A/N: Ok, I've got this chapter done quicker than I expected! I'm really trying to speed up updates, unfortunately life just gets in the way a bit sometimes but I'll do my best! Thanks for all the encouragement I've had in reviews etc! I really, REALLY appreciate it, so thank you all!! This chapter hopefully gets a little more exciting...
Chapter 4: In which we discover the boredom of debriefings. Also, SG-1 embarks on a new mission.
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"Incoming traveller, Sir," Sergeant Harriman called, enthusiastic as ever. "Receiving SG-1's IDC code."
"Open the iris," General Hammond commanded. Seconds later, the control room of the SGC was filled with the shimmering blue glow from the active Stargate in the room below. The General didn't have to wait long before his flagship team sauntered through the wormhole and down the ramp. He hurried into the gate room to greet them. "Welcome back, SG-1," he smiled. "How'd it go?"
"Morning, General!" Colonel O'Neill beamed back at him. "The Caradonian's festivities were excellent. We ate cake, we danced, we partook of strange, ritual, things... Yada, yada..." He waved his hand around for emphasis with each point.
The General nodded, smiling. Without further ado, Hammond ordered the team to the infirmary for the customary post-mission check up (from past experience, these were especially worth it after alien festivities), shaking his head and laughing gently as Jack chattered on as they left. He saw Daniel lower his head to Sam, and just heard his voice drift back.
"Dancing..?"
Several hours later, the debriefing was just about coming to a close. Daniel had taken the floor, the remainder of SG-1 sidestepping happily as the archaeologist waxed lyrical about what he'd learned about their new trading partners. Jack had spent the past two hours trying to distract Daniel, either by staring fixatedly at him without blinking for minutes on end or by surreptitiously pulling faces, much to Daniel's annoyance. Sam had tried to keep up and pay attention; she'd been in Daniel's position trying to explain new scientific discoveries many times before, and consequently felt a certain degree of sympathy for her friend. However, she'd instead found herself increasingly distracted by watching Jack's antics, which were far more entertaining and... interesting. As well as trying to put off Daniel, he'd been twirling a pen continuously and skilfully between his slender fingers, and it was holding her attention far more than she was sure it should. Also, the determined staring at Daniel gave her ample opportunity to study his features without risk of being caught staring. She'd always known he was a very handsome man, yet she still found her breath taken away sometimes when she'd tried not to think about it for a while, then suddenly he'd smile at her, or she'd watch him as he wrinkled his nose in concentration as he surveyed new territory, emphasizing the deep lines going down to his jaw deliciously. Tea'lc and General Hammond, much as they were interested in concept about what Daniel was saying, found themselves likewise studying their colleagues. Hammond had always been aware of the mutual attraction sparking between his two top officers, it was only natural, but he trusted them more than enough to not let that distract them, or allow it to develop into anything deeper. He had often noticed the stolen glances from one to the other when they weren't looking, the lingering eye contact, the awkward accidental touches. Knowing he could trust his officers implicitly, and appreciating the sacrifice they were making daily, he was not concerned about them breaking regulations, and tended to find their non-relationship almost as entertaining as their friends did.
Daniel, blissfully unaware of the complete lack of interest in what he was saying, blithely continued.
"...and so from this, we can conjecture that at some point in their history, they were able to learn from-"
"Alright Doctor Jackson," General Hammond sighed. "I gather then that overall, the mission encountered no problems and was a success."
"Ah... Well, yes. Yes, I ah... Yes. There were no problems, and I foresee that we should continue to have excellent relations with and benefit greatly from the Caradonians." Daniel concluded reluctantly.
"Great! Well, that's nice. Can we go now General?" Jack threw his arms in the air, swinging back on his chair. No, Jack O'Neill had had enough of sitting round tables with people talking at length for quite some time. The other occupants of the room poorly concealed smiles at the Colonel's attitude.
"Yes, I think we're done," Hammond agreed. He smiled round at SG-1. "I think you've all done a very commendable job in conducting these negotiations, and have secured us some valuable resources and allies. Good job, people." The team smiled proudly. "Dismissed."
