Sam felt as if her heart would explode. They had to have been running for hours. In actuality, it had taken only a minute to reach the area they had last seen the colonel and Daniel in. Both she and Teal�c had stopped and were looking frantically for any signs of the two. In her mind�s eye it was all so clear � the colonel coming around the corner and giving her a hard time for being out of breath after running such a short distance. She could hear him making some smart remark about her not finishing her warning or maybe for her lack of control, allowing herself to have tears in her eyes. She could see Daniel, glaring at her for so rudely interrupting his exploration. Cradling the video camera like it was a new born baby while questioning her in detail, making sure she had taped absolutely everything of possible significance. None of it was real. There was no trace of her friends and she could feel the panic bubbling in her just beneath the surface.
Sam couldn�t do what she knew had to be done. She kept her sights purposefully away from the pedestals, knowing the answer they sought could be seen as residue dusted around any one of them. She looked to Teal�c. It was one of the rare occasions his face clearly showed his feelings. He was making up for her cowardice regarding the fate of the two men by weaving around each platform, looking for remains.
Remains. This can�t be real, it is not really happening, there are no remains. To have remains, you need someone to be dead and there are no dead people here.
Daniel and the colonel were not dead, they just needed to be found. Sam knew she was doing no one any good this way. She tried to shake off the fog that had wrapped itself around her brain and began moving towards the pillar she had last seen the two men near.
�Major Carter.� Teal�c had crouched down near the pillar and called out to her as he stood.
Sam met his eyes and saw pain there, slowly lowering them to the object in his hand. Resting there was Daniel�s notepad. Sam took a deep breath in an effort to keep her emotions in check. She closed her eyes momentarily, reaching into her inner most reserve of strength and resolved to ask the most painful question she could ever remember asking. �Teal�c, is there any indication of��
�There was not,� Teal�c interjected cutting her off.
Sam closed her eyes again, grateful he had intentionally allowed her to keep her fears silent. She opened them and moved closer to the pillar, near where Teal�c had found the pad. A small shiver of terror passed through her and she went deathly pale as her eyes saw a shadow of something on the far side of the column. �Teal�c,� she managed to whisper, grateful it was enough to call his attention to her. He silently appeared at her side, both of them focusing on the item that had captured her attention.
It was the sole of one black military boot.
~~ * ~~
Daniel felt more relaxed then he had been in forever. He and his two companions were moving at a leisurely pace, soaking in the sun and fresh air and generally enjoying what was a beautiful day. Even Jack seemed peaceful and content to just walk and amicably chat with the woman beside them. Her evasive answers about where they were had continued, but as they came across plants and animals they were unfamiliar with, she had given them any information they asked for and actually seemed very pleased to be asked. He had to admit his curiosity had been piqued by this woman and her lovely planet and other than wishing Sam and Teal�c were here, it was turning out to be a blessing.
He had been surprised when Jack had agreed to let AwnaRay show them around without putting up a fuss. Well, without a huge fuss. Jack had been slowing the pace down for the last few minutes and Daniel had noted a perplexed look on his face. He wondered if his teammate was now second-guessing that decision. His assessment of his teammate was confirmed as Jack came to a stand still, his face taking on the look of a team leader about make some demands. The woman had taken a few steps beyond the men before realizing they had stopped. She turned and set those big brown eyes on them and Daniel could actually feel some of the resolve melt from Jack�s bearing. The older man hesitated briefly but managed to give voice to his concern.
�Look, Awna. I�d like to know exactly where we�re going. It�s not that we don�t want to see your home, this is nice, but do you think we could have a few more details before rushing in?�
�We are not going or rushing, Colonel. We are there.� AwnaRay motioned for the two men to turn around. They obliged and found themselves at the end of a long dirt road that seemed to be the main drag of a good sized village. There were people moving everywhere, open aired shops lining both sides of the streets, children running around playing and parents chasing them. Daniel smiled at a woman as she passed with a squealing baby bundled in her arms.
�Daniel. Isn�t this the way we came from?� Jack sounded as confused as Daniel felt.
He slowly let his reply dribble out, preoccupied with trying to take in all the surrounding activity. �Yeah. This wasn�t here a minute ago.�
�It has always been here, as have you,� the young woman added cryptically.
She smiled and turned at the sound of a friendly voice calling out to her. �AwnaRay! A glorious day, is it not? I see we have visitors. Are these the ones?�
Both Daniel and Jack turned to the owner of the voice, surprised to find they were now at the center of a very busy market place. There were literally hundreds of people moving around, talking and smiling at the newcomers. A group of young boys were playing a version of kick the can with a rock as they ran past, waving to both AwnaRay and them. Daniel was barely able to bring his attention to the man moving towards them with the hubbub they were now surrounded by.
�Galean, I�d like you to meet Jack and Daniel. I believe they are the ones. Jack. Daniel. I�d like you to meet Galean, one of the leaders of the Laytelle.�
A heavyset man with short, dark hair, eyes the color of ebony and a broad, sincere smile turned his attention to them. He appeared to be in his late fifties and was a bit shorter than AwnaRay. The concern Jack had shown only moments before had apparently evaporated as Daniel noted he immediately shook the man�s hand when it was offered. He was compelled by the man�s warmth to do the same when his turn came. Within moments he felt like he was catching up with an old college buddy. Even Jack was keeping a sociable banter going with the man.
