Teal'c

It has not been fair to have Rya'c live with me on base. Since he has come to live with me, we have spent more time off base, but it is time to make our permanent residence off base.

It is mere hours from the time that we moved off base that we are witness to a car accident.

"What the hell are you doing?" the driver of a car filled with adolescents queries.

"I was trying to park," the adult who was hit by the adolescent driver replies.

"Huh! Didn't you ever hear of signaling, pal?"

"I did signal."

"Listen man, if you don't know how to drive, maybe you should try staying off the damn road!"

The adolescents are surrounding the driver, "Maybe, if you hadn't have been tailgating me this wouldn't have happened," the older man says.

"Oh, no, you didn't just say that," the adolescent says as he takes hold of the other man by the collar and pushes him against the car.

"Look, man, I don't want any trouble."

"Too late," the adolescent says preparing to strike the man. I grab his arm by way of stopping him.

"This is unlawful behavior," I inform him.

"Who the hell are you?" the adolescent asks.

"Collision procedure dictates that you exchange insurance information and, if necessary, notify the police."

The adolescent laughs, and then asks, "What?"

"This gentleman did indeed signal, which would indicate that it was you who were at fault," I clarify.

"Pal, you'd better learn to mind your own damn business." The adolescent attempts to fight me. He is far worse at boxing than any I have encountered previously, including DanielJackson. I use my head as a weapon which eliminates him as a threat. Those in the car with him attempt to render assistance. I manage to elude their attempts, and strike them.

"Wow!" a young boy watching says, and from my son's face I can tell he is also impressed.

"I believe it will now be necessary to notify the police," I inform the man who was involved in the original altercation.

"Yeah. Thanks."

I bow.


Daniel

Why does Jack always send me to do his dirty work? Because he is a coward? Why do I always go? Because I'm a coward too? Anyway, I was sent to go scold a 6'2" Jaffa for being himself. I mean Teal'c equals hero, there is no way around it.

"I broke no law. I intervened to prevent a criminal activity and was forced to defend myself."

"You see, that's kind of the point. Look, there's no reason why you shouldn't be allowed to live off base. I mean, especially when you're not carrying a symbiote anymore, but… you're supposed to be keeping a low profile."

"That is not always easy," Teal'c says indicating his forehead.

"I'm not just talking about the tattoo, although I do see how that could be a problem."

"I often cover it, to avoid stares in public. I tell those who have seen it, that it is a tribal mark from my homeland."

"Yes, this is less about appearance, than it is about behavior."

"Have I not conducted myself as a typical member of this community?"

"No, no, actually, no, you haven't. Ummm…besides the other day, there was the incident with the old man and the teenagers in the park. There was that thing with the guy with the pit bull."

"In each case, I was only attempting to render assistance where it was needed."

"You see, that's kinda the problem. Normal human beings are a little more careful about getting involved in business that isn't theirs. I know. That sounds bad, but it's just the way it is, and you can't afford to be drawing attention to yourself."

Teal'c pauses to ponder what is being said. "I understand."

Rya'c enters the room, "Dad, I'm going to use the car, 'kay?"

"What do you need an automobile for?" Teal'c asks.

Rya'c rolls his eyes, "For a date. Dad, seriously, you've been on this planet longer than I have, why can't you talk like a normal person?"

Teal'c looks all offended. Rya'c is almost out the door. "Hold on, what's her name, and when are you going to be back?" I ask him.

Rya'c looks at me with a groan (clearly his father never thinks to ask these questions); "I'll be home when I'm home, and names are fluid things." Door slam.

"And that's ok with you?" I ask Teal'c.

He shrugs his shoulder. I still have a few years before Shifu hits his teens, and I am not looking forward to it based on what I've seen from my friend's kids. Ok, so Jack had it pretty easy with Charlie, but the rest of them were a headache and a half.

There is a knock at the door, and Teal'c turns to answer it saying, "Excuse me."

Behind the door is a beautiful woman who greets him with a "hi."

"Krista," he says with the closest Teal'c gets to a smile. Wait, did Teal'c just refer to someone by only their first name? Holy cow he must like this girl!

"Made you cookies," she offers holding up a bag.

"Please come in," Teal'c invites.

Krista stops cold when she sees me in the apartment, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had company.""

"Krista James, this is Daniel Jackson," Teal'c says.

We shake hands, "Hi."

"Krista lives in the apartment next door," Teal'c continues.

