A/N: My apologies for the lengthy delay between stories. Real life and a crazy schedule combined with the incredible lack of shippy material in the episode, Bane. Since I am determined to write a Campfire story based on each episode this made it a real struggle for me. So...that said, I've found my mojo. Hopefully. Thanks again to the inimitable beta skills (and advice) of JenniferF. I truly appreciate everyone who has been following this series. As always, feedback is welcome, saved, and always answered.

Set after Bane on a planet of my own making.

Teamwork and Bug Spray

Captain Samantha Carter rocked back onto her heels, inching backward out of the tent. She'd rolled out their bags in their usual positions, the Colonel's on the right, hers on the left, tucking their gear bags along the sides of the tent out of the way. Sam eased the tent flap closed and tied the flap to keep out any small critters and insects, ties being quieter to open in the event they needed to move silently. She flinched as another of the ever-present flying insects on this planet buzzed past her ear. The sound reminded her of Teal's recent ordeal and she wondered how he was faring with the annoying wildlife. At the thought, she glanced over toward the tent shared by Teal'c and Daniel. The large Jaffa had volunteered to set up the other tent—an unusual occurrence—Teal'c usually preferred to remain in the open as much as possible.

Sam rose and absently brushed the bits of grass and dirt from her knees as she joined her team around the blazing campfire. The Colonel had outdone himself this time, the flames were reaching nearly as high as her waist.

"All set, Carter?"

She smiled and accepted the steaming cup he was offering as she joined him on the rocks near the fire. "Yes, Sir. We're good"

O'Neill nodded and returned his attention to the water he was carefully pouring into their MRE packs.

Sam glanced across at Daniel, silently asking about Teal'c. Daniel's response was a slight shake of his head and a look back at the tent he shared with the large man. Sam shrugged and returned her attention to the mug in her hands. She wrapped her hands around the warm metal, willing the heat to seep into her body.

The damp evening air settled heavily around their campsite, chilling her to the bone, and she was grateful to the Colonel for making her...coffee? Sam took a small sip and looked over at O'Neill in surprise. He met her gaze and said nothing, merely awaiting her response. Carter thought about it as she drank again. This late at night a cup of coffee would keep her up for hours, and the Colonel knew that. Which meant...oh. Sam nodded slightly and she watched as the small crinkles appeared at the edges of O'Neill's eyes, matching the very slight quirk of his lips, as he saw that she understood. She took a larger sip of her coffee as Teal'c emerged from the tent and joined them around the fire.

"Sir?"

"Carter?"

"Would you mind if we rearranged the watch, just for tonight?" Out of the corner of her eye Sam saw Teal'c stiffen and raise his head slightly.

Seemingly oblivious to Teal'c reaction, O'Neill continued to stir the water into their dinner, taking more care than was warranted as he made sure all of it was rehydrated. Finally he looked up, keeping his attention firmly on his Second. "Mind if I ask why?"

Sam shrugged, keeping her voice casual, knowing they were playing this out for Teal'c's benefit. She had to be very careful with what she said and how she said it, or Teal'c would catch on. She knew the Jaffa's pride wouldn't allow for any concessions by his team, but she also knew that standing the midwatch was the creepiest time of night to be out. And, with the prevalence of flying insects they'd encountered thus far on P4M-687 it was probably better if Teal'c took the watch that had the most light.

"Carter?"

"Sorry, Sir." Sam shrugged again. "It's just that I'm still pretty wired from the stuff from earlier today, and–"

"Stuff?"

"Yes, Sir. Dr. Lee and I are running those projection models on the Naquadah reaction to subatomic particle–"

"Aah!"

"Yes, sorry. Anyway, when we left today he was going to run some more models, but I was thinking about it and, well, actually it was something Daniel said that gave me the idea–"

"Wait, something I said?"

Sam turned to Daniel eagerly, her initial reason for getting into this discussion forgotten. She really had been thinking about different ways they could construct their model. "Yes, Daniel, you. You were talking about the Abydos cartouche and the interrelationships between–"

"Carter, your point?"

"Oh. Sorry, Colonel. Anyway, since it's still fresh in my mind I'd like the chance to write some notes, maybe run a few numbers. So...do you mind if we rearrange the watch? We'd only really be rotating it a bit. I'll go first, then you, Sir, then Daniel, then Teal'c." Sam turned to Teal'c. "I'm sorry, Teal'c. I probably should have asked if you minded before going to the Colonel. I know you prefer the midwatch, but..."

