Transitions
Title: Transitions
Author: Psychofilly
Fandom: SG-1
Rating: PGish.
Category: Action, Team, AU
Spoilers: Season 10 Speculative, not based on any specific spoilers.
Warning(s): Should be safe for all audiences
Pairing(s): Teal'c/Sam
Summary: "All is well, Samantha," he said, his voice pitched for her ears alone. "Asgard beaming technology has saved the day, yet again."
Word Count: 6900
Beta(s): Special thanks to
littleheaven70, for without her this would probably suck.
Disclaimer: Not mine, no money changed hands, yadda yadda yadda. You will not find this for sale on Amazon.
A/N: For
Fairyglass who wanted Teal'c's actual sense of humor, team oriented with both Jack and Cam, and friend-y/relationship-y over tones. Mostly just acknowledging that these people are closer then just 'team mates').
I tried. Teal’c has having none of it. He was coming out all quippy and well adjusted, but when it came to Cameron, he got all prickly and mischievous. However, he’s coming from a loving place.
This was interesting I‘m coming off a loooong dry spell and was hoping to kick my muse in gear. It’s only the second fic I’ve written in this fandom, the first in Teal’c’s POV. I’ve also not seen the middle chunk of seasons, so any details that might be a little off, I tried researching them so it should be correct, anything else is pure ignorance. Beyond that I hope to distract you with the shiny fic-pic.
Teal'c filled in the last square of the Sudoku puzzle, folded the paper into four neat squares and quietly rose from the chair in the corner of Samantha Carter's lab. Colonel Cameron Mitchell had insinuated he had lost his faculties when he had taken his leave earlier, the funny pages under his arm. This room was arguably the busiest place in the entire SGC, but he had grown accustomed to the routine. The noise of the lab flowed around him like the ever-present rumble of a hyperdrive. He found it-- comforting.
He skirted around Heimdall and Kvasir, nodded briefly to Mal'tak, the youngest of a hastily assembled Jaffa science team, before he stopped beside Samantha Carter. Careful not to disturb her while she was performing a task that might blow up the labs or worse, he lay a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. Her attention cut to him briefly, with a tight smile and a nod that communicated 'message received'. For the last week, the mood among the Tau'ri was grim, tense, focused, and no more so than in this lab.
A week ago...
"Teal'c!" Samantha's breath fogged the glass of her visor, her wide eyes shining as blue as the event horizon behind her. "I didn't expect- I mean, I'm glad, but- I don't have much time and I have to figure out a way to shut down the gate."
"Indeed." Teal'c nodded in agreement and held up the extra air tank he'd brought with him. "Then perhaps it would be wise for me to connect this before you asphyxiate."
"That sounds like a plan," Samantha said. The relief in her was voice clear despite the tinny speakers conveying it. She turned her back to him so that he could pull off the pack and connect the new one. Her attention never strayed to the battle still raging around them. "It's only a matter of time before more Ori ships come through the gate. I got the crystals realigned to dial out before the gate opened, but I don't have the tools I need to shut it down and redial."
"Would a Goa'uld field tool kit be sufficient?" Samantha Carter did not like helplessness. Teal’c didn't need to see her face to understand the frustration and terror she must have experienced. He knew full well that she would try and tear the gate down with her own hands if she had to. He tightened the last connector and gave her a little push. Samantha was no longer a lone powerless witness to one of the great battles of their time. Win or lose, if it be their fate, they would now face it together.
She floated around and stared down at the flat black box in his hands. "I think I love you."
He smiled, pleased that his foresight had been correct. "Would that not be against regulations, Colonel Carter?" He kept his breathing even and light as he tethered them both to the side of the Supergate. The odds that they would be stranded here without chance of rescue were high. It was a price he had been willing to pay since the day he'd defied the Goa'uld and turned his staff weapon on his own men. Once again on this day he'd taken a chance as he'd suited up in one of the Lucian Alliance's space suits, and called the Asgard to beam him over by the faint life sign floating next to the Supergate. There was no more he could do other than to assist in anything the Colonel might require, so he conserved his oxygen and waited for her to save their universe.
****
"So... Teal'c. Is there anything I need to bring?" Teal'c frowned, surprised that Colonel Mitchell still seemed worried about tonight. He took one deep breath, reaching for the calm at his center before answering.
