The night shift had ended, and Mia had been transferred from Tom's companionable watch to that of lieutenant Foxworth. As far as she could tell, the lieutenant had very little personality beyond his military training, and absolutely no sense of humour. He watched her like a hawk, clearly not trusting her. Even still, he had returned her to the training room to meet with Teal'c, just as Tom had promised, so Mia had to grudgingly admit that he would be tolerable, at least for one day.
Entering the training room, Teal'c was already practicing the ancient forms for what she had come to secretly call the warrior's dance. She watched appreciatively as his heavily muscled form moved smoothly across the floor, gliding to the silent rhythm of attack and counter-attack. He was a study of opposites, his motions both beautiful and dangerous, serene and warlike. Mia shivered, glad she had never had to fight the seasoned warrior for real.
Sensing their presence in the room, Teal'c stopped, turning instead to greet them.
"Master Teal'c," greeted Mia with a gentle bob of her head. Instantly, the warrior's right eyebrow shot up, and he tilted his head curiously to the side.
"Mia O'Neill," he greeted in return, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. In his corner of the room, Foxworth choked audibly. Mia grinned inwardly, hoping this new information would make her dayshift companion a little more pleasant. "Can I be of assistance?," asked Teal'c, an elusive smile still teasing at his lips.
Losing track of the question, Mia studied his features carefully a moment, transfixed by that hint of a smile. Never, in all the years she had known the other Teal'c, had she seen the old warrior wear any expression other than that of perfect seriousness. And a smile? Not even close. The image this Teal'c presented was fascinating. In conversation, at least, he seemed actually able to drop his impassive mask and let a hint of emotion shine through. Mia was entranced. She had always assumed Jaffa were drilled into a some sort of emotionless vacuum before being allowed onto the battlefield. She had never once considered the possibility that under the warrior's facade lay a feeling heart much like her own.
"Are you ill?," inquired the Jaffa, growing mildly concerned by her silent stare.
"Wh-, no," she said, snapping back to attention, a faint blush of embarrassment rising in her cheeks. "No, I'm not ill, Master Teal'c," she replied more completely, her face burning red now. He cocked an eyebrow again, studying her. "I'm sorry," she said, wishing fervently that she could hide her emotion as well as her mentor had. "It's just that I've never seen you smile," she added, even more embarrassed than before.
"Indeed," he replied kindly, that odd little smile quirking at his mouth again.
Mia blushed again. "Actually," she began, "I was hoping you could continue my training. I haven't had a proper teacher since my Teal'c died." She paused uncertainly.
Teal'c's half smile widened slightly, and he bobbed his head in acknowledgement. "Show me what you are able to recall," he commanded kindly, "and we will begin."