Sorry about the big gap in posting. Blame RL.
As he and Maybourne sat down amongst the crowd that had gathered, he tried to understand what was being said. Soon, realising that it was a foreign language, he tuned out only to have his attention drawn outward again by the arrival of Sam Carter.
She sat down next to him without saying a word. He looked at her for a good minute before turning away from her silence. Sighing, he wished that there was something he could say to her to make her change her mind. Luckily for him, he didn't have to.
"I'm sorry," she said, and before he could tell her that she wasn't the one who should be apologizing she added; "I've been bitchy."
"No-"
She cut him off. "Yes. I have. I shouldn't have made such a big deal of everything. You were trying to be diplomatic and as usual you stuck your foot in your mouth. It's not the first time."
He couldn't argue there, though he was surprised by her candor.
"I'm still going to ask Hammond for my own team, but I want us to be friends again."
"Me too." He didn't dare say anything else as he was sure it would come out all choked up. The immense relief he felt upon her admission had knocked down some of his defenses. Although he would have preferred to have her on SG-1, he was happy to have her friendship back. He didn't know what had sparked her change in attitude, nor did he question it. He was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Overhearing their conversation, Harry took advantage of this perfect opportunity. "You know this ritual is all about forgiveness." He lied.
They both turned to him with identical annoyed expressions on their faces, obviously none to happy about being eavesdropped on.
"You should join in." he prompted.
"Whadda ya say, Carter?" Jack asked, slightly hopeful that she would agree. It would comfort him to have some sort of official reconciliation. "Wanna be an Anthropologist?"
Sam grinned at him, remembering one of their first missions together. That dress was hideous. At least she wouldn't have to dress up on this occasion. "Sure, why not."
Smiling triumphantly, Harry rose to his feet. "I'll just go tell Gahni."
More to come...