A/N: Many thanks to my beta, who has helped me focus, even with distractions in her life. Thanks. Next chapter may be rated, so be warned.
The three teams met back at the temple on the fifth day. All had been successful in retrieving their diamond.
That night, Jack had each group tell how they had found their diamond.
"We hiked for one day and set up camp."
Jack rolled his eyes. He knew Teal'c could easily include every frickin' detail.
"The next morning, we perceived a large body of water, which was covered in lotus blossoms. In the approximate center was a flower, much larger in diameter than any other. Chandani determined it was this flower which we sought." Teal'c leaned forward to make his next point more dramatic.
"However, the lake was also the habitat of many large reptilian beasts with a fearsome set of hard, bonelike structures rooted in sockets in the jaws of vertebrates . I ascertained that it would not be conducive to sustained good health to propel ourselves through the water. Therefore, I constructed a floatation device, by which means we were able to safely navigate to the lotus blossom." Teal'c shifted his attention around the circle, looking each camper in the eye in turn.
"We beheld a blue crystalline structure in the center of the blossom. I believed that due to the greater distance of my reach, I should be the one to retrieve the diamond. Unfortunately, upon contact with the object, I received an electrical shock of a magnitude that prevented my successful completion of the endeavor. I was forced to acquiesce to the lovely priestess," Teal'c nodded majestically at Chandani, "and she was, indeed, able to complete our mission. We then successfully returned to the temple."
Jack, Daniel, Sam, and Jacob gaped, slack-jawed, at Teal'c.
"That was the longest speech I've ever heard from you, Teal'c. And only once did you say 'indeed' ." Jack was thoroughly impressed with the Jaffa's mastery of the art of oration.
After a moment of respectful silence, Jack asked Sam and Jacob to tell their story.
"The UAV was fairly accurate. We hiked for two days along the river's edge. At dusk on the second day, we came to the base of the 100-foot waterfall. We set up camp and began the climb the next morning. It took us several hours to make the climb over steep, rocky terrain. At the top we found the source of the waterfall to be a spring." As Sam paused to take a breath, Jacob jumped in.
"The spring was about ten feet in diameter and appeared bottomless. Sam," he threw a scolding look at his daughter, "decided she would dive into the spring – alone."
Sam took over the tale again. "I found a cavern that led off from the side of the spring about fifteen feet below the surface. Dad and I," she threw a withering back to her father, "swam down, entered and found a cave filled with air. There was a statue of Kali holding this." Sam held up her third of the Three Stars.
"Sam discovered it was protected by an electrically charged force field, so she had to disrupt the field to reach the diamond." This time the look Jacob gave Sam was one of love and pride.
"And we're here." Sam threw her arm over her father's shoulder and leaned her head against his.
Jack briefly told the others how he and Daniel found their star.
"Tomorrow we head over to the temple and Chandani will insert the stars. Carter can do her science stuff and see if a force field is generated. If it is, then Carter, you'll come back later with a team of science geeks and do your thing." Jack looked around the campfire at his favorite people. "That's it. Time to hit the hay, campers."
XXXXXXXXXX
The next morning, the group gathered in the temple. Daniel, Sam, and Chandani each held their blue diamond. Chandani led them to the wall behind the statue, where three empty spaces awaited the Three Stars.
Daniel held up a finger in question. "Um, how do you know which diamond goes into which space?"
"I believe they should go in the same order as the objects in Vishnu's hands. Daniel, the Maqhabala Divyesh – great strength of the sun – goes on the left. Sam, the Medha Rohini, - star of intelligence – should be placed on the right. And the Chandani Prema – the star of love – goes in the center to unite the three."
"OK, I'm ready." Daniel took his position on the left.
Sam nodded and moved to the gaping hole on the right while Chandani took the center.
"When I say 'now' we shall each place our star in the space at the same time. Ready?"
Sam and Daniel nodded.
"Now."
Simultaneously, three blue diamonds slid into matching notches in the wall.
Nothing happened.
Sam began to move toward her pack to retrieve some equipment, but stopped when a deep rumble was heard beneath the temple floor.
