Chapter 2: Silent Musings.
A/N: OMG… seriously. I just gotta say this. This is the first time, in like ever I've written such a long chapter. I know it's ridiculous really. But it's true. I don't know where this idea came from, and frankly hadn't it been for the reviews, I would have just left this story as a one shot and moved on. But now I'm actually enjoying writing a somewhat longer story. Although I've still gotta warn you, and I'll just keep repeating this so you can't hold this against me. I am a crappy writer, I am of the worst kind! Because I've never, in my whole life (except from the one shot stories) finished a story. This is a new challenge.. Although no, not really because I wrote seven chapters for a "The sound of music" story (which I still haven't finished) So you have been warned. It's a big question mark. I don't know if I'm gonna finish what I started. I want to.. But it's not my "wanting to", that is the problem. It's my "being able to find time and interest" thingy that is the problem here. So oh well, enjoy this chapter. And remember. Reviews are my drug!
"…all I'm saying is that we could have learned far more from it than we could have possibly imagined, Jack. I mean think about it. It saved us from the Goa'uld once. Who's to say it can't do that again? And now we've wasted that chance, threw it away, something that someday could have saved the world a second time and I just think General….…"
"Daniel!"
Jack roughly cut his friend off before he got the chance to lance a theory that would probably have him sit and re-chew his fruit loops in the commissary for at least another hour.
"Does this face look like it cares?" He threw in Daniel's direction giving him one of his sarcastic glances and absentmindedly throwing his hands in the air as to forcefully reinforce his statement.
"Don't you feel the least bit aggravated about this, Jack?"
Daniel curiously looked up, noting that the question he'd just asked his friend probably had an obvious answer to it. Of course Jack didn't care. He didn't see the significance of ancient artefacts like he, himself did. How important history was. How it all was connected to each other and might hold the answer to defeating and ending the war against the Goa'uld. He sometimes wished Jack could look at the bigger picture instead of babbling along about stronger weapons they needed to, and he quote; "Crush those little snakeheads to oblivion and back."
"Erhm, no. I don't. Hammond's right, some lines are not meant to be crossed."
He gazed back at his fruit loops, dipping his spoon back in his bowl, and shoving the food aside. His hunger gone as he yet again pondered the feelings Carter's alternate had stirred in him. Carter or Dr. Carter, whatever. Had been right, he'd never really stopped and thought about being married again. Not after what had happened to Charlie. He had accepted the fact that rotting away at his age, filled with guilt and anger, was going to work for him. Life had had other plans, though. And since he started working for the SGC more than three and a half ago, he'd had the feeling he could actually make a difference. Although saving the world day in day out was getting a tiny bit cliché, he had to admit. And being confronted by someone from an alternate reality? Who had been married to him for over a year? And had by all means been no one other than his loyal 2IC. Damn confusing, no kidding.
Frowning slightly Daniel gave Jack a stubborn look. Of course he was glad. A deceased friend had practically risen from the dead. Okay maybe not in so many ways, Daniel had to admit. But it had certainly felt like that. And two Sam's? Woah, talk about strange. And had she not been married to the alternate of the man sitting across from him? Sure, Jack was happy. The less he had to deal with uncomfortable situations like that the better. Daniel knew this about his friend.
"She really got to you, didn't she?"
Feeling the mood between them swift, Jack penetrated him with a dark glance.
"Who?" He said nonchalantly, ignoring the look on Daniels face.
"Come on, Jack. Even you can't be that shallow."
"I can assure you, Daniel. I am deeply shallow. Who?"
Daniel sighed, taking off his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration as he raked his brain to find appropriate words that would carefully voice his thoughts about last weeks events. Jack O'Neill did not talk about his feelings, and it seemed unlikely he would give into his observation with just a flick of a hand.
"You two were married." He tried to go for the obvious first, look at how that would turn out.
A smile played on Jack's lips as he shifted his sight back to Daniel.
"Wonder how drunk she was when she told him yes."
Ignoring his sarcastic humour, he went on.
"And in the reality I visited, you were engaged."
Jack's eyes darkened as it became obvious where this conversation was headed. Dangerous territory, Daniel knew better than to enter without having a very, very good reason.
"Your point being, Daniel…"
"All I'm saying is that the heart of the situation might have affected you more than you care to let on, and if so, I understand."
"Daniel.." Jack's eyes narrowed even further. Darkly looking up at his friends, daring him to utter another word.
"Jack, I'm just…."
