Three Steps Behind
by
Jynjyr
A Stargate: SG-1 story
Disclaimer: These characters don't belong to me. They just invade my brain, play games with my mind and compel me to put their adventures on paper.
The Stargate universe and all of its characters belong to MGM/UA, Double Secret, Stargate Productions and Gekko Film Corporation. No copyright infringement is intended.
Thank you for letting me play in your universe.
Title: Three Steps Behind
Author: Jynjyr
Spoilers: None –minor mention of a couple of episodes
Season: Any up to season 5 (Meridian)
Rating: M
Warning: Romance (J/S), Angst, Character Death
Thanks to my Beta-reader, Norlioness. Many thanks to Dr. Mike Saridakis for information on electric shock, seizure medications and strokes. Any mistakes are mine alone.
Something you liked? Something you didn't like? Please e-mail me with any comments.
Three Steps Behind
"Hey, watcha doin?" Jack asked Sam as he leaned on the half wall between the kitchen and the living room, something cupped between his hands on the shelf.
"Watching a program about the possibility of life on other planets. It's just starting. Do you want to watch it with me?" She gestured to the other end of the couch.
"Nah. They're gonna get it wrong anyway." He started shifting his hands around; trying to keep contained whatever he had trapped between his fingers.
"What do you have there?" Sam twisted around to look up at Jack.
"I found it on the deck." He laced his fingers together, creating a little dome to cover his prize.
"What?" She got to her knees and tried to see what "it" was.
"A snake." With one quick move, he grasped the reptile gently by the back of the neck and held it up for the woman to see. "But it's a good snake. I don't want to hurt the good snakes, just the bad snakes."
The eight inch long creature twined its body around his wrist and sat quietly, tasting the air with it's flickering tongue. "See, it likes me."
"Yes, Jack. It's very nice." Sam reached over to run her finger along its side. "It's called a garter snake or a garden snake."
He looked at the gray and yellow body wrapped around his wrist, then over to the woman in front of him. "I gotta put it back outside, don't I?"
She nodded. "It really belongs in the garden with the rest of its family. It won't be happy in the house."
Jack reluctantly turned around and took the snake back outside. Sam could hear him through the screen door. "OK, little guy. Here's a nice place in the plants. Go on back home."
When he didn't come back right away, she turned her attention to the TV show. About twenty minutes later, she could hear the scrape of the wooden chair as it was tipped over to keep dew off the seat.
He came in and without thinking, she called out, "Don't forget to wash your hands."
About thirty seconds later, Sam had one highly irate Colonel standing in front of her.
Jack planted his hands on his hips and glared down at the seated woman. "I know I was never the sharpest tack in the box. And I know that most times right now I don't do so good. But you don't have to treat me like a little kid."
He stalked off before she could take a breath to speak.
"I'm going to bed," he yelled over his shoulder. "After I wash my hands." One final parting shot echoed down the hall before the resounding door slam. "OK? MOM!"
A single tear escaped as Sam squeezed her burning eyes shut. The very last thing she intended to do was make Jack feel like a kid. She desperately wanted the 'before' Jack back. The in charge, always sure of himself, highly competent Colonel who was her commander … before. Before he got his brain scrambled by the zat.
She sniffled and wiped her eyes with the hem of her tee shirt as she approached his room. She knew she had to apologize, for her own peace of mind as well as his.
"Sir?" she called softly, knocking on the closed bedroom door.
"Go away." The closet door slammed. "I'm perfectly capable of putting myself to bed. I don't need your help."
"Sir, please." She leaned her head against the cool wood.
The door swung open so quickly she stumbled a few steps into the room before catching her balance.
Still furious, Jack walked over to the side of the bed. He snapped to attention and barked, "Ready for inspection, Ma'am. Face and hands washed, teeth brushed. You going to check that I put my jammies on correctly, Ma'am?"
