The Sailor And The Archeologist 1
by Belladonna
URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asb/belladonna/sailor01.php
Summary: An AU about Captain Jack O'Neill of the U.S. Navy and the Archeologist Daniel Jackson and how they fall in love despite 'Don't ask Don't Tell'
Mustafa was in the dark outside of the rough building that was being used to coordinate the dig in the desert. He listened sadly as the plan to kill the archeologists was being fine-tuned. He'd heard rumors of Al-Qaeda in the area but now he realized it was true. He quietly left and headed home, knowing that plan wasn't going to be implemented that night. He had things to do to get ready.
Ara glanced up in surprise as her husband walked into the their home.
"Mustafa! I though that you'd be with Danyel still?" Her voice surprised. Ara was Jordanian but born in Sweden. She had met Mustafa as a teacher's aide while in Alexandria and fallen in love.
He smiled at his wife and looked at his daughter lounging on the floor watching TV, "Farah."
"Papa!" the 16 year old jumped up and gave her father a hard hug. "We didn't expect you and Danyel for 3 more days! Where is Danyel?"
"He's still at the site. Go watch TV Farah, I need to speak to your mother for a moment."
"Ok." And she bounced back over, casting a cautious glance at her parents.
Mustafa pulled his wife into the kitchen then cupped her face, looking into her eyes. "I want you to take Farah and go to your parents. Tonight."
"But.." she began but he placed a finger on her lips. "This may be the last time I look upon your face. I want you to trust me."
"Beloved, if you are in trouble?"
"It is not I, but Danyel." Ara knew that her husband had known and loved Daniel Jackson since he was a babe. He had know his parents, working for them on their own digs in the culturally rich desert and had been thrilled when Daniel had come to him as an adult 8 years before.
"What is it?" she whispered anxiously.
"There is a threat against Danyel and his team. I need to have you leave for I am going to protect them. It will probably cost me my life but it is worth it. He is important to Arab American relations."
Ara's eyes were huge in her face, "But you'll try to live? You'll do what needs to be done and try to be safe?"
"I will try." And these words let Ara know that she would likely never see her husband again.
"I love you Mustafa."
"And I you. Now go and get packed, I have plans to make."
It was an hour later that his weeping women climbed into their taxi on the way to the airport. He watched until he couldn't see the tail lights, then quickly showered, dressed and made his way to an American friends house.
After he'd left his warning he walked to an old enemy's home and knocked quickly. The door opened and a wide-eyed man looked at him in surprise, "Mustafa?"
"Mohammed. May I come in?"
The door opened wider and Mustafa came in the door closing firmly behind him.
"What are you doing here?" the other man demanded.
Mustafa turned, "I need a vest." The man's eyes widened even more. 'Vest' was a euphemism for a vest of explosives used by suicide bombers.
Daniel was asleep in his tent, fingers twitching as if he was still sweeping away the sands of time. A hand on his shoulder jerked him awake and he sat up a little dazed. He looked up and smiled, "Mustafa, I wondered where you had gotten to."
"Dan-yel, you must get up, we have to talk." What followed was one of the most unpleasant conversations that Daniel had ever had in his whole life.
"No! Absolutely not. I'll send the rest away but I will not leave!"
With a glare Mustafa stood, towering over his younger friend, "You are too important to risk! You will leave. I will let you know when. Stay at the dig all day Dan-yel. Promise me."
Daniel sighed reluctantly, "I promise."
Mustafa smiled, "It may be all for nothing but we need to take no chances."
"I said I promised!" Daniel said with exasperation and Mustafa laughed, "Get some more sleep Dan-yel. I will awake you at sunrise, the stone statue on the northwest side is Isis, I am sure of it."
The archeologist brightened, "I thought so but we'll see tomorrow won't we?"
Mustafa looked around for a moment, "Where is Lyle?"
A look of disgust passed over Daniel's face, "He was sleeping with me to get a better assignment." He held up his hand, "I know! I should have listened to you. It was nothing for me, just a release Mustafa. He left this afternoon when I wouldn't give him the new assignment."
"Good riddance. He had no respect for us."
Daniel snorted and lay back down on his cot, "Go away Mustafa. I'll be here to torment you for years, do not worry."
The older man bent his head to leave the tent, a sad smile on his face. No he wouldn't but he would be alive, and that for Mustafa was enough.
Part deux
"Captain O'Neill?" a hesitant voice came from the doorway.
Jack looked up, "Go ahead Mac." He told the petty officer kindly.
"There's a message from Cinclant Sir."
"Tell the comm officer I'll take it here."
"Aye Sir."
Jack picked up the handset and heard the hiss of the incoming secure connection, "Captain O'Neill."
"Jack. It's Howard." Howard James was an old classmate of Jack's from Annapolis. He was an early Admiral, having done spectacular things during the Gulf War. Now he was one of the Admirals working for the Chief of Atlantic Fleet.
