Second Verse, Same as the First
Apr. 8th, 2010 03:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jadelyntateAuthor: Jaded
Story: Second Verse, Same As The First
Disclaimer: I own the idea only. Joss owns Buffy, SyFy owns Stargate. No suing please!
Summary: When one life ends, another begins...
Warning: Contains slash pairings. Nothing adult, just know there will be homosexual relationships.
Previous: Prequel - One - Two - Three - Four - Five
We're not done yet
Not going quietly into the night, not me and my friends
We're not done yet, don't take us too seriously
It's just life we'll win in the end
And we walk on and on and on and we walk on and on
~ Superchick, “Not Done Yet”
Chapter Six
“The IOA wants all the medical information on the children,” Woolsey began once everyone was sitting. He was cut off from saying anything more by Rodney and Lorne.
“You're nuts if you think that's gonna happen.”
“All due respect, Mr. Woolsey, you're not getting anywhere near my kids or their medical charts.”
John eyebrows were climbing his forehead. He'd expected Rodney's response but not Lorne's. The man was taking to being an overprotective father eerily well.
“Excuse me?” Woolsey sputtered. Lorne stared at the man before glancing at O'Neill.
“General, permission to speak freely?” O'Neill waved a hand, looking amused and not a little expectant.
“I worked at the SGC for a good seven years, I saw a lot of shit go down,” Lorne informed Woolsey tightly. “I saw good men and woman die for Earth's freedom. I saw friendships forged that'll last a long time. I saw a lot of good things, things that made me proud to be from Earth.”
He paused and everyone stared at him. He kept his attention on Woolsey, the look in his eyes like a banked fire, ready to flare at a moments notice. “I also saw a lot of things that made me horrified that I was from Earth,” he continued and everyone straightened. “I saw Teal'c, a man who overcame years of psychological conditioning to save our people, nearly become nothing more than a lab rat. I saw Hammond retire and then come back and no one ever asked, but we all knew something fishy had gone down and that the NID had been behind it. I saw good men and women die not for freedom but because of the whims of humans from Earth who wanted more power than they already had.
“We go back to Earth., can you promise the Trust won't try and confiscate the kids? Can you promise me they won't be poked and prodded because they weren't born the normal way? Can you promise I won't be confined to base or Earth and not allowed back to the city because of them? Can you promise they won't be scared out of their minds because humans don't know when to leave well enough alone? Because if you can't, then I formally resign and request asylum with the Athosian people.” The room was silent for all of ten seconds before another voice spoke up.
“I second that,” O'Neill said, staring at Hammond. “I respect and trust you sir but I can't see how going back with special children, particularly these special children, could even be remotely safe. I lost one son already, I won't lose another two.”
“I can't guarantee any of that,” Hammond said slowly. “But I'm here on behalf of President Hayes and we will do everything in our power to protect these children.”
“That's good,” Jackson spoke up. “Because I honestly don't know what Shifu and Skaara might do if the Trust or someone on Earth goes after them. They already broke a dozen rules bringing them to us and telling us what they did—if the children were in danger, I don't doubt they'd do something about it.”
Woolsey cleared his throat. “The IOA is not in the habit of treating children like cattle,” he said carefully. “Like General Hammond, I can't promise someone won't try and take them from you, particularly with the...Ascended...involved. I can, however, promise that none of the Atlantis parents will be asked to leave the city and return to Earth with your children. We may not always approve of the actions you take but we are not stupid—we know how valuable all of you are to the expedition.”
“Political immunity,” Davis murmured as John shared a look with Mitchell—he had not missed that Woolsey's promise was for the Atlantis folks only. “I'll speak with the President when we get back. Would political immunity and the protection it implies suffice?”
“Only if every country in the IOA agrees,” Rodney insisted immediately.
“An agreement with all members; a Tyndareus contract.” Jackson agreed. “Everyone promises help in finding and prosecuting anyone who tries and takes the children.”