AwnaRay finally stepped in to get them back on track. �I�m sorry to interrupt you three, but we have a lot we need to show Jack and Daniel. We�d better get a move on.�
Daniel raised his eyebrows at AwnaRay�s choice of words and noted how they could very easily have been taken directly from Jack�s mouth. He knew after three years on SG-1, this whole situation should be making him jumpy, but he couldn�t feel it. He was having a great time and he really wanted to know more about the Laytelle. Even more telling, Jack seemed to feel safe and that was good enough for him.
Galean smiled at the girl in agreement and put his arm out to usher them to the center of town. �Of course you�re right, my dear. Gentlemen, please allow me to guide you. This place is called Evire. We are the largest community on this planet. To know of Evire is to know us.�
Jack and Daniel exchanged a look, finally having a name to associate with the �where we always are� place they were about to tour. Excitement and wonder filled Daniel as one half of SG-1 willingly followed the two strangers into the heart of Evire.
~~ * ~~
Jack was trying to figure out if his feet could hurt anymore than they did right now. The four of them had been walking for hours. Evire was huge and their two hosts seemed determined for them to see every inch of it. It appeared Daniel could walk forever and never tire as long as their hosts continued to answer the three billion questions he continuously threw at them. AwnaRay and Galean seemed more then happy to do so and had, in fact, prompted a few questions along the way. Jack had the distinct impression it was less about them being the ones and more about Daniel being the one. Not that Jack hadn�t lobbed a few questions at them of his own. He had to say he was impressed with the Laytelle. In some ways, they were far advanced over their Earth counterparts. They had seen signs of big industry and a quick trip through a hospital indicated advanced medical abilities.
Yet, they were also a very simple group of people. They used neither the money nor the barter systems. Everyone chose a job to do and they all equally kept the community running and fair. There was no crime and therefore no need for any type of weaponry. They had seen various types of housing and clothing, most of it much more traditional than the casual wear AwnaRay had on. Transportation ranged from walking to a subway-like transit system. Everyone chose what he or she liked or what was available and that was that. No upper or lower class and the leaders all seemed to be just general folk who would step up for a while and would be replaced every few years when someone else wanted to give it a try.
At every turn the people welcomed the strangers like they were the best of friends and Jack had to admit he really, really liked these people. There was still a small nagging voice in the back of his head that kept saying nothing could be this perfect. He felt like he had stepped onto Fantasy Island and wondered when Mr. Rourke was going to jump out of the bushes with the gotcha of the idyllic setting. Still, he hoped he was wrong.
Daniel was still waxing on about the wonders of the library they had just finished walking through. Jack wondered exactly how much more information could be stuffed into the man�s head before it exploded.
�Jack, these people are amazing! Did you see the library? How long do you think Hammond will need before he lets us come back to set up an alliance?� The excitement was flowing off the man in waves and it was very easy to get swept up in it.
�Take a deep breath, Daniel. We need to find our team and get home before we worry about anything else.� Jack watched as Galean stopped at the entrance of the building and took AwnaRay�s hands in his.
�I will leave you now to say goodbye to our new friends.� Galean turned to Jack and Daniel, giving each a handshake, a pat on the shoulder and a kind smile. �I believe AwnaRay is right about you, Jack and Daniel. We were lucky to find you. Our people couldn�t be in better hands. May the universe watch over you and keep you safe.�
Many people will say they wish you well. Very rarely did Jack actually believe they cared. Not only did he believe Galean did, he found himself caring back. The three finished their farewells and walked out of the building, only to find themselves back in the beautiful field they had started in. He had no idea why, but he wasn�t surprised.
�AwnaRay, how did we get back here?� Daniel�s tone indicated he knew the question would likely not get a real answer.
Without waiting for her to reply, Jack softly answered the man. �We�ve always been here, Daniel.�
The young woman smiled and took Jack�s hand in hers. �You understand.�
�No, not really. Just sorta figured you�d say that.� Jack gave a small squeeze to the hand he held in his, letting her know the strange answer no longer bothered him.
She smiled, accepting his response and turned so she could speak to both men. �I�m afraid I must leave you now. You need to rejoin your friends before there is damage. Thank you for allowing me this time.�
�AwnaRay, what do you mean by damage? To us, our friends, you?� Daniel asked, giving her a concerned look.
Looking away and avoiding his question, AwnaRay made a spine chilling statement. �There is one more thing you need to know. The snakes came to Evire.�
Both men involuntarily became rigid at the term. Jack was at a loss and was relieved to hear Daniel voice the question they both already knew the answer to. �Snakes?�
�Jack refers to them as snakes. You Daniel, call them the Goa�uld. Our people referred to them as the ones with eyes and hearts of fire. They are evil.� She stated it with unnerving simplicity and looked back over her shoulder.
