"What are you smiling at?"
Jonas grinned wider.
"Nothing."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"You knew too, didn't you?" He asked accusingly.
Jonas let his thoughts slide back to the 'event' he'd inadvertently witnessed three days ago...
o0o
Jonas Quinn strolled down the corridor, his nose buried in the paper that Daniel had lent him on the civilisation of P5X 974. One of the advantages of being the United Kelownan Government's representative to the SGC, was that he had the right to read any official mission report on record.
'Thought you might find this an interesting read.'
SG-1's resident archaeologist had said over breakfast.
'You seemed to find their culture fascinating when we discussed it yesterday.'
He flipped eagerly to the next page. It really was a fascinating read. The treaty signing with these people had become something of an event. He briefly registered the presence of couple of people against the wall in the corridor, as he wandered past Sam's lab.
The people on P5X 974 were descendants of the ancient Earth-based Aztecs. Their culture was a bizarre mix of high values and bloodthirsty traditions. Bloodthirsty by Kelownan and Earth standards anyway. Although as General O'Neill had observed in the report, judging by Kelownan and Earth actions over the years, they didn't really have the right to point fingers.
There was no war on P5X 974. They found the idea wasteful and abhorrent. Disputes were settled by a strange version of the Earth sport called soccer. The 'warriors' were highly trained in the playing of this game and were treated somewhat like celebrities. The downside being that when a game was played to settle a dispute, the losing team were put to death to appease the gods. And the aggrieved party of course.
The system had been in place for many generations and despite the highly dubious morality of it all, seemed to work for them. SG-1 had negotiated with their King for the right to mine Naquada. In return for – chocolate. They were prepared to trade a precious metal, for candy.
Apparently it was considered to be the 'food of the gods' to the people on P5X 974 and they would accept nothing less. Jonas was in two minds whether to be appalled at it all, or amaz -
Jonas stumbled to a sudden halt as his brain finally processed what his eyes had seen a few moments before. He spun round and looked back the way he'd come from, the report instantly forgotten. His jaw dropped as he stared in shock at the scene in front of him.
A large hand suddenly reached out from behind him and settled on the collar of his shirt. It gave a sharp pull and Jonas vanished backwards round the corner with the startled yelp. He turned round and found himself face to face with yet another of his former team-
mates.
"I believe we should allow them some privacy, Jonas Quinn."
Jonas blinked, still trying to wrap his head round what he had just seen.
"Uh, yeah…"
He pointed a finger back down the corridor, needing to clarify what his mind was trying to tell him.
"Was that?"
"It was."
"Were they?"
"Indeed."
"Oh."
Pause.
"Already?"
"Is there a specific reason for which they are required to wait?"
"No I guess not. It just seems a little…sudden, that's all. Don't you think?"
"I do not."
"Oh."
Pause.
Hmm, maybe that's where he'd been going wrong…
"Teal'c?"
"Yes, Jonas Quinn?"
"Is it normal for women to take the lead in relationships here on Earth?"
"It is not."
Oh. That was that idea out then…
"I believe most Tau'ri women prefer the man wishing for their attention, to 'make the first move' in a prospective relationship."
"Huh."
So that was where he'd been going wrong. So completely unlike things back home. You were considered 'forward' if you asked a person yourself on Kelowna. Oh well, at least he now knew why Sam had called him a chicken-shit, when he'd asked her to ask Jenny out on his behalf, a few years back...
"However, Colonel Carter is not like most women."
"No, I guess she's not."
It was probably a way of sorting out a suitable partner. Sort of a 'you're only worthy of my attention if you have the courage to ask for it' idea. Hmm, maybe he should go ask Jenny if she wanted to go to dinner tonight.
"Damn."
A sudden thought occurred to him.
"Is there something wrong, Jonas Quinn?"
Jonas pulled a face. "Yeah…I had three days after Colonel Carter's promotion in the betting pool."
Teal'c gave a small smile. "Do not concern yourself. That particular area of the corridor is free from electronic observation."
Jonas's expression brightened for a second, then fell again. "But you and I know, Teal'c."
Teal'c inclined his head. "This is true."
Jonas sighed. For a moment there, he'd thought he might actually win the longest running pool in the SGC. That really would be a first and he didn't get many of them any more these days…
"However," Teal'c continued. "I believe that there must be three independent witnesses for a claim to be considered valid."
A slow smile crawled across Jonas's face. "How much is the pool up to these days, Teal'c?"
"Several thousand dollars, Jonas Quinn."
The smile grew.
Yes, he'd definitely be seeing if Jenny would like to have dinner with him tonight…
End