LOCATIONS - Earth/Pegasus

DATE - July 2010 Onwards

LANGUAGE - UK English (Character dialogue will be written to reflect their individual dialects where appropriate and US English terms will be used as far as possible.)

Side note - SGU does not exist in this universe.

Changes in date/location are denoted by a heading in bold.

A/N - Again, my apologies for not updating sooner. I am continuing to write and develop this story, and I will complete it. Thank you for continuing to read.

Chapter 19 - The Fairest One of All

Plaiyadon – November 30th 2010

She was in another stone room, with no windows. It was elegantly furnished with two plush couches, an intricately carved table, jewel-encrusted torches and turquoise drapes to one end. A golden sphere sat in the centre of the table. Silver-white drapes covered the far wall. They shook and rippled for a moment before Eletar stepped out and smiled at her. The Maharani placed her palms together and bowed her head at her.

"You have found the golden apple. The symbol of your worth." Eletar said.

She approached the table and picked up the golden ball. She twisted the top and bottom in opposite directions; it opened with a soft click to reveal a hollow inside. She placed the top on the table and pulled a fine silver chain from inside the bottom half. A single turquoise jewel hung from the chain.

"You put me through hell, for that?" Sam said.

"I do not apologise for our methods, we must ensure that all those we enter treaties with are pure of heart and worthy of our trust. We could never form an alliance with someone who does not share our moral obligations." Eletar said.

"What obligations." Sam asked.

"We never leave anyone behind." Eletar said.

…

"Where is she?" Jack demanded. A muscle in his face was twitching as he stared at the woman before him.

"She is in no danger. She must converse with the Maharani in private before the alliance can be formally initiated." Contanya said.

"What makes you think we still want an alliance? You held our people hostage! You threatened their lives!" Jack said.

"General O'Neill." A female voice said quietly. He ignored it.

"You held a knife to Captain Hailey's throat and locked four of our people in your crazy test centre." Jack shouted.

"General!" The woman called loudly and forcefully.

"Yes!" He snapped.

"We were not held hostage." Teyla said.

"What?" Jack said.

"The conditions of the test were explained to us and we played our part. If Colonel Carter had not returned for us within the timeframe, we would have been free to leave." Teyla said.

He stared at her. Her face was set, her brown eyes boring into him.

…

"The whole thing was just an act?" She couldn't believe it. "Do you have any idea what you put me through? I thought you were going to kill them!"

"That is what made the test so effective, and your reaction so honest. You truly would do anything in your power to protect your people. You are the fair one, not only of face, but of heart and mind." Eletar bowed her head.

"I'm overflowing with pride." Sam said.

"Mock me if you will, you have proven yourself in the face of danger. Your trust and faith in your people and their abilities, your selflessness and willingness to risk your life, in order to save others, is proof that you are fair of heart and mind."

"So I'm worthy of an alliance, now what?" Sam said.

Eletarsmiled.

"Tonight we celebrate our alliance. Tomorrow, we will discuss the finer details."

"I look forward to it." Sam said.

Sam looked for the door and started towards it.

"You are not yet properly attired. All leaders must wear the traditional dress of our ancestors." Eletar said. She pointed towards the turquoise drapes. Sam sighed, it couldn't be any worse than what the Shavadai put her in could it?

…

Jack was getting increasingly frustrated, Sam had been 'conversing' for over an hour and no one would tell him how long it would take. He rapped his hands on the table before him, and earned a glare from Daniel in return.

"Jack." He said.

"Daniel." Jack replied.

"Let's not upset our hosts before Sam's had a chance to sign anything." Daniel said.

"By drumming on the table?" Jack said.

"It could be considered rude," Daniel said.

"By whom?" Jack said.

"Me." Daniel said.

He was about to reply when a musical fanfare sounded from the temple. Everyone stopped what he or she was doing and turned around.

A woman dressed in green and silver stood at the top of the steps.

"Introducing the Maharani Eletar De La Liva and the Farmisis Faviaris Losis."

"The what?" Jack asked.

