Chapter 8. Sunburn
Part 1.
“Come on, Jack!”
“All right, Daniel. I’m right behind you, just waiting for Carter.”
“Sir?”
“What”
“Well, Sir, I’m just a bit uncomfortable with this situation.”
“There’s no need for discomfort, Sam. It’s a local custom. When in Rome…”
“I just can’t believe you guys are ready to toss everything aside, throw caution to the wind, all of our training and experience for what? A quick dip in an alien ocean? Please!”
“Oh, Carter! Loosen up! It’ll be fun. There are no bad guys around just friendly natives and besides we can’t really afford to alienate these folks, can we? I thought you wanted that naquadah.”
“Sir, what do you think General Hammond would say about this?”
“Well, we don’t have to tell him everything, do we?”
“Sir, this wouldn’t have anything to do with that brunette that’s been following you around like a lost puppy, would it?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Carter! Of course not! I’m just trying to be…diplomatic.”
“Well, that’s a new approach for you, Jack. Maybe you should practice it more often!”
“Funny, Daniel. Where’s Teal’c?”
“Uh, he’s coming, I think. Said something about talking to Zarra before we left.”
“Holy Hannah! Even Teal’c. You know when it comes right down to it, you’re all alike!”
“All?”
“Alike? Well, I don’t see the need for insults, Sam.”
“Look at you, Daniel. All of you! Pumped up and eager for a little glimpse of flesh. Can’t wait to do some gawking at the local women.”
There was a short pause as Sam studied Daniel.
“It is the women, right?”
Jack chuckled as Daniel’s mouth dropped open.
“I can’t believe you just said that!”
“Sorry, Daniel. It’s just a bit degrading to see the three of you foaming at the mouth like wild animals over some naked breasts!”
“No one is foaming, Carter! Just take it easy! You’re getting bent out of shape over nothing!”
The three members of SG-1 stepped through the barrier and onto the beach. Jack and Daniel paused a split second before Carter came to an abrupt halt.
“Oh. My. God! Yes, Sir. I’d say “nothing” is exactly the right word!”
“Micah! Hey, Micah!”
Jack yelled out to one of the nearby locals who had been escorting them around the village for the past few days.
“Colonel O’Neill, may I be of assistance?”
“Yes, Micah you may. I understood you to say this was a nude beach.”
“That is correct, Colonel.”
“So, let me get this straight, we're on a nude beach planet, but only the men have to be nude? Where's the fun in that?"
“Most of our women seem to enjoy it immensely, Colonel and they do have the option of participating. It also provides a unique opportunity for the males to show their wares before entering into any long term relationship.”
“Ack! Show their wares? For cryin’ out loud, Micah! Isn’t that a little barbaric?”
“I am not familiar with that word, Colonel, it is simply our custom. Major Carter is free to roam the beach attired as she chooses but if you wish to enjoy the beach you will be required to disrobe. You will find a storage area for your things just over there.”
“Yes, Colonel. You just said you were dying for a swim in the ocean!”
“Indeed.”
Carter sucked in a quick breath as Teal’c passed directly by them dressed only in the skin he was born with. She averted her eyes quickly but didn’t dare let O’Neill and Daniel see her slight embarrassment.
“I, uh, think I’ll join Teal’c.”
She turned and followed the Jaffa towards the ocean where he was creating quite a stir amongst the local women.
“Carter! Carter, you will not follow Teal’c! Get back here! Carter! That’s an order!”
“Jack, didn’t you just say that we should participate in order to secure the naquadah? When in Rome, remember.”
“Shut up, Daniel!”
Jack watched slack-jawed as Sam walked down the beach obviously admiring the local attractions and he had yelled at Daniel while still keeping a close watch on her. A sudden movement and flash of white on the outskirts of his vision made him jump slightly. Then a small turn of his head caused a more visible reaction as he flinched at the sight of Daniel’s pale, naked skin.
“Daniel, just what the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Following orders, Jack. Your orders. Participating. And if you don’t want some local guy hitting on Sam you’d better get a move on!”
Daniel looked over his glasses at Jack and then nodded in Sam’s general direction.
“I am not . . .”
“Ok. Your choice.”
Daniel threw up his hands in submission, gave him an evil grin and then sauntered proudly down the beach. Jack stood shaking his head for a moment in disbelief as he watched his team mingling with the natives. As a veritable parade of naked bodies filed past him, he wondered exactly how and when he’d lost control of his team.
