singledarkshade

[singledarkshade]

Will there be a dream media challenge this July? I really enjoyed participating in the last 2.

We're not able to do one in July due to real world distractions but there may be one later in the year.

Hope you'll join in then.

[singledarkshade]

Stubborn Consequences

Part Two

(Part One can be found here)

Author’s Notes: This month’s @gateathonworks fic. This is the final part of the story. Enjoy.

                             *********************************************

Daniel sat in the cell in the SGC he’d been beamed into from the cell on the ship, reading a book. He looked up when the door opened and Jack walked in.

“I had no idea Finch was planning that,” he instantly said, placing Daniel’s Abydos journal and photograph of Sha’re on the small table, “Harald sent these for you. I’ve kept the cup so that it’s somewhere safe.”

“Thank you,” was all Daniel said.

Jack grimaced, “I am doing everything to get you out of here. I promise, Daniel.”

“I have no regrets, Jack,” Daniel told him, “No matter what happens now, I did the right thing.”

“Finch is demanding a trial,” Jack stated, “Considering the secrecy of the SGC it won’t be easy to find you a lawyer with security clearance. But I’ve got a possibility.”

“Jack,” Daniel stopped him, “I don’t need a lawyer.”

“You kinda do,” Jack argued.

Daniel shook his head, “The IOA have already confirmed it will be an internal investigation. They can’t do a trial because of the secrecy of the SGC and can’t court martial me since I’m not military.”

“Guessing this investigation will be in front of the IOA council,” Jack frowned, “With Finch leading the ‘prosecution’.”

Daniel nodded.

“I’ll defend you,” Jack stated.

“I’m better doing that myself,” Daniel said, a slight smile touching his lips, “But I could use your help to get some things that will help my case.”

Jack stared at him, “You’ve been planning your defence all this time, haven’t you?”

“It was only a matter of time before Finch thought to use a dart to remotely tag me since my chip was accidentally deactivated before I left Earth,” Daniel noted with an amused raised eyebrow, “Honestly, took him a lot longer than I expected, but I’m assuming no one in the SGC likes him enough to make the suggestion.”

“You got that right,” Jack chuckled.

Daniel took a piece of paper and began to write, “I need you to sort this for me.”

Taking it, Jack read the information before nodding.

~

It took two weeks for the IOA to get themselves sorted for their ‘investigation’ into Daniel. He wasn’t too bothered, other than being stuck in a cell, because it gave him time to think over and plan his defence in detail. He’d worked on it on and off over the past five years. Daniel knew he’d become complacent as time passed but he’d made a place for himself on Cimmeria and felt comfortable. Now he was hoping that he wouldn’t lose yet another home.

Dressed in his best suit, the one Sam and Janet had forced him to buy for important functions, ready to face the investigation, Daniel glanced at the small bedside cabinet where Sha’re’s picture sat so he could see it before he went to sleep and the moment he woke up. Many years had passed since her death, and he still missed her. He knew she would be proud of him for saving Ella, for protecting someone who couldn’t protect themselves, despite what it cost him.

The door opened and Daniel turned, unable not to smile at the man who was standing there.

“Morning, Doc,” Ferretti grinned at him, “Jack thought you’d want a friendly face to walk you there.”

Daniel smiled slightly before replying, “And he couldn’t find one so sent you.”

Ferretti chuckled, “Are you ready?”

“As I will be,” Daniel shrugged, “Do me a favour. Make sure that my Abydos journal is safe. I don’t want Finch sending one of his minions here to get his hands on it. It’s my last link to my family.”

Ferretti nodded and took the journal, tucking it inside his jacket.

With that safe, Daniel gathered up his notes and followed the other man to the conference room where the IOA were set up.

Jack was sitting waiting for him at a table on one side of the room and Daniel slid into the seat at his friend’s side aware that Sam and Teal’c were sitting nearby as was Landry and Mitchell. Finch was sitting at the table opposite them. He looked smug and Daniel forced himself to keep his expression neutral.

The six members of the IOA council walked in and took their seats then, to Daniel’s surprise, they were joined by Richard Woolsey who took the central seat.

“I am calling to order this investigation into the actions of Dr Daniel Jackson in the regards to the theft of IOA property and the removal it from Earth,” Woolsey stated, reading the file in front of him.

Daniel’s hand fisted at the use of the word property but Jack caught his arm, telling him silently not to argue. Forcing himself to relax Daniel took a drink of water to centre himself.

“For the record,” Woolsey continued, “I have been asked to arbitrate this investigation as I was not a part of the IOA or SGC at the time of the incident. However, due to my time on Atlantis, as well as my previous role working with the SGC, I know how the Stargate programme works. Are there any objections to my fulfilling this role?”

“No,” Finch stated.

Daniel paused for a moment before replying, “No.”

“Then we can start,” Woolsey stated, “Please note I will not accept any theatrics or playacting. This is an investigation. I expect it to be thorough and only the facts to be provided.” He paused and took a drink of water, “Alright, let’s start. Mr Finch, you are noted as the accuser. You can begin.”

Finch stood, he undid the button on his tailored suit jacket before he stepped forward.

“The facts speak for themselves,” he stated, “Mr Jackson stole the Goa’uld that the IOA had approved would be interrogated for information and took it through the Stargate despite the orders from his superiors to the contrary. He cannot deny that, can you Mr Jackson?”

Finch turned to him and Daniel stated, “Doctor Jackson.”

Confused that Daniel hadn’t tried to defend himself, Finch asked, “What?”

“I hold two PhDs, one in archaeology and the other in anthropology,” Daniel stated, “As well as a Masters in sociolinguistics. Since we’re dealing only in facts then you should refer to me as Dr Jackson, Mr Finch.”

Annoyance covered Finch’s face before he stated, “Then Dr Jackson, you cannot deny you stole IOA property.”

“I didn’t steal anything,” Daniel replied.

Finch shook his head, “Really. Then what did you do?”

“I believe this is your time,” Daniel stated, “When it is my time to speak, I’ll explain to you properly but first I’d like to hear each of your points. So, we don’t miss anything when I explain what actually happened.”

Finch grimaced.

“Dr Jackson is correct,” Woolsey stated, “Mr Finch, please explain your accusations.”

~

Jack was good at being stoic when he had to be but watching Daniel smackdown Finch with barely any effort was really making it hard not to grin. The problem so many people had was that they underestimated Daniel. They always saw the academic who on occasion became flustered stumbling over his words and was easily distracted by his work, they never saw the edges that spending so much time with the military had made or the core of steel that his losses had forged within him.

Daniel had always been stubborn, Jack had witnessed it on their first trip through the Stargate, but nowadays when Daniel dug his feet in it was near impossible to get him to move.

Finch was about to have a very, very bad day.

“The IOA decided that the Goa’uld Heffer,” Finch started, “Had valuable information that would ensure the safety of Earth, as well as our allies. Dr Jackson decided that he had the right to put Earth in jeopardy by removing the Goa’uld from Earth.” Finch gestured towards Daniel, “This man proved once again that he has loyalty to the Goa’uld rather than his own people.”

“What?!!!!” several people around the room cried.

Woolsey frowned, “I will ask for silence within the room. Mr Finch, that is quite an accusation you have made. Please explain.”

Finch turned to Woolsey and nodded, “Of course. Dr Jackson’s connection and loyalty to the Goa’uld is evident if you study the files for the SGC.”

Jack rolled his eyes, “For crying out loud.”

“You, General O’Neill,” Finch jumped on Jack’s murmur, “In your report from the original Abydos mission notes that after he was killed, Dr Jackson was revived and then spent a full night alone with Ra. During which he has never told you what happened and the next morning he almost executed you along with your men on Ra’s orders.”

Forcing himself not to lose his temper, Jack stated, “Daniel had little choice at the time. Ra was going to destroy the city and the people there.”

“Or so he says,” Finch stated, “Then he spent more time alone on the ship during what you call the ‘Battle for Abydos’.”

“He was saving Sha’re’s life,” Jack stated coldly, “Who died protecting us. And Ra tried to kill him.”

“Again, we only have his word for it,” Finch replied before waving away Jack, “After this he abandoned Earth for a full year. Then not long after Apophis attacked us, he attacked the planet Dr Jackson was living on. Which allowed Dr Jackson to return to Earth and into the inner circle where he could glean information for his allies.”

Jack glanced at Daniel and saw his jaw was clenched tightly. As much as he would do anything for his friends, Daniel wouldn’t follow without question but Sha’re, she was his one blind spot and his biggest weakness.

And Finch clearly knew this.

It wasn’t like it was a hard thing to guess though. Daniel’s quest to find and free Sha’re had been his entire reason for joining the SGC, everyone who had joined in those years knew that not to mention it was in the reports.

“Of course,” Finch continued, “During this his so-called wife was taken as a host. Considering the one photograph there is, it is clear why she was accepted by them. You must have bought yourself a great deal with her. You’d clearly grown bored of her after a year.”

“I suggest you be very careful what you say about my wife,” Daniel stated softly but firmly.

Finch laughed, his glee at having got to Daniel all over his face, “Yes, your ‘wife’. Tell us how a man who, as you corrected me earlier, has two PhDs and a masters found anything in common with a woman whose people weren’t able to read or write for centuries. Or was there no talking involved.”

Daniel let out a soft chuckle, “Of course, you think that. You have no idea the strength she had, her quick mind, her wit, her kindness. Nor the fact that she learned three languages in a year, started a school for the children of Nagada and made her world better for everyone. All this after starting a rebellion against the creature her people had worshipped as a god.”

Finch rolled his eyes, “And we only have your word for both that as well as the fact she wanted to marry you. Considering her photograph, I have no doubt why you were happy to marry her.”

“Both myself and Colonel Ferretti were on Abydos when Dr Jackson met Sha’re,” Jack said before Daniel could attack Finch, “Sha’re was an incredible woman, and trust me she was very happy that he stayed on Abydos.”

“Yet, he then allowed her to be taken as a host,” Finch continued turning back to Daniel, “Which as we know meant you ingratiated yourself further with Apophis. Before you try to pretend you haven’t, there is footage of you talking to him before his body was sent through to Sokar to be resurrected, in the report from ‘hell’ you were alone with him for longer than any of the others before you managed to escape. And here was yet another Goa’uld for you to work with. That is why you stole it from Earth, to release it. What did you get this time, Dr Jackson?”

~

Daniel forced himself to unclench his fist. He knew that Finch had brought up Sha’re to unbalance him, and it nearly worked. Thankfully Jack had spoken up, giving Daniel a moment to refocus himself.

“Dr Jackson,” Woolsey said, several minutes after Finch sat down smugly.

Daniel took a slow breath before he stood, “I’m not here to defend my reputation against these allegations Mr Finch has brought against me, especially since my time in the SGC has meant I have been killed, tortured, as well as losing my wife and the extended family she gave me. Mr Finch’s accusations regarding that I was instrumental in what happened to Sha’re at the hands of the Goa’uld, and that I have been working with them is one I will not take lying down. My wife, and if you wish to do any checks you will find that our marriage was confirmed as legal back during the first year of Stargate operations, was an intelligent woman who I adored beyond all measure and losing her nearly destroyed me.”

He paused for a moment before continuing, “I am ignoring the nonsense allegations Mr Finch made against me regarding the fact he believes that I worked for or was working with the Goa’uld. Although I will point out that the footage you have where I was talking to Apophis,  I was in fact giving the host the Egyptian version of last rites. Because despite what you seem to have decided and against all evidence gathered over the years, the host witnesses everything. The host of the Goa’uld, Hei’fier,” Daniel paused and glanced at Finch, “Which is the correct pronunciation, her name is Ella. She was fifteen years old when invaded and forced for many years to witness things no one should. She asked for my help. So, I helped her.”

“Impossible,” Finch stated.

Daniel turned to him, “Why would think that? We know the host survives and can on occasion take control. At Ella’s request, I took her to the one planet that I knew would remove it.”

“Why not to the Tok’ra?” Finch demanded.

Daniel smiled slightly, “Now, there’s a good question for you. The Tok’ra have been our allies for many years and would have not only remove the Goa’uld, but be able to retrieve information,you instead decided to interrogate Hei’fier.” Pausing to let this sink in, Daniel then asked, “What did he promise you?”

“I am not on trial here,” Finch snapped.

Daniel smiled slightly and answered Finch’s original question, “I didn’t go to the Tok’ra as they have an Iris over their Stargate similar to us and I didn’t have access to their version of the GDO. As for your insistence that Ella didn’t ask me for help, I have a few people who can corroborate my assertion if you agree, Mr Woolsey.”

Woolsey nodded, “This is your defence, Dr Jackson. Bring in who you need to.”

Daniel turned to Jack, who motioned to Ferretti. Ferretti moved out of his seat and allowed the blonde woman who had been sitting at his side to walk to the front of the room.

“This is Dr Sarah Gardener,” Daniel introduced her, giving her a warm smile, “For several years she was the host of Osiris.”

“And your former girlfriend,” Finch spoke up, “Another woman you sacrificed to your Goa’uld masters.”

Sarah turned to Finch stating, “Daniel had nothing to do with Osiris invading me. We’d not been in contact since before he joined the Stargate programme. And your insistence he was working with the Goa’uld is ridiculous.”

“Sarah,” Daniel said, “I hate to ask this because I know how traumatic your time under Osiris was but how aware were you of what he was doing.”

She took a deep breath, “I was aware of all of it. He took great glee in that fact. Osiris was determined to kill Daniel.”

“Yet,” Finch noted, “When you were released from Osiris, it was after multiple visits to Dr Jackson’s home.”

“Osiris was trying to get Daniel to translate something by infiltrating his dreams,” Sarah replied, “Once he had that Osiris intended to kill him. Thankfully that didn’t happen, and I was released.”

“Thank you, Sarah,” Daniel said softly before continuing, “I have another person to confirm the hosts are aware of everything the Goa’uld does.”

~

Jack forced himself not to smirk at the sour look on Finch’s face, Daniel had been very thorough on his defence. He hadn’t expected Finch to bring up Sha’re, especially in the way he had but Daniel was thankfully not letting that distract him.

Sarah returned to her seat and the next ‘witness’ stepped forward.

“Colonel Caldwell,” Daniel greeted him, “Thank you for agreeing to talk to the council about your experience.”

Steven Caldwell nodded, “Of course, Dr Jackson.”

“You were infiltrated by a Goa’uld who used you to try to destroy Atlantis. Can you tell us what happened?” Daniel asked.

“The Goa’uld within me set up a bomb which would activate when they opened the Stargate,” Caldwell explained, “I was unable to stop it and unable to tell the team there what had happened.”

“But you were aware of everything it did,” Daniel said.

Caldwell nodded, “I was.”

Jack was watching Finch closely as Caldwell was able to return to his seat. Daniel took a drink of water before he continued.

“Colonel Ferretti,” Daniel stated, “Can you bring in my final, I guess witness is the word?”

Ferretti nodded and left the room for a moment before he returned with Daniel’s ace in the hole. The young woman looked nervous as she walked in with her adoptive father, Harald had his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulder.

“Thank you for coming, Ella,” Daniel said as she reached him, taking her hands, “I know you’re scared but I promise after this Harald and Colonel Ferretti will take you home.”

Ella nodded.

“Dr Jackson,” Woolsey spoke up, “If you could explain who this young lady is.”

Jack forced himself not to smile, because he could see Woolsey knew exactly who the girl was.

“Mr Woolsey, council members,” Daniel said, “This is Ella. She was once the host to the Goa’uld Hei’fier.”

The surprise covering all faces made Jack chuckle before he looked at Finch whose eyes actually had panic in them.

Jack glanced at Ferretti, tilting his head towards Finch. Ferretti nodded and resumed his position to keep watch.

“Ella,” Daniel said softly, “I know this is not easy for you, but if you could tell Mr Woolsey what happened before we went through the Stargate.”

Ella took a deep breath, she looked over at Harald who nodded encouragingly at her before she looked up at Daniel again, “Hei’fier was sleeping when you came into the room to look at some of the writing he had given. I recognised you as one of the Tauri who the Goa’uld both hated but knew had skills they could use.”

“What did you do?” Daniel asked softly.

“I asked you to help me,” Ella whispered, “I knew you fought the Goa’uld, that you had tried to save the host of Ammonet and had saved the host of Klorel. I hoped you could save me because Hei’fier had made a deal for freedom by given information to…” she trailed off.

Daniel rested his hand on her shoulder, “I know you’re scared but Harald is here and so are my friends to protect you. Who made the deal?”

Ella licked her lips before she pointed at Finch.

“This is preposterous,” Finch snapped, “He has clearly coached her.”

“But it leads back to my question,” Daniel said, “Why not take Hei’fier to the Tok’ra? They would be able to get any information from the Goa’uld and release the host. So, what were you offered?”

Finch suddenly jumped to his feet and tried to grab a gun from one of the security team. He let out a cry as Sam and Mitchell grabbed an arm each slamming him onto the table.

“I believe Mr Finch has just confirmed that Ella’s statement is true,” Woosley stated, “Dr Jackson, if the council agrees with me then all charges will be dropped as you clearly were trying to protect and help Ella. Any objections?”

Jack smiled as all six members shook their head, he knew several of them were still annoyed that Daniel had managed to get her through the Gate without any resistance but considering Finch’s reaction they knew they couldn’t do anything to Daniel anymore.

“Then Dr Jackson, you are released from custody and all charges are dropped,” Woosley stated, “Mr Finch, you have a great deal of explaining to do.”

                             *********************************************

Daniel sat on the top of the mountain, staring at the night sky with a mug of coffee in his hands.

“Thought I might find you here,” Jack said as he sat beside Daniel.

“Just needed a few minutes,” Daniel told him, “Did Harald and Ella go home?”

Jack nodded, “Ferretti took them. I promised you’d be in touch.”

“Thank you,” Daniel murmured.

“So,” Jack stated, “Your office is still there. They didn’t close it just locked it down and Dr Markson only allowed people in when they needed to check or borrow something. Your house is currently being rented, but the lease is up soon so you just need to find somewhere for a few months before moving back.”

“I’m not staying, Jack.”

Daniel could feel his friend’s confusion but didn’t turn to him because he knew what Jack’s expression would be.

“Why?”

“I ran into Landry and Mitchell after the investigation ended when I was given a VIP room,” Daniel stated, “They were suspicious of Finch’s motivations but were waiting before making a move.”

“That’s good to know, isn’t it?” Jack asked.

Turning to his friend, Daniel shook his head, “Why didn’t they tell me? Why was I just told to follow orders and not trusted?”

Jack shrugged, “I can’t answer that.”

“I can,” Daniel replied, “Because no matter how long I’ve been a part of the SGC, and all I’ve done, the fact I’m not military means I’m still an outsider. I’m not trusted.”

“I trust you,” Jack reminded him.

Daniel sighed, “But you’re not in charge of the SGC anymore. And I can’t go back. I made a life on Cimmeria,” he continued, “I have my work, I help the council, and I have friends. Finch poisoned this place for me, and they let him. I’m going to collect the things that I want to take with me then I’m heading back to Cimmeria.”

“Daniel…” Jack started before sighing knowing there was no point in arguing with Daniel because his friend had made up his mind, “You’re going to start getting a lot more visitors now this has been resolved.”

Daniel smiled at him, “You’ll always be welcome, Jack.”

Jack stood to head back inside before he stopped and asked, “You know what’s bugged me for a while, it’s how you got through the Gate with the Gould all by yourself.”

Not looking at his friend, Daniel shrugged, “I guess I got lucky.”

Jack’s grin let Daniel know he had his suspicions, and that he was probably right about who had helped Daniel.

“I’ll talk to Landry when you want to return to Cimmeria,” Jack stated, “But before you do, you know there are some people who want to see you. I had to promise Carter that I wouldn’t let you leave without us all having dinner together.”

“I’ll be down in a few minutes,” Daniel assured him.

As Jack left him alone once more, Daniel closed his eyes and sighed in relief. He no longer had the shadow of the IOA coming after him, would no longer have to worry about someone removing him from his home.

Standing he headed back into the mountain, ready to spend time with the friends he’d missed over the past few years before he returned to his home once more.

[singledarkshade]

Stubborn Consequences

Summary: Five years ago Daniel made a choice which meant he had to leave Earth and the SGC. Now the life he has made for himself is about to be invaded and he has to face the consequences of the decision he made.

Author Notes: This month’s @gateathonworks fic. The prompt I chose was 'Post Canon'. Enjoy.

                             *********************************************

It was a cool drizzly afternoon, with a thick fog curling in from the mountain. The small cottage, set slightly away from the rest of the village, had a neat garden at the front with several devices in the back that were lying haphazardly around the space, the smoke from the chimney let everyone know that the occupant was currently at home.

The boy ran along the path, knocking urgently until the door opened and the man standing there asked, “What’s wrong, Ivar?”

“A man came through the circle,” the boy told him urgently, “From Midgard.”

Daniel Jackson frowned before he patted the boy’s shoulder, passing one of the sweet treats he had on the table to him.

“Thank you for warning me,” Daniel told the boy, “You should head home before they get here.”

“I’ll tell Harald,” Ivar stated sternly, “He’ll come in case you need him.”

Daniel smiled at the boy, “Thank you.”

~

Ivar ran away leaving Daniel alone staring out at the drizzle. He took a deep breath wondering what the people of the planet he’d been born on wanted this time. They came to Cimmeria every so often trying to drag Daniel back through the Stargate to Earth. Several times the Cimmerian council had to step in and stop them.

Heading back inside his cottage, Daniel ensured his writing and books were put away, so whoever was coming didn’t know anything he was working on. It wasn’t that important, but he wasn’t sharing his research with Earth anymore. Not after they had turned their backs on everything he believed in.

About ten minutes after Ivar left, three sharp knocks came on his door. Daniel took a deep breath, bracing himself for whoever was on the other side of the door, forcing himself not to smile when he saw his guest.

“You couldn’t have run away to a planet with a nicer climate,” Jack grumbled as he pushed his hand through his wet hair.

“Tried that once,” Daniel stated cooly, “It didn’t work out, remember?”

Jack rolled his eyes, “Can I at least come in? You know it’s raining out here, right?”

Daniel stepped back, allowing Jack inside. He closed the door and then took a seat in his chair by the window, waiting while Jack wandered around the main room of the cottage.

“Nice place,” he stated.

“What do you want, Jack?” Daniel demanded, “I’ve been here for five years, and this is the first time you’ve come to visit.”

Jack took the seat across from him, “I thought you didn’t want to see me. Considering you left.”

“I’m sure you know why,” Daniel replied.

“Well, I’m here because I need you to come home,” Jack told him.

Daniel folded his arms, “I am home.”

“You know what I mean,” Jack frowned.

“Jack,” Daniel stated coldly, “I was fired. I was told my services to the SGC were no longer required.”

Jack grimaced, “I argued against that.”

“When you got back?” Daniel asked before shrugging, “That was nice of you. I’m guessing it didn’t work since every so often someone comes here trying to arrest me.”

Silence filled the room for several minutes. Neither man was going to back down as both were as stubborn as each other and they knew it.

Finally, Jack spoke, “The Helons have got in touch with us and are finally open to negotiations, but they will only deal with you.”

“I can’t help you, Jack,” Daniel stated, “I was told in no uncertain terms what would happen if I returned to Earth. And I don’t feel like spending the rest of my life in a prison cell because I refused to ‘follow orders’.”

“You abducted someone,” Jack reminded him.

Daniel shook his head, “I freed a host from a Gould. They were going to leave her trapped inside her own mind so they could study it.”

“You know I would never…”

“Everyone thought you were dead,” Daniel snapped.

Jack sighed, “If you’d waited just a little bit…”

“So, the poor kid could be locked away in a secret location where no one would ever find her?” Daniel asked, “I wasn’t letting that happen.”

“Daniel…”

“What if it was Sha’re? What if it was Skaara?”

Jack stared at him, “You can’t compare…”

“Why not?” Daniel cried, “The Gould took my family. My wife died because of those things, and you expected me to let it happen to someone else when I could stop it?”

Jack shook his head frustration filling his voice, “I expected you to trust the people who had your back.”

“Who had my back?” Daniel demanded angrily, “Let’s see where they all were. You were missing presumed dead after a trip to Atlantis, Sam was on the Hammond with no way to contact her, Teal’c was on Dakara with no way to contact him. Landry was agreeing with the IOA’s plan, Mitchell was telling me to trust Landry and Vala, who would have agreed with me had already left the SGC because of the new IOA leadership and I couldn’t contact her either, so I had no one who had my back.”

He paused for a moment and took a deep breath.

“I chose my path, Jack,” Daniel stated coldly, “And I have made my home here. I want nothing to do with Earth anymore. You might want to remind the people who on come here to try to arrest me that I’m now a part of the Cimmerian council and they’re not too willing for me to be removed from their planet without my agreement.”

Jack stared at him, “Home? Really?”

“Well since my last one was blown up by Anubis,” Daniel replied, “Yes.”

~

Silence filled the cottage again. Daniel made some tea for himself and reluctantly made one for Jack as well.

They continued to sit waiting for the other to speak. Finally, Jack knew he had to be the one to do so. He hated that it had taken so long for him to come see his friend, but things had gotten in the way. When he’d finally made it back to Atlantis then Earth, he had a lot of recuperating to do which meant coming through the Gate wasn’t possible. Then there was the new IOA representative to the SGC who kept finding ways to block him.

“It’s getting late,” Daniel said suddenly, “If you leave now then you’ll get to the Stargate before nightfall. It’s a bit dangerous after the sun sets.”

“Trying to get rid of me?”

“Yes.”

Jack stared at him, “Way to make a guy feel welcome.”

“You’re not welcome, Jack,” Daniel stated.

“So,” Jack said, “This whole friendship thing we worked on for all those years is what?”

Daniel glared at him, “Don’t you dare. I gave the best part of two decades to the Stargate programme; it took everything from me.”

“You’re not the only one whose lost people, Daniel,” Jack reminded him softly.

Daniel stared at him, his blue eyes like ice, “What I lost wasn’t my fault.”

Jack fisted his hand forcing himself not to snap back, he knew how vicious Daniel could be when he was trying to push people away. Although the only other time Jack had been directly in the firing line was just after Sha’re had died during the whole Kira/Linea debacle.

