassion in Mary's.
"I don't understand," Billy lamented as they walked through the store, "why would your dad do something so mean? Was Adriana bad? Is that why he broke all of her things?" How exactly did you explain about that sort of thing to a little boy, who had never known anything but love from his parents? Oh, he knew that there were terrible people in the world ... people like the men who had killed his father. But for a daddy to do that to his little girl?
"No, honey. Adriana hadn't been bad ... at least, no worse than any other girl her age. Her father did that to hurt her," Mary answered quietly. There was no way around it. No way to soften what he had done. Billy still didn't know everything, and none of the adults knew how to tell him. There was another complication ... Billy was a very honest, forthright child, just as his mother was a forthright woman. All were concerned that if Billy was told that Adriana's father had touched her in a bad way, in a bad place, he would bring it up with her.
"So how come nobody took her away from him? Celia Martin got took from her mom and dad, how come nobody took Adriana away? Was it because she was a big girl?" Billy asked innocently. The child was looking up at his mother, never saw the way Buck's face paled. Had no way of knowing that his innocent, and far too relevant question, was like a kick to Buck's gut. Why hadn't he known? Why hadn't he protected his sister?
"She ran away before anyone could take her away from him, honey. And now, Buck wants to give something to her ... a lot of the water globes which their father broke, Buck had given to Adriana," Mary explained quietly. Buck moved along the other side of the aisle, trying to occupy his mind which deciding which one he should get for his sister ... which would say what he wanted her to know?
Blessedly, Billy was silent for several moments, allowing Buck to concentrate. His next question, however, shattered the big man's concentration, as Billy asked, "Mom? Do you think we could get Adriana one, too?" Chris, who had moved down Buck's aisle, put his hand on Buck's arm as the man closed his eyes tightly. Billy continued, "My teacher, Mrs. O'Leary, said she had snowglobes which she had to give away, 'cause they're moving. Would it be okay if we gave one of 'em to Adriana?"
"I think she'd like that a lot, Billy. In fact, maybe while Buck, Chris, and Ezra are looking for that globe, why don't we go look for a gift for Grandpa? Maybe a belt buckle? And something for Grandma?" Mary asked. Buck opened his eyes to give Mary a grateful look, not minding at all that she could see the tears in his eyes. He smiled at her, a smile which she returned, leading her son from the store.
"You okay, big fella?" Chris asked quietly, picking up a musical snow globe. Buck didn't answer, running his fingers over the glass of the globe. It was unusual, for him to be so quiet, but in the months since he had learned how badly his father had abused his sister, Buck found himself wanting just some quiet time to think. Adriana had let him back into her life, with no reservations, no recriminations. But Buck had more than enough guilt on his own.
It was equally unusual for Chris to talk more than Buck, but the blond colonel continued now, "You can't take back what he did to her, Buck. You can't erase those years. Whether we like it or not, those two years before she met Vin, and after she left home, created the woman she is now. All any of us can do is pick up the remaining pieces ... and they are there. When she's ready, we'll know where to find those pieces." It was a long speech for Chris Larabee, but like Vin Tanner, the man could be damn eloquent when he wanted. The trouble was, it wasn't just the past which was bothering Buck right now.
"I was jealous of Vin, did you know that? Jealous, even when I was focusing totally on JD. Because whenever she needed comfort and support, it was him she went to. Even though she believed that I didn't care, I was still jealous of him," Buck finally said. He looked up to find Chris watching him intently, the green eyes neither judgmental nor comforting. Buck shook his head and muttered, "I screwed up but good, stud, then had the audacity to blame the kid for being there when I wasn't."
"Let it go, Buck. We're on vacation. We haven't had a mishap or any accident ... we've left that to SG-1. Let it go. Your sister is back in your life, one hundred percent, and now that she knows you love her, she's not letting you go. It's over," Chris said quietly. Over. Buck didn't know about that. Chris said after a moment, "I think I'll follow Ezra's example, and get her a water globe from one of the other places we hit."