"Wait a minute, Doctor Jackson? You're the archaeologist who hired Teal'c to come over from Mozambique," Krista says excitedly.

"That's right!" I exclaim.

"Well, then I should thank you. It's been great having him here. It's nice to have a man around who cares about his neighbors," she says.

"Actually, we were just talking about that," I say giving Teal'c a smile.

"In fact, that's why I'm here. The cookies were a bribe. My pipes are doing that thing again."

"Normally, I would be happy to provide assistance, however…" Teal'c starts to hedge.

He is a dense man. "No, no, no, no, no. Don't let me interrupt. I've gotta be going anyway. It's very nice to meet you," I say to Krista.

"Nice to meet you," she offers.

"Ah, Teal'c, that other thing we were talking about, ummm…every rule has its exceptions," I tell him.


Sam

Cassie left on a date today without letting me meet the guy. I know she's eighteen. I really do know that. So, do I let it go? I mean if she went to college in another state I wouldn't even know. But I really just want to know the name of the guy.

"So, how are things in the galaxy?" Pete asks interrupting my thoughts.

"You know I can't talk about work," I say.

"Sorry. I'm still getting used to the fact that my girlfriend's a superhero."

"A bit of an exaggeration."

"The superhero part? Or the girlfriend part?" I give him a smile, "You travel to other planets to do battle with alien creatures bent on galactic domination. Just because you don't wear a tight spandex outfit doesn't mean that you're not…although…it's an idea you might wanna consider."

I laugh again, "Look, I know this is hard for you. Any other guy would have just freaked out and run away."

"You didn't run away when I stalked you. Anyway, I just want you to appreciate the position I'm in here."

"I do, believe me, and I'm really glad you stuck around."

"I'm glad to hear you say that, 'cos I put in for a transfer to Colorado Springs PD."

More Pete. That's a good thing right? Definitely a good thing. I give him a big kiss. "Are you sure?" I ask.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life. That's why I got you this," he opens up a box to show a glimmering diamond ring. I did not see that one coming.

"Oh, my God!" I exclaim.


Krista

"I'm sorry to keep asking you to help with my plumbing but the super's never around and my boyfriend's not very handy," I apologize to Teal'c.

"There is no need to apologize." God he is so different from any other man I've ever known. He is helpful, kind, protective. Not very talkative, but when he does talk it's so wise. He's not bad to look at either. But the best thing about Teal'c is that when I'm with him I feel so safe. I don't remember ever feeling safe like this before.

"Anyhow, you'll forgive me once you've tasted my lasagna."

"I'm looking forward to it."

A little boy walks up to him, "Yo, T!"

"Greetings, Eric," Teal'c says doing a complicated handshake.

"I saw you take out those three gorillas the other day. Nice work," Eric says.

"In retrospect it may have been unwise to intervene," Teal'c says.

"Are you kidding? They deserved it," Eric says.

A young man grabs a purse off the top of a woman's car.

"Hey! Hey stop that guy; he's got my purse, hey!" The thief runs by me knocking me to the ground.

"Aren't you gonna do anything?" Eric asks in horror.

"I must not intervene," Teal'c says, but he's obviously torn.

I'm confused. Why isn't he helping? He is always helpful. That is the good thing about Teal'c, "What? You just gonna let him get away?"

He glances at the thief, and back at me. He puts the bag of groceries on the ground, takes a piece of fruit out of it, and hurls it at the guy.

"Oh man! What a shot," the child exclaims.

"How did you do that?" I ask.

"You the man, T!" the kid explains.

The woman whose purse was stolen says, "Thank you. That was amazing."

"That was amazing," I add.

"T, you are the man. Gotta give the man his props."


Teal'c

Even though I no longer have my symbiote I Kelno'reem. Particularly when I am waiting for my son to return from his courting ritual. Suddenly I hear a noise coming through the walls, "Krista! Krista! Come on, Krista. Listen, listen, listen, just let me in. Just let me in." The pounding goes down the hallway.

I walk into the hallway to see a man standing before the entrance to Krista's apartment.

"Doug, I have to work tomorrow," Krista protests.

"So?" the man says.

"So? You're drunk. Just go home. Please," she pleads.

"No, no, no, I ain't going nowhere."

"Doug…"

"Is there a problem?" I ask firmly.

"This is a private conversation," the man says.

"If it were private, you would not be conducting it in the hallway, nor speaking so loudly," I inform him. A door behind me opens, and Mrs. Connors peeks out.

"It's alright, Mrs. Connors. Just go back inside," Krista commands.

