A Slow Melding - Part 4


Anise was very aware of Colonel O'Neill's left arm resting heavily across her host's shoulders, but the weight was in no way negative. In fact, Freya was most content to sit beside him on the comfortable couch.

"What did you say was the purpose of this program?"

"Just give it a bit longer. It's really funny. Trust me."

And it was. The antics of the crudely drawn characters were surprisingly amusing. The current scene on the television showed the comical adventures of the young son in a foreign country.

You appear to understand this program, but I find it confusing and not humorous at all. Regardless, I am enjoying the evening.

O'Neill laughed uproariously and Anise simply could not help herself. She joined him, her own mirth bubbling from Freya's lips. The Colonel's amusement ended abruptly. His arm slid from Freya as he turned to look her full in the face.

"What was that?"

Anise retreated. I am so sorry. I could not help myself. Please apologize to the Colonel on my behalf.

"Anise apologizes. She was caught up in the humor."

A frown crossed his forehead, but quickly vanished. "Ah, that's okay. I suppose. So Anise thinks The Simpsons are funny?"

Remaining in the background, she let Freya handle the situation. "Yes. Apparently she understands this show far better than I do."

"I'm surprised. I wouldn't have thought it was her sort of thing." With one final lingering look, O'Neill began easing his arm back to its original position only to halt with a pained wince.

"Is your recent injury still causing you discomfort?"

For a moment, Anise wondered to what Freya was referring. The relaxed atmosphere of their evening had made her forget the Colonel had a gunshot wound. This was not the first occasion since they had last seen each other that he had been injured in the course of his duties. It seemed that over the past months, O'Neill had been in many dangerous situations, having disappeared and reappeared several times. Each time had caused Freya to become more concerned for his well-being, hence the reason for their clandestine visit.

It had all come to a head when the Tok'ra had received the latest request for information from the SGC and there had, yet again, been no justification for them to travel to Earth. There had been several requests for information over the months since they had come to their understanding with O'Neill. Soon after her visit to Earth with Jacob Carter, the SGC had contacted the Tok'ra regarding a Goa'uld device that had O'Neill and the rest of SG-1 stranded off Earth. It was some time before the situation had been rectified. Another report told of an alien entity which had invaded Major Carter. It was only while reading that report they discovered O'Neill had been injured again.

"Honestly, yeah." O'Neill finally eased himself back against her side. "I don't seem to heal quite as quickly anymore. I'm not as young as I used to be." There was a brief pause before he continued. "I don't suppose that's something you have to worry about."

To Anise's surprise, Freya did not hesitate in her answer. "Yes, it is one of the many benefits of having a symbiote." This was the first time the subject of the host/symbiote relationship had been raised in some while. Their few brief conversations had necessarily consisted of polite enquires and exchanges of information, as they had both been well aware of the presence of others.

O'Neill did not stiffen as Anise half-expected. "I could see that as a positive. I wouldn't mind being able to do something about my knee."

Anise waited for a further and probably negative comment to come. After a few seconds where the only sound was the final moments of the show, she decided nothing else was to follow.

"You want some more pizza?"

Nodding her head, Freya picked up the small plate she had been eating from. "Thank you, yes."

Ask for more pepperoni, Anise prompted. I prefer it to the sausage.

After passing on the request, Freya settled back into the couch, her eyes following Jack's progress into the kitchen.

I admit to being surprised by the Colonel's lack of reaction when I laughed, Anise commented.

I believe neither of us credited him with enough tolerance to overlook our error.

Anise was grateful for her host's tacit acceptance of responsibility. Was there the possibility O'Neill could eventually overcome his distaste for the Tok'ra? Her thoughts were interrupted by the Colonel's return, plates in hand.

"Here you go." This time instead of settling himself close to Freya, he sat at an angle to face her. The muted sounds of the television were a buzz in the background. "You know, I was just thinking, maybe I should at least try to get to know Anise?"

Freya reached toward him, putting a hand on his left forearm. "That makes me very happy, Jack. I know how difficult this is for you." Looking embarrassed, he muttered something unintelligible and looked over to the television.

