Disclaimer: Just having fun with the characters for a little bit. Promise to give them back. Don't own them, never will. Sigh...

Teal'c And The Truth

MajorCarter was most restless. She was looking at the adjusted naquadah generator, as far as he understood it for power fluctuations, but not with the acute intensity that he had become familiar with during his many years serving the Tauri at the SGC.

Her gaze would rest on the machine for a few moments and then flick away. She clearly could not focus on her work.

This was unlike her.

For all of the time he had known her, his sister-warrior had always been able to apply herself most diligently to any task she chose, sometimes for many days on end. He greatly admired this ability, particularly as during these extended periods of labor she appeared to only ever be sustained by coffee and blue jello.

The actions of O'Neill during the debriefing had disturbed her. This much was obvious. Despite the deep and true feelings they held for one another, which they had, out of duty, spoken of but once in the infirmary, this was unacceptable. Therefore, he was here to offer her his support.

He strode into her laboratory and stood in front of her.

"MajorCarter." He employed his most formal tone of voice.

She looked up in some surprise. "Teal'c."

He continued. "I wish to offer my services to you as your kaln'tor. It would be an honor if you would accept me as such."

Her eyes widened and then she blinked hard, three times. Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but she uttered no sound.

She appeared apprehensive at his statement. It took him some extended moments to realise why this was so.

It was his error. She could not yet possibly comprehend the services he was offering and may have misconstrued his meaning, with possibly embarrassing consequences.

He moved to reassure her.

"A kaln'tor pledges himself in a lifelong commitment to avenge any dishonor to one he considers family."

He observed as understanding dawned on her face, alongside no small measure of bewilderment.

"Oh. Thank you, Teal'c. And yes. I...I suppose."

He inclined his head respectfully. "Then it is done."

There was silence for a few moments. MajorCarter remained confused and questioned him. "Teal'c, please don't think I'm being ungrateful, but why now?"

He smiled menacingly. "O'Neill's conduct towards you in the debriefing today was disrespectful of your status as both a warrior and a scientist. I can, as your kaln'tor, seek retribution on your behalf, should you wish it."

Her eyes widened and she gestured frantically with her hands. "No, it's really not necessary, Teal'c!"

He continued. "Perhaps when we are sparring, I could..."

"No!" She shouted as she leapt to her feet. She was most perturbed. All was going according to plan.

He spoke again. "But his actions were inappropriate. Whilst I agree that our unfortunate capture and consequent disrobing showed that you are a magnificent woman, I do not think..."

She waved her hands at him, so he ceased speaking. And his comment on her physical appearance served it's purpose. She did not think about what she said next until it was too late.

"It's alright. Really. In truth I didn't...mind...much...OK, Teal'c, you didn't hear that, right?"

Her eyes were bright with concern, so he reassured her immediately.

"Indeed I did not, MajorCarter. My hearing has been most intermittent today."

She blushed most attractively. "Thank you, Teal'c."

"No, MajorCarter, thank you for accepting my pledge."

He moved to leave the room before turning back to her. This movement had no real purpose, but he had been following the adventures of the police detective Columbo on television and greatly admired the strange little man and his most erratic behaviour patterns.

"Before I depart, MajorCarter, there is one last thing I must inform you of. In my role as your kaln'tor, I will be honor bound to chastise O'Neill, should he offer you any further impertinence in the future. Even if you are married."

He paused, noticing the momentary panic that registered on her features, but then he smiled widely and inclined his head again. "To anyone, of course."

He acknowledged her pale smile of relief before he left the laboratory.

Now that he had determined that the depths of her feelings remained the same, it was imperative that he confer with DanielJackson, who was speaking to O'Neill at that very time.

As he moved away towards the office of his archaeologist friend, he thought back to the debriefing. Although both MajorCarter and O'Neill had both been discomfited, he did not agree with the fraternization rules of the Tauri military, so the reactions of them both had been almost...entertaining.

It reminded him of the Jaffa tale of the infant Go'auld, the Horus guard and the High Priestess of Ra.

This amused him greatly.

He chose not to notice the various Tauri, going about their business in the corridor, who flinched away from him as he suddenly and loudly guffawed in mirth.

After all, it was a very amusing tale.

Indeed.