"Guidance" by Aftyn Victoria

Title: Guidance

Author: Aftyn Victoria

Status: Finished

Category: Romance S/J

Spoilers: none

Rating: G

Content Warnings: none

Summary: An indigenous woman gives Jack some meaningful advice.

Disclaimer: Stargate Sg-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for amusement only (it probably will make you laugh at how pathetic it is) and I didn't get any money for it. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author, but really, who'd want them?

Feedback: Yes, please! I like feedback! Although, this isn't any sort of significant story, it's just something that I think should happen to knock some sense into someone. It's just something to get me writing again, so I can work on HAT or another (larger) fic.

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"Mama, visitors have emerged from the standing ring of water, they come this way! They can dwell with us, yes?" My son's eyes hold the innocent curiosity and excitement that belong only to children. His light blue eyes will always remind me of his father, they are kind, generous and most of all trusting. It was that same trust that caused his father's death the last time the standing ring of water opened. Those visitors had been evil and cruel; they had destroyed our village, killed the men and raped the women. A very small number of our people had survived that attack. I pray to the gods that these visitors will be different.

"We shall see, Harkin."

"Mama, I spoke to one with glass covering his eyes of your name, and he says that Aislinn means dream, and my own means 'dark red'."

"That's nice, Harkin, go wash up for dinner."

I watch as my son races out of the room to wash his hands and face before our evening meal. I can hear a few of the children playing outside, soon they will be called in for the night and then all will be quiet, save the calls of the night-loving creatures. I also hear the voices of three adults arguing; their voices and accents are unfamiliar to me.

"!Daniel, the kid offered us a place to stay and some food, I say we take him up on the offer."

"Jack, I really don't want to impose on..."

"Daniel, it's impose or camp out in the woods, I know which one I'm rooting for. What about you, Carter?"

"Doesn't matter to me, sir."

"Then it's settled..."

"How does that settle it? Sam said she doesn't care, that doesn't mean that she's automatically on your side."

"Sure it does."

I know that they must be the visitors, and it is clear to me that Harkin has already invited them to dwell and dine with us for the time they are here. They sound good-hearted, and from the topic they are arguing, I can tell that they aren't the sort that would murder us in our sleep. I shall invite them..

When I step out into the air, I'm surprised at how chilled the evening is; the sun is nearing the hills in the distance. The visitors are three males and a female with sun colored hair. One man is tall and dark with a tattoo on his forehead that I am unfamiliar with. The other two are of average height, one has light brown hair, while the other's is going gray in certain areas.

They still argue over their plans for the night, and I go unnoticed behind them. It would be impolite if I interrupt, so I shall wait until the grayed one finishes speaking.

"Look Danny, it's cold, I don't like the rations, and I'm not too fond of the cold, hard ground either. Sure, I'll put up with it if I have to, but why put ourselves through that when we could sleep in a warm house?"

The one with brown hair looks uncertain, while the female looks amused and the tall one has no expression.

"You are most welcome to dwell in my home for your visit, you may dine with us as well."

All turn to look at me, and the one with brown hair immediately begins to advance in my direction. He extends his hand to me as a greeting and I grasp it to show that I trust him.

"Hi, I'm Daniel Jackson."

"Hello, I am Aislinn, and as I said you and your companions are welcome in my home."

"Thank you, but we really don't want to!"

"It is not an imposition, Harkin will be delighted to have company to speak with, for I do not make good company to a young boy."

"Well, in that case, thank you very much."

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I feel sympathy toward the Daniel, for Harkin has not allowed him time enough to eat between his answers to my son's numerous questions. The tall dark man, introduced to me as Teal'c, has spoken very little tonight. The third male, known as Jack, has been using humor to elicit smiles and laughter from the woman, whom is obviously his mate. The woman's name is Samantha Carter, or 'Sam' as the other visitors call her.

"And the ring of standing water takes you to all those magnificent worlds?"

"Yeah."

"Does everyone look as we do?"

"No, but..."

"Are all of the worlds friends?"

"No, and..."

"Are some evil?"

"Yes, but..."

"Why?"

"Harkin! Leave Daniel be, allow him to eat."

"Yes, mama."

Now that my son has quieted down, Daniel has the chance to take the first bite of his supper, which consists of a spicy broth, deer meat and a slice of bread. He looks satisfied by my cooking. I am glad for that, for it has been a long time since anyone other than Harkin has eaten the food I make.

Jack has devoured to entire helpings, I'll take that as an indication that he likes it. The silent one has finished eating, and is now observing his surroundings closely. Samantha, who was helping Daniel answer some of Harkin's questions, is still eating her first serving.

"Aislinn, how many people live in your village?" It is now Daniel's turn to make the inquiries, I just hope I will be able to answer all of them.

"I believe there are about sixty, including Dacey's newborn."

"And are there any statues or landmarks around here made by your ancestors?"

"No, anything that the ancestors made has been destroyed or stolen by visitors that travel by the ring of standing water."

"Who were these visitors?"

"People, like you and I, but they wanted our riches, and we are a peaceful people, so we have no means to defend ourselves, other than hiding. If you wish, I will take you to the place where my ancestors would worship the gods before the sun goes down."

"Thank you, that'd be good, because your people seem like a people on our world, their culture is known as Irish Gaelic, and I would love to see if I could find some information on your ancestors."

"Sounds like a jolly good time."

