SERIES/UNIVERSE: SG-7
DISCLAIMER: Chris, Vin, Nathan, Mary, Inez, JD, Buck, Josiah, Billy, and Orrin Travis belong to MGM, Trilogy, CBS, and TNN. The characters from Stargate SG-1 (including Ally & Cassie) belong to MGM, Gekko, and Showtime. I'm not making any money from writing this story, I just love to write. Adriana is mine, as are the assorted members of SG-3 and the natives. You're welcome to borrow Adriana and the natives, as long as you ask first, and return them intact.
SPOILERS: Bane (Stargate), Hathor (Stargate), episode where Apophis was sheltered briefly by the SGC (my memory is horrible, but Janet's reference to Apophis in the opening paragraph did actually happen in the show) , the second season premiere, when Jack first called Daniel 'space monkey.' And it does seem that Daniel gets hurt in the show as often as JD does. Also the The Nox (Stargate) and any episode involving the Tolan, the Tok'ra, or the Asgaard (I know, I really need to find the site with all of the episode titles, since there are almost ninety now, over the last four seasons) Also, my spin on Ghosts of the Confederacy (M7), One Day out West (M7), Working Girls (M7), Manhunt (M7), The Collector (M7), Obsession (M7), Penance (M7) and indirect reference s to Achilles (M7) and Lady Killers (M7).
WARNING: OFC (I know some people don't like 'em, so here's your warning), some violence, nasty language in certain sections.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Just in case you're wondering, 'Kastner' is a German name. My mother's family came over from Germany in the eighteenth century, prior to the American Revolution, and the original spelling of her maiden name, 'Cosner,' was 'Kastner.'
Also, when Vin says, "We have hostiles on our six," he's saying they're behind him. It's a military term ... six is behind and noon is straight ahead. I'm an Air Force brat who watches JAG ... and it sounded like something Vin would say in the presence of someone he considers a lady.
To the best of my knowledge, this is the first M7/SG fusion. I've read one crossover, Eye of the Beholder, and heard references to another (title slips my mind, but the Scribe wrote it as part of her series), but I got the idea for an actual fusion while ruminating on the similarities between Jack O'Neill and Chris Larabee.
Adriana smiled as she felt Vin relax against her, felt the steady breathing which meant he was asleep. She rested her cheek against his honey-colored hair. Who had said that? Claire? No ... no, it had been Petra. Her German flat-mate had said once that Vin's hair reminded her of dark honey. The archaeologist laughed to herself, remembering. Petra had seen a snapshot of Vin, taken maybe two months after Vin and Adriana had met. Of course, the young German woman had wanted a meeting with Vin upon seeing that picture.
Petra had referred to the light brown waves as 'dark honey.' Janet as 'butterscotch.' The young woman giggled to herself, her body shaking slightly as she thought about how Vin would react if he ever heard those comparisons. Likely he would give her that slow grin, the one that made her toes curl, and ask what 'made y'all think of food?' Of course, Adriana, or maybe Mary, would respond with a remark designed to make Vin blush.
Mary. Adriana sighed, thinking of her friend. She would give anything to see Mary right now. Or Janet. Or Sam. She wasn't as close to Sam, as she was to Mary or Janet. But right at this moment, she wanted desperately to be sitting at 'their' table, sipping a coke and laughing with her friends. Although, she didn't mind the current company. Nope, she didn't mind her current company at all. It felt good, actually, knowing that Vin trusted her enough to fall asleep in her arms. They had a history together, but trust had never come easily to Vin Tanner.
Trust wasn't easy for Adriana Wilmington, either. And knowing that Vin was trusting her, Adriana found it very hard to fall asleep ... to relax. She dozed off anyhow, exhausted by the day's events. The sound of the tent flap being thrown back woke her, and she had no idea how long she had been asleep. Vin groaned in his sleep at the sudden movement, but didn't awaken. She was glad, especially when she saw Nadya's expression.
"The false gods have come for us. Stay in here ... if they know of your presence, they will kill us all," Nadya hissed. Adriana swallowed hard, and Nadya continued, her eyes softening, "I know, Adriana. You wish to help us, and you can. By staying here. Your major Harris is changing into our clothes ... she wishes to fight along side us. When she comes in, we will leave together." Vin groaned again as he shifted in Adriana's arms.
