A/N: Big, BIG lovely thank you to everyone whose reviewed or added alerts etc for this story, I appreciate it, and I'm hoping that means you're enjoying it! Well, I hope you continue to enjoy it, and once again, feedback is MUCH appreciated and will encourage me greatly. I sincerely hope you like it, that's why I'm writing it after all!
Chapter 3: In which a ritual is performed.
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"TEA'LC!" Jack's indignant shout rang across the square, the impact muffled by the loud sounds of merriment around the village. The Jaffa warrior, who had been silently standing near the edge of the buffet tables keeping watch, of sorts, turned in the direction of the shout. He raised a single eyebrow in intrigue as his Tau'ri brother stormed towards him, Sam and Daniel hurrying to keep up behind, struggling somewhat as they were both giggling hysterically. Within moments, Colonel O'Neill's angry face was inches from his own. Tea'lc's eyebrow raised a little higher. "You.." Jack snarled. "You slimy, stinkin', greedy, pig-headed, cruel -"
"Have I displeased you in some way, O'Neill?" Tea'lc inquired calmly. Jack's jaw dropped momentarily, before his face again twisted in rage.
"Displeased me?! The cake! You wouldn't let me eat the damn cake! Then you went and ate some yourself!" He shouted, jabbing his finger indignantly. Tea'lc smiled faintly, earning a further glare from the Colonel.
"I did no such thing, O'Neill. I did not prevent you from consuming the local confectionery, I merely advised against it. I believe it was you who chose to heed my advice, and left of your own accord." He said smugly. Jack's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, before he realised the truth of Tea'lc's statement. Still glaring crossly, he reluctantly backed down, grumbling loudly.
"Um, is everything okay guys?" Daniel asked as he and Sam caught up to them. Despite finding Jack's reaction hilarious, they had been mildly concerned for the safety of both their team-mates.
"Greetings Daniel Jackson, Major Carter. Everything is fine," Tea'lc assured. "Is it not, O'Neill?" He looked towards the younger man. Jack merely humphed in response, still glowering. Tea'lc bowed his head slightly in satisfaction, turning back to Daniel and Sam. "I trust you have all been enjoying the festivities?" He asked.
"Oh, yeah, yeah, they're great," Daniel responded. "About to get a little more interesting, actually, I think," he beamed at Sam and Jack, earning himself a glare from both.
"Yes thanks Tea'lc, it's been fun," Sam smiled. "Although, Daniel has somehow gotten Colonel O'Neill and myself into participating in a ritual of theirs," she added. "The ritual of Cancuchar," she added.
"Indeed, I have heard several mentions of this tradition from the Caradonian's," confirmed Tea'lc. "I believe it should begin in but a few minutes."
"Oh, yeah, it looks like it," Daniel exclaimed, spotting numerous couples lining up by the central altar. Most of the crowds had ceased dancing and had gathered around to witness the event. The archaeologist spotted Kela in the centre, beckoning to SG-1's participants to take position at the head of the line. "Jack, Sam, you'd better get over there quick!" Daniel began pushing them gently. Jack reluctantly started moving forwards, then stopped suddenly.
"Woah there, Danny, just a sec. This is a man and a woman thing, yes?" He queried.
"Well, yeah, it requires a man and a woman to take part, that's the tradition. Jack, they're waiting -"
"I know, I know, just... This isn't... It's not..." He sighed, scrubbing his hand through his hair as he tried to find the words. Looking awkwardly at Sam for a couple of seconds, he continued in a hushed voice. "This isn't.. Some kind of... Marriage, ceremony, is it?"
Daniel, to the team's surprise, burst out laughing at Jack's concerned face. With the rest of SG-1, and the surrounding Caradonian's waiting to start the ceremony staring in shock at him, he recovered himself quickly, smiling broadly at the expressions of utter panic on the two officer's faces. He shook his head slowly.
"No, Jack, I ah, I don't think you need to worry about that."
"You sure?"
"The Colonel's right Daniel, they all do look pretty happy over there... And, 'together'... Are you sure that isn't it? Because there's no way..." Sam was blushing furiously, her gaze avoiding Jack desperately.