Jack and Daniel followed her gaze as the sky darkened and the outline of a pyramid ship became clear. As the ship breached the horizon, it began to fire at the small portion of Evire still visible in the distance. Damn it! He knew this had been too good to be true. Muttering a few curses under his breath while looking around for someplace to take cover, he spotted a line of trees not too far away. Jack found Daniel had moved closer to AwnaRay, unconsciously trying to protect her. Her expression mirrored the unconcerned one she�d had earlier that day when he had his P-90 trained on her. It felt like a lifetime ago.
The smell of weapons fire and destruction hung in the air, making Jack think of all those people he�d spent the day getting to know. He never hated the Goa�uld as much as he did right now. He called to Daniel and jerked his head in the girl�s direction. The man nodded, signaling he understood his mission and focused on their new friend. �AwnaRay, the Goa�uld ARE evil. Very, very evil and it would appear they�re here. You have to either come with us to find cover or show us how to get back to the chamber.�
She showed no inclination she grasped the urgency and made no motion to comply with either request.
Daniel cast a desperate look at Jack and before trying one last time to make her listen. �Please, we have to go!�
She smiled at them with no fear, only sadness. �No, Daniel. There is no place to go and no reason to be afraid. The only Goa�uld that are here are the ones that always are.�
Frustrated, Jack had reached the limit of his patience. He would pick her up and carry her away if he had to. He moved closer and gave her the very last chance he was going to. �Look Awna, this whole �where we are� thing was fun at first, but we are getting out of here. Now.�
�No Jack, I am the only one who needs to go. I have shown you all I can.� AwnaRay pulled her hand from behind her back, holding it up to display a semi-transparent crystal arrangement that vaguely resembled a miniature tower nestled in her palm. There was a faint golden glow emanating from the center that began alternating between pink, golden yellow, blue and back again. Neither man could take their eyes off it. The tower disappeared back behind her, breaking the spell and leaving Jack aching to have it back. He looked around finding they were back in the windowless gray room they had started from. AwnaRay took one of both men�s hands into her own, the tower having simply misted away.
�We have come to many before you, all we have left with nothing more than they started. If you truly are the ones, find the tower. It will tell you all you need to know.�
Daniel refused to let go of her hand as she tried to pull away. �We can�t just leave you here. You, your people. They�ll die or worse. Please, please come back with us.�
The woman smiled and stepped close, laying two fingers softly at Daniel�s temple. �If you leave us here, we will live.�
She turned those rich warm eyes his way and gave Jack one last smile. The next moment came in another brilliant flash of light, ending all discussion or thought.
~~ * ~~
No, no, no! Sam kept the chant up, knowing if she broke the mantra, this would be real and she would really be looking at the two lifeless bodies of her friends.
No!
Teal�c had managed to move, completing the turn around the pillar she couldn�t find it in her to do. The crack of his staff weapon hitting the floor was Sam�s catalyst back to reality. She dropped to her knees at Daniel�s side just as Teal�c fell next to their CO. Her eyes automatically scanning over them, looking for signs of injury, finding nothing. Both looked as if they were made of wax, pale, ashen and lifeless. Sam fumbled at Daniel�s neck, desperately feeling for any tiny indication of life. There was none. Teal�c mirrored her motions, frowning deeply, confirming Sam�s suspicion there was no life in O�Neill either. They both began shaking their teammates, willing them to open their eyes and tell them this was all a huge mistake.
�Come on, Daniel! Don�t do this. Colonel!� Sam knew yelling wasn�t going to work, but she couldn�t stop herself. They can�t be gone. They were still warm. Teal�c was staring at her with more fear than she had ever seen in him. Sam took a steadying breath and tried to clear her head. Panic would not save her teammates. �Teal�c, do you remember the CPR course?�
�I do.� With no further hesitation Teal�c began to move the colonel onto his back, unzipping his jacket and vest at the same time. Sam repeated the actions for Daniel; ending with the two men lying side-by-side, the picture of silence and death.
And so it began.
Sam ran through the checklist out loud, more for her own benefit than Teal�c�s. This was routine, she could do routine.
Check pulse and breathing, start chest compressions.
One and two and three and four�breathe, please!
Blow in two breaths.
Compressions.
One and two and three�Beat heart! Be alive!
Three and four and five and�.
Sam wasn�t sure when the tears had started welling up or when she had lost the ability to speak. Awareness of Teal�c�s resonating voice now calling off the checklist filtered in and she seized on to it, a life preserver in the sea of despair she was adrift in. She forced herself to concentrate on Teal�c, not the unmoving bodies of her two friends.
One and two and three and four�
Four cycles, recheck breathing and pulse. Nothing. No!
And blow.
One and two and �Breathe, breathe, damn you!
Sam and Teal�c were flung backwards as Daniel and the colonel suddenly took huge inhalations and sat bolt upright. They watched in silence as each pulled in desperate gulps of air, too afraid to say anything that might distract the men from their task of breathing. The spell was cast off when Daniel lurched forward, trying to get to his feet.