"I believe I answered your question in detail, twice."
"Well, yeah," the Colonel agreed. His hand waved through the air as if it could dispel the cloud of irritation that conversation with him often created. "I know you said that he had everything covered, but this is General O -the legend himself- Neill, we are talking about."
"You have met the General on several occasions, have you not?" Teal'c asked, feeling inordinately relieved that his room was in sight. He liked Cameron Mitchell, respected him even, but at times he found the younger mans restless energy and need to please reminded him of Taur'i canine young.
"Sure, we're buds," Colonel Mitchell said, cutting in front of him, blocking off his most obvious route of escape. Teal'c weighed the pros and cons of physically removing the Colonel from his path. "But it's a party, man! It's customary to bring a gift to the host."
Teal'c had not considered this. He raised a brow as he contemplated this bit of information. It was true that they rarely showed up at another teammates house without a gift of some form, be it pizza or donuts or- "I believe the gift of beer would be most welcome."
"Ah!" Colonel Mitchell snapped his fingers and then chucked Teal'c on the arm. " See? I knew you would know." He stepped around Teal'c and started to jog down the hallway towards his own quarters. "See you at 1600." He paused before Teal'c could disappear into his quarters, "Hey Teal'c-baby, do you need a ride? I heard the Escalade was in the shop."
"No thank-you. Colonel Carter has already offered to drive." He opened the door, considering only for a moment the propriety of what he was doing then called back over his shoulder. "Might I suggest that you also purchase some Ben and Jerry's. Chocolate Brownie Batter is O'Neill's favorite permutation."
Colonel Mitchell had after all, called him "Teal'c-baby."
****
Samantha Carter was elbow deep into the guts of the control panel of the Supergate. Teal'c was grateful for the tether, as his arms were full of wires and panels and bits of electronics that She didn't want to float away. He could hear her breathing, fast and erratic as well as the occasional curse when the bulky white gloves she wore got in the way of the work she needed to do. Above them, a few sluggishly moving ships still fired upon the Ori vessels, but most were shredded to bits and scattered like bones. The Ori guns lit the carnage in lightning fast flashes as they fired. There were bodies among the wreckage. Teal'c closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind. Now was not the time to think of friends lost.
"There, yeah. All RIGHT!" She yanked on a connector, pushing back to the end of her tether so she could see the blue lake of the event horizon that stretched in front of them. Samantha sighed. "Any other time. I'd say it's beautiful." She bumped into him and careened off in the other direction.
"I concur." Teal'c blinked as the blue faded, the edges dissipating a split second before it winked out. They both floated for a moment, the darkness a stark contrast to the cool wash of blue that had previously flooded their vision. Thoughts of his son surfaced, and he fervently hoped that Ray'ac would know that he died with honor... It was too dark now to see if any of their fleet remained. "What else does your plan require?" Teal'c asked. He was drifting in Samantha's world now, completely out of his depth, and yet at peace with the series of decisions that led him here. Samantha pulled herself back down to the ledge. She tugged him in beside her and started to rifle through the detritus in his arms. "Kree shak shel nok", he murmured.
"I need to dial the gate." Samantha was all business. She knew the Ori ships were already turning. " We were going to do this on the Valhalla so I'm not sure how long this will take." She inserted a crystal into a panel and punched some commands onto a glowing pad. "I'm not sure if I can even dial from this piece. of. CRAP!" She huffed and punched her thumb onto the pad hard. There was no sound, yet he could feel a gathering of energy. Colonel Carter typed furiously, dialing a predetermined address. He held his own anxiety in reserve. To fidget would serve no purpose and might possibly distract the Colonel. Their only hope was for Samantha Carter to finish dialing before the Ori figured out what they were up to and dialed their own address in.
****
At 1415 Teal'c stepped out of the cave of Cheyenne Mountain to find Samantha Carter waiting for him.
"You honor me," he said as he admired her bike, a 2001 Indian Chief Deluxe, a two-seater as she'd called it, bought when she had been courting Pete. It had been nearly a year since he had ridden with her. However, he could vividly recall the hum of the engine between his legs, Samantha Carter, warm and solid in front of him, and the road blurring by like he was strapped into an F302. He waited in eager anticipation for her to shrug on her jacket and pull on her helmet. She handed him her spare. Jet black and gleaming, just like her motorcycle.
