Tok'ra Flats Tale: Deputy Daniel And The Neighbors

Rating: Pre-Teen, a little gun play.

Warnings: Mention of blood if you're squeamish

Category: AU, Genfic, h/c, angst

Summary: Jack is Sheriff of Tok'ra Flats, Daniel, Sam and Teal'c are the deputies charged with keeping order.

Disclaimer: Aren't mine, no money from them and I (reluctantly, Jack threatened to lock me up!) gave Daniel back. No infringement intended.

Author's notes: My gratitude to all the townsfolk for allowing me to borrow from their great tales. To Mayor Debi for taking a reading of this tale so it fits the ideals of yer little (but growing) town.

Teal'c stood from his examination,his eyes went to something in the dirt and he started to walk. Hearing hoofbeats he turned expectantly.

"We followed the tracks to the stream but they musta crossed further down. Did find some blood< though, he musta gave good as he got." Jack announced with a pleased nod, glancing back at the vulture picked clean body behind them.

"I have found a blood trail, we can follow it." Teal'c replied.

"Mount up." Jack ordered.

"How long do you think it's been Jack?" Sam asked, averting her eyes from the remains.

"With this sun..." he looked up and squinted,"a day, maybe two. Rot wouldn't a taken long and the vultures would have started in."

"It appears DanielJackson killed this man here and wounded another."

"He's got no place to go to ground here so he headed that way." Jack said looking out over the flat, mostly barren, save for a few trees and bushes scattered about, landscape. He pointed to the left.

"For the stream?" Sam asked following his arm.

"Let's find our missin' man." Jack nodded to Teal'c who had mounted and they followed the trail.

They reached the stream a short time later, the landscape was different there, green and verdent due to the water supply, and found more blood, it had been clear by the trail that Daniel had been grieviously injured by the men he'd struck back at in self-defense.

"It appears DanielJackson attempted to treat himself here."

"Yeah, did he cross the stream?" Jack pushed his hat up and peered across the water at the hilly cavernous terrain, a lot of places for a man to hide...

"Jack!"

They men rode over to where Sam had wandered away, she was kneeling in the grass.

"Wagon tracks, they lead over the ridge." She pointed toward the slope.

Jack frowned, if Danny was hurt he'd hole up til either he healed or died, but if he was injured bad...and in his right mind...he'da accepted help...he looked across the stream then to the tracks undecided.

"There is a large amount of blood on this path O'Neill, DanielJackson would not have much strength." Teal'c said, as if reading the other man's mind.

Jack nodded decisively and led them along the wagon tracks.

"O'Neill, there is a homestead." Teal'c annonced as they reached his advanced scout position.

"The tracks lead that way. Let's go see if they know anything."

Sam and Teal'c nodded following him into the blooming valley. The colors of the wildflowers, violets, blues, oranges, yellows...would have taken Sam's breath away had her mind and heart not been preoccupied with worry.

"Howdy! Anybody home?" Jack called out as they neared the cabin.

The trio exchanged a look when there was no answer.

"It'll be dark soon, best make camp here and follow the tracks in the mornin'." Jack said dismounting.

The others nodded silently and joined him on the ground tying the horses to the porch post of the cabin. As they set up their camp Jack studied the silent home before them. It was no bigger than two rooms, the porch was nice,it had two small wooden planters on each corner filled with some of the wildflowers they'd seen in the valley. He walked over to one of the columns and knocked on it. Solid, someone did a real fine job on this cabin. He admired the rail that went across the front of the porch, it reminded him of white picket fences he'd seen on some of the houses back east, though this one was neither white or picket. Espying two wooden rocking chairs on the porch he went over, they were beautifully carved, interwoven slats formed the back and seat. Turning to head back to the camp he caught a glimpse of something and walked over to the post at the porch entrance. "M + J. Ain't that nice. Well M + J you got a real fine cabin here." He smiled and went over to Sam and Teal'c.

Sam sipped her coffee slowly and stared at the fire. She silently prayed Daniel was well. Her mind recalled when they first met, how Daniel had had unwaivering faith Jack would recover fully. She had grown to adore the younger man like a brother and worried and fretted over him in all his trials.

"Time for some shut-eye, horses will rouse us if we get company." Jack said laying out his bedroll.

"We will find DanielJackson tomorrow." Teal'c declared and laid down.

I pray we do Teal'c, Sam thought and joined them in slumber.

TA-WA-DI! (HAWK!)

Daniel?

DA-NI-TA-GA, A-LI-S-DE-LV-DI-A-YA! (BLOOD BROTHER, HELP ME!)

Daniel? Where are you?!?

GI-GV! GI-GV! (BLOOD! BLOOD!)

