Tarnished Heroes Chapter Four I woke up this morning and fell out of bed As it turned out Daniel didn’t go into work at all that Friday. Nope, he lazed in bed with his wife until around eleven o’clock or so and then spent the rest of the day staring at and trying to make sense of the tablet he’d brought home the night before. From the doorway to his office was heard a long low sigh followed by, “Dad? Can I talk to you?” It took him a minute but he turned from his work to his watch to his daughter standing in the doorway. “Sure, pumpkin. What’s up?” Like he didn’t know already. With head down low and an air of despair about her, Colleen plopped herself down in the leather chair across from him. “Do you think you could get mom off my case?” “Um…excuse me?” He asked. “I haven’t noticed your mother being particularly ‘on your case’ lately. With the exception of last night that is.” Daniel leaned forward to look at her. “What’s going on?” “She doesn’t treat me the same way she treats Nick.” Colleen complained bitterly. “She’s always riding me about how who I’m going out with and when I’m gonna be home, what I’m gonna do.” Colleen tossed her hands in the air. “I’m not doin’ anything wrong, Dad, honest.” While Calla may or may not actually mean to, she did treat the kids differently. Nick could come and go as he pleased as far as she was concerned. There was a big difference between boys and girls. Neither parent was stupid, Daniel was just as aware as Calla that Nicholas was probably schtooping one or two of those pretty things that kept following him home. If Calla were to walk into the basement one day and find him butt naked with two or three of them she would probably turn and walk out telling him only to ‘lock the door next time’. However, Colleen….well that was a whole other ballgame now wasn’t it? Calla expected her son—who was now much more man than boy—to have many lovers. She was brought up that way. It was what she knew. But her daughter, yeah, no. Daniel never heard Calla say anything along the lines of ‘wait until you’re married’ to Colleen, she did do her best to discourage her from actually partaking in the act of sex. Having a lot of boyfriends and suitors was one thing and that was fine and dandy. Having a lot of men was another story. “Your mother worries about you, that’s all, Cole.” “Whatever.” She pouted and defiantly rolled her eyes. “All I’m sayin’ is Nick and I are the same age, we get the same great grades, we both have good friends that we like to hang out with and he gets to do it a lot more than I do. That’s a double standard.” Not much arguing with that one. “Yes, it is.” Daniel grudgingly agreed. “Nick’s different….” “Why? ‘Cause he’s not gonna come home pregnant some day?” She demanded to know. “’Cause he’s the one putting it instead of getting’ it?” “That’s enough.” Daniel warned. Colleen was never one for walking up the line and then treading on it, nope, she liked to jump ten feet straight over it. “Look, Dad, all I’m sayin’ is that we’re both responsible. Geez, ya know, at least I’m still a virgin.” She grumbled. “I should be able to stay out later…just this once! It is Prom!” Well, although he hadn’t asked, that information was good to know. “I’ll talk to her about it but I don’t want to hear you talk like that anymore and I certainly don’t want you saying those things to your mother.” Colleen flicked her hair behind her shoulder and leaned forward toward her father, those sapphire eyes full of devilish intent. “You know the last time you were ‘gone’” she used her fingers to accentuate the quotes around the word gone, indicating the last time he was off-world. “Yeah,” Daniel said in a low voice and knew he wasn’t going to like whatever was coming next. “Nick came home cocked off his ass at two in the morning! He couldn’t even see straight never mind walk. You know what mom did?” This was getting interesting; he had no idea about this little episode. “What did your mother do?” “She freakin’ carried him up the stairs to his room. Carried, Dad, carried! Next day she took away his car keys until you got home. She didn’t even yell at him.” Carried? No, she must have meant Calla had blinked him up the stairs or something. Nicholas was 6’4 and almost 280 pounds, surely, she hadn’t attempted to pick him up let alone carry him. “Carried? You’re sure?” Super Human Strength, if she had it—which he doubted-- somehow avoided his attention and knowledge over the last eighteen years. “I’m not pullin’ your leg, Dad. She carried his lard ass up the stairs; I saw it with my own two eyes. She struggled and struggled but she didn’t drop him and she didn’t ask for my help even though I was standing right there!” Colleen sat abruptly back in the chair. “I would have helped, ya know? He’s an asshole but he’s my brother and I love him. Her back was out for a day and half after that.” “What did your brother do after that?” Daniel asked. “Batted his eyes, smiled at her, told her he was sorry and would never do it again….yeah…right!” Colleen tossed her head and rolled her eyes again. “That’s all he ever has to do, flash that smile and those big dark eyes at her. Oh, yeah and he rubbed her back for a while.” Her legs crossed and so did her arms one more time. “He fuckin’ should have he’s the one who put it out. But me, I’d-a been under house arrest for life.” “I’m not sure that’s not true.” Daniel stuttered and didn’t believe himself. Calla would have Colleen’s hide if she tried something like that. “Fine. Whatever. I’m goin’ over to Terry’s house, see ya later.” Colleen got up. “Just think about it, ok, Dad? You’re always the more rational one.” She sauntered out of the room. Up until ten minutes ago his biggest problem was the tablet on the desk in front of him. His under-age son stumbled home