Buck looked at his longtime friend and smiled in spite of the guilt he continued to feel. He said, "Chris Larabee, the guy who can scare most of the SGC just by looking at them, proves he's just a big softie when it comes to beautiful blondes, eight year old boys, and dark-haired little princesses." Chris glared at him, and Buck found himself laughing. The glare disappeared, and Chris winked at him. Buck looked down at the water globe which he had been caressing for the last ten minutes. Yes, that would do very well for a start. It was a bit pricey, but these things often were at amusement parks. And his sister was worth it.
He carefully carried the water globe to the cash register, trying to decide when he should give it to his sister. Christmas was too far away. And for a moment, Buck wondered if he was doing the right thing, bringing back memories she may have wanted to forget. And then he remembered the look in her eyes when she talked about finding the broken water globes on the floor of her room. No ... no, he was doing the right thing.
He wondered if Vin had heard that story yet, or if Adriana kept that to herself. He had caught Vin's eyes on him more than once in the last few months ... watching him and Adriana spend time together. He had seen the quiet approval in the bright eyes, before Vin tipped his hat and returned his attention to whoever was talking. And not for the first time, Buck wondered about what he would do, if things ever changed between his sister and Vin.
There was a part of him which wanted his sister and Vin together. He had been her friend for a long time, he could be trusted to take care of her. He was one of the best men whom Buck had ever known, and one of the most honorable. At the same time, DeeDee was his little sister, and there was another part of Buck which didn't think any man was good enough for her. Not even Vin Tanner.
Not that Buck was stupid enough to say so to his sister. He had made that mistake once before ... although he hadn't said that Vin wasn't good enough for DeeDee. However, he had mentioned the possibility of her and Vin getting together. She had asked with more than a little exasperation why people were so fascinated with her relationship with Vin. Why couldn't they just be friends? Why did people insist up making them be a couple? That had been at the Renaissance Faire he had taken his sister to ... his first solo trip with her.
Buck hadn't told his sister this, but the truth was, they seemed natural as a couple. Whether they were dating or not, whether they considered themselves romantically involved or not, most people in the SGC still considered Adriana to be Vin Tanner's lady. Just as the women of the SGC, both military and civilian, understood that Vin was Adriana's. That had been decided by Bree Lincoln, and, he suspected, Mary Travis as well.
He joined Chris and the others outside the shop. Billy was watching something intently as Mary conferred with Chris. Buck stepped up behind the little boy, and Billy turned at his approach. The child asked softly, "Buck? Isn't that Josiah and Nathan? What are they doing?" Buck concentrated, observing the pair in question. Well, yes, as a matter of fact, it was Nathan and Josiah. And it looked like ...
"I'll be damned," he muttered. Billy glowered at him, and Buck gave the little boy a swat, saying, "Now, don't you be tellin' your mama on me. Hey Chris ... take a look over there." Chris looked up from his conversation with Mary ... and his eyes almost bulged out of his head. Josiah and Nathan, often considered the most steady members of the team, were. ..swordfighting? With what looked like plastic swords!
Ezra burst out laughing, and Buck shook his head. He discovered his sister leaning against Vin, laughing helplessly. JD was almost doubled over laughing, while Vin was just shaking his head and grinning broadly. Buck began laughing as well. Well, well, well ... the day just kept getting better. First, he found out that very morning that Mary had brought the tape of Chris and Adriana singing ... wonderful blackmail material against his old friend. Now this. More blackmail material! As he watched his friends stage a mock-sword fight, the black cloud which had been darkening his mood slipped away.
JD had opted to start shopping, while Vin sat down, and Josiah accompanied Adriana on the last of her sky rides. JD wasn't looking for a souvenir for Casey, but one for Miss Nettie. Nathan accompanied the boy, looking for a souvenir for Rain. Vin didn't mind being alone. Much as he enjoyed being with his friends, he was starting to run out of energy. Being with people often did that, and he needed some time alone to recharge his batteries, so to speak.
