Daniel is wired from drinking too much coffee again, a man-shaped bundle of nervous energy, trying to be of some use without getting in anyone’s way, but mostly just rattling around the SGC like a pinball in a machine, bouncing from wall to wall, looking for a purpose he simply doesn’t have.

It’s distracting, for everyone except Doctor Jackson, who needs distracting from himself before he drives everyone in the base out of their minds. Jack wonders if he could persuade the commissary to only serve Daniel decaf, so he’ll stop his Duracell bunny impersonation.

Well, if no one else has time to do something about the restless wanderer, looks like it’s up to Jack. He’s the one responsible for bringing Daniel back to earth. Come to that, he’s the one who left Daniel on Abydos in the first place, so…

“Daniel.”

“Colonel.”

“It’s Jack.”

“Right. Jack. Sorry.” Daniel’s shuffling his feet, he can’t seem to stand still due to his blood being ninety percent caffeine at this point.

“You busy?”

Daniel looks at the coffee in his hand, the complete absence of anything that might indicate he’s doing anything even remotely important.

“Just drinking coffee.”

“Yeah, something tells me you’ve maybe had more than enough for now. Put that down and come with me.”

“Where to?”

“Does it matter?”

“Not really, I’d just like to know…”

“Firing range.” Jack beckons.

“Firing… why?”

“Because I’m not having anyone on my team who doesn’t know how to fire and maintain a gun. You’re not doing anything right now, and I can spare some time, so let’s go.”

“But… I’m an archaeologist! I hardly know anything about guns!”

“Exactly. Time you learned.”

“Don’t I get any say in this?”

“Not if you want to be part of SG-1.” Which of course Daniel does; how else is he going to have any chance of finding his wife? O’Neill is offering the kind of carrot Daniel can’t refuse.

“Okay, lead the way, just don’t expect miracles. I’ll be lucky to hit anything.”

“As long as you don’t hit me, that’ll be good enough for a first try. But by the time we go through the gate again I want you to at least be able to hit a stationary target, and that won’t happen without practice. You’ll be putting in at least an hour a day until I’m satisfied, either with me or with Carter. Clear?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now, let’s see if your hands are steady enough for you to not shoot your own foot off. Might help if you ease up on the coffee.”

“Right.” Daniel sets the half full coffee mug on a bench and trails after Jack; at least learning to shoot will give him something to do.


The End