Chapter Four
Several suns passed on my new world and I found that I was able to smile at Jack's silly jokes. He was wonderful with me during my first days – patient, giving and tender – and I found myself falling more and more in love with him.
With the resilience of youth, Mika had adapted quickly to our new circumstances. He had made firm friends with Major Kearney's children and Jack had even managed to get him into the same school.
I was having more trouble adapting – perhaps because there was no function for me to fulfill. I was accustomed to a full day, and found that time hung heavily on my hands.
I wandered along the busy hallway, peering into science laboratories where Sam's scientists worked hard on the discoveries made by the various exploration teams.
"Oh, for cryin' out loud!"
I smiled slightly at the familiar grumble and realized that I must be near Jack's office. I peeked around the open door and saw him throw several piles of paper into the air. His hair was all on end as usual. "Walter!" he said. "I just don't have the decorating gene – would ya?"
Master Sergeant Walter Harriman smiled – after several years, he had become accustomed to Jack's tirades. "Of course, General," he said. He nodded at me and gave a bigger smile. "Maroosh is here, sir," he added, gathering up the offending papers.
"Cool." Jack looked up at me and gave me a big smile. "Hey, there," he said.
I entered the office. "Good morning, Jack," I said. "Are you having trouble?"
"A-ah! It's nothin'," he said. "State visit, and I'm supposed to choose bunting."
"Could … I help?" I said hesitantly. "I used to organize visits for First Elects from other villages – I have much experience. Besides, I am … bored."
Jack chuckled. "Walter?" he said, stretching his arms out for the papers. Walter handed them over. "The theme's gotta be red, white and blue – go nuts."
I stretched and threw down my pencil, then looked at the timepiece on my wrist. It was close to evening – I had been here over ten hours! I put my hand to my stomach, which was sending urgent messages, and decided to go and find something to eat.
I walked out of my room and bumped into Jack. "Jack," I said breathlessly as his warm hand landed on my waist to prevent me falling.
"Hey," he said. "Just looking for you. We're going out for dinner – you wanna come with?"
I smiled at his friends, who were all dressed in civilian attire. They looked very different to the soldiers I had become accustomed to seeing. "I would like that," I said shyly, "if I am not intruding."
"You are not," Teal'c stated firmly.
I turned to my closet. Thanks to Sarah, I now had a sizable wardrobe of Earth clothing, and removed an item called a denim jacket. It went well with the long denim skirt and soft rose-colored sweater I currently wore. "I am ready," I said.
"Cool," Jack said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Gotta love a woman who's ready so quickly."
Sam looked at him. "Bite me," she muttered.
Jack smiled widely. "Colonel?" he said.
"Ah, bite me … sir?" she said.
"Better."
I walked into the 'bar' with Sam and the three men, smiling slightly as the assembled females looked at us with varying degrees of interest. I could understand their interest – all three men were very attractive, although different physical types.
But it was only Jack that made me tingle. Even the casual arm he put around my shoulders sent a delicious warmth throughout my being. He was funny, kind, charming and handsome – and I loved him.
I sat down with my friends, now accustomed to being dwarfed by them – especially Teal'c – and opened the menu. "I believe I will have the linguini," I said.
"Geez; we gotta get some Chinese some time!" Jack said. "You'll be turning into pasta!"
I smiled at him. "You are very silly, Jack O'Neill," I told him. "I like your Italian food – the spices remind me … remind me of home." I gulped, refusing to cry in public.
"So …," Daniel said, "linguini for Maroosh. Guys?"
My friends made their choices, Jack choosing the linguini also. I raised an eyebrow. "You appear to enjoy Italian cooking as much as I do," I said.
He grinned at me ruefully. "Last day, though," he said. "Doc Brightman's put me on a diet – it's an age thing."
I nodded my head. I sometimes forgot that the Earth people were not as long lived as my own – by their standards, Jack was more than halfway through his expected life span. Although strong and healthy, his role as base commander was much more sedentary than when he had led SG-1 on their many off world expeditions. "I exercise every morning in the gymnasium," I told him. "If you would care to join me, I would soon rid you of your excess flesh."