"Admiral Howie! How're they hangin'?" Jack asked cheerfully, grinning at the boisterous laugh from his friend.
"You're never going to let me live that down are you." The other man sputtered with more laughter.
"Not a chance old friend. Why the hush hush call?" Jack got down to business.
Admiral Howard James looked at the small pile of papers on his desk. "We need someone with your particular skills Jack."
Before Jack O'Neill had decided to serve with the surface fleet he had been a U.S. Navy Seal. He was one of best of the best but as a LCDR there had been a botched mission and he called it quits. He didn't have the heart to lose any more civilians or to watch his friend bleed to death all of over his hands.
"What's up?"
Relieved that Jack had agreed to listen Howard began, "There is an American archeological team in Egypt. There is a credible threat against them and the State Department wants them out of there."
"Why are they so important?"
"There is a Dr. Daniel Jackson that heads it. Apparently he's one of the foremost archeologists in the country and a goodwill ambassador of sorts to the Arab countries."
"Ahh, and we like to be able to have an American that isn't hated over there."
"Got it in one Jack. You'd take the ship into port for fuel and do a night rescue mission. Do you have the people on board?"
Jack sat back and thought for a minute, "Yeah, my COB (Chief of the boat) was in the Seals and so were one or two of the enlisted men. No worries."
"Good, I'll send the files through. Familiarize yourself with them and head to Alexandria."
"Understood Sir."
"Good Luck Jack." And the connection terminated.
Jack stood and went to lean his head out of the door, "XO?"
Commander Sam Carter looked up, "Cap?"
"Make the heading for Alexandria, I'll tell you why later."
"Aye Captain."
Sam watched as the Captain paced back and forth on the bridge. He was sifting through the papers that had come and was alternately staring or muttering at them.
"Cap?"
Jack's head whipped up and he smiled, "Sam?"
"You thinking about telling me what's going on Sir?"
With a laugh he settled into his chair, "Do you remember I had a life before I was a surface puke?"
"You mean as a barking mad Navy Seal? Yes Sir, I was aware." She answered dryly, causing the Lt. and the various sailors on the bridge to chuckle.
"Har har. There's something that requires my previous expertise. When I get more info you'll know more."
"Aye Captain." She said and watched as he left for his cabin.
Jack sat down on his bunk with a sigh, his eyes going immediately to the picture of Dr. Daniel Jackson.
The photo showed a young thirty something young man with chestnut brown hair, lots of sun kissed highlights, tan skin, beautiful blue eyes and a mouth with a lower lip that Jack would pay to suck and kiss. There was fierce intelligence in those eyes, not hidden by glasses. Just the photo made his groin tighten.
It had been several years since Jack had a male lover, his last dying during Desert Storm. He then had met and married, fathering a child. Charlie had died of leukemia at age 10, his marriage had not survived. With a muffled oath Jack stood and tossed the files onto his table and went to the porthole to look out, watching the deep blue of the sea and the reddish rays that signaled the sun was starting to set in the Med. A knock broke him after his reverie.
"Come in."
A well-built man in khaki's came with a smile, "So, back in the saddle Ace?" Ace being Jack's name with the Seals.
"Very funny Snake." The Master Chief chuckled and walked over to the files, "May I?"
"Knock yourself out."
Boatswain's Mate Master Chief Dale Conaway respected Captain O'Neill for his abilities to lead, and he had made a fine Captain for the 2 years he'd been on the U.S.S. Simpson. He looked up at said Captain and noticed the grim set of his face and knew he was a little apprehensive.
"So, what are we going to do?"
"Go in two Zodiac's, one led by you, the other by me. Meet our contact, pick up our packages, in this case 5 archeologists and run like hell."
Dale smiled, "Ahh. Looks easy on the face of it but something sure as shit will go wrong."
"Exactly." Jack laughed. They sat down and began to make a plan, then as they let the other 2 team members in they refined the plan. Conaway left to get the zodiac's ready and the others finally left to get ready.
Jack could feel the ship begin to slow as it approached Alexandria. They had spoken to the Egyptian government and let them know that they were going to drop anchor out in port, but not come in. They only needed to refuel, (a lie), and were waiting for one of their tankers to show (another lie but the USS Frank Cable was going to play along). As they waited for darkness to fall Jack took one last look at the picture of Dr. Daniel Jackson, then shook his head at himself.
'Give it up Jack.' He went to his closet and brought out his black special ops uniform and put it on. He took off his dog tags, (no i.d. in case of capture), took his pistol, his knives and other items that he might need in various pockets. He went into the head and pulled open a small drawer and pulled out the special makeup and proceeded to blacken his face. With that finished he stepped back and shrugged, 'Another day in the office', and left his cabin to collect his team.