It had been a fantastic day ... more fun than Vin could remember having in years. But he was getting tired, and truth be told, was looking forward to returning to the hotel. He knew there was a good chance they would be watching movies again tonight in the room he shared with Chris, and that was fine. He could lay down or sit down, maybe even fall asleep. They had been talking about ordering out for a pizza. JD was in junk food heaven with this vacation.
JD. Vin sat back, watching his surroundings while he thought about his younger friend. JD had very deliberately asked Adriana's opinion about what he should do about Casey. Vin just didn't know why he had chosen to do so. Why not wait until they met up with Mary again, and ask her? Mary had known Casey longer, and she would have a better idea. Sure, Adriana was friends with Casey, too ... but that was a different sort of friendship.
JD knew that. Was that his way of reaching out to Adriana? It wasn't that Vin feared JD was setting up Drina ... he knew the kid better than that. It just puzzled him. JD and Adriana had been tentative toward each other during the last few months. Why had JD chosen now to take the next step? Had the time he had spent talking to Drina pushed him in that direction? Aw hell, what was he worrying about? The important thing was, two of his friends were getting along now, and that made things a little less tense.
Forcing himself to stop thinking about that, Vin turned his attention to the day. He was pretty sure he had ridden all of the roller coasters at least once. They hadn't gotten to any of the water rides, although they ... he, Ezra, and Adriana ... had found themselves getting thoroughly splashed while watching the Pompeii water ride. Vin laughed to himself, remembering the thoroughly disgusted expression on Ezra's face.
Adriana had convinced the former negotiator that he was less likely to get wet standing closer to the railing, since he would be closer to the water. The bulk of the water would hit the people behind him. Imagine his shock when he was thoroughly drenched ... and Adriana, who was standing behind him, against the back railing, was barely wet. At least at first. She had giggled, drawing Ezra's attention to her.
He had growled at her. There was nowhere for her to go, so she just stood still when Ezra scooped her into his arms, and into a fierce bear hug. She was just as wet as Ezra after that. And that, of course, was before Splashus Maximus. Vin laughed again, remembering the duel of the water balloons. General Hammond turning on Drina's Gladiator soundtrack had been a stroke of pure genius.
He thought of lunch, of the look on Ezra's face when Vin had played back the tape. The guide snickered. He had been expecting payback, and he had gotten it. And then there was the last few hours with JD. Vin wondered why Adriana hadn't done her shopping while they were on the wilder rides, then it occurred to him that she wanted her hands free when she did go on the rides. So, she was saving it until the end of the day.
Yeah, it had been a good day. None of them had gotten hurt this time around ... Vin's hand went to the scar on his abdomen, a constant reminder of their final encounter with Ella Gaines. But he couldn't regret stepping in front of that knife, couldn't regret saving Mary's life. She had immediately returned the favor, saving his life and Buck's. Vin still wished that hadn't been necessary ... wished Mary hadn't been forced to kill. She had her own scars from that day.
And true, they had another several days before they went home, but Vin's gut told him that everything would be fine.
He had no doubt that SG-1 would get into trouble between now and then, but they were known for getting into trouble. Trouble found them, almost inevitably. Trouble also inevitably found SG-7, usually through its youngest member, and occasionally Ezra. Just not the way it found SG-1. Vin again laughed, remembering the story of Teal'c becoming curious about the way one of the rides worked. Beware the curiosity of a Jaffa!
His thoughts were interrupted as Josiah and Adriana returned, Adriana's dark eyes almost green with laughter. He looked up with a grin, as Josiah sank down beside him, sighing, "Brother, you deserve a medal for keeping up with this lass. She's worn me out." Vin smiled at his friend, his eyes flickering to Adriana, who just smirked. Josiah added, "Of course, the fact that I wasn't expecting half the things she came up with might have something to do with that."