And Daniel knew exactly where to strike.

~

Daniel forced himself not to apologise to Jack. He knew that jab would anger the other man and hoped it would get him to leave but he forgot how well Jack knew him.

Thankfully a knock on the door saved Daniel from backing down. Opening the door, Daniel smiled seeing Harald standing there. The current head of the Cimmerian council was several inches taller than Daniel, as broad as an oak tree and exactly how anyone would picture a Viking.

“Come in,” Daniel said, smiling fondly at the young woman with flaxen hair who followed Harald.

Jack turned, arms folded and waited for an introduction.

“General Jack O’Neill,” Daniel stated, “This is Harald Blackson, the current Head of the Cimmerian Council and this,” he smiled at the young woman who wrapped her arm around his affectionately, “This is Ella. Don’t know if you recognise her since it’s been a few years, but she is who I brought to Cimmeria from Earth.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Jack told them.

“Daniel is a citizen of Cimmeria,” Harald stated with finality, “He is a member of the council and teacher. He will not be leaving unless he decides to.”

Jack glanced at Daniel who smiled at him slightly smugly.

“I came to ask for his help,” Jack told the large man, “But I won’t make him go anywhere he doesn’t want to. I know better than to try.”

Harald nodded, “I shall see you tomorrow, Daniel?”

“You will,” Daniel replied.

The man headed to the door, Ella stretched up and kissed Daniel’s cheek before she joined Harald to leave the cottage.

“Harald and his wife took Ella in as their daughter after she went through the Hammer,” Daniel told Jack as he started pulling things out to make dinner, “Astrid, his wife was the one who met us when we left the cavern. It took her a long time to trust anyone other than them or me, but she is getting married in three weeks, where I will be standing with her family as one of them.”

“Subtle,” Jack noted.

“I’m not trying to be subtle, Jack,” Daniel replied, “I’m telling you that I am not leaving and I no longer have any allegiance to the Tauri. Since you’ve not headed back to the Gate, you can stay. You’ll have to sleep on the couch as I only have one bed and I’m not sharing.”

~

While Daniel cooked dinner, Jack wandered around the cottage. He found Sha’re’s picture hanging in the bedroom in a spot where he guessed it got a lot of sun and was easy to be seen from the bed. On the shelf beside it was the wedding cup that the couple had drank from during their wedding and the journal Jack recognised as the one Daniel had written during his time on Abydos, sat on the cabinet beside the bed.

He’d missed his friend and had not been happy when Landry had told him what happened because the new IOA council wasn’t willing to allow the Goa’uld that had been found to be taken to Cimmeria to free the host. From what he’d been told Daniel argued against it and was extremely angry when the IOA decided to interrogate the Goa’uld in another location. They’d had been incensed by the fact Daniel refused to do as they told him, the new liaison to SGC, who felt he had more power than he did in the base, demanded that Landry send a team through to drag Daniel back by his hair. Although Landry wasn’t happy Daniel had disobeyed orders and had managed to get through the Gate without anyone stopping him, he also knew that they couldn’t just march onto Cimmeria to retrieve him.

Even before joining the council, Daniel was well thought of by their people. It was due to Daniel that they had managed to make so many treaties over the years, and that included the one with the Cimmerians.

“Dinner is ready,” Daniel called.

Returning to the other room, Jack saw Daniel had pulled out a table and two plates sat on it.

“It’s lamb,” Daniel told the other man, “And the vegetables are from my garden.”

“Your garden?”

Daniel gave a slight smile, “My foster mother was an avid gardener. When I first went to live with there, she persuaded me to help her in her garden, mostly by teaching me all the Latin names for everything. I put her lessons to good use when I set up my cottage.”

Jack nodded as he began to eat, “This is amazing. Where’s the meat from?”

“The market,” Daniel replied.

They ate in silence and when Jack had cleared his plate, Daniel took it with own to the sink.

“You have Sha’re’s picture and your wedding cup,” Jack noted, “You weren’t even going to try to return, were you?”

Daniel shrugged, “I told you, Jack. I was fired. There was no coming back to the SGC the moment I crossed the line to save Ella.”

“Daniel…”

“She was a child, Jack,” Daniel whispered, “Barely fifteen when taken by that creature and forced to witness and do things no one, never mind a kid, should. I couldn’t leave that thing inside her. And I wasn’t letting them put her in a cage to interrogate and experiment on for who knows how long, leaving her with no hope.”

Jack nodded, “I do understand.”

“We started the SGC looking to save people, Jack,” Daniel sighed, “I failed to save the one person I loved more than anyone. I wasn’t failing again.”

Jack sighed.

“You can tell the IOA that I have no plans to ever return to Earth,” Daniel stated, “They never have to worry about me again. As far as they should be concerned, I am dead this time.”

                             *********************************************

To Jack’s surprise, the couch he slept on was actually not bad. He had a feeling Daniel fell asleep on it every so often because it was long enough to accommodate their height and comfortable so not to wake up feeling sore.

Daniel was already awake, making tea. Jack was regretting not bringing some coffee with him, but he honestly hadn’t expected to stay overnight.

“Here,” Daniel handed him a mug, “I don’t have anything for breakfast as it’s market morning, so I usually get something to eat there. You can come along or stay here but I’m heading in ten minutes.”

Jack nodded and quickly washed then dressed, he returned to the main room finding Daniel with a long cloak around him while he sorted bags. It always amused him how easily Daniel could become part of a place. How he became one of the people. At least here he didn’t visually stick out the way he had on Abydos.

~

The marketplace was busy, Daniel nodded to everyone who called a greeting to him but as he had Jack with him didn’t stop to talk as he normally would.

He walked to the usual stalls he visited, getting his meat and what he couldn’t grow himself, as well as flour, eggs, milk and the sweet treats that he liked. He bought a pastry for breakfast for himself and Jack to eat while they wandered.

Daniel had a routine when he went to the market, which allowed him to get everything he needed and was sticking to it, even with his guest there. He wasn’t letting Jack throw him out of his routine.

“You do know,” Jack said as they headed to get some fruit, “That you get a lot of glances walking through here. No plans to…” he paused for second before finishing, “Settle down?”

Daniel rolled his eyes, “I was married once, Jack. I’m not looking for that again.”

Jack shrugged and remained silent as they continued through the stalls.

“I’ve almost got everything I need,” Daniel told him, “I’m heading home. You can too.”

“I thought I would stick around for a bit,” Jack said lightly, “Catch up.”

Daniel frowned at him, suspicious but nodded, “That would be nice. I can use the help carrying some of this.”

~

Jack was relieved that Daniel had relented a little and agreed to him staying for a while. He missed the younger man; their friendship had been a cornerstone of his life for almost two decades now and Jack hated that Daniel was no longer at the end of a phone to talk to or argue with.

Heading back to the cottage, Jack frowned as he spotted some people who were definitely not native heading towards them.

“What’s going on, Jack?” Daniel demanded sharply as he spotted the men too.

“Not sure,” Jack grimaced before telling him, “This isn’t something to do with me.”

The small group walked towards them, and Jack grimaced.

“You had longer than agreed,” the man at the front stated, “We’re here to retrieve Dr Jackson.”

“Jack?” anger filled Daniel’s voice.

“I said I’d come talk to him, Finch,” Jack stated coldly, “There was no discussion of you bringing a team to force him back to Earth.”

Finch shrugged, “Considering your ‘friendship’ with the fugitive then you were not included in the discussion.”

“Jack?” Daniel asked again.

“Daniel Jackson,” Finch stated before Jack could say anything, “Under the authority of the IOA, you are being returned to Earth for trial after…”

“Enough,” Jack snapped.

Daniel, who had shifted his weight slightly, ready to run, stated, “You do remember what has happened every other time you’ve tried to force me back through the Stargate.”

“I brought a full SG team with me this time,” Finch noted.

Jack looked as did Daniel at the group behind him.

Finch frowned, “SG9 are here to escort you back to Earth, in chains if needed.”

“Haven’t we gone through this enough?” Daniel demanded, “You’ve tried to remove me from Cimmeria several times over the past few years, and each time been sent home with your tale between your legs. I have things to do, so let’s fast forward to you leaving.”

He turned and started back towards the marketplace. Jack frowned as Finch drew his gun.

“Don’t even think about it,” Jack snarled.

Finch laughed, “I’m not. Just needed to distract you.”

“What,” Jack yelled just as something flew past them, striking Daniel on the back.

Jack could see it was a dart with a blinking light.

“Beam him up,” Finch ordered over his radio and Daniel disappeared in a bright white light.

Jack turned on Finch, “What the hell?”

“The IOA agree that it was time he was returned to Earth,” Finch stated, “They hoped you could persuade him but since that clearly wasn’t happening then I was authorised to take further measures. We just needed close enough to him to tag him since he somehow removed his tracker chip.” He smirked at Jack before radioing again, “Bring us up.”

Light surrounded him and Jack found himself on a ship when it faded. Without a word he left the room and headed to the bridge, he was not letting this go.

[singledarkshade]

river song appreciation week: Day 5 | May 29: Favorite Theme – Mirroring Rory

Fibbing: “This won’t hurt a bit.” ↰ ↳ “I lied.” Insecurity: “But who ever said he loved me back?” ↰ ↳  “Amy, basic fact of our relationship is that I love you more than you love me.” Notable Warriors: “I’m River Song, check your records again.” ↰ ↳  “Do I have to repeat the question.” The Doctor’s Reality Check: “This was exactly you. All this. All of it. You make them so afraid. When you began, all those years ago, sailing off to see the universe, did you ever think you'd become this? The man who can turn an army around at the mention of his name. Doctor. The word for healer and wise man throughout the universe. We get that word from you, you know. But if you carry on the way you are, what might that word come to mean?” ↰ ↳ “You know what it's dangerous about you? It's not that you make people take risks, it's that you make them want to impress you. You make it so they don't want to let you down. You have no idea how dangerous you make people to themselves when you're around.” Death and devotion: “If you die here, it'll mean I've never met you.” ↰ ↳ “And anyway, what else is there? Dying of old age downstairs, never seeing you again?”

[singledarkshade]

A Little Surprise

Final Part

(Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four)

“Have you two slept?”

Rodney and Radek turned as John walked into the lab where the two men were working.

“We don’t have much time before the other universe activates their device,” Rodney stated, “We need to have our side ready, and I want to be able to keep the portal open for as long as we need it to be.”

John nodded, “I guess so.”

“We then need to be able to ensure that it cannot be opened again,” Radek added, frowning at the mess in front of him, “It is not as easy as you might think.”

“Well,” John told them, “Make sure you get some rest. There’s no point in doing this if you make mistakes because you’re tired.”

Rodney grimaced, he looked for a moment as though he was about to argue before he glanced at Radek, seeing the other man blinking slightly and nodded, “We’ll grab a few hours now.”

“We will?” Radek asked confused.

Rodney rolled his eyes, “Colonel Sheppard is right. We don’t want to make any mistakes with this by being overtired and missing things.”

Shrugging, Radek shut down his computer and left the room.

John stared at Rodney in surprise.

“What?” the scientist demanded.

Shaking his head, John started out. Stopping he frowned at Rodney who sighed, shut down his computer and left the lab.

“I don’t need an escort,” Rodney noted.

“Just making sure you go get some rest,” John replied.

“Why are you up?” Rodney demanded as the thought suddenly occurred to him.

John sighed, “General O’Neill wants to check out the night shift teams and make sure they’re not getting complacent. So, here I am.”

Chuckling slightly at John’s annoyance, Rodney yawned and realised he could do with a few hours rest.

                             *********************************************

“Are you sure that you’re ready to activate this thing?” Jack asked as they all sat around the conference room.

Rodney and Radek both nodded.

“And we have devised a way to let the other side know when we will activate it fully to open the portal,” Radek added.

Daniel glanced at Sha’re who was looking intently at the two men, “And you are sure that it shall not attract the Gre’aks?”

Rodney winced, “That’s the bit we can’t be completely sure about. From what you’ve told us they’re attracted to energy and doing this may mean they find us but,” he held up his hand before she could say anything, “We also think we have a way to neutralise them from what you’ve told us.”

“That is good to know,” she said.

Daniel squeezed her hand, “I told you they would do this.”

Sha’re nodded, “How long until you are ready to send the signal?”

“Two hours,” Rodney told her, “Which brings us under the wire for when your people will send out their signal.”

“Then I shall ready Kamaya for returning home,” Sha’re said, “Thank you all for being so hospitable to us both as well as helping us return home.”

John nodded, speaking for them all, “You are more than welcome, Sha’re. It’s been a pleasure to meet you.”

~

Daniel hugged Kamaya tightly, feeling her cling to him.

“I am never going to forget you,” Daniel promised the little girl, “Not ever.”

Kamaya looked at him seriously, “I’ll never forget you.”

“Why don’t you go say goodbye to Jack while I say goodbye to your mamma?” Daniel suggested.

With a nod, Kamaya ran over to Jack who lifted the girl into a hug. Leaving them alone, Daniel turned to where Sha’re was standing on the balcony staring out at the water.

“I put a photograph of the three of us together in your bag,” Daniel told her, “Just so she remembers what I look like.”

Sha’re sniffed slightly before turning to him, “That was a good idea.”

“I’ve got one too,” he stepped closer to her, “So I can see you both every day.”

Shaking her head, Sha’re moved to him and threw her arms around him kissing him. Daniel returned the kiss, resting his forehead against hers when they parted.

“I forgot how good it felt to be with you,” Daniel told her, “Thank you for reminding me what it feels like to be happy.”

Sha’re nodded, her eyes filling with tears as she hugged him.

“I love you,” she whispered, “I have always loved you from the day we met. And I’m so glad we got this time together. That Kamaya got this time with you.”

“Daniel,” Jack’s voice interrupted them, “It’s time to go.”

Sha’re took a shaky breath, brushing one final kiss to Daniel’s lips before she left him on the balcony and took her daughter’s hand.

                             *********************************************

“We’re going to do a test signal,” Rodney stated as the stood in the room beneath the Stargate once more, “Ready?”

Radek nodded and turned to the others, “Best to stay back.”

Jack and Daniel moved Kamaya and Sha’re to the back wall where John was already waiting. Kamaya pulled Daniel’s hand, and he lifted her up into his arms to watch what was happening.

“In three, two, one,” Rodney counted, for them to activate.

“It’s on and holding steady,” Radek reported before grimacing, “I’m getting an energy surge.”

Sha’re moved to Radek’s side, “It’s the Gre’aks.”

The moment she finished speaking what looked like green lightning sprang around the room, the others ducked, Daniel turning Kamaya so she was protected.

“New,” the hiss came from the electricity which settled into a humanoid form, “New world.” It looked around at them focussing suddenly on Daniel.

“Killed you before,” it growled as Daniel glared at it, “You screamed and begged for your life. Offered your family in your place.” “I doubt that,” Daniel replied coldly.

“Why?”

Daniel held Kamaya tighter to him, “Because he was saving the people he loved. He’d never betray them.”

The Gre’ak glared at him before continuing, “Now we get to conquer here.”

“Yeah,” Rodney stated, “We’re not going to agree to that.”

Before it could do anything, Radek tossed John what looked like a modified version of Ronon’s gun. Aiming it at the Gre’ak, John fired, and it screamed before disappearing.

“That was it?” Jack demanded noting, “Pretty weak.”

“Only because we were able to use the information Sha’re provided and what we got from when we briefly connected during the original contact to her universe,” Rodney explained, “Without that it would have taken us a long time to find the specific frequency to destroy it.”

Sha’re turned to them from where she was checking her daughter, “And it is destroyed?”

Rodney nodded, “As soon as your people send out the signal, we’ll add ours and it will get rid of them as per your original plan.”

~

It wasn’t long before the small beep let them know that this was it, and Rodney activated their detector. The same door Kamaya and Sha’re had come through began to glow but this time the one across from it opened and a rush of light flew through forcing them all to close their eyes turning away.

As the light faded, Jack smiled as he saw Skaara standing in the doorway.

“Uncle Skaara,” Kamaya called happily.

Jack saw Daniel let the little girl down who ran to her uncle for a cuddle. Skaara hugged her tightly before she pulled him over, “You have to meet our new friends.

“O’Neill,” he greeted Jack as he held Kamaya’s hand, “It is good to see you.”

“You too, kid,” Jack replied softly before he hugged the younger man.

Skaara turned to Daniel, “My brother?”

Daniel nodded, “Always.”

The two men embraced before Daniel pulled away and he stepped back. It was clear how much harder this had become as one more member of his family he’d lost appeared before him.

“We don’t have much time,” Rodney interrupted, “I’m sorry but you need to go.”

Sha’re nodded, “Of course. Thank you all for your help and hospitality.”

Skaara headed back to his own world, his niece holding his hand. Sha’re paused and gave Daniel one final gentle kiss before she followed Skaara and Kamaya.

~

Daniel watched the woman he loved and the child he should have had, walk towards the portal that would take them away from him forever.

Again.

And he made his decision.

“Jack,” he said softly, turning to look at his friend.

Jack took a deep breath and turned to Daniel, staring at him for a moment before he gave a small nod of understanding and said, “Be happy.”

Smiling Daniel gripped his friend’s hand for a moment before he called, “Sha’re.”

She stopped, turning back to him for a moment before leaning down to talk to her daughter. Kamaya frowned slightly annoyed that she being told to stay but stayed holding Skaara’s hand and Sha’re moved back to where Daniel was waiting for her.

“What’s wrong?” she asked worriedly.

Daniel took a deep breath and caught her hand, “I want to come with you.”

Sha’re stared at him confused, “What?”

“I know that you might think this is sudden but trust me it’s not. I…” he trailed off for a second before continuing, “I love you. I love Kamaya, and I want to be with you both. I’m not trying to recreate what I had, I promise you. My Sha’re is gone, and you are like her in some ways but so different in others. I’m not seeing her when I look at you. I see you and I love you.”

Sha’re stared at him, her hold on his hand tightening, “But your life is here.”

“My life is where you are,” he told her, “If you’ll have me.”

“Dan’iel,” she breathed, “You have friends here, all you know is here.”

He stepped into her and rested his hand on her cheek, “I have thought this through. I’ve gone over and over this so many times the past few days. I love you and I want to be with you. You just have to tell me yes or no. If it’s no, then I will say goodbye but if it’s yes, then I’ll take your hand and go wherever you lead me.”

Sha’re took a deep breath and stepped back from him. Daniel felt his stomach drop frowning confused when Sha’re called to her daughter.

Kamaya ran over to them, heading to Daniel who caught her, lifting her into his arms. He hugged the little girl readying himself to say goodbye to her again.

“What do you think about Dan’iel coming home with us?” Sha’re asked the little girl.

Kamaya’s eyes widened in delight, “Really?”

“Really,” Sha’re smiled as Daniel felt tears sting his eyes.

“Then you’ll be my daddy?” Kamaya asked.

Daniel glanced at Sha’re who nodded with a smile before he told the little girl in his arms, “If you want me to be.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Kamaya bounced, hugging him tightly.

Sha’re smiled at her daughter before she said, “The answer is yes.”

Shifting Kamaya slightly to one side, Daniel kissed Sha’re quickly before wrapping his arm around her. Daniel glanced back at Jack who nodded at him. Daniel gave a quick nod back then turned and walked through the portal to his new life with his new family.

~

Jack watched his friend walk away, finally getting the family he had wanted for so long. He hated knowing he’d never see Daniel again but after all the other man had been through, he deserved to be happy.

“McKay,” he finally found his voice, “Block it off.”

There was a pause before the scientist asked, “Are you sure?”

Jack took a breath and turned to him, “Daniel made his choice. He knows there’s no way back, that this was always our plan.”

“Are you sure, sir?” Sheppard asked again.

Jack looked at the Atlantis team, the people who had forged bonds similar to the one he had with Daniel. They knew how hard this was for him and were giving him a chance to change his mind.

“We can’t leave this open,” he reminded them, “Do it. I’ll meet you back at the Stargate.”

Without another word he headed back up the stairs and sat on the steps to the Gate waiting. As the ground shook, letting him know McKay had hit the explosives, he hoped that Daniel got to be happy finally.

He deserved it.

As the team appeared up the stairs, Jack stood waiting for them to dial the Gate back to Atlantis.

                             *********************************************

Dear Jack,

If you’re reading this then I’m with Sha’re and Kamaya in their world.

I want you to know that it’s not a spur of the moment decision I made but something that I have thought about long and hard since they came here.

This Sha’re is different in many ways to the woman I married but she is still my other half and the thought of never seeing her, or the little girl who should be my daughter is something I can barely contemplate. I also know that I will only get the chance to stay with them, if I get the courage up to ask her, and if you agree because if you won’t let me go then I know you’ll have Sheppard, and his team, hold me back.

The fact you’re reading this letter means that didn’t happen because you let me go. And I can never thank you enough for that.

I wanted to make sure you know how much your friendship has meant to me over the years, how much I relied on you, and you were always there for me no matter what. And I know that there were a lot of times it was hard to be my friend, I know there were times you probably wanted to wash your hands of me, but you never did.

Thank you for being my family and thank you for letting me go when I asked you to, again.

There are letters in my room for the others, if you would deliver them for me then I’d appreciate it.

Take care of yourself,

Daniel

~

Finding the small stack of letters that Daniel had left on the bed in his room, Jack knew that there were going to be some very unhappy people when he explained what had happened.

But he didn’t care.

As much as he would miss his friend, Daniel was getting the happiness that he deserved after all the sacrifices he had made over the years.

Jack could live with that.

[singledarkshade]

A Little Surprise

Part Four

(Part One, Part Two and Part Three)

Daniel woke slowly, aware of the warm body lying next to him and the arm resting across his waist. Opening his eyes, Daniel saw his dream sleeping beside him. Sha’re murmured slightly as she snuggled against his shoulder and Daniel stared at the vision before him. It was over a decade, which included his multiple deaths and ascensions, since he’d last shared a bed with the woman he loved. It was his dream come true except he knew that this was not the same Sha’re, only she was in so many ways.

Suddenly he felt overwhelmed, and he slid out of the bed, pulling his pants on before he headed to the balcony to get some air.

Taking slow deep breaths, Daniel knew he shouldn’t have slept with her but after they kissed things just went further than he’d intended.

“What’s wrong?” Sha’re’s voice came a second before her arms slid around his waist and she rested against his back.

“Nothing.”

“You can talk to me, Dan’iel,” Sha’re reminded him, “You know that.”

Daniel sighed and turned to look at her. She was wearing his t-shirt, which showed off her long legs, her thick black hair was tousled, and her dark eyes were filled with concern. Daniel felt his breath catch as he looked at her.

“I shouldn’t have kissed you,” he said, “I definitely shouldn’t have let it go as far as it did.”

Rolling her eyes, Sha’re reminded him, “I let you kiss me, and I started undressing you first.”

Shaking his head, Daniel looked at her when Sha’re took his hand.

“It is cold out here,” she said softly, “We should talk inside.”

Daniel allowed her to move him back into the room, and he watched as she sat cross-legged on the bed.

“I should go,” Daniel told her.

Sha’re frowned at him, “Running away?”

“If that’s what you want to call it,” he snapped, grimacing at her frown and wincing when he realised that he might wake the little girl in the next room, “Sha’re,” he breathed, sitting beside her, “I’m confused. I’ve been so lost for the last few months trying to work out what I want and where I belong. I am completely different from the man my wife knew, I’ve seen and done things that I could never have imagined back then. There are times I think she wouldn’t recognise me because of all that.”

Sha’re didn’t say a word, simply letting him get this off his chest.

“I’m even more confused now,” he continued, “Because suddenly you’re here and part of me wants to hold on to you tightly while the other wants to be as far away as possible.”

Sighing she whispered, “I know how you feel.”

“You do?”

“Of course I do,” she cried frustrated, “My husband died three years ago protecting me and his daughter. He kissed me and then threw himself out of the ship just as the doors closed to stall those attacking us, because he knew it was the only way we would get to safety.”

Daniel reached out and took her hand.

“I was the one who found his body,” she continued, pain filling her voice, “And all I have to show my daughter who her father was, is the one photograph that his friend gave to me because every record of our lives together was destroyed when the Gre’aks attacked Nagada.”

Daniel hugged her tightly.

“I know you’re not him,” Sha’re whispered, “You are more like O’Neill than my Dan’iel.”

Grimacing Daniel dropped his head.

“But,” Sha’re continued, “Who you are deep inside, who you’ve always been shines through the sharp edges you’ve developed.”

“What do you mean?”

She moved so she was kneeling in front of him, taking his face in her hands, “When you found Kamaya, you looked after her before you knew who she was. You cared for her, assuring her, played games with her just because she needed someone to trust. Proving that you are still the same kind, caring man who I knew and still love so much.”

Sighing, Daniel rested his forehead against hers, “And you are still the most amazing woman I have ever known, who can cut through to the heart of the matter. Who can read me like no other.”

Sliding her arms around him again, she smiled, “We have a very short time together. You can leave if you wish, or you can take the gift we have been given and come back to bed.”

A smile touched his lips before Daniel kissed her once more.

~

Waking once more in a warm cocoon, Daniel could hear voices next to him. He tried to work out who was talking, realising where he was when he heard the little girl giggle. Opening his eyes, Daniel saw the most amazing sight of Sha’re sitting on the bed beside him with Kamaya in her lap getting early morning cuddles from her mother.

Hoping they didn’t notice he was awake, Daniel watched them talk, letting him see that Sha’re was the incredible mother he always knew she would be.

“Shh,” Sha’re whispered when Kamaya let out a loud laugh, “Dan’iel is still sleeping.”

“Why did he sleep here?” Kamaya asked suddenly, “Didn’t he get his own room?”

Daniel closed his eyes, waiting to hear Sha’re explain this to her daughter.

“Well, you had the teddy bear you were given to cuddle while you slept,” Sha’re said, “Daniel stayed so I could cuddle him.”

“My bear,” Kamaya cried, and heard the girl’s feet hit the ground.

Shaking with silent laughter, Daniel winced when Sha’re slapped his arm.

“Stop pretending to sleep,” she said.

“So, I’m a human teddy bear?” he asked, leaning on his elbow and looking up at her.

