Apologies for this chapter as I haven't checked it properly :oS (no beta-reader ya see) And yes I am British to someone who asked :oD Thats why colour is spelt with a 'u' in my fics! :oD
Circles
Chapter 10 – Endurance
The sight that greeted them was almost like a carnival. A large bonfire was being set alight in the village centre, colourful lights adorned the brick buildings and lanterns were being lit and placed on overhanging hooks to act as streetlamps. The villagers appeared to no longer consist of solely men, as dozens of raven-haired females joined the festivities, each wearing bright gowns that left little to the imagination.
Jack spotted SG-13 a little distance away, relieved when he saw Teal'c and Karrington alongside them. While Teal'c seemed to be watching the events with his usual passing interest, the beautiful women entranced the remaining five SGC members. Curious glances were sent back from both male and female villagers alike, interested to know more about their strange guests.
Still hidden in the doorway of the guesthouse, Jack grasped Sam's arm gently. "Do me a personal favour, stay by me or Teal'c tonight, okay? I've got a bad feeling about these folks."
"I can look after myself, sir." She assured him, not sure whether to be offended or touched by his concern.
"I know you can, that's why it's a favour, Carter."
Sam rolled her eyes with a smile, reluctantly agreeing. Letting go of her arm, Jack made a sweeping gesture for her to precede him and they walked towards where Teal'c was currently being asked questions by an enraptured boy of no older than ten. Karrington appeared to have spotted the historian and his family, deep in conversation, whilst most of SG-13 was sitting around the large blaze in the centre of the square. As Sam approached, she heard the boy asking Teal'c what the marking on his forehead was and why he carried a big stick that was taller than he was. Smirking, she looked at Teal'c's impassive face, wondering if he ever got tired of that question.
Jack stared into the flames of the large bonfire, a million miles away. He was tempted to walk around the perimeter of the village under the pretence of exploring, just to get away from all the lights and noise. Glancing at his 2IC, the uneasy feeling he'd had since he'd heard of this strange night-only tradition with the women in the village sprang up again. Never one to ignore his instincts, he sauntered over to where she stood, a slight smile on her face as she watched Teal'c deal with the inquisitive young boy.
"Hey, Carter. Going for a wander round the woods, wanna come with?"
She looked up at him, wondering if he was bored already or if he had something to talk about. "Sure, sir."
"T, Carter and I are going to check the perimeter. Radio if there's any problems." Jack instructed the Jaffa, who nodded his acknowledgement.
Sam turned her head so she could see his face, half hidden by the pale moonlight casting shadows over his features. "I think Teal'c has his hands full with that kid."
Jack sent her a pre-occupied smile, eyes set on the path ahead. They walked in silence for a few minutes before Sam could no longer stand it.
"Is something wrong, sir?"
He didn't answer immediately, making Sam wonder if he'd heard her question.
"Karrington could be NID."
Sam stopped walking abruptly. "What? How do you know?"
"Doesn't matter how I know. But he'll want to stay on SG-1 if the NID have anything to do with it."
"General Hammond would never let him stay on SG-1."
"No, he wouldn't."
"Sir, what are you not saying?" Sam asked suspiciously.
Jack sighed and finally turned to look directly at her. "If NID have managed to get someone on to SG-1 after all this time there has to be a reason for it being now. They must have a way planned to make this permanent, and I don't know of any five person teams at the SGC, do you?"
The crackle of the radio coming to life stopped Sam from replying. "Colonel O'Neill," Teal'c's voice.
"Yeah, reading you Teal'c." Jack said.
"General Hammond said to report at precisely 1900 hours. Do you wish me to make contact, O'Neill?"
"It's okay, T. Be there in a few minutes."
They walked back together in silence. Sam was still trying to process the implications of her CO's somewhat cryptic revelations as she glanced at his stony expression. She walked with him to the stargate, where Teal'c was stood by the MALP, awaiting their arrival. He dialled the DHD and Jack reported in briefly to General Hammond, informing him that they had been offered a place to stay tonight and would be broaching the naquada situation tomorrow.
When the three of them arrived back in the village, the celebrations seemed to be in full swing. SG-13 appeared to have acquired the attention of several women, who stood close to them, handing them beverages and smiling flirtatiously. Jack made a beeline for the bonfire, leaving Teal'c and Sam talking about the pros and cons of the winter months in Colorado Springs. It seemed Teal'c had learned a thing or two from Jonas and his love of the weather channel from what he overheard the Jaffa saying.
Jack had no idea how much time had passed when he heard Sam asking him something. Pulled from his thoughts, he wrenched his gaze away from the dying blaze and turned to look at her pretty face. He couldn't even remember her sitting down next to him.