"It's Ancient, means pretty, yellow, just, the fair one. It must be a ceremonial title of some kind." Daniel said.

Eletar proceeded down the steps, she stopped and looked behind her, She held out a hand. A second figure slowly followed her, dressed in shimmering turquoise.

Jack looked up and blinked twice at the vision before him. Sam was desperately trying to cover her body with a thin length of lace like material, draped over one shoulder. She was wearing a long flowing turquoise skirt, it sat low on her hips and swayed with each step she took. As she turned, he could see her top was backless, like the dress she wore at his retirement, but with a single tie holding it together beneath her shoulder blades. At the front, the tight turquoise material pushed her breasts together and upwards giving her impressive cleavage. Delicate embroidery on the underside below her breasts highlighted their shape and size, a turquoise gem, hung between her breasts on a silver chain, bouncing as she walked. The whole top was edged with tiny silver beads that glinted and shone in the flickering torchlight.

Her hair was pulled into a wide plait and slung over one shoulder; it was dotted with tiny blue and white flowers and a delicate silver band, covered in tiny silver eaves and flowers, sat atop her head. Large silver earrings dangled above her shoulders. Her toned stomach was bare; the smooth skin creamy and pale in the moonlight. The shape of her ribs and waist, then the swell of her hips made him lick his lips. God she was beautiful.

"Samantha, where have you been hiding those?" Vala squealed running towards her and pointing at her breasts. Jack had to admit, they looked bigger than he remembered, then again, her top was drawing attention to them more than anything he had ever seen her wear.

Sam glared at Vala and crossed her arms over her bust. Her cheeks were rosy and, her décolletage was flushed. As she passed him, he caught a burst of her smell, a heady fragrance, floral, and clean, citrus and earthy, all at the same time, he couldn't explain it but it was intoxicating.

"They dressed ya better than the Shavadai and that really was some dress." He whispered so only she could hear.

She glared and turned away. Khol had been applied around her eyes, enhancing their shape, and her lips had been tinted a deep red.

"Er excuse me, you were speaking Ancient." Daniel said to Cotanya.

"Our ancestors hail from the great city. Several of our number have the power to use the old technology." She replied.

"Old technology?" Sam asked.

"Our testing ground is equipped with specialist technologies left by the ancestors." Cotanya said.

"A holograph system."

"Yes. I controlled that software." Cotanya said.

"If you have access to Ancient tech then why do you-?" Sam asked.

"- Live like this? We keep simple lives, in balance with the planet. We think, we read, we educate our young, but we do not rely upon technology. The quieter our existence, the longer we will survive. Too many races have been slaughtered for becoming technologically advanced. We prefer to ponder the universe, live spiritual existences, and be one with nature."

"What if you're attacked?" Sam asked.

"We defend ourselves when it is necessary." Cotanya said.

One of the women brought a chalice and set it before Eletar. Another woman dressed in silver with red addressed the crowd.

"The repossiom de coptondis cum luca binds our two planets, the drinking of the wine symbolizes our alliance and the rewards we each will receive and share with our people. The Maharini with the Farmisis Faviaris Losis, the Latefili de Luca, and the Tenati cor de luca will make the promise on behalf of the Plaiyadees, the Tauri, and occupants of the city of the ancestors."

She looked to Eletar.

"Repeat after me. I the Maharani Eletar De La Liva enter the contract of Daia without prejudice or malice. I will uphold the laws of my land and not sacrifice my morality or the freedoms of my people for personal gain. I will act for the greater good of my people and be just and true in all I do."

Eletar repeated the promise and drank from the chalice, and then passed it to Cotanya, who repeated the promise with her ceremonial title, also drank. Cotanya set it before Sam.

Sam repeated the promise and drank from the chalice. She coughed and blinked widly.

She looked around the table and hesitated before passing the chalice to Daniel.

Cotanya placed her hand over it.

"He is not your most trusted advisor." She emphasized.

"He is." Sam said.

"No, he is not the one you left in charge of the city."

Sam swallowed and shook her head.

"No, he isn't." She said.

She looked towards John.

