"Sir, there is a Naval SEAL here to see you." Samantha Carter informed her CO as he passed her in the hall. He stopped and looked questioningly at her.
"A SEAL? I don't know any…" He stopped as he recalled a certain mission on which he had met a couple. "Male or female?" He hoped it wasn't the woman. She had contacted him a few months after they had 'met' to inform him of what had occurred during their time together. He had been pleased by the results and very close to them… her, but he had no want to see her.
"Female, Sir. She says you knew her sister intimately." He was confused by that.
"Very well, Carter."
"The General's office, Sir."
Jack was shocked by that. "That far down?" He quickly turned and headed toward the base commander's office. He was very curious at who exactly he would find. Upon knocking, and entering, he found a tall well built woman with long curly brown hair braided down her back. She wore navy blue fatigues and a black tank top over a black sports bra. Her hazel eyes quickly scanned over him as he came in, her right brow reaching for her hairline. She said nothing, standing at ease but not normal. He doubted she ever stood like any normal civilian. She screamed military, as did the single star on her cap. He sighed. He hated dealing with generals.
"Colonel O'Neill, this is Rear Admiral King." General Hammond motioned to the woman, who nodded to Jack but nothing more.
Jack eyed her a moment before looking at the general. "So, what's going on?" His mind reeled at the face that he did know this woman. He had no idea she had progressed in her military training so far, so high.
General Hammond motioned to Rear Admiral King. "I am here in regards to Elizabeth."
"Elizabeth? What about her?" Jack faced the woman more squarely. King had been more a mother to Elizabeth than the girl's own. He knew if she was here it was serious.
"My niece wishes more contact with you, and seeing as you are more here than anywhere, I figured I should relay the message myself. She has had no luck in contacting you on her own." King did not move anything but her eyes and mouth as she spoke. Jack had rarely seen such a true soldier, even if he himself rarely stood in such a manner. Granted, he knew why she was so controlled but he hated seeing it.
"She could have left a message or wrote…"
"Excuse me, Colonel, but she has written to you or so she said. If you failed to get her missives it is of no fault of hers, nor yours I suppose. Nonetheless, she is on the surface and wishes to speak with you."
Jack eyed the Rear Admiral. "You're a SEAL?" When had he missed this news. Elizabeth had not mentioned it. He should have kept better in touch with King.
"I am SEAL trained, yes. However, I am of too high rank to go into the field on most occasions. I believe you experienced the same problem when you were promoted, did you not? That is why everyone thinks you are still a colonel."
Hammond sat and watched them like a tennis match. He had a sneaking suspicion that Jack had met his match. Things could turn out very badly. "To the surface with the two of you. I have more important things to do than listen to this."
Jack glanced at the general and nodded, leading the way out of the office and toward the elevator. King saluted the general and quickly followed. "You are high on protocol aren't you?" Jack asked as they boarded the elevator. As they did so, Daniel and Teal'c joined them. "Boys, what are you up to?"
"DanielJackson is going to the local library and asked for my company," Teal'c answered.
"Sorry, Big Guy. You deserve a better reason to leave the base than that."
"It is a perfectly good reason, Jack," Daniel protested. "I need information on an old folktale that comes from Ireland. Apparently there is a …" He stopped as he noticed King. "Uh… Hello. I'm Dr. Jackson, Daniel Jackson." He held out his hand, which was taken into a firm grip.
"Dr. Jackson, I'm Rear Admiral King, but you may call me Suzanna if you prefer. You being a civilian you need not mess with my rank." She pulled her hand back and glanced at Teal'c.
"That's Murray…"
"I believe his correct name is Teal'c, is it not?" She asked. They stared at her a moment before they reached the surface. "I am cleared, Colonel. I know much of what goes on in this place."
"Do you always talk like this?" Jack asked incredulously. Daniel looked at him in exasperation. She had changed so much from the young girl… woman he remembered.
"Perhaps I do, Colonel, but seeing as it is none of your concern I have no reason to answer your inquiry." She smirked as he snorted and stormed ahead of them. "He doesn't take dry humor well, does he?" She asked Daniel.
Daniel chuckled and shook his head. "Only if he is the one using it. So, you are cleared to see everything."
"Yes. Hammond believes I may be of some help around here, so he is in the process of transferring me here." She stopped as they caught up to Jack.
