Location: SGC Mess Hall

  POV: Daniel Jackson

  "Do you actually plan on translating that or do you just enjoy staring at it?" Jack asked.

  Daniel looked up from the piece of foreign dialect he had written on the papers lying just beneath his nose, his fork pausing halfway to his mouth. He hadn't even noticed Jack's arrival.

  "What?"

  Jack shifted forward in his seat.

  "It's just that you've been staring at those same squiggly lines for the past—" He filled his cheeks with air, noisily releasing it. "Four? Five days?"

  "Well, it'd probably go faster if there were less interruptions," Daniel said, a note of irritation in his voice.

  "Daniel, what could possibly be interrupting you?" Jack asked innocently.

  Behind him, Teal'c approached with a tray, taking the seat beside him. Daniel tried to suppress his annoyance, lifting his fork the rest of the way to his mouth only to find that its contents had been lost along the way.

  "You know how uneventful this place is," Jack continued.

  "On the contrary, O'Niell," Teal'c interjected, raising one eyebrow, "This place is quite eventful."

  "No," Jack protested in mock disbelief, "What was the last interesting thing that happened to you?"

  "You mean when I was nearly transformed into a swarm of giant bugs?" Teal'c replied flatly.

  Jack slowly turned his head back toward Daniel.

  "See?" he said, "Nothing ever happens around here."

  Daniel didn't indulge Jack with a response, instead forking food into his mouth and silently poring over certain other events that had recently passed, such as how he'd found Sha're on Abydos, the real Sha're, living among her friends and family once more. How he'd been forced to watch her taken over by the Goa'uld sleeping inside her, forced to watch her go to where she'd once more be beyond his reach.

  Yes, nothing ever happened here. Leastways, not what he ever expected or hoped would happen.

  "Have you heard?" asked Carter.

  He looked up to see her hurriedly sliding into the seat next to his, a slight spark of excitement in her blue eyes.

  "No, heard what?" Daniel queried.

  "Oh, well, apparently Karssen's back from her combat training," Carter answered.

  "Then I assume her training was successful?" Teal'c said.

  "It was," Carter confirmed readily.

  Daniel absentmindedly stabbed at his food. It'd been three months. The idea of seeing Marina—no, Rina—again felt strange. He and the rest of SG-1 had come and gone from so many different worlds, with the people they'd encountered there often becoming a permanent part of their past, their names and faces lost over time.

  I guess I still just need to get used to the idea of having somebody new on the team...

  As the months had passed, the idea had slipped to the back of his mind, especially so after the recent events.

  "You seem awfully excited," Jack remarked almost suspiciously to Carter.

  For a split second, Sam looked like a deer caught in headlights.

  "Oh, no," she said quickly, giving an awkward laugh, "I'm just excited about having a new member of the team." Her strained smile vanished in an instant, her eyebrows raising in a questioning manner. "Aren't you?"

  "Not sure 'excited' is the word I'd use," Jack answered, taking a brief moment to think, "More like...'cautiously optimistic'."

  Despite his own fairly ready acceptance of Rina's request to join SG-1, even despite his pushing Jack to accept it too, Daniel couldn't help but feel in the same boat of 'cautiously optimistic'.

  If this opportunity mattered enough to Marina to make her push herself through tests, training, and all manner of obstacles, then the least he could do was offer whatever support he could.

  Or maybe he just selfishly needed to believe that Marina could improve her life. After all, if she could do it, so could Sha're—once he got her back, that is.

  I should probably drop in...say hello, Daniel mused, turning his thoughts quickly back to Rina, Or...no, if she just got back, she's probably still getting resituated.

  Plus, SG-1 was scheduled to go offworld soon, meaning Daniel and the others would have to get geared up and ready to go shortly after their meal.

  So I won't have a lot of time to—

  "Daniel?" Carter nudged him.

  "Hm? Uh, sorry," Daniel answered distractedly, trying to disentangle himself from his thoughts.

  "There's no point in trying to communicate, Carter," Jack said with mock seriousness, "Daniel is the sort of lifeform that only understands his own—" He reached across the table, snatching one of Daniel's papers and briefly looking it over. "—unreadable scribblings."

  "Unreadable?" Daniel echoed indignantly.

  He made a grab for the paper. O'Niell jerked it out of reach.

  "Yes," he said, his tone maintaining its false gravity, "Unreadable."

  He held the paper out to Teal'c, who promptly raised an eyebrow at it.

  Daniel scoffed, "You can't read it because it's in an alien dialect!"

  Carter reached for the page, quickly taking in its contents before pointing to a few tentative translations near the bottom of the sheet.

  "This too?" she asked.

  "Oh." Daniel couldn't keep the strain of defeat from his voice.

  Okay, so maybe my handwriting can get a little messy...

  Jack shovelled the last few bites of food from his tray into his mouth before standing up.

  "Well, Daniel, I hope you can at least understand deadlines," he said, tapping on his watch with his free hand, "Because ours is coming up soon."

  "Yes, I'm aware—" Daniel glanced at his own watch, his brows furrowing. "Is it that late...?"

  He looked to Carter and Teal'c, both hastening through their meals, then at his own tray still half full of uneaten food.

  I'll stop by and talk to Rina later, he decided, frantically devouring the remains of his meal.

  Location: SGC Gate Room

  Daniel raced into the embarkation room, hurriedly adjusting the straps on some of his gear.

  "Nice of you to join us," Jack remarked with feigned surprise, "Let me guess: you couldn't resist the call of P3—" He paused, his expression going blank. "What was it again?"

  "P3R-527, sir," Carter answered readily.

  "Ah, yes. You know, it actually looks like it might make a good vacation spot. As long as nothing too crazy happens, we might be able to consider it for some off-world R&R sometime."

  "Uh, what exactly qualifies as 'too crazy' for us?" Daniel asked incredulously.

  Before Jack could answer, General Hammond's voice called out from the open hallway on their right, "Just a moment!"

  SG-1 collectively turned toward the sound, watching as Hammond strode into the gate room, followed closely by someone wearing an SGC uniform. It took Daniel only a second to recognize her. Her long hair was tied up in a bun, the uniform adding bulk to her formerly slender frame. A handgun was strapped to her hip, barely hidden beneath the hem of her open jacket. When Daniel met her eyes, he was greeted by a mask-like expression.

  "Well, it looks like someone's feeling eager," Jack said slowly, a subtle strain of uncertainty in his voice.

  "Miss Karssen was adamant that she didn't want to waste any time before settling into her new role here," Hammond explained, "I've already briefed her on what little we know of the planet, but I'm giving you final say, Colonel. If you're all right with her joining on such short notice, then so am I."

  Daniel shifted his focus from Rina back to Jack, watching the wheels in his head turn.

  Then Jack replied with an easy, "Sure, why not?"

  Hammond gave a nod, laying a hand on Marina's shoulder and wishing her the best of luck on her first mission. Daniel searched Rina's face for any kind of reaction but her expression remained unreadable. After Hammond made his exit, she approached the others slowly, an awkward silence hanging in the air. Carter was the first to break it.

  "So, how was training?" she asked.

  Rina pursed her lips, her mask chipping.

  "Well, in a nutshell, it was three months of sore muscles and just barely resisting the urge to punch my instructor's lights out. Otherwise, it was fine."

  Sam offered a grim smile in sympathy.

  "Yeah, training tends to be gruelling at the best of times. It's good to have you back now," she said, extending her hand.

  After a second's hesitation, Rina gripped it, completing the initiated handshake.

  "Yeah," Daniel seconded, offering his own hand.

  This time Rina didn't hesitate in accepting.

  "I hope you did not suffer any setbacks, Miss Karssen," Teal'c said.

  Marina regarded him for a moment before answering, "No. And it's Rina."

  "So why the big hurry?" Jack interjected.

  Rina sighed, an air of dryness in her tone as she answered, "Frankly, I wasn't interested in having survived months of torture just to go back to sitting around in a dismal room and waiting for something to happen. So—" She gestured to the stargate, which was already in the process of dialling. "Shall we?"

  As if on cue, the gate completed its sequence, projecting a violent wave from its center before absorbing it back into the now stable event horizon. Jack turned, stepping up onto the ramp.

  "Okay!" he said cheerily, "P3...R—"

  "P3R-527, sir," Sam repeated.

  "Whatever," Jack said, "Here we go!"

