Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate SG-1 or Stargate: Atlantis, only the OC's that I created.
Rating: T
Beta Reader(2013): Edited by Jon from stargatetwins dot com (Typo's are all mine.)
2015 - Author's Note: I took this story off Fan Fiction nearly two years ago and had it published as an ebook under a different title. Due to reasons beyond anyone's control, the ebook was removed from the sites it was on. So now I'm reposting it here for everyone to enjoy once more under its original title. I've also gone through and made the chapters as close to the original length. I will try and get it all back up as soon as I can, however I home school my son, so I'll be uploading when I have the time. I hope you all once again enjoy Destiny's Footsteps or if you're reading for the first time, welcome and thank you for reading. - AS
DF
Destiny's Footsteps
Chapter One: Coming Together
Major General Jack O'Neill sat back in his seat and scrubbed his hands over his face, staring once more at the open file on the desk in front of him. A year ago a young woman had knocked on his door and walked into his life in a big way. She was his friend's daughter; a DNA test had confirmed it, not that he'd needed it. Twenty-four hours with the young woman had proven to him that she was so like her father; glasses, allergies and damn annoying at times. As well as an insatiable curiosity to learn, and she was as stubborn as her father, as well as passionate. She was a little absent-minded, very brilliant, ambitious, intuitive, ethical and diplomatic. This damn well summed up her father also, and Jack had gotten all that within a few hours of knowing her.
Her life was also like her father's. Orphaned at ten, she'd been put into foster care. At fourteen she'd gone to college on a full scholarship, and by eighteen she'd completed two doctorates. By the time she left school, she had four. The kid was a walking talking genius, and the President had agreed with Jack that she was perfect for the Stargate Program. He also agreed that she needed to be trained properly, and everything about her needed to be kept under wraps. She had the ATA gene, from her mother's side, and that made her special, very special. Keeping it from her father had been one of the hardest things he'd ever done, and he hoped to God the man forgave him for doing it.
So, after explaining it all to Kayla, along with the danger she could put herself and her father into if it was known who she was, she'd agreed to wait to meet him. They'd shipped her off to the Alpha Site, where she studied every language in the database, including Goa'uld and Ancient, adding to the twenty odd that she already could speak. Colonel Lou Ferretti had been assigned to train her in hand-to-hand combat; as well as how to handle any weapon he put into her hands. She'd excelled. She also read every SG-1 mission report and studied everything Dr. Daniel Jackson had written while a member, and all his reports from Atlantis. Even in another galaxy, the man was idolized.
The few times Jack had managed to get to the Alpha site, he'd seen how this young woman had managed to fit in and make friends. She was a bit of a loner, but he expected that. He also had the pleasure to find out she was a talented artist and loved to fly. A couple of the F-302 pilots stationed at the site had been taking her up and showing her the ins and outs of the aircraft. He himself had taken her for a joyride, letting her take the stick, finding she was a natural when it came to handling the craft. A gift it seemed from her mother, who had been an accomplished pilot. Apparently, his protégé had a few hidden talents they were still discovering. Now it was time to release her on an unprepared SGC and SG-1.
He sat back in his chair, rubbing his hands over his tired eyes, wincing as the klaxons went off, signifying an incoming wormhole. He waited, if they needed him, he'd be called. Even though he had a feeling he knew who it was going to be, as he'd sent the information concerning his protégé to Dr. Weir to pass along. So it was just a matter of time, and as the phone rang, he dreaded the next hour. "O'Neill."
"Sir, Dr. Jackson wants to talk to you," Master Chief Walter Harriman informed over the phone.
"Thank you, Walter." Jack hung up, closed the file and pushed back his chair. He walked out of his office, through the briefing room and down to the control room. He took a seat in front of the monitor, seeing the angered face of his friend. "Daniel, how's Atlantis?"
"How long have you known, Jack?" He demanded, not pulling any punches.
"A little over a year," the General admitted, wincing, seeing his friend frown. "Look Daniel, she arrived on my doorstep. I had a DNA test done and it came back positive. Not that it was needed, she's your daughter through and through," Jack exclaimed and then continued. "Anyway, the President agreed with me that she was in too much danger remaining here. So I packed her up and took her to the Alpha Site, you were at the Antarctic outpost at the time. She was trained by the best, that being Lou Ferretti. All of it was done without anybody other than Ferretti knowing who she actually was. She's here now, ready to take her place on the flag team."
"You've known for a year!"
Jack had been expecting his friend's anger, being ready for the flak; he knew how he'd feel if someone informed him he had a daughter after her existence had been kept from him. "It was the longest year of my life Daniel; trust me, there were plenty of times I wanted to tell you. Send you off to the Alpha Site so you could meet her, but I didn't want to endanger either of you."
"And now you're just going to waltz her onto the flag team?" Daniel asked him a little miffed; and he had the right to be miffed, this was his daughter. A daughter he had yet to meet.
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm going to do, Daniel," Jack snapped back. He paused, sighing.
Daniel did too, settling down. He'd read the reports, all of them. "Ferretti seems to think she's capable; well, from what I read he does."
"He knows good people when he sees them, and so do I. She's a lot like you Daniel, the kid has guts," Jack divulged. "The first mission they took her on, it was her intuition and knowledge that brought them home."
"Nearly at the cost of her life, by the report," Daniel declared, glaring at him. But he now knew that the teams operating out of the Alpha Site had accepted and repeatedly asked for his daughter, and that told him a lot about what kind of person she was and what kind of archaeologist.
"She went out with Colonel Reynolds when he was at the Alpha site," Jack told his friend. "He said she was headstrong and had a problem following his orders, so much so it was like having you along." He saw Daniel's frown deepen. "He also said he'd have her watching his back anytime, and that's high praise from Reynolds." He could see he was getting through to the man he considered a part of his family. "Kayla is good, Daniel. I wouldn't have recommended her if she wasn't. The teams at the Alpha Site wouldn't have kept asking for her, and I sure as hell wouldn't want her on SG-1 if she wasn't. But the fact is, she's got a lot to learn, but she's the right person for the job, and that's not because of who her father is."
"And I don't really have any say in the decision, do I, even though I'm her father," Daniel said a little calmer, but still concerned. He wanted the chance to meet her, to talk to her.
"No. And the President agrees with me; we need her here and on SG-1." Jack said bluntly. "Other than you, Kayla is our top anthropologist, as well as an expert on the Ancients and of the Stargate."
Daniel knew he was right, and that hurt a little too. "Just look after her, Jack. I've missed the first 23 years of her life, I don't want to lose her before I even meet her."
"I will, Daniel," Jack assured. "Teal'c already considers her family, so she's safe."
There was a pause, then. "Jack." His voice nearly broke. "Looking at this, I could have been reading my own personnel file. How in the hell did this happen?"
"I don't know, Danny, the President is looking into it."
He nodded, getting told his time was nearly up from an unseen voice. "I've got to go, Jack. Tell Kayla I look forward to meeting her, and that I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk."
"Hey, she's been allocated your office, she's happy."
Daniel snorted. "Break it to Mitchell easy, huh."
"I'll do my best."
"I'm sure you will, Jack." He hesitated. "Atlantis, out." The transmission ended and the wormhole closed down.
Walter Harriman came up behind the General. "Sir, Colonel Mitchell has signed in and is on his way down; he wants to see you."
"Yeah, thought he would. Freeman up and quit on him after the mission on Friday," Jack remarked standing.
"That's seven, sir," Harriman pointed out. "Is Dr Jackson going to handle him?"
"Well Walter, her dad used to handle me; and Kayla is as bad as him, so I'd say yes," the General said tiredly. "Now, I'm going to go to my office and break it to Mitchell that he has a Jackson on his team."
"Yes sir," the Chief said with a slight smile.
Jack patted the man on the back and headed for the stairs. "Have the rest of SG-1 report to the briefing room, and call Dr. Jackson and ask her to come to my office in twenty minutes."
"Yes sir."
Returning to his office, Jack sat down and waited. He was glancing through reports when the Colonel arrived, knocking on his door.
"Colonel, what can I do for you?" He asked nonchalant.
"Sir, it's about Dr. Freeman," Cameron said.
"Ah yes." Jack sat back in his chair. "We had an interesting conversation Friday afternoon." He saw the Colonel cringe. "Sit down, Mitchell," he ordered and waited until the man had done so. "What's the problem, Colonel?"
"I just haven't found the right person for the team, sir," he replied confidently.
