A Single Man of Courage – Part six
Daniel looked at Sam as Jack disappeared into the bathroom. "Hey, I didn't say anything."
"I think O'Neill is unwell. He has not eaten again and the sight of the food made him color."
"Went green, Teal'c," corrected Sam, her face showing her concern.
Daniel gave a short laugh. "Well I hope he's not pregnant."
Teal'c set his fork down to stare at Daniel solemnly. "How would this be? The female of the Tauri are …"
"Joke Teal'c, joke," said Sam absently. She was too concerned about the Colonel to humor them. "I think I'll go and see if he's okay." She stood, leaving Daniel and Teal'c to continue their breakfasts.
Knocking softly at the door she got no response, so she opened it a little way to see Colonel O'Neill coming from his bathroom wiping his face on a towel.
"Sir, are you okay?" she asked, coming fully into the room.
Jack sat down heavily on the bed. "Peachy."
"Really Sir, you missed a couple of meals. Teal'c thinks you're sick."
"Yeah, sick n' tired of this place," he muttered, throwing the towel to the floor.
Sam took a few steps towards him. "Sir?"
"Sorry Carter. Yeah, I'm fine, just tired."
"Are you sure there's nothing else?" She sat down hesitantly on the bed, close, but not touching.
"Today you and Daniel go in and do your stuff, nothing else. Don't ask about Major Dawson, don't go anywhere except to the chambers or here. Make sure Daniel does the same. Keep together." He spoke quietly not looking at her.
"Is there something you're not telling me?"
"Major," he emphasized her rank, "I need you to take care of this end while Teal'c and I nose around. Tonight we talk." He got up and began to sort through his pack, not looking at her.
"Sir?" she asked softly, hurt by his abrupt manner.
"Please Major, do as I said. That's an order."
"Yes Sir." She stood, still feeling more than a little hurt. The Colonel was holding something back, she was sure of it, but what? Was he much sicker than he let on … trying to hide it?
"See you later then." She managed to sound quite normal and she left his room.
xoxoxoxoxo
"Is Jack joining us?" asked Daniel.
"No, not yet." Sam sat down to pick at her meal.
Jack came in around half an hour later.
"I've informed the guards that we need a tour guide," he said briefly.
"Do you think they'll oblige?" asked Daniel.
"We'll soon find out." Jack shrugged, fully aware that any requests now were treading on thin ice.
Sam and Daniel were ready to go see the Council by the time Samels came in. Jack had to school his feature before he could look at him and by the time the man had finished his bow, Jack's face was unreadable.
"Is it correct that only the Major and the Doctor will be present today?"
"Yes. Teal'c and I would like a tour of your city, if that is possible."
"Certainly, if that is your wish. It will only take a short while to arrange."
"I'd like to visit Major Dawson later to see if he's any better."
Jack felt Sam giving him a pointed look, after all, he'd ordered her not to say anything about Major Dawson.
"I will make enquiries for you." He turned to Daniel. "Are you ready to see the Council?"
"Certainly," answered Sam and she strode to the door opening it wide. "Shall we?" She gave Samels a wave to go through before her.
'Atta girl' thought Jack, admiring her spirit.
Samels' face was a picture as he left the room followed by Sam and Daniel.
Jack sat down motioning Teal'c to do the same. Jack told him everything he had found out and what they needed to do.
"Major Carter and Daniel Jackson are not aware of this?" asked Teal'c when he'd finished.
"I need them to be natural today. If Samels and the others get any hint of what we know we won't stand a chance. As it is I don't know how long they'll carry on this masquerade."
Teal'c pondered his words and nodded. "It is better Major Carter and Daniel Jackson are not aware of what befalls SG-6 yet. I fear Daniel Jackson would not have been able to carry on without detection."
"So, T, all we've gotta do is come up with a way outta here and back to the Stargate after getting SG-6, or what's left of them, free."
Teal'c inclined his head. "Indeed O'Neill, we shall endeavor to do so."
xoxoxoxoxo
It wasn't long before Samels himself and two more guards presented themselves to the two waiting men. Samels had one of the guards present them with a large bundle.
"It would be better if you would consent to wearing these clothes, Colonel. It would attract much less attention in the city."
Jack suspiciously eyed the bundle the guard held out. Seeing some of the way-out costumes on these weird worlds made him check anything before stripping. Not that he wouldn't volunteer his Major for some of them … aagh … don't go there …
Jack and Teal'c quickly retired to change into the robes they were offered, Jack giving Teal'c a smile as he saw the huge Jaffa in the dark robes … "Well T, Lawrence of Arabia you aren't," he grinned, quite unconscious of the dashing figure he cut himself.
