Conflict

After everyone had finished lunch and the children had their ice cream, Jack decided to let his team pursue their own interests for the afternoon. Daniel chose to meet with the village teacher to learn more about their ancient language. He knew Carter would spend some time with the children. He was going to check out the fields and then the lake, maybe see if there were any fish in it! He decided to ask Teal'c to come with him.

"Hey T, do you want to come down to the lake with me? See if there are any fish?"

"I would rather accompany Major Carter and the children O'Neill," responded Teal'c.

Jack looked at him in puzzlement. Teal'c seemed to be rather concerned about Carter; he kept watching her throughout lunch and afterwards when the children had dragged her off to one of their homes to show her something. Jack's eyes followed her around the village compound: nothing seemed amiss to him. "What's going on Teal'c? You seem preoccupied."

Teal'c looked around to see if anyone was listening to their conversation. When he saw they were alone, he nodded with his head to the man who continued to sit in the shadow of Treyem's house. "O'Neill, do you know that man?"

"Yeah, Treyem mentioned him to Daniel and me and pointed him out when he showed up at lunch. That's Baryon. His children were two of the three that Carter wasn't able to rescue. Apparently, he's become pretty withdrawn around the rest of the villagers. Why do you ask?"

"I noticed that he had been watching Major Carter very intently during the meal. His attention seems to make her very uncomfortable. I too feel troubled with the attention this man is focusing on Major Carter. O'Neill, I think it would be wise for one of us to accompany Major Carter while we are here."

"Don't you think you're overreacting a bit here T? These people are not a threat to us. Hell, they practically worship the ground Carter walks on!"

"Never the less O'Neill, I do not think Major Carter should be left alone. There is something unsettling about that man."

Not one to disregard the instincts of his Jaffa friend, Jack made a quick decision. "OK Teal'c, you hang with Carter. I'm going to try and talk to Baryon over there and see what's going on. I'll let you know if I find out anything. I guess the Kortaulians are planning a big feast this evening. We'll talk before the meal."

"Should I inform Major Carter of our plan?"

"Not just yet. I don't want the kids to get spooked. Just tell her I wanted you to make sure she stays out of trouble. She'll roll her eyes but won't say anything. Talk to you later." With those words he walked in the direction of Baryon while Teal'c walked over to where Major Carter sat with the children.

As O'Neill had predicted, Sam rolled her eyes at the excuse for why Teal'c was with her, but secretly she was glad. She hadn't forgotten the evil look that came from the man by Treyem's house. The children wanted to show her the lake and a new hideout that they had discovered. Sam got up off the ground and walked down the path with the children, Teal'c following behind.

[][][][][][][]

"This seat taken?" Jack asked the man reclining in the shadows.

Baryon looked up and shook his head. Jack lowered himself to the ground next to him, knees creaking in protest.

"So, Baryon right? I don't remember talking to you when you were on Earth with us. I'm Jack O'Neill." He held out his hand to Baryon.

Baryon did not shake hands, nor did he look over at Jack, just mumbled, "I know who you are. What do you want of me?"

"I just thought we could talk for a bit. Treyem mentioned that you were keeping to yourself a lot, having some trouble adjusting to your new home."

"And why would I want to talk to you about anything?" came the surly reply.

"Look, I know what you're going through. I lost my son quite a few years ago. I almost lost it myself, you know? If I would have talked about it, things wouldn't have gotten so bad. I'd like to help you if I could."

"You can not help me. No one can. Treyem should learn to keep out of my business. As should you," replied the angry man. In his agitation, he continued to rub a large, ruby colored amulet which hung around his neck.

Jack watched the nervous actions of the other man, beginning to lose a bit of his patience. "Look Baryon, Treyem was only trying to help. Your people are concerned about you, that's all."

Baryon got up from his spot on the ground and looked at Jack with disdain as he too got to his feet. "I do not need your concern, nor anyone else's. I just wish to be left alone." And he turned to head off into the woods.

Jack stopped him with a hand to his arm. There was another matter to discuss. "Your intense interest in Major Carter has not gone unnoticed Baryon. Would you care to tell me what that is all about?"

Baryon studied the Colonel momentarily, then smirked at him. "What? The andolona? Why wouldn't I want to gaze upon the great guardian of our children? She is a beautiful woman is she not?" With those words, he shook of Jack's hand and stalked into the forest.

Jack, a master of sarcasm himself, didn't miss the tone in Baryon's words. He had to agree with Teal'c...something was not right here.

