A Candle Revisted (Return to Argos)

Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Level 28 – Gate Control Room

General George Hammond stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the active dialing computer. The rhythmic clunk-clunk of the Stargate’s chevrons engaging accompanied the soft whir of computers and the hum of the monitors. From her seat in front of the console, Captain Samantha Carter meticulously checked the coordinates for Argos.

Behind them, Dr. Daniel Jackson and Teal’c observed the process. Daniel adjusted his glasses, an eager but thoughtful expression on his face. “It’s been a while since we’ve visited Argos,” he remarked. “I’m curious to see how the population is doing without Pelops’s influence.”

Teal’c inclined his head. “Indeed. If the Argosians are free from the accelerated-aging nanites, their community may be thriving. They have had time to rebuild and adapt.”

General Hammond turned slightly and addressed Colonel Jack O’Neill, who had been standing near the back of the room, arms crossed defensively over his chest. O’Neill appeared unusually subdued, thoughts clearly a million miles away.

“Colonel,” Hammond called, his calm but commanding voice echoing in the control room. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

O’Neill managed a half-smile, the lines of concern that had lingered on his face since the ‘Brief Candle’ mission slowly fading. “Yes, sir. I just…need to see how she’s doing. Kynthia. And the others… Kynthia and the others, they meant a lot to me.”

Carter confirmed the stable wormhole and turned in her chair. “Wormhole is stable.”

Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Gate Room

The towering ring of the Stargate shimmered with a liquid-like surface as the event horizon stabilized. The ramp was lowered into place, lights casting overlapping shadows on the team.

Daniel Jackson tugged his green field jacket, making sure everything was securely in place. “So, after the MALP shows us everything is clear, we head straight for the village?”

“That’s the plan,” O’Neill said, slinging his P90 into a comfortable position. “We greet the locals, figure out how they’re doing, and hopefully avoid any more accidental marriages.”

He said the last part with a wry smile, causing Daniel to huff in amusement. Teal’c only raised an eyebrow. “That was an unusual circumstance,” he said with complete seriousness. “I do not believe you will be compelled to repeat it.”

Carter approached, gently elbowing O’Neill. “We’re with you, sir.”

With that, General Hammond’s voice came over the room’s speaker. “SG-1, you have a go. Good luck and godspeed.”

O’Neill raised his hand in a casual salute, then started up the ramp. Teal’c, Carter, and Daniel followed close behind as they disappeared through the shimmering gateway.

Argos – Temple of Pelops

The moment SG-1 stepped into the temple the humidity of the planet greeted them. The sunshine poured in through the doorways of Pelops’s ancient temple, illuminating the once-foreboding statues that lined the walls. Now, the place felt more like a reclaimed heritage site rather than the lair of a false god.

O’Neill paused, gazing around at the tall columns and the vines that had begun to grow over the old Goa’uld symbols. The last time he’d been here, he’d been racing against time—his own time—fighting an accelerated aging process inflicted by the nanites. Now, everything looked calmer, more peaceful.

“We should announce ourselves,” Daniel suggested softly.

As if on cue, a small group of Argosians appeared from beyond the temple’s wide entrance. One of them, a young man with bright eyes, recognized SG-1 and greeted them with a respectful nod. “Colonel O’Neill, Dr. Jackson, Captain Carter, Teal’c—welcome back to Argos.”

O’Neill gave a friendly wave. “Thanks. It’s good to be back. We come in peace and all that.”

A warm laugh came from another figure stepping out from behind the group, Kynthia appeared. Her hair was braided elegantly, just as Jack remembered. What he had not been expecting was the gentle curve of her abdomen—clearly, she was visibly pregnant. She wore a light gown the color of the ocean. Her face radiated happiness upon seeing O’Neill, and for a moment, he seemed to forget the others around him.

“Jack,” she said, the single word carrying more emotion than a dozen formal greetings.

“Kynthia,” O’Neill responded softly, swallowing the sudden dryness in his throat.

