Number 20 – Music has charms
Music Hath Charms to Soothe a Savage Beast – William Congreve
Mitchell had come to realize that he despised MRE's and if it weren't for the possibility of starving to death on long missions - he would never eat one again. "Jackson, hand me that." Mitchell reached for the warming bag Daniel had just removed from another MRE. Taking the warming chemical from the package he took the only bottled water he'd brought with him, poured the chemical in, tightened the top and chunked the bottle like a football across the clearing. It exploded like a bomb. Caboom!
"Holy buckets!" Daniel jumped up.
From three opposite directions Teal'c, Sam and Vala burst from the forest, P-90's aimed and ready.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Mitchell stood up, hands out and up in surrender. "Just a little demo for Jackson." While Teal'c and Vala looked at him confused, Sam nodded in understanding. It was common practice amongst military personnel to play scare the newbies with MRE bombs.
The threesome, finished with their recon anyway, came to sit around the campfire with Mitchell and Daniel as the sun moved lower in the sky.
"There's a large pre-industrial village about two clicks north." Sam reported, sitting to rest next to Mitchell.
Teal'c remained standing. "Nothing but forest for many miles to the west."
"There wasn't much south, except for a lone farm house, a few domesticated and unrecognizable animals. I never saw anyone about." Vala squatted by the fire between Sam and Mitchell. "Quite boring really."
Mitchell nodded. "We'll camp here tonight. Make contact with the village tomorrow…"
"We have at least three hours of daylight left." Daniel interrupted unclipping his gun and setting it aside. He took a glance at Vala, who flipped her hair, raised her chin and looked away.
Tossing a protein bar at Teal'c, who caught it and nodded his thanks, Mitchell continued, "Yeah, then it gets dark. If things go wrong I want my feet runnin' in daylight."
"Right, what was I thinking? Comfy bed at an inn, nice meal." Daniel frowned.
Mitchell turned to Sam, "What do you think?"
"It's up to you."
"But?"
"It's a large village, relatively civilized looking. The path to the Stargate's well traveled. There are signs that …"
"I get it! Let's head out."
……
They walked right into the middle of a festival.
"You will not need your weapons here." The town alderman commented after Daniel's 'peaceful explorers' commentary.
"Yes, sir. We can see that. Just a defensive measure. We'll park them if you have any room at the Inn." Mitchell unclipped his P-90 and the others followed suit.
"We have no room at the inn; however, there is room in the stables. You are welcome there."
Teal'c along with Mitchell, Daniel and Sam exchanged grins.
"I don't get it. What's so funny?" Vala questioned Mitchell since she was ignoring Daniel. He'd really pissed her off this time!
……
They locked the P-90's away with the town sheriff but kept their sidearms handy. Splitting up, SG-1 casually questioned the villagers finding that indeed, the Ori had visited many months ago, but had never returned. Feeling confident, the group decided to enjoy the revelry before heading out tomorrow.
"Cameron?" Vala asked catching up with him through the throng of gaily dressed villagers in the market area.
"Yep?" Mitchell mumbled taking a bit out of the roasted corn like food he'd managed to barter for.
"So. This whole 'no room at the inn – stable' story sounds a bit like me and the Orici doesn't it?" Vala took a bite of her apple.
Mitchell nearly choked. "Not by a long shot!" He looked at the apple then to her, shook his head and grinned. "Let's find the others." Cam walked ahead still grinning.
"Where's Vala?" Daniel asked as Mitchell joined the rest of SG-1.
Turning, surprised to find she wasn't behind him, Mitchell shrugged. "She was right behind me a minute ago."
They waited for nearly an hour before spreading out to locate the missing teammate who didn't respond to their radio calls. Daniel found her, radioed the others and stood in the circle of villagers watching as mesmerized as the rest. Mitchell and Sam came to stand beside him and they spotted Teal'c across the circle. Three women danced to the balalaikas and drums. One full figured and older, shrouded in layers of green and blue cloth, one young maiden bejeweled and tapping her tambourine, and Vala, dressed in her black tank top with wisps of deep red and glittered material tied low around her slim hips. Mother, Maiden, Crone. Daniel thought. Vala's hips swayed like a gypsy, her long hair loose and flowing. The bells strapped around her wrists and hips jingling.
Dancing towards him, arms gracefully moving, hips undulating, Vala kept her eyes locked on his. Daniel resisted the urge to reach out and touch her by fisting his hands deep in his pockets. Her eyes twinkled with forgiveness and he grinned his thanks. I'm sorry his lips moved but no words escaped. Tossing the mane of black hair, Vala grinned back and danced away.
The dancing didn't seem to be coming to an end and others had joined the three women. Mitchell waited impatiently, finally pushing through the dancers and took Vala by the arm, pulling her gently away, "Okay, princess, time to stop with the twinkle toes. Good job though… had no idea you had such rhythm. Time for our little troop to settle down for the night. Here Jackson," Mitchell handed her over to Daniel. "You keep an eye on Isadora Duncan."
"Isadora Duncan?" Vala smiled up at Daniel in question.
"Famous dancer."
"Oh! Thank you Cameron!" She yelled after him. Mitchell waved an arm over his head and kept apace with Sam and Teal'c heading toward the stables.
"I had my fortune read by the Gypsy Queen, she told me that I was in love with someone who didn't quite know how to love me." Daniel stopped as Vala began her speech and turned, brows frowning, towards her. "She told me, my beloved Daniel, that his love – your love for me caused him – you much pain. But… she said…" Her hand moved against his cheek… "that you would come around and some nonsense about soul searching and realizations and such. Then she said we would spend many, many long years together. Actually, she said we had spent many, many long years together. But I think I know what she meant." When her hand moved from his cheek he felt the loss. She started walking again. Her arms went up and wrists started air twirling, the bells ringing away, "You know, probably all that past life, reincarnation stuff. There was mention of children too. So. I just wanted you to know that I love you and I'll be waiting. But don't take too long doing the soul searching." She stopped again. "Oh, I left my vest and pants at the gypsy camp. Walk with me, will you?" She turned, started in the opposite direction, then stopped and looked at him over her shoulder waiting for him to catch up. "Close your mouth Daniel."
……
A/N: I have had personal experience with MRE's (which really aren't THAT bad) and the bombs – following a hurricane when MRE's are passed out (we had electricity and a microwave and didn't need the warming agent). I still have a box of MRE's and hope to bomb a few folks at some point – it really sounds phenomenal… my knowledgeable ex-Marine friend – "bombed" a group of ATF agents (the ones in black BDUs and with guns) who 'camped' next to us in Louisiana following Katrina and who responded with a barrage. Lots of laughter ensued.