"What's goin' on?" he whispered, removing Adriana's arms from his torso. He raised himself to his full height, and Adriana scrambled to her feet. He was still favoring his ribs, but she knew he wouldn't let that stop him. Not bruised ribs ... broken or cracked, maybe. But Vin Tanner had to be hurt worse than he was now, before he would let something stop him from doing his job. And his job was to protect.
"It's not your concern, Mr. Tanner," Major Harris replied, pushing back the flap of the tent to enter. Adriana's jaw dropped, seeing the woman. Her dark red hair was covered, and she was dressed as a Magyar. The major smiled weakly at them both, saying, "I wanted to say good-bye. And, I'm sorry. I should have listened to both of you, all along. I suppose I was just blinded by how young you both are. It never occurred to me, that what you two lack in age, you make up for in experience."
"Major, we're only four years younger than you are," Adriana pointed out. The major nodded sadly, and Adriana continued, "Is there anything we can do for you? Maybe take a message back to your grandfather?" She saw out of the corner of her eye that Vin was looking around for a weapon of some kind. Maybe a zat, or a staff weapon. There ... and he saw the zat at the same time.
"Just tell him, I'm sorry. And since I couldn't be a worthy officer of the SGC while I was alive, I hope I can bring honor to our name with my death. I'm a coward, though. It's easier to die in battle than to face the living. I'm sorry that I'm leaving you to carry this out. But you were right. I made a promise, I have to honor my agreement. We knew the law of this tribe, and we broke it anyhow," the major replied.
Adriana understood then. This wasn't just about redemption. The major was sacrificing her life, in order to make the alliance between the SGC and the Magyar possible. She was going to her death, defending the village, as a good faith gesture. A quick glance at Nadya told the archaeologist that the chieftain knew this. The major saw the understanding in Adriana's eyes and added softly, "So don't mourn for me, Dr. Wilmington. I do this willingly. You and Mr. Tanner tried from the beginning to warn me. You tried to save us. It's my turn to save you, and Dr. Costas, and Private McCabe."
"The boy is all right ... he's helping to pass out weapons to the warriors. I dismissed him from his guard duty ... I knew the false gods, and the servants of the false gods, would find it suspicions if there was a guard outside your tent. Especially one who wore the uniform of the Ta're," Nadya explained. Adriana again nodded. Yes, the chieftain was right. And if the presence of SG-3 placed the villagers in danger, she and Vin, as well as McCabe and Costas, had to stay out of sight. The difficulty would lie in convincing her companion of that truth.
"Y'all ain't doing this alone, Major. I won't let you do that. I can help defend the village," Vin replied, proving Adriana's train of thought as he straightened up. He was checking the energy level in the zat. Well, at least he wasn't dressed like anyone from SG-3. She handed him his jacket. No sense in him freezing. Vin turned to face her, smiling as he accepted the jacket from her. From the corner of her eye, Adriana saw it coming, but there was no time to warn Vin.
The butt of the staff weapon connected with the back of his skull. Vin's eyes widened, ever so briefly, in pain ... then the blue irises rolled up in his head, and he collapsed. Adriana managed to catch him as he fell, but his limp body knocked her off balance and into the pole. Her head hit hard, and as she slid away from Nadya and the major, she heard the major whisper, "Forgive me." Then everything went black.
His head hurt like the very devil. No ... that wasn't entirely true. His head felt as if the devil was poking at it with one of his pitchforks. Vin groaned and sat up. At least he tried to. There was someone lying on him. As his eyes grew accustomed to the dark, he realized the body covering his seemed very familiar, but it wasn't until his hand touched a curl that he realized why it seemed so familiar. Adriana!
He bit back a groan as he shifted his weight, and realized for the first time the reason for the darkness. He and Adriana were covered with a cloth. The tent had fallen on them. Vin was having a helluva time processing this information. What the hell had hit him ... what had hit Adriana, and how had the tent fallen on them? And what the hell was burning? It took a moment for the smell to register. Burning flesh. Oh God ...
The tent flap was pulled away from Vin's head, revealing the chieftain, Nadya. She whispered, "We have driven the false gods, and their servants, away. Come. It's time for you to go." Vin struggled to his feet, and turned to Adriana. She was beginning to stir, the breeze of the night bringing her back from the dark. She groaned as he helped her sit up, and Nadya repeated, "If you'll go back into the forest, you'll be safe, at least until morning."
