-1Note: I realized how short my chapter actually are, I'll try to make 'em longer.
"Quite the public place. Making a show?"
Daniel laughed. "No, but seeing as you only have fifteen minutes off, this was the closest place to get something to eat. Before you get called away. We wouldn't have gotten halfway to my car before you would be called back for some reason or another. We need time to talk."
She smiled. "Probably true."
A siren wailed on the speakers, and he could hear Walter declare over them. "Unscheduled off world activation."
It was strange how used to that someone could become. How many times had this happened, daily? Just as he was beginning to tune out the sound, another announcement blared.
"Med team to the gate room, repeat medical team to the gate."
Surprised, Janet immediately got up from her seat. "Well, I guess I have to go."
Curse the blasted sirens that took her away from him. Of course, he wasn't left alone for long. His once near-empty table was soon occupied by a very curious Jack O'neill.
Taking his eyes away from the door, Daniel turned a quickly formed blank expression towards him. "Hey Jack."
"Daniel." He gave him a strange look. "Was that a date?"
He buried his face in his hands, and though Daniel was making quite the show of being annoyed, and in part he was, behind his hands, he was smiling. Part of him begged to look up and say, 'Yes Jack, it was.' It didn't win the internal struggle. Daniel didn't say anything, and eventually Jack had no choice but to leave the silent Daniel alone.
"Well, what did you he say?" She had been meaning to go find out what the medical problem was, but the sirens had stopped, so she assumed it couldn't be too disastrous. Carter of course, could not let go of the opportunity it had presented. Yes, she had convinced the Colonel to go talk to Daniel, but she knew he was just as curious as her. He had been over there for some time, and she was eager to know.
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Nothing Carter."
"Nothing?" She sounded surprised.
Teal'c's face bounced back and forth between them, as did the pointless conversation.
"Yes. Absolutely nothing. Except for, 'Hey Jack.' And even that wasn't much."
"Well, I'm going to the infirmary to talk to Janet." She wanted answers. Janet should have mentioned this!
"I don't think so Major." The table was surprised as they noticed Walter was standing beside them. "General Hammond wants SG-1 in the briefing room."
"Why?"
"SG-8 came back hot, and you have to go back for Lt. Miller."
----------------------------
"They what sir?"
SG-1 sat around the infamous table, Hammond at its head with Dr. Fraiser next to them. She had attended to explain the medical situation which the rest of SG-8 were in. None of them were near death, but it wasn't exactly good news.
"Under the circumstances, it was all they could do Colonel."
"Leaving someone behind to save your own ass is not the right thing."
No one gets left behind had always been a big thing about Jack. In fact, in alien situations, around aliens, whenever one of them got lost, he would shove it in their faces. The rest of the team assumed that since it was SGC personnel that did the leaving, it was a personal insult.
"They had no choice, and at the moment I am inclined to forgive them for what they did. All of them would have died, and Lt. Miller knew perfectly well what was happening." Hammond explained.
Jack held back his next retort, wanting Hammond to finish so they could head after the lost soldier.
Nodding, knowing Jack managed to hold himself back, the General continued with the briefing.
"According to SG-8, the Jaffa are from Baal." The table stirred but no one spoke. "Whatever they are there for it isn't important enough that he needs to be there. Your mission will be short and simple. Go through the gate, locate Lt. Miller and bring him back. Unless forced, under no condition are you to engage the enemy."
As the briefing wrapped up, Hammond told them they would be heading out in an hour. Nodding, they headed to get their gear. But as they headed for the door, Daniel was held back by Janet. Sam slowed down, curious to know what was about to happen, but Jack grabbed her arm and practically dragged her out of the room.
"You had better be careful Daniel, I don't want you in the infirmary looking anything like SG-8. You had better be good and stay out of trouble."
He smiled down at her. She looked so- he hated to think of her in such childish way, but she looked so cute.
"Yes Doc, I promise." He hugged her and kissed the top of her head before quickly heading out.
"Cough, cough." Jack looked over from his locker as Daniel finally entered.
Daniel ignored their stares, and immediately began to put on his gear. But they were not to be put off, and Carter took a more direct approach. Securing her vest, she walked over to stand behind Daniel.
"So," her tone became teasing. "How was your lunch, we didn't see you after the briefing."
"Oh? I was under the impression you had seen me." He was of course, referring to Jack.
Sam frowned. Why was he acting so stubborn on releasing information about him and Janet? It was obvious they weren't trying to hide it, or had the lunch, and the little talk after the briefing just been coincidences? But if they had, why had Daniel not spoken to Jack during lunch? And she was pretty sure Janet had waited for them to leave to speak with Daniel. These doubts caused silence. Which allowed Daniel to get off scot-free, and move on before she could ask more questions.
Teal'c didn't quite understand what the fuss was. Why humans took such an interest in others personal lives was beyond him. What if Daniel Jackson and Janet Fraiser were spending time with one another? It didn't make sense. O'neill and Major Carter's continuous prodding and questioning was strange. If he did not want to share his life with them, why should they keep asking? Some things, he would never understand. Besides, Daniel Jackson was doing a good job of throwing them off his trail. Where his acting talent came from, he had no idea. Normally his emotions were plain on his face.
Jaffa were not guarding the gate according the MALP, but apparently the fresh tracks indicated frequent patrols. They had to leave quickly and get out of sight before one went by. It was nighttime on the planet, so all of them wore night vision goggles. It took Daniel a moment to adjust to them, and Teal'c kept moving around his head to take in the different hued environment. They were away from the gate and headed for cover, so far so good. Of course, anything good never lasted long. Especially on SG-1 missions.
