April 13th 1997 – Base Camp, Other side of the galaxy.
“What is Daniel Jackson to you O’Neill?” Teal’c asks me as we walk side-by-side back to our base camp. I’ve got no idea where he’s going with this, Teal’c not being one for small talk and all.
I cough and walk on ahead, climbing up a mound to peer around a large tree. Nothing there. Rats.
“How’d you mean?” I ask enquiringly.
“You do not treat him as you do others under your command.” Teal’c states simply, as serious as if he were lecturing Jaffa on false Gods.
I consider the comment fairly before answering, though feeling very much like Teal’c is trying to entrap me I’m cautious about what this line of questioning is leading to. I’ve seen the man work, and would not put it past him one bit. “You mean I’m too lax with him don’t you?” My face pinches, screwing up my nose involuntarily, evidence that I knew exactly what Teal’c was talking about, but also that I knew I could do exactly squat about it now.
Teal’c bows his head, the word obviously unfamiliar to him, but judging by the tone Teal’c believes I understood his question and presses onward. “On the few missions we have embarked upon Daniel Jackson has disregarded and openly argued with your orders. He has demonstrated an extreme lack of tolerance for authority. Under my command he would have been punished and made an example of.”
“Punished aye?” I only just quell the urge to laugh out loud, if Danny could only see the images in my head now. “Do me a favour…” I start through guffaws of laughter dying to escape, “don’t let Daniel hear you say that. He gives me a headache often enough as it is.” I match Teal’c gaze for gaze and see that my last comment, regarding headaches and the causing of, may have fuelled Teal’c’s lack of understanding of Daniel’s and mine relationship further.
“Daniel’s a good guy Teal’c.” With a little effort I get myself together enough to be honest.
“Indeed, so I have noticed.” Teal’c assures me he has no problem realising Daniel’s potential and worth, despite his oddness and eccentricities.
“Right,” I agree, and then move in front of Teal’c for a few steps while we cross over a narrow stream, waiting until Teal’c’s once again at my side before continuing, “But he’s still just a kid. Doesn’t have our experience.” I shrug.
“If that is so, why would you bring a child on such dangerous endeavours?” Why indeed, I think with a grimace, then belatedly notice Teal’c’s expression and realise he was being serious, making me wonder just how young Teal’c thought Daniel to be.
“When I say kid I mean he’s young Teal’c, that’s all. Granted he can whine and pout as good as your average nine year old, but he isn’t a child.” I find I only half believe it myself, but really hope I’ve cleared our little misunderstanding up. One look at Teal’c’s face tells me the answer is - unequivocally - no.
“Look, my point is Daniel’s a. Young, and, despite the age on his birth certificate, still has some growing up to do. And b. He isn’t a soldier, probably never will be and he doesn’t fully understand how a military unit works – yet.” I hastily add, before Teal’c leaps on that bandwagon.
Teal’c does nothing more than raise that damn eyebrow.
“I’m working on it.” I firmly point one finger directly at Teal’c in a demonstration of my assertiveness.
Teal’c remains less than convinced, I can see.
When we arrive back at camp a half-asleep Captain and a dead to the world archaeologist are there to greet us.
“Dinner’s ready, sir.” Carter informs me on approach, then indicates with a nudge of her chin the sleeping lump next to her. “He’s been like that since you left.” She finishes half-heartedly.
Copying my actions with a look of peculiarity on his face Teal’c sits down beside Carter and begins to eat too.
“What a great start to our first long haul mission, aye kids?” I joke, referring to Daniel’s earlier near miss with the great wandering rock.
“We were lucky, it could have been a lot worse.” Well yeah, it could have, I was a bit rusty on the trip to Chulak but… I was prepared this time around. Prepared for Daniel’s disappearing acts and sticking his nose it places where it has no right to be.
“Indeed, it is fortunate neither of you were seriously damaged.” The statement, deadpan in its delivery, came from Teal’c. In the short time we’ve come to know him I think I can safely say this is his way of showing actual concern.
Teal’c’s, however abbreviated, words of concern prompt Carter’s inner pixie to speak up. “Daniel is okay isn’t he, sir?”
I look up at her over my bowl of stew, wondering if I heard right. After a second I believe I did and curse Daniel’s rather boyish charms that turn even the most capable of Air force personnel into Jell-O. “He’s fine Captain, just real tired is all.”
Carter smiles wanly, she knows what I’m thinking, and probably toying with the idea of pushing a little further, but she quickly gives in and returns her attention back to her dinner.
I can sense the assessing look Teal’c is giving me and without turning ask, “what?!”
“You did not answer my earlier question O’Neill.” Teal’c is completely unfazed by my tone, and, to add insult to injury cannot help but find my evasive tactics quite humorous.
“Err…not now.” I cast a furtive glance at Daniel to ensure he’s still asleep. “Maybe later.”
Carter notices, and wonders what our exchange is all about; I’m determined not to get into this with her too. She hates being subordinate enough as it is and I can understand. Teal’c gets away with questions that would be considered an invasion of privacy because, although a warrior, he is alien. He doesn’t grasp some of our Tau’ri concepts of acceptable conversation. Daniel is another story altogether, the guy has no tact, if he thinks it he says it, consequences be damn. It’s at times like that I find myself wondering why I even accepted him on the team. He is a great kid, so sweet, so naïve about the little things, but also so very clumsy, a little flaky and a lot difficult. Not exactly qualities the Air Force look for in their officers and enlistees. So it seems that I did more than warm to him for saving our lives back on Abydos, I’ve actually gotten to like the guy. Now, only a few months in, I’ve practically adopted him and Daniel is completely unaware of how much I depends on him. There’s no turning back.
