Pawing through the old trunk, Cameron says, "It's not what you'd call complicated, T." It's hard to find exactly what he's looking for, in the half-light. Electricity's still shot. At least the building's still standing. "It is not a question of comprehension. It is a question of –" For once, Teal'c actually seems to be at a loss for words. Cameron fills in a few. "What? Sanity? Reason? Reality?" "Perhaps each of them." Standing, he turns to face Teal'c. "Look. Connect the dots. Goa'uld are gone from Earth. Like handy god wannabe oppressors, they left shitloads of technology behind. Ships. Guns. Ships. Just lying around for those of us who know how to use them. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm not so interested in the rebuilding effort. Ain't my thing." "No." "So. Couple of guys. One a recent Apophis patsy. The other a recent rebel fighter. Teamed up to help kick some Goa'uld ass and drive them off the planet. One guy's planet is totaled. The other's people are mostly toast. Now they're lookin' for jobs. Gotta eat." "Yes." He shakes out the pants he'd pulled from the trunk, then tosses them aside. They land on the bed, throwing up dust. "Guy's gotta do what a guy does best. For me, that doesn't mean construction and politics. Means shooting and guns. Plenty of people out there," he points up in the direction of the sky, "need to be tracked down and picked up for one thing or another." "We will not work for any Goa'uld." Kicking off his boots, Cameron snorts. That's a given. "Nope. Course not." He starts unbuttoning his ratty green pants, then pulls them off. "Cameron Mitchell. Bounty Hunter." It's a said in a flat tone, but Cameron knows it's a question. "Yeah. With his Jaffa sidekick Teal'c." Teal'c gives him his patented flat stare, and says, "I do not believe sidekick is the appropriate term." Cameron grins, and grabs the leather pants he'd found. He steps into them. They're a little loose – rebellion's never good for his weight. "Right. Partners." "Indeed." There's a pause, as Teal'c watches Cameron do the pants up. It's enough that Cameron figures he'll be taking them right back off in a moment. "The reason for the change in clothing?" "Gotta look the part. Nothing says badass like leather. We'll get some for you, too." And won't that be a sight? The eyebrow raises, and Teal'c half-smiles. Yep. His pants are going be on the floor in less than a minute. "I do not believe there is anything bad about your ass." * Later, sprawled out on the dusty bed, Cameron says, "Symbiote's going to mature soon, right?" Teal'c shifts, and sits up. "That is correct." "So, cruising around the universe, it ups the chances of finding a replacement." He watches the planes of Teal'c's back as he breathes, then continues, "Freelancers. Working for ourselves. It'd make a change." He laughs. "We'll work it like this – you'll be the solid, intimidating one. I get to be the crazy Tauri who flies off the handle. I'll be fun!" "Perhaps." "Won't take us long to pull together a stockpile of supplies. Got my eye on a cargo ship. Bet we could fix it up with guns. We've done harder things." Teal'c stands, steps away from the bed. "I must kelno'reem." Grinning, Cameron lies back on the bed. That's as good as a yes. He's already pretty certain they can pick up a couple of jobs tracking people down for the Tok'ra. Their forces are stretched thin, even with the recent death of Apophis and some of his flunkies. He can imagine it now. It'll be something. What could go wrong? * After their first job – the Tokra had pulled through – falls to shit, Cameron slides to the floor in the ship, and bangs his head against the wall. It doesn't help. "Never again," he says to Teal'c, leaning back against the wall. "Never. I don't care how good it sounds." The Tok'ra had wanted something she'd stolen, after they'd helped her. They'd claimed it would be an easy job, one they simply didn't have time for. Tok'ra. Never take 'em at face value. At least Cameron had insisted on getting half the pay upfront. It's enough to hold them for a while. Doesn't take the sting out of being duped by her, though. Her. The bounty. "I agree." "And I don't care how harmless the bounty looks. We won't get fooled again." "I was not fooled. It was you who were fooled." Cameron groans. It isn't just because of the ache in his head. "She was – I didn't –" "You were distracted by her attributes." And that makes him sit up, and turn to Teal'c. "Why weren't you? You saw her. She was –" "A deception." "But a really hot deception! I can't believe you weren't looking!" Teal'c gets that half-smile on his face and says, "She was not wearing leather pants." "Huh?" Shrugging, Teal'c holds out his hand. Cameron grabs it, and pulls himself upright. "Do not trouble yourself over Vala Mal Doran. She is gone." Yeah. He should never have let her start talking. He should've just kept his eyes on the prize. They're trying to build a rep out here, and this little escapade won't help any. And he's sure they'll be seeing her again. "Least we didn't lose the ship." Next time he sees her, he's going to shoot first. If he can ever find where she'd hidden their guns. |
| Teal'c/Cameron Stargate AU Notes: Divergent Earth in which Goa'uld came, conquered, got rebelled against, and left. Teal'c and Cameron met up in the struggle. Sequel to Men of Action |