"Nor is he the one whom you have trusted with your life for many years." Cotanya added.

"How do you know that?" Sam asked.

"The technology that allowed me to create the illusions in the maze, also allowed me to enter your mind, to find an appropriate horror to show you." Cotanya said.

"You read her mind?" He said.

Sam glared at him before looking back at Cotanya

"Not exactly, more your feelings, whilst using the technology I was exposed to impressions and blurred notions." Cotanya said. She looked at him briefly before looking down at the table.

Sam sighed and shoved the chalice at Jack.

He took it from her and looked at the deep red liquid inside.

"We're not to consume alcohol on duty."

"Sir." Sam said. Her face set and her lips drawn tightly together.

"Here goes." He repeated the promise and drank deeply, emptying the contents. The wine was fruity and dry, and it burned as he swallowed.

"That stuff's got quite a kick."

Jack stopped listening to the conversation; everything became background noise as he watched Sam, mesmerized. The fine turquoise silk swayed and shimmered with every movement she made, the material clinging to her ass as she sat. She reminded him of an Indian princess.

Her chest swelled and shook as she laughed with Vala and Teal'c. She played with her plait and fiddled with the delicate flowers. Tonight, she was all woman, the soldier and scientist hidden beneath the surface.

He knew how sensual and sexual she was, he knew exactly where to touch her to illicit tiny moans, where to kiss her or lick her, and the exact timbre of her voice as she groaned in pleasure.

He placed his arms over his lap to cover his sudden arousal. He wanted her so badly, every move or sound she made, only made him want her more. He smiled and nodded at a young woman as she offered him some wine.

…

Sam knew that Jack was watching her, and for some reason, tonight, she loved it. She discreetly exposed more of her stomach and legs to him, teasing him and watching him squirm. She didn't know what had got into her, but every time he twitched, it excited her and sent a bolt of pleasure through her stomach and southwards.

The veins on his neck were rigid and swollen, his eyes dark with desire, and skin glistening with tiny beads of sweat. She shifted in her seat as the sensations became incredibly intense.

…

Daniel was watching Sam and Jack with concern, after they had both drank from the chalice they couldn't stop watching each other. He knew they both had strong feelings for each other, and was pretty sure that they had acted upon them after Jack's retirement. He couldn't be sure though.

He sipped his drink watching the others at the table, his mind racing with the clash of cultures around him. He was itching to discuss it with Aimee but she was deep in conversation with Ronan Dex. Surprisingly, he was hanging on her every word.

The title the priestess, he assumed, had given Jack was interesting. It roughly translated as 'holder of the heart of light' but he couldn't begin to understand what it meant.

He jumped as Sam started giggling loudly; she was flushed and gulped down a glass of wine. She fidgeted and shifted around in her seat, Jack seemed to be oblivious to the fact that he was mirroring her. He was totally entranced by her and laughed loudly with her. They continued to laugh at anything and everything, when anyone spoke it was inexplicably hilarious to the two of them. He got very worried when Sam started touching Jack's arm, and he her leg.

He was half way up from his seat to separate them when Sam too started to rise. She fell to the floor, landing in a giggling heap. Jack tried to help her up but only succeeded in finding his own way to the floor.

"Why aren't we that drunk?" Jennifer Keller said.

"I bet it was that damn chalice." Cam said.

Daniel got up and tried to pull Sam to her feet.

"Daniel!" She said.

"My apologies, we did not realise your leaders would be so affected by our ceremonial wine." Eletar said, bowing her head.

Daniel lifted her Sam and before he could support her weight, she collapsed to the floor again.

"I guess not, is there somewhere we can put them to sleep it off?" Daniel said.

"Of course, I will have Miyana show you to a comfortable room." Eletar said.

"Thanks, Teal'c, can you give me a hand." Daniel said.

Teal'c bowed his head.

"Indeed Daniel Jackson, I will assist O'Neill." He said.

Daniel looked down at Sam; she was staring into space.

"You need to have a good sleep." Daniel said to her.

She started giggling again.

"It's not funny Sam. You're supposed to be in charge." He said.