Sha’re rolled her eyes, “I was not telling her the reasons I actually dragged you into my bed.”

He chuckled, smiling as she kissed him quickly just before Kamaya jumped onto the bed, her teddy bear in her arms. Daniel caught the little girl and hugged her.

                             *********************************************

“Morning, Sir,” John said as he walked into the office where O’Neill was sitting scanning reports and drinking coffee.

“Sheppard,” O’Neill said, “You’re here early.”

John shrugged, “Morning run with Ronon. I thought I’d get a start on the day.”

“Wanted to tidy up before I started looking through things?” O’Neill chuckled.

Chuckling, John took a mug of coffee from the pot, he looked at his commanding officer before asking, “Is there a specific reason you came to Atlantis. Not that I’m saying you’re not welcome, but it seemed odd…”

“I came so that when Sha’re heads home, Daniel has someone to talk to,” O’Neill stated.

John frowned, and decided just to ask, “Why?”

O’Neill turned to him for a second and chuckled slightly, “I forget sometimes you didn’t get a chance to read up on all of this before joining the programme.”

“I was sort of shanghaied,” John reminded him.

O’Neill rolled his eyes, “I gave you a choice. Anyway, Sha’re or the version from this world, was Daniel’s wife. He met her on the first planet we went to through the Stargate, and long story short, she was taken by the Gould and killed a few years later.”

John grimaced as he took this in, “That’s…”

“Is McKay working on the device,” O’Neill said while John was searching for something to say after learning about Jackson’s past.

Relieved to get a way out, John nodded, “He and Zelenka are hoping to fix it so that they can keep the portal open for longer than a few seconds.”

“Good,” O’Neill said before he stood, “I’m heading for breakfast. Once I’m back we’ll put your teams through some training exercises. Keep me entertained while I’m here.”

~

Jack chuckled to himself as he left the office. He had come to Atlantis on a whim, worried about his friend and now had nothing to do while he was here, so torturing Sheppard for a few days would keep him amused.

Walking towards the commissary, he spotted Daniel walking hand in hand with Sha’re with Kamaya holding his other hand. His friend was laughing, looking happier than Jack had seen him in such a long time and he began to worry.

Daniel saw Jack and said something to Sha’re who nodded, taking her daughter’s hand and heading into the commissary.

“How’s things?” Jack asked as nonchalantly as he could.

“Good,” Daniel replied, “We’re heading for breakfast.”

“And what happens when they leave?” Jack’s voice remained soft.

Daniel frowned at him, “What are my choices here, Jack? I could stay away and stare miserably at Sha’re and Kamaya, but I’d rather spend time with them, make some memories.”

Jack winced, “Daniel…”

“Maybe this will let both of us get some closure,” Daniel told him, “We can say goodbye properly.”

“I hope that works for you,” Jack replied.

“You could join us for breakfast,” Daniel suggested.

Jack grinned, “Why not?”

The two men walked into the commissary and chose their breakfast before joining Sha’re and Kamaya at the table. They talked generally for a few minutes before Kamaya wanted to look at the ocean again.

“Come on,” Daniel offered the little girl her hand, “I’ll take you while your mamma finishes her breakfast.”

With a happy grin, Kamaya took his hand and bounced across the room with him.

Jack turned and saw Sha’re watching them wistfully.

“I know you do not approve of this,” Sha’re said when she turned back to him, “That Dan’iel and I are spending this time together.”

“Just worried about how he’ll cope once you leave,” Jack told her honestly.

Sha’re nodded, “I know. I am worried about that too. But,” she stopped him speaking, “Someday, when Kamaya is old enough to understand, I can tell her that the wonderful man she spent time with for those few days is who her father was. That he was kind and loving, that he adored her. I can’t refuse her that knowledge and I also get to remember for a short time what it was like for us both to be with him again.”

Jack grimaced, “I understand that. It’s the same reason he wants to spend time with you.”

“It is a gift, Jack,” Sha’re whispered, “And not just seeing Dan’iel again, but seeing you too. The Jack O’Neill I knew was my husband’s good friend and was always a friend to me. He was a wonderful uncle to Kamaya, and after Dan’iel died was there whenever I needed him.”

Jack stared at her, he’d never thought of that but knew that if they’d rescued Sha’re in this world then he would have done all he could to make her feel comfortable on Earth, to let her know he was there to help.

“That’s nice to know,” Jack replied, “I only briefly knew the Sha’re of this world, even though she saved my life.”

“I find it comforting that you and he are friends here as well,” Sha’re smiled, “And I know that when we leave, you will look after him for me.”

“Always have,” Jack told her, “Always will.”

                             *********************************************

Daniel pressed a goodnight kiss to Kamaya’s forehead before he stepped back to let Sha’re tuck her daughter in. They’d spent the day together, enjoying one another’s company. At one point Teyla had brought her son to meet them for Kamaya to play with and the two kids had a lot of fun running around.

Now with Kamaya asleep, they retired to the other room and Daniel took her hand.

“I used to dream about this,” he whispered, “Spending the day with you just watching our child playing and smiling. I hate we only have tonight left.”

“Don’t think about it,” Sha’re whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck, “Remember that we still have time together.”

Kissing her softly, Daniel smiled.

“Tell me how you met me here?” she said suddenly.

Daniel looked at her confused, “What? Why?”

“Because I told you how I met you in my world,” she reminded him, taking a seat on the bed and motioning him to join her, “It’s only fair.”

Sliding onto the bed beside her, Daniel noted, “The Abydos I knew and the one you know are very different. My Sha’re’s people were under Ra’s thumb until she started a rebellion.”

“Then I am really intrigued to hear how we met here.”

Daniel closed his eyes as he thought back, smiling as he felt Sha’re settle against him, and he began the tale of how everything began for him.

~

“What are you thinking?” Sha’re asked, leaning back on the towel beside the lake drying herself in the sun after their swim.

The trip to the oasis had been her idea to get them out of the city for a while and spend the day together without work getting in their way.

Daniel rolled and leaned on his elbow, “How happy I am getting to spend time with you.” “Well your idea of an exchange was brilliant,” Sha’re chuckled.

Stroking his finger along her arm, Daniel grinned, “I’m glad you think so.”

Sha’re kissed him.

“I love you,” Daniel breathed.

“I love you too,” she replied.

Daniel grinned, “Then marry me.”

“What?” Sha’re sat up and looked down at him trying to work out if she’d heard what he’d said right.

“I want you to marry me,” Daniel told her, sitting up at her side, “I want to live my life with you.”

She stared at him, “But you’re due to leave in two months.”

“We’ll work it out,” Daniel told her, taking her face in his hands, “I love you. Marry me?”

Sha’re laughed slightly and whispered, “Yes.”

~

“That is different from my story,” Sha’re noted amused.

Daniel laughed, “Jack noted that I may have high expectations for meeting someone new considering that.”

“Perhaps,” she smiled, “But you don’t have to think about that just now.”

Sliding onto his lap, Sha’re kissed him and stopping all conversation.

~

“Married?!!!”

Daniel nodded smiling as Jack looked at him both incredulously and annoyed.

“You remember you told me that you weren’t sleeping with her,” Jack snapped, “It was one of the reasons I supported you coming here.”

Looking slightly guilty, Daniel replied, “We were having sex, just not getting any sleep. I answered truthfully to the specific question you asked.”

Annoyance covered Jack’s face, “Damn linguist.”

Daniel shrugged, “Jack, I love her, and we got married last week. Kasuf wanted to wait until we could do a multi-planetary one, but we persuaded him to let us have a small ceremony. Please help me stay with her. I can work for the SGC here just as well as I can on Earth.”

Jack frowned, “You have always been a pain in the ass, you know that, Jackson.”

“It’s been said by many people,” Daniel told him.

“Well, it’s your wife’s problem now,” Jack chuckled, “Let’s go see her so I can both congratulate and commiserate with her.”

~

Daniel watched Sha’re sleep as he lay awake thinking over everything that had happened the past few days, knowing that soon he would be alone again. Being with her made him happier than he had been in many years, and he knew that when she left, he would be left in that black hole of despair he’d lived in after losing his Sha’re. He checked his watch, finding it was still very early, feeling the warmth of Sha’re at his side, he wished that this was not the last time he would ever have this.

Lying awake, simply holding her close, Daniel heard a soft voice coming from the other room where Kamaya was meant to be sleeping. Concerned he slid away from Sha’re, who didn’t wake up she just pulled his pillow to her snuggling down, he dressed before heading to the other room finding Kamaya sitting on her bed with her back against the wall, her teddy bear in her arms.

“Hey,” he breathed, “What are you doing awake?”

She shrugged, “Can’t sleep.”

Daniel looked at her for a moment before he sat on the bed and slid so he was sitting against the wall beside her, “Did you have a bad dream?”

Kamaya shook her head, “I was thinking about going home.”

“You’ll get to go home tomorrow,” Daniel told her.

“But you’re not coming with us,” the little girl whispered sadly, “And I won’t get to see you again.”

Daniel felt his heart break slightly and opened his arms, “Come here.”

Kamaya climbed into his lap and Daniel hugged her tightly.

“No matter where I am,” Daniel told her, “No matter how long passes. I will always love you, Kamaya. Spending this time with you and your mamma has been the best thing ever.”

The little girl leaned against him, “I’m gonna miss you. I wish you were my daddy.”

Tears filled Daniel’s eyes at her words, and he whispered, “So do I.”

“Will you look after my bear when I leave?” Kamaya asked him.

“You can take your bear with you,” Daniel told her, “And every time you hug him, it will be like you’re hugging me.”

Kamaya sniffed.

Daniel held her close, rocking as he felt the little girl becoming heavier leaning against him. Assured she was fast asleep again, Daniel managed to slide her back into bed without waking her. He slid the bear in beside her, and once he was assured that she was tucked in pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Not sure he could return to the bed where Sha’re was sleeping, Daniel sat in the lounge staring into space. Thinking about Kamaya’s wish he thought about going with them, as well as wondering if he could persuade Sha’re to stay with him, despite knowing that was completely impossible.

He pulled out his journal from his bag that was sitting nearby, ripped some pages out and began to write.

About an hour later he finished and, after making sure they were safely put away, sat on the couch again trying to decide what to do.

“I thought we talked about this,” Sha’re’s voice made him turn to where she was walking over to him, wearing his t-shirt, the same as she had the previous night.

“Kamaya was awake,” Daniel told her, smiling as she slid onto his lap and resting his hands on her waist, “She’s sleeping again, so you don’t have to worry.”

“I don’t,” she wrapped her arms around him, “Because she is very like you so I know you will have helped her through whatever woke her up.”

Daniel closed his eyes as she kissed him softly, pulling her close and deepening the kiss.

“Come back to bed,” Sha’re told him, “Don’t waste the time we have together being along.”

Nodding, Daniel took her hand and walked back to the bedroom with her.

[singledarkshade]

A Little Surprise

Part Three

(Part One and Part Two)

“You know,” Janet said as she walked into Daniel’s office, “You really need to wear clothes that fit you more often. You look good in that suit.”

Rolling his eyes as he fought with his tie, Daniel noted, “I like layers, Colorado is too cold.”

Shaking her head, she moved to him and took over fixing his tie, “Looking forward to heading to Abydos then?”

“Other than the warmth,” Daniel smiled, “Yes and no.”

Janet stared at him confused, “Yes, and no?”

“Abydos is an amazing planet. A culture based on Ancient Egypt yet advanced, thanks to technology they found when they destroyed Ra, is incredible,” Daniel told her, “Plus their leader, Kasuf is great and seems to have adopted me but…”

“But?”

Daniel sighed, “Every time we’re on the planet, he mentions his daughter. She is brought up in every conversation we have, and she’s coming tonight. I have a bad feeling he’s trying to set me up with her. I don’t want to insult him.”

Janet laughed, “Well you could do with a little fun in life.”

Shaking his head, Daniel held back his sarcastic reply. He liked Janet, and if they didn’t work together, he would have possibly thought about asking her out but knew never to date someone he worked with. He had learned that lesson the hard way.

“I have fun,” Daniel noted, “I like my work.”

Patting his arm, Janet motioned him out of the room, “You’re expected in the Gateroom now.”

Daniel nodded and grabbed the book he had found to gift to their host before he headed to join the rest of the delegation. Jack chuckled when he saw Daniel appear.

“Just in the nick of time, Dr Jackson,” Jack laughed, “You don’t want to be late.”

Rolling his eyes Daniel moved to join the group as the Stargate opened.

~

Daniel waited as Kasuf and the Abydonian council greeted the Earth delegation, once everyone else had left the room he stepped forward.

“Welcome back, Dan’iel,” Kasuf took his hand, “It is wonderful to see you again.”

“And you,” Daniel said, “I have a gift for you.” Pulling out the small book he had brought with him, Daniel handed it to the older man, “It was written by my father about the part of my world your people came from originally.”

“It is so generous of you to share this with me,” Kasuf told him, “I look forward to reading it. However, before we join everyone, I have someone I want you to meet.”

Daniel grimaced but didn’t get a chance to say anything as the older man motioned for him to stay while he headed into the next room. When Kasuf returned he had a woman with him, Daniel knew this must be the daughter he talked about all the time. The polite greeting he had rehearsed for meeting her slipped away as she turned to look at him and he was caught by her sparkling brown eyes.

“Dan’iel,” Kasuf smiled brightly, “I want you to meet my beautiful, brilliant daughter, Sha’re.”

Sha’re laughed at her father’s introduction, although she was blushing slightly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you finally,” Daniel said softly as he offered his hand to her, “Your father has told me so much about you.”

Taking his hand, Sha’re replied, “And you, Dan’iel.”

“I must attend to our other guests,” Kasuf said suddenly, “I shall leave you in my daughter’s capable hands, but we shall talk later.”

With a smile at them, Kasuf disappeared leaving them alone.

“My apologies,” Sha’re said, “My father…”

“Knows that I hate these things,” Daniel cut her off, “But he did tell me that, as well as how brilliant you are, that you are becoming an amazing diplomat following in his footsteps.”

She chuckled, “We should join that party and, since you know about me, you can tell me about yourself.”

Daniel nodded and offered her his arm. Sha’re gave him a soft smile sliding her arm through his and they headed in to join the rest of the party.

~

Daniel Jackson had never thought he would ever fall in love, never mind fall in love with someone he’d known for about two minutes, but as he sat talking with Sha’re during the dinner, Daniel was smitten.

She was as brilliant as Kasuf had always boasted her to be, but also witty, observant, and sweet. Unlike Daniel who hated these types of formal occasions, she was very comfortable and spoke with the dignitaries with ease.

Once the dinner ended, people began to move into the other room for some entertainment.

“Would you like to see the library, Dan’iel?” Sha’re asked as held back from the other room, “Father told me you have been interested in it.”

He nodded, “I would but I thought it was closed at the moment for renovations.”

She smiled, “As I am now the administrator, not for me.”

Mischief filled her eyes, and she motioned him to follow her. Daniel walked with Sha’re through the corridors, surprised when she stopped him at the door.

“Close your eyes,” she told him.

“I know that trick,” Daniel joked.

Sha’re laughed, and it sounded like golden bells filling the air, “I promise I shall not do anything to harm you. The view is my favourite, and I want you to see it properly. Close your eyes.” She smiled at him again, “Trust me.”

As she held out her hand, Daniel sighed and took it before closing his eyes, “I trust you.”

Sha’re tugged him and he walked forward obediently, stopping when she placed her hand on his arm.

“Open your eyes,” she breathed.

Obeying, Daniel let out a gasp. In front of him was the city of Nagada, with its shining buildings, the pyramid motif everywhere and the sky was a darkening blue with two full moons with the third a crescent between them.

“What do you think of my world?” Sha’re asked from his side.

Daniel smiled, “It’s beautiful.” Turning to her, he found himself saying, “Very beautiful.”

Sha’re stared at him, “You are too kind.”

“Just the truth,” Daniel replied.

He wasn’t sure what he was doing, wasn’t sure why he was even contemplating it because he knew every single reason it was a bad idea. The decision was taken from him, as Sha’re stepped into him, and pressed her lips to his. Daniel hesitated for a brief moment before he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.

~

Sha’re sat at the table in the conference room, not too happy that her daughter was being looked after by someone she didn’t know but Daniel assured her that Dr Beckett was a good man, who Kamaya already knew, and he would take good care of her.

Daniel was sitting at her side, while this universe’s version of O’Neill sat on Daniel’s other side. Watching over his friend as he always did. It was nice to see that no matter what, they were friends.

Finally, the rest of those coming to the meeting arrived and the doors closed.

“Sha’re,” the balding older man said, “I’m Richard Woolsey, the head of Atlantis. Dr Jackson has advised that you feel we all need to hear your story.”

She nodded, drawing on all her training to stay calm, “Thank you, Mr Woolsey.” She took a quick breath and started, “I am not sure how different our worlds are, but my home has been peaceful for many years since we removed the Goa’uld.”

“How long ago did you get rid of ol’ Ra?” Jack asked.

Sha’re smiled, “About a thousand years ago. I am the direct descendant of those who started the rebellion.”

Daniel chuckled softly and she turned to him questioningly.

“Here, you’re the one who started the rebellion,” Daniel told her, pride in his eyes at the memory.

“About ten years ago, my people made contact with the Tauri,” Sha’re continued her story, “I met my Dan’iel a few years later, after my father insisted that we met. We were happy,” she said softly, pain filling her voice, “And then the Gre’aks invaded us.”

“The Graks?” Jack asked.

She laughed sadly, “You never did pronounce it properly. They are creatures that absorb energy. And for some reason they wanted to destroy us. Both Earth and Abydos were targeted,” she paused, “My husband died protecting myself and Kamaya, my version of Jack O’Neill died a year later ensuring that we all survived.”

“How did you end up here?” Rodney asked.

“And how is there Abydonian symbols on a planet so far away from your own, in another universe?” Daniel spoke up.

Sha’re turned to him, “Our scientists, they have been trying to find a way to stop the Gre’aks and we finally found a way. The cavern where we first met, has a specific harmonic frequency that we found a way to connect to and were planning on using to create an energy wave that will return them to where they belong.”

“Is that here?” Sheppard demanded.

“No,” Sha’re assured, “They came from another universe, but we need the cavern’s unique minerals to focus the energy wave.”

Rodney groaned, “Which is why I found an energy signal?”

Sha’re nodded, “It was a test, the symbols came from the initial test. It is a brand of sorts, connecting our worlds. Your machine interfered with it and opened a portal we didn’t know existed. Kamaya was close to it when it opened and fell through. It is why we did another test in the hope you would do the same so I could come here to find her.”

“When is the real thing meant to happen?” Jack asked.

“It was meant to happen tomorrow,” Sha’re replied, “But it cannot until Kamaya and I return home. We need the machine you used to reopen the portal back. They will try in three days to activate it to bring us back.”

Woolsey turned to Rodney, “Can you fix it in time?”

Rodney nodded, “Of course. Though if those Grak things attack then we could be in trouble.”

“I know the energy frequency that they use,” Sha’re assured him, “I will provide you with all the details as that should allow you a way to protect yourselves from them.”

“Excellent. We shall return you and your daughter in three days,” Woolsey told her, “Until then you are more than welcome here in Atlantis.”

                             *********************************************

Sha’re let out a sigh of contentment as she curled against Daniel’s shoulder, while she drew patterns on his bare chest.

“We probably shouldn’t have let that happen,” Daniel murmured, his fingers sliding through her curls, “Again.”

“I know,” she murmured, “But it was fun.”

“It always is,” he replied.

Sha’re laughed again, “My father constantly talked about you from the moment he first met you. You made quite an impression on him.”

“Every time I’ve been here,” Daniel breathed, “He tells me all about his amazing daughter. I half expected you to float everywhere when we met the first time. He’s so proud of you.”

She giggled before sliding up to kiss him again.

“I thought that you were someone my father was trying to match me up with,” she told him, “He wants me to marry and give him grandchildren. But everyone he has introduced me to, I have never liked.”

Daniel chuckled, “I’m really hoping I’m the exception.”

She moved to lie on him, feeling Daniel wrap his arms around her waist, as her long hair fell around his face.

“You are. I never expected to like you, even a little,” Sha’re breathed, “But from the moment we met…”

“I know what you mean,” Daniel whispered. He sighed, “I wish I wasn’t leaving soon but they never let me stay as long as I would like.”

Sha’re nodded, “I know. We shouldn’t have let this happen, but I couldn’t resist.”

“Really?”

Smacking his shoulder at his smirk.

“You are amazing,” Daniel told her, “Why would you want to spend time with me?”

Sha’re whispered, “I don’t just take anyone into my bed. Only those who are smart, kind, with eyes like the sky.”

Daniel kissed her once more, rolling them to indulge in their closeness before he got the call to leave. He pulled back suddenly and smiled.

“You have an idea,” Sha’re said, wrapping her arms around his neck, “Tell me.”

He kissed her, “I think I know how I can stay for more than just a short visit.”

~

“Daniel,” Kamaya waved him over to where she was sitting with Sha’re having dinner.

Smiling he walked over with his meal and took the seat at the little girl’s side.

“I heard you had fun with Dr Beckett,” Daniel said.

Kamaya grinned at him, “He’s funny and told me lots of stories. Then we made puppets.”

“Wow,” Daniel said, “That sounds great fun.”

“The room we have been given is very comfortable,” Sha’re told him, “Kamaya is decorating it with pictures while we’re here.”

Daniel smiled, “I hope to see them.”

“You can after dinner,” Kamaya said, “Can’t he, Mamma.”

“Of course, my dear one,” Sha’re replied, smiling up at Daniel.

Daniel gave her a quick smile back before he started to eat. They talked very generally, mostly Kamaya told him stories about her friends and family.

“Can I get a cake?” Kamaya asked when they finished eating and Daniel had returned their trays.

“Not tonight,” Sha’re told her, holding up her hand when Kamaya petted her lip and looked like she was about to cry, “Dan’iel told me that you had one with lunch. You know the rule.”

Kamaya frowned, “Yes, mamma.”

“Why don’t we go for a walk?” Daniel suggested, “Rodney told me there is a meteor shower tonight we can watch.”

“Can we, Mamma?”

Sha’re nodded, “That sound likes a wonderful idea.”

~

Daniel laughed as Kamaya bounced while she held his and Sha’re’s hands as they walked slowly through the corridors of Atlantis. Rodney had told him which balcony they should sit at to watch the meteor shower. They reached the balcony, finding that there was a couch big enough for the three of them set on it. Kamaya instantly took the seat in the middle, Sha’re sitting on one side while Daniel found a small bag sitting on the floor in the corner.

“What is that?” Sha’re asked.

“I think Rodney left us some snacks,” Daniel said, finding a note and chuckling, “Or more accurately, Teyla did. Along with something for Kamaya.”

He smiled as he brought out the teddy bear. Kamaya let out a cry of delight taking the furry toy and hugging it tightly.

“That was kind of her,” Sha’re said, watching her daughter cuddle her new friend, “But as we have just had dinner then we should leave the snacks until later.”

Daniel nodded, “What about some juice?”

“That is a good idea,” Sha’re replied.

Handing out the juice, Daniel took the free seat on the other side of Kamaya, and they waited for the show to begin. As the sky darkened and it became easier to see the streaks of light, Daniel glanced to his side and watched the little girl cuddled close to her mother.

He used to imagine this. The woman he loved and adored, giving him a child who he could cherish with her. It was a dream that had been stolen from him when she had.

A dream he rarely dared think of again after that horrible day.

Sha’re glanced at him and saw his wistful expression, her eyes filled with sadness as she gently rubbed Kamaya’s back, while the little girl oohhed and aahhed at the lights in the sky.

~

Daniel carried the now sleeping Kamaya back to the rooms she was sharing with Sha’re, the little girl had succumbed to sleep about twenty minutes before, cuddled up to her mother as they watched the meteor shower for a little longer.

“Mamma,” Kamaya murmured when Daniel rested her on the bed.

“It’s alright, little one,” Sha’re soothed as she gently stroked her daughter’s hair and slid the teddy bear in beside her, “Go to sleep. Dream sweetly.”

Cuddling her toy, Kamaya sighed as Sha’re covered her before pressing a soft kiss to her hair. As she stepped back, Daniel crouched down and added a kiss to Kamaya’s hair before he left the room quickly.

“Dan’iel,” Sha’re caught him just before he reached the door of the apartment, “Wait.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, “I’m sorry. I thought I could do this. I thought I could…I thought I…” he trailed off.

Sha’re slid her arms around him, holding him tightly, “I know.”

“She was my world,” Daniel whispered as he wrapped his arms around her, “And I see you here with this amazing little girl that we should have had. I know you lost your husband, and Kamaya lost her father. I know I’m being selfish…”

“Stop,” Sha’re cut him off, “You are allowed to be sad, to be angry for all you lost. I am. If you want,” she pulled back and rested her hand on his cheek, “You can leave. I’m not holding you to anything. You don’t have to stay with us.”

Daniel let out a soft laugh, “Why are you always the voice of reason? How are you always able to read my mind?”

“Because as smart as you are,” Sha’re teased, “And even in a different universe, I know you, Dan’iel Jackson. You are kind, considerate, your mind is always so busy, and you love with your whole heart.”

Without thinking, Daniel kissed her.

~

“An exchange?”

Daniel nodded, “The Abydonians are an advanced society who we can learn a lot from. I’m suggesting that they send someone here while we send someone there to spend a few months uninterrupted.”

Jack folded his arms as Hammond mused over Daniel’s proposal.

“It’s an interesting idea, Dr Jackson,” Hammond told him, “Do you know if the Abydonians are willing to participate.”

Daniel nodded, “I spoke to Kasuf before I left after our last visit. He agreed it was a good idea.”

“I’ll speak with my superiors,” Hammond replied before asking, “Do you know who we would send?”

“I’m hoping it would be me,” Daniel told him, “Their world is connected to my field, not to mention I have become close to Kasuf.”

Hammond glanced at Jack who grimaced but shrugged.

“I will give you an answer as soon as possible,” Hammond said effectively dismissing them.

Daniel nodded leaving the office, wincing when Jack caught up to him and grabbed his arm.

