Fic: How Teal'c Discovered Makeup
First fic in a while. First Stargate fic, ever. Just getting a feel for the universe here.
Title: Untitled (Am up for suggestions)
Author: Psychofilly
Universe: Stargate, Season one.
Category: character study, slight fluff
Summary: Captain Carter, Teal'c and makeup, nuff said. I've only seen up to season 3, and then 8 and 9.
Disclaimer: Not Mine, belong to Showtime and Sci-Fi, Teal'c is my new boyfriend, yadda, yadda.
Special Mention: The persons who wrote the Cam/Teal'c round robin. Thank you for bringing my new slash 'ship to my attention. To Little Heaven, Julie Fortune and Marla for the quick, gentle, simultaneous spank. To Kel, just cuz. :pinches all your bottoms:
"But General… Sir, it's just for the evening, three, four hours tops!" Jack protested.
General Hammond bustled his way down the narrow gray corridor, Jack in step right behind him. "I understand that, Colonel, but Teal'c represents a significant risk to the security of personnel off base."
"Do you actually think he's going to go nuts or that the Goa'uld are going to kidnap him during a state function with all the security that's going to be in place?" He asked incredulously, "Besides they asked for the team, and Teal'c is a part of our team."
"Jack," General Hammond warned, "This discussion is over."
Sam hung back at the mouth of the junction, letting the Colonel and General pass, still deep in argument despite Hammond's declaration to the contrary. Teal'c's presence was like a sun baked wall at her back, warm, solid and inscrutable. She chanced a glance back at the newest member of their team. His expression remained impassive despite the fact that it was his freedom being debated by the two quickly retreating figures.
He raised a brow as if in answer to her inquiring look. "It would seem that I will not be joining the rest of the team for dinner after all, Captain Carter." His posture was closed, but composed. She couldn't tell if he was upset or not. For the millionth time in the weeks since his arrival, she wondered if all Jaffa held themselves with such reserve.
"It's not fair," she said as they resumed walking. "I realize you're not a citizen, but you're a member of SG-1."
"Perhaps my motives are still open for debate by those in power over your organization," he replied smoothly.
"I'm sure they are, but the fact is that if we have to get dressed up and be bored to death, you should too."
"Death?" Teal'c stopped walking and stared down at her, his dark eyes wide. "Are you speaking literally, Captain Carter."
"What? Oh!" Sam smiled and shook her head. "No, it's just an expression. Well, sometimes these functions are so boring you might wish you were dead, but no actual death occurs."
"Indeed." He cocked his head as he contemplated what she had said. After a moment he asked, "If this is the case then why are you all so insistent that I attend. Would I not be happier to stay on the base?"
Sam continued down the hall while she thought over her words carefully. She could feel the weight of Teal'c's gaze heavy on her back as he trailed a couple of steps behind. "It's possible that you would be saving yourself some boredom and hassle by staying on the base, but that's not the point." She turned to face him, ignoring the steady stream of personnel eddying around them like two rocks in a river. "The point is that we, as a team, are being honored. You have proved yourself in every way to Colonel O'Neill, Daniel and myself out there, in the field. If you don't share in the honor of the team, then we haven't proved ourselves worthy to stand by your side."
One long step closed the distance between them. Teal'c stood over her, his arms clasped behind his back. As he searched her face for a brief moment. His lips curved up, and he bowed slightly, a study in economy of motion. "I find you most honorable, Samantha Carter."
At a loss of how to respond, she bowed back. His smile grew wider, until she caught a flash of white teeth, then his features smoothed into their normal poker faced blandness. With a quick nod, he turned on his heel and headed to his room down the hall. Samantha let out a deep breath. Talking to Teal'c could be like navigating a field of mines. One wrong step and your words could explode in your face, but she found his directness appealing.
She realized, that in talking to Teal'c she had zigged when she should have zagged. She turned around to head to her own room and almost ran headlong into Colonel O'Neill.
"Hey, Captain Carter! I was just on my way to give Teal'c the good news." He gave her a good natured chuck on the arm.
"You convinced General Hammond to let him go?"