"Yeah, well, you saved my life. I figured I owed you one."
Teal'c nodded. "In that case, I will drive." He caught a flash of white teeth and laughing blue eyes before she slapped her visor down and straddled her bike.
"I'd like to get there alive- thankyouverymuch." She said, muffled by her protective gear. "I guess I'll just have to owe you another."
Teal'c pulled on his helmet and got on behind her. "Next mission, you may save my life."
"It's a deal!" she yelled over the roar of the engine. He barely got his arms around her waist before she popped the clutch and thundered out of the parking lot.
The drive into Colorado Springs was exhilarating. Samantha did not push the Indian as hard as he would have, but she opened it up and let the bike eat up the distance like an hungry Unas. Teal'c longed to pull off the helmet and let the crisp, cool air wash memory of the SGC's stale, recycled air out of his lungs. Most of his time was spent either off world, or so far underground that he would forget how beautiful the Taur'i home world could be.
He had at one time considered taking Cameron Mitchell up on the offer to find him another suitable off base dwelling, but the truth was that he was comfortable in his quarters. The fact that his room was considered temporary served as a constant reminder of his promise to Ray'ac. One day, he would return to Chulak.
****
Teal'c could feel the power building in the Supergate; a tremor vibrated through the thick soles of his boots. A quick glance above him showed the Ori ships had formed a loose half-circle around their position. The tremor turned violent as a charge of static raced across the surface of the gate as the segments activated. a grandly scaled kawoosh boiled out from the flat ring. Their only hope was to remain tethered to the gate. Logic dictated that the Ori would not shoot them and risk destroying the Supergate.
Teal'c barely had time to be surprised when the front gun of the nearest Ori ship began to glow and spit out an energy beam in their direction. Without hesitation, he pulled Carter close and yanked on his tether, bumping hard into the side of the gate. The shot was wide, but the heat- he bit his lip to keep from crying out. His right arm and leg were boiling inside his suit, the rubber bubbling. Colonel Carter was gasping as well.
If the Ori were careful, they would not have to damage the gate to kill them.
"Kra'nel'kara, Samantha Carter. I hold you in the highest of regard."
She touched her helmet to his, eyes shining and grim. "It's been an honor, Teal'c."
He bowed his head, and that's when all hell broke lose.
He saw it out of the corner of his eye, a lance of light that cut through the furthest Ori ships shield like a knife through jello. The explosion snapped their tether and threw them out into open space, just as the other ship fired across their position. He and Samantha gripped each other painfully tight as the beam arced straight towards them, only instead of vaporizing, they found themselves holding each other upright on the bridge of an Asgard vessel.
Samantha Carter’s legs gave way, as did his own. They ended up in a heap on the floor, her head pressed painfully against his burned arm. Hands appeared in the periphery of his vision and quickly pulled off their helmet and neck-seal. The side of Colonel Carter’s face was pink and raw. She blinked up at him dazedly. "All is well, Samantha," he said, his voice pitched for her ears alone. "Asgard beaming technology has saved the day, yet again."
"You know, I never get tired of that." She smiled weakly, the edges turning down into a grimace.
"Nor do I," he replied with only a trace of irony. He shifted until she was almost in his lap and then staggered to his feet. Two pair of hands shored him up as he cradled Samantha in his arms. He was not surprised that it was Daniel Jackson and Cameron Mitchell.
"Easy there, big guy. They’re bringing some stretchers." Colonel Mitchell's expression was soft and concerned. He reached for Samantha but an odd sense of possessiveness had Teal'c tightening his grip. She grunted in pain, her face buried in the crook of his neck.
"It's okay, Teal’c," Daniel reassured. "You can barely stand and we are just trying to help."
"It's over for now," Colonel Mitchell said. Something in his face, something determined and caring that he'd seen in O’Neill many times over the years loosened the knot of anxiety that resided where his symbiote used to be. He allowed them to take Samantha and shuffle her to the gurney and out of his sight.
"Teal’c?" Daniel prodded. "Are you all right?"
"I will live to fight another day, Daniel Jackson."
"You need to have the Asgard medics take a look at-"
"In good time, Daniel. For now, there are still three Ori ships off our bow, and I am curious about the weapon the Asgard used against the fourth."
