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My Friend, Danny 

Having left the SGC much earlier than they normally did, Daniel and Casey were surprised to find the restaurant nearly empty. The hostess led them immediately to a table. They’d requested a table in the bar, mostly out of habit, as there were usually tables available there when the dining area was full. Other than the bartender and a waitress, the bar was empty.

"Cool, we get the first of the dishes made," Casey said.

"No doubt," Daniel replied.

They were barely seated before the smiling waitress was asking them if they were interested in a drink before ordering. Daniel opted to have iced tea, as he was driving. Casey thought for a moment, and then decided she’d earned a nice glass of Merlot.

"I think we’re going to be heading out in a day or so," Casey said casually.

Daniel smiled at the waitress as she placed their drinks on the table. He took a sip of tea before responding. "Anything exciting?"

"Well, just a few ruins. Not a castle in sight," she replied. "The ruins didn’t seem to be much either."

"So why is SG-1 going?"

Casey shrugged. "Just a regular recon, I guess. There weren’t any soil analyses done near the ‘gate, so I have no idea what we might find there. Of course, there wasn’t much soil by the ‘gate to test."

The comment caught his attention. "Okay, what was by the ‘gate?"

"Lots of rocks…like you’d find on a beach near Tacoma. And water. There’s what looks like a hill nearby, but there’s no telling if it’s solid ground or just tall plants."

"And we’re going because…?"

"It’s what we do, Stud Muffin. Check out weird places. For all we know, that hill, solid or not, just might be hiding a honkin’ big weapon to use against the snakes."

"You have got to stop hanging around Jack so much," Daniel muttered. He studied the lovely face across from him. "So…picking up anything about this place?"

Again one slender shoulder moved up and down. "Nope. All quiet on the psychic front."

He nodded his understanding. "From the sounds of it, this could be a go there, look around, and be back at the SGC in time for lunch."

"Could be," Casey agreed.

"Let’s not talk about this now," Daniel said. "Let’s have dinner, do our grocery shopping, and go home. Like normal people."

She couldn’t help but giggle. "We’re normal people. Kinda boring if you want to be specific about it. It’s our jobs that aren’t normal."

Daniel chuckled. "Okay, I’ll concede your point. Although I don’t think we’re boring."

Casey gave an unladylike snort. "Daniel, we go to work, we go home. Occasionally we go out to dinner or have dinner delivered. We grocery shop every week or so, and go to the mall once a month for your coffee."

"Hey, you like that coffee, too," Daniel objected.

"Never said I didn’t. But the last time we went out was to hear the Colorado Springs Philharmonic."

Another smile tugged at his lips. He would never forget how excited she was about going to hear a ‘real orchestra’. He’d never forget the way she'd thanked him later that night, either. And those were memories best left alone if he wanted to be able walk out of the restaurant and then through the grocery store. In spite of his intention to push the entire evening…and that incredible night…from his thoughts, he found his mind wandering to the day before the actual event, and the interesting…and entertaining…discussion on just what was appropriate to wear to such an event…

"Do you think I should wear my ball gown?"

"I guess. I really don’t think it matters." Jeans, a dress shirt and a blazer were as dressed up as he had planned to get!

Casey had actually called the theater where the performance was to be held to inquire about any dress codes that might be in place. Apparently it was a ‘suit and tie’ sort of affair. She’d worn that sexy little black dress, he’d worn his black suit, and he’d spent most of the evening watching her face as they listened to the orchestra perform. No doubt the conductor had been able to see her smile and the sparkle in her green eyes from the stage. Two of the numbers had moved her to tears, another had her tapping her toes…quietly…along with the drum beat. It had been, he thought, a most enjoyable evening. They’d had a late dinner at Christopher’s, and then had taken a drive through Grant Park. The night had been clear, and they’d parked long enough to enjoy gazing at the stars, although Casey hadn’t been inclined to do any walking, not in the heels she’d been wearing. Then they’d gone home, and she’d ‘thanked’ him for her ‘incredible evening’…Down boy.

"I mean, I don’t have any desire to go out clubbing every weekend. Or even go to the movies every weekend. But let’s face it, Stud Muffin…we’re homebodies, and we’re boring."

"Homebodies we are. Boring we’re not," Daniel stated firmly.

She cocked her head sideways. "Okay, maybe not boring. You’re certainly a well-versed conversationalist."

"You’re a fine conversationalist, yourself," Daniel told her.

"Maybe. But if someone who’s looking for excitement were to visit us, they’d be sorely disappointed."

"I believe you once said you get enough excitement at work, you don’t want or need it during your off time," he said, his cheek twitching slightly.

"And I meant every word. But we’re still…homebodies."

"Not a thing wrong with that."

"No, there’s not. Because home is the safest place in the world," she said, almost on a sigh.

"So, are you folks ready to order?"

"I believe we are," Daniel responded, looking up at the woman who had suddenly appeared beside the table. "Casey?"

"I’ll have the chicken and shrimp carbonara. Salad, please."

"I’ll take the shrimp scampi and linguini. I’ll also have the salad."

The waitress nodded, and hurried toward the kitchen.

Casey reached across the table and wrapped her fingers around Daniel’s. "Feeling better?"

He frowned slightly, his thumb moving over the knuckles of her hand. "I didn’t realize how much Craig’s leaving…affected me. I just…every time I’ve lost someone from the department, it’s not been a good thing," he admitted.

"Having a heart attack wasn’t a good thing," she said softly. "But it was survivable, which Craig did. And, it was the motivation for him to do something I think he’s wanted to do for awhile. I think…I think he was reluctant to give up his position, because in his mind, it meant giving up archaeology. I also think he’s going to find that even though he won’t be doing archaeological work, he’s going to enjoy his new journey."

Daniel raised his glass of tea. "To Craig…may his journeys be safe and full of joy."

