Jack

Sitting in my office, I am hit by the implication of both General Hammond's and the Hi'ed's words. Hammond saying that because of the Hi'ed I, and my team, must be on the base at all times until whatever has infected us, yes he used the "i" word, was not infecting anymore. And according to the Hi'ed people, we were going to be infected (I need a new word) for a few days.

A few days?

Of seeing Carter and my stomach doing flips? I think I will die. We have a look, no touch policy – and all I want to do is touch… dilemma.

Two quick knocks on my door let me know someone wants to have an audience with moa. I hope it is not Sam – Carter, Major – since I am really not in the mood. For talking.

I'm like a teenager! Can't I just…

"O'Neill?"

Teal'c's low voice brakes into my running conversation. Thank god for a break!

"T!" I stand and motion for him to come in. Wonder why I'm standing. Hum. Sitting. "What's going on?"

"I wish to ask why you think you should mate with MajorCarter."

Nothing like beating around the bush. "Nothing like beating around the bush, huh, Teal'c?"

"I do not see a bush, nor the reason to beat it."

Riiight. Ok, so no more euphemisms. "You got to the point pretty quickly, that's all. So why do I think I should…" I choke. "Ma… be with Carter?"

"Yes, that is the question."

"Any reason for this question?"

"I believe if we ascertain why you and DanielJackson were selected by the Hi'ed for this ceremony, then we maybe able to cut the time we wait for the final ceremony."

Which is…. "Which is…."

"That either yourself or DanielJackson will go to the Mount Aphradite with MajorCarter."

Daniel. Going with Carter. I can feel the slow burn already. I clear my throat, hopping none of my anger is seeping through to the Jaffa. "Ah of course. Well… why I am sure that I will be the one to ma – be – with Carter. I am a warrior. She likes warriors. I'm decently handsome, that counts as something, right? Umm… I enjoy listening to her speak."

"You do not appear to listen when she talks, O'Neill."

"Well if she would quite using big words, then I would know what she is talking about. I like the way she speaks, her voice. I think she is very brilliant. Smart. Brainy. Beautiful. Very beautiful…"

I am drifting into my own world, not seeing Teal'c sitting across from me. I wonder if that is enough. What does Daniel have that I don't?

He is almost everything I'm not: infinitely patient, kind to others who do not see things his way and can remember hundreds of useless information (unless you need it). But I am bookish like him (I don't like to admit it, but Shakespeare is my man!), and I can hold a conversation on topics such as stars and fishing. It may not impress many, but it gets me by.

"O'Neill? Are you not well?"

I snap my head around and look at Teal'c. "I'm fine. Just thinking, ya know?"

"Your eyes looked glassy. Should I not summon DoctorFrasier?"

"NO! I'm good." I panicked a bit. "Where were we?"

"You were telling me why MajorCarter would find you a suitable mate."

"Right. What is there not to like about me, T? Sure she may loose me after a while but it does not mean I can't learn. I have been learning all things Stargate for the past 3 1/2 years. I care for her more then I should." I looked at Teal'c, "Shouldn't that be enough?"

Daniel

I am no sooner am thinking about getting another coffee when one is placed beside my notebooks. Thank the Coffee Gods! I follow the coffee cup to find its deliverer and am startled.

"Teal'c!" I almost shout, or choke, not really sure which one at the moment. "Oh, thank you. I was not expecting you to bring me coffee. Actually I was not expecting you to come over. Usually that's Sam who… bring me coffee and be in my lab…" And I'm rambling.

Teal'c gives me an amused look – he is getting better at the whole emotions thing – and simply stands there.

"So what beings you over here and with a wonderful brew?"

"I was bringing you the substance that you and MajorCarter seem to enjoy so much," I sputter slightly at her name – "and ascertain why you think the Hi'ed chose you and O'Neill – " again I sputter – "to be MajorCarter's possible choices for a mate."

"Um… wow, Teal'c that is a lot of question for such a small question." He raised his eyebrow at that, and I struggle to come up with an explanation. Oh hell, he will just have to live with my statement. "Um… well… I suppose it is because we are both scientists who would ultimately have more in common, insuring that we would be a lasting … couple."

"Do you wish to mate with MajorCarter?"

At the rate I am sputtering I will have to dry clean my whole wardrobe and clean my desk. "Well I suppose from a purely logical standpoint, we are the more intelligent of the two possible… couples. It would almost insure that our children would be intelligent."

I paused. I know that was not what Teal'c was really asking. I have to bite the bullet and analyses my feelings. I will have to bear my soul to someone, and it may as well be to Teal'c… "Why?"

"MajorCarter has figured if we can find who is meant to ascend the Mount of Fealty with her, then the infection can be lessened. Hammond has also said this is a good idea."

"Makes sense. I guess the only way is to interview Jack and myself to find out if our… feelings are normal or merely a side effect of what the Hi'ed gave us. Sam would not want someone to go with her just to go with her… or just to have the infection leave."

"Indeed. Do you feel that your feelings are caused by this?"

I avoid sputtering; see I put the coffee down before he talked! "Honestly I don't know. Sam has always been attractive, intelligent, and an amazing soldier, but I don't know if it is all that which makes me… feel." I glance up to Teal'c who is watching me. "I guess I have always been more akin to Sam then Jack was to her. I mean the moment we met we were completing each other's thoughts, sentences. It was like I met my other half. It was odd to have that companionship and instant connection after being away form 'the real world' for so long.

"I guess it is not so much a matter of whether I have feelings of Sam – I suppose it does not really matter if Jack does too – but what Sam is feeling. She is the other half of the equation. If she does not find either one of us attractive then the 'infection' is useless and will drive us up the walls for the next few days."

"And if MajorCarter does reciprocate one of your feelings?"

"Well, then I guess the Hi'ed's stuff worked." I shrugged, not really wanting to admit that Jack could be a very real possibility. After all they had been starting to spend more time together then usual… maybe it was military stuff. That's it, military….

"DanielJackson?" Teal'c said worried, causing me to snap my head up and look at him.

"Oh sorry… my own world." Pushing up my glasses, I ask if that was enough.

"For now. You have been of much assistance. Thank you." He bowed slightly and I watched as he left my office.

"Your welcome," I call quietly as his shadow disappears around the corner.