"Do not, under any circumstances, finish that sentence!"
"But I'm just…"
"Gah!" Holding up a finger he angrily glowered at Daniel. The man had no right whatsoever to but into his personal life. They may be friends, but this went way beyond the borders he even permitted his thoughts to linger. There were regulations to consider. It was best to ignore the situation than let any word slip or conversation form about such improper musings.
Stubbornly Daniel looked back at Jack. A staring contest between them was slowly created, as seconds merged into minutes and the two men just stubbornly sat and angrily stared at each other, neither of them looking away.
Daniel didn't let himself get easily run by anymore. And he sure as hell didn't like to be cut off so brutally. Even if it had been Jack, who often made him swallow his own pride by the sarcastic comments the Colonel hid himself behind.
"O'Neill. Daniel Jackson."
Teal'c had arrived at their table, looking curiously from one men to the other. Raising an eyebrow at the anger they were both directing towards each other, as neither looked up to acknowledge his presence.
"Teal'c buddy, what's up?" O'Neill lightly said. Not looking up from where his eyes were still angrily penetrating Daniel's.
Raising another eyebrow, Teal'c followed the scene in front of him.
"I am well, O'Neill." He finally said, after neither men seemed to feel the need to explain their actions any further.
"Is this some kind of human bonding ritual, Daniel Jackson?" He finally diverted his attention towards the young archaeologist. Sensing he might not get a satisfying answer from O'Neill.
At long last Daniel Jackson seemed to lose interest in the contest and looked away from O'Neill, directing his attention to the big Jaffa.
"Ha! I win!" Jack merrily announced, causing Daniel to roll his eyes.
"Grow up, Jack."
"You're a bad loser, Daniel. It doesn't really suit you."
Not repeating his question, Teal'c decided the banter between his team mates had lasted long enough. He had long since given up on the need to understanding the people of the Tauri. And deciding the glaring contest between O' Neill and Daniel Jackson had only been of a friendly nature, he turned his attention to both of them, intend on telling them the real reason for his sudden interruption.
"General Hammond wishes to speak with you, O'Neill. He tells me he has some vital information concerning our next mission to PX4-735, he informed me it is of the utmost importance that he converses with you first about this matter."
Jack's eyebrows shut up, almost disappearing under his hairline, as he considered the information Teal'c had presented him with.
"I thought we talked everything through during the briefing this morning?"
"Apparently new information has since then presented itself."
Jack nodded, rising from his seat.
"Thanks, bud"
He slammed Teal'c on his back and turned around to leave. Absentmindedly waving a hand behind him."
"See ya, Danny."
Daniel shook his head. He probably would never fully understand the need Jack felt for hiding normal human emotions.
"Bye, Jack." He answered and turned his attention back to Teal'c.
"Now about human bonding rituals, you know there are several…"
Teal'c raised an eyebrow and clasped his hands behind his back as he respectfully listened to Daniel Jackson's words about human bonding rituals.
This day proved to be a very long one indeed.
"General. You wanted a word?"
General Hammond looked up from the white pages he'd been studying. SG-2's report on their latest mission. Frankly he had a hard time concentrating on the words in front of him and was glad for the interruption Colonel O'Neill provided.
"Yes, Colonel, sit down. I am afraid I have some disturbing news."
Jack's eyebrows rose in interest, a look he always assumed whenever Hammond was about to tell him bad news. He sat down on the chair across from the General, silently fumbling with the side of the green cotton jacket he was wearing. Bad news was never fun to listen to. He only hoped they could do something about it.
"I just got word from SG-3, they're still on P4X-735, the planet you and your team are scheduled to go to this afternoon. Apparently the people on that planet were not satisfied enough with the resources and technology we have to offer them in return for their supply of Naquadah. They heard Major Warren talk about nuclear weapons, earth possess. And they're not settling for any thing less. I already told them we are not willing to trade our nuclear weaponry for the Naquadah. And before you say anything, Jack..."
The General raised his voice sensing the need for Jack to interrupt his superior.
"We've been down this road before, these people are at war with each other, their technological development lays at least a hundred years behind our own. We don't know why they're at war and we can't interfere. We've offered them our standard weaponry and ten authorized gate addresses, which at first they did accept, but that was before they heard about our nuclear weaponry. Until we give them exactly what they want they're holding SG-3 hostage."
Hammond finished with a sigh, seeing anger flash across O'Neill's face.
"They're doing what?!"
He began. Not caring if his loud words would get him reprimanded.
