Year One

By: MusketeerAdventure

Chapter One summary: Dr. Jackson's life is violently altered; Jack makes a promise and Teal'c concurs. These are missing moments and my take on the season one episode of 'Children of the Gods'.

Chapter One: 'Goodbye'

Stepping through the Stargate was almost like coming home…almost.

The journey, though exhilarating was painfully uncomfortable, highlighted with strobe like flashes of color and escalating sound effects. These other worldly effects gave him not only a sense of his own smallness in the universe, but also some level of contentment.

This- being a soldier; traveling among the stars was what he was meant to do. It was how he was wired, to embrace – then combat the unknown. He missed this sensation. He missed this rush of adrenaline that shot through his veins and blotted out his mistakes…if only for a little while.

Safely deposited on the other side of the galaxy, through the winding, nauseous road of gate travel, Jack was now among his kids; and lowered his weapon. Fondly he searched their faces, recalling their sacrifices. He was relieved to be among friends.

A year had come and gone, and now he was back on Abydos. He had thought never to set foot on this desert planet again. He had to admit, it was good to be here.

Surveying his surroundings he could see that things were just as he remembered. The air smelled the same…arid and sweet. Fine grains of sand swirled about his ankles, traveled up his legs, clung to his uniform, and then settled on his skin.

Familiar faces greeted him warmly with easy smiles. Skaara stood erect; Jackson crossed his arms…pulling that invisible cloak of uncertainty across his shoulders. His, "Hello Jack" surprisingly welcome to his ear.

Everything seemed to be as it should. Nothing appeared to have changed much here at all – or had it?

A cursory glance told him no recent attacks had taken place in this chamber. The Abydonians gathered in this place seemed guarded but unafraid…happy to greet remembered allies.

Skaara still held a power over him to invoke the essence of his boy…his Charlie. Their embrace was strong, stirring his heart; conjuring up a love of father for his son.

But Dr. Daniel Jackson was not as he remembered him.

He had circumvented the man's welcome; but now that he got a good look at him, could see that somehow, something about him was different.

Outwardly, his kids had grown some inches; their shoulders broadened; hair lengthened; voices deeper. He could see that some even sprouted varied growth of facial hair. Though physically transformed, the core of them was still as he remembered.

All of them continued to hold onto the excitement of youth, the unbridled glow of reckless bravery, and a proud carriage of the body that spoke of a newly found sense of freedom. They were becoming men.

But here, standing before him was a man truly changed.

His face no longer gaunt, looked healthy…well fed. His stature here among the Abydonians was high and he could tell well respected. However there was something else, and then she appeared from the shadows to stand by his side…Daniel proudly gesturing for her to step forward.

Sha're.

Stepping into the light she grasped Daniel's arm and took possession of him. She faced him warily; but Jack knew she did not trust him.

Jack smiled slightly. Here was Daniel's rock, he supposed, as he watched the young man stand that much taller; speak that much clearer; show that much love.

When she reached to shake his hand, her grip was firm and fierce. Yes, here was the change in Daniel Jackson.

Teal'c removed his breastplate and let if fall heavily to the ground.

An opportunity had arisen, and meeting the challenge he had taken it without hesitation. Today he was no longer a slave to false gods. If he were to die now, in this instant, it would be as a free Jaffa. Leaning over he took in his first breath of freedom and stumbled as the oppressive weight of servitude was lifted.

Looking about the chamber his heart pained with the stab of grief. There was much loss here. The blood of men, women and children stained his hands; and held him hostage.

Many Jaffa who lay now at his feet…killed by his own weapon were his brothers in arms. They were husbands, and fathers – just as he. Some here even silently harbored his own beliefs, that Apophis was not a God at all, but a thief, who stole lives, technology and freedom.

Apophis and others like him would have them believe he could not die – but he knew better. As First Prime, he knew their weakness; their frailties; pettiness; lack of empathy and saw it up close. These so called gods could be defeated.

For almost a century he had been a part of this lie; committing untold atrocities in Apophis' name. At first blindly – as he rose in the ranks, until decades upon decades passed him by and his eyes were wrenched open by stories of other Jaffa who became disillusioned. Jaffa who would rather remove their symbionts and the gift of long life before annihilating another race.

And now after taking a stand, here he was…alone; shol'va; free. Free to take back his life and exact revenge. But how? What next?

"Come on. Come with us", a voice called out to him…the one from Earth. "For this you can stay at my place" – and he followed; determined to live free for a few hours more at least.

Daniel groaned and felt his head explode.

