Chapter 4

SG-1 accompanied the Young Riders into the small town of Rock Creek the next morning along with Rachel as she needed supplies for the station. Jack found himself walking down the boardwalk next to James Butler Hickok and he never felt so much like a child though he was physically much older than the legend walking beside him. As he walked his mind conjured up a scene where all the singing cowboys of his youth would suddenly appear and strumming up a storm on a six string guitar. He was rather giddy which was unusual for Jack as he could not believe a legend of the west was right beside him and speaking to him like a friend.

Jimmy asked "You got a family, Colonel?"

"Had a family." he confessed. "My son died and my wife left me."

"Sorry to hear that, Colonel." he replied understanding that it was really none of his business and did not press for more information.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted in front of the group as a man was tossed out the local saloon through a window. Broken glass shattered the air and yelling could be heard. More men emerged from the saloon to take the fight outside.

Kid stood just behind Jack and Jimmy and gave a disturbed look upon the sight. "When is Teaspoon gonna hire a new deputy?" He watched the group of men from the saloon take the fight into the streets before them.

Rachel responded, "Well…the last deputy only lasted two hours before he was shot. Not sure who Teaspoon will get now. I can't say I blame anyone for not wanting the job."

Jack looked at his team and then at Jimmy. He asked, "Ya think we should step in and break that up?"

Jimmy smirked, "Your funeral."

Before them the fight raged on with fist flying and boots kicking. One of the men drew a knife to stab his opponent. Jimmy looked on at his fellow riders for no one wanted to witness a stabbing.

Kid suggested, "I suppose we should step in."

Jimmy agreed, "I can't get a clear shot to knock that knife out of his hand."

Teal'c then stepped forward. He walked over to the knife wielding cowboy and grabbed the wrist, squeezed tight until he dropped the weapon.

Jack figured he better back up the Jaffa. He too then got involved in the fight. He didn't have any weapons on him but knew he had an advantage of hand to hand combat experience. In short time, Jack and Teal'c used the combat techniques to subdue the men of the commotion.

Teaspoon arrived at the location just as Jack tossed the last standing drunken cowboy over his shoulder and threw him face first into the dirt. He looked on rather impressed that the Colonel had already handled the situation. Teaspoon approached the man whom likely caused the fight. "That's enough, Roy." he stated.

The drunkard rose up and proclaimed, "I was minding my own business. I didn't start it." It was the same man who was tossed through the window prior. He was a stout man, with brown hair and a rounded face. His lip was swollen and blood streamed from the cut above his eye.

The barkeep appeared in the doorway and disagreed, "I told you get out, Roy!" He was tall and lanky sported a button down white shirt with black trousers and a black arm band on the left arm. His black hair was slicked back and shined from the wax.

"I'm out now." he barked back.

Teaspoon motion, "I think it's time for you to go home, Roy."

He laughed, "I see you got an old man and a…" he looked to Teal'c, "One them…to work for ya. Good luck keeping them alive, Marshal." He made a vague threat and then wandered away a bit wobbly.

Teaspoon addressed the other men, "It's over. Now go home. All of ya."

Jack noticed some of the witnesses were lingering behind as the men in the brawl dissipated. "You all heard him. Show's over! Go on!" he urged.

The town's people left the scene as instructed.

Teaspoon looked upon Jack and then Teal'c. He then spoke to Jack, "I could use a good deputy, Colonel. I appreciate you and Teal'c stepping in."

Jack shrugged it off, "Think nothing of it."

Teaspoon asked, "You interested in the job? You and Teal'c be my deputies."

Jack looked at Teal'c and gave a nod of approval. He spoke to Teaspoon, "Sure."

"Come to my office and I'll issue you a badge and a revolver." he instructed.

Jack on the outside was cool as he could appear but inside he was nearly giddy as a school boy on vacation. "You got it." he assured.

Daniel whispered to Sam, "Jack is still awestruck, huh."

She nodded, "He sure is."

Short Time Later

Jack led Teal'c to the office to gather the badge and sidearm for his new job as a deputy marshal. He remained cool and collective though deep down inside he felt much like a groupie at a rock concert.

Teal'c took the job in stride as for the Jaffa it was merely another trip through the Gate that took him to another world. Earth history was nothing to him nor did it affect him in any way unlike Jack. He looked about the office which also served as the town jail. He found only two cells that were furnished with a basic bed and a stand with a water basin. He found a bucket in the corner with a stack of loose paper bedside it. For the Jaffa even the jails of Earth's yesterday was more inviting than any Goa'uld holding cell.

Jack also gave a quick look about the jail. He tried to hide his enthusiasm as Teaspoon handed him a deputy badge.

"Here you go, Jack." He then handed a badge to Teal'c, "And you, Teal'c."