Jack sighed. He knew the truth. "Don't you mean you're still pissed at the fact Daniel took an assignment to Atlantis and left you high and dry?"
Cameron frowned even though it was true. The first thing he'd come to admire about the General was he spoke his mind. "Dr. Jackson is the best, sir."
"Damn right he is, and he deserves to be at Atlantis. He found the Gate address to the damn place. He's earned the right." Jack exclaimed strongly. "Humanity owes that man more then we can ever repay him, never forget that Mitchell."
"I won't sir, and I agree with you. It's just that I would have liked to have worked with him."
Looking through the control room Star Map, Jack saw the other two members of SG-1 arrive. Major Ryan Michaels, who was as bad as Carter for baffling a person with techno babble. The man literally gave him a headache sometimes, which was Carter's revenge, Jack was sure of it. With him was Teal'c, the only original member. Mitchell had managed to convince him to come back. The two remained in the briefing room, waiting. Jack got back to the matter at hand.
"Well Colonel, it's your lucky day. I have an archaeologist for you, who is a brilliant as Daniel and just as stubborn, and that means she'd be just right for SG-1."
"You have, sir?"
"I have," he picked up the personnel file. "Dr. Kayla Jackson." He handed the file to him.
Cameron took it, flipping it open, and seeing the attached photo, he was taken aback. "Jackson?" He glanced up. "Any relation to Daniel Jackson?" It was a damn silly question really, he could see she was, and he'd only met the man once after the incident at Antarctica.
"His daughter, Colonel," Jack filled in, sitting back in his chair. "Twenty-three, has four PhD's, read every SG-1 mission report and everything her father has written when it comes to this program. She speaks 22 languages and about six alien languages, including Goa'uld and Ancient." He saw the surprise that crossed the younger man's features. "Don't underestimate her because of her age. She's been working with teams operating out of the Alpha site for the past eight months; she knows what she's doing, and Teal'c had taken her under his wing, so be careful there."
Cameron smiled at that. "I didn't realize Dr. Jackson had a daughter."
"I didn't either until Kayla arrived on my doorstep and told me who she was and who she was looking for. A DNA test proved she was Daniel's daughter. The President wanted her kept under wraps. If the Goa'uld had found out Daniel had a daughter, especially one with the Ancient gene, then they would have been after them both. So it was kept a secret, even from Daniel himself," Jack divulged, managing to keep the guilt out of his voice. Seeing the hurt in his friend's eyes had been hard, but he was going to make it up to Daniel, eventually. "I've sent all the information to Daniel, and I spoke to him a few minutes ago. He's looking forward to meeting his daughter."
Cameron had a feeling that conversation wouldn't have been easy on either man. "As am I, sir."
Jack sat forward, leaning on his desk. "Look, Mitchell," he began. "A piece of advice; you look after Kayla and treat her with respect. She's a tough kid and a damn smart one. Look past the glasses, the PhD's and the lectures she'll make you sit through, and see the person she is. She's a lot like her dad, and that can be a good thing, and at times it's not. She'll go to the wall with you, and like her dad, you'll feel like pushing her through it occasionally, but don't. You'll also feel like shooting her, don't do that either, because you don't want to get on Daniel's bad side, or Teal'c's, or mine." He then spoke from experience with both Jackson's. "She'll irritate you, be the biggest pain in the ass you can ever imagine, but you need her; because when she's right, she's right. She will have you talking about things you've never told anyone else, and she won't let you do anything wrong, even if you want to. She will respect your privacy and accept your friendship. She'll end up being the kid sister you'll do anything for, and if you're lucky enough, the best friend you'll ever have. So don't ever disrespect her or ignore her. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, sir," Cameron acknowledged, nodding, seeing the General was very serious, and that made him want to meet Kayla Jackson even more.
"Alright." He glanced at his watch. "Kayla will be here in a few minutes, give or take. Read the file, I'll brief the rest of SG-1 on your new team member."
Cameron stood when the General did. Jack waved him down and walked out of his office to the briefing room. The Colonel sat back down and skimmed through the file until he got to the personal details, by the time he was finished, he felt sick to his stomach.
After her mother's death, Kayla's life had been harder than it should have been. Closing the file, he left it on the desk and stood. Turning, he saw the General talking to Michaels and Teal'c. Now he understood why his CO was being so protective of this young woman, and it was more than the fact she was his best friend's daughter. A knock broke him out of his thoughts as he looked and saw Dr. Kayla Jackson standing in the doorway. He'd thought the photo in her personnel file had made her attractive, but nothing could have prepared him for face-to-face contact.
She wore her light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, she was slim, and wore glasses, her complexion was flawless, but it was her eyes that gave her heritage away. Her blue eyes were caring and inquisitive, but they were also windows to a sacred soul, he could see that. He gave her a smile, and she smiled back, an infectious smile that went straight to his soul and he just couldn't ignore it. He also realized he was staring, and mentally shook himself, he was being rude.
"Dr. Jackson?" He held out his hand. "Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell, SG-1."
She shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Colonel, I've heard a lot about you."
He saw the twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "The archaeological department?"
"They um, warned me about you," she smirked.
"Did they," he smiled again, he couldn't help himself. "Well, the rest of SG-1 is in the briefing room with General O'Neill. Shall we?"
She nodded and followed him out. As they entered the briefing room, Michaels and Teal'c got to their feet, and Jack remained seated, sitting back to watch.
Teal'c smiled and bowed his head in greeting. "Kayla Jackson."
"Teal'c." She returned the greeting.
Cameron put a hand on her arm to get her attention. "Dr. Jackson, this is my 2IC, Major Ryan Michaels." He introduced the two and after they'd shaken hands he continued, addressing his team. "I'm sure the General informed you, Dr. Jackson is joining SG-1."
Ryan glanced at his CO. "Freeman pulled the plug?" he asked casually, even though there was slight hilarity in his blue-grey eyes.
"Friday afternoon," Cameron revealed grimacing.
"That makes six, sir."
"Seven," Teal'c corrected. "You forgot the three hours Major Brooks lasted."
"I stand corrected," the 2IC smirked.
"I'm not that bad." Cameron grumbled softly. He had been though. He knew it and so did they.
"Alright," Jack intervened. "Take your seats." Michaels and Teal'c sat to one side and Mitchell and Kayla to the other. "As well as being your team archaeologist, our new Indiana Jones here is heading up the Stargate Archaeological department."
Cameron had seen Kayla wince at the reference to the movie archaeologist, smiling a little. "Sir, will we be going to Atlantis to unite the two Dr. Jackson's?"
"We will be, but not for a while," Jack informed everyone. "The Daedalus is remaining for the moment on Dr. Weir's request." He paused, noting the disappointment in Kayla's eyes. "Sorry kiddo."
"I understand, sir," she said, keeping professional.
"We have a briefing at fourteen hundred. Your department would have given you a file concerning P5G-9987?" He saw her nod. "Good; have the translations done by the briefing." He pushed back his chair and stood, as did Michaels and Mitchell. He smirked at that. "So, get back to work, the lot of you," he ordered lightly, and headed back to his office, ignoring the soft chuckles.
Cameron turned to the young woman as she stood. "So, Jackson, where are you held up on 18?"
Kayla arched an eyebrow at the use of her last name, it was one thing she couldn't get used to with the military. "Um, my dad's old office," she revealed. "According to my department, no one would use it. I'm not sure why?"
"They respect Daniel Jackson greatly," Teal'c explained as they left the room. "That is why, with you being his daughter, it is appropriate that you occupy the space."
"You're making her sound like a building, Teal'c," Cameron smirked as they walked into the elevator.
"I apologize."
"It's all right, Teal'c," she assured with an amused smile on her lips.
"Dr. Jackson," Ryan Michaels began.
She interrupted the handsome, thirty something Major. "Kayla."
He grinned. "Then it's Ryan," he insisted and saw her nod and continued. "General O'Neill said you went to Columbia University."
She nodded again, her arms folded against her chest, in a self-protecting embrace as she became a little uncomfortable. "At fourteen." She noted their surprise, but it wasn't unusual. "I finished high school early; going to college was the next step."
"But it's young," her new CO stated.
"Indeed," Teal'c agreed, "For a human."
She managed to smile over that. "My foster parents at the time encouraged me, and helped me get there once I had my scholarship."
"It's still young, Jackson," the Colonel remarked.