He looked down the beach in the direction Carter had walked and was a bit alarmed to see that several of the locals had crowded around her. Jack was unable to see her clearly from his viewpoint and felt a small pang of panic building in his gut. Reluctantly, he began to move towards her position when the local women clustered around him and shoved him gently backwards.
“Oh for cryin’ out loud! I need to check on my team!”
The women laughed but continued to push him backwards and repeated the rules that Micah had recited to him. Finally, he clicked the radio on his shoulder in a last, desperate measure.
“Carter? You all right? Carter, respond!”
“Oh yes, Sir. Mighty fine, Sir! Just enjoying the beach! Oooh! Oh my! Yes, um, um, um! That’s very . . . impressive.”
“Carter! Stop that!”
“Sir?”
“What are you doing, Carter?”
“Um. Nothing, Sir. Oh, yes! Nice. Veeery nice!”
Jack could hear her talking but she most certainly wasn’t talking to him. And was that giggling? Was that Carter giggling?
“Carter! What are you doing down there?”
“What would you be doing, Sir?”
“Oh, so now you’re comfortable with this tradition, I take it!”
“I can admit when I’m wrong, Sir and besides, it seems rather pleasant here. Care to join me, Sir?”
“Join you! Join you?”
“Yes, Sir. Join me.”
Jack’s mind raced for another solution as his eyes focused down the long stretch of sandy, white beach and finding none, gave in to his instincts.
“I’ll be right there, Carter, just . . . just stay away from the locals!”
Jack released the radio and started to shuck the clothing from his body as quickly as he possibly could. When he was completely naked, he reached down, picked up his radio and P-90 taking off at a dead run down the beach as he listened to Carter oohing and awing with an occasional flurry of moans or laughter filtering through the radio.
“Damn her! She’s holding that button down on purpose!”
She was in the water when he found her with several young men swimming around her in a tight circle. They were chatting and laughing amicably as she stood shoulder deep in the water with the radio held slightly above her head. Jack ran towards her, stopping abruptly as he stumbled over the pile of uniform and equipment haphazardly discarded on the warm sand. Hastily he looked back up at her and pressed the radio key.
“Carter! What the hell are you doing?”
“Oh, hi, Sir! Catch!”
She propelled the radio towards him with all her strength and he watched as her naked torso erupted momentarily above the water’s surface. Caught off-guard by the momentary flash of pearly white breasts, the radio thudded onto the beach beside him as he began yelling at the men in the water to move away. Finally, when they had all complied and moved on to other conquests, he waved his gun lazily at Carter.
“Ok, Carter, it’s safe. You can come out now.”
“Thank you, Sir but I wasn’t in any danger.”
“Fine, Carter! Come out of there.”
“No, Sir.”
“No, Sir? Does it say Colonel anywhere on my uniform?”
Sam snickered loudly and splashed a spray of water towards him with her hand.
“Uniform, Sir?”
“Ah, crap!”
“Might as well join me, Sir.”
She pointed down the beach and as his eye followed her signal he saw Daniel and Teal’c lolling on the beach with a group of young women.
“It looks like the rest of SG-1 will be occupied for quite sometime, Sir.”
Jack starred at her for a long time before an evil grin reached his lips. Then his radio and P-90 were quickly abandoned as he joined Sam in the ocean.
“So, Carter, any predators in this ocean?”
“Only me, Sir.”
“Yeah?”
Jack stepped closer and reached out for her with both hands feeling a slight shudder as skin contacted skin and he drew long slow lines along the curves of her body.
“And you, Sir.”
“And me, Carter.”
It was hours before Teal’c or Daniel even missed the other members of their team. Since they were pleasantly engaged in friendly “negotiations” with the natives they simply didn’t miss the other two.
“Say, Teal’c? What do you suppose happened to Jack and Sam?”
“Major Carter took a walk along the beach and O’Neill followed to protect her.”
“Think they’re in trouble? Maybe we should check on them.”
“I do not. O’Neill has his radio and his weapon.”
“Ah, yes, Jack the boy scout. Always prepared!”
Daniel laughed and then looked at the concoction that he’d been sipping for the past couple of hours and began to wonder about the alcohol content in this particular brew. He definitely was feeling a buzz and it was very liberating.
“Well, I guess he’ll radio if he needs help then. Wait – do we have our radios?”
“Indeed.”
“So, until then, we should just enjoy ourselves, right?”
