Chapter 7 - Welcome

Everyone came to a complete standstill once they were through the gate and turned to look at how JJ had fared. He was still firmly held in Jack's arms, his little hands wrapped tightly around the collar of Jack's jacket. JJ twisted slightly so he could see behind him as the Stargate disengaged. He blinked twice, gave a shiver at the cold that ran through his body, then turned to look at his mother.

Afraid that he was going to start to cry, Sam ran her hand soothingly across his back. "Hey, sweetheart. You did so well; you're such a brave boy," she said soothingly to him.

JJ blinked at her, as if still slightly confused about what had happened, looked back at the now quiet Stargate, and then suddenly broke out into boisterous babbling. He reached his hands out behind him, as if trying to get back to the gate.

Janet had stepped closer to the family, wanting to check JJ out. Instead she started laughing. When Jack looked at her in surprise, she explained, "If he could talk, I just bet he'd be saying, 'Do it again, Daddy!'"

Jack grinned and ruffled JJ's hair. "That's my boy!" There were chuckles and smiles of relief from the entire group as they moved off the platform to take in their surroundings.

Moval was much like any other planet they had visited in the ten years they had traveled through the Stargate. The gate on Moval sat atop a stone platform in a clearing surrounded by lush vegetation. The trees were tall and stood imposingly over the myriad colorful flowers in bloom. Birds could be heard chirping within the deep green foliage and the rustling in the bushes told of small animals that made their homes within the shrubbery. A well traveled path cut through the middle of the clearing and made its way into the trees beyond. Coming down the path was the High Chancellor of Moval, followed closely by a contingent of about a dozen Makesh, eager to make the acquaintance of their esteemed guests.

"Looks like the welcome wagon is here. That's your cue, Danny," Jack muttered as he passed JJ over to Sam. "Stay behind us for a few minutes, OK?" He wasn't going to take any chances, no matter how friendly and welcoming the natives appeared to be.

Sam nodded her agreement as she stayed to the back of the group, hidden from view by the imposing figures of both Jack and Teal'c. Jacob came around and flanked Jack's other side in a show of quiet solidarity with his son-in-law. Janet remained with Sam, giving her a smile of reassurance as they waited to hear what was going to happen next. While neither woman was the type who would ever hide behind a man for protection, when it came to keeping JJ safe, they were both willing to make some concessions.

"We wish to thank you for inviting us to spend some time among your people, High Chancellor," Daniel began as he stepped forward. "We are looking forward to partaking in the Sacred Feast of Honor, as well as in getting to know more about your people and your culture."

The High Chancellor bowed slightly toward Daniel. "We too are most pleased to have you join us for this very significant feast. All of you are most welcome here on Moval." He let his gaze roam over the travelers before resting on Jack. Not missing the way the three men, who all carried weapons, stood in front of Sam and the baby, he frowned. "I am saddened to see that you still do not completely trust us, Ambassador. We have no wish to cause harm to any member of your group," he waved his arm, indicating the people around him.

"It's nothing personal, High Chancellor," Jack explained as matter-of-factly as possible. "We've just traveled to enough places where there have been…let's say some rather nasty surprises." He let his gaze roam over the gathering Makesh, looking for weapons or any signs of something amiss. When he saw nothing, he nodded to Teal'c, who stepped aside to reveal Janet, Sam and JJ.

As Sam stepped forward with JJ, there were soft murmurs of excitement. The High Chancellor came forward, followed by a woman wearing a light green robe. Her dark hair was coiled on top of her head and she had an ornate band circling her forehead. Taking Sam's free hand in his, he bent over it and smiled warmly at her.

"Thank you so much for coming to our world, Colonel Carter. The arrival of your family has been highly anticipated this day. May I introduce my wife, Shakena. She will see to your needs while you remain with us."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Shakena," Sam replied sincerely. "This is our son, Jonathon Jacob Carter-O'Neill."

"Such a large name for one so small," she remarked with a gentle smile.

Sam smiled in return. "We call him JJ. It seems to fit him a little better."

Shakena bowed her head, then let her gaze rest on JJ. "He is a most beautiful child, Colonel Carter."

"Thank you," Sam said sincerely.

JJ looked with interest at the sparkling band around this woman's forehead. Deciding he just had to touch it, he leaned forward with one arm outstretched toward his goal. Sam pulled him back quickly, gently telling him he couldn't touch.

Shakena laughed softly. "It is quite alright, Colonel Carter. I take no offense. In truth, I would be honored if you allow me to hold your son."

Before Sam could answer, Jack interrupted. "Ah, I don't think that would be a good idea." He gave Sam a look that said follow my lead. "JJ gets a little shy around strangers."

Shakena looked back at her husband in puzzlement at therather curtreply she had received, before nodding graciously back at the couple. "Perhaps later, when your son is more comfortable around us."

"Perhaps," Jack said noncommittally, his gaze roaming once more among the gathered people. There was no way he was going to allow any of these people to hold his son. Absolutely not.

Trying to diffuse the awkward silence, Daniel said with forced lightless, "Perhaps we could see your village now, High Chancellor? We are all very interested to see how the Makesh live. You have a very beautiful planet."

"Thank you, Dr. Jackson. Yes, we will show you our world, but first, we would like to bestow a small gift upon our honored guests. Remai, please step forward."

A young woman of about 20 years stepped forward, carrying a small wooden box. As she came before the High Chancellor, she bowed and held the box up to him. He opened the box and took out a necklace which contained many small, gleaming blue beads. He turned and presented it to Sam. "Please accept this necklace as a gift from the Makesh to thank you for your unwavering support in the work of your mate. The blue signifies the inner strength that you yourself possess in great quantities." He slipped it over Sam's neck and took out a much smaller one. This necklace contained both blue and green beads of a duller hue.

