Chapter 3

The Negotiation

Abigail and Monique found themselves in a military bunker upon emerging from the event horizon. A bald man stood in uniform at the end of the ramp to greet them. As they walked down the ramp the commanding officer introduced himself.

"I'm General Hammond. Welcome to Star Gate Command." he announced.

Jack replied, "This is Queen Monique and Abby the sidekick."

Even General Hammond found his breath escaping upon see Monique's beauty. To him she was akin to a fashion model that just stepped out of a magazine and into his base. He hardly noticed Abby's presence.

"Your Highness," General Hammond greeted.

Monique replied graciously, "General Hammond." Being a child of a honorable military commander herself she instantly felt some connection to the officer.

Abby looked about, "Kind of…gray…" she noted the walls.

Jack shrugged, "It's a military bunker."

"True but you could make it more pleasing to the eye. Perhaps, add some foliage and paintings." she suggested.

Jack cocked an eyebrow, "You're kidding."

"What's wrong with making it look nice?" she wondered.

"Because it's a bunker." he replied.

Abby gave a sigh, "Doesn't mean it can't look nice."

Jack muttered under his breath, "She's a hippie."

General Hammond paid no attention to Jack and Abby. He spoke to Monique, "I have the briefing room set up for you, Your Highness and I have taken the liberty of assigning a room if you wish to stay for a few days." he informed.

"We shall see how the negotiations progress." Monique replied.

Abby spoke up, "While you are in negotiation I would like a tour of the facility and to see some of the your world."

Hammond was rather annoyed by the request but figured he needed to comply to please the Queen. He agreed, "Colonel O'Neill can show you around, Miss…" he didn't catch her name and suddenly realized he had no idea who she even was.

"Abby." she replied.

"Abby," he gave a nod and looked to Jack who obviously didn't like the idea of giving a tour but figured he could get to know Abby and see if perhaps she was the true Queen.

Jack reluctantly agreed, "Yes sir."

"Good," Hammond replied pleased. He smiled graciously at the beauty before him, "This way your highness."

Abby stood with Jack and watched as SG-1 and General Hammond led Monique out of the Gate room and to the briefing room. She looked up at the much taller colonel, "Show me around," she motioned with her hand.

"This way," he pointed and proceeded to walk beside her.

Briefing room

Monique was soon seated at the table. She found the table rather plain and lacked any elegance which was a good sign for it meant the negotiations were of honorable intentions. She found the more glitter and glamour the host displayed the less serious they were about negotiating.

Hammond asked upon taking his seat, "Would you like some coffee, Your Highness?"

"Coffee?" she asked unsure what the it even was.

Teal'c assured, "It's a beverage that is common on Earth."

"Is it good?" she asked the Jaffa.

"Indeed," he proclaimed and then stood up to tend to a cup for not only himself but Monique as well. He made her the drink just the way most Jaffa enjoyed it, black with sugar. He placed the hot drink before her. "It is hot," he warned. "One must sip the drink."

"I see," she cautiously took the mug and found it to be rather warm. She brought it to her lips and took a sniff. The aroma was most pleasing, "Smells unique." She took a small sip. "Most different." she concluded. She took another sip, "Enjoyable." she agreed and placed the cup down.

Daniel saw an opportunity and suggested, "We can trade coffee."

"For access to the mine." she rebutted. "I believe the mine would be more valuable than the drink."

"We can trade more than one thing." Daniel clarified. He looked to Sam, "Including some technology."

Sam nodded, "We can look at trading technology."

Monique sat back, "Olympian technology is superior to yours."

Daniel added, "We do have Asgard technology. They are trading partners."

She came to attention, "You have established a trade deal with the Asgard." She knew Abby wanted to be allies with the Asgard but the race seemed elusive.

Daniel nodded with a smile, "We have! Would you like to meet their Supreme Leader?"

"I would," she confessed. "What else does your planet have to offer in trade?"

"We have lots of food, agriculture, technology, medicine…" Daniel rattled off.

Hammond added, "We can also offer military support."

"Interesting," she replied. She looked to Teal'c, "Why have you, a Jaffa chosen to be with these people?" she motioned around her at those sitting at the table.

"I believe the best chance for the Free Jaffa is Earth." he deemed.

Monique asked, "You place your faith in your peoples' future in these people…from this little planet on the edge of the galaxy?"

"Indeed." he affirmed.

"That is interesting." she replied. "Tell me has the people of this planet helped you?"

"They have." he gave a nod.

"Tell me more." she requested as she became very interested in Teal'c and his story.

Meanwhile

Jack led Abby all about the S.G.C. He led her to the gym, recreation room, library and finally the ladies' toilet. He stood outside as she went into the rest room to relieve herself. He listened in case she needed help. Though, he doubt he could actually help her but figured he should be there just in case. He heard the toilet flush. Then he heard water run in the sink. He gave a nod for so far so good. Next he heard the dryer. The dryer went on and then off. Then on again. Then off. It sounded much like someone waving a hand under the dryer to turn it off and on as if a game. He squinted in thought.