"I don't know why, Josiah. After two years, I would think you knew the way my mind worked," Adriana retorted. Vin ducked his head ... hell, he had known her for nearly ten years, and there were still times when she blew his mind, with the things she came up with! Adriana added with an impish grin, "Then again, I suppose you're not used to me behaving like ... now, how did Ezra put it?"
Josiah laughed and retorted, "If you're saying I'm not used to you behaving like a ten year old, you're right. Vin, I'd have to look over at her every few minutes, and make sure she hadn't turned into a little girl. Well ... that is to say ... a small child. She's already a little girl." This was said with twinkling eyes. Vin pursed his lips, trying not to laugh at the reaction he knew had to come. Adriana's dark eyes widened ever so slightly, then she whacked Josiah with her purse/backpack. Josiah raised his arms, laughing at her mock-indignant expression.
"I will have you know I'm five feet two inches ... that's hardly tiny!" Adriana retorted, making a valiant effort to keep from laughing. Josiah, who was more than a foot taller than she was, looked her up and down, and Adriana added, "All right, it's hardly tiny compared to most people! Sheesh! Keep it up, Josiah, and I'll have to challenge you to a swordfight." Vin almost lost what little remained of his composure at that. Adriana arched a brow at him, asking sweetly, "Something funny, Kevin?"
"I saw the last time ya decided to get into a swordfight with somebody, Drina. It weren't pretty, Josiah. If they had been usin' real swords, it woulda brought all new meaning to the phrase, 'slice and dice.' As it were, she just got splinters in parts a' her body that ain't fit for mentionin' in the hearin' of a lady," Vin retorted. Never mind the fact that Drina had been the lady in question. That weren't the point.
Adriana folded her arms over her chest with an evil smirk and replied, "And what about the first Halloween, back in '93? Remember that, dear Kevin?" It was Vin's turn to scowl, as he remembered the holiday in question. Josiah looked from one to the other, as if trying to decide if he should even ask. The question was taken out of his hands when Adriana explained, "Carly and Dawn talked Vin into dressing up for Halloween, the first year that the three of us shared an apartment. Remember that picture of Vin, Ezra, and me? Well, that's more or less how Vin dressed up. That wasn't the problem."
Vin groaned at the recollection, explaining, "We had to lock Carly in the bedroom durin' most a' trick or treat, 'cause of the way she were dressed. It were downright indecent, J'siah. She weren't wearin' hardly anythin' at all." Josiah, who had seen Adriana's pictures of Carly in the photo albums, merely raised his eyebrows. Vin continued with a sigh, "She had been listenin' to Drina talk about the Picts ... and painted herself blue. That was her costume."
"Ah, Lady Godiva in blue," Josiah observed, his eyes twinkling. Lady ... oh. Yeah. Lady Godiva. Now that he thought about it, it made a helluva lot more sense than a female Pict warrior, especially since Carly hadn't been carrying any real weaponry. That wasn't entirely true, either, because in her ... loincloth, Vin thought it was called ... she had been carrying a wooden sword. She had given herself more than a few splinters that night.
"Something like that, yeah. She had strips of cloth shielding specific parts of her body, and her hair was loose. She was not amused at us, particularly Vin's reaction when he saw her," Adriana said, laughing quietly. She shook her head and added, "However, keep in mind, Carly was a bit of a wild one. Once she stopped and thought about it, and remembered that there would be little ones showing up at the door, she changed into something more ... ahhh ... kid-friendly."
"So what were you wearing, Miss Drina?" Josiah asked, his shoulders shaking with laughter. Trust Josiah. On second thought, Vin acknowledged, better Josiah than Bucklin. He really didn't want to think about a confrontation between Bucklin and Carly. Although, it might be damn funny. Early in their friendship, Drina had told him that Carly was, in many ways, a female version of Buck Wilmington. Knowing both of them, Vin could see the similarities. And they were just alike enough for sparks to fly when they met.