Teal'c noted the way the young archaeologist moved nervously from foot to foot. Her body language, though she was yet to meet her father, had many of his mannerisms; being very much like he was during his first few years with the program. "Is everything alright, Kayla Jackson?"
Her head snapped up and she gave him a forced reassuring smile. "Yes, thanks Teal'c."
He knew it was not, as he'd seen her like this before when on an elevator with more than two people. He would not say anything though, unless it became necessary.
As Cameron walked into Kayla's office, he glanced around with a trained eye, noting books on the shelves, as well as artifacts; and a computer was set up on the desk. More books, files and artifacts were spread out on the workbench; a large book lay open at the page where she'd been studying it, a computer tablet next to it. "I see they put you to work straight away."
"I don't mind." She chewed on her bottom lip a little as she stood by the workbench, feeling like she was being put under the microscope. She found the folder with the translations for P5G-9987. "I'd better get started on these."
"We'll leave you too it," he agreed. As the three men began to walk out, Cameron paused, "Hey, Jackson, where are you staying?"
"On base for the moment," she answered. "The Air Force packed up my apartment in California while I was at the Alpha site. Jack… General O'Neill, arranged for it to be brought to Colorado and put into storage. So I'm going to have to look for an apartment."
Cameron nodded, thinking it through. "We'll help."
"Indeed. Apartment procuring is most interesting." Teal'c commented, as Ryan nodded his support.
Kayla was a taken back by their eagerness. "Okay."
"We'll see you at the briefing then," their team leader announced. "Door open or closed?"
"Um, open is fine," she informed. Kayla was still stunned as he smiled at her and walked out with the rest of their team. Shaking her head, she picked up the folder and opened it. Sitting down at the workbench, she continued working on the translation, which had gone better than she thought it would.
You weren't expecting them to accept you so quickly.
She looked up. "No, I wasn't." She was now comfortable with his appearances; the first time had been a shock to the system. He being Skaara, her uncle who had died and ascended on Abydos before Anubis had destroyed the pyramid.
Skaara appeared to her in Earth clothing; jeans, t-shirt and leather jacket. The first time it had been Abydonian native clothing, but he'd seen what he was now wearing in a magazine she had laying around somewhere. He sat at the workbench with her. You were expecting them to resent you, Mitchell especially.
"Yes." She chewed hesitantly on her bottom lip.
He chuckled. You are much like your father.
"I'll take that as a compliment," she remarked as she twirled the computer stylus pen, and then asked the question that needed to be asked. "How is he?"
Your father is fine, he enjoys life at Atlantis.
"I mean, is he alright with knowing about me?" She clarified.
Skaara smiled. Daniel is eager to meet you, Kayla, you are his daughter.
"Thank you," she accepted smiling.
I will leave you to your work, he bowed ever so slightly as he stood. Be careful.
"I will, Uncle Skaara." She saw him roll his eyes before he disappeared. She chuckled and went back to work.
Midday, Teal'c found her sitting in front of her computer, typing on the keyboard, getting her presentation ready. He put the tray on the desk she was working at. "I suggest you eat something, Kayla Jackson."
She looked away from the monitor to him. "Thanks Teal'c."
He bowed his head slightly and then took a seat. "Do you acquire assistance with your translations?"
"Um, no thanks, I've got it covered." She grabbed a sandwich and took a bite. "Did Colonel Mitchell send you?"
"He did not. I came on my own accord."
Kayla turned her chair and sat back a little. "Did you use to do this for dad?"
Teal'c smiled warmly. "Indeed. Daniel Jackson forgot to eat when engrossed within his work. He more than once tried to live on coffee and energy bars."
She couldn't help but smile. "I've done that," she admitted and ate some more of her sandwich.
"I have observed over the past three days, that you are much like your father," the Jaffa declared. "I believe, other than General O'Neill, I was as close to Daniel Jackson as anyone could be. I considered him my brother."
"And me?" She asked.
"You are my brother's daughter. I hold you with the same respect and will protect you, as I would your father," he said proudly.
"Thank you, Teal'c," she said sincerely. She picked at the last of her sandwich. "You know, when I was in college, we had this visiting Doctor of Archaeology from Chicago. He was young, handsome and we were all eager to hear what he had to say. The first couple of classes were good, and then one day I asked a question and he snapped my head off. I shook it off, but found every class I had with him after that he was the same. In the end I faced him and asked him what his problem was." She paused, seeing Teal'c was waiting for her to continue. "He said to me that I reminded him of another Jackson, and if I had any sense, I would get out while I had the chance. My Professor was sitting in the class, and became very angry with him. He told me to go and that he'd see me next class. As I left, I heard them arguing. It was the first time I'd heard the name Daniel Jackson. It got me curious enough to find out just who this mysterious Dr. Daniel Jackson was."
"And what did you find out?" Teal'c asked her.
"That the man was brilliant, and if I end up half the Archaeologist he was, then I'd made the right choice," she said proudly. "In fact, I wrote a paper in college that was published throughout American and English Archaeological journals on the cross-pollination of languages, using some of his theories as reference."
"He would have been very proud of you, had he known." Teal'c assured her.
She stopped picking at her sandwich and looked up. "I started studying his theories about the Pyramids of Egypt, and I didn't make it known I was doing it. After all, his departure from the Archaeological community, before the first Stargate mission, wasn't exactly graceful."
"So I have heard."
Kayla sighed and finished off the sandwich, then turned back to the monitor. She didn't start working again, however. She picked up the photo she had sitting on her desk of her father that Jack had given her. "The year he was gone, that he ascended." She hesitated, glancing back his way. "What was it like around here?"
Teal'c paused for a moment, and then answered her. "It was empty," he admitted. "I cannot explain it any other way. Each of us mourned his leaving, for he took a piece of us with him. We were not whole until he returned to us."
She bit her lip as she looked at the photo, tears welled in her eyes. "Do you think… do you think he loved my mom, even a little?"
Standing, Teal'c put his hand on her shoulder. "I think, Kayla Jackson that your father loved your mother a great deal while he was with her, and if he had known of your existence he would have moved heaven and earth to be with you." He gently wiped the tear that slid down her cheek. "Daniel Jackson is an honorable man, and he will love you."
Without hesitation, Kayla put the photo down and got to her feet, it was then she became indecisive, but Teal'c didn't, he drew her into his arms and she hugged him back. "Thank you Teal'c."
"You are welcome, Kayla," he whispered and then released her. "I'll take my leave of you, now."
She nodded. "I'd better get back to work."
"Very well, Kayla Jackson." He bowed his head and walked out of the office. Finding Cameron Mitchell standing near the door out of sight, but close enough to have heard what had been said.
He shook his head, stopping Teal'c from acknowledging him and walked with the Jaffa to the elevator, out of earshot. "How is she?" He inquired concerned.
"Kayla Jackson is well," Teal'c informed, curious about the man's apprehension. "She is determined however to be as good as her father. She would not have eaten, had I not taken her sustenance."
Cameron nodded. "I don't want her to be as good as her father," he said and saw the Jaffa raise an eyebrow. That hadn't come out right. "I mean, I want her to be as good as her father, I just don't want her pushing herself to prove it. We know who she is."
"Do we, Colonel Mitchell? You have known her only a matter of hours and you have come to this conclusion."
"Yeah, well, General O'Neill let me read her file." He shoved his hands into the pockets of his trousers. "She didn't have it easy after her mom died. She had to learn to walk again after being in a coma for three months. Once they released her from the hospital, they put her into a foster home. Her foster parents said she was a withdrawn child who barely spoke and didn't interact with people well. They also didn't like the fact she had to be taken to therapy, both physical and physiological. So in the end she was moved from one set of foster parents to another, all stated she was too much work."
Anger suddenly laced his voice. "One family abused her and she had to be removed and placed with another family, who reported Kayla felt abandoned and unloved." Anger simmered in his eyes. "It was no damn wonder with all she'd been through that she found solace in learning and retreated within herself. All the kid wanted was a family and no one wanted her. Not one family offered to adopt her."
Teal'c clenched his hands into fists, his blood boiled with the rage he felt. "We need to make Kayla Jackson realize she has a family with us Colonel Mitchell."
"I know Teal'c," he said solemnly, calming down. "And we're going to do that." He assured sternly. "Because, even though I've only just met Kayla, I know we need her here and we need her on SG-1. She is a part of our family now."
"Indeed she is, Colonel Mitchell," Teal'c agreed as they walked into the elevator.
Unseen by them, standing in the corridor, Skaara smiled. He knew Kayla was going to be looked after, and he could return to keeping an eye on the other Dr. Jackson.
