The Torment of Tantalus
By Karibou
Disclaimer: My only claim to Stargate character ownership is the 7" Black Ops Colonel O'Neill action figure (complete with 1/5 of a stargate!) that I just got for my birthday. All Hail Gecko, MGM, etc., etc., who really do own my favorite people in the galaxy. Oh, and don't sue me, I'm poor.
Summary: Brand new, standalone fic! (Much as I loved the Reap trilogy, I'm looking forward to something non-related.) The team explores an abandoned off-world structure and makes a discovery that has some unintended consequences for Carter and O'Neill. (This is unapologetic S/J Ship. If you don't like ship, then hit the back button on your browser.)
Category: Romance/Adventure/Humor
Pairing: C'mon, you have to ask?
Rating: M
WARNING: This one is rated M for Mature. If you're not into paperback romance novel sex, (and I mean the ones with the red covers, not the pansy, edited for content variety…) then you'll really want to skip this one. If you read Learned by Heart, you'll know what to expect.
Set in season 7, sometime pre-Chimera (and, thus, pre-potatoehead, er, I mean Pete.)
And now, with that out of the way… Eh-em, (clearing throat…)
Chapter 1
"Ever wonder how many trees there are in the universe?" Walking down a set of neatly carved stone steps, Colonel Jack O'Neill glanced around the clearing in front of him, casually cradling his P-90 in one arm. "Seems like we should be cataloging them or something."
Steps behind him, Major Samantha Carter found herself unsuccessfully trying to suppress a smile at his comments. The action was a familiar one. Her CO had a unique talent for rousing her amusement.
Among other things.
The distinct whooshing sound of the gate deactivating shoved such wayward thoughts from her brain, refocusing her attention on the task before her. "We have xeno-botanists who do that, sir." Examining the towering trees on the other side of the clearing, she began searching for any sign of a path through the foliage.
Raising his eyebrows in a familiar expression of doubt, Jack stopped and looked back at his second-in-command. "Really? Xeno-botanists?"
Ambling down the steps beside his teammates, Dr. Daniel Jackson smiled slightly at the conversation. "'Xeno' is derived from the Greek word for 'foreign' or 'stranger.' We use it as a prefix to denote that something is alien or off-world." Daniel smiled at the slightly-glazed look on Jack's face. "And, yes. The SGC really does employ xeno-botanists."
Jack studied the archaeologist for a moment, as though trying to decide whether he was serious or not. Then, turning to the large Jaffa who had just moved in beside him, he tilted his head slightly. "So, Teal'c. I guess this means you're a xeno-warrior."
The heavily-muscled man simply raised one eyebrow. "I have been watching much Tauri television, O'Neill. Is not Xena a warrior princess? If so, I fail to see the humor in your remarks."
Opening his mouth, Jack was about to reply when he was conveniently interrupted.
"Sir!" Sam's voice registered a note of interest. "I think I see a path through the trees," she said, pointing to a barely-noticeable area on the edge of the clearing where the trees were not as closely packed together as they were elsewhere.
Giving Teal'c an apologetic glance, Jack pulled his binoculars from a vest pocket and looked in the direction Sam was pointing. "I think you could be right, Major," he said slowly. "Though it doesn't seem to have been used recently. Lots of underbrush." Placing the binoculars back in his pocket, he nodded toward the abandoned trail. "Looks like a good place to start."
With the comfortable familiarity born of countless similar expeditions, the team set off in a companionable silence. Walking behind her CO, Sam waded through the thick foliage with a feeling that was uncomfortably close to boredom. It was amazing how trips to other planets really had become part of a day's work. She tried to stay focused on the situation at hand, but was not entirely successful. She couldn't entirely blame herself, though. After all, anyone might feel her mind wandering to less-than-businesslike thoughts when confronted by the superbly muscled back half of one Colonel Jack O'Neill.
Sadly, the back half of him was usually all she was able to study with any amount of unbridled intensity. Her wretched infatuation with him was strictly off-limits due to their difference in rank and position in the same Air Force command structure. As such, Sam knew she should really try to nip such thoughts in the bud, before they became problematic. However, since avoiding him was impossible and denying her attraction to him was a waste of time, she'd long since decided to simply allow herself the few, private pleasures she could find in his presence.