"Hear, hear," Casey said, touching her wine glass to his tea glass. She took a sip of wine, and then began to giggle.

"What?" Daniel asked, smiling. Anything that made his wife giggle was always worth hearing.

"Oh, just an image of Craig in my head, standing beside a huge RV, dressed in plaid shorts and a polo shirt with black socks and brown sandals."

Daniel chuckled. "That I can totally see."

The waitress arrived with the salad and breadsticks, and in spite of their intentions to put all things SGC aside, their conversation turned to the upcoming mission, and what they might possibly find. The discussion went from serious to silly – each trying to come up with the most ridiculous circumstances for the team that they could imagine – leaving them both laughing.

The mission Casey had predicted materialized the next day. There wasn’t much in the MALP report to give them any ideas of what they’d find, or even what they should be looking for. Daniel had declared the ruins to be in such bad condition that it would probably be impossible to learn anything about them. Sam hadn’t been any more confident of finding any ores of interest. No planet that the dialing computer located, which had a working Stargate, was left unexamined. Even a planet that seemed to offer nothing in return for their efforts. There was always a chance that what they didn’t investigate could bite them in the ass.

Geared up and standing in the ‘gate room, waiting for the dialing sequence to be completed, Jack nudged Casey with his shoulder. "Anything coming through now?"

When she had ‘searched’ during the briefing for this mission, Casey had been sorely disappointed to find nothing at all. Not even the tiniest of whispers. "Nope. I have the feeling this is going to be a very boring mission."

"Boring I can handle," Jack declared immediately. "If it’s boring enough, I’ll be home in time to watch that hockey game."

"Hold that thought," Casey grinned. "You never know, though. With our luck, we could wind up in some sort of trap, or find some group of natives that don’t actually live near the ‘gate, or…"

"Do not jinx us, Radar," Jack growled.

"Too late for that," Daniel said, keeping his eyes on the Stargate itself, watching as each chevron locked into place. And trying to keep his smile from reaching his face.

"If you’ve jinxed us, I’m leaving you there," Jack muttered.

"If he stays, I stay," Casey said.

"Good. Two for one deal," Jack retorted.

"You’d miss me," Casey countered.

"Bet I wouldn’t."

"Bet you would."

"Wouldn’t."

"Would so."

"SG1, you’re clear to go. Good luck, and Godspeed," Hammond’s voice echoed from the control room.

"That’s the word, campers," Jack announced. He gave his usual sloppy salute toward the control room, then headed up the ramp. The team closed ranks behind him, and the group disappeared into the event horizon.

The general watched the event horizon collapse, the ‘hiss’ resounding in the room. He was still smiling, having heard the conversation happening in the ‘gate room. When SG-1 was bantering, there was nothing to worry about. The smile remained as he returned to his office.

One hundred and thirteen thousand light years away, the five teammates stepped onto the rocky shore of what appeared to be an ocean. The waves were crashing upon the rocks and boulders that seemed to be everywhere, the wind whipping around them as they tried to get their bearings.

While the light blue sky did have quickly moving clouds, they seemed too high and thin to be a threat. But what was the ‘norm’ on Earth was rarely the ‘norm’ off-world. "We didn’t just walk into a storm, did we?" Jack asked, raising his voice to be heard above the surf and the wind.

"No, sir, I don’t think so," Sam replied.

Casey had turned to look at the hill behind them. ‘Nice plant covered cliff," she said.

"Cliff?" Daniel turned to examine the hill as well.

"Yep…at least, that’s what it’s saying to me," Casey said, giving a slight shrug.

What had appeared to be ruins, however, turned out to be nothing more than a very interesting rock formation…which rose from the water at least twenty feet from the shore they were standing on.

Daniel walked to the edge of the surf. "Well, we won’t be examining any ruins," he announced; his trained and experienced eyes taking note that there was nothing of archaeological value to be seen. Geologically, it would have fascinated…As always, thoughts of Cam Balinksy brought an instant moment of grief. He swallowed hard, then took another step closer to the formation. He wasn’t examining ruins – nor did he have any training in geology – but, as was his habit, Daniel pulled out his camera. He took photos of the formation from as many angles as was possible from the shore. When he returned his camera to his backpack, he glanced at his teammates, noted they were all watching him, waiting quietly until he was finished.

"We’re here, might as well take a look around," Jack said, noting that Daniel was finished doing his ‘rock thing’. Real rocks, this time, he thought with a bit of amusement. He walked toward the hill. Up close the ‘hill’ appeared to be more cliff than a hill. It was completely covered with foliage, mostly vines, but a few hardy bushes were sprouting here and there. "No climbing that without gear," he observed. He took another look around. "Okay, let’s head that way," he pointed to the left with the muzzle of his P90, "and see what we find."

What they found, not more than fifteen minutes later, were boulders the size of buildings that completely blocked the rocky beach. Heading into those massive waves was the only way to bypass them. The water was rough enough that the risk of being swept out to sea was higher than their curiosity was strong.

"What about going back the other way?" Daniel suggested.

After studying the massive boulders for a few moments, Jack turned to Casey. "Are you picking up anything about this place? Is there anything here we should know about?"

The seer closed her eyes. "I think there’s something on the other side of the ‘gate." She shook her head. "I’m not seeing much there."

"Let’s check it out," Jack sighed. There was always the chance that ‘not much there’ could still bite them in the ass if they didn’t carefully look over whatever ‘it’ was. Experience, he thought, is a harsh teacher.

The wind continued to whip around the team as they trudged back the way they had come. The temperature wasn’t uncomfortable, but the stinging sea air was certainly making their exposed skin feel raw.

Twenty minutes passed as they made their way back to the ‘gate and toward the other side of the beach. What appeared to be the only ‘flat’ spot in the area had a few crumbled walls, or what appeared to be walls.