“I agree, Daniel Jackson.”
OoOoO
As the sun began to sink low against the horizon, Sam and Jack made their way back along the beach and slowly approached their teammate’s location.
Daniel was prone on the beach, arms and legs wrapped around a local girl while their lips made occasional contact and Daniel’s hands wandered along her body. If not for the difference in skin color, Jack would have been hard pressed to distinguish one from the other.
Teal’c was nearby, propped up on his elbows apparently enjoying the attentions of two women. One would place some sort of grape into his smiling mouth while the other made long delicate strokes along his upper thigh. Jack came to a sudden stop as his eyes took in the scene. For a moment, his brain refused to interpret the sight before him and when it finally did a single word popped into his brain. Eden. It was quickly followed by a fair amount of shock at their behavior and then some very loud yelling.
“What the hell do you guys think you’re doing?”
There was no reaction from his teammates. He couldn’t be sure whether they hadn’t heard him or simply chose to ignore him.
“Oh, for cryin’ out loud!”
He muttered the words lowly and started towards them, intent on chewing them out for their complete abandonment of military procedure when he felt a warm hand slide along his naked ass. He turned towards the touch and stared into Carter’s laughing eyes.
“Easy, Sir.”
She squeezed the flesh beneath her fingers and he jumped visibly.
“You wouldn’t want to be too hypocritical.”
“Stop that, Carter!”
She removed her hand but the smile remained as her eyes traveled along his torso, stopping only when his hand lifted her chin up to meet his eyes. He was smiling again as he returned her gaze.
“Look, Carter, I’m glad that you’re enjoying the local . . . attractions but we need to get these two back to the village. Don’t you think?”
Carter turned her gaze to Daniel and Teal’c slowly nodding her head in agreement.
“It is getting late and Daniel does look a bit . . . flushed.”
“Flushed?”
“Well, I’m assuming he’s past blushing at this point but he still looks really . . . pink.”
Jack’s eyes stretched wide open as enlightenment spread across his features.
“Oh, shit!” His gaze went immediately to his own naked skin. “How are we going to explain this to Hammond?”
“Well, we have been sunburned before, Sir.”
“Yes! But not like this, not all over!”
Carter grinned and shrugged again.
“I’m sure you’ll think of something, Sir, we’ll just have to make the best of it. Janet should do limited physicals since none of us are injured and we’ll just have to take care of the sunburn ourselves.”
“Christ! Janet!”
He was still gawking at her, open-mouthed and wide-eyed as her gaze traveled from him to her other teammates.
“Seems a small price to pay for a little R&R, Sir.”
Jack nodded his head as a devilish smile tickled his lips.
“Or . . .maybe we should talk to Micah. It’s possible the locals have a miracle cure.”
Jack’s eyebrows shot up at that suggestion.
“Good idea, Carter! We’ll go look for him as soon as we get our two Casanova’s squared away.”
Sam nodded her head and they began to move closer to Daniel and Teal’c.
“You boys about done here?”
Jack’s authoritative voice boomed into the calm of the ocean setting and Daniel jumped at the sound.
“Oh! Hey, Jack! Sam!”
“Daniel. Teal’c.”
“Ok, guys, time to put your toys away and get out of the sun.”
Daniel frowned and jumped indignantly to his feet quickly offering one hand to the young woman beneath him while the other made a belated attempt to shield himself from Sam’s view.
“Jack! What happened to that diplomatic attitude you were going to practice?”
“What? Oh! Sorry, Daniel. Ma’am. No disrespect intended. It’s just that Daniel here is beginning to resemble a lobster and we really need to get back to the village.”
Daniel frowned and stared back at Jack in confusion.
“What?”
Jack nodded towards him silently and Daniel’s eyes automatically followed. As realization flashed across his mind he raised both hands in exasperation and Sam bit down on her bottom lip.
“Oh, God! I didn’t even notice!”
“Yeah. I wonder why?”
Teal’c had also risen to his feet and now stood shoulder-to-shoulder beside Daniel. As Daniel spoke he turned an interested gaze on the body of his friend and his eyebrows rose in quick response.
“I believe O’Neill is correct, Daniel Jackson. You appear to have exceeded the limit of safe exposure to the alien sun and should remove yourself from this location.”
Beside Jack, Carter giggled loudly and then glanced quickly down at the sand. Jack turned towards her immediately, surprised at her uncharacteristic response.
“Carter?”