“Tyndareus?” Davis brow furrowed. “I've heard that term before.”
“In Greek mythology, Tyndareus was Helen's stepfather,” Jackson said and he seemed to be in his element. “Because she had so many suitors, he made everyone who wanted her hand sign a contract before he made his choice. The contract stated that they would not attack the man chosen to be Helen's husband and if ever Helen found herself kidnapped, they would all help the man get her back. The contract was one of the reasons the Greek army was formed to go to Troy.”
“So basically, you want a dozen or so countries to sign a treaty that states if the children are taken, they will ALL help in getting the children back,” Hammond clarified and Jackson nodded, looking for all the world like it wasn't the craziest thing John had ever heard.
“They were Champions in their old world,” he explained quietly. “Shifu and Skaara brought them to us so they'd have a second chance at a life.”
They gave a quick rundown of what Shifu had told them. Davis seemed contemplative, as did Hammond. Woolsey, however, was watching them all.
“You said they had a dark life before,” he said and they all nodded. “What exactly do you mean?”
“Shifu showed us a few of their memories,” Rodney spoke up. He'd been disturbingly silent through most of the explanation. “I saw a few things that happened to Willow and Vivian. Vivian watched her father murdered by...creatures. Willow watched a friend or...I think it was Tara, Lorne's girl, she was shot in the heart. She died in Willow's arms.”
More than one person's eyes widened at that revelation. Lorne himself looked slightly sick. “Faith was raped,” Vala said tonelessly and the horrified looks transferred to her. None of them had been able to discuss what Shifu had shown them and John suspected everyone thought Faith, with her willingness to jump into a fight with five boys twice her size, was adorable. “Several times. When she was just a child.”
“Alexander was abused by his drunk parents.” From O'Neill's tone, John was certain if Alexander had been from their dimension, his parents would have found themselves with bullet holes in their heads.
“Connor was kidnapped and raised in a place that makes Sokar's hell look like paradise.”
“Graham was gutted by an Alien Vs. Predator reject. He died protecting a group of children.”
“Tara was made a slave in her own home and was beaten by her father and brother.”
“William was experimented on...by the government,” Carter added, looking disgusted.
“Anya was pretty much chopped in half.” John said it tonelessly, as Vala had, because it was the one thing he really wished Shifu hadn't shown him. He knew he'd be having nightmares about it for a long time to come.
“Kendra was murdered,” Ronon rumbled and everyone looked at him. “She's...she's one of the Champions. That...kid...showed me.”
The room was silent before Jackson slowly nodded. “Shifu did say more would follow,” he murmured. “Though how they got that arrangement figured out I have no idea.”
“How many...Champions...did the ascended say were coming?” Woolsey asked, hesitating over the term. They all shook their heads.
“He didn't say,” Jackson answered.
“Twenty-three,” a voice murmured from the doorway. They all looked over and found Angel standing there with William. A flash of dark hair told John that there was another kid but that whoever it was had taken off. “There are twenty-three of us.”
William scowled. “Should have been more,” he muttered. “Don't ask me why, but for some reason I'm of the opinion there should have been more of us.”
Angel slowly nodded his agreement. “We don't know who they are,” he murmured. “Though I'm fairly certain one's a blonde.”
“I agree,” William said, eyes narrowing. The two boys looked at each other warily.
“Why do you two remember and not the others?”
“We don't remember everything,” Angel answered, looking at Woolsey. He studied the man a moment before nodding to himself. His eyes flickered to William. “We were two of the oldest. I don't...mostly it's just...”
“Concrete impressions,” William finished. “We both remember things the others don't, like the fact there were twenty-three of us and that we were the oldest. Anya was older but...I think she wanted to forget.”
“The rest remember the small things, like Willow and coffee, but nothing really important,” Angel murmured. “Not like we do.”
“They remember those already here,” William added. “They don't...I don't think they know about the others coming.”
“Willow and Xander knows something's missing though,” Angel said. “I heard them talking last night.”
