Betas: Thyla (she helped to make this story more readable) and Simpleinsanity
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheyenne Mountain , Colorado, SGC. General Hammond, Dr. Fraiser, and SG-1 in the meeting room.
"General Hammond, we need a specialist in Infectious Diseases and Diagnostic.- pointed out Dr. Fraiser. " The last virus SG-4 brought back home and it's rapid spread over the whole base clearly showed we are sorely lacking in this area. It was pure luck we've even noticed any sign of it. We may not be this fortunate without a specialist next time. And you can be sure there will be a next time, sir, there always is. "
"I understand Doctor. How soon can you find a suitable candidate for this position?"
"I am not sure, sir. There are lot of candidates out there who I would need to look through, and this really is not my field. It could last weeks if not months. I will ask around among the staff here and at the Academy Hospital. Maybe someone can point out some viable candidates."
"With your permission General, – Jack interrupted- I may have a candidate who is well versed in both fields, and well known "and feared he added mentally "among his piers." Seeing the General's questioning look he hurriedly added "The last time we meet he spoke more then three languages and I heard in the meantime he picked up Hindi just so he can read an article." And take his revenge on an old rival. He almost shuddered and thanked whichever deity was looking after him that he has never done anything to piss the man off.
"Hindi. Wow, I always wanted to learn it but never found the time." commented Daniel enthusiastically. His eyes lit up like a kid's in a candy store. "Maybe he could help me out with a translation or two.
"Sure." Jack supplied sarcastically. He knew his old friend well and it sure would take more then one miracle for this to happen. He rolled his eyes, making Carter giggle. "An added bonus is that he was once in the Air Force, sir." Before he booted himself out.
"Was Colonel? What happened?"
"Well sir. The military lifestyle did not really agree with him. He is more of a free thinking - and speaking – kinda guy."
"I take it he was not a military type. How much did he stand out?"
"A bit."
"A bit?"
"A bit too much, sir" Jack confessed. He bowed his head and studied an interesting a spot on the floor.
-------------
Hammond groaned inwardly, he could just picture what type of man could be O'Neill's old acquaintance. How did the old saying go? Birds of a feather...? If you just take the Colonel for example. He could already feel a headache coming on. But he also knew, Colonel O'Neill wouldn't have mentioned this guy if he wasn't brilliant in his field and if O'Neill hasn't trusted him.
"And what's this man's name?" Jack looked a bit uncomfortable for a moment before he answered.
"Dr. Gregory House." When he glanced up Janet eyes shot daggers at him. It was obvious what the good Doctor's opinion was about his old friend. He counted on House's reputation though to soften up Janet a bit. It might cost him a couple of days of babysitting Cassie and her friends. Summer camp was just coming up. He could handle six giggling, hormonal teenage girls. No problem. None at all... Oy, he hoped he would survive it. It could not be that hard, could it? Right? Right?? His gaze met with Doc's. Their eyes locked for a brief moment before Doc looked away and broke the silence.
"I've heard about him, General." nodded Janet. "He is quite brilliant, known to figure out the impossible. But Colonel, if I remember right, he is the Head of the Department of Diagnostics at Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. I doubt he would come here."
Is it possible there is sarcasm in her voice or it is just his imagination? It wasn't important. He had the answer for this. A childish smile came upon his face.
"Under normal circumstances I would doubt it as well, but he loves to solve puzzles and I heard he had finally managed to anger the wrong man at the hospital."
"It sounds strangely familiar."- Daniel piped in.
"What d'ya mean?" asked back Jack with his best 'I have no idea what are you talking about' expression on his face. Teal'c arched an eyebrow, and looked seriously at O'Neill.
"DanielJackson thinks, O'Neill, that this GregoryHouse and you have similar attributes."
"Gee thanks T."
"No problem O'Neill." Teal'c nodded with a very small smile on his face. Jack rolled his eyes at him, while Sam and Janet outright giggled. Daniel snickered and even General Hammond had to supress a smile at their light banter.
"Colonel O'Neill, you have permission to approach Doctor House, see if he would be interested to work for the military and recruit him. You need anything else?" asked Hammond.
"Yes sir. I would like to request that Major Ferretti and some special ops guys accompany me." The General raised an eyebrow at that, but O'Neill just smiled and gestured with his hand nonchalantly. "Ya known just to show him we really mean business." Jack clapped his hand together in anticipation. He was looking forward to playing a prank on House seeing as he was always the one pulling a fast one on him.
Hammond nodded warily not quite sure he would really want to know what the Colonel was up to.
"Then I'm off." With that O'Neill was on his feet before anyone could stop him and made his way toward the commissary where he was sure he could find Ferretti.
As he strolled down the corridor outside the meeting room, he heard General Hammond order the Doc to look in House's qualifications, and for Carter to make a background check.
----------------------------
As O'Neill assumed earlier Mayor Lou Ferretti was at the commissary, taking a launch break. The Major was just taking a swig of his coffee when Jack approached him.
"Hey Ferretti, hurry up we need to pick up House." At his statement Ferretti sprayed the table with coffee as he gaped at Jack.
"House, as in Greg House?" Lou asked exasperated.
"Yep." Jack supplied helpfully with a grin on his face, enjoying his old friend's reaction to the news. The other man looked at him desparately hoping he was just joking. When he saw that the Colonel wasn't Lou groaned out loud.
"It's too late to asked for retreat?"
"Yes."
"To ask for a suicide mission?"
"Uh-uh"
"To ask for transfer to Antarctica?"
"Yep, give it up Lou. Come on. We are off to see the wizard."
"More likely the Wicked Witch of the East." Jack just grinned at him as he pulled him out of his seat and guided him toward the exit.
"Nah, he isn't that bad. Most of the time." Jack mumbled the last part more to himself then anyone else as they made their exit from the commissary, leaving behind a bewildered group of scientist and soldiers.
Leave review - tell me what you think about this story