Ch 9 - What a piece of work is man
The next day began much as the day before. Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c hung around at a safe distance from Carter and Daniel as they dug relentlessly in a rocky quarry. "Safe distance," in this circumstance, was defined as Colonel O'Neill being out of earshot of Daniel's babbling about the fantastic discoveries they were making and their potential significance.
It didn't take long for him to insist on 'patrolling the area,' even though they knew it was perfectly safe. At least walking was something to do, and it kept the scenery fresh. After he and Teal'c had been gone for a while, and Sam and Daniel had been working quietly, Daniel said, "Sam, do you want to talk about... what's bothering you?"
"Why is everyone so concerned about me?" Sam demanded, poking angrily at the dirt.
"Because we care about you and you're not yourself. Janet's checked you out though - you're okay, right?"
"Yes, I'm fine," she said, softening a little. What he had said was true, she should be glad she had friends who knew her so well they noticed when anything was a bit off.
"So it's something else then... bothering you... about Jack?"
"What makes you think it's about the Colonel?" she asked, looking up at him quickly. She pushed her sweaty bangs out of her eyes, which left a smudge of dirt on her forehead.
"You ah... were talking in your sleep last night. During my shift."
"Oh my God... Daniel, what did I say?" she asked, mortified.
The fact that Daniel wouldn't meet her eyes and was suddenly busy working again did little to calm her overactive imagination.
"Daniel?" she prompted.
"It was mostly incoherent..." he began, trying to reassure her. "And Jack was sound asleep, so he didn't hear anything... what happened last night?"
"Nothing," Sam insisted. "He couldn't sleep. We had a conversation during my shift. That's all."
"Were you arguing? Because in your dream it sounded like you were..."
"Not really. We just talked about the alternate reality visit we had a while ago..."
"Oh. Is that what's been bothering you?"
"Sort of," she admitted.
"Guess I'm lucky... apparently this is the only reality where I do anything that matters," he said, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"You don't know that," Sam said gently.
"Two out of two..."
"There are an infinite number... for all we know, in most of the rest, you've been so successful that the Goa'uld are not a threat at all and that's why we haven't run across any of those."
"Thanks," he said with a small smile, which she returned. "Seriously, though, what's bothering you?"
"Seriously though, what did I say in my sleep?"
"It sounded like you were arguing with someone, that's all... you looked kind of mad, it became clear you were talking to Jack, then... you stopped arguing."
"And?" she asked, worried. She already knew what had happened after that.
"Nothing too bad... just a few... noises."
"Oh no."
"So... how long have you been having sex dreams about Jack?" he asked with a cheeky grin.
She swatted his arm. "I'm not!" she insisted.
"I beg to differ. I thought about recording it for proof, but..." at the look of horror on her face, he laughed. "I didn't, I swear."
"They're not sex dreams!" she insisted again, realizing she'd have to tell him the truth or he'd assume something far worse. "I just keep having these dreams that start out normal, like regular conversations we might actually have, or something, and somehow we always end up kissing. That's it. Just kissing."
"Oh. Well, that's probably because you saw him kissing the other Dr. Carter."
"Ya think?" she replied sarcastically. "Wait, how did you know about that?"
"I just put two and two together. It wasn't hard. The way he told us to go ahead and go and the look on your face when you guys came back..."
"So... have any ideas on how to get rid of them? I thought maybe if I talked to him about it... but I tried that last night and it didn't work."
"You told him what's been happening?"
"Well, no, but..."
"Did you talk about him kissing her?"
"Not exactly, but..."
"Then how did you expect it to help?"
"Could you stop being so smart for a second and listen, Daniel? I can't."
"Yes you can."
"No I can't."
"Yes, you can, Sam. And you should."
"Daniel..."
"Sam. You've got to. Otherwise," he said with a sudden smile. "You might be overheard by him next time, and then he'll think you're dreaming about..."
"Okay, thank you!" she said quickly, hearing Teal'c and the Colonel approaching.
"Hey kids, find anything interesting?" Colonel O'Neill asked loudly as they entered the quarry.
Daniel started to answer but the Colonel held up his hand. "Just being polite, Daniel, no need to actually answer. Carter, you all right there or do you need a break from digging in the dirt?"
"I'm all right, sir," she said quickly, exchanging a nervous glance with Daniel before going back to work at double the average speed.
He came over to them and crouched down across from her. Teal'c stood stoically as always, behind him. "Carter, when your CO offers to give you a reprieve by taking your place doing something he considers particularly unpleasant, the nice thing to do is accept the offer."
"I don't mind helping Daniel, sir, and I know you don't like this type of thing."
"Hello, I'm right here," Daniel objected mildly.
Ignoring him, O'Neill continued speaking to her. "All right, Carter, how's this: Go take a hike with Teal'c. Be back for lunch at 12.00."
"Yes, sir," she said, standing up and brushing herself off. She gave Daniel a stern look, warning him silently that if he valued his life he wouldn't breathe a word of their conversation to Colonel O'Neill. He nodded that he understood.
Carter turned to Teal'c, smiled at him, and the two of them set off.
"Major Carter, may I ask you something?" Teal'c inquired politely once they were a quarter mile away from the quarry.
"Sure, Teal'c."
"You appear troubled by something. You have not been sleeping well."
"Nothing gets past you, does it?"
"I merely wish to let you know that I am here, should you need someone to talk to. I am sure Daniel Jackson, O'Neill, and Dr. Fraiser have all expressed similar sentiments."
"You're right, Teal'c, but thanks."
"You are welcome."
They walked in silence for a while, then Teal'c said, "If you wish, I could perhaps assist you by giving you some techniques on meditation. It could help you clear your mind before sleep."
"Thanks, Teal'c," she said, latching onto the idea. Maybe that would work, and then Colonel O'Neill would never have to find out what had been happening to her. "That would be great. Can we do it right now?"
"If you wish," he said, concealing his surprise at her eagerness.
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"Carter!" her radio blasted an hour and a half later.
She jumped, her eyes snapping open. Teal'c opened his eyes slowly, not startled at all by the interruption.
"Yes, sir," she replied through the radio.
"Where the hell are you? You're supposed to be back here!"
"Sorry, sir. We're on our way."
"You didn't run into anything didja?"
"No, sir. Just lost track of time. We'll be back in ten minutes, sir."
"All right."
She turned to Teal'c and smiled as they started off. "Thanks, Teal'c. I really think that should do the trick."
"I hope you are correct, Major Carter. However, if something of importance is troubling you, it will not solve your problem forever."
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A/N: Sorry not a lot happens in this one, but I felt like it was necessary to have Teal'c and Daniel express their concern, and for Daniel to point out that she still hasn't resolved anything. Next chapter ASAP.