Like staring at his butt.
Smiling to herself, Sam shook off her feelings of self-pity and tried to make the most of the moment. It was, after all, a fairly spectacular backside – or at least she had judged it to be, based upon its appearance through his fatigues. With every step he took, the heavy cotton fabric neatly molded itself to the well-muscled bottom half of him, making Sam's heart flutter slightly in response. She might never have an opportunity to gaze upon that magnificent rear end in all its naked glory, but she really couldn't complain about the view she was allowed. After all, not every girl got the chance to stare at Jack O'Neill's ass for eight hours a day. There were worse ways to make a living.
"Carter, see anything interesting?" Jack's voice, clear and commanding as always, jerked Sam away from her naughty musings. Blushing furiously, she reminded herself that he couldn't possibly know what she'd been staring at. He was a damn fine military officer, but even Jack O'Neill didn't have eyes in the back of his head. Or anywhere else on the back side of him.
Being an expert on the subject, she really should know.
Clearing her throat, Sam regained her composure instantly. "Nothing out of the ordinary, sir." Oh, how she hated that 'sir.' "Though it's hard to make out much through these trees." And while I'm concentrating on your butt. She took a deep breath of the clean, forest air. She really needed to get a handle on her hormones.
When Jack suddenly stopped, it was all she could do to keep from falling into him. Luckily, Teal'c was paying attention, as always, and neatly steadied her with a quick but firm hand to the shoulder. Casting him a thankful smile, she tried to see what had caused her CO to halt so abruptly.
Echoing her thoughts, Daniel spoke softly from behind them. "What is it?"
Jack squinted into the distance, once again pulling out his binoculars for assistance. "I'm not entirely sure," he said distractedly. "Looks like a building of some sort." Handing the binoculars to Daniel, he stepped aside and waited for the archaeologist to look into the distance. "What do you make of it?" he asked quietly.
Daniel remained silent for a long moment. Then, glancing at his team, he shrugged. "It's hard to tell from this distance," he admitted, "but it looks almost like ancient Greek architecture. Of course, that could mean anything. We won't know unless we get a closer look."
Taking the binoculars back from Daniel, Jack swept his assessing gaze over the surrounding forest. "Well, it looks safe for the moment." Grasping his P-90 with a new intensity, he nodded toward the distant structure. "Let's move in. Look sharp, everyone."
Following O'Neill's lead, the team walked carefully and quietly through the thick undergrowth. Within a few hundred feet, it became apparent that the building sat in the center of some sort of clearing. Even from a distance, Sam could make out streaming sunlight on green grass, two things that were nonexistent in the thick forest which currently surrounded them.
As they reached the edge of the open space, Jack held up a hand, silently commanding the team to halt. Teal'c crept up beside him and the pair scouted the area with intense concentration. After several tense seconds, Jack exchanged a meaningful look with Teal'c and nodded. Turning to Sam and Daniel, he gestured to the structure. "Looks completely deserted. The area around it was probably kept clear by whoever used to live here, but it's pretty overgrown now. Be careful where you're walking. We have no idea what to expect."
Nodding, Sam looked over her CO's shoulder into the clearing. "It's been deserted for a while, by the look of it."
Teal'c agreed. "Several decades, at least, or so I would guess by the height of the trees which have begun to grow in the grassy area."
Eager to explore the area, the four teammates cautiously stepped into open sunlight, looking at the large, open space which had been carved into the forest. "Wow," Daniel said softly, a note of excitement creeping into his voice, "This is definitely an ancient Greek design. Look at the fluted columns and carved frieze." He stood staring at the building with his mouth slightly agape. "This is incredible."
Sam smiled at the reverence in his words. "I guess we'll be staying for a while," she said knowingly. Once Daniel had that particular look of awe and interest on his face, it took an act of biblical proportions to pull him away from his studies.
