A/N: Thank you everyone who has stuck with the story despite how long it's been taking me to update. Just so we all remember: this is based in season 7, but season 8's "Threads" and the Pete arc has already happened/been established.
CHAPTER FIVE – Truths And The Second Advisor
Jack watched as Daniel's chest slowly rose and fell with each breath. He studied the archaeologist's glasses, lying at an angle across his nose, giving him a sort of fish-eye appearance if Jack looked too closely. His eyes flickered beneath their lids as Daniel dreamed away, his subconscious blissfully unaware of their dire circumstances, lost in a world of wonder, protected from the horrors of reality. Jack was grateful for Daniel's continuing resolve and determination that they were going to be okay, and his continued fascination with the locals. If Jack hadn't been so irritated with him most of the time, he was sure he might have slipped his grasp onto sanity.
He was even more impressed with Carter, but gratitude could not replace his unwavering concern and desire to comfort and protect her. He wondered if she noticed how his breathing slowed and his eyes began to close as she softly caressed his hair. How could he not be taken by her strength? After all she had been through, to still care more about his wellbeing (he mused and suddenly became acutely aware of her hand gripping his upper arm), for Teal'c and Daniel, and to not break, not even for a moment. In all honesty it scared him. Her soldier exterior was beginning to wane on him, and he found himself increasingly worried about the woman beneath.
He sat up, grimacing against the pain in his ribs; he could feel Carter's hand on his back, supporting him. He sat close to her, careful not to brush right up against her, but close enough so that the material of his BDU pants was lightly skimming across the side of her thigh.
Daniel suddenly made an incoherent grumbling sound, rolled over, and settled peacefully into the stone wall. Jack glanced at Carter; her eyes were exhausted and several times he caught them stay closed for several long seconds, before snapping open against their own will.
"Get some sleep," he said quietly as to not wake Daniel. She found his eyes momentarily, offering a half-smile. She ran a hand through her hair and Jack marveled at how, even now – bruised and battered, worn out and defeated – she could still be the most beautiful person he had ever seen.
"Can't sir," she said, matching his volume. When his gaze questioned her further, she responded, "Teal'c, you know," he did know. He also knew when she wasn't telling him the entire truth.
"Carter," he said. When she didn't look at him, he decided to push some buttons. "This is your first mission since your dad –"
"And it was supposed to be a routine bag and tag," her eyes were on her knees, drawn up to her chest and her arms draping over them. He watched her breathe slowly, trying to keep her emotions under control. He wanted her to talk to him, to show him that trust that they rarely shared. He wanted to reach up and cup her cheek, turning her to look at him, and let her know that it was okay, even if it wasn't. "I just feel like I'm being reckless, you know? I feel like I'm supposed to feel… alive, full of reverence for life… honor him like that… I think I'm disappointing him," and at his look, "It's stupid, I know," again she offered a small smile, trying an expression of feigned relief on for size.
Across from them, Daniel stirred, "Stop, I don't want the bananas!" he mumbled. Carter smiled genuinely, dipping her head in amusement. Jack reached his hand to hers, gently pulling it down to rest between them. He smiled inwardly as her fingers responded, intertwining with his and holding him firmly. He returned the pressure, drawing small circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. They both watched their hands, relishing in the feel of each other.
"You could never disappoint anyone," Jack whispered, slightly embarrassed. Carter looked at him, their eyes searching each other for answers and saying words that they couldn't. He saw things in her eyes: regret, sadness, love, he wanted to believe. He squeezed her hand and turned away from her, sighing.
"I broke off the engagement," it was so quiet he wasn't completely sure she'd said it. He looked at her – her eyes were on their hands again, looking but not seeing.
"Carter?" he needed to believe that it wasn't something his mind had said in desperate hope. Her eyes locked onto his, and he knew the truth. Her eyes, so soft and full of commitment and certainty, were wet and shining. "With Pete?" he didn't even know why he asked.
She let out a sigh, she might have been briefly amused but covered it well, "No, with General Hammond," she looked at him completely serious. He returned the look, shocked momentarily, and despite knowing that she was merely teasing, he was shocked nonetheless. Then, her lips curled upwards, and he released a quiet laugh.
"Get some sleep," he said again, "That's an order." Smile quickly fading, she lowered her head onto his shoulder, readjusting their intertwined hands but never breaking contact. He felt her physically relax, ignoring the tingling in his stomach, and leaned his head against hers, turning his face into her hair and planting a chaste kiss.
"Jack… Jack!" his eyes snapped open. Daniel was suddenly next to him, hissing urgently in his ear. Jack felt Carter sigh against him, noticing their fingers relaxed into each other. He felt suddenly exposed, and removed his hand from hers, nudging her awake gently. Her eyes opened, and upon seeing Daniel and realizing that something was happening, sat up straight and smoothed her hair.
"What?" Jack hissed back.
"You have a visitor," Daniel said, raising his eyebrows toward the door.
Jack looked at him. He wasn't serious? He looked to Carter, who seemed just as surprised as he was. Slowly, Jack stood and walked slowly to the door, bracing a hand against his ribs as they protested.
"…Hello?" Jack asked cautiously. Suddenly, a voice seeped through the gap between the floor and the bottom of the door. Jack jumped in surprise.
"Greetings! Are you Colonel Jack O'Neill?" the voice was urgent, whispering and obviously afraid of getting caught.
"Speaking," Jack replied, looking around to Daniel and Carter.
"My name is Pinot, I am second advisor to the Chancellor. I have come to assist you."
Jack nodded questioningly to his teammates, who shook their heads in confusion. "Assist, you say?"
"Yes," Pinot whispered, "Your execution has been scheduled for tomorrow morning," Jack heard shuffling feet in the distance, "I must hurry – I have arranged to escort you to the square myself."
"What about our friend, the large, dark one?" Jack held his breath.
"He is alive. But also to be executed. He is being held in another area," Jack breathed a heavy sigh of relief, a smile crossing his face momentarily.
"Why are you doing this? How do we know we can trust you?" There was silence for a moment.
"The woman they gave me – we had a daughter…" Jack closed his eyes, "When she turned ten years, she was sold to the Chancellor himself…" shuffling footsteps. "Having bore five children, she was worthless. Executed two moons ago," Jack leaned his head against the door. He knew all too well the pain of losing a child. "I must go, I will return before the execution."
Jack turned to the other two. They were both as surprised as he was, each of them still processing what had just happened.
"I guess we better come up with a plan," Jack said, suddenly energized.
TBC…