drunk when Daniel wasn’t home and his wife didn’t tell him???? “Calla?” He called out and rose from the desk. “Calla?” The house was quiet as Daniel walked out of his office and over to the front windows. Colleen was gone and the Mustang wasn’t in the driveway but Calla’s red Integra was there. “Kitty?” Maybe she was upstairs and couldn’t hear him. Calla spent most of her day up in the attic online. She’s managed to secure airfare and hotel accommodations for the class along with the tour of the museum. She even had a few bucks left over. She’d been able to do everything online with the exception of making a reservation with the museum. It was supposed to be a simple phone call but as soon as she said her name…. “Professor Calla Jackson?” Mr. Reynolds asked in a voice which was notably more excited than before. “Miss Jackson, we’d be happy to help you anyway we can.” “Mrs. Jackson.” Calla corrected. “I appreciate any help you can give us. We’d like to come on Saturday between late morning and early afternoon, is that all right with your schedule?” She asked and wiped the hair away from her face. “Yes,” he said quickly, “how about one o’clock?” “That will be fine.” She thought that should be near the end of the conversation but Mr. Reynolds went on and on about Mr. Andrews and her paintings and how he’d seen them at the gallery and thought they were stunningly dark and brilliant. He didn’t think they were misogynistic in the least, he thought they showed a woman’s struggle for freedom from an oppressive male. At least he’d gotten that much right. Calla hated when people recognized her name. “Well, thank you very much Mr. Reynolds,” she said through tight lips and was glad he couldn’t see her through the telephone. “The class and I will see you next Saturday at one. Good-bye.” She hung up the phone. Gods, she just hated it when people recognized her name. Sitting at the computer another hour or so she laid out a spread sheet and discovered that after the cost of hotel, airfare and museum tour she still had about two hundred dollars left over. Maybe she could treat them to a nice lunch or something on Sunday before they left New York. It was a little after four in the afternoon, class didn’t begin until 8:30 tonight but she’d promised Professor Dyer that she would help him with a special project. Calla was supposed to meet him at seven in his classroom. She was starting to second-guess her decision to help out her colleague or at the very least the decision she’d made not to tell her husband about it. Daniel would not like this. However, Tom Dyer was a nice enough man and he was in a tight spot. He’d been invited to participate in the National Academy of Professional Photographer’s annual exhibition that was a phenomenal honor in itself. Not only that but he’d been invited to compete in three separate categories; Black & White, Female Form and Art Photography. His troubles arose in that his model canceled out at the last moment, she was home with the flu and her red nose and watery eyes would no look on film. Certainly not the type of material one would submit under such prestigious circumstances. Two days ago he came to her with his problem and asked if she’d model for him. Nude black and whites. She didn’t say yes at first, she said she’d think about it. The next day he came into the gallery and asked again with more urgency. The deadline for submissions was one week away, he had to have them shot, developed, matted and sent off in no more than six days. Tom told her that he had asked around but she was his top choice for the job and promised the photographs wouldn’t show her full face. No one would recognize her. They would all be very artful, very tasteful, no Penthouse or Playboy material involved. Finally he wore down her resolve and Calla found herself agreeing to his proposal. Tom was a very talented photographer and he should have his shot in the competition. If she could help him then she should. If the photographs didn’t show her face and no one would know who she was….well there was no reason to tell Daniel about it. They were going to be displayed at competition in Seattle and Daniel would never even see them. There was no sense in bothering him with this. Still the guilt of keeping her mouth shut began to weigh on her as the minutes ticked by to seven o’clock. “There you are,” Daniel said and Calla jumped out of her daze. “Didn’t you hear me calling for you?” “No,” she stumbled. Calla hadn’t heard the attic door open either. “Is something wrong?” She didn’t care for the look on his face. Gazing at her, he thought he could ask the same question. “Never mind, I know, she’s got you on her side, doesn’t she? She’s got you wrapped right around her little finger.” Again, Daniel thought he could say the same thing about her and Nicholas. “We need to talk.” Even though no one was home, Daniel shut the door behind him. “Kitty, what’s going on? Coley told me about Nick coming home drunk.” Oh, crap. “It wasn’t any big deal, he’s a young man, and he got drunk. He paid the price the next day.” Calla turned red and smiled at the memory. “Oh, Daniel he was so sick!” She laughed. “I’m glad one of us thinks this amusing.” He chided and sat down at the old dining table next to her. The air in the room deflated and became heavy. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why the hell did you carry him up the stairs?” “You didn’t come back for another week.” She explained. “It was all over with by then there was no reason to tell you about it and bring it up all over again. Nicholas was very apologetic.” “Hum, was he?” Daniel muttered. “I’m gonna talk to him about this and don’t you dare warn him first.” He demanded seriously. “Driving drunk is not something to take lightly.” “I know.” She said in a low voice. “We did talk about that.” “And you carried him because…..” Daniel lead. “He’s my baby,” she said in a whisper. “I’ll always carry him and Colleen.” Daniel shook his head and reached out for her. “Come here.” Calla got up and sat on his lap. “I know you don’t want to let Coley stay out late on prom night,” “But it is a big deal and a special night,” she agreed softly. “Does it have to be so terribly late?” “No, I’m sure we can find a compromise.” He assured her. “Six o’clock is a little extreme.” Daniel hesitantly broached a subject he knew he should leave alone. “Kitty, don’t you think you should tell her something?” “About what?” Calla asked with her head on his shoulder. “About….about before we met.” The soft little body that was so at ease in his arms stiffened and then stood up. “I don’t see a reason for that.” She said coldly. “No, I don’t.” Calla shook her head. “C’mon, let’s eat before I have to go to class, I have to leave early tonight.” “Why do you have to go early tonight?” Good question. And the good answer is…… “I told a colleague I’d lend a hand with something.” A vague description if there ever was one. “Who?” “Tom Dyer, he’s Professor of Photography and has the class down the hall from mine. You’ve met him.” Daniel waited for her to fill in the rest for him but she seemed to need a little prodding. “What does he need help with?” “A project he’s doing. I’ll be home on time.” “I’ll be waiting for you.” His eyes looked blurry and his face looked tired, he’d been poring over that damn thing all day. “Come on,” she said in an almost exhausted voice as she reached out for Daniel’s hand and lead him down to his office. “Which way does it go?” She asked. Daniel looked down at it. “I’m pretty sure it goes this way.” He pointed to it. “Why?” “Well, if you turn it this way,” she turned it a quarter way to the right, “You see? Look.” She pointed to the table. “There’s Father, Grandfather, Grandmother.” Calla noted each symbol with her index finger. “But if you turn it this way…” another quarter turn. “Then you can see Mother, Apollo, and Athena.” Again, one by one she clicked them off and turned the tablet again. “Artemis, Hades, Poseidon.” She turned back to the position he had it in. “This way none of the symbols are facing the right way.” Yeah, well. Daniel cleared his throat. Why didn’t I notice that? “Does that help?” She asked. “Maybe. Let’s eat, I’m starving.” He put an arm around her shoulder and they left the office for the kitchen. “The kids are out for the night.” Daniel looked over at her and it was she who looked tired. “What have you been doing all day?” “Same as you.” She said and rubbed her eyes. “Staring at a computer screen.” Calla told him about her bargain hunting while she pushed the chicken and rice around on her plate. “So you’re going to be all alone tonight.” She remarked. “That doesn’t happen often.” “No it doesn’t.” He said and couldn’t remember the last time he’d been the only one in the house for more than ten minutes. “What are you going to do with your night? Don’t tell me you’re going to stare at that rock anymore, you’re eyes are going to cross.” She teased. “Do something else, Daniel. Watch TV, work out, have a hot bath. Get away from that and let your brain take a break.” She encouraged. “Oh, I know, play a video game.” “Video game?” The forkful of chicken stopped half way to his mouth. “Yes,” she said with a big happy smile and leaned toward him. “Try it, you’ll like it.” Calla winked at him. “Play often when I’m not home?” Now the fork made it to his mouth. “Hum, sometimes.” She admitted with shining eyes. “Great fun, especially that Doom. You just blow everything away; there are no good guys, just shoot everything.” Calla pushed the rice around. “It’s great fun and relieves a lot of frustration.” “Does it?” Eighteen years and she could still surprise him. Daniel never figured her for video games to begin with and if he ever did, he’d probably say she’d play Mario, Tetris, or something like that. A full out ARPG Bang-Bang-Shoot-Em-Up game? No, he never figured her for that. “Maybe I’ll try it.” Daniel gave her an incredulous smile Calla’s lips parted in a half-smile as she walked to him and kissed the side of his head as he sat at the table. “I have to go. I love you.” “Not gonna stay and have coffee with me?” “No, I told Professor Dyer that I’d be there by seven.” Calla traced his face with her hand. “See you in a few hours.” Something’s up something more than the kids. Daniel grabbed her hand as she walked by him. “I love you, Kitty. Something you want to tell me?” His beautiful blue eyes took a closer look at her. “Or don’t want to tell me?” “I don’t think so.” She with a sigh and stepped away from him. Liar! If she wanted to play it off right now, fine. He’d talk to her when she came home tonight. Whatever it was, maybe she needed some time to think about it before discussing it with him. “All right, see you in a bit.” The backdoor closed behind her and he listened to her back out down the driveway. Video game. Maybe later. He put the dish in the sink and went back to his office and the tablet waiting for him to decipher it. Now that he had a few new clues, he might be able to do just that. End of Chapter Four of
A Daniel Jackson
Stargate SG-1
Adult FanFiction Series
By
Moon Mistress
a/k/a Lisa Beth Darling
Trouble waiting to happen
Should've quit while I was ahead
Trouble waiting to happen
I turned on the news to the Third World War
Opened up the paper to World War IV
Just when I thought it was safe to be bored
Trouble waiting to happen
Trouble waiting to happen
Trouble Waiting To Happen
Warren Zevon
Words & Music by Warren Zevon and J.D. Souther
Tarnished Heroes
An Adult Stargate FanFiction Novel
By
Moon Mistress
Continue to
Chapter Five