"DANIEL!" Jack bolted upright panting.

"O'Neill."

"We have to find him Teal'c."

"And we will."

"Jack?" Sam said softly.

"Let's get some grub then head out, sun should be up by then." Jack got up and moved to the horses.

"He is worried Samantha."

"So am I. Daniel's lost a lot of blood." She met his eyes.

"We shall find him and return him home, of this I am certain."

Sam nodded silently.

But will it be with us and alive or..., she shook the thought away and set to work.

Teal'c picked up fresh wood from near-by, just to the north stood a whole forest, he presumed that was how the owner of the cabin was able to build such a nice home, his mind went to his missing friend. Indeed, DanielJackson was his friend, though their skin color differed they were much alike. When old Mose had come and told him of the 'white Indian' who'd gone into the horsepital and rescued his friend Teal'c had been intrigued by the man. Once they got O'Neill to the Carter manor he'd helped him bathe the sickly man and they talked of many things over the course of O'Neill's recovery. DanielJackson accepted Teal'c for who he was and the former slave was honored to call the 'white Indian', friend. As he told Samantha, DanielJackson would be returned home, whether it be to Tok'ra Flats to recover or to the Cherokee Nation for funerary rites...that he simply did not know.

"We'll be headin' out soon Hawk." The horse nickered and nudged him. "We're gonna find Danny today boy...one way or another. Shoot, got somethin' in my eye." Jack wiped the tears away and sniffed then removed some food from the saddlebag.

When he returned to the camp Sam had a fire going and coffee brewing. The trio ate in silence then saddled up as the sun brightened the horizon. Teal'c picked up the original wagon trail and discovered the wagon from the present homestead headed in the same direction.

They rode for hours, stopping only once to allow the horses to rest.

Reaching a grove of fruit trees they dismounted and walked the horses through, they came upon a vegetable patch and in the distance sat a homestead and a wagon. The house was fairly large even from that distance, clearly a two story log home, they could see two window on the upper floor and another pair on the lower level, curtains framed the windows.

Someone has real fancy tastes, Jack thought with a smile.

Sam took in the fence around the home and her mouth dropped open upon drawing closer, the property was surrounded by a fence but what really caught her attention was the archway which led to the dirt path to the porch, in the yard behind it was nothing but wildflowers, as magnificent as the valley they'd grown in on the way there.

"Let's go." Jack ordered and the three remounted, rode around the vegetable patch and up to the house. Jack slid his right leg over the saddle to dismount.

"Put that foot down and you'll lose that leg."

He looked up to see an older woman aiming a rifle at him, something about her, the way she dressed in a denim shirt, brown trousers and boots, her silver hair cut short, told him this woman would brook no non-sense from them...course the gun didn't hurt in reinforcing that perception for the lawman.

"I would listen to her." A man added standing next to her.

"Martouf?"

"Samantha." He smiled.

"Friend a yers Sam?" Jack asked gripping the saddle horn tighter.

Teal'c eyed the younger man who wore all brown and held a straw hat in his hands. The man was clearly taken with Samantha. Teal'c studied him more closely, though his face looked open his brown eyes shone in a way that told the former slave that this man would be a formidable opponent...and a valued friend.

"Yes." Sam smiled at Martouf. "These are also friends of mine, Sheriff Jack O'Neill and Deputy Teal'c, we're looking for another friend, he's wearing buckskin, moccasins and spectacles...we think he's hurt pretty bad, have you seen him?"

"Not wearing anything right now." The woman said.

"He is inside." Martouf added.

"Much obliged if we could see him...ma'am." Jack said.

The woman eased the hammer back and lowered the rifle which Jack took as permission and dismounted.

"Me and my leg thank you." He tipped his hat to her.

That earned him a chuckled and an invitation.

"You three must be thirsty, there's lemonade inside." She said and waited for them to join her on the porch.

"How is Daniel? I wanna see him."

"He is resting. We were able to remove the bullets, it is not as bad as I believe you feared." Martouf answered as the woman led them inside.

"Jill?"

"Yes ma'am?" The maid came into the hall.

"Lemonade for our guests."

"Yes ma'am." The maid nodded and went to the kitchen.

"I'd like to see my deputy first ma'am."

"Only if you are quiet young man, Daniel is resting."

Jack put a finger to his lips and nodded.

The older woman led them up the polished hardwood staircase directly across from the front door. Jack had glimpsed a dining room to the left, it had appeared very formal, in fact in his opinion the whole house was probably that way, even the walls along the staircase were adorned with festive paper in a red diamond pattern. There were paintings of garden scenes hung on the walls. Reaching the top of the stairs they passed one closed door and followed her to a second one, she opened it and they quietly filed in.

