A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks again for reading. It makes me downright giddy to see so many tuning into this story! And thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I hope with this chapter, I was able to capture Teal'c…he's tough to write!

wackyjacqs, Thanks again for all your input! This chapter was especially in need of your expertise!

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Everywhere but the room

Chapter 3

Teal'c stood at the perimeter of the camp his team had set up that day and scanned the area. Stargate Command had sent a MALP through the Stargate and detected evidence of human life and vast amounts of Naquadah.

When they had arrived on this planet, they had discovered no life and Major Carter was having difficulties finding more than trace amounts of the sought after mineral. O'Neill was of course, already frustrated with the inactivity and was annoyed at Daniel Jackson's request to stay overnight so that he was able to study the ruins of an ancient civilization in more depth. Though they had made contact with General Hammond and received permission to stay, O'Neill made his distaste evident and had been voicing it for the past several hours. Teal'c was finally afforded silence when O'Neill stalked away to retrieve Daniel. It had become dark and the archeologist often did not notice fading light when engrossed in his studies.

Teal'c once again dutifully scanned the area and when he detected nothing out of the ordinary, he focused his attentions on Carter. She, like Daniel, was very engrossed in her study. She had collected several samples and tested them and was now entering information into her computer. Teal'c was not always sure what she was doing with the tests and data, but he enjoyed watching her. She was an intelligent woman and he was glad to call her a friend. He had been concerned for her in the last few days. While it had been only nine days since Martouf had been killed at Stargate Command and Carter and O'Neill had been forced to reveal their feelings for one another, General Hammond had placed them back on duty and this was their first mission. Carter seemed to be doing better, but Teal'c could see that she was still struggling. He only offered silent support though, as he knew that only time passing would help her wounds heal.

Major Carter's head shifted toward the trees when a branch snapped and the voices of O'Neill and Daniel Jackson could be heard coming toward them. Teal'c observed a strange look pass over her face when they heard a burst of gruff laughter from O'Neill before the two men walked into the camp. She quickly schooled her features and Teal'c put the look out of his mind to contemplate at a later date. He turned to his other teammates and discovered the reason for O'Neill's laughter. It seemed that an indigenous bird had chosen Daniel's shoulder for the spot to relieve itself. Teal'c watched with a concealed smirk as the archeologist grumbled to himself as he glared at O'Neill and cleaned off his clothing.

"O'Neill, Daniel Jackson. I am pleased you have returned. Shall we begin preparations for our evening meal?" Teal'c was hopeful as his stomach had been speaking to him of nourishment for some time. When everyone agreed, he quickly and efficiently made the fire and took out their supplies to make dinner. As they chatted around the fire and ate, Teal'c noticed that though they both joined in the conversation and seemed to be enjoying it, Major Carter and O'Neill were avoiding one another's gaze, and spoke no direct words to the other. He glanced at Daniel and noticed that his friend was also observing the interactions, even as he kept the conversation going. Teal'c did not believe that speaking of the problem would be helpful, so he filed the information away and decided to bring it up only if it did not resolve or became a problem. After dinner, Carter said her goodnights and went into the tent she would share with Teal'c that night. Teal'c quietly observed O'Neill as he watched their female teammate walk away, a look of contemplation on his face before he seemed to shake it off and asked Teal'c about Ry'ac.

O'Neill seemed to be in a more jovial mood and Teal'c wondered if it was because Carter had left the group to retire or if Daniel had spoken to him. Though the two men often had differing opinions and argued regularly, Teal'c knew there was a deep respect for one another. Teal'c felt he should simply take advantage of O'Neill's pleasant mood instead of wondering about the cause and spoke softly with O'Neill of Ry'ac, who had recently sent a message updating Teal'c on his latest adventures. Daniel finished clearing away the remains of their meal and joined in the conversation. Teal'c told them of Ry'ac's continuing confusion of the baseball mitt O'Neill had gifted him, and was pleased when this made both men laugh. O'Neill soon stood though and retrieved his weapon, glancing at his watch as he did so.

"Well boys, it's about that time. I'm gonna do a perimeter check and start my watch." His teammates nodded and watched as he walked back into the trees, whistling a nameless tune. Teal'c turned to Daniel and spoke his earlier thoughts.

