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 Title: Enduring Time Author: Su Freund Email: su_freund@ficwithfins.com Category: Angst, romance, friendship, drama Content Level: Age 13+ Content Warnings: Major character death, mild language, sexual situations Pairings: Jack/Sam, Sam/Teal'c, Daniel/Vala Season: Future Spoilers: Up to and including "Unending" Summary: Teal'c began to suspect that Samantha and Daniel Jackson had moved away not so much to talk to each other but to allow O'Neill to talk to him... Sequel/Series Info: Sequel to Unending Time and Chapter Two of Enduring Time Status: Continuing series Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. Copyright 2007 Su Freund Author's notes: 1. Many thanks to ImmerRDA for beta reading this story for me, and the useful comments she made that improved it. Any remaining errors are entirely mine. 2. Thanks to all of you who sent such terrific feedback for Chapter 1. I wasn't sure how people might react to me killing off Jack, but I don't appear to have killed off readers in the process, lol! I hope you all enjoy this continuation. Enduring Time: Chapter Two Previously: With those thoughts, the threesome entered the chapel to bid their final farewells to the man all of them had loved in one way or another during their lifetimes. The story continues: Teal'c kept a watchful eye on Samantha during the service, alert to her heartfelt sorrow and ready to assist if required. She kept herself together. He suspected she would shed her tears in the peace and privacy of the home she had shared with the man she had loved so well. As they carried the coffin toward O'Neill's grave, many memories assaulted his thoughts, as was natural at such a time. They had fought together, supported each other and been friends for many years. So, there was much to recall, both good and bad. However, what came most vividly to mind was the short time he had spent with O'Neill when SG-1 had returned from that fateful encounter with the Asgard, and then the Ori, on board the Odyssey. As promised, O'Neill invited Daniel and Teal'c to their home, dearly wishing to see his friends during his all too brief visit to Colorado Springs. Teal'c could not refuse, although he suffered great heartbreak at both the idea and the reality. What pained Teal'c most were those small moments of intimacy he observed between the couple. Although he had resigned himself to being content that his friends were happy, those moments were hard to observe, causing his gut to clench tightly, and nausea to rise unbidden. It was the exchanged looks of deep love and affection, the briefly held smiles, or the momentary caress of a hand or a squeeze of an arm that were so disconcerting. His friends probably weren't even conscious of exchanging these small demonstrations of their mutual love and ease so frequently. This was simply the way they were. Although unsettled, Teal'c had to admit he enjoyed their company, especially O'Neill's because they saw each other less frequently now that he worked in Washington DC. O'Neill was a true friend, someone he respected and admired, and the man had changed his life completely. Teal'c missed him, and fighting for freedom by his side. That day was warm and sunny, so perfect for a barbeque and relaxing in the O'Neill yard: a well kept haven of tranquility with trimly manicured lawn and well-placed bushes and trees that afforded as much privacy as possible in that neighborhood. Teal'c thought the lush greens and the house were deliberately reminiscent of O'Neill's surroundings at the cabin in Minnesota, the place where his friend's heart and soul truly belonged and was most at peace. He found this observation thought provoking and telling. The hot embers of the barbeque were starting to cool, although the scent of charcoal and cooked flesh still permeated the air, a smell that reminded Teal'c of meals spent with his family on Chulak many moons before. This was a different family, an adopted one admittedly, but one who made him feel welcome and wanted, and had warmed his heart for a number of years. Relaxing in the comfort of his chair and contemplating his friends, Teal'c felt gratified that O'Neill had restricted this occasion to just the four of them. To extend the invitation to the newer members of SG-1, or others, seemed wrong for such a reunion. The friends bantered, reminisced and caught-up with each other's lives and did not appear to notice Teal'c's comparative silence. Why would they? He always said little, and tended to enjoy observing and noting more than joining in. The other three could not be aware of his turbulent thoughts. Although his gaze often wandered to Samantha and O'Neill, particularly Samantha, he thought it unlikely they would notice that either. Teal'c was even more proficient at hiding behind a mask than O'Neill, which said much about the Jaffa. Dusk was settling to dark and the yard suddenly brightened with artificial lights prompted by the coming darkness. It stayed warm enough to remain seated outside. Samantha and Daniel had moved off and talked in friendship on the other side of the yard, leaving