Daniel nodded. "Fair enough."
****
They arrived at O'Neill's residence at 1455. The house looked the same as ever, and for a moment Teal'c indulged in wishing that O’Neill still lived there, that he still commanded the SGC... The reality was that O’Neill's house was on the market and this would probably be the last time that they would congregate here in any way.
He had been surprised when O’Neill had called him and announced that he was going to gather his friends together for a celebration. A sort of a "Thanks for saving the earth, again" party as O’Neill had called it. However, Teal'c knew the General long enough to understand that O’Neill was merely providing a much needed break for the military and scientists who had been locked in their labs since the Korolev and the Samantha Carter had returned them home.
Teal'c had only stayed long enough to attend the memorial service for the crew of the Odyssey. After spending the rest of the week gating to Dakara and then to Chulak, he also welcomed the diversion.
The council had many ships out in their own frantic search for technology to use against the Ori. He had eventually abandoned his attempts to reason with his brothers and sisters of the council. On Chulak he collected scientists loyal to Bra’tac and brought them back to work on the project. General Landry had agreed that any technology gained from the study of the Ori Satellite should go to everyone who stood together in the first true battle of the war. There were even a couple of quiet and cautious people from the Lucian Alliance. Perhaps such generous terms would finally convince the council that the Tau'ri were honorable allies.
Or probably not, he thought as he gently guided Samantha up the steps to the General's home.
O'Neill opened the door before they knocked, he gestured them into the warm slash of light. Teal'c watched with interest as O’Neill and Samantha hugged, looking for any sign --a gesture, a lingering touch-- anything that would reveal the current state of their relationship. After O’Neill had transferred Teal'c had assumed --but then Samantha had transferred to Area 51--
"T!" O’Neill held out his arm, and Teal'c gripped it, pulling him in for a brief but tight hug. "You ready to get the Asgard drunk and dancing on the tables?"
"You did not tell me the Asgard would be consuming alcohol, O'Neill." Jack cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. Teal'c schooled his features carefully, but had a hard time containing his grin. "I would have convinced Colonel Mitchell to bring more beer."
Samantha watched them both with a small smile. "I don't think the Asgard drink."
"Ah!" O’Neill said as he headed toward the kitchen. "More beer for me!"
Daniel stuck his head out of the kitchen entry. "Hey guys."
****
"Like the old song says, I ain't to proud to beg." The Colonel's face was plastered with an insufferable grin, however Thor's expression was a mix of surprise and hurt. Kvasir simply narrowed his eyes. Teal'c did not want to know what the easily offended alien might be plotting to do to Colonel Mitchell.
Teal'c eyebrow shot up, it was about the only reaction that he still had the energy for. They were eating food scavenged from the Korolev. Someone had smuggled a box of Russian pastries into the meeting and set them out among the Asgard food cubes. Currently he was munching on something Colonel Carter had lovingly called a Boolochky. The soft sweet cheese and almonds wrapped in flaky sweet pastry dough was very appetizing. She had also put something called a Sooshka that vaguely resembled a bagel on his plate, and he'd grabbed a couple of yellow food cubes as well. He could have easily eaten three times what was on his plate but after a day filled with such loss, it did not seem appropriate.
"I assure you, that is not the case," Thor replied. "We were already on our way to earth when we received the Colonel's distress call. I diverted the Samantha Carter and brought it here immediately." The captains of the three O'Neill class vessels, the captain of the Korolev. and SG-1 were sitting at a long low conference table just off the bridge of Thor's ship.
"So," Samantha Carter interrupted. "You managed to reprogram the Rand Protectorate's satellite."
"That is correct," Heimdall confirmed. "As you know, with the help of the incomplete diagrams your contact had provided we were able to shut the device off. We then towed the satellite to Adara and began to study it. Once we were able to crack the Ori encryption, we managed wipe the Ori command set and replace it with one of our own."
"Brilliant!" Colonel Carter said. "So once you towed it here, you used their own weapon against them and then used the shielding technology to seal off access to the gate! Simple but effective."
"Of course," Ksavir demurred. "It is unfortunate that we could not get here sooner, but we were able to create a much more complete schematic of how the device works."