"Take a look, Daniel," Jack said. "Just be quick about it."

Daniel wandered around the ruins, squatted down twice to examine the stones. He shook his head. "There’s nothing here that would give any indication of who might have built this. It’s not very large, probably just a shelter of some sort. I don’t know if I could find any sort of fire pit or any other artifacts digging here, we’d have to remove who knows how many pounds of rocks just to get to bare dirt or sand."

Sam had been trying to get readings for any type of ores, but had been completely unsuccessful. "If there’s anything here, I don’t know where to look for it."

"Teal’c, have you ever seen this planet before, or maybe heard of it?" Jack asked.

"I have not, O’Neill," the Jaffa replied.

"Well, let’s head home. Unless Radar gets a head’s up about something being here, it’s just too damned windy to try to scale that cliff. No telling if any of that vegetation is poisonous or not."

"So this goes on the list of weird places," Daniel mused.

"Yep," Jack replied. "Let’s go, campers."

A A A A A A

When the team walked back down the ramp, not quite an hour after leaving, General Hammond met them, a look of concern on his face. "General?"

"Nothing there, sir," Jack replied. "The ‘ruins’ were nothing but a huge rock formation. That ‘hill’ is a cliff. And the wind that’s blowing there would make trying to get up the thing a nightmare. We did find some ruins, Danny says it wasn’t very big, and there’s nothing to identify them. Carter couldn’t get a reading on anything. Teal’c didn’t recognize the place, and Radar wasn’t picking up anything."

Hammond nodded. "Very well. We’ll put this planet down as impractical. Check in at the infirmary, then write up a report. No longer than you were gone and no more than you found, I don’t believe a briefing will be necessary."

Each of the team members nodded, handed off packs and weapons to the supply sergeant waiting nearby, and headed toward the infirmary."

"Hey!" Casey exclaimed, just as the elevator doors closed.

"What?" Daniel asked immediately.

"I think that was one of those ‘cake-walk’ missions I’ve heard about!" Her teammates chuckled loudly.

"I could handle a few more of those," Jack agreed. "I could handle a few nice, boring missions that last for a few days…just long enough to keep us from having to go on some crazy, screwy not fun mission."

"Hear, hear," Daniel said.

"My face feels so dry," Casey complained, gingerly touching her cheeks.

"Yeah, that salt air didn’t do us any favors, not with that wind blowing like that," Jack conceded.

Janet looked up, startled to see the premier team walking back into the infirmary so soon after they had arrived for their pre-mission check up. "What happened?" she demanded to know.

"Narrow, rocky beach, with no way to get off it, lots of wind, and nothing to find," Jack replied.

The petite doctor relaxed visibly. She examined each of them carefully. "I have ointment to put on your faces and hands. You’re all looking a bit chapped."

The team crowded together on two of the beds, as was their habit. Quick blood pressure readings were taken and the Tegerian ‘snake monitors’ were swept up and down their spines, but Janet determined that since nothing of import had happened, full examinations weren’t warranted. Which made five people very happy. Nurses helped apply antiseptic ointment to faces, necks and hands, then stepped out of the way as the team headed as one toward the door.

"One day, they really are going to trample us to get out of here," one of the nurses complained.

Janet smiled. "Don’t take it personally. They just all hate the infirmary. And each of them have valid reasons for those feelings. They do appreciate us. I think," she added mischievously.

The nurse snorted, and then grinned. "If they ever acknowledge that, I’ll keel over on the spot."

Laughing, Janet returned to her office. She’d get all of the details during lunch, she was sure. And sent up a silent prayer of thanks that the team had finally been granted an easy, short mission. Too bad SG-1 couldn’t have more easy missions, she thought, as she typed up her report on the team’s post-mission exams. Far too often SG-1 found themselves on missions that were dangerous; actual ‘life-and-death’ situations. Thankfully, that fabled good luck always saw the team return home…alive if not always ‘well’.

Daniel was staring at the wall beside the door, not actually seeing the shelves full of artifacts. He was, however, contemplating just how he would word a letter that he hoped would help him fill the empty position that Craig Nichols’ leaving would create. That he should be heading to the commissary on level two for the potluck to send Craig happily into retirement was a thought that fleetingly crossed his mind.

He knew that Casey was there, organizing all of the food that various team members, other scientific departments – and of course those of the Archaeological Department – had brought in. According to her, there was enough food to feed everyone in the mountain fortress for at least two days. She had personally contributed greatly to that feast. And that didn’t count the two cakes Major Whitmore had baked, decorating each with well wishes. A banner had been created for the festivities. The archaeologists and military assistants from level eighteen had been the first to sign the banner. According to his wife, every member of every SG team had signed it…adding a personal note with each signature. His ‘note’ had thanked Craig for his many contributions to what the SGC had learned about Native Americans, giving them a stronger understanding of the cultures. There was no doubt that information would be useful if…or rather when…more Native cultures were located ‘out there’. The banner would be sent home with Craig, a memento of his days at the SGC.

He’d figured out who the ‘perfect person’ Casey’s download had referred to. The only problem that he saw was figuring out just how to make the offer. He wanted to make certain that it wouldn’t be refused. He snorted softly. That would take a miracle, he was sure. Still…with a sigh, he grabbed his notepad. The letter was short and to the point. Before he could decide to change it, add to it, or downright beg, he stuffed it into an envelope and quickly scrawled the address on it. A search through his desk drawer netted a return address label and a stamp. Both were placed carefully, and the letter was ready to post. He’d leave it with Walter, who would see to it that it went out with the next day’s mail.

Finished with the task, he headed toward the elevator. When the doors opened, Jack and Sam were there, and it looked as if they’d been locked in an embrace. He grinned as he stepped into the car. "Heading to the potluck?"

"Yep," Jack replied. "Rumor has it Radar brought in two boxes and a picnic basket. What all did she bring?"

