Chapter 4

- Do we have the IDC code yet?, General Hammond asked.

Back at the SGC, the atmosphere was normal. It was 1600 and the wormhole had connected as it was scheduled. There was just that final piece of information needed to say the mission was a success and he would be able to sleep soundly that night, which was not a habit when it came to SG-1.

- This is SG-1's IDC, Sir., Walter confirmed.

- Open the iris., the senior officer ordered.

The metal cover left room to a shimmering blue puddle and, a few seconds later, the four members of SG-1 came through safe and sound.

- Welcome back, SG-1. Go to the infirmary, we'll debrief at 1700., Hammond told them.

They nodded and made their way to the elevators silently. The medical check-up was quickly done as they had no wound to be taken care of and nothing had happened after consuming the local products.

- Are you still coming home tomorrow in the evening?, Janet asked to Sam.

- Yes, of course. I'll be there at six if it's good for you., the blond told her.

- It's perfect., her friend answered her, smiling.

- Girls' night?, Daniel asked, curious.

- Baby-sitting. Janet won tickets for a show and she's taking her mom with her. So I'll spend the night with Cassie. Movie and ice-cream., she told him, her eyes brightening.

She really was eager to see the young girl she loved as she would her own kid. She missed her, her bright smile and her bubbly personality.

- What kind of movie?

- Charlie's Angels, the movie. Currently, Cassandra is just a huge fan of Cameron Diaz. I had to choose between the angels and The Mask., Sam grimaced.

- Well, it's a pity I have this huge book to read., Daniel quipped sympathetically.

- Isn't it…, she smirked.

- Everyone gets changed and back down for the briefing., Jack ordered, hurrying them out of the infirmary.

The mission had gone well. They were back right on time, for once, Daniel had someone to talk to all the time and he just had to follow them just in case something wrong happened. He didn't have to pester his 2IC to come back on time and Teal'c… was Teal'c. So he reasonably hoped the briefing would be wrapped up in no time and he would manage to go home and maybe even cook a home-made meal, nothing fancy but with a good portion of meat.

- Sir, I should go by my lab to see…, Sam tried.

- Two words, Carter: no way. You go get changed and then directly to the briefing room, do not pass go. And I make it an order, Major. So if I have to chase you down to your lab, I might get pissed off., he warned her, furrowing his brows.

She didn't seem really impressed by his threatening tone as she playfully saluted him before entering the locker room. He rolled his eyes, feigning being exasperated.

- She and you'll be the death of me., he sighed, pointing at Daniel.

- You are aware, changed and to the briefing room. Directly., he repeated to him.

- Yes sir., the archaeologist mocked him.

- You would better hurry up, O'Neill, or you will be the one who is late to the briefing room., Teal'c stated evenly before he went in the room.

- Did you just have fun on me, Teal'c?, Jack asked seemingly offended as Daniel was going to take a shower.

Sam was already taking hers and he just prepared clean clothing before one of the two were free. At 1700, the four of them were waiting patiently for General Hammond to join them in the briefing room, which was done a few minutes later.

- Take a seat. I guess the briefing will go smoothly, as smoothly as your mission seems to have unwinded., he said at first.

- These people welcomed us, we had a party, techno and archeo babbles were at a low level so I can say everything went alright. Daniel and Carter will be able to tell you more of what was to be learned., Jack said, playing with a pen.

Hammond looked at his 2IC and shook his head somewhere in between amusement and exasperation.

- Well it was as we told during the first briefing. There are a hundred or so people in the village. I think the oldest one may be fifty years old. Women give birth to ten children a year but barely two survive their first year. They rely on the crops and other natural products to survive but they are not enough to make the best of their fields. They do not know what animals are nor fish and we have seen no evidence of their existence on the planet either., Daniel told the General.

- Sir, they don't have technologies that could help us right now but the environment, the atmosphere, the place in itself are worth trying to help them develop. It could be useful as another evacuation site., Sam said.