DF
At fourteen hundred, SG-1 met in the briefing room, waiting for General O'Neill. He came out of his office and joined them, gesturing for them to sit. "Before we begin, I want you to know I'm not going to babysit this team. If you have problems, I want you to sort it out." He looked to Mitchell. "There will be no more transfers approved. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir," Cameron acknowledged. That was not going to happen, they weren't losing their archaeologist.
"Alright, let's get on to the mission, then." Jack opened the file on P5G-9987 that had been placed on the table. "The MALP sent back images of P5G-9987. Kayla?" He glanced up to see the young woman was engrossed in the photos, enough that she didn't respond. "Yo, Indiana?"
She snapped her head up, frowning at the idiotic nickname and his amused smile. "Sorry. I completed the translations, and the people of P5G-99878 worshiped Astarte."
"Astarte?" Ryan Michaels queried.
She nodded, and using the remote, brought up the presentation on the monitor setup. "She was associated with war, and was thought to protect a King in battle." Kayla then changed the image. "On Earth, she was um, of Syrian origin, and her cult wasn't even evident in Egypt before the Eighteenth Dynasty." Kayla changed the image again. "Astarte was usually represented as a naked woman riding a horse, wearing either the atef crown or bull's horns on her head, and was variously regarded as the daughter of Ra or of Ptah. She was considered to be one of Seth's consorts."
"So this Astarte was a Goa'uld." Cameron guessed.
"More than likely," the archaeologist agreed with a nodded before adding. "However." She changed the image to show a half destroyed column with writing on it. "This is Ancient."
"Which means?" Jack asked; shaking off the feeling he was talking to Daniel instead of his daughter. Damn, the two were so alike.
"I don't know," Kayla answered truthfully. "I need to take a look around; I can't translate this from the photo, it's not clear enough."
"All right, you leave in thirty minutes, dismissed." He stood, returning to his office.
"So, Jackson," Cameron began. "We'll meet at the armory in 25 minutes."
"I'll be ready, Colonel," she assured.
"Good," he started to walk away from them. "Don't bring a lot of junk," he called back, a grin on his lips.
"Junk?" She questioned, glancing at Ryan for an explanation.
"Freeman carried a lot," the Major supplied.
"Oh, well, I'll try to keep my junk to a minimum," she said with a touch of sarcasm.
"You'll be fine," he said with a smile.
Kayla smiled back and followed them into the elevator. Going straight to her office, Kayla quickly tidied up a little and then got what she wanted to take with her. From there she went to level 25 and into the women's locker room, where she changed and headed for the armory on 28.
Mitchell and the others were waiting for her, and like them, she wore green fatigues, but she also wore a green bandanna on her head, her now braided hair tucked underneath it.
Cameron whistled softly. "Man, some women make fatigues look good."
"Indeed, Colonel Mitchell," Teal'c said positively.
"So, Jackson, all set?" Cameron asked when she joined them.
"All set, Colonel," she said smiling, a touch of smugness to her voice.
They checked out each others vests to see if anything was missing, and Cameron ordered Kayla to zip hers up, noting that even though she grumbled, she did it. Over all, she seemed at ease with what she was doing. He handed her a nine-millimeter for the holster at her thigh. She took it, properly checked it, and then holstered it. He was impressed.
"So, no pack full of books, Jackson?" He asked her.
"No," she answered. "I have everything I need."
"Really?"
She nodded and removed a small notebook-size device from the thigh pocket of her fatigue pants. "PDA, it has a language research database, the latest Windows programs, as well as a few other goodies." She tucked it back into her pocket. "It was a gift from Colonel Carter. She integrated it with Asgard technology, giving it a naquadah power cell, as well as titanium alloy casing."
"Nice."
Ryan could see his CO was impressed; he'd been like that when he'd first started working with Samantha Carter. "Did Colonel Carter give you a spare, in case you lose that one or it's damaged?"
Kayla nodded. "As well as a stern warning not to do either."
Cameron removed a P-90 from the rack, frowning at the two of them good-heartedly; this was definitely going to work. "Alright, enough shop talk. Let's go."
"Yes, sir, Colonel, sir," Kayla said lightly and walked out with his 2IC, both smiling.
Teal'c smirked a little. "She is much like her father."
"Am I in trouble already?" The Colonel inquired.
"Indeed," the Jaffa remarked and walked out after choosing a P-90.
Cameron followed, realizing he had the band back together, it wasn't the original band, but he was taking it. They arrived at the Gate Room as the Stargate opened; the kawoosh spiraled out before settling into the event horizon.
"SG-1, you have a go," Jack O'Neill announced from the control room. "And Mitchell, bring your archaeologist back in one piece."
"Yes, sir," Cameron adjusted his cap, as Kayla rolled her eyes a little. "Alright people, let's do it," he ordered and they stepped up onto the ramp, walking up together. With no hesitation they stepped through, and into bright sunshine; the Gate closing down behind them. "Welcome to P5G-9987," the Colonel said dryly, getting down to business. Remains of structures lay scattered around the area surrounding the Stargate. "Alright, Jackson, let's find your Ancient writings. Teal'c, Michaels, keep your eyes open."
He was acknowledged, and working together they searched the entire area within a hundred meter radius. Mitchell was starting to get frustrated by the time the scripture was found. While Kayla translated, he sent Teal'c and Michaels to do a perimeter check.
"Do we have a timetable here, Jackson?" The Colonel inquired. The sun was already high afternoon on the alien planet.
"It'll take as long as it takes, Colonel," Kayla retorted.
"Great." He found a rock and sat down, letting her work, watching her. She was using the PDA, making notes with a computer stylus pen, scanning the scripture into the database. It was obvious this PDA wasn't like any he'd ever seen before. "So Jackson," he began again, making conversation. "How long have you had a problem with enclosed spaces?"
Kayla frowned, but kept working. "I don't have a problem, Colonel."
"Sure you don't, and the little display in the elevator was just an act," Cameron said sarcastically.
She glanced back. "If and when I have a problem, Colonel, you will be the first to know," she informed him defensively, and then went back to work.
"That went well," Cameron muttered and got up, taking a look around the ruins without moving too far away. "What was this place?"
"A temple for Astarte'sworshipers," Kayla informed, splitting her concentration. "From the blast marks, I'd say someone didn't want it left standing."
"Who?" He turned back. "The Goa'uld?"
She stood and looked around. "It would be a likely guess."
Teal'c returned with Major Michaels. "We found no signs of life, Colonel Mitchell," the Jaffa reported.
"It looks like the Goa'uld took everyone when they left." Ryan added. "Or they died out without their 'God' being around."
"Teal'c, would a Goa'uld destroy their temple after they abandon it?" Cameron inquired.
"If they didn't wish anyone to gain access, yes."
"Access to what?" The Colonel asked as he watched Kayla walk over towards a fallen obelisk, shoving her PDA into her pocket. "Jackson, don't wander off."
Kayla rolled her eyes. "I'm not going anywhere, Mitchell."
"And don't touch anything," he added as she hunkered down next to the obelisk.
"That might be a little difficult, Colonel. Touching is part of my job," she said, running her fingers over the script. "This is Ancient."
Cameron walked over and hunkered down to get a better look. "Visited, or lived here?"
"I'm guessing lived," she answered, and felt the symbols under her fingers move a little as she pressed them in a random sequence. Nothing happened, and then…
"Jackson, did you do that?" Cameron asked her, feeling the ground under them vibrate.
"I don't think so," she answered alarmed.
Michaels and Teal'c managed to stay on their feet as the ground shook and rumbled, but Mitchell and Kayla weren't so lucky. A hole opened up beneath them and sucked them down, both of them yelling out as they fell.
Their teammates rushed over to the pit, being careful as they crawled over to the edge.
"Colonel Mitchell!" Ryan yelled at the same time Teal'c yelled. "Kayla Jackson!"
"Damn," the Major swore and edged closer, hanging into the hole a little. "I can't see them," he told the Jaffa and then called out. "Colonel! Kayla!"
DF
At the bottom of the pit, Cameron found himself sprawled over Kayla. He could hear Ryan and Teal'c, but he couldn't move. The obelisk had come down with them and was pinning him, but he wasn't being crushed, just held. Somehow the large stone obelisk was being braced, and that had saved their lives. He concentrated on his archaeologist.