“You want to leave?”

“I want to spend more time learning from the Abydonians,” Daniel said, “There is so much that I can learn which doesn’t happen when I get pulled away after a few hours.”

Jack stared at him before asking, “Is this about his daughter?”

Daniel stiffened slightly before replying as nonchalantly as he could, “Of course not.”

“You’re telling me that you’re not sleeping with her?”

“Jack,” Daniel grimaced before stating, “I’m not sleeping with her.” Walking away and out of the other man’s hearing, Daniel added, “That would imply she lets me sleep.”

[singledarkshade]

A Little Surprise

Part Two

(Part One can be found here)

The little girl who fell out the light, tried to hide in the corner. She looked to be about three, maybe four years old, with long dark hair and eyes.

“Hello,” Teyla said softly to the scared little girl, taking the lead and motioning the four men to stay back, “It’s okay, you’re safe, I promise.”

“Mamma!!” the little girl called fearfully, “Mamma!!”

Teyla took a small step closer and crouched down, “We’ll find your Mamma, but you’re hurt little one. Let me help you.”

The girl looked down at the blood on her knees and said something Teyla couldn’t understand, but she heard a gasp from behind her that she guessed was Dr Jackson. It didn’t sound like the others in her team.

“Let me try,” Daniel said softly.

He crouched down next to Teyla and motioned her to move away.

She hesitated not sure if it was the best idea. Daniel was a nice person, but he was also tall and a lot fitter than the other scientists she knew, he possibly would intimidate the girl.

“Trust me,” he breathed, “I can talk to her.”

Teyla nodded and stepped back.

~

Daniel looked at the little girl curled in the corner. She had thick curly black hair, he’d briefly seen her dark eyes while her skin held a light tan reminding him of Sha’re, and it made him wonder how their child would have looked, before he pushed the thought from his mind to focus on the little girl in front of him.

“Hello,” he said softly in Abydonian, the same language she had spoken, “I know you’re scared but there’s nothing to be scared of.”

The girl’s head came up slowly and she glanced at him before hiding, then she looked up at him again.

“You have eyes like my daddy had,” she told him, a sweet smile on her face, “Mamma showed me his picture once.”

Daniel smiled, “Then I’m lucky to look like someone you love. I need you to come with me so our doctor can make sure you’re not hurt badly. While we do that, my friends will look for your mamma. Okay?”

The girl thought about it for a moment before she nodded, “Okay.”

“What’s your name?” Daniel asked.

“Kamaya.”

Daniel smiled, “Hello, Kamaya. I’m Daniel.”

He stood and offered her his hand. When she took it, he could feel her trembling, so lifted her up into his arms. Kamaya wrapped her arms around Daniel’s neck and her legs around his waist, leaning against his shoulder while she looked at the Atlantis team warily.

“These are my friends,” Daniel told her, “That’s Teyla, John, Rodney and Ronon.”

Kamaya briefly waved at them before clinging to Daniel again.

“Okay,” Daniel said, “I’m taking her back to Atlantis. Who has the GDO?”

“I’ll come with you,” Ronon said.

Daniel asked, “Can you grab my things?”

Ronon nodded and picked up Daniel’s notes, pack and jacket before following Daniel and Kamaya upstairs to the Stargate.

Daniel paused when they reached the Gate and turned to Ronon, “Give me my jacket.”

Confused the other man did so, nodding in understanding when Daniel wrapped it around the little girl, helping tuck it around her.

“Ready?” Ronon asked.

“We are,” Daniel smiled at the little girl who was cuddled against his shoulder.

Ronon dialled Atlantis, sent the signal and nodded to Daniel they could enter the Gate.

“This might be a little cold,” Daniel told Kamaya, “But it’ll be over in a second.”

He felt her nod against his shoulder and holding her tightly walked through.

~

Kamaya sat on the bed in the infirmary watching the doctor with a grimace on her face.

“I’m not sick,” she declared.

Daniel chuckled slightly from his seat at her side before reminding her, “But your leg is hurt. Dr Beckett just wants to make sure it’s not hurt too badly.”

“And if you’re good,” Carson said, “I’m sure Daniel here will let you have a treat after lunch.”

Kamaya turned to him hopefully and Daniel smiled, “Only if you let Dr Beckett check you.”

She turned to Carson and said, “You can make sure I’m not hurt.”

“Why, thank you, wee one,” Carson smiled, “And when your mum gets here, we will let her know what a good girl you’ve been.”

Kamaya beamed at him and Carson did a quick check. Thankfully the blood on her leg was only due to a scratch and Carson put a bright pink band aid across the scrape.

“When is my mamma coming?” Kamaya asked Daniel when Carson left to deal with his next patient.

“I’m sure she’ll be here soon,” Daniel told her, “Until she does, I’m going to look after you. Okay?”

Kamaya nodded.

“Then why don’t we go get lunch,” Daniel held out his hand.

The little girl took his hand and, with his help, hopped off the bed. Leading her to the commissary, he winced when the little girl slipped from his grasp and ran onto one of the balconies.

“Kamaya,” he called worriedly, catching her, “Don’t run away.”

“It’s so pretty,” the girl whispered as she stared at the city, the sun glinting off the crystalline structure before her.

Kneeling beside her, Daniel smiled, “I know.”

Kamaya turned to him and suddenly asked, “Do you have a little boy or girl?”

Daniel hesitated for a moment before he replied, “I have a son. But I don’t get to see him. He lives far away and doesn’t need me to look after him anymore.”

“Do you miss him?”

Nodding, Daniel whispered, “Every day. But,” he continued before Kamaya could get upset, “He is where he needs to be, and I am very proud of him.”

Kamaya suddenly hugged him, “Don’t be sad.”

“Thank you, Kamaya,” Daniel hugged her back, “That is so nice of you. I’m not sad, not with you here.”

The little girl gave him another beaming smile.

“Come on,” Daniel stood and offered her his hand once more, “Let’s get some lunch. And if you eat it all up, then you can have one of the cakes. Deal?”

“Deal.”

                             *********************************************

John leaned against the wall and watched Rodney, along with Zelenka who had been called in for help, working on the machine to see if they could work out what had happened and where Kamaya had come from.

“Rodney,” Radek called suddenly, “I’m getting an energy surge.”

“I see it,” Rodney noted, “It’s just like the one we had before the kid appeared.”

John glanced at Teyla worriedly, “What does that mean?”

“I’ve no idea,” Rodney snapped, “I don’t know what happened earlier and since Daniel took the kid away, we can’t ask her.”

“She is a child and very scared,” Teyla reminded him.

Rolling his eyes, Rodney noted, “I know but she might have given us something.”

“We can ask Daniel to speak to her,” John said, “But right now, work out what’s happening.”

Before they could say anything else, a bright light appeared from the same door as before. A woman with dark hair and features similar to Kamaya appeared, a weapon in her hand she aimed at them.

“Where is my daughter?” she demanded.

Before anyone could say anything, an energy spike came from the portal she had walked through. John grabbed the woman, pulling her out of the way as Rodney’s machine exploded.

Letting the woman up, John stood and held up his hands to calm her.

“Your daughter is in our base,” he told her, “Since we didn’t know where she’d come from then one of our people took her there for safety.”

“Take me to her,” the woman stated, her gun coming up once more.

Teyla stepped forward, “We shall. I know you are afraid for her, but she is safe. You must put your weapon away.”

The woman hesitated before handing the weapon to Teyla who handed it to John.

“McKay, Zelenka,” John said, “Work out what happened. Teyla and I will head back to base with our new friend to reunite her with her daughter.”

~

Daniel laughed as Kamaya danced in celebration. He’d found the deck of cards in the commissary and decided to entertain the little girl with a game. It was a memory game where they had to find the pairs. Kamaya was extremely good at remembering where the cards were. As well as dancing when she found a pair, she clapped whenever Daniel found one.

The small table in front of them was almost clear of cards and Daniel was wishing he’d sat on the couch rather than on the ground as his legs were beginning to protest, but he wanted to be close to Kamaya’s height while they played.

“Dr Jackson,” Amelia, the Gate tech said suddenly in his ear, “Colonel Sheppard and Teyla found Kamaya’s mother, they’ll bring her to the room once Dr Beckett checks her out.”

“Thank you,” he said softly.

“It’s your turn,” Kamaya told him.

Daniel nodded, “I’m thinking,” he gave her a grin, and found another pair.

Kamaya clapped happily, then found the next pair. Daniel laughed when she gave her little dance again. He heard the door behind him open and Kamaya let out a delighted squeal.

“Mamma,” she scrambled round the table and to her mother.

Grabbing a drink of water quickly, Daniel unfolded himself and stood. Turning he saw Kamaya being hugged tightly by her mother, the woman’s long black hair covered her face as she held her daughter close.

Daniel was about to say hello, when the woman looked up and Daniel felt the glass slip from his suddenly lax fingers, falling to the ground.

“Sha’re?” he breathed stunned.

Holding her daughter to her, his wife’s doppelganger whispered, “Dan’iel?”

“Mamma,” Kamaya said, “Daniel made sure I wasn’t hurt, and we had lunch, and we’re playing a game.”

Daniel didn’t hear the reply as he walked out the room, trying to stop his swirling chaotic thoughts. He found a set of stairs and sank down on them, resting his head in his hands.

“Jackson?” Sheppard’s voice worried voice came, “Jackson, talk to me.”

Taking a slow deep breath, Daniel whispered, “I just need a minute.”

“Dr Jackson,” Amelia’s voice came again, “The Gate is open to Earth for the monthly report. If you’re free now, General O’Neill wishes to speak to you.”

“I’m coming,” Daniel said, because Jack would be able to help him focus, Jack would know what to do.

He brushed past Sheppard and made it to the control room.

Amelia waved him over and handed him a headset, “Here, you can use the station at the back.”

Daniel took the headset and found the slightly secluded station, “Jack?”

“Hey,” his friend greeted cheerfully, “I was coming to see you this weekend, to check in and see how you were doing. Found out you were in Atlantis now and you’ve found a kid.”

“Yes,” he said softly, “It’s a long story but…”

“But?” concern filled his friend’s voice.

Daniel took a breath before saying, “Her mother is Sha’re.”

“Okay,” Jack replied, “Wait a minute.”

Confused as the line disconnected, Daniel rubbed his eyes looking up when he heard Jack’s voice call his name only this time…

“What are you doing here?” Daniel demanded as he headed down the stairs to where Jack had appeared through the Stargate.

Jack shrugged, “Thought I’d come for a visit.”

A smile of relief touched Daniel’s lips, “Thank you.”

“Tell me what happened,” Jack said, moving Daniel out of the room, glancing back at Sheppard who was looking panicked at Jack’s appearance, “We’ll catch up later.”

                             *********************************************

Sha’re felt relief fill her to see her daughter, hugging her tightly for a few seconds, she knew she had to thank the man who had been caring for her child. Looking up she saw the last person she thought she ever would again, the glass he held fell to the ground and water spilling everywhere as he whispered her name.

“Dan’iel,” she breathed, stunned to see him but so aware of how different he looked to the man she had known and loved.

Before she could say anything else, he walked out the room.

“Mamma,” Kamaya pulled her attention back to her, “Where has Daniel gone?”

“Daniel has some things to do,” the woman who had escorted her to the room said as she picked up the glass and cleaning up the water, “He’ll be back soon.”

“Okay, Teyla,” Kamaya said but looked slightly annoyed.

Sha’re smiled at Teyla before saying to her daughter, “Perhaps we can get some art supplies, and you can make thank you cards to our new friends for looking after you.”

Kamaya nodded excitedly.

“I think I can arrange that,” Teyla smiled, “Give me a few minutes.”

Teyla spoke over her radio to someone and about ten minutes later, a man appeared at the door with paper and coloured pens. Sha’re sat watching her daughter as she knelt at the table colouring in a picture of the Stargate she had drawn for Daniel’s card. As always, nothing fazed her baby girl, and Kamaya was relaxed in this incredible city.

The door opened again and Sha’re licked her suddenly dry lips seeing Daniel walk in along with another familiar figure.

“You look like my daddy’s friend, Jack,” Kamaya said to the new man, “But you have grey hair, his hair was brown.”

Daniel chuckled softly at this, he glanced at his friend before saying, “His name is Jack too. Jack, this is Kamaya.”

“How’d you do, Kamaya,” Jack shook the little girl’s hand, “What are you doing?”

“Making cards,” she pulled him over to look at them.

While Jack sat on the couch next to Kamaya, Daniel touched Sha’re’s arm, “Can we talk?”

~

Daniel took several deep breaths as he stepped out onto the balcony, waiting for Sha’re to join him before he closed the door.

“She’ll be fine with Jack and Teyla,” Daniel said when Sha’re looked back at her daughter.

Sha’re nodded before she moved to stand just against the wall as far away from him as possible.

“I’m sorry I didn’t react very well to seeing you,” Daniel said softly, “But…”

“The version you knew of me is dead,” Sha’re finished for him, “Just like the version I knew of you is.”

Daniel sighed, “I’m sorry.” They stood in silence for a few moments before he asked, “How did you get here?”

Sha’re shook her head, “That is a long story, and one I feel will need to be heard by whoever is in charge.”

“I guess so,” Daniel replied, “And you’ll have to leave here soon.”

“I have to take Kamaya home,” Sha’re told him, “But the machine that your people were using will need to be repaired for us to return. Until then, we are here.”

Daniel slid down the wall to sit and asked, “Can I spend time with her? I know I’m not her father, but she is the child I could have had.”

Sha’re sat at his side, “I think that would be nice. She likes you.”

“She told me that my eyes were like her daddy’s,” Daniel said, “Am I really that different to him that she didn’t recognise me?”

“Due to what happened, which I will explain to everyone, I only have one picture of my husband,” Sha’re explained, “Your hair is much shorter, and you are slightly…”

“What?”

“Harder,” she whispered, “Sharper. Also, older. She’s a child and only knows her father from one picture. I can still see the man I married in your face, but he is a shadow in your features.”

Turning to look at her, Daniel stared at this version of the woman he had loved for so many years and had lost so long ago. Caught by her eyes, Daniel found himself leaning closer as Sha’re moved to him and their lips touched.

The kiss was soft, almost chaste and Daniel pulled back reluctantly because he knew it was a bad idea.

“Sorry,” he whispered, aware of how close they still were.

“Don’t be,” Sha’re replied softly, “I fell into the same trap.”

Daniel stood and helped her stand, “We should get everyone together and you can tell us your story.”

Sha’re rested her hand on his cheek, “If she was like me even a tiny amount, she loved you beyond words. I promise you.”

“And he loved you, more than he even knew was possible,” Daniel replied, his forehead resting against hers.

She placed a very soft kiss onto his lips again before she headed back inside leaving Daniel standing.

[singledarkshade]

A Little Surprise

Summary: Trying to decide where his future lies, Daniel takes an unexpected trip to Atlantis where writing that shouldn't be, from a people who no longer exist, appears on a planet with a strange energy signal. A reminder of his past, and all he lost, that could bring him closure or something more.

Author’s Note: All parts are written for this. Hope you enjoy.

Part One

Daniel walked through the corridors of the SGC, heading to the infirmary for the post-mission medical ignoring Vala and tuning out her cheerful chatter as Mitchell walked just in front of them.

It had been a long day, and he was tired. Not just after the mission but at everything these days. As much as he liked making discoveries, he no longer loved it the way he once did. Even his trip to Atlantis a few months before hadn’t given him the same thrill he expected it would.

He was hoping that Jack would agree to have him visit where he could make a few decisions on what he wanted to do next.

He ignored the other members of his team when he was released from the doctor’s care and headed to his office to catch up on the work his department were doing that needed to be looked at by him.

Getting himself set up with a mug of coffee, Daniel sat in front of his computer to work, stopping as he caught sight of Sha’re’s photograph. It was the only tangible reminder he had of what she looked like, the only thing he had to assure him that she had been real.

He sometimes felt that the year on Abydos had been a dream, nothing more than an exquisite fantasy, and that the woman he had loved there only existed in his mind.

Shaking himself, Daniel started to work through his inbox.

~

Daniel stepped out of the taxi and smiled to see his friend standing there, a mug in his hand and a smirk on his face.

“You’re later than I expected,” Jack noted as he led Daniel inside.

“Got caught up with SG5,” Daniel explained, dropping his bag beside the couch and taking a seat, “So I had to get a later flight.”

“You know I can…”

“I’m not having you use your position to get me transported,” Daniel told him, “Especially when I like the flight.”

Jack rolled his eyes, “No one likes to fly commercial.”

“It gives me time to think without someone coming in demanding my attention,” Daniel explained.

Jack handed him a mug of coffee, “So, what brings you here today?”

“Time of year,” Daniel replied softly.

Jack nodded, not needing any further explanation. He remembered the day so well over a decade later, and how he worried that Daniel would leave when his reason for being at the SGC was gone.

Daniel continued, “Just needed to get away from the base and…”

“The rest of SG1?”

Daniel sighed, “They’re still excited by what we do.”

“And you’re not?”

Daniel saw Jack grimace when he didn’t reply. Finally, Daniel said softly, “I’m just not as excited by it all as I used to be.”

“You’re looking to go to Atlantis again?”

“I don’t know what I want to do,” Daniel confessed, “But I want more than I have. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

“You don’t have to be,” Jack reminded him.

Daniel rolled his eyes, “How? And do not mention anyone I work with because I don’t want to settle for someone because they’re within proximity. I tried that once and the outcome was not good.”

Jack shrugged.

Daniel sighed, “It’s been so many years since I lost Sha’re and if I do meet someone new, I want the reason I’m with them to be more than they’re there. I met Sha’re on another planet.”

“I hate to point out that your expectations are a bit high,” Jack told him, “Your first meeting with Sha’re was a little unusual.”

Daniel laughed with a fond smile at the memory, “That’s one word for it.”

“I guess that’s one of the reasons you’re visiting,” Jack noted, “Breathing space.”

Relieved his friend understood, Daniel nodded.

“Well, you know you’re welcome here as long as you want,” Jack told him before amending, “Or before we drive each other completely crazy. Dump your stuff in your room and we’ll go get some dinner.”

~

Returning to the SGC two weeks later, surprisingly having not got to the stage where he wanted to smother his best friend, Daniel headed to his office to catch up on what he’d missed while on vacation.

He knew that the other members of his team were offworld at the moment with SG4, which meant he would have peace to catch up. About an hour into trawling through his emails, his phone rang. Daniel sighed and grabbed it.

“Jackson.”

“General Landry would like to see you as soon as possible,” Walter stated.

“I’ll be right there,” Daniel sighed.

Locking his computer, Daniel left his office and headed up the General’s. He wondered why he was needed and hoped it was just something quick. He wasn’t in the mood for something exciting. All he wanted to do was catch up on his paperwork then translate a few things where he could lose himself in the words.

“Dr Jackson,” Landry greeted him.

“You wanted to see me,” Daniel said as he took the offered seat.

Landry nodded, “How was your leave?”

“My vacation was good,” Daniel replied, seeing Landry grimace ever so slightly at the subtle but specific reminder of Daniel’s non-military status, “And I made it through it without wanting to strangle Jack.”

Landry chuckled, “A feat in itself.”

Daniel shrugged.

“I know you’re trying to catch up right now,” Landry continued, “But your presence has been requested on Atlantis.”

“Why?”

“They’ve found some writing that their linguists are having issues translating and feel you would be able to assist them.”

Daniel frowned, “Can’t they send the pictures here?”

Landry stared at him confused, Daniel had wanted to go to Atlantis since the other man had taken command.

“Apparently not,” Landry replied, “It was the first thing I asked. There is some kind of electrical signal that is stopping them from using any camera or recording equipment being used around it.”

Daniel sighed, “I will go home and pack a bag. When am I due to leave?”

“We’ll open the Gate as soon as you’re back,” Landry told him.

With a nod, Daniel left the room and headed to the locker room to change.

                             *********************************************

“Welcome back to Atlantis, Dr Jackson,” Woolsey greeted Daniel as he walked through the Stargate.

“It’s nice to be here,” Daniel lied.

“Dr McKay insists that you join them as soon as you get here,” Woolsey told him, “But I thought you might want to settle in first.”

Daniel shook his head, “I’d rather get to work.”

Woolsey nodded, “I’ll have someone put your bag in your room, and you can head to the planet. Colonel Sheppard is waiting for you.”

Daniel pulled out his tools and notebook before handing the bag to Woolsey, he waited for the Stargate to open and walked through finding Sheppard standing there with a planet that looked so familiar just behind him.

“It’s a desert,” he breathed, an ache for home appearing from nowhere.

Sheppard nodded mistaking Daniel’s pause as concern about the environment, “We’re heading down inside the building we’re in, so no worries about the sand.”

With a final glance at the desert outside, Daniel followed the other man through the door behind the Stargate, and down the stairs to a large open room that had three other doors on the opposite side, that all looked to be sealed.

“Good,” Rodney stated, “It’s about time you got here.”

“Hello to you too,” Daniel replied as Sheppard nudged the scientist with his foot.

Rodney glanced up at Sheppard annoyed and Daniel watched the two men have a silent discussion before Rodney turned to Daniel again, “Hi.”

“Hi,” Daniel smiled amused before asking, “What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to work out what and where the energy is coming from,” Rodney explained, “But it makes absolutely no sense.”

“And I can’t help with that,” Daniel noted.

A chuckle came from Teyla who forced the smile off her face when Rodney looked at her.

“The writing you need to look at is over there,” Rodney waved him over to the three doors.

Daniel quickly studied the markings around the doorway to check which language they were in, frowning at what he saw.

“Is something wrong, Dr Jackson?” Teyla appeared at his side.

“Is this a joke?” he demanded.

Teyla looked at him confused, “I’m sorry.”

“Did one of your people put this here?” Daniel snapped, stepping back from the walls.

“Why would you think that?” she asked.

Daniel turned to her, “Because this can’t be here. This language can’t be here. Who looked at this before me?”

“Dr Pendeford,” Ronon stated, joining them clearly not happy at Daniel’s interrogation of Teyla.

“Well, he has no sense of humour,” Daniel grimaced, “And he’s the only member of the archaeology and linguistics department that saw this?”

They nodded.

“This is impossible,” Daniel breathed, stepping closer again.

“Why?” Ronon demanded.

Daniel turned to him, “Because the people who wrote this are not only from my part of the galaxy but have all been dead for several years.”

“Who were they?” Teyla asked.

“My family.”

                             *********************************************

“Here, Daniel,” Teyla handed him a water cannister about an hour later as he sat by the second door gently brushing dirt away, “You need to drink.”

Looking up from the small workstation he’d created, Daniel took the water gratefully, “Thank you.”

“How are you coming with your translation?” she asked, settling down at his side concerned for the man. Teyla had seen the deep anguish in his eyes when he saw the writing and hoped that whatever was there was something that eased the grief he carried.

“It’s confusing,” Daniel told her, “It’s talking about gateways, portals but I don’t think it’s about the Stargate.”

“What did you mean that those who used this language were your family?” she queried softly, hoping he wouldn’t mind her question.

Daniel closed his eyes for a moment before saying, “The first time we opened the Stargate on Earth was to a planet called Abydos. While I was there, during a lot of crazy things that happened, I met Sha’re. After a rather intense few days, we married, and I stayed there for a year until the Goa’uld came and I lost her.”

“I am so sorry,” Teyla said.

“It was many years ago,” Daniel told her.

Teyla tilted her head slightly, “But you still feel the loss.”

“Anyway, several years later the entire planet was destroyed,” Daniel continued, keeping his eyes averted from her, “Although the language is similar to Goa’uld, there are differences. I’m just confused by how and why the writing is here.”

Teyla mused for a moment before replying, “Perhaps the full translation will help you understand the reason it is.”

Daniel smiled at her, “That’s a good point.”

She gave him a quick nod and left the cannister for him before she headed to check on Rodney.

~

Daniel frowned as a shadow crossed over him, blocking out the light. Turning he saw Ronon towering above him.

“We’re heading back for the night,” he told him, “Sheppard told me to tell you to get your things together.”

For a moment, Daniel thought about telling them to let him stay before he decided against it, plus now he’d been distracted, he was actually hungry as well as a little stiff.

Gathering up his tools and notes, Daniel stood stretching, wincing at the cracks he could hear in his back. He could see the rest of the team helping Rodney put things away before they headed back up the stairs with Daniel following on.

Once through the obligatory medical check, Daniel headed to his room. Once there he decided to have a shower to get all the dust and sand out of his hair, changed into clean clothes then headed to get something to eat.

In the commissary, Daniel chose his meal and found an empty table in the corner which gave him a view of the sun setting over the water. Despite his two weeks with Jack thinking over everything, Daniel still wasn’t sure what he wanted to do going forward. There wasn’t that many choices for him. He could stay in the SGC, come to Atlantis full time or get assigned to one of the ships where he would have very little to do.

He had been thinking of trying to meet someone, to maybe try to find something close to what he had once had with his wife, but it wasn’t easy.

As Jack pointed out, considering how he’d met Sha’re, his expectations were possibly a little high for finding someone. Vala kept making comments about them being together, but he just didn’t like her in that way, she annoyed him too much for him to think of her as a partner.

It wasn’t that he and Sha’re hadn’t argued, they had but she also complimented his personality, and they made each other better. He felt safe to be himself with her. Vala just irritated him, and he knew that if he did start a relationship with her, it would end in misery for both of them.

Picking at his food, Daniel sighed.

He missed feeling truly happy. He missed his home and family. He missed waking up in the morning to the warmth of his other half cuddled close to him. He missed so much that he had lost and wondered why he was the one who always survived.

He was pulled out of his gloomy thoughts as Sheppard and Teyla sat beside him.

“Do you mind us joining you?” Teyla asked.

Daniel shook his head, he liked Teyla. She reminded him of Nadi, one of Sha’re’s closest friends.

“Good,” Sheppard said, “Because Cadman is back on Atlantis and McKay will bitch about her return. One more person will help drown him out.”

Daniel chuckled, before he frowned and asked, “Who is Cadman and why is Rodney not happy about her?”