She turned to face him and pulled her lips tightly together, attempting to smother the giggles that erupted spontaneously from her slightly swollen, overly pink lips.
“I’m sorry, Sir. It’s just that Teal’c sounded so serious and . . .”
Her voice trailed off in another spasm of giggles as she waved an upturned hand in the general direction of Teal’c and Daniel who stared back in obvious confusion. Jack glanced at the guys and then back to Carter watching as her eyes trailed low on their bodies. Suddenly without a word he slid one arm around her waist, the other quickly covering her eyes as he spun her completely around in one smooth motion. Then he moved to stand in front of her and spoke to her quietly.
“Carter?”
She looked up at him innocently, lips pressed together, eyes twinkling with mischief and still trying to squelch her giggles as his hand slipped from her face to her shoulders. His head tilted slightly to one side as his eyebrows rose to new heights.
“Carter, stop that!”
She pressed her lips together again and took a deep breath as she watched him but the smile never quite disappeared.
“Is that an order, Sir?”
He shook his head and allowed a small grin to grace his lips.
“Yes, Major, it is! Now hold this position while I gather up the kids.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He stared into her eyes for a moment longer and then decided he didn’t trust her to follow that order and so, without releasing his hold on her, he shouted over her shoulder.
“Teal’c, Daniel, get dressed! Let’s go!”
Jack alternated between keeping an eye on the guys and watching Carter as she continued to giggle quietly, one hand resting on his bare chest, the other at his waist and her shoulders shaking slightly in his grasp.
“Carter, you’ve really got to stop now.”
“Sorry, Sir.”
Jack looked up just in time to be “mooned” by Daniel as he stepped into his fatigues and a small smirk flashed across his eyes as he shook his head gently and swallowed his own laughter.
“Sir?”
“What?”
“What about you, Sir?”
“What about me?”
She let her hand slide down his chest stopping a few inches below his waist when his hand suddenly captured hers.
“Point taken, Carter. You get Daniel back to the village. Teal’c and I will be right behind you.”
Another short burst of giggles escaped and he lifted her chin so that he could look into her eyes.
“Didn’t I tell you to stop that, Major?”
She nodded her head but was quickly losing control as the giggling overpowered her and she closed her eyes against the images of the day.
“All right, you win. Take Teal’c with you and Daniel can stay here.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“About face, Major and don’t look back!”
“Yes, Sir!”
Sam turned and walked past Daniel and Teal’c, who had their backs toward Jack, and then on towards the barrier. Jack called out Teal’c’s name and he bowed slightly then silently fell in step behind her following her through the barrier and back towards the village.
“So, Jack! What have you and Sam been up to all day?”
Jack looked up at the knowing grin on Daniel’s face as he slipped one leg into his pants.
“Exploring, Daniel. Checking out the area. Looking for naquadah deposits.”
“Right, exploring!”
He chuckled under his breath and brought a hand up to rub beneath his nose as Jack tugged his shirt over his head.
“Yes, Daniel and unless you want me to kick that very sunburned ass of yours I suggest you get moving.”
Daniel just grinned and started walking slowly towards the barrier. He was completely quiet until they had crossed through to the village path and then he couldn’t resist any longer.
“Find anything of interest, Jack? Voluptuous mountains? Undulating rivers? Religious experiences?”
“Daniel.”
There was a definite warning tone to Jack’s voice but Daniel ignored it.
“No, I’m just saying . . . given the opportunity to . . .”
Without warning Jack slammed a backhand slap against Daniel’s shoulder hard enough to rattle his ribcage.
“Ouch!”
Jack never broke stride as Daniel’s hand flew up to rub at the screaming flesh. He nodded his head once as he looked at Jack.
“Ok, I got it! Exploring.”
Part 2.
By the time they reached the village a few minutes later the fabric of the uniform was already rubbing roughly against irritated skin and both men walked a bit abnormally. Jack tugged at the collar of his shirt and seemed to be walking on hot embers while Daniel walked with legs wide apart trying desperately to avoid the contact of rough fabric against sensitive areas.
“Teal’c!”
“O’Neill.”
“Where’s Carter?”
“Zarra has taken Major Carter for a cleansing ritual.”
“Ritual?”
“Um, I think he means a bath, Jack.”
Jack frowned at Teal’c.
“Is that what you mean, Teal’c?”
“Indeed.”
“Just a bath. You’re sure. No drinking of strange elixirs or human sacrifices?”