"You bet'cha. I just told him that if Teal'c didn't go, then neither did we," He hesitated a moment then said, "and I might have groveled a bit."
She chuckled, "Never underestimate the power of a good grovel."
"Something like that." He smiled, bouncing on his heels with pent-up energy. She had quickly realized that for the Colonel, a fight was a fight, be it fists, weapons or words, it still got his engine going.
"So when do we leave?" she asked.
"1800, so that gives you a couple of hours to do- whatever it is you do."
"Yes sir," she said, clicking her heels together and snapping off a quick salute. The Colonel answered her with a weak wristed salute of his own as she left. She headed to her room to get her dress uniform out and make sure her shoes were shined to perfection.
An hour later and Samantha had her jacket pressed, her shoes shined and her makeup half on when there was a loud knock at her door. "Just a minute!" She yelled, as she finished blending a line of eye shadow. She checked her reflection, frowning. She looked ridiculous with only one eye done.
She hurried over and opened door, surprised to find Teal'c standing in the corridor. "Teal'c, hey."
"I apologize for interrupting you." Something had cracked his wall of reserve. He looked harried. "I am having trouble with my attire."
She looked him up and down. Somebody had given him a suit. He had the pants on and his tee shirt with the unbuttoned dress shirt thrown on over it. He held up a necktie. "I do not understand the purpose of this… device."
She opened the door wider and ushered him inside.
"I could not find either Daniel Jackson or Colonel O'Neill to explain to me what to do with a nec'tee."
She waved him over to the standard issue chair, next to the small table that each room came with. "It's okay, Teal'c, lots of people find them tricky. I used to tie my dads all the time."
He visibly relaxed, "So you will assist me."
"I will," She said as she ducked back into the bathroom. "Just give me a second." She picked up her makeup brush and added some color to her other eye. She nearly jumped when she noticed Teal'c's reflection. He'd followed her into the small bathroom and was watching her. "I'll be just a minute, Teal'c," she said.
"I noticed you had kohl." He stated matter-of-factly.
"We call it eye shadow, but yeah. I have a lot." She looked away in an effort to cover the blush rising to her cheeks. It was almost too intimate of a detail. She served with these guys for weeks now, ate with them, bunked with them. She knew Daniel snored, Jack farted a lot, and that Teal'c became as serene and still as a Buddha during kel'no'reem. They barely tried to hide any more when they had to relieve themselves. But somehow, she was able to keep that separate, to forget the details when she got back. It gave her an illusion of privacy. "My brother's wife works for Mary Kay," she offered up by way of explanation.
"I am unfamiliar with this Mary Kay."
"It's a makeup brand. Not just kohl, they have facial wash, crèmes, concealers, bases, bronzers, and blush among other things." She chuckled, as she surveyed the piles of makeup strewn across her small vanity. "It's kind of funny, actually. She always talks me into buying this stuff, and I hardly use any of it. I end up throwing it away, but I always end up buying more."
His eyebrow quirked, "Could you not just tell her no."
Carter bit her lip. This was one of those times when Teal'c's directness hit a raw nerve. As if sensing it, he drew up into himself and offered, "It is none of my concern. Please, forget that I inquired."
She tossed the little shadow applicator down on the counter. "It's okay, it's just that relations in my family are strained. For me, buying all this crap is an excuse to come over. It's sad that it's come to that, but…" She shrugged. The frosty relations between her father, brother and herself weren't going to thaw any time soon.
"I understand all too well, Samantha Carter." He picked up her discarded applicator. "I regret any discomfort I may have caused you." He turned to face her. "May I?"
"Sure," she said before she realized what he was asking. He picked up the shadow compact, eyed it for a second and dabbed a little color onto the foam. He leaned forward and gently brushed it right under her eyebrow. She jerked backwards, completely surprised.
"Teal'c!" What are you-?" He was so close, invading her space, filling up the small room.
He quickly set the compact down and grabbed her face, pulling her close. "Have I harmed your eye?"
"No, but-"
"You are not hurt?"
"No!" She pushed him back a step. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I was highlighting your brow with-"
"You were, what?" She turned and studied her face in the mirror. Her mouth snapped closed as she realized, "Hey that looks pretty good. I usually, don't go that far up."