To Sam the room was reminiscent of her old home, it had a four poster bed with white linens, rocking chair, even a large mirror beside an armoir, the furniture was made of maple, this woman is from back east...New England maybe?

Teal'c looked around,the area rug caught his attention, it had blue and green flowers, the curtains, he realized were the same light green. He turned his attention to Jack who touched Daniel.

Jack put a gentle hand to Daniel's forehead relieved to find it cool. His coloring looked good as well. He nodded to Sam and Teal'c and they stepped into the hall.

"Thank you Mrs...?"

"Catherine Langford and it's Ms., would have been Mrs. but my fiancé never made it home from the Mexican War. You can call me Catherine."

"Mz. Catherine, call us Jack, Sam and Teal'c. Thank ya for carin' for Danny."

"He's a nice young man, quite intelligent, we've had some nice talks." Catherine smiled and closed the door so he would be undisturbed.

"The boy's smarter than he lets on ta most folks." Jack agreed.

"How did DanielJackson come to be here Mz. Catherine?"

"Well Mr. Teal'c, let's have some lemonade and I will tell you."

They followed her downstairs to a sitting room, where they took a moment to look around. The same maple furniture was prevalent here as well. There was a green floral couch along the front wall underneath the window, a pair of burgandy velvet covered wing chairs sat opposite it with a coffee table in between the seating area. An upright piano sat in the far right corner, a grandfather clock opposite it, there was a roll top desk against the stairs, the area rug was muted greens and reds in a mosaic reminiscent of a canopy of trees. Several photo were displayed and the trio guessed a few were of Catherine and her fiancé. The whole room was a showcase of elegance yet simplicity.

"If ya don't mind me askin', did ya bring all this with ya ma'am?" Jack frowned.

"Yes." Catherine smiled humorously as the maid entered with the lemonade. "It was quite a haul wasn't it Jill?"

"Yes ma'am it was." Jill smirked.

"Am I missin' the joke?" Jack looked at the women.

"My father died during the war, a sickness...he worked for President Lincoln. When we decided to go west he gave us a whole regiment to assist in the move, they even built this home for us." Catherine shook her head and chuckled, she nodded to Jill who departed.

"How long have you been here Mz. Catherine?" Teal'c asked.

"Almost a year now."

"Never heard of ya in town." Jack frowned.

"Town is half a day from here, we have what we need for the most part." She shrugged.

"About Daniel." Sam prompted.

"Jill and I were coming back from the Garshaw farm---"

"Don't believe I know them either Mz. Catherine."

"They are relatives of mine, I have a...large family here." Martouf answered Jack.

"Well maybe you can give us their locations, just to give them a howdy and all." Jack replied.

"We do not socialize much."

"You folks ain't got nothin' 'gainst the local law do ya?" Jack arched an eyebrow.

"I could do it, I already know Martouf," Sam spoke up and turned to the man, "you could introduce me, we could let them know if they need help we're here."

"I believe that would be acceptable Samantha." Martouf smiled at her.

"As I was saying..."

Jack looked at Catherine and nodded for her to continue.

"We found Daniel a short way from here, clearly injured, so we stopped to help."

"How was he? He has spells when he sees blood." Jack asked concerned.

"He was." Catherine shook her head sadly.

"So Mz. Jill helped him." Jack nodded.

"Thank heavens she speaks Dutch. I had no idea what he'd said. She told me after we got him settled here."

"Well ma'am the first things he said were three different languages, Cherokee, Spanish and of course Dutch." Jack replied.

"He speaks three languages?"

"Lot more actually, seems to have a real talent for it." Jack smiled proudly.

"I need to be going Catherine."

"Of course Martouf." She nodded and walked him to the door.

"If you need anything more, do not hesitate to call on me."

"Thank you for your help."

"I hope to see you again soon Samantha."

"Yes." She smiled back.

Catherine walked him to his wagon.

"It is imperative you not speak of how I helped him."

"Jill and I won't say a word." Catherine nodded.

"So...Sam...Marty single?"

"Widowed, he's been--" She blushed and fell silent seeing his teasing grin.

"So how'd ya meet him?" Jack asked.

"He was picking up mail from the train station when I was there a few months ago."

"Wonder why they never come to town?" Jack said aloud.

"They appear to be self-sufficient O'Neill." Teal'c answered.

"Still... not too neighborly. I'm gonna check on Danny." Jack said and went upstairs.

"I am pleased you have found a new friend Samantha."

"Thank you Teal'c." She smiled.

"Catherine?"

"Just my old mug Danny."

"Jack?" Daniel smiled softly.

"How ya feelin'?"

"I'm a little sore."

"Can I see?"

Daniel nodded and Jack pulled the covers down.