  Location: P3R-527

  POV: Marina Karssen

  Rina was greeted by the lush green of a sprawling forest of pines and shrubs, and for a brief moment, her mind pulled her back to the world of Ba'al's sanctuary; if not for the clear absence of his magnificent stronghold, she might have almost believed she was there.

  You won't find him right away, she chided herself, You won't find anything right away...

  She forced down her disappointment and yearning, taking in more of her surroundings. An SGC probe sat about a stone's throw from the gate, the grass beyond it growing thinly, and there were vines wrapped around the stargate, some of which had been severed by its activation. The dialling device appeared a little overgrown as well, so Carter was busying herself with clearing it off while Jack and Teal'c forged ahead into the trees, leaving Rina and Daniel standing by the gate.

  "I'll be honest," Daniel said suddenly, and Rina instantly felt a twinge of dread in the pit of her stomach.

  In her experience, the words "I'll be honest" were never a good sign. Hell, she could recall at least a half a dozen fights between her and Alex that had begun with that very same phrase.

  "I've been feeling a little curious ever since I first heard you wanted to join the team," Daniel continued, reaching up to adjust his glasses as he offered an awkward smile.

  Rina felt her dread deepen.

  "Why is this so important to you?"

  And there it is.

  Dread was quickly replaced by irritation. Rina did her best to hide it, though she had the distinct feeling she was failing.

  Don’t get mad, she chanted wordlessly, Don’t get mad…

  The mantra felt like second nature; after all, she’d been silently repeating it for almost three months now.

  You’re glad to be here, she reminded herself, This is what you’ve been working toward, and you finally got it. You can avoid a fight. Just calm down.

  She uttered a gusty sigh, unconsciously brushing her fingers against her forehead.

  “Daniel,” she said, “Ask me my favorite color.”

  Jackson blinked. “What?”

  “Ask me my favorite color,” Rina said again, “Ask me whatever small talk questions you have, get them out of your system, just don’t ask me why I’m here. You have your reasons, I have my reasons—which were vetted by General Hammond, and a shrink, for that matter—but we don’t need to get into that right now.”

  She hadn’t been able to prevent her annoyance from leaking into her voice toward the end, but hopefully Daniel had gotten the point. He was silent for a moment, his gaze dropping to the grass beneath their feet.

  “No, you’re right,” he said suddenly, catching Rina by surprise, “I shouldn’t have asked. Whatever it is must be..." He paused, drawing a deep breath. "...very personal for you."

  Rina stared at him blankly. Three months ago, Daniel had been ceaselessly pushing her buttons and digging into her personal affairs. Now, he was just...backing off?

  Then again, maybe that’s not too surprising, Rina thought, recalling what Daniel had told her about his wife, His reason for being here is just as personal as mine.

  "I guess what I really wanted to say," Daniel pressed on, doing his best to avoid eye contact, "Was just that I hope this works out—you being on the team, I mean."

  There was an awkward silence. Rina continued to stare, silently contemplating whether or not to ask the question that had been gnawing at the back of her mind for the past three months, the question which had left her to wonder if Daniel had in some way pressured O'Niell to let her join the team. But it felt wrong to indulge her own curiosities when she'd denied him his. And regardless of whether or not he'd had a hand in convincing O'Niell, he'd still shown open support for her decision from the moment he'd learned of it. That at least deserved gratitude.

  "Thank you," Rina said at last, her voice soft, "It's…kind of nice having someone on my side."

  Daniel blinked.

  "Rina, you're part of a team now. You don't have to worry about 'sides'."

  Rina said nothing for a heartbeat, choosing to break the silence only to change the subject.

  “Green. That’s my favorite color. And yours?”

  Daniel smiled in amusement.

  “Uh, I’d say blue,” he answered.

  “Hm. Good to know.”

  Still smiling, Daniel started backing away, pointing vaguely in the direction Jack and Teal’c had gone.

  “Um, I’m going to—”

  “Yeah,” Rina said, “I’m right behind you.”

  Nodding, Daniel turned and promptly disappeared into the trees. Rina unhurriedly started after him, only to pause when she realized Carter was still pulling vines off the dialling device. As Rina caught her eye, Carter quickly ducked her head and quickened her pace in a manner that reeked of guilt.

  She was listening, Marina realized.

  Pursing her lips, she took a few steps toward the DHD.

  "You need help?"

  "Hm? No, I'm good," Carter smiled awkwardly, "Basically done anyways."

  Rina jerked a thumb back at the trees Daniel had just vanished into.

  "You heard that?"

  Carter's smile promptly died.

  "Yeah," she confessed, "Sorry."

  Rina took another step toward the DHD, sighing.

  "Well, I’m sure you’re just as curious about why I wanted to be here."

  "Actually,” Carter said, briefly hesitating, “Don’t tell the guys this, but…I'm kind of just glad to have another woman on the team.”

  Rina couldn’t help it. She laughed.

  “What?” Carter asked.

  “No, no, nothing,” Rina said, waving a hand in dismissal, “That just makes a lot of sense.”

  “Look, don’t get me wrong,” Carter explained hastily, “Being part of this team and getting to do what we do…it’s incredible. But—”

  “But you’re a woman in the military,” Rina finished slowly.

  “Yeah,” Carter said, smiling grimly, “I guess there’s really no other way to put it. Honestly though, things are a lot better now than before.”

  Who exactly is she trying to convince? Rina wondered silently.

  “Well, I know Daniel’s not the type to give you trouble,” she deduced, “Teal’c I’m not sure of—”

  “Oh, Teal’c’s been great,” Carter assured her quickly.

  “Then…Jack?”

  Carter hesitated. Her expression said it all.

  “Of course,” Rina said.

  “Look, I have a lot of respect for Colonel O’Niell,” Carter insisted, “It’s just that our first meeting…wasn’t the best.”

  “Do I want to know?”

  “Well, the thing is I usually go by Sam instead of Samantha,” Carter began, “So people tend to expect something…different. Which means,” she continued, frustration starting to leak into her tone, “A lot of my introductions involve trying to prove that I'm qualified to even be there."

  “And…your introduction to Colonel O’Niell?” Rina prodded.

  “Was, unfortunately, more of the same,” Carter continued, shaking her head, “Almost everyone in that room either treated me like a joke or else something to flirt with. But it’s in the past now, so—”

  She spread her hands, putting the subject to rest. Rina took another step toward her.

  “So your full name’s Samantha?”

  “Yeah, but you can call me Sam,” Carter offered readily.

  Rina cocked her head to one side, silently contemplating.

  “You know what? I don’t think I will.”

  “Sorry?” Carter replied, evidently confused.

  Again, Rina stepped closer.

  “You shouldn’t have to be ‘one of the boys’ to be recognized,” she said quietly, “So, I’ll call you Samantha.”

  Sam stared at her, momentarily speechless.

  “Thank you,” she said sincerely, then paused. “You know, even my Dad’s always called Sam. He wanted a boy too,” she added with a strained smile.

  Rina dropped her gaze to the DHD, emotion stirring within her.

  “Yeah,” she said softly, “My parents wanted something different too.” She paused for a heartbeat, her tone hardening as she added, “Screw them.”

  “Yeah,” Carter agreed with a light laugh, though her tone lacked conviction. “Well, anyway,” she added, brushing away some moss stuck to the DHD, “We should probably—”

  "Ladies?" Jack's voice cut in.

  Rina and Sam instinctively spun to face him.

  "What are we talking about?" he asked curiously.

  Rina took the last remaining step between her and the DHD, casually leaning against it.

  "Well, since I don't recall you being part of the conversation, I'm pretty sure 'we' were talking about nothing," she answered snidely.

  Jack stared at her blankly for a few seconds before replying, "Touché."

  There was an awkward pause. Jack tapped his fingers against the sturdy surface of his submachine gun, glancing between Carter and Rina. Karssen maintained a cool expression.

  "Well, just thought you should know," Jack said finally, turning and pointing toward the trees he'd just emerged from. "There's a hell of a drop-off up there, so just be careful when you get past the treeline."

  "Is there a safe way down?" Carter asked.

  "Teal'c's looking for one now. He thinks he might've spotted someone from the ridge, so I figure we'll check it out and then head back and report in. Sound good?"

  "Uh, yes, sir," Carter answered.

  "So basically we're going hiking," Rina summarized.

  "Sure," Jack agreed, "Hiking."

  "Okay then," Rina said, brushing past him.