Finally she emerged. She was waving her hands dry. "That thing to dry hands."

"The hand dryer?" Jack asked.

"Yes, I don't want to trade for that. It doesn't work right and it's too loud." she looked down. "Blew water all over me."

"You could have used the towels." he countered.

"Where were these towels?" she wondered.

"In the thing by the dryer." he replied.

"The empty box?" she asked.

"Could be empty." he admitted.

"The paper on the rolls…" she started.

"Toilet paper?" he asked.

"That is a nice idea. We could possible trade for that." she declared.

"Okay," he agreed nearly chuckling. "Long as we don't have a shortage."

"Is it in limited supply?" she wondered.

"Not normally." he told her. "You hungry?"

"Famished." she replied.

"Come on, I'll show you to the commissary." he gave a wag of the head for her to follow.

As they walked she asked him more about his personal life. "So, tell me Colonel. Are you married?"

"Divorced." he replied.

"Any children?" she asked curious.

"I had a son," he told her.

"Can I meet him?" she wondered not understanding the boy died.

"He died." he flatly replied.

She took a deep breath and gathered herself, "My sincerest sympathies."

"Thanks," was all he could say.

She could tell he didn't wish to speak about the boy or his death. She walked in silence for a moment. "When my parents died I felt like I lost my whole world."

"I know the feeling." Jack gave a nod.

"Monique helped me through it." she told him. "I felt so overwhelmed. I had so much I had to do…" she tailed off fearing she said too much.

"The Queen?" he asked.

"She more than a Queen." she replied. "We were children together. She is like my sister to me."

"Ah," he gave a nod. "Best buds, huh?"

"Best buds?" she asked confused.

"Earth slang." he stated.

She puckered in thought, "Can you teach more 'earth slang'?"

"Sure," he agreed with a grin.

Hours Later

It had been a long hard day for SG-1, the General and Monique as they attempted to start some kind of dialog for negotiations. Monique could not make any promises or commitments though she would highly recommend some parts of the deal to Abby who seemed to have simply disappeared along with one Jack O'Neill. After negotiations were ceased for the day SG-1 and Monique soon found Jack and Abby in the commissary having a grand time.

Before the pair was an array of empty dessert cups that the pair had been indulged in. Jack had placed the blue gelatin before Abby to see her reaction. He scoped a spoonful of orange and asked, "Well?"

"I like the green better." she reported.

"That's lime." he informed.

"I like lime better." she corrected.

"Jack!" Daniel called out. He couldn't believe his eyes. There was Jack and their guest indulged in sweets.

Jack licked the spoon, "Daniel."

"What are you two doing?" he asked.

Abby smiled, "Eating something called 'Jell-O'."

Monique was concerned, "You ate all that?" She feared the queen could become ill from eating the sweets and thus compromised.

"Jack ate half." she informed.

Her eyes grew wide, "You sure that was a good idea?" She hinted at perhaps she could be sick from the untested food.

"Probably not," she shrugged it off. She stated, "Jack has a cabin and a pond and he invited us to go fishing with him."

Jack corrected, "I only invited you." He then looked up at Daniel's sour face, Sam looking rather concerned and Monique staring perturbed at Abby. Teal'c seemed rather docile and stood closer than usual to Monique. He cocked an eyebrow wondering just how much Teal'c fancied the assumed Queen. "What?" he asked.

Sam stated, "Sir, we have spent hours working on a possible trade deal."

"So have I!" he sounded.

"Really Jack?" Daniel shifted his weight and folded his arms.

"I got a trade for toilet paper." he started.

Abby added, "And Jell-O."

Daniel squinted, "Toilet paper and Jell-O, Jack."

"What?" he asked. "It can be wrapped up into a bigger deal."

Abby asked, "What you get Moe?"

"Coffee." she told her.

Jack cocked his eye, "Moe?"

"It's short for Monique." she explained.

He leaned closer, "Ever hear of the 3 Stooges?"

"No," she shook her head.

Jack grinned, "Have I got just the thing for you."

Later that Evening

Jack had just entered his room on base and unbuttoned his jacket when a knock came at the door. He turned and opened the door to find Abby standing before him with a desperate and worried look upon her face. She held her luggage bag before him. He noticed it was empty.

"I grabbed the wrong case." she winced.

He asked, "You grabbed the wrong case?

"I thought it was the case Monique packed but it was empty. I don't have any clothes to wear. Can you help me?" she pleaded embarrassed.

He looked at the case, looked at her and smirked, "You're in luck. Uncle Sam has lots of surplus G.I. issue."

"I'm not sure what all that means but does that mean you have something for me to borrow?" she wondered.

"Certainly do!" he agreed. Monique packed her suitcase and she took the wrong one. He was certain that Monique was a decoy but he would still keep an eye on the situation.