Every word pounded into Sam like a bullet, the final "Ma'am" the coup de grace that sent her to her knees. She'd stood up to unknown numbers of Goa'uld and figuratively spit in their faces, but couldn't look into the Colonel's hurt and angry eyes to apologize.
Huddled on the floor, trying desperately to keep from bawling like a child, Sam couldn't see Jack break from 'Attention' and begin to fidget, embarrassed by his own hostility.
Bare feet stopped at the edge of Sam's vision and she heard a distinct "pop" and a quiet hiss of pain as he squatted down in front of her. Fingers touched her shoulder for a second, and then drew back. "Carter, are you OK?"
Those four quiet words did more to undermine her control than the whole barrage that came before. She sat back on her heels and looked him squarely in the eyes, letting the tears rolled unnoticed down her face. "No, Sir. No, I'm not OK. I haven't been "OK" for months, one of these days I might be "OK" again, but right now I'm not."
A familiar expression settled on Jack's face. "What?" he asked, starting to smile.
Man, I love it when he smiles. "I'm sorry, Sir. I never meant to hurt you again." Rubbing the heels of her hands over her eyes, Sam glanced at the still pink scars of the zat burn that tracked through Jack's hair. "God knows I'm responsible for enough damage to start with."
"Carter, stop it." Jack said in his "that's an order" voice. "Nobody blames you, least of all me."
"But, Sir, if you hadn't stopped to cover my six, the Jaffa wouldn't have caught you. And," she hesitated and gestured toward the scars, "That…would have never happened."
"Right, I wouldn't have been captured. You would. And that would have been better, how?" He shook his head. "Nope, no more discussion on the subject."
They held their positions for a moment longer until Jack grimaced and gestured for her to get up.
Sam unfolded and stood up smoothly. Taking his still outstretched hand, she pulled him upright, wincing at the "crack" from his knee.
"Thank you, that conversation was killing me." He gently squeezed her hand between both of his, "Thanks for everything, Sam."
As he let go they both became aware that Jack's "jammies" consisted of only gym shorts.
Flustered and suddenly very warm, Sam half turned toward the door. Their words ran over each other.
"I think I'm going to go back …"
"Your "life on other planets" thingy is still on…"
She hesitated for a second in the doorway, then kept on walking down the hall. "Good night, Jack"
"Good night, Sam." As the door clicked quietly shut, she could hear, "Sleep tight."
"Don't let the bedbugs bite," she whispered. She couldn't help it as the tears started leaking again. For a little while, he was 'before' Jack. The commander and man she admired. Hell, Samantha, admit it to yourself at least. The man you love, OK. The man you can't have.
Sam flopped down in the big chair in the living room. Leaning back into the cushions, she let them wrap around her. Wrap around her like she wanted his arms wrapped around her. Inhaling deeply, the woman realized why she slept in this chair most of the time. It smelled like him. Jack's soap, after-shave, natural scent, whatever permeated the fabric. She smiled and snuggled a little deeper.
Lord, she was glad that Daniel's rotation started the day after tomorrow. It was difficult to choose which was harder. Seeing Jack with a baby's mind when he was just starting to sort out his scrambled knowledge and memories, or now when he had rare flashes of the man he used to be mixed with the young boy the sorting process had reached. Eleven months. Eleven months to go from infant to 6 - 7 year old. Janet said he'd start to advance faster as time went on. Right, faster. There are 40-something years of information to re-organize. How "fast" can it be? She closed her eyes and re-lived that disastrous day again.
P3N-582. Nice peaceful planet. Enough naquida to make it interesting, enough trinium to make it very interesting and a gate address from the Ancient's database to make it Goa'uld-free. What more could they ask for.
The Stargate stood at the end of a fan shaped valley that was bordered by a band of trees in front of sharply rising cliffs. The meadow SG-1 was walking through had grass almost knee high. While this made for a nice vista, it was a pain to push through. It was just coarse enough that, when it tangled around itself, it could snare an unwary ankle. All of them had been caught at one time or another during their five-mile trek back to the gate.