"Jackson," he managed to free his arms and felt around as best he could, he was lying on top of her, and his P-90 was jammed into her chest, for the moment he couldn't get to it. He felt dirt under her, and it was wet around near her head; he had a feeling with blood. His heart raced a little. "Jackson," he patted her face gently smudging it with dirt and blood. "Come on Kayla, wake up," he heard a groan and sighed in relief. "That's it sunshine, wake up."
Her eyes opened, and she peered up into his. She'd lost her glasses in the fall. "Colonel," she said raspy. Her head was throbbing and her chest hurt, and it was hard to breathe. She guessed that was because he was lying on top of her. "Get off."
"Love to Jackson, but I happen to have an obelisk pinning me down," he said dryly.
Concern laced her blue eyes. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, my damn P-90 is sticking into me though, and I guess you too," he grumbled light-heartedly.
She couldn't see much in the dim light, without her glasses. "Can you move it?" She asked weakly.
"I can't, can you reach it?" he asked her, feeling useless.
She couldn't lift her left arm at all, but her right was fine, slowly and painfully she managed to get her hand between them and one handed unclip the weapon. "Okay, I've got it."
"All right, on three, I'll suck in as much as I can," he told her.
"Okay," she said, and heard him count. On three she felt him suck in his chest and pulled the P-90, crying out as she managed to get it out, dropping it beside him. Her eyes watered as the pain ripped through her whole body. "Oh god!"
His radio crackled to life before Cameron could say anything. "Colonel, Kayla, can you read me?"
"Loud and clear, Michaels," he answered after pressing the transceiver activation button.
"Are you and Kayla all right, sir?"
"No. We're pinned down by the obelisk. I'm guessing, but I'd say Jackson has a head injury, probably a couple of cracked ribs and maybe internal bleeding," he reported worriedly. "All which isn't being helped by the fact I'm lying on top of her pinned down by the bloody obelisk!"
"Teal'c has gone for help, sir; can you tell how far you've fallen?"
Kayla coughed painfully. Squinting she could just see around Mitchell's head, there was light above them, but she'd never been good as judging distance with her glasses off. "Eleven or twelve feet," she whispered.
"You get that, Michaels?" Cameron asked him anxiously.
"Yes, sir, eleven or twelve feet," he repeated. "Hang on, sir, Kayla."
"We're not going anywhere, Michaels," the Colonel groused.
"Right, sir."
Cameron focused on Kayla again. "Anything else hurt that I didn't mention?"
Her eyes drifted closed and then opened again. "Left arm… can't move it."
She was fading on him, he knew it. "Jackson!" He yelled and saw her eyes flicker open. "Come on, stay awake. Talk to me?"
"What… what about?"
"Anything," he insisted. "What made you want to look for your dad?"
Kayla felt his side arm jammed into her thigh, taking the fact she could feel it a good sign. "My friend," she answered him.
"Go on."
"She was killed by… by a drunk driver," she said softly, tears in her eyes from more than her injuries. "She never… never had the chance to find her father. I promised her… before she died, promised her… I would find mine."
"So how did you do that? What led you to the General?" Cameron asked, keeping her talking.
"Journal's," she mumbled, she had to force her eyes to say open. "My mother, kept journals… she… she followed dad's career." She paused and managed to move her leg a little, stopping his side arm from digging into her. "She wrote he went to the University of Chicago. I contacted them… spoke to Dr. Steven Reynar… He told me dad worked for the Air Force."
"So what happened then?" He asked; he saw her eyes close again. "Jackson! Kayla!" He saw them snap open. "What happened?"
"Was given the run around, until I found General O'Neill, Uncle Jack was willing to help."
"Uncle Jack?" he chuckled a little.
She did too and soon regretted it. "He said to call him that… said dad was like a brother."
His radio crackled to life again. "Sir, help is on the way, SG-3, 12 and a medical team are coming through the Gate, just hold on."
"We're doing that Michaels," he remarked.
Kayla put her hand on his back and felt where the obelisk was pinning him. "This is my… my fault."
"No it's not, though I did tell you not to touch," he mused, smiling. "Still, I don't think this was what the General meant when he said I had to get to know you better."
She laughed and then cried out. "Don't make me laugh."
"Sorry," he felt her hand scrape at the back of his vest, pain laced her features. "We're going to be all right, help will be here in no time. Alright, Jackson?"
"All right," she answered, breathing raggedly.
"Okay, tell me something else," he told her. "You've read SG-1's mission reports, got a favorite?"
"P4X-884," she answered without hesitation.
"Aha, Urgo." He smiled. "Kind of liked that one myself. Though I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall during that first year and seen SG-1 come together as a team."
She felt her eyes drifting closed again. "Would have… liked to have… seen Abydos."
"Jackson!"
She opened her eyes, wincing. "Don't yell, headache."
"Okay, I'll stop yelling, if you stop going to sleep on me," he ordered. "I'm not that boring."
"So tired, just want to sleep," she said softly.
"Well, sorry, you can't," he declared.
His radio crackled to life again. "Colonel Mitchell, this is Colonel Reynolds, we're coming down to check things out."
"More the merrier," he commented. They heard ropes being dropped, dirt and dust rained down on top of them as Reynolds and one other from his team abseiled in. Cameron did his best to keep the dirt and dust out of Kayla's face. "Hey guys, nice of you to drop in."
Flashlights were shone on them; SG-12 came down the same way, along with Dr. Lam, the CMO and a nurse. While Reynolds and his teams worked on the obelisk, the medical team concentrated on their patients.
"Colonel, are you in any pain?" Carolyn asked him.
"No, aside from the fact that Jackson's side arm is digging into me, I'm pretty good," he lied, he could wait. "Take care of Kayla."
She nodded. "We're doing that," she assured him. They already had an IV in and the nurse was dealing with the head inquiry. Carolyn injected a painkiller straight into the IV port. "That'll begin to work quickly, Kayla," she told the linguist. "Can you feel your feet?"
"Yes."
"Okay, that's good," she glanced up to Reynolds. "Colonel?"
"The obelisk is braced on either side, doctor, they're damn lucky," the Colonel reported. "We're going to try and lever it off Mitchell, once we've done that he should be able to move." He announced. "Colonel, once you're free, can you get out on your own?"
"Damn well going to try, Reynolds," Cameron informed.
"Alright." Reynolds and his men all had metal bars as levels. "On three, doc, once Mitchell is out; you're going to have to pull Kayla free." He saw the look he was being given. "Sorry doc, it's a risk, but I don't want this thing coming down on top of her."
"All right," she agreed.
"On three then," he said and slowly counted down. Getting to three, they all managed to lever the obelisk, lifting it off Mitchell; he wiggled out, getting clear.
Carolyn and the nurse dragged Kayla back without jousting her too much; she cried out as they did, pain ripped through her body.
The obelisk came down with a thud as Cameron crawled over to his teammate. "Jackson, Kayla?" She'd black out. "Doc?"
Carolyn checked the younger woman's pulse. "She's still with us, Colonel."
He sighed. "Then let's get her out of here."
Kayla was stretched out, but Cameron went out under his own steam. Michaels and Teal'c stuck with him as they walked to the Stargate back into the SGC, Dr. Lam and her team rushing Kayla away on a gurney.
Jack had been standing out of the way, and now walked over to his flag team. He'd wanted to race after the gurney but duty stopped him, the rest of his flag team needed him, and Mitchell looked ready to drop. "Colonel, get to the infirmary and get checked out. Teal'c, make sure he goes."
"I will, O'Neill," the Jaffa insisted.
"We'll debrief in two hours," he told them.
"Yes, sir," they acknowledged as Teal'c ushered his teammates out of the Gate Room. They made a stop at the armory and then the locker room, taking much needed showers before going to the infirmary. Mitchell was ushered away by Doctor O'Regan, who had orders from Dr. Lam. Michaels and Teal'c waited their turn for physicals. They were finished by the time Cameron rejoined them. He was up and about, but walking a little stiff, after convincing O'Regan he was fine.
"How are you, sir?" Ryan asked him.
"Little sore, but nothing broken, a few bruises. I was lucky," he said, his main concern was Kayla. Their first mission, a simple recon and she'd gotten hurt. He thought General O'Neill was going to kill him, possibly still was.
"This was not your fault, Colonel Mitchell," Teal'c said sincerely.
"Tell that to General O'Neill," he remarked. "He told me to take care of her."
"You did just that, Colonel," the Jaffa insisted. "She is here, is she not?"
"Yeah." He shoved his hands into the pockets of his trousers and hoped the General saw it that way too.