Hearing Sam's words, Jack turned to look at his teammates. Also recognizing Daniel's expression, he sighed with resignation. "Teal'c, start scouting a spot for camp. Carter, come with me. I wanna get a closer look at that building."
Nodding, Sam easily took up position beside her CO. As they started navigating the overgrown plant life in the clearing, Sam also found herself somewhat fascinated by the large structure looming ahead of them. "It really is impressive," she admitted. "Looks like something you might see in the ruins near Athens."
Jack glanced from the building to his second-in-command. "Yeah, except it's in much better shape." Brown eyes restlessly exploring the surrounding area, he looked taut as a coiled spring. "Something kept it looking that pretty until a few years ago. I'd like to know who and why."
Sam heard the uneasiness in his voice that indicated a gut feeling of mistrust. She'd heard that tone too many times to dismiss it as superstition. Colonel O'Neill had nearly superhuman instincts in the field, instincts which had saved their collective behinds on more than one occasion. Looking at the building with a newfound sense of caution, she silently edged closer.
Just as they were about to step into the structure's massive shadow, Sam noticed something directly in front of the large steps leading up to its main entrance. Nestled in the tall grasses and weeds that grew throughout the clearing, a fairly large, circular pond shimmered clearly in the midday sun. "Sir!" she said, pointing to her discovery. "Looks too perfect to be natural."
Jack studied the small pool carefully for a moment before walking toward it, Sam at his heels. When they were within a few feet of it, he nodded in agreement. "Yup. I'm no expert on Greek architecture, but I'd say someone or something built this." He gestured to the bottom of the pond, easily visible through the crystal-clear water. "Looks like it was tiled at one point."
Intrigued, Sam leaned forward to have a better look. Standing close to the water's edge, she peered into the sparkling surface. "You're right, sir. I can clearly see the-"
"Carter, look out!" Jack's voice was thick with alarm. "The bank doesn't look to be…" A loud splash interrupted his words, making him cringe reflexively. "…sound," he finished lamely.
Sitting in the middle of the surprisingly warm pond, Sam shoved a hand through her now-sodden hair. An earthy, four-letter expletive split the air as she assessed her current position.
Unsuccessfully stifling a smile, Jack looked at her with amusement sparkling in his dark eyes. "Taking a bath, Major?" he asked dryly, lips twitching into a faint smile.
Glaring at him, Sam hoisted herself into a standing position. The water barely came to the middle of her thighs, but was deep enough to have completely submerged her when she'd fallen in. Looking down at herself, she stifled a groan of mortification. Her BDUs were completely drenched, stuck to her body like a second skin. Tiny bits of moss and other plant life stuck to her in a random pattern that blended nicely with the camouflage print, but did little to improve her mood. "This is so typical," she muttered. Looking over at Jack, she glowered at him darkly. "And don't you dare laugh at me."
Clearly fighting the urge to do exactly that, Jack cleared his throat with a smirk. "Wouldn't dream of it, Carter."
Sam trudged slowly to the edge of the pool and hoisted herself onto a more solid-looking section of the bank. Sighing heavily, she flopped down onto the ground with a sodden squish. It was going to be a long day.
Jack watched covertly as Sam peeled off her soggy vest and button-down shirt, revealing a black tank top beneath it. Sucking in a silent breath, he turned away from the sight and forced himself to think of something – anything – besides the damp, gorgeous, sexy-as-hell Major disrobing a few feet away. Earlier in the day, he hadn't been able to shake the feeling that she'd been staring at his ass, which was ridiculous, of course. Samantha Carter certainly had better things to do when offworld than stare at his ancient backside. Still, the thought had triggered other forbidden images in his brain, making him uncomfortably aware of her every move.
This, of course, led him to his current, unenviable position, standing an arm's-length away from the object of his desire as she slowly peeled layers of wet clothing from her nicely rounded body. Shifting his weight slightly, he prayed she wouldn't examine his BDUs too closely in the next few minutes, or he might have some explaining to do about the present state of his pants.