  Though as she ventured deeper into their surroundings, she caught Jack's lowered voice asking, "So, I’m guessing girl talk? Or…you weren’t talking about me, were you? ‘Cause you know how self-conscious I get—"

  Rolling her eyes, Marina quickly spun back around, calling, "Are you coming?"

  As Jack turned to face her, Sam flashed her a quick look of gratitude, offering an unspoken 'thank you' for the rescue before responding aloud with, "Yeah, right behind you."

  Jack seemed to give up after that, falling in step behind Sam. Feeling a small spark of satisfaction, Rina pushed on, the thin grass underfoot soon turning to stones crunching beneath her boots. She emerged from the shelter of the pines, pausing to take in the sight before her. Jack certainly hadn't been kidding about that drop-off. Daniel stood close to the edge, just outside the shade of a solitary, half-dead tree. Rina moved to his side, following his gaze downward. It must have been at least a hundred feet to the bottom of the cliff, guaranteed to end in a broken neck if someone lost their footing up there. Marina warily stepped back, Carter quietly slipping into her place.

  "Wow," said Sam.

  "Yeah, it's a long way down," Daniel agreed.

  Approaching from behind, Jack veered left along the edge of the cliff, calling out, "How's it coming, Teal'c?"

  "This path is steep, but it will suffice," came the answer.

  Following in Jack's footsteps, Rina tried to pinpoint the direction of Teal'c's voice, peering past O'Niell down the sharp incline. She found Teal'c about halfway down, having discovered a somewhat precarious path to the cliff base. Before each step, he tested the ground with the end of his staff weapon, weaving back and forth as necessary.

  "Fun," Rina remarked dryly, "So when I inevitably break my leg trying to get down, who's going to carry me?"

  "Well, Rina," Jack said, patting her on the shoulder and offering a wry smile, "It's not going to be me." At Rina's sour look, he withdrew his hand, adding, "My back has been feeling a little off lately."

  "Who said you could call me Rina?" Marina queried, unamused.

  "What? I'm the only one who doesn't get to call you that?" Jack protested.

  "Well, actually, sir," Carter piped up, "She hasn't asked me to use her nickname yet either."

  "Damn!” Rina swore, snapping her fingers, “Knew I was forgetting something. Samantha,” she said, turning to face the captain, "You can call me Rina."

  "Oh, sure, thanks!” Carter beamed.

  "Now that's just cold," Jack said, shaking his head as he started down the cliffside after Teal'c.

  Moving to Rina's side, Daniel remarked in a lowered voice, "You know he's gonna be sore about that for the rest of...well, ever."

  "Hmm," Rina hummed, unfazed, "I'm sure he'll survive."

  Daniel started down after Jack, Rina following behind him, with Carter in the rear. With a little bit of guidance from Teal'c, they all made it to the bottom safely, then set off from there, wading soon after into a sea of increasingly tall field grass. Silently, Rina folded her arms across her chest, keeping the dry blades from brushing against the bare skin of her hands.

  "You all right?" Sam asked softly.

  "Yeah, fine," Rina answered, offering wordless thanks for the fact that her uniform prevented the grass from touching any other part of her.

  "Someone has definitely come this way," Teal'c said suddenly.

  "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Rina asked, peering past Daniel to where Teal'c stood at the front of the group with Jack at his side.

  "I do not know," Teal'c answered.

  "Well, at least you know for sure you saw someone out here," Jack said, pointing ahead to a gathering of pines, "Tracks head into the trees. Let's go."

  "So of all the civilizations you guys have encountered, just how many of them are peaceful?" Rina queried.

  "I'd say most of them are," Carter replied.

  Well, that's good.

  "The better question would be how many of them stay peaceful," Jack interjected.

  "What, you pissed them off so much that they tried to kill you?" Rina asked sardonically.

  "By 'you'," Jack began quietly, "Did you mean just me or—"

  "We've had some misunderstandings in the past," Carter interrupted, "Which have led to, well, not-so-great relations with some of the natives we've encountered."

  "Wait, Daniel, didn’t you say you speak over twenty different languages?” Rina asked.

  “Yeah,” Daniel replied, glancing back over his shoulder, “Why?”

  Rina shot him an incredulous look.

  “You speak over twenty different languages,” she repeated, “And there’s still room for misunderstanding?”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t be too hard on him,” Jack cut in loftily, walking backward so as to face the others, “Daniel here has a hard enough time with this language, so it’s actually quite—” He paused, searching for the right word, “—impressive that he can manage any understanding at all.”

  "Seriously, are we still talking about my notes?" Daniel asked defensively.

  Notes? Did I miss something?

  “Okay, firstly—” Daniel began heatedly, turning toward Rina, “There are over 7,000 languages spoken on Earth alone, and several of the languages we’ve encountered offworld are completely alien! Secondly—” He whirled back to face Jack. “My personal notes aren't meant to be read by someone else. When I'm translating, I'm just writing things down as I think of them; I'm not thinking about how my penmanship looks."

  "Ah!" Jack exclaimed, pointing in mock sternness at his victim, "A confession."

  "Con—what, are we in a courtroom drama?" Daniel demanded incredulously.

  "You need any legal representation, Daniel?" Carter asked playfully.

  "Yeah, I'm starting to think I might."

  “Seems like he’s doing a good enough job defending himself,” Rina commented, leaning in toward Samantha.

  “Well, believe it or not, Daniel’s actually had some practice in mounting a defense,” Carter answered with a smile.

  Rina’s eyebrows unconsciously rose. “Oh?”

  “Yeah, in one of our previous missions, on a planet called Cartago, though the inhabitants called it ‘Cor-ai’ instead of a trial. Remind me to tell you that story later.”

  I definitely will.

  "Trust me, Daniel,” Jack was saying, “Your defense won’t survive my highly skilled prosecution.”

  “So who’s the judge?” Rina interjected.

  “Ah, now that, of course, would be the right honorable Teal’c,” Jack replied, gesturing at the empty air beside him. He paused, turning his head to regard the apparent vacancy with mild surprise. “Teal’c?”

  The subject in question had forged well ahead of the group, entirely absorbed in following the tracks laid out before them. Turning to face forward again, Jack promptly picked up the pace, the others reluctantly following suit. They caught up with Teal’c at the treeline, where he’d stopped to wait for them. Lifting a hand, the Jaffa pointed straight into the heart of the pines. He seemed to be saying something to O’Niell, but Rina couldn’t quite catch it. She did hear Jack’s response, however.

  “Okay, let’s keep an eye out. I don’t want any surprises.”

  "Surprises?” Rina echoed, adding to Teal’c, “You did just see one person, right?”

  “Doesn’t mean there aren’t any more hanging around,” Jack insisted, “Anyway, we don’t know yet if they’re friendly or not.”

  “And what exactly is the likelihood of them assuming that we’re not friendly?” Rina queried.

  “What?”

  “Well, you do realize how friendly we look right now, right?” Rina pressed, pointedly unholstering her gun so she could hold it up for O’Niell to see.

  Jack gave a mirthless smile.

  “Karssen, if you want to meet an alien we know nothing about on a planet we know nothing about without a weapon, then feel free.” Turning on his heel, he started into the pines, waving for the others to follow. “Come on, let’s go.”

  Daniel stepped closer to Rina, leaning in to quietly explain, “Believe me, I’ve had this conversation with him, more than once. No point in wasting your breath.”

  “Somehow, I’m not surprised,” Rina muttered, returning her weapon to its holster.

  They pressed on in silence, Jack and Carter carefully eyeing their surroundings while Teal’c kept his attention fixed on the trail ahead. In the cover of the trees, the grass had once again thinned, a wordless encouragement to Rina to discard her uniform jacket, which by this point had already caused her to start working up a sweat. As she tied the sleeves around her waist, she silently hoped that their hike wouldn’t drag on much longer. To distract herself, she turned her focus on Daniel, who’d been left traipsing at the rear of the group with her.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  “So,” she began, “The main goal of these missions is to gather new technologies, right?”

  “Technologies, alliances, that sort of thing,” Daniel replied, “Though personally, I’m more interested in the cultural side of things.”

  “So what alliances have you made so far?”

  “Well, we’ve—” Daniel began, only to be promptly silenced by O’Niell.

  “Daniel.”