They still hadn't heard anything by the time they had to report to the briefing room. Jack was on the phone, and he didn't look happy. He looked worried. He put down the receiver and walked out. "Kayla is still in recovery, Dr. Lam is on her way," he reported. "Now tell me what happened. How in the hell did my girl get hurt, Colonel?"
"We arrived on P5G-9987, spent a good part of two hours looking for more of the writings. Jackson did the translation while Teal'c and Michaels checked the perimeter," he reported, wincing as he tried to get more comfortable in his seat. His body was starting to tell him he needed to rest; the adrenaline rush was wearing off. "After they returned, we were discussing why the temple had been destroyed when Jackson walked over to an obelisk. I then joined her, and while we were hunkered down looking at it, she ran her fingers over the symbols, being able to press some of them. Nothing happened, and then suddenly the ground began to vibrate, a hole opened up and sucked us in." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat again. "The next thing I know, I'm laying on top of her, the obelisk pinning me down so I couldn't move."
Jack swallowed hard and asked the question he didn't want too. "Did Kayla cause the hole to open?"
"No," the Colonel said sternly, with conviction. He'd been going over it in his head since they'd returned. "I think it was our combined weight and the weight of the obelisk that sent us into that hole."
Jack frowned. "Can you be sure, Colonel?"
"No, sir," he admitted. "I'm just going on a gut instinct, that and the fact nothing happened straight after she pushed the symbols."
"General," Michaels spoke up. "The area around the hole was unstable, it's more than likely the ground would have eventually collapsed even if we hadn't gone there."
"Indeed," Teal'c agreed.
"All right," he yielded, still worried. Until all the reports were in, he trusted their instincts. "SG-3 and 12 are still checking out the area, and the cavern you fell into." He paused as Dr. Lam came up the stairs and into the room, wearing a white lab coat over scrubs, and carrying a folder. "Doc?"
"General."
He gestured for her to sit. "How is Kayla?"
She sighed and rubbed her forehead with one hand. "General, I'm surprised Kayla's injuries weren't more severe from the fall, let alone from the fact that Colonel Mitchell fell on top of her," she reported wearily. "Her left shoulder was dislocated; she has bruising and slight swelling around her spine, which we're keeping an eye on. As well as the bruising she has on her chest, though her vest took most of the impact, luckily." She paused, frowning. "Her head injury was caused from an impact with an object, I'm speculating it was a pot or jug by the debris. Her bandanna was cut clean through and the wound wasn't deep, but it was long."
Cameron felt nauseas. He closed his eyes and took a breath before opening them again. "How long?"
Carolyn opened the folder she was carrying and showed him on a diagram. "From the base of her skull to midway, about fifteen centimeters, it was a clean cut and there were no skull fractures." She saw him scrub his hand over his face, he was a little ashen "Colonel, are you alright?"
He nodded. "Yeah."
She didn't fully believe him. The man was coming down hard, she was going to have to keep an eye on him. She continued. "Kayla could have bled to death by the size of the wound, but she didn't, and I think it has to do with the substance that was in the jug she hit!"
"It stopped the bleeding?" Ryan asked her.
"It slowed it down. It was soaked into her bandanna, her hair and the wound. I've sent a sample to the lab for analysis, but so far whatever it is, it isn't attacking her immune system, it seems to be boasting it."
"Could it have something to do with the fact Kayla has the ATA gene?" Jack inquired.
She thought about it, nodding. "It's possible," she agreed. "I'm keeping her in ICU for the moment."
"Are we able to see her, Dr. Lam?" Teal'c asked.
"Yes, just don't expect her to be lucid or conscious, even if she wakes she won't stay conscious for long periods of time to start with," she informed and saw him bow his head slightly. Smiling a little she looked back to the Colonel, she was worried about him, addressing the General. "Sir, with your permission, I'd like Colonel Mitchell to return to the infirmary."
"Granted," Jack said without hesitation, the man didn't look good.
"Sir, I'm fine." Cameron insisted.
"Colonel, do what you're told," the General ordered and stood. "I'll be down in a minute myself, so do what Dr. Lam tells you. Dismissed," he said and headed for his office; he needed a moment alone.
Carolyn pushed back her chair and stood, taking the folder with her. "Come along, Colonel."
He didn't argue. "Alright," he agreed, and found she stuck by him as they walked out, the rest of his team going with them.
On level 21, she took them to ICU, where their teammate was recovering. Leading them into the room, the three men became solemn. Kayla lay on her side, her head was heavily bandaged, and she had an IV in, replacing lost blood and introducing antibiotics. A nasal cannula, a heart monitor and a blood pressure cuff added to the gruesome picture of an ashen face and dark circles around her closed eyes.
Carolyn maneuvered Cameron over to the stool near the bed and had him sit down; she was going to keep a close eye on him. "I'm going to organize a bed for you, Colonel; I want to keep you overnight."
"I'm fine, Doc," he insisted. "I'll sit here a little while and then I'll go to my quarters."
"You'll do as you're told, Colonel," she ordered. "I'm also going to have a word with Dr. O'Regan; she should have never let you leave."
"I told her I was fine," he admitted. "I didn't give her much of a choice." She frowned even so. "Really, doc, it wasn't Dr. O'Regan's fault."
"Alright," she dismissed. She patted him on the shoulder. "You're still staying in my care, so don't leave." She looked to the Jaffa. "Teal'c, make sure he remains until I come back."
"I will do so, Dr. Lam."
"Thank you," she said and walked out of the room.
"You must not blame yourself, Colonel Mitchell," Teal'c insisted, knowing that was exactly what the human was doing.
"She's under my command Teal'c, and I let her down, our first mission together and I let her down," he said despondent.
"You kept her alive, sir, while you waited for help to arrive," Ryan contradicted strongly. "You didn't let her fall asleep."
He knew they were right, it was just hard convincing himself they were. He sighed and nodded. "Why don't you two go and write up you're reports and grab something to eat, I'll stay here with Kayla for as long as the doc lets me." He saw them both hesitate. "I promise I won't go anywhere, besides, General O'Neill is heading down here."
"I will return once I have written my report, Colonel Mitchell, all 50 words." Teal'c informed.
"Sure, Teal'c, no problem," he agreed as he smiled.
"I'll be along later, too, sir," Ryan agreed and saw the Colonel nod, glancing at Teal'c, he gestured to the Jaffa and they walked out.
Carolyn was returning as they were leaving. "Colonel Mitchell has not moved, Dr. Lam." Teal'c reported.
She smiled, slightly amused. "Thank you, Teal'c."
"Ma'am, is the Colonel all right?" Ryan inquired worriedly.
"Delayed shock, Major, he'll be fine after a good night's sleep," she informed. "That and I think he's feeling guilty, he's blaming himself for this."
"It was not his fault," Teal'c declared.
"I know that Teal'c, and I think even Cameron does too, he just doesn't want to admit it," she told them.
"Colonel Mitchell was emotional after reading Kayla Jackson's personnel file," the Jaffa noted.
That put everything in context for Carolyn. "Well, that explains a lot, her childhood wasn't fantastic. It's a shame her mother didn't think to acknowledge the fact that Kayla's father was still alive in her will, it would have saved Kayla a lot of heartache."
"Perhaps," Teal'c speculated. "And perhaps not."
"Well, we can't turn back time," Carolyn said, and then chuckled lightly. "Well, given the chance, we probably could, but let's not go there."
"Best not to," Ryan agreed. "We'll be back later, Dr. Lam."
She nodded. "All right, gentlemen, make sure you get some rest yourselves."
"We shall, Dr. Lam," Teal'c assured her.
"Then I'll see you both later," she said and returned to ICU.
"Come on Teal'c," Ryan said urging him out.
Carolyn moved Cameron to a bed in the ward, and after he was in a set of blue scrubs she gave him something to let him sleep. She filled her staff in on events, and then went for a word with Dr. O'Regan before heading for her office.
Almost two hours later, after her completing her rounds, Carolyn headed back to the ICU with a nurse, finding General O'Neill sitting beside her patient's bed. "General," she greeted.
"Doc."
"I need to check the wound, General," she warned. The nurse had gotten what she needed and moved the trolley closer to the bed. "Will you be staying, sir."
He nodded. "I've seen worse."
Carolyn expected he had. "You might want to hold her hand," she told him. "She's been given morphine for the pain, but this isn't going to be pleasant."