It was late afternoon and they were about a mile from the Stargate and home when a Tel'tak buzzed overhead. They hit the deck and found what little cover they could in the wide-open meadow.
"Do you think they spotted us, Jack?" Daniel asked as he tried to squirm under the spiny little shrub next to him without getting too pierced by thorns.
The Colonel looked back over his shoulder at the trampled grass that marked their path.
"If they didn't see us, they'll for sure see our trail. Split up and let's head for the trees over there," he ordered pointing toward the cliff that was about a quarter mile away. "Carter, do you see the ship?"
Major Carter was twisted around, trying to scan the sky with her binoculars. "Not yet, Sir. Maybe they were moving too fast to spot us."
Teal'c blew that faint hope out of the water. "To your right, Major Carter."
The Tel'tak grew from a pinpoint to a familiar shape as it made a leisurely sweep around the meadow and landed between SG-1 and the Stargate.
"Oh, Crap!" Jack's heartfelt curse said it all. "They'll have patrols out in a minute. Head for the trees. Teal'c, break trail."
Teal'c led the way, trampling down the grass. Daniel, Carter and finally Jack, who kept his eyes on the ship the whole way, reached the trees.
"That way, quick." The Colonel pointed with his P90.
As they started out, Daniel observed, 'But that's away from the Gate, Jack."
"I know Daniel, just keep moving. I'm hoping the Jaffa are expecting us to head for the Gate. This should buy us some time." They broke into the narrow clear space between the trees and the cliffs. Jack crowded onto Daniel's heels as he tried to push them farther away from their all too obvious entry point.
Half a mile later, Teal'c spotted an overhung pocket in the cliff face. "O'Neill," he said, swinging his staff toward the indent.
Squeezing four people into the small space was a challenge, but in short order they were all under cover. Teal'c kept watch while the others caught their breath and had a drink of water.
"OK, kids. Sunset will be in about three hours. That should make it easier to get to the Gate without being spotted." Jack edged his way out from under the low roof. "I'm going out to the tree line to see what our buddies are up to. In fifteen minutes, go up the valley to another piece of cover. If we have to, we'll do Hide-n-Seek with the Jaffa until we make our move."
Teal'c asked, "Major Carter, how does one execute this "Hide and Seek" maneuver?"
Sam pursed her lips; "Hide-n-Seek isn't really a military maneuver. It's a child's game. One person is "It" and has to close their eyes and count to 100 while everyone else hides. Then the person who's "It" has to find everyone. In this case though, we hide and those Jaffa seek to find us."
Before Teal'c could make a comment, a heavy black shadow rolled over their location and continued on.
"Sir, did you see that?" Carter was on the radio within seconds.
"The ship just left. Buzzed out of here like its butt was on fire. Hold on."
The other three exchanged confused looks.
"Looks like thirty Jaffa are sweeping up the valley. By the time they get to us, they'll be spaced out pretty far. We should be able to slip between them. Once they get past, we can head for the Gate. There's eight, uh ten, by the DHD." The radio clicked off and then on. "Don't shoot, I'm coming back."
Sam glanced at her companions. "It's worth a try."
Daniel was peering intently at the ceiling. "Sam, look at this."
She looked up at the rock face above his head. "Look at what? It's rock."
"No, from here." He scooted out of the way as Sam slid into his space.
"Well, I'll be dipped." She got her feet under herself and stood, the upper half of her body disappearing into the rock. The beam from her flashlight danced around for a few seconds. Then her feet vanished as she began climbing. "It's a chimney crack."
O'Neill ducked in and scanned the small space. "We've got to find a bigger place to hide. Let's move out," he paused, "Where's Carter?"
He jerked back as she dropped out of nowhere in front of him. "Nice trick!" he said admiringly.
