When Jack wakes in the morning, it's with the first rays of the sun rising over the trees. He licks his parched lips, trying to relieve his dry mouth. He rubs his hand across the thick stubble growing on his jaw and realises there are some home comforts he's missing. The soap block Teal'c procured for them smells like honey and oats. They've used it for quick washes so far, yet their pool of water is looking real tempting this morning. So, far neither of them has had any problems with drinking the water.
"Morning, Sir," Carter looks his way when he rises to his feet, stretching his legs. She passes him the canteen by her feet so he can take a swig. Damn, he wishes he had a toothbrush or even some gum.
"Carter," Jack greets. "Anything?"
"All clear, Sir," she replies.
Jack nods and hunkers down beside her. She passes him a protein bar. "These are the last ones, Sir."
"Let's hope we get lucky today then," Jack quips, tearing open the wrapper.
"Sir?" Carter's head whips around to look at him.
"With the Gate," he clarifies with a smirk. "With the Gate, Carter."
She rolls her eyes at him. They chew their bars in silence before Jack wanders into the bushes. When he returns, he finds Carter sitting at the edge of their pond, her shoes and socks beside her as she dips her feet in the cool water. On the other side of her lays the canteens, already refilled for the day.
"You want to take a dip?"
Carter wrinkles her nose at him. "I wouldn't mind," she admits.
"I'll keep watch," Jack tells her, leaving her looking after him as he ducks into the cave to retrieve the soap and a blanket for her. She hasn't moved and doesn't until he hands the small bar to her. He realises how this sounds, especially after their conversation the night before. "I'll, uh, I'll just…" He trails off, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder as he turns to face the cave.
He paces the short distance to their fire pit, close enough to hear anyone sneaking up on her or if she gets into trouble. Jack listens to the rustling of clothes and the telltale splash of water, followed by a sharp intake of breath from his second. His flinch turns into a smirk.
"Chilly, Carter?"
"A little, Sir," she answers, her teeth chattering slightly.
Jack chuckles. "What do you think about playing hooky this afternoon if we can't go home?"
"Aren't we already playing hooky?" Carter calls back.
Jack twitches at the sound of scrubbing and figures she's taking advantage of her bath to wash her clothes against the rocks. Chilly or not, he's looking forward to his turn. Carter doesn't speak as she finishes up, Jack knows she's efficient in the locker room and off-world. Soon, he hears her lifting herself out of the water.
"I'm pretty sure hiking several clicks back and forth, doing recognisance, counts as work," Jack answers as he turns to her as she finishes putting on her jacket. Her black shirt is spread out of the rock to dry. She cocks an eyebrow at him.
"What do you want to do instead?"
888
"You know when you said play hooky, this isn't what I had in mind, Sir."
With his eyes shut, Jack smirks as Carter fidgets beside him. Completely refreshed from their baths, Jack feels ready for their day off. They both washed their shirts and have both donned them now they're dry. Their jackets are tucked between their heads and the bark of the tree trunk they're resting on. "What did you think I meant, Carter?"
"I didn't expect to take a nap under a tree," comes her wry reply.
"I'd hardly classify this as a nap," Jack grumbles. For one thing, he's not likely to fall asleep with Carter talking through her boredom. He keeps that snippet to himself. They're currently waiting on Teal'c to make attempt their daily dialling to Earth. Jack is already getting into the idea of a day off.
They're sitting at the edge of the clearing, just at the tree line, where the Stargate resides, enjoying the gentle breeze swaying through the long grass. With no one to tend to it, no animals to graze on it, it's up to their knees in areas. They're used to the terrain by now, especially the route to the Gate and the long grass is yielding to create a path for them to follow. He wonders how long it'll take to recover once they're home.
"Did you notice stubble on Teal'c's chin yesterday?" Jack asks out of the blue as they reach the halfway mark. Carter shakes her head in front of him. "I swear it's gold."
"It's a fashion choice," she declares. Her shoulders shake as she looks down at her feet as she tries not to react. He likes making her laugh and smile. He smirks at her again.
"It's gold, Carter," Jack exclaims.
"Are you going to tell him it's against regulation, Sir?"
That makes Jack pause. "So, Teal'c can grow hair."
Carter rolls her eyes at him.
Before either can say anything else, the chevrons start lighting up. They pause as the final one locks into place, ducking down for cover in the long grass. They stay down as they return to the denser trees to have some extra protection in case Teal'c isn't the one who emerges through the Gate.
They watch the event horizon burst out of the large circle before settling into the confines of the ring. Jack grips his P-90 out of instinct, noting Carter doing the same. They train their eyes on the rippling blue shimmer as three figures breach the event horizon baring staff weapons. Jack sucks in a breath and raises to his full height as Bra'tac spots them huddled in the grass.
"O'Neill!" Bra'tac bellows in that way he has, the one that means he's either humouring Jack or he's done with his crap. Eerily similar to the tone Hammond and Jacob use with him from time to time. The older Jaffa stalks across the open field with Teal'c and Ryac following. Ryac beams at them while Teal'c is as impassive as ever.
Jack casts Carter a wry look before they step out of their apparently-less-than effective hiding spot. "Finally decided to join us, did ya, Bra'tac?"