“Xander?” O'Neill asked, eyes narrowed. Angel frowned.
“I think...that was Alexander's nickname,” he said. “What everyone called him. Xander.”
If the boys didn't look like they were about to start crying, John would have laughed at the distaste in Angel's voice. They may not remember it but it was obvious Angel and Alexander hadn't gotten on in their old life.
“William,” Carter said, wiping at the boys eyes and when did she move? “What is it, what's wrong?”
“I miss them,” he muttered. “How can you miss people you don't even remember?”
“When I figure that out,” Carter murmured, eyes pinched in sorrow, “I'll let you know.”
“Me too?” Angel asked and then Jackson was by his side, an arm around his shoulders. John's fingers twitched as a sudden longing to hold his girls swept through him.
“Yes, you too,” Carter murmured as Angel slowly relaxed in Jackson's grip. Two mops of curly hair, one blonde the other brunette, appeared in the door, attached to two two year olds. Andrew and Connor holding onto the door to keep themselves upright, brightened when they saw Carter and William and Jackson and Angel.
“Ike! Mama!”
“'gel, 'addy!” They cried and lurched forward. William had a tiny little smile on his face as Carter scooped the smaller boy into her arms and held the two of them close. Angel also brightened considerably when Jackson picked Connor up and held him close.
“So, we should expect six more children?” Davis' voice was soft as they all turned to give the families time to themselves. John mentally reminded himself to speak to the security detail—tiny or not, there was no way any of the kids should have managed to get to the conference room unnoticed.
“I see no reason for the boy to have lied about it,” Woolsey agreed and then paled when he found himself on the receiving end of some very nasty glares. “Not...not that he would ever...uh, that is to say, lie...”
“So, what are we gonna do about it?” O'Neill brought the conversation back on track. Hammond smiled.
“Mr. Woolsey, Paul, and myself are returning to Earth tonight,” he said. “I'll speak with Henry personally about the situation once I return to Washington.”
O'Neill, Jackson, Carter, and for some reason, Rodney, all seemed comforted by his promise. John wasn't sure why but suspected it had to do with the fact Hammond had always been known as a man who protected his own. It didn't matter that Landry was in charge of the SGC now—SG-1, and by extension their kids were, and always would be, his.
~~~*~~~
“Hi, Mr. General, sir!”
There were mumbled and whispered greetings when Hammond, SG-1, Team Sheppard, and Davis walked inside the auxiliary gym where Cadman had taken the kids. She and Kavanagh were arguing quietly in the corner about something. Alexander was the one who screeched the greeting outas he bound forward to wrap his arms around O'Neill's legs.
“Hello,” Hammond's eyes twinkled as he looked around at the seventeen kids. His eyes stayed on Graham and Riley a bit longer than the others, mostly, John suspected, because they were completely at attention and their fingers were twitching, as if they wanted to salute but were holding back. “You two, at ease.”
It was odd, John reflected, to watch two four years instantly relax at those two words. Hammond glanced at O'Neill, who shrugged. “Don't ask me,” he said. “They haven't acted like that around me.”
“That's cause you're not all general-like like he is,” Alexander said brightly, looking up at him. Out of the corner of his eye, John saw Willow and William snicker quietly to each other. The redhead murmured something that caused the boy to stuff a fist in his mouth to hide his laughter. John may not have known the kids long but he didn't think that was a good sign.
“What, Hammond's more of a general than I am?” O'Neill asked, not noticing or ignoring the two in the corner. Alexander nodded.
“You watch the Simpsons, Daddy,” he said. There was muffled giggles and not all of them were from the kids. O'Neill smiled wryly.
“Fair enough.”
Hammond chuckled. “He's most definitely your son, Jack,” the man said. The look on O'Neill's face at Hammond's words was priceless.
“Hi!” Anya abruptly turned and tugged on Davis' pants to get his attention. “What's your name?”