"Shoulder and gut," Jack shook his head, "you got the lives of a cat gi-ne-li (friend)." He recovered Daniel and sat on the bed. "So...what varmint done this?"

"Two men, part of the Desala Gang." Daniel dropped his eyes.

Jack knew that whole time was a nightmare his friend wished he could forget...but never would.

"Heard a few had escaped, didn't recognize the body out there." Jack clenched his jaw angrily.

"Jack, would you ask Mz. Catherine if I may have a meal?"

Daniel touched his gut and winced, it was a little tender. His attention was drawn to his shoulder and he frowned. This should hurt a great deal more, I have suffered such an injury before and it was painful.

"Good afternoon Daniel, Jill's making you lunch right now." Catherine smiled and opened the drapes and window letting the sunshine in.

"Thank you Catherine." He smiled softly at her.

"Daniel?"

"Hello Sam, Teal'c." He beamed at seeing them.

"I'll let you visit, don't over-do it young man."

"Yes ma'am." He nodded and Catherine left the friends alone.

Jack stopped in the doorway of the kitchen, behind him sat the dining room, he'd browsed that area for a few moments too, it had a table for six, the festive wall paper was a green with smaller diamond, there was a buffet hutch and dish cabinet that held some delicate looking china. Jack wondered how it had survived the trip west. He turned his attention to the maid who was putting lunch together for Daniel. She was tall for a woman, just shy of Sam's height in fact. The brown servant dress she wore did nothing to hide her thin build. His eyes traveled to her face, her hair was short brown and he wondered if that was some new style from back east or just easier to manage out here? She wore spectacles like Daniel and he'd glimpsed her eyes earlier, they were unusual, not brown like he and Teal'c and not blue like Sam's,n ot even the rare gray, he didn't know exactly how to describe them.

"May I help you?" She turned and looked at him.

"Uh...I just...uh...Danny's lunch." He finally got out.

"Almost finished."

He nodded and she turned back.

One thing he noticed about her was how she looked right at him when she spoke. Not many servants would do that...

"So where'd ya learn to talk Dutch?"

"My grandfather was Dutch." She replied looking at him.

"Well ya helped Daniel, thank ya."

"He was injured."

"Some people might not a helped a U-ne-ga Yv-wu. 'White Indian'."

"All men are created equally from God. I believe that and so does Mz. Catherine."

"Even varmints?"

"Ye shall reap what ye sow."

"That ya do Mz. Jill. I'll take that up, looks mighty good ma'am."

The maid nodded and Jack took the tray upstairs.

"So Feather is well?"

"Indeed. We came in search of you when he returned home alone." Teal'c answered.

"They shot at him, I was worried." Daniel said relieved.

"Danny that horse is ornery as you!"

"Thank you Jack." Daniel replied as Jack placed the tray on his lap.

"DanielJackson will not be able to ride a horse with his injuries."

"Probably not." Jack looked at his friend thoughtfully. "You two head back to town, get Doc. Fraiser and her wagon."

"Right." Sam nodded and gave Daniel a kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you're okay, we'll be back to take you home."

Daniel smiled and nodded.

"Eat up,g otta put meat on yer bones afore Doc. Fraiser gets here." Jack teased.

"My bones are fine, Ta-wa-di. (Hawk)"

"It's yer skin that's not so fine. Probably have a nice scar to show the women folk."

"They will not see it Jack." Daniel eyed him.

"We will go now and leave you to argue this." Teal'c said amused and led Sam out.

"We could make a fortune Daniel, 'see Dannyboy's scar, two bits'." Jack smirked.

"I will show them my scar if you show them the one you have on your ti. (buttocks)"

"And all them women think yer so innocent, ya wa-ya! (coyote)" Jack growled.

"I only a-s-ga-la (bite) when I am forced to Jack." Daniel said non-chalantly as he ate.

"Mz. Catherine, we are going to town to bring a wagon for DanielJackson."

"Jill will get you some fresh food for the trip."

The maid nodded and went to the pantry.

"That's not necessary."

"Non-sense Sam,,jerky and baked beans are not an appropriate meal."

"Thank you Mz. Catherine." Teal'c bowed to her.

The maid gave them a satchel of meat and vegetables.

"You mentioned town was half a day from here?" Teal'c asked.

"Take the trail past Martouf's going east, it's a little hillier but shorter. Be sure to bring Daniel some clothes, his weren't fit to keep." Catherine told them.

"We will, thank you." Sam nodded and they set off for home.

"Come in."

"Are you finished sir?"

"Yes I am, please call me Daniel, Mz. Jill."

"I'll take your tray...Daniel. You must rest now." She turned to Jack,"Mz. Catherine invites you to lunch with her sir."