Daniel sighed. "I told her she didn’t have to supply all of the food, but there was no getting through to her. She wanted to be certain that the Level 18 Crew supplied the majority of food. Beth said she had a list for everyone."

Sam chuckled. "Glad she didn’t expect me to bring anything…although I did buy a few bags of chips."

"Sam, I love you, but Doctor Nichols would run screaming for the door if you cooked anything," Jack teased. He turned back to his best friend. "So what all did Radar bring?"

"A huge bowl of potato salad. An equally large bowl of macaroni salad, in case someone doesn’t like potato salad, she said. Then she made ham and spinach pinwheel sandwiches. She used three bags of large tortillas for that. Then she decided it would be fun to have some plain old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. So she used two loaves of bread for that."

"Whole sandwiches?" Jack asked.

"Nope, she cut them into triangles. Then she used four pounds of ground beef to make barbecue meatballs. Then she made two dishes of dip for chips. Which we picked up on the way home last night."

"Any cookies?" Jack asked hopefully.

This time Daniel grinned. "Four dozen chocolate chip, four dozen oatmeal scotchies, and four dozen chocolate walnut."

Sam frowned. "She did all of that last night?"

Daniel shook his head in bemusement. "She started Wednesday night. I swear we could have had a potluck for the department alone with all that she cooked."

Jack eyed the light above the elevator door. "Hope we get down there before it’s all gone. If those Marines find out she brought food, it’ll be gone in sixty seconds."

"Without a doubt," Daniel agreed.

The three teammates and friends strolled into the commissary on level two, a room large enough to seat the entire staff of the SGC. The openings above the counters that led to the huge, attached kitchen were closed off, signifying that nothing would be coming from there for the day.

A total of six long tables had been lined along one wall, and all were crowded with dishes, slow cookers, crockpots, baskets, and plates of food. The line already snaked around the remaining tables. Casey was standing to one side of the food, handing out plates, cutlery, coffee cups, drinking glasses, and napkins.

Daniel grinned, then shook his head. "She did it. Casey said she was going to ask Major Whitmore to provide plates. She doesn’t want to add more paper to the ‘growing mountain of trash’."

Jack grinned. "Well, he has a few young enlisted kids assigned to his kitchen for the grunt work. He’ll have them cleaning everything up."

"I'll bet she offered to help," Sam smiled.

"I'm sure she did," Daniel said. He stepped into line, directly behind Lou Ferretti. That man turned and greeted the members of SG-1.

"I hear Mrs. J damned near supplied all the food herself," Ferretti grinned.

"Almost," Daniel nodded. "I know that everyone from level eighteen contributed, but it looks as if every team and department in the mountain brought something in."

Ferretti nodded. "Yep. Folks on level eighteen keep us alive out there. The info your rock readers provide is invaluable. Add what Mrs. J sees…" The Marine shrugged. "It’s like having two insurance policies, both rock solid."

Daniel lowered his head and cleared his throat. While he knew that the men and women of the SG teams appreciated what he and his team of archaeologists and anthropologists were able to provide, it was always nice to hear it said out loud. "Thanks, Ferretti."

Ferretti nodded solemnly. "Just tellin’ the truth."

It took a full thirty minutes before he and his teammates were in front of the food laden tables. There were already empty dishes there, and to Daniel’s disappointment, one of the empty bowls had just happened to have been his wife’s potato salad. There were two other bowls of potato salad…nah, he’d just do without.

"Hey, guys," Casey said, greeting her husband and friends. "Hang on a second." In her usual burst of speed, the blonde hurried toward a table in the corner. She carried two plates back with her. Both were heaped with potato salad, meatballs, spiral sandwiches, and cookies. She handed one to Daniel, the other to Jack. "Don’t move," she told Sam. A moment later, she returned with two more plates identically filled, and handed one to the astrophysicist. She nodded at Cathy Masterson, who had appeared by her side to take over the duty of handing out plates and utensils, and joined her friends in line.

"Thanks, Angel," Daniel murmured.

"You’re welcome. I tried to get everything on the plate and still leave room for anything else you might want," Casey explained.

"Appreciate this," Jack nodded.

"We truly do," Sam added.

"Well, when I saw the first group go through, I figured I’d better save something for us, or we’d be left going out to eat," Casey admitted. She put a peanut butter sandwich triangle on her plate, and added a few Doritos. Teal’c and Janet were through a few minutes ago, I made up plates for them as well. They’re saving seats for us."

Jack looked around the crowded room. "Good thing," he muttered.

"There they are," Sam said, seeing Janet when the petite doctor stood to her feet and began waving.

Settling into their seats, greetings exchanged, the team began to eat. Daniel kept checking his watch, knowing that General Hammond was going to start what would be the ‘speech’ part of the day. He had just finished his last cookie when he noticed the general was making his way to the front of the room.

"Can I have your attention, please?" General Hammond’s voice echoed over the sounds of dozens of conversations.

Immediately the general had the full attention of everyone sitting or standing nearby.

"As the commanding officer of the SGC, it is my duty to see to it that every man and woman who works here receives appropriate acknowledgement for the work that he or she does," Hammond said. "Each person who works within the SGC offers his or her own special knowledge and skills. Today we’re here to say goodbye to one of our colleagues. We were honored to have Doctor Craig Nichols, a distinguished archaeologist, offer his experience and insight to the ongoing research in what has become known as the archaeological department. Doctor Jackson is the head of that department, and as such, I will turn this time over to him."

Daniel rose to his feet and walked toward the general. He stopped just long enough to say hello to the ‘crew’, who were all sitting together at a table near the front of the room. Beth had no doubt been instrumental in making certain they were together.