"Do you require assistance?" I ask Krista.

"No, I'm okay," she says.

"Who the hell is this guy?" the man demands.

"His name is Teal'c. He's my neighbor." Krista informs him.

"Teal'c? What kind of a crazy name is that?"

"He just moved here from Mozambique," Krista says.

"Ooh…no doubt."

"Krista has requested that you leave. I suggest you comply," I inform him.

"You better check yourself, before you get hurt," Doug says.

"I have checked. I suggest you leave, before it's you that gets hurt."

"Doug, go sober up," Krista says.

"You know what? I'm gonna call you tomorrow," Doug says as he leaves.

"I'm sorry about that. I hate when he gets that way," Krista says appearing embarrassed as if she had done something wrong."

"This is not the first time. So you have stopped receiving him," I remind her.

"Not exactly. He's not always like that. Since he lost his job, he's just been, you know…" she apologizes.

"I do not," I challenge.

"It's been hard on him."

"And has it not been hard on you?"

"I'm fine."

Rya'c walks by.

"Rya'c, you have returned."

"I'm going to bed dad," he says.


Daniel

"I do not understand Krista's behavior," Teal'c confides to me after telling me about his neighbor's abusive boyfriend.

"Yeah, it's a common problem. Most cultures on Earth recognize that there's a significant gap between the experiences of men and women. Among the Maasai of East Africa, each newlywed man is required to wear his wife's clothing for a month, as a way of gaining insight into her life," I offer.

"If only it were that simple," Sam says, and I detect a note of bitterness in her voice.

"The point is, while rituals and customs may vary, almost all cultures put significant pressure on single adults to form bonding pairs. In ancient Persia, if a girl died a virgin, they would go so far as to marry her corpse off before burial," I offer.

"That's horrible!" Sam exclaims.

"The groom was usually quite well paid," I offer.

"It's bad enough being on your own without every TV show and commercial and magazine ad trying to tell you how abnormal it is," Sam says.

"I think that's what I just said," I say.

"They make you afraid of being alone but at the same time tell you not to settle for anything less than the perfect romantic ideal, like that actually exists anywhere in the real world. Either way you can't win!" She says with a big sigh. I look at Teal'c in surprise. His eyebrows are raised to the ceiling.

"How's things?" I ask Sam.

"Good. We were talking about Teal'c's friend, right?" she says realizing that she has revealed things she probably didn't mean to.

"I thought we were," I say.

"Teal'c, how do Jaffa couples handle their problems?" Sam says focusing back on Teal'c.

"On Chulak, a dispute between a man and a woman that cannot be resolved necessitates a pledge break. It must be requested by one and granted by the other," Teal'c says.

"And if that doesn't work?" Teal'c asks.

"A weapon is required," Teal'c says.


Krista

Teal'c is doing that strange martial arts thing he does. I watch him for a little bit until he notices me watching.

"Sorry, I don't want to interrupt you; I just came out for a little air."

"Are you alright?" he asks sounding truly concerned.

"I had another fight with Doug. I told him it's over. I don't want to see him anymore."

"Are you not happy with your decision?"

"I guess it was the right thing to do. But he's not a bad person. He's just going through a tough time."

"You have no cause to feel guilty," he says looking like he can see right through me.

"What was that you were just doing?"

"It is called Lok'nel, an ancient form of martial arts training."

"You think you could teach me?"

He smiles, and does that formal head bowing thing he always does.


I hear Teal'c knocking on the door.

"Oh, hi," I offer.

"You are late for your next training session," he informs me.

"Yeah, I meant to tell you. I don't think I'm going to be able to train with you anymore," I say awkwardly.

"You have been making tremendous progress," he says.

"Well, I just don't have time, you know?"

"Has something transpired?" he says concerned.

"No, everything's fine. Look, I've gotta go," I say trying to close the door. Teal'c's eyes fall on my wrist, and stops me from closing the door.

"You are injured," he says.

"It's nothing. Please," I beg.

"Krista, who is it?" his voice says from inside of the apartment.

"It's just my neighbor," I explain.

Doug opens the door and says in his rudest voice, "Oh yeah? The plumber. I'll handle this."

"Doug, it's not…" I try to explain.

"I said, I'll handle it!" Doug explains. Our neighbor peers out of the door.

"Don't think I don't know what's been going on around here. She told me everything," Doug says to Teal'c.

"Are you the one who injured her?" Teal'c says.