- And moreover, they are really peaceful and well-organized. See, as they are too few to do everything that is necessary, they run their village in a way to spare time. Weddings are all celebrated the same night, women tend to give birth during the same period, they have few days off and they take them alternately. They also don't point out at single mothers, which is a rare thing among all the places we visited., Daniel stated.

- I guess they welcome each birth… There were ruins. Did you get to see them, Doctor Jackson?, the General asked.

- We went to the nearest ones. I've taken pictures and inspected them but we had to leave. I'd really like to go back there and see more of them. There were quite unique., the younger man told him.

- For crying out loud, Daniel! How many have we seen that were 'quite unique'?, Jack quoted.

- When was the last one? Last week? Two weeks ago maybe?

Daniel blushed a little but straightened in his chair, opening the folder in front of him. He took out some pictures that he hadn't had time to take a closer look at but still made him stop for a moment.

- These symbols… This is the first time I saw them off-world. There are not European nor Egyptian. I have to check but my guess would go to one African tribe., he said.

- African? As in… the continent?, Jack quipped.

- Yes, Jack. African and I know it is weird because these people don't look as African people. See, General, each time we crossed people we could relate to an Earth civilization, they would share features of people from this civilization. Not here., Daniel explained.

- Well, maybe you're wrong, son., Hammond replied, no judgment tainting his voice.

- I… I don't think so but I'll check it., the archaeologist informed him and he nodded his agreement.

- Major, what did you find out?, the General asked Carter.

- I took a lot of samples and I have to analyze them. I'm not able to give you any information about them right now., she simply told him.

- I'll wait for your report then. I expect your full reports ASAP. For now, dismissed. Have a good evening., he wished them before leaving the room.

Daniel gathered his things and put them back in the folder before joining Sam who was waiting for him.

- Night research?, she said mischievously.

- Yeah, I think so. You're going to your lab, see what your assistant has done while you were off-world?, he asked her back.

- I'm going to my lab to have some updates and see how my day will begin tomorrow., she said with a little smile.

- Are you thinking of going home?, he mocked her, feigning shock.

- I have to go grocery shopping for tomorrow evening., she whispered as if it was a big secret.

- Right, Charlie's Angels., Daniel remembered.

- Hey eggheads, what are you up to?, O'Neill called them out in front of the elevator doors.

- Planning our evening, Sir., Carter said.

In his head, it meant work, work and even more work, remembering all the times he sprung on them working in the middle of the night.

- Oh… I guess it will be so funny., he sneered., What about a team night next Friday? Same place, same hour?

- Okay., Sam and Daniel said immediately.

- It will be my pleasure., Teal'c answered, nodding slightly.

- Great. So… see you tomorrow., Jack said, turning around to climb in the cab.

They all went in. Sam felt a stare fixed on her nape and fought the urge to turn around to look at him, her CO. She squirmed a little, which had Jack get out of his thoughts and with what he had been pondering to say.

- Carter, you should extend the invitation., he told her.

- Sir? There's no need. I'm not seeing anyone., she replied, frowning.

Good to know, he thought, but he had to correct the situation he had himself created with not being clear enough.

- I didn't think of… that. I was thinking of the fifth member of our team. As temporary as she is, she's SG-1 nonetheless., he explained… even if it was still impossible for him to say her name.

Well, he would have the evening and the whole next day to train…

- Oh right… Charlotte. I'll do it, sir., she agreed, a fierce blush coloring her cheeks.

- Is this your olive branch?, Daniel asked, pushing his glasses up his nose.

- What?

- I said: is this your olive branch? You know, your way to apologize for being an ass two days ago., the younger man explained.

- Well, kinda., Jack admitted begrudgingly.

- So, you'd better go and ask her yourself. If I'm right, you said you were gonna pay her a visit when you were back., Daniel recalled him.

Jack looked at Sam and Teal'c who didn't say anything but he knew they agreed with Daniel and he sighed… because he agreed about that too. That was what he had planned to do before going off-world and he had to do accordingly. He just thought he would have got accustomed to the simple name of Charlie O'Neill but it was harder than planned.

- Carter, lead the way., he asked her as the door opened on the floor of her lab.

- You know violets are perfect in such occasions., she whispered to him.

