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 Title: Enduring Time Author: Su Freund Website: http://www.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: Sam travels a very long way to visit an old friend Sequel/Series Info: Continuation from Chapter 7 of Enduring Time and sequel series to Unending 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 2008 Su Freund Author's notes: Many thanks to ImmerRDA for her helpful suggestions and corrections. Any remaining errors are entirely mine. Also, thanks to those of you who have been reading, enjoying and feeding back. I hope you continue to enjoy it. Enduring Time: Chapter 8 Previously: "He loved you too, Daniel. Believe me. Every time you were injured, went missing, ascended, died... you could see it in his eyes. No matter how much you two disagreed about anything, how much you irritated him... it was always there." Daniel did not respond, but she could see her words pleased him. "Feeling better?" she asked. He knew she was not referring to thawing out from the cold. She was talking about his grief. "Yeah," he replied, smiling. "Me too." And they both were, for now. Sure, they would have ups and downs while they grieved. That is the way of things when you lose someone you love. But sometimes it feels good to share with a close and dear friend. Sometimes it doesn't take much to warm frozen hands and cheer a desolate heart. The story continues: Sam called in a few favors to make this trip happen. It was a long time since she had journeyed through the gate and the Air Force had been reluctant to let an old woman make such a trip on an apparent whim. Even if that old woman was General Samantha Carter/O'Neill (retired - long retired), a name still revered in many circles. She had contacts and used them. Two armed escorts stood in front of her as the gate sprang into life and they walked up the ramp together. She paused at the top and smiled, running her fingers over the event horizon and remembering the first time she had ever stepped through. Jack had given her a little push as she had gushed about wormholes. No doubt he had rolled his eyes and wondered what kind of officer General Hammond had thrust on him as part of his team. It was one happy memory of many. Recalling how sick she had felt that first time, she took the final step and followed the escort they had insisted should accompany her for protection and in case she needed them. When she exited at the other side, Sam exhaled the stale air of Cheyenne Mountain and took a deep breath of fresh, clean air, as she regarded their surroundings. She was far from sick this time around, had not been for years, but Sam felt exhilarated - alive and even a little younger. The feeling confirmed she had been right to come. "It's this way, ma'am," said Major Andrews. He had been privileged to visit this planet once before and knew the way. The young major had received the dubious honor of informing the famous Jaffa warrior, Teal'c, of the death of his former team leader, General O'Neill. He had felt honored when allocated the task of meeting such a hero, albeit under such mournful circumstances. Now he was escorting another hero, General Carter, and was suitably awed. "I hope he's home, ma'am," he added and she smiled. She was not expected and wanted to keep it that way. This meant Teal'c could not find an excuse to avoid her, which she suspected the wily Jaffa might otherwise do. "He will be. And if he isn't we'll wait. He won't have gone far." Sam knew enough from what Teal'c had told her to have figured that one out. "It's a bit of a walk, ma'am." His implication being was an old woman up to it? "Don't worry about me, major. I'm up to it." "I didn't mean any disrespect ma'am." "It's alright, major. I know what you meant. It's your job to be protective." He smiled. "Yes, ma'am." "If we hang around here for a few days you might want to consider calling me Sam," she said and the young man's eyes widened with astonishment. "I haven't been a ma'am for a long time. I'm retired, major." The notion made her smile, remembering her husband, who had frequently referred to her as ma'am in jest. They had played that game long ago. "I-I couldn't do that, General Carter." "Retired, major, remember?" She paused to recall the major's first name. "Michael, isn't it? Mike?" He smiled briefly before settling his face back into a neutral and respectful mode. "Um, yes ma'am. Mike." "Then it's settled." He did not look convinced, but Sam determined she would drum it into him eventually. Turning to look at her other escort, Lieutenant Small, a singularly inappropriate name for such a large man, she recalled his name was Denis. "And that goes for you too, Denis," she said and he looked horrified, glancing at the Major with a pained expression. "Y-yes ma'am," he replied agreeably, but Sam realized he would probably