Unspoken
Same disclaimer
Day Five Part Three
The leader stood looking at Daniel in silence for a long moment before he spoke. It sounded like he asked a question. Jack didn't have a clue what he said, but Daniel must have because he answered.
"Chumba."
The leader gestured to one of the two big men. The crowd parted, and he walked down to Sam. He started to reach for her, but Daniel put his arm in front of her.
"She's with me," he said moving his other hand back and forth between himself and Sam.
The man turned to the leader for further instructions. Jack could see the leader was confused. He cast a glance at the prisoners then beckoned Daniel and Sam forward. They took a few steps, and the leader seemed to change his mind. He put out a hand to stop them and spoke to the man walking behind them. The man moved in front of them again and gestured to their zats.
"Daniel?" Sam asked holding her zat protectively.
"It's ok, Sam," Daniel said slowly giving up his zat.
The man held out a hand telling Daniel and Sam to stay and brought the zats to the leader on the platform. The leader examined them curiously then set them on the ground and beckoned Daniel and Sam forward again.
Jeez, he looks horrible, Jack thought as he watched Sam help Daniel up the steps. How the hell did he convince Fraiser and Hammond to let him come back? Same way he convinces me to let him get away with almost anything: that you have no choice but to let me do this look. Didn't think that worked on Fraiser though.
The leader went through the same set of gestures as the first time they met. Without hesitation, Daniel copied him. The leader looked surprised and impressed. Sam beamed.
The leader indicated the prisoners and said something.
"Chumba," Daniel answered.
The man said something else, and Daniel looked confused for a few seconds.
"Chumbada. I've come to take them," he said slowly. "We're all leaving," he said indicating himself, Sam and the prisoners.
The leader shook his head, pointed at Daniel and said something sternly.
Daniel shook his head and said forcefully, "Chubada. No. All of us."
Way to go, Danny! Jack tried to smile, but his lip was too swollen.
The man pointed to Daniel and repeated his statement.
I wouldn't get into a battle of wills with him if I were you, Jack silently cautioned.
"Chumbada. Mine." Daniel again indicated the prisoners. "Flamvii."
Again, the leader looked impressed. He motioned for the big man. The man stepped forward and grabbed Sam's arms. He attempted to move back with her, but she struggled. The leader gave Daniel a command.
"It's ok, Sam. He's not going to hurt you. He just wants to move you out of the way," Daniel explained without taking his eyes off the leader.
"Why?"
"I challenged him for possession of the prisoners. Now, I have to prove myself."
"You can do that, right?"
"Yes. But, part of that proof is how well you cooperate."
"Because you're the leader," Sam said allowing the man to step backward with her.
"Yes."
Jack raised his eyebrows.
The leader held out his hands. Daniel took them, and the leader led him to the center of the platform. There was a lot of bustling around in the room as everyone sat down. Sam's guard let go of her and gestured for her to sit on the top step. She did so, and he sat beside her. The four bowmen and the four arrow men sat where they were standing.
The leader stood facing Daniel with his back to the crowd. He let Daniel's hands go. "Swalven," he said pointing to himself and bowed.
"Daniel." Daniel pointed to himself and bowed.
Swalven raised his hands above his head and nodded for Daniel to do the same. When Daniel did Swalven clasped his hands and brought their arms down and back up swiftly three times then let go.
Jack saw Daniel's grimace of pain at the unexpected movement.
Swalven gestured for Daniel to sit. When Daniel did so, Swalven walked around him twice and came to a stop behind him. He stood there silently for at least a minute. Jack and Sam could see curiosity and apprehension in Daniel's eyes, but he kept them facing forward and his head still the whole time.
Finally, Swalven smiled and moved to stand in front of Daniel. He held out his hand and said, "Arosa."
Daniel took his hand and stood.
Swalven kept his hold on Daniel's hand, and held out his other hand, palm up. "Gavnii."
"What?" Daniel asked confused. "Gavnii?"
Swalven gestured with his outstretched hand. "Gavnii," he repeated impatiently.
"Gavnii," Daniel mumbled to himself. "Oh!" With his free hand, he reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a baggie containing seeds. He placed it gently in Swalven's hand.
Swalven let go of Daniel's other hand and turned the baggie over in his hands. He looked at Daniel curiously.
"You plant them," Daniel said. "Valiinea."
"Valiinea?" Swalven asked uncertainly.
"Um, like this." Daniel got down on his knees and mimed digging a hole. He reached up to take the baggie from Swalven. Swalven grunted and stepped back holding the baggie to his chest. "It's ok. I'm not taking it back. Uh, gavnii." He mimed giving Swalven the baggie.
Swalven looked at the baggie curiously. He opened it, took out a seed and offered the seed to Daniel.
"Tolbaya," Daniel said taking the seed and putting it in the imaginary hole. He mimed filling in the hole. Standing, he mimed a tree growing tall. He reached up into the tree, took something off and mimed eating it. "Apple."