"Dr. Costas? McCabe?" Vin asked. Nadya looked away, and Vin felt like he'd been kicked in the gut. He hugged Adriana a little tighter. He had failed then. Memories were starting to come back to him now. He had been ready to help the villagers against the Gou'ald, but something had hit him from behind. His head throbbed, but he could think. Mostly. Adriana shifted against him, protesting his tight hold, and Vin relaxed his arms.
"I am sorry," Nadya replied, then asked, "Can you both walk?" Vin looked at Adriana questioningly, and she bobbed her head, then flinched. He would carry her when she could no longer walk. Nadya continued, "Tell your leader that Major Harris died bravely. She saved the life of my sister's child. Now you must go to the forest. The servants of the false gods will not follow you there. They are afraid of the wood."
"Are ya ready, girl?" Vin asked and Adriana's hand curled around his forearm by answer.
Vin eased them both upright, Adriana still a bit unsteady. But the color was returning to her face. She would be all right. She was a strong young woman, in body and in spirit. His long-time friend smiled weakly at Nadya, who briefly embraced the slight archaeologist. The chieftain whispered, "Now go, before they come back. We will honor your dead, as if they were our own." That was good-bye, and Vin knew it.
With his arm wrapped tightly around Adriana's waist, Vin managed to snag both his jacket and her backpack with his free hand. The backpack had been placed in here ... sometime. He didn't know when. He supposed it didn't matter. With one last look at the still-burning Magyar village, he led Adriana into the forest and to safety. It was slow going, since they were both still wobbly, but neither was willing to admit defeat. At last, they reached the same rock where Vin had first spotted Nadya. Had it only been the day before?
He eased Adriana to the ground, then sat down beside her. He leaned his head against the rock, wincing at the pain. Someone had clipped him but good. Adriana's arms slipped around his waist, and Vin drew her closer. Whether it was a need for warmth, or a need for comfort, he didn't know. But they held each other through the night. Vin couldn't sleep, and he wasn't sure if Adriana's exhaustion had overwhelmed her.
It was Vin's inability to sleep which saved their lives. As the sun filtered through the leaves of the trees, a blast whizzed over their heads. Vin swore and pushed Adriana further into cover, then twisted around to see who was firing at them. He spun back behind the rock when another blast tore past his head. Aw hell, now what? Adriana's eyes were open and alert. She muttered, "What, did the Jaffa follow us into the forest?"
"Don't rightly know," Vin admitted, "but I don't aim to stick around and find out. I still got that zat from last night. You get up the hill, and I'll cover you. No arguments, girl, we ain't got time for that." But Adriana made no protest. She wanted to. He could see it in her eyes. But she bobbed her head in agreement, and Vin murmured, "On a count of three. . .one ... two ... three ... go!"
Adriana sped up the hill, as fast as her legs could carry her. Before their unknown attacker could fire on her, Vin began shooting zat blasts to draw the fire to him. He had figured the approximate position of the sniper and fired a zat blast at a branch over his/her head. A curse told him that he had done what he set out to do, and Vin ran up the hill after Adriana. He found her at the top of the hill, taking ragged breaths.
The Gate was just down the hill and across the clearing. Vin said, breathing heavily, "I managed to buy us a few minutes, Adriana, but you've got to get to the Gate and get us home. I'll keep this guy busy as long as I can, but I'll be right behind you." Adriana nodded, and for the second time in two days, Vin kissed his companion. But this time, it was a gentle brush against her lips. They weren't lovers, but it felt like the right thing to do.
Adriana nodded bravely, then began running for the Stargate. Vin fired a few more zat blasts down the way he had come, then turned and ran after Adriana.
By the time Vin was halfway across the clearing, Adriana was almost to the DHD, and Vin wheeled around to fire a few more zats to the top of the hill. For the first time, he saw his attacker. It wasn't a Jaffa at all. . .it was one of the young Magyar males. Why, Vin didn't know, but he wasn't about to question the boy. The kid had every intention of killing him. Instead, he raced across the clearing as Adriana began activating the DHD. It was time to go home.
"And you know the rest. I was struck by a zat blast, and Vin by God only knows what," Adriana said as Vin fell silent. She sighed, reclining in her brother's embrace. She was so tired. She felt Buck press his lips against her temple, his arms tightening around her once again. The infirmary was silent. She cast a look over at Vin. Janet was checking the bandages on his back again, checking the wound for infection.