I did not quite catch what the Colonel said. Perhaps you could ask him to repeat it?

The reply was instant. No, I do not believe that would be helpful. "Jack?" Freya waited for his gaze to return to hers. "Would you like to speak with Anise now?"

Once again, he did not seem to know what to say. "Yeah, why not. Now's as good a time as any."

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Jack felt like a schoolboy on his first date. He had no idea what he was doing. What was he going to say to a snake? They had nothing whatsoever in common to talk about. Watching Freya's eyes close for a short moment, he knew the next voice he heard would be Anise's.

"I am distrustful of this Mr. Burns. There is something about him which reminds me of a Goa'uld."

"You think so?" He found himself grinning. "I've always thought so, but no one else sees it. And it's so obvious. You know most people just don't seem to get that."

"Perhaps it is because they have not had the experiences we have with the real thing."

Studying Freya's familiar face, he could see subtle differences with Anise now in control. The easy smile had gone, replaced by a slight but still attractive uplift of the lips. She held herself more upright on the couch, seemingly not as relaxed. But then again, he had given her reason to be apprehensive with him. "We've both been there, done that." An expression of confusion covered her face and he hurried to explain his meaning. "It's something we say when you've done something and don't want to do it again."

She nodded. "Very apt. I have found the Tau'ri have many such sayings. Jacob Carter has enriched our vocabulary greatly since his blending with Selmac." Something Jack would have called a smirk crossed her face. "I believe the Council is still adjusting to the changes he has wrought."

Jacob did have some pretty earthy slang. They both did after years in the Air Force. "It'll be good for them." The Council was a pretty boring bunch, from what he'd seen.

"I am not allowed to comment on such things, Colonel."

The phrasing seemed as familiar to her as it was to him. He'd used variations of those exact same words countless times. "How about one more episode?" He picked up the season four box from the coffee table, scanning the titles.

"Do you have a particular favorite?" Anise asked.

"Oh, yeah. I've got plenty of them." He popped the DVD into the player and sat back down, the bruises on his back from his armor a small pain he ignored. Freya snuggled in. Or was it Anise? No, he thought, it was definitely Freya. She must have taken back control, but for a moment it'd been hard to tell.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

"Thank you, General Hammond. Your information will give the Council a much greater understanding of the events surrounding the destruction of our Revanna base. It has been difficult given the great loss of life to piece together what happened."

Jack had never expected to be so happy to hear a snake's voice. Trying not to be obvious, he stepped closer to the microphone. He'd been so worried. There had been no chance during the Goa'uld's sudden attack to do more than flee for their lives. He hadn't even been able to ask if Freya was on the base. It wasn't until they'd gotten safely back to the SGC that his concern had grown until he'd been in a state of extreme anxiety. Bending over, his head level with Hammond's, he spoke without bothering to get permission. "At least we know you're safe. That's something."

Clearing his throat, the General backed Jack off with a look. "Yes, Anise. It will be hard for the Tok'ra to recover from this blow. You have our sympathies."

"I will convey yours and Colonel O'Neill's condolences to the Council."

Jack straightened as Hammond ended the call, knowing he'd pushed his luck a little farther than he should have. A sudden crawling sensation ran up his spine and lifted the hairs on the back of his neck. He turned to find Teal'c staring at him speculatively.

"Your concern for the Tok'ra is to be commended, O'Neill, if a little unexpected."

"Well, they're our allies, aren't they? And Anise is one of the few we have regular contact with." Teal'c merely raised an eyebrow in response. Had Jack's words given away more than intended?

Hammond's voice pulled them from their impasse. "All right, people. We have a lot of work to do. Let's get to it. Colonel," he said, giving Jack a pointed look. "I'm still waiting for that report you owe me."

He nodded, glad to escape Teal'c's continuing stare. "I'll get right on it, General." Heading for the stairs, he hurried to get back to the privacy of his office, his feeling of relief almost overwhelming.

She was safe.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

TBC