With a shudder, the statue began to emanate a low-level hum. The Three Stars began to glow and illuminated the halo above them, giving the statue an other-worldly aspect.
Sam made a dash for her equipment to take readings.
"Carter?" Jack waited a full two minutes before losing patience.
"I'm registering a force field of unknown size. However, it is extremely large, possible enough to cover the entire planet. At least a large part of it." Sam's excitement was a source of amusement to her proud father.
"Good. Missions accomplished. Carter, you can play around with your doohickies today. We'll head home tomorrow morning."
XXXXXXXXXX
That afternoon, as Sam worked in the temple, Daniel dug out his journal to write about the mission.
Chandani stood behind Daniel, watching him and trying to decide how best to approach him. Her time had run out. It had to be tonight. Tomorrow he was leaving and would never be back. Asking for his direct participation hadn't worked. She could not understand why he was reluctant to father her child. The men on her world considered it a high privilege to sire the next priestess. She knew men found her desirable. She would have to entice him. Men were weak and would do anything for a beautiful woman.
She returned to her chamber and had her servants prepare a bath for her. She was going to use all the methods of seduction her mother had taught her. After she was bathed and dressed in a colorful, silk sari, she ordered her servants to prepare a special meal for two.
Daniel was still leaning against a tree, writing in his journal. Chandani left her tent and began walking toward Daniel.
Daniel was aware of her from the moment she left the tent. He always knew she was near by her scent; clean and fresh. He moved his eyes up from his journal, following her progress as she slowly and seductively made her way toward him. Her glistening hair swung suggestively, skimming her hips. When she knew he was observing her, she made eye contact and slowly licked her reddened lips. She hadn't made any more advances toward him since her announcement in the infirmary weeks before. He had hoped that she'd forgotten about it, but apparently not, judging by the way that she was eyeing him as if he were a chilled, juicy strawberry on a hot summer day.
Daniel slipped his pen into his journal and waited for her next move. He had come a long way from that shy geek who first went to Abydos and he was well aware that Chandani was not the sweet innocent he had first thought her to be.
Chandani watched Daniel put down his journal. She decided this was her chance to show him just how interesting she could be. Remembering all the lessons her mother had taught her, she slightly exaggerated the sway of her hips and parted her lips. He crossed his arms over his chest, stretched his legs out, and crossed his ankles, waiting for her.
OK. All's fair in love and war and I think she just fired the first shot. Daniel raised his left eyebrow in question as she approached him. She glanced around, looking for a clean place to sit. Daniel knew what she wanted, but refused to spread out his jacket for her. She's on her own. I'm not helping her seduce me.
"Daniel, I would like to invite you to dine with me in an hour. My servants are preparing something refreshing for us." She fiddled with the gold pendant dangling between her breasts.
Daniel's right eyebrow joined his left and he had to bite his lower lip to keep from laughing. Man, she's really turning it on. "No thanks. I'll eat with my team mates later."
Her blue eyes darkened threateningly. No one had ever turned her down. This makes things more challenging.
"Maybe another time." She pressed the palms of her hands together in front of her breasts and bowed deeply, hoping he would take the chance to look.
"Bye." Daniel rolled his eyes at her obvious, and failed, trick. He picked up his journal and began writing again, dismissing her with his actions.
Furious, but determined not to show her emotions, Chandani used the same slow, seductive walk returning to her tent that she had used when she approached Daniel. She could almost feel the indifference emanating from him. I will win. I always do.
XXXXXXXXXX
That evening, just after the group finished dinner, one of Chandani's servants came to Daniel. He hand the linguist a note, bowed politely and waited for Daniel's answer.
Daniel,
I wish to make apologies for my behavior. I know you are leaving in the morning and would like to meet you in the temple tonight. Please come.
Chandani.
Daniel sighed and decided he would meet her, for one last time. He nodded to the servant, who then handed him a wrapped candied orange. Daniel thanked him and popped the sweet in his mouth. Might as well get some enjoyment from this mission.