  Jack’s tone was sharp, warning. Brows furrowing, Daniel peered past the now unmoving figures in front of him and Rina, trying to ascertain why they had stopped. Rina mirrored him, leaning opposite in the hopes of catching a glimpse of something. The first thing she noticed was that Jack’s weapon, which had been at the ready just moments ago, was now in a resting position, with Carter evidently having followed suit. The second thing she noticed was the apparent cause for their sudden halt. Not much more than a stone’s throw away were two young children, perfectly human in appearance. They both had brown skin and raven hair, and both wore stunned expressions. Daniel, quickly forging to the front of the group, bent down so he was closer to eye level with the two children before raising a hand in greeting.

  “Hi.”

  Quick as a shot, the children took off, racing deeper into the trees.

  “Good one, Daniel,” Jack said sardonically before sprinting off.

  “Oh, yeah, ‘cause chasing after frightened kids is such a great idea!” Daniel yelled at his retreating back.

  Slowing his pace, Jack shot back, “Well, we still need to talk to them, don’t we?”

  “And where exactly—” Daniel cut himself off with a frustrated sound as Jack forged on, leaving them behind. Daniel’s question dwindled to a defeated close. “—do you think they’re running to…?”

  Without a word, Teal’c started after the colonel, Carter giving a brief, almost apologetic look to Daniel before hurrying after. The exasperated Daniel was left standing alone, until Rina made her way over.

  “Can I ask how many missions he’s screwed up,” she queried dryly, “Or is it too big a number to keep track of?”

  Daniel only sighed in response before breaking into a run.

  Maybe the better question is how many missions Daniel’s managed to salvage, Rina thought, half-heartedly following in his wake, I was really hoping that at least my first mission would go smoothly…maybe that was too much to hope for.

  She forced herself to pick up the pace for fear of losing sight of Daniel and the others. The last thing she wanted was to end up lost and alone on some strange planet. Though as her mind began spinning images of Jack emerging into a clearing, finding himself face to face with the children’s family, watching the expressions on their faces shifting to anger as they saw their young ones being pursued by some stranger, seeing them dive into offensive action—Rina started to wonder if it might not be better for her to be separate from the group in the event those imaginings took place, which certainly didn’t seem so farfetched. Her hand moved for her gun, then paused as she thought better of it.

  Let’s hope Daniel’s communication skills are better than what Jack claimed. Though… She weighed the memory of Daniel’s last minute stall tactic, the one that had ultimately helped save her from Apophis’ clutches. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s come through, she admitted, But if things do go south, that ‘separate’ idea might not be so bad.

  After all, she hadn’t come here to get dragged into some avoidable mess. If her ‘teammate’ ruse had to suffer a little in order for her to stay clear of that, so be it. She’d never get the chance to see Ba’al again if she got herself killed over something stupid.

  Ahead of her, Daniel stopped, and Rina immediately slowed her pace in response, approaching warily. As it turned out, the scenario she’d conjured in her head was a little different than the reality that unfolded before her now. As she drew closer to Jackson and the others, she saw the faces of the people beyond, the humble little houses dotted about among the thinning trees.

  This wasn’t just a family. It was a whole village. And every single person was staring straight at them, several looking as though they’d stopped in the middle of their everyday tasks to behold the strangers.

  As SG-1 collectively stared back, Jack commented quietly to Daniel, “I found a couple more of them for you to talk to.” Pausing, he added, “You’re welcome.”

  Rina soon spotted one of the two children from earlier standing clutched in the arms of a woman, and as Daniel stepped forward to greet the villagers, the little one raised a finger and pointed at him, speaking excitedly in a language Rina couldn’t understand. Daniel answered back in a dialect that sounded impressively similar, prompting some further surprised looks from the scattered crowd. After some hesitation, the woman replied.

  “What did she say?” Samantha asked quickly.

  “I think she just said we have to speak to the matriarchs,” Daniel said.

  At that moment, the second child they’d encountered earlier appeared, pulling a woman by the hand and babbling nonstop. In contrast to the other villagers who wore simple robes of grey or brown, this woman was clothed in a bright and elegant two-piece dress accompanied by a sash and headpiece. Her skin was a satiny brown, her long black hair worn free. She approached with sure strides, her dark eyes fixed unwaveringly on SG-1.

  “I’m guessing that’s one of the matriarchs,” Jack said.

  Looks like it.

  As the matriarch neared them, she slowed to a halt, her young guide releasing her hand and racing to join their counterpart. The woman who’d spoken earlier—seemingly the children’s mother—flung one arm around the second child, holding them both close. Though at a light touch from the matriarch, her evident unease appeared to lessen, and she stepped back a few paces, her head bowed in reverence.

  Solemnly, the matriarch folded her hands in front of her before speaking.

  “May I ask who you are?”

  Her English was clear and unmistakable. SG-1 exchanged a few shocked looks among themselves before Daniel finally spoke up.

  “We’re explorers from another world. I’m Dr. Daniel Jackson and—” He began pointing out each of his teammates in turn. “This is Colonel Jack O’Niell, Captain Samantha Carter, Teal’c, and Marina Karssen. We’ve come in search of knowledge, alliances, the chance to share an understanding with people like yourself, people beyond our own world.”

  “Another world?” the matriarch echoed, “How is this possible?”

  “We came through the stargate, the great ring.”

  Daniel pointed back through the trees, rattling something off in her language, yet it did nothing to lessen the confused expression on her face. Then one of the villagers spoke up, addressing something to the matriarch. A sort of recognition dawned on her face and she turned back toward SG-1.

  “We did not know the ‘stargate’ as you say was capable of such things.”

  “Oh, well, we’d be happy to teach you how to use it,” Daniel volunteered, “If you’re interested.”

  A voice called out suddenly, prompting the matriarch to turn toward the sound. It seemed a second matriarch had just arrived on scene. Her appearance was a tad more extravagant than the first’s, her choice of clothing leaning more toward neutral and cool colors such as white and silver, though she wore gold on her fingers, arms, and in her dark brown hair. Her skin was a shade or so lighter than her fellow matriarch’s, and her eyes had a sharper look.

  “We shall discuss this further once all my fellow matriarchs have gathered,” said the first, turning once more to face SG-1.

  “While we’re waiting, mind telling us your name?” Jack asked.

  The woman inclined her head graciously.

  “I am Matriarch Saanvi. This—” She gestured to the approaching matriarch. “—is Matriarch Aisha. The one who is not yet with us is Matriarch Indira.”

  At that moment, Aisha reached them, exchanging a few words with Saanvi before fixing those sharp eyes of hers on SG-1.

  “Another world, you say?” she remarked, “With a statement such as this, I would say a demonstration is required.”

  Saanvi addressed her in their own tongue, Rina catching a flash of annoyance in Aisha’s eyes, though she didn’t verbally respond. A few minutes passed before the one called Indira arrived, the deep red of her clothing helping her stand out from the crowd. She appeared a good deal older than her fellow matriarchs, with the first sign of wrinkles apparent on her dark skin. She approached, exchanging a nod with Saanvi, who briefly explained the situation to her. Indira answered back in their native language before turning to SG-1 with a stern look.

  “You will show us how the ‘gate of stars’ works,” she insisted, the authority in her tone unmistakable.

  “Well, if you’ll follow—” Daniel began, only to be cut off as Indira added a few words in her own tongue.

  “What was that?” Jack queried.

  Saanvi was the one who answered, “As a show of good faith, we would ask that three of you remain here until we return.”

  “Understandable,” Jackson agreed, turning to face the rest of his team, “So then how about Sam and I take them up to the stargate, show them how it works, and the rest of you can stay here and get acquainted with the villagers?”

  O’Niell blinked, peering down at the front of his jacket.

  “It still says colonel on my uniform, right?”

  Daniel gave him an unamused look.

  “Well, fine, then what do you suggest?”

  Jack directed a brief glance over his team, then concluded, “Karssen, you go with Daniel. Carter, you stay put.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Why me? Rina questioned silently, her brows furrowing, Samantha probably knows a hell of a lot more about the gate than I do. Then again… Her eyes settled on Sam’s submachine gun. That’s not the only area where she happens to know more than me. Though Jack can’t seriously still expect an attack, can he? I haven’t even seen a single weapon since we got here. And whatever they have, I doubt it’s anywhere near our level of arms. They definitely don’t strike me as technologically advanced.

  “Okay then,” Daniel relented, his tone making Rina question if he was wondering the same thing she was.

