Hi all! I got some comments on the layout so I hope that's fixed now. I was also asked which season this story would be set in. I suppose it would be around season 3-4, definitely after the Emancipation episode, which was season 1, but before the Upgrades episode, which is season 4. I hope that clears things up a bit…

I'd like to thank those who have posted reviews and added me to their follow lists, you people fuel my inspiration. I do hope you'll keep reading and reviewing. Chapter 2 is here, so go ahead and enjoy! Happy reading!

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"… and this is his wife, Sam", Daniel finished the introductions. Realizing she wasn't paying attention, Sam drew her gaze away from her hand, wrapped in the much larger one of her CO. She smiled politely at the two villagers Daniel had just introduced her to. Unsurprisingly, they were both men. Both were tall and blond, dressed in blue robes. "We would like to welcome you properly and celebrate our new found friendship and alliance tonight, with a feast!", one of the men proudly stated. "Great!", Jack replied. "Now if you would please follow Deran and myself to the accommodations we have provided for you", the same man spoke again, and without waiting for an answer, he turned around and started walking.

Sam silently followed the men. She heard Daniel excitedly talking to the villagers and soon picked up that the other man's name was Tanno. She wondered why she bothered learning the men's names; she probably wasn't allowed to address them anyway. Pushing away the feeling of frustration bubbling up in her throat, she focused on the large white tent they were now standing beside, which was apparently what Tanno had meant with "accommodations". A small gasp escaped her when they entered, it seemed the natives really wanted to impress them. The inside of the tent was decorated with white and red veils. In the middle of the area, a curtain was hung to provide some privacy for the 'married couple'. The floor of the tent was covered with pillows, and small lanterns stood in the corners. "It's lovely", she stated quietly. Tanno and Deran looked surprised, this was after all the first time she had spoken… Sam cursed silently, hoping she hadn't already stepped out of line. To her surprise, the two men bowed slightly and spoke a humble "Thank you". "O'Neill," Deran started, "may I speak to your wife?". 'Ohhh, so close', Sam thought. "Errr, sure", Jack said. "Miss, may I ask you to accompany my beloved? She would like to offer you appropriate attire for our feast this evening", Deran informed her. Relieved, Sam nodded yes. Apparently, she had judged these people too harshly…

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Sam stood in a smaller tent, eyeing the blue dress doubtfully. Serina, Deran's beautiful dark-haired wife, smiled politely. "Is that the ..uhm.. traditional garment for women?", she asked the shy woman. "It is the traditional attire for an evening feast", Serina confirmed. "Right…", Sam muttered. It seemed Serina was wearing the pink version of what she was supposed to wear, 'and it didn't leave much to the imagination', Sam thought. The dark pink top covered her breasts, but left her tummy exposed, reminding Sam very much of a belly-dancer outfit. The skirt was lighter pink and very wavy, coming down to her feet. "No veil?", she joked. "Veil?", Serina asked, confused. "To cover the face", Sam explained. "Oh no, the other woman answered, our faces are never covered. Is that traditional in your culture?" she asked politely. "Uh, no" Sam said, "it's just that, the planets we have visited, with a culture and social system like yours, tend to veil their women…" Sam explained, hoping she hadn't offended her. "I see," Serina said doubtfully. "I didn't mean any disrespect", Sam rushed. Serina smiled. "Do not worry Samantha, you are not of this world, I understand you are merely trying to understand our ways", she said reassuringly. Sam smiled thankfully.

"Serina," she started, "may I ask how your marriages work?" Serina looked surprised but nodded. "When a boy turns 16, his parents find him a suitable wife. Young girls are trained from an early age to cook, wash, and clean, so they may become good wives and mothers, and take care of their future family. When they turn 14, they become available for marriage, which is usually arranged by the parents. The young couple lives with the parents of the boy, until they are deemed mature enough to start their own family. This is when the girl becomes a woman. It is her duty to take care of her husband and mother a big family. Only when she becomes a mother, has she fulfilled her role and her duty to the system", Serina explained. Sam nodded. This was more or less what she expected. "Do the men sometimes have… several wives?" Sam asked carefully. Serina's eyes widened. "No! That is unthinkable! The young couple swears a vow to remain faithful and take care of the other until the end", she spoke strongly. "Do you not have this loyalty on your planet?" she asked, worried. "Yes," Sam smiled, "yes, we do". "Now, care to help me put this on?" Sam asked, eyeing the blue dress again. Serina smiled and helped the soldier into what was possible the sexiest outfit she had ever worn.

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"Carter?", Jack whispered. Sam sighed. She had been hiding in the tent Serina had brought her to, unsure if she would dare to come out dressed like this. "Come in", she muttered, slightly annoyed that he had found her already. His eyes found hers in the mirror, and she saw his widen in shock as he took in the outfit. "Wow", he said. "You look… wow", Jack lamely concluded. Sam blushed. "Yeah, it's a bit much isn't it?", she said. "No no," Jack quickly stated, "I like it". Sam smiled shyly. "Come on, let's go show you off!". Sam giggled uncharacteristically as Jack dragged her out of the tent, and toward the site of their welcoming feast.

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Daniel Jackson looked up as he heard a giggle. Surprise written in his eyes, he noticed that the giggle had come from his usually serious friend. He smiled. He always knew these two had a thing for each other. Of course they couldn't act on it because of the rules the military had, about not sleeping with people on your team, or of your rank, or of a different rank? Whatever, he didn't really understand those military rules anyway. Sam and Jack were the best soldiers, and people, that he knew, and he thought they deserved to be happy. He knew they loved their job more than anything, but he was sure a relationship wouldn't endanger their behaviour on the field. SG1 was as close to a family any of them had, and they would all do the unthinkable to save one another. Although they never actually talked about it, he knew Jack loved Sam, and he would go way beyond his duty to save her. Seeing them together like this warmed his heart, and he couldn't stop the grin that threatened to split his face in half, when Sam's giggle rung out again.

TBC…

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That's it for chapter 2! I hope it wasn't too boring! I promise something more exciting will happen soon ;) Comments and ideas are always welcome!

E.