Sam choked on her drink as Jack's eyes widened in indignation. "You sayin' I'm gettin' fat?" he asked.
"No," I replied seriously, worried that I may have offended him. I reached out and put a hand to his abdomen. "But you should take better care of yourself. Linvar healed your knee – you have no excuse not to join me."
His brown eyes twinkled at me. "Yes, ma'am," he said obediently.
True to his word, he appeared at my door at the next dawn, clad in a black tee shirt and disreputable gray pants. "Mornin', sunshine!" he said cheerfully.
I groaned and raised my head from my arms – I had learned last night that I had little tolerance for alcoholic products. "Please … do not scream," I said.
"First hangover, huh, kid?" he said, strolling into the room.
"And last," I said, focusing on the silver flask he carried. "Is that coffee?" I asked hopefully. Some of the Earth foods and drinks were unpalatable to me, but this coffee substance was delicious and revitalizing.
He chuckled and opened the flask. "I lifted it from Daniel's stash this morning. Don't tell him."
"I promise," I said, taking the flask from him and drinking deeply.
He watched me, his brown eyes wide. "Uh … isn't that hot?"
"Extremely," I replied, feeling better almost immediately. "Thank you," I added. I got up and stretched out my arms and legs. "Are you ready to go to the gymnasium?"
"Are you up to it, kid?" he said. "A hangover's nothing to screw around with."
I smiled at his concern. "You speak like a veteran," I said. "I will be … okay. Besides, I did this to myself – I will pay any penalty necessary."
I was aware of people's interest as Jack and I entered the gymnasium. Like any small community, the SGC thrived on gossip and innuendo. Jack went over to a running machine intent on testing his newly repaired knee while I crossed to a young man dressed in odd white clothing. The young man was swinging, kicking and punching in a manner very similar to some of the martial arts I had learned as a child – it amazed me that I shared so many similarities with my estranged cousins.
"Good morning," I said to the young man. "You wish to practice with me?"
He looked uncomfortable. "Uh, ma'am … I'm a black belt," he said. "I don't want to hurt you."
I smiled at his concern, unnecessary though it was. "I learned to fight as a child," I told him. "I do not believe you could hurt me."
His blue eyes narrowed. "If you're trying to goad me, ma'am, it's working," he said.
"Good," I replied. I extended my hands in a graceful courtesy, then breathed in deeply. "Nu ani Anquietas," I murmured.
I bowed to the young man as he got up from the floor. "Thank you for the workout," I said politely. "Same time tomorrow?"
"Hell, yeah!" he said. "You gotta teach me those moves!" He flinched slightly as Jack crossed over to us, then straightened and snapped a smart salute. "General!"
Jack returned the salute. "At ease, Airman," he said. He turned to me as my young opponent left the gymnasium. "Have fun there, kiddo?" he asked.
I smiled at him. "I did," I said. "And you?"
"Yeah," he said, stretching with a grimace. "But I'm gonna be feelin' it tomorrow. These old bones haven't had a workout like that for a while."
I put my hands to his shoulders, feeling the knots. "You will hurt," I agreed, "unless you are treated now."
"A-ah! I'm not seein' the Doc!" he said, wriggling away from me.
"Of course you are not," I agreed readily. His eyebrows shot up. "In my culture, we do not go to a healer for every little ache and pain. We have herbal remedies and we manipulate the muscles to promote healing."
"Manipulate … as in massage?" He gave me a delighted grin. "Well, why didn't you just say so?" He sat down on a bench and turned his back to me. "Have at it, Princess."
"I am not a …," I began, then sighed. "Forget about it." I stood behind him and put my hands once more to his shoulders. "This will hurt at first," I warned him, feeling the tightness in his muscles. "But you will feel better momentarily."
Having warned him, I chose a particularly bad knot and pressed my thumbs firmly into it. Jack nearly launched into space. "Geez!" he said. "Take it easy, will ya?"