Carter, Daniel, and Teal’c respectfully hung back a few steps. Carter exchanged a knowing, gentle look with Daniel, while Teal’c remained stoic as always.

Kynthia finally pulled away, her eyes glimmering. “Your face…you look as I remember. Time has not taken you from me again.”

O’Neill cleared his throat, a hint of awkwardness coloring his expression. “Yeah, about that. You know—nanites, Carter’s cure, all that science stuff.” He jerked his head at Carter with a faint grin. “She’s the brains behind it.”

Jack glanced around, the weight of memory evident on his face. He tried to brush it off with a casual comment. “Glad to see you guys got rid of the ‘aging in a day’ party trick.” He forced a grin and looked back at Kynthia.

Kynthia offered Carter a grateful smile. “Thank you. And to all of you. Because of you, the people of Argos can live normal lives. The city flourishes, and children now grow at a normal pace.”

Daniel leaned in. “That’s wonderful news. We’ve been curious about how quickly the culture has adapted to no longer aging in days.”

Kynthia nodded. “We have formed new traditions. We celebrate each turning of the seasons rather than each day as a lifetime. The knowledge left behind by Pelops is mostly destroyed, though the temple remains as a reminder of what we suffered.”

Her expression turned solemn for a moment. “Yet we have not forgotten what he did—and what was done to you, Jack.”

O’Neill pressed his lips together. “I’m all right,” he said quietly, not entirely sure if that was true until he said it out loud. “I just wanted to make sure you were, too.”

She took his hand in hers, gently. “I am very well, thanks to you and your friends. I have been…lonely, at times.” Her cheeks tinged a little. “But I realize what we had was…not entirely real. Or not in the way you live it on your world.”

O’Neill let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “I care about you, Kynthia. I’m glad you’re doing okay. If there’s anything the SGC can do, we’d be happy to help.”

To the Argosian Settlement – A Moment of Reflection

The group soon found themselves exiting the temple.. Carter and Daniel chatted excitedly about the newfound freedoms of the Argosians. Teal’c silently assessed the structure, scanning the walls for any hidden dangers. O’Neill and Kynthia walked side by side.

“Jack,” Kynthia ventured, her words, coming softly as if on a whisper. “I wanted to give you something.”

He paused as she pulled a small, intricately carved tablet from a pouch at her waist. Symbols he barely recognized decorated its surface. “It’s a record…of your time here. I wanted you to have something to remember it by.”

Jack accepted the tablet with careful hands. He traced a finger along the carving of a single candle flame. “Thank you,” he managed. “This means a lot.”

Soon, Kynthia guided Jack to a quieter alcove while Carter, Daniel, and Teal’c conversed with the other Argosians nearby. Soft sunlight streamed through, giving areas of light and shade to the alcove.

Kynthia rested a hand on the curve of her belly. “I am so happy you’ve come back,” she began. “I have wanted to tell you…so many things. But I did not know if you would ever return.”

Jack’s gaze flickered from her face to her abdomen. He cleared his throat, feeling uncharacteristically awkward. “Yeah, well… we, uh, we had some free time in our schedule,” he started, then realized how flippant that sounded. “I mean—I wanted to check in. Make sure you and everyone else were okay.”

She let out a soft laugh. “We are well. Ever since the nanites were removed, our people age normally. Our crops are plentiful, and we have been building new homes along the river.”

Jack shifted, his eyes drawn once again to her pregnancy. He finally blurted, “So…um, about that… Are you— I mean, is it…?”

Kynthia immediately understood his question. Her expression softened as she gently placed her other hand over his. “No, Jack,” she said kindly. “It is not your child.”

Relief, surprise, and a tangle of other emotions washed over O’Neill’s face in quick succession. He let out a short breath, though he wasn’t entirely sure if it was relief or something else. “Right,” he managed, scratching the back of his neck. “Well, I just…ya know, I had to ask.”

Kynthia offered a small, reassuring smile. “I know. And I would not have left you uncertain. After you departed, I…came to understand that our marriage was not as it is on your world. It was part of Pelops’s ceremony, and the love I felt—while very real—was tied up in his manipulation.”