“Paul Davis,” the major smiled down at John's daughter. “What's you're name?"
"Anya Sheppard and I'm three years old," she answered proudly and John felt something tighten in his chest. Davis' eyes crinkled.
"I have a little girl a year younger than you,” he told her and she smiled at him.
“You do?” O'Neill asked, startled. The other two members of the original SG-1 looked equally surprised. The general's eyes narrowed. “How come we didn't know this?”
Davis shrugged, giving the team a wry smile. “You never asked.”
“We're not going with you mister,” John turned to find Faith, Cordelia, Willow, Riley, and Graham were suddenly standing in a little group, arms crossed, and looking up at a gaping Woolsey. William, Tara, Angel, and Kendra were shifting behind them, as if they weren't sure they wanted to get involved. It was Riley who'd spoken, a scowl on his face.
“I, I beg your pardon?”
“We. Are. Not. Going. With. You,” Cordelia spoke slowly and with a bite on the end of every word. “They're our daddies and mommies and you're a, a nasty old man who wants to take us away from them! Faith heard you!”
That explained the flash of brown hair he'd seen outside the conference door, John thought. His daughter continued.
“And she may have been a skanky little hoe before--”
“CORDELIA!”
“--but Faith wouldn't lie about this,” she finished as if John hadn't yelped. “We might be small now but we know how to be vicious. I'm really good at pulling hair.”
There was silence for a few minutes, everyone looking at Woolsey's head skeptically. Finally, it was Willow who pointed out the obvious. “Cordy, he doesn't have any hair you could pull.”
“I'll find some,” she said darkly and John (barely) resisted the urge to bury his face in his hands as Woolsey sputtered and the adults all choked.
The tense stand-off was broken by a strangled laugh. John looked up. Faith was staring at Cordelia and her eyes were shining with what, at first he thought was tears but soon realized was laughter. Cordelia raised an eyebrow at the other brunette and Faith broke down in giggles. Within minutes, the kids were all laughing with her, even Cordelia. It didn't take long for the adults, including Hammond and Davis, to find the humor.
Story: Second Verse, Same As The First
Disclaimer: I own the idea only. Joss owns Buffy, SyFy owns Stargate. No suing please!
Summary: When one life ends, another begins...
Warning: Contains slash pairings. Nothing adult, just know there will be homosexual relationships.
Previous: Prequel - One - Two - Three - Four - Five
We're not done yet
Not going quietly into the night, not me and my friends
We're not done yet, don't take us too seriously
It's just life we'll win in the end
And we walk on and on and on and we walk on and on
~ Superchick, “Not Done Yet”
Chapter Six
“The IOA wants all the medical information on the children,” Woolsey began once everyone was sitting. He was cut off from saying anything more by Rodney and Lorne.
“You're nuts if you think that's gonna happen.”
“All due respect, Mr. Woolsey, you're not getting anywhere near my kids or their medical charts.”
John eyebrows were climbing his forehead. He'd expected Rodney's response but not Lorne's. The man was taking to being an overprotective father eerily well.
“Excuse me?” Woolsey sputtered. Lorne stared at the man before glancing at O'Neill.
“General, permission to speak freely?” O'Neill waved a hand, looking amused and not a little expectant.
“I worked at the SGC for a good seven years, I saw a lot of shit go down,” Lorne informed Woolsey tightly. “I saw good men and woman die for Earth's freedom. I saw friendships forged that'll last a long time. I saw a lot of good things, things that made me proud to be from Earth.”
He paused and everyone stared at him. He kept his attention on Woolsey, the look in his eyes like a banked fire, ready to flare at a moments notice. “I also saw a lot of things that made me horrified that I was from Earth,” he continued and everyone straightened. “I saw Teal'c, a man who overcame years of psychological conditioning to save our people, nearly become nothing more than a lab rat. I saw Hammond retire and then come back and no one ever asked, but we all knew something fishy had gone down and that the NID had been behind it. I saw good men and women die not for freedom but because of the whims of humans from Earth who wanted more power than they already had.
