Cursed

Spoilers- The Curse
Disclaimer- None of the following characters or settings belong to me, they belong all those other people who are too numerous to mention.
Note- Thanks as always to GrayMatter.
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Mini 3- Learning Goa'uld

Daniel winced as Steven butchered another sentence. Steven had picked up Ancient relatively easily. Jack had, surprisingly, been a great help. It turned out those months spent in time loops had been useful. Even now Jack could speak Ancient passably. Jack had spent a few afternoons down in Daniel's lab correcting Steven's pronunciation. After a few days Teal'c had joined him. It infuriated Steven to no end but since Jack and Teal'c scared the hell out him he could nothing about it.

"Tak may tay. Kree."

Oh this was just too painful. The only word Steven was pronouncing correctly was kree, and frankly, a toddler wouldn't have trouble with it.

Daniel opened his mouth to correct him.

"Don't, Daniel."

"How are you going to learn, Steven?"

"Without you correcting me, Daniel."

"I can call Teal'c down if you like."

Steven glared.

"Or I could always arrange a trip to Abydos."

Steven sneered. Just what he needed to be surrounded by Daniel worshippers while Daniel plays the returning prodigal son role. It was bad enough here. Daniel's assistant, Nyan or whatever his name was, fawned over the man. The little guy could not say enough about him. The nurses adored him. They flirted with him like crazy, not that he noticed. Daniel's best friend was a crusty old Air Force Colonel who hated scientists. Even the marines, who sneered and bullied other academics, were respectful to Daniel- as respectful as marines could be to anyone other than a higher-ranking officer.

Having to share an office while they were setting Steven's up had been pure hell.

"Am I interrupting something, Doctor Jackson?" A tall, sandy brown haired woman, clothed in a strange greenish-gray leather outfit, stood in the doorway. She raised her eyebrow at the two men.

Daniel cleared his throat. "Ah, no… Freya. When did you get here?"

Freya smiled, pleased that someone of the Tauri could tell the difference between her and Anise. "We have been on Earth for thirty of your minutes." Curiously, she looked between the two men, an eyebrow still raised.

"We were just having a discussion," Daniel hastened to explain.

"I see." Freya stepped into the room. "Will you introduce me to your friend, Doctor Jackson?"

"Ah, yes, of course. Doctor Steven Rayner, this is Freya. Freya, this is Doctor Steven Rayner. He's new here."

Steven visibly straightened under Freya's gaze. He held his hand out to her. "Hi."

Freya stared at his hand in puzzlement before extending her own. "Hello."

"So, um, not that I'm not glad to see you but-"

"Why am I here?"

"Yeah."

"Jacob wished to visit his daughter and I wished to familiarize myself with your history."

Daniel clapped his hands together. "Actually this is perfect. Steven's been having some problems with his Goa'uld. If you and Anise wouldn't mind helping him with his pronunciation, I'm sure Steven would be glad to tell you anything you like about our history."

"Sure," Steven stepped, clearly besotted.

"Anise and I would be most pleased."

"Great, well I'll… I'll just go see Jacob." Daniel turned and hurried out of the room.

True to his word Daniel headed straight for the commissary. Jacob usually ushered Sam and General Hammond to the commissary when he wasn't on official business. Apparently Tok'ra food didn't taste better when you had a symbiote.

Daniel swiped his passcard for the elevator, a little surprised when the doors opened immediately and he was face to face with Jack.

"Jack." Daniel stepped into the elevator.

"Daniel." Jack pulled one hand out of his pocket and jabbed at a button.

"Going to see Jacob?"

"Yep. You?"

"Yep."

Jack rocked on his heels. "So, how's the new guy doing?"

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Butchering Goa'uld. I left him with Freya though. That might help."

Jack tensed. "She's here?"

Daniel smirked at Jack's discomfort. "She came with Jacob. I wouldn't worry too much, Jack. Steven seemed smitten."

Jack gave him a sideways glance. "You didn't tell him she was a Tok'ra, did you?"

Daniel's smirk widened. "No."

Jack chuckled. "You are a wicked man."

"I've spent far too much time with you," Daniel countered easily.

Jack swelled with pride. "Yeah."

xxx

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