"Adriana was right ... Vin's ribs were bruised, not broken, and he had no internal bleeding. I checked him over in the Gate Room, as soon as he and Adriana collapsed. Neither of them have concussions from the blows they took to their heads," Janet explained. Adriana shot her friend a wan, grateful smile. Janet continued, "Sir, they've told you everything. May I suggest that you, Colonel Larabee, and Colonel O'Neill make the decision about what to do next in the briefing room? These two need to rest."
"An excellent suggestion. Gentlemen, I want both of your teams to meet me in the briefing in two hours. We'll decide what to do then. Vin ... Adriana, I told you at the beginning that you weren't at fault. I will tell you that again, and I will tell you as many times as it takes. You did everything you could. And now, I'm ordering both of you to get some rest. Do whatever Dr. Frasier says. I want you both healthy again," General Hammond said.
"Yes, sir," came two soft voices. Adriana was wiped out, and a quick glance to her right told her that Vin was just as exhausted. Buck released her, then eased her back onto the pillows. She smiled wanly at her brother. Buck returned the smile, his dark blue eyes reflecting more emotions than even her boisterous elder brother could have ever vocalized. He gently kissed her forehead, brushed her dark hair back from her eyes, then squeezed her hand.
"See you in the morning, babe," he whispered, "get some sleep." Adriana nodded sleepily, as Buck turned to Vin to say good-night. JD hopped from the guide's bed and came over to squeeze Adriana's hand. She smiled at him, especially after he repeated Buck's gesture of caressing her hair, then kissing her forehead. He mumbled a good night, then left the infirmary. Each of SG-7 said good night to the two wounded civilians, before leaving the room. Adriana had always known how much the rest of SG-7 loved Vin.
It wasn't something that was ever vocalized, because it wasn't their way. But it didn't have to be vocalized, because each of the other six showed it in very different ways. What did surprise her, however, was the affection shown her by Nathan, Josiah, and JD. Chris no longer surprised her with his shows of affection, which were becoming more and more common. And Buck was one of the most affectionate people she had ever met.
Ezra wasn't as demonstrative as the others, but he had decreed a long time ago that Adriana was now his little sister, as well as Chris and Buck's, and he was never stingy with affection. Not with her, at least, and not with the children of the SGC. She had seen fifteen year old Cassie staring at Ezra with something akin to adoration. And Soraya Costas adored him as well. Soraya. That little girl had already lost her mother ... and now her father. Dammit!
Josiah gently touched her cheek, drawing her attention back to him, and said softly, "It wasn't your fault, sister." Had he read her mind, or just her face? She didn't have the answer. Nathan was next. No words were spoken. He just leaned over and kissed her forehead, then squeezed her shoulder. His brown eyes did his talking for him. And then it was just Chris. He was talking in low tones to Vin. Hopefully telling their friend this wasn't his fault.
She heard Vin sigh, and looked over in time to see Chris wrap his arms around his best friend in an unusual show of affection. Chris often hugged her, or one of the kids. This, however, she had never seen before. And she averted her eyes as she saw Vin's arms wrap around Chris as well, because she knew it wasn't meant for her to watch. General Hammond was waiting outside with Colonel O'Neill ... both of them had said their good-nights.
Chris whispered, "You get some rest, kid. You've earned it." That was something else. She had never heard Chris call Vin 'kid' before. Vin was several years younger than Chris, but in the two years she had been at the SGC, she had never heard Chris mention that fact. It was as if he didn't notice. Adriana giggled ''kid' remark.
"Watch your back, cowboy," Vin retorted and Chris grinned. The colonel turned to face Adriana, and his eyes softened even further. He sat down on the bed beside her. For a moment, for just a moment, Adriana was fourteen again, and awakening from a nightmare to find her brother's new best friend there with her. The expression in his eyes was almost exactly the same, a mixture of sorrow and sympathy. No. Not sympathy. Empathy.
"Thanks for taking care of him out there, little princess. I know you two took care of each other, and I'm grateful for that. But you both are safe now, and we can take care of you. Both of you. So get some rest, hmmm? That's an order," Chris told her. Adriana nodded, then put her arms around Chris. He returned the embrace, gently rocking her from side to side. Again, as if she was still a young girl, plagued with nightmares.
Except now, Chris didn't let go. He just held her and rocked her. She was already exhausted from reliving the nightmare, from not truly resting in forty-eight hours. The young woman sighed and relaxed against Chris Larabee.