Sam held her breath as she waited for Teal'c reaction. He studied her face intently for a long minute before moving his gaze to O'Neill's. She chanced a glance at her CO and quickly ducked her head to hide the small smile that threatened to rise and give away their small plot. O'Neill's face was a study in innocence. His eyes wide and as guileless as possible on his weathered features, he kept his gaze steady on Teal'c's. After a moment Teal'c returned his attention to Sam before nodding his head briefly.

"If O'Neill is agreeable, then I would be willing to rearrange the watch, Captain Carter. I would not have it said that our set patterns offworld interfered with your research."

"Thanks, Teal'c." Sam turned to O'Neill, her face impassive. "Sir?"

O'Neill's eyes sparkled with humor as he shrugged and nodded. "Sure, why not. Can't have it said...well, as Teal'c said. You know. Besides, if we don't rearrange the watch you'll just keep me up in the tent, muttering incomprehensible stuff 'til it's time for your watch."

Sam gave him a small smile, accepting the dinner he'd prepared. "Thanks, Colonel." She dug in, glad they could do this small thing for Teal'c without sacrificing his towering honor. Besides, she really was excited about running the new models. She absently slapped at a small insect as she attacked her meal, her thoughts already turning to her computations. Maybe if I...

"O'Neill." Sam glanced up, pulled from her thoughts by Teal'c low voice. The Colonel was half reclining on the rock beside her, picking at his own meal. His long legs were stretched out toward the fire, one barely touching Carter's own leg.

"Teal'c?"

"Since I am to take the last watch..." Teal'c favored Sam with a small nod, "...for tonight..." his emphasis was unmistakable and Sam blushed slightly at her subterfuge. Teal'c continued, "...I shall retire to perform kel-no-reem."

O'Neill nodded and absently waved at Teal'c. "Sure, Teal'c goodnight. Sweet drea... er... whatever it is you get when you kel-no-reem."

Across the fire Daniel flipped his leather-bound journal closed, tucking the small pencil inside the spine as he usually did. "I think I'll turn in early too if I have the 'creepy' watch." He shuddered and scowled slightly at Sam, though she knew he didn't really mean it. "The bugs are beginning to get to...oh." He looked back over his shoulder, checking to see that Teal'c was far enough away. "You planned that?" He glanced from Sam to O'Neill and back again. "The bugs?"

"No, Daniel, we did not plan on the bugs."

"No, Jack. I meant...oh never mind. I get it and I won't say anything. Good idea. 'Night."

"Daniel." O'Neill's somber nod would have done Teal'c proud.

"Good night, Daniel." Sam exchanged smiles with him then settled herself back on the rock as she watched him disappear into his tent. Together she and O'Neill sat quietly watching the fire. Finally, Sam had about decided to get her laptop out, when the Colonel shifted beside her.

"Finished?"

"Sorry?"

O'Neill gestured to her bowl and coffee cup. "Oh, yes, Sir. I am. Though...wait. Not the coffee. I'm going to need that."

"Really?" O'Neill raised an eyebrow and gave her a small smile. "You're, ah...equations...not enough to keep you alert?"

Sam shared a smile with him, enjoying their time alone and his subtle joking. She loved that about...her team...they said so much without saying anything. A cup of coffee from him, a nod from her and together they'd rearranged things to help Teal'c–whether he admitted needing it or not. She sighed and stretched, leaning back on her elbows on their rock, watching him toss the food packets onto the fire and rinse out their bowls with the remaining hot water. She kept her voice low, not wanting to disturb their teammates and certainly not wanting to give away their little conspiracy.

"Oh, I have plenty to think about, Sir. I was just not planning on taking first watch and was up rather late last night. You know...Dr. Lee?"

"Ah. So you said." O'Neill absently wiped out their bowls and stowed them in the bag at his feet. He brushed away a bug that had settled on Carter's knee, a gesture so automatic that neither of them noticed. O'Neill was nearly as comfortable in her space as he was in his own. "Damn, but there are lots of bugs here."

Sam shuddered. "Yes, Sir. There are." She hesitated, thinking. "Sir? How do you think Teal'c is doing? Um, emotionally, I mean."

O'Neill shrugged, his gaze straying to the tent where Teal'c and Daniel were resting for a long moment before turning back to Carter. "Good, I guess. You know how Teal'c is."

"Yes, Sir, I do. That's why I'm asking."