Tearing his mind away from those tempting thoughts, he picked up his radio. Daniel and Teal'c weren't more than a few hundred feet away, but it was easier than yelling. "Danny, T, we've got a little situation here." Glancing reflexively at Sam, he smiled at the dark glare she shot him. "Carter's gone and fallen into a pond. Either of you have any dry clothes in your pack? I've got nothing, and her spare uniform is as wet as the one she's wearing."
Hearing his amused assessment of the situation, Sam buried her face in her hands and wished she could die of embarrassment. "You don't have to sound so smug about it," she muttered to her CO, who was still staring at her with a sparkle in his knowing eyes.
Jack turned away before she became aware of anything untoward in his expression. He knew that his wayward thoughts would eventually appear on his face – among other places – especially since he'd just caught sight of the effect that the cool breeze and the evaporating water were having on Sam's chilled body. Biting back a curse of his own, he exhaled sharply, wishing that the military-issued tank didn't fit his second-in-command quite so snugly.
Daniel's voice crackled through the radio. "Uh, I've got a spare t-shirt and pair of pants, but I'm not sure how well they'll fit." He had the good grace to keep his laughter contained over the airwaves, though it was clear he'd been chuckling before issuing his offer of help.
Willing to take assistance from anyplace at this point, Sam fished her radio from the soggy vest at her side. "Thanks, Daniel. Anything's better than what I've got on," she muttered miserably.
"Be right there," he replied with a smile in his voice.
Finally reigning in his rampant desires, Jack crossed over to where Sam sat hunched on the ground and dropped down beside her. "See? No harm done," he said cheerfully. "We'll just hang your wet stuff over a tree to dry. With this sunlight, they'll be wearable again in no time."
Appreciative of the attempt to shore up her flagging spirits, Sam managed a dismal smile. "Thanks, sir." Looking at his sleek, well-muscled form, she swallowed reflexively. "How come you never do anything as undignified as falling into a pond?"
Jack looked perceptively into the distance, striking an exaggerated pose of sage wisdom. "Because, Major, I have years of experience under my belt." Then, returning his dark gaze to her, he grinned. "That, and the fact that I always make you three go first."
Sam laughed, glad to have his humor in a moment which might otherwise be unbearable. "Remind me of that the next time we're trudging around through some unknown wilderness."
A rustling in the undergrowth had both Sam and Jack looking up expectantly. Daniel and Teal'c walked toward their teammates, clearly trying to get a good look at Sam. Holding out a bundle of clothing like a peace offering, Daniel approached with a tentative smile. "Rough morning?" he asked gingerly.
Sam smiled wryly. "Something like that." Taking the blessedly dry clothes, Sam stood and pointed toward the distant side of the building. "I'm just gonna run over there and change."
Jack nodded, examining the area for potential dangers without conscious awareness of his actions. "Just be careful, Major," he said quietly. Then, with a teasing smirk, he added, "Never know when a pond might jump out in front of you."
Sending him a withering glare, Sam turned on one heel and stalked away from the group.
Daniel shot Jack an amused smile as she rounded the corner of the building. "That wasn't very nice," he said, not entirely sounding like he meant it.
Jack shrugged. "Probably not. But she can take care of herself." Looking at the pile of wet gear she'd left behind, he started separating the clothing from the other items so that the garments could be hung up to dry. "Besides, do you really think she'd go any easier on me if it had been my sorry ass to fall into that pond?"
Daniel chuckled, noting with some amusement the way that Jack was caring for Sam's equipment. "No, I suppose not." Just as he was fairly sure that Jack would never look after his or Teal'c's clothing if it were laying in a wet heap on the ground. He was tempted to comment on it, but knew such remarks would be unwelcome. In fact, Daniel was fairly sure Jack wasn't even aware of how telling his actions were.
Teal'c was also watching Jack's movements with interest. The wordless look that he exchanged with Daniel indicated that he, too, found his teammate's attentions amusing. Apparently, however, he did not share Daniel's reluctance to speak of it. "O'Neill, should you not let Major Carter see to her own equipment?"
Suddenly aware of what he'd been doing, Jack nearly dropped Sam's canteen on his foot. Trying to appear nonchalant, he instantly became still. "Just trying to help," he said defensively.
