A Slow Melding - Part 10
Boots off. Check. Ugh. Sorry, guys. Foot powder in stinky boots. Check. Uniform off and exchanged for civvies. Check. Locker closed and keys in hand. Check and check.
"Have a good evening, Colonel O'Neill, Teal'c," Jonas called as he headed for the door, completed with his own after mission ablutions.
Responding with a nod and a grunt, Jack picked up his jacket, not disappointed at all to have a nice long break until SG-1's next scheduled mission. He'd never thought he'd ever get to this point, but maybe he was starting to get a little old to be traipsing around the galaxy, saving everyone he came in contact with. Maybe he was just getting old, period.
He slipped the jacket on, tucking his keys in one of the pockets, along with the depressing thoughts. "You still coming out tomorrow night, T?"
"Of course."
"Good. See you then." He waved his goodbye with one hand and turned to leave. There was a barbeque and some hot dogs just calling his name somewhere.
"O'Neill."
Teal'c's voice trailed off, an unusual enough occurrence to send Jack's trouble sensor through the roof. Turning back to look at his friend, he raised both eyebrows. "What's up?"
The Jaffa stood, hands moving to clasp behind his back. He paused before speaking, as if trying to choose the best words. "I was hoping you would tell me."
He wanted to pretend he didn't know what Teal'c was talking about, but his friend deserved better than that. So he settled for a partial truth. The full deal was simply too fresh on his conscience and on his battered body. "I'm just tired, T. It's been a long year." And that was the understatement of the century.
Teal'c nodded, understanding flashing across his face. "It has been a time filled with much upheaval." He paused, eyes shifting away for a moment. "Both professional and personal."
It was the closest to digging for information Jack had ever heard from Teal'c in the six years of their friendship. For a split second he was tempted by the offer to spill his guts, to just get it all out in the open, to get it off his chest. His pride and arrogance, his sheer bull headedness, his decisions made in anger and pain, all of it swamped him, weighing him down. What would it feel like to have it gone? His mouth opened, the words ready to burst free.
And found something else entirely escaping.
"I just need to get some rest. You know, a chance to put things back in perspective. I'll be fine." Damn. So maybe he wasn't as ready to talk about it as he thought. The weight settled more firmly on his shoulders, sinking through the leather of his jacket and into his bones.
Teal'c stood, a frown pulling at his lips. "I have no doubt that you will be fine eventually," he said, stressing the last words slightly. "But there is no reason for you to struggle alone. Sometimes even the strongest of us need help to carry our burdens."
Jack knew he was speaking from personal experience. The two of them had been through hell and back together. Almost died more times than he could count anymore. Had suffered physical injuries they shouldn't have been able to recover from. Had received emotional blows to cripple even the most stable of individuals. And yet they were still standing, still fighting. They weren't beaten yet. All he needed was some time.
"Maybe next year will be quieter."
Teal'c's face tightened for a moment before understanding chased the tension away. Jack knew his friend understood what he was really saying. With a nod, Teal'c moved towards the door. He paused next to Jack, one hand reaching out to clasp his shoulder. "One can merely hope." A single squeeze of firm pressure and he was gone.
Quiet filled the small room as the door shut. Staring blindly at the door to his locker, Jack breathed through the tightness in his chest. Yeah, next year had to be better. There couldn't possibly be more for the universe to throw at them.
Halting that thought before it went any further, he turned with a snap and left the locker room. He had a weekend with no catastrophes planned and he was determined to enjoy it.
The ride home was a balm of normalcy, the weather keeping its promise of clear skies and pleasant temperatures. It looked like his barbeque plans were still on. Thirty minutes after arriving home, the charcoal was smouldering, the dogs were simmering and not once had he allowed his brain to do more than remain perfectly empty. There would be no deep thinking authorized for the next two days.
A swallow of beer chilled its way down his oesophagus, hitting his stomach with a shiver. It was past time to eat. Burning flesh assaulted his nose as he stepped out onto the small deck, mouth watering at the smell. Dogs, meet stomach acid.
He froze. One of his hot dogs was missing. Damn, damn, damn. Why now? This was supposed to be a weekend off. Without turning he knew who the thief was.
"I helped myself. I hope you don't mind."
Yep. He hated it when he was right.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
"So, Jack."
As soon as Harry opened his mouth, Jack knew he wasn't going to like it. The not very well hidden smirk didn't help ease the certainty. "Whatever you're about to say, don't. I'm pretty sure I don't want to hear it."
"But I've been dying of curiosity for over a year now."
