Chapter 22 by Abbot & Natters

The next afternoon on P2Y-957 – Sam's POV

11 klicks down. One to go. I've got point. Daniel's chattering away to the Colonel in the middle, with Teal'c watching our sixes. I'm surprised the Colonel is letting Daniel talk like this. Usually he can't-

"Carter!"

I stop and automatically sweep the area with my P90.

"Sir?"

"I'll take point for a while."

I can't help the grin on my face. "Yes sir."

"Jack this is important!" protests Daniel.

"Which is exactly why you should explain it to Carter, Danny-Boy."

"But Sam's already read my report."

"Daniel." He growls and my spine goes all tingly. Dammit. "I've got a headache the size of Kansas. If you want me to play nice with the natives, leave me alone."

"But Jack…"

"It'll be okay Daniel. Just leave him be for a while. You know how he gets." I remind him quietly, sending a wordless apology to the Colonel.

"That's what I'm afraid of," mutters Daniel acerbically.

Looks like someone woke up with the wrong person in his room this morning. Who do they think they're fooling? It's not like it's against the regs for them. "The Colonel won't do anything to jeopardize the mission."

"Alright. But if he starts making Wizard of Oz jokes when this flying monkey appears in the ceremony, I'm leaving him all to you."

"Technically it's not flying, it's levitation."

"You think that's gonna stop Jack?"

"Don't worry, my Cowardly Lion, I'll protect you." I quip.

Daniel's POV

"Hardy har har, Sam. Seriously, though. These people take the ceremony as a matter of life and death. "

"Fine, Daniel."

She rolls her eyes. She just doesn't get. I wondered if I should try to explain it to her, but then again, she didn't understand the subcultural significance of wearing a red shirt to a Star Trek convention, either. The layers of meaning and communication were lost on her.

So were spock ears.

I sighed to myself, shook my head. What next? Would they greet the village elders with a robotic 'How are you gentlemen?' and then explain to them that no, they had no chance to survive and that they should make their time? I heard my name.

"Main screen turn on!"

"Aww, Daniel, give that All Your Base crap a rest."

"What you say?"

"Christ, I'm sorry about the lion remark. I was wondering if there was anything else we should know about. You know, sacrificial knives... "

"No, Sam. No one is setting us up the bomb."

"Some days, I don't know how Janet stands you."

I laughed as she Sam shook her head. I could tell she was close to laughing.

"I don't know, maybe it's my geeky, roguish charm. Or maybe it's because I have chicken."

"What the hell?"

"Didn't I show you that video? The Leeroy Jenkins one?"

"Probably. You go through an internet fad a day, Daniel."

"Yeah, so?"

"Jack's getting a bit far ahead, don't you think?"

Ha! Maybe for your tastes, Sam. I guess the whole unrequited-love-with-my-CO issues DOES make you a little protective, doesn't it?

"Yes! Move Zig, for great justice."

I struck a pose, and she rolled her eyes.

"C'mon, Daniel. That's enough."

"Okay, okay."

I figured she had enough teasing. Anyways, hopefully the fertility ceremony would make her feel better about the previous night, give her and Jack a little time together. Or, at least, so I hoped.