"There's a chimney here that's long enough for all of us to climb, Sir. It's invisible unless you look directly up at it," she said, brushing loose dirt off her hands. "Pretty good hand and foot holds, too."
"Sounds like a plan to me, Carter. Those Jaffa are about ten minutes from making our position."
Daniel twisted around to stare up into the crack in dismay. "You want us to climb up that?"
"Oh, for crying out loud," Jack grumbled, trying to think of something familiar to an archeologist. "You've climbed around pyramids. Think of it as a vertical shaft, only lots rougher."
"I get a safety line in a pyramid," Daniel muttered, unsnapping his pack and digging for his gloves.
"Teal'c, you've done this before, yes?"
He never stopped scanning the woods and sky. "Indeed. Climbing skills are part of a young Jaffa's training."
"Carter, you're first. Then Daniel, Teal'c and me."
Major Carter quickly scrambled up as far as she could go. "Secure," she called back down.
Daniel wasn't quite as smooth a climber, but got to his place in short order. "All set. Ow, dammit. Sorry."
A couple of pebbles dropped on Teal'c who was getting in position. He handed his staff to O'Neill and smoothly ascended to his space. "I am secure."
Jack stretched up and passed Teal'c the staff weapon. The chimney wasn't quite as long as Carter thought. Jack's feet weren't far from the opening when he ran into Teal'c's boots. There was no time to shift anyone higher, though. He could just hear voices coming through the woods.
"OK, kids. Here we go. And, for God's sake Daniel, don't sneeze."
No sooner had the words left Jack's mouth than there was a muffled nasal explosion from above. "Sorry, won't happen again."
They held their locations for another twenty minutes after the searchers' voices passed.
Jack dropped and rolled out of the way for the others to exit. Holding one position for that long made his bad knee lock up and he had to force it back into working order.
Teal'c descended with one smooth motion. He caught his weapon that Daniel dropped and resumed his watch for enemies.
A shower of pebbles and another muffled sneeze heralded Daniel's appearance. "I much prefer pyramids," he said, crawling over by Jack and flopping down.
Sam tumbled out and landed sprawled face down across the two men's laps.
"Carter, are you OK?" Jack questioned as he pulled his arm out from under his 2iC.
The major made a quick risk assessment on where she could put her hands. "Excuse me, Sir," she said. Planting one hand on his upper thigh and one just below his knee, she pushed herself backwards.
"Ghaaa, Carter!" Jack half yelled as he doubled over protectively. "Give a guy some warning, would ya?"
Sam's face got red as she grimaced and apologized. "I'm sorry, Colonel. I didn't realize. I didn't hurt … anything … did I?"
He leaned back against the wall, blowing out the air he'd gulped. "No, just my leg. Thank you."
Mumbling another hasty, "Sorry, Sir," she joined Teal'c on watch.
Daniel's shoulders were shaking with poorly suppressed laughter. "Are you going to have Janet look at that when we get back?" he asked innocently.
The other man started laughing as well. "I don't think so. Now, let's get out. We've got to make tracks."
Less than half an hour later they reached the end of the trees. That left them fifty feet of clear space before the next cover.
With his spy scope, Jack studied the contingent of Jaffa guarding the Gate. A pretty slipshod group as far as he could see. Most of them were lounging on the ground talking and playing dice. Only two of them had the same tattoo and it looked like there were a few boys who didn't even have weapons. He squirmed back to the rest of the team. Handing the scope to Teal'c, he said, "Check them out, T. Does that look like regular troops to you?"
When he came back, Teal'c confirmed the Colonel's assessment. "They are not, O'Neill. They may be outcasts, deserters. Rebels would be maintaining discipline."
"So that means, what?" Jack asked. "That all they've got is the Tel'tak and what troops are on the ground?"
"Indeed. When we overcome these vermin, they will be unable to obtain reinforcements before we can leave through the Stargate."