continue to call her ma'am or General Carter. Sighing, she turned her attention back to their surroundings, thinking how young the two men looked. To her eyes, they seemed to be no more than kids. That was a sure sign of getting old. Getting old? She was old. However much she might wish not to be, there was no denying it. There was no sign of anything around the gate that resembled a place of worship or greeting. Sam wondered about that, but not for long. Perhaps this was why these peaceful Jaffa had chosen it as home. It had nothing to indicate occupation by their former masters, or not in the immediate vicinity at least. Daniel might have made something of it, or not. The clearing in which the gate stood opened out into forest one way and what appeared to be cultivated farmland the other. In the distance, beyond the farmland, were mountains with snow on their peaks, although the current season was obviously summery. Bright blue skies dotted with fluffy clouds lay overhead, and the sun shone radiantly and warm, looking similar to the Earth's sky. She wondered about the moon or moons, seeming to recall Teal'c mentioning there were two of them. No doubt, the night sky was prettier as a result. She had missed such alien skies. Right now, the place looked very much like home. Sam hoped to find out about the moon for herself later, assuming she was welcome. Of course, she did not expect Teal'c to send her packing, albeit that her visit was totally unexpected. He was way too polite for that. But Sam would determine the depth of his discomfort before deciding how to play it. She hoped to stay for a few days, if he was willing. It would be good to see him again and have his company for a while. "Pretty here, isn't it?" Sam commented. "Lots of trees, ma'am," Mike replied and Sam chuckled throatily. "My husband made that same observation many times, Mike." Mike Andrews looked pleased at that, and Sam smiled at him. He was captivated. Old as she was, she still had something about her, even to one as young as he was. The smile remained a winner after all these years, as were her intelligent, wily eyes. Indicating they should move on, the Major took point, leading the way toward the forest with the Lieutenant following on their six. Over the months since her husband's death, Sam's state of mind had swung up and down and back and forth like one of Jack's yo-yos. Anger was frequently right up there at number one in the emotion top twenty, but pain and devastation knocked it off its top spot many times. Her rational side understood that this rollercoaster ride was a natural consequence of loss. Reactions to bereavement, however, are not necessarily rational. The anger could make her hate Jack for his abandonment and Sam did not like hating Jack. In all their years of working together and throughout their marriage, hatred was an alien feeling for her as far as he was concerned. She had been pissed with him many times, sure, but never that. The anger and hatred were primal emotions, not based on reason. She could no more control them than she could bring her husband back from the dead. Many times, Sam wondered if she would spend the rest of her life on this rollercoaster, never reaching stable ground. How long could she continue both loving and hating Jack? Damn, it hurt! Sam coped with being alone after Daniel and Vala returned to their normality, but that did not mean it had been easy. However, after a while she longed to seek the comfort of Teal'c. His silent strength kept her from toppling over in the days immediately after Jack's funeral and she yearned for that strength to compensate for her weaknesses. So, Sam had called in those favors to make this trip happen, and here she was. Being a hero who had saved the planet on a regular basis, as well as the widow of one, had some advantages. As Sam and her escort made their way through the forest toward Teal'c's home, that notion made her smile. Today was a good day. 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 Teal'c was stunned that she appeared so unexpectedly. It both pleased and disconcerted him to see her, but he kept his features carefully schooled in an expression that said little. "Samantha," he said. "Is something wrong? Does Earth require my assistance?" She shook her head and smiled. "No, Teal'c. And I can't say I was just passing, because I wasn't," she added with a wink, "but I wanted to see you." His glance moved briefly to the two escorts and then returned to her with look of query. "Don't worry about them. Oddly enough, they wouldn't let an old woman go wandering around on her own on a strange planet millions of light years away. Go figure." Teal'c smiled in an amused manner and then bowed his head in deference. "I am honored," he replied, hiding the tumultuous emotions that raged through him. He was not sure how to interpret this