Day 63, evening; conference room; Attn: Halling, Calvin, Thias [F]
Co-written with Nicke, Flubb, and Cajun
Jack looked around the room, feeling anxious. Would Halling understand? He'd given Carson permission to discuss his case with Halling. He could only hope that the Athosian leader wasn't offended. He debated discussing the problem with the rest of his team. If they were going to work together, he was going to have to trust them. Who knew when he might have an unexpected flashback in the middle of a mission?
He glanced at his watch. Just about time for everyone to show up.
Thias checked his watch to make sure that he wasn't going to be late for his team's meeting and was glad to see that he would be there on time. He was just nervous about this meeting. He didn't know any of the other members and some of them had quite the reputation. Thias wasn't bothered by the idea that Jackson could be gay or any such thing but he did worry about the man's health. If he listened to gossip, Jackson was dying and that didn't sit right. As for being teamed with an Athosian, Thias thought it was most excellent. It was Doctor Kavanagh that worried him. He'd not heard good things about the man.
Stepping into the meeting room, he looked around to see if he was the first to arrive. He wasn't. "Hello, Airman Jackson," he said with a friendly smile.
Jack turned and smiled. "Doctor Hansen, right?" he asked.
"Yes, that's right," Thias answered, still smiling. He figured this meeting would actually be a true 'meet and greet' at least for him. The others might know each other better but he didn't know that for sure.
"Grab a seat," Jack said, looking the other man over. "We'll be having dinner and then playing some different card games, just as a way to get to know each other." And get me acclimated to Halling, I hope, he mentally added.
Thias had the impression that the other man was studying him and he hoped that he passed muster. "Okay," he replied before he went and sat down. He didn't want to be a problem right away but he just had to ask. "What card games did you have in mind?"
Jack shrugged. "I've got poker chips, so we could try poker. Or other games. It's mostly just to provide us with an excuse while we're talking." He looked at his watch. "Kavanagh and Halling should be here soon." Unconsciously, he took a breath, trying to brace himself for the Athosian's arrival.
Thias was a scientist so he noticed things and what he noticed was that Jackson seemed nervous. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he offered hoping to get the guy to relax a bit.
Calvin had been looking to a quiet evening after a day of being shouted at by McKay in the lab. But then he remembered the mail he'd received from Jackson, and that they had a team night to get to know each other. He wasn't particularly thrilled by the prospect, but since he was looking forward to explore not only the city but other planets, he considered it a necessary evil. And maybe it was going to be fun, he told himself, as he headed towards the briefing rooms. Was it briefing room two or three? One of the doors was slightly ajar, and Calvin heard two people talk. Taking a deep breath, he entered the room.
"Good evening," he nodded at Jackson. It was still weird, to see the younger version of O'Neill here. He hadn't had to do much with the other O'Neill, but he'd read the mission reports. "I'm Dr. Kavanagh," he turned and introduced himself to the other man who eyed him suspiciously.
"I take it you two haven't met," Jack said, a little surprised, between the general closeness that had come to the population during and after the crisis, not to mention the civilian training Sheppard had done on the original Lantean Mainland back before the crisis. Then again, Kavanagh didn't seem to be very sociable. He had his two lovers and a few work colleagues and everyone else seemed to be completely off his social radar.
"I've seen you in the mess hall a few times," Calvin said, addressing the red-haired man. And Hansen had probably been part of the survival training on the mainland, but Calvin wasn't entirely sure.
"Doctor Kavanagh," Thias said in acknowledgement. So far the man seemed okay but then it was still early. "I think the majority of the science specialities still tend clump together," he said in response to the airman's semi-asked question.
Calvin nodded and pulled back one of the chairs at the table to sit down. "Yes, these days I spend most of my time in the lab, and don't have that much time to hang out with other people. Hopefully we're over the worst soon."
"I'm hoping that's true as well," Thias replied even though he wasn't convinced that it was smooth sailing from here on out. "But if not, we will certainly be less naive in the future."
"Oh, I'm sure we'll run into trouble all the time," Calvin said. "What I referred to was the status of the city. At the moment we're still doing all kinds of repairs and what I mean was to express that I hope that we're going to be done with these soon," he elaborated. "There's still some areas that weren't explored, and who knows what discoveries we'll make there in some storage rooms."