"Thank you, General Hammond," Daniel said. The general nodded, then went to sit down beside his wife. Daniel smiled mentally at the thought that it was no doubt where the general had been seated for the entire meal. "I want to thank everyone who participated in the potluck. The amount of food was just amazing…no one can complain about being hungry after being in here!"

Laughter filled the air, many of the men sat back in their chairs and patted contently full stomachs.

"We’re all here today to say goodbye to Doctor Craig Nichols. Doctor Nichols is, in my opinion, the most knowledgeable man in the world when it comes to Native American cultures. His expertise has been invaluable to all of us here at the SGC." Daniel paused again, debating for just a moment on what he wanted to say. He’d had a speech planned, but suddenly, it seemed far too trite for the circumstances. "I don’t know how many of you were here when Kali made a little visit to the SGC. Of course, she didn’t intend to be helpful, but she exposed how much our ring transport made us vulnerable. A few changes were put into place because of her. Casey has suggested we send her a thank you card for that."

The quiet that had fallen in the room was lifted by the laughter that once again filled the air.

"That little visit did more than just cause a little fear and heartburn that day." Daniel looked at Craig. "What it did, was to make Craig Nichols decide that he was more than ready to head out on the open road. He and his wife are going to go RVing." Daniel shook his head, grinning from ear to ear. He’d said what he wanted to say, what he’d needed to say, and it was time to lighten the mood again. "I’m tellin’ ya, if a little thing like a Goa’uld attack is gonna make you retire…"

Craig roared with laughter. That laughter was echoed by those around him. Doctor Warnke reached over and patted the older man on the back.

"Seriously, Craig had been contemplating retiring when I contacted him to work here-"

The snort Craig gave had those around him snickering. "Contacted? I’ve heard marriage proposals with less begging!"

Again the room exploded into laughter.

Daniel was laughing as well. The memory of his conversation with the older archaeologist, trying to convince him to join the SGC, flashed through his mind, made him laugh just a bit harder. He took a deep breath. "Craig, your presence here has been a blessing to all of us. We’re all richer for having worked with you. I also know that you’ve spent the majority of your life studying and working to learn all you could about Native Americans, adding to what we knew about them. Your work has been monumental in reshaping the way we look at the First Peoples of the Americas. Your work has even helped many of those tribes to regain their history, their heritage, and even helped them to fight to recover what belongs to them. That work, in my opinion, is priceless. The archaeological community will be forever indebted to you."

The scientists sitting around him broke into applause, which was picked up by the others in the room.

Casey and Major Whitmore, who had arranged with Daniel to bring out the cakes while he was speaking, were doing so; wheeling each one out on large carts.

"I’ve been told that no retirement party is complete without cake. Craig, come on up here, please," Daniel gestured to him.

Blushing slightly, Craig rose to his feet and moved to stand beside Daniel.

"For anyone who doesn’t know, this is Doctor Craig Nichols. I’ve already been informed by team COs that each team would like to thank Craig for his work."

As soon as Daniel mentioned the team COs, the commanding officer of each SG team rose to their feet. They moved forward; quietly lined up on either side of the two archaeologists.

In the lead was Ferretti, holding a rather large wooden plaque in his hands. As soon as he was close enough, he quietly introduced himself, and shook Craig’s hand. Ferretti turned to face the room. "We all know that the rock readers keep our butts out of a lot slings. If not for them…for their work…there’s a pretty good chance most of us would be dead. I know, that sounds melodramatic. But, when ya work at the SGC, hyperbole usually isn’t, right?"

Murmurs of agreement filled the air.

"We all chipped into get this for you, Doctor Nichols. Just a little token of our gratitude. It’s kinda simple, but we hope you like it." He handed the plaque to the surprised archaeologist.

Craig read what was inscribed on the beautifully polished wood. Tears pricked his eyes, even as a smile covered his face. "It’s incredible." He held it up. "It says ‘Thank You.’ Then it lists all of the SG teams by number, and the members by name."

Again applause filled the air.

"This…this means a lot to me, thank you, all of you," Craig said, the emotion in his voice proof of his sincerity.

"Maybe you can find a place for that in your RV," Major Evans grinned.

"It will be in a place of honor," Craig promised.

"Craig, as the honoree, you get the first piece of cake," Daniel said.

The older man turned to look at the two cakes, then burst into laughter. "That’s funny!" he declared. He looked over his shoulder. "It says, ‘Roses are red, violets are blue. Bet you’ll miss us, and we’ll miss you, too.’ I have no doubt that I’ll miss all of you!"

With a flourish Major Whitmore sliced into the first cake, and handed the plate to Craig. "Good luck, Doctor Nichols."

"Thank you, thank you so much," Craig replied.

Daniel waved the other members of the department to come up. As soon as they were standing beside him, he looked at the expectant faces watching him. "I’d tell you to line up in an orderly fashion, but I’ve learned when there’s cake to be had around here, there is no such thing as ‘orderly’."

The laughter that rang out once again was no doubt heard all the way into the NORAD section of the facility, as the men and women who worked at the SGC began to move forward.

Not one SG team member missed the opportunity to thank Doctor Nichols for his work; several were able to give him specifics on missions where his input had been sorely needed, and welcomed. It was obvious by the wide-eyed look on his face that the good doctor was overwhelmed at the attention, and the amount of praise he was receiving. No one in the room believed he was getting anything more than he deserved.

Daniel, who had joined Casey at the table with the others from level eighteen, was certain that those who worked with him had made certain Craig Nichols understood just how highly regarded he was. It was, Daniel thought, a most fitting farewell.

The potluck had been a success, if the lack of leftovers was anything to go by. The few pieces of cake that remained had been carefully wrapped to send home with the honoree. Who had been delighted at that news that he was to take them.

On level eighteen, Doctor Craig Nichols, the ‘man of the day’, was about to say his final good-byes. He tapped on the door to Daniel’s office.