O’Neill nodded slowly. “You deserved more than that.”

She lifted her chin, her eyes bright. “I found someone in our village. He is a good man. We…we found love without any tricks or nanites involved.”

Jack’s lips twitched in a wry grin. “Well, that’s…that’s great. Really.” He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, carefully. “I’m happy for you, Kynthia.”

Carter and Daniel were admiring some newly carved pillars near the main entrance when O’Neill and Kynthia returned. Teal’c, patiently standing guard, angled his head slightly toward them, acknowledging their approach.

“So,” Daniel said, glancing back and forth, “everything all right?”

Jack gave a faint nod. “Everything’s fine, Daniel. Argos is doing great, Kynthia’s…uh, doing great.” He coughed awkwardly. “Turns out we’re in for a bit of a celebration. They want us to stay the night.”

Kynthia’s face brightened. “Yes! Our village is hosting a festival—the first annual celebration of freedom from Pelops. We would be honored if you would join us.”

Carter grinned at the idea, eager to see more of Argos’s cultural evolution. “That sounds wonderful,” she said. “Thank you.”

Daniel’s eyes sparkled with anthropological curiosity. “I’d love to see what new traditions you’ve developed.”

Teal’c inclined his head solemnly. “It would be a privilege.”

Jack forced a casual smile. “All right then,” he said, shrugging. “But, uh…on one condition.” He cast a sidelong glance at Kynthia. “No cake.”

Confusion flickered across her face for a moment, until she remembered the story of how Jack had inadvertently consumed that special Argosian wedding cake which contained nanites. She laughed, her voice echoing sweetly in the stone courtyard.

“We can serve something else,” she promised, eyes twinkling.

Argosian Village – Evening Festivities

By nightfall, the village was alive with laughter, music, and the savory smells of cooking fires. Paper lanterns and torches illuminated the pathways, and groups of villagers mingled in a large clearing at the village center. Children ran circles around Carter and Daniel, giggling as they asked questions about Earth.

Teal’c stood calmly, observing the dancers who moved in time to a rhythmic drumbeat. Villagers occasionally beckoned for him to join, but he politely declined—though he showed a respectful nod of appreciation for the music.

At a long table laden with food, Jack and Kynthia found a moment to talk again. Argosian drums thrummed in the background. “You sure you’re okay with us staying?” O’Neill asked, picking up a mug of mild local ale. “Don’t want to crash the party.”

Kynthia shook her head, laughing softly. “You are not crashing anything, Jack. You helped free us from Pelops. We honor you and your team.”

As a friendly villager offered them each a slice of a sweet, fruit-based pastry (noticeably not cake), Jack lifted his slice and offered a small toast. “Here’s to second chances—and to not aging a hundred years in a day.”

He took a bite and relaxed for the first time since stepping back onto Argos. Glancing around, he saw Carter laughing with some of the villagers, Daniel sketching notes in a small journal while simultaneously sampling local cuisine, and Teal’c quietly, respectfully soaking in the new culture.

Kynthia placed her hand on her belly again. “Thank you, Jack,” she said softly, “for coming back. It means more than you know.”

He swallowed the last of his pastry. “Yeah,” he replied, looking across the dancing and merriment. “I guess I just needed to see it all for myself—see that you’re happy. I’m glad this world is your own now, not Pelops’s.”

Her smile said it all. The music swelled, the Argosians dancing under the starry sky. For a moment, Jack felt the weight of the galaxy lift from his shoulders—a brief, precious lull in the endless fight against the Goa’uld and other threats beyond the Stargate.

Return to the Temple

Morning light peeked through the windows high in the temple walls. The celebration had ended hours ago, and SG-1 had managed a decent night’s rest within the new guest huts near the temple grounds. Now, they returned to the great ring set in the temple’s dais, preparing to dial home.

