Teal'c walked through the high grass, a copse of trees lining a small stream pointing out to him his destination. Further upstream he knew his teammates were otherwise occupied, which was why he'd chosen this time for his mission. He'd discovered this location on their first day of exile on this planet and had shared its discovery with Major Carter and O'Neill. Both of them had seemed less than duly impressed.

Arriving at his destination, he paused and smiled, taking a moment to look around. He was standing at the edge of a small, shallow pool. There were no trees surrounding the pool as they did the remainder of the stream, which kept it fully exposed to the warming rays of the sun. Large smooth stones made the pool's bottom under the crystal clear water. It was a perfect bathing pool.

Sitting on a large rock, he took off his boots and socks, sighing as his feet were exposed to the warm air. He took off his shirt, wrinkling his nose disdainfully at the stains. Lacking any real soap he knew he wouldn't be able to get it totally clean, but he could at least make an attempt.

Standing up, he took off his pants and padded to the edge of the stream, his toes digging into the soft warm sand as he walked. It caressed the soles of his feet, massaging them. He reached the edge of the pool and submerged the pants and shirt, anchoring them with a large rock. He swished his socks in the water, rubbing them between his hands. He wrung out the excess water and than laid them across a few clutches of thick grass to dry. He followed suit with his pants and shirt laying them across a sun warmed rock.

His laundry done, he waded into the pool, sitting down in the water. It ran across his skin like cool, soft, silk.

He stuck his fingers between two of the rocks and brought up a handful of smooth sand. He pulled his leg towards him and spread the sand on his foot. Using both hands he gently rubbed the sand across his skin, using it to scrub away the accumulated dirt and grime. He spread the sand from his toes all the way up to his thighs, massaging the grit into his skin.

He lowered his left leg and raised his right, repeating the procedure. He lowered his right leg, watching as the slight current in the pool carried the sand away, softly swirling it back down between the rocks from whence he'd taken it.

He reached down and dug up another handful of sand, smearing it across his chest. He rubbed the sand across his large pectoral muscles, dipping into his armpits, forcing the sand through the sparse hair there.

He missed Drey'ac's soap. His wife used to make soft, sweet smelling soap, far, far different from the heavily perfumed hard bricks the Tau'ri preferred. He remembered digging his fingers into the bowl of soap, letting it squish through his hand as he rubbed it across his body. The soap was always warm. The bowl was wooden and they could float it in the large tub. Many times after returning from a mission of Apophis', Drey'ac would bathe him, her small soft fingers rubbing her homemade soap into his skin, removing the blood, sweat and shame of what he'd done in the name of a false god. When he smelled the faint woodsy aroma of her soap he knew he was home.

Finished scrubbing, he cupped his hands, scooping up water and splashing it across his chest, rinsing off the sand. He raised his hand again, this time pouring the water back into the pool, watching as it sparkled like liquid diamonds in the sunlight. He laid back and let the current finish cleansing him.

He stood up and pulled off his briefs, taking a moment to rinse them in the water. Naked, he waded back to the shore, laying the briefs along side his socks to dry in the sun.

Feeling the cool breeze on his skin, he sank down on one of the rocks. He lay back, feeling the sun's warmth sinking into his skin. He closed his eyes and relaxed, listening to the sounds of the planet.

He could hear the whisper of the breeze through the grass; the faint whish as the blades rubbed against each other. Small flying insects buzzed around him, filling the air with a waxing and waning of music. The stream gurgled and bubbled as it made its way over the rocks. All the sounds combined to create a constant background noise, something that was always there but never really noticed. Like a person's heartbeat or breathing. Every planet he'd ever been on had a different sound, a different key of music. It was like a person's fingerprint, every one was similar but distinct at the same time.

He felt himself sinking deeper and deeper until he reached that place just next to actually falling asleep. He couldn't feel his body anymore. He knew if he moved a muscle he would feel it, but not right now. The only thing he could feel was the slow movement of air in and out of his lungs. He could smell the sweet aroma of the hot grass, taste it on his tongue.

He could feel his heart beat and in his mind's eye he could see the blood flowing through his veins, nourishing the body he couldn't feel. He felt his breathing slow as he floated free from his body. Looking down he could see himself stretched out on the rock, surrounded by waving golden grass. The sun made the stream look like a ribbon of crystal bisecting the planet. He could see the tiny forms of O'Neill trying to catch a fish while Major Carter sunned herself on a nearby rock, apparently enjoying the meager entertainment the planet offered.

He flew higher and higher, leaving his friends behind as he soared over the nearby mountains. The air was cold and crisp as it flowed across his skin. It invigorated and rejuvenated him, making his flesh tingle. Snow crystals formed filling the air with miniature prisms. He flew higher, punching through a cloud reveling in the soft resistance against him. He was free. Nothing had hold over him, not even gravity.
His spirit soared higher and higher, the thinning atmosphere lessening his resistance as he flew towards the stars.

The sky morphed from blue to black, wrapping around him like soft diamond studded velvet. The universe reached out and surrounded him, guarding him from all that was evil. He surrendered to it, no longer flying but floating. It was like being back in the womb, floating in a warm protecting fluid, safe and loved.

A cold drop hit his face and he shook his head. "Yo, Teal'c?" A voice shattered his illusion and Teal'c opened his eyes to see the face of O'Neill hovering over him. "Comfy?" the man asked, moving back.
Teal'c sat up surprised to see that several hours had passed and the warm sun was now low on the horizon.
"Glad I didn't send Carter to come get you," he quipped, handing Teal'c his briefs. "Although it would be fun to razz her about it."

"For what reason did you disturb me?" Teal'c asked, standing up and pulling on the now dry briefs.

"It's getting late, and Carter wants to try the gate one more time before we get some sleep." Teal'c nodded and walked over to the rest of his clothes, quickly putting them on.

"I was under the impression that we had already attempted to contact Earth once today."

"Yeah, she wants to do it again. Personally I think she's just trying to get out of gathering wood since it's her turn tonight but…what else do we have to do?"

Finished tying his bootlaces, Teal'c stood up, wrinkling his nose at the odor emanating from the man. "If we are not successful in contacting Earth, perhaps you should avail yourself of the pool tomorrow," he suggested.

Jack shook his head. "I'm too old to be skinny dipping. Besides, the last time I did I got bit on my…"

"What's taking you guys so long?" Sam asked, walking towards them. "We're about out of light."

"Hold your horses, Carter. We're coming. What makes you so sure the gate's gonna work this time anyway?" Jack complained as they started back to the campsite.

"It's just a feeling, sir," she said evasively. "Besides I can't wait to get home. Hot food…showers," she said pointedly, taking a large step away from him.

"Excuse me?" Jack asked. "What was that?"

"Nothing, sir. Nothing." She started to hurry away from him, taking big steps as she walked backwards.

"Oh yeah." He stalked towards her. "I think you meant something."

"I…Last one to the gate has to cook dinner," she quipped, turning and running for the gate.

"No, no, no. You're not getting out of it that easily." He chased after her as Teal'c watched. The Jaffa shook his head and trailed after the duo. It would be for the best if the stargate was operational, or it was going to be a very long night.

~Fin~

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