Chapter 2
A/N: Thank you Vanessa-you angel you- for being our beta at such short notice! And so fast, LoL! This fic is for our 'kiddies' Jacq and Lot and of course all the other D/J fans (go Meesh) !
It was a rare occurrence, for the people working in the Cheyenne mountain complex, to see a harmless alien slowly walking through the gate and down the ramp, smiling warmly at the SG-teams surrounding him. Actually, this was a first.
Nevertheless, this and more had happened two days ago when the Atholian from P4X- 776 called Calum had agreed to visit Earth and negotiate on behalf of his people about their advanced medical technology with the Tau'ri.
SG-1 had participated in these negotiations as they'd been responsible for sending the MALP to P4X-776.
It took the two parties involved only a couple of hours to agree on an extensive visit to Calum's city Aon, or as the Colonel had put it, 'to check out the merchandise'. General Hammond had sent Doctor Fraiser along with SG-1 because medical technology was her area of expertise and she alone was qualified to…. 'test the merchandise'.
What the merchandise was exactly, no-one knew. All Callum could tell them was that 'it' could even cure the plague.
After the mind-whirling and stomach turning Gate-experience, a pale faced Janet Fraiser set foot on P4X-776. She'd probably never get used to it; the feeling of being on a rollercoaster combined with… a dryer. Round and round. Up and down.
Sam, noticing her friend's expression, patted her on the shoulder reassuringly. "You'll get used to it… eventually."
Janet nodded, unconvinced. "If you say so."
Not far from them, Jack, Teal'c and Daniel stood gazing at their surroundings, clearly oblivious to Sam and Janet's conversation.
"Wowie-wow-wow" Jack muttered, raising his brows in surprise.
"I second that, O'Neill." Teal'c nodded.
The Stargate was positioned on top of an enormous grass hill. There was not a single tree surrounding them, just and endless field of green grass and wildflowers. The cheerful colours were almost blinding.
At the foot of the hill lay the city of Aon that Calum had mentioned, surrounded by three grey, round walls of stone.
Daniel was just about to make a comment of his own when he noticed a small figure climbing up the hill to meet them.
"Welcome, people of Tau'ri, SG-1!" An enthusiastic Atholian called out, his arms open wide. He was dressed in what seemed to be ceremonial white robes, green pants and a white shirt.
Jack suppressed a chuckle. The actual negotiations on earth had taken about three hours tops and no matter how many times to they'd tried to tell Calum they were not 'the people of Tauri-Sg-1', he'd stubbornly stuck to it. And passed on the annoying habit to his people.
Teal'c inclined his head slowly as the others all greeted the Atholian.
"My name is Adair." He gracefully motioned his hand towards the impressive stone walls."I am most pleased to see you here. Come, come, Aon is not far, you can already see the city's walls from here."
The team began to follow the Atholian as he began to walk down the grass hill towards the City of Aon.
After a short 15 minute walk, the small group approached the first city wall, which was heavily guarded. Aidar smiled at the visitors reassuringly, nodded curtly at the guards then suddenly swirled around. "Alright, I take it Calum told about our customs?"
All eyes turned to Daniel, who nervously pushed his glasses back up his nose. "No, not really, I'm afraid. I know your civilization resembles our Scottish-"
Adair interrupted him abruptly. "He did not tell you of our Unity?"
"Unity?" Jack repeated, tightening his grip on his zat and Sam frowned, stepping up beside him.
Adair rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Calum did not inform you of our most sacred of principles? Why he should be-!" He took a deep breath to calm himself. "The unity between a husband and wife is the joining of souls."
"You mean….marriage?' Janet asked, putting down her medical kit and glancing at the others around her curiously.
"Why Yes!" Aidar's face visibly brightened. "Marriage indeed!"
As on cue, one of the guards, clad in what looked like medieval armour, cleared his throat and took a step forward. "Orders of our Regent Laird, based on the morals and beliefs we, the citizens of Aon, hold high, …only those with joined souls our allowed entrance to the city of Aon."
Sam's eyes widened in surprise and Jack's mouth dropped open. "Come again?"
Daniel looked from the guard to Aidar. "What?"
"Only married people are allowed entrance to their city." Teal'c clarified.
"Yeah, thank you Teal'c!" Jack snapped, shaking his head. He couldn't believe this. How the hell could Calum forget to tell them about the whole…must-be-married-clause!
Aidar noticed the distress on the faces of his visitors and looked at them questioningly. "This is…a problem?"
