A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who has given me feedback on chapter 1! I appreciate it so much, seriously. Thank you!! I'm sorry this chapter's taken me a while, life got in the way a bit (it was my birthday!), so I'm sorry, and I hope you like this chapter! Once again, feedback either way would be fantastic and will greatly encourage me (even if it's bad, then I can make it better!).
Chapter 2: In which Daniel has a proposition.
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Major Carter turned to face Colonel O'Neill, a relieved smile playing around her lips.
"So... Dancing?"
"Yes, Carter. Dancing," his lips quirked upwards, his face otherwise unreadable. "C'mon," he took her right hand in his left, stepping closer to her. "Let's do this."
She felt his other hand snake around her side, until it was resting near her shoulder blades. Her breath caught as the movement pulled them closer, their noses mere inches apart. Her eyes flicked up, meeting Jack's dark, intense gaze, his expression serious, for moments that seemed to stretch into eternity. She could feel his breath lightly on her face, drinking in his scent. Their bodies touched lightly, and despite the thick layers of fabric between them she could feel his warmth, his lean frame pressing gently into her. The intimacy of the contact made her breath catch in her throat. A moment later, she felt herself swept away in his arms, twirling and gliding with the cheery music. To her surprise, she found herself following Jack completely, his movements sure and confident, guiding her between the other couples smoothly. An exhilarated giggle escaped her lips.
"Carter!" Jack barked, his breath tickling her ear. "What have I told you about giggling?"
"Sorry, Sir," she grinned at his shoulder. She turned her head slightly inwards, with a sharp intake of breath as she realised just how close she was to the tanned expanse of Jack's neck. More importantly, how close her lips were to it. Boy, it was mouthwatering. She licked her lips slowly. She could see the skin flex with his pulse. And it looked darned good from her perspective... She turned her head further to get a better view. She decided after only a couple of moments that not only was that a bad idea because of the unarguably inappropriate thoughts his neck was spurring in her mind, but also because it was making her rather dizzy. No, staring hungrily at Jack's neck was definitely not a good idea, she thought... Perhaps. The music slowing somewhat, she tilted her head back to face him, her eyes alight and sparkling. "I had no idea you could dance, Sir, and so well?"
As the music ceased, the couple slowed to a stop. Jack took a small step back, not yet releasing her hand, his other coming to rest lightly on her hip. His eyes lowered to the ground, his feet shuffling, before he slowly met her gaze. She may have imagined it, but she thought she noticed his cheeks colour a little more than they had already from the exertion.
"Yes, well... I... You don't think Danny or T saw, do you?" his hand left her body as he gestured around him. His face tipped towards hers conspiratorially, his voice low. "Doesn't exactly fit with the hard-assed Colonel image I've got going, ya know." He drew back, winking exaggeratedly. Sam's hand rose, covering her mouth as she smothered another giggle.
"No, Sir... I think your secret can be safe with me," she reassured him. "Thank you, though, Sir," she continued, her face serious.
"For what?"
"Getting me away from Werran," she frowned. "I know I could've gotten away from him, but I didn't really wanna hurt him, and I just couldn't think of a good enough excuse," she admitted, her eyebrows knitting together.
"I know, Major," Jack assured quietly but firmly, his low voice reverberating through her body. "I have full confidence that you had the situation under control," he said a little firmer, encouraging her. He was rewarded by a shy, accepting smile.
"Thank you, Sir," she smiled sincerely. She doubted he could know just how much a simple affirmation of his trust in her meant to her. Jack shrugged in reply.
"Well, truth is I was bored. Seemed a good excuse to get me out of more unnecessary mingling," he smiled broadly, winking. Sam grinned back; she knew how tedious he found these sorts of events usually, it was definitely more to Daniel's taste. No sooner had thought of the archaeologist crossed her mind, an excited shout smashed into their companionable silence.
"Jack, Sam! Jack!"
Jack's eyes rolled as he turned his face upwards despairingly. He dropped Sam's hand, which he'd almost forgotten he'd been holding; the sudden loss of contact leaving them cold. After a brief shared glance, with maybe a tinge of regret or longing, a shared understanding, barely visible in the eyes of both, the pair turned to face Daniel, quickly bearing down on them. He skidded to a halt beside them, breathing heavily, his glasses skew. Jack stretched out a finger, shunting the glasses back to their proper place, whilst the archaeologist regained his breath. Daniel swatted his hand away, their antics earning a quiet snort from Sam. Two pairs of eyes turned to glare at her briefly, her only response a cheeky smile and a shrug. Daniel shook his head, his arm waving already as he started to speak.
"Jack, I.." he gulped in some more air. "I've just been talking with Kela.. He, ah, was telling me about the village history, they have some fascinating customs, incredible really, I - "
"Yes, Daniel, I'm sure they are." Jack interrupted sarcastically, smiling thinly.
"Sorry, I ah... Yes, um, anyway, I was talking with Kela, and -"
"Told us that already." Jack interrupted again, clearly having fun. Daniel pouted, folding his arms crossly.
"Jack! This is important!"
"Important? How so?" Jack sighed.
"Well, Kela said they have this... ritual, of... The ritual of Cancuchar, yes that's it, and, he'd, well, he's invited you to take part."
"Ritual?" Jack's eyebrows rose practically to his hairline. "Can't I just go fish instead?"
"Jack... All you have to do is place your hands on the stone in the square, and have a blessing, or something... "
"A blessing?!"
Sam snorted again, earning herself a glare from the two men.