"If you are ready Colonel, we shall depart. I myself will guide you," said Samels, his voice cutting into Jack's as he appeared in the corridor.
Samels led them down through to the courtyard and across to some stables.
"Horses?" queried Jack, spying the mounts waiting for them with relief - now horses were something he could handle … horses he liked. He fondly stroked the large black beast that stood patiently waiting, before he mounted, his lean frame settling into the saddle, his strong hands taking the bridle, allowing his weight to settle comfortably.
xoxoxoxoxo
They moved out of the palace grounds and into the streets. People saw the guards and quickly moved out of their way to let them through, but didn't pay them that much attention.
"Is there anything you would like to see in particular?" asked Samels, riding next to the Colonel.
"No, you can tell me some of your history. For example, how old is the city?"
Teal'c gave a quick look to O'Neill. It was strange to hear him asking about such things and Daniel Jackson would have made much fun from it.
Teal'c knew O'Neill was half listening politely as the man talked; he made appropriate remarks and asked a question now and again - sensible questions, thought Teal'c, again thinking how Daniel Jackson would have been amazed by this.
They were taken on a circular route past the city's huge gates.
"Is this the only gate?" asked Jack.
"No, we have four. This is the north gate. The gates close at dusk and are re-opened at dawn."
"Does the city suffer from attacks?" asked Teal'c.
"Not for a long time now," replied Samels proudly. "Our army is strong. The people of the sands grow fewer and weaker each year – we make sure of that."
Jack flicked a look to Teal'c, clearly understanding the implication behind Samels' words.
"Sometimes," carried on Samels, "they try to incite trouble within the city, but this is less frequent now as the time goes by."
xoxoxoxoxo
As the morning wore on Jack became increasingly worried as to how to affect an escape from the city. The palace itself wasn't a problem. The gates were heavily guarded during the day, but hopefully there would be less at night when the gates were closed … the problem still remained how to outrun the army in the desert.
The motion of the horse relaxed him a little. The feeling of the strength from the animal beneath him buoyed his emotions and he began to enjoy the ride.
Before the sun was at its hottest, they were on their way back to the palace. Jack asked Samels for another tour, this time around the palace, which Samels seemed happy to oblige with for later.
Sam and Daniel were already finished with the talks for the morning and were being led back to their wing when they heard the noises of the horses entering the courtyard. Curious, they signaled their guard and wandered outside to watch.
When she saw the men in their black robes on the horses it didn't actually tally with Sam that she knew them, until she caught sight of the last two … and in particular …
"Holy Hanna!" she exclaimed hoarsely. The figure of her Colonel on the large black horse took her breath. His almost ebony eyes were dancing with pleasure from the ride, the first expression of joy she'd actually glimpsed in them for a long time. The long black robes flowed over his frame, rustling softly with the movement from the horse.
His skin was dark from the sun, his silver hair was hidden beneath the headdress and a frisson of excitement shot through her as she stared helplessly at what surely must be every woman's fantasy …
The horse was dancing in its exuberance, as he gracefully halted it. Any words she might have called in greeting stuck in her throat, her tongue firmly against the roof of her mouth … better than drooling girl … she told herself.
"Hey, nice costumes," called Daniel, laughing. It wasn't often they saw their leader willing to don anything other than his uniform. Just how much the dark robes suited him wasn't lost on Daniel either - he'd gotten a good look at Sam's face and was almost tempted to put a finger out to push her mouth closed.
"They are most comfortable Daniel Jackson," said Teal'c as he dismounted.
Sam watched the Colonel dismount, his lean frame moving with grace, his hand gently stroking the horse's neck before he relinquished the leather to one of the waiting guards.
Sam felt the thrum of desire so strongly she thought about pouncing on him there and then.
"Carter?" the Colonel asked, puzzled at her expression, looking her full in the face.
"Uh?" she squeaked, her brain lost as her eyes stared into his dark ones. She coughed hurriedly, "um Sir, sorry, err a good ride?" She winced as she spoke the words, wishing fervently that she could call them back, feeling a faint flush warming the tips of her ears.
The Colonel regarded her seriously for a moment, before a huge grin split his face. Sam wasn't sure if it was disappointment or relief when he let go a sigh as Daniel's voice interrupted them …
"Hey, come on, lunch is waiting."
Jack threw his 2IC another look before turning and moving off to follow Teal'c and Daniel.
Sam stood there for a moment. Giving herself a mental shake and raising her eyes to heaven as if in a quick prayer, she followed her Colonel in.
There was a downside to those robes she thought idly … couldn't see his butt …
xoxoxoxoxo