SG-1 stood up, beginning to file out of the briefing room, Daniel glaring daggers at Jack's back (not an unusual occurrence after he'd been talking for any length of time). As they neared the door, General Hammond called an afterthought. "Oh, Colonel, Major, one more thing."
"Sir?" The two officers turned back into the room. Hammond folded his arms, surveying them for a few moments before speaking.
"I know Doctor Fraiser's medical report came back clean on both of you," he began. "But, as I'm sure hasn't passed you by, we have had problems after encounters with seemingly harmless alien technologies before." The two officers nodded understandingly. "I understand from all accounts that this ritual you participated in was harmless, but on the side of caution, I'd like you to remain on base for a few days. Just in case."
"But Sir, I-"
"No buts, Colonel," he added sternly. "SG-1 isn't scheduled for another mission for a week. I suggest you take the time to finish some overdue reports."
"Yes Sir," the Colonel nodded resignedly.
"And Major," Hammond added. "I trust you have some ongoing scientific studies you can be getting on with?"
"Yes, Sir," Sam nodded enthusiastically. "As a matter of fact, I've been waiting for a chance to study in depth the readings SG-16 brought back concerning the solar activity on P3X-779 for quite some time, with the possibility of being able to harness it for -"
"Of course, Major," Hammond interrupted, as Jack hid an amused smile. "I'll expect a full report on your findings as soon as possible."
"Of course, Sir." Sam nodded curtly. As they left the briefing room and headed toward the elevator, Jack turned to Sam, a teasing look on his face.
"Ooooh, solar activity. Fascinating stuff, Carter." She turned her face towards him, mouth open in mock anger for a second, before she grinned cheekily, turning again and staring steadfastly forward.
"Ooooh, reports to finish. Fascinating stuff, Sir."
Jack's head whipped round, staring at his 2IC with incredulity, stunned and impressed. Now in the elevator, they both stood grinning in companionable silence until Sam exited to go to her lab.
"Have fun, Carter!" He called cheerfully after her.
"Will do, Sir!"
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Several weeks later, SG-1 stood in the embarkation room, ready to depart on another mission. Well, three members of SG-1 stood in the embarkation room. Jack sighed impatiently, stamping his feet around. Tea'lc stood, impassively as ever, whilst Carter tapped her gun quietly. Several moments later, Daniel stumbled into the room, pulling his glasses on and muttering apologies.
"Nice of you to join us, Danny!" Jack drawled sarcastically.
"Sorry Jack, but if you want that temple translating to see if there's anything useful there, I need some reference," Daniel muttered. The MALP had transmitted images of an abandoned temple from P3R-487 several hours ago. It was just a simple recon mission.
"Chevron seven, locked!" Walter's voice sounded above the whir of the gate. SG-1 turned to face it, forming up at the base of the ramp. The wormhole burst forth, leaving the shimmering event horizon in place, casting the familiarly eerie blue glow across the room.
"SG-1, you have a go," General Hammond called from the control room above. "God speed."
"Thank you, Sir!" Jack threw an irrelevant salute behind him as he sauntered up the ramp after his team.
The event horizon on P3R-487 rippled as the four members of SG-1 stepped through. It appeared to be early morning there, the sun not far above the horizon. Jack put his sunglasses on, scanning the area. The temple could be seen in the distance, through a track about fifty metres wide cut through the surrounding forest.
"Okay kids, stay sharp. Carter, Daniel, take point by that tree line. Make sure there's nothing nasty hidden. Tea'lc and I'll take this side, then we'll head on over to Oz."
He and Tea'lc began to make their way to the edge of the forest to the left of the Stargate. Despite peaceful appearances, they had several nasty surprises before.
"O'Neill," Tea'lc cautioned, stooping with a hand raised. "A footprint. Jaffa." The two warriors' hands shot to their weapons, instantly ready, scanning the trees., beginning to back up to the limited cover of some rocks nearer the gate. Jack raised his hand slowly to his radio.
WHUMP!
The unmistakable sound of a staff weapon, followed by a thud, echoed across the clearing. Jack and Tea'lc threw themselves behind nearby rocks as more shots sounded out, along with Daniel's shout, amplified by the radio.
