Title: Faceless Presence

Author: Moonshayde

Season/Category: Short that takes place between "Homecoming" and "Fragile Balance." Part Four of the Broken Dreams; Shattered Memories series.

Season 7

Spoilers: Fallen, Homecoming

Pairing/Character: Hammond/Daniel

Summary: Hammond expresses his concern over Daniel's behavior after having rejoined the SGC.

Rating: PG

 

Thanks to my beta Wallace for all her help J

 

 

 

"Alright, well inform the Pentagon—"

 

General Hammond stopped short, hearing a soft knock on his closed door.  He paused only for a moment to consider whether to send the person away or to allow them to enter. He had informed the base that he wasn't to be disturbed for an hour.

 

But he'd give them the benefit of the doubt.  Five minutes tops.

 

"Come in."

 

Doctor Jackson opened the door slowly, poking his head to take a glance around.  His gaze focused on Hammond, before moving to the figure standing beside him.

 

"Is this a bad time?" Doctor Jackson asked.

 

George Hammond smiled. "Not at all, son.  Come right on in." 

 

Hammond beckoned the young man into his office. Normally, he would reprimand anyone who would have disturbed him under specific orders, but he couldn't chastise the man this time. He knew the doctor probably never had received the memo. The computer and technical staff were already living a nightmare trying to add Doctor Jackson into the system, and provide for him the necessary clearance codes, step by step, as approved by Hammond. Not to mention the problems the administration and finance departments were having.

 

Again.

 

The young man never could make it easy, could he?

 

As the linguist entered, Hammond gestured to his right.  "Do you remember Major Davis?"

 

Doctor Jackson halted, tapping the folder in his hands as he stared at the dumbfounded major. "Vaguely." He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."

 

"Nothing to be sorry about, son."

 

"Doctor Jackson?" Davis' voice was filed with disbelief.

 

George Hammond chuckled. He had briefed Major Davis on the situation once he had entered the base. But seeing was believing, and he was sure the major would have never fully understood the linguist's return if he hadn't been present to see the evidence himself.

 

"Hello," Daniel replied, forcing a grin as he regarded Davis.

 

"Major, would you mind if I had a moment with Doctor Jackson?  Then we can continue."

 

Major Davis tore his gaze from Doctor Jackson, and nodded to Hammond, the shock still frozen on his face. "Yes, of course, sir." Major Davis gathered himself, and walked towards the door, pausing a moment by the linguist's side. "It's-it's good to have you back, Doctor Jackson."

 

"Thank you," he replied earnestly. "It's good to be back."

 

Major Davis nodded again, still bewildered, before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him.

 

"You'd-you'd think that he'd seen a ghost or something," the young man joked nervously, tapping the file on his arm.

 

George Hammond smiled at him again. Doctor Fraiser had informed him that Doctor Jackson would seek out various ways to cope with his memory loss, and it appeared jokes and off-handed comments were his way. As long as he remained professional and didn't cause any harm, it was fine by Hammond.

 

"What can I do for you, Doctor Jackson?"

 

The linguist cleared his throat.  "Right." Taking a small step forward, he placed the file on Hammond's desk and backed away. "That's-uh-that's my report on our last mission."

 

Hammond glanced down at the folder, and opened it, revealing the neatly typed mission report.  He scanned through it briefly, noting the detail and research that went into the project. With a questioning look, Hammond studied him. "How did you get this done so quickly? You're not even set up to access your own computer yet."

 

"Sam," Doctor Jackson replied simply. "Sam let me use her laptop to write up my report." He shifted his weight from side to side.  "I hope that isn't a problem.  I just wanted to have the report done as soon as I could."

 

Hammond was about to lecture him on the protocols of security, but he thought better of it.  That discussion would be better suited between himself and Major Carter.

 

"I appreciate your dedication to your job, Doctor Jackson." He paused, searching for the right words.  "Just if you would, next time, inform either myself or Colonel O'Neill if you need access into certain files or information so that we can give you the appropriate clearance."

 

Doctor Jackson nodded, but was clearly shaken. "Yes, sir."

 

"Don't worry, son," Hammond said gently. "Major Carter isn't in any trouble. I'm sure she was just doing what she could to make you comfortable and allow you to do your job to the best of your ability." He smiled. "The problem is the Pentagon doesn't always look at it that way.  And major doesn't outrank colonel or major general."