Jack let out a long, annoyed sigh. Great. Just great. How were they supposed to negotiate if they weren't even allowed in the god-damned city! "So…..what you're saying is….being single….is ….what? A crime?"
He glanced at his Major briefly, noticing the flicker of anger in her blue eyes.
Aidar shook his head furiously. "No no!" The team all breathed a sigh of relief. "You will not get arrested for being without. It is, however, common for those who are incomplete to live…on the outskirts of the city."
"You banish the single people to…your ghetto's?" Daniel asked and despite the seriousness of the situation, both Sam and Janet had to try their best to suppress their smiles.
The Atholian frowned and glanced at the guards, over his shoulder. "I am not familiar with that term. But, I repeat my question. Will our policy be a problem?"
It took Jack only a couple of seconds to react. Reaching out, he roughly patted Aidar on the shoulder, smirking at the alien. "Not a problem at all, Aidie!"
He then slung an arm around a shocked Carter and pulled her tightly against his side. "Just so happens I brought the Mrs with me!"
Daniel, Janet and Sam were all staring at their Colonel in shock, before picking up on his scheme. Aidar smiled at Jack and Sam warmly, reached out and pressed their shoulders.
"I knew it the moment I saw you. I am most happy for your joining."
Jack nodded back at him, good-humouredly. "As am I, Aidie. As am I."
Uncomfortable with the whole situation, Janet bent down to pick up her medical kit but when she looked up, Aidar and the guards seemed to be staring at her. "….Yes?" she asked, suspiciously.
"You….are not joined?" the Atholian replied, slightly tilting his head. It seemed very unnatural to him.
Janet's eyes glanced from Sam's encouraging looks to the oblivious Daniel standing next to her. Teal'c was standing too far away, she reasoned. So it was either Daniel or….
"Are you honestly not joined?' Aidar repeated, still regarding her as if she'd just sprouted horns.
"I am!" Janet almost yelled then grabbed Daniel's hand and gave it a firm pull. "It's just that my husband is dozing off again, isn't that right….honey-bun?"
"What?" Daniel said, looking down at their entwined hands. "What?"
Jack rolled his eyes and Sam had to resist the urge to do the same. Aidar looked at the tiny woman and the glass wearing man curiously.
Janet wasn't about to give up on their mission and smiled at Daniel sweetly. "Oooh you!"
She let go off his hand and snaked an arm around his waist. "I'm telling you, this man sees something ancient and whoop, he's gone! Let's just hope that wasn't what attracted him to me, huh?"
Daniel finally caught on to her little scheme and smiled awkwardly. "Oh no, you're not ancient, sweety! Far from it! And…And…how could I not be attracted to you? You're so….." He glanced around him nervously. "You're so…so…so... cute and tiny!"
Jack let out a loud, strangled noise that sounded suspiciously a lot like a laugh. In response, Carter began to pat his back and looked at Aidar apologetically. "He …just….choked on something."
Grateful for the diversion, Janet quickly pulled her arm back and avoided Daniel's gaze. For the sake of the mission, she repeated to herself. All for the sake of the mission.
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The four remaining team-members followed Aidar and three guards through the city of Aon. The people there seemed as friendly as Calum and Aidar had been and inwardly, the Colonel breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, some peace and quiet. He glanced over his shoulder to see Sam and Janet trotting behind him. And a brand new wife, he smirked to himself.
Too bad they had to send back Teal'c. Next time, the big guy should bring Ishtar or something.
He turned his attention back to the two men in front of him; their guide and Daniel. As always, Daniel was practically grilling the man for information on Aon, its citizens, their….strange customs.
"So, you join at the age of twelve?" Daniel repeated and Aidar nodded.
"Yes. At the age of 12 one must join with another. You are not complete without that other person."
"And then so…" Daniel frowned as they passed a huge, brick water well in the centre of what seemed to be some kind of courtyard. "I'm confused as to how…..what exactly is this….unity? Is it the marriage itself? Or an…an act?"
Aidar smirked and shook his head. "Heavens no! Not an act. It is the deepest bond that one can share with another mortal."
Daniel nodded in return and was lost in thought for the remainder of the journey through Aon.
It wasn't until they had entered one of the large, brick houses and were walking up the wooden stairs, that the archaeologist started talking again. "When will the negotiations take place, if you don't mind me asking?"
Aidar came to an abrupt halt and the SG-1 members look at him curiously. "Tonight, we will dine together. Tomorrow we'll tell you about our culture and you will be free to walk around Aon and….explore. Tomorrow night, there will be a celebration in your honor."