Those damned aliens. They always found a way to annoy the crap out of him. If it weren't little snake heads trying to take over the universe it were peaceful looking humans whom only thought of destroying all that was good.
"With all due respect, sir. We're talking about the welfare of our men here, if these people want to blow themselves up so badly why don't we just give them what they want and get SG-3 the hell out of there?"
Hammond raked a hand over his tired face and stared blankly at the officer in front of him. He knew Jack would suggest such radical solutions. But like any other officer, the Colonel also knew his words were only spoken out of anger. They could not make such major decisions involving the survival of an entire race. No, there were different solutions for a situation like this, and as though Jack had read his mind he determinedly added;
"When do we have a go, sir?"
"Right away, Colonel. Assemble your team, you have a go effective immediately."
"Yes, Sir."
Jack forcefully pushed himself up from his seat determinedly backing out of the door. His command mask firmly in place intent on bringing all of SG-3 back, and lock that damn gate address, even if it meant he had to do it personally. But before he left the room he turned around one last time and gave Hammond the reassuring words he always did when ready to embark on a rescue mission.
"We'll get them back, General."
Hammond nodded his head and gave Jack a faint smile of acknowledgement. If he didn't believe Colonel O'Neill and the rest of SG-1 to be capable of getting his men back, he just as well could file his retirement and quit the air force all together. Hammond often thought SG-1 was the only reason he still believed miracles were possible. And he could only thank the Gods for having such a fine team under his command.
"I have no doubt about that whatsoever, Colonel."
No, no doubt whatsoever. Only concern. Recent events still hadn't really fade away and he knew it had left SG-1 more emotionally vulnerable than they would care to admit or show.
And as the door across from him closed, and the hasting footsteps of Colonel O'Neill fade, he only hoped his two finest officers could deal with those emotions.
"Damn it."
Sam muttered under her breath as fell to the ground, her knees scratching the rocky surface of the road. A tingling pain rippled through her hands as she landed on them and blood quickly pushed its way through the hurtful scrapes she had inflicted upon herself the moment she fell.
Great. Another injury she could add to her long list of physical traumas, she thought sarcastically. Quickly scrambling to her feet and hastily brushing the dirt from her hands, she hoped none of her team mates had noticed she'd slightly fallen behind.
No such luck. The Colonel's eyes locked with hers as she looked up from her hands. Feeling a blush of embarrassment creep up her face, she quickly looked away and started examining her MP-5, checking if the safety lock was still firmly held in place.
"You okay, Carter?"
"Sure, just a bump in the road, sir. I've been through worse."
She answered him, once more looking up, her embarrassment not entirely gone. Nodding he turned back, resuming the quiet pace in which both of them had reside the moment they'd arrived on the planet. Teal'c and Daniel were both walking farther ahead of them, apparently discussing the many rituals Jaffa had to go through while living on Chulak.
Sam softly cursed the uncomfortable air that lay between them. Their friendship had slowly gotten more strained as the days after the events of their last adventure had passed. Formality between them now seemed the main priority in maintaining their friendship. If she could still call it a friendship. Lately she felt like every word they spoke, ever look they gave each other, and every accidental touch, meant careful consideration and a hell of a lot energy. A part of her wanted to address and acknowledge the heavy tension. Another part of her, the logical side of her brain, thought better, and told her best to ignore the situation as regulations lay strictly between such an improper desire to find out what it meant.
"Say, Sam."
Daniel threw over his shoulder.
"How far is that village anyway? I can't see anything but rocks and more dirt up this road for as far as I can see."
"Well, actually Daniel. The village SG-3 is being held captive lies at least another fifty kilometres from here."
Daniel's eyes widened slightly as Sam's words hit meaning in his head. If that were true that meant they were walking down this road for at least another day. Why did no one mention this to him before? Not that it made any difference anyway. But at least then he'd been prepared.
"Great. Means we're camping tonight, doesn't it?"
Camping outside in the woods, wasn't something Daniel preferred doing, although his parents used to drag him along on archaeological hiking trips through the jungles of Africa, whenever they got the chance. Ever since his allergies had taken over his ability to control his sneezing or make his eyes all sore, puffy and red. He'd rather stayed behind and avoid the woods any chance he got. This was going to be one hell of a long night.
"Yes, it does, Danny boy." Jack grinned up at him, answering his obvious question with a knowing glance in his eyes.
"Remember to sneeze away from me tonight if you want to share a tent with me."