"I find it gives the illusion of lift, and brightens the eyes."
She shut one eye then the other, trying to compare. The Teal'c in the mirror looked mighty pleased with himself. She turned to face him and shut her eyes "Yeah okay, do the other one."
"Among the Serpent guard we outlined our eyes with kohl, and would dust each other's faces with gold until our skin gleamed and all among the Jaffa would know we were first, the ones most beloved by Apophis." She listened as he applied her makeup, his touch, by hands so large they swallowed the little brush, was feather light. "Though I have renounced Apophis and all that came with my position as First Prime, I sometimes miss this. As simple a thing that it is." He took a step back. "You are complete Captain Carter."
She stared at her reflection for a long time as he retreated to finish dressing. In a few simple strokes he had made her look as if she had a professional stylist do her makeup. He hadn't done anything flashy, but had managed to pull her look from military blah to understated yet classy. And he'd opened up a crack. Not bad.
She found him sitting on her bed, when she left the bathroom. Again she felt his encroachment on the beachhead of her privacy but then he mutely he held up the tie. She smiled and took it. "Stand up, Teal'c and let's see you."
He dutifully stood and let her smooth out the jacket and flip up his collar.
"You are certain this is not some ancient torture device?"
She worked the tie around his neck and knotted it. "That depends on who you ask," she replied as she futzed with the tie.
He tilted his head down and narrowed his eyes. "You are being deliberately vague."
She gave the tie one last tug and smoothed her hands down the front of his jacket. "I don't know why men wear ties, Teal'c. They just do. If you really want to know, ask Daniel."
He turned around and surveyed her work in her mirror. "I do not believe I want to know that badly." He turned from one side to the other, his lips pulled down into a frown. "When we get another leave, will you assist me in picking out some clothes for such occasions?"
"Something without a tie?"
"Yes."
She laughed then, and once more was treated to a real smile. "You look great, but I think there is one thing missing." She held out her hand, "Come here, I have an idea."
*****
They assembled at 1800 as ordered. General Hammond looking comfortable in his dress uniform, Jack looking less than comfortable. Sam arrived next, glad that she had arrived before Teal'c. She was quietly eager to see the reaction his new look would create. She did not have long to wait.
Teal'c sauntered up the passageway and stood beside her, acknowledging her with a slight nod of his head, which he repeated to the Colonel and General. The General's frowned, but said nothing. Jack eyed the Jaffa suspiciously, his eyes cutting to Teal'c then away as if he needed to get multiple confirmations that his eyes weren't fooling him. Sam stifled a smile.
Teal'c leaned in close. "I insist that you introduce me to this, Mary Kay."
She leaned up and whispered, "Like I said before, though Mary Kay is a person, it's also a brand name. I can't introduce you to her personally."
"Then how will I procure more of this… bronzer?"
"I'll get my sister and law to send you a catalogue, until then you can have mine. I never use that stuff anyway."
"Uh, Teal'c," Jack began cautiously.
"Yes Colonel O'Neill?" he replied blandly.
"You, have something…." He gestured to his face. Teal'c's eyebrow canted upwards. Jack just flicked his wrist dismissing the thought. "You know what? Never mind." He put his hat on and pulled it low over his eyes. "You look great."
"I wanted to look my best in preparation for being bored to death."
General Hammond coughed. "Yes, well-"
"Sorry I'm late!" Daniel called out. He hurried down the corridor just as the elevator doors opened. He gave the group a quick once over as he swept past them and into the elevator. He glanced back at Teal'c as everybody piled in after him. Sam gave him a hard look then glared at the Colonel, but he just flashed her a shit eating grin. She hadn't considered the ribbing Teal'c might receive from the guys when she'd drug him back in the bathroom and brushed the dark shadow over his lids and pulled out the bronzer…
"Hey, Teal'c that's a different look for you. Love the eye shadow."
"Thank you Daniel Jackson."
"Don't forget the bronzer," Jack mumbled under his breath. "It adds such a nice glow."
