Teal'c had long ago learned to reign in his emotions. He would never have been able to perform his duties as First Prime to Apophis had he been unable to control them. There was a time when he worried that his time with the people of the Tau'ri would cause his emotions to rise to the surface, but he had since learned that his teammates would think no less of him if that were to happen. He tended to keep his feelings quiet out of habit, but there were times when he found he could no longer hide them so easily as he once did.
This was one of those times. He had long ago stopped underestimating Daniel Jackson, and over the years had come to think of him as a formidable warrior, despite his preference for using words rather than weapons. He knew that Daniel Jackson could handle himself in battle. Yet this was no battle, and it pained him to watch his friend in such a situation.
Teal'c stood alone at the edge of the gathering crowd, maintaining his usual stance – feet shoulder-width apart, hands behind his back. It was a stance that conveyed indifference, yet it also allowed him to be ever at the ready.
Daniel Jackson was brought out of the courthouse and down the steps. His shirt was stripped from him and his hands were bound before him, as it had been the day before. He had not noticed them the night before, but Teal'c could now see the red lines and welts scattered on his friend's torso. It was certainly not the worst injury Daniel Jackson had suffered, but then, this was far from over.
Teal'c stood in silence as one person after another approached Daniel Jackson with the weapon of their choosing. It seemed that, on this day, there would not be mercy for the people of the Tau'ri. Each individual carried out their retribution to its fullest extent, some with much hatred and anger.
As the sixth victim was completing his approved punishment (five bodily blows with fists), Teal'c could see that his friend was beginning to fade. He was still upright, but his shoulders were slumped. His eyes were closed and his breathing came in heavy pants. Blood ran from an open wound above his eyebrow as well as a few other places on his body, and purple and red bruises covered his torso.
Judge Loren announced that there would be one more victim, and then the accused would be allowed to retire in order to receive medical attention. Teal'c was relieved that Daniel Jackson would at least have his injuries treated before having to endure another round of this punishment.
The last victim stepped forward. Teal'c realized that it was the woman who had been at Merrick's house, the one called Raelynn. Judge Loren spoke again, telling the crowd that Raelynn's retribution would take the form of five cuts. The woman's grip on her blade was so tight that her knuckles were white. Teal'c took a precautionary step forward. He was not fond of the look this woman was giving Daniel Jackson.
For her first cut, the woman ran her blade slowly across Daniel Jackson's bare chest. He flinched as the blade drew blood, but did not pull away. Teal'c could see the woman's mouth moving as though she were muttering to her victim, but her voice was not loud enough for him to hear her words. The second was a quick gash across Daniel Jackson's left bicep. The third and fourth were deep gashes in his back. Teal'c realized that each cut was more injurious than the last and his instincts moved him further forward as the woman raised the blade for the final cut.
The woman's movements were not in preparation for a cut, but a stab – a forward thrust. "Daniel Jackson!" Teal'c cried out in warning, now pushing his way forward. But his friend had heard his warning and heeded it. The blade jabbed towards Daniel Jackson's abdomen. With his hands tied, he was not able to move quickly enough to escape its reach, but he managed to knock the blade away so that it struck his side and not his stomach. The blade slipped from the woman's fingers and cut into Daniel Jackson's side. Not a fatal injury, but a more serious one than he was meant to endure.
"Enough!" Judge Loren shouted when he realized what was happening. Teal'c had already made it to Daniel Jackson's side, supporting him. He feared Judge Loren would insist that he leave his friend, but the man was not focused on him, but on the woman. "You were granted five cuts and no more!" he yelled as he grabbed Raelynn. "You dare take our sacred laws into your own hands and turn it into cruelty and violence! We do not take the lives of the accused as retribution!"
"My parents' lives were taken by the people of the Tau'ri!" the woman shouted. "Why should they not lose the life of one of their own? It seems more than a fair bargain!"
"ENOUGH!" Judge Loren commanded. "I have already approved these punishments against my better judgement. If you and others insist upon resorting to cruelty, I will end this once and for all! Now, leave! All of you! Go to your homes and consider what has been done and said here today. If you feel that you cannot follow the ways of our justice system, then do not return tomorrow!"