"Dawn dressed as an Egyptian princess ... don't ask me which one, she may have made one up. Dawn was known for doing things like that. And me? I dressed as Boadicea ... well, about as much as I could, with the materials I had," Adriana answered. Josiah nodded wisely. Adriana had told Vin a little about the Celtic queen, though not enough to explain why she had chosen that lady for that year. But, judging from Josiah's expression, it seemed the big man had a pretty good idea why she had made that choice.
"The Iceni queen who killed several thousand people to avenge her daughters and herself," the anthropologist said, nodding. Drina nodded in acknowledgment, and Josiah continued, "I can easily imagine Captain Travis making a similar choice ... in Halloween costumes, I mean. She'd do anything for Billy, but I don't see her taking it that far." Adriana smiled faintly.
"I'll dig out the pictures, if I remember, once we get back to Colorado. And here comes the rest of the Goof Troop. Did you guys get what you went after?" she asked as JD and Nathan rejoined them. In answer, JD raised his bag over his head, as if it was a trophy, and Nathan simply beamed. Adriana smirked and replied, "I'll take that as a 'yes.' And Vin, just because I got my butt kicked the last time you saw me with a sword, wooden or plastic, doesn't mean I haven't learned anything new." As Ezra, or Dawn, would have said if they had heard, 'touche.' Josiah laughed aloud.
"Nathan, our young sister has challenged me to a duel ... would you be interested in taking her place?" the big man asked as the pair reached them. Nathan just grinned broadly and Vin reached into the plastic sack carrying the two plastic swords. He handed one to each man, then drew Adriana out of the way. She responded as if she was the child which Josiah had teased her about being earlier ... she crossed her eyes at him and stuck out her tongue.
JD watched in awe, saying, "Damn. I guess I may have competition as the youngest after all." This time, she smacked him in the back of his head, which made Vin laugh all over again, even before Josiah and Nathan drew their respective weapons. It was something Buck would have done, and JD scowled at her, adding, "Geez, Adriana! You already reminded me once today that you're really Buck's sister, I didn't need another reminder!"
"Too bad," she retorted with a smirk, "reckon you got one whether you wanted one or not." JD just scowled at her again, and this time, Adriana giggled. Vin thought about it, then decided he didn't want to know what she meant by that. He had a bad feeling he already knew, but wasn't about to tempt fate by asking. Besides, Nathan and Josiah began their swordfight at that point, and Vin's attention was solely on the two men with plastic swords.
It wasn't like any sword fight Vin had ever seen on TV or in the movies. Carly had been addicted to the Highlander TV-series, and insisted on watching it, no matter what any else wanted. And all three girls had shanghaied him into going to see The Three Musketeers when it came out in 1993. He had seen swordplay before. But never like this. The two men were ... well, the best term for it was simply ... they were being silly.
Nathan had a wicked sense of humor, as Ezra had found out on more than one occasion, but this was the first time Vin had ever seen his friend actually behave like a silly little kid. Neither Josiah nor Nathan were taking the 'duel' seriously, with hand motions that looked like they had been directly lifted from Oliver Platt in The Three Musketeers. (A movie which Dawn had insisted on going to see five times)
In no time at all, JD was doubled over from laughing so hard, while Vin found himself having to hold Adriana upright. The guide himself was grinning from ear to ear, and this was the situation when Chris, Mary, and the others in SG-7 joined them. Nathan and Josiah were having entirely too much fun with their mock duel for Vin to interrupt, so he just nodded to Chris, and winked at Mary.
It wasn't until Nathan stumbled away from an exaggerated thrust, almost backing into Buck and Ezra, that the duelists even realized they had an audience. By now, the pair were really getting into it, complete with sound effects. Chris observed dryly, "I really hate to interrupt, but we do have to meet the others. And I know the ladies ain't done with their shopping."
Both men jumped, Nathan spinning around to face the colonel and almost falling into Buck and Ezra. Again. That set off Adriana and JD all over again. Nathan glared at the pair, growling, "I'll remember that, the next time you two get your a ... ahh, the next time you get yourselves into a jam!"