The Jaffa graciously took the badge and pinned it to the borrowed brown jacket he wore. He then looked on as Teaspoon grabbed a bible and stood before them holding the bible out as if it was an offering.

The Marshal then instructed, "I'll swear you both in. Raise your right hand and place your left hand on the bible."

Teal'c looked at Jack who was surprising eager to comply. Jack motioned for Teal'c to follow his lead. The Jaffa did so and stood before Teaspoon with his hand raised.

"Repeat after me!" Teaspoon instructed. "I solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and I well and faithfully discharge the office of which I enter. So help me God." He looked to Jack and Teal'c to repeat the pledge.

Jack stated, "So help me God."

Teal'c paused for a moment in thought. He looked to Jack for guidance who motioned with his head to agree. Teal'c then repeated the oath word for word. "I solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and I well and faithfully discharge the office of which I enter." He omitted the last line.

Teaspoon took notice. "You one of them fellas who don't have a religion?"

Teal'c explained, "I was formerly enslaved to a false god."

Jack excused, "He's a little touchy on the subject."

Teaspoon understood and then handed Teal'c the very bible he used to swear him into office. "Take this, son. Read it. If you have any questions…" he debated who would be the best helper for though he was a religious man he was not a religious scholar. "Rachel can help you." he determined.

Teal'c understood after living on Earth that gifting a bible was a sign of respect. He graciously took the offering, "I shall read it." he agreed. He was exposed to bible at the SGC but no one ever gave him one to read as a personal gift before much less a bible of importance in an official capacity. He noticed the bible was much nicer than the bible at the base. It was leather bound and had golden accents. He graciously held the article in his arm.

Teaspoon then went to the gun safe and opened it. He retrieved two leather gun rigs, ammunition and two revolvers. He placed the weapons down on the desk before him.

Teal'c picked up one of the revolvers. He noticed it was different than what the future revolvers looked like. The cylinder had what appeared to be cones attached and a strange thin rod underneath the barrel.

Jack tried to give him a quick lesson. "It's black powder, T." He opened the cartridge box and held up a example. "See, it's a paper casing and a bullet. You need to put the primer on the nipple to fire it."

"I see." he understood.

Teaspoon asked, "Have you ever fired a revolver like that before, son?"

"I have fired the guns we brought with us." he informed.

He offered, "I'll issue you a few extra boxes of ammunition to practice with." He looked to Jack, "And you as well, Colonel."

For a moment Jack's enthusiasm got the better of him. He grinned, "Great!" For Jack, firing a vintage Colt black powder revolver was more of a treat than work.

Teaspoon noticed, "You seem mighty anxious to fire that gun, Colonel."

He became coy, "It's a Colt…"

Teaspoon agreed, "Indeed it is. 1851, 36 caliber."

Jack paused, "Only 36 cal?"

Teaspoon noted the question. "You think you need more than that?"

"In a gunfight, you need fire power." he reminded.

Teaspoon shifted his weight, "In a gunfight, you need to not get hit, Colonel. We don't have them fancy vest that you came here with."

He paused and puckered in thought, "That's true…" He then looked to Teal'c, "No plates here, T. Don't become a bullet catcher."

Teal'c realized, "No armor. It would be best to avoid a gunfight then."

Teaspoon smirked, "Or out draw'em."

Jack then recalled the dueling pistols he read about. He slowly nodded, "Best to just deescalate and…talk…it down." He soured as he realized that in the actual Old West his best defense was to not get in a gunfight in the first place and to negotiate much like Daniel would. He let out a heavy sigh as he figured he would need to listen more to his friend than normal.

Teaspoon gave some advice, "Talk'em down when you can be ready to draw first at any moment, Colonel. Some of these less than savory characters out there would just assume shoot ya in the back."

"Head on a swivel." he agreed with a nod.

"That's right, Colonel." he agreed. "Why don't you and Deputy Teal'c go introduce yourselves to the local merchants?" he suggested they get familiar with the town and the people. "Best if they meet you two before the shooting starts."

"Right!" Jack gave a hard nod in agreement. He looked to Teal'c, "Let's go make the rounds."

The pair were about to leave when Teaspoon called, "Colonel. Your pay." He held out a golden coin for each.

Jack read the golden eagle, "Ten dollars."

"One weeks' wages." he told him. "In advanced."

"Thanks." he placed it in his pocket wondering just how much he could buy with it.

Teal'c placed his coin in his pocket as well.

As they were about to leave Teaspoon reminded them, "Head on a swivel, Jack."

"Got it." He agreed and motioned for Teal'c to follow him out the door.

Upon stepping outside Jack looked about the bustling old west town. "Let's got to that store Rachel was talking about. Be a good first start for an introduction." he suggested.

"Indeed." Teal'c agreed.