Daniel hovered near the DHD with Teal’c, pressing symbols one by one. Carter finished packing up her last bits of equipment, double-checking her notes. Jack stood with Kynthia by the base of the Stargate, the ring humming to life behind them.

“Take care of yourself,” O’Neill said, shifting the weight of his pack to one shoulder. “And take care of that little one.”

Kynthia’s hand brushed her growing belly. “I will,” she said warmly. “May the gods watch over you on your journeys, Jack.”

He smiled. “Yeah… same to you. If you need anything—food, medicine, advice on weird neighbors—just give us a call through the Gate.”

Kynthia laughed softly. “We will. Farewell, Jack.”

The final chevron locked with a resounding thud, and the shimmering surface of the wormhole roared outward before settling into a quiet, rippling plane. Daniel sent a confirming nod to Carter, who lifted a hand in goodbye to the Argosians. Teal’c stepped through the gate first, followed by Daniel and Carter.

Jack paused, casting one more long, thoughtful look at Kynthia. There was an unspoken understanding between them—things had changed, but the bond they had forged, however brief and forced, had also opened a path to freedom for an entire people.

Finally, Jack gave her a parting nod, turned on his heel, and stepped through the Stargate. The blue light enveloped him, carrying him back to Earth, to whatever new challenges awaited on the other side.

And in the silence left behind, Kynthia stood with her hand on her belly, smiling at the spot where he had just been—knowing their people’s future was bright, and that neither she nor Argos would ever be alone again.

Gate Room, Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Earth

The blue wormhole ripples and wobbles as SG-1 emerges one by one, each member stumbling slightly. Colonel Jack O’Neill takes a few steps down the ramp, blinking as he adjusts to the fluorescent lighting.

• Walters (over intercom): Welcome back, SG-1.
• Jack (louder than necessary): Home sweet home. Next time, Daniel, I vote for a planet with an actual coffee shop.
• Daniel (rolling his eyes): Sorry, Jack. The Ancient Egyptian address for Starbucks is still a mystery to me.
• Teal’c (raises an eyebrow): I am unfamiliar with this ‘Starbucks’ of which you speak.
• Carter (smirking): I’ll be sure to run a separate search in the database, Teal’c.

They’re halfway down the ramp when Jack nearly slips—some leftover Argosian mud clinging to his boot sole.

• Jack (regaining balance): That’s just great. Can someone remind me why we always have to walk in with style?
• Carter (teasing): You tried the “army crawl” last time, sir. Didn’t go so well.

The SFs at the door try to keep straight faces as SG-1 moves past them.

Infirmary, Cheyenne Mountain Complex

Dr. Janet Fraiser, clipboard in hand, greets the returning team. One by one, they hop up onto the examination beds—though “hop” might be a stretch for Jack, who’s clearly in need of a shower and some rest.

• Dr. Fraiser: Alright, kids, you know the drill—post-mission vitals, blood draws, the usual.
• Jack (groans): Fantastic. Didn’t we do this, like… yesterday?
• Dr. Fraiser: That was last week, Colonel. Another mission, another needle. Let’s see that arm.

Carter politely offers her arm, while Daniel busies himself by flipping through a well-thumbed mythology book to pass the time. Teal’c stoically endures a blood pressure cuff around his bicep—though it looks almost comically small on him.

• Teal’c: Dr. Fraiser, I believe the pressure gauge is nearing its limit.
• Dr. Fraiser (muttering): I’ll get the extra-large cuff…

Jack, determined to delay the inevitable needle, decides to strike up conversation with a passing nurse.

• Jack: So, how about those Broncos, huh? Great season, right?
• Nurse (shaking her head amusedly): Sorry, Colonel. I’m from Chicago. And Dr. Fraiser needs you to focus.
• Dr. Fraiser: Arm out, please. Now.

Jack gives her an exaggerated eye-roll but complies. The nurse swabs his arm. He winces before the needle even comes close.

• Jack: Hey, be gentle, okay? I’m fragile.
• Dr. Fraiser (smiling patiently): I’ve dealt with much bigger babies, Colonel. Don’t worry.