"Transfer?" Jack looked at her in mock shock. "Great, just what I need. Another smartass running around."
"Careful, Colonel," she warned. "I am younger and more capable than you. I would hate to see us butt heads." She was standing tall and proud again, hands behind her back and head high. He grumbled and signed them out so they could go meet Elizabeth, or go to the library if that was their intent.
Daniel snickered behind Jack's back. "I can hear you, Danny, and I'm not going to forget this."
"Come on, Jack. This is humorous."
"Not in my opinion." He smiled as he saw Elizabeth standing beside a navy blue Range Rover. She was taller, about five-eight. Her dark blond wavy hair had grown, no longer short enough for her to spike. Her small facial features were as cute as ever, and her bluish green eyes just as bright. Some of her ear piercings had grown over but she still had the one at the top of her left ear and the first ones in her lobes. She smiled at him, the small scar by her right eye showing as she did so. Her clothes were the regular black he had pretty much always saw her in but they were stylish nonetheless. He rushed up to her and took her into his embrace. "Hey, Kiddo!"
Elizabeth hugged him back. "Hey to you." She pulled away and eyed him. "I've been trying to get in touch with you. Where the hell have you been?" She crossed her arms and tapped her foot.
"I have been here and at home…"
"Or at the fishless lake he is always fishing at," Daniel quipped. Jack glared at him.
"Shut up, Daniel," Jack ordered.
"Such manners, Colonel." Suzanna stopped beside Jack and looked at him. "I see most of what I have heard is true." She had not fully believed the rumors about Jack. She remembered a much different man, when she allowed herself to.
"What have you heard?"
"That you are a pretentious bastard who likes to push his weight around, among other things. The Marines have such a high opinion of you." She, too, crossed her arms, both hands disappearing from view. "I had so hoped they were not correct and your head was not in the clouds with your eagle." She watched him, feet braced apart.
"You aren't much like your sister," he commented. The words came out before he could think to stop them.
"For that I am eternally grateful." She met his eyes with hard, cold hazels ones.
"I don't think I am the pretentious one amongst us. You seem high enough on the hog for all of us."
"Perhaps you would care to put your money where your mouth is, Colonel. I'm sure we can find a suitable place to settle this dispute…"
"Enough! Do I need to physically separate you two?" Elizabeth glared at them both, her eyebrow raising in exasperation. Suzanna glared back and Jack did as well. Daniel stood trying to assess what was going on, Teal'c beside him. His snickers attracted everyone's attention, which made Elizabeth notice Teal'c and stop breathing for a moment. She felt a slight heat in her cheeks as her eyes swept over his body. Even though he was completely clothed, little was left to her imagination. He was the most intriguing man she had seen in perhaps ever. Teal'c spared her only a glance before looking out over their surroundings. He was always on guard, though she did not know that was why.
"No, Liz. I will leave you to your father's capable hands. I must see to a place to stay now that I am working here." She brushed passed Daniel, who was staring at Elizabeth and Jack, mouth agape. Teal'c had his brow raised but nothing more.
Daniel's brain caught up enough to do the open close actions of his mouth but sound was still beyond him. "Wind over larynx, Daniel. That's how speech works," Jack needlessly informed him. Daniel glared and cleared his throat.
"Thanks, Jack, I think I can handle it." Daniel pushed his glasses back and stood up a bit straighter.
"Coulda fooled me." He turned to Elizabeth. "Elizabeth O'Neill, meet Dr. Daniel Jackson. Daniel, my little girl Elizabeth."
"I'm not so little anymore, Dad," she informed him before hooking her arm through his. "So, what are you going to do with me now that I'm here?" She looked up at him.
"Have fun, Jack. I have to get to the library." Daniel walked off followed by Teal'c. Elizabeth's eyes followed them, or Teal'c rather. Jack noticed but paid no attention as the big guy was rather incomparable.
"So, why are you here, and why have you been trying to get in touch with me?" Jack steered her toward his truck as she failed to answer. "Elizabeth?" The answer he was to receive was not going to be well taken.
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Suzanna drove around town for almost two hours scanning for a place that would be suitable. Her luck was not so good when the best she could come up with was an apartment. Granted, the apartment was large, two stories even, but it was not as isolated as she had hoped. She quickly gave the landlord the insurance and down payment, telling him she would return later with her belongings. All she had to do was get them shipped to her.
