Title: Stories from the Table: In the Control Room

Author: Devra and JoaG

Feedback: Devra and JoaG

Rating: PG13 - language

Pairing: Janet/Sam Jack/Daniel

Category: Slash

Date: March 23, 2003

Status: complete

Notes: Another table story for all of our list sibs...But this fic was really written for another reason...

As a birthday present to our wonderful friend and SG buddy Majel. Happy Birthday honey. Okay, so we are a few days late, but the thought is there. Thanks for everything you do, more numerous than we have room to list here.

And...Happy Anniversary Best Beta of Mine...one year ago I sent you a feedback to a story and you answered. Amazing isn't it...the power of the word...Remember that always, everyone, that sometimes a moment to send or say a kind word can lead to something very special...friendship. devra

Stories from the table: The Control Room

by devra and JoaG

I am a table. I am a rectangular four-foot wide by eight-foot long, golden oak table with lots of grain, a leg on each corner, and a polyurethane sealant. This is important, because though it removes me from the level of 'fine' furniture, it adds to my versatility and my longevity. I was purchased in the early 90's by the U.S. Air Force Quartermaster in a spasm of upgrades for the offices of NORAD. After I was delivered I was reassigned to a priority slot in a new command under the mountain cryptically referred to as SGC. I can seat eight formally, ten comfortable, and twelve friendly. Because I was purchased without chairs, I knew that my life would be one of utilitarianism not formal dining. In other words, I'll see a lot of service of all kinds.

I have been deposited in a far corner of the control room, amidst much giggling, shoving and whispering. I am presently weighed down with many gaily-wrapped boxes on one end, and hot and cold platters of food on the other. A very sweet and overly-decorated cake has been presented as the center of attention. Eating utensils have been neatly stacked close to the food.

Many mobiles have gathered around, whispering, laughing and talking with an air of mystery. Tall Military Jack and Tall Civilian Daniel are adding more of the gaily-wrapped containers to those already there.

"Do you think Sam suspects?" Tall Civilian Daniel asks, looking over at Tall Military jack while fiddling with the arrangement of gifts lavishly spread out on the table.

"It's a surprise birthday party, Daniel. Today's not her birthday, so why would she suspect?" Tall Military Jack leans over and scoops up a dab of frosting with his finger.

"I don't know, we're sort of doing this behind her back," Tall Civilian Daniel answers while slapping Jack's hand away from sneaking a second helping.

"Surprises are supposed to be done behind someone's back," Tall Military Jack answers sarcastically, licking his finger, his tongue searching for a missed spot of the sweet stuff.

Tall Civilian Daniel stares at the finger and the flitting tongue for a moment before blinking and licking his lips. "Yeah, but.... it's just that I wish we could have done this *on* her birthday. That we could all have been here, together, to tell her how much we care."

"I know, Daniel, but we were on different parts of the continent that day. At least this way, we can all get together now and show her how we feel."

"Sam already knows how much you guys care about her," Small Lady Janet says, putting her hands on their shoulders as she approaches from behind. "She's gonna be soooo surprised. I can't wait to see her face," she says with a grin, looking at them both before examining me carefully.

A sound occurs from the other side of the room and someone calls Small Lady Janet away. As soon as her footsteps fade into the background, Tall Civilian Daniel whispers, concern in his voice. "Did you remember the present?"

I sense the shifting of boxes on my surface as Tall Civilian Daniel sorts through them. I feel his hands rest on the cloth that covers my surface as Tall Military Jack presses his body against the Tall Civilian. He whispers low enough for just the two of us to hear. "I got it, Daniel. Believe me I *got* it." Tall Civilian Daniel chuckles at Tall Military Jack's closeness, but alas, I am but a table, and cannot express my emotions or smile along with Tall Civilian Daniel. There are times when I am with the mobiles that there is little smiling or laughter, but today there is much happiness and joy in this room.

Though I am but a table, I radiate pride in how the mobiles have dressed me today. A cover has been placed over my surface, though I am confused at the terminology of color coordinated plates, napkins and table cloth.

There are many places for a table in this building that the mobiles live in, but this is the only room that I have occupied more than once. Today the feeling is one of friendship and family--words and emotions I have learned in my life among my mobile friends.

"See Daniel. I'm putting Carter's present right here." The box is so light that I don't even feel the impact it makes on my surface among the other presents. It is by sound alone that I am aware that Military Man Jack has done what Tall Civilian Daniel has requested.

"Bells, Jack. You tied bells to the bow?"

"Hey, I was being creative..."

"Jack, I really, really don't want to know where you got bells from."