�Oh God, Jack, all those people! We have to go back!� Awareness hit as Sam realized what Daniel�s objective was. She was on her feet in an instant, trying to keep Daniel from reaching his goal. He was still weak and unsteady, but obviously very determined as he continued to pant and try to push through her. She had to making him understand he could not do what he seemed so set on doing.
Using all her strength, Sam was able to temporarily stop Daniel�s forward momentum by grabbing both of his shoulders. �Daniel, don�t. You have to stop!�
�Let him go, Carter,� her CO rasped out.
Sam looked at the colonel in disbelief as she continued to hold Daniel at bay. �Sir, this whole place is wired, it nearly killed you. Both of you.�
�I said let him go, Major!� he ordered while trying to get to his feet.
Teal�c had placed one large hand on his CO�s shoulder in an effort to keep him seated and tried to reason with him. �O�Neill, you have been injured as has Daniel Jackson. We must get you to Doctor Fraiser immediately.�
�No, we have to help them!� Daniel cried out, and pulled out of Sam�s hold. The move had taken her by surprise and before she could stop him, he had come to rest against the pedestal, brining his hand down on a small bowl shaped artifact. Sam braced for the flash. Nothing happened.
�No!� The distraught man pulled the object from its perch into his arms, allowing himself to slowly slide down, coming to rest in a heap at the base of the pedestal. Clutching the item to him as he continued to take heaving breaths, he looked at the colonel and muttered a final �no� before letting his head fall forward in defeat.
The colonel closed his eyes and fell back to the floor, bringing both hands up to cover his face. Sam looked to Teal�c, her confusion echoed there. She wasn�t sure if they should be overjoyed or seriously freaked. They had managed to bring their friends back, but just where they had been brought back from was a mystery.
~~ * ~~
Teal�c had remained quiet for the duration of the story, his apprehension and doubts to its validity kept unspoken. Concern for his friends dictated that they appeared to need this outlet. However, it added an even greater concern in the way it was being delivered. So far, the normally verbose Daniel Jackson had added only a miniscule amount of information and then, only at O�Neill�s urging. His usually level headed commander was relating this information to them as fact, knowing there was no chance the tale he was relating could be true. Both men were behaving distinctly out of character and he was not heartened with it coming on the heels of such a grievous injury.
He was aware O�Neill had stopped speaking and seemed to be trying to read their thoughts regarding what he had told them. The Jaffa looked his friend in the eye, wanting to make clear the validity of their story mattered little; he was just relieved at their safe return.
�Look I know this sounds a little�out there, but I�m telling you, it happened. Daniel, tell them.� O�Neill motioned for the linguist to jump in anytime. Dull blue eyes turned in their direction, every word seemed to take an enormous amount of energy for the stunned man to force out and there was no emotion behind them.
�It felt real.� Daniel Jackson�s stare went back to the floor.
Teal�c was relieved he had a levelheaded Major Carter with him. She was still trying to reason with them. �Sir. I know it probably felt real, but you said you were in this city, Evire, for around nine hours. With AwnaRay for about ten hours total, right?�
O�Neill confirmed the time estimation with a nod.
�From the time we saw the flash of light until we found you was approximately one to two minutes. We administered CPR for about two to three minutes; making the time from when you �went away� to your hearts beating again at most five minutes. We�ve only been on this planet for a total of five hours. There is no way it could have really happened. Sir.� The Major had finished her explanation and was looking at O�Neill with apprehension. Teal�c hoped it was enough to convince his friends they had been hurt and needed to get to the SGC, which the colonel had steadfastly refused to do since regaining consciousness.
�It couldn�t have, but it did, Carter. A lot of people are going to die if we can�t figure out how to help them.� Jack said it with such certainty, Teal�c wanted to make it so just to spare his friend the hurt of being wrong. It was apparent O�Neill was not ready to leave it yet and quiet fell over the group.
~~ * ~~
SG-1 had been sitting in silence for close to an hour. Jack knew he was out of line by staying on the planet. His own injury aside, he had three other people�s welfare to consider. The planet had proved to be a threat. Currently, Carter and Teal�c were fine, he felt fine and Daniel appeared to be anything but fine. Physically, it was hard to say, the young man had made no complaints. Mentally was another story. He had gone from inconsolable to zombie like. For the last fifteen minutes, his brow and been furrowed and he was worrying at his bottom lip. Jack had seen the look before, a pit bull with a brand new bone to chew on, and he hoped it was a good sign.
Normally, Jack was a man of logic. Feelings were left up to the Daniels and Carters of the world. He just had this feeling if they left now, they would be walking away from something very, very important. Maybe Carter was right and it hadn�t really happened, but he would be damned if he would walk away from this before he knew what �this� was.
A spark of hope flared through him when he saw Daniel bring his head up, face showing animation for the first time since taking his place at the base of the pedestal. He leaned forward a little, blue eyes zeroing in on Carter and Teal�c. �Did you say both our hearts had stopped beating?�
Carter and Teal�c seemed a little taken aback by the abrupt mood change in Daniel. They both hesitantly bobbed their heads yes to answer his question.