  Before she could even consider voicing those thoughts aloud, Aisha turned to the crowd, raised her voice, and announced a string of words Rina couldn’t understand. Some murmuring swept through the village, then Aisha faced the offworlders once more, directing an expectant look at Daniel, an expression which Saanvi and Indira mirrored.

  “Um, right, follow me,” Daniel prompted, turning and heading back through the trees.

  There’s an awful lot of hiking on this mission, Rina thought sourly as she dragged herself after him.

  Daniel dominated the conversation for most of the trip back, engaging with the three matriarchs in a language Marina couldn’t understand. Rina trailed along at the back of the group, her hands shoved deep into her pockets, her eyes fixed on her boots. She heard Saanvi ask a question, only Daniel didn’t answer this time. Lifting her head, she found the matriarch smiling in her direction, waiting patiently for an answer.

  “Oh,” Rina said, “Sorry, I’m not the language expert.”

  “So what are you?” Saanvi queried, flawlessly switching to English.

  “Um…” Rina hardly knew how to answer. “New. I’m new. I just joined the team, so I’m sort of figuring things out.”

  “Ah, I remember when I became a leader to my people, I struggled to uphold the standards of those who came before me. It was a great weight upon me. But I came to better understand the path I was meant to take, as I’m sure you will.”

  That’s a sweet thing to say to a stranger. Rina cast a sidelong look at Daniel, who was currently chatting with Indira. What exactly has he been telling these ladies?

  “Your name was—” Saanvi hesitated, seeming at a loss. “Ehm…”

  “You can call me Rina,” Marina offered.

  “Rina.”

  Rina blinked, oddly captivated by the way Saanvi spoke her name, the way she rolled the ‘r’ and added a slightly breathy emphasis to the ‘a’ at the end. It added a strange sense of beauty to the nickname, a beauty further accentuated by the smile Saanvi wore as she spoke it. The way that smile lit up her eyes reminded Rina for the briefest second of Alex.

  “And you’re Saanvi,” she said, adding curiously, “So how is it that we know the same language?”

  “We and our sister tribes speak a great many languages. So to remain close with one another, we teach each new generation the tongues of our sister tribes. Though it is not possible to learn them all.”

  “How many tribes are there?”

  “Oh, too many to count,” Saanvi admitted with a laugh, “And how many tribes are on your world?”

  “The same, actually.”

  “So this is the customary dress for your tribe?” Saanvi asked, gesturing to Rina’s uniform.

  “Oh, no, not really. This is just a uniform. It’s something to wear to—well, travel to other planets, in this case.”

  “Well, I think you look quite handsome in it.”

  Rina blinked at the unexpected compliment. For a moment, she wasn’t sure how to respond.

  “Um, so do you. I mean, your dress, it’s, uh—you’re beautiful.”

  Rina ducked her head, pretending to brush something from her face in the hopes that Saanvi wouldn’t see the blush coloring her cheeks. Saanvi laughed. It was a lovely sound.

  “Thank you,” she said, “That is very kind.”

  “Can I…ask you a question?”

  Saanvi nodded.

  “Why are you being so friendly?” Rina queried, “I mean, a bunch of strangers just showed up at your metaphorical doorstep claiming they’re from another world. I think that’d be…pretty overwhelming.”

  “My people have always believed in existence beyond our own,” Saanvi explained, “Besides, your friends agreed to extend good faith to us by staying behind. And if you are telling the truth, our people will be able to travel across the stars as you do, see great wonders. So far, I see no reason not to trust your word.” She paused, her expression growing more serious. “Should I have reason not to trust you?”

  Rina met her steady gaze. The question felt ironic given the half-truths she had spun just to be there at all. In truth, none of her own ‘teammates’ could even trust her, and it was evident that at least some among them didn’t trust Saanvi’s people. But Marina didn’t admit any of that.

  She simply answered, “No.”

  Saanvi’s smile returned.

  “I’m glad,” she said, “I would have been very disappointed if I did not get to travel through the ‘star gate’ as you say.”

  “So, before now—” Marina gestured to the top of the nearing cliff. “What exactly did you think the gate was?”

  “We did not know. In the past, our people used it for important ceremonies, but we had no idea as to its true purpose.”

  “Well then, I’m glad we could solve that mystery for you,” Rina said amiably.

  “As am I.”

  At the front of the group, Daniel stopped at the bottom of the cliff, raising his voice and addressing the three matriarchs in their own language before finishing in English, “Rina and I will help you up.”

  He aimed a nod at Rina, then turned and offered his hand to Indira. She declined his help, lifting her skirt with one hand before starting up the path on her own. Aisha stepped forward, looking Daniel up and down before slowly placing her hand in his.

  “After you,” Rina told Saanvi, adding with a smile, “So I can catch you if you slip.”

  More likely, we’ll both break our legs. Though as she watched Saanvi’s captivating smile widen, she thought, Hm. Maybe it’ll be worth it.

  They started up the incline, Rina watching Saanvi’s sandalled feet carefully picking out footholds as they ascended.

  I’m surprised she can even climb in those…

  Her surprise only grew as Saanvi remained mostly surefooted, only struggling to find a foothold as they neared the top. As the matriarch extended a hand in search of something to steady herself on, Rina hesitated briefly before slipping her own hand into Saanvi’s, her free hand hovering just an inch behind her. Saanvi flashed her a grateful smile, gripping her hand tightly. Something stirred within Rina. Then Saanvi found the next foothold, slowly releasing Rina’s hand. The way her fingertips dragged across Rina’s palm made it seem like she was reluctant to break the contact.

  At last atop the incline, Saanvi turned and offered her hand to Rina.

  “Here, let me help you now.”

  Rina couldn’t help but smile.

  “I thought I was here to catch you,” she said teasingly.

  Though she accepted Saanvi’s outstretched hand anyway.

  “It’s just a little farther,” Daniel said suddenly, jarringly reminding Rina that there were other people around.

  She turned to look at them, noting the stone-like expression on Indira’s face and the knowing—if somewhat disapproving—look on Aisha’s. Slowly, Rina withdrew her hand from Saanvi’s.

  They followed Daniel into the trees, the matriarchs gathering together in a little group before the stargate while Rina placed herself off to one side, unsure of what to do with herself. Daniel gave a very brief explanation of how the gate worked, then started dialling. Surprised looks and even a gasp or two registered from his audience. Aisha even flinched when the wormhole activated, though as soon as the initial shock had passed, Indira resumed her stone-like expression while Saanvi and Aisha stared openmouthed at the stargate, Saanvi with a fascinated grin on her face. At the sight, Rina felt the corner of her own mouth turn up.

  Indira stepped forward, uttering a brief exchange with Daniel in her own language.

  Then the three matriarchs shared some additional words amongst themselves, Aisha lastly declaring in English, “I believe it is best if I remain here to await your return.”

  “It is decided then,” Indira agreed, turning expectantly to Daniel.

  “Right.”

  Daniel pulled out his G.D.O., punching in the code and waiting for a moment before ushering Indira and Saanvi to the threshold. After a brief hesitation from the elder matriarch, Indira seemingly mustered her courage and stepped through at the same time as Daniel, leaving Rina and Saanvi standing side by side before the open wormhole. If possible, Saanvi’s smile grew even wider, her fingers tentatively dipping into the event horizon. Rina watched her in rapt silence.

  The first time I stood in front of a stargate, I couldn’t step through, despite how much I wanted to. But she’s…not afraid at all.

  That fearless, adventurous spirit…it was just like—

  Alex.

  The thought flickered like a glitchy flashlight and then promptly went out, almost as though it had never been there to begin with.

  “Ready when you are,” Rina told Saanvi.

  The matriarch turned her dazzling smile on Rina and gave a gentle nod of affirmation. Together, they stepped through the gate.

  Location: Stargate Command

  Hammond was already welcoming Indira upon Saanvi and Rina’s arrival, after which, he directed his welcome to the younger matriarch. Once the friendly exchanges were wrapped up, their tour began, though as soon as they got on the elevator, Saanvi was so fascinated with it that she asked to go up and down a few times just for the heck of it. By the second time she asked, Daniel was ready to move on, but Rina interjected.

  “Well, we can do it one more time, right?”

  Saanvi positively beamed at her, and Daniel relented.

  Afterward, it was on to the next thing. Daniel showed them to the infirmary, where Dr. Fraiser consented to giving them a quick tour and general overview of her work. Indira appeared skeptical and Saanvi seemed confused but neither said much.

