I beginning to think some of you reviewers have psychic powers – every time I sit down to write a chapter I get an e-mail saying I've had a review :oD lol. A huge thank you to all you lovely reviewers ( I don't deserve it because I keep you waiting too long!) it helps an awful lot when I've got writers block!

Circles

Chapter 9 – Confrontations

"I haven't seen him, sir."

"I think he went with the kid that led us here, Colonel. Kid had been saying something about seeing the local historian and Karrington went with him when he left. I assumed he'd informed you, sir." Lt. Col. Craig advised Jack, a perplexed frown creasing his brow.

"Must have slipped his mind," Jack muttered sarcastically before he stormed outside, throwing an order to Carter over his shoulder to update Teal'c and the members of SG-13 on the local custom they'd learned from Kay'lan.

Schooling the angry scowl from his face so as to avoid alienating any of their potential new allies, Jack stalked back to the hall their original meeting had been held in. Finding no sign of his wayward temporary team-mate, he turned to find a young boy who seemed to be trailing behind him as some form of escort.

"Hey, kid," Jack held out his hand companionably, guessing the boy could be no older than fifteen. "I'm Jack, what's your name?"

Looking decidedly frightened, the dark-haired teenager switched his gaze from Jack's face to his out-stretched hand and back again. "I am Cre'nan."

"You think you could help me out Cre'nan? Can you tell me where the historian in the village lives?" Jack smiled as the boy nodded, turning to lead him out of the grand hall.

They walked in silence, Cre'nan turning to look up at Jack as if he wanted to say something but never working up the nerve to voice it. They looked to be heading clear across the village, the large buildings they passed reminding Jack of plain old Earth streets of houses, minus the cars parked outside.

"Kirie," Cre'nan said suddenly, obviously addressing him, although Jack hadn't the first clue what the boy had just said. "Your female has hair like the sun, yes?"

Jack smiled at the innocence of the question. "Yep, Carter's a blonde."

"And she belongs to you, yes? Not the others?" He continued, gaining a little more confidence in his voice.

"No, we all travel together; she doesn't belong to any of us." Jack replied carefully, wondering how honest the village's leader had been with the general public about their guests.

"She is not bonded?"

"Free and single," His friendly smile faltered, suddenly wondering if feigning a 'bonding' in the group would be a better idea. He was further confused by Cre'nan's response to it.

"That is a great pity."

No more was said as they stopped outside a large grey-stone building, Jack following his young tour-guide through the curtain that served at a door. He spotted Karrington in the large front room, sitting with an older and younger woman, who looked to be mother and daughter, and a bearded man in the corner, who Jack guessed must be the historian. Seemingly in deep conversation about the original founders of the village, Karrington barely noticed his CO's appearance. The younger woman was sitting closest to Karrington, stealing glances at their guest whilst following the conversation. Both women had an exotic look to them, dark raven hair falling down their backs accompanying very dark eyes. It was obvious why the villagers were so enthralled with Carter, as she couldn't look more different from the women in this room.

Jack managed to stand silently, waiting for a break in the conversation instead of going with his inclination to pull his wayward team-mate from the room. It wouldn't be a great demonstration in front of the off-world strangers, he kept telling himself.

"You done yet?" He asked impatiently, adding a quick "Howdy folks," in greeting to the other occupants of the room.

Karrington turned to look at him as if only just realising he was there. "Actually I was just -"

"We'll see you folks at the party tonight," Jack smiled briefly, grabbing Karrington's arm and hauling him up and out of the room.

Once outside and headed towards their 'guest house', Karrington pulled his arm free. "That wasn't necessary."

Jack stopped and glowered at him, mentally trying to quell the urge to punch him. "Yes, Max it was necessary."

"Because…"

"Apart from you feeling the need to run off and do your own thing, without even informing your commanding officer, I – unfortunately – am responsible for making damn sure you don't screw up this mission."

"We're the same rank, Jack, so don't pull that crap on me." Karrington replied arrogantly, moving away.

Jack caught his arm and pulled him back. "Off-world you barely have a rank, Max. Just shut up and follow my orders and we'll not have to speak to each other again." This time Jack was the one to walk away, the tension in his shoulders an obvious give-away to any who knew him that a fury lay barely hidden below the surface. He heard a sarcastic laugh from behind him.

"So she told you then?"

Jack stopped walking, debating whether to turn around or leave the conversation right now. The sun was setting, the sky streaked a crimson colour, signifying that the celebration would start soon, and although no one was around now, there would be shortly.

"Yeah, well I tried to stop her. Women, ya know? Can't say I mind being jumped by a woman like that-"

Three long strides and Jack had him by the collar, Karrington's self-satisfied smirk fuelling his urge to knock him out. "I'm only going to say this once, Karrington. If you go anywhere near Carter again, I'll personally make you wish you'd never set foot in the SGC. Do you understand me?"

"So you're threatening me now?"

Jack glared at him once more, and then shoved him backwards, moving away quickly before he lost complete control of his temper. Stalking back to their designated accommodation, he was pleased to find the front room empty, dropping down heavily to the cushions. He was going to have to find something to beat the crap out of, or he was going to go nuts. The sooner they were off this damn planet the better.

Sam, along with Teal'c and SG-13 had been led back to the large hall, and invited to join the large evening meal that was laid out in front of them. There was no sign of any female villagers as the sunlight was not altogether gone, but as Has'in explained when Major Walters asked, the meal would denote the end of the 'lightness'. Has'in informed his guests that a large fire would be lit in the 'centre square' for the evening in their honour, and anything else they required would be seen to by the young boys who had been with them that afternoon. O'Neill and Karrington were both missing as they ate, but when Karrington turned up ten minutes later, Sam excused herself and went in search of her CO.

"Shall I escort you, Major Carter?" Teal'c offered.

"No, no. You stay, enjoy the meal." She smiled gratefully at him, and then headed outside and away from the leers of the male villagers within the hall. Walking back to their quarters, she found O'Neill sitting in the now-near darkness.

"Sir?" Her voice was quiet as she neared him, and she was able to make out his profile turn towards her in the twilight.

"Hey, Carter. Where'd you spring from?"

"Everyone's at the meeting hall, sir. They've made food for us." She explained, standing in front of him. Her head turned at the sound of many voices coming from outside. "Or at least they were."

"Sounds like the party's starting without us, Carter." He pulled himself up, ushering her out the door again.

"Are you okay, Colonel?" Sam asked, concern clearly written on her face as she turned back to him.

He graced her with a tired smile. "Peachy, Carter. Just peachy."