"Yes, I'm definitely sure," Daniel smiled at his friends. "I've spoken with a lot of these people, and I know a lot of them are married already. So no, you needn't worry about getting married." He assured.
"Right..." Jack took a deep breath, nodding at Kela who was now beckoning furiously to them. "C'mon Carter, let's go." He began striding determinedly over to the altar, Sam following quickly behind.
And so, Colonel Jack O'Neill and Major Samantha Carter found themselves standing at the head of a line of couples in front of the large stone block in the centre of the village square, listening to Kela give a 'short' speech to introduce the ritual. It seemed to be an occasion of great importance to the Caradonian's, as all those not involved were standing on the sidelines, watching in anticipation. The sky was growing dark, and cheerful fires had been lit around the square, adding to the air of festivities.
Jack had tried to listen to what Kela was saying, he really had. After several minutes though, he was growing frustrated and nervous. He tilted his head towards Sam, whispering quietly.
"Geez Carter, I really hate these things. They make me nervous."
"I know, Sir," she smiled, her eyes still on Kela. She could never let her commanding officer know just how adorable she found his frustration at these events. That was the man Jack O'Neill was. The thought of him being as excited as Daniel about the traditions and culture of alien peoples was just... wrong. No, put Colonel Jack O'Neill in a field surrounded by dozens of enemy Jaffa with a gun, and he'd be fine, in his element, commanding, brave, aggressive. Not to mention smokin' hot... Well. The point was, that was Jack O'Neill. Perfectly capable and happy in combat, but put him in a situation where he had to abide by unusual traditions and take part in rituals, and he was very, very uncomfortable. And she loved him for it.
Attempting to bring her mind back to alertness, she automatically stepped forwards in the silence as Kela beckoned them. Kela continued speaking, his words washing over her once more. Something about joy again, and being blessed through the years... Her breathing shallow, she was acutely aware of Jack, only inches to her left, standing like a perfect officer, as to attention. Her face felt a touch warmer on that side, as though she could feel the heat from his closeness. She could sense the fabric of their uniform jackets touching, and it felt electric. Kela's voice sounded muffled in her ears, the gentle sound of Jack's breathing much clearer and louder to her, making her tingle. Shaking herself slightly, and mentally berating herself, she took a deep breath and smiled politely as Kela took their hands which were closest to each other, leading them to the altar-like stone. He placed their hands next to each other on the stone so that they were just touching. Sam felt Jack's gaze on their hands, then sensed it move to her face, feeling it's heat and intensity as she desperately tried not to meet his eyes, knowing she'd be a complete goner. Instead, she fixed her eyes determinedly on Kela, whose arms were now raised in the air as he spoke, smiling benevolently at his two participants of honour.
"May you continue with good relations with those in your life! May the gods bless you, and bring you happiness from this time onwards! May life be refreshed and continued!" He concluded. Jack stared at the old man, mouth slightly open in bewilderment as he tried to process the event which had just taken place. He had to admit to himself, he'd not been listening at all, his mind and senses wholly more occupied with Carter, being not unaware of their intimate proximity. He swallowed hard, smiling weakly at Kela who approached them, beaming. The elder of the village took both their hands again and the three turned towards the rest of the gathered villagers, hands raised in some kind of triumph. Sam smiled shyly, hating the attention focused at them. As soon as Kela dropped their hands, Jack made to move off, pausing after a glare from Daniel, standing nearby.
"Oh, uh," he stammered. "Thanks, Kela, for... inviting us to... do... this, with your people. Um... Yeah." He gestured awkwardly. As the watching villagers cheered, Kela assured Jack and Sam of his thanks and honour at their agreeing to take part in the Caradonian's most honoured ritual. Jack, equally uncomfortable with the attention as Sam, grabbed her hand and led her quickly away, pushing through the crowds until they reached they reached the beginnings of the forest at that side of the village square. When they came to a stop, he bent over, rubbing his hands over his face tiredly, before straightening to meet her gaze. They stood for several moments like this, contemplating, running over the event in their minds, reading each other's gaze without words. Finally, he broke the silence.