"Then I know you can keep dying for quite a while longer." He stalked forward through the thick grasses, determined to walk the questions out of the man. Maybourne had blackmailed them all into letting him step foot through the Stargate, but he'd be damned if he let the smug bastard dictate the rest of this trip. Harry'd open the doorway, SG-1'd get the stuff and then they were hauling his ass back to Earth. As long as he was in generally the same shape as when he'd left, General Hammond wouldn't be too upset. Nothing in the agreement said Jack had to play twenty questions with the man.
"This will probably be my last chance to find out," Harry muttered, just quiet enough that Jack was sure he wasn't supposed to hear. When nothing but the sound of grass rustling against itself filled the space between them, the man ploughed right on. "So who was the blonde?"
Jack's feet simply stopped moving. Of all the things that could have come out of Maybourne's mouth that was the last he'd expected. Harry kept walking, the smirk widening to a grin he threw over his shoulder. Forcing his legs back into motion, Jack cursed himself for reacting. Now there was no way Maybourne was going to let it go.
"Come on, Jack. I saw the kiss. And all that time I thought you and Major Carter had a little thing going."
He was going to choke the other man. Was there anything he could say to shut him up? "The blonde," he stressed carefully, refusing to give Maybourne her name, "was a …" What did he call Freya now? Ex-lover? Friend? Someone he'd torn to pieces? "Co-worker." That was safe enough. And still the truth, sort of.
Turning around to walk backwards, Harry held both arms out to his sides. "You got to give me more than that. There was a whole lot more than 'co-workers' going on that night."
Pushing past him, Jack bit his lip to keep from snapping at him. Anything he said would simply add fuel to the flames. All he had to do was last until they got to the ruins and his team. He could do it. Really. And then Maybourne went on.
"Fine, Jack. Since you won't tell me, I'll just have to ask the rest of SG-1. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to give me the scoop. She seemed like a really nice piece-"
Maybourne's voice cut off with a strangled yelp. Twisting his hands even further into the borrowed uniform jacket, Jack yanked the other man up close and personal. He blinked furiously to clear the haze that filled his vision, pulse thudding in his ears. He hadn't realized he'd moved and suddenly Harry's stunned face was inches from his. "Just stop right there, Maybourne. This conversation is finished."
When Harry quickly nodded his agreement, Jack eased away, releasing his grip. What the hell had just happened? He wasn't in the habit of jacking somebody up for asking a few personal questions, even if he was an annoying, two-timing, back-stabbing, pain in the ass. Harry had scrambled a good ten feet back, eyes wide. With a sigh, Jack shook his head, wincing as the pounding centered behind his eyes. Great. Another headache. That was all he needed to make his day complete.
"Let's just get to the ruins, Harry." As an apology, it wasn't much, but it was the best he could offer. "Then we can go home."
Without a word, Harry strode past, hands straightening his jacket. Jack watched him for a moment, thoughts far away from alien ruins and strange doorways. Shaking himself roughly back to the present, he took a comforting hold of his P90 and started walking. When he got back to Earth, he was getting that time off. No question about it.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
For a moment Anise had the rather ridiculous notion that the figure walking toward her from the now deactivated gate was Jack O'Neill. But it was only a fleeting thought, dispelled as soon as the man came fully into view. The other Tok'ra waiting with her stood as still as she, watching as he approached.
"Hello. I'm Jonas Quinn." He smiled, his expression open and friendly. "Thanks for the offer of help, we aren't getting anywhere in finding Colonel O'Neill."
"I only hope we can be of some assistance," Sina replied, taking on the role of spokeswoman as she gestured to her companions. "We four are the most knowledgeable on the subject of alien technology on the base at this time. Between us, we may be able to help." She led the way to the ring platform as she continued. "Colonel O'Neill has been missing for some time?"
"Yes, he and Colonel Maybourne have been lost for almost three weeks now. From Jalrow's scan of the surface of the planet the device was found on we know they're no longer there, but we don't know where else to look."
The rings activated and after a brief moment of transit they were in the corridors of the base. Repositioning the large roll of papers in his hand, Jonas Quinn peered around in an obvious display of interest.
He does not appear to be concerned by Jack's disappearance. Freya's words held more than a note of criticism and Anise took a moment to examine the new member of SG-1 more fully.
She was taken aback to find Jonas Quinn looking straight back at her. He gave a quick nod as if in recognition.
"You're Anise. I'm very glad to finally meet you." He paused, looking a little uncomfortable. "Or is it Freya? Sorry, I still haven't quite worked out the protocol of these things."
"I understand." She let her voice tell the man what he needed to know. "It can be confusing when you first talk with us."
They had reached the entrance to the information center and were soon standing beside a large table. Jonas Quinn unrolled the papers and spread them out. "This is all the information we have. I brought the translations I've made of the inscriptions as well."