"What goes on between me and Krista, it ain't none of your business," Doug spouts.

"If you ever injure her again, I will kill you where you stand," Teal'c says leaving.


Jack

"Carter," I say as I enter her lab to see her typing at a computer.

"Sir."

"I never thought I'd hear myself utter these words. I need that report."

"Right. Um, I just need to finish typing up my notes," she says searching across her desk, "Uh…yeah, I'll have it for you first thing tomorrow."

"It is tomorrow."

"Oh."

"Where are the kids anyway?"

"Your mom is watching JD, and Cassie is on a date."

"She's not still on a date?" I ask in alarm.

She shrugs, "I don't know, probably."

"Who is this guy?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know!" I ask in horror.

"Look, she's eighteen. She's in college. I don't think I can really tell her when to be in or who to spend time with. She doesn't have a class until eleven tomorrow."

"If you don't tell her, Uncle Jack, sure as hell will."

"Jack," she says.

"Right," I say, "Anyway, I was joking, I don't need the report."

"Well then, why…."

"Because something's going on with you. You haven't tried to confuse me with any scientific babble for the last couple of days and that's a red flag to me."

Sam lets out a huge sigh, and hands a ring box to me, "Pete gave me this."

I open it up. Right, an engagement ring. It's like being punched in the stomach. But at least she doesn't have it on. "People normally wear these on their fingers."

"I haven't said yes."

"And yet, you haven't said no."

"I told him I needed to think about it."

"And?" I say putting down the ring box. I have to have it out of my hands, because right now I have the urge to throw it across the room. The ring first, Pete next and then whoever is dating little Cass.

"That was two weeks ago," she says.

"Ah!" Don't grin O'Neill.

"You know, all these years I've been concentrating on work I just assumed that one day I would…"

"Have a life?"

"Yeah. And now it comes down to it, I don't know. I mean, every time we go through the gate we risk not coming back. Is it fair to put somebody else through that? I mean I already put my kids through it."

"Pete is a cop. I think he could handle it."

"What about you? If things had been different…"

"I wouldn't be here," I say. I can't have her. She needs someone. Someone to help her raise the kids. Someone to love her. Someone who can actually be there for her. I can't be there for her.


Teal'c

Rya'c and I enter our apartment building to see Krista sitting on the floor.

"Krista," I say.

She stands up and wipes some tears off her face, "Hey, I was waiting for you."
"I'll see you later, Father," Rya'c says passing by me into the room.

"Has something happened?" I ask her.

"No, I'm fine. It's just, it's over with Doug. For real this time. I'm sorry about what happened before," Krista says.

I wipe the tears off her cheeks with my thumb.

"I need to get out of here. I can't even think in this place. Will you come with me?"

"Perhaps tomorrow."

"No, now. Tonight. We'll just get in the car and drive. We'll take the whole weekend. It doesn't even matter where we end up, as long as it's away from here. Please," she pleads.

I nod my head.


Krista

I know what I'm doing is wrong. I mean Teal'c is possibly the most moral guy I've ever known, and I'm using him to flee from a murder rap.

"Thanks for getting me out of there. I just couldn't be in that place tonight," I tell him. God, the blood. I can't believe I did it. And I used what he taught me to do it too.

"Where do you wish to go?" he asks.

"Just keep driving," I say. He looks in the rear-view mirror, "What? What is it?"

"I do not wish to alarm you but I believe that we are being followed," he says.

"Who would be following us?"

"Perhaps Doug," he says sounding concerned.

"No," I say quickly. I know it is not Doug, because he's currently in a bloody, crumpled mess on the floor of my apartment. God, I killed him.

"He doesn't know I'm gone yet."

"Then they are most likely following me."

What? "You? Why would anyone be following you?"

"It is difficult to explain," I look back, and see a car following us. If they are following him it might still result in my being caught.

"Can you lose them?" I ask nervously.

"I believe so. However, it will require me to violate posted speed limits and several safe driving regulations."

"I'm okay with that," I say. He looks at me.

"Hold on." He says pressing the gas pedal down hard. Wow! He can drive! There is nothing about this man that I don't like.


We found a hotel room to hide in. I shut a door, and Teal'c shuts the curtains, "Don't tell me you learned how to do that back in your village."

"There are aspects of my life which I am not at liberty to divulge."

"What are you? A spy or something? One thing's for sure, you're not really Doctor Jackson's research assistant. That much I figured after about 30 seconds."

"Krista…" he says playing a finger on my lips. I like the feeling of his gentle touch.

