A Silent War | Stargate SG-1
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Characters: Sam Carter, Baal
Prompts: #375 - Blessing [tamingthemuse], Stalemate [10_hurt_comfort]
Word Count: 876
Rating: PG-13
Notes: After four chapters told from Sam's POV, Baal decided it was his turn.
The horse plods, the steady beat of its hooves soothing the irritation somewhat. Baal leads the animal, for no reason other than he wants some distance from Samantha. She is still, he knows, the right choice, but again he's wondering whether he should have taken her.
He can't get the thought of her out of his mind, the earnest light in her eyes as she reminded him of the stakes, gave him hope. He's forgotten what that feels like.
There are other emotions he's not forgotten, but is all too aware he shouldn't be recalling.
She's in the back of the wagon. He can still sense her, the naquadah in her blood heating his. Normally he'd just take what he wants. This time that is not an option. No matter what the symbiote at the back of his head whispers.
It was supposed to be easy - get Carter, get the information, deal with the Ori - but things are getting muddled. He needs to straighten things out... starting with himself.
The sun's low by the time the castle is in sight. A sense of peace settles on his shoulders. Halfway there. His plans are coming back together. He swings onto the seat, slaps the reins and sets the horse into a trot.
“Ow,” Samantha says. She pulls forward, joining him. “What's the sudden rush?”
“I have no more patience,” he replies.
She glances at him, lips slightly parted. But she keeps whatever's on her mind to herself. Her anger at him is long gone. He's not sure why, if she's planning something. Or perhaps she spoke the truth - that it's better they work together in order to defeat the Ori.
He wishes he could trust her that much.
Sweeping through the castle, Samantha at his heels, he collects the few Jaffa manning the place and the young slave girl. Impatience is riding him hard, so when the slave prevaricates, he snaps at her and there are tears. Samantha gives him a look and the girl a hug.
“I do not have time for this!” he yells at no one in particular. He activates the rings, transports everyone up to the Al'kesh waiting in orbit. Then he dismisses the whole chaotic mess and takes the crystal to his lab.
How long he works, decrypting the information, trying to find the key, he's not sure. Time suspends, only restarting when his blood kicks. He didn't even hear her come in.
“Is it safe?”
He glances at her. “Hm?”
“Well you nearly bit Amni's head off before, so I was wondering if you were still in a mood.”
“I was not in a mood.” He tilts his head. “Amni?”
“Your lo'tar. Good grief, haven't you been paying attention to anything?”
“I've had more important things on my mind. And, please don't gossip with my staff.”
Samantha chuckles. “But they're so much more pleasant to talk to.”
He glares at her. “That's not funny.”
“But true,” she points out. Hitching onto the stool next to his, she nudges him with an elbow. “So what's the matter?”
“Other than the Ori slowly taking over the galaxy?” he retorts sourly.
“Yes.” Her gaze is penetrating. “They were doing that before and you weren't so... prickly. You found what you were looking for, Baal. Isn't that a good thing?”
“Only if it proves to be worthwhile.”
She sighs. “Are you going to tell me what's bugging you?”
“Assuming that there is something?”
“I know there is. I just don't know what.”
He stares at her for a moment, then sighs and shoves up. “I should never have taken you. Whatever assistance you can provide is not worth further alienating the SGC over.”
“That's the problem? You have kidnapper's guilt?”
“You're an unnecessary complication.”
It's out before he can think better of it. She looks bemused, but is too intelligent not to work out what he meant. The frown deepens and she drops her gaze.
“So what are you going to do, take me back? What's done is done. You might as well make the most of me now.” She jumps and colour flushes her cheeks. “By which I mean I can help you figure this out.”
Baal smiles at her embarrassment. “Of course. What else could you have meant?”
She flashes him a glance, then focuses on the crystal. But her face is still pink and a smile of her own tugs at the corners of her mouth.
It hits him that he's not alone in experiencing sensations he should not. The realisation doesn't make him feel any better about the situation. He really did ought to return her to Earth. No good is going to come of this.
He wants to push it. Wants to see if she'll dare to cross the line between them. Instead, he lets the silence thicken, creating a stalemate where they both want something they shouldn't. It's for the best, he thinks. He repeats that like it's a liturgy, trying to make himself believe.
It's a silent war, and one he suspects they're both going to lose.