  From there, they bounced around to the gymnasium and then the mess hall. Rina asked Saanvi if she was interested in trying the food and immediately received an enthusiastic ‘yes’. After ordering some jello with an extra spoon, Rina offered it to her. Saanvi said the texture was strange but that it tasted wonderfully sweet, at which point Indira stole a bite, and then another.

  Next up was the M.A.L.P. garage, where Daniel explained the purpose behind the probes and even conducted a simple demonstration of how they worked. Saanvi nearly jumped out of her skin when the M.A.L.P. started rolling around but her delighted smile soon returned.

  Lastly, Jackson ended the tour at his office, and this time both Saanvi and Indira’s jaws nearly dropped to the floor as they took in Daniel’s impressive collection of books. They explained that their people had so few written texts that seeing so many in one place was a shock.

  “I wish I could read them,” Saanvi murmured, running her fingers almost lovingly over the book spines.

  Then her dark eyes turned on Rina, full of curiosity.

  “Have you read them?” she asked.

  “Oh no,” Rina laughed lightly, “Knowing Daniel, these are probably all historical or cultural books. I have different reading tastes.”

  Saanvi blinked, clearly waiting for further explanation.

  “Well,” Rina began, “I read something called ‘fiction’. It’s made-up stories. Basically, none of them ever actually happened. But they’re exciting and emotional, and sometimes bizarre.”

  “Ah,” Saanvi replied knowingly, “We sometimes tell such stories to the children of our tribe. So why do you like them?”

  Rina shrugged. “Sometimes it’s nice to escape reality for a while.”

  Saanvi considered her for a moment.

  “I believe I know what you mean,” she admitted softly.

  The conversation was cut short by Daniel announcing the tour had concluded for now. He guided them back to the gate room, Saanvi and Indira buzzing with quietly excited discussion the whole way. When they reached the gate room and prepared to leave, Saanvi leaned toward Rina, confidentially confessing that although there were so many interesting things here, their world was terribly grey.

  “Oh, this is just the inside of Stargate Command,” Rina explained with a light laugh, “This is not what the rest of our world looks like, thank goodness. Actually, some of it even looks like yours—trees, grass, stuff like that.”

  “I would love to see that,” Saanvi said.

  “Well, maybe if you ever visit again, you can.”

  Saanvi held Rina’s eyes, her smile gentle.

  “I would enjoy that.”

  Location: P3R-527

  Back on Saanvi’s world, Aisha soon found herself flanked by her fellow matriarchs as they animatedly explained what they’d seen. Aisha looked bewildered. Rina didn’t blame her.

  They made their way back to the village, the rest of SG-1 soon greeting them.

  “So! How’d it go?” Jack queried.

  “Good, I think,” Daniel replied, adjusting his glasses, “They definitely looked interested in most of what I showed them. Oh, and Rina and Saanvi seemed to get along well—really well, actually.”

  He cast a glance at Rina, Jack likewise turning his focus on her.

  “Well, glad to hear you’re making friends,” he said in a tone that made Rina uncertain whether or not he was being snide.

  “Thanks,” she answered skeptically, “I’m sure you didn’t make any.”

  “Ouch,” Jack said.

  Behind them, the three matriarchs finally broke apart, a small crowd having gathered loosely around them. Saanvi approached SG-1, a wide grin on her face.

  “Please, if you will follow us,” she said.

  Jack exchanged a look with Daniel, the latter unsurprisingly being the one to take initiative.

  “Yeah, sure, lead on,” he said.

  The matriarchs guided them deeper into the village, the other residents following at a distance, with more and more of them appearing with each passing minute. As she walked, Rina took in the faces of the onlookers, the sheer fascination of the younger ones and the evident guardedness of the old. After a while, she spotted the very same two children the team had first encountered outside the village. They scampered along, their wide eyes practically glued to the newcomers. Smiling in amusement, Rain offered them a little wave, with one of them mimicking the motion, then grinning with immense satisfaction before promptly sprinting straight into a man they’d failed to see standing in front of them. Though the man seemed just as distracted as the child, hardly reacting to the run-in at all. His eyes were fixed somewhere just ahead of Rina, his face looking like that of someone who’d seen a ghost.

  Marina’s smile promptly vanished as she took in those terrified eyes, her thoughts silently questioning, What’s he so afraid of?

  Then he turned and vanished behind one of the nearby houses, leaving Rina’s question unanswered. She shrugged it off, turning her attention back to the three matriarchs leading the way. After a short while of following along, it became clear where they were leading SG-1. In fact, it was impossible to miss. Standing in sharp contrast to the simplistic homesteads surrounding it was a beautiful dais lined with ornate pillars and centering three throne-like chairs. One by one, the matriarchs stepped onto the dais and turned to face the gathered crowd, which had grown to an impressive amount—nearly the whole village, Rina guessed. Indira raised her arms, addressing her people in their own language. They listened, wary expressions turning rapt, curious eyes growing bright. As Indira finished, sounds of excitement rippled across through the crowd, many of them suddenly darting away. Jack leaned toward Daniel.

  “What did she say?”

  “She said they’re having a celebration in our honor.”

  “So we’re getting a party. Nice.”

  This should be interesting.

  The villagers who’d run off soon returned with tables, one after the other, which they fitted together in an almost frighteningly long line right down the center of the village. Then came the food, all sorts—some of which looked familiar and some which definitely didn’t.

  The tables were lower to the ground and lacked chairs, which meant everyone had to kneel as they ate, though it wasn’t quite as uncomfortable as Rina expected. The villagers each brought blankets for themselves and their families, which they set upon the ground in their intended seating area. Upon seeing that, Daniel came up with the idea to use his jacket in place of a blanket, and Rina and others simply followed his lead.

  The food was a mixed bag. Everything got passed around the table, starting at the head where SG-1 and the matriarchs sat, and working its way all the way down to the end. Rina enjoyed some of it and decidedly didn’t care for others. By the end of it, she was convinced she’d never tried so many different foods before. Then, once everything had been passed along, Saanvi stood up, climbing back onto the dais. A hush fell over the crowd. The sun was just starting to set, catching the colors of Saanvi’s dress—blue, yellow, and orange—and illuminating them brilliantly. Then, slowly, Saavi began to dance. Music joined in from somewhere; Rina was too busy watching Saanvi to look, but they sounded like drums and woodwind instruments. Gradually, the pace of the music and Saanvi’s dance started to shift, growing quicker and livelier. The raised platform and pillars cast shadows across the ground, contrasting the dying light illuminating Saanvi with the darkness beneath her feet. It was like watching a sunset dance on a darkening lake. Rina felt her breath hitch.

  Saanvi truly was stunning.

  As the performance came to a close, Saanvi threw her hands high in the air and let out a whoop, which the villagers echoed back in an almost deafening chorus. Then, as quickly as the tables and food had appeared, they were cleared away, making room for the villagers to one by one join in the dancing. Saanvi stepped down from the dais, locking eyes with Rina for a moment before moving to dance among her people. Next thing Rina knew, she was reaching down to undo her heavy boots, only stopping when she heard Samantha’s voice at her shoulder.

  “Hey, Rina.”

  Rina looked up, meeting Carter’s blue eyes. Her expression was a mixture of amusement and curiosity.

  “Are you and Saanvi…?”

  She trailed off. Marina raised her eyebrows.

  “Are we what?”

  “You know,” Carter prompted rather awkwardly.

  It was Rina’s turn to feel amused.

  “Are we…attracted to each other?”

  “Whoa, whoa, ladies!” Jack, who was sitting just on the other side of Carter, cut in, “I think some of us might feel better off not hearing—” He paused, gesturing broadly to Rina and Carter. “—this.”

  Rina peered over at him, eyes narrowing.

  “Hearing what?”

  “You know,” Jack said, echoing Carter’s words.

  Only this time it was decidedly less amusing.

  After an icy pause, Rina replied, “Well, I’m sorry for existing in your general area.”

  “Oh, please,” Jack protested, “I’d like to think two women getting…friendly with each other is far from the weirdest thing I’ve seen. I just don’t care to know the details, okay?”

  And exactly what ‘details’ did I even mention? Rina demanded silently, though she refrained from voicing the question aloud.

  Carter cleared her throat awkwardly.

  “I’m…going to go dance. Teal’c, do you want to join me?”

  “I do not dance,” Teal’c answered simply.

