Not Now

Jack held the small object between his fingers, studying it with fierce intensity. He glanced briefly at the table before him, where similar items lay scattered. Returning his attention to the object in his hand, he turned it first one way and then another.

"Jack, could you . . ." Daniel began as he entered the commissary.

"Not now, Daniel," the older man interrupted, waving him away.

"Oh, but Jack, this is . . ."

"Not now." Defeated, Daniel turned and left the room. Jack carefully placed the object on the table and picked up another.

"Hey, sir," Sam said, coming up to him, "I was wondering if you—"

"Nope," Jack answered, then in response to the look that she gave him said, "Not now, Carter." The woman sighed.

"Yes, sir." Several hours passed as the Air Force colonel picked up one object after another, studied each with the same grim determination, and then carefully placed them on the table. Finally, General Hammond entered the room.

"Jack, what are you doing?" he demanded.

"I believe it was double or nothing, sir," O'Neill distractedly replied. The general managed an amused smile.

"Yes, it was, colonel," he chuckled slightly.

"Then, that's what I'm doing." Hammond leaned forward, his palms flat on the table. Jack looked up to meet his gaze.

"Colonel, I've come to personally inform you that you missed an important mission briefing over a puzzle." Jack looked down at the still less-than-halfway finished puzzle.

"Should've picked one with less pieces . . . sir."

---

End