Sighing, she climbed into her Range Rover and drove around some more. She wanted to be as familiar with her surroundings as she could. When she noticed the library, she could not help but let curiosity get the better of her. She pulled into a parking space and made her way inside. Her first impression of Daniel suggested the man would be toiling away over many books if they had what he was looking for. Sure enough, once inside, she located Daniel and Teal'c in a musty corner of old books.
"Somehow I knew I would find you here, Dr. Jackson." Her soft voice startled him. He looked up and smiled.
"Suzanna, what are you doing here?"
"I heard your mentions of an Irish folktale. I thought I might be able to help." She leaned against the edge of the table and glanced over the material he was reading. "Morrigan?" Daniel nodded, returning his attention to the material before him, not paying any mind to the fact she pronounced the name correctly without correction. Teal'c sat silently at the end of the table. "He needs to find a better way to get you out," Suzanna commented to the large man, who just looked back blankly. "Yeah, I can see who doesn't hold up much of a conversation." Daniel snorted at that comment but said nothing.
They all remained quiet for many long minutes before Daniel sat back and removed his glasses. "I already know all of this. I don't get what it has to do with what we found…" He sighed and rubbed his nose.
"What are you trying to figure out, exactly? I was serious when I offered to help."
"This stuff is so complex and you have to dig through so much… I don't want you to get bored…"
"Let me see. You are afraid I will get bored doing something I freely offer to do? I may be a 'warrior' but that does not mean I am not a scholar as well." She eyed him.
"I suppose not, but…"
"The Morrigan was the consort of Dagda. She embodied the perverse and horrid among the supernatural powers, combining energies of life and death as well as sexuality and conflict to portray herself as one terrifying goddess. She is most well known for her attempt at a relationship with Cu Chulainn, whom failed to recognize her. This lead to her fighting him as an eel and a wolf-bitch. She declared she would hinder his battle, which she did by forcing him to eat dog flesh while in the guise of her triple aspect. She landed on his corpse in the form of a crow, showing that he was dead."
Daniel eyed her in speculation. She was not looking at the text but reciting what she remembered. "Yes, but that has little to do with the Tuatha De Dannan."
"Ah, the 'the folk of the god who's mother is Dana'." She pulled out a chair and sat down. "I know the Celtic legends and lore, Dr. Jackson. Now, if you would just tell me what you seek…" Daniel took a deep breath and went into great detail, more and more surprised as she soaked up every little bit.
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Jack had listened to Elizabeth silently, his jaw clinching as she told the tale. Once she was finished, he took a moment to calm enough to speak. "Did you report this?" He knew the answer before she spoke.
"No, they chased me until I finally found a busy diner. I was too frightened to do anything after that." She looked down. She knew she should have done something, said something to someone.
"It's alright. I'll look into it and see who it was and what has happened so far. If you need to come forward, you will. Understood?" She nodded mutely. "Does your aunt know?"
"I was scared to tell her before you. She would have wanted to take care of it herself."
"I think she would have been more than capable, but you always have thought of others first. Alright, guards and you are staying with me. If you saw this and they saw you, by now they know who you are. They will be following you intent on making sure you never talk. I want round the clock supervision to make sure no one harms a hair on your head." He opened the door to his truck and looked at her pointedly. "Stay right here. I'll be back in a minute."
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Daniel was rattling on about something as they made their way into the parking lot of the library. Suzanna listened with half an ear knowing most of it was trivial at best by this time. She was anxious to see more of the base, and to find out how Elizabeth and Jack were getting along. Elizabeth had not shared what was bothering her, what had her looking over her shoulder; and Suzanna wanted to know exactly what and why. Her mind was so fixed on that thought, she did not notice when Daniel approached her to see if she was alright.
"Suzanna?"
"Hmmm… Oh, sorry. I'm just preoccupied. Something brought Elizabeth here, and I don't know what. Whatever it is has her scared and I need to find out if I am to protect her from it." Daniel nodded and opened her car door. "And they say chivalry is dead." She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Daniel."
Daniel blushed lightly and closed the door behind her. "You are welcome. I'll see you back at the base, where we can talk more openly."
Suzanna nodded and turned over the engine. As the Range Rover came to life, Daniel stepped away and toward his vehicle. By the time he was in and starting the engine, she was out of sight. He shook his head. "Women drivers," he commented.