Characters: Sam Carter, Baal
Prompts: #375 - Blessing [tamingthemuse], Stalemate [10_hurt_comfort]
Word Count: 876
Rating: PG-13
Notes: After four chapters told from Sam's POV, Baal decided it was his turn.
The horse plods, the steady beat of its hooves soothing the irritation somewhat. Baal leads the animal, for no reason other than he wants some distance from Samantha. She is still, he knows, the right choice, but again he's wondering whether he should have taken her.
He can't get the thought of her out of his mind, the earnest light in her eyes as she reminded him of the stakes, gave him hope. He's forgotten what that feels like.
There are other emotions he's not forgotten, but is all too aware he shouldn't be recalling.
She's in the back of the wagon. He can still sense her, the naquadah in her blood heating his. Normally he'd just take what he wants. This time that is not an option. No matter what the symbiote at the back of his head whispers.
It was supposed to be easy - get Carter, get the information, deal with the Ori - but things are getting muddled. He needs to straighten things out... starting with himself.
The sun's low by the time the castle is in sight. A sense of peace settles on his shoulders. Halfway there. His plans are coming back together. He swings onto the seat, slaps the reins and sets the horse into a trot.
“Ow,” Samantha says. She pulls forward, joining him. “What's the sudden rush?”
“I have no more patience,” he replies.
She glances at him, lips slightly parted. But she keeps whatever's on her mind to herself. Her anger at him is long gone. He's not sure why, if she's planning something. Or perhaps she spoke the truth - that it's better they work together in order to defeat the Ori.
He wishes he could trust her that much.
Sweeping through the castle, Samantha at his heels, he collects the few Jaffa manning the place and the young slave girl. Impatience is riding him hard, so when the slave prevaricates, he snaps at her and there are tears. Samantha gives him a look and the girl a hug.
“I do not have time for this!” he yells at no one in particular. He activates the rings, transports everyone up to the Al'kesh waiting in orbit. Then he dismisses the whole chaotic mess and takes the crystal to his lab.
How long he works, decrypting the information, trying to find the key, he's not sure. Time suspends, only restarting when his blood kicks. He didn't even hear her come in.
“Is it safe?”
He glances at her. “Hm?”
“Well you nearly bit Amni's head off before, so I was wondering if you were still in a mood.”
“I was not in a mood.” He tilts his head. “Amni?”
“Your lo'tar. Good grief, haven't you been paying attention to anything?”
“I've had more important things on my mind. And, please don't gossip with my staff.”
Samantha chuckles. “But they're so much more pleasant to talk to.”
He glares at her. “That's not funny.”
“But true,” she points out. Hitching onto the stool next to his, she nudges him with an elbow. “So what's the matter?”
“Other than the Ori slowly taking over the galaxy?” he retorts sourly.
“Yes.” Her gaze is penetrating. “They were doing that before and you weren't so... prickly. You found what you were looking for, Baal. Isn't that a good thing?”
“Only if it proves to be worthwhile.”
She sighs. “Are you going to tell me what's bugging you?”
“Assuming that there is something?”
“I know there is. I just don't know what.”
He stares at her for a moment, then sighs and shoves up. “I should never have taken you. Whatever assistance you can provide is not worth further alienating the SGC over.”
“That's the problem? You have kidnapper's guilt?”
“You're an unnecessary complication.”
It's out before he can think better of it. She looks bemused, but is too intelligent not to work out what he meant. The frown deepens and she drops her gaze.
“So what are you going to do, take me back? What's done is done. You might as well make the most of me now.” She jumps and colour flushes her cheeks. “By which I mean I can help you figure this out.”
Baal smiles at her embarrassment. “Of course. What else could you have meant?”
She flashes him a glance, then focuses on the crystal. But her face is still pink and a smile of her own tugs at the corners of her mouth.
It hits him that he's not alone in experiencing sensations he should not. The realisation doesn't make him feel any better about the situation. He really did ought to return her to Earth. No good is going to come of this.
He wants to push it. Wants to see if she'll dare to cross the line between them. Instead, he lets the silence thicken, creating a stalemate where they both want something they shouldn't. It's for the best, he thinks. He repeats that like it's a liturgy, trying to make himself believe.
It's a silent war, and one he suspects they're both going to lose.