Teal'c and O'Neill sitting in companionable silence. To the two men this was both a comfortable and comforting moment. Suddenly, O'Neill interrupted their peaceful quiet. "You want something else to drink, Teal'c?" he asked. The O'Neill's had ensured a wide variety of non-alcoholic beverages were available for the Jaffa friend who did not indulge in more intoxicating refreshment. "I do not." More silence followed, which O'Neill broke again, and Teal'c began to suspect that Samantha and Daniel Jackson had moved away not so much to talk to each other but to allow O'Neill to talk to him. "This is nice, isn't it?" O'Neill said with a satisfied sigh. "Indeed." "You've been quiet today." His tone was hushed, as if he wished to keep their exchange from other prying ears. "No more than usual." "Bullshit." Teal'c turned his head to eye O'Neill, surprised at his observation, although perhaps he should not have been. His friend was a much keener observer of behavior than many might give him credit for. This trait made him a good leader of men. "It gives me pleasure to observe the three of you." "Nothing to do with recent disturbing events then?" O'Neill probed, somewhat annoyingly accurately, Teal'c thought. His friend's tone was tinged with slight sarcasm and something that told Teal'c he would not be easy to fool. O'Neill knew something, although exactly what he knew Teal'c was uncertain of. If he was anticipating some kind of confession or indiscretion, he would be sorely disappointed. Teal'c realized his acutely observant friend was unlikely to expect either. He knew Teal'c well because he saw himself mirrored in that often inscrutable demeanor. Knowing that, however, did not calm Teal'c's unease at O'Neill's probing curiosity. Perhaps he was wrong and he felt the need to make his position clear. "I hope you do not intend to be difficult O'Neill," Teal'c said emotionlessly and calmly. "Difficult? Me? As if..." Jack responded with an innocent grin and Teal'c gave him a look that seemed to imply it would make a change if he wasn't difficult. "If by difficult you mean am I going to ask you awkward questions about what happened on the Odyssey then, no, I'm not going to be difficult." Jack noticed a look of relief briefly cross Teal'c's features before they settled into their usual impenetrability. The two men sat in silence again for a while, simply enjoying each other's companionship until Jack spoke once more. "Teal'c," he said, and the big Jaffa glanced at him, waiting for him to continue and fearful of what he might say because guilt pressed heavily on his conscience. "I figure you would have looked after Sam. I couldn't ask for anyone better to do that," he added eventually. "O'Neill..." "I'm not asking you anything. I'm just sayin'..." Teal'c nodded, wondering what was going through his friend's thoughts. "I'm glad you were there for her, Teal'c. Whatever." "Whatever?" Teal'c ventured. "Whatever might have happened during all those years. It's a long time to be alone and lonely, that's all I'm sayin'." "Indeed." "I would have gone nuts." Teal'c could imagine this to be true. O'Neill could lack patience at the best of times. Long periods of inactivity tended to make him a touch tetchy. This was something shared by Colonel Mitchell, who had probably suffered most of all during those years they had been stranded, because he had remained a fundamentally solitary and lonely man. If O'Neill had been there, Samantha would have kept him sane, and he would have done likewise for her. For Samantha's sake, Teal'c wished O'Neill had been there, but not for his own. Although he might feel guilt, he felt no regret. They had had a good life in the circumstances and he knew he would have suffered more without Samantha as such an integral part of that life. How could he regret that, or the pleasant memories it provoked, even while he hurt so badly? "It was not an easy time," he replied simply. "No. I'll bet. I'm sure you have a lot to think about, to remember. Too much, maybe. I don't envy you that." The conversation paused again, as if O'Neill waited for a response, although Teal'c would have been surprised if he really expected to get one. "I would have wanted Sam to be happy," O'Neill said eventually. "I wouldn't have wanted her to suffer, be lonely, in despair." Teal'c wondered if his friend had truly guessed at what might have been. Speculation perhaps, but O'Neill could frequently be a perceptive and wise man. The Jaffa had seen something of this in him from the very beginning, no matter that the man would hide behind humor or sarcasm. None of that fooled Teal'c. His friend was deep and complicated, not as simple as he might try to appear. This was part of O'Neill's charm, and something Teal'c knew had drawn Samantha to him and made her love him even more - both the mask and what lay beneath. It had also been part of what had drawn her to Teal'c on board the Odyssey. She saw similarities between the two men, albeit that in many ways they were also very different. It seemed to Teal'c that O'Neill had guessed, or suspected. His friend appeared to be trying to forgive him