Title: The Color of Betrayal

Note: This is an experiment for me. I don't know if the story will have the right effect. If it stinks up the list(s). . .I'm sorry. BTW. . .not beta read, so enter with caution.

Author: Terri D. Thomas

E-mail: topekaksterri@prodigy.net

Status: Complete

Archive: Heliopolis, The Sandbox and anyone else who wants it. . .just ask first

Category: Missing Scene/Different point of view for "Shades of Gray"

Spoilers: "Shades of Gray"

Season/Sequel Info: 3rd Season. . .during "Shades of Gray"

Rating: PG

Summary: This missing scene examines a different point of view for the conversation between Jack and Daniel, asserting that maybe, just maybe, there was a good reason for Jack's hurtful words.

Disclaimers: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are properties of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions and Gekko Productions. No copyright infringement is intended. This is just for fun, not for money. Original stuff is the property of the author and should not to be archived without the permission of the author.

The Color of Betrayal

By Terri D. Thomas

1/1

"Colonel." The uniformed man saluted sharply to the new arrival as he held the back door of the van open. Once his superior had climbed inside, he closed it, making sure the door was latched completely.

"Anything?" the man asked, not waiting for the subordinate to get settled inside.

"No, Sir." Conrad moved around the Colonel, taking his position at the surveillance equipment.

"Any visitors?"

"No, Sir. It's been quiet. There have been some phone calls, but he's not answering them. He's letting the answering machine pick them up."

"And no visitors," the Colonel repeated.

"No." The enlisted man tilted his head. "Is that a problem, Sir?"

"Not a problem. Just surprising. I really counted on one of his teammates visiting him. I have trouble believing that no one from SG-1 has come to check on him."

"It's been less than a day, Sir."

"True. But this is a close unit. . .well, at least it was."

A voice from the front of the van broke in. "Colonel Mayborne, a car has just pulled up."

The Colonel made his way to the front of the vehicle. "Ah. . .Dr. Jackson." He shot an oily smile at the subordinate sitting in the driver's seat. "Things should become very interesting now."

"Sir?"

"Trust me, Harris, we are about to discover more about Colonel O'Neill's betrayal than we ever could reading reports from the SGC." Mayborne slid back to the rear of the van. "Conrad, turn it on full mode. I want to hear every detail of what goes on in that house."

"Yes, Sir."

The men in the van watched as the brown-haired man approached the front door of Jack O'Neill's mountain-side home.

Daniel Jackson rang the doorbell. The sound echoed through the surveillance equipment in the van.<"Hi"> came the doctor's greeting after Jack O'Neill opened the door.

<"What do you want?" O'Neill answered.>

<"I'm not sure to tell you the truth. I'm here to talk I guess," Daniel responded.>

<"So talk."> Mayborne smiled at the impatience bleeding through O'Neill's words.

<"You got another one of those?">

Mayborne pulled out the binoculars and peered at the two men standing on the front porch. "So, you gonna let him in, O'Neill?" he asked of no one in particular.

<"Yeah," O'Neill finally answered.>

<"Feel like sharing?">

Mayborne couldn't stifle the chuckle. "Yeah, right, Jackson. O'Neill lives to share."

<"The beer? Sure."> O'Neill walked away, leaving the front door open for Jackson's entrance.

Mayborne glanced at Conrad. "How many bugs did you get planted?"

"Five in all, Sir. But they are our best. Five should cover the entire house, including a 25 foot radius around the perimeter."

Mayborne nodded, proud of the success of the operation thus far. He turned his attention back to the surveillance equipment.

<"So, how ya feeling about all of this?"> Jackson's voice came through loud and clear from the interior of the home.

<"Yes to the beer. No to the feelings."> Mayborne chuckled again. "Told you he wouldn't share, Jackson."

<"That's ah. . .that's too bad because I. . .I don't really like beer.">

<"Stop your worrying. I'm fine.">

<"Really. . .because that's funny. I didn't figure you for the early retirement type anymore." There was a moment's silence. Then Jackson's voice returned. <"There's another reason you're angry, isn't there?">

Mayborne shook his head. "You're pushing, Jackson. O'Neill doesn't like people who push him."

<"Oh, here we go. Pop Psych 101, right?">

Mayborne smiled. "See what I mean?"

<"No. . .when we were in the briefing, you said something about. . .the Pentagon not giving us the back up that we requested. What. . .ah. . .what were you talking about?">

"Yes, Jack. What were you talking about?" Mayborne prodded, curious.

<"Hammond and I were planning a secondary SGC base offworld. It was going to serve as a backup in case ours was attacked. I was going to command.>

"Hadn't heard about that." Mayborne frowned at the words. He thought he was aware of all Pentagon decisions about the Stargate project. He'd have to ask his superiors about that one.

"Always knew O'Neill had an ego," Mayborne said snidely. Conrad nodded in agreement.

<"Give me a break, Daniel. Their denial of the program was just another indication that they're not serious about attaining our goals."> Mayborne leaned closer, his interest piqued.

<"Which you think is about obtaining weapons and technology?"> Jackson's voice was full of disbelief.

<"Protecting ourselves."> "Bingo, O'Neill. . .You finally understand," Mayborne muttered.

<"But isn't our mission also about establishing and maintaining diplomatic relations with other cultures?"> "Ignorant fool," the Colonel sighed. "Should have taken you out when I had the chance."

<"What's the point if we don't gain anything to help our other interests?">

<"Well there's a lot we could learn from people like the Tollen that has nothing to do with technology and weapons."> "Nothing that can help us fight the Goa'uld," Mayborne countered.

"I never thought I'd agree with you on anything, O'Neill. Glad to see I was wrong about that." Mayborne's devious grin spread across his face.

Mayborne could almost imagine the combined look of wonderment and disappointment on the naïve archeologist's face.

The NID Colonel sat back in the chair, a feeling of satisfaction coursing through his body. He would finally get what he wanted out of O'Neill.

"No, Jackson. You didn't know him. You don't understand what it means to protect this country." Conrad smiled at the Colonel's words.

<"Come on you're a bright guy. . .you had to sense some of this."> Mayborne held his breath waiting to see what Jackson's response would be. There was only silence. Then O'Neill's voice sounded again. <"Then no. I guess you couldn't relate to me any more than I could to you.">

<"So this whole friendship thing we've been working on for the last few years. . .">

<"Apparently not much of a foundation there, huh?"> Mayborne's grin became even wider. He had won. He had more than won. Not only had he witnessed O'Neill finally putting the irritating Dr. Daniel Jackson in his place, but he had also witnessed the end of an era. With those words spoken by Jack O'Neill, there was now no doubt that he would be able to put Hammond and the SGC in its place.

The three men in the van watched as Dr. Daniel Jackson left the house. As the archeologist's car pulled away and moved down the street, Mayborne leaned back in his chair. "Good job, men."

"Sir?" Conrad asked, mystified about what they had done to earn the praise. "I don't understand."

Mayborne moved to the rear of the van, opened the door and jumped out. Turning to his men, he smiled smugly. "No, you don't. Let's just say, that I've heard enough. Jack O'Neill has finally seen the error of his ways."

-fin-