The Long Haul
Scene 23
SGC Gate Room
Next day
Daniel shook Rostif by the hand. “I can never repay you-“
“-forget it,” the Tok’ra shrugged dismissively. “Just keep reminding your ‘superior’ there to be a bit more open-minded, huh?”
Daniel side-eyed Jack and grinned. “Tough job, but I’m working on it!”
Rostif nodded sympathetically.
“Chevron Seven, Locked,” Sergeant Harriman’s voice echoed through the microphone.
“Good luck with your mission,” Daniel escorted the Tok’ra up the ramp. “Watch your back, it sounds dangerous. Keep in touch, let us know how it goes.”
“Since your people haven’t trusted me with your ‘iris code’ that could prove a bit problematic,” Gaborth rejoined without rancor. In their position, he’d have been equally reticent. Protecting the location of the Tok’ra home world was so sacrosanct that the mere suspicion it had been divulged to outsiders led to the entire community uprooting and settling on - or rather in - a new planet.
Then without a backward glance, Gaborth hurried through the event horizon, hoping that he could complete his mission and still get back to base in time to test his suspicion that Cordesh was a spy in their midst before he could betray the Tok’ra, enabling the Goa’uld to descended upon them and destroy them all.
Moments later the Gate was in standby mode once more, but SG-1 remained where they were. Daniel descended the ramp to rejoin the others. The door opened and Janet escorted Princess Ro’Pita to Daniel’s side. Behind them a bunch of technicians had been pressed into service to carry the half-dozen trunks of clothes and gifts her Highness had procured to take back with her. They were loaded onto a small flatbed on caterpillar tracks normally used for transporting crates of weapons or emergency supplies.
“Ready to go home, Highness?” Daniel offered his arm and Ro’Pita linked hers at the elbow, reflecting his smile with one of her own.
The Princess had agreed to resume the formality of address and many of the other conventions of her former life so that the loss of her ‘gift’ would remain undetected, but she had decided that the ‘do not touch’ rule had to go. It had been a major contributory factor in isolating her from others and making her life miserable. From her time with SG-1 - chiefly Daniel - she had learned that she preferred friends who liked to be with her instead of subjects who were too afraid not to cater to her every whim. Being of superior rank didn’t have to mean being aloof to the point of being obnoxious. She may not have liked hearing Jack tell her that, but she now appreciated the truth of it.
Though she had been crestfallen at first that Gaborth’s healing had not restored her gift, Daniel had soon helped her to come to terms with it. He told her it was a blessing in disguise. She had to stop thinking that the only thing special about her was her gift, and explore the fact that everyone is unique and important in some way, regardless of any ‘magic powers’ they may or may not have.
“I think I am going to have fun finding out who Ro’Pita really is, don’t you?” the Princess asked as they watched the Gate begin to dial Salverit.
“I’m sure you will, Highness,” Daniel responded, before reminding her that she had slipped out of the pluralis majestatis again.
“We thank you, Daniel. We thank you for all you have taught us.” Ro’Pita leaned over and kissed Daniel on the cheek, causing him to blush and Jack to nudge Teal’c, winking.
“We shall never forget what you endured to keep us safe, Daniel. We are forever in your debt.”
“It was indeed an impressive display of fortitude, Daniel Jackson,” agreed Teal’c. “Particularly for one not raised as a warrior.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you, how did you manage it, Daniel?” Sam queried. “It must have been sheer Hell every step of the way. How come you didn’t give up?”
“Well, um... Jack said to hang in there and you guys would come get me. So I uh... I followed orders. I hung in there.”
“You didn’t think maybe we weren’t gonna get free to rescue you?” Jack raised an eyebrow.
“Nope; never doubted for a second.” Daniel shook his head emphatically. “Though you sure took your damned sweet time about it, Jack!”
Daniel’s hand flew to his mouth as he realized how inappropriate his language had been in the presence of royalty.
Ro’Pita shrugged and giggled, releasing the momentary tension in the group.
Their footsteps as they climbed the metal ramp to escort the princess home were drowned out by the sound of their collective laughter.
