On the Other Side

YOU'RE LATE.

Daniel closed his eyes and sighed, shaking his head. "Not you again."

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS YEAR.

Daniel sat down on the ground and propped his chin up on his hand. "Don't you ever get tired of doing this?"

OF COURSE NOT.

"I meant me specifically, not just in general," Daniel clarified. "It's always a false alarm."

YOUR HOURGLASS SEEMS TO BE BROKEN. The hourglass in the skeletal hand was indeed kaput, the grains of sand hanging completely still within the timepiece. Daniel's name was inscribed on the base.

"Huh. Wonder how that happened," Daniel mused. He looked up at the faded figures of his friends, frantically hauling his lifeless body towards the Stargate. They never seemed to get any further away, although he didn't feel like he was moving at all.

If the specter had a face, he would have scowled. WE REALLY MUST STOP MEETING LIKE THIS. I HAVE OTHER PEOPLE TO SEE TO.

"Not my fault," Daniel objected. "These things just happen. And it's never a pleasure to see you either. Uh, no offense."

NONE TAKEN. He raised his wrist, revealing a large silver watch strapped around the bones. WELL I CAN'T STAY AROUND ANY LONGER. THERE'S A SENATOR DUE TO DIE IN FIVE MINUTES.

Daniel stood up again as his surroundings rippled into the familiar sight of the Gateroom at the SGC. "I guess I'll be seeing you again sometime."

Death glared at him. I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT. He hopped onto Binky's back and galloped off in a huff.