"Sorry, Carter. What did you say?"
"Are you okay, Colonel?" She asked, worry creasing her forehead.
He nodded, his vision suddenly picking up on a man behind Sam. He was reaching forward to touch her hair, a look of disbelief on his face as though she was defying all logic by having blonde hair.
"Carter." He said in warning just as she seemed to sense the man's presence behind her, a self-conscious hand going to her head as she turned.
"What magic do you use to make your hair this way, woman?" The tall man asked, non-too politely. His greyish eyes watched her distrustfully, as though daring her to deny what she was some sort of witch.
"People have many different hair colours on our planet. It's not uncommon." She replied patiently, with what she hoped was a placating smile.
Instead, he grabbed her by the arm roughly. "We do not appreciate magic in this village, it is cursed by the elders and shall be cursed by- "
"You don't understand. We're from a different- "
Jack had had enough, standing and grasping the man's shoulder. "Okay, buddy, let go of her. Go see Has'sin and get this all straightened out."
On cue, the guy who they'd met that afternoon and informed them of the bizarre male-female customs appeared, placing a calming hand on the older man's back.
"This woman is no danger to you and your family, Falin."
With one last accusing glare at Sam, he dropped her arm forcibly and walked away. Jack watched as she rubbed her arm, before turning his attention to the man next to him.
"I apologise for the Falin's misgivings. He believes you have bewitched many men in the village, including his own son." He paused, gazing at her openly. "I did not introduce myself before, I am Ranin."
"Nice to meet you." Sam nodded politely. "Ranin, who are the elders?"
"They were the founders of this village." He replied, his gaze sweeping over her hair and face, Jack noticed warily. "They lived here many years ago, when the village was small and whispers of magic and evil where all around."
"Sounds swell." Jack put in, gaining a small smile from Sam and a look from Ranin that looked as though he'd forgotten he was there.
"You would do well to wear female garments, Major. You hide your true appearance like this." Ranin reached out to touch her shoulder, letting his hand run down her arm. Jack had to forcibly stop himself swatting his arm away, instead watching his 2IC smile tightly.
"It's the uniform our people wear when we explore other planets." She replied, stepping away from Ranin's wandering hand and trying to keep her annoyance from showing too obviously.
"Come, we shall discuss this further." It was an order, not a request. His hand found her hair before she could stop him, commenting; "Such a beautiful colour."
"Please don't do that." She told him, pleasantries evading her as she pushed his hand away with a firm grip on his wrist. Jack watched with a cool eye, knowing Sam could handle herself.
"Come," Ranin insisted, not deterred by her rejection, he moved him hand to her back as if to guide her.
"No, Ranin. I have to stay here. With my team." She gestured to Jack, glad of his presence even if she'd never have admitted it to him.
Ranin looked at her in confusion, then to Jack and back again. "You are bonded?"
Sam fought the urge to roll her eyes, wondering how Daniel managed to know so many customs from various cultures and still dealt with explaining how Earth was different to their respective planet without loosing his patience. Maybe she'd spent too much time in the presence of a certain Colonel.
Jack beat her to an answer, revealing his irritation. "Which answer will get you to stop touching her?"
The two men glared at each other, before Jack broke away, turning to his 2IC and placing a hand to her back to steer her away. "Lets get back to the house, Carter."
Spotting Lt. Col. Craig looking like he was rather enjoying himself with two women, Jack called over to him that Teal'c, who had returned to the guesthouse a little while ago to perform kal'no'reem, he and Major Carter were retiring for the night. "Keep an eye out for Karrington, will you?" He added as he scanned the area, unable to see him.
Sam woke the following morning to the sound of raised voices somewhere near her. Pulling her jacket on against the chill of the early morning breeze, she found Jack, Karrington, Ranin and a man she thought she recognised as the historian.
"That's not how we do things. You can't just trade-off." Jack was saying heatedly to the two villagers.
"My daughter was promised to Ranin, now she is yours," The historian replied, speaking to Karrington. "And Ranin is free to choose another."
Sam suddenly had a very bad feeling about what was going on. What had Karrington done?
"I don't want her! She seduced me. We don't have the same customs as you do, surely you can't expect us to go along with yours?" Karrington insisted, earning an angry "Shut up!" from Jack.
Sam stepped out into the weak sunshine, making all four men look towards her. "What's going on?"
Ranin was the one who stepped towards her. "Your team-mate spent yesterday evening with my betrothed, Major Carter. I am therefore free to bond with whomever I deem worthy."
Sensing what was coming, Sam stepped back involuntarily.
"I choose you."