"With JD, that will probably be sometime tomorrow, with the way he ends up in the infirmary," Buck observed, winking at the youngster. JD glowered at the big man in response. A glower which quickly turned to a smirk, especially as he leaned over and whispered something, which not even Vin could hear, to Adriana. He could, however, see her expression changed as she listened ... and he could definitely see her answering smirk. She straightened up, laughing quietly, and Buck asked a bit nervously, "What?"
"Oh, noth-ing," Adriana answered in a singsong voice. She winked at JD in response, and continued, "And Christopher, you're absolutely right, I'm not even close to being done with my shopping, but you know something, I think I'll survive. After all, JD and I are hitting the mall tomorrow. We young'uns can do that while you oldheads are recovering from today." Her eyes were twinkling as she hassled Chris.
Larabee's green eyes narrowed as he hissed, "Did you just call me 'old,' little princess?" He put Billy, whom he had been holding, back on the ground. Vin rolled his eyes. Aw hell, here they went again! Buck scuttled out of the way as Chris approached Drina, his fingers waggling menacingly. And just what was in that bag which Buck was protecting so carefully? Questions, questions, questions. He also caught the look between Ezra and JD. Hmm. This looked interesting, too, especially after Ezra inclined his head. What the hell was that?
Larabee had reached Adriana and as he reached out with his still-waggling fingers, Adriana laced her own fingers with him, wrapping her arms and his own around her waist. Chris lifted her into the air, her feet a few inches off the ground. Adriana clung to him, giggling, and Larabee tucked her under his arm, as if she was a football. Vin just shook his head. Hell, he wished someone had a camera ... Larabee just kept giving them more and more blackmail opportunities! It was then that he saw Ezra remove his own camera and quietly take a picture of the cavorting colonel and giggling archaeologist.
"Well, then, let's head out, brothers and sisters. Although, with the way this day has been going, I'm sure we'll get to the rendezvous point before SG-1," Josiah said as Chris started toward the front gate, Adriana still tucked under his arm. She had wrapped her arms around his neck, still giggling. Ezra took up position beside Vin, and Josiah looked over at Mary, who walked with her arm draped around Billy, adding, "That reminds me, Miss Mary, didn't you tell me at lunch that we have a special video tonight?"
Mary grinned, blushing a little, as she replied, "Yes, Josiah ... you might say it's a musical. And I happen to know that anyone who has friends in low places will enjoy this." This earned her a squeal of laughter from Adriana, and a growl from Chris. Nathan carefully moved his own body, so Chris couldn't easily reach Mary, while Buck moved further away from Chris, still protecting that plastic bag. What the hell was in there?
"This, I can't wait to see. I bet it'll be even funnier the second time around," JD chortled. Chris just glared at the boy, who had turned his attention to Buck, and asked, "Buck, what's in there? You act as though ... you know, when I was in high school, we had egg babies in one of my classes. You're acting as if you've got one of those egg babies in that bag. What's in there?"
As he moved closer for a better look, Ezra effectively blocked him with his own body. Vin grabbed JD's arm, realizing immediately that whatever was in that bag ... and damn if he wasn't curious himself ... Buck didn't want anyone else to know about it. JD got the picture and backed off. He continued, turning his attention to Ezra, "So, Ezra, are you still saying that today was a waste of time?"
"Not in the least, Private Dunne, but it was never my contention that visiting an amusement park was a waste of time, as you so indelicately put it," Ezra retorted, ignoring the hoots of laughter from Adriana. He glowered at her, adding when she laughed even harder, "And remember, Dr. Wilmington, that while I'm walking on my own two feet, you're being carried from this park as if you were a football."
"Yeah, but I'm getting a free ride, Ezra," came the saucy response. Vin covered his mouth with his hand, struggling to keep from laughing aloud. Chris adjusted his hold on her, and Adriana adjusted with him, then added, "So, did you have fun today, Ez? That was the whole point of the exercise, you know." Chris stopped and put Adriana down briefly, then swung up into his arms properly. Adriana squeaked in surprise, then giggled, "Going up!"