"What is wrong with female drivers?" Teal'c asked.
"Just a phrase, Teal'c. Ask Jack. I'm sure he has lots of reasons men dislike female drivers."
"I shall." Teal'c looked straight ahead. Daniel shook his head again. He needed new company. Jack was annoying and impatient. Teal'c was too patient and naïve to Earth ways, especially American ones. Sam was too talkative and bubbly at times. They did not agree on things either, on occasion. He really needed someone more like him and less… like everyone else.
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Jack opened the passenger door to his truck, scaring Elizabeth. She had been lost in thought and not paying attention to what was going on around her. "Come on, Kiddo. General Hammond wants to meet you."
"Why?" She asked as she got out of the truck and started walking with him toward the entrance to the base.
"He just does," was Jack's only response. As he introduced her to the general and Hammond made small talk with her, Suzanna arrived followed closely by Daniel and Teal'c.
"What's going on?" Suzanna asked immediately. Jack gave her a mock glare.
"Tryin' to get the kid inside," he returned with a 'duh' sound to his voice.
"Why?" Daniel and Suzanna asked at the same time.
Jack took Suzanna by the arm and lead her out of ear shot. He told her why Elizabeth had been trying to get in touch with him, why she had not told her, and why he was trying to get her cleared to be inside. Suzanna listened silently, only nodding once he was finished. She walked passed him and up to Hammond, whom she pulled aside. Elizabeth looked at Jack and the others. None of them knew what was going on. Soon, Hammond motioned Jack over. The three conferred for a few moments before Hammond sighed, nodded, then turned back to face Elizabeth.
"Young lady, I am about to bestow on you something very few know about. The knowledge that lies under our feet is greater than anything you can imagine." He walked over to the airmen and quickly sat about getting her cleared to go down into the mountain.
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Several hours later, Daniel and Suzanna were busy looking over the information gathered at P23-8745. They were silent, occasionally pointing at things or shoving a book at each other. Sam had stopped by to meet Suzanna and had soon left. The way they worked together was uncanny and annoying as she was completely left out of whatever they were doing.
Teal'c had also stopped by. He was sitting at the table watching them without a word. He found the way they worked together intriguing. Soon, Jack and Elizabeth had come along to see where everyone had gone. Shortly after they arrived, Teal'c noticed Elizabeth staring at him. He turned his gaze to her and blinked. She blushed and glanced away. "Is there something on your mind, ElizabethO'Neill?"
Everyone looked at Elizabeth. "I don't want to…"
"Spit it out, Kiddo. Teal'c won't bite, much." Jack smirked at her.
"The mark on your forehead," she pointed to the symbol. "What is it?"
"It is the sign of Lord Apophis. I was his First Prime." Teal'c answered simply.
"Huh? What does that mean? Who is Lord Apophis? What is a First Prime?" She leaned forward on the table.
"Aapep was the arch-enemy of Re," Suzanna replied. She was busy flipping through a few documents and did not look up. "He was a giant serpent that tried to attacked Re as he passed through the underworld at night. He is likened to the chaos-demon Tiamat."
"What's a First Prime? How did you get it? Did it hurt?" She looked at him intently. Teal'c was uncertain by the ongoing questions. He had heard Daniel get inquisitive but not quite so excited and giddy. He was not sure how to go about answering all of her questions.
"Elizabeth, calm down and shut up," Suzanna said while taking some notes. The younger woman looked at her then back to Teal'c, opening her mouth to ask something more. However, Jack's hand over her mouth silenced whatever she was about to say or ask.
"He was Apophis's right hand man. He was his body guard and highly respected." Jack removed his hand and held up a finger. "Now, stop being so nosey."
"But…"
"No buts." Jack looked at her pointedly. She rolled her eyes but nodded. He sighed and patted her shoulder. "All in due time, Kiddo."
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Several days passed. Suzanna had quickly made a routine, which never changed. You could set your watch by her. Elizabeth had been shoved into an assistant job, for her aunt nonetheless. The younger woman was beginning to go stir crazy. Her aunt seemed un-phased, like always. She would love just once to see something akin to shock, fear, horror, sorrow, something, anything! Anger was about the only thing Suzanna ever wore besides her 'poker' face. Elizabeth had tried and tried to get her to smile, joke, laugh. The older woman would just not lighten up no matter what was going on around her.