Daniel glowered at the fact of sharing a tent with Jack while he couldn't even control the simplest thing as a sneeze attack. He had done that once before, which ended in him being thrown out of the tent by Jack. He would rather avoid such a particular thing from happening again.
"I think I'm gonna camp with, Teal'c tonight. You can share a tent with Sam. I don't want you to throw me out again like you did last time, and Teal'c won't notice me when he's in a deep state of Kel'no'reem, besides he's on the first watch tonight."
"Daniel Jackson is correct." Teal'c nodded his agreement.
Jack momentarily felt his insides squirm at the thought of sharing a tent with his 2IC. It was not like he hadn't camped with Carter before. He liked camping with Carter, he had to remind himself. Sometimes they even had conversations he could keep up with. He enjoyed those conversations, knowing that because of them their relationship had not stayed platonic and professional but had evolved into a friendship. Something he had resented to accepted when he first had been forced to take her to Abydos. Now he was actually starting to like the company of this crazy astrophysicist, maybe a little bit too much. No! He would not let his thoughts dwell on that. Out of the question.
"Jack? Earth to Jack. You okay?"
Daniel's voice drowned out his silent musings and he quickly pushed back his thoughts. He would deal with this later. Now they only had to concentrate on that dang long road in front of them and saving SG-3.
"Yeah, peachy."
Came his careless reply, pushing his MP-5 higher up his shoulder and turning away from Teal'c and Daniel, taking the lead, not catching Daniel's suspicious look as they all followed suit.
Poking another stick in the fire in front of him, Daniel absentmindedly took another sip from the hot cup of herbal tea they'd brought along. His face momentarily screwed up in disgust as the strong taste flooded his senses. He hated the air force standard herbal tea, he really had to remind himself to bring strawberry taste with him on their next mission. This was just too disgusting for words. Nevertheless he drank it. This planet was cold at night, even being so close to the fire a chill still managed to run up his spine.
"If we leave before sunrise tomorrow, we might be able to arrive in the village during the early afternoon."
He looked up, as Sam's words filled the comfortable silence between him and his team mates.
"Any idea how we're going to convince the villagers to let SG-3 go?"
Daniel inquired, looking from Sam to Jack. They often came up with the tactics, although Teal'c more than frequently also had a fair amount of clever strategies up his sleeve.
"Ask them very friendly?"
Jack immediately replied, his words lingering on 'very', earning him a raised eyebrow from Teal'c
Sam ignored his comment and went on.
"General Hammond, advised us to talk to them first before proceeding to drastic measures. If that doesn't work…" She trailed. "Well, let's just say it's not going to be pretty."
Daniel nodded in understanding. He knew Sam was going to suggest this course of action. It was one of the worst things about this job. Killing people. People dying, all because of the Goa'uld. Although sometimes it was their fault, other times, times like these, it was the naivety of a race that forced them to take drastic decisions. And it were more often those times that were the hardest to live with.
"I'm going to bed." He finally announced after what felt like an eternity just gazing down at the flames that were warming his face and hands.
"Gonna need all the rest I can get." He reasoned and got up.
"'Night." He bit to his friends.
Sam nodded and gave him a small smile.
"Goodnight, Daniel."
"Sleep well, Daniel Jackson."
"Don't let the bed bugs bite! You never know what kind of reaction your allergies have to them. You might just sneeze and your tent collapses."
Daniel shook his head, giving Jack a cynical smile and turned around, stalking off to his tent.
"Thanks, Jack. I'll try to remember that." He called over his shoulder.
"Anytime, Danny."
Silence ascended once more as he, Carter and Teal'c remained seated around the fire. Carter sitting on a log, at least two meters away from him on the other side of the flames. Teal'c in between them. Silently studying his staff weapon.
Crumbling the paper cup he was holding in his hand he threw it in the fire, causing the flames to sizzle briefly as the last drops of tea he'd been drinking spilled out and vanished in the heat.
"I think I'm gonna follow Daniel's example for once." He then briefly announced, the silence driving him crazy. He looked from Teal'c to Carter before getting up, biding them a soft 'goodnight' and a big yawn.
As soon as the Colonel disappeared inside their tent, Sam stared down at the flames, for it seemed like the thousand time in the past hour and a half. Sleep had not yet consumed her mind. And she wondered if on this evening, it ever would. She'd hoped to get the second watch tonight. But Daniel had informed the team earlier today, he'd gladly take over from Teal'c because of his allergies. No, protests were spoken at his announcement. One of the things Sam Carter was not, was childish and persistent. Okay, maybe she was a little persistent. But having a too big a heart to tell Daniel no, she just let him have the watch. At least that meant she was getting the following watch on their next mission. That had to count for something.