Sam could have sworn she saw General Hammond poke Colonel O'Neill in the back.
Title: Untitled (Am up for suggestions)
Author: Psychofilly
Universe: Stargate, Season one.
Category: character study, slight fluff
Summary: Captain Carter, Teal'c and makeup, nuff said. I've only seen up to season 3, and then 8 and 9.
Disclaimer: Not Mine, belong to Showtime and Sci-Fi, Teal'c is my new boyfriend, yadda, yadda.
Special Mention: The persons who wrote the Cam/Teal'c round robin. Thank you for bringing my new slash 'ship to my attention. To Little Heaven, Julie Fortune and Marla for the quick, gentle, simultaneous spank. To Kel, just cuz. :pinches all your bottoms:
"But General… Sir, it's just for the evening, three, four hours tops!" Jack protested.
General Hammond bustled his way down the narrow gray corridor, Jack in step right behind him. "I understand that, Colonel, but Teal'c represents a significant risk to the security of personnel off base."
"Do you actually think he's going to go nuts or that the Goa'uld are going to kidnap him during a state function with all the security that's going to be in place?" He asked incredulously, "Besides they asked for the team, and Teal'c is a part of our team."
"Jack," General Hammond warned, "This discussion is over."
Sam hung back at the mouth of the junction, letting the Colonel and General pass, still deep in argument despite Hammond's declaration to the contrary. Teal'c's presence was like a sun baked wall at her back, warm, solid and inscrutable. She chanced a glance back at the newest member of their team. His expression remained impassive despite the fact that it was his freedom being debated by the two quickly retreating figures.
He raised a brow as if in answer to her inquiring look. "It would seem that I will not be joining the rest of the team for dinner after all, Captain Carter." His posture was closed, but composed. She couldn't tell if he was upset or not. For the millionth time in the weeks since his arrival, she wondered if all Jaffa held themselves with such reserve.
"It's not fair," she said as they resumed walking. "I realize you're not a citizen, but you're a member of SG-1."
"Perhaps my motives are still open for debate by those in power over your organization," he replied smoothly.
"I'm sure they are, but the fact is that if we have to get dressed up and be bored to death, you should too."
"Death?" Teal'c stopped walking and stared down at her, his dark eyes wide. "Are you speaking literally, Captain Carter."
"What? Oh!" Sam smiled and shook her head. "No, it's just an expression. Well, sometimes these functions are so boring you might wish you were dead, but no actual death occurs."
"Indeed." He cocked his head as he contemplated what she had said. After a moment he asked, "If this is the case then why are you all so insistent that I attend. Would I not be happier to stay on the base?"
Sam continued down the hall while she thought over her words carefully. She could feel the weight of Teal'c's gaze heavy on her back as he trailed a couple of steps behind. "It's possible that you would be saving yourself some boredom and hassle by staying on the base, but that's not the point." She turned to face him, ignoring the steady stream of personnel eddying around them like two rocks in a river. "The point is that we, as a team, are being honored. You have proved yourself in every way to Colonel O'Neill, Daniel and myself out there, in the field. If you don't share in the honor of the team, then we haven't proved ourselves worthy to stand by your side."
One long step closed the distance between them. Teal'c stood over her, his arms clasped behind his back. As he searched her face for a brief moment. His lips curved up, and he bowed slightly, a study in economy of motion. "I find you most honorable, Samantha Carter."
At a loss of how to respond, she bowed back. His smile grew wider, until she caught a flash of white teeth, then his features smoothed into their normal poker faced blandness. With a quick nod, he turned on his heel and headed to his room down the hall. Samantha let out a deep breath. Talking to Teal'c could be like navigating a field of mines. One wrong step and your words could explode in your face, but she found his directness appealing.
She realized, that in talking to Teal'c she had zigged when she should have zagged. She turned around to head to her own room and almost ran headlong into Colonel O'Neill.
"Hey, Captain Carter! I was just on my way to give Teal'c the good news." He gave her a good natured chuck on the arm.
"You convinced General Hammond to let him go?"
"You bet'cha. I just told him that if Teal'c didn't go, then neither did we," He hesitated a moment then said, "and I might have groveled a bit."