He took Kayla's hand, being careful of the IV and the pulse monitor. He studied her face while the doctor and nurse worked. Asleep, Kayla looked younger than she was. She winced in her sleep as the doctor lifted the dressing. Jack stroked the back of her hand, finding his touch seemed to help. It always had with Daniel.
He went back to studying her face, she had eyes like her dad's, even closed, a mouth similar to his too, as was the shape of her face. Her nose was a little different, a little her dad's and a little her mother's he guessed. She had a noticeable beauty, regal almost. It made him wonder what her mother looked like, and he guessed she must have been beautiful like her daughter. He studied her hand next; her fingers were long, her nails were short but well cared for. Overall, the skin was soft. There were a few rough spots, but she was an archaeologist after all. He saw her flinch, and she unconsciously squeezed his hand, jerking his head up.
"Easy doc," he could see Lam had the bandaging and dressing off and was checking the sutured wound.
"Won't be long now, General."
"Jack," he told her and saw her arch an eyebrow. "You're not military, Carolyn, you can call me Jack, well at least in situations like this."
She nodded. "All right, Jack." She saw Nurse Stevens smiling, the Lieutenant had been there since the beginning, and she'd seen Jack O'Neill at his best and his worse. Carolyn went back to what she was doing.
When they were finished dressing and bandaging the wound, she sent the nurse out with the trolley. "We're done, Jack." She moved around to stand next to him, smiling a little, her patients features had relaxed again. "She's a lot like Daniel." She grabbed the other stool and sat next to him. "I remember my first day here. I meet my staff, and I asked them if there was any particular team I should expect to see in my infirmary a lot. They didn't hesitate in telling me SG-1, in particular one Doctor Daniel Jackson. It was then I saw a lot of my nurses go starry eyed."
Jack chuckled softly. "That was Daniel, the nurses loved him. Ask Lieutenant Stevens to tell you about their excuse chart they had, because they kept inventing new ones just to get him to take his shirt off."
Carolyn smiled. "I've seen it; they were creative."
"Oh yeah," Jack agreed. "When we got back, after being held by Hathor, and the nurses heard the snake had cut his hair. They went into mourning for all of two seconds until they saw him, then they went gar, gar; he looked like a kid."
"I saw the photos," Carolyn announced and saw his surprised expression. "Oh yes, the nurses kept a visual record of their favorite patient."
He chuckled again and slowly stroked his thumb over the back of Kayla's hand. "How did they react to knowing Daniel had a daughter?"
She smiled, watching the tenderness of his action. "They were curious as to who she was, but as soon as they saw her, spoke to her, they knew she was his, and they accepted her. She's Daniel's daughter, and that means they take care of her as they would him." Standing, Carolyn put the stool back. "I'll be back later; make sure you get some rest too, Jack."
"I will," he assured.
She nodded and walked out. Knowing he would be there until either Major Michaels or Teal'c arrived. It was SOP with SG-1. Even past members of SG-1.
DF
Kayla woke disorientated and foggy, her head hurt, so did her arm, shoulder, back and chest. When she thought long and hard about it, there wasn't much of her body that didn't hurt. She opened her eyes and realized why her nose itched; she had a nasal cannula in. She found she couldn't move her left arm, it was in a sling. She couldn't move much at all, she was half lying on her side and half on her back, pillows kept her in that position. She felt the bandaging around her head, which accounted for the headache. The pain got worse as her grogginess lifted, her mouth was dry too.
Her focus fell on the blurry figure at her bedside, her sight cleared as much as it was going too, seeing who it was – Cameron Mitchell. Arms crossed against his chest, his head dropped down, asleep. The last time she'd been awake, Jack had been there holding her hand, she'd drifted off and woke again to find Ryan Michaels had taken his place. She didn't stay conscious long enough to ask him anything though. After that it had been Teal'c, yet she couldn't tell how long she'd been drifting in and out of consciousness.
And at the moment she didn't care. What she did need was for Mitchell to wake up. Painfully, she managed to move a little, an IV was in her uninjured right arm, a pulse monitor clipped to her finger as well. She lifted it slowly and reached out her hand, her fingers, monitor and all brushed against Cameron's arm.
"Colonel," she said huskily. "Colonel. Cameron."
He lifted his head, opening his eyes as he did, groaned and rubbed the back of his neck, seeing his archaeologist was awake. "Hey, Jackson, how are you feeling?"
She rested her hand on the bed again, worn out by the effort, her head throbbing. "Thirsty, hurt all over."
"I bet." He found the alert button and pushed it, before sitting closer, grabbing a cup of ice chips off the side table; he gave her some using a spoon. "Better?"
She nodded, the ice helped, but painkillers would help more. "How, how long?"
"Three days, you've been in and out of it most of the time."
Carolyn Lam came in, carrying what she needed, putting it on the mobile table at the end of the bed and stood next to Cameron. "Good morning, Colonel. Kayla."
"Hey doc, sleeping beauty here decided to rejoin us again," Cameron smirked.
"I can see that," she gave her patient a smile. "How is the pain Kayla, between 1 and 10?"
Dumb question, Kayla thought. "Eight."
"All right," she took a syringe filled with morphine and injected it into the IV port; she had a feeling that eight should have been a nine. "You'll feel better soon."
"How, how bad?" Kayla asked her.
Carolyn disposed of the needle and syringe. "What do you remember?"
"Falling, being pinned down with the Colonel."
The doctor shoved her hands into her lab coat pockets. "Your left shoulder was dislocated; you've got bruising to your spine and chest. What had me worried was your head injury. Your head made contact with a jug containing liquid, when it broke, it sliced into your head, the incision was clean and you've suffered no infections. We had to stitch the incision closed, which meant…"
Kayla put her hand to her head and felt the bandagers; they had to shave her head. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment and then opened them again. "I guess I have good reason for wearing a bandana now," she said softly.
Cameron heard the insecurity behind her words. "Hey, it's only hair, Jackson, it'll grow back."
She nodded, growing quiet, withdrawing.
Carolyn moved to the end of the bed and made some notes on the young woman's chart before replacing it. "I'll be back in a moment to change the dressing, Kayla," she got a half hearted nod from her. "I'll let the General know you're awake, he wanted to know as soon as you were."
Cameron glanced at Carolyn, concerned. He didn't know Kayla very well, but he had a feeling he knew what she was going through - him, more than any of them, given his own experience. "Thanks, doc," he acknowledged her.
She nodded and left.
Kayla forced back tears; she wasn't going to cry in front of Cameron. The last thing she wanted was for him to think she was a basket case. She buried her emotional pain deep down, wincing as she tried to get more comfortable. Seeing he was watching her carefully turning her pain into concern for him. "Are you alright?"
He smiled. After everything Kayla had been through, she was worried about him. Damn, she was like her father. "A few bruises, spent a night in the ward, other than that, I'm okay." He grabbed the ice chips. "Want some more."
She nodded and enjoyed the spoonful he gave her. "Thanks."
He put the cup back on the side table. "No problem; how's the pain?"
"Better," she answered and it was. She was still tired though. "You should go home and get some sleep."
"And have Teal'c grumbling about me leaving, when he and Michaels stayed, not to mention the General, no way," he said light-heartedly, making her smile. "Besides I don't leave a team member when they need someone; my grandma would never forgive me."
Kayla smiled again, despite feeling tears sting her eyes, she was starting to feel a little loopy, and that meant the morphine was working. That, and the southern boy charm of his was seeping into her soul. "I bet she kept a young Cam Mitchell in line with a firm, but gentle hand."
"Oh yes," he grinned, his accent thick with charm. "She was as good as some of my flight instructors at keeping me in line."
Kayla envied him for a moment; all she'd ever wanted was a family, someone who cared. She'd had some good foster parents, the last in particular. "Did you always want to fly?"
"Oh yeah, my dad was a test pilot, I guess I got it from him."
She sensed something there, even though the morphine haze that was slowly taking over. "What happened?"
"He was in a crash and they had to amputate both legs above the knees."
"He still encouraged you though, didn't he," she said softly, hearing his conviction.
"Yeah, he did, and he was there during the bad times and the good times," Cameron admitted, feeling a little tentative. "The times when I thought I wanted to throw it all in."
"But you didn't." She reached out again, this time taking his hand, wondering if things had been different, if it would have been her dad there with her, even though she was thankful Cameron was. She could feel a strong bond between them. "I bet you didn't think you were as strong as him."
"I still don't."