I rolled my eyes. For a big bad warrior, he certainly acted like a baby. I slapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Sit down," I told him, working on the recalcitrant knot once more.
As I worked, I could feel the muscles loosen and Jack's breathing deepened as he relaxed. His head slumped forward. "Just … up an inch," he muttered.
I smothered a smile – he was truly enjoying this method of healing. "Of course," I agreed, moving my fingers up to the nape of his neck and beginning work there.
He heaved a big sigh. "Ahhh, you got magic fingers, kid," he said.
"I am not a child," I said. Jack had been wonderful since Ke'las' betrayal, but he seemed to have forgotten our passionate kisses on Hohonora. I pressed a kiss to the nape of his neck, and felt his skin rise up in little bumps.
"Yeah," he said, his voice hoarse. "I keep forgetting." He turned to face me and took my hands in his large ones. "Don't do anything you're not ready for, Maroosh," he said gently. "You've had a bad experience, and you're vulnerable right now."
I put my hand to his cheek. "Yes, I have been betrayed," I said. "You … and your friends … you are helping me more than you can know." I looked into his brown eyes. "But it is you that has helped me the most. And I … I love you."
He shook his head. "Nah; it's what we call puppy love," he said. "You've … got a crush on me, maybe a father figure thing. I'm not gonna take advantage of you. I may be a lot of things, but I don't hurt young girls."
I wanted to scream. This man was a stubborn, blind fool. "I do not see you as a replacement for my father, Jack O'Neill," I told him. I put my hands to his cheeks and drew his face to mine.
Then I kissed him.
He did not return the kiss, and I felt his wariness about taking advantage of me. I tangled my fingers in his silver hair and deepened the kiss, communicating without words my feelings for him.
He sighed, then his strong arms went around my waist as he returned the kiss. He bent his head and kissed the side of my neck – I felt a tingling sensation and clutched at his shoulders.
"Hey, Jack!" Daniel said, appearing from around a corner and skidding to a halt. I felt his embarrassment and was fairly sure that I was just as red. "Uh … sorry to … uh … interrupt, guys," he said quickly. "I'll … uh … catch up with you later."
Jack groaned as we split apart. "Daniel; your timing really sucks," he said. "What d'you want?"
I dreamed of my brown-eyed soldier that night. We walked hand in hand along a busy street, with strange Earth automobiles speeding past us. He smiled down at me. "Ego indeo …," he said.
I smiled back at him, knowing what he desired – I too felt the desire. We walked together into the woods of Hohonora and there my brown-eyed man tenderly made love to me …
I woke up, my eyes wide. It had felt so real – my skin even tingled in response to Jack's dream touch. "Anquietas," I breathed.
I goggled at the woman – was she another descendent of the Ancients? "What do you want?" I asked.
"Maroosh of Hohonora," she said, "my name is Oma Desala."
Oma Desala – her name was written in many of our texts as being one of the Ancients that lived on our world millions of turns ago. "Uh …," I said less than articulately.
She smiled slightly. "You do not belong here, young Tansrani. This is not your world."
"I cannot go home," I said. "I have been banished."
"Yes," she said. "But you have another home – with us and those who have gone before you. We have been searching for you for a long time."
"Am I dying?" I asked; for some reason, I trusted this mysterious presence.
"Everyone dies, young one," Oma Desala said. "Your time is still to come. When it does, look for me and I will be there." She crossed over to me and put a hand on my cheek. "Be well, young Tansrani. And be happy."
She transformed once more into the white light and disappeared through a wall. I pushed a hand through my hair. "Whoa …," I muttered. Sometimes only an Earth expression could do justice to one's emotions.
I got out of bed. "Maroosh?" Mika croaked, sitting up in his bed, his hair all on end. "You okay?"
I smiled at my nephew. "I am well," I told him. "go back to sleep – you have school tomorrow."
After my morning exercise session, I went to Master Sergeant Walter Harriman and showed him my designs for the imminent state visit. "Will Jack approve?" I asked.
Master Sergeant Walter Harriman leafed through the designs. "These are real good," he said. "Airman!"
