Vicious Circle: Out Dancing for All to See
Taking a moment to compose himself, Jack entered the tent and walked over to where Daniel was making squiggly marks on paper.
“Hey, Jack.” Daniel didn’t even look up.
“Da-aaaaniel. This is for you.” Daniel looked at the sad thing in Jack’s hand.
“What, a tiny dead bird? Why the hell would I want that?”
“It’s not a bird, Daniel. It’s an outfit.”
“That? Maybe for a pinky toe.”
“Nope. For you to wear.”
Daniel dropped the pen on the table and leaned back gaping at Jack. “What? I-I don’t think so.”
“The chief gave it to me to give to you to wear.”
Bewildered, Daniel replied. “And why?”
“Because he likes you, ’cause of that thing you did, so you get to wear their honorary feast attire for the big party tonight… and join in their ritual dancing.”
“Get to wear—what THING I did?”
“You know that thing you did discussing that ancient writing on that big long thingy in the cave.”
“I’m so glad you’re not an interpreter by trade. You’d suck at your job.”
“Daniel, you know what I mean!”
“Disturbingly, I think I do, but I’m still NOT wearing that.”
Jack gave him a look.
“Jack! It’s a string of maybe ten feathers, HOW am I supposed to wear it?”
Jack made a gesture around his waist.
“Ohhhhhh no. No way. It wouldn’t cover anything.”
“Look, if you don’t wear it, you’ll insult the chieftain and his people. I shouldn’t have to tell you that. We ARE here to make allies.”
Daniel sighed looking away. “You’re right. B-but, Jack, if I wear that my Guys and, and It will be out dancing for all to see.”
“Daniel, if those are the pet names for your, um… members you need to seriously reconsider them.”
Daniel glared at Jack then at the thing dangling from Jack’s hand.
He started moving past Jack. “Think I’ll go talk with him so I can graciously turn him down.”
Jack stood in his way and put on his serious face. “The chief’s counting on you. Our relationship with these people may be at stake if you try to back out. Daniel, you can’t turn him down.”
Daniel exhaled loudly while dropping back in his seat. “Fine! Okay. I-I’ll… wear it…somehow. But this doesn’t get put in the report, clear?”
“Crystal.”
“O’Neill, I have seen DanielJackson. I believe you are involved in his wardrobe choice. He is not happy.”
“Really? ‘Thought he was enjoying the attention.”
“That is not my opinion. I have watched him. The majority of this evening he has spent keeping arms lengths from the many women with outstretched hands.
“He is getting pretty good with that weaving move, isn’t he?”
The tent flap opened behind them. “Sir. Teal’c. Uh, where’s Daniel?”
“Carter, back from the chat with the women folk, just in time for the evenings entertainment.”
“DanielJackson does not see this as entertaining, O’Neill. It appears he needs someone to keep wandering hands off of him while he dances. I will assist.”
“Really? Daniel’s dancing?” Carter inquired.
“We will talk later, O’Neill.”
Jack tried not to sound nervous. “Can’t wait for that talk, T.” He went to slap him on the back but stopped mid-swing when Teal’c shot him a look that could freeze the sun. Then, without waiting for permission to leave,Teal’c walked out passing an immobilized Carter.
Carter was peering out of the tent toward the festivities until she thought she’d spotted Daniel. She squinted her eyes to get a better look. “Oh my God!” The view of Daniel lit by firelight undulating while wearing nothing but a belt of feathers, maybe 5-inch long feathers, with all movable parts exposed and lots of bobbing going on made it almost impossible to turn away. But there were bigger fish to fry. She gripped the tent flap and closed it quickly then turned to face her team leader. “Wow, Daniel is… well that’s less material than a g-string, really. I’m surprised he’s willing to wear that. How did you get him to put that on, Sir?”
“Carter, what makes you think it was my idea for him to wear that and it’s not that bad?”
Carter gave him the look.
“Alright. It was my idea, but he was all for it.”
Again, the look.
“Well, there may have been… some coaxing involved.”
“You didn’t tell him, Sir. Did you?”
Jack mocked innocence, “Tell ‘im what, Major?” He emphasized her rank.
“About the fish.”
“Fish?” Momentarily shocked Jack miss-stepped and grabbed the desk to brace against. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you do. You devoured that fish they served last night then asked the chieftain where it came from, but he wouldn’t tell you.”
Jack couldn’t move.
“So you begged him and offered a trade. He wouldn’t take you up on it but instead told you he’d take you there if you could get Daniel to wear that. How close am I, Sir?”
Jack was stunned. How did she know about that? “Wait! You weren’t anywhere around when we made that bet.”
“No. *I* wasn’t, but the women were and they came back giggling dying to tell me. Apparently, the chieftain is quite the comedian and they’ve been waiting since we arrived to see what he’d do this time. So now I think I’ll go tell Daniel he doesn’t need to wear that and just why he is wearing that. That is… after I get a closer look.” She turned to leave.
Jack stopped her. “Okaaaaay, Carter. What d’you want me to do to keep you from telling Daniel?”
“I dunno know Sir, this was a pretty low trick, even for you.”
Jack swallowed back a retort to the obvious insult. No way could he let Carter tell Daniel about his bet with the chieftain. Daniel’d have his head and besides there were plans to go fishing the next day. “Carter, name it, I’ll do it.”
“Anything?”
Jack swallowed hard. “Yes… anything.”
“Well…”
The End