She smiled warmly, feeling sleepy, her eyes were getting heavy. "I think you're wrong." She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, their blues meet and each saw the other like never before, both had suffered. "You kept me awake when I wanted to give in. You saved my life."
"We're a family now, Kayla, we stick together," he declared, and realized without even thinking about it, he'd just spilt his guts to her. General O'Neill had been right, and that made him a little uncomfortable. And it made him realize something else the General had said. He could see her being his friend, a very good friend. He cleared his throat. "Um, SG-3 and 12 brought back artifacts they found in the cavern we fell into. They're in your office; Colonel Reynolds thought you'd probably like first look, and the General agreed."
"Thanks," she felt herself drifting off, unable to keep her eyes open any longer. "Lost my glasses though," she mumbled before she gave into sleep.
Cameron chuckled and freed his hand. Getting up, he stretched aching muscles, turning he found Teal'c standing behind him. "Geez, Teal'c, a little warning next time," he exclaimed quietly.
"My apologies, Colonel Mitchell, I came to relieve you." He didn't reveal how long he'd been there, it had been long enough.
"Thanks," he glanced back to his archaeologist. Stopping in mid thought – his archaeologist. Yep, she was that. He looked back. "She woke up for a few minutes; Dr. Lam gave her something for the pain, so she's a little loopy. Carolyn said she was going to be back to change the dressing."
Teal'c nodded. "Very well. I suggest, Colonel Mitchell, you get some sleep."
"Heading to my quarters now, brother," Cameron declared. "I'll see you later." He patted the Jaffa on the arm and walked out. He ran into Carolyn. "Um, Jackson lost her glasses, do you know if she has a spare set?"
"I believe in her office, she told me she keeps a spare set in the top drawer, and I've arranged for another pair, just in case. I'll be keeping them in my office."
"Great, I'll go get the ones from her office this afternoon when I come back in to see her."
"She should be more lucid by then," Carolyn said, smiling a little. She was glad SG-1 had come together. "Go get some sleep Colonel, a good eight hours."
"Going to, Doctor," he grinned cheerfully at her. "Later," he said and hurried out of the infirmary.
DF
Two days later, General Jack O'Neill stood in the doorway of the dimly lit observation room, leaning against the door, smiling. Kayla had been moved there that morning. He'd been spending as much time with her as he could. What had him smiling was the sight before him. In the room was SG-1, and only one of them was recovering from injuries, but all four were asleep. Well, he was sure three of them were; as for Teal'c, he wasn't really sure the Jaffa slept soundly. But they were there.
Kayla was curled up on her side, her arm out of the sling, which was half hanging off the bed. Her glasses were sitting on her journal on the table next to the bed. Colonel Mitchell was sprawled in a chair beside her bed, a pillow tucked behind his head, his feet in the chair in front of him, his arms crossed against his chest. Major Michaels was asleep in a similar position on the other side of the bed. Teal'c was sitting cross-legged on the floor, mediating or sleeping, one of the two; but they were together.
Jack knew everything was going to be all right, his girl was where she belonged. Oh, she might have been Daniel's daughter, but she was also his girl too. They were family, and the band had grown. He sighed, and walked away from the room, seeing the new head of Homeworld Security waiting for him.
"You were right," General Hank Landry told him. "They came together."
"Yeah, well, I told you so always sounds sweeter when I'm right," Jack smirked and then became sober. "That was close, Hank. I told Daniel I was going to look after her, and the first mission I send her on, she nearly gets herself killed."
"Jack, she's going to be fine," he assured him. "You were the one who told me she was right for this. Let her do her job; she's got to grow into the position so to speak."
"Yeah," Jack nodded. "Daniel did."
They came to the elevator. "What about the liquid that was in the jar Dr. Jackson hit?" Hank asked him.
"The lab reported it has anesthetic, clotting and antibiotic properties," the SGC commander reported. "It seemed to have reacted to the ATA gene Kayla has, but Dr. Lam speculates it would react the same way to someone who doesn't have it, the ATA gene just helped speed up the healing process."
"So, can the lab reproduce it?" Landry was looking for anything that could help Earth, and justify the SGC budget.
"They're working on it. SG-3 and 12 found another jug; we're having the liquid in it analyzed too."
"Well, keep me informed," Hank told him. "And get some sleep, Jack, you look like hell."
"Thanks," he ran his card through the elevator reader. "Have you seen Carolyn yet?"
"On my way there now," the head of HWS reported. "How's she doing, Jack?"
"She's doing fine, Hank. She's good, and she knows her job. Including keeping Colonel's and old General's in line."
Hank chuckled as the doors opened. "You're not that old, Jack."
He stepped into the elevator when the doors opened and turned, pressing a button. "I wasn't talking about me," he remarked with a smug grin as the doors shut.
Hank Landry chuckled and headed back to find his daughter's office; he had a few fences to mend.
DF
A week later, Dr. Lam released Kayla from the infirmary with orders to take things easy, orders which she had doubts the young woman would obey. A look from Colonel Mitchell gave her some hope, as it seemed the Colonel, Michaels and Teal'c had something in the planning. Something they weren't telling their archaeologist about, but had the full cooperation from their CO. Whatever it was, Carolyn knew Kayla was in good hands.
Kayla took their protectiveness with ease. The liquid in the jar had sped up the healing of the wound at the back of her head, but it did nothing for getting her hair to grow. Teal'c had solved the problem, and presented her with a black bandana. He helped her to put it on, since her left arm was still tender, though she was able go without the sling.
After leaving the infirmary, they'd gone with her to O'Neill's office. He asked her to recount what had happened on P5G-9987, and once Jack was satisfied that her memory was intact, he ordered them to escort her to her office, where the artifacts found in the cavern had been taken. After that, she'd ushered them all out, promising she wouldn't work too hard. The truth was, she needed time on her own, to think things through and to come to terms with them being so helpful and protective. So she worked; it was her way of dealing with things, it always had been.
Two hours later she made headway in the cataloguing and translations. Most of the scripture on the artifacts turned out to be Ancient and not Goa'uld. She translated everything, and made notes on its origins and uses. Which helped her discover more about who the Ancients were, as a people.
She was jotting down notes, using a computer tablet, when Cameron Mitchell appeared in the doorway. She didn't take any notice, nor had she heard him, as she wore earphones attached to the MP3 player in the back pocket of her trousers. She'd removed the blue BDU shirt over an hour ago; the black t-shirt she wore looked good on her and matched up with her black bandanna.
Sighing, Cameron walked into the office and over to the archaeologist, noticing the earphones. He tapped her on the shoulder, making sure it wasn't the injured one.
She looked up, put down the stylus pen and removed the earphones. "Colonel."
"The General is waiting on your report," he revealed.
"Oh," she left the earphones hanging over her shoulder and went over to her desk, lifting a number of files before she found the one she wanted, giving it to him. "Sorry, I guess I got carried away with what I was doing. The artifacts SG-3 and 12 brought back are amazing," she said excitedly. "The scripture is definitely Ancient, with a little Gaelic, as well as Latin, which is a derivative of Ancient, and they were originally known as the Altera, and the Alterans built Astria Porta."
"Stargate's," he guessed.
"Yes."
"So Astartedidn't know anything about this little treasure trove, then?" He asked, getting to the point.
"Not a thing. I'm guessing P5G-9987 was originally an Alteran colony." Moving around the workbench, she picked up large book and opened it carefully. "Now, we know that a plague wiped out the Ancients, the Alterans, on at least one world. These records were made by those who survived the plague. They write that some of the Alterans ascended to a higher plane of existence. But there were others, not Alterans, who also ascended, but didn't believe in the ideals that the Ancients set down in law. They broke away from them, and they too had followers, still in this reality."
"You're saying there's another group of ascended beings out there, who are what, acting like God's?" He theorized, putting it all together.
She looked up and nodded, straightening. "The Ori."
"So, their beliefs are different from the Ancients, like the ones Daniel met?"
"Yes." Kayla agreed, seeing he was waiting for more. "The surviving Alteran's said they were evil."
"Right, so we stay away from the Ori."
"That would be good." She agreed.
"Got it," he tapped her report on the bench. "Okay, I'll go take this to O'Neill. Put together a report dealing with all of this."
"I was going to." She assured.
He nodded and walked out. "By this afternoon, Jackson," he told her as he left, calling back. "And don't work too hard; you're supposed to be taking it easy."
She put the earphones back in, smiling to herself as she went back to work; for her, that was taking it easy.
DF
To be continued…