[][][][][][][][][]

Sam, Teal'c and the children had gone to the lake and spent some time skipping rocks and marveling at the wildlife they saw from its banks. They laughed as the younger children tried to catch the frog-like creatures that inhabited the shoreline. While the children put their shoes back on, Sam went over to talk to Kellan. She had noticed that he had been very quiet and reserved since she had come to see them. She was concerned and wanted a few minutes alone with him. Sam looked at Teal'c and indicated that she was going to speak to Kellan alone. Teal'c inclined his head ever so slightly and began to speak to the children of the strange creatures he had seen in the waters of different planets.

Sam sat on a rock next to Kellan and reached out to touch his arm. "Hey. Are you OK Kellan? You've been awfully quiet since I got here. You didn't eat much ice cream either and I seem to remember you liking it just as much as Bryson," she said with a smile.

Kellan looked sideways at Sam. He knew he could confide in her but it was hard. He wanted to appear strong in front of her, like Josef always seemed to. He sighed loudly then looked down at the ground. "I don't know Major Sam. Things are just so different here. Many people are gone and some of the people who are here have changed."

"I know Kellan, there have been many changes for your people. They are all trying very hard though to rebuild their lives." She continued on in a subdued voice, "We have to say goodbye to people throughout our lives, but we can always hold them close to our hearts."

Kellan nodded. He knew that she understood who he was talking about. "I really miss Roan, Major Sam. He was my best friend. We did everything together. I'm afraid....I'm afraid that I will start to forget what he looked like. I'm afraid that if I am happy, it is wrong because he is not here anymore. Am I wrong to feel this way?"

"Of course not Kellan. It's normal to have all of those feelings. Just remember that Roan would want you to go on and live a happy life. You'd want the same for him wouldn't you?" she asked.

"Yes, I would. I just wish I could help his father. He won't talk to anyone and always wants to be alone. Sometimes when he looks at me, I get afraid. I don't know why... but I do," Kellan admitted quietly.

"Adults have their own way of grieving Kellan. You should probably leave Roan's father to the adults of your village." Sam looked up to see Teal'c and the others coming toward them. "Just remember, you can always to talk to your parents about how you're feeling. You know, you can even contact me at the SGC. Treyem knows how to get a hold of us with the radio equipment we left him. I'd be more than happy to listen to you whenever I can."

"Thanks Major Sam," he smiled at her. He started to feel better about things already. Kellan looked up at the group in front of him. Wanting to change the conversation, he said, "Let's take Major Sam and Teal'c up to our secret hideaway guys."

"If you take us there, it will not be a secret anymore young Kellan," responded Teal'c.

"That's OK Teal'c," piped up Teegan. "We trust you and Major Sam!" Teal'c and Sam smiled at each other and followed the children up the steep hill to a rocky outcropping. Their secret place was a cave carved out of the side of the outcropping. The children had outfitted the cave with mats and blankets for comfort. There was also a ledge along the back where they stored a few containers of water and some dried fruit.

Sam was very impressed with their hide out and exclaimed over their wonderful secret place. Teal'c was also suitably impressed, especially by how its entrance was hidden by many small shrubs growing around it. After some time spent exploring in and around the cave, Sam decided it was probably time to head back to the village, the time for the feast was drawing near.

[][][][][][][][][][]

Everyone in the village took part in the feast and shared various dishes with their guests. There was much talk and laughter amongst the group. Jack and Teal'c were a little more subdued as they kept an eye on Baryon, who once again hung at the edge of the group the entire night. Daniel wondered at the alert and wary stances of his two friends, he would have to ask them about it later.

As the sky turned dark, the villagers and SG-1 gathered around a large fire set in the middle of the clearing. Two of the men brought out instruments from their homes and sat down to play some of the revered tunes of the Kortaulians. The music was soft and melodic, making the younger children sleepy and bringing a few tears to the eyes of the villagers who were reminded of other times from long ago.

Sam was resting on the ground, her back to the bench that Jack and Daniel were sitting on. Anya came over and climbed into her lab, resting her head against Sam's chest. Bryson came over as well and scooted close to Sam's left side, forcing her to slide over so she was leaning slightly against Jack's legs. She glanced up at him, checking to see if he minded. Jack in return smiled down at her, then looked back to the men playing the music. There was no sign of Baryon; he had left once the fire was started. Jack was relieved, he felt he could relax and enjoy the gathering.

From the shadows of the trees at the edge of the clearing, Baryon watched Sam cuddling the two younger children to her. He fingered the large, ruby amulet that hung around his neck, reflecting the glow of the firelight. He would have to wait until the next day to get Major Carter alone. The Colonel and the Jaffa were watching him too closely to do anything tonight. He had waited almost three months; he thought to himself, he could wait another day. Stealthy, he moved back into the shadow of the trees. He needed to make a stop in the guest cottage where the strangers were staying. There was something he could do yet tonight to further his plan.

TBC