A small smile flittered briefly across Teal’c’s face.
“No, O’Neill.”
“And you know this how?”
“I followed Major Carter to her destination and inspected the premises before allowing her to enter.”
“Oh, ok. Good job, Teal’c! So, do we get one of those, too?”
“I have awaited your return in order to accompany you to the location.”
“Ah! Group bath then! Well, after today, what the hell . . . lead on, Teal’c.”
Jack unclipped the P-90 from his vest and sighed inwardly at the relief of pressure from his burned shoulders. Daniel tugged at his clothing and finally removed the jacket, slinging it carelessly across his arm as they walked. A few minutes later they were entering a public bathhouse, already partially undressed and gratefully removing the remaining scratchy uniforms that they had removed reluctantly earlier in the day.
The local women provided them with soft towels and led them into the bath area where they quickly immersed themselves into the cool, refreshing pool of water.
The three men lounged on the benches against the pool’s edge, their heads resting on rolled up towels, slowly relaxing into the soothing bath and occasionally stretching their muscular forms across the pool of gently bubbling water.
“Well,” Jack spoke quietly, “all we’re missing now is the beer.”
Daniel chuckled but didn’t move; content to relax against the pool wall.
“I think we should definitely keep this planet on the mission list don’t you, Jack?”
“It’s a great place, Daniel but other than the naquadah there’s no reason for us to be here.”
“But it’s so . . . relaxing and the people have an interesting culture. We could learn a lot from them.”
“You mean in general or were you just thinking of that brunette you were wrapped around on the beach today?”
Daniel smiled without opening his eyes.
“That, too.”
Jack chuckled softly and looked up as a local woman placed a cool beverage in his hands.
“Hey, thanks. This is cold! How’d they do that?”
“Oh, Micah told me there’s an underground spring where they store their food and chill beverages. I guess it’s a cold spring as opposed to the hot springs that we have on earth. Ah, thank you.”
Daniel looked up and smiled as he accepted his drink and even Teal’c gratefully acknowledged the offered beverage.
“Think Carter’s all right?”
“I’m sure she’s fine, Jack.”
“Think she’s still in her bath?”
“Um, I don’t know. What do you think, Teal’c?”
“I am uncertain of her current activity but I feel no concern for her safety.”
“So, is she here somewhere, Teal’c? In a different room?”
“No, O’Neill there is a different facility for the females.”
“Oh.”
Daniel opened his eyes and looked at Jack with a puzzled expression.
“What is it, Jack?”
“Oh, nothing, just sometimes the natives seem to react to Carter’s . . . coloring. You know she’s so different from their own women and I had to “discourage” several men on the beach today.”
“Oh! Well, maybe we should check on her then.”
“I am sure she is fine, O’Neill, Major Carter is a very capable warrior.”
“True.”
“And she isn’t sunburned either. I suppose it’s a good thing it worked out this way or she could be really ill.”
“Ill?”
“Well, yeah, Jack. She would burn easily, she’s very fair skinned.”
“So are you, Daniel without any clothes!”
Daniel blushed slightly and then smiled innocently back at Jack.
“Yeah.”
Jack finished the drink and set the cup on the pool edge then placed both hands behind him to lift himself up to a standing position. A woman appeared from nowhere and wrapped a towel around him quickly before he turned to face her.
“Thank you.”
She held out another towel, which he accepted and began to dry his hair and body.
“Please follow me, Colonel.”
Jack followed without question and paused at the doorway to look back at his teammates still lounging contentedly in the pool.
“Stay alert, Daniel and let me know when you guys leave here.”
“Sure, Jack.”
Then he disappeared through the doorway.
“We have provided these robes for you and your companions, Colonel O’Neill. They will be much more comfortable until your skin has had time to heal.”
“So, no magic lotions, huh?”
“Magic, no, I’m sorry. We live in the sun and our bodies adapt to the exposure gradually. We did not realize that you and your friends would be harmed.”
“It’s not a problem. The same thing happens on our own planet. It’s just a bit of discomfort but surely there is something you do for the children . . . before they’ve adapted. Doesn’t their skin burn?”
“Yes, we must be careful in the early years. There is a soothing lotion that can be applied to the skin that will help.”
“Could you get some of that for us?”
“Yes, of course. I will bring it to your dwelling. Major Carter is already there and I believe that it will help her also.”
“Bad?”
“She says no but there are obvious areas of discomfort.”
