Observations of an Archaeologist
All Ages
Gen, Challenge, Drabble, Humor, Team
Episodes: None
Warnings: None
Synopsis: Days of Our Lives Challenge #1: Daniel saves the day. Bonus words: moratorium and persnickety.
Word Count: 400
Status: Completed September 19, 2009

Observations of an Archaeologist

"He'll be back soon, sir."

Sweat dripping off his hair, Jack squinted up at the sun. "Damn, it's hot," he complained, speaking to no one in particular.

"Indeed," agreed Teal'c, and though the big guy usually handled temperature extremes better than the humans on the team, even he was perspiring.

That, Jack decided, did not bode well. Stuck in the middle of nowhere with no way to get home and nothing to drink, they could easily dehydrate before Daniel returned. What if something bad had happened to Daniel? Would anyone know where to find them? Would Daniel die alone, without his team beside him, and would they be left to slowly perish from thirst and the baking heat?

Declaring a moratorium on such morbid thoughts, Jack decided to do what he could to lighten the mood, and maybe remind everyone how good Daniel was at coming through for his team. "Remember that time on P15... whatever, the place where the two of you fell into that ravine full of nettles?"

"I am unlikely to forget, O'Neill," Teal'c replied, shifting uncomfortably.

Carter also grimaced at the memory. "Good thing Daniel put his gloves on before trying to help us." She looked pointedly at Jack. His fingerless shooting gloves hadn't been any protection against the stinging hairs on the plants, and his hands had been bandaged for weeks afterward.

"Smart guy, our Danny," he grinned, ignoring the look. "He'll come through for us."

"With respect, sir, if you'd just listened to him in the first place--"

"Aht! I thought he was just being his usual persnickety self. You know how he is!"

Teal'c cocked an eyebrow. "Is Daniel Jackson not usually right?"

"He's got a hell of a track record, sir," added Carter. "I know he acts like his head's in the clouds sometimes, but as an archaeologist, he has to be observant. When he says we forgot--"

She trailed off as the archaeologist in question returned, parking Jack's truck and emerging from the cab with a bag of ice and bottle of starter fluid. Holding up his prizes with a triumphant grin, Daniel crossed to the picnic table of the small park. Sam immediately claimed custody of the ice and proceeded to fill the cooler of sun-warmed sodas and beers.

"Sweet!" Jack exclaimed, grabbing the lighter fluid and firing up the grill. "Let's get this barbecue started, shall we?"