Melony felt Talon's gentle nudge to wake up even as he spoke to her, and she opened her eyes, groggily, staring up at the ceiling of the infirmary while she tried to wake up a little more.
What's wrong?
Nothing's wrong, Hot Shot, he told her, and she felt his reassurance at the same time. He was bound and determined that she stay calm – which would help her recovery.
I'm almost better, though, right?
She felt better.
Yeah, you're doing wellCan I get out of bed now?
SoonThat's not very specific.
He chuckled in her mind, but a noise to her right drew her attention before he could say anything else. Mitchell turned her head, expecting to see Carson sitting beside her bed, and was surprised to see that instead of her doctor it was Teal'c. The big Jaffa was watching her with a calm patience, and Melony felt a stab of guilt at the reminder of what she'd done to Tao. And who knew how many other Jaffa?
It's not your fault, Talon said – again.
She didn't feel like arguing with him – mainly because he almost always won. Instead, she turned her full attention on Teal'c, and knew that Talon was as well.
"Teal'c."
The Jaffa nodded.
"It is good to see you awake, Colonel Mitchell."
He wasn't very good at small talk – and he didn't have much of a bedside manner, but she knew he was sincere, and that was good enough. She was used to Jaffa, after all.
"How many did we lose?"
She was just as good at getting right to the point as any Jaffa, after all.
"Tao."
"And the Jaffa on his dart?"
"They are reanimated and were uninjured."
"Thank God."
She was only responsible for the loss of one life… which was bad enough, but more bearable than if she'd killed fifty more.
You didn't kill Tao, Talon told her, and she could feel his annoyance with her self-loathing. Which only made her feel worse.
"Indeed," Teal'c said, not mentioning how ironic it was that the one who most of the Jaffa considered to be their goddess was thanking her own deity for the safety of those who worshipped her. Then with typical forwardness that Melony had come to expect from all Jaffa, Teal'c addressed the issue of Tao's death. "You will need to speak to the Jaffa as soon as you are feeling able."
She nodded.
"I know. Talon says I'll be out of bed soon. That'll be my first stop."
Teal'c nodded, and for the first time looked slightly hesitant.
"You need a new First Prime, Colonel Mitchell."
"I know, Teal'c."
She didn't want to think about that, though. Tao had been more than just her First Prime. He'd been her friend. One of her favorite people to spend time with when she was offworld, and by far her favorite Jaffa. She'd even begun to convince him that she wasn't the goddess that he and the others thought she was – although she wasn't sure he was really swayed. The thought that she wasn't going to see him again made her eyes sting with unshed tears, and she felt a tightness in her stomach and chest.
Easy"I would like to be considered for that position."
That caught her attention completely – and Talon's.
"What?"
"I wish for you to consider my services as your next First Prime," Teal'c repeated.
She was floored. This was absolutely the last thing she expected to hear from him, and Talon's shock was even more profound – which would have been amusing to her if she'd been less dumbfounded. It actually took her a long moment to say anything.
"Teal'c. What about SG-1? And the SGC?"
"The SGC is different than it once was, Colonel Mitchell," Teal'c said. "O'Neill is no longer in command of SG-1 and Colonel Carter is increasingly occupied with the new technologies that are coming from your studies with Talon. I would not be surprised if she stepped down from SG-1 herself to concentrate more fully on those technologies – although that is not something I have discussed with her."
"Have you spoken with Jack about this?"
He shook his head.
"Not yet. However, the Goa'uld are no longer a threat to the Tau'ri – or the SGC – and therefore my expertise and knowledge of them is no longer required. You, on the other hand, could use my services, could you not?"
"Yes." Of course she could. He was already respected by all the Jaffa – even the ones who had been forced by their former masters to try and kill him whenever they were sent up against the humans – and already knew the most important responsibilities of being a First Prime. "But I can't ask you to leave Earth – and my First Prime would have to-"
"I have enjoyed my stay with the Tau'ri," Teal'c said, interrupting her. "And I am proud of the fact that I made a difference with them. But there is more to be done, and I am not needed there. I could be of use to you. And the Jaffa."
"Yeah… you could…"
God, she could think of a dozen ways she could use his help.
"There are other reasons," Teal'c said, once more looking hesitant. It was an odd thing to see in the Jaffa, and Melony couldn't help but ask.
"Such as?"
"I wish to pursue a… relationship… One I cannot pursue on Earth."
Teyla?
Who else?
Melony sighed, rubbing her head. She needed a chance to think about this, and even more, she needed to know that even if she was all for it (and she had to admit she kind of was) Jack was okay with it, too. As well as the other members of SG-1, since they would be most affected.
"Do me a favor, Teal'c?" she asked. "Talk to Jack about this. Let him know what you're thinking and see what he says…"
"I had planned to," Teal'c told her. "But I wanted to discuss it with you before I did – in case you already had a new First Prime in mind."
"I haven't given it any thought," she admitted.
"But you will, now?"
"Yes. Talk to Jack."