  “I can teach you,” Samantha offered, a strain of desperation leaking into her tone.

  Teal’c considered her for a moment, then inclined his head in agreement, the two making their retreat. Rina continued with pulling off her boots, perhaps a little more savagely than was necessary.

  “If you don’t mind,” she told Jack, “I’m going to go dancing and flirting with a woman now.”

  As she pushed to her feet, she heard Daniel just barely managing to stifle a laugh as Jack, across from him, gave a black look. Rina allowed herself a subtle smile, silently appreciating Daniel’s unspoken support. Then she raced to join Saanvi, tugging her hair free as she did. As its length spilled over her shoulders, the matriarch turned toward her with a broad grin, a light of fascination sparking in her eyes.

  “What?” Rina asked her, smiling despite her confusion.

  Saanvi lowered her gaze in an almost bashful manner.

  “Forgive me. I thought you looked handsome before, but—”

  She reached out, running tentative fingers through Rina’s hair. A tingling sensation spread through Rina’s scalp, her cheeks flushing.

  “Your hair is so lovely like this,” the matriarch finished, her dark eyes flicking to meet Rina’s.

  For a moment, they stayed like that, eyes locked, neither saying a word, until Marina felt Saavi’s hand slip into hers. The connection felt shockingly natural.

  “Do you wish to dance with me?” Saanvi asked softly.

  “That’s exactly what I’m here for,” Rina whispered back.

  Grinning wider, Saavi stepped back, their hands still linked as she resumed her dancing. Rina followed Saanvi’s lead, slowly gaining a grasp on her style of dance, though for each time Marina added in a bit of her own flare, Saanvi threw back her head and laughed. Rina found herself smiling until her face hurt, but she couldn’t stop. At some point, Saanvi started to copy each one of Rina’s unexpected dance moves, until they’d created some strangely beautiful amalgamation of both styles. Then they were moving as one, each twist and step speaking of a newfound harmony, their bodies close enough that each motion caused them to brush. The crowds around them seemed to melt away, leaving only them, alone in the twilight. Their dancing slowed, Saanvi’s face inching closer until Rina could feel the warmth of her breath.

  “Come with me,” she whispered.

  Rina said nothing, just smiled her assent. With their eyes still locked together, Saanvi guided Rina away from the music and through the village until they reached what Rina guessed was Saanvi’s home, given how its air of tasteful opulence contrasted with the more humble homes surrounding it; not to mention how distinctly Saanvi-esque it felt. Rina stepped inside, noting the soft oranges and yellows coating every inch of the walls and floors. It lent a cozy atmosphere to the place.

  “This way,” Saanvi urged, “I wish to show something to you.”

  She pulled her toward a room sectioned off by a curtain of beads. As they stepped through, setting the beads softly clacking together, Rina spotted a comfortable-looking bed against the far wall. Releasing Rina’s hand, Saanvi moved toward it, sitting on its edge and sliding a hand beneath the cushion settled at its head. When she withdrew her hand again, she clasped a magnificent ruby in her hand. Rina’s breath caught in her throat. The ruby was fitted with an engraved shell of gold and nearly filled Saanvi’s palm. Connected to it was a chain of gold, indicating it was meant to be worn as a necklace.

  “This was passed on to me,” Saanvi explained, “When I became matriarch, after my mentor, the previous matriarch, passed away. It was placed beside her when she died so that her soul might pass into it and live on, as it was with those before her. The souls of all past matriarchs from my line are housed within this amulet, and when I wear it, they offer their guidance to me. It is my most precious possession.”

  Rina stared wide-eyed, too stunned to speak. So instead she slowly crossed to the bed and sat down.

  “Why would you show this to me?” she asked when at last she’d found her voice.

  Saanvi’s bashful expression returned.

  “I suppose it is more for myself,” she admitted, “I was hoping they might guide me now.”

  Lifting the chain, she slipped it around her neck. Once more, Rina felt her breath catch. Somehow, Saanvi looked even more stunning than before. Without even realizing it, Marina reacted, leaning toward her. Saanvi mirrored the movement, the space between them shrinking till they were less than an inch apart. Then Saanvi’s lips moulded to hers, Rina’s hands acting of their own accord as they tangled themselves in Saanvi’s raven hair. A thrill of pleasure shuddered through her. Then, in the very same breath, the unexpected chill of uncertainty came creeping over her.

  All this…she’d done it without really thinking at all. Without even noticing, she’d allowed herself to sink back into memories of Alex, to relive that treasured connection with Saanvi.

  Except Saanvi wasn’t Alex. Alex was gone. And Rina had someone else now.

  It’s the whole reason I’m here at all…

  Guilt stabbed into her. She pulled away, breaking the kiss.

  “What is it?” Saanvi asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m sorry,” Rina sighed, dropping her gaze, “I really want to do this with you. But—” Another sigh escaped her. “There’s someone else.”

  “Someone…else?” Saanvi echoed slowly.

  “It’s—well, I don’t really know what to call it. It’s complicated. I just didn’t want to…I mean, I wasn’t trying to trick you or anything. I’m—I’m sorry.”

  There was a pause as Saanvi seemed to process the revelation.

  “This ‘someone’...where are they now?”

  Rina swallowed hard.

  “We got separated. But…I’m hoping I can find him again.”

  Another pause.

  “Please say something,” Rina begged.

  To her surprise, Saanvi smiled gently, touching her hand to Rina’s cheek as she placed her other hand over the amulet.

  “It seems we have both received guidance tonight,” she said. “Thank you for sharing your truth with me. I hope you find who it is you are looking for, Rina.”

  For a heartbeat, Rina could only stare, lips parted in unspoken surprise. Then a quiet laugh escaped her.

  “You are…incredible.”

  Saanvi smiled, a light of teasing in her eyes.

  “You flatter me.”

  Rina wetted her lips, her voice somber as she added, “I mean it. I…used to know someone who was…a lot like you. And…I never really got the chance to process…losing her.” She shook her head, eyes glued to the floor. “Anyway—” She grabbed for a change of topic. “I seriously hope you find someone even half as amazing as you are.”

  She forced her eyes to meet Saanvi’s again, noting her quietly thoughtful expression. Then Saanvi’s hands grasped hers once more, folding them over the amulet’s ruby face. Closing her eyes, she chanted something in her native language, then translated for Rina.

  “I pray that peace will find you.”

  Saanvi punctuated the blessing with a smile, her dark eyes shining. Yet again, Rina found herself at a loss for words.

  So she simply bid the matriarch a soft: “Goodnight.”

  Marina had hardly left Saanvi’s home when she spotted Carter heading in her direction with Marina’s forgotten boots clutched in one hand.

  “Oh, hey!” Samantha called out, “Aisha told me where I might find you. I grabbed these for you.”

  She held out Rina’s boots, Marina gratefully accepting them.

  “Thanks.”

  There was a brief stretch of silence. Carter peered at Rina in the dimming twilight.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m fine.”

  Samantha seemed to hesitate briefly before speaking again.

  “Look, I just wanted to say sorry about what happened earlier.”

  Rina held up a hand, dropping her boots to the ground and slipping her feet inside.

  “It’s not your fault Colonel Jackass was—well, being a jackass.”

  Carter raised her eyebrows.

  “Colonel—?” She cut herself off. “Uh, well, that’s not actually what I meant. I was…kind of afraid I’d given you the impression that I was…uncomfortable with the idea of you and Saanvi being, well, together.”

  Rina, having finished adjusting her boots, straightened in surprise.

  “Honestly, the idea of two women having that kind of relationship—it’s just not something I’ve ever really thought about. So I guess I just never had a chance to get used to the idea. But…I don’t want you to feel like you can’t be yourself around me, so if I ever say something wrong, just please let me know. Okay?”

  Rina couldn’t help it. She grinned.

  “Honestly, I didn’t get that impression,” she reassured, “But…I appreciate this. Really.”

  Carter shrugged, offering an awkward smile.

  “I figured it was the least I could do.”

  Another stretch of silence followed. This time, Rina was the one to break it.

  “So are we heading back to the SGC or do we have someplace to sleep here?”

  “Oh, yeah!” Carter turned, gesturing for Marina to follow. “Here, I’ll show you.”

  Rina stared slack-jawed at the interior of Aisha’s home, a stark contrast to the quiet elegance of Saanvi’s abode. Compared to what Rina guessed the majority of the houses in the village looked like on the inside, Aisha’s appeared absurdly extravagant, featuring spacious rooms adorned with tapestries, intricate carvings, and other decor.

