I am in the middle of a Stargate Sg-1 marathon. I always enjoyed the 'teaching the alien about earth and viceversa' moments. Plus Teal'c is just awesome.

This chapter is set after Teal'c decides to join the Tauri and return to earth.

Chapter one- The secrets a banana could tell (part one)

"Try the potatoes, they are pretty good," Captain Carter supplied with a slight smile on her face.

The middle aged marine smiled absentmindedly back and took a heaping of the suggested food item.

Stargate command was still in the process of being staffed and the mess could be full or empty at irregular moments during the day. At the moment there was only a scattering of men and women in the dining hall as the Captain frowned faintly at the marine who once again hesitated this time over the fruit selection.

'It's not for me,' he replied seeing the look on her face, 'I am trying to give the prisoner some variation from what he had last night.'

Teal'c.

The marine tensed visibly at the full blown scowl on the beautiful woman's face. The Captain raised her hand in apology.

'He saved my life,' she muttered quietly, 'how is he doing?'

The marine glanced around to see if they were alone.

"With respect ma'am….' His voice trailed away as he observed the sad look in her eyes and he knew he couldn't finish the brush off he was going to give. The man sighed as he grabbed a banana and placed it on the tray.

"He is very quiet, meditates a lot…likes our food,' he added in a horrified voice. From the corner of his eye he saw the quick smile on the captain's face, which he was hoping to get. She went back to task of selecting her own food.

He didn't mention the way the prisoner didn't sleep, kept his back to the wall and always stood to the far side of the room whenever anyone entered the room. The, what was he was called again? …Jaffa. The Jaffa was a soldier and a well trained one at that. The officer wouldn't be letting his guard down around Teal'c anytime in the near future.

He opened his mouth and but then snapped it close just as quickly. It really wasn't his place to say anything.

'Spit it out,' she requested, prodding him with a friendly elbow to keep him moving down the buffet table.

"Ma'am, with respect…' he began hesitantly. He didn't flinch as her intense blue eyes bore into him, 'I have been a prison guard for a very long time. It's best not to get too attached to him. We don't know what the higher-ups are going to final decide.'

He could feel her seething next to him as he quietly took his tray and walked away, 'I'm sorry, Captain.'

For a long moment, the young woman stood in the empty line staring sightlessly at the grey wall opposite.

'I'm sorry too,' she whispered.

"Here we go Teal'c," the marine said with a flourish as he placed the tray down on the table. The prisoner bowed slightly his face smooth and impassive, betraying nothing of his thoughts.

"This here is a banana. It's from the hot regions of my planet. You peel it like so, and you eat the part inside."

The man placed the peeled fruit on the plate and looked at the Jaffa standing in the corner, 'It's very good. I love them. As soon as you are done, you will be returned to quarters. Milly is giving your room a quick polish, so it will be all spick and span.'

Teal'c's back straightened slightly at this bit of news.

'Don't worry, she won't touch the candles this time.'

The man waved goodbye and knocked on the door to indicate that he was ready to leave. The marine shook his head when he noticed who was on the other side.

'Captain,' he acknowledged, 'finished your dinner already?'

The woman grimaced, 'lost my appetite.'

The two turned to observe the prisoner through the window, eating his food with happy abandon.

'Whoa, you weren't kidding…he really likes our food,' she remarked in some awe as Teal'c demolished the tray.

The alien took a few tentative bites of the banana and suddenly stuffed it in his mouth as if the fruit would run away if not consumed immediately.

'Look I know what you are going to say but …' she started angrily but she lost steam as she observed the compassionate look being shot her way, 'He gave up everything to help us. That has to count for something!'

The prison guard took a seat at his desk just outside the door of the room.

'We've never meet an alien before,' he replied cautiously not wanting to distress her even more. 'Its hard to know what is the right thing to do. I don't envy anyone who is making this decision.'

In the back of his mind he wondered if he shouldn't call her CO to take charge of this situation. His hand crept towards the base phone as she turned around to look at the Jaffa inside. Teal'c was already on the last bowl of food.

'Airman, let me in,' she commanded the young officer who was standing guard. The young man glanced at his superior who shrugged in response. The captain out ranked both of them.

The woman unapologetically snagged an extra banana from off the marine's desk before walking inside.

Captain Carter raised her hands in the universal gesture for surrender as Teal'c knocked over his chair in his haste to get to the corner.