Teyla and Sheppard shared a grin before Sheppard turned to him, “Okay…”

                             *********************************************

The alarm on his watch buzzing forced Daniel out of his sleep, he automatically hit the snooze button. Still caught up in his dreams, he rolled to one side and reached out, stalling as he found only cold sheets. It was strange. After he’d descended, he’d started sleeping across the full bed, but recently he’d been leaving one side free for his wife to slide in beside him again.

Except she wouldn’t.

Unbidden, the memory of her lying on the morgue table came to mind. Cold like marble, the fire that had initially drawn him to her extinguished.

Turning over, pulling the other pillow to him, Daniel thought back. He would never forget the first time they kissed.

Hiding away in the caves after escaping from Ra, Daniel followed her when he discovered that everyone believed them to be married. Realising she felt he’d rejected her, and she was too embarrassed to tell anyone they hadn’t done what everyone expected them to, Daniel needed her to know that she was desired. She had been surprised by his kiss, but after a moment she relaxed into him and her arms slid around his neck pulling him closer. That was the first night he'd slept with her at his side, they’d only slept but Daniel felt like he’d found where he was meant to be. And who he was meant to be with.

Even if it took her dying in front of him for him to accept it.

“Your mind is always turning, my Dan’iel,” he heard her voice whisper, “So much is in here, it must be so noisy.”

“You make it quiet,” he whispered back, “You make everything better.”

Shaking himself as the alarm went off again, he threw the covers back. It was time to face reality once more.

~

“Ready to head back?” Sheppard asked when Daniel arrived in the Gateroom.

“Whenever you are,” Daniel replied.

Sheppard sighed, “Just waiting on McKay to get here. He’s annoying Zelenka just now. I was going to add Cadman to the mission, but that’s not fair on her.”

Daniel chuckled; the redheaded marine had made dinner the evening before entertaining as she verbally sparred with the Atlantis head scientist. Teyla quickly explained how much Rodney actually cared about Cadman, even if he would die before admitting it.

“Do you have much to finish translating?” Teyla asked as she joined them.

He shook his head, “Just a little more, then I can work through it to see if it makes sense. Do we know if Rodney has any ideas about the energy signal?”

“I believe that is why he is speaking with Dr Zelenka,” Teyla replied.

Before Daniel could ask anything else, Rodney appeared along with Zelenka, the two men talking to one another in what sounded like half-sentences.

“Are you ready, McKay?” Sheppard asked pointedly.

Rodney glanced at him and shrugged, “Of course.”

Watching Teyla hide her smile, Daniel turned to watch the Gate open when Sheppard waved up to the control room to start dialling.

~

Daniel finished brushing the dirt off the last of the script and added the symbols to his notes. Standing and stretching his back, he turned and saw Rodney finish making a few connections, to the device he’d pulled out of his pack.

“Alright,” Rodney stated, “Daniel, you might want to get away from the walls while I do this. Just in case.

“I’m finished anyway,” Daniel told him as he moved his things over to where Teyla and Ronon were waiting.

Ronon looked at him, “Hope you’re ready to run. In case it explodes.”

“He is joking,” Teyla said.

Daniel chuckled, “I worked for over ten years with Sam who once blew up a sun. I’m always ready to run.”

“McKay,” Sheppard called, “Are you doing this any time today?”

Rodney looked up and saw them standing near the entrance, “I’m not activating anything, I’m trying to find where the energy is coming from.”

“We’re just keeping out of the way,” Teyla told him innocence shining in her eyes.

Ignoring her, although Daniel caught an amused smile on the other man’s face, Rodney started the sequence to activate the machine. A small whine came from it, before it seemed to settle then one of the doorways across from them lit up and a small figure was tossed into the room.

As the light faded, they saw a little girl on the floor. She looked up, saw them staring at her and scrambled away into a corner.

They all turned to Rodney who winced, “I didn’t expect that to happen.”

[singledarkshade]

Imagine poor Rory trying to deal with Eight

[singledarkshade]

Had to stop reading this several times because I was laughing so hard. 🤣🤣

Apparently my director went to see a production of West Side Story a few years ago, and the guy playing Chino forgot his gun before coming out for his final scene. Once it got to the big scene where he is supposed to shoot Tony, he screeched “Poison Boots” and kicked the actor playing Tony until he went down. The girl playing Maria then had to jerk the shoe off of Chino’s foot, and had to do the gunshot scene asking “How many kicks Chino? How many kicks, and one kick left for me”. 

[singledarkshade]

Misplaced

Summary: When Amy remembers the Universe after the Doctor restarts it, she doesn't quite put everything back where it was meant to go. Two years later, Amy runs into Rory Williams and his friend Donna Noble. Quite literally. Now if she could just work out what she can't remember.

Author’s Note: Was watching The Big Bang and this idea appeared. Hope you enjoy.

                             *********************************************

Amy opened her eyes and stretched. Sitting up the first thing she saw was her wedding dress hanging from the wardrobe.

“Good morning,” the door burst open, and Amy stared at the woman.

“Mum,” she breathed before shaking herself wondering why she was so surprised at this.

Her mother gave her a confused look before placing a tray on the bed, “Here is your breakfast. It’s a big day, darling. So, eat up then have your shower. Keely will be here to fix your hair and make-up in under an hour.”

With that she left Amy alone.

Amy grabbed a bit of toast and chewed on it as she looked at the white dress hanging there, there was something she was meant to do, something she couldn’t quite catch on the edge of her brain. Shaking her head, Amy decided to focus on getting ready for her wedding.

Finishing her breakfast quickly, Amy jumped into the shower and hummed to herself as she washed her hair.

Keely was excited as she appeared with her bag filled with make-up and hair products, she and Amy had known one another for years so was happy to do this for her friend as well as be her maid of honour.

“I would kill for hair like yours,” Keely noted as she started to pin the long strands up, “And with a white dress, it’ll look stunning.”

Amy chuckled, “Well, I hope so. It is my wedding day I want to stun.”

“We don’t want the groom to faint though,” her mum chuckled.

Keely laughed, “Oh he will anyway. If Amy wore a pair of dungarees and ratty t-shirt, he’d still stare at her in adoration. Hopefully one day I’ll find someone who looks at me like that.”

Amy rolled her eyes, especially as she knew Keely’s boyfriend Davie was planning to propose when they went on holiday in a few weeks.

“Okay,” Keely stated, “Let’s get to work.”

~

Amy looked at herself in the mirror, she was stunned by how perfect she looked. As her mother appeared in the mirror behind her, Amy turned to see there were tears in her yes.

“Mum…”

“You just look so grown up, Amelia,” her mum whispered before shaking her head, “Ignore me, I’m just having a moment.”

“Are we ready?” Amy’s dad stated coming into the room, he suddenly grinned, “Oh my baby girl. You look beautiful.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Amy breathed, “And I’m ready.”

They left the house and Amy climbed into the car that was waiting for her, Keely and her parents joining her. She watched Leadworth fly by as they headed to the church, the sun was shining brightly and the entire village looked bright.

They reached the church, and they got out the car, Keely in her peach dresses which Amy had to admit looked good on her.

Keely and her mother fixed Amy’s veil and train as they stood at the back of the church before her mother signalled to the organist that they were ready. The blast of music filled the air and taking her father’s arm, Amy walked down the aisle to her groom.

Reaching the end of the aisle, Amy smiled as her father lifted her veil before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. She turned to the man standing there with a smile on his face and…

Amy paused confused, this wasn’t right, this wasn’t where she was meant to be.

“Amy?”

She glanced out at the congregation before turning to him, “I’m sorry, I can’t. I can’t marry you, Eddie.”

“What are you talking about?” Eddie demanded.

“This isn’t right,” Amy whispered, “I’m not supposed to be here with you. I’m sorry, Eddie. I’m sorry.”

She turned and ran out the side door, hearing the murmurs and instant rise of gossip behind her as she left Eddie at the altar as so many people predicted, wondering who she had expected to be there instead of him.

~

Amy pulled her hair back as she put away her things in the locker. Leaving the locker room, Amy slid into the seat beside Dawn at the hospital reception and listened to the handover before the other woman headed home.

“I’m here for my appointment with Dr Greaves,” a voice made Amy look up from the computer.

“Of course, Mrs Dobson,” Amy said softly, “I’ll log you in, if you take a seat.”

The older woman gave her a look of distaste before moving to sit in the waiting room.

Amy sighed, it was now almost two years since she had run out on her wedding and the village refused to forgive her.

Eddie was one of their favourite people, which only happened after he was the poor soul left at the altar, and it didn’t matter that he was now very happily engaged to someone else, Amy was still seen as the devil.

She had originally intended to leave Leadworth, but her dad had become ill, and she’d stayed because her mum needed her. Although he was now recovered, Amy was stuck here in the village that time forgot with no idea of where she went now.

She was halfway through her shift when a piece of paper was dropped in front of her. Amy pulled it over and frowned confused.

Looking up she saw her friend who was visiting for the weekend, “What am I looking at?”

Keely grinned at her, “A job.”

“What?”

Rolling her eyes, her friend noted, “It’s a chance to get out of this place. And away from all the disapproving old biddies. I know the woman and I’ve recommended you. All you have to do is pass the interview.”

Amy grimaced, “I don’t know.”

“You hate it here,” Keely reminded her, “This is a job in London. You will be close to me, and you’ll be working on with a designer. It may be as an assistant, but it’ll give you experience.”

Amy sighed, “Do you think I can get it?”

“I think it’s perfect for you,” Keely told her, “And all you have to do is prove it should be yours.”

Taking the piece of paper, Amy nodded, “Fine. I’ll call.”

Keely grinned at her, before leaving without a word just smugness trailing in her wake.

                             *********************************************

Amy checked the boxes in the booth that they had been assigned at the contest. Antoinette was back at the studio going over her final few designs and finishing the theme for her collection which should have been finalised weeks ago.

She’d been working for Antoinette for six months now and enjoyed it. Her boss was a bit ditsy, needing someone to keep her on track while she designed. It meant Amy had free reign to organise the studio and she took the responsibility seriously. Antoinette had decided to enter her new collection into the contest that one of the national magazines was holding.

“I’m missing something,” Amy mused, shaking her head, she left the booth heading back to the carpark to find her missing box.

It was in the back of the van under a blanket, and she sighed in relief, they had little time to get things sorted before the contest started later that afternoon and as she was working alone then she couldn’t waste time.

As she carried the box back into the conference centre, someone walked into her, and her box fell spilling everything all over the floor.

“I’m so sorry,” the man she had collided with said, he knelt down and started putting things back in the box, “I didn’t see you there.”

Amy smiled, “It’s fine. Thanks for your help.”

He looked up at her and stalled in whatever he was going to say. He was cute, with strawberry blonde hair and green eyes, there was something about him that seemed almost familiar.

“Rory,” a woman called, “Come on, I need to get this stuff upstairs.”

“I’m coming, Donna,” he called to the woman before turning back to Amy, “Sorry, I’m helping my friend. Are you okay to get this…”

“I am,” Amy assured.

He gave a slight nervous nod before standing and picking up the box he’d been carrying and heading over to join his friend.

Amy watched him leave, wondering why he was so familiar when she knew she’d never seen him before in her life. She watched him take one of the boxes the woman with him, laughing at something she said before following on away from her.

Shaking herself, Amy headed back to the booth and started fixing the display.

                             *********************************************

“Morning, Rory,” Sylvia said as she opened the door to him, “Donna’s just coming. Have you had breakfast?”

Rory smiled at his neighbour, “I have. How are you? And Wilf?”

“We’re good, love,” Sylvia said as she led him into the kitchen, Rory closing the door behind him, “How’s your dad?”

Rory shook his head, “He’s fine. Annoyed that he has to stay with my gran while he’s laid up, but I persuaded him to stay where he is. Travelling with his broken leg is not a good idea just now.”

“I’m surprised my daughter managed to talk you into helping her today,” Sylvia laughed.

Rory shrugged, “I had nothing else to do.”

“We need to get you a girlfriend, Rory,” Sylvia noted as she opened the cupboard.

Grimacing Rory felt his cheeks burn, “I’m…”

“A lovely young man who any girl would be lucky to be dating,” Sylvia told him.

“Leave him alone, Mum,” Donna stated, as she appeared pulling a brush through her hair, “Rory is fine and doesn’t need you playing matchmaker.”

“I know some wonderful young women…”

Donna grabbed Rory’s arm and yanked him out of the kitchen while Sylvia was talking.

“Thanks,” Rory murmured.

Chuckling Donna told him, “Be grateful she thinks you’re too young for me. She’d be planning our wedding otherwise.”

Rory laughed. He accepted the box Donna passed to him and carried it out to his car while she followed him.

He’d met the Nobles when Donna’s father had been admitted to the ward he was working on, it had been a bit of a shock to discover they were his father’s neighbours who he hadn’t managed to meet since he’d moved in. He’d not had a chance to find a place to live when he started his job at the hospital after he moved from Gloucester, his dad had a spare room, so it made sense.

His dad went to visit Rory’s gran for a month where he broke his leg the day before he was meant to return home so was now stuck there until it healed. Rory had been basically adopted by Sylvia now he was alone.

Donna treated him like a younger brother, which included talking him into helping her at her latest temp job over the weekend.

Reaching the conference centre, Rory found the section of the carpark that Donna’s parking pass was for and parked the car. They unloaded the car, and Donna led the way inside, Rory was so busy making sure he was following her, that he collided with someone.

He put his box down apologising before he looked up and saw the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen in his life.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there,” he started putting things that she’d spilled back in her box.

“It’s fine,” she told him with a Scottish accent he hadn’t expected, “Thanks for your help.”

Looking up at her, Rory was stunned again by how pretty she was but also by a strange familiarity.

“Rory,” Donna called, breaking the moment, “Come on, I need to get this stuff upstairs.”

“I’m coming, Donna,” he called back before turning to the other redhead, “Sorry, I’m helping my friend. Are you okay to get this…”

“I am,” she assured.

Grabbing his box, Rory headed after Donna. He glanced back seeing the woman he’d knocked over heading into the conference centre.

“She is pretty,” Donna noted.

“What?” Rory turned to her.

Laughing she motioned him to follow, “Come on, Casanova, I’ve got to get this all to the office and set up. We’ll see what other pretty girls you can knock over on the way there,”

Chuckling Rory followed her knowing that even if he saw the other red head again then she would probably not even remember who he was.

                             *********************************************

“This looks fantastic,” Antoinette stated as she walked into the booth, “Amy, I couldn’t have done any better myself.”

Amy grinned, “Well, your plan was detailed.”

Antoinette laughed, “I just have the final two dresses to add, and I’ve changed the name of our exhibit.”

Amy chuckled, “Are you sure this time?”

“I know I may have changed it a few times,” Antoinette noted with a shrug, “But this one is perfect and will hopefully capture the judges' attention.”

“If you’re happy with it,” Amy told her, as she took out the first dress and admired it, “So am I.”

Antoinette took the dress from her, “How about I finish up and you go get a coffee? You’ve done so much to get set up and deserve a break. We’ve got another hour before they start walking the booths.”

Smiling at her boss, Amy nodded in agreement, “Okay. I’ll bring you back a peppermint tea.”

“Get me some cake too and I will love you forever,” Antoinette told her as Amy left the booth.

Heading to the small café a few floors down, Amy hummed to herself. Reaching the queue, Amy saw the guy who had bumped into her standing in front of him.

“Hi,” she greeted him.

“Hi?” he looked at her in shock.

Amy chuckled, “Have you made it the rest of the day without knocking anyone else over?”

He laughed slightly, “So far. I’m Rory, by the way.”

“Amy,” she introduced herself with a smile, then they both paused.

The server called next, and the queue shifting meant they moved forward slightly only a few from the front.

“What are you wanting?” Rory asked. He added at her surprised look, “To apologise for knocking into you earlier.”

She smiled at him, “A cappuccino.”

“And what cake?”

Amy shook her head, “The coffee is enough.”

“But it’s a deal so technically it’s about the same price for me to get you both,” Rory told her.

Biting her lip amused she gave in, “Then the chocolate fudge slice.”

“Excellent choice,” Rory stated.

The server called them up and Rory ordered two black coffees, her cappuccino and three chocolate fudge slices – two in one box and one in another for her. Amy remembered she had to get Antoinette some tea and cake, but Rory then bought that too ignoring her protests, adding the cake slice in with hers.

“So,” Amy said as they moved to wait for their drinks, holding the cake box, “I’m assisting one of the designers, what are you doing here?”

“My neighbour, and friend, Donna was hired to help do the admin for the contest,” he explained before adding, “Honestly, not sure why or how I ended up here.”

Amy laughed, “What do you do?”

“I’m a nurse,” he replied, looking as though he was waiting for her to say something.

“Wow,” Amy stated, “That’s…”

Rory frowned, “What?”

“Not what I expected,” she replied, “I don’t know what I expected your answer to be but just not that.”

He gave another grimace, “Is that good or bad?”

“I think the fact you’re a nurse is amazing,” she told him, “And very impressive.”

He smiled at her and Amy felt she could have him smile at her all the time.

Their coffees and tea arrived and Rory putting them into two trays so they could carry them with their cakes.

“I’d better get back,” Rory told her, “I promised Donna I wouldn’t be too long so I could help her set up the judging area.”

Amy smiled, “Thanks for these.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied, “Hope you do well in the contest.”

With that said he disappeared along the corridor and Amy shook herself, she was not looking to meet someone. She was still too young to settle down and she knew that Rory would be a settling down type of guy.

Heading back to the booth she put the drinks and cake on the table at the front, away from the dresses.

“This looks amazing,” Amy grinned, “What did you call the collection?”

Antoinette gestured to the sign she’d just put up, “Ta da!!!”

“Something old, something new,” Amy read before she stalled as something poked at her brain.

“Well?” her boss asked.

Amy nodded, “I love it. I brought chocolate fudge cake so if we’re eating, we need to be well away from your dresses.”

Antoinette laughed and joined her.

~

“You took your time,” Donna noted as Rory arrived back in the office.

He put her coffee down in front of her, “Well, there was a queue.”

“And?” she asked slyly after a moment of staring intently at him.

“And what?” he looked at her confused.

She leaned forward, “You’re blushing.”

“I’m not.”

Donna chuckled, “We can argue about that, or you can tell me why?”

Annoyed he stated, “I ran into the woman I knocked over earlier. I bought her some cake and coffee to apologise.”

“Oooohhh,” Donna grinned at him, “Tell me everything.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” Rory shrugged, “We chatted, she’s gorgeous and I’m me. She was friendly and went back to work.”

“She didn’t give you her number?” incredulity filled Donna’s voice.

“I didn’t ask,” Rory replied.

Donna groaned, “Oh, I am going to have to let my mum take over if you are this useless.”

Rory stared at her unamused.

“Okay,” Donna took a drink of her coffee, “We have to put your non-existent love-life to one side and get to work.”

Following her out the office, Rory demanded, “What about your non-existent love-life?”

                             *********************************************

Something old, something new…

It was trapped in her brain and wouldn’t go away as Amy walked around the other booths, just to see what the competition had done. From what she could see, although she would never pretend to be a fashion expert, none of the others were as good as Antoinette’s wedding dresses.

She stalled as she came across the last booth on the row. There were multiple mannequins whose outfits all included suspenders and a bow tie.

Something old, something new…

Something old, something new…

Something old, something new…

Amy’s phone buzzed and she checked it seeing a message from Antoinette that the judges were on their way. Heading back to the booth, Amy ensured everything was tidied away before making Antoinette take several deep breaths to stay calm.

“Something old, something new,” Zenia Manix was a designer even Amy knew about, who had made a name for herself in the sixties, “I love the name and the way you’ve mixed vintage with more up to date styles without it being jarring.”

Antoinette beamed, “Thank you.”

“The last dress,” Hamish Orlan, a well-known model and actor from a soap opera Amy’s mum never missed an episode of, said, “The beading is so intricate.”

Amy grinned, the beading had been her suggestion but forced herself to stay quiet until they left to go look at the next booth.

Antoinette moved to Amy with a huge grin on her face, “That was such good feedback.”

“I know,” Amy grinned back before hugging the other woman, “You have done such a good job, they were really impressed.”

“Well, since they’ve checked out my entry,” Antoinette told her, “Then we have about an hour free. If you want, go have a look around. I have some designs I want to get down.”

“Are you sure?” Amy asked.

“Go, enjoy yourself,” Antoinette told her, “Just be back in time for the results. I’ll need you to either commiserate or celebrate with.”

~

Rory headed to the judge’s room with the jug of water and two glasses, Donna had promised him that this was the last thing she needed him to do and if he wanted to then he could head home.

He wasn’t going to leave, which she knew. Firstly, because he was her ride but also he was kind of hoping to run into Amy again and maybe this time get up the courage to ask for her number.

The room had a table and two chairs set out but there was also a large trunk that Rory assumed they had brought with them, likely with the trophies or whatever they handed out to the winners. Setting the water on the desk, Rory heard a strange noise. He ignored it for the first few moments and continued with his task, but it continued and as he focussed Rory realised that it sounded like someone crying.

Frowning in confusion and concern he listened, finally realising that it was coming from the trunk. Despite knowing this was probably a stupid thing to do by himself, the concern that someone was injured overruled that and he tried to open the trunk.

Typically, it was locked with a padlock, so he looked around to see if there was a key of some kind, finding a piece of metal which looked like it was part of a keyring that had broken off.

“It’s only stupid if it works and I don’t try it,” he murmured to himself.

Kneeling at the trunk he inserted the metal into the lock and basically wiggled it around for a while, stunned as there was a loud click and the padlock released.

Removing it, he slowly opened the trunk and found a woman curled up. She looked to be in her late twenties or thirties, and had tears sliding down her cheeks, staring blankly past Rory.

“Hello,” Rory said softly not wanting to scare her, “Can you hear me?”

She continued to stare at him and Rory frowned that she wasn’t responding to him.

“I’m a nurse,” he told her, “I’m just going to check you, okay?”

Slowly, so he didn’t startle her, Rory took her pulse finding it strong and steady.

“Can you move?” he asked, annoyed he’d left his phone in the office with Donna because he didn’t want to leave the woman.

As Rory moved his hand back, the woman grabbed his wrist.

“Run,” she told him, her voice a raspy whisper.

“What?” Rory asked confused, “You want to run?”

“No,” a man’s voice came from behind him making Rory turn to see an actor from the soap Sylvia watched, “She was telling you to run.”

Before Rory could react something solid hit his head and he collapsed unconscious on the floor.

~

Something old, something new…

Amy tried to get the words out her head, but they were spinning around and around, taunting her that there was something she needed to remember.

But it wouldn’t come.

She found herself at the café once more and quickly bought a bottle of water.

Something old, something new…

“The last booth,” a woman at the table behind her said, “The colour of the dress was just amazing, and they looked gorgeous.”

Not sure why but Amy felt the need to look at the booth. Glancing back, she saw the woman who had been talking leave through the other door, not able to make out her face, only seeing the mass of blonde curls. Shaking herself, Amy took a drink of the water and headed to check out the last booth. There were several dresses, fifties style all in a deep blue. They were beautiful.

Something old, something new…

“What do you think?” the woman sitting there asked, “I’m hoping the judges like them.” Amy smiled, “They’re beautiful.”

“Thank you,” the woman grinned, she pushed a strand of dark hair off her face, “I wasn’t sure how they’d turn out. I had to borrow a dress-making mannequin from a friend to make them. It was so old, bits kept falling off.”

Amy chuckled.

“Well, they’re beautiful,” she assured the woman, “I have to get back to my friend. Good luck.”

Leaving the booth Amy headed back to where Antoinette’s booth as words swam around her head.

Something old, something new…

“Borrowed,” Amy breathed to herself, “Borrowed…” she caught her breath and stumbled into one of the side rooms shutting the door behind her.

“Something old, something new,” she gasped, “Something borrowed, something blue.” Gasping at the memory that hit her, Amy reached out and used the wall to keep herself up.

“Doctor,” she said softly before calling out into the ether, “Doctor!!!!!!!!!!”

She waited for a moment before sighing in relief as the air around her began to move and the sound she knew so well filled the room as the blue box appeared in front of her.

Grinning, Amy watched the door open and threw herself at the man who opened them.

“Amy,” he grinned, hugging her back.

She let him go and frowned in confusion, “Nice tux.”

The Doctor looked at her confused, “Well, I was expecting a wedding.”

“A wedding?” Amy asked, “My wedding? I called that off.”

The Doctor’s confused look deepened, “Why?”

“I saw Eddie at the end of the aisle and realised I didn’t want to marry him,” Amy shrugged.

“What about Rory?”

Confused, Amy asked, “How do you know about the guy I met this morning?”

He stared at her, “I feel like I’m having a different conversation than you are.”

“Maybe you should change,” Amy suggested.

The Doctor nodded, “I’ll be right back,” he told her before closing the doors. Amy found a seat and sat waiting as she took a drink.

The doors opened again, and the Doctor appeared wearing his usual tweed jacket, and bow tie.

“Aren’t you wanting to head out?” Amy asked confused as she thought she’d have to persuade him to hang around for a bit.

He shook his head, “Just want to look around while I’m here. Hear more about this guy you met.”

Without another word the Doctor left the room and Amy sighed following on.

~

Donna checked the time wondering where Rory had gotten to. He’d went to put water in the judges’ room over twenty minutes ago. It was a five-minute job.

“He’s stumbled onto that girl again,” Donna chuckled to herself.

It was nice that Rory seemed to have met someone, since she’d known him the past eight months he worked and had very little social life. He spent time with Wilf, looking at the stars, let Donna drag him out for drinks every so often and he spent time with Sylvia whenever he could see she needed company.

He’d become a part of their family, and Donna wanted him to be happy. She just wasn’t sure about this Amy.

A strange noise came from outside the office she was using and Donna frowned, she knew that noise. But it couldn’t be…

Stepping outside she watched the TARDIS appear before her and grinned as the door opened.

“Donna,” the man standing there beamed, looking exactly the same as he had the last time she’d seen him. That crazy Christmas day she was meant to get married.

“Doctor,” she laughed, “I can’t believe you’re here. Why are you here?”

He shrugged, “The TARDIS landed here.”

She hugged him before noting, “I can’t believe you’re still wearing that suit. Don’t you have another?”