Elizabeth sat at her 'desk' and fiddled with odds and ends of things she could get her fingers on. She was bored. The Marine standing on 'guard' nearby had not moved in hours. Sighing, she stood and started down the hall. She had to find something to do before she became homicidal or suicidal. But what? A mischievous smile turned into an evil grin as she walked. All of the people on the base needed lightened up. She would just have to see that it was done, but first she had to loose her tail, which she easily accomplished at the women's locker room.
Elizabeth made her way to the cafeteria. She picked up a few of the salt and pepper shakers, pocketing them carefully as well as some thin napkins. She then asked one of the people in the kitchen for some concentrated lemon juice and backing soda, telling them her aunt and Daniel were up to something she did not understand. With curious looks, they handed over the asked for items and forgot about the incident. What did they care what Dr. Jackson and Rear Admiral King were up to?
Leaving the mess, she quickly found a secluded corner out of sight of any cameras. She dumped out the contents of the shakers and poured in the lemon juice. Then, she placed some of the napkins over the juice, putting some baking soda in the depression she made to the napkins. Fishing a role of tape she happened to have in her pocket out, she sealed off the holes on the shakers and carefully placed them back together before returning them to the mess. She smiled sweetly as she returned the ingredients to the kitchen staff. They were oblivious to what was going on, if anything.
Elizabeth turned to leave, freezing when Jack and Teal'c entered, followed by Sam, Daniel, and Suzanna. She began edging for the door. Jack and Suzanna shared one small glance before they both grabbed an arm and sat her down.
"What are you up to, Elizabeth? I know that look and this behavior." Suzanna crossed her arms and arched a brow. Her fingers tapped against her sides as she waited. Jack was looking on curiously as Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c got something to eat. Sam was the first to reach for a tampered with shaker. Elizabeth did her best to keep a straight face as Sam shook the shaker and nothing happened. On the fourth or fifth shake, the top flew off the shaker and foam poured from the shaker. Sam screamed in shock and threw the offending shaker to the next table, where it collided with another. The other shaker wobbled then fell, to the floor. It's top popped off, sailing for the door and right into General Hammond.
Jack and Suzanna looked at Elizabeth with unhappy looks. "Elizabeth?" Suzanna's voice had an edge.
Elizabeth knew that even the slightest ill placed word could end very badly for her at this point but she was not about to give in. "What? How could I have…"
"Did the lemon juice and baking soda help with whatever you were doing?" One of the cooks asked Daniel. Daniel arched his brows and looked at Elizabeth as well.
"What! Is it my fault you people are so boring and this place is like hell?" She rolled her eyes and threw up her hands. She stood and headed for the door.
"Elizabeth Ann!" Suzanna sternly called to her. She sighed as her shoulders drooped.
"Don't be so rough on her," Jack interjected. "She isn't used to being underground on a military base. Give her a break. She's under enough stress."
Suzanna glared heatedly at Jack. "Very well, but anything that comes from this is on your head, Colonel, as I am washing my hands of it all. She is your daughter and now your complete responsibility. I love her but I am not about to abide by such shenanigans. Is that clear?" Her eyes traveled between Elizabeth and Jack. Both nodded. "Very well. Daniel, I am going to return to our work. My appetite is not as large as most peoples. I am not hungry."
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Suzanna was halfway to Daniels office when Elizabeth caught up with her. "What was that? Am I too much of a disappointment for the Rear Admiral? Am I too childish?"
"Don't be absurd." The rear admiral continued down the hall not even glancing at Elizabeth.
"What is wrong with you? Why are you so serious and crabby anymore?"
"Life, my dear, is not all roses. I am the way I am because of all the fucking thorns on the stems and vines."
"What has happened to you to make you like this? When we were younger we would do all sorts of crazy stuff." Elizabeth grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop.
"Elizabeth, drop it. I have to figure this Morrigan thing out. I do not have the time to be worrying about what you are doing and how much damage it will cause. This is a high security facility. Everything herein should be held with high respect, not lined with mockery and pranks." She pulled free from Elizabeth's grasp and continued down the hall. Elizabeth watched with a sorrowful look. Suzanna had never brushed her off before. Something was seriously bothering the older woman. She had to find out what.