Daniel and M'erryne didn't get to spend very much time outside the SGC that morning. They had walked along the tree line at the far side of the parking lot, away from the military bustle, by the entrance to the mountain.
Wondering at the wildlife that they managed to come across so late in the morning, M'erryne let out a gasp as she gazed into the sky. "You have only one sun," she exclaimed, "and yet it is so bright."
"Only one moon as well," Daniel replied, smiling, "perhaps if the weather holds and you're feeling up to it, we'll come out tonight and see it."
Grinning at the sharp look of indignation he got from her, Daniel continued, "Janet would have my head if I got you sick and worn out on your first day out of the infirmary."
Pleased to see a smile cross her face and warm up her eyes a touch, Daniel turned and escorted M'erryne along the tree line for a few minutes more before heading back into the base. The two made it through the checkpoints uneventfully and just in time to head for the cafeteria for lunch.
Daniel sat at the table for four in the corner of the cafeteria that M'erryne had picked for them. The smallest of the seating arrangements there, it offered a bit of privacy while leaving room for others to join them. After explaining to her about the dishes available, Daniel sat and observed the bustle in the room, conversation between the two of them pausing for a moment as they became engrossed in their meals.
Shortly, the two were joined by Jack and Teal'C. Quick and informal introductions were made and M'erryne's curiosity shone through her fear over their unexpected arrival behind her. Eyes widening slightly she took in the large Jaffa, studying him intently for a moment before speaking.
"I apologize for my rudeness in asking sir," she began, "but you are not from this planet, are you?"
"I am not," Teal'c answered simply, nodding his head once as he spoke, "and no apology is necessary. I have grown accustomed to the curiosity of others during my travels with SG-1. I have come to find it preferable to the fear we often encounter."
A soft smile formed on M'erryne's lips as Teal'c spoke. "Thank you," she replied before turning to address Jack. "And thank you," she continued, a deep emotion reaching her voice and her eyes as she met his gaze intently, "Thank you for bringing me here and for helping me to look for my people. All of you have been incredibly kind and generous to me."
Biting back the urge to mumble something along the lines of "it's what we do ma'am," Jack instead found himself saying simply, "you're welcome" before Sam arrived at the table, addressing him and effectively saving him from having to express further to M'erryne (and present company) just how much he cared.
"I hoped I'd bump into you sir," she began, "I'm almost finished with the calculations and search parameters for the M.A.L.P. I'm hoping to have them done for you by dinnertime."
"Glad to see you're not working through meals this time Carter," Jack grinned as he spoke, taking the edge of his words, but not missing the sheepish expression that crossed Sam's face regardless. He cocked his head slightly, one eyebrow raised, silently inviting her to explain her reaction.
"Actually, sir, I'm bringing this back to the lab with me," she replied, not missing his cue as she gestured to the tray in her hands with a slight nod. "I wasn't expecting to run into anyone down here."
Knowing better than to scold his 2IC about her work ethic, Jack just sighed, turning back to his tray. "Don't let me keep you then Carter," he said as he did, "but, remember to actually eat something off that tray while you're up there," he added with a meaningful glance as he smiled again, his tone playful, yet serious.
Nodding as she acknowledged the "take care of yourself" order, Sam turned to take her leave but paused as M'erryne called after her.
"Major Carter… would you mind my accompanying you back that way," she questioned. "I'm rather tired, and if I recall, your laboratory is located the level above my quarters."
"Of course, " Sam replied, and the two women walked out of the cafeteria together after M'erryne bussed her tray, leaving Jack, Daniel and Teal'C to catch up on the events of the last week.
Daniel found himself quite busy after lunch. General Hammond approached him with several translations to be done from a mission SG-3 had just returned from. While relatively simple and short, he still found himself surprised to glance up at the clock and realize he had nearly missed dinner. Deciding to check if M'erryne eaten before he left for the cafeteria himself, Daniel headed for the elevator, pressing the next level down to where their respective base housings were located. Rounding the corner, the knocked softly on M'erryne's door, pausing for a moment to listen for a call for him to enter or for the door to open. After several seconds of silence, he tried the doorknob and was surprised to find the room was unlocked.
"M'erryne," he called softly as he opened it, "It's me, Daniel."
One small light was on in the corner of the room, casting a glow not very much brighter than a nightlight. Above the covers of the bed, M'erryne lay asleep. Her body was curled on its side like a child's.
"I'm sorry," Daniel stage whispered, moving to exit the room. "I'll let you sleep." His hand on the doorknob, he moved to close the door behind him but froze as he heard her voice cry softly from the pillows.
