Interplanetary Relations

By: Bursztyn

Ever since the activation of the Stargate program Daniel had become familiar with political parties. Those who were 'in the know' wanted the chance to shake hands and speak a few words with the man who had opened the Stargate. They wanted to meet his team, SG-1, the flagship explorers of the newest and most expansive frontier the human race had ever encountered. They wanted to introduce Colonel Jack O'Neill, Major Samantha Carter, Mr. Teal'c and Dr. Daniel Jackson to their friends who had no idea why the small group of four people were as important as they were.

Daniel wasn't a huge fan of political parties.

He didn't even like them off-world. Yet on occasion they were called to attend one, and General Hammond usually made them go. Daniel had to admit he always enjoyed political parties off-world slightly more than the ones in D.C.

He didn't have to dress up for one. No matter the occasion, they always went in with standard mission gear. The Tau'ri were nothing if not cautious and on more than one occasion it had paid off.

Secondly, it was more fun to introduce himself. On Earth he got to go around and shake hands with some big-wig politicians and introduce himself as 'Dr. Daniel Jackson, pleased to meet you'. They would smile and nod politely, exchange a few words and move on, letting their confusion trail behind in their wake. If they had to ask for his name, they didn't know who he was or what he did.

Off-world he got to shake people's hands and say 'Dr. Daniel Jackson, SG-1, Earth' and it meant so much more. He didn't have to do the posturing he did when he was at home. He didn't have to pretend not to notice people staring at him trying to figure out why he was there. Off-world he was an alien. From Earth. And everyone knew it.

It was something straight out of a science fiction book, except from the opposite perspective. Not many people wrote stories from the alien's point of view.

It leant an extra layer of the surreal to his life even though it felt completely natural to him. When the SGC had off-world visitors Daniel would smile when he heard people introduce themselves.

"Walter Harriman. I'm a technician," the reliable sergeant would say. "Earth," he added as an afterthought.

It was crazy, it was insane, but it was his life.

Daniel smiled accepted a drink from a wandering waitress who had clearly come his way to get a better look at the alien visitors. She blushed and scurried away, forgetting to offer refreshments to the rest of his team.

"You're scaring them off Danny," Jack mock-complained.

"On the contrary O'Neill," Teal'c corrected, "that girl appeared quite pleased."

Sam smiled in a knowing manner and Daniel groaned. "I don't do it on purpose."

Jack patted his shoulder. "Sure Daniel, if you say so."

They spent the rest of the night good-naturedly teasing each other and making friends.

He wouldn't have it any other way.