Title: Wherever You Go, There You Are
Spoilers: Nothing new.
Rating: Um, PG just to be safe. Minor language.
Disclaimer: Stargate SG1 and Farscape are owned by lovely, wonderful people. I am not among them.
Wherever You Go, There You Are: This Can't Be Love
The 'Gate disconnected again, this time with a pallet of supplies on the ground in front of the stone ring.
"You know," Daniel commented offhandedly, picking up one of his books, "I'm really beginning to dislike the people in the Pentagon."
"We must find additional leverage for General Hammond to use."
"Well, we've, um, gone through political asylum, first-hand knowledge of distant part of galaxy, first-hand knowledge of race that created the Stargate. And, oh yeah, the fact that Earth is his home. Not sure what other cards we have to play."
"There is always another option."
Daniel sighed. "I think they'd let us bring Aeryn back as long as we promised not to bring John with her." He thought for a moment, looking briefly at the two women sitting on some rocks nearby. "Actually, I think they'd let us bring Zhaan back if we promised not to bring John." Teal'c raised an eyebrow. Daniel said, "Yeah. The Pentagon works in mysterious ways."
"We should contact O'Neill and Major Carter."
"Let's give them a little more time, just in case. Besides, I want to take another look at the temple. Maybe there's something else we can use." He picked up a backpack bearing the title "Major Carter" in large black letters. "I'm beginning to think Sam should have asked for a bit more."
"You were not successful?" Zhaan's smooth voice asked from behind him.
"Um, no. General Hammond is doing everything he can, but our - people - are not cooperating." He glanced at Aeryn, who had approached with Zhaan. "Believe it or not, the issue is not with you. The Pentagon, our, um, military leadership," furrowed eyebrows indicated the archeologist's current opinion of that leadership, "still believes it is a bad idea to let John come home."
"Irreversible contamination," Aeryn muttered under her breath and stalked off in the direction of the temple.
Daniel looked to Zhaan for a translation. She shook her head, speaking slowly so that he would understand. "It is not my story to tell, but she understands what this will mean to John."
He nodded. "I'm sure it's not helping her - or your - opinion of us, but we will work this out." He looked at Teal'c for support. "We always do." Teal'c merely returned an impassive gaze. "Right. Let's go find something that will convince them."
"Carter!" She stopped in mid-question and turned to her CO. " For cryin' out loud! Give the guy a break. He's been answering your questions for three hours."
Carter hesitated only a moment. "Actually, sir, it's only been an hour and 15 minutes. I only wish I had time to see everything."
"Major Carter," Pilot said, "You are more than welcome to observe Moya's systems."
John translated for her. "Thank you. I'd like that," she replied.
"Before we go snooping around, Carter, let's check in with the kids. I want to see what the word is from the SGC." Carter nodded, and Jack spoke into his radio. "Teal'c, come in." No answer. "Daniel, what's going on down there?"
"Sir, we may be out of range." She looked at John.
"No problem." He spoke to a random point in the air. "Aeryn."
Her voice came back immediately. "Yes, John."
"See? No hands required." John said to the other two.
"I can do that with my cell phone," Jack said. Sam raised an eyebrow at him. "I don't, but I could."
"Anything happening down there, Officer Sun?"
"We're back in the temple. Zhaan and Daniel think they've found something important."
John could hear the hesitancy in her voice. "Aeryn, what is it?"
"Are you almost done showing the others Moya?'
"Pilot and I were about to walk Sam through Moya's innards. We should be back on the surface in another couple of arns."
"Alright. We'll see you."
Zhaan cut in, speaking over Aeryn. "John, I think you might want to come down now."
"What's the problem?" he asked.
Sam dropped off her perch at Pilot's console. O'Neill mouthed "Problem?" to her; she shrugged in return.
"There is some question of whether or not you will be allowed to return home."
"What?!"
"Your friends' leader wishes you to come and speak with him," Zhaan continued.
Sam, by now standing next to John, put a hand on his arm. "What is it?"
John ignored her, except to shake off her hand and step away. Anger boiled up through his next question. "And you didn't tell me this before now because.?"
"The general said he was still working on it. We're not in a hurry, Crichton. We have plenty of time," Aeryn said.