"Major Carter. Maybe it is wise if you too retired for the night, a warrior needs her strength if she wishes to fight a battle tomorrow."
Sam smiled. Looking up at her friend she nodded her head.
"That eager to get rid of me, Teal'c?" She teasingly asked her friend.
But being Teal'c, Sam knew he would take her words serious. So it was no surprise to her when the big Jaffa raised an all too familiar eyebrow. A habit that did not seem to waver no matter how long he'd been with them.
"I am not, Major Carter, I am only implying that we need all of our strength in the morning."
"I know, Teal'c." Sam replied, and got up from her log.
"It was only a joke." She squeezed his shoulders as she passed him and caught the silent nod of her friend's head out of the corner of her eyes.
"Of course." He answered her.
She laughed, feeling a slight bubble of mirth pushing its way to her lips. The Jaffa still had so much to learn about humans, especially the joking part.
"See you in the morning."
"Sleep well, Major Carter.
She nodded. Sleep well. Sam inwardly shrugged at his words. Sleeping wouldn't be a problem, sleeping well, now that was a whole different case.
Kicking off her boots she opened the tent. Finding the Colonel lying on top of his sleeping bag, his cap draped over his eyes, legs comfortably crossed, but his breathing unsteady and far to irregular for her to believe he was already asleep.
She softly slipped of her jacket and crouched into her own sleeping bag, not wanting to disturb him in the least. Closing her eyes she sighed deeply. Even now the air felt tense, or maybe it was just an illusion her mind created, it seemed to do that a lot these days.
"'Night, Carter." She heard behind her. She swiftly looked to her side, seeing the Colonel's eyes look at her from under his cap. She softly smiled, allowing her eyes to linger a little bit too long before turning around, feeling her stomach constrict, she softly reprimanded herself.
"Goodnight, sir."
"Jack! Sam!"
Her eyes slowly fluttered open, closed, opened and closed again. Sleep heavily present in every nerve of her body and she felt groggy as hell. Damn, how long had it been since she'd fallen asleep? The last thing she remembered before dozing off were Teal'c and Daniel, softly conversing outside their tent, apparently switching watch. Sleep hadn't come very soon last night and she guessed that she'd probably only slept for the bitter part of two small hours.
Opening her eyes once more she blurrily stared ahead of her, her vision still unfocused due to the lack of sleep. The one thing she was sure off was the darkness that still consumed the tent. Good, that meant it still was early morning, maybe just approaching dawn.
Her vision sharpened and only then she became aware of the brown and sleep driven, groggy eyes that stared back at her, only inches from her face. Their noses almost touching, she felt his breath collide with her cheeks. And as though her eyes forced his sleepiness away, they immediately widened.
Adrenaline suddenly rushed through her body and she quickly sat up. Unable to utter a word as she felt the need to control her abrupt rapid breathing.
Hell, what just happened? She heard her mind scream.
Apparently somewhere during the night they both had rolled over to the same side. Probably drawn towards each other because of the need to feel more heat, body heat, to be exact. This damn planet got very cold at night. She remembered herself shiver several times during the moments she'd lain awake. But that didn't explain the shock she had just seen in his eyes. It chilled her and she reached for her jacket, wrapping it securely around her.
"Jack! Sam! It's time to move, it's almost dawn!"
Daniel's voice filled the strained silence in the tent and reminded her why she'd awakened in the first place.
She heard her CO scrape his throat as he got up from his sleeping bag. Crouching down to open the tent, he disappeared behind the flaps.
"Damn it, Daniel!"
Jack screamed at his friend. Sam flinched at the sound of his angry and frustrated words. Frustration? Was that what she heard? Don't go there, Sam, a tiny voice in the back of her head whispered. The voice was right, she reasoned. With another sigh she slowly rose and scrambled to her feet, picking up the discharged boots outside the tent and shakily putting them on.
Damn, this planet was cold.
Little extra note: Yeah, okay. I'm very sorry if you found any spell or gram mistakes. I tried to get out as many as I could find. But they still seem to slip through my hands like water and sand. So erhm… well.. just don't get too annoyed with me. I'll try to correct all the errors coming this week. So, just be flex. I know fic readers are quite critical and I hate stupid errors like that too. I get the frustration! (Hides behind a rock)