It was funny, when she thought about it. She was being rocked to sleep by a man who could terrify half of the SGC with just a look. That thought made her smile, and she was still smiling as she finally dropped off to sleep. She never felt Larabee gently lower her back against the pillows. Never felt him kiss her forehead. Never heard him whisper, "Sleep well, little princess." For the first time in two days, she was completely relaxed.
Two hours after leaving the infirmary, the two teams re-assembled in the briefing room. It turned out the decision wasn't about whether they would go back, but who would go. Josiah rightly pointed out that Nadya didn't say outright that Dr. Costas and Loren McCabe were dead. In addition, despite the actions of the late and unlamented Captain Nelson, Nadya had allowed Vin and Adriana to leave. There was still a chance for an alliance.
It was for that reason that Ezra was chosen to go, along with Daniel Jackson. Teal'c would go, for his experience as the First Prime of Apophis. Josiah and JD would remain behind, despite the boy's vehement objections. It was Josiah who told the private, "You made a promise, son. That you would be there for Adriana, and catch her when she fell. You made a promise to Vin as well. That you would be there for him when he needed you."
"JD, we're going to retrieve the bodies of SG-3, and see if we can work things out with the Magyar. It's nothing glamorous. Major Carter is also remaining behind," Chris added. JD slumped in his chair, but didn't argue. Larabee turned his attention back to General Hammond, adding, "I'd feel better if Nathan went along, just in case there are wounded. Buck, you want to stay with Adriana?"
"Yeah, I do. I got a lot of time to make up with my little sister," Buck replied. Another name was marked off the list. Chris viewed the roster ... Nathan, Ezra, Daniel, Teal'c. That left one more decision to be made. Chris or Jack as the team lead. Chris Larabee wasn't the most diplomatic of men, but he was still a colonel in the United States Air Force. On the other hand, the same could be said of Jack O'Neill. Two Alpha males, on the same mission, was out of the question.
Or was it? O'Neill said, "Sir, why can't it be a joint command? There are two members of SG-7 and two members of SG-1. And I've worked with Chris before. Granted, we butt heads from time to time ... shut up, Daniel." The young archaeologist was laughing, even though he hadn't said a word. A ripple of laughter ran through the room. Even General Hammond was chuckling, though he was having a very hard time disguising it.
"And people say Vin and I are bad about that," Chris said, smirking at his colleague across the table. He ignored the muttered 'you are!' from his team. The blond colonel looked at the general, struggling to put the impenetrable Larabee mask back in place, and asked, "What do you think, General? I have no problem with Jack's idea, as long as we split into two groups."
"Yes, because everyone knows that Larabee's people follow one person, and that's Larabee," Daniel chimed in. Jack smacked the young man in the back of his head with a pile of papers, and the archaeologist continued, "It's true! Even Vin, when he works with other teams, makes it clear that the only man, or woman, he'll even consider taking orders from, is Chris Larabee. Why do you think Major Harris didn't want him with SG-3?"
"Because Major Harris, God rest her soul, was a fool until the end of her life, when she finally realized that she should have been listening to her guide instead of her pride," Josiah observed. A few listeners flinched at the harsh words directed at the dead major, but no one expected anything else from Josiah Sanchez. The man continued, "Now, while Brother Chris and Brother Jack are investigating this tribe, what should the rest of us do?"
"Josiah, I want you to stick close to Vin and Adriana. Neither of those two have accepted yet that this isn't their fault ... that there's nothing they could have done. They're second-guessing themselves, and that won't do any good. I should know, I used to be a master at it. JD, I want that mission report finished when we get back. Buck ... you know what to do," Chris told his long-time friend. Buck nodded.
"Sam, Adriana said that the weapon used against Vin as they came through the Stargate looked like a staff weapon. See what you can come up with, and contact the Asgaard if you need to. Keep in contact with Janet ... she might be able to help. Has anyone figured out why the wound wasn't as bad as it seemed at first? I mean, that looked like one helluva burn ... and yet, Vin's out of danger and on the road to recovery. That make anyone else curious?" Jack asked.
"According to Janet, there are two likely explanations. One, that the wormhole distorted the energy blast to the point that when it did strike Vin, the damage was ... well, relatively speaking, minimal. I've seen wounds from staff weapons before. Vin was very, very lucky. Either because of the wormhole distortions, or because whoever shot him was very inexperienced," Sam Carter replied.