"The name's Jack,I'll be back later Danny." He said and left.

The maid closed the drapes a bit to darken the room.

"De lunch was zeer goed. Dank u." (Lunch was very good. Thank you)

"U bent welkom." (You're welcome.) She smiled back, took the tray and left as well.

"Everything looks delicious Mz. Catherine."

"You don't get much fresh food in town?"

"Oh, no, them is the cookinest women I ever did see! I'd bet a silver dollar they'll have a feast for Daniel's homecomin'!"

"Maybe they're looking to fatten you boys up...make husbands out of you."

Jack, who had just taken a bite of food, started to cough.

"Ma'am?"

"You and Daniel are fine looking men...if I were a few years younger I'd be trying to fatten you up myself."

Jack shook his head and smiled. "Daniel a heard ya say that he'd a blushed all the way to his toes. He walks outta creek nakid as the day he was born and isn't 'barrassed 'bout it but tell him to his face he's handsome and he'd turn the color of a cardinal."

"After lunch you can help me pick fruits."

"Yes ma'am." Jack smiled and dug in heartily.

Jack wiped the sweat from his brow after loading the last basket onto the wagon.

"That was a good days work Jack."

"That it was Mz. Catherine."

"We'll put these in the root cellar to ripen a little more before we can them. Jill's picked some carrots and potatoes for supper to go with a roast, we eat then you young man could do with a bath." She said climbing into the wagon.

"Yes ma'am." He chuckled joining her and they started back to the house. "You raise cattle too Mz. Catherine?"

"Oh, no, Martouf and his kin trade for our fruits and vegetables."

"Still a lot of work for two women."

"Yes it is but Martouf and some of the others help us with the spring plantings."

"What about your safety ma'am?"

"I know how to use a rifle Jack."

"Don't doubt it. Ya wouldn't take offense if we was to ride out and check up on ya would ya?" He gave her a sideways look.

"Suit yourself but we're perfectly fine out here." She replied as they pulled up to the root cellar.

Once the food was inside she setttled the horses for the night and they went into the house.

"Dinner will be ready shortly ma'am. Daniel is awake, he asked for something to read so I gave him a book."

"Thank you Jill." Catherine nodded and washed her hands, Jack followed suit then went to sit with Daniel til dinner was done.

"Watcha readin'?"

Daniel held up the book, title out.

" The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain. Never heard of him."

"Jill says this is his first novel and that Catherine met him in New York a few years ago."

"Wonder if he's any good?"

Daniel shrugged and put the book down.

"Dinner will be ready soon. I'm having a bath afterwards, Mz. Catherine thinks I need one."

"I wasn't going to say anything."

"Bad?"

Daniel simply smiled.

"I reckon Mz. Catherine and Mz. Jill have been seein' to yer hyagene." Jack patted Daniel's smooth face and chuckled when he blushed. "I'm glad it wasn't as bad as I thought Danny."

"They are still out there Jack."

"Don't you worry none." Jack gripped his face and Daniel met his eyes, he saw the promise in them that the Desala Gang would not get their hands on him again.

"I am glad you are here da-ni-ta-ga. (blood brother)"

"Me too." Jack smiled,gave his face a little squeeze then let go.

The men looked up at the knock on the door.

"Come in." Daniel called.

Catherine entered carrying a tray.

"Smells mighty good." Jack inhaled.

"Yours is downstairs, this boy gets to eat in peace."

"I'm a peaceful man."

"Out."

Jack chuckled and left the room.

"Thank you Catherine."

"I do not know what he said."

"I'll see if I can try and find the article."

"I would like that."

"I'll send Jill up for your tray in a little while."

Daniel nodded and started to eat as she left.

Jack ate til he was full then enjoyed a bath in the cast iron tub that had been filled with steamin' hot water, afterwards donning a white cotton nightshirt Mz. Catherine had left by the tub for him, his clothing had disappeared at some point during the soak and he didn't want to consider when or how one of the women had slipped in and back out without him being aware.

"Clean?" Catherine asked, meeting him in the hall.

"Yes ma'am, thank you."

"I'll have Jill prepare a room."

"If it's all the same,I'll share Daniel's bed. We're used to bunkin' together."

"Alright, that's fine."

"Night Mz. Catherine."

"Goodnight Jack."

Jack walked into Daniel's room and found the maid changing his bandages.

"Lookin' pretty good for a man who got shot."

The maid finished then drew the curtains and lit the lamp.

"Do you need anything else?" She asked picking up the tray.

"Geen dank u. Goede nacht." (No thank you. Good night.)

"Goede nacht Daniel." (Good night Daniel) She replied and smiled closing the door as she left.

