Diplomatic Mission
By Teri
Note: I had some problems with quotation marks when I uploaded this story. I've tried to fix them all. If I missed any of them, please let me know. Thanks!
Typical. Just when you're getting ahead, someone changes the odds.
Daniel and Sam continued to talk as they followed Craig around through all of the corridors. Within a few minutes, Craig was showing them into the conference room. Sam and Daniel walked in the room and found that the room was empty, no MacGyver, no delegates, no anyone.
Craig looked around, "I thought they were suppose to be in here." Just what had the faker done with the delegates?
"Ah, you said they were taking a lunch break?" Daniel asked.
Craig nodded.
"Perhaps they moved to the dinning room?"
"Or maybe they went out on the terrace?" Sam smiled as she pointed out the door where there was obviously some people on the other side.
"I have always heard that MacGyver prefers to be outside," Daniel observed.
Craig just wanted to roll his eyes. While it was true that taking them outside would have been a very Mac-like thing to do, Mac was not here.
The three walked out on to the terrace. Craig looked around and saw the imposter chatting with President Habad and Prime Minister Rossovich as if they were old poker buddies.
See? If it can go wrong, it will.
Jack was standing talking with the delegates informally. He wanted to get an idea of what they really wanted from these negotiations. He had learned over the years that very few people are entirely up front about what their true goals are. He hoped that by getting them to talk casually he would learn more.
He heard the door to the terrace open and saw Craig come through the door. Dismissing it as unimportant, he turned back to his companions. It was not long however before he heard Craigs voice, "I'll introduce you to MacGyver."
Jack turned around to see what Craig wanted. When he did it took ever ounce of control that he had learned over the years not to show his shock and amazement at who stood before him. Of course, he thought idly he shouldnt be surprised. Things were going all too well. In front of him were Carter and Daniel. He thought that Daniel was looking at him oddly, or maybe not so oddly given the circumstances, but for once he wasn't reading him well. His own anxiety was making the task harder. Carter looked oddly excited, sort of like a kid in a candy store or perhaps like an astrophsycisist with a new Ancient toy. What was that about?
It only look a moment for Jack to decide what to do. He would "be" MacGyver not Jack and Mac didn't know these two. He plastered on his friendly "Mac" smile and walked forward away from the men he was speaking with hoping that leaving them alone would not cause further problems. "Hey Craig, what brings you up here? You come up for lunch? The veggie dog is excellent."
"No, MacGyver. I wanted to introduce you to Major Carter and Dr. Jackson." Craig indicated the people standing behind him.
Jack noted instantly that Carter was not in uniform, rather in a dark skirt/suit combo, the way Air Force officers would dress when they did not want the fact that they were Air Force to be the forefront of their mission. This would work for him since Bannister wasnt specific about who was who. So this could come across as a little sexist, but MacGyvers image could take it if helped him stay in role. A little confusion always helped keep people on their toes.
"Major Carter," he said as he reached out to shake Daniels hand, secretly amused at the idea of Daniel being in the Air Force. Major Daniel Jackson, what a thought?
"Um, actually, I am Major Carter, Samantha Carter."
Jack looked over to Sam. "Major, my apologies," Jack smiled openly. "It is not so often that the Uniformed Services sends someone so pretty. Pleased to meet you, Ma'am." Flirtation is a good distraction as well, not to mention fun, Jack thought to himself.
"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. MacGyver. You were a bit of a legend when I was in graduate school," Sam smiled brightly.
"Mostly rumors I am afraid," Jack continued to smile at her trying to decide if she figured him out already? Was she was that good of an actress or had he really caught her off guard?
Jack turned back to Daniel. "Dr. Jackson?
Daniel nodded. Jack shook Daniel's hand and tried not to notice Daniel's appraising look. Unseen by Craig or Sam, Daniel silently mouthed the question, "Jack?"
Jack wanted to ignore it, but figured that would be worse. So instead he hit it head on. "That's right Dr. Jackson, I'm Mac." Jack smiled at him emphasizing the name Mac which interestingly rhymed with 'Jack' while playing up his Minnesota accent and his friendly nature. "Do we know each other?"
Jack could tell he now had Craig's full attention.
"Probably just by reputation, MacGyver," Craig asserted, "Dr. Jackson is an Archeologist and has probably read about some of your exploits." Craig smiled at Daniel before moving the conversation ahead, "Major Carter and Dr. Jackson represent the United States Air Force. They are hoping to negotiate trade rights for a mineral that is found primarily in the territory of Samadia and the Republic of Azmir. I've given them permission to talk to the delegates, but only if they approach them together. I don't want to give them something else to fight over."
Jack looked seriously at Craig, affecting a look of serious consideration, AI would agree. We dont want to take the chance that Habad or Rossovich think we are playing favorites.
"When can we speak with the President and the Prime Minister?" Sam asked.
"I think if we waited until tomorrow, after we have come to a few basic agreements between the parties would be better," Craig answered.
Jack contradicted him, "actually Craig, we have actually already made some good progress. Besides the delegates," he paused and motioned to Habad and Rossovich who were watching the four converse, "have already noticed our guests. I think it is better to just handle this now when lunch is finished."
"Okay," Craig conceded and Jack just bet that it steamed the man that he had not agreed with him. Too bad. They brought him in to do the negotiations and he would do them to the best of his ability.
Now Jack looked at his team and Bannister standing there. He realized he needed to reinforce his image as MacGyver with his team if for no other reason than to make Daniel stop looking at him like he was some sort of alien. Of course, he acknowledged given their time at the SGC, it would be a reasonable, even expected, assumption. Still he couldn't have anyone noticing anything odd about him, now could he?
"Well, I am going to give everyone about one half hour more to enjoy lunch and continue to mix informally. Why don't you grab some food. We were trying to have a cookout feel for lunch and they have some great veggie dogs and veggie burgers over there and the lemonade is fresh." Jack smiled, knowing that Carter loved her meat.
"Is one of the delegates a vegetarian?" Sam asked.
"Well, no, there is also real hotdogs and burgers over there."
"Mac is a vegetarian," Craig added.
"Not strictly speaking, but I do tend to prefer dishes that are healthy and that tends to be more vegetarian oriented dishes." Jack shrugged, "just a personal preference."
Jack wanted to smile to himself. Eating healthy? Definitely not what Carter or Daniel would give him credit for doing. He was left wondering what Daniel and Carter were thinking now.
Edward R. Murrow once said that "anyone who isn't confused really
Thanks for all the reviews even through the long wait for an update. Now Carter and Daniel have seen "Mac," but who knows what they are thinking. Will Jack tell them the truth when he gets them alone? OR Will he continue to see if he can fool even them into believing that he could really be MacGyver?
I hope so one is still enjoying the story.
Teri
Posted: November 28, 2007