Judge Loren turned back to Teal'c and looked apologetically at Daniel Jackson. "I am truly sorry. I will send for Brenna to tend to his wounds. Can you get him inside?"
Teal'c nodded. "I can." Judge Loren turned and left them. Teal'c helped Daniel Jackson to his feet. His friend hissed in pain, but was able to stand with his help. Teal'c kept a careful watch of those around them as they slowly made their way up the courthouse stairs, but the crowd seemed to have listened to their judge. Many had already dispersed, and the few that remained did little but look on as they entered the building.
Unsure where else to go, Teal'c determined to bring Daniel Jackson back to the cell that had become his own. The door had been left open that morning, and Teal'c assumed the cot would be the most comfortable place for his friend to rest. He helped Daniel Jackson to lie down on his side and began looking over his injuries.
"Thanks, Teal'c." Daniel Jackson spoke quietly with a pained voice, but his words were sincere. "If it weren't for you, I'd be dead right now."
"You are welcome, Daniel Jackson." The woman called Brenna entered and Teal'c stood to allow her better access to his friend's wounds. He moaned as Brenna pressed bandages to each wound.
"I am sorry," the woman said softly as she stitched the wound in Daniel Jackson's side closed. "I wish I could have stopped this."
Daniel Jackson attempted to smile at Brenna, though it appeared more like a wince. "You tried. You told us to leave. We didn't listen to you. You have nothing to be sorry for."
"I am sorry for my people," Brenna insisted. "I promise you, we are not all cruel."
"I can see that." Daniel Jackson pressed his hand against the woman's arm in a friendly gesture, and Teal'c marveled at his ability to work for peace, even in the midst of such pain.
Brenna stood and addressed Teal'c. "He needs rest," she told him. "As much as possible. I will speak to Judge Loren and ask that he be granted a day for recovery. We owe him that much at least. And more."
"Thank you," Teal'c replied simply.
"You know, I really thought that Landry was wrong," Daniel Jackson said when Brenna had gone. Teal'c was impressed by his friend's perseverance through this ordeal, despite his knowledge of Daniel Jackson's previous similar experiences.
"Wrong about what, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked, coming closer.
"Me and Vala." He groaned as he shifted in the cot, then took a shaky breath and began again. "I know having a couple working on the same team isn't always practical, but we've worked together long enough that I really didn't think there would be a problem. But, here we are."
"I fail to see the connection between our current situation and General Landry's concerns about your romantic relationship with Vala Mal Doran."
"It's the same reason the military doesn't allow romantic relationships within the same units, and, arguably, why romance is often discouraged in the workplace. It distracts you, messes with your priorities. Having someone you care about that much with you when both of your lives are in danger, it can force you to make choices you wouldn't ordinarily make; choose your loved one over the mission or over the lives of the rest of your team or the people you're trying to help. Landry knew it could mess with the team, and deep down, I think Mitchell knew it too, but we were so bent on keeping the team together, that we refused to see it."
"I have never understood humans' insistence that love makes one weak," Teal'c said after a pause.
"I wouldn't say weak; more vulnerable."
"The Jaffa believe that a man's love is what gives him strength – the knowledge that he is fighting for those he loves. I believe that is why the Goa'uld presented themselves as gods – to be worshipped and adored. Their cruelty eventually led to their downfall, but for centuries, Jaffa served them and fought for them because of a loyalty born out of adoration. Love can be a very powerful thing, Daniel Jackson."
"It can, Teal'c. It's just . . . it can get in the way in certain situations; like this one."
"I do not agree. While it is true you chose to act as you did in order to protect Vala Mal Doran, it is also true that your actions were justified. You succeeded not only in protecting the one you love, but also the rest of your team, without disrupting the indigenous peoples' way of life. I do not believe that your actions were worthy of reprimand."
"You think I did the right thing?"
"I believe that, had I thought of it, I would have done what you did."
Daniel Jackson smiled. "Thanks, Teal'c."