Colonel Mitchell leaned forward, pulling Samantha's laptop around where he could read it though Teal'c doubted that he could understand a tenth of the information scrolling across the screen. To the room at large Mitchell asked, "So tactically, what are we talking here?"
Samantha Carter was too tired to muster up her usual level of excitement, her face and neck still pink. Like him the burns extended all the way down her side. The mental image made his own burns itch and sting despite the medical treatment that had received. The burns were not bad enough to put them out of action, but neither of them would be battle ready for a few days. Mostly they were fortunate their suits integrity had not been compromised by the heat.
"If what Kvasir says is correct, then we should be able to reverse engineer our own weapons and shielding utilizing this technology."
Colonel Mitchell nodded all traces of humor momentarily gone.
Daniel leaned forward, and interjected, "You're saying this could give us a fighting chance while we search for Merlin's Sangreal?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
Colonel Mitchell pumped his fist into the air and exclaimed, "Now we're talkin'!"
"I believe talking is what we are currently doing, Colonel Mitchell." Teal'c replied to the Colonel's excited outburst. The manner in which Colonel Mitchell's face wrinkled in confusion never ceased to be amusing.
****
The first hour had been for family, the original four. They didn't do anything more than help O’Neill set up the food and drinks, but it was an hour of rare quality. Natural patterns ingrained, as familiar as the lines in his hands. Samantha Carter helped him set up the buffet table, while Daniel heated and unwrapped the food and handed it out for them to find appropriate placement. O'Neill, predictably, handled the alcohol. Perhaps deliberately, no one spoke of the impending threat of the Ori. Any time the conversation steered remotely in that direction, O’Neill 's voice cut in, loud and while not quite commanding, the subject was quickly sidelined. When that didn't work, he plied Samantha and Daniel with beer.
By the time the other guests arrived, Samantha was pink-cheeked and relaxed, her eyes sparkling appealingly from laughter. Daniel was quiet but Teal‘c knew that one or two more beers would loosen his tongue and Daniel would take off like an F302 until the alcohol put him down for the night.
At exactly 0400, Colonel Mitchell showed up, along with General Landry, Mal' tak, Kayir and Bradek'. Kvasir beamed in, making apologies for Thor and Heimdall. The Tok’ ra were suspiciously absent, but there was one member of the Lucian alliance. Teal'c did not know his name, but he was determined to know that and more by the end of the night.
Cameron Mitchell dutifully handed over the case of beer to O’Neill. He pulled the pint of Ben and Jerry's out of the brown paper bag and held it up. O’Neill 's eyebrows pulled down into a confused frown as he set the beer down and grabbed the proffered pint. "Brownie Batter," he said, speculatively "Hey, T, isn't this-"
"My favorite permutation," Teal'c finished. Teal'c had a spoon ready and quickly relieved O'Neill of the ice cream. "Thank you, O'Neill, you shouldn't have."
"He didn't," Colonel Mitchell grumbled. Teal'c caught a flash of irritation in his eyes before they quickly shuttered and the younger man smiled, seeming to quite literally, shake it off. "But hey, it's not like I had to go to two different stores to find it or anything."
O’Neill simply handed Mitchell a beer. "Play nice children."
"Is that an order, sir?" Colonel Mitchell took a long swallow, his expression suddenly inscrutable.
"It's your team," O’Neill replied just as inscrutably and Teal'c tried to extrapolate exactly what was being communicated and how long it would take O’Neill to corner him later. He hoped he'd finally pushed Colonel Mitchell far enough for him to stop “playing nice“... Teal'c had grown weary of waiting.
Teal'c drifted to where Samantha was sitting among a tight circle of scientists. It reminded him of being tethered to the Supergate, floating on a sea of ideas only half understood and yet he found comfort in it. He offered her a bite of his prize, which she accepted with a smile and he studiously did not notice the way her eyes slid shut as the ice cream hit her tongue or the small sound of pleasure she made as she swallowed.
Such awareness was an unwelcome distraction. Yet after all the years of not noticing Samantha Carter, he couldn't undo realization that she was not just extraordinary but an extraordinarily attractive woman. He blocked her second attempt to hijack another spoonful of his ice cream.
****
"So, is there some sort of Jaffa hazing period that I'm not aware of?"