Ezra never did answer her question, and she didn't press, because she had other things to consider. Like, Chris threatening to dump her into the trash if she didn't stop wriggling. Ezra said quietly at Vin's side, "If the point of the exercise was to return to us, that which we had lost, I would say the exercise was a success. Tell me, Mr. Tanner, what do you think of the name 'Galen' for a child? Specifically, Galen Standish?"
"Like it, Ez. But ya wanna be careful, 'bout nicknames and all," Vin replied. Ezra nodded in acknowledgment, and Vin continued, "Ya think about that for yer boy?" Again, the Southerner nodded, and Vin said, "I like it. Reckon ya would make a damn good dad." The negotiator stopped and looked at him, as if he had never truly seen Vin before, and the guide added, "Hell, Ezra! Anyone with eyes can tell what a soft touch ya for kids!"
"Careful, my friend ... that's slander," Ezra retorted, but his grin told Vin the truth. He looked ahead of them, adding, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the rest of our party?" Vin nodded ... yup. SG-1, with the Frasiers and the general. Ezra said with a chuckle, "I'm sure SG-1 was once again incapable of staying out of trouble ... and we'll hear all about it on our return!" Vin laughed quietly. He wouldn't get no argument from him ... none at all!
This just hadn't been one of his better vacation days.
Still, Jack O'Neill couldn't regret any of it. As many times he had to separate Danny from would-be bullies, Cassie, Janet, and Carter from would-be suitors, and Teal'c from the machinery, a quick glance into the back of the van told him that it had all been worth it. In the last three years, he had never seen that exhausted, happy expression on Vin Tanner's face before. The young guide was in the very back of the van, eyes closed, an almost blissful smile in place.
"He had a good time today, I think," Jack observed to General Hammond. The other man nodded, his eyes flickering to the rearview mirror. They were almost to the hotel now, and the general had finally started seeing the humor in ... things. He hadn't been in a particularly good mood when they met up with SG-7 nearly an hour earlier, but that had improved. Especially after Major Wilmington had presented his little sister with an early Christmas present/late birthday gift.
Jack had yet to hear the entire story, but the most important thing had been the expression on Adriana Wilmington's face when she opened the box which had been presented to her by her brother. She looked like a little girl at Christmas, gently cradling the snow globe in her hands. The archaeologist had very carefully placed the globe in the hands of her best friend before throwing her arms around her brother and hugging the stuffings out of him. Maybe Jack should have bought something like that for Vanessa. He missed having the stuffing hugged out of him.
Although, he didn't miss hearing JD's sarcastic remark as the petite archaeologist showed her appreciation for her brother's gift. Something along the lines of 'Buck talks about his animal maggotism ... the only girl who's kissed him is his own sister!' Buck, who had been returning his sister's hug with restrained strength, had reached out and bopped the young cartographer in the back of his head. Jack hadn't been standing nearby, but he had been informed that the major had growled, 'Damn kid,' before returning his full attention to his sister.
The globe was still cradled in Adriana's hands, though now it was back in its box. She sat in the very back with Tanner, her head resting on his shoulder and her eyes closed. On Tanner's other side was Ezra Standish, whose smile shifted from contented to downright evil. Jack had heard from Mary Travis about JD and Ezra's prank on Buck. He couldn't wait to see the finished product in the paper, a few weeks from now. Buck Wilmington on the ski slopes without snow!
As Janet had said when she found out about the prank, and heard Jack's comment, "No wonder he crashed and burned." She did so love to give the major a hard time. The colonel thought it may have been one of the highlights of each day for her. And he shuddered about what would happen if he was ever present when all Four Corners were together, along with Inez. That was downright scary. Funny as hell to think about, but scary, too. Any time you got that many women together ... and that kind of women together ... it was scary as hell.