"Jack, listen," Daniel pleaded. "I think it's considered a great honour here to take part in this. I think it would prove very good for our relationship with the Caradonians, they may well be insulted if you refuse."
"Well why don't you do it, then?" Jack pouted.
"Because it gives a far better impression coming from our leader, Jack, it... It has to be you."
"Well what if it does something to me? I'm sorry, but when has an alien ritual or placing our hands on seemingly inanimate objects ever gone well for us?" He crossed his arms, satisfied with his objection.
"But Jack... Look. The Caradonian's appear to be very similar in physiology, to us, yes? I mean, they are, basically, humans. And, and they do this ritual, every year, and look! They're fine! See?" Daniel was practically bouncing by this point. Sam smiled at the childlike archaeologist sympathetically, before looking to her sulking CO.
"Sir, I think Daniel's right. If they do this every year, I can't imagine they'd carry on so enthusiastically if it caused any harm. Anyway, I checked out the stone altar, thing, when we got here. It wasn't emitting any discernable energy signatures, there was nothing indicating that it was an active device in anyway. By all accounts, Sir, it is just a large, stone block. I don't see any harm in touching it, if that is all this Cancuchar ritual consists of."
"Thank you, Sam!" Daniel huffed, glaring at Jack. He turned to Sam, smiling. "Actually, Sam, I'm glad you think that - Kela pointed out that the ritual actually is undertaken, by ah, two people. A man and a woman." His smile broadened, as Sam's eyes widened, her mouth opening to protest. Before she could voice any opinion, Jack, grinning broadly, interrupted.
"A woman as well, huh? Well, Carter, seeing as you obviously see no harm in -"
"Well, Sir, I -"
"Ah! No buts!" He waved a finger in her face. "You were trying to convince me to, so I think it's only fair. But, Doctor Jackson, I'd still like to know what it's for. If, and I emphasize, if, I've learnt anything at all from you over the years, these things are never done for no reason. I mean, there's always some purpose or other behind them... Isn't there?" His eyebrows rose questioningly at Daniel, who nodded slowly.
"Well, yes, usually. I did ask Kela about that, actually, and he claimed that the ritual brings, sort of joy, and new life. That was how he put it.. Yes. Joy and new life."
"Well what in hell does that mean?!" Jack cried, flinging his arm upwards in frustration. "They can't ever give you a simple reason, can they!" He huffed. Daniel frowned slightly, hugging his arms around himself.
"I know, I know, but that's maybe because there are no simple reasons, where ritual and tradition are concerned, Jack. If it makes you feel better, I did ask him to clarify, but that's all he would say - it brings joy, and new life."
"Well, maybe new life means they believe it rejuvenates them in some way," Sam suggested, shrugging. "I don't know, like starting over, or something. I mean, we talk about a person's old life, right? And then they change. Maybe even like we have new year resolutions - fresh beginnings, or something. Of course, it could mean literally, like an anti-ageing process, I don't -"
"Carter...," Jack warned. "I swear, if this fiddles me in any way, any way at all, I'll -"
"Sir, I really don't think that's likely," she hastily reassured. "I was just thinking aloud."
"Of course you were," he smiled narrowly.
"No, Jack, I think Sam was right the first time," Daniel pushed on. "I mean, think about it. Joy, and new life. You get a blessing, like an impetus, to turn your life around. A new life, that hopefully should bring you joy - I mean, if your new life didn't bring you joy, why would you bother, right?" He looked hopefully at Jack, blinking quickly in excitement. "And, even if say, it did rejuvenate you, physically, in some way... Is that necessarily a bad thing?"
"Yes, Daniel!" Jack fairly shouted. "Look where that's got us before! Harlan tried making us 'better'," he spat the word with distaste. "He made us into robots! Robots, Daniel! There's no way!" He gestured furiously.
"But Sir," Sam intervened. "I really don't think that would happen. The Caradonian's relative age and appearance is close to ours, and there's no one fantastically old, by our standards. I really don't think there's anything worrying going on here. I think the new life is, just, metaphorical."
"Oiy..." Jack sighed, shaking his head a little. "Alright, if you're sure. You are both positive, right?" He looked between them accusingly.
"Sure." Both Daniel and Sam replied, Daniel a little more emphatically.
"Jack, I really, really think it would help our relations with these people. Even you can see the benefits in that, can't you? Please?" Daniel pleaded.
"Yes, yes, Daniel, I get it. Just a blessing, thing, or whatever it is, and we put our hands there. Won't do anything to me. Right. Come on, let's get it over with then..." He sighed, pulling his hand through his hair, and began trudging towards the centre of the village square. Daniel and Sam followed, sharing a smile.
"Oh, by the way Jack, have you tried the cake yet? The really big one, with the blue icing?" Daniel asked innocently. He'd spotted the cake in question earlier, and had immediately thought of it's appeal to Jack. Jack, remembering his earlier attempt at eating said cake, made a quiet grumbling sound.
"No, I haven't." He huffed, not turning back.
"Oh, ok," Daniel shrugged, sounding surprised. "I saw you over there earlier. I bumped into Tea'lc, and he said it was delicious, so you know, I assum-"
"WHAT?!" Jack spun round, briefly, a look of shocked anger on his face. He growled, turning back round and carried on stomping in the direction they'd been walking, muttering curses under his breath. Daniel turned to Sam, both wearing bemused expressions.
"What did I say...?"
TBC
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A/N: Once again, thank you so much for reading! Hope you enjoyed it, and please let me know what you think!