Teal'c raised one eyebrow at his friend, indicating that he wasn't convinced. "As you say."
Seeing the knowing looks that both his friends were casting at him, Jack turned on one heel and started walking toward the structure's vast front steps. "Oh, for-cryin'-out-loud," he muttered under his breath. Jack knew that Daniel and Teal'c were well aware of his obsession with Sam. Much as he tried to hide it, his feelings were fairly obvious to people who didn't spend most of their lives working beside him. For his two closest friends and colleagues, he knew it had to be glaringly apparent. Still, by unspoken agreement, it was also a topic that was never discussed. More than anything, Jack did not want anyone's pity over his present situation. The two men behind him certainly understood and respected that sentiment. But he supposed he couldn't blame them for calling him on it from time to time. Hell, if he hadn't been so torn up by the circumstances, he might find it amusing, too.
Once Jack was out of earshot, Daniel turned to his large, stoic companion. "You think they'll ever get it together?"
Teal'c regarded Daniel with a small, wise smile. "Even two warriors as stubborn as O'Neill and Major Carter cannot fight such power forever." He followed Jack's progress with his fathomless, dark eyes.
Daniel sighed. "I hope you're right, Teal'c." Watching Jack climb the marble steps into the giant building, he shook his head and slowly repeated himself. "I really hope you're right."
Half an hour later, the entire team stood in the dim interior of the large, marble structure. Roughly one-hundred feet across by two-hundred feet long, the giant, stone edifice was definitely impressive. The space inside the building was one, large room supported by enormous marble columns which dotted the floorplan at regular intervals. However, it was a gilded circle of floor tiles set perfectly in the center of the space which currently commanded SG-1's attention.
"It's giving off some sort of low-level EM emissions," Sam mumbled absently, consulting a small, handheld electronic device. It had taken her the better part of thirty minutes to stop feeling stupid about her tumble into the pond, but she'd finally become distracted enough with their recent discovery to forget her humiliation, at least for the moment.
Jack and Teal'c exchanged concerned glances. "The floor?" Staring at the golden circle, Jack took a step away from it.
Oblivious to his discomfort, Sam nodded absently. "Nothing dangerous, as far as I can tell. But there's definitely something going on under those tiles."
A few yards away, Daniel paused in his examination of some carvings etched into one of the massive central pillars. "The writing here seems to be a derivative of ancient Greek," he said vaguely, not paying much attention to the rest of the team. "The dialect is pretty obscure, but I think it says something about…" he squinted at the markings. "…'eternal torment for sins against the gods.'"
Looking more wary with each passing moment, Jack looked at the floor again. "That sounds unpleasant," he muttered dryly. Then, noticing how close Sam had gotten to the edge of the circle, he reached out and grabbed her by the arm. "Whoa, Carter! Watch where you're walking." Gesturing to the gleaming tiles, he suppressed a shudder. "How about we avoid the flashy 'circle of doom' until we have more information about it?"
Sam blinked in surprise, flicking a glance at the strong hand clasped around her upper arm. She'd been so absorbed in her readings, she hadn't even noticed how close she'd strayed to the edge of the gilded ring. "Sorry, sir," she apologized meekly. Then, deciding that a few feet of distance between her and the mysterious circle might not be a bad idea, she took a single step toward her CO. Unfortunately, she'd failed to notice a slightly uneven floor tile which jutted a fraction of an inch above the others. With a shocking jolt, she caught her heel on the offending object and immediately felt herself sway backwards.
Feeling Sam's weight suddenly shifting back toward the circle, Jack lunged forward to stop her descent. "Carter!" he yelled, frantically grabbing at her other arm. Distantly, he could see Teal'c also lurching toward them with arms outstretched, but in a sickeningly brief instant, he knew neither of them was going to stop Sam from taking a tumble.
Worse, he also realized he was going down with her.
The last thought to cross his mind as the glittering tiles rushed toward him was that if he and Carter made their way through this in one piece, he was going to wring her gorgeous little neck.