"I am pleased that O'Neill seems to be in a more lighthearted mood. I do not know if this was your doing Daniel Jackson, but if it is, I would like to express my gratitude." He nodded his head in respect to his friend and saw a smile form on the other man's face.

"He was annoying you a bit hmm…?" Teal'c hesitated in answering, but decided Daniel knew him well enough to know the truth.

"Indeed."

"Well, you know, we…talked…a bit anyway. It wasn't much. I think he's just having a hard time with the whole….thing." Daniel Jackson waved his arm in the direction of the tents and Teal'c immediately knew he was referring to Major Carter and nodded his comprehension and his friend continued. "It's like they both believe that this is the only choice, but they both hate it. I wish I could make it possible for them to have more."

"As do I Daniel Jackson. However, this is their decision, and we must support them. O'Neill and Major Carter are both accomplished warriors of great skill. I can not fault them for placing our war with the Goa'uld before their heart's desires. Great sacrifices must sometimes be made in the face of adversity." Teal'c watched as his friend contemplated the words he had said. He knew it was, at times, difficult for the younger man to understand the ways of war. He was a scientist and a peaceful man. Teal'c was aware that there was a large part of Daniel Jackson's heart that simply wanted Major Carter and O'Neill to be free to love one another, but he knew that the man was also beginning to accept that soldiers often ignored their hearts for the greater good. Teal'c waited patiently until Daniel Jackson once again spoke.

"I know Teal'c. And I get it…it's just hard to see them both hurting for the same reason. You know?"

"Indeed I do Daniel Jackson." He spoke with quiet affirmation of the pain their friends were feeling. The two men sat in silence after that and Teal'c watched the firelight. He was about to tell Daniel he would be in his tent as he needed to Kelno'reem and with Major Carter already resting, it would be a good time to achieve this state. As he rose though, Teal'c heard a quiet chuckle come from the other man and he turned back and quirked an eyebrow in curiosity. Daniel looked up at him and smiled.

"Sorry Teal'c, I just…do you think I look like Milhouse?" Teal'c looked at his friend in confusion and held back a smile when it was explained. "You know, the kid on the Simpsons with blue hair. He's in love with Homer's daughter…ummm….Lisa. Jack thinks I should dye my hair blue to look like him." Teal'c placed his hands behind his back and regarded his friend thoughtfully.

"Though you bare a slight resemblance in both appearance and temperament to Milhouse, I do not believe it would be advantageous for you to model your hairstyle after his." Daniel Jackson seemed to look at him thoughtfully for several moments before speaking.

"Umm ok. Well, thanks…I think…Teal'c…? Which Simpsons character do you see yourself as?"

Teal'c raised both of his eyebrows at the audacity of his friend.

"Daniel Jackson, that question is irrelevant as no computer could accurately depict a Jaffa as a Simpsons character. They would simply place me in the role of myself as they did with Michael Jordan in the children's film Space Jam." Teal'c nodded briefly to the incredulous look on his friend's face and proceeded to his tent. He hesitated when he heard a deep sigh coming from the fire. He turned back and watched as Daniel contemplated the flames and Teal'c knew the younger man's thoughts had returned to the other half of their team. He called out softly, but so that his voice carried to Daniel.

"Daniel Jackson." The man's head turned toward him expectantly.

"Yeah?"

"I am confident that both O'Neill and Major Carter will emerge on the other side of this development stronger than before. They are both honorable people and have a bond that has grown and deepened through many trials. Do not lose heart." Teal'c knew Daniel was surprised at his words, but he also received a smile of thanks and a nod of agreement before his friend silently turned back to the flames. Teal'c did not often voice his thoughts on matters of the heart, but he was aware that Daniel often needed to discuss and ponder on situations such as this and hoped that his words had helped the other man come to terms with the conflicted relationship of O'Neill and Carter. Teal'c silently entered his tent, glad to see Major Carter sleeping peacefully. As he began his meditations, he chuckled to himself as he heard the quiet voice of O'Neill returning as he spoke to Daniel, and was optimistic about the team's ability to overcome these last awkward days and mold once again into the family they had become.

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Thanks for reading :) Coming up in the final chapter…..Jack and Sam finally talk!