After much yelling and explaining, O'Neill accepted that Harry was going to be hanging around. Maybourne didn't think that Jack would get so cranky about it. After all, it was Jack's idea that he find a place to retire offworld. Promising to keep out of their way, he left the Colonel and Teal'c and went in search of the other half of the team. About 20 minutes later he located Jackson and Carter. They were speaking quite animatedly, well Daniel was speaking and Sam was listening to him, with a few of the more educated members of the tribe. No doubt Daniel was trying to learn the entire cultural history of the planet. Maybourne stood watching them for a while, content to observe, as he spent most of his time doing precisely that these days. Soon it became obvious that the Major was tiring of the history lecture and made the fact known to the archeologist, which escalated into an argument. As they got louder the natives scattered.
"Well, if you didn't want to hear about the culture, why didn't you stay with Jack?"
"You know why, Daniel!"
"Oh right, how could I forget." The sarcasm is his tone grated on Sam's nerves.
"Daniel…" She warned.
"No, Sam, you and Jack need to sort things out. Teal'c and I are sick of the tension between you two."
"Then why don't you tell him to apologize."
Harry, having heard enough of their bickering, interrupted.
"Would you mind keeping it downover here?"
"Stay out of this Maybourne," Sam scowled, she was still angry at him and herself for allowing him to take her Zat on P5X-777. "This has nothing to do with you."
"Now, now Major. That's no way to talk to a superior officer." Seeing her eyes harden in anger, he changed tact. "Sounds to me like you have some dissension in the ranks."
"Sorry, Colonel, but mind your own business."
"Well, if you and Dr Jackson here, weren't arguing so loudly…" he trailed off.
"He has a point there." Daniel conceded, receiving a glare from Sam.
"So what kind of lover's tiff are you and Jack having now?" Sam was about to reply, most likely with a fist to the face but a voice from behind stopped her.
"Harry, what are you doing harassing my team? I thought I told you to stay out of the way." Jack O'Neill had heard most of the argument, but hearing Maybourne's last comment was the last straw.
More to come...