"Flirtin' Dannyboy?"

"I wished her good night Jack!"

"Sure ya did." Jack grinned and climbed into bed.

"Why do I bother?" Daniel grumbled and slid down closing his eyes.

"Night Daniel."

"Goede nacht Jack! (Good night Jack)"

Jack chuckled and settled in to sleep letting the wooden chimes from the porch lull him to slumber.

Jack awoke with a start.

"Jack, there's someone here." Daniel whispered.

Jack listened.

"You have no cause to be on my land!"

"You got the Injun in there, give 'im to us and we'll go nice like!"

"I told you to get off my land!"

"Stay here." Jack whispered climbing out of bed, he grabbed his weapon and hurried down the stairs.

"Look it old woman,give us the Injun!"

"You got no manners boys." Jack replied stepping onto the porch.

"Look it here, Sheriff Jack, got yer deputy in yer papoose?" One of the trio cracked.

"Welllll," Jack drew the word out thinking what a moron the guy was cause he didn't even know the papoose was the baby," seein's how yer one man down and another injured...my deputy don't need my protection."

"Turn 'im over Sheriff."

"Who mighten' you be?"

"This is Jim Anubis, best gunslinger you'll ever see O'Neill!" The third man piped up.

Jack scratched his chin thoughtfully and eyed the portly man who had short brown hair.

"Nope, never heard of ya. Now, I believe the lady asked ya to git."

Jim Anubis smiled, before Jack could fire, a shot echoed leaving everyone stunned. Anubis pulled off his hat and saw the bullet hole clean through it. The gang drew their weapons and a shoot-out commenced, when the smoke cleared two men were dead...and Anubis was gone.

"You okay Catherine?"

"I'm fine Jack, I didn't get to be this old by being easily intimidated."

"Anubis'll be back with more men."

"We'll be ready for him."

"We'll be by here regularly fer sure now. If ya excuse me, I gotta check on my deaf deputy!"

"Deaf?"

"The boy clearly didn't hear me before I came out here!" Jack grumped and headed inside.

Catherine looked at the dead men on her lawn and sighed, they should get a decent burial. She entered the house to see to it.

Jack found the maid helping to get Daniel back into bed and gave a hand.

"I told ya to stay put!"

"I am sorry Jack." Daniel said contritely.

"Ya alright?"

"Yes. What happened?"

" 'Slinger named Anubis showed up with two of Desala's men. He got away, the other two are pushin' up daisies."

"I heard Oma speak of her enemy Jim Anubis." Daniel nodded.

"Looks like he took in her escaped gang." Jack sighed.

"Is Catherine alright?" The maid asked concerned.

"Yep, she's fine. Knows how ta fire a rifle." Jack nodded.

"Yes she does. I'll see you both at breakfast." The maid replied and left them.

"Best be findin' my britches so I can bury them boys at dawn." Jack said looking over...to find Daniel asleep. He smiled at his young friend and climbed into bed falling into an exhausted sleep now that the adrenaline had worn off.

Jack awoke when Catherine entered the room with Daniel's breakfast.

"Mornin' Mz. Catherine, can I get my britches, need to bury them boys."

"Jill's taken care of it."

"Ma'am that's not a job fittin' for a young woman." Jack shook his head seeing his clean clothing laid out. He dressed quickly. "Where'd she take 'em?"

"A few miles ride west, an outcropping of rocks."

Jack tipped his hat and hurried out.

"Jack is right, she should not have to do this. How did you meet her?"

"She worked for a friend of my father's. When he passed, we took her on, she's been with me ever since. That's really all I know about her other than she has some family in Kansas."

"How did you come to be here?"

"My fiance disappeared fighting in the Mexican War."

"You feel a bit closer to him here."

"Yes. Now young man, while you're eating you can tell me about yourself."

"Yes ma'am." Daniel sat up and began to eat and tell her of his past.

Jack brought Hawk to a stop and dismounted.

"Let me take over for a while."

Jill looked up and nodded handing him the shovel,he helped her out of the hole and got to work on making it deeper while she drank some water.

"Ya shoulda let me do this ma'am." He said after a while.

"I buried men during the war...that was a terrible time."

"Ya think the war was wrong?"

"I think Mr. Lincoln did what he felt was necessary...I'm sorry for all the men who died...and were treated inhumanely by the other side."

Jack looked up sharply but she seemed to be lost in her own memory.

"I think this is deep enough, the animals won't dig 'em up." Jack said and climbed out of the tomb.

They placed the bodies in the ground and Jack covered them with the dirt.

"Dear Lord, please show these men the error of their ways. Show them your glory and the path of righteousness. Amen."

"Amen." Jack added.

"Have you eaten?"

"No ma'am."