for what might have been. Teal'c understood O'Neill's urge to see Samantha happy, and his regret that she might not have been and could have suffered deep and abiding pain. Many times while serving together, O'Neill had shown his willingness to sacrifice himself for his country, his friends, the people he loved, and especially for Samantha. Teal'c was well aware of this, knowing it was fundamental to the Jack O'Neill psyche. He had sacrificed his deeply felt feelings to allow her to find happiness with her former fiance, Peter Shanahan, and he would do so again if it was necessary. So it seemed that, no matter how much it might hurt him to see Samantha with another man, to know she could seek solace and joy elsewhere, he would prefer that to the alternative. This was part of O'Neill the man's essential nobleness. He had a graciousness of spirit that was an admirable trait and one Teal'c treasured greatly. Teal'c wondered how to respond, pondering it over and over before replying. And O'Neil waited patiently, hopeful he would provoke some kind of response, and reassurance about his wife's long life on the Odyssey. Eventually, the Jaffa spoke, choosing his words carefully. "I can not tell you much, O'Neill. She missed you greatly, was heartbroken without you. Her love for you never died, but I believe she also found some happiness and consolation to lessen her devastation and loss." Jack studied his friend's face with care, thinking he schooled his features well. "Good, I'm glad." Jack was not sure if he understood correctly or not, but that did not matter. He got the answer he sought and did not need to know much else. Sam was back, safe and well, and she was here with him, happily married. That was all he needed to know now. Teal'c wondered if it was really that simple, wishing he knew what thoughts lay inside O'Neill's head. However, he realized there was genuine relief and comfort in those brief words, even if they might provoke more confusion in his friend's mind. "I trust her completely, you know that don't you?" O'Neill commented, giving away some of his thoughts. Teal'c knew his friend's words were chosen with care. O'Neill was nothing if not deliberate in this coded conversation. "As you should," Teal'c replied guardedly, wanting O'Neill to know he was not a threat to his marriage to the woman he loved so dearly. Jack nodded, and smiled softly. "You too," he added. "I could always trust you, Teal'c." "I am gratified." "I hope you'll be okay, be happy." His tone held a hint of sympathy at the potential of Teal'c's dilemma. "I will endure." "You betchya. We all will. Always do," O'Neill responded, broadening his grin. Abruptly, he spoke in a louder tone that the others could hear. "All right, campers, who wants a top-up?" He pointed to the cooler filled with beer. O'Neill, the genial host, was back and Teal'c knew the conversation was over. His friend seemed satisfied and, to his pleasure, Teal'c realised he was too. His sins had been forgiven, whether they had been committed or not. The notion made Teal'c a much happier man, and reduced his burden of guilt considerably. He would always have to live with some remorse, and the memories, but he could live much more peacefully now. 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 Daniel Jackson clung grimly to Sam throughout the chapel service, glancing at her frequently to see how she was bearing up, and then sometimes turning to glimpse his wife. He continued to cling to her now, as they stood at O'Neill's graveside. The Jacksons agreed Sam needed him more than she did, that he should support her as much as possible, and Daniel was grateful for his wife's understanding. She realized Daniel and Sam had a special friendship and her husband should put Sam first at this difficult time. Who would have thought it? Many years ago, Daniel certainly would not have. Vala Mal Doran, now Mrs. Jackson, had bewildered and tormented him for years. Daniel tried hard to resist the attraction he had for her, to deny it altogether. She was a hard woman to trust, particularly to trust with his heart, despite repeatedly proving her loyalty. Given her background, her flightiness, what he knew of her personality or her public face at least, it was hardly a surprise that he found it thus. What was surprising, however, was the day he finally realized how he was beginning to feel and, much later, the day he reconciled himself to those feelings. Daniel never imagined for one minute that Vala had any depth of feeling for him. It took a while to realize she had any depth at all to speak of. It was once he started noticing those little things that gave her away that his feelings began to surface. She was so totally different to his previous love, Sha're. Vala could not have been more different. Daniel had loved Sha're so completely and, although he had sought love again, never thought he would truly find it. It did not seem possible that anyone could meet all of the expectations his wife had given him. He had been so totally wrong. With Vala, his feelings were as different as the two women, but that did not make them any less