"Lot of areas we haven't explored," Jack said. "After all, we're talking a whole city the size of Manhattan and we've barely managed to get a handle on the central tower."
Halling walked in feeling very strange. He had done as Carson asked and had washed in the soap that he had given him. He had also been given some clothes that had come from salvage. This was how he found himself wearing a pair of what he had been told were jeans and a shirt although he had been allowed to keep his own footwear. He had also been made aware why.
After having heard the conversation as he came in he said, "Manhattan? I have never heard such a thing." He then sat down foregoing his normal method of greeting.
Jack fought the urge to step back from Halling, could feel himself straining for any telltale scent that was likely to set him off. He relaxed somewhat as he caught nothing but the scent of military issue soap. "Hey," he greeted the Athosian, giving him a grateful smile. "Manhattan is part of one of the larger cities on Earth. Like Atlantis, it has a lot of buildings and... things." He swallowed nervously. "I, ah, thought we'd try out some Earth games tonight because I hear your one exposure to one of our movies wasn't a rip-roaring success."
Halling raised his eyebrows as he remembered the ill fated movie night. "You say that it is part of a larger city? The only city that I know well is the City of the Ancients. Are there many cities on your world?" Then as Jack spoke about seeing the thing that they had called a movie, he nodded, "You are right. It was not one of the most sucsessfull nights that I have spent in the company of others. I hope that I will enjoy the activities that you have planned."
"Well, the problem with movies is that they don't really make good ice-breakers," Jack said. "You know-- a getting-to-know-you activity. If you talk, then you miss the dialogue in the movie, but if you stay silent, well, then you haven't really done much to get to know anyone. So, we're doing dinner and some different card games instead."
"You will have to teach them to me as I know nothing of your Lantean games." Halling smiled, "But I am sure that I will be able to learn."
"Yeah, well, most of our movies are pretty hard to understand, too," Jack said. "I figured cards might be easier. We'll have to go slow to start and we might try a few different games."
Jack realised he was talking a lot, more than he usually would. Probably a sign of his nervousness, he supposed. He nodded toward the table. "So, uh, why don't we all grab a seat. The food should be here shortly." He still had unpleasant associations with the mess and didn't really like to go there alone. Dixon seemed more than willing to arrange for someone to deliver some food so he didn't have to risk Jack being there, either, after the scene Jack had made with the flashback during lunch the one day. Jack was quite willing to take advantage.
Halling smiled and sat down. "Mmmm. I am looking forward to food. I am hungry now." Looking around at everyone he said, "And it is good to share food in the company of others. We often share our meals with others as it give us a chance to talk about our day and to share what we have done."
Jack slid into the seat across from Halling, since it put him the furthest away. He knew he was being paranoid, but even the Athosian speech inflections made him somewhat twitchy, bits and pieces of memories struggling to come to the surface. He'd never really remembered what happened that night. Carson said he probably never would. It bugged him.
Thias watched Jackson and noticed his discomfort but couldn't imagine the other man having some kind of prejudice against the Athosian. He thought it might have more to do with the fact that he was a replica of another man who just happened to be somewhat of a legend. "I agree," he said with a smile. "If we want a cohesive team then we need to get to know each other better and who could say no to food and cards. Although, I am pretty lousy at them."
"Ah. Well then, next time we'll have to play for... chocolate or something," Jack said teasingly.
"Well at least it will all go to the team so I may still get some of it," Thias teased in return. He did have a sense of humor and he didn't mind sharing.
Halling laughed. "I have never understood the way that Lanteans feel about chocolate. It seems to have great meaning to you. Why is that?"
Jack shrugged. "It's sweet, contains a small amount of caffeine and some other chemicals, and is a little piece of home. And it's not like we can really bet with money here, since our money won't buy anything in this galaxy."
Halling looked at him and smiled, "Would I be able to try some of this chocolate? Maybe if I tried some I might be able to understand why people love it so much."
"I don't have any with me but I can give you some later so you can try it," Thias replied kindly. "I usually only eat it as a reward."