I hear the clicking of shoes on the floor indicating the return of Small Lady Janet. Pressing her fingers to her lips, she whispers, "Sssshhh guys...that was Cassie on the phone. She and Sam will be here in 5 minutes."

I sense scrambling, and shifting...bumps against me and then silence. "Turn out the lights," someone close to me hisses...and then the room is enveloped in semi-darkness. This is a new experience for me, and though I am but a table, I can sense the anticipation in this room.

Tall Military Jack must be feeling the same way as a starts to sing a song, softly, reflecting our mutual thoughts. "Anticipation...."

Tall Civilian Daniel makes an unfamiliar sound and then warns Tall Military Jack to be quiet.

"Daniel...did you just snort?"

Tall Civilian Daniel is spared answering when the room is flooded with lights and everyone yells, "Surprise!"

* * * *

The room is quieter now, most of the mobiles have departed and I can feel moisture seeping through my covering onto my finished surface. I cringe as I imagine how I look beneath the now soiled and stained table cloth, the sticky food items and spilled drinks.

I am distracted from the dismay of my appearance when I sense the presence of Tall Military Jack, Tall Civilian Daniel and Tall Lady Sam leaning against my side.

"Thanks guys...that was wonderful. And the table looked great."

If I were able to, I would straighten my legs in delight at the compliment. Alas, a table is always stiff and unable to show its pleasure.

"What's this, Daniel?" Sam asks as she accepts an envelope from Daniel.

"Jack picked up the present...I picked out the card."

Silence abounds in the room, just the gentle, in sync breathing rhythm of the mobiles as Tall Lady Sam reads what Tall Civilian Daniel has handed her. Her voice sounds strange as she thanks each of her friends. I am confused as she mumbles 'sorry' and leaves the room in a hurry.

"Ya made her cry, Daniel. Jeeze, what the hell did you write in the card?" Tall Military Jack's tone is one of anger, but he slides his warm tush along my edge until he is next to Tall Civilian Daniel.

"The truth, Jack. I told her the truth. Sometimes it's nice to know what people think about you. Not to take for granted that they understand what you feel about them."

I am not a fine piece of furniture, but even as a table, I can feel an undercurrent of unhappiness in Tall Civilian Daniel's voice.

"I told her how much she means to us. To me, you and Teal'c. How supportive she is and how much we need her in our lives...because of what she brings to it. And I didn't mean when we go on missions, Jack. I talked about her part in our lives as our friend and family and how she's enriched it. How important she is..."

"You're important to me, Daniel."

"I'm a linguist...that's what I do. Words mean a lot to me. More than they mean to you."

"What do you want me to say?"

"You don't get it Jack, do you? If *I* have to put the words in your mouth, then they're meaningless."

"I thought you knew," Tall Military Jack says with a frown.

Tall Civilian Daniel hangs his head in resignation. "Knowing and hearing are two different things."

Tall Military Jack moves closer to Daniel...now there isn't even room between the two of them for a piece of my color coordinated covering to fit between them. His hand leaves my surface and moves to touch the bottom covering of Tall Civilian Daniel. Civilian Daniel's squirming at this contact is messing my own covering even further.

Maybe this behavior is what Tall Alien Teal'c refers to when he states these two men are like children. There is mumbling and laughter now, happiness has returned to this room and I am glad. Tall Civilian Daniel talks about cameras and he is answered by a request to go home where there aren't any.

They leave and I am upset that no one has seen fit to clean me up. When I was injured, I was swiftly taken care of. Projectile holes can be repaired but what about food stuff on my surface? I am confused that the mobiles are content to leave me like this.

Voices and footsteps...and Small Lady Janet and Tall Lady Sam enter.

"Just like men...leaving us with the mess to clean up."

I am but a table but I grimace when this cloth covering is ripped from my surface. Before long I am scrubbed, shined, polished, and soon there is not a trace of food stuff or covering on my surface. I am, I believe, naked as the mobiles call it. Without covering. As much as I enjoyed the color coordinated covering, I am quite content without it.

"Ready to leave, Janet?"

"Cassie's spending the night at a friend's house. We'll drop her off on the way home. Spend the night?" There is a quality to Small Lady Janet's voice that I cannot identify, but I heard it in Tall Military Jack's voice in this room when he spoke to my friend, Daniel before they left.

Again there is mumbling and more talk about these cameras. About going to a place where there are none. With laughter ringing in the air, my two lady friends depart and I am bathed in only the light from the screens on those other tables at the other end of the room.

I am only a table, but I am not snob. I do not consider myself above the other tables in this home of the mobile and I share my secrets with no one. I shall not gossip.