- I won't bring her flowers. What would it look like? You know how fast the rumor mill runs in here. I will end up being married with her., he sneered.

- Maybe they would just think you're her uncle., she joked, avoiding the word father that could hurt him.

- Next time where on a muddy planet drenched to the bone, you'll so be the one who's gonna look for fire wood, Carter., he warned her teasingly.

She just giggled slightly before passing her card to access her lab. She opened the door and they found Charlie engrossed in her work, concentrated on her laptop. She didn't even hear them.

- Found a rival, Carter., Jack whispered.

- Or a good partner for lab work., she objected.

- I hope so… because you've got the best...s for the field., he retorted, making her smile.

- That I do have. Lieutenant… Charlie., she called out the woman.

- Oh my god!, the latter shouted startled, jumping on her seat., Sorry Sir, Ma'am., she got hold of herself and threw in a salute.

- At ease, Lieutenant., Jack told her with a little gesture of his hand., err… O'Neill…, he began before turning towards Sam., Is it just me or is it weird? I feel like I'm talking to myself?, he muttered.

- Sir…, Carter scolded him, her look going from him to Charlie who was looking at him, highly embarrassed.

- Yeah… right to the point. We have a SG-1 team's night on Friday… at my place… at 1900., he told the younger woman.

She just blinked at him, not daring to understand he was inviting her to join them. She wouldn't make a fool of herself by accepting without being sure or giving him the feeling she was forcing her way into their group. Jack refrained from growling: he would have to say it loud and clear.

- I'm inviting you to join us. Carter will give you the directions to get there., he precised, rolling on the ball of his feet.

- Oh… Oh… okay… well, thank you, Sir. It's really nice…, she answered, astounded., But… I'm sorry. I already have plans for Friday night and I can't call them off., she informed him, ready to take the blow.

She knew in some places when you were invited by your CO, you could only say yes. They saw it as a big favor no one could refuse. She had seen how a refusal could backfire and she would have to face it. Might she guess, Colonel O'Neill was not on the soft side was he to act accordingly.

- Ok, next time maybe?, he just said, taking her off-guard., Don't feel compelled to accept., he added, misinterpreting her silence.

- Humm, yes sir. I'm sorry. I really can't., she stuttered.

- It's ok, Lieutenant., he waved off., By the way… I humm… I'm sorry for being a little… off two days ago… and… thank you for… you know…, he stammered, shoving his hands deep in his pockets or he would take the first thing on the lab table and he didn't recognize anything safe in front of him.

- I know…, she cut him, nervous, before repeating in a quieter voice., I know. It's ok. Let's forget about this… thing., she suggested.

- We do that., he agreed., Soooo… I'm off now… Don't work too late…, he advised her before leaving… maybe fleeing away, Carter thought, trying not to burst out laughing.

When she calmed down, she closed the door and turned to face her assistant who was still standing, visibly shell-shocked.

- You can sit down now, you know., Carter joked.

- Yes… I know. Do you think I offended him? I really can't come on such a short notice., Charlie needed to justify., I… I have this appointment taken a few months ago…

- You heard him, it's okay. Don't make a fuss on nothing. If he has something to say to you, he'll just do so., Sam told her.

She held Charlie's gauging gaze for a moment before the lieutenant looked at her computer and the pile of reports next to it.

- I've prepared all of this for you. These are the reports on the analyses I had to run. The last one should be finished by tomorrow morning. I sent you emails with the details of the meetings I had with the technicians of Area 51 and this file is about some ideas I had while checking the blueprints we worked on before. I think you'll have better ones but…, she said, her nervousness rising up again.

- You don't know. I don't have the monopoly of good ideas. Some would even question them just because I'm a woman or out of jealousy., Sam interrupted her, trying to ease her doubts., Did you really say the last test is running?

- Yes, I did. I'm sorry. I really tried to wrap them up for your return but there was this meeting with Mac…, Charlie babbled while squeezing her fingers…

- Easy, Lieutenant., Sam ordered her with authority, just to have her stop.

Charlie went silent right away, her hands behind her back, falling back to a standing position out of habit.