It had taken O’Neill a little longer than he expected to corner him on the back deck. The crowd had thinned as if the sheer force of O’Neill 's will had sent them all inside. Teal'c did not turn around, nor did he answer him immediately.
"Seriously, T. what's up with you and Cam?"
"Cameron Mitchell shows much promise. You would not have selected him as your replacement if he did not."
He could predict the raise of O’Neill 's eyebrows, and the impatient bounce on the balls of his feet. "I'm guessing there is a *but* in there somewhere?"
"You have always been terrible at fishing O'Neill." He finally turned and faced the General, for it was he and not Jack O'Neill -the friend- that he was addressing.
"Yeah, well, on your best days you're not exactly the most sharing guy on the block."
"Indeed," He stayed silent a few moments longer just to watch O’Neill twitch. With a bow of his head, he leaned against the railing, took a deep breath to compose himself and tried to explain.
"When I was going through my training under Bra'tac, for the longest time, I believed Bra'tac despised me. He acknowledged my accomplishments, but I always believed that there was always a sense of disapproval underneath our interactions." Teal'c paused while O’Neill opened a beer for himself and flipped the hamburgers. "For a long time, my response was to try harder, to be perfect in all my endeavors, to completely conform to every expectation that my master and by extension my God had for me. Yet, I could not."
“Bra'tac was testing you… pushing you to see if you would push back." It was not a question. O’Neill had heard Teal'c tell the story of his rise to First Prime. He knew Bra'tac's place in this tale.
"You are correct," Teal'c could see O’Neill making the connections. He was always much more nimble-minded than his colleagues outside the SGC gave him credit for. "I grew increasingly frustrated and angry over what I perceived to be cruel and unfair bias until I finally reacted. It was the moment Bra'tac had been waiting for and the first time he openly challenged my belief in the Gods."
"So you are waiting for Cameron to get angry enough to deck you or worse so that you can teach him a lesson?" O’Neill appeared less than convinced.
"Essentially." Teal'c agreed. "We are not as the gods, O'Neill. We are not infallible. The Colonel has proved to be an accomplished leader, if a bit lacking in impulse control. And while I understand his ambition to lead SG-1, it is disturbing how eager he seems to be to satisfy all of us, all the time."
"Ah," O’Neill said.
"It is an impossible task," Teal'c stated impassively.
"That's true."
"The sooner he stops trying-"
"I get it," O’Neill interrupted. "You have a plan."
Teal'c cocked his head and stared at O’Neill for a long moment, until he took a swig of his beer, grinning around the bottle. "I trust you, T."
Teal'c bowed.
"May I ask a personal question, O'Neill?"
"Can I start calling you Master Teal'c?"
Teal'c did not dignify the question with a response. O’Neill just shrugged, as if to say he'd tried and that Teal'c really did lack a funny-bone.
"Shoot."
"Samantha Carter."
"Ah."
****
"And then, Kenny Mitchell threw up and there was cream corn everywhere! It was on Leslie's shoes, on her hose, in her dress, and of course, being the idiot that I am when it comes to girls -- I started to laugh." Cameron Mitchell leaned back into the couch, an easy grin on his face.
"Oh you didn't," Samantha Carter snorted, turning her cheek into Teal'c's shoulder to hide her laughter.
"Oh but I did." Cameron said chuckling and shaking his head. "Forget getting around the bases, we headed back, my dad's car smelling like sour corn and Leslie Wilson glaring daggers at me and Kenny all the way home. Megan was just glad Kenny leaned left instead of right. Worst date in my life and that was the first and last time I ever tried the group make-out thing." Cameron nudged the Lucian scientist in the shoulder. "What about you, Jeb. What's your worst date ever?"
Jeb's eyes went wide and panicked for a moment, but Cameron's aw-shucks routine had already drawn Jeb into the conversation. The man mumbled something about kissing, electrocution and routing crystals. He sighed heavily when he realized he had the rapt attention of their group, launching somewhat reluctantly into the full story.
Beside him, Samantha sighed softly and sunk even deeper into the niche of his side. Her feet were curled up onto the couch, her head nestled comfortably on his shoulder. No one made comment on the propriety of their closeness, and he only once caught O’Neill staring contemplatively, his mouth pulled down, not quite in a frown.