Swalven looked very impressed. "Appal." He smiled and held out his hand. Daniel retrieved the seed, gave it back and shook Swalven's hand. "Gavnii," he said holding onto Swalven's hand and holding out his other hand, palm up.
Swalven gestured to the man sitting beside Sam. The man got up and walked over to the pole Hardy was tied to.
"Chumbada," Daniel commanded.
"Chumbada?" Swalven asked confused.
"That one first," Daniel said pointing to Jack. "Statsa wann."
Swalven nodded to the guard, and the guard moved to untie Jack then Teal'c, Cooley and Hardy.
"Tolbaya." Daniel smiled at Swalven and bowed.
"Tibaat," Swalven said and bowed to Daniel.
"Let's go," Daniel said suddenly sounding very tired.
"That's it? We just walk out?" Jack asked incredulous as he limped across the platform followed by Teal'c, Cooley and Hardy.
"Yep," Daniel said as Sam came to take his arm.
Swalven handed the baggie of seeds to a nearby woman and took Daniel's other arm.
"Daniel?" Jack asked.
"I think he just wants to help."
Swalven, Sam and Daniel walked down the steps followed by Cooley and Hardy. Teal'c took Jack's arm to help him down the steps. Jack watched warily as the guard came to his other side. He raised his eyebrows when the man spoke. "Daniel?"
Daniel stopped and turned awkwardly with his escorts. "He said he's sorry. I'm guessing he's the one who hurt you."
"Well, he wasn't the only one, but-"
The man gently took Jack's arm.
"Now, he wants to play nice?" Jack asked sarcastically. "Thanks, but not thanks," Jack tried to shake his arm free. "I've got Teal'c."
The man wouldn't let go.
"I said no thanks."
"Sir, we've got less than fifteen minutes to get back to the stargate before Hammond sends heavily armed rescue units after us," Sam said.
"Just let him help, Jack," Daniel said wearily.
Concerned, Jack looked at Daniel and nodded to the man. "All right."
Sam and Swalven turned with Daniel and led the party out of the building and to the entrance of the village. The villagers steamed silently behind them.
Just outside the entrance, Swalven and the guard let go of Daniel and Jack. Cooley and Hardy quickly took their places.
"Suubidi," Swalven said to Daniel.
"Suubidi," Daniel repeated.
Swalven and the guard reentered the village, and SG-1 and company entered the woods.
"What happened?" the two backup men asked in unison lowering their weapons.
"Go tell General Hammond to scrub the rescue mission," Jack said. "Cooley, Hardy go with them. We won't be far behind you."
"Tell Dr. Fraiser we stopped to rest first," Sam added.
"Negative, Major. We're getting out of here as fast as we can."
"Doctor's orders, sir," Sam said helping Cooley ease Daniel down to lean against a tree.
Hardy left Jack with Teal'c and followed the others.
"Daniel?" Jack limped over and let Teal'c help him to the ground beside Daniel but facing him.
"Give me a minute," Daniel answered with his eyes closed and his head resting against the tree.
"Whatever they poisoned him with has seriously weakened his immune system," Sam explained. "And Janet still hasn't been able to give him much medication. Not to mention, he hasn't been able to eat for days, and I don't think he slept last night."
"Well, that's nothin' new," Jack quipped.
Daniel smiled weakly.
"Ok, just so we're clear, what the hell just happened?" Jack asked. "What the hell did we do to these people?"
"Does it really matter?"
"Daniel, I was about to be executed. I would like to know why."
Daniel opened his eyes. "Well, I'm not certain on any of it hut-"
"Daniel!" Jack winced at the harshness in his voice.
"Ok. We didn't follow one of their customs properly."
"They didn't explain anything!"
"I know. That's just it."
"Huh?"
"They don't explain things to strangers. Strangers are supposed to pay attention and pick things up on their own."
"We were never given a chance to do so," Teal'c said.
"Actually, we were. Or rather I was."
"When?" Jack demanded.
"When they greeted us. Apparently, they saw me as the leader. They gave me only one chance to get their greeting right, and I blew it."
"So, they poisoned you?" Jack asked incredulous.
"Yeah. See, I was supposed to learn the customs and teach them to you."
"How could you do that if you were unconscious?" Jack asked.
"Well, like I said. I only had one chance to get it right."
"How do you know this?"
"If he was to be given a second chance, they would not have poisoned him."
"Right. My failure was supposed to result in your deaths."
"Again, how do you know this? You said they didn't explain anything."
"They didn't, and I don't. Not for sure anyway."
"Daniel, I'm not shaking because I'm cold."
"I don't know what else to say, Jack. Everything about these people is unspoken. And, as far as I can tell unwritten as well. They're just, they're just, twisted." Daniel shrugged.