"Inexperienced or not," Chris growled, "he shot a man in the back." He would never say the words out loud, but it wasn't just any man who had been shot in the back ... it had been Larabee's best friend, a man whom the others rarely saw in pain, much less badly injured. Larabee continued, "Ezra, when you make contact with Nadya, see what you can find out about this kid, why he attacked Vin and Adriana."
"There's something else that puzzles me. Remember when Vin came through the Gate with Adriana, right before the blast hit him? He said there were hostiles behind them. Hostiles, plural. But in the infirmary, he only made mention of one attacker," Jack observed.
"I'll take your word for it, Jack, I wasn't in there at the time. But Vin isn't one to exaggerate ... he leaves that for Ezra," Daniel observed. The Southerner rolled his eyes, and Daniel continued, "Admittedly, I don't know him as well as I'd like to ... I've always thought that he hides a lot of intelligence behind that uneducated Texas hick facade of his. But I do know he doesn't exaggerate situations."
"He only saw one ... if one Magyar male came after them," Nathan observed, "there might have been others. Vin don't exaggerate, but he don't take un-necessary risks, either. And there mighta been others on the hill. They didn't see no Gou'ald, but that don't mean they weren't there. We all know what they're capable of." Everyone at the table nodded in agreement. The medic continued after a moment, "So ... when do we leave?"
"In an hour. Get your equipment together, and meet back in the Gate Room in forty-five minutes. For the logs, I'm listing this as a joint team mission, under the command of Colonels Larabee and O'Neill. Major Wilmington, as long as you don't camp outside the infirmary, I see no reason for Dr. Frasier to object to your presence," General Hammond observed. Another ripple of laughter ran around the table.
"Thank you, sir, I plan on doing just that," the major replied with a smirk, which told everyone who knew him that he planned on doing more than just spend time with Adriana. Chris hid his own smile, knowing that Buck planned on making up for lost time. He hadn't done much flirting today, and Janet Frasier was a favorite of the major's. She was tiny, pretty, and feisty. While it couldn't be said that she encouraged Buck, she was amused by him.
"Just remember, if Dr. Frasier slaps you, I'm backing her up," General Hammond warned and Buck assumed his best innocent look. It failed miserably. . .JD was far better at it. Come to think of it, eerily enough, Ezra was better with the innocent look. The general added, still grinning, "Move out, gentlemen, and good luck!" JD bounded from his seat. Chris shook his head at the boy's energy. He wasn't sure where the youngster was going, although Chris doubted it was to work on his mission report. Knowing JD, he would probably watch Buck trying to get somewhere with Dr. Frasier. Yep ... that sounded like something the kid would consider fun!
It was hideously easy to find the Magyar village. All the joint teams had to do was follow the plume of black smoke which rose from over the hill. Ezra Standish swallowed hard. As they had passed the DHD, he had overheard Nathan mumble something about seeing where Adriana had been standing when she had been shot. As if that was something he really wanted to think about, even though he knew his chosen little sister would be all right? It had been hard enough, listening to her weave that final tale. Now, he would see what she had not.
He wasn't prepared for it. He would never be prepared for carnage which resulted when one of the System Lords went on a rampage, or when they decided a given people needed an object lesson. And this time, the object lesson had hit entirely too close to home for Ezra P Standish. People often thought Adriana Wilmington was a quiet woman, in comparison to her elder brother, and she was. But she could be a little bulldozer.
It had been difficult for Ezra to open his heart to the other members of SG-7. He had lived with more aunts, uncles, and cousins in his first twelve years of life than most people knew in a life time. He had learned all too quickly the best way to protect himself was to keep people at arm's length. By the time he was thirty-two, when he had been recruited into the SGC by General Hammond, he had convinced himself that it wasn't worth it, to care about people.
A twenty-four year old drifter, a modern day Robin Hood, had been among the first to try to befriend him. And even if they had never exactly become close friends, Vin Tanner had never judged him. Oh, Ezra didn't doubt that there were times when Tanner had shaken his head at his behavior. But with only one exception, he had never seen anything but acceptance in the guide's bright blue eyes.
And it was easy to like Buck Wilmington. As his sister had observed more than once, the man was a force of nature. He was a big man, with a big heart, and when he decided you were one of his, he would fight the devil himself. Ezra liked Buck. He was amused by him. But Wilmington didn't get any further than Tanner. At least, not at first. They had been together for several months before Ezra could finally admit how much he cared for them all.