“We go back to Earth., can you promise the Trust won't try and confiscate the kids? Can you promise me they won't be poked and prodded because they weren't born the normal way? Can you promise I won't be confined to base or Earth and not allowed back to the city because of them? Can you promise they won't be scared out of their minds because humans don't know when to leave well enough alone? Because if you can't, then I formally resign and request asylum with the Athosian people.” The room was silent for all of ten seconds before another voice spoke up.
“I second that,” O'Neill said, staring at Hammond. “I respect and trust you sir but I can't see how going back with special children, particularly these special children, could even be remotely safe. I lost one son already, I won't lose another two.”
“I can't guarantee any of that,” Hammond said slowly. “But I'm here on behalf of President Hayes and we will do everything in our power to protect these children.”
“That's good,” Jackson spoke up. “Because I honestly don't know what Shifu and Skaara might do if the Trust or someone on Earth goes after them. They already broke a dozen rules bringing them to us and telling us what they did—if the children were in danger, I don't doubt they'd do something about it.”
Woolsey cleared his throat. “The IOA is not in the habit of treating children like cattle,” he said carefully. “Like General Hammond, I can't promise someone won't try and take them from you, particularly with the...Ascended...involved. I can, however, promise that none of the Atlantis parents will be asked to leave the city and return to Earth with your children. We may not always approve of the actions you take but we are not stupid—we know how valuable all of you are to the expedition.”
“Political immunity,” Davis murmured as John shared a look with Mitchell—he had not missed that Woolsey's promise was for the Atlantis folks only. “I'll speak with the President when we get back. Would political immunity and the protection it implies suffice?”
“Only if every country in the IOA agrees,” Rodney insisted immediately.
“An agreement with all members; a Tyndareus contract.” Jackson agreed. “Everyone promises help in finding and prosecuting anyone who tries and takes the children.”
“Tyndareus?” Davis brow furrowed. “I've heard that term before.”
“In Greek mythology, Tyndareus was Helen's stepfather,” Jackson said and he seemed to be in his element. “Because she had so many suitors, he made everyone who wanted her hand sign a contract before he made his choice. The contract stated that they would not attack the man chosen to be Helen's husband and if ever Helen found herself kidnapped, they would all help the man get her back. The contract was one of the reasons the Greek army was formed to go to Troy.”
“So basically, you want a dozen or so countries to sign a treaty that states if the children are taken, they will ALL help in getting the children back,” Hammond clarified and Jackson nodded, looking for all the world like it wasn't the craziest thing John had ever heard.
“They were Champions in their old world,” he explained quietly. “Shifu and Skaara brought them to us so they'd have a second chance at a life.”
They gave a quick rundown of what Shifu had told them. Davis seemed contemplative, as did Hammond. Woolsey, however, was watching them all.
“You said they had a dark life before,” he said and they all nodded. “What exactly do you mean?”
“Shifu showed us a few of their memories,” Rodney spoke up. He'd been disturbingly silent through most of the explanation. “I saw a few things that happened to Willow and Vivian. Vivian watched her father murdered by...creatures. Willow watched a friend or...I think it was Tara, Lorne's girl, she was shot in the heart. She died in Willow's arms.”
More than one person's eyes widened at that revelation. Lorne himself looked slightly sick. “Faith was raped,” Vala said tonelessly and the horrified looks transferred to her. None of them had been able to discuss what Shifu had shown them and John suspected everyone thought Faith, with her willingness to jump into a fight with five boys twice her size, was adorable. “Several times. When she was just a child.”
“Alexander was abused by his drunk parents.” From O'Neill's tone, John was certain if Alexander had been from their dimension, his parents would have found themselves with bullet holes in their heads.
“Connor was kidnapped and raised in a place that makes Sokar's hell look like paradise.”
“Graham was gutted by an Alien Vs. Predator reject. He died protecting a group of children.”