It was some time before anyone spoke as they perused the information. "This device is unfamiliar to me." Thelass was bent over the plans, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Does anyone else recognise the technology?"
Both Sina and Kelmaa shook their heads, but Anise leaned closer. "It does have some resemblance to artifacts we have seen many years ago. I will have to search my archive to be sure."
"Anything could help – anything. We're at a dead end now."
"I shall begin immediately." She turned to the other Tok'ra. "There is no need for you to remain. I will report any progress to the Council."
It was a dismissal and they knew it. As one they nodded their acceptance and left the room without argument.
Jonas Quinn gave a small wave to their backs. "Ah, thanks again." He waited a moment, but when his farewell was not acknowledged he turned back to Anise. "What can I do to help?"
"I do not think there is anything you can do at this juncture. Perhaps you would prefer to await any developments in our eating facilities?"
With a shake of his head, he pulled out a stool and sat. "Nope. I'm fine here. You just go ahead with whatever you need to do."
Does he never stop smiling? Anise had to smile herself at the petulant tone in Freya's voice. It was obvious she had taken an instant dislike to the man.
A sudden thought passed through Anise's mind, too slowly to conceal from her host. Could it be that Freya was jealous?
I have no idea what you mean.
The thought was frosty and Anise grimaced. She had not wanted to cause her host distress. I apologize, it is just that Jonas Quinn has been in close contact with Colonel O'Neill for several months.
And?
She knew not to pursue the matter further, not when Freya spoke to her like that. It was not worth the aggravation – for either of them.
Again, I apologize. She concentrated on her equipment, searching for the reference she thought she remembered. There was silence for quite some time and she was beginning to despair of locating what she looked for.
"You know the colonel well." It was not a question, so Anise ignored it. "Sorry, I'm interrupting."
"Yes." The single word appeared enough to silence the man, but she was wrong.
"You must be worried about him. I know we are. Major Carter is working night and day to try to figure out the device on the planet."
She has not been of much help, though, has she.
The comment from Freya was so ill-natured that Anise was taken aback. She took a moment to compose herself before admonishing her host. You are jealous. This time she did not try to hide the thought.
No. The response was immediate and definite. There is nothing wrong with Major Carter's actions. Jack holds her in the highest of esteem. It is just… There was a sigh… All right, I will admit that the thought of others being able to talk to Jack – to see him… Again there was a pause before Freya continued. It hurts that others can have what we cannot.
Yes, it does. But we cannot resent them. Do you not wish for him to continue with his life – to be happy?
Of course not. Anise felt Freya's horror at the very notion. We must do all we can to help them find him.
"It would be a pity to lose Colonel O'Neill." That was impersonal enough, surely, she asked Freya as she spoke. "He is valuable in our war against the Goa'uld."
It would be far more than a pity and he is valuable to us as well.
"Sorry, I thought you … it's just that I'd heard …"
"The Tok'ra have no interest in gossip." She moved her fingers over the controls, turning to another database.
"You and the colonel aren't together? In a relationship?"
She stood frozen. Together. Had they ever been together, really?
"I'm sorry. I seem to have put my foot in it. I really thought you were more than just friends, at least that's the impression I had." He gave yet another of his wide smiles. "I hope I haven't embarrassed you."
"Not at all. It is of no consequence." Looking at him, she hoped he would say no more on the subject. Already she could feel Freya's misery resurfacing and fought hard to not let it overwhelm her as well. She needed to keep a firm control on her emotions. She was Tok'ra, and a Tok'ra did not act in such a way.
The small screen blinked, giving her yet another negative result.
Perhaps Jack said something to Jonas Quinn? Should we ask?
I thought we had agreed it was over – that there was no point in trying to hold on to something that is no longer there?
"Did you find something?"
Shaking her head, she turned away from the equipment. "There are some references to two devices with superficial resemblance to this one, however the information is sketchy at best and has no further details than those you already have."
"If we went and looked at them – "
She shook her head once more. "The only two we have records of were substantially damaged and are on Goa'uld occupied worlds. There would be no purpose in risking lives to examine them. You are welcome to take whatever information we have back with you."
She wanted this encounter to end. It brought far too many memories to the surface, memories she kept safe, far down deep within her where they could be cherished. "I am sorry I could not be of further help."
The smile vanished completely, the serious expression hidden beneath becoming visible. "So am I."
Their eyes met and Anise found a genuine concern for Colonel O'Neill within them. "If any more information becomes available …"
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
TBC
Authors' note - Did anyone spot the mistake in the last part? We would like to pretend it was deliberate - lol. It has been corrected. So, if anyone out there is actually reading this story, send us a quick review and tell us how silly we were. Go on - anyone?