  “It’s this way.”

  Carter waved her on, guiding Rina past a beaded curtain on their right to a mostly empty room where simplistic sleeping arrangements had been prepared. Jack and Teal’c had already set aside their things and laid claim to one of the sleeping mats dispersed across the floor while Daniel stood next to their host, thanking her for her hospitality.

  Upon Rina and Sam’s entrance, Aisha’s eyes settled quickly on them.

  “Oh. I wasn’t certain if I’d see you this night,” she remarked to Rina, crossing the room to where she stood, “Saanvi is much like myself…” She paused, lowering her voice. “...so intent on having whatever it is she wants.”

  Her dark eyes wandered over Rina in silent appraisal, as though trying to determine what it was her fellow matriarch had found so alluring. Rina, unsure how to react, chose not to, standing unmoving under Aisha’s gaze until Aisha finally withdrew it and turned back to the others.

  “I hope you will not come to feel neglected. It seems my Dasa is…absent this night, and I am unaccustomed to disturbing my own sleep to tend to guests so…”

  She trailed off, punctuating the sentence with a clearly practiced smile.

  “Dasa?” Daniel echoed, “That’s ‘servant’, right?”

  “You have servants?” Samantha asked curiously.

  “Servants? No, there is only the one. We do not believe in living with excess here.”

  Rina threw a cursory glance at their surroundings, arching a skeptical eyebrow.

  This isn’t excessive?

  “And ‘servant’ is not the right word,” Aisha continued, “You might know him better as a…helper.”

  Again, she flashed a practiced smile.

  “Well,” Jack spoke up from his comfortable seat upon his sleeping mat, “I think we can get along without a ‘helper’ or whatever he is.”

  “Very good,” Aisha replied, stepping back, “Then I bid you a restful night.”

  With that, she withdrew, leaving a momentary silence hanging over them.

  “I get the impression she’s still not overly excited to have us here,” Rina commented dryly.

  “Well, we’ll be out of her hair soon enough,” Jack replied, sprawling out on his mat, “First thing in the morning, we’re packing up and heading back to base.”

  “Wait, but we just got here,” Daniel protested hastily.

  “Yes, and it’s already clear these people have nothing to offer us.”

  “Well, maybe nothing in terms of technology,” Daniel agreed, “But their culture—”

  “Daniel, I am not having this argument again,” Jack said sharply, “Okay?”

  Without waiting for an answer, he tucked an arm beneath his head, settling in for the night. Daniel just shook his head before following suit. Rina’s eyes flicked back toward Jack, narrowing unconsciously.

  I wonder how many alliances he’s labelled worthless just because they don’t fit his standard…

  Carter’s arm cut across her vision, interrupting Rina’s thoughts as it pointed out the only unclaimed sleeping mat. Marina nodded in thanks before kicking off her boots and lying down.

  So if Colonel Jackass thinks it’s worthless to stay here, she thought, Then who’s to say we’d even end up coming back here again?

  Disappointment stabbed into her as she thought of Saanvi.

  At least she’ll never think I took advantage of her feelings…

  Though the thought held little comfort.

  Once morning rolled around, Jack, true to his word, had them all gather themselves and prepare to leave. Daniel begrudgingly passed the news to the matriarchs, who then assembled in an impressively short time the vast majority of the villagers to offer a collective farewell.

  “I’m sorry we’re leaving,” Rina told Saanvi when she had the chance.

  The matriarch turned to her in surprise.

  “Why should you apologize?”

  Rina shook her head.

  “It’s not fair. I don’t even know if we’ll come back.”

  Saanvi glanced between her and the rest of SG-1, a light of questioning in her eyes.

  “I find it strange,” she admitted.

  “What?” Rina asked.

  “That you dress so alike, as though you wish to appear the same, yet you seem so far apart.”

  In that moment, it felt as though Saanvi’s dark eyes were gazing right through Rina. Karssen swallowed.

  “It’s complicated,” she murmured.

  Saanvi gave an understanding smile, touching her hand to Rina’s cheek. Rina felt as though she might melt. Then Saanvi withdrew, Jack signalled it was time to go, and Rina filed away with SG-1, casting one last look behind her as she went.

  As she walked, she tried to burn that last image into her brain. She didn’t know what awaited her after this, but she’d take whatever little comforts she could find on this impossible mission.

  As they emerged from the trees and started through the long grass toward the cliff face, Marina’s lingering thoughts were interrupted by the sharp pain of light stabbing directly into her eyes. Eyelids snapping shut against the glare, she lifted her hand to shield her face, wondering irritably what was causing the nuisance given the sun was behind them. She peered through her fingers, trying to catch a glimpse of the source. It seemed to be coming from the lone pine atop the cliff, though how wood could suddenly reflect sunlight was beyond her. She peeled her eyes away, only for them to dart back as they caught sight of something at the foot of the withered pine.

  No, not something. It was someone. And Rina wasn’t the only one who had noticed them.

  POV: Daniel Jackson

  “Who’s that?” Jack queried.

  “I saw this person before, when we first stood upon the cliff’s edge,” Teal’c said.

  “What do you think they’re doing?” Carter asked.

  “Well, let’s find out,” Daniel suggested, quickening his pace a little.

  He didn’t bother to check if the others were keeping up, though he could hear them rustling through the grass not far behind him as he jogged toward the bottom of the cliff. He only glanced behind him briefly once he’d reached the top of the steep path, noting that the rest of SG-1 were practically right on his heels. Then he turned his attention back to the figure standing under the solitary pine tree.

  They were undoubtedly one of the villagers, clad in the same grey-white robes Daniel had seen countless times yesterday. Though as their eyes locked with his, Daniel felt suddenly uneasy. The villager looked like a trapped animal, pacing back and forth on the edge of the cliff, their eyes wide, tears streaking their face, mouth twitching. Raising a hand to the others in silent warning to keep back, Daniel inched toward the distressed man, calling out to him in his native language.

  “We’re friends of your tribe,” Daniel told him, “You don’t need to be scared. Tell us what’s wrong.”

  The man’s face twisted, more tears spilling down his cheeks.

  “She will never stop,” he answered brokenly, “She’ll never stop.”

  “Who?” Daniel pressed, creeping closer.

  The man didn’t answer, instead edging closer to where the cliff cut off. Daniel froze, stomach twisting. He couldn’t seriously be thinking of jumping…could he? He held the man’s gaze, taking in his unspeakable terror, the unspoken internal agony shown on his face.

  Yes, he absolutely was thinking of jumping.

  Panic exploded through Daniel, the tempo of his heartbeat rising sharply.

  “Daniel?” Jack called, sounding alarmed.

  Carter muttered, “I don’t like this…”

  Again, Daniel signalled for them to wait, tentatively extending his other hand toward the desperate man. He chanced a step closer.

  “Let us help you,” he said before gesturing at the cliff edge, “This isn’t the answer. Trust me. Whatever ‘she’ did to you, it doesn’t have to destroy you.”

  “I am already destroyed,” the man sobbed, “Every night she poisoned me with her touch. I cannot bear it any longer!”

  His words twisted into Daniel, sending a shock of realization through him. He knew what the words meant. He knew what this man had been through. He knew. Inside him, something came hurtling, screaming out of the darkness of his subconscious, things he thought he had buried, that he’d dared to hope were gone.

  The man lurched a step closer to the edge.

  “No, no, no,” Daniel blurted, lapsing into English, “Look at me. Please. Just look at me.”

  Slowly, the man turned his gaze to meet Daniel’s once more, eyes filled with a suffocating hopelessness.

  “I promise you,” Daniel said, “We can help you get justice. Just—just don’t do this.”

  He stepped closer, hand reaching out. The man didn’t move.

  Finally, switching to English, he said, “I will never have justice. Not in this life.”

  Then he jumped.

  Hey, folks! Yes, I know it's been over half a year since I updated, but this chapter has been giving me no end of grief due to having to rewrite the beginning several times over and feeling a severe lack of motivation for the project. Plus, even though I knew this chapter was going to be on the long side, I had no idea it would end up being this long. So unfortunately, Part One of this chapter is all I have to offer at this point. Hopefully, it is enough to tide you over until I can finish Part Two.

  Thank you so much to everyone who's stuck around despite the long hiatus! I hope you'll continue to stick around for what's to come!