"JACK! Sam's hit! We're pinned down!" Icy fear gripped Jack's heart. He looked at Tea'lc pointedly, the Jaffa nodding in return.
Tea'lc crouched behind the sparse rocks, ducking to avoid staff blasts, sending his own in reply. Jack scooted back to the next pile, covering Tea'lc as he did the same. Looking to the other side, he saw Daniel hiding behind a large boulder, having dragged Sam's limp form with him. Sam. Jack swallowed hard, deafened by the noise of the ambush, resisting the overwhelming urge to run to her.
"Tea'lc," he shouted. "Get to the DHD, dial home! I'll cover you." Leaning around the side of the rock patch, the Colonel began emptying his P-90 into the trees, rewarded by several cries from the hidden Jaffa. After what felt like an age, he heard the kawoosh behind him. Turning and making eye contact with Tea'lc, he ducked and ran towards his two other team-mates, the Jaffa covering him from his position behind the DHD. Shots of fire burst around Jack as he ran, mud flying up in his face, as he reached his two scientists. His hand went to Sam's face, thumb stroking her cheek, her eyes blinking open slowly.
"Sir, I... My leg... Hurts."
"I know, Carter. I know," he murmered, desperately trying to conceal his raw panic. "Grab on tight, okay?" Sam nodded painfully. "Daniel," Jack conveyed his orders to the archaeologist as he pulled Sam's arm around his shoulders.
Throughout the SGC, klaxons started to wail. General Hammond hurried from his office to the control room at the sound.
"Sergeant. Report." He ordered curtly.
"Incoming wormhole, Sir," Walter quickly. After several tense moments passed, the computer screen flashed green. "Receiving... SG-1's IDC code, Sir."
"Open the iris!" Hammond shouted, looking in concern at the gate. SG-1 returning this quickly was never a good sign. Everyone in the control room flinched as staff blasts whizzed though the wormhole, crashing into the wall. Hammond's fist immediately slammed the button bringing the blast screen down over the window, eyes looking to the monitor for his team.
Seconds passed. Shots continued coming through. Hammond frowned, knowing the longer he left it, the more risk he put the SGC at. Suddenly, Jack and Daniel burst through, running down the ramp, half carrying an injured Major Carter between them. More seconds passed, before Tea'lc stepped through.
"Close the iris! We need a medical team down here!" Jack yelled, Sergeant Harriman obeying immediately, Hammond moving to the phone.
"Medical emergency in the gate room," he snapped, before hurrying down the steps into the charred room.
Tea'lc stood calmly at the base of the ramp, the remaining three members of SG-1 collapsed on the floor, panting heavily, Sam with an evident vicious staff weapon burn on her leg. Before he could ask what on earth happened, the Major began vomiting profusely. Hammond stepped back in alarm.
"What happened, people?"
"Ambush, Sir," Jack replied curtly, standing, his eyes on Sam. She lay awkwardly on her side, face downwards, retching horrifically. Daniel leaned over her, his hand on her back reassuringly. "Probably from the pain," Jack figured. "Gou'ald must've come through sometime after we sent the MALP, and figured we'd be there shortly," he elaborated on his initial statement. "They were hidden in the forest edge at both sides. We were caught in the middle, Sir."
"I see," the General nodded. He stepped aside as a medical team, headed by Janet Fraiser, pushed a gurney into the room.
"What happened, Sirs?" The Doctor asked as her team manoeuvred Sam onto the gurney.
"She got hit by a staff blast in the leg," Daniel replied shakily.
"I see. Infirmary, all of you, now," she ordered, shouting directions to her staff as they quickly wheeled Sam down the corridor. For once, Jack needed no persuading, striding determinedly behind the gurney, face etched with concern. The image of Sam's prone form, lying with weapons fire landing around her, was burned into his mind. Tea'lc placed a calming hand on his shoulder, but Jack shook him off. Even though it was only a leg wound, terror refused to leave him, mind racing with the knowledge that it could easily have been much, much worse. He would not lose her. He couldn't.
TBC
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A/N: Well, there we go! I hope you enjoyed it! We should be getting into the really interesting stuff next chapter, I hope. As always, feedback would be lovely and very much appreciated!! Thank you so much for reading! D