"Teal'c has made me aware of your continued troubles with the Chappa'ai," Bra'tac explains with a knowing glance at his protégé. "Truth be told, it is a troubling idea that the people of the Tau'ri are cut off from potential aid in the event of an invasion."
Jack squints at him. He'd had the same thought soon after they arrived. With the way Carter winces, she did too. "We're hoping fifth times's a charm."
Bra'tac's scowl softens. "I hope so too, my friend."
"Let's dial it up," Jack says, leading the way to the DHD.
Carter punches in Earth's address under the watchful gaze of the men as they stand around in anticipation. The chevrons light up but the last one refuses to lock, just like the rest of the week. Bra'tac harrumphs, exhaling loudly. Carter's eyes connect with Jack's. He bobs his head at the DHD and she dutifully redials. Again, nothing happens.
"I believe Hammond of Texas will be anxious to welcome his warriors home," Bra'tac announces with a glum expression. It's probably the nicest compliment he will ever issue to anyone other than Teal'c.
Jack turns to the other men in their group. His attention falling on the small patch of gold-emgold/em- on Teal'c's chin. It's no more than an inch wide, running from his lower lip down to his jaw. The rest of his chin is clear of stubble. Otherwise, the other member of SG-1 is as impassive as usual. "Whatcha got going on there, T?" Jack can't help asking, absently reaching out a finger toward the strip of hair.
Teal'c doesn't provide an answer, just cocks his eyebrow and cants his head to the side slightly. Ryac, on the other hand, beams at him.
"We bought what Father says is similar to what you refer to as cake," the teenager announces, changing the subject while practically bouncing on his feet. He might have been tucking into the cake already, Jack thinks.
Jack brightens. "Cake, you say?"
He senses rather than sees the look Carter throws his way. That quirky lip lift teasing him. He returns it as she leans her cocked hip against the DHD, soaking in the sun peeking over the top of the trees. He's brought out of scrutinising her by Ryac thrusting a cloth pouch into his eye line.
"Father says it is like your carrot cake," Ryac tells him, obviously proud for recalling such a detail. "He also said you're very fond of it."
"I'm partial to a slice or two," Jack concedes. Carter snorts quietly, yet Jack hears her none the less. Carter looks away, her chin tipping up to look at the sky to hide the smirk Jack knows she's wearing. Jack sends a questioning look at Teal'c, who cocks his eyebrow. "You guys sticking around today?"
"Ryac has challenged Master Bra'tac and myself to a scouting expedition near their camp if we were unsuccessful contacting Earth," Teal'c explains. Ryac puffs his chest out proudly, ready to prove himself to his father and their mentor.
"Sounds riveting," Jack drawls.
"What of your plans, O'Neill?"
"Well, we've explored most of the area surrounding the mountain," Jack explains, pointing at the imposing landmark in the distance. "We've been trying to do a full rec of the immediate vicinity to see if this planet is suitable for another base."
"Have you found anything of value, O'Neill?" Teal'c asks.
Jack looks to Carter for an answer as she wanders over. "We haven't found evidence of naquadah," she starts. "Nor any indication of civilisation, but we've only seen a small portion of the planet. We'll need to do aerial scans as well as test soil and flora for the usual medicinal purposes. Without any equipment, I can't collect samples or do preliminary tests."
Teal'c nods, accepting her answer. Jack points in the opposite direction, adding lamely, "We're heading in that way today." Teal'c raises an eyebrow at the limited direction. It's their day off.
"It is valiant that you are looking for ways to expand the Tau'ri's territory on other planets," Bra'tac informs him with a particularly enthusiastic clap on Jack's back. "I hope you can return to Hammond of Texas, so your efforts are fruitful."
"Me too, me too, Bra'tac," Jack concurs wistfully.
The group says their farewells, Jack and Carter watch Teal'c and his family disappear through the shimmering blue pool till it blinks away. They glance at each other and start off in the direction of the Jack had pointed at moments ago. They can sit and sunbathe anywhere in the afternoon.
Carter takes the lead, her weapon secured in her hands ready to be used if necessary. Jack follows, alternating between watching his step and hers. He casually grips his weapon, though he's still alert to everything around them. "Do you think Hammond will present this planet as a site for another base, Carter?"
She shrugs. "It's possible if we don't find other inhabitants. We haven't found anything of value or remarkable yet, and we may not. The planet won't draw attention."
There's been no gate activity all week apart from Teal'c to and froing. The only sounds they heard were the animals and insects around them. No tracks or paths in the long grass or the denser woods.
"People don't know what they're missing," Jack quips. He's quite happy with the location of their pseudo vacation after the close call with the techno bugs. "I know this isn't what I had in mind for this week, but it's not half bad. Company's not half bad either."
Carter doesn't break her stride as she smiles at him. He takes her good mood for the reward it is. He drags his eyes over Carter's back. Her movements casual, she's completely at ease as she takes in the scenery. She seems lighter today, her nightmare from the night before seemingly forgotten.
"And we have cake," Carter points out.
"We have cake," Jack says, hefting the pouch Ryac gave him. "What do you think about having a picnic?"