Briefing Room, Cheyenne Mountain Complex

An hour later, SG-1 sits around the big table. General Hammond stands at the head, his gaze shifting from Carter to Daniel to Teal’c, and finally resting on O’Neill.

• General Hammond: So, Argos. Good to see you all back in one piece. Care to enlighten me on the progress there?
• Daniel (adjusting his glasses, enthusiastic): General, it’s fascinating. They’re creating new art forms—carvings, paintings—celebrating their newfound freedom. They even have a festival—
• Jack (cutting in): Which we stayed for. I may or may not have made a spectacle of myself dancing with the locals…
• Carter (trying not to laugh): It was… memorable.
• Hammond (smiling in that fatherly way): I’m sure it was. Any security or technology concerns?
• Teal’c: The Argosians have no immediate threats. Their technology remains primitive, though their irrigation practices have improved.

Hammond takes a note. Daniel flips through a small notebook, and Carter organizes her field reports. Jack fidgets, tapping his pen against the tabletop like a metronome.

• Hammond: Anything else, Colonel?
• Jack (clears throat): Just your standard “village is happy, no sign of Goa’uld, no surprise pregnancies”—uh, well, at least not mine. (He shares an awkward glance with Daniel, who’s trying not to burst into laughter.) So yeah, everything’s… good.
• Hammond: Very well. That wraps up the debrief. Captain Carter, Dr. Jackson, Teal’c—you’re dismissed. Colonel, a word?

The others file out, casting Jack knowing looks.

• Hammond (once they’re alone): Everything truly okay, Jack?
• Jack: Yes, sir. Everything’s… well, normal. By SG-1 standards, anyway.
• Hammond (nods): Good. I’ll expect your mission report by end of day.

Jack’s face goes pale as if Hammond just threatened to feed him to a Goa’uld.

• Jack (weakly): End of day… right. Understood.

Colonel O’Neill’s Office, Cheyenne Mountain Complex

Seated at a small metal desk piled high with papers, Jack flips open a blank folder labeled “Mission Report: Argos – Follow-Up.” It’s about as appealing to him as a root canal.

• Jack (talking to himself): Let’s see… ‘SG-1 returned to Argos. Village thriving. Celebrations. No crazy nano-cakes. Everyone’s older—and apparently I’m not a dad.’
  He types a few sentences, then leans back in his chair.
• Jack (reading aloud): “The Argosians have established new cultural festivals focusing on—” focuses on? focus on? (He groans and hits backspace repeatedly.)

He can’t help but recall the festival’s music, the bonfire, Kynthia’s smile—and the surprising relief that came with knowing she’d found someone else.

• Jack (typing again): “Colonel O’Neill personally observed the changes…” (He stops, smirks, and shakes his head.)
• Jack (mutters): Yeah, yeah, we get it—mission success, no new crises, moving on.

Frustrated, he picks up a piece of gum, pops it in his mouth, and stares at the screen. After a minute of vigorous chewing, he hammers out the rest of the report in rapid-fire style:

1. Status of Argos: Peaceful, stable.
2. Technology Threat: None.
3. Goa’uld Involvement: Nil.
4. Cultural Impact: High sense of gratitude toward the SGC.
5. Personal Notes: (He hesitates… then leaves it blank.)

He slams the enter key with a satisfied grin.

• Jack: Done. Finally.

He prints the document and slaps it into a manila folder, heading to the Briefing Room. Outside, he nearly collides with Daniel, who’s carrying even more notes and data.

• Daniel: Whoa, hey—mission report all set?
• Jack (handing him the folder): Absolutely. Crisp, clean, and shockingly thorough, if I do say so myself.
• Daniel (laughing): Right. I’ll believe it when I see it.

As they walk down the corridor, Daniel flips open the folder and scans the pages. His eyebrows lift at Jack’s bullet-point style. Jack, noticing, just shrugs.

• Jack: What? You want a novel? That’s your job.

They continue on, bantering good-naturedly while the hum of the SGC’s corridors surrounds them.