“O’Neill?” Teal’c speaks up again; Carter holds her breath, thinking she may actually get to find out after all. “Would it not be wise to wake Daniel Jackson? He requires subsidence before retiring for the evening.” Carter’s complete and utter disappointment in Teal’c is palpable.
“Yeah, you’re probably right Teal’c.” I sigh, feeling disgruntled. I’m quite content with the peaceful slumber Daniel’s maintained and absolutely hate to be the one to take it away from him, but I guess delegation is one of the bonuses of being in charge. “Carter!”
This was yet another reason being a subordinate, without an excuse of being an alien or not having a spec of common sense really sucks. She leans over and shakes Daniel’s shoulder.
“Daniel?” Carter whispers gently when the shake does nothing.
“Huh?” Daniel answers sleepily
“Wake up, you need to eat and I want to check your head again just in case.” Carter adds.
“Oh god, do I have to?”
“Yes you have to.” I mock sternly, well aware Daniel hadn’t meant to vocalise that thought.
Daniel suddenly jerks up right and starts again.
“What?” He asks nervously, eyeing us all individually.
“Nothing, here eat this.” I chuck an MRE at him
“Thanks – Ow!” Daniel mutters, rubbing a hand over the back of his head.
“Hurts still?” Carter asks offering painkillers
“I’ll survive.” Daniel says, taking the pills from her regardless and dry swallowing them. “Thanks Sam.”
I see Carter smile when Daniel calls her Sam. Either she’s thanking the lord he didn’t use that ridiculous Captain-Doctor title – or she’s gone all giddy simply because he called her by name and not rank. I admit, when I’m referred to as Colonel too many times I start to loose sight of the part of me that is unequivocally Jack. It is nice to be reminded of the person inside the uniform from time to time. Daniel never calls me Colonel now. He tried it on for size once or twice during our first couple of missions but gave it up as a bad job. I guess one of the reasons why I got to like him, considering my personal view on scientists and archaeologists alike, is because most guys in his profession always insist on flaunting their achievements. Now here’s a guy with three PhD’s to his name before the age of thirty and what’s the first thing he tells people? Call me Daniel. So to everyone at Stargate Command he isn’t Dr Jackson PhD who opened the Stargate. He’s Daniel.
“What the heck is this anyway?” Daniel asks still half asleep and staring at the brown gunk the Air Force mistakenly label food.
“Just eat it.”
“Daniel Jackson, did you find anything of interest in the ruins?”
“Err kind of, maybe, um actually no, not really.” Someone was going to have to explain to Teal’c about not questioning Daniel when he’s just woken up.
Comfortable silence falls between us while we finish off what remains of dinner. It isn’t until Daniel puts his bowl down and I watch his eyes slowly drift south that I make the call.
“Okay campers, same watch as last night.” I look at each of them in turn, giving their nods of approval. However when I get to Daniel, he appears to already have passed out completely.
Carter leans over once again and gives him another quick shake. “Daniel?”
There’s no reply and she immediately looks to me to do something.
I sit contemplatively for a minute, reach over and whack Daniel on the leg. “Hey!”
It doesn’t work, I’m starting to get a little panicky myself and wonder if a rock had hit him on the head back in that broken down stone shack he ran off to explore. I stand up and lean over him, bending down to snap my fingers in Daniel’s face.
“Huh?” Daniel responds – eventually – in a daze.
“You okay?” I ask.
“What?” Daniel says completely oblivious to what’s going on around him. It’s moments like this that make me think there are some loose connectors in Daniel’s head.
“You sure you didn’t hit your head?” I know he told me he was fine, but I’m starting to realise Daniel’s version of fine differs from everyone else’s.
Daniel blinks a few times, probably his way of getting all the cogs going again, and looks up at me when full awareness dawns. “Oh yeah, no I’m fine, I was just thinking.” He looks at Carter and then back to me. I’ve since settled myself down in front of him, keeping my balance by resting one hand on his knee. He looks extremely unnerved, “what?”
“Nothing,” I concede, “if you’re sure.” I stand again, confidant it’s just Daniel being Daniel, his usual distractible self. “Time for bed kids.”
Carter’s the first to respond, getting up quickly and laying out on her bedroll. Teal’c doesn’t move, but given that he’s used to commanding his own army, I intend to allow him a little leeway. Daniel, on the other hand, is still sat there blinking up at me.
“You too Daniel, move it.”
Daniel slowly complies, making it very clear he doesn’t appreciate me telling him when to go to bed. My only response is to shove him in the right direction.
“You’re not going to tuck me in as well are you?” Daniel’s foreboding remark filters back to me.
I can hear Carter trying her hardest not to laugh. Daniel flashes me an innocent smile before lying down and closing his eyes. “Night Teal’c.”
“Good night Daniel Jackson.” Teal’c returns.
I shake my head in exhaustion and walk back over to sit down by the fire once again. Daniel’s clearly fast sleep, having already rolled on to his side facing away from us.
“Teal’c, to answer your earlier question – he means a giant pain in the ass.”