Each of the remaining four found a place in Ezra's heart. And then there was Adriana. It had taken her exactly two minutes to blast a hole through his armor. And, as she was wont to do, it had been quite by accident. It seemed that in addition to being an archaeologist, she was fascinated by masks. The ones that you wear to a party, the kinds which you created. We all wear masks, she had said to him on her first day in the SGC.
She had seen through his mask. By watching him when no one else was, by seeing that mask drop, she had seen through the facade he presented to the world. In return, on her twenty-sixth birthday, he had presented her with a porcelain mask. That first gift was the beginning of a collection of masks. We all wear masks, she had said. Even Adriana herself, who seemed so open to the casual observer, wore a mask as a form of protection.
There was one time when neither had worn their respective masks. Ezra remembered the vacation they had taken in the mountains, about three months after Adriana had joined the SGC. He remembered sitting in the waiting room, half-hoping for news about Vin's condition and half-fearing what he would hear. He had held Adriana's hand tightly, while she had her free arm around the still shell-shocked Mary Travis.
Buck was still reassuring JD that he was all right, and Chris had been standing at the double doors to the OR. His back had been to them, but no one needed to see his face to know he was angry and scared, and angry at being scared. None of them had been wearing masks that day. Not JD, who had almost lost two big brothers that day. Not Mary, who had to kill for the first time in her life. Not Chris, who had almost lost his two best friends and a woman he was growing to love. Not Nathan ... not Josiah. Not even Ezra.
As the men travelled down the hillside, a woman appeared at the bottom of the hill. He recognized her immediately, from Adriana's description. She had an eye for descriptions, his little sister. Perhaps it was something she had learned from Vin, in the three years they had been friends before her departure for Germany, and his flight underground. But there was no mistaking this woman, not with her description or the aura of authority.
Chris had also seen the woman and he said quietly, "You are Nadya." The woman inclined her head, and Chris continued, "I'm Colonel Chris Larabee, United States Air Force. I'm a friend of V ... of Kevin and Adriana." Jack O'Neill smirked, and it didn't take a genius to figure out that he planned to tease Vin unmercifully about his real name when he got back to the SGC. Chris continued, "This is my colleague, Colonel Jack O'Neill, and our respective teams."
Nadya bowed from the waist, and said to Teal'c, "I know of you. You are the one they call 'shovah.' The traitor. To my people, you are a hero. You are welcome." Teal'c inclined his head in response, no hint at discomfort from the 'shovah' label. Nadya continued, nodding to Ezra, "You are the one whom Kevin and Adriana called 'Ezra.' She spoke of you all. They both spoke of you all. You are all welcome."
"We thank you," Daniel Jackson said, "since you remember them fondly, we were hoping you could answer a few questions for us about them." Ezra rolled his eyes. He had NO finesse. Well, that wasn't entirely true. Dr. Jackson was far more subtle than his best friend, O'Neill. In some ways, it was amusing to watch the two men. However, Nadya didn't seem offended as she gestured for them to follow her.
"Kevin Tanner and Adriana Wilmington were attacked the morning after they left your village, in the woods. They were fortunate to survive. Do you know why they were attacked?" Teal'c asked. Nadya turned to face the men, sudden fury flashing in her eyes, and Ezra found himself taking several steps backward. Until he realized the fury wasn't directed against him. Well, that was a relief.
"I do. One of our young men blamed them for the attack of the false gods. He was angry that even one of them was allowed to escape, after the desecration of our sacred place. He wanted them all to die, as he believed them all to be guilty. It was he who attacked Private McCabe. The boy still lives ... but I had not the courage to tell them that he still lived. That it was one of my people who attacked the boy," she replied. They were approaching the village now, and Ezra was almost overwhelmed by the sight before him. The Gou'ald had to be stopped. Soon.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: While plotting this section with my evil twin/best friend, something very odd happened. We came up with the same idea independently of each other. That wasn't the odd part ... but it was suggested to her while reading Mercedes Lackey's The Black Gryphon. A book I've never read, though I do like Misty Lackey. Specifically, the part about the punishment of the Magyar tribe for attacking Vin and Adriana. I just wanted to point that out and get that out of the way, so no one thinks I took the idea from Ms. Lackey. Thanks to Sam, for telling me that ahead of time, so I knew to add that!