�And they both started beating again at the same time?� Daniel queried. He got the same halting nods.
�Hearts that beat in tandem,� he muttered while struggling to get to his feet. Teal�c was there in a blink of an eye, assisting the young man to his feet, all the while cautioning him against doing so. Jack inwardly smiled as recollection of his earlier assessment ran through his head. Teal�c was right in the middle of the �Don�t do it but let me help you� part of Daniel control. Daniel was squinting at the text on the pillar he had been working on earlier. Without a word, Teal�c handed the man his glasses. If the other Jaffa could see him now.
The three watched as the archeologist moved around the pillar. Phrases like touch the suns, steeped in strangers, day to night to day came floating down around them. He finally seemed to focus on a series of symbols that ran about waist high around the pillar.
�Jack. I think I know what they were trying to tell us. I�m pretty sure these symbols show a lunar cycle. If I�m right the whole series shows a day, a night and another day. I think if we press the suns at the same time, something will happen.� He looked at Jack expectantly, excitement written in every part of his countenance.
�Something?� Carter didn�t seem to like the sound of that.
Daniel tried to brush her off, too caught up in his hypothesis to get to detail oriented. �I don�t know, something. Maybe something to show us if we are the �ones�.� He was answering Carter but focusing on Jack, who was already climbing to his feet to join him at the pillar.
Carter was doing what a good 2IC should as she made once last appeal to his common sense. �Colonel. You have no clue what that will do and this planet has already killed you once. Do you really think that�s a good idea?�
�No,� he stated while turning to Daniel. He felt both Teal�c and Carter tense as they each touched the symbol for the sun on opposite sides of the pillar. Nothing happened.
Daniel stood glaring at the pillar like a petulant child, looking like he was about to pound his fists on the text any minute. Jack had a good idea how he felt. Kicking the thing seemed like a pretty good course of action right now.
A calmer blonde head spoke up again. �Daniel. Sir. I think it might be a good idea to get you checked out by Janet. We should really��
Teal�c�s sudden stiffening halted the major�s train of thought. Jack was about to ask what was up when he felt the light rumbling beneath his feet. Scraping noises now joined the fray and all attention was drawn to a center panel on the pillar that was slowly sliding upwards. The panel stopped, revealing an amazing looking crystal sculpture inside. Everyone remained silent for a moment, all attention captured by the breathtaking sight.
As always, Daniel was the first one to put thought into words. �That�s it. Jack that�s the tower AwnaRay showed us. This is what she wanted us to have.� Daniel reached for the tower but was stopped midway by a large hand lightly grabbing his forearm. Both he and Jack turned startled eyes to Teal�c.
�O�Neill, it is possible your vision was a deception. It may have been to make you believe it contains knowledge when in fact, it may be a weapon.�
�Even if it isn�t an intentional weapon, sir, it could be like the orb we found. It may be dangerous without knowing it,� Carter piped in with her own two cents.
Jack looked at his two friends, knowing this made no sense to them and that he and Daniel had just put them through most of the SGC personnel�s greatest fear. There was no way to justify it to them, but this was why he couldn�t leave earlier.
�You�re both right, but you�re both wrong.� He nodded to Daniel, who immediately reached in and pulled the tower out. On contact, a faint glow started in the middle of the crystal. By the time it was out and being cradled in Daniel�s hands, the glow surrounded the man. It was as mesmerizing as it had been in AwnaRay�s hands.
A quiet prompt from Carter brought him back to the matter at hand. �Sir.�
�I know, Major. I haven�t gone completely off the deep end. There�s a containment box on the MALP, we�ll let Hammond know to have a Haz Mat team waiting for us.�
�And a medical team, sir.�
�Yes, Carter. And a medical team. Let�s go home.�
~~ * ~~
It had been nine days since SG-1 had returned from planet P33-826. Daniel and the colonel had both gotten a clean bill of health. Hadn�t even had to spend a night in the infirmary although more and more Sam was thinking maybe Daniel should have. She wasn�t sure what had happened. He had been a bundle of excitement on the planet as he hesitantly turned the tower over for transport in the containment box. He had seemed fine during the post mission physical and Janet had given them all a green light. Sometime during the debriefing, he just sort of tuned out and hadn�t really been with them since. He moved around the halls of the SGC, going through all the motions, but did it without actually interacting with anybody.
Colonel O�Neill was also behaving distinctly off the norm. If Sam didn�t know better, she would think the man had switched bodies with someone chipper. The naturally somewhat aloof officer was everywhere and talking to everybody, especially Daniel. The colonel was at him almost constantly, coercing him to eat, pulling him out of his office to visit Sam or Teal�c, trying to get him to talk about the Laytelle and how he was going to figure out the purpose of the crystal tower. Unfortunately, it was in vain, seeming to have no impact on Daniel whatsoever.
Daniel would eat when food was put in front of him, he�d follow the colonel to her lab and sit there politely until he was given the okay to go, basically do anything their CO told him to, which was weird enough in itself. More than once she thought she had seen the colonel watching Daniel mechanically do some action he had directed with a subdued, guilty sort of look. She wasn�t sure exactly what had taken place on that planet, but neither man was taking it in stride.