"It's okay. For now, I'm just glad you're here," I say. I lean forward and kiss him. He kisses back, but there is no possession in the kiss. He isn't trying to own me, to control me. He's tall, and strong, but he's gentle. He would never hurt me.


Pete

"Hi," I say as Sam meets me at the park.

"Thanks for meeting me."

"No problem."

"Pete, I'm sorry," the smile leaves my face. I should have known not to push her. She's not ready to marry me. I never should have asked.

"I need a little more time. Look, you know how I feel about you, it's just…there's some things I need to work out."

"Okay."

"Anyway, that's not what this is about."

"It's not?" Of course not, two weeks is no time to leave a guy hanging about the most important thing in the world.

"No. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't so important."

"What's going on?"

"I need your help. Teal'c is being accused of murder."


Pete

Ok, so I helped rescue Sam's friend and now the people who were holding him captive have disappeared into thin air.

"So, it's normal for the bad guys to just disappear into thin air, right?" I ask Sam.

"Not really. Although, now that I think about it, it's not the first time it's happened."

"Just another day at the office."

"Yes."

"Figures you should be used to it by now."

"No, I mean, yes."

I look at her. I can't believe it. I really wasn't thinking she would say yes. "Yes, as in?"

"Yes," she says and I pull her close to me.

"Are you messing with me?" I ask.

"No."

"Which means?"

"Yes."

"You don't need more time?"

"No."

"Therefore…"

Her face breaks into a wide grin, "Yes," she says giving me a huge hug and kiss.


Krista

"Be careful with that package, Eric. Its contents are…" Teal'c says as the kid drops the box off of his skateboard, "…fragile," he finishes.

"Sorry," Eric says.

"There is no need for an apology," Teal'c says picking up the box, "I am grateful for your assistance."

"Hey!" I offer.

"So, you guys really leaving," I ask sadly.

"Indeed we are."

"You know, you don't have to do this. The whole thing was my fault." That is the understatement of the year. I killed my boyfriend.

"There is no need to blame yourself."

"So, where are you gonna go?"

"Back to where I came from."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I must say goodbye."


Jack

I have been on lots of different stakeouts with Sam. But this one is different. First of all it is just me and her (which is a little bit dangerous now that she is engaged) and secondly because we're staking out her daughter. If I don't meet Cassie's new boyfriend I am probably going to explode.

"So you're wearing the ring," I say. We'd better talk about it.

"Yeah, Pete is a good guy," she says.

"He is."

"Of course, I told him about Cassie, and he told me I should leave it alone," she says pausing, "I mean, you called your mother to watch the baby, and brought over donuts and coffee and hid with me in the bushes."

"Yeah, well I think of Cassie like a daughter," I say.

She bites her lip, and looks at me carefully, "And Pete doesn't."

My stomach is twisted into a thousand knots. "Maybe he will."

"He wants to have more kids."

"And you don't?" I ask looking at her. That sort of surprises me.

"Well," she sighs, "I do. But I don't want to have more kids, because the ones I have aren't good enough. Or because…I don't know if I have another kid, I want it to be because I really want to see what a mix of me and the guy I have a kid with would be like." She's looking at me.

"And Pete?"

"Sorry, he's a great guy."

I stare ahead in silence for a little bit. "Divorce sucks Carter." I pause, "Particularly for kids." I pause again, "Particularly if their step dad would be out of their life afterword."

She doesn't say anything for a long time. A car pulls up. A man steps out and walks around to open the door for her. Well, at least the guy is polite. Wait?

"Rya'c?" I ask.

He turns looking surprised.

"Cassie, you're dating Rya'c?" I ask.

"Indeed," Rya'c says with a grin. I pull him into a Jaffa handshake/hug.

"Cassie, this is the boy you were hiding from me?" Sam asks pulling her daughter into a hug.

"Your father know?" I ask.

"No, we just didn't want to make this into a big deal until we were sure it was going to last."

"Why? It's not like the two oldest SG-1 kids are dating or anything!" Sam gushes.

"And that," Cassie waves her hands around, "Was what we were afraid of."

"Your mom is not going to be overexcited," I say. But clearly I'm lying, "But you should still get Cassie home before eleven." I say fixing a glare at him.

"Yes, Sir," he says.

"I can't believe you can intimidate someone whose father is Teal'c!" Cassie says.

"Maybe we can get Teal'c to intimidate her," Sam says with a smile pointing at her daughter.