“Tara was made a slave in her own home and was beaten by her father and brother.”
“William was experimented on...by the government,” Carter added, looking disgusted.
“Anya was pretty much chopped in half.” John said it tonelessly, as Vala had, because it was the one thing he really wished Shifu hadn't shown him. He knew he'd be having nightmares about it for a long time to come.
“Kendra was murdered,” Ronon rumbled and everyone looked at him. “She's...she's one of the Champions. That...kid...showed me.”
The room was silent before Jackson slowly nodded. “Shifu did say more would follow,” he murmured. “Though how they got that arrangement figured out I have no idea.”
“How many...Champions...did the ascended say were coming?” Woolsey asked, hesitating over the term. They all shook their heads.
“He didn't say,” Jackson answered.
“Twenty-three,” a voice murmured from the doorway. They all looked over and found Angel standing there with William. A flash of dark hair told John that there was another kid but that whoever it was had taken off. “There are twenty-three of us.”
William scowled. “Should have been more,” he muttered. “Don't ask me why, but for some reason I'm of the opinion there should have been more of us.”
Angel slowly nodded his agreement. “We don't know who they are,” he murmured. “Though I'm fairly certain one's a blonde.”
“I agree,” William said, eyes narrowing. The two boys looked at each other warily.
“Why do you two remember and not the others?”
“We don't remember everything,” Angel answered, looking at Woolsey. He studied the man a moment before nodding to himself. His eyes flickered to William. “We were two of the oldest. I don't...mostly it's just...”
“Concrete impressions,” William finished. “We both remember things the others don't, like the fact there were twenty-three of us and that we were the oldest. Anya was older but...I think she wanted to forget.”
“The rest remember the small things, like Willow and coffee, but nothing really important,” Angel murmured. “Not like we do.”
“They remember those already here,” William added. “They don't...I don't think they know about the others coming.”
“Willow and Xander knows something's missing though,” Angel said. “I heard them talking last night.”
“Xander?” O'Neill asked, eyes narrowed. Angel frowned.
“I think...that was Alexander's nickname,” he said. “What everyone called him. Xander.”
If the boys didn't look like they were about to start crying, John would have laughed at the distaste in Angel's voice. They may not remember it but it was obvious Angel and Alexander hadn't gotten on in their old life.
“William,” Carter said, wiping at the boys eyes and when did she move? “What is it, what's wrong?”
“I miss them,” he muttered. “How can you miss people you don't even remember?”
“When I figure that out,” Carter murmured, eyes pinched in sorrow, “I'll let you know.”
“Me too?” Angel asked and then Jackson was by his side, an arm around his shoulders. John's fingers twitched as a sudden longing to hold his girls swept through him.
“Yes, you too,” Carter murmured as Angel slowly relaxed in Jackson's grip. Two mops of curly hair, one blonde the other brunette, appeared in the door, attached to two two year olds. Andrew and Connor holding onto the door to keep themselves upright, brightened when they saw Carter and William and Jackson and Angel.
“Ike! Mama!”
“'gel, 'addy!” They cried and lurched forward. William had a tiny little smile on his face as Carter scooped the smaller boy into her arms and held the two of them close. Angel also brightened considerably when Jackson picked Connor up and held him close.
“So, we should expect six more children?” Davis' voice was soft as they all turned to give the families time to themselves. John mentally reminded himself to speak to the security detail—tiny or not, there was no way any of the kids should have managed to get to the conference room unnoticed.
“I see no reason for the boy to have lied about it,” Woolsey agreed and then paled when he found himself on the receiving end of some very nasty glares. “Not...not that he would ever...uh, that is to say, lie...”
“So, what are we gonna do about it?” O'Neill brought the conversation back on track. Hammond smiled.
“Mr. Woolsey, Paul, and myself are returning to Earth tonight,” he said. “I'll speak with Henry personally about the situation once I return to Washington.”