She thought the answer had been given to her three days after their return when technicians deemed the tower safe for study. Sam had scooped it up and found Daniel in his office. �Hey, Daniel, it�s all yours!� She had smiled at the man expecting to get an enthusiastic response as she set the crystal piece on his desk. He barely glanced its way.
�Ah, great, Sam. Thanks. I�ll look at it later,� he mumbled as he turned back to his book and away from her.
�I thought maybe we could look at it together. You know, language and science, working hand in hand.�
He had without even a glance, dismissed her. �Sorry, Sam, I�m in the middle of something. Maybe later.�
She�d told him to give her a call when he was ready and slunk away. He never called. She�d popped in a few times every day since and always got the same response. On several of her countless trips, she crossed paths with the colonel who was still diligently trying to perk the man up. She also came across Teal�c, who was usually just standing nearby, offering a steady presence. Daniel was closed to it all. At first she was hurt. Now she was hurt bordering on angry. Sam knew anger was hurt mixed with concern and frustration, but how could they help him if he refused to let them know what was wrong? She had been going over information from the planet and had a good idea about what she thought had happened to them there. Maybe she had found the key she needed to unlock the door her friend was hiding behind.
Theory in hand, she left her lab and headed straight into the belly of the beast, running into Teal�c along the way. �Hey, Teal�c. You headed down to see Daniel?�
�I am.�
�I thought I�d see how he was coming with the tower. He doesn�t seem to be having a lot of luck with it.�
�It is difficult to make progress if you are not working towards a goal.� Once again, Teal�c hit the nail on the head with unerring accuracy. The simple act of Teal�c acting like Teal�c was so welcome she almost hugged the man in relief.
Sam stopped walking, turning to her friend. �Teal�c, why do you think Daniel doesn�t want to figure out how the tower works? This is usually exactly the type of thing he loves to do.�
�I do not know. I have been unable to engage Daniel Jackson in conversation since our return. I believe O�Neill has had limited results as well. Perhaps he is still recovering from the injury he received on the planet.�
�Maybe. I just have this feeling there�s more to it.� Sam bit her lip as they resumed walking.
They were silent the rest of the way, just moving together comfortably. Neither one knocked or waited for a reply as they entered Daniel�s office. They saw the man sitting at his desk, staring at his computer. The tower was in its customary position; way off to the side, now half covered in papers.
�Hey, Daniel,� Sam called as they entered the office. The man started at the words, apparently unaware they had joined him. A frown of minor annoyance flittered over his features and he pointedly did not return the greeting.
Sam ignored his lack of response and continued on cheerily. She reached over and pulled the crystal piece in-between Daniel and her. �You had any luck with this yet?�
Daniel simply glowered at it for a second and gave a terse, �no.�
�I bet we could figure this out together. I have some time free,� Sam stated, completely ignoring the man�s foul mood.
�I don�t.�
Since he hadn�t looked up, Sam didn�t have to worry about him seeing the look of total exasperation that crossed her face. She loved Daniel but slugging him right now would not be out of the question. She stole a look at Teal�c to see if he would he would try to stop her or if he would hold Daniel down so she could get a good sock in. She was pleased to see the holding option looked viable.
Lord, give me patience, she pleaded while forcing herself to smile at the sullen man in front of her. This is going to be a very long day.
~~ * ~~
Jack was walking towards Daniel�s office with about the same amount of enthusiasm a man walking to the gallows would have. On the planet when Carter told him something he knew had happened couldn�t have, he was upset. When Teal�c added it could be a ruse, he was very upset. When Hammond suggested they go visit Janet, he was very, very upset. Then came the topper. Janet giving him her sweet, let�s humor him smile and saying �Well, sir, I�ve no doubt it felt real,� he went ballistic. He suddenly totally got how Daniel felt about Kheb. He�d meant it when he had told the man he believed in him, but it was glaringly apparent to him now why that wasn�t what he had needed to hear.
This time, Jack was completely on board and was the first one in line to tell the naysayers to jump in a lake. The last nine days had seen a colonel possessed with doing a bang up job of supporting the local archeologist. He had told him countless times he was one hundred percent confident Daniel would solve the mystery of the tower. He was certain they were the �ones� and they would somehow save the Laytelle people. He even mentioned they could step up the search for Kheb and Sha�re�s son. He had done all of this with a huge smile, great rah-rah attitude and gallons of gusto. The only thing missing was a set of brightly colored pom-poms. And Daniel was having none of it.
He had been able to elicit approximately twenty words out of the man all week and those where usually to tell Jack to go away. He wasn�t sure how much longer he could keep this up. Jack had no idea what was scurrying around in that constantly whirling mind of his friend, but he was about at the limit of his ability to �nice�. It wasn�t his style anymore than morose was Daniel�s. If they couldn�t get back to the natural order of things soon, Jack was going to seriously lose it.