unexpected arrival at his door. Sam, meanwhile, had hoped for something more from the greeting, perhaps a friendly hug. While pondering that lack, she studied her surroundings. From what she could see from the doorway, his home seemed to be spartan but homely. Very Teal'c, she thought. A hero of his people he might now be, but it was so like him to eschew grandeur in favor of simplicity, just like Jack had. She did not doubt he had the opportunity to live more luxuriously if he so chose. Teal'c's humble abode stood on the edge of the forest in a clearing that opened out to more homes scattered over the landscape and a wide and attractive vista. A way off, Sam could see the lake he had referred to and more cultivated land, then more forest in the distance, which appeared to be deliberate cultivation rather than wilder, like the one that had led them to his door. This scattered community was the first sign of civilization the visitors had seen since stepping through the gate. Its sprawling nature probably said much for the kind of community they had, so not like a close-knit village, but many independent homesteads standing in their own plots of land. Sam noticed a larger structure in the distance and briefly wondered if that was a communal space for the homesteaders to meet up. No doubt, she would find out more if her visit lasted as she wanted it to. It appeared the closest cabin to Teal'c's was situated a couple of acres away or more, so he seemed to have a large, widespread expanse on which to stamp his mark and do his own thing. Some of his land was cultivated with vegetable plots, and some with flowers like a garden. There was livestock too. They looked like chickens and goats, or something akin to them. Curious though she was, and somewhat surprised to see Teal'c living this kind of lifestyle, despite what he had told her, she turned her full attention to her old friend. There should be enough time for revelation and discovery later. Sam could tell he was very happy to see her, although he tried to hide his excitement and she found that endearing as well as agreeable. "Aren't you going to invite me in?" she asked. "Please accept my apologies. You have caught me unaware." "Don't give me that. Nothing fazes you, Teal'c," she replied in a teasing tone that brought back some painful, though happy, memories to the Jaffa. "Not displeased, I hope." "Indeed not." He smiled. "What of your escort?" "We can settle down out here somewhere close by, if that's okay with you, sir. We'll be fine thanks," Mike piped up. "We've brought our own supplies." "I can only assume MREs have not improved with time," Teal'c commented tartly with a small grimace, and the two air men nodded agreement. He turned to Sam. "Do you plan to stay a while?" "If you'll have me," she replied. "I thought we might go fishing." She smirked, searching his face to look for any sign that she was intruding but finding none. Not that this meant much with Teal'c. He could be a difficult man to get a handle on. "O'Neill would be satisfied with the skill I have acquired in that respect," Teal'c responded and she grinned. "Perhaps you need to set up camp, then?" he asked the escorts. "There is a comfortable and warm extension to this cabin behind, used for storage, but it might suffice better than a tent. You no doubt wish to scout the area and then you can take a look. I will provide some refreshment that is a distinct improvement on MREs and energy bars. Meanwhile, General Carter will be safe in my hands, I assure you." The two men believed it, looking grateful, and disappeared off to scout the lay of the land. Then Teal'c stepped aside to let Samantha enter. "It is not much," he added, feeling slightly abashed as she looked around the large room. To a Tauri used to so many comforts, he thought this place must appear to be a hovel. It was not dissimilar to the cabin Samantha inhabited in Minnesota on Earth, but was far more rudimentary. The place did remind Sam of her cabin. It was built of wood like hers but, from what she could see, was more sparsely equipped and simpler. No electricity of course, but a large fireplace that seemed to double for cooking and heating water. There was little in the form of what might be called decoration. The walls were adorned with furs and simple, plain fabrics; functional rather than attractive. No doubt intended to keep the heat in, like tapestries might in old castles back on Earth. Many candles and cushions decked out the space and the chairs looked well padded and comfortable. Teal'c indicated she should sit on one. Sam could see there was more cabin beyond her current view and thought there might be a bedroom hidden somewhere. If she was very lucky, there might be two of them. "I like it. Very you, Teal'c." He said nothing but was delighted she thought so. She still understood him and, for this, he