"So," he said quietly, his low voice reverberating through her. "How do you feel? Funny?"
"No," she replied quietly. Well, no differently to how she usually felt when he transfixed her with those intense, dark, piercing brown eyes.
"Good."
"You, Sir?"
"Nope." Well, no differently to how he usually felt when she transfixed him with those mesmerizing, blue, sparkling wide eyes.
"Good."
"Hey guys! There you are!" Daniel's shout shattered the intensity of the meaningful silence between the two officers. The archaeologist, closely followed by Tea'lc, covered the small distance to the friends between themselves and the villagers quickly. "We didn't know where you disappeared to, we've been looking for you for nearly twenty minutes!" Jack and Sam both started.
"What?"
"It's been that long?"
"Indeed," Tea'lc confirmed, not missing the look which passed between the two. "We were concerned that the ritual of Cancuchar may have adversely affected you in some way. However, the townspeople assured us of your safety, and that the ritual has never had any adverse physiological effects."
"Well, that's nice to know!" Jack exclaimed.
"So, ah, what did you think?" Daniel gushed, relieved now they had found their friends and excited about what had just taken place. "Nothing weird happened, it didn't glow or flash or anything like that, it didn't.. Did you feel anything?"
"No, Daniel. No, it was fine," Jack said evasively, not willing to admit that he hadn't been concentrating. Sam was only a little more forthcoming.
"Well, I didn't feel anything. I think it is more symbolic, rather than anything else. It seems Kela was just, well, wishing us the best for the future really." She shrugged.
"Well yes, I ah, suppose it was especially pertinent for us to take part," Daniel expounded. "Well I mean, it's like wishing the best for the future of the relationship between our two worlds... Especially with the benefits we'll be able to give each other, I mean, it's fitting isn't it -"
"Ach, I suppose," Jack cut him off. "C'mon kids, lets get back to the party!" He appeared to brighten up immediately.
"Yes, Sir!"
"Indeed."
"Alright!"
"But remember, kids - no stayin' up late - we report back to base at 0930 tomorrow. So Daniel, don't get too cozy with that chick I saw you with earlier. Yes, I saw the way you were looking at her." Daniel pouted as Jack continued. "Tea'lc - if I catch you swiping more of that cake - I don't want all that sugar goin' to your head, making you giddy, okay?" Tea'lc smiled, inclining his head. "And Carter! You, just... Well, you be a good girl. Don't get yourself caught up with any more nasty scientists." She ducked her head, smiling.
"Yes, Sir."
"Good." SG-1's leader nodded satisfactorily. The team was now nearing the centre of the square again, Daniel noticing with disappointment, Jack distinctly less so, that the ritual of Cancuchar was now over, all those participating having done so already. As the four members went their separate ways once more, Jack noticed with glee that he had found himself again near the food tables, in particular, the table with the ridiculously enticing cake he had had in his sights earlier. He grinned broadly to himself, glancing around for any sign of his Jaffa friend, just in case, as he approached the cake. One slice left. He grabbed it quickly, stuffing it into his mouth with relish. Geez, it was good. So good. He chewed it slowly, savouring every moment. He turned his head heavenward, closing his eyes in delight. As he brought his gaze back down, he caught sight of Carter, just the other side of the table. He noticed that his Major was looking rather guiltily at him, her cheeks bulging slightly, several crumbs having fallen onto her jacket and distinctly blue looking icing around her lips. He grinned broadly across the table at her, winking conspiritorially.
"Sweet."
TBC
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A/N: Thank you once again for reading! I hope you liked it. I'd just like to point out that I am aware that my writing seems to be very descriptive, with the consequence that even though we're three chapters in now, not all that much has happened... It's because I'm really into characters rather than action, and I want to try and convey what I think they're feeling etc. Anyhow, if you feel I am being too slow and descriptive, please let me know and I'll try and pick up the pace a bit. On the other hand, if you like that style, then I'll carry right on! Please, let me know either way so I can try and make this story as enjoyable as I can for you. Thank you!! Please review etc, I hope you enjoyed it!