Disclaimer: I own no rights to Stargate and am not profiting from this story.
A/N: Once again thank you to ALL for reading this and to newromantic for being a fabulous beta.
Snowmen Oregon Psychiatric Institute
Daniel closed the door behind him as he exited Nick Ballad's room, Nick was his grandfather but to anyone on the outside who had just heard the two men arguing they could have been mistaken for bickering siblings. Three hours earlier Daniel had been at an archaeologists convention, it was the third in three weeks and some of the brightest men and women from around the country had met up to tell each other of their latest historical findings. What wasn't in the invitation was a warning that, pretty much everyone was stuck up and thought they were better than the next person that came along. There were some friendly people there of course, the ones that loved archaeology for the thrill of finding a new relic and holding it in their hands and not for the competitive side it brought. There were some new faces too, the ones who hadn't been 'fortunate' enough to be invited to one of these exclusive talks before. Daniel had mingled saying his "hello's" and "how do you do's" then they all got down to business and suddenly Daniel had never wanted to get out of a room so fast.
He should have learnt the first time to stay quiet about his theories, but he couldn't. He wouldn't, his colleague's reactions to what he had to say were varied but mostly they just looked at him as though he had just sprouted another couple of heads. Others merely laughed uncomfortably whilst the remainder watched him with looks on their faces that screamed 'you poor thing.' In a nutshell nobody else believed his theory that the pyramids were built by aliens.
Daniel had hoped Nick would listen to him but he was to be sorely disappointed. The guy who believed he'd been transported from Belize to see giant aliens had pretty much laughed his grandson out of the room and for a fleeting moment Daniel wondered if the 'believing in alien's thing' ran in the family. They had argued a lot; Nick claiming Daniel had staked his whole career on a crazy, unfounded theory and so eventually the younger man had left. Two hours later he found himself walking along the bare, cold and white corridor of the institute never breaking his stride. He bumped into someone on his way to the exit and they stumbled against the wall Daniel stopped and began to apologise. "Dr Jackson" the stranger spoke.
Daniel looked at the young woman with a questioning gaze "uh…yes," the woman looked to be in her early twenties, she was quite pale as though her skin hadn't seen the sun in a long time and her eyes were dark, a mixture of green and hazel and her hair was tied back in a neat ponytail.
"I heard your theory earlier today it was most interesting" she answered
The archaeologist smiled slightly "well if by interesting you mean crazy then yes it was."
They began walking along the corridor "you think because nobody believes you that you may be wrong" she said in a low voice.
Daniel shrugged "no…I know…I believe I'm right, I just wish everybody else believed me too." He paused, looking at his new companion before continuing. "So you know who I am but, who are you?"
"My name is Miasa" she stopped and turned to look at him "I believe it is customary for you Humans to shake hands upon meeting for the first time" she held out her hand but he looked back with uncertainty.
"…Yes we do…" he replied as he shook her hand "I ah, I thought you worked here. But you're a patient?"
She nodded once "the workers of this…institute believe me to be delusional. Maybe if you continue to tell everyone about your theories you too will become a patient here."
Daniel laughed slightly. "I was just thinking that…I'm probably out of place saying this but, you don't seem crazy."
They began walking again, just wandering aimlessly. "I am not. But the doctors here believe me to be because they do not believe my story of how I came to be here" she knew what his next question was going to be.
"And how did you get here? Why are you here?" he pushed his glasses back on his nose as he awaited her reply.
"I am from a planet that your scientists have not yet discovered…will probably never discover. On my world I am known as a traveller, I journey through the galaxy meeting new people, discovering new cultures and visiting unknown planets. I do this for three of your years and on the fourth year I return to the planet I have most enjoyed then. After five years I return to my home until the cycle begins again" she told him completely sincerely.
"And I suppose because you're here now this is the planet you've chosen to stay on for a year."
Miasa nodded and smiled obviously pleased that he understood "you want to believe me" she said with a wry smile "but you don't think you should." She had come across this before, knew what to expect when she told people her story. The Tau'ri were the only race that was skeptical about her however.
They stopped at the exit "if you're a patient here, how did you manage to get to the convention? How did you get an invitation?" he was trying to find holes in her theory.
"If I want to go somewhere no walls can stop me. Good day Dr Jackson" she said pleasantly before turning away from him and heading back the way she had come.
"Miasa?" he called out, and she stopped to look back at him "have you met any giant aliens on your travels?"
She shook her head in answer "I have not."
"Will I see you again?" he liked her company and she seemed to have a calming effect about her.
"I believe so," she replied before continuing on her way.
He did see her again. A few months later at another convention he had seen her sitting on the back row. She had obviously gotten out of the institute again and they had chatted for a long time before he drove her back. "I am leaving soon," she had said as he walked her to the entrance.