“Ah! Thank you then. We appreciate it. And if you could get some for Dr. Jackson also?”
“I will see to it. What of your other friend?”
“I think he’s fine. He has a sort of natural immunity.”
Jack smiled warmly and nodded as the woman moved across the room towards the exit.
“Oh, Canea?”
“Yes, Colonel.”
“How did you know about Major Carter? Did you assist her at the women’s bath? Is it the same as this one?”
“I did and yes, it is primarily the same. The women may request their own attendants to assist them or have none at all, if that is their preference.”
“Ah! Well, the major would be embarrassed if our friends learn of her discomfort so if you wouldn’t mind keeping it quiet.”
“I understand, Colonel.”
“Thank you.”
Jack studied the robe for a long time as he considered wearing it instead of his uniform. It certainly looked more comfortable than the uniform had felt. But in the end, he gave in to military protocol, pulling on the familiar garment and grimacing as the normally comfortable fabric rubbed irritatingly against his burned skin. With determination he straightened his shoulders and reminded himself that it was just a bit of discomfort but he still picked up the robe before rushing from the building and towards their assigned dwelling.
OoOoO
Jack pushed open the door and moved quickly inside, tossing the robe onto a nearby “chair”.
“Carter! Carter, you here?”
“I’m here, Sir.”
Sam stepped into the room from the sleeping chamber and he turned towards her immediately running concerned eyes over her body.
“You ok?”
She smiled and nodded.
“I’m fine, Sir.”
“Yeah? Then where’s your uniform?”
“Um, well, Sir, I thought since we’d be going to sleep soon and Zarra provided this . . . I thought I’d just wear it for now. With your permission, of course, Sir.”
Jack starred at her for a long moment before speaking.
“How bad is it, Sam?”
“Um, not too bad, Sir. You?”
“I’ll live but I’m not as fair skinned as you are.”
“We’ve discussed this already, Sir. I can handle it.”
A knock at the door drew their attention and Jack moved to open it.
“I have the lotion, Colonel. It should soothe some of your discomfort. It seems to actually draw the heat from the skin.”
“What is it, Canea?”
“It is a lotion made from plant extract that we have used on our children with great success. I do not believe it will harm you. It should, in fact, prove very helpful.”
Sam smiled warmly at the young woman.
“Would you mind showing me the plant?”
“Of course not but you wish to see it now?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“Carter?”
“Just being cautious, Sir, no need to further complicate the problem with a potentially poisonous plant. I’d hate to have something like poison ivy on top of the sunburn.”
“Ah! Good point! I’ll just check on Teal’c and Daniel while you check out the plant.”
OoOoO
Jack stepped outside to find Teal’c waiting patiently.
“Teal’c, buddy! What ya doing?”
“I am awaiting Zarra’s return.”
“Zarra, huh? Planning on spending a little time with her, were you?”
“Indeed.”
“Indeed. So, you didn’t have enough time on the beach today?”
“Zarra is a most interesting female, O’Neill and I enjoy her stimulating conversation.”
“Conversation. Right. Well, ok, Teal’c just stay alert.”
“I will indeed.”
“Where’s Daniel?”
“He is there.” Teal’c pointed to a small dwelling only a few feet away and Jack moved off in that direction.
“Daniel?”
“Jack?”
Jack followed Daniel’s voice into the adjoining room and halted at the sight of Daniel’s naked body once more displayed before his unsuspecting eyes.
“Christ, Daniel! Can’t you stay dressed today?”
“Oh, sorry, Jack! Mironda was just getting more of the lotion. It really helps, you should try some.”
“Well, I was thinking of waiting until Carter checked it out, Daniel. You know, just in case it’s poisonous.”
“Poisonous?”
“Yes, you ninny! Have you completely lost your mind? Or has the sun affected more than you bare ass?”
“Well, I guess I just didn’t think of it, Jack. Mironda said it would help.”
“Who is this Mironda anyway?”
“The girl from the beach.”
“Oh! The one you were wrapped around for hours on end today?”
Daniel smiled wickedly.
“No need to be jealous, Jack but yeah, that’s the one.”
“Look, Daniel, you have a way of getting in over your head with these native women so, do you think you could crank it down a notch?”
“I’m not in any trouble, Jack. Stop being such a mother hen.”
“Daniel, the last time you made goo-goo eyes at a native woman you wound up married and begging me to leave you on Abydos! Just don’t expect that to happen again, ever!”