valid. Once he allowed himself to fall, Daniel fell completely, and Vala rewarded him handsomely for letting go at last and accepting her into his life and heart. On the surface, she might appear very much the same woman he resisted for so long. Underneath, and especially when they were alone, she was another person. Vala was definitely different than Sha're, but in their special, intimate moments, she was very similar. She loved him with all her heart, and lavished him with that love in ways he could not even begin to describe. What mattered was that she loved him and made him happy with her loyalty and devotion. Their coupling surprised many, but that astonishment diminished over the years as their mutual depth of feeling became more obvious. Their relationship was something fundamental and good, and people came to accept it as they saw how happy Daniel was, and how committed Vala was to him. Teal'c was not surprised, of course, and took the relationship in his stride. He remembered well how that relationship had developed on the Odyssey and was pleased for the couple. They discovered in real time what they had lost in the other. Teal'c had never been that fortunate and he envied them a little. Samantha, however, had never truly been his. She always belonged with O'Neill. He was privileged to spend a lifetime with her, even though she remembered none of it. Daniel Jackson and Vala, on the other hand, lived that lifetime again, but in much better circumstances - in real life, not a life that might have been a dream. Cameron Mitchell, who had never settled down with one woman, stood by Vala's side as he promised to Daniel, who he knew so badly needed to support Sam in any way he could. He and Vala had never got as close to O'Neill as the others. That simply was not possible, but they both mourned his loss deeply, nonetheless, and Vala needed support too. Mitchell was happy to provide it in the absence of her husband at Sam's side. Vala had a kernel of resentment inside that she was not with her husband to support him in his hour of need. However, they had the rest of their lives, and she understood why he had to be there for Sam in this way. Not only there for her, but for his friend too because this was what Jack would have wanted. She supposed it was fitting that the original members of SG-1 mourned the loss of their ex-team leader side by side, and that the two later additions to the team were not up at the front with those chief mourners. Likewise for the many other surviving members of O'Neill's old command at the SGC who attended, although they no doubt felt the loss as keenly as Vala and Cam. If Cassie had been there, the woman who was like a daughter to the O'Neills would probably have been at the front alongside Sam, Daniel and Teal'c too, but she was not. Cassie would deeply mourn O'Neill's loss herself, and would be heartbroken when she found out about his death. Sadly, Vala thought it sad anyway, Cassie was out there somewhere exploring a distant galaxy and could not be contacted. She might not even learn about O'Neill's passing for a few weeks, when the Asgard technology based ship, appropriately called The O'Neill, contacted Earth again. She knew Sam was disappointed and upset about Cassie, although she well understood and accepted the reasons for her absence. The younger woman would be devastated to have missed this funeral, and shocked that the man she considered a father figure was gone. Sam felt this on Cassie's behalf, so grieved for her too. Vala realized the death of old friend affected her husband very deeply, and she would be there when he needed her, which he surely would. She was not sure the loss had fully sunk in yet. Daniel was so concerned for the devastated Sam that he pushed aside his grief to comfort her, and that was very like him. She loved Daniel for this trait, and so much more than that. The day she finally realized he held some feelings for her, albeit that he fought them, was one of the happiest of her life. Vala had joked with him about dating and bedding him many times. She knew he found it hard to take her seriously as a result, but her underlying feelings were real. Vala was defending her own heart as much as he was his. Neither wanted to be broken by the other. So that day she realized there was something, however small it might be, was the day she started to reveal herself to him one little piece after another, hoping to gain his confidence and love in much the same way. Her strategy worked and, now, Vala considered herself blessed. She watched with sorrow as the ground swallowed the coffin of Jack O'Neill. To Vala it seemed that there should have been more. Something so brief to mark the death of a great man and the end of an era seemed somehow unfitting. But she knew Sam followed her husband's instructions to the letter. He hadn't wanted a big fuss. No fanfares or accolades. O'Neill had never accepted public acclaim as a hero, and had shied away from it as much as he could while continuing to fulfill his duty when required. Vala knew better, knew he was a genuine hero, because Daniel had taught her well. She might not