"Neither have I, I'll make us something."

Jack nodded and mounted Hawk once she was in the wagon. He followed her back and they cleaned up then she made them breakfast. As he ate he watched the maid, her arms were red from the sun, know she's Dutch...probably even more European blood in them veins. Saw a red tint to her hair this mornin' maybe she's got some Irish in her too! He smiled at that thought and finished his meal.

"Now watcha readin'?"

"Mr. Twain's thoughts on President Lincoln."

"Ah. So what's the man decided?" Jack pulled up a chair and sat.

"...When the war came Georgia sent an army in gray and Massachusetts an army in blue, but Kentucky raised armies for both sides. And this man, sprung from Southern poor whites, born on a Kentucky farm and transplanted to an Illinois village, this man, in whose heart knowledge and charity had left no room for malice, was marked by Providence as the one to "bind up the Nation's wounds"."

"Well that just 'bout sums it up don't it?"

"I think so Jack."

"Maybe Mr. Mark Twain come a visitin' one day, we can meet the writer of these words."

"I would like that. Like Kentucky,my people fought on both sides,now it is time to bind our wounds."

Jack nodded and laid a hand on his leg.

"Checkmate Jack."

"How'd ya get to be so good at chess?"

"My father taught me...I think I was three."

"Now that's somethin' ya mighta mentioned a long time ago!"

"You never asked." Daniel said innocently.

"You--!"

"Come in." Daniel called at the knock on the door with a smile.

"I have returned O'Neill, Dr. Fraiser, Judge Hammond and Captain Davis have accompanied me."

"Be goin' home soon Danny." Jack grinned.

"I have brought your clothing DanielJackson."

"Thank you Teal'c." Daniel answered gratefully and held out his hand.

"Dr. Fraiser will wish to examine you."

"Little more time nakid as a new born." Jack teased.

Daniel gave him a dirty look and pulled the covers up more.

"I shall escort the others up to you." Teal'c said laying the clothing on the chair by the door as he left.

"We're mighty grateful to you Mz. Langford."

"Call me Catherine."

"George." Hammond smiled.

"Where's my patient?" Janet said coming inside with Davis.

"Catherine, this is Dr. Janet Fraiser, Janet, Mz. Catherine Langford."

"Ma'am," Janet nodded, "my patient?"

"I will take you Dr. Fraiser."

Janet nodded and followed Teal'c upstairs.

"I'll see to the horses sir." Davis offered and left at Hammond's nod.

"Would you like some lemonade George?"

"That would be most pleasant Mz. Catherine."

"They did a good job." Janet nodded checking Daniel's wounds. "Go ahead and get dressed, we can be on our way. I want him resting for a few weeks Jack." She eyed him.

"Yes ma'am." He smirked. "Teal'c can ya get Hawk from 'round back?"

The other man nodded and left with Janet while Jack helped Daniel dress.

"Ge-tsa-di. (Home)" Daniel smiled slipping his mocassins on.

"Yep, home." Jack grinned picking up Daniel's gun, he helped him to the door.

Daniel looked back then gently pulled away from Jack and walked back to the bed where he picked up something then allowed Jack to help him downstairs.

"There's our boy, how ya doin' son?" George smiled.

"I am fine sir."

"Glad to hear it. The townsfolk will be mighty glad to see ya."

"And I them." Daniel answered then turned to Catherine and held out the book. "I am afraid I did not get much read."

"Then you take it with you and bring it back when you're finished."

"Thank you Catherine."

She kissed him on the cheek.

"You take care."

"Let's move out." Hammond ordered.

"By Mz. Catherine, Mz. Jill."

"Good-bye Jack." Catherine replied and Jill nodded.

"Thank you for the delicious meals and for helping me Mz. Jill."

"You're welcome Daniel, here's more for the way home." She handed him a satchel.

He smiled and nodded.

The women followed them out and watched as Jack helped Daniel into the wagon where there was a mattress. Jack waved as he climbed in with Daniel.

"Move out." Hammond called once he was aboard the wagon with Dr. Fraiser.

Teal'c led the way, Davis and Hawk brought up the rear.

"Hey, wanted to tell ya ya did good last night. Old Jim Anubis will think twice 'bout takin' you on. Made his hat history." Jack smiled at Daniel who nodded with a frown. "What?"

"What?"

"Ya have a look."

"Jack...I don't remember using my gun."

"Well ya musta." Jack replied and checked it. "Four gone."

"I don't remember." Daniel shrugged.

"Well, don't matter none." Jack smiled and put the gun down. "Ya still did good."

"Thank you Jack."

Jack slid an arm around his shoulder and they settled in for the ride home.

"They're coming!" Cassie and Tommy shouted running into the saloon.

