Tales to Tell the Dying.
By: siggy(afg) – www.ofnoconsequence.com
Rating: PG
Category: Sam/Teal'c friendship, angst
Disclaimer: Not mine and no money is being made
Note: Written for The GateShip Wednesday Shorts 
'Metamorphosis' Challenge.
This teeny tale is not beta'd, so avert your eyes against the 
gratuitous abuse of punctuation, etc.
 
  
I watch her through the bars of the cage. I have tried to engage her 
in conversation, but she is very ill and barely speaks now.  I wish 
they had not taken O'Neill away, I believe his presence would have 
comforted her. I long to touch her but I cannot reach. Major Carter 
should not have to die like this; she should be on the battlefield 
fighting our enemies or an old woman surrounded by her children 
and grandchildren. Not sick and shaking in a stinking cell. 
 
Her eyes are open and she stares at the ceiling. "Major Carter." I 
call to her and watch as she slowly turns her face towards me.
 
"Teal'c."
 
She tries to smile but it turns into a grimace and her body arches as 
pain floods through her. She is soaked with sweat, her hair 
plastered to her forehead. "You must hold on Major Carter. O'Neill 
will return with help." She nods at me, knowing just as well as I 
that I am merely trying to comfort her. 
 
"Tell…tell me something."
 
I do not understand what she means and wait as another wave of 
agony passes through her, leaving her panting and wide eyed with 
shock.
 
"Tell me something… about yourself." She clarifies breathlessly.
 
I think for a moment, knowing that all she wants is a friendly voice 
to carry her to the next world. "When I was a small boy, my father 
used to take me up to the hills above our village. He would teach 
me to hunt and track, show me how to gut and skin our kill. We 
would lie under the stars and he would point out the constellations 
and speak to me of the legends of our people. My father was a 
great warrior and he would tell me how one day I would ride in the 
ships of our god and travel to many planets where he held 
dominion and to many where he did not and fight his battles and 
win honour for my family." I paused for a moment, lost in the 
memory.
 
"Go…on…please."
 
I look up and see her watching me, her face white and glistening in 
the light from the flaming torches fixed on the walls. "When I 
became Jaffa and I lost my faith, I felt ashamed that I had 
dishonoured my father and my family. I could not believe in my 
god, he was cruel and there was no love for his people in him. I 
conquered worlds and enslaved millions to his whims." I stop as 
Major Carter shudders through another spasm, her jaw clenched to 
prevent her crying out; her pale hands clutching the side of the cot 
on which she lays, her knuckles almost translucent with the 
strength of her grip. "Major Carter?"
 
"S'okay…I'm okay...keep talking."
 
I nod, unclenching my own hands from the bars of the cage. "I 
served my god for many years and all that time I did terrible things 
that shame me to think of them. I was a worthless creature until the 
day I captured the Tau'ri warriors. On that day I finally was able to 
honour my father. I could fight by the side of those who battled 
great evil; they did not know me yet they gave me shelter and a 
chance to redeem myself. When I walked through the Chappa'ai 
and came to the home of the Tau'ri I gave my staff weapon to you, 
Major Carter, do you remember?"
 
"Yes."
 
"I did not know you then, and I was surprised that a woman should 
presume to take my weapon from me. I would like to now 
apologise for that."
 
"No…Teal'c…"
 
"Yes, Major Carter, It is right that I seek your forgiveness.  Had I 
known then what a great warrior you were, I would have felt very 
differently. I have come to hold your friendship as a precious gift 
and it has been my honour to fight beside you."
 
"I'm afraid…"
 
I watch as she struggles for each breath, water beginning to run 
from the side of her mouth. "Do not fear Samantha, you are not 
alone." She looks at me and smiles at my use of her name.
 
"No…not alone…thank you…Teal'c."
 
I smile back and she turns her face back to contemplate the ceiling, 
her breathing wet and laboured yet about her there is calm. I stand 
watch for her…my sister in arms.
 
End