"I think there might be chocolate pudding tonight," Jack said, "but it isn't really the same thing."
Jack looked around the room, feeling anxious. Would Halling understand? He'd given Carson permission to discuss his case with Halling. He could only hope that the Athosian leader wasn't offended. He debated discussing the problem with the rest of his team. If they were going to work together, he was going to have to trust them. Who knew when he might have an unexpected flashback in the middle of a mission?
He glanced at his watch. Just about time for everyone to show up.
Thias checked his watch to make sure that he wasn't going to be late for his team's meeting and was glad to see that he would be there on time. He was just nervous about this meeting. He didn't know any of the other members and some of them had quite the reputation. Thias wasn't bothered by the idea that Jackson could be gay or any such thing but he did worry about the man's health. If he listened to gossip, Jackson was dying and that didn't sit right. As for being teamed with an Athosian, Thias thought it was most excellent. It was Doctor Kavanagh that worried him. He'd not heard good things about the man.
Stepping into the meeting room, he looked around to see if he was the first to arrive. He wasn't. "Hello, Airman Jackson," he said with a friendly smile.
Jack turned and smiled. "Doctor Hansen, right?" he asked.
"Yes, that's right," Thias answered, still smiling. He figured this meeting would actually be a true 'meet and greet' at least for him. The others might know each other better but he didn't know that for sure.
"Grab a seat," Jack said, looking the other man over. "We'll be having dinner and then playing some different card games, just as a way to get to know each other." And get me acclimated to Halling, I hope, he mentally added.
Thias had the impression that the other man was studying him and he hoped that he passed muster. "Okay," he replied before he went and sat down. He didn't want to be a problem right away but he just had to ask. "What card games did you have in mind?"
Jack shrugged. "I've got poker chips, so we could try poker. Or other games. It's mostly just to provide us with an excuse while we're talking." He looked at his watch. "Kavanagh and Halling should be here soon." Unconsciously, he took a breath, trying to brace himself for the Athosian's arrival.
Thias was a scientist so he noticed things and what he noticed was that Jackson seemed nervous. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he offered hoping to get the guy to relax a bit.
Calvin had been looking to a quiet evening after a day of being shouted at by McKay in the lab. But then he remembered the mail he'd received from Jackson, and that they had a team night to get to know each other. He wasn't particularly thrilled by the prospect, but since he was looking forward to explore not only the city but other planets, he considered it a necessary evil. And maybe it was going to be fun, he told himself, as he headed towards the briefing rooms. Was it briefing room two or three? One of the doors was slightly ajar, and Calvin heard two people talk. Taking a deep breath, he entered the room.
"Good evening," he nodded at Jackson. It was still weird, to see the younger version of O'Neill here. He hadn't had to do much with the other O'Neill, but he'd read the mission reports. "I'm Dr. Kavanagh," he turned and introduced himself to the other man who eyed him suspiciously.
"I take it you two haven't met," Jack said, a little surprised, between the general closeness that had come to the population during and after the crisis, not to mention the civilian training Sheppard had done on the original Lantean Mainland back before the crisis. Then again, Kavanagh didn't seem to be very sociable. He had his two lovers and a few work colleagues and everyone else seemed to be completely off his social radar.
"I've seen you in the mess hall a few times," Calvin said, addressing the red-haired man. And Hansen had probably been part of the survival training on the mainland, but Calvin wasn't entirely sure.
"Doctor Kavanagh," Thias said in acknowledgement. So far the man seemed okay but then it was still early. "I think the majority of the science specialities still tend clump together," he said in response to the airman's semi-asked question.
Calvin nodded and pulled back one of the chairs at the table to sit down. "Yes, these days I spend most of my time in the lab, and don't have that much time to hang out with other people. Hopefully we're over the worst soon."
"I'm hoping that's true as well," Thias replied even though he wasn't convinced that it was smooth sailing from here on out. "But if not, we will certainly be less naive in the future."
"Oh, I'm sure we'll run into trouble all the time," Calvin said. "What I referred to was the status of the city. At the moment we're still doing all kinds of repairs and what I mean was to express that I hope that we're going to be done with these soon," he elaborated. "There's still some areas that weren't explored, and who knows what discoveries we'll make there in some storage rooms."