SGC Gate Room
Next day
Daniel shook Rostif by the hand. “I can never repay you-“
“-forget it,” the Tok’ra shrugged dismissively. “Just keep reminding your ‘superior’ there to be a bit more open-minded, huh?”
Daniel side-eyed Jack and grinned. “Tough job, but I’m working on it!”
Rostif nodded sympathetically.
“Chevron Seven, Locked,” Sergeant Harriman’s voice echoed through the microphone.
“Good luck with your mission,” Daniel escorted the Tok’ra up the ramp. “Watch your back, it sounds dangerous. Keep in touch, let us know how it goes.”
“Since your people haven’t trusted me with your ‘iris code’ that could prove a bit problematic,” Gaborth rejoined without rancor. In their position, he’d have been equally reticent. Protecting the location of the Tok’ra home world was so sacrosanct that the mere suspicion it had been divulged to outsiders led to the entire community uprooting and settling on - or rather in - a new planet.
Then without a backward glance, Gaborth hurried through the event horizon, hoping that he could complete his mission and still get back to base in time to test his suspicion that Cordesh was a spy in their midst before he could betray the Tok’ra, enabling the Goa’uld to descended upon them and destroy them all.
Moments later the Gate was in standby mode once more, but SG-1 remained where they were. Daniel descended the ramp to rejoin the others. The door opened and Janet escorted Princess Ro’Pita to Daniel’s side. Behind them a bunch of technicians had been pressed into service to carry the half-dozen trunks of clothes and gifts her Highness had procured to take back with her. They were loaded onto a small flatbed on caterpillar tracks normally used for transporting crates of weapons or emergency supplies.
“Ready to go home, Highness?” Daniel offered his arm and Ro’Pita linked hers at the elbow, reflecting his smile with one of her own.
The Princess had agreed to resume the formality of address and many of the other conventions of her former life so that the loss of her ‘gift’ would remain undetected, but she had decided that the ‘do not touch’ rule had to go. It had been a major contributory factor in isolating her from others and making her life miserable. From her time with SG-1 - chiefly Daniel - she had learned that she preferred friends who liked to be with her instead of subjects who were too afraid not to cater to her every whim. Being of superior rank didn’t have to mean being aloof to the point of being obnoxious. She may not have liked hearing Jack tell her that, but she now appreciated the truth of it.
Though she had been crestfallen at first that Gaborth’s healing had not restored her gift, Daniel had soon helped her to come to terms with it. He told her it was a blessing in disguise. She had to stop thinking that the only thing special about her was her gift, and explore the fact that everyone is unique and important in some way, regardless of any ‘magic powers’ they may or may not have.
“I think I am going to have fun finding out who Ro’Pita really is, don’t you?” the Princess asked as they watched the Gate begin to dial Salverit.
“I’m sure you will, Highness,” Daniel responded, before reminding her that she had slipped out of the pluralis majestatis again.
“We thank you, Daniel. We thank you for all you have taught us.” Ro’Pita leaned over and kissed Daniel on the cheek, causing him to blush and Jack to nudge Teal’c, winking.
“We shall never forget what you endured to keep us safe, Daniel. We are forever in your debt.”
“It was indeed an impressive display of fortitude, Daniel Jackson,” agreed Teal’c. “Particularly for one not raised as a warrior.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you, how did you manage it, Daniel?” Sam queried. “It must have been sheer Hell every step of the way. How come you didn’t give up?”
“Well, um... Jack said to hang in there and you guys would come get me. So I uh... I followed orders. I hung in there.”
“You didn’t think maybe we weren’t gonna get free to rescue you?” Jack raised an eyebrow.
“Nope; never doubted for a second.” Daniel shook his head emphatically. “Though you sure took your damned sweet time about it, Jack!”
Daniel’s hand flew to his mouth as he realized how inappropriate his language had been in the presence of royalty.
Ro’Pita shrugged and giggled, releasing the momentary tension in the group.
Their footsteps as they climbed the metal ramp to escort the princess home were drowned out by the sound of their collective laughter.