"NO!"
"I'm sorry, no…" Daniel poked his head into the room once more, looking for clarification, his voice trailing off as he took in the changing scene before him.
No longer able to leave her to her dreams, Daniel entered the room, softly closing the door behind him before moving to stand by her bed. Hesitantly, he placed his hand near her shoulder as he spoke.
"M'erryne, wake up," he intoned softly, "you're having a dream, wake up." He spoke more loudly, now, trying to drown out her increasingly frantic protests, the same word coming from her lips louder and louder. Placing his hand on her shoulder finally to shake her awake as he spoke again, telling her to wake up.
Sitting bolt upright at the touch, M'erryne started. A sharp cry escaped her lips as her eyes flew open. Panicked she searched around her until she locked on his gaze and drew a shaky breath, realizing at last where she was and what had happened.
"It's okay," Daniel soothed, moving to sit beside her on the bed as he took in the deer in headlights expression on her face. "You were having a nightmare. It's all over. You're safe here." Gently, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her and rocking slowly as the tears finally came and she sobbed out all the emotions and memories the dreams had brought to the surface.
Not once did Daniel speak, he simply held here, making soothing sound and continuing to rock slightly until her breathing calmed, her hiccupping cries subsided and the tears ceased to stream down her face. Drawing a shuddering deep breath, she began to recollect herself, withdrawing slightly from the supportive embrace so she could turn and look him in the eye.
"Thank you," she said at last, searching his face as she said the words. Daniel felt for a brief moment that she could see into the very depths of his soul with her gaze. He found himself wondering for a moment what she saw there.
"Are you hungry?" Daniel asked after a moment, "You slept right through dinner."
"Thank you," M'erryne replied again, nodding her assent as she ducked her gaze from his and stood, bending to look under the dust ruffle of the bed for her shoes. "I had not realized how late it had gotten."
Taking his cue, Daniel rose and continued their line of conversation. "If we hurry, we should just make it to the cafeteria before they pack everything up for the night," he replied cheerfully. Catching a haunted look as it passed across her face, he extended his elbow towards her in an exaggerated gesture of chivalry.
"Shall we depart my lady?" he intoned, playing the part of a noble lord, "our 'regal feast' awaits." Casting a glance to his side, he was pleased to see the broad grin that appeared on M'erryne's face, her eyes dancing as a small chuckle escaped her lips at first then died away as she realized he was entirely serious about the charade. Smiling broadly now, she wrapped her fingers around his proffered arm and allowed herself to be escorted through the halls of the SGC to the cafeteria where they two shared a filling, albeit plain, meal.
"Daniel," M'erryne's voice echoed easily through the lab as her curiosity caused her to seem louder than usual. "What does it mean here, where it says, '… and they were two within one'?"
Daniel turned, glancing to the papers taped to the wall where M'erryne was pointing. Surprised, he moved to stand beside her, gazing over her shoulder at the printed images of ruins from one of SG-3's missions.
"You can read that?" he asked, barely keeping the incredulous tone out of his voice, looking back to her after a few seconds more of studying the image.
"Of course," M'erryne replied, her tone implying a simply matter-of-factness, devoid of any condescension. "It is similar to ancient forms of my own language. I was able to study many of the ancient writings of our world during my apprenticeships."
Still surprised, Daniel was silent a moment longer, before attempting to clarify the context of the translation. "It is a reference to the nature of the beings who call themselves gods," he began. "They are a race known as the Goa'uld who consist of a humanoid host and a parasitic organism that infects and dominates the host." Pausing only long enough to draw a deep breath, Daniel glanced at M'erryne briefly, continuing as he took in her rapt attention.
"While the parasite dominates its host, expressing only it's consciousness; the individual host can have some awareness of what is going on. It is even possible for the parasite to be suppressed or removed in some cases, but the act has not be perfected and duplicated successfully enough to make it a viable option for the host to undergo. Often, the parasite chooses to kill its host should it be required to leave and find a second host."
Returning her attention again to the images, M'erryne began intently studying the visible writings in the photos, gasping suddenly as her eyes locked on to a particular word.
"Daniel…" she breathed, excitement making her forget her words for a moment. "Come, you must see this."
Hehehe, I know, meany me left a teaser. :) Well, I'm sorry it took me this long to update, so I kinda had to respark your interests again. Leave a few reviews and thenext chapter will be up by the end of the week. :) It's my vacation after all, might as well get this story out of my head. :)