Here as promised...a new story for you to enjoy!
Category: Action/Adventure, Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Romance.
Warnings: Violence.
Pairings: Jack/Sam.
Season: 5
Spoilers: Beneath the Surface, Rules of Engagement.
Summary: On a distant planet, a civil war takes its toll on the members of SG-1. But who is it you can really trust? And can you trust your own memories?
Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate SG-1. I wish I did, 'cause Jack & Sam would be together long before now!
DISTANT MEMORIES.
by Lingren.
Chapter 1
SG-1 were gathered at the bottom of the ramp in the gate room waiting for the computer to dial up the planet's address for the latest scheduled mission. The plan was to make contact with the inhabitants of the planet who were supposedly as technically advanced as Earth was. It had been arranged that they were to be met on the other side by a group of armed soldiers who were to escort them through what could well be a hazardous area, and to take them to see the officials representing that world's Government.
Jack and Daniel were idling away the wait by discussing Jack's ability to recall details, or lack of it.
"There is absolutely nothing wrong with my memory Daniel," Jack insisted.
"Is that so?" Daniel answered laughing. "C'mon Jack. It's a well known fact you can't remember half of what we put into our reports."
"Well, maybe that's cos I don't read them in the first place, Dr. Genius Jackson. It has nothing whatsoever to do with my 'forgetting' anything!" Jack retaliated with a smug smile which faded as soon as Daniel's eyes lit up with a triumphant gleam.
"So you...em...finally admit you don't actually...er...read anything of what we put into our reports," Daniel crowed in arrogant satisfaction.
Jack glared at him, knowing Daniel had somehow well and truly gotten one over on him.
"I do...sometimes," Jack countered hesitantly. "Just...not all of 'em."
Major Sam Carter sniggered and her CO shot her a warning frown.
"And all of which goes to prove it's not an actual memory problem," Jack added gleefully, stroking little quotes into the air with his fingers to emphasise the word - memory.
"Okay! Then, what's the designation of the planet we're about to step onto?" Daniel grinned, daring him to recite it, knowing full well that Jack wouldn't be able to.
Jack knew he was beaten. He never could remember the damn combination of letters and numbers that made up any of the planets' destination codes.
"PZ8...um...9...72?" he said hopefully, and saw a slight shake of the head from Sam out of the corner of his eye, and sighed. "Ah...whatever," he uttered with exasperation. "We're goin' somewhere that has to do with... 'Bananas'!" Jack announced proudly as he clicked his fingers, knowing he was right.
Sam burst out laughing, almost doubling over in stitches. Colonel Jack O'Neill, had that effect on her when he mispronounced names, whether intentionally or not, but this time he'd excelled himself.
Teal'c who was standing passively to one side, his hand firmly grasping the shaft of his staff weapon in preparation for embarkation, was listening intently to the argument, and merely raised a lofty eyebrow at this puzzling definition. Sometimes he thought he understood the Tau'ri and at others was still totally perplexed.
"See! See! I was right! You can't remember!" Daniel laughed joyfully, practically jumping up and down waving his arms around. "I knew you'd never remember it! And it's Ban Danara we're gating to Jack." Daniel reminded him, shaking his head in resignation. "It's got nothing to do with...bananas?"
"I was close," Jack shrugged. "Daniel, you know darn well I never remember any of those crazy codes anyway, but that doesn't mean to say I don't remember other more important things. You..." he said, poking an accusing finger at Daniel's chest. "...You never remember to pack spare rounds of ammunition unless I remind you. You just never know what's out there Daniel. Danger could be but a step away," Jack dramatically waved a nonchalant hand at the spinning gate, before returning it to rest on the breech of his P-90. "Well, have you?"
"Have I what?" asked Daniel, his face wrinkled in puzzlement.
"Packed any extra ammunition?" Jack sighed patiently. "Have you forgotten what we were talking about already?" he asked, drawing imaginary speech marks in the air again to emphasise his message. He held an amused twinkle in his dark eyes as he grinned at Sam.
Daniel at least had the grace to look a little sheepish and Jack picked up on that, laughing softly to himself. He beckoned to an SF who then passed him a small package from the floor beside the wall and Jack handed it to Daniel who slipped it embarrassingly into one of the pockets in his vest.
"Seems I'm not the only one around here who needs to be reminded of things occasionally. The really important things I remember perfectly well Danny boy. I just don't bother filling my head with useless facts. I have enough to do to watch you like a hawk in case you decide to wander off and get yourself, and us, into trouble. And to remind you what it is we actually do around here. We're not here just to play at archaeological studies every time we step through that." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder indicating the Stargate. "This is technically a war zone Daniel as you know full well!"
Before Daniel could think of a suitable reply to the unwarranted lecture from his friend, another voice interrupted their little debate.
General Hammond had been standing in the control room listening to his best team bantering back and forth; a smile playing on his lips. It was great to see them in such good spirits. With four such diverse characters in one team, the cohesion within it seemed to work like magic. They were unique among the other teams, but it was more than that; they were family, and Hammond was justifiably proud of their achievements.
"Everything all right down there Colonel?"
Jack swung round to face his CO.
"Yes sir. We're fine. Rarin' t' go sir. Just say the word General!" he answered with zeal.
General Hammond couldn't help but grin. Jack was in full flow today and he vaguely wondered what sort of scrapes his premier team would get themselves into today because of it. It was a well known fact that sometimes it was Jack's mouth that got them into trouble in the first place. Though to be perfectly honest, he always managed to get them home again despite the odds. He was a good leader, and deserved his place as 2IC of the SGC, even if he was sometimes impossible and irreverent, and even insubordinate on occasions as well as being an infuriating smart ass, but he was also passionately loyal too. Hammond knew there was no-one else he would rather have as his right-hand man.
The wormhole exploded into life and Hammond called out to them below.
"SG-1, you have a go. You have 3 days Colonel. Good luck out there people. God speed!"
"Thank you sir," Jack said, snapping off a quick salute. "Ready kids?" he asked just before he dashed up the ramp and leapt into the shimmering event horizon.
They moved as one and followed their intrepid CO into the unknown.
TBC