Jack leaned his head against the neck rest with a deep sigh. It had been a day and a half. But the colonel really couldn't regret any of it. His team had needed the downtime, just as badly as SG-7 did. And the vacation wasn't over yet. He had heard JD Dunne say that he and Adriana would be going shopping at one of the local malls the following day ... a peace offering, so to speak, as she tried to help him smooth things over with his girlfriend. A nice gesture, since they had both been wrong for the last few years.
Things were still pretty tentative, but it seemed to Jack that the pair had knocked down quite a few walls between them today. There had been the whole Gladiator thing ... and what was going on with Captain Travis and the way she had been teasing Chris about 'friends and low places,' or was this something he didn't want to know? His gut told him otherwise ... he wanted to know about anything that made Chris Larabee blush like a schoolboy.
For once, Tanner had refused to tell him what was going on ... just responded with a smirk and 'reckon ya'll have to find out on yer own this time, colonel.' Huh. As Chris had been known to observe in the past, damn scruffy bounty hunter! Now there was a switch. Hell, after the last few years and too many encounters with the Gou'ald to count, who would have ever thought that Jack O'Neill would actually trust a bounty hunter with his back? But the thing was, he did trust Tanner, who was, admittedly an ex-bounty hunter. But ...
"We'll be watching movies again tonight, Jack. Including a special feature. Colonel Larabee and Dr. Wilmington singing along to 'Friends in Low Places' at Inez's bar," the general said. Jack blinked and looked over at the general. Say again? He detected a smirk on the face of the other man, who continued, "Among other things, of course. Captain Travis brought the tape, to make Colonel Larabee sweat a little."
"A lot," Jack corrected, "I know Chris, sir, and he'll be sweating a lot. If only from chasing Captain Travis around the room to exact a little revenge." He paused, then shook his head. He really didn't want to go there, either. Damn. He just would not win tonight, would he? He glanced over his shoulder, to find the trio in the very back either asleep or damn close to it. At least Standish hadn't complained constantly this time. At least he got to ride with Vin this time. And at least he was away from his team, who had nearly driven him insane!
The general laughed unexpectedly as he pulled into the parking lot of the hotel, and replied, "You're probably right about that, colonel. We'll decide what we're doing in the morning, when we all get up. We should get the children tucked into bed." A semi-obscene suggestion was made from the second to last bench, the one holding JD Dunne and Buck Wilmington, and the general added, "I heard that, son."
A mumbled apology was returned, and Jack looked at the general questioningly. From the corner of his eye, he could see that Adriana, Vin, and Ezra were all fully awake. The general replied, "It was JD." Ah. Okay. Whatever the general said. Jack got out of the van and opened the sliding door for the other passengers. Chris and Mary were the first out, Mary cradling her sleeping son against her shoulder. General Hammond said, "I think Mr. Standish should baby-sit young Master Travis tonight, since Mr. Jackson had that honor last night."
"It would be my pleasure, General Hammond. Since I've already seen the ... ah ... entertainment planned for tonight," Ezra replied smoothly. He eased the sleeping boy from his mother's arms, and added, "I believe there is left over pizza, if Master William and I become hungry." The idea of Mr. Ezra 'Amusement parks are beneath my dignity as a gentleman' Standish eating pizza was just too much for Jack, but he managed to contain his laughter as the small group walked to the hotel room shared by Chris and Vin.
He and the general watched Standish ease into other hotel room, then looked back as everyone gathered around the tv. As she had the night before, Adriana sat on the bed closest to the tv, while Vin sat on the floor. Jack committed that picture to his memory, having the uneasy sense that it would be the last time for a while he would see either of them that relaxed. He murmured again, taking his place on one of the beds, "It's been a day alright."
"That it has, Colonel," agreed the general in a low voice, as he sat down at the end of the bed, "that it has. Vin Tanner behaving like a child of ten. Chris Larabee acting like an ordinary human being. Buck Wilmington being himself." Jack nodded his agreement. The general shook his head with a grin and added almost to himself ... almost, "Yup, a day of sun, fun, and Ezra Standish on the run."
The End!