Bits of light zig zagged beneath his lids and made him nauseous. Parts of his nightmare floated on the edges of consciousness, just beyond the light. He wanted to wake up, but the nightmare would not let him go and held him under.

Sha're leaned in close, her warm breath tickled his cheek as she bit his ear lobe and laughed. Embarrassed he could feel his neck, then his cheeks flush hot. She got a kick out of teasing him, but he didn't mind. He loved to hear her laugh and see her happy.

Standing on tiptoes, she reached up to ruffle his hair and kissed him deep with great insistence. He frowned as she stroked the side of his face and whispered, "Goodbye Daniel", her voice teetering between an unusual tenor of sadness and passion. He was confused.

Goodbye? Why would this be a goodbye he wondered? He would be back in a few hours at the most and when he returned from showing off his great find, they would lay down together; love one another and sleep. Tomorrow would come and they would begin again.

But then without warning, her eyes took on an unnatural glow and she did not know him. "Sha're?", he asked, as she turned away and possessed the arm of another…a parasite who pretended to be a god. "Sha're", he screamed, begging her to turn around; see him, to stay – but blasts of fire erupted all around and he was running for his life…the gate a watery refuge to safety calling for him to hurry.

"Sha're", he called out, but the wormhole closed and she was lost.

Opening his eyes Daniel reached for his wife to pull her in close. There was much to do, and soon the day would begin. He wished now for this dream to end.

Above bright lights bombarded his vision – ratcheting up the headache which had taken up residence at the base of his skull.

"Share?", he called again. He needed to speak with her; tell her of this dream…how it terrified him, how in his dream she had become a stranger and was lost.

A hand gripped his shoulder and when he could see beyond the blinding lights – Jack stood at his side, his face unreadable; but the weight of his hand spoke volumes.

Headache expanding to his temples; painful memories rushed back in an instant. Daniel bit his lip and tasted copper. This was no dream. All of it was real, a living nightmare, one he would never wake from until he could find her and re-enter their home together. Begin the day together.

Reaching for Jack's elbow, he held on tight, afraid to let go; as he would spiral into nothingness.

Taking a shuddered breath, Daniel surveyed his surroundings and could not fathom where he was and squeezed Jack's arm the tighter. "You're in the infirmary", Jack answered. "When we came through the gate you collapsed."

Gesturing at the foot of the bed, he continued, "Teal'c carried you here and you've been out for hours."

Daniel released his vice like grip and turned to observe quietly the Jaffa Teal'c – tall, broad, stoic. Teal'c raised a brow throughout the inspection and inclined his head. Daniel was perplexed. He recalled none of this. His last memory was of extracting a much needed promise from Jack.

They would find Sha're and Skaara. They would not give up. They would find his family. Jack had said so and so it would be.

Attempting to sit up, Daniel nodded in greeting, "My name is Daniel", he croaked out as a sharp pain behind his eyes grabbed hold.

With a slight bow, Teal'c responded, "Daniel Jackson…it is an honor."

Holding onto his shoulders to help position him to lay back, Jack went on to explain, "Doc Warren says you have a concussion. You're going to be okay."

Daniel closed his eyes and sighed…his heart broken. He would never be okay.

Jack squeezed the back of his neck and murmured, "In time, you're going to be okay."

Daniel nodded and relaxed into the man's reassuring grip. "She said goodbye Jack", he began and fell silent at the memory.

Jack sat at his hip and waited.

"She said goodbye as if she knew; as if she knew we would never see each other again."

"But you will see her again", Jack insisted. "We won't stop looking; we will find her and Skaara. I promise and Teal'c will help us."

Moving closer, Teal'c stood at attention – hands held behind his back; his throat trembling, the power of guilt making it hard to breathe. "I give you my word", Teal'c pronounced. "I will help you."

At this declaration, Daniel considered the man who stood before him. He would most definitely be a formidable ally and be a great asset for Earth, but could he trust him?...believe him to be sincere?

Sensing Daniel's distrust, Teal'c reiterated with conviction, "If my word is not what you seek, then I pledge my assistance willingly."

Daniel nodded and could feel exhaustion pulling him down to sleep; down to where his wife waited patiently among the dunes. "Okay", he whispered, "Okay"; then closed his eyes eager to greet his wife, whose arms extended out to embrace him as they watched the sun drop down onto the horizon and kiss the desert floor.

Thank you for reading. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. I have recently watched the season one episode of 'Children of the Gods' after not seeing it for many, many years. It made me realize how much I have missed this series. I hope you enjoyed this.