Daniel looked at her with disbelief "you are? Going back to your planet?"
"I am. My time here is almost over" her delusions were more believable than Daniel could have imagined, and with the amount of times he'd been at the institute visiting Nick, he had heard a lot of crazy stories.
"Will you be back?" he asked.
"Yes but you will not meet me here" she replied softly. Miasa waved goodbye "see you again Dr Jackson" she whispered with perhaps a hint of regret, she may be a patient in a psychiatric institute but he was gonna miss her.
*
Present Day
When O'Neill stepped through the gate to P4X 698 he was immediately reminded of his unscheduled little trip to Antarctica, the only obvious difference here being that on this planet there was a DHD. Ice covered the ledge that the Stargate stood atop and he made an effort to tread carefully as he descended the natural step formation in the rocks. Icicles glistened as the sun glared through the mouth of the cave, reflecting itself off the crystalline structures. They created mini spectrums all around the otherwise dark cave and on the roof there were holes as though somebody had been digging.
SG-1 stopped glad to be off the unsafe ledge and onto more solid ground - if you could call it solid. The snow was mushy and they could feel their boots sinking into the ground. Teal'c ventured outside and returned a few minutes later "there does not appear to be any signs of life O' Neill" he informed the Colonel.
Carter peered around the cave, "it doesn't look like anyone's been in here for a while either" she announced.
"Well lets sweep the area just in case anyone's left something you and Daniel can amuse yourselves with when we get back home." Half an hour later they had found nothing. Zip, zilch, nada, not a damn thing. "Well this was a waste of time" O'Neill said as he began walking back to the ledge.
Daniel stopped him. "Just because there's no one right here doesn't mean the planet is uninhabited. The Stargate might not be an active role in their culture. "He was cold and he was wet but he still wanted to look around.
O'Neill looked to each of his teammates. "Great" he mumbled, "you really want to go traipsing around an ice planet because there may be signs of life? Who are you expecting to see? Jack Frost?" he too was cold and wet and he was missing The Simpsons. Damn broken VCR.
"Daniel Jackson does have a point, there maybe signs of life further away from the Stargate," said Teal'c. They had come in contact with a few different races that stayed clear of the Stargate because they believed it to be evil.
Jack looked at Carter and saw that she agreed with Teal'c. He sighed dramatically "okay let's go but if I see any of you throwing snowballs…I want to know why I wasn't included." He looked at them with a serious expression but the twinkle in his eyes told them he was messing around. Jack took point and the rest followed him out of the cave and into the glaring sun.
The cave was halfway up a steep hill and at first glance it seemed like it was impossible to climb down. There were no crags in the rock and it was too slippery anyway and they would not get hurt on this planet O'Neill thought to himself. Finally - Teal'c spotted a way down. It was partly covered by a snow-hidden bush whose branches were strewn across the narrow path. The Jaffa led the way this time, cutting the trail for them. They were quite high up and from where they stood the land that stretched before them appeared to be completely deserted indicating that the area around the hill at least had not been used in quite sometime. Remains of wooden structures that looked more like stables than houses were scattered across the white blanket of snow.
It was around three hours later when they stopped for a rest. With every step they took their feet sunk into the snow covered ground and it made walking at a brisk pace impossible. They were cold and wet and all of them were becoming irritable. All of them except Teal'c that is, if he was affected at all by the dismal conditions he wasn't showing it. The team was wearing gloves but the icy wind that blew around them penetrated the material; they rubbed their hands together but it didn't help them much.
They were about to move off again when Teal'c stopped them "do you hear something?" O'Neill asked. The Jaffa nodded and before they could say or do anything else the rest of SG-1 saw for themselves what Teal'c had heard moments earlier, "are those Dogs?" the Colonel asked. He thought he saw dogs and he could have sworn he heard them barking but he just wanted to make sure he wasn't going crazy.
"I believe they are the breed humans call Huskies" Teal'c replied. The others looked at him in surprise and Teal'c looked faintly amused at the expressions on their faces "Captain Gordon gave me a book on dogs to read, I read about Huskies two days ago."
There were six dogs in all and they did greatly resemble the Huskies of Earth but there were a few differences - the main one being that these dogs looked to be the size of a Great Dane. The Colonel looked on in awe as the dogs scurried nimbly over the snow and the sled they were pulling behind them rose into the air every so often as it hit a bump. There was a man at the back of the sled clutching the icy handles with thick glove covered hands. He was dressed in what looked to be large white animal skins and they were draped across his hunched shoulders but his face was bare and rosy red, his lips chapped and breaking. He shouted something that SG-1 couldn't hear but the dogs evidently did as at their master's command they drew to a halt, panting then barking at the strangers.
