TITLE: Semi-Plausible Deniability
E-MAIL: eli @ popullus.net
ARCHIVE: Ask, please.
RATING: PG-13
POSTED: June 13, 2006
SUMMARY: Five moments that were probably unavoidable.
AUTHOR NOTES: For Destina's birthday. Because she's a wonderful woman who deserves all the Jack and Daniel she wants, and because after the last story I wrote her, she said: I sometimes imagine that half that base has overheard bits and pieces of conversations they really, really wish they hadn't. *g* Kisses to Sal for the beta.
DISCLAIMER: Read
1.
Janet was a good doctor. A damn good one, and proud of it. And part of being a good doctor was knowing how to hear her ward without listening to everything that happened in it.
"...tie you down?"
"Oh, yeah, you'd loooove that, wouldn't you, Daniel?"
"We'd all like you to not fall and break your ass again, Jack. Which is what's going to happen if you try to get out of bed again right now."
"You'd like to tie my hands, I bet. You're always--"
Nope. She hadn't heard a single thing until Daniel hurried over, and then casually asked what exactly she'd doped the colonel with this time and why in hell she hadn't used something that would knock him out for a week.
2.
Second draft of a memo that will eventually be sent to The Pentagon, Arlington, VA.
TO: Maj. Kim Hwang
FROM: Gen. George Hammond
RE: Assignment of SGC Office Space
As I made clear to your predecessor when he visited, and will make clear to your successors when they visit, I understand that there are many rooms currently vacant within the SGC, and that leaving them vacant could be considered an inefficient use of space. However, not every member of the SGC requires an office, and it's not unusual to find that even those who do have them will often conduct conversations in common areas. I therefore see no reason to mandate that all personnel be assigned their own office, as it will likely make life in my own office far louder than it already is.
3.
First came:
"Okay, see--"
"While clearing this dirt would happen faster doing it your way, Jack, I suspect we'll all be better off if I stick to my way."
An indeterminate amount of time later, there came:
"One block of C-4, just one of what Carter's got on the other side of this, this portal, and we wouldn't need to translate a damn thing to get out of this place."
"Big warning. Every language. Right over the portal."
"Daniel..."
"I'm sure I mentioned that."
It wasn't long before there came:
"You could always help."
"I left my whisk broom in my locker, sorry."
"There are other methods of clearing carvings. Like this."
"Blowing?"
"Yes. Purse your lips and--"
"I know how to blow something, Daniel. Aaand you can just...stop. That. The smirking. And that--"
Whatever the other "that" was, Teal'c was never to know, having finally fully achieved kelno'reem.
4.
When Sam rounded the corner and saw Elliott standing several steps away from Daniel's office -- eyes wide, face pale...except for that high flush across his cheekbones that made him look even younger, if that was possible -- she cleared her throat.
"Lieutenant?"
Elliott's eyes snapped to hers, and he finally blinked. "Ma-major."
She stayed where she was, and beckoned him to her with the crook of one finger. He had pulled himself together by the time he got to her side, and as she expected, he was solid enough that he didn't flinch or drag his heels when she took him by the elbow and started walking back toward the elevator.
"You had something to tell Daniel?" she asked.
At that, he blinked again. "Yes, I mean, no. No, ma'am." He frowned, then he shook his head slightly and said, "Colonel O'Neill, actually, but. Well."
Sam gently prompted, "Did they...tell you to come back?"
"Oh, no. They were, they were just talking."
She didn't laugh. "They do that," she said instead, and resisted the urge to put her arm around his shoulders and give him a comforting squeeze. "You'll be able to talk to the colonel before you leave, don't worry. So, you are lucky to be assigned to a team so quickly. Have you met Major Mansfield yet?"
5.
Many people saw Colonel O'Neill steal Teal'c's second piece of pie.
Only those on the left side of the mess saw the dangerous eyebrow that arched, but only those on the right saw the two that went up high to project an innocent response.
While there were plenty of witnesses when Daniel Jackson leaned in on one elbow, no one heard exactly what he said so close to Colonel O'Neill's ear.
Just about everyone, though, it's safe to say, saw the blink when the colonel's head came around, and then watched as Major Carter slid the plate back across the table to Teal'c, who promptly stuck his fork in his pie.
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