Ficlet: G is for Gate (The One, Two Story) - Gen; SG-1

[jedibuttercup]

Gen; Stargate SG-1. 350 words, for Cameron Mitchell Alphabet Soup.

One, Cam thinks with a touch of wonder, as he steps through the event horizon.

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Title: G is for Gate (The One, Two Story)
Author: Jedi Buttercup
Disclaimer: The words are mine; the worlds are not.
Spoilers: Stargate SG-1 9.1 "Avalon, Part I"
Notes: For SG-1 gen alphabet soup: Cameron Mitchell, and the roots of the counting habit referenced in "200".

Summary: One, Cam thinks with a touch of wonder, as he steps through the event horizon. 350w.

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One, Cam thinks with a touch of wonder, as he steps for the first time into the shimmering disc of an event horizon.

He's read about it. Seen pictures, in files husbanded for self-reward after endless rounds of physical therapy. Heard stories from those who've taken this step before him. But none of that compares to actually making the journey: to crossing millions of miles in the time it takes to take one breath.

He shivers as he steps out the other end, drinking in the air of an entire other world. He might as well have put on a pair of seven league boots; it's that magical, and that much a fulfillment of an impossible dream. Even if he's not so much on SG-1 as he is SG-1 at present ... he's just stepped through a Stargate to the cradle of an entire alien civilization. How amazing is that?

He takes a moment, staring around at the ornate columns of Dakara and the robed Jaffa with the gold tattoo waiting for him, taking a mental snapshot for posterity. Teal'c, in his native setting: somehow even more impressive than he'd seemed in camo and Kevlar back on Earth. Though there's nothing even remotely yielding about him, despite his nod of welcome-- yeah, Cam's not going to get the answer he wants from him today.

But that's all right. Cam knows better than anyone the value of persistence; he wouldn't even be there if he didn't. Showing up is about affirming his intention, not winning. It would have been nice, mind you; but he's just spent two years living life one milestone at a time, commemorating each setback and success with inches forward on his mental metric. It's nothing new.

He enjoys the conversation as long as it lasts, then returns to the Gate and watches the event horizon whoosh into being.

"Two", he murmurs, remembering the way it felt under his hand: warm, living metal, relic and symbol of a civilization long gone to dust.

The journey of a thousand miles. He smiles wryly to himself and crosses into the blue.


(x-posted at AO3)

Comments

[stringertheory.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is adorable. So very Cam, and I love that you brought in the beginning of his mental ticker for trips through the Gate. Wonderful!

[jedibuttercup]

Thanks! I love early edition, wonder-filled Cam; and I've always wondered what prompted him to start counting.

[lolmac]

Lovely! Great image of how the counting got started!

[jedibuttercup]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the ficlet.

[madders-ahatter.livejournal.com]

"He shivers as he steps out the other end"
Love this flash back to the very beginning, before Sam tinkered so it wouldn't turn them frosty!

[jedibuttercup]

That is definitely the image I had in mind when I wrote that line. =) I'm glad you enjoyed the ficlet!

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

files husbanded for self-reward after endless rounds of physical therapy

Oooh, yes. I like that.

Such a lovely picture of Cam's wonder (I miss that in classic team - Cam as New Guy/Fanboy is my favorite iteration of him) and the perfect beginning to his counting his trips through the Gate! And persistence, yes. He's got it in spades.

Thanks for contributing!

[jedibuttercup]

Fanboy Cam is definitely my favorite version, too (his portrayal in "Unending" was a real downer for me). I'm so glad you enjoyed the ficlet!

[sulien.livejournal.com]

*grins* I love this. The thing I like most about Cam is his sense of wonder; he's exactly like most of us would be if we had the opportunity to go through a stargate. You show that up nicely here. I also love that he saved all of those mission report files as rewards for after physical therapy and I can't think of a single better carrot to keep him at it, despite the pain.

As always, thanks muchly for sharing!

[jedibuttercup]

It was always so interesting to me that he started out as this terribly determined, but still wide-eyed with wonder, type of character. ♥

Glad you enjoyed it!

[http://users.livejournal.com/traycer_/]

Cam's counting habit. Hee!! Really, really liked this story!!

The journey of a thousand miles.

*sigh* I love metaphors! :) Not to mention it would make a great title!

[jedibuttercup]

Thank you! The counting habit had to start somewhere, and I couldn't help but think of that when I rewatched Avalon ....

I'm glad you enjoyed the ficlet!

[saphirablue]

Wow! This is beautiful!

Thank you!

[jedibuttercup]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Fanboy Cam FTW.