Daniel, who had been standing beside his wife, discussing the highlights of the day, glanced at the doorway. "Craig!" He settled his arm around Casey’s shoulders.

"I just wanted to say goodbye," Craig smiled. "And thank you for such a wonderful send-off."

"It was our pleasure," Daniel replied. "Craig, it’s been an honor to work with you."

The older man smiled. "It’s been my honor, Daniel. I just wish-" Craig frowned, shifted the plaque and wrapped cake from one arm to the other. "Egyptology never held my attention. I suppose because there was already so much known about Ancient Egypt, and so many archaeologists working to find more. There was so little known about Native Americans…real facts, not Hollywood history. I always thought investigating my own ‘backyard’ was a more…" He shook his head. "Not ‘honorable’, but at least as important."

Daniel nodded his understanding.

Craig lowered his head, obviously thinking about what he wanted to say. He glanced at the man who had been his ‘boss’, a position that Daniel never abused. He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly, his gaze dropping once again.

Daniel waited patiently, aware that the older man had something he wanted, perhaps needed, to say.

"I’d heard the rumors; every conference I attended for about two years was filled with gossip and speculation, and downright vitriol." Craig looked up, into blue eyes filled with curiosity. Something he’d come to realize was natural in the man standing in front of him…that sense of curiosity. That need ‘to know’. "I pretty much just ignored the outrage from those who seemed the most offended…other Egyptologists. I didn’t even bother to read any of your work, as I said, I just wasn’t interested in that particular discipline."

"There’s nothing wrong with that," Daniel offered, smiling. "Although how you can stand there and tell me that the mysteries of Ancient Egypt don’t entice you, especially the Hykos dynasty…" He gave an exaggerated shake of his head, his smile going wider.

Craig chuckled, then broke off…almost as if flipping a switch. "I wish I had read those papers before you contacted me about working here. I wish I’d reached out to you, to get to know you. I will carry the shame of not having stood up for a fellow scholar for the rest of my days. Regardless of the fact that what you’d proposed turned the archaeological world upside down, you should have been offered the courtesy of having your work examined and discussed with open minds, rather than condemning you on the spot. I am so sorry, Daniel, that I didn’t speak out."

Stunned, Daniel shifted his gaze to the wall beside him…the floor…the door to his office. He cleared his throat. While those who had accepted positions at the SGC had told him of their respect for him, having learned that his theories had been correct, no one had breached the topic of those first hateful reactions. Craig’s words seemed to hang in the air, giving him just a moment to examine them…treasure them. "That…that means a lot to me," he finally said softly.

"I realize that I can’t say a word about how right you were," Craig continued. "However, I can speak out about condemning work without fair review. I promise you, I will do so whenever possible, as loudly as necessary."

"Craig, you don’t-"

The older man held up his free hand. "Yes, Daniel, I do. You are a man of such integrity; such quality; such brilliance…it’s been my honor to get to know you, to see for myself that you were not only right, but your intelligence and willingness to rock the boat led you to being in a position to help protect our planet. To protect humanity."

Daniel swallowed, not certain he could speak in that moment. His heart was pounding against his ribs as he listened to Craig tell him what a ‘great’ man he was. More important – to him – was the fact that Craig, who was an established and respected archaeologist, was voicing those opinions. He would be an incredible force in the archaeological community. Maybe the next time a young archaeologist discovered something that challenged every previous assumption or theory, that archaeologist wouldn’t suffer complete ostracization.

"Keep learning…keep searching, Daniel," Craig said softly. "And keep rocking boats." The older man broke into a wide grin. "And when the Stargate program does become public knowledge, I’ll be able to stand up and proudly say ‘I know that brilliant young man’."

Tears in his eyes, Daniel grinned back at Craig. Weight that he wasn’t even aware of carrying dropped from his shoulders. Deep in his heart, he’d always harbored the hope that one day he could stand in front of a gathering of archaeologists, especially Egyptologists, and prove that he had been right. The better part of himself would always admonish him, reminding him that such thoughts made him no better than those who had refused to acknowledge his theories. Now…hearing a man as renowned as Doctor Craig Nichols declare that he respected the outcast, that he had every intention of making certain there were no other such ‘outcasts’, simply because the two men had worked together…"Thank you," Daniel said, clearing his throat once again.

"Thank you, Daniel, for the most amazing ten-and-a-half months of my life," Craig replied, his voice soft. Standing a bit straighter, Craig offered his hand. "I promise to keep in touch."

"I’ll hold you to that," Daniel replied. He pulled his arm from around Casey and shook Craig’s hand.

Craig turned his attention to the slender seer. "Casey, it was an honor and delight to meet you as well."

"I’m so glad we met," Casey said, her voice soft, and slightly tinged with tears. Not at the impending departure of one of the greatest archaeologists in the country, but for the words of praise he’d offered her husband. She stepped forward and hugged the older man, mindful of the plaque and the cake he was holding. "You take care."

"You, too. And if you ever run into Kali again, kick her ass for me, will you?"

Casey giggled at the glint of humor in Craig’s eyes. "I promise."

With a final nod, Craig turned and left Daniel’s office for the final time.

Daniel stood silently, heard the elevator doors open, and then close. "Wow," he said after a few moments.

"To say the least," Casey replied.

Daniel walked to his desk, not actually seeing the room around him. Being the laughingstock of the archaeological community – the outcast – had been a bitter burden to bear. He’d always shoved his feelings about the entire mess to the back of his mind. Once he’d become part of the Stargate program, it had been all the easier to push those memories aside. But…they had always been there. There to taunt him whenever he made a mistake, or failed his team or the SGC…or even worse, his wife, in any way.

"Daniel?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you all right?"

His wife’s soft voice broke through his thoughts. He searched his mind…his heart. "I’m fine," he said truthfully.