Rolling his eyes, the Doctor stepped out the TARDIS and closed the door.

“So,” he said looking around, “Anything interesting happening?”

“At a design competition?” she laughed, “I doubt it.”

A scream coming from nearby made the look at one another.

“You were saying?” he asked as he bolted towards the scream.

Rolling her eyes, Donna ran after him. They reached a group of people crowding around a woman’s body.

They reached her and the Doctor pulled out his psychic paper, “Security team. We’ll deal with this.”

As the Doctor managed to get everyone to leave the room, Amy appeared through the doors with a man wearing tweed and a bowtie. He looked at the Doctor who stared at him.

“What are you doing here?” they demanded to one another.

“Doctor?” Donna asked.

Just as Amy said the same thing to the man she was with.

“What?” the two women asked.

The Doctor turned to Donna, “It’s a bit complicated but he’s me and I’m him. We shouldn’t be here at the same time so the fact we are is…” he trailed off and stared at the other man, the other version of himself which Donna was having a hard time believing, who tilted his head slightly and said nothing, “Odd but intriguing.”

“For the moment,” the other version of the Doctor stated, “We have a body who is…” he pointed what looked like another version of the sonic screwdriver at the woman, “Interesting. Kli’ptons.”

The Doctor groaned, “They are annoying.”

“What are they?” Amy asked.

Donna’s Doctor frowned, “The best way to describe it is emotion feeders.”

“Which is complete nonsense,” Amy’s Doctor noted.

Donna’s Doctor nodded in agreement, “It’s a translation only. Think of it like this, they feed on attributes like creativity. They extract it from the brain, feeding on it and can keep a victim alive for months.”

Amy’s eyes widened in horror, “A design competition must be like a buffet from them.”

“True,” Amy’s Doctor stated.

“But wouldn’t someone notice if aliens are just randomly feeding on people?” Amy asked.

Donna’s Doctor shook his head, “It won’t be random. They’ll have some kind of power or influence over the contest.”

Amy and Donna looked at one another blurting in unison, “The judges.”

“That would work,” Amy’s Doctor mused.

“Rory,” Donna cried.

“What about him?” Amy’s Doctor asked.

Donna grimaced, “I sent him to their room with water about twenty-five minutes ago. He should be back by now.”

“Where?” Amy’s Doctor demanded.

“Come on,” Donna ran knowing they were following her, hoping she hadn’t sent her friend to his death.

~

Rory groaned as he woke up. His head was aching, and he stayed still hoping that the room would stop spinning and he wouldn’t throw up.

“This is unfortunate,” a woman said from above him, “Now we have to do something about him.”

“No creativity in this one,” the man who had hit him stated.

The woman clicked her tongue and noted, “But there is something, can you smell it?”

Rory grimaced as he heard both of them make loud sniffing noises.

“Yes,” the man noted with glee, “Well, that is something.”

“We feed on him,” the woman noted, “Send him out with his mind mush and when they find him dead will think it was because of the head injury you gave him.”

Rory winced, this was not sounding good for him, and he tried to move surreptitiously, crying out when someone grabbed him pulling him to his feet.

He knew it was not the thing to focus on but as he looked at the two people who were talking about feeding on him, he realised he knew both of them. The man was definitely Hamish Orlan, star of one of the long running soaps that he on occasion watched with Sylvia when he knew she needed company and the other was Zenia Manix, a very famous designer he’d seen on the news a few months ago.

He was stunned they were both aliens.

“We prefer those with creative brains,” Zenia hissed at him, “You’re not creative but you have intelligence.”

“Not my favourite taste,” Hamish added as he gripped Rory’s arms tightly and sniffed his head, “But as a quick snack, it will do.”

Struggling to release himself, Rory tried to call for help, but a hand gripped his throat choking off his cries.

“Your intellect is high,” Zenia stared at him thoughtfully, “It’s a shame you squandered it in such a menial profession.”

Rory glared at her, “You’re about to kill me, you don’t get to critique my life choices.”

She laughed and moved a large bag sitting on the table that he had seen earlier in the corner, opening it she drew out a strange silver device. It looked like a collar, with arms that Rory realised would hold his head still and had two other tube protrusions which were almost like…straws!!

Rory tried to get away, but he was held firm and soon he was on his knees, the cold metal collar around his neck and the arms squeezing his head.

“I’d tell you not to worry,” Zenia told him, as they took up position on either side, “But this will hurt, a lot.”

Continuing to struggle as they moved closer to start feeding on him, Rory suddenly heard two women yelling, “Get away from him.”

~

Panic filled Amy at the thought Rory was in the clutches of aliens who were going to feed on his brain. Racing through the corridors with Donna, the Doctor and another Doctor, which she didn’t understand, Amy hoped they weren’t too late.

Bursting through the doors they saw Rory on his knees, with the two judges leaning over him,

“Get away from him,” Amy yelled, hearing Donna yell at the same time.

The two aliens turned away from Rory, hissing at the interruption.

“I wouldn’t,” Amy’s Doctor stated coldly, “Because there are two of me today and he is a good friend.”

Zenia Manix stepped away from Rory, “And why should I care about that?”

Donna’s Doctor stepped forward, “Because we’re the Doctor and this is your only chance to survive.”

Hamish laughed, “And that’s supposed to scare us.”

“I will bleedin’ well scare you if you don’t get away from him,” Donna snapped.

“Well,” Donna’s Doctor stated, “Since you two are clearly in violation of the Shadow Proclamation, and I called a bounty hunter of theirs who owes me a favour. I’d start running before he gets here. I’m sure you’ve heard of Dogmay.”

Amy was stunned at the look of fear that filled the eyes of the two aliens.

“Basically,” Amy’s Doctor stated coldly, “Run.”

The two aliens bolted out of the room, letting Rory fall. Instantly Donna and Amy ran to help him.

~

Rory had never been so happy to see anyone as he was seeing Amy, Donna and the two men, one with worse fashion sense than him arrive in the room.

As the aliens let him go and ran out, Rory fell to one side trying to slow his ragged breathing.

“Hey,” Donna soothed as she slid her hands beneath his shoulders helping off the ground.

Amy appeared and helped him to sit.

“Can you get this off me?” he whispered.

“Doctor?” Donna called over to the two men.

Rory heard a strange high-pitched noise before the collar clicked open.

“Let us help,” Amy told him as he tried to wriggle out of the contraption.

Relief filled Rory as the two women released him, he rubbed his hands over his neck and head.

“Donna,” one of the men called to her, “Let Amy help Rory. We need you.”

“I’ll be back soon,” Donna assured him.

Rory nodded and squeezed her hand.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Amy asked, concern in her voice as she gently stroked his arms and face.

“I think so,” he whispered.

Amy continued to study him, and Rory was beginning to wonder if he’d been horribly injured.

“We should probably…” he started, trailing off as she brushed her lips against his.

He tried to say her name, cut off as she kissed him. Rory had no idea how long they kissed only that suddenly there was a siren going off.

“Oi,” Donna’s voice made them pull apart, “Fire alarm is going, we need to evacuate. The Doctors caught those two and some group called UNIT is on the way to clean things up.”

Amy stepped away, looking stunned before she headed out the door.

Confused, Rory turned to Donna.

“Come on, lover boy,” she chuckled, “Time to leave.”

“Donna,” Rory said as they started out, “What the hell just happened?”

                             *********************************************

“What happened?” the Doctor asked his older self.

The older version frowned, “Amy.”

“Amy?”

“I can’t give you the full details,” he stated, “But Amy has the ability to remember the world back to the way it should be, except she hasn’t. For some reason she put Rory somewhere away from her.”

The Doctor frowned confused, “Why would she do that? From all I observed, she is very attached to him.”

“She loves him, but he died and then was left alone for a long time,” his older-self sighed, “I think she wanted to protect him from her ever hurting him again.”

“And she changed time doing that.”

The Doctor’s older version leaned against the wall, “It has to be her decision to change it back, I can’t tell her or make her otherwise it won’t work.”

“So, what’s your plan?”

“I have Amy travel with me,” his older-self stated, “You take Donna and Rory. They’ll be drawn together and we hopefully let nature take its course.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

The Doctor sighed, “We’ll think of something else.”

[singledarkshade]

Leverage Meme: 2/12 Scenes: The Frame-Up Job

[singledarkshade]

Gilded Cage

Summary: When Daniel and SG6 are captured by a Goa'uld, Daniel finds Ammonet and Sha're are still alive. With no other option, Daniel finds himself in a situation that he hates, but might be the way to save both Sha're and himself.

Author’s Note: Here is this months @gateathonworks fic. The prompt I used was AU, but I also managed to get in Symbiotic Relationship and Staff Weapon. Enjoy

Warning – The fic contains Rape/Non-con Elements. Don’t read if not comfortable.

Daniel sighed as the rain began to batter down, meaning he was not going to get any more work done today. Joining the rest of SG6, he took the MRE that was offered to him before he found a seat under the canopy with them.

“Well,” Dr Eames noted, “At least it rained an hour later than predicted. I managed to finish taking my samples.”

“That’s one thing at least,” Daniel murmured, grimacing as he realised what the food was that he was eating. He hated the macaroni and cheese MRE, and he would eat almost anything.

“What about you?” Eames asked with an amused smile.

Daniel shrugged at her, “Halfway through my translation.”

“Assuming the rain holds off in the morning,” Captain Owens noted, pushing back a lock of her long brown hair that had escaped the ponytail, “How long will you need to finish?”

“About another three hours,” Daniel estimated.

Owens nodded, “Good. I’m hoping to get back by tomorrow night. My niece is in her school show, and I promised I would try to be there.”

A chuckled came from Colonel Stone, “My daughters did those,” he told them, “Some of the best and worst hours of my life. You’re so proud of your kid but watching other peoples can be torture.”

Daniel laughed musing, “That would be an interesting anthropological study but for someone else. I have enough work.”

The sound of thunder from nearby made them all wince.

“We should be fine in here,” Owens assured, “The walls are stone and canopy won’t conduct electricity.”

“It’s just going to be a long night,” Daniel noted.

They sat for a while, eating and talking. Stone told them some stories about his family and missions he could talk about, and as both Owens and Eames were newish to the SGC, Daniel told a few anecdotes about the base and amusing incidents that had happened to him off world. Nothing too personal but the planet of the aggressive squirrel was always a good one to tell newbies.

Finally, it was time to turn in. Daniel offered to take the final watch and wished he’d gone for the first one. The sound of the rain battering down meant he wasn’t able to fall asleep, and it felt as through the moment he finally did Owens was shaking him.

“My turn?”

“No,” she whispered, “There’s someone out there. Stone is getting Eames.”

Getting up, Daniel grabbed his weapon and followed her out the tent. Stone motioned them down and he crouched beside the other man.

“It’s Jaffa. We need to get to the Gate,” Stone whispered.

Daniel nodded.

“Stay with Eames,” Stone ordered, “Owens will take the lead, and I’ll take the rear.”

Scrambling through the trees towards the Gate, Daniel kept Eames just in front of him as he readied himself to fire if need be.

Suddenly a zat blast came from the trees and Eames fell to the ground, Daniel tried to pull her up and onto his back seeing Owens hit by a zat then Stone was hit as well. Before he could even contemplate a plan, he felt the horribly familiar pain of the zat blast hitting him and Daniel fell into unconsciousness.

~

“Dr Jackson?”

Stone’s voice made Daniel force his eyes open to see the older man looking at him concerned.

He groaned at the lingering pain from the zat blast, accepting Stone’s help to sit up, “Where are we?”

“Some kind of cell,” Owens told him.

Daniel glanced around and saw Eames was on a cot across from him still unconscious. The cell looked quite clean and from the many ones he’d seen over the past few years suggested a ship.

“I’m guessing we’ve been grabbed by a Gould,” Daniel told them, “I’m not sure which one but this is definitely one of their ships we’re on. This could be bad.”

Eames finally woke about an hour after Daniel and while the others tried to keep her calm, Daniel wandered around the cell trying to work out which Goa’uld had captured them. It was beginning to irritate him as what little he remembered of the Jaffa they had a mix of symbols and there was nothing on the cell that indicated which Goa’uld had imprisoned them.

The sound of boots coming towards them meant Stone motioned Owens and Eames to his side, getting ready for an attack and Daniel moved to join them.

The doors opened and the first thing they saw was two staff weapons before three Jaffa stepped inside.

“You will come with me,” the one without a weapon stated to Daniel.

“I’m in charge…” Stone started, falling to the ground when he was hit in the face by a staff.

Daniel jumped in front of him, “Leave him.”

“Then no more arguments,” the Jaffa stated, “Move.”

He felt Owens catch his arm and he turned to her, “I’ll be fine. Help Stone.”

Before anyone else could speak, Daniel’s shoulder was grabbed, and he was pushed out the cell. He glanced back seeing Owens and Eames helping Stone onto one of the cots, just before the doors closed and he was marched through the corridors. Part of him wanted to start asking questions, see what they said but considering what had happened to Stone he had a feeling they’d not be happy and would reply with violence.

Finally, they reached a door and when it opened, Daniel found himself in what looked like a lounge with a large comfortable couch in one corner, across from it there was a balcony that showed the stars outside letting him know they were in space, along the back wall were several shelves with a coffee table in the centre of the room and to his right was another set of doors.

“I guess whoever is in charge wants to make an entrance,” Daniel noted as he moved to look out the windows at the expanse before him, hoping that it made him seem like he didn’t care who had summoned him. Despite the fact he was very worried.

“I just wanted to ensure that I looked good for you,” a familiar voice said as the reflection beside him showed someone he never thought he’d see again.

Daniel turned slowly and stared at the beautiful woman before him, she was wearing a clinging green dress that showed off her figure while her long black hair was in a braid that had emerald and gold clips through it.

“Sha’re?” he whispered, grief and confusion filling his voice as he tried to work out if he was really seeing what he thought he was. Because his wife had been dead for almost four years, she’d died in front of him, and it had taken him a long time to accept the fact.

 “She’s gone,” Ammonet laughed, “When she realised that you thought her dead, she gave in to me. Surrendered her body and now she is nothing more than a ghost, leaving only her memories.”

Daniel shook his head, “How? You died. I was there.”

Ammonet moved to him and touched his cheek, “It was a good trick, wasn’t it? You were so easy to fool, and it meant I no longer had to worry about the Tauri.”

“Why grab us then?” Daniel demanded, “Because you’ll have to worry about the Tauri again now.”

Ammonet laughed again, “As you can see, I am now in a much better position than I was back then. I have gathered forces that are mine alone and not my former Pharoh’s. Meaning now I can go after what I want.”

He moved away from her before demanding, “And what do you want?”

“That is not why you are here right now, Daniel,” she walked towards him, “As I said I still have my hosts memories, and you feature in them prominently. In many interesting ways.”

“Really?” Daniel demanded.

Ammonet laughed, “Yes, and I have decided to see how accurate they are.”

“Meaning,” Daniel frowned confused before crying out, “Hey,” as two of the Jaffa grabbed his arms while the third grabbed his face keeping his mouth open.

Ammonet walked towards him, she had something green on the tip of her finger. She pressed whatever it was onto his tongue and before he could try to spit it out the Jaffa holding his face clamped a hand over his mouth.

“Just relax as it melts,” Ammonet told him, “It will be easier if you don’t fight.”

The hand was removed from his mouth and Daniel glared at her, “You don’t know me at all if you think I won’t…fiiiiiggghhhttttt.”

The sudden slurring of his words confused Daniel, as did the fact he was getting really warm but what truly worried him was that his pants were getting much tighter.

The Jaffa holding his arms started him moving towards the doors at the other side of the room and through them into a bedroom. He was dropped onto the bed, managing to roll over and tried to get up, but a wave of dizziness hit him. He ended up in a strange half-sit, leaning on one arm to keep himself upright.

“It is a nice drug,” Ammonet said as she walked towards him, she was sliding the dress she wore off her shoulders, reaching the bed she let the dress slide off her body pooling on the floor, “When a Goa’uld takes it, we have a nice buzz and it enhances our pleasure but I’m sure you can feel what it is doing to you.” She pushed him to lie back and climbed onto Daniel, “It makes the orgies very fun.”

Ammonet laughed before she kissed him.

~

Daniel woke up, feeling dizzy and confused where he was. It took him a few moments to realise he was in a bed and completely naked.

“No,” he grimaced, realising what had happened, “Sha’re, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” the whisper from the side made him turn but as he looked at the woman lying there watching him with concern, he knew it wasn’t Ammonet looking back at him.

“Sha’re?!!!”

“Shh,” she warned, “She is sleeping just now.”

Daniel felt tears fill his eyes, “She said…”

“I know, my love,” Sha’re replied softly, “The method used to return us to life separated our consciousnesses somehow. I cannot take over unless she sleeps but I can hide my presence from her and influence her thinking.”

Daniel stared at her before rushing out, “I’m sorry what I just did…”

“No,” she cut him off, “The drug she used on you was something even someone as strong willed as you could not fight. And I am not upset. You were used by her as much as I am.”

“I…”

“Listen to me,” Sha’re said, her voice soft but intense, “She claims she wishes to conquer but there is something she wants more and that is you to submit to her. My memories of you, my love for you, has somehow imprinted onto her and I can feel her glee right now that she has taken you. She is going to give you a choice and you have to let her have you,” she told him, catching his hand so he would listen, “Don’t let her think it is easy for you but that has to be your choice.”

“I don’t understand,” he told her.

Sha’re sighed, “I know, and I don’t have time to explain, she will waken soon, and I’ll have to hide again. But trust me, my Dan’iel, this is the only way that will protect your friends and maybe find a way for us to escape.”

Daniel shook his head, “I don’t know if I can.”

“You’re always with me,” Sha’re reminded him, “No matter what, I am who you are loving. She is just an illusion.”

Daniel sighed, “I love you.”

“Awww,” the woman at his side changed suddenly from his sweet wife to the superior Goa’uld, “How sweet.”

Jumping up, Daniel found his clothes and pulled them on, “What the hell did you do to me?”

Ammonet laughed, getting up she slid a robe on. It was made of a sheer silver material, and she left it hanging open so he could see her naked form.

Reaching him, Ammonet pushed him to sit on the bed once more, “I wanted to know,” she said as she slid to sit on his lap, Daniel kept his hands on the bed gripping the sheets tightly in them, “If what I thought was right and it was,” she took his face in her hands, “But I have important matters to take care of now, I will send for you later and we shall talk then.”

She pressed a quick kiss to his lips before standing and opening the door, “Killa,” she called, “Prepare my bath. Dor’nak.”

The large Jaffa appeared, “Yes, My Queen.”

“Return Dr Jackson to his cell,” she ordered as Daniel pulled on his boots not wanting the others to know what had happened, “Ensure he and his friends are fed. He worked hard this morning and deserves a treat.”

Daniel grabbed his jacket as he was dragged out the room.

                             *********************************************

Daniel sat on one of the cots waiting for when Ammonet sent for him again. Thankfully the other three were new enough to the SGC that none of them knew who Ammonet or her host was so he wasn’t having to field awkward questions about that.

Stone had a broken nose from where the Jaffa hit him, but thankfully that was the only issues they had.

“So, who is this Gould?” Owen asked, “And how worried should we be?”

Daniel sighed, “Ammonet was the queen of Apophis. I now know that she faked her death several years ago and since then has been taking over the other Goa’uld armies building an army of her own.”

“Why did she want to talk to you?” Eames asked, “Stone is the one in charge and even they have to know that.”

“I’m known to her,” Daniel replied carefully, “Since we started the SGC, I’ve helped take out several of the Gould. Apophis was one of them and I was there when she died.”

“What does she want?” Stone demanded.

Daniel grimaced, “I’m not quite sure yet. She apparently likes being cryptic.”

Eames whispered, “How are we getting out of here?”

“I don’t know,” Daniel said, “But I need you to trust me. She wants something from me specifically, something I don’t understand yet, but I will do everything I can to get us out of here.”

Stone nodded, “O’Neill told me to trust you. I didn’t believe him because you’re a scientist and not military or trained but I’m guessing your skills are needed here.”

“I know you want to take charge,” Daniel shrugged, “But I’ve been part of the SGC since before it existed and even the training you have can’t prepare you for the Goa’uld.”

The door opened suddenly, two trays were slid in with food and water before the doors closed.

“We should eat,” Daniel told them, “Not sure when we’ll get anymore.”

“Will it be okay to eat?” Owens asked worriedly.

He gave a nod, “It will be. It’s no fun for her to kill us like this.”

~

Daniel folded his arms as Ammonet entered the lounge from her bedroom, this time dressed in a clinging red and orange dress. Daniel did his best not to look admiring at her, but this was his wife’s body, and he’d always thought she was absolutely gorgeous from the moment they met.

“So,” she stated, waving away the Jaffa who bowed and handed her the GDO before he left the room, “You like.”

“Well, Sha’re is beautiful,” Daniel replied.

Ammonet laughed, “It is now time for us to talk about why you are here.”

Daniel folded his arms across his chest, “Okay, tell me.”

“I want the code,” Ammonet stated as she placed the GDO on the small table.

Shaking his head, Daniel replied, “That’s not going to happen.”

“I have heard that you are stubborn,” Ammonet noted, “And you have a reputation for not crumbling under torture.”

“So, stalemate.”

“Oh, my dear Daniel,” she laughed, “I have three of your friends in my cells who will give me what I want.”

“Leave them,” he snapped.

Stepping towards him, she purred, “Well, you can ensure that they remain safe without giving me the code.”

Frowning, Daniel asked, “What do you mean?”

She rested her hand on his cheek, “I enjoyed our time this morning. My hosts memories of how good you are was not exaggerated although you are more toned and muscular than she remembers.”

Daniel stared at the Goa’uld Queen trying not to let her know how worried this was making him.

“If you do not wish to give me the code and do not want your friends to be tortured,” Ammonet told him, “Then you will repeat your performance from this morning, but without the drug.”

“What?”

“It is very simple,” she rolled her eyes, “Your choices are you give me the code, I torture your friends, or you pleasure me in whatever way I want as often as I desire.”

Daniel remained silent as she sat on the couch, watching him amused. He now understood what Sha’re had been telling him earlier and knew that this was how he kept not only himself but the others in the cell safe while giving him time to work out a way to save them all.

“You’re always with me. No matter what, I am who you are with. She is just an illusion.”

“I want an answer,” Ammonet told him, “I want to have sex or to torture one of your friends before I have my evening meal. The choice is yours but make it now.”

With a sigh, Daniel pulled his t-shirt off and saw her smirk.

“Continue to undress,” she said, “Then kneel before your Goddess.”

Hating this, Daniel stripped. He just had to focus on saving Sha’re and the fact this was to keep the rest of his team safe.

                             *********************************************

Ammonet checked herself in the mirror before she left her chambers and entered the main lounge.

Her lotar Killa handed her a goblet of juice before waiting as Ammonet settled at the table.

“Inform Dor’nak that once I have finished breakfast,” Ammonet stated, “Then my slave should be brought to me.”

Killa bowed slightly, “Of course, My Queen.”

Eating her breakfast, Ammonet studied the information on the projects that she had in progress before she met with her advisors later.

“My Queen,” Killa appeared just as she finished eating, “Your slave is here.”

Smiling Ammonet nodded, “Bring him in.”

Kera opened the door and Dor’nak pushed the man through who glared at her.

“Good morning, Daniel,” she stated, “How are you this morning?”

Daniel Jackson folded his arms and shrugged, “I was fine. Getting some sleep until your minion dragged me up here.”

Ammonet chuckled, “Be nice, Daniel. Dor’nak is my First Prime,” she stepped forward and touched his cheek, “And you know why you are here.”

“And you know my answer.”

She laughed, “You do know how much I enjoy your refusal to give me the codes to access Earth, don’t you?”

Daniel rolled his eyes, “Then you clearly need a hobby.”

Sliding her arm around his shoulder, she brought her lips to his ear whispering, “You are my hobby.” Stepping back, she looked at him, “As you know, there are two ways to ensure that your friends remain alive. Tell me the codes or pleasure me.”

Daniel said nothing. He never did but she knew his choice because this was now the third week he had been here.

“You are a little dirty,” she noted.

“Well, the cell you have me in is not exactly a five-star resort,” Daniel stated.

Ammonet turned to her lotar, “Run us a bath.”

Killa nodded.

Turning back to Daniel, she smirked, “Strip.”

~

Daniel stepped into the warm water of the sunken bath hating that he was the Goa’uld Queen’s sex toy, but his only other choices was to provide the codes for the GDO or watch one of the people he’d been captured with being tortured or executed and he couldn’t do that.

Ammonet appeared wearing only a robe which she let slide off her as she moved towards the sunken tub and Daniel’s body instantly reacted to her, because this was his wife, who he loved and his physical attraction to her was all consuming.

Ammonet entered the water and settled across from him, soaking her long hair before she looked at the bottles sitting there. Taking one she poured some of the contents on a cloth.

“Stand,” she ordered.

Confused, Daniel did as she ordered, getting even more bemused as she washed him until he realised that she was deliberately trying to get him aroused for her own amusement.

Ammonet ordered him to sit in the water once more and she began to wash his hair, her breasts pressed against his back.

“You enjoy our time together,” she said, “I know this. You should stop pretending.”

“You are delusional,” Daniel retorted.

She chuckled, her hand sliding down his stomach, “Is the fact you are stimulated a delusion?”

“It’s my wife’s body you’re using,” he reminded her, “Any arousal is for her.”

Ammonet pulled back before ordering, “Turn.”

As he did, she climbed onto him and let out a moan as she eased her body onto him so that he was inside her fully.

“You know what I want,” she said, “If you wish your friends to survive then you should get to work.”

~

Sha’re watched from the safe space within her mind as her husband did something she knew he hated. When Ammonet climaxed, it gave Sha’re a moment where she was able to reach out. Touching his cheek their eyes locked and she gave him an encouraging smile.

He just had to keep Ammonet content, let her think that he was a willing participant, so they had time to find a way to escape.

When she realised that Ammonet had managed to persuade everyone that they were dead, Sha’re felt like all hope was lost. Daniel would move on without her and she would be trapped inside the Goa’uld Queen forever. It was slow but Sha’re soon began to realise that she could hide from Ammonet, while being able to influence the Goa’uld without her realising. When the SG team were discovered on the planet, Sha’re was going to try to ensure Ammonet left them alone when she saw Daniel.