A young woman appeared. "Yes, sir?" she inquired.
"Go down to Stores and requisition everything on this list," he told her. "We've got a lot of work to do – the President's visit is only three days away."
"Yes, sir," she said again.
I smiled at the man, absurdly pleased at being able to feel useful once more. "Thank you," I said. "So, who is this person that will be visiting us?" I asked.
"Uh, he's the leader of this country," he said, his eyes widening behind his oculars. "He's Commander in Chief of all the armed forces."
I nodded my head. The word 'president' was unfamiliar, but the role was very similar to that of mine as First Elect … no; not mine. Not anymore. "I see," I said. "And is he born into this position?"
"No," Jack said, strolling out of his office. "Every four years, the people choose someone to lead the country."
I frowned, unable to comprehend this. "But … what if they make a bad choice?" I said.
"Then we can fix it four years later," he said. "Better than being suck with a bad leader for the rest of their life."
Four years was a long time, but I could accept his logic. Hohonora was now under the thumb of a manipulative greedy ruler – unless Ke'las was deposed, they would be 'stuck with' her until she died. "I understand," I said. "And what of this current … President? Is he a good man?"
Jack grinned. "We've butted heads a few times," he said. "But yeah; he's a good guy." The grin broadened. "And he fired Kinsey's ass – that alone makes him cool with me."
I did not know who Kinsey was but, from Jack's glee, suspected that he and the mysterious man had been enemies for a long time. Jack's personality was such that one either loved him … or loathed him. He did not inspire indifference.
Three suns later, I knocked on Jack's door. "Come in!" he called.
I walked in. "Good morning, Jack. Should you not be dressing? The … President will arrive in a very short time."
"A-ah!" He groaned and pushed a hand through his hair. "Time to change out of the clothes I love into those I abhor."
"I am sure you will look very handsome," I consoled him. "There is just something about a guy in uniform," I added.
He grinned. "Who'd you hear that from?" he said, ignoring the compliment as was his wont.
"I have spent some time with Sarah Wilson – the Marine who lent me some of her clothes," I explained. "I have learned much from her."
"And picked up a new vocabulary, too."
I chuckled. "Oh, yes," I returned. "Apparently, you are regarded by some of the female personnel as a 'babe' with … an ass to die for." I was maliciously pleased to see him turn bright red at this bald statement. He was inclined to over-confidence, and it fell to me to keep him from becoming too 'full of himself' as Daniel had phrased it.
"Oh, for cryin' out loud – who said that?" He shook his head. "Nah; forget I asked – I'd never look at them the same way again."
"You are attempting to stall, Jack O'Neill," I told him. "You must change and show the President the proper respect."
"Geez." He got up and sent a boyish grin my way. "Never thought I'd see the day when I was getting bossed around by a kid half my size."
I retreated to my room and changed into a dark red dress that Sarah had lent me – as an alien dignitary, albeit deposed, I was expected to meet President Hayes also. My hands clenched on the soft fabric as I thought of Ke'las, then I shook my head.
I caught up a hair brush and released my long dark hair from the numerous tiny plaits that I had worn since becoming First Elect. They were no longer appropriate, and a small part of me was relieved at no longer being obliged to spend three hours each sun dressing my hair.
I pulled the brush firmly through the dark waves, then paused, stymied. I did not know what to do with my hair – it had been too long, and I had never been very skilled as a child. I bit my lip, then picked up the communication device … phone. "Please connect me to Colonel Carter," I said.
"Carter," Sam said.
"Sam; it is Maroosh. Will you … come to my room? I have a … difficulty."
"Sure," Sam replied, sounding puzzled. "Be there in a couple."
She was as good as her word. She entered my room dressed in a smart blue uniform – what these people referred to as Class A's – and I envied her short hair style. It made life much simpler, but I did not believe that I was ready to cut my hair off. "What's the problem, Maroosh?" she asked.
I held out the brush in an absurdly childish gesture for a woman of twenty six turns. "Will you help me with my hair?" I said, flushing in humiliation.