Casey perched on Daniel’s desk and watched her husband quietly. Allowing him the time he needed to commit the conversation with Craig Nichols to memory. That beautiful, healing conversation…

"Hey ho, campers!"

The two Jackson’s turned in unison to greet the newcomer. "Jack," Daniel said. He glanced at the clock. He had intended to leave an hour ago. But he’d been replaying Craig’s words over and over in his mind. Casey had simply sat on his desk, watching him, a smile on her face.

"So, we didn’t get much at that shindig-" Jack started.

"Translation: he didn’t get seconds of anything," Casey snorted.

"Hey, we wouldn’t have gotten anything if you hadn’t made up those plates for us," Jack countered. "Thanks, by the way."

"You’re welcome," Casey grinned.

"There you are!" Sam stepped into the room.

Casey began to laugh. "Okay, give him a couple of minutes…"

All eyes moved toward the door when the opening of the elevator doors echoed down the corridor, and into Daniel’s office.

Janet and Teal’c peered into the room.

"Told you!" Casey squealed, laughing again.

"So, is anyone else hungry?" Jack asked.

"As a matter of fact, I am," Daniel replied.

"I too, would appreciate a meal," Teal'c said.

Casey studied Daniel for a moment. "How about we go to our place. We can order in. We’re gonna celebrate."

"We are?" Jack looked from Casey to Daniel and back again. "And just what are we going to celebrate?"

"Doctor Craig Nichols, and his penchant for saying just the right thing, at just the right time, and meaning every word he says," Casey said. She moved to stand beside Daniel, ran her hand over his shoulder.

"A very good reason to celebrate," Daniel acceded quietly.

The others in the room shared puzzled glances. "Uh…gonna let us in on it?" Jack asked.

Casey grabbed her purse, then bounced to where Jack was leaning against the work table. "Craig just said the coolest things to Daniel," she started, looping her arm with his and tugging him into the corridor.

Daniel raised his eyebrows, then began to follow his wife and CO. He dropped his arm around Sam’s shoulders when she stepped up beside him. Janet and Teal’c were on their heels.

By the time the team had reached topside, Casey had repeated the entire conversation between Daniel and Craig.

Jack looked over at the sandy-blond. Noted that his blue eyes were twinkling. "Glad that at least one person said it out loud."

"It…it really helped," Daniel admitted, somewhat sheepishly.

"I think we’re all glad to hear that," Janet said.

"Indeed," Teal’c agreed.

Sam bumped her shoulder playfully against Daniel’s. "I’m glad that someone from ‘outside’ knows the truth."

"From the sounds of it, Craig might not be able to offer specifics, but he’s certainly going to give those jerks a piece of his mind if he runs into them," Casey giggled. "I’d love to be a fly on the wall for that take-down!"

"Me, too," Daniel laughed. "Me, too."

Three hours later five empty pizza boxes, three wine bottles, and a dozen empty Heineken bottles covered the table in the Jackson dining room.

Casey was on her hands and knees, digging through the ‘liquor cabinet’.

"After something specific, Radar?" Jack asked.

"Yep. Dad gave me a bottle of cognac." Her voice was muffled as she half-crawled into the cupboard. "That expensive stuff. I think he intended for me to keep it for him to drink…" Casey pulled her head out, and flopped onto her fanny, victoriously holding the bottle aloft.

Jack stood up and crossed the room, took the bottle from the blonde’s hand, and helped her to her feet. "Remy Martin XO? Sweet!"

Daniel frowned slightly. "Uh…Case, do you really think you need to drink more?"

"This is a celebration, Stud Muffin," was the cheeky response. "We aren’t on duty tomorrow, and unless I get a download in the next ten seconds, I have no plans for the weekend." Casey opened one of the doors on the lower half of the china cabinet, and pulled six tulip cognac glasses out, placing each one carefully on the table.

"When did we get those?" Daniel asked, not recognizing the crystal.

"I bought them after Dad brought that over," Casey replied, nodding at the bottle Jack was in the process of opening. "I looked up the best brandy glasses, and ordered a dozen of them from Bloomingdale’s."

"Ask a silly question," the archaeologist muttered.

Jack reverently broke the seal on the bottle, then carefully filled each glass.

Casey watched as Teal’c accepted a glass. The Jaffa had joined them in drinking wine, and had even accepted a beer. "You’re drinking!" she said, surprise in her voice.

"Indeed. As I no longer have a symbiote, I am able to consume alcoholic beverages without the creature making me ill," Teal’c explained.

"Jaffa aren’t allowed to drink…at all?"

"They are not. Jaffa are to be ready to serve their god at a moment’s notice," Teal’c confirmed. "Thanks to tetronin, many of the freed Jaffa now brew their own liquor. It is consumed during celebrations, such as this."

Casey nodded her understanding. "Is this the first time you’ve drank?"

Janet immediately looked down at the table, her cheeks flushed.

"It is not."

Casey hadn’t missed her best friend’s reaction. "Janet, did you get our Jaffa drunk and take advantage of him?"

Jack sputtered, and almost dropped his glass, from which he’d been carefully enjoying the aroma of the cognac.

"He wasn’t drunk," Janet replied.

"She did not take advantage of me," Teal’c protested at the same time.

Casey looked at Sam. Who looked at Daniel. Who looked at Jack. The four burst into laughter.

"What goes on in your bedroom is no one else’s business," Daniel said firmly, fixing his wife with his sternest ‘don’t go there’ look.

"Thank you, Daniel Jackson," Teal’c said, obviously relieved that the details of the night in question would not be discussed. The details of what had been one of the most incredible nights alone with his lover were not something that he wished to share with others. Not even his best friends.

"Oh, this is nice," Jack murmured, carefully swirling the amber liquid in his glass, lifting it once again to his nose.

