A/N: Aaaand chapter 4. Yeah, a review from the second chapter really had me thinking a lot about this fic. More info'll be in the end note.

Chapter 4

A Delphian Call

"That was certainly….um…" Daniel said tentatively in the awkward silence that followed young Nico's departure, searching for the right word.

"Colorful?" supplied Mitchell with a small smirk.

"Indeed." Interjected Teal'c, "I must admit that I did not expect such a volatile response to my query." He turned a mildly questioning gaze towards the Jackson couple.

The couple exchanged a glance and the wife, Annabeth, turned a wary eye on SG-1. "None of us have had what you could call 'simple' or 'easy' lives." Daniel could tell that she was picking her words very carefully. What kind of stuff could have happened to them so young to make them this untrusting and wary? "And to say Nico's had it worse than us is like saying—"

"—it's like saying that the ocean is 'a little moist.'" Her husband finished off for her. "I can't really blame him for his reaction."

"I…see," Daniel said, at a bit of a loss on how to break the tension, and so grasped the first thing that came to his mind, "And I take it the creative use of Italian is part of it?"

Percy's head jerked back a little in surprise at Daniel's comment, and the incredulous snort of amusement a moment later told the Archaeologist that he'd chosen the right tack.

"Ah, so…I take it you know what he said?" He winced a little when Daniel nodded back, "Yeah…um…sorry 'bout that. He does that when he gets mad."

"Well, I don't know for certain, but I can guess." Said Sam, speaking for the first time since the outburst, "and I'm fine without a confirming translation."

"Yes, that would be a good idea." Said Annabeth, who hadn't taken her shrewd and calculating grey eyes off the quartet the entire time. "Now, to get back to the meat of the matter. Just where were you expecting us to 'accompany' you?" She almost spat the word "accompany" at them.

Daniel felt his hackles rise and sensed Teal'c tense beside him. He couldn't exactly explain it, but he subconsciously knew that they were about to tread on very dangerous ground. Even Percy's previously sheepish and friendly smile had taken on a hard, wolf-like edge.

"Well, we were," said Mitchell with a smile, apparently trying his "boyish charm" approach to diffuse the situation, "going to take you guys out to dinner or something, first." The couple blinked in surprise; at least Cam's tactic was working in some way. "After that we were going to ask you guys if you were interested in taking part in some top-secret research for the U.S. Government."

Annabeth's eyes narrowed. "What kind of research? Why would the U.S. Government need translations of Ancient Greek?"

"I'm afraid that until we're able to give you clearance, that's classified." Said Sam apologetically. "Unfortunately, the way we were able to find you means we know next to nothing about you, and…well…"

"The powers that be don't exactly like that many question marks when they give out security clearances." Finished Cam.

Annabeth began to massage the bridge of her nose. "Let me get this straight," said Percy, "You came to recruit us for some top-secret thingy; something that you have to have some kind of special clearance just to get a vague description of." Annabeth tapped him on the shoulder and whispered something in his ear. "Oh, apparently you only came looking for me, and didn't even know what I did for a living. Am I right?"

Daniel scratched the back of his head awkwardly, "Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. We were kind of hoping to pique your interest so we'd be able to get the ball rolling."

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious," said Annabeth, "But it would be unwise to go into something like this blindly—" she was cut off by the sound of a ringing telephone.

The two exchanged surprised looks. "We certainly are popular today, aren't we?" Said Percy in a forced light tone as he got up and asked his wife, "Were you expecting any calls?"

"Not on that number." Daniel didn't miss the slight hesitation before the word "number" and filed it away for future reference. "I take it you weren't either, Kelp Head?"

"Good guess, Wise Girl." He playfully sniped back before picking up the receiver. "Jackson residence. Rachel?" Annabeth's head snapped towards him and she stiffened in surprise. Percy, however, remained relaxed and his tone light. "What's up? What!?" His posture now mirrored his wife's. "I…I see. No, no, I got it. Well…it looks like a background check'd be involved, think you can help out? Yeah…thanks. Yeah, me too. Yeah, later."

He stood for a moment, back to the room and shoulders slumped in defeat, before taking a deep breath and turning to his wife. "Was that what I think it was?" Asked Annabeth, and at his nod, turned back towards SG-1 with a sudden businesslike air. "We're in. What do you need?"

Daniel exchanged surprised glances with the rest of SG-1, and once again, Teal'c was the first to recover. "Might we ask as to the reason for this sudden change of heart? Would it have something to do with the phone call you just received?"

"Yeah, 'cause that was a pretty fast turnaround. Who's that Rachel person, and what'd she say." Said Mitchell.

Percy heaved a deep sigh. "Rachel Elizabeth Dare." He smirked at SG-1's stunned reactions. "I see you've heard of her."

"Rachel Elizabeth Dare? As in Dare Enterprises? As in the company that owns most of the land the nation's military bases are built on?" Sam said incredulously, "That Rachel Elizabeth Dare?"

"Yup, that's the one." Percy said, now grinning unabashedly at how he'd managed to throw the military officers. "Yeah, well, let's just say that she vouched for you guys and leave it at that for now."

"In the meantime," Annabeth said, smiling a bit and shaking her head at her husband's antics, but nevertheless dragging them back to the topic at hand. "What do you need from us for your 'powers that be'?"

A/N: As I said before, a simple note asking about what happened back when the Gua'uld were on Earth really had me thinking a lot about this fic, and oooh have I come up with some delicious backstory stuff for it. I've been doing a shit-ton of research in preparation. I'm going to try to incorporate as much of it into the story naturally as I can, but if not, I'll be putting an epilogue in for those of you that care =D.

Not any real significant reviews to respond to this time, just glad you guys like it.

Oh, but thanks Exess, for pointing out my little gaffe I had when I first posted the previous chapter. I honestly can't believe I didn't notice it.

PLEASE REVIEW!

Tzapporah signing off!