The shock at seeing him again, even on the screen, meant Ammonet ordered them captured before Sha’re could do anything to stop her. She hoped he forgave her for not protecting him from what Ammonet was making him do.

~

Ammonet looked down at her slave who was laying on the silken pillows on her bed as they both climaxed, she smirked down at him as he tried to catch his breath.

“That was very enjoyable,” Ammonet noted, “You are a very good slave.”

Daniel remained silent as he let go of her waist.

“You have proven to me that you know the rules,” Ammonet murmured not moving from his lap, “I have decided to bring you into my court.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, my slave,” she chuckled, “That you will spend the day by my side and warm my bed all night. I won’t have to wait for you to be brought for our morning session. Killa has garments for you to wear which are much more appropriate for being in the presence of a Goddess. When we have finished you shall wash once more and change into them. You are now going to be in the presence of others so must be presentable,” she gently sucked on his ear lobe before continuing, “Remember to hold your tongue or I will have to do something unpleasant to one of your friends.”

She bit the same lobe making him wince and pull away.

Sliding off him, Ammonet smirked, “Be a good boy and you will find that I will reward you. You already know the price if you upset me.”

~

Daniel finished dressing in the new outfit Ammonet had given him. He turned to see her smiling at him.

“Are you serious?” he demanded.

Ammonet moved to him, “Is there an issue, my slave?”

“It’s a little tight and looks utterly hideous,” Daniel told her.

She chuckled, “It shows off how handsome you are, how nice your body is that the Tauri clothing hides, and the colour confirms your status as my slave.”

“My Queen,” Killa appeared and offered Ammonet what looked like a leather collar.

“What…” Daniel demanded wincing as Dor’nak grabbed him from behind, holding him still while Ammonet fastened it around his neck.

“You are a slave,” Ammonet stated, “I have guests coming and an uncollared slave they will take as an invitation to borrow for their own enjoyment. No one touches you but me.”

Daniel mused slightly on that piece of information, and began to wonder what she would do if she became jealous. He was lost in thought so wasn’t prepared when she pulled a golden string from the collar and yanked him to her so she could kiss him.

“Good, slave,” she grinned, “You will attend me tonight at the feast and while I greet my guests be at my side at all times. If you say or do anything to insult my guests, or embarrass me then one of your friends will be punished in your place while you watch and listen to their screams. Understand.”

“Yes.” He let out a cry as a small electrical shock hit him through the collar, “Yes, My Queen.”

“You learn fast,” she smirked.

Killa appeared again and dipped her head, “Your guests have arrived, My Queen.”

Taking a hold of the leash, Ammonet started towards the door with Daniel behind her, “Then it is time we greet them.”

                             *********************************************

The rumours had begun about a year before that Ammonet was still alive, and the Tok’ra tried as best they could to discover if they were true. Finally, they’d managed to slide an operative into the court of one of her underlings who had worked their way up to be invited to the gathering.

Jacob Carter fixed the collar of his outfit once more, ignoring Selmak’s scolding, and walked off the ship with his entourage.

“What answer are we hoping for?” Selmak asked as they left the ship to join the celebration.

Jacob sighed, “I’m not sure. What’s worse for Daniel? His wife isn’t really dead and is still possessed or that Ammonet didn’t die but she did.”

Selmak didn’t answer because frankly neither of them had an answer to that.

Following the other guests they soon had their answer as they saw the woman whose picture graced Daniel’s desk, dressed in gold and silver, was sitting in a throne magnanimously greeting her guests who were all bowing at her.

“We don’t need to tell Daniel,” Selmak noted, and Jacob saw the man standing just to the side and back a step from the throne.

Dressed in dark yellow with a slave collar around his neck stood Daniel, his expression blank as he watched, taking in everyone who walked through the door.  When Jacob reached the throne, he saw Daniel’s eyes widen slightly but he managed to school his expression quickly.

“My Queen,” Jacob bowed deeply, “It is an honour to finally be in your presence.”

“Lord Darnell,” Ammonet stated, “You have proven yourself worthy and I am happy to have you here.”

Jacob stood, “I have brought a gift for you, might I borrow your slave to help me carry it?”

Ammonet paused for a moment before nodding, she motioned to Daniel who stepped forward.

“Go with Lord Darnell,” she ordered, “And remember…”

“Of course, My Queen,” Daniel replied softly before he turned and waited for Jacob to lead him out.

~

“What the hell are you doing here?” Jacob demanded the moment he and Daniel were almost at the ship.

Daniel sighed, “I was going to ask you the same thing as well as how long have you known my wife was alive?”

Jacob grimaced, “I only knew when I stepped in the room. The rumours about Ammonet have been around for about a year, but I wanted confirmation before I told you.”

“Why are you here?” Daniel asked.

“I’m Lord Darnell,” Jacob told him, “I’m here for a party. Why and how are you here?”

Daniel sighed, “I was on a mission with SG6, we were grabbed about three weeks ago.”

Jacob looked confused as he led Daniel into the ship, “Considering how much she’s been trying to get as much power as possible recently, I’m surprised she hasn’t tried to get the GDO codes.”

Looking embarrassed Daniel noted, “She has but she wants me more.”

Raising an eyebrow, not sure if he wanted to know, Selmak took over their body and stated, “That makes sense. You are her hosts husband and that is a powerful connection especially if they were resurrected together. It cannot be easy for you to…”

“It protects the other members of the team,” Daniel cut Selmak off, “And Sha’re told me to.”

Jacob stared at him, “She’s…”

“She can take control on occasion and I’m letting Ammonet think I’m capitulating while I formulate a way to get us out of here,” Daniel explained, “The fact she’s brought me out in public shows that she is beginning to believe that I’m hers.”

Selmak asked, “What is your escape plan?”

“Not got one yet,” Daniel replied, “I’m trying to work out how to get us out and hoping now she’s letting me close I will find a way.”

“We may have a way to help with that,” Jacob noted.

Daniel frowned confused, accepting the box Jacob pulled out of a cupboard, “How?”

“I can get a serum which will put the symbiote to sleep,” Jacob told him, “It will leave Sha’re in control, but it will only work for an hour at the most.”

Hope sprung in Daniel, “Do you have it now?”

Jacob shook his head, “That’s the problem, we’ll need to petition the council then get the serum from where its hidden. Then I’d have to create a reason to visit her again.”

“How long?”

“A couple of months possibly,” Jacob told him.

Daniel nodded, “Okay. I won’t rely on you but if I have to, I can do this for a few more months.”

Jacob licked his lips before starting, “Daniel…”

“I’m keeping my team alive,” Daniel cut him off, “I know what I’m doing.”

Nodding Jacob started out the ship once more and Daniel followed carrying the box. Reaching the throne room once more, Daniel placed the box in front of Ammonet at Jacob’s instruction before he returned to her side. Ammonet motioned him close and stroked his cheek affectionately before she motioned Jacob to show her what he’d brought.

Daniel watched her smile with delight at the jewels that were inside the box.

“They do not compare to your beauty, My Queen,” Jacob stated, “But I hope my offering is accepted.”

Ammonet smiled magnanimously at Jacob, “It is, Lord Darnell. I think you and I shall have a fruitful relationship.”

                             *********************************************

Daniel lay on the large bed, his hands gripping the silken sheets as Ammonet was under the covers using her mouth on him. This was something Sha’re never did, she had tried it once and hadn’t liked it, so Daniel wasn’t used to the sensation and was doing his best to hold on.

Finally, he couldn’t and let out a cry.

Ammonet slid up, kissing along his torso resting her body on his as she began to kiss his neck.

“I told you I would reward you for being a good boy tonight,” Ammonet murmured, “And you were a very good boy. The perfect slave.”

“Because I won’t put my people in danger,” Daniel reminded her as Ammonet began to nuzzle at his neck, “That’s the only reason I’m doing this.”

She chuckled in his ear, “Of course. The way you touch me, and climax are just for your people.”

“My wife…”

“I know, Daniel,” she murmured in his ears as her hands stroked him, “You keep telling me that. But that will only work for so long. I know you enjoy our time together, but you won’t admit it. You just proved that, because I know she never did that for you. It’s time to stop pretending, Daniel.”

Daniel closed his eyes knowing that if they were going to survive until Jacob returned then he had to make her think she’d won. Her ego and belief that she was irresistible was her weakness, Daniel needed to target that. He just hoped Sha’re would understand that it was all an act.

“I can’t,” he breathed, knowing he couldn’t just surrender without a bit of debate and anxiety, “I can’t.”

Ammonet whispered seductively, “You can. It’s time, Daniel. Give in to what you’re feeling for me.”

“My wife…”

“She doesn’t exist anymore,” Ammonet murmured, “I do. And I can be your love. Together, Daniel we can rule, we can conquer. I know how gifted you are, that brilliant mind can work for me, for us. I need a Consort, someone I can trust, and you can do so much more here than with the Tauri. They must hold you back with all their rules and people telling you that you can’t do something or go somewhere.”

“It does feel like that sometimes,” Daniel sighed.

Ammonet stroked his hair and pressed another soft kiss to his shoulder, “I will never hold you back. I will give you everything you want, and we can go wherever you need to for your studies. I will never dismiss your genius. You will have no limits, nothing holding you back and I will be here loving you, adoring you, your perfect partner. You deserve that, you deserve to be adored and able to do all you want.”

“What about my people?” he asked.

Ammonet smiled as she realised that he was about to give into her and all he needed was a little reassurance.

“What do you want to do with them?” she asked, her hands stroking his arms.

“Let me send them home. I’ve never told them who you are,” Daniel lied, “They won’t be able to tell anyone anything important, and I’ll stay here. It’ll let me tell the SGC that I’m no longer working for them.”

“Prove to me that I am your love and you want to be my consort,” Ammonet told him, “And I shall allow you to send them home.”

In the weeks he’d been in her bed, Daniel had allowed her to kiss him but never reciprocated. He knew that was what she was waiting for, and hopefully with Sha’re whispering to her then she would believe he was now in love with her. Deciding he had to go with it, Daniel wrapped his arms around her and rolled them so that he was on top of her. Resting his hand on her cheek, he leaned closer and brushed a soft kiss to her lips, the way he would with Sha’re, so she knew what this meant. He then pressed soft kisses across her cheeks and forehead before kissing her properly.

~

Daniel grimaced as Stone, Eames and Owens were marched forward by the Jaffa to the Stargate where he was standing waiting with Ammonet and Killa.

They looked exhausted and dirty, and he hoped they didn’t say anything that meant he couldn’t get them home or made Ammonet distrust all he’d told her.

“Dr Jackson?” Stone put all his questions in Daniel’s name.

“You are being returned home by the graciousness of our beautiful Queen,” Daniel stated, he stepped forward and handed Stone the GDO, “As soon as you’re through have them close the Iris.”

“What about you?” Owens demanded.

Daniel handed her a letter, “This is my resignation. I will be remaining here with my Queen as her Consort.”

“What?!!” the other three cried in confusion.

Daniel smiled as he took Ammonet’s hand and kissed it, “I’ve made my choice and once I have returned you all home then my last connection to the Tauri is broken. Tell them not to come after me and just accept it.”

Stone frowned, “You know Jack won’t.”

“Well Jack will have to,” Daniel stated, “He has other acrostics to annoy.”

Confused Owens took the letter before Daniel moved to the DHD. He paused and turned to Ammonet waiting.

“Return to the palace,” she ordered the Jaffa as they had agreed.

They all nodded with only Dor’nak staying at Ammonet’s side. With the Jaffa away, Daniel dialled Earth. The moment the Gate opened Stone sent the signal, the moment it turned green he motioned Owens and Eames through before he glanced at Daniel.

“Go now or you will no longer be protected by me,” Daniel told him.

With a nod, Stone stepped through the Gate and a few seconds later it shut down.

Daniel turned to Killa and took the basket she was carrying from her, “My Queen,” he said to Ammonet, “I have a picnic lunch for us before we return to the ship.”

A smile touched her lips, “That sounds like a wonderful idea. I know a perfect spot where we can eat and then work it off.”

Offering his arm, Daniel allowed her to lead him to a spot near a river which wasn’t too far from the ship. Now he had to ensure she trusted him, believed he loved her and was her consort, then he could free Sha’re.

                             *********************************************

Jack stared at the reports in front of him as he sat in Hammond’s office. With the general in DC, Jack was in charge, and he was not happy about it.

Daniel had been missing for over a month now, along with SG6 and there was no sign of them.

He wanted to be out searching for his friend but there was no starting point. Their camp had been intact with only the team missing, even their weapons were inside the tents. It made no sense.

The only reason Daniel had been on the mission with SG6 was SG1 were grounded as Jack had injured to his arm. While they were Earthbound Sam had been asked to teach at the academy while Teal’c decided to visit Ry’ac. Daniel, with nothing outside the SGC, persuaded Hammond to let him join SG6 so he could look at the writing that was there.

The alarms sounded told him the Gate was opening, which meant with SG5 or 9 were coming home. Relieved at the reprieve from the nightmare that was paperwork, Jack headed down to the Gateroom, getting there just as the Gate opened.

“Receiving a GDO,” Walter stated efficiently before he let out a soft gasp, “I’m getting SG6’s code.”

Jack frowned, “Open the Iris,” he then called into the microphone, “Defence teams stand by.”

The Iris slid open, and Jack watched as the surface rippled before three people walked through, but not one of them was Daniel.

“Close the Iris,” Stone called.

Annoyed, realising his friend wasn’t home, Jack nodded, and the shield was returned over the Stargate. Jack headed into the Gateroom just as Stone, Owens and Eames staggered down the ramp.

“Where’s your fourth,” Jack asked, as the medical team came running in.

Stone frowned, “He gave me this.”

Confused, Jack took the letter.

“His resignation,” Stone stated, “He’s staying with the Gould who captured us.”

“What?” was all that came to Jack.

“Sir,” Janet Frasier came to his side, “They need to be in the infirmary.”

Reluctantly Jack nodded, “We’ll debrief as soon as the doc agrees.”

As the three members of SG6 left the Gateroom, Jack looked at the envelope in his hands sealed by a wax seal and stating in Daniel’s distinctive penmanship, ‘General Hammond’.

To whom it may concern,

Right now, I can no longer continue in my position within the SGC. Unexpected opportunities have been offered to me which I have agreed to take. So, I am tendering my resignation to Stargate Command.

This may come as a shock, but it is something I know is the right decision for me. Much of my time with you has been good, however it is time for me to leave.

Everything that I own can be distributed to whoever wants it.

Daniel

Jack read the letter for about the hundredth time in the past hour as he waited for SG6 to be freed by Fraiser. Although he knew she wanted them to rest, with one team member missing and a resignation letter from him that made absolutely no sense, Jack wanted to know as soon as possible.

“They’re all just getting a shower and changed,” Fraiser told him when she walked into the conference room, “All are exhausted but not as in bad a shape as I expected considering they’ve been held hostage for a month.”

Jack nodded, “Good to know.”

“What’s that?” she asked seeing letter Jack held in his hand.

Handing her it, Jack replied, “Daniel’s resignation letter.”

Janet read it and frowned, “That is…odd.”

Jack nodded.

The arrival of SG6 along with Sam and Teal’c meant Jack took the letter back, he motioned everyone to take a seat.

Jack could see the three members of his missing team were tired so wanted to get through this as fast as possible.

“Stone, want to tell us what happened?” Jack asked.

While Stone explained what had happened, Jack frowned in thought.

“Which Gould grabbed you?” he asked.

Owens grimaced, “From what Dr Jackson told us, her name is Ammonet.”

“What?!!!” cries came from the rest of the table and all three of SG6 jumped confused.

“You know her then,” Eames stated.

Before anyone answered, Jack held up his hand and ordered, “Carter, get the photo from Daniel’s desk.”

“Sir,” Owens asked confused as Sam left the room at a run, “I know it’s bad he stayed with her but why are you all so…”

“Just wait,” Jack stated, “We need to check something before going any further in this.”

SG6 looked at one another confused but waited until Sam ran back in, a picture frame under her arm. Jack took the picture, not sure what answer he wanted at this point.

“Is this Ammonet?” he asked, turning the photo to the three members of the recently returned team.

“Yes,” Stone stated.

Jack let out a long sigh as Sam and Teal’c both sank back in their seats in shock.

“Who is she?” Eames asked, “Where did the photo come from?”

“Ammonet’s host is Sha’re Jackson,” Janet spoke up for them, “She’s Daniel’s wife who as far as we knew died about four years ago.”

Stone and the other swapped confused looks, “That makes no sense. He told me he was staying with his Queen.”

“What else did he say?” Sam asked intently.

Stone mused for a moment, “That he’d made his choice and you weren’t to come after him.”

“He also said something about you having other acrostics to annoy,” Owens added.

“Acrostics?” Sam demanded, “Is that what he said?”

Owens nodded, “I thought it was odd.

“Sir,” Sam leaned over and grabbed the letter from Jack motioning to Janet for a pen, she studied the letter for a moment, making a few circles before writing something on it.

When she handed it back, Jack looked at the letters she’d circled before looking at what she’d written under the message.

“Trust me,” Jack sighed, “Damn him.”

“She has a ship, and we had no idea what planet you came from,” Jack sighed, “There’s nothing we can do to find him.”

The alarm interrupted them again and when they reached the control room, Walter glanced back at them, “It’s a Tok’ra code.”

“Let them in,” Jack sighed, “I could use a distraction just now.”

The Iris opened and a familiar man walked down the ramp.

“Dad,” Sam said, moving to greet him while Jack followed on with Teal’c.

Jacob looked at them, “I’ve some news about Daniel.”

                             *********************************************

Daniel sat in the small office Ammonet had given him to use. She had given him access to scrolls and tablets that she knew would interest him and he hoped that this was how he freed his wife.

It was now a week since he’d sent SG6 home and Ammonet was trusting him more and more. He knew it helped that he was now initiating sex with her, it made her believe that he’d fallen in love with her and given up everything to stay. Sha’re assured him he was doing the right thing, and she was ensuring that Ammonet believed him.

Studying the information in front of him, Daniel frowned in thought wondering if she was at the stage he could persuade her to go somewhere through the Stargate with him without her guards. His only other hope was that Jacob would be able to return with the serum.

A knock on the door made him turn to see Killa standing there.

“Our Queen requests your presence for lunch,” Killa stated.

“Is it that time already?” he motioned Killa to go on ahead of him while he put his notes away.

Walking through the corridors of the ship, he paused for a moment when he reached one of the viewports and looked out at the expanse of space before him. No one knew where he was, no one was coming after him. He had to save himself and Sha’re but since he’d first seen the Stargate Daniel had seen and done things he never could have imagined.

“There you are,” Ammonet stated when he entered the lounge area of the quarters he now shared with her, “I was beginning to think you were lost.”

“Just making sure my desk was tidy,” Daniel told her, “I’m looking at some of the scrolls you gave me, and I think I may have found some interesting things.”

Ammonet wrapped her arms around him, “Interesting for you or for me?”

“Only me, I’m afraid,” Daniel told her.

Kissing him quickly she motioned him to sit, “Eat. I have several of my underlings coming today for an update on several projects. We should have time for some fun before that.”

“Assuming I let you out of bed to meet them,” Daniel replied lightly despite how much he hated it. He’d never thought he was a good actor but, apparently, he was.

Ammonet laughed, “Then I will have to tire you out.”

~

Ammonet slid off Daniel and rested at his side, stroking her hand over his chest in random patterns.

“I’ve been looking at the scrolls you gave me,” Daniel started.

“That’s good,” she murmured, “I promised you things that you would find interesting.”

Daniel paused for a moment before he asked, “You’re trying to find a place for a palace, aren’t you?”

She nodded, “Somewhere that I can use as a base. That will be safe from anyone who could wander through the Stargate reporting back.”

“I know of a planet,” Daniel replied, “The DHD is hidden in a place that isn’t easy to find, and we could fix it so only you or someone you trust can access it.”

Ammonet turned and leaned on her elbow, “Tell me more.”

“The exploration that was done found a lot of Naquada but,” Daniel stopped her from speaking, “It was abandoned as a potential source because there were creatures that attacked the original team and deemed too dangerous. But not for a Goa’uld mothership.”

She pursed her lips in thought, “What other planets do you know?”

“I know one that the Stargate is on a beach by a large ocean,” he told her, “Where we could go for a picnic, to swim and then have sex afterwards with no one interrupting us. There was nothing of any interest to the SGC, so it was never returned to.”

Ammonet’s eyes narrowed at him, “You wish me to leave my palace and guards?”

“Since I gave into my feelings,” Daniel said, forcing back the bitter taste as he said this to her, “We’ve not had much time alone and anytime we do, like now, you have something else to do. I was thinking of maybe what my people call a honeymoon. We spend a few days on the beach planet with no one to bother us and no need for clothes.”

She pursed her lips together in thought and Daniel hoped Sha’re was subtly pushing her into agreeing to his plan. Finally, she nodded, “I like that thought. Things are always interrupting us, and I have plans for you that need much more time than we do have, especially today.”

Daniel smiled, “So, I’ll make plans for us to have a honeymoon?”

Ammonet kissed him, “Yes, my love.”

~

Daniel checked the packs he had been given by Killa, which included all the things he’d asked for camping on the beach. He knew Sha’re had definitely had a hand in persuading Ammonet that this was a wonderful idea because he knew camping was not something a Goa’uld Queen would ever have accepted.

He’d remained silent when Dor’nak objected to Ammonet not taking any guards along, but she dismissed her First Prime’s concerns. Sha’re was clearly influencing Ammonet a lot.

“Will this do, Daniel?” Ammonet’s voice came from behind him, and he turned to see her wearing a bodysuit. It was a deep red but seemed to be made of a cotton like material that would work for the beach.

“Very nice,” he smiled, leaning over and kissing her.

“Are we ready?” she asked.

He nodded, “I have everything we need for our three days away.”

“Excellent,” she stated before turning to Killa, “We shall return in three days. If anyone disturbs us for anything less than urgent then I shall punish them severely.”

Killa nodded, “Yes, My Queen.”

“Let’s go,” Daniel stated, lifting the pack and moving to the DHD, “Killa, can you give the Queen the hat I found for her.”

While Daniel dialled, Ammonet turned to where Killa offered her a large sunhat which Daniel had set up, so she wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing when dialling the Gate. The moment the Stargate opened, he offered her his arm and led her through.

Ammonet frowned confused when they stepped out of the portal, “This is not a beach planet.”

“No, it’s not,” Daniel said as the scan began, “Welcome to Cimmeria.”

Before she could do anything else, the beam took them to Thor’s Hammer.

~

Daniel was relieved he woke up before Ammonet because he didn’t think she’d leave him alone. Grabbing the pack, he moved to the edge of the room and waited for her to waken. It was only a few minutes that he waited and when she did waken the hologram of Thor began his message.

“What did you do?” Ammonet demanded when the hologram disappeared.

“Brought you to the one place I know can get rid of you from my wife,” Daniel shook his head, “Did you really think I was in love with you? You abducted and infiltrated my wife, you put her through hell and then you used me. I despise you and now we have a way to get rid of you.”

“I will kill you,” Ammonet snarled, “And she will watch.”

Daniel laughed, “She’s been influencing you without your knowledge for months now, here she can beat you.”

With that said, Daniel ran.

He needed to find the room with the exit of the maze, because once there he had a plan to get her into the beam that would remove the symbiote and free Sha’re.

~

Daniel finally found the exit and stepped through the doorway into the cavern outside the hall. He put the bag he was carrying down and found the supplies the SGC had left there for those who made it through. The Cimmerians would send someone to retrieve the host so he knew they would have enough to keep them going until that moment.

“There you are,” Ammonet snarled as she appeared in the room, “Nowhere to run. I am going to kill you.”

Daniel stood just inside the room, mostly hiding the fact there was another cavern behind him.

“No, you won’t,” he stated.

Ammonet laughed, “Do you think you’re precious Sha’re shall stop me? She has no power over me.”

“Except persuading you that I did love you,” Daniel noted, “And that a beach honeymoon was a wonderful idea.” At her confused look, Daniel continued, “She’s been influencing you since you grabbed me, probably long before then and now, she has a way to free herself. You’ve no chance to win here.”

With a cry she attacked him, Daniel grabbed her arms and stepped back pulling her into the Hammer where the red beam caught her.

She screamed.

“Hold on, Sha’re,” Daniel called, “Just hold on. I’m here and so is your life. Just hold on.”

He wanted to look away and cover his ears, so he didn’t have to hear her scream but refused to, because she deserved him to witness her fight for her life.

Finally, the light faded and Sha’re took a step forward before collapsing. Daniel caught her and lifted her into his arms, carrying her to the small camp he’d set up for this moment. Gently resting her on the sleeping bag, Daniel grabbed the water canister and let her sip it.

“Dan’iel,” she whispered.

He smiled, gently cupping her face, “I’m here.”

“She’s gone,” Sha’re sighed in relief.

“She is,” Daniel kissed her forehead, “Now rest and once you’re ready then we can go home.”

“Hold me?” she asked softly.

Settling at her side, Daniel slid his arms around her and pulled her close. Sha’re snuggled into his shoulder and a few moments later she was fast asleep.

                             *********************************************

Sam sat in the Gateroom going through the diagnostic. The sudden sound of the Gate beginning to dial made her jump, but she activated the Iris and waited for a signal to come through.

“Who is it?” Jack asked as he walked in with Hammond.

Sam shook her head, “No GDO signal yet.”

They waited for a moment before a voice came through, “This is Daniel Jackson, come in SGC.”

“Daniel?” Sam cried in surprise.

Jack grabbed the microphone, “I thought you resigned.”

A chuckle came from Daniel, “I may need my job back.”

“Where are you, Dr Jackson?” Hammond took over.

“We’re on Cimmeria,” Daniel told them, “I was hoping someone would come get us.”

They all looked at one another surprised before Jack asked, “We?”

“Sha’re and I,” Daniel told them, “I was really hoping I could show her Earth finally.”

Hammond smiled as he stated, “SG1 will be joining you within the hour, Dr Jackson.”