Sam smiled gently. "No problem," she said. "I used to do Cassie's hair when she was a kid," she told me.
We sat down on the bed and she began to brush my hair until my scalp tingled. Then she set to the real task at hand.
Several minutes later, she tossed the brush down. "Go take a look; see what you think!" she said.
I went over to the looking glass. She had left much of my hair loose, curling down to my hips, but had done two simple braids from my temples, weaving them into a crown effect. The look was simple but elegant, and I was pleased. "I like it," I said. "Thank you, Sam." I twitched at the dress. "Am I attired suitably?" I added anxiously. "I would not wish to show disrespect."
"You look beautiful, Maroosh," Sam replied sincerely. "And the rest of us in our boring old Class A's!"
I chuckled. "You and General O'Neill both?" I teased. She frowned at me, and I clarified: "He apparently abhors his Class A's."
I walked into the gate room with Daniel, Teal'c and Sam, looking for Jack. I drew in an unsteady breath when I saw him. Dressed in the despised Class A's, and freshly shaven, he was tall, well built and beautiful.
His brown eyes widened and he came over to me. "Maroosh; you look gorgeous," he said huskily, then cleared his throat. "You wanna give this old fly-boy a heart attack?" he added.
I went red, but was pleased at the compliment. "Thank you, Jack," I said. I reached up and straightened his tie. "I told you you would look very handsome," I added. This was a decided understatement – had we not been in a crowded gate room, I would have kissed him passionately, if not more. As it was, I settled for a gentle brush of my lips across his tanned cheek.
"Ah … thanks," he mumbled.
The door to the gate room opened and several large men dressed in black with odd devices in their ears strode out. "Perimeter checks out," one said into a radio.
They were followed by two more large men and between them was an older gentleman with receding hair and lined careworn features. He radiated good humor and a strong conscience and I nodded my head in approval. This world – my world – was fractured; it would need men like President Hayes to bridge the gulf of ideology that had spawned its many conflicts.
"Ten-hut!" Jack snapped. All of the soldiers straightened, then put their hands to their foreheads.
The President strolled over to Jack. "General O'Neill," he said simply.
"Mister President; it's an honor," Jack replied. "Allow me to introduce Maroosh of …" – here he winced – "of Hohonora."
I put my hand out to the President's in the American custom. "I am honored, sir," I said.
He shook my hand gently. "As am I," he replied. "Please allow me to offer a belated welcome to Earth."
I smiled at him, feeling the quiet strength in his clasp. "Thank you," I told him.
Several hours had passed since the President's arrival, and he was now touring the base with Jack and Sam. The soldiers had returned to their duties, and I … I was officially bored. Bored out of my gourd, for crying out loud!
I paused. I have been spending too much time with Jack, I mused with a quiet laugh. I wandered along the quiet hallways and bumped into Sarah. "Hi," I greeted her. I liked this Tauri greeting – it was simple and effective. And also pleasing to the tongue.
She smiled at me. "Hi," she replied, then looked me up and down and whistled raucously. "Geez, O'Neill must've had a heart attack when he saw you in that!" she said.
"He was concerned at the possibility," I replied, returning her impish grin.
"Okay; you're coming with me," she said, taking me by the arm and escorting me into her room. "So … what gives with you and him?"
I was startled. "What?"
"Oh, don't give me that," she said, putting her hands on her hips in a very aggressive fashion. "The sparkage going on in that gate room could keep the base going for the next year! You two are totally into each other."
I brushed past the strange words and focused on the message. "I am attracted to him," I admitted, "and he to me. But he believes that the age difference is a barrier."
"He's not that old!" Sarah objected. "Geez, I'm younger than you and I'd get it on with him in a second if he looked at me the way he looks at you!"
I flushed at the lewd image in her mind, and was once again puzzled as to why I was so sensitive to the thoughts of these Earth people. "I am not … experienced in physical relationships," I told her. "I was taught that sexual activities are not pleasurable for females – they are merely a duty." I shook my head. "I have since learned that that is not true, but I am … still afraid."
