March 1st 1997 - SG-1 team locker room, Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs.
“Daniel, if we get into a hostile situation-“
“Jack, you think every situation is a hostile one.” Daniel responded dryly.
“Well how about you just humour me?” Jack patronised, nodding with a
tight-lipped grin on his face before carrying on as if Daniel hadn’t spoken.
“If we find life of any kind over there REMEMBER I'm in charge, you do NOT go
get in my line of fire and greet them. That just makes it all the easier to
shoot you.”
Daniel rolled his eyes in lieu of saying anything that might be construed as him being awkward.
“You do exactly as I tell you. If I say ‘stay here’ that's exactly where I expect to find you. Teal'c, Carter and I will be your constant shadow, you go no where alone. Got it?”
Daniel started to fidget on the spot. Shifting from one foot and back again, trying to contain his annoyance.
“Lastly, if things do get hostile you get down and stick to me like glue, unless I order you otherwise.”
Daniel froze. He studied Jack – sweaty palms, strong eye contact, stern level tone and no hint of a smile to prove he was enjoying himself at Daniel’s expense. Jack was being…serious?
“You’re really serious aren't you?” Daniel was taken aback.
“Yes Daniel, I am, I don't want to have to worry about where you've gotten to, I need to be focussed on the enemy.”
Everyone’s the enemy, he thought sourly, but with an internal sigh conceded to let Jack win this round. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Jack repeated in astonishment. “Really?” He was very suspicious. “That’s it? No pout, no whine, no argument that you’re a grown man and as such capable of holding your own?”
Daniel smiled, a little embarrassed, before answering. “I trust you know what you’re talking about so I promise to try.” He grinned.
Huh. “To try?”
“Yes.”
“Daniel.” Said with a hard L.
“Jack?”
Jack glared at him, knowing Daniel had suavely given himself an out if he decided to disobey.
“Nothing, just…” He paused, examined Daniel. “Just be careful.”
Jack rubbed his hand up and down Daniel’s arm once before breaking eye contact and ordering his team out of the locker room, to the ‘gate room.