"Oops."

"At least your CO can't discipline you for it." He snapped. He turned to glare at his friend, in a equal state of disarray, half on and half off the bench. Teal'c grabbed him under the arms and pulled. His leg came free of the bench before his whole body slithered to the ground.

Sam giggled again.

"He's on the floor." She said.

"Yes, he is, like you, and like you he needs to sleep this off." He said.

"Okay." She said.

"Let's get you to bed." He said.

"You good friend Daniel." She said, patting his cheek.

"Yes, I know." He said.

"But gotta pee first, pee then sleep." She said.

"Lets find you a latrine." He said.

He guided her away from the table and to a young woman he assumed was Miyana, who led them towards one of the buildings.

"O'Neill! Conduct yourself in a manner appropriate for your rank!" Teal'c bellowed behind them.

"Uh oh, Jack's in trouble now." Sam giggled.

"Yes, he is, like you." Daniel said.

Sam hung her head.

"Sorry Daniel." She said.

Daniel was careful not to look at her; he was having trouble forcing back a grin.

"There are facilities in the rear room where the Farmisis may relieve herself." Miyana said, before bowing and returning to the party.

He guided her into the building and through the main room, to the small bathroom in the back.

"You need any help?" he said.

She scowled at him.

"I'm big grrl Danyl. I cn do myslf." She slurred.

"Thank god for that." He said.

She started lifting her dress up before he left the room and got a good view of her toned thighs before he hurriedly shut the door. He took the time to study his surroundings. The room was furnished with a single semi-circular bed, sunk into the floor and piled high with pillows and blankets. A shimmering curtain hung across the room, at the edge of the bed, dividing the space and preventing him from seeing the other side. Teal'c was chastising Jack somewhere nearby and he chuckled to himself. He noted that Sam's BDU's were neatly folded in a pile on chair.

He heard running water for a moment before the door opened and Sam stumbled out. He caught her and she giggled again.

"Come on, bed, I'll find you in the morning, but for now, sleep." He said.

"Oky, nigh Danyel," she said.

She kissed him on the cheek and flopped down onto the bed, burying her head in the cushions.

"Night." He said as he left the room, "I'll have an advil ready when you wake up." He added quietly, laughing to himself. Boy was she going to regret it in the morning.

…

Sam tossed around in the bed, trying to get comfortable, her dress was getting in her way and the robe thing was tying her up in knots. She rolled over and tried to tug it out from under her. She felt something firm behind her and rolled away quickly. She reached out and poked the curtain firmly, someone grunted on the other side. She poked again.

"Hey, cut that out."

She recognised that voice.

"Jack?" she whispered.

"Sam?"

She fumbled with the curtain and lifted it high enough to get her head under. She peered through and found Jack sprawled in his side of the bed. His eyes were closed.

She struggled under the curtain and climbed over him, sliding off his body and into the bed beside him. She hit the wall of the bed and something clicked behind her. The curtains parted and folded flush against the walls.

"Oooh, clever." She pressed the button again and closed the curtains, and again to open them, close, open, close, open, close, open. Jack grabbed her wrist.

"Quit it." He said.

"Jaaack." She said.

His eyes closed and his hand dropped into the cushions.

She poked his chest firmly. He swatted her hand away.

She poked him again and giggled as he grunted at her, and pushed her hand away.

She slowly trailed her fingers up his arm and across his chest. She pushed up his t-shirt and stroked his stomach in small circular patterns, tracing the hair and muscles. She leaned down and pressed her mouth to his skin, he tensed as she licked his skin, she grinned into him and licked upwards, pushing the tight material upwards until she found his nipple. He gasped.

She climbed fully on top of him, straddling him at the waist. She leaned down and kissed him gently, running the tip of her tongue over his lips. He opened his lips and allowed her to deepen the kiss.

Her hands travelled southwards and unbuttoned his pants, sliding her tongue into his mouth and kissing him passionately as she teased him.

She slipped her hand into his shorts and pulled back from the kiss, but her lips still touched his.

"Jack. I want you."

He groaned and arched into her touch.