She chuckled, "Never underestimate the power of a good grovel."
"Something like that." He smiled, bouncing on his heels with pent-up energy. She had quickly realized that for the Colonel, a fight was a fight, be it fists, weapons or words, it still got his engine going.
"So when do we leave?" she asked.
"1800, so that gives you a couple of hours to do- whatever it is you do."
"Yes sir," she said, clicking her heels together and snapping off a quick salute. The Colonel answered her with a weak wristed salute of his own as she left. She headed to her room to get her dress uniform out and make sure her shoes were shined to perfection.
An hour later and Samantha had her jacket pressed, her shoes shined and her makeup half on when there was a loud knock at her door. "Just a minute!" She yelled, as she finished blending a line of eye shadow. She checked her reflection, frowning. She looked ridiculous with only one eye done.
She hurried over and opened door, surprised to find Teal'c standing in the corridor. "Teal'c, hey."
"I apologize for interrupting you." Something had cracked his wall of reserve. He looked harried. "I am having trouble with my attire."
She looked him up and down. Somebody had given him a suit. He had the pants on and his tee shirt with the unbuttoned dress shirt thrown on over it. He held up a necktie. "I do not understand the purpose of this… device."
She opened the door wider and ushered him inside.
"I could not find either Daniel Jackson or Colonel O'Neill to explain to me what to do with a nec'tee."
She waved him over to the standard issue chair, next to the small table that each room came with. "It's okay, Teal'c, lots of people find them tricky. I used to tie my dads all the time."
He visibly relaxed, "So you will assist me."
"I will," She said as she ducked back into the bathroom. "Just give me a second." She picked up her makeup brush and added some color to her other eye. She nearly jumped when she noticed Teal'c's reflection. He'd followed her into the small bathroom and was watching her. "I'll be just a minute, Teal'c," she said.
"I noticed you had kohl." He stated matter-of-factly.
"We call it eye shadow, but yeah. I have a lot." She looked away in an effort to cover the blush rising to her cheeks. It was almost too intimate of a detail. She served with these guys for weeks now, ate with them, bunked with them. She knew Daniel snored, Jack farted a lot, and that Teal'c became as serene and still as a Buddha during kel'no'reem. They barely tried to hide any more when they had to relieve themselves. But somehow, she was able to keep that separate, to forget the details when she got back. It gave her an illusion of privacy. "My brother's wife works for Mary Kay," she offered up by way of explanation.
"I am unfamiliar with this Mary Kay."
"It's a makeup brand. Not just kohl, they have facial wash, crèmes, concealers, bases, bronzers, and blush among other things." She chuckled, as she surveyed the piles of makeup strewn across her small vanity. "It's kind of funny, actually. She always talks me into buying this stuff, and I hardly use any of it. I end up throwing it away, but I always end up buying more."
His eyebrow quirked, "Could you not just tell her no."
Carter bit her lip. This was one of those times when Teal'c's directness hit a raw nerve. As if sensing it, he drew up into himself and offered, "It is none of my concern. Please, forget that I inquired."
She tossed the little shadow applicator down on the counter. "It's okay, it's just that relations in my family are strained. For me, buying all this crap is an excuse to come over. It's sad that it's come to that, but…" She shrugged. The frosty relations between her father, brother and herself weren't going to thaw any time soon.
"I understand all too well, Samantha Carter." He picked up her discarded applicator. "I regret any discomfort I may have caused you." He turned to face her. "May I?"
"Sure," she said before she realized what he was asking. He picked up the shadow compact, eyed it for a second and dabbed a little color onto the foam. He leaned forward and gently brushed it right under her eyebrow. She jerked backwards, completely surprised.
"Teal'c!" What are you-?" He was so close, invading her space, filling up the small room.
He quickly set the compact down and grabbed her face, pulling her close. "Have I harmed your eye?"
"No, but-"
"You are not hurt?"
"No!" She pushed him back a step. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I was highlighting your brow with-"
"You were, what?" She turned and studied her face in the mirror. Her mouth snapped closed as she realized, "Hey that looks pretty good. I usually, don't go that far up."
