Catch you on the flip side

Author: Gillian Slater

E-mail: LeoricGS@aol.com

Rating: PG -13

Teaser: Carter, whilst experimenting with materials gathered from an alien world finds an ancient coin which triggers a spontaneous OBE. Problem is, she can't end it.

Disclaimer: As always, these characters do not belong to me, they are the property of the show's creators, and I'm borrowing them for my own sinister purposes...

Part Six

Jack sat comfortably on the sloping ground of a grassy hill, eyes distant as he stared off into a wooded area before him. Sam's tone in his head was orderly and intelligent as she reported in.

...And there's no traces of naquida in the soil, other than the little patch around the Gate.

So, it's a yellow-tag and forget about it kinda place. Right, move out.

"Er, Jack?"

Daniel's politely hesitant tone made him whirl his head around in surprise. "Yeah?" He looked at the collection of curiously marked small stone tablets Daniel was pointing out with his pencil.

"Have you even heard a word I've said?" The archaeologist's tone was disappointed as Jack's blank look answered by itself.

"Er, sure, they're a... language, right? Well, bag 'em and let's go, 'cause this place is frankly about as exciting as an extended visit from my father-in-law."

Carter appeared from a stand of mature trees nearby and strode over, instruments in hand. She nodded at Daniel, looking interestedly at his find. She opened her mouth to ask him about them, when the Colonel's dry tone echoed in her mind.

They're... ancient writings or something.

Ah, Sam nodded, Fascinating.

Oh, yeah, Jack remarked dryly, Hmph, I can't believe there aren't even any Goa'ulds to shoot at, no monsters... Sam grinned fondly at his deflated expression. He looked like a boy who'd had his favourite toy taken away.

Daniel looked from her to Colonel O'Neill and back, watching as their silent conversation played out on their faces. He shook his head and gathered his tablets, wrapping each one as though it were utterly precious to him and placing them in a hard sample case.

SG-1 walked through a pleasantly sun-dappled glade toward the creeper-strewn Stargate. Teal'c watched Carter and O'Neill closely as they walked ahead side by side, obviously conversing telepathically. He exchanged a glance with Daniel, who nodded in agreement, then quickened his pace to catch up, clearing his throat loudly.

"Er, guys? Can I talk to you a minute?" They turned, curious.

"'S'up Daniel?" The Colonel enquired nonchalantly. Daniel stared at the ground as he fumbled with the sentence.

"I, ah, just wanted to... well it's kinda useful if you talk to us sometimes, you know?" He looked tentatively at their faces. The military pair looked even more confused, brows furrowed in unison. Teal'c stepped up.

"I believe Daniel Jackson is attempting to express his dissatisfaction at the level of communication within SG-1, with which I concur." His usually solemn expression was a little sour.

"Well, not so much dissatisfaction, as... well, I notice since you two became telepathic, we don't seem to be in the loop any more." Jack started to answer, but Daniel rushed ahead, "I mean, you kinda forget we can't hear you...?"

Sam looked at the Colonel, nodding. "It's true, sir," she said out loud, "We do get carried away." She looked squarely at Daniel, then Teal'c. "Sorry, guys. This thing, it's kinda difficult not to make use of it, but you're right."

Nicely done, Carter. Jack nodded his agreement.

"Uh-huh. Thanks for the heads-up. We'll, err, keep the chit-chat to a minimum, and all sit-reps are to be out loud from now on, I swear." Daniel smiled his thanks and Teal'c gave a solemn nod. They resumed their stroll to the Gate, talking openly.

* * * * *

As they stepped through the shimmering event horizon, both Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter clapped their hands to their ears and fell to their knees, shouting, visibly in pain. Teal'c and Daniel rushed to them, but their hurried questions went unheard.

Jack screamed. It felt like a football stadium full of people were all yelling at him, individual voices indistinguishable in the din, and he was sure his head couldn't take the noise much longer. He was going to black out...

Through the deafening roar of a thousand voices, Sam was vaguely aware that one of them was her own, screaming for them to stop, to be quiet, but no one complied. As she began to lose her grip on the here and now, she made out Jack's agonised voice in her mind, his thoughts echoing her own exactly. What... the... hell... is... happening?!

End of Part Six