Jack stopped to brace himself for impact before entering Daniel�s office. He could hear Carter�s voice merrily babbling on about nothing and would swear he could hear Teal�c�s presence. Thankful he would have some back up this go round, Jack forced a big grin in place and made what he hoped was a lighthearted entrance. �Well, well, my favorite SG team all together. Can�t beat that. What are we doing?�
He tried not to focus on the lump behind the desk and hoped no one could tell it was taking all of his energy to keep from grabbing Daniel by the shoulders and shaking him until his teeth rattled.
Carter visibly brightened when she saw him. At least someone appreciated all his effort. �Sir, you have great timing. I have a theory on what happened to you and Daniel on P33-826.�
�Go on, Major. Just keep in mind if you use the word lunatic at any point, Captain Carter may be the one finishing the explanation,� Jack prompted.
The major cleared her throat and went on as if she didn�t hear him. �Sir, I think the area we were in on the planet wasn�t a museum or a lab. I think it was bait for an extremely elaborate trap.� She paused and looked like she was trying to gauge the men�s reactions. Jack nodded at her to continue.
�I think it was placed there to get people interested enough to come check it out, like we did. The goal was to get people to touch one of the items. Somehow, all the objects had been set up to transmit a program into organic tissue and play out the scenario you and Daniel went through. AwnaRay was being honest when she said you hadn�t gone anywhere. The program was playing in you and Daniel.�
Teal�c still seemed a little suspect of the intentions behind the program. �Major Carter. If that is the case, what was its purpose? It caused the death of Daniel Jackson and O�Neill. What would it gain from such a result?�
�I don�t think it meant to cause death. Keep in mind this is a theory, but I believe it halted their other bodily functions so all energy could be diverted to the brain. This would allow them to run the whole program in an extremely short span of time. Our giving CPR wasn�t what helped them. I think the program finished and �power� was restored.�
Jack thought that almost made sense. �So why didn�t it burn our socks off?�
�My guess is that it was probably just trying to download before. It was too much for something the size of a hat or socks and caused an overload. You and Daniel were big enough and made of the right material to absorb it without that happening.�
�So we�re back to why?� Jack kept hoping Daniel would jump in. They were all acutely aware he had shown no curiosity in the explanation at all. Normally the man could never walk away from a good �why�.
�Who knows. From what you said, they were probably about to be annihilated or made into hosts by the Goa�uld. Maybe they just wanted to make sure somebody would know they existed. That the right person or people would remember them after they were gone.�
There was still one thing Jack didn�t get. �So we have no idea when the �trap� was set up. How did they know it wouldn�t be destroyed along with everything else?�
�We don�t even know if we were on the original planet of the Laytelle. Since we weren�t able to leave the chamber, it could have been hidden underground or on another planet entirely. For all we know, sir, there could be survivors of the Laytelle out there somewhere.�
�It could also be a deception. The crystal object may be a weapon with the sole purpose of bringing harm to whomever has it in their possession.
�Teal�c, you�re too young to be so cynical.� The Jaffa raised an eyebrow at Jack�s comment.
�Or maybe not. I�m inclined to go with they wanted to be remembered, but I guess we won�t know for sure until you two figure this thing out.� Jack addressed the last part of his comment to the two scientists and waved a finger towards the tower. All three looked to Daniel, who still appeared to be completely absorbed in whatever the computer screen was doing.
Jack leaned into Daniel�s personal space and clearly directed his comments at him. �Any chance of that happening anytime soon?�
Daniel crossed his arms in the universal sign for leave me alone. �What difference does it make?� he finally ground out, not even giving Jack a glance.
Jack was taken aback. He knew the man had been out of sorts, but this was way beyond that. �What difference does it make? Daniel, we are talking about an entire race of people that may have been wiped out of existence. People we met and liked and they picked us to help them. That�s what the difference is!�
Daniel was still staring at the computer screen, no emotion showing on his face. �Jack, you heard what Sam said. It was a program, nothing else. We did not meet them. They weren�t real.�
�It was real.� Jack�s calm statement finally blew the top off the simmering man.
Daniel jumped up and slammed his hand down on his desk. �No, Jack, it wasn�t! It was an illusion, no more real then, a dream would be. We did not meet them! We did not get to know them! We did not make them a promise or get the chance to say goodbye! It never happened.�
Daniel dropped back into his chair, the outburst seeming to expend all of his energy. Jack felt like the proverbial ton of bricks had just fallen from the heavens to land squarely on his head. He finally really looked at Daniel. Everything about him at this moment screamed pain. How could he have not gotten this? He let his head fall forward and rubbed at his eyes, realizing this last week had all been a monumental waste of time. He raised his head and got Daniel�s attention the best way he knew how.
�Daniel, you annoying bastard.� That did it. Ice blue eyes pinned him in place before locking back onto the computer. Of course, Teal�c and Carter were flinging daggers at him as well, but he had to take the chance.