The man patted the lead dog then walked over to where the four friends stood. "Welcome strangers" he bowed slightly in greeting then held out his hand awkwardly - the action seemed foreign to him as though he wasn't used to greeting people in that manner.
Daniel stepped forward to greet him and shook his hand. "My name is Daniel Jackson, this is Colonel Jack O'Neill, Dr Samantha Carter and that is Teal'c…" he pointed to each of the members of the team in turn then looked back at the man "we are from a planet called Earth…"
The man nodded, watching Daniel intently as he spoke and the archaeologist shifted uncomfortably under his intense scrutiny. "I am pleased to meet you" he replied finally. "It has been long time since visitors have been here. I am Dimat."
O' Neill spoke next although his tone was not as friendly as Daniel's was. The man seemed nice but first impressions could be deceiving and they had to be careful. "Where are the rest of your people?"
Dimat looked down and absently kicked a bit of snow, creating a small dent in the ground from his boot "My people no more, all gone."
"In what way do you mean 'all gone'?" O'Neill questioned.
Dimat suddenly looked sullen "they were killed by people like him." He pointed to Teal'c. "I hid and saw them kill my friends," he said bitterly. "But he is different I see, he is not evil I can tell" he glanced up at SG-1 and his face brightened. "But you are cold and hungry I bet. Come with me and I will give you hot meal and warm blankets." He stepped back and motioned for them to follow him. "It is long way so we must leave now if we are to reach my house before the night."
The three Tau'ri and Jaffa looked a little hesitant to follow; Dimat no matter how innocent he seemed. As strange as it sounded, appeared to be too nice and there were still a lot of questions that needed to be answered. "If we are to find out about this planet it seems we must trust its only inhabitant" Teal'c muttered as the man began to move away from them, Jack nodded and they reluctantly followed Dimat as he led the dogs and the team back the way he had come.
*
Dimat was obviously not used to travelling on foot as by the time they reached his cabin he was extremely out of breath "I have never walked for four hours before!" he exclaimed. His guests weren't sure if he was complaining or whether he was just amazed at his accomplishment. He opened the door to his home and beckoned them inside; out of the freezing weather, the temperature had dropped during their travels and now they were all bitterly cold. Dimat shrugged off his animal skin cloak and threw it over a rickety table that was situated in the centre of the main room.
The warmth of the room blasted at them and the cold they had felt for so long gave way to a snug and cosy feeling. "Come in and sit down, make yourselves at home" their host said as he scurried around opening various cupboards only to close them seconds later and search through some more. "Now where did I…" his voice trailed off as he scratched his head in confusion. Then, much to Jack's amusement the proverbial light bulb seemed to appear above his head and he hurried away into another room that looked to be a walk in cupboard. Dimat reappeared moments later with a basket that he placed on the rickety table. Curious now, SG-1 stepped forward and peered into the basket. "Food!" their host exclaimed. His sudden screech surprised the team and they just managed to refrain from jumping back. ."I was wondering where I put this" he spilt the contents out on the table. "Saving them for a good day I was and that day is today."
Daniel picked up what appeared to be some red fruit that was round much like an orange and had the smooth, velvety feel of a peach. Dimat looked at him expectantly as Daniel bit hesitantly into the fruit "its dry…" he exclaimed in surprise. Their host looked on him with a bewildered expression on his wrinkly features and the archaeologist felt compelled to explain, "uh I was expecting it to be juicy."
Dimat nodded in understanding then rummaged through the basket before producing what this time was an orange. "Juicy…eat it…good." He stretched his arm to give it to Daniel then pulled back quickly his expression thoughtful. "No this time, the lady eats."
Sam took it gratefully and began peeling the skin whilst Dimat looked on. He appeared slightly confused at her actions and after a moment he plucked the half peeled orange out of her hands and bit into the skin. "Now that's just nasty," O'Neill commented.
Daniel took out another orange and showed it to the man. "We peel of the skin and eat what's inside" he explained.
Dimat was very interested in the foods of Earth and Daniel and he spoke for two hours about the different products that could be bought, whilst the others ate. Once Daniel and Dimat's conversation was over the man left the room to go back to the walk in cupboard, and returned a few minutes later with a jug. "Now we quench our thirst," he announced. He opened an overhead cupboard and brought out some ceramic cups. "Drink up" he said then took a sip of his own drink that he'd poured earlier that day and waited for the others to do likewise. He smiled; a pleased expression on his kind face. "Now you have eaten and drunk you can sleep."
"We're not really tired…" Jack started to say before a giant yawn escaped. He looked around sheepishly "pardon me."
Dimat exited the room "night is falling now people must sleep" he said before leaving them alone.