 

He nodded again.  "I understand. I just wanted you to have my report on Anubis."

 

General Hammond gazed at him intently. There was such a thing as over working, he thought to himself. Since Doctor Jackson had returned, Hammond had watched the young man pour himself into research, read old mission reports from every team member, including his own, and absorb any tidbit of information people on the base would provide for him.  If he weren't careful, the linguist would be heading for a burnout long before he had the chance to become comfortable with himself again.

 

"Why don't you take a seat, Doctor."

 

Exhaling deeply, he complied, easing himself in the chair across from Hammond's desk. He pursed his lips, and folded his hands in his lap, looking like a child ready for his punishment.

 

"Is there something wrong with the report, General? Some detail that I left out or some material I should have cross-referenced?"

 

"You're not in any trouble, Doctor," George Hammond said softly.

 

Despite his comment, the linguist shifted uneasily.

 

"You've done an excellent job. For a man without his full memory, I might add.  Not only did you help bring down Anubis' ship, but you helped Jonas Quinn while on board."  General Hammond leaned forward, folding his hands on his desk. "Now, Doctor Fraiser tells me that you're doing just fine.  I'd like you to take some time to relax and get readjusted to your surroundings here."

 

"I am. I am," Doctor Jackson said quickly. "But I am here to do my job." He raised his finger and leaned forward as he motioned to the report.  "If you look over to paragraph six of page three—"

 

"Doctor Jackson," Hammond stated firmly.

 

He stopped, lowering his finger slowly.

 

"I said to relax. I really don't want to have to make it an order."

 

"Well, since I am a civilian—"

 

"Doctor Jackson," he repeated again, now with a warning. He shook his head, recalling the first few meetings between the younger man and himself. Daniel Jackson had always been a zealous man, never backing down until he won his argument.

 

He wasn't going to stop now, it seemed.

 

"I just want to prove to you—"

 

"Prove, Doctor Jackson?  You find it necessary to prove yourself here?"

 

The younger man stared at him blankly. "General?"

 

Hammond sighed. "You have nothing to prove, son. You've already done more than enough."

 

This time the linguist did not reply. General Hammond continued.

 

"You're the reason any of us are here right now, Doctor. You opened the Stargate.  You found the cartouche on Abydos. It's through your efforts we have as many allies as we do now." Hammond kept his expression intense, willing Doctor Jackson to understand his gratitude and his admiration. "Hell, if it hadn't been for you and the rest of SG-1, we'd have been taken over by the Goa'uld a long time ago."

 

"So I've heard."

 

"Then you need to start believing it," Hammond told him.

 

Doctor Jackson appeared to consider the comment. He nodded.

 

"I'll review your report as soon as I am finished with my agenda for the day," Hammond informed him and then smiled. "I'm sure it's just fine."

 

"Thank you, General." The linguist lifted himself out of the chair and walked toward the door.

 

"Oh, and Doctor?"

 

He paused, holding his hand over the handle.

 

"Just remember that you've always been a part of this program. Even when you were gone. You were much more than just a faceless presence. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

 

Doctor Jackson smiled, a genuine smile. "Thank you, General."

 

General Hammond responded with a brief nod of his head, watching as the linguist left the room. Major Davis immediately replaced him.

 

"General?"

 

"Come right in."

 

Major Davis entered quickly, shutting the door behind him. "Sir? Really?" he asked, motioning to outside Hammond's office.

 

Hammond smiled softly. "Yes, Major, it's really him."

 

"It's amazing."

 

"Yes, it is."

 

"Sir?" Major Davis began, taking a seat across from Hammond. "Before we continue with our meeting—"

 

"What is it, Major?"

 

"I've had the opportunity to work with Doctor Jackson on many occasions, as you know. And while the two of us haven't always been in agreement over the same issues…" He paused, sincerity in his eyes as he gazed at Hammond. "Well, I'm glad that the SGC has welcomed him back."

 

Hammond smiled, feeling the same respect that he had heard in Major Davis' voice. Doctor Jackson just seemed to have that affect on people.

 

"So am I, Major. So am I."

 

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