Title: Before and After

Author: Settiai

Disclaimer: "Stargate SG-1" and other related characters are all properties of MGM-UA Worldwide Television, Gekko Film Corp, Glassner/Wright Double Secret Productions, Stargate SG-I Prod. Ltd. Partnership, and other related corporations. No infringement is intended. This story, such as it is, was written as a sign of respect and love for the characters, the show, and their creator. I claim no ownership of the aforementioned show and characters.

Rating: PG

Explanation: This is my story for the SG-1 Team Ficathon on LiveJournal, and it was written for inyron.

Summary: There's more than one way to look at a mission gone wrong.

Feedback: Comments and helpful criticisms are always appreciated.

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Daniel opened his small box of tools as he walked across the clearing, pulling out a small brush as he stopped in front of the ruins that stood in its center. He knelt down in front of a strangely-shaped rock standing right outside the ruins, and -- without any hesitation -- he reached out and brushed around the symbols carved into the stone.

Out of the corner of his eye, Daniel saw Jack making his way toward him. "For crying out loud, Daniel, would it kill you to wait a few seconds before you start touching strange rocks?" the older man grumbled, his gruff tone undermined somewhat by the amused glint in his eyes.

"Artifacts," Daniel corrected him distractedly.

Even though, he couldn't see Jack's face from the angle he was standing at, Daniel knew from experience that the older man was rolling his eyes. "Yeah, yeah… artifacts," Jack muttered. "How long are you going to take?"

"I've only been here two seconds," Daniel said, turning around to shoot his friend a slightly annoyed look. "You can't seriously expect me to know--"

He was cut short as a familiar voice broke in. "Don't worry, Daniel," Sam said, shaking her head as she and Teal'c made their way across the clearing to where Daniel and Jack were. "We're a little head of schedule, so you should have some time to study the ruins before we have to leave."

Jack shot her an irritated look, and Daniel couldn't help but notice that she flinched just a bit at the intensity of his gaze. "Theoretically?" she added in with a weak smile.

Teal'c arched his eyebrow, but he didn't say anything as he watched the exchange -- much to Daniel's amusement. At least one person there had enough sense not to get involved.

"Thanks, Sam," Daniel said gratefully, shaking his head as he turned his attention back to the stone object he had been studying. "At least someone here realizes that--"

Without any warning, Teal'c swung around and brought his staff weapon up in front of him. The sound of it powering up seemed to echo in the stillness of the clearing, and Daniel tore his eyes away from the ruins. Both Jack and Sam pulled out their own guns, and, after a moment's pause, Daniel let the small brush he was holding drop to the ground in order to pull out his own sidearm and stand up.

"Teal'c?" Jack asked tersely, his eyes sweeping over the area.

Teal'c kept his gaze focused on the trees that lined the clearing they stood in. "There is something moving in the forest, O'Neill," he said.

Daniel looked around for several seconds, but he didn't see any movement. "Are you sure?" he asked, glancing over at Teal'c. "I don't see anything."

"I am certain," Teal'c replied.

Shaking his head, Daniel let his gaze focus on the tree line once again. Suddenly he felt something sting his neck. "Ouch!"

Daniel immediately brought his hand up only to feel something small and hard sticking out of his skin. Vaguely aware of both Jack and Sam saying his name, he wrapped his hand around the small object. He pulled it out and brought it up in front of his face, revealing what looked like a small dart with a tiny red feather attached to the end. "What the…"

He didn't get a chance to say anything else as his legs crumbled beneath him and his vision went black.