“If you could get them to bring Gairwan a present,” Daniel noted, “I would like to give her something for putting up with us.”

Hammond chuckled as Jack and Sam started out the control room to change, “I’m sure I can arrange that.”

~

Daniel left the small hut that housed the Cimmerians radio that the SGC had given them. He saw Sha’re standing staring at the mountains and wrapped his arms around her waist hugging her as he looked at the view with her.

“Are they coming?” she asked.

“They’ll be here soon,” Daniel replied, “Are you sure you’re ready to leave here?”

Sha’re rested her head against his, “I am. Its time to get on with our lives.”

“As long as it’s what you want,” Daniel assured.

Turning to look at him, Sha’re whispered, “I’m not completely sure it is but we can’t hide any longer.”

Daniel hugged her close, “I love you, and I’m so happy to be with you again.”

Resting her forehead against his, Sha’re breathed, “I love you too.”

“We should get our things together for when the team get here,” Daniel said.

Sha’re nodded and took his hand for their walk to the small cottage they had been using during their time on Cimmeria.

After Sha’re had rested for a while, Daniel set up a proper campsite for them and they waited for the Cimmerians to reach them. To his relief it was Gairwan who came, a friend who was overjoyed to meet Sha’re. After ensuring they were both wearing better clothing, they started down the mountain to the horse and cart waiting for them. Sitting in the cart as Gairwan drove them to the village, Daniel held his wife close as she dosed still exhausted by the removal of Ammonet.

Because Sha’re was recovering and Daniel wasn’t ready to face all the questions over how what happened during his captivity and how they’d escaped, they decided to stay on Cimmeria for a while. It gave them the time to work through everything that had happened to them, to learn to be together once more and Daniel hoped that they would be able to move on with their lives now.

~

Stepping out of Stargate, Jack looked around and smiled to see Daniel standing waiting for them with Sha’re at his side. Both dressed in Cimmerian garb and looking mostly relaxed.

“Well, hello there Dr Jackson,” Jack noted, “It’s been a while. And Sha’re, it’s great to see you.”

“Hi, Jack,” Daniel replied, instantly reflecting Jack’s nonchalant greeting, “Thanks for coming to pick us up. I’m hoping this means I still have a job.”

Jack chuckled, “Well, we haven’t managed to clear out your office yet. Saves us a lot of work.”

Rolling his eyes, Daniel turned to Sam and accepted the quick hug she gave him before smiling as Teal’c clapped his shoulder.

Jack looked at his friend, trying to work out how much he’d need to talk when they got back but Daniel looked happy and relaxed as he wrapped his arm around Sha’re.

“So,” Jack said bringing their attention to him, “How long have you two been here?”

“A month,” Daniel replied.

“A month?” Sam demanded.

Daniel simply stated, “We needed the time.”

“But we are ready to leave now,” Sha’re added.

Jack smiled, he opened his pack and brought out the box of chocolate bars he’d brought for Daniel as a parting gift to Gairwan.

“I shall check the cottage for anything we’ve let,” Sha’re told Daniel, “And give Gairwan our gift.”

Sam caught Jack’s head tilt and said, “I’ll come help you.”

As the two women walked away, Teal’c moved to speak with the Cimmerians nearby who he knew.

“So,” Jack said as he and Daniel were left alone, “You waited a month to call us?”

“We needed the time,” Daniel replied hauntedly, “Getting here was not easy for either of us, it gave us a chance to be together without anything else getting in the way.”

Jack grimaced, “Hammond will need to know the full details.”

“And I will tell him,” Daniel stated adding firmly, “But only him. I’m not going through it over and over.”

At the determined look on Daniel’s face, Jack nodded understanding that whatever had happened with Ammonet had not been pleasant for his friend.

“We appear to have everything,” Sha’re stated as she and Sam returned with two small bags.

Daniel smiled at her and his arm wrapped around his wife’s waist before he kissed her temple.

“We’ve already said our goodbyes,” Daniel stated, “If you want to dial us home.”

Jack gave a quick nod and motioned to Sam to dial Earth. When she let them know that the signal had been received Jack looked at his friend, who was holding onto his wife and smiled.

“Let’s go home.”

Daniel looked at Sha’re who smiled before they walked through hand in hand. Assured their lost lamb was on his way back to Earth, the rest of SG1 stepped into the Stargate.

                             *********************************************

Daniel stood on the balcony of his apartment, grateful that it was still there, and looked up at the stars. The medical and debriefing had taken so many hours to get through but finally they were allowed to leave, and Daniel was able to take his wife home for the first time.

Sha’re had looked around getting to know it while he made them dinner. She put away what little clothing she had been given and was sorting things in a way she liked them.

Making it her home as well as his.

“Dan’iel,” she called making him turn to her, “Are you coming to bed?”

“Of course,” he stepped back inside and closed the balcony doors.

Sha’re smiled at him, “Are you alright?”

“Just amazed to be here at last with you,” he told her, wrapping his arms around her, “There were so many times…”

“I know,” she soothed.

Daniel rested his head against hers, “I still have a lot to tell you, and so much to show you.”

Kissing him Sha’re murmured, “You can show me, but we have time now.”

With a grin, Daniel took her hand, “Let’s go to bed. I know you tire easily, and it’s been a long day.”

With a mischievous smile, she pulled him to their bedroom, “I’m not that tired.”

[singledarkshade]

It's my 7 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

[singledarkshade]

Cracked

Summary: Finishing a survey, Rodney finds a problem with DHD.

Author’s Notes: @gateathonworks month four, the prompt I chose was DHD. I may add a second chapter at some point. Enjoy.

                        *********************************************

The team began to pull together the equipment in order to head back to Atlantis, as they had finished early which had surprised everyone. Laura Cadman ensured that the MALP her group were packing was fixed properly before nodding to Dr Ender that they were ready to go.

“Dammit,” an annoyed cry came from nearby.

Laura turned to see Rodney standing in front of the DHD, head tilted to one side and arms folded. Even from the back she could see the irritation coming from him.

“Something wrong?” she jogged over to him.

He glanced at her, “We have an issue with the DHD.”

“Which is?” she asked worried.

Rodney nodded down at where the inner workings of the DHD were sitting exposed, “Look.”

Annoyed he wasn’t just explaining, Laura held back the remark that came to mind, so she didn’t start and argument with him. She’d promised herself that she would not let him aggravate her. Instead, she leaned forward, tilting her head to the side she looked down at the crystals inside the device and grimaced, “Is that a crack?”

“Yeah,” he replied, annoyance in his voice, “The moment we activate the Gate it could crack further or even shatter and…”

When he trailed off, Laura demanded, “And what?”

“Take your pick,” Rodney told her, “It could shut down, it could move the wormhole to another Gate, or it could just explode.”

“Next time, lead with explode,” Laura frowned at him, “What’s the plan?”

Rodney looked up at her, “I don’t have one just now.”

“Seriously?” she stared at him before demanding, “What happened to genius at work?”

He frowned at her, “I need to do some tests. If we had a Jumper, it would be easier. I could use the crystals from the Jumper to replace the cracked crystal, but we don’t, so I need to go over my options.”

Laura mused for a second, “Well, Atlantis will dial up the planet when we don’t return. Won’t they?”

“Which could make the DHD explode,” Rodney told her.

Laura grimaced, “Can you disconnect the DHD?”

Rodney shook his head and simply said, “Explode.”

“We have six hours till we’re late,” Laura noted, “Which gives you time before they open the Gate from the other side to see what you can do.”

Rodney nodded.

Laura licked her lips in thought, “Should I set up camp?”

Rodney glanced back at the scientists and military milling about behind them, “Not yet. Just tell them we’re going to be sticking around for a while.”

Laura sighed, “I knew I shouldn’t have swapped Lorne and headed back earlier.”

“Why did you?” Rodney asked as he settled on the ground and started attaching cables to the DHD.

“He had a date scheduled for tonight,” Laura replied.

“Who with?”

“Hobart.”

Rodney grimaced, “Damn.”

“Problem with that?” Laura asked confused.

He sighed, “I now owe Sheppard twenty bucks. I bet him Lorne would never get the courage up to ask her out.”

Laura patted his shoulder, “He didn’t. She got sick of waiting for him to ask her so asked him.”

Rodney chuckled.

“Next time he gets to stick around,” Laura said, “I’ll let everyone know and get them settled. Call if you need me.”

~

“Cadman,” Rodney called over his radio, “I need you over here.”

Relieved that she didn’t make a smart remark back, Rodney stood and stretched slightly before turning to see her walking towards him. As much as he complained about it, he was glad to have her back on Atlantis. Mostly because she wasn’t afraid to push back against him and thanks to their body-sharing, they worked well together when they really needed to.

“How’s it going?” she asked when she jogged over.

“I think I may have a way to bypass the crystal,” Rodney told her, “But it won’t work for long.”

“How long are we talking here?” Laura asked with a frown, “Long enough to get us all through or long enough for a quick message?”

Rodney grimaced, “I can’t predict.”

“Okay,” Laura said, “We get the Gate open, send a message telling them what’s happened and send the team through as fast as possible.”

Rodney nodded, “I’ll pull together a message that can be sent.”

“I’ll get everyone ready to move,” Laura told him.

“We’ll have to leave the MALPs but make sure they take all tablets, so we don’t lose the work we’ve done today,” Rodney told her.  

Laura nodded.

“When you get back to Atlantis,” Rodney started only for Laura to frown at him making him ask, “What?”

“I’m not leaving until you do,” she told him.

“Cadman…”

“You know Sheppard wouldn’t, neither would Lorne,” she reminded him, “You wouldn’t expect either of them to leave you here. You can’t expect me to.”

Rodney stared at her, trying to refute her words but knew he couldn’t. Despite how much he complained about her, Rodney did care about Laura Cadman, a lot more than he would ever let anyone know. He didn’t want her to be in danger but also knew he couldn’t protect her. Mostly because she could easily kick his ass and would if given the reason to.

“Fine,” he gave in, “Get Ender over here.”

Laura called to the scientist who jogged over to join them.

“Alright,” Rodney stated when the other man joined them, “You’re going through first. If the Gate shuts down before we get back, then you need to tell them not to try and reopen the Gate but send the Daedalus for us. But they need to send the DHD recovery pack that Zelenka made with it.”

Ender nodded, “No problem, Dr McKay.”

“Cadman,” Rodney turned to her, “Get them ready to go the moment the Gate is open. I’ll be set up in five minutes.”

She nodded and jogged away, he knew she would have everything sorted for the moment he was able to try to open the Gate.

~

Laura watched Rodney finish his final checks while the team ensured they were ready to go through the moment they were given the signal.

She had the GDO which Rodney had connected to a tablet so it would send their message at the same time.

“I’m ready,” Rodney told her.

Laura nodded before calling to the team, “We’re about to open the Stargate. When I give the signal run through and get out of the way. Ender, the moment everyone is through let us know and we’ll follow.”

They all nodded, readying themselves to sprint through on her signal. She heard Rodney dial the DHD behind her, the Stargate opened, and she hit the button sending the GDO code and their message.

“Go,” she yelled when she received the code that the shield was down.

The science team sprinted forward, and Laura readied herself to run as well.

“Everyone’s here,” Ender called over the comm.

“On our way,” Laura replied. She and Rodney began to move but as they reached the Gate, she saw it flicker, and a whine began from the DHD.

“Close the shield,” Rodney yelled over his comm link, grabbing Laura’s arm he pulled her away.

The sudden explosion from the DHD made the ground shudder and they fell to the ground rolling away, they slammed into the MALP. Laura groaned, as did Rodney whose full weight was on top of her.

“It’s okay,” she told him when he tried to get off her, “Catch your breath. I’m not expecting you to move.”

He rolled his eyes at her but took a few slow deep breaths before finding a way to slide off her.

Laura glanced over at him as they lay side by side, “Are you okay?”

“Bruised but nothing broken,” he replied, “You?”

“Same.”

They managed to finally sit up and looked at the Stargate. It was sitting still, the only indication of an issue was some slight burn marks while the DHD was a smoking mess.

“I’m guessing there is no way to fix that,” Laura sighed.

Rodney turned to her, “Well we can try while we wait for rescue if you’re really bored but everything has melted into one disgusting mess.

“Well, let’s check out supplies,” Laura suggested, “Since we’re going to be here for a while.”

~

Rodney finished building the fire, a skill he had never expected to have, before he checked on the shelter Laura was making. Even with the Daedalus, it would take at least six days for someone to rescue them. Meaning they had to survive until then.

Thankfully, since the MALPs had been left then they had the supplies that were in them which had enough food to get them through.

There was a stream nearby which meant they would have fresh water too.

All they had to do was get alone with one another, which was the one thing Rodney wasn’t sure they could do.

“Well,” Laura appeared at his side, “We have a place to sleep for the next few days, and I even found some spare clothes.”

“Good,” he said, “I’ll set up a homing beacon for the ship, but we won’t need it for a few days.”

As she sat beside him, Laura asked, “Think we can survive six days without killing one another?”

Rodney shrugged, “We have a whole planet to ourselves, so maybe.”

Laughing Laura leaned against his arm, and Rodney smiled, they just had to get along for a less than a week.

They could do that.

He hoped.

[singledarkshade]

Connected Souls

Part Two

(Part One can be found here)

Daniel Jackson’s life in the past few years had been crazy. All of which had led him to a cave on a random planet, with several guns aimed at him by people who looked like they were from Earth, while he held onto the most dangerous weapon in the room.

“Daniel Jackson?” the blonde woman of the group gasped in surprise.

“Who?” the guy, with black hair that looked like he’d had an electric shock, asked confused.

Daniel slowly moved, encouraging his companion to follow his example. He kept his hand around her right wrist, ensuring she didn’t try to attack anyone until he was sure they weren’t friendly.

“Why don’t you let her go?” the blonde woman asked, clearly not liking the grip Daniel had on the other woman’s wrist.

“You don’t want me to do that.” Daniel stated, “Trust me.”

The leader grimaced, “Really? Why not?”

“It’s a long story,” Daniel stated. He grimaced knowing he’d have to give them a little information, “This is Sha’re. She was altered by the Goa’uld to be a weapon.”

“And you won’t let her go, why?” electric shock guy asked.

“Because right now she’s bonded to protect me,” he explained, “And it is a bit too complicated to go into right now.”

“Can she speak for herself?” the blonde demanded.

“Not in English,” he replied, “At least not much. Sha’re can understand you but right now if I let her go, she will attack you.”

There was a moment of silence where Daniel could practically feel the wheels turning before the leader spoke again.

“I’m Colonel Charles Kawalsky,” he introduced, “We’re from Earth.”

Daniel nodded, “I did guess that.”

Before anything else could be said an explosion sounded from nearby, Daniel swore as Sha’re jumped.

“They’ve found us,” he gasped, “If you’re heading back to Earth then we need to go now or we have to find another safe planet.”

Kawalsky frowned before he nodded, “Right. Let’s get out of here.”

“Can someone grab the bag from there?” Daniel asked as he picked up the bag from the other corner, still keeping a hold of Sha’re.

The blonde woman lifted the bag and Sha’re took it when it was close enough to her, holding it protectively to her.

“We’re going somewhere safe,” Daniel murmured to Sha’re in her own language.

She glanced at their new friends, “Are you sure?”

“More or less,” Daniel replied before he added, “But they have the ability to help you.”

She nodded.

“It was my home world,” he added, “So, hopefully I’ll be able to find us a somewhere that isn’t a cave to sleep at night.”

She gave him a soft smile.

Daniel turned back to Kawalsky, “Let’s get out of here.”

~

Sam frowned as she watched this universes version of Daniel Jackson grip the zat in one hand while he held the woman’s wrist with his other. She wasn’t sure she liked how he was treating this young woman; the idea she was bonded to him didn’t sit right with Sam. She didn’t like what it might mean but at the moment she knew they had to get back to the Stargate.

As they started towards the Gate, avoiding the village, Sam stayed on alert. Her attention pulled when Kawalsky broke the silence.

“Keep your eyes open,” he ordered.

“Hopefully they’ll go towards the forest first,” Jackson spoke up, “I put a locator there, assuming they haven’t cottoned on to the trick since I’ve done it a few times in the past.”

“I’ll want the explanation of that when we get back,” Kawalsky told him.

To Sam’s surprise they made it almost to the Gate without incident, but as she began to dial Earth a cry sounded before several staff blasts exploded nearby.

“Get down,” Sheppard yelled, he fired at the Jaffa coming towards them.

Jackson fired as well, pulling his companion back behind him as Sam ran to the DHD.

“Hurry up,” Kawalsky snapped.

Ignoring him, Sam finished dialling, then sent the GDO code through, the moment it turned green she yelled, “We’re clear.”

“Jackson, go through,” Kawalsky ordered, “Carter, go too.”

Sam motioned Jackson and the woman he called Sha’re through the Gate before she ran through behind them. The moment she was through, Sam moved their guests down to the bottom of the ramp where O’Neill was standing looking stunned.

A few moments later Kawalsky and Sheppard came through, the Iris shutting behind them.

“Dr Jackson,” O’Neill said casually, “We’ve been wondering where you were.”

Jackson looked at him confused before his attention was grabbed by Sha’re who gave a groan of pain.

“Sha’re,” Jackson gasped worriedly. He caught her, lowering her to the ground and reached into one of the bags he had, pulling out what looked like syringe.

Sha’re said something to him, concern in her voice.

“This is my world,” he reminded her, “You can rest.”

She nodded and he injected the contents into her arm, once he administered the shot, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close as she slipped into unconsciousness.

“So,” Jackson said after a moment, looking up at them, “I’m guessing you have somewhere she can rest while you interrogate me.”

O’Neill frowned before noting, “We don’t interrogate but would love to hear your story.” He motioned to an airman who brought over a wheelchair, “How about we head to the infirmary, get you checked out and you can give me that?”

Jackson nodded, he waved everyone else away and lifted the unconscious young woman into the wheelchair, making sure she was in safely before taking the handles and looking at O’Neill.

“Lead the way.”

                             *********************************************

Daniel gently transferred Sha’re onto the bed, checking she was comfortable before covering her with a blanket. Assured she was safe he turned to the woman standing with O’Neill.

“If you change, Dr Jackson,” she said, “Then get settled in curtain two, I’ll perform your medical.”

“I’m not leaving her,” Daniel stated.

The man who introduced himself as Jack O’Neill held up his hand before the doctor could argue.

“She’s asleep,” he said, “And the medical is mandatory.” Before Daniel could say anything else, he continued, “I will stay with her until you’re done. Make sure she’s safe. I promise.”

Daniel wasn’t sure why he was trusting this man; they’d literally just met but there was something in his eyes that told Daniel he could.

“Don’t touch her,” Daniel warned, “She will attack you. If she wakes up, which she shouldn’t since I just gave her the serum, she understands English but can’t speak it much yet.”

O’Neill nodded.

Reluctantly, Daniel left the room to change. He was happy to get out of the clothes he was wearing and into the fresh scrubs, although he would have preferred a shower first. He sat through the medical exam that the doctor who introduced herself as Janet Fraiser did, answered all the questions carefully before being put in an MRI machine.

The small space almost sent him into a panic attack, but he forced himself to remain calm knowing he had to remain composed so he could stay with Sha’re.

Finally, it was over, and the doctor allowed him back to Sha’re’s bedside. Checking her, he licked his lips in thought.

“She should sleep for at least another twenty minutes,” he said, “Is it possible I can get a quick shower?”

“Can you take him to the locker room,” O’Neill said to Dr Fraiser, “so he can clean up and give him a something to wear.”

The doctor nodded and Daniel followed her.

“Towels, shower gel, and a jumpsuit,” Fraiser pulled everything out a locker, “This should fit you.”

“Thank you,” Daniel said softly.

She left the room and Daniel turned on the shower, closing his eyes in relief as the warm water battered down on him. He poured a large dollop of the shower gel into his hand and started to lather up his body and hair. Rinsing away the lather, he sighed happily as he was completely clean for the first time in what felt like forever.

Stepping out the shower, Daniel dried himself before dressing in the green jumpsuit, and sliding his feet into the socks and shoes Fraiser had added to the pile before she left the room. Staring at himself in the mirror, Daniel used the comb sitting there to sort his hair. He then tied it back and hoped he could get it cut some time soon.

Shaking himself, Daniel knew he had to get back to Sha’re just in case she woke up sooner than expected. At least now they were safe, the barrier on the Stargate meant that the Goa’uld couldn’t get to them.

Opening the door, he was surprised to find Doctor Fraiser standing waiting for him.

“Feel better?” she asked.

“Feeling cleaner,” he replied softly.

She chuckled and motioned him to follow her. The moment they reached the room Sha’re was sleeping in, he pulled the seat over so he could sit at her side and took her hand.

~

Jack watched this universes version of Daniel Jackson as he sat beside the young woman the team had found with him.

His first thought on this version and the one he’d met from the other world was that this one needed a haircut. The other thing was this one looked just as jaded but in a different way.

“So,” Jack said, reminding the other man he was there, “I kinda need to get the story of where you’ve been, what happened to you and who your friend is.”

Jackson stared at the woman for a moment before he sighed, “I suppose so. Can I get something to drink while I talk?”

Jack tried not to grin too much, “Doctor Fraiser, could you get someone to get Dr Jackson some water and lunch.”

Fraiser nodded and disappeared to speak to one of the nurses.

“Well?” Jack asked, motioning the other man to start talking.

Jackson let out a long sigh, “Okay, it’s not that interesting. A few years ago, I gave a lecture which ended in disaster meaning I lost my grants, lost my job and got kicked out of my apartment. Luckily a few months before I’d been approached by Lingua Inc to work as one of their translators. They still wanted me, so I took the job.”

“Ties with the information I was given about you,” Jack noted, before motioning him to continue.

“Anyway,” Jackson said, “We were hired for a multi-national scientific trip to Antarctica where we found a Stargate in an ice cavern. Long story short, the team somehow opened it, I have no idea how but the vibrations of it opening caused a cave in. Our only way to survive was to go through it and we were instantly captured by the Goa’uld whose planet we ended up on. Bornal is not one of the Egyptian Pantheon of Gods which a lot of them use to rule, but a scientist who works for Apophis. I’m guessing you know who he is.”

“We’ve met,” Jack replied.

Daniel smiled slightly before he continued, “He found me to be useful because I can speak multiple languages and learn others quickly. It meant I could communicate with all the slaves. So, I was collared to stop me trying to escape and put to work.”

Jack stayed silent as Jackson stopped speaking. Fraiser chose that moment to return with a tray for their guest containing a sandwich, a glass of water, and a pot of chocolate pudding.

“Thank you,” Jackson said softly before taking a quick drink and eating some of the sandwich. He took another quick breath before continuing, “One of the things Bornal was working on was creating a bodyguard for the Goa’uld of Apophis’ kingdom, a human weapon who was enhanced then bonded to one particular Goa’uld as their ‘Master’.”

“Bonded?” Jack leaned forward intrigued.

Jackson’s expression hardened, “A chemical connection which means the bodyguard has to be close to their ‘Master’ as well as copulate at least once every two weeks with them at a minimum or they go crazy.”

As this information sunk in, Jack glanced at the sleeping woman Jackson was sitting beside.

“Kawalsky said you told him you were bonded to her,” Jack noted.

“I’ve never touched her in that way,” Jackson stated sternly. He took a breath and continued, “Goa’uld in their natural form are asexual, they don’t care if men or women are brought into their bed.”

Jack frowned at the haunted look that touched the younger man’s face before it became impassive again.

“The procedure to create the bodyguards was found to work best on women,” Daniel explained, “Sha’re was brought in a few months ago and the tests showed she was a perfect candidate for it. As I was charged with bringing those who were marked for the procedure food and water each day, Sha’re and I talked. We became friends and when they took her to make her the new bodyguard for Apophis, I tried to stop them. The guard knocked me out, but when he did the slave collar that I wore was damaged. When I woke up, I managed to steal a zat, knocked out Bornal and the guard but I was too late. She’d already been through the process.” He paused to take another drink, “The only thing they hadn’t done was bond her because she was to be given to Apophis himself. He wasn’t due back until the next day, I asked her if she wanted to bond with me so we could escape, and we’d find a way to separate us once we were safe.”

“Then how…”

“The serum I injected her with,” Daniel told him, “Bornal created it so he could control the bodyguard if their master didn’t have time to copulate or, in Sha’re’s case, the Goa’uld she was intended for wasn’t able to bond straight away. It mimics the hormones released which calms her but unfortunately knocks her out which is why I could only give it to her when we were safe.”

Jack watched the other man as he finished his sandwich before he ate the pudding, a slight smile on his face. Frasier handed him a file, and Jack quickly scanned the results. Jackson had some scars that looked both a few years and a few months old, he was malnourished but in surprisingly good health considering everything. Most importantly of all there was no sign of Goa’uld infestation. Sha’re on the other hand had blood work Fraiser had noted as insane, but from what she could see the young woman was in perfect health.

“I promised Sha’re I would find a way to make her normal again,” Jackson said suddenly, “And try to find a way to save her brother.”

“What happened to her brother?” Jack asked.

A grimace touched the other man’s face, “Skaara is now the host of Apophis’ son Klorel.”

“Sounds like a mouthwash,” Jack said without thinking.

To his surprise, Jackson let out a small snort of laughter.

“I know I have no right to ask,” Jackson stated, “From what I can tell, this place is probably a big secret, you’re military and there are probably a hundred rules which means you should send me away. But I can help. I speak a lot of languages, I know several Gate addresses where we made some friends, I know a lot about the Goa’uld hierarchy, and I have some basic training. I will do whatever you need me to, if you promise to help Sha’re return to normal again.”

Jack glanced at the file before he replied, “We need to get you confirmed as no longer missing. I’ve got a few people I need to talk to before I can agree to you joining the programme, but I promise we’ll do everything we can to help Sha’re.”

Jackson glanced at the woman on the bed, “Good. She deserves to have a normal life.”

Leaving the room to get the process started, Jack paused and looked back seeing the way Jackson was holding Sha’re’s hand and the look on his face as he watched over her. Although he stated they were only friends, it was clear to see Jackson cared for her a lot more than he was saying.