"Sweet." O'Neill nodded appreciatively. "First though, we have to get from here," he said, patting the ground, "to there." He pointed to the next stand of trees.
Carter and Daniel had both been watching the Jaffa at the DHD. "I think all we need to do is run for it, Sir."
Before Jack could ask for more details, Daniel chimed in. "There are only two on patrol. They're together, walking a pretty regular path. We should be able to time it for when their backs are to us."
"You're sure you've got the pattern?" the Colonel asked them both. When they nodded, he said, "Teal'c, Daniel you go first. Keep it quiet, get inside the trees and lay low. Carter and I'll watch your backs."
Daniel kept his eyes glued to the sentries. As soon as they made their turn, he and Teal'c sprinted across the clearing, reaching the trees just as the Jaffa started walking back toward SG-1.
"Any time you're ready, folks. We got you covered," Daniel's voice whispered from the radio.
Carter's foot slipped on takeoff. She was a few feet behind Jack and he turned back to grab her arm and fling her ahead. Unfortunately, they were all so focused on the people by the DHD, no one noticed the boy coming back from answering a call of nature.
O'Neill was three steps behind Carter and safety when the kid hit him with a tackle a professional football player would envy. They flew twelve feet away before they hit the ground and instantly started wrestling for control of the P90. None of the team could take the chance of shooting the young Jaffa because the two combatants were moving around too much to take aim.
The Jaffa commander had no such scruples. As he and the others came running over, he pulled his zat and shot them both. They were half dragged over near the DHD and dropped. The Colonel's weapons were confiscated and two men stood guard over him with their staffs charged and ready to fire. This was the only fact that kept the rest of SG-1 from launching an immediate assault. Since no one was ordered into the woods to search, they cautiously moved closer to the enemy.
The boy recovered quickly and reported seeing one other Taur'i run into the woods. The commander, with unconscionable arrogance, dismissed the possibility of trouble and walked over to question his captive.
Jack hadn't moved a muscle since he'd been dropped but, nobody bought his act. He was yanked to his feet and suspended between his guards while the commander interrogated him. They were just getting into the rhythm of question – hit, question – hit, when the Tel'tak buzzed back in to land near the Stargate. Most of the others began running for the ship.
Frustrated, the Jaffa punched Jack one more time, and then grabbed his dog tags, snapping the chain. As he walked behind his captive, he tore all the patches off his jacket. Putting the trophies in the front of his armor, the commander ordered the guards to move away. Before the Colonel could catch his balance, the Jaffa drew his zat and fired point blank at the back of Jack's head. He didn't even stop to look at his victim but joined the headlong dash to the ship, which flew off as soon as he jumped on board.
O'Neill hit the ground, thrashing in the grip of a massive convulsion as the energy charge crackled through his body. The smell of burning hair and skin permeated the air. At the sound of his choking, the rest of SG-1 broke from their stunned immobility.
They had to fight to hold him down before they could help. Finally, Teal'c had to sit on his friend's stomach, pinning his arms to his sides and leaning on his shoulders.
"He's choking on his own tongue, I have to get his mouth open." Sam began to pry frantically at O'Neill's clenched teeth. "Daniel, find something soft to put between his teeth."
Daniel dumped out his pack and rummaged frantically through the mess. "Like what?"
"Anything. Hurry up. Before he… Ow! Dammit!" Sam yelled, her fingers trapped in a bite.
"Here, try this." Daniel slapped a small leather notebook into Sam's free hand and began forcing the other man's jaws open.
Sam pulled her fingers loose and, making sure the Colonel's tongue was being held up, pushed the book as far back as possible between his teeth.
Daniel let go. They heard the spine of the book crack, but Jack's mouth was held partially open. The air wheezed in and out as he began to breathe again.
A few more spasms tore through his body, and then he went totally limp.
Sam smeared her own blood on his neck as she checked for a pulse with her bitten fingers. "Weak, but there," she assured her teammates.
Daniel was already dialing the Gate.