was grateful. "Did you build the place yourself?" she asked. "With some assistance, yes. It is simple, but enough." "Is there more?" "Another two rooms beyond," he replied as he sat down in a capacious chair opposite her smaller one. On Earth, his chair might have been considered large enough to be a two-seater couch. "One is rarely used. The Tauri would probably call it a spare bedroom, although it is nothing so grand. If you are staying, you shall take my room and I will sleep there." "I don't want to be any trouble, Teal'c." She felt a little guilty that her visit would evict him from his usual home comforts and was about to say something when he replied. "You could never be that," he said in a serious tone. "I have to admit, the idea of sleeping in a tent does nothing for me these days." Her expression was rueful and he smiled. "That I understand. Aging bones and muscles ache all too easily. I think you will find my bedroom to be more comfortable, but it is not what you are used to." "I try to keep myself relatively fit, Teal'c, for an old Tauri woman." She noticed his smile broaden at her remark and could not help but grin. "I'll be fine, thanks. But I can't let you give up your bedroom for me. I will take that spare room." Her manner and tone were resolute, but he shook his head. "Indeed, you will not," he responded with an attitude at least the equal to hers in determination. "I will not take no for an answer, as you Tauri might say." Sam could see from his face that she would be unlikely to dissuade him. He stared at her until his slightly discomforting and penetrating gaze forced her to look down at her hands and fidget. Apparently, Teal'c felt obliged to play the gentlemen and she thought perhaps she should let him. No doubt, he would give her no choice in the matter. "Okay, if you insist," she said eventually, looking up again to meet his eyes and smiling. The intractable look softened until his mouth turned upwards at the corners to match her smile and his eyes briefly twinkled with satisfaction. Nodding acknowledgment, Teal'c hesitated, looking slightly perturbed before continuing to speak. "Washing facilities are rudimentary, I am afraid." Amused by his embarrassment, Sam's smile turned into a broad grin. "I'm betting I've used worse," she said, briefly considering bathroom and toilet facilities she had known and loved off-world. Some of those would be difficult to beat for discomfort. Indeed, frequently they were non-existent. "Perhaps I can offer you some refreshment?" he said, moving swiftly away from the subject. She seemed to pause for a moment. "Maybe later." "Then might I inquire as to how you have been keeping?" Teal'c so wanted to feel at ease in Samantha's company, but was at a loss as to how to behave and react. Small talk, playing host in some way, were the only weapons he had at his disposal to fight his tumultuous and discombobulating emotions. They had spent so many years relaxed in each other's company that he found his uneasiness exacerbating the disquiet. Of course, Teal'c was Teal'c and Sam would never have guessed from his expression or motionlessness that he felt like that. If Jack had been so still, she would have known immediately that something was disturbing him. Teal'c, however, appeared impassive much of the time so she was used to it. That same impassivity was one of the traits she sought from coming to visit him. Sam eyed him affectionately. "I'm okay, considering." "You still miss O'Neill." It was a statement rather than a question. "Oh, Teal'c, I don't think that pain will ever go away," she responded with a catch in her throat. "I feel like something is missing, a part of me, like there's an empty space inside." He nodded acknowledgment of her words but said nothing, presumably waiting for her to elucidate if she wanted to. "Daniel and Vala went home. They weren't nearly as much of a pain in the butt as I'd feared. It was great having them around, actually. They gave me some space, but were still there, you know?" Teal'c nodded again. "When they left, it was great at first, but... I'm lonely, Teal'c. I miss..." She sighed sorrowfully and Teal'c found her desolate tone perturbing. "So, here I am. I just thought..." She tailed off, uncertain of what to say. "I told you that you would always be welcome in my home, Samantha. I am very happy to see you. We can keep each other company." Teal'c said nothing of his own feelings of solitude. He did not wish to confess them, so had nothing to say. An almost irresistible impulse, however, made him stand and approach her. Crouching down in front of her, he raised a hand to her hair and started to stroke it softly. Sam smiled crookedly, in a way that reminded him somewhat of O'Neill. "You never need to be alone," he whispered, and she leaned forward to kiss his cheek. Although Teal'c's heart raced and tempted