- Relax, Charlotte. I'm not suggesting you failed to achieve your goals. On the contrary, I'm surprised you managed to do so much. Remind me next time to give you twice as much so you get to choose a little what you want to do., Sam asked her.

- I don't have to choose, Ma'am. I'm just here to help you and make things easy for you., Charlie told her.

- I think we need to establish some rules here., Carter told her and Charlie blanched, thinking she had overpass the line of her authority.

- I'm… I'm all ears, Major Carter., she gulped.

- It will apply in this lab only as I think you might not feel comfortable with them out of here., the major began., First of all, stop giving me Ma'am or Major. It's Sam or Carter.

- But… I can't Ma…, O'Neill gasped, stopping when her counterpart pointed a finger at her.

- That's an order, Lieutenant. Do I make myself clear?, she asked.

- Yes, M… Sam., she stuttered, feeling more at ease with her first name than the last one.

Sam smiled appreciatively. They were so few women around them that it felt good to be able to act normally with another one.

- Second point: I know about our ranks and how your mission is supposed to be for you to help me and so on and so on… but I didn't need to know about your diplomas to know you and our abilities are complementary. So don't feel inferior to me when we work together. I want you to give the best of you, to try me for any dumb or smart idea you can have, to say when you disagree. We're a team in here, not Carter and her assistant but a team., Sam stated forcefully., Are you okay?

She had to ask the question as Charlie was looking at her with big green turning emerald eyes and a little pale. Was she about to cry?, she wondered.

- Yes, I am. I… humm… Permission… uh no, second point., she remembered nervously., When I was affected here to work with you, it was like a dream come true. I was wondering what was best than a dream because you just make it so much better. I mean, I'm young and not as experienced as you are, so… Sorry, I feel quite at loss for words., she snickered lightly at her making herself ridiculous.

- Well, I hope you're not insinuating that I'm old., Sam joked, seeing her eyes widen all of the sudden filled with panic., I'm kidding, Charlie. I've gone through the same path and I know how it is. I think we can do very good things together so stop being self-conscious, just be.

- I'll do that, Sam.

- Well, I guess I will have some reading to do in the morning. For now, I'm off. I have to go to the grocery store before it closes., Carter said, looking at her watch.

- Gosh, I didn't see it was this late. I have to go too., Charlie concurred, turning off her computer then gathering her belongings., Sorry, I can't wait., she apologized before leaving the room.

- That was… fast., the major whispered.

She took her time and closed the lab room a few minutes later. She went to the locker room to change into her civvies, taking her time as she was alone in there. It was so rare and they often was in a hurry. So she just enjoyed the moment, taking the time to brush her hair and put on some make up, just for the pleasure of doing it. When she was done, she went off and reached in a few minutes the intermediary check point. She smiled seeing Charlie's name on the first lane of the page. She was twenty minutes ahead of her. She probably didn't get changed before leaving. She went her way and reached the entrance. She walked to her car and drove away. She had to stop at the check-point and when she raised her eyes and looked in the mirror, she saw Charlie was just behind her. She frowned, wondering what she had done during those twenty and plus minutes.

- Hey, how many times have you been stopped on your way out?, she told her reflection in the mirror.

She shrugged and go ahead when the car before hers went through the control. She rolled down her window and showed her ID to the MP.

- Major Carter, we have a message for you. We just had the call., he told her.

He indicated the place in front of the little building and she parked before coming in. She waved at Charlie but her attention was drawn by the soldier who gave her a piece of paper. She sighed a little and took the phone, pressing the numbers.

- Carter., she announced her, looking at Charlie's car going away.

- Major Carter, we wanted to check the device found on…

She listened to the technicians of her laboratory who explained they had lost an artifact that could be precious. She scowled and ordered them to look for it once again, to search the whole lab, check the last inventory to see if it hadn't been sent to Area 51 by mistake. She hung back, considered going back down but knew she would not have the chance to shop next evening, not when she had a meeting during the afternoon. She would be pretty lucky if she made it on time to Janet's. She sighed and decided to go on according to her plan. They just had misplaced it… probably.