�I have spent the last week running around like Bobo the smiling chimp trying to convince you I�m on your side and believe in the Laytelle and you�ve been acting all pissy because YOU don�t believe it?�
The blue orbs fixed on him once again and blazed from ice to fire, trying to burn a hole right through him. �You�re hardly on MY side, Jack. You believe it because you were there, not because I was there.�
The kid had a point, but he was not down for the count just yet. �Daniel. Do you know how many times you have sat right here and told me things that were absolutely insane? You said a big fish that did the hokey pokey in our heads was a swell guy just looking for his mate the only way he knew how, and I believed you. You told me you have been swapped into the body of some crazy old guy, and I believed you. You claimed you had made a quick trip to a different reality and we needed to go kill a bunch of Goa�uld before they attacked the planet, and I, eventually, believed you. You even told me Shyla and Kira were both really nice gals, and I�All right, I never believed that. But I did let you talk me into breaking you out of the nuthatch when you were seeing dead Goa�uld romping around the base so I�d say I have a pretty good record of suspending disbelief when it comes to taking your word for it.�
Jack paused in his tirade to see if he was making any headway. He was pretty sure Carter and Teal�c were on board, the �let�s kill the colonel� look had slightly abated. Daniel had gone from staring at the computer screen to the keyboard, which told him absolutely nothing.
�You�re right, I was there and it�s my turn to be believed. I want the Laytelle to be remembered and as long as you and I live and breathe, someone will.� He pulled the crystal tower over to put it in Daniel�s line of sight. �The only way for anyone else to know if it was real or not for sure is for you to figure this thing out.�
Jack knew he would sink or swim with his next words. He took a deep breath and went headfirst off the high dive. �And the only way to know if you were really able to say goodbye to Sha�re is if you find Kheb and protect her son. Like you promised.�
The words had the same effect on Daniel as a slap in the face. His color blanched and he involuntarily inhaled, although he resolutely continued to not look at Jack. The room fell silent as Daniel let his eyes settle on the crystal tower and Jack knew he�d made the right call. He knew his friend well enough to know he would want some time to work through everything that had just been thrown at him. Jack motioned to Teal�c and Sam to follow him out. He really should have known better. It was apparent it would take a substantial nuclear blast to dislodge a major in mama mode from Daniel�s side right now. Teal�c looked undecided until he observed Carter�s demeanor, then chose to quietly follow his CO out the door.
~~ * ~~
Sam stayed silent for a while after the two men left, letting Daniel take the time he needed to get his head around what had just been said, if that was possible. He stared at the desk in front of Sam, afraid he�d look up and see sympathy he didn�t need or deserve in her eyes. After several minutes he heard her shift on her feet a bit and softly try to give him a way out.
�Daniel, you know the colonel was just��
�Being an ass,� he cut in. Sam was going to try to soften it and he didn�t need or want that. Jack had been an ass because he was pouting like a child. He couldn�t stop the smile that came as he realized less then two weeks ago he was mad at Jack for treating him like a ten-year-old, now he would consider that a generous description. There went the theory on his being self-aware.
Daniel noted Sam had joined him in staring at that fascinating spot on his desk. He took a deep breath, ending the awkward silence by finishing his thought. �And he was absolutely right.�
She brought her head up and the hope flaring there made him look away. It was proof he really had put them through the wringer and embarrassment kept him from directly meeting her eyes. He shot a few looks at her through his lashes, tying to get a feel for where she stood and how much damage he�d done this last week.
She looked pretty open so he pulled the tower over to sit on the table between them and hesitantly made his proposition. �So, Sam. What would you say to you and I figuring this thing out?�
Daniel was starting to get nervous when he got no answer. He fidgeted a little before looking back at Sam, not sure what reaction would be written there. He saw what he always saw, a dear friend who cared about him.
�I�d say, that�s a great idea. Let�s do it.� Sam gave him her warmest smile and he could feel himself blush as he quickly looked at the floor. She pulled up a stool, got settled on her side of the desk as they immediately fell into their familiar roles.
~~ * ~~
Teal�c stood quietly, listening to the companionable banter coming from inside Daniel Jackson�s office, while O�Neill was slowly rolling back and forth, heel to ball to heel. Teal�c did not understand the purpose of what the man had told him was called eavesdropping. It was difficult to understand what was being said when you were no longer in the immediate vicinity of the persons speaking. It would be much more logical to stay in the room the conversation was actually taking place in. When he told this to O�Neill, the leader had closed his eyes, said �never mind� and continued listening to Major Carter and Daniel Jackson from his position in the hall.
He would have to admit, he was most pleased at the direction his friends� discussion had taken them, although he quickly found he was unable to follow much of it. When it came to these two people that was a good thing. That it pleased O�Neill as well was evident in the slight smile he displayed. Apparently, their clandestine activity was no longer necessary as was witnessed by the colonel clamping his hand solidly on Teal�c�s shoulder.
�So, Teal�c. What would you say to you and I going to the commissary and bringing some lunch back for a couple of eggheads who�ll forget to eat?�
Teal�c allowed himself a small smile as his admiration for this man increased yet again. He looked forward to sharing a meal with all of his friends in one place for the first time in far too long. �I would say, that is a great idea. Let us do it.�
~Finis