O'Neill, Jackson, Carter, and for some reason, Rodney, all seemed comforted by his promise. John wasn't sure why but suspected it had to do with the fact Hammond had always been known as a man who protected his own. It didn't matter that Landry was in charge of the SGC now—SG-1, and by extension their kids were, and always would be, his.
~~~*~~~
“Hi, Mr. General, sir!”
There were mumbled and whispered greetings when Hammond, SG-1, Team Sheppard, and Davis walked inside the auxiliary gym where Cadman had taken the kids. She and Kavanagh were arguing quietly in the corner about something. Alexander was the one who screeched the greeting outas he bound forward to wrap his arms around O'Neill's legs.
“Hello,” Hammond's eyes twinkled as he looked around at the seventeen kids. His eyes stayed on Graham and Riley a bit longer than the others, mostly, John suspected, because they were completely at attention and their fingers were twitching, as if they wanted to salute but were holding back. “You two, at ease.”
It was odd, John reflected, to watch two four years instantly relax at those two words. Hammond glanced at O'Neill, who shrugged. “Don't ask me,” he said. “They haven't acted like that around me.”
“That's cause you're not all general-like like he is,” Alexander said brightly, looking up at him. Out of the corner of his eye, John saw Willow and William snicker quietly to each other. The redhead murmured something that caused the boy to stuff a fist in his mouth to hide his laughter. John may not have known the kids long but he didn't think that was a good sign.
“What, Hammond's more of a general than I am?” O'Neill asked, not noticing or ignoring the two in the corner. Alexander nodded.
“You watch the Simpsons, Daddy,” he said. There was muffled giggles and not all of them were from the kids. O'Neill smiled wryly.
“Fair enough.”
Hammond chuckled. “He's most definitely your son, Jack,” the man said. The look on O'Neill's face at Hammond's words was priceless.
“Hi!” Anya abruptly turned and tugged on Davis' pants to get his attention. “What's your name?”
“Paul Davis,” the major smiled down at John's daughter. “What's you're name?"
"Anya Sheppard and I'm three years old," she answered proudly and John felt something tighten in his chest. Davis' eyes crinkled.
"I have a little girl a year younger than you,” he told her and she smiled at him.
“You do?” O'Neill asked, startled. The other two members of the original SG-1 looked equally surprised. The general's eyes narrowed. “How come we didn't know this?”
Davis shrugged, giving the team a wry smile. “You never asked.”
“We're not going with you mister,” John turned to find Faith, Cordelia, Willow, Riley, and Graham were suddenly standing in a little group, arms crossed, and looking up at a gaping Woolsey. William, Tara, Angel, and Kendra were shifting behind them, as if they weren't sure they wanted to get involved. It was Riley who'd spoken, a scowl on his face.
“I, I beg your pardon?”
“We. Are. Not. Going. With. You,” Cordelia spoke slowly and with a bite on the end of every word. “They're our daddies and mommies and you're a, a nasty old man who wants to take us away from them! Faith heard you!”
That explained the flash of brown hair he'd seen outside the conference door, John thought. His daughter continued.
“And she may have been a skanky little hoe before--”
“CORDELIA!”
“--but Faith wouldn't lie about this,” she finished as if John hadn't yelped. “We might be small now but we know how to be vicious. I'm really good at pulling hair.”
There was silence for a few minutes, everyone looking at Woolsey's head skeptically. Finally, it was Willow who pointed out the obvious. “Cordy, he doesn't have any hair you could pull.”
“I'll find some,” she said darkly and John (barely) resisted the urge to bury his face in his hands as Woolsey sputtered and the adults all choked.
The tense stand-off was broken by a strangled laugh. John looked up. Faith was staring at Cordelia and her eyes were shining with what, at first he thought was tears but soon realized was laughter. Cordelia raised an eyebrow at the other brunette and Faith broke down in giggles. Within minutes, the kids were all laughing with her, even Cordelia. It didn't take long for the adults, including Hammond and Davis, to find the humor.