"This is for your son, JJ. Make he grow to acquire the same qualities that make his parents strong." Before Jack or Sam could utter a protest, he slipped the necklace over JJ's head and tucked it into his jacket. "Do not worry, the beads are made from a natural material found on our world. They will not harm JJ if he happens to chew on them. Many of our own young wear similar adornments."

Jack and Sam shared a look, but let the necklace remain on JJ. The little boy squirmed in Sam's arms, trying to see what this thing was around his neck. Because it was tucked into his jacket, he couldn't get a hold of it and soon gave up trying; instead focusing on the bright necklace around his mother's neck.

Finally, a chain of burnished gold was placed around Jack's neck. He tried not to squirm as the High Chancellor reached up and set in place. "Ambassador O'Neill, please accept this chain from the Makesh. It signifies our deep appreciation for the ties that now bind us together with your people and with the Asgard. May our union always be strong and without dissent."

"Uh, thanks. That's very…kind of you," Jack stammered. He was uncomfortable with this little ceremony and wanted nothing more than to get everyone's attention redirected. "I too hope we can form an alliance," he added, remembering the real reason they were here.

"Come," the High Chancellor smiled, "Let us make our way to the village and your resting place. I am sure you and your family will want respite before the ceremony." As he walked past Beroni, the scientist nodded slightly at him, then took his place at the end of the group. Once they reached the village, he would make haste to his laboratory and ensure that the next phase of their plan was in order.

Before they began walking, Jack pulled a tiny, tan baseball cap out of his jacket and placed it on JJ's head. "What?" he asked when Sam gave him a look of humor. "You're the one who keeps reminding me that we need to protect him from the sun!"

"You're absolutely right, dear," she agreed, all the while trying to keep her smile in check.

The procession of Makesh and humans wound their way across the clearing and into the darker area of the surrounding trees. After a brief 15 minute walk, which was filled with the quiet chatter of the villagers, they came to another clearing that opened up before them, revealing the village of the Makesh.

The group from the SGC looked around themselves in quiet amazement. Instead of the wooden huts they had anticipated, the Makesh lived in a village made of gleaming, white adobe buildings. There were about 10 of these buildings arranged in a circular fashion. Each one was quite long; about 50 feet in length, with many windows and at least two doors, one at each end of the building. Straight ahead lay an even larger white building. The double doors at its center were flanked by pillars inlaid with intricate designs. Many smaller windows graced each side of the ornate doors.

"This is quite…spectacular," Daniel spoke aloud, the awe in his voice evident. "We were expecting something…different," he finished lamely.

The High Chancellor smiled as he looked around his village. "We are very proud of our village, and its people. Though we may not be as advanced as some you have met, we do take pride in our many craftsmen who have designed and built our village over the years. The long buildings," he pointed to the dwellings that flanked the center building, "Are where families reside. Fathers, mothers, children, grandchildren all live together in one dwelling. There are as many as 20 people residing in one home," he stated proudly.

"Doesn't it get a bit... crowded?" Jack asked curiously. He couldn't imagine living with 20 other people, especial his in-laws; no offense to Jacob Carter!

"Once a dwelling has reached its capacity, another is built. Although, our people are reluctant to leave their family members. As I have told you Ambassador, our people highly value their families."

"As do we," Jack stated quietly, letting his gaze rest for a moment on his wife and son.

Sam gave his a soft smile before returning her attention to her surroundings. "And that building?" Sam asked curiously as she shifted JJ to her other hip. "Is that a meeting place for the community?"

"In a way, Colonel Carter. That is where the council meets and decides on important issues for our people. Shakena and I reside there, along with several members of my cabinet and their families. There is a large banquet hall within its center. It is there that we will have our feast."

Shakena, noticing how JJ was now lying with his head against Sam's shoulder, sucking his thumb, spoke quietly but firmly. "Perhaps I should show Colonel Carter to the guest quarters so that her son may rest."

"That would be wise, dear wife. We will have much time later to share more with all of you." Turning to Jack, he said, "Perhaps I can show you our government center, Ambassador, while your wife gets JJ settled." He waited patiently for Jack's reply.

Jack looked at Sam, then to Teal'c, who nodded his head slightly. He sighed. He really did not want to let Sam and JJ go off without him, but knew he must attend to some duties as Ambassador here.

"We'll be fine, Jack," Sam said quietly, reading the indecision on his face.

"I will accompany Colonel Carter, O'Neill," Teal's assured him.

"I will too," Jacob added. "I haven't had much time to spend with my grandson," he informed the group.

"Very well," the High Chancellor stated. "The feast will begin at sunset. I will send Malem to fetch you when it is time. Dr. Jackson, perhaps you would like to see the ruins before it gets dark?"

Daniel's face showed his excitement. He figured they had about 3 hours before sunset, plenty of time for him to look at the ruins and start working on translating at least some of it. "Thank you High Chancellor. I would appreciate that very much."

"Remai will take you to the Great Pillars. We have several of our people currently studying the ruins. They will assist you in any manner possible."

As the group went their separate ways, Sam glanced back at Jack and found him watching their progress across the compound with a guarded expression. Even though he was still wearing his dark sunglasses, she knew without a doubt that his eyes were filled with concern. Feeling a pang of regret at their separation, she none-the-less gave him a smile of reassurance before following Shakena across the compound. And while she knew Jack would do his duty here as Ambassador, she also knew without a doubt that he wouldn't rest easy until they were all safely back on Earth.

A/N: Hoping this isn't moving too slow for all of you -things will start to pick up next chapter! Please continue toreview! Updates may be a bit slower for a while - end of the school year and all! Thanks for reading!