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The sun is just barely peeking over the hills, almost as if she's trying to offer her light to us as long as she can. Daniel is greatly intrigued by the rubble, which he calls 'ruins', whereas Samantha is more interested in our soil. I don't understand why, our soil is very poor, it's incredibly hard to grow anything, save the hardier vegetables. The silent one is watching Harkin as he collects some wild berries located on the outskirts of the woods.

Jack stands near me, watching his mate and companions. There is a silence, which I find quite disconcerting. Living with a boy, who's twelve years old, leaves little silence, consequently, I feel uneasy when there is some quiet.. Perhaps I should make conversation.

"How long have you been mated?"

"Excuse me?"

"Samantha and yourself, how long have you been mated?"

"I'm afraid you're mistaken, we're not 'mated', we just work together."

"You 'just work together'? I sense more than camaraderie between you and Samantha, and my instincts are rarely incorrect."

He turns to me with an odd look in his eyes, a pleading look. He wants me to drop the subject at hand, but I won't. I won't allow someone to pass up love, for it is such a rare thing to find. I was very lucky to have found Oran, and I was blessed to have had him for the fifteen years I did. It would be wrong for me to permit someone to ignore their soul's yearning.

"You should not use time carelessly, for it may never be retrieved, perhaps you should take action and speak with her."

"Aislinn, you don't understand."

"Jack, I may not have traveled throughout the many worlds that exist, but I do know what love is, and I respect it's power and importance, as should you."

"Okay, lets say I do have the feelings you think I have, there are rules that won't allow it to happen."

"You must learn the rules and their consequences, then break them."

"Jeez, you can travel a million light years away, and that cliché still exists."

I'm unfamiliar with the term 'light years' and the word 'cliché', but I'm pretty sure that his last statement was more to himself, than to me. My confusion must have been made evident by my facial expression, for he attempts an explanation, but quickly gives up and tells me to forget about it. Whether he means the subject of Samantha and himself, or the terms, I'm not sure, but it matters not, for I'm not going to simply ignore the mistake he will make if he doesn't speak to Samantha.

"What rules? Surely there are no rules that prohibit you from loving one another."

"There are rules that say two people that work together like we do are not allowed to love eachother where I'm from."

"That's stupid. Oran and I had worked beside one another for many years in the fields, and we cared deeply for eachother."

"No! Carter's under my command, we're in our world's military and..."

"You must remember that great love, as well as great achievements, always involve an equally great risk. You must not accept unacceptable standards, for it is ludicrous that there is a rule that says that two people, who have found the most wondrous thing in existence, are not allowed to celebrate it.."

"Yeah, I guess it is, but there's not much I can do abo..."

"Can you not ignore the rule? Is that so impossible?"

"Actually, it is. If we did 'mate' we'd get in a *lot* of trouble, and I really don't want to do that to Carter, she doesn't deser..."

"Never underestimate the power that love possesses, if you trust yourself and Samantha, then all will be well."

"You're an stubborn little thing, aren't you?"

"Hardly, I just believe that with life being so harsh, how can be do anything but celebrate love?"

He just looks at me. So he does think about what he says sometimes, I was beginning to think that he merely spoke as soon as something came to mind. He needs to learn to respond, and not react. He's thinking about what I've said, and I'm positive that he's now wondering if Samantha feels the same way. She does, it's simple to see that.

"What if she doesn't feel the s..."

"She does."

"How do you know?"

"My instincts, remember? It's plain for everyone to see, well, everyone but maybe you. You shouldn't waste any opportunities to tell someone you love them. And if you're waiting for the perfect scenario, it won't come. Do not seek perfecting in an ever-changing universe, instead perfect your love and appreciate it. Tonight, before you sleep, allow your mind to become clear like a still forest pool, and think about my words. In your sleep, the gods will give to you a sign, and then make your decision in the morning."

With that, I walk away, not allowing him to argue with me. I don't like it when little boys argue with mothers. Perhaps Jack isn't a little boy, but he does have the same mentality as one.

The sun is no longer offering us her light, and it's time to head inside, for the animals that come out at night have been known to attack anyone still outside.

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The berries that Harkin picked last night are ripe and sweet, but very juicy and messy. Jack and the silent one are seated around the table, Daniel and Samantha woke up early this morning to collect more samples of our soil and take notes on the rubble.

Jack looks preoccupied, and I'm pretty sure it is because of our discussion last night. I wonder what the gods told him to do in his dreams, I also wonder if he will heed their advice. He seems to me to be a man that would ignore the words of the gods quite easily.

The visitors will be leaving today, just after breakfast and Daniel and Samantha return. Harkin will no doubt speak of this for many months to come.. I just pray to the gods that he won't attempt to go through the ring of standing water, I don't want to lose my son.

"Jack, these people are definitely Irish Gaelic, I found some..."

"Daniel, save it for someone who actually cares and understands what it means, 'kay?"

Daniel nods dejectedly. I fully understand what his discovery means, for Oran had explained to me that most everyone on many of the worlds originated from one planet. I believe, from what I've heard Daniel and Samantha say, that these people are from that first planet.

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I feel honored that my son and I met those visitors, and I hope that whatever they learned from our world helps them. I especially hope that Jack uses what he has learned from me. I believe that he will, the look he sent my way before they left told me so. It was a thankful look. Thanking me for opening his eyes to see the love that he should be celebrating, not denying.

"Mama, do you think the standing ring of water is dangerous?"

"Yes, very dangerous."

"Why?"

"Because..."

The End