Title: Barista 6- Colonel Jack
Season: 1
Category: Drabble
Spoilers: 113 Hathor

This vignette is dedicated to my wonderful beta-reader Kath. Thanks Girl!

06- Colonel Jack

Barista life isn't all that glamorous in case you were wondering. As I might have mentioned earlier, customer service jobs kinda suck. Don't get me wrong- I do like people.. it's just tough to listen to the same inane comments day in and day out. "Gorgeous day isn't it?" "Think this snow will ever stop?" Maybe that's why I like Daniel so much; he talks about original stuff.

Daniel had actually come to say hi (wasn't allowed to drink coffee yet) a few days after Colonel Jack and company picked him up. He looked MUCH better. I found myself blushing six ways to Sunday as he thanked me again and again for keeping my head and calling Jack rather than a loony bin.

"Is there anything I can do to repay you Kira?" He asked earnestly giving me a look that left me fumbling around for a stool to sit on. Whoa. What I wouldn't give to be on the receiving end of that look in other ahem circumstances. He can't be more than 8-10 years older than me after all.

I'm awfully glad Daniel didn't offer to give me money as a means of saying thanks. I mean- hell, of COURSE I need money, but money should come from services of some kind. Helping out a friend is not a service. And yep- Dr. Daniel Jackson is most definitely a friend.

"How about if you proof read my next major Antiquities paper?" I ask. Daniel beamed and said he'd be happy too.

The next few weeks passed by rather quickly, what with my working on a 25-page critique of The Roman Period under Herod and all. Daniel came in at least once a week and we chatted when we could. I had gotten much better at being able to anticipate his order at a glance. Rushing in the door? Grande drip coffee. 6 am arrival with lots of yawning? Triple tall Americano. 9 am arrival wearing freshly laundered clothes? Double tall latte or mocha; depending on sweet tooth level. Breves were reserved for those occasions when he felt he needed calories as much as caffeine.

Last week he had come in with a distinct TAN of all things. I had seen him less than a week before and he hadn't mentioned going anyplace sunny. The tan was quite out of place and I kidded him about using sunlamps.

Which brings us to today. I had opened the store like usual at 6 am and was a little disappointed not to be greeted by my favorite archaeologist. Two more hours go by and just as I am about to take a break, who should walk through the door? Tall cute guy himself- Colonel Jack. He was dressed in faded blue jeans that REALLY hugged his a.. form quite nicely. A long-sleeve pullover was on top and a leather jacket finished the ensemble. I stand by my original assessment- the Colonel is yummy.

"I'll take this guy," I tell my coworker Stephan as I retie my apron and head back to the counter.

"Ah man! How come you always get the cute ones?" Stephan pouts. The fact that Colonel Jack screamed "I am a heterosexual" doesn't seem to bother Stephan in the slightest.

"Hey Colonel Jack!" Geesh. There I go sounding like an enthusiastic 10 year old again.

"Kira." He says giving me a warm smile. "How about if you call me Jack?" I'm certain he isn't embarrassed about being called Colonel, but maybe you're only allowed to call him that if you are in the military. After all, I had never heard Daniel call him anything but Jack.

"Fair enough," I answer with another smile. "What brings you to this part of town Jack?"

"Heading over to see Daniel actually." He is still giving me a slight smile but his eyes aren't happy at all. Eyes. Man he has gorgeous eyes. Deep chestnut brown... Kira! Snap out of it.

"Daniel ok?" Once again I'm worried for accident-prone archaeologist. Jack fidgets slightly and shrugs. "He had a rough couple of days earlier this week and I thought one of your espresso concoctions might cheer him up."

"Needing comfort drink?" I ask.

"Definitely," Jack confirms with a nod. I think for a moment.

"Has he been eating well?" Jack gives me a very perplexed look.

"When Daniel is upset or working too hard, he tends to not eat very well. On those days I usually whip him up a breve." Seeing the confused look on Jack's face I continue. "A breve is like a latte but made with half and half."

"Does Daniel really like these?" Jack asks incredulously.

"Oh yeah," I nod. "They're rich and thick and quite tasty. We can put some nutmeg and cinnamon on top as well. A little girly perhaps, but he'll love it."

"I don't think Daniel would be too keen on a "girly" drink at the moment." Jack says grimly. Ah. He must have had a bad break up with a woman. Strange. He never mentioned a woman to me. But then again, it's not like we're best of friends or anything.

"She dump him or he dumped her?" I ask. Jack just shakes his head.

"Observant young woman aren't you?" He says running a hand through his cropped hair. I beam. Yep.

"It was pretty mutual actually," Jack says unconsciously tensing his body and pressing a hand to his stomach. If I didn't know better, I'd say both he AND Daniel had a thing with this woman. "It ended abruptly."

"A real man-eater was she?" I say conversationally. Jack snorts as he tries to stop a burst of laughter. "Kira, you have no idea!" He continues to shake his head as he gives me a funny look. I sure get strange looks from these Cheyenne folks.

"How about two large cups of regular drip coffee?" Jack finally decides.

"We just made a fresh pot," I tell him, turning around to pour the coffee.

I put both coffees in a four-cup carrier and set a small bag of chocolate covered espresso beans in the third slot.

"What's this?" Jack asks, as I ring up the coffees.

"Chocolate covered espresso beans. Daniel occasionally buys them." I let out a small chuckle. "He says it helps keep a friend of his from chocolate withdrawal when traveling." Jack smiles and I'm pretty certain I heard the word 'Carter' under his breath.

"This is great - thanks." I ring up both coffees and Jack frowns as he pulls out a $10 bill.

"You sure you got everything there," he asks looking at the register amount.

"I just charged you for the coffees," I explain, counting back change. "Tell Daniel the beans are from me, and that he shouldn't dwell on that Siren* of a woman"

"Siren huh?" Jack says, shaking his head again.

"Yup. There are lots of women out there who just want to capture a man's heart, use him and then toss him aside. Daniel is definitely a guy who deserves better."

"That he is," Jack agrees with a nod. "Thanks Kira." He drops several dollars in the tip jar just and turns to leave.

"You're welcome Colonel Jack." He isn't so far that I can't hear him muttering under his breath.

"For crying out loud, can't anyone just call me Jack?"

*Siren , in Greek mythology, one of three sea nymphs, usually represented with the head of a woman and the body of a bird. Daughters of Phorcus or of Achelous, the Sirens inhabited an island surrounded by dangerous rocks. They sang so enchantingly that all who heard were drawn near and shipwrecked.