"Lot of areas we haven't explored," Jack said. "After all, we're talking a whole city the size of Manhattan and we've barely managed to get a handle on the central tower."
Halling walked in feeling very strange. He had done as Carson asked and had washed in the soap that he had given him. He had also been given some clothes that had come from salvage. This was how he found himself wearing a pair of what he had been told were jeans and a shirt although he had been allowed to keep his own footwear. He had also been made aware why.
After having heard the conversation as he came in he said, "Manhattan? I have never heard such a thing." He then sat down foregoing his normal method of greeting.
Jack fought the urge to step back from Halling, could feel himself straining for any telltale scent that was likely to set him off. He relaxed somewhat as he caught nothing but the scent of military issue soap. "Hey," he greeted the Athosian, giving him a grateful smile. "Manhattan is part of one of the larger cities on Earth. Like Atlantis, it has a lot of buildings and... things." He swallowed nervously. "I, ah, thought we'd try out some Earth games tonight because I hear your one exposure to one of our movies wasn't a rip-roaring success."
Halling raised his eyebrows as he remembered the ill fated movie night. "You say that it is part of a larger city? The only city that I know well is the City of the Ancients. Are there many cities on your world?" Then as Jack spoke about seeing the thing that they had called a movie, he nodded, "You are right. It was not one of the most sucsessfull nights that I have spent in the company of others. I hope that I will enjoy the activities that you have planned."
"Well, the problem with movies is that they don't really make good ice-breakers," Jack said. "You know-- a getting-to-know-you activity. If you talk, then you miss the dialogue in the movie, but if you stay silent, well, then you haven't really done much to get to know anyone. So, we're doing dinner and some different card games instead."
"You will have to teach them to me as I know nothing of your Lantean games." Halling smiled, "But I am sure that I will be able to learn."
"Yeah, well, most of our movies are pretty hard to understand, too," Jack said. "I figured cards might be easier. We'll have to go slow to start and we might try a few different games."
Jack realised he was talking a lot, more than he usually would. Probably a sign of his nervousness, he supposed. He nodded toward the table. "So, uh, why don't we all grab a seat. The food should be here shortly." He still had unpleasant associations with the mess and didn't really like to go there alone. Dixon seemed more than willing to arrange for someone to deliver some food so he didn't have to risk Jack being there, either, after the scene Jack had made with the flashback during lunch the one day. Jack was quite willing to take advantage.
Halling smiled and sat down. "Mmmm. I am looking forward to food. I am hungry now." Looking around at everyone he said, "And it is good to share food in the company of others. We often share our meals with others as it give us a chance to talk about our day and to share what we have done."
Jack slid into the seat across from Halling, since it put him the furthest away. He knew he was being paranoid, but even the Athosian speech inflections made him somewhat twitchy, bits and pieces of memories struggling to come to the surface. He'd never really remembered what happened that night. Carson said he probably never would. It bugged him.
Thias watched Jackson and noticed his discomfort but couldn't imagine the other man having some kind of prejudice against the Athosian. He thought it might have more to do with the fact that he was a replica of another man who just happened to be somewhat of a legend. "I agree," he said with a smile. "If we want a cohesive team then we need to get to know each other better and who could say no to food and cards. Although, I am pretty lousy at them."
"Ah. Well then, next time we'll have to play for... chocolate or something," Jack said teasingly.
"Well at least it will all go to the team so I may still get some of it," Thias teased in return. He did have a sense of humor and he didn't mind sharing.
Halling laughed. "I have never understood the way that Lanteans feel about chocolate. It seems to have great meaning to you. Why is that?"
Jack shrugged. "It's sweet, contains a small amount of caffeine and some other chemicals, and is a little piece of home. And it's not like we can really bet with money here, since our money won't buy anything in this galaxy."
Halling looked at him and smiled, "Would I be able to try some of this chocolate? Maybe if I tried some I might be able to understand why people love it so much."
"I don't have any with me but I can give you some later so you can try it," Thias replied kindly. "I usually only eat it as a reward."
"I think there might be chocolate pudding tonight," Jack said, "but it isn't really the same thing."