"Point." The Colonel rubbed a hand through his hair, scratching absently at the back of his head. "Hell, Carter, I don't know. I think he's doing well, but drawing this planet, with…" O'Neill waved his hand in the air, indicating the overabundance of flying insects. "Bad first time back out, I think."

"Yeah, I know." Sam paused for a moment. "It was a good idea, rearranging the watch. I should have thought of it, Sir."

"Next time, you will."

They were silent for a while, only the sounds of the campfire and the buzzing of the small, flying indigenous critters intruding on the silence. The crescent of the planet's smaller moon was just rising above the trees when Sam spoke again.

"Sir? You should really turn in." Sam tilted her watch toward the fire to read the time. "I'm going to be waking you in a little over two hours for your turn, you know."

"I'm good, Carter. In fact, why don't you turn in, I'll do first, you can take second."

"Sir? But..." Sam stumbled. "Well, to be honest, now that I've had two cups of coffee, I don't think I could sleep."

"Oh. Sorry about that."

"No problem. So, I'll just grab my laptop and..."

"Look, it's probably not a good idea for you to run your equations while on watch. You do tend to get a bit...distracted."

Sam flushed at the implication. She never forgot her duty, no matter how buried she was in her research. "Sir. I assure you–"

O'Neill held up a hand. "No, Carter. Wait. I didn't mean it that way. I meant...you go ahead with your equations and I'll take watch. Okay?"

"Colonel, you don't have to do this, I am perfectly capable of–"

Again O'Neill cut her off. "Captain! I know you're capable. For cryin' out loud, how often do you think you have to tell me? Let's settle this right now, Captain Samantha-call-me-Sam Carter." O'Neill sat forward, leaning a bit into Sam's personal space again, this time with intent. "You, Captain-Doctor, are eminently capable of accomplishing anything to which you set your mind. Yes, you're brilliant. We all know that. But aside from that you are one hell of an officer and even more important–to me at least–is that you...Sam...do not have it in you to shirk a duty, or to skate through a task. It's not who you are, inside. I'm certain of that, it's one of the reasons you're such an integral part of this team, and so important to..." The Colonel paused, taking a deep breath, his sudden silence startling after the fierce intensity of his speech.

Sam sat, transfixed by both his nearness and his words. Nobody, not even her father, had ever expressed such absolute and utter faith in her. Sure, people often talked about her skills and what she could do, but nobody had ever articulated so clearly their belief in her. O'Neill's face was inches from hers, his brown eyes dark and intense on her own, his unwavering gaze holding hers and stealing her breath. She could see the flecks of gold that highlighted the tawny warmth of his eyes, painted by the amber glow of the crackling fire. He kept his eyes on hers and she was unable to pull herself away until he spoke again.

"I know you're 'capable,' Captain. I do not doubt that. In point of fact, I have never doubted that, and I don't believe you will ever give me cause to do so." O'Neill sat back slightly releasing her and returning his attention to the fire. "So...are we over that now, Carter?"

Still breathless and slightly stunned, Sam simply nodded, missing the warmth of his closeness as he pulled away.

"Now, Captain. Get your laptop and I'll take the watch."

"Yes, Sir." Sam rose to return to their tent. She slapped off the rather large insects that had settled upon the tent flap and reached inside for her computer case. As an afterthought she reached back in and grabbed a small spray bottle. She returned to the fire to find a steaming cup waiting for her on her half of their rock. Picking it up she sniffed it, smiling as she recognized the scent of the herbal tea she preferred just before bedtime. How her Colonel had known that, she had no idea, but she appreciated the gesture. She took a sip and set the cup aside, opening her laptop while O'Neill dropped another log onto the fire.

"What's this?" O'Neill held up the small bottle she'd brought from the tent.

"Bug spray, Sir." She gave him another small smile. "I've added it to my 'must have' list for our off-world visits.

"Ah. Well then. Maybe we'll leave it out for Teal'c, eh?"

Sam simply nodded, already losing herself in her computer models. She was completely unaware of the dichotomy of images she presented; sitting at a campfire in the middle of the darkened wilderness under the glow of two crescent moons above, her face lit by both the firelight and the pale blue glow of the laptop. She was peripherally aware of her CO settling again on their rock, his arm just brushing hers, his long legs once again stretched out toward the fire. With a soft sigh of contentment, Sam let herself go, let her mind fly unencumbered into the world of possibilities, secure in the fact that O'Neill was there to watch her back. She gave herself up to spending her watch, and his, just this way.