The womenfolk hurried outside met by Sam as the wagon entered town.

George delivered it right up to the saloon.

"Now folks, give him some room." He called as they started to gather round the wagon.

"All ya get back now!" Mayor Debi added her authority and everyone did back up.

Jack jumped out of the back and he and Teal'c helped Daniel out.

"Welcome home Deputy Daniel, I'll bring ya a sundae by later."

"Thank you Mz. Athene." He ducked his head and smiled at the thought of the ice cream.

"Luigi made you a nice big lunch, we'll let you get settled into your room then bring it up."

"Thank you Mz. Debi, he didn't need to go to any trouble."

"Is a no trouble Deputy Daniel." Luigi beamed at him.

"Alright, let's get him to bed." The petite Doc. Fraiser ordered pushing her way through the crowd to get to the door.

Jack, Sam and Teal'c ushered Daniel inside and upstairs to his room and Janet ordered rest or she'd give him something to help him sleep.

"Mz. Jo is makin' you some new pants and Padre Joe is asking about trading for a new shirt." Sam said squeezing Daniel's hand.

"Remind me to thank them." He nodded.

"Eat then rest." Mz. Debi said bringing in a tray of mouth watering food.

Jack grabbed a biscuit from it.

"There's more downstairs Sheriff." She scolded.

He bit into the biscuit not the least bit repentant.

"Be back later Danny."

The deputy waved as he chewed a mouthful of food.

"How bad was it Sheriff?" Mz. Debi asked as they went downstairs.

Jack was none too surprised to find everyone gathered still.

"Two bullets, one in the shoulder, the other the gut. Lucky them women found him." Jack shook his head.

"We oughta have a feast and invite them as a thank ya." Siler called out.

"That's a fine idea son." Hammond agreed.

"Soon as Daniel's well enough we'll ride out and ask 'em." Jack added.

"Eat! Eat! Is all a good food!" Luigi clapped and everyone dug in celebrating the homecoming of their beloved deputy.

EPILOGUE

Jill looked up from hanging laundry and hurried to the house.

"Mz. Catherine!"

The older woman came out with the rifle and the maid slid a hand into her apron as the rider neared, finally able to make him out they relaxed and smiled.

"Hello Catherine, Mz. Jill."

"Welcome Daniel." Catherine replied for both of them.

Daniel alit and pulled a few items from his saddle bag.

"You didn't come out here by yourself did you?" Catherine looked at him sharply.

"No ma'am, Jack and Sam are visiting with Martouf and his people." Daniel smiled coming up to the porch. "Martouf asked me to deliver these to you." Daniel held out several envelopes.

"Thank you." Catherine sorted through them and handed one to Jill.

"I wanted to return this." Daniel held out the book.

"What did you think?"

"It was...different."

"He certainly is. Would you like to borrow another?"

"Yes please." Daniel smiled.

Catherine motioned him inside, leaving Jill alone on the porch, she sat on the bench and took the opportunity to read her mail finishing just as they returned.

"Thank you Catherine. You and Mz. Jill are invited to a town celebration. They think my coming home is worth one." He shrugged embarrassed.

"Sounds like a fine reason to celebrate." Catherine patted his arm.

"So you'll come? It's Sunday afternoon."

"We'll be there."

Daniel nodded pleased and walked down the steps to Feather.

"I'll see both of you then." He put the book in the saddle bag, mounted Feather and galloped off for Martouf's cabin with a wave.

"A letter from a gentleman?" Catherine turned to her maid.

"My cousin William."

Catherine nodded.

"I need to return to my chores ma'am."

"I have a few things to do inside myself." Catherine entered the house as Jill returned to the laundry.

The maid hung the sheets to dry on the clothesline strung between two trees in the backyard and thought about her letter.

So William is going to supply buffalo meat to the track layers of the Kansas Pacific Railroad... his next letter should be full of interesting stories.

She smiled and mentally began composing a letter back to her dear cousin as she hung more items.

"Jill?"

"Yes ma'am?"

"I need you inside."

"Coming ma'am."

The maid picked up the basket and headed into the house to help her mistress.

THE END

Cherokee found at: http://wehali.com/tsalagi/index.cfm?H

Dutch translations found at: www.babelfish.altavista.com/tr (This site is great for translating whole sentences,languages include Chinese,Dutch,French,German,Greek,Italian,Japanese,Korean,Portuguese,Russian and Spanish.)

Mark Twain's thoughts on Abraham Lincoln found at: www.twainquotes.com

Twain's words used without permission, no infringement intended.

Might I just add how seriously weird it felt to type my own name so many times!

For more SG-1 stories see my site at: www.fichound.com/storyhaus