him to pull away, he did not. Instead, he cradled her face against his, catching his breath at the touch and warmth of her skin against his. Not daring to move further in case he revealed more than he had intended, he tried to get a grip on his emotions. Flustered by the small hint of what he was feeling, and uncertain how to react, for a while Sam remained motionless. When he gave no further sign, she decided Teal'c would not wish her to behave as anything other than herself. They were friends, right? She made this journey to seek the comfort of those strong arms just as friends should. Saying nothing in reply to his statement about never needing to be alone, Sam embraced him and Teal'c let his hand drop from her cheek to hug her in response. His hope was that she had not caught his slip, that she had merely seen this as the gesture of friendship and consolation he had originally intended by approaching her. Fighting to control his breathing, he drew back, regarding her with a quizzically concerned look, as any friend might. "I'm fine, Teal'c," she said reassuringly, squeezing his arm. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and stood, pulling her up with him and leading her over to his somewhat larger chair. After encouraging her to sit upon it, he joined her and placed an arm around her shoulder. Smiling at him, Sam laid her head against his chest, taking one of his large hands in hers and settling down. The short moments that had seemed so fraught with difficulty and confusion for Teal'c had passed. At this very moment, he was simply happy to be her friend. After a lengthy but companionable silence, Sam felt the need to strike up some conversation and this prompted a question. "You live alone?" she asked. She'd always thought Teal'c would remarry but they had never discussed such a thing. "I do." "I'm surprised a beautiful Jaffa woman hasn't swept you off your feet. I'd guessed you might have settled down again by now." Briefly, Teal'c wondered if she was teasing him but he decided she was not. "I have my family, they are enough." Truth be told, sometimes his family were not enough, but this was not something he could voice aloud. Like Samantha, Teal'c was lonely. Not always, but often enough. "Your family? Ry'ac?" she queried and she felt his head nod. "Ry'ac, my grand children and great grand children." The statement startled her and Sam lifted her head to look at him in surprise. "You're a great grandfather? Wow! That makes me feel old." She chuckled somewhat musingly. "What am I saying? I am old." "As we both are. You do not appear to look old, Samantha." Her nostrils flared slightly as she bit back a tart comment because Sam knew she did, but she toned down the words that wanted to spring from the tip of her tongue. "Teal'c, you flatter me way too much. You must need glasses." Her expression told him she was skeptical. "I most certainly do not," he retorted, and his huffy tone amused her. She did not rise to the bait, however, returning instead to the subject of his family. "So Ry'ac isn't a warrior anymore? What, a farmer?" To Sam, this seemed a curious turn of events. Ry'ac had always longed to follow in his father's footsteps as a proud and strong warrior. "Jaffa warriors are a dying breed. Ry'ac decided to give up the old ways and join me here. This is true freedom, the old ways are not." "I think I understand, but it doesn't sound very Teal'c like," Sam replied contemplatively. He did not respond and she wondered if that subject made him feel uncomfortable. Clearly, much had changed for the Jaffa and she made a mental note to try and probe Teal'c further while she was there, if he would let her. "So they live close by?" she asked, shifting the emphasis of the conversation. "Indeed. No doubt, you will see him whilst you are here, and meet our family. They give me much joy and comfort in my old age, particularly the children." Sam squeezed his hand encouragingly. "You're not so old for a Jaffa, are you?" "Old enough that I feel it, Samantha," he replied seriously and, much to his surprise, she chuckled. "So we're both a couple of old codgers who should probably be living in a retirement home, huh?" she retorted with the laughter still on her lips. A wry smile came to Teal'c's face. "Indeed." She beamed at him and he found his heart leaping again, admonishing himself that old men should not have the kind of thoughts that sprang to his mind. Those days were gone, were they not? Undoubtedly, Samantha would think so. As she rested her head against his chest once again, Teal'c wished it was otherwise. However, he was virile no longer; only fit to welcome peace and death, which he believed would not be too long coming. The old Jaffa welcomed this respite, the chance to enjoy the pleasing company of Samantha once again before he died, and would content himself with that. TBC |