O’Neill 's answer still intrigued and annoyed him. Over the years he had come to expect straight answers from O'Neill, though he should have expected the deflection when he‘d strayed into the personal realm. He still knew little more than what were contained in official reports about the death of O’Neill's son.
****
"Samantha Carter."
"Ah."
"It was assumed that you and she had finally consummated your relationship" Teal'c faltered, noting the pained expression that surfaced briefly on O'Neill's face.
"That." O'Neill opened the grill and turned the meat. For a moment, the smoke obscured him and Teal'c wondered if he'd overstepped his bounds.
"Perhaps I have been too presumptuous." Teal'c offered an escape.
"Don't be ridiculous, T. you know you can ask me anything."
"And yet still, you do not answer." Teal’c replied.
"Tell ya what. Ask Carter. You can tell her I said it was okay if you have to, and if she wants to tell you, then," he shrugged, "you'll have your answer."
"So you are concerned for her privacy?" Teal'c asked, not for a moment, believing that was the reason.
"She can probably explain what happened better than I can." He said. A lingering bitterness escaped into O’Neill 's words. Barely discernable, except Teal'c knew him too well. "Still trying to figure it out myself."
Teal'c stepped forward and clasped his shoulder. "It is regrettable, O'Neill."
"Yeah, yeah." O’Neill mumbled irritably, but he reached up and squeezed Teal'c forearm. "Go tell Daniel, I need that pan. The chicken's done."
They had left it at that.
****
The second time Samantha convulsed slightly after nodding off and then jerking awake, Teal'c pitched his voice for her ears and said, "Perhaps it is time for us to retire."
Samantha smiled and nodded as a yawn overtook whatever reply she was about to give. Teal'c stood and offered her a hand up. She swayed a little on her feet most likely a combination of alcohol and fatigue. "It would be wise if I were to drive."
She eyed him suspiciously. However, on this he would brook no argument. He held out his hand, and after a moment of silent battle, she handed him the keys. She ambled up to Colonel Mitchell, who was poking through the remnants of the bar, and threw her arm around his shoulder. Whatever she said brought a wide smile to his face. Mitchell glanced back at him, and he bowed slightly. There existed a gossamer thread of tension between them. Enough to make Mitchell's smile falter and his posture to tense and go wary. Teal'c bowed a little deeper to cover his amusement. When Mitchell finally pushed back, he mused, that would be an interesting day indeed.
Teal'c also bowed at Daniel, who was sprawled bonelessly on O’Neill 's easy-chair. He waved in their general direction, heavy lidded and spent. O’Neill had called him a lightweight and Teal'c was inclined to agree. He was grateful that O'Neill was housing him for the night. He doubted O’Neill would be able to peel him off the chair.
O’Neill met them at the door. Sam hugged him tightly, hanging on until O’Neill's stiff spine melted and a small smile graced his face. His eyes were warm when he let her go, helping her slip into her jacket. He handed Teal'c his own, grasping his arm and squeezing. "Take good care of her, Master Teal'c." He let go and stepped back, his emotions carefully hidden behind his blandest expression, but a sparkle of wry humor showed in his eyes.
Teal'c could read a thousand meanings into the exchange but decided that he would take O’Neill's words at face value. "I will make sure she gets home safely."
"I'm sure you will." This time, there was no trace of bitterness.
****
The ride to Samantha's house was most enjoyable. She had immediately draped herself comfortably over his back. Her curves molded to all the right places and revved his engines faster than the motorcycle's. She was just drunk enough to be delighted when he opened the throttle up and tore through the near empty streets of Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, giving into his need for speed meant that their trip was a brief one.
Samantha staggered a little when she got off the bike; the act of walking and pulling off her helmet temporarily confounding her. He quickly kicked down the stand and moved to steady her. She shrugged away, moving ahead to unlock the door. "Come on in," she said, impatiently gesturing him inside.
Once in, they stood in her entry, at a momentary loss of words. The frisson of attraction that had been growing inside Teal'c rendered him momentarily speechless. Samantha blinked owlishly at him and yawned so wide that her jaw cracked.
"Oh, man." She clapped her hand over her mouth. "Sorry." She wandered in towards the kitchen, seeming a near stranger in her own home. "Want some juice? I ordered some groceries online so it's fresh."
"I am not thirsty, Samantha, nor do I require any food."