"Twisted? Is that your expert opinion?" Hey, give him a break, Jack told himself. He's obviously had a rough week. Worse than yours from the looks of him. "Sorry."
"Why did they not poison the rest of us when they poisoned you, Daniel Jackson?"
"Thank you," Jack exclaimed. "And so help me, Daniel if you say you don't know…"
"Actually, I do know this one," Daniel said holding up his hands. "See, they saw me as the leader."
"Yeah, we got that." Stop snapping at him, Jack berated himself. That's an order.
"Ok, so as your leader, I was responsible for you. But, I couldn't be responsible for you if I was unconscious, like you said. So, they poisoned me to get me out of the way. I'm assuming their plan was to capture all three of you then. And, I'm assuming you shot our way out." Jack nodded impatiently. "Well, that's probably what saved my life."
"Really?" Jack smiled.
"Yes."
There was a long pause.
"So, to answer your original question, Jack, about what we did to these people, well it's more like what we didn't do. I didn't get their customs right, so I couldn't teach them to you. So they were going to kill you guys because of me," he finished solemnly.
"Oh for cryin' out loud." Jack leaned forward and gripped Daniel's shoulders. "Daniel, do NOT blame yourself for this."
"You could not have known what would happen, Daniel Jackson."
"Teal'c's right, Daniel. In fact, something like this was inevitable."
"Not helping, Sam," Jack said.
"No, no. She's right," Daniel said.
"I do not understand," Teal'c said.
"Neither do I. But, I'd like to."
"Sir, every time we encounter new people, we run the risk of not being able to figure out what to do."
"That's why we have our anthropologist and linguist friend. Who just did a very nice job of figuring things out and saving our lives," Jack said firmly, locking eyes with Daniel and squeezing his shoulders. Why is he shaking so much?
"Yes he did, sir. And we're very grateful."
"Yes. We are."
"Indeed."
"But, even given his incredible skills, he can't be expected to be able to figure things out every time." Taking Daniel's hand, she added, "Nor should he expect to. I mean, in a way, you should, you know to make yourself keep striving and learning. What I'm trying to say, Daniel is leave yourself room to make mistakes occasionally."
"Your wisdom is an asset, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c added kneeling behind Jack and reaching for Daniel's other hand. "But, you are even more valuable."
"Thanks guys. That helps."
"But, you still feel a little bad." Jack said taking his hands off Daniel's shoulders.
"A little," Daniel said looking down.
"Well, I think I might be able to help with that," Jack said.
Everybody looked at him.
"Carter, you said Cassie's birthday is next weekend, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, I say we throw her one hell of a party."
"Yeah," Daniel said smiling. "With lots of presents."
"And chocolate cake," Sam added.
"And a piñata," Everyone looked at Teal'c. "I am curious to learn what a piñata is."
Sam, Daniel and Jack laughed.
"So, how long do we have to rest?" Jack asked.
"Janet said at least fifteen minutes," Sam replied. "But, if Daniel needs more time-"
"No. I want to go home."
"Well, we still have five more minutes," Sam said.
"Is she really going to know?" Daniel asked.
"Probably," Jack said. "So, Daniel. Why apple seeds?"
"Well, I watched the tapes from the surveillance team. Most of them anyway. These people, who don't follow any culture I recognize, seem to be big on orchards and fruit."
"Yeah, we noticed that too," Jack said. "Nice touch."
"Thanks. Has it been five minutes yet?" Daniel sat forward and put his head in his hands.
"Close enough," Sam said.
"You sure you're ready?" Jack asked concerned.
"Just a little nausea," Daniel answered not looking up.
"What was the point of Swalven walking around and standing behind you?" Sam asked.
He lifted his head. "Isolationists usually have trust issues. I guess he figured if I trusted him enough to turn my back on him and not watch every move he made, he could trust me. Ok, I know it's been five minutes now. You guys can stop trying to distract me."
"Us? Distract you?" Jack asked.
"Ok. Janet's probably itching to get you back anyway." Sam helped Daniel stand. "I'll bet she's really looking forward to the next two to three weeks."
"Probably," Daniel groaned.
"Why's that?" Jack asked reluctantly accepting Teal'c's arm.
As they made their way slowly to the stargate, Sam informed Jack and Teal'c of Janet's condition for allowing Daniel to leave the infirmary.
"You agreed to go two or three weeks with no protesting, arguing or whining just to rescue us?" Jack asked pretending disbelief. "Can you even go that long? And, what do I have to offer to get that kind of treatment."
"You have nothing that valuable," Daniel replied stumbling.
Sam held his arm tighter to steady him, and Jack grabbed his other arm.
"We're almost there," Sam said encouragingly as the DHD came into view.
Arms linked, SG-1 walked out of the woods.
"So, Dorothy," Jack said over Daniel's bowed head. "Where's Toto?"
"I left him at home," Sam retorted.