Not a structure had been left standing. Had the Gou'ald been looking for Vin and Adriana? They had been looking for something. Ezra didn't know what that something was. And he knew they probably never would. He was distracted from that when Nathan asked, "You said that Private McCabe is still alive. What kind of injuries did he sustain?"
The medic was checking the contents of his bag yet again. Nadya turned to look at him, her eyes reflecting her curiosity. Nathan looked up, saw her expression and said, "I'm a medic, ma'am ... a healer." Now the chieftain's eyes lit up. She eagerly took Nathan's hand and led him down the hill to the ravaged village.
"Our healer died in the attack by the false gods, so I believed the boy would die. But he held on. He was cut here," Nadya replied, slashing a finger across her lower abdomen. Serious, but whether it was life-threatening or not depended on how deep the slash was. Ezra was no medic, but he knew that from the various injuries suffered by his teammates over the years. Nadya continued, "We discovered the warrior standing over him, the knife still in his hand. He swore he had killed him."
"Where is this boy now?" Chris asked in a low voice. It was bad enough, Ezra thought, that he had watched his best friend fall right before his very eyes, and could not help him. But to learn that Vin had placed his life at risk, not just once, but twice, for these people. Only to be shot in the back by one of their young hot-heads? Nadya lowered her eyes, and Ezra glanced at Chris, who was struggling to keep his composure.
To help the younger colonel, Jack O'Neill had put a hand on Larabee's shoulder. Just the sort of thing he had seen Vin Tanner do, to calm his friend. Nadya said very quietly, "He has been cast out. Look." She pointed to something lying on the ground. Teal'c walked over to the indicated object and picked it up, his brow furrowing thoughtfully. Ezra corrected himself. . .it wasn't one object. Or rather, it had been one object, at one time. Now it was two. It had been broken in half.
"It is the weapon of our young men. We are still learning to use it. Our benefactors showed us how to ... change the weapons of the false servants. Change it, and rebuild it, according to what is natural for us. When a boy becomes a man, he receives his weapon and he changes it. Builds it again. This was the weapon of the warrior who attacked Kevin and Adriana, and who attacked the young one called 'McCabe.' For this crime, his weapon was taken from him and broken. Then he was banished," Nadya explained to the questioning pairs of eyes.
"Banished ... without weapons, without protection. It's a form of sentencing someone to die," Daniel Jackson said suddenly, and Teal'c nodded slowly. Nadya lowered her eyes, and Daniel continued, "I've heard similar stories. From a variety of sources, on more than one planet. Leaving a warrior without a weapon leaves him defenseless against attack, and makes it more difficult for him to get food. And this boy, this young warrior, was banished for attacking our friends?"
"He was banished for attempting to kill three people who had been named our friends. One who fought for us, who was our champion," Nadya replied. A spasm of grief crossed her face as she whispered, "Terrible things are sometimes asked of us. You would agree, Colonel Larabee ... Colonel O'Neill? We are asked to do terrible things, for the sanctity of our tribe, for the protection of our people."
Chris nodded, though he looked confused. And then something clicked in Ezra's mind. A young warrior. Perhaps eighteen, nineteen years old. The grief in the chieftain's eyes. Her words that sometimes, a high price was exacted from those who lead. A sacrifice to be made. He raised his eyes to the woman and stated, "The warrior who attacked our friends ... it was your son, was it not?"
Nadya lowered her head, and that was all the answer Ezra needed. He felt dizzy, but remembered what Adriana had told him about this woman. She could have easily allowed her people to kill Vin and Adriana, for simply travelling with Captain Nelson. She had not. She executed the justice of her tribe the only way she could. He would never know what it cost her to sentence her own son to death ... he hoped he would never know. A quick glance over his shoulder told him that Chris and Jack were also struggling with the revelation.
He stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder. No words were said. She managed a weak smile, and Ezra said softly, "Dear lady, you have been through enough. But I ask now, could you take us to our young friend, Private McCabe? There will be some very happy people among the rest of our little family, to know that he's still alive. And perhaps our healer could help care for your people?"
Nadya bowed slightly, whispering, "The honor would be ours. Please. . .follow me." Ezra followed the woman down to the village, glaring at his friends once. Really, while Mr. Tanner was not an outstanding conversationalist, his company would have been far preferable! At least the man could take a hint! The rest of SG-7, and the three members of SG-1, began following him down the hill to the village.