She looked over the refrigerator door, cocking an eyebrow at him. "You're not hungry? Are you okay?"
He smiled and shook his head. "I am merely tired."
"Yeah," she agreed as she poured herself a small glass of orange juice. She took a sip, her shoulders sagging as she leaned onto the counter. "It feels like we haven't stopped running in months."
"We have not." He approached the counter and leaned on his hip beside her.
She lifted the glass, using it as she would a pointer. "You know, Jack was just trying to get us out of the labs."
"An astute observation." He took the glass from her hand and drank.
She smirked up at him, lightly punching him in the side. "Jack's a smart guy...."
"Indeed." In that moment, Teal'c really did not want to talk about the General. "About O'Neill--"
"But he's not as smart as he thinks he is." She took her glass back, drained it, then set it on the counter between them. Her eyes met his, electric blue, exotic, beautiful and appearing in that moment neither drunk nor tired. He got the distinct impression that she was daring him, though it occurred to him that making a move while she was inebriated was not the ideal time.
He leaned in and kissed her softly. She grunted in surprise, pulling back slightly. He froze, unsure, and then she leaned in, warm lips moist and pliant against his. He cupped her cheek lightly, asking for more but not taking anything that Samantha was unwilling to give. The moment spun out as her mouth opened to his, infinity compressed into the sparkling rush of a wormhole- and then it was over.
Samantha pulled away just far enough to break the kiss with a small wet sound. Her breath hitched and then rushed outward in a long sigh that he could feel along the length of their bodies. She tilted her face, rubbing her cheek against his, breathing him in like she was coming home. It made him desperately achingly hard, yet he held himself in reserve.
"Wow."
"Mmm," he agreed. He whispered kisses along her jaw line, and her lips pressed baby-soft kisses against his temple in return.
"So what's the plan here?" she said, breathy and a wary. On TV, he'd watched American cowboys settle wild horses, slowly maneuvering to gain their trust. Finally he understood what that must be like.
"I have no expectations for this evening, Samantha." He tasted the skin where her ear connected with her graceful neck. Then with one last taste of her lips, he pulled together all of his control and stepped back. "I have no desire to rush you into something you might later regret."
She took a shaky breath, nodding as she reached out to lay her hand over his. He ran his thumb up and brushed the top of her hand, noting the slight tremble that vibrated from her bones.
"There may not be a lot of time left for regrets, Teal'c."
"Tel ma te." He closed his hand over hers and squeezed. "I have confidence in my team, and in you Samantha Carter."
Her smile was as dazzling as the twin suns of Chulak. She tugged him closer, her free hand skimming up over the muscles of his arm. "So, save the world tomorrow, and then talk?"
Teal'c bent down and kissed her one last time, just a soft press of lips. Any more and his control might have broken. "Indeed." Her lips curled up under his and he imagined he could taste that smile, bright and golden against the dark corners of his calak, his soul. “Though I cannot guarantee there will be much talking involved.”
Later…
The noise was almost subliminal, but it was enough to rouse him out of his sleep. He had tried to meditate, but could not rid himself of the sensation of flying while standing still. An hour after Samantha had finally disappeared down the hall and into her rooms, he'd given up, taken the proffered blanket that she‘d left out, and crawled onto the couch. He'd drifted almost immediately.
The sound resumed, and now that he was awake, he recognized it for the soft clack of Samantha's keyboard.
He sat up and looked at the clock on the mantle. It was 0300. He floated, dozing for another half-hour, the soft click of the keys grounding him as they often did when he sat in her labs. Even away from the base she could not stop working.
It occurred to him in this state that he did not have to ask Samantha why it did not work out with Jack. His understanding of both his friends made the answer simple. O’Neill could walk away, even if for just a little while. Samantha could not. The one time O’Neill had convinced Samantha to go fishing with him, she'd brought her laptop. He should have known that it spelled doom for the relationship as clearly as his sigil marked him a servant of Apophis. He could clearly visualize O’Neill 's reaction to waking up at three to find Samantha wrapped up in an equation just as completely as he was in his blanket.
In that moment an idea struck him like a staff blast to the heart. One day, on Chulak-- Samantha, perhaps a university, a lab... it's a thought he could grow accustomed to. His eyes drooped down, heavy with contentment. When he wakes he will tell her this.
The End.