“Calm down, Jack. I’m not getting married. And I’m not staying behind either. Nothing could keep me from going home, I wouldn’t miss your explanation to Hammond if they gave me the whole planet!”
“Thanks for your support, Daniel. And let’s not forget whose ass is sunburned!”
Daniel chuckled as Jack caught sight of Mironda returning to the room. She was scantily glad to say the least; wearing a gown very similar in style to the one Sam was wearing but a lot more revealing. It appeared to be a single sheet of fabric slipped over her head and bound by a loose belt. The sides were completely open and the young woman’s breasts spilled abundantly from the low front. Jack couldn’t help but notice the long stretch of firm flesh peeking our from beneath the garment from ankle to waist as she moved across the room. He continued to watch as she approached Daniel and began to gently massage the lotion into his burned skin.
“Daniel, don’t you think . . .”
The words caught in his throat as he watched the young woman lean over Daniel rubbing her now exposed breasts against his bare chest and as Daniel’s hand began to slide beneath the garment and up the long naked expanse of her thigh, Jack spoke again almost yelling his disapproval.
“Daniel!”
“Go away, Jack. We’ll be fine.”
“Oh, I give up!”
Jack paused as he crossed into the next room listening to the obvious moans of pleasure that were emanating from his normally very professional linguist and shook his head slightly as frustration migrated into a small smile that played quickly across his lips.
OoOoO
“Well, Carter?”
“It should be fine, Sir. The extract is from a plant very similar to the aloe vera plant we have on earth and it appears to have the same burn-healing properties.”
“So, not poisonous?’
“No, Sir.”
“Good, that’s good.”
“Sir?”
“Nothing, Carter.”
“Where’re Teal’c and Daniel?”
“Oh, they’re making out.”
“What?”
“They’re, uh, making out fine, Carter. They went to bed.”
“Oh? Ok, well, I think I’ll try a bit of this lotion.”
“You do that. Call me if you need any help. Spots you can’t reach . . .”
He grinned broadly and then waggled his eyebrows as she stepped through the doorway. Jack moved across the room and started to undress, carefully removing the vest and uniform that was slowly torturing him to madness. He lifted the robe that Canea had given him, considered it for a moment and then tossed it away, opting instead for totally natural attire.
He was securing his vest and weapons when Carter called out to him from the next room.
“Sir? I could use your help.”
Jack smiled as he picked up his weapon and walked toward the open door. He leaned against the frame and held the P-90 in front of him as he watched her eyes grow impossibly large at his appearance.
“Something I can do for you, Carter?”
Sam swallowed and then held the lotion out to him.
“Ah! I’d be delighted!”
She smiled and lifted the robe over her head, dropping it beside her on the floor. Jack followed her movements until the robe lay pooled at her feet and then his eyes began a long, slow survey of her naked flesh.
“Well, a few nasty spots but not so bad. I was expecting worse.”
He was relieved that she wasn’t covered in blisters and that their day in the sun wasn’t going to make her terribly ill. Then she turned slowly to reveal red, angry flesh along her back and hips. He reached out to gently stoke her flesh and she flinched from the touch.
“Oh, God, Carter! I’m sorry!”
“Don’t be sorry. I think the bottoms of my feet are the worst.”
“The bottoms of your feet?”
She cocked her head to one side and stared at him as if forcing him to remember.
“Oh! Right! The bottoms of you feet.”
“Yours too, I’d think.”
“Um, yeah, a little.”
“Well, at least it’s a short walk to the gate.”
“Yeah, there’s that. And maybe this stuff will help before then. I’m really sorry, Sam.”
“Jack, just help me with the lotion and then I’ll do you.”
“You’ll do me?”
“Yes.”
“As in . . .?”
“Yes.”
“Is that a promise, Carter?”
She chuckled and shook her head slightly.
“Yes. If you can stand it.”
“Oh, I can stand it, Carter. I can definitely stand it.”
He tipped the bottle spilling the cool liquid into his hand as the smile broadened across his face.
“So, not worried about the regs, Sir?”
“Little late for that now, don’t you think?”
He slid the lotion gently down her back and she gasped, pulling away from the cold sensation as it touched her skin.
“Oops! Sorry.”
His hands moved soothingly along her spine and then lower, caressing and massaging the healing lotion into her skin. Then more lotion as he covered her back and shoulders with his gentle touch, reaching along her slender neck all the way to her hairline and forcing the moisture back into her skin with the motion of his hands. When he’d covered every area, soothed every inch, he turned her gently towards him and placed gentle kisses along her neck and shoulders until she pushed him away.