Jack raised his brows at that and looked at Sam, 'Celebration' he mouthed and smirked.
"And the day after the celebration, we will show you what you came for." Aidar finished.
Daniel opened his mouth to speak but was cut off when Aidar reached out and opened a wooden door to his right. "These are your quarters, Mr and Mrs Jackson."
Both Daniel and Janet stared at him in shock, before realizing that they were supposed to be a married couple.
"Ah yes, thank you Aidar." Janet smiled, seeing as Daniel wasn't going to respond anytime soon.
Aidair returned the smile then walked towards the next door and opened it. "And these are your quarters, Mr and Mrs O'Neill. Adjoining rooms. The yellow door will lead you to Mr and Mrs Jackson and vice versa."
"Thanks." Jack patted the Atholian roughly on the shoulder and walked into the room. Sam slowly followed, after quickly glancing in Daniel and Janet's direction, only to see that they'd entered their room as well.
Janet stood in the doorway, gazing around 'their' room. It was fairly large. Dark wooden floors with a long hideous red and yellow rug, two wooden closets and a huge bed in the centre of the room, against the wall. Their room, their bed.
She smiled at Daniel nervously. "Leave it to me to go off-world for a change and end up married."
Daniel looked up and smiled faintly. "I hope you don't mind?" He took off his backpack and placed it on a nearby chair. "You have to admit, these people are fascinating! They all have Scottish names and surnames, their civilization resembles our…late medieval period, possibly around 1500. Yet they possess medical technology far superior to ours. Or the Tokra, for that matter!"
"Not to mention their obsession with marriages." Janet pointed out, following Daniel's example and unloading her stuff.
"Yes…that too." He admitted with a small smile. "Well, the Atholians seem peaceful enough, don't they? I can't wait to find out more about their customs." He pulled out a crumpled looking notebook and started scribbling.
Janet let out a soft sigh, walked towards the single, small window and glanced around the room again before focussing her attention on the man leaning against the bed, absorbed in his own thoughts.
"Daniel, don't you think we need to….talk about? I mean, we have to convince these strangers that we're married."
'God knows', Janet thought to herself, 'it shouldn't be that hard for Sam and Jack. They act like a married couple most of the time, anyway. And the feelings are definitely mutual when those two are concerned. In this so-called-marriage, I'm afraid it's pretty much…one-sided. From my side.' And she wasn't even sure how to define those feelings. And when had she started to feel like that anyway? His death, his ascension had left her feeling as incomplete as the Atholians seemed to claim single people are.
'Oh great look at me. Two hours on this planet and I'm already acting like an unprofessional, bitter old woman. I should have picked Teal'c…. just…I …I'm Daniel's friend and Doctor. Period.'
She shook her head and crossed her arms in front of her chest, still awaiting a reply.
Daniel raised his brows, looked down at his notes and then at the petite woman near the window. "I suppose we could hold hands…and use terms of endearment? If that wouldn't make you uncomfortable? What should I call you?"
Janet let out a soft laugh and walked over to him. Sweet Daniel, always the gentleman. "What should you call me? Well, Doctor Fraiser would raise a few brows here and there, so wouldn't recommend that one," she smiled as she spoke.
"Alright. Well, you can call me anything but Spacemonkey." Daniel replied dryly.
She arched an eyebrow and smiled. "Anything?"
His brows shot up at her flirtatious remark and he looked at her in surprise. "Um, well, no…not everything.."
Mentally berating herself for her comment, Janet frowned. "It's okay. I'll just call you Daniel, how about that?"
"Daniel…" he repeated and took off his glasses. "Hm, I like it."
There was a soft knock on the yellow door between the two closets and Sam's head appeared around the corner. "Hey guys. A servant just came by to tell us dinner will be served in a couple of minutes."
"Oh okay, thanks Sam." Daniel replied, stuffing his notebook back into his backpack.
Sam was still hovering near the door. "But we can't exactly go in your camouflage suits so is it okay if I change over here with Janet?"
"Yeah sure… sorry…okay. Yes." Daniel hopped from the bed, grabbed the clothes the Atholians had left on one of the chairs and walked past Sam to the other room.
"So.." Sam started as she kicked off her boots. "How's married life been treating you?" Seeing as Janet was her best friend, she'd had her suspicions about the petite doctor's feelings for their resident archaeologist for some time now.
Janet sighed and shook her head. "I've been married before, remember? Not exactly my kind of thing."
Sam shot her a surprised look. Janet shrugged. "Nothing. Let's just get this all over with. "
TBC? (Review; let us know what you think!)