O'Neill, getting a bad feeling about whatever was the subject of conversation, was already on his feet as John yelled, "This is us, Aeryn! We never have enough time; something bad always happens!"
"John Robert Crichton!" Sam's whip-crack voice surprised them all. Sam took two quick steps forward, coming almost nose to nose with John, something O'Neill hardly ever saw her do to anyone.
"Not Air Force, Sam. You can't order me around."
"The hell I can't. Get a grip and tell me what is going on."
Not that she couldn't get up in someone's face, Jack thought, watching her stare down Crichton; she just usually didn't. Of course, that was probably because he always got there first.
Crichton stared right back at her. "Apparently your people don't want me back on Earth."
"That can't be right," Sam's denial was automatic.
"Hammond wants to talk. I'm thinking that means someone isn't sure they want me crashing their party."
"Why? It makes no sense. It has to be about Aeryn."
"Zhaan was pretty clear - she said the problem was with me."
"Look, we'll go back to the surface, talk to the general. There has to be an explanation."
Jack started to wade in, break the tension, but he got the idea that this was an old fight.
"Explanation? Your beloved military is screwing things up yet again, Samantha."
"My military is going to save your ass. Or do you want to stay here?"
"John," Zhaan interrupted, "Daniel thinks we may have found something here in the temple that will help."
"Genuine military intelligence?" he asked sarcastically, eyes locked with Sam's.
"Not my fault." Eyes level, voice quiet.
"Nope." He matched her tone. "It's just the usual regard I've come to expect from the family-friendly US military." He spun sharply, moving toward the door. "Aeryn, Zhaan - be down in a few. Don't go anywhere." He called over his shoulder, "Going down to work this out, Pilot. Keep the engines warm."
"Goodbye, Commander."
A sad note in Pilot's voice stopped John short. "Damn."
Jack got it instantly. "We can come back."
"Given our propensity for last-minute trouble, it might be a better idea for you to take your leave now, Commander. Just in case."
"Pilot's right, John. We'll meet you in the transport bay." D'Argo's voice came through the comm system.
Pilot spoke again. "Take care of yourself, John. Moya and miss you."
John hesitated for a split second before running back to Pilot's perch. Leaping, he slid over enough of the console to throw an arm around Pilot's neck. One long arm patted Crichton awkwardly on the back. He pulled back enough to place both hands on either side of Pilot's face and planted a big Bugs Bunny-style kiss on the surprised alien's nose. He slid back down to the floor and headed for the doorway without a backward glance, fellow Earthlings following, although Pilot heard him call back, "Hey, Pilot! As a going away present, you want me to shoot Rygel?"
"I heard that, Crichton," came the gruff reply from the target in question. "Just for that, I'm not bringing your things from your quarters."
"Keep it, Rygel. Don't need it where I'm going. Assuming, of course, I actually get there."
"I've got your things, John." D'Argo said. John heard an "Ow" in the background and assumed it was Rygel on the short end of the Luxan temper.
At the bay door, Chiana waited. She jumped into his arms, locking her legs around his waist. "You could take me too, you know."
"Not a bright idea, Pip. Earth isn't ready for you just yet. Give it a few years." She hugged him hard and slid to the floor. He kissed the top of her head and said, "Be good."
Chiana flashed that grin and rolled her head to one side. "You know me."
Rygel floated past them, hovering in front of Crichton for a moment. John reached out and tousled the tuft of hair on the Hynerian's head. "See ya round, Ryg."
"If you ever find yourself lost in these parts again, somewhere else."
"Love you, too, Sparky." John took a quick detour to pat the hull of the Farscape I. Looking at D'Argo standing in front of the transport, he said, "Take care of her."
"Like my own," the Luxan agreed.
John held out his hand. "Well, D, it's been real."
"Oh, no." D'Argo shook his head. "I'm going with you. Somebody has to bring Moya's transport pod back."
"Zhaan can fly it."
"And if - when - you get into trouble? Don't argue for once; we're wasting time." He waved at the three of them to climb aboard.
"You're gonna miss my arguing when I'm gone." John muttered, reaching out as Sam walked past to tug on her hand by way of apology. She smiled, acknowledging that his words were meant for both of them, and he tucked her hand under his arm to escort her into the pod.
D'Argo chuckled. "That's what they all say," he replied, following them up the ramp.