“Your turn.”
“Um, yes. My turn.”
“I don’t know how you were wearing that uniform.”
“Ouch! Oh, it wasn’t . . . too bad. Mind over mattertype thing, you know.”
“Well, I must say, I’m not looking forward to wearing mine home tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Yeah.”
“Think we could get Hammond to let us stay here a few days?”
“I don’t know. What would be the reason?”
“Guess he wouldn’t go for the R&R thing.”
“Probably not.”
“Damn the natives for being so cooperative!”
Sam chuckled lowly and continued to massage his skin which was every bit as red as hers.
“We’ve really got to get this place on the shore leave list, Carter. You should work on that when we get back!”
“I think I can do that, Sir.”
He turned to face her as her hands continued to move against his skin.
“Maybe next time we can find a bit more shade.”
“Next time?”
“Un huh.”
Jack’s voice was muffled as he buried his face in her neck, sucking softly at the irritated skin.
“That might be a good idea.”
Jack crawled into bed pulling her with him and waited patiently until she settled against him. Then he wrapped an arm gently around her and held her close.
“Think Teal’c and Daniel are doing this, too?”
“What? No! They aren’t . . . No, Carter!”
She pressed her face into his chest, smothering her laughter against him.
“No, I didn’t mean with each other. I meant with the girls from the beach today.”
“Can you believe they were going at it on the beach? Right there in full view of the whole village? I’m glad these villagers are so damned open-minded! They could have gotten us all killed!”
“This kind of thing has never happened before.”
“Well, actually . . .”
“It has? When?”
“Well, you know, Sha’re and Daniel.”
“Oh, right. That’s the only time then?”
“No . . .there were a few others but we don’t . . .”
“Of course there was Kynthia.”
“She drugged me, Carter, that doesn’t count!”
“Oh, it counts, Jack.”
“Don’t we have better things to talk about?”
“For instance?”
“Well, I was just thinking if Daniel and Teal’c are getting theirs? Shouldn’t we do the same? After all, Carter, a promise is a promise.”
“Yes, it is. And you promised to help me get that naquadah.”
“Oh, Carter. The things I do for you and your naquadah!”
OoOoO
SG-1 stood in front of the stargate waiting for the kawoosh that would send them home. Daniel had just finished dialing the coordinates and rejoined them as the gate settled into a peaceful, shimmering blue pool.
“Ok, troops! Time to go home and give the general the good news!”
“Indeed, General Hammond will be most pleased with your negotiations, O’Neill.”
Jack shot a quick glance at Sam catching her half-smile before he began speaking.
“Yeah, about that . . . let’s keep this nude beach and sunburn thing just between us, ok?”
“What happens on P3X-969 stays on P3X-969?”
“That’s it exactly, Daniel and then you’ll have much less to explain to the friendly general. Not to mention Dr. Frasier.”
Daniel went a little pale as the thought blossomed and spread across his mind.
“Right! You’re right, Jack. I totally agree.”
“Good! Teal’c?”
“I am in agreement also, O’Neill.”
“Major?”
“Yes, Sir. Absolutely, Sir.”
Then Sam turned to look at Daniel and started to giggle again.
“Sam, will you stop that! You’re giving me a complex!”
“Sorry, Daniel, it’s just . . . I don’t think I can ever look at you again without seeing your bare ass reflecting the sunlight on that beach!”
“You have definitely been hanging around Jack too much, Sam!”
“Daniel, Teal’c, go.”
Jack pointed towards the gate and both men turned and stepped through the gate without further comment.
“And you, Major, really must stop that giggling now.”
Sam erupted in another spasm of giggles and leaned her head against his chest.
“Yes, Sir. I’ll do my best.”
“Got plenty of that lotion?”
“Zarra gave me a nice supply. It should be more than enough for all of us.”
“Good, because I’m thinking by the time I get out of this uniform, I’m going to need another treatment.”
“Yes?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“So, I’ll do you and you’ll do me?”
“Sounds like a plan, Major but no more giggling . . . especially at Daniel. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“Good. Now all we have to do is convince Janet that we got this sunburn . . . what was it again?”
“Um, snorkeling for naquadah along the shore, Sir.”
“Right, snorkeling.”
Jack leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Sam’s lips then they walked to the gate together. He would have sworn he heard giggling just as they stepped through.