"I find it gives the illusion of lift, and brightens the eyes."
She shut one eye then the other, trying to compare. The Teal'c in the mirror looked mighty pleased with himself. She turned to face him and shut her eyes "Yeah okay, do the other one."
"Among the Serpent guard we outlined our eyes with kohl, and would dust each other's faces with gold until our skin gleamed and all among the Jaffa would know we were first, the ones most beloved by Apophis." She listened as he applied her makeup, his touch, by hands so large they swallowed the little brush, was feather light. "Though I have renounced Apophis and all that came with my position as First Prime, I sometimes miss this. As simple a thing that it is." He took a step back. "You are complete Captain Carter."
She stared at her reflection for a long time as he retreated to finish dressing. In a few simple strokes he had made her look as if she had a professional stylist do her makeup. He hadn't done anything flashy, but had managed to pull her look from military blah to understated yet classy. And he'd opened up a crack. Not bad.
She found him sitting on her bed, when she left the bathroom. Again she felt his encroachment on the beachhead of her privacy but then he mutely he held up the tie. She smiled and took it. "Stand up, Teal'c and let's see you."
He dutifully stood and let her smooth out the jacket and flip up his collar.
"You are certain this is not some ancient torture device?"
She worked the tie around his neck and knotted it. "That depends on who you ask," she replied as she futzed with the tie.
He tilted his head down and narrowed his eyes. "You are being deliberately vague."
She gave the tie one last tug and smoothed her hands down the front of his jacket. "I don't know why men wear ties, Teal'c. They just do. If you really want to know, ask Daniel."
He turned around and surveyed her work in her mirror. "I do not believe I want to know that badly." He turned from one side to the other, his lips pulled down into a frown. "When we get another leave, will you assist me in picking out some clothes for such occasions?"
"Something without a tie?"
"Yes."
She laughed then, and once more was treated to a real smile. "You look great, but I think there is one thing missing." She held out her hand, "Come here, I have an idea."
*****
They assembled at 1800 as ordered. General Hammond looking comfortable in his dress uniform, Jack looking less than comfortable. Sam arrived next, glad that she had arrived before Teal'c. She was quietly eager to see the reaction his new look would create. She did not have long to wait.
Teal'c sauntered up the passageway and stood beside her, acknowledging her with a slight nod of his head, which he repeated to the Colonel and General. The General's frowned, but said nothing. Jack eyed the Jaffa suspiciously, his eyes cutting to Teal'c then away as if he needed to get multiple confirmations that his eyes weren't fooling him. Sam stifled a smile.
Teal'c leaned in close. "I insist that you introduce me to this, Mary Kay."
She leaned up and whispered, "Like I said before, though Mary Kay is a person, it's also a brand name. I can't introduce you to her personally."
"Then how will I procure more of this… bronzer?"
"I'll get my sister and law to send you a catalogue, until then you can have mine. I never use that stuff anyway."
"Uh, Teal'c," Jack began cautiously.
"Yes Colonel O'Neill?" he replied blandly.
"You, have something…." He gestured to his face. Teal'c's eyebrow canted upwards. Jack just flicked his wrist dismissing the thought. "You know what? Never mind." He put his hat on and pulled it low over his eyes. "You look great."
"I wanted to look my best in preparation for being bored to death."
General Hammond coughed. "Yes, well-"
"Sorry I'm late!" Daniel called out. He hurried down the corridor just as the elevator doors opened. He gave the group a quick once over as he swept past them and into the elevator. He glanced back at Teal'c as everybody piled in after him. Sam gave him a hard look then glared at the Colonel, but he just flashed her a shit eating grin. She hadn't considered the ribbing Teal'c might receive from the guys when she'd drug him back in the bathroom and brushed the dark shadow over his lids and pulled out the bronzer…
"Hey, Teal'c that's a different look for you. Love the eye shadow."
"Thank you Daniel Jackson."
"Don't forget the bronzer," Jack mumbled under his breath. "It adds such a nice glow."
Sam could have sworn she saw General Hammond poke Colonel O'Neill in the back.