BOOK TWO Queen of Dragons

Disclaimer: SG-1 and its characters belong to MGM, Kate and Marrik belong to me. This story contains SG1 season 6 spoilers and believe it or not this story was originally written a long time before Game of Thrones and although in my story I gave Marrick shoulder length blond hair, my first choice was 'Ronin' from Stargate Atlantis.

Story so far:

This story is set at the time of the sixth season, Daniel has died and ascended to a higher level of existence and Jonas has joined SG-1. Jack has just returned home after been rescued from the evil clutches of Baal, still traumatised but much happier in the knowledge that Daniel is "hanging" around.

Safely back at the base Jack recalls what Daniel had said to him while in the dungeon in Baal's fortress, just before he left.

"You were right. There's always a way out. Well, at least, there's always a chance...

Chapter 1.

Kate had heard nothing from Dex since her phone call at the beginning of the year. As the months past, she couldn't even begin to presume where Jack was or if she would ever see him again. She was feeling pensive and had decided to get ready for bed early, determined that tomorrow she would rid her house of everything that vaguely reminded her about Jack, Caroline Dexter and the fact that little grey aliens do actually exist.

She decided that the nightdress that Jack had bought her almost six months ago would be one of the first things to go. She decided to wear it one last time before tossing it away first thing in the morning.

Repeating the nightly ritual that had kept her clinging to Jack for so long, she grabbed a throw from the back of a chair and stepped out of her patio doors and into the garden. The stars were always highly visible in the tiny village where she lived, due to the lack of street lights but tonight the night sky seemed even more stunning than ever. Kate looked up and wondered if Jack was out there somewhere. His touch, his scent everything about him seemed all the more vivid as she stood beneath the stars.

The cooling breeze licked her skin sending a cold shiver down her spine, she turned to walk back into the house when suddenly there was a bright flash of light and a whirring sound behind her.

Startled by the noise and the glare Kate turned, she heard the sound of breaking branches and she was just about to run indoors when she recognised a man's voice seemingly cursing. As her eyes became accustomed to the light she saw none other than the man she had hoped so desperately to forget.

…..

Jack stood under her apple tree brushing away leaves, bugs and several broken twigs from his collar.

"Darn stupid Go'auld tech, you'd think it would be able to detect living things a little more accurately ie trees."

Taking off his cap he tapped it gently against his leg before examining it and placing it back on his head. He stepped out from under the tree as Kate walked towards him and they stared at each other for a moment, both a little lost for words. Jack noticed Kate was wearing the long satin nightdress he had bought her on his last visit and he bit his lip.

"You look…. ….well," he said awkwardly then fumbling in his trouser pocket he took out a small vial filled with a deep red liquid. He reached out and took hold of Kate's hand stretching out her fingers as he did so. He placed the vial in the palm of her hand and then closing her fingers he held it there.

"I've reconsidered this cloning business," he said holding Kate's hand tightly. If Dex wants my DNA so badly I suggest you give her the vial, she'll find a way to get her hands on another machine, if she hasn't done so already, she has her own personal interests at stake." He let go of her hand and stepped back.

Kate stood overwhelmed, she wanted to tell Jack that she hadn't heard from Dex but she couldn't speak.

"I guess my priorities have changed, I'm now the proud father of a baby girl." Jack bit his lip and started to quiver. "Last I heard mum and baby were both doing fine…."

He looked into her eyes but had to turn away.

"Jack!" Kate managed to utter his name her eyes glazed over. Was this Jack's way of saying goodbye?

Kate moved towards him but just then Jack's radio crackled and she took a step back.

"What is it Teal'c?" Jack's voice croaked as he spoke into the radio in his top pocket.

A deep resounding voice answered. "We are holding our position O'Neill, but I am uncertain of how long the cloaking device will remain active."

"That's Ok Teal'c" replied Jack, "Just give me a few seconds."

"A few seconds" Kate thought and her heart began to pound as Jack positioned himself under the branches.

"By the way," he said addressing her, "when you give Dex the DNA ask her not to screw things up." Jack turned on the radio. "I don't fancy loosing any bits along the way."

Kate didn't know whether to laugh or cry as Jack put the radio to his mouth and spoke. "Right Teal'c I'm ready, ring me up!"

In that instant, Kate dropped the vial and dashed forward and wrapping her arms tight around him she held on for dear life. She closed her eyes tight as a blinding flash of light surrounded them and she felt a strange sensation in her stomach like being in a lift when it jerks to a halt…but much more intense. Everything went quiet then she felt the hard metal floor under her feet.

"Holy crap!" hollered Jack as he pushed Kate away from him. "Teal'c," he commanded "stop everything, turn this ship around, we need to make an unscheduled drop."

Teal'c entered the cargo bay from the flight deck, he was somewhat confused at the urgency of Jack's request.

Kate eyed him up and down she had never met anyone of his stature before, his skin the colour of ripe chestnuts and his exquisite Persian prince-like eyes. He was built like a warrior and there was no hiding the distinctive gold emblem that stood out on his forehead.

"We have to go back Teal'c, turn around" said Jack as he went through the large metal door and realising the ship was already out of earths orbit.

"We are already heading out of your solar system O'Neill and we are about to jump into hyperspace," stated Tealc as he followed him through the door. "Any attempt to turn around now would require a new set of co-ordinates and fuel to compensate."

Kate slowly edged her way forward, she could hardly believe her eyes as she stared in front of her watching the planets she had only seen in photographs and on TV, rapidly fly by. She looked around her at the metal bulkhead and the instrument panels and could hardly believe that she was actually on a space ship. She moved forward making the others aware of her presence.

Teal'c looked her up and down as she stood open mouthed and raising his eyebrows he looked back at a perturbed Jack.

"Don't ask" said Jack, adjusting the headset he was wearing. "Carter what's our status?"

A young blond haired woman turned around in her seat. She was dressed in the same uniform as Teal'c and Jack but Kate thought she was far too pretty to be a soldier.

"Teal'cs right Sir, I've already entered the designated co-ordinates into the ships computer, we jump into hyperspace any second now."

Jack addressed her. "Well, if we can't turn around then I suggest you find somewhere for our passenger other than the flight deck," he said waving his hand towards Kate but avoiding looking at her.

"Yes Sir!" Carter replied unquestioningly, getting up and taking Kate by the arm.