*
Four hours after the sun had risen the next day the silence of the planet was disrupted by two extremely annoyed humans, it was probably a good thing Dimat had no neighbors because there would have been, without a doubt, a lot of complaints about his guests disturbing the peace. "Well Jack he obviously didn't want to harm us or we'd probably be locked up by now!" Daniel shouted.
The Colonel was fuming "well maybe he was going to come back for us!" he argued.
Daniel stormed to the door and lifted up the latch before flinging it open. "The door isn't even locked!" he exclaimed.
"We wouldn't be able to outrun him Daniel, he has a sled!" O'Neill yelled back.
Sam and Teal'c awoke to the sound of the Colonel and the archaeologist shouting at the tops of their voices, they both looked around them with dazed expressions "I've never had such a deep sleep before" Sam said as she rubbed her eyes to wake herself up.
"Neither have I" Teal'c replied.
O'Neill and Daniel stopped arguing to look at the other two members of their team. "Sleeping beauty finally wakes," he said sarcastically.
"Great guard you are, we've been down each others throats for the last ten minutes and you've only just noticed" Daniel said with a frown.
"Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning" Carter replied grumpily. They were spoiling her good mood and she didn't like that one little bit. "Where's Dimat?"
O'Neill looked at his team then walked to the front door. "You explain it to them" he ordered Daniel "I'm leaving."
The archaeologist looked at him indignantly "where are you going?"
"Back to the Stargate" he announced. He walked outside and the cold atmosphere hit him like a tsunami hits a ship that's gotten in its way, Daniel followed him with Teal'c and Carter behind him.
The younger man grabbed the Colonel's arm and pulled him back "we have to find Dimat," he tried gallantly to keep his temper "he might not be the one at fault here."
Jack nodded as if in agreement "of course! It was the invisible man who slipped a sleeping drug into our drinks."
Daniel let the comment pass, though what he really wanted to do at that precise moment was scream blue murder at O'Neill, the man can be insufferable he thought, "Dimat could be in trouble."
"Right now my priority is to get my team out of here and that includes you Daniel so get moving." The Colonel didn't bother to wait for the archaeologist, and he began walking away from the cabin.
Teal'c and Carter began to follow without questions, both in agreement with their leader. They weren't looking at Dimat in a good light at that moment - but Daniel had other ideas. "Why do you always second guess my judgement?" he asked angrily. "Do you work on it or does it just come natural?"
"Are you feeling alright Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked placidly. Never before had he seen his friend behave in such a manner and it concerned him greatly.
"Oh I'm just fine" came the snappish reply "at least somebody is listening to me."
Jack stopped walking and turned around "I have listened to you and I'm disagreeing with you --."
"Like always!" countered Daniel.
They moved towards each other, and Carter quickly stepped between them. "Let's just cool down here, okay? Daniel we can come back later but right now we're due back at the SGC…"
"It's minus 20 degrees out here Carter, how much cooler do you think we're gonna get?" O'Neill snapped then pretty much straight away regretted it. She was trying to diffuse the situation after all.
"Fine!" she countered angrily "carry on attacking each other."
"Then you guys go and I'll wait here," Daniel proposed.
Jack sighed "Daniel I am not leaving you behind on a planet we know nothing about."
The archaeologist gave a nonchalant shrug "well you don't have much of a choice because I'm not leaving" he folded his arms across his chest and planted his feet firmly on the ground.
Carter and Teal'c waited for O'Neill to argue or drag Daniel back to the Stargate by the collar, but he didn't. "Fine!" the Colonel glared at the remaining members of SG-1. "Anyone else wanna stick around to play in the snow?" he didn't wait for an answer, which was just as well as Carter and Teal'c stayed silent.
Daniel waited for a few intense seconds "fine!" he turned around and stormed to the area at the back of the cabin. It was once a large garden but the flowers had since died through the harsher conditions of the planet, Daniel kicked at the snow until he saw a small rock on the ground. He picked it up and pitched it through the air, when he didn't hear the sound of it hitting the ground he walked forward to search for it.
Sam and Teal'c caught up with O'Neill and he began to slow his place. "You intend on allowing Daniel Jackson to remain behind despite the danger he may be in?" The Jaffa questioned. He was trying to understand his friends' out of character behaviour.
"If that's what he wants I can't stop him," O'Neill replied flatly. He halted suddenly "you know you'd think once - just once he would follow an order without answering back" he sounded exasperated.
"He wouldn't be Daniel if he didn't try and find the good in everything" Carter said with a slight smile.
Jack didn't get the chance to reply, before they all heard the distinctive sound of a very panicked Daniel Jackson shouting desperately for help. Jack shook his head "I leave him for five minutes…" all three companions sprinted to where Daniel had last been standing; the only problem was he was no longer there.