have known O'Neill in his glory days, while he was out there fighting some parts of the universe to save the rest of it, but she had come to know the man through her husband and the friendship the two couples had continued over their lifetime. The bottom line was that it was irrelevant whether he accepted that public acclaim or not, the man was a loss to them all, and particularly to Daniel, Sam and Teal'c, who would grieve in their souls. Pulling her eyes up from the coffin, she glanced at her husband and found him regarding her with a sorrowful expression. Vala could see the unshed tears lingering under his leaden lids and she turned briefly to Cameron Mitchell, squeezing his arm and kissing him softly on the cheek to excuse herself. He nodded an acknowledgement with a small smile and Vala walked over to her husband. Taking him in her arms, she pulled him close and his arms enfolded her in a tight embrace. Then they let each other go and she met his eyes to find him struggling to keep himself together. Her eyes wandered to Sam, who was having the same struggle and clung to Teal'c so hard that Vala wondered if she would fall if he let go. Glancing at her husband again, they seemed to reach a silent agreement and she moved over to Sam. "I'm so sorry, Sam," she said, unable to think of anything better to say. Vala grasped her shoulder and she wanted to hug her too, but Sam's manner seemed to forbid it. Sam nodded briefly. "I don't want to fall apart here," she said by way of explanation, as if she read Vala's thoughts. "I just need to get through this and make it home. Then I can let it out." The funeral was small, much smaller than it could have been given that the Air Force and the current administration had wanted to make it a national event. However, the numbers attending were still too large to fit into Jack and Sam's small cabin for any kind of wake. Knowing this was expected, Daniel had arranged the event on Sam's behalf at a local hotel. "You don't have to play hostess, Sam. Surely no one expects that?" Vala queried understandingly. "I have to go, at least for a while." Teal'c, whom Daniel had briefed about the plans, intervened. "Then it is well to get it over with, is it not?" "Probably. I need a minute. Can I meet you guys by the car?" The three nodded agreement and started to walk away, following behind the other mourners. "I am not certain that General Carter should be left alone," Teal'c said as they walked. "She needs to say goodbye to her husband alone, Teal'c," Daniel replied and Teal'c inclined his head in deference to his friend's knowledge of Tauri custom. Meanwhile, the Jaffa could see that Daniel and Vala also required some time, so he walked more quickly, leaving them behind for a moment or two of their own. Vala linked arms with her husband and looked at him, searching his expression for a sign of his feelings. "Are you all right, Daniel?" she asked in a whisper. He smiled wistfully, cupping her hand in his. "I will be. I'll miss him." "I know you will, my darling. I'm so sorry." "Well, hey, I've got you, haven't I? That helps." She paused in her step, and Daniel stopped alongside her, looking at her curiously. Then she wrapped her arms around him again and rested her head on his chest. "I'm so glad," she said, smoothing his back comfortingly. He gave her an affectionate squeeze, a thrill of delight running through him. Daniel considered he was a lucky man to have found this wonderful woman. Sure, he had doubts at first, but any such misgivings had faded long ago. He knew such intimacy and support would be something Sam would miss badly, and his heart went out to her more than ever. Kissing his wife's hair, he wondered how he would feel if it was Vala who had just been buried. The thought was disconcerting. "Vala, look at me," he said and she willingly complied, meeting his eyes. "I know I don't say it much but I do so love you. I should say it more often." She grinned and the action lit her face. "You don't have to say it, Daniel, because you tell me every day without words." His face broke out in a reciprocal smile and Vala pondered how much she loved that smile and the man behind it, her heart beating rapidly even after all these years spent as his wife. "I'll say it anyway," he responded. "That's fine by me. I love you too." "Poor Sam. She no longer has this." "She has us. I know we can't replace or compensate for Jack, but she has the comfort of friends." "Yeah, she's going to need that." "Then I'm glad you rented that cabin up the road so we can be here for her for a while." "I hope she feels the same way," Daniel said, and Vala eyed him narrowly. "I haven't told her yet. She might want to be left in peace." "Teal'c's right, she shouldn't be alone." "We all need to be alone sometimes." "Then we can leave her alone too. We'll be there on her doorstep when she needs us." "Yeah, I like that thought." "We should rejoin Teal'c. He must be grieving too. He needs his friends." "You betchya," he agreed, and the couple withdrew from their embrace and ambled arm in arm toward the car, where the Jaffa waited in solitary contemplation. TBC |