"Is there a reason for your actions, O’Neill?" Teal’c asked, eager to move the conversation away from his and Janet’s sex life.

"Well, according to everything I know about cognac, which is really pretty much limited to what I like to drink," Jack said, "you’re supposed to appreciate the ‘bouquet’ of the cognac. Cup the glass in your hand." He demonstrated for the Jaffa. "That helps to warm it a bit. That’s supposed to release the bouquet and flavor."

Everyone at the table was following Jack’s directions.

"It really does have a very pleasant aroma," Janet said. "I’ve had cognac before, but I don’t remember it smelling like this."

"It’s almost…almost a floral aroma," Sam noted.

After a few minutes, Jack took a sip. "Oh, yeah, that’s very nice," he said again.

"Wow, that is good," Casey said, taking another sip.

"To Craig Nichols," Jack said, holding up his glass.

"To Craig Nichols," Daniel echoed.

Glasses were clinked together, and the team enjoyed the cognac as it warmed them.

The cognac bottle was empty. The team had moved into the living room, choosing to sit on the floor. Casey was leaning against the coffee table, her chin in her hand. She’d been staring at Teal’c for at least five minutes.

"Casey?" Daniel asked, frowning slightly.

"Hmm?" Casey looked at her husband, then back to her friend. The glow from the chandelier lights on the ceiling fan above them continued to glint off his head. It was, she decided, really rather distracting. He should grow hair. Then his head won’t be so shiny, her booze addled brain insisted. But, the part of her brain still capable of somewhat rational thought pointed out, it’s part of being a Jaffa, or at least it is for Teal’c. Right? Before the rational part of her brain could stop her, she blurted out the question that was suddenly there. "Rocko, you shaved your head as a sign of subservience to the Goa’uld, right?"

"It was required by Apophis," Teal’c replied. "Not all Goa’uld demand that their Jaffa be shaved, but Apophis did."

"It was just one more way of controlling you," Casey nodded.

"Indeed."

"So why are you still shaving your head? You’re a free Jaffa. Hell, you’re the friggin’ leader of the whole Jaffa rebellion!" the seer declared.

Teal’c frowned slightly. He remained silent for so long that Casey was beginning to think she’d offended him.

She castigated herself for what was nothing less than a rude outburst. "Teal’c, I’m sorry. It’s really none of my business," Casey said, a bit anxiously. "This is why I shouldn’t drink. My brain goes on break and my mouth engages."

"You have said nothing inappropriate, Casey Jackson. To be honest, I had not stopped to contemplate my actions," Teal’c said.

"Well, it’s none of my business," Casey reiterated. She turned to Daniel. "Don’t let me drink cognac after two glasses of wine and two beers, ever again."

Daniel ran his hand up and down her back. "I promise."

"Actually, I’d kind of wondered the same thing," Janet piped softly. She put her hand on Teal’c’s thigh. "It doesn’t matter to me one way or the other."

The smile Teal’c offered his lover was one of gratitude. He turned his attention back to the young seer. "Perhaps I should meditate on this."

Casey smiled. "Well, we meditate on Tuesdays. That would be a good time."

Teal’c’s cheek twitched slightly. "Indeed."

Sam shifted, settling behind Jack. She wrapped her arms around his chest, and rested her chin on his shoulder. Her gaze went to the young seer. "It’s the cognac. I’ve seen you drink more wine than that, and you don’t get drunk."

"It’s because none of us has done any drinking…other than a glass of wine with dinner or a beer or two, in months," Janet rebutted. "And the cognac combined with the wine and the beer…" Her voice trailed off.

"Lightweights," Jack teased.

Daniel, who had limited himself to just one glass of wine and one of cognac, grinned smugly. "Some of us are smart enough not to over-drink."

Janet and Jack both snickered. "The fact that you can’t handle a couple of beers is well known," Jack teased.

"Bite me," Daniel grumbled.

"Nah, that’s Radar’s job," Jack retorted.

Having decided that it would be necessary to have a bit of coffee before anyone was willing to drive, Daniel started the coffee maker. The group resettled in the living room, sipping the hot, strong brew and quietly discussing the day’s events; not content until three pots of coffee had been consumed.

"Okay, I’m ready to drive now," Jack announced.

Teal’c nodded. "As am I."

Daniel glanced at his wife. Her chin was still in her hand, but her eyes had closed at some point during the conversation. ‘Casey?"

"Hmm?"

Sam climbed to her feet. "If I don’t get home pretty soon, I’m liable to go to sleep right here on the floor," she said.

Janet nodded, also climbing to her feet. "I feel all warm and just a bit tingly."

"That’s what good cognac will do for you," Jack said, pulling himself to his feet. "Let’s get you home, Colonel, before I wind up carrying you."

Teal’c had also risen. "Daniel Jackson, do not allow Casey Jackson to concern herself over regarding her observation. In fact, I believe she has shown me that I still carry habits born of my slavery to the Goa’uld. These are habits that I do not wish to continue. I will thank her myself for having the insight to see what I did not."

Daniel smiled. "I’ll do my best."

He saw his friends to the door, admonishing them to drive safely. He returned to the living room to discover Casey had lowered her arms to the coffee table, resting her head on her wrist. She was sound asleep. He contemplated waking her…she had a nightly routine she followed almost religiously. Decided that it wouldn’t hurt to miss brushing her teeth or using that special facial cleanser for just one night.

He carried her to the bed. He was starting to undress her when she began to stir.

"Daniel?" she asked sleepily.

"Shh. Just go back to sleep, Angel," he whispered. Once she was naked, she curled up in the center of the bed.

He stripped, and as soon as he crawled into bed beside her, she snuggled close and sighed contentedly. For a few minutes he replayed the conversation with Craig in his mind, once again finding solace for his very soul. "Stay safe, Craig," he whispered, just before closing his eyes and joining his wife in the land of Nod.

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