Losing One's Self

Hey All!

Disclaimer: All SG1 characters are owned by them, the rest is my imagination.

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Training and the Stargate

Now, when I’m bored, or very angry, I tend to reduce punching bags to sand. I’m a very aggressive fighter, I don’t let up and I most certainly don’t give ground. It is a talent that earned the right for my alias, the Slave General. This day I was very bored with paper work so I made a detour to the gym after my lunch break. Don’t get me wrong, I love the written word but endless protocols and rules and such bore the daylights out of me. When I was general, I left that to the Empress and her crowd of clerks. I had a battle to run and fight. Sorry, getting off track, anyway, I entered the gym and went straight to the bag, stripped of my shirt and stood in my fatigue pants and one of those black sports bras.

I began stretching and warming my muscles up. I love going through those motions, it brings me peace of mind and gets me really into the zone. Without warning, I broke my routine and landed a sold punch in the centre of the bag. I followed it through with a roundhouse high kick, several punches and then a knee to it. I back flipped two kicks then repeated the process again. Before I knew it, I attracted a crowd, including one very fine, sweaty, Colonel Cameron Mitchell.

I broke the routine by going smoothly into my cooling down exercises. I noticed that I had a very faint sheen of sweat covering me. Damn, I was losing my fitness, I knew I had to get onto that before I was nothing but blubber. Heck, I knew I needed to get back into the field.

I finished and picked up my shirt. Hearing footsteps behind me I turned quickly and came face to face with the new Colonel. I nodded in greeting and slipped my shirt on.

“Nice routine. You’re very fluid,” he said.

I nodded again and tucked my shirt into my pants.

“Talk much?” he asked.

“Only when needed to,” I grin.

“Great! I get a smart arse,” he complained jokingly.

“Hey, don’t question the gods, they can actually hear you and they are scary,” I said in mock seriousness.

“Cameron Mitchell,” he offered his hand.

“Jeni Harbridge,” I shook his hand.

“Pleasure to meet you. Train a lot?” he asked.

I nodded.

“I’m training, off-world or pushing paper,” I replied.

“Fun life,” he commented.

“Take away the paper pushing and yeah, I like it.”

“So you don’t go to clubs or drinking?” we sat down on the bleachers.

“Jack took me to a pub once, trying to get me drunk, I could drink him under the table. I only drink with him and it is usually when we are both at home,” I answered.

He nodded. We sat in silence for a while, watching a game of basketball. I liked this guy; he had a good personality, not only good looks. It had been about two weeks since we had first seen one another and I had forgotten to say thank you for not wanting to change the team.

“Hey Colonel-“

“Cameron,” he corrected.

“Cameron, I want to say thank you for wanting to keep the team intact. I wasn’t looking forward to being shuffled around till they could find a place for me,” I said.

“Been having a little difficulty doing that, girly, the rest of the team don’t really want to continue but I’ve finally made progress,” he replied.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, the Ori have made them change their mind. Your story and stories from others have made them decide to come back, I think,” he shifted in his seat, his long legs resting on the seat in front of him.

“So when do I get to go back off-world?” I asked, settling into the seat, copying his position.

“Smart arse, we go off-world tomorrow at 0900,” he replied.

I laugh and give him a hug. All this inactivity had made me slightly fuzzy and I really needed to get away from my race. I laugh again at Cameron’s expression of shock.

“I need to get away from here. I really can’t wait to get off world and you’ve handed it to me on a platter. I cannot begin to thank you enough,” I explained.

He smiled at me and we continued to watch the game.

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The next day I was up and ready to go at six in the morning. Jack stood at the kitchen door way watching me bounce from one end to the other, making him breakfast so that I had something to keep my hands busy. I’m not ashamed to admit that I was really excited at the prospect of going to another world. Even more with the idea of going with Cameron.

“So how has your race settled in?” he asked as he sat down.

“Don’t know, don’t care,” I replied, munching on toast.

“Jenny girl, these are your people,” he began

“They stopped being my people when they banished me. I have no people, the only thing that comes close is you and SGC,” I stated.

“Alright,” he sighed.

I felt bad about making him unhappy with me but this is one thing I was gonna hold my own. I knew that Jack didn’t really understand the concept of Banishment but there wasn’t much I could do. I’ve already tried to explain it and still, he didn’t understand. Looking at the clock I decided to leave so I could have more preparation time.

“I’m gonna go now. Be there when I get back?” I asked.

“I’ll be there. Don’t anger scary looking men with swords, okay?” he told me.

“More likely I’d give them nightmares, Jack” I replied.

“True, just do as you are told though,” he smiled.

“Yes Daddy, what ever you say,” I rolled my eyes.

“Atta girl,” he winked.

I rolled my eyes and walked out of the house and drove to SGC. Yeah, yeah, I know, aliens aren’t supposed to know how to drive but screw it, I’ve been here for two years, you’d think I’d know how to drive by then. Anyway, I walked down to the gate, getting cleared where I needed and such and low and behold, there was Cameron.

“Good morning, Colonel,” I said.

“It’s Cameron, Jeni. And good morning to you two,” he replied, staring at the gate.

“It’s daunting when you first see it, isn’t it?” I said, indicating to the gate.

“Yeah, apparently we are going to talk to some Jaffa about a treaty today,” he said as he tied his boot.

“Child’s play. Say the right things at the right time and they’ll be our allies before long,” I reassured, “and you going against Anubis’ forces will be an added bonus, they’ll eat that up.”

“I resent that description, Miss Harbridge,” Teal’C said from the door way.

I’m ashamed to say it but I squealed and gave him a huge hug. I hadn’t seen him for ages and well, what do most girls do when they see a good friend they haven’t seen in ages? I saw Sam Carter and Daniel behind him, smiling at my enthusiasm. I gave each a hug and pulled back.

“How long have they stopped you going off-world, Jen?” Daniel asked, laughing.

“Two weeks” I replied getting myself ready to go off-world.

“I’m amazed they haven’t pushed you through the gate yet to give everyone a break,” Sam said smiling.

“I’m wounded that you think such,” I said mock glaring, “they’ve given me so much paper work, it is gonna take me years to finish.”

“Ah, glory is to protocols,” she replied.

“This is Colonel Cameron Mitchell,” I introduced.

They all shook hands and waited for the Base Commander to make an entrance. Commander Hank Landry finally made an appearance ten minutes later. He talked about how much earth needed this alliance, yadda, yadda, yadda, and what was expected of us. I knew these chat’s like the back of my hands, it kind of got dull after a while.

Finally he left and we stood in line for the gate to open. Cameron was fidgeting slightly, so I caught his eye and smiled. Receiving a slight one in return, we looked back at the Stargate as the co-ordinates were locked in. the roar and awesome power made my adrenaline start pumping and I couldn’t wait to get off world. Turning back to Cameron, I noticed his awe.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” I smiled.

“Oh, yeah,” came his reply.

“It is gonna be a bit cold as you pass through, but it is really fun,” I said as I moved up the ramp.

He nodded and followed me through.

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Hey People! This is my second story that I’ve started writing in two